A quiet Saturday morning...well sort of

Ahhh! Coffee in hand, daughter at a friends house, no TV, hubby at a retreat...oh yeah 3 boys upstairs playing XBOX 360...and the hum of race cars on the Speedway. Oh well, almost paradise! Ok now I am singing that song. "Almost Paradise. We're knockin' on Heavens door. Almost Paradise, How could we ask for more?..." Now you are too. RIGHT? :)
Sorry I am a little goofy this morning.

For 2 days now I have decided to start playing my guitar after at least 15 years of seriously practicing. I have picked it up over the years but only to complain about my fingers hurting! Call the WAAAHHHMBULANCE.  Case in point..

They are a little sore, BUT it feels so good to play. Its in my blood. My dad used to play for me when I was little and visited him. Those are good memories. I remember them like they just happened. The guitar is from Ace who died in January. I posted about him recently. I also call him my dad. I grew up with him. The day he presented me with the guitar was on a birthday. I wish I could remember which one. Maybe my 21st but all I wanted to do was go out and PARTAY!! I was opening presents and he proudly walked in with this guitar as if it was for him. This was his way. He always wanted to add surprise and mystery to a gift. I find myself doing this with my kids now. Once I asked about it then he handed it to me.

It is so beautiful with its shiny body and mother of pearl inlay all down the back. I really treasure that gift probably more than any other. We even took lessons from the same teacher for a while. I think pulling that guitar out is part of my healing from grief. I know that grief never goes away but I have really blocked most of my feelings about his illness and death until recently. Playing is my way to think about Ace without pain. To honor his gift (and all the gifts both tangible and intangible). And it allows me to be creative in short bursts since that is all I seem to have for time anymore. I really love that guitar.

What healthy ways do you deal with pain and grief? I would love to know. I would really enjoy hearing from some of you. It is wonderful to me to read other blogs and commenting on them. I learn so much from other women.

I have been very introspective the last few days and have really let everything around me sort of "go to pot" around me. My mom has always said that. I am thinking that is not a healthy way to deal but possibly self-preservation. With all of the stress at times I have decided that busting my rear to do everything just right isn't worth my sanity. I can deal with the mess right now. (It is getting rather bad though).

So, as I was getting coffee from my beloved Keurig coffee maker. I noticed a sweet little bird taking a dirt bath in a plant. It made me smile. It's those little things we have to hold on to. See what makes you happy. As long as it is good for you and those around you, cling to them until things get better. Pray! Pray for those who may be in such a bad place that prayer doesn't cross their minds. Pray for those who will never in their lives pray. Pray for friends, enemies, and the very people that seem to not need prayer at all because most likely they are the very ones that do.  I do not feel like I have all of the answers. I need to live by what I am telling you. I am that person who needs prayer. And likely you are too! I will pray for you. Even though I don't know you. I will make that commitment. The internet has given us lots of things. Too much access is one of them, but for many it is a way to reach out to people that they would never meet or mingle with and grow stronger because of it. We share so we can grow and learn to love those around us and especially OURSELVES.

                                Love yourself today! And look at the things that make you smile!

LINKS, LINKS, LINKS!!!

 I am so LOVING this website! And her giveaway is awesome too! It really sounds like she and her husband are doing some great things while successfully supporting their family and loving what they do.  What a great story! The company her husband works for looks great! http://www.mycutcorep.com/steveadams    I will definitely be ordering some knives to replace my sad excuse for cutlery. Maybe then I will love to cook! NAHHH! Anyway here is a link to her giveaway and website.Me, Myself, and Mommy

I did a Goodwill run today! Maybe I will post some pics of my finds later!

HMMMMM What to say What to say!

 I saw this website today and had to laugh! SO FUNNY! I really want to do this!  
http://www.zefrank.com/youngmenowme/blog/   

I found it on the blog A Lil Bird Told me... I really love this blog. Lots of fun and different ideas. She mixes Dollar Store crafts with earth friendly tips and organizational tips. GOOD STUFF!
http://alilbird.blogspot.com/

There has been a lot of stress in the air around here. Anyone else feeling that at their home? I don't know if its the change of season, full moon or what but I am tired of it. GET IT TOGETHER PEOPLE!
Whew! Now that that is off of my chest...

Anyone have an android phone? I have the epic 4G and I LOVE IT!!!!! Here is a very cool picture from one of the apps ( I love saying that...apps (:) It is from the retro camera application.

 We are still on spider watch here. Our writing spider is still hanging out at our front door. Is it strange that I get excited when she catches a yummy meal? Last summer we watched another kind of spider and I felt really sad once it got so cold and we didn't see her again. This is an interesting site that has pictures of writing spiders and has links.
 http://www.cs.utk.edu/~plank/plank/pics/spider.html
 

                                            This is such a random post so forgive me but...

I had a huge lesson this week with my kids. There are so many things going on that I am not sure I can even write about them all but one very large thing is that we are in a place with our children that we want them to be involved with something outside of school and just plain old leisure; sports , arts etc. I was adamant that both of the kids should try a drama class. It seemed to make since because they are both funny and creative. All the while my son fought it  and needless to say I fought harder. Finally on Tuesday we had a mule being dragged moment outside the door and he eventually looked at me and said "mom, it's just not my thing. I want to play cello."  WHOA!!! I had to stop. I realized that he had a point and as long as he was willing to try something I would drop the situation. So while my gal did her drama thing we walked downtown together. It was nice to just BE with him. And cello, way cool! I hope he loves it!

Today I encourage you to take out your camera and find something (or someone) cool or interesting to capture and enjoy!

It's Hard to Say Goodbye

I haven't been able to write about this until today. Last Friday we euthanized our beloved dog of 14 years, Jack. Just writing it makes me sad. I have been doing surprisingly well though because he was in pain from his hips, his eye, and had breathing problems. I felt really bad actually after he was gone because I knew we kept him around for our sake. He was a constant in our home. A friend and companion to us and our children and especially one of our other 2 dogs Sadie. She was so lost the first night without him that she got up 3 or 4 times looking for him inside and outside.

I have had to deal with a lot of loss this year because not only did we have to make the decision for Jack, but on January 24th Ace, my step-dad of 35 years died from cancer. It was and still is one of the hardest experiences I have ever been through. He was so brave up to his death. I really don't think it is necessary to go into depth about it because I don't want to give cancer that kind of power. It is an evil, evil disease that I hope one day is cured.

Today I ask that you HUG & SQUEEZE those you love. Remember those that are no longer with you! And thank God for the life you have! There are blessings in EVERYTHING and EVERYONE! Leave nothing undone. Asking for forgiveness is freedom and giving the gift of forgiveness is LIFE CHANGING!

                                                  Have a Beautiful day!

Strep Throat!!!

The kiddos are home sick today but mysteriously seem to be feeling ok. That is the tricky part of strep, they are still contagious even when they feel better! AGGG! Which makes working from home difficult.

BUT, I did get a great massage this morning! The one I had last week prompted me to do something very positive for my family. I was thinking about how relaxing her tiny little room was and how easy it would be to take a small unused (or rarely used) space and make a peaceful spot for us to enjoy. I started  by taking the bonus room that is only used for video games sometimes and covered the windows, added battery operated candles (so game playing boys don't burn my house down) and added a sound machine. It is not finished yet but my kids were surprisingly very drawn to that room. It is so calm in there, like a little cave.

As every year passes, I realize how my soul is drawn towards calm and solitude. I also realize how hard it is for me to allow myself to slow down enough to appreciate the space even if I am enjoying being in there. I will post pics soon once we finish hanging curtains.

                                                        PEACE! Shalom!!

OOOOHHH isn't this PRETTY???!!!???

 I saw this tutorial for  Old Rose Wrap sometime ago but now I feel like I am gearing up to make it. I really love crochet. It reminds me of my grandmother and makes me feel comforted. I just wanted to share this in hope it would make you smile!

My gift!

I saw this cute craft tutorial from http://craftzine.com/  for making Lego minifigure capes that was retweeted by Betz White on twitter http://twitter.com/betzwhite . So cute! My son loves mini figures and I bet he will be making these soon!

This past weekend I went to my mom's house with the kiddos. While I had a moment to myself I sat on the front porch with my coffee in the beautiful cool pre-Fall air. It was so pleasant and relaxing. I also happened to be texting my friend and wanted to show her the front porch of the house I grew up in so I took a picture with my phone and was simply amazed at the image that appeared. I really felt like it was a message from God letting me know that my mom was protected at all times.

When I took the picture it did not look like this to my eyes! What an amazing gift from God!