Yard Work and other forms of marital bondage...er...bonding...

Like many married couples,
My husband and I can get on each other's nerves.
He's so....
And I'm so.....
So we bother each other.
We typically cannot do projects around the house together.
We work differently...
Translate: wrong
He does things the wrong way.
He claims I do them the wrong way...
When he claims that, he says: "There are 100 ways to do something, 99 of which aren't your way..."
But that saying doesn't apply to his way...hmmmm...
So that's where we part ways...
BUT.
Yard work is a completely different thing...
Maybe it's the fresh air...
the singing birds...
the sun on our backs...
But we work together beautifully.
We agree.
We compromise.
We are less critical.
We find solutions.
And we make beautiful landscapes together.

Today marks the end of a big honking yard project.
We had to replace our septic sand filter last fall.
The back yard was torn to bits.
Then we put in a sprinkler system.
The front yard joined in the fun!
The yard has been torn up for months...
and months.
We've worked on the yard all spring...
planting flowers...
planting the garden...
spreading beauty bark...
laying stepping stones...
re-edging flower beds...
Today, the grass was hydroseeded...
We have lawn hope.
It is good.
Not only because grass is good...
But because it's good to work together.
To reap the rewards of unity.
Even if we disagree on how to organize a closet...
or what constitutes tidy...
or who takes out the trash...
Our yard is a testament to the possibilities...
and the joys of marital bondage...er....bonding.

Colossians 3:14
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Driving Mr. Alexander...

I'm a driver today...
My husband is having another colonoscopy...
He's in a high risk group since his family has a colon cancer history.
He's all good...no worries...thanks for asking.
So, I'm in the waiting room, an obedient driver...
"Don't leave the building." the receptionist tells me.
Which leads me to...
Nothing is more tempting to do as something you are told you can't do.
I want to leave the building just for the sake of leaving.
I need to go to the bank.
On a normal day, I might put it off.
Today I cannot wait to go.
Part of me thinks I may just do it.
The other part is saying "What if...?" and conjures up all sorts of scenarios.
It's the old angel and devil on my shoulders situation.
So here I sit...
Arguing with me...
Asking myself if I'm hungry...
Assuming the cafeteria won't have anything I would like...
Trader Joe's is just a half mile away.
They have super yummy snacks.
I have a granola bar in my purse but...
It's a beautiful day, a walk would be nice...
I check my email for the 3rd time.
I love to people watch so I look around the small waiting room.
The guy sitting across from me isn't reading or watching TV or anything.
He's just looking around.
For the last 15 minutes...
I wonder what he's thinking about.
He looks like he'd be thinking about fishing or hunting.
He's wearing a duck hunting hat...maybe it's a Duck Dynasty hat...he must be a fan.
A lady reads for a while and watches TV for a while...she's multi-tasking.
It's just the 3 of us here...waiting...
A slow colonoscopy day apparently.
I am antsy...
I can get a pager and walk around the hospital...
But I really don't like hospitals.
Except when a baby is born.
But other than that, yuk.
I resign myself to staying in the building.
Maybe I'll go to the cafeteria and get a drink...
I'll plan my drive home...
I'll need to run by the bank...
And to a restaurant to get my very hungry husband something to eat!
Poor guy.
I think I got the better end of this deal...
No pun intended.

Fiction...The Cure For "Timely Comeback Disorder"

Have you ever been faced with a situation where...
You need a comeback VERY quickly?
As the other person spoke you felt that familiar feeling...
Where your mind empties completely just as the other person ends the sentence...
and...
nothing...
For a good solid minute...or two...or five...or perhaps 24 hours...or a week...depending on the situation and relationship...
yeah, me too...
It's called "Timely Comeback Disorder"
or
"Untimely Brain Death"
or
"Duh-itis"
At least that's what I call it.
If you suffer from this syndrome...know that you are not alone.
There are many of us out there looking lame while the other person stares, satisfied with their ability to baffle...to render us dumb...if only for a moment...or two...or...well, you know the deal.
This is why I like to write fiction.
None of my characters suffer from an inability to know what to say next.
I have all the time in the world to figure it out for them.
And the person issuing the comment deserving of a quick comeback can be reduced to dust with immediate and clever rhetoric.
For someone who can rarely retort quickly and effectively, fiction is a Godsend.
Maybe writing fiction will lessen my affinity for TRYING to say something too quickly,
Have you noticed that when we TRY to be clever in a retort, the FIRST thing we think of is the LAST thing we should ever say...
Which leads me to...
I don't know about you, but I often suffer from foot IN mouth disease. (not to be confused with hoof and mouth disease)
Sometimes, ok, a lot of times, I say things off the top of my head that should have stayed inside my head, locked up, never to be uttered.
But no...
Leave it to me...
I say them.
Then I regret them.
Sometimes I beat myself up about what I've said...
So exhausting...
But fiction, oh fiction...
It is forgiving...
I can hit delete and the stupid dialog disappears...
My characters character remains in tact.
Her motives are not questioned.
She does not beat herself up.
She ALWAYS says just what she should...
mind you...
Sometimes I make her say the wrong thing...
But only when I want her to...
I can always write it to work out perfectly, no harm no foul.
Yes, It's satisfying writing fiction...
Having hindsight and foresight all at once...
Being somewhat omniscient even if it's only pretend...
And then I get stuck because...
In reality, I'm still not good at comebacks.
I have to take a break, mull over what my protagonist just said...how dare they!
I give myself some time...
and there it is...five minutes later, an hour later, the next day...
The perfect comeback...
And I can write it like it flowed off the tongue without missing a beat!
And no one is the wiser...

On Succulents...and overkill...

 Ooooooh.....I am loving succulents this year!

They're so pretty.  

So odd.

They have gorgeous flowers...and beautiful foliage.

They're hard to kill.

Not that I would try but...

I could be convicted in the murder of many plants...

Not pre-meditated, mind you.

Inasmuch as I love them...I've stopped short of making a succulent wall.

Honestly, who needs that?

If you don't know what I'm talking about, look on Pinterest.  

I blame Pinterest for this obsession, by the way...

Several varieties in different colors and shades look AWESOME planted together...

just look at them...

they're BEAUTIFUL!

 This is a little succulent garden I started by the back porch...hopefully it will fill in nicely...

There are upcycled pots of every kind filled with succulents all around my home...have I mentioned that I went a little crazy this year?

 I love this hanging copper pot...a garage sale find...

This is by my front door...my friend made me the hypertufa pot with succulents...come to think of it, it may be partially her fault that I'm so in love with succulents now...she certainly got the ball rolling!  :)

LOVE galvanized metal with succulents...

These empty "pots" are waiting to be filled...and oh they will be...maybe I'll wait until some of my succulents outgrow their current homes...and divide them or propagate them from cuttings...I think that would be wise...

This beauty (a vintage tin jello mold) is in my kitchen window (don't notice the dirty window please...thank you kindly)... the plants have nearly doubled in size in the 2 weeks it's been there!
The succulent lady at the farmers market told me I was suffocating them by keeping them indoors...if you know that to be true, please confirm it with me...I googled it and I couldn't find anything that supported that claim... Lord knows, I don't want to hurt them!

For Northwest folks, Fred Meyer has an incredible selection of reasonably priced succulents...and so does Bark and Garden in west Olympia...a tip just in case you've caught my succulent fever...
if loving them is wrong, I don't wanna be right!

The Seats of Our Pants Took Off Flying...

I am spontaneous.

My husband is generally NOT.  (My spontaneity tends to drive him a little nuts...)

He had planned to take a day off...

We were talking about what we should do, the weather was going to be FABULOUS...

Should we go to Portland to shop?  (on a sunny day, are you nuts?) or go to the beach? (drive 2 1/2 hours to our favorite Oregon beach - Cannon Beach - and home in one day while the sun is shining seems a little bit dumb to me).  

"Why don't we leave tonight?" I suggested.

"Maybe we should just stay home" he countered.

"What just happened?" I asked.

"I don't know....." he replied.

We went home and he disappeared...to make some calls...to motels...(he was going to be spontaneous, but only if we wouldn't end up sleeping in the car!)

He re-appeared.  "Let's get packed and go!" he announced.

That was all I needed...that and to throw some scratch to the chickens since they wouldn't get any in the morning...

We threw clothes in a bag and left.  

He seemed a little dazed at first and then he felt FUN...I like it when my husband feels FUN!

We stayed in a rather sketch motel...

FYI, there is a HUGE difference between the two Shilo Inns in Seaside...HUGE.  The one that's not right on the beach is older and not updated.  It still uses KEYS...yes, METAL KEYS.  And the rooms are a little bit....well...let's just say bedbugs crossed my mind and I had to choose not to worry.  All was fine.  We were in Seaside and that's all that matters!

We got up and headed to Cannon Beach to catch low tide.

Turns out, it was nesting season and Haystack Rock was a hubbub of several bird species sitting and flying and swooping...

And there were nesting PUFFINS...there were Puffins EVERYWHERE...however, this is the only photo I was able to get...because they were far away or hidden in the crevices of the rock and vegetation.  They'd fly out and circle around and back to their nest...it was very cool...

The tide pools were incredible...the COLORS of the sea life....SO beautiful!  I stuck my finger in some sea anemones...how could I resist?

This is our attempt at being cute.  My shadow appears to be pregnant...for the record, I am NOT pregnant.  Holy heck, can you even imagine?  Oh the humanity!  

                                      

This was my attempt at a "selfie" with haystack rock.  Haystack rock is being played by Alex's head in this photo...fortunately, there are no birds nesting in or on his head...

After a morning of ocean breezes, crashing waves and general seaside euphoria... 

We drove down the coast to Tillamook...

Alex:  Let's go to Tillamook!

Me:  YES!  Ice cream!

Alex:  Oh, you want ice cream?

Me:  Is there any other reason to go to Tillamook?

Alex:  I guess not.

Me:  *Eye roll*

We had ice cream for lunch...yes, just ice cream.  

We saw this beautiful sight along the way...It truly couldn't have been a more beautiful day...it's not even remotely possible...

Later that afternoon, we made our way to Portland to do a little shoppin' on the way home.  We kept seeing fields of vivid fuchsia flowers...we finally stopped to see what they were...  drum roll.....clover.  

Could have knocked me over with a feather.  I had no idea clover was a crop.  

When I got home I googled it.  Apparently, it's a rich source of nitrogen.  Used as a cover crop, it's grown to sell as a natural fertilizer to farmers in the midwest.  

There were lots of bees in the flowers so we assumed it was used for honey production...

And I'm sure it is...and gosh, it's just beautiful too!

It was fun to fly by the seat of our pants, drop everything and go!

The "order gods" did not smite us.
We had so much fun being together and deciding what to do as we went...
Because unlike the Puffins',
Our nest is empty...

Mother's Day Shenanigans...

Mother's Day is one of my favorite days...

Probably because I'm a mom.

And on that day I do not have to do dishes...

or laundry...

I get to celebrate my mom...

and other very special moms...

and grandmoms...this is my sister-in-law with her newest grandson...
(she has grandma superpowers for quieting crying babies...it's quite amazing really)

and great grandmoms...(that's my mom)

 and I got to Skype my two far-away kids...whom I miss terribly...

and my sister and I got to be great, superior, fabulous aunts and hold squishy adorable baby Ace...

 And then there was the cupcake contest...we are a competitive bunch.  Have I mentioned that I won the mac and cheese competition...hands down...a few years ago?  I did.

I did not, however, take home this beauty that I made for the winner of the cupcake contest...

it would have looked so good in my kitchen...

As you can see, the competition was formidable...in case you're interested, I made angel food cupcakes with lemon curd filling and blueberry whipped frosting....

I thought I had it in the bag...

unfortunately, Cathrine's cheesecake cupcakes, artistically decorated, and, I digress, incredibly tasty, won the competition hands down.

This is me being a good sport...

So Mother's day 2014 is history and we've decided that our next competition will be something savory...perhaps appetizers...because we were all sick by the time we'd tasted all of the cupcakes and everyone knows you have to taste them all!  If our mother taught us anything it was to be polite!

Hope your Mother's day was fun too!

More Heart...Less Attack

My daughter and I went to a NeedtoBreathe concert on Saturday night...the lighting was weird and we look very pink in the photo...it's sort of cool I think!

oh my holy freakin' goodness that was a good concert!
We sat in the balcony.
That proved to be an excellent choice.
The main floor was wall to wall people...
standing room only...
hot, sweaty, high-heeled, phone raising, screaming people...
I'm too old for that kind of togetherness.
Mostly, I was worried I'd get stepped on.
I have big feet so it happens easily in less crowded situations...
imagine the odds in that sort of scenario!
So the show starts...
it rocked...HARD!
I had perma-smile...
My hands hurt from all the clapping...
I sang...loud...and not well...
but it didn't matter because the music was louder.
I danced in my seat...
No one in the balcony was standing...
A blessing and a curse...
There are only so many moves you can do while sitting before you start bothering your neighbor.
We danced every one of those moves.
They played my favorite songs...my very favorite ones...
I almost teared up when they played "Keep your eyes open"...
I learned to run by pushing repeat on my iPod when I felt like quitting...
I've heard that song one million times...
It was heaven to see it played live.
They played for nearly two hours and when they came back for a second encore,
They played "More Heart, Less Attack".
It was quiet and beautiful and convicting...
Here are the words...

Be the light in the crack
Be the one that's been there on the camel's back
Slow to anger, quick to laugh
Be more heart and less attack

Be the wheels not the track
Be the wanderer that's coming back
Leave the past right where it's at
Be more heart and less attack

The more you take the less you have
Cuz it's you in the mirror staring back
Quick to let go, slow to react
Be more heart and less attack

Ever growing steadfast
And if need be the one that's in the gap
Be the never turning back
Twice the heart any man could have

Be the wheels not the track
Be the wanderer that's coming back
Leave the past right where it's at
Be more heart and less attack
Be more heart and less attack
Be more heart and less attack

There's a little more to the song, but that's the gist of it...

The "Amen's" could be heard ringing out from every corner of the venue.

It was a good reminder...

Love must be seasoned with grace...
lots and lots and lots of grace...
God's so perfect at that...
us, not so much.
I'm going to work on that...

Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

I'm In Print!!!

Do you see that?

That's MY name on that page!

Pardon me while I giggle....

It's the first time this has happened...yes, yes, my art was published in a magazine once but THIS, this means more to me than the cover of an art magazine...this is my HEART on a page!  

I'm thrilled.

Here's what the cover looks like...

It's a book of devotionals for the first year of college...

Here's what I wrote:

Sweet Selfishness

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

          “Beware of the three B’s!” we warned our kids before they left for college.  Have you heard of the three B’s?  Chances are, your parents already warned you about them. 

            Booze, Bills and Babes.  The three dream killers.           You’ve heard the lectures about booze and bills.  In a nutshell, don’t drink, and live within your means, but what about those babes?

             Your parents taught you to get along with others, to share, to be helpful, kind and unselfish.  Now you’re living away from home, working toward your goals.  You may not know what your ultimate destination will look like, but you are moving in a forward direction toward success.  You live among friends and perhaps you’ve even met someone special, a “babe”, someone you hope you can build a future with.  You generously and unselfishly give them your time and attention.

            May I suggest that there is a sweet sort of selfishness that is pleasing to God? 

            Stay focused on the plan that’s been set before you, even if you aren’t yet sure of the final destination.  Distractions will come.  Friends and “babes” will try to redirect you.  They’ll entice you with loving promises or dreams they’ve planned for themselves, won’t you join them?  Too often, we decide that God must have sent these people to direct us away from our path, to a better one. Often, though, it’s a detour.  A long, bumpy road around a large messy construction zone that leads right back to the original path.   Much later, you merge onto the same road again, alone, and a little ragged and dusty.

            The college years are a time for sweet selfishness.  This type of selfishness focuses on God and you together, and His plan for your life.  Maybe God’s plan includes another person and a fusion of your dreams.  Stay in close fellowship with the Lord so you will have discernment when distraction comes.  If you are aligned with God’s plan, you will avoid unnecessary detours!


Just an additional little thing....I'm so thankful....truly grateful to God for this affirmation of my huge change of direction...away from a successful artsy fartsy art business and toward the art of writing...  I have no regrets and look forward to where this new road may lead...  

Foul Weather Devotion.

            I was dressed in my team jersey, a plate of essential Super bowl food on my lap and a heart filled with faith that my team would win.  With each touchdown, interception and blocked pass, I jumped up and cheered for the athletes who would bring home the trophy!  That day, I looked like any devoted fan.  I had all of the necessary accouterments and passion to spare.  The truth is, I had only watched three games that season…the games leading up to the Superbowl.  The truth is, I had purchased a shirt the day before the game.  The truth is, I am a fair-weather fan.  Only those closest to me knew my secret.  To everyone else, I appeared to be die-hard.  It was only when the stakes were high that my interest was piqued.

            I’ve done the same thing in my relationship with God.  Life is busy.  I coast along, occasionally opening my bible.  I read a passage, distracted by sounds and activity around me.  I pray when I think of it, maybe as I work in the yard or after I crawl in bed after a busy day, and I fall asleep before I’ve said “amen”.  I rely on attendance at church to boost my confidence in my relationship status with God.

            Then a crisis occurs.  It doesn’t have to be a big crisis…anything that is surprising or inconvenient.  I fall on my knees in prayer.  I search my bible for answers.  The crisis passes.  God is good.   The cycle begins again and I’m back to being a fair or, more accurately, foul weather devotee of God. 

            The difference between faith and football is that I’m not fooling God.  He knows my heart.  He knows that my devotion is sometimes dependent on circumstances.  His Word says that when we draw near to Him we will receive grace and mercy in our time of need.  Drawing near is a daily commitment of acknowledging His presence in my life…talking to Him moment by moment and reading His Word.  It’s not for Him that I do those things, it’s His gift to me. It’s a gift that I receive over and over, day after day.  I have free and total access to the Almighty.  In a world where important people are protected and shielded from the “peasants”, it is amazing that the God of the universe will meet with me personally, whenever I choose…He waits for me…interested…loving me even when I’m distracted from Him.

1 John 2:28 – And now, little children, abide in him so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.