tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31536084776886408762024-02-20T18:31:54.792-08:00HA! MomentsHA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-54854402145211600212016-04-06T12:51:00.001-07:002016-04-06T17:20:33.364-07:00What I Learnt On My Irish Vacation<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio42_Qr8KHwt_Abjz6TNH81ORycSmHt_nPYDjZ3Qk899WlthErW_T2Lf1vtYQ_hSOEVsUbFwW6YDTA5Xt_zrC-1Qy20Vkur-nW733tiT0hUMEAQJXPIErO8qqYkJknACgsw3kAbZ3aqjmp/s1600/10378935_869292219847228_6963711389366650962_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio42_Qr8KHwt_Abjz6TNH81ORycSmHt_nPYDjZ3Qk899WlthErW_T2Lf1vtYQ_hSOEVsUbFwW6YDTA5Xt_zrC-1Qy20Vkur-nW733tiT0hUMEAQJXPIErO8qqYkJknACgsw3kAbZ3aqjmp/s320/10378935_869292219847228_6963711389366650962_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cliffs of Moher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not know what old is…We asked about the
age of a cathedral and the guide said “It’s new, built in the 18<sup>th</sup>
century...” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have trouble immediately knowing your
right from your left, it is exponentially exacerbated when you drive on the left-hand
side of the road and are asked which way to turn next…I said the wrong
direction 1,254 times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irish people are some of the friendliest
people in the whole wide world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not like straight whisky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">5.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do, however, like Irish coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lambs are pure joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m convinced they set the standard for joy
when God first created joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheep run from the sound of a human voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to pay the VAT tax as a
tourist…you can apply to get all taxes paid back to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Half eight” is not four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is 8:30.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irish people eat a lot of “chips”…otherwise
known as french fries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They serve them
with everything…even pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chips are
called crisps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s raining now, it won’t be in a wee
bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Easter Rising for Ireland’s independence was
100 years ago…we went to a centenary celebration and learnt so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An Irish breakfast is heavy on the protein…translation:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so much meat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most Irish children are not chained to
“entertainment”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent several hours
outside (rain and sunshine) at the Easter Rising celebration with many speeches and lots of music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Literally hundreds of children of
all ages played and chased and entertained themselves and we did not see a
tablet or phone filled with games, babysitting a single child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was refreshing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irish people are not afraid to talk to
strangers…they will stop you in the street to chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met a few characters that will most certainly appear in my
writing someday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">16.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Castles are everywhere…in sheep fields, on
the side of a winding road, in the yard of a more modern house…We imagined
people saying, “I have an abandoned castle in my yard, no big deal”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">17.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Irish brogue is beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Irish love America…Americans…all things
American.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">19.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irish people look surprised when you tell
them what a beautiful country they have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I suppose if you’ve lived there forever and have admired photos of other
places, you might forget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Early barrel makers are some of the
hardest-working people on earth…learnt that at the Guiness Storehouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">21.
Irish people love sweets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">22.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not, however, put maple syrup on
their pancakes…and they eat a lot of pancakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">23.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no definable border between Ireland
and Northern Ireland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just
arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can tell you’re there when
the currency changes from Euro to Pound Sterling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">24.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conflicts in Belfast are still brewing right
under the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand it a bit
better after taking a black cab tour around the “troubled” area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was eye-opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">25.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Titanic museum in Belfast is worth every red pence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">We had a fabulous trip...we fell in love with Ireland. We are so thankful to have had the opportunity to visit! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">*Learnt is an Irish/English word for those cringing spelling/grammar nazi's...relax...it's okay... :)</span></div>
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HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-80366665168262227982016-03-01T09:01:00.000-08:002016-03-01T09:02:40.174-08:00Why I'm writing a novel...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmuDZSTIrimyQuMW4LwusKvG7XI_ooFTCfhrcmg1aivOlCMFAXT7rJfIUA0WsxN31qzj4AsBzVprpecOHA1-CnSJh_cRFzSxrjwZdXxxm6CY_MM_2Kb-KK_o5R4W7wryzgDOYwzVDGCQs/s1600/d480d90f684175144091a2a9c02be671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmuDZSTIrimyQuMW4LwusKvG7XI_ooFTCfhrcmg1aivOlCMFAXT7rJfIUA0WsxN31qzj4AsBzVprpecOHA1-CnSJh_cRFzSxrjwZdXxxm6CY_MM_2Kb-KK_o5R4W7wryzgDOYwzVDGCQs/s320/d480d90f684175144091a2a9c02be671.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
John 21:25</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I stumbled upon this verse this morning. And by stumbled upon, I mean I was looking something up and mistook a two for a five and read John 21:25 instead of John 21:22. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This was a blessing to my heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because as I near the end of writing the first rough draft of my novel, I am filling in blanks and finding that some of the threads woven through my story do not answer the question "Why are you writing this?"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Why am I writing a novel titled: The Grace Writers?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because I am a recipient of lavish grace.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because I want others to know the grace that is available to them.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because I want to illustrate (with words) that nobody can out-sin grace.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because I love the Lord so much, I can't keep this knowledge to myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because I love people so much, I can't keep this knowledge to myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
THAT is why I'm writing my (and by my, I mean His) novel.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And then this verse...read by mistake...but exactly what I needed to read.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is why I'm writing...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm writing just <i>one</i> of the books that will tell of <i>some</i> of the things Jesus has done...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>One</i> of the books with <i>some</i> of the things, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because if they were <i>all</i> written down, the whole world would not have room for them. </div>
<span id="goog_2084650318"></span></span></span>HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-74527084747625475842016-01-30T08:56:00.001-08:002016-01-30T09:04:30.273-08:00My Favorite Line From a Movie...(don't judge me...)<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEKc0E0xvFmQdzMM3xf_0NWcStf3SuJ_90p80Y7nqa7lsLErWV5ZZvW6MiJLseTdWnam5ji7IHwbu-s3wR7nxmyzt1_-RfYijfhyphenhyphen6zcYiFCgKj-XWLKzVpwz_F7taBl4G-IPepwgMLq64/s1600/d9feca846cb346e80ac80ed0e338ed85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEKc0E0xvFmQdzMM3xf_0NWcStf3SuJ_90p80Y7nqa7lsLErWV5ZZvW6MiJLseTdWnam5ji7IHwbu-s3wR7nxmyzt1_-RfYijfhyphenhyphen6zcYiFCgKj-XWLKzVpwz_F7taBl4G-IPepwgMLq64/s320/d9feca846cb346e80ac80ed0e338ed85.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">“What
is your favorite line from a movie?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The prompt was given at a writing
class I attended at the community college. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose my line, wrote my essay and then
hesitated to read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As luck, or
rather, misfortune would have it, I was the last to share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone else in the class had profound
quotes from classic movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their quotes had
deep philosophical meaning, intellectual and influential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lines were serious…with political or
moral significance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine was from a
chick flick with little depth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As each
person shared, I wondered how to share my line without appearing goofy or worse, stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I began plotting how to get out of
sharing at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could say I drew a
blank, except others had seen me writing feverishly during the exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was my turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to own
my favorite line and be proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who cares
what anyone else thinks, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so I read:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> "</span>My favorite line from a movie
is:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> '</span>Everyone is Tad Hamilton to
somebody.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A few of my classmates chuckled. I continued:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> "</span>As my kids began dating and thinking
about finding “the one”, we discovered the movie <u>Win a Date With Tad
Hamilton</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a light and breezy way,
the assumption that only the most handsome or beautiful win the girl or guy is
unequivocally blasted to rubble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our hero Pete, is in love with the
unassuming (and beautiful) Rosalee, who wins a date with a movie star, Tad Hamilton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a romance ensues, Pete tries desperately
to win her heart as the virile Tad has only to wink and cause hearts to melt
like butter on a sweet roll.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Whan Rosalee seemingly chooses Tad
forever, Pete seeks the advise of a barmaid who has always flirted with Pete,
pining for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his</i> heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hearing his plight and knowing without a
doubt that she will not win him, she confesses that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pete</i> is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her</i> Tad
Hamilton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pete is surprised and
humbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the line:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everyone is Tad Hamilton to somebody”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her words give him courage and he
runs to Rosalee and declares his love but she rejects him and runs off with the
movie star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All hope seems lost, but as
with all good stories, in the end, Rosalee realizes that the real Tad Hamilton
is all buff and fluff but Pete has been her true love all along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The movie ends with a sappy dance in the
rain, and the confirmation that sometimes the good guy does win the girl." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> When I finished reading, red-faced, I sensed understanding in my classmates. It's a familiar angst. The doubt, the feeling that we're not good enough, the intimidation and finally, hopefully, the realization that we are loved, we are enough, made to be who we are meant to be. After all, it's true, you know..."Everyone is Tad Hamilton to somebody."</span></div>
HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-3721477298850956202015-11-24T10:07:00.003-08:002015-11-24T10:56:46.911-08:00My ABC's of Thankfulness...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsAfoGODgNqS_QYFhEg2lBN2imy3AIdvth3DeBZ73NtcStufeGfUolJDHceexYUgoM0PcwoFQMHUjYB842KS8EajLWcCuUD_lKjAmgN6rlU_DnyyK-I8buKG4Oc8d5ggneMttKzdeYrd7/s1600/ced2b354801715755d89c302084d7f59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsAfoGODgNqS_QYFhEg2lBN2imy3AIdvth3DeBZ73NtcStufeGfUolJDHceexYUgoM0PcwoFQMHUjYB842KS8EajLWcCuUD_lKjAmgN6rlU_DnyyK-I8buKG4Oc8d5ggneMttKzdeYrd7/s320/ced2b354801715755d89c302084d7f59.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thought I'd make a list of some of the things I'm thankful for this year...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">A: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Alex</b>
– For 32 years I’ve known this man of mine and I’m thankful that we’ve
weathered the storms to celebrate our 31<sup>st</sup> Thanksgiving as husband
and wife!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">B: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Belonging </b>– I’m thankful that I
belong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my family, to a church, to my
friends, to a community of writers, to a community of artists, and most
importantly, to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">C:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Christina</b>
– My first-born (by a minute).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so
proud of the woman she has become, the wife, the encourager, the athlete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s an adventurous and creative soul who
loves God with her whole heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">D:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dad</b>
– My dad has had a rough year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His body
is aging and unwell, his mind and spirit are sharper than ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His love and caring doesn’t wane even when
his health does. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">E:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Emily</b>
– My baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a brave and faith-filled
soul whose biggest desire is to serve the Lord with her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She makes me laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s comfortable with all kinds of people
and loves them deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">F: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friendship</b> – What would I do without my
friends, old and new…young and old?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
challenge me, encourage me, stretch my faith and I love them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">G:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Generators</b> – For the first time last week, we experienced the
convenience of having a generator during a power outage and we’re never going
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">H:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Health</b> – I’m thankful for good health…and health challenges…because
both highlight how important life is…how important it is to live our one
precious life to the fullest every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ice
Cream:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>It’s my favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many flavors, so much to love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peanut Butter and Chocolate is my
favorite…wait, no, Cappuccino Chip…no, it’s Rocky Road…never mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s frozen, full of fat and covered in
hot fudge, I’m in love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">J:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jacob</b>
– My first/middle born. He is ambitious and generous and athletic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s so, so smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is just enough crazy to make him a whole
lot of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His faith is important to
him and his love for his family and friends runs deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">K:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kranky
cat</b> – Lola may be cranky, she may embarrass me with her rude behavior to visitors,
she may leave her hair on everything, but she’s sweet…to us…no one else will
ever understand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">L: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ladies</b> – The ladies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love their quirkiness, their stupidity,
their beautiful feathers and their eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They inspire me to be smarter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">M:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mom</b>
– Mom is a rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year she’s
struggled with her own health issues all the while helping Dad wade through his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is an encourager and an real-life example
of how God can make beauty from ashes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">N:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nieces
and Nephews</b> – I have the most incredible nieces and nephews…they make me
laugh and fill my world with fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">O:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Opus </b>–
My opus is my novel…I have fallen in love with imaginary friends and a story
that will be completed, by the end of this year or early 2016.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thankful for the light at the end of a
very long journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">P: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plays</b> – I love plays…the theater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thankful for each and every play I’ve
been privileged to see this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
art of live performance takes my breath away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Quiet</b>
– In my empty nest, there is quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
taken me a while to grow to love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the quiet of being alone…of
being okay with being alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">R:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Roaming</b>
– I love to roam…to travel…to explore new places and see new things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thankful that we are able to roam and
that even though our kids are far from us, we can roam on over to see them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">S:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Siblings</b>
– I love my sister and brother…and their spouses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so thankful that over the years, we’ve
grown closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love them as siblings,
as people and would choose them as friends…they’re amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">T:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
other Jacob (Jake)</b> – I’m thankful for my daughter’s husband Jake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a good man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just fits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">U:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Underserved
favor</b> – Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Underserved favor. I’m
thankful for the grace that has saved me from my sin, given freely to all who
believe in Christ, and the daily grace that I experience both from God and
those around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t deserve
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So thankful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">V:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Visitors</b>
– I love it when people from far away visit…specifically my children, but also
my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so good to hug them,
to catch up, to just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">be</i> with them,
hearing their stories and getting to love on them in person!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">W:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Writing</b>
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taking the thoughts, or stories, or ideas out of my imagination, out of my
heart, and placing them word by word onto paper…or a computer screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s therapy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">X:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Xtra
Shot or Xtra cup</b> – Because a latte isn’t a latte without an extra shot of
espresso…and an extra cup of joe in the morning is just a little bit of heaven.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Y:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Yoga</b>
– I’ve discovered yoga this year…specifically, Yoga with Adrienne (youtube).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She understands that some of us can’t do the
flying eagle upside down dawg where you balance on your pinkie finger while
touching your toes to your nose…and that makes twisting into a pretzel a whole
lot more palatable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Z:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Zzzzzzz</b>
– I’m thankful for the occasional good night’s sleep…because they’re few and
far between (thank you menopause, you dirty rotten #$%*)…so when I’m given the
gift of a good night’s sleep, I’m thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Very thankful.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">What are you thankful for?</span></div>
HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-23135832562409513752015-10-30T10:09:00.000-07:002015-10-30T10:51:59.327-07:00The Conflict of Conflict...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BKbg-zRH2ojvQTxr8umKfP1ehAf8C-H34WE085rQ_Q2HbLlW8RqukZdv5ZY-GRzy5rktrFqDZumnB4ewKl88e7IrE6s1QzNZHZoIysRb95f4bmJMn36BcrtjxkjtQndVWDyMcARASPCP/s1600/cd4e1affd0179943fe515ee79283bca9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BKbg-zRH2ojvQTxr8umKfP1ehAf8C-H34WE085rQ_Q2HbLlW8RqukZdv5ZY-GRzy5rktrFqDZumnB4ewKl88e7IrE6s1QzNZHZoIysRb95f4bmJMn36BcrtjxkjtQndVWDyMcARASPCP/s320/cd4e1affd0179943fe515ee79283bca9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm relatively new to this novel-writing thing.<br />
<div>
Granted, I've always loved writing, but to write a novel has always been something "real" writers do.<br />
Calling myself a writer has always been a struggle.</div>
<div>
I've been writing this novel for about three years now.</div>
<div>
Really, purposefully, creating a story.</div>
<div>
I like my characters very much.</div>
<div>
I love them, actually.</div>
<div>
They're lovable, interesting, fun...</div>
<div>
and boring.</div>
<div>
I loved them so much, I didn't want any harm to come to them.</div>
<div>
That's a problem.</div>
<div>
For the past couple of months, I've been stuck.</div>
<div>
Stuck in the muck of "why isn't this working"?</div>
<div>
I have a map of where my story will go, I like where it ends, but I was taking the long, comfortable route with potty stops and 5-star restaurants along the way. We all like to travel in style, am I right?<br />
First class all the way, baby!</div>
<div>
So I remained stuck.</div>
<div>
No one grew, everyone just moved along enjoying each others company. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then it struck me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Novel writing is a lot like mothering. </div>
<div>
If I protect my children from everything that *might* harm them, their lives will be lived in a cocoon. They won't try anything new because <i>I'm </i>afraid they <i>might</i> get hurt, or worse, get their <i>precious feelings</i> hurt.</div>
<div>
That's no way to parent.</div>
<div>
Kids grow through conflict.</div>
<div>
Kids learn by doing. </div>
<div>
Kids learn through failure...and success. </div>
<div>
They learn who they can trust by putting themselves out there and getting burned.</div>
<div>
They experience loss and learn to cope.</div>
<div>
They drop into an unmarked pit and are forced to find a way to dig themselves out.</div>
<div>
A hovering parent produces a stagnant kid.</div>
<div>
A hovering writer produces a boring book.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So yesterday, I kissed all of my characters on the head and told them I loved them.</div>
<div>
Then I dropped them into a deep, deep hole.</div>
<div>
They all fell in.</div>
<div>
Every single one of them.</div>
<div>
Together, and separately.</div>
<div>
Their fears are swirling around them and they're searching for a way out.</div>
<div>
I have the luxury of knowing what's next for them...mostly.</div>
<div>
I might leave a couple of them in the pit longer than others.</div>
<div>
But as a mother, er...a writer, I know this is for their own good.</div>
<div>
It hurts me to see them like this right now, </div>
<div>
But in a few chapters, I know they'll be better for it.</div>
<div>
They'll suffer...</div>
<div>
They'll heal...</div>
<div>
and they'll grow...</div>
<div>
And their story just got more interesting because conflict is inevitable. We've all been there. And a story, a life without conflict is colorless and barren.</div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3153608477688640876" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3153608477688640876" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-33376111576472548152015-08-29T09:05:00.003-07:002015-08-29T11:55:57.406-07:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I love fall...<br />
I love anticipating fall.<br />
I love back-to-school, which is ironic because I didn't like school when I was a kid.<br />
When school supplies arrived on store shelves a pit would carve itself into my stomach. <br />
When my kids were in school, fall marked the end of summer. <br />
I thoroughly enjoyed having the kids at home all summer. <br />
Summer days were filled with activities, day trips and crafts.<br />
I also enjoyed watching the bus whisk them away at the end of it.<br />
Now that they're grown and gone, I still look forward to fall.<br />
To me, back-to-school is the new year. <br />
Even more than January 1st.<br />
I don't really care about January 1st. But the first day of school, that's when I begin to take stock.<br />
<br />
Maybe it's my love of school supplies.<br />
I always slipped a few things in the cart for myself when the kids were little and now, I have no reason whatsoever to visit the school supplies section. <br />
Why would I set foot in aisles filled with shopping cart jams and whining children?<br />
Because, to me, it's fresher than a farmer's market.<br />
Blank pages...<br />
Fresh pens...<br />
Glue...what will the glue be tasked to do?<br />
Pencils and erasers...they smell so good.<br />
Creativity.<br />
Elements of learning and possibilities of genius.<br />
Mmmmmm...<br />
<br />
I fall clean as well. Some people spring clean...and maybe I should do a deep clean then too, don't judge me.<br />
But I realize that we've been tracking dirt in the house all summer. <br />
I love to garden, so it's an issue.<br />
We will likely be stuck in the house more often during the winter, so I want to make it sparkling clean and pleasantly inhabitable.<br />
So I clean.<br />
<br />
And then there's the typical resolutions of every student:<br />
"This year I will do my best, I will not procrastinate, I will get straight A's."<br />
I'm not attending school, but I'm always learning.<br />
I have things to do.<br />
I want to do them well.<br />
So I vow to myself to focus.<br />
That's my constant resolution:<br />
FOCUS.<br />
I tend to flit from one thing to another.<br />
Not a <i>bad</i> thing, but not terribly effective in finishing projects in a timely manner.<br />
So I resolve to focus.<br />
Every single fall...<br />
This fall is no different...<br />
<br />
Then there's the baking, the pumpkins, the weather, the wind, the rain, the cold...<br />
The cozy clothes.<br />
I just love it all.<br />
<br />
So Happy New Year my friends.<br />
Enjoy the beauty of the season!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-27390857030146629922015-08-25T21:06:00.000-07:002015-08-27T07:17:21.910-07:00Writing Conference Report...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently attended my very first writing conference.<br />
I've been putting it off.<br />
Mostly due to my lack of believing I'm a writer.<br />
And the fact that I haven't finished my novel.<br />
Turns out, that doesn't matter.<br />
I turned in the first 10 pages of my unfinished novel to be reviewed by a couple of agents.<br />
I brought two of my children's books.<br />
I brought several of my devotionals.<br />
And I put my big girl panties on and decided to be brave.<br />
<br />
We arrived and I immediately checked in for the boot camp.<br />
A crash course in social media and establishing your platform...<br />
My platform...<br />
I've never considered a platform something to have...I mean...wow, okay, gotta work on that.<br />
I realized that I have a lot of work to do in addition to actually writing my novel!<br />
Then we dove into the classes and workshops and lunches and dinners and meetings and panels...<br />
It was 3 1/2 days of constant, unending inspiration and information.<br />
I was overwhelmed.<br />
But I learned so very much...<br />
I learned something that will stay with me and shape my writing from this point on.<br />
<br />
Some set up...<br />
My underlying premise for writing is to share my faith. <br />
I want to entertain.<br />
I want to inspire.<br />
I want to provide fun in word form.<br />
Ultimately, though, I want to offer hope...I want to offer the possibility of salvation from hopelessness.<br />
At least I thought I did.<br />
<br />
The first day was a little discouraging.<br />
Between a non-review of my novel manuscript - "Keep going."<br />
I felt discouraged. I wanted something more...even a negative bit of advice...tear it apart...I've never done this, give me something to grasp and learn from...<br />
Nope, I doubt the first agent had even read it.<br />
And, really, I've heard agents don't want to be bothered with unfinished manuscripts, what if it's never finished?<br />
But this was a conference, where people come to learn, so I learned that it's true...it's not worth their time. <br />
Okay.<br />
Then I approached an editor to see if I could pitch a couple of devotionals (a huge risk for me...I don't just approach people...I don't just jump out of proverbial airplanes without a parachute!)<br />
She told me that I had written for the parent and she was looking for parenting advise in dealing with children...not encouragement for parents. <br />
Good to know...no harm, no foul. She was very nice. I didn't lose any blood.<br />
Then we had dinner with an editor.<br />
Editors and agents host tables at these conferences and you sit and eat with them as if they're normal people. (Turns out they are!)<br />
We were going around the table sharing what we like to write and one of the things I shared is that I love to write encouragement for moms...among a host of other subjects.<br />
"Moms don't read" was the editor's reply.<br />
"I did" interjected one woman.<br />
"You're the exception." he replied.<br />
Boom!<br />
He's right, you know. They're busy wiping bottoms and noses!<br />
So the discouragement settled right into my heart. <br />
Maybe this writing gig isn't for me, I thought.<br />
Maybe I'm not meant to be an author.<br />
Maybe I'm not good enough.<br />
<br />
And then we settled in for our keynote address from a pastor in California.<br />
His message:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Write as worship.</i></span><br />
wow.<br />
My heart soaked those three words into its core.<br />
And God spoke to my spirit.<br />
You are not writing for you, you're writing for Me.<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
My heart shifted and discouragement packed its bags and left the building.<br />
Material success and accolades weren't important, joy was what I sought.<br />
The joy comes in writing the words for the glory of my Savior.<br />
So the conference continued into the second day and the third.<br />
I had meetings with editors and sold some devotionals.<br />
I received another review of my novel that offered critique and encouragement.<br />
"Interesting character and the writing is good"<br />
Thank you.<br />
I pitched my children's books and the agent liked them.<br />
My heart was encouraged.<br />
<br />
So, the take-away for me is that when my heart is wholly focussed on the One who gave me every ability that I possess, I will find success. <br />
Success is defined by the amount of joy in my heart, not the dollars in my pocket or my name on the cover of a book.<br />
<br />
*The inspiration I soaked up from that conference has sparked such a flood of words since my return from my vacation. I feared all of the information was dumped somewhere in Yellowstone National Park, but it's still knocking around in my noggin! I'm so thankful for the opportunity to learn from well-known authors and editors. They were so generous with their knowledge and experience. So, so grateful!HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-1588592417631055882015-06-25T06:53:00.000-07:002015-07-03T13:08:03.664-07:00Some Thoughts on Ironing...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaD8FcD39CR45GxW_zR6kmU9zO1iuLrLR6Oi6DHn8NVtwaeXhBflkPWWUI6gaZyON5MFu7THVJ-ue92w1vBtHXOaAeJclvTw8YLo6j2mAO2gSUx7gBWmxeNqePsGZuJalpmypA1pMQlzY/s1600/ironing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaD8FcD39CR45GxW_zR6kmU9zO1iuLrLR6Oi6DHn8NVtwaeXhBflkPWWUI6gaZyON5MFu7THVJ-ue92w1vBtHXOaAeJclvTw8YLo6j2mAO2gSUx7gBWmxeNqePsGZuJalpmypA1pMQlzY/s400/ironing.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© HA! Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Why?<br />
Why would you iron?<br />
One of my greatest skills is my ability to avoid the chore.<br />
Confession time...and this is a true story so please don't judge me...or do...I'm confident in my anti-ironing convictions. <br />
My sister was teaching my daughter to sew (she's the seamstress in the family, every family has one)<br />
And they needed to press a seam before sewing it...or something...<br />
I don't sew so I don't know.<br />
Ironing is part of the reason I don't sew.<br />
But I digress...<br />
She said "Let's heat up the iron so you can press the edge down."<br />
My daughter said, and I quote:<br />
"What's an iron?"<br />
I know you're thinking that she must have been three or four years old at the time and you'd be wrong.<br />
She was probably nine or ten.<br />
Whatever.<br />
So the other day I was pawing through clothes at the Goodwill outlet.<br />
An aside...<br />
If you haven't been to a Goodwill outlet, you simply haven't thrifted. <br />
Period.<br />
So I was sifting through piles of clothes in a bin with my friend when she found a cute blouse and held it up.<br />
It was cute, albeit wrinkled, so I glanced at the label.<br />
Ha! That's what I thought.<br />
"It's linen...you know you're going to have to iron that" I said with a scowl.<br />
And she said "Oh, you're right" and threw it back on the pile.<br />
I loved her just a little bit more...<br />
Then she asked me about ironing.<br />
And I indicated that I'd rather chew on chalk than iron (however I probably said something slightly less dramatic),<br />
Let's just say that my dislike for the chore was conveyed.<br />
She said that she ironed her husband's shirts, which caused me to shudder.<br />
Although I have been known to iron a shirt or two...<br />
Grumpily.<br />
Then I told her that one of the perks of the empty nest was the dry cleaners...<br />
Since we're no longer feeding hoards of teenagers,<br />
We can afford to have my husband's shirts pressed.<br />
It's worth every red cent.<br />
And picking up the plastic-covered smooth shirts is soooo satisfying.<br />
Our dry-cleaning lady knows me well...she has the clothes rack moving around the track as I come through the door.<br />
For the record, I do still iron on occasion...<br />
Usually the occasion involves a major holiday and a tablecloth and a closed dry-cleaners.<br />
But it's fairly rare when a shirt gets ironed in our house.<br />
I'm very careful to buy clothes for myself that do not need ironing,<br />
And my husband has plenty of shirts pressed and ready to go!<br />
My iron enjoys semi-retirement in a cupboard over my washing machine.<br />
Next to a can of starch...circa 1990.<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D3153608477688640876%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D158859241763105588&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-SWv7IwGSi8E%2FVYwHpYf1VcI%2FAAAAAAAABBc%2FnFBhHN-194Q%2Fs400%2Fironing.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=GhRJkzWoXeuQ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 177px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D3153608477688640876%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D158859241763105588&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-SWv7IwGSi8E%2FVYwHpYf1VcI%2FAAAAAAAABBc%2FnFBhHN-194Q%2Fs400%2Fironing.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=GhRJkzWoXeuQ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 177px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-75381400887686355992015-06-23T11:08:00.000-07:002015-06-23T11:08:55.949-07:00Mom-Mode...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
My kids are grown and gone...mostly.<br />
Emily is home for the summer and I love having a "kid" in the house again.<br />
But since she started her summer job, I've noticed that "mom-mode" has kicked in.<br />
She gets up at 5am to get ready for work.<br />
Her quiet stirrings slowly wake me up...<br />
And rather than staying in bed - she certainly doesn't <i>need</i> me to get up,<br />
I get out of bed to chat with her as she eats her breakfast.<br />
I did this when the kids were in high school...long after they needed their mom in the morning.<br />
Maybe they wished I wouldn't get up...but I did.<br />
It's mothering I feel compelled to do even though I'm not doing much of anything...<br />
Except being interested...<br />
And wanting to wish them a good day and send them off with an "I love you!"<br />
<br />
Mom-mode appears in other ways too...<br />
My "teenager" chicks are being picked on by the older hens.<br />
They spend most of their time on one side of the pen...that side changes as the hens move around.<br />
Often quickly.<br />
Squawkingly. (a new word)<br />
It would be funny if it wasn't so mean.<br />
Who knows...maybe the chicks are chirping obscenities at the hens...<br />
Maybe they're disrespectful.<br />
Maybe they deserve to be pecked once in a while<br />
It could be the equivalent of getting your mouth...er...beak washed out with soap.<br />
I don't know.<br />
But mom-mode has kicked in and I peek out the window from time to time to monitor the situation.<br />
Sometimes I go to the pen and scold the hens.<br />
They hear "blah blah blah"<br />
But it makes me feel better.<br />
They often chase after one of the chicks right in front of me!<br />
Spiteful creatures.<br />
<br />
Today mom-mode kicked in when I learned that someone I used to know has lost her daughter.<br />
She found me on social media about a year ago...<br />
We have never been close, but she "friended" me and every now and then I see something she posted. <br />
Nothing out of the ordinary...<br />
Until a few days ago.<br />
Her daughter died unexpectedly of a sudden illness. <br />
That's all the info there was.<br />
She didn't post a thing.<br />
Her close friends were offering their prayers and condolences.<br />
Her daughter was around the same age as my kids.<br />
So when I read it, I went into mom-mode.<br />
My stomach felt punched.<br />
My heart raced.<br />
I imagined what she must be feeling and then I stopped trying to imagine that...<br />
It was too painful and dark.<br />
I prayed for her...that God would wrap His arms around her and fill her with His peace that passes all understanding...<br />
And I posted a lame offering of support.<br />
And a promise to pray.<br />
And I have been praying.<br />
Because that's what moms do...<br />
For their kids and for other moms.<br />
Mom-mode at its finest.<br />
<br />
Mom-mode is uncontrollable and undeniable. <br />
I can't help it.<br />
No mom can.<br />
It's a gift imparted by God to every mother.<br />
In different ways.<br />
At different times.<br />
To share love and protection and comfort with the world.<br />
<br />HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-35232426628229637522015-06-18T06:56:00.001-07:002015-06-23T21:12:29.584-07:00Massacre at Spurgeon Meadows <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
It could be a headline...<br />
Except it won't be.<br />
There was a massacre in my back yard last night.<br />
A bloodbath.<br />
I heard something early in the morning....<br />
Was I dreaming?<br />
It sounds like birds...<br />
"Heather, what is that?"<br />
"Mmmm...I don't know"....<br />
I must be dreaming...<br />
The sounds stopped.....<br />
The sounds began again...<br />
I tossed and turned...not thinking what I heard was odd.<br />
What an annoying noise!<br />
Then I woke up because I realized it was dark and I was hearing birds!<br />
I ran downstairs and flipped on the porch light.<br />
A raccoon ran from my chicken tractor.<br />
It opened the door and helped itself.<br />
I didn't realize they could do that.<br />
There were five teenaged chicks in my tractor when I went to bed.<br />
There are two left.<br />
Two frightened chicks who witnessed the murder of three of their friends.<br />
They were frantic.<br />
There was a headless body by the door...<br />
Feathers strewn about outside the tractor.<br />
The scene of a crime.<br />
My heart broke.<br />
How could I have slept so soundly?<br />
I gathered up the two remaining chicks and put them into the coop with Aretha and Gladys,<br />
Named for their beautiful black feathers and their prolific chatter...<br />
And explained that the little ones had been through a traumatic experience and now is the time to step up to the plate and be nice.<br />
They just sat on the roosting pole scowling about the early wake-up call...<br />
The ruckus hadn't awakened THEM...<br />
I was hoping they would put their feathered wings around the two little traumatized pullets and help them to feel secure.<br />
Nope.<br />
The first sign of scratch and it was all about survival of the biggest.<br />
I'm disappointed in them...but I understand...<br />
They're chickens after all.<br />
And if I've learned anything from being a chicken farmer.<br />
Chickens are not very bright.<br />
So today I'll be a coop monitor...<br />
So far, so good...the little ones are cautious.<br />
The big ones somewhat oblivious.<br />
I can't wait until Aretha starts crowing like a rooster...<br />
Can you imagine?<br />
A traumatic night and then that?<br />
They'll think they're in an episode of the twilight zone.<br />
poor things...<br />
So I'll clean up the crime scene later...after a nap...<br />
gross.<br />
And hopefully, hens don't have the memory of an elephant...<br />
Hopefully they forget things easily.<br />
Like how their farmer slept through a massacre...<br />
Where three of their friends were breakfast for a raccoon.<br />
RIP.HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-90305136065707355392015-06-15T19:41:00.001-07:002015-06-15T19:41:57.671-07:00On Writing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z-otbTDc3ydKvGg7A-ggJWTq28oYNXTfC_pOYEpRBts0sSXgQNOtiBPyRRScsvAJx9Ut82bncgDI49We2yyEmmf5vRQMTbPvdb2Mz-VcpOJTqgliJMyLBROo0xwAqDpv_SqM1W0etZqY/s1600/fa5a1ba3013f2b5644f8829facb250b7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z-otbTDc3ydKvGg7A-ggJWTq28oYNXTfC_pOYEpRBts0sSXgQNOtiBPyRRScsvAJx9Ut82bncgDI49We2yyEmmf5vRQMTbPvdb2Mz-VcpOJTqgliJMyLBROo0xwAqDpv_SqM1W0etZqY/s400/fa5a1ba3013f2b5644f8829facb250b7.jpg" width="343" /></a></div>
I've read several articles by famous authors...<br />
<div>
About their writing process.</div>
<div>
How do they get their novel out of their head onto the paper?</div>
<div>
It seems to be different for everyone.</div>
<div>
From extensive plotting and planning before the writing begins,</div>
<div>
To just flying by the seat of their pants.</div>
<div>
I'm more of a "Let the story tell itself" type of person.</div>
<div>
I have a general idea of where I'm going,</div>
<div>
But as I write, things happen naturally.</div>
<div>
Often what happens is unexpected.</div>
<div>
Sometimes I delete the new idea...</div>
<div>
Sometimes I love it and it changes the direction I was going.</div>
<div>
Sometimes I like it, but it doesn't fit where I put it. </div>
<div>
Maybe that should happen a little later on...</div>
<div>
So I set that part aside to be pasted in another chapter.</div>
<div>
I have found that I like to edit as I go.</div>
<div>
Which is a bad thing.</div>
<div>
And I'm trying to stop that.</div>
<div>
It's not easy. </div>
<div>
I want it to be just right.</div>
<div>
That's not a bad thing.</div>
<div>
But it's not<i> time</i> for that yet!</div>
<div>
I need to get the story onto the paper...</div>
<div>
<i>Then</i> add the details and move things around.</div>
<div>
So I struggle along.</div>
<div>
Learning what my process is...</div>
<div>
With stops and starts and start overs...</div>
<div>
Until I finish...</div>
<div>
Toni Morrison said: "I wrote my first book because I wanted to read it." </div>
<div>
I want to read my book too...</div>
<div>
And that inspires me to keep going!</div>
HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-8030480909628618282015-06-09T07:35:00.001-07:002015-06-09T07:37:25.147-07:00The Case of the Cat in the Morning-Time...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sBAWzWciwgnLvvD4Zf7nCnWoC_dhGMntParQaNR7lLiVNR4ZZ2_gEfNYgBfEPekoPJyMYq0NWIgErioZ_k47B8aEMGIDzRdSBqx0mgr8XpIqIqHTskupBr2wEjMtzrWPnGnGdnunPD2m/s1600/298255_373076529468802_2053298141_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sBAWzWciwgnLvvD4Zf7nCnWoC_dhGMntParQaNR7lLiVNR4ZZ2_gEfNYgBfEPekoPJyMYq0NWIgErioZ_k47B8aEMGIDzRdSBqx0mgr8XpIqIqHTskupBr2wEjMtzrWPnGnGdnunPD2m/s320/298255_373076529468802_2053298141_n.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<br />
My cat, Lola, is a creature of habit.<br />
She is so predictable, I could set my coffeemaker by her...<br />
<br />
I get up at approximately 6am.<br />
As I creak down the stairs...<br />
An aside...can you hear yourself go down the stairs?<br />
I can.<br />
My knees sound like crinkling cellophane...<br />
Yet I don't feel them, I just hear them.<br />
#almost50<br />
Where was I?<br />
As I creak down the stairs, Lola moves from the couch, where she's been slumbering,<br />
To the kitchen...to stand in front of the fridge...and wait.<br />
For fresh water in her "inconvenient bowl".<br />
Her bowl is a custard cup that sits along the wall in the kitchen by the fridge.<br />
I blame my daughter for that one.<br />
She started this "water by the fridge" thing.<br />
Her water bowl and food are in the laundry room.<br />
Apparently she needs water in two locations because she is "special".<br />
After I begrudgingly fill her water bowl, and gush over her cute way of looking up at me,<br />
I get my coffee and sit down to check email, read news, and see what my friends are up to on Facebook.<br />
When I do this, Lola parks herself nearby...<br />
To do some personal cleansing.<br />
And by personal, I mean private.<br />
I don't want to see or <i>hear </i>her personal cleansing first thing in the morning.<br />
Honestly, there is no good time for that.<br />
So I swat her away.<br />
And she goes into the bathroom to tell her "friend" what a jerk I am.<br />
She jumps on the toilet and gazes in the mirror to have a loud, mad conversation with another cat.<br />
It's like "coffee with friends" but angrier.<br />
And psycho-er.<br />
Either she thinks we keep her nemesis in the bathroom or...<br />
She has a very compliant friend who doesn't eat her food or drink her precious refrigerator water,<br />
And only shows up when she wants to see her...<br />
Or when she needs to gripe about her housemates.<br />
When her rant is over, she finds a comfy place to nap...usually on the couch or in a sunbeam...<br />
And she rests from the busy morning she's had.<br />
It must be exhausting to deal with the utterly predictable humans she's trained to do her bidding.HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-11914108850438324282015-03-31T06:45:00.003-07:002015-03-31T06:50:37.017-07:00Starting Over...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwz7HLf9HLhHktkXxx8yJsdJ2LdppBVJBVnpP6nvNjiOIITfZCCZX1xSah1pRVh41fZNG5yr0o2re5PJmUtsZGRstjuyhNpdzyygZoAnipHmArxsfpfS5Iac_Zj-lq2-Z-ZDPyenD6PiAB/s1600/092648fedec56fd118688bde23543342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwz7HLf9HLhHktkXxx8yJsdJ2LdppBVJBVnpP6nvNjiOIITfZCCZX1xSah1pRVh41fZNG5yr0o2re5PJmUtsZGRstjuyhNpdzyygZoAnipHmArxsfpfS5Iac_Zj-lq2-Z-ZDPyenD6PiAB/s1600/092648fedec56fd118688bde23543342.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
I've been writing a novel...<br />
There, I said it.<br />
I've started it over 3 times...<br />
No, as of this week, 4.<br />
Here's why:<br />
1. Perfectionism<br />
2. Discontentment<br />
3. Lots of prayer<br />
4. The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman<br />
Every time I start over - mind you, it's the same exact story, just tweaked.<br />
I think "This is it! I've got it this time!"<br />
And I do until I decide I don't.<br />
So THIS time, I've really got it.<br />
I KNOW it this time!<br />
I understand that this is typical writer behavior.<br />
My situation is not unique...<br />
which is encouraging.<br />
I want to tell a story that will resonate...<br />
That has a message...<br />
That brings joy...<br />
Mostly, though, I want to write the story I'm meant to write.<br />
How vague is that?<br />
Dang vague.<br />
So here I go again...5,000 words in to version #4.<br />
How many versions will there ultimately be?<br />
In what year will I finally finish this work of my heart?<br />
I don't know.<br />
If I have my way, before I turn 50.<br />
Wait. That's just crazy.<br />
But don't writers have to be a little crazy?<br />
Excuse me, I need to get busy...<br />
<br />
PS - If you're a writer-type, I highly recommend The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman...even though it caused me a lot of extra work!HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-35368364898512504262015-03-02T09:01:00.003-08:002015-06-23T21:19:09.811-07:00Yoga with Adriene and Heather...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikR7zIfoysaM5xw2ltnj1kXksrZgiHYVh_16nmlm3jYF2ztyzV6fA4jDN7Px8XkRnlATuzPabkwJhQezp2n7ojELCCuZtaSrg-nNNcRYXJLO922XJhBLLBFB0nAZVxnhyphenhyphenEcsTcdZOxx3U/s1600/mqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikR7zIfoysaM5xw2ltnj1kXksrZgiHYVh_16nmlm3jYF2ztyzV6fA4jDN7Px8XkRnlATuzPabkwJhQezp2n7ojELCCuZtaSrg-nNNcRYXJLO922XJhBLLBFB0nAZVxnhyphenhyphenEcsTcdZOxx3U/s1600/mqdefault.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I recently met <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ6NfFIr2jw" target="_blank">Adriene</a>...<br />
She has never met me, however.<br />
We do yoga together.<br />
Well, I do yoga with her.<br />
She does yoga with EVERYONE!<br />
I used to run...<br />
I hope to run again, but I can't at the moment.<br />
I am some sort of injured...<br />
Tight, annoyed hip flexors and hamstrings will not...will NOT relax.<br />
Could be the amount of sitting on my bum I've been doing...writing...<br />
But I digress.<br />
I've been doing less sitting lately and more moving and I think we're making some headway<br />
Which brings me back to yoga with Adriene.<br />
I never really considered yoga.<br />
I am the world's most inflexible person.<br />
(No, you're not, I am.)<br />
Touch my toes? Nope.<br />
So when I was doing physical therapy (yes, it's that bad),<br />
The PT gal pointed out that what she was teaching me was very yoga-ish.<br />
Enter Adriene...<br />
I did the 20-minute beginner video first.<br />
It was sort of fun.<br />
And stretchy.<br />
It felt good to stretch like that.<br />
And she's fun to listen to as I'm yoga-ing. <br />
There's a lingo I don't know.<br />
"Back to center"<br />
"Your yoga practice"<br />
"Create space in the body"<br />
"Checking in with _____ (the neck, the feet, the wrists, the breath, the body)"<br />
"Come into the moment with integrity, whatever that means to you"<br />
"Anjali Mudra"<br />
So many other Sanskrit terms that I cannot remember, nor pronounce...yet.<br />
But I like it...I do.<br />
I'm learning to relax my body and mind...<br />
I use the time to pray a little...when I'm not checking my computer screen to make sure I'm doing it right.<br />
I think it's getting easier.<br />
I'm not tipping over as much.<br />
That's good, right?<br />
And I think I'm getting a little bit stronger.<br />
Maybe working my way back to a bit of jogging...maybe by summer.<br />
Fingers crossed...<br />
Nice long breath in,<br />
Nice long juicy exhale out...<br />
Namaste.HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-89102588376946917172015-02-10T08:51:00.003-08:002015-06-23T21:19:36.630-07:00Writing Grace...<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila7OFmBwEA7T_rDN8WauBsFbrmoTITufGwiXi_XqOglufveQzjv76J2Nx1QsR0M_wBU6N_mh4Em_SFNLU6UANnUC7VmNB7FDifm1zbl0LGWdaN6R4TAKIV6vReyOLaNX-sSaXawIMQj59/s1600/Document3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila7OFmBwEA7T_rDN8WauBsFbrmoTITufGwiXi_XqOglufveQzjv76J2Nx1QsR0M_wBU6N_mh4Em_SFNLU6UANnUC7VmNB7FDifm1zbl0LGWdaN6R4TAKIV6vReyOLaNX-sSaXawIMQj59/s1600/Document3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">It never ceases to amaze
me.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">A group of women enter a room.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Friends, acquaintances, and strangers.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">The introductions begin and the familiar
walls are erected.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Automatic
self-protection.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">We all do it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Leading with our best foot.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Nothing wrong with that…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But then the magic happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A woman begins to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be a work of non-fiction, a tale of
real-life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A moment of grace, a moment of
fear, a time of great joy, a description of her life or an odd
observation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be a story of
fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A made-up tale of fantasy or
hilarity or great mystery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever she
reads, it is an intimate piece of her mind and heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She</i>
is in those words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She</i> is unveiled, unguarded and exposed…literarily naked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She reads the words out loud and the words
bless the ones who hear. The women are united by words, and as the women read,
strangers and acquaintances dissolve into friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The thing is, in our day to day, we aren’t always
honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We put on a mask for those we
don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to be accepted, to
belong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But writing…writing has a way of
peeling away the layers of polish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to write and leave yourself out of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our inner voice is always
exposed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our characters take on our
fears and angst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They find humor in what
we find funny, they are pieces of us and bits of our experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we expose ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We lay bare who we are in words and phrases
until we finish reading, put down our paper and look up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do we expect to see in the faces of
those who listen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blank stares?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We never expect to be understood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I usually start my reading with a disclaimer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t take a lot of time on this” or
“This is just sort of rough and dumb”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
way of softening the expectation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But I look up from my page and I see knowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faces that say “I’m not
alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m okay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Walls crumble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bridges are built.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perfection is annihilated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And women are united in the truth that none of us have it
all together, nor are we expected to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God fills in the gaps with grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are all gaping examples of grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it’s all good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> That’s what writing is to me…what belonging to a writing
group has done for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t really
about writing well or writing books or gathering compliments or even being
heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about sharing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Connecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Empowering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Sharing our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Connecting with other women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Growing in faith and
confidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Empowering our witness to the
world through the written word.</span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3153608477688640876" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3153608477688640876" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-76996605072766549792015-01-14T07:57:00.000-08:002015-01-15T08:06:18.847-08:00A Merry Simplicity...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span> In Olympia, on Christmas eve, if
you go anywhere outside of your home, there is a harried rush of last minute
activity. Shoppers dart from store to store buying gifts they’ll realize
they didn’t need and grocery aisles are a traffic jam of carts filled with the
leftovers of tomorrow. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Christmas eve we travelled to Regensburg to shop at a Christmas
market we had read about. We parked our car and began a walk
through the narrow streets. The first thing I noticed was the lack of
activity. The streets were empty. No one was out. Restaurants
were shuttered, only a few shop doors were open. The Christmas market,
advertised online to be open until 2pm, was partially disassembled…
empty. We passed few people as we made our way by orange and blue and
yellow painted buildings. The carved stone facades framed rounded old wood
doors with hand-wrought iron handles. We relished the architecture and
marveled that the buildings we passed were older than any we’d ever seen in our
young country! <o:p></o:p></div>
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As we toured the still, quiet city, our bellies began to rumble. Deciding
to go to the next open restaurant, we found ourselves in a small café with tiny
tables and tall chairs. The menu was entirely in German, no two-word quasi-English
hint as to what each item was. So we ordered blindly, looking around at
the plates of those around us. It was a true culinary adventure as the
waitress brought plates of cheeses, meats, breads, and sauces – among them, a
spiced honey, a fresh strawberry jam and spicy mustard. There were a
couple of bowls of soup as well. We had a tasty meal and left the café
filled with good, new food.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As we walked back to the car, we passed a brass band playing Christmas
carols. A few onlookers had gathered, the most people we had seen all
day. It was very interesting how the German people had holed themselves
into their homes on Christmas eve…probably preparing for the big day, or simply
spending time with family. Even though we didn’t get to go to the
Christmas market we had looked forward to, I was satisfied. I liked the
quiet…the simple white lights strung from buildings across cobbled streets were
evidence that Christmas was celebrated and loved. I didn’t miss the
hurried hubbub of shoppers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Back in Velberg, we took a walk through town as the sun set. We were
mostly alone, a few dogs wandered and a man swept his porch. We smiled a
greeting as we passed. The narrow cobblestone streets wound through a
tangle of buildings, most with a shop or restaurant on the ground floor and
apartments above. In the doorways of each were simple Christmas
decorations consisting of twigs, logs, wood stars, mercury glass globes, red
berries and a candle in a lantern, glowing with soft light. Communal
living is the standard in Germany and each porch hugged the street, leaving no
room for fancy decorations, if the inhabitants had even wanted such a gawdy
display. The décor was much different than the shiny, colorful, cartoony
décor of home. A nativity scene in a window, unpainted wood ornaments,
candles, greenery, white lights. Simplicity reigned. Much like the
simplicity of the first Christmas. Just a stable and some hay…a king in a
manger. Plain but profound. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I think I may pare back my Christmas décor after experiencing Germany at
Christmas time. The spare, natural way they celebrate is very
appealing. The way they finished their hustle and settled in to celebrate
was sweet with solitude. At first, a little haunting, but ultimately,
serene and more conducive to worship and honor of the real meaning of the
season. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Christmas in Germany was less than what I expected yet ultimately exactly what
I wanted…to appreciate the purity of what Christmas is really about. To
celebrate the beauty and grace of all that God has given us in his Son and His
creation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3153608477688640876" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3153608477688640876" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-54148045005996727602015-01-12T19:56:00.002-08:002015-06-23T21:20:19.549-07:00What I Did On My Christmas Vacation...<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Took my virgin trip across the pond.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Got a stamp in my passport.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Became a foreigner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Schlepped too much luggage on planes, trains and
automobiles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Dealt with MRSA.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Ate 1,279 pretzels and pastries and STILL lost 3
pounds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Made my first Prime Rib and nailed it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Made Christmas dinner using only the tools a
typical bachelor would have on hand…translate:
spoons and knives and a whisk.
Super thankful for the whisk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Climbed into the turret of a castle and surveyed
the kingdom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Trespassed at Neuschwanstein castle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Witnessed an epic fall in which the fall-ee held
a cup of coffee and did not spill a single drop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Looked up “What to do if someone goes missing in
a foreign country” on my iphone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Nearly caused a coup.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Discovered Ouzo…a greek licorice liquor (yum)…and
“took care of” all rejected shots.
*hiccup*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Pointed out 1,369,254 dips, divots, lips and
holes to my folks as we walked the cobbled streets of Europe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Cursed the European design of threshold
unevenness as I stubbed my toe for the 154<sup>th</sup> time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Said “Danke” in France and “Merci” in Germany
and said “Thank you” in Prague because I could never remember to say “dejuki”
(pronounced dye-quee). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Fell in love with the greeting: “Bonsoire”…it is
just beautiful when the French say it…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Stepped in countless spit globs on Paris
sidewalks. (gross)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Bargained a few deals at the Paris flea market.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Imagined the damage I could have done at the
flea market if only I had unlimited resources to get the stuff home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Gazed upon the Eiffel tower with awe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Met Mona.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Avoided pick pockets.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Avoided a terrorist attack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Went to Christmas markets in Paris and Prague…after
Christmas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Ate Crème Brulee that just melted on the spot…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Went to the Moulin Rouge and caused a small explosion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Had the best meal (goulash) of my life in
Prague.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Discovered baked fruit tea…oh my…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Bought $650 worth of chocolate…when the
salesperson in Prague charged my credit card 15,000 crown rather than 1,500
crown…luckily, it did actually come off of my card…whew. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Prayed for the beautiful city of Prague, the
most un-churched city in the world with 90% atheism, and a beautiful ancient cathedral
on nearly every block. Amazing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Schlepped our bags home, arriving with them all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Didn’t use a single curse word on the way home
even though our flight was diverted and delayed…I thought them…many of them…but
didn’t utter them.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Marvelled at God’s favor towards us as I came
home with a heart full of love and memories of a trip of a lifetime!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So thankful!!<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><!--[endif]--><!--EndFragment-->HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-89507914609873055092014-11-20T15:56:00.002-08:002014-11-20T16:04:23.061-08:00Superpowers...<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDNNJzzLiAZks_Bc9Ed0ymbpwz9uS4hxI025HXzUUerJiaQJEZEEmG3aldNX-WtvkTMGuT2_5QhjNh9I6j0MdzvmmQpvZUr4jgwtg_bmeJaQrhbj4-bHUedOYRJGTxdon7Zi9MiGrLAa-/s1600/65a4b9595ab178c95929f798fb201265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDNNJzzLiAZks_Bc9Ed0ymbpwz9uS4hxI025HXzUUerJiaQJEZEEmG3aldNX-WtvkTMGuT2_5QhjNh9I6j0MdzvmmQpvZUr4jgwtg_bmeJaQrhbj4-bHUedOYRJGTxdon7Zi9MiGrLAa-/s1600/65a4b9595ab178c95929f798fb201265.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span>I don’t mean to brag, but I
have several enviable superpowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
do my best to share them all with you, but since one of my superpowers is forgetting
simple things at inopportune times, I may be prevented from remembering every single
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On that subject, as I write for
this blog or for my novel, I often forget the simplest and most common
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the other day, it took me 10
minutes to think of the word….wait…I can’t remember the word I couldn’t think
of the other day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s just one of my many superpowers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I can stretch two loads of laundry, a half-day job, into
a full week of laundry-induced torture, and STILL not fold the clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That, my friends, takes talent…no…power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Superpower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And while I’m on the subject of laundry, I have a distinct superpower
that allows me to avoid ironing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can
manipulate my dryer’s power to perform ironing duties for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only on the most special occasions, does my
iron come out of the cupboard…and it is brief and only used to impress…as well
as press.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am frequently stunned to realize that my husband will
be home in 15 minutes and I haven’t given a single thought to dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a superpower that allows me to think
of something to make for dinner, and have that dinner on the table shortly
after his arrival, using meat I’ve pulled from the freezer to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
will compliment me on the meal, not having a clue there was no thought of it 20
minutes before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have the innate ability to choose the wrong line in any
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I choose a line it will
instantaneously stop moving the moment I position myself in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A computer will go down, a cash register will
run out of tape, an employee will take a break or a person ahead of me in line
will have a problem that will take ten times the average amount of time to
resolve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, the other day, I
saw a shorter line at the Costco gas station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I pulled in, feeling smug victory, when I noticed a large gas-guzzling
motor home pulling up to the pump ahead of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I waited for 10 minutes before switching lines and still beat the motor
home to completion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I pumped my
gas, the lady behind me commented “I can’t believe how quickly the line went
today!” I just smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t mention
that I’d spent 10 minutes waiting in another line before choosing that
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t want to reveal my
superpower to just anyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I can find a wonderful thing at a yard sale or thrift
shop, hold on to it for years and then in one stroke of genius, create
something out of it completely unexpected and cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s not all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can NOT think of what to do with a thing
years after purchasing it, decide to let it go, giving it away to a charity or
selling it or throwing it in the garbage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>days later, in the middle
of the night think of the perfect way to re-purpose it and wish I had it again,
knowing full well it’s long gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
done that over and over – which qualifies as a superpower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Also, where yard sales are concerned, I can recognize
valuable items, purchase them for a song and sell them for many times what I
paid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bakelite jewelry I bought for
75 cents and resold for 400 dollars is an example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely a superpower.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have the ability to get the uncontrollable giggles at
the worst possible times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a friend is
involved, this superpower is magnified 100 times and conversely, friends can
turn a superpower into a nemesis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somber
times are when this superpower can cause great harm…giggles and sobriety do not
mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giggles are my kryptonite.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even though I am a woman, I have a superpower that
crosses the boundaries of gender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can
grow whiskers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only that, my chin
will be as smooth as a baby’s bottom for days on end and then, within hours,
two whiskers will grow as though I were a burly mountain man with full beard-growing
capabilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this reason, I have to
be on guard at all times so that I am not mistaken for a No-Shave November
participant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although some claim this is
a symptom of age, I choose to see it as a superpower.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have the ability to completely empty my mind of
coherent thought when someone makes a comment that deserves a quick
retort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will sit there, staring,
unable to string two words together until the moment of opportunity has passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conversation will change, the person will
leave or I will move on and then it will hit me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The perfect response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most scathing come-back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cleverest “gotcha”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some may call it “timely come-back disorder”,
I choose to see it as a superpower…involuntary self-control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m able to dis-engage my mouth due to my
frozen mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s saved me from plenty
of trouble and therefore is one of the superest of powers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally, I have the superpower of procrastination in
every area of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some would see
this as a character flaw and they would be wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When one procrastinates, one must gain talents
in other areas such as the speed with which one completes tasks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The superpower comes into play with the
quality of the work that is produced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have found that the quality of my work is superior when it is done under the pressure
of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brain is super-stimulated
and obtains superpower qualities of brilliance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You might be surprised to know that the bulk of this piece was written
this morning as I drank my coffee and wondered why I hadn’t done my writing
sooner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it’s the element of regret
that adds that extra little je ne sais quoi that is the tipping point of
inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While some may think that superpowers have to be of the
superhero variety, seeing through walls, invisibilty, the ability to fly and
insta-freezing villains, they would be wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are the little quirks and talents that make you unique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things you do without even trying, because
superpowers just are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are possessed
without effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Embrace them and be SUPER!</div>
HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-24919407831480875652014-11-10T13:45:00.001-08:002014-11-10T13:46:53.136-08:00Raspberries in November...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubZs74YnPi28RJHB8Sn0q-a1R4Zvb3OtpPOQr7WHSiOBYCxHRAybJ9TeHBxr23oqT3_rPwL_Y3vBazuaqE7zF9O5IhjY6X32XfBkR_q9S-5qoaC-IdgLUPjzKYFncI2h1aLhIWOiKCvTU/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubZs74YnPi28RJHB8Sn0q-a1R4Zvb3OtpPOQr7WHSiOBYCxHRAybJ9TeHBxr23oqT3_rPwL_Y3vBazuaqE7zF9O5IhjY6X32XfBkR_q9S-5qoaC-IdgLUPjzKYFncI2h1aLhIWOiKCvTU/s1600/photo.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
Today is/was paint a bench day and garden clean-up day...<br />
It's going to freeze hard this week and the garden is just kaput except for some kale...<br />
So I filled the yard waste bin with all sorts of slimy broccoli stalks...<br />
Black tomato vines...<br />
Pepper plants covered in half-opened blooms...<br />
Which makes me think very highly of peppers...they were willing to go the extra mile...<br />
Give it all they've got...<br />
They had hope...<br />
Albiet false hope...<br />
I gathered up the zucchini vines,<br />
Squash vines...<br />
I found a forgotten slimy onion. Yuk.<br />
And as I was pulling a pumpkin vine, I noticed that a branch of the vine had taken off on its own and created a very green pumpkin hanging from the fence...well, hello there! <br />
Too bad it won't reach its full potential.<br />
With half of the garden yanked from the ground, the bin was full...<br />
I dragged it to the street, thankful that a machine will dump it into the truck...no person should have to lift that heavy thing...<br />
And as I went to put my gloves back in the shed something red caught my eye.<br />
RASPBERRIES!<br />
In November!?!?<br />
My raspberry vines had saved the best trick for last...<br />
They were tasty, however, the sun hasn't been shining, so they weren't as flavorful as those that ripen in summer...<br />
But I was happy to have a little taste of summer on a day when the last traces of warm days were going into the waste bin...<br />
<br />HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-60646865333785713172014-11-08T20:23:00.002-08:002015-06-23T21:17:03.572-07:00Paint is my Friend...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzqQpQZpNZUq4P8HJRmkYacqDuumnJYfyxvn9VHq-7VuLRn1WyT5agZSTlmfujjn0V84VMEHR4FFWl7xqTw-hH5W8Cn8vDIR5rHThC5b4lmqvuzzaXlJsapzNzI7O4KDjNgtTXKiRwW7P/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzqQpQZpNZUq4P8HJRmkYacqDuumnJYfyxvn9VHq-7VuLRn1WyT5agZSTlmfujjn0V84VMEHR4FFWl7xqTw-hH5W8Cn8vDIR5rHThC5b4lmqvuzzaXlJsapzNzI7O4KDjNgtTXKiRwW7P/s1600/photo.jpg" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwKLI5oNVJL6w_6sMSIQb67ZgORSqYI1LgNEbKh6UD93wsQCrG4uk36_T_H-egfHwWUv7JzM8CYX7yYPRFxRtXcl5_sWL4grENLaFEQlclh0M99piejiRDk4BqSEMvDfTPE48S-AVFKih/s1600/154579_636282036481582_8927854543918710834_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwKLI5oNVJL6w_6sMSIQb67ZgORSqYI1LgNEbKh6UD93wsQCrG4uk36_T_H-egfHwWUv7JzM8CYX7yYPRFxRtXcl5_sWL4grENLaFEQlclh0M99piejiRDk4BqSEMvDfTPE48S-AVFKih/s1600/154579_636282036481582_8927854543918710834_n.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_617108795"></span><span id="goog_617108796"></span><br />
I love paint.<br />
Just a little bit of paint can go a long way to changing things up.<br />
And it's fairly cheap...considering the amount of joy it brings!<br />
So I've had a red and beige powder room for the past 12 years...with a wallpaper border separating the two colors.<br />
I really liked it.<br />
But the words "wallpaper border" sort of give a clue to how outdated it was...<br />
So I spent a lot of time putting the words "powder room" into Pinterest.<br />
Too much time, most likely...if you've ever been on Pinterest, you understand.<br />
I decided on gray, which is risky.<br />
So many shades, so many ways it can go horribly wrong.<br />
I chose Behr Sterling...and I got Marquee paint to cover the dark barn red. <br />
I love the Marquee paint!! It IS as good as the commercial makes it seem..<br />
And the color...<br />
It's fabulous! <br />
The tiniest hint of blue, bright, fresh...perfect for a bathroom.<br />
One thing happened that I hadn't expected: my tired wood floor perked right up next to gray.<br />
Gray + wood floors = FABULOUS!<br />
I find myself peeking in the powder room just to gaze...<br />
So satisfying.<br />
That brings me to the fireplace.<br />
As I scrubbed the gray paint off my hands and arms and...feet...<br />
(Did I mention that I am the messiest painter on planet earth?)<br />
I glanced over at my red and slate tile fireplace and noticed that the red did NOTHING to compliment the tile...how did I not see that before?<br />
As I examined it in contrast with the gray, I noticed all of the brown tones in it...<br />
They were so drab next to the red.<br />
And then it hit me.<br />
Chocolate brown.<br />
or<br />
Coffee Brown.<br />
Let's compromise and go with Mocha, shall we?<br />
I had some paint left from painting my bedside tables a couple of years ago so it would be "free" to change the fireplace!<br />
My husband, though he loved the bathroom, rolled his eyes when I announced my next project.<br />
He should be used to my decorating frenzies by now...<br />
Honestly.<br />
So today, when he left the house for a couple of hours,<br />
I painted the fireplace.<br />
It's best to do these sorts of things when he's out...<br />
(Did I mention that I am the messiest painter on planet earth?)<br />
He came home too early, however, and I could feel the tension in the room as he walked by...not nearly as excited as I was about the transformation taking place.<br />
Sometimes he just has NO IDEA!<br />
I asked him if he liked it.<br />
"Maybe I'll like it when there's not tape and paper everywhere." he said, irritated.<br />
I could already see how much better it looked.<br />
It was obvious.<br />
So I finished...while he tried not to see the mess and open paint can in the middle of the floor (it was on a tarp).<br />
And I took down the tape and paper and cleaned up the mess and then I asked him:<br />
"Well?"<br />
And he loved it. He completely agreed it was much better than the red! <br />
Oh, the satisfaction!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpwpPTsiiHldr3Ws9mqvYmuNdSIhkFRi30rawRnCb-w0fOs4q7zfp_dPYPVi2aIcexdto2O6iSk2wR5rBb34yI91v68m3sSZzdUn3K_X452ZTB7lOuhv2-DWEHzS5gHFx6hej8uV4N1Qr/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpwpPTsiiHldr3Ws9mqvYmuNdSIhkFRi30rawRnCb-w0fOs4q7zfp_dPYPVi2aIcexdto2O6iSk2wR5rBb34yI91v68m3sSZzdUn3K_X452ZTB7lOuhv2-DWEHzS5gHFx6hej8uV4N1Qr/s1600/photo.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
Things usually happen in threes...<br />
My next project is the bench my dad made us years ago.<br />
It serves as a coffee table...and we use it for seating when we have lots of company.<br />
It has a wood base and the top is painted red.<br />
The top will be painted gray this week.<br />
Because I learned that gray + wood = FABULOUS!<br />
<br />
Have I mentioned that I love paint??HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-90359642476526958082014-11-03T23:42:00.002-08:002017-02-24T09:42:06.605-08:00A Day of Fashion Impairedness Awaredness...wait...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLy_d29DTaY4SUiBku_ThhrNy9UY4dCY5ZRsLyvxpd6MjGMpdxnQD70QyFM1xBJVK0eCOoniHWnVizoJycaGeOtQ28_GkC4dHWvXY-X68l3HIZHLv8r1383kuJ-PobaH1yRCtqDzCY6zRw/s1600/2319405841_5f4d1b8b4e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLy_d29DTaY4SUiBku_ThhrNy9UY4dCY5ZRsLyvxpd6MjGMpdxnQD70QyFM1xBJVK0eCOoniHWnVizoJycaGeOtQ28_GkC4dHWvXY-X68l3HIZHLv8r1383kuJ-PobaH1yRCtqDzCY6zRw/s1600/2319405841_5f4d1b8b4e_o.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you're fashion impaired and you know it hug a zucchini!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The day began
with an exchange between my husband and I about what he was wearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">We don't know
what we're talking about when it comes to fashion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Plain and
simple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
conversation went down something like this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Alex:
"Heth, does this color go with this shirt?"
Me: "No"
Alex:
"This?"
Me: "That's better, but..."
Alex:
"How about this, I like this"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me:
"I don't know"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alex:
"I'm wearing it"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me:
"Are you meeting with anyone important today?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alex:
"No"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me:
"Good"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alex:
"Wait, I don't think this looks right"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me:
*sigh of relief* "Change the shirt, that's the issue."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alex:
"Yes, That's much better"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I really don't
know if the shirt was indeed the issue or if the pants were the issue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Surely there
is SOMETHING that can be worn with that shirt...right? He's
worn it before...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ironic
thing about that morning was that I was preparing to go with my 73-year-old
mother to Portland, Oregon to shop..for clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(the reason we
shop in Portland is because there's no tax in Oregon, so we save almost 9%
right off the top after spending $40 on a tank of gas...I know, I know)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">My mother and
I were shopping for clothes for our trip to Europe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">One must dress
appropriately in Europe as I understood it...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I didn't
actually know because I'd never been there at that time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But I needed
boots. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don't know
how to wear boots or what to wear them with, but we were going in winter, so
boots were important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And pants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And sweaters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And a necklace
because, don't laugh, I didn't know how to wear necklaces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Put them
around your neck" I'd been told<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But it's not
that simple if you're fashion impaired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Trust me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'd put them
on and they looked all wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just wrong, I
can't explain it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The wrong
length, the wrong size, the wrong metal color...you name it. It was that
kind of wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">So we went.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And knock me
down with a feather,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I bought all
kinds of cute things and tall boots that zip up and have a cute buckle thing,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and a necklace
and earrings and sweaters and pants...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because my
73-year-old mother helped me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Which,
honestly, worried me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Will I look
like a page out of the polyester section of the old Sears catalog?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Had I lost all
sense of age appropriate sportswear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wait, did I
just use the word "sportswear"?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Had I, in
fact, turned into my mother?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And did I
mention that as I was picking out a sweater and mulling over colors she told me
that I don't look good in red...as I stood there staring at her in my red
jacket...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I argued with
her then...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">"What are
you saying? I'm wearing red, I look good in this!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Well,
not really"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Seriously?
You're telling me this now? You let me leave the house in a coat
that looked awful on me?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">"..."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">wow mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Note to
self...tell someone they're wearing a bad color BEFORE they leave the house to
go out...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">*sigh*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are
worse things to be I suppose...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fashion
impaired is a pretty benign condition in the grand scope of possibilities...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I could be my
husband... asking ME for fashion advise...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">ha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">
p.s. - This was
written a couple of years ago and while I still consider myself fashion
impaired, I have made great advances in my quest to lose the title. I
have been studying fashion pins on Pinterest...and by studying, I mean, looking
at outfits and marveling at the beauty of the choices...the harmony of color
and style. And I have to say, I love good fashion...I'm always impressed when
people can just DO it, put great looks together and not think twice about it.
I am getting better at it...I really am...and getting dressed is becoming
a joy, rather than a really bad guessing game!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-90990232506089797992014-10-30T07:28:00.001-07:002014-10-30T07:29:18.497-07:00NaNoWriMo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br />
Have you heard of it?<br />
NaNoWriMo?<br />
It stands for National Novel Writing Month.<br />
You write 50,000 words in the month of November.<br />
I first heard about it 3 years ago...<br />
I saw blog posts from writers who'd succeeded...<br />
I read about their victory...writing an entire novel in a month.<br />
WOW!<br />
So this November, I am going to throw my hat in the NaNoWriMo ring.<br />
I even registered on their site...<br />
I really, really, really want to do it.<br />
The point is, the DOING of it.<br />
Not the marketability of it after the 30 days.<br />
The DOING of the THING.<br />
Writing a novel...really, really doing it!<br />
And who knows.<br />
It might be a masterpiece...or...<br />
Not.<br />
Or perhaps it will be the bare bones of what could be...<br />
Finally a finished skeleton of the novel I've been wanting to write.<br />
The thing is...<br />
Perfectionism is my greatest nemesis.<br />
I want to produce good stuff.<br />
Nothing wrong with that.<br />
But when producing good stuff prevents me from producing anything,<br />
That's when there's a problem.<br />
I think NaNoWriMo is a genius way to get writers past their barriers...<br />
By putting a time limit on their goal...<br />
Get to it!<br />
So during November, National Novel Writing Month,<br />
I will be busy.<br />
Writing.<br />
A lot.<br />
So if I don't answer emails or comment on Facebook posts,<br />
Don't be offended.<br />
And if I do answer emails and comment on your Facebook posts,<br />
Tell me to get back to writing because...<br />
It's NaNoWriMo!HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-51205683758703087792014-10-17T08:11:00.000-07:002014-10-17T08:11:47.000-07:00Gemma...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I was in Chicago last weekend.<br />
My daughter goes to Moody Bible Institute there and<br />
My other daughter was running the Chicago marathon.<br />
It was a weekend of cheering and fun with my girls and my son-in-law.<br />
It was also a weekend of inspiration.<br />
<br />
I was waiting for my daughter to meet me after her PCM (practical Christian ministry) in the projects.<br />
She didn't arrive at the appointed time and wasn't answering her phone.<br />
An hour and a half later, she arrived...<br />
She had been listening to a girl...a transexual...tell of her twisted and heart-wrenching childhood...of her parents constant abuse.<br />
She was so damaged...physically, emotionally, psychologically...<br />
How can parents do that to their own child?<br />
My mind doesn't compute.<br />
My heart cannot fathom.<br />
She shared details of her life with my girl and another...honestly...painfully...hopefully...<br />
The girls listened and loved.<br />
They didn't judge.<br />
They didn't tell her what she SHOULD do...<br />
They told her how precious she is...<br />
And she is.<br />
Whatever she's into or doing or fighting or addicted to...<br />
That's residual.<br />
SHE is precious.<br />
I don't know her name, but I pray for her...<br />
<br />
Then I was in the Lifeway bookstore that is housed in the first floor and basement of my daughter's dorm. <br />
I shopped.<br />
I flipped through books, admired artwork, examined Moody trinkets...<br />
And then a small hispanic woman touched my arm.<br />
She wanted me to help her choose a book to give to her granddaughter.<br />
"She is in trouble. I am so worried." she said in broken English.<br />
Her heart was right out there for all to see.<br />
Her face was etched with concern.<br />
She loves her granddaughter deeply.<br />
No question.<br />
I asked her a few questions...how old is she, do you think she will read a book?<br />
"God can do anything, a book is all I can think to do."<br />
Yep, he can.<br />
Even a non-reader will read a book if God prompts. Touche.<br />
We looked at devotionals for teenagers...then it struck me.<br />
She's probably not a typical teenager and these cutesy devotionals are going to insult her perceived level of maturity.<br />
And I wanted a book that was dated...that had devotionals for each day of the year.<br />
It's always been uncanny how the devotion for any given date will always be apropos...God is like that.<br />
I immediately thought of "Jesus Calling".<br />
We put back the books we were considering and walked to the display.<br />
She smiled and agreed, this was the one.<br />
She thanked me profusely and I hugged her.<br />
She asked me to pray for her granddaughter...Gemma.<br />
What a beautiful name.<br />
What a beautiful life.<br />
I wonder if Gemma knows how deeply her grandma loves her.<br />
I hope that Gemma will know that she has a Heavenly Father who loves her deeper still.<br />
Pray for Gemma....for all of the hurting souls in Chicago...for that matter, in every city. <br />
It's so easy to rest in our easy lives...in our loving families...<br />
And forget that there are those that struggle.<br />
Who have always struggled.<br />
Who have never known love...<br />
Yet...<br />
May they know with certainty, that God Himself, loves them more than they can fathom.<br />
<br />
Psalm 86:15<br />
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-77932350326841302982014-10-02T07:39:00.000-07:002014-10-02T07:46:33.676-07:00Filing Cabinet Re-do!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have a fabulous surplus outlet in our town. I bought this awesome heavy-duty 3-drawer legal size filing cabinet with art deco-ish details for $15. It needed cleaning up before I began my transformation and a little elbow grease produced this dark gray ugly cabinet...clean but unappealing otherwise!</div>
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Do you realize how many choices there are in spray paint these days? We went to Lowe's to choose a color. "It will only take a minute" I told my husband as he was speeding home to catch a football game after church last Sunday. 10 minutes later, we were still staring at the spray paint, although it had been narrowed down to three colors. No, four. Three. Five. Two. Wait. I can't choose! It's not like paint is the ultimate commitment...it's easily changed. But I wanted to do this once. I chose. Green with a hammered silver accent for the drawer fronts. I asked my husband how he liked it and he picked up a blue which I hadn't yet considered. I loved it and bought it and off we went. Done! Don't look back!</div>
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Turns out, the blue we chose is very similar to the color of our house. No wonder we like it! And the silver was returned and this champagne glittery color replaced it! It's actually brushed nickel, but it looks sparkly and champagney...so there you have it! It's a much happier cabinet now...I will print fabulously fancy labels for each drawer and it will store my writing resources and all of the writing I've done and have yet to do! </div>
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So, go get yourself some spray paint and make an ugly file cabinet into a thing of beauty. Honor it for its hard work, holding things that are important to you...you'll be glad you did!</div>
HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153608477688640876.post-41343824298740812442014-09-19T15:27:00.002-07:002014-09-19T15:42:31.871-07:00Fall Cleaning...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I'm partial to fall cleaning over spring cleaning.<br />
I suppose I could do both.<br />
But I don't.<br />
I hate to clean.<br />
Fall is the time I like to clean under sinks...<br />
behind dressers...<br />
under beds...<br />
Mostly because I'm in the house all winter and I don't want to be in a dirty house all winter. <br />
Makes sense, no?<br />
This year I cleaned my blinds...<br />
I won't tell you the last time that happened.<br />
Because I can't.<br />
It never has.<br />
Don't tell anyone.<br />
It never occurred to me honestly...<br />
Yes, I saw the dust on occasion but I looked away and it disappeared out of sight.<br />
Easy peasy.<br />
Until my white blinds took on a mushroom color...<br />
It was time.<br />
FINE!<br />
So I cleaned them...inch by inch...<br />
Blind by blind...<br />
I hear you can take them down and dunk them in a bathtub but I didn't.<br />
I painstakingly cleaned each one.<br />
First with a dust rag,<br />
Then with a Lysol wet wipe,<br />
Then with a damp cloth.<br />
They're clean.<br />
I wish I could say I was done, but today I cleaned under my kitchen sink...<br />
Woah.<br />
The nasty that was living under there!<br />
I do occasionally clean under the sink but I hadn't in several months and it was, well...<br />
dirty.<br />
It's fall, though, so I didn't just clean, I fall cleaned.<br />
I not only scrubbed, I replaced the shelf paper.<br />
It's sparkling new!<br />
I won't be embarrassed when someone wants to throw something in the garbage under my sink now! <br />
"Go ahead, it's under the sink" I'll say with a wave of my hand,<br />
Instead of "Here, let me throw that away for you" as I barely open the cupboard to hide it's filth and toss it blindly into the trash.<br />
Which could be why it got even dirtier under there...<br />
The miss factor.<br />
When you don't want to see, you miss your target and dirt gets flung all over! <br />
<br />
Which made me think...<br />
Of times I've tried to hide things from God...<br />
Secret sin that I try to cover up, usually making a bigger mess of things...<br />
Which is silly...<br />
God sees everything.<br />
It's a lot of work to clean...first to admit it's time to tackle it,<br />
And then to do the painstaking work of making things shine again...<br />
To clean a house is one thing but to clean up my life, my attitudes, my thoughts, my actions...<br />
Especially the corners of my heart.<br />
That's hard work.<br />
But so worthwhile...<br />
It feels good to set things straight and shiny.<br />
And the rewards are everlasting.<br />
I pray that I will not let my life get as dirty as my blinds...!<br />
<br />
1 John 1:6-7<br />
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.HA! Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04139164838045879620noreply@blogger.com1