tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38368142528125399352024-03-13T03:23:40.054-07:00Sentient MarrowMusings on life in my corner of the internet...Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-66538867848807257632012-09-18T16:02:00.005-07:002012-09-18T16:02:48.878-07:0090 Days Difference on My Fitness Pal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-52467115829530304272011-02-13T20:04:00.000-08:002011-02-14T04:30:58.606-08:00Favorite Local Businesses: 3/50 Project<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.the350project.net/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvE6hakNWwy3N4SHlMFOz7fr2XxnzANOpdWl3I5tlslyhbtj0E6-jtGcorZJoQQsA3sc63e33FDKblMoiLv4riwZ7KCBIX8tb9-fIdYl-N-u5_jO2i3PyKWpwJ7EM9YddcxNGIxL2GXzr/s400/350_project_200x177.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340725151303871218" border="0" /></a><br />As promised, I am continuing my quest of recommending local brick and mortar businesses in which to spend your money. The 350 Project recommends spending a total of $50/month on locally owned businesses in order to support your local economy and keep shop owners in business. The focus this time is on businesses located in Chalfont, a suburb of Philadelphia, PA.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkpwF2sT2fjkGOKveuBhvYQkMb3fqizbvdaCY9uUowH3NHC2g3CbjHwnNWXjnKFE25ZVw7a9BxKEFFMdghrt42ov4cwMtGZUhDhHgB8WLSXVEbB9Q1Rp9ubC8VuhvHf-Mg9P6hyYdOqi6/s1600-h/01_Group_Bagels.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkpwF2sT2fjkGOKveuBhvYQkMb3fqizbvdaCY9uUowH3NHC2g3CbjHwnNWXjnKFE25ZVw7a9BxKEFFMdghrt42ov4cwMtGZUhDhHgB8WLSXVEbB9Q1Rp9ubC8VuhvHf-Mg9P6hyYdOqi6/s400/01_Group_Bagels.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340707405985822578" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.manhattanbagelchalfont.com/Manhattan_Bagel_Chalfont.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Manhattan Bagel, Chalfont</span></a><br />Although Manhattan Bagel is a chain, I personally recommend the <a href="http://www.manhattanbagelchalfont.com/Manhattan_Bagel_Chalfont.html">Manhattan Bagel in Ch</a><a href="http://www.manhattanbagelchalfont.com/Manhattan_Bagel_Chalfont.html">alfont</a>, which is locally owned. My eldest son works at this location and has always been treated with respect by the owner. A few years ago, Eckerd Drug wanted to build a store at this location which would have meant losing the Manhattan Bagel along with several 100 year old Victorian homes. I am happy to say that the residents of Chalfont, through community meetings and picketing, were able to avert having a larger, less personal chain move in.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8w5Lf_NtZ29r8PKIVYYlVmY1YQiNe1UIlr4q2CVpuGcCESSAAWEnQnqAAqkslOkUOX96NtR6hfN2saJ2uVHaesSfE9LOMfUZ4dC9U6vIhpVvC7l4YIDdBkX5QwByTM5_tRinxSMa3-zgN/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 74px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8w5Lf_NtZ29r8PKIVYYlVmY1YQiNe1UIlr4q2CVpuGcCESSAAWEnQnqAAqkslOkUOX96NtR6hfN2saJ2uVHaesSfE9LOMfUZ4dC9U6vIhpVvC7l4YIDdBkX5QwByTM5_tRinxSMa3-zgN/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340712147955906498" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3720425292"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Salon Salvat</span></a><a href="http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3720425292"><span style="font-weight: bold;">o</span></a><a href="http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3720425292"><span style="font-weight: bold;">r</span></a><a href="http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3720425292"><span style="font-weight: bold;">e Christian, Chalfont</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3720425292">Salon Salvatore Christian</a>, located on Main St. in Chalfont, is another locally owned business that I highly recommend. The owners, Kelly and Dean Sulimay, transformed a Victorian home into a fresh, high end salon while maintaing the intergrity of the architectural details. Dean and Kelly focus on giving their clients stylish, modern hair cuts. By traveling to specific hair shows in Europe on a regular basis, Dean and Kelly are able to stay abreast of all of the latest trends in hairstyles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDgSO2rQKBUkAJrhuPHXWI19N9u9zDJGYDGrRfMLJuoNUuqBnAHhvAp38hE5-kshL5B3R1knBRtNedwIMGrHxy7cK-MRj59N8Uh05OFV1wx_FkY49Pq-AATT8dJX1c9Ajlkj9x2pEUIk9/s1600-h/01HQ3D7416.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDgSO2rQKBUkAJrhuPHXWI19N9u9zDJGYDGrRfMLJuoNUuqBnAHhvAp38hE5-kshL5B3R1knBRtNedwIMGrHxy7cK-MRj59N8Uh05OFV1wx_FkY49Pq-AATT8dJX1c9Ajlkj9x2pEUIk9/s400/01HQ3D7416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340727571662835250" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.jeffreeder.com/">Jeff Reeder Photography!</a><br />How could I not support my own husband's business? His work speaks for itself, whether it be event photography, PR, family portraits, <a href="http://www.jeff365.blogspot.com/">or his own personal artwork.</a> This photo is one of my favorites from his portolio.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-84967118363460812512011-02-01T19:30:00.000-08:002011-02-14T04:31:57.502-08:00Chocolate Cupcake Love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuL1LKgELmXif_Y3sq4RyPYaefk65nVnDSF3w4ViDGaso1CAMk_HdaKh-TfCBVDlVyC9vDmFjBhqJ_k6ZATG6j28oOFIQ_hyu2av6kAvmen4-sSrak8OJQI7MS0jwIxVXkTD9LA_NJ4_n/s1600-h/2925_76250904397_785404397_1732030_4760737_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuL1LKgELmXif_Y3sq4RyPYaefk65nVnDSF3w4ViDGaso1CAMk_HdaKh-TfCBVDlVyC9vDmFjBhqJ_k6ZATG6j28oOFIQ_hyu2av6kAvmen4-sSrak8OJQI7MS0jwIxVXkTD9LA_NJ4_n/s400/2925_76250904397_785404397_1732030_4760737_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340700672513655778" border="0" /></a><br />As I continue on the quest for the perfect chocolate cupcake, this experimental recipe did come close. The cake was dense and moist, more closely resembling a devil's food cake recipe. The double chocolate frosting was a definite winner, but the two combined were almost too much chocolate for a couple of my taste testers. And, yes, I do have taste testers outside of my own immediate family.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-42669940092336863202010-12-10T17:17:00.000-08:002011-02-14T04:32:53.618-08:00Miami- Then and Now!Jade blue water melding into royal blue and then into that favorite crayola color of mine, cornflower blue. Such is the water of the Atlantic Ocean in South Beach Miami. Clear water, I might add, much warmer and so much clearer than the Atlantic water I am used to seeing at the New Jersey Shore. Water so clear you can see the bottom and waves so gentle that you don't have to worry about your younger children being carried off with the undertow. This time I am visiting Miami without younger children or older children; therefore, visiting the beach is much more relaxing and different. I can close my eyes in the surf and float for hours without worrying if one of my children is drifting further down the coast or wandering off with a stranger. I could float for hours but actually, I can't. Yesterday, I went to the beach with my husband and the waves actually made me feel sea sick... there's a new development! Body surfing has never made me feel seasick, so why now? Is that a part of becoming middle aged? If so, that's yet another strike against aging. I REFUSE TO GET OLD! After entering the water, a couple of fish over a foot long swam right past me! And, when my husband joined me, a smaller fish skipped passed us and bounced five times like a skipping stone across the waves before diving back down below the waves. Astounding.<br /><br />I have a special fondness for Miami that dates back to 1990 when my husband and I were driving back from visiting the Keys. While the friends we were traveling with continued home, we stopped in Miami for two nights and enjoyed ourselves. We were young. I had corn rows in my hair and were both rather unkempt after traveling for so long. The first hotel actually turned us down, so I can remember us trying desperately to make ourselves more presentable in the car by changing our clothes and me wearing my husband's hat over my corn rows to hide them. In retrospect, I don't really see how that was a better choice but nonetheless, it worked. While in Miami, we visited a reggae bar and restaurant and danced the night away. My husband thinks he can't dance but he actually does a good job and never says no. Never saying no to a woman who wants to dance scores big points.<br /><br />Today, Jeff and I sat and reminisced and ate and drank. And, after one, two, three or more beers, we started writing collaborative stories where one person writes a few sentences and the next person only gets to see the last three words and continue from that point. It was quite fun and after completion, we laughed pretty hard. We shared our stories with our waiter who slowly warmed up to us with each beer that we drank. My husband is asleep now on the bed while I write. After leaving the restaurant hours later, we ambled down to the gelato store and sampled it. My favorite was the hazlenut gelato. I don't know if it was the beer or the gelato, but either way, the gelato was smooth and rich and tasty. Afterward, we felt the primal woo which calls to all Mac users, emanating from the Mac store. We carefully made our way to the store not fully aware of the temptations which lied within. My husband encouraged me to go ahead and charge a new Mac Ibook. I WAS SO TEMPTED! We left the store. We walked a half block. We returned to the store. We discussed the pros and cons of using my credit card. Luckily for me, or unluckily, the winds of sobriety were starting to blow my direction. I stood up to the temptation and took it on face to face. I said, "No!"<br /><br />Damn it. I said, "No!" What the hell was I thinking?<br /><br />We quickly made our way out of the Spanish tourist village of South Beach and tried to return to our hotel but another primal urge was calling to my husband... that of getting a tattoo at what is probably one of the most famous tattoo parlors in he U.S. right now, Miami Ink. So, we heeded the call and went straight instead of veering left. After perusing book after book of sample tattoo art, Jeff and I both decided that the tattoo he wanted did not exist in one of their books and he would have to email them a sample if he wanted to get one while here. Another expenditure avoided. We finally made our way back to the hotel and here I am writing and my husband is napping. The woos and wonders of a little bit of leisure and beer. Beware, fair generation X traveler.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-14623144487401723392009-06-17T07:06:00.001-07:002009-06-17T07:06:07.500-07:00Chick Fil-A Cow Appreciation Day = free food<a href=http://shar.es/21YW>Chick Fil-A Cow Appreciation Day = free food</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-10645585302446996432009-05-19T19:22:00.000-07:002009-05-19T19:33:57.835-07:00Easiness to UneasinessWhat happens when God or life moves us out of our comfort zone? I believe that Newton's first law of motion is being applied to my life. "<b>A particle will stay at rest or continue at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external unbalanced net force." </b>Some might call that outside force the poor economy while I tend to think it is God giving me a little nudge. In 2007, I spent a good portion of the year creating a photographic diary of days and doing more writing than I had been.<b> </b>For most of 2008, I didn't do as much creative or personal writing, but I did write professionally reviewing restaurants and hotels. It seems to me that what started out as a slow year is beginning to explode with possibility and more writing than I have ever done before. My mind is an old-fashioned slide carousel clicking through each possibility wondering if I should bring that particular slide more into focus or continue to the next one because it could be even better than this one. <b><br /></b>Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-10563882327890286452009-05-16T20:49:00.000-07:002009-05-22T13:54:35.711-07:00Star Trek and the creative home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaj-uUHBesqBtZW7yj9eAoeaqkBavFhD_w4tPv-YP6sOyVWCB04k_FwmggrlslC8kAhfOOCdJ_ybilLgnBbRNqBAa4i__lDad8GdAIHFi26TClS7N5rY6B3Lb7Qvgi6AhHMC52tnm1Ev8Z/s1600-h/star_trek_movie_poster_comic_con.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaj-uUHBesqBtZW7yj9eAoeaqkBavFhD_w4tPv-YP6sOyVWCB04k_FwmggrlslC8kAhfOOCdJ_ybilLgnBbRNqBAa4i__lDad8GdAIHFi26TClS7N5rY6B3Lb7Qvgi6AhHMC52tnm1Ev8Z/s400/star_trek_movie_poster_comic_con.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336635512845290498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Sitting in the movie theater watching <a target="_blank" href="http://www.startrekmovie.com/">Star Trek</a> this past weekend, almost brought tears to my eyes. To view a movie that actually has a plot line that twists and turns enough to not be formulaic is a rarity. Being a long-time Trekkie, I didn't know what to expect when I walked into the theater. Could new actors and a new director match the creativity and depth seen in previous <a target="_blank" href="http://www.startrekmovie.com/">Star Trek</a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.startrekmovie.com/">Star Trek</a> can be a jumping off point for new stories and adventures.<br /><br />How can you weave more creativity into your home life or homeschooling day? Put away the school books a</span><span style="font-size:85%;">nd get out the art supplies, the video camera, pens, pencils, papers, dvd's, and anything else that excites you or your children. When my son was eight years old, my husband started teaching him how to make stop-action animation movies and live action movies using our video camera. My son ended up making a series of three movies centered around alien life, several stop-action lego movies, and more recently, pretend Heinz Ketchup commercials (see Youtube video below). Making movies was a fantastic way to foster his skills in dialog creation and art. Here are a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing in your house:</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">movies and tv shows? Apparently, the answer is yes. Creativity is a part of life worthy of high appreciation. Movies, like other art forms, can be used to motivate the viewer to further artistic expression. For example, well told stories like the one presented in<br /></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;">• Go to the library and take out music cd's in various genres such as classical, jazz, techno, etc. Get out some markers, crayons, paints and paper and have your children interpret the music into drawings, colorings or paintings. Discuss how the tempos and flow of the music can effect the lengths of the lines used and the colors chosen.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">• Get out your digital camera and exit your front door. Without going further than five feet from your door, let each child choose an item to photograph in a new way. Perhaps they will focus on the doorknob close up or lay down on your sidewalk and shoot something from below. Even the most mundane objects can be made interesting if you capture them in an unexpected way. <a href="http://photojojo.com/" target="_blank">Photojojo.com</a> is a great site to visit for photography-related ideas.<br /><br />• Take out all of your old magazines, glue sticks, and cardboard or poster board. Have your children cut out squares of color from the photographs and then sort the squares by color. Next, encourage them to create a picture by pasting the squares onto the board.<br /><br />• Get a large cardboard box and cut out a "window" in the front of the box. Have your children decorate the outside of the box with crayons or markers to resemble a television. Next, let your children act out their own tv shows, commercials, and interviews through their new pretend television. My children always end up making me laugh hysterically when engaging in this activity.<br /><br />• If you are more daring, go out to your local hardware store and purchase blackboard paint. Choose a wall in your house and cover it with the chalkboard paint. I chose to paint a 6' x 6' square on my living room wall and have not regretted it once. Every time I look, there is a new drawing on the wall. In order to avoid conflict in my house, we have a rule that no one can erase the current drawing until it has been photographed digitally.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;">I hope these ideas help you start down the path to a more creative lifestyle. As an artist and writer, I'll be posting ideas on how to stimulate more creativity in your family on a regular basis. If you don't want to miss upcoming articles, click the "subscribe" button to receive emails whenever I update my column. Happy homeschooling!</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><p> </p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><div style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; font-size: 10px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" id="hidefrompromo"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Sitting in the movie theater watching <a target="_blank" href="http://www.startrekmovie.com/">Star Trek</a> this past weekend, almost brought tears to my eyes. To view a movie that actually has a plot line that twists and turns enough to not be formulaic is a rarity. Being a long-time Trekkie, I didn't know what to expect when I walked into the theater. Could new actors and a new director match the creativity and depth seen in previous <a target="_blank" href="http://www.startrekmovie.com/">Star Trek</a> movies and tv shows? Apparently, the answer is yes. Creativity is a part of life worthy of high appreciation. Movies, like other art forms, can be used to motivate the viewer to further artistic expression. For example, well told stories like the one presented in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.startrekmovie.com/">Star Trek</a> can be a jumping off point for new stories and adventures.<br /><br />How can you weave more creativity into your home life or homeschooling day? Put away the school books and get out the art supplies, the video camera, pens, pencils, papers, dvd's, and anything else that excites you or your children. When my son was eight years old, my husband started teaching him how to make stop-action animation movies and live action movies using our video camera. My son ended up making a series of three movies centered around alien life, several stop-action lego movies, and more recently, pretend Heinz Ketchup commercials (see Youtube video below). Making movies was a fantastic way to foster his skills in dialog creation and art. Here are a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing in your house</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;">• Go to the library and take out music cd's in various genres such as classical, jazz, techno, etc. Get out some markers, crayons, paints and paper and have your children interpret the music into drawings, colorings or paintings. Discuss how the tempos and flow of the music can effect the lengths of the lines used and the colors chosen.<br /><br />• Get out your digital camera and exit your front door. Without going further than five feet from your door, let each child choose an item to photograph in a new way. Perhaps they will focus on the doorknob close up or lay down on your sidewalk and shoot something from below. Even the most mundane objects can be made interesting if you capture them in an unexpected way. <a href="http://photojojo.com/" target="_blank">Photojojo.com</a> is a great site to visit for photography-related ideas.<br /><br />• Take out all of your old magazines, glue sticks, and cardboard or poster board. Have your children cut out squares of color from the photographs and then sort the squares by color. Next, encourage them to create a picture by pasting the squares onto the board.<br /><br />• Get a large cardboard box and cut out a "window" in the front of the box. Have your children decorate the outside of the box with crayons or markers to resemble a television. Next, let your children act out their own tv shows, commercials, and interviews through their new pretend television. My children always end up making me laugh hysterically when engaging in this activity.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><p> </p><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><p> </p><br /><p> </p>Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-12203861996790835772009-05-14T21:33:00.000-07:002009-05-28T17:50:04.281-07:00Cupcake Love! (for little girls!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8sSqxwCgktdQL7BFIbuAofq6eAKDx5bMa3WJBpdKwS6yy7lY_t_3sgIzi8-XCX7gQZ3QXEidOoE7xLxO_2QZui_luZTF_kQCEqdj6e6hz5OnWmH_1Wq9_BqXiMPe8g4r0LVLuhO25XC6/s1600-h/CUPCAKE.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8sSqxwCgktdQL7BFIbuAofq6eAKDx5bMa3WJBpdKwS6yy7lY_t_3sgIzi8-XCX7gQZ3QXEidOoE7xLxO_2QZui_luZTF_kQCEqdj6e6hz5OnWmH_1Wq9_BqXiMPe8g4r0LVLuhO25XC6/s400/CUPCAKE.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335908086233890482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />As I make my way down the trail to discover the perfect chocolate cupcake, I have veered to the left in order to fill an order... vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting for a lovely 7 year old girl. I tried two different recipes tonight, both with tasty results. One of the recipes leans more toward tasting like a butter cake while the other one tastes more like a traditional vanilla cupcake. My client is getting the traditional version. I am also experimenting with two new products I found at the arts and crafts store... edible glitter and spray food coloring. Air brushing cakes is nothing new, but being able to do it without owning an air brush is a newer concept. Above is a picture of a work in progress. The frosting is a light spring green sprayed with blue highlights. The pink is merely a reflection from the surface the cupcake was shot on.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-3175725738068759782009-05-07T05:32:00.000-07:002009-05-07T06:07:02.450-07:00Stimulating your local economy<span class="body_links"><a href="http://www.the350project.net" target="_blank"> <img src="http://www.the350project.net/supporter_graphics/member_icons/350_project_200x177.jpg" border="0" /> </a></span><br /> <br /><br />A friend of mine found this great website, <a href="http://www.the350project.net/home.html">The 3/50 Project</a>, that offers terrific ideas for stimulating your local economy. The basic premise is to choose 3 different local, independently owned businesses each month to spend $50 total at. If even half o<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvv1ANkjCcD3XYbR846XUW30xkfwe3iiL4YfyFmWdB4SAdYnNiHHXoAE2IEcTBVoeXTUqBXnKmgNzg5NtpgwepRsBG9qD_k1q7NC6zUD5pZmizwpfNmYRRCpaHoDbV61WxjQUpVqgF1Zo/s1600-h/The+Doylestown+Bookshop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvv1ANkjCcD3XYbR846XUW30xkfwe3iiL4YfyFmWdB4SAdYnNiHHXoAE2IEcTBVoeXTUqBXnKmgNzg5NtpgwepRsBG9qD_k1q7NC6zUD5pZmizwpfNmYRRCpaHoDbV61WxjQUpVqgF1Zo/s320/The+Doylestown+Bookshop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333064146776054994" border="0" /></a>f the employed population participated, it would generate over 46.2 billion dollars in revenue, according to the <a href="http://www.the350project.net/home.html">website.</a> One business that I would like to feature and encourage others to support is the <a href="http://www.doylestownbookshop.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp">Doylestown Bookshop.</a> The Doylestown bookshop is quirky and unique unlike "box" bookstores. My favorite part of the bookshop is the aisle that features the favorite books of the store employees. There is always a wide range of books to choose from in this aisle, everything from the classics to NY Times Bestsellers. The bookstore is constantly giving back to the community by hosting book signings by local authors to holding free meetings and parties.<br /><br />Another local business that I'd like to feature this month is:<br />La Maison Cheese<br />51 W State St<br />Doylestown, PA 18901<br />(215) 348-7543<br /><br />They don't have a website, as far as I know, but they do have the best croissants on earth. Heavenly, melt-in-your-mouth buttery croissants with either sweet or savory fillings. Of course, you have to get there early to have the best selection and they do sell out regularly before noon. La Maison Cheese also offers the obvious, cheese. I can't really review the cheese, though, because I go there for the croissants. The store also sells French kitchen items such as platters and tablecloths.<br /><br />The third business I'd like to feature this month is <a href="http://www.chalfonthardware.com/">Chalfont Hardware</a>. It is a family owned and operated business. Unlike large home improvement store chains, the owners of Chalfont Hardware offer personal and knowledgeable assistance. I can get in and out of this store quickly, even if I need assistance, which is something I can't say about those larger stores. Currently, the hardware store is undergoing renovations, but they are still open for business.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-33023054817511212272009-05-05T09:48:00.000-07:002009-05-05T09:51:54.481-07:00Art and history combine at historic Rittenhouse Town<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRmZcyMI2wQyhdbQDOwM3enmmyHhz0WpLzbqJ0mGUP8PoadqVbSsniC5PP1jGcNU1QdhLgVMgpO_ayY9DCmCYXoN6LbL_lfnilJJ2ysORVEUVPbzf-H7NnpnH9E3UFytPVHjk86C9ilP9/s1600-h/IMG_0430+copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRmZcyMI2wQyhdbQDOwM3enmmyHhz0WpLzbqJ0mGUP8PoadqVbSsniC5PP1jGcNU1QdhLgVMgpO_ayY9DCmCYXoN6LbL_lfnilJJ2ysORVEUVPbzf-H7NnpnH9E3UFytPVHjk86C9ilP9/s320/IMG_0430+copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332383424026490322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOpV_kCkMEqsLSXMwfedq8Bi4dn4Cn4d7AU0fCzbVrFg9vdCl85v1hyphenhyphen8ry64fU8GTn7XVD8IcZD0yT-jdf5cMHGFSIzHCepkonMT9rfntLNjSKVn0AdFkYhz5tdqhXw__frwy2sO2CYrK/s1600-h/IMG_0409+copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOpV_kCkMEqsLSXMwfedq8Bi4dn4Cn4d7AU0fCzbVrFg9vdCl85v1hyphenhyphen8ry64fU8GTn7XVD8IcZD0yT-jdf5cMHGFSIzHCepkonMT9rfntLNjSKVn0AdFkYhz5tdqhXw__frwy2sO2CYrK/s320/IMG_0409+copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332383297709166178" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><p>Spring is the perfect time of year to start incorporating more field trips into your homeschool routine. One memorable field trip that I have organized for my homeschool co-op has been to historic <a href="http://www.rittenhousetown.org/index.html" _fcksavedurl="http://www.rittenhousetown.org/index.html" target="_blank">Rittenhouse Town</a>. Located within Fairmount Park, historic Rittenhouse Town holds a special place in history because it is the site of the first papermill in North America. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rittenhouse" _fcksavedurl="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rittenhouse" target="_blank">William Rittenhouse</a>, who came to Pennsylvania in 1688, built the papermill and successive generations of his family continued to operate it until competition and new technology led to it's demise in the late 1800's.</p><p>Although you can visit this site as a family, it is best to organize a group in order to take advantage of the discounts and add-on classes that enhance the experience. A group can be as small as 10 people, not including chaperones. Of course, as a homeschooler, you will most likely want to participate in the program rather than be a passive observer. If you are not part of a homeschooling group, just call a couple of your homeschooling friends to create your own impromptu group.</p><p>The site offers three separate programs for groups of 10 or more to choose from. The first program includes a tour of the property and interactive discussion of the importance of historic <a href="http://www.rittenhousetown.org/index.html" _fcksavedurl="http://www.rittenhousetown.org/index.html" target="_blank">Rittenhouse Town</a> within American history. During the tour, visitors get to view the 1707 Rittenhouse Homestead and the restored bakehouse. Inside the visitor's center, a working model of an eighteenth century paper mill and early American kitchen are also available for viewing. This option is available for $2.50/per person. The second program includes the aforementioned tour as well as an exciting hands-on papermaking class. In this program, visitors get to make their own paper using traditional techniques. This class is great for kids and adults of any age. My children loved this class when they were in kindergarden and third grade. Each visitor leaves with their own sheet of hand-crafted paper for merely $5.00/person. To gain the full experience of early American life, you can add a German Colonial cooking class to the papermaking class and tour. In this class, visitors have the opportunity to use Colonial tools to prepare a genuine Colonial German dish cooked on the hearth. The German Colonial cooking class is only available for groups that have 25 people or more. At $10.00/person, it is a terrific way to make early American living come to life.</p><p>With or without a group, taking a trip to historic <a href="http://www.rittenhousetown.org/index.html" _fcksavedurl="http://www.rittenhousetown.org/index.html" target="_blank">Rittenhouse Town</a> will make early American history come alive for your children.</p></div>Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-3831023283350148832009-02-09T09:05:00.000-08:002009-05-12T08:38:22.259-07:00When Did Life Become Serious?When did life become serious? I can pinpoint when life changed, when I grew up, but did life become serious at that point? I think it was a gradual change. One where responsibility for teaching children, worrying about bills, hating my neighborhood, wondering about the future, and not having time with my husband built up slowly from one little piece of clay to the next. By the age of 37, I had built not some beautiful masterpiece but an ugly, clunky urn. An urn with uneven walls and questionable contents. Don't misunderstand me, ugly can be beautiful. And, the process of building up anything in clay is a messy, hands-on experience with spiritual benefits which can be gained purely from the process rather than the result. But, after examining this clunky urn, it was clear that it needed to be smashed down into a ball again and rebuilt. I needed to take the old clay and, rather than discard it, form it into a more pleasing shape with a steadier foundation. The reformation started to take place in me after the realization that I needed to accept myself each day for who I am, with no regard for whether the house was clean or dirty, whether I had written my first novel or whether those around me were happy or not. Some might look at me and think that I am living in denial or dissociating from my present circumstances but that is just not the case.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-77754994675392881402008-09-05T08:05:00.000-07:002009-05-22T15:54:13.732-07:00Somewhere (Sunday Scribblings-Fiction)Somewhere I had laid down my purse and now I could not find it. This day was not unlike most other days. I was always picking things up, putting things down and basically wandering around in a general daze oblivious to the world around me. Whether from a drug-induced fog or being hyperfocused on the thought of the moment, I was destined to lose something everyday on campus. The security guards were starting to become familiar with my misplaced wallet and keys. I was always blessed by being on a campus full of artists who would return my misplaced items to the security office and never steal a thing out of them. Following my usual procedure, I searched the park benches near the ceramics and photography studios and made my way to the security office. This time, my purse was not there. Frantically, I made a bee line for my apartment across the street. Luckily, my roommate was home and let me into the apartment. I scrambled up the steps to my room and found my purse laying there on the bed. I know I had brought my purse to class with me that morning so was quite unsure how it got there.<br /><br />"Megan, did you find my purse at school?" I asked my roommate.<br /><br />"No, why, is it missing again?" she replied as she cleaned off her drafting table.<br /><br />"Yes, but I just found it on my bed and I know I had it earlier this morning."<br /><br />"I've been here all morning and no one has been here so maybe you just thought you brought it with you," she answered as she prepared her gauche for her assignment.<br /><br />"Maybe..." I left Megan to work on her project and returned to my room. I was almost certain I had brought my purse to campus with me because I had used my checkbook to write out a check for some new paint brushes in the school store. I opened my purse and pulled out my checkbook. The carbon copy for the check I wrote was neatly inside.<br />Perplexed, I shrugged and got my things together for my next class, deciding it might be best to leave my purse at home this time around.<br /><br />I walked over to the administration building and up the fire escape stairs into the painting studio. Since I was early for class, no one was there yet. I found an easel and put my painting of the torso of a naked woman on it. As I moved my easel to my favorite part of the studio, I stumbled over something and almost knocked down the easel next to mine. I looked down and there was my purse, the one I had left at home, sitting on the floor. I froze and looked around. No one else was in the studio with me. Was this some sort of joke? Was I losing my mind? What the hell, was my purse possessed? Is it possible for a purse to be possessed? Carefully, I tiptoed past the purse.<br /><br />"What are you doing, D?" asked my friend Barry as he walked in.<br /><br />"Nothing," I shifted my eyes away from his but kept my distance from the purse.<br /><br />"Hey, isn't this your purse under my easel?" he asked. "Here, you don't want to lose it."<br /><br />I practically jumped a foot off the ground when he tossed it over to me.<br /><br />"What's wrong with you?" he asked as he set up his palette and paint brushes.<br /><br />"Nothing, really. I'll be back in a couple minutes." I said as I left the studio with my purse in hand.<br /><br />I raced down those steps as fast as I could and ran to the wood kiln on the edge of campus. No one else was around because it wasn't in use. I flopped onto the grass and emptied the contents of my purse onto the ground. Wallet, lipstick, chapstick, eyeliner, two dollars, some change, a locket, and my school id. Wait a minute, a locket? I did not own a locket. I hesitated. Should I open the locket? Did I want to know what was inside? Carefully, I opened it up and it revealed a small photo of my twin sister when she was 3. I dropped it. I hadn't seen my sister for two years since she ran away after yet another argument with our stepfather. What did this mean? I uttered some words to God for her for protection and peace and lay down on the grass letting the sun filter through my half-closed eyes. I thought about the last time I had seen her and imagined her laying next to me in the grass the way we used to do when we were teens. We would lay there all day talking about boys and making grand plans for the future. I was going to be a fashion designer and she was going to be a rock star. I had toughed it out at home with our abusive step-father, she had left in our junior year of highschool. I was pursuing my dream. I had no idea if she was pursuing hers but had always hoped that she was. As I lay there, I drifted off into that odd place between sleep and wakefulness. My sister was standing before me apologizing and crying. I told her everything was OK. I loved her. She held out her arms to me and I held out mine to her. At that moment, I opened my eyes and the vision of her was gone. I knew in my heart that she had left this earth as well and I wept.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-55251275611428449502008-07-06T14:42:00.000-07:002008-07-06T14:43:09.038-07:00Letting the Ugliness ShowToday, I found out that a friend from the past, passed away yesterday. Her story is a tragic one. Just a little over a year ago, she found out that she had irritable breast cancer. She had just gotten remarried and had given birth to a newborn son only weeks before finding out. She thought it was a breast infection but it wasn't... it was worse. She left six children behind but in her usual fashion, managed to make sure their education was provided for... one at a prestigious private school on full scholarship, one at a charter school, two others at a different private school and her oldest at a very well known and well-respected engineering college. It was her tenacity at being able to procure full scholarships, gift and donations even before having cancer that probably wore most on our friendship. She was the type of parent who bragged constantly about her children and who also knew the right words to say to get what she wanted even if there were others who might be in more dire need of those gifts and services. And, here is where the ugliness from me sets in. I liked her but I didn't like her. We both had large families and started at a very early age. I was jealous of the opportunities she was given. But, I did not want to be like her. Every conversation focused on her. <br /><br />I thought of her today and googled her blog to find out that she passed away yesterday. I had known about her cancer and talked to her once since her being diagnosed but did not make the trip to see her in person. I feel guilty. I spent the last hour reading some of her last entries and have wept for her family. The loss they must be feeling and will continue to feel. Her new husband left to tend for a young son and her other five children with the help of her ex-husband. I walked away from the computer. I thought and cried and thought. And, I cannot justify not going to see her. At the same time, though, the gloss from her death... you know, that gloss that makes the deceased seem untouchable and like a saint, has dissipated slightly. While reading her blog she made a comment about how she used to judge parents for not doing a particular thing for their children, that she did herself. In that comment, the gloss disapated. I am sure this past year changed her immensely. But, there was a reason our friendship faded away. <br /><br />The truth is that I am a liar and faulted human being, too. Many times, I don't do what I say I am going to do, whether it be from forgetfulness or selfishness or some other imperfection. Perhaps in her death, I can value that which was lovable about her and let go of that which was imperfect.<br /><br />And, perhaps you will still love me despite my imperfections.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-91853521562248270062008-06-16T15:05:00.000-07:002008-06-16T20:52:57.463-07:00dear Lord...I love my job! I couldn't have possibly imagine that I'd be reviewing restaurants and hotels this time last year, but I am. Thank you.<br /><br />By the way, I'd really love the 13" MacBook Air that I am sampling right now but fear I'd accidentally throw it out with the newspaper like the reporter who did that earlier this year, if i did own one. My goodness, they are tiny and efficient. I will always be a Mac supporter and totally googly-eyed over every product they release!Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-30277866934187068782008-04-23T09:51:00.000-07:002008-04-23T09:52:03.134-07:00HELLO!I am experiencing an overwhelming season of folly. Please excuse me.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-78606744467564394722008-02-19T09:53:00.000-08:002008-02-19T09:56:26.654-08:00More Josiah Leming...He's being interviewed on the Ellen DeGeneres show today, Tuesday, and will also being playing a song he wrote. You can see a portion of the interview and the song on her website...<br /><br />I've been listening to his music all week since I bought the full EP on his myspace page... love it!!!<br /><br />http://ellen.warnerbros.com/Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-51075335990534649092008-02-19T09:27:00.000-08:002008-02-19T09:37:17.251-08:00Stifled and StagnantMy mother always told me I was the best and always gave lip service to ideas that she had that I could do. I wasn't the best. In highschool there were 10 people ahead of me. Not a bad place to be, but not good enough for a full scholarship. At 39 years old, I stand here stifled, unable to move forward. I don't have anyone telling me I am the best anymore and honestly I don't think that was it exactly helpful. Perhaps it would've been helpful if there was training or classes to support becoming the best or becoming better at something but there weren't. My oldest sister was supported and given opportunities to become the best at what she wanted to do. I never thought I was jealous. I still don't think I am. I didn't see things that way. I took care of myself and did what I could do personally to achieve my goals. But, looking back now, there is a level of support that my sister received that I did not and I think it's mostly because my sister is very verbal and able to express what she needs and wants whereas I did not. My Mom figured since I was taking care of myself already, I must not need anything, I guess. She did at one point ask my stepfather to pay for ice skating lessons but rather than pick someplace nearby, she asked for the moon (lessons in DE where Olympic figure skaters train) and he, of course, said no. She didn't tell me this until many years later. It seems that I am unable to move from the point where I am at now. Doing the Artist's Way at the end of last year, I did feel a certain momentum but I have rolled to a complete stop. I don't know how to move forward and I don't even know where forward is. <br /><br />Certain career paths, interests come into focus, as witnessed in this blog, but as easily as they present themselves they also quickly flutter away. Am I capable of sustained interest in any one thing?<br /><br />Same old story, different day.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-79172842150138474422008-02-14T08:11:00.000-08:002008-02-14T08:25:47.724-08:00OK, so Josiah Leming is selling his songs directly...from his MySpace Page. I love it. I had commented on his you tube that I thought he should bypass trying to get signed by a record company and sell his songs himself. I visited his MySpace Page and while there weren't links to buy songs at first, now there are. Apparently he has about three separate EP's available. I seriously think bypassing huge multi-million dollar music companies the wave of the future or at least part of the future. I mean, he'll probably make more money this way due to his AI exposure than he would if he was signed. Who knows? Granted, without AI he wouldn't have the exposure but I wonder what other avenues exist for artists to gain exposure without being signed?<br /><br />Here's a link to his MySpace...<br /><br />http://www.myspace.com/josiahleming<br /><br />And, yeah, I downloaded his songs.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-35588322502400957982008-02-14T05:11:00.000-08:002008-02-14T07:03:23.381-08:00Josiah Leming, Not America's Next Idol?This kid was cut and I almost feel, like, Thank God, because he is so much better than American Idol. I googled his name and here he is singing a song he wrote. His lyrics are deeper than your typical pop fluff and he sounds like he could be on the radio tomorrow. His style, too, is one that could be played on a few different style radio stations. I think perhaps that the Idol judges recognized the fact that he will go further by not signing with American Idol. He's too original for AI. See for yourself...<br /><br />Here's a link to his myspace where songs of his play in the background... utterly amazing...Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-54032675887466805722008-02-12T10:13:00.000-08:002008-02-12T10:24:52.927-08:00Succumbing to a Meme...I didn't realize <a href="http://julieunplugged.blogspot.com">julie</a> had tagged me until today, so here goes...<br /><br /><br /><br />Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. (No cheating!)<br />Find Page 123.<br />Find the first 5 sentences.<br />Post the next 3 sentences.<br />Tag 3 people.<br /><br />You may know these two people, but this should be completely fictionalized. 800 words. <br /><br />In her wonderful mixture of memoir and novel, Sigrid Nunez creates a seraing portrait of a German mother and an American daughter (whose father is Chines but grew up in Panama). <br /><br />I tag...<br /><a href="http://jodicleghorn.blogspot.com/">Jodi</a>, <a href="http://www.danaesinclair.com.au/index.html">Dan</a>, and <a href="http://ampersandprime.blogspot.com">Kim</a>Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-22332791533302397112008-02-12T10:05:00.001-08:002008-02-12T10:10:13.988-08:00New to Me Obama Fact...He grew up in Hawaii. I can't tell you how much this tells me in regard to how he will function or could function in the world arena. As a person who lived in Hawaii for a year growing up and visited there again in 6th grade, Hawaii feels very different than living in your typical continental state. There is a very large international population living there as well as native Hawaiians. When I went to public school in Hawaii, the Hawaiian language was a part of what we were taught along with Greek mythology and my sister was taught Japanese in her private school. We had Japanese neighbors and actually shared a home with a Korean family for part of the time. I don't think one could grow up in Hawaii without having a better sense of the world at large. That's not to say that the US isn't a melting pot, but in Hawaii the ingredients in the pot are still recognizable as different and unique.<br /><br />Definite food for thought.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-54093026926397003922008-02-12T06:53:00.000-08:002008-02-12T07:14:40.435-08:00American Idol and the Presidential ElectionThoughts regarding the election have occupied my mind and countless others over the past few months. I've watched youtube videos, did some reading and have even filled out a few of those "choose the right candidate" for me surveys. Of course, when I do the surveys I end up having unknown candidates pop up near the top with a Libertarian/Republican leaning. For the past year, I thought I'd throw my support behind Ron Paul because he just says a lot of things that represent true change. Some of his ideas are radical but if he had a chance, I'd vote for him because I think radical ideas are needed to get the congress as a whole to move toward changing laws in our country. But, ideas are only ideas and what has occupied my mind even more is which presidential candidate will fare the best in the international arena? Which candidate has the charisma and wisdom needed to be able to work as a team with other countries without neglecting US interests altogether? I personally don't think Clinton or McCain or Paul have that "wow" factor that make people listen to what you have to say or make you want to follow them. That same "it" factor that Simon mentions in regard to which contestant has the where with all to win American Idol. Barack Obama has it. He is also eloquent and seems to possess a certain amount of intelligence that has been lacking in other presidents. Perhaps having the "it" factor shouldn't be a deciding factor in choosing a presidential candidate but I think it may be what I base my vote on this time around.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-88379863157732697242008-01-09T07:28:00.000-08:002008-01-09T07:37:40.776-08:00A New Year...Perhaps I will officially start my new year at the start of the Chinese New Year. I am much calmer and balanced by that point than I am right after Christmas. So much of our family events are wrapped up in a 4 month span... we have two birthdays in December, one in January, two in March and two right at the beginning of April. (Really those three birthdays occur over a two week span) The photography business is crazy right up until Christmas and I've always felt the business is our 6th child. So, you see, I need the month of January to settle down and yet to also plan for the upcoming birthdays. I feel blessed each year that our Chinese American friend invites us to her family's annual Chinese New Year dinner. So, this year I think I will wait until then to ponder life. In the meantime, I do have a few goals I'd like to accomplish this year...<br /><br />1) Figure out what i want to be when I grow up<br />2) Follow God's leading. I am constantly getting little messages and signs leading me down a path that I am unsure I want to travel but I am curious to see where that particular path leads me.<br />3) Extend grace to myself. I am who I am.<br />4) I'd like to write in this blog more regularly.<br />5) I'd like to do something creative each day and document it like the 365 blogs.<br />6) I think I might do a 365 blog of all Zach (Would that get boring?)<br /><br />Things I am thankful for so far this year:<br />1) An extended visit with my older sister and her son right after Christmas.<br />2) Having a few good irl and online friends.<br />3) A hardworking husband who loves me<br />4) Five healthy children<br />5) PossibilitiesDalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-6671063906746741672007-12-12T06:04:00.000-08:002007-12-12T06:08:52.619-08:00Good things and bad things...Good things... the head of the art dept. at my oldest son's school is considering starting a pilot graphic design class for the lower school (grades 5th-8th) and she wants me to teach the class. Yes, I'd get paid and would get to teach even though I don't have a teaching certificate.<br /><br /><br />Bad things... this week I made a critical and almost unforgivable error and am having a hard time dealing with it. I fluctuate between asking and feeling God's forgiveness and beating myself up over it. The outcome turned out OK but it doesn't take away the initial huge, huge, huge carelessness.Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836814252812539935.post-18171235455107149252007-11-28T20:57:00.001-08:002009-05-12T09:04:00.509-07:00Argh!I have such limited, limited internet access due to lack of laptop... OH Great Creator, please send me a laptop for Christmas! I promise, I'll use it for good! More blog posts, more writing, more listening to good music and of course, more Scrabulous!<br /><br />I miss reading my friends blogs. I miss my online friends. Facebook is so surface it's just not the same. Flitting about on the edges of the internet like a mosquito near a flame is just not enough.<br /><br />Also, writing on a laptop keeps up with the speed of my brain while writing on paper is like having a two second delay. There is no nanowrimo to be had at the pace of paper and pen. And, I have house guests... well, my Mom and sister have been visiting since the week after Halloween and I think they will be here well into January... it makes for full life. I enjoy it but writing doesn't much happen. And, finishing my studio hasn't happened yet either. We did win a "door hanging" at a service auction at our children's charter school recently, though, so I should have a door to my studio rather than a hole at some point... probably in the spring.<br /><br />Having some of my kids in school has allowed me a certain freedom that I have never had before especially since the child I have at home is quite self sufficient in regard to learning and school. Learning self discipline in how I appropriate my time is of utmost importance to me right now. I want to learn how to balance the necessary evil of housecleaning with having time for the kids and Jeff, and having time to create artwork and write. I am a more relaxed person and thus, a better mother, I think.<br /><br />Anyway, how are you? Is there even a "you" out there since I haven't updated here in so long? I miss all of "you"!Dalissa McEwen Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05424482684428232565noreply@blogger.com3