What an Awesome Idea...

Tsk... Who Am I Kidding?

So... My previous post was my lame attempt

to shed my envious thoughts.

Who am I kidding?

I want to go to Rome.

Home is Where the Heart Is

I have a friend who travels for his job. He travels the globe, and I must admit that I do get envious when I hear of his many destinations. My life, you see, consists of a ten mile radius. On days that I don't work, it's more like a two mile radius. I rarely "get out of Dodge," but thankfully, my Dodge is a pretty nice place to be. However, my eyes do thirst for scenery other than pine trees. Beaches, mountains, prairies, and bustling cities with towering skyscrapers would be a welcome view many days.

Through emails, I learned that within a week's time, my friend had been to Germany, spent the weekend in London, and then flew off to Istanbul. I cannot imagine! It sounds so exotic... so beautiful... so wonderful. So unlike Dodge.

Before I allow myself to get too envious, I must remind myself that the grass that is always greener on the other side can turn out to be... artificial turf. You see, artificial turf is pleasant to only one of the five senses. It may look pretty, but that's about it. And just how does this relate to exotic places? Let me explain.

I had to laugh when I read a letter from this globe trotting friend of mine. After being to the beautiful places I just mentioned, he said he couldn't wait to get back to Duluth. Hmmm... Let's just ponder that for a moment. Germany. London. Istanbul. How many breathtaking images flood your mind? Many, right? Duluth. Just doesn't do the same thing for me. Now, before you Minnesotans get too angry with me, please know that I love Duluth. When I am there, I get a wonderful feeling that I am so far away. Lake Superior and the North Shore are stunning. But as for now, it is the middle of winter, and winter brings bitter cold, and barrenness. Duluth to me, is just not exotic. It just doesn't rank up there with Germany, London, and Istanbul. (Possibly, because I've never been to those places.) Now to my point... When my friend was in the midst of the far away places, he said he couldn't wait to get back to a place that is so common... common in my world. You could insert the name of a place that is common to you. It is probably a place where many like to visit, but it is so close to home that it has become common, therefore not always appreciated. Longing for a common place after experiencing exotic destinations proves that home really is where the heart is. Home is where the green grass is. It fills all of the senses. There is no artificial turf at home. Home is real, it is genuine, it is what we need.

So, I am thankful to be in Dodge. As much as I long for exotic adventures, I will cherish the real grass. I will go barefoot. I will smell the freshly cut grass and remember that everything I need is right here. My suitcase may be empty, but my heart is full.

The Skit Guys...

This is a great skit; please watch!

(Click on, This is a great skit, above.)

Who Would Be In Your Movie?

I watched Eat, Pray, Love last weekend, and it turned out to be a movie that has stuck with me for days. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the movie. The scenery, music, and story were a treat for the senses. The lesson was about finding balance in your life... A lesson I could definitely use.

As I was savoring the movie in my mind one day, I thought of the interesting characters, the wonderful people Elizabeth was blessed to have met. They were in her daily life for a short season, but remained a part of it forever.

Who would be in my movie?, I wondered. Who has come into my life for a moment and made an impact? Who can I truly say the words, "I am so glad I met you," to? Immediately, I thought of Bob. Now, you have heard of Bob before... I wrote about him awhile ago. (See the post, Cheers dated Sunday, July 1, 2007.) He is definitely someone I am glad to know; someone who brought sunshine into my life. I rarely see him anymore, and that is truly a loss, but I am so grateful for moments he brightened my life.

I decided to write to Bob today and tell him basically what I just told you. I am not sure whose smile was bigger.... His because he was reminded that he is treasured, or mine, because it blessed me to speak words of kindness to another.

Blessings are like boomerangs. Just when you think you are going to bless others, the blessing comes back to you, many times tenfold!

So, who would be in your movie? A name came to mind right away, didn't it? Let that special person know. You will both be blessed. I promise.

VOTE!

To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.
- Louis L'Amour

Windows

In all my gracefulness,

I tripped and lunged forward

right in front of the Assistant Principal's office.

He has windows.

Big windows.

I hope he enjoyed the show.

You're Beautiful

A Daily Dose of Laughter... It's a Good Thing!

Validation

Still Here

Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first - rock and roll or Christianity.
~John Lennon

Hey, I like the Beatles, too, but let's be careful of whom and what we idolize. Christianity is still here, and I am quite certain that Jesus is more popular than the Beatles. Christianity is a word that can be used quite loosely, and therefore, misused. If you have been hurt by so called, Christians, please note that it was their humanness and ignorance that hurt you, NOT Jesus.

Good Day, Picasso!

I need you to close your eyes for a moment. Close your eyes and picture this...

• rainbow striped tights
• purple corduroy skirt with embroidered flower
• pink and green cotton shirt covered with little strawberries
• salmon and turquoise striped sweater
• old tennis shoes

Add these altogether, and put them all on an adorable, little six year-old girl.

Now, had this been my first child, I would never have let her go to school dressed like that. She was, after all, a reflection of my abilities as a mother! What would this say to her teacher? What would people think? They might think she was a poor orphan in the morning with nobody to take care of her! (I know... It's a stretch, but what if?)

This little girl happens to be my fourth child. I have actually acquired some bits of wisdom through the years, thankfully!

My reaction to this colorful concoction?

1. Take her picture before she heads out the door for school.

2. Say with a huge smile on my face, "Have a great day.... Picasso!"

Honestly, she looked like a walking Picasso painting!

Starting Over

Jack: You put your calendar on January?
Brynn: Yeah, I know. I'm starting over. I didn't want to wait so long, so I just put it on January.

Maybe she's onto something... I think I'll put mine BACK to January. I need more time!! :)

Here Comes the Sun...

No one has a right to consume happiness without producing it.

~ Helen Keller

What wonderful words of wisdom from Helen Keller. I can't help but think that of all the people in the world, she would have the right to be crabby... to consume any bit of happiness she could get. Yet, she chose to give happiness to others. What a remarkable woman.

We all can think of someone who consumes happiness, day after day, but rarely produces it. Make a pledge today to never be a consumer, only. Make some happiness, and give it away! Smile at a crabby co-worker. Compliment someone who isn't used to receiving them. Share a smile. Give a hug. Open the door for someone, and greet them kindly. What have you got to lose? Absolutely, nothing! The funny thing is, the more happiness we give , the more we receive. You cannot go wrong with this one!

Go forth and produce happiness today... I dare you!

Dinner Serenade

So, in the middle of dinner, I belted out, "I am, I said," along with Neil Diamond. I really gave it gusto... Used motions and all.

My kids didn't even flinch.

They just kept on eating and talking.

They didn't even acknowledge that it was a bit awkward.

That's kind of funny.

(I guess they're used to their mom making a fool of herself... That's a good thing.)

A Daily Dose

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.

~Zig Ziglar

Mocking Me...

For those of you who have been following my blog, you are fully aware of my love of bubble baths. The ultimate relaxation... a wonderful indulgence.... a treat for a worn out woman. So, you are also aware that I have been without a tub faucet for more than a couple of years. (And yet, my husband still lives.) So, I am thrilled to announce that I have purchased a beautiful faucet, spectacular faucet! Unfortunately, my husband was unable to install it...

And so it sits....

In the box...

Mocking me.

Achoo!

Jack just informed me that he fit everything into his backpack, except for the sneeze box. I am doubtful that I'll ever be able to call it a box of Kleenex, again.

Jack.

Jack just put his toy handcuffs on.

Jack just remembered the key is in Grandma's car.

Jack is crying.

...Jack is free!

"Thank you, Mom!!"

(I'll take off my super-hero cape now.)

Actually, my niece, Jami, said, "You never take it off when you become a mom, it just gets really worn out."

I think she's right.

Wings

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children.

One is roots.

The other is wings.

~Hodding Carter, Jr.

My little girl flew into her new life of college and the Army Reserves. Soar, my child, the world is waiting for you.

City Girl and Town Girl

Once upon a time there were two girls. One was from the city, and the other was from a small town. Both city girl and town girl were shy... shy as could be. They were blonde, sweet, and full of smiles. They were the kind of girls that would hide behind Mama's leg, holding on for dear life if an adult was speaking to them. City girl remembers that when she was in second grade, the principal joked about her blue fingernail polish in the hallway one day. She was so shy she couldn't even speak.

City girl and town girl both had a good childhood; nothing out of the ordinary. Life took them on similar routes all the way to high school. Along came cheer-leading. City girl's dad was completely against the idea, but city girl wanted this more than anything. She dug down deep, and used her stubbornness for good. Town girl had the support of her family, and wanted it almost as badly as city girl. They both got what they wanted... a spot on the cheer-leading team.

Cheer-leading was their common bond. It brought both of the girls out of their shyness. Watching the girls bloom was a true gift; The beauty hiding behind the shadows of shyness blessed everyone they touched. Who would have thought that cheer-leading could awaken souls? It did, and city girl and town girl were thankful... Their lives had been changed for the better.

City girl chose the predictable route... college, job, family. Life was good; not always easy, but good. Town girl, who always wondered why her family left the big city for a small town, was ready to see the world! She also, chose the college route, but chose something much more adventurous and brave... She chose the military! Town girl became a soldier. She pushed fears aside, expectations aside, challenged herself, and was now on her way to becoming a remarkable woman.

City girl had a reawakening. She found out that she actually has a lot to offer. She is pushing past the limitations her mind had put on her, and breaking down the fences. She is happy... oh, so happy. There is energy and life waiting beyond those fences.

City girl admires town girl very much, and secretly wishes she would have had more courage when she was younger. She smiles when she sees town girl... anticipating the future... knowing full well that town girl will blossom into an incredible flower unlike anything the world has ever seen.

And just who are city girl and town girl? Mother and daughter. Yes, you see, I am city girl, and my beautiful daughter is town girl. I admire her so much... more than words can say. She takes my breath away. She has grown up to be an admirable young lady that I am proud to know.

Go meet the world, town girl, with open arms... It is waiting for you. The world will be more beautiful because of.... YOU.

Reckless Abandonment

Abandon your fears, recklessly.

a·ban·don (ə-bănˈdən)

transitive verb abandoned a·ban·doned, a·ban·don·ing, a·ban·dons

1. To withdraw one's support or help from, especially in spite of duty, allegiance, or responsibility; desert: abandon a friend in trouble.
2. To give up by leaving or ceasing to operate or inhabit, especially as a result of danger or other impending threat: abandoned the ship.
3. To surrender one's claim to, right to, or interest in; give up entirely. See Synonyms atrelinquish.

Connections by God

Up until now, I have rarely gotten out of Dodge. My job and four kids keep me pretty tied down to this quaint, little town I call, home. All of that changed for me this summer. A work trip to St. Louis, pleasure trip to Idaho to see family, and another work trip to California has made my summer evaporate before my eyes. Do I love it? Is Elvis the king of rock and roll?

There are many stories I could tell about my summer vacation, but time is limited... the kitchen is waiting for me to cook supper. So, I need to tell you about a God-orchestrated connection. Why do I claim God orchestrated it? Because you cannot make this stuff up, and even if you tried, it would not have the soul connection that was felt between two friends.

I need to start with a tidbit of background knowledge for you. Shelley is a childhood friend. No, not the kind of friend you're thinking of. Not the friend who knew every secret. Not the friend that camped out in the back yard, or talked Mom into letting her go with on a family vacation. The reason? She lived on a different block, was two grades ahead of me, AND went to private schools as I went to public. Add all of these things together, and you can pretty much say that in the life of a child, we lived on different planets.

I don't remember how it happened, but one summer, as I was entering 10th grade, and she, 12th, we hung out. I thought she was the coolest girl I had ever met. Long legs, perfect hair, manicured nails, adorable smile, sweet as could be, had the coolest attic bedroom this side of Minneapolis with a t.v.., AND we were both convinced she was going to marry Rick Springfield. She was cool enough to catch his eye... I just knew it. This was the summer Luke and Laura got married on General Hospital; as far as we knew, love conquered all obstacles... Just look at Luke and Laura!

Shelley and I lost touch after that summer, other than a brief farewell two years later. She was off to California, and I never saw her again.

Fast forward 24 years. As you are probably well aware, facebook has given many people a wonderful way of reconnecting with old friends. A few months ago, I found Shelley via facebook. We briefly reconnected, but that was it. When I found out I would be in California for work, I e-mailed Shelley.

Now, just think about this for a moment. Picture the size of California, the population, and the chances of me being even remotely close to where she lives. Slim, eh? Slimmer than slim! Would you believe me if I told you that the hotel that my training was at, and where I was staying for seven days was three and a half miles from her home?! Three and a half! Unbelievable. I could skip to her home!! (Wouldn't that be fun?! Awkward, maybe, but fun!!)

We met for dinner, talked and laughed for hours, and didn't want the evening to end. We had such a great time, and such a connection, that we got together again the night before I left for home. We are sisters in Christ and through revelations, encouragement, stories, and DARES, we knew that we were meant to reconnect... It was a God thing.

Thank you, God.

The Rooster

My seven year-old son seems to think that suddenly, after all of these years of being my son, living in my house, obeying my rules, he now rules the roost.

I am plucking his feathers.

If You Give Lisa a Cocktail

I foolishly decided to try the Cabbage Soup Diet last weekend. I know, I know... fad diets never work. My thinking was that at least I'd be eating fresh fruit and veggies. That would be a huge step up from how I had been eating. Well, the second day of my diet, my friend, Suzee, invited me over for a cocktail. Hmmm... no kids at the moment... a cocktail with friends... SURE!

Have you ever read the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? You have? Great. Here's my version:

If You Give Lisa a Cocktail

If you give Lisa a cocktail, chances are she's going to want another. So, she'll enjoy the Bloody Mary, thinking it was a wise choice since it was full of the good stuff veggies are made of, and head for home. She will then want a nice cold beer as a chaser.

If she has a nice cold beer as a chaser, she will probably want something salty. So, she will have to make her favorite snack, popcorn, to go with it. Mmmmm....

Once she has satisfied her craving for something salty, she will definitely want something sweet. Knowing there is chocolate fudge cake in the refrigerator, she will mosey on in... with a fork!

So, as you can see, if you give Lisa a cocktail, her diet will be in shambles before you know it! (By the way... Made it to day 5, except for the weak moment described above, and felt so horrible, I quit! No energy, light headed... Enough!)

Cocktails, anyone?

Welcome Home

I could give you a bazillion excuses as to why I have not written for so long, but why bore you with details? I'll just pretend you are saying, "Welcome home," and proceed as if I have never left. Comfortable places are like that, you know... No matter how much time has passed, there are some places, and some people, that are so familiar, that time somehow melts away, and you feel as if you never left. What is your comfortable place? Mine is Pipestone, Minnesota! I got a chance to stop for a few hours. I felt like I had nestled up in a little nest of comfort and happiness. It did my heart good.

My challenge to you today is to think of where your comfortable place is. We all need our own spot... like a friend's kitchen table, sharing a "cuppa joe," or maybe it's in a canoe, paddling down the river. How about your kids' tree house? Go ahead, climb up! Let your memories of a carefree childhood come flooding back. Maybe your comfortable place is with a certain friend. Pick up the phone and give her a call. You'll be glad you did.

Wherever you go, whomever you see, may you be greeted with open doors, open arms, and a warm, "Welcome Home."

Just Call Me, Esther

I... am a tub girl. There is nothing like a hot bath at the end of a stress-filled day. There is nothing like a hot bath when you're chilled to the bone. There is nothing like a hot bath, surrounded by candle light, bath goodies, flowers, chocolates, great music, and wine. My bathtub is my sanctuary... my little corner of the world where I can escape and become Queen Esther. (Don't know who she is? You, my friend, are missing out on one of the greatest stories, ever. Check her out... She has her very own book! Look up the book of Esther in the Bible. You will enjoy the story. I promise.)

So, back to my sanctuary. It's under construction. No... that isn't totally correct. My dear husband tried to fix my faucet... OVER A YEAR AGO. He broke it, which in all honesty wasn't a huge surprise. He is a handy man, but I must admit, if the kids ever need something fixed, and they come to Dad saying, "Hey, Dad can you fix..." "Nnnnnoooooo!!!!!," I cry. (Just picture me in slow motion, running to grab the toy out of their hands.) I have known my husband long enough to know that in the noble effort to fix something, nine out of ten times, it will break.

Once again, back to my sanctuary. I have now gone for TWO LONG WINTERS without my bathtub! How, on Earth, have I coped, you ask? Honestly, I have no idea. Now that I think about it, my sanity has been a bit shaky. I have been on edge a bit more than usual. Blame it on the faucet... the LACK of faucet... the lack of retreating to my sanctuary. I am now going to break the long held rule that all women must adhere to. You know... the "Never ask for anything practical for your birthday, Valentines, Christmas, or any other holiday, rule." I'm sorry ladies, but I am in dire need of a bathtub faucet, and am willing to actually ask for one as a gift. Let me fill you in on just how desperate I am.

Today, my two little ones and I filled the tub. It hadn't been filled in over a year. Yes, we filled it... with a cooking pot and cups!!! Is that enough desperation to justify breaking the practical gift rule? I believe so.

I loved every second of my bubble bath, and am now WARM, relaxed, and feeling like a queen.

You, my friend, can call me, Esther.

The Truth Hurts

Americans are so enamored of equality,

that they would rather be equal in slavery,

than unequal in freedom.

~ Alexis de Tocqueville

African Proverb

Don't look where you fall,

but where you slipped.

~African Proverb

A Little Lost

Saturday morning errands...

Brynn had a birthday party to go to, and of course we were at the store 15 minutes before the party, buying the present. Nothing like last minute! Rushing to the car, I quickly unlocked it with my handy, dandy remote. "Quick, Get in, get in, get in." We had 5 minutes to get there... Sure, we can make it!

"Jack!, Don't do that! You'll scratch the car!" Why do kids always like to draw in the winter salt that has turned all vehicles white this time of year?! Sigh... "Quick! Hop in!"

As I am getting in the car, my mind ponders... "We have gray interior, don't we?" Although, this interior does look familiar." (Our previous vehicle had tan interior.)

Hanging from the rear view mirror is a picture of a woman... TOPLESS.

"I definitely don't have one of those!!!"

"QUICK, KIDS... GET OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT!!"

And there you have it, folks. Our Suburban was three spots down.

Brynn gets out of the stranger's SUV and says, "I was wondering where my car seat was."

As my friend, Thelma, says, "Who needs T.V. when we have you, Lisa?"

What can I say? Life is never dull!