Changes... the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Last week I had two new women in my Saturday yoga class - both expecting mommies!  It was exciting to share with them.  I made a VERY big point of telling them this is not my first rodeo, and I have a long-established yoga practice.  My words were "don't try to keep up with the crazy lady!"

We all have our limitations, and we all have our places where we soar.  Yoga teaches us to be content in the present, but always be willing to grow.  Pregnancy really drives this home.  You can't rush it.  Your body, your mind, every part of you changes from day to day.  You must be content in the process.

Yesterday I had another photo session.  The baby's photo session.  Wih both Cade and Connor I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  This is a form of type II, or insulin resistance.  The hormones of pregnancy to support the growing baby make it harder for the body's cells to use the sugar in the blood.  Guess what test I failed yesterday?

So now I need to shell out cash for a new testing meter.  I got rid of the old one, figuring I'd never need it again...  I was able to manage strictly with diet with both Cade and Connor.  I'm quite sue I'll manage again.

I've decided to start prenatal yoga also.  If you look under the Special Events link, you'll see the details there!

Enjoy the baby's latest pic!
And in case you're wondering, we have no plans to find out if it's a boy or a girl.  We waited with both our older boys, and it's the most wonderful surprise ever.  So baby doesn't have a name.  We can't talk about "he" or "she," and "it" seems harsh.  Our solution?  As with both Cade and Connor, until the baby is born, we simply call it "Peanut."
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Soooo...

I've spent the past several weeks examining elements in my yoga class.  Earth, water, tree, air, fire & light.  These are universal elements that reside within us and throughout the world we live in.
On Saturday, I branched out for inspiration from the other creatures we share our world with.  My inspiration was the creepy-crawlies of the world: insects, arachnids, and reptiles.  They are the most diverse group of animals.  Insects have the most mass of all animals combined.  Our class explored transformation and fear, inspired by these creatures, paving the way for personal growth.

And on that note, I formally announced at the end of class my own transformation and personal growth.  I began studying yoga under Amy Likins' expert hand in 2003, when she and Laura Tyree opened Dragonfly in downtown Fort Walton Beach.  I was pregnant with my first son, Cade.  In summer 2008, I took my studies with Amy when she branced out and opened All One Yoga & Wellness.  I was pregnant with my second son, Connor.

Cafe Organic, pioneered by Amy Likins and Dr. Ed Frisbee, is officially open.  After 2 weeks of "soft" open, they had their grand opening on May 2, 2011.  Cafe Organic has been a long progress, a labor of love for all involved.  I first was involved when the cafe building was still a duplex apartment, helping out with space planning, waaay back in January 2008 - long before All One Yoga opened. 

Amy and I seem to share some cosmic-connect of creativity and growth...

On Saturday, I formally let the cat out of the bag - I am expecting my (surprise) third child this fall.  I hope you will join me on this new path of metamorphosis.
 
Late last night, after watching the DVR of "American Idol,"  we turned on the 10:00 news.  Dan was on his way to the shower.

As I sat on the sofa, watching the local news broadcast, I thought I heard a sound outside.  It's been warm, and most of the windows have been open.  About 20 seconds later, the dogs all went nuts.  Barking feverishly at the front door, and then bolting for the dog door in the sunroom.  I tilted my head, looking out the window, and saw a person standing outside a few yards from the front door.

I snapped on the porch light and opened the door, only as much as the door chain would allow.  A man was standing outside, his eyes as big as saucers and blood drained from his face.  "The dogs aren't coming out are they?" he begged.

Turned out this man was (supposedly) a new neighbor, new to Florida, who had locked himself out of his house.  First he asked to use the phone (which I conceded), and then he asked for money for the locksmith (which I declined).  But as we stood outside, the sound of the dogs barking and racing around the back of the house  definitely gave him pause.  I just don't think he was that good of an actor - he seemed really scared!

As I went back inside, I made a big deal to tell the dogs how good they were!

Dan and I talked for a minute.  He'd been standing in the living room, and heard the whole conversation that occurred outside the front door.  He observed "most people are going to be afraid of crazy dogs barking."  To which I added, "Except real dog-people.  They wouldn't be afraid."

Dan's observation continued.  "Most real dog-people are good people, and not looking to break into houses anyway."  Well put, hubby!
 
Wow.  I missed the entire month of March without posting once.  Bad, bad, bad.

But I have a good excuse!  Really!  We've made the decision that my kids have outgrown both our house and my parents' house.  Therefore we've decided to fix up and sell my parents' house.  They are going to move into our house (upgrade!) and we are going to buy a new, bigger house (upgrade!).  We have spent nearly every evening and every weekend cleaning, sorting, boxing, tearing out, fixing, painting... ugh!  But we're almost done now.  We hope to have the house in market condition by the 15th.  Wish us luck! 

And by the way, if you're looking for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath house with a shady yard, 10 x 12 storage shed, greenhouse / potting house, very convenient and close to everything in Fort Walton Beach - you know who to ask!

Since we've been gone from sunup to sundown every day, our critters are feeling mighty neglected.  Their depression is palpable.  I can't wait until I have free time to go to the dog park again.  They deserve it.

Speaking of critters, my parents' cat Fluffy is staying with us.  With the new carpet in the bedrooms, we all agreed it would be best.  Everyone but Fluffy that is.  He's been in our house 4 days, and has spent almost the entire time under my bed.  This morning I found him in the kids' room, so that's an improvement.  I don't think Connor realized Fluffy was in our house!  He was very excited to see Fluffy this morning, and gave him a big hug.  Seeing the kids helped Fluffy too, I think.  He likes them. 

Hopefully it won't be so long until you hear from me again... crossing fingers!
 
Okay - I'm officially sick and tired of being sick and tired. 

I was sick with the flu for over 2 weeks.  I was actually feeling human again.  On Wednesday afternoon, a new bug made it's way through our little house.  First, Cade.  This was a gut bug, causing gastrointestinal havoc.  By Thursday, Dan and my dad had it.  Friday it got my mom.  It got me in the middle of the night, and I had no choice but to beg Amy to cover my yoga class this morning.  Thus far my symptoms aren't as violent as the rest of the family.

But now I'm quarrantined to my bedroom in an effort to keep Connor disease-free.  Let's hope it skips our little guy...
 
First, Cade got sick.  Then I got sick.  Then Connor, and last Dan succumbed to the flu virus that invaded our home ad our bodies.

Living a healthy lifestyle makes our immune system stronger.  However, it doesn't mean we are truly immune to all infection.  Hopefully it healthy living makes us less susceptible to germs, and makes our recovery quicker.

I admit I get sick much, much less often than I did years ago.  THIS flu is kicking my butt though.  I can't help but wonder how much worse I'd be without my yoga practice...

Speaking of yoga, I need to hurry up and get better for the Yoga for Lovers partner practice this Friday!
 
This weekend, Amy Likins of All One Yoga & Wellness was hosting another juice cleanse. 
I had also made plans for my parents to keep my kids Cade & Connor for the weekend, so my husband Dan & I could tackle the VERY large task of cleaning the boy's room and finally getting Connor out of the crib. 
This, and since I try to mesh the theme and intention of my classes with Amy's, I planned on a cleansing practice for Saturday Jan 15.

I came home after work on Friday to a house abnormally quiet, because the kids weren't around.  I went about my normal after-work routine, peppered with some partner yoga practice brainstorming with Dan.  He and I were in our bedroom, and suddenly heard a yeowl and a skittering noise coming from the opposite side of the bed.  I looked over the bed and saw our tuxedo cat Yin, all four legs sprawled, eyes wide, tail puffed out like a bottle brush.  "Is he having some sort of a seizure?"  I watched as Yin shuffled under the bed, stopping with his rear still in view.  I pulled him out from under the bed, and lifted him into my arms.  As I sat holding him on the bed, his body was simply limp.  His pupils were slightly responsive to changing light.  Pinching his ears and toes elicited no pain response.  Yin was nearly catatonic.  "I think he's dying," I said.  Dan agreed.  Together we made the difficult decision to not seek veterinary care.  It was late on Friday; we would have needed to drive to the Emergency Clinic.  We didn't want a panicked and vain attempt of intervention to be Yin's last moments.  We decided to let him go.  I held him for a while, then gently laid him on one of our dog beds, and covered him with a blanket.  The following morning he was gone.  Jojo had slept beside him through the night.

Yin was only 9 years old.  He was one of a litter of orphaned kittens we found in our neighbor's back yard.  It was Pepper who alerted me in the dead of night the kittens, only about 4 weeks old, had managed to crawl to our doorstep.  I have no doubt Pepper was surprised at Yin's arrival on the Rainbow Bridge.  Our cat Zoi is Yin's brother.

Yin's nickname was "Slick," not only for his sleek shiny black fur but for his catitude.  We also called him "the kitpy" -half kitty, half puppy.  He and Jojo were best buds for many years.  Yin would have been the high school quarterback that wore a black leather jacket.  Too cool for school, Yin was.  Yin was Dan's favorite cat.

Of course we know that with Yin's passing, someday his alter ego, his universal counterpart will come into our lives.  We know someday there will be a Yang.  We know who will guide Yang to us.

Take care, Yin.  We miss you and love you.
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Well, so far 2011 has started with a bang!

On Saturday, Jan 1, I held the New Year New You practice at All One Yoga.  The weather was terrible - heavy downpouring rains and rolling thunder.  I think the weather kept many people indoors.  To the souls who braved Mother Nature, and took the opportunity to start the year fresh with yoga, I thank you!

The adopter who contacted Nikki at Walton County Animal Shelter backed out... that made 2 adopters who fell through for our foster pup Osmirik.  But on Sunday, I got a call from a gentleman who was referred by my coworker Cindy.  He wanted to meet Os!

Monday, Jeff & his daughter Megan came to meet Os.  He is a very submissive guy, without much confidence.  He barked at them, wary of these new faces.  They weren't put off, and after a few minutes Osmirik's trembling subsided.  A few minutes more and they were petting on him, and Os responded with a wagging tail. 
My longest foster baby to date FINALLY found his family!  Third time really is a charm for our magic librarian Osmirik.

BIG thanks again to Amy K-B for sponsoring his adoption fee!

Well I promised my husband a "break" from fostering after Os went home... I guess I need to keep that promise.
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Osmirik with his new family
 
Last week I intended to bring the lesson of "how to receive" into my yoga class.  It's always funny how the universe teaches us the lessons we need to learn...
I prepared my class around the idea that giving and receiving are integral parts of the same whole.  Without a receiver, there is no giving.  And yes, the act of giving and being generous gives its own rewards, feelings of oneness and wellbeing - but you must have someone or something to give to.  For many of us, myself included, we have things we want, but often we don't really think we deserve.  We deny ourselves the things we want, or only accept them if we can give it to ourselves.  As I was preparing my yoga class, I came across this statement:
"I have many friends who have returned gifts, saying the gift didn't support their lifestyle of simplicity, and they don't want to teach their children to be materialistic.  I wonder about the givers of those gifts, and how they feel when they visit and don't see the things which were a token of their love."

Obviously I needed to heed my own lesson.  For over a month now, I've been dealing with a problem in my lower back & hip, a misaligned sacro-iliac (SI) joint.  I've never had back trouble, so of course I ignored it.  By Saturday, I could hardly move.  Only 1 person came to class, and she decided to do other tasks rather than have a private class (??).  Therefore, I took the opportunity to go next door and get adjusted by Dr. Cheryl.

I couldn't move, and was in agonizing pain, the entire weekend. 
I should have sought help sooner.

I needed to receive treatment; more importantly I needed to give myself permission to receive treatment.  Two halves of the same whole.

Continuing that thread, I received a call yesterday from Nikki at Walton County Animal Shelter.  She has a potential adopter for our foster dog Osmirik!  I called the adopter and gave her a message. 
I hope she gives me a call back, and perhaps together we can give Osmirik a wonderful furever home, one which he will be happy to receive.

Give

12/2/2010

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So, it's December now!

This Saturday December 4 is the annual Open House & Pot-Luck Holiday event at All One Yoga & Wellness.  Amy is kicking off the generous season of giving with a charity raffle, benefitting local beach clean up, Best Friends Animal Society, and rebuilding a childrens' playground in Costa Rica. 
Please visit the Special Events page, or www.alloneyogafwb.com for more info.

Giving - what a feeling!  Especially now, with the winter holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, it seems every day we think about giving.  "What am I going to give so-and-so?"  So often we fret over how our gifts will be received (especially when you have kids with high expectations!).  Giving can be a great way to fulfill our own souls, but when we give and give, or give thoughtlessly, we find ourselves (and perhaps our bank accounts) empty.  We must also take time to receive.  It helps to remember that often the simplest gift, loving kindness, means the most.

And speaking of giving loving kindness, we still have foster puppy Osmirik.  Boy, he's growing up right before us!  He has come so far already: he's 98 percent housetrained; he knows sit, come, leave-it, stay; he's taller than Salty now.  Simply having the chance to live - now that's a gift.  Can you give him his forever home?