Disqus - Latest Comments for Lynnjake

Re: Introductions

Lynnjake — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 13:19:04 -0000

Hello Everyone! I'm Lynn Jacobs. I was a member of the Oasis for the first year, and I decided to drop out because my schedule was so full that I had stopped participating. That made me feel worse than not belonging, so I went on hiatus. Now I am retired (yay!!) and my time is structured in a very different way than every before, so I decided to come back. I'm so glad to be here!

I started a new blog last summer and I'm carefully adding posts to it. I also have begun painting. This was on my list for a very long time, and I promised myself for about five years that if a certain artist was still teaching painting at the local community college I would take her class. She is and I'm in my second semester of her class now. The process has made me really look at my creativity and where I beat myself up, where I can accept myself, all of that. I am finding that as a person who paints for myself, not for gallery exhibitions or any of that, that my painting helps me to unearth my stories. The two activities seem to feed one another.That was an interesting revelation!

I'm looking forward to what's to come!

Re: LIFE BOOK 2018 TEACHER LINEUP + GIVE AWAY

Lynnjake — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 01:02:59 -0000

Shared on Facebook. I'm looking forward to this class and the opportunity to participate in it! Thank you!

Re: Introducing Jessica: Our new BOOM! Brand Ambassador

Lynnjake — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 18:22:24 -0000

I don't think that this is about older women not being interested in mentoring younger women. I have many younger women friends and our friendships don't even seem like mentoring. They just seem like friendships. However, as a woman ages she becomes more and more invisible in our modern society. I remember when I was traveling once when I was in my early fifties that I could suddenly take photographs anyplace I wanted to because no one was ever looking at me. I remember having a sudden realization that I had become invisible.

When Cindy started BOOM! it was in reaction to this phenomenon of older women disappearing from sight. She was older and had silvery hair and was still attractive and relevant. After spending many Saturday mornings watching her "Saturdays with Cindy" videos, I came to realize that it didn't matter if I was noticed or not. I still had relevance, and it was up to me to own it. I let my hair go silver andI stopped feeling invisible. I recognized that I was in charge of my own life and persona. That didn't mean I was noticed more, but I just didn't pay attention to that any more.

Still, it is a somewhat sensitive subject, because not only do men ignore us as we age, so do other women. It is very common to be completely disregarded by other, younger women, especially if we happen to not be thin. Cindy's message was "Pro-Age." It was about being respected as we age, as our hair becomes silver. It was about seeing ourselves as still relevant as we age. When I see her site now, I see that her message is still about women being strong, but I rarely see any women with silver hair any more. She seems to be focused on a younger demographic than those of us who originally supported her products and her message. This is a disappointment, honestly. It has nothing to do with not wanting to mentor or befriend younger women, really. (P.S. I'm 68, in case that matters!)

Re: How To Grow More Beautiful As You Age

Lynnjake — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 13:14:07 -0000

Interesting that only one of the women on this page has even vaguely silver hair. Even though her message is pro-age here, the images tell a different story. When Cindy started BOOM! she made little "Saturdays with Cindy" vlogs every week, and I looked forward to them so much. She was real and dedicated to her purpose. It felt so sincere. I let my hair go silver largely as a result of her messages! It just made so much sense. I am so happy that I did. I definitely wonder how this has changed. I haven't seen even a photo of Cindy in a while. I miss her and her simple, sincere pro-age message. I still love BOOM products! (I speak of Cindy in the third person because this doesn't sound like it was written by her. If it was, I apologize for that.)

Re: Creative Practice

Lynnjake — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 10:53:47 -0000

Hi Everyone! I've been a little absent for a while. I'm doing Mark Silver's money class and it is pretty time intensive! And so worth it! But, I can't resist this creative challenge! Ever since, oh, early November (!) I have been driven to make tiny collages almost every day. I make them on 2"x4" hang tags, and once I've made one, I write on the other side of the tag. It's been enormously satisfying and I've created a beautiful collection of bright little collages that I can look at and reread. Now I'm ready to expand my practice,and I miss taking pictures as much as I used to. So, for the month of March, I am going to commit to taking (at least) a photo a day. Yay! Bring it on!! I look forward to hearing what others are planning to do!

Re: Get Scary S**T Done – Nov 2016

Lynnjake — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 19:35:22 -0000

I'm going to face down my sugar addiction this week. For many months I ate no sugar, but in the past few months it has gotten the best of me. I'm even buying sugar to have in the pantry or the freezer, 'just in case I need it." Sounds like a drug addict to me. I feel terrible, am gaining weight and still dig into the ice cream or chocolate with a frenzy. I just need to stop. And it's really hard to do. So that is my scary shit for the week. Best wishes to all of us!

Re: LuLaRoe: An Honest Review Stating the Pros and Cons of the Popular Trend (+ 5 Tips for Wearing it Right)

Lynnjake — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 12:17:24 -0000

The shawl thing is called the Mimi. A little weird, I think. Buttons on a shawl? I guess I'll have to see it!

Re: October 28, 2016

Lynnjake — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 12:14:17 -0000

I really liked the future self and body talk. It helped me create a different focus on what I will be doing in the coming days and weeks. The looking (again) at shadow comforts and time monsters is so helpful. I so easily slip into what is easiest rather than what will make me feel best in the long term. When I am tired I just go to the easiest way to fill my time rather than choosing that which will fill my time joyfully or at least beneficially!

Yesterday I traveled 3 hours to see for the last time the first house my husband and I bought, in 1976, the place where my youngest child was born. She and her sister are selling the house now after their father's death, and we went to take anything we wanted to take and to spend a little time there for the last time. I found as we moved around the house and the roads leading to and away from it, that little thought and memory clouds hovered around every corner. "This is the place the wheel fell off the car as I drove to my dance class. Your dad had changed the brakes and forgot to put the cotter pin back on. Who helped me? Cell phones didn't exist then." In other spots I ran into a thought I'd had at that place. On and on, like little balloons hanging in the air. "Here I remember thinking this thought." And "Here's another one." I hadn't realized that thoughts are like that. They hang in the air like memories. I found myself rethinking things but with a different viewpoint. Kind of like I am the future self that the young woman in her twenties didn't forsee existing. Interesting and a little draining.

I struggle mightily with my addiction to sugar. This week I came home from work and working out, feeling tired and craving something sweet. Rather than go to the kitchen, I headed right to my studio and took out a little shipping tag. I wrote as much as I could fit on the back of it about this addiction I struggle so with, and then on the other side I created a tiny collage. I mixed photos and drawings and words, and it made me feel so happy. I forgot that I "needed" something sweet and relaxed in the creative process. These little collages are relatively quick to make, yet require me to slow down and pay attention while I make them. My new thing is to make art when I'm feeling out of sorts or lost or down. I'll let you know if it keeps working!

Re: October 21, 2016

Lynnjake — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 13:44:52 -0000

I totally understand the app games monster! I've been compelled to do jigsaw puzzles on my phone and iPad for the past couple of weeks! I deleted Facebook and Solitaire and every other time monster I could think of, and then went out and got the puzzles! Today I'm going to figure out how to reconfigure a couple of morning habits to make room for some connection with myself before I leave home at 6:00 AM. It's so easy to forget about those moments of self care when our habits get in the way. Maybe there is a way to reshape the habits to allow for that. I'm hoping so.

Re: October 21, 2016

Lynnjake — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 13:33:31 -0000

This week when the Oasis email arrived, I felt a little jumping of my heart. I so look forward to this time every week when I am fully present for myself. I realize that already this time has become sacred to me. I recognize every week the incredible importance of just stopping and looking and making space for the sacred in my life.

I crave morning rituals, but I leave my house at 6:00 AM to go to work, and my habit chain is calibrated to include all the things I must do in order to leave at this time. This week I decided to not allow time to be an excuse for not giving myself a day-starting ritual. I can make my breakfast the night before (Pre-cook bacon and make a frittata on Sunday), pack my lunch the evening before and choose my clothes the night before. I'm planning a "fast 45," in the evening, with lively music, to do these current morning chores. This will make time for a morning focus, some movement, some coming home to myself every morning before I start my long day of being present for myself and 50 students.

I look forward to this challenge! Bring on the Fast 45!!

Re: LuLaRoe: An Honest Review Stating the Pros and Cons of the Popular Trend (+ 5 Tips for Wearing it Right)

Lynnjake — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 11:57:12 -0000

I have a friend who is a LuLaRoe consultant so have attended many pop-ups. I own and love four maxis. I think they are really flattering and are very verstile. But I have four of them, so won't be buying another one any time soon. The printed leggings are so pretty and then feel so unattractive when I put them on my size 14-16 over 65 body. You have a point about printed leggings on older women. Looks dumb. They do look cute on younger women, and they are fine for the gym! I have a black pair and one print pair for at home. Even there I seldom wear them. I have a couple of Irmas but they are so long in back I've never managed to actually wear one. I love the neckline and sleeves, but it comes to my knees in back. I do like the Azure skirt but with a top of my own choosing, not a LuLatop. The Randy and classic Tee are too slim in the body for me, so they accentuate my belly and the sleeves are so short on the perfect tee, not to mention that it's just too full and long to look right, IMHO. I have two LIndsays (the jackety like thing with no fringe) that I wear all the time, but not with other LuLa pieces. I love those jackets. I have to buy a small size as they run huge. Having said all that, I'm kind of over it. I go to the pop-ups once in a while because she is my friend, but find that I don't wear it all that much, so I've stopped buying it. Unless I find another really great LIndsay...and what about this new shawl thing they've just come out with? But $80?? Probably not.

Re: Introductions

Lynnjake — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 16:07:45 -0000

Thanks Jen. I'm glad to be here, truly. Much love to you.

Re: October 14, 2016

Lynnjake — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 16:06:48 -0000

I've been in such a slump lately! Too much to do at work, no rest in-between tasks. Today's Oasis was good for me. I felt like I was able to voice and own my slumpy feelings without judging myself. IT's just a thing right now, and it will change soon. I hope! Thanks for another good opportunity to look at what's going on and to decide what I want to do about it.

Re: October 7, 2016

Lynnjake — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 11:46:30 -0000

It's early Sunday morning. As I listen and write and breathe and center myself, I feel the power of the Oasis already permeating my morning. Sundays will definitely be my day for this. This week my intention is to walk in grace, every day. I have a big project to finish at work this week and my intention is to avoid the feeling of overwhelm that so readily sends me to eat foods that satisfy only the fear. My intention is to pay special attention to caring for my body this week. This involves eating well, sleeping plenty and avoiding the "shadow monsters" that I so often turn to when I'm feeling overwhelmed. Maybe I'll make some little collages or paint a little each day. I'm looking forward to this week, to see what a deliberate focus on caring for myself brings. Good week to all!

Re: Introductions

Lynnjake — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 11:38:44 -0000

Hello, I'm Lynn. I've retreated in Taos with Jen and wonderful groups of women for the past three years. I always return home ready to keep the spirit of the retreat moving in my life, but then everyday gets in the way and it dwindles. I've joined the Oasis because I need to refocus and return to my calm and centered place. The formality of a weekly call and writing and meditations will help me to come home to myself. At least that is what I believe to be true! I'm so glad to be here!

Re: Teach Mentor Texts: The One Where Nena Can Do It #sol15

Lynnjake — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 15:59:31 -0000

I agree that one shouldn't have to declare that they speak two languages. It becomes important when it is necessary for comprehension on everyone's part. I too am bilingual and am not, nor do I look Hispanic, so people don't ever expect it of me. We have a new custodian who is always hanging out in the hallway speaking to the pretty female custodian in Spanish, thinking that no one understands him. He always is polite to me in English, and that's fine. But when I walk by and he is speaking Spanish, thinking I don't understand, I sometimes feel like I'm cheating a little. Holding something back. Being bilingual is truly a gift!

Re: Your Recipe Is My Disaster

Lynnjake — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 16:24:00 -0000

Oh, I have such a hard time following a recipe. I always think I know better. It seems logical to try it as it is written at least once and then modify it, but nope. I just get the general idea and go with it. Usually the result is edible, but who know how much better it could be? I loved the carrot cake comment! I bet they were delicious.

Re: Literature Circles? - New Journalism

Lynnjake — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:05:28 -0000

I was until I was out of the classroom for two years. I'm not sure if I will this year as I'm not sure of what resources will be available to me. (book collections) In our district such activities are pretty uncommon because we are in PI and the current belief is that three hours of McDougal Littel is more beneficial than reading whole books. I used lit circles in a Junior/Senior Multicultural Lit class. They liked doing lit circles because they had a choice as to what they read. We had an overall theme, and the students in their individual "book clubs" read and discussed through the lens of the theme. For example, one theme was conflict. How is conflict a part of the story, how do the characters deal with it, how is it resolved, etc. I like the idea of students commenting through a blog.