The longest seven days......

I just got through the longest seven days I have had in a while. I worked Thursday and Friday night (7p to 7A Thursday, 3P to 3A Friday), then Nights on Saturday, Days on Sunday, teaching on Monday, Monday 3P to 3A, Tuesday teaching (on days) and work 3P to 3A, then teach on days from 1000 to 1700 on Wednesday. Schew - just typing it makes me tired. I am working 16 hours today after a good nights sleep (greater than four hours) and it seems like a cake walk!!! I can't believe I made it thru the last few days - I only did it cause I was praying God would get me through it. It wasn't that bad actually. Praise God for getting me through it!!!!

I had little things motivate me along through the sludge of work and teaching. As I was journaling last night (before I physically shut down) I was reflecting on them. Any ordinary day, week, etc - they would be "nice." As I was reflecting - I clear saw them as diamonds in a coal pile of a week. Truely lil gifts from God.....

.... husband bringing me dinner to work on the days I barely had time to visit my bed between shifts ....

.... being allowed to leave work thirty minutes early the last two nights (that never happens)....

.... Little drawings from my girls to take to work with me....

.... unexpected lunch at work for my participant as a teacher (totally unexpected and needed since I barely had time for shower)....

.... A gift from my husband - (below) - HUGE surprise,


.... and the homemade card.....



.... Free Ice Cream at Starbucks when buying a Shaken Iced Tea.... (wow)

.... Late lunch with a dear friend from college who just happens to live here in Chicago....

.... Snuggle time with my girls (last night).... (Priceless)

For some odd reason - I feel TOTALLY refreshed today... ready for my cake walk of a sixteen hour shift... and packing to leave tomorrow! Praise God - for my stamina and energy! I literally - as busy as I have been - have kept to a praying cycle and journaling cycle... I honestly think I could not have done these past seven days without Him (and the lil things he provided)! (and of course help from Hubby and my girls!!!!)

Two Days to Go til LIVE8

2 days to go til LIVE8
Originally uploaded by Freakrn.

Dear Friend:

In only three days, Live 8will rock the world with ten concerts from Philadelphia to London to Johannesburg. Millions will gather in person and on the web, sending President Bush and other world leaders to the G8 on a wave of support for doing more to fight global AIDS and extreme poverty.

The next 24 hours are going to be critical. Tomorrow, President Bush is expected to announce America's plan for the G8 summit in Scotland next week. Today, we're telling you three ways you can take action NOW and make your voice heard.

First, sign on to the ONE letter to President Bush,and show him you support making poverty history at the G8. Second, ask three friends and familyto sign on with you. Third, you can host a Live 8 watch partyat your home and invite friends to join you in experiencing these amazing worldwide concerts. Live 8 will be watching as eight world leaders will be presented with a workable plan to double aid, drop the debt and make trade laws fair - and an historic opportunity to end poverty and save millions of lives.

You can download a kit to help you host your Live 8 party, and also visit ONE.ORG for a guide to how you can take action and influence the G8 from your own community. Whether you ask others to sign the ONE Declaration, write a letter to your local newspaper or email friends to tell them about ONE, there's so much you can do to add your voice.

Over 280,000 Americans have signed the letter to President Bush and close to one million Americans have joined the ONE network.We can breakone million by Live 8 if you join together with us as ONE and take action today.

Wheels

Wheels1
Originally uploaded by Freakrn.

This is Week Three from Written Down. - I was inspired this week I guess. Remember the prompt - "Wheels" (Or lack there of….) When I moved from Mi to Chicago I gave up a minimum of a 2 hr commute for a five minute walk to work. Now I walk everywhere. I do not drive – no wheels for me…. My shoes are my wheels. If I have my shades, Ipod, shoes and journal – I am set to travel! Water colored background with cyan ink for accent and some sanding across paper for weathered look. Wandering journaling to mimic walking all over the city…..
Around the outside lyrics to the song “Walk On.”

Cycle of Generations

cycle of generations
Originally uploaded by Freakrn.

This is Week Three from my journaling class Written Down. I had fun experimenting with a new technique of painting over a part of a picture and then scetching out the image underneath.... didn’t do quite bad on myself, but for some reason I made my husband look like a dork…. it was not intentional.
Water colored background with cyan ink pad for accents, around the outside the lyrics to “Circle of Life”.....
The prompt was "Wheels" or "Cycle" or "travel" (you get the idea).
I am adopted, so having my own children was a completion of a circle for me. My husband, being the oldest of four boys also found completion with having two beautiful girls. I found it interesting how we are unique as individuals, we came together, had two different children – each one having a little bit of each of us, but one favoring one of us. Nat a mini me, Ro a mini daddie. Two unique individuals, together complete a circle for four.

Cycle of seasons - Week Three

cycleofseasons
Originally uploaded by Freakrn.

This was my last spark for the third week's prompt from Written Down.com. I liked the cycle bunny trail. I had to journal on the changes of the seasons - how they flow together, but yet are different. Each having a purpose.

The journaling reflects the things that are unique to each season. These are the things that I look forward to, expect and associate with each season. The background are water colors that I find in those seasons. Fall is filled with browns, oranges and yellows. Winter is full of blues, blacks, grays and, some white speckles Spring are cool green, pinks, yellows and blues. Summer is a vibrant hot orange, red and some blues. Each section was painted in a circular motion to stick with "wheel" and "cycle" theme. Again - I used a celadon ink pad to accent the edges and brush over the entire page at completion.
I wrote around the edges:

There's a Right Time for Everything. There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth: right time for birth and another for death, A right time to plant and another to reap, right time to kill and another to heal, A right time to destroy and another to construct Ecc 3:1-3

Journey thru the Psalms - 3

A David psalm, when he escaped for his life from Absalom, his son.

1 GOD! Look! Enemies past counting! Enemies sprouting like mushrooms,
2 Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery:
"Hah! No help for him from God!"
3 But you, GOD, shield me on all sides;
You ground my feet, you lift my head high;
4 With all my might I shout up to GOD,
His answers thunder from the holy mountain.
5 I stretch myself out. I sleep.
Then I'm up again--rested, tall and steady,
6 Fearless before the enemy mobs
Coming at me from all sides.
7 Up, GOD! My God, help me!
Slap their faces,
First this cheek, then the other,
Your fist hard in their teeth!
8 Real help comes from GOD.
Your blessing clothes your people!

WOW! David gives us an example of how we should pray during times of trials and stress. First he cries out - desparate almost (how many times have I been there?) "God - look they surround me and mock you hello, need help here or I am going to die." Then he steps back and rests (how many times after our cries of desparation are we exhausted and rest, nap, sleep, retreat....) and upon rising he is energized and READY to face whatever (in this case - his enemy.) He praises God's protection and realized that God, not himself, can only conquer the enemy (or situation).

Many times I feel foolish in the way that I pray out - in desparation. I feel like a child. But indeed that is how we should come before God, a humble ragamuffin child of God pouring out our heart, praising him, seeking deliverance from our situation and seeking rest and comfort in his arms. Duh, hello.... What an awesome timely living word inspriation for me this week....

Oddly - I have hit a wall this past weekend and reading this psalm has reminded me what I should be doing - instead of continuing to HIT THE WALL! I need to first stop, pray, praise and rest - depending on God for sustinence and comfort.

Ro's Dance routine

Ro's dance
Originally uploaded by Freakrn.

Just looking at her smile (I'm hiding something...) just makes me feel better. She joined her sister in her own dance routine. They grow up so fast..... I'm not sure which one is going to give me more trouble in the teen years......
Click on her picture to see the whole routine.....

Dance Routine

Nat's Dance Routine
Originally uploaded by Freakrn.

Pleasant thoughts to destress myself, Nat and Ro put on a dance show for us today. We were able to capture it on camera. Nat's costume is made up of her night shirt and dress shoes.
This so made my night - reviewing these photos. They aren't the best quality but they capture their energy and creativity......


Click on the picture to see my lil dancer's routine.....

Hitting the wall.... no more five minutes

I have hit the wall.... I Sooooooooooooooooooooooo need a vaction. I am working every day (and in some instances teaching and working) til I leave at the end of the week for "HOLIDAY" as they say in the UK! (I am so excited....) I can't wait to hit Austalia, the Hillsong Conference and time alone. No phones, no interuptions... just time.....

I have my travel journal all packed up with some colored pencils, a glue stick for incidentals to paste in and several journaling pens. (that and a change of underwear is all I need right?) (see terrible nightmare)
Perhaps while I am on this holiday I will be inspired to NOT over book my life the way I do.... This would be a first. I think I am noticing it because I am feeling pressured, stress and overwhelmed right now. Work, family quality time w the girls and packing (which believe it or not has taken a back seat to everything else - how long does it take to put together a suitcase?), life, sleep (oh wait I don't need that right?)......

aggggggggggggggggggggggh anyone with suggestion for a five minute rejuvination???? I need it!!!!!

Journying thru the Pslams 2

1 Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples?
2 Earth-leaders push for position,
Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks,
The God--deniers, the Messiah-defiers:
3 "Let's get free of God!
Cast loose from Messiah!"
4 Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing.
At first he's amused at their presumption;
5 Then he gets good and angry.
Furiously, he shuts them up:
6 "Don't you know there's a King in Zion? A coronation banquet
Is spread for him on the holy summit."
7 Let me tell you what GOD said next.
He said, "You're my son,
And today is your birthday.
8 What do you want? Name it:
Nations as a present? continents as a prize?
9 You can command them all to dance for you,
Or throw them out with tomorrow's trash."
10 So, rebel-kings, use your heads;
Upstart-judges, learn your lesson:
11 Worship GOD in adoring embrace,
Celebrate in trembling awe.
12 Kiss Messiah!
Your very lives are in danger, you know;
His anger is about to explode,
But if you make a run for God--you won't regret it!

Wow - I had to read and meditate on this psalm a while. I must have been preoccupied (or just dense). I came back and read it again - (and again and again) and hello - it's quite blatant in it's meaning. Actually, when I was just reading it to post this entry I was in awe how accurate this psalm describes TODAY - our current secular climate - the "world." I was just commenting to a friend on how Christianity has been mixed in with other religions and almost become "secularized" so that it is "popular" rather than sticking to the biblical strongholds God set forth in the beginning. It's no longer Christianity and "other religions" and it's "all the religions including christianity."
I see a promise in this psalm for us if we stay loyal and faithful to Him as opposed to conforming to the "popular" and "cool" religions. I also see a glimpse of Grace. God's grace if you stop, repent and accept Christ. How awesome a concept.....

I wonder why I missed this the first twenty times I read it?????

Feel free to share you feelings as I journey through the psalms...... Have a blessed rest of the weekend. Taste of Chicago is up and running, 5 (FIVE) days till we go to Australia and the weather is AWESOME......

Risk

Risk
Originally uploaded by Freakrn.

This is my journaling page for this week's Journaling prompt - Risk.
I had a hard time with this prompt.
I found this scripture reference to help me -

He said, "That's what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag."
Luke 19:26

(message of course).

That is just what it means to be a Jesus Freak! Risk it all - for Christ.
Kinda went with my Psalm reading this week as well.......

Wow - I was inspired tonite!

After a very LONG and Stressful night at work - I was insprired by two different blogs that I frequent.

First - on "I am a Cocunut" (I love this blog) I was introduced to a song from Bare Naked Ladies (whom I love but haven't heard this song....) Call and Answer. You just have to go there..... (the blog that is)

Second - Alie Edwards, Clear Salad bowls from Target, Making Memories rub - ons and the phrase "Embrace Imperfection. Such a cute idea and I love the phrase - "Embrace Imperfection!" That is SO me! So a Ragamuffin Jesus Freak!!!!!

I really needed these both tonite - my brain is mush. As I was leaving work - I just thought I am Burnt AND Bitter.....

LIVE8

My moment of activism.....

Okay - I have not sported any particular "wristbands" because I felt useasy about the proliferation of colors. Lance started something - but then it became diluted (along with other personal reasons for my boycott of the yellow wrist band). I supported the Breast Cancer wristband - but didn't wear it. For some reason - I am drawn to the lil white "ONE" wristbands that I picked up at the U2 concert in April. Maybe it's my childhood crush on Bono - and having them as my favorite band since thier inception? Maybe it's the concept - ending world hunger and poverty while fighting the spread of AIDS in Africa? Maybe it's the fact it targets children (a major passion in my life)? Maybe it's the fact that I am drawn to missionary work and someday hope to be in Africa myself? I am not sure - but I stand in support of www.one.org. Because of that I wanted to share a piece of mail in my inbox today..... 7 days to go for us, you and I, to make a difference. Please, if you have time, take a look at Live8 and the concert line up on the 2 July.


It's a weekend of ONE on the airwaves: Sunday, Bono of U2 goes on NBC's "Meet the Press" to discuss the potential for a real breakthrough in the fight against poverty at the G8. And Bob Geldof appears on CBS's "Sunday Morning" to talk about the Live 8 concerts and what they can do to help President Bush reach an historic agreement to help those most in need around the world.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As ONE, ending global AIDS and extreme poverty is a fight we can win: ONE million Americans are wearing the white band. Over 215,000 Americans have already signed the ONE letter, and next week, the President is expected to make a speech outlining his plans for the G8. Ask President Bush today to take the biggest step forward that he possibly can to make poverty history!!!!

Please ask 3 friends and family members sign the ONE letter to President Bush.

If you already have a white band - wear it on "white band day"
1 July 2005.

Summer Reading List

Summer Readign List
Originally uploaded by Freakrn.

Summer is here - (A few days ago to be exact) and I have a reading list (for the first time ever I am organized regarding my reading for the summer.)
Why is it we have a reading list for the summer? Why is winter devoid of reading lists? It seems the time inside, away from the cold would produce better reading habits - curled up by the fire? snuggling on the couch with your hubby or children? enjoying a hot cup of tea/cocoa/mulled cider? All I know - is I have the reading bug....
Be sure to click on the picture to access my entire reading list.


What books are on some of your lists.....

Look I am hip!!!!

I'm hip!!!!!!!!! just at a time I thought I was getting Matronly!!!!
Seriously - this girl has it going on! She is one of the girls in the picture of Nat and Ro with our Summer Mission Students. She is the one that baby sat for us the other nite. She has two cool blog sites, Blog spot and a Xanga. It is so awesome to see someone this young and this focused on Jesus and the direction her life is going!
The best part - she has tons of friends heading in the same direction!!!!

Journals

MY NEW JOURNAL!!!!! I made it the other night. I love it. I made it so I can paste pictures, items, trinkets... etc, while I am in Au. I also have a set of colored pencils to help embellish it when I am there. (a few lil ink pads too - Color blok - small and pigmented....) I just love journals. NOW I love making them...... (secret - MOD PODGE.... )


I am taking this journaling onilne course (u can start anytime) at writtendown.com Check it out. I am having a blast with it. I am really starting to express myself more and it is carrying over into my Scrap Booking. I had a hard time decorating the front of this journal. I summarized my first week journal entries (from Written Down) as the cover - since the theme was "fresh beginnings."
I made a journal for Norm to take on the trip. Click on the Picture to go to a link with the journals we have floating around. I also made a journal for myself to take on the trip.
Speaking of which - GUESS what came in the mail yesterday..... I am so excited. Just what I need another book! Creative Albums by Donna Downey. And - my Simple Scrapbooks Mag is here too - the first issue for me. The post man has been good to me!!! My other two books are on the way I hear!!! Something more to inspire me to get going on my ever growing stack of pictures.......

Praise Report......

Okay - every Wednesday we host a Bible Study are our place, and Praise God, it has been packed. So tonight, shortly before bible study Rowan spikes a high fever and just starts screaming, crying, I can't calm her down. I had even (probably overdosed her too) given the Motrin and Tylenol - I was heading for the T3.... I, as a mom feel horrible, and as a nurse have NO clue what is going on. The only thing I could think of was "ear infection." She stated that her throat and ears hurt and she did have some nodes in her neck that were palpable and tender (by the reaction I got when I touched them)
So - as the pastor and his wife are arriving I am hiking Ro up on my hip and heading to the hospital (we walked.... w her on my hip - cause she wouldn't put shoes on and I felt horrible that she was so miserable). See below.....


While she doesn't really look it here (unless you really knew Rowan) I was praying all the way there that there was a doc on I knew and that it wasn't busy. I was also hoping for some "cool" nurses - as opposed to what I have no idea??? Luckily a good friend of mine was on AND the triage nurse was also a friend. They got one of the Fellow's to see Ro - we were in and out - home for bible study only 45 minutes into it. Praise God. Coxsackie... Not Coxsackie - but Praise God it wasn't an ear infection, or worse. And Praise God for the in and out drive thru service that really never occurs in the ED. Ro was so relieved. She was petrified as we were walking in to the hospital. She kept saying "but mommy I love you, please don't take me in...." I felt HORRIBLE. I finally told her there would be NO SHOTS. (I was also praying that would be the truth.) So - with this lil sad pitiful voice she said "just medicine you drink?"
She came home, sat with me for a little bit then crashed on my bed - she's still asleep.... They are NEVER sick - Praise God - but for an occasional fever that goes away. This is the worse (and I know I am very fortunate) Rowan has ever been.....

Journey through the Psalms

I am starting a new bible study - one that will take me through the Psalms. I have always loved the Psalms - just never got into them. I guess I thought they were bible candy. In otherwords - alot of pleasant sounding verses to fill your heart, sing and dance to praise the Lord. I thought that Psalms were to be uplifting and fun to read - in stark contrast to Proverbs which are suppose to lecture to you on how you should live. I read Proverbs - one a day for a month - and was totally transformed. So now - I am working on the Psalms. I was hoping to read all the psalms this summer - well at least before Fall. (I have three months - starting today. : ) ) So I thought I would post my journey throught the psalms on my blog.

Psalm 1:1-5 (Message)
1 How well God must like you--you don't hang out at Sin Saloon,
you don't slink along Dead-End Road,
you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.
2 Instead you thrill to GOD's Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.
3 You're a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.
4 You're not at all like the wicked,
who are mere windblown dust--
5 Without defense in court,
unfit company for innocent people.
6 GOD charts the road you take.
The road they take is Skid Row

During this study it reminded me of being a Freak for Jesus in High School - Young Life, Youth Group, (brush with fame - I use to hang out at the South Daytona Baptist Church - where the band Casting Crowns was birthed), Youth Alive, New Beginnings/Happenings/Cursios.... I remember the feeling I had. I was sold out for Christ. I flourished. Then something happened - LIFE. Going off to college being exposed to the world. As a back slidden Christian, returning to Christ - experiencing the transformation again - I was more cognitively aware of the change. When you truly give your heart to Christ everything in your life, head to toe, is changed. Your questions will eventually change from ‘How close can I get to the secular world and still be saved?’ to ‘How far can I flee from the secular world and closer to Christ??’
That is work of God in our hearts - the difference between the desires of Christ and the desires of the world! You might not notice it RIGHT AWAY. Rather it's a process that unfolds DAILY. One morning you wake up and somehow something you have done every day seems "wrong" or (for me especially) makes your stomach feel all tied up into knots. The best description I have heard is Joyce Meyer's - When you give your heart to God - it's like being pregnant. You find out you are pregnant - but no one, even you, can see it - till one morning you wake up and BAM - there's a baby in that belly. Same with Christ's transformation in us. Each day is a transformation and each day something changes in you to pull you closer to him and farther from sin.

To me this Psalm exemplifies what it means to love Christ with your entire heart, soul, and mind! It also reminds us of the subtle ways the world - pride, unbelief, profanity, selfishness (it's all about me me me me me), etc, etc… We can either chose Christ - and flourish OR chose the way of the sinner and come to a destructive end.

PLEASE don't misunderstand me either - Christ meant us to BE IN THE WORLD - just not A PART of the World. Sometimes that is a hard concept to grasp - or actually do. know for me it is VERY hard to do.

PLEASE feel free to add your comments. I would love discussion as I journey through the psalms.

A date????

We had a date last nite!!!! One of the Mission students at our church offered to be a babysitter - so we took her up on it. It's been so long - that I had to look up the definition....
A date (v)- 1 : to reckon chronologically 2 : ORIGINATE (a friendship dating from college days) 3 : to become dated 4 : to go out on usually romantic dates - dat·able also date·able /'dA-t&-b&l/ adjective- dat·er /'dA-t&r/ noun



We went to the Navy Pier to see Batman Begins on the IMAX! Great movie!! I say this without knowing that Katie Holmes was in it. I actually was unaware until I was reading another person's blog, Unbelievably Random, and they referenced a recent media press release from Steven Spielberg. Frankly - I find the whole thing nauseating. The movie survives with or without Katie Holmes immature acting. Christian Bale totally carries the film. The supporting cast (except Katie Holmes) was equally as impressive. It's a return to Goth Bathman as I remember it from my childhood - and the graphic novels I loved. Imax just took it up a notch - BAM!!
It still amazes me how - we can watch a movie that takes MILLIONS to produce, so many nuances of editing, technical additions, touchups and enhancements - for a few dollars. (Really - $12.00 for a IMAX ticket is not bad, $9.00 for a movie in general - not bad.)
We ended up having a nice dinner we shared - Shrimp and Mahi Mahi. we gorged ourselves on popcorn at the theatre (can't watch a movie without popcorn - butter on the bottom, middle and top - and lotsa salt. YES I know it's not real butter but oil flavored with butter taste....)

Just finished...

I just finished this book - it's awesome!




I was excited when I saw that the wife of the Author for "Wild At Heart" was publishing a Female version. My huband, who speaks highly of few books, embraced "Wild at Heart" instantly. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a woman, raising daughters, has sisters, girlfriends..... It doesn't preach Proverbs 31 (which, as a side note, I love) It does not give you standards you can never live up to as so many Christian Women's books do. It does not preach dogma or doctrine. Instead, it helps you to explore yourself, who you are in Christ and how you can grow closer in your walk with Christ. It also helps you, as a woman, better your relationships with others through embracing God's Grace, Mercy and Unconditional Love. There are several modern day examples through feminine characters in film and novels. It quotes many songs that, I myself, have much emotional attachment to.
I can not (NOT) write a worthy review. You just have to read it yourself.... So go now, get a copy... are you going? get one for you mom, sister, daughter, girlfriend. Read it together. I couldn't put it down....

Grammies Birthday Card

My mom's birthday is this week. The 23 June... schew.... I got this done just in time. (I needed five more minutes too!)

The girls and I decided to make a mini album birthday card of them taking on Chicago. We wanted to give Grammie a taste of Chicago life..... She lives in Florida and will probably never get up here to visit. The girls had fun picking out photos and helping with descriptions for Grammie. The album ended up being stuffed more than I would have liked. It was hard to imagine - after all this work - making a vol II and having the same theme carry over. Just didn't work for me.
Thanks to Joy who educated me on how to efficently upload photos and have them available for viewing!

The Green Crack House on the corner

The green crack house on the corner - EVERY corner of this flippin city. If there isn't a Starbucks - there is another coffee shop awaiting your arrival. I can't break the habit!!!!

Coffee.....
I love everything about the coffee - even the way it entices you back after a long absence. It does so with it's freshly brewed aroma (which fills your nostrils as soon as you reach for the door to walk in) - slightly astringent, bitter with a hint of chocolate. It does so with it's color - dark, roasted, smooth and flowing. The sultry way it mixes with cream - allowing the off-white color to slowly mix with it's deep brownish/black in swirling until a warm tan is present. It entices with its ecclectic combinations - latte, non-fat latte, cappucinoized, Espresso, frapucinoized, iced coffee, double shot, triple shot, extra foam, americano (on ice - living dangerously).... What shall I have today? This love affair with coffee will never end. I imagine - heaven - one of the perks - as having THE BEST coffee ever sitting their waiting to be enjoyed. I can't live without it.
Just five more minutes and I can walk and get me one....... (problem - just which corner do I walk too.....)

Terrible nightmare.....

So - I woke up in the middle of the day (work nites remember) absolutely terrified from this dream I had. You are going to laugh - so go ahead - laugh now. I dreamed that we had taken off on the flight to Australia - ALL was packed - and all was good. We were on our way...... that is till we get to Australia... See - we got to the hotel and everything I was suppose to have packed (clothes for one) were back in Chicago. (probably still on their little hangers.....)
It was horrible. I was panicing in my dream - only to wake up trying to reorient myself that I was still in Chicago! aggggggggggggggggggggggggh.

I didn't think I was that freaked out about this trip.... anyone know how to interpret dreams?

Father's Day... summed up

Father's Day 2005 - this just about sums it up.


Father's day was filled with family time and homemade gifts from the girls. We also threw in a few gift cards in his mini album. Proud papa and his family.
The girls helped cook dinner (grilling) and later they walked to Coldstone Creamery for ICE CREAM (the best ice cream - in my book and I do not like ice cream.)
Norm is a GREAT dad. He exemplifies what it means to be a positive role model. He is always there for them and you tell, everytime he looks at them or you mention their names, how much love he has for our girls. He truly deserves a Father's Day!

Father's Day Mini Album

Father's Day - that is what it is about today right!!!

This is a mini album (that I finished just in time.....) for my husband. The girls had fun picking photos and adding commentary. At the end - my oldest (Nat) said to me "mom, why do you always have to make complicated cards - just make a simple card and give yourself a break." I stood there with my mouth open speechless.....

Game Shows - Please not five more minutes.....

Soooooo.......... I am on my lunch break at work and the tv is on in our break room. There was this "game show" on the air (IF you can call it that.) Something called - "street smarts". I don't mean to criticize - but either the American public is getting dumber OR the game shows are lowering the bar. They ask random, everyday, trivia questions that most of us refer to as "common sense." The contestants have to guess who will either get the question right or wrong - between three people randomly approached on the street by the announcer.

For example - one of the questions asked tonight was "what country are you in if you are in Athens, GA?" Beleive it or not - two of the three people asked were WRONG! HELLO!!!!

This got me to thinking about game shows that my parents watched as I was growing up. I was never a "game show" person but I do remember my parents fanatically fixated at watching shows like Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune (while lower leveled - this Street Smarts show makes it look like a graduate school lit class.) and the recent "Who wants to be a Millionaire." These shows had some level of expectation that the contestant had some level of intelligence. I am getting the impression that the game shows produced today are lowering the bar and continue to lower the bar as people apparently are not able to even measure up.

This truly concerns me. Newspapers dumb down their articles to a fourth grade level of reading, Popular fiction has been grammatically watered down while anything at a college lit level is considered "Literature." Expectations are lowered at schools for reading skills and no one bats and eyelish when someone signs with an "X" on a Legal Document.

I am truly worried about the education of my children in the future. To meet with low expectations does not allow them to do their best.... When did this happen? How did this happen? Why aren't we - as parents - more enraged and proactive?

Can you tell I am a little upset and concerned???? Ok I'll get off my soap box.....
watch that game show and I bet you might be a little concerned as well.....

What do you like???

Ro and I at a recent Art Fair. Rowan is participating in the musical entertainment. I wanted to post this picture because it is one of the rare ones of me that I like. I was going through my childhood pictures looking for pictures of my mother and I when I was a child. There were none. (Zip, Nada, nope -none there). That got me to look through what scrap books I have done and I saw very little pictures of me with my girls. So, I have started taking more pictures - when I am feeling good about myself. Then a friend of mine recommended this little technique that she used to get over her phobia of pictures of herself.

First - look at the picture objectively. Remove the fear of someone else seeing it and just look at it as if it wasn't you (this was a little hard for me).
Then - find at least ONE thing about the picture you like. For example - your outfit, your eyes, your hair, what you are doing in the photo......
Then - focus on that one or two points that you like about the photo and embrace that part.

It works - I am starting to get better with my photos and even having more photo ops with the girls. This is very important to me since I found none with me and my mom.

So with that said - this photo I actually liked for many reasons. Number one reason - despite the humidity and pms my hair remained normal, I don't look as fat as I usually look in photos (or as I feel) and Rowan just looks so darn adorable.

Broken.......

Broken - it is. I bought this night light for my daughters room at the dollar section of Target. Don't laugh - I bought it over a year ago. It probably would still be illuminating the night for them if my oldest hadn't gotten the brillant idea to change it out with a newer one she recieved from a neighbor that was doing spring cleaning. She dropped it on the floor and it shattered (hence the picture). : ) I started thinking about all the "discounted" items I buy. I love Target, Kohls, OLD NAVY, Outlet Malls, etc. With two lil girls I have learned the lesson of short lived purchases. A brand new outfit stained on the first wear, a toy defunct after the first playdate with a friend, a book whose cover didn't survive the trip to the beach, dress shoes that were accidently worn outside during recess..... I try to think about splurging at Marshall Fields, Barneys, Anne Klien, even Baby Gap - but it seems futile when what I get at my favorite stores are used, and if discard due to use - no big monetary loss? Is that a bad thing? Is it a bad thing that my Flip Flops cost $3.50 at Old Navy and not $350.00 from Barneys (I just priced a pair)? My daughters Easter dress were $14.99 and $19.99 from Target, not $49.99 at Marshall Fields (clearance rack....)? I sometimes (especially living in Chicago) feel like we are plain, brown paper bag, ordinary people living in a very glittery society. There are times I want to run and cover up my daughter's "old navy" tag that is sticking out of her shirt - or throw away the "target" bag that I carry my lunch to work in. (Sad - I know - but those plastic bags make GREAT lunch bags)
I was journaling about this today and this bible passage jumped into my head that I LOVE - and hear often in one of the girls FAVORITE songs. In the message translation you lose the song lyrics - but the song is "I'm trading my sorrows..." My girls LOVE that song and sing it loudly when it is playing on their CD player.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 7 If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. 8 As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, 9 but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. 10What they did to Jesus, they do to us--trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us--he lives!

I know everyone has their own translation they feel more comfortable with and if you would like to see a different translation go to BibleGateway.Com

I think I will take the plain brown paper bag look.... I hear it is in this season....

Friends

Every Wednesday we have a Bible Study at our place. This summer there are two mission students staying at our church that attend our study - Katie and Desiree'. My girls LOVE them. They are Jesus Freaks as are we. I had to get this photo op tonight because it makes me feel warm and cozy inside to see them embrace strong passionate young ladies for God. Katie and Desiree' - to me - represent positive role models for my girls to look up to. If my girls turned out to possess the half the passion that Desiree' and Katie have - I will be ecstatic. Currently - Nat and Ro know no other way than to be Jesus Freaks - but soon my influence on them will have caved slightly - if not a great deal - to peer pressure and the secular world influences. I try to smother them with as much Christian influence as I can and pray for the times I am not with them.

This again reminded me of a bible passage that I put in my journal often when I am journaling. It IS my favorite. I say it out loud when I am down, I say it out loud when I am troubled and I say it out loud when I am praising God for the little and big things.
Psalm 139 (the whole Psalm) in particular verses 13 - 15.

13 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
14 I thank you, High God--you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration--what a creation!
15 You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
16 Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day. (Message Translation)


I recommend journaling, meditating (that's a whole other post), praying, reflecting on this verse. It's a wonderfully feminine verse (sorry guys - to me personally - this is a very girly girl verse).

FOURTEEN MORE DAYS TILL HILLSONG CONFERENCE!!!!!!! We have entered the Two Week Countdown.....

To be inside or outside that is the question????

While I haven't been complaining about the weather - because it has been really nice heat and all - today was BEAUTIFUL! I worked alot on my daughters Thank You card for school and my Father's day card for my pop - but when I was able I was outside in a flash! My girls had a "Birthday Tea Party" to attend to at 1600 - so my husband and I walked them to the party, dropped them off and walked to a restaurant and had a nice dinner! Yes a Dinner ALONE! A date - if you will! It was rather nice. We didn't spend the entire time talking about "the girls." Those of you who are parents can relate..... We talked about life - one of the few times where the "girls" were not the subject matter. (23 hours on the plane might not be bad afterall.... kidding Norm).

It was so nice out that I hated to go home and go to bed for work tonite. (nope tonite is not an insomnia nite - I am actually saving lives...) I actually wanted to grab my book and lay on the hammock downstairs in our "courtyard/backyard" and chill. I also wanted to work on uploading my pictures and trying to link them to the www where you can look at them closer. Here lies the issue - it's so beautiful out I don't want to be on the computer. I NEVER had these tendencies in Michigan. It was always so hot and humid - with nothing to do. Me with my alabaster skin and light blue photosensitive eyes shun the bright sun can't get enough of the outdoors here! I realized - after pondering my options (sleep, read a book outside, computer, scrapbooking, sleep) that I was actually torn between falling asleep reading in the Hammock and falling asleep on the couch.

I had not earth shattering awesome news today, no sound sleep nap, no million dollar windfall - but I have had a wonderful day. I sat and wrote in my journal how (especially compared to a year ago) much our lives have changed after moving here. Among many positive things that have happened or changed in our lives - there is greater appreciation for the every day life that goes on in our family! Praise God - for the weather, the recreational opportunities and the time to do it in.

First Grade Card

So like I said - I was a busy little bee today. Here is the First Grade Thank You card for my daughter's teacher. I was intending to show how much my daughter had changed from the first day of school to the last. I also wanted to show her teacher how much she had impacted our daughter's life in a positive way (DUH).


Feel free to click on the PICTURE to go to a more detailed picture of the card and inside. It was fun to watch how much my daughter changed from the first day of school to the last. She grew up ALOT! I wish I could keep a copy of this album - it's a ready made album of her first grade year. Now I have to start from scratch to scrap her first grade year.

Father's day card for my Pop

I was a busy little bee today. I had to finish my daughters card for first grade and a Father's Day card for my Pop.

Father's Day Card for my pop! This started out as a card for my husband for our tenth wedding anniversary (Sorry Norm) but I needed to complete it for my pop. Click on the
Picture to see the inside of the card. This really turned out kinda neat. Hope my Pop likes it!

Insomnia and Creativity.....

Insomnia again - here is a B-day card I was working on tonight for my daughters. They are going to a "Birthday Tea" tomorrow. The gift - ingenius - is a donation to buy a lamb (The sacrificial lamb hee hee hee) for a family in Africa. My girls are ALL for this. My little activist angels. WE (my girls and I) had alot of fun putting this together.

Feel free to click on the PICTURE and it will take you to a site that allows you to look inside the card.

Anatomy of a Picnic....

Anatomy of a Picnic....
What exactly does it take to have a picnic? A little food - yes. A little sun and a park - yes. Something to drink - water? wine? juice? A towel or blanket - not necessary but appreciated. A great book to lay back and enjoy while nibbling on snacks - Most definitely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Picnic with the family - Priceless!!!!

Family Dinner Time....

Picnic in the park.... Lately that is the trend. The weather has been wonderful. We are packing up the veggies and fruit from the farmers market, grilled chicken for the salads and water. The girls priority is to get the "toys" for the park. I couldn't resist this photo op - the family table moved to the park. Who says all family dinners have to be at a rectangle table in your house???? Honestly - there are alot less "who touched my feet," "I want to sit by mommy," "I don't like this veggie" at the park. It's like a magical transformation into civilized children at the park. We eat, laugh, talk about the day - and relax. Clean-up is mostly paper plates, forks and napkins in a plastic bag dropped in the trash can on the way home..... I am thinkin - this is a good trend.............

Slurpeeeeeees..........

Slurpees.... Do you know how long it has been since I have had a SLURPEE!!!! It was so summertime hot last week - I introduced the girls to one of my childhood favorites. Michigan didn't have a plethora of 7-Elevens like Chicago (or Florida) for that matter. Iceees have nothing on Slurpees. You have to have the original.  

Peapods

Here I am once again contemplating the origin of "insomnia" while I look through the pictures of my girls that my husband took today while I was at work. I am almost embarrassed to admit this - but at the same time I know that this is NOT that big of a deal.... Okay - I am admiting it online. (when I swore my husband to secrecy over this.... Sorry Norm) We have our groceries delivered to us. (ducking for boos....)

Okay worse... I start on Monday (yes Monday - shockingly sometimes Sunday, or worse - on Saturday immediately after our delivery) - putting things in my online cart (Peapod)and on Friday I finalize my shopping experience by deleting items I don't need (good bye tostitos, chocolate chip cookies, cheeze it crackers....) and making sure all the essentials are stocked up. On Saturday - between 1100 and 1200 the PeaPod man cometh bearing our groceries neatly packaged and still cold from the refridgerated truck that he came in. Not only are the groceries neatly packed and cold - they are delivered to our kitchen counter. All - stress free on my part (okay last week I broke a nail typing in our order.) SERIOUSLY.... I do not have TIME to shop. My husband - God bless him - will pick up the slack of shopping HOWEVER, lacks the big picture. He will, at times, get five boxes of pasta - but no sauce. Tomatoes, cucumbers, walnuts, cranberries, blue cheese and salad dressing, but no lettuce. You get my drift. I myself - tend to leave a few things behind at the store when I shop - and usually it's the very thing that I intended to purchase that initiated the trip to the store in the beginning. And - as a mommy note - Have you ever tried to do WEEKLY shopping with a percousious 7 year old and a free will 4 year old? Enough said....

We were crusing along with our PeaPod service when today - the effect of our actions - was quite evident on the face of our youngest - Rowan. My husband was working on refinishing the front door of our place and Rowan was scouting (literally scouting) the streets for the "PeaPod" man. Let me remind you - she is FOUR! In a fit of excitement and anticipation she started jumping up and down, curly red hair flailing about - screaming "Daddy, Daddy, the peapod man is here - peapod is here!!!" And low and behold a few blocks (may I re-emphasize - BLOCKS) away was the peapod man. Apparently Rowan has become accustomed that - in the 21st century - living in chicago - one gets groceries by simply dialing up the Peapod man. Apparently we should add a trip to the "grocery store" once a month or so to reorient her.

I only bring this up because a good friend of mine grew up with a maid that always came to clean their house. When she finally got married (and I do not mean FINALLY as in I can't believe she got married, or that it took her an extraordinary amount of time to find mr. Right - which he wasn't - but more that I mean - WHEN she got married...) she had not a clue as to how to clean her house. She relates a story to me where she was sobbing on the phone to her mom that she didn't want to be married - how was she suppose to clean a house - much less a bathroom....

Thinking about my four year old jumping up and down excited about the peapod man - made me fear a future event of Rowan, in the grocery store - finally married, on the cell phone (which will probably be a chip inplanted in her wrist as technology goes) sobbing "mommy - how am I suppose to physically go grocery shopping and then go home and COOK it - where is the peapod man...." Frightening isn't it..... : ) See - you're thinking the same thing I am..... admit it......

Bathing Beauty

This was a very hot overcast day at the beach. The girls HAD to try out their new bathing suits. We found this teeshirt/short one for Rowan - trying to cover her alabaster fair skin from the sun as much as possible. The wagon is their way of carting things around - and sometimes sitting in when they are tired from walking all over Chicago. Note the healthy snacks they took to the beach... veggies and dip. I think it was planted for mom to see - since I was at work and none the knowing..... 

ups and downs.....

The weather has been unbelievably AWESOME and delicious the past few days. Walking to work has been amazingly pleasant and uplifting. The sun is shining, the wind is breezy (but not obnoxious) and the sky very clear. I am not one for sun, wind, or alot of outside activities in the DEAD HEAT of summer. However, living in Chicago has totally changed my attitude. Who would have thought moving to the "Concrete Jungle" as Grandma has put it (upon hearing of our relocation to the "Windy City" grammy turned a pasty ashen color and was completely convinced I had moved her grand children to the 'concrete jungle'.....) my perspective on "Summer!" Fall and what little of spring I would get to observe, thanks to the weather in Michigan, were my favorite seasons. Being the fair skinned, light blue eyed red head that I am - sun is not my friend. For some reason - I am in love with the outdoor life right now. Summer is slowly enticing me with it's seasonal advantages. I am sporting a new pair of sunglasses, embracing spaghetti string tee's (And no - Rachel - I will not post a pic of me in my spaghetti string tee - I haven't gotten that "comfortable" with pictures of myself yet....), looking for wonderfully trendy walking shoes and of course - always have my Ipod charged.

Anyways - I was walking to work Friday - early - embracing my love affair with the weather - when I realized I was to find out the "all important" and "critical" test results. I was in such a wonderfully warm, happy, place then I had to comfront reality. (no not work - the "results.") I instantly went from 'high on life' to 'aggggggh.' I literally was having a panic attack walking into Occ Health. No amount of sunshine or air conditioning was going to slow my breathing. Very unsettling - this panic attack. Long story short - all is well and I was back to my happy place within minutes (okay it took a little longer than that.... but you get my drift.....)

I got to thinking about how our lives are exactly that - Up and Down. I think we ALL walk a fine line of ups and downs. Those of us in stable environments with support, (whether it be friends, family, colleagues...) a purpose, and grounding - handle those ups and downs with little to no consequences. I have also, ofen thought that highly intelligent and/or productive people walk the fine line of "normalacy" and being "bipolar." (I won't even go near the ADHD subject - cause 1. YES I HAVE IT and 2. that's a whole other blog.) I know personally, I have ups and downs DAILY and I have periods of Ups and Downs weekly, monthly and sometimes bimonthly.

What separates me from "the others." And I am NOT labeling "the others" as the mentally ill, homeless, dysfunctional.... Whatever??? I just know - taking a step back, looking at my ups and downs - how I cope and fade in and out of them with little to no sequela is amazing. I am not sure what keeps me on the thin blue line. (I have not idea why it is blue - I just imagine - when someone says "she's walking a thin line - it's blue. Maybe for you it is white? Gray? Green? How about mauve????)

I do know this - the days, weeks, months... that I am not strong in my "spirtual walk" (I so hesitate to use that phrase knowing that many will mis-percieve it as the common popular secular relationship to a "higher power." In reality I mean my "relationship with Christ") the ups and downs are not as smoothly transitioned in and out of. As a matter of fact - it is at those very times I probably come very close to falling off that thin blue line. I have been working on my prayer time, bible study time and journaling the last few weeks. I have noticed a distinct difference in the fading in and out of these ups and downs. I am not sure I could have handled this past week without the little regimine I have going.

I am so not perfect - or have I mastered this art of balancing the thin blue line. I am rather embarrassed at how LITTLE my time at these activities is in relationship to the rest of my daily activities. PLEASE do not get me wrong. A month from now my entry might be more discouraging to me than encouraging that I am backsliding rather than progressing in my spiritual walk!

This I do know - I need a vacation terribly. There is a neon light flashing above my head saying "Holiday - long over due." My brain is mush, overloaded and numb. My mental state could be quantified as - the meter has run out, the vacancy sign has a "no" before it, the library has sent several past due notices and threatening to put a lean on my future cerebral fitness activities, my ADHD has dwindled to a meaningless 'daydream' or two. My physical state is screaming for "freedom" and "spontaneity."

18 more days baby.... 18 more days and we are "Down Under" and on "HOLDAY!"

Praise God - for up's and downs. Without the "Down's" we would not appreciate the "Ups" (DUH - how many times have we heard that.) AND - without the "Up's" we would not recognize that "Down's" don't last forever! That said - five more minutes of an Up is heaven, five more minutes to another up (when you are in a down) is excrutiatingly long and five more minutes without going to bed soon - may very well do me in......

B

Rainforest Cafe' First Grade Style

Natalie the future speaker! The last few days of school are winding down. Nat had a "Rainforest production" in her class. It was so cute. The entire classroom was dressed up as a rainforest and the food was all "rainforest type" food. They each had a poem they had found,liked - and presented to the class. Can you tell who the proud mama is.... ME! 

There's an Elephant in my Living Room.......

Psalm 121

A pilgrim song
1 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?

2 No, my strength comes from GOD,
who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

3 He won't let you stumble,
your Guardian God won't fall asleep.

4Not on your life! Israel's
Guardian will never doze or sleep.

5 GOD's your Guardian,
right at your side to protect you--

6 Shielding you from sunstroke,
sheltering you from moonstroke.

7 GOD guards you from every evil,
he guards your very life.

8 He guards you when you leave and when you return,
he guards you now, he guards you always.

Psalm 121
1A pilgrim song of David
When they said, "Let's go to the house of GOD," my heart leaped for joy.


I have been kind of in a holding pattern waiting for some very critical information. While I try to block it out of my head and go on with day to day activities the unanswered question stands in the room as big as an elephant. Removing the elephant would not change my immediate comings and goings - but nonetheless - there it stands blocking my view to carry on with life.
A friend sent me this verse reference to ease my mind - and that it did. I have been reading alot in my NIV/Message parallel bible and getting quite into the Message translation. While I refer to NIV/NKJV for more accurate interpretations when studying - I am really enjoying the ease at which the Message flows. I do not have the ReMix translation - but would love to delve into that someday as well. I think with 7 or 8 different bibles on my shelf (ranging from NKJV to Living, to New American Standard, to NIV and Message) I can hold off. I am not bragging - believe me. I have read one book I own one copy of several times, while possessing eight bibles has not encouraged me to read one completely once. I am a pathetic Ragamuffin servent of God - saved by Grace - Praise God. (and Thank God).

This Psalm seemed so much more straight forward and accurate for my needs right now so I posted it in Message translation. I also think, mentally, that I am trying to get geared up for the Hillsong Conference (in 21 days!!!) where we will be using alot of the Message Transaltion for study. Nonetheless - this was my blog for the day since, at this moment, the Elephant is rudely standing in the way of my creative ideas.......

For other translations please feel free to go to Biblegateway.com

B

What is this goo? blue goo? boo goo? goo goo?

Goo....... There is no other way to describe this. Maybe Blue Goo, or boo goo, or googoo... how about yukky goo? How do you spell "goo" anyways? (or 'yukky' for that matter?) My girls made this 'goo' at the art fair last weekend and I am constantly finding it laying around in it's 'protective plastic covering' (a ziploc). That's an understatement. Rather, the ziploc bag is protecting whatever it is resting on from the 'boo goo.' It's actually quite fascinating than disgusting. It's always cool to the touch and moist. It doesn't have a foul smell - but does crunch when you squeeze it. It's bizarre to say the least... {{{{big sigh}}}} the more fascinating, odd, and queer it is, the longer it holds my girls attention (as well as mine.....) 

Photo Opportunity

Photo Op... The Windy City has had Beautiful Weather this week. The sun is shining, the wind is tolerable and the heat is just right. Humidity? What Humidity.... try living in Florida..... Ro's curls have been outta control this week though so we have resorted to pig tails. Still - her hair has a mind of it's own (like her) and curls outta control. Something tells me I am not going to like her hormonal years (wait she is hormonal now) of high school.
I couldn't resist this photo opportunity. Her wild red hair, rosey cheeks from the heat, bright blue eyes, innocent smile and effervesant stubborn personality are all conveyed in this picture.
 

Computer literate they are..........

I love this picture. Natalie has shown Rowan how to log on to the computer, log onto Disney Channel.Com, Nick.Com,play games, email celebs and get updates on shows. Did I mention Rowan is "FOUR."
This photo - to me - is a peek at five minutes of a time span where the two sisters are "getting along," "helping each other out," "siting side by side," "working on a project TOGETHER." A rare event right now. A photo for their teen years when they are shooting ice daggers and darts at each other with their stares, cold shoulders and door slamming. Girls are truly fascinating to raise. I think we learn more about ourselves through them than we realize. One thing I am CERTAIN of - they are born with hormones...
 

MY NEW SHOES ARE HERE!

MY NEW SHOES were waiting for me as I walked in the door this morning from work at 0330! These are just too cute. Normally I am a flip flop kinda woman - but I need some "cute" and "styling" walking shoes for here and Australia. A colleague (the one that taught me how to wear spaghetti tees) had a pair of these on - hot pink no less - and led me to the www. They are Rocket Dogs and the most comfortable shoes I have worn lately. I can't wait to actually try them out. You have got to check these shoes out. They even have FLIP FLOPS!!! They come in different styles and colors.
Note the Orange contrast to the black. Note the Asian symbols on the side. Note th soles... These are delicious. They look good with my capris, shorts, jeans, khakis and yes - the occasional skirt (If I am walking that is!!!!!) A pleasant end to a not so pleasant night! Praise God!

Now if only my book had come from Amazon....... {{{Big Sigh}}}
 

Thought to ponder....

"Every book is, in an intimate sense, a circular letter to the friends of him who writes it. They alone take his meaning, they find private messages, assurances of love, and expressions of gratitude, dropped for them in every corner. The public is but a generous patron who defrays the postage. Yet though the letter is directed to all, we have an old and kindly custom of addressing it on the outside to one. Of what shall a man be proud, if he is not proud of his friends?" ~Robert Louis Stevenson

You never stop learning

Okay - I am almost embarrassed to admit this - but I am going to BECAUSE I know that there is someone else out there who could benefit from this lesson. I have always - ALWAYS wanted to wear those cute little tank tops with the spaghetti straps (or is it the spaghetti strap tank tops? You get the picture). I took a long fashion stretch and bought two last week. As you know - from my "countdown" post we are going to Australia soon. While it is to be winter there - their winter is our current weather in Chicago right now. Plus - I wanted to wear them this summer around here - since the outdoors will be so much more of my life now that 2 to 3 hours a day is not sucked away into commuting. So - I get these two cute shirts from old navy (price was right). I go home an play with layering, different bras, and I am semi? impressed. More disappointed than impressed. Goodness here I sit Thirty Something (hello - don't go any further on that subject) and I have no idea how to wear this simple, ageless article of fashion. The problem - not the shirt. The problem - the boobs. Yes the breasts.... I am thinking - the person who designed these shirts was not aware that some women possess boobs greater than the C cup.
Lets just say - push up bra's are not in my dresser.

So - I breakdown and request help from a fellow "female" who was wearing a top today. She - as well - was thirty something (remember - don't go there). We were enjoying a nice lunch at the "Pig" on the balcony - in the sun. She took off her shirt she was wearing for class and exposed one of those cute adorable spaghetti tee's. I became instantly jealous - because - she too does not need to possess a push up bra. So - I inquire - a moment of weakness that I succumb to. She gave me some tips in relation to bras (colored - what a concept - so simple) and layering. Hey - here's an idea - a CAMESOLE (is that how you spell those?) under one? Okay - so I purchase two more cute lil tops and three different color cammies. I got home -and look at what I learned - HOW to WEAR these CUTE adorable LIL spaghetti strapped tees (or is it tees with spaghetti straps?).

I am just geeked.....

And see - I know that someone out there needs to possess this information on the sheer fact that.... As I was checking out I said to my mini-me - Nat - "Note to self dear, don't wait till your thirty-something to ask for fashion help." So the cashier says - you had to wait til you were thirty something to figure out how to wear this? And I said -hello fellow non-push up bra owner - do you know how to wear spaghetti strap tees (or tees with spaghetti straps for that matter). She replied - "well come to think of it - I don't. What are you going to do...." You see.... A little known fashion tip for those of us who boycott padded, push up, push in and push out bras.....

Just a note to self.... for future fashion issues....

B

Picnic in the Park..... Chicago style

Today was BEAUTIFUL out! After a long day in class - yes class. You hurry up and grow up to graduate high school, college, maybe grad school - even a Phd - only to find yourself in yet another class.... I digress - the day was beautiful. We packed up some fruit and veggies, yogurt and granola, crackers and water - and made the TWO BLOCK (yes just two measely lil blocks) to one of the many parks near our place. It was such a NICE get away from dinner at the table, food fights and arguements bout whose feet are touching whose feet! I had to share our day... Just five more minutes would have been grand! 

Most Awesome Art Find this season.....

I went to this most quaint little festival by our place. It was nice. There were alot of antiques - which I am so not into anymore (odd how we grow out of likes and dislikes) - and a few art vendors. There was a whole street of kids things - which was the main reason we went. The girls had a blast. I stumbled across this artist with her work that I fell in love with. It reminded me of my own collage scrap booking projects. (NOT that I am anywhere near her calliber). I had to get one of her pieces of work. I had to post it. It was such an odd weekend here - the weater definitely reflected how I feel this weekend... humid, sticky, occasional breeze and fickle with rain, sun, clouds. This reflects the moody, blah, occasional burst of energy I was feeling..... 

Inside page sample of Quote Book - Remember this!

Here is the inside of one of the pages filled w quotes. The pictures really do not do it justice. The book is filled with love and alot of thought towards the verses and some quotes I placed in it. They were quotes that really made a difference in my spiritual walk as well as my own personal struggles that I deal with on a daily basis. Struggles that I already see in my girls. I wanted to give them a heads up on dealing with them.... I hope this out lasts me by many decades.... 
I must give credit where credit it due - however. I take alot of classes at Windy City Scrapbooking. This is where I learned to make the book. Alot of the creative embellishment was inspired by both the instructor and several books/magazines sitting on my scrap booking shelves.... Alot of divine inspiration... I do believe.

Quote Book - Remember This!

Here is the front of my quote book that I have been working on. It is all put together. I still have room for some more quotes (bible verses) . The inside cover has a letter to my girls as to why I am passing it down to them. This book means alot to me - in the ability to hand it down to my girls. Now I have to work on Vol II.  
The back cover has a library pouch with tags of books names that I think they should at least read - if not own. I also have a little paper bag pocket half way through the book with tags that have song titles that I think they should listen to - if nothing more to get a picture of the music that has shaped my life. I feel like I am passing on a piece of myself to them when I look at this book. It is literally me exposed. It is full of what motivates me, helps me through difficult times, shapes me, molds me and develops me as the person I am ever evolving into.

Can't fall asleep......

I can't fall asleep...... I was hoping journaling would help. So here I sit with my Prayer journal. Nope that doesn't work. I see the computer ever looming in my scrap book room/office. So here I sit so frustrated at my insominac bouts and days of running around in a fog because of it. I am sure it's due to my lack of "exercise", my increase in "caffiene", and my hap-hazard approach to my "nutrition." I am not sure attacking any of the three would help at this point to. As I am sitting here typing this, listening to the bar crowd disperse home- nice springy/summer nite with the windows open here in the windy city..) there is a car contantly beeping his horn down below. If I wasn't suffering from insomnia - I would be ready to destroy this guy. I do fear that my insomnia and foggy day's is totally responsible for my crankiness and lack of patience. Aggggggggggggggggh Sleep is ever so far away it seems. I think I will retire with my prayer journal and hopefully fall blissfully asleep dreaming up page layouts for my ever growing stack of photos of my girls!!!

Pampered toes!

You know it's summer by the bare feet exposing the pedicured toes. Mommy was able to steal a few minutes to herself today to get a pedicure. A result - her baby girls had to get a pedicure serviced by mommy. I had to take a picture and share. Rowan is the upper left corner and Nat is the upper right corner. Girls are just so deliciously fun sometimes... Okay most of the time - it's just the whole hormonal thing......