A Day in My Shoes

Sketch Challenge Entry: Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 131

2011-08-25T23:54:00.000-06:00

When I saw the challenge for this week posted on the sweetest thing's blog, I decided to take on the challenge.

Recently, I was given a bunch of metal key embellishments, so they've been appearing in many of my designs lately. They're pretty fun, and I thought this one would make an interesting accent in place of buttons or brads.

The notebook-looking background is actually embossed using one of Tim Holtz's texture fade embossing folders, which I distressed. The stamp is also a Tim Holtz product - part of his Stamper's Anonymous cling mount rubber stamps collection. I love the sentiment. I added Glossy Accents to the word "imagine," because it stood out to me in this quote.

Well, there you go - my entry into Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 131 (SSSC131). Let me know what you think.

Growing Up

2011-04-21T13:24:00.000-06:00

I just got back from my lunch break. Today was my oldest's first elementary school field trip. Actually, it's a day of "firsts": first time going to school for a full day, first time on a school bus, first time on a field trip without one of us.

I had to work today, since it's Easter this weekend - lots of preparation going on at the church today. But my boss and coworkers were totally cool with me taking a longer lunch, so I met up with his class at the park to eat lunch.

While there, I observed several things: 1) being a kindergarten teacher takes a special gift - a gift which I do not possess; 2) my kid loves his teacher and classmates; 3) suddenly, my baby has become a kid.

My son is becoming more independent. It makes me happy and sad. I hope we're doing a good job raising him...regardless, he's growing up.

Five Reasons NBC Should “Save Chuck”

2011-02-08T23:58:00.000-07:00

Hello, my name is Melissa, and I am a Chuck-addict.

I was not among the original fans of the show; instead, I was turned onto it by GMMR-in-chief, Kath, who suggested I check it out. Thanks to my local public library, I was able to borrow the first three seasons on DVD. It was a painless way to get hooked, and I am, indeed, hooked on Mr. Chuck Bartowski and his crew. Don’t worry, NBC; I plan on buying every season for my own collection, so I can watch it all again. I fully intend to turn my hubby into an addict once he graduates. Yeah, I’m a pusher.

I remember when, during the first season of Chuck, NBC threatened to ax it from the lineup. I remember “Save Chuck” was everywhere – even on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart (who is, himself, extremely awesome) tossed in a plea to “Save Chuck” during a couple of shows. NBC listened (for once) to its viewers and saved the show. It seems like every season, Chuck is on the brink of cancellation only to be renewed in the 11th hour, much to the relief of fans worldwide. (I’m assuming the fans are worldwide; if not, they should be.) This brings up an interesting question: why is NBC renewing ~~crap~~ shows like Parenthood and Law & Order (and all its inbred grandchildren), apparently without a second thought, while leaving Chuck fans in fear of losing one of the few shows that keep them tuned to NBC. Perfect Couples, Outsourced, Community, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Chuck are the shows that have coveted “Season PASS” status on my dvr. Literally, those five shows, out of all of NBC’s programming, are the only NBC shows I watch on a regular basis.

So, NBC, aside from keeping this viewer happy, here are five reasons you need to bring Chuck back for a fifth season. Really, I could have made this list a lot longer, but I figured five was enough to make my point. Anything more might be considered overkill.

1. Zachary Levi is brilliant.

I am obsessed with Zachary Levi. Don’t worry; my husband knows. He’s the one who called me out on it. I couldn’t really argue. Here’s the thing about Zac: he is extraordinarily talented, but incredibly humble. He brings Chuck to life in a way that no other actor could do. It has something, I’m sure, to do with the fact that Chuck and Zac are both self-proclaimed nerds. That, however, can only take an actor so far – at some point, the actor’s skill and the writers understanding of how to use the actor’s skills must align. This is essential in turning a character into a beloved part of pop culture. Zac and the crew of Chuck hit that point at about episode five. The writers have done an excellent job of writing for Zac’s strengths – all they need to do is write a musical episode, and we’ll be good.

Chuck is a complex character. He is, of course, smart and tech-savvy, but he is also a character with great heart and humility. He is willing to do what it takes for his family, his friends, the woman he loves, his country, and usually ends up doing things that put himself last. All the while, he is character that makes us believe that, if duty called, even we could be heroes.

Zac brings an honesty to Chuck that we wouldn’t necessarily expect from a character that, really, is very special. He keeps the character grounded in reality – no matter the spy gig, butt-kicking, Volkoff-taking-down-genius-planning, we believe Chuck as the guy next door. Often, tense moments in the shows are lightened by a funny expression on Chuck's face, or a brilliantly-delivered one-liner that makes the watcher, forgive me, chuckle. In an industry where actors can get complacent in their characters and "phone it in" (I'm looking at you, David Caruso - how does that guy still have a job?), Zac continues to develop Chuck into a multidimensional character as the show progresses.

2. Ellie & Awesome are…well, awesome.

Ellie and Awesome. I can really identify with Ellie - she is truly the "normal" in the midst of the hectic, secretive, dangerous, and risky plotlines of Chuck. Ellie and Awesome represent Chuck’s roots – they keep him grounded when his life seems a little too much like an action movie. The Awesomes (yeah, that’s what I call them) get married and have a baby, all while the rest of the gang is trying to bring down an international crime lord. The genius of this juxtaposition, and the brilliant ways in which Sarah Lancaster and Ryan McPartlin bring their characters to life, add the dimension of reality to Chuck.

3. The rest of the cast keep the storylines balanced.

Sarah, Casey and The General continually push Chuck to move beyond his comfort zone. They challenge him, typically underestimate him, protect him and guide him as he navigates the tricky double life of a spy.

Sarah: The romantic relationship between Chuck & Sarah has moved from fake to real over the course of four seasons; the writers have done a great job of showing the human side of Sarah Walker – her insecurities and fears allow the watcher to finally identify with this special lady. Regardless of our own ability (or lack thereof) to kick booty, we have all felt like hyperventilating in a roomful of relatives. Even though Sarah kicks butt & looks amazing, the relationship between the two characters isn't perfect - they have arguments, miscommunication, moments of doubt, and in the end, they show us that no relationship is perfect all the time. Yvonne Strahovski is excellent at bringing vulnerability and strength to Sarah.

Casey: Ah, Casey. He’s a little bit scary. Casey is fully and intensely devoted to country, guns and Ronald Reagan. The country-devotion is extremely admirable. The guns-devotion is scary. His level of Reagan-fervor is, well…it’s creepy. Adam Baldwin’s ability to make Casey communicate in large part via growling grunts and death-glares is wonderful, and actually very funny, especially since he’s not grunting or glaring directly at me. The current season’s addition of Casey’s long-lost daughter (and her new relationship with Morgan) has provided an interesting twist – suddenly, Casey seems like a real human being, rather than a government-programmed cyborg.

The General: she’s just good fun. She’s sort of like the principal of Chuck School – she keeps everyone in line, and runs a tight ship. Whenever she shows up in person, and stands anywhere near Chuck, the watcher just has to giggle a little at the expansive height difference between Bonita Friedericy and Zachary Levi. Plus, she’s a redhead, which is awesome.

Morgan Grimes and the Buy More crew keep Chuck grounded in reality, and usually provide the comic relief during the tense moments of the show.

Morgan: I heart Morgan. I think he is hysterical, and I love how much he loves his friends. Once again, the writers have really scored with this character – they have allowed Morgan to continue being Chuck’s best friend, confidant, brother-from-another-mother (wow, that’s lame) and sidekick. One compelling reason for a fifth season: Morgan as Chuck’s best man. Think of the opportunities for the writers – the bachelor party, the best man toast, Morgan losing the ring…the possibilities are extensive. Joshua Gomez is wonderful – his comedic timing and heart come through in every performance.

The Buy More crew: Jeffster’s musical performances are better than any bland background music. Both Jeff and Lester are just the right amount of creepy and crazy; they are absolutely hilarious and shameless and I love it. Big Mike is great – I love that he’s on his way to becoming a father-figure to Morgan…both literally and figuratively. Bringing him back as Morgan’s assistant manager was a stroke of genius.

4. The writing and visual effects are outstanding.

The crew of Chuck puts a lot of work into creating a high-tech world of international espionage that is both believable and unbelievable. It’s a fine balance, but these guys are up to the challenge, and they deliver. Repeatedly. The cool technology and technological concepts that show up in every episode are tools used by the writers and actors to create the world of Chuck, and the watcher feels like a part of that world each week.

The writers behind Chuck are amazing. They have such a good grasp of each character’s personality, motivations, idiosyncrasies, and what each actor brings to his or her character; the lines feel natural, the plot rarely feels forced or dragged. The writers, like the effects crew, walk the tightrope of believable/unbelievable every week, and they nearly always maintain their balance. As someone who dabbles in writing, it is inspiring to see a group of professionals who really know their craft. Given the amount of poor writing on television today (i.e., scripted “reality” shows), it really is a gift to see well-written scripts brought to life.

5. Really, what else is worth watching on NBC right now?

I was a huge fan of The Office, but my enthusiasm for the show has petered out over the past few seasons. In fact, last season I recorded every episode, but didn’t begin watching it until the summer. I got through the wedding episode, and deleted the rest of the season without even watching. I just wasn’t invested in the show anymore – I had lost the connection to the characters, and I didn’t feel the writing was all that brilliant any more.

I’ve never gotten into Parks and Recreation or 30 Rock or Parenthood. I tried; really, I did. An episode or two, and I just wasn’t hooked. Community, Outsourced and Perfect Couples are brilliant; if NBC execs are paying attention, they will renew all three of these comedies next season without thinking twice.

Jimmy Fallon is the saving grace of NBC’s late night programming, especially since NBC screwed Conan in favor of “Lame Leno” (my own nickname for him). Yeah, that’s right; I called you out on that one. What you did was wrong, and you know it. Let’s just get that out there so we can move on.

And that’s it. There is nothing else on NBC that I feel is worth watching. Really, NBC, if you don’t give Chuck fans a fifth season, what will you replace it with? Another show like The Cape? How about Chase? Both of those have really been winners…not. It’s difficult to pull in viewers these days – Fox has been busy building clever shows, ABC is beginning to pull together solid programming, and basic cable channels are giving you all a run for your money. Don’t pull a fan-favorite like Chuck when it has hit its stride.

Listen, I’ve been to Comic-Con; I was at the Chuck panel last year, and I can tell you, these fans are fiercely devoted to this show, and it is borderline scary to think about how much free time some of them have. Combining the power of fanatics and Twitter is a risky concoction. Please listen to the many fans who have begged and pleaded for this show. Please remember the first rule of marketing: it is easier and more cost-effective to keep current customers than to try to win over new customers. (The second rule is, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.)

Be Still My Drum-Like Beating Heart (Plain White T's, Part 2)

2011-02-01T19:44:00.001-07:00

[author note: my wretched phone's camera sucks, so please forgive the terrible quality of the photos. boo.]

Finally, the date of the concert arrived. Colorado, along with two-thirds of the country, found itself suffering arctic cold and ice. The weather forecasters were calling for extreme subzero temperatures during the coming week. I was afraid that my date with PWTS would be cancelled. All day, I checked Twitter, sure the guys would post any cancellation news there first. It was Tim who finally posted a tweet about the cold Denver weather. I pounced on the tweet, asking if the band would be playing for sure. His response (yeah, he responded!) was, “Of course.” Yes! My date was still on! I waited impatiently for my hubby to come home and scarf dinner, so we could make the trek to Denver.

Stage Set

The concert opened with a band called Miggs, who were high-energy, pick-flicking bundles of fun. Their music was good, and I could see how they fit in on this tour. The next act was Parachute. I had heard of Parachute, and realized as they played that I had heard their music without knowing the band’s name. They were great – we loved the combination of piano-guitar-drums-bass-sax, and the vocals were amazing. The songs were fabulous.

Parachute

More Parachute

Finally, it was time. I had finagled my way as near to the stage as possible – about four people separated me from the T’s...although, all four people were taller than me, so that sucked. Still, I could see between their heads, so woo-hoo! They took the stage, the opening chords of “Irrational Anthem” blared through the speakers, and my heart filled with joy. There’s something about hearing music performed live, with passion and energy and love, that brings a connection to the artist and the music that a recording, however amazing it may be, lacks.

Tim (I took this for my kiddo; as a concession for not bringing him to see his favorite band,
I promised to take a picture of his favorite singer.)

The crew (my camera couldn't get them all in one shot)

The T’s played a combination of new and old music; I had been so obsessed with Wonders, I hadn’t bothered to check out any of their other music. Of course, I knew “Delilah”, "Hate" and “1, 2, 3, 4”, but the guys played some songs I had never heard before. They played “Boomerang”, “Welcome to Mystery”, “Last Breath” and “Cirque dans la rue” (one of my favorites) from Wonders. “Revenge”, “Radios in Heaven” and others rounded out the amazing range of this band’s talent. As my hubby, who hadn’t yet heard Wonders, with the exception of “Rhythm of Love”, put it, “I had no idea they were so much more than just a couple of guys with guitars!”

"Pledge allegiance; everybody stand up! This is our 'Irrational Anthem'!"

So, after the guys played “Our Song”, Tim said he was going to play “his song”. I had seen interviews with Tim in which he talked about writing “Rhythm” for an ex-girlfriend. Tonight, “his song” turned out to be a song called “Sunlight”, which he had written for his ex-wife. Tim said, seemingly abashed for some reason, that “she pretty much ruined my life.” He commented that he had written the song during some dark days, but that, even though things weren’t going well, he had written the song from a hopeful perspective. And then he played. Now, I’m probably biased, since Tim is my favorite T (although I dig them all), but listening to the song turned my admiration for ‘Bropez’ into full-on awe. He’s shied away from singing lead vocals until “Rhythm,” and on this tour, the T’s decided to put a few more lead vox on his shoulders. Brilliant. The song is beautiful, the lyrics heart-wrenching in their soul-baring honesty; his performance was authentic, and surprisingly tender, given the circumstances under which he wrote the song.

This is actually during 'Rhythm of Love'.

Another cool moment: the band left the stage near the end of the concert, and the stage lights went out. Suddenly, Tom was on a platform behind us, in the middle of the theater. He played a stripped down rendition of “Delilah”, and we all sang along with him. It’s pretty incredible to hear a theater-full of people singing a song together, accompanied only by an acoustic guitar. Tom made his way back to the stage, and the rest of the T’s joined him to close out the show with “Wonders of the Younger”.

'Hey There Delilah'

And that was it. Although we had been there for hours, and the T’s had certainly delivered, playing a ton of music, I still felt bereft. They hadn’t played “Body Parts”, which is my favorite song on Wonders. They hadn’t played “Map of the World”. They couldn’t be done!

They were. Once the urge to weep had passed, and we were on our way home, I realized that I had witnessed something only those who attend live performances witness: artistic greatness. Plain White T’s had been firmly entrenched in my musical heart. These guys, all five of them, are stellar performers who perform full-out, with energy and heart.

Blacklit carnival scene on the stage background

Obsession Confession (Plain White T's, Part 1)

2011-02-01T19:18:00.003-07:00

A few years ago, when “Hey There Delilah” was in heavy rotation on the radio, I remember singing along like everyone else. My sister would sing it to my new baby, and he would coo and giggle. I remember watching the Red Carpet specials for the Grammys the year the song was nominated, when Tom Higgenson (although I didn’t know his name at the time) brought the Delilah for whom he wrote the song as his date. The Red Carpet interviewers made a big deal about Delilah’s presence, and she made it a point to clarify that she wasn’t there as Higgenson’s girlfriend. I don’t know if I even knew the band’s name, but I do remember thinking, “Dang, Delilah – the dude wrote you a Grammy-worthy song…what is wrong with you? Lock that down, girl!”

Fast-forward to one morning in November, 2010. I was getting ready for work, and had VH1’s Jumpstart on for background noise. Suddenly, I heard the intro to a song that literally stopped me in my tracks. Mascara wand in hand, my eyes were glued to the screen as “Rhythm of Love” entranced me with its mellow, upbeat acoustic guitar-centered song. Before the song was even finished, I had rewound live tv so I could record the video to my dvr. And thus began my obsession with the Plain White T’s.

Over the course of the next month, I listened to that song repeatedly, having bought it on iTunes as soon as it was available. My five year old son was equally obsessed, asking me to replay the song as soon as it had finished playing, and the two of us sang the song together, word-for-word. I followed the band on Twitter, became a fan on Facebook, and waited impatiently for their new album’s release. I had a gift card in my iTunes account, and earmarked a good chunk of it to purchasing the entire album.

Finally, the day came – I downloaded Wonders of the Younger, and listened to nearly nothing else for a full two months. Wonders of the Younger is like the audio interpretation of Tim Holtz’s designs – it is vintage, off-beat, circus-freak show, creepy-carnival-evoking, fantasy-igniting, creativity-inspiring.

After the first listen, my head was filled with ideas for music videos, films, books – all centered around this unique album. Each song stands on its own, but the songs fit together and create a world in which so-called “freaks” are normal. Is it strange to befriend a bearded lady, party with carnies, walk the plank of a pirate ship, pillage a village, share rose-scented kisses? Not in this world.

PWTS released their touring schedule for Wonders, and as part of my Christmas present, my husband (who tolerates my weird obsessions with random things/people/music/etc. with extremely good grace, although he usually wears a “you are ridiculous but I love you anyways” expression) bought us tickets to their Denver show. Meanwhile, I couldn’t stop listening to Wonders. By the date of the concert, I had every song memorized, knew which song was which simply by the intro, and could be found humming songs from the album under my breath nearly 24/7.

[to be continued]

It's 2011? Already?

2011-01-02T20:41:00.001-07:00

I can't believe I have to start writing '2011' on everything. The last decade has gone by so quickly, and was packed with changes in my life.

In 10 years, I:

graduated from college
got married
bought a house. Became a landlord, and bought another house.
became self-employed.
had a kid. *truelove*
had another kid. *truelove*
went to my 10 year high school reunion. *yikes*
traveled to a bunch of rad places with family and friends.
turned 30. *boo*
became employed by someone other than myself.
and so much more.

2011 brings a year of milestones:

10 years since college.
10 years of being married to my love.
my love graduates with his MBA.

These milestones are pretty significant, and I've decided that this year's resolutions should reflect the same significance. So, here are my resolutions for 2011:

to finish one of the four novels I've started. That's right - I've started four novels, and not one is even a complete first draft. This year, I need to get one to the point where it can be read and revised...like a real book.
to continue the ~~agonizing~~ important trips to the gym. Upcoming family vacations will require time in a bathing suit, and after two kids, let's just say me in a bikini is currently not on any list of lovely things. I need to keep working on my fitness.
create a portfolio of writing work. This is the resolution I'm most nervous to work on, because the portfolio will be part of my application to graduate school. Honestly, I haven't even totally decided on school again, but if I do apply, I'll need to be ready.

So, that's it. The desire to do something of significance is stirring, and so far, this is what I got. We'll see how long the resolutions hold.

Happy New Year! Here's to a great start to a new decade, which will undoubtedly be filled with amazing adventures!

New Cards & Tag

2010-12-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Tim Holtz (and created with many of the items from his papercrafting line!)

NaNoWriMo 2010

2010-11-19T02:11:00.001-07:00

Last year, I discovered NaNoWriMo, an awesome challenge to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. The challenge begins at 12:01am on November 1 and ends at 11:59pm on November 30.
[details: http://www.nanowrimo.org/]

I participated in 2009, and finished - last minute, yes; but it still counted - a little over 50k before the stroke of midnight on the last day of November. I didn't write every single day, but my progress was pretty steady. Real estate was slow, and I was okay with that, as writing filled my down time. I began to dream of going back to school to get my master's in creative writing. After November, I wrote with some frequency...

Until this May, when I got a part-time job at our church as I phased my way out of real estate. [yeah; that's another post for another day] Now, I'm at an actual office three days per week, and those days are bu-sy. Don't get me wrong; I'm absolutely loving the job, and so excited to have it. But it has been an adjustment, losing 20 hours of what was essentially "free" time, during which I did important things like laundry, housecleaning, kid-corralling [blog updates] and writing. Additionally, mine isn't the only schedule to experience significant change in the past few months - with the kids starting school, and extracurricular activities taking wing, we do a lot of running around.

So, here I am, past the halfway point for NaNoWriMo 2010, and I am about 7,500 words behind the suggested word count for today.Wait; it's after midnight - make that nearly 10k behind. I wouldn't worry, but I have zero confidence in my story right now. Writing has become a struggle; a struggle that I would normally embrace, but I have no extra time or brain capacity to spare. This year, NaNoWriMo is less a challenge, more an agonizing struggle or a battle that I am nowhere near winning.

The beauty of NaNo is that it is a challenge for which the prize is bragging rights. To be able to say, "I did it!" is extremely empowering. Dictionary.com defines a challenge as "a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc." - for me, NaNoWriMo is a call to engage in a contest of skill, strength and creativity. Pushing myself beyond the boundaries of what I know I can do, and forcing me to dig deep to learn what more I am capable of doing. Encouraging me to turn off my "inner editor", that voice that interrupts the writing process with a snide "that's stupid" or "lame!" - at least, until the novel is done.

I don't know if I will reach my goal of 50k words before midnight on November 30. I do know that I will continue, despite the self-doubt, the time constraints, the doldrums of ineptitude, to try.

You aren't eating what?! Part 3

2010-10-11T15:17:00.000-06:00

What I did was eliminate all gluten and dairy from my diet. I mean, all - no butter, cheese, sour cream, bread, crackers, Doritos, root beer (gluten - I know, weird!), lunchmeat and lots, lots more. For the first few days, I ate nothing but plain brown rice and plain vegetables. Then, I found a bunch of recipes online, and bought some GF (gluten-free) products. The recipes weren't that great, which didn't do much to encourage me during this transition...my family wasn't excited about it, either. I would have given up, except the diet was helping.

My stomachaches, gone. Acne, improving. Still feel the fatigue and lack of energy, but I'm hoping that will improve as I get better at knowing what to eat. I can wear pants today that were too tight a few weeks ago - I haven't lost a single pound, but my belly isn't full of air anymore. After about a week with not gluten or dairy, I accidentally had a bit of dairy - my mom invited us over for dinner, and made rice with a bit of butter incorporated. Afterward, Mr. Stomachache was back with a vengeance. Experiment successful - dairy was definitely off the team. I ate GFDF for another week, then ate gluten (no dairy) twice in two days. Again, the experiment showed that gluten does not agree with my system; it is also off the team.

So, where do things stand now, a few weeks later? Well, I'm sticking to GFDF - I may try to introduce small amounts again in the future, but for now, I feel too good without it. You might think that passing up pizza, bread, ice cream and the like would be torture, and indeed, it is difficult. But if I'm tempted to just eat it anyway, I remember how bad I felt before compared to how good I feel now, and suddenly, pizza doesn't sound that great. I'm learning to read recipes differently - when a recipe calls for cheese, I know to pick up some Vegan Gourmet from Sprouts. I made lasagna last week, a tough one as it calls for cheese and ricotta. An online search led me to a recipe for vegan ricotta (made with tofu), and voila - cheeseless, GF lasagna that every member of my family happily chowed.

Incidentally, I'm also cutting out meat. Since I'm going dairy-free, I figured I may as well go vegan - meat doesn't really appeal to me much anymore, and cheese is tougher to cut out than meat, in my opinion. Right now, my body is detoxing - my immune system is down in the dumps, and I'm catching every bug around. It's okay. I know I'm going to feel awesome once I get through it.

You aren't eating what?! Part 2

2010-10-11T14:54:00.000-06:00

I've never been one to buy into the "what you eat affects your complexion" theory. I really just don't like to be told that cheeseburgers, chocolate and soda are bad for me. Sure, they make you fat and unhealthy, but they don't make you break out! Don't make me give up my beloved soda!

Here's the thing, though. Lately, soda hasn't even tasted that good. Neither have cheeseburgers. (Chocolate will always be good.) And I've noticed that burgers are on the list of foods that make my tummy hurt really bad. Plus, whenever I smell meat, raw or cooked, revulsion rises. Also, I've been more open to changing our diet since watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution last fall. So, I read the info on the sites with an open mind, and the sites lead me to a curious possibility: could food really be the root of all my physical problems? More importantly, could removing certain foods help me?

Here's what I learned: the acne, the bloating, the stomachaches, the fatigue, the daily headaches, the tingly hands and feet, the irritability, the chronic sinusitis, and the 'lady-parts' problems are all thought to be symptoms of a person with gluten intolerance. Most of these issues have been part of my life for as long as I can remember - in other words, living with pain of some sort has been normal for me. Apparently, it's not normal for everyone. Huh...who knew? So, now that the idea had been planted, what would I do?

...to be continued...

You aren't eating what?! Part 1

2010-10-11T14:20:00.000-06:00

I've had issues with my stomach for years. While I love food, I hate the way it makes me feel. My stomach hurts, I'm bloated, and I feel like a giant slug. There are other issues, but I'm not sharing them on the Internets. Since this was the way I'd been living for literally years, I figured this was normal - doesn't everyone's stomach hurt when they eat? The past few months, my issues have been worsening to the point at which I basically stopped eating until I knew I'd be at home for the rest of the day/night and could slip into something more comfortable. Namely, sweatpants with a stretchy waistband. Hot, I know.

So, the tummy-thing wasn't really worth looking into, but I had to do something about my acne. Seriously, my complexion is worse now than it was when I was in the throes of puberty - unfair! Now that I'm getting fine lines and the occasional gray hair, it seems only fair that the need for salicylic acid is in my past, right? Unfortunately, my face hasn't gotten the memo, so I started researching cures online.

As most searches go, my "acne cures" search branched out to all kinds of different sites. Pills, creams, skincare systems, natural cures, and changes to the diet are the main categories of "cures". I tend to avoid medication, since most cause more problems than they fix. I've tried all of the creams, and most of the systems; I don't have the resources to pay $50 on face wash. I thought about rubbing a clove of garlic on my face, but ixnayed it as soon as I remembered how long it takes to get the garlic smell off my hands when I cook. So, I spent some time checking out the diet-angle.

...to be continued...

Fall

2010-09-18T15:04:00.001-06:00

I think we can officially call it - school has started, the weather is cooling and leaves are turning. Summer is over. :(

After the long, long, looooong winter we had, I was loving the hot weather this summer. Here's to hoping snow only falls between the months of November and March this year. I'm trying to look for the silver lining, so here's my list of things I love about fall:

Sweatshirts and sweatpants
Wool socks
Snuggling with my babies
Hot tea and carmel apple cider (mmm...Starbucks!)
Eye makeup inspired by football teams
My kids in Halloween costumes (sounds like we'll have a paleontologist and firefighter this year)
Autumn colors
NaNoWriMo

Okay, so that's the list so far. Goodbye, summer. Until we meet again...

"Hello" Cards

2010-09-18T12:41:00.001-06:00

Boy, I've been a busy little crafting bee lately. Well, actually, I've just been really bad about uploading photos. Since today is kinda dreary outside, and I'm sick in bed with some sort of bug (boo!), I figured this is a perfect opportunity to get some stuff off my 'to do' list.

Here are some cards I made, just to say 'hi'.

FYI - if flowers look cut off in any of these pictures, it's because I cropped the photo. In real life, the flowers hang off the edge of the card.

Birthday Cards for the Troops

2010-09-18T12:37:00.001-06:00

So, Karen Giron has inspired me to get involved with Operation Write Home. I've got some ideas for getting my fellow local papercrafters involved as well, but for right now, see my contributions to this cause below.

It may not seem like much, but if this is something I can do to show my gratitude and appreciation for the people who risk their lives for my freedom, I'm doing it. I don't care how insignificant it may seem to us; it sounds like it means something to them.

My First Entry

2010-09-16T22:43:00.001-06:00

I'm entering my first "Sketch Challenge". Karen at the sweetest thing... posts a weekly card-making challenge, but I've never actually participated. This week, however, I was inspired by more than just Karen's adorable sketch and example.

Here's what Karen posted that piqued my creative interest:

"The extra challenge this week is to create a birthday card and mail it to Operation Write Home and they'll send our challenge cards on to those men and women who are serving in the armed forces."

Thanks, Karen, for introducing me to Operation Write Home. I'm so excited to start creating handmade cards for our awesome troops!

Oh, and here's my entry:

One Year Down, One to Go

2010-09-06T22:44:00.000-06:00

School is back in session, and while we are celebrating several important school-related milestones in this house, there is one that brings a sense of giddy anticipation: my husband has hit the halfway mark in his MBA program. That's right - he has two semesters left. Two semesters, albeit, of difficult work, long nights, study-filled weekends, and, for me, weeks filled with higher-than-usual hours of single-parenthood. Two semesters, and then we're freeeeee!!

Now, I know it's totally selfish of me to be so excited as I daydream about our lives a year from now. I promise, I love my family, and would (ahem, do) sacrifice my own hopes, dreams and desires in order to do what's best for them. I know my primary role as a mother is to chauffer, manage schedules, help with homework and piano practice, watch sports practices and games, and maintain our house's level of cleanliness. I know it and I love it. But I am excited for the day when I'm not trying to figure out how to be in two places at once; knowing that, as the kids get older and get involved in more activities, I won't have to juggle activities alone, or ask my parents to help out once again, helps get me through the day.

I also know I'm not alone in this eager anticipation. It's tough for my hubby to miss out on activities because he has homework or group meetings; it's tough on the kids when he's not able to put them to bed or take them to soccer practice. May 2011, we can't wait to see you - we shall ring you in with fanfare like no other month of the year!

I feel guilty for even thinking this way, let alone admitting it to the world at large, but here goes: I am looking forward to the freedom that will be added to my own schedule in a year. The freedom to spend more time writing, reading, hitting the gym, working on albums and creating cards, and maybe, just maybe, taking a dance class or two a week. When I don't have to squeeze 65 minutes out of every hour, when I don't have to feel guilty for leaving the boys at home with their dad when he has tons of homework. When I don't have to feel guilty for asking for help, even though I know the others in my life are just as burdened.

It will be glorious. But it's still 9 months away...

It's Been Awhile

2010-08-27T01:02:00.001-06:00

Wow. This summer was insane. Lots of fun, but still crazy - I'm somewhat relieved that it's over.

We went on a bunch of cool trips between May and July: Disney World, several camping trips, a week-long camping tour of southwestern Colorado, and Comic-Con in San Diego. For the first time in a few years, I found myself without my laptop+Internet connection for days on end...and I was able to let go of my need to control everything, and actually enjoy relaxing time with my family and friends. It was incredible! [I will get around to blogging about some of these trips...eventually.]

Now that fall is near, school has started for two of my three guys - kindergarten for my oldest kiddo, and second-to-last semester for my hard-working hubby. In a couple of weeks, my baby will start preschool, and I'll be the only one in the house not in school. I get to manage the Family Schedule, chauffer to school/lessons/practice, and maintain our casa. Oh, and work three days a week at my new, totally amazing job at Crossroads Church...and, well, whatever else comes up for us over the next year.

It's going to be a crazy fall, full of changes and new adventures, but we're ready. I think. After I throw in another load of laundry.

Book Review: So Cold the River

2010-08-27T00:52:00.001-06:00

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of So Cold the River, by Michael Koryta. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $24.99. ISBN 978-0-31605-363-1.

Synopsis (from the publisher):

It started with a beautiful woman and a challenge. As a gift for her husband, Alyssa Bradford approaches Eric Shaw to make a documentary about her father-in-law, Campbell Bradford, a 95-year-old billionaire whose past is wrapped in mystery. Eric grabs the job even though there are few clues to the man's past--just the name of his hometown and an antique water bottle he's kept his entire life.

In Bradford's hometown, Eric discovers an extraordinary history--a glorious domed hotel where movie stars, presidents, athletes, and mobsters once mingled, and hot springs whose miraculous mineral water cured everything from insomnia to malaria. Neglected for years, the resort has been restored to its former grandeur just in time for Eric's stay.

Just hours after his arrival, Eric experiences a frighteningly vivid vision. As the days pass, the frequency and intensity of his hallucinations increase and draw Eric deeper into the town's dark history. He discovers that something besides the hotel has been restored--a long-forgotten evil that will stop at nothing to regain its lost glory. Brilliantly imagined and terrifyingly real, So Cold the River is a tale of irresistible suspense with a racing, unstoppable current.

Analysis:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a great, quick read – suspenseful, with good characters and an intriguing plotline. From the opening chapter, Koryta captures the reader’s attention with vivid descriptions and flawed, but still likeable, characters.

I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks, secondary character points of view, and various characters’ back stories that were intermittently sprinkled throughout the main tale. Koryta uses these tools to move the story, to allow the mystery to unfold, and to foreshadow future discoveries by both the main character, Eric, and the reader. He allows the reader to be just a bit more omniscient than Eric for a good part of the book, while holding back some surprising twists that are revealed with perfect timing.

The supernatural elements of the tale are woven masterfully into the everyday natural events, and might be unbelievable had they not been written with such clear and realistic prose. Koryta’s descriptions bring these elements to life, and his ability to create such vivid scenes keep the reader on the proverbial seat’s edge.

Koryta’s background as a private investigator and newspaper reporter have served him, and his readers, well in his writing career. I will definitely add his previous novels (and any upcoming novels) to my “must read” list.

Book Review: Private

2010-06-01T15:37:00.000-06:00

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of Private, by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $27.99. ISBN 978-0-316-09615-7.

Synopsis (from the publisher):

The police can't help you

Former CIA agent Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily--and his staff of investigators uses the world's most advanced forensic tools to make and break their cases.

The press will destroy you

Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multi-million dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of 18 schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend's wife, Jack's former lover, has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private's resources to tracking down her killer.

Only one place to turn: Private

But Jack doesn't have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Morgan has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans. With a plot that moves at death-defying speeds, Private is James Patterson sleekest, most exciting thriller ever.

Analysis:

It’s no secret, if you’ve read my book reviews, that I love mystery-thrillers. As one of the premier experts in creating tales of suspense and intrigue, Patterson, with Paetro, is continually on my reading list. This newest story takes its place among Patterson’s long line of terrific mysteries, and I sincerely hope the Patterson/Paetro team brings us more of Jack Morgan.

The story opens with a bit of Jack’s background – we learn that he was in the military, that he saw combat, and that he died. Intrigue? Check. We also learn that Jack is sort of the black sheep of his family – his father was in prison, and his brother is the “bad twin. “ Jack is smart; he’s not afraid of hard work, and he puts everything he has – mind, body, soul, and finances – into building his private investigation company into a worldwide resource of the rich and famous. He’s tough, but kind, and inspires the trust of both his clients and his employees.

But we learn that Jack, despite the above, is not perfect. He has commitment issues, and a guilty secret that weighs on him…even though he can’t remember the details. This story brings Jack enlightenment in several different ways – he learns uncomfortable truths about himself, his family and his friends, all while solving crimes and “whodunits” on several fronts.

This book is a fast-paced page-turner, perfect for reading at the beach, by the pool, or on the road. I cannot wait for a sequel...and a movie (Ryan Reynolds has my vote for the lead role).

Book Review: Love in Mid Air

2010-06-01T15:08:00.001-06:00

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of Love in Mid Air, by Kim Wright. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $23.99. ISBN 978-0-446-54044-5.

Synopsis (from the publisher):

A chance encounter with a stranger on an airplane sends Elyse Bearden into an emotional tailspin. Suddenly Elyse is willing to risk everything: her safe but stale marriage, her seemingly perfect life in an affluent Southern suburb, and her position in the community. She finds herself cutting through all the instincts that say "no" and instead lets "yes" happen. As Elyse embarks on a risky affair, her longtime friend Kelly and the other women in their book club begin to question their own decisions about love, sex, marriage, and freedom. There are consequences for Elyse, her family, and her circle of close friends, all of whom have an investment in her life continuing as normal. But is normal what she really wants after all? In the end it will take an extraordinary leap of faith for Elyse to find--and follow--her own path to happiness.

An intelligent, sexy, absorbing tale and an honest look at modern-day marriage, Love in Mid Air offers the experience of what it's like to change the course of one's own destiny when finding oneself caught in mid air.

Analysis:

There is something both liberating and frightening about this book. It was difficult for me to read – not because it was trite or wasn’t well-written; in fact, the opposite is true. This book is very well-written, with exceptional plot and character development, and the subject matter is anything but trite. The reason this book was a difficult read for me is that I could see people I know in its shadows. In fact, I have been the person who has, on several occasions, watched someone she cares for make it through the destruction of a loveless marriage. I have seen firsthand the consequences of affairs and betrayal; of two people falling out of love; of the mild madness that settles upon overwhelmed, overworked, undervalued women.

The fact that Elyse and her band of friends are middle class suburbanites brings this story even closer to home, since this is my circle of friends. WE laugh, we cry; we complain about our husbands and our kids, but we never come right out and say that we feel claustrophobic in our lives. I think every mom, working outside the home or not, has felt the panicky suffocation of too much to do, too few hours in the day, and not enough of whatever it is that makes us more than “just a mom,” or “just a wife.” As women, we give ourselves over to our families, beginning with our husbands, trying to fit into a mold of what we think they need, and continuing with our children, destroying our bodies to give them life. We put ourselves last in every aspect of life, and over time, our relationships can fray. While this isn’t necessarily the central theme in the book, Wright’s ability to piant this into the background of the story creates depth and empathy in the story.

What this story does is move beyond the overwhelming life of a mom, into the rarely visited, but no less prolific, life of a dissatisfied wife. Interestingly enough, Elyse doesn’t mind being a mom – she doesn’t use her daughter as a pawn or excuse, and she doesn’t complain about the responsibility. I love that both Elyse and her husband, Phil, are such good and devoted parents; it brings balance, and tells the reader that the problem does, in fact, lie in their dysfunction as a couple.

Wright uses Gerry as the vehicle, the spark that lights the fire under Elyse, spurring her to move beyond simply existing. I like that Wright leaves the ending so open; that Elyse has no illusions or delusions of the nature of her relationship with Gerry, and that she is content with this as it is. I also like the fact that Elyse does not move directly from one dysfunctional relationship into another – too often, I’ve seen real-life examples of this co-dependency, and its consequesnces. Namely, people simply end up with the same type of person, in the same type of life, with the same type of problems that they left. Instead, Wright implies that Elyse is evolving into a new person; that she is stretching and growing, and hopefully, improving.

The friendships between the four women is also true-to-life, from what I’ve seen of people in the world. For the most part, the relationship between the four as a whole is somewhat superficial. In pairs, however, the friendship is deep and meaningful – each individual has a “BFF” with whom she has bonded, and with whom she shares and relies upon more than she does the group as a whole. I think Wright truly understands the nature of women – we are strong and somewhat self-reliant, but we all need that one friend who is there for us, regardless.

This book was well-written, and the story was wonderful.

Oceans

2010-04-23T17:04:00.002-06:00

Just took the kiddos to see Disneynature's Oceans. Really, really great movie - tons of cool footage, and educational without being too preachy. Zach loved it, and constantly tried to speak over narrator Pierce Brosnan, wanting to share facts about ocean creatures that he's learned from watching Life on the Discovery Channel. Alex, meanwhile, asked if the movie people could put Cars on instead, then fell fast asleep.

I heart my kids.

I must confess to eating movie theater popcorn (I know; less than 24 hours after my post about eating well); however, I would like to state that I limited my intake, and I filled our bellies with a good, healthy lunch beforehand, so as to minimize the popcorn munching. I'm only human.

http://disney.go.com/disneynature/oceans/

My Own Food Revolution

2010-04-22T20:24:00.000-06:00

Jamie Oliver has inspired me. His "Food Revolution" show, website and petition have all encouraged me to rethink the food I serve my family, and the food and drink I put into my own body. Over the past few weeks, I've started making changes to our diet. I've started making chicken nuggets from scratch for the boys - being 3 and almost 5, it's one thing I know they'll eat regardless. I've cut soda from my diet almost completely - this is a big deal, since I had been averaging 32 oz PER DAY prior. Each meal I serve to my kids has one serving of protein, two servings' worth of veg, one serving of fruit, and a dairy. We've cut fast food out almost entirely, the exception being the occasional Chick-Fil-A lunch, Qdoba dinner or Dominio's Pizza.

I've discovered that cooking is rewarding and actually pretty easy. I've even started experimenting - this is the dinner I made tonight:

I had a bunch of mixed veggies, frozen and fresh, left over from previous meals this week. I also had an extra block of tofu - Sprouts had them on sale for 99 cents. So, I threw it all into the wok, and created a stir fry.

Then, I added a Japanese-style sauce I had in the fridge from a previous meal. The recipe is from the Wagamama cookbook Seth brought home from his last business trip to London. I also added a little toasted sesame seed oil, because the soy sauce in the sauce mixture smelled a little overpowering, and I thought the sesame oil would balance it out. I cooked up some buckwheat soba noodles to add to the stir fry. The kids will always eat noodles.

Table is set! I just bought some gorgeous strawberries and blackberries at the store - both on sale, and both perfectly sweet. The boys have been drinking lots of water since we bought them these cool Camelback water bottles.

After tasting mine, I randomly decided to add feta cheese. I know; Japanese-inspired stir fry with tofu...and feta. ??? It was really tasty, though.

Happy boys filled their tummies with this dinner. They ate every bite!

Having watched "Food Revolution" since the first episode, I've learned that food does matter. Even making these small changes has, I feel, made a difference in my family's health and well-being. The boys, thankfully, have always loved veggies, and I want to make sure that continues for the rest of their lives. They're both getting close to being in school; I'll probably send lunch with them when the time comes, so I know what they're eating. My next adventure: growing some of our own veggies in our backyard. We'll see how that goes - gardens are definitely outside my comfort zone!

If you haven't yet, please sign Jamie's petition to change the food served in American schools. It takes 30 seconds, but makes a huge difference. http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution The website has tons of great, easy, TASTY recipes for free, and you can even catch up on the episodes of the show. Thanks, Jamie, for making a difference!! xo

Book Review: How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly

2010-04-19T13:29:00.000-06:00

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly, by Connie May Fowler. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $23.99. ISBN 978-0-446-54068-1.

Synopsis: (from the publisher)

How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly is the transcendent story of a young woman who, in a twenty-four hour period, journeys through startling moments of self-discovery that lead her to a courageous and life-altering decision.

Analysis:

This book is amazing. From the opening scene, in which we meet Clarissa, her beloved garden, and a whimsical little fly, Ms. Fowler’s use of descriptive language skillfully creates a character whom the reader wants to succeed. The setting, Hope, Florida, is fictitious, as Ms. Fowler notes in the acknowledgements; however, thanks to the picture Ms. Fowler paints on the page, we wipe away imaginary sweat from our brow, and smell the swamp. We feel the oppressive heat, and squint in the brightness of the longest day of the year. The characters are so well-written, they become real to us. We believe that there really is a place where ghosts walk, flies love, angels interact, all while we are oblivious to their presence.

We all know someone like Clarissa, male or female – someone who, while unloved by a significant other, is used by that other for financial security and the easy life of no responsibility. Usually, that person we know is not able to see clearly his or her situation, while we are able to see only too clearly that the relationship is destroying that person. As we get to know Clarissa, and we learn that she is one of those people being used by her husband, we feel a strong urge to join in the disapproving chorus of the “ovarian shadow women” and Olga Villada.

Smart, talented, giving and quietly strong, Clarissa has been abused her entire life – first, by an alcoholic mother; now, by her leech of a husband. She is a successful writer, but suffering writers block; as the story progresses, she realizes she’s not suffering writers block, so much as suffering “life block”. Her husband, Iggy, is an artist. He gallivants around with “models” and lives off Clarissa’s success; although he’s a kept man, Iggy rules the roost. Clarissa is afraid to speak her mind, afraid to stand up to him, and afraid to upset him; when she finally realizes that she has nothing to fear, their dysfunctional relationship begins to unravel, but to Clarissa’s benefit. I found myself encouraging her as she found the courage to do what needed to be done. In the end, her husband got what he deserved, and so did Clarissa.

I loved Ms. Fowler’s use of “ovarian shadow women” as a description and name for the little voices that prompt Clarissa. Listening to the inner voice, the gut instinct that drives us all, is a lesson Clarissa needed to learn; in fact, we all could use the lesson. I also loved “Deepdeep”, an internal manifestation of Deepak Chopra that helped to guide Clarissa when the voices of the shadow women weren’t strong enough. The influence of the ghosts of the Villada-Archer family helped move Clarissa from a loveless relationship with both her husband and herself; their story provided Clarissa with enough inspiration to break through her writers block. The overall themes of redemption and rebirth manifested in various forms – the Villada-Archer ghosts, Larry Dibble, Clarissa the child, the shadow women, the love struck fly and even Deepdeep benefitted from Clarissa’s newfound freedom.

This book makes us believe that anything can be true - that souls do leave their mark, and that we who follow them are affected by the imprint they leave behind; that the scars of our past can be healed; that 24 hours really can change an entire life. It is a great read, perfect for book clubs, the beach or vacation. It’s a must-read for anyone who needs affirmation in her own strength and value.

White House Easter Egg Roll

2010-04-06T01:30:00.000-06:00

I just read about the White House Easter Egg Roll that took place yesterday, and I'm green with jealousy at anyone who was lucky enough to attend. Such lucky-ducks not only met the President and his family, but watched the cast of Glee perform, and listened to JK Rowling read from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Seriously, throw in lunch with Ryan Reynolds, and that would knock out half of my "People I'd Most Like to Meet" list in one day. What's a girl gotta do to get an invite like that?

Book Review: The Memory Thief

2010-04-05T16:23:00.000-06:00

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of The Memory Thief, by Rachel Keener. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $13.99. ISBN 978-1-59995-112-6.

Synopsis:

Hannah and Angel have lived totally different lives – Hannah was raised in a strict, religious family, and Angel was raised by poor alcoholics. Yet, both women have experienced the pain of a dysfunctional family, and each struggles to find her own identity. Their paths, by rights, should not have intersected, but the world is a small place. When their lives collide, both Hannah and Angel will learn who she is, and how to heal the wounds life inflicts.

Analysis:

This story is a beautiful, painful tale of misguided love, strength, dependence, and courage. It is as much a cautionary tale as it is a weaving of the past and present on lives. Through Hannah, Angel, and even Mrs. Reynolds’ stories, the reader is simultaneously warned against secret-keeping and lies, and encouraged to keep fighting, to keep hoping. Without hope, without the will to fight, if we subscribe to the lies we are told and allow the infection to spread and fester, our souls will hide away in self-protection. But, with love, with the truth in the open, the infection heals and the soul can emerge, fragile but ready to soar again.

This story, told from several viewpoints, allows the reader to connect dots throughout the story. Many times, the reasons behind events, feelings, actions and reactions of the characters throughout this book are explained or alluded to simply by switching viewpoints to another character. For instance, throughout the story, the reader may feel antagonistic or judgmental against Mrs. Reynolds, as we should, for she certainly has her faults. Near the end of the book, however, we learn a little about what makes Mrs. Reynolds so strict and, let’s face it, a little crazy. It does not, by any means, excuse her behavior; if anything, it adds humanity to the character and perhaps evokes sympathy we might not otherwise feel toward this seemingly callous woman. Interestingly, the author keeps this information to herself until the point at which the lives of the characters have unraveled to the point of near-catastrophe, and the secrets and lies have all but destroyed them.

From the beginning, it is apparent that, although Hannah and Angel have led extremely different lives, with totally different upbringings and families, they have something important in common: neither is allowed to become who she is really meant to become. Both are placed into an ill-fitting mold of someone else’s design, and beaten, literally or figuratively, into submission into these molds. Before long, each is convinced that The Mold is The Truth. The discomfort she feels as a result of her subconscious knowledge that something in her life is not as it should be, is pushed to the back of her mind. It resurfaces, as these things always do, with destructive consequences.

Hannah is the linchpin to the story – her journey is the framework; the beginning and end for each character hangs on Hannah’s story like vines on lattice. The reader is introduced to a shy, sheltered girl who is teased for being different. Immediately, we identify with her, and feel the fire of righteous indignation as we follow her through decades of a ruined life. We exult in her discovery of a talent, and pray that it will be her saving grace. We cautiously hope that finding true love will be the key to unlocking the cage that holds her true self captive, and as the truth of Hannah’s journey comes to light, we sit on the edge of our chairs, waiting for Hannah to see the light herself. For me, Hannah feels like a contemporary; she might be a friend or an acquaintance. I can see myself identifying with her on some level.

Angel is the catalyst of the story. She is the spark that sets change into motion, and when her path finally crosses Hannah’s, the effect is explosive. Throughout Angel’s tale, we pity the girl’s upbringing, cringe at her family’s obvious neglect, and worry for her mental and physical safety and well-being. We want to simultaneously shake her, and take her under our wing. We want to smack her parents and call the authorities, and we hope that someone in Angel’s life will realize that all is not well at home. When her path takes an unexpected turn, we begin to see how things might work out for Angel, if she would only get out of her own way. In the end, Angel brings out the mother in me – I want to protect her, heal her, show her the way to a better life.

Keener has created a beautiful tapestry of lives in this story. Her use of language and accents, her descriptions of people and locations, bring the story to life and add richness to the characters. This book is a great book club book, or vacation read. Be ready with the tissues.

Brag Alert: My Brilliant Hubby

2010-03-31T01:33:00.000-06:00

My hubby is nearly halfway through school. He's getting his MBA, going to school and working full time at his job for a tech company. A lot of people do this; in fact, my husband is in the Professional MBA Program at Colorado State University - a program designed for students who work standard 8-5, Monday through Friday weeks. So, the fact that he's in school and continuing to provide for our family isn't necessarily what makes him so wonderful, although it definitely adds to his wonderfulness.

What makes my hubby so brilliant and wonderful is that he's carrying a near-4.0 while doing all of this. And even though work, classes, studying and homework pretty much run our schedule these days, he still does whatever he can to make sure he gets quality time with the kids and me. Most importantly, he doesn't complain about being tired, or stressed, or burnt out. He knows that furthering his education means the opportunity to do more in the world, and to continue to provide for us. It's making him a better person, even if he doesn't know it yet.

Book Review: Waking Up in the Land of Glitter

2010-03-31T01:00:00.000-06:00

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

Synopsis:

Star’s family-owned restaurant is known for its food and promotion of local artists. Having been raised somewhat unconventionally by her hippie parents, Star is a free spirit, flitting from one idea to the next, and lacking in follow-through. One fateful night, Star’s inability to settle down sparks a chain of events that turn her life upside down. In addition to several ultimatums delivered by her father, Star is required to chair a committee charged with creating a centerpiece for an upcoming nationally-renowned and highly attended craft show call the Craft Olympics…then, duplicate the centerpiece for each table. The committee consists of Star, her best friend and crafting addict Ofie, teen handbag designer Benecio, and local television celebrity Crafty Chloe. Therapy and self-discovery comes unexpectedly to each member through the centerpiece committee.

Analysis:

The beginning of the novel is a little tough to follow and somewhat confusing, but once more of the details are revealed, it makes sense. The characters are funny and tragic, and full of life – from Star’s hippie parents and their eccentricities, to Ofie’s husband and daughter’s unconditional love for Ofie. The shenanigans the characters get into make the reader both laugh and cringe. We feel sorry for Ofie, and guilty, because we’ve all had that moment where we realize we haven’t been a good friend to a good friend. We want to shake Star, and tell her it’s time to become a mature adult, and we cheer when she finally “gets” herself. We mentally cover our eyes at Chloe’s Janus act, and brace ourselves for the impact from her inevitable crash and burn – and grin when she picks herself back up.

Throughout the novel, the strength, dreams, fears, insecurities and skills of each character emerge; the characters learn that each has a place in the three-sided friendship. Together, the group accomplishes more than any of them thought they could, and more than each might accomplish on her own. I liked the underlying thread of the story – that friends need to lean on one another, and to love each other for who each one is as an individual and for what she brings to the group as a whole.

This novel is a fun, fast read; anyone who has any experience with making crafts will appreciate the journey that Star, Chloe and Ofie make, and the bumps they encounter along the way. I appreciated being included in a culture that is completely different from my own, yet shares some similarities. Most of all, I loved that glitter was sprinkled throughout the entire book.

Starbucks Gift Card Holder/Album

2010-03-23T19:41:00.000-06:00

I got the idea for this from a class that was held at Capture Scrapbooking + Paper Crafting, a store in Fort Collins. Made from the cup sleeves that keep you from burning your hand on a cup of coffee, it's a cute way to give a gift card and thank someone at the same time. This was a teacher gift at the end of the school year.

Book Review: Men and Dogs

2010-03-22T21:18:00.002-06:00

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of Men and Dogs, by Katie Crouch. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $23.99. ISBN 978-0-316-00213-4.

Synopsis:

Hannah’s life has been defined by a childhood event – when she was eleven, her father disappeared. While the rest of her family and friends accepted that her father was dead, Hannah has refused to believe her father was not alive and well somewhere. As a teen, then as an adult, Hannah has avoided dealing with the loss of her father; instead, she acts out, pushing people away and subconsciously sabotaging her relationships. All the while, even twenty years after his disappearance, Hannah remains vigilant, sure she’ll see her father, alive and well, around the next corner. When her husband forces her to return to her family home, Hannah’s contentious relationships with her mother, stepfather, and brother are repeatedly tested by Hannah’s determination to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance.

Analysis:

After reading this book twice, I’m still not sure how I feel about it. While I liked the overall story and characters, I felt that both needed more polish. The story did not seem as well-developed as it could have been. The characters were not explored as thoroughly as I would have liked, and the conclusion seemed a little watered down to me. Still, it was a good read.

The introductory chapter sets up the disappearance of Buzz, Hannah’s father. This chapter, written in a sort of stream-of-consciousness style, paints a picture of a close father-daughter relationship and hero worship from the memories and impressions of an eleven year old girl. The style of writing helps move the story at memory’s pace, the bits and pieces coming at the reader quickly and sometimes half-formed.

Hannah is an interesting character, although I personally didn’t care too much for her. If she were a real person, I doubt we’d be close friends – I would find her personality too exasperating, and would likely expend too much energy on the friendship with someone so self-indulgent. However, seeing her through third-party eyes, it’s obvious that she has unresolved issues that stem from her losing her father while at a critical period in her life. Her “daddy issues” have affected her relationships with men throughout her life, and she’s finally gone too far. Her husband is forcing her to deal with the problem, although it’s too late to repair their relationship.

Her relationships with her mother, Daisy, and stepfather, DeWitt, are what one would expect in this situation – having been a “daddy’s girl”, and having held onto the conviction that her father decided to leave because of her mother, Hannah doesn’t have much patience for Daisy. She views her stepfather more as a limitless platinum credit card than as a father figure. I liked how she modified her opinions of her parents as the story moved forward; this, more than anything, helped illustrate Hannah's growth. I really liked Daisy - I thought she was a hoot!

This brings us to Palmer, Hannah’s older brother. I found him an intriguing character, and actually preferred the portions of the book that were devoted to Palmer. His personality, quirks and flaws add depth to the story; although he and Hannah don’t interact a lot in the story, the influence they’ve had on each other’s lives is a solid undercurrent in the plot. I found myself wishing the author had spent more time on Palmer – he could be the main character in a story as well. At the end of the book, I felt a little cheated with Palmer’s “resolution”. It felt somewhat trite, and left me feeling that the story hadn’t stayed true to the character that the author had been building throughout the book.

All in all, I felt that the book was good, albeit rushed. I felt there was more that could have been explored, but that the author was holding back. I like the author’s humor and the raw emotion she brings to life in the characters. I would recommend this book; it would make a great beach or travel read.

Spring in the Rockies

2010-03-20T11:36:00.001-06:00

Today is the last day of winter. Tomorrow is the Spring Equinox, which marks the first day of spring. In true form, Colorado has decided to send winter out with fanfare...and a mild snowstorm.

If you live in Colorado, you know that the weather here is forever changing. We like to keep the tourists guessing. Visiting anytime between March and May? Pack shorts and pants; you'll probably wear both. Visiting in the fall? Same deal. We really don't put our seasonal wardrobes away; we just move them to different sections of our closets.

Having lived in Colorado my (nearly) entire life, one would think I would be used to the mercurial nature of...well, nature, and for the most part, I am. This winter has been pretty atypical, with snow almost every week, and temps staying below 50* pretty much the entire winter. I'm ready for warmer weather, and for the snow to go away. Even the kids are sick of it - they told me a couple of weeks ago that they're ready for spring.

After the 68* day we had on Wednesday, 30* and snow yesterday (Friday) was almost cruel. Today is sunny, but still only around 35*. Hopefully, today marks the true end of winter and the beginning of spring...although, if I know Colorado, we could very well have a blizzard before April finally arrives. It's happened before. We just shrug, pull on our boots and get on with our day. We Coloradoans know that the weather will be different tomorrow.

Book Review: Worst Case

2010-02-27T09:46:00.002-07:00

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of Worst Case, by James Patterson. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $27.99. ISBN 978-0-31-603622-1.

Synopsis:

Michael Bennett, a detective with the NYPD, has a problem: children of New York’s wealthiest and most influential people are being kidnapped, but the kidnapper isn’t demanding a ransom in exchange for their safe return. Instead, the kidnapper has created his own version of “20 Questions,” and the penalty for wrong answers is death. One of the FBI’s top Abduction Specialists, Emily Parker, joins Bennett’s team, and together, they race against the clock, trying to find the victims before the kidnapper delivers the final grade. But kidnapping and murdering children isn’t all this criminal has planned; before Bennett and Parker can take him down, they will have to stop him from carrying out the final phase in his plan: bringing devastation and chaos to the entire city of New York.

Analysis:

I think most readers of suspense fiction acknowledge James Patterson as one of the best in the business. His novels are some of the best page-turners on the bookshelf; just when you’ve convinced yourself that you’ve reached a stopping point, and to finally put the book down, something happens in the book that keeps your attention. Before you know it, you’ve read three-quarters of the book, and haven’t gotten anything else in your life done for hours. The intentionally short chapters, the action, the tantalizing suspense, and the characters all seem designed to keep the reader hooked and involved in the story. How many times have you said, “Just one more chapter, and I’ll put it down,” only to find yourself unable to do so…three chapters later? This alone makes Patterson at the top of the suspense fiction game.

I didn’t realize this book was one in a series about Detective Michael Bennett when I started reading it, but I didn’t feel too left out of the character’s life. Patterson does a great job of catching the reader up throughout the story, providing just enough information about Bennett’s personal and professional life to keep the reader engaged. By the end, I had resolved to read the first two books in the Bennett series, not necessarily to catch up on the details of his life, but because the character is so endearing. The only confusing part about Bennett’s life was near the end of the book – I had assumed that his nanny, Mary Catherine, was a matronly, older woman, but learned she wasn’t. Normally, this wouldn’t be a big deal, but in this case, it made some events and interactions seem a little strange until I figured it out.

I have a problem with male main characters in books – when they’re developed well and really well-written to the point where they seem like real people to me, I tend to develop crushes on them. I know; it’s weird. I have “book crushes” on several main characters across the spectrum; after reading Worst Case, I’m afraid I may have to add Michael Bennett to my “crush” list. But my infatuations with pretend people is a subject for my shrink to tackle; more importantly, it demonstrates that Patterson’s ability to create a character that is believable and real to the reader means that the reader becomes invested in the story. We want Bennett to win, both personally and professionally, and we want him to be a hero. We wish we could use our knowledge of the bad guy’s thoughts and activities to help Bennett – if only there was a way to get that information to him before the bad guy strikes again! We agonize over Bennett’s nearsightedness when it comes to the women in his life, and hope that he gets his love life right. We simultaneously cringe at the chaos that ensues in a house with ten children, and admire Bennett’s management of that chaos.

Our feelings about the villain in this story is, of course, based on anger and outrage, but is also tinged by both pity and a sense of our own helplessness. While we wouldn’t go to the same extremes, we can understand the kidnapper’s desire to improve the world around him. We ourselves have read the statistics about poverty, third-world conditions, the environment, and the excesses of the wealthy, and have felt a furious desire to change things. While it doesn’t excuse or forgive the actions of the kidnapper, it does make us wonder: what would we do if we had nothing to lose? Somehow, Patterson manages to bring a sort of humanity to even the villain in his story.

Overall, this book was a great read, quick and wrought with tension, with a satisfying ending and anticipation for the next in the series. Add it to your beach or poolside reading list.

Book Review: The Yellow House

2010-02-17T21:26:00.003-07:00

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of The Yellow House, by Patricia Falvey. Copyright © 2009; fiction. List price: $21.99. ISBN 978-1-59995-201-7.

Synopsis:

Set in Northern Ireland in the early 1900s, the story of The Yellow House centers around Eileen O’Neill as she grows up during a turbulent time in Ireland’s history. Spanning 20 years, the story picks up during her childhood, as the family falls into poverty and tragedy sets the tone for Eileen’s struggles. Working in a mill, in dangerous conditions, she saves her money and dreams of reuniting her family in the home of her childhood, hoping to bring back happier times.

Along the way, she finds herself torn between two men, and torn by her own will and the will of others. Her family history and the current political landscape shape Eileen’s journey, and secrets and betrayals leave their mark.

Analysis:

There are books that help you to pass the time, that entertain you, and that allow you to escape your ordinary life. Then, there are books that touch your soul. These books seep into your heart and your mind, so that, upon dragging yourself from its depths, you are surprised to find yourself in your own familiar surroundings. The Yellow House is such a book.

Falvey’s gift to the reader is her rich, descriptive language. The setting of this book, Ulster, a province located in northern Ireland, is lavishly painted throughout the book. The characters come to life, vibrant and flawed, clinging to dreams and hopes. Falvey uses historic events to provide a dynamic and turbulent backdrop for the characters’ stories and personalities to unfold. We see the affect of love and loss, of war and fighting, of betrayal and hatred, each in varying forms and degress, on the human spirit. Eileen, in particular, is molded and shaped through the storm of war and prejudice that engulfs her life. From starry-eyed child to wary, and weary, adult, Eileen’s journey is a hard one.

Falvey takes us on that journey, perhaps to show us that Eileen’s tenacity and fire is vital to her survival, and to encourage us to remember that in our own journeys. We love with Eileen, we cry with her as she suffers loss and humiliation. We feel indignation on her behalf over the injustices she bears, and cringe at her fiery temper. We worry as we foresee possible repercussions of her actions and decisions, and we hope that all will right itself in the end. And in the end, we the reader leave this book remembering what it means to hope and to sacrifice. Falvey teaches us that living for a dream can sustain us through the toughest of days, and that a dream gives us a reason to keep fighting.

Book Review: False Convictions

2010-02-10T14:43:00.003-07:00

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. Please don't let my opinions keep you from reading this book yourself; I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of False Convictions, by Tim Green. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $25.99. ISBN 978-0-446-40152-4.

Synopsis:

Casey Jordan is a high-profile attorney who has taken on notorious cases in her career. In False Convictions, Casey is hired by billionaire philanthropist Robert Graham as an attorney for the Freedom Project, a nonprofit organization designed to provide free legal help for the falsely convicted. Graham provides a seemingly open-and-shut case of wrongful conviction, a twenty-year-old case complete with racial profiling and shoddy investigative procedures. Casey and an investigative journalist, Jake Carlson, stir up hornets nests, get on the wrong side of the locals, and eventually end up fighting for their lives and reputations when things go south. Casey learns the hard way that things – and people – aren’t always what they seem.

Analysis:

The first chapter, set 20 years ago, opens with intrigue and action – the reader wonders where the character was, what he was doing, and feels outrage at the racial tension that erupts. This tension seeps through the book, and adds interesting dynamics to conversations, interactions and events that occur throughout the duration.

Chapter Two fast-forwards to present day, where the rest of the story takes place. We are introduced to Casey Jordan. “Introduced” might not be the correct term, since we don’t actually learn much in the way of specific, concrete details about Casey Jordan. It took me about 30 pages to realize this book is part of a series of books about this character. I’m not sure I’m intrigued enough by Casey to read through any of the previous books. We learn that Casey is a lawyer, that she is occasionally on television or portrayed by someone else on television, that she’s somewhat involved with a man named Jose, who apparently has a problem with alcohol, and whom we don't even think about for the rest of the book. Casey has dinner with the billionaire Graham, cementing her commitment to the Freedom Project. During this dinner meeting, the conversation makes the reader feel as though we are the third wheel being deliberately being left out.

When Casey reads the file on the convict she’s been hired to free, Dwayne Hubbard, the reader is again left out of the specifics of Hubbard’s history, case, trial and conviction. We only learn the few tidbits that Casey throws out in conversation with Graham. As an avid reader of mysteries, I prefer to try to work out the “whodunit” as the characters do; without the information, it’s nearly impossible to feel as though you have the tools to solve the case. The story now takes place mainly in Auburn, New York. There is some description, but the setting is flat and lacking – having never been to Auburn, I found myself confused as I tried to place the characters and events in the setting.

I liked the character Marty, the young and eager attorney/CPA assigned to assist Casey; this character added some quirkiness to the interactions. His presence is justified by his connections to everyone in the small town of Auburn, therefore, we pretty much only see him when Casey needs something. We are also introduced to Jake, a reporter who ends up unofficially partnering with Casey to solve the mystery. Jake seems like a no-holds barred type of reporter; he takes risks and gets into some trouble, but apparently, always gets the story.

The police and townspeople are the stereotypical small town folk we find so often in books – overweight, sloppy, use poor English when they speak. They, of course, put up roadblocks as Casey tries to investigate the old case. She threatens them with the usual lawyerly threats, which hardly leaves them quaking in their boots, and ends up not following thorugh on the threats, since she conveniently finds a way around them.

When the case takes an unexpected turn, Casey needs to decide who to trust, and who is playing her (somewhat badly) like a fiddle. The quickly solved Hubbard case seems too easy to the reader; it takes Casey and Jake a little longer to figure this out themselves. Once they finally lumber to the conclusion, they have to determine where the truth was warped and what they missed. The truth is gift-wrapped and handed to them, justice served in a trite but (implied) gruesome way, and the reader finishes the book feeling confused, as though they missed something.

All in all, I think this book was meant to be something more. Most of the plot elements are someone formulaic, as though they are samples of elements found in other suspense thrillers that are served together in an attempt to make a meal. All in all, I felt as though the story had potential, but either the potential was stifled, or it wasn’t explored thoroughly enough. Being only 292 pages, this novel is a fast read. The story moves along quickly, but it feels too condensed. More than once, I felt as though the author had written a much longer, more detailed and cohesive story, but that it had been pared down to fit a certain page requirement. The dialogue was stilted, the interactions between characters superficial and one-dimensional. The story felt forced to me. While I liked the plot twists and turns, and thought the overall tale was a good one, I felt that these elements were not explored as thoroughly as they should have been. The conflict was downplayed, the fear factor was unauthentic; in the end, the resolution of the ultimate conflict was weak, at best.

I hope this is just a fluke, that the rest of the books in this series are better written. I'll probably pick one up, since this one was such a quick read, just to see. I'll keep you posted.

Breaking Point

2010-02-08T11:48:00.002-07:00

I have officially hit my breaking point.

Last weekend, I had to sit in a vacant house for five hours, with no heat and no running water. Why? Mandated open house for a property going to auction. Part of my agreement to try to sell this property before it went to auction is to sit three open houses; the dates and times are set by the auction company, and aren't negotiable.

The first date, last Saturday, was the same date as the Mom's Tea at my son's preschool. Our family schedule went like this: my older son and I went to the Mom's Tea, and had to leave early so we could drive 40 minutes to my open house. Meanwhile, my parents watched my younger son, while my hubby sat at my open house for the first hour, since the timing overlapped with the Mom's Tea. Once my son and I got to the house, my husband took my son back to my parents' house, then went to a meeting. I sat at that open house until late afternoon, with a little space heater to keep me from freezing in the 42 degree house. The next open house date is my birthday. No sympathy from the powers that be; I still have to do it.

It's not just this auction property. I list bank-owned houses for a bank, and, though it has been a steady part of my real estate business for three-plus years, the stress and anxiety is taking a toll. With a couple of exceptions, the asset managers are rude and full of their own importance. Definitely not team players. The bank requires me to complete online "education" every year to maintain my status as a preferred broker (ie, so I will continue to receive listings); this "education" is updated policies and procedures, and runs me about $1,000. For one "class." I'm expected to manage the property, make sure everything runs smoothly and the property sells quickly, yet I have no control over any aspect of the closing. And, adding insult to injury, I get paid less than what I normally charge, even though I have to do more.

I woke up with the flu today, probably due to my five hours in a frozen house. I feel terrible. But I have deadlines that need to be met, emails that need to be sent, and issues that need to be managed. No sick day for me. This is my breaking point. I'm stressing over things that are done by others, but for which I'm still responsible; I'm sick, and I'm tired, and I just want a sick day. I can't plan a special day with my kid, I can't take a day off. The actions of others lead to problems for me. I'm tired of having no control. I don't know where this leaves me, but I have some serious soul-searching to do. Maybe selling bank-owned houses isn't for me, and it's time I got out of that niche in this business. Or, maybe I should just stop whining, and realize that it's all part of the game.

T.G.F.Bleach

2010-02-04T20:31:00.001-07:00

Today, I am extremely grateful to whomever created bleach. Having two (yes, two!) potty-trained children is a blessing: the convenience of not hauling diapers around, the $40/month we save, not to mention, the lack of general stenchiness in our house. It's wonderful.

However, I am learning that two little boys who both use the potty can also have its drawbacks. Namely, the tendency of said boys to attempt to use the potty at the same time, which inevitably leads to, for lack of a better term, "pee wars". Yes, my children have learned to "fight" via their streams. This then leads to the toilet equivalent of "ring-around-the-tub"...which is disgusting.

So, tonight, I was forced to attack my toilet and its surrounding floors and walls with bleach water. I felt bad, since the toilet had never done anything bad to me, other than being too cold first thing in the morning. Still, it had to be done. I like to think the toilet and surrounding area breathed a sigh of relief at finally being clean, smelling like floral-scented bleach instead of...well, you know.

Clorox, you have my undying gratitude. By the way, we have a date: I have two more bathrooms who need your love and my attention.

Unofficial Work-Shoes

2010-01-29T14:38:00.001-07:00

I've decided that my "work-shoes" blogs are probably not going to share tales of my life as a Realtor. For one thing, a lot of what I do involves confidential information, and I wouldn't feel right about sharing it, no matter how well I concealed identities. For another thing, I work a lot; when I write about stuff, I prefer to write about stuff that doesn't raise my blood pressure and make my stomach knot...well, except when I'm ranting about Wal-Mart and the like.

So, my "work-shoes" posts will involve my unofficial "work." I've been given an opportunity to do some book reviewing for a publisher, which should be really fun. Occasionally, I work at Barnes and Noble. I volunteer at my church. All of these tasks I consider to be work, albeit fun work; therefore, don't expect to read much about real estate on this blog. I hope you enjoy the posts that will soon be coming under "work-shoes."

6x8 Fairy Album

2010-01-22T20:01:00.001-07:00

I liked the fairy album so much, I made a smaller one for another special little girl. Also very sparkly...naturally.

12x12 Fairy Album

2010-01-22T20:00:00.001-07:00

Here is a 12x12 fairy album I created last year for a special little girl. It's hard to tell, since I photographed them in the book (rookie mistake!), but they're very sparkly due to the excessive amount of Stickles I used. C'mon; you can't have fairies without sparkles!

Please forgive my crappy photography

2010-01-22T19:54:00.001-07:00

Putting photos together for this blog has revealed my incredibly terrible photography skills, particularly when I snap pics of my scrapbooking and paper craft projects. Please forgive the blurriness, weird angles, etc. Now that I'm aware, I will work hard to take better photos of my projects...or just make my hubby take them - he's the family photog.

Misc Cards

2010-01-22T19:50:00.001-07:00

I thank God every time I remember you.

2010-01-19T01:01:00.001-07:00

My church is starting a new, 8 week series called "e-la-tion." It's a journey through the Book of Philippians, which is called the Apostle Paul's 'masterpiece of encouragement.' Every weekend, the message will be based upon Philippians (which is only four chapters long). During the week, small groups and online forums will take part in discussion groups, delving deeper into the previous weekend's message.

Last weekend was the kickoff for this series, and John didn't pull any punches - he laid out groundwork for getting elation in your life. There was a lot of information, and my notes (which I don't usually take) are covered in frantically scribbled quotes. The four main points are: 1) focus on the good in people, 2) practice positive praying, 3) be patient with people, and 4) love from the heart.

I left church on Saturday night feeling inspired and ready to do something different. I just finished reading Philippians, and completed the Week One Discussion Questions from the website. I haven't felt God pulling at my heart like this in months. I am excited and terrified of what the next two months are going to bring. I didn't know how to label this. I decided 'party-shoes' seemed most appropriate.

http://www.crossroadscolorado.com/elation

Sickness equals more snuggle time. What a trade-off...

2010-01-11T20:17:00.004-07:00

I know it's perverse, but I love that extra cuddliness is a side-effect of a sick kiddo. Not that I want my kids to ever be sick, but when they are, I love that they want to snuggle with me.

Having boys means I deal with a lot of things I'm not, by nature, too excited about: fascination with dirt and other grossness, building with Legos, discovering facts about dinosaurs, pretending to be a race car or firefighter, and the inability of little boys to sit still for more than 30 second intervals. Usually, they're too busy running around, jumping on/off stuff, playing with Legos/dinosaurs/cars, etc, to spare anything but a few seconds to give me a hug or smooch before they're back to being busy.

When they're sick, however, our "quality mom-son time" quota gets a much-needed boost. Suddenly, I'm in high demand; rather than playing or running around, my little men will actually sit on the couch, snuggled right up to my side, resting their warm little faces on my chest, for hours. We could stay that way all day, our only disturbances being bathroom breaks, food/drink replenishment, and switching of dvds. It's heavenly.
I pray for my sons' good health daily, but am grateful for the little illnesses that let us reconnect...even if it is just until the antibiotics kick in.

Why shoes? Well, it's a long story...as most of my stories tend to be.

2009-12-24T23:24:00.001-07:00

You're probably wondering what the deal is with the shoes. When I was trying to come up with a blog name that I felt fit me best, I found myself wondering which "me" I want it to fit - me the mom, me the wife, me the professional, or any one of the many other aspects of "me"? The truth is, this blog will probably include pieces from all of those identities; I couldn't settle on just one.

That got me thinking about the well-known figure of speech, "wearing many hats." I don't actually wear hats (they look weird on me), so that didn't really seem to fit my personality. The analogy is accurate, however; I felt like there was a blog title in a similar metaphor. Then, it hit me: shoes. If the metaphor about hats means a different type of hat is required for a different aspect of my identity, then surely I could apply the concept to an accessory that better fits my personality.

I love shoes. I love fancy shoes, high heeled shoes, casual shoes, flats, tennis shoes, boots, flip-flops, slippers; you name the style of shoe, I probably have at least one in my closet. I find myself wearing shoes based on either the impression I wish to make, or based on the mood that I'm in. If I'm feeling confident, sexy, empowered, and fashionable, you'll likely find me in a saucy heel. If I need to be practical, but still professional, I'll probably wear dressy flats. Running around after my kids all day? If it's summer, I'll be in flip-flops; in winter, I'll be in some sort of casual shoe. The list goes on.

Furthermore, I was thinking about my "to do" list, and the balancing act that I'm required to pull off in my daily life; I've encountered people who have looked down their noses at me for not being _____ enough, usually because I'm not able (or willing) to devote 100% of my time and attention to one aspect of my life, like them. I've often thought, when this comes up, that it isn't easy for someone who isn't required to be responsible for many different things and people to understand where I'm coming from. There have been occasions when certain of those people, usually in a professional environment, have even used this as a means of professional sabotage.

Whenever something like this happens, whether it's someone wondering why I'm not devoting more time and energy toward one aspect of my life over the rest of my responsibilities, or it's someone trying to use my many responsibilities against me, I inevitably think, "Dude [or, dudette, as the case may be], you couldn't last one day in my shoes."

I've also had the more positive version of this experience - the person who is, like me, responsible for a family, a career, etc., and who celebrates that juggling of this crazy life. When I'm blessed to meet these people, I find we share common ground...probably because we've pounded that same ground in similar shoes. There is comraderie, empathy, support and acceptance - we lift each other up, support one another, and share the experience. This is when I think, "Ah. Someone who's walked in my shoes. Thank you, God!"

So, there you have it - I wear many different styles of shoes (metaphorically and literally), and this blog is about the experiences that come from the different parts of my life. I hope it helps open the eyes and minds of those who maybe haven't experienced the wonderful craziness. I hope it helps those who live in the trenches of that wonderful craziness to know they aren't alone.

Laugh with me. Cry with me. Share with me. I want to make you shake your fist; I want to remind you of why we keep walking this walk. Escape from your own life; live vicariously through mine. Spend a day in my shoes.