Apron and Guitar Strings

Clarification- I've Never Lived in Mexico

2012-01-31T09:56:00.001-06:00

While riding in the car on the way home from Sonshine School is begins to divulge what he told the lady who drives the pick up van.

"I told her we use to live in Mexico." He said quite proud of himself.

"ISH! You can't tell people that." I replied

"Why not?"

"Well, for starters, it's not true."

He sat there looking a bit puzzled. So I tried to explain a little better why this might become complicated in case the whole fiction-reality thing wasn't enough for him.

"What if one of the teachers comes to ask me why we lived in Mexico or what about this or that about Mexico. I wouldn't know what to say because we have never. live. in. Mexico."

"Oh don't worry about that." He assured me. "I listened very well in my World Explorers class when we studied about Mexico. I told her all she'd ever need to know. There won't be a need to ask you questions about anything."

Sock Monkey

2012-01-24T14:08:00.000-06:00

In 3rd grade the kids have monthly projects to help them learn about something or another. This month's project was to read a non-fiction book about an animal and make a power point, diorama or 3-D model of the animal.

Geo really wanted to do his project on a tiger, but he was beaten to the punch by another classmate, so he "settled" for the red crowned mangabey monkey (aka the red capped mangabey).

Geo was going to do a power point for his presentation complete with "all those fun things that spin and turn" and I think LK (a power point truest who believes they are actually better sans flying graphics and about 75% of the words most people fit on one slide) almost had to disown him.

Thankfully peace (and inheritance) was managed to remain intact with the suggestion of making a 3-D SOCK MONKEY!!!!

But since this was Geo's project- it's wasn't going to be me making this monkey- Geo had to do his fair share. So he helped measure where to cut (socks provided by LK).

(Don't worry about Geo huge hand there the left. It's actually mine)

Then, because I have this fear of sewing machine needles going through fingernails (I'm not sure where I got from but man I have it!) I only let Geo help with the foot of the machine while I ran the fabric through. He did a great job keeping the pressure even.

He also had to help me stuff the monkey.

(Ish is very excited that the monkey is getting some depth to him)

He helped sew him up once he was stuffed.

He helped me layout the tail. Red crowned mangabeys have a white tip on the tail so we used part of a white sock turned inside out on the tip to give a "realistic" look.

He helped sew all the arms and legs and ears and the tail on by hand.

And he helped tie on the 457 pieces of red, orange and brown embroidery floss to make the crown.

He did a great job working on his first sewing project!

And I think we got a pretty good likeness to the real thing:

Now if only we can calm down all of his late night monkey business

Sorry ... I really am. ... But you know ... it had to be said :)

In Memory of Lisa

2012-01-22T08:00:00.001-06:00

Among other things, regular Saturday things, that I spent yesterday doing, I spent yesterday preparing egg salad for the meal of condolences in honor of my friend Lisa. She wasn't my bestie but she has been in my life for the last 3 years as Geo and her son have attended school together. We've helped together with class parties and talked as our kids have played together at birthday parties and summer pool gatherings.

Twenty months ago Lisa found melanoma and fought hard to beat it. But the last time I saw her, on the last day before winter break, she told me all that was left to do now was pray. She and her husband were researching experimental treatments and trying to see if there were any last ditch efforts she could qualify for (explaining the complications of cell matching and the like that qualified or disqualified her from such treatments). But in reality, she looked tired. In reality this once vibrant, ultra-involved mom, sat in a chair in the boys' classroom and said how thankful she was that family was coming in to help do the things she no longer had the energy to do.

Within one month Lisa's kidneys and liver had shut down and she passed away.

I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I think pale is beautiful, to lie and say I don't like a bit of that "healthy glow" a suntan brings. Or sit here and tell you that I didn't spend summers as a kid, as a young adult, laying out to get tan.

But I will tell you this- burying someone at 44, seeing a son without a mother, a husband without a wife- it's enough to have me lathering up (and calling my brother the dermatologist at every new fleck on my skin).

It has me hoping that you, or someone younger than you is willing to watch this video and make the change too.

Feather Skirt

2012-01-21T09:13:00.000-06:00

Last year I found (and fell in love with) this great feather skirt DIY from PS I Made This.

But sadly, I could never find any feather trim like this. So I had a skirt ready to go

but it sat trimless, waiting for its feathers.

Until the fateful day I met these ladies:

And by layering them together I achieved not the full on feather skirt but a pretty fun cousin to it.

Here's how it looked on

FYI- I tried fabric gluing like the DYI shows and it was a MESS!!! Better to sew it (now that I can)

Soccer

2012-01-15T22:16:00.000-06:00

ISH has decided to take a break from karate to try his hand at soccer.

To help get him ready for "clump ball"* LK went and got him a ball and they spent time on Saturday practicing kicking and scoring into an old soccer net the previous owners left with the house.

Today ISH asked if I wanted to come and practice. My job was to try and kick it into the net because, he explained, he enjoyed being goalie best.

But, every time I kicked it towards him he'd shreeeeeeeek and fall to the ground.

"ISH," I said as kindly and as supportive as I could, "I don't think the job of the goalie to scream and fall to the ground every time the ball comes near him."

"Oh," ISH stated rather of mater-of-factly, "apparently it is."

This coach is going to have his work cut out for him that's for sure.

*for all you non-children homes out there clump ball is the act of small children clumping around a soccer ball and following it around the field instead of playing actual positions. For example

Bernina!

2012-01-11T14:13:00.000-06:00

Last night I finally carved out some time to sit down with my new Bernina. It's not new new, but it was my grandmothers and when she passed away this fall my aunt thought I would have some real fun with it.

But then it sat in my laundry room for over 2 months.

Over Christmas I determined that the only way I would really make time to use it would be to get it out where I would see it. So I claimed a small corner of my office for sewing. (no comments on the fact that I will see something when in my office 20xs more than I will see it in my laundry room.)

I had originally made the table to hide the dog's cage underneath but then found another spot for her that she likes better. I can store my fabric underneath the skirt and for a seat I'm using the stool from my grandmother's house that my dad remembers climbing on as a child. It's made for a nice little spot for crafting.

So last night I finally got the time to sit down and see what she could do.

Oh my goodness my aunt was right! This is going to be fun. Look at these amazing stitches the machine can do!

I used a different colored thread on the bobbin so I could see how it stitches as well and I think the look turned out pretty fun. Kind of Southwest-like in these colors.

It was too much not to do a project last night. So I rummaged through my scraps to see what I might have that would be big enough for a project.

And I was able to find enough neutral canvas to pair with some dishtowels I'd bought at Target so I could make this dishtowel apron.

The original blog calls for regular fabric for the ties but I didn't have enough pretty fabric on hand (and it was already too late to go and procure some). But I did have plain canvas and a fun new machine. So I made my own embroidery on the canvas.

I did the two colored stitching like with my test fabric- orange in the bobbin and pink on the top. I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Here's how the whole thing looks.

And I know so you don't have to tell me that the whole apron of the pants look went out in 2004. I know that. But I have to say, I'm liking the versatility of the look.

What I mean is, I am a professional and I'm a mom. I work from home and at any time could be meeting with clients or frankly when I'm at the grocery store or anywhere, everyone I meet is a potential client and so I need to look nice. However, I'm a full time, from home mom, so power suits and office attire doesn't really work either. But the apron- this apron over a plain white shirt and pair of jeans and the look becomes something so much more than a white shirt and jeans. It's like a scarf for my belly. See:

Thanks to LK for taking the picture. And I either chopped the head off because a) it's a paper doll effect where you can put your head on the picture and see if you like the look for yourself or b) I thought my face looked goofy. Your choice.

I'm looking forward to many more fun sewing projects!

Making Pretty Magnets

2012-01-08T00:13:00.000-06:00

I spent some down time during the Christmas break on Pinterest racking up crafts I want to do. Which got the creative juices going in overdrive.

The problem is - it's busy season at work which means less time to do things (like even the laundry, let alone crafting) and I still haven't figured out this new sewing machine. And the really big problem is that once these juices start going- they have to go somewhere. And if they can't go into DIYs- they start coming out in things like turquoise nail polish (done) or me wanting to dye blue streaks in my hair (don't worry I haven't... yet).

I knew times were getting desperate- as in I was really studying the blue hair dye the last time I was at the store and trying to figure out how it could still look "normal" if a meeting with a birth mother was to come up.

I needed a project. STAT!

Enter- the broaches, magnets, and hot glue

Most of these came from cleaning out my grandma's house but some where broken pieces or ones I don't really want to wear anymore but are too pretty to give up.

First step is to pop the no-longer-needed hardware from the back.

Pretty easy. I did it while waiting in the pick up line for the kids.

With the backs off, bring on the hot glue (done at home.. I haven't attempted hot gluing in the carpool line... yet)

When the glue was dry, they were ready.

And it was time to tackle the fridge.

LK says that refrigerators are like lawns, you either have nice clean ones, or you have kids. We clearly have kids.

But in my mind, there is a place where kid stuff and pretty live nicely together. And I think, with these magnets, I've come one step closer to that place.

Now, the bottom still needs reckoning- I'll have to keep you posted on that. But, focusing on the top- I think we're one step closer to pretty.

I think we've staved off the blue streaks- for a while at least.

Genesis 4-15

2012-01-04T16:46:00.000-06:00

Genesis 4
V 1 wow. Eve thinks she has created man and just as God did. Lord help me never to look at what I have done and think it is as good as you could do. And as with Eve - help me not to look at a miracle you do and try to take credit for it.

Genesis 5
From Adam to the birth of Shem, Ham, and Japeth

Genesis 6
v 15 the ark is 450' long x 75' w x 45' tall.

That's big!

Genesis 11
From Noah to Abram

Genesis 15
V2-3, 8 I love that Abram, a righteous man, the man God uses to kick start the convenient Christ fulfills, questions God and asks boldly for what he wants.

God still works in his way and his timing but he listens to Abram's request. Help me to remember that you listen to mine as well.

Thoughts from Genesis 1 - 3

2012-01-01T22:06:00.000-06:00

Genesis 1
V 2- Sometimes my life seems formless but I must remember, even in the moment of darkness and formless waiting- the Spirit is moving around me and great things are bound to begin in due time. Wait for it! Creation did not rush the Creator- it waited in the void for him to call it forth. It waited to be made just as he wanted it, in the order he wanted it.

V 16- Like the moon and the sun, women and men- one lesser and one greater- both still are vitally important. And the moon, while "lesser" controls the tides, which control so many other events. While "lesser" the moon is no less powerful when acting in its God-given roll.

Genesis 2
V 3 I need to do a better job at taking a sabbath rest.

V5 God had not allowed rain because there was no man to cultivate the ground. All in God's time. All in God's way.

V18 God sees man should not be alone but only after man names all the animals- all! of them. Only after man sees the animals having the companionship he doesn't, only then does God give his what he needs. (see Donald Miller lecture in OKC circa 2009).

V25 when I am where God wants me to be, when I find my confidence and my worth by looking only in to Him- when I see myself as a beautiful creature He made and loved, then my insecurities have no power over me.

Genesis 3
V6: Was Adam with Eve in the garden when she was tempted? Did she turn to him and give it to him? Or did she go and find him to give it? Either way- shows the importance of the husband helping the wife learn what is best- God gave the instructions to Adam--- did he not pass this on to her?

V16 It is part of the curse of Eve that I will want to control my husband, but just like the pain of childbirth- the pain that comes emotionally from wanting to control him and not doing it is expected. And like childbirth, with proper self control, this pain, this desire to control him, can be managed.

In The Beginning

2012-01-01T14:49:00.000-06:00

It's 2012. January 1 of 2012 to be precise. It's the time when people wake up and think of new beginnings and all the things they promise to do differently next time.

I'm not sure why people need to make resolutions on January 1- but I do know the gym will be much busier with all the new resolutioners... for at least a month.

I guess that's why I'm not one who's much for resolutions-- they are almost always broken.

And there is such an expectation for them to be made in the first place. Jan 1- must resolve something. And if there is one thing you should know about me from the onset it's that I have the complete and total inability to do what I feel I must do. (This is the same reason I can't bring myself to follow The Pioneer Women-- no offense to her but everyone's "oh you'd looooove her. Really- you should." And it makes me not be able to do it. I'm sure this offense her greatly. Comply- who? she'd say.)

So no resolutions. No me saying flat out here is what will or won't be done this year. After all, on any given day I could have a child placed with us and then all those thoughts of what I will or I won't in 2012 will likely be out the window or at the very least forgotten from being thrown back in to the world of sleepless nights.

Instead, I give you my list of things I'd like to see what this year or for some of them, things I'm beginning to think I might want to do this year.

Continuing running. Me running comes as a huge shock to anyone who knew me before 2011. I use to say I would only run if someone was chasing me with a knife. And it had to be a knife because if they had a gun I might run and then they'd shoot me and so it'd be all for not. But in 2011 I started running. First to try and encourage the teenager who was living with us to a healthier lifestyle but I continued running when Geo decided he wanted to run a 5k in April. As the mother of boys, I need know it will be important that we have something we can connect through as each year he gets a little older. At his pace the 5k will take 40 minutes. This month we'll be up to running 25 minutes. Running is still difficult for me in that I normally don't want to go out and do it. I have to make myself do it. But as Geo said in our last run of 2011, "It's always hard when we start, but by the end, it's so much easier." Good life lesson Geo.
Figure out my new sewing machine. When my grandmother passed away in October, I got her Bernina sewing machine. And on Pinterest I've found lots of lovely sewing projects. I want to actually do them this year and not just pin them for some day (though some of the kids clothes will have to wait until we know what gender is coming our way).
Play the guitar more. I just flat didn't make time for that in 2011. I'd like to change that in 2012.
Grow out my hair again. (This is the one I'm only beginning to think I might want to consider doing) This is probably a pretty funny thing to say from someone who shaved her head by mistake this summer. But I've had short hair for 5 years running now and that's a long time for me to do anything the same. (I can't even keep my furniture in the same room for 1/5 that time). The last time I grew it out was to donate it and maybe that's where I'll go with this again. And maybe I won't grow it out at all. What do you think- to grow out? Or not to grow out?
Read the Bible. I was raised in a Christ-centered family and have attended church my whole life (minus a few less than wonderful years in college). This has been a true, full-on resolution in years past and true to resolutions, I've never done it. But I think it's pretty pathetic that someone who has been in a faith community for as long as I have has not read the Bible all the way through (even the slow parts like Leviticus and the Chronicles). I used the Blue Letter Bible app this morning and it let's you save notes from the read. I might post them here- not because I'm a Biblical scholar and what I think will change the world. But posting what I think may firstly keep me more accountable to following through (ugh- "accountable" stated on January 1- that sounds like a real resolution doesn't it.) and secondly- I'm interested to know what you think on the notes. Interested in guidance from others and your thoughts as I work my way through book by book.

So there they are. Five things to aim for this year. Four and 1/4 if you take my whole hair growing thing to it's proper place in importance. Pretty manageable it seems. And there are a few personal ones not listed. If you'd like to know them, you'll have to call me up for coffee.

So what about you- are you a resolutioner? Do you have any for 2012?

Or are you a bit more like me- no resolutions, just "aims" of where to head. Where are you heading in 2012?

Paperwork: Expenses

2011-12-17T09:53:00.001-06:00

Me: Well, that looks like it leaves us with "Other"

LK: What do they want there?

Me: Dunno. I guess other are our monthly financial commitments that aren't covered in the categories of utilities, groceries, fuel, child care, and tithing.

LK (Looking over his list of "others"): So then I have home insurance, pet expenses, HOA, coffee, medical...

Me: Did you just list coffee?

LK: You asked for monthly financial commitments not covered under the first few categories, and our budget has coffee as it's own category.

I love that I'm married to a man who fully understands the importance of good coffee.

Game On

2011-12-13T13:25:00.003-06:00

For those of you keeping score-- we're back to a "Game On" stance.

Heal Thy Self

2011-12-12T16:31:00.001-06:00

I once sat with a friend as she, in complete frustration, was discussing her ministry. She told me how this was the ministry she felt God was leading her to do. She knew in her heart that this was where she needed to be. She told me she had prayed and how she had asked other to pray that God show her how to go. And yet... it seemed like every door closed in her face as she tried year after year to make her way down the road she thought she was suppose to be on.

Tired and confused she asked me- if this is where she's suppose to be, why isn't anything working.

I just sat there unable to say the thoughts that were really in my mind. Unable to look her in the face and tell her that maybe if you've prayed for guidance and asked others to pray for you so you can have wisdom in the decision as well and it's all that difficult, maybe you're not really suppose to be on this road. Maybe these road blocks are here for a reason.

I don't mean that it's time to give up at the first sign of rough roads ahead, or the first time there's a bump. But I wanted to tell her maybe the road blocks are there to answer her request for guidance. To answer her question of how to go about it. Maybe the road blocks are telling her where to go and she doesn't want to listen.

Maybe this time, I'm guilty of the same thing.

Piano Recital

2011-12-11T20:48:00.000-06:00

This one is really for the grandparents and those who want to oooo and aaaaa over the boys playing their piano pieces.
Actually, for ISH only having started in September, I'm pretty impressed with his willingness to hop up there and play. Geo gave him some good coaching on how to not be nervous.
I was proud of how well both of them did. Good on ya boys.

This Time Last Year

2011-12-02T16:23:00.002-06:00

This time last year I was way better at blogging then I am now. But then this last year wasn't exactly what I had expected it to be. ... But I guess to understand what I expected from 2011, you have to understand 2010.

The beginning of 2010 found me in a "me" period. While I was still working and growing my business, and while I was still a full time mom and wife and involved in church ministries, the beginning of 2010 came with lots of extra time. Maybe it was that I had reached that lovely age with my children where they could get Pop Tarts on Saturday and hang out with cartoons by themselves, that age where they could dress themselves and help out around the house -- leaving a little more time for me each day.

Or maybe it was like a mentor of mine once told me that these times are gifts from God- periods of peace that he gives us before "it" comes. And while we can't ever know what "it" will be- she once encouraged me to use these times and enjoy the gift.

And so I started to learn guitar. I began taking classes in aerial silks. I started cooking more and hosting more friends in our home. I spent two weeks traveling in South East Asia … It was an enjoyable time of peace.

But while talking with my dad one day he said the words that would forever change it all. He said he was glad I was having all this time on my hands and glad that I'm enjoying it. After all, he is a strong believer that God wants us to enjoy what he give us. But then he encouraged me to ask God if perhaps there is more he would also like me to be doing with this time.

And so I did.

And soon God began to stir within me the desire to have more children in my life. But strangely, he didn't simultaneously stir the desire for them to be biologically mine. This desire for children clearly came with a lack of wanting to carry or deliver anything.

In June we sat in church holding a friend's one year old little girl. And from out of nowhere, I commented to LK, "well, you know, we could always adopt." With this comment, this one little phrase, a deeper conversation began between LK and me. Would we not take a child if someone left it on our door? Yes! And in that we realized there hundreds children waiting to be taken- they just don't know where our door is.

Within a week we were on the phone with Christian Services. We decided that perhaps jumping head first into adoption might be a bit much, but fostering, and interim fostering- the people who care for babies that are in the phase of no longer being with their biological family but not yet with their forever family- that would be the best way to test the waters.

Then a foster family told us that their foster child would soon be available for adoption and that because the child was going to have to be placed with a sibling, they could not do it. Yet again, another phrase that lead to 500 conversations. Could our home be the place for them?

These conversations led us to put our house, the house we deeply loved (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) but that would not hold two more children, on the market and move in to a house that would better suit the growing family we felt we could soon have.

The entire process with these children was a difficult situation and our lack of having any say in anything that happened stirred up within me the need for control I thought I had conquered. And one day in August as I was ranting to God asking why on earth would he put this desire in my heart only to have me not get to do ANY OF IT! I felt him call me to a time with him.

I can't explain it in words that don't sound like some crazy out of body experience- but I know, in that moment, the God who Sees, was asking me to ask him- seek him. And so on August 3 I committed to the Lord to have 40 days of prayer with him. To wake up early and spend 30 minutes in the morning seeking him and asking for his direction.

There were several stops and starts. Surely God would understand that I am tired, that I am traveling, that I was up late with a sick kids, etc. Surely he's okay with me sleeping in today.

November 1, 2010 the gloves came off and I decided for real this time- no excuses- I needed to carry out my commitment to the Lord. And so for 40 days I got up early and spent time with the Lord. Asking him to show me what he see for me this all of this. I began with a study of Ecclesiastes then Proverbs, and ending my 40 days in Job, asking that I can know the Lord, and be known by him.

As I ended my 40 days we had moved into a new house, but still had the old one and the sale of it was quickly falling apart. Four days after I ended it the contract fell apart. And we were left with two house, 10 days before Christmas. One staged with all of our furniture and the other with card tables and blow up mattresses.

Twelve days after I finished my 40 days, I received an email about a teenage girl who had no where to go and said the one thing she wanted in life was to have a family.

LK looked at me and said- we need to do this.

We were certified interim-foster-parents but no children had been in need yet. And while our heart was still pulling towards the sibling pair, that situation wasn't moving at all. And so we made the call- and learned that if she could come, it would at the end of January.

As we learned more, I began to pray. I first began to pray that God help our house sell. I told the Lord I can't have DHS come into a home with no furniture and try to convince them this is a suitable place for anyone to live.

Our house went back on the market right before Christmas, the time when no one looks at let alone buys a house. Between Christmas and New Year we had one showing if not more almost every day and the Monday after New Years we had three offers on the table all eager to have our house. In a down market, in the winter the Lord delivered full price, no closing costs and close at the end of the month. He had kept his end of the bargain and now it was my turn to keep mine. And so my prayers became:

"Lord! We may have a [teenager] come to live with us. Be with her. Thank you Father for all the situations in my life that you have given me up to know that have me fully capable to minister to someone like her. Be with her and bless her."

"Lord, I see clearly how all that happened before can be of good use now. In ALL THINGS. Thank you for times of trial. Thank you for redeeming me when I've fallen so I can show the same love and redemption to another."

Our furniture arrived January 26. C moved in January 28. And through God's power she was baptized on March 23. Fully becoming a member of the family of God.

And I would love to stop here and tell you everything since then has been wonderful. But that's not life.

Throughout the remainder of 2011 we pushed for the siblings only loose them over the summer... as if they were ever really ours.

And in September, C moved out- deciding she no longer wanted the life we were offering.

It felt confusing and sad.

But I believe God had us in the lives of the sibling set in a way that is hard to explain in a venue like this. But trust me, things happened, God and moved. And while we showed up thinking we knew how God was moving-- he ... well to quote a good friend of mine... he said "Gee. Thanks for showing up. Now, let me try to explain what I'm really trying to do here."

And I believe that God sees C. That he has his spirit in her life now and if she was with us for no other reason than that, I am thankful for the role we could play. And I know he is still interweaving her story in with others. I know he is there for her, should she want to accept that.

The day C moved out we received a call about a two-year-old girl who needed a foster home.

C being with us allowed us to move quickly into full on DHS foster care and so, C moved out on Friday and A moved in on Saturday.

She stayed for four days when DHS called and said she was moving to a kinship home and oh by the way could be take a six-day-old. S moved in as they were picking A up.

S lived with us two and a half days before moving on to her kinship home. (And on my but that is a blog post in itself. God was so visibly at work there and it was beautiful).

We had what ISH would call "our four-person family" from Saturday to Tuesday and then R (age 4) and J (13 months) moved in.

From there the months blur- by Friday my grandmother was dying and within 10 days of R and J coming, we had closed our home to DHS and R and J were being placed elsewhere so that I could be with my family following my grandmother's passing.

I know- it doesn't make sense and believe me it didn't really then either. But it- them being with us- foster care- all of it. It wasn't right. In a way I couldn't put my finger on at the time, but it. just. wasn't. right.

Again I stood there confused. What did God want from me? I asked him what he wanted me to be doing with all of this time and I felt the call of more children. I felt the call that my family wasn't yet "done." And there was interim care... but that wasn't the answer. And there were the siblings... but that wasn't the answer. And there was C... but that wasn't the answer. And there was DHS foster care... but that didn't seem like answer either. And now 18 months removed from that prayer I was more upside down in what I was "suppose" to be doing than ever before.

I tried to make myself want to get pregnant. That would be the easiest answer (well easy in one sense at least). But, well to keep from getting to medical, let's just say that in 2009 certain steps were taken to make that not really something that could just "happen" like it had with the boys, and when I thought about having to undo that. And when I thought about being pregnant and giving birth and the biological aspect of it all... I just really didn't want to be pregnant.

And so by the end of October I looked at my dad and said- I don't get it. I prayed and I feel lost. I feel like I am in a fog.

"Ah" he said. "Maybe that's where God wanted you. Maybe now he can lead."

And so one year later and several hundred blogs short of 2010, I can't really say where the next year is going. In some ways I feel like I'm seeing some sort of a path through the fog. In some ways it seems like the path of formal adoption is opening for us-- but so much of that remains out of our control.

And maybe being "out of my control" is just where God wants me to be.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T18:12:00.000-06:00

We had a lovely time at my parent's for Thanksgiving. It was quieter this year with only my parents, my family and Grannie- a whole lot calmer than the Thanksgiving of my youth with me and my cousins running through Grannie's house, eating all the good nuts out of the mixed nuts bowl. But it was good all the same.

One of the sweetest moments came when my dad and ISH put on a concert for us (at ISH's request). ISH has been in piano since September a he combined his two memorized songs to make one lovely piece. The first video is their first run at it. The second is when Dad figured out a better way to play his part.

What was your favorite part of the Thanksgiving break?

The Season of Giving

2011-11-20T16:51:00.000-06:00

ISH: Mommy, today in Bible class we talked about how there are some people in the world that don't have as much as we do and it's hard for them especially at Christmas. And so I was thinking, maybe I can go through my toys and get out the ones I don't play with much any more and we can give them to kids who don't have a lot of toys.

Me (feeling proud of the spiritual height he has reached at such a young age): Sure buddy. That would be a great thing to do.

ISH: Like maybe I can give them my broken slinky.

365

2011-06-04T18:20:00.002-05:00

We're somewhere outside of Dallas. Somewhere that 365 days ago I was researching beds so I could redo our master bedroom when I got back home.

365 days. It doesn't seem very long ago. And yet ...

365 days ago I never thought I would have that bed in a completely different house.

365 days ago I never would have thought I would have a daughter (and a teenage one at that!).

365 days ago some very important people in my life were completely unknown.

The journey of how I got from there to here began as whispers three months before, but 372 days ago there was a vital turning point- propelling those whispers into a full speed freight train. And 365 days ago I had no idea how one little comment made one week later would completely change the face of my family.

A Night of Twisters

2011-05-24T22:33:00.000-05:00

I'm an Okie. Born. Raised.

I remember times when Mom would give us a bag and tell us to go upstairs and grab what we wanted to keep. Times of sitting in my parent's closet, listening to the weather broadcasting from my brother's Transformer radio.

Every time we emerged from the closet- house in tact. With tornados far from us.

And while, when I was younger, there were close calls like the May 3rd tornado, I have never been scared of tornados.

But then I had kids and a house. And somehow my outlook changed.

So today when the sky turned green and began to churn like an upset stomach- I knew that doesn't mean anything good was yet to come.

So as I went through the house taking pictures for photographic proof should we need to file insurance claims, LK packed the car with our dog, the kids, the hard drive and my dad's guitar. And then we all went to safety. But in the end, we piled it all back in the car and went back to our home. With tornados far from us.

And here I sit, in my undamaged house, viewing pictures of all that others lost. Hearing the story of people who's bathtub safety plan didn't work. Hearing stories of the missing child in Four Corners. Seeing houses leveled. And I think how blessed I have been that in 30 years of living in Oklahoma, I have never had to experience what people are experiencing tonight.

Tonight I am thankful for the shelter Oklahoma Christian provided for us- such a calming thought to know we had somewhere safe to go. Tonight I am thankful for the excellent forewarning we had. And I am thankful that everyone I know is safe.

My heart and my prayers are with those who cannot say the same.

On the Off Chance They Are Right

2011-05-21T09:19:00.000-05:00

LK and I are spending time in B'ville at the Price Tower and surrounding area. I'm such a fan of architecture and this has been one of those places I've always wanted to experience. Given I grew up only a few hours from here it's hard to see why it's taken me this long to come.

(And if you're a Frank Llyod Wright hater, keep it to yourself. I know the design flaws of the lit-from-within-fireplace that has no way to change the light bulb, but that doesn't discount the harmony of his designs)

So here we are, kid-less and enjoying a vacation in our own state. And if the world does in fact end today, I can't think of a better person to be with.

10 Years Ago Today

2011-05-11T16:12:00.000-05:00

10 years ago today.... It was raining cats and dog just like now... But 10 years ago today you had less hair.... and I had more.

10 years ago today we had a blind-fold lunch so we could enjoy the company of our out-of-town guests while still upholding the tradition of not seeing each other before the wedding.

10 years ago today we were having ourselves a great time at the reception party ...

walking in to Son of a Preacher Man, of course!

10 years ago I made one of the best decisions of my life: to marry a man who is now ...

just as much fun as he was then.

Happy anniversary.

FOOD FIGHT!

2011-05-07T21:45:00.000-05:00

Today is C's 100th day with us! What blessing to have her with us... though after today ... she might be having second thoughts.

But then... what else is there to do on a sunny Saturday in May but have a food fight. Yes, you heard right. Food. Fight (and yes, I questioned my sanity going into this whole thing).

But it all came together as a result of the seed the Diary of a Whimpy Kid books planted in Geo's mind. And so I went with it.

A full on ...

Baked beans and chocolate sauce ...

Whipped cream and mustard....

Flour and tomato sauce ...

Mashed potatoes, strawberry syrup, and cereal FOOD FIGHT!

And in the end, we had a group of very messy people...

And one excited boy, ready to mark "Have a food fight" off his list of things to do before he's old.

Click here to check out all 151 photos (we put the camera on a timer and went to town)

WHAT?

2011-05-05T17:32:00.000-05:00

I was cleaning out the garage yesterday - moving things from place to place trying to clean up the aftermath of our half-year-back move. While I'm working ISH looks at me from his spot on the floor where he had spent the last half-hour coloring. "Wow Mommy. You've moved a lot of stuff. That's some hard work .... (wait for it)... for a woman."

WHAT?

So I'm not sure who of you out there taught him this or thinks it's funny. ... But I have my guesses .... and you're all in trouble!

Random Thought Thursday: Earth Day

2011-04-21T18:33:00.002-05:00

What time is it: 625P

Where am I: OK Gold Gymnatics. Squeezing 30 minutes of watching Geo in before running to pick up C ... I am officially a "stay-in-the-car-mom". What would that be? SITCM?

Last ate: Home-made chicken and rice soup. I'd planned on chicken salad but the cold front required an audible.

Listening to: the hum of parents comparing children and lives as they, like me, "watch" their children

Thoughts: Tomorrow is Earth Day. I can perfectly remember Earth Day of my 5th grade year. I am standing by the water fountain ... The night before I hadn't put away my shoes and thus couldn't find them in time for school ... Mom was not happy... Sent me to school wearing the first pair of shoes she could find.... So, I'm wearing one size too big, bright blue rain boots ... Paired nicely with dark leggings and an oversized, long sleeved white shirt ... It has a duck or some strange cartoon creature on the front ... Standing their wishing I could spend the day in the bathroom (yes, even I can actually be embarrassed by "fashion"). ... But you know ... I don't remember losing my shoes again after that.

Happy Earth Day

Random Thought Thursday: Gifts

2011-04-14T10:12:00.000-05:00

What time is it: 1007A

Where am I: standing at the kitchen counter, trying to fit a blog post in at least once this week

Last ate: Hmm... I think I ate breakfast. That or the Altoid is holding me over well. So let's go with breakfast

Listening to: the electricians in the dining room-- new dining room light goes up today!

Thoughts: ISH is a very thoughtful child. Should he choose to marry, he will certainly be a good catch one day.

Why is this? He knows the way to a woman's heart is thoughtful gifts. He's forever brining me treasures from the outside to brighten my day.

"I brought you this leaf because it has some black on and and I know black is your favorite color."

So sweet.

However.... last night's gift left on my bedside table might need a Mulligan.

Thanks for the effort though little one.

Promises Promises

2011-04-08T22:08:00.000-05:00

Tonight at a group activity, the kids were suppose to write down things they are good at doing. ISH proudly showed me his badge:

I AM GOOD AT:
making promises

"That's great Buddy," I said. "Are you also good at keeping the ones you make?"

"Oh Mommy," ISH replied with a bit of a five-year-old twinkly eye roll. "I'm not so good at that."

If Life is a Highway

2011-03-24T18:33:00.000-05:00

What time is it: 618P though my eyes tell me they think it should be later

Where am I: Oklahoma Christian University library while C has tutoring; realizing I have likely spent more time here in the past month than all four years of school combined... though... in reality I was hardly on campus those four years which is a prerequisite to being in the library

Listening to: a girl desperately trying to explain to dad how to send a file to her school email since mom is not home to do it. It's like that scene out of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Thoughts: I've been spending a lot (A LOT) of time in the car lately and have two very odd thoughts to come of all this driving.

1- I honestly don't know what the speed limit is most of the time. I don't know if space out between the stop light and the sign or if I'm checking the mirrors to change lanes or messing with kids or whatever (and no- I'm not texting, that's been saved for the long waits at the the stoplight) but whatever the time warp situation may occur, most of the way into the stretch of asphalt and I realize I have no clue what speed I should be going. None. And I have begun to think that they should put a courtesy "Hey Moron" speed limit sign somewhere in the middle of the mile for people like me. So as it stands I aim for 40. Most of the time in Edmond that's either 5 over (and I pray for grace from the police) or 5 under (and I pray for understanding from the drivers around me).

2- When people are walking on the sidewalk near the road and I'm driving in the right-hand lane, I have this fear that they will trip and fall on to the road and I will have to suddenly swerve to miss them. Which is why texting is relegated to stoplights.

Random Thought Thursday: Thankful

2011-03-10T13:22:00.000-06:00

What time is it: 115P

Where am I: the lobby of a local business

Listening to: a person applying for a job speaking with someone about positions open. Getting the ins and outs of the business.

Thoughts: I'm waiting in the lobby while one of the kids has an appointment. Over the last month the main thing I've learned is to grab time as it comes. I'm still working (and working full time) but instead of sitting in my office to work, many times these days it's done from the front seat of the car as I wait in carpool lines or, like today, in random places when I'm able to pick up a wifi signal. Today, I'm thankful for unprotected wifi.

I woke up this morning thinking the day would be a series of one appointment to another. But my 10 o'clock (that was 30 minutes away and schedule exactly 30 minutes after ISH went to school) had to reschedule. Today I'm thankful for unexpected time.

I left piles of dishes used in preparation for dinner in the sink as I ran from home to this appointment. Today I'm thankful for LK who helps around the house making so much of my life possible.

What are you thankful for today?

Overheard

2011-03-08T17:33:00.001-06:00

ISH (while holding up a cup to his ear): Listen! I hear the ocean. .... (pause while concentrates on the sound in the cup) ... must be a red flag day.
Me: Why's that bud?
ISH: I can't hear anyone playing in there.

ISH (while staring in awe at the genius of Phineas and Ferb): How do they get all that done in 104 days?

Geo: They must be fast builders.

Transitions

2011-03-05T08:33:00.000-06:00

Pardon my last few weeks of silence. I have, in some ways, felt as though I've been standing on quick sand lately. Moments of ever shifting, readjusting, trying to keep from sinking deep. But the transitions are worth it for moments like the one I overheard yesterday as I was out with C and ISH.

ISH (to the kid playing with toys next to him): See that girl over there .... she's my sister.

2011-02-17T22:56:00.000-06:00

What time is it: 1039P

Where am I: my bed. I love that my bed is actually in New House! Though it was a weird feeling to be closer to the ceiling than my month and a half on the air mattress provided.

Last ate: LK's and mine nightly hot drink, but if you don't count apple cider as "eaten" then dinner I guess.

Listening to: The Colbert Report

Thoughts: I have tons to finish between now and this time tomorrow. I must go to bed. So unfortunately there's not time or energy to go into the thoughts I have rattling around in my head. Thoughts about the absurdity of OK weather (it was 8 last week and 80 today). Thoughts this blog post put in my mind about the beauty of floating. Thoughts on Geo's questions about death and "the box" (I didn't tell him mommy has no plans for the box- this body's going to science baby!). Thoughts on me trying to get back into a regular routine following the move here, C's move in, and the two weeks of snow. Reflections on ISH's thoughts from today on super heros v Star Wars and his plan on how to passively fight "bad guys." Thoughts on how the last week has gone as we've enacted mandatory 5:30 news watching.

So instead, I'll leave you with this thought- I am very certain that at least once today each one of my children tried to talk while I was in the bathroom. I guess the secret of that being mom's only alone time was a lie.

RTT: Mercy

2011-02-10T09:05:00.001-06:00

At least I think it's Thursday. It's been almost 2 weeks that kids have more or less been out of school and church has been canceled due to Snowklahoma that I can't really remember what day it is now.

What time is it: 851A

Where am I: in the lovely light-filled dining room that is now complete with FURNITURE!

Listening to: Johnny Test on the TV in the living room and Isa's toenails tapping on the window sill as she nervously surveys the comings and goings of squirrels.

Thoughts: We're settling in here with our new family dynamics, though we thought that two weeks in we'd have more school under our belt (than ZERO days) and a bit more of a routine together. However, C reminded me the other day that everything happens for a reason. And I think she's right because some good learning moments for all have come from hours upon hours of forced togetherness.

I'm immensely grateful to all of you who have texted, emailed, and called to give words of encouragement. I cannot express how much that has meant to me.

We watched the Blind Side last night, C, LK and myself. It was everything I could do to not boo hoo my way through that one. Especially now.

I drove past a church on Tuesday whose sign read:

Blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy

And I smiled. But it wasn't so much because I think that through my actions here I will be racking up some extra karma for the times when I'm unbearable. And while I believe in some very real ways we will be shown mercy through some of what we're doing here, I think the main point of this is that because I have been shown mercy, I can't not be merciful.

C asked me once why we're doing this. Why her, why now.

"Because I have God that has redeemed me, picked me up, and given me second chances," I said.

In other words, because I've been shown mercy.

Me and Jamie Lee

2011-02-09T10:33:00.000-06:00

What is is with me that has me on the coldest day of the year

shearing my hair

Maybe I'll die it gray and pretend I'm Jamie Lee

Crafting My Way Through Cabin Fever

2011-02-06T09:54:00.000-06:00

With massive amounts of snow on the ground

and temperatures too cold to enjoy outside,

we spent hour upon hour of family time together last week. While trapped inside, I decided to ~~shear~~ trim the dog, which in hind-sight was possibly not the best thing to do with it being so cold outside

And while there were times of game playing, times tv/netflix watching ... or at least until the cable went out from the snow... which lead to times of boys running wild through the house like wolf-raised-heathens, and times of blissful naps, there was also times of me keeping myself from this

by unpacking boxes, setting up more of New House, and crafting! Below are some of the projects that I started this week which still remain in various stages of unfinished. Hopefully it won't require another week-long blizzard to finish these.

In one of the boxes I found the map I used to get around Memphis when we first moved there (pre-GPS days) and I immediately knew where it needed to go- decoupaged inside the windows from our Memphis house

And I prepared the house address to put with the map (I need two more Es so this project remains open)

Then I set to work with left over pieces of tile from Old House, shadow boxes, packing foam, and hot glue.

This one didn't turn out quite like I had in mind in that when it's hanging I can still seem some of the foam but late last night I think I came up with a solution... which I haven't yet implemented.

And then there is the bucket. I read about someone doing this and 1) I need a trash can for my office and 2) I have lots of 5 gallon buckets lying around from painting New House, so I got out paint and scrap fabric and set to work

Early this morning (since church has been postponed until 1:30pm) I decoupaged the fabric to the bucket.

Once it's all dry I'll paint a little more on it and then it will be all set to go when the office turns from this

into an actual space for productive work.

Were you trapped inside this week? How'd you pass the time?

I hope he's right

2011-02-02T21:30:00.000-06:00

Last night C broadened our horizons by introducing us to New Moon and the joy that is Twilight. So tonight we're returning the favor by introducing her to the movie magic that is Ground Hog Day.

And with 8" of snow on the ground and school cancelled for the third day in a row, all I have to say is this year, that ground hog best not be wrong.

A Year in the Making

2011-01-31T22:23:00.000-06:00

I would like to start by officially resigning my status as Land Barroness. Yes, that's right, I own only one ONE (1!!!) house as of 12:45pm this afternoon!

In other news, happy bloggy birthday to me!

I can't believe it's been one year since I wrote my first post on my own blog. And while that moment was just 365 little days ago- so much as changed. When I wrote that post I sat on a bed I no longer own, in a house I no longer own, surrounds by free time and goals that aren't exactly the same now. In the past year I tried my hand at aerial silks, learned to play the guitar, and experimented with cooking. In the past year I've shared some stream of conscious thoughts (as well as a few random ones), traveled to South East Asia and knocked my 6th continent off the list. I've improved more than one house and had some major improvement of my own in the past 6 months (1 2 3 4 5) .

In some ways, it's hard to believe it was just 365 days ago that this journey began, it's equally hard to believe it wasn't more.

Define: Emanate

2011-01-28T13:57:00.000-06:00

Any minute now life will change for us in some very real ways. It's not that I mean to be cryptic, it's just something I don't think I can openly talk through here, but let's just say the lyrics to a particular Wayne Watson song keep going through my head.

Or to say it another .... well follow me for a minute ...

I traveled a lot in college. Some would say I traveled college. Period. At graduation my dad said they should have given me an award for the graduate having spent the least amount of time on campus during her 4 year college career. Because I traveled so much (and a few other factors) I graduated with a BS in Liberal Studies (pause here for appropriate BS and Liberal Studies jokes.... done now Dad?). My degree was in world religion, multimedia, and English (and travel), but through my work in PR and six years as a travel agent I would joke that my degree was pretty well worthless for my chosen career. I felt like I had chosen travel over getting real a degree that I could actually apply in my daily life.

Then in the fall of 2008 I sat in my living room having completed my online training portal for my agents to use complete with 21 video lessons and interactive training questions. It required English, multimedia, and all my travel knowledge to get there. It was a moment where I felt like taking off my shoes and marveling at the way God had orchestrated everything throughout my life up to that point that I would need to experience that very moment.

Today I'm at my kitchen table- looking at the layout of my new house, looking at the blessings God has given me, at the relationships He has brought into my life at just the right time to give me strength, encouragement and useful tools for this exact moment (and all of the hundreds to follow).

The phone rings ... they're on their way.

RTT: Before I Get Old

2011-01-27T22:09:00.000-06:00

What time is it: 1007p

Where am I: at kitchen table making my way towards bed-- trying to be better about getting up early means needing to equally be better at going to bed earlier.

Listening to: two fridges dueling it out-- need to move borrowed fridge out now that real fridge is here. REAL FRIDGE IS HERE!!!

Thoughts:
Geo has really been into the Diary of a Whimpy Kid Books so for Christmas we got him the Do-It-Yourself book. Within the book there is a list of "Things You Should Do Before You Get Old." I was pretty proud of the fact that I could check off many things on the list. But one of them- one of them has alway alluded me. Until tonight.

Tonight I win. Tonight I made it through a whole lollipop without biting it. And a toostie roll pop at that. Check!

The Last Night

2011-01-25T17:03:00.000-06:00

In a few short hours we will go back to Old House to spend our last night there. The movers come tomorrow to clear it out and bring everything to New House so we can stop sleeping on air mattresses.

The past month hasn't been bad though. In fact, LK aired my bed up nicely last night and it so it was almost like a real mattress. But, still, I get this gitty little feeling when I think THE BEDS ARE COMING TOMORROW!

But Old House was a nice place. In Old House we grew closer as a family- and LK and I learned so much as a couple. I started my company in Old House. We had many friends, old and new, over at Old House. I learned to play the guitar in Old House. I re-discovered my style in Old House. And while it seems a bit melodramatic- I think I found a greater part of myself while living there.

Memphis will also be special because it was my first house. But Old House, it was my sanctuary for three good years. I'm going to be elated to say the least when I sign on the line and relinquish my Land Baroness status- but yes, there will be part of me that will always miss that house.

RTT: Truly Random

2011-01-20T21:46:00.002-06:00

What time is it: 936p

Where am I: at the new kitchen table at New House. HORRAY!

Listening to: LK clean up from dinner (I married a great man!)

Last ate: Hearty Beef Stew with warm rolls, but I'm contemplating trying out the pumpkin cream cheese muffins Flower brought over tonight.

Thoughts: I think it's been a month since I officially did a RTT. It's hard to describe the last month except the say that after the contract went bust, we still decided to mostly move and have been living with borrowed furniture and sleeping on air mattresses. But it's not as bad as it sounds. How great is it to be able to fold up your dining room table and chairs when not in use ... we really need to have a bowling contest in there before the real table comes. And as I've been saying, nothing shows how much a man loves his wife as when he inflates her bed for her in the evening. And I say her bed because yes, we are on separate twin air mattresses. Just call us Ozzie and Harriet.

I picked up a paint brush for the first time in a month today. Something about that dining room ceiling- it's the one thing that needs to be done before the large furniture arrives and the one thing I can't get motivated to finish. But T- 6 days til move in so I best get after it.

ISH and I had the best belly laugh tonight as I was trying to get him ready for bed. It was in no uncertain terms completely unproductive for bed-time readiness but it was equally in no uncertain terms one of those moments I wanted to freeze frame forever. Click.

LK is now off to play a game of "old men basketball." My parting words to him before such games: remember your insurance card. Yup, not as cool for sure.

Not As Cool As I Think I Am

2011-01-19T20:37:00.000-06:00

Geo to me: Sometimes you say something to Daddy and you both laugh like Ha Ha Ha Ha. But what you said, it's really not funny.

Thanks buddy.

Ask First

2011-01-17T08:15:00.000-06:00

LK and I spent Saturday in CPR training so we could be in compliance with a program we're involved with. One of the things that the instructors told us as we discussed choking and other first aid situations is that when someone is in distress but still conscious you must first identify yourself and ask if you can help.

"I'm training in first aid. Can I help you?"

Keep in my the person could be turning blue or could have cut their arm off and be standing there in total shock- but even then, if conscious, they have to be given the right to refuse. Because sadly, even with one less limb attached, they may not want to be helped.

And, if they refuse, all you can do is stand there until their problem is solved, they accept your help, or until they pass out.

That night, following training, as I surveyed the room of the building LK and I were in, looking at all the people there (praying I did not have to utilize any of these new skills on real people), it struck me how true the whole "ask first" rule is in life problems as well.

I've been in conversations where emotionally someone stands before me choking to death on their own problems. But, until they are ready to accept the help I can give, all my training is useless.

Define: Frustration

2011-01-10T16:11:00.000-06:00

There are times I want to look them in the face and say REALLY!?!?! Why do you feel the need to make this so infuriatingly impossible. It's as though by your little hoops and random non-reasons that you're saying you would like to make this as difficult as it possibly could be and then some.
You'd think you really don't want us to do this for you. Or maybe the truth is you don't.
And that, my friends, is by definition, frustration.

Blast Off!

2011-01-09T22:39:00.001-06:00

We had a busy weekend full of five-year-olds, birthday fun, family, and the debut of the Rockets! If you look closely you'll see Gray # 3 skipping (dare I say dancing) down the court and the occasional stare off into the stratosphere. But overall the team did great and Geo even had two assists! And even though Upward Sports doesn't keep score for the 2nd/3rd grade team Geo logged every shot and proudly announced they won by 2.

He even gets a few dribbles in on this one. If you listen close you can hear the coaches calling trying to get his attention (to no real success.)

Oh and look around 2 minutes in to see a kid have the ball bounce out of his hands and hit himself on the head-- and no, it wasn't my kid.

College and Marriage

2011-01-07T13:46:00.000-06:00

LK posting an interesting blog today that reflects on a study that notes how

highly-educated women (at least a 4-year degree) have a lower[ing] divorce rate and much lower incidence of children outside of marriage.

His post also reflects on how the study says that

Surprisingly the moderately-educated, or ‘Middle America’ (some post-secondary education but no degree) are trending worse than the poor [in their divorce rates].

LK postulates on why this could be and comments on how he's glad to be married to a degree-holding college girl (that would be me). So here's my two cents on it.

To me it's like the conversation I had with a friend who lacked one class to graduate but instead of taking that one class (a gen ed class at that) he was applying for a job and leaving his studies, and he wanted my opinion on how his resume sounded. I told him that personally, the fact that he lacked one class and could not list a degree on the resume even with all those hours under his belt would raise many a red flag as an employer about his ability to start and complete a task.

So, perhaps completing college is not only evident of someone who can handle delayed gratification, and not only understands that what she does today will have a lasting effect on what can then be accomplished tomorrow, and not only shows someone's ability to work with group projects (a necessity in college as well as marriage), but that it also shows a person who is able to not just start something but see it through to it's intended end. Perhaps that is why women with a diploma on the wall fair better.

Perhaps.

I'll Never ...

2011-01-03T20:54:00.002-06:00

There's a well known fact within my family that if you say "I'll never ...." mark it on the calendar cause girl, it's sure to happen. In fact, I had to very carefully word my hatred of the DFW airport and Dallas traffic when picking LK up there once on our way further south just to beat the system. I believe I hedged my bets by saying "I'll really be upset if we ever move here," rather than stating "I'll never move to Dallas." Because, well I know what would happen if I said the latter (Texas here we'd come).

But after the last two weeks, I might have a new family saying to add to the list.

No one ever ....

When our first contract busted I began to pout and say "No one ever looks at a house this close to Christmas." And four days later, we had three showings on the calendar.

After those showings with no offers, I buckled back down and stated as sure as fact "No one ever looks at houses the week between Christmas and New Year." SEVEN showings later, my sure as fact statement was disproven.

Yes, but (I said after getting a few lower than expected offers) "no one ever buys a house in the middle of winter for what the house is really worth." And yet, tonight we sit with three really good offers in hand and an all but a signed and finished contract.

Though honestly, after the last one, I don't believe I be exhaling until the names are signed at closing I'm marching my happy self out the door with keys to only one house.

But in the mean time, I'm pretty sure no one ever buries gold in their backyard before moving out of state and leaves said gold behind forgetting they ever had it. ... so I'm off to find a shovel.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T22:13:00.000-06:00

I'm realizing I am more superstitious than I would like to admit (or maybe it's just that I'm a bit OCD) but I'm all about black eyed peas and cornbread on New Year's Day. After all, legend has it the only year my grandparents didn't eat them, my grandfather got cancer.

So here's to a happy new year and I don't know if Grannie meant for pistachio ice cream to cover the "and something green for money" but ....

Wailing in the New Year

2010-12-31T21:53:00.002-06:00

Here's to hoping the wailing that is coming from my youngest's bedroom is not indicative of the year to come.

Hoping the noise makers at your new year's party a less organic than mine.

Agatha Explained

2010-12-27T13:58:00.000-06:00

In more than one post I've referenced Agatha the Gift-bearing Beagle and if you've spent much time around my children it's likely that they've asked you if you've ever heard of her. So here it is, Agatha explained.

When LK and I moved to Memphis for his graduate work we bought a house. Sure we calculated that 5 years in a house given the down payment we could make would make more financial sense than renting. And sure, we determined we'd be able to house overnight guests better in a house. But really, I mean really really, we got a house so we could get a dog.

So, less than a week after moving in LK and I were at the pound- believing that we would show our heroic side by rescuing one of their caged pets. We chose Keebler- a German Shepherd mix who was on death row. We paid our money and went home with happy expectation that following a routine examine and spaying Keebler would be ours. We went an even bought toys and a bandana for her to wear. We were excited.

Two days passed and back to the pound we went.

But at the pound the worker, who himself looked like the human version of the unwanted pets he watched over, told us that that dog had parvo and distemper and they'd dun put her down.

You could physically see my heartbreak.

Okay, Okay- we said, so what can we do now? And we were told we could choose another dog. So we did. This time we chose a puppy- sure that a puppy would be healthy enough to survive the two day physical.

Two days had pass, and many phone calls to the pound to make sure the do was okay, and back to the pound we went. But when we arrived, heartbreak again as we were told that dog had heartworms and they put him down.

No- no! LK told them- you killed our last dog. This dog you just told us not more than an hour ago was ready to take home.

We couldn't bare the heartbreak of choosing another dog only to have the Memphis pound kill it, so the worker directed us to a "pet store."

We were not only first time home buyers, we were first time pet buyers so we didn't know about the whole puppy mill situation, we just knew that here was a place that would have a dog we could take home that day, and that was good enough for us.

LK told the work about his dream of having a dog that would catch a frisbee off leash at the park the way the dogs did at the beginning of The Flight of the Navigator.

The workers eyes lit up. If you want a dog you can let off leash, a good dog that doesn't bark or dig and is so easy to train, a dog you can let off leash while you play at the park, a dog that hardly sheds ... you need a beagle.

Clearly "stupid" was tattooed across our forehead.

We paid more than one month's house payment and took the beagle home, naming her Agatha, Greek for a "good thing."

Within one week, after the dog had dug up and eaten flowers out of the backyard, after the dog spent all night barking and baying, after the dog had eaten part of the mask I'd bought in Venice, after the dog defiantly peed on our bed while looking at us, and after the dog had shed balls of hair in every corner of the house and scaled the fence to run away- I looked at LK and told him to take this hellion dog back to that woman and tell her that she LIED!!!!

Overtime Agatha and I would grow to love each other and in December, when LK and I celebrated our first Christmas away from family- I decided Agatha should buy us a gift. She was well aware of the massive leaf situation we had with all the old trees in our yard and thoughtfully bought us a leaf blower.

Since that year Agatha has brought us presents each year and well before the boys knew that there was a man name Santa, they knew Agatha the Gift Bearing Beagle would bring them presents.

They've even asked if she'll be able to find us at the new house. And LK assured them that just like when she would run away back in our Memphis days and find her way home, he would find the new house. And she did.

So here is to hoping Agatha brought you all your heart desired.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T18:44:00.000-06:00

From our house to yours

The Eve Of

2010-12-24T23:27:00.001-06:00

Two presents left to wrap, but given that I had not wrapped a thing before 8:45pm tonight, I'm feeling pretty good about only having two items left. And since technically I don't need those items until lunch time, I'm calling it a grande success (despite the fact that I ran out of tape and could not remember which moving box the spare rolls were in and thus I wrapped 80% of the gifts with duct tape).

Here's to a very Merry Christmas.

Genetics

2010-12-22T23:21:00.000-06:00

As I'm replacing this and adding trying to make it gluten free for our first new house dinner guests, and I'm realizing I don't have this so I'll just add that .... I suddenly realize that ISH's Mayo Pickle Sandwich must be genetic.

Rewind to two weeks ago:
ISH: Can we make ZaFrank's tea sandwiches?
Me: What do you need to make it
ISH: Cucumbers
Me: I don't have cucumbers.
ISH: ... thinking.... thinking... But we have pickles.
Me: Hmmmm
ISH: And we need cream cheese.
Me: I don't have cream cheese.
ISH: ... thinking.... thinking... But we have mayonnaise
Me: Ummmmmmm
ISH: And we need crustless white bread
Me: I don't have crustless white bread.
ISH: ... thinking.... thinking... But we have wheat rolls, right?

And so we made ZaFrank's cucumber, cream cheese, white bread tea sandwiches without the cucumbers, cream cheese or white bread.

RTT: Busted.

2010-12-16T21:44:00.000-06:00

What time is it: 925P

Where am I: Old House kitchen table, coming to terms that unlike I had thought, this will likely not be my last RTT from Old House

Listening to: My computer fan spin.

Last ate: Chex Mix (store bought) which I found to be lacking in taste and thus only has me craving for some good homemade stuff.

Thoughts: I have a post I started on Monday that is 1/2 finished. Started it before the drama. Started it before our buyer walked away and our contract. Started it before I had to fight for at least a little justice in the whole mess. A little justice came- but then left behind it the whole now what question.

I told LK a week ago that I didn't think this would go through- that something with the buyer didn't feel right. I hate it when my intuition is right. And I hate it when I discount intuition only to have it proven after all.

But, I am so thankful for the friends who have stepped up to give a refrigerator to us, or loan us couches, or offer to help move on short notice some- but not all- of our things (got to keep Old House looking her best). This is not going like I thought it would by any means but I'm still able to see so many of the blessing in this and maybe that's what it's about.

And strangely, I have peace. That doesn't mean I'm not frustrated by what happened and it doesn't mean I didn't state what was right and what was not in no uncertain terms, but even still- I do have peace. And I'm thankful for that. Thankful that His left arm is still supporting my head and that even now, His right arm embraces me- and perhaps embracing me more than if we were sailing through to closing day. And that really brings amazing peace.

We put our tree up this week and while all things won't be moved to New House, the boys will ... and I will ... We all will be together on Christmas with a tree in one house even if it is not as I had planned it.

I spent 2 weeks and 2 days killing myself to have a house ready for move in day. So tonight I will reward myself with sleep. And tomorrow night, when we sleep in New House for the first time- two months after having signed on the line- I will reward myself with a nice bath.... that is once I get the cabinet doors out of the tub.

Prayer Walk

2010-12-12T23:18:00.000-06:00

We're less than 12 hours from the new carpet coming to New House and the over-the-carpet-painting-areas are all done (huge relief!!!). So tonight I combined the prayer walk idea from Brazil with the draw on the floor idea my mom let us do back when their house was under construction.

We went around to the carpeted rooms with the boys and our Bible, read verses that were related to the activities we anticipate for the rooms, wrote the scripture reference on the floor, and then prayed over the room.

In the pantry area we read:

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who goes to him for safety.

and talked about how blessed we are for the food God gives us.

In my office we read:

Sometimes God gives a man wealth and possessions. He makes it possible for him to enjoy them. He helps him accept the life he has given him. He helps him to be happy in his work. All of those things are gifts from God.

and prayed for my work, my clients, and thanking God that I have a job I enjoy doing.

In the living room we read:

Don't forget to welcome strangers. By doing that, some people have welcomed angels without knowing it.

and talked about how we look forward to having Qgroups, friends, family, neighbors, and more over to our new home.

In the master bed we read:

Here is what Israel should say, suppose the Lord had not been on our side. Suppose the Lord had not been on our side when our enemies attacked us. Suppose he had not been on our side when their anger blazed out against us. Then they would have swallowed us alive. They would have been like a flood that drowned us. They would have swept over us like a rushing river. They would have washed us away like a swollen stream. Give praise to the Lord. He has not let our enemies chew us up. We have escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help comes from the Lord. He is the Maker of heaven and earth.

which has been a deeply personal selection for our marriage and prayed that like Old House, this place can be a sanctuary and a strengthening place for our relationship.

In the boys room we read:

The integrity of the upright guides them

and talked about integrity and prayed our prayer over the boys- that they would will grow to be men of integrity who know and honor God's word.

In the middle bedroom we read:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

and talked about the foster babies we look forward to having in our family and prayed for them and for us as we minister to them.

And in the hallway- we read:

He will be the firm foundation for their entire lives. He will give them all of the wisdom, knowledge and saving power they will ever need. Respect for the Lord is the key to that treasure

and talked about how just like this concrete is the foundation for our house, God is our foundation for our lives and then we signed and dated the concrete.

The cutest part in signing our names as that I went first and wrote "Mommy" and then my real name under it. Geo went next and wrote his name in quotes as well "Geo" and then tried to write a description below- he was trying for brother I'm sure but ended up writing bother of ISH. Priceless for sure.

RTT: The Goodest Word

2010-12-09T08:57:00.000-06:00

What time is it: 841A

Where am I: Old House preparing to head to New House for crunch time work

Listening to: the washing machine churn, ISH play Lego Star Wars, and my stomach growl

Last ate: Per statement above- haven't gotten around to eating breakfast yet, so I guess... coffee.

Thoughts: ISH likes to know the rules not so much in the want-to-know-so-can-break-em sort of way but want-to-know-so-I-don't-do-it-wrong sort of a way (I've said it before and will say it again- I have very compliant children. Blessing!). When we give him a new rule, for roughly the next week we will have discussion with ISH as he comes to make sure his foot is not over the perverible line or more to the point to make sure the foot is not even near the line when he does _______ instead of doing what he knows he should not. Yes, I struggle to not be annoyed by the constant questioning of what is in bounds and is it in bounds enough. I know he does it with a pure heart. He's a good puritan child.

Our most recent "we don't do that in this family" conversation was when the 5 year old neighbor dropped the F-bomb. Yes, you saw that right FIVE-YEAR-OLD!!!! Since then ISH has been concerned about the word being in his mind and the possibility of accidentally saying it. It's been a good discussion of the junk-in-junk-out rule.

Through it all I've been trying to help him by saying that God wants us to focus on whatever is good, noble and pure so if he can focus there, the bad will not be as strong in his mind. Let's focus on the good words I've told him.

Today he came to me and wanted to know if that is a very bad word, what is the "goodest word."

After a moment of thinking I replied, "Well, I guess it's love. After all, isn't that all we need."

The great Beatles reference was lost on him. But he's young yet and that means we still have time to install the importance of good music.

Tunnel Vision

2010-12-07T15:08:00.001-06:00

We got a contract on Old House just after Thanksgiving (nice reason for giving thanks) and we're working to close in December 23 (merry Christmas to me!!)

This means New House needs to be ready asap.

I'm coming to terms that it won't all be done by closing date, but trying to knock out what I can- and it's much better to have not everything done and a sold Old House than all projects complete and two houses.

But carpet comes in Monday which means I feel like I'm living in a tunnel vision- project minded state. ... Wait I think that's not just a feeling.

Sorry if I seem a bit MIA for a while.

Random Thought Thursday: The Santa Question

2010-12-02T22:07:00.000-06:00

What time is it: 345P

Where am I: on campus waiting for Geo during piano practice

Listening to: Geo play the piano- auto correcting the line he keeps missing in Ode to Joy.

Last ate: Ramen- the dietary staple of my life as I work at New House which does not yet have a refrigerator.

Thoughts:
I was asked point blank yesterday about Santa by my youngest. Strangely we don't talk about Santa around here, or didn't really until Geo came home from first grade educating us all on the wonders that is.

But strangely, I found myself caught. I don't want to tell my child that there is a kind and loving man watching everything that goes on and if we are good this man will reward us... to only later tell him said man isn't really real but oh by the way let me tell you about God...

So I didn't want to say the truth but didn't want to burst his little happy Santa-loving heart.

Instead, I played the "what do you mean by is Santa real" question to see exactly what he was wanting to know. It boiled down to the question of can Santa go back up the chimney, and he seemed satisfied with the idea he came to that Santa must go out the door.

In my defense I never did say he's real- and in fact once said he wasn't- but then the talent of ISH's selective hearing tuned that out (he, of course, gets that talent from his father).

So I'm curious- do you do Santa? Do you tell your kids he's real? Do you go the route of a past friend of mine whose mom put footprints near the fireplace in the name of childhood magic? Do you squelch any Santa talk in the name of full on honesty? Or do you find yourself somewhere in between?

And in my own defense- at least Agatha the Gift Bearing Beagle did actually exist.

Scenic Black and White

2010-11-29T22:06:00.000-06:00

This week's iheartfaces contest is black and whites that are a scenic in their composition with the person. I took this pic when LK and I were traveling in the San Fran area. We were driving back from Napa on our way to the airport and stopped to stretch our legs at Cesar Chavez Park and have tapas in some small hole when I saw her sitting in the grass-

To see more scenic black and whites, check out other entries at iheartfaces.

I think Jason Mraz is stalking me

2010-11-27T23:20:00.000-06:00

Or maybe it's just the 14 hour painting spree I've just come off of. (It's very possible that this blog post will go unfinished because my hands will leave in protest of still being used now that I'm back at Old House).

Why might I think he stalking me? Because no matter what Pandora station I listened to today he kept showing up- Hip Hop (yes, I listen to Hip Hop), The Killers station, Folk- doesn't seem to matter he is always there. So clearly he is either the common denominator of all music genres or ... a Pandora restraining order against him might be necessary.

Other thoughts that I have from spending 14 hours with my Pandora account and paint

1. After prolonged exposure to Counting Crows from various live recordings, I think it is quiet possible that Adam Duritz may one day start lowly committing suicide on stage mid-concert and no one will really be shocked given the tone of his live concerts.

2. Does anyone think Justin Timberlake sounds Michael Jackson-esque in Rock Your Body? Maybe that was what he was going for but close your eyes and think about it.

3. I plugged in Human to Pandora (Because I hadn't heard it awhile and so I put it on, that's why) and everything that came back sounded like it belonged on some sort of movie sound track or at least a Scrubs episode.

And now I'm off to talk LK into massaging my right thumb a bit more. If by chance this post makes no sense to you, let's blame it paint.

The Crazy Target Lady

2010-11-25T21:05:00.000-06:00

I won't be getting up to fight off crowds at 3, 4, or 5am. I won't be camping out in front of stores to be the first through the doors. Why? Because unlike this women, I have not lost my mind.

Seriously lady, seek medical attention.

Gobble Gobble

2010-11-25T20:56:00.003-06:00

What time is it: 838P

Where am I: at back home after an afternoon with family

Listening to: Football game in one room, ELF on in here - love the way Zooey sings

Last ate: Oh good heavens! It's Thanksgiving, I don't know if I want to (or could) even answer that.

Thoughts: Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for my family- those immediate, and those extended. Those here now, those gone already, those yet to come.

I'm thankful for my friends- the new ones I've been blessed to meet this year and those who are my steady constants.

I'm thankful for my job.

I'm thankful for the trips I've been able to take this year.

I'm thankful for my boys and for their wonderfully curly hair.

I'm thankful for LK and the marriage that, as we were both discussing late one night, we can't imagine being without.

I'm thankful for the life that I have no idea why I have been blessed to live- but the life I hope I am living to the fullest- giving back and enjoying the ride.

My cup overflows,

TSA a follow up thought

2010-11-22T16:24:00.001-06:00

I know, I know, I just published something on the TSA all but moments ago. But then Yahoo News had to go and post and article with the statement:

A year ago, [authorities] prevented a Christmas Day attempt to blow up a flight to Detroit with a bomb hidden in a passenger's clothes.

For the record- the authorities let the one-way-ticket-buying, pay-in-cash, on-a-watch-list, no-luggage-carrying, would-be bomber on board. The would-be attack could have been prevented not by backscatters and shouldn't-you-buy-me-dinner-first pat downs but by the authorities actually paying attention to the flags raised by the systems already in place.

And for the record it was not the authorities who stopped the would-be attack.

Abdulmutallab spent about 20 minutes in the bathroom as it approached Detroit, and then covered himself with a blanket after returning to his seat. Other passengers then heard popping noises, smelled a foul odor, and some saw Abdulmutallab’s trouser leg and the wall of the plane on fire. Fellow passenger Jasper Schuringa, a Dutch film director, jumped on Abdulmutallab and subdued him as flight attendants used fire extinguishers to douse the flames.^[118]

Stepping down off my soap box for a little while now,

Thoughts on the TSA

2010-11-22T15:37:00.000-06:00

I'll admit, typing that header alone has me wonder if I'll now be flagged for searching when I travel next. But I, like others, have concerns that I want to process through on the new TSA screenings. And honestly, it's one of those jumbled-thoughts-where-to-start sort of processing so stick with me here.

When LK first told me about these scanners and pat downs I told him the article was wrong. I live in America, I told him- they won't let those things happen. There's no way that's legal. No way that is really happening. But it is. And that alone has me a bit turned around.

I'm all for profiling those who need to be profiled. When I worked inside the a brick and mortar agency, I once called the FBI because a family came in wanting to buy their daughter a one-way ticket from Memphis to Tehran on a specific day, specific flights, routing specifically through Amsterdam and wanted to pay cash. When I gave them an extremely high rate for that day, they didn't want me to look into other options and they didn't want to give me any contact information. To me, that was enough to raise a flag or two and I reported it.

And I'm all for airport security. I enjoy traveling and would prefer to not die mid flight, so checking for weapons is okay by me.

What I'm not okay with, like many travelers (though surprisingly not as many as I thought), is the backscatter machines and the amazingly up-close and personal body checks. So bare with me as I try to explain why.

Backscatter-
Where do these pictures go? I googled TSA images and was able to find several pics online- though most of them appeared to be given to the media from the TSA. What I found wasn't as graphic as this website suggested back in January that they would be, but on the two sites I found I was able to copy the picture like the January website said, Crtl + i and was able to, how shall I put this, see more of these people than I wanted to. With today's information age, how can be sure these pictures will never get out?

Honestly, if you want to backscatter me, fine. If you want to put my picture up online, fine (after all, it would provide interesting results the next time I google my name), but stick my child in one of those machines and have the possibility that his picture could be out on some website and watch this mama bear roar.

Plus, tell me how you can be so sure some closet pedophile isn't on the other side of that machine. How can I be sure my child isn't the victim of someone's sick obsession simply because we wanted to board a plane.

Pat Downs-
For the last three years I've worked with women who are the survivors of abuse. In our group we don't even hug the other person without asking first because you can never know what will set off the other. People of past abuse don't normally like close physical contact and unwanted physical contact can be a trigger for very bad things. Tell me how these experiences aren't asking for a survivor to go into a panic attack just because they wanted to travel.

Tell me how in the name of security things like this are necessary. Tell me how in the name of security I either get to give you an all but naked picture of myself or I have to let you grope me in order to go through security. And that really?!?!?!? once I've started the process my only 3rd option is the threat of a huge fine? How does that work?! Especially when the TSA website isn't even all updated on which airports have these systems and which don't on the off chance that I wanted to pick the option of driving further to fly from an airport that currently won't subject me to this mess.

So basically what I'm wondering is this- and, if someone can help me understand this I'd be more than happy to oblige with these security measures when needed- how is that in the last nine years security has gotten more and more out of hand and yet their measures have all been a matter a whiplash reaction to what they didn't catch the first go round. As one report today noted:

Since 9/11, the only two terrorist threats to U.S. airlines were the shoe bomber (December 2001) and the underwear bomber (December 2009). Both of these individuals rang every bell there was to say, “Look, I am a terrorist!” Both of came from foreign airports and passed through security checks that should have stopped them long before they walked onto airliners.

Isn't it worth thinking about for just a minute- just to stop and think before sending out some new and invasive rule- that these people got through security and that

It should be noted that the new full-body scanners would not have singled out either of these two individuals, who checked in for international flights with one-way tickets purchased with cash and no luggage. Furthermore, it was the passengers and flight attendants who stopped these would-be bombers, not the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

This people all but wore a shirt that said I'M A TERRORIST! And yet the TSA thinks all these new measures is what is going to keep us safer? Ignoring all the one-way tickets, paid in cash, no luggage, flags and rely on groping them as the fail-proof measure?

This same report pointed out that:

Wouldn’t our skies be safer if we used the security procedures employed by some foreign countries and had layers of well-trained experts, who by asking simple questions can recognize those who appear suspicious? Israel's El Al Airlines, for example, has developed one of the most successful security programs in the world. Its security starts before anyone approaches the airport screening lines and incorporates layers of verification using well-trained security professionals.

And in Israel people don't get felt up just for wanting to get Grandma.

And another thought. As of November 1 the TSA now requires me, as a travel agent, or you if you book a flight online for yourself, to enter in vast amounts of information. What is the purpose of that whole mess if they're just going to backscatter me anyway?

To me, there are too many "unanswereds" out there for me to be okay with this.

That's why I agree with what National Opt Out Day is doing. They're not asking for you to stage a sit in and protest the whole messy thing, or asking you to make a scene. They're very clear that

There is no intent or desire to delay passengers en route to friends and family over Thanksgiving. People also need to remember to stay within the confines of the law and the regulations of TSA when exercising their right to a pat down.

But that the reason they want everyone to opt out so that people will be able to

sit around the dinner table, eating turkey, [and talk] about their experience - what constitutes an unreasonable search, how forceful of a pat down will we allow on certain areas of our body, and that of our children, and how much privacy are we will to give up for flying?

But don't let it stop there. The next step, as they say, is to tell the government about your experience. On their website they list several places to submit your TSA experience. But one that don't have listed is the US Travel Association. Who wants to know people's experiences because they believe by hearing about them, they can address Congress and ask can we do better.

And as I end these can-this-really-be-processing-thoughts the travel agent in me feels the need to tell anyone who will be traveling on Wednesday, opting out or not, please please please arrive earlier than you normally would. My guess is places with backscatters will be more of a zoo than normal holiday traffic would cause and places without them will still have TSA agents on pretty high alert.

This will, above all, not be a good day to tell them you have a live chicken in your bag- believe you me. But then, that would be another story for another day.

Pardon Me While I Zip Back Up

2010-11-19T09:27:00.000-06:00

Thanks for indulging me in my little electronic transparency last night. I don't often let it all hang out like that- but I suppose that means I'm trusting you more :)

Frankly, I'm going to blame it all on the leaves.

We have a showing today (pray for a sale!) and with the way the wind has been sweeping down the plains, the black jack oaks in the front yard had dumped a load of leaves. (I never thought I would long for the tree-less days of MWC). I knew by the time LK (who is normally captain of raking around these parts) got home it would be too dark for any real productive work on the leaves and I wanted the house to look great for this afternoon.

I know that leaves make me sick, I know that an hour and half with my face in them and I my brain would no longer be getting adequate oxygen. But with the desire for a leaf-less lawn and the captain out of pocket- what else was I to do?

I guess my impromptu leaf-mold shield was not as effective as planned. Basically all it did was have the neighbors wondering if I've converted.

Random Thought Thursday: When

2010-11-18T21:03:00.000-06:00

I. Am. Tired.

I am ready to be done painting.

I am ready for the house to sell.

I am, however, not ready to have to pack and move.

It seems at these times in life I understand the deist stance. That or the pagan thought of what sacrifice do I need to offer to make this harvest plentiful.

Is 9pm too early for bed?

Discussing Pets and Christmas

2010-11-16T10:00:00.002-06:00

While taking the vacuum from one house to the other ISH notices the special tools for pet-hair-removal.

ISH: Oh this vacuum has a tool to clean doggies.

Me: No, it's not to clean pets, it's for picking up pet hair when they shed.

ISH: Oh good thing we don't have cat ... they shed ... silence ... thinking ... silence .... But maybe we could get a parrot. Or a monkey.

Me (in a slightly sarcastic mutter): Yeah, because those are so much alike.

ISH: They're not alike. Parrots fly and monkeys are crazy. They're not similar because there's no such thing as flying monkeys*

*said the child who to my knowledge has never seen the Wizard of Oz

___________________________________________________________

Last Saturday night while LK went to the OU home game, I roamed the aisles of Target with the boys. I went in for bread and a baby gift and while in there decided to let the boys play in the toy aisles and get some ideas for Christmas.

Geo: So then we find things we would like, make a list, and leave it for Santa ... and then Santa comes down the chimney and sees the list and say "Hmm, I guess I need to go to Target."

And yes, Target, you're welcome to my children for your commercials, they're pretty dang photogenic.

I suppose this is what I get for all those years of telling them Agatha the Gift Bearing Beagle is responsible for all those Christmas presents.

Silhouettes

2010-11-15T15:37:00.000-06:00

This week's iheartfaces photo contest is "Silhouettes." My entry is a picture from my recent trip to Brazil. I not only love this picture because of how dear to me the two women photographed are, but also because in this small captured moment I can see the years of friendship they have had. I am truly blessed by these women and blessed to observe their sweet care of each other.

Check out more silhouetted pictures at iheartfaces.

Define: Acapella

2010-11-13T09:26:00.000-06:00

I got a call this week from Acapella. They needed help getting to Jamaica for a concert in December and Uber Agent to the rescue.

So I call an airline to get some prices

Uber Agent: Yes, I need rates for a group of 12 going to Jamaica ... (details of trip, blah, blah, blah).

Airline Reservationist: Is the group for business or tourism?

UA: Well, it's an acapella singing group going to Jamaica for a concert. Would whether or not they're getting paid open up a special rate?

AR: No, we just try to keep track for our records. ... So a band ... will they need to purchase extra seats for all their instruments?

UA: Um... no... Their instruments will fit fine in the seats with them.

Dear Rainstorm

2010-11-12T11:44:00.000-06:00

Dear rainstorm,

While I appreciate your watering the earth and all, we have a showing at 12:30pm today. So, if you could kindly get this out of your system before then and let some sunshine come and make our house for sale look all happy and homey, that would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Random Thought Thursday: Rocks

2010-11-11T23:09:00.000-06:00

What time is it: 1102P

Where am I: at the old house (oh the life of a land baroness)

Listening to: Frasier rerun

Last ate: I don't know if it counts as "eaten" but I did finally get around to trying an Earl Gray Latte from Starbucks, pretty good. Not a regular choice in the making, but not bad.

Thoughts
I think next year they'll add "2 bags of playground rocks" to Geo's school supply list. Judging by the amount of rocks the kid brings home in his shoes each day that's the minimum I will owe them by August of next year.

Simple Way to Learn a Foreign Language

2010-11-10T10:00:00.001-06:00

The boys like to listen to a CD before going to bed. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday Geo chooses the CD and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday ISH does (Sunday night, everyone's favorite Parent's Choice Night).

For a few nights of Geo's choosing he selected the Learn to Speak Russian CD that he got awhile back in his Chick-Fil-A kids meal. I didn't really think much of it- after all I had tried in 8th grade to memorize a scene from Romeo and Juliet I had put off learning until the night before by listening to a recorded section of the play over and over again while I slept and that didn't really seem to work- but today as Geo walked by and randomly muttered Russian to me, I started thinking that there might be something to subliminal learning.

So here's how you do it-
Step 1: Get a CD
Step 2: Play it while you're asleep.

I mean, it seemed to work for Geo. Now, anyone else have any foreign language CDs we can add to the rotation? Maybe something a bit more useful than Russian?

More Accessories From Scrap Fabric

2010-11-08T10:00:00.000-06:00

Mondo I am not, but I have been having fun with scrap fabric and turning it into different clothing accessories. I call this one Ode to Japan, the fabric is left over outdoor fabric from when I recovered my outdoor furniture.

I held it together in the back with a rubber band and then wrapped some twine around me and around the rubber band.

I also wrapped some twine around a bobby pin and put it in my hair.

A Champion for Thanksgiving

2010-11-07T21:07:00.000-06:00

As I walked into Lowes two weeks before Halloween and saw their Christmas tree display already up, I felt sorry for Thanksgiving.

As my blog reader went from how to decorate for Halloween to to how to decorate for Christmas, I felt sorry for Thanksgiving.

As I drove past a local university and saw the fence around the student housing decorated with "Merry Christmas," I felt sorry for Thanksgiving.

Since when did we go straight for give me candy to give me presents without stopping even for one small month to at least give thanks?

Random Thought Thursday: The Other

2010-11-04T15:06:00.001-05:00

What time is it: 257P

Where am I: in line at Geo's school waiting for pick up time

Listening to: ISH in the backseat count to 100 over and over then randomly break into some previously unknown song.

Last ate: Fuji Apple salad from Panera. About to go to Starbucks and get some afternoon coffee with Mom (thankful to have them in town for a bit)

Thoughts
Yes, I'm one of those people. I'm one of those people who googles my name every now and then to see what's out there. But what I have found from this exercise has become very helpful over the last few weeks. Apparently there is another with my exact name, another who creates some pretty interesting things. Another whose friends inadvertently send emails to me which are originally intended for the other. Such as emails from her love interest inviting her to New York for the weekend. Or emails from the place she use to work asking her to come to this year's Christmas party. Or emails from other roommates with new roommate applications attached. You have no idea the temptation I've had to fight from the reality of the fun I could have screwing with her life.

Word to the wise - check the "to" field when sending emails. You never know what kind of a weapon that information in the hands of the other could become.

Camping

2010-11-03T09:12:00.000-05:00

I was a bit skeptical when Geo asked to join boy scouts. I mean- this is my kid that hates being outside. So does he realize that outside is what the boy scouts are?

But this past weekend that same hate-the-outside-kid opted to go camping over trick or treating around the neighborhood.

I can only remember in-tent camping two other times in my life. Once when I was sometime around 8 when we were visiting my grandparents at their lake lot. We caught a turtle and named it Sara. Dad explained that Sara could not be kept (why I can't now remember) and that he would buy us a turtle when we got home. Little did he know turtles were, at that time, against the law to sell in our home state.

The second in-tent-camping experience I can remember is when Geo was 11 months old and me, LK, a baby Geo and four other friends drove all night from Memphis to Biloxi in hopes of camping on the beach. Did you know camping on the beach is verboten in Biloxi? We didn't either. So instead we camped at a KOA with the fire ants and attempted to make s'mores with heat from the car heater. That one was really a special adventure.

So given those experiences, I didn't really know what to expect. But- he loved it! And me- I loved spending two nights in a 2 man tent with my 4 favorite people. I loved ISH sharing his blakenty with me during the night and him singing children songs in my ear when he woke up. I loved watching Geo be all boy - running through the creek and throwing things in the fire - with the other boys and looking up with him at the clearest, starriest sky I have ever seen.

So, dare we say it- we may just find ourselves camping again sooner than 2016.

A few pics from the weekend:

A beautiful sunset on our way to Camp George Thomas

A late night tent set up

Outside our tent on a lovely 42 degree morning

The Scouts and doing a disability awareness activity (the kid with his bandana up was practicing his hearing disability I suppose)

Nature time and the world's most patient Scout leader.

One happy cub scout

Halloween Recap

2010-11-02T21:51:00.001-05:00

I've managed to surface from new-house-painting long enough to sit and watch the election results with LK and catch up on both my blogging and reading of others blogs.

So, better two days late than never- a Halloween Recap.

ISH was watching a Special Agent OSO and started asking to carve a pumpkin (OSO makes it look so easy). What OSO didn't talk about was the smell, which apparently ISH found repulsive.

So he sat back and let other de-gut the pumpkins

LK helped some with the gutting as well

ISH did get a bit more excited when I gave him a pen and told him to draw what he wanted me to carve.

We all decided ISH's was channeling his inner Picasso (or his inner Uncle Bruce-- for those who know my roady artist uncle- you would agree). Geo wanted his to be cat-like.

And for costumes- Geo has been wanting to be Dry Bones since November 1, 2009. So after looking around I was thankfully able to find an idea to jump off of for his costume. And since November 1, 2009, ISH has wanted to be Luke Skywalker from Episode VI when he meets Jabba the Hutt. So.. drum roll please ... here are their costumes for this Halloween 2010.

Hope your Halloween was full of fun and candy!

You'll find me weeping silently in the corner for the world of fashion

2010-10-29T07:53:00.003-05:00

I know I've been pretty silent this week and even managed to some how miss Random Thought Thursday. I've been up to my eyeballs over at the new house painting so the new carpet can come in.

But that's not what this post is about. This post is my little vocal protest of WHAT!!!!! Who in the world says this is the future of fashion

I'm sorry, but 1985 called and wants their mom-waist line pants back. And while you're sending things back, I think I had that color of lipstick in junior high. It didn't look good then either.

Maybe that's why Geo kept calling the show Project Runaway - because all sense of fashion done run away from Gretchen.

And further more, if You Want Me to Wear What? doesn't do a post discussing her line, I will be even further disappointed.

I'm sure it's that the judges didn't like that Mondo didn't "listen" to them and you know how those high and mighty get when they don't get listened to. But if she is the "future of fashion," all I have to say is look for me in all sorts of out of fashion clothing.

Happy 200th Post

2010-10-23T08:20:00.000-05:00

To commemorate the special day: Recent Quotes from ISH

"Mommy have you already been a teenager? Or have you just always been a travel agent?"

"Mommy did you decide to have kids so you would have someone else besides just Daddy to play with."

Master Bedroom Redo

2010-10-21T22:39:00.000-05:00

So after a little time for globetrotting, I'm back with before and after pics of the Shady Tree house- this post is all about Master Bedroom. Here's what it looked like when we bought the house.

I'm sure this style was perfect for them- but for me, this isn't my style.

So my style then... well my style got the idea that purple would be a fun color for the master bedroom and could be done in a completely masculine way. So when LK went to San Fran for the week, I scrapped the ceiling and then sat on my floor and cried because the owners who thought the above picture was a good idea also thought that painting the ceiling with oil based paint was also a good idea and I was left with this:

Looks like something out of a horror movie. But it wasn't nearly as scary as this:

AHHHHHHHHH - it's just wood floors and wall mounted bar away from full on 8-year-old-girl-ballet-class! Purple had done me wrong!

But have no fear- a few ~~hours~~ minutes in the paint section at Lowes and I had a plan. A mix of silver, pewter, and opalessence glaze and we were back on track.

Well... we were... until the great oil spill a mere few hours before LK's plane landed.

But it was nothing a pair of scissors and a shaggy rug from Target (and eventually new carpet) couldn't fix.

So here we are- the final product.

So to recap- before

And after

Happy decorating

Orchard

2010-10-18T07:00:00.001-05:00

This week's photo challenge for iheartfaces is "orchard" which I am completely thrilled about because I love this picture and haven't found a reason to post it yet. I snapped this one when LK and I were traveling around Prince Edward Island and stumbled upon an organic orchard off one of the small roads we adventured down.

click on the button above and head over to iheartfaces to see more orchard entries.

Why Don't We

2010-10-17T22:36:00.000-05:00

Tonight in Q groups Geo was asked to lead the prayer.

"And God, be with the Devil."

Oh dear- I thought, wondering what in the world was coming next.

"Help him to come to know you and make good choices."

Well, that wasn't what I expected. I'm not sure what I thought was coming next, but that wasn't it. And yet, it raises some questions for me.

Why don't we pray for the Devil? I mean if he made the choice to fall, cannot he not eventually choose better? Or is he just a hopeless cause? Or if we are commanded to pray for our enemies, isn't such a prayer Biblical?

Random Thought Thursday: Edmond-centric Me

2010-10-14T10:21:00.000-05:00

What time is it: 1013A

Where am I: in the living room with the backdoor open, enjoying the cool, crisp, fall weather

Listening to: The clock tick beside the computer reminding me that I still have work to catch up on- still have things waiting to be accomplished today.

Last ate: Oh dear, well, to be honest I think it was cold, leftover, Chick-fil-a nuggets ISH didn't want to eat last night. I'm sure three days from now he will remember them and want them and I will (again) have to admit that I ate them instead. I'm sure this is in some way giving my children a complex we will have to deal with in therapy later on, but then, I mean really, would the chicken still be good when he comes around to remembering it?

Thoughts: I've never considered myself to be Edmond-centric, or Oklahoma-centric, or even USA-centric.

I've traveled enough to know there are other people out there. Other people who do things differently than I do, other people who matter just as much as I do.

And yet, when I was at the Continent Care Connection, I found myself face to face with my own Edmond-centric thoughts.

Maybe it was because the first time I heard "God of This City" it was when my church was preparing for a work down in my city and so the words were clearly being applied to my life here. Or maybe it's because I had never been in another city and heard this song sung.

But on the opening day of our time with the ladies in South American, when they sang God of This City, I realized they weren't singing about Edmond, or Oklahoma. They were singing about the places they lived. They were singing about the work they are doing and the ways they are witnessing God move in their cities. And like that I felt a deep connection with the women there.

We may not all live in the same city- even the 17 women from the Connection Team don't live in the same city let alone the 41 participants. But we all witness the same God move in amazing ways where we are.

So when I came back I knew this song needed to be added to the way I now see not only Brazil, but also the way I see the numerous other places these women came from. Their mission is now deeply within my heart- the same mission I have here in my city- to show others how great the love of God is- how much he wants to be in our lives. To show them that no matter the city, He is God.

CCC Day 9/10

2010-10-13T08:00:00.003-05:00

Well you know what they say, when the participants are away, the team heads into the city ...

Eats mounds of yummy food ...

Drinks loads of fancy coffee ...

Uses the restaurant-provided dental floss...

and restaurant provided Listerine ...

Shops (too busy shopping to take photos) ...

And has a post-conference good time.

CCC Day 8

2010-10-12T18:20:00.000-05:00

Our final day with the women. Before they left we wanted to remind them that, as one participant said, sometimes they need to be washing feet, but sometimes they need to have their feet washed.

And we wanted to have one final time of worship together.

But after all that calm and quiet wrap up was finished- my fellow photographer and myself took on the mountain of a task of downloading the pictures and videos from the week onto the participants computers.

And burning CDs for the ones without computers. All with only 1 1/2 hours before the bus arrived to take the ladies to the airport.

By the time the bus arrived we were short only two CDS, so we advised two ladies with computers how to initiate a burn CD while sent them all on their way, 3 hours north to the airport.

So far, we've only learned of one CD and one computer that had only 1 file on them (instead of the almost 1000 pictures and roughly 13 videos it should have had!) I figure 2 out of 41 isn't too bad. But here's to hoping they are the only ones.

When the bus arrived to take the women back to the Sao Paulo airport, it was time for final goodbyes.

It was truly a blessing to spend time with such amazing women.

CCC Day 7

2010-10-09T23:31:00.000-05:00

Today was the wrap up day

and the farewell party

Complete with all things junk-food that the ladies don't get very often while living in South America

But don't worry, we had some healthy snacks too

And for the talent the ladies put on different skits. In one of the skits a participant put on a bang up impersonation of me. This girl nailed me! I told her I was changing my facebook profile to a picture of her from that night and everyone would just think I got a good tan in Brazil! She studied me right down to the spikey hair and nose stud.

It was definitely good to share many many many laughs with the ladies before they headed back to their work.

CCC Day 6

2010-10-07T14:14:00.000-05:00

Another amazing day! I'm guessing it's because we finally sang "There is Sunshine in my Soul" that begged the sun to come out. We all flocked outside during the break to soak it in.

Let's just say they weren't too happy with me when it was time to ring the bowl and have them all come inside. Did I mention I have the job of time guru? I guess someone filled them in on the secret that my life is run by my phone timer and they thought I would be well suited for the job. Plus I really like to clang the singing bowl- it makes me feel all Eastern-like :)

In the evening we had a prayer walk on the beach with the women

and had the most amazing sunset.

In case you're wondering, this is exactly how these women see me

I'm pretty sure they think I don't have a face.

And in the evening the women from Brazil sang a song for us in Portuguese that they sing in church. When they were done the women who live in Spanish speaking countries shouted out we sing that too! And then they sang it for us in Spanish. I think MRCC should learn how to lead this I've always wanted to "ooooyuo!" in church.

Oh- and my friend's babies continue to do well. If you want to see their faces while you pray for them you can watch this video. Their mama is the one singing at the end. Beautiful!

CCC Day 5

2010-10-06T14:24:00.000-05:00

Things are going well at the Connection. This was our first full day with the ladies and it was a day full of connecting with God through worship

and through taking time to process moments of definition in our lives- times when the world has seemed upside down. But we are working through these moments to see how the hand of God did (or in some cases is) moving to bring us into closer communion with him.

And we also connected with each other through Connection groups and fellowship

and through times of prayer with one another

And it has been amazing to what these women come together and support one another.

I read a blog a while back that talks about how they put on a Brave Girl Camp. And I think the concept behind what they do is pretty cool. However, I'd say I'm at my own kind of Brave Girl Camp right now full of women who have left all they know- their families, their friends, their country of origin- all for the love of a Savior. All because they deeply believe in the message of hope He has to offer and they are willing to give it all up for Him. I am deeply honored to be here.

__________________________________________________________________

But for all of you who feel this may be getting a little too touchy-feely (I'm at a retreat full of spiritual women, what else do you expect!). Here are a few shots from around town that I took with one of my teammates, Christy. We borrowed bikes from the hotel workers (see how fabulous mine is!)

and had fun watching for cars whose drivers have no regard for human life and catching a few pictures here and there.

Oh! And we had the most amazing sunset!

A beautiful gift at the end of a beautiful day.

CCC Day 4

2010-10-05T14:20:00.000-05:00

While yesterday was a day of full hearts for our friends (which by the way, things continue well. 24 hours down, 48 to go before we all breathe a little deeper on it though), it was our final morning of preparation before the ladies arrived.

We had a wonderful prayer walk on the beach to pray blessings over the women as they were coming and pray for wisdom for ourselves to know what to say and how to give them what they need.

But after the tables were arranged and the final preparations done, we still had time to squeeze in a walk to town to catch some surfers

And eat some Acai dessert (the best way I can describe it is a mix between a smoothy and sorbet. But the sound the machines make as the man is making it sounds like a chainsaw on a cow. So I was a bit skeptical).

But then ... THE LADIES ARRIVED!!!!

And it was time to get this party started!!!

It is such a blessing to have the women here and it's only been 24 hours! They are full of life and joy and I can already tell you now it will be a toss up between who walks away more blessed by the end of this week.

We ended the evening with a wonderful time of prayer over the women as we sang "Let Your Spirit Come". And I can feel it here already.

So close and yet...

2010-10-04T21:28:00.000-05:00

I am in Brazil. I am three hours south of Sao Paulo. I have been praying for this time with these women for almost 1 year. I am excited to be here and see the amazing ways God is moving. I feel peace here and know this is where I am suppose to be.

But five hours to the other side of Sao Paulo a friend of mine is sleeping in a Brazilian hospitial with his wife. She delivered twins last night very prematurely. From what I heard this morning the she is doing well and will be doing so much better tomorrow when her parents arrive.

The babies are in NICU (thankfully they are at the best one in their town) and while they are crying and breathing, the first 72 hours are the most vital.

It's hard to be so close (compared to myraids of people in Oklahoma who wish they were as close as I am right now), and yet to be so far away. One of their fellow team members and many other women who love them are here with me feeling the same way -- knowing we are where we need to be, but sending part of our hearts to be with them.

And I've been repeating to myself the lyrics from Mighty to Save. Reminding myself that my God is the Savior who can move the mountains. He is the one who conquered the grave. And he is forever and ever the one who can save.

And I'm struck-- this too is part of mission work. This is part of "leaving your father and mother" for the call of the Lord.

It is truly amazing the sacrific the missionaries make for the cause of Christ. But what I see with my friend and with the stories of many women here, it is equally amazing the sacrifice those they leave behind when the missionaries go make as well.

CCC Day 3

2010-10-03T20:38:00.001-05:00

Today was a day of preparation where we finished up some last minute training and readied the hotel for the participants arrival tomorrow.

But lest you think all work and no play, we also took this day as a day of Sabbath rest. We worshipped while watching the waves pound the beach- praising God for his mighty powers

and watched the fog roll back in

We had some more amazing Brazilian food

And I spent time getting to know some of the team members better

The time with these women has already been such an amazing blessing to my life and is challenging me to dive deeper into God, to discover the joy of spiritual discipline and to enjoy the unique creation he has made me to be-- all this before the participants even arrive!

I'm looking forward to stepping out of the way to see how God will continue to move as the ladies arrive tomorrow.

CCC Day 1/2

2010-10-03T09:37:00.000-05:00

On October 1 the lovely team of women I will be working with for the Continent Care Connection 2010 (put on by Continent of Great Cities) arrived in the DFW airport. They were kind enough to provide me with a boa and a birthday crown and one of my team members made some amazing cookies.

Early in the morning on October 2, we arrive in Sao Paulo, Brazil- aka the massive sea of humanity and the third largest city in the world.

And thanks to the prayers of our prayer warriors, especially Mrs. Debbie B. - who has the specific job of praying for our luggage- all 32 pieces of luggage arrived on time and in tact.

What should have been a 3 hour trip south (despite having told everyone I was going north!) to Maresias was an interesting drive spotted with favelas

and fog

and foreshadowing of the rain that was to come

But don't worry- as much as it looks like Al Roker should be here, I did google tropical storm and Brazil and nothing is showing up, so I think it's just a little spring shower that we hope to be all cleared up before the participants arrive on Monday-- start to praying now (Debbie, that means you too!)

But we are all here- seventeen in all (including the 3rd Becky of the group who lives in Brazil and joined us at the airport). And we're excited and ready to serve the missionary women who will join us Monday. To provide for them love and rest and peace.

In our dreams

2010-10-01T18:04:00.000-05:00

I took some time today before leaving to play outside with ISH. After some time of making "magic dust" out of dirt and rocks, it was time to leave.

"Mommy," he said, "when you get back, can we play this again?"

"Sure buddy."

"Or we can meet in our dreams and play there while you're gone."

Then as I picked him up to hug him goodbye he whispered "See you in my dreams Mommy."

See you there buddy,

Random Thought Thursday, the Eve of 32

2010-09-30T21:14:00.000-05:00

What time is it: 859P

Where am I: in the living room with LK

Listening to: Mom and Grannie in one room preparing for the week ahead, dad in another room wrapping up a business call, and the boys radio playing their good-night CD- an odd mixture in deed that is every now and again peppered with snorts or groans from the dog.

Last ate: The Wedge Pizza (the Prosciutto E Formaggi is by far my fav) about to be followed up by Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake, a lovely family birthday celebration

Thoughts: Tomorrow I leave for Brazil. My first time to the South American continent. Tomorrow I'll be on my way to 6 continents down, 1 to go. And yes, I do plan on getting to Antartica before I die if nothing more than to prove those who say I can't wrong.

Tomorrow I turn 32. Birthdays aren't a sad time for me- I don't pout or cry because I'm getting older. (I do, however, firmly believe that with birthdays come cake. No cake on my birthday- then you'll see pouting and tears -- you can ask LK on that one).

I love birthdays. Not because it's all about me- but more that it's fun to be getting older. I even love the fact that I've started to get gray hair. I figure if I'm not getting older, I'm dead- so I'd rather be getting older. And hey! I turn 32 tomorrow and am at this very moment wearing (and wearing well) pants I bought when I was 21 (thanks to Woolite and -most the the time- smart eating habits). So getting older doesn't mean it's all downhill. Getting older is just part of this grand adventure I plan on living for as long as I can (and living it well).

Sitting here feeling blessed,

For the Love of Burlap

2010-09-29T22:20:00.000-05:00

Don't tell LK but I think I'm in love with burlap. Last week I had a luncheon to go to and decided to spruce up some black pumps I'd had lying around looking a bit, well, understated. So armed with my hot glue gun and some purpley-red ribbon I had left over from a project way back whenever, I set to work and made this shoe embellishment

And then I decided to add hot glue a little rosette and burlap to a bobby pin to carry the look through

And to keep with the rule of three, I wrapped a bracelet with the ribbon and burlap

The ladies at the Starbucks where I stopped before driving to the luncheon raved. And if you're not impressing the ladies at Starbucks ....

iheartfaces Chalk

2010-09-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

This week's challenge from iheartfaces is Chalk. My entry is Geo hard at work in the front yard creating his masterpiece earlier this summer.

Click on the iheartfaces camera to see more chalky entries.

How to Stain Concrete Floors

2010-09-26T16:35:00.000-05:00

No, you have not tuned into HGTV even though all these decorating/remodel pictures and posts might lead you to believe so. However, I have had a few people ask me about how I stained the floors in the boys' room, hallway, and guest room/office so I thought a FAQ/how to post would be a good place to send them.

Here's my disclaimer on this. It's been a year since I did the last floors and to me the project is like childbirth. If you had asked me moments after finishing the project if I would be willing to do it again you would get a very different response from today. My mind needs time to forget what happened in order to sign me up for it again. But, like childbirth, after all that work, I have something lovely at the end.

I wasn't blogging when I did the floors but I'll try to recap as much as I can and please feel free to ask any questions.

I didn't go with all out acid stain on the floors, though I've known some who have done it within an already established home. But for me, most of the videos and tutorials I could find were in open warehouses or not-yet-complete homes. And then I read somewhere about how the acid can damage walls if it gets on the drywall and how you have to get the base on the acid at just the right time or it can damage the floors. I have no idea if that's true or not, but it was enough to send me looking for other resources.

Back in the day my mom painted some concrete floors to look like rocks and they looked awesome. I have no idea the product she used but the product I went with was the tintable Behr Semi-Translucent Concrete Stain. But before I could get there, I had to remove the old carpet.

If your carpet is like mine was, a starting point for pulling up the carpet was to just grab one of the wrinkled spots, stab it with scissors, cut a starting point and pull. It helps to have a friend carry the old carpet out because that stuff can get heavy. Remove the pad underneath it as well.

Once you have that removed, you'll need to take up the carpet tack strips that held the old carpet in place. I found that the easiest way to do this is to get a hammer and a flathead screwdriver (and a good pair of earplugs and workgloves- those tacks can HURT!). Wedge the flathead screwdriver under the tack strip near one of the nails holding the tack strip to the floor and hit the handle of the screwdriver to wedge it in further under the strip. This should create pressure and cause the nail to pop out of the floor. Sometimes this will only break the strip and leave the nail in place. If that happens just get some needlenose pliers and wiggle the nail out. Doing this will likely take off some of the concrete around the area where the nail was. There are products out there to patch the concrete but depending on the look you're going for, leaving small blemishes like that could be okay. I left the blemishes. (By the way, that's not a picture of my arm- I found it online- least you all start trying to get me in for a good beautification day. I may be into manual labor but I'm not into looking like a man)

Once that's all removed and you step back to see the space you'll be transforming, you very well may break down and cry (have kleenex on hand), questioning why on earth you thought this project was a good idea. Because if your home builder is like mine was back in 1985- he never thought for one moment that anyone would ever see under the carpet, which is why he felt he could leave drywall and paint and a general mess under the carpet. However, you have decided to pull up the carpet and create something fun and unique but you'll have to now clean up his mess first.

In the boys room I thought I needed to have every piece of this man's mess off the floor before I could proceed (this would he very true if you were using acid stain). So I used paint stripper, steel wool, flat hand scrapers, and wire brushes and worked for hours on the floor. (HINT: When using stripper on the floor, do not sit in the stripper, it will eat through your pants and burn your tushie-- I'm just sayin'). But once I saw how well the technique I used covered the floor, I realized it's okay to have some paint down there- the main thing is to get the drywall junk off and make sure the floors are clean. So the next time I did this, I bought some medium steal wool and used Dawn detergent and water to clean the floors. This is way less toxic than the stripper but still gets the floors clean. Have plenty of cleaning rags on hand to wipe up the pieces of steel wool off the floor. I don't have pics so I'll try and describe the process:

Dip steel wool in bucket of very warm (almost hot) soapy water
Scrub wet steel wool on the floor in a circular motion trying to get all the loose dirt and drywall off the floor
Use cleaning rag to wipe the floor towards you.
Work in sections until the whole floor is clean.

A few tips on this- don't clean the steel wool out in the sink and don't dump the cleaning water in a nice white bathtub or you'll be cleaning rust off the bathtub and sink. And use disposable cleaning rags. Normally I'm all for reduce- reuse- recycle but if you put rags with steel wool in the washer- you'll be cleaning rust out of it too.

After you've cleaned the floors (I think I did it twice to make sure all the stuff was up that was going to get up) you need to prime the floors. I'm not going to say you have to do this step, but it does say it promotes adhesion and really, you don't want to have to come back and touch up.

For this step, the base color and the sealer I used Sur-Line's 7" flat paint pad. This helps the process truck right along and was a great way to make sure I didn't end up with brush stroke or bristles stuck to the floor.

And even though I'm not the most patient person in the world, I have to agree that the drying/ recoating times they list on the cans are very important to follow. What you're going for is a good look that is stuck to the floor and not a look that picks up and comes with you each time you take a step.

Once the primer had time to dry I used the flat paint pad to put down the base color, baked clay, which is one of the standard colors offered by Behr in the Semi-Transparent Concrete Stain.

And with all these csteps remember to paint your way out of the room, you don't want to have to walk across the wet paint you just put down.

Here's a pic from me when I was working on the boys room

Again, be sure to let the base color get good and dry.

Once the base color has dried the real fun starts. For the next step I used spray misters from Walgreens that have multiple sprayer settings (this helps every drop not look the same) and filled one with the base color, one with a darker color (I used Behr Chicory), and for the third one I used regular black acrylic paint (like the Plaid kind you can buy at Hobby Lobby) that I watered down until it was liquidy enough to spray through the spray mister. It's best to have a place you can test the nozzle settings and the black (which you don't want to have too watery) before you take it into the room to spray.

When you have the spray settings as you want them- take them into the room and spray away. It's really best to have everything out of the room that matters to you and to wait and change the light fixtures, paint the ceiling, paint the walls, paint the woodwork (you get the idea) after you have finished the floors because in order to not have the same direction with each spray you want to ... well... go a little crazy with the spraying and if you're worried about ruining something in the room you won't have the same artistic freedom you would otherwise.

I let one coat dry and then came back and sprayed the room again. This helps give a multi-level dimension to the room. If you're not going for that look- than one coat might do it for you.

Once the floors look how you like them it's time to seal them. As with the primer, I'm not going to tell you have to do this, but you've already put a lot of work into the floors by now and you don't want to see the work wear off quickly- so take the time and seal it. There are some high gloss sealers if you're looking for something shiny, but I didn't want gloss, so I used the low luster concrete sealer from Behr and applied it with the flat paint pad.

Since I work and have kids I had to work on this project as I could but I was able to do a 12 x 12 room within a week from pulling up the carpet to putting down the sealer. If you have some straight hours you can devote to it, it could certainly be done faster. And while I don't have the receipts to prove it, I do remember talking with LK about the first 12 x 12 room I did being the "100.00 experiment." So I'm going to guess that the whole thing cost between 100.00 to 150.00 depending on if you have some steel wool, disposable cleaning rags, and black paint on hand or not.

A few more hints:

Without question DO NOT even step a toe on the finished concrete before 72 hours has passed. If you do this will cause the paint and the concrete not to bond and it will pick up under foot. It might not the first time, but trust me- it will. So wait.
Do all connecting rooms at the same time if possible. If you don't or doing so is just impossible (i.e. would leave you climbing out a window when you're done painting), you can blend the new and old space together but it's really not as easy as doing it all at the same time.
You can't, unfortunately, let the stain sit too long in the sprayer or it will clog the sprayer- but they're also only about 4.00 each so it's not too painful to buy another one if the first clogs (which can still happen sometimes no matter how well you clean the sprayer).

Here's my finished product. Do you have picture of your finished project? If so, post a link. I'd love to see it.

Happy decorating,

The Guest Room/Office

2010-09-25T15:11:00.000-05:00

I've being held captive by my sinuses at the moment but they're allowing me enough freedom (for now) to post up some before and after pictures of the guest room/office.

This is where I office (when I'm not officing from the couch or the kitchen table) so I wanted it to be all-me. I mean, I can't go overboard on the "me-ness" in the shared spaces of the house- though LK has been kind enough to indulge me and my purple master bedroom idea (pictures to come). But this was done before the battle of the purple, so my excuse to LK was that I needed a girly place.

Here are the befores, sans any furniture

Thankfully, I had some good furniture to work with already- my formerly green daybed that I had already spray painted black back in our Midwest City days, my dad's desk that he would use when paying bills at home (I had to beg my mom for it), and an uber discounted mirror I had bought for 80.00 on a splurge when we lived in Memphis. I wasn't too keen on the peachy color anymore, but I liked the detail.

After painting the walls, I knew I wanted a mural of some kind behind the bed but when I painted what I thought I wanted, it just looked flat. So to Home Depot I went, wondering the aisles until I found something that would work ... in the roofing section.

Now, not being a roofer myself, I have no idea what theses lovely circles are suppose to be used for, but armed with powergrab they were able to quickly become a focal point in the room.

I should likely call this room "ode to Home Depot" because when I found this radiator grate there as well, I knew it had to be used somewhere. So I used left over wall paint from the accent wall and painted a canvas from Hobby Lobby that was the same size as the grate. Then I hot glued screws to the grate (because I had them on hand and needed something to lift the grate off the canvas to give it the look I wanted) and then hot glued the screws to the canvas.

I used the same concrete treatment in here as I did in the boys' room and the hallway and paired it with an amazing rug from Lowes. Here's the after pics

(notice the now silver mirror on the wall- looks pretty nice and modern now)

And when guests come to stay, I hope they feel they're staying in some posh hotel (that can only offer two twin beds-- queen bed to be purchased for the next house)

So before....

After ...

Before ...

After ...

Happy decorating,

When the House Projects Are Complete ...

2010-09-22T22:46:00.000-05:00

Creativity seeps into every other moment in my life. Today's little creativity project- trying to make a fray-scrap necklace I saw online.

I was pretty pleased with the results, but the true test was the reaction out in public -- which was all thumbs up (and best part- it was made from what I had around the house aka 100% free)

The Boys' Room

2010-09-21T08:00:00.002-05:00

Continuing the tour of Shady Tree Lane, here's the before pictures of the boys room

It's a good-sized 12 x 12 room that they love sharing, but when we moved in, as you can see, there wasn't a lot of personality in the space.

Look! I did take a few pics of how I did the floor. So the first step is to pull up all the carpet and the pad and remove the tack strip. Then you need to clean the floor- now when I was doing the boys room I thought I needed to remove every stinkin' piece of paint and 1985 contractor goodness from the floor- which if I was doing a real concrete acid stain I would have needed to. But I found Behr semi-translucent concrete stain and for that (and the method I used) you just need it clean (aka- I waisted lost of time and brain cells trying to strip the floor).

For the base color I used baked clay and applied it with a flat paint pad - and remember to paint your self out of the room and not into a corner :)

Then I put the baked clay, a red stain (I can't remember the color), and regular black acrylic artist paint that I waters down a bit into regular garden spray bottles and used my three "guns" to fire away at the floor. One key I discovered is to shoot from various angles or you'll be able to tell from the drop patterns where the "shooter" was standing when it's done (I felt so CSI!). Another key is to do the floors FIRST and then paint the wall because this "shooting" style is EXTREMELY messy.

Here's the final outcome of the floor. Third key- when the sealer says don't step on it for 3 days- they really mean it. Before 3 days and it won't cure like it's suppose to you and you'll have to patch up spots which is not easy nor is it fun.

For the walls, Mom came down and helped me fabric the walls.

The top part of the walls is a basic cream sheet from Walmart and the bottom is fabulously textured orange fabric that I found on the remnants at Hancocks so it was priced just right. To cover the seam between the two fabrics I used a black chair railing.

Here it is all finished:

I had enough orange fabric to cover the walls and make curtains. The shelf above the beds has some greenery and small things but the main purpose is to cover the puck lights I have installed as reading lights over the boys beds. They turn on by a touch connectors I placed on their bed posts. The touch sensor has three dimmer settings which makes it nice if I need to come and give medicine to one of the boys at night, I can just slightly turn on the light and not have to turn on the ceiling light to see.

And since the walls are fabric-ed I hung three black bulletin boards by fishing line from the crown molding to give the boys a place to hang their special art work.

Here's a shot of how the light works when it's dark.

So before:

And after:

Happy decorating,

Smirk

2010-09-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

It feels like forever since I've entered an iheartfaces photo challenge, but here I am -- back again!

This week their challenge is "smirk" and here's my sweet smirky boy

Check out more smirks at iheartface.com