Sherri Donohue

I've been pondering on a quote that I read last week that said "it isn't important what you harvest tomorrow, it's the seeds that you plant today." Of course, being from a mixed grain farm, in order to harvest one has to plant. But there is more to the concept of just planting seeds. Quotes often refer to "if you want an apple tree, an apple seed must be planted. An oak seed will not yield an apple tree." The statement is very true and again, there is more to the philosophy than that. Let me explain from my farming point of view.

One wheat kernel will not yield a grainery full of wheat. More than one seed must be planted and too thick results in puny plants.
The condition of the soil is very important as most plants (except weeds) don't grow in gravel, blueberries do fine in acidic soils, and pretty much nothing grows in pure sand.
Rice thrives in a marsh environment and cacti thrive in drought, most other plants need moisture.
Timing: winter wheat is planted in the fall, the majority of crops are planted in the spring, and nothing is planted in the winter for various obvious reasons.
Some plants, like the bamboo, require a lot of nurturing and other plants like the Evans cherry are happiest when they are ignored.
Some plants require protection and some protect themselves quite nicely (large cacti pretty much rule the world).

Of course this whole seed planting theory reflects on the actions I take in regards to Kung Fu, my glass art, my relationships, my health, and basically my existence on this planet. When the actions are right in the right conditions, the harvest will be great, but variance from the aforementioned, will yield different results. Some pleasant surprises, and some not so much (complete hail-out) and the only way I will know is if I try, learn from my experiences, and carry my learning forward.

I have split my forms into sections and practicing those sections. Works for my mind at this time. As for my glass art, I have this intense "craving" to make a double-walled glass that can be used for an espresso cup or small glass where the liquid temperature will not be affected by the temperature of the hand. Plus it will look pretty cool. Of course if this works, it can be made into a neat wine glass. What I have to laugh at myself about where I got the inspiration for this glass from. It was the piece that I had the most resistance in making: the bowl of a pipe. Go figure. Lesson learned: go with the flow as the application is yet to be revealed. I see that "someone" has a sense of humor.

Over the past few days I have been tuning in online to a tapping summit with the topics of emotion, pain, abundance, body image, sport performance , perfectionism and procrastination.  I always listen to all presenters because I always learn something and usually the one that I think "yeah whatever"  has the most value because it swacked me upside the head. Lots of gems in this summit and the topic that has nailed me right now is procrastination especially how I procrastinate.

There are different types of procrastination and I (right now) was flagged with two (like one wasn't enough). The first was I'll call "time frame" procrastination. This is where I delay (or don't start) something because I have made up that it will take hours and hours, days, weeks, and forever to do so why start? Hello forms! I have made up that it will take literally HOURS to do my forms and I'll be EXHAUSTED after so I'll put those off until I have enough time and energy.  Yeah well, that's really working out for me, not! This one I have to designate a time and amount for me to complete. I have (let's say) 5 minutes, I will do a form of some sort and then carry on with my life. Rinse and repeat. Worth a shot.

The other type of procrastination is tricky. It's called "shiny procrastination" where I get distracted to do this, that, and the other thing before I get down to business. Here's the tricky part: I'm actually productive, but not in the area I need to be. When I get "shiny", I'll make a smoothie, make cupcakes, tackle the ginormous dust bunny population, make a salad, rearrange the files on my computer because it make so much more sense the new way, and "oh hey my phone chimed, let's see who loves me." Yep, I'm productive all right, just not in the area I need to be. This type of procrastination  is a bear for me as I get easily distracted. I have implemented a designated start time to do something and then do it.  Focus is another thing I need to do as well. As for diet, keep my fat high enough so that I don't have the attention span of a ping-pong ball in a dryer. Translation: low sugar, lots of protein and good fats.

I'm not anticipating an overnight "cure-all" but awareness is a key to implement change. The big thing is to accept myself even though I have time frame delay and shiny procrastination. Self-bludgeoning solves nothing. So here's to awareness and steps to keeping on.... hey a recipe with chocolate in it: must try!!! (just kidding)

First of all I want say that Pandemonium was an excellent experience from the parking lot festivities to the Kwoon events. A big thank you and congratulations to all involved. I must say that after spending 3 hours with my nose in a popcorn machine popping caramel corn, I don't to see caramel corn for a looooong time, at least until next year.

What has recently come up for me is that I was fighting a subconscious block about training. Nope didn't want to train. Pushups and situps were OK, but anything else was  nope. Even with Pandemonium I was looking at the events with a bah! humbug! attitude. Because of the heel-digging resistance I had, this wasn't laziness, this was something that was rooted in my subconscious. Luckily I have the knowledge and tools to clear that block and once I did, I was ready to train and so I did at Pandemonium and felt fantastic for it.

The one thing that I am becoming more aware of is that the numbers aren't necessarily for me to accomplish, but to keep me on the path of moving forward at a consistent pace. I've lived at both extremes of the spectrum with first burnout, then relax in zen-land and  now I'm seeking to find the middle ground where the wavelength oscillates around the center line vs tipping the extremes.  The challenge for me right now is to move forward from zen-land knowing that burnout is a thing of the past because I now have tools, methods, and strategies in place to do a check-stop before it's too late. The key is to have both aspects of "work" and of zen-land as a regular part of my day/week/month/life. In other words, the key is to strive towards and maintain a center-line rhythm and that in itself is an art.

This last weekend I was at the Mane Event Horse Show in Red Deer. It's a long-hour, 3-day event that is very much worth my while and energy to go to. I have noticed that since my Prosperity course (and Rock Your Prosperity Weekend in Denver) I am going into my shows much more relaxed than before. What's typical for me is to be in a feather flying frenzy about whether I have enough stock, however this show I went in with "meh, if I sell out, I sell out and that is a good thing." I must say that my inner dragon came out for a stretch and a fire-breathing roar when I arrived Thursday to set up and found that someone was set up in my booth. Yes mistakes can be made but when the guy (and his wife/partner/whatever) belligerently insisted that it was his booth and that he was in that space last year that my dragon took flight. Try again Buckwheat, your memory and facts are off. I don't back down easily especially when my booth is a corner, his is inline, and yes I was in that spot last year.I pulled in the show organizers to settle the mess and he moved/was moved into his assigned inline booth spot.

The show was slower than last year, my sales were a bit lower, and if I stopped there I would not be seeing the whole picture. I did a wholesale sale (24 heart pendants, wahoo!) to a lady who is a vendor at the dog shows, a market I don't want to do myself, but entry via her is a yippee!! Plus I was scouted by 2 new venues (a racetrack and a horseback cancer ride windup) so the potential is there. Also I  paid attention to who (as in characteristic traits) were purchasing, vital information for my Target Tribe. Moral of the story: wider field of view yields a much clearer and larger picture.

I did have an unexpected cool story relayed to me about one of my pieces that I am thrilled about. A lady looked at my "charms" (set of western charms with a glass drop to hang on purse, saddle, bag, wherever) and said "that's where they came from!!" She told me that she bought a saddle from a friend and found that it had one of my charms on it and didn't know the significance or where it came from. I told her the story of the origin of the charms as to how they were a participant prize for the Thorsby PeeWee Barrel Racing club and I expanded on the idea. Now that she knows the story she ordered 3 for her kids of colors that I didn't have in stock on my table. Guess I better keep making those.

As for my training numbers, the only ones that increase during a show like this are my mileage and visualizations. It helped that Dennis parked the RV in the row farthest away from the door so it was a nice walk and break away from my booth. I love traveling turtle-style (house on back) as I sleep in comfort, don't have to unpack when I get there (booth is enough) and I don't have to worry about what I'm going to eat or if there is food I can eat (do fries count?). Plus, it's a cost-saving method. As for my numbers, it's not only what I do in response to the lull that's the important point it's the attitude as to how I respond. Do I frantically pound off a pile to catch up or do I keep my daily pace training mindfully? I choose the latter as the whole point, for me, is to overall progress forward and to learn in the process.

Right now I am making final preparations to fly to Denver this Friday with Sihing Lowery for our course end rock-out. It will be an event! What I am finding out is what apps are available that do serve me. I have downloaded a PayPal app as one never knows when I will sell one of my pieces. Wouldn't be the first time I sold something off my neck.

I also downloaded the App for the airline we are flying back with so that I can check in and secure my boarding pass via my phone. Wow!! I feel like I am coming out from under a rock and discovering something new. Okay, so I am doing just that, one step at a time.

I am looking forward to this weekend as I feel its a rocket launch to the next evolution of my life, a much greater and more amazing version than before. Kind of a birthing process but with without the yuckiness, the pain, and getting my butt whacked to make sure I'm breathing. Not an App for this last part, however it will apply to all of me and my life.

"Alchemy: a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life."

Alchemy: turning base metals into gold. My glass supplier is Glass Alchemy and in a sense, I am turning the base metals in the glass into gold. However what's the definition of gold? To me it's a gorgeous piece, it's joy, it's fun, it's adventure, it's prosperity, it's my way of life. My schedule (and reminders) have been made and followed. Not only have I have been putting my glass first (before house and chef stuff), I am also treating it like a 3-year college program by logging my hours and defining what I want to see at the end of the 3 years. Support, accountability, and coaching are in place and how exactly I am going to "graduate", I haven't got a clue and that is where unstoppable faith and belief comes in that I will be shown the way.

Alchemy: discovery of a universal cure for disease. I'm a HUGE fan of green smoothies (yes I own a VitaMix) and recently a smoothie recipe came across my vision path that intrigued me. It was "Jeff's Cold Busting Smoothie" and first thought, was where the hell was this recipe 2 weeks ago when I was in my healing crisis??!! However there's a reason for everything, so I have decided to give this recipe a try especially because there is broccoli in the smoothie. Now I LOVE broccoli, steamed with sea salt and "butter", but in a smoothie??!! Not so sure, but I have heard from a couple of other reliable Kung Fu sources that everything tastes good with a banana (I triple dog dare trying the banana with onions and garlic) so I will give it a shot.  I replaced the whey protein (dairy allergy + whey = a whole world of contortion and hurt) with hemp seeds, relaxed on the exact measurements (don't think I'm going to get struck down by a bolt of lightning if I add more pineapple), and subbed in a different brand of apple (not sure why the Fuji, but anyway). The verdict: pretty darned good smoothie and will be making it again, a few times as it's packed full of nutrients and it's another way I can have broccoli. The bonus is that this smoothie, and a conversation with Sifu Vantuil, got me thinking what other veggies I can add to smoothies to rocket boost the nutrients without compromising taste. Bonus 2: lot less prep time.

Alchemy: discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life. I believe I have found that through taking ownership of my health and physical, Spiritual, and mental well-being. Through my glass I am doing what I am put on this planet to do and yes, it's a process and growth curve to discover and hone in my gift and niche. Through changing and refining my diet, I have flushed out symptoms and ailments leaving me with health and vitality. Ok, so this last healing process is taking a while, but I am seeing pots of gold at the end of the rainbows. Through Kung Fu and I Ho Chuan (UBBT process), I am discovering what's possible not only physically, but mentally and Spiritually as it's a roadmap for my life. Right now my numbers are a bit behind as I was knocked flat for a bit and getting back has been and is a process. My pushups are on par, but I am finding a challenge inserting the rest of my training into my day due to being wiped (still) and having my glass taking on a more prominent role. The lesson I am learning here is to be patient with myself and to keep going as soon I will be up to even greater speed than before. Looking forward to that, I must say and for now, I'm enjoying the process even though it's painful sometimes.

I am now back training and in class. Not at full capacity yet, but the important part is that I'm back and quite happy to be back. Still wheat-free and have noticed some differences and tuning into how my flexibility and smoothness of motion are and seeing if there is any difference there. Am I starving? Oh good grief no!! Learning to work with coconut and almond flours ensure that I not only feast, but feast very well. Cupcakes, brownies, and chocolate pudding are a now healthy part of my diet as they are low-carb, sweetened naturally, high in fiber and protein, and taste amazing. I can like it and Dennis has no complaints.

This week I made a monumental discovery during a visioning process that is part of a course I am taking. The visioning exercise was to vision where we want to be in the future, say 6 to 9 months from now.  After the exercise the question of "what support do you need to get you to your vision" really struck a cord with me. I realized that my glass art goals that I set did not serve me as I had set goals of making 1000 each of blown and sculptural pieces. The "not serving" part is how do I compare making a dragon (1 1/2 to 2 hours) to making a pendant (7 to 20 minutes) and what about the time spent making components? I realized that I need to treat my glass art like an apprenticeship program where the emphasis is placed on the hours spent doing the work. Therefore, I am "leaving" my 2 goals of pieces made and instead placing a goal of logging 500 hours on my torch for the rest of the year to encompass the time I spend making components.

I looked at what system works for me and that system is the UBBT (now I Ho Chuan) system so now to figure out how to fold over UBBT for Kung Fu training to my glass art. Sifu Brinker has harped on us to do our pushups first thing in the morning to get engaged in our training. This I must do with my glass on torching days. Yes I still will do pushups first thing, but on torching days I have product in the kiln by noon instead of waiting until sometime in the afternoon when I finally get to my torch. My Kung Fu training has a schedule for me to follow and now so does my glass art. Kung Fu has an immersion component and so does my glass. Kung Fu has ample coaching supply known as Sifus, Sihings, and other team mates that know more than what I do. I have access to a top notch coaching system with my glass that will help me with my blocks. Kung Fu has a positive checkin system via our monthly I Ho Chuan meetings and this is what my glass does not have. There is a local lampworking group, but unfortunately, that group and me mesh as well as chocolate cake and garlic. Translation: we don't so where do I look from here. Then it came to me. I do have a positive checkin system that's right in front of me called the I Ho Chuan. There is nothing stopping me from stating where I am with my glass during the meetings (I am assuming this), therefore keeping me accountable for my progress. In the team we all are going forward in our own ways, glass just happens to be my project.

There was one other thing that pinged me during the visioning process and that was why I have been crabwalking (vs going straight forward) with my glass. I have been afraid of the responsibility that comes with making more difficult and complex items. Seems silly but true and the items I have been asked to make have a big degree of difficulty. Plates, vases, wine glasses, and hookah pipes (yes, been asked to make those) even though have a very different end result all stem from the same beginning: the blown bubble. The message for me here is to keep progressing as stagnation is not in the cards for me no matter how I choose to shuffle them.

Today, for the first time in 10 days, I did some pushups and situps. Actually it's the first time in 10 days when I could do ANY physical training. Why this path of detox from hell and then pick up the virus from hell was chosen for me, I do not know, but alas it was chosen for me. I must say that the one big gift (and there were many) that I gleaned from this whole 3-ring circus was that I learned a lot more about my body, how it works and what my definition of health actually is.

Detoxification is hard on both the body and the immune system because it's a cleanse, and in my case, getting rid of anything to do with past diseases, inefficient fuel systems, and shoddy workmanship. As a result my immune system was knocked down and just the right setting for a virus characteristic of a RAGING sore throat, congested upper lungs and productive cough set in. I think the only time my throat was that sore for that long was when my tonsils were yanked out. I could not speak at all for 4 days. This is me we're talking about here people!! I went to my chiropractor on Wednesday and he said that I was pretty messed up due to the process I was going through. But here's the neat thing: after he adjusted my neck and spine, it was like my whole lymph system drained and I felt a whole lot better within a couple of hours. He asked me if I had regrets going through the detox from hell. I said no. Frustrated yes (temper tantrum in the middle of the night because I can't sleep, my throat is sore, I'm coughing, I'm coughing up junk, I can't sleep, my throat is sore, and I'm tired of all this!!!), regret the process, no.

As I write this blog, I am happy (relieved and overjoyed) to no longer have a sore throat and am able to speak. I was almost overjoyed to do my pushups and situps this morning and am looking forward to going back to class and getting back on track with my training. Even though I sweated buckets, it's just not the same as sweating from a workout. And being dragged down is just not the same as being tired from a butt-kicking fitness class or a class where "someone" has the itch to do a million kicks followed by a shuttle run. Yeah, I'm glad to be getting back where and what it's all about.

On Sunday I wrote that I was in the middle of detox as a result of eliminating wheat from my diet. Little did I know, I lied. That was the middle of the brain/headache detox. Now my body has decided to go on its world tour and here I am in Round 2: the body. Since Monday afternoon I have been experiencing every flu/cold/lung infection/ear ache/sore throat symptom that I've ever had in my life plus drinking enough water and green tea to raise the Titanic. Yep the traveling circus of symptoms has come to town and they party hard. I will point out at this time about 14% of people experience symptoms like mine while the other 86% experience other symptoms. I'm not sure as to whether I should feel special or not.

So how could I tell that I didn't catch the flu or a cold? With diseases there is usually a progression of symptoms. Mine are haphazard, showing up when they feel like and also don't last as long as when in a disease process. Even though I can have a nap a few times in the day, my mind is sharp. Here's the interesting (and trippy) part: when the symptom shows up, the memory of when I had that symptom previous also shows up. Quite a few times I've thought "yep, remember when I've had this before and I have that feeling again." The good news is once it's gone it's gone, however I don't know when this traveling circus has completed its show and, believe me, the symptom du jour is getting real old. However, I must hang in there as I've come too far. I will also add that the Wheat Belly Facebook Group has been very supportive.

I'm very happy to say that Dennis has joined me of his own accord in this wheat-free journey. He wants to see if he will have lung issue relief by going wheat-free. As he puts it: try it for a month and if nothing happens, wheat wasn't the issue, but if something does, time to pay attention. Sage wisdom. So far a facial rash has disappeared and his hernia has shrunk. I am hoping the list of positive changes grows.

Since I have given wheat the boot, I have no urge, craving or whatever to put wheat in my mouth. Gag! I do find it amusing how people interpret the elimination of a "food group" as limiting when in fact, it's the polar and extreme opposite: it's very liberating, however one must be willing to go down that learning path.  For me, it's exciting as I get to explore more raw cheffing skills as well as my chocolatier habit. And yes, all is healthy and tastes fantastic (strawberry coconut macaroons anyone?). Sifu Brinker said in our I Ho Chuan meeting that an injury is an opportunity and I feel the same about eliminating a food out of my diet that is big-time harming me. I can either progress wisely, work through the "issues" and come out on the other side a healthier and happier individual or I can have have a hissy-fit, stomp my feet, and want the square peg to fit into the round hole. Since the latter is over-rated, I chose to progress wisely. On with the journey.

It's been a little over 2 weeks since I gave wheat the boot from my diet and now I'm smack in the middle of detox. Let me tell you boys and girls, this is no trip to Disneyland. In a nutshell, this is painful but what keeps me going is what's on the other side. I've detoxed from dairy amidst a raging allergy, but the symptoms were nothing like what I'm experiencing now: lethargy, heavy fatigue, brain fog, Friday the migraine set in, and continua-headache since that rotates over various points of my head and makes sneezing feel like my temples are flying to adjacent provinces. Even though detox is common when cleaning up one's diet, wheat (particularly the gluten within) is special, very special.

What happens with wheat once consumed are a couple of dramatic effects. The Amylopectin-A breaks down very rapidly into glucose thereby causing a rapid intense spike in GI glucose, a dump of insulin from the pancreas to bind to the glucose and take it to the cells. However the cells are not in need of the glucose so what happens is this glucose is nicely and conveniently stored in and among one's kidneys, liver, pancreas, and abdomen thereby producing belly fat and lots of it that just does not go away despite how much cardio/weight training/physical activity one does. Here's the interesting (and addictive) part:  the gluten breaks down into gluteomorphin (a pseudo-morphine) and  binds to the opiate receptors of the brain. Now we are talking chemical/pseudo-drug addiction,which is what I am detoxing from now. The opiate receptor detox is very similar (though not as intense) as detoxing from heroin. Charming.

But wheat is the staff of life!! It's in the Bible!! And that is true, but it's THAT wheat that's the staff of life, not the mega-genetically manipulated wheat of today. Wheat has been genetically manipulated for growing seasons and conditions, mold resistance, gluten content, yield intensity, and has also been hammered with intense ammonium nitrate fertilizers to also crank up the crop yield. Oh yes and let's not forget Roundup and other such herbicides. Farmers had to fight Monsanto scientists not to put the "terminator gene" into the wheat. What we have today looks like wheat, sort of resembles wheat in baking and cooking (positive effects so it's all good, right), but when it comes down to the genetic level is a far cry from the original wheat and what can tell the difference is our bodies. What we have is a product of the Green Revolution of the 50's and the result of that product is celiac disease, gluten and wheat sensitivities and allergies (wheat dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis), as well as an alarming rate of obesity and the list is just getting started.

As I see it, the detox is worth the pain to get to yet another milestone of healthy. I recommend reading  the book "Wheat Belly" by William Davis MD (cardiologist) as it's an eye-opener.

Since our I Ho Chuan meeting last Saturday I have been thinking about being engaged and, more importantly, how I'm engaged in my training and otherwise. Even though I'm pretty hooked into my training, there are ebbs and flows and it can always improve. The same goes for my glass art. I have noticed that I'm not as engaged in my sock knitting and the reason is because I knit my socks when I was watching TV or a movie and since I'm doing less of that, my sock knitting has also declined. Have to think of a solution for that.

So what happens when I fall off the wagon, which I will do at certain times and in various areas? Well first to see what the falling off was all about. Next, how can I avoid that the next time? Here is, I think, the more important part: forgiving myself and getting back on the wagon regardless of where I am and how far I've come. As I see it, the reasons why I'm twirling around on this planet are to strive to be the best me I can be and learn all I can in this lifetime. Pretty simple, huh?

As for a cockatiel update, they have been moved into my office and am living under a screen tent that helps keep the dust confined. They are adjusting to their new digs even though they have to sneak up on some things and I am adjusting to moving, rearranging furniture, cleaning, and decluttering. I believe this system will work, just have to give it an honest shot.

The "downside" if you will, of making glass art is the necessity to sell it to a) make money and build a business, b) use up the glass I have (that's the theory) so I can buy more and c) avoid having a huge stockpile of nice, pretty, shiny stuff. However, there is one slight little issue: I'm not wild about selling (or marketing myself). When I think of selling I think of the typical pushy salesman leaving the customer being taken advantage of and that is someone I don't want to be. However, a fact of reality is that if I don't sell/market myself, I'm as affective as being the sole occupant on a deserted island for moving my wares. So guess what my coaching call was about this week? Yep, selling/marketing.

I am learning that the key is to sell/market authentically and the only one who can really market my product is me. The whole deal is to show my excitement and passion for what I do and what I make and (key point here) is to be rock solid confident that what I make is darned fine stuff. Ok, the last point I need to work on, but get me on the subject of glass, I light up like a Christmas tree on steroids. There is one other key factor and that is to be unattached as to whether the person buys in or not which can be trying when a show is going slow. However, I learned from my coaching call is to "get it out there" and be real.

As of today, my wares are now in Gypsy Chicks, a New Age store in Stony Plain and I'm excited about it as the owners are fantastic and the store has a good feel about it. Not only that I made a pipe (yes the herbal smoking variety, but what herb is used is not up to me), couple of them actually, and I posted the pictures on my Facebook page. Within a couple of hours, one was sold and I had inquiries about more of them. I think the Universe is trying to tell me something.

As for my training, I'm having the best year ever and I'm really happy about where I'm at and what I'm doing. I love my fan, love designing a form for it, and am very glad I made the weapon change. A couple of weeks ago, I gave wheat the boot and that's been going much better this time around. Last time I switched a starch for a starch and my body revolted. This time, I'm high raw and my body is very happy about that. Life is grand.

Dennis has had lung issues pretty much all of his life, but recently they have been getting worse and when he failed his lung function tests for his work, medical attention had to be sought so off to the Doctor, and then the Lung Specialist. After the battery of lung function tests, blood tests, ECG, chest x-rays, and CT scan, the Specialist had the results, the diagnosis, and the "prescription". The good news is that there is no scarring and no asbestosis, which is always on the back of ones (and spouse's) mind when one works industrial. However Dennis has inflammation in his lungs and the causative agent is organic in nature vs inorganic. During Dennis' initial Specialist visit, a complete history was recorded and the question of whether we have pets. The answer was yes: 4 cockatiels and 2 dogs. Dogs are outdoor, however for obvious reasons the cockatiels are not. So back to the organic causing agent. In a heartbeat the Specialist told us that because the causative agent is organic the cockatiels have to go and the house professionally cleaned because HEPA filters are no match for bird dander. Bottom line sentencing: birds have to go (and so does the dust, but that's a given).

Considering that we have had these birds for at least 5 years, some of them 10, and we've had cockatiels for 18 year, this is like being told to get rid of your child and in this case, 4 of them. Better yet is the assumption is to choose between Dennis and the birds and of course the choice would be Dennis because the birds are just pets and they can be "gotten rid of". WRONG!!!!  Yes I am still keeping Dennis and we are also keeping the birds because in the realm of possibility, there is ALWAYS another way, ALWAYS, just have to figure it out. So far we have a solution, just have to test it out.

For starters we don't have any ordinary home and those who have been to our house can attest to that. First of all we do not have a furnace nor do we have carpeting so all dust is in the open and visible so that makes for easy cleaning. Still not wild about washing down a whole house, but whatever, needs to be done. Plus we have a whole house HEPA air-to-air exchanger where the whole house air is dumped outside and fresh taken in.  Next is that the birds will be moved into my office (that I'm in frequently) which is the next room where they are now and the bonus with that is the door can be closed. Now here is our genius idea: a dust containment system. We are putting the cage into a screen house that will catch the majority of the dust and I can wash it frequently. Plus in the screen house we will also put a small HEPA filter as it's one thing to purify a room or a house, but when the area is small the efficiency of the filter goes way up (think fumehoods).

As far as we can see, it's worth a try as neither one of us want our birds to go. As much as I want to BBQ them sometimes, they are entertaining, they are companions, and there is bonding between us, all of us. We are a family and families find a solution. So right now I have a tentlike screen house in my living room that's waiting to be moved, a house that needs cleaning, and furniture to be relocated. The other good news is that this gives us a very good opportunity to declutter and organize so best wear my pedometer to rack up those kilometers. One thing that I can say is that living with Mr. Packrat, this is going to be interesting.
Sherri Donohue

The major change I did this last week was to change my weapon to master especially after seeing Sihing Lowery attack both herself and her lawn chairs with her spear and reading that Sifu Bryant's revelation was that chucks do go through windows quite nicely. After serious contemplation about having the Nerf pool noodle as my weapon, my fear then was that I would not be taken seriously neither as a martial artist or weapon bearer. It was then that I decided to reconnect with a weapon that I started to play around with last year and has been calling my name since and at times being a persistent "nag".

I have decided to change my weapon from the chucks (and save any surrounding windows) to my fan. When I picked up my fan again, it just felt right on so many levels. I was like a kid with a new toy seeing what happens when I do this or that and I do happen to think that the sound a fan being opened is very cool. After talking to Sifu Michael Playter about my fan (and getting the okay from Sifu Brinker) and how it's used for both as a weapon and as a distraction, I'm on a whole new level of excitement. Plus watching some of the videos on YouTube has granted a whole new level of respect for the fan as well. With my new-found knowledge I will be working out some cool moves and putting those cool moves together into a Beta version form so stay tuned.

Another change/phase is that gluten is one aspect that I will be scaling back on in my diet. I did try gluten-free for a period last year in November and it did not fair well for me. Looking back I was cold-turkey subbing out one starch for another and my body was revolting. This time around I will be doing the phase-out method while keeping my diet moderate to high raw. Today I got a recipe for a gluten-free pizza crust that uses chick pea flour. Guess what I'll be trying tonight for supper?

It seems to be that when I'm out of my comfort zone in one area, all other comfort zones feel the need to jockey for position to see just who is the alpha. Last week it was sparring that started it all. Well let's add in the fitness stripe test (squat thrusts are my nemesis), torch anxiety over making dragons, oh hey let's plunk down cash for a new kiln, glass order, plane ticket. Oh and don't forget show entries for Leduc Black Gold Rodeo, Lloydminster Christmas, Stettler is also saying hello, and I'm sure Ponoka Stampede will be following up very shortly. Did I miss any comfort zone here?

Even though this is almost a "feeding frenzy", there is good news on the horizon. All of the comfort zones are related so when I work on one, I'm working on them all. Does that mean when it's done, it's done? Not necessarily and it when I run into this conspiracy again, I will be at a whole new level and that is good.

As for the dragons, I have made another two and through each process I can see where to improve and make the process more efficient. I have found out that no matter which toe I put on first, it's always the easiest toe to put on. Yes it's a drag to melt one part while making the other (flame always gets in the way), but I shall get a system figured out. I have found that making the wings separate paid off and I will be trying that with the legs. As with my horses, I have found that my dragon heads are more caricature than "realistic" and yes I can find that frustrating. However as Dennis puts it, that just might be my innate style so why fight it? Yeah, he's right but do I really want to be a person who specializes in  googly-eyed dragons? Hah! I knew there was another comfort zone lurking around.

Oh well, step by step, dragon by dragon, I shall get to the next level for that is the only way I will grow both as a person and an artist. Will I be ready for the next comfort zone conspiracy when this one is ironed out? Who knows, but I will make every effort to ensure that I'm the alpha, not the comfort zones.

Today is Valentine's Day and, in my opinion, is the most manipulative commercial conspiracy going. If a guy does not buy his gal flowers (which by the way are jacked way up in price a week before V-Day), on this "special" day he is an ultimate loser who should repent by spending the rest of his life in the doghouse. Tell me what's wrong with the gift of flowers on all of the OTHER days of the year. Oh yes, and if the gal does not receive gifts of flora, diamonds, dining out, and chocolate on this ever special day, well then she is just not worthy of such love and lavishness. Again, according to my calendar ( including Google), there are 364 (365 for 2012) other days in the year. Talk about a commercialism guilt trip of which many buy in to.

So what if today was used solely as an excuse to express love? What if today was an excuse to be kind to someone, give them that extra special jumbo charmer of a smile or pick up the phone to say "Hi"? What if today was used as an excuse to do something special for someone? And what if, just what if that someone was yourself? What would happen if today was an excuse to look yourself in the mirror, square in the eye, and say "I love you"? What would happen if today was an excuse to do something special for yourself today? What if this all felt so good that one couldn't wait until next Valentine's, one indulged sooner, monthly or even weekly? What if today was an excuse to give someone special (self included) a hug that lasted for at least 10 seconds (no timing allowed)? I wonder what would happen. It just might be something to try and after all, it just might be addictive.

So with a wave and a big, pearly white smile, Happy Valentine's Day.

This last week I was working on procrastination or rather how to break through it in both my glass art and in practicing my forms. It's amazing how a few hours can slip by and oops! too late. Enough of that nonsense so time to do something about it.

I am learning EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) or tapping that involves tapping on acupressure points while focusing on the issue. What I learned about procrastination is that at one time procrastination actually served because the project was not right at the time and since then the subconscious kicks into procrastination mode when it's time to move forward. So how was my procrastination "serving" me in regards to my glass and forms?

With my glass, procrastinating was "protecting" me from visiting burnout island. Been there, have the "souvenirs" and sorry, don't want to go back. What's not serving here is that this protection mechanism is keeping me in the T-ball league when really I need to be shooting for the major leagues. In forms the procrastination was keeping me from seeing my mistakes and therefore, keeping me from being wrong. After all, in my mind my forms are perfect and again, this keeps me stuck in T-ball league.

After I tapped on the issue, I set a plan in place for going forward. Along with my pushups and situps first thing in the morning, a form is also done to hook me in. Plus when I'm not at my torch, I set my alarm every hour-ish so that I get up from my computer and go train. My alarm is in an adjoining room so I have to get up to turn it off. So far that is working so carry on.

During practice with my broadsword, I noticed that I tore a hole in my pants. I wonder if we get clothing allowance.......

This New Year's banquet and celebration was the best yet for many reasons, but one in particular because I had a deeper connection with the event. I knew the candidates from being both with them in class and being team mates and it was very exciting to watch their journey closeup. Being on the dragon dance team was a thrill all of its own and setting up and helping with the silent auction made it more personal as well. As great as those instances were, what's to come next had even a bigger and more profound impact on me.

As proud as I was with my dragons I wasn't going to put them into the auction as I could make better ones with practice. When we were setting up Sifus Lindstrom and Kichko asked where the dragon was and I said that I wasn't going to put it in the auction. That started the why???? Then my "wonderful" husband blabbed that they were in the car and as a result off he went to get them.  I unpacked my dragons and  I was "peer-pressured" into putting the dragons in the auction. All through the night I kept getting blasted with "what do you mean you weren't going to put those in the auction??!!" and "you're your own worst critic you know". I must say that it was extremely humbling to see what the dragons sold for and that they both sold to the same person who was thrilled to own them both. It was made very clear to me that I, even though proud of my dragons, was looking at them through my list of improvements whereas everyone else saw the dragons for what they were. Two very different sets of pictures. While it's good to note the improvements, the improvements shouldn't be the focal point and that was the mistake I was making. Oh gee, guess which set of "glasses" I was looking at my forms through? No wonder I wasn't wild about doing them and yes I changed that picture as well.

On Sunday my husband, during conversation about the banquet events, looked at me and said "why don't you bite the bullet and get the kiln you want (and need)?" The kiln I want is a Skutt Scarab (a Cadillac unit), made by a torch hound for a torch hound, is much bigger and costs more than some of the cars on the road. Translation: a sizable investment. Then it hit me: I had been asked numerous times if I make such and such and my response was no because I was limited to the size of my kiln. Whew boy!! Talk about keeping myself in little league with that one! Am I serious about being all I can be as a glass artist or not? So I now have a call in to see what the local Skutt distributor can do for me to get the kiln up here so yes I am serious. Besides, I have a bunch more dragons to make among other things like a Turkish coffee pot and someone has been pestering me for wine glasses.

Oh yes, I have also been asked if I do large shallow glass bowls. My first thought was no because that's a hotshop project and I'm a torch hound. However after giving my head a rattle I had another thought: I don't have a hotshop, but I sure know who does and he's been doing the hint-on for team glassblowing. Must see about seat sales to California.....

Right now I am dancing 10 feet above the ground. Why? I accomplished a goal that I set for last year and did not complete, but today I did and I made 2 of them. I made a glass dragon, 2 of them actually and am damned proud of myself for both making them and how they turned out.

All of my life I have had the inner chatter of "not good enough" which is a real plague when I am an artist. People can tell me until doomsday how much they loved my work, but no amount of ego-stroking is going to made an iota of difference if I don't recognize the greatness within myself. However today was different as I do see the greatness. So, what changed?

On Monday I had an energy coaching call where I focused on the block of not going forward despite how much I wanted to. Within minutes the block was clearly identified as a big "not good enough" and it was set in very early in my life. Plus my parents played into that by holding me back in various things and event because they feared that I wasn't good enough. Time to clear that energy and replace it with energy that supports. To make a long story short, this was the most deep, intense, and powerful coaching call that I have ever had. I have taken a lot of personal development courses, been coached, have my Reiki I, and it all pales in comparison to this coaching session. Unbelievable!!

So today was my first day on the torch after the call and I was wondering how it was going to go. It was amazing as I had a peace and calmness that I have not experienced before and I really got into my "zone". After I made my first dragon I was (and still am) very proud of it even though there are mistakes. I looked at the dragon, learned from it, and made another incorporating the corrections. The result was an improved dragon. Dennis says that he can see a definite difference between the two dragons and so can I. I think that this is the first time that I can say that I am over the moon proud of my work. I think that if I plugged into a light socket I could easily light up Western Canada. What a rush!

And to make this event even more spectacular and great, I had an email tonight from a lady wanting to purchase, sight unseen, one of my early dragons as she is born in the year of the dragon. Only Dennis and I know what my dragons look like because they  are still in the kiln. I think I have a bruise on my jaw from it hitting my laptop in joyous shock. Needless to day, I am dancing 10 feet above the ground.

Tomorrow I officially start I Ho Chuan, Year of The Dragon and I can tell that this year will be different from the previous. This will be my third year living my life by my design personally, professionally and everything between. Will the third be the charm? If charm means the launching point, then yes.

Aside from starting training tallies tomorrow, I also will start the year with an energy work  coaching call. I have wanted a coaching call with this particular coach for a few weeks now, however it was a no-can-do situation until last Thursday when I could FINALLY book  a time with the time being on Chinese New Year's day, the official start of I Ho Chuan. Coincidence? Probably not.

So here are my predictions for the Year of The Dragon: I will advance to new heights, new awareness and new accomplishments. I will travel further than I ever thought or dreamed possible and be able to set my sights on points that I thought were impossible to even consider. I will "get over myself" many times and in many situations and genres only to wash, rinse, and repeat at a whole new level.

I keep thinking of my favorite scene in "Avatar" when Jake finds out that the dragon he chooses must also choose him. How will he know? The dragon will want to kill him. Outstanding. Then the impeccable directions of "shut up and fly straight." I do know that my dragon will challenge me time and time again but also will take me to new heights. And of course I too will have to learn to also shut up and fly straight and more importantly, hang on!

During this break from UBBT 8 to I Ho Chuan 2012 I have been enjoying the solitude and inner reflection and getting in touch with my inner guidance. Finding out more about me, learning, growing, at times resisting, and in the end, getting a greater understanding of me and my place on this planet.

Reflections and meditations concerning my glass art are priorities in my day. What reflects my style? What is my style? What blocks in me do I need to clear so that I can infuse my pieces with high vibration  and healing energy? And of course, how do I make a dragon? That's next week's project.

One can say that during this time I'm lacking motivation. However from my perspective, I'm getting grounded and tuning in.

My mandate in life is to live on purpose for a purpose. My I Ho Chuan requirements (goals), both personal and stated will help keep me on track. I have broken down my goals into 3 major sections: training, glass art, and other.

Training:
My focus on my training this year is both ``bang for buck`` and attention to detail as it`s no use logging big numbers if the technique needs fixing.

• Log 50,000 pushups and 50,000 situps. 
• Because I want to increase strength for pushups, all of my pushups will be plank and the focus will be elbows in to both strengthen and also to decrease shoulder strain. 
• Situps will include core activities such as crunches, reverse crunches, etc.
• Master two forms with a minimum of 1000 repetitions.
• Hand form: Kempo
• Weapons form: Nunchucks
• 1100 (total) repetitions of all other forms I know (both weapon and hand) with the intention of keeping current with the other forms so they don't get "lost in the dust"
• Log 1000 rounds of sparring.
• 1609 kilometers running/walking/biking/rollerblading or equivalent.
• 8000 repetitions (total) of the following kicks: side heel, front thrust, roundhouse, spinning back
• The focus is mindful kicks with proper form.
• 4000 repetitions of lat pulldowns with the goal of being able to pull my body weight
• Reason is to build strength in order to do chinups and flexed arm hang
• 40 sessions of combination/technique review with a partner, probably Sihing Lowery.
• 100 sessions of Hot Yoga
• Incorporate GSP rushfit workouts into my routine. I'm not sure what this will look like yet.
• Record 1000 Acts of Kindness.
• Blog weekly (52 blogs) on both my personal blog and team blog site
• Compete in Tiger Challenge
• Learn to Lion Dance
• Qualify for and perform in at least 3 public performances, one of them being the 2013 New Year's banquet.
• Memorize and recite Mastery by Stuart Emery.

• Make 1000 sculpture pieces (includes pendants, earrings)
• Make 1000 blown pieces
• Have lessons with either a glass master or scientific glassblower
• Take a course with Brent Graber. Reason: his colors are amazing
• Renovate the free-standing garage into my glass studio. I`m not looking for completion on this project, I`m looking at a good start.
• Manifest a bigger kiln with cantilevered door (Skutt Scarab)
• Increase my online presence
• All of my stock listed in my Etsy shop
• Facebook Fan page improved
• Learn about pipes as I`m being led here, don`t know why, just know I need to go here
• Make at least one very good pipe. I have a person chomping at the bit to be my first customer.
• Learn to make a cognac (brandy) pipe
• Learn about angel wing significance and make angels

• Participate fully and complete the Prosperity Tribe (ends April 2012)
• Be active on the Facebook group (ongoing)
• Attend an Everything is Energy (Prosperity Tribe) live event
• Read 20 books or equivalent: includes DVDs, online summits, webinars, calls
• Daily Reiki Gassho meditations
• Daily gratitude journaling and journaling
• Knit 5 pairs of socks
• Participate in and have fun at our monthly wine/food group gatherings
• Go horseback riding 5 times
• Asking for and receiving help: this is an area I need to be conscious of as I am very much a "Jane Wayne" and do things myself. I need to ask for help instead of assuming someone will leap up and help me. Also when asked if I need help, I will state how I can be helped. I'm not sure how to make this one measurable.

This Christmas has been, so far, the best and most memorable ever and I feel truly blessed. The best gift I received was a book that Dennis got from a used book store. When I opened the package and saw the title, I cried. The book was titled "How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul." I had no idea this book existed and now it's in my hands. On the surface I got a cool book, but looking deeper, this is what I really got:

The belief that I can truly make it prosperously as a glass artist.
A roadmap to fulfilling that dream.
Help and support is there, just ask, and it shall reveal itself.
The humbling and feeling of immense gratitude from seeing and feeling just how much I am supported.
I have a gift, now go share it with the world, just go as the how will fill itself in.

My head is still swimming in the wonder of it all and to tell the truth, I don't want to leave the "water."