About Holly

My name is Holly.  I've always wanted a nickname.  For some reason, none of them stick.  Except HoJo makes an occasional appearance. My Aunt Linda used to call me Hoo doot da doot doot doot.  Or, Hoo Doot for short.  She was the only one though.
I have two beautiful little boys, Owen (8) and Benjamin (4 1/2).  Owen looks a lot like his mommy and Benjamin looks a lot like the Guatemalan smoothy that he is! I almost died having Owen, and will write a bit about that in the blogs, and we adopted Benjamin Ernesto from Guatemala in 2008 . 
I seem to be the oldest one here, clocking in at a massive 43 come this December 21. The winter solstice. Shortest day of the year. Longest night.  I'm sure it means something that I was born at 11:28pm on the winter solstice. I'm not exactly sure what yet.  It does make it very difficult to read horoscopes. For 35 years I thought I was a Sagittarius.  Nope. Elizabeth Wilson ran a much more specific chart for me based on the exact time and place that I was born-I'm a Capricorn! Aha!  Well, then I had some re-evaluating to do! 
Incidentally, I have a strong penchant for the seasons.  If I could, I would do a pagan-like ritual each time one comes around.  As I always forget, I enjoy a seasonal brew instead.  Sam Adams is fabulous. Blue Moon makes delicious seasonal brews, but most recently I've discovered seasonal brews by New Belgium brewing company (Fat Tire).  Their winter "2 Below" is scrumpdilicious!
I don't operate on a normal calendar year.  It's Holly year.  It runs from 10/1-9/30.  I just started it this year.  We are currently in HY2012.  HY2010 SUCKED ROCKS and I'm happy to report it's over.  During HY2010 I experienced a true triple axis of evil.  First is a private matter and as this is public, I can't share. Email me privately if you want to know.  (or, wait till the book comes out). Second, is that I am now divorced. Final in May 2010. I'm sorry if you're just now finding this out, but I didn't have the energy to tell everyone personally. I tried.  Third, is that I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in June 2010. I completed six chemotherapy treatments by October 2010 and am in complete remission. BooYah!
HY2011 was shaping up to be pretty groovy, but a late in the "year" surprise put a damper on that. I was diagnosed with early stage Breast Cancer. I had two surgeries to get the lump. Known as a lumpectomy. Followed by 6 1/2 weeks of radiation. All done now and looking forward to what HY2012 might hold.  Or...should I be? No, I am....it'll be good.
There are lessons to be had in the rocking and shattering of foundations and creativity to discover. My COFFEE project in HY2011 was to embark on a 12-week spiritual journey to higher creativity through the Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.  I have never thought about myself as an artist before, or for that matter, very creative. I learned so much last year....though I only made it through 7 chapters and only went on a couple of my "artist's dates".  I want to try again.  This time, I will give myself 1/2 a month to do one chapter. Essentially taking 6-months to do the whole course. 
I look forward to continuing this journey with you, my dear, dear COFFEE Mates!  

A Poem by Rumi:
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
      Where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.