Productive Shmuctive

I am not even sure that makes sense BUT today was actually awesome! Boys went fishing with some friends, I stained 3.37% of the back deck before I ran out and the store didn't have ANYMORE! I accidentally went to a few garage sales and therefore had to text Gregg to stop at 191 main st on his way home to pick up furniture. The funny thing is...he didn't even ask why. he knew. he always knows :) I also bought Maple cotton candy - delish.
I then went to work on a few projects I have been wanting to attack..and got some help along the way :)

situating some family frames. 

Back splash anew with goodies and cute jars

handsome helper 1

handsome helper 2

Getting there! new paint on deck rails and varnished a barrell. now a drink/food table top!

. redid this dresser for the guest room. No more silly flowers.

Old trunk I've had in the studio. 

had to get rid of some stencils.

not a good photo.

but that is because.... this goober took it. and then took pics of himself. wonder

where he gets that from ? :)

and then..

an out door day bed we put together. It's. ah. mazing. 

Phew. think i'm tired!

Enjoying The Journey

My devos this morning were on enjoying the journey by the ever wonderful Max Lucado.  So much to say about that. However, in the past year this concept means everything to me. Why? Because those 2 little babies I have are now 9-6. For Andrew, he's half way to "the mark".  18 years old!! ugh. Austin is not far behind.  God uses those two lil men as my measuring stick.
We are here to enjoy God's journey. Our work, our family and our friends... it's all apart of it.  So are we missing it?
Are we missing the moments God intended us to enjoy?
Like when your children beg you to come look at the frog they just caught and I JUST sat down. Inside I sighed, but I went over  to look. Austin looked at me and asked "God made a big one huh?" I smiled and nodded. "God is pretty creative huh?" I answered. "He is SO cool!". I might seem like a small conversation, but it was moment to affirm God's creation and of course..the "cool" factor :)
I have missed those moments before. I try NOT to do it again.

Like when a friend's drama is overtaking your every thought and you realize your husband has been sitting on the couch waiting for JUST a little attention.
It's hard to let go when you feel someone needs you, but it was more important to sit and talk with him...only to find out..his day wasn't great either. The journey needed to be focused on him for that moment and we ended up laughing by the end of it.  It was moment we needed.

Or. is your schedule so busy that you don't have time to see friend and family?
Of course, real life exists. But...is work keeping you from emotionally connecting to those around you? That's hard.  Our pastor once said this : "We work so hard to have a good home, a good job, to get our kids a good education, so they can go to a good college, and get a good job to find a good home and we push and push so hard to end up in a cycle that never ends. Do we ever stop and think..what does God want?"
This is not to say God doesn't want you to have a good job or a quality education...but what if? What if the journey were meant to be different ? Enjoy the journey - don't carve it in stone.  God's plan might be waaaaay better than you could ever "plan" for yourself.

Take those moments to look at a big ol fat ugly frog. :)

The World Is Much Bigger Than Me..True Story

I just watched this video - "180" the movie.   Afterwards, the first thing I felt was...some of my problems are really dumb. I know...deep thinker here. Obviously, much more poured into my heart and thought process, but it did make me think. How much less stress, worry and anxiety would we feel if we realized we WEREN'T the center of the universe. Now, I know some of us would have a hard time admitting that we think like that... but our actions will tell us otherwise.
For one... we stress out about money, jobs, what to DO with our lives, children, whether or not someone likes us or doesn't, activities, bosses, responsibilities, families...and it goes on. I am not say these things aren't important. They are. But, if something goes wrong with a friend does it send us into endless emotional turmoil?  If we aren't making enough money do we take on another job and spend less time with family? If our boss is a jerk, does it make our whole world collapse? these things all affect us, of course. I have concerns, worry and other issues that do take a toll, but if we take a moment and step back from the situation...I think some of our "problems" we have created. We have turned the grain of sand into a mountain.
My mom and I have a catch phrase when we start complaining about something or something really concerns us that perhaps shouldn't be overtaking our entire existence.. It might sound harsh, but we'll say "It's Not About You". you know?  It stems from the devotion by Max Lucado, but it kind of stops you in your tracks.
It's about God. Kinda takes the pressure off. We can't let our worries and concerns swamp us so greatly that our entire world comes crashing down in the midst of small problems.  The world is much bigger, problems are greater and sometimes if we invest in others we realize...our own personal turmoil shrinks a little. This isn't to minimize real problems. They exist. I am talking more along the lines of bumps in the road that we somehow turn into the Grand Canyon.
Not sure this all makes sense, I think I touched on about 20 different topics that could lead into hours of discussion, but that's it in a nutshell.

My Poor Blog

It's not that I don't enjoy blogging. I do! I do! Currently, I am writing for 5 blogs, two of my own,  one for a company I co-own and three or four or a professional other than myself. I am blogged out.
I have ideas and I am sure they are fantastic ones...;)
So much keeps changing and now that wedding season is here, I fear my blog will grow ever more anemic! OR...I'll just find all sorts of wonderful things to write about. haha. maybe.
I might just get sick of myself.. perhaps I'll pinning random things I do on pinterest... like how to make socks into an evening gown.
Many cool things have happened over the past few months, but it all seems to be a blur! A good blur, but one that takes some sorting out and pondering.

Highlight Reel?
Ingrid Michaelson concert
My trip to VA where I spent lovely time with my friend Crystal and her husband Ryan who gave me a clear cut view of Austin 20 years from now. :)
Saw my dear college friend/teammate Dana in NC
Andrew somehow became a young man
Austin lost teeth ;)..he's en route
Family time is precious and fleeting
Had some dinner with my bro and sister in law in which we waited almost an hour for our food..do people not know that it's never safe to make me wait an hour?
I have perfected the ice coffee drink
I read my first business book (such a grown up)
I ran my fastest three miles ever
Celebrated 9 years of life of my brother since his accident
Made some new/good friends
Iphone.
Camera
lovely note from my mom..that came in the mailbox!
my dad and I battling it out on Runkeeper. hahaha
ok
im done. how much of me is really necessary here? :)

I am THAT girl!

We have to laugh at ourselves. Otherwise...we will be miserable human beings counting up the many failures in life. It's those failures...sometimes...we just have to laugh at.
I say this because I have family and friends and, wait.....yup even me who get really down on themselves about their failures or shortcomings.
I find myself doing this especially being a mom, wife and friend. Family and friends are the two things that saturate my world with color, but it can also lead to counting your shortcomings when you feel you let people down, forget an important date...or somehow are NOT awarded "mom-of-the year" at the pretend end-of-the school year awards ceremony that takes place only in the minds of all parents in June ;)
Yesterday - Science Projects were due.  I was THAT mom in the parking lot of Wal-Mart putting the finishing touches on Andrew's presentation board because the photos I ordered still hadn't come yet. One hour photo saved the day. So, glue stick in hand, in the parking lots with lots of look-seers staring at me - I finished that sucker. Now. how does one NOT laugh at that? There was a twinge of guilt that it wasn't done by that morning, but I did get it to school on time.

Last week, my cousin asked to stay at our house. I said sure.  I asked him to pick up potato salad for dinner. He said yes. He came on Wednesday, I thought he said Thursday. He didn't. I checked. He said Wednesday. Oops.  Therefore we had finished dinner and there was no need for potato salad.We had already eaten! I am THAT cousin.

There's more:
I offered to take dinner to a friend after she had a baby. She said yes. I made dinner. We agreed to all eat dinner together. I told my fam we were going over. Packed up the car. Texted her I had dinner take care of.  We got 15 minutes from her house and she asked "when would you like to get together?"  Oops. I never said the day. She had no idea we were on our way THAT day.  In my head I told her Wednesday..I just forgot to tell HER that.  Being part awesome. She laughed and said come on over!
I am THAT friend.

So, seriously I have to laugh because if I didn't I would be soooo annoyed with myself. I was a little bit and there were moments that I envision this put-together girl that doesn't miss a beat and makes organization look effortless.  I am not THAT girl. However, I encourage you - don't be so hard on yourself. You are harder on yourself than anyone else is.
Andrew thought it was awesome the pics were on the board, my cousin laughed and let me keep the potato salad AND my friends STILL laugh "remember that time you brought us dinner but we didn't know you were coming"...yea...  they even allow me to hold the baby.
Btw - these are just highlights. I could keep going..but let's not totally derail how awesome you all think I am ;)

I'm Gonna Offend Some People I think...

However, I was running. It's a miracle in itself that I was running :)  I think I was propelled by being completely annoyed. It takes a lot to make me angry, upset or even really cranky - but I was bothered.  Here is the basis: I received a comment about a posting I made regarding young girls being forced into sexual exploitation, basically saying it was too tough to watch.
I also received an email or two over the past month from people who "tried" following Love146 and it's up dates, but it was all too much to handle and take in. They would donate - but to REALLY get involved, it was too emotionally draining. That's ok, to each his own. I understand....BUT....

Really? Cuz here I thought sexually exploiting girls was just a light read and gave everyone warm fuzzies..

THIS comes from a culture who has fully embraced the movie - A Girl With A Dragon Tattoo.

As I ran I thought about the irony.  Not only to do non-believers tote this movie, but many, many of my Christian friends have clamored about it.
"It's a little rough in parts but..."
I haven't seen it. So, my comments are not qualifiable to be a critic. However, when the guys I work with at the high school talk about "the scene" and some other parts and THEY are bothered...I have to wonder where we are at.

I am shooting myself in the foot. I have watched movies and shows I am not proud of nor do I think they were healthy. It is something I am really trying to be careful of..my imagination and heart internalize too much.
I won't watch the movie. I have read enough and heard it's story narrated scene by scene from people I work around and know.
I am probably missing the point.
Perhaps there is a dark and twisted artistic element that my far more experienced artisans are grasping.
The tortured heroine who inspires through her immense pain
It's gripping and emotional tug, opening our eyes to someone else's life...

Without watching the movie, I know I can't be too critical. But I also don't have to eat s**t to know it won't taste good..the smell is bad enough.  But, I know enough that I have to wonder where our conscience kicks in and says..."hmm, maybe not good ". Maybe I am WAY off, I probably am and I am sure I will hear about it soon enough :)
It just saddens me a little that THIS is the kind of movie so many believers are not just watching but encouraging others to watch...
Anyone see Monumental this week?

Personally:
I have let go of a few shows and movies. I LOVE movies. LOVE THEM. SO, it is hard for me to turn away. I am a sucker for a good romance, scary movies and even the ever-gory zombie flick.  I thought The Hunger Games was great. So, I am the definition of irony with this. But for whatever reason, those comments I received and the crazy amount of people embracing this movie..just isn't sitting with me well.

This also probably stems from my greatest fear. I fear rape and sexually exploitation more than death.
However, the next time a girl is savagely raped and tortured, you let me know.
The next time someone is actually eaten by zombies or thrown into an arena to save 12 districts...I'll let you know.

They Have Never Seen The Ocean

Once in awhile I sub at school.  It's nice for a little extra money - but more importantly it gives me a glimpse into the lives of young kids.  I am jaded a little I guess. I hear a lot about how horrible public schools are...I have heard it my whole life and there is good reason. However, looking beyond the stereotype and getting past the deluge of bad information....there are children. 

I am not glossing it over. Public school is tough stuff. But here is what I have learned in an educational system that is flawed, but trying to stay alive without the foundation of a family at home. 

In a group of 7 kids for a reading tutorial...I learned 4 of them have never seen the ocean. They have never set foot on a sandy beach, they have never had a moment to gaze across those immense water and wonder...is there something or someone bigger than they are.   Most of them have never even been out of New York state. 

I have learned they grasp at any little information they can get from you to find out about your personal life. 

Kids are sneaky, but they also think it's great that they get jolly ranchers at the end of class. 

They hate to read. However, they think it's awesome I have written a book and I actually get paid to blog. It's all perspective. 

A snow day induces delirium

They want attention. 

They need a little tough love.

They need a home. The kind where mom and dad live and actually love them - this would solve 99 percent of the learning problems. 

In a comparison story where an animal was named Goliath...I asked them..."what does that tell you about the animal if his name was Goliath?".. Blank stares.

Eight seventh graders couldn't tell me who Goliath was. 

I learned what the Cinnamon Challenge was.....

People are very critical of teachers and public school.... but many of those people who fear it and criticize it... have yet to really set two feet inside it. 

I mean let that sink it....these children have never seen the ocean.