Roman remains, frugality and healing

Big week this week .. though we're expecting bigger ones soon!

First off, Evan has returned after completing an intensive continuing education course in Seattle on craniosacral therapy through the Upledger Institute. This is truly amazing work that addresses body, mind, and soul from the very core. Check it out at http://www.upledger.com/. This really moves him forward in his dream of healing more effectively.

Second off, Andy got to meet (again) one of our heroes, Vicki Robin, of Your Money or Your Life fame. Vicki was in town to talk about the latest edition of the book, and he got to chat a little with her and ask some of his burning life management questions. Vicki is very inspiring and motivating. Here are some of of her insights ..

"More is better equals a recipe for disatisfaction and is what we live inside of " (i.e. our culture)

"Frugality is a high joy to stuff ratio!"

and "I buy my freedom daily with frugality"

She has a website with lots of information http://www.yourmoneyoryourlife.info/ - check it out and change your life. This program, as we have said before, has been a large force behind our new, improved life freedom.

And with that in mind, we are busy preparing for our first trip of 2009 - a month to travel in England and Spain. We're visiting London (naturally = Andy's family), Newcastle, York, Manchester, Liverpool and Chester, and then off to Barcelona for Carnaval (Spain's Mardi Gras) and apartment living for a while! Our friend, Gina, from Oakland, California is joining us for the last part of the UK gig and the Spain trip.

Us at Hadrian's Wall, near Newcastle on our last trip. Hadrian's Wall is a very old, very big, and very long Roman wall - built to keep the Scots out (English version); built to keep the English out (Scottish version)!

We'll keep you posted with what happens next ....

"Don't you forget while you came to the dance; might never ever be another better chance" (Michael Franti and Spearhead, 'Everybody Ona Move')

Monterey and the Monarchs

Just returned from a short break to Monterey, California - one of our very favorite places in California, our former home state. We spent the long weekend walking, talking, and eating (!) with Mom and Nick, two others on the 'road less traveled'.

We were really excited to see the annual Monarch butterfly migration while we were there - hundreds of butterflies floating around the special grove of eucalyptus trees like little orange kites. Andy had always wanted to see this awesome natural event, but had 'never had the time' despite living 9 years in California.... Just took a weekend break to make the time now.....

Spending time with Mom and Nick we were reminded of the peace and awareness that comes with just being. Their lives seem simple and less complicated than most. Time is less of a consideration as is being stuck on a daily schedule. We were simply able to just be. We were able to bring back more ideas and suggestions on furthering our new life creation - including more ideas on scheduling work, prioritizing, and taking time off at home versus just through travelling and 'escape'. Plus, as an added bonus, we got to kayak through kelp forests with seals, jellyfish and sea otters! Evan and Nick did a great 'man against nature' kayak adventure through crashing waves and pounding rocks in an effort to get closer to the grey whale spouts we could see from the shore.

We came home refreshed and invigorated and slightly frustrated that we hadn't made some of these more obvious changes already. So now we are correcting that!

Oh, and we went wine tasting too ... in January!

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"Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again" (Chinese proverb)

Chito Beach

Our time at Chito Beach was about change and embracing our new year and dreams. With this in mind, we set an intention for each of our days there. The view from our beachside cabin changed daily, seemingly linked to our inner journey.

Day 1 "Arrival"

Day 2 "Presence"

Day 3 "Birth"

Day 4 "Becoming"

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We experienced our time here as magical with daily yoga, meditation, walks, and talks. We rarely saw other people, but instead got to watch kingfishers, bald eagles, seals, and crabs. Our cabin, "The Birdhouse" sat right on the beach. It was a small, cozy A-frame with a fireplace and deck, and the sound of the ocean just a few feet away. We've returned to Bellingham with more ideas, inspiration, and energy, and we have now begun living our new dream.

Stay Tuned.

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"And lend your voices only to sounds of freedom. No longer lend your strength to that which you wish to be free from. Fill your lives with love and bravery. And we shall lead a life uncommon" (Jewel, 'Life Uncommon')