Ok, I try to resist seeing New Year's Day as a New Beginning, believing each day is just that, but can't help feeling refreshed.
Though we preferred sleeping out the year, we dutifully sat out New Year's Eve with the kids, only to realize we missed the countdown by a minute! I guess we were caught in the spell of the movie.
New Year's Day should be just like any other day of the year, but somehow it feels different. The air smells different, I feel a shift, new possibilities. It could just be the 'afterthrobs' of an overwhelming Holiday season, the relief of having gotten through it again, but this year I choose to believe in the magic of a new start, so I have made some resolutions:
1. go for regular walks with friends (exercise + friends = mental health, n'est-ce pas?!)
2. eat healthier + less (who says vegetarians always eat healthy???)
3. sign my 3 yo up for scheduled classes
4. turn off the TV more often
5. do family dinners
These are great and doable. Leaves me with resolution number 6. 'Guilt Management'.
I often feel like an octopus, having a tentacle in so many areas: kids, husband, house, BearHugs business, translation jobs, sewing gigs, PTA activities in 2 schools, not to mention that ever elusive 'self-care', where you get to do stuff to recharge your battery. Having spread myself pretty thin, I end up doing none of these things very well... enter the guilt.
Talk about an energy drain!! This year, I hope to shelf this thing. I will identify, name and disable this little devil, that ever present, ready to take over, fun sucking entity that whispers in my ear, telling me I'm not good enough, don't clean enough, don't play enough with my kids, don't volunteer enough, my sewing's not good enough, I ate too much again, not selling enough BearHugs, etc., etc.
Understanding that aiming for complete obliteration would mean setting up a self-fulfilling situation where I'd feed the little sucker by not succeeding. I resolve, for this year, to gag it, silence it so I can break out of the rut and actually enjoy all that I do!
Who knows, maybe next year I'll be able to tackle that other nasty kill joy: Fear!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Now the monkey comes out of the sleeve!
I love living here in America, love it even more since last November.
I think I come across as pretty authentically American, being a (PTA)mom, wife and entrepreneur, baking cookies, stressing over Christmas shopping, etc. I even speak English with my kids and do so without any noticeable accent (so I am told..).!
I do miss my family and friends who still live in Holland and realize that I have pretty much left Dutch Ymke with them. Ever since our daughter traded her Dutch for English as a Kindergartner, Dutch Ymke has gradually moved back to her homeland, riding her bike, sailing the lakes and celebrating Sinterklaas. Only when my friends and family come to visit us here, parts of her pop up: All of a sudden I'll speak with a Dutch accent and and will say things that make no sense to the American ear... My husband affectionately calls it DEnglish and as a tribute to Dutch Ymke and her family and friends, I'll share it here with you!
The following are a few expressions. You can figure out what they mean and share your ideas through the comment section. Their American counterparts will be posted at a later date...
1. Now the monkey comes out of the sleeve!
2. The bullet is through the church
3. Little house, little tree, little animal
4. I am home from all the markets!
5. He's the best horse in the stable...
6. She's lifted over the horse
7. Stop taking me in the boat!
I hope you shake your liver!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Be Your Own Boss in San Francisco!
Saturday, September 6, we will be attending the Be Your Own Boss Event in San Francisco. Hosted by Ladies Who Launch, this event gives us a chance to meet, greet and share our experiences in a way only Ladies can...No grey suits and briefcases there, just inspiration and determination. What a great initiative! I started out with nothing but a good idea. I sure didn't know the first thing about sourcing, importing, webdesign, etc. , Let alone marketing!
Now the time has come for me and others like me, to crawl from behind that laptop and learn a thing or two from (other) strong women who have walked that path before us. Ofcourse we will be showcasing our BearHugs, as there is no better way to explain our business than offering the direct experience of a Hug!
So, if you too want to step outside the box and make your dream a reality, grow your business, or just come get connected and inspired, don't hesitate to sign up -it'll be worth it!
The Ladies have graciously offered a discount of 15% if you use the code: YMKE when registering for the event.
What's stopping you...Be your Own Boss!
For more information about Ladies Who Launch, visite their website at: ladieswholaunch.com
Friday, August 22, 2008
BearHugs at Bears, Buddies & Toys!
Our BearHugs have found a place to call 'home'.
Strolling through the Westlake mall in Daly City, I spotted a sign directing me to a new toy store.
As soon as I entered Bears, Buddies & Toys, I felt an invitation into that magical imaginary world, usually reserved only for children. This place has it all: right by the entrance you are greeted by adorable bundles of joy, waiting in the 'nursery' to be 'adopted' (ceremoniously, ofcourse) and loved forever by some lucky kid. Next to them you will discover little, life like cats curled up in an afternoon nap. There is a dress-up spot and a book room, complete with a reading chair on a pedestal. For hosting those perfect parties, the store offers a pirate ship and a throne room and even allows kids to stuff their own bear! And I haven't even started on the variety of merchandise: a perfect mixture of 'olden days' and the latest and greatest, starting at $.99.
Bears, Buddies & Toys' product line now includes our very own BearHugs and we could not be happier!
Whenever you're in the neighborhood, please stop by and visit this store, aside from finding that perfect gift, it's an experience you and your kids will enjoy!
Whenever you're in the neighborhood, please stop by and visit this store, aside from finding that perfect gift, it's an experience you and your kids will enjoy!
The owners, Will and Teresa Maushardt offer two store locations:
Daly City
The Shops on Lake Merced Blvd (on the Lake Merced Blvd Side)
482 Westlake Center, Daly City, CA 94015
Phone: 650-992-3000
Rohnert Park
6285 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Phone: 707-206-0111
Daly City
The Shops on Lake Merced Blvd (on the Lake Merced Blvd Side)
482 Westlake Center, Daly City, CA 94015
Phone: 650-992-3000
Rohnert Park
6285 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Phone: 707-206-0111
You can visit Bears, buddies & Toys on the internet at bearsbuddiesntoys.com
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The Hug Therapy Book
Guess who walked into my guest house...
A joy from the past, a blessing and renewed friend.
In the 80s I came across and owned a Dutch copy of 'the Hug Therapy Book'.
I loved it!
It was simple, quirky, lovely and carried a great message -hugging is free, readily available and good for you! It was especially great for me at that time, since hugging -just 'cause- was not a very socially common thing to do in Holland, and I felt vindicated by the book.
Last week, a -belated- Christmas card came in the mail from Holland. Inside my friend's card was a new Dutch copy of 'the Hug Therapy Book'.
How cool that it has crossed my path again!
Especially now that my business is about Hugs!
My wish is to get the word out about this book and carry it on the BearHugs website. It is still very contemporary, touching and necessary in today's detached society!
The author, Kathleen Keating is currently working on a book concerning the world's food distribution. She is wonderfully talented and an inspiration! Please check out her site at: http://www.bykathleenkeating.com/
A joy from the past, a blessing and renewed friend.
In the 80s I came across and owned a Dutch copy of 'the Hug Therapy Book'.
I loved it!
It was simple, quirky, lovely and carried a great message -hugging is free, readily available and good for you! It was especially great for me at that time, since hugging -just 'cause- was not a very socially common thing to do in Holland, and I felt vindicated by the book.
Last week, a -belated- Christmas card came in the mail from Holland. Inside my friend's card was a new Dutch copy of 'the Hug Therapy Book'.
How cool that it has crossed my path again!
Especially now that my business is about Hugs!
My wish is to get the word out about this book and carry it on the BearHugs website. It is still very contemporary, touching and necessary in today's detached society!
The author, Kathleen Keating is currently working on a book concerning the world's food distribution. She is wonderfully talented and an inspiration! Please check out her site at: http://www.bykathleenkeating.com/
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Guest House (Rumi)
This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be cleaning you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Rumi
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be cleaning you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Rumi
Cleaning House
It's so funny what we get used to.
Our house is a big mess, but we don't really notice.
Only when someone new visits, do we realize in what state our living space is.. How does it get that way?
I guess the trick to unnoticed breakdown is the speed in which it happens. Sudden changes shock us and make us feel we need to do something about it right away. Ok, maybe tomorrow because right now we are doing something already (...). It's the slow, sneaky gradual disintegration that happens without being noticed.
That is, until it reaches a certain level that it grabs our attention and forces us to face reality.
This happens usually when I'm in the middle of letting someone into our house. All of a sudden I see the boxes in the hallway, the dust on the stairs, and the mess in the kitchen. Where did all that come from?? It wasn't there before...was it??
The biggest catalyst, however, is always a house guest. My brother and his family are coming in 1 1/2 weeks, and suddenly I see our house in a more realistic light... Instead of feeling excited anticipation (I haven't seen them in almost two years), I find myself worrying about the state of disrepair our house is in! Not good, I am sure they are not coming for my house!
This time however, I've decided to take the awareness my brother unwittingly sends ahead, and spruce up the house for myself, rather than for appearances sake. I am finding so much joy in this change of attitude and new creative energy in re-organizing, cleaning and painting our living space.
It usually takes someone else to become aware of our pitfalls, and all we should feel is gratitude for the 'heads up'. Rumi's 'Guest House' says it all.
Am I still just talking about my house??
Our house is a big mess, but we don't really notice.
Only when someone new visits, do we realize in what state our living space is.. How does it get that way?
I guess the trick to unnoticed breakdown is the speed in which it happens. Sudden changes shock us and make us feel we need to do something about it right away. Ok, maybe tomorrow because right now we are doing something already (...). It's the slow, sneaky gradual disintegration that happens without being noticed.
That is, until it reaches a certain level that it grabs our attention and forces us to face reality.
This happens usually when I'm in the middle of letting someone into our house. All of a sudden I see the boxes in the hallway, the dust on the stairs, and the mess in the kitchen. Where did all that come from?? It wasn't there before...was it??
The biggest catalyst, however, is always a house guest. My brother and his family are coming in 1 1/2 weeks, and suddenly I see our house in a more realistic light... Instead of feeling excited anticipation (I haven't seen them in almost two years), I find myself worrying about the state of disrepair our house is in! Not good, I am sure they are not coming for my house!
This time however, I've decided to take the awareness my brother unwittingly sends ahead, and spruce up the house for myself, rather than for appearances sake. I am finding so much joy in this change of attitude and new creative energy in re-organizing, cleaning and painting our living space.
It usually takes someone else to become aware of our pitfalls, and all we should feel is gratitude for the 'heads up'. Rumi's 'Guest House' says it all.
Am I still just talking about my house??
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