tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808623043988599282024-02-19T00:00:55.404-08:00Mary's MusingsRamblings on life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-32145625992381910582010-07-21T10:33:00.000-07:002010-07-21T11:07:26.992-07:00An Open Letter to My Daughter<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7saI8tZPRgl21LUXPLJmdOx3iBDrB9gF9ZL_dP_0sr1H8otQEwUDMvwG2phkGs8rKloh4wHo6upw1_pF61rOwbb7cmj4FIGXZiAib6womVuXxcZMf1yz7ayj9OB4IbJKeghOYA4DxBLs/s1600/image.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7saI8tZPRgl21LUXPLJmdOx3iBDrB9gF9ZL_dP_0sr1H8otQEwUDMvwG2phkGs8rKloh4wHo6upw1_pF61rOwbb7cmj4FIGXZiAib6womVuXxcZMf1yz7ayj9OB4IbJKeghOYA4DxBLs/s400/image.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496414351757067698" /></a>When I was the same age as you, someone (we shall not place blame or impugn family) decided it would be a great idea to cut off the long tangled rat's nest that was my hair. I went from hair down my back to sixty year old grandma. I hated it. I hated everything about it. My soft round face was not flattered by the sudden absence of hair. To me the shearing of my hair represented loss. The loss of a mother who was available to comb the aforementioned nests out of my hair. My mother had spent an entire year fighting to stay alive. She succeeded, but my hair was not so lucky. A casualty of war. When my mother recovered I'm not sure what went through her mind - as an adult I can only imagine she now had a greater urgency of getting on with her life - living for herself. As a child I perceived it as madness, because I went from having no mother to an upwardly mobile mother. From where I sat it did not feel much different - I must admit much of that was my own doing as I made some unconscious choices to detach - not to love so much. But my hair, well I am sitting here a grown woman with a knot presenting itself in my throat as a write because the hair was a symbol of what I lost. Someone to sit and untangle. Someone capable and willing to find bows that matched and fuss with curlers. I am a girly girl. I'm not ashamed to admit it. Yes, I climbed trees, and caught reptiles, swung from kudzu, and brought home countless wild creatures but I did it all while wearing a dress and red shoes and curls blowing in the wind.<div><br /></div><div>So imagine my chagrin, dear daughter, when at the exact same age as I, you announced you WANTED to cut off all your hair. I tried being passive. When you oohhed and aahhed over Mia Michael's hair I stated quietly that it was not my cup of tea. I being the pleaser, just knew that would rain on your parade. But who am I kidding, you are NOT me - so very NOT me. You have a deep care for those you love and yet you are never moved by wanting to be a people pleaser. You decide what you like and what you don't - and that is that. So I helped you find pictures of the exact kind of haircut you wanted and I emailed them to your ever so talented Aunt. But I was a coward and made your father be the one to take you. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love who you are my daughter. I love everything about you. I especially love the parts that are so completely foreign to my make-up. Where you get the inner strength and determination you have is a wonder to me. I love that you could careless that every tween star has long locks of shiny hair. I love that you have not noticed that not a single girl you know has short hair - pixie hair. I love that you decide what makes you cute and that your identity is not braided into every silken lock. I love that you are brave and prepared for the comments that may or may not come from the peanut gallery of life. When we discussed the possibility that you might get called that dirty three letter word... a "boy" you didn't even bat an eyelash. I love that my brokeness is not your brokeness. As Marty always said, "Be original. Make your own mistakes!" So although I am not inclined to follow, I salute you for your brave new do. And besides, it was about time I dealt with all this anyway. Thanks for the jump start.</div><div><br /></div><div>Always and forever your biggest fan,</div><div>Mom</div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-50915421600641628352010-07-11T06:15:00.000-07:002010-07-11T06:24:49.168-07:00All my crafty friends won't want to miss this...Go to this <a href="http://http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/07/silhouette-digital-cutting-tool-review.html">link</a> and check out an amazing give away! It's a digital cutting tool. The possibilities are endless!Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-46288437329008841462010-06-01T08:27:00.000-07:002010-06-01T08:47:42.562-07:00Little Offerings Everywhere<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlntR076-cxixhTW0YRh2Me0hV-OaZr_Mg0T8pU0Xk4TB95ThphJkgGUjMc2UC2Q_c_Feq3-yIQn29YlrVngFMOD0CDulqi48F0xLMCA4IKFCnLODp3czWhw-cGKG4c1jot0kGfm9Wk8/s1600/DSCF3283_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlntR076-cxixhTW0YRh2Me0hV-OaZr_Mg0T8pU0Xk4TB95ThphJkgGUjMc2UC2Q_c_Feq3-yIQn29YlrVngFMOD0CDulqi48F0xLMCA4IKFCnLODp3czWhw-cGKG4c1jot0kGfm9Wk8/s400/DSCF3283_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477830471981464626" /></a><div>This sweet little girl loves to make sweet nothings for me and leave them when I least expect it. Here is a collection of just a few of the latest offerings.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42iBErJJMzPrE3qV0KLI54KRT-mJs4tdG6vr6lFm6zzbI2GTqKo60yR8kTozx1Z_qve2ByfsOMTEBb-_jbSqatBnu8vEN7af8DsZKL_sUFyep_EX7AFM8svHTWPHvTOQDMQYj-5VWzNg/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42iBErJJMzPrE3qV0KLI54KRT-mJs4tdG6vr6lFm6zzbI2GTqKo60yR8kTozx1Z_qve2ByfsOMTEBb-_jbSqatBnu8vEN7af8DsZKL_sUFyep_EX7AFM8svHTWPHvTOQDMQYj-5VWzNg/s400/IMG_1333.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477830462200054866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcFwMDfQcrkUy_y3z_Vu1lRNqVdyoHGURBA41pqrv_GfFhKQ0eslTZAvqcGbKS7ofjQ3UXdjcZ2cod1kK4WEROfHdOYKyx6dR31hnr_rP_CasRnl-8R8oybqD_7wyuMh7W0UpX_5wKg0/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcFwMDfQcrkUy_y3z_Vu1lRNqVdyoHGURBA41pqrv_GfFhKQ0eslTZAvqcGbKS7ofjQ3UXdjcZ2cod1kK4WEROfHdOYKyx6dR31hnr_rP_CasRnl-8R8oybqD_7wyuMh7W0UpX_5wKg0/s400/IMG_1334.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477830459306717186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh5kwSAIFzdIWFk7pXsocdAICDVOq-Tq6LEkROgwxwkUrUkKELWfFYXDS8XN41DR2pemucw6f-4NTUThAhLyk4_FgDKakYVJCHUXWDAJpsumG6upw9Mt7ZBXMuGNe0mduj_WiIU8S9fc/s1600/IMG_1335.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh5kwSAIFzdIWFk7pXsocdAICDVOq-Tq6LEkROgwxwkUrUkKELWfFYXDS8XN41DR2pemucw6f-4NTUThAhLyk4_FgDKakYVJCHUXWDAJpsumG6upw9Mt7ZBXMuGNe0mduj_WiIU8S9fc/s400/IMG_1335.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477828922102428210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuMGH2U8U41G8imlINKy-q1ZYpj33jAkcSYHX8VyFk33ZappoV-VYUoAJHDVp-s5O_6NP7V067-O1eoJ91ibhsrtAHSPqtG0e5Mmf6Yv9WTBal6RRfSAOPbO9e_3uayUPLHFIvZNmtWM/s1600/IMG_1336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuMGH2U8U41G8imlINKy-q1ZYpj33jAkcSYHX8VyFk33ZappoV-VYUoAJHDVp-s5O_6NP7V067-O1eoJ91ibhsrtAHSPqtG0e5Mmf6Yv9WTBal6RRfSAOPbO9e_3uayUPLHFIvZNmtWM/s400/IMG_1336.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477828915353299890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOHLtzTE70PE9dj9jQ0XWkg-qsbQhKwn1AedvwhMJY2ojTzzRDWmFG_4RvKmo9-WIJmC9jPZZHEC8pSa1_QvsnGLgARh42QyjEixZRZf1YpCj2b-Ef8LYW8VP1whN40ykky_UGC_MQVc/s1600/IMG_1337.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOHLtzTE70PE9dj9jQ0XWkg-qsbQhKwn1AedvwhMJY2ojTzzRDWmFG_4RvKmo9-WIJmC9jPZZHEC8pSa1_QvsnGLgARh42QyjEixZRZf1YpCj2b-Ef8LYW8VP1whN40ykky_UGC_MQVc/s400/IMG_1337.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477828906420602962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrhSuZWd5cepXq_MNskjZfgl0_SbQvkmpQTI-OD9E4LJqDmPa5bz05NUDmvLaAyrNsOJPJd3lpc7GJB1NmVEcN0AKyrH5A2ZHy-xzIv8DFC0Dk3kAMilJRi1uKfs8Aa6mngos1Gxi5wE/s1600/IMG_1338.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrhSuZWd5cepXq_MNskjZfgl0_SbQvkmpQTI-OD9E4LJqDmPa5bz05NUDmvLaAyrNsOJPJd3lpc7GJB1NmVEcN0AKyrH5A2ZHy-xzIv8DFC0Dk3kAMilJRi1uKfs8Aa6mngos1Gxi5wE/s400/IMG_1338.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477828905204537634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlVHPhU27c5zmtETM378mkgNTR6YApiRCmt38iZYVCymymwL_mNYmUdYGEMQTAZX646NsN2-GGxBKqC04SwWkHYu-McSXzH9_zGQzuQ3F-ApsrkVVTXBxNqU3aLOl7VhWXr-I-M8iyqo/s1600/IMG_1339.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlVHPhU27c5zmtETM378mkgNTR6YApiRCmt38iZYVCymymwL_mNYmUdYGEMQTAZX646NsN2-GGxBKqC04SwWkHYu-McSXzH9_zGQzuQ3F-ApsrkVVTXBxNqU3aLOl7VhWXr-I-M8iyqo/s400/IMG_1339.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477828896489684866" /></a>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-42282065913091854802010-05-27T13:11:00.001-07:002010-06-01T08:15:55.444-07:00Oh the joys of thrifting<div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>I ventured out today to my favorite thrift store. My niece is having a baby and I wanted to make some projects from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Blake-Soule/e/B001JPAP00/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1274990968&sr=1-2-ent">Amanda Blake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Soule's</span></a> books to welcome the baby. In her latest book, The Handmade Home, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Soule</span> gives lots of creative ideas for finding materials that have been gently used. One idea is using men's extra large t-shirts for fabric for kids shorts, leggings, etc. I made <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jman</span> an entire wardrobe of shorts last summer with just that. So with a small list in hand I headed out... Little did I know the treasures that were waiting for me! First I wanted to find some men's dress shirts for fabric for the baby bag. My niece is using pinstriped baby blue (like a men's shirt) and navy in the nursery. So I scored with these...</div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-5agXhiMcY8F9n6Z3TQWIvePJP3-8-btYdt_H4JDI9r8k7MU9pnIhtHbMn7Vm9Ffnrc3CzhDy95iAcvZYUk4V3BuEiFgBe4cay-JWYcrfGN_9shiKoY0DtoDM6yngzPHmRlz0tkNax8/s1600/DSC04678.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-5agXhiMcY8F9n6Z3TQWIvePJP3-8-btYdt_H4JDI9r8k7MU9pnIhtHbMn7Vm9Ffnrc3CzhDy95iAcvZYUk4V3BuEiFgBe4cay-JWYcrfGN_9shiKoY0DtoDM6yngzPHmRlz0tkNax8/s400/DSC04678.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477812891036711138" /></a>Which turned into this bag from one of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Soule's</span> books...<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxj1GyXllYQC08yWhreDMJwgYAhmxqE0cgBoxZiftiPwOkofKkbx4hElx3sQ65wfF3ZztjD9mgkuvo76n6AIYn03Ua3ea8PrTuMAXuwFVQ3_QEht_HWNCcxgxTU9cmWZgwFMhpSZkqN8/s400/IMG_1327.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477818639674681490" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszwlhyphenhyphenmTOb1d2lJm4l7Hx62llvmnzjQIgC0FdVJFyRAmcj_Lgy3hmesLqaveslVgXpSQBYbtJraT1y2OOr9XF-qLL7RaH1vzcdktZO3wGYGGWjLt7FqmtVyx3KMZoOJj9svD6PLzP5CQ/s1600/IMG_1328_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszwlhyphenhyphenmTOb1d2lJm4l7Hx62llvmnzjQIgC0FdVJFyRAmcj_Lgy3hmesLqaveslVgXpSQBYbtJraT1y2OOr9XF-qLL7RaH1vzcdktZO3wGYGGWjLt7FqmtVyx3KMZoOJj9svD6PLzP5CQ/s400/IMG_1328_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477818631979360850" /></a></div><div>Next I came across these nubby wool blankets...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6fCVY-RlNVktZ3LTC5VDj_5fC2TFCkzzmdYfr-PN-ziRxyPBPJRgANgoCmNTuTOLzv1FGlf3QcFKFTTVNSilo-l4n3QwMkRNE2iOa7NbI118aCndPzYyeIv14dPRPmZLASTYbQd3sFc/s1600/DSC04644_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6fCVY-RlNVktZ3LTC5VDj_5fC2TFCkzzmdYfr-PN-ziRxyPBPJRgANgoCmNTuTOLzv1FGlf3QcFKFTTVNSilo-l4n3QwMkRNE2iOa7NbI118aCndPzYyeIv14dPRPmZLASTYbQd3sFc/s400/DSC04644_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476316279916798674" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Which will become versions of this at some latter point..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbQUxeC63NuJnHy-r_Sy0xN3xe35rEPxjB2T2OJWEkJcxuJMD4Qv-HGlilT-WHY2umRifIyVB4-2HcXvHDRma8I3CXlV8NDPiYzTQc9TAlUB-Ik95aETySJvKF3B3vIUqh-SUrtUaDVo/s1600/monster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbQUxeC63NuJnHy-r_Sy0xN3xe35rEPxjB2T2OJWEkJcxuJMD4Qv-HGlilT-WHY2umRifIyVB4-2HcXvHDRma8I3CXlV8NDPiYzTQc9TAlUB-Ik95aETySJvKF3B3vIUqh-SUrtUaDVo/s400/monster.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477818621310767442" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We love Mommy's Little Monsters! The striped roll in the front is wallpaper. It is still in the plastic. I will use it to line my bathroom cabinets. Then I came across this...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpETbE1pwGYbyHB_pG67Hbohv2rbxX4jay9waVi9LDv285tV7VL97_e8xGqdN6JJQ2QAoRY1kkmzoVSBmphcJvpQI7w3Pq-7vxnKlBE3e3MbT59eUu_J9PFzsyRE4xGKOv9G0VXBYtDj8/s1600/DSC04649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpETbE1pwGYbyHB_pG67Hbohv2rbxX4jay9waVi9LDv285tV7VL97_e8xGqdN6JJQ2QAoRY1kkmzoVSBmphcJvpQI7w3Pq-7vxnKlBE3e3MbT59eUu_J9PFzsyRE4xGKOv9G0VXBYtDj8/s400/DSC04649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476316303247012866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqaluUUE60sFfmgOGqQuin1mpwxXVlUJxeP7wo1LEszTUIanw0QLf3zYc96xeLrXrHh5-H4MYQz41NaFRxNnWWTu6dYj00lq1iUzZZ3xTmrzaLQrlIJK-HFEZdTVxXCEVjDraIFqfvAc/s1600/DSC04648.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqaluUUE60sFfmgOGqQuin1mpwxXVlUJxeP7wo1LEszTUIanw0QLf3zYc96xeLrXrHh5-H4MYQz41NaFRxNnWWTu6dYj00lq1iUzZZ3xTmrzaLQrlIJK-HFEZdTVxXCEVjDraIFqfvAc/s400/DSC04648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476316299754231218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LjF7D6FBIVRBHHZjrwoHcEr_bmy4is1C5GgQBBW3WJ9REmQWVtkJMfM2w7FXhKoJDV8KJz_qHjaMKSP_u8f63odXp-f_vJEMJBqbgDNU-Ngd6H0OQ1B6q96yqjET1CC03Qr_jnTp6qc/s1600/DSC04646.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LjF7D6FBIVRBHHZjrwoHcEr_bmy4is1C5GgQBBW3WJ9REmQWVtkJMfM2w7FXhKoJDV8KJz_qHjaMKSP_u8f63odXp-f_vJEMJBqbgDNU-Ngd6H0OQ1B6q96yqjET1CC03Qr_jnTp6qc/s400/DSC04646.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476316291021187634" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Loads of vintage fabric scraps from a failed quilting attempt plus some felt and canvas. I use all of these all the time in craft and sewing projects. Felt is so easy to work with and the vintage scraps make nice appliques and accents.Then I found something I wasn't even looking for but I just had to take home...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLkiGTH-wjX45luH8KLP3c-AX-JMpw7vOyVXZl4N6h4l9QX_vQsrpt59zKHuPI1fqi3ycx0msL_fQB0or-dWrlInH-N9Am8qAOGuIFWn4zSHo1Yut95-7DQiVD45fEpDvruYX8s6sfQw/s1600/DSC04652.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLkiGTH-wjX45luH8KLP3c-AX-JMpw7vOyVXZl4N6h4l9QX_vQsrpt59zKHuPI1fqi3ycx0msL_fQB0or-dWrlInH-N9Am8qAOGuIFWn4zSHo1Yut95-7DQiVD45fEpDvruYX8s6sfQw/s400/DSC04652.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477807160148397202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXiNu7elo5VkLYUbvUkO5Bv_wrTZ6Isn5u6cMlRd_v9bqxJ3dLD5eX0Zdq9QSJyTlXEOgu3b_5qmBjhcEqYyntzbnmTjY_w3kvdGPxyQTmjteXjLZnIDwNy_kGm_PTQoFujaoKPWTj_E/s1600/DSC04651.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXiNu7elo5VkLYUbvUkO5Bv_wrTZ6Isn5u6cMlRd_v9bqxJ3dLD5eX0Zdq9QSJyTlXEOgu3b_5qmBjhcEqYyntzbnmTjY_w3kvdGPxyQTmjteXjLZnIDwNy_kGm_PTQoFujaoKPWTj_E/s400/DSC04651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477807141693871106" /></a><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Aren't paper dolls just the best!!!!! This package had never been played with. My daughter and I love to play <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">paperdolls</span> and this set even came with that neat backdrop, score! Then I stumbled across another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">surupise</span>....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IvcPp7F_sYAhHuEuvieqyEQRic1dVCBNHU8vMwOY8WIJ8o04J_MTXnt9QbEnrxo8Ar0HFevCwc0-5Pgnr7ovYOFzmiglX-M_knfulEOtSrQHQQKCdanxBW7fEHYYJ8k2Wu4Ez6wUIQo/s1600/DSC04659.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IvcPp7F_sYAhHuEuvieqyEQRic1dVCBNHU8vMwOY8WIJ8o04J_MTXnt9QbEnrxo8Ar0HFevCwc0-5Pgnr7ovYOFzmiglX-M_knfulEOtSrQHQQKCdanxBW7fEHYYJ8k2Wu4Ez6wUIQo/s400/DSC04659.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477807175002238546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuh70kUMTKJtz10ZdZ35sBRa-T3Ybn9sCTPMp6hw_TS8CxUzxy2C5R0NZt7IzvknJsPPzcgS46Jqd6anGPcya4K5Z_s8LQf136HNcc_VSg0xdL5HMqJXPzBNEf5dRgHyjV1Hjwsqx2oI/s1600/DSC04657.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuh70kUMTKJtz10ZdZ35sBRa-T3Ybn9sCTPMp6hw_TS8CxUzxy2C5R0NZt7IzvknJsPPzcgS46Jqd6anGPcya4K5Z_s8LQf136HNcc_VSg0xdL5HMqJXPzBNEf5dRgHyjV1Hjwsqx2oI/s400/DSC04657.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477807162833797586" /></a><div><br /></div><div>That is a bowl full of rubber stamps. Lots of animals in the mix. My kids will use these in their creations and later I can use them in the classroom! What did I come for again? </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm doing the happy dance. Since I was already on a roll I decided to stroll down another aisle. Which is where I found these vintage glasses...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1hYjg1ws7GBmkv5kWJkTc2wwXgdxepLmUMlxL3Xb68nf8azJ-qkZ0vGxMxvNLd64VbZP2gykUot5PuWqt1HL6TyOubUN6OGH3AOqOmUlaOSwdmGdTWcLfsCgbJUTAv1tvh0fbSDr01Y/s1600/DSC04661.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1hYjg1ws7GBmkv5kWJkTc2wwXgdxepLmUMlxL3Xb68nf8azJ-qkZ0vGxMxvNLd64VbZP2gykUot5PuWqt1HL6TyOubUN6OGH3AOqOmUlaOSwdmGdTWcLfsCgbJUTAv1tvh0fbSDr01Y/s400/DSC04661.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477810033329784802" /></a><div><br /></div><div>So cute! They will go great with the vintage drinking glasses I already have. Next came a soap dispenser which I wanted for my bathroom.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsvidjCyRpSVbnNII7oCu4DO42akFntK2iG9MHV-YP6Eymh-XuMADNsnpQuYH8ZXXEvgaEhpLkHlZgKjpb4bN_9w1PJIKEVMraMYgA2nfpuOa-ORRbAVYyGKaxfZwTB2MzbRh4tcG5qc/s1600/DSC04664.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsvidjCyRpSVbnNII7oCu4DO42akFntK2iG9MHV-YP6Eymh-XuMADNsnpQuYH8ZXXEvgaEhpLkHlZgKjpb4bN_9w1PJIKEVMraMYgA2nfpuOa-ORRbAVYyGKaxfZwTB2MzbRh4tcG5qc/s400/DSC04664.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477810033991854898" /></a><br /><div>Then I hit the jackpot. Obviously a local stationary store had discontinued a couple of lines of greeting cards, one of which happened to be one of my favorite illustrators, Mary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Englebreit</span>. I scored a shoebox full of greeting cards for $4!!!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHYKCK63M1oEWFBtcXlouKxmvsRBMJUjh-qxVwlHYehKhUPeqL2R8ShYrfkUAaFLPkGVXg1eaQ3wKtGkfxr1gLLBVMPoWm0yNBLDg9cZkKAKt-dHtMLjlp82XZ6astCEktFM5jYddBoI/s1600/DSC04670.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHYKCK63M1oEWFBtcXlouKxmvsRBMJUjh-qxVwlHYehKhUPeqL2R8ShYrfkUAaFLPkGVXg1eaQ3wKtGkfxr1gLLBVMPoWm0yNBLDg9cZkKAKt-dHtMLjlp82XZ6astCEktFM5jYddBoI/s400/DSC04670.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477812855788743842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYxETPydV4oczkQpQeNwl0-RVjqq1aXvP5jjPNg_S1odnQwg0sqmKrZdvIJ1zHq149xEZie25JLdM8Nwmrko7uJbclLP6_Uz9ME7odifNz9pysCBT5cqR1BiiRK5ZvYTUbNd8zO21Gcc/s1600/DSC04669.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYxETPydV4oczkQpQeNwl0-RVjqq1aXvP5jjPNg_S1odnQwg0sqmKrZdvIJ1zHq149xEZie25JLdM8Nwmrko7uJbclLP6_Uz9ME7odifNz9pysCBT5cqR1BiiRK5ZvYTUbNd8zO21Gcc/s400/DSC04669.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477810055598614290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr6tGRgrr9nkKR-vFqzfLyFWFTNUcYXicv_seHgHRYtRPiEzFVVWqk2UOhE0LYzbyJ8zmOlZl7h7G_P_A_c9jrmohqQwBDZ-177mHmwGCY01rM1H6AYZYZlJhcv412tr2YBv7Vxd9vZQ/s1600/DSC04668.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr6tGRgrr9nkKR-vFqzfLyFWFTNUcYXicv_seHgHRYtRPiEzFVVWqk2UOhE0LYzbyJ8zmOlZl7h7G_P_A_c9jrmohqQwBDZ-177mHmwGCY01rM1H6AYZYZlJhcv412tr2YBv7Vxd9vZQ/s400/DSC04668.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477810054852460994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFoffFhkiaGKcZVXRYP2deMW_0fQQcZYVUuEmLJp0vfCwlusDTqVjPsHj5-mxyPBV242pTZmAUcAytinblTILOPrlQxLsIZJeSVNkcoQaSnT8Y9T3GL799MCGFamXF0msYtf8vSNKqMQ/s1600/DSC04665.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFoffFhkiaGKcZVXRYP2deMW_0fQQcZYVUuEmLJp0vfCwlusDTqVjPsHj5-mxyPBV242pTZmAUcAytinblTILOPrlQxLsIZJeSVNkcoQaSnT8Y9T3GL799MCGFamXF0msYtf8vSNKqMQ/s400/DSC04665.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477810043599888274" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Finally I got this out of date calendar for FREE. It has prints from vintage military posters. I'm going to use one to make a card for my Dad this Memorial Day. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuY_fvlCqMta1MNlCA0APo84X2Tdr11ncMc1kJuAf09Pz-bhWkp2A_xKw1DDs3HobkHyFOBIEgt-WfzTg9cF8gwbjd9d56D6ce6-XNJcSHG37MhrWO-1_7mC5bGowdsNmhJZ_mXZFQMI/s1600/DSC04677.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuY_fvlCqMta1MNlCA0APo84X2Tdr11ncMc1kJuAf09Pz-bhWkp2A_xKw1DDs3HobkHyFOBIEgt-WfzTg9cF8gwbjd9d56D6ce6-XNJcSHG37MhrWO-1_7mC5bGowdsNmhJZ_mXZFQMI/s400/DSC04677.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477812884529348818" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLeKOWone68qR5xzLD7i1iKeFPpqAlgL3R-qvMCtumCKTowbT7UoSg6TZHPpJeMVFUgpgze7QsT2OSyPWNmdBd35uTO6Obq-a4HJmV2c348pDgpyMvHkTGnWawmpDffnPCQtaKjlwFHk/s1600/DSC04675.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLeKOWone68qR5xzLD7i1iKeFPpqAlgL3R-qvMCtumCKTowbT7UoSg6TZHPpJeMVFUgpgze7QsT2OSyPWNmdBd35uTO6Obq-a4HJmV2c348pDgpyMvHkTGnWawmpDffnPCQtaKjlwFHk/s400/DSC04675.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477812874783095074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzeS2Vgs6CtdQ3N_czRkixLaUx5x3edhBayxhP_Dzn_T4cji4pbj04JUpxFetP6QjwNEau62O8RmaOLSdawMIrYZwMobmSMz89GsZUZDeAOIMj-ehUrhe-YhjhTRP0024RSWqaYnMC70/s1600/DSC04673.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzeS2Vgs6CtdQ3N_czRkixLaUx5x3edhBayxhP_Dzn_T4cji4pbj04JUpxFetP6QjwNEau62O8RmaOLSdawMIrYZwMobmSMz89GsZUZDeAOIMj-ehUrhe-YhjhTRP0024RSWqaYnMC70/s400/DSC04673.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477812866902553586" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Well there you go! Hope you are just as lucky in your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">thrifting</span> excursions this summer!</div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-62810319541242370622010-05-22T17:24:00.000-07:002010-05-22T17:47:58.604-07:00You LIttle Sew and Sew<div>Recently my daughter discovered a gift card she had overlooked in the mayhem that was her birthday sleep-over. The gift-card was to a store in our local mall geared toward tweens. Last night we decided to check it out. There was everything a fashion diva like Miss T could want. Outfits and accessories galore. Unfortunately, one would need to make diva dollars to shop there on a regular basis. T was shocked to discover that her $20 was not going to go very far. She decided on a cute pair of earrings and a necklace.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>I kept looking at everything thinking ,"even I could make that"! So today I woke with a bee in my bonnet and headed off to the fabric store. I came home with this. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj4l6f42ZGfcGc0Z1goVyQYDwfhBLDAwvW3V_lJKhUqytKeC5hYfKJ2iRQP-Sy8Gn3Oyh-aFWAf1DnPRAUDWbs3HEcncgkJSfuc8UHwK8UHx7Dh8VPt9ny48tIH0rN25OtkbknhJ-vNQ/s1600/DSC04629.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj4l6f42ZGfcGc0Z1goVyQYDwfhBLDAwvW3V_lJKhUqytKeC5hYfKJ2iRQP-Sy8Gn3Oyh-aFWAf1DnPRAUDWbs3HEcncgkJSfuc8UHwK8UHx7Dh8VPt9ny48tIH0rN25OtkbknhJ-vNQ/s400/DSC04629.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474259282233883922" /></a></div><div>All fabrics for $1 to $2 a yard. Then I got busy making this skirt...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsxKPs45pBqGCJGtsgPsMkedst6Ov6-RYxbAigjS4mRTD00NbDL3Bwmn9mc1cducWcUk3Q4REFZsYdrhcOGFor7RM9HUc7jz55cAQJyM6jh1wQCXreRlxDwN2HUwLf16tomguY0qWw9E/s1600/DSC04633.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsxKPs45pBqGCJGtsgPsMkedst6Ov6-RYxbAigjS4mRTD00NbDL3Bwmn9mc1cducWcUk3Q4REFZsYdrhcOGFor7RM9HUc7jz55cAQJyM6jh1wQCXreRlxDwN2HUwLf16tomguY0qWw9E/s400/DSC04633.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474259272853866082" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pY3ffw7_I2Y-H_3QxFYpYKRkeEmCeJQ0nR_GTc7JwRtry-PrkJ7lIEYUDjOjeVXlkVSQ7RELQtPoz0V_XxQtVqCLL5bxHbCIPY1ui1JM2s-zpO5VIDwiILR-Bz9GEIMryuPTCLEBm1Y/s1600/DSC04637.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pY3ffw7_I2Y-H_3QxFYpYKRkeEmCeJQ0nR_GTc7JwRtry-PrkJ7lIEYUDjOjeVXlkVSQ7RELQtPoz0V_XxQtVqCLL5bxHbCIPY1ui1JM2s-zpO5VIDwiILR-Bz9GEIMryuPTCLEBm1Y/s400/DSC04637.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474259269592463410" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And this vest....</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTJ7UZZ53gDe8sRqyrb86cPqtyEClQSndGcqV2fQm0M3o_L362GuVa1p_TVIxoT1LDWeDXMGPfUQGXqP_-mgVxJMtT4DnAtJqjKGVrQbxA5Ed4GAdTCgY_M-Ivb4imf09I84wnHvy3cI/s1600/DSC04638.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTJ7UZZ53gDe8sRqyrb86cPqtyEClQSndGcqV2fQm0M3o_L362GuVa1p_TVIxoT1LDWeDXMGPfUQGXqP_-mgVxJMtT4DnAtJqjKGVrQbxA5Ed4GAdTCgY_M-Ivb4imf09I84wnHvy3cI/s400/DSC04638.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474259263673199474" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Both which were remakes of stuff we saw last night. Let be clear, I am no seamstress. No one ever taught me to sew. I just decided to get a little inexpensive machine and go for it. There are no patterns when I sew and lots of trail and error. But in the end I was so very pleased. I cannot wait to tackle that mountain of fabric in coming weeks and make more clothes for Miss Priss. I have so many ideas floating around in my head!</div></div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-46050565961731336212010-05-21T05:43:00.000-07:002010-05-21T05:52:47.575-07:00Tiny People are Healthy People and Other Lies I've told myself.There is a myth about tiny people that says size equates with healthiness. I must break the code of silence and tell you nothing could be further from the truth. As a tiny person I have done more than my fair share of eating-out this semester of school. I only put on around five pounds but it all seems to be concentrated like a floatation device around my mid section. My husband brought home Jillian Michael's 2010 Challenge for Wii yesterday. I decided to give the circuit training a go - you know just for kicks. Even though I started out on the easiest possible setting, I was definitely winded when the workout was done. Also, I need to mention that for the first time in my life I bounced when I ran - jiggled really. To a tiny person never having experienced this sensation I must say it was rather traumatic. But just the kind of wake up call I needed. I may be tiny but I am VERY out of shape. So when the last Oreo disappears from the pantry I will say adios to processed food indefinitely. And that my friend is a fact.Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-30761032106607704732010-02-26T07:27:00.000-08:002010-02-26T07:34:35.934-08:00Spring/Easter swapMy friend over at <i>Through the Eyes of a Yak </i>is hosting a Spring/Easter swap. I know many of us are feeling a little tired of all the cold, snow, and gray everywhere. In anticipation of spring why not participate in a swap with another family? Details on the swap are <a href="http://throughtheeyesofayak.blogspot.com/2010/02/springeaster-swap-come-join-in-fun.html">here</a> . You will make or purchase something spring inspired or Easter inspired or specifically for Easter basket... and send it to your swap partner. They in turn will send you a surprise in the mail! Participants will be matched according to interest and the number of kiddos you have. You can sign up for the swap by clicking on the email link at the end of her <a href="http://throughtheeyesofayak.blogspot.com/2010/02/springeaster-swap-come-join-in-fun.html">post</a>. Hope you will join the spring fun!Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-3655995512228195102010-01-30T17:32:00.001-08:002010-01-30T17:48:28.703-08:00Being contentIt's snowing here. That's big news in the rural south. I was enjoying watching the snow gently fall this morning as various song birds visited the feeder on our deck. I couldn't help but think of the many times I have sat at my kitchen table staring out the french doors at the beautiful birds who visit our home. I love watching the birds. It brings me such joy. In that moment I thought I never want to leave this home. I love my home. My home brings me joy. I must confess I am not always so content. On more than one occasion I have looked longingly at someone's yard or play room or office or gourmet kitchen or large laundry room or bonus room or.... you get the picture. I have looked at what others have and wished I had that too. I have compared and envied and wished for more or different or change. Often I justify the longing with "We need" or "If only" as in "We really need an office space" or "If only we had a laundry room instead of a laundry closet". <div><br /></div><div>What I realized this morning was that I have so much to be grateful for. What if I looked at my spouse the way I do other things in my life. What if I was constantly comparing him to other people's spouses and wishing he cooked more or made more money or was more laid back or had blue eyes? That seems ludicrous but the reality is that if I coveted other people's spouses I probably would never find true happiness with my own. I could spend countless hours thinking about what I don't have rather than focus on all the wonderful things I do possess. In our Western culture it is so easy to want what we do not need, to compare unjustly, and to always be discontented. Our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">consumerist</span> mindset teaches us to always be looking for the next great thing. I want to be like Paul who was content in all things. I have so much to be truly grateful for. So today I give thanks for the joy in my life and say thank you for all my blessings.</div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-18552103839521125642010-01-20T06:06:00.001-08:002010-01-20T06:12:50.358-08:00From the mouths of babes...<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My sister has come to my aide this semester and picks up my kids from school two days a week. Yesterday, while talking my son (who is very much like his Aunt in temperament) and my sister said the exact same thing at the exact same time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To this my sister quipped, "You know what they say 'Great minds think alike'."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To which my brilliant son replied, "No, great minds think like no one else!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Touche!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOA5xeMlQyCixMtjUQ2TC9sfjsD2zXlSzv2bEtLQFX82CmrfwC46-cEJSXVcAPb_CzVZ-nlVnwxY8zugDwojzT9ZePz-qr79Ws-PE_LQq5zqWGJGNxhkfRUrcO8ZORlGi2II2BTBUirvM/s1600-h/jmanbeautiful.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOA5xeMlQyCixMtjUQ2TC9sfjsD2zXlSzv2bEtLQFX82CmrfwC46-cEJSXVcAPb_CzVZ-nlVnwxY8zugDwojzT9ZePz-qr79Ws-PE_LQq5zqWGJGNxhkfRUrcO8ZORlGi2II2BTBUirvM/s400/jmanbeautiful.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428823557632367010" /></a><br /></div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-45962659723626769032010-01-09T16:36:00.000-08:002010-01-09T17:18:30.081-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCe1EKeOYkte06_jiGSKKdKgtFtFZi2gygdNoCrfVobNTjwwKQpbe4rfGJ6EM3IyFLU_LgeeIG8eMjBEzz6N5wJYo3PqLI28YxumjngHl1cef8h5Np4RrQWnp7G-q4fzdPotqiT6bg9GQ/s1600-h/1heart.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCe1EKeOYkte06_jiGSKKdKgtFtFZi2gygdNoCrfVobNTjwwKQpbe4rfGJ6EM3IyFLU_LgeeIG8eMjBEzz6N5wJYo3PqLI28YxumjngHl1cef8h5Np4RrQWnp7G-q4fzdPotqiT6bg9GQ/s400/1heart.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424914159202602962" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Psalm 119</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><sup id="en-NIV-15908" class="versenum"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">9</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> How can a young man keep his way pure?<br /> By living according to your word. </span><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><sup id="en-NIV-15909" class="versenum"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">10</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> I seek you with all my heart;<br /> do not let me stray from your commands. </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><sup id="en-NIV-15910" class="versenum"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">11</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> I have hidden your word in my heart<br /> that I might not sin against you. </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><sup id="en-NIV-15911" class="versenum"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">12</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> Praise be to you, O LORD;<br /> teach me your decrees. </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><sup id="en-NIV-15912" class="versenum"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">13</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> With my lips I recount<br /> all the laws that come from your mouth.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">So after seeing Julie and Julia I have been inspired. No, not to cook my way through 2010 , but rather to live my way through the Word this year. Throughout the end of last year I could not help but consider how much of the Bible just seems ignored or non applicable to Western culture. From my perspective it seems that my Christian experience is a far cry from Biblical mandate. For years I chalked it up to the great cultural divide - you know, believing things don't apply to us because we live in a different time and space. While I do believe that the Bible holds great symbolism and everything shouldn't be taken literally, I also believe we conveniently opt out of a lifestyle that would be less than comfortable for us as Westerners. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I'm not sure what this will end up looking like - I never claimed to be a Bible scholar. I don't plan on growing my hair out to my waist and I cannot fathom going without makeup but I don't think that is the point. Take for example the ten commandments. Most Bible Belt Southerners would concur that the ten commandments are a good thing and that they should be followed. However, what is the Sabbath and how many of us keep it holy? I was struck today when I was reading through them to discover the clear instructions</p><p style="text-align: left;"> "No working on the Sabbath; keep it holy just as GOD, your God, commanded you. Work six days, doing everything you have to do, but the seventh day is a Sabbath, a Rest Day - no work: not you, your son, your daughter, your servant, your maid, your ox, your donkey (or any of your animals), and not even the foreigner visiting your town. That way your servants and maids will get the same rest as you." Deuteronomy 5:12-14. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I have not had to work on a Sunday in many years. However, what about giving the others a chance to rest as well? If my family and I insist on going out to eat, getting groceries or gas, or going to the movies aren't we insisting others work on a day intended for rest. I'm not trying to convince others I'm right. What day the Sabbath is on is up for debate. I'm certainly not trying to make others feel bad if they disagree or make other choices. I am trying to make one small calculated effort each day to live by a biblical mandate. I am hoping many small steps will find me in the way of David in Psalm 119</p><p style="text-align: left;"> <sup id="en-NIV-15932" class="versenum">33</sup> Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;<br /> then I will keep them to the end. </p><p> <sup id="en-NIV-15933" class="versenum">34</sup> Give me understanding, and I will keep your law<br /> and obey it with all my heart. </p><p> <sup id="en-NIV-15934" class="versenum">35</sup> Direct me in the path of your commands,<br /> for there I find delight. </p><p> <sup id="en-NIV-15935" class="versenum">36</sup> Turn my heart toward your statutes<br /> and not toward selfish gain. </p><p> <sup id="en-NIV-15936" class="versenum">37</sup> Turn my eyes away from worthless things;<br /> preserve my life according to your word. <sup class="footnote" value="" href=""#fen-NIV-15936b"" title=""See">b]">[<a title="See footnote b" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119&version=NIV#fen-NIV-15936b">b</a>]</sup> </p><p> <sup id="en-NIV-15937" class="versenum">38</sup> Fulfill your promise to your servant,<br /> so that you may be feared. </p><p> <sup id="en-NIV-15938" class="versenum">39</sup> Take away the disgrace I dread,<br /> for your laws are good. </p><p> <sup id="en-NIV-15939" class="versenum">40</sup> How I long for your precepts!<br /> Preserve my life in your righteousness.</p><p>Here is to a year of walking in the Truth. Precept by precept.</p><p></p></div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-32832819995571673652010-01-08T05:19:00.000-08:002010-01-08T06:42:21.826-08:00New Year - Same Old Moi<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxYFx58PVrjGxQlQ7U7eiTu8Vk8gfCnor0XSuVevQvaBSb2YIHreSTlocQpQayjvZFd8iDT2mAm8fgWS37M5R_GPo_9JXa6UkTGyxRXAKUO_eXTTaatxldRaJlSpHD5qAKObeDPjV1bU/s1600-h/18666_230428588285_509458285_3000414_3851081_n.jpg"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxYFx58PVrjGxQlQ7U7eiTu8Vk8gfCnor0XSuVevQvaBSb2YIHreSTlocQpQayjvZFd8iDT2mAm8fgWS37M5R_GPo_9JXa6UkTGyxRXAKUO_eXTTaatxldRaJlSpHD5qAKObeDPjV1bU/s400/18666_230428588285_509458285_3000414_3851081_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424371565547143202" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO3N-vYwD_hs7EAHHbFUukyuDIsgqgNErsPwBs5TX7PplwcXY0MHZG5vBQobA6K3nRNWdkGcJQ7F4uVTiJx3ahBdf2wIldlioMq8YIWC36i_6Hd5rc2OSXLB3WBW58JPdliWIRO-UeWg/s1600-h/18666_230426448285_509458285_3000399_3597085_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO3N-vYwD_hs7EAHHbFUukyuDIsgqgNErsPwBs5TX7PplwcXY0MHZG5vBQobA6K3nRNWdkGcJQ7F4uVTiJx3ahBdf2wIldlioMq8YIWC36i_6Hd5rc2OSXLB3WBW58JPdliWIRO-UeWg/s400/18666_230426448285_509458285_3000399_3597085_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424371576564367554" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">People tend to always want to reinvent themselves around the first of the year. Isn't that what resolutions are really all about? Casting a wish for betterment out into the Cosmos and hoping somehow that will bring about the change we so desperately desire? Don't get me wrong. There is plenty about me that I want and need my Creator to daily transform. But lately I have just not been myself at all. Do you know that feeling? Feeling like you are walking around in a bad dream as someone else? Well that is how I have felt anyway.<br /><br />School per usual took over my life last semester. What I am slowly realizing is that it is not all "schools" fault. I am a perfectionist and also tend to focus on one thing at a time. So whatever is taking up the major chunk of time in my life tends to be where my focus lands. Sounds appropriate unless you realize that I have two kids who are rapidly morphing into people all together different than the ones I brought into this world. And a very patient husband... and a ninety-four year old Grandmother who was like another mother to me. Sigh, do you see my dilemma?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI6Uu0y8c7geOQblDWfGkKlVIRnflN2ZzMGjlkztDCazMK0lmq44TtELmypn7ER4taRDRXCes4Frt70Wub4KbgFi9h7TdUuORUBYenjb3hnA5Y38LEY0XILJ66axFt1hYyWqX7pCzMPs/s1600-h/13659_298367130260_883375260_9415924_5450569_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI6Uu0y8c7geOQblDWfGkKlVIRnflN2ZzMGjlkztDCazMK0lmq44TtELmypn7ER4taRDRXCes4Frt70Wub4KbgFi9h7TdUuORUBYenjb3hnA5Y38LEY0XILJ66axFt1hYyWqX7pCzMPs/s400/13659_298367130260_883375260_9415924_5450569_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424371559021078866" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rhM4hx_kcMGk-RQh0CHFscf5ovEQr6vCmyarnI2nPZSdz8gjL8MhMT4pL6Ay_BfQFCLNGFWhBZxNUfwUfstkk07iuLsGexB8y9Obu2-jXHznau7dkB6MatTXgEVk2GTy7SW-Vl0Dgv4/s1600-h/DSC00591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rhM4hx_kcMGk-RQh0CHFscf5ovEQr6vCmyarnI2nPZSdz8gjL8MhMT4pL6Ay_BfQFCLNGFWhBZxNUfwUfstkk07iuLsGexB8y9Obu2-jXHznau7dkB6MatTXgEVk2GTy7SW-Vl0Dgv4/s400/DSC00591.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424371561247495922" /></a><br />To say it rather rudely, I just suck at balance. When I used to homeschool my kids and bake bread from scratch and make every meal from fresh organic ingredients (I only know this because I recently found my entire life in pics from 2007 in a random place on my computer), I felt rather smug, as if I had it all together. It seemed good and right because I spent 100% of my energy on my kids/family. What I know now looking back is that my friendship with my husband was sorely neglected and I had no time whatsoever for myself. Balance - why must you allude me so?</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I am of the belief that part of this is strictly nature - genetic inborn temperament, while still other is nurture. My Dad is exactly this way. Well actually, my Dad and my Mom. My Dad in a more helpless way like myself. He simply can't juggle. Plod away at one thing well and let all the other balls land where they may. I swear we don't even notice the cacophony of balls ricocheting around us in deadly fashion. We are just that focused on the one ball we have in motion. Proud of it really. My Mom, well she can certainly hold more than one thing in her mind at a time (and does). She juggles. She just tends to put the lion's share of energy into the task she deems most valuable or necessary at that juncture. Makes sense I guess - unless you are one of the other smaller less important balls.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">But I digress, this is not a session with Freud nor are these challenges I face my parent's fault (sheesh now I know where my son gets this from). I just need to allow Creator to realign my thinking and make some changes. He's done it before - I know He's the man for the job:) All this silly rambling really leads me to my point that I am celebrating feeling like myself once more. Not some solely obsessed she-devil - but M.E. I never knew how fond of M.E. I had grown;) I am so grateful this new year for the holiday's that afforded me time to slow things down significantly. I am so grateful for the Arctic blast of air that has turned my rural town into an ice rink for the past week - and afforded me time to snuggle up with the ones I love most in this life. I am thankful for a Creator who gave me a husband with the patience of Job - at least as far as I'm concerned. I am thankful for a niece who prays mighty prayers, a brother-in-law who doesn't view church as a one man show, and the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit. I am full of gratitude to feel spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically more myself than I have in over a decade.</span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wIWmsW6tWBjqvndcjAO7WaKkrczqXX2xP3rBcxLBkYzI31SFP4vLrruwkBsiKNN1GTmjBe6xQaFlXO-Z0ENNQGBA8nzl-IG-hOmVFUDgLmv91GYyx7K4R1nNkNmVTHHBzi_RisJBoqQ/s1600-h/18666_229909458285_509458285_2998517_6081823_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wIWmsW6tWBjqvndcjAO7WaKkrczqXX2xP3rBcxLBkYzI31SFP4vLrruwkBsiKNN1GTmjBe6xQaFlXO-Z0ENNQGBA8nzl-IG-hOmVFUDgLmv91GYyx7K4R1nNkNmVTHHBzi_RisJBoqQ/s400/18666_229909458285_509458285_2998517_6081823_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424371581420226594" /></a></div><div>So this - I welcome change that is eternal - not temporal. I thank Father that the wilderness did not kill me and that in fact it allowed me to see the miraculous lengths to which God will go in order to preserve His children. I am grateful for fourteen years of marriage - seven years running away, seven years working in sobriety. I realized the other day it has been like Leah and Rachel. We want the Rachel but we need the Leah. Gratitude for the Leah years - and so excited to see the many "children" that will be birthed over the next fourteen years. God is good - all the time.</div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-65880286394387804792009-09-13T05:29:00.000-07:002009-09-13T05:59:30.881-07:00The church I attend is like any other church I suppose in small town America, the growth ebbs and flows. There are times when our little building seemed to ready to pop like the finger play (here's the church, here's the steeple, open it up and see all the people). While other seasons it seems like there are more empty seats than full. My church is like any other church in small town America, some times I agree with the Pastor and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I like the worship and sometimes I don't. The thing that makes my church going experience unique is that my Pastor is my sister's husband. In fact my entire immediate family with the exception of my brother who lives hours away, all attend this church.<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday I spent the entire afternoon with my sister and her family. It was an impromptu, fun filled afternoon. It was great. We hung out, we ate food, we talked, we shared, we caught up. I have known my sister my entire life. I thought my life would surely cease to be when she moved out to get married. We attend the same church and we live fifteen minutes from each other and yet, I learned all kinds of stuff about my sister yesterday. This got me me to thinking about what it really takes to know a person. You have to spend time with them. You have to talk to them. You have to listen. You have to be present. I can't just show up on Sunday's and stare at the back of my sister's head and really know what she is going through. Those of us who perhaps have been around the western church for any amount of time know this analogy has been used about our relationship with God. You can't just show up on Sunday and know God. You have to be present with Creator. You have to cultivate a relationship. </div><div><br /></div><div>But the same holds true for all the people, be they fifty or 250, that sit around me every Sunday in service. I can't expect to have relationships without getting to know people outside those four walls. And if I don't know anything more than the back of their hair and what they said that drove me nuts, well then I'm not prone to really like them much am I? But what if I knew that they said that really annoying statement because they talk when they are nervous? And what if I knew they are nervous because their husband is losing his job, their children are giving them a run for their money, and they too feel so, so alone in this great big sanctuary? Maybe instead of muttering under my breath that I am the last sane person attending church, I might empathize. I might cook a meal and take it over. I might send a message of encouragement on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">facebook</span> or gasp even in the mail. I might offer to babysit so they can get a break.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just think it is amazing that after 37 years I still find out things I didn't know about my sister. I'm no extrovert but I love people one on one. God help me know more about your children than how they part their hair and what their political views are. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><ul id="verseRow11" onmouseup="onEndVerse('1', '11')" onmousedown="onStartVerse('11')"><li id="verseTxt_1_11">Here there is no Greek or Jew,<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref11_23" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/Ro%2010:12;%201Co%2012:13" /> circumcised or uncircumcised,<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref11_24" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/S%201Co%207:19" /> barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref11_25" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/Gal%203:28" /> but Christ is all,<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref11_26" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/Eph%201:23" /> and is in all.</li></ul> <ul id="verseRow12" onmouseup="onEndVerse('1', '12')" onmousedown="onStartVerse('12')"> <li id="verseNum_1_12" class="bold">12.</li> <li id="verseTxt_1_12">Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref12_27" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/ver%2010" /> with compassion, kindness, humility,<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref12_28" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/Php%202:3" /> gentleness and patience.<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref12_29" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/2Co%206:6;%20Gal%205:22,23;%20Eph%204:2" /></li></ul> <ul id="verseRow13" onmouseup="onEndVerse('1', '13')" onmousedown="onStartVerse('13')"> <li id="verseNum_1_13" class="bold">13.</li> <li id="verseTxt_1_13">Bear with each other<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref13_30" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/Eph%204:2" /> and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref13_31" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/Eph%204:32" /></li></ul> <ul id="verseRow14" onmouseup="onEndVerse('1', '14')" onmousedown="onStartVerse('14')"> <li id="verseNum_1_14" class="bold">14.</li> <li id="verseTxt_1_14">And over all these virtues put on love,<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref14_32" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/1Co%2013:1-13" /> which <b>binds them all together in perfect unity</b>.<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref14_33" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/S%20Ro%2015:5;%20Eph%204:3" /></li></ul> <ul id="verseRow15" onmouseup="onEndVerse('1', '15')" onmousedown="onStartVerse('15')"> <li id="verseNum_1_15" class="bold">15.</li> <li id="verseTxt_1_15">Let the peace of Christ<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref15_34" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/S%20Jn%2014:27" /> rule in your hearts, since as members of one body<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref15_35" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/S%20Ro%2012:5" /> you were called to peace.<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref15_36" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/S%20Ro%2014:19" /> And be thankful.</li></ul> <ul id="verseRow16" onmouseup="onEndVerse('1', '16')" onmousedown="onStartVerse('16')"> <li id="verseNum_1_16" class="bold">16.</li> <li id="verseTxt_1_16">Let the word of Christ<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref16_37" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/Ro%2010:17" /> dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref16_38" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/Col%201:28" /> and as you sing psalms,<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref16_39" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/Ps%2047:7" /> hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref16_40" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/S%20Eph%205:19" /></li></ul> <ul id="verseRow17" onmouseup="onEndVerse('1', '17')" onmousedown="onStartVerse('17')"> <li id="verseNum_1_17" class="bold">17.</li> <li id="verseTxt_1_17">And whatever you do,<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref17_41" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/1Co%2010:31" /> whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks<img style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; DISPLAY: none; CURSOR: pointer" id="iconpopupCrossref17_42" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/biblestudytools/skin/CW/Icon_CrossRef_wht_bg.gif" longdesc="http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/S%20Eph%205:20" /> to God the Father through him.</li></ul></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Colossians</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">NIV</span>) - bold mine:)</div></div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-67276355297367575692009-09-10T11:15:00.000-07:002009-09-10T11:52:23.751-07:00Everyone Has a Story to TellI have to make this a really quick post today because in just a few minutes I am going to pick my kids up from school and take my oldest on a date to see the Half Blood Prince. When all the hype started coming out for the new movie I told my kids with no apologies that NO ONE in our family would be seeing this movie until they read the book (in case you didn't know a main character dies). Well Jman finished this week, took an AR test at school on it and made a 100! Since I am pretty sure this is the last day the film will be running in our area I decided to make some arrangements for Miss Thang to go with my Mom and J and I are going to dinner and a movie. So much fun!<div><br /></div><div>But that is not what I wanted to blog about today. I wanted to share some links to three different sites that allow anyone (especially children) to write their own stories. I think storytelling is a great learning tool. How better to learn about the English language than to create stories? It also engages that creative side of the brain and allows kids to share their ideas.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first site is <a href="http://www.meddybemps.com/9.700.html">meddybemps</a>. This is a great learning site for kids in general. They can play all sorts of games but the link should take you to The Young Writers Workshop. This activity gives the children a story starter and they complete the story. If you have a class of new writers or you homeschool and have not done much writing yet, well this is a great place to start. It's fun even to do as a group, allowing each person to tell the next part of the story. How fun would it be to print and post a collaborative story your class or family created! I do want to note for those who care that this site uses imaginative creatures including a kindly witch. If this offends you keep reading... there is a site for you!</div><div><br /></div><div>Next is <a href="http://www.tikatok.com/">tikatok</a>. Tik a Tok allows you to create a story all your own. You can scan in illustrations of your own or use ones found on the site. But the greatest thing about this site is you can order a bound "published" copy of your child's story. How neat is that? Think about what a great gift to give a little one. I also think this really helps validate children in their own creative process. So good!</div><div><br /></div><div>And the newest guy on the block is <a href="http://storybird.com/">storybird.</a> I found out about story bird from <a href="http://www.lovedrunk.net/">Lovedrunk</a> who is an amazing writer herself. I jumped right into this site and created a story you can read <a href="http://storybird.com/books/the-story-of-the-messy-house-or-how-dust-bunnies-a/">here</a>. This site puts a new twist on storytelling. Basically the site gives you access to amazing original artwork from all kinds of different artists. You then pick a picture and tell a story with it. The art inspires the story. Again, what a great tool to use with kids. Allow them to work in groups or work at home as a family to create an amazing original story. The stories are then posted where other storybird users can read them. I was as excited as a little girl when I got my first comment on my story! </div><div><br /></div><div>Whatever avenue you use, I hope you will tell your story and teach your children to do the same!</div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-75035210919621946792009-09-09T05:31:00.000-07:002009-09-09T06:26:03.280-07:00Snapshots of the Mind<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92iNSfNGpQxVp-hdTgbZVgtm7x5nG2WC0jzLeJmWhEXaTFAOCuwy3xm2YyO_cj6NzS8a_FrkWuoN1iW88W4itE7B4DHnt2465m29c7XiM5mmOe60rV80a5CbiPIA1jZoKJTX19NSMX4E/s1600-h/rain1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92iNSfNGpQxVp-hdTgbZVgtm7x5nG2WC0jzLeJmWhEXaTFAOCuwy3xm2YyO_cj6NzS8a_FrkWuoN1iW88W4itE7B4DHnt2465m29c7XiM5mmOe60rV80a5CbiPIA1jZoKJTX19NSMX4E/s400/rain1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379452478878180322" /></a>I realized this morning as I was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">grumping</span> around straight from my grumpy slumber that there is a great disparity between the thoughts/ideas/memories I tend to want to capture on film and the ones I am constantly capturing in my head. I was loading some pictures from my cell phone onto my computer when I started looking through a whole slew of photographs from the last two years. You know what I noticed? Every single photograph was an attempt to capture some aspect of goodness in our day to day life. Why then do I insist on capturing less than pleasant memories in my daily thoughts. By that I mean, why do I choose to mull over and meditate on the very things that drive me crazy, make me mad, etc.?<div><br /></div><div>If I had taken a photograph of my face this morning as I sludged through my disgustingly dirty kitchen it would not have been a pleasant sight to behold. Do I really want my kids to have to look at that first thing in the day? Now in my head I am grumpy because everyone else is grumpy. Kids have allergies and colds, nobody wants to get up, Dad is sick and stressed, house is a wreck, and the list goes on and on and on. But why do I want to capture that energy as my own? Could it be possible to smile, as if this moment the paparazzi of my heart were lurking somewhere outside my kitchen waiting to capture my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tude</span> on film? And what if that smile causes someone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">else's</span> day to get a little brighter? I know mine did just looking at the "happy" moments we have captured on film. And even if everyone is still schlepping around in their own misery - maybe just maybe - I'll feel better if I just smile. Think Happy Thoughts. Capture the moments in my heart and in my head that are worth being there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Moments Worth Remembering This Week:</div><div><ul><li>Playing dress up with the kids while being chased through the neighborhood.</li><li>Finding an even more perfect flower girl dress.</li><li>Getting all my money back for the first flower girl dress.</li><li>Hubby finishing laundry that would have taken me another week to finish.</li><li>Kiddos helping neighbor.</li><li>My car starting every day.</li><li>Tomatoes from the garden in the pasta.</li></ul><div><h2 align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Engravers MT"">Philippians 4:8 (The Message)<o:p></o:p></span></h2> <p align="center" style="text-align:center"><sup><span style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Engravers MT"">8-9</span></sup><span style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Engravers MT"">Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-17592685647412994272009-09-06T15:02:00.000-07:002009-09-06T15:49:07.768-07:00Today I have spent doing what should be accomplished on any good Sunday, I have rested.<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday however, I am proud to say, I spent the better part of the day cleaning out the mountain of chaos in my garage also known as my sewing/crafting/decorating "stuff". DH and I have been slowly plodding away on organizing the garage. It used to be home to most of my grandmother's worldly possessions and therefore was a magnet for all the junk we accumulated but did not know what to do with. Periodically we would donate items or have a garage sale but then it will just pile up again. This time we invested in some inexpensive shelving and bike racks to help keep the clutter tamed. We have tried to purge everything we do not use. So all the camping, repairing, painting, recreational, musical, and other stuff used by the entire family now has a permanent place. But that still left my mountain of mess which I was hoping would somehow organize itself. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once I resigned to the task, I managed to fill an entire trash bag with fabric scraps not big enough for another project as well as a trunk full of things to donate. I discovered I had enough clothes that needed mending to fill and entire laundry basket (that's tomorrows project). I placed all like items together and was amazed at how many materials I have to use. I have been fortunate to inherit much of my mother's and grandmother's sewing supplies and really had no idea what all was there. I found some felted Christmas stockings my mom had started and never finished. There are four, one for each person in the family I have created, (which also means my mom most likely started that project before I was even born...I'm 37 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">uhummm</span>). I plan on finishing them and using them in some fashion in our Christmas celebration this year. Fun!</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel very grateful to have so many materials at my disposal. I also realized that materials are worthless if you cannot find them easily when you want to use them. For example, I found three measuring tapes yesterday. Just last week I was wrecking the house in an attempt to uncover the one measuring tape I knew I owned. Well I never found it when I needed it and resorted to measuring with a plastic ruler. Then yesterday, not only did I find mine, but obviously my grandmother's and mother's measuring tapes as well. Now they are all safely tucked in their new home, a little organizer tray for the sewing stuff I use regularly. I also had just purchased elastic for some of the many pairs of t-shirt shorts I made for my boys this summer from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Family-Encourage-Imagination-Connections/dp/1590304713">The Creative Family</a> by Amanda Blake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Soule</span>. Much to my chagrin, I found enough elastic to fill a gallon size <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ziploc</span> bag. The bad news, if I had organized sooner I would not have had to purchase new materials. The good news, I have lots of elastic for future sewing projects and I know exactly where to find it. Probably my favorite discovery was the vintage lace and trims I uncovered from my Mom's and Grandmother's sewing baskets. I'm not sure just how I will use these lovelies yet, but when I do, I'll be sure and share them here.</div><div><br /></div><div>With all these amazing materials at my disposable I am anxious to create something fabulous in the near future. I am hoping I find the time to craft and sew amongst the busyness of this season of life. Which brings me to another point I really stopped to think about as I was discovering "new to me" materials in my mother's sewing stuff. I had never paused to consider how invested my mother had been to creating things during this same season of life (thirty something). It made me wonder why she stopped and if I too will stop one day. I must confess the idea made me more than a little sad. I hope to always be doing something creative.</div><div><br /></div><div>And while I am typing this, my ten year old has decided to don a makeshift Batman ensemble along with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">lego</span> created Batman weaponry. I am happy to see that ten has not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">squelched</span> his creative need to play dress up. Maybe I too will stay forever young:)</div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-32486547533211649772009-09-04T14:37:00.000-07:002009-09-04T15:22:51.298-07:00Pats on the back...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI22_YqMc5QYUPN8f9kqx-A16YycRLb0sQYZW0Hj2n4PgIYbJK2YDw5pSyh8S6Fb3mEO3OgoxudH22RoN0h-mqDgYj5XXEMB-WoMqYIvpDLjQP3BxlJjM7kVBtfoddhf4aAcIYPsQNLk/s1600-h/dress1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI22_YqMc5QYUPN8f9kqx-A16YycRLb0sQYZW0Hj2n4PgIYbJK2YDw5pSyh8S6Fb3mEO3OgoxudH22RoN0h-mqDgYj5XXEMB-WoMqYIvpDLjQP3BxlJjM7kVBtfoddhf4aAcIYPsQNLk/s400/dress1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377740243249244242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8tWtC3Zk0GJLw427dWu32znDSG_7OsSlSd-cCITHOqVJB45rqnKzuKXUwsQhycyFsQOjQ4zcNWeFl3NSL8gSRfZ6Qhlg7OHmYxDNASFcaPBXEpk-i9vq-i83Jb2UW-gbQPFd6Jpee14/s1600-h/dress2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8tWtC3Zk0GJLw427dWu32znDSG_7OsSlSd-cCITHOqVJB45rqnKzuKXUwsQhycyFsQOjQ4zcNWeFl3NSL8gSRfZ6Qhlg7OHmYxDNASFcaPBXEpk-i9vq-i83Jb2UW-gbQPFd6Jpee14/s400/dress2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377740235815133330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CXQ8_4yYxQBqGzR2qzOzij2_AeuXUsqm00uQWMcELbi-uwAkfHp3ifowqOCWh-f8Mw5rvmqk8VETmivOX8x1iq8nWxO3eq3mRGOt46nt5KFqnIrVC2z5MwIP3UsEVPV07VnV8La4csM/s1600-h/dress3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CXQ8_4yYxQBqGzR2qzOzij2_AeuXUsqm00uQWMcELbi-uwAkfHp3ifowqOCWh-f8Mw5rvmqk8VETmivOX8x1iq8nWxO3eq3mRGOt46nt5KFqnIrVC2z5MwIP3UsEVPV07VnV8La4csM/s400/dress3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377740228913735266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CxbQ22VfJxHIwX_7LHycIrO-f65wIcOPeSLORqtSQqVUuzfgEWfbSjb7lugQNVPxwXse2bFaNQCZqA3VGwnh4Z5PbZbS8Ob9Ab2moTd51EeExgvFiCUDmF6FIzbWt3JvaralFPUotqQ/s1600-h/dress1.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So today I am proud of myself for finding a flower girl dress for my little T bear and paying cash for it! My niece is getting married in six weeks and my sister has been more than a little stressed trying to get everything done. To help out I offered to find my daughters flower girl dress. I am notorious for putting off tasks like this. I'm a longtime procrastinator and not a huge fan of the mall. But my b.f.f. from Telford (and mother of the other flower girl) and I forged ahead and fought the good fight. We braved the mall and survived. Not only did I find a dress for T Bear but also one for myself and did I mention I paid cash! So, kudos ME, for helping make your sister's load a little lighter,while not accumulating new debt! And thanks be to the Provider of the Universe for keeping me in perfect provision and peace in spite of my universities constant blunders with financial aid.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Oh and for those of you who are wondering, the wall art with the awesome motto is from Gracious Designs</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-52347591349781274432009-09-03T09:44:00.000-07:002009-09-03T10:13:03.369-07:00Positivity my dear<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2MX1jxfyyrSPsj3ctpTdtVtUxy64qUIXrbJOoXiOOJWNqOyiWHXYMScGiO1wyT5-GbxSQEwrOPR_nPvDxIqeGdrtDfqI7iuyDpoycNCQTR2idaNIMzZSp6E4_WMRpLevxNZfejHRjU8/s1600-h/IMG.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2MX1jxfyyrSPsj3ctpTdtVtUxy64qUIXrbJOoXiOOJWNqOyiWHXYMScGiO1wyT5-GbxSQEwrOPR_nPvDxIqeGdrtDfqI7iuyDpoycNCQTR2idaNIMzZSp6E4_WMRpLevxNZfejHRjU8/s400/IMG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377290009300411250" /></a><br />Perfectionist, idealist, melancholy, artistic, sensitive, moody. These are all adjectives that have been used to describe me on more than one occasion. I know I come off all cute and bubbly but it's just the shell holding in all that dark brooding;) Anyway, regardless I tend to be one of "those" people that focuses on what is not "right". I have learned after many years of practice not to always share what I am thinking, but the majority of the time the mental track running for me is a running list of all that is not right with the world. Because of this thinking, it is really easy for me to start feeling overwhelmed or even downright depressed. I had an epiphany recently about the overwhelmed thing and decided my motto for this season of life was going to be "simplicity first". (Wow is it just me or am I becoming that annoying girl from the nineties who keeps throwing up air quotes?) ...Well I decided today along with my new motto I am going to try and post daily a personal kudos or encouragement for ONE thing I did "right" that day. These will range from the profound to the absurd, but regardless I will try and find at least one thing I did well each day.<div><br /></div><div>Today's Kudos...</div><div><br /></div><div>I went to visit my grandmother who has been on loan from heaven for the last 94 years. She is a hoot and lives across town which makes it really challenging sometimes to visiting. I try and visit at least once a week. I was able to see her over the weekend and I really wanted to see her today. So I got ready before the kiddos had to be at school, dropped said kiddos off for their mandated education, and headed on over for a brief visit before my classes began. I am happy to report that she was more coherent today than on my last visit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kudos to you, MaryEl, for planning your work and working your plan. Instead of thinking of the millions of other projects and people you did not invest in today you made time for your grandmother and followed through. Those other people and plans will see their day in the sun, I just know they will! Why as Scarlet herself said, "Tomorrow is another day!"</div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-61200122332781264442009-09-01T05:27:00.001-07:002009-09-01T06:01:58.326-07:00Mothers and Daughters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOCxmImjHHj4xMNIQAtD-wiIkZfQjxtU-pQPVx_2Bcic4Q2TJMT0VdHbJRITQnYH0i8lAl48k-a0BN9JDoScoPHwAfnR-rP4Kn3EEI8X6OYuR-k9WZud6N299UdNUdQI1DSSMejU-Z-E/s1600-h/bday.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOCxmImjHHj4xMNIQAtD-wiIkZfQjxtU-pQPVx_2Bcic4Q2TJMT0VdHbJRITQnYH0i8lAl48k-a0BN9JDoScoPHwAfnR-rP4Kn3EEI8X6OYuR-k9WZud6N299UdNUdQI1DSSMejU-Z-E/s400/bday.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376475094248277282" /></a>When I was eight years old I experienced a serious disconnect from my mother. Serious as in - change the choices I made as an adolescent, send me to therapy for years, kind of serious. My mom became very ill and worsened to the point that she was on death's door for the better part of that year. She spent most of the year in the hospital where I was only allowed to visit once (because everyone back then knew that kids have cooties that will surely usher the feeble and sick on into Glory) and only then when my father disguised me as a patient and snuck me into her room. He was in fact sure it might be the last time I would see my mother and so we went covert, Vietnam style baby.<div><br /></div><div> At one low point when my mother was actually home "recovering" twenty miles from the nearest hospital, I witnessed her unconscious, lying in a deep pool of her own blood. Family screaming, panic palpable. In retrospect I think that was the moment the disconnect occurred. See in all my eight year old wisdom I knew that I was losing my mother, and I also knew that it hurt like hell. My solution, just don't love her anymore - or at least don't get too close, and then my dear- problem solved - you don't ever have to hurt again. My story has a happy ending. My mother slowly recovered and at nineteen I finally recognized the unconscious decision I had made at eight and decided to reconnect. I am happy to say we managed to reconnect quite successfully (my husband might even say too successfully).</div><div><br /></div><div>I share this here because the other day my daughter confided something in me that almost made my heart explode with happiness. She said she was talking to a girl in her class at school who is "dating" (my daughter is eight - thus the irony). Anyhoo, she was explaining to this classmate that she didn't date yet when her friend volunteered this information : "Oh you can date whenever you want as long as your parents don't find out." My daughters reply? Well that's what made my heart burst. She said, "Are you kidding? My mom and I can talk about anything. I wouldn't ruin that for the world!" The little girl seemed shocked and conceded that she did not feel she could tell her mom "anything".</div><div><br /></div><div>I will be the first to admit, I have more days as a parent when I mess it up than when I get it right. But I have spent more than a few hours stretched across my daughters bed allowing her to spill her guts and ask me the most embarrassing of questions (at least embarrassing for me). These are not always convenient times for me. These aren't scheduled talks. These are, "mom I need to talk to you and I want to do it right now" kinda moments. I have two thoughts on this :1) I never want to miss an opportunity to hear my kids hearts - I mean come on, parenting is hard enough as it is and if the only gauge I have on their emotional and spiritual health is their heart, I had better pay attention. 2) I always want to be as honest as possible in our discussions. It is a subtle art telling the truth in a way that is appropriate to your child's age. I have been asked things I never thought I would be asked by a six, or seven, or eight year old. I take long pauses to think about how best to frame the truth they seek. But I don't lie. I don't tell them babies come from heaven or kissing. And I don't shut them down - "We don't talk about that," or "We'll talk about that when you are older,". Listen my theory is if they are asking then they are thinking. I would much rather them know the truth and our family's values on the matter versus allowing them to hear all kinds of cock-a-mamy ideas from their peers (which for the record - my kids have shared some of the ideas they have heard and there are some crazy ones).</div><div><br /></div><div>So I celebrate healing today. Healing between mothers and daughters. I pray that though our relationship will evolve and change, my daughter will always feel like she can tell her momma anything!</div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-46267423245779762672009-08-04T10:42:00.000-07:002009-08-04T11:03:17.032-07:00<div>Just two weeks left until school starts back. I am always amazed at the parents who cannot wait to send their kids back to school... I don't know, it just comes across rather like the kids are a disease or something you want to get rid of as quickly as possible. I on the other hand mourn as our days of freedom together draw to a close. Ah summer, I love you. Kids, I love you more.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had this funny (melancholy wonky funny - not funny <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">haha</span>) word picture the other day. I was driving down a small road and admiring all the wonderful wildflowers. Then I began to think how sad it is that the city road crew comes through and without a second thought mows them down. I understand the purpose - to keep things tidy and visible as you drive along. It's just a shame. "Consider the lilies of the field..." That refrain rang through my head. And I thought, is this what the Western Church has become? The road crew of God's kingdom? Keeping things nice and tidy and making sure everyone is safe? I like the wildflowers. I like wild things in general. And I don't want to tame them or replace them with something safer - say pansies planted in perfect rows perhaps?</div><div><br /></div><div>So this whole western church dilemma has been vexing me. Then I read Ephesians 1:20-23 in the Message translation:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All this energy issues from Christ: God raised Him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from His rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything.<b> At the center of this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which He speaks and acts, by which He fills everything with His presence.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh my, my heart is arrested! I certainly don't have that view when I hear the word church. The same God who is keeping all the galaxies in perfect order rules over the church - it is the embodiment of who He is! Praying that my view becomes one with His.</div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-8564654210828704292009-07-15T06:33:00.000-07:002009-07-15T06:35:46.558-07:00Feels so good to be back on here. We have been on vacation, I have taken a short business trip with my Mom, and then my browser was malfunctioning and would not connect to blogger. Anyway....I am using safari browser now and connected just like that! Cannot wait to read the thousands of updates I have missed and be inspired!Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-82799702213861722732009-06-13T08:15:00.000-07:002009-06-13T16:17:16.616-07:00Thanksgivings<div>1) Working in the garden. Endlessly weeding with a boy who seems to be turning into a man child before my very eyes. A man child, asking deep questions, about the eternal and the beginning of time. </div><div></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnSn9kuMs_o6yE1TEGhK0liK4Xo-pvG_z2-7wO7hx3dRofc3uFaXg3I_p9_aSiJWdMLXVNHQChEcvZqfJdskAF_HP2ul_ift59_wn8hGU3SeLWRwLw7klMWYLjIz1FemWVc9dwMW94mQ/s1600-h/1judah.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346954719819233970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnSn9kuMs_o6yE1TEGhK0liK4Xo-pvG_z2-7wO7hx3dRofc3uFaXg3I_p9_aSiJWdMLXVNHQChEcvZqfJdskAF_HP2ul_ift59_wn8hGU3SeLWRwLw7klMWYLjIz1FemWVc9dwMW94mQ/s400/1judah.jpg" border="0" /></a> 2) The first fruits of labor. Broccoli, fresh from the stem - debugged and carefully washed, then gently steamed into deliciousness.<br /><br />3) A cup of Keurig coffee, steaming hot with just a touch of honey and cream. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD26PdcrUJSugkAAowfT9L4eX_3oT7aiWHbGDHaChu79nVB4YWJVHWZUFCg14GWMsYKw9DQL2e1dWXKUNuPKiYHDExocCMXiw6UnEcCwrDLRu6CBxfFkTZbWJ1vjLZF7CpUKNzdPWdTB0/s1600-h/IMG_0525.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346954726469374594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD26PdcrUJSugkAAowfT9L4eX_3oT7aiWHbGDHaChu79nVB4YWJVHWZUFCg14GWMsYKw9DQL2e1dWXKUNuPKiYHDExocCMXiw6UnEcCwrDLRu6CBxfFkTZbWJ1vjLZF7CpUKNzdPWdTB0/s400/IMG_0525.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />4) Morning meditations rediscovered in the words of The Message. Gospels come alive, speaking clearly, reaching across the chasm of cultural differences.<br /><br />5) Finding a new favorite book - <em>The Secret Life of Bees. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"</em>When you are unsure of yourself," she said, "when you start pulling back into doubt and small living, she's the one inside saying, 'Get up from there and live like the glorious girl you are.' She's the power inside you, you understand?"<br />Her hands stayed where they were but released their pressure. "And whatever it is that keeps widening your heart, that's Mary, too, not only the power inside you but the love. And when you get down to it, Lily, that's the only purpose grand enough for a human life. Not just love - but to <em>persist </em>in love."<br /><br />Right up there with <em>To Kill and Mockingbird </em>and <em>I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings.</em> lovely, just lovely.<br /><br />Thank you.</div></div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-79821283430710669002009-05-15T07:02:00.000-07:002009-05-15T10:29:46.787-07:00Catching upThis has been the most glorious spring for birds around here. Perhaps it is because we have had the windows open for a month now, but it seems like I can hear so many more birds this year. I don't know if there is anything better than a quiet cool house and the sounds of birds singing in the background.<br /><br /><br />Made muffins this morning using <a href="http://http//iwantthemoon.blogspot.com/2009/01/on-baking-therapy.html">this</a> recipe. This time however I used strawberries that were just about over ripe. I omitted the cinnamon and....drumroll please....I substituted the 1 cup milk for 1/2 cup organic vanilla yogurt and 1/2 cup organic milk. Ohhhhhh they are so scrumptious if I do say so myself:)<br /><br /><br />I am laughing at myself. I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off and yet when I get ready to blog I think, "my life is so boring. I have nothing to share." That was until I just uploaded the May pictures. Wow I will have to do a whole post tomorrow on things to do in East Tennessee.<br /><br /><br />Right now, as the boys snooze on, I am listening to the quiet chatter of a girl playing in her dollhouse. "Room service...we have spaghetti, eggs,...." The dollhouse was something my grandmother started but never finished before Alzhiemers took over her life. Noone else in the family seemed interested in taking on the project of restoration of the beast and so, my little brood received the honors. Several years ago I began working on the crumbling house for my daughters birthday. You can view the pictures of that project <a href="http://http//www.flickr.com/photos/38893278@N00/sets/72157594580578533/">here.</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpFvy79HFyKyZZSSNapqMQpvWOdGqEsq-HhwkoXciMvXq4lgkbh0slqZd1fs4T3akv-1gdaxffxW_bFLmZqgtLs-nnhAVokIuipAzIYgs-uidMIT-a7Q5iFpojEoT5cD58supTMRxlIU/s1600-h/may2009+179.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336099834072907954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpFvy79HFyKyZZSSNapqMQpvWOdGqEsq-HhwkoXciMvXq4lgkbh0slqZd1fs4T3akv-1gdaxffxW_bFLmZqgtLs-nnhAVokIuipAzIYgs-uidMIT-a7Q5iFpojEoT5cD58supTMRxlIU/s400/may2009+179.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And while we are sharing, let me share our "grown up furniture"!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nFquxeRzO_n0SEojJKsfSX69ieGlfSy7eEla_P1uY0I0GizqLOZIzVxpx-8wXRonizOUtdmEsBqY-LsCQv9QeB0gnmTTzp1q5fSoTdVN_AKyrPI2OAlSYtgcFmoBndgAqtBo1itofIs/s1600-h/may2009+181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336099830043613330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nFquxeRzO_n0SEojJKsfSX69ieGlfSy7eEla_P1uY0I0GizqLOZIzVxpx-8wXRonizOUtdmEsBqY-LsCQv9QeB0gnmTTzp1q5fSoTdVN_AKyrPI2OAlSYtgcFmoBndgAqtBo1itofIs/s400/may2009+181.JPG" border="0" /></a> I have always dreamed of having a red overstuffed couch and chair. Imagine my happiness when I showed up to help my sister price for a yard sale to benefit her family's mission trip to Peru. There sat my dream couch (someone had donated it to the sale). When she told me the price, I immediately called my husband who graciously agreed to come over and see the dream couch. My husband agreed it was a purchase we could make and voila! my dream became a reality.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpQYPlFw9cp4HTIllmSWT9x3-bVIKmZMnlY5GLp4H7DTqFwiRl2WvYcrfG2q38zsQTktIONRYoh3jrFAwbKewVskGXaw6bcdY89EZeynJbT6vUnzXEcGhtQbFfMaLhb52e6HtoNudz9Y/s1600-h/may2009+182.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336099831266127010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpQYPlFw9cp4HTIllmSWT9x3-bVIKmZMnlY5GLp4H7DTqFwiRl2WvYcrfG2q38zsQTktIONRYoh3jrFAwbKewVskGXaw6bcdY89EZeynJbT6vUnzXEcGhtQbFfMaLhb52e6HtoNudz9Y/s400/may2009+182.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The new furniture led to an update of artwork above the piano. Excuse the photography (I was using my cell phone). These paintings were done my beloved husband as a project for his color theory class. I just loved them. They really served to change the feel of the room.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuALvXv2lkCc1V0iRYzDcAbOOS3dNhv935V-p8z2xdcwnEdTWv7oKBxusDuhaY2N0lJiAjUoW9ocOgQG9vTzH8aRTHnwqwva2v5CQLzEgJvAPBollUoR9S04dpiwLcUX9Zdam_qSfo7NI/s1600-h/may2009+183.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336099115346060146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuALvXv2lkCc1V0iRYzDcAbOOS3dNhv935V-p8z2xdcwnEdTWv7oKBxusDuhaY2N0lJiAjUoW9ocOgQG9vTzH8aRTHnwqwva2v5CQLzEgJvAPBollUoR9S04dpiwLcUX9Zdam_qSfo7NI/s400/may2009+183.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGezEdJcOeXwdqppCdC4C3H5eVBGsdkV7W2xJAkW2JiXTETYLkjfOVYerYgbq96THWzjZcxaMkLPH0AgMxi7ZG1LgjPjOMOeUQZUvKJxOpO94T-uO_58Y9jTRzDwUh1OKoF2Aj3Cnqek/s1600-h/may2009+185.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336099114450906706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 357px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGezEdJcOeXwdqppCdC4C3H5eVBGsdkV7W2xJAkW2JiXTETYLkjfOVYerYgbq96THWzjZcxaMkLPH0AgMxi7ZG1LgjPjOMOeUQZUvKJxOpO94T-uO_58Y9jTRzDwUh1OKoF2Aj3Cnqek/s400/may2009+185.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH31aqahyMG1_doUr7UJNV4bGd7phNH4Qiss14NTqYn_287gx93GbKQn64AykdecF1ztc-2f3ejG2M_FgwhTkKBu0kwvSRcWS7PNgz-LI9o2OWowRg6ZeN09fDRWlY9MQA8oRdVuLiv1U/s1600-h/may2009+186.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336099111726154546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 352px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH31aqahyMG1_doUr7UJNV4bGd7phNH4Qiss14NTqYn_287gx93GbKQn64AykdecF1ztc-2f3ejG2M_FgwhTkKBu0kwvSRcWS7PNgz-LI9o2OWowRg6ZeN09fDRWlY9MQA8oRdVuLiv1U/s400/may2009+186.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfS5xv0A9eOz5ZW7GC6DOqN_P8u0W0oOQ3X3_OoQ6iynEYOVbhbRaOohwBtXAN9FiPHfju8iYhu6Sd1jPLqpmWGHpDGDMF6M-dFDFK3aji3VtcKtMWgidSINm4ic1yUgSvAfp8MX9WKI/s1600-h/may2009+184.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336099111703151746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfS5xv0A9eOz5ZW7GC6DOqN_P8u0W0oOQ3X3_OoQ6iynEYOVbhbRaOohwBtXAN9FiPHfju8iYhu6Sd1jPLqpmWGHpDGDMF6M-dFDFK3aji3VtcKtMWgidSINm4ic1yUgSvAfp8MX9WKI/s400/may2009+184.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAw3jMbU_qFTV4GaJVTwWyKznj0K5p4qmGwUPH1EHUF5TyC65cyKhLRhycMvhHfT8phkYx5zxTJe94viwnjDn1TyxSlQhuLRGKgKLFgNIrAo7rC0h6kf8GVXV4nMALuc97fSG-mHIyMw/s1600-h/may2009+187.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336099107533769122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAw3jMbU_qFTV4GaJVTwWyKznj0K5p4qmGwUPH1EHUF5TyC65cyKhLRhycMvhHfT8phkYx5zxTJe94viwnjDn1TyxSlQhuLRGKgKLFgNIrAo7rC0h6kf8GVXV4nMALuc97fSG-mHIyMw/s400/may2009+187.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Hope your day is warm and full of adventure!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-60848899114762438252009-05-07T16:19:00.000-07:002009-05-07T16:21:26.168-07:00Everyone is so sick of the rain here. But I must confess, I love it. I am content. All is right with the world. I finished my last exam yesterday. Spent today planning meals, grocery shopping, and planting trees in the yard. It has started raining again. I think I might go throw some flower seeds in the ground before I call it a day. Ahhhhhhh.Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-87866843748075133392009-04-14T10:15:00.000-07:002009-04-14T10:20:48.273-07:00Tollipop giveaway!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmSjvbog7dhN7DuxbhXuNGRbjHa9skQel4e8F8i72sLgB-em9KnAflO2RgW078ItOydkWUN-KyLsmQWMlg809eAN5zqHH0KSsgpcVY4-9u4Y-iakmdl2_tDpRDGPIcmZ0SrPhbdpW5l0/s1600-h/atollipop.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324597483857556418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmSjvbog7dhN7DuxbhXuNGRbjHa9skQel4e8F8i72sLgB-em9KnAflO2RgW078ItOydkWUN-KyLsmQWMlg809eAN5zqHH0KSsgpcVY4-9u4Y-iakmdl2_tDpRDGPIcmZ0SrPhbdpW5l0/s400/atollipop.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>One of my favorite blogs is celebrating her one year anniversary and as a way to celebrate, she is giving away three, count em THREE, of her fabulous prints. As you can see from the picture above, these are the sweetest little ladies on the block. Click <a href="http://http//tollipop.typepad.com/tollipop/2009/04/the-great-tollipop-giveaway.html">here</a> to enter this fabulous contest! Good luck.</div><div> </div>Mary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80862304398859928.post-15183720634247835092009-04-14T10:02:00.001-07:002009-04-14T10:09:22.721-07:00Note to SelfDear Precious Daughter,<br /><br />You are more than what you do. You are valuable even when your hair is a wreck, your bathroom filthy, your legs unshaved, and your car a landfill. You are more than an A on the last paper, test, presentation. A's do not define a person. What about the P's? Positively present! It is better to be present with the ones we love than doing mindless dribble we will not remember in a year. What is most immediate is not always most important. Some things can slide.<br /><br />You are lovely, and beautiful and precious. No need to worry. No need to fret. Give away your worries, cast aside your doubts and fears. Release them in pray and meditation. Give them to the Source for He is more than able.<br /><br />I love you,<br /><br />MEMary Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956802584729026038noreply@blogger.com2