Fly Away Sonnetbird

Filling the Voids... Creative Challenge #2

2012-01-30T09:17:00.000-08:00

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been to the dentist 4 times, and thankfully only once did I leave with less in my mouth than I came in with. I had not been to see a dentist in 7 years, Yep. Since before I started this blog in 2006. Two of my children's entire lifetimes. So, I'm trying to make up for lost time, you see. I had a cracked tooth to deal with as well as a few cavities to fill. Whoops.

During all of these recent visits, I was left staring at a very boring ceiling. There was a TV for the 10 minutes I was left to sit and "tingle," but for the 2 hours I was laid back and had an arsenal in my mouth... nothing. And so I was left to daydream of the pretty things I'd paint up there if I had a ladder, some watercolors and extra toothbrush. I had an epiphany... was I terrified all these years of the white coats?? Or the white walls??????

(Dun, dun, dunnnn)

Then I came home after the last visit, and looked around my house. For a person who loathes white walls and blank space as much as I do... I sure had a lot of it in MY house! I'm sure it's only partially due to the fact that this is just a temporary place to live, but seriously, even 8 months merits some sort of investment into the space!

So, this is where we join paths today, and banish boring from our abode!

My challenge for US is to create a work of art to put in a blank space in our homes. Brighten up a wall that has too long been waiting for life and color to be placed. Something to set on your desk to make you smile when you glance away from your emails. A pretty thing to dangle in a window so the rays of sun will new paths to chase around your room.

Empty, white walls. Pretty exciting, huh?

Like before, share a picture on our FB page or a link to a blog post here after you've written about this week's challenge to Fly Away from boring :D

I can't wait to see what you've created, and to get started on my very own colorful weapon, to scare blank from the walls!

They say everyone has a twin...

2012-01-25T08:26:00.000-08:00

Have you ever looked into an object and found it's uncanny ability to act as some sort of mirror? Or better yet, a window into your soul? I found one such object and it's changed the way I look at myself. Or something like that.

In the midst of New Year busyness I took a while recently to do some 'treasure hunting.' It's a term I've adopted to mean any of the following: yard/garage/rummage sale-ing, thrift/second-hand browsing, or flea-market perusing/antiquing. It's also a term that has less of a flustering affect on my hubby, who doesn't quite share the same excitement I do when hunting for and buying other people's old stuff.

So anyhow, I'm out and about, treasure hunting, when I pass by this particular item on a shelf. Not alone, but standing out from the other cool stuff. I feel like I've found my twin.

It's short and round, with lovely curves. It's colorful and cheerful, and although small, attracts attention and handles it well. With a slightly split personality, it sits solidly on an equally charming foundation. This item can take the heat, and when pushed will supply one with a surprising result. It's possible for this thing to lose it's head, but with time and patience, it's found again...

I couldn't possibly leave this little darling on the shelf to gather dust, especially when she reminded me so much of myself. She gladly occupies her little spot on my kitchen counter, and gives me a little smile every time I see her.

I can almost hear her sing... "I'm a little teapot, cute and round.... I love my new home, happy to be found."

Scrapbook Paper to Envelope Tutorial

2012-01-22T17:18:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time there was a little blogger who had a tooth pulled. It totally messed with her schedule, her head and her love of straws. But, while adding discomfort and required rest to her schedule, she was given the gift of time, which is something every mom can use. During that time, she had several new ideas - some big, some small, all fun and exciting.

What follows is what brought about one of those ideas.

For the first Weekly Challenge that I shared about on Monday, your part was to write a letter, by hand, to a loved one. I had shared about one that I had written and promised pics of another letter as my part of the participation in our challenge. Then I scolded myself, "Self," I said, "They already know you wrote a letter. And that you're capable of writing another one! Give them something new!"

So here, a day late but something new, is my secret formula for making a pretty envelope!

So, the first thing you need is a 12x12 piece of scrapbooking paper. I know it can be done with other sizes, but I like the finished size of using the large square.

Let's begin. Lay your paper pretty side down, unless you want to have the surprise on the inside. That works too. I'm not the boss of you.

Measure in 4.25 inches from the side points and make a mark. Fold both sides in so that the points meet in the middle. I'm sure you can also measure 8.5 inches from the points to find the center and then place the points on that mark. Whatever floats your boat.

Measuring again, this time from the top of the side fold, mark 6 inches down on both sides. Fold the bottom up along these points. Tuck the edge down into the envelope, about 2.5 inches down, to create a nice opening. It's starting to look like something you'd actually mail things in!

Now, fold the flap down where the side creases begin. Use a glue stick or glue on a brush like rubber cement on the bottom flap edges. And maybe when you want to seal your letter in. But I like glitter glue and stickers.

Viola!! You have a beautiful envelope for your beautiful letters and cards! This size will also work for a lot of store bought cards that come with boring white envelopes.

That's it!! I usually use 2 stamps with this, just in case. Or you could always weigh it. There's a line at the PO for that :)

So tell me, think you'll be trying this anytime soon? Valentine's day is the perfect occasion to try this out! So many pretty papers coming out now for the Big Heart Day :D

Is it possible to stand out from the crowd?

2012-01-20T17:41:00.000-08:00

I received an email from a friend not too long ago, and she put a question toward me that I proceeded to answer immediately. Mostly because everything I do, I do immediately. Ha.

Well, when people are asking me for my two cents, I guess I'm rather available.

This was her question:

How do you stand out in a world full of people with something to share?

Apparently, either she thought I had achieved some great status, or she didn't really believe me when I told her she had so much talent to share with everyone. As I'm still human, I'm thinking the letter is more likely.

Wanna know what I told her?

Well, in a second.

First, I think it's important to note that my words are only meant to encourage, not serve as the cornerstone for the next constitution or bill of rights.

Okay, so my answer was.... "Every person has a secret ingredient."

There is something unique in every person, no matter how similar your talents may be. How many cooks are there on TV, and yet we recognize them by their individual, or "signature," sparks?

Yumm-o! .... Rachael Ray

Bam! .... Emeril Lagasse

I'm fantastic.... Martha Stewart.

Okay, maybe the last one is understood, and never said out loud. But you get my point, right?

The idea is, no matter how many people try the same thing, like a cake recipe, it will come out differently. Some people will use butter, some oil. Some will employ a mixer, and some do it the old-fashioned way, the better way, with elbow grease. Many will measure, few will sprinkle and pour.

Every single cake will come out differently. A few will be delicious, a few dry, a few hard as a rock.

The key to finding your secret ingredient, what makes you different from the rest, is to throw yourself into the recipe. Make it 100 times, every time a little different. Try every method, and repeat what comes natural to you. Then try a new recipe and repeat the process. Sooner or later, you will complete the recipes without thinking, and every finished product will have your secret ingredient.

But it's not just for cooks! The whole recipe thing just fits better for the sake of the illustration :)

How, then, this apply to writers, or photographers, or dancers, or any other kind of artist you can name? Well, the more you practice your art, the more you will see your secret ingredient becoming apparent. Others may not know exactly what it is, they may just refer to the "IT factor," but you'll know... It's your heart. Your fingerprint. Your passion, thrown into every new idea.

Do you wanna know what I think about other creative things, ideas and issues? Just ask!

dearebony @ gmail dot com

(Of course there are no spaces and the dot looks like a dot... Doing my part to thwart the evil spambots! :)

A Letter to Washington. SOPA, PIPA and some Tips-a

2012-01-18T12:13:00.000-08:00

I've interrupted my regularly scheduled blog-ramming for a word to our lawmakers. My version of the blackout.

Dear brother Congress and little sister Senate,

I know many of you are avid readers of my little blog, so I think this is the perfect place to give you a couple of little tips I've picked up on my short life journey.

In regards to these SOPA and PIPA bills you're toying around with:

1) It does no good (ever) to punish the masses for the sins of a few. Just ask the kids in the class who got their pizza party taken away because one of their classmates decided to throw a spitball at the teacher. While everyone is doing the new work assigned in place of the party, guess who still chewing on paper???

2) They're lazy laws. If you block and restrict based on big ideas instead of focusing your search on the tiny little cracks that shake up the foundations, all you do is put a blanket over the problem. Know what's happening underneath? All the same stuff. You haven't really solved anything. You've just encouraged these "pirates" to find a new way to do things.

3) Rebellion and creativity will always win. Not necessarily in that order, or as a team, or even on the same project. But just as little tree roots will upturn sidewalks, artists and rule-breakers will always find a way to the top. Interested in who's working on the next big thing? Put the pressure on. Threaten to shut them down. I don't think you're ready for the ramifications of what these bills, if passed, will bring to our culture.

4) We understand you're being bullied by the big-whigs at the corps and firms and incs, but really, all you need to do is JUST SAY NO!

I'm not a person who enjoys being shushed. I may not always have a lot to say, or the most important things to say, but I enjoy the freedom and platform to say them.

Thank you for your time. I know you have a lot on your plate, like creating tyrant laws and dictator cheat sheets.

Love, Ebony. Voter.

If any of my other less Washington-like readers are curious about what's going on with these cute sounding little laws, please visit any of the following links:

http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa/
https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/
http://michelleshaeffer.com/censorship-is-coming-unless-you-take-action/2012/01/17/
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57360665-503544/sopa-pipa-what-you-need-to-know/
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/01/wikipedia-blackout-sopa-and-pipa-explained/

Lost Art & Found Love ~ Creative Challenge #1

2012-01-16T06:30:00.000-08:00

The other day I sat down and did something I've neglected for almost 5 years.

I pulled out my stationary and my good pen and I wrote a letter.

As I scribbled, my heart burst forth with thoughts too-long conveyed by key-clacks. I felt emotions drizzle down my arms into my fingers, and jump into my pen. I saw the purple scrawl flow onto the paper, and bind itself to the page meant for my loved one.

I had only intended to write a small "thinking of you" note, something I hadn't done in a while even by e-methods. What resulted, and quite surprised me, was 3 pages of tangible purple emotions and a heartfelt sign-off, "Love, Ebony."

A secret I had forgotten was released with the scribbling of ideas and memories: ink from one's hand is like medicine for the soul.

And it dawned on me - Handwritten letters are a lost art. Newly lost, maybe, but lost all the same.

Well, I couldn't have this great revelation and not share it with you! Nor could I stand by while it becomes something we "used to do."

Allow me to present your first assignment for Monday's fabulous Creative Challenge:

♥ Send a handwritten letter to a loved one ♥

Not merely a note. Not just a post card. A real, heartfelt, old-fashioned, love-infused letter. Grab your prettiest paper, your finest pen, and find the smoothest desk you can. Then sit down and capture your truest thoughts on at least one page. Then, before you send it, snap a picture to show with us.

Share a link to a blog post or picture either here in the comments or on the Facebook page under the post link. I will also be participating in this challenge (had too much fun the other day!), and my entry will post on Saturday. The names of participants who share a link before Saturday at midnight (PST) will be entered into a drawing, and one lucky participant will be featured at the end of this challenge post. The true reward (available to all who complete the challenge) will be the response you get from the recipient of your letter.

I can't wait to read about these letters! Bonus points if you come back and share what the letter-getter had to say!

PS. In the spirit of letter-writing, I had to have one of these :) I was sure that by now I'd have a name for this creative challenge. But no, creative ideas overwhelm me and I cannot narrow it down. It's like choosing a favorite child! So, if you have any high-flying ideas, please share those as well!! I'm also working on a button :)

But I'm not a chicken or an egg!

2012-01-10T10:28:00.000-08:00

It's the age-old question: What came first?

I could tell you what really happened, but I don't have time to get into all of that. Instead, I'd like to use that little question to ponder the meaning of life. And art. And art in life.

(It was the chicken.)

Every great person has a small beginning. Einstein wasn't Einstein at two years old. That we know of. Julius wasn't born a Caesar. Michelangelo didn't sculpt his own cradle. Even successful modern-day individuals had humble beginnings, despite what they'd like you to think. Trump was born without a penny in his pocket, and bald. Just like everyone else.

There is a natural progression to the story of one who finds their passion and works their way to the pinnacle of their success. But they all start somewhere.

Fashion Expert or style experimentalist?

Pastry Chef or lover of sweets?

Photo Journalist or amateur with a polaroid?

Tech Genius or curious fellow?

Prima Ballerina or twirling todder?

Where is your starting line? Most of us are there right now. Or somewhere in the middle. No matter how much we've accomplished, though, there will always be more to learn. There are so many ways we can go, sometimes one at a time, sometimes several paths at once. We all just have to start.

What is your destination? In order to make it there, you have to know where you want to go. Most things don't happen by accident. And even then....

My small start: bookworm, movie lover, story teller.
My destination: filmmaker. (I'd like to thank all the people who helped make this happen...)

Your turn! Name your start and destination!

Mission:Impossible and It's Challenge Pt2.

2012-01-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

Mondays are my very favorite day of the week.

They follow the weekend full of family time, spiritual refreshment, and bursts of cleaning energy that can only be referred to as 'abnormal.' When Monday morning hits, and the kids are off to school, hubby (when not off saving the world himself) is back to the office, and I have my coffee pot all to myself... I am ready to roll!

Enjoying a beautiful Monday

My theory has always been that if you had such a great weekend, you'd be ready for the week ahead. Like cell phones that charge all night to be ready to use the next day. Can you imagine if your little phone could express itself? Do you think it would say, "Aw shucks, I wanted to just sit and charge all day, too!" No. I think it would be something closer to, "Alright, let's do this! Get me off my leash and let's run wild!"

As in the last couple of posts, I'm introducing something new that's been stirring just for you. In part 1 of my Mission: Impossible and It's Challenge posts, I mentioned a mission that I was ready to accept. Ready to hear it?

One of my new missions is to make-over Mondays for you. Give you a little something extra to get excited about, something to help sweep away the weekend fog and have you cruising into your week. Not only something to look forward to peeking in on, but something to get out and do. This is where you come in.

Every week, I will have a new challenge for you. Something to stretch your creativity, lure you slightly beyond your comfort zone, and encourage you to color your day, and sometimes someone else's.

My challenges will not be called Mission: Impossible (something about copyright infringement), won't necessarily put your life in mortal danger (you're welcome), and may not have you traveling to uber-exotic locations (yet). You won't know what it is until it's posted, but I promise you'll have fun!

Prizes? A few, but the real reward will be the flexibility and gumption you gain as you strengthen your creative and expressive muscles.

(Cue fantastic music)

Are you ready? (You know you can't wait!)

Your first challenge is to accept MY challenge!

Of course you don't know what you're getting yourself into! Will it be hard? Maybe, if you're used to living in shades of gray. Will it be time consuming? Some will take more time than others. Will it be fun? But of course, darling!

Nitty-Gritty. Provisos. The details:

Challenges will be posted on Monday mornings. You have 6 days to complete the challenge and share a link to a blog post, picture, or video (family friendly material only). You may also link up on the Fly Away Sonnetbird Facebook page under the challenge post comments. Sounds easy enough, right?!

Then each Monday, before the next challenge is announced, a winner will be drawn and that winner and their picture, video or blog will be featured in the challenge post! If you're brave enough to participate in these challenges, we want to get to know you, too! Giveaways will come too, more on those later.

ACCEPT!! Join me, and let me know in the comments.

I'm so excited. This is going to be lots of fun!

Be Brave.

2012-01-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

Needed a reminder to step out of my comfort zone more often. I made this to fit the Facebook cover picture spot, what better place to have it? I'll see it every time I log in, which is at least once a day, when I'm not on vacation or a media break :)

If you'd like, feel free to save the pic and upload it to your FB timeline, too! Just a little fuel in your courage tank can go a long way.

Happy Sunday, brave friends!

Mission: Impossible and It's Challenge Pt1.

2012-01-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

Mission: Impossible movies are full of awesome.

As soon as you sit down in the theater with your popcorn and giant cup full of soda (Cherry Coke, if you're like me) you are hit with an instant shot of adrenaline as the characters race across the screen. Without fail, something goes very terribly wrong for one side, and very terribly right for the other. And then you meet the good guys, the team we're conditioned (and fully ready) to root for:

Confident but guarded team leader.
Beautiful, butt-kicking female, every hair in place.
Bumbling geek who brings the comic relief.
Strong, silent giant who says the most profound things.

Then, the video tape. People, places, things to acquire: the mission (should they choose to accept it) to be accomplished in an impossibly short amount of time with impossibly few tools and impossibly cool places and prizes. And don't even get me started on the cars and clothes!

Of course they accept - I need time to finish my popcorn!

Chases, explosions, genius and close calls follow in close progression as the characters build toward the nail-biting conclusion - the bad guys are taken out, they save the world, and then sit around laughing about it next to a picturesque harbor. Okay, so maybe that was just the last M:I.

Before the credits roll, but mysteriously after to the popcorn, soda and candy (oh my!) are consumed, one more mission is accepted by the courageous and refreshed team, and they're off once again to save the world.

I love movies. Really, really love movies. In every one I see a challenge. Some challenge me to fight like a cuddly panda, some to cook as though my life depended on it, and some challenge me to invent a gadget and then randomly bump into the one person who can help me make a million trillion dollars. This latest M:I sequel challenged me to challenge others, something I've wanted to do, but have been putting off for quite a while.

I accept.

Wanna hear more about the mission?! Stay tuned!

(This message will not self-destruct in 5 seconds.)

I'm ready to shake things up a little bit.

2012-01-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

During the first 32 years of my life, I've discovered a few things I'm good at, some I'm great at, and still some that I was born to do. By now you've probably guessed a few, but here are some anyway, just for the new peepers:

❀ Telling people what to do... ahem, I mean... offering advice.

❀ Encouraging people to chase their dreams, pursue their passions, dive head-first into new adventures.

❀ Sharing new ways to express creativity, gathering inspiration from various places, living life joyfully.

Those are just a few, but more than anything, I'd love to share all of that with you intentionally here, in my little corner of the sky. One of the biggest compliments I can receive is that I've inspired someone, encouraged someone, or offered advice that has turned someone's circumstances around. Sometimes people share that I've motivated them to do something they've always wanted to do, or given them the courage to step out toward their dreams. I think they have the courage all along, I just help dust it off.

Anyway, those things thrill me to bits! Tiny, colorful, glittery bits!

For the longest while, this little blog has been for sharing what I've been up to, or what I'm thinking, or lots of other "I" stuff. I'm ready to turn the pointer on some of you. I'm ready to challenge you to be more 'you' than you've ever been before. I'm ready to splatter you with words of excitement and inspiration. I'm ready to motivate you to flex your creative muscles. All on purpose.

Lots of fun little changes coming to Fly Away Sonnetbird. Are you ready?

What I know about you before we ever meet.

2012-01-05T08:37:00.000-08:00

We share a table in a crowded ballroom, shouting slightly above the band to hear our conversation. You're wearing the most glamorous clothes in your closet, or the best you could borrow. You've gone from group to group, graciously participating in each conversation. Your toes tap to the beat when you think no one is looking. I've seen you watching the other people in the room, just like I've been, and I know you.

Or maybe we meet in the grocery store. I've got a couple of frozen dinners and sack of potatoes in my cart; you've got a couple of kids and a gallon of apple juice in yours. One of the children grabs a jar of maraschino cherries from the shelf and before you can reach out, it crashes to the floor in a beautiful red-spotted mess. You smile apologetically and your cheeks turn the color of the cherries. I know you.

The last phone call at work and you're the only one logged in. You take the call, and realize not long into the conversation that this person did not call with a problem, they are the problem. Every last ounce of self control and enthusiasm is depleted by the time you put the phone down. You grab your coat and keys, and following a quick click of the key fob, download yourself into your car and start the ignition. A smile. This is why you defied your better logic to purchase this car over the weekend. As you cruise down the street, through green light after green light, your smile disappears for a moment, then comes back twice as big. You realize, not regretfully, that you only put that customer on hold. I know you.

Before we even meet, there are three things I know about every person, no matter their name, gender, job or age. Three things that propel you forward every day. Three things I see reflected back to me once we get to talking. You're:

You want to know how and why, and you want to know now. Why did that person choose that dress, with those shoes? Or that house, with no yard? How do they fit that in there? Why does that grocery store only carry one kind of potato chip? Why do children sense the most delicate objects first? How do you turn this into that? Why me?

"I still need to feed my family." or "This problem could get pretty big." Or maybe, " I need to have a back-up plan." These come from the part of our mind that has to be "grown-up."

The problem you solved when no one else could figure out the solution. The time you used something out of your spoon drawer and it worked like a charm. The color no one liked but can't stop raving about now. You have ideas, and you can offer suggestions that no one else has thought of, maybe ever. Your own kind of genius.

These things help shape how you "C" the world. Through each of these lenses, you make your decisions and deal with the consequences based on the filters you use. Like a camera. It doesn't change what you see, just how you see it. And just like those attached to the lenses of a camera, your "c" filters can get scratched:

Curiosity becomes skepticism.

Caution turns to fear.

Creativity makes way for wishful thinking.

We'll all experience scratches now and again. We'll all feel cracked or shattered from time to time. The secret to keeping your filters clean and clear is to take time to remember the unique individual you were created to be. And a good polishing cloth.

Do you "c" yourself described up there? What are some ways to ensure that your lenses stay clear?

Lessons in Creativity, 5 Things I Learn With Every Project

2012-01-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Recently I stepped out of my comfort zone into the realm of sugardom just for my sweet little girl, who turned 5 last month. Although I've never loved being in the kitchen, it was a worthy venture. And memory maker. And small success. Well, if you go by the size of the smiles, a big one.

I love trying new things. It's invigorating and scary and rewarding all at once. Sometimes, and it does happen, I fail, and I take the opportunity to learn from those messes. Other times, and they happen too, I succeed, and those little times propel me toward my next new project.

My crafty lessons:

1. What I'm not 'wired' for. Just because I need to make things with my hands doesn't mean I should make everything. BUT, I never know unless I try!

2. How deep my commitment level goes. Sometimes it's a mere minutes into the project that I realize (or remember) that I'm not cut out for the type of work I've just started. Mostly it's things that require an insane amount of patience or teamwork. (Yes, I realize this makes me sound terrible. No, I don't care to say it differently :) What I can discover, though, is how committed am I to finishing what I start. It's an exercise in sticking-with if nothing else.

3. When to add my own personal touch. Pinterest (see mine!) has taken the creative world by storm, and I'm not ashamed to say I'm happy to be a part of it. Since I'm a motivated-by-color learner (just made that up), I've taken great pleasure in having the ability to visually store my bookmarks and inspiration for new projects. I don't like following instructions, however, or doing things exactly the way I see them. This gives me (lots of) room to add my own flair, personality and creativity.

4. Who to recruit for help. One of my biggest issues with blogging is that I don't have the ~~time~~ patience to sit and learn how to do certain things to make my site function more smoothly. So I do it little by little, and find myself behind on my personal goals for my site. I do okay, and make things work when I get around to them, but when I try my hand at different things, I discover what I'd rather get help with. At the rate I'm going with my site, I'll be where I want to be in 2047.

5. Where to look for my next project. Creativity, for me, expands from a single idea drop into beautiful ripples in a giant pond. One little project can perpetuate crafty ideas for 6 or 7 levels of curiosity. One sour drop, however, can stop me in my tracks and help me refocus in an area that more closely matches my natural interests and affinities.

So, those are the the most prominent things I learn. There are hundreds of other things, but this is just a start. What do you learn from trying new things?

Looking Back on A Good Year

2012-01-01T21:02:00.000-08:00

As I'm packing my old calendars away and putting the new ones up, I notice the markings I leave in some of the spaces. Birthdays, anniversaries, new babies. Meetings, lunch dates, pattern sales, school events, writing deadlines... Things that fill my days and turn ordinary into fun. Or chaotic, depending on how you look at it.

Feb 9th Hubby's bday, enchiladas and GermChoc cake

May 25 Brunch with a friend 9:15

Sept 22, 23, 24 Two babies and a wedding

Dec 7 - Dentist, all 3 kids

Just a few things that caught my eye. And then I look at the new calendars full of empty squares; white, crisp and ready to be filled with family, friends, meetings, appointments, new beginnings, chapter endings.

I saw some of my blog posts in there too, and thought, "Hey! What if I made a list of my favorite posts from this year?"

So, what follows is the product of this genius idea, limited to 5, or we'd be here all day!

5. The Cure for Stir Crazy
This was the first post in which I actually shared pictures of the food I made and blogged about. Little milestone for me :)

4. Mountaintop Revelations
After a weekend camping retreat, I had so much fun putting into words the silliness of our adventures.

3. Three Reasons for Putting Your Ideas on Paper
One of the first posts that (to me) seemed helpful and offered something to move forward with, instead of just thinking, "Huh, that was interesting."

2. It's Time, Little Apple
I am an encourager by nature, so to offer a little story to all those who are dreaming of new horizons just seemed like the right thing to do. A sequel may or may not be written soon.

And my very favorite of the year, mostly because it still makes me laugh out loud every time I read it:
5 Easy Ways to Meet Your New Neighbors

What about you? Did you have some favorite moments or blog posts to smile about?

I'm so excited for 2012. Have a new logo (did you see it up there?), a ton of new ideas, giveaways lined up, and some interviews of some spectacular creative women to share! The New Year is bringing a celebration to Fly Away Sonnetbird. Over the next few weeks, you'll notice some slight additions of fun to the little blog here.

Oh, yeah! Honorable Mention: Color Me Excited ... Still am. Excited, that is :o)

Kicking Resolutions to the Curb, Kinda

2011-12-31T11:45:00.000-08:00

The last day of 2011. Am I sorry the year got away from me so quickly? Nope.

I'm kind of glad to start fresh, to be honest. We have a new adventure in a new place and new friends waiting for us. New memories to make, new stories to share, new art to discover.

Last year I blabbered some about resolutions. While I still like making light of the whole thing, this year I'm focusing on something different.

I'm burnt out on adding things to my list. Things to DO to get to "better person-hood." A list (which I love) of goals that consist solely of making myself perform (which I do not love) in a certain way.

This year, I'm neglecting the annual ritual with my glitter pens and pretty paper.

I'm keeping it simple.

Be the best mom/wife/friend/sister/daughter/cousin I can be. How? Love.

Find the best in every person and situation I come across. How? Hope.

Create my best work, knowing that what I have to share will bring Joy to someone, somewhere.

Speak the truth, no matter now uncomfortable. Peace will meet me in the place where I choose to let go of all those burdens not intended for me.

There ya have it. I choose to BE this year - the person I was intended to be, without adding the weight of shoulds and coulds that end up turning into should haves and could haves.

So with that, I say...

Cake Pops, Hello Kitty and Tears on a Stick

2011-12-07T19:21:00.001-08:00

I have this little girl who decided to turn 5 this month. She's also the kind of little girl who loves Dora and Hello Kitty. I'm the kind of mom who is just a little tired of Dora.

Because she's turning 5, I knew from experience that this is a birthday she'd remember, and even if we couldn't do a traditional party (for several reasons, which I shall not bore you with here), we could do a little something special that would make her smile even years later.

She started it.

So I had this wonderful, fun idea to make her some cake pops. In a fun little kitty shape dipped in white. Like Hello Kitty, complete with a cute little red (or pink) bow. I had a couple of instant dilemmas, the first being how in the world was I to make these awesome pops. The second was how was I going to find time to shape all these little pops into Hello Kitty heads.

Enter Google. In no time flat, I found a recipe site (don't remember which one now) that simply outlined how to make cake pops. Easy peasy! Like Oreo truffles, but with a stick! And on a whim, as I'm known to act on, I googled "Hello Kitty cake pops." Lo, and behold, someone awesome figured out how to make them exactly like I had imagined them in my mind!!

After the initial creepiness of seeing my mind-doodles splashed across this website, I got to scrolling and figured out the secret of her success! Oh, my word! My dilemmas were over!

Now you're probably wondering what the name of this website is. More on that later.

Birthday girl deliciously requested a rainbow confetti cake for her birthday, and in keeping with tradition, I bought a box, as well as a couple different types of frosting for the crumble, squish and roll.

Can you smell it?

Because these were a surprise, the party had to wait until the kids were all in bed. I had a very quiet kitchen, just the way I like it! I threw on my apron, cranked up the Netflix, opened up a can of worms, and got to work.

I baked a gloriously golden confetti cake. That Betty Crocker sure knows her stuff! I scored the cake once it cooled, and into a giant bowl it went, with about a quarter of some luscious lemon frosting. Yum. Mixed it up, and it wasn't sticking quite into little balls, so I added a little plop of cream cheese frosting. Just to shake things up.

Whoopsie-Daisy

I worked on forming little balls and melting my white chocolate coating at the same time. Not such a great idea for someone who is easily distracted and forgets what she was just doing.

Pretty sure white chocolate isn't supposed to turn brown. Or smell like smores. Tears.

Out came my innovative side. Giant pot. Colander. Mixing bowl. As close to a double boiler as I could get from my awesome supply of random cabinet stuff. Got that gently melting, and went back to making balls. And sticking the sticks in. I read that to get the sticks to stick better, I needed to dip them in the melted chocolate first. And, the secret of the Hello Kitty shape?!?! White chocolate chips!! Genius right??! Bakerella, somewhat of an awesome kitchen super-woman, is who had my idea put into pictures.

At some time during this
experiment, these looked like little devils.

So after lots of rolling, cooling, sticking, chipping, drying and melting.... I got to the dipping part. First, let me just say, chocolate melts very quickly and doesn't need to sit on heat for forever. It's something I learned in a candy making-class that I conveniently forgot during this project. After my first dip and dry, the chocolate was splotchy and getting grainy. Tears. I turned off the very low heat it was on, and let it cool down just a little bit. Double dipped. Much better.

By this time it's 2am. Somehow I'd managed to be working on this for 6 hours. Tears. I decided to let the pops cool, some not even on a stick. At one point I was throwing basketballs made of cake into the pot of choc (swish!) and fishing them out with a fork. I was so tired I was delirious. When I'm mixing sports and kitchen, someone needs to have me examined.

The Glorbs.

The next day, I looked at the little white glorbs on their sticks and found funny drippy things in funny non-drippy places. Tears. Why couldn't these be perfect like they were in my head????

I almost threw them in the trash. The practical, conservative side of me talked me out if, as I can't stand to throw good food away, even if it is ugly.

We went about our day, errands, Bible study, lunch with friends, more errands. By the time I got home, it was time for the older kids to get off the bus. Guess what they wanted to eat for snack?

The Payoff.

We got out the gels, each pop was decorated to order, and each kid picked the bow color on their little treat. When I saw the smiles and heard the excited noises erupt from my little girl, to whom this entire post is dedicated, it was all worth it. Were they still goofy looking pops? Yes. Did it take more time than I imagined? Yes. Did I cry more than I'd like to admit? Well, I admitted it all, so.... Would I do it again? Uh.... Depends :D

Thanks for letting me share my little learning experience. Once I recover, I'll tell ya what I actually learned.

When was the last time you tried something WAY out of your comfort zone? What happened?

Tis' The Season to Eat and Enjoy

2011-12-06T16:46:00.001-08:00

Day 2 of the Wives of Faith Christmas Blog Carnival

Be warned, for in this space I will share with you the greatest holiday dish and recipe of all time!

Begone, diets!

Away with you, healthy eating plans!

Leave us, you peddlers of spinach and carrots!

Before you now, I will show you magic. I will reveal to you the most fantastical thing since the beginning of all fantastical things!

What is this highly esteemed dish I speak of? How can anything transcend the awesomeness of any other thing on the face of the earth as this thing does?

It is none other than....

Oreo Truffles!

I know what you're thinking. But hold your little recipe-testing horses one moment longer as I reveal to you the secret of Oreo Truffles.

It started long ago, in the caves of a faraway land. There was celebration to be had. Joy to be shared. Delicacies to be consumed. But all that was to be found was a package of oreos, some marshmallow fluff, and a bag of melting chocolate.

The elders of the tribe that lived in the caves were leery. What on earth could one do with oreos, fluff, and chocolate???! Well, the women of the tribe were very wise. They knew there was magic in these ingredients, just as there was in that old black hat they found.

They crumbled, crushed and mashed the oreos (they had the holiday mint variety, but any would work, really) in a bowl with an ancient marble smashing device. They added in the marshmallow fluff to make it all stick together. They scooped up ball shapes and dipped them into the chocolate that happened to melt over the fire they warmed themselves with. As they cooled, in the cave, they all sang carols and cuddled by the campfire.

For some equally fun and delicious recipes, check out some of the other posts right now!

What is one of YOUR favorite holiday recipes?

My Favorite Christmas Movie(s)

2011-12-06T10:21:00.001-08:00

Day 1 of the Wives of Faith Christmas Blog Carnival

Today's topic is Favorite Christmas Movie. How on earth am I supposed to pick just one? As one of the people on earth who loves movies more than most anyone else on earth, I need to bend this just slightly.

I've got 3 favorite Christmas-time movies, each in their own category.

First is a movie set during Christmas. A story about the need to be a part of family, and doing silly things when your heart gets involved. While You Were Sleeping is one of the sweetest, cutest, truest stories about the desire everyone has to be loved. There is a character to relate to every one of our family members, friendship and rivalry, secrets and surprises, and the sincerest little romance that grows in the middle of all the drama and misunderstandings. It's just too cute. And for a movie that's already about 100 years old, it still makes me tear up when they get together at the end, and she get's a family for Christmas.

Next is a movie about the gift of Christmas, in a very subtle, gently tale about a man who doesn't feel significant, and in the course of the film, discovers just how essential his life and gifts are to the people around him. It's a Wonderful Life does an excellent job of both warming our hearts and giving us a challenge: to live fully and colorfully (haha, in a black and white movie) right where we are.

Last is a movie that reminds me about what Christmas should really be about: Furry, funny, green things. And giving. I can get quite grinchy and grumpy during the holidays, it frustrates me when people try to make it all about the stuff. And while I'll always appreciate the Dr. Suess animated version, I really love the songs in this one. I think the music is what carries the true note of what Christmas spirit should be. And Cindy Lou Who is just adorable. I want to bite her little nose.

Those are my faves. Come read the other favorite movie posts at Wives of Faith for our Christmas Blog Carnival!

I'm having trouble with links. I'll come back to see if I can get them all to cooperate in a bit.

What is/are your favorite Christmas movies?

32 bits of Ebony - Part 2

2011-11-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

So, we're in the middle of what I call Ebony Week. My birthday was Monday, and I've taken the liberty of claiming the whole week for myself. I turned 32, so it sounded like fun to share 32 things about myself that you may not have already discovered. So, here the journey continues, hope you're buckled in!

15. My favorite candy is Skittles. I love the rainbow. Feel the rainbow. Taste the rainbow. The 3 years I had braces I could not eat them, it was torture!

14. I love challenges. Of most any kind. Except maybe Fear Factor type stuff, that's not a challenge, that's just idiocy.

13. The first person I want to meet when I get to Heaven, after Jesus, is a toss up between Esther and Mary. I want Esther to tell me what happened after the story was over. And I want Mary to tell me if Jesus cleaned his own room... then send down a message to the boys, "See, I told you so!"

12. The thought of being on stage is exciting. The actual being on stage is rather intimidating.

11. I'd like to produce a play, movie, TV series, documentary, and commercial before I'm 40.

10. I almost joined the Air Force. No joke. Then I met Eric, who charmed me off my path into a more exciting adventure. And I'm so glad he did. And we ended up in the military anyway!

9. I loooove babies. The smaller the better. I'm quite good with them, and they spit on me, so I know they love me :D

8. Curse words in music make me laugh, just like a little kid. It's like finding shoes in the fridge... What's the idea???

7. I love learning new words. I've usually got a million tabs on the computer open at once, and one of them is most likely a dictionary site. Like Webster's. I also frequent Wikipedia. I'm a nut for trivia.

6. Sometimes, I throw my recyclable soda cans in the garbage. On purpose.

5. I've never gotten a traffic ticket. I'm pretty happy about that.

4. Calendars make the best wall art. I love them. In every shape, size, theme, organization, layout. I love to put them everywhere.

3. The sound of whistling to me is the equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard to others. I do not appreciate when people whistle while they work.

2. Starting projects is kind of my thing. Not so much the finishing. The last steps of anything are the hardest for some reason.

And the latest thing I've discovered about myself:

1. Sticking my hand into a pumpkin give me the willies. Fortunately the kids don't mind it one bit, so we can still enjoy our seasonal seed treat :D

Tada! I know there are scores more interesting things to share, so I'll just have to start writing them down more often :D

I hope you're enjoying my birthday week! I know I am!

32 bits of Ebony - Part 1

2011-11-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

My 32nd birthday is today!

So, in honor of all the years I've graced the planet, I thought I'd give you 32 facets of who I am. Things I've learned and become during my stay here on earth. Ready?

31. My favorite color is smack dab right between red and pink. Like Cherry. Or Pomegranate guts.

30. I am good with my hands. I love to make things and give them away. I'll make more things as soon as I learn how to make more time.

29. I am not an auditory learner. I think that's why I don't like talking on the phone. I promptly forget things as soon as I hang up. Be warned.

28. Chocolate give me migraines. I eat it anyway. That's just the kind of loyal person I am.

27. Amelia Earheart was my hero in 4th grade. I wanted to be a pilot and fly around the world just like her.

26. Rocky is my favorite move. Ever. I have a lot of close seconds, too many to list here.

25. Sometimes, in my mind, I edit Martha Stewart.

24. I grew up going to church, have served in church since childhood and still never get tired of going.

23. Magazines come to my house to get piled up. This is where they retire for the next generation.

22. I have a habit (some would call it bad) of waiting till the last minute to do things. Case in point: I waited until today to renew my driver's license. It expires at midnight.

21. I am optimistic to the extreme. I am sure that everything will turn out alright. And it usually does.

20. I'm the mean parent; the one who says no, makes up rules, and get the kids to bed at sundown. Most days. I'm the nice one on a full moon.

19. If I had a million dollars the first thing I'd do is hire a cook. I think it would be a totally wise investment. Then I could concentrate on thinking up questions to ask my kids while we sup together :D

18. I'm never in the mood for Subway.

17. Starbucks stumps me.

16. I love boots in the fall. They make me taller, since I always get them with heels. And I feel important. No one can ignore me when I walk up to them in full fall boot splendor.

Hooked??? Well, you're gonna have to wait till Wednesday to read the rest!!! Thanks for stopping by today, makes me feel special. (Probably because I'm wearing my boots!)

It's Time, Little Apple

2011-11-06T18:56:00.000-08:00

This is for all the little dreamers....

Imagine you’re an apple; full of seeds and the potential to nourish bodies, souls and minds. You feel ripe and ready, excited to do great things. Hoping to make many people happy. Restless for change.

You look around, but every time you spot a nice place to land, another apple jumps and beats you to it. They're quite cozy down there, dropping into nice little groups of like-minded apples.

Now, lift your eyes just a little bit. Out beyond the small circle of apples on the ground, there is so much space you can hardly believe it. But it’s so far away. And there aren't as many other trees. Or fruits. What will all the other apples in your tree think? Won’t you miss them? But more importantly, how will you even get there?

You ask Mama Tree, who kindly listens to your query. “Stay close to me,” she whispers. “It’s safe here. I can shelter you from the sun, protect you from the wind, shield you from the sharp teeth of Fate.”

“Whooooo are you?” A new voice joins the conversation. “Why,
I’m Apple.” you answer.

“Why are you so sad?”

Perceptive guest.

“I long to go someplace different,” you say, shocked at your own words.

“Where would you go?” the wise owl asks. “I’d like to go over there, but...” still uncertain, you cannot finish.

“What are you waiting for?” Good question.

“I have no way to get there.” Sigh.

“How much do you want it?”

“More than anything on earth.” More than safety. More than shelter. More than a bite-free
existence.

“I can help you. Close your eyes. Now, this might hurt a bit.”

As you dream of a beautiful new life behind your closed eyes, you feel the puncture of talons on every side. A strange and painful pulling sensation from where you connect to the familiar Mama tree.

“Ow! Stop it! I don’t like that!” Not one bit.

The wise owl stops for a moment and speaks directly into your very core.

“I am here right now. I may never land in your tree again. Fear will not stop me. Do not let it stop you either. One chance. Are you sure you want to stay?"

No. You’re not sure of anything at the moment, except for the pain you didn't expect to feel. But you can’t stay. Your dream is too big.

“Okay. Let’s go. Goodbye Mama tree.”

Deep breath. Fresh talon cuts, more painful pulling. But this time, through the pain, your dream persists, and grows bigger by the second.

POP. Relief. You’re free, flying through the sky, watching all your fellow apples below stare in disbelief. From this new perspective you see talon marks on some.

As you soar through the air, Wise Old Owl reveals a secret: “I offered them this opportunity as well.”

You understand now. They choose fear over Freedom.

“Are you ready, little Apple? It’s time.”

“I, uh, well, what if I’m not ready?”

“Too late for second guessing yourself. Time to get to work. Dream big, little Apple. Never stop dreaming, and you will never expire. Three. Two. One.... “

A falling sensation. Time to think. Did I make the right decision? Am I ready for this? What will the other fruits think? What if I fall on hard ground and splatter into a million little bird food pieces?

Thump. Soft, fertile ground. Phew. Now, it’s time to get to work.

Are you like Little Apple? What is your dream? Are you ready to fly?

My favorite thing.

2011-10-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Do you want to know what my favorite thing in the whole wide world is?

Making things.

Taking an idea from my head and turning it into something I can hold.

I did it with my kids... although details like eye and hair color and personality got colored in after they were born.

I do it with sewing. The joy of turning a flat piece of fabric into a 3-D product is beyond exciting.

I do it with jewelry and leatherwork and crochet and card-making.

In a way, I kind of do it with writing, too. Putting a thought in order so I can put it on paper.

My hands love to be moving. And the faster my mind is moving, the faster my hands move.

One of these days I'll do it in motion. On screen. Maybe I'll start small. Commercials. I love commercials. Well, the good ones. One day, a movie.

Then I'll be making smiles.

Want to know my least favorite thing?

White. Yes, it's a color. but in my mind it's something unfinished. Cars, walls, papers, etc.

Okay. Have some things to go make. See you later :)

Sharing abroad today

2011-10-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

Come read what I've shared over at Wives of Faith today. We Serve the Lord is my take on recent experiences unique to our military life. It may be a little familiar to some of you, I also shared this as a devotional for our PWOC morning Bible study meeting a couple of weeks ago.

www.wivesoffaith.org

The Power of One

2011-10-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

Everything you want to change, all the parts of yourself that you keep secret...It's your power! It's who you are! -- Charles S. Dutton in the 2009 movie, Fame

These words resonate with me for some reason.

I don't feel anymore like I'm trying to hide anything, rather I'm working to uncover what's already there.

People should know me as someone who gives from the very core of who I am. No masks. No pretending. That's how I'm going to change the world.

If you were to look at my DNA under a microscope, it's coded with a million different ideas. In every different color imaginable. And these ideas generate new ideas. Crazy ideas, sometimes.

Question is, how to get them all out. And then do them all. In my lifetime. I need to find a square one for one idea. I'll start with just one idea. One.

Now which one?

Any ideas? Hehe.

The preview of the film, including a clip of the above quote.

F.O.C.U.S.

2011-10-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

I'm learning to let the idea/pressure of multi-conquering go. Gonna take some time to try to apply this to my everyday:

in my roles as mother, wife, friend, teacher, artist, writer, and disciple... this applies to everything from cooking to cleaning to raking in the dough - I mean leaves.

Mountaintop Revelations

2011-09-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

Seven things I learned during our camping trip this weekend :

~ No matter how close you are to the other campsite, you can still be in your own little world. ~

~ For a family of five, you only really need 2 sleeping bags. Any others are just decoys. ~

~ Children acclimate to the wild rather quickly - A little too quickly, if you ask me! ~

~ Out in “nature,” the calls seem to come more often, and not when it’s convenient. ~

~ Forgetting the sweaters just means there’s more of a need for cuddling. ~

~ Everything tastes better warmed by a fire and waved around on a stick. ~

And most importantly:

~ Without love and fun food, you’re just wandering around in the woods, and sleeping on dirt. ~

My fave snapshot of our weekend :)

I have to change it back!!!

2011-09-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

Alright. We all know I love change and rearranging and renaming and all that jazz. But I have to change my blog name back. The new name makes me feel like I'm imposing myself on someone else's blog! Big sister that I am, I would't have a problem if it was my sister's blog, and I'd happily impose, but this just feels weird. So, henceforth, hitherto and therefore, my blog shall return to it's original name: Fly Away Sonnetbird.

Phew. That was really bothering me.

The Cure for Stir Crazy

2011-08-16T12:54:00.000-07:00

As it happens when the Doc orders you to stay home and rest, I got a little stir crazy, and decided to pour my energy into mushing some bananas and making some magic.

The recipe I found for a Quick Banana Bread many, many moons ago is the start of my banana magic. The framework, so to speak. Not only do I never follow a recipe 100%, I can't handle leaving well enough alone, and it's served me okay so far!

So here's the recipe, from Better Homes and Gardens (mine's in the checkered cookbook, this is easier to share, copied right off the site, link in the Recipe title) Read through the recipe, and see my changes, ahem, improvements below.

Their picture...

Banana Bread

Prep: 25 minutes

Bake: 55 minutes 350 degrees F

ingredients

2
cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2
teaspoons baking powder
1/2
teaspoon baking soda
1/4
teaspoon salt
1/4
teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8
teaspoon ground nutmeg
2
eggs, beaten
1-1/2
cups mashed banana (5 medium)
1
cup sugar
1/2
cup cooking oil or melted butter or margarine
1/4
cup chopped walnuts
1
recipe Streusel-Nut Topping (optional)

directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of one 9x5x3-inch or two 7-1/2x3-1/2x2-inch loaf pans; set aside. In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make a well in center of flour mixture; set aside.

In a medium bowl combine eggs, banana, sugar, and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy). Fold in nuts. Spoon batter into prepared pan(s). If desired, sprinkle Streusel Topping over batter.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes for 9x5x3-inch pan or 40 to 45 minutes for 7-1/2x3-1/2x2-inch pans or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean (if necessary, cover loosely with foil the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent overbrowning). Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on a wire rack. Wrap and store overnight before slicing.

Makes 1 loaf (16 slices)

Streusel-Nut Topping: In a small bowl combine 1/4 cup packed brown sugar and 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Using a pastry blender, cut in 2 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 1/3 cup chopped walnuts.

***************************************

So, now that you have the full recipe, you can make your own changes at whim. Here's what I do:

1) Since I can't eat walnuts, I don't add them. Obviously. But banana bread does benefit from something crunchy, and when I have it on hand, I add 1 cup of shredded coconut. Divine!

(oh, and I never do the streusel)

2) I don't like nutmeg. Instead I add vanilla, the mexican kind when I have it, and it's even better!

3) I like 1/2 c. white and 1/2 c. whole wheat flour. Makes it feel just a little more nutritious and holds a nice slathering of butter quite nicely!

4) Sugar - brown sugar is always best for banana bread. Try it. It'll change your life.

5) I like to put my batter in an angel food pan. Banana bread is more of a treat than a sandwich ingredient, and I don't like eating it from a rectangle shaped pan. It doesn't taste as good!

So. Now for my pictures:

Golden Beauty... Can you smell it?

Just one little slice.

No one will notice if I try it first.

Those new big boy teeth are great for digging right in.

I think she likes it.

"Mmmmmm. You're the best, Mom." Aw...

....I know :D

Do you have a Magic Recipe?

Mother Hen

2011-08-08T16:10:00.000-07:00

Of all the birds I could be today, I'm feeling most like the short, round, close to the ground kind. I'm wanting to stuff my chicks back into their eggs so I can finish feathering my nest and then sit on them and pretend they're all back in that fluffy baby stage.

But my chicks won't be stuffed back into eggshells. They're funny looking and scrawny and aren't content with the old regurgitated worms. They want to go out and find their own seeds, and if you look closely, the feathers on their wings are starting to sprout.

What am I going to do with these growing little birds? I miss my soft, cuddly baby chicks who believe everything I say and don't talk back, and aren't hungry every 30 seconds.

I can only keep them under my wings for so long. What do I do when they're too big? and too curious? and too hungry?

My wings don't get any bigger. Good thing the Almighty has wings that take over when mine are too small.

Ps 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

They're big enough for me too :)

Creating Pretty Things

2011-07-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

I had a few free minutes, and since I really wanted a new desktop background, I used that time to make up a couple that I just love. I want to share them with you, so we can see beautiful things together.

Click on the pictures, and when the bigger picture opens up, right click to Save As or Download

These two photos were side by side in a series I took of a beauty blossoming tree in the NW, these were near Seattle. I had fun playing with the colors, and effectively created two entirely different moods with pictures that started out looking very, very similar.

Now I just need to decide which one to use first. Which one do you like?

Lessons aplenty, and Learning from other Women

2011-07-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

One week down toward becoming a hippie. And by hippie I mean cool, laid back, has-it-together gal. Or crazy lady with feathers in her hair. We'll see which way this goes :)

So we really did have a pretty nice weekend. Slow on Saturday, speedy on Sunday. Not intentional, just happened. Everything I should have done Saturday got pushed to Sunday, so after church and lunch, we ran around getting things done. Good feeling!

I learned a few lessons this last week:

1) Quit putting boxes on the bed to unpack. Spiders prefer cotton sheets to cardboard walls. And they prefer my skin to the crickets that seem to feel entitled to sneak into my house.

2) A tiny, cheap, plastic pool in the backyard that the kids can get to in seconds is worth more than the large, luxurious, community pool down the street that I never seem to be ready for at the right time.

3) Friends make little things so much funner. Yes I said funner. I love the word funner; it will somehow be incorporated into my memorial in 100 years. Well, that or funnest.

I've also had a revelation: Men learn better from the words of other men, than do women from the words of other women. Look at just one book of the Bible for instance - Solomon, wisest man in the world, wrote it for his sons. Pages and pages and pages and chapters and books full of knowledge. How much wisdom written by a woman for women? Twenty-two. That's it.

My theory??? Men don't hang around together as much as they should, sharing wisdom verbally. They just stand side by side at the grill and make remarks like, "Almost done, hear that sizzle?" and "Looks like rain." (That's what I hear anyway.... the rest sounds like a Charlie Brown cartoon.)

Some flowers can thrive alone in nature. Women, not so much.

Women on the other hand, are in the kitchen, around the table, gabbing the afternoon away, talking about anything from apples to zucchini and babes to grandmas. Why should they write anything down? No one will stop to read it, they're too busy talking! And the things that get written are usually very formal or kinda bossy. Enter Proverbs 31. Why on earth is this such a popular, yet intimidating, passage of scripture??? Because it was written by a noble woman, with the very highest of expectations for a daughter-in-law. Sheesh. But you wanna know something? I would (and do) want the very best for my sons. And I will teach my daughter to be her own very best person.

That's what I'm working on with me, too. And in an effort to glean more wisdom in this stage of learning that I'm in, I've decided to host a series of interviews. Yay! While it's tempting to ask vague, mystery-bashing questions like, "How did you do it all?" I am going to do my very best to ask questions that are straightforward and gentle, but specific. More like,
What kind of activities did you enjoy with the kids during the summer months?
Name some ways you connected individually with each child as they grew?
How often did (do) you have date night?
Do you feel "Mom" time is important enough that a doctor should write prescriptions for child care? (I do!)
etc, etc...

So that's what I'm working on this coming week :D

If you were to sit and just ask questions of your favorite female hero, what would you ask?

Simple Saturday

2011-07-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

Today our goal was simple: Rest.

There were some card games, not quiet ones, mind you. Slap Jack. Go Fish. Lots of giggling.

We had cheese sandwiches for lunch. Not even grilled. Nuked on request, and happily gobbled up.

While the kids had a kinda quiet nap time, I got some time to write; my fave line so far: "Hand in hand, helmets swinging, they walked toward the courthouse with steps and laughter in perfect unison."

I didn't even have to cook dinner, since a dear soul brought over some hot and delicious beef stew!

And now? Sprinklers in the backyard and more giggling.

Hope you all are having a great day too!

5 easy ways to meet your new neighbors

2011-07-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

Wrote this a while back for another blog (since closed, bummeroni) and since I'm new to the area and needing to meet my neighbors, I thought I'd review.... :D

***************

Here we are at the beginning of what promises to be a rather large PCS season, affecting many, many families. One of the hardest things to do, after finally arriving at our new home and deciding on where the emergency stash of chocolate should be, is to make friends. So here I have provided a list of 5 easy ways to meet your new neighbors while your kids are at the playground or day camp trying to do the same thing.

1. Stalk them for a few days to learn their schedule, and once you've determined when their busiest errand day is, glue their front door closed. They'll inevitably need to use the restroom and will need to rush over to borrow yours. And make sure you have your phone and/or crowbar ready, but not too ready. You don't want to look like you were involved.

2. Walk over (barefooted) to borrow some shoes. Being complimented on fashionable clothing and accessories is the fastest way to a woman's heart.

3. Find a way to "rescue" her favorite pet. In the interest of all things humane, I would never, ever suggest putting her cat in the backyard with your dogs, and later coming to the aid of the poor, scared thing. Nope, not my style.

4. Do your housekeeping naked. You'll probably meet everyone on your block that way.

5. Put a sign in your yard that says "FREE!" You don't really need to specify what that free thing is, doesn't matter - it's free! Then hand out cupcakes. Women will deny it, but food is the ultimate friend-maker :D

What are some creative ways you've thought up to meet your new neighbors?

Changing it up

2011-07-21T16:25:00.000-07:00

Confucius say, "Do something you love, and you'll never work a day in your life"

I've read this quote about a million times, and every single time I stop what I'm doing and stare off into the blue yonder and ask myself, "What would I love to do every day?" And as my project/dream job list grows, so does the pile of laundry and dishes and mail to sort.

I've been doing it all wrong.

Before I cook every meal, I'm going to remind myself that I love my family, and love feeding them.

While folding laundry, I'll picture the kids clean and ready for the day.

When cleaning up yet another mess, I will replay in my mind the sounds of giggles rather than the sound of the crash.

Want to know what else???

I think I'm doing away with my chore chart! *Gasp*

One of the things I've been trying to teach my kids to practice is initiative: you see something that needs to be done, just do it. I'm going to try implementing that in my life too. I don't really need a to-do list to tell me that dishes will be ready to wash after every meal.... right?? Let's see how that goes, haha.

I love my family. I love taking care of my home. I really love nap-time :D

New Chapter, New Title

2011-07-19T18:06:00.000-07:00

As you know, we are a military family. Well, over the last few weeks the military part struck full force, causing an abrupt ending to our calm summer plans and instead threw us full tilt into planning/going/doing mode. And as of 6:23am yesterday morning, the flurry of motion and thought has begun to settle.

As I watched my hubby drive off into the sunrise, I felt some of the pressure of the last 3 weeks kind of just drop off my shoulders: he was completely packed and ready for his upcoming adventure, we were moved into our new house, we had a renter in our old house, I have all the paperwork I need to cover whatever needs to be done in his absence AND I had time to visit the grocery store and we are stocked up on paper plates and tp. We got family pictures done, appointments scheduled and kept, odds and ends found and fixed, and thanks to the same dear friend who took our pictures, we had one last date night before he had to depart. Phew!

Me and my Hubby

There were several unexpected mini-storms during the last few weeks, and so much more done to fill the gaps, and a few things we skipped, but overall, I think we did quite a lot over the last 3 weeks, especially considering those 3 weeks were supposed to start next week.... Ha!

I kept myself busy and out of the house for a lot of the day, doing a few more filler errands, and tying up loose ends. By the end of the day, I was pretty proud of myself. We'd had a day without incident, no big ones anyway, and no meltdowns. Kids did alright too :)

So, my thoughts come back around to things I've neglected in this period of rush-doing. My dear little blog, and the ideas I've had to share, and the new stage we're in as a family and the new way of doing things for a while. Thus, the blog title change. I've been wanting to change it for a while, but just didn't quite know what or why or when.

The last time the hubby was gone for an extended amount of time, I got too busy and way too tired. I wanted to approach this time differently for 2 reasons: 1) Whatever I did last time didn't work 2) This time is several months longer. I need to pace myself!

I remembered the quiet afternoons playing with my sisters and we'd pull out our dolls and phones and play shoes and we'd always start the conversation with, "So, how's your daughter?" I imagine this came from overhearing a 'real' grownup conversation somewhere along the way. And we'd call our 'husbands' at work, or share with each other what cool job they had. We couldn't wait to be wives and mommies.

Somewhere along the way, the joy of those titles gets weighed down by the responsibilities and unexpected detours that go along with them. I have my phone, but have to pay the bill. I do have a hubby that works, but his cool job means a closet filled with camo, and sometimes takes him away from us. I have a daughter now, as well as two brothers for her, and these translate into mouths to feed, bodies to clothe, fights to referee. *Sigh* Some of these things are not what I anticipated.

I've been a wife now for 11 years, a mom for 9, and I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing at times. The feelings of inadequacy seem to magnify themselves when placed under the haze of exhaustion or stress. My very favorite promise from God is that His mercies are new every morning, and boy do I need them! Sometimes I wish it said "new every minute."

I see a new road ahead!

I want to approach this new chapter with a fresh mindset, new habits, and lasting disciplines that, as a family, we can build upon no matter where we live or how close Dad is at the moment. I want to go back to Playing House. I want my hubby and children to be the most exciting thing since the sewing machine, and I want them to know it. My goal for the next 8 months, the duration of hubby's (expected) absence, is to play. I love Mondays, but I want to LOVE every day of the week. I like vacuuming, but I also need to fall in love (or at least in like) with cooking. I love, and require, order in my home, but at times I need to learn to just let things go.

I want to be like that little girl again. Jesus said that unless we become like children we will never see the Kingdom of God. Besides innocence and purity of faith, I also think that meant knowing how to play, to be in joy, to laugh. No matter where you're at or what you're doing. I watch my kids and they're happiest when they're making messes. I want to learn to see the smiles before the stains. Hear the giggles instead of the crashes. After all, as I'm constantly telling my own kids: People are more important than things.

My job description shall be shortened quite significantly from now on:
1) Love God
2) Love my neighbor.
a)Hubby first
b)Children second
c)Friends and family and co workers and bosses and actual neighbors
3) Everything else. (to include at least 5 boxes a day until they're gone!)

We are two days into this new way, that was the old way, that seems to fit nicely into our new house and new plan. Kids are smiling, Mom is not too exhausted, the house is still on one piece, And if I measure my progress by the above-mentioned guidelines, here at the end of the day, I think I've accomplished quite a bit.

Silly comes in the genes :)

Join me on my new journey as I'm learning to play again, and the knowledge and wisdom and creativity I glean from and share with other moms who are learning, too.... and who isn't? So, are you with me???

11 Reasons I Love Being an Air Force Wife

2011-05-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

One month and 5 days. That's how much time has passed since my last blog post. How do I know? Well, I decided to participate in a 30-post blog challenge for April. I did one. On April 1st.

So, here I am again, not to challenge myself for another month of posting, but to participate in a blog carnival. A 3 day carnival, for which I know I can post one day. The topic for today is very fun for me, and something I love sharing with you: things I love about being a military spouse. So, before I get distracted but the fact that it's almost time to start dinner, here we go:

1. Built in friends. No matter where we move, there is a super group of women that I automatically have tons in common with - and just like kids do, everywhere I look I see a friend. And thanks to Facebook, I can ~~stalk~~ investigate exactly what will make us best friends.

2. New places. And if I'm honest with myself, I would have NEVER chosen most (read: 2 out of 3) of the assignment locations my hubby has received so far. I am not a big fan of adverse weather. Or mountains of snow. Or dirt. Lots and lots of dirt. BUT let me add, both places have been just as great as any other place we could have been. Why? It become home.

3. The front gate. What? That most inconvenient part of going on base? Yes. Stopping to show my ghastly picture to the guard reminds me to slow down, literally and figuratively.

4. La Exchange. Where else could I drool over a gorgeous Coach bag while picking up stationery and bed sheets? Not to mention the post-holiday sales and the kiosks in the main hall.

5. Work clothes for the hubby. Yes, I have to wash them, and affix patches once in a while, and can't wash them with my reds anymore, but I also don't feel a thing when a stain shows up, or a rip comes out of nowhere.

6. Insurance. No worries about the kids health care needs. Personality clashes happen, but so can great care, so I'm thankful for the benefit.

7. Classes. Meetings, seminars, trainings, briefings, conferences, bible studies, fairs... whatever they happen to be called, they're full of learning and brain food, and I love it! The Family Centers really offer some great things and I hope to be contributing to the classes sometime soon.

8. Discounts. I know I list this one practically every time I'm sharing my favorite things about the military, but it's just too fun not to mention.

9. Home businesses. No matter what direct sales product I'm looking for, chances are that someone on base sells it, and is eager for my business. For a non-shopper, this is great!

10. Our family mission:to make a difference in the world. I'd like to think that because we are an Air Force family we actually get to do that.

11. So maybe this list should have been a countdown. Saved the best for last: the very best thing about being a military spouse is my military man. Our personal hero, and awesome Grill Chef.

So there we have it. My 11 things. There are lots more, and it was kind of hard to narrow them down. We are really so blessed to call ourselves a military family. Thanks for reading my blog. That's my favorite, too :D

Ebony

PS. It's in the 90s outside. Just thought you'd like to know!

There are more " 11 Favorite Things" posts here at Wives of Faith

Feeling Safe

2011-04-01T23:27:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the hand of my Maker I feel most safe.

He can take care of me. I trust Him.

On my knees I face His scars, they remind me of the sacrifice He made.

He offered His life, gave it up just for me, paying the price for my selfish ways.

I give mine in return to live for His Purpose.

But

When I chose to walk my own way I leave His hand, I move away from His protection.

I no longer see the scars that set me free, instead I become entangled in what seeks to destroy my life. I'm choked by sorrow and sin.

Struggling to fight it off, I grow weak.

Yet

He is still there. Waiting.

I am the prodigal who returned and my Father still rejoices.

Grace and Mercy sing as He lifts me to Himself where He can mend my heart,

and once again I am safe.

I do not always know where His hand is leading, I only know He takes me step by step by sometimes GIANT STEP toward fulfilling the call He has for me. And He is calling. I hear Him and I am answering, "Here I am! Send me."

The She Speaks Conference is about women connecting the hearts of women to the heart of our Father God. My heart is to serve Him, sharing the hope of Love with God's daughters everywhere. Would you like to be considered for a scholarship to attend? Visit Ann Voskamp’s blog to learn more.

Random Ebonomics

2011-03-25T15:02:00.001-07:00

There are a few things that have come to my attention lately that I’m sure you don’t know about me. So here, in random order, are this week’s:

1. I challenge myself every time I change lanes to not run over the ‘bumpies.’

2. I cannot fold clothes in silence.

3. I want to travel the world. I haven’t yet finished my passport application.

4. I love pretty shoes. I also love being barefoot.

5. The letter E is my favorite. I would put it on everything, but that could get me into some trouble.

I’ll let those float for a while, before I tell you the crazy things :)

Line 'em up, knock 'em out.

2011-03-18T21:33:00.000-07:00

Time to iron out a plan, and cook up some new ideas. And with that, I can cleverly skip a fancy dinner, and that wrinkly pile of shirts.

Priorities first. The important things in my life:

~Relationship with my Creator. He is my reason for living, after all!
Am I living Love first, in everything I do?

~Ebony. That would be me. The little human behind lots of big ideas.

Am I taking care of myself so I can take care of others?? Am I expressing myself in new ways?

~Marriage. It's not good for man to be alone. Especially at dinner time.
Does he know that he's the greatest person on earth?

~Children. They live for hugs and giggles. And mac-n-cheese.
Are they learning to love? Loving to play? Playing to learn?

~Home. The little patch of earth reserved for nurturing my family.
Am I doing my best to create a sanctuary and refuge for my loved ones?

~Family & Friends. Enriching other's lives.
Is it possible to be more... there?

~Other. Anything outside the realm of the above mentioned hot spots.
Volunteering, paying jobs, new projects. Stress. Stress is definitely NOT a priority.

Time to get working on a new manifesto!

Hole in my heart

2011-03-17T19:03:00.001-07:00

I was born with a hole in my heart.

Not the proverbial "God-shaped hole in all of us..." An honest to goodness physical hole that scared doctors and moms and grandmas. But I had a praying mama, and by my 5th yr checkup, it was totally healed. And to this day, no sign of construction. I've never had a surgery, never needed to be put on list, always have known I carried a miracle in my chest.

That little miracle in my chest reminds me every day that I am alive. And the Bible tells me that I am alive for a reason. What is that reason? To love God. To share his Love with those around me. How do I know?

When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:37-39

I am alive to love God. So, you could say I have a God-shaped hole in me, but I'd like to think it's an Ebony-shaped hole, filled with God.

Starting with ME

2011-03-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

So... my journey. The simplifying. Cutting out the unnecessary to focus more on the priority.

Instinctively, I think, "I'll start with home!" But that Still, Small Voice, says, "No, start with you."

Oh. Me.

We'll start at the very beginning (a very good place to start. Or so I'm told :)

My life wasn't planned by man or woman. I was an "oops." Which I like to think stands for Out Of People's Schedule. Or something like that. God knew He had a plan for me, and I love to live day to day trying to figure out what that is, a new plan for each day.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

See all those plans? I like lists, schedules, plans. It's so encouraging to remember that God makes plans, too, and there are some that are just for ME .

Knowing ME starts with knowing Who made me. God created me, loves me, guides me, and can't wait to watch me be, well, ME.

So... ME..... who is that? I'm not just the person who does the laundry and drives the kids to school...

On a few different social sites, I have filled in the small descriptions where it says About You. Little things like 'Busy Wife and mom, creative person, loyal friend." I think maybe those describe what I do with my time. Why am I a wife? How does my worldview change because I am a mom? Could I live without making things? Why not? Sure I may think I'm a loyal friend, but do people even want me around? Do I make time for my friends? I try. When I'm not busy. And when I'm busy, am I actually even accomplishing anything??? But that's for a later post...

When I look at who I am and what I do, there are a few things that stand out more than others, common threads, so to speak:

In my thoughts and actions, I:
~ live for new ideas.
~ love to encourage and cheer people on.
~ tend to share my opinion freely
~ have to explore all the possibilities before I make a decision
~ cannot help but tell people what they should do, or how they should do it
~ plan and organize, according to how things work
~ have to know why, and love finding the answers

These combined made me a great big sister. A super student. An iffy friend, because I was always offending people without meaning to. They help me to be a good wife, a good mom, although I will always be learning and growing in these areas. That's who I've been. I want to be a great wife. A great mom. A better friend, who can listen better.

These threads are what color my page, I think. Without them I am a boring black and white outline of a person. Left unchecked these all have the potential to be kind of dangerous. When I align myself with Love, and allow God to show me how to use these traits, I am a better ME.

Pour être continué…

Time for something different

2011-03-09T19:58:00.000-08:00

My inner self is restless. I'm so busy that I don't have time for things or people I love. Even in the quiet my mind races with have-tos and need-tos.

Why am I allergic to the white-space in my planner? What happened to the silence I used to enjoy? How on earth am I alive when eating only 1 1/2 meals a day? Something needs to change.

I am missing balance, methinks, and the true focus of why I am alive: to enjoy life, and to use the gifts God has given me to bless my family and friends and those in our life-path.

There is a journey I need to take. A journey back to simplicity, creativity, and calm. Harmony, balance, peace.

I think this journey begins at home. With my primary objective as wife and mom: Feeding, clothing and nurturing my little seedlings. Encouraging, partnering with and supporting my warrior. Bringing the art and soul back into making my home a peaceful, calm sanctuary for my family.

Only when I have brought balance back into my home can I move on to pursuing the "more" that will inevitably come. For this season of Lent I've committed to giving up worry, anxiety, and busy-ness. For me, that's more difficult than giving up chocolate or soda or TV. I start with now, and will strengthen my resolve each day to trust God no matter what.

Will I turn into Betty Crocker or Martha Stewart?? Gosh, I hope not! I'd like to think I am my very own brand of homemaker. Which, so far, needs MUCH improvement! But - I have the woman in Proverbs 31 as an example. The guidance in Titus 2. Lots and lots of Proverbs! I think I'll go make a list :D

And so begins my Journey.

Why I Love Photography

2011-02-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

Photography, to me, is a way to capture beauty, glory, wonder. I go on a treasure hunt when I'm taking pictures, looking intently for what I want to capture for always on film. It's a mindset, a way to change the way I see things. It's being purposeful in what I see, tuning in to the good. I love to look back on photos I've taken and remember those experiences, and smile.

Washington Monument, Washington DC, June 2007

Grand Canyon, Sunset in June 2009

The North Face, Yosemite, March 2007

Narrow Gauge Railroad, Durango CO 2003

I do also take pics of my kids, but that's another post :D

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” Aaron Siskind

If you'd like to share these pictures please link back to me! Thanks :D

Thankful for "Anyway"

2011-02-14T10:19:00.000-08:00

I'm not a perfect person. God loves me Anyway.

I would rather not cook. I can be mean. My husband loves me Anyway.

This mom forgets valentine cards for her kids' school parties. They love me Anyway.

My friends receive their birthday gifts late, or not at all. I think they love me Anyway.

My Valentine's prayer is that God would help me be the one to Love Anyway.

Happy Valentine's Day

When Celebrating Love Must Be Sacrificed for Freedom

2011-02-13T21:43:00.000-08:00

The big LOVE holiday, Valentine's Day, can be tough for military spouses, fiances, parents and children who are currently experiencing the loneliness caused by deployment. The following is a piece written by Sara Horn, founder of Wives of Faith, from a first-person perspective on what military spouses appreciate most in the way of extending friendship and a helping hand... Enjoy, and take notes :)

Have You Hugged A Military Spouse Today?

As the leader of a military wives faith-based support organization and a military wife myself, I’m often asked by women’s ministry leaders and churches what they can do to support military wives and their families. You might be unsure of how to minister to an older woman with cancer or a young mom with twins if you have never experienced those things yourself, and in the same way it can be hard to know what to do for a military wife if you’ve never walked in her shoes.

It’s easy to assume that if you don’t live near a major military installation that military wives don’t exist in your community. But there are more than a million military spouses in our Armed Forces today and military wives are everywhere – National Guard and Reserve families often live far away from where their respective bases are, and active wives make the choice to move home and live with family when their husbands are overseas. This gives you and your church some wonderful opportunities to make a difference for our military by supporting their families while they’re away.

Connect with a military wife

If you meet a military wife whose husband is away for deployment, make a point to check on her regularly and let her know you’re praying for her. Deployment is not an experience you “get used to.” It’s an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end and there are good days but there are hard days too.

With all the technology available today to connect with our loved ones, we can still go days and weeks and sometimes months without a phone call, an email or a letter. We can get lost in all that we’re responsible for and forget to make time for ourselves. Sleep can become an issue for a lot of women when they’re not used to sleeping alone and the quiet of the house at night gives them the first chance they’ve had all day to really think about their husbands being away. Exhaustion can make a hard situation even worse and fray our emotions completely.

One of the absolute best gifts I received during my husband’s first deployment was when my friend Allison, another military wife, sent me an email on behalf of her small group from church and asked me to make a list of things I needed help with around the house. She had asked me this a couple of times before and I’d always dodged the request, but when she sent an email in black and white, I relented and put together a list of little to big things I needed to get done, thinking I’d give enough options that the group would find a couple of things they would be willing to do. On a warm spring Saturday, eight to ten friends I’d never met came over to my house and took care of absolutely everything on my list. And at the end of the day, what touched me most wasn’t the honey-do chores they’d completed for me, though I was very grateful for their help; it was the fact that they’d reached out in a physical way and let me know I wasn’t alone.

Do something

One of the hardest things for a military wife to hear is “Let me know if I can do anything to help.” It’s very difficult to ask someone else for help, especially if you’re unsure of what that person is willing to do.

The best thing you can do to help a military wife is to put yourself in her shoes and like the Nike commercial said, just do it! Would you get tired of planning dinner and cooking for a year without a break? Give her a gift card to eat out or call her up and let her know you’re bringing dinner tonight. Would you have trouble knowing what to do with the car or the yard during the peak of summer? Rally the men in your small group to help change the oil or share yard duties. Would you be worn out if you were responsible for your kids 24/7 without another adult to give you a break occasionally? Offer to take the kids for an afternoon so she can do whatever she wants. Would it be hard for you to put Christmas lights up or other holiday decorations by yourself? Offer to do it for her.

If you offer to put a care package together for her husband, don’t forget to put a little package together for her – bubble bath, Starbucks cards, or a little book of Bible Promises are all little things that can make a world of difference for a military wife and give her encouragement and hope to keep going. And chocolate! Don’t forget the chocolate!

Be sensitive

As much as you want to be able to help and appear understanding to her needs, resist the temptation to compare your husband’s two-week business trip to her husband’s year-long deployment. Unless your husband is also trying to avoid mortars and IEDs (improvised explosive devices), it’s really not the same.

Avoid saying things like “I don’t know how you do it,” or “I can’t imagine being in your shoes.” Most of the time she doesn’t know how she does it either, but it’s the only choice she has – to do it or give up.

Encourage her. Tell her what a great job she’s doing and how her husband will be so proud to hear how well she’s doing holding down the fort at home. And then make sure he does hear how well she’s doing.

If a military wife is in your small group at church, make sure there are enough activities happening she can attend that aren’t strictly couples-oriented. Consider holding off on that Love and Respect marriage study and do another study that she’ll be able to feel included in. When you do have events such as Christmas parties or Super Bowl parties, make a point to call her and make sure she’s coming; there’s a greater chance she will if she knows someone will miss her if she doesn’t.

Support those who support our heroes
Military wives don’t want pity or to be felt sorry for, but they can use prayer, encouragement and all the emotional support they can get. Ask most service members what their greatest worry is when they’re deployed and they may surprise you when they say it’s not getting wounded or killed – it’s making sure their families are okay back home.

I believe God can use the hardest of times, like deployments, to grow us and stretch us and make us into the daughters He wants us to be. But we need others to come along side us in the journey.

Help to make sure that the spouse and family are well taken care of and you also help take care of the soldier. So feel free to pass those hugs out to military spouses today – they will thank you for it!

Sara Horn is the founder of Wives of Faith (www.wivesoffaith.org) and the author of GOD Strong: A Military Wife’s Spiritual Survival Guide, and Tour of Duty: Preparing Our Hearts for Deployment.
For more about how to support military families, or find some support for yourself, visit www.WivesOfFaith.org

Love is (a) Kind

2011-02-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

2 Cor 13:4 - Love is kind.

When I think of the word kind, I don't automatically think of the 'nice' part of the word. My mind gravitates toward the 'category' part. What kind of person does that? Well, Webster with the dictionary for one, he lists the ‘category’ definition before the ‘nice’ one. Ha.

So love is kind. Kind of what? Love is kind of nice, especially when it’s reciprocated. That’s really nice. But when you look at kind, it goes beyond nice. Nice would be holding the door open for someone. Kind would be helping them unload their groceries. Nice would be saving someone a seat at the movies. Kind would be offering to share your goodies once they get there. See the difference? Kind takes it one step further.

Kind love not only takes things one step further, it cares along the way. Love cares. It looks into that friends eyes and ask, “How are you, really?” Love that cares will call at midnight just to make sure you haven’t run out of soup when you’re sick. Love that cares will give.

Who do you care about? How do you show it?

Love is... Hold on a Minute....

2011-02-02T15:01:00.000-08:00

One of the most famous passages about love in the world comes from the Bible. It was written by a man named Paul, and has been read at 99% of all the weddings I have attended.

Why is this passage so popular and incredibly well-known? Let's read it and see:

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails. I Corinthians 13:4-8

I don't know about you, but what I read is the description of the perfect friend. Not just friend, but parent, spouse, neighbor, teacher, sister, co-worker. Someone you can trust, someone you can enjoy your time with, someone who accepts you for who you are. This passage shows us how to love properly. Selflessly. Truly.

Creative way to love today:

Being patient. A few deep breaths and quiet one-two-threes can go a long way on those crazy-hair, wild-child days. Drink some water, cool off. Learn to knit. Sing a song. Pray or think about your blessings. Patience is a skill that needs to be developed, and it's worth it.

The outward appearance of patience is minor, and may not be noticed by your spouse or friends or your children, but I'll tell you what they will notice: That you love them.

What are some ways you have found to develop patience? Do you know which love language patience easily translates into?

Love is a Month

2011-02-01T16:57:00.000-08:00

February is the month of Love. There is no end to the myriad of cheesy, elegant, or classic ways to express our love to those who brighten our lives with chocolates, stuffed or shiny things, and goofy or mushy cards. And all of this is commercialized for for your spending pleasure for one day.

This month I'm going to be exploring different ways to share love for the special people in our lives. For every day. I think love, in addition to being a language, is an art. There are so many creative ways to express love to those around you, but we miss them because we're looking for the spectacular or pricey.

Are you familiar with The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman? This is a book written by a marriage counselor who has identified the different ways we communicate love to each other. If you haven't read it, I'd highly recommend buying or borrowing it, you can learn a lot about yourself and those you interact with on a regular basis.

I'm challenging myself this month, and you too, to actively look for ways to show love to your special people. It takes 21 days to create a habit, so after 28, we should have this down to a science :D

Tomorrow, we'll read one of the most well-known passages about love in the world.

Can you guess what it is?

Find-It Friday: My Weekend Motivators

2011-01-21T18:22:00.000-08:00

So, in keeping with my new weekly topics, I also have an idea for Fridays. Now, Fridays are not my favorite day of the week. I'm usually tired but the end of the school/work/play week, and although I love my family, weekends mean 5 people running around the house.... everyone needing something. So Fridays I have to cheer myself on, and get ready for the weekend.

So what I do is find a few things that inspire me, and spur me on, recharging me for the weekend ahead. I'd like to introduce you to Find-It Friday. I look for music, or tips or something that's gonna charge me up for the weekend...

The first thing I found is a website called Organise Me... She wrote a post called When Opportunity Knocks Are You Ready? There was one thing in particular that struck me about her post. She is in Australia, and gained inspiration during the biggest disaster they've experienced in years. My week filled with endless loads of laundry, and errands and things to do seems so simple in comparison.

I also found a website full of new ideas to craft or sew... I spent quite a while on this one! Homespun Threads is a great place to find a few weekend projects :D

And finally, Stomp by Kirk Franklin....

Now, if that doesn't get you feeling better, I don't know what will!

Three Reasons for Putting your Ideas on Paper

2011-01-20T11:29:00.000-08:00

I've decided to turn today into a Thoughtful Thursday. It's the perfect day to ask "What If?" and "What about...?" and "I wonder..."

We all need these days, don't we??? So here we go....

Today, I'm wondering how many of you have an Idea Notebook or Dream Journal? I do! I carry my Idea Notebook in my purse with me, since there is no end to the ideas that flood my imagination, I need to jot something down constantly!

My Dream Journal sits in a special place in my heart. I used to have one, but it was lost during a move, I think I left it behind in a hotel while between states and homes. I do need to start another one. I never stop dreaming :D

So here are my 3 reasons for keeping a type of notebook or journal for those spectacular thoughts that I'm sure you all have.

1. Ideas sometimes behave like a vapor - here one moment and gone the next. Capture them immediately and they won't fade away with the day. Instead you can have a place to return to check them off once you have made that idea a reality.

2. Empty pages attract things - just like your brand new refridgerator, which attracts your children's artwork, or their fingerprints, or last month's to-do list. Give yourself a place to put all your ideas and you will be surprised to find you will be filling those pages with record speed.

3. You are more likely to remember the things you write down. You may never refer to that particular page for how you wanted to rearrange your furniture again, but because the idea made it's way from your brain to your fingertips, you can follow through with the idea more efficiently.

And a bonus:

When you write down your dreams and ideas, it gives them time to ripen. You may realize while driving to the grocery store that you couldn't live with lime green curtains in your bedroom, as you had previously stated you would love to do a few days ago. Instead, you settle on a romantic red, and can go back and edit your plan in such a way that the end result will make more sense for you and bring joy at watching your thought come to be a reality.

Dreams and ideas, like rabbits, will multiply rapidly when you give them a chance.

So now it's your turn to wonder...
Do I have a place right now to write down my dreams and ideas?
What is the first thing I will put inside that journal or notebook?
How many of my ideas can I work into a plan by the end of the month?

Passion & Color

2011-01-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

This is what I got to see today, as we traveled as a family up to a local state park and picnicked, walked and pondered our little hearts out.
According to my calendar, it is Martin Luther King Jr day, where we celebrate the life of a man who had passion. He is known for having a dream, but what I remember is that he had passion. He wasn't afraid to share what he felt, and felt so very strongly about his passions that he put himself in harm's way time and again, just to share what he knew to be right.

What I love about this picture is the intensity of the blue in the sky, reflected as a striking blue in the water. From another angle, the pond appears a murky green, clearly solving the riddle about whether the water reflects the sky or vice versa.

Each of us feel strongly about certain things, our hearts as intensely colored as the sky... What have you found to reflect your passions? Do you have children that make you smile when you see their faces? A place at work that you feel like you are giving your all? Do you create masterpieces with colorful gobs of paint?

Color your passions, then find a place to see them reflect back to you!

Sparkling on a Saturday

2011-01-15T11:54:00.000-08:00

What's got your heart sparkling today?

Being with family? Enjoying a day off? Planning a trip?

Today my heart sparkles about creating things. Over the last couple of days, I've been blessed to finish up a few projects and get a few new ones started. There is something very soothing about working with my hands, and seeing a finished product emerge from the inevitable joyful mess that ensues is very therapeutic.

So. What's sparkling?

The Beauty of Coinky-dink

2011-01-14T11:10:00.000-08:00

Everyonce in a while we walk through our homes and have something dreadful fall into our line of sight. A dead-ish plant. A dusty painting. A peanut butter and jelly smudged mirror. I sometimes ignore what I don't like, and in the case of the plant, don't know how to solve.

Everyonce in a while, there is that rare situation that many pass itself off as strictly coincidence. The plant for instance, may have been in your dear Great-Aunt's possession until bequeathed to you recently. You've tried everything you know to keep that plant alive, and are failing miserably. It droops, and its leaves have lost their luster while alternating from shades of yellow to gray to brown and back to yellow, yet never even giving you a glimpse of the green that it's supposed to be.

One day, a friend brings their cousin from out of town over for your weekly coffee chat (with your permission, of course) and the first thing that cousin sees is your pathetic potted disaster in the corner, hiding behind the coat rack out of embarassment. She shouts, "My word! I haven't seen one of these since I was in the jungles of Columbia! We had one outside of our front door and we would pour our coffee into it whenever we had to go teach school in the mornings. What have you done to it?!"

She is well-meaning of course, but you answer back defensively that you've tried everything you can to help that plant, which you have now named Gretchen, for the feeling that grips your stomach everything you think of watering it again. She smiles and offers a kind suggestion - stop watering it for a few days. Then give it coffee. No milk or sugar, just plain coffee. You roll your eyes and change the subject, but once they've gone, the plant is wheeled outside into the fresh air, and you try to forget about it for a while. A week passes and you stroll outside with your cup of coffee, pre-sweetened, as you were distracted by the U-Haul across the way.

With a quick glance up and down your street, you pour your coffee into the plant as soon as you're sure no one is watching. "What could it hurt?" you think to yourself, walking inside to refill your cup, for your own consumption this time. You try this for the next week, and by the following weekend, you see something you haven't seen on this plant since you brought it home last year. Green. And the leaves have started reaching up, interested now in the color of the sky rather than the brand of your running shoes. "Well, I'll be...." comes out of your mouth before taking a sip of your fresh-for-the-morning coffee.

Sometimes, without explanation (well, I believe God sends what we need when we need it), there is someone who will show up to answer a question you may not have even realized you had. You may roll your eyes when they share some funny advice, or outright laugh at the silly-sounding reasons for why they do what they do, but those little coinky-dinks are more than just random occurrences.

I don't know if there really is a Columbian coffee-drinking houseplant, or if cousins really have all the answers, I just know that if we watch, we'll see that they're not so random at all, nor are they as rare as you'd think.

When was the last time you experienced one of these Coinky-Dinks? Were you on the sharing or receiving side?

Viva la Re-zə-ˈlü-shən!

2011-01-13T14:34:00.000-08:00

Everywhere we go, we still hear the question, "What are your New Year's Resolutions?"

I made a few last year....

1. Buy a small country. No one's calling me Her Majesty yet, so I think I have a little more saving to do.
2. Grow a few inches. Taller. Would have helped to be more specific.
3.Establish world peace. There was no pageant that would agree to my 5 minute programming suggestion, so that one waved itself glamorously away.

I think maybe I had the definitions confused, as these appear to be wishes instead.

I like that word -Resolution. Know what I hear?

RESOLVE.... REVOLUTION....

My friend Webster says resolve is " to reach a firm decision about" something. And revolution? "A sudden, radical, or complete change."

I LOVE those definitions! So, this year I'm resolving and revolutionizing - setting goals, then rocking them all!

Happy New Year!

PS. Why, yes, I do realize that we are well into 2011, today being the 13th of January already. But, It is ONLY the 13th of January - lots of time to make some new goals a reality!

Which one are you?

2011-01-12T13:02:00.000-08:00

"Are you a good witch or a bad witch?"
"Why, I'm not a witch at all!"

Okay, so I may not remember the lines exactly, but I remember the conversation.
Now here's where it's my turn to ask a question:

Are you a good friend, or a bad friend??

We can't use the same kind of response, "Why, I'm no friend at all!" In my opinion, that automatically makes you a bad friend.

Every single day we have the opportunity to show someone we care, what are we doing with them?

I dare you to count the number of smiles you see today, and make a note of which ones were returned as a result of you showing that you care first.

So, are you a Good Friend, or a Bad Friend?

Color Me Excited

2011-01-01T18:35:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else remember that Oprah moment when Tom Cruise jumped on the couch?

It was a pretty big deal, and yeah, a long time ago in Hollywood years, but it really nails down a point for me.

Do you remember the last time you were that EXCITED about anything? A new love, a class, a project, anything? Something that made you feel like you just HAD to share it or you would burst?!

~I get excited turning a calendar page. New months EXCITE me. A fresh sheet of numbers and squares to fill in with new opportunities for the next few weeks. Birthdays and holidays to celebrate, people to see, things to do!

~New recipes excite me. I'm not someone who loves to cook, but I'm pretty darn good at it anyway. Lucky me, I mean it! But, I'm not very inventive when it comes to new ideas to feed my hungry family, and new things that taste great by accident are so very EXCITING! I'll remember it for sometime in the future and get excited all over again when it works.

~Meeting new gals is so exciting. Imagine the superb mix of characteristics, personality traits and likes/dislikes that someone has and package them in a pretty pink package. That's what meeting new ladies is like for me... opening a 'friend present,' such EXCITEMENT!

~Creating things. Excitement at it's max. For me. Clothes, plans, art, gifts, kids.... I think as a female it's just automatically built into my DNA to make things. Look at the woman in Proverbs 31, she was a maker! If she wasn't making things, she was making things happen.

It took me a long time to understand why the media made such a big deal about the 'couch moment.' And then I realized: They just didn't get it.

e.e. cummings - It takes a lot of courage to grow up and be who you are.

Who you are is EXCITING! Tell me what excites you! What about our brand new 2011 is exciting for you?

Shiny new day

2010-12-30T10:46:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning and chose to believe that today was a gift wrapped up just for me.

What will I find in this wonderful Present?

How can I treasure each moment inside?

Where can I hide this and keep it from harm?

I cannot, I must not, it expires today.

I read the instructions, they said, "Use with care," but then in the small print it said, "Here's your dare: Use this day to the fullest, no waste."

I'm going to try exactly that.

Have you opened your Present yet?

Are you ready for some.... New Year??!!

2010-12-29T15:59:00.000-08:00

I am sooo ready for 2011 to get here. I have plans, man, real plans!

Can't forget the changes, too, lots and lots of changes in mind for myself, my family, my blog, my wardrobe, my shoes.....

The difference a Military Christmas makes....

2010-12-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

Our Wives of Faith Blog Carnival topic Dec. 11:

You might be a military spouse at Christmas if…

1.      If your Christmas list is just ONE of the lists you make each year.
2.      Your décor is either dusty or brand-spanking new.
3.      Your children know that Santa sometimes makes special visits to military families on nights that aren’t always Christmas Eve, but when Daddy's home.

4.      Skype is your best friend during the holidays.
5.      You enter every giveaway for great gifts for the kids.
6.      Every year your Christmas card mailing list grows by about 1,000 – and they’re all special people.
7.      The BX wraps your Santa gifts.

8.      Gifts won at Squadron parties are re-wrapped and kept for unexpected guests.
9.      You hope that you do not get a pet from usually well-meaning family members.
10. When the season is over, you pack it all back into the Rubbermaid tote with an inventory list, professional flourish and the anticipation of knowing that next year you could be unpacking somewhere new.

Now, I know that not all of these are unique to military families, but it's when you combine them that it makes such an unordinary holiday experience.

Merry Military Christmas to you all!

The significance of Christmas

2010-12-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Our Wives of Faith Blog Carnival topic Dec. 10: What Christmas means to me.

Christmas means New Beginnings.

It happens to fall at the end of the calendar year. We celebrate with friends, loosen our belts and purse-strings, and reflect on what our life has meant to others during the past 11 months. One week later, we’re making resolutions based on what we’ve discovered about ourselves in this season of giving.

It’s more significantly a new beginning for our hearts.

We’re all born with dark hearts. The older we get, the better we get at hiding things in those dark hearts so that people can’t see. Then Jesus comes and shines a light into each corner of our heart, revealing the things we thought no one knew about. He works with us one thing at a time to clean everything out, and then He moves in and there is no longer darkness or room for the things we wanted to hide before. We are filled with love, light, and the joy that comes in knowing we are free from the darkness. I don't think it's a coincidence that light in all it's beautiful forms is one of the most important decorations during the Christmas season.

Christmas means new life, second chances, and the promise of hope from our Father that we will never again dwell in darkness.

What does Christmas mean to you?

My GrownUp Christmas List

2010-12-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

Our Wives of Faith Blog Carnival topic Dec. 9: Write your own “Grown-Up Christmas List” (taken from Amy Grant’s song of the same title)
Do you know the song? (Play at your own risk, read below to see my reasoning)

This song was my original choice for yesterday's "Worst Christmas song" blog topic, but seeing how it was the idea root for today's post, I thought it would be a conflict of interest. So I get to tell you now! I never understood the idea of bringing up all this sad stuff in the middle of a celebrating season. It's like your daft neighbor bringing up his bowel schedule at the dinner table. Why did she have to make this a Christmas song? Why bring the rest of us into her whine-fest? She should have put it on her bday list instead. It could be that I don't really like Amy Grant... although she's not the only one to sing the song, she gets the gag... Just face it, Ebony. Christmas is business. ugh.

But, because this is the assignment here we go. I have very few of my own GrownUp Christmas wishes:

1. That I might share joy wherever I go.

2. That I may teach my children to learn at every opportunity.

3. That the beating hearts of babies would no longer be stopped because of the idiot’s “right to chose.”

4. That there would be no such thing as an ‘unwanted child,’ no matter their age.
5. That Amy Grant would sing no more Christmas songs. Not even the good ones.

This is a rather difficult topic. I tend to get heart-burn... or maybe it's heartburn. I just feel so useless when it comes to some things, and then frustrated that I can't do anything to 'fix' it. No wand in the world will just make all the bad stuff go away. I tend to like to concentrate on the stuff I can tackle, and the serous things are no less significant, but I don't like whining or complaining, which is how some of these things often sound to me. It is important to think about these kinds of things though. Someone has to, or they really never will change.

Deep cleansing breath. And back to trying to figure out the mystery of dinner.

What are your grown-up wishes?

Talking about Christmas music....

2010-12-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

Our Wives of Faith Blog Carnival topic for Dec. 8: The Worst Christmas Song Ever (but you must mention one redeeming quality of the song, too!)

It starts out “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas” and is a lovely blend of children’s voices. For the first few seconds. Then it just sounds like a broken record that needs to be melted into a blob and tossed out into the mud. Or smashed into tiny pieces and dropped over a bridge with mini parachutes attached and sent to float away in several different directions. Or… you get the idea. It annoys the bejubbles out of me. I'm sure the rest of the song is ok. I just can't really say because by the time the rest rolls around I've tuned it out. My hubby says it's by TransSiberian Orchestra. That does not compute.

The only thing that keeps me from turning it off is the fact that my children like to sing along to it. And I love to hear their tiny voices singing.

There are others, many others. I guess I'm kinda particular about what I think a Christmas song should be.

My old favorite was "O Holy Night" by just about anyone. You can't sing that song without gusto and intentional meaning. My new fave is "How Many Kings" by Downhere. That is a modern perspective on the centuries-old story of the birth of Christ, however, you can sing it all year in worship and it has the exact same meaning. It's a heart-touching song. Here is a youtube video I found that someone created:

(While the song is by Downhere, this is not the official music video)

ps. anything by TransSiberian Orchestra usually just rocks. In the best way possible :)

See what other bloggers are saying at Wives of Faith.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG?

What makes Christmas special for me

2010-12-07T23:22:00.000-08:00

Our Wives of Faith Blog Carnival topic for Dec. 7: Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without ______ . (This is taken from the first line of Little Women, “‘Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,’ grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.”)

The food. Tamales and posole to be precise. It’s our favorite family Christmas tradition to eat tamales and posole with fresh limes and steamy, perfectly seasoned red chile. There really is no other way to tell my brain that it’s time to relax and enjoy family.

Of course there’s the cookie. El Biscochito. State cookie of New Mexico. And the EggNog. Yum. And my famous Chocolate Coconut Rum Cake. I make friends every year with that one :D

The holiday cards! I love getting these from all over the world (some years I even reciprocate) and pasting them on windows and walls and covering plain space with holly-jolly greetings and colors.

Lights. Everywhere. Candles, strings, luminarias, glowy snowmen, blinking Santas. Twinkle, twinkle.

My family. Sure it’s great to see the entire clan, but I mean just the 4 other people I share my everyday life with. My space invaders, ha. Can’t imagine Christmas alone.

I think the one thing I would not like to have Christmas without again is my hubby. We tried that one year. I know, it goes with the territory, and chances are we’ll have to do it again. But Christmas just isn’t Christmas without Daddy….

What do you most love about Christmas? See what other wives shared at Wives of Faith

MilSpouse Friday Questions for Dec 3rd

2010-12-03T23:56:00.000-08:00

Remembered this week :D

These questions come from Wife of a Sailor for her weekly MilSpouse Friday Fill-in.

If you were given $1,000 right now, how would you spend it?

Well, the responsible half of my brain says, “Bills!” But then logic takes over and reminds me that bills will always be there. So on the adventurous side of my brain, I decide to buy a family vacation to a remote location for some family bonding time.

If you had to choose a movie title (a real one that already exists) for your life story, what would it be?

Wow, this is a tough one. I love movies. LOVE them. So I know a LOT of potential titles… I’ll come back to this one.

Okay, back again. Got it. Great Expectations :D

If you were a teacher, what subject would you like to teach?

Home Ec!! Cooking, sewing, budgeting, baby care, etc… I think I’ve got it down. Plus, I get so irritated at young adults who don’t know how to do anything for themselves, always trying to find someone they can pay to do it for them. Argh.

Has being a MilSpouse changed how you view holidays or how your holidays are celebrated? If so, how? If not, what hasn’t changed?

I’ve been a milspouse for just over 4 years, and I think the biggest difference was the downsizing. We began making the occasion more a celebration of family, centering our hope and joy around the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Christ, and put a cold stop to the mounds of gifts purchased. Because we don’t live really close to family, we’ve successfully dropped the obligation to buy gifts for every family member, and if we show up where the family is gathered, that’s our gift. :D

What is your favorite Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate) memory?

I have two. The first is the Christmas I was 6 – I got my darling Cabbage Patch. The second is the Christmas I was 26 – I got my real life little girl doll. I did have two adorable real-life little boy dolls already, but neither born near Christmas.

That was fun :) I'll be (hopefully) doing the Wives of Faith Christmas blog carnival next week. Trying to get back to the writing, light and fun things are easier sometimes :)

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in... Finally!

2010-10-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

I’ve wanted to complete and post one of these for the longest time, and thanks to the consistent posting of Lacey at This Life of Mine I finally remembered today, and actually had a few minutes to do it :D

What are some things on your bucket list? (from New Girl on Post)

To fly myself to Europe.
Vacation in an underwater hotel.
Ride across the country on matching Harley’s with my hubby.
Change the face of entertainment as we know it.

How long have you been a MilSpouse and where have you been stationed so far? (from Raising Roscoe)

I’ve been an Air Force Wife for just a little over 4 years. We’ve been in Monterey CA, Grand Forks ND, and Las Vegas, NV.

What is a list of songs that sums up your life so far? (from Confessions of a Sailor’s Wife)

This is a hard one. I’m not really much of a music person, Beautiful by Francesca Battistelli kind of speaks to me right now. I’ll have to really give this some thought!
Forever and for Always by Shania Twain, I would sing this to my kids when they were babies
Mi Vida Loca by Pam Tillis... My BFF brought this song to my attention once upon a time, and nothings’s really changed, lol
Back at One by Brian McKnight. This was the turning point song for me an my hubby way back when. Were we just friends or??? .... lol

What is your favorite kind of pizza?

Hawaiian. Or the desert kind with fruit. Or the veggie kind a la Pampered Chef...

What are three good things in your life right now?

1. No matter what the doctor’s reports say, God says, “I am bigger.”
2. Being surrounded by friends who add colorful sprinkles to my life.
3. I have 4 green plants in my house to help restore the oxygen levels on the western hemisphere.

Original questions here at Wife of a Sailor.

The day the music wasn't loud enough

2010-08-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

It finally happened. The little girl I thought could do no (major) wrong exercised her human right to throw a fit. Right in the middle of Target. Near the front door, where everyone and their own kids could see her and make those comments I find myself thinking when watching it happen to someone else, "Wow, what a spoiled little girl."

I can't say with whom the fault lies for sure, but I think I have a little to do with it. Shortly before Target, we were at an event for military families where they were giving away backpacks and supplies and hot dogs. They each chose their favorite bag, and proceeded down a lane of people and pencils and got to have basically whatever they wanted. Limit one. So by the end of that first morning 'shopping' hour, each child had their bag, independently chosen supplies (I like to let them exercise their decision-making muscle), and sweet pastry in their sticky little hands. A good start to a good day.

Why on earth I decide to test fate twice is unknown to me. Daddy had to work today, and I'd been sick the last couple of days, so going back home was not an option quite yet. With my small shopping list in hand, I was sure we could have the same peaceful experience twice. Someone hit the buzzer please and drop me through the chute.

The kids all know that when we hit Target I will stop in the dollar section and let them all pick a thing or two. They frequently feature characters that the kids and I like such as Spiderman, Cars, lately Rainbow Brite and Tinkerbell. This will give them something to ponder and look forward to as we shop, and is a great incentive for behaving. Today, on the other hand, it was a ticket to disaster. As we approached the goodies, little princess began shouting out, "I want that one! and that one! and that one!" and with each outburst I would explain, "You can pick one first." So she picked one, and then another one, and then another one... she just was not getting it.

"Look at how many things you have in your hands, you can't take all of them. Today we'll just take two." The boys had each found what they liked, two each. It was time for princess to decide, but looking at her loot, it was impossible to pick just one for each hand. So I chose for her. My guess, judging from the reaction I got, was that I had chosen unwisely. We promptly left the dollar spot, and headed for the shoes. What fun to look at shoes, right?! Wrong. She wanted every pretty pair, whether they were made for little girls or not. I'd had enough. I took tour 6-wheel cart to the front of the store and watched the obedient little 2 yr old girl in front of us put some candy back where she snatched it from. "Those were the days," I lamented.

Our turn at the cashier's is up, and I place all of our, what? 10 items? onto the conveyor and the shreiking began again. "Give me my stuff! I want all my stuff" Ignoring her seemed to work for a second, until she saw the cashier actually touching her stuff. Louder: "That's my stuff, give it to MEEE!" The cashier, oh so graciously did not even acknowledge the screaming, gave me my total, and handed me the receipt with a smile. Bless her heart.

Finally, time to get to the truck and get home and get these kids in bed for their naps. One snag. Alexis refused to leave the cart. She has quite a grip. I lifted her up to uncurl those fingers and out we went, her saying, "Don't want to!" Me saying, "Yup." On repeat. At the truck, a sound smack to the behind, a solid, "Get in, buckle up." Wailing.

The 4 mile ride home was hilarious. Alexis was having an argument with me, apparently filling in my lines as well as I sat there laughing to myself at the dialogue she was creating between her and I. The louder I turned the radio, the louder she'd shout. Most of the lines were just noise. I think she forgot what she was yelling about. When we got home, it was definitely nap time. Walked her to her room, replaced the child proof knob, and closed the door. More wailing.

So what did I learn from this little escapade? Give her daughter a backpack and a donut sometime in 20 years and then send them off to Target. Or... more logically: skip Target until she's old enough to buy her own goodies...

Once upon a blog... aaaand action!

2010-08-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

I feel as though I'm starting my blog story all over again. I like change, though, so I don't mind. There is a slight reflection of my everyday life happening here too, working on getting focused on re-organizing and re-prioritizing. Same goals, new spin. Just like my living room couch. Still fits 4.5 people, but when you spin it around and put in on the other side of the room you get a completely different perspective. And a peek at the spider webs you couldn't see before. Spider webs often show up when something's gone untended, or altogether neglected. I've been doing that with some things. My personal dreams. Seems as though I've gotten busy with so many other things, and encouraging people in their own endeavors that I forgot about mine.

What are these super dreams? Well, to start with, to be the perfect wife. Not Stepford Wives perfect, but perfect for my own husband. Just what he needs. Then, a perfect mom. For my own kids. I can whip out the best mac'n'cheese in the world according to the munchkins, and that's exactly what we both need. The best home-maker. In my own way. I don't like cooking or cleaning or any of that other domestic stuff, but work to do it the best way I know how. My way. And it usually turns out pretty alright.

Can I always retrace my kitchen steps when asked about a recipe? No, I go with what I feel. Can I wash, fold and put away laundry all in the same 24 hours? Usually not. But I can wash those mountains with super speed! I gave up trying to be perceived as perfect about the time I had my second son. What will anyone's opinion do to change the way I think is best for my family? Probably not much :) Will I be the mom in the store with my makeup and hair done with 3 perfectly dressed children following neatly behind in a row. Geez, I hope not, lol

So, back to those cobwebs. The aspirations that have been neglected. But can I really say they've been forgotten? They're always in the back of my head... and are as easily forgotten as that glass of water you meant to drink. Something inside won't let you forget about it for long. There's the dryness of your mouth as you gab on the phone, or the reminder in the heat when you're sweating buckets. Same with your dreams. A journal entry that falls open while you're cleaning your room. The commercial between sets of your kids' favorite cartoon. The newsblurb that a giant hollywood movie studio is still up for sale.

Movies. That is my dream. To make movies. Good movies. I mean, really really really good movies. None of this recent nonsense that passes as movies. Heart-reaching, hope-lifting, status-quo stomping movies. Value-filled and adventurous. Adrenaline charged and inspiring. Romantic and innocent. Stuff you can watch as a family and not have to cover eyes or ears, yet still left with something to think about, and not always animated. Come to think of it, the animated ones are what you really have to watch out for lately.

So there it is, in black and white. What steps have I taken, you ask? Well, I've been studying filmmaking for the past couple of years, in my spare time of course, which means it probably doesn't add up to a whole lot of actual time. Good thing I'm a fast reader. I've been writing stories since I was 12, and in the last year started 3 screenplays, each in the correct format (told you, I studied). Only thing is, I get busy, or distracted or sidelined by higher priorities. Laundry for instance. And one more thing. Once I actually finish a script, I'm not exactly sure what to do with it; who to send it to, when to send it. Most of that, I think, is not from lack of information, but rather a lack of confidence. And it's not the rejection I fear, but being told "No." I do not like to hear that said in my direction. Makes me mad, I think it comes from my "big-sister syndrome" and being queen of the house. :)

My couches are rearranged. My broom swinging wildly at the dusty, webby corners. Blinker clicked on, I'm making my way back onto the dream highway. Away we fly.

Me, in 3-D

2010-08-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

There's hardly a selection at the movie theaters these days that doesn't include at least one opportunity to don the goofy glasses to enjoy a film that is larger than life. Toy Story 3, Shrek Forever After, Despicable Me, and of course AVATAR, all have mastered technology to send you right into their own world. And one thing they have in common, that I've noticed, is the color. I love color. I miss color.

Last time I really looked at myself in the mirror, about 2 weeks ago, I saw a bland 2-D version of myself. An over-tired mama who was worn thin, stressed out, and faded. How on earth did this boring person creep in? I've determined to do something about that.

One, I took a writing break. ish. Well, a blogging break at least.
Two, I joined a gym. Really joined. Been there 8 times in 10 days. Two hours of childcare a day, imagine the mind-space that opens up! Plus, the thought of shopping for a new wardrobe is pretty thrilling.
Three, I'm going through my closet and donating quite a few things. All pastel, lol. And I'll be banning it.
Four, revisiting the reason I do anything. Example, why do I do laundry? So my kids don't stink... And taking time to examine the blessing in each activity. Example, my children are clothed and protected from the elements. And quick-snapping dish towels.
Five is undetermined, but open since I know changes are good for me.

As part of my focus I have to think about the blog too, why am I writing? What am I sharing? So far, only the cheery encouraging stuff. I've taken an inventory, and saw that I filter what I share, meaning I only post things that are encouraging, or good news, or inspirational. Down side to this? I can't share the parts of me that are growing, imperfect, human.

Don't you want to read about the goofy things I do that would make an ordinary person blush? The mistakes I make and learn from? The days when I almost pull my hair out, but decide against it because it wouldn't really compliment my face shape? God made me a very unique person, same as all of you, haha. My life is designed to be lived in Technicolor, in 5-D, and with new stories every day. So tell me, will you stick around for the bloopers?

Come with me on a new journey, and look for a few minor blog changes along the way. Title, for instance. I rearrange my living room every 3 months, why not my blog?

The Purpose of Purpose - Take Root and Write

2010-06-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite ways to encourage people is by helping them find their purpose, to flourish in their own "why." This is an article about this very thing that I enjoyed reading.

The Purpose of Purpose - Take Root and Write

How do you exhibit purpose in your own life?

He Restores My Soul

2010-06-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, between blue moons and shooting stars, I feel the need to retreat. I have a walk-in closet that is perfect for this. Beside my shoes you will find a flashlight. On my travel bag you will find a pillow. And thanks to my thoughtful hubby, you will now find a pair of headphones tucked into the pocket of a hanging skirt.

I'm not trying to run away, sometimes I just need to be alone. I sit in the cool, quiet and sometimes dark and just breathe. And I listen. I hear the sounds of my family in the other rooms. I hear the birds in the trees outside my bedroom window. I hear the Still Small Voice speaking gently while guiding me beside the still waters, even in the desert I live in.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:2-3

I don't bring up the basket full of laundry to fold, nor do I bring my pen to list other things that need to be done. Sometimes I will bring a book, sometimes it's my music player (for which my hubby delivered the earphones). Mostly it's just me and my shoes and God.

Retreating in this way reminds me of another scripture in the Psalms that says,

You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word (119:114).

As I sit and listen to the sounds around me and the words that come to my heart, I slowly feel the renewing of my spirit, my self, the part of me that needs a body to get from place to place. I listen for His Voice and sometimes there are no Words, only His comfort that mends and heals. Sometimes it's Joy, or Peace for which there is no explanation (Phillipians 4:7).

I don't hide to get away from my family, I retreat to be alone with God. And I am a better person when I do.

Do you also have a place where you can retreat? Do you find the same kind of peace and restoration as you wait?

My Own Toy Story

2010-06-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

Some days I wake up and get started on my day feeling quite like a little girl playing dress up.

I smooch my GI JOE, who will leave for work in just a few minutes.

I make muffins in my easy bake oven

to feed my gorgeous little dolls

and get to work cleaning my doll house, which was visited by the Mattel family just last night.

At the end of the day, I tuck myself back in to bed to dream;

and when I wake up, I find it wasn't a dream at all :)

3 Things We Can Learn From the Man in the Yellow Hat

2010-05-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

Most of us are familiar with the goofy, bumbling character that is the Man in the Yellow Hat, the loving care-taker of Curious George. While watching the cartoon one day with my kiddos, I had some very elementary revelations.

1. Don’t be afraid to stand out in a crowd

It’s the folks who are brave enough to be different that actually make a difference.

2. Stand your ground. Don’t conform to anyone else’s idea of who you should be or what you should do.

So no one likes the new ideas you have, don’t give them up. Guess who will be there waiting to scoop them up if you let go?

3. Your biggest whoopsie could become your greatest accomplishment.

Do you know how many of the greatest inventions came along by accident?

What color is your big hat? What awesome ideas do you have hiding underneath?

A Guessing Game

2010-05-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

If I were to ask you what kind of this animal is, would you know?

“Of course,” you’d say, “It’s a penguin.”
Well done! Now, if I were to ask you where it lives what would you answer?

“Antarctica!”
“Alaska!”
“The North Pole!”
Fairly good answers. Based on previous knowledge of the species, you could safely assume this creature lives in an extremely cold climate, swims in ice-cold water, and cannot fly - the penguin stereotype. Well, only one of those assumptions about this bird is true.

If you were to take this particular creature and place it in the typical penguin habitats that we are accustomed to seeing, chances are it would not survive. Why? This penguin lives near the Equator, on the beautiful Galapagos Islands, a far reach from snow and cold. Now that you know this, can you think of any other places this penguin might survive?

Did you also know that there exists a fish who lives in mud? A cat with no hair? A rodent that flies? These creatures stand out from among their relatives by small factors that make them unique. Location, fur, wings - it only takes one little variable to call these animals unique.

There is one more creature that is unique in more ways than one. Stereotypes try to keep this unique being boxed up with all the other unique beings. You can find one when you look... in the mirror. Take some time to study that wonderful person.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

DNA is only allowed a small role in who you become. Sometimes you can't change small factors like height, voice, fur, wings... the latter is one I wouldn't mind having! God gave us all talents and gifts - things like creativity, personality, intelligence, compassion. We have natural abilities that make us who we are, and give us something special to share with each other.

Don’t be the warm weather bird that’s been stranded on an iceberg. Find what makes you unique and then figure out how to get to your own natural habitat!

Do you believe that you are a wonderful work? What makes you YOU? Can you develop your gifts and abilities in the right environment? What environment would that be?

On This Third Day

2010-05-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

Today is a Terrific Tuesday, the Third day of he week, and I want to share Three Things That make me smile:

1. PBS. Watching my kids dance and giggle while they learn amuses me to no end.

2. Vacuuming. Seriously. I get more Thinking Time and Therefore more new ideas when I vacuum Than any other Time. Except for when I'm in the shower.

3. Coffee. It's like a warm hug from inside.

What gives you a grin Today?

This post was brought to you by the letter T, and by the number Three.

Time for more!

2010-05-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had one of those days when you look around and everything is done? Me neither.

Between to-do lists and daily chores, though, I felt a big gap in my personal time. I missed reading. But I can’t be sure if it was the actual reading or the time to myself. So I did what I felt was logical at the time - I joined up with one of those programs that sends you a book in exchange for your thoughts on a blog. Nothing like an assignment to get a little motivation, right?

That was a couple of months ago. Have you seen one book review? Nope! I got too busy. Ha.

What else am I putting off and why?

~A bike ride, because it’s been so windy and I don’t want the kids to get earaches.

~Painting the walls, because I don’t find just the right color.

~A new dress, because I won’t have anywhere to wear it.

Well, I tell you what!

Summer’s here! Our bikes are oiled and ready. I’m going to Lowe’s and picking a color with my eyes closed. And if I make that dress, I just may find a place to wear it!

And those books, the ones I collect while I browse book stores and now get in the mail. I’m going to finish reading them so I can share them with you!!