Every parent has experienced that moment when your kid repeats something that you weren't even aware that they saw or heard. I've had many of these over the years. Kids never cease to totally amaze me!
Here is my latest:
My daughter (3rd grade) had to write a personal narrative for her school, for English. She chose to write about our vacation this summer. In her first draft she wrote every little detail of the trip including:
"We had breakfast the next morning at the hotel buffet while my mom stayed in bed and ordered room service."
I had to laugh! I don't usually eat breakfast, as it upsets my stomach early in the morning. So as we were on vacation, my husband offered to take the girls to eat and give me a chance to have coffee and put my make-up on/fix hair without a three ring circus going on in the small room.
But to see it through a kids eyes? How funny!
I can only imagine what her teacher must think of me now? Slacker mom? Luckily, this didn't make it into her final draft. Whew! : )
Share some of your embarrassing moments with me in the comments section below (click "comments" below to enter). I'd love to hear some other stories! : )
Fractal Zoom Mandelbrot Corner - 'Thumbprint of God'
End of Summer Fun: Visit to Seattle 2009
Spend some time with your kids: They help you remember how to SMILE!
Friday, September 22, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
You Are What You Spell?
My husband is a spelling fanatic! He's always looking over my shoulder as I write, pointing out my numerous spelling errors. He says: "You are what you write!" It is annoying and unnerving! I now have major spelling anxiety and couldn't spell correctly if I tried!
I wish he would just give me a break and let me compose first and spell/grammar check later. I'm an engineer and spelling is not my forte, okay? Sometimes my brain just goes faster than my hands can keep up with!
I felt just terrible about my spelling anxiety until my wise brother sent this email to me. I read it start to finish, in a matter of seconds, without stopping to pause or question a word one time. And now I don't feel so bad about not being perfect at my spelling the first time around. Hopefully, this new-found knowledge will help my spelling anxiety and yours -- if you have it too!
Read it for yourself and see what you think : ) ...
Read the following paragraph:
Yuo'd thnik olny srmat poelpe cluod aulaclty raed tihs:
I bet taht cnanot blveiee taht you aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht yur'oe
rdanieg. Boehld the phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to
a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr
the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist
and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses
and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.
Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by
inedpndetnely, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? Yaeh, and I
awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!
Happy Spelling!
P.S. The kids and I have a new name for my spelling fanatic husband "Mr. Spelling Bee".
I wish he would just give me a break and let me compose first and spell/grammar check later. I'm an engineer and spelling is not my forte, okay? Sometimes my brain just goes faster than my hands can keep up with!
I felt just terrible about my spelling anxiety until my wise brother sent this email to me. I read it start to finish, in a matter of seconds, without stopping to pause or question a word one time. And now I don't feel so bad about not being perfect at my spelling the first time around. Hopefully, this new-found knowledge will help my spelling anxiety and yours -- if you have it too!
Read it for yourself and see what you think : ) ...
Read the following paragraph:
Yuo'd thnik olny srmat poelpe cluod aulaclty raed tihs:
I bet taht cnanot blveiee taht you aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht yur'oe
rdanieg. Boehld the phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to
a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr
the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist
and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses
and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.
Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by
inedpndetnely, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? Yaeh, and I
awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!
Happy Spelling!
P.S. The kids and I have a new name for my spelling fanatic husband "Mr. Spelling Bee".
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
"In God We Still Trust"
My sister just sent this to me and it is wonderful!
For anyone who still truly believes that we are indeed "One Nation under God, indivisible ..." this song and video will make your heart swell. You'll feel proud to be an American and to believe in the God who allows us to be such a wonderful country and world super-power.
So without further adieu here it is ...
http://www.gunbarrelcityradio.com/InGodWeStillTrust.wmv
"March, 2005, this song was performed at a Diamond Rio concert. They received an immediate standing ovation, and continue to do so every time they perform it! Sadly, major radio stations wouldn't play it because it was considered politically incorrect. Consequently, the song was never released to the public. If this song speaks to your heart, share it with friends and loved ones. Then let us cease being the silent majority and join together -- not as a particular political party, but as Americans!"
God Bless America!
For anyone who still truly believes that we are indeed "One Nation under God, indivisible ..." this song and video will make your heart swell. You'll feel proud to be an American and to believe in the God who allows us to be such a wonderful country and world super-power.
So without further adieu here it is ...
http://www.gunbarrelcityradio.com/InGodWeStillTrust.wmv
"March, 2005, this song was performed at a Diamond Rio concert. They received an immediate standing ovation, and continue to do so every time they perform it! Sadly, major radio stations wouldn't play it because it was considered politically incorrect. Consequently, the song was never released to the public. If this song speaks to your heart, share it with friends and loved ones. Then let us cease being the silent majority and join together -- not as a particular political party, but as Americans!"
God Bless America!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Pope Speech, September 12th to the University of Regensburg
Copyrighted By "What Planet Are You Living On", September 2006
I have read the Pope's speech in its entirety ... just so that I could see -- without media bias - for myself the context in which his controversial quote was made. More on what I think about what the Pope said next login, but for now let me just say this:
Isn't a soul coming to God of his own free-will -- a gift God chose to give to us, when HE above all has the absolute power to command and force our obedience ... yet He chose to give us free-will -- more meaningful to Him? As opposed to a soul that pledges allegiance to God and a particular set of man-made religious ideals out of fear and as a result of violence?
Further, why would God want any of us to use force, fear, and violence to call others to Him? By using force, fear, and violence to call others to God, don't we totally dismiss the gift of free-will that He gave to us in the first place?
It says in the Bible that our God is a loving God, slow to anger, and quick to show mercy and forgiveness to all who ask it. Isn't it time that we start showing LOVE, MERCY and FORGIVENESS and tolerance to those who differ in man-made religious ideals and dogma?
God made us a diverse peoples, with different skin colors, languages, gifts & talents, and cultures. It only stands to reason that these different peoples would find different ways to worship and know God. And I sincerely feel that He finds no one way preferable. But I also feel that God IS saddened by those that would overlook His gift of free-will and choose to use force, fear, and violence in order to bring followers to His name.
I think that on some level this was the major point that the Pope was trying to make. Also that we need to keep a dialogue open between various religions, but that a dialogue is impossible with extremist religions that have no tolerance for other religions, and that further use violence to spread their version of religion.
I regret that the Pope chose to quote a conversation from some medieval text. I don't think that particular quote was truly needed in order to set the stage for his speech. I think that the Pope could, and should, have found another way to begin his speech and set the stage for his conversation.
The Pope's intent may have been innocent: I think that in his mind, he was simply addressing his fellow theologians. He had just read the text that he quoted, so he felt that it would be appropo to share it with his colleagues. I don't think he considered the ramifications, or possible interpretations, of this quote when it would be heard by the general public. That for him, and for all of the millions of Catholics around the globe, is unfortunate: When you are the Pope you can't afford to make statements like this without fully considering the possible ramifications and interpretations.
That said: I hope that there can be forgiveness and that the violence against innocent Catholics can stop. Let Islam be the bigger man in this instance and lead by example not by violence. Prove the controversial quote wrong and simply do not respond with violence.
Here is the quote to the actual speech text. Read and decide for yourself: (Not currently working ... the Vatican isn't allowing blogger servers to connect to its website.)
Copyrighted By "What Planet Are You Living On", September 2006
I have read the Pope's speech in its entirety ... just so that I could see -- without media bias - for myself the context in which his controversial quote was made. More on what I think about what the Pope said next login, but for now let me just say this:
Isn't a soul coming to God of his own free-will -- a gift God chose to give to us, when HE above all has the absolute power to command and force our obedience ... yet He chose to give us free-will -- more meaningful to Him? As opposed to a soul that pledges allegiance to God and a particular set of man-made religious ideals out of fear and as a result of violence?
Further, why would God want any of us to use force, fear, and violence to call others to Him? By using force, fear, and violence to call others to God, don't we totally dismiss the gift of free-will that He gave to us in the first place?
It says in the Bible that our God is a loving God, slow to anger, and quick to show mercy and forgiveness to all who ask it. Isn't it time that we start showing LOVE, MERCY and FORGIVENESS and tolerance to those who differ in man-made religious ideals and dogma?
God made us a diverse peoples, with different skin colors, languages, gifts & talents, and cultures. It only stands to reason that these different peoples would find different ways to worship and know God. And I sincerely feel that He finds no one way preferable. But I also feel that God IS saddened by those that would overlook His gift of free-will and choose to use force, fear, and violence in order to bring followers to His name.
I think that on some level this was the major point that the Pope was trying to make. Also that we need to keep a dialogue open between various religions, but that a dialogue is impossible with extremist religions that have no tolerance for other religions, and that further use violence to spread their version of religion.
I regret that the Pope chose to quote a conversation from some medieval text. I don't think that particular quote was truly needed in order to set the stage for his speech. I think that the Pope could, and should, have found another way to begin his speech and set the stage for his conversation.
The Pope's intent may have been innocent: I think that in his mind, he was simply addressing his fellow theologians. He had just read the text that he quoted, so he felt that it would be appropo to share it with his colleagues. I don't think he considered the ramifications, or possible interpretations, of this quote when it would be heard by the general public. That for him, and for all of the millions of Catholics around the globe, is unfortunate: When you are the Pope you can't afford to make statements like this without fully considering the possible ramifications and interpretations.
That said: I hope that there can be forgiveness and that the violence against innocent Catholics can stop. Let Islam be the bigger man in this instance and lead by example not by violence. Prove the controversial quote wrong and simply do not respond with violence.
Here is the quote to the actual speech text. Read and decide for yourself: (Not currently working ... the Vatican isn't allowing blogger servers to connect to its website.)
Copyrighted By "What Planet Are You Living On", September 2006
What Makes You Happy?
Let me get my tea and ponder this for me ... What makes me happy?
A cup of tea, sipped in quiets moments of peace ... Like this one.
Seeing butterflies swoop gracefully through my backyard garden, in their spectacular array of colors and sizes. It's like getting a kiss from heaven for my garden.
Seeing our neighborhood cardinal family enjoy our backyard bushes and birdbath.
Seeing my children's excitement at spotting the cardinals or butterflies.
Hearing the neighborhood doves sing their melodious cooing songs.
Seeing a new flower bloom in my garden. Seeing a lizard in my garden.
Watching my children smile from ear-to-ear as they swing -- almost high enough to touch the sky -- on the swingset that Daddy made just for them.
Hearing my husband open the door (beep ... beep) in the evenings upon his return from work and getting/giving him a hug.
The smell of the morning dew on the lawn and bushes and the sun gently touching the sky in the early mornings.
Not having to do dishes at night -- thanks for yesterday Ken! Not having to cook every night -- great dinner last night Ken!
Having my husband serenade me with his guitar & vocals.
Playing Backgammon, Mancala, or Pinochle with my husband.
The smell of a fresh pot of coffee in the morning.
Hearing news and getting photos from family, friends, and loved ones.
Watching old movies ... need to do this more often!
Driving our new car after waiting 13 years to get it.
Having a clean house.
That's all I can think of for now. Take some time to think for YOU!
And remember:"If you never had a bad cup of coffee: how would know when you had a good one?" ~ Me 2004
( What's he story behind this quote?:
My husband can't stand it when I make the coffee. Why? Because I refuse to measure the grounds out. I figure each brand and blend is different so one measure doesn't work for all across the board. I prefer to eye-ball the grounds in the filter and if it feels right I go with it. My husband, Ken, can't stand this! He never knows what kind of cup of coffee he is going to get. : )
He used to try to get me to measure the grounds using arguments of logic and reason which my method defies. He would ask me repeatedly: "Why do you insist on doing it your way?!" And ... One day I found the words and simply replied: "It let's me know that I'm alive. Besides, if you never had a bad cup of coffee: how would know when you had a good one?"
Now Ken has come around and I think he actually enjoys the surprise on the days that I make the coffee. : )- )
A cup of tea, sipped in quiets moments of peace ... Like this one.
Seeing butterflies swoop gracefully through my backyard garden, in their spectacular array of colors and sizes. It's like getting a kiss from heaven for my garden.
Seeing our neighborhood cardinal family enjoy our backyard bushes and birdbath.
Seeing my children's excitement at spotting the cardinals or butterflies.
Hearing the neighborhood doves sing their melodious cooing songs.
Seeing a new flower bloom in my garden. Seeing a lizard in my garden.
Watching my children smile from ear-to-ear as they swing -- almost high enough to touch the sky -- on the swingset that Daddy made just for them.
Hearing my husband open the door (beep ... beep) in the evenings upon his return from work and getting/giving him a hug.
The smell of the morning dew on the lawn and bushes and the sun gently touching the sky in the early mornings.
Not having to do dishes at night -- thanks for yesterday Ken! Not having to cook every night -- great dinner last night Ken!
Having my husband serenade me with his guitar & vocals.
Playing Backgammon, Mancala, or Pinochle with my husband.
The smell of a fresh pot of coffee in the morning.
Hearing news and getting photos from family, friends, and loved ones.
Watching old movies ... need to do this more often!
Driving our new car after waiting 13 years to get it.
Having a clean house.
That's all I can think of for now. Take some time to think for YOU!
And remember:"If you never had a bad cup of coffee: how would know when you had a good one?" ~ Me 2004
( What's he story behind this quote?:
My husband can't stand it when I make the coffee. Why? Because I refuse to measure the grounds out. I figure each brand and blend is different so one measure doesn't work for all across the board. I prefer to eye-ball the grounds in the filter and if it feels right I go with it. My husband, Ken, can't stand this! He never knows what kind of cup of coffee he is going to get. : )
He used to try to get me to measure the grounds using arguments of logic and reason which my method defies. He would ask me repeatedly: "Why do you insist on doing it your way?!" And ... One day I found the words and simply replied: "It let's me know that I'm alive. Besides, if you never had a bad cup of coffee: how would know when you had a good one?"
Now Ken has come around and I think he actually enjoys the surprise on the days that I make the coffee. : )- )
'Amoretta and Time, In the Garden of Adonis'
11/7/09 You found me! My new Secret Garden ... this is #4.
It is a dark day for me today, but I am going to force myself out into it. We have a sitter coming and are going to go out with other couples -- for a change -- this evening. We are going to a place with loud live music and very little lighting, so I won't have to do much talking. I am a wonderful listener anyway ...
11/8/09 Dinner out last night was nice. Great band ... jazz and blues ... not my absolute favorite, but still enjoyable. The band did a Louis Armstrong song that is one of my favorites: 'What a Wonderful World'. Wish they would have done 'Bye, Bye Blackbird' ... that was Armstrong too, right? The drummer held a trumpet and sang in raspy voice that actually came quite close to old "Sachmo" ... not quite, but darn close. As I'm finally over this flu stuff, I was able to have a glass of wine ... Pinot Noir ... one of my favorites ... yum.
I came home too wired to sleep, so I took a hot bath and read for a few hours -- till 2:30 a.m. ... early for me. I don't have much time to read during the day, but late at night many good books keep me company. One of the books that I am reading right now -- one of eight -- is a very fascinating book on philosophy -- Ken says I wasted my electives in college on philosophy, history and political science ... but I disagree. I am at a section of the book that is delving into the man behind the works of Francis Bacon. What an interesting life he seems to have led. Books are a weakness for me ... I have way too many ... I read way too many at one time ... etc., etc. I used to feel bad about not finishing some books, but then again some books just aren't worth finishing ... Anyway, as I'm reading last night I came across a quote from Bacon that sums up books rather nicely: "[In books] we converse with the wise, as in action with fools." [That is if we know how to select our books] "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested."
I had to resort to sleeping pills --finally -- in order to sleep. Hate to do that, but sometimes the sleeping pills are a necessary evil. A dark day gave way to dark dreams as I had feared. I awoke this morning with sore feet from running through a nightime misty wood in bare feet. I felt as if I had actually twisted my ankle and I had an unexplainable bruise on right arm. The rest of the dream? Well, that will have to wait for another day ... and even then, it may just be too dark and personal to share.
11/9/09 Everyone I know is on Facebook?! I just don't quite get that ... the willingness to put so much about your life out there and then attach your name and where you live? Must just be my not trusting nature, but I will never do Facebook as ME. That being said, I feel so out of the loop ... not enough to sucumb to the pressure of opening an account in my actual name ... but just for the hell of it, I set up an account under an alias ... just to see if I could do that. It worked, so now I've sent messages to my friends and we'll see what it is like to be inside the loop for a change -- probably not much different, I suspect.
It's just funny that we, as a society, today have so many tools that enable us to be connected, and yet people actually spend less time TRULY communicating because they are always on-line uploading photos and writing snippets for their photos and daily entries .... or they're texting (I absolutely do not get texting!)... instead of picking up the phone and calling, visiting, or even doing that archaic thing known as emailing.
I admit that I do spend some time on my blog ... but I try to limit my time on-line to under 15-20 min. a shot -- hence my many typos and re-edits -- and only as I find free time throughout the day (e.g., lunch and late in the evenings ... on rare ocassions early mornings). For me, my blog is a sort of therapy. It lets me vent so that I can be a better mom and an approachable wife. Is that so bad?
As for connecting? Well maybe it's just over-rated? Maybe it's (Facebook and the like) just an illusion of connecting ... an illusion of who we really are? As long as I have my health, my children and family ... and, of course, my books: I'm happy. Easy to please, no? Besides, my elusiveness allows me to retreat without suspicion during dark times ... and during times of deep introspection. There are times when I long for a deeper connection, but they are fleeting and quickly pass ... guess that's just who I am. No point in trying to change it now ...
P.S. p.m. ... I'm on facebook now, under my alias ... I finally was able to see photos of my nephews 1st birthday -- they weren't sent out to those out of the loop (me!) because EVERYONE else is already on Facebook. My nephew turned 1 in September! I still haven't seen photos of either of my sisters' new homes ... but I have hope now. : ) And its been almost a year since I've seen any photos of another dear friend from high school and her daughter who is now almost 3 -- last photo I saw of her: she had not yet turned two! So it feels good to be 'in the loop' ... Facebook seems a strange animal? I'm guessing I have a lot to learn ...
11/10/09 Ken and I had fun last night playing guitar together. I play flute and just play around on the guitar for fun. Ken has had many years with a college educated music major so he is FAR, FAR superior. He's helping me learn some new stuff, and I have found the patience to let him teach me. It was fun ... good to spend time together doing something we both love ... music ... and laughing ... mostly at me and how horrible I sound?! But I get an A for effort. Look out Jimi Hendrix: I'll have 'Purple Haze' down in no time at this rate. I'm smiling again ...
Saturday, September 16, 2006
California Does Something Right
Wow! Couldn't believe the news: "California Bans Use of Cell Phones While Driving."
California actually did something right (as in correct) and right (as in the opposite of left) and they did it FIRST -- one of the first states to do so.
I'm impressed. Wish our state would follow suit ...
California actually did something right (as in correct) and right (as in the opposite of left) and they did it FIRST -- one of the first states to do so.
I'm impressed. Wish our state would follow suit ...
HVP Lines & Kids Soccer Fields?
The city we live in has placed the sports complex -- where 2 of my children play soccer -- right under high voltage power lines! I couldn't believe it! And now, my oldest plays on a field within just a few hundred feet of these dangerous elecromagnetic field-generating lines.
I wonder what the city planners and council were thinking when they made this BRILLIANT decision? Or IF they were EVEN thinking? I can't believe that with all of the lawsuits and research out there that these sports fields -- built within the last 5 years -- would be placed so close to the high voltage power lines?
Well, I hate to ruin my kids soccer playing experience, but I am definitely going to be doing some research of my own and asking some serious questions! I'll let my kids play for now, as it only 1 hour, once a week. But if my research turns up that it is truly a health hazard: they won't be playing for THIS CITY anymore!
I wonder what the city planners and council were thinking when they made this BRILLIANT decision? Or IF they were EVEN thinking? I can't believe that with all of the lawsuits and research out there that these sports fields -- built within the last 5 years -- would be placed so close to the high voltage power lines?
Well, I hate to ruin my kids soccer playing experience, but I am definitely going to be doing some research of my own and asking some serious questions! I'll let my kids play for now, as it only 1 hour, once a week. But if my research turns up that it is truly a health hazard: they won't be playing for THIS CITY anymore!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Decorating Frustration!
All of the HYPE about decorating our homes in order to “express ourselves” so that we can “live life more fully, surrounded by beautiful things that we love” has left me mentally and physically exhausted! Moreover, I am SO uncomfortable with my home: that I NEVER invite ANYONE come over. I’m even loath to open the door for UPS or pizza delivery. I don’t even have my extended family come over anymore.
My house -- which also comes with a dog & 3 creative and energetic girls under the age of 10 -- is never clean enough! I can spend all day just picking up: only to sit down at the end of the day and see that most of my accomplishments have been undone. In this state of mind: who has time to think about expressing themselves with unique paint choices, furnishings, and new furniture?
But from time to time I do find the mental and physical energy to make a small change. The problem is that I don’t have a lot of money to work with: so I try to be creative and do a lot of stuff on my own. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of time either – and I have a bad wrist that acts up from time to time making it hard to sand or even hold a paintbrush. Hence, my house is littered with lots of unfinished projects. Here are a few:
(PHOTOS TO BE UPLOADED)
Photo 1: I steamed cleaned and recovered my "college couch", in a southwestern motif. I sewed new pillows and used leather straps to attach copper/bronze decorative embellishments. Current status: 1) still have 3 pillows to hand-sew the bottoms shut on;
2) The kids ripped one of the embellishments off – a 7-inch double-laced strap sewn through the entire cushion, from one side to the other. 3) A worn rope tooling to be applied across the bottom front.
Photo 2: I found two wooden pantry cabinets to place on either side of our "just married" entertainment center. I was able to stain – and almost match – one cabinet. The other cabinet remains to be completed.
Photo 3: I decided that I couldn’t take “our everyone has one of these” country white and pine kitchen table and chairs – also from our "just married" days -- anymore and decided to paint it a southwestern red (“sienna”). The table part sanded and painted easily enough, but the chairs were impossible to sand and required 6 coats of paint in order to sustain the red color without the white underneath seeping through! Needless to say the remaining 4 chairs are still white – CRINGE!
Photo 4: We found a sale on laminate flooring and my wonderful and talented husband replaced our 10 year-old once-was-white-carpet with the hard wood --which I love! -- but the darker floor has necessitated changing the tops of our coffee table and two end tables. I completed the coffee table, but have yet to do the two end tables.
Photo 5: I tried adding a touch of color in my den when my middle daughter was just a baby. I was so tired and afraid of making a mistake that I didn’t come close to finishing until she was 3 years old -- feels like going to confession to get that off of my chest. And I’ve yet to finish painting around the coat closet and pantry – fortunately, I don’t see these when I collapse onto the couch at night. : )
I like the color though: “lion’s mane” it is very warm and relaxing – especially at night when several small lamps around the room provide jump a warm glow of illumination.
Photo 6: A Black photo display frame, 18” x 24”, hung on wall. It still has photos of strange people from the store/factory. My 5 year-old asks me all the time: “who are these people mommy?” Q: Is there an easy way to get black and white photos? Changing color to black and white on my PC is lacking in color depth and dimension? Color photos would be tacky right?
Well that is just my main living areas. I won’t even “show” the rest of the house: suffice it to SAY that my 8 year-old daughter is tired of “Winnie the Pooh” wallpaper, and we now have an entire (ugh!) dedicated play room for the kids and all of their toys (Dad’s former pool loft) waiting for me to “decorate.” HELP! I asked my sister if I could paint it gray? She thought that bordered on child abuse. : ) But when I try to think of a “color scheme” all the colors and choices seem to turn to a sort of gray soup in my mind!
The playroom has beautiful aspen wood bookshelves – loving assembled by Dad … he is so handy and talented -- that need stain or paint or something? There is also an unfinished projects/tea party table – with no chairs yet – to be painted or stained. On the upside: the puppet theater that I made for the kids 3 years ago – a project I was actually able to finish! (yeah!) – now has a workable home.
I just smile and tell myself one day at time! God has a plan for me and right now it is to focus on my family. So I have my priorities straight, right?
I have hope for my decorating downfall: for the first time in the lives of my children, all 3 are now in school 5 full days a week. While I work from home, I am hopeful that I will now somehow find time to complete some of my many projects and touch-ups required on a 10+ year-old home. I just wish that in the meantime, there wasn’t so much hype in the media and mainstream to have the “perfect” home. It’s kind of lonely not ever feeling able to invite anyone over. Can’t we all just lower our standards a little people?
Any constructive “decorating” suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
My house -- which also comes with a dog & 3 creative and energetic girls under the age of 10 -- is never clean enough! I can spend all day just picking up: only to sit down at the end of the day and see that most of my accomplishments have been undone. In this state of mind: who has time to think about expressing themselves with unique paint choices, furnishings, and new furniture?
But from time to time I do find the mental and physical energy to make a small change. The problem is that I don’t have a lot of money to work with: so I try to be creative and do a lot of stuff on my own. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of time either – and I have a bad wrist that acts up from time to time making it hard to sand or even hold a paintbrush. Hence, my house is littered with lots of unfinished projects. Here are a few:
(PHOTOS TO BE UPLOADED)
Photo 1: I steamed cleaned and recovered my "college couch", in a southwestern motif. I sewed new pillows and used leather straps to attach copper/bronze decorative embellishments. Current status: 1) still have 3 pillows to hand-sew the bottoms shut on;
2) The kids ripped one of the embellishments off – a 7-inch double-laced strap sewn through the entire cushion, from one side to the other. 3) A worn rope tooling to be applied across the bottom front.
Photo 2: I found two wooden pantry cabinets to place on either side of our "just married" entertainment center. I was able to stain – and almost match – one cabinet. The other cabinet remains to be completed.
Photo 3: I decided that I couldn’t take “our everyone has one of these” country white and pine kitchen table and chairs – also from our "just married" days -- anymore and decided to paint it a southwestern red (“sienna”). The table part sanded and painted easily enough, but the chairs were impossible to sand and required 6 coats of paint in order to sustain the red color without the white underneath seeping through! Needless to say the remaining 4 chairs are still white – CRINGE!
Photo 4: We found a sale on laminate flooring and my wonderful and talented husband replaced our 10 year-old once-was-white-carpet with the hard wood --which I love! -- but the darker floor has necessitated changing the tops of our coffee table and two end tables. I completed the coffee table, but have yet to do the two end tables.
Photo 5: I tried adding a touch of color in my den when my middle daughter was just a baby. I was so tired and afraid of making a mistake that I didn’t come close to finishing until she was 3 years old -- feels like going to confession to get that off of my chest. And I’ve yet to finish painting around the coat closet and pantry – fortunately, I don’t see these when I collapse onto the couch at night. : )
I like the color though: “lion’s mane” it is very warm and relaxing – especially at night when several small lamps around the room provide jump a warm glow of illumination.
Photo 6: A Black photo display frame, 18” x 24”, hung on wall. It still has photos of strange people from the store/factory. My 5 year-old asks me all the time: “who are these people mommy?” Q: Is there an easy way to get black and white photos? Changing color to black and white on my PC is lacking in color depth and dimension? Color photos would be tacky right?
Well that is just my main living areas. I won’t even “show” the rest of the house: suffice it to SAY that my 8 year-old daughter is tired of “Winnie the Pooh” wallpaper, and we now have an entire (ugh!) dedicated play room for the kids and all of their toys (Dad’s former pool loft) waiting for me to “decorate.” HELP! I asked my sister if I could paint it gray? She thought that bordered on child abuse. : ) But when I try to think of a “color scheme” all the colors and choices seem to turn to a sort of gray soup in my mind!
The playroom has beautiful aspen wood bookshelves – loving assembled by Dad … he is so handy and talented -- that need stain or paint or something? There is also an unfinished projects/tea party table – with no chairs yet – to be painted or stained. On the upside: the puppet theater that I made for the kids 3 years ago – a project I was actually able to finish! (yeah!) – now has a workable home.
I just smile and tell myself one day at time! God has a plan for me and right now it is to focus on my family. So I have my priorities straight, right?
I have hope for my decorating downfall: for the first time in the lives of my children, all 3 are now in school 5 full days a week. While I work from home, I am hopeful that I will now somehow find time to complete some of my many projects and touch-ups required on a 10+ year-old home. I just wish that in the meantime, there wasn’t so much hype in the media and mainstream to have the “perfect” home. It’s kind of lonely not ever feeling able to invite anyone over. Can’t we all just lower our standards a little people?
Any constructive “decorating” suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
That Special Someone?
.jpg)
Dear Oprah,
I have a wonderful friend. She is the sweetest person I have EVER met in my entire life! She is so honest, genuine, giving and caring to others. Monica has a wonderful personality, a great sense of humor, and she really listens to what others have to say.
Monica comes from a family of 6 children. She has an
older brother and 4 younger sisters. She is now 40
and celebrated the wedding of the last sister -- aside from herself -- in March of this past year, 2006. That sister, Eileen, is now pregnant and expecting a baby in February 2007. (Eileen is a close friend of mine too!)
Monica would make a wonderful mother, and she is
truly happy for her sister, Eileen, but I can tell that Monica is sad -- on the inside -- that she has not yet found a special somebody. She doesn't say it, but I can tell that she wonders -- at this point -- if she ever will find her special someone in time to have children and a family of her own.
Monica has tried numerous "dating services," but nothing has ever gone beyond a first date. Monica is a beautiful woman, but she doesn't take a lot of time to care for herself. Others and myself have tried to lovingly suggest that she try fixing her hair this way or that … or wear a bit of mascara, etc. She just laughs and says I have an allergy to this make-up or that, and I don't have the time, etc. No one really has the heart to just lay it on the line and say that she needs to spend more time on her appearance. I mean looks shouldn't really matter?
One night -- after Eileen's wedding -- my husband and I were talking about Monica, and in the course of the conversation: he says that as sweet as Monica is: "there has to be an initial spark ... a physical attraction that gets you beyond that first date ... that's just how guys are." Then he suggested that I "get her on the Oprah Show."
So here I am -- thanks to my insightful husband -- writing to you, Oprah, to see if you and the Oprah Show can help Monica to find a voice for the inner beauty, that shines so brightly, by helping her to show her outer beauty.
I've attached two recent photos of Monica:
1) the first is of Monica at her sister's wedding, where Eileen has had Monica's hair and make-up done for her (ABOVE:TOP CENTER) ;
2) The second is the normal everyday Monica: the face she shows the world ... a face that is beyond beautiful to those of us who know and love her, but one that is lacking in self-confidence to outsiders (TOP RIGHT).
Monica has a B.S. in Psychology and a Master's degree in Sociology. She works long and hard hours with underprivileged and challenged children in the XXXXXXXX public school system. Monica gives so much so others it would be nice to give something back to her and set her on the path to find her special someone.
Let me know if you can help me to help a wonderful friend and person who truly makes this world a better place to be: Monica!
Monday, September 11, 2006
God Bless America
When I see an American flag blowing in the breeze, I feel the power of our great nation in its rippling folds: The power to band together and carry on, even in the face of grave danger, as we've done so many times before.
September 11th has come around again. It has been 5 years and from signs seen and heard on TV, radio, and newspapers: we as a nation ARE healing.
I pray that the healing of post 9/11 continues and that God sends HIS blessings to ALL who have lost loved ones on this tragic day 5 years ago. May HE especially bless the children who have suffered as a result of the 9/11 tragedy.
May God bless those who have served, and those who continue to serve, our Country in the armed forces both at home and abroad. May God bless the families who have ALSO lost loved ones defending our country.
May God provide for the needs of families left behind while their loved ones go off to serve in dangerous places -- like Iraq and Afghanistan -- and may God bless these soldiers each day and bring them home safely to the ones that they love.
May God bless all who serve our country here at home: as police, firemen, coastguard, and in other important service roles.
May God bless our President Bush, his advisors, and all of the politicians who must make hard decisions in order to provide for the safety of our country and all U.S. citizens.
May God also bless the leaders of other foreign countries, like England, who are committed to fight the war against terrorism.
May God bless all people who practice the Islamic faith. May HE touch their hearts and help them to realize that violence and terror are not HIS ways. May HE give them the wisdom and courage to see through the lies of those that would use them in the name of religion to carry out the extremist Islamic terrorist agenda.
May all Americans awake each day and be thankful for all that we have. May God bless us and help us to PUT FIRST what really matters -- our famiies, our loved ones, our friends, and fellow countrymen. May HE help us to continue to strive to serve and give to others, each and every day, as so many did in the spirit of the aftermath of 9/11.
A website has been created for anyone wishing to log on and pledge to continue to serve others and help those in need:
www.mygooddeed.org
Why not visit today and make a pledge? We all have to work together to make America a better place, a place worthy of being called: "the land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE!"
God Bless America!
(And be sure to watch President Bush's address to the nation this evening!!!!! )
Friday, September 08, 2006
Kudos to Katie!
We usually watch FOX News, listen to talk radio, and read "The Week" magazine. Mainstream news is just too biased and liberal to filter through and tolerate these days. That being said, however ...
I have to admit: I have tried watching CBS evening news this past week ... just to see how Katie Couric is doing in her new job.
I have to say that so far I am impressed. Katie is a refreshing change to the standard evening news with its starch newscasters and rigid formats. Katie actually smiles from time to time and her voice is pleasing to listen too -- not droning on endlessly.
I like the format changes as well -- especially the "Free Speech" segment.
Last night's Free Speech segment -- 9/7 -- was Rush Limbaugh ... and while I am not a huge Rush fan (still recall his verbal bashing from Dave Letterman, where Dave pronounced Rush "Pumpkin Head" and it seems to have stuck with me): Rush hit the nail on the head last night.
He defined "patriotism" and put into words where we as Americans, and as a country, stand with respect to extremist Islamic terrorists:
"... How do you negotiate with those that want your death?"
"... Patriotism is rallying behind your country despite party affiliation ..."
It really IS worth listening too: http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/eveningnews/main3420.shtml
Q: Would I be going too far if I emailed this link to all of my liberal friends who have -- without stopping to think that I might not agree with their sentiments -- bombarded me with countless "anti-war" and "Bush-bashing" messages?
Let me know what you think ...
I have to admit: I have tried watching CBS evening news this past week ... just to see how Katie Couric is doing in her new job.
I have to say that so far I am impressed. Katie is a refreshing change to the standard evening news with its starch newscasters and rigid formats. Katie actually smiles from time to time and her voice is pleasing to listen too -- not droning on endlessly.
I like the format changes as well -- especially the "Free Speech" segment.
Last night's Free Speech segment -- 9/7 -- was Rush Limbaugh ... and while I am not a huge Rush fan (still recall his verbal bashing from Dave Letterman, where Dave pronounced Rush "Pumpkin Head" and it seems to have stuck with me): Rush hit the nail on the head last night.
He defined "patriotism" and put into words where we as Americans, and as a country, stand with respect to extremist Islamic terrorists:
"... How do you negotiate with those that want your death?"
"... Patriotism is rallying behind your country despite party affiliation ..."
It really IS worth listening too: http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/eveningnews/main3420.shtml
Q: Would I be going too far if I emailed this link to all of my liberal friends who have -- without stopping to think that I might not agree with their sentiments -- bombarded me with countless "anti-war" and "Bush-bashing" messages?
Let me know what you think ...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Foundation for Better Life - www.forbetterlife.org
Foundation for Better Life
