a new blog....

My New Blog

while i am away, you might enjoy....

this blog instead....

Life Sabbatical

If you would like to contact me directly, I would love to talk: gis4green@gmail.com

I have been thinking about this for awhile, and believe God is directing me and redirecting me to the thought.

I need a Life Sabbatical. Much has happened over the past three months. I have been broken beyond repair, it seems. Yet I know this is not true. I know I have what it takes to succeed; I just need to find where that 'thing' is inside me.

While I would love to run off to a secluded beach and spend my days reading, and writing and crying whatever tears are left to cry, I know that isn't logical or feesible.

But I can significantly reduce the 'stuff' in my life. I enjoy blogging and particularly, reading others' blogs. But I need to spend that time elsewhere. I seem to be losing so many people around me and as I have mentioned on this blog before, that is a terribly painful process for me. Others are rising up; and for that I am grateful. But it doesn't lessen the pain of yet another lost friend.

So I am re-organizing my days. Re-evaluating my life. Organically returning to simple and basic practices.

I have linked to Hygge House before, but instead of just sending you over there, I will copy and paste her entry here. It so eloquently echoes the thoughts that have been rumbling around in my mind for over a week.

I will miss you very much. But I hope that strength is the outcome.

I need to find my legs again....



Living Well Isn't Just About Organic Fruit - June 2

Please go out there and do. Live. Don’t be the same as yesterday. Don’t live vicariously online. Don’t use language that has no meaning or talk ideas you don’t really live. Don’t hide. Don’t copy others or live their ideas or life. Don’t fear doing your thing. Don’t fear doing. Instead of reading a decorating magazine, paint that room. Instead of thinking of baking, do up a cake. Run, walk, bike. Put that self help book down and pick up yourself.

Let go of the snark, your worries, your anger and fear and give into possibility, action, joy and life. Do. Do some more. Stop thinking about you. Stop blogging about just you and your kid and your pet. There’s a world out there to connect to, really connect to and email doesn’t count. Being of use is more important than being popular. Think about the lady down the street, the person at the drive through, the man fallen in the street, about politics, the environment, healthcare, another country and then do something about it. Never stop at thinking.

Dream big, work harder. Have lots of fun, lift a finger, do something for someone else. Cheer your friends on. Cheer yourself up. Celebrate as much as possible. Enjoy everything. Right now. It’s OK to want more and do more but be present with where you are or who you are with. Don’t rush the situation - even if it’s bad. Move on when you can. Don’t settle. Try everything you can and get over everything holding you back.

Go outside. Go outside yourself. Make a difference, make some change. Don’t complain about someone unless you’re talking to that someone. Don’t complain about a situation you’re not willing to make better. They don’t have it better and you don’t have it worse. Don’t make excuses. You’ll never see possibility if you do. And you’re smart and worth more than settling for a life of complaining and limitation.

Hope. Hope more. Give someone else hope. Get healthy and contribute to a healthy environment. Think about everything you do, you buy, you say. Only be lazy on Sunday and even then, be conscious. Rest is useful, giving up is not.

Live with a light heart. Play more. Remember what it’s like to be seven. Remember to listen to a seven year old because you just have more words and life experience, not necessarily more wisdom. Have more questions than answers and don’t put everything into words. Sometimes just feel things and be. Be quiet more often, listen harder, talk exactly as you mean to.

Strive for your best and not what you think someone elses’ best is. Follow through. Don’t let others’ down. Don’t let yourself down. You are better than your circumstances. Ask for what you’re worth. Make magic happen don’t wish for it. Don’t envy others’ lives, envy yours. Live it fully. Teach by example how to live well, how to be treated, how to be kind, how to be alive.

Do. I can’t stress that one enough. Take action on your life. Make the change. No more sulking, waiting, thinking, reading, talking about. It’s time. You’re ready.

g is for green

It amazes me all of the un-thought-of areas where society can make changes for the health of our world. This was a recent event: who would have thought.....a green trailer!

Green Trailer Event

On the evening of Thursday, May 1st, 2008, many members of the community gathered for the unveiling of the newly improved green trailer at McCownGordon Construction. The company’s commitment to sustainable practices can literally be seen on every job site starting with their green trailer. With an adaptive reuse of one of their typical job site trailers, the newly energy efficient green trailers consume only a fraction of the typical energy used saving 37,300 kWh annually, approximately $3,100.00 per year. Not only is it saving energy, but it is energy positive, creating enough extra power to charge tools and other items. Some of the design features that have contributed to the energy efficiency include eight solar panels and a four-foot wind generator. The only item that requires any electrical power is the air conditioner.

This eco-friendly trailer also provides a great work environment for the employees through natural light, clean, fresh air and climate control. The trailer has nine windows that provide 102 square feet of natural light and uses a spray foam insulator to help sustain a comfortable temperature. Low-VOC paint and zero formaldehyde furniture also add to a better indoor air quality. Other sustainable features include a composting toilet, Energy Star Rated exterior paneling, they use recycled materials and an in-trailer recycling center for the employees.







It's possible to make a difference.
{Even small steps matter}

I have paint on my hands

Oh. My. Gosh.

Either this description applies to everyone in the entire world, or my parents did an uncanny job of naming me!

What Greta Means

You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

And another thing, I realize that this will not mean much to you 'Susan's' or 'Mary's' or 'Barb's' out there. But I met another Greta!!! :) I'm so stoked. Okay...well, actually the word 'met' might be a bit of a stretch, but she is a fellow scrapbooker and we have chatted on Scrap in Style. And well, the one part they left out of the name description thing that I might add here is: SHE'S COOL! :)

It's okay. It's a name thing.....

My new hero

I have a new hero!!

Wow - Susan is something else! I wish I had HALF the bravery that Susan and Lucy portray.

Prince Caspian: surely one of the best movies I have seen in a while. I was surprised that it was as funny as it was. Although admittedly, it felt as if Hannah and I were the only ones laughing at times. Prince Caspian was a movie that you walk out of the theater talking about which characters were your favorite. Or talking over each other with comments like, "Ooo!, I liked the part when..." and "...it was hilarious the way..."

There was a part in the movie that was powerfully moving to me. It was a time when God spoke so powerfully to me it took my breath away. Which was then proceeded with big fat tears of realization. I won't prostitute the experience by trying to convey it on a mere blog. But it was powerful. Empowering. Restorative.

For whatever it's worth, I give my highest recommendation of this movie. I cannot wait to buy it as soon as it is released!

And hellO....Prince CHARMING!!!!

Shared Creativity

I love creating. Ultimately, I suppose I enjoy creating in my own world....in the zone. But I also like creating WITH someone occasionally too. (which all too rarely happens.)

But on Sunday I lifted my eyebrows and talked really sweetly - raising my voice pitch a few octaves and asked Hannah, "Soooo.....do you want to create with me today????"

She shrugged and said, "Sure. Why not?!"

And then she proceeded to create a canvas that I will SO be stealing the idea and producing one myself.

So proud of her!

"re" is where it's AT!

Re-purposing.
Re-using.
Re-creating.

On my mega thrift store day with RuAnn, I bought two chairs that I have re-covered with a napkin I bought at Anthropolgie a while back and an old kitchen towel I loved from Prydes of Old Westport and have had for a number of years.

Exhibit A:
before -



after -



(notice the same napkins I used on the pillow behind on the crappily-made bed! feel free to ignore...)

Exhibit B:
before -



after - (and no Tiffany, I am NOT going to repaint it. It's in PERFECT shape; chipped and worn!!)

the gospel

Tim Keel, who I have mentioned on this blog before, has been traveling in Africa these past few weeks. It has been interesting to read about it on his blog.

But he mentioned something in his last post that made me chuckle. Firstly because it is such a 'Tim Keel' kind of thing to say. And secondly because it is a blatant fact that we often miss: spreading the gospel is simply meeting people where they are, offering assistance however we can, learning from their lives and journeys, and discussing the Ultimate Answer - God's love and grace and direction for their lives.

Here's simply what he said:

This morning we attended City Harvest Church's worship service - another sweet reunion. I had the honor of speaking there. This humble group of people are really engaging their community with opportunities for spiritual, social, economic, and physical transformation. In other words, the gospel.

I have soaked up wisdom from the most random people at the most random times throughout my life. And for some reason, I am always surprised when God speaks in the quietest, most understanding terms.

I have had the opportunity to lead and teach others. To offer some of my own life experience to persons going through hardship or confusion.

It should always be a give and take... Learn from and Give to. I do not have all the answers. Even while possessing The Answer, I do not always execute it exactly right. Likewise, others do not have all the answers, nor know how to perfectly live out the way set before them either.

But we can do this if we work together.

For instance, I am in 'community' with someone right now that has been through a similar situation that I am struggling through. She has the power to encourage me and advise me better than anyone else I know. And what an incredible blessing she is to me. She can "hear me" because she has been there. She understands. She KNOWS. I consider her God's gift to me - in the flesh. Another way in which God is saying, "Here G....let me love you this way"; an understanding soul sister that has walked down the path ahead of me - and was kind enough to turn around long enough to hear someone else struggling and gasping for air. She stopped walking, came back to me and offered me a hand.

And now we are walking along together. Talking. Sharing burdens. Sharing delights. Asking for prayer. I love it when I can say - or I hear others say to me: Could you pray for me about this. I know it's a weird thing to pray about but..." because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is intently aware of that need and doesn't care about its seemingly tedious or controversial nature. God just wants us. And whatever burdens and struggles come with Us as a package. So often I imagine God saying, "Don't pay attention to the spiritual leaders of the world; they are full of crap. Just listen to me. I know you. I know your needs. I know your personality and your leanings and tendencies. I KNOW YOU. And I love you more than anyone else could; certainly more than those hot-aired spiritual giants that don't even know your name!"

That's just cool to me: God is personal.

As Tim said, our needs are often physical, emotional, financial, social....they are not always spiritual. They can be answered spiritually, but ultimately, we often need them to be met just exactly as they present themselves.

And I have found, unfortunately....that far too many people just do not get that.

Thank you fellow journey soul-sister - for getting that. Thank you for walking with me for awhile, even though I might be slowing you down from your destination. Thank you for reserving any condemnation or judgements. Thank you for allowing me to grow at the moment; and for not letting me walk in silence.

Fellow faith believers, please listen to the voices around you. Someone may need you today - to just sidle up next to them and ask them how they're doing.

And don't forget that YOU need times of learning from others as well.....

g is for green

To all of you that have a hard time giving up using bleach to disinfect - and you should, its a very caustic poison (see The Chlorine Conundrum). Or, like me, absolutely LOVE the Clorox disinfecting wipes (that I have personally contributed a great number of little wipes to landfills around the country!) here's a healthy and greener alternative…

To sanitize cutting boards, counters fruits and veggies, and all surfaces with bacteria: Put in one spray bottle a 3% hydrogen peroxide and put in another spray bottle plain white or apple cider vinegar. Spray one then the other (either one first) and wipe off. This combination is more effective than chlorine bleach at disinfecting. It was shown to kill virtually all Salmonella, Shigella or E. coli bacteria on heavily contaminated food and surfaces when tested by food scientists at Virginia Polytech. Using one mist right after the other is ten times more effective than using either spray by itself and more effective than mixing the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in the same bottle.

So get rid of those toxins and do some safe disinfecting!!

It's possible to make a difference.
{Even small steps matter}

Scrapbook Question

For those of you that subscribe to or buy scrapbook magazines, I'm wondering what you do with those magazines.

For instance, I used to subscribe to Creating Keepsakes magazine and I kept every copy. Until they almost took over my house!

Then I began just tearing out the pages that I thought I would actually use, and then I throw away (in the recycle bin) the rest of the magazine (which tends to be Simple Scrapbooks magazine now rather than CK.) Even after I've 'used' the layout idea, I throw it away too.

Which seems like an enormous waste.

But I know enough about myself that I get a lot of inspiration from a layout or design idea. It seems to be my jumping off point. So I'm not ready to get rid of buying magazines yet.

Then the other day RuAnn mentioned something to me about a book swap between us (it was funny. Her exact words were: we just need to start our own library of books to trade back and forth...well - the fun fiction ones at least. we would be blinded by the highlighting in the "self help" reads.) So true! :)

But I began wondering if there were others out there that also threw away the parts of their scrapbook magazines they didn't want, and might be interested in forwarding them to other woman who might find something of interest in their "left-overs".

I don't know. Just wondering about it. What do YOU think? Is it worth it? Email me or leave a comment. Magazines can be so expensive. And it's like the good ol' days when you bought an entire record album because you liked ONE SONG on it. Just because I don't think I will actually use something (style difference or too difficult a technique), doesn't mean that you wouldn't be able to use it.

Help me think about it....

Morning Walk to the Post Office

Hannah and I walked to the post office this morning (at the end of our street) and enjoyed the many yards filled with beautiful signs of Spring.









This was such a "poised" cat with her front paw sticking out so gracefully.



Coral bells are one of my favorite flowers. So whispy and light.





(gotta love the "W" of a neighbors Winnebago! -ha.)

i needed this hygge reminder

I needed to read this. My comment on her blog was a bit lengthy as I stepped up onto one of my many soap boxes and pontificated. (imagine that!)

I hope you will find some peace, as I did, through her blog entry. Simple words, but such a difficult concept to habitually grasp.

Have a FABULOUS weekend

Take time to be creative!!!