6footsix

'tis the season!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

build it, draw it, write it, sing it! homemade holiday gifts the sequel

ssshh

i'm going to  let you in on a little secret

there is a way to avoid some of the frustration from the various holiday seasons and bring back what is really important.   it  isn't for everyone, but you may be just the right kind of person.  you are reading this blog after all. 

imagine a friend and close your eyes

(closed?)

ok

i don't know how you are reading this with your eyes closed, but stranger things have happened.  
now think about them.  what music do they like? what makes them smile? what are their favorite foods? 

now strap in for the tricky part...

what are the things you could make or do that would be special? they are friends or family, so i've given you a huge advantage as you know them.  make them laugh, make time smile, maybe even bring a happy tear is you are really lucky.

if you are stumped there is a way out.  still imagine the special, but maybe you can find someone to create what you might have problems with.  you can always try again next year.

if this gives you any great ideas, feel free to post comments.

the green team at 6footsix is all about recycling and zula thought it would be a good idea to repeat last year's posting.   she was right  

__________________________

 The  holidays are coming up soon and it is time to think about what to do for friends and family.  You can go out and buy things made in China in the mall, but what fun is that? 

Maybe it is better to give something that you or a local crafts person have made.  Something really special and from the heart.

Kids probably want the latest toys, but those of us who are a little more mature love the thought, the time and the love that go into something special.  Maybe you can sew. Maybe you can draw.  Maybe you are good at woodworking.  Maybe you can make amazing jams and jellies.  Maybe you can write a little story for someone.  Maybe you can tell stories and can make a recording.   Repair something special that is old and broken.  Teach them how to play volleyball or how to become more  fit.  Show them they are one of a kind by giving them something one of a kind.

You have to worry about the quality because it is you that is coming through. There are a lot of special touches you can use. If you draw or write something, you might want to use great paper.  

Smile and think of them while you do this.  Listen to the music that makes you think of them.  Don't choose too many so you have the time and maybe you can tell them ahead of time that it is homemade and suggest they do the same.

You can have a wonderful holiday and focus on love and friendship rather than racing around the mall looking for something.

Another great thing that can still be personal is to find local artisans.  People who make beautiful things.  Sometimes you can describe what you want and still find something very special.

and remember

Remember the dreamers and those who are doing impossible things.  The person doing amazing things in college.  That totally awesome athlete who may need a bit of help.  The person with a passion and a cause. Find a way to support them that may not be conventional.  Make them smile and make them stronger.

Remember the animals. Zula and Daisy Mae give so much as it is that they don't have to make anything special, but they enjoy getting special things and aren't very picky about neatness.

It may seem like a lot, but start out with a few people and spend a few weekends thinking and maybe writing, sketching, baking, sewing or building.  There will still be regular store-bought gifts, but just give this a try and see if it works.

Your time is a very special gift.  For many of us it is more special than money.  Give things that time rather than money buys to those who are close to you.

So what are you waiting for?  Go out an get started!!

we have parkas!

daisy mae and i are really excited that we got parkas for christmas.  funny thing is, mom tried to make them for us first out of socks!  when we were puppies, we visited our grandma in the mountains of new mexico.  mom made really warm sweaters for us out of socks and it worked because we were so small.  she tried to do it again this year but it was not quite the success it was when we were small. 

 

here i am modeling mom's creation.

thank goodness for petsmart

merry christmas and all of the other holidays!

 Merry Christmas!!

 It is the time of year when candles and stars are up against the darkness.  There are many holidays that come with the shortest days so enjoy those that are part of your life.

Be close to yours and enjoy the food, the stories and especially the love! Zula and Daisy Mae remind you to think about your animal friends too!

stayin' active

Hey kids, this is Zula!

A lot of you are in places that are getting colder this time of the year. It is very easy to be lazy and stay indoors with the  TV and computer games.

Daisy Mae and I are really active.  We love to be outside running around and playing.  Guess what?  You'll love it too if you give it a try.  Maybe even your parents will too, but you may have to encourage them. 

You can get involved in a sport at school or through a club.  Our mom Colleen loves volleyball and it is great for those of you who want to get super quick.  But she loves about every other sport too.

It doesn't mater if you are good or not.  There are sports you can play with others and your gym teacher or someone at a club with help you find people who are as good as you and maybe a little better so you'll get better.  There are sports where it is just you.  Like running and biking and anything you want to make up. It is up to you if they're going to be with other people.  There are some people who love to compete and some who hate it, but if you don''t like to compete you shouldn't let that stop you from having fun.

Have you ever counted the good reasons for playing and getting really active?  Most of all you'll have fu, but you'll feel better and sleep better.  That may even make you do better in school too!  If you eat well too you won't get fat. If you are fat now, you'll lose it and look great. Kids are good at lists and you can probably think of more.

One of the best parts is getting better at something.  If you haven't biked in a long time it may be hard to even go a mile.  But work at it and you'll feel yourself getting better. Maybe not every day, but probably every week.   See how well you can throw a ball with your friends or just go out and shoot hoops.  You need to try a lot of things and find something you love.  Mom loves beach volleyball and Daisy Mae and I are really proud of her.  Dogs  can't play it, but we can run faster and she likes to chase me. I think chases me makes her faster and it makes us smile and laugh.  Daisy Mae is more my speed, but running with mom is most excellent.

If I can get my mom extra active, you can too.    Just think how much better your town would be if the adults spent some of their time walking or biking to get around rather than just driving.  Maybe kids and dogs can team up and get them active too!

Send me mail if you have a plan!

paw prints

(this is a guest post from a friend of zula and daisy mae)

zula and daisy mae happen to be great. they are so talented and help run the colleen's business, navigate for her, and keep her happy and smiling.

kids, do you have a dog? have you played frisbee with her? can he outrun you? who wins at hide and seek? how far can you throw a ball and have her catch it? do you take your dog for a walk every day? remember to clean up after them is you do!

go out and play with your dog. it is much more fun than a computer game or watching tv and both of you will get stronger and faster!

dogs can be so silly at times. do you have any silly dog stories? zula and daisy mae aren't great readers, but they really like a good story!

the photo is of dog paw prints. have you ever looked at your foot prints and your dog's paw prints when you are both walking in sand? give it a try and look at how different they are when you are running.

if you have had enough math in school to figure out areas and volumes you can figure out how many grains of sand there are in one of the beach volleyball courts colleen plays in. here is how you do it.