Pages

Monday, September 30, 2013

Some Monday Ramblings


This weekend I got stuff done. Like cleaning out the junk closet I refer to as "Mom's Command Center." That is a nicer way to say it than, "Place Where Mom Puts All The Stuff She Doesn't Know What To Do With."

It's also shorter.

Whatever you call it, I love when it's all clean and neat and no longer subject to those "I don't know what to do with this so I will just throw it in here and shut the door and deal with it later" moments in life. We all have em. I say it's not that we have them, it's whether we get in there and deal with them at some point down the road. It's also about whether you can open the closet without fear of being beaned in the head by falling objects.

An aside: I can hardly think while typing this because my husband is having himself a JAM session to "Separate Ways" by Journey, a particularly heartfelt live recording in which Steve Perry screams something in Japanese at the end. Surely you're familiar with this version? I am. All too well.

Ok, moving on.

What else did I do this weekend? Finally watched Iron Man 3. 11 yo son begged to have family night and watch it together. So we got pizza then all gathered together in our small(ish) den and snuggled (read: squeezed together) to watch. These are the moments I dreamed of when I imagined my future family life. Of course my fantasy left out the parts where the kids say things like "Move your foot." or "It's my turn to sit by mommy." Or "Ow! Mom, he hit me." Or "Your elbow is IN MY WAY!" And then one of the parental units yells, "If you all do not be quiet so we can hear the movie we are turning it off and going to bed!"

Ah, yes, family movie night. Somehow it always sounds better in the planning than the executing. And yet, we are eternal optimists always holding out for the next time.

That gets us to Sunday, when we had a mother and child reunion, sparked by a chance encounter at a local restaurant. Curt and I were having a quick date that involved me scarfing down a salad while we talked. While we were talking, he noticed this man walk into the restaurant. He asked me if the guy was who he thought he was and I looked behind me to see that yes, indeed it was. The guy in question is the brother in law of the girl who owns the mother of our puppy. Y'all following this?

Seeing him prompted me to text her and tell her that we saw him across the restaurant and that, while we did not go speak to him (because he does not know us, so that's probably a good idea), it made me think of her. We haven't seen each other since December (nearly a year now, Lord have mercy!) when I went to her house and picked up the most adorable bundle of black and white fur the world has ever seen. We've sent pictures via texts so she could watch her Grand-Dog grow up. But we've been remiss in the physical laying-on-of-eyes department.

So while we were texting about the brother-in-law I do not know but saw across the restaurant, we went ahead and made plans to get together. We were wondering what to do when she suggested that I bring the dog (and whatever children happened to want to come along-- which was ALL OF THEM) and come to her house so we could have a little mother and child reunion. Then she threw in that she would make us Pumpkin Spice Lattes and I was SOLD. So we got together on a sunny fall afternoon and let the puppies and kids play while we sipped lattes and caught up and, I'm telling you, there is just not a much better way to spend a fall Sunday afternoon. (My husband would say in front of the tv watching football but... I disagree.)

Which one's the mom and which one's the daughter? Remember those commercials?

And now we begin a new week. It's a week that is blissfully, wonderfully empty for me. There's a (much needed) haircut and a lunch with some friends on the docket but nothing that means work or unpleasantness. You can bet I will be writing, writing, writing, as I'm working steadily away on a novella that will be out this summer. And I'm expecting my edits for my newest novel to be back any day now. They sent me the cover for this one and my goodness I just can't wait to reveal it. I expect I'll wait til January or so when y'all need a little pick me up out of the winter doldrums. Nothing like a glorious summer scene to do that and to set your sights on what is to come.

But for now I'm setting my sights on these glorious fall days we've been having, savoring them before winter comes. And determining that, no matter what the season, or how much my kids fight with each other, I'm going to enjoy it all.

Pin It!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

On Looking At Mantels Instead Of Blogging


Here is what was on my to-do list this evening: Write blog post.

Here is what I did instead: looked at approximately 200 fall mantels.



To be sure I *did* get good ideas. My mind is awhirl with burlap and chevron and mercury glass and painted pumpkin genius.

I got such good ideas that my table centerpiece might finally change from summer theme to fall.

Although I realize I was not looking at tablescapes. I was looking at mantlescapes. (I looked it up. Mantelscape is an actual word. So is tablescape.)

But the mantels have creative transferability to tables. It's all lovely. And inspiring. And seasonal. 

So perhaps another day I will write a blog post. And maybe in said blog post I will share my mantel decorated in all its fall finery. And maybe I will throw in a tablescape for good measure. Because I like to overdeliver.

And put a check by all the items on my to-do list.
Pin It!

Friday, September 20, 2013

The God Box


These are not my boxes. I found this picture when I searched for "pretty boxes." Aren't they pretty?
(Photo credit: http://www.designsbyloftcreations.com/2011/03/tuesday-things.html)


I learned of the concept of the God box from Anne Lamott, in her book HELP THANKS WOW, which I wrote about listening to last week. After I heard about it, I immediately texted my best friend and told her about it. She responded a bit later with a picture of a plain brown cardboard box, with the words "GOD BOX" scrawled across it in black sharpie. While it wasn't lovely, it was effective. She had clearly embraced the concept and was putting it to immediate use. This made me smile.

So what is a God Box? Anne Lamott describes it as a place to put those things you can't seem to let go of, a way to physically give God the things you've been wrestling with. The act of writing it down and releasing it into that box is both symbolic and impactful. It's a way to say, "It's yours. I'm done." And then literally hand it over and (because my box has a lid) close the lid on it.

Not to say you won't be tempted to take it back. But at the moment you are you can say to yourself, "Self, you already gave that to God. It's His now. Let it go." And then, ideally, you will.

This is not my friend's ugly box. Hers wasn't this pretty. I searched for cardboard boxes and found this, which was close enough to serve as an illustration.


The day after my friend made her ugly God Box (she admitted it was ugly, but desperate times call for desperate measures) something happened to her. Something terrible and burdensome and overwhelming. When she texted me and told me about it I reminded her about the God Box, and how this was the time to put it to use. She said, "How amazing is it that I have this right when I need it?"

When I'd heard about it through Anne Lamott's book and, in a burst of inspiration, texted my friend the idea, I'd of course had no idea she'd be facing something the next day. But God did. He knew she would need a place to put what happened to her, a way to give it to Him that went beyond your garden variety prayer. This felt bigger, and therefore called for a way to handle it that meant something to her. Out of the box praying, if you will. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Maybe you need a God Box of your own. I know I've already put mine to good use. Now when something happens and my mind starts running away with me, I stop, go to my God box, retrieve the pen and index cards I've put inside it, and scrawl it down, fold it in half and leave it there for Him to sort out. Then I close the lid and get on with living, and trusting. And when I start to go there in my mind, I think of those little folded index cards containing my burdens, the things I've literally given to Him already.

And if they're His, they're not mine to carry anymore.


This is neither my box nor my friend's. But I liked the message on the lid, so I included it here. This would make a fine God Box if you happened to have it lying around.


Incidentally, my friend's sister saw her ugly God Box and said "Well that just will not do" and gave her a box that she had that was just lovely and totally perfect. So she put her ugly problem in her pretty box and she let it go. Or, she's working on letting it go. The God Box is helping.

Maybe it'll help you, too.

Pin It!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

My Homeland Addiction




At first my husband watched it and I did not. But he was so engrossed in it and I kept hearing about it in various places. And then I found the first episode on a cable channel one night and there was nothing else on so I watched it, just to see what all the hoopla was about. Then they had the second episode on right after and so, while I wasn't that enthralled, I kept watching.

They got me at the end of that second episode.

I texted my husband (who was out of town, so I blame him for leaving me to my own devices) and said "You're in trouble now. I'm going to start watching HOMELAND." He was so excited to have a viewing partner that he has gone back and watched the whole first season with me.

Ah, love in all its forms.

Here are the reasons I watch: 1) the show is filmed in my hometown, so it's fun to pick out locations I'm familiar with-- especially when they say they're other locations, which makes me smile.  2) it truly keeps you guessing. Is Brody bad or good? Every time you think you've got it figured out, they switch it up. As a storyteller I both appreciate and learn from that. 3) I love Claire Danes and have since MY SO-CALLED LIFE.



The language is just awful. F-bombs abound. There is nudity and sex. There is violence. The characters do despicable things to each other-- and to themselves. Sometimes I literally have to get up and leave the room. And also? Whenever I watch Claire Danes' love scenes (is it love?? I think not.) this woman comes out in me:


For those of you who have no idea, it's Bess Armstrong, the actress who played Angela Chase's (Claire Danes' character) mother in MY SO-CALLED LIFE. I want to jump up and say, "Young lady you should not be behaving like that! You are grounded!"

But turns out Clare Danes is now 34 years old and this just makes me want to cry.



Finally the other night we were watching and this image came on the screen and I hollered, "Pause it!" So we did and I took this picture and texted my friend and said, "Is this you?" and she texted back, "Caught me." And it was my Actual Friend On The TV. Which was really cool and goes back to reason number one why I watch the show. Because when it's filmed in your town, you just never know who might walk across the screen. I suggested to my friend that she should use whatever connection she has that got her on the show to get me on the show.

She never texted back.

I hear that people have run into Mandy Patinkin and Claire Danes around town and I'm not sure what I'd do if that ever happened to me.



Rest assured, you'd hear about it here.


Pin It!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Menu Plan Monday


Below you will find 12 meals, with links if possible. Just in case you'd like to add these menu entries to your own list!

Barbecue and Ranch Chicken Pizza

Cajun Chicken Strips, Rice and Gravy, Green Beans

Eggs, Bacon and Biscuits (Breakfast for dinner!)

Salsa Chicken over Yellow Rice, Peas

Chicken Stew and Cornbread

Slow Cooker Pork and Gravy Sandwiches, Roasted Potatoes, Sliced Watermelon

Marinated Chicken Over Salad, Rolls

Steak Bites, Hashbrown Casserole (the recipe calls for ham but I'm not using it), Corn on the cob

Spaghetti, French Bread, Salad

Taco Lasagna (my kids love this!)

Grilled Pork Chops, Rice Pilaf, Broiled Asparagus

Beef and Pepper Kabobs, Baked Potatoes
Pin It!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

My Promised Post


I promised myself I'd get on here this week and write a post. Just one post. Something shared from my life, preferably some wise observation that would bring about meaning and perspective to the chaotic and frenzied state we call daily life.

Obviously that didn't happen.

I struggled with what to tell you because I haven't had any particularly wise or reflective thoughts lately. If I got on here and wrote something, the stuff I would tell you about would be random and unrelated.

For instance, I could tell you that I still subscribe to magazines in the hopes that I will someday make time to read them and clip the recipes. But instead they get together and reproduce in a stack on my nightstand.

It's not that bad... but it could be.

I could tell you that my beautiful summer centerpiece I created for my dining room table is still sitting there even though we are well into September because 1) I am not in the mood to go climbing around in the attic to get out my fall stuff and 2) I'm still hanging onto summer. Parting is such sweet sorrow. And also? We've had the best weather of the summer in the last two weeks.

I could tell you that the other day I bought all my groceries for the week in 45 minutes and this is the fastest I can ever remember getting through that particular task. But then I was waylaid by the world's slowest cashier and watched in agony as she moved at a snail's pace, scanning and then bagging each item as the minutes ticked by and my children's school got out and I nearly had a panic attack. My kids have this thing about being picked up on time. I bought them Snickers bars and Sparkling Ice waters to make up for it-- I am not beyond a little bribe reward when circumstances call for it.


If these are bad for us, please don't tell us. We love them and I feel better treating my kids to these instead of soda.

I could tell you that this was one of those weeks that I struggled with feeling like I will never be smart or capable or talented enough to write what I want to write. I hate when those feelings come along, but I suspect they do for everyone at times. I'm not real sure how to handle them when they come along, except to pray for wisdom to see the truth and talk to trusted friends who will listen to you gripe, then set you straight. My husband and my best friend do an excellent job in this department.

I could tell you that I listened to HELP THANKS WOW by Anne Lamott this week on audio and just loved it. I was surprised by how much I loved it, actually. And how much it helped with the aforementioned writing struggles. While I'm not in lockstep with all her views, I do love her writing and have consistently through the years.

I could tell you that I'm doing really well with my healthy eating plan. I've lost some weight and I feel good. I'm sleeping better and have more energy. Mostly what I'm doing is shifting my brain to a full-blown lifestyle change, looking at eating this way all the time, with occasional treats. This has been good for me.

I could tell you that my oldest is at Naval Reserve basic training right now and we won't hear from him for 4 weeks and how any other time I'd tell you that four weeks is nothing but, turns out, when you're waiting to hear from your kid, it is.


 


I could tell you that my stepdad had hip replacement surgery and my mom had a health scare this week. And that when I talked to her about it I was all positive and encouraging but later, when I went on a walk with my husband, I confessed how scared it made me and then we talked about what it means to be part of the Sandwich Generation-- caring for aging parents while dealing with young adult children--and how, boutabing, we have landed in it. Weren't we just young parents struggling to pay for diapers and encountering far too many sleepless nights like a minute ago?

My mom and stepdad are both doing fine so yay for that!

I could tell you that this weekend there are so many things I could use the time to do. So. Many. But when I woke up this morning, I knew that scrambling around trying to do all those things was the exact worst thing I could do. So I'm going to do nothing this weekend except read. Maybe take a walk. Spend time with my husband watching HOMELAND (which is not a show I would recommend to anyone because there is a lot of cussing and even some nudity and yet, we are hooked). Go to a birthday party for my mother in law. Go to church (and repent for watching HOMELAND). Rest. Journal. Breathe.

Grace. I need it.

And maybe think of something great that I can share with you next week. But don't count on it.
 
Pin It!

Thursday, September 05, 2013

Go To Bed




I found this on someone else's blog and snagged it to share here. It made me smile because honestly that's the way I am. When I get overwhelmed, my body's natural reaction is to go to sleep. But also it's one of the best things my mom did for me-- teaching me to get sleep no matter what. I can remember being a teen, cramming for a test, and she'd open my door and say, "Go to bed. You won't remember anything you study when you're this tired." And she was right. To this day I very rarely burn the midnight oil. It just doesn't work for me and ultimately does me no good. I've never been one to pull all-nighters. (Though I did do it once during college just to say I did. I felt awful the next day-- like a zombie. I never did it again.)

Anyway, I loved this little sign because it means I'm not alone.

Remember my post from Tuesday? :)
Pin It!

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

It Isn't Just Me




My son talked about a song coming on the radio at the perfect time and saying, "Thanks God." I thought I was the only person who did this. When that happens I always feel like it's a message, a comfort, a confirmation. And I take those wherever I can get them.

I said to a friend the other day that with school starting back I feel like our household is hemorrhaging money. She said, "Us too!" This brought me great comfort and made me wonder just how sadistic I must be to be happy to hear someone else's household was hemorrhaging money. Not wanting to be the only one must be a human condition to the worst degree.

And speaking of not wanting to be alone, my son told me the other day he has FOMO. I was a little worried and asked him to tell me what that is. He smiled and said, "Fear of missing out." I have that too! I'm always the last to leave a party and hate missing events because what if I miss out on something?? Sorry son, this condition must be inherited.

I had lunch with my little group of writers the other day and we were all griping, griping, griping about a myriad of things-- edits, social media, family life, busyness, etc. The conversation had taken a negative turn and seemed intent on staying on that track for the rest of the lunch until one of the women got up to go to the bathroom. When she returned she had a bemused expression on her face. "You know I was thinking," she said to us as she sat down. "We started off this conversation by realizing that all 4 of us have books coming out next June. And yet, here we sit griping about where we are in life. There was a time all of us would've been amazed to have a book coming out-- an actual book with our name on the cover. And yet, somehow we've forgotten that this. All this we're complaining about? Is what we once dreamed of." She set us straight, adjusted our perspective, and got us back on a more positive track. I've thought of that off and on since. I'm glad I have that group to help me keep perspective. I'm glad I'm not the only one who reaches her dreams and forgets from whence she has come. And I'm glad for friends who lovingly remind us.

I've joined a healthy living group on Facebook and I must admit that I really did it because a friend started it and she was saying, "You have to join!" At first I resisted mightily (I don't have time for another group!) but then, the more she told me about it, the more I felt myself relenting. It did sound nice to hear what other busy women were doing to eat healthier, to get exercise in, etc. It sounded nice to celebrate their successes, to learn tips, and to hear about the days they just utterly failed. Because I need to know about all those things-- I need to know people can experience success AND failure. Because I do. It isn't just me who waffles between mountaintop and valley. It's also nice to have somewhere to "report in" and know there are people listening and interested.

I hope that somewhere in all of this "not the only one" thoughts you've been assured that you're not the only one either. Loneliness-- singularity-- was the first thing that God called "not good." Not one of us wants to be the only one.




Pin It!