Inspiration Monday – The (Official) Birth of a Family

April 4, 2011 By TheOrganicSister 19 Comments

It’s been a busy few weeks. Two spent in Southern California, visiting, meeting, working, creating and exploring. And then we headed back to Nevada for a very special court date.

Yes! It’s official! Justin and Zeb’s adoption has been finalized!

It feels good to call official what we’ve known for almost a decade. It also felt really amazing to see my 11 year old bouncing up and down in his seat with The.Biggest.Grin on his face as the judge announced it so.

Now we’re hanging in town for another week, wrapping up our loose ends and hanging out deep in my Creative Cave while I iron out the last of my new e-book. After that? We’re cruising up the West Coast and anxiously awaiting Northern California.

I’m going to be editing photos for ages…you know, if I ever get started.

In the meantime, here’s some inspiration I’ve been swimming in:

Justin has been working with me on the Sustainable Baby Steps site and we’re soooo loving partnering together to write new articles, such as Types of Houseplants That Clean Indoor Air. We’re also working together on some products for that site! And just generally having a blast.
I was included in The Goddess Guidebook’s free e-book, How To Be a Morning Goddess! You can get your free copy at that link!
Have you been listening in on The WISH Summit too? So, so excited to hear all the calls!
A lovely reader shared this song with me on Facebook and I had to pass it along!
If you’re in need of some reminding of the beautiful things in life, you must watch this video.
If you’re wondering about the future of education, this article was quite interesting.
But this is the way I can really see education evolving.
HAHAHAHAHA I can’t get enough of this!
Wondering what you can do for the world right now?
I love seeing Benny with his new family.
Every since first hearing about the retreat, I’ve been fascinated by Tiffani’s experience of it.
Did I mention we spent the day with her and her family at Disney?
Beautiful. Seriously. Just check her out.
The perfect pet?
Every parent of a teen should read this, just to know the alternatives.
Love when something I love starts to become mainstream!
This video makes me smile.
This type of artwork/healing is so lovely!
Have kids that love violent games?Read this.
Heart.

Phew! That’s a lot of inspiration! It’s been a good month.

What’s Inspiring You?

Leave your comment, blog your own post, or just spend a second to appreciate the good things in your life.

Filed Under: Inspiration, Organic Parenting, Organic Tribes, People I Love Tagged With: community, education, inspiration monday, Justin, links, public school, Zeb

Inspiration Monday – Almost There

February 7, 2011 By TheOrganicSister 16 Comments

Meet Jazz. Also know as Jazzy Jeff or Spazzy Jazz or any other combination of Jazzy words.

Jazz is our new home, a 31 foot 2007 Thor Jazz 5th wheel. You can see all the Before photos here.

Yes, Jazz is solar-powered. And the truck, which Zeb has named The Black Pearl, is running on waste veggie oil. We have more storage and more space and I’m going to have a dedicated desk again! It’s heaven.

There are no After photos yet. That’s because we’re not done. This week we’re hoping to finish up the details, such as removing those horrendous window valances and painting all that tan. We’ll be in Las Vegas as we finish that up with hopes of heading out in just a few sort weeks.

Right now I’m heading off to shop (oh dear Gd, help me) with Justin for the last components of our new home. And then we have some work to do!

It’ll be a busy week, so I’ll leave you with some inspiration:

My interview on unschooling high school is up at Idzie’s place.
And a podcast with my passionate friend Darlene.
And one more on Untie the Ribbons!
Have you seen the SBS article on cast iron cookware?
And of course, I have to mention something about green Valentine’s!
Dear, sweet Benny has moved onto a new family in Florida.
Powerful, emotional song. Watch with care.
What do you think of a motto like this?
Oh yeah, I’m totally uncool about nearly everything I do.
If you haven’t seen this heart-wrenching photo, you need too.
This makes me giggle. I don’t want one but I do want to see someone with their own.
Have some time to kill? I’ve been stuck on level 49 for weeks.
This is so cool! I want to make my own!
So touching and thought-provoking.
Love what this sweet mama is doing for others!
A must watch. For real.

I should note that I have every intention of continuing these Inspiration Monday posts. But I doubt I’ll do them every single Monday and I hope you’ll continue to carry on when I miss a week.

So, what’s been inspiring you lately?

Share your inspiration on your own blog post or in the comments below!

Filed Under: Inspiration, Life on the Road Tagged With: inspiration monday, Jazz, RV, RV transitioning

Inspiration Monday – Post-Christmas Exhaustion

December 27, 2010 By TheOrganicSister 19 Comments

Christmas is over, but the craziness still lingers in the air. Everything is in disarray and no one is yet thinking about taking down that Christmas tree.

Is it just me that is left feeling exhausted by the commotion?

It’s not that we didn’t enjoy ourselves – in fact, we had more fun this year than in many past. A big part of that, though, came from my awareness of how it affects us all differently and my intentional process to honor my own experience and authenticity.

I didn’t try to create a perfect experience. I just tried to be present to the moment and my place within it. Most moments that awareness served me well. And a few still overwhelmed me. That’s just beautifully messy I suppose.

Some things I’ve been inspired by (or inspired to do) this week:

New on Sustainable Baby Steps: New Year’s Resolutions
Keeping things easy.
These empowering words.
This powerful video.
Some fun to pass the time.
A new song to love.
Moments that challenge my authenticity.
Since it was cloudy over here.
Seriously in love with this whole idea.
Her goodness.
Simple reminders.
Old friends of my husband that feel like family.
And warm dinners with amazing families.

What’s Inspiring You?

Share your own blog post or inspiring thoughts in the comments below. Or just take a couple moments to listen to a new song or read something refreshing. Because you deserve some inspiration.

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: inspiration monday

Inspiration Monday – Oregon and Grease!

December 20, 2010 By TheOrganicSister 29 Comments

It’s official! The Ford is now running on veggie oil! Justin worked in the Green Eye shop all week to get that sweet, sweet fried food exhaust. Mmmmm…It feels soooo good to be off the fossil fuel grid.

By the way, Oregon was Uh. Maze. Ing. Green and beautiful and although Zeb needed a lot of downtime in the hotel (traveling without your home sucks) we did manage to do a beautiful hike and some long drives. I can’t wait to edit and upload the rest of the photos!

Even our drive back to Vegas has been gorgeous. The route through Reno was pretty ugly (and when they suggest snow chains they are apparently pretty serious) so we took a long detour down the Pacific Coast Highway instead. It’s been raining just enough to keep us from venturing out, but I cannot wait to head back through the San Fran area and take our time in the Redwoods next year.

Today we’re on our last stretch back to Southern Nevada. And to be honest, I’m actually looking forward to getting there. Just in time for the Christmas fun! (Not to mention my poor sciatic.)

New article on Sustainable Baby Steps: Creative Gift Wrap Ideas
SBS Guest Post: Surviving the Holidays: Eco-Style
Glad to hear it.
Thanking her for sharing this song with me!
Words to remember
An article every new parent should read
I disagree with cribs (strongly) but agree with this anti-fear sentiment.
I heart this. Literally.
Who says you must be schooled?
Going to attempt something like this.
And I’ll leave you with this one.

What’s Been Inspiring You?

Life should be inspired, not required. But that means getting inspired!

I’m ditching the linky form (it’s a real pain) but you’re still invited to SHARE!

Write your own Inspiration Monday post and share it in the comments or just let me know what you’re in love with this week!

And be sure to head over and check out those comments. You may just find your new favorite thing.

Filed Under: Inspiration, Life on the Road Tagged With: bench monday, eugene, Ford, inspiration monday, oregon, WVO/SVO

Inspiration Monday – In Eugene

December 13, 2010 By TheOrganicSister 16 Comments

We’re here! And I think we’re in love.

Oregon is a gorgeous place: green and “green” and so very comfortable for us.

Don’t get me wrong. The drive up was nice too, but somewhere near the Cali/Oregon border I became enchanted. Maybe it was all the gluten-free menus or the backyard chickens in so many yards. It could’ve been the number of people who complimented me on my dreads, too. Or the amazing peeps who invited us to hang with them.

Whatever it is – the mountains and the trees or the fog and the rain – we can all see ourselves coming back here again. And again.

Justin is heading to the shop this morning and Zeb and I are chillaxin’ at an extended stay right now. We picked up a rental car while the truck gets converted and I’m sure we’ll soon fill our time with mornings or afternoons or entire days of goodness. You know, after we pick up some groceries.

Some things that have been inspiring me this week: