Day 20 - Guilty Pleasures

Today's prompt means that I have to actually admit to some of my guilty pleasures.  Some of them you probably already know about, but others . . . well, maybe not.  Putting them down on "paper", with photos even, makes them seem so real.

Popcorn - Okay, this one is not secret to anyone that knows me, but I love popcorn.  I like kettle-corn, some of the flavored popcorns and movie-theatre popcorn.  But, my favorite?!??!   Good ole' home style popcorn with a little bit of oil and salt.  This microwave brand comes pretty close to getting it just right.  Ron loves popcorn, as well, so that makes it even better.  Except when he wants to eat all of my popcorn.

The Bachelor (or Bachelorette) -  Yep, this one is kind of embarrassing to even admit, but, I like watching this show, despite the fake people, hokey situations/dates and all.   It is just mindless entertainment to me (although I would not have wanted my kids watching it when they were young and trying to figure out dating, etc.)

Reading Blogs -  While I have a hard time keeping up with my Feedly "feed" on a daily basis, I love having an uninterrupted block of time in the mornings (a rare occurrence) to sit out on the deck and see what is going on in the lives and homes of my favorite bloggers.

Big Bang Theory - Ron got me started watching this when we began dating and I love it.   Again, it is just mindless entertainment to me and makes me laugh.

Antique/junk Shopping - I certainly have no need for anything new at all to bring into my house.  In fact, I need to get rid of so much (about to begin reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up), but I love browsing through antiques and second-hand markets, imagining how I could re-purpose items or restore them to their former glory.  Of course, it's fun to make purchases, but I can also be perfectly content to just browse and window-shop--particularly if it means spending time with my "junkin' buddies"!!

So, there you have it.  A few of my guilty pleasures.  Of course, there are more, but that's enough to reveal for one day.   What about you?

Day 16 - The Online Me

Today's prompt in the Blog-tember Challenge (can you believe that I have posted 16 days in a row!!! and twice on a couple of days!!)  asks the question, "The real you vs. the online you. Are they the same or different?"  Hmmmm. . . . I guess I have never really thought that much about it.  But, I think that for the most part, we are the same.  I started this blog for purely personal reasons---a way to document things that are happening in my life, with the people I love most.   I don't have huge following, so I think that most of the people that read my blog already know me.  

For those of you that don't, it's no secret to any of the people that know me best that I don't like to cook much (although that has changed some in recent years) and I love to make a mess with anything creative, but really don't like having to take time to clean it up.    The only thing that I think is probably different is the way my home is portrayed online vs. what it looks like in real life.   When I complete some new home improvement project, I take photos of it, and of course, try to capture it in the most flattering of ways.  But, in real life, there often is a lot going on "behind the scenes".   For example, you rarely see my coffee table in any photos because it most often looks something like this.

And the gallery wall that I completed over my couch??

Well, when you zoom out, it looks something like this right now.

The pretty headboard that Ron made for us and I painted?

Well, it looks like this right now.

The newly remodeled bathroom?

Well, it often serves as a place to hang all of our wet running clothes after they are laundered.

Sometimes, one of my friends will comment that they don't know how I have time for all the projects that I complete.  Well, I guess when you take a look at the house, it becomes pretty clear that I've made the choice to create rather than to clean.

So, now you know the REAL me.  Excuse me while I go make my bed and hang up some clothes.

Day 15 - What's In Your Bag?

Lately, I've been carrying a small, cross-body purse because it was perfect for summer.  But, with fall weather approaching, and school fully under way, I think it might be time to switch back to one of my regular purses.

So, as I take everything out of this tiny purse, this is what I find:

1. reading glasses   2. ZipFizz  3. Wallet  4.  receipts  5.  assortment of lip gloss/lipsticks   

6. cute notepad  7.  credit card wallet  8. zippered bag full of gift cards   

9.  keys on a carabiner to clip on my purse   10.  ibuprofen   11.  Favorite blue pens for work  

12.  reader sunglasses   13.  emery board   14.  gum

So what do the contents of my purse say about me?   

*  I'm getting old and cannot see

*  I definitely need a new wallet (for Christmas, maybe??)

*  I'm afraid I will lose my keys

*  Pens for work, lead to the need for ibuprofen

*  I never want to be without my favorite form of caffeine, ZipFizz
*  It's about time for a new pedicure!

Day 13 - This Season of my Life

Making the first collage last week was a rather daunting task, but it revealed some things about my blog that I'd like to work on. I've even begun working on the design of my blog so that it better reflects my inspiration board and my tastes, but today's prompt is to create a collage/inspiration board for this season in my life.  

Today's board is more about what is currently going on in my life . . . just a few of the things that fill me with joy.

Day 12 - Currently

Reading . . . some of my favorite blogs during my lunch break (not much time for anything else right now)
Watching . . . my sweet grand baby on Facetime from 1000 miles away (technology can be great!)
Trying . . . to train for another half marathon without getting injured
Calling . . . my brother, Dan, to check on him (but, probably not as often as he'd like)
Texting . . . Callie and Jana
Cooking . . .  3-4 times per week, which is quite a feat for me
Eating . . .  clean food, probably 80% of the time
Drinking . . . more water and a lot less Diet Coke
Going . . . back and forth to work and traveling between schools every day
Loving . . . being a grandmother
Hating . . . political arguments and close-mindedness
Wearing . . . slacks and blouses that actually fit again
Photographing . . . photos for my Project 52--this week is "Golden"
Thinking . . . about the best way to teach a mini-class in art journaling
Feeling . . . healthier and MUCH stronger
Hoping (for) . . . an opportunity to travel to SC this fall
Pinning . . . ideas for clean eating and a few scrapbook projects
Listening (to) . . . a huge variety of music genres in my playlists
Celebrating . . . slightly cooler temperatures, making workouts/runs a bit more tolerable
Smelling . . . popcorn popping in the microwave
Planning . . . a big fund-raising event at church for our mission projects
Dreading . . . being surrounded by politics
Ordering . . . a few Christmas gifts here and there, as I run across things
Thanking . . . God for the impact of friends I have encountered over the years, particularly some whose lives have recently been cut short
Traveling . . . back from Austin and planning our next small trip to Natchitoches (hoping for a camping trip this fall, as well)
Considering . . .  opening an Etsy shop
Starting . . . to  re-design my blog
Finishing . . . my last year or so of teaching!!!  I can't believe I'm saying that!
Creating . . . Halloween costumes for the grands
Learning . . . about blog design
Moving . . . with Camp Gladiator every morning and running on weekends
Wishing (for) . . . longer weekends and more time with family

What are YOU up to currently?

Day 9 - My Sixteen Year Old Self

Today's prompt asks me to write a letter to my sixteen-year-old self.  There is so much that I wish I could have told my 16-year-old self, knowing full well, that I probably wouldn't have believed most of it at that time.  But, here goes:

Dear 16-year-old Linda,

Your life is pretty great.  You have a family that loves you, and lets you know it--even those big brothers who spent years pretending to hate you, are coming around.  You have a handful of really good friends and a youth group at church that you're beginning to connect with.

I know that you sometimes long to be part of the "in crowd", but despite the fact that you are painfully shy, I see you gradually gaining a little bit more confidence.  I know your mom has told you before, but I hope you'll believe me when I tell you now, "It's okay to be different."     It is okay to stand for something different in the world and not to cave to the influence of peers, even if at times it feels rather lonely.  While it is hard to believe right now, someday, many of the things that seem so important right now, just won't matter at all.  There will always be someone that is cooler or more popular, but that doesn't in any way diminish who you are right now and who you will become.  Be confident in who you are and what you believe.

These days, you're beginning to wonder about your "purpose, your "life-calling".  Very few people ever figure out what their vocation is to be by this age, but you have been lucky in that regard.  Yes, you are supposed to be a teacher, but there is so much more.  Your "life-calling" is more likely to be ever-changing, as you journey through the different stages of your life.  Remember the "nudge" you felt on your youth mission trip? -- how if felt to connect with those in need and to make a difference in some small way?  That was just the beginning of the calling to serve others.  How about the joy you feel around babies and small children?   You will be called to be a mother. . . .and more.  The important thing to know is that each of those jobs is important and if you do them to glorify Him, then you will have done them well, regardless of how small or simple they seem to be at the time.

While your childhood has been mostly easy, your adult life is going to be hard at times.  Very hard.  You will experience hurt and disappointment and heartache and you will hurt for your children in ways that seem unimaginable right now.  I don't say that to scare you.  Rather, I want you to know that you will also heal.  You will make make some good decisions and make some that are not so great.  But, you are stronger than you think and will learn so much from every single experience that you will never again take life or family or friendships or circumstances for grants.  And that is a GIFT!

Your life won't always be easy. No one's life really is, no matter what it looks like from the outside. But, your life is going to be perfect.  Exactly the way God intended it to be.  So, trust Him with it and live it fully.

Love,
A much older, and somewhat wiser Linda

P. S.   One more thing.  You know that guy that you kind of have a crush on right now?  The one that thinks of you mainly as a really good friend?   One of these days, many, many years from now, after both have you have been through some pretty difficult heartaches, you are going to meet again.  And this time, the time will be right for you.  Having lived and learned from all of your life experiences--both the good and the bad---you'll marry your best friend.

Day 6 - My Style

Hmmm, what indeed is my style?  I mean, I do have some things that I feel more comfortable wearing than other things, but I certainly have never considered myself stylish in any way.  That being said, I guess the best way to categorize my "fashion style" would be easy, comfortable, casual.

On weekends and in the summer, I mostly live in shorts, jeans or workout clothes--barefoot, unless I have to go somewhere.   In fact, today, I am most likely hanging out with Ron and the family in shorts and a t-shirt, and a good pair of tennis shoes or flip-flops.

I sometimes long to look casual, yet pulled together, and have even earmarked a few cute coordinating outfits.  You know, something like this:

 or this:

or even this:
Why is it that I feel like I come off looking a bit more like this instead?

Here in the deep south, even though all those Polivore boards show airy summer scarves, it just isn't realistic until the temperatures have dropped considerably.  But, with fall just around the corner, I am beginning to look forward to scarves and boots again.   I imagine that you've see the scarf "how-to" photos and videos online.

I love scarves, and these tutorials make it look easy enough, but I just can't always seem to get the hang of it.  I'm always afraid that I might end up looking a bit more like this after twisting and tying a bit.

On a daily basis, I wear slacks that are comfortable and durable---I teach preschool, after all.  I need to be able to get on the floor and not worry about sticky fingers or paint splashes.   I shop for bargains, and generally reserve my "nicer pants" and dresses for dressier occasions.

After a few years of trying to wear stylish heels, strappy sandals or high wedges, I finally came to the conclusion that it just wasn't worth it to me.  While I love cute shoes, they generally have to have low heels and be very comfortable to get my vote of approval.  I like to wear boots in the cooler seasons and I also have several pairs of Toms shoes that I can wear year round. I love not only the way they feel, but their "one for one" business model.

So there you have it.  My fashion style---very casual and comfortable.  Pretty much the way I live my life.

Day 5 - Playlist

Today's prompt instructs me to put my playlist on "shuffle" and share the first ten songs that are played.  I have a variety of playlists, but this one comes from a conglomeration of my "running" playlist and my "easy listening" playlist.   Since I am writing this and scheduling it ahead of time,  (I should be in Austin by now) I'm not sure if this will play automatically or if you need to click on something to make it play --- or be silent --- but here on the first 10 songs from my shuffle.

Day 4 - Passions

What am I passionate about?  Well, here are my top four:

1.  My family--- For the longest time, it was just me and my daughters and we became the epitome of "Steel Magnolias" together.  We made it through some tough, tough times together and there really is nothing in the world that I would not do for them.  Now, there are a bunch more boys in the picture as well (after all, I have 3 brothers already):   son-in-laws, baby boys and a husband.  Not to mention that I also now have 2 step-sons, a step-daughter + more grandchildren!  I love them all so much and enjoy being with them more than anyone else.

2.  Embracing differences and treating others fairly--- I grew up in a household that stressed being open-minded enough to respect the point of view of others and I hope that I have passed that on to my own children.  Perhaps it was because one of my brothers has special needs and my parents were his greatest advocate and they could see so much more potential in him than the rest of the world could see.  Or maybe it was because both of them were from the "north" and were now living in a very conservative "south".  They were determined that we look beyond a person's obvious differences (skin color,  learning abilities, religious beliefs, political views, etc.) to see their heart.  One of my mother's favorite quotes was:  "If the world was filled with people that were just like we are, how boring the world would be!" By the same token, I think that this is the area I get the most frustrated with in other people---when they seem to be so close-minded that they can't appreciate others' points of view.

and this brings me to my number 3 . . .

3.  Serving others--- The world, and particularly the western hemisphere, is spectacularly unfair when it comes to the opportunities afforded to people, and life simply is not fair to everyone.  While it is sometimes hard to do so without judgement, I feel that I am called to serve the poor,  the widowed, the orphaned and the "least of these" in whatever ways I am able.  It is often a messy calling--one that is sometimes "thankless" in traditional terms, but what God has called me to do.   What He has actually called every one of His children to do.   And you know something?  I've discovered that as I get to know someone and develop a relationship with them---beyond their physical appearance or socio-economic situation--it is easy to find a common bond that we share and to see how we are generally much more alike than different.   After all, we are all made in His image.

4.  Creativity--- Creativity unleashes a freedom in me that is sometimes hard to find in any other place in my life  For an introvert that lacks confidence in so many other areas of my life (please, please don't put me in a room of strangers--or even acquaintances in some cases--and ask me to make small talk), being able to create something beautiful from nothing--whether it be through sewing, crafts, scrapbooking or photography---releases a confidence and a way to express myself that I can't find anywhere else.  Too bad that creativity doesn't extend to cooking.  ;-)

Blog-tember Challenge- Day 1 - About Me

I started following Bailey Jean, over at Brave Love Blog, as a way to learn more about art journaling, and Bible journaling in particular.   While I love the idea, I just haven't gotten started yet, but still hope to do so in the future.  Life is busy, and sometimes things just get put on the back-burner.  I go through phases where I blog a lot and then go weeks, and even months, without a post.  I love to blog, but it does take a good bit of time, which seems to be in short supply right now.

Enter the Blog-tember Challenge---a daily link up that begins today.

Bailey has suggested a prompt for each day to help help jump-start my blogging again (which I desperately need right now).   I'm going to give it a try.  I don't guarantee posting every single day, but hope to get as many done as possible.
Today's prompt:  Introduce yourself.  Here goes.  I'm Linda  . . .

Wife of two years to Ron.

Mother to Jana and Callie.

Mother-in-law to Jordan and Rob.  Step-mom to Carmelle, Terry and Tyler.   And grandmother to Michael, Adellelyn, Archer, baby D and baby B.

Those are my very favorite roles in the whole world, but it isn't all of me.

I am also a believer, teacher, crafter, seamstress, scrapbooker, sister, amateur photographer, runner , "junker" and friend.   As you can tell from those descriptors, I'm MUCH better at making a mess than in cleaning one up, so if you come to my house, be prepared.

 I love to travel, to hike, to be outdoors, to learn, to create, to play, to laugh, to serve and to explore.

I don't consider myself much of a writer at all, and am terrified by public-speaking.  I am definitely an introvert (just the thought of going to a party with lots of people makes me shudder), but have gained more confidence as I've gotten older.  I like working out early in the morning (after I've made myself get up, that is), but am a complete klutz---and have the scars to prove it.

Hope you'll join me as we all learn more about each other through this challenge.

Self

30 Days of Thankful 2014 - Day 29 - SELF

Today, instead of focusing on the pounds we put on at the feast or the wrinkles that have slowly crept onto our faces, let's get in front of the camera (or in the mirror) and capture ourSELVES, just as we are today.

Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.

-Golda Meir-

10 Things

This idea came from Wendy over at The Shabby Nest, the idea being to list 10 honest things about yourself.   Some people have fun with the meme and others take it pretty seriously, but you can see what a few others have said here, here, and here.  Seems that I'm pretty much an open book, but here goes anyway (in no particular order and not very deep thoughts):

1. I like to fold laundry, but HATE to put it away.

2. I've always wanted to run a 5K, but never dreamed it I'd LIKE it until I met Ron.

3. I don't really like to cook, but I love to chop up vegetables.

4. Along those same lines, I really love to bake, but definitely don't need to eat what I bake.

5.  I love kids and teaching, but hate to teach Vacation Bible School.

6.  I love flowers and plants, but am terrible at taking care of them.  They have to be pretty hardy to make it at my house.

7.  I'm TERRIFIED of roaches. (there's no "but" to that).

8.  I am super-involved at church, have taught Sunday School for years, but am basically Bible illiterate (still have to use the index to find the order of the books).

9.  I like to read, but rarely do . . . and when I do, I forget what I read almost immediately.  I've bought a new book on more than one occasion only to realize halfway through that something seems familiar and I've read it before.  I do the same thing with movies.

10. I am pretty sure that I have ADD because I start WAY more projects that I could ever possibly finish.  (and perhaps that could account for #9 and #8 and #6)   Hmmmmm. . . . .

Top Ten 10 MInutes

Maybe it's because I've been totally occupied sitting in a conference for 3 days, but when I saw this post, I decided 10 minutes of "nothing time" sounded wonderful! Here are my Top Ten favorite things to do when I have 10 minutes of free time: (in no particular order)

1. Take a power nap on the couch
2. Play Words with Friends (of course, I also do that when I'm supposed to be doing other things, too)
3. Flip through a decorating magazine
4. "Chat" with one of my daughters--by phone or IM
5. Read my blog roll
6. Make a list---stuff to sew/ craft, etc.
7. Sit on my deck and watch Emmi run around
8. Take a few photos
9. Send emails to family
10. SIT

How about you? What are your top 10?

I Like . . .

Inspired by Dancing Commas, I decided to make my list, too. I'm sure there are others, but here are quite a few:

I like being a mother. I like the color blue. I like sewing. I like babies. I like scrapbooking. I like soft, chicken tacos. I like my dog, Emmi. I like going barefoot in green grass. I like pansies. I like having 3 brothers. I like reading blogs. I like helping people. I like contemporary Christian music. I like when my daughters call to tell me about something that has just happened. I like cold sheets. I like seashells. I like fabric. I like textures. I like a good steak. I like popcorn. I like butterscotch, oatmeal cookies. I like embroidered pillowcases. I like learning about other cultures. I like the mountains. I like flying. I like driving with the windows down. I like baby animals. I like working behind the scenes of events at church and work. I like swing sets. I like photography. I like museums. I like knitting. I like making lists. I like family get-togethers. I like Sunday afternoon naps. I like noticing the different shades of greens there are in a forest. I like laughing with friends. I like riding on the back of a motorcycle (even though I haven't done that in a while). I like Diet Coke. I like hand-made paper. I like having a few close friends. I like watching romantic comedies. I like orange juice. I like iron finials. I like corn-on-the-cob. I like almost any kind of music. I like drawing. I like colors. I like hydrangea. I like tomatoes. I like smocking. I like baby shoes. I like adult shoes. I like hiking. I like teaching. I like birds. I like antique shopping. I like strawberries. I like getting to really know someone. I like underdogs. I like eyelet. I like Baked Lays potato chips. I like children's books. I like baking and decorating cookies. I like growing herbs. I like art. I like shrimp cooked just about any way. I like riding in a boat. I like planting flowers. I like computer stuff. I like rick-rack. I like browsing grocery store aisles when I'm not in a hurry. I like figuring out the solution to a problem. I like recalling things my girls did when they were little. I like playing word games with the girls when traveling. I like vintage sewing supplies. I like buttons. I like sleeping with the windows open. I like decorating magazines. I like proofreading things for the girls. I like linen. I like hand-written letters. I like silver jewelry. I like the color turquoise. I like old books. I like sitting in front of a fireplace in the winter. I like bird's nests. I like pedicures. I like chatting with J & C during the day -- and night. I like patterns in nature. I like carrot cake. I like making jewelry. I like locally owned restaurants and shops. I like strawberry daiquiris (occasionally). I like sandals. I like helping the girls move or with things at their homes. I like the plays my children and their cousins used to put on. I like Psalm 30:5b. I like bunnies. I like working crossword puzzles with someone else. I like building things. I like the smell of cinnamon. I like chips and salsa. I like quilting. I like roaming through a fabric store looking at (and touching) all the fabrics. I like eating out with Ron & Carol. I like traveling. I like hearing the sound of the ocean at night. I like uneven numbers of things in artwork. I like to work together with J & C projects. I like gardenias. I like the intricacies of nature, like how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. I like blue icing.

Mosaic Fun

I found a Mosaic on Shawnee's blog and thought it might be fun to do the same. Here is what to do if you would like to create your own mosaic:

* Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

* Using only the first page, pick an image.

* Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.fd's mosaic maker: http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php

1. What is your first name? 2. What is your favorite food? 3. What high school did you go to? 4. What is your favorite color? 5. Who is someone you think has talent? 6. Favorite drink? 7. Dream vacation? 8. Favorite dessert? 9. What you want to be when you grow up? 10. What do you love most in life? 11. One Word to describe you. 12. Your flickr name.

1. Linda 2. Shrimp 3. Northwood 4. Blue 5. James Taylor 6. Diet Coke
7. Jackson Hole, WY 8. Carrot Cake 9. Teacher 10. Family 11. Content 12. lindajamar

Countdown!

Hey---wanna play?? You do the same on your blog!

10 years ago?
Beginning a new job as an itinerant preschool inclusion teacher and raising 2 daughters alone--one was starting middle school and one was starting high school--juggling church, school, work, dance classes, violin classes and (although they probably have little memory of this) cooking for them in the evenings.

9 favorite things?
Family, pansies, hummingbirds, photos, mountains, fibers (paper, fabric, etc.), Buttons, puppies, babies.

8 favorite foods?
Shrimp, popcorn, potatoes, granola, white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, pralines, fresh spinach, home-grown tomatoes

7 favorite places I've been?
Colorado, Vermont, Montana, Wyoming, California, Mexico, North Carolina

6 things I need to do?
Clean up the living room, Paint my bedroom, Take painting lessons, Rock babies, Read the entire Bible, read most any book all the way through!

5 years from now?
Teaching preschool inclusion, have traveled abroad, traveling to visit daughters and their families, Have a clean house!!

4 things to do if I had lots of money?
Set up college funds for my future grandchildren, pay off my house, set up community center at my church for neighborhood kids and adults, travel

3 favorite colors?
Blue, Aqua, Yellow

2 favorite hobbies?
Sewing, Scrapbooking, antique shopping

1 favorite part of your house?
My overstuffed chair.