you have arrived

In response to my frustration of what, at times, feels like a continuous life lesson loop, J has often heard me lament, "Will I ever get there?" It's when, once again, the realization hits: "Oh yeah, I remember learning about this trust thing (or grace or surrender or peace or.....) before."

On a recent trip, it became clear to J and S, that the perfect souvenir for me would be the above video to play as needed. Consequently, I have put in a request for my own personal GPS system to clip to my waistband programmed to go off every 20 feet or so calmly proclaiming those treasured words "You have arrived."

Thank you, Loves, for the thoughtful gift.

tea-lightful

M hosted her first tea party Friday. She spent hours making invitations, writing lists for games, crafts and menus in preparation for the big day. Being a compulsive list maker, I was very proud of her organization. I was especially blessed, though, to see her gifts and talents emerging. I am a planner but I am not naturally inclined to be hospitable. Just waiting for this little party to begin, my armpits were soaked. M, on the other hand, navigated the preparations with ease and excitement. It could be age and inexperience but I think it is because she is caring, compassionate and giving. Seeing her rosy cheeks and contented face in the rearview mirror after dropping her guest off and a care package to a sick friend filled my mama's heart with joy. She is discovering who she is.

happy valentines day

Our chocolate truffles, red jello and heart shortbread cookies are waiting for tonight's celebration. Can't think of what to make for dinner so maybe we'll just skip it and double up on the truffles!
Have a great day!


S and I put together this garland inspired the one found in Country Home 2/07 issue. Too cute!

new word and correction

February's word: Holy Spirit.
There are needs that I have been knocking on God's door about for months. Lately, I've been wondering if I'm asking for the wrong thing. The other day, God took me here:

Luke 11:1-13

1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." 2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'" 5 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7 "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Teach me to pray, Lord, and fill me til I'm overflowing.

FIT update:
January's word will remain as well. I do have a correction regarding the purchase of size bigger pants: Bad idea. Wearing them for the first time on Saturday to the local art museum, my new size-bigger boot cuts with a little stretch were hanging off my hips and the crotch rapidly approaching my knees by visit's end. My sister's admonition to buy stretch jeans a little tighter ran through my mind as I discretely pulled and tugged to raise them up. I'm back to my old size and things have stabilized.

I'm also still working on the closet 'cause I just haven't had the gumption to pull it together. Bad PMS week but the fog is clearing and a plan of action is appearing on the horizon.

And, creative moments provided much needed diversions throughout the month: A new knitting project, pink and brown valentine scrapbook paper, a trip to the art museum, thrift shop finds for my project stash and a new magazine on card making for inspiration.

fit is the word

Fit into my pants: I cheated and ordered bigger pants. There comes a point where one must accept reality and I was there. My need for new jeans outran my weight loss and so I caved and Kohl's free shipping came to the rescue.













Fit into the closet: Order a bigger closet? The thought did cross my mind. It's looking like this is going to be a multiple day project.










Gardening tennis shoes...a pair for every day of the week (almost). Finding and clearing these alone was half the closet floor! :)

Other feats of FITness:
Still walking! :) Set up my nifty computerized pedometer yesterday to track the miles.
Took my drawing pad to an appt and did a doodle. Ahhhh, relief for my left brain and food for my right.

on the subject of themes...

J celebrated his 45th b-day this past week. S put a post on his blog which, I believe, needs some explanation. We do themed birthdays and this year chose "American Idol" for Papa's extravaganza. As you will see, he was truly a good sport about it. We also collaborated on a project for him that was insprired by a scrapbooking newsletter - "4+5 = 9 Nine Reasons Why We Love You". Taking nine pieces of cardstock, we designed pictures for the front that captured one of nine things we love about J. On the back was a brief explanation of the chosen characteristic. They included: dedication, witty sense of humor, coffee, tickles, and musical ability. It was a fun joint effort which gave us time to reflect on all this awesome man means to us. We love you Papa!!!!

from the beginning, there was a word

My Sistah and I are each choosing a "Word of the Month" to focus on in 2007. To keep my wandering mind moving toward a goal, I usually select a theme for the entire year. I'm looking forward to this new approach, however, for several reasons. One, it will be fun to start fresh every month! I like fresh starts. Two, other than knowing there are alot of decisions to be made over the next few months., I don't know where the Lord is leading me personally this year. I have inclinations but the bottom line keeps coming back to taking one day at a time. A word a month puts flexibility in the picture and will keep me seeking His will, not my agenda. And last, I'm looking forward to exchanging goals and dreams with my sister. She has been a mentor to me and I'm hoping this year I can be a cheerleader for her.

Sooo, the word for January is: FIT as in.....

~FIT into my pants (Keep up the established exercise routine. In November I started consistently exercising in hopes of at least maintaining my weight through the holidays. Thank you Jesus, it worked. And, as a bonus, there are pinholes of light poking through my constant brain fog. Now just to stay the course.....)

~FIT into my closet (Get my closet and the garage in order! UGH!)

~Don’t have a FIT (Manage my emotions instead of letting them manage me)

~FIT in creative breaks. (Creative therapy – fill my tank to build some emotional margin)
(While at the scrapbook store Thursday, I signed up for a 3 hour class on AntiquingTechniques next Tues. Creative break no. 1.)

~Establish a routine that enables me to FIT in creative breaks. (This is a perpetual goal as I'm always falling off and climbing back on this horse! We all do better with routine and it will ease some of the tension I’m feeling and allow for fun! I’m also going back to flying with the Flylady. )

Reflection: I’ve realized, while thinking about this word thing, that I love to make goals, lists, and plans. I’ve decided to embrace that about myself and make as many lists as my heart desires. ;D I’ve also decided to practice grace and not drive/wet noodle myself until each list is conquered. (I do that really well too : / )

The Word of the Month idea evolved from here.

the mystery gift

Bet ya can't guess what this is! We wrapped it so it would be a surprise even though the recipient was with us when the purchase was made. Despite the two month delay, he maintains enthusiasm and so it seemed fitting to disguise the gift and bring it downstairs to further the torture of the wait!

Excitement is running high, boxes are being shaken and guessing is rampant... but nobody's talking. The pat answer to, "So, what's inside the box?" is "A Skillsaw." We adopted this reply when M was little because she tended to be a bit too honest when pumped for information. In order to have some surprises on Christmas morn, every package contained a Skillsaw until opened. It stuck and now, unless you want to hear "Skillsaw", don't even bother asking!

no need to knead

S recently brought home a book from the library titled, "No Need to Knead" and what a find it has been. I love fresh baked artisan breads (and have the bazooba to prove it!) but making them seemed time consuming and intimidating. Not any more. This method uses ONE BOWL, the dough is stirred with a spoon and the overnight refrigerator rising gives it the texture and taste of an expensive store bought loaf. Best thing is the loaf is made without fat! We have enjoyed the first experimental loaves hot out of the oven for lunch the past week and are now tweaking the recipe to incorporate more spelt, less white flour. Yummy, yummy in my tummy.

a chin hair

We made the discovery yesterday - E has his first chin hair. With a mixture of emotions for us all, we welcome this milestone and celebrate this little hair and all it stands for in our newly 14 year old's life.
You're growing up, E!

toys for tots

Yesterday, M and I tagged along with the boys to sort toys for Toys for Tots. It was such a blessing to serve alongside the seasoned volunteers. The number of donations were incredible - hundreds and hundreds of new toys piled 6 feet high generously given by the people of our county.

The gifts arrived at the warehouse in big trash bags by Uhaul truck (5 trucks full!). Our job was to open the bags and distribute the toys to their appropriate age group. It was like Christmas morning! I couldn't help but think about the recipient's beaming face upon receiving the present. Each child will get three gifts plus stocking stuffers.

I came home encouraged and my Christmas cup full. The spirit of giving is alive and well!

a Scottish Christmas

On Monday past, we attended a Scottish Christmas at the Mondavi Center. Wow, what a gorgeous place! Sitting in the nose-bleed section allowed us to take in the building as a whole. The fir used was salvaged from the bottom of lakes in Canada! Other materials included sandstone and bamboo. The unique combination turned a huge room into an elegantly warm arena.

The concert was great. Bonnie Rideout was the featured fiddler and violist. Accompanying her was a Scottish harpist whose accent reminded of us of our dear friend :), an Irish guitarist, a bag piper from Yonkers, N.Y. and a drummer from the Marine Fife and Drum Corp. They played traditional songs dating as far back as the 1500's. It was a beautiful addition to our season and we are reliving the evening with the CD.

heather hair

At our church, we've met the sweetest young lady with the most gorgeous long brown wavy hair. Coming from a family with hair as straight as uncooked spaghetti, M wanted to experience the Heather phenomenon. So last night, while we watched the new "Pirates," I covered her head with little braids. She woke up this morning, removed the rubberbands, and wahlah - instant (almost) Heather Hair!

what's new in Christmas tree design

Thanksgiving weekend all the boxes come down from the rafters and the Christmas season officially begins. First up is the tree. Below is a paragraph E wrote about this year's tree trimming:

It all started a few days after Thanksgiving Day when we were putting up our artificial Christmas tree.

“We’ll need to get a new tree soon,” Mom remarked. “Ours is starting to look rather old.”

After some dialogue on whether to get a new tree this year, S**** suggested, “Why don’t we just set up our tree differently?” I undertook the task and mixed up some of the rows of branches until the tree took on the shape of an hour glass with a pointed top. When my younger sister, M****, came into the room, she looked at the tree, sat down on a nearby chair and started crying.

“It looks hokey!” she sobbed. She retreated to a corner of the room and sulked. We reassembled the tree to its original form so Mikaela wouldn’t be upset for the rest of the season. However, we did take multiple pictures to keep the possibility open for next year.

This is J's "unobstructed view" design.

o Christmas tree

We finally made these too cute cookie trees. I bought the cookie cutter kit years ago and decided the 'perfect time' was NOW! M made them with a little friend one night and the boys constructed theirs the next.

Sugar and Christmas go together at our house (followed by a month of detox in January). The kids make...and eat...their gingerbread houses and cookie trees. Other seasonal treats include See's candy, 3 way tins of popcorn, blintzee with syrup, and of course, Christmas cookie favorites. We sing with gusto, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

fire and slush

11-28-06
The first fire in the fireplace celebrated with toasted marshmellows.
Our fireplace serves as a catalyst for evenings together because it's the only warm place in the house unless you want to go to bed! Who can make the biggest fire, keep it burning the hottest, or start it the fastest are part of the season long Fireplace Olympics.












On the other end of the thermometer we have milk slush. In order to keep up with the high demand of cow juice, we buy bulk and freeze. The freezer is milked at night so the gallon of milk will defrost by breakfast. As you see, that doesn't always happen...especially when the nights are 32 degrees!

past happenings

Every October, my mom would make cupcakes with pumpkins on them for girls club. In keeping with tradition, M made these for homegroup.






In honor of his service to Scouts and his church, John was awarded the God and Service award at the troop's Court of Honor.










Potatoes in the washing machine? Yep. I volunteered to make 90 pounds of mashed red potatoes for our church's Sunday bistro. (What was I thinking?) After spending an hour scrubbing one 10# bag and looking at the 8 remaining bags to be processed, I thought surely there is a better way. I called a friend to brainstorm. We decided the washing machine was a good option. And it was. Put the washer through a couple soapless rinses and then wipe out with a damp cloth, just to be sure. Drop 2-3 bags into the tub, set on gentle and put through a short swishing cycle followed by a rinse and spin. Before boiling, scan the potatoes and cut away any unsitely areas. Glad I discovered this method but don't think I'll be volunteering to make spuds for 200 any time in the near future. (no wonder I don't feel good!)

Our favorite time of year is Operation Shoebox time. Dollar Tree, Walmart, 99cent Store are places to find goodies to fill the boxes. We do alot of shopping during the year as well especially at back-to-school sales when supplies are available for a deal.





Celebration! Last Saturday, S baked this yummy Martha Stewart Apple Pie cake to celebrate the following:

S: two personal victories
E: being loved!
M: found a beloved lost pencil after a few hours of searching
J: raised M's bed to create not only the Princess and the Pea effect, but also more storage in her tiny room.
We needed to fill our joy cups and a celebration seemed to do
the trick!
M's new Princess bed. With our long legs, there are not many opportunities to dangle our feet. Everybody had to give it try.

not vertigo???

I think I've been misdiagnosed. The dizziness and nausea, thankfully, come and go. So what is it then? Hmmm, that remains to be answered. Meanwhile, I'm trying to exercise, deep breathe, avoid chocolate and caffeine, and think happy thoughts (sometimes hard to do when one is avoiding choc/caffeine).

One happy thought is the prospect of next week off of school. Yeeehaaaa! Truly we haven't earned it but oh! do we need it. We'll enjoy a day of Christmas shopping, have a quiet thanksgiving dinner, see Santa Clause 3 and do our traditional weekend-after-Thanksgiving decorating blitz. M has been counting down the days (see picture) and I'm looking forward to pulling out the nativities and spending time in quiet contemplation over the season's meaning.

Another happy thought is my nephew and his wife are having a boy! I truly believe he'll be the most beautiful baby boy ever and look forward to the smells and sounds of an infant in our family again.

vertigo

Nope. Not a word picture this time. Last night I thought I dreamt of spinning carnival rides but it was real. Everytime I'd move my head, whhhheeeeeee, the room spun around like a top. Later today, after waiting an hour to see the nurse practitioner, it was confirmed I am a dizzy blonde. The cause? Crystals in my inner ear. How long will it last? 4-6 weeks. Any available treatment? Nope. I came home with a prescription for Valium "just in case it gets really bad," a recommendation for over the counter Dramamine for the nausea, and advice not to move my head quickly. I've had this before and hope it will be of short duration. Meanwhile, I'm buckling in for the ride!

bungee jumper

We are frantically pulling together early action college applications. Like most experiences this year, it's a mixed bag of emotions. My babe is growing up. I think he's feeling my growing pains as much as I his. Each of us working toward independence in such opposing ways: I letting go from protecting, he letting go from being protected.

The visual for this one is the bungee jumper - first the free fall (yes! I've let go!) then boing, jerked back to holding on for dear life (God, protect my baby), followed by another free fall.
No wonder my neck hurts!