"Living Un-ordinary Lives in an Ordinary World"

The Bushman Project-A Documentary Film by Tracey Huguley-Me!!!

2011-03-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

Time flies

2011-02-18T21:04:00.000-08:00

I hadn't realized I've neglected my blog for a long time. Wowee.

I've been quite busy with the kids, my marriage, work, and school. It wasn't too long ago I was posting my first pictures of me with a back pack going to college in 2007. Well now I'm going to graduate. I'm hoping it will happen in Dec. 2011, if not, it will happen for sure in May 2012.

Very exciting stuff happening.

Hugs,
Tracey

Just launched a dream of mine!!!

2010-05-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

Go to CreativeSoulArtsStudios.com to see my new website and venture.

We will be giving art and writing classes to help kids, pre-teens, teenagers, and adults find their stories.

I'm so excited. We will be doing this in our home art studio. :)

See my new website.

CreativeSoulArtsStudios.com
Take a peek and let me know what you think.

Hope to see some of you in our sessions this summer.

Big hugs,
Tracey

Creative Expressions class play at Friday co-op

2010-04-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted...

2010-04-29T13:03:00.000-07:00

Wow...what a busy year this has been. The kids are all busy with activities and groups. We are in the Friday co-op here in Austin, we just started a SelfDesign Learning Circle using Brent Cameron's idea's from his book SelfDesign. SelfDesign is beta testing learning circles and Austin had the opportunity to be one of the three circles in the country.

I'm working on my memoir and facilitating various workshops and classes using SoulArts, art, and storytelling techniques to assist people to explore their truths and stories.

The weather in Austin is lovely this time of year. We're getting out a lot more and enjoying nature.

Hugs,
Tracey

Friends and Family

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My friend Mia

2009-12-22T15:20:00.000-08:00

The Holidays

2009-12-22T15:05:00.001-08:00

I love this time of year. For me it's a time to reflect, time to clear out the "stuff" from last year (including emotional stuff), spending time with friends and family, giving myself some special treats like Starbucks, playing holiday music, keeping candles lit, etc.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all of you!

Godfrey and I on a date....(Britney's person made out of yarn)

2009-08-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

Inks Lake year nbr 2....we love this place....

2009-05-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

Night out with friends...abundance in our lives....

2009-03-17T20:10:00.000-07:00

I planted three trees....

2009-03-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited I planted my first three trees. Yes, that's what I said...my first trees ever. Well if you don't count the tree I gave to my mother on mother's day when I was 19 years old. Whew...that was a long time ago.

I haven't been much of a plant/tree/etc. person, but I'm hoping things will change in that area of my life.

We are now looking into a Sudbury School for the kids. There is one starting up outside of Austin that we are looking at.

It would be really nice for the kids to have the daily interaction with their peers while being able to decide what they are going to study.

More to follow. I'll try to get some pictures of my trees.

Hugs,
Tracey

My new backyard or something close...I hope!!!

2009-02-27T08:07:00.000-08:00

This butterfly smiled for the camera!!!

2009-02-27T08:03:00.000-08:00

Red bird, Red bird what do you see?

2009-02-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

Kids doing what they do best....playing....

2009-02-14T21:25:00.000-08:00

Even dogs like to ponder life.....

New Growth in the Middle of Winter

2009-02-14T20:58:00.000-08:00

In a nature area near my home I found this growth in the middle of a bramble of what it appeared to be dead brush. Spring is coming!!! Growth always follows death!!

"Nature and the Quest for Meaning" Class at Tx State

2009-01-09T19:37:00.000-08:00

I was thinking of taking this semester off, but due to some circumstances I can't change, I'm going to attend school. I'll definately take the summer off and who know's what I'll do in the fall.

I'm so excited to be taking Susan K. Hanson's "Nature and the Quest for Meaning" writing class. Check out her website www.susankhanson.com She is a fantastic nature writer and professor at Texas State.

We are going on an overnight nature field trip next week to Wimberley. Pictures and more information will follow.

I am beside myself and ready to see what this class has to offer me.

Hugs,
Tracey

Changing Up Our Schedule a Bit....

2009-01-07T10:02:00.001-08:00

Since I will be working more and Godfrey will be going after his Master's this year, we are putting the kids on more of a self motivated home school schedule. It seems to be working so far. They have to get up in the morning, do their duties (chores), take care of their hygeine, and then do their home school work. Dad will be helping them as needed.

This will work this month because it is math month. Godfrey and I both don't like math, but oh well....someone has to do it.....smile....

The Opening of Eyes by Poet David Whyte

2009-01-05T12:28:00.000-08:00

That day I saw beneath dark clouds
the passing light over the water
and I heard the voice of the world speak out,
I knew then, as I had before
life is no passing memory of what has been
nor the remaining pages in a great book
waiting to be read.
It is the opening of eyes long closed.
It is the vision of far off things
seen for the silence they hold.
It is the heart after years
of secret conversing
speaking out loud in the clear air.

It is Moses in the desert
fallen to his knees before the lit bush.
It is the man throwing away his shoes
as if to enter heaven
and finding himself astonished,
opened at last,
fallen in love with solid ground.

-- David Whyte
from Songs for Coming Home
©1984 Many Rivers Press

Winter....quiet.....dark.....death......

2009-01-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

I look outside my window at the dead trees just behing my backyard fence. They are all without their leaves. Winter is here. It is always a reflection to me of what happens within us. We grow and then some part of us has to die and give way to the new.

This is the part we don't seem to enjoy. The pruning or cutting off of the old parts of our lives that aren't working.

I feel an inner calling to go deep inside myself and sit awhile. Sit quietly and wait for what is coming.

What is coming? That is a good question. I don't know. Only time will tell.

For now, I will sit and wait. I feel like a butterfly in a cacoon waiting while nothing seems to be happening. Waiting in the dark.

Hugs,
Tracey

The New Year!!!!

2008-12-31T09:24:00.000-08:00

Another year has gone by. Wow....it seems strange. The days flew by so quickly. We are all a year older and have another year of experiences.

What will my new years resolutions be? That is a good question.

Hmmmmm......I'll need to give this some thought.

Sunshine home school co-op and holiday pictures...

2008-12-18T12:30:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful fall with our co-op. Sadly we won't be continuing it, but it shows you that when you make a commitment to home school, and raise your family your way, opportunities present themselves. They may be unordinary opportunities, but they do present themselves.

Hugs and enjoy the pictures...the world is our classroom.

Tracey

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Holidays....my favorite time of the year......

2008-12-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

Here we are again in another holiday season. My favorite time of the year. School for myself and the kids ended last week. Whew....this past year has been challenging. I'm going to begin writing about how we live a life that goes against everything that's considered normal.

What do we do that's completely going against the grain of societal norms? What is normal anyway?

I've worked nights for the past three years to be able to home school my children. I fight against putting them in school regularly. Every time I think of the options of public school I find a way to make things happen.

Like now I'm trying to work days so that I can be home during the day. So how does someone work days and home school? I'll bet you all would like to know. First, you make a commitment that you are going to home school and you make it work. Whatever that means.

Just recently a few friends and myself had a co-op for three months. Although, we opted not to continue to co-op it was a solution for a few months. That's something I have had to get used to....not being in control of how this is going to work. Just letting go and seeing what happens.

I stopped and had my favorite chai tea soy latte at Starbucks today. Delicious!!!

Hugs to all,
Tracey

Pictures of my Retreat in Ojai, California....

2008-09-29T11:53:00.000-07:00

2008-09-29T11:40:00.003-07:00

It's all connected...how we are doing on the inside to what's happening in our lives on the outside.

2008-09-29T11:30:00.000-07:00

I've just spent a week in California with 11 other women all who either have kids, don't have kids, have PHD's and/or have never graduated from high school, etc...

We were represented by every religion and no religion.

What we all have in common is that we are humans and we are women. Women who have pain in their lives, failures, success, disappointments, celebrations, etc...

What a joy it was to experience this gathering of women and to watch what each of us found by having the courage to go inside of ourselves and find our own inner truths.

What I saw every time was that what is going on outside of ourselves is representative of what is going on inside of ourselves. Now that is amazing. Absolutely 100% of the time that is where it all can be found; on the inside.

So do we dare say yes to life and all that it shows us...about ourselves? The good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, the courageous, etc...

I say YES!!!

I'm opening a new business. It's www.GetandKeepaMan.com I will be doing love and relationship coaching. Go to my website for more information.

If you know of anyone needed my services please let me know.

Love and hugs,
Tracey Huguley

A quote about rhythm

2008-08-27T07:04:00.000-07:00

"As I watched the seagulls, I thought: That's the road to take: find the absolute rhythm and follow it with absolute trust."

Nikos Kazantzakis

We are getting back into our rhythm for the school year after a fabulous summer of having fun and letting go!!!

Can't wait to see some of you at our local home school get togethers.

Hugs,
Tracey

Summer 08 Update....

2008-08-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

We are having a blast even though Austin is having record heat and some days I don't want to step outside.

We have gone swimming a lot. We have been busy gearing up for next year's home schooling. We've been signing up for our local Waldorf home school communities classes. The kids haven't been reading a lot but I have.

A teenager friend of mine introduced me to Stephenie Meyer's books....ok they are great....if you haven't had the chance to read them check them out.

We're excited to get back into the swing of things this fall. Our rhythm at home has been gone with staying up late and sleeping in....but that's ok because I've been working until 12 am 5 days a week this summer to earn some extra money for the family.

I'm really enjoying having these lazy summer days.

Brooke and Britney went to Austin Museum of Art's Art Camp last week. They had so much fun. I will post pictures of what they created soon. Interesting to say the least.

Brandon will be going next week. He's taking Anime Studio. He loves making stop motion video movies and he really wants to learn animation. Maybe he'll be another Steven Spielberg....wouldn't that be nice. I'm happy he's found something he really loves.

I'll post some pictures soon.

Enjoy your summer and stay cool.

Hugs,
Tracey Huguley

Our school year coming to an end and our new year beginning....

2008-06-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

Our school year is coming to an end. We will be finished with our official home schooling next week.

I keep a spiral bound notebook for the school year to document what I'm doing throughout the year.

If we have a bad day or week, I can glance at my notebook, and know right where I need to pick up.

It's nice at the end of the year because I can go back and look at everything we've done. I include all our field trips (including play groups, etc...) in my notebook. When I go back and look at everything we've done for the year I feel very good. I see that I actually did something.

Sometimes I don't feel like I've done much, but this shows me I've done a lot.

Summer is here in Texas and we are so happy to get out and enjoy the pools, parks, etc...

Austin is a great place. There is so much to do and we love our home school community here.

The summer for us is a time to celebrate our past year and enjoy ourselves. It marks the beginning of a new year for us. So we will be out celebrating and we hope to see some of you.

Hope you have a wonderful summer.

Hugs,
Tracey

***Britney took the pictures below. Who says we have to be boring and glum? We are actually quite silly!!!

Britney's photo's and our silliness......

2008-06-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

Inks Lake Photos

2008-05-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

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2008-05-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

We had a blast at Inks Lake. The kids saw all kinds of wildlife which helps with our natural sciences studies this year.

We saw ducks, birds, insects, deer, squirrels, fish, and hawks.

We found a duck nest with eggs in it. After the storms on Tuesday night we found a baby mockingbird and handed it over to the park ranger to rescue.

The kids and I canoed for 2 and half hours on Wednesday. We explored the lake and the kids each took turns paddling.

Enjoy the pictures.....Spring has definately arrived!!!!

Here is my Joy!!!

2008-04-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

Funny I went to a "Release and Renew Retreat" with Kate Bares-Johnson at The Center for Well Being in Austin, Texas. I went with a girlfriend and we really released and renewed some long over due emotional baggage in our lives.

There were about 15 of us trying to become more whole emotionally, spiritually and mentally (physically). Kate has a wonderful program that helped us dig deep to uncover the aspects of ourselves that were not our authentic selves.

Aspects of ourselves that no longer serve us. I faced some fears and the pain that was attached to that.

It was amazing doing this in a community of others who we're willing to dig deep. I felt very supported and loved.

When I left one of the participants handed me a $2.00 bill and said he wanted to buy my "W". I went into the weekend with the mantra of "Where is my Joy"?

I left with the lesson "Here is my Joy". The participant I shared the weekend with bought my "W" in "where" so now I have "here".

I'm continuing on my journey to wholeness and healing. It's with humility that I stand in awe of this process.

"Here is my Joy"
Tracey Huguley

Our knitting and other Spring projects....

2008-04-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

Texas History and Spring LapBooks....

2008-03-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

We we're all getting a little bored with reading and summarizing so....my friend and fellow homeschool mom Michelle turned me on to lapbooks. I won't say they've saved the day completely. (Brandon my 10 year old is in a space of not liking anything we do) However, doing the lapbooks has brought us all a nice change of pace. Brandon is working on Texas history and Brooke and Britney are working on Spring and Easter themed lapbooks. We've all been a little blah recentely so I'm hoping doing the lapbooks will help shake things up and move us along. I keep telling my kids if they want the summer off we need to get everything done by June. (my secret motivator wink, wink)

Now what's going on in my life? I'm still thinking and meditating on my new business. Mentoring women (including deaf women) on their soul's journey. Recentely I've been asking myself what is JOY? What is true JOY? The kind someone has at the depth of their being that nothing can take it away. After going through a difficult few years this is a question that is asking to be answered in my life.

What is JOY?

I'm sensing this it going to be vital in my mentoring business. What is JOY?

I want to be able to point the way towards JOY for people on their life's path and use art to facilitate this. Stay tuned the baby has been born but hasn't been given a name yet. Thinking out loud. That is how things come into being for me. Thinking, talking and writing about them.

The pictures are of Britney with her homemade straw flowers. The lapbooks are Brooke's and Brandon's.

Sluggish time of year....

2008-03-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

Right before Spring arrives it seems that everything moves at a snails pace. Spring can't come fast enough. Winter still drops some of her nasty storms. And so does life. After death we wait for re-birth. Sometimes birth is a slow process itself. I can remember being in my ninth month of pregnancy and thinking the birth of my child would never come and then one day....

Something starts to move and then here it comes. Spring is like this to me. Winter is so dark and dreary. And you wait and wait and then here it comes. On the way to work yesterday I saw some beautiful wild flowers blooming on the side of the road. Texas is famous for its wildflowers so stay tuned for some great pictures.

Stay strong and know Spring always follows Winter.

Blessings,
Tracey

From death come new life....

2008-02-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

We went to a local cemetary today to observe nature. This cemetary is very small and quaint with tons of old oak trees. It is quite amazing.

You can see Britney below ringing some chimes and singing a song to me.

We looked at headstones, talked about the people who had died, and talked about how precious life is. While we we're observing nature we saw a baby lady bug, butterflies, a hawk, a squirrel and a lot of trees with no leaves. Some of the trees were beginning to grow small green buds. I can't wait to see if these will be flowers or leaves.

Have a wonderful day and get out to enjoy some of nature.

Blessings,
Tracey Huguley

Nature walks and journals....

2008-02-18T14:35:00.000-08:00

Spring is coming....

2008-02-15T17:27:00.001-08:00

I love spring...I'm so glad it's coming.

The kid's and I will be keeping nature journals that we will share. I've been hearing the birds chirping, squirrels scurrying, etc...

This last two years has been a difficult and miraculous time for me. I'm feeling more settled and relaxed now.

I've traveled a long path and I feel like I'm on the other side of the dark tunnel that I entered two years ago....

I've also just birthed (written) my first short story. Hmmm... a coincidence...probably not. I'll post the story soon.

I've also come up with something I want to do to impact my community and the world at large. More news to follow on this.

So spring is here and the challenges, miracles, hardships, beautiful things, etc... are all coming together to make my life...my beautiful and messy life.

Blessings,
Tracey Huguley

Are you interested in joining our Circle?

2008-01-25T13:09:00.000-08:00

I want to put together a group of women and create a circle with the goal of changing the world. I got this idea from Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen's book. See below.

If you're interested please let me know.

We will probably be meeting once a month at each other homes. Each woman will get a chance to lead the circle in the spirit of herself.

Suggested reading before joining the circle is "Gather the Women, Change the World" by Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen or any books on sacred circles.

Blessings,
Tracey Huguley

2008-01-25T13:08:00.001-08:00

Day by Day

2008-01-25T13:06:00.000-08:00

I sit by the window day by day.
But can I really see?
Is it clean?
Is there a world on the other side?

Who lives in that world?
Not me.
I sit by the window day by day.
Waiting to see.

Tracey Huguley

Digging A New Garden

2008-01-14T19:25:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, it has been in the 70's here in Texas. I love it. I've decided to turn part of my backyard into a sanctuary. The kids are involved and we've made a design together. We've been getting out in the backyard to dig the paths, plan the design, and cart away the dirt and grass.

It has been nice to see the kids working in the yard and to dig in the dirt myself. I have been going through a lot with my menopause symptoms. Anxiety, sadness, irritability, etc...

So getting out in the yard and digging and feeling the sunshine on me has been nice. I'm rebuilding some things in my life and the garden is symbolic of some of those things. Don't know how things are going to turn out...just like life....but I want to create something beautiful.

I'll keep you updated on our progress.

Hugs,
Tracey Huguley

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-09T14:37:00.000-08:00

Another year....I was reading some other women's post on BlogHer.com and one of them (can't find her name) suggested writing down all the "shoulds" we tell ourselves and burning them.

I like that idea...

I'll share a few here.

I should homeschool more.
I should worry about the education my children are getting.
I should be a better wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend.
I should lose weight.
I should eat less and exercise more.
I should be nicer.
I should save more money.
I should clean my house more.
I should.....
I should.....
I should.....

I think that does it for now.

I will be burning my list too.

Join us as we burn our "shoulds" this year and live a more joyful life.

Hugs,
Tracey

The Heroine's Journey

2007-12-30T15:27:00.000-08:00

I'm reading "The Heroine's Journey" by Maureen Murdock and I just finished reading "Goddesses in Older Women" by Jean Shinoda Bolen M.D.

It's interesting how woman are sometimes made to believe and think in the male way. Homeschooling for me is the feminine way. I'm following my feminine self, my intuitive heart, and my soul along my path. Not a path someone else has constructed based on "the male way" of competitiveness, ego, etc...

I love men, don't take this the wrong way. I'm just amazed at how much the feminine is oppressed in our culture and these books confirm and validate this for me.

I'm trying to learn to walk a feminine path balanced with the masculine. I'm new at this so stay tuned. I also want to raise my children in a way that honors and respects the feminine and the masculine in them in a balanced, loving, and affirming way.

This is the journey of my soul today.

The Lady of Guadalupe (shown above), who is the mother of Jesus, epitomizes the feminine balanced with the masculine for me. Although, I'm not Catholic I can borrow her image and reflect on what it means to be feminine balanced with the masculine.

Austin Girls Choir Christmas Concert

2007-12-30T15:19:00.001-08:00

Brooke is such a beautiful young woman with a gorgeous voice. She works so hard and it showed in the Austin Girls Choir's Christmas Concert. The girls all sang so beautifully and they were dressed in these adorable Victorian outfits.

Bravo to all the girls, and to Ms. Sarah the Director of the choir, who all worked really hard to bring this all together.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

2007-12-30T15:08:00.000-08:00

My kids got some modeling wax for Christmas and we read "Brown Bear" by Bill Martin and Eric Carle and made a yellow duck, a blue horse, a red bird and a brown bear.

The little animals are so cute and along with the book make a great center piece for our dining room table.

A single rose and a bouquet of roses....

2007-12-19T13:26:00.000-08:00

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A Rose and a Star......

2007-12-19T13:06:00.000-08:00

A single red rose means "I love you" while a bouquet of red roses means love, beauty, courage and respect.

Do we know the meaning of the simple things in our lives? This is a time for me to take notice and see the meaning in something as simple as a rose.

The other night I woke up in the middle of the night and felt something was trying to reveal itself to me. I felt a sense to look out my bedroom window and into the dark night.

I saw a bright star. Then I saw some other stars that were less bright.

What was the meaning of this to me? I stopped and pondered this symbol. To me it was a symbolic representation of the Spirit of the Universe, who set the world in motion, that is still very present and looking after me. It meant I do not need to worry or fret over anything.

The symbol of the star has been in my life the past few days. I've been emailed an angel giving stars away, songs on the radio about stars, and a children's book about the Star of Bethleham that I read to my children.

So today I think about a rose and the stars in the sky, and I set aside my worries, because I know that no matter what happens I am being taken care of.

The simple things in life continue to communicate this to me if I pay attention.

Blessings,
Tracey Huguley

What a year this has been....

2007-12-05T20:16:00.000-08:00

This last year has been amazing. We are continuing to home school our kids and loving it for now. I am enrolled at Texas State University and loving it. Godfrey, my husband, started a new job and is doing well. He is also planning on going back to school to improve his career path. Wow...the miracles that have happened in our lives. Going from being told Godfrey had terminal cancer to not having cancer at all. Then making a decision to move to Austin, Texas for a lot of reasons. Ie...Godfrey's health, my commute to work, being closer to nature, less stress, a more family friendly place to raise our kids, etc...

We are so blessed. Godfrey's health has actually improved. He has some strange lung disorder. After we had been in Austin for 6 months...the Dr's here said his breathing had actually improved. Yeah!!!

I've grown so much this past few years....wow....what a few years can do.

I'm looking forward to learning how to write at Tx State.

I love homeschooling my children. It's sometimes a challenge but always something I love.....

We just spent a week with some family and had a blast. We were able to visit the Austin Children's Museum, the park, some downtown lofts and condos, Whole Foods (my favorite), Santa Claus, the mall, etc...

We had a blast and I'm exhausted. Will post some pictures and more writings soon.

Holidays.....

2007-11-30T07:56:00.001-08:00

We are going to be doing some fun things this holiday season. Stay tuned for some yummy photos and post. I just finished my first semester at Texas State University. I ended up with two A's...yeah for me. I am moving on to my first Creative Writing class....yummmy.......

I hope we all have a wonderful holiday season and that we all make one new tradition this year.

Our annual holiday tradition is to wake up very early on Christmas Eve and go to the nearest mall and take a family photo with Santa Claus. Afterwards, we all go out to eat pancakes. We have a blast and we are laughing the whole day.

What is your family tradition? If you do not have one, it is never to late to make one.

Love and blessings,
Tracey

Lantern Making

2007-11-30T07:13:00.000-08:00

Saint Martin

2007-11-09T16:48:00.001-08:00

We have been studying Saint Martin this week. I love hearing stories about people who give so much of themselves. He was the saint of beggers, drunkards and the poor. We made lanterns and that was a blast. See the photos. We are going to do a lantern walk with our local Waldorf community.

"This little light of mine. I'm going to let it shine." (unknown author)

Let your lights shine. There is always darkness in the world but our lights are what keep the hope alive for a better and brighter day....

Hugs,
Tracey

Flowers and Turtles....

2007-10-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

I love nature and I find solace being around flowers and wildlife. The turtle is the writers symbol and continues to remind me to write. If you have a story to write....remember the turtle.

It is a slow process, sometimes you have to stick your neck out and sometimes you have to retreat into your shell.

Namaste,
Tracey Huguley

Things I love....

2007-10-05T19:51:00.001-07:00

Zoo pictures....

2007-10-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

Zoo visit

2007-10-05T19:44:00.000-07:00

We visited the zoo to get out and to see some animals we've been studying. The kids had a blast and you won't believe what happened to mom....a lion peed on me. Yes...I said a lion peed on me. In my face....my kids loved that.

Man and Animal Block

2007-10-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

Pictures of kids art.....

2007-10-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Beautiful art.....

2007-10-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

An artist makes art out of what they have in their environment. It could be words, scraps of material, their imagination, clay, music, etc...

My children and I were busy making art out of what we had in our minds and the materials we had in our home....

I told the story of St. Michael and the battle of good over evil. Afterwards we all painted what we saw in our minds....

This was one of the days that reminded me I'm doing the right thing by homeschooling. All my days are not this "perfect" but this one was.

I really enjoyed watching them paint and painting with them.

Tackling our excuses for not pursuing our dreams....

2007-09-16T16:45:00.001-07:00

We all have excuses, fears, etc...

I listened to a live web broadcast of Wayne Dyer over the weekend. He talked about what was blocking us from realizing our full potential. I like to ask what is blocking me from finding my souls true desires.

One of mine is "I don't have time" or "this is too difficult". He said, " Ask yourself if this thought is true? Where does this thought come from? How long have I had this thought? What would my life look like without this thought? What's an alternative thought? Am I activating the universal cooperation?"

If I face these excuses and/or fears and ask the above questions. I will realize they are all thoughts.

My experience with this is that I had to see my wounds at a deep level and face them before I could begin to ask these questions. Once I was able to go to my wounded places and see them, really see them, then I could begin to ask the questions and move towards my souls true desires.

What is your soul trying to tell you? Have you been stuck in an area of your life? Keep asking what your soul is trying to tell you and follow that thread. Keep following .

I needed a mentor to help guide me. If you need someone to help, please email or call me. This is my passion to help others find their souls true desires.

Final days of summer....

2007-09-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

Whew....I finally got my pictures uploaded.....

2007-09-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

After 3 days of ??? I finally asked my husband to help.....lol.

2007-09-16T07:34:00.000-07:00

Kids back to school and so is Mom....smile...

2007-09-14T16:27:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to post some new pictures..without much luck. Oh well...maybe over the weekend when I have more time.

We've all started back to school. We had a harvest celebration to mark the beginning of our school year for the kids. We talked about farmers, their harvest and made foods from a farm. We made corn, potatoes, chicken, bread and peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. We forgot our peach cobbler recipe so we bought a frozen Marie Callendar's peach cobbler.

We decided to celebrate all we have and all we are grateful for.

It really went over well and it helped us all to "start" our new school year.

2007-09-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

First full week back in school.

2007-08-31T14:53:00.001-07:00

This was my first full week of being back to school. I enrolled at Texas State University in the English department. I'm pursuing a B.A. in creative writing.

I'm so excited to be back in school. This week went well but not without a few disasters. First you have to visualize me at 45 going to school with all these beautiful 20 year olds.

I don't look so bad but....wow....was I ever 20? There I was sitting waiting for the bus with all these beautiful college kids and my bra strap came undone. I said to myself, "Ok don't embarass yourself. Just don't move. Keep your arms close to your sides to hold the sides of your bra straps in place." When I finally arrived at the school I ran to a bathroom and snapped it closed.

If bra was to slide off my chest it would not be such a pretty sight. The other disaster was that I was late to two of my first classes. Ok picture me....getting off the bus for my day class and coming out of the parking lot for my night class running at 45 years old, with a bad knee and a backpack.

Did I look the part of a student. NO!!! But did I care. NO!!!

I'm there to fulfill a dream and nothing is going to stop me. Not bra straps, embarrasment, bad knees, age, etc....

I just had to laugh at myself.

I'll post some pictures next week of the bus, the campus and of me and my backpack. I feel like a school kid on the first day of school. Filled with excitement and anticipation.

Blessings,

Tracey

What treasures do you have hidden in your heart?

2007-08-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

We always call our youngest Little Dot because she reminds us of my husband's mother Dorothy.

In Oklahoma we visited an old ranch that had a lot of antiques. Things that once belonged to someone. I'm working on a project right now that is about Dorothy...so the pictures remind me of a time gone by where Dorothy lived. I'm always curious when I come across old things. Who did this stuff belong to? Who we're they? So to look at the carriage, baby doll, brush, comb, mirror and piano remind me to remember our past and our heritage. Each of us has one. There are great stories there.

What stories do you have to tell? In what ways could you tell them? Pictures? Writing? Collage?

Creativity opens our hearts and souls and reveals the hidden treasures that are buried there.

Time to put the pen to paper and write. Seeing these things sparks my imagination. More to come about the Dorothy story. It will be a children's book...so maybe some of you can purchase it. Smile.

Beautiful nieces....

2007-08-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

These are my two beautiful nieces...they didn't make it on the Enchanted Rock trip so....I made sure I uploaded them today. Hey girls....we really enjoyed having you visit us this summer....

Love Auntie Tracey and family.....

Oklahoma trip.....

2007-08-22T15:03:00.000-07:00

This was the turtle exhibit at the Oklahoma Aquarium. http://www.okaquarium.org/

The turtle is a writer's symbol. The writer's process is very slow, sometimes you have to stick your neck out and sometimes you have to retreat into your shell for awhile.

As a writer seeing the turtles symbolized that I'm on the right track. I am currently attending Texas State University. I'm majoring in Creative Writing. I won't get to take any creative writing classes until next year but.......I have time.

Off to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

2007-08-16T08:12:00.001-07:00

Off on another adventure. We're going to Okie.....

My husbands family reunion is in Oklahoma city this weekend. I'm hoping to get a sidetrip in to learn about the Natives that we're relocated to Oklahoma city after the "Trail of Tears".

I'm part Cherokee Native. To learn more about the "Trail of Tears" will be a treat for me and for my kids.

In the early 1,800's the United States Government began removing the Native Peoples from Georgia and other states and moving them to Oklahoma. These removals we're brutal and over 4,000 Cherokee alone died on the "Trail of Tears".

Gold was found in Georgia so.....the Cherokee Nation was removed and sent to Oklahoma. You can find out more about this on http://ngeorgia.com/history

Might be a nice block lesson for homeschoolers!!!

One things I found very touching was the Legend of the Cherokee Rose. The mothers on the trails we're so distraught. In order to lift their spirits so that they would take care of their children the Chiefs prayed for a sign. Read below.....

The Legend of the Cherokee Rose.
No better symbol exists of the pain and suffering of the Trail Where They Cried than the Cherokee Rose(pictured at top of page). The mothers of the Cherokee grieved so much that the chiefs prayed for a sign to lift the mother's spirits and give them strength to care for their children. From that day forward, a beautiful new flower, a rose, grew wherever a mother's tear fell to the ground. The rose is white, for the mother's tears. It has a gold center, for the gold taken from the Cherokee lands, and seven leaves on each stem that represent the seven Cherokee clans that made the journey. To this day, the Cherokee Rose prospers along the route of the "Trail of Tears". The Cherokee Rose is now the official flower of the State of Georgia.

(The above is from the ngeorgia.com website)

More to come from Okie.....smile......

Namaste,

Tracey Huguley

Welcome to my new blog......As I stand on solid ground and begin my new adventure.....

2007-08-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

Standing on Holy Solid Ground

2007-08-15T10:12:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful time at Enchanted Rock. We found a creek bed with running water in it....

A lot of minnows, frogs, spiders, etc....

We climbed trees, swam in the creek, looked at rocks and minerals, and talked about the Native Peoples who used to live here.

This excursion brought to mind a poem by David Whyte:

The Opening of Eyes

That day I saw beneath dark clouds
The passing light over the water
And I heard the voice of the world speak out
I knew then as I have before
Life is no passing memory of what has been
Nor the remaining pages of a great book
Waiting to be read

It is the opening of eyes long closed
It is the vision of far off things
Seen for the silence they hold
It is the heart after years of secret conversing
Speaking out loud in the clear air

It is Moses in the desert fallen to his knees
Before the lit bush
It is the man throwing away his shoes
As if to enter heaven and finding himself astonished
Opened at last
Fallen in love
With Solid Ground

By David Whyte

Enchanted Rock reminded me that we are all standing on "holy solid ground".

Blessing to you as you adventure out onto your holy ground today.....

Namaste,
Tracey Huguley

***See the pictures in the next post.

Enchanted Rock Pictures

2007-08-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

Enchanted Rock

2007-08-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

My children and I are off to see a phenomenon (that's what I hear) outside of Austin, Texas. A giant Rock that has come up out of the ground. I hear that the Native Americans thought this rock was sacred.

Ever feel like your life didn't amount to much. Well just wait....a big rock might just be lurking under the surface. Photo's to follow our trip...

Namaste,
Tracey Huguley
Your "SoulsTrueDesires" Guide