Friday, March 21, 2008

SPRING and Bubble Wands


It's one of my favorite times of the year. I love watching the world come back to life again. I particularly enjoy the songs of birds chirping, working hard at finding their special spots and treasures to line their nests during the day and the evening ballad of the tiny green frogs. Also, of course, spring flowers and what I call "fairy snow", the dancing tree blossom petals floating in the breeze and the smell... all fabulous! March is also the month that we celebrate many births in our family. We spend a lot of time noticing growth all around us. Spring is a time to focus on renewing and reenergizing after the wet, gray winter months.
I also get excited because it is the time of year to get back outside and blow bubbles! I love watching children chase the magical rainbow orbs through the air. Bubbles add to the magic of the season. I just finished preparing a special order of beautiful bubble wands. I have been informed all arrived safely! I can’t share the details yet, but here is a preview of what some very special people will receive. I hope their Bubble Wish Wands will inspire them.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Words of Wisdom form George Carlin



I recieved this in my in box this week... poignant.
I am sure some of you may have read it before.... the content is still relevant.


A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways,but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, becau se that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?

George Carlin

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Lawrence


I wanted to make sure and send well wishes to my extremely talented glass artist Lawrence Eichman. Here he is busy making beautiful glass creations at the Issaquah Salmon Days Festival. In addition to making Bubble Wish Wands, Lawrence is currently working on pieces for the Festival of Trees, an annual benefit auction to raise funds for Providence Hospital in Oregon. You can find more of his creations at one of my favorite shops, The Little House on Vashon Island.

Positive Thinking




It has been a very long while since I have posted to the blog…. Sorry! A lot has been going on though. As one of my goals for Bubble Wish Wand is to teach children about the power of intentions and being positive, I worked on preparing to celebrate Positive Thinking Day. I was inspired by Kirsten Harrell,Psy.D http://www.positivethinkingday.com/She sponsored a most positive person contest,and winners received Bubble Wish Wands as part of their prize package. Thank you Kirsten!I love her blog spot.I get a fresh attitude to focus on for the day, plus her photographs are beautiful!http://ipopin.typepad.com/think_positive/

I was thrilled to help the students and staff at Apollo Elementary School celebrate Positive Thinking Day as a great way to start their year. Positive Thinking Day is Sept. 13. Have you ever considered that the way you think has an important effect on the outcome of your daily life? The choice of whether to see “the glass half full or half empty”, the tone of voice and the words you use, the way you handle a challenge are all effected by the little voice in your head, which is the frame of mind we set for ourselves. Positive Thinking is a powerful tool and a way to approach life that has many rewards.

What is amazing and powerful to realize is that at any point in the day you can make a change to think positive, to be optimistic, to be happy, to be kind, to be grateful. Setting goals is also a way to keep yourself focused on things you want to happen in your life. The hardest part about setting goals is deciding on the specific things you want to achieve. The next step is taking action everyday to make those goals happen. Being a positive thinker will be very important when you meet challenges on the way to achieving your goals. You have the power within to create a great day. “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

The day started with Principal Marla Erath reading the book Dream: A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes by Susan V. Bosak, winner of 11 national awards. At the school wide assembly each child wore green to symbolize “green for grow and green for go”. Students then went back to their classrooms and worked on individual wishes and goals for the year. It was a great way to start the new school year. The book can be found at most local book stores and the web site has tons of great lessons and valuable information. As Susan says, “Believe, Do, Think” !!http://legacyproject.org/


Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Marriages & Magic


I was thinking about how many marriages happened on 07-07-07. It was definitely a lucky day for me. I had gone to a Mariners baseball game and tucked my cash and driver’s license into my pocket. When I got home I realized I had lost my license. I decided to wait a few days and see if it would show up. Show up it did! On 07-07-07 I received an unlabeled envelope with a note and my license. Thank you to the good Samaritan who sent it back to me. The same day, I also found a pair of earrings that had been “lost” for about a year, they were special and I am grateful I “found” them.

Good things happen to us when we expect them to, hope they do and wish they do. It is all about the intention we exude. I found these few lines in Roald Dahl’s book The Minipins, “Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”…… “If you never go looking for magic you’ll never find any.”

This brings me back to marriages on 07-07-07. These couples have set the expectation, the intention for their marriage, that lady luck will be with them on their journey together. Not to say that most couples already have this in mind when they set out, but I think that in their minds being married on 07-07-07 will give them that extra edge. It would be interesting if someone captures some statistics on the percentages of 07-07-07 marriages compared to any other day to see if the divorce rate is lower.

Marriage is definitely a commitment that takes work. A Bubble Wish Wand is on its way to France to help celebrate a sixtieth wedding anniversary. Sixty years together with one person is an amazing accomplishment. I hope to hear about their secret to success. Even if we start with the best intentions we still need to find a way to hold them dear, to protect and grow them and that is where the “work” enters the picture or at least a forgiving heart and a good sense of humor!

I am glad couples went looking for the magic and believing in the magic of
07-07-07. I hope they hold the magic close and keep it alive for many years.

We need to seek out the magic in our lives and in eachother. Keep your "glittering eyes" open to the possibilities of magic.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Paths and Creatures


What a day. Do you ever get the feeling that there is a reoccurring message itching at you? First, it is a little annoying like a fly buzzing too close. You don’t really pay attention; you swat your hand at it and continues. But then it becomes more like a hornet at a picnic. The message now has your attention, but you are not too concerned. Then finally, you are swarmed by a cloud of mosquitoes at dusk, you are really annoyed and ready to take action because they are in your face and too difficult to ignore. I had a Friday like that last week.

I was leaving my house in the morning when a baby chipmunk ran under my feet as I walked down the front steps. He was very cute, but a definite surprise. I usually see the critters at my back porch where they come to the window and visit, which drives my dog crazy! Rarely, do I encounter the babies. He chattered at me as he zipped under me. This was my first event of the day.

I packed up my car and I head into town. It is approximately a 10-mile drive on a two lane rural highway, which winds down off our hill and through a valley of beautiful Maple trees, a pretty drive. As the road straightens, you come to a new housing development, on the left and a wetland with a few houses on the right. Up a head you can see the 4-lane interstate. I have to quickly apply my breaks and check the rear mirror hoping the driver behind me is also alert. A momma duck has decided that it is the perfect time to walk her babies. She slowly waddles across the road with a wad of ducklings in tow. They are very small and fuzzy with new down. I think this is their first walk. The cars have piled up behind me and have begun veering left and right to see why we are stopped on a 40mph road. I enjoy the sight and I am glad I get to see them as I have the only front row seat.(The fly is flying).

I am excited to arrive at my destination, UpFront Gallery in Issaquah. It is an artist co-op gallery a part of artEast http://www.arteast.org “a non-profit organization made up of artists and art supporters, dedicated to making the arts an integral part of life in our community.” A great gallery of artist work from photographers, sculptors, painters, jewelry, ceramics, glass and now Bubble Wish Wands! I am thrilled to be included with such and energetic and supportive group.

I decide to return home via the other side of the mountain. As I am exiting town, with only one more street light to pass, a young deer forces me to stop as he trots nervously across my path. He looks at me with his beautiful big brown eyes. He has new antlers beginning to emerge and holds himself in a startled state. He makes it across both lanes of traffic but is nervously prancing through the yards parallel to the road opposite me. I drive on slowly, watching him and waving my arm out the window to worn the oncoming drivers. Wow! (The hornet has arrived).

Home again. I still haven’t put the message together. I don’t even realize there is one yet.

Time to head down off my hill once more (at this stage in my life as a mom, I am a the taxi service for my two sons) it is about 4:30 pm, a very bright afternoon. I need to slow to a stop once more. A raccoon has decided this is his time to also cross the road. He rambles across at a particularly slow pace for a raccoon, with his long ringed tail dragging behind. No worries. He glances at me, in no rush at all, which is unusual for raccoon, on a paved road, in the daylight. They prefer the dusk hours.

Ah ha… (the mosquitoes have started to swarm), “What is going on today?” I ask myself. I am fond of wildlife and I regularly enjoy observing all the creatures that live around me, but today has definitely been out of the ordinary! Four times I have had to literally stop in my tracks, forced to be an observer. Forced to watch, forced to see what exists around and with me everyday, usually hidden from view except for rare occasions. Why have I been the one today to be required to stop? A few seconds in either direction and I would have missed all of them. How lucky am I? (Some of the mosquitoes are landing on me and I can hear their zing by my head now.)

What was the message being delivered to me? I consider that it may be to slow down. Be aware. Enjoy my environment; appreciate the diversity. Humans share this world with many other creatures, big and small. Remember them. Once again though, it was a day to be reminded to appreciate the moment. To be present with my whole self right now. Be focused on what is happening in front of me.

Make time today to be aware, notice those that cross your path, insect, creature or human. Engage in the moment.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Freemont Bridge Trolls & Bubbles



We had a great time celebrating the re-opening of the Fremont Bridge at Capers with the Trolls who swung by to blow bubble wishes.... prosperity and health for "the center of the universe".