I made it through NaBloPoMo!!

I have spent the last month participating in the NaBloPoMo challenge to write everyday. May I say, I am so excited that today is the last day of the month?? Because I am. Really.

 And I did it! I wrote a blog post every single day. I think that's pretty good, considering I really had no idea how hard it would be. I really don't know how people with real lives (kids and such) manage it. It's just me and the hubby (and fur babies) and let me tell you, the hubby went without dinner a lot while I typed. Well, to be completely honest, I don't cook as many meals as I should, so I am not sure I can really blame NaBloPoMo for him starving.

So, what did I learn from this experience? Quite a few things, actually.

• I learned I can do this, and enjoy it. As tiring as it can be to feel so obligated to write everyday, I only had a few days that I really had nothing to say. Those who know me personally won't be surprised to read this, I am not really known for my long silences. ;-)
• I LIKE writing. I really like it. Experienced bloggers will read this and say "duh? why else would you be writing?" This is a valid question. But the truth is, I started this blog on a whim, without any real research or planning. Up until the moment I decided to do this, I had NEVER considered writing in any fashion. The most I had done was to write prayers, notes to friends, and my (step) dad's and grandmother's eulogies. People who heard or read my words encouraged me to write, but I dismissed them. I didn't (don't sometimes) have confidence in my words. I didn't (don't) really think that my thoughts have value. Then one day I thought, why not? And I did. (This is also how I got engaged, but that is another story)
• There are a lot of blogs out there. A LOT. On just about every topic imaginable. Some are funny, some are serious. Some are faith based, some are not. There are "mommy" blogs, and life blogs, blogs about loss and blogs about rebirth, blogs about photography and crafting, and some on politics. Literally there is something for everyone.
•   I think the very best thing about NaBloPoMo is that I have had the chance to connect with some really interesting people and see a small slice of their world through their writing. I tried to leave a comment on every blog I read (operating on the premise that I like comments, so of course they will too) and a few I decided to follow. Again, this was on a whim. Usually it was due to something they said, or maybe just the way their blog looked. If I thought, even for a fleeting moment, that I wanted to see more, I added them to my Google reader.That way I don't have to hunt them up to see what they have to say.
•  I really like Google reader.
• I have learned that I really like the "small" blogger best. I mean, there are some really well known bloggers out there who have tons of fans and get hundreds of comments everyday. These are great, and I read some of them. But with the "small" blogger, you can connect in a way that you can never do with someone who gets hundreds or even thousands of comments in a week. And I like that. 

I won't be participating in NaBloPoMo in December. I really have to take some time for some other projects. I have a scrapbook I HAVE to finish (start) for a dear (work) friend who is quitting in 3 weeks to write full time (he is working on his 3rd book). I have a cross stitch I told myself I would finish before Christmas (been working on it for more than 5 years). And I have some books I really want to finish reading. I'm not saying I won't write most days, but I just want to take the pressure of commitment off my shoulders. And I will go over to NaBloPoMo and browse the blogs for new friends and inspiration.

All and all, NaBloPoMo has been an incredible experience....and I am really glad it is done, for now.

this is me :-)

trying something new....

Okay, I have been playing with my blog, again. When I first started this I had 2 blogs, this one and "Thursday Thankfulness" Then I decided 2 was too much work. Now, I have discovered I can link this one to the other. See it up there in the bar? Will you click on that and read my post? And for all you serious bloggers out there, will you give me some input?

Is there a better way? I really love the concept of a "stand alone" page for Thursday Thankfulness, but is that the best way to go? Should I just close it down and concentrate on this blog? I am so new at this, I just don't know! I need your feedback. Any help or opinions will be greatly appreciated!

Wanna know something funny?

This picture perfectly depicts a conversation that happens at least 3 times a week in my house. Sometimes I am the first cat, my sweet hubby is the second. The conversations go something like this:

 Me (on the computer): hahahahaha! That is TOO funny! See??

actual example

 Him (watching TV): big sigh......pauses TV.......squints at computer screen from his recliner......says "uh huh" and goes back to the TV. About the 5th time this happens ( I am nothing if not persistent!) the sighs get bigger and the squint starts to look more like a glare. Poor guy, sometimes he just doesn't get my crazy sense of humor!

But sometimes it's reversed. Sometimes  it looks like this:

Him (watching something like "World's Dumbest" on TV): Bahhahahaha!! Look at this guy face plant!! Wait, let me back it up, you gotta see this!
Me (typing away on the keyboard, or perhaps reading on the couch, or working on a cross stitch) big sigh.....stop whatever I am doing.....waits with barely concealed impatience while the scene is set.......says "oh, uh huh" or maybe I laugh and roll my eyes. After about the 5th time (he is persistent too) I say "HONEY!" and sigh really big. My thought process is this: If I wanted to see the idiot face plant I wouldn't be on the computer/reading a book/cross stitching. 

Does this happen with all couples? Or is it just us? Now don't get me wrong, I love a stupid video and he loves a good joke. And we love each other. But sometimes we take it for granted, the assurance that we will always have each other. That we will always be able to turn to the other and say "look at this!" So, we don't treat those moments as we should, and sometimes we hurt each other with our indifference.

**I need to tell you, what you just read is not how the post read in my head. It wasn't gonna be a "deep" thought kind of thing. It was just gonna be a humorous peek into my life. And I hope it is. And more than that. Because in typing this I just reminded myself how important he is to me. How much I appreciate his presence in my life. I think I should say God reminded me. I need to value those silly little moments more. I need to respect them and cherish them. I need to remember that love means taking the time from my interests to be interested in his. And he needs to read this post. :-)

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Sarah!!!!

Image source

Happy Birthday to my beautiful niece Sarah! Today's post is dedicated to you. I'm kind of sad about this, to be honest. Your birthday reminds me of how little we know about each other. You are 12 years old today. And I don't think we have shared more than 12 whole sentences between us in your whole life.

Did you know I have a picture hanging in my home of you as a toddler hugging a pooh bear? I love that picture (and not just because I love Winnie the Pooh). I love the sweetness of it, and the fact that you look so much like your mom at that age!

I remember when I got the news of your birth, how excited I was.

I haven't been able to be a real part of your life, due to life's crazy twists and turns. But I have tried to keep up with you and your brother as you have grown. I hope you know that I love you. Even though I barely know you, I do. That's the neat thing about being family. The heart loves, even without the mind's direct knowledge. It just loves.

So, as you go about your day today, accepting birthday wishes and eating cake (please tell me there will be cake???) remember that there is someone far away in a tiny town in Texas who is thinking of you, praying for you, wishing you a beautiful day, and most of all, loving you.

Happy Birthday beautiful!

Image source

P.S. I see from your FB page that you are a Dr. Who fan. I love Dr. Who too!! ;-)

It was only yesterday.....

Well, it seems like only yesterday that I was sitting outside a delivery room in small Texas hospital waiting for my best friend/cousin in-law's first child to be born. Has it really been 22 years? And did said child just tell me last week that she is pregnant?? It can't be so.

But it is so. It really is. wow.

I am terrified. And thrilled. And feeling kind of old. And grateful to be feeling all the above. Because her momma, my best friend and cousin in-law, passed away in 1999. I believe in heaven, and I believe she is there, watching over both her girls and is super proud and excited to be a grandma. But she isn't here. Is it wrong that this makes me grateful that I am? I hope not. I am so grateful to have the chance to be a part of the next generation, to watch another piece of our family grow. And the best part, I get to be an honorary grandma. I think my friend would like that. (One day I am going to tell you about her, just not today)

It was only yesterday that I fell in love with a beautiful baby girl. How can it be that she is all grown up and about to embark on parenthood herself?

Today's life lesson: Time flies, it flies whether you are having fun or not. One minute you are cuddling a baby, the next she is all grown up and telling you (via text!) that she is having a baby of her own. Time flies, folks. So we might as well have some fun.

Me and said child in 1991

and us in 2012, where did the time go??

Sunday thoughts and some pictures..

It's Sunday, so I guess it's time for my weekly wrap up of blogs, pictures, and quotes that touched my heart this past week.
Let's start with the blogs. After last week's procrastination, I actually made the effort to get the permissions early (which means before Sunday afternoon).

Here is a link to a beautiful blog post titled these small moments by Kate, who writes the blog In Pursuit.
Kate's words in this post are beautiful. She reminds us to live, really live in each moment we are given. This is my favorite line: "Live. Love. Laugh. Cherish. Smile. Remember. Think. Wonder. Aspire. It's never too late to begin living. There is only now. Now to do something of the marvelous." Go read all her words, you won't regret it.



Next I have a thought (and tear) provoking Thanksgiving post from Tara, who writes a blog titled Faith and Ambiguity.
 **Spoiler Alert** when I say tear provoking, I mean it (especially if you are a parent). You have been warned. Get some tissue and click the link. It's worth it. Here is just a small part of her post: "I have to think that any gratitude of meaning would challenge us to do far more. If we are grateful for our wonderful food, what part of it might we share? If we are happy that we have our family, have we welcomed in those who have none?" Very true. Gratitude should be followed by action. I know in my life that is more often than not, not the case. This is something I need to work on.


Okay, I know I have already given you a lot to read, but I have 1 more blog. And it has 5 parts. Bare with me here, because each post is part of a story, a re-imagining of Little Riding Hood and it is a wonderful take on this old favorite, written by Deb over at Kicking Corners
I'm gonna give you a link to each post in order:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5

I hope you enjoy Deb's work as much as I have.

And now, because I can't resist a good one (or three) here are some quotes!

"Peace is joy at rest. Joy is peace on its feet." 

 Attributed to Evie Goines (from Twitter)

And one from Aristotle:

 "Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies"

Just 1 more:
"Your integrity will always be remembered longer than your prosperity"
 by Emma White 

Moving on to pictures. Lately I have been sharing pictures from my cellphone with you. That's because:

1. I can, cause it's my blog.
2. That's just about the only way I take pictures. I want to be one of those people who studies lighting and shutter speed, who has a super high tech camera with multiple lens. But let's face it, I don't have the $ or the patience for that. I am a point and shoot girl, and my cellphone is handy.

Anyway, I have a special treat for you today! Pictures that I did not take. Pictures taken by someone who has the patience and the camera that I wish I had (or do I? I mean, if I can just borrow her stuff??). These were taken by my friend Donna, who graciously gave me permission to share them with you. They were taken at the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit in Seattle, WA. If you live in the area or happen to visit, I (and Donna) highly recommend you check this place out! It is absolutely beautiful!

look at the lovely flow of the glass

all the incredible colors

I just love the whimsy of this image!

the talent employed here is awesome

beautiful

 Thank you Donna, for letting me borrow your talent with the camera and share it. And thanks to Dale Chihuly, the artist who created all this beauty.

Also, let me say thank you to Kate, Tara, and Deb for allowing me to share their words. Each of you has a beautiful and unique perspective and I enjoy reading what you each have to say!

I am going to leave you with this great song that made me smile. No, it's not a gospel or contemporary christian song, but a great country song. I know, I know, this is a faith blog. But hey, I have faith that my God loves all kinds of music and loves it even more when a song makes me smile! So here you go: 1994 by Jason Aldean. ;-)

God Bless, and thanks for stopping by!

You don't have to be normal......

This morning I was at a loss about what to write. Since I took the NaBloPoMo challenge to write everyday, I have to write. Well, maybe not have to, but I have made it this far without missing a day; so yeah, I do have to.

Anyway, I have no idea what to write. So I start going through some old emails from Ted. If you haven't heard of Ted, you really must check it out (click here). This site has an amazing collection of talks on just about every subject imaginable.

What I listened to today was a talk by Faith Jegede.

I really don't want to give you too much detail. I want you to click this link and go listen for yourself. It is powerful and beautiful.

I will give my favorite quote:
"Normality overlooks the beauty that differences give us."

Please, click the link and listen. And then tell me what you think. I hope you are as inspired I am.