Now the monkey comes out of the sleeve!

I love living here in America, love it even more since last November.
I think I come across as pretty authentically American, being a (PTA)mom, wife and entrepreneur, baking cookies, stressing over Christmas shopping, etc. I even speak English with my kids and do so without any noticeable accent (so I am told..).!
I do miss my family and friends who still live in Holland and realize that I have pretty much left Dutch Ymke with them. Ever since our daughter traded her Dutch for English as a Kindergartner, Dutch Ymke has gradually moved back to her homeland, riding her bike, sailing the lakes and celebrating Sinterklaas. Only when my friends and family come to visit us here, parts of her pop up: All of a sudden I'll speak with a Dutch accent and and will say things that make no sense to the American ear... My husband affectionately calls it DEnglish and as a tribute to Dutch Ymke and her family and friends, I'll share it here with you!
The following are a few expressions. You can figure out what they mean and share your ideas through the comment section. Their American counterparts will be posted at a later date...

1. Now the monkey comes out of the sleeve!
2. The bullet is through the church
3. Little house, little tree, little animal
4. I am home from all the markets!
5. He's the best horse in the stable...
6. She's lifted over the horse
7. Stop taking me in the boat!

I hope you shake your liver!

Be Your Own Boss in San Francisco!

Saturday, September 6, we will be attending the Be Your Own Boss Event in San Francisco. Hosted by Ladies Who Launch, this event gives us a chance to meet, greet and share our experiences in a way only Ladies can...

No grey suits and briefcases there, just inspiration and determination. What a great initiative! I started out with nothing but a good idea. I sure didn't know the first thing about sourcing, importing, webdesign, etc. , Let alone marketing!

Now the time has come for me and others like me, to crawl from behind that laptop and learn a thing or two from (other) strong women who have walked that path before us. Ofcourse we will be showcasing our BearHugs, as there is no better way to explain our business than offering the direct experience of a Hug!

So, if you too want to step outside the box and make your dream a reality, grow your business, or just come get connected and inspired, don't hesitate to sign up -it'll be worth it!

The Ladies have graciously offered a discount of 15% if you use the code: YMKE when registering for the event.

What's stopping you...Be your Own Boss!

Click here to register.

Click here for details of the event.

Click here for directions.

For more information about Ladies Who Launch, visite their website at: ladieswholaunch.com

BearHugs at Bears, Buddies & Toys!

Our BearHugs have found a place to call 'home'.

Strolling through the Westlake mall in Daly City, I spotted a sign directing me to a new toy store.

As soon as I entered Bears, Buddies & Toys, I felt an invitation into that magical imaginary world, usually reserved only for children. This place has it all: right by the entrance you are greeted by adorable bundles of joy, waiting in the 'nursery' to be 'adopted' (ceremoniously, ofcourse) and loved forever by some lucky kid. Next to them you will discover little, life like cats curled up in an afternoon nap. There is a dress-up spot and a book room, complete with a reading chair on a pedestal. For hosting those perfect parties, the store offers a pirate ship and a throne room and even allows kids to stuff their own bear! And I haven't even started on the variety of merchandise: a perfect mixture of 'olden days' and the latest and greatest, starting at $.99.

Bears, Buddies & Toys' product line now includes our very own BearHugs and we could not be happier!
Whenever you're in the neighborhood, please stop by and visit this store, aside from finding that perfect gift, it's an experience you and your kids will enjoy!

The owners, Will and Teresa Maushardt offer two store locations:

Daly City
The Shops on Lake Merced Blvd (on the Lake Merced Blvd Side)
482 Westlake Center, Daly City, CA 94015
Phone: 650-992-3000

Rohnert Park
6285 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Phone: 707-206-0111

You can visit Bears, buddies & Toys on the internet at bearsbuddiesntoys.com

The Hug Therapy Book

Guess who walked into my guest house...
A joy from the past, a blessing and renewed friend.
In the 80s I came across and owned a Dutch copy of 'the Hug Therapy Book'.
I loved it!
It was simple, quirky, lovely and carried a great message -hugging is free, readily available and good for you! It was especially great for me at that time, since hugging -just 'cause- was not a very socially common thing to do in Holland, and I felt vindicated by the book.

Last week, a -belated- Christmas card came in the mail from Holland. Inside my friend's card was a new Dutch copy of 'the Hug Therapy Book'.
How cool that it has crossed my path again!
Especially now that my business is about Hugs!
My wish is to get the word out about this book and carry it on the BearHugs website. It is still very contemporary, touching and necessary in today's detached society!

The author, Kathleen Keating is currently working on a book concerning the world's food distribution. She is wonderfully talented and an inspiration! Please check out her site at: http://www.bykathleenkeating.com/

The Guest House (Rumi)

This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be cleaning you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Rumi

Cleaning House

It's so funny what we get used to.
Our house is a big mess, but we don't really notice.
Only when someone new visits, do we realize in what state our living space is.. How does it get that way?
I guess the trick to unnoticed breakdown is the speed in which it happens. Sudden changes shock us and make us feel we need to do something about it right away. Ok, maybe tomorrow because right now we are doing something already (...). It's the slow, sneaky gradual disintegration that happens without being noticed.

That is, until it reaches a certain level that it grabs our attention and forces us to face reality.
This happens usually when I'm in the middle of letting someone into our house. All of a sudden I see the boxes in the hallway, the dust on the stairs, and the mess in the kitchen. Where did all that come from?? It wasn't there before...was it??
The biggest catalyst, however, is always a house guest. My brother and his family are coming in 1 1/2 weeks, and suddenly I see our house in a more realistic light... Instead of feeling excited anticipation (I haven't seen them in almost two years), I find myself worrying about the state of disrepair our house is in! Not good, I am sure they are not coming for my house!

This time however, I've decided to take the awareness my brother unwittingly sends ahead, and spruce up the house for myself, rather than for appearances sake. I am finding so much joy in this change of attitude and new creative energy in re-organizing, cleaning and painting our living space.

It usually takes someone else to become aware of our pitfalls, and all we should feel is gratitude for the 'heads up'. Rumi's 'Guest House' says it all.

Am I still just talking about my house??

Creative spark?

With all the hustle and bustle of parenthood, marriage and work, I find it hard to sit down and be creative. Sure, parenting is inherently creative, life too for that matter, but I am talking about painting a pretty or even inspired picture, or scultping something beautiful. In other words, firing up that creative spark and manifesting something yet unseen. I have never had any trouble copying something that's already there, but manifesting something new?? How does that work, finding the spark? Does anyone have a tried method they could share? My friend Anna is offering a 'Creative Night Out' at her art gallery. What a great idea!
Being around other adults in a creative atmosphere is sure to fan the flame...
Here's the information:

Get in touch with you imagination
Join us for the Creative Night Out
Dig in your closet and look through the scrap book for that forgotten art project.
Bring it over or get inspired for a new one at the Creative Night Out.
Ever wanted to do more creative projects or art?
These monthly evening events are designed to inspire and bring out your creativity.
Get away from the daily hustle and bustle in the casual and supportive setting at Rozanoff Art.
Whether you are writing, painting, designing, sculpting – any creative process stimulates our senses and our minds. It gives us back the energy and self-confidence.
Our lives become faster every year and we spend less and less time relaxing and getting in touch with our inner selves. Allow yourself to let go and regain your spiritual well-being through creative process.

Have a glass of wine to unwind or a cup of tea with chocolate to stimulate your senses. Unleash your imagination and have fun.
Thursday, April 17, 6-9PM
@ Rozanoff Art
355, 29 Street
San Francisco
CA 94131
$10 for snacks and supplies
RSVP by April 12 if you plan to attend
Please let me know if you need any materials for your project, or come and get inspired by a new idea!

Anna Efanova
Oil paintings
http://www.nal.net

Hugs in Heaven

Last year, I sent a BearHug to my adopted niece, Bismita, in Nepal. She is our daughter’s age. She loved her Hug! This morning, I heard the most touching story… A few months ago, Bismita's great grandmother, who is more that 100 years old, became ill, and was admitted to the local hospital. Bismita had given her the plush BearHug for comfort to take along and snuggle up in. Sadly, great grandmother passed on a little while later after a full and healthy life, filled with love. As is custom in Nepal, all belongings are taken by the local Lama and spread among the poor…BearHug included! I have never met grandmother, but she sure felt like family. She was loving and loved by all, a lovely, bright spirit that kids and animals intuitively felt drawn to. It is so wonderful to know this beautiful woman enjoyed the Hug, and that now someone, somewhere far away is all snuggled up in this BearHug...
My mother will be visiting Nepal again this Fall, and she will be packing a brand new BearHug for Bismita!