Every Teardrop is A Waterfall.

So ... I took a little cat nap in the camper this evening ... with the radio on ... to a station I never listen to ... and I came out of my sleep to hear the most wonderful song ...

... I immediately rose to my feet ... began to dance around the camper ... tears flowing ... arms wrapped around my shoulders in a self embrace ... loving every second of the energy I felt from these words, this music ... and had to share it with you.

Every day is a new day of self-discovery. With this song as my new mantra ... I am on a new path ... an awakening.

This song did not create this new path for me ... but it's timing was total perfection.

Thank you Universe.

Love,
Jodi

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My Life Will Never Be the Same Again ...

... it will be way "awesome-er"! ... now that a certain pirate friend of mine has introduced me to some of the best music I have ever heard.

Have you ever heard a song and fallen madly in love with it instantly? I did. And here it is:

NOW - I have been told that I have come to this music very late (it is so 2006) - but better late then never. And now that I have been introduced to this band ... my ears, my hips and my feet are begging for more.

Thank God for YouTube ... as I was able to search for the rest of their music and found instant faves right away. Here is Isaac's fave:

And the thing is ... I have yet to click on a song from this band that doesn't have me moving ... or a video that doesn't have me riveted.

I am blown away. Where have I been for the past 5 years? Oh wait - I have been a Mommy of a pre-schooler all that time - and have been chained to kids' music and videos. But the chains have been lifted! And Isaac and I could party hard to this music all day long. Sure, we LOVE our Dave Matthews, Michael Franti and Wyclef Jean ... but Gogol Bordello? We are in heaven. So, thank you my pirate friend. You have made our world so much more enjoyable.

Perhaps now one of my blog readers has been enlightened as well ;)

You're Welcome.

Love, Jodi & Isaac

P.S.

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That Mysterious Ticking Noise --- comes to Bangor!

I LOVE this video! So much so ... that I have been wanting my own set of Harry Potter puppets ever since I saw this ... about 3 years ago. And finally, I have found a lovely young lady who makes them ... AND is willing to sell them in my shop!

Here are some examples of her work ... and of the goodies that will be making their way to the shop ... via Owl Post ... asap ...

Please drop in sometime to see them for yourself! AT ONLY $25 each ... they are a wonderful, handmade in the USA product that is also quite economical & totally ENTERTAINING! Heck - you can even make your own videos with these guys :)

Check out more videos from the Harry Potter Puppet Pals here on YouTube. Perhaps there is a future for you in creating similar videos???

See you soon,

Jodi

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Enjoying the Past via Videos.

I spent part of this weekend going through old picture and video files. I found the following two videos --- taken a couple of years ago --- and just had to share. Oh how I miss Isaac's little-baby-self --- but oh how I enjoy every moment that he grows into the sweet young man that he will all-too-soon become. I envy those mamas who have lots and lots of babies. I would have at least 8 if I could --- but am so incredibly thankful for the two awesome kiddos that I have.

Anyway --- here are the videos --- and if you are reading this on facebook --- you will need to click here to see the videos. ENJOY!

Love,
Jodi

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Learning to Milk my Goats ... via web videos.

* Milking a goat without any stands, stools or other equipment:

More likely the way we are going to do it:

Someone else learning too:

Any other suggestions from my fellow goat farmers?

Love,
Jodi

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Uncle Jamie Rocks.

xoxo,
Us

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Michael Franti : Adoption : A Home for the Holidays

A reminder to us all ... especially to myself ...

I know Halis and I have more children out there in this world. I may need to replay this video over and over to remind myself to take the time to go out there and find them.

What about you? Is there room in your heart and home to give a child a forever family? You might be surprised at what your heart tells you ... if you reach in far enough. Love is all that truly matters in this world. Love - so simple - so powerful - so complete.

I thank God for adoption every day. Maybe you can too.

xoxo,

Jodi

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Christmas Gift #3 : (For My Blog Readers)

When George begins to figure it all out ... gets me every time ...

You can watch the whole movie on YouTube: here. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night.

xoxo,

Jodi & Family

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Christmas Gift #2: (For My Blog Readers)

Love,
Jodi

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Christmas Gift #1 : (For My Blog Readers)

Love,
Jodi

P.S. You should see Isaac break dance to this. He rocks this one out :)

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Love for Our Troops : Isaac & I Troop Greet in Bangor.

(terrible iphone pic - sorry)

Isaac and I spent our afternoon yesterday at the Bangor International Airport saying farewell to a large group of brand new soldiers heading over seas. It was both lovely and sobering.

First, I had to explain to my son why we are thanking these men and women. I - who am firmly opposed to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - am still fully respectful of the jobs that these soldiers are doing for our country. I needed to find a way to articulate my love and respect for these men and women in uniform to my son without glorifying war or using political talk. So - I did the only thing I could think of at the time - I drew a map. I explained that this little piece of land here on the map is called "America" ... and it is where we live ... and there are all sorts of other countries all around the world too. And each country has men and women who volunteer (or are ordered) to protect that country and all the people in it. Sometimes one country wants to hurt another country --- so these men and women sometimes have to leave their homes and go fly over to other countries to stop them from trying to invade our own. I further explained that just as Daddy protects us from anyone who might want to hurt us --- these soldiers have the job of protecting our entire country. That is why we say THANKS.

Now, I know that this is very oversimplified ... and war is way more political and nasty than I would dare explain to my 4 -year old. And frankly, not all men and women in uniform are honorable. BUT, they are all human ... they are all our brothers and sisters ... and in the best situations ... they are off to do what they believe is right in order to protect the freedoms we hold dear. This is what I want my son to understand and to respect.

So, Isaac and I waved flags, clapped vigorously and shook many hands as these men and women arrived into our airport. We welcomed them to Bangor, thanked them for their service and told them to be sure to come home safe. All our well wishes were happily received. And it felt so good just to share a smile with these folks before they headed into the unknown (these were mostly young recruits headed off for the first time) ... but it also was heartbreaking. Some of these boys looked like babes to me. And some of the women were very likely somebody's mama or little girl. I don't want them to have to leave. But if they must ... then Isaac and I wish them a safe return.

In fact, we are now official "Troop Greeters" (we read the rules and signed on the dotted line and will now be called at all hours of the day to let us know when troops are coming home or leaving). Our name tags will be here shortly.

Isaac - of course - made best buds with a little blond troop greeter (almost 5 years old) who told him she has been Troop Greeting since she was born. She taught him how to "greet" and then took him around to pass out goodies to the soldiers once they were mingling. It was so very sweet (and a little rambunctious) :

And now I believe he is in love. I am sure it will not be hard to get him to come with me for future Troop Greetings - as this little sweetie told him that she is there as often as she can be :)

I am proud of my little man --- proud that he is learning love and respect for those who serve --- and praying that these wars will end asap.

Love,

Jodi

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Funny Friday: Milkman vs. Mailman.

ENJOY!

Have a Wonderful Labor Day Weekend --- chock full of rest and relaxation.

Love, Jodi

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Weekend Funny #1.

... and my 500th post. Good times all around!

Love,

Jodi

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Eat More Kale.com

My friend Kenric is a video producer extraordinaire. He produced the following viral video for one of his local Vermont-based businesses. I love it ... and I love the product! They (Eat More Kale.com) produce simple - yet very trendy - screen-printed tees using organic cotton and earth-friendly techniques.

Enjoy the video (its a hoot - be sure to watch it all the way through) ... then check out their shop. You may want to order one of the Kale Guys favorites!

Love,
Jodi

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Rain.

Another rainy day in paradise.

Love, Jodi

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Smile.

Everytime I watch this video, I can't keep from smiling. It truly makes me happy. I hope it does the same for you:

Love, Jodi

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I Have Chills. So May You.

This may be the most amazing project I have ever heard of in my life. SO incredibly wonderful - that I just can't stop smiling. Please check them out at www.playingforchange.com.

Enjoy every moment. Love,

Jodi

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My Mother's Day Ritual : To Listen to THIS Poem:

Enjoy your day!

Love,
Jodi

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MUST SEE :

Ready to join me in not only seeing this entire video, but also --- banning bottled water from our lives? I think I will carry around my own well water in reusable containers.

This issue is HUGE for we Mainers. If you are living in Maine --- please look into this situation we are facing as a state. It is more important than you may realize.

What do you think?

Love,
Jodi

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Elderly Ghetto Choir - Kicks it Old School:

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

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