Heading for Goldendale Washington…
Posted by msterilinn on Jun 20, 2008
Just so folks know why I am not around, it is that time of year when we head out to go camping for two weeks. We have an Isnati Lawanpi (young girl to woman ceremony), a memorial for a beloved family member who crossed last year, and our Sundance to attend. We choose to follow the path of the Lakota peoples, as this is a natural way, with respect for the Earth and all her inhabitants. This is such a special time for us, as it is always good to gather together with family and friends in this way. So, I just wish to say that I hope folks enjoy each moment and each other… our time on this plane is so precious.
Pilamaye,
Teri
~
Time for camp and Ceremony again…
Posted by msterilinn on Jun 11, 2008
Today I am reminded how precious time truly is. We have one and a half weeks until we leave for Goldendale WA for Ceremonies and camping for two weeks. We Love to camp! There is something about living outdoors in the Summer that brings Nature into a truer focus, and helps us to honor the Land in a more intimate way. It is still quite cold at night, and the wind seems to blow often, yet for some reason we do not seem to mind those things. We just bundle up, prepare to get dirty and remember how precious fresh water is. There is just something about connecting with the Earth and utilizing her natural resources to survive that brings out the best in me. Some people love the City… I love all that is pure and natural about the great outdoors which brings about such a wonderful sense of freedom!
During this time, we all work together setting up Teepees, preparing sweat lodges, cutting wood, gathering fresh water, and getting evergreen bows for the Sundance shade arbor. My little S and I have our own special place, in the shade of an Oak tree, in which we camp each year. This sweet little spot is very near our main camp… although some folks have individual camps, there are several main camps in which we set up to cook, eat and socialize together. The greatest thing about this whole adventure is how well we all work together! Everyone pitches in, so no one is overburdened, and there is such a great feeling of comraderie. Even if we haven’t seen some people in a year or more, we just seem to come together as if it were yesterday since we last saw each other. There is so much Love, hugs and sometimes tears, and we just feel so very grateful for these lasting friendships which carry us through some difficult times.
Well then, time to get back to organizing our camping gear and supplies. We still have to some last minute things to attend to, and I need to finish up the beaded medallion of a horse, which will be presented to one of our beloved Elders at a camp meeting before Tree Day. We are honoring each of our Elders with a medallion to show our Love and Gratitude for the Wisdom they share with us, and I feel blessed to be chosen to bead one for a very dear friend who has touched my heart many times throughout the years.
So you see, about this time every year I am reminded just how precious our time together is… S and I treasure every moment spent with our friends and family who live far away. This year we have an extra special focus on the Children and teachings for them, as well as learning more about the plants and herbs around the Land, and certain survival skills. There should be some very interesting discussions and plans for the future, which I am looking forward to. I am very happy to see such positive growth. I wish to send out prayers for safe travels for our friends and family who are preparing for this journey as well.
Postcards, Stamps and Magnets.. oh my!
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 22, 2008
Now here is something I truly enjoy. Gathering supplies for an event, special occasion, or simply providing unique announcements. Being quite active socially and environmentally, I have a great and varied use for many of these items for spreading the word and advertising my particular cause or event.
Having a place that specializes in just these sorts of supplies, is exactly what I need when I get too busy to create all these items on my own. So I turn to VistaPrint, having done business with them in the past, and feeling quite happy with their quality and service. They have a great special right now, so I can have them print postcards relating to certain causes close to my heart. I can visit VistaPrint and use coupon code “BlogPostcards100” at checkout to receive 100 free postcards… what a fantastic deal! I can use a Design Template from their site, or upload one of my own Designs, depending upon my needs.
VistaPrint offers a wide array of printing services including: postcards, address labels, magnets, checks, stamps and much, much more! We can customize all of their products to our own preferences and designs. Just have fun with it!
And that is not all. They offer free Logo Designs as well. Here are some examples of categories to choose from…
~Beauty & Spa
~Entertainment
~Financial Services
~Flowers
~General Business
~Home Services
~Monograms
~Professional Services
~Real Estate
~Restaurants
~Retail & Jewelry
~Travel
~Text Only
As I was cleaning up my office space, I decided to take inventory as well. I definately need to gather more supplies such as stationary, envelopes, note pads and address labels as well. Having these customized is a great way to express myself professionally and personally.
Another great idea is to create personalized desk and wall calendars! These are a wonderful way to brighten up our own space, and they make fantastic gifts. Family and friends will totally delight in having these sweet little reminders of their loved ones, or special vacations and events, to add that personal touch to their office or living space as well.
Ah yes, I am most certainly looking forward to visiting VistaPrint to satisfy my creative needs.
Enjoy!
Going Organic this Valentines Day
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 8, 2008
I truly love Valentines Day. It is a great opportunity to get a bit festive, and express our Love for each other. Even though I do this sort of thing often anyway, it is great to have this theme to go by during our chilly month of February.
As I endeavor to search for lots of wonderful gifts to share with family and friends, I am always mindful of our Environment. When I found a place with fair trade gifts for valentines, I jumped right on it. This is fantastic! Not only did I find Organic Gifts and Natural Gifts, yet I found Planet Friendly, a healthier green alternative to birthday, anniversary, romantic or just everyday gifting. What fun it is to browse through a wide selection of organic gift baskets that overflow with tasty treats, fresh products, natural ingredients and the knowledge that what you buy is helping keep this planet user-friendly for years to come.
Organic Foods…
Produced by farmers who are careful to conserve soil and water, and enhance the environmental quality of the land around them for future generations, “organic foods” use no synthetic or artificial means in their growing process. Farmers also avoid exposure to toxic chemicals or pesticides that can end up in the ground, air, water or food supply. Many believe that organic foods have a better taste and are overall healthier for you since the produce is natural and fresh and levels of vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus tend to be higher in organic foods than processed counterparts.
Planet Friendly carefully searches for products that meet the various needs and desires of their customers. They know that you want healthier alternatives and look for the freshest fruit and widest variety of products to meet all your gifting needs.
As an example, I am totally delighted with the huge assortment of gourmet organic snack foods to be found in their Organic Ultimate Gourmet sampler! Inside a stylish natural basket with drop handles, discover delicious 100% organic snacks such as pretzel sticks, chocolate cookies, ginger cookies, cheddar cheese crackers, a chocolate coffee bar, chocolate-cinnamon crisps, dark chocolate espresso-vivani, banana chips and cherry oatmeal cookies. To complete this spectacular sampler, they also included 100% organic spicy brown mustard, grape jelly and sweet and spicy herbal tea sachets. What a great selection!
How splendid! Just what I need to satisfy my total Valentines Day experience.
Well then, I do hope all my friends and family enjoy a wonderful and Loving Valentines Day!
The Love and Joy of each other…
Posted by msterilinn on Jan 25, 2008
Is it really the Year 2007?
Posted by msterilinn on Jan 2, 2007
Let’s just take a moment to be thankful for our gifts in our
Family and Friends as we venture forth into a New Year.
I was yet again reminded, quite profoundly, how precious our
loved ones are. A very dear friend and brother crossed over
just recently. This man has one of the biggest hearts I have
ever had the honor of knowing. He was not old, yet he had
lived a full life helping others and touching the lives of
all who knew him, in a good way. His was the first “viewing”
I have ever attended. I did not truly know what to expect,
so when I entered the chapel and took in the scene I broke
down. Of course I had already cried for this loss of my friend,
yet was grateful that another dear brother and friend was
guarding the doorway with a strong shoulder to cry on as my
emotions burst forth yet again. As I made my way forward to
pay my respects, I marveled at how peaceful my friend looked.
I did not look closely, mind you, yet a quick glance told me
much. He crossed peacefully. We sang songs for our brother.
He firmly believed there is more than this Life, and that he
would be venturing upon a new Journey when his time came to
cross. I felt sadness at my loss, yet joyful at the same time..
it is not easy to describe this feeling. Yet I knew my friend was
in a good place and would always be watching over us, as he
loves us.
So, I will say to treasure your Family and Friends before they
slip away…
Let 2007 be a year of laughter, joy, songs, sharing and adventure!
If there be tears, let them be cleansing and not consuming. And
most of all.. be Thankful!
Enjoy each moment and each other.
Teri
~
