Looking forward to 2014 - it's time to choose a new word for my OneWord365 adventure.
2012 was the year of brave - and I did a lot of things for the very first time, and a lot of things I would never have attempted had that word not been staring me down every morning.
2013 was the year of grace - and that challenged my heart, my emotions, my attitude every single day. Some days more than others.
2014 - well, I had a word picked out. But I didn't announce it. I had a plan, and the word aligned with the plan and it tied up neatly in a bow. And then it hit me ... the word I was really supposed to use. So out with the plan, and in with the word that's going to drive me this year. Journey. It's not about where I am going. It's not about the end destination - the plan - the tied up neatly in a bow conclusion. It's HOW I go. It's being intentional along the way - stop and smell the roses; don't drum your fingers in impatience at the red light, because maybe you needed to see the lady with 3 little kids and a flat tire on the side of the road.
As I start 2014, it's going to be a new chapter - a new leg - in the journey through this life, and this time, I'm going to look more at the journey itself, rather than being tunnel visioned toward the end of the trip.
Looking forward to the new adventures it brings.
PS, if you want to choose your own word, it's not too late - just pop over here, give it a look, and pick out the One Word that can change it all.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Grace ... A Year in Review
2013 marks my second year of participation in One Word 365. I've never been fantastic about New Year's Resolutions - making OR keeping them. But the idea of choosing a word - just one word - and considering it all year long, is something that resonated with me.
So how was the year of grace? My ex-husband's new wife came to church with us. More than once. (My kiddos have wonderful hearts to share the news of The Gospel with folks). And I not only survived, I actually had some conversations with her. It's only small talk, but in a world of a whole lot of hurt, small talk without tears from me was a huge step, and only possible through grace. We had a few more interactions this year, and while still not easy (I doubt it will ever be easy), I can say for certain that having an attitude up front that I would be gracious and kind to her did make it easier. At least no tears, and the anger is gone. It's amazing how grace - coupled with time - can bring healing.
And I changed my approach with my kids. Deliberately. I think I've mostly been a pretty good mama thus far, even tackling almost all of the parenting totally on my own. But still, I saw things in me I didn't want them to know. Things I didn't want them to learn. And with grace in the front of my choices, I see this changing now - for the better. I'll call that a win.
I also tried to blog this year - at least through Five Minute Friday - which makes my brain do a little grown up, non work related thinking. I intended to do it every. single. week. (HA HA ... intentions gone awry). And then I tried to catch up when I missed. And "do better" the next week. But here's what I found. When I gave myself grace on the weeks Icouldn't didn't make time to write, then the thoughts flowed more freely the next time I did sit down. And it turned into something I loved - something I looked forward to each week, instead of the almost dread I felt at the beginning. So I missed a few weeks, but I found a joy in writing - reflecting - that I didn't know I had. I'll call that a win, too.
So as I end another year, reflecting back on where I've been, I will say that grace transformed a whole lot of "could have been really bad" into a whole lot of "what an amazing opportunity". The word popped up everywhere to remind me, and there were a few days where I had to dig deep - spend a lot more time on my knees to find it - but it was ALWAYS there. And lest we end the year without one last reminder of grace, this was in the Christmas bag my girls gave to me.
Looks like a little grace goes a long way toward impacting other people, too.
So how was the year of grace? My ex-husband's new wife came to church with us. More than once. (My kiddos have wonderful hearts to share the news of The Gospel with folks). And I not only survived, I actually had some conversations with her. It's only small talk, but in a world of a whole lot of hurt, small talk without tears from me was a huge step, and only possible through grace. We had a few more interactions this year, and while still not easy (I doubt it will ever be easy), I can say for certain that having an attitude up front that I would be gracious and kind to her did make it easier. At least no tears, and the anger is gone. It's amazing how grace - coupled with time - can bring healing.
And I changed my approach with my kids. Deliberately. I think I've mostly been a pretty good mama thus far, even tackling almost all of the parenting totally on my own. But still, I saw things in me I didn't want them to know. Things I didn't want them to learn. And with grace in the front of my choices, I see this changing now - for the better. I'll call that a win.
I also tried to blog this year - at least through Five Minute Friday - which makes my brain do a little grown up, non work related thinking. I intended to do it every. single. week. (HA HA ... intentions gone awry). And then I tried to catch up when I missed. And "do better" the next week. But here's what I found. When I gave myself grace on the weeks I
So as I end another year, reflecting back on where I've been, I will say that grace transformed a whole lot of "could have been really bad" into a whole lot of "what an amazing opportunity". The word popped up everywhere to remind me, and there were a few days where I had to dig deep - spend a lot more time on my knees to find it - but it was ALWAYS there. And lest we end the year without one last reminder of grace, this was in the Christmas bag my girls gave to me.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Tree (Five Minute Friday)
Catching up. On Fridays we write for 5 minutes. Raw. Then link up with some others and leave a little love.
This week (well, should be for last week) we get to write on "TREE".
Go.
Trees in the fall are my favorite. Vibrant with color, and every one a little different. Catch them in the sunshine and it's a glorious sight to behold. Then a wind storm come through. Or a rain storm. and WHOOSH. All the leaves dropped to the ground in an instant. The tree is bare. And ready to rest through the winter. Dormant. Waiting. For spring when the leaves sprout and give us the beauty of a new beginning. A fresh start.
Hmmm... where has my real life done just that same thing. I'm living through the spring in my heart. After a 4 year winter.
Stop.
This week (well, should be for last week) we get to write on "TREE".
Go.
Trees in the fall are my favorite. Vibrant with color, and every one a little different. Catch them in the sunshine and it's a glorious sight to behold. Then a wind storm come through. Or a rain storm. and WHOOSH. All the leaves dropped to the ground in an instant. The tree is bare. And ready to rest through the winter. Dormant. Waiting. For spring when the leaves sprout and give us the beauty of a new beginning. A fresh start.
Hmmm... where has my real life done just that same thing. I'm living through the spring in my heart. After a 4 year winter.
Stop.
Giving Thanks
The Nationals have a great contest running right now. Write a comment on their post and say what you're thankful for. One lucky winner gets their family holiday picture at Nats Park. Sounds cool, right?
What I love most about it is that since it is a "leave a comment" contest, you can read what other people are thankful for. Heartwarming. Pleasant change from a lot of comments that lots of grumpy folks leave lots of places.
So, here's what I wrote - a little look into my "things I am thankful for this year."
What I love most about it is that since it is a "leave a comment" contest, you can read what other people are thankful for. Heartwarming. Pleasant change from a lot of comments that lots of grumpy folks leave lots of places.
So, here's what I wrote - a little look into my "things I am thankful for this year."
This year, I am thankful for:
Family
Friends
Rain Delays that turned into Dance Parties
Curly W’s
A community united despite tragedy
Hugs
Kisses
Tears
Freedom
Sharing Memories of Loved Ones Departed too Soon
Our new home beckoning with excitement; our old home bidding
adieu with memories to last a lifetime
Heroes that give of their time to serve our soldiers,
sailors, airmen and veterans
Friends who invite us to join in the celebration of those
heroes
An entire ballpark singing the National Anthem as one voice
Online screen names that blossomed into real lifefriendships
The opportunity to raise two little Nats Fans with tender
hearts who have endless possibilities before them as they grow into young
women, ready to face the world, with a love of people tucked inside to guide
them through (and a love of baseball carried along the way)
The amazing adventure yet to come
--------------------
What are YOU thankful for this year?
Monday, November 11, 2013
Truth (Five Minute Friday)
I've been quiet a few weeks. Lots going on. Preparing to move. Saying goodbye to a one-of-a-kind man. Plus the usual mommy-ing, working, and trying to find my long-lost sanity :-)
I missed writing the post a week and a half ago. (the week of grace). And so I decided to give myself some grace, and not be all fretful over having not posted. That worked ok, but I discovered in the past week that I really missed it. I missed taking the 5 minutes to dump my heart on the screen. So this week, as Friday approaches, I am catching up with the post from this past week - because I can't wait all the way until Friday to pause for myself - I need the break. The brain focus. The diversion from the pile of unpacked stuff in my house ... and I need it now.
So, here's my post on TRUTH.
the rules:
1. write for 5 minutes, no editing, typos welcome
2. Link up with the lovely writers popping over to visit on Lisa-Jo's bench
3. Leave a little encouragement for someone else who came on the writing journey this week.
Go.
I try to always write with grace in mind. I share a lot on here, but nothing I wouldn't want my kids to read someday. Which includes how I reflect on things that happened with some very important people. I'll not lie about stuff, however, words can be chosen carefully to allow others to form their own opinions without the slant I give them in some cases.
And so it is with truth. Someone very special to me - someone who once held my heart - got mixed up in some very unwise choices. It is what it is. I found out, but chose not to confront. Rather, I waited for the truth to come out - for him to face the reality of what was happening. And so it did, in time. As I think about this, years later, I sometimes wonder why I waited, instead of just jumping on the information and taking a different path.
But then I realized this week, that it's the same way with me. I make mistakes - unwise choices - choose the less smart path. And if someone just tosses it in my face, then I get defensive. I try to justify. I ignore the underlying issue - that I didn't make the best decision. And when I figure it out on my own - or rather it comes to light in a way that doesn't put me necessarily on the defensive right away - if it's a useful warning given rather than a blow up confrontation, then lo and behold, I own it. I embrace (sometimes begrudgingly) the need to change. Or fix. Or redirect. Or apologize, or whatever.
And with that recognition, I feel I chose wisely all those years ago to just wait and let it surface in the right timing, instead of the forced timing. He's still not connected the dots, but he will. And my girls will. And I won't have to be the one to do it. Truth learned is better than truth forced upon us.
At least in this house.
Stop.
I missed writing the post a week and a half ago. (the week of grace). And so I decided to give myself some grace, and not be all fretful over having not posted. That worked ok, but I discovered in the past week that I really missed it. I missed taking the 5 minutes to dump my heart on the screen. So this week, as Friday approaches, I am catching up with the post from this past week - because I can't wait all the way until Friday to pause for myself - I need the break. The brain focus. The diversion from the pile of unpacked stuff in my house ... and I need it now.
So, here's my post on TRUTH.
the rules:
1. write for 5 minutes, no editing, typos welcome
2. Link up with the lovely writers popping over to visit on Lisa-Jo's bench
3. Leave a little encouragement for someone else who came on the writing journey this week.
Go.
I try to always write with grace in mind. I share a lot on here, but nothing I wouldn't want my kids to read someday. Which includes how I reflect on things that happened with some very important people. I'll not lie about stuff, however, words can be chosen carefully to allow others to form their own opinions without the slant I give them in some cases.
And so it is with truth. Someone very special to me - someone who once held my heart - got mixed up in some very unwise choices. It is what it is. I found out, but chose not to confront. Rather, I waited for the truth to come out - for him to face the reality of what was happening. And so it did, in time. As I think about this, years later, I sometimes wonder why I waited, instead of just jumping on the information and taking a different path.
But then I realized this week, that it's the same way with me. I make mistakes - unwise choices - choose the less smart path. And if someone just tosses it in my face, then I get defensive. I try to justify. I ignore the underlying issue - that I didn't make the best decision. And when I figure it out on my own - or rather it comes to light in a way that doesn't put me necessarily on the defensive right away - if it's a useful warning given rather than a blow up confrontation, then lo and behold, I own it. I embrace (sometimes begrudgingly) the need to change. Or fix. Or redirect. Or apologize, or whatever.
And with that recognition, I feel I chose wisely all those years ago to just wait and let it surface in the right timing, instead of the forced timing. He's still not connected the dots, but he will. And my girls will. And I won't have to be the one to do it. Truth learned is better than truth forced upon us.
At least in this house.
Stop.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Together (Five Minute Friday)
Writing for Five Minute Friday, but I'm going to break a rule today. The word is so fitting, and I refuse to impose the zero editing, five minute limit this time, as you will see in a minute.
Generally, we follow these rules.
1. Write for 5 minutes on the word of the week, and don't edit or backtrack. Just throw it out there.
2. Link up over here with the rest of the crew.
3. Read the post before yours and leave some love.
Rule #3 is the only non breakable rule. I will leave some love for my fellow writers. But this week, as I write on together, I won't set a time limit. And I will re-read what I write at least once, to make sure it's as right as I can make it. I will still have mistakes. I will still not wax eloquent. That isn't my style. But this week, Uncle John is worthy of a re-read, so that I can get as close to putting my heart in these words as possible.
Together
The word of the day is together, and the post went live Thursday night. Shortly after I received the news that Uncle John had passed on. It got me to thinking about the last time we were together, and the time before that, and some wonderful memories of times before that. Times that date all of my 37 years on this earth.
And last Thursday night at midnight the truth was still too raw. The emotions too overwhelming for me to even begin to write of him. And a week later, it hurts no less, but perhaps I can give you a little look at my Uncle John.
He wasn't even my uncle. Not by blood. Though in some instances, friendships might as well be family. And so it was with Uncle John. One of my dad's dearest friends since they moved into our little town around the same time, 40 something years ago. My little brother took his first unassisted steps in Uncle John's living room.
I saw Uncle John at the end of this summer, at my brother's going away (welcome to DC) party. And had no idea that would be the very last time we would be together. He walked into mom's house and hollered "Jennifer Leigh..." and you know, he's the ONLY person who has ALWAYS called me by both my first and middle names together. And it never sounded like I was in trouble. That's tough to do with a kid ... and an adult. And he gave me the big bear hug I would always get, and then he asked after my girls right away. He loved them like they were his own grandkids. He and Ann (his wife. We never call her Aunt Ann. She's as close with us as Uncle John was, bit we've always called her Ann. Just one of those things, I guess...) anyway - he and Ann came out into the back yard and scooped up my girls for hugs and giggles. They visited awhile. Chatted baseball, and politics, and football. On the same side in politics, and always on opposite sides in baseball (he loved the Yankees) and football (he loved the Giants). Fun rivalries and beloved times of discussion. They hung out with us for a few hours, hugged on us some more, and then were on their way. "We'll see you at New Year's, Jennifer Leigh".
My family always has a New Year's Eve bash. Starts at 9pm and goes until .... well, the latest I ever saw us finish was 7am. But these days we hang it up more around 4am. No kidding. Ann and Uncle John always come over after the Lions' Club dinner. Which means we see them around 1am. Ann curls up by the fireplace in the chair dad always saves for her. And Uncle John gets a scotch and the stories begin. So, we left off with they were headed down to Florida for the fall and we'd see them at New Year's Eve.
Except Uncle John had a heart attack about 2 weeks ago and never fully recovered. Mom and dad made it down to Florida to say their farewells and he passed a week ago today. How do you replace a presence like that in a room? You don't. You love on his family and remember all the fun you had and the great stories you will tell forever.
Like the time we all went to the Superbowl party sponsored by the Lions Club. The Giants were playing the Bills. They were ALL cheering for the Giants. But the Eagles weren't in, and I couldn't succumb to the pressure to cheer for them. Not my style. So I bought a cheap NY Giants T-shirt, and I painted one of those big red circles with a slash through it right over the logo. And I wore it proudly. And Uncle John got the biggest kick out of teasing me ALL NIGHT LONG. Fun times.
Or all the nights we sat in the dining room stuffing campaign literature for my dad's campaigns. They would sign letters and package them up and stuff envelopes. I licked envelopes and stamps until my tongue was fuzzy. For hours and hours, so many times. Dad was an elected official for almost 20 years. (I am rounding). We did a LOT of campaigns. Yes, I had a sponge to help with the envelopes and stamps but I always stuck my fingers together. So I was safer with a fuzzy tongue. Uncle John would sit around that table and tell stories all night long.
Or the nights the guys played poker in the dining room. I would sit between Uncle John and dad and look over shoulders and learn how to play. They all had different styles, but I would learn lots of hints, and they told stories all night long while they played. The nights of just sitting up to listen and learn.
So, as I drive home this weekend to say farewell to Uncle John for the last time this side of Heaven, I am blessed with wonderful memories of time spent together. As we carved pumpkins this week, my girls said "look, mama. Yours looks just like Uncle John with that big mustache." I took a look, and so it does.
I am thankful that my girls have known Uncle John. I am thankful for the blessing he has been to me, and my family. We miss him more than words can say. So we grieve this week with his wife, his children, his grandkids, and all of those who knew and loved him. And we smile with memories of time well spent. And his mustache - whenever we see one on someone else, we'll remember our beloved Uncle John.
Generally, we follow these rules.
1. Write for 5 minutes on the word of the week, and don't edit or backtrack. Just throw it out there.
2. Link up over here with the rest of the crew.
3. Read the post before yours and leave some love.
Rule #3 is the only non breakable rule. I will leave some love for my fellow writers. But this week, as I write on together, I won't set a time limit. And I will re-read what I write at least once, to make sure it's as right as I can make it. I will still have mistakes. I will still not wax eloquent. That isn't my style. But this week, Uncle John is worthy of a re-read, so that I can get as close to putting my heart in these words as possible.
Together
The word of the day is together, and the post went live Thursday night. Shortly after I received the news that Uncle John had passed on. It got me to thinking about the last time we were together, and the time before that, and some wonderful memories of times before that. Times that date all of my 37 years on this earth.
And last Thursday night at midnight the truth was still too raw. The emotions too overwhelming for me to even begin to write of him. And a week later, it hurts no less, but perhaps I can give you a little look at my Uncle John.
He wasn't even my uncle. Not by blood. Though in some instances, friendships might as well be family. And so it was with Uncle John. One of my dad's dearest friends since they moved into our little town around the same time, 40 something years ago. My little brother took his first unassisted steps in Uncle John's living room.
I saw Uncle John at the end of this summer, at my brother's going away (welcome to DC) party. And had no idea that would be the very last time we would be together. He walked into mom's house and hollered "Jennifer Leigh..." and you know, he's the ONLY person who has ALWAYS called me by both my first and middle names together. And it never sounded like I was in trouble. That's tough to do with a kid ... and an adult. And he gave me the big bear hug I would always get, and then he asked after my girls right away. He loved them like they were his own grandkids. He and Ann (his wife. We never call her Aunt Ann. She's as close with us as Uncle John was, bit we've always called her Ann. Just one of those things, I guess...) anyway - he and Ann came out into the back yard and scooped up my girls for hugs and giggles. They visited awhile. Chatted baseball, and politics, and football. On the same side in politics, and always on opposite sides in baseball (he loved the Yankees) and football (he loved the Giants). Fun rivalries and beloved times of discussion. They hung out with us for a few hours, hugged on us some more, and then were on their way. "We'll see you at New Year's, Jennifer Leigh".
My family always has a New Year's Eve bash. Starts at 9pm and goes until .... well, the latest I ever saw us finish was 7am. But these days we hang it up more around 4am. No kidding. Ann and Uncle John always come over after the Lions' Club dinner. Which means we see them around 1am. Ann curls up by the fireplace in the chair dad always saves for her. And Uncle John gets a scotch and the stories begin. So, we left off with they were headed down to Florida for the fall and we'd see them at New Year's Eve.
Except Uncle John had a heart attack about 2 weeks ago and never fully recovered. Mom and dad made it down to Florida to say their farewells and he passed a week ago today. How do you replace a presence like that in a room? You don't. You love on his family and remember all the fun you had and the great stories you will tell forever.
Like the time we all went to the Superbowl party sponsored by the Lions Club. The Giants were playing the Bills. They were ALL cheering for the Giants. But the Eagles weren't in, and I couldn't succumb to the pressure to cheer for them. Not my style. So I bought a cheap NY Giants T-shirt, and I painted one of those big red circles with a slash through it right over the logo. And I wore it proudly. And Uncle John got the biggest kick out of teasing me ALL NIGHT LONG. Fun times.
Or all the nights we sat in the dining room stuffing campaign literature for my dad's campaigns. They would sign letters and package them up and stuff envelopes. I licked envelopes and stamps until my tongue was fuzzy. For hours and hours, so many times. Dad was an elected official for almost 20 years. (I am rounding). We did a LOT of campaigns. Yes, I had a sponge to help with the envelopes and stamps but I always stuck my fingers together. So I was safer with a fuzzy tongue. Uncle John would sit around that table and tell stories all night long.
Or the nights the guys played poker in the dining room. I would sit between Uncle John and dad and look over shoulders and learn how to play. They all had different styles, but I would learn lots of hints, and they told stories all night long while they played. The nights of just sitting up to listen and learn.
So, as I drive home this weekend to say farewell to Uncle John for the last time this side of Heaven, I am blessed with wonderful memories of time spent together. As we carved pumpkins this week, my girls said "look, mama. Yours looks just like Uncle John with that big mustache." I took a look, and so it does.
I am thankful that my girls have known Uncle John. I am thankful for the blessing he has been to me, and my family. We miss him more than words can say. So we grieve this week with his wife, his children, his grandkids, and all of those who knew and loved him. And we smile with memories of time well spent. And his mustache - whenever we see one on someone else, we'll remember our beloved Uncle John.
 |
| our pumpkin with the mustache |
 |
| Uncle John, Ann, and their granddaughter Samantha Jane |
 |
| Uncle John with Samantha Jane (2007) |
Monday, October 21, 2013
Why I Walk
I am writing over at Brandie's today. I met Brandie through Twitter - she's a walker in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago. She asked me to be a part of her guest series in honor of Breast Cancer awareness month.
WHY I WALK
I’ve posted bits and pieces of why I walk in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer every year. Why I skip … hop … walk … trudge … plod 39.3 miles year after year. All those verbs – because on different legs of that journey ...
Click here to read the rest of my post, and meet Brandie and read more about her journey as a breast cancer survivor, and the folks she's met along the way.
WHY I WALK
I’ve posted bits and pieces of why I walk in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer every year. Why I skip … hop … walk … trudge … plod 39.3 miles year after year. All those verbs – because on different legs of that journey ...
Click here to read the rest of my post, and meet Brandie and read more about her journey as a breast cancer survivor, and the folks she's met along the way.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Laundry (Five Minute Friday)
Welcome to Five Minute Friday. Where we follow 3 easy rules and join a big crowd of friends doing the same.
1. Find the word of the week and write for 5 minutes. No edits, typos welcome. Just write.
2. Link up here with the crew.
3. Build the community - encourage a heart - by visiting the post before yours and leaving a comment.
That's all. Come and share with us.
This week's word: LAUNDRY
Confession: I have trouble getting laundry done from start to finish. Ever since the world of single motherhood became a piece of my story. Because I use my bed as the staging zone to fold.
Wash - no problem. Dry - no problem. But fold ...and put away? Well, I've always used the bed. When there's two people in the bed, it necessitates being finished before bedtime. Folding and putting away has never been my strong suit, even back to college days now that I think about it.
But with no one on the other side of the bed, and tired, weary mama bones at the end of a full day, it's now all too easy to shove the pile to the other half of the bed and just crawl in my side, with a thought of "I will do it tomorrow."
Except tomorrow I am tired at the end of the day, too. So the mountain grows. And some days the girls and I giggle as we dig through the pile. MOUNTAIN. Mount Washmore, we like to call it. Looking for that pair of pants that my 5 yo is INSISTENT on wearing TODAY. RIGHT NOW. Even though she has eleventy-seven pairs of pants. And it's 85 degrees. She wants those. And she's willing to dig for them, so I let her.
We're moving (close by) at the end of November. And the laundry will be in the basement, it looks like. Maybe that will be the catalyst to change my pattern. I can fold it downstairs before I bring it up to the room.
Or ... maybe not. But a girl can always dream. A habit can be changed, one load of laundry at a time...
1. Find the word of the week and write for 5 minutes. No edits, typos welcome. Just write.
2. Link up here with the crew.
3. Build the community - encourage a heart - by visiting the post before yours and leaving a comment.
That's all. Come and share with us.
This week's word: LAUNDRY
Confession: I have trouble getting laundry done from start to finish. Ever since the world of single motherhood became a piece of my story. Because I use my bed as the staging zone to fold.
Wash - no problem. Dry - no problem. But fold ...and put away? Well, I've always used the bed. When there's two people in the bed, it necessitates being finished before bedtime. Folding and putting away has never been my strong suit, even back to college days now that I think about it.
But with no one on the other side of the bed, and tired, weary mama bones at the end of a full day, it's now all too easy to shove the pile to the other half of the bed and just crawl in my side, with a thought of "I will do it tomorrow."
Except tomorrow I am tired at the end of the day, too. So the mountain grows. And some days the girls and I giggle as we dig through the pile. MOUNTAIN. Mount Washmore, we like to call it. Looking for that pair of pants that my 5 yo is INSISTENT on wearing TODAY. RIGHT NOW. Even though she has eleventy-seven pairs of pants. And it's 85 degrees. She wants those. And she's willing to dig for them, so I let her.
We're moving (close by) at the end of November. And the laundry will be in the basement, it looks like. Maybe that will be the catalyst to change my pattern. I can fold it downstairs before I bring it up to the room.
Or ... maybe not. But a girl can always dream. A habit can be changed, one load of laundry at a time...
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Ordinary (Five Minute Friday)
It's Thursday. So I am late enough that I missed the link up altogether. BUT I committed to trying to do this every single week. So I will write without linking, though you can read the other lovelies here. And then maybe I will write again in a few hours. On time for the new week. Or maybe not.
Five Minute Friday, where we follow 3 easy steps and just let it all out there.
1. Find the word, write for 5 minutes flat - no edits, no overthinking, no backtracks. Typos welcome.
2. Link up at Lisa-Jo's place.
3. Read the post before you and leave that brave writer a little love in the comments. It takes a lot to toss your thoughts out in the internet world and share them for others to see. Help a friend feel heard.
Ready? Go.
ORDINARY
We don't do ordinary here. Ordinary, to me, implies without excitement, or without deviation from the general expectation of something. Here? Can't tell yuo the last time that happened.
We do crazy. We do fun. We do love and laughing. We do crying, and anger and hot mess of drama. 3 girls: 37, 8 and 5. And a couple of "underfooting" cats. (That's the 5yo word for always wrapped around our ankles making mama trip in the kitchen).
We do early mornings and late nights, and movies when we should be sleeping. We do ice cream for dinner - because that's how mama makes it OK to get an ouchy flu shot that mama can't even have herself. We do homework and crying over homework we don't understand.
We do playing with little tiny toys that leave tiny shoes in mama's bed to make it hard to lay down. We do giggles and make-your-own-bubble-bath mix.
We do baseball and rain delays. And cheering. And crying over traded players. Even players the team only had for 3 days.
We do everything with gusto. We never hold back. We do verse memorization to help us learn and grow - and for recall when we all need it after one of those anger lash outs.
We do grace. We do forgiveness. We do a mixed family, of mama, 2 kids, 2 cats, plus daddy, stepmom, brother and a dog that live 2 miles away. We do traveling and adventures. And we do moving. More often than we want.
But ordinary? I don't think so. Not in this house. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
STOP.
PS: Lisa-Jo mentioned this was a repeat word. I didn't think I'd been writing long enough to repeat. But apparently I have, WOOT! So, for the record, the last time we DID have an ordinary day, I actually wrote about it.
Five Minute Friday, where we follow 3 easy steps and just let it all out there.
1. Find the word, write for 5 minutes flat - no edits, no overthinking, no backtracks. Typos welcome.
2. Link up at Lisa-Jo's place.
3. Read the post before you and leave that brave writer a little love in the comments. It takes a lot to toss your thoughts out in the internet world and share them for others to see. Help a friend feel heard.
Ready? Go.
ORDINARY
We don't do ordinary here. Ordinary, to me, implies without excitement, or without deviation from the general expectation of something. Here? Can't tell yuo the last time that happened.
We do crazy. We do fun. We do love and laughing. We do crying, and anger and hot mess of drama. 3 girls: 37, 8 and 5. And a couple of "underfooting" cats. (That's the 5yo word for always wrapped around our ankles making mama trip in the kitchen).
We do early mornings and late nights, and movies when we should be sleeping. We do ice cream for dinner - because that's how mama makes it OK to get an ouchy flu shot that mama can't even have herself. We do homework and crying over homework we don't understand.
We do playing with little tiny toys that leave tiny shoes in mama's bed to make it hard to lay down. We do giggles and make-your-own-bubble-bath mix.
We do baseball and rain delays. And cheering. And crying over traded players. Even players the team only had for 3 days.
We do everything with gusto. We never hold back. We do verse memorization to help us learn and grow - and for recall when we all need it after one of those anger lash outs.
We do grace. We do forgiveness. We do a mixed family, of mama, 2 kids, 2 cats, plus daddy, stepmom, brother and a dog that live 2 miles away. We do traveling and adventures. And we do moving. More often than we want.
But ordinary? I don't think so. Not in this house. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
STOP.
PS: Lisa-Jo mentioned this was a repeat word. I didn't think I'd been writing long enough to repeat. But apparently I have, WOOT! So, for the record, the last time we DID have an ordinary day, I actually wrote about it.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Write (Five Minute Friday)
It's Friday. (Yes, it's Wednesday. But it's writing day, so it's Friday in my mind. Work with me.) Five Minute Friday where we stop, write for 5 minutes (no edits!) and then link up here, and then go read some more lovely writing from the community flash mob of writers. Come along with us, won't you?
This week's word:
This week's word:
Write.
Five Minute Friday is really why I write. It’s the thing that reminds me once a week to
stop. Spill some thoughts. Collect some thoughts as just me – not work related.
Not necessarily kid related, though sometimes they are. Nothing but whatever
pops in your head about a random word.
Yet that “random” word isn’t really so random. At least for
me. For me, it’s the peek into a world I was afraid to touch. A dive into
something I don’t usually view myself as good at. A topic for one reason or
another that I need to devote some time – at least 5 minutes to. And on the whole something I have NEVER
liked. Except for letters to my pen pals. And now, after several months of
writing on Fridays (or the day closest after Friday when I make the time) I
find myself looking forward to it. GASP. I actually LIKE taking a mjinute to
write. Folks, there’s a reason I decided to be a math major. A distinct disdain
for writing papers was near the top of the list, after my love of numbers and
equations. Yes, I’m quirky like that. Numbers – another reason I love baseball.
Writing – bottom of my list of to do’s. But thanks to this lovely community,
this group of folks who will just “throw it out there” I think I may have found
an outlet I didn’t know I needed.
Writing. Who’da thunk?
Stop.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
True (Five Minute Friday)
It is time for Five Minute Friday! Where we stop, set the timer, and pour out whatever is inside for 5 minutes. This week, the word is TRUE. Everyone's sharing a true story.
The quick rules of FMF:
1. write for 5 minutes. No editing, backtracking, overthinking
2. link up over here with Lisa-Jo and the gang
3. Visit the post (or two or a bunch) before you, and leave them a little encouragement. That's the whole heart of the community at FMF.
So, come and share your thoughts with us.
TRUE
The true story of how I came to twitter, and where it brought me. A friend told me that this guy I was seeing was on twitter, and pretty funny. (I knew about the humor, was CLUELESS about Twitter). So I built a handle and off we were. As of today, two years later, the guy is well out of the picture (different story for a different day) but Twitter stayed. I started playing around with it a little bit more. Thanks to Lisa-Jo and some of the other FMF lovelies. Loved to read you all. Loved to see what you were doing. Didn't love to write. Until I got brave in January (on the end of my OneWord365 for 2012) and then I started linking up. Which encouraged me to meet some of the internet friends (in)RL. And that made me less afraid of reaching out to others.
Turns out there's a GREAT little (not so little) Twitter community around my Nats. And thanks to the wonder of the hashtag or whatnot, I found a few of them. And so the baseball talk began.
Took several months before I met any of them in person. But one day we did (and I am so glad we did!) And then those folks introduced me to a few others. And now I know quite a crowd.
My favorite part of these Nats folks (well, besides tweeting through all the games we're not at together) is how they can take THIS:
and turn it into THIS:
and THIS!
Talk about a little online community that made real life awesome. Because a rain delay is ALWAYS better shared with friends.
The quick rules of FMF:
1. write for 5 minutes. No editing, backtracking, overthinking
2. link up over here with Lisa-Jo and the gang
3. Visit the post (or two or a bunch) before you, and leave them a little encouragement. That's the whole heart of the community at FMF.
So, come and share your thoughts with us.
TRUE
The true story of how I came to twitter, and where it brought me. A friend told me that this guy I was seeing was on twitter, and pretty funny. (I knew about the humor, was CLUELESS about Twitter). So I built a handle and off we were. As of today, two years later, the guy is well out of the picture (different story for a different day) but Twitter stayed. I started playing around with it a little bit more. Thanks to Lisa-Jo and some of the other FMF lovelies. Loved to read you all. Loved to see what you were doing. Didn't love to write. Until I got brave in January (on the end of my OneWord365 for 2012) and then I started linking up. Which encouraged me to meet some of the internet friends (in)RL. And that made me less afraid of reaching out to others.
Turns out there's a GREAT little (not so little) Twitter community around my Nats. And thanks to the wonder of the hashtag or whatnot, I found a few of them. And so the baseball talk began.
Took several months before I met any of them in person. But one day we did (and I am so glad we did!) And then those folks introduced me to a few others. And now I know quite a crowd.
My favorite part of these Nats folks (well, besides tweeting through all the games we're not at together) is how they can take THIS:
and turn it into THIS:
and THIS!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Rain Delay (Behind the Scenes)
The photo:
The story:
Last Saturday, the girls and I were supposed to go to a baseball game at Nationals Park. The Nats were going to play, keep their playoff hopes alive, get us a Curly W, AND after the game, we would have the post-game concert hearing Montgomery Gentry live. We were SO EXCITED. And the weather ... well, the weather did not cooperate. But, thanks to the madness that is the last 10 days of the regular season, MLB gets to "assist" in if a game is postponed. So, the game was "on". And in a rain delay. The picture above was taken by my 5yo - proudly showing off her galoshes. And so, the rest of the behind the scenes story is that we waited. 7 hours. Until they called the game at 11:15pm. No game. No concert. My girls met a whole bunch of "mommy's baseball friends" and we had a hilarious adventure on the concourse. The kids proclaimed it the "best not-a-baseball-game-trip-to-the-park". Then they qualified that - "except for Opera in the Outfield, mama. Because then we still get to see some other stuff. But this was fun and your friends are great."
So, now you can see our adventure in photos. As I present "the photo essay of a rain delay - through the eyes of a 5 year old". Enjoy.
*DISCLAIMER. I am not swift enough with this posting stuff to make these pictures show up aligned or in a pretty order. It's raw. It's real. It's scattered. Sort of like our adventure.
 |
| learning selfies |
The unfolding of a wrestling match behind us
Friday, September 20, 2013
She (Five Minute Friday)
It's Friday. Where we pause, follow the prompt, and pour out our thoughts onto the screen for 5 minutes. A whole bunch of us. It's easy. It's fun. It's soul-nourishing. Won't you join in?
1. Set your timer for 5 minutes. Write about the prompt, no editing, no backtracking. Just write.
2. Link up over here.
3. Take a minute. Read the postings of the folks before you, and leave them a little encouragement. It's the best part of Five Minute Friday. Give someone else a boost on a Friday. Share with the community. You'll be glad you did.
SHE
She's a knitter. She's a writer. She's a dresswearer.
She's a mom. She's a classmate. She's a friend. She's a neighbor; a teacher; a stranger. She's a soldier, a sister, a daughter.
She's a single mom. She's a grandma. She's a brave fighter. She's an inner city girl, or a suburban girl, or a country girl. She's a Southern belle. She's a Jersey girl. She's my best friend's mother. And mother in law. And my aunt.
She's anyone, really. She's why I walk.
Breast cancer doesn;t distinguish. Doesn't play favorites. Strikes someone new every 3 minutes. She was an Army wife.
So, with me, and two little girls in my home, I dream of a day when the statistics change. When we've found a cure. When I can go to sleep knowing it's on it's way out.
Until then, she's the reason I walk.
STOP.
PS I don't normally link the walk here, other than to talk about it. But if you want to support the cause, here's my link.
1. Set your timer for 5 minutes. Write about the prompt, no editing, no backtracking. Just write.
2. Link up over here.
3. Take a minute. Read the postings of the folks before you, and leave them a little encouragement. It's the best part of Five Minute Friday. Give someone else a boost on a Friday. Share with the community. You'll be glad you did.
SHE
She's a knitter. She's a writer. She's a dresswearer.
She's a mom. She's a classmate. She's a friend. She's a neighbor; a teacher; a stranger. She's a soldier, a sister, a daughter.
She's a single mom. She's a grandma. She's a brave fighter. She's an inner city girl, or a suburban girl, or a country girl. She's a Southern belle. She's a Jersey girl. She's my best friend's mother. And mother in law. And my aunt.
She's anyone, really. She's why I walk.
Breast cancer doesn;t distinguish. Doesn't play favorites. Strikes someone new every 3 minutes. She was an Army wife.
So, with me, and two little girls in my home, I dream of a day when the statistics change. When we've found a cure. When I can go to sleep knowing it's on it's way out.
Until then, she's the reason I walk.
STOP.
PS I don't normally link the walk here, other than to talk about it. But if you want to support the cause, here's my link.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Finding a Little Normal (Behind the Scenes)
It's Behind the Scenes Tuesday (on Thursday for me). Where we tell you the real life behind the picture. sometimes funny, sometimes weird. Sometimes unbelievable, sometimes sobering.. Sometimes heartwarming. Always real. Feel free to link up with Crystal to share your story or read a few others.
This week's picture:
Hi, friends. You may have heard on the news about the tragedy at the NavyYard on Monday. At least, I would assume you did. Hard for me to tell, since I live in the midst of it, so I am not sure what national coverage existed beyond the DC metro area.
Hit really close to home - literally - and figuratively for me. I have a college friend who works there. Thankfully, he was in training in California this week. I have a new acquaintance (thanks to Twitter meetups and my beloved Nationals) who works there. Thankfully he was ok. But 12 people were not OK. And their families are now dealing with the aftermath.
And that NavyYard? That's a mere few blocks from Nats Park. Where we go ALL the time. The Navy used some of the parking lots as staging for families to reunite with loved ones. And as the uncertainty in the following hours ensued, the Nats game was postponed. Two thumbs up to the Nats and MLB for recognizing that safety was important, and that life is bigger than baseball.
Tuesday the Nats were back at it, playing a double header (to make up Monday, plus the regular Tuesday game). And they came out to play. Swept the double header (WOOT!) from the Atlanta Braves (WOOT WOOT!). But what struck me Tuesday was how much the community - the Nationals community - embraced our NavyYard neighbors. The word passed quickly through the social media networks to wear blue and gold. (For you non baseball readers, the Nats are mostly red & white, with accents of blue. Nice, patriotic, fitting for DC - but not US Navy colors).
I put my usual Nats attire away and instead chose my US Olympic shirt (from the Torino games ... yeah, my shirts are old), and since all my gold is tied to black (Vanderbilt), I went for the "mom save the day stash". I have a box of ribbons and beads to make hair ribbons for my girls. Covers a multitude of "need to dress like a _____ day" school projects. Sure enough, lots of blue and yellow/gold to be had in there. So I whipped out a hair ribbon and donned it proudly.
I headed out to the ballpark with tons of other folks sporting the Navy Blue and Gold as well. Embracing the community, and standing together to support our neighbors.
To the families of the men and women lost on Monday, your loved ones served us -- all of us -- well, and we are thankful for them, and sorry for your loss.
To the Nationals community - thank you for putting aside baseball and being real neighbors. And thank you for coming back to the game we love, allowing us to look for a little "normal" and find some joy on the day after a very terrible day.
I'm proud to be a Nats fan, never more so than this week.
This week's picture:
Hi, friends. You may have heard on the news about the tragedy at the NavyYard on Monday. At least, I would assume you did. Hard for me to tell, since I live in the midst of it, so I am not sure what national coverage existed beyond the DC metro area.
Hit really close to home - literally - and figuratively for me. I have a college friend who works there. Thankfully, he was in training in California this week. I have a new acquaintance (thanks to Twitter meetups and my beloved Nationals) who works there. Thankfully he was ok. But 12 people were not OK. And their families are now dealing with the aftermath.
And that NavyYard? That's a mere few blocks from Nats Park. Where we go ALL the time. The Navy used some of the parking lots as staging for families to reunite with loved ones. And as the uncertainty in the following hours ensued, the Nats game was postponed. Two thumbs up to the Nats and MLB for recognizing that safety was important, and that life is bigger than baseball.
Tuesday the Nats were back at it, playing a double header (to make up Monday, plus the regular Tuesday game). And they came out to play. Swept the double header (WOOT!) from the Atlanta Braves (WOOT WOOT!). But what struck me Tuesday was how much the community - the Nationals community - embraced our NavyYard neighbors. The word passed quickly through the social media networks to wear blue and gold. (For you non baseball readers, the Nats are mostly red & white, with accents of blue. Nice, patriotic, fitting for DC - but not US Navy colors).
I put my usual Nats attire away and instead chose my US Olympic shirt (from the Torino games ... yeah, my shirts are old), and since all my gold is tied to black (Vanderbilt), I went for the "mom save the day stash". I have a box of ribbons and beads to make hair ribbons for my girls. Covers a multitude of "need to dress like a _____ day" school projects. Sure enough, lots of blue and yellow/gold to be had in there. So I whipped out a hair ribbon and donned it proudly.
I headed out to the ballpark with tons of other folks sporting the Navy Blue and Gold as well. Embracing the community, and standing together to support our neighbors.
To the families of the men and women lost on Monday, your loved ones served us -- all of us -- well, and we are thankful for them, and sorry for your loss.
To the Nationals community - thank you for putting aside baseball and being real neighbors. And thank you for coming back to the game we love, allowing us to look for a little "normal" and find some joy on the day after a very terrible day.
I'm proud to be a Nats fan, never more so than this week.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Mercy (Five Minute Friday)
Welcome to Five Minute Friday. Where we stop, write for 5 minutes - with no editing, back tracking, second guessing. Just write and post. Then link up over here. And then go read a post (or 2 or 20) of the friends who linked before you. Leave a little love on their comments.
Ready? Go.
Mercy. Hmmmm. Love how the Lord orchestrates the choice of Lisa-Jo's word right where I need it. It's been a week where I learned a lesson. A hard, but valuable lesson, of mercy.
Definition (thank you dictionary): compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence.
Thursday night I had to spend several minutes in conversation that was a WASTE.OF.MY.TIME. Filled with lies and extraneous information, and very little concrete value. And I thought, REALLY? After all this time, when I have worked so hard to remove myself from this exact circumstance, I have to do it again? And I wanted ... oh, how I wanted ... to tell this person "stop with the lies. Stop making stuff up. Stop making me feel BAD when I didn't do anything. Not even didn't to anything WRONG, but flat out didn't do anything." Instead, I was reminded ... what can be done to make this better. How can I keep it from escalating into a full on shouting match with nothing good coming of it. Oh, right. Mercy. Just show kindness. toward an offender. Hmmmm. OK, then. So I said "thanks for the feedback. I will try to keep that in mind." And we moved on. Without shouting. Without tears. There was some frustration on the other end, I think because I didn't react. If I had, he'd have felt justified in exactly what he said. Instead, we moved on, and he's left to puzzle over why I wasn't a wreck.
To be fully honest, I did come home and call a friend and vent a bit. And had her check me to be sure I wasn't missing some truth in the criticism.
And I spent a lot of time on my knees Thursday night. Thanking the Lord for giving me mercy every day. Because when I thought about it some more, I realized how often I can be acting like the offender. And the Lord takes it all in, draws me near, teaches me something, and bestows mercy. Every day. Without fail. If He can do that for me, surely I can do it for another.
Ready? Go.
Mercy. Hmmmm. Love how the Lord orchestrates the choice of Lisa-Jo's word right where I need it. It's been a week where I learned a lesson. A hard, but valuable lesson, of mercy.
Definition (thank you dictionary): compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence.
Thursday night I had to spend several minutes in conversation that was a WASTE.OF.MY.TIME. Filled with lies and extraneous information, and very little concrete value. And I thought, REALLY? After all this time, when I have worked so hard to remove myself from this exact circumstance, I have to do it again? And I wanted ... oh, how I wanted ... to tell this person "stop with the lies. Stop making stuff up. Stop making me feel BAD when I didn't do anything. Not even didn't to anything WRONG, but flat out didn't do anything." Instead, I was reminded ... what can be done to make this better. How can I keep it from escalating into a full on shouting match with nothing good coming of it. Oh, right. Mercy. Just show kindness. toward an offender. Hmmmm. OK, then. So I said "thanks for the feedback. I will try to keep that in mind." And we moved on. Without shouting. Without tears. There was some frustration on the other end, I think because I didn't react. If I had, he'd have felt justified in exactly what he said. Instead, we moved on, and he's left to puzzle over why I wasn't a wreck.
To be fully honest, I did come home and call a friend and vent a bit. And had her check me to be sure I wasn't missing some truth in the criticism.
And I spent a lot of time on my knees Thursday night. Thanking the Lord for giving me mercy every day. Because when I thought about it some more, I realized how often I can be acting like the offender. And the Lord takes it all in, draws me near, teaches me something, and bestows mercy. Every day. Without fail. If He can do that for me, surely I can do it for another.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Red (Five Minute Friday)
It's Friday! Time to write with abandon! It's fun; it's easy; and it's a great way to kick off a weekend. In fact, Lisa-Jo even moved the prompt release time to 10pm Thursday nights, effective this week, because some of us (AHEM - yes this is me) are having a tough time staying up til midnight and then thinking in the morning. The #FMFParty on Twitter starts a little early - but still hangs out late, so come and join the fun. Here's how it works:
1. Set your timer, write for 5 minutes flat. No editing (typos welcome!), no overthinking, no backtracking.
2. Link up over here.
3. Go visit the post of the person who linked before you. Leave a comment - send a little encouragement their way. That's the best part. The most important rule. The community building among our little (actually not-so-little) group of writers.
NOTE: if you don't have a blog, just go write your 5 minutes in the comments at Lisa-Jo's. We read and love on those posts, too.
So, here's my 5 minutes on RED.
Red's a very versatile color. Can mean stop - as in a stop sign, or red light. Can mean "check this out, it's important" - as in that crazy exclamation point that shows up on an important flagged email. In a rainbow, it's the beginning - if you color from top to bottom, or even the end, if you color from bottom to top. Or, if you hit a double rainbow, then it's actually in the middle.
It's also one of the trio of colors in our flag - and I think of it paired with white and blue way more often than I think of red all alone. And when I was in high school, our colors were red and gold.
And here, in Natstown, Red is the color of our team. So I wear it A LOT. Funny, since when I was little it really wasn't on my list of colors that I love. This week, red has also been on my cheer-against list, as we need the Reds to lose to help our Nats grab that last wild card spot.
So, when I think of red, I think of rainbows (which make me smile), high school (great memories of growing up), baseball (no place I'd rather be than at Nats park) and the USA. Proud American, former Army wife, and raising little patriots. Seems like it's now near the top of my color list.
Stop.
1. Set your timer, write for 5 minutes flat. No editing (typos welcome!), no overthinking, no backtracking.
2. Link up over here.
3. Go visit the post of the person who linked before you. Leave a comment - send a little encouragement their way. That's the best part. The most important rule. The community building among our little (actually not-so-little) group of writers.
NOTE: if you don't have a blog, just go write your 5 minutes in the comments at Lisa-Jo's. We read and love on those posts, too.
So, here's my 5 minutes on RED.
Red's a very versatile color. Can mean stop - as in a stop sign, or red light. Can mean "check this out, it's important" - as in that crazy exclamation point that shows up on an important flagged email. In a rainbow, it's the beginning - if you color from top to bottom, or even the end, if you color from bottom to top. Or, if you hit a double rainbow, then it's actually in the middle.
It's also one of the trio of colors in our flag - and I think of it paired with white and blue way more often than I think of red all alone. And when I was in high school, our colors were red and gold.
And here, in Natstown, Red is the color of our team. So I wear it A LOT. Funny, since when I was little it really wasn't on my list of colors that I love. This week, red has also been on my cheer-against list, as we need the Reds to lose to help our Nats grab that last wild card spot.
So, when I think of red, I think of rainbows (which make me smile), high school (great memories of growing up), baseball (no place I'd rather be than at Nats park) and the USA. Proud American, former Army wife, and raising little patriots. Seems like it's now near the top of my color list.
Stop.
 |
| Mom & me - showing off some red! |
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
37 Things About Me
My 37th birthday was this week. Decided I might make a list of 37 arbitrary things about me (and my kids), so you can get to know me a little better. Or not. Mostly I felt the urge to write not on a Friday and so decided to go with that. Note: arbitrary also applies to the order in which they are listed.
1. I went to 4 baseball games in 4 days with 4 different sets of people to celebrate my birthday.
2. This makes the second time this year that I've been to more than 4 games in a week. In July I did 5 games in 6 days, only skipping the 4th of July so that I could attend the organ concert at the National Cathedral.
3. I have never played organized baseball (or softball) outside of gym class in school.
4. I have been known to do face tattoos and face paint when cheering for my teams. Even if I'm the only one doing it. I bleed black and gold, and will proudly wear my Vanderbilt Commodore gear anywhere.
5. This includes forgetting sunscreen on occasion and therefore having a reverse tattoo on my face for over a week. We won that game, on the road, at Georgia, and it's one of my favorite band trip memories ever.
6.My girls both share names with Australian cities, but that wasn't planned. Didn't even realize we'd done it until someone asked me what the connection was.
7. They both want to visit Australia someday, so they can each see their very own city, and more importantly their very own opera house.
8. Both my kids LOVE Opera. They do not get this from me. I expose them so they can learn, but it's not my favorite. Exception: Opera in the Outfield. This way, we get opera in the ballpark so everyone is happy. We celebrated A's 5th birthday at the event this spring. She's already asking about doing it again next year.
9. I cry at movies. Even ones on the Hallmark Channel. I also sometimes cry at commercials. I am a weeper. So if you want to take me to a movie, even if you think it's a comedy, bring the Kleenex.
10. I am officially now a soccer mom. (sans mini van).
11. My birthdays have been some of my greatest joys (1994) and my worst nightmares (2009). So now I try to consciously find small, or big, joys especially on my birthday. Nothing wipes out a lousy moment like replacing it with lots of little good ones.
12. My favorite way to spend a night alone is curled up with a good book (and maybe a mug of hot chocolate. Or a box of Thin Mints).
13. If I drink soda, it's Coke or Cherry Coke. Not Pepsi, and nothing diet.
14. I prefer to set my watch on military time.
15. I may no longer be an Army wife, but my time as one left me with a new respect for our troops, their families, and a host of delightful friends who have stuck by my side long after my Army family years were done.
16. For my past two solo holidays, I have spent an amazing week in Paris with 3 girlfriends, and spent a fantastic 5 days in Dublin with long time friends and their kids. Including American Thanksgiving in Ireland. (Read that adventure here!)
17.I play lots of board games and card games. Euchre & Cribbage are my favorites.
18. My dad's career path has allowed me to meet a ton of really cool people. Favorite: President Reagan, He served me spaghetti and meatballs. I was 12, and he talked to me like a grown up instead of a kid. That's still one of my favorite memories.
19. I celebrated my birthday in Fenway Park with my dad 2 years ago. As far as birthday memories go, that one went a long way toward erasing the one bad one.
20. I learned Flemish for a trip to Belgium. Turns out that was the smartest move I made, as I needed it to navigate the bus system to get to the towing company in the next town when our rental car was towed.
21. The WWII Memorial at sunset is one of my favorite places in Washington, DC.
22. My 2 best friends live in Nashville and Seattle. So between the 3 of us, we have the whole country covered. One loves orange (she went to UT).. The other had me pick all the orange M&M's out of the candy dishes for her wedding reception. I love orange only in the context of a rainbow, a sunrise, or a sunset, so I land clearly on the side of removing all the orange candy from the bowl. The things we do in the name of school spirit and rivalries...
23. I have had the same pen pal for over 22 years.
24. I've learned some valuable lessons from my mom. The best one is this: If you can laugh about it tomorrow, you might as well laugh about it now. Read more about my amazing mom here.
25. I've walked over 157 miles in 4 years in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. (on actual walk weekends. This does not count the training miles). This is why I walk. And this is the story of the 2013 walk.
26. My perfect date would be a picnic supper on the beach watching the sun sink over the horizon.
27. But a night out without my kids with adult conversation will just fine in absence of a Pacific sunset picnic.
28. I am a proud band geek and hope my kids grow to see the value in that someday. I've met most of my dearest friends through the band or some connection with a band friend and that's been well worth every long, hot day of practice.
29. I'm really proud of how well my girls are learning to respect our country. They stop when they hear the National Anthem, put their hands over their hearts (even if they sometimes choose the opposite hand - still working on that) and stand still until it's over. Sometimes they sing along. They did it once when we were still in the hot dog line, and I was delighted to see the adults follow their example.
30. We try to learn history in fun ways with our adventures. Living so close to so many amazing monuments and museums in DC makes it tough to do it all, but we give it a good effort!
29. My dad taught me how to dance.
30. I love jigsaw puzzles. They're extra fun with my brother and my parents, but I will do them on my own, too.
31. I own cowboy boots. I bought them when I visited Vanderbilt for the first time in 1993. I've had them resoled twice since then, and they're still my favorite pair of shoes.
32. I am a coleslaw snob. My great-grandmother's was the best. It used to be a staple at our family gatherings - even Thanksgiving dinner - and I've never had it better. My Grammie, and later my Aunt learned to make it pretty close to Great-Grandma's and that makes me smile. I am LOUSY at making coleslaw.
33. I participated in the chocolate pudding wrestling fundraiser for our Student Council. I've never been messier, nor had more fun, all at the same time.
34. I am seriously considering using spring break next year for a road trip to hit several MLB parks that I've not been to yet. If I have to be without my girls, I can't think of a much better week than a road trip with baseball and a girlfriend?
35. I love to get, and send, postcards.
36. I love socks. The crazier, the better.
37. I took a Braille class in college. Considering how terrible my eyesight is, I thought it would come in handy someday. For now, it just makes my kids think I am cool since I saved my "dot" flashcards and they can study from them.
This year lands in the pile of great birthdays with fun memories. My girls fixed me breakfast in bed (a graham cracker sandwich on toast) and went off to the first day of school with happy smiles.I got my fill of baseball (see #1) and laughed until I cried sharing memories and making new ones. Sitting here on day 2 of my 38th year, I am really thankful, and very, very blessed.
1. I went to 4 baseball games in 4 days with 4 different sets of people to celebrate my birthday.2. This makes the second time this year that I've been to more than 4 games in a week. In July I did 5 games in 6 days, only skipping the 4th of July so that I could attend the organ concert at the National Cathedral.
3. I have never played organized baseball (or softball) outside of gym class in school.
4. I have been known to do face tattoos and face paint when cheering for my teams. Even if I'm the only one doing it. I bleed black and gold, and will proudly wear my Vanderbilt Commodore gear anywhere.
5. This includes forgetting sunscreen on occasion and therefore having a reverse tattoo on my face for over a week. We won that game, on the road, at Georgia, and it's one of my favorite band trip memories ever.
6.My girls both share names with Australian cities, but that wasn't planned. Didn't even realize we'd done it until someone asked me what the connection was.
7. They both want to visit Australia someday, so they can each see their very own city, and more importantly their very own opera house.
8. Both my kids LOVE Opera. They do not get this from me. I expose them so they can learn, but it's not my favorite. Exception: Opera in the Outfield. This way, we get opera in the ballpark so everyone is happy. We celebrated A's 5th birthday at the event this spring. She's already asking about doing it again next year.
9. I cry at movies. Even ones on the Hallmark Channel. I also sometimes cry at commercials. I am a weeper. So if you want to take me to a movie, even if you think it's a comedy, bring the Kleenex.
10. I am officially now a soccer mom. (sans mini van).
11. My birthdays have been some of my greatest joys (1994) and my worst nightmares (2009). So now I try to consciously find small, or big, joys especially on my birthday. Nothing wipes out a lousy moment like replacing it with lots of little good ones.
12. My favorite way to spend a night alone is curled up with a good book (and maybe a mug of hot chocolate. Or a box of Thin Mints).
13. If I drink soda, it's Coke or Cherry Coke. Not Pepsi, and nothing diet.
14. I prefer to set my watch on military time.
15. I may no longer be an Army wife, but my time as one left me with a new respect for our troops, their families, and a host of delightful friends who have stuck by my side long after my Army family years were done.
16. For my past two solo holidays, I have spent an amazing week in Paris with 3 girlfriends, and spent a fantastic 5 days in Dublin with long time friends and their kids. Including American Thanksgiving in Ireland. (Read that adventure here!)
17.I play lots of board games and card games. Euchre & Cribbage are my favorites.
18. My dad's career path has allowed me to meet a ton of really cool people. Favorite: President Reagan, He served me spaghetti and meatballs. I was 12, and he talked to me like a grown up instead of a kid. That's still one of my favorite memories.
19. I celebrated my birthday in Fenway Park with my dad 2 years ago. As far as birthday memories go, that one went a long way toward erasing the one bad one.20. I learned Flemish for a trip to Belgium. Turns out that was the smartest move I made, as I needed it to navigate the bus system to get to the towing company in the next town when our rental car was towed.
21. The WWII Memorial at sunset is one of my favorite places in Washington, DC.
22. My 2 best friends live in Nashville and Seattle. So between the 3 of us, we have the whole country covered. One loves orange (she went to UT).. The other had me pick all the orange M&M's out of the candy dishes for her wedding reception. I love orange only in the context of a rainbow, a sunrise, or a sunset, so I land clearly on the side of removing all the orange candy from the bowl. The things we do in the name of school spirit and rivalries...
23. I have had the same pen pal for over 22 years.
24. I've learned some valuable lessons from my mom. The best one is this: If you can laugh about it tomorrow, you might as well laugh about it now. Read more about my amazing mom here.
25. I've walked over 157 miles in 4 years in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. (on actual walk weekends. This does not count the training miles). This is why I walk. And this is the story of the 2013 walk.
26. My perfect date would be a picnic supper on the beach watching the sun sink over the horizon.
27. But a night out without my kids with adult conversation will just fine in absence of a Pacific sunset picnic.
28. I am a proud band geek and hope my kids grow to see the value in that someday. I've met most of my dearest friends through the band or some connection with a band friend and that's been well worth every long, hot day of practice.
29. I'm really proud of how well my girls are learning to respect our country. They stop when they hear the National Anthem, put their hands over their hearts (even if they sometimes choose the opposite hand - still working on that) and stand still until it's over. Sometimes they sing along. They did it once when we were still in the hot dog line, and I was delighted to see the adults follow their example.
30. We try to learn history in fun ways with our adventures. Living so close to so many amazing monuments and museums in DC makes it tough to do it all, but we give it a good effort!
29. My dad taught me how to dance.
30. I love jigsaw puzzles. They're extra fun with my brother and my parents, but I will do them on my own, too.
31. I own cowboy boots. I bought them when I visited Vanderbilt for the first time in 1993. I've had them resoled twice since then, and they're still my favorite pair of shoes.
32. I am a coleslaw snob. My great-grandmother's was the best. It used to be a staple at our family gatherings - even Thanksgiving dinner - and I've never had it better. My Grammie, and later my Aunt learned to make it pretty close to Great-Grandma's and that makes me smile. I am LOUSY at making coleslaw.
33. I participated in the chocolate pudding wrestling fundraiser for our Student Council. I've never been messier, nor had more fun, all at the same time.
34. I am seriously considering using spring break next year for a road trip to hit several MLB parks that I've not been to yet. If I have to be without my girls, I can't think of a much better week than a road trip with baseball and a girlfriend?
35. I love to get, and send, postcards.
36. I love socks. The crazier, the better.
37. I took a Braille class in college. Considering how terrible my eyesight is, I thought it would come in handy someday. For now, it just makes my kids think I am cool since I saved my "dot" flashcards and they can study from them.
This year lands in the pile of great birthdays with fun memories. My girls fixed me breakfast in bed (a graham cracker sandwich on toast) and went off to the first day of school with happy smiles.I got my fill of baseball (see #1) and laughed until I cried sharing memories and making new ones. Sitting here on day 2 of my 38th year, I am really thankful, and very, very blessed.The Hands (Behind the Scenes)
It's Behind the Scenes Tuesday, where we link up with Crystal and share the real life behind the "nearly perfect" (or not nearly perfect) snapshots of our lives. Read more about it here.
The picture:
The story:
Today was the first day of school. My oldest is in 3rd grade, and my baby is in kindergarten. (Mom is still slightly in denial). A (the little) has been pretty excited all summer about school, but the past few days I could see the anxiety setting in. So I wasn't sure how day 1 would go.
Everyone popped out of bed early, got ready to go, grabbed their backpacks, and then headed out the door. We walk about 2 blocks to school, so this makes mornings easy, and gives us some flexibility on departure time. A & S (the oldest) posed for all the pictures I asked for. And then A grabbed S's hand, said "Mama, S has got me all covered. BYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" They set off down the street, with nary a look back at me. They did ask me to walk all the way to the school door with them (I am thankful they let me come that far!) and then they disappeared into the fun adventure of a new school year. No looking back. No tears. No nerves. Just glee at the thought of a new year, a new day, a new teacher, new friends, and a very familiar big sister to help her through it all.
While mama stood on the sidewalk, teary eyed for a few minutes. With a smile in my heart, watching my two (not-so) little ones: brave, loving sisters tackling the world together.
The picture:
The story:
Today was the first day of school. My oldest is in 3rd grade, and my baby is in kindergarten. (Mom is still slightly in denial). A (the little) has been pretty excited all summer about school, but the past few days I could see the anxiety setting in. So I wasn't sure how day 1 would go.
Everyone popped out of bed early, got ready to go, grabbed their backpacks, and then headed out the door. We walk about 2 blocks to school, so this makes mornings easy, and gives us some flexibility on departure time. A & S (the oldest) posed for all the pictures I asked for. And then A grabbed S's hand, said "Mama, S has got me all covered. BYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" They set off down the street, with nary a look back at me. They did ask me to walk all the way to the school door with them (I am thankful they let me come that far!) and then they disappeared into the fun adventure of a new school year. No looking back. No tears. No nerves. Just glee at the thought of a new year, a new day, a new teacher, new friends, and a very familiar big sister to help her through it all.
While mama stood on the sidewalk, teary eyed for a few minutes. With a smile in my heart, watching my two (not-so) little ones: brave, loving sisters tackling the world together.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Last (Five Minute Friday)
I spent this weekend enjoying my last weekend with the girls before school starts Sept 3. (What? There's one more weekend, you say? Yes, I know. But that's a daddy weekend ... so I got to do our last play weekend this weekend. Therefore, writing FMF on Monday this week.)
On Fridays, we follow 3 easy rules.
1. write for 5 minutes flat. No editing, backtracking, over thinking. Typos welcome. (As much as I hate them, I try to leave them, except when it alters the meaning of what I was writing. Then, confession, I fix it).
2. Link up here. Invite others to join.
3. And then, the best part. You visit the person who linked up before you and leave them encouragement in their comments. It's the rule. And the heart of our FMF community.
So, here you have it. My 5 minutes on
LAST
It's the end of summer, and we're getting to the first day of school. Which is the :LAST first day of kindergarten in this house. I have 2 darling little girls, and am so blessed to have them both in my life. There were days when I thought we'd have more kids, and so I wonder if I didn't hold onto - savor - the last "first" memories as well as I might have. But the reality is that my immediate family is a family of 3. So I give thanks for the girls under my roof and take an extra minute to pause with each of them. Remembering the last firsts, and rejoicing with them both at their first firsts (S's first day of 3rd grade, A's first day of kindergarten) instead of wishing the moments away with thoughts of "there will not be another one with a first day of kindergarten". Celebrating my girls' fabulous love for school; their joy at walking out the door to a year filled with excitement. The lasts still come, to be sure, but the perspective is so much better when I savor the lasts as I watch them look at those very same moments as their firsts.
STOP.
On Fridays, we follow 3 easy rules.
1. write for 5 minutes flat. No editing, backtracking, over thinking. Typos welcome. (As much as I hate them, I try to leave them, except when it alters the meaning of what I was writing. Then, confession, I fix it).
2. Link up here. Invite others to join.
3. And then, the best part. You visit the person who linked up before you and leave them encouragement in their comments. It's the rule. And the heart of our FMF community.
So, here you have it. My 5 minutes on
LAST
It's the end of summer, and we're getting to the first day of school. Which is the :LAST first day of kindergarten in this house. I have 2 darling little girls, and am so blessed to have them both in my life. There were days when I thought we'd have more kids, and so I wonder if I didn't hold onto - savor - the last "first" memories as well as I might have. But the reality is that my immediate family is a family of 3. So I give thanks for the girls under my roof and take an extra minute to pause with each of them. Remembering the last firsts, and rejoicing with them both at their first firsts (S's first day of 3rd grade, A's first day of kindergarten) instead of wishing the moments away with thoughts of "there will not be another one with a first day of kindergarten". Celebrating my girls' fabulous love for school; their joy at walking out the door to a year filled with excitement. The lasts still come, to be sure, but the perspective is so much better when I savor the lasts as I watch them look at those very same moments as their firsts.
STOP.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Small (Five Minute Friday)
It's time for Five Minute Friday. Where we follow 3 easy rules and write from the heart for 5 quick minutes.
1. Set your timer and write for 5 minutes on the word of the week. Typos welcome. Don't backtrack, edit, or overthink. Just toss it out there.
2. Link up here with Lisa-Jo and the rest of the writing crowd
3. Visit the post of the brave writer who linked before you and leave them a little encouragement. That's the best part of FMF. Come play along with us!
Small.
Sometimes it's the smallest things that make the largest difference in our lives. September 3, 1994 was one of those days for me. It was a Saturday. (How do I remember? I overslept my alarm clock. For maybe the first time ever). I was supposed ot go on the band road trip to Alasbama that day. (story for another day). we were leaving at oh-dark-30 and I overslept. Woke up and was sad. Oh so sad, for missing all the fun, and for not making the bus I'd promised to be on.
Turned out it was the best oversleeping day ever. Because instead of spending my birthday with the band at a game (and really, there's no place I'd rather be than with my band friends), I had a day back on campus as a freshman, still figuring out my place in the owrld. And in the midst of that, I went for a walk with a new friend, and we had a really long, long and deep, deep talk. By deep, I mean the deepest there is. Kind of random with a little freshman girl and this older senior guy. But it was all part of a bigger plan than I could see that morning. because after that talk with that friend, the light went on. And I realized that I was not where I should be, and yet in the very place I should be all at the same time.
And late that night, on my 18th birthday, I got saved. Asked Jesus into my heart and my life has never been the same since. For once, I can say with great rejoicing, I am thankful to have overslept my alarm. Without that, I'd not be the woman I am today.
Stop.
1. Set your timer and write for 5 minutes on the word of the week. Typos welcome. Don't backtrack, edit, or overthink. Just toss it out there.
2. Link up here with Lisa-Jo and the rest of the writing crowd
3. Visit the post of the brave writer who linked before you and leave them a little encouragement. That's the best part of FMF. Come play along with us!
Small.
Sometimes it's the smallest things that make the largest difference in our lives. September 3, 1994 was one of those days for me. It was a Saturday. (How do I remember? I overslept my alarm clock. For maybe the first time ever). I was supposed ot go on the band road trip to Alasbama that day. (story for another day). we were leaving at oh-dark-30 and I overslept. Woke up and was sad. Oh so sad, for missing all the fun, and for not making the bus I'd promised to be on.
Turned out it was the best oversleeping day ever. Because instead of spending my birthday with the band at a game (and really, there's no place I'd rather be than with my band friends), I had a day back on campus as a freshman, still figuring out my place in the owrld. And in the midst of that, I went for a walk with a new friend, and we had a really long, long and deep, deep talk. By deep, I mean the deepest there is. Kind of random with a little freshman girl and this older senior guy. But it was all part of a bigger plan than I could see that morning. because after that talk with that friend, the light went on. And I realized that I was not where I should be, and yet in the very place I should be all at the same time.
And late that night, on my 18th birthday, I got saved. Asked Jesus into my heart and my life has never been the same since. For once, I can say with great rejoicing, I am thankful to have overslept my alarm. Without that, I'd not be the woman I am today.
Stop.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Lonely (Five Minute Friday)
Hello, Friday! I've just gotten home from a delightful night out with my brother. He's relocated to DC for fall semester (WOOOT!) and we caught the Nationals game tonight (complete with a Curly W!). Now I'm home, and it's time to write. Grabbing 5 minutes before bed and dumping my thoughts on the page. Five Minute Friday, where we write raw, unedited. And Lisa-Jo gave me a doozie this week.
Here's how it works:
1. Go to Lisa-Jo's page, find your prompt. Set your timer, and then just let it all out for 5 minutes. No editing, no overthinking. Spelling and grammar and punctuation errors and all.
2. Link up with the gang.
3. Then go to the person who linked before you. Read the post. Leave them some encouragement. For that's the best part of Five Minute Friday - loving on another brave soul who puts raw thoughts out there for all to read. You'll make their day, and you just might find that yours is made in the process.
Ready? This week's word is LONELY.
Go.
It's quiet. I walk in the door, same as every other morning after I drop the kids off at daycare. But the quiet is different. This morning it hangs over me. Lingers. Because today is the day the girls leave for their week with dad. There won't be giggles and squeals to lighten my day when I pick them up. In fact, if it weren't for plans with my brother, who just moved here, and church on Sunday, I'd never have to leave my house for the whole week they're gone.
Working from home has it's benefits (schedule is flexible, which is a huge blessing as a single mama). But the drawback is it can get incredibly lonely. Conference calls fill part of the day, but not all of it. And at 5pm when it's time to quit, then there is only silence. I can work late into the night and not even realize it, as there's no reason to stop.
The loneliness hangs, loudly. Even though there's not a sound, I can hear the quiet pounding in my ears. A few days of a break, on the daddy weekends, is welcome. I can do the grocery shopping without help. I can read a book and stay up a minute late without early morning wake ups. But more than a few days pushes my limits. So I find that I'm embracing some bravery and venturing out on my own. To a ballgame, which is great fun. 33,000 other folks wearing red and looking for Curly Ws is great fun. And trying new places, calling a friend to make sure I fill at least part of my evenings with getting out in public. Fending off the quiet and forcing myself out. It's how I battle the lonely feeling that wells up as my kids hug me goodbye.
Stop.
Here's how it works:
1. Go to Lisa-Jo's page, find your prompt. Set your timer, and then just let it all out for 5 minutes. No editing, no overthinking. Spelling and grammar and punctuation errors and all.
2. Link up with the gang.
3. Then go to the person who linked before you. Read the post. Leave them some encouragement. For that's the best part of Five Minute Friday - loving on another brave soul who puts raw thoughts out there for all to read. You'll make their day, and you just might find that yours is made in the process.
Ready? This week's word is LONELY.
Go.
It's quiet. I walk in the door, same as every other morning after I drop the kids off at daycare. But the quiet is different. This morning it hangs over me. Lingers. Because today is the day the girls leave for their week with dad. There won't be giggles and squeals to lighten my day when I pick them up. In fact, if it weren't for plans with my brother, who just moved here, and church on Sunday, I'd never have to leave my house for the whole week they're gone.
Working from home has it's benefits (schedule is flexible, which is a huge blessing as a single mama). But the drawback is it can get incredibly lonely. Conference calls fill part of the day, but not all of it. And at 5pm when it's time to quit, then there is only silence. I can work late into the night and not even realize it, as there's no reason to stop.
The loneliness hangs, loudly. Even though there's not a sound, I can hear the quiet pounding in my ears. A few days of a break, on the daddy weekends, is welcome. I can do the grocery shopping without help. I can read a book and stay up a minute late without early morning wake ups. But more than a few days pushes my limits. So I find that I'm embracing some bravery and venturing out on my own. To a ballgame, which is great fun. 33,000 other folks wearing red and looking for Curly Ws is great fun. And trying new places, calling a friend to make sure I fill at least part of my evenings with getting out in public. Fending off the quiet and forcing myself out. It's how I battle the lonely feeling that wells up as my kids hug me goodbye.
Stop.
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