I might have mentioned before (then again, maybe not) that I come from some exceptional stock. A more fitting name could not be found for them than The League of Extraordinary Women. The list includes people who are blood related and some that are not, but they've all helped shaped me along the road of this crazy life.
My mother, The Great G, is always the first on the list...not only did she give birth to me, but she showed me what it is to not just survive the things that cause turmoil in our lives, but how to LIVE in spite of those damned moments. She's been through so much in her life and, yet, still continues to grow, change, learn and love as she lives the best life she can. Her writing sparked the writer in me at a very young age and I have constantly held myself up to the highest standard that I can in my writing...The Great G. The imagery that she can put down in one line can paint a picture so beautifully of what she is trying to express that it has been known to take my breath away. The work ethic that she has always held taught me that if you work hard, do what is right, then you can and will achieve great things...she works in a typically male job and has made a name for herself in more ways than one. The list of positive attributes would be endless if I were to even try to write it all down.
She has two sisters that have paved the way in their own lives in different ways. One, The Melodious MA, overcoming obstacles to finally become the music teacher we all knew she was Gifted to be...always the littlest sister, but never left behind in what she has achieved through the work and determination that only the Women of the League can possess. The other sister, The Marvelous M, working in an area that few women still dare to go, but doing the job and doing it well. She is a perpetual reminder (through action not word) that my emotional self is not a thing to be feared or conquered, but something instead to holds hands with, embrace, and learn to walk down the Path of Recovery knowing that it's okay to feel as long as I keep moving. She has found ways to keep moving through some of the most horrible pain that a person can go through and she's still here...and still amazing!
Each of these women learned at the feet of a great master, their mother, my grandmother. A woman who never begrudged a child curling up in bed with her as she said her rosary each night...even when we chattered on endlessly like the little monkeys we were! She would smile, talk a little with us and keep on with her rosary as we would ramble on. Her contagious laughter, always a gift, could be heard through any room of her small home...a gift she has passed on to her daughters and they have passed on to theirs'...yeah, you might not ever want to be near if/when we all get together! She was a Leader in every sense of the word and our lives are better for having her in it. I am forever proud to share my name with hers.
The ranks of the League are not confined to only blood relatives, as I said. My "Big Sister" taught me about music, acceptance and how to be who you truly are, no matter how hard it is to finally be it. The Queen of TCT's Children's Workshops, one of The Great G's best friends, taught me how to breathe, act, relax, about art and how to make her special syrup out of honey and fruit when the two women were trying to feed all 4 of their combined kiddos on a budget.
I could keep going for days about these women and a few more, but I don't think anyone would be able to read for that long...So I'll close with this: I am honored to know these women and grateful that they have helped to shape the me I am today. Who's in your League?
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Crafter In Me
I go on crafting binges. There. I've admitted it. I
will craft my little heart out, forgetting just about everything else until the urge to craft has passed...the problem is that it never really passes for long. The crafting ranges from sewing, wreath making, quilting, embroidering, crocheting...the list keeps getting bigger. This time crochet hit full force.
This holiday season it started with a simple discussion about a Jayne hat. For those of you not familiar with the Jayne hat, I'm sorry, you've missed one of the best (and tragically short-lived) shows ever that had a character, "The man named Jayne." A new friend to my son brought around new friends for us, Fro-Boy's mom and soon-to-be-step-dad. (And before you get offended, the kid is seriously proud of his fro and even has an Xbox live name that uses fro in the title! LOL) They, like us, love the series Firefly and the movie that was based on it, Serenity...The Calm One even has a hat that a friend made for her that looks exactly like Jayne Cobb's cunning hat his mother lovingly knit for him. She'd love to have hats for the 3 boys in her house, Appalachian Man, Fro-Boy and the Little Fusser...me being the crocheting kind, I told her I bet I could make her a couple or teach her how.
And that's all it took. Out came the left over yarn, crochet hooks lovingly packed in their case and my favorite little purple scissors. Before I knew it I was making a beautiful scarf and hat for my adorable niece, baby headbands with flowers on them, wrist warmers...anything my mind jumped to.
All of this led me to wondering if I could make something with a cabled braid on something. I could've looked up a pattern, sure, but that would've been too easy...and I've never been about the easy way in life! So off I started working out which way to work the stitches so that it would look the way I wanted to. At the end of it all I was able to look at one slightly bulky, but very warm, wrist warmer. After all of that there was no way I was going to forget how I got to this point, so I typed it all up and figured what better way to make sure I never lose it than to post it?!
These instructions aren't going to be great because this is the very first time I have EVER written up one of my crazy designs, but hopefully you'll get the idea.
For The Thumb Spaces:
Join yarn to any place and SC around the opening for your thumb. When you get to the first ST join with SL ST and CH 1. SC in each CH SP around, increasing ST if necessary join last to first, CH 1. Continue SC rows until half of the thumb is covered.
So there you go! My first ever pattern...it's not perfect, but I still put it out there because it ain't half bad, either.
will craft my little heart out, forgetting just about everything else until the urge to craft has passed...the problem is that it never really passes for long. The crafting ranges from sewing, wreath making, quilting, embroidering, crocheting...the list keeps getting bigger. This time crochet hit full force.
 |
Jayne: (wearing ugly homemade hat) "How's it sit? Pretty cunning, don'tchya think?" Kaylee: "I think it's the sweetest hat ever." Book: "Makes a statement." Jayne: "Yeah, yeah!" Wash: "A man walks down the street in that hat, people know he's not afraid of anything." Jayne: "Damn straight." |
And that's all it took. Out came the left over yarn, crochet hooks lovingly packed in their case and my favorite little purple scissors. Before I knew it I was making a beautiful scarf and hat for my adorable niece, baby headbands with flowers on them, wrist warmers...anything my mind jumped to.
 A beautiful hat and scarf for my beautiful niece. |  |
All of this led me to wondering if I could make something with a cabled braid on something. I could've looked up a pattern, sure, but that would've been too easy...and I've never been about the easy way in life! So off I started working out which way to work the stitches so that it would look the way I wanted to. At the end of it all I was able to look at one slightly bulky, but very warm, wrist warmer. After all of that there was no way I was going to forget how I got to this point, so I typed it all up and figured what better way to make sure I never lose it than to post it?!These instructions aren't going to be great because this is the very first time I have EVER written up one of my crazy designs, but hopefully you'll get the idea.
Not sure of the weight of the yarn because it was a leftover from an old project and I didn't have the cover anymore; but it's extremely thick strands...so the end result is rather bulky, but SUPER warm. I'm fairly certain that this can be increased in size by adding one of the small braided sections and I'll be trying this with a finer, nicer yarn as soon as I get a chance.
Size F hook (this size was perfect to go around my knuckles and leave room for movement, but I have a VERY small hand...size 5.5-6 rings).
Terms Used:
SC=Single Chain
CH=Chain
CH SP=Chain Space
DC=Double Chain
ST=Stitch(es)
SL ST=Slip Stitch
BPDC=Back Post Double Chain
FPDC=Front Post Double Chain
FPTC=Front Post Triple Chain
2 BPDC= BPDC around the posts of the next 2 stitches from the previous row. 3 FPDC=FPDC around the posts of the next 3 stitches from the previous row. (etc)
BPDC2TOG=Back post double chain two together-used to decrease stitches-Insert hook as if you're going to do a BP stitch, YO and pull through (2 loops on hook). Insert hook as if you're going to do a BP stitch around the NEXT post after the one you were just working with, YO and pull through two loops, YO pull through both loops on hook. BPDC2TOG completed.
This is worked by looking at the back of the project working from the join area around to the left...therefore when I say BPDC, it may look like a FPDC to me, but as it pertains to the project, it is a BPDC. (I hope that makes sense.)
FOR THE RIGHT HAND:
ROW 1: Ch 35 join to first ST to form a ring. CH 3
ROW 2: DC in each CH SP around (35 ST) Join with SL ST to top of CH 3. CH 2
ROW 3: FPDC, BPDC around (35 ST). Join to top of CH 2. CH 2
ROW 4: BPDC around each stitch (35 ST). Join to top of CH 2. CH 2
ROW 5: FPDC around each ST (35 ST). Join to top of CH 2. CH 2
(This is where it gets interesting.)
ROW 6: BPDC, FPDC, CH 2 – skip next 2 ST (this is the thumb space), 3 FPD, 2 BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, 6 FPDC, BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, 3 FPDC, 2 BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, 3 FPDC. Join with SL ST to CH 2.
ROW 7: BPDC, FPDC, 2 DC in chain 2 SP, *FPTC in 3rd FPDC SP, FPDC in 1st FPDC SP by going BEHIND the FPTC you just made, FPDC in 2nd FPDC SP making sure you go in front of both previous stitches you just made*, 2 BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, FPTC in 3rd and 4th FPDC SP, FPTC in 1st and 2nd FPDC SP, FPDC in 5th and 6th FPDC SP, 2 BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, repeat from * to *, 2 BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, repeat from * to *. Join to top of CH 2. CH 2.
ROW 8: BPDC, *FPDC, 2 BPDC, 3 FPDC, 2 BPDC*, FPDC, 2 BPDC, 2 FPDC in 1st and 2nd FPDC of previous row, FPTC around 5th and 6th FPDC of previous row, FPTC (BEHIND the 2 FPTC you just made) around 3rd and 4th FPTC from previous row, 2 BPDC, repeat from * to * ONCE, 3 FPDC. Join to top of CH 2. CH 2.
ROW 9 (You'll be decreasing on this row so it starts differently.): FPDC, *2 BPDC, FPTC in 3rd FPDC SP, FPDC in 1st FPDC SP by going BEHIND the FPTC you just made, FPDC in 2nd FPDC SP making sure you go in front of both previous stitches you just made to the middle post of the set, 2 BPDC, FPDC*, 2 BPDC, 6 FPDC, 2 BPDC, FPDC, repeat from * to *, BPDC2TOG, FPTC in 3rd FPDC SP, FPDC in 1st FPDC SP by going BEHIND the FPTC you just made, FPDC in 2nd FPDC SP making sure you go in front of both previous stitches you just made to the middle post of the set. Join with SL ST to CH 2. CH 2. (33 ST)
ROW 10: FPDC, BPDC2TOG, 3 FPDC, 2 BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, FPTC in 3rd and 4th FPDC SP, FPTC in 2nd and 1st FPDC SP, FPDC in 5th and 6th FPDC SP, 2 BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, 3 FPDC, BPDC2TOG, FPDC, BPDC, 3 FPDC. Join with SL ST to CH 2. CH 2. (31 ST)
ROW 11: FPDC, BPDC, *FPTC in 3rd FPDC SP, FPDC in 1st FPDC SP by going BEHIND the FPTC you just made, FPDC in 2nd FPDC SP making sure you go in front of both previous stitches you just made to the middle post of the set*, 2 BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, 6 FPDC, 2 BPDC, 2 FPDC, 2 BPDC, repeat from * to *, BPDC, FPDC, BPDC, repeat from * to *. Join to top of CH 2. CH 2.
ROW 12: FPDC, BPDC, 3 FPDC, BPDC2TOG, FPDC, 2 BPDC, FPDC in 1st and 2nd, FPTC in 5th and 6th, FPTC (BEHIND the 2 FPTC you just made) around 3rd and 4th FPTC from previous row, 2 BPDC, FPDC, BPDC2TOG, 3 FPDC, BPDC, FPDC, BPDC, 3 FPDC. Join with SL ST to CH2. CH 2.
ROW 13: *FPDC, BPDC, FPTC in 3rd FPDC SP, FPDC in 1st FPDC SP by going BEHIND the FPTC you just made, FPDC in 2nd FPDC SP making sure you go in front of both previous stitches you just made to the middle post of the set*, BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, 6 FPDC, 2 BPDC, repeat from * to *, BPDC, repeat from * to *. Join with SL ST to CH 2. CH 2.
ROW 14: FPDC, BPDC, 3 FPDC, BPDC, FPDC, BPDC2TOG, FPTC in 3rd and 4th FPDC SP, FPTC in 2nd and 1st FPDC SP, FPDC in 5th and 6th FPDC SP, BPDC2TOG, FPDC, BPDC, 3 FPDC, BPDC, FPDC, 3 BPDC. JOIN. CH 2. (29 ST)
ROW 15: *FPDC, BPDC, FPTC in 3rd FPDC SP, FPDC in 1st FPDC SP by going BEHIND the FPTC you just made, FPDC in 2nd FPDC SP making sure you go in front of both previous stitches you just made to the middle post of the set*, BPDC, FPDC, BPDC, 6 FPDC, BPDC, repeat from * to *, BPDC, repeat from * to *. Join with SL ST to CH 2. CH 2.
ROW 16: FPDC, BPDC, 3 FPDC, BPDC, FPDC, BPDC, FPDC in 1st and 2nd, FPTC in 5th and 6th, FPTC (BEHIND the 2 FPTC you just made) around 3rd and 4th FPTC from previous row, BPDC, FPDC, BPDC, 3 FPDC, BPDC, FPDC, 3 BPDC. JOIN. CH 2.
ROW 17: *FPDC, BPDC, FPTC in 3rd FPDC SP, FPDC in 1st FPDC SP by going BEHIND the FPTC you just made, FPDC in 2nd FPDC SP making sure you go in front of both previous stitches you just made to the middle post of the set*, BPDC, FPDC, BPDC, 6 FPDC, BPDC, repeat from * to *, BPDC, repeat from * to *. Join with SL ST to CH 2. CH 2.
ROW 18: FPDC, BPDC, 3 FPDC, BPDC, FPDC, BPDC, FPTC in 3rd and 4th FPDC SP, FPTC in 2nd and 1st FPDC SP, FPDC in 5th and 6th FPDC SP, BPDC, FPDC, BPDC, 3 FPDC, BPDC, FPDC, 3 BPDC. JOIN. CH 2.
ROW 19: FPDC around each ST (29 ST). Join to top of CH 2. CH 2
ROW 20: FPDC around each ST (29 ST). Join to top of CH 2. CH 2
ROW 21: BPDC around each stitch (29 ST). Join to top of CH 2. CH 2
ROW 22: FPDC, BPDC around (29 ST). Join to top of CH 2. **END**
LEFT HAND:
ROW 1- 5 are worked the same as for the right hand.
ROW 6: BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, 3 FPD, 2 BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, 6 FPDC, BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, 3 FPDC, CH 2 – skip next 2 ST (this is the thumb space), FPDC, 2 BPDC, 3 FPDC. Join with SL ST to CH 2.
ROW 7: BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, *FPTC in 3rd FPDC SP, FPDC in 1st FPDC SP by going BEHIND the FPTC you just made, FPDC in 2nd FPDC SP making sure you go in front of both previous stitches you just made*, 2 BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, FPTC in 3rd and 4th FPDC SP, FPTC in 1st and 2nd FPDC SP, FPDC in 5th and 6th FPDC SP, 2 BPDC, FPDC, 2 BPDC, repeat from * to *, 2 DC in chain 2 SP, FPDC, 2 BPDC, repeat from * to *. Join to top of CH 2. CH 2.
ROWS 8-22 are worked the same as for the right hand.
Join yarn to any place and SC around the opening for your thumb. When you get to the first ST join with SL ST and CH 1. SC in each CH SP around, increasing ST if necessary join last to first, CH 1. Continue SC rows until half of the thumb is covered.
So there you go! My first ever pattern...it's not perfect, but I still put it out there because it ain't half bad, either.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
A Sitcom Life
My mom once said that nothing bad ever really phases me because I just dance through life, nothing ever really touches me. I actually loved that way of looking at it for a long time, but I'm starting to look at it a different way. I've decided that I live in a sitcom. That's the only explanation for my life that I have been able to come up with.
Yesterday started with what I can only call comical in retrospect and kept getting better as the day wore on. I think that must be one of the Gifts that I've been given; the power to walk away, calm down and then laugh. I know plenty of other people who would still be fuming over waking up to a 3 year old screaming at a 14 year old and honey & ants covering the love seat in her living room because the same 14 year old had left it out after fixing himself a midnight snack; but why? Toddler Troll was trying to kill the ants with the honey. He had no way of knowing it would attract more...his 3 year old brain decided it was a good idea so that's what he did.
Later in the day I asked Monster Teen to please empty the dishwasher. I've tasked him with certain chores as he's gotten older and this was one of the first things that I chose to use for his lesson in responsibility. He's done it now for many years and only occasionally messes up the task by putting something in the wrong place, but, for some reason, yesterday he unloaded the bottom part and left the top un-emptied. I again was in a situation where I could either choose to get upset or choose to laugh. I laughed with full on gusto all the way to his room! When I got there I asked him if there was a reason he had unloaded the bottom, but not the top and he looked at me completely baffled. This only got me to dissolve into more fits of laughter which got him laughing as he went to complete his chore.
There are more items like that which have colored my world and I know for a long time I had lost the ability to find humor in them, but over the last year and a half it has started to shift back. I've found my humor again and am enjoying this crazy sitcom that surrounds me. It makes us all a happier bunch because with laughter around you, how can you be upset with anything for long? So next time you're faced with a unusual situation that could leave you upset, try to find the humor. It will only take a moment to let the smile start and then the laughing will follow if you let it.
Yesterday started with what I can only call comical in retrospect and kept getting better as the day wore on. I think that must be one of the Gifts that I've been given; the power to walk away, calm down and then laugh. I know plenty of other people who would still be fuming over waking up to a 3 year old screaming at a 14 year old and honey & ants covering the love seat in her living room because the same 14 year old had left it out after fixing himself a midnight snack; but why? Toddler Troll was trying to kill the ants with the honey. He had no way of knowing it would attract more...his 3 year old brain decided it was a good idea so that's what he did.
Later in the day I asked Monster Teen to please empty the dishwasher. I've tasked him with certain chores as he's gotten older and this was one of the first things that I chose to use for his lesson in responsibility. He's done it now for many years and only occasionally messes up the task by putting something in the wrong place, but, for some reason, yesterday he unloaded the bottom part and left the top un-emptied. I again was in a situation where I could either choose to get upset or choose to laugh. I laughed with full on gusto all the way to his room! When I got there I asked him if there was a reason he had unloaded the bottom, but not the top and he looked at me completely baffled. This only got me to dissolve into more fits of laughter which got him laughing as he went to complete his chore.
There are more items like that which have colored my world and I know for a long time I had lost the ability to find humor in them, but over the last year and a half it has started to shift back. I've found my humor again and am enjoying this crazy sitcom that surrounds me. It makes us all a happier bunch because with laughter around you, how can you be upset with anything for long? So next time you're faced with a unusual situation that could leave you upset, try to find the humor. It will only take a moment to let the smile start and then the laughing will follow if you let it.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
A Worthwhile Day
Being the mom of two boys with a 10 1/2 year age gap can bring new challenges every other second and some days even have me pulling out my hair, ready to just take a nap, by 10:30 AM! Today was not one of those days, though. Today was mostly made of the good things that make life as a stay at home mom worthwhile. One of my best qualities has always been that I can take apart the day and remove the bad things, letting only the good parts stay with me. My mother called it "dancing through life" once...I actually love looking at it that way. It's not always easy, and I don't get it right all the time, but today I did.
Monster Teen refused to get up today when I went in to let him know it was noon already. He is, unfortunately, his mother's son with that; he absolutely LOVES his sleep. I've been known to be able to sleep until 2 pm after going to bed at 11 when I was his age (one of the perks to having a single mom who worked during the day was sleeping to all hours of the day). I left him alone because it's really not that serious how late he sleeps and Toddler Troll and I were having a great day together.
Something that I have noticed about the age gap is that Monster Teen is getting to that age where he doesn't like to snuggle anymore. I still get hugs, but NOT in public. Toddler Troll is still in his snuggly love-bug phase of life, so I don't miss it quite as much. (A snuggle may be a snuggle, but one child never replaces another...so I still miss my snuggle time with Monster Teen) Toddler Troll and I snuggle-bugged, tickled, played games and finished cleaning his exceptionally messy room together. Then came his lunch and quiet time after that.
I was surprised that at the end of quiet time Toddler Troll helped pick up his room with no argument...he was actually laughing and happy until I asked him to pick up his "men" (little knights from his castle set that Grandragon gave him). I let him know that it was okay to keep them out if he was still playing with them and we had instant smiles again. Some time later all heck broke loose because Monster Teen decided to "grace" us with his presence.
After ignoring my request for the trash cans to be brought back to the house from the curb and the recycling to be taken to the outside bin, I gave him an hour to get it taken care of and then I turned off the router so he could no longer play Xbox Live. Yep, I'm that kind of mom. Action (or even inaction) has a consequence and one of the things that I think is a large problem in society is that too many children are not given this lesson. He was not at all happy and began to rain his wrath down upon his brother and me to prove just how angry he was. This rewarded him with a talk from me...there was a little more before this, but the tail end was the important part (to me).
"You do know that if you would do what I asked, when I asked, you would have unlimited amounts of free time after, right?"
"You know I'm angry, right?"
"I'm not too thrilled with you right now either, kid, but why don't we both stop the negativity and get some happy in here."
I then left his room, letting him soak in what I had told him. After about 5 minutes, he came out, looked at me and said, "You know you're weird, Mom, but somehow it works for you. I love you!" I was then gifted with the ultimate teenage reward, a hug and we continued our day with much better attitudes towards one another. Everything that I asked for was done and he played nicely with his brother for a while, too.
We had many little moments during the evening that I enjoyed...there were lots of moments of hilarity today, we all worked well together even when we had an upset to get over and now I'm listening to Duckie and Monster Teen watching one of their ghost shows together after Toddler Troll went straight to bed. Yes, I'm a lucky woman and I'm grateful for the reminders to enjoy the little things in life that I was given today.
Something that I have noticed about the age gap is that Monster Teen is getting to that age where he doesn't like to snuggle anymore. I still get hugs, but NOT in public. Toddler Troll is still in his snuggly love-bug phase of life, so I don't miss it quite as much. (A snuggle may be a snuggle, but one child never replaces another...so I still miss my snuggle time with Monster Teen) Toddler Troll and I snuggle-bugged, tickled, played games and finished cleaning his exceptionally messy room together. Then came his lunch and quiet time after that.
I was surprised that at the end of quiet time Toddler Troll helped pick up his room with no argument...he was actually laughing and happy until I asked him to pick up his "men" (little knights from his castle set that Grandragon gave him). I let him know that it was okay to keep them out if he was still playing with them and we had instant smiles again. Some time later all heck broke loose because Monster Teen decided to "grace" us with his presence.
After ignoring my request for the trash cans to be brought back to the house from the curb and the recycling to be taken to the outside bin, I gave him an hour to get it taken care of and then I turned off the router so he could no longer play Xbox Live. Yep, I'm that kind of mom. Action (or even inaction) has a consequence and one of the things that I think is a large problem in society is that too many children are not given this lesson. He was not at all happy and began to rain his wrath down upon his brother and me to prove just how angry he was. This rewarded him with a talk from me...there was a little more before this, but the tail end was the important part (to me).
"You do know that if you would do what I asked, when I asked, you would have unlimited amounts of free time after, right?"
"You know I'm angry, right?"
"I'm not too thrilled with you right now either, kid, but why don't we both stop the negativity and get some happy in here."
I then left his room, letting him soak in what I had told him. After about 5 minutes, he came out, looked at me and said, "You know you're weird, Mom, but somehow it works for you. I love you!" I was then gifted with the ultimate teenage reward, a hug and we continued our day with much better attitudes towards one another. Everything that I asked for was done and he played nicely with his brother for a while, too.
We had many little moments during the evening that I enjoyed...there were lots of moments of hilarity today, we all worked well together even when we had an upset to get over and now I'm listening to Duckie and Monster Teen watching one of their ghost shows together after Toddler Troll went straight to bed. Yes, I'm a lucky woman and I'm grateful for the reminders to enjoy the little things in life that I was given today.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Shoes Glorious Shoes
I prefer to be barefoot whenever possible, but when I'm out and about shopping, I love looking at the shoes. Beautiful, quirky, eccentric, fun, darling, comfortable shoes...if I had an unlimited budget I would have a closet full of them. I've always loved them and my style has only changed subtly over the years.
Years ago I was a sneaker kid...I wanted to be trendy and wear Keds, but we couldn't afford them, so I got the Walmart versions. It made no difference to me, they looked the same, just no little blue tag on the back proclaiming their "worth" to the world. I was fairly easy to please that way, or so I remember...Mom may remember differently. I didn't mind hand-me-downs or thrift shop excursions...it was actually kind of fun to rifle through the racks at The Second Hand Rose with my mom, but that may have been more about the quality time with her than it was about the clothes. She made shopping, even when we were just window-shopping, the most fantastic experience of my young life.
My style didn't change much as I grew older. I added in a few pieces to my sneaker repertoire such as baby doll shoes, knock off Birkenstock shoes, and flip-flops. I carried variations on these ideas through my life until I met Higher Briars and found out what a true shoe fetish was really about. She brought me into the world of quality shoes with the flair that only she could and I bought my first pair of expensive sandals to go with a dress she'd helped me find. I wear them with just about every dress I own during the summer because they are so versatile and unbelievably comfortable.
What is that makes us love the shoes we love, though? I know that, for me, I have to be careful to buy items that don't aggravate my bunion (thank you, retail in heels) and bad ankle (thank you, clutz that I am), but I love shoes that represent a little of who I am. Thanks to Higher Briars I have a few more shoes to add to that pile. They are still a variation on my favorite styles, but with some fun new twists...they are also well made so they should last me a very long time (another thing that I can appreciate after years of cheap shoes). Thank goodness I got different colors so I can easily pair them with an outfit without having to sit and wonder which one to pick! That FedEx truck better be here early on Wednesday!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Small Town Fourth of July Memories
We moved around quite a bit when I was a small child...it wasn't until we got to the small town of Belton that we stayed put and I got to grow up around amazing people. As I've said before, we picked up some extended family in and around our home. With family, traditions start to form easily. You find these little things that you enjoy so much that you go back again and again each year. One of those was the annual Fourth of July parade for our family.
Believe it or not, there are people all over the state of Texas that know about our small town parade...it's one of the best I've ever seen to this day. They come from all over to participate in festivities of the weekend. But even knowing that, I was still surprised to find that USA today actually included it in their 10 Great Places To Fly Your Patriotic Colors on July 4th article. I have to say that it made me feel extremely proud to see Belton, TX in that list...that feeling of “I came from there” swells up and I can't help smiling as the memories flood through my mind.
We would wake early and head down to the parade route to get a good seat...there were actually people who would sleep in their spots over night or would park their trucks, gate to the street, to ensure they got the best view. It was serious business picking your spot and some of the town actually had “their spots”, a family's favorite place of viewing the parade for years. We usually spread our blanket on the front lawn of First Baptist Church, but we weren't too picky, as long as we could see, we were happy. When the parade would start there were always cheers, clapping and smiling faces from everyone, especially the kids. The candy thrown from floats, the Marching 100 passing us by, the man with the lawn mower towing his family behind him in little red wagons...I could keep going with items/people that I remember as part of my favorite Fourth of July tradition.
Fourth of Julys in Texas, especially Belton, are something that I miss profoundly because of how special they always made it. Our nation's birthday was celebrated to the utmost...I was left knowing exactly why I should have pride in America by growing up in a place where rodeo reigned supreme, there was always some fun at the Festival on Nolan Creek and the Belton parade showed us all what patriotism and good old family fun was supposed to be. I've never found another place that could live up to the memories that my hometown has given to me...I enjoy the fireworks, family fun and friendship that I participate in outside of my home state, don't get me wrong, but nothing beats out those memories.
So what are some of YOUR favorite memories of our country's birthday? Please, feel free to tell me in the comments section what has always given you a sense of pride in our nation.
Believe it or not, there are people all over the state of Texas that know about our small town parade...it's one of the best I've ever seen to this day. They come from all over to participate in festivities of the weekend. But even knowing that, I was still surprised to find that USA today actually included it in their 10 Great Places To Fly Your Patriotic Colors on July 4th article. I have to say that it made me feel extremely proud to see Belton, TX in that list...that feeling of “I came from there” swells up and I can't help smiling as the memories flood through my mind.
We would wake early and head down to the parade route to get a good seat...there were actually people who would sleep in their spots over night or would park their trucks, gate to the street, to ensure they got the best view. It was serious business picking your spot and some of the town actually had “their spots”, a family's favorite place of viewing the parade for years. We usually spread our blanket on the front lawn of First Baptist Church, but we weren't too picky, as long as we could see, we were happy. When the parade would start there were always cheers, clapping and smiling faces from everyone, especially the kids. The candy thrown from floats, the Marching 100 passing us by, the man with the lawn mower towing his family behind him in little red wagons...I could keep going with items/people that I remember as part of my favorite Fourth of July tradition.
Fourth of Julys in Texas, especially Belton, are something that I miss profoundly because of how special they always made it. Our nation's birthday was celebrated to the utmost...I was left knowing exactly why I should have pride in America by growing up in a place where rodeo reigned supreme, there was always some fun at the Festival on Nolan Creek and the Belton parade showed us all what patriotism and good old family fun was supposed to be. I've never found another place that could live up to the memories that my hometown has given to me...I enjoy the fireworks, family fun and friendship that I participate in outside of my home state, don't get me wrong, but nothing beats out those memories.
So what are some of YOUR favorite memories of our country's birthday? Please, feel free to tell me in the comments section what has always given you a sense of pride in our nation.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
A Touch Of the Unexpected
There are several things that I never expected in life that have turned out to be blessings of unimaginable proportions. One of those is the love, fellowship and comfort I have found in the rooms of recovery. I can't imagine any little girl dreaming of her future and saying, “When I grow up I want to marry an alcoholic who will eventually find recovery and we can go to meetings together!” Yet, here I am, 15 years into our marriage, doing just that, and I'm truly enjoying it.
The love was probably the most unexpected. I mean how many places can you walk into a room, not know a single person there and receive hugs and unconditional love just because you're there?! Not many, I'd say, but the rooms of Al-Anon and AA do just that. You are welcomed “with open arms" and loved for who you are, even if you're (and sometimes because you're) not able to love yourself at that moment.
Don't get me wrong, I was petrified when I first walked into an Al-Anon meeting, unsure of what to expect and what kind of people I would be faced with, but the words that I heard, the steadiness of the people around me and the hugs with murmured words of, “Just keep coming back.” made me feel more at ease and completely welcomed. The same was given in the first AA room I walked into with Duckie...I wasn't even a member, but they welcomed me into the rooms with the same love that they had shown my husband.
Which brings me to the fellowship. I've always been known as a “people person” who could make friends with a lamp post if it was the only thing near me to talk to, but I'd withdrawn over the years, not trusting that I would be accepted and even if I was, I just “knew” no one would accept my sullen and often angry husband. I've found more friendship, true camaraderie, in such a short time than I have found in the rest of my life. I'm still learning in little ways and big, what that friendship means...it's amazing and a little scary, but infinitely worth it.
I thought they must be insane to love me and welcome me with friendship so easily; that it would surely go away once they got to know me and found out how annoying I could be. Wasn't that what almost everyone did? But that “insanity” drew me to them like nothing else could...that was all I had known for so long that it was comfortable. As I got to know different people, they didn't draw away, they actually smiled, nodded and said things like, “I did that, too! Didn't it make you feel insane?!” with little laughs at their own craziness. I've never felt so un-judged by so many people in the same place! No one tells me that things that happened were all my fault or what I should have done...they nod, give me encouragement of the future and make sure that I know that things can change if I am willing to let them.
The smells of cigarette smoke and coffee, eerily familiar thanks to a childhood spent at Temple Civic Theatre, add to my feelings of ease. I've met people in both of the rooms who remind me of characters from my childhood in that amazing place. I know you're laughing at me calling people I remember “characters”, but they truly were/are. I heard my first dirty joke at a cast party, I learned how to dance, sing, play cards quietly in the green room so the stage manager wouldn't hear us, how to do props, painting, and the all important making a quick change of clothes by stripping out of my current costume while running through the lobby on my way to the dressing room for the new costume. I, along with many other kids, spent summers there learning at the feet of my mother's best friend how to put on a production from start to finish. There are people that I grew up with at TCT who will forever be my family and, I find, it is the same with some of the people in the rooms of recovery...what an interesting parallel to my childhood. Add that to the list of the unexpected!
The love was probably the most unexpected. I mean how many places can you walk into a room, not know a single person there and receive hugs and unconditional love just because you're there?! Not many, I'd say, but the rooms of Al-Anon and AA do just that. You are welcomed “with open arms" and loved for who you are, even if you're (and sometimes because you're) not able to love yourself at that moment.
Which brings me to the fellowship. I've always been known as a “people person” who could make friends with a lamp post if it was the only thing near me to talk to, but I'd withdrawn over the years, not trusting that I would be accepted and even if I was, I just “knew” no one would accept my sullen and often angry husband. I've found more friendship, true camaraderie, in such a short time than I have found in the rest of my life. I'm still learning in little ways and big, what that friendship means...it's amazing and a little scary, but infinitely worth it.
I thought they must be insane to love me and welcome me with friendship so easily; that it would surely go away once they got to know me and found out how annoying I could be. Wasn't that what almost everyone did? But that “insanity” drew me to them like nothing else could...that was all I had known for so long that it was comfortable. As I got to know different people, they didn't draw away, they actually smiled, nodded and said things like, “I did that, too! Didn't it make you feel insane?!” with little laughs at their own craziness. I've never felt so un-judged by so many people in the same place! No one tells me that things that happened were all my fault or what I should have done...they nod, give me encouragement of the future and make sure that I know that things can change if I am willing to let them.
The smells of cigarette smoke and coffee, eerily familiar thanks to a childhood spent at Temple Civic Theatre, add to my feelings of ease. I've met people in both of the rooms who remind me of characters from my childhood in that amazing place. I know you're laughing at me calling people I remember “characters”, but they truly were/are. I heard my first dirty joke at a cast party, I learned how to dance, sing, play cards quietly in the green room so the stage manager wouldn't hear us, how to do props, painting, and the all important making a quick change of clothes by stripping out of my current costume while running through the lobby on my way to the dressing room for the new costume. I, along with many other kids, spent summers there learning at the feet of my mother's best friend how to put on a production from start to finish. There are people that I grew up with at TCT who will forever be my family and, I find, it is the same with some of the people in the rooms of recovery...what an interesting parallel to my childhood. Add that to the list of the unexpected!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
My Own Little World of Insanity
So the one thing that my blog should have taught you by now is that I'm a little bit insane. I like to do things my own way and definitely live in a world all my own...the theme music here is FANTASTIC! Today I made Duckie literally laugh out loud when I brought home a collar and leash for our newest cat.
Yes, you read that correctly, I brought home a leash and collar for a CAT. She had unquestionably been an outdoor cat for some amount of time before she came to us and continues to try to dart outside whenever the door opens. I hate to see an animal unhappy and wanted to see if something simple could alleviate her forlorn looks out the window.
The first trick was giving her some kitty crunchy treats while I hooked the collar on her. If looks could actually say something, hers would have been hollering, “What the heck?!?! What do you think you're doing?!” (There would probably have been a few profanities thrown somewhere in there, too.) But she scarfed her treats down before she tried to scratch it off. The next step was hooking the leash to the collar...yeah, she attacked it as soon as it was attached. Rolling around on the floor, kicking at it, trying to paw it out of her way and giving me more dirty looks. When the door opened, she didn't even move towards it, Duckie had to pick her up and carry her outside because I was too busy sitting on the floor, laughing my tail off while I held onto the leash. Once she was placed on the grass she looked around, rolled in the grass, gave the leash an evil look and then lay down in perfect bliss.
I had to carry her back into the house after our playtime outside was over.
I had also picked up some new cat toys while I was in the pet aisle, now Pawsha is tearing around the house flying around the toys, coming back to them and knocking them clear across the room while our other two cats look at her like she has lost her mind. Zoe actually made the mistake of getting too close a couple of times and being pounced....I'm still laughing at Pawsha “attacking” Zoe from behind the curtain to the point that Zoe flew about 5 feet back across the room!!! I can see many little escapes to the outside with Pawsha in the future (and the other 2, also, if I thought they would let me get the leash on them)...who knew a kitty on a leash could bring so much happiness to not only her, but to me as well!?!
So tonight, the theme music in the Land of All Ducked Up is a laugh track and I'm enjoying every minute of it!
Yes, you read that correctly, I brought home a leash and collar for a CAT. She had unquestionably been an outdoor cat for some amount of time before she came to us and continues to try to dart outside whenever the door opens. I hate to see an animal unhappy and wanted to see if something simple could alleviate her forlorn looks out the window.
The first trick was giving her some kitty crunchy treats while I hooked the collar on her. If looks could actually say something, hers would have been hollering, “What the heck?!?! What do you think you're doing?!” (There would probably have been a few profanities thrown somewhere in there, too.) But she scarfed her treats down before she tried to scratch it off. The next step was hooking the leash to the collar...yeah, she attacked it as soon as it was attached. Rolling around on the floor, kicking at it, trying to paw it out of her way and giving me more dirty looks. When the door opened, she didn't even move towards it, Duckie had to pick her up and carry her outside because I was too busy sitting on the floor, laughing my tail off while I held onto the leash. Once she was placed on the grass she looked around, rolled in the grass, gave the leash an evil look and then lay down in perfect bliss.
I had also picked up some new cat toys while I was in the pet aisle, now Pawsha is tearing around the house flying around the toys, coming back to them and knocking them clear across the room while our other two cats look at her like she has lost her mind. Zoe actually made the mistake of getting too close a couple of times and being pounced....I'm still laughing at Pawsha “attacking” Zoe from behind the curtain to the point that Zoe flew about 5 feet back across the room!!! I can see many little escapes to the outside with Pawsha in the future (and the other 2, also, if I thought they would let me get the leash on them)...who knew a kitty on a leash could bring so much happiness to not only her, but to me as well!?!
So tonight, the theme music in the Land of All Ducked Up is a laugh track and I'm enjoying every minute of it!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Love And The Unexpected
The week of my birthday always seems to bring an amazing mix of love and the unexpected in my life. This week was definitely no different.
As the school year came to a close on my birthday, Troll Toddler ran me ragged with our exploits in the outdoors around the house, amazing wishes for greatness on my birthday (and for a couple of days before and after it), and, as it often does, coming to a close with Father's Day Weekend.
As I said in yesterday's post, my Saturday was beyond measure and left me ready for more family fun today with a cookout at the in-laws. We started the day at our church with one of the most amazing sermons I have ever heard on the Trinity. The Reverend that we have been blessed with in our lives constantly surprises me with the fact that she always has this power to either say something I needed to hear, or something that makes me think. Today was a little of both.
On to the store to pick out our eats for the cookout and get a travel corn-hole board for the kids to play with at the cookout. We had seen a really great smaller version of the game at the beach and I had found out that it was sold at one of the most prolific stores on the planet...we definitely needed something for those crazy kids to stay away from our boards when we are trying to play, so it was the perfect find! For those of you who don't know what corn-hole is, it's kind of a combination of a beanbag toss and horseshoes. I can't stand horseshoes, but no matter how badly I do at corn-hole, I ALWAYS have fun. The rain came in and kept us from playing today, but the kids had a ton of fun chasing each other and getting absolutely FILTHY after it had cleared out. Top that off with a birthday party for my favorite 2 year old nephew and you have a recipe for an phenomenal afternoon!
Now for the touch of unexpected...I came home to a message from my former step-mother. I've kept in contact with her through the years, though very sporadically, and we've been blessed with social networking allowing us glimpses into the other's life, even when we didn't have the time to really talk. I don't know what I expected when I started putting my thoughts out for the world to see...I guess I really didn't give it much thought at all, but receiving her message today helped me in ways that I never would have imagined.
The words that I read, repeatedly, washed over me, giving me warmth and love in the most unforeseen ways. The peace that I have found when dealing with my biological father was reinforced through her insights on him and kind praise of the woman I am. To see her views put out there and know what she has come to believe through her own thoughtful reasoning, to hear it from a place of healing and light...to have that loving gift from her...it adds to the blessings all around me and makes for an sensational birthday week.
As the school year came to a close on my birthday, Troll Toddler ran me ragged with our exploits in the outdoors around the house, amazing wishes for greatness on my birthday (and for a couple of days before and after it), and, as it often does, coming to a close with Father's Day Weekend.
As I said in yesterday's post, my Saturday was beyond measure and left me ready for more family fun today with a cookout at the in-laws. We started the day at our church with one of the most amazing sermons I have ever heard on the Trinity. The Reverend that we have been blessed with in our lives constantly surprises me with the fact that she always has this power to either say something I needed to hear, or something that makes me think. Today was a little of both.
On to the store to pick out our eats for the cookout and get a travel corn-hole board for the kids to play with at the cookout. We had seen a really great smaller version of the game at the beach and I had found out that it was sold at one of the most prolific stores on the planet...we definitely needed something for those crazy kids to stay away from our boards when we are trying to play, so it was the perfect find! For those of you who don't know what corn-hole is, it's kind of a combination of a beanbag toss and horseshoes. I can't stand horseshoes, but no matter how badly I do at corn-hole, I ALWAYS have fun. The rain came in and kept us from playing today, but the kids had a ton of fun chasing each other and getting absolutely FILTHY after it had cleared out. Top that off with a birthday party for my favorite 2 year old nephew and you have a recipe for an phenomenal afternoon!
Now for the touch of unexpected...I came home to a message from my former step-mother. I've kept in contact with her through the years, though very sporadically, and we've been blessed with social networking allowing us glimpses into the other's life, even when we didn't have the time to really talk. I don't know what I expected when I started putting my thoughts out for the world to see...I guess I really didn't give it much thought at all, but receiving her message today helped me in ways that I never would have imagined.
The words that I read, repeatedly, washed over me, giving me warmth and love in the most unforeseen ways. The peace that I have found when dealing with my biological father was reinforced through her insights on him and kind praise of the woman I am. To see her views put out there and know what she has come to believe through her own thoughtful reasoning, to hear it from a place of healing and light...to have that loving gift from her...it adds to the blessings all around me and makes for an sensational birthday week.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
The Purest Form of Love is Joy
There are very few days that will ever exceed the joy that I experienced today. Playing at the beach is always one of my favorite escapes, but being there with my kids, nephews, niece and other assorted family is amazing! We each took turns watching the munchkins as they splashed their way into the surf and back out again. The exuberance that they exhibited with every move could not have been more apparent and I loved every minute of it!
I have been to the beach many times with my own children, and when Monster Teen was much younger we went all the time with the whole family, but this was the first time that I have been with all of my nephews and one of my nieces (they're so much younger than my oldest and we don't usually have them all up here at the same time). The most amazing 5 year old in my life had me laughing hysterically as he karate chopped the waves and told them, “YOU'RE GOING DOWN!” My favorite 7 year old niece was riding the waves on a boogie board better than most of the adults on the beach... “I'm not moving until my Aunt [Ducked Up] sees how far up on the beach I got!” My own children enjoyed every minute of their time in the water and on the sand...Monster Teen spent the entire day out in the waves either body surfing or with his boogie board and Troll Toddler was fearless as he plunged head first into the waves.
Today was a gift that I will cherish forever. The laughter left my stomach aching in the most wonderful way, the children's tired (and yet still happy) little faces as we bundled them back to the cars, every single adult enjoying each other's company, the most perfect waves, the humidity low and the rain clouds stayed far away until we were completely done with our day. How could you not enjoy such a day?! I certainly couldn't imagine not doing so...I loved the time that I spent with my favorite red headed nephews, gorgeously blonde niece and the rest of the family!
I'm hoping that the pictures everyone took with my camera, as it was passed around from person to person, will help to show the love we shared today. Because that is exactly what that type of joy is...pure, true, LOVE. It is a love that I grew up enjoying from my own Auntie M, Mom, cousin and sister...just a small portion of the League of Extraordinary Women that has always surrounded me. I hope that my beautiful niece, rambunctious nephews and marvelous children will remember this day as I recall so many beach days on Padre Island with my family.
I have been to the beach many times with my own children, and when Monster Teen was much younger we went all the time with the whole family, but this was the first time that I have been with all of my nephews and one of my nieces (they're so much younger than my oldest and we don't usually have them all up here at the same time). The most amazing 5 year old in my life had me laughing hysterically as he karate chopped the waves and told them, “YOU'RE GOING DOWN!” My favorite 7 year old niece was riding the waves on a boogie board better than most of the adults on the beach... “I'm not moving until my Aunt [Ducked Up] sees how far up on the beach I got!” My own children enjoyed every minute of their time in the water and on the sand...Monster Teen spent the entire day out in the waves either body surfing or with his boogie board and Troll Toddler was fearless as he plunged head first into the waves.
Today was a gift that I will cherish forever. The laughter left my stomach aching in the most wonderful way, the children's tired (and yet still happy) little faces as we bundled them back to the cars, every single adult enjoying each other's company, the most perfect waves, the humidity low and the rain clouds stayed far away until we were completely done with our day. How could you not enjoy such a day?! I certainly couldn't imagine not doing so...I loved the time that I spent with my favorite red headed nephews, gorgeously blonde niece and the rest of the family!
I'm hoping that the pictures everyone took with my camera, as it was passed around from person to person, will help to show the love we shared today. Because that is exactly what that type of joy is...pure, true, LOVE. It is a love that I grew up enjoying from my own Auntie M, Mom, cousin and sister...just a small portion of the League of Extraordinary Women that has always surrounded me. I hope that my beautiful niece, rambunctious nephews and marvelous children will remember this day as I recall so many beach days on Padre Island with my family.
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