Modern B*a*g Lady Lingo - 101

Modern B*a*g Ladies is a sisterhood as much as it is an Attitude (that's with a capital A). Its all about taking your B*A*G (Believe Act Go) on the road, so grab your keys (spreading joy, shredding fear, having fun), crank up the tunes and go lady go!

It's all in the B*a*g!

Ok, you have your..............

Baggage that needs to be dropped off or recycled into fuel for your B*a*g Traveling Sanctuary.

B*a*g Age - the ages and times in your life that you connect with as being your true self.

B*a*g Gauges - being aware of your fuel level and your speed so you don't run out of fuel, which results in your getting outside of yourself and pushing yourself uphill. Very tiring!

Getting Your B*a*g On - Being yourself.

My B*a*g isn't always Her B*a*g - accepting others as they are, looking for their goodness and reflecting their goodness back at them.

MBL are eco-friendly, body and spirit, so ................... see that link just to the right? Subscribe to our weekly Traveling Sanctuary Newsletter and claim your weekly source of Eco-friendly fuel. You'll be spreading joy, shredding fear and having fun, which are the keys to your Traveling Sanctuary, so you will need this nice new key chain sent to you compliments of Modern B*a*g Ladies. It will be your reminder to check your gauges and fuel up.

Great Family Room and Pen Pal Gals

We have a Great (Kitchen, Dining, Family) Room which makes up almost all of the square footage of the main level of our home and it is indeed GREAT. When I saw the plans one late night, searching plans online, I knew we were finally going to build a home after purchasing 6 existing homes in 12 years of marriage. I knew it would be where friends and family would gather, sharing, having fun and just do our own individual things amongst everyone gathered in this space

We've been in this home for almost 3 years now and this Great Room has exceeded our expectations. Yes sometimes the television is too loud and food is too often eaten not at the table (covered with mom and Paige's projects), but this room has bared witness to almost everything that happens in our family. Homework, meals, parties, movie night, sewing projects, playing, sleeping AND.....


Within this space I have found reason to give the laundry, dusting and toilet cleaning less attention. Some day perhaps I will meet these ladies in person just like back in the day when you would meet your pen pal. I imagine where they may be, while pouring out their wisdom, love and humor onto the keyboard. The keyboard, the new pen. They have expanded my world, sitting here in my Great Room. The grand world all within my reach by just a click of a few keys. Not an addiction, but an enhancement to my old and new real world connections. Traveling Sanctuaries through the information highway.



Mind numbing television replaced with giving and receiving love, wisdom, humor and advise. Ladies should gather together more often, virtually and in person. No pretense, just ourselves, being ourselves. Why not? Yes too busy I know. World's expectations and commitments of course. Sure we probably talk and gather with others all day long, but too often not really making a connection, not truly listening and sharing. All so plastic and a means to an end.

Let's gather with our families and with other ladies. Spreading Joy. Shredding Fear. Having Fun.

Thank you for gathering and doing it together, Mom, Michelle, Mary, Veronica, Elizabeth, Sheryl, Tashina, Teresa, Molli, Rosie, Karla, Janet, Casey, Gabrielle, Cindy, Beth, Suzie, Stephanie, PopArtDiva, Angela, Teri, Kim, Myrna, Heather, Sarah, Stephanie, Wendy, Sue, Carmen, Vickie, Sally, Lori, Patty, Paige, Gavin, Jordan, Hubby, Dad, Brian, Dean..... you fuel and blow me away.

Project Traveling Sanctuary is Underway

Who posts at 2:30 AM on Christmas Eve? A crazy Dancing BAG Lady who is too hyped up to sleep and just wants to work on her passion projects, Drop Off Your Baggage MLB Event and Project Traveling Sanctuary.

If I could get my darn camera to download I would have added a picture of my messy kitchen table. Project Traveling Sanctuary is this idea I will launch at our upcoming Drop Off Your Baggage MLB Event, January 17th. I guess you could say Kim doesn't have sugar plums dancing in her head but rather fun loving Modern B*A*G Ladies getting their B*A*G on.

This Dancing BAG Lady just doesn't get much sleep. I see this as a common theme with my Entrepreneurial BAG Ladies. We are sending emails at all hours of the day, night and morning.

My Reluctant Sanctuary

I was raised in the Catholic Church. Today I wonder what that means? We attended Sunday school and church almost every Sunday. I memorized prayers, learned about the sacraments, knelt on my knees and preferred to sit in the balcony during a crowded service.

I disliked going to confession greatly, cried during my first communion and felt ashamed to receive communion after my divorce (I am not worthy for I have sinned). It all felt like a bunch of RULES to me, but I also knew it meant community and a safe place to go.

Contrary to my perception, I could see that for my parents it was something all together different. But yet it was within a sub-culture of our Catholic church that my parents participated the most and were most fulfilled, it appeared. They had their prayer groups and attended weekend retreats. At the time I didn't realize it, but now I can see the divide between religion and spirituality, yet they are linked together respectfully.

After leaving home I married somebody Catholic, so my religion routine pretty much stayed the same. We attended his church, which was much smaller, friendlier and more fun. After my divorce to my first husband, I disconnected from religion and the bought and borrowed beliefs of what a good Catholic girl should do.

I remarried, in a Baptist church, but had our first daughter baptized in the Catholic church. Moved to Minnesota. Had our son who we didn't have baptized. This last little fact weighs on my mother, which reminds me of the RULES that get ingrained in your mind. Do I really think my son would be condemned to hell if he were to pass today? No!, but the Catholic guilt still lingers inside.

Since moving to Minnesota, 10 years ago, my children and I have been members of a Catholic, Methodist and Lutheran church since. My husband rarely attends. We are now well settled into the Lutheran church and my 13 year old daughter Paige is attending confirmation classes. She is required to write sermon notes, which means we must attend church.

MY RELUCTANT SANCTUARY........

As I reflect on my spirituality and my religion I try to understand why "church" has been my reluctant sanctuary. I believe partially because my upbringing in the Catholic church made it feel like an obligation, a test, a set of rules, which were all outside forces.

But ironically enough it is the obligation of fulfilling my daughters requirement of sermon notes that I am drawn back to the sanctuary of a church, for which am I grateful.

Obligation or not, as I have learned that, God, spirit, the greater power (call it what you want) is not out there, but rather WITHIN me, going to my reluctant sanctuary truly fuels me. This is what my parents knew, so why didn't they just teach me this? They did teach me. It just has taken me many years to be in a place of understanding.

Everyone has their time and everyone has their reluctant sanctuary. Maybe we are lazy, selfish or maybe we don't love ourselves enough. We are worth it, so everyone, go to your reluctant sanctuary (whether that be church, 10 minutes of quiet tim or quality time with your family) and claim your well deserved fuel.

Multi Million Answers to RAQ's Rarely Asked Questions

I came across this handy little box of questions, Chat Pack - Fun Questions to Spark Conversations. I'll give you a taste for the types of questions so you have an idea. "Suppose for a moment that you are truly color blind: all you can see is black and white. then one day you wake up to find you can now see one color. Which color would you want it to be?"

I plan on using these in multiple settings including our upcoming Drop Off Your Baggage lady's event January 17th.

In the interest of not infringing on their copyright I thought I would periodically pose BAG Lady RAQ's (rarely asked questions) rather than ask FAQ's (frequently asked questions). My answer today may not be the answer I would give tomorrow or next year, but answering questions help to reveal your B*A*G (believe act go) Age.

Q: Thong, High Cut, Boy Cut or Granny Pants?

A: I know this is kind of a personal question, but the answer could reveal a lot about a lady. It is a discussion certain Best B*A*G Friends might have or maybe not. The choice of your under garments could be a matter of comfort or a matter of attitude. I know one lady who has to be matchy matchy. Her bra and panties must be the same color. Some prefer cotton, some lace. I haven't ever seen leather, but I am sure they exist. Here's my answer - All the above. Different moods different panties. Different occasion different panties. Variety is the spice of life.

Duh-um - Dazing into Space

I just realized that I called myself dumb in my title. I'll just go with it and chalk it up to laughing at myself.

Today I was at my day job, having an uninspired moment, staring at the picture on the wall in front of me. You know those stares that your eyes feel like they are crossing but you're not sure if they really are crossed.

A unassuming shy gentlemen walked into my office. I'm sure he wasn't expecting to see DUH-UM Kim all cross eyed and everything. He probably thought I was on drugs or something. One second motivated full of energy, the next DUH-UM.

Do you suppose he told his wife when he got home about the weird lady at work? Doubtful, but I'm telling you about it. What a Duh....UM post. Oh well just being me. I'm actually enjoying what I think is a mid life crisis.

Good Thing I'm not a Monkey

Ever heard the expression, "Close but no Bananas"?

If I were a monkey I would be starving. Sometimes I feel like I'm slipping on everyone else's banana peels along my joyful, low fear, fun filled journey. I just can't get to that heaping mother load of bananas fast enough.

Can't say that I have talked to a monkey lately, but maybe, just maybe, it's not always about the bananas for them and it shouldn't always be about the bananas for me either.

"Close but no Bananas" is my style. You know not exactly telling the joke quite right. Every time I want to talk about a song or book I can never remember the title. I get the artist/author's first name right but rarely the last.

Having these little brain lapses could really make me get down on myself, but I do believe I have been compensated in other ways. I think in pictures. I can see the whole picture in my head and heart, but can't always verbalize it. You know like the absent minded professor.

I know other B*A*G Ladies who are so quick and bright. Sometimes I am jealous, but mostly I am in awe of them. I'm glad to be slipping on their banana peels and sometimes they take time to sit down and share a few bananas over a diet coke. These are OH Yes Moments!

I will embrace my "close but no bananas". I eventually get there because, you know?, I like to simmer my bananas.

Laugh Your Traveling Sanctuary Trunk Off Ladies

(www.thinkempoword.com)


Do you know what little Giggles are suppose to turn into? Laugh your trunk off, pee your pants sessions. I highly recommend you dabble a little and don't be afraid of being a dork. My kids think I am a huge dork with extreme facial expressions. I think its because my mouth is literally soooo big. I smile big, frown big, laugh big and can do some amazing tricks with my lips and tongue.

Choose your giggle. Everyone has their favorite

A GIGGLERAMA OF GIGGLES:

1. Exploding giggle volcano (soda, mash potatoes)
2. No logical reason to giggle giggle (nature's way to balance out extreme badness)
3. Alcohol induced giggle (I recommend moderation, as it can quickly turn into tearful episodes)
4. Solo giggle (alone in your office or out loud in a movie theatre)
5. Giggle as the only medicine giggle
6. Goofy giggles (only you and your very best B*A*G Friend understand)
7. Contagious giggle
8. Not sure if it is politically correct to giggle giggle ( OH that had to hurt! ouch!)
9. I was dishing out really hard ice cream and some how it flung from the ice cream scoop to my head giggle
10. Ladies acting unlady like giggles

Share some of your Gigglerama of Giggles and make sure you check our Wendy and Stephanie's website of Empowording products. The power of a single word is AMAZING.

"B"elieving

Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing.

Heart first. Brain Second.

Follow your heart first. Set your sights on something you can't see.

A Picture of "I'm" Perfection

Much is being said about Oprah "coming out" with her weight gain. You know, we've all been noticing it for a little while now. It was especially apparent after watching a re-run of one of her shows lately. Did I think any less of her? "NO!"

In a weird twisted way I was glad. It made me feel like I could do anything and I didn't have to appear to be or be PERFECT. I have actually given up that illusion a long time ago, in theory, but in my tricky little mind (no, let's rephrase, "big and beautiful brain) images of perfection linger. Ah ha I got it, now my BBB (big beautiful brain) matches my BBBBB (big beautiful body, boobs & butt).

OK now I'm really going to go out on a limb here a let you in on a little secret. I have something in common with Oprah. We both weigh 200 lbs. I think I am little taller than Oprah, but if I can carry 200 lbs (metaphorically) as well as she does I guess it's not so bad. On a more serious note, I am on round 4 of up and down weight gain and loss. I had held off my last 20 lbs for over a year which is quite an accomplishment for me. And its not really about the weight its about my health. I pray I can do better in this category.

Young ladies these days seem so obsessed with their bodies. A product of society, media and grown ladies' influences. I hope I can be a good example for my daughter and her young friends, even at 200 lbs. This is a picture of my daughter. She does some cool things with her photoshop. Her and her friends take so many picture of themselves. I guess I would have too if I had had a digital camera back then?????

Let's turn Imperfection into I'm perfection no matter what shape or size. I'm perfection within my strengths. I'm perfection even while in my imperfection. I'm perfection without striving for perfection. I'm perfection when I am ME!

Cheap Vacations via Elephants and Vampires (ticket for two please)

Myrna Myrna Myrna you have created a book toting nerd, who responsibly escapes from the world's whoas for an hour or so a day. $10 ticket to where ever you want to go is a pretty cheap vacation. And Gretchen and Elissa from Evolution Through Vacation would be proud of me as I am jumping into these mini, low budget vacations with preparation, openness to learning and finally applying my learnings upon re-entry. Hey the sex, drama, mystery and suspense isn't bad for a heart racing thrill either(all done in very good taste of course). We are adults here.



FICTION TAKE TWO! Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen was waaaayyyyyy better than Nature Girl by Carl Hiiasen. I guess books are like a BOX of CHOCOLATES, you have to take a bite to see if you like it. Nature Girl didn't rank as low as a fruit cake covered with bitter dark chocolate as it worked in a chocolate craving pinch. Water for Elephants was more like a milk chocolate covered caramel YUMMMMM.

Jacob Jankowski unexpectedly is thrown from having it all to having nothing except shoveling manure, a mildew, flea infested bedroll and a schizophrenic boss. Set in the depression era, Water for Elephants has me comparing the plight of Jacob to the plight of people suffering from the current state of the economy, 2008. Think about it, 1931 was only 77 years ago, just a hiccup in God years. Jacob emerges, as we will and have, confronting his dreams, disguised as his nightmare.

My disguised dreams rest like a lump of soggy bread in my throat and runs its course down to my stomach, sitting like a huge indigestible ball, wondering if I have the flu or a bad case of anxiety. Could I shovel manure if I had to? YES, ACTION is the cure to my disease even if it stinky and sweaty work.

My daughter and I went to the movie Twilight today and she bought the book as well. I think she could really get into this book. As me, she is a slow reader, so she feels intimidated by lengthy in depth books. We will continue to exercise our reading muscle, quickening our pace and reporting to each other stories and life lessons. If you do not know, Twilight, is a high school love story between a mortal and a GOOD vampire. This is where the vampire enters our vacation plans.

I hope Paige and I can share our travel logs with each book read.

Sucked into the Vortex of Spreading Fear

Let's do an experiment. Read the following and see how you feel afterwards.

The economy will crash.
I will lose everything.
I have no control.
Stock market is up, its down, its up, its down etc etc etc minute by minute

Now, how do you feel? Just like somebody punched a million holes into your fuel tank and you have a 1000 mile journey ahead of you and no fuel stations in sight.

Ok, I'll be realistic but I can't just sit here and get sucked into this vortex of fear. So, in an attempt to be realistic without being polly annish I will intake 1 dose of hard fact bad reality with ,2, 3, 100 doses of what is still good in this world. Lately I think I need the 1/100 ratio, as the SUCKING force is strong these days.

Dang my Traveling Sanctuary feels like a roller coaster. Or maybe more like rev up, peel out, stall, fuel, fuel fuel, repeat. I better keep my eyes open, hands up in the air and enjoy the ride as much as possible.

Please, please, please, find whatever it takes to keep yourself filled with positive fuel. The race of life isn't about being first, it's about remaining whole and true to yourself, each winning in their own time.

My thoughts are with everyone who is currently at the bottom of the hill not sure how they will start climbing. I pray that I can be their fuel pit stop. Only you know for sure what you need, so seek it out, be still, listen to your heart. A book. A song. A picture. A hug. Welcome the posetive energy around you.

Yet, my deepest fear is that I haven't myself reached my lowest of lows, so I must make each day my masterpiece and know that I may create my greatest of masterpieces at a time of lowest lows.

The Funny Thing About Fun

It must be so exciting to be the life of the party, the one front and center, telling funny jokes, getting all the attention and the applause, it seems. You know those types, famous or not, who naturally draw attention to themselves. They're outwardly fun loving, entertaining and quick witted.

Me? Well, I am certainly not describing myself. As much as I believe that I want to be that person I have to accept the fact that, Carol Burnett, I am not. (Here's a little random side note: variety shows of the past are what I consider real entertainment. I loved the Carol Burnett Show. That's what I call real fun.) Me? Well let's just say that the show couldn't go on without the stage hands, writers, producers, caterers etc.

Wednesday evening prior to hosting a house full of guests I was busy baking pies. My hubby (life of the party) was rallying the early arrivals to a game of "Apples to Apples", not a complicated game. I was making an honest effort to participate, but was distracted with slicing apples. Since I was doing such a poor job of multi-tasking between work and play, I was dubbed the weekend's "Fun Hater". The nickname was dubbed in the spirit of FUN, but I was slightly offended and a little jealous that I wasn't the life of the party.

After much thought I announced to the "Fun Lover" who dubbed me as the "Fun Hater" that I must correct him. I am not the "Fun Hater" I am the "Fun Enabler". To which he replied, "Do you have to use such big words?" Now that was funny!

Here is the lesson I must remind myself over and over again, "It takes all kinds to make this wonderful world go round, so I should spend more time embracing my strengths and less time fantasizing about being something I truly "B"elieve in my heart I am not." Besides, I don't have to be funny to be fun or have fun. And sometimes I just need to lightened up a little.