Creating a good day from grumpiness :)

This is what I felt like this morning - this was a painting Alex did months ago in protest :)

 Good morning friends,

Yesterday and today I have been struggling with being grumpy.  I think it's one of those fun combos of hormones, my body is healing from upping my exercise and I've had too many tasks that had to get completed so I've had less time for creativity and just being.  This morning I woke up feeling physically better so I wanted to consciously shift my mood.

I did my morning Rodney Yee's AM Yoga routine and enjoyed the forward bends even though I wanted to skip it :)

The sky was pink and so clear you could see the mountains in the distance - mmmmm

High school carpool went smoothly - However there was no outrageous beauty to capture in a picture (like some mornings) yet there was some 'everyday' things to be grateful for....a clear sky, the sun and the mountains in the distance.

When I got home I was still a little cranky - I think the return to freezing cold again this morning contributed.  I was thinking of sure fire ways to shift into a better place of gratitude so I cranked up Karen Drucker's The Heart of Healing   album.  Dancing around to "Thank you for this Day" did the trick!  I love all of her music and her song The Healing Song really spoke to me this morning too :)

I want to say, "Thankyou!  I am so grateful for each of you who read my blog, leave comments and send me your love." 

I'm hoping this morning sustains me as I journey into this Thursday which includes a trip to the dentist for a cleaning and check up.

What are you grateful for today?

Wrapping you around with infinite love and healing thoughts my friends,

Christine

Creating a terrific Tuesday...

Welcome friends,

I want to share all kinds of wonderful stories from today it was so yummy AND my body is very clearly telling me it's tired and time to rest.  So today I will let the pictures speak for me and hopefully tomorrow be able to write more.

The Clouds this morning were fabulous!

I felt like I was driving in a Van Gogh painting

I love this pic - do you see the bird?

Here the sun is coming up and greeting the sky

One last one - aren't they yummy!

This morning I went downtown (my sweetheart dropped me off) to hear my friend +Hallelujah Truth 

I got to go to C4 Atlanta for the first time - such a cool space!!!

+Hallelujah Truth  Ruth did a great talk on The Artist's Daily Blog

Beautiful artwork in the underground Marta tunnel - I took the train back to the suburbs

It was a beautiful day and it looks like tomorrow my daffodils may bloom!

 I hope you had a terrific Tuesday too!  What were you up too?

Wrapping you around with infinite love and wisdom today and always,

Christine

Creating an Invigorating Monday :)

The twilight over the houses that greeted me when I walked out of the house this morning. It was 45 degrees and invigorating!

The sky was gorgeous - crisp and clear

On the way back from the High school I pulled over to take a picture of this beauty

The sun was just hitting this beautiful tree :)

As I came around the lake the beautiful bright sun was reflecting off the surface

Creating girls of character and confidence

Troop 3626 represented Guatemala at for World Thinking Day - My friends Jazlyn, Lisbeth and Jocelyn with the flag.

Next door to our booth was Greece - Me as a Greek Goddess :)

Some of the really cool and creative trinkets I acquired from different "countries"

Today my troop had booth sales from 9am-4pm - I am one tired but proud troop leader!

Creating Friday :)

Behind the damn of the lake there is an adorable waterfall that is flowing for the first time in over 3 years

My body/brain has decided to start waking me up 30 min. earlier than my alarm.  I've decided this is a good thing since it allows me to get my routines done without rushing and this morning I even had time for juicing some yummy fresh veggies after my morning yoga!  This has been a great week.  Productive, fun and filled with lots of variety.  I think the thing that is making it so terrific for me this week is I finally got in some good exercise with a brisk 4? mile hike/walk with my friend Shelly on Monday, Zumba with Joe on Wed. and Am Yoga everyday too.  You add some great sunshine to the mix and wooohooo I am one happy girl :)  

Loved seeing this on the way back from dropping Sammie off at school - the lake is finally full!

Look what bloomed overnight!  Spring is on the way!!!!

Super find at Costco today - :)

Loved the sunshine this afternoon!!!

Creating a Productive day and Celebrating a friend!

The start to the day was grey on the morning trip to the HS

 Today has been a "hit the ground running" day since I woke up at 4:50am (ps. that is waaay to early).  It started with a great session of am yoga and then I was off!  There were only grey skies on the morning trip to the HS so no gorgeous sunrise to report - Mother nature knew I didn't have time to stop and marvel this morning :)Went to see the Dr. for bloodwork and biometrics for insurance - I'm looking forward to getting the results on Monday and comparing them to last years since I have officially been doing the Paleo lifestyle for over a year now.  Joe and I had breakfast together afterwards since we both had to go and we had been fasting since midnight.  It was a nice treat :)  I'm prepping for an International Festival for our Duluth Girl Scout's Service Unit which is tomorrow night.  Our troop is representing Guatemala.  So a friend and mom in the troop is from Guatemala  went with me to the Farmer's Market to get the supplies she needed to cook some authentic food for our booth.  More errands, phone calls and "stuff" taken care of amounted to a very productive day.  It still has a ways to go since I have a Coaches/Parent's Meeting tonight for the Volleyball teams I coach at the YMCA and then it's off to Alex's Philharmonic Orchestra Concert at the High school which is always a treat to listen too.

The beautiful flowers in +Ellen McCorkle 's yard that greeted me on Tuesday

Where was my DCP?  Today it will be this blog, listening to wonderful classical music tonight and a quick shout out to my friend +Ellen McCorkle  for our terrifically fun and creative Tuesday.  Ellen is a master potter and lets me play in her Garagio with her.  

Here is part of what I created on Tuesday - not sure why the pic came in upside down :)

She is also a fabulous cook who spoils me rotten and I LOVE it :)  I'm so lucky to have her in my life - she definitely helps me to be creative with clay and  food and together we have tons of fun!

The beautiful & AIP friendly lunch my friend +Ellen McCorkle  made me on Tuesday :)

Creating a new business.....

Here is the start of my logo thanks to my sweetheart

Today I have been working on my new business...Wisdom on Wings Coaching.  I had a fabulous coaching session with my friend Ruth where we used Interplay to help manifest incremental steps we are both working on in our businesses.  One of the steps is my logo.  Joe started working on some concept art yesterday (see above).  I think I want a few changes which include hiding the wolf's face (smaller) in the tree trunk.  Wolf is definitely one of my totems (teacher, nurturer, defender) but I want to lead with my birds.  The Heron, The Owl and the Hawk.  I'm excited to see how it turns out and it will be fun adding it to business cards.  I've been working on my W.O.W. Website if you get a chance I'd love for you to check it out and give me feedback.  I'm going to finish this post with a letter that I am sending out to contacts, family and friends to help spread the word.


As you know, I have a passion for helping families. I have been preparing

and coaching parents through the adoption process for over 16 years. In

that vein, I have super exciting news to share today!


As of Feb. 1st, I am launching Wisdom on Wings (W.O.W.) Coaching - my adoption coaching

business.  I have officially expanded my ability to help adoptive families throughout the US

by starting my own business offering a wide variety of Adoption Coaching.

I am available to counsel families before, during and after the adoption process.

Adoption is a life changing and often scary process. I guide families by offering solutions and

approaches honed throughout 16 years of working with "Forever Families."


Starting a business is a formidable task in many ways, but I am genuinely looking
 
forward to the challenge. As I embark on this journey, I am asking my
 
friends to help get the word out to families who might benefit from my

work. If you know someone who has recently adopted or is considering

adoption, please pass along my contact information below.

Christine Gautreaux, LMSW 770-256-9191

www.christinegautreauxmsw.com

I am offering 30 min initial consultations to explain in detail the services
 
I offer. This is an easy (and free) way for families to understand how I

can help in their unique circumstances. My services are available both

remotely and in person.


If you can’t think of anyone off the top of your head right now, I hope that
 
you will go today and share a bit about me as well as the link below on

Facebook. We never know in our lives who might be considering adoption

or who might know someone that is.

Wisdom on Wings Coaching

I’m delighted to be working again in this capacity and I deeply appreciate

your help in getting me started.


I’m delighted to be working again in this capacity and I deeply appreciate

your help in getting me started.


With gratitude,

Christine

Creating moments to notice

The morning twilight :)

A shadowy sign amidst the sunrise

This morning a was given many signs to slow down and "notice."  I confess to being in an slightly agitated state due to reading the abuse story of someone I love, having a 16 year old daughter whom I adore not speaking to me and having to take the youngest to the dentist first thing this morning. 

Thank goodness for routines and mother nature - both tend to keep me sane.

When I was doing my yoga this morning and I was in a downward dog position Roley Poley one of the cats waltzed right under me with her tail high enough in the air to tickle my tummy as she sauntered by :)

High school car pool always starts in the dark and this morning there was fog too.  I wish I had gotten a picture.  It was beautiful and reminding me to "trust in the mystery" and the words of  my friend +Cynthia Winton-Henry floated through my mind, "More will be revealed..."

The other thing that came to me as I was driving through the fog are the lessons that it teaches us...

Slow down...you don't have to stop moving forward but pay attention...

Two songs spoke to me this morning too...

Aloe Blacc's "Wake Me Up" and John Lennon's "Let it Be."

I had to laugh when "Let it Be" came on.  I was thinking about my relationship with my teenager.  I know so much of it is developmental and what is supposed to be happening but so much of me wants to "fix it."

Just a wisp of fog was left by the time I made it to

I stopped at the Lake on the way home from dropping Sammie off at school after the dentist to breath in some peace and take a moment to "Let it Be."

Namaste,

Christine

How do I....

Waiting at a long light I tried to capture a glimpse of this morning's beauty

 How do I capture this morning and all the beauty it contained?  It couldn't be with my camera since I was driving 5 teenagers to school during the majority of it.  So I did my best to breath it in.  I was aware of the multitude of colors that greeted my thirsty senses after the grey ice storm of last week.  This morning there was a palette of colors including lavender, sky blue, pink, and orange in all different shades.  There were some wispy clouds which added depth and shadows to the imminent sunrise.  It made me long to be a painter or a professional photographer who had the tools of the trade to capture the essence that was starting my day.  In the air you could breath in possibilities and beauty.  What a terrific combination.     It gave me the feeling that anything was possible today and whatever I chose it would be perfect.  
 

Here comes the Sun :)

An almost full waning moon greeting the Sun too :)

Creating a Valentine's Day Blog

My love

In all your glory

You have sustained me with hope

Expanding my life

I LOVE Valentine’s day….I know you’re surprised :)   A Holiday about LOVE, based on LOVE, talking about LOVE….LOVE….LOVE.

My friend Ruth at +Hallelujah Truth  wrote a great blog about her sweetheart this morning using the form “I could talk about” from Interplay.  I’m going to piggyback off this great prompt for my Valentine’s Day post.

One of the first pieces of art Joe ever drew for me :)

Joe and I at the lantern walk earlier this year

Valentine’s Day and my Sweetheart…

I could talk about 20 years together….

I could talk about meeting at a carwash on a rainy day….

I could talk about knowing each other 5 years before we dated....

I could talk about reconnecting on a romantic night at a friend's wedding reception...

I could talk about Joe’s amazing artistic ability and the beautiful things he’s created for me…

I could talk about loving the simple things like snuggling on a cold morning….

I could talk about how Joe makes me laugh with funny signs, texts and characters….

I could talk about going on hiking adventures together….

I could talk about running and cycling together.....

I could talk about “ride withs”….

I could talk about road trips….

I could talk about Kombucha, Dark Chocolate and other “gifts”….

I could talk about the challenges of parenting together....

I could talk about "discussions".....

I could talk about his amazing foot massages....

I could talk about creativity....

I could talk about the good times and not so good times....

I could talk about why I choose to love this man everyday.....

Joe and I at our first triathlon - he was my training buddy and rock!

Joe and I stopping during a run on Tybee Island to take a pic with the world turtle :)

Creating Snow/Bird Pics

A beautiful female cardinal at the feeder

Playing with the picture

A Hawk in my back yard

I've been having a  good time being a bum, watching too much t.v. and relaxing during the ice in.  I took some fun pictures of beautiful birds this morning.  I have been playing with the pics in Aviary.  I hope my Atlanta friends have been having a good time too.

Namaste,

Christine

Creating a just in case list....

Carved a heart in the solid ice on our front deck

I have to confess I love being "stuck" in the house.  It's a mandatory time-out - yahoooo!!!  I've been seeing on facebook people already bored and stir crazy.  I think I've got several mores days before I get to that point especially since I like the down time to "be" and to dream.  I was thinking about what to do if the electricity goes out since I have a 16 yr old and an 11 yr old who will be in immediate electronic withdrawal and here is what I came up with. 


Just in case the electricity goes out during this ice storm here are some fun things to do with the family:

• Charades
• Creating Art - Painting, sketching, hand-building with clay
• Make Home-Made Valentines
• Reading a book that you hold in your hand
• Board Games - Our favorites include Munchkin, Clue, Monopoly
• Playing Cards - Our favorite-Canasta
• Catching up on the chores at the end of the to-do list - specifically sorting the sock drawer :)
• Decluttering/Sorting if you feel the need to be productive
• Meditating
• Yoga
• A fitness competition - who can do the most push ups, the most planks, the most sit-ups etc.
• A sing-a-long
• A Dance Off
• Interplay
• Writing Poems and/or journaling
• Taking pictures of the beautiful birds against the winterscape
• Dreaming, dreaming and more day dreaming
• Napping
• Tell stories around the fireplace
• Pretend you're in the arctic and build forts/tents in the living room 
• Drumming circle
• Making fun lists of things you want to do
• Create a scavenger hunt
• Write letters to friends/family

What would you add to the list?

Creating Happy

Pharrell Williams - Happy (Official Music Video)

Happy Haiku

 

Happiness abounds

paying attention is good

gratitude is great!

This was the group pic of family and friends who came out to support me for my 40th bday and 1st triathlon 3 years ago!

This is a pic my friend Liz took on an adventure at Lake Lanier Islands 2 summers ago

After such a great day Saturday I was surprised by a blah Sunday.  There were definitely some good things about it but I went to bed feeling blah and a lack of enthusiasm for the day especially since I didn't get out into nature and the day was so beautiful - I was "shoulding" all over myself.

So today is a new day.  The music video -  "Happy" greeted me in my news feed this morning with a terrific reminder.  

This picture makes me happy for so many reasons... We were in Germany at our friend's house, playing Kinect for the first time with their girls and holy cow look at the air I got on that jump!!!

This is a quick gratitude list of what makes me happy (in no particular order) -

• AM Yoga
• Greeting the sunrise with prayers of gratitude
• My connection to God/Great Spirit
• Flylady routines
• Connecting with friends and family
• Exercising Daily
• Clean Eating
• Dancing & Singing
• Interplay
• Daily Creative Practice
• Writing/Journaling/Blogging 
• Healing
• Being of Service
• Long Hugs
• Good Sleep
• Great Sex
• Nature, nature, nature
• Beautiful flowers
• Lists :) Especially this one :)

What makes you Happy? 

Creating a healing day

2nd Sat. Interplay Group Photo  - Picture taken by

Callahan Pope McDonough

 Today has been delightful.  It started with a great night's sleep last night and the opportunity to sleep in a little this morning.

Joe and I headed off to play with +Jennifer Denning  and the Atlanta Interplay group at the Mask center this morning.

We participated in the play shop and then stayed for the performance troupe play period too.

It was wonderful to connect with some amazing people and get to play together.  Some favorites were present (waving at Ruth & Tony) as were some new faces.

The girls enjoyed hanging out at home with friends and chilling out on this beautiful Saturday.

On the way home Joe and I stopped at the Dekalb Farmer's Market for a quick lunch at their cafe which Joe had never been too.

 We made it home in time to take a quick power nap before my friend Sharon came over.

Sharon is in town from Texas and she is getting her certification in EFT.  Emotional Freedom Technique.  Let me tell you - FABULOUS!!!

Joe and I both had a session and I highly recommend it to all.   So fun to catch up with a friend and have a healing session too.

Now it's time for a nice dinner and some hanging out time with the whole family. 

My whole body is relaxed and happy :)

Wishing you health and wellness my friends,

Christine