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Evolving Community @ Home
Kitchen use and other household improvements
Date: 11/12/2009 11:20:42 AM ( 15 y ) ... viewed 1098 times
Tuesday night, CHEF JEM
invited to begin a "Convivial Communication
about the Kitchen. We did a major repair
last month, after a burst shut off valve
in the upstairs bathroom caused the celling
undernearh to fall. The repair of the upstairs
bathroom turned into a remodel.
The meeting night brought up various various
decussions about refrigerators and shelving.
I am still seeking permission to upload
the result notes that CHEF JEM conpiled.
I consider the events at our house
a Great Experiment in Cooperative Living.
We here and our whole world have much
to learn from any group of people who
attempt to live together.
These are my notes I will give to the
Community.
8:49 AM
November 12, 09
APOLOGY to HOLDHOLD
I want to apologize to the household
for responding to a call to be elsewhere
Tuesday night during the time we
were beginning our Convivial Conversation
discussions around the kitchen here
at the ENCHANTED GARDEN INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY.
I will be available to engage in this
Convivial Conversation that I sense
will lead to increased understanding
and identify core needs we each have living here.
I intend that this process lead to further
community development.
PACIFIC SYMPOSIUM UPDATE
Once a year I co-create an ENCHANTED GARDEN INSTALLATION
at the auspicious PACIFIC SYMPOSIUM,
an internatiional gathering of those in the healing arts
professions. This conference occurs at the beginning
of my Birthday Month and serves as a tune up
and focusing of energies that trickle down to effect
all that is ongoing here at the house.
I want to thank ANNA and ANGELENE for helping
with the event, to CHEF JEM for help with some of the
preliminary cleaning necessary to do the event,
and for taking care my my food needs during the show.
THis was extraordinary support and made the successes
that were achieved possible.
There were numbers of potential sponsors and alliances
that were made, a number that will enhance the quality of life
we all share here.
Some of these sponsors, through follow up, can create
sources of income for some of our house members who
are seeking funds to make ends meet and pay their bills,
including rent.
I can open doors, and working together, we can
co-create a higher quality of life here.
TUESDAY NIGHT MEETING
I received a brief written report about results
of the meeting from J.M. I want to thank him for this
report.
I have included his report attached here.
I understand that there were many ideas presented
that included replacing the two refrigerators in the kitchen
with a new one. I am very interested in hearing a written
report about this idea.
I hear that there was also input from Paris that the refrigerator
on the right has a broken seal. I am aware that that refrigerator
is in need of a repair, and I will be in touch with the service man
who can do this.
Both the refrigerators in the house were purchased new within
the last ten years or so, and our somewhat energy efficient.
The ones below were bought as used and use up a lot of unnecessary
electricity.
RECENT EXPENSES WITH the UPSTAIRS REMODEL
and KITCHEN
The expenses of repair, and then remodel of both the kitchen
and upstairs bathroom may run as high as $1500.00-$2000.00.
This represents a questimate of about 25% of all funds held in reserve.
There is also a priority of a termite infestation that would require
an additional expense of $2500.00. This would use up an additional
guestimate of another 25% of reserves.
This is the time of year when the property tax and homeowners
insurance are also due. This represents another $2000.00 expense.
I do not anticipate outlaying funds at this time for new refrigerators.
REGARDING SHELVING
I also heard that there are some thoughts about a remodel for
shelving in the kitchen.
I would anticipate that perhaps this is something that Paris
might be invited to take on. He is an extraordinary shopper
and comes up with great ideas that are money saving.
With Paris going out of town now for two weeks beginning
November 13, I would like to see the shelving as we had in the kitchen
reassembled and the kitchen returned to order.
As our kitchen convivial conversations continue. we can
look at other shelving solutions.
EQUITABLE SHARING OF PRESENT KITCHEN SHELVING
I like ADRIANA's inspiration about having the shelves
painted different colors to designate who has what spaces.
The next step would be clearly identified and assessing all the spaces
and who the priority needs of each person who uses active kitchen
and storage space.
EMERGENCY and ADDITIONAL FOOD STORAGE
CONTAINERS CAN GO ON SHELVING IN THE BASEMENT
There is a large shelving area in the basement that was
designated for emergency storage. I want to see that area
returned to usage.
CONSCIOUS USE OF CURRENT SHELVING
IN THE KITCHEN AND HALLWAY
We each need to be stay active with the space we are using,
and make sure we are using the space we are taking.
I am going to reassess and ask for help for the spaces
I am using in the hallway. I know I can use less.
DIRECTION OF THE HOUSE:
MORE SHARING OF COMMUNITY FOOD ITEMS
AND FOOD GROUP PURCHASES
MORE ITEMS COMING IN TO SHARE
from SPONSORS as we PRACTICE
CONSCIOUSLY LIVING TOGETHER IN HARMONY
I am anticipating the household moving in the direction
of more group purchases and moves that take us in the
direction of higher octaves of cooperative sharing and
food sharing.
As we achieve some of these goals, We will need less
individual storage space.
We currently can get some of the highest quality fresh foods
available from the local organic farmers.
Local and organic is the direction of the household
to be in accord with ENCHANTED GARDEN INTENTIONAL LIVING.
All of this will require increased need to
practice good communication and cooperative living skills.
I feel CHEF JEM has much to offer in this area,
as does Scott and others, as they wish to participate.
VEGETARIAN HOUSEHOLD?
I want to underscore and clarify:
The underlying principle here is for residents
to increasing self care and eat a high standard of
food, whole, pure, natural, organic.
The intent was to have one kitchen space available
for vegetarian cooking, and for a good percent of
individual diet choice to be plant based high quality food.
It also needs to be understood that the higher octave here
is for residents on various diets to live together in harmony,
realizing we each have individual body types and needs.
There is much to learn currently from sharing food ideas
with CHEF JEM about the NOURISHING TRADTIONS lifestyle.
All this is an oncoming convivial converstation that asks
to be advanced.
There needs to be sensitivity around odors,
and yet being a vegetarian is not one of the underlying
principles here.
The ideal I am seeking here is the a person on a vegan diet,
a vegetarian diet, and a pasture fed animal based diet can
living together.
The model to be studied is that of Dr. BERNARD JENSEN
as well as the Essene WHOISTIC HEALING MODEL. Even
the Essene Model has room for animal food as medicine.
How we work out the details of increasing food harmony
is one more learning opportunity here.
HOT WATER USE and WISE USE OF WATER
Adriana helped make some adjustments to the automatic
watering system a few months ago. Thank you.
Even with these adjustments, there can major improvement
in the use of our outdoor watering cutting out waste.
Regarding the limits on hot water use inside the house,
This also gives us a chance to exercise our cooperative living
muscle.
I suggest that we determine who specifically needs showering
time at specific times. I am taking fewer showers.
Water challenged citywide are creating great new opportunities
here to learn how to use the valuable water resources we have.
RATES WHEN UP 20% ALREADY AND THEY ARE SCHEDULES
TO GO UP ANOTHER 20% next year.
We are now paying higher amounts for the same amount of water,
and we are required to pay extra money when we use more.
This asks us each to make shifts in the way we use water here.
We are each being asked to become less "Aquaholics" in general
as a city, and in specific model using less water here as a household.
I suggest staggering washing laundry around priority need showering.
Again this will necessity increased investment in our time to
see this organized.
CHEAP RENT HERE?
I want to share an insight.
I do not believe that any of us here are paying cheap rent.
This is one of the most expensive places I have ever lived
energetically. The given is that we are each trading our valued
time and resources rather than paying out dollars.
We each need to enter into Convivial Conversation and take
time to figure out better infrastructures for understanding
truly what it takes to live here at a higher quality of life standard.
THE WORK OPTION and EVERY DAY CLEANUP
Each person here has had the choice to pay a lower rent
and or do 12 hours of work valued at $10.00 an hour, up to
$120.00 a month. These funds have allowed us to pay for
8 hours a month of MARCIA's time. On top of this 12 hour
option, we each need to do what has been called Everyday cleanup.
This also asks investment of individual time beyond the 12 hours.
LIVING HERE also NECESSITATES a YEARNING
and CONSCIOUS DESIRE TO MAINTAIN the GARDEN AREAS
To be in harmony with the MISSION and PURPOSE
of THE ENCHANTED GARDEN INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY,
each person living here needs to recognize the value
of tending plants and wanting to work the garden as
a spiritual as well personal growth oppotunity.
I WILL BEGIN OFFERING A SERIES
of CLASSES on ENCHANTED GARDEN INTENTIONAL
LIVING THIS FALL or IN THE WINTER.
It is essential that those who anticipate living here
understand what the investment is being made,
on my part to hold this property.
ANTICIPATED CONVERSATION WITH THE OTHER
CO-OWNERS
There are also conversations that will be taking place
in the weeks and months ahead regarding how
Sanda can recoup her investment here.
I see a plan for incrementally increasing my ownership
percentage. I am open to others who are in alignment
with the ideals buying in. It is clear that those who
live here are being asked to increase personally in
"super ripeness" so to speak, and anticipate a need
to find ways to receive more funds to pay anticipated
increases in rents and/or the need for greater investment
of personal time.
We have never been in a period of greater opportunity
to work together to bring in such funds with new
opportunities now on the table and ready to be
shared.
I would not anticipate funds for remodeling coming
in any sizeable extent from the other co-owners, who
have been patiently waiting for funds that they have
invested here to be used for other purposes in their life
plan.
There are conversations that can happen around this topic,
and I am very open to positive ideas.
REGARDING RECORD KEEPING
To fully take advantage of the opportunities that are now
coming to the table, I am going to take steps to create
a turn more and more of the responsibilty for maintaining
individual bank accounts over to others.
I now have new computers that can allow for sharing
of financial information. There is no reason why others
who choose to live here cannot maintain the paying
out of utility bills and the balance of supplies that are
needed.
The amount of electicity, gas, water, and supplies we use
can be a simple balance sheet in the hands of one community
member who will be asked to take this on.
COMING OUT OF HIDING
I made an commitment in discussions last year
to take this community "out of hiding."
We are both moving in the direction of being in sync
with city codes as well as having city codes
adjustment to allow for requirements that
make sustainable community living possible.
In recent months, new laws have come into play
regarding greywater. Once outlawed, our laundry
use of greywater is now legal. It is up for us to
catch up and make sure our greywater system is
working and that through the winter, we are
catching the water that comes from rain.
URGENT: TAKE OUR ADDRESS OFF THE WEB
I want to respond to the note by one of our
members N, regarding the urgency to make sure
our address is not on the web.
I see the accuracy of this statement,
both in publlc records, as well as images
published by real estate companies,
as well as on the web site for the
Fellowship for Intentional Living,
and other places.
This as well is something to
look at in. I am grateful
that we live in a protected environment
to some extent, where forces
on nature bless that we are here,
and our about moving in the direction
of more and more cooperative living.
I look forward to understanding more
deeply the concerns around this.
SHIFTING RENTAL STRUCTURES
I sense that to meet the needs and committment
of current residents and well as to open the
pathway to success, The Dome will become
shared community Space.
I see this alllowing for a long anticipated
music room, as well as a site that will be known
far and wide as the location--the set--where the
ENCHANTED GARDEN and its members issues TV messages.
Taking the Dome out of personal rental,
will mean a higher shared rent for all.
That is how I see it now.
WHO WILL BE LIVING HERE
COME SPRING?
I anticipate some shifts in who will be living here
after March 1.
I see this as positive shifts good for all.
The tenor is one of graduation of a job well done,
and making space for new life.
The anticipated shifts in abundance that is necessary
and being called forth now, ask that each person
living here consciously desire to live in
the ENCHANTED GARDEN INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY.
I would like each person living here to come into
conscious relationship with THE words expressed
in a few the foundational messages
expressed in this part of our vision statement:
Through flowers,
live herbs,
and whole foods
present
and circulating
through our daily lives,
we can help the world grow healthy
and beautiful
from the ground up.
The Earth,
through our own hands,
very close to home,
beginning in our own backyard,
can become an enchanted Garden.
There are no shortage of individuals who were born
to live here, and who are waiting for others to graduate.
It is by grace that we have all been drawn together now.
I want to applaud you all for taking proactive regarding the
kitchen.
The kitchen as well as the garden deserves to be
a beautiful and functional place,
a healing temple where each of us
can create health through food,
and the delights of working with food.
I know we can take more steps toward this goal
in the months ahead.
It is for each of us who live here now to fully gain from
the experience and benefit of being so individual.
We are each also asked to recognize that living together
means loving together. As our beloved Angelene says,
we are here to maintain a high vibe.
I know this is humanly possible between all who live
here now, and who, through convivial conversation,
can pave the way for what Mother Earth is asking
from each of us.
Leslie Goldman
Your Enchanted Gardener
November 12, 09
a week from my 62nd birthday
November 19, the beginning
of Enchanted Garden Birthday month.
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