What Mattie knows about common sense

Tonight while cleaning up her bedroom, Mattie asked if she should put a toy away.  

I said, "Of course you need to put that away! Use some common sense, Mattie!" 

Her quick reply: "I don't even know what common sense is except that Thomas Paine invented it!" 

lol!!  At least she was listening this year...

Do you like it?

So I know there's really no point in having a cute blog if one never posts on it, but just humor me!  I have several things to post about, but they will be big, long posts that require a lot of focus and energy, and I haven't had the time to put into them.  But there are great things happening in our house, and I can't wait to share them!  They are affording me a lot more free time and emotional energy!  But I digress... So in June I got this Scrapbooking software with high hopes, but have only done two small projects for a friend so far.  I realized I could make my own perfectly unique collage for our Christmas card this year!  So like a terribly irresponsible parent, I stayed up until almost 3:00 last night playing with it and ended up with this really cute card, but couldn't find any place that would print it for less than 80 cents per print.  (I thought all of the sites that had 4x8 cards would print it with no problem, but that's not the case, apparently.)  So that's just more than I'm going to spend on Christmas cards.  I found a different site where I could upload my own creation, re-did it and then realized this one is the perfect size for a happy header!  So here it is!  (If you're on a feed reader you've got to come see it.)  I've so enjoyed playing with this software and making this.  Almost as much as I've enjoyed decorating my house this week for Christmas! 

I love going through my boxes of familiar things.  Christmas decorations have always been a favorite of mine, I think because with all of our moving, they were consistent.  The red eyelet tree skirt has always been the same, the Oak Ridge Boys Christmas cassette, the angel at the top of the tree (and a really funny had-to-be-there story about the year her lights died and we rigged her up to work), our stockings that our grandmother made, the ceramic nativity set, the cardboard my grandpa used to wrap the Christmas lights around...  I don't even use it anymore but it's in the bottom of my box because it has his handwriting on it, and I can't bear to pitch it.  All of those things remind me that tradition offers us security and identity. I love that my kids already have these things that they look forward to.  We are keeping some of the traditions I want to savor, shaping them into a good fit for our family, and beginning some new traditions of our own.  And I hope I'm building a solid foundation of love and security in my children that they will want to relish each December.

I'm thankful for the changes around here.  They have come none too soon and have enabled us to slow down and enjoy this season of waiting.  For school each day we're doing math, language arts, piano practice, a creative activity and then just reading together on the couch.  We have so needed this time!   Some intentional reconnection opportunities and moments for the kids and I to like each other again after a hard season, and God is giving us those in abundance.  I'm so thankful.

Some rearranging around here

You'll notice a few changes around here!

I'm changing some things to make my blog load more quickly when we click on it.  Some of my link lists were getting quite long!  (The longest list in particular got lost by accident in the transition, so now it's really short!  Ha!)  And I liked it when I switched it to three columns because it was different, but it has always seemed more cluttered that way.  So I got into the nitty gritty of the html, made my own background and am working on posting some of the longer link lists as separate pages so they won't bog down the upload time.  I also wanted to have a few things easier to spot, Our Adoption Story for one, Disability Ministry for another.  I love my happy font (appropriately named "peaMelissa")and will get it back but I need to go to bed.  That's going to have to wait for another day.

So be patient!  It will look a little bit different every few days until I get it settled.  You know how it goes when you rearrange...

~~~~~~

Ten minutes later...

Ugh!  I got the happy font back more quickly than I thought I would.  But I got on the desktop to do it (did all the rest of the laptop) and the color of the striped paper on the sides is terrible!  On the laptop it looks really nice.  On the desktop it all has this overwhelming yellow tint to it.  Now I really am going to bed. 

What is this called??

When we moved in to this house, this is the lighting that was in the bathroom.  It felt a bit hotel-ish to us, so I took it out when I painted.

Below is what we have left, though the bathroom normally contains all of the clutter of the above photo!  (I keep forgetting about the light, but remembered to come look for it while I was cleaning tonight.)

A fluorescent light strip, 48" long.  Honestly, I thought the fluorescent light would bother me, but it doesn't.  So if it would cost less to buy a cover for this light (rather than replacing the entire light fixture), that's what I'd like to do.  But I don't know what it's called so I can google it!  Anyone know??  I'd like a cover of some sort that has the dark wood on it to tie it in with the rest of the bathroom.

Thanks!

Oh my goodness. I am so embarrassed!

and I didn't even do anything!  First off, Peggy, this one may be too crass for you, though it will give Macy a good laugh.  ;)

Every Tuesday when I'm at church for Bible Study, I walk through the fellowship hall to drop the kids off.  Then I walk back through the fellowship hall to get to the other building where we have Bible Study.  Two and a half hours later, I head back through the fellowship hall... once on the way to get the kids and once after I get them.  The custodians seem to always be in there when we pass through.  (Apparently the fellowship hall is a high maintenance area!)

I'm going to have to find another route.  One that involves climbing in the windows or something!

I know you're on the edge of your seat.  Soooo, today after I drop the kids off I was passing back through and noticed one particular custodian (with whom I'm not totally comfortable - just a gut reaction) on the phone, facing away from me.  As I'm walking up behind him (just passing), I notice him stand up straight as if he's getting a nice stretch.  Much to my surprise and horrible embarrassment he lets out an unreserved, loud, well... F*RT!  I don't even use that word, but "toot" just doesn't do it justice.

It gets worse... he then noticed me pass by and now he knows it's ME that observed his poorly timed release from less than a yard away!  I heard him say, "Oh." like in a, "she totally heard that" kind of way.

I managed to avoid him the next two times I had to go through the fellowship hall.  I forced a friend to walk with me so I could avert my eyes and act like I didn't notice him, but I am in that church waaaaay too often to avoid him forever!  I know this is totally natural and everything.  In fact, I'd be much less embarrassed if I did it myself.

I don't know what's wrong with me.  It's been 11 hours and I'm still embarrassed!  Unfortunately, climbing in and out of windows for the remainder of my journey at this church to avoid this guy is just not feasible.

Oh. my. goodness.  I'm so embarrassed.

I can't believe they're this comfortable!

There is a lot of hype about the funny-looking shoes that have the curved, almost 2 inch tall sole.  I tried on a pair two years ago, but it was one of the $200 + pairs, and I wasn't nearly brave enough to put that much into a pair of shoes!  

My legs, feet, knees and lower back hurt often, and spending a day on my feet in anything other than a really good pair of tennis shoes or new Borns is a recipe for pain.  Not debilitating pain, but annoying, who-wants-to-get-out-of-bed-in-the-morning-when-your-legs-already-hurt? kind of ache.  So I've been tempted by these shoes and what I keep hearing about the absence of back and leg pain.

When I saw a pair of these on sale (for $50!) at a discount store the other day, I put them on while I walked around the store... just for an extended trying on.  :)  By the end of the hour in the store, I could feel my hamstrings being stretched.  For real!  I thought it was a coincidence for sure.  But I ended up buying them because I'm about due for a new pair, they were really comfortable, and these were such a great deal.  (I realize they're not as cute and trendy as the Skechers, but I've never tried on a pair of Skechers that had a sole with enough cushion enough for me, and comfort is more important than looks where my feet are concerned.  Sorry, Val.)

It's been three days now and I can't believe how comfortable they are!  My hamstrings still feel stretched, by stomach muscles are feeling worked out, and ... drum roll please... neither my legs nor feet hurt!  Woohoo!  You'll think I'm making this up, but my posture is much better too.  When I stand, looking in the mirror and compare my shoulder position in these should and barefoot, there is a big difference!  Since my shoulders are often tight and giving me headaches, I'm hoping this will help.

I have to say I'm converted.  I'm already keeping my eyes out for a pair of sandals with this technology.  Unfortunately, the ones I like are not on sale for $50.  But a girl can pray!

This week's Facebook statuses

Here are some Facebook statuses I haven't posted during my respite, but are fun to share.  I am convinced one can share a lot about her life in one liners.

Melissa:
is fixing eggs and jelly toast for dinner!  Organic eggs really are worth paying for.

is having too many teen conversations with this four year old girl. This morning:  "Do I look great, Mom?"  Yesterday: "I don't want curly hair!  I want it to be long and straight and flow-ey."

is wondering, "Just really how poisonous is hot tea seasoned with clorox wipe?" and thankful I didn't find out.  What in the world possesses her sometimes, I do not know.

hears this question every day: "Can I wear my tank top and jeans skirt today?"  EvERy day!

has two little boys to parent well: a medicated one and a non-medicated one.  And boy, are they polar opposites!!

ahhhhhh!  8:15 at first awakening!

you know it's been a long few weeks when you cancel school for the day because it's 45 degrees and sunny outside!

has a very clean (and organized!) storage room.  That's always exciting.

It's SPRING!

Well, not really, but I'm sure ready for it!  Since I can't control the weather outside, I'll just fix it all up on my little online home.  :)  I'm also getting a bit more daring with html and finding ways to make my blog look a little more "me" and a little less cluttered.   Come on in and check it out.  I'd love to know what you think!  Every now and then it's fun to stay up late and play with it for a change.  Like rearranging furniture, only a whole lot easier on Robert!

While you're over, I'm curious what browser you all use to view my blog so I've put a poll on the left side.  Blogs look different on each computer and each browser, so I'm curious what most of you are using.

Thanks!

Just wanted to clarify

In regards to this post I just posted a few hours ago:

I was thinking about how insulting this could have sounded to Robert!  When I say I envy her life, it is not the lack of husband I envy... not at all!  Rather the addition of and opportunity to change the lives of many needy children.

Just wanted to clarify that for his sake.  I sure don't want him thinking I'd rather I never married him.

Had to Share This

You guys know my heart and struggle with wanting to do more, help more, love more concretely, give more...

Here is a beautiful post written by someone whose life I envy!  I know I don't know the half of it, but still.

I couldn't resist.

  I was in the restaurant yesterday when I suddenly realized I desperately
 needed to pass gas. The music was really, really loud, so I timed my
 gas with the beat of the music.

 After a couple of songs, I started to feel better. I finished my coffee,
 and noticed that everybody was staring at me....

 Then I suddenly remembered that I was listening to my iPod.

   


  ...and how was your day? 



Just to be clear... this is not a real story of mine!  It is a joke.  :)  If this really happened to me, I'd NEVER admit to it!

Two good days... thousands to go.

I've been feeling pretty on edge lately and wondering if I needed to go back on my medicine.  I really don't want to because I stopped taking it because I felt like it made me want to eat all. the. time.  I've also known that I had some hormones (dern things) that needed to settle down as I switched things up, so I've been trying to hold out.

When I went to my doctor in July he told me that one option was 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week could do as well as any antidepressant in my case, but Robert was out of town for two weeks after that and I was too far in a hole to make myself do it.

For the past couple of weeks I've been getting up early to have my quiet times, and most days I get some time before the kids awake.  One morning I thought I'd have time later in the day so I slept in and that day was horrible!  I missed that time!  Anyway,  yesterday I was awake so I got up even earlier and had time to exercise too.  I thoroughly enjoyed it!  I started out on the wii fit, then passed it on to the kids and headed in to the treadmill.  Thus far I have not enjoyed the treadmill frankly, because I get really bored!  But with my new phone I had music to play full blast (so I didn't know if the kids were fighting!) and I just walked away!  I had to stop because we had somewhere to be, but I didn't want to.  I was having my own little church!

The day went soooooo well yesterday.  I felt much, much better and it translated into my kids attitudes as well.  (Funny how that happens!)  Got up again today without any trouble and expect the same result.

I usually lose my motivation to exercise consistently because I don't really need to lose weight, but feeling better is something that matters to me.  Ending up more fit will be a secondary bonus.

Hope You have a great day!

Just in case

Just in case you use blogger too and are having trouble, I thought I'd share my experience.

A few months ago blogger put out this new, fantastic editor!  Oh!  How great it was to be!

HA!  I hATeD it!

It gave me tons of trouble.  Made posting pretty close to a nightmare when I was dealing with pictures, which I almost always am.  But I was always using it in Firefox.  I did try Explorer a few times to no avail.  Then I just changed my settings and switched back to the old Editor.  But it messed up all of my formatting in my old posts and that really annoyed me!

Because of a problem I was having commenting on other people's blogs hosted by blogger, I heard about Google Chrome.  I've been using it for a week or two for my browser and loving it.  But today was the first time I posted photos on my blog and it's WORKING!!!  Simple, easy, user-friendly and obedient it was for me.  Yippee!!  I have to say, I think google does this on purpose... for me, blogger editor, picasa, youtube, and google chrome are my favorite combo of internet tools- and google owns all of them.  While google doesn't own safe eyes, it is also working best on it.

Maybe I can save some of you the trouble (read: hair pulling, anxiety, frustration, bad thoughts, avoidance, etc.) I had on internet life.

Praying for...

So often I sit down to pray and feel like I just get stuck in a rut praying the same old thing for people.  Especially for Robert and the kids.  I have made lists in journals, but that doesn't seem to help.  I jsut end up with rutted lists!  I do enjoy praying scripture for anyone.  I  figure I can't go wrong with that!  But I also like the idea of lists or schedules to pray for people.

There are some really good books for this type of thing, but we have seriously tightened the belt on our budget, so I just decided to google instead. I found these lists I thought I'd share.  All three of them have scriptures included.

40 Ways to Pray For My Children

31 Days of Prayer for my Husband

Questions for a Godly Wife

My sister found this late one night and shared it with me.  It is not necessarily a prayer list, but a nicely condensed list of attitudes and thoughts of mine I can pray to keep in check.  (It's nice to have it all on a few pages rather than an entire book!)  These are all certainly areas in which I can use improvement!  And I know as God makes me more like Him, Robert will be blessed.

_____

On another note, I am struggling "finding" time to pray.  I do very well when I have a routine.  And I have the time if I could add up 5 minute snippets at a time.  I used to feel guilty like I was choosing the computer over God, but in reality, I can e-mail with little focus for 3 or 10 minutes.  I can get up in the middle to break up an argument, help with a glass of water, or wipe a hiny.  I can't get focused on God in 3 minute snippets.  I just don't function that way.  Sure, I can pray in three minutes snippets, but not commune with and spend time with Him.

I enjoy my time with God when I can read His word for a few minutes to help my brain slow down and focus on Him.  Sometimes it's just a chapter or two, and sometimes I get hung up somewhere and end up reading for much longer.  After that I enjoy praying and manage to stay well focused on Him.  The problem is I need it to be quiet!  And quiet and small children don't mix!

I really need to get up in the morning, shower (to wake up) and have some time then.  Though that seems a bit pointless... if I ever do get up before she does, Mattie has a radar for my movement and will be up very soon after.  (Maybe I could shower downstairs.  Hmmm...)  If I wait until after everyone is in bed, it is quiet, but I end up falling asleep!  I just don't know what to do!  I feel like it's terrible parenting to put them in front of the tv, movie, or wii so I can have a quiet time.  (We generally watch very little tv.) And if I do bedroom time in the afternoon, Mattie comes out every 5 minutes asking if it's over yet.

It's not that I feel guilty, because He knows this season I am in, but I MISS my time with Him!  I miss what He teaches me, speaks to me, and asks of me.  I miss the conviction and softening that comes from time with Him.  Mostly, I just miss the time at His feet.

How do you get there??

Haiti Relief Information

Here is a blog written by an RN who is on her way to Haiti for disaster relief.  I thought you might like to see it and follow her journey.

Here is a blog post about some different, legitimate ways to help.

Here is Compassion's blog post with their info too.

The devastation there is horrendous.  I can't even imagine.  But if it draws people to Him in their heartbreak, then good will come of it.  Lord, have mercy!

Contentment

Christians are to be good stewards of the circumstances God has placed in our path.  It does no good to wish for different ones.  Contentment is a very important quality, and it is found only when we act as passionate caretakers of the lives we actually have, not the ones we wish we could have.

Mark Grawehr, Such Precious Clay

I finally DID it!!

Yippee!  For quite some time now I've really wanted to change the look of my blog.  I've wanted to add something a bit snazzy but really wasn't sure how.  But tonight I finally figured it out with help from several different sites!  I had to outfit it for Christmas first, but then I worked on the CSS and HTML for more than 4 hours to customize it a bit more.  : )

I think it's quite happy, if I do say so myself.

I went short again!

So this has been my hair since December or so, a version of it anyway.

And this is my hair as of Monday night!

One advantage of cutting my own hair is that when I get the itch (or a wild hair, haha!), I take care of it right away!  Sometimes I discipline myself to wait, but once I get an idea for a new do, it never goes away.  So I headed up to the bathroom around 9:30 Monday night and this is what I ended up with.  :)

(This photo is credited to Jacob.)

It feels so nice to have it short again!  I had it shorter than this when we got married, but it's been longer since Jacob was born.  The one disadvantage is that this cut will actually require some fixing, which my other one did not at all.  Of well, it feels good.  I suppose I can stand 10 minutes in the bathroom.

I did have an enjoyable time taking these pics... or editing them rather.  Well, maybe enjoyable isn't the word.  Some perspectives just aren't pretty.  And I found some wrinkles I'd never noticed!!!

And just fyi for my family members who might snicker... any matching of my shirt to my background is purely coincidental!

Details

If you're actually reading on my blog's site (instead of in an e-mail or RSS feed) you'll notice a new look!  I've been wanting to add a third column for a while now so I can add a few more things, but am always half asleep when I get a chance to mess with it.  But tonight the house was quiet and I was bored, so I went for it and it worked!  :)  So a few things are missing for the time being... my list of other blogs, namely (and my family pictures!).  I will put it back up, I just didn't get to it tonight.  I do miss my Thanksgiving look, but soon enough I'll switch it out to something red and green!

But while I'm taking care of details, anything you'd like to see here on the sidebars for quick access?  Or more posts on a certain topic?  I guess while I'm asking, what are your favorite kinds of posts?

Thanks!!

I LOVE my Janome!

This was my birthday present from my mom and dad and I. Love. It.

I learned to sew on my mom's Bernina, which unbeknownst to me, spoiled me a bit. Then I inherited my gramma's Singer which was tolerable at best. But I also inherited her serger, so I survived the sewing machine when I had to have it and used the serger as much as possible. And while I really enjoy sewing, having a strong dislike for my sewing machine made me avoid it like the plague.

Thankfully, my gramma's sewing machine recently bit the dust. I'm only saying thankfully because that meant I could request or buy a new one guilt free! :) I needed it quickly, because I had a nephew on the way who needed this blanket and some burp rags!



So I (shamelessly) asked my mom if an offer from last November was still open. Being a (much more skilled) seamstress herself, she and my dad were happy to indulge me! I had this one ordered by that afternoon. I had never heard of Janome, but found out they are actually made by Bernina!

I have to say, it is a great machine. It is heavy enough to not bounce all over the table, stitches tightly, has quite a few decorative stitches, has a bobbin that works!, is easy to work with and was a great price. I've made several curtains, a set of burp rags and a blanket in the two months since I got it and I have not one complaint.

Having 2 completed curtain projects behind me without a hitch definitely fulfills the simple pleasure category for the week!

Thanks, Mom and Dad!!