Many of you know that I have been sick since August. It gets better and worse at times, but more about that later. I'm just mentioning that to explain why this post is so delayed.
HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY CAMILLE!
She is six years old and STILL into horses big time. Notice the red cowgirl boots which were an early present.
Happy Birthday to the light in my life, Molly! Molly is so bright and happy, yet can swing on a dime to dark and moody. Easily pleased and just as easily frustrated. Loving and kind most of the time, but an occasional sharp tongued remark can cut deep.
Do you remember? Do you remember being 13? When your friends at school had the power to determine your entire mood for the day? When what people thought about you was THE most important thing in life? The time before you really figured out who YOU were, and all the information streaming in from parents, peers, teachers and advertising were telling you to be this or that and it was so confusing? It makes my heart ache thinking about it. But it is part of growing up...that confusion. It helps us define US.
Molly wants so bad to please everyone. I try and get her to understand that it is impossible and that finding out what makes her happy will be hard enough to do, much less make everyone else happy. But, she's young and she still thinks if she tries hard enough, she can accomplish the impossible.
But just for a moment, Molly, if only for a brief moment, listen to what I see and hear.
I see an absolutely stunning young woman. She is tall (taller than me) and blond with beautiful pool blue eyes. Her legs are long and strong making her appear that much taller. She is comfortable in heels and dresses with jewelry and makeup. But she is also just as comfortable in sweats and converse shoes, with a bed head of tousled hair and eyeliner smeared beneath her weary eyes. She wakes with a smile and within minutes those eyes gleam with all her ideas for the day. She is artistic and sees beauty all around her, especially nature. She has an eye for color and always impresses me with her combinations. She is smart, smarter than she even realizes. She is loving and quick to give, of her time, talents, and gifts. She is sympathetic and has a unique insight into others when they need help. She is magnetic and has a pull that makes you want to be around her. But she won't be pinned down and has a need to be in motion most of the time. She is quick to forgive and promotes peace among her friends. She has a huge heart that you can see and feel instantly when you are around her.
I love her so much. Her presence can turn my day around like nothing else. From the very moment I conceived her, to her beautiful birth, she has healed me. From her demanding infancy to her stubborn preschool years, she taught me. With each milestone, I admire her and thank God for her.
So, Molly, as you leave your childhood behind and enter the teenage years, know that I am your biggest fan and I'll be here no matter what. You may never fully understand all that you've done for me and what you mean to me, but just know that I love you with all my heart and soul. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you. Happy, happy birthday to you!
In keeping with tradition, the following is a link to Molly's birth story and how she healed a wound and created a mother.
It's been a year! A whole year! The sentimental side of me did not get to ruminate as much as I would have liked because of the move. I kept trying to think about the photo I wanted to post for this "one year" event. Nothing seemed right and days kept flying past as I moved and unpacked one heavy box after another and as I moved and removed each piece of furniture, trying to find its perfect spot in a new home. Then it occurred to me, one evening as my back ached from all the strenuous work. The photo I most wanted to post was not a "glamor shot." Haven't I made it clear that I did not lose all this weight to look good? No, I wanted a shot of me unpacking boxes, digging up shrubs, lifting furniture that I could not have dreamed of moving a year ago. I wanted to show you how I got on my hands and knees and scrubbed a hardwood floor and how I put together a kitchen island and two Expedit Bookcases from IKEA. I wanted to let you know I was able to bend over long enough without losing my breath to install a dishwasher. I have made at least fifty trips up to the attic with boxes. I have raked leaves, swept walkways. Dug holes to transplant those shrubs along with new ones. And at night, my back hurts. I won't pretend it doesn't. But I can take Motrin, and I am able to get up the next morning and press on. Last year, I would not have been able to do ANY of these things! So, for my one year celebration, I am doing exactly the things that I want to do. I am living my life, day by day, working hard and seeing the fruits of my labor. That alone, to be off the couch and into life is reason enough for what I did.
Unpacking the kitchen. Lots of Halloween stuff lying around because one of the movers complained that I had too many seasonal boxes and that I would never have time to put the Halloween stuff out this year. I unpacked 90% of the Halloween decorations before he left. Just to prove a point.
Putting together one of the Expedit bookcases. Camille thought it was a great hiding place.
Thanks to everyone for all the support you've given me over the past year. It means more to me than you could know.
June 24, 2009
Outside my window...a hot summer evening and grass that needs cutting.
I am thinking...I hope I’m here when this cat goes into labor.
I am thankful for...the quiet that is mine this week.
From the kitchen...cheese, bread and wine (my absolute favorites.)
I am wearing...a long skirt, deep purple…a white tank with a light purple top, no shoes.
I am creating...a copycat necklace out of Garnet Hill.
I am going...to enjoy the evening.
I am reading...back issues of magazines in order to recycle them.
I am hoping...to get the grass mowed this week.
I am hearing...the small gurgling water of the fish tank.
Around the house...sleeping dogs and cats.
One of my favorite things...having cut flowers from my garden on my end tables and bedside tables.
A few plans for the rest of the week: a little sewing, maybe dinner out.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
This journaling idea from The Simple Woman's Daybook
I first saw them in a magazine and then bookmarked the Nelle and Lizzy website. I've been drooling over them for the last few months. They arrived in such a way, that I know I would love to work with these women.
The packaging was a delight to the senses. When I opened the cardboard shipping box, the aroma of lavender seeped out. I thought perhaps that the tissue paper was scented, but as I kept opening, the simple design of the packaging gave way to a natural, packing material that was an added bonus.
The rings are intertwined and each band has one of my children's names on it. It's hard to explain, but the bands rotate over one another so that at any given time, a different child's name might be on top.
I LOVE these rings. They are beautiful, shiny, and fun to play with. Plus I get to tease the children that whoever's name is on top is my current favorite. Nothing like a little competition.
Here is an idea from Simply Handmade which I picked up at Michael's the other day.
First you sew a ribbon down the middle so that the sides are loose. Then cut a scallop and a heart from contrasting fabric. Back each one with fusible interfacing. Sew the heart to the scallop and then the scallop to the t-shirt. Lastly sew a button on with embroidery floss. The book called for using die cuts but since I never invested a couple hundred dollars in that, I just made a Heart Template in Photoshop Elements. It took no time, really and I was very pleased with the results.
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