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Archives for March 2011

Running for our Lives

Last night after dinner I needed to get out of the house.  Do you ever have those moments when the desire to “go out” feels similar to what inmates must feel when they decide a jail break is in order?

Not that I’ve ever been involved in a jail break, so I don’t speak from experience.  Just want to be clear.  Sometimes my written words don’t exactly communicate my message.

So after dinner, we piled into the car and went down to the river’s edge.  Actually my entire family sat in the car waiting for me, but I had no idea they left.  I guess I was off in lala-land.  Not uncommon, but annoying just the same.

I just realized “down to the river’s edge” sounds a little John The Baptist.  Our experience wasn’t exactly spiritual unless you count the flight for our very lives.

After peering into the windows of a closed, but super-cute little boutique, I crossed the condemned bridge (condemned because it will crumble under the weight of vehicles, but perfectly safe for foot-traffic…Hmmm, I’m convinced) to meet my family who were so absorbed in looking at ducks, they didn’t miss me.  These ducks must be polar ducks, because that water is one degree warmer than ice.

About a hundred baby steps down the three-mile paved trail, I tore my eyes from ice formations still hanging from the rocks across the river and looked straight ahead.  Into the eyes of a the biggest, slobber dripping, dog I’ve seen since Turner and Hooch.

This not-so-friendly looking beast charged straight for us.

Of course we did what all responsible sane adults would do.  We ran for our lives, yelling for our children to follow.  Sheer panic doesn’t necessarily describe our feelings.  It was more like, “I refuse to die under a mountain of drool, dog hair, and razor sharp teeth.”

We burst through the doors of my husband’s old school chum’s coffee/ice-cream shop with a blast of cold air and a need for oxygen.  The girl behind the counter probably couldn’t decide if she should give us coffee or call 911.

We all settled for an ice-cream.

I’m definitely counting the escape run as exercise,  canceling out all calories from my blueberry cheesecake frozen yogurt.

The End.

 

Tossed Like a Load of Dirty Socks in The Spin Cycle

Photo complements of Chrissy Spear

I’ve been feeling a nudge lately and uncharacteristically decided to pay attention before the whopping kick in the backside.  Sometimes it’s the “still small voice” that penetrates my fog, but more often than not, getting my attention requires sky writing from the finger of God himself.

I’m thick like that.

In the beginning of the new year while everyone was making resolutions and picking words to focus them (like ‘Intentional’, chosen by Megan), I decided to live abundantly this year.  Armed with John 10:10, determination, and cup of hot cocoa, I stormed 2011.  Only, I’ve gotten off course.  February found me not having time to write, frustrated with homeschooling, wanting an army of friends and family to come whisk me away to anyplace warm, and depressed over my extreme case of cabin fever.  March hasn’t been much better.

That ends today.

I’ve taken inventory and I’m out of the good, sweet, and fat-free.  I need a total overhaul of everything from poor eating habits to managing my laundry.  I get thrown off course way to easily.

James 1:6-8  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

I’m wavering.

Not in my faith, but in my service – my actions.  In my heart and mind I’m resolved to do one thing, live one way, and accomplish one goal, but my actions run amuck by noontime.  I’m tossed like a load of dirty socks in the spin cycle.

I’m missing my mark – Abundant Living.

Barely surviving, half-heartedness, things undone, wasted time, squandered days, harsh words, hardened heart, split-second decisions, lack of self-control, inability to say no, poor management, hopelessness – these do not equal an abundant life.

It’s time for me once again live like who I am – an adopted daughter of the almighty God, set free from sin and death, and called to live a life holy and acceptable.

Before you say anything, I realize not every day of this new year has been a wasted or defeated day.  Not at all.  But, I can do better.  I must.  What I do affects not only today, but also tomorrow.  It changes me and also my husband and children.  We cannot live our lives without touching others.  I want my touch to positive.

I don’t want to merely speak a bunch of empty words, allow my thoughtless actions to hurt others, or carelessly squander time that could be productive.  I want to be deliberate, love with abandon, trust with faith, and work with fervor.

I want the abundant life.  Anything less is not good enough.

What about you?  Has your year been good enough?

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Sharing The Love

A few great blog posts I’ve recently read: Intentionally Intentional Successes and Fails, Telling Myself No, What Makes Men Romantic,  and What It Really Means to be Free…ok, just one more – Wifey Wendesday: Should we be upset when our husbands are tempted?

Internationally Cow-Sational

International Cow Sensation

Ladies and  gentlemen, boys and girls, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…

FringeCow Dances Her Way to Canada

If that doesn’t impress you, nothing ever will!

Thank you Sarah, Debra, and Laura for making my day.

Oh.  By the way, It is a signed original.

 

Blissful Denial – Good for You?

I awoke this morning determined to greet Monday as if she were a Friday.  So far, it’s working, but I’m only one cup of coffee, one sick kid, and one school lesson into the day.  It’s hard to determine if this will be a passday or a failday – not for my kids, but for me.

Since I’m settling quite comfortably into my little world of denial, I wore my summer shoes yesterday.  All day.  Only two emerald painted toes have lasting frostbite.

If you don’t think people notice your feet, wear a pair of summer shoes when there is frost on the ground and snow in the shade.  People notice.  It’s nearly alarming, considering my usual footwear.

I’m quickly falling in love with the wedge.  Why, oh why haven’t I chosen a wedge before this spring?  They are supremely comfortable.  I gladly name the wedge my shoe of choice.  Added lift without cause for fractured ankle alarm.  It was love at first step.

Anybody notice how late Easter is this year?  I admit, I don’t mind.  Perhaps it will actually be sunny and warm this Easter, given it’s April 24th due date.  We are happily planning to Easter in Queens with my brother-in-law, his fiance, and her family.  I should be on a crash diet, considering my soon-to-be sister-in-law is a pastry chef.  My fat quivers at the thought of dessert.

Easter 2007

On Palm Sunday, we decided to have a gaggle of college students over for dinner.  There is a college nearby with lots of live-in students.  It’s fulfilling to host a dinner with a crowd of people who are happy to be served anything cooked.  I’m simply praying that God expands our walls or at least allows them to stretch like rubber bands – rubber bands with no bounce back.  I can’t imagine the chaos of a bounce back.

Since I’m attempting to create a meal plan before Palm Sunday Eve, I have a question for you.

What would you cook if you had, oh, let’s say twenty or so (college students seem to multiply when there’s food) people over for dinner?

Now, please remember, I’ll be in church on Sunday before this dinner.  I must cook ahead or at the least, have crock-pots slow cooking a chicken dance.

Since it’s such a special day, I would like to celebrate with a tummy fare a step or two above my classic hotdog/chili/mac & cheese dish.  After all, it is Easter!  Almost.

Spring Shopping this Fashion Friday

Isn’t it interesting how quickly topics change on this blog?

I like to think it keeps things from getting too boring.  Others may say my blog lacks focus, is too random, and will not build a readership when everyday is written for a different audience.

I say, oh well.  Although, I could stand a little more focus and little less random in my life.

Since it’s Friday and women across blogland host Fashion Friday posts, I figured I’d steal their ideas jump on the bandwagon.

I actually went shopping for some spring/summer clothes.  I’ve been prepping my husband for months.  It’s not that I never shop for clothes, I do, but it’s usually only when we are desperate.  Desperation is now!

I like to shop.

Retail therapy is very real; however, I’m a little odd because I don’t need to spend money every time I shop.  The act of choosing cute outfits and trying them on in too small fitting rooms with too bright of lights is enjoyable for me.  I’m not even sad when I return my cute outfits to their proper places and leave the store empty-handed.

For me shopping, not buying is therapeutic.  In fact sometimes the actual buying, spending money, gets me a little stressed.

I don’t know how you plan your wardrobe, but I buy a few outfits and then wear them out.  By wear them out, I mean they get threadbare and holy and reduced to sleep/house wear.  It’s a budget thing, not a noble ‘live simply’ thing.  Just being honest.

If money were not an issue, I would buy closets full of clothes and way too many uncomfortable shoes just because they are cute.  For me, that dream life is not today’s living and I’m content.

Every Wednesday The Pleated Poppy hosts What I Wore Wednesday. Tons of women photograph their cute outfits and then link a post showing what they wore for the week.

I like snooping around to see what people are wearing, but I’ve never participated.  I’m afraid you’ll think I don’t wash clothes when I show pictures of me in a t-shirt, sweater, and jeans on Monday and then I show another picture of me in the same outfit on Saturday…week after endless week.

I promise I wash in between!

Wow.  I am long-winded today.

All that jabber just to show you a few jewels I purchased!

Here goes…

This is my granny gypsy outfit from H&M.  The skirt goes to the floor and has old lady flowers on it, but for some unknown reason, it spoke to me.  I like it and it’s terribly comfortable.

Don’t tell Stacy & Clinton!

Better yet, do tell.  I wouldn’t mind $5,000.

It’s all very lightweight and I’m sure it will be nice and cool when the temps go from thirty degrees to ninety degrees in July.

July – a blessed month.

To complete the summer gypsy look, I bought this set of bangles.  I cannot resist $2.99 jewelry sets.  My husband is so lucky I’m not that into diamonds.  I’m a female anomaly.

Oh, and don’t worry.  Just because I look like a gypsy, I will not steal your children.  Any more laundry would find me in a psych center.

This next set comes from GAP, on clearance.  In my frigid part of the world, sweaters never go out of style, and this is a spring sweater, not a winter sweater.  It’s so thin, I can see through it.  The blouse is sleeveless.

I should worry that my arms aren’t gym approved, but I think the flab gazers will get over their shock.

Can you handle more?

I bought this top in Charlotte Russe.  It looks better on the bod then on the hanger.  I visit that store because I like their jewels.  This time I did not partake of their bounty.

I also bought one more light sweater and I think it may be my favorite item…also from Charlotte Russe.

I love the gathered elbow length sleeves, the scrunched trim, and the light floaty fabric.

That’s my loot!

My daughter wanted to quit shopping after she tried on clothes from one store – ONE store.

I’ve failed as a mother.

As a result, this is THE only outfit she’ll have to wear this summer.  None of last years clothes fit.

That tie belongs in the back, but I’m a lazy photographer.

And last, but not least, my son is sporting his new Ewok t-shirt from Old Navy.  I can’t get it off his body.  I’m afraid the budding stench will burn a whole in the cloth.

If you’ve stuck this post out, I commend you.  I want to promise tomorrow’s blog reading will be better, but in good conscience I cannot.

I do have a tip for you.

Before shopping, always Google printable coupons for your favorite stores.  I arm myself with coupons before hitting the mall.  Most major stores have them.  I had a 40% off coupon for the GAP and a 15% off coupon for Children’s Place.  I had a coupon for Old Navy too, but my son’s t-shirt didn’t cost enough to meet the requirements.

Coupons are a good thing.

I’m linking to Fashion Friday at Musings of a Housewife.  Go visit for real fashion advice.

Happy Friday!

Deep Fried Tomatoes & Baked Potatoes

Deep Fried Tomatoes & Bakes Potatoes, Part 6

Devil Dog on My Porch (Prt. 5)

It’s Not Only The Moose Watching (Prt. 4)

Closing – Not a Naked Dance (Prt. 3)

Our Dream House (Prt. 2)

From the Beginning (Prt. 1)

One of my favorite moments of  housework landed me sloped on a ladder, clinging to the house in hopes of stilling my shaking limbs.  After witnessing winter’s fury, we decided to wrap the entire house in an insulating foam board.  This after we squandered weekends chipping clapboard siding that saw centuries turn.

The foam had a silver paper on the outside, similar to aluminum foil.  By now it was summer and I never gave the silver paper a thought.  The sun reflected off the paper turning my face into a beefsteak tomato – deep fried with blistering skin.

I, the tomato, stood on the ladder clinging to the foam covered, very reflective wall like I was a cat hanging by her claws.  I held boards, John zipped them to the wall.

Now Maine is a funny place in the summer.  On a Thursday, a slumbering town of 20,000 people who spend their winters in hibernation, can suddenly grow to 40,000 people on a warm sunny Saturday morning.  It’s the weekend invasion.  For every one Maine license plate, you see three Massachusetts plates, two Quebec plates, and one New York plate.    Streets that see more snow plows than cars suddenly fill with joggers, bike riders, and can you believe, an occassional blond roller-blader possibly misplaced from the West Coast.  After all, Maine is ‘Vacationland’.  Very few are brave enough to winter January, February, and March.

For two seasons I looked at summer people with contempt.  While I worked my muscles into knots, they enjoyed vacations.

I will never forget one very tanned summer guy.  He jogged past our house each morning, looking at us with a mix of amusement and disbelief.  Very few realized such foolish determination still existed in America’s youth.

On the day my faced burned to a beefsteak, he jogged up to our front stoop and stood for a moment jogging in place.  After a once-over glance, he said, “Looks good.  Like a baked potato!”  And he jogged off.

John and I jumped off our ladders and stepped back for a gaze.  Sure enough.  Our little porchless cape looked like a giant baked potato.

Hearting You With Links

The other day I left a Facebook status update saying, “I heart this necklace. Someone tell my husband, ok?”

See necklace in question HERE.

Apparently some hate the word heart used as a verb.  I failed to realize the passion my friends and family hold for our Americanized slang version of the English language.  I should know better than to use kid jargon on facebook!

In a moment of maturity, I responded with “Heart, heart, heart, HEART!”

Humph.  I told them.

And I’m telling you today, I heart these posts.  If you’re in need of some good reading, go visit a link or two.

The Brows Post by Broken Poet – To pluck or not to pluck?  That is the question.  Advice from a real life make-up artist.

Homemade White Chocolate Peanut Butter at How Sweet it Is – Seriously this looks amazing.  I want to make some, but I can’t figure out how.  I don’t have a food processor and the motor on my blender is burning up.  Between puffs of black smoke, it works slightly.  Suggestions are welcome.

When Your Faith Begins to Change by Emily from Chatting at The Sky- Emily has a magical way with words.  She makes the simplest of things poetic.

Self-Discipline at Life With my 3 Boybarians – One successful woman talks about how she does doesn’t do it all.

Enjoy your reading!