Just in case you quit..

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).  John 10:10

Keep praying for Haiti

 

Keep praying. Keep giving. Keep asking God what your part is in this disaster. Everyone can help. Everyone can do something. While many relief efforts have been canceled and some aid is tapering off, keep the country of Haiti in your prayers. Go there.  Support those who are willing to go. Do something.

 

 

 

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.~James 1:27

 

 

http://www.missionofhopehaiti.org/

http://www.convoyofhope.org/

http://www.haitianchristian.org/

you've got mail!

Guest post by one of my best friends in the whole world, Corinne. Enjoy, as she is a writing genius!

I'm already cringing at the cheesy title...but when my best love her until we both have blue hair and dentures friend asked me to "guest post" on her blog, I instantly went into freak out mode.  Oh no...what will I say?  And why would anyone care?  I have my own blog but basically I just brag about the daily adventures of my amazing children and the experiences that shape me in this thing we called life.  And...then, I guess it just kinda came to me.  So many of the experiences that have shaped me in my formative years were with Missy.  As we have become adults, many things have changed, including our ability to see each other on a daily basis.  Regardless of the miles, I always want Missy to know her impression on this crazy, plain ol' me.

((circa 1999))

Dear Missy,

First of all...thank you for this opportunity.  I love to read your blog, and do walk away feeling inspired to find more time for things I love besides these two:

I love to see you,  John, your cats, your ideas, your creations...your joy in all of it.  Keep writing.  I like it.

[just so you know...these are the things you've inspired me to be inspired about...]

you know of my love for photographing my children, but I've begun to self-explore more about lenses, and lighting, focus and detail.  Do I think anyone should ever pay me to take a picture?  No.  But, nevertheless, instead of playing mindless facebook games all day, I have started more exploration and study.  I hope this leads to many more reasons to buy beautiful frames and take forever and a day to actually hang them up....yes...still such a procrastinator.

These are train tracks, I'm aware...but there's more.  A train follows a path, set out for it with no (intended) reason or ability to deter from that path.  I don't believe those were the instructions for our lives, regardless of what some may have led us to believe.  I am so glad that in our adult lives we have found that our God isn't an equation, strictly a set of rules or distant.  The God we knew, is not the God we know.

Facing my inner demons.  How long have I struggled with my weight/appearance issues.  FAR too long.  I know we laugh about it every time we bring it up, but when I walked into that Home Ec class in 7th grade, already over six foot tall, wearing a ridiculous business suit that my mom promised me would look amazing (the shoulder pads could have served as butt cheek implants), I remember distinctly looking at you surrounded by your group of friends and knowing that I would never be pretty enough or good enough to be "accepted."  And you know what, Miss....you always made me feel good enough.  It took some transformations and of course my witty charm (hehe) but soon enough I was surrounded by those friends.  I'm all for sayin' it real...I was out of control for awhile.  Two babies in two years didn't help, but I make no excuses for the five chins I sported for far too long...  Then came the inevitable "divorce diet" (the diet, not the divorce), and suddenly I fit into a size I hadn't even seen in high school.  And I'm ashamed, but I relished it.  I loved that I could go days without eating, that I had control over that aspect of my life.  I know at the time it was the only control I had over my life.  I'd like to think that I've reached some sort of equilibrium... I don't look in the mirror now and immediately grimace. 

You've always loved me, no matter what I looked like.  Thank you.
I have finally found peace about this, and find myself convicted by the fact that I am a mother raising a daughter.  It is my responsibility to create a positive image at all times for my katie.  However, that being said I admit a ridiculous obesession with Wii Fit Plus. 

I am so grateful that your love for me in our adult years has always pointed me straight to the Savior.  I don't know if you will ever understand the place I was in when I came to visit you in Centralia, but I was desperate for hope..desperate for something, anything.  Those two days I felt loved, happy...at peace.  Regardless of the outcome, I left your lovely town (that I seriously do love) with hope.  You reminded me, and continue to remind me that with our God all things are possible. 

Oh, Miss...I'm sure this rambling may not be what you expected when you asked me to do this.  I know there have been times when we have been more distant than I wanted.  I consider this largely my fault, as somehow, since graduating high school with the most popular girls, a boyfriend, and the ability to make friends in a millisecond, I now cringe at the thought of making a phone call (even though I may genuinely want to talk to that person), replay conversations over and over in my head and think about all the stupid things I said...generally, not so good at making new friends or maintaining friendships that are important to me.
You are important to me, and I haven't always shown you that.  I'm sincerely sorry.

We've shared so much, how could I ever begin to share? 
So, I'll end with this:  I think you'll find it appropriate

i love you.

corinne

"In my next house" ....

This is something you will hear me say almost daily. I will see a design, an arrangement or a bit of inspiration that leaves me thinking, "ah! in my next house, I will have this.."

It's nice to dream.  Some of these things I can start doing now in my house and make them realities instead of a dream on my wish-list. I want to actually do more carrying out of the dreams this year but never will I do less dreaming. I encourage you to do the same.

 soooo..

In my next house..

I would like a wall melange of pictures on a wall somewhere in my house. I like pictures. I want more of them on  my walls. Faces, landscapes, art print reproductions, photos or just empty  frames

Kind of like these:

 

 

 In my next house ..

 I would like a room or space for crafts and "arting". I have a ton of art supplies and fabric swatches, ribbons etc that need a place of their own. Maybe I will make John give up his man-cave in the garage for me?? This is cheaper than buying a new house I suppose.

ahhhhh! Organization. It soothes me so

 I like this idea for my fabric remnants that need a place to be displayed

 

  

 

In my next house..

I would like a fireplace. John wants a woodburning stove. Maybe we will both get our wishes.

 

 

 I will burn flowers in ours, not flowers. Promise.

Ta-dah!

If you will kindly notice, I have a beautiful new header that adds quite alot to my blog.
Thanks to Shannon at Be Kind Design Studio.

She did a wonderful job! Check her out and tap into her creative abilities!

Now pardon me as I switch font colors and background colors every five seconds. I love to mix and match and eventually I will find just the right combo of colors. Just in case it is a different color tomorrow don't fear, you are in the right place!

YESSSSSSSSS (*ARM PUMP*)

Over this past weekend  I was at the calendar kiosk inside the PX on base. I was walking around with like 7 calendars in my arms trying to find the purrrfect one. Get it? Purrrfect?
Yes, I was contemplating buying some cat calendars. Don't hate. Don't judge. They weren't those calendars with kitties in a gardening hat or a litter of 8 sleeping oh-so-sweetly on top of one another. Nope. The ones I chose were of cat's saying silly things or doing CAT YOGA!!! Oh man.
Cat Yoga. I love both of these things. So silly to see them together but here are some of the pictures from the calendar I ALMOST got. Yep almost. I settled on a magnetic poetry calendar. I am trying to step away from the edge of the cat lady insanity pit of destruction which consists of wooden jewelry and sparkle sweaters with felines on them ( I own one) and throw pillows that say "the cat owns the place, I just live here".
So indulge me this one moment of crazy cat-ladiness: a sweet posting of cats and yoga poses. Trust me, the cat lady craziness could be worse.

Handstand

Gate Pose

(not sure what this one is..)

Corpse Pose

Side Reclining Leg Lift

Stretch

Feathered Peacock Pose

Extended Hand to Toe Pose

Nemaste!

Take a chance and live

I dare you to move..

Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.

BECAUSE..

Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return. 

The Lord blesses his people with..

it passes all understanding

seek it and pursue it

******************************************************

The country of Haiti is dear to my heart. I went on a mission trip this past June that forever changed my perspective of life and of people. This country has experienced many a disaster leaving it even more devistated than it was before. Being the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere the people have little to nothing. The average family lives off of less than $1 a day. Help doesn't come quickly enough. The earthquake that took place yesterday has claimed many lives and have left many missing.

Keep them in your prayers. There are many scared people waiting for rescue.

God cares for them much more than I do. Although I feel helpless, I must remember that and in it find peace for today.

A lovely Saturday morning

Lola and dad enjoy the sunshine.

Today

Reality 

 

vs.

My dreams..

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have an Artsy Fartsy Friday and a most inspired, chilly weekend!

Less is More

So last year instead of posting a list of resolutions I posted something called More and Less.


Instead of chaining myself to resolutions I wasn't all that committed to, I decided to make time for some things and cut some things out of life. Last year's list of More and Less is gleaming with success! Each one has a check mark by it. While some things are not perfected I am still closer to experiencing life to the fullest than I was the year before. Isn't it a divine feeling the follow through and achieve!? Next to bargain buys and vacations at the beach and cuddling with cats- it's one of the best feelings EVAH! Things are always worth finishing. Always.

So here is my list from last year with a mini report

MORE

{using the good china}

Check. I have found more reasons to take the fancy option. I am not so much a fancy person BUT I do like feeling extra special. Anyway. I have been more of a moment seizer this year. I did inherit some good china! So now I can really use the good dishes.

{creating}

I did do this. Not as much as I wanted but I did redo my kitchen, my bedroom, got fabric for curtains, baked a lot and tried new and exciting recipes. I threw 2 baby showers which took tons of creating moxy. I hope this next year takes a new spin on the idea of creating...

{taking care of myself as well as I take care of others}

This sounds really martyr-ish but last year I found myself in the position of not taking care of myself very well. I think this year I did better. I definitely don't feel obligated the way I used to and am realizing I can't fix everyone or make them happy. This makes me happy. (See people pleasing below)

{savoring the moment}

I took a lot more pictures. I relaxed at home with just my John. Didn't make plans for the weekend ON PURPOSE. Smiled more and was quieter than the year before. You can't savor if you don't slow the heck down!

LESS

{letting others' dysfunction make me dysfunction}

I did pretty well here. Although it is hard to step away from situations family members or close friends are going through and to realize trying to make everything OK is not within my power. It's selfish to think that it is. Saying no or distancing was necessary in some relationships and I did it. I am still learning to step away and pray. Old habits die hard.

{obsess about looks- It’s time to grow up in this area}

Oh geeze. Well. I am not comfortable enough to be in my underwear in public yet but I did wear a bikini on our cruise. Isn't that the same thing as walking around in your undies? I am realizing God is not going to help me look like or be like anyone other than myself (thank you Joyce Meyer) and finally I think I am not caring about the outside as much as I am the inside. It has only taken 28 years to get there.

{people pleasing- this one is going to be hard}

And it was! Oh man! Right out of the gate there were a few situations where I was mentally imprisoned by "what if they freak out on me?!", "If this isn't just right, then what?", "What will make them mad?"

IT WAS REE-DICULOUS! Ridiculous, I say! I lost a little weight at the beginning of last year (bonus!) and I think this stress had much to do with it. I had anxiety and operated out of fear like never before! I was weighed down with feeling obligated, saying yes to every option, doing things only to make others not be upset. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB. Finally with a lot help from God, Joyce Meyer and a kindred spirit I learned what it was like to just not care as much- in a healthy way. I have been super excited about this one though because I have began to find my true self again through this process and love the differences in myself and others.This helped me fulfill my More goal :{ taking care of myself...}.

I am in a totally different place than I was last year.  So far, it's a great place to be!

I want to keep up the progress with these old resolves and not forget them. I don't know if I will start a new list this year. I am trying some new things but am not going to beat myself up if they don't work out. I am all about following through; that's what it is all about! But sometimes you just have to see what fits before you make the purchase, if you know what I mean.

This saying holds true though "Less is always More".

Word.

Favorite gifts this year

Since my secondary love language is gifts I tend to really love the Christmas season. Ok I live for it- let's just be honest. But the true gift really is in the giving not the receiving. Cheesy but true. If you are a true gift love languager, you get it. If this isn't your LL then you probably don't get it. No big deal. I don't get what the big deal is with physical affection. I'm getting better but still, words of affirmation and gifts are my thing.  I didn't need a thing this year but getting things I really like is always nice! 

Ok onto biz-niss.

In no particular order my top  gifts I received this year are:

A significant ammount of fiestaware in Shamrock, Tangerine, Lemongrass, Brown, Ivory, Scarlet, Peacock and Sunflower. (Chocolate, Ivory and Lemongrass not shown ) I think I totalled 28 pieces all togehter this season. 23 of them on Christmas day. Thank you to all who feed my Fiestaddiction!

Matryoshka doll measuring cups a.k.a M-Cups. These are way cuter to look at than the traditional ones lodged in my drawer somewhere.

Fun accessories including :

Giving's Gleam Cuff

AND..

This swanky shoulder bag my Huz picked out on his own.

Also the sweet scarf I am wearing which is hidden amidst the bundling.

ALSO everything my husband got me this year wins. He really put a lot of thought into everything and I got things that I had mentioned in passing months ago. He took great notes this year and definitely takes the cake for thoughtful gift giving! The joy in getting the gifts he bought me came from the ammount of thought and effort he put into each one. I have a precious man. Merry Christmas to me!

I was blessed with a full love tank this Christmas.