Inspiration for the Week

"When I say it's you I like, I'm talking about that part of you
that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever
see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you
to stand for those things without which
humankind cannot survive.
Love that conquers hate,
peace that rises triumphant over war,
and justice that proves more powerful than greed."
Mister Fred Rogers

p.s. if you're in need for a good, heart-warming cry, here it is.

Can I Brag?

Well, I'm fairly new to this whole blogging thing, and I'm not quite sure if there's an unspoken etiquette on posting, but I simply must do a little bragging about my wonderful husband.

We don't really "do" holidays or anniversaries or anything, we don't observe them, we never buy gifts or cards, but after almost 13 years of marriage, we do still call each other daily to say "I love you." Needless to say, I was quite surprised last Tues. when Kamyar brought up the issue of Valentine's Day approaching. He asked if I had any plans or thoughts about it, to which I replied, of course, "No." Then he shared that, since we never go out for such things, wouldn't it be nice, if we offered to child-sit for another couple, so that they could have a night together? My heart melted instantly as I was reminded why I love this man so dearly.

There are few gifts which can top getting to make that phone call to friends offering a night out as a couple. They were thrilled - they were planning to go out for dinner as a family, but were thankful for the chance to go to their favorite Thai restaurant - which the kids do not enjoy. Their kids came over and had a great time with our kids, the two hours flew by way too fast, and it was joyous to be a part of such a wonderful win, win, win situation.

Thank you, my love, for being you and for loving me so deeply.

Inspiration for the Week

"You think because you understand
ONE
you must understand
TWO
because one and one makes two.
But you must also understand
AND."
* Sufi teaching

Much Love to You All

Happy Valentine's Day - with the mandatory bow to Ze Frank.

p.s. how do you get a video to embed directly in your blog?

Inspiration for the Week

I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God
Who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect
has intended us to forgo their use.
Galileo Galilei, circa 1600

Bossy Shoulda Got Her Hair Done Here

The older sisters organized a fun party for Elle's 6th -- they set up a salon on the back porch (notice the "waiting room" of chairs off to the right), and the construction paper purses they're holding - full of construction paper money to pay for a day at the salon!! [would Antonio take construction paper money?!!],There was a choose-your-own-nail-color bar, hosted by Faith (11.5)

and an upscale hair-do-ery staffed by Pouran (9) and her friends, Ginya, Kyra and Mia
complete with plenty o' chatty gossip with each style. Bossy, at least they wouldn't have done anything irreversible.

Oh, and the oldest sister? Leyla (16) kept the boys off the back porch with a distracting game of Mouse Trap

And when all the "customers" were satisfied... a styling chain!
Later on, even some of the parents tried a new "do"!

Inspiration for the Week

"It isn't enough to talk about peace.
One must believe in it.
And it isn't enough to believe in it.
One must work at it."
Eleanor Roosevelt, 1951