What goes around, comes around.

I guess this saying is very true in so many respects. What goes around, comes around. Even fashion styles- which I think is funny- how twenty or thirty years later the things we poked fun of in our parents' closests are the clothes and accessories we pay big dollars to get our hands on. Sometimes we don't even spend big dollars- but we wear the stuff anyway. I am not looking forward to the day that ZUBAZ (is that how you even spell the name of those ridiculous printed pants!!!) or banana hair clips come back into fashion- even though I never wore either of them. They just aren't cute or flattering on anyone!! Just like pink stretchy pants. I'm sorry I had to be the one to say this, but if you own a pair of PINK STRETCHY PANTS- please, step away from your computer slowly, head to your closet or armoire, get those babies out and then RUN with them straight to your closest garbage and do yourself the biggest favor you can today and throw those pants in there...then take a deep breath and tell yourself you will get through this. I'm here for you if you feel you need support. Leave me a comment- or privately email me. I applaud you for taking this leap into your new world- one without pink stretchy pants.
Okay, I will down step down off of my fashion soap box- as if I had any right to be up there in the first place! Someday when I write that book of mine and I go on tour and I'm sitting on the set of the Today Show with the fashionable Katie Couric or Matt Lauer, they will probably have gotten their hands on some photos of me as a adolescent or young adult and they will post them behind me as we discuss my book. You will watch in disbelief that the pictures you see are really me. It's true. I look nothing like myself as a kid, teen or even young married, harried wife and mother. Thank goodness. Aging is being good to me in my thirties so far. I hope I stay lucky in that respect. Not that I think I look so great!- but at least I'm growing into myself and I'm definitely "improved" since so many fashion-mistakes along the way.
This post has gotten off-track from what I initially had in mind when I sat down to write it. I didn't intend to write about fashion at all. It just poured out of my heart and soul. What I wanted to touch on is how our actions affect everybody around us...and sometimes they ripple out and affect people we don't intend, or even plan on affecting. Like what I do here. I write for me. But I realize that my words aren't just hitting me- but many of you come across them and they hit you too. I wish the world were full of people wanting their words and actions to hit others in the best way possible- everyday, all the time. Unfortunately that doesn't happen- some people even try to do and say hurtful things. I don't get that- but it's a part of life and the world we live in. And I myself am not immune to hurtful words. Sometimes I lie to telemarketeers that call me at all hour of the day. Sometimes I tell them they have the wrong number when they really don't. Sometimes I tell them that I can't talk because one of my kids is vomiting in the other room- this is usually a true statement- but I think I intend it to be hurtful to my listener- they usually cut the call very quickly after that.
Today I am going to try to think before I speak. I am going to be thoughtful about my actions. I am going to try to express goodness...and if the old saying is true, goodness will come back to me. Now, if you still have a pair of pink stretchy pants lying around, I encourage you in the nicest way possible, to go throw them out. You'll thank me later. =)

One Shot...

The title, "one shot" probably means many different things to each person who reads this. From tequila to medicine to guns to a chance... you see? We're all coming from different walks of life. Even two words can bring a myriad of thoughts- none of them right or wrong. It's just sometimes I think we get hung up in our own little worlds, and we walk along going about our business in life within the tiny scope of our own perspective.
I've talked here about how things aren't always what they seem. That sometimes our own experiences or values or lack-thereof can influence what we see and what we choose to believe in this life. Simply by looking at someone or something rarely tells the whole story. That's what's on my mind today.
For some reason I was reflecting on life and the fact that we all only get one shot at it. Most of us have no idea how long that shot is or how many twists and turns will take place within it- but we are given one lifetime. I know it comes up alot, but I can't help but think about the fact that we all are facing death- it's a part of my life after having my own brush with it and staring it in the face when Teagan died. Death is very real to me and a big part of things that have shaped me the past few years. And the truth is that we will all die someday.
I live not fearing death or wondering how it will happen to me (actually I do think about that quite a bit...so far I haven't picked the way I'd like to go...still working on that), but realizing that life is a very special thing that I think too often I [still] take for granted. I can get caught up in daily routines and the busyness that we all face in our schedules. I think sometimes I like to step back in my mind and ask myself, "Is this what you want to do with your single opportunity? Are you really living life to its fullest?" Some days I truly think that I am. I also understand that life has ups and downs and even holding patterns. But I know that even in the "dry spells" we can learn and grow and enhance our understanding and a lot of other things.
I guess you stumbled upon my inside thoughts today. The ones that don't really tell you anything new or exciting- but they are just out there for you to consider in your own life. I ulitmately hope that my "one shot" will leave a good impression on all the people that happen to "brush up against me" in my walk through life- whether they be close friends, family or just people that come and go. I would like to feel that within my little world, my one shot served a purpose, and that when it's all said and done I will realize that as I sit and look back from a place in Heaven- whenever that time comes. Have a thoughtful day.

Shameless self-promotion

Having some background in design and computer know-how can be a good thing at times. like when you want a blog business card... I simply sit down at my computer and whip one up myself. Now, when I stand in line at the grocery store and see a harried mother behind me, or when I go and get a refill on my Starbuck's coffee beans- I can hand out my own card. I know. It's kind of goofy. But, I figure if dooce.com can get 200+ comments for writing about "personal body issues", then maybe there are a lot of people who want some "real life" stuff to read about.
Today happens to be a slow day for me. I guess I've hit the "blog-wall" as far as new material goes. So, shoot me some suggestions in my comments, or tell me what your favorite episode was from the Brady Bunch or anything interesting you can think of.
I actually had an uneventful trip to the grocery store today. I've also got that Rachel Ray Raspberry Tart baked up and cooling on my kitchen counter. I'm telling you- scroll down until you find this recipe and do yourself a favor- print it out and make this dessert!
In the meantime, if you bump into me just ask me for one of my cards. I'll be happy to give you one! That's all for this Monday. See ya!

No ordinary day...

If you've been following this blog for any length of time you just knew you'd see a picture of Teagan here today. It's her birthday, and she's in Heaven and we're down here...not my ideal way to celebrate a birthday, but someday we will all be up there with her and I can't wait!
Teagan loved a good party...balloons, presents, cake, family and friends. However, she had a thing about growing up. When she turned four, she said to me over and over, "I just want to be four forever." I didn't understand why she would say this. I would try to talk her out of it. I'd tell her she was wrong and that it really was so great to grow up and do big people things. I told her how beautiful she was going to look , especially dressed like a princess in her wedding gown someday.
Teagan stood firm no matter what I said, and simply said, "I just want to be four forever." She had two separate birthday parties when she turned four. Twice she got to blow out the candles on her cake. I know in my heart when she closed her eyes and made a wish that she wished "to be four forever". She was killed in July that summer. One of the first things that I thought of when the doctors told me she was gone was, "She got her wish...she gets to be four forever." Maybe that's why I am able to celebrate her birthdays with happiness. I don't know- but it still gives me an occasional chill when I hear her voice saying those words in my head. I know that Heaven is where we all hope to be someday- and she's already there- so I live with an inner sense of peace everyday.
We have lots of big purple balloons at our house today {thank you, Rachael & Emily!!} and the girls definitely know something is going on- but they probably just think it's their crazy momma doing crazy things again. They had their swimsuits and sunglasses on by breakfast and it's been a fairly happy place to be today-a far cry to how we were all feeling this time last week! [If you remember, Wyndham spent the afternoon in the ER on IVs.] Brock was an excited kid when he got a purple lightsaber from Teagan on HER birthday. What a great big sister she is- all the way from Heaven. I even got the coolest pair of purple Victoria Secret loungepants. It's amazing to me how when I set out to find or create joy- that it actually works and comes back to me more than I could have expected.
I hope that you find this to be true in your own life. There is joy and goodness and peace all around. No matter the day, no matter your circumstance- these things are out there, and they are available to everyone of us. Today I've received love, peace, joy and goodness- all in memory of my little girl who had more joy, love and goodness in the 4 short years she had on this earth, than some people have in their whole lifetime. She even got her wish. "Happy birthday, Teagan" from a Mom who keeps getting more joy and love and goodness out of life than I ever deserved. The sun has beamed down on me all day- You and all your angel friends must be smiling and having the party of your life. Thanks for never leaving my heart and soul!

I have no idea why this post talks about Sesame Street!

Today's post is being brought to you by the letter, W, and by the number 12. Remember watching Sesame Street (for some of you it was as a kid...for some of you it was a mere 20 minutes ago) and having this at the end of each show? Well, the "W" here stands for Wow...and the number 12 stands for the number of comments I was just starting to get used to seeing around here.
I say wow, because I've gotten a lot of emails and comments of support in the last couple of days- some from total strangers. I don't mean that you're "strange"; I'm simply implying that we've never met or been formally introduced. So, to every one of you, "Thank you". I appreciate that you feel such empathy for me. I find it somewhat surprising that after all these years my story still has a way of touching people in such a meaningful way. I think a lot of that has to do with who Teagan was to me in my life.
If you had spent any time with her at all you would know exactly what I am talking about. I looked back today at an email I had sent out to my family and friends 4 years ago as the first birthday of Teagan's approached in which we would be celebrating it without her. In this email I listed several things that reminded me of Teagan or specific things that she loved, that I hoped other people would do to honor Teagan's memory. They were things like, buy some purple balloons and let your kids send them up to Heaven to Teagan, rent and watch the movie 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'...it was the first one Teagan saw in the theatre and she loved it so much she stood up and clapped at the end of it (she was only 3!), buy and listen to the 'The Playground' CD by Tony Bennet or Kenny Loggin's 'More Songs from Pooh Corner'...Teagan loved to sing and dance to these. Those were just some of the ideas off my list.
When I look back and see how I was coping with my loss at that time, I am somewhat amazed myself that I was able to process and react to my situation as I did. I've had so many life experiences since then- I've watched other people around me deal with grief and hurt and pain in life. We all do it differently, and I'm not sure that everyone can relate to how I've been able to come to this point in my life.
I will tell you that St. Patrick's Day makes me think of my Grandma. She is and has been one of the biggest influences in my life, thus far. She claims to be 100% Irish- and we had big Irish dinners every year at her house for years when I grew up. I heard she was pulling off this same meal again this year- including Irish soda bread and potatoes with cabbage that you pour melted butter over. Mmmm. I'm getting hungry just strolling down memory lane!
Back to my story... if you met my Grandma Shirley you would be immediately drawn to her. She has a wonderful sense of humor, a zest for life, and a story of her own. The version she has told to groups of women and churches over the years is too long to share here- so I'll just highlight the main points.
She was left in a hospital by a teenage mother in South Dakota. After 3 months, she was adopted by her parents in Minnesota where she has lived her whole life. There was an explosion and fire in her home which burned her husband and killed her 6 year old son in the 1950's. Her husband was a guinea pig for 2 years of burn treatments at the University of MN hospital- as he had received third-degree burns over much of his body. Three weeks after getting out of the hospital (where he had been for 2 YEARS) my Grandma was driving the family to a birthday party for the afternoon and the car had carbon monoxide poisoning- which put everyone inside of the car to sleep. She hit a guardrail and the car crashed- the impact killed my grandpa and then my grandma spent 7 months in the hospital with broken knees and injuries. I am not making any of this up- I promise you!
Some years later she married and that husband was the grandpa I grew up with and loved with all my heart. He died in 1988 of cancer...my grandma has been alone since then. But despite the hardships of her life (and remember, I just wrote the condensed version), she was my "funny Grandma". You know how Grandmas are all different?! Well she was the one who always had a silly prank to pull, or a funny story to tell, or a sarcastic way of looking at the "bad stuff in life". I think of all the times I heard these stories, or watched her live out the bad stuff of her life. I guess I didn't know it at the time, but I was tucking all that away to use later (which is now) in my own life.
I had the chance to spend some time with her in Minnesota a few months ago. She has health issues- but she still talks and reminisces and shares her life very candidly. She has given me much encouragment through my trials the past few years- and has constantly prayed for me and offered support. I thought a lot about what it was in her that I will remember most when she is gone. I came up with this statement- which I shared with her during our last visit. I told her, "Grandma, you have had a life of hardships and tragedy... and what I admire most about you is how you walked through this life. You made the suffering look easy."
She was humbled by that- but I told her it was so true. I know she has a strong faith in God and He was the One who helped her along her journey. I have felt the same comfort and peace that He gives in my own life. But, I think it was her example to me that life will throw you some curve balls, and you can let it bring you down or use it to grow and learn.
This St. Patrick's day and night before Teagan's birthday, I hope that I can be my grandma to someone else in their life. I know some of you think I am some sort of superhero (right? at least one or two of you out there, right?....just say so in your comments to me), but I'm really just a person responding to the life I've been given and it just so happens I grew up with one of the greatest role models ever. And then I was given Teagan- and I sometimes think she was truly an angel sent to me by God to redirect my life- and to teach me more than I could ever have imagined.
There you have it. My longest post yet. I just hope that I can be a small source of inspiration- however you might need it in your life. I don't wish my life on any of you- but I do hope that you can learn from it. And I hope someday to be the Grandma who has mattered in someone else's life.

Create your own joy.

Here I am in my Nitty.Gritty. tee. This one is just a bit more subtle than the t-shirt I had originally designed and posted- partly because of the fact I printed and made it myself, and I just didn't want to be so bold right off the bat.
I was thinking of doing another retro-post and write about some of my other fond memories of childhood, including my [I still have her]Mrs. Beasley doll, a tv show called "Emergency" and the fact that I still beat my hubby everytime we play a game of Ms. Pac-Man. In light of the number of comments I got after posting about Gidget, I think I may even have a "flash-back" post at least once a week. You are all such nostalgic people out there!
However, I'm sticking with my inner thoughts and going with my heart and soul, which I may have already spilled here once or twice. The kind of thoughts that reach my emotions and make an appearance once or twice a year. Yeah, those thoughts. By the way, at the end of this, leave me a note if you would come back and read more of this kind of stuff. Chip says everybody has heard it all before- and I say I think it's fresh material for some of you. So, feel free to let me know who is right.
At Christmas I wrote about a festival tree event that Chip and I attended the first Christmas season we were struggling through without Teagan. You can look back in the December archives if you want the whole story. As Teagan's birthday approaches each year, I find myself with similar feelings of sadness and hurt. It's a day that kind of hits me and shouts out to me that the reality of my life isn't fair. No person should have to celebrate their child's birthday without them because that child was killed. And yet here I am. And I know I am not alone. And I don't want pity. And I don't pretend to think that you can ever know how I truly feel. And I would never want for you to know this sting, really. I won't lie to you- it hurts. Even after 5 years- it hurts. Deeply.
I'm getting better at holding back my tears. I'm getting better at breathing through the pain and recognizing the many faces it has and how it shows itself in me. I am proud that I know how much I will always love Teagan and that her life still inspires me and challenges me every single day. I am happy that I can accept her being gone and yet I still feel a connection to her spirit that warms me in my bleakest hours- she will always share a part of my soul and that thought gives me an overwhelming sense of contentment.
I write all that not for you, but for me. I take note of it and see that through death and pain and grief, I have lived and learned and I continue to grow. Teagan's life may have ended in the physical sense- but she herself has lived on within me and made me a better person in many ways.
As her birthday approaches it does indeed bring feelings of sadness and there are twinges of bitterness that spring up for a moment or two. How I wish we could be together again- if only for an hour!- to sing and laugh and touch and hold each other close. I can't imagine the bliss. I'm sure even an hour with feel like it ended too soon.
So Chip and I have had a few years of experience with days such as this. As Teagan's birthday approaches we think of ways to turn our sorrow and hurt into something beautiful and positive we can do in our lives and others- to combat that pain, to share Teagan's life in a meaningful way, and to honor her memory with joy.
One year we sent the production staff at Harpo (ie. the Oprah show) some gourmet chocolates and a bouquet of lavendar roses with a message that said, "Thanks for letting us share Teagan with the world. Enjoy a little treat in memory of our sweetie." We have learned that the best way to overcome hurt is to create your own joy...and in so doing, you can't help but have your own spirits lifted. Even when it hurts to do something in the midst of pain and sorrow, we have found that there is a measure of comfort and sometimes even joy.
This year we are planning on purchasing 9 books off of our school's library wishlist. (Nine books- since Teagan would be turning 9.) They will be donated and have a label inside stating they are in memory of Teagan's birthday. It makes me feel good knowing that her life continues to impact others in a positive way, even though she's gone. I'd like to challenge you to do something positive or fun or joyous not because you know me or Teagan- but simply because you are alive and you have a world of opportunity to do so.
I've already been doing little things this week. I made the baby onesies in the posted picture for a music teacher that is expecting a baby girl in May. I hardly know her- but I know that I like to create and making t-shirts and putting together an unexpected gift made me happy. I've got more things to do before Saturday- but here are some ideas to get you started. Maybe you will send a handwritten note to someone as a total surprise. Maybe you will turn on the CD or radio player and dance with your kids even though they have their jammies on and they are supposed to be getting into bed. Maybe you can smile all day long- and actually mean it inside. Just knowing that you're alive for today; you can create your own joy. And in so doing will touch another person's life in a positive...and maybe even memorable way. That's my Nitty.Gritty. for today.

Baby, baby~

Baby Ava, where have you gone? That's what goes through my head when I look back at photos of her just 2 short years ago. My little Ava arrived weighing 5 lbs. 14 oz. and she had a head of dark, soft silky hair. Her skin was smooth and blemish-free, her nose and mouth wrinkled in all the right spots. I stared at her over and over the first several weeks she was home... I couldn't believe how perfect she was- I called her my "Miss America Baby" because she was just so flawless. She had a quiet, sweet diposition to match her looks. I soaked up every minute of that newborn baby-phase that flies by all too quickly- for a seasoned mom like myself. Having had 4 babies before her made me keenly aware of all that I would miss about her in mere days and months. I made sure I held her often, nuzzled her extra close and reveled in the innocence that surrounded her.
Today she is a full-blown two year old. She can sing songs, laugh {loudly}, count to 7- skipping 5 and 6; she can climb on top of the dining room table, turn the videos off and on, she can get her own snack from the cupboard. Ava still loves to snuggle when she wakes up and she voices her opinion about going down at night. She knows what she wants, and will stamp her foot down in front of you to get her point across (it's so hard not to let her see me smile when she does that!), she hugs tight, dances in circles, runs with abandon and holds no emotions back. Ava has learned from the best (her other siblings) how to do so many things- and will always be one step ahead of herself- wishing she were older and able to do everything the "big kids" do.
I love her with all my heart. I wish for her a charmed life. I hope to give her direction and support and love and kindness and faith and hope- a solid framework in which to hang the canvas of her life and the art that she creates along her journey.
I would have posted a picture of her as she looks today- but she hates the camera. And no amount of coaxing or bribery has done the trick to catch the glint she has in her eyes and the smile she has to match them. That's okay with me. I'm happy to look back at the picture of her tiny baby face and fondly remember those days that passed all too quickly. And soon enough she's likely to change her mind and I'll have my camera poised and waiting.
Happy Birthday, my Baby Ava. You have made the past two years of my life better and better! Love, Mom

I'm no Tara Whitney, but...

For those of you who don't know who Tara is- she is a wonderful photographer and mother, who happens to capture life in really casual, beautiful pictures. I love the way she frames her pictures. I love the way she captures a certain feel. I can't do it like she can. I've tried. I just don't have the knowledge and experience and warm California beaches to photograph my subjects at. But what I can do is take pictures. So I take a ton of them.
These are a couple of pictures I took of Ava last week after I dressed her up as a princess and hoped to get some shots of her smiling- close up. No such luck. She just doesn't like when I get the camera out and turn it on her. Apparantly I've done it too many times already- the novelty has worn off.
Two years ago at this time I was being admitted to the hospital to give birth to Ava. I was probably being very nice to the hospital staff and my husband, as the labor was in it's early stages and I'm usually fairly nice until about 5-6 cm. I remember the experience very clearly. Although this was my fifth go at it- it didn't matter. It was as exhilarating and memorable as the first. I have a fondness for the movie "Big Daddy" starring Adam Sandler, because it was playing during my labor. And parts of it even made me laugh, despite the IV and the contractions I was having at the time. [side note here: For me Adam Sandler was comical during labor and delivery; Al Roker was not- Al Roker was in fact, far from funny, and particularly annoying at times during the peak of contractions. If you are planning on having a baby soon, I recommend you stay away from the Today Show and Food Network- stay far away. Sorry Mr. Roker.]
Back to my story. So I was just reflecting on the fact that Ava was born nearly two years ago...her birthday will be tomorrow, and I remember that day so clearly. I don't miss the way I looked and how much I weighed. I look back and think of how lucky I was to get such a sweet little baby girl.
I cried when I held her not just because she was finally here- but because she was the second little girl to come into my life after losing Teagan. We didn't "plan" her. We weren't "trying" to get her. In fact, both Ava and Isabella were "surprises" in our lives. I know they are both meant to be in our lives. I feel like the luckiest Mom to have them as my own. I wouldn't trade a minute of their lives for anything.
So, my princess Ava turns two tomorrow. My other princess Teagan's birthday is on Saturday, March 18th. If she were here with us, she would be turning nine. We will celebrate both Ava and Teagan this week. It's a happy time and yet it makes me think deeply about how life could be, should be or would be. I've come to realize that if I could change things that have happened in my life, I would. I've also come to realize that because I can't change certain things, accepting reality is the best thing I can do in life. I've realized that by accepting life as it has come, has allowed me to live with joy and I've gotten unexpected gifts along the way. Ava is one of those gifts. If I could change my present life, I wouldn't.

How's your weekend shaping up?

Probably not too shabby compared to mine. Here are three out of four of my kids that are typically running all over my house. In the above picture they are actually looking very perky compared to yesterday. As I stated in my post on Friday, husband was to be away all weekend at a golf show. Well, after our daughter (in the pink tshirt), Wyndham continued to decline and dehydrate, I called him back to help me out. I've logged about 8-9 hours of combined sleep since Thursday, and Wyndham hadn't kept down any fluids since then.
So, Chip and Wyndham spent the afternoon at our local ER. Not really a fun thing to do on the first warm, sunny day of the spring season. No, not a fun thing at all- even on a not-so-sunny-day of spring. I read a lot about people struggling to find balance in their lives these days.
Try my life on for a few minutes. It rips my heart out watching one of my kids so sick- and so often. [This trip to the ER for IV fluids and observation one of about 12 times this has happened in the past 3 years. Wyndham has an ever-growing collection of hospital bands to prove it.] Then the others have their wants, needs and agenda. Something always has to be sacrificed for something else. It's never an easy thing to let one kid down- especially when you have no choice- like in this case- because of illness.
I try my best. I look for solutions and compromises. Both Chip and I look at ways to make the tough moments of our lives easier to swallow. Yesterday it looked this way...
Chip had to cover his job and make a trip 3 hours over and then back to Novi today. He took Wyndham in to the hospital- normally she would have to be admitted- but this visit Chip knew the ER doctor on call. The Dr. gave us his home number and allowed Chip to bring Wyndham home for observation and advised us to help her get more fluids and rest. Trust me- you always sleep better at home in your own bed than at a hospital- unless you're on a high dose of morphine.
I got to spend the afternoon with my other 3 kids playing outside with the neighbors and enjoying the fresh air. Chip had promised Brock some Krispy Kremes- so those were dessert last night- only a couple of hours old. Yum-o. Then, to top it off I joined Bella in the jacuzzi for a little spa-treatment...we even lit the ginger-citrus candle for effect.
Today has been a bit laid back- with day old Krispy Kremes and easing back into a normal routine. I still don't get why poor Wyndham has to always be the one to suffer so much. I still wish I could have had my normal amount of sleep and that Chip could have spared himself all the extra hassle and miles on the road. But the bottom line is that despite all the rough spots this weekend, I can honestly say it wasn't that bad and it even had it's bright spots. I hope your weekend played out even better than mine. Although I just pulled 4 small loaves of zucchini bread out of my oven- so you're gonna have to top the smell of fresh baked bread and clean sheets in the house. How's that for balancing life? A trip to the ER, lacking sleep and still baking and blogging. I'm sure you can top that!

"Life's like a bowl of granola..."

Have you heard this line? "Life's like a bowl of granola. If you're not a fruit or nut, you're a flake." I think I'm still a little high strung about the choose your own cereal box idea-so bear with me for yet another cereal post. Actually, if I can even present something in a coherent manner today it will be an amazing feat.
Chip is away at a golf show for the weekend {working at it- not just hanging out and browsing- so I totally support him being gone} as I mentioned, so I got left with one sick girl, another crying and complaining of earache and the other two wanting to bounce off the walls and be their ordinary energetic little selves. Fortunately I have an enormous amount of patience (or at least I'd like to believe I have more than some moms out there), after losing a child it helps to put the rest of your child-rearing years into perspective. So, I'm hanging in there, playing Deluxe Monopoly- which frankly I think deluxe simply means- "more pieces to keep track of or make a mess with"- but that's a debate I could raise with Mattel another time. So, I let a few things go today, and mealtime was one of those things. I fed the kids mix-match dinner, fruit & cheese, noodles and crescent rolls. Nothing glamorous. Anytime there's someone sick at my house I find I have a hard time making great meals. This is where the cereal part comes in.
After more laundry, tidying the kitchen, bathing 3 of 4 kids and getting everyone into jammies, I decided I should eat something myself. So I poured myself a bowl of Frosted Flakes and then I sliced up some strawberries and threw them on top. Here's where it gets good. Now I know some of you will be thinking, "What? She did what?", while the rest of you will be thinking, "I will definitely be trying that on my next bowl of flakes!" It's not all that weird- I just poured my milk on top- but then I added a splash of French Vanilla creamer. I can honestly say it was one of the tastier meals I ate all week!
I plan on having Great Grains with nuts and adding a splash of Butter Pecan cream next round. Or maybe I'll have Shredded Wheat and Hazlenut. I just thought it was a really simple thing to do- and it changed up my whole meal. So, I want you to try it and tell me what flavors you ate and how you think they worked together. Also, I know a lot of you do other funky things to food and recipes and they sound twisted or terrible and yet for some reason they taste great.
If you've got a favorite- little bit funky food tip- tell me about it. I think I could start gathering a bunch of weird ideas and put it into a Nitty.Gritty. cookbook and well, you get the idea. I could design a cookbook cover and add this item to my Nitty.Gritty. boutique. Okay. I'm now open for your ideas, recipes and comments. Go!

Under the wire...

Here I am writing just before the day is done- but still in time to get this published on Thursday. Had me a busy day with one sick little girl (Wyndham today- it was Ava the past 3 days. I've taught my kids to share so well they even do it with sicknesses.), lots of little projects to do, and one major trip to the grocery store. Had to do the grocery shopping as hubby will be headed out of town for the Novi, MI golf show. I will miss him and his help around here- but at least we'll all be eating great!
I had a major realization in good ol' Meijer Store today. Besides the fact that we all have way too much in this country- well a good many of us do- there are just far too many choices for a busy mom like myself to have to pick and choose from off the shelves. Wouldn't you agree? I mean, really, do we need 15 fragrances of Dawn dish soap and Tide detergent? I stand there reading the labels..."hmmm. Do I want Apple blossom, Spring Rain, or Ocean mist for the next 2 months? Or maybe I'll get the Oxygen-infused soap. Yeah. I could definitely get into extra oxygen while I do my dishes." To top it off, I'm reading the box of Corn Pops cereal this afternoon, and coming soon they will be offering 4 different box designs so that you could choose the one that best suits your personality or style.
First off- I know you're wondering how in the world I find time to sit around and read cereal boxes- and you know what? I don't have to answer that at this time. It's my blog. You'll just have to wait and see if I get back to you on that one- or else figure it out on your own.
Secondly, doesn't Kellogg's know what they are doing to fontaholic/design fanatic people like me? I thought 2 hours was a long time to grocery shop already. How am I gonna get my shopping done in a timely manner if I have to pick and choose between font styles on products?!! This is really frightening and yet exciting at the same time. My blood pressure shot up just imaginging all the new product labels that will be coming out soon. What's next? Design your own cereal box? Just like the photo stamps you can upload and buy. Oh yeah. I'm definitely going to have to go play with Photoshop and put my face on a cereal box. You knew I'd do it sooner or later- probably I'd look best on Froot Loops.
Never mind all that. I was actually trying to post a picture of Sally Field here as she appeared in 1965 playing the role of "Gidget." What a great tv show...and I haven't seen it for years, and can vaguely remember any of the episodes- although I know her friend's name was LaRue, and the hunky guy she liked was named Jeff. I think she used to lean on her surfboard and say things like, "Isn't he dreamy?!" Or maybe that was a line from 'The Parent Trap'. I can't be sure.
I've probably lost at least 70% of my readers by now. You have no idea who Gidget is and have no idea why I'm blogging about her. I'm not totally sure either. However, I've had the Gidget theme song in my head on and off for like a month now.
When I started singing it in the car on the way to get groceries I thought, I'll bet there's a site that has the words to the theme song and that way I can read them through and fill in the words I'm missing. Nope. Can't find it. Found a few cool pictures that I couldn't post here, and I think it would be neat to go back and live in the 60's for about 2 weeks. Great fashion. Okay. If you know all the lyrics to Gidget's theme song, please leave a comment or email me. You will be my new hero for at least the rest of the day.
I'll get you started because it might jog your memory. Hope to hear from someone!
"Do you believe in angels being real? I can erase any doubt you think that you feel. Wait'll you see my Gidget you'll want her for your valentine...." Something, something, something, something-thing, something, something, something, something-thing...You're gonna find that Gidget is mine!"

Nitty.Gritty. boutique~

Okay~ Don't get too excited about these t-shirts, because so far they exist only on my computer screen. I have lots of designs for fun t-shirts in my head, but getting them into production is another story. It's not like I have a team of people behind me or my own label, like Heidi Swapp. I was just playing around with PhotoShop and thought the "Nitty.Gritty. Have you read my blog today?" t-shirt would be cute for me to wear while I sip out of my tumbler. And of course, I'd have to make a bunch of these for my kids to wear out and about.
Then I had flashbacks in my head to when I was young and I would see whole families and groups out at places like the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry or the good ol' Minnesota State Fair (yes, I'm a nice midwestern girl); all the people in these groups had matching t-shirts. I guess it's supposed to make it easier to spot someone when they stray from the group and get lost- but it always seemed to me it would be easier to lose someone with a matching shirt because it would be awhile before you noticed that person was missing.
Maybe that's not remotely funny to you- but it always made me laugh to see these matching-shirt field trip people... especially when it was a family event where even the "big kids" were wearing them, and you know that teenager was thinking, "I am so not going to meet any cool chics today wearing this neon yellow 'I belong to the Hansen Family' shirt." Of course, I know my shirts are cool to wear, but I may have to mix them up a bit before sending my relatives out in public in them. My hubby's would simply say, "Don't bring up my wife's blog." My Mom's would read, "If I wasn't scared to turn on a computer, I'd have my own blog!" and so on and so forth.
This probably doesn't even matter in the scheme of your existence, but it makes me smile thinking about it. Besides, I think I'm getting Christmas present ideas here- so just play along for my sake.
One more thing about these Nitty.Gritty. designs. I own a very old version of Adobe PhotoShop which I get some enjoyment out of from time to time. I know how to do some simple graphic design and photo manipulation with it. I usually use it to play with color and brightness and contrast on my photos and I also resize them for printing or posting online.
The tumbler I posted a couple of days ago was created using Microsoft Picture It! 2001. (I know, that's old too... but it still works for me!) This is for Wendy Smedley's inquiry as to how I did it. I guess I figured everyone could make one of them just by looking at mine and getting the idea. Here's a few more details- in my non-teaching, non-techinical terms.
I scanned the little paper insert that came with the cup and then I filled it with my chosen color of pink. Next, I added graphics to create the words, "nitty gritty"- which I got from the Shabby Shoppe online site. (www.theshabbyshoppe.com ) The letters are from the Tropical Winter kit- cute, cute...and costs about $5.95 for the kit. The rest of the little designs are actually fonts that I downloaded and purchased from Scrap-N-Fonts. They are Elsie Flannigan's CK High Energy Doodle, CK Funky, CK Circles & Swirls, and CK Bohemian. They cost $2.99 each- but I bought 'em on the 2 for 1 special last week. That's all I did. I played with the colors and placement and just printed it out- sized to fit my cup.
The cool thing is that these cups can be made with traditional scrap methods too. I made one earlier with patterned paper and stickers- and it turned out cool too. These are my new favorite tumblers. Even if you just cut a paper that you love and stick it in there, it looks cute. You can change the paper or images as often as you like, and trust me, the flavor of your beverage is enhanced just because you are drinking from a funky cup.
You could make political statements with your morning Chai Latte, or show off your funny wedding photos you've had hidden in your closet for years.The possibilities are endless! There you go! {Did you catch that, Wendy?!} Hope that helps! Think easy.

Kicking it up a notch-

First, just a quick little ditty that happened last week. We've got a jacuzzi tub at our house that the kids love to "swim" in. I happened to climb in with my 3 girls the other night, because it's so much easier to scrub them when I'm in the middle of the suds- instead of hanging over the edge getting soaked and not having the least bit of control over who does what, when and how much. It was finally Bella's turn and she "ordered" the pink strawberry shampoo with a spoonful of the "green stuff" as well. I normally wouldn't do it, but I obliged her with my spa-line sugar body scrub. {I know...sounds like I'm living the life of luxury in my own home- but I assure you it's not quite the 5-Star resort club you are imagining in your head at this moment.}I did a quick shampoo on her and then I got into the sugar scrub. She was helping me rub it on her tummy and arms when she exclaimed, "Mmmmm, this is yummy. It smells just like lettuce!"
Mind you~ I eat a fair share of salads and mixed greens during the week, but it's not like I'm a huge salad person. And although Bella picks her favorites out of my salads and occasionally eats lettuce, I don't think that salad generally smells that fragrant. I got a good smile out of it- and told her what she was really smelling was Ginger-Citrus. She just said, "That's the kind I like!"
Now, back to my blog thoughts for today...
I was doing my quiet time this morning and reading some good Bible verses, which if you aren't a regular Bible reader and you don't know where to start, try reading Ephesians 4 and 5. [Ephesians is in the New Testament.]There are a lot of good thoughts in there and I found some words that struck a chord with me and hopefully will stick with me so that I could put them into practice in my daily living. The title comes from a thought I've been entertaining- not in regards to Emeril and cooking ["Kick it up a notch"], but in regards to getting more personal with some of you who want to do that. I'd like to invite any or all of you who have issues in your life- big or small- to email me or leave a comment if you are comfortable with that- so that I could pray for you. That's it. You can simply leave me your name, or you can write a bit about what you specifically want me to pray for.
I want to be honest here, I am not an ordained priestess. I am not a Saint Anything. I don't light candles or do any unusual worship rituals. I simply talk to God on a daily basis. I have seen prayer work over and over in my life, and I truly believe that God wants us to talk with Him- to vent our frustrations, to thank Him for the blessings we have, and to ask Him for help or strength to face certain obstacles that come up in our lives.
If you think I'm weird, that's okay. I'm just putting the opportunity out there for anybody that wants a little spiritual support in their life. Just so you know, I will pray for your situation; I would love updates from you as to how things are working out- if you feel led to share more; and I will leave this as an ongoing opportunity. SO, even if you stumble upon this post days or weeks later and you wish you could have someone pray for you- please email me. I will be humbled and honored to bring your requests, concerns, questions, and even thanks to God.
I guess you might say we're taking this blogging thing to the "next level". I am just trying to live out my life as I feel led by God. I think He would love to hear from you too! Email address: chip2jody@hotmail.com

My newest favorite fonts!

It's no secret to my close friends and family that I LOVE fonts. I've done some simple graphic design stuff since my college graduation and with each letterhead or business card I made, I found myself more and more into type and all the fun ways a person can combine letters. I've gradually become a "fontaholic"... and have been known to name fonts from different advertisements on billboards while driving in the car on long road trips. My husband doesn't get it much beyond Times New Roman and Arial, but it's still a source of fun for me.
So, I purchased and downloaded a few new fonts last week from the Scrap-N-Fonts website. They are all created by Elsie Flannigan- who I think has such a fun style and zest for life.
My sweet friend and nanny, Rachael, had a tiny card and a "design your own Starbuck's tumbler" sitting on my kitchen counter- just for a no reason gift to me. {How many of you have friends like that?!} So, I got busy on my computer the other night, played around with my fonts (which on the cup are the little pictures and words all over it) and used some alphaletters from my Shabby Shoppe Tropical Winter kit (the actual "nitty gritty" letters) and voila! My own blogging tumbler!
Now I'm thinking I should start taking orders from all 3 of you who are reading this saying to your computer screen, "I want my own personalized tumbler!" Maybe that's the dream I am to be pursuing in life...marketing and creating Nitty.Gritty. products. My t-shirt is almost done, and some of you will be getting your Nitty.Gritty. fridge magnets in the mail this week- thanks for all those limericks!

Hill of dreams

This is kind of a follow-up post to my previous post on living out the poetry of your life. As most of my readers know, my daughter, Wyndham, sustained a closed-head injury as an infant and now carries lifelong scars and disablities.
I watch her grow and learn new things every week- she is an amazing little girl! However, in imagining dreams for her life and all that her future holds, I find myself torn inside. While we have never been given a definitive prognosis as to what to expect Wyndham to ultimately be able to do or not do, we have come to realize the past few years that she has an inner spirit and strength and drive to want to do more than we realize at times.
I have come to a place in my heart where I think I am confident that her life will serve a wonderful purpose- no matter her disablities. The fact that we have seen God work miracles in her short 5 years is enough for me to hand over all her issues to Him and let HIm decide what He wants for her to become.
I'm writing this all basically to document this quote that I modified after seeing another person's life story about overcoming disablities. Here is my new quote for Wyndham's life...
"The disabilites you possess are no match for the dreams we hold for you." I am the fortunate one in her life to be able to watch her dreams unfold a tiny bit more day after day. I think the world sometimes puts a big burden on not just Wyndham and all the challenges she faces, but on each of us in our own way. We get held back by messages we start to believe from seeing things on tv, or from celebrities who modify or glorify certain aspects about themselves. Some of us believe that we will never be as good as someone else we know who does_______. (This could be anything- that's why I left a blank space for you- fill it in in your own mind.)
The point is that I think we all believe certain things about ourselves that bring us down or hold us back. Today I want to challenge you to tell yourself something that's true about yourself... that will bring you a tiny step closer to unfolding the dream that is inside you somewhere. And I know you have one- because none of us is perfect and sitting on top of our hill of dreams.
Just so you know where I'm at, I'm going to try to clear the clutter off of my kitchen counter and get one simple step closer to my dream of organization and finding "breathing space" that I know I have in my life- it's just buried under clutter right now. How's that for dreaming big?! =)

"Live your Poem"

I sure hope that my niece Aly won't mind that I posted her picture here and am sending her Happy, Bloggity Birthday wishes today, as she turns 10.
I matted and framed an 8 1/2 x 11 scrap page for her and mailed it along with a couple of other goodies for her birthday. There must be something in our water this week because this whole poetry theme has come out of nowhere! On Aly's print is a small vellum tag that reads, "Live your Poem". That along with the limericks have got me thinking, I guess. Life really has a sort of rhythm and sonnet-like movement if we stop and reflect long enough. And it certainly has occasional rhyme and reason, as well as depth and insight.
I wish everyone in the world had someone off in the sidelines cheering them on and giving them encouragement for whatever dream in life they were working to achieve. Can you imagine how this world would be a different place? I know some people find it within themselves to overcome great obstacles and to live a life of "greatness". Others have a host of "cheerleaders", opportunities and potential and for some reason they throw it all away and live a life of chaos, sorrow or turmoil. I wish it weren't true. I wish everyone could choose to do something good everyday to make themselves or their life better.
If I were 10 again I would wish for somone to tell me to never stop being me. To never give up on my dreams- to dream bigger dreams than I actually think are possible to attain. To be the best me I could ever become!
The cool thing is I still have time and so do you. Granted, I don't know how much time I have- but I can still pursue wild dreams. Starting with small things to make me a better me. I can love a little harder. Become angry a little bit slower. Breathe a little deeper. Create a little more creatively. Sing a little louder {my hubby's gonna love that!}. Find joy in things a little simpler. Reflect a little longer. Give thanks a little sooner.
I guess I've got a lot to do...and I hope I've already started being me a little bit better because of this blog post. One final note...on the scrap page the corner circle quote reads, "Inspire everyone around you." In celebrating Aly's birthday, her life has caused me to want to do that. I hope you want to do it too!

Inquiring minds want to know.

I guess there is at least one person who thinks about me beyond this blog. Not much further, but a little bit beyond here. So, I will answer {Rhonda} responses:
{Rhonda said}"I think your house smells like baked goods" True- at least 2 or 3 times a week. Sometimes more, and sometimes it's because I'm burning my buttercream candle or blueberry muffin candle. Gotta love 'instant baked goods' in the kitchen!
{R said}"I think you plant flowers" Answer, true. I wish I had more time to garden....grew up with parents that grew lots of veggies and way overplanted flowers along the landscape. Even entered a few things in the county fair when I was in 4-H. Bonus answer here: I can still recite the 4-H pledge- just ask my hubby if you don't believe me!
{R said}"I think you rent dvd's and make popcorn". More false than true. Rarely rent dvd's, sometimes make popcorn for bedtime snack for the kids- but then I worry someone might choke, so I have to watch them more then the movie. Love that Cinnabon popcorn where you pour the frosting all over the top. Good, sticky stuff. Worth the mess involved, even.
{R said}"I think all your plates probably match with 2 or 3 stragglers but your glasses are all different." Answer...most of my plates in the cupboard are plastic with various characters on them, like Barbie and SpongeBob. Gotta keep mealtime entertaining for the kids...and you wouldn't believe the drama involved if someone gets the "wrong plate". Or fork. Or cup. As for glassware- I have a nice set from Williams-Sonoma. They're the French tumblers you can use for cold or hot drinks. They all match- haven't broken one, yet!
{R said}"You probably have a favorite coffee mug or maybe a couple favorites." Yep. Gotta have my morning coffee. Have a couple of "Thanks, Oprah" mugs- that for some reason I don't use that often...and if you are short on good deeds lately and looking for a random act of kindness to do, you can pick out any of the cute mugs on the shelves of Starbucks right now and mail it to me. I loved 'em all there the other night!
{R said}"You have a big fluffy comforter." I do have a big fluffy comforter, but don't always have it on my bed. Right now I've got the old heavy Polo denim comforter- because I can never be too warm at night.
{R said}"You own a pink shirt." Yes I do- more than one.
{R said}"You like flip flops." Actually false. Haven't worn flip-flops for years. They always hurt my toes and they make that snapping sound with every step. Never got into that- although there are some really cute ones out there! I think my next shoe purchase will have to be a pair of Crocs- EVERYBODY is wearing these!
{R said}"You have a pair of oversized sunglasses." Not for a long time. Been wearing my regular glasses since 2001...and haven't had prescription sunglasses, yet. Might have to get me some along with those Crocs.
{R said}"All your towels are never clean at the same time." True. With as many people in my house, nothing is ever clean at the same time. Maybe I should get me a cleaning lady to go along with my new Crocs and glasses!
{R said:}"You will go to the Megameet in May." Don't know about a Megameet...but if it's conveniently located and Heidi Swapp, Cathy Zielske and Kelli Crowe are gonna be there- then count me in!!!
As for {G} who commented about my underware. You are so sweet for thinking of me in that way. Now everybody reading this, go do something productive with your time. Enough about me!

Mmmm...what's that smell? JFK Jr!

Thanks to all of you cool bloggers for playing along with my spur-the-moment, quirky little gig and writing some great poetry for my amusement and pleasure. William Butler Yates isn't the only guy who can write poetry afterall.
So, just for your time and effort involved, I will make good on my offer and send each of you something fun in the mail. Just email me (chip2jody@hotmail.com) your address and I'll get to work on the something to send you in the mail. Deal?!
For those of you who didn't play along and are here looking for some great blogging I offer you this little snippet of my life from years past. I guess maybe someday my kids will want to know this about me. Maybe not...but it's here in writing now.
Early on when my husband and I were a young married couple we were strolling through the Men's Cologne Department looking for a bottle of something both he AND I would like. [Why is this such a hard thing to agree on?] Anyway, a lady walks over to where we were sniffing different scents and says, "Can I help you find something?" I looked up at her and smiled and said, "Yes. I want something that smells like what I think John F. Kennedy Jr. smells like."
I don't remember what we ended up purchasing that night...but I still think it's a good story. I have no idea what type of cologne or body spray John F. Kennnedy Jr. used to wear before he died- but I'll bet he smelled good. I'll bet he smelled the kind of good that makes-you-want-to-just-hang-out-with-him-and-be-friends-because-he smells-good-all-the-time good.
Now I know it's not a nice thing to judge people- especially those whom you have never seen or met...but to those of you who only know me "cyberly", I pose this question.
What one thing do you think is true about me (that I haven't already stated here in writing) based only on reading my blog. You can list your answers in the comments...and I may just go back and list them in my next post and add "True" or "False" next to your guesses. It'll be like a pop-quiz for you about me! Might be funny to find out how much {or how little} you really know about me. Good luck!

How long has it been since you wrote a limerick?

There once was a blogger who thought...
"I wonder how many comments I'll get?"
If I write a poor limerick,
And post without thinking quick,
Just how many people'll think I'm nuts!
Yes, I know it's not perfect limerick form- but it's been years since I've written one- and that just came from nowhere! So, if you have a witty reply- you know the drill...leave me a comment. And I just might pick one of you and mail you a handmade, "Thanks for reading Nitty.Gritty. card". Now I know the comments are gonna fly in! Have a nice Saturday night!

Raspberry~Lemon Shortbread Tart

Yay for Rachel Ray!

I am under no obligation, nor do I receive payment for any of the products, services, religion or politics I endorse on this blog.
I simply state my opinions and views, and you are welcome to believe them, try them out for yourself or heartily disagree. This one I think you'll like.
I picked up Rachel Ray's Everday Magazine off the rack at the last second before purchasing my groceries and by yesterday afternoon I was very happy with my spontanous little splurge. As a scrapper/designer/paper lover type person, I admit it was probably the colors that made me pick it up more than anything. I've watched 30-Minute Meals and $40 a Day for a couple of years now and I always love Rachel's simple style and fun attitude- so that was the other part of my impulsive grab at the checkout.
So, yesterday as I paged through some of the recipes and articles I kept smiling and thinking what a great person I was for spending a few bucks on such a worthy little magazine. The recipes sound tasty, fairly simple- both in ingredients and ease of replicating the dish- and to top it off I actually had items in my kitchen to make something out of the magazine without having to go out and buy ingredients. I loved that!
I was drawn to this dessert- Raspberry-Lemon Shortbread Tart. It's almost the same rescipe as making Lemon Bars...but it's made with raspberries and looks gourmet when it's finished. I am happy to post the recipe and picture of the way it turned out when I made it myself. I plan on making more of the recipes in this issue- and you may find me bragging on those in the future on this site too. If you make this recipe, I hope you enjoy every bite!
Recipe for Raspberry-Lemon Shortbread Tart
Ingredients: 3 cups of frozen raspberries (about 1 lb), 1 stick plus 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces, 1 1/4 cups sugar, 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3 large eggs, zest and juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup), confectioners' sugar for dusting
Directions: Drain the raspberries in a strainer over bowl as they thaw. Preheat oven to 400. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, combine the butter, 1/2 cup of the sugar and 1 1/2 cups of the flour- blend together til coarse crumbs form.
Spread the mixture into a 9-inch springform or cake pan (I used a regular, square glass baking dish) and press down evenly to form a crust. Place in oven and bake crust until lightly golden- about 20 minutes.
Remove shortbread crust from oven and reduce heat to 325. Scatter drained raspberries over the baked shortbread crust.
Beat eggs with remaining 3/4 cup of sugar until thick and pale yellow. Whisk in lemon zest and juice and remaining 1/4 cup flour. Pour lemon cream over the top of the raspberries and bake tart until the custard is set- about 30 minutes.
Let cool and then dust with confectioner's sugar.

Hair product and Heaven~ again!

Unless you've been following this blog from the beginning, or you know me in "real life", you probably get the feeling that I am hair-obsessed. Truth is I am a really low-maintenance person. I mean, think about it...4 kids at home, ages 7 and under. How much spare time do I really get for my own personal grooming? In fact, I've decided that a good, hot, steamy shower in the morning is equal to an extra hour of sleep to me. That's how some of us moms flourish in life. We adapt and compromise and trade off certain things for others- depending on our personal needs.
If you're a crazy, frazzled mom, I would love to hear what it is in your life that equate sleep with. I know you do it too!
Anyway, back to my non-hair obession that appears to actually be an obsession- here I am with Isabella, post-purple hair color. I thought it would be nice of me to post a current picture so you can see that I'm back to my near-normal, note I didn't say natural, haircolor. And there's the product that I love pictured above too.
I realize that I dogged on products yesterday, and I'm not bipolar or confused in saying that I love certain products. I can have favorite stuff that makes me happy- but I don't have to get sucked into the advertising and the lies that most products are trying to "sell us" in their messages. Does that make sense to you? Maybe you are a person who is easily swayed in your thinking by seeing a hunky, bald cartoon guy smiling in the background of a kitchen while a well-dressed make-up laden woman is wiping her counter with a scrub pad. (I'm referring to Mr. Clean here- in case you still don't get what I'm talking about...) Here's the deal. I buy stuff. I even swear by the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser- but I don't buy that my house will sparkle and I will be grinning and glowing as I scrub the crayon off my walls. It's just embellished advertising. What I do know is that my worth and happiness and ability to hang in there when life gets a bit messy comes not from a product that can "fix" my mess- but from God who promises to me a future in Heaven- joy for all eternity. That's why I hang in there. The author of the book I recommended yesterday ("Heaven, Your Real Home") puts it this way..."True contentment means asking less of this life because more is coming in the next." It's one of my favorite quotes. It helps me to realize that all the mundane activities, all the struggles and heartaches will be worth the glory I will experience in Heaven. And I believe that the troubles that we go through in life will make the joy we feel in eternity that much sweeter.
So, as I go through life and all that comes my way- the good, the bad, and the purple-streaked hair, it prepares me for the future that awaits me. I'm just working on living that out so in the end I will be worthy of my place in Heaven.
One more thought today. I was just looking at the picture of me and Bella here and noticed the striking resemblance she and I share. Wow. The eyes, the hair (hers is natural), the way we smiled and tipped our heads...she's a lot like me! I hope she loves being who she is in life. And now I know why I say she's a stinker and a cutie all rolled into one...she's just like me!!

Eternal destiny and luminous toothpaste

Do you realize that life your "life is but a blip on a eternal screen"*? That we are all just a mist that apperas for a little while and then vanishes? I don't intend to frighten you or sound depressing- but the material I read states it bluntly at times, and I'm just passing some of it on to you.
I think often about the meaning of life, people who came before me and what will happen to me in the future. I'm not scared about it, but sometimes I wonder if I'm spending my time wisely. Afterall, each day we are all one day closer to the end of our lives- and I want to make sure that I am being the most I can be while I'm here on Earth.
Maybe that's why I disdain advertising- it just doesn't "speak" to me. Do I really care how white my teeth can get? And even if I have really, really white teeth, will that make people like me more? And if people like me more because I have such terrific white teeth, do I really want to be friends with them anyway? [Can you see how I can drive my hubby nuts while watching tv?! I go into this kind of reasoning for other products and services too. Do it yourself sometime and see if you really need that syrup. Or face cream. Or 9-blade,self-cleaning-radio-anti-fog-for-a-shaving-experience-unlike-anything-you've-ever-had-in-life-before razor. Oh yeah...the advertisers just love people like myself.]
I'm not sure how all this blogging fits into the scheme of eternity and whether or not it's really me making the best use of my time, but for now I'll keep posting and thinking about it. The point is this- that every minute of life is worth more than we realize, I think. I still plan on doing crazy, fun, relatively meaningless stuff- like belting out classics to the amusement of my family in the car. And I hope that I'll be leaving some sort of legacy that's worth remembering.
*If you're looking for a great book to focus your thoughts on the eternal perspective try this one...a favorite book of mine- Heaven-Your Real Home by author Joni Eareckson Tada. Note:If you happen to be talented in blogging and can teach me how to link to another website from a post- I'd love you. I've tried the blogger help steps and haven't got it worked out. I'll keep trying.

Don't you just love it

Some of you avid bloggers must feel the same way I do when you click over to a favorite blog and there is a new post. Don't you just love that!? Like getting mail that you actually want to rip open and read. I try to update this page reguarly and I usually have lots of material. I call it "blog fodder" when it happens to me. Good stuff. Funny stuff. Stuff that other people need or even don't need to know about.
I had lots of material today as we entertained 8 boys plus our own kids at a local bowling alley for Brock's birthday party. I could tell you about how I jammed out in the front seat of the car on the way to the bowling alley- reminding my husband about the rollerskating parties I used to go to as a kid- I belted out part of "Centerfold" {remember this one? Na na na na na na, na na na na nana na na na...my angel is a centerfold} and Michael Jackson's "Beat It" as well as "Abra, abracadabra- I want to reach out and grab ya." Yep. Those should take you back a few years. I don't listen to stuff like that anymore- but I sure made me kids laugh when they watched my flashback routine.
I could blog about all the other stuff I did today- like bathe four kids, bake muffins and small loaves of zucchini bread, knit a few rows of a scarf I'm working on, wash and fold a couple of mega-loads of laundry, in addition to that 1st grader birthday party. Oh yeah. it's been a busy, but fun day. And I updated this just so some of you could be happy that you stopped by.
For the record...I take suggestions as to what you would like me to blog about in the comment section- or feel free to email me. I also read back through my comments on occasion just to stay on top of any comments that are left a few days or even weeks after the posted date. What can I say? I guess I care what you all think. Truly I do. Or I just don't have enough "real-life" stuff to keep me busy. Oh yeah. One more thing to let you all know- my hair isn't exactly purple anymore...more like a whitish-gray in spots. I can live with it for a bit. And thanks for all the nasty comments that you kept to yourselves...as well as the few nice ones you felt led to share. I appreciate the thoughtfulness! Now, if you're lucky I'll post something new and exciting tomorrow- which hopefully won't include any 80's hit lyrics!

From zero to seven-

Yesterday, Feb. 18th, my oldest kid at home turned seven. Tomorrow we are hosting a birthday party at a local bowling alley...Star Wars cake and icecream, "Pin the Lightsaber on the Jedi" and a round of bowling to boot. Should be festive and fun- and noisy...that's what boys are good at!
I pulled out the baby pictures of Brock and was remembering back to Feb. 1999, when we welcomed him into our lives. He was so small [6 lbs.1 oz.- actually he was one of my "bigger" babies- I tend to have small babies, I know, I know, Lucky me,], and so soft and perfect. His features definitely "looked" boy and he was an easygoing, content baby. I had so much more energy when he was born compared to my first. Maybe it was the warm, Florida climate in February- I don't know, but I loved everyminute with him and Teagan.
I'm still trying to figure out how time can move so quickly. I still remember those early days- 7 years ago- as if it were not that long ago. I guess it's another reminder to me- to enjoy, treasure and take lots of pictures- because time does indeed pass us all by too quickly.
As for Brock, he is still easy to have around on most days. He loves GameBoy, Star Wars, anything sweet, including his Mom =), and he dreams big. A few weeks ago he and I were discussing what is involved with becoming President of the United States. After citing things like you have to be a US citizen, at least 35 yrs old, etc. he decided he could do it. He talked a little bit about what he would do if he were elected and then stopped and looked at me and said, "What happens if my cousin Aly wants to be in the same election? Who will Grandma and Grandma vote for?" I guess we'll have to wait and see when that time comes! Happy, happy birthday, Brock. I love you!