Green Pastures

Passages

2011-06-13T22:32:00.002-05:00

There are a few significant passages in life--some we long for and some that just creep up on us unaware.

In my day, I couldn't wait for the time when I could get my ears pierced and shave my legs. For some reason, my parents deemed that 13 was the magic age for that right of passage. I was so giddy the day I could get my ears pierced--I remember it well. Until I passed out. In those days we had to go to a jeweler in town to select your earrings and have them do the deed. I remember picking out the gold balls and sitting on the stool, the click of the piercing gun, then the thud of hitting the floor! I got up to have them finish the task and have lived with those same holes for almost 40 years.

I don't remember when the leg shaving began but I still wonder why I thought this was such a grand thing to be able to do. These days I scrutinize my weekly wardrobe to determine if I really need to shave them at all.

And then there's that other womanly right of passage. I wasn't especially eager to enter that stage and it's proven to be nothing more than an interruption to my life on a regular basis. This too shall pass...and anytime soon would be okay with me.

But there's a passage that I've recently found myself in that kind of snuck up on me. It has marked me as a grown up person, a mature woman, the "older" woman in that Titus 2 passage. I think it started with the weddings of my nephew and niece then the birth of my great nephew. It was the realization that a new generation of family was coming into adulthood and it was only a short time ago that we were the ones getting married and having babies. This weekend was another mark in that passage. In my circle of friends, we are having children who are getting married and having babies. I hosted a bridal shower for one of those daughters this past Saturday. We were the ladies with the punch bowls, the brunch recipes, and the traditions passed down from generations before us about shower games and ribbon bouquets. It was an awesome day--friends banding together, collaborating our gifts and talents and walking hand in hand into the next phase of life together!

Ode to A Royal Wedding

2011-05-02T21:56:00.009-05:00

We gathered, we dined, we may have even wined.

We snacked and we yakked

Then out came the books--photos from our weddings way back in time

Before we were friends...and when we had waistlines

We decorated hats or at least we tried

and left little doubt why a tradition has died

Some left, some stayed

Some dozed--a few snored

And then the alarms implored.

We oohed, we ahhhed

We poked a little fun

We smiled

And remembered the day of our own wedding fun

They smiled and they promised

but obey was omitted

Prayers were read and songs were sung

They processed and we waited for the anticipated kiss (would it be short or would it be long?)

A first, then a second

Then the party inside beckoned

We sighed as we gathered our thoughts and our things

Back to our castles and our own would-be kings

A Royal Wedding Sleepover

2011-04-28T00:11:00.004-05:00

As I recall, an idea started several months ago when one of my lunch ladies/peeps asked if anyone was interested in watching the royal wedding on a Friday in April...at 3:00 AM.

I think I responded that I would love to watch Will & Kate tie the knot but I'd probably need to stay up all night so I would be awake...at 3:00 AM for the broadcast.

And so the Royal Wedding Sleepover was born in our romantic hearts. Since I love a party and my nest is empty, my house was the logical choice. So now here we are on eve of the Royal Wedding. The table is set, decorations are in place, and festivities have been planned to keep us awake all night and beds have been freshened for those who decide they must sleep. There will be no silly string or bras in the freezer on my watch but you can never be certain what this lively group might have up their sleeves!

Cheers!

Those Peeps Again

2011-04-14T15:53:00.003-05:00

You know those Peeps I went on about here? They were at it again. I love the ones that will tell you how you really look in that outfit before you buy it, that you have lipstick on your teeth or toilet paper stuck to the bottom of your shoe, or that tells you the truth about your situation when you'd rather hear something else. Thank Goodness for Thursdays.

I Miss My Peeps

2011-03-29T20:33:00.004-05:00

I miss my peeps.

According to my daughter, I am not cool enough to use the word "peeps" in any form--written or verbal. But I shall. And I am not referring to the marshmallow treats that adorn the store shelves this time of year--although I like them too.

There's a random group of us that gather on Thursdays for lunch and occasionally for a girls night out. We are a very eclectic mix of personalities and the cast of characters fluctuates with part time jobs and life demands but anytime we are together, we pick up right where we left off. I am the oldest of the group but have learned so much from them. We've helped each other through our children's teenage drama, aging parents, marital ups and downs, and a broad range of woman issues too delicate to mention here.

Varying Spring break trips and busy lives have gotten us off schedule now for nearly a month. I'm ready for life to settle down and get the next lunch date scheduled!

I read this phrase in an "inspirational" booklet the other day and it made me think of them:

There's no problem

that friends cannot

confront,

combat,

plot against,

ignore,

make fun of,

drown in chocolate sauce

or run over with the car.

Smile. Is it Thursday yet?

Save Yo Drama for Yo Mama

2011-03-28T19:14:00.002-05:00

There were things that I was looking forward to forgetting when my daughter graduated from high school. Like drama--girl drama, that is.

So when a friend mentioned that her 8th grade daughter had high school cheer try-outs last week, I experienced a little post traumatic stress syndrome.

Four years of

cheer try-outs,

dance captain selections,

show choir try-outs,

musical try-outs,

solo try-outs.

Not that girl drama was confined to sports and performing arts.

Lunch table selection

Student council elections

Sleep overs

Homecoming dance, Women Pay All dance, Prom (pretty much anything that involved a date)

I was thinking that it went away with graduation. Apparently not.

College Roommates

Sorority recruitment

Spring Break

Old friends vs. New friends

And if you watch the Real Wives of OrangeCountyNewYorkAtlantaDCBeverlyHillsNewJersey

(none of which are HOUSEwives or REAL), it does not appear to be something one outgrows.

But we can. And we should.

Forgive often

Love One Another

Practice Grace

Turn the other cheek

Do not repay evil for evil

And that is a lifetime pursuit.

She's Somebody's Daughter

2011-03-17T20:40:00.004-05:00

Her eyebrows and lips were heavily pierced. She had a fuschia streak dyed into her brunette hair.

I wanted to roll my eyes at her appearance but I thought...

She's somebody's daughter.

The sales clerk engaged her in a conversation regarding what she was looking for.

"Green, sexy panties" was her reply as she held up a tiny thong that could hardly be considered underwear. She appeared to be young--maybe just 18 or 19, the age of my own daughter. "Hmpf" I thought.

Then I remembered....

She's somebody's daughter.

"It's St. Patrick's Day and I dance at Woody's tonight", she said.

My heart sank

and tears came to my eyes.

Woody's is the local "gentlemen's" club.

"She's somebody's daughter", I grieved.

Somebody who probably never envisioned that her lovely child would have multiple piercings and pink hair.

Somebody who never thought her little girl would grow up to dance half nude.

Somebody who may be on her knees praying this very moment for her daughter.

And because I'm HIS daughter and He is the only one who can redeem any of us from the pit (no matter what that looks like), I will pray for somebody's daughter.

Lord, give me a heart of compassion and not judgement when I see those who's outsides reflect pain on the inside and give me sensitivity to those who's pains are all hidden on the inside.

Priceless

2011-02-27T21:25:00.004-06:00

559 miles one way

$3.30 per gallon of gas

1 lane of interstate partially covered in snow

2 wrong turns (with GPS)

1 box of Krispy Kremes doughnuts and Beth Moore CDs for company

Weekend spent with college girl...clearly worth it!

Sweet Tweets

2011-02-23T21:47:00.002-06:00

I'm headed out for a few days to visit with college girl. Her sorority is having mom's weekend and they've got a few girl things planned and we will fill in all the other times in between with more of our favorite things (shopping and eating). I was never in a sorority so I've been a little stressed about what to wear. It doesn't help that I have some new spring clothes to wear but someone didn't tell the weather to cooperate! My daughter thinks I am stressing out over the whole what- are- we- doing- so- I- will- know- what- to- wear thing. I know this because she told me in a text: "quit stressing about this". This was 1 week ago when I started packing.
okay, so i need to relax, pack my entire closet, 10 pairs of shoes, get in the car, drive 8.5 hours, and have a good time. And lest you think I'm kidding, I may or may not post a picture of my suitcase.
While I'm away, here's a funny website to go to called Postcards from Yo Mamma. Nobody really writes postcards anymore but these are actual texts or emails young adults have received from their mothers:
http://www.postcardsfromyomomma.com

See you on the flip side,
Gina

Hello, It's Me

2011-02-23T21:04:00.004-06:00

It's been some time since I've last posted. The holidays and a little post holiday funk left me thinking that I had nothing to say. But I've missed it so I've been evaluating why I write, what do I have to say and I think I've got some direction. So bear with me and check back every now and then and see what's new and hopefully it will be worth your time.

Gina

P.S. I can assure you my new direction has little to do with gardening or flower arranging--I just wanted to show you my first successful attempt at paperwhites.

It Bears Repeating...

2010-12-23T17:17:00.001-06:00

This never gets old and bears repeating especially as traffic and to-do lists begin to overshadow the season.

If You Give a Mom a Reason...

2010-12-20T14:44:00.005-06:00

Nothing like a little last minute motivation to get me over the holiday hump. Middle son (formerly known as College Boy) is flying home today for the Christmas holidays. Now that he's all grown up and not sleeping in a dorm bed, I had to assume that he would prefer the guest room in the lower level to his former shell of a room (with a twin bed). That meant that the vents needed to be opened up downstairs so he wouldn't turn into a popsicle overnight. Once I was down there, I realized that since no one else had been down there in 6 months, all manner of creepy crawly things had taken up residency and many had died of hypothermia so there was some dusting and vacuuming that needed to be done. And even though I said I was going minimalistic this year, I just couldn't bear not having any kind of decorations so I brought out the snowmen collection and put up the 3 snowmen trees.

I still need the ingredients for his favorite cookies but thought we'd pick them up at the grocery store on our way home from the airport as well as a week's supply of cereal just in case he's outgrown Apple Jacks as well as the twin bed.

College Girl has been home a week but is mostly using her room as a changing room for the next social event she has filled her schedule with. Her room looks nothing like it did a week ago but I don't mind it one bit. I hope to get her to myself on her birthday Thursday--maybe birthday cupcakes will seal the deal.

Hubby and first born son will straggle in as their work demands allow and once again my nest will be full of people and noise and food...

and I kind of like it that way!

Look out Sarah Palin!

2010-12-16T16:54:00.005-06:00

I've only seen one episode but I believe that I could give Sarah Palin's Alaska a little competition if TLC were to come hang out with me. Unlike Sarah, I was not born and bred in the place I've called home for the past 12 years. I have no claim to call it Gina Green's Iowa but a record of this southern girl's experience living on the frozen tundra might be entertaining.

Entertaining, like when I have to clear the driveway of snow. Occasionally, hubby's job has him out of town and I believe there is a direct correlation to his absence and significant snowfall. That is why I had children, specifically MALE children. Who knew they would grow up and move away and I would have to fend for myself?

So it might be entertaining to see...

Every new snow season when I have to remember how to run the snowblower (choke on or off to start? hold the lever thingy that turns the blade in to start or does it matter?)
Every new snow season when it takes me a few tries before I remember which method of clearing the driveway is most effective (side to side vs. down and back or a combination of the two).
The snow removal fashion show. My wardrobe consists of a strange combination of Cuddleduds, snowboarding pants left behind by one of those male children, whatever turtleneck is available, my first coat purchase after moving to Iowa--an Eddie Bauer snow jacket, accented by daughter's once owned fuzzy scarf and how many ever pairs of gloves I can fit on my hands and still have some dexterity.

FASHION RABBIT TRAIL:

My first shopping trip for a coat was overwhelming (rarely an emotion experienced by me while shopping). I never knew coats could be rated on how warm they were at 20 below or that they came with so many practical features (detachable hoods, inner pockets, zip in/out linings, etc)! Today, coat shopping is a science with base layers, outer layers and words like primaloft and triclimate. Don't get me started with Northface jacket names--it takes a linguistics degree to pronounce the various styles! But let me say that Cuddleduds is a southern girls best friend while living on the frozen tundra.

[RESUME BULLET POINTS]

The snow removal strip down. I usually over-dress and start pulling off auxiliary clothing as I get overheated from the exertion.
Every Fall when I forget to put out those reflective markers telling me where the driveway and walkways end and begin. Really, you think after 12 years, I would remember.
But the most entertaining sight to see is snow blowing into the wind when I end up with a hair style more firmly in place than Freeze It Mega Freeze hairspray can provide

It's this time of year that makes me miss my native land of Texas and Arkansas where one may still be mowing the grass, sweeping the porch, or wearing jackets that are rated on their cuteness factor instead of wind chill factor.

Ready

2010-12-10T10:17:00.004-06:00

Ready for college girl to be home.

Re-Entry

2010-11-21T22:12:00.002-06:00

"Laundry and grocery shopping after a week of vacation may be God's way of bringing balance back into our lives."

We're back from a week spent in warmer climates where there were beaches and palm trees and where cell phone service and internet access was nearly non-existent. It took a day or so to "unplug" but once we did, we remembered what it was like to read a newspaper (on actual paper), to use the room phone to make plans with friends, and to go through the day without making a Facebook or Twitter post.

We quickly adjusted to no agenda and no time constraints. To being served beverages of our choice while we lounged pool or beach side, and where the biggest decisions of the day was which activity were we going to participate in and which restaurant were we dining in for the evening.

Re-entry back to the real world began with a touching experience with the TSA agent on our return, a 40 degree change in temperature from take-off location to landing, and the realization that all those emails and voicemails now had to be dealt with!

Fortunately, it's a short work week then we're off for another couple of days to share Thanksgiving with family. I am blessed to have the opportunity for a relaxing week away, for great friends to share the experience with and for family to come back home to.

Birthday Week

2010-11-06T20:05:00.003-05:00

It's birthday week for me and my first born. My birthday was the 3rd and was celebrated a day early with hubby who done good in the gift giving category. Wednesday was filled with Facebook messages from friends all around the country and cards and gifts from co-workers and friends. I am blessed to have a full and rich life filled with great people who are making daily contributions into my life.

Twenty-six years ago today and 3 days after my 27th birthday, I woke up in labor with our first born son. It was election day and since I was in early labor, we thought we'd make a pit stop and go vote. It was a presidential election that year and the voting line was out the door of the voting place. Since I was breathing through contractions, we decided to skip our civic duty and go directly to the hospital. We joked on the way that maybe we should toss out our 2 name choices and just wait to see who won the election and name the baby after the winner (bonus points to those of you who can tell me the name of the two candidates that year). We would have had to do some creative manipulation depending on the gender of the baby and the president elect so in the end, we decided to stick with our original name choices. My hubby did slip out after I was sufficiently drugged with an epidural and pulled the lever for the candidate of his choice then made it back in the nick of time. Jonathan David Green was born at 6 pm that evening weighing in at 8lbs. 10 oz. Our lives would never be the same! As a little guy, he was his dad's constant shadow and grew to be his companion sports fanatic. To his baby sister, he's a protective big brother, and with me is always generous with a hug or the willing recipient of a back scratch. He's taught me hard lessons on parenting and made me far less self-righteous.

Like all of us, he is a life in process and God has great plans for him beyond what these earthly parents can imagine.

Happy Birthday big Jon!

10 Day Challenge

2010-11-01T21:49:00.006-05:00

I challenged College Girl with living the next 10 days making healthy choices--eating real food and getting 8 hours of sleep every night. I know that is counter to the college culture but she was run down and feeling the effects of living life on the edge. She wasn't too keen on the challenge until I told her she could challenge me with something for the same 10 day period. She took the bait and challenged me to no Starbucks. Now you must realize that this was just after spending a week out of my routine stops at Starbucks and 10 days of already going without.

This could be painful--it's my favorite season of flavors and I pass at least three Starbucks stands on my way to work everyday.

I will miss you Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Hangin' with Payne...and a few other special people

2010-11-01T20:32:00.007-05:00

I've just spent a week in one of my most favorite places with a few of my most favorite people. My nephew and his wife were in need of a daytime sitter for their sweet new baby, Payne. Several family members were taking turns watching thebaby and this past week worked out for me. The bonus is that my nephew and his sweet family live in the same town as College Girl and I was excited that I might get some quality time with her.

Payne was just as good as he could be. He is a very happy and scheduled baby so our days together were pretty routine. By Thursday, I was bold enough to venture out with him and take College Girl out for a little TLC. He slept the whole time and I remembered what it was like juggling a baby in a carrier, a diaper bag and a purse!

It was Homecoming Week at the Alma Mater so College Girl had responsibilities every evening to prepare for the Homecoming float & yard decorating. We caught what time we could together which included a trip to the Walmart to stock up on what the first 6 weeks of college life had depleted and a quick run through Old Navy in preparation for cooler weather to come.

Most evenings I was free to hang out in the swanky digs that a generous family member had made available and gave me time to connect with friends from days gone by. I spent a couple of evenings with some friends who have known me longer than my husband. They shaped my life in various stages and I am grateful for the time spent with them catching upon our lives. It was as if time and distance had no impact on our conversations and we picked up right where we left off the last
conversation.

It was a great week that I would wrap up this way--

babies still smell sweet and I've still got skills,

every moment and dollar spent on my daughter was worth it,

and long lost friends are to be treasured!

Productivity

2010-10-16T10:18:00.002-05:00

Magazine basket is purged.

Razorback flag is hung.

Chili is in the crockpot.

Most of the dust bunnies are vanquished.

Grocery list made.

Floor vacuumed.

Blog post written.

I love being productive in my pajamas!

Community

2010-10-14T22:55:00.002-05:00

Lunch time meeting with Bible study leaders. We shared soup, salad and stories of what we saw God doing.

Afternoon packing up his office. My boss, friend, and counselor. He's following God and moving on to the unknown. Leaving a gap in the church, around the office, and in my heart (this is feeling all too familiar).

Evening praying with other moms. All of us with children out of the nest. Some in college. Some in military. All finding their own way after high school. All us moms coming together for one purpose.

Other people in our lives. It's risky, sometimes it hurts. But mostly it's good. We were created for community. Take the risk. Open up. Invite in.

Standing in the Gap

2010-10-14T22:09:00.004-05:00

It was an intense week--midterms and sorority initiation all rolled into one big, event packed, stressed filled week.

I couldn't be there.

So blessed that other people could be--good people, family.

They stood in the gap...and brought cookies and hugs.

Fall Things That Go Together

2010-10-06T22:16:00.002-05:00

Apples and Caramel
Candy Corn and Peanuts
Sweaters and Sunglasses
Pumpkins and Mums
Popcorn and m & ms
Corn and Mazes (it's an Iowa thing, I think)
Ceiling fans and Fireplaces
Thanks and Giving!

What's on your list?

The Sweet and the Sad

2010-10-04T22:21:00.004-05:00

Tonight I baked my Almost Famous Cookies and the house smells of everything that is good about Fall. I am taking them to the office tomorrow as we say good-bye to one of our pastors who is leaving to train to be a church planter. He is not only my boss but has been a good counselor/advisor to me through the years. He serves the young adult population at our church and I often went to him when I needed insight regarding the young adults that my husband and I had raised from birth. I have shed a few tears in that office and will no doubt shed a few more over the next couple of weeks as we wrap up some ministry events together and prepare to move to the transition phase (for our staff and for him and his family). Maybe the cookies will help.

It' Fall Ya'll

2010-10-02T20:22:00.022-05:00

I have a deep love for this time of year. Perhaps it was my childhood spent in the Ozark mountains but I love the color change, the smell of a wood fire, and crisp mornings followed by mostly sunshine filled afternoons. I love football season, homecoming parades, school carnivals, Halloween costumes(well,the cute ones),and the pinnacle of the season--Thanksgiving!

Therefore, I go a little overboard and love to transform my living space to reflect what God so supremely does in decorating the outside world.

So here's a little tour.

Front porch. Don't love it this year. I have a black concrete container that I prefer to use this time of year but I got this basket (with all the plants) for a bargain very early in the season so I'm going with that.

During high winds this morning, the fern took a tumble out of the bucket turning the whole stand over into the mums (which I just replaced yesterday due to some previous mum neglect). The new mums are crushed in the back and will surely die.

I am death to plants.

Come on inside--the heart of the home, the kitchen. where the finest take out is ordered.

Kitchen table. With or without candlesticks? I can't decide.

No flat surface is safe.

I love this rattan tray/basket I got from Target last year. Hubby-- does not like it so much. He usually moves it from the ottoman to the floor. Maybe the candy corn will change his mind.

The way they were. Love this. Love them.

Thanks for stopping by. Come again.

Perspective

2010-09-29T22:55:00.006-05:00

I had an ah-ha moment at 7,000 feet recently which is way better than having an oh-no moment at 7,000 feet.

The day of our return flight home it was cold and overcast. I made this statement to my fellow travelers, "The sun is not out today". It is my custom to comment on the sun or lack of sunshine as I am not only keenly observant but also, to the core, solar powered.

Our pilot assured me that he checked the weather charts and that our departure needed not be delayed.

We took off and left the gray below.

That's when I had my moment (again, a good moment, not a face in the baggie kind of moment).

Climbing above the clouds and leveling off at 7,000 feet revealed another perspective--the sun was out indeed, it's just that my perception had been "clouded" (sorry).

The truth is that the sun is always out, it's just not always visible.

That can be said of many things.

Just because I don't see it, doesn't mean it's not real or true.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Land that I Love

2010-09-29T20:17:00.007-05:00

Technically, I'm a Texan. I was born there, lived there through during middle school and high school, and many years later my hubby's job took us back there for a few years. But in most of the in between times, I lived in Arkansas. Something about that state says "Home" to me. It's where our families are. It's where God changed my heart and where I started a life walking with Him. It was where I went to college. It's where hubby and I met, married and started our own family. And now it's where my youngest one is making her mark.

I love going back...every chance I get.

This time the wait was short--a 2 hour flight instead of 8.5 hour drive.

Thanks to good friends, we are spoiled forever.

Iowa has a beauty all it's own as well.

But not as beautiful as this one...

and these people.

It was a great weekend (despite the outcome of the game) spent with family and friends and a few thousand other folks.

I love this place!

How to Paint Deck Furniture

2010-09-08T21:10:00.004-05:00

In case you were wondering...
Yes, it's me. More of a retail stimulator than a Do it Yourself-er, I took on a project recently that had literally been staring me in the face. Well at least visible everyday when I passed through the kitchen and looked out onto my deck. There was no more denying or delaying it (I had company coming) so I took on the project of repainting my metal deck furniture. I also re-stained the deck but I do not want to brag (too late)!

It was pretty mindless work but I got a little philosophical while I was at it so here goes:

1. Take Time, Take Care
This little project was long overdue. The metal table and chairs were about 10 years old and have been exposed to snow, sun, and rain for all of those 10 years. The original paint was flaking off and rust was setting in. The natural progression of things is decay. If you don't tend to them, they will fall apart.

2. Be Prepared- Gather Your Tools.
From another project I knew that I wanted to use this spray paint with a trigger nozzle. I had only found it at one of the home improvement stores in town so I needed to make a special trip to that particular store. Because of the rust and flaking metal, I knew I needed a steel brush and some major elbow grease for the prep work. Few things in life come without a little planning and hard work.

3. Expect back splash.
I was under a time constraint and had to work within a good weather window. Unfortunately, the sunny day I had to work was also a day of 10 mph wind gusts. Armed with a large piece of cardboard and geared in my grungy clothes, I was ready for battle. Life can get messy, dress appropriately.

4. Make a plan
Alright, here's where personality type comes in to play. I choose to work on the worst piece first. The rustiest one. The one that required the most scrubbing with the steel brush. I did this because I knew I would fade in stamina and in interest by the end of the project so I tackled the hardest piece first to get it out of the way. However, if one would need small victories along the way to keep one motivated to continue the project, I can see where starting with an easy task would boost one's confidence for the bigger projects ahead. To Thine own self be true.

5. Don't forget the undersides
I am a recovering perfectionist (children will do that to you) and have come to a place where I can be good with things being "good enough" but the underlying issue here was rust. It was setting in to the bolts and supports of the table and had to be dealt with--meaning scrubbing the devil out of it. Don't sweat the small stuff but don't ignore the stuff you can't see.

6. Admire your work. Celebrate your success.
With my table in it's "oil rubbed bronze" glory and back in it's location on the deck, I was able to admire the way it looks new with just a little time and effort. Pleased with the outcome, I made myself a little icy, creamy treat...

then saved the leftover paint for future touch ups because...
eventually we have to
Go back to step 1.

Life is Good

2010-09-06T13:52:00.008-05:00

It was a good but brief weekend away.

She was real good...

(and even better to see in person)

Tailgating with family was good...

Hubby is still good

with the little ones...

even though it's been

18 years since she was that size...

Game was good...

Life is good!

Stop over at sweet Sarah's (and new supermom) to see more photos.

Gina

Picture Story

2010-09-01T23:03:00.010-05:00

Soon, we will be going here

To see her

and maybe some of these people

especially the newest one

but for now, I'm trying to decide which one of these to put on my toes because...

besides my heart, she may have left with my favorite nail polish as well.

Gina

The Long and Winding Road

2010-08-27T13:03:00.006-05:00

I received the first desparation call today.

"Mom, I'm lost and I'm twenty minutes late to class"

Bless her heart. She wanted advice from her directionally challenged mom who hasn't been on that campus in 30+ years.

"Should I go on to class anyway?"

"Yes"

"How am I going to find my way?"

It was wrenching. She was lost and there was nothing I could do about it.

"Ask someone for directions." was my only solution.

It's not like we didn't prepare her for this:

Walk your route out the day before classes.

Take your map until you don't need it anymore.

Ask before you leave one building how to get to the next.

We had given our best advice and strategy.

Now it was up to her.

As painful as that little incident was today, it reminded me of the truth I've learned on this parenting journey:

"You prepare them the best you can, but the rest is up to them"

There have been a few other times when I've had to stand by helplessly and watch (while I wanted to cover my eyes) as these young adult children made choices that I didn't think were wise, beneficial, or practical. Sometimes the outcome was a figurative train wreck, other times just a mild bump in the road. But it was their path to walk and their experiences to learn from. I couldn't do it for them.

And so she will take a few diversions here and there and while she does, I'll pray that she remembers the map, asks for help, and eventually finds her own way.

Pros and Cons

2010-08-20T14:04:00.003-05:00

It's only been a week since our last little bird has left home and our nest has been empty. These are the things that I miss already:

indulging in a bowl of mac & cheese because she already made up a batch of it
a few of my favorite shoes
someone to go to Walmart with me at 10:30 pm
watching trashy TV shows she picks (while doing my moral motherly duty of pointing out how bad they are)
watching Disney channel
her guacamole
a second opinion on wardrobe options

There's got to be an upside to empty nestdom (just made that word up I think) so I'm making a list:

Cleaning the house then watching as it mostly STAYS that clean and picked up

Downsizing--Clearing out the house (from college boy's cast offs, college girl's unwanteds, and 30 years of collections) then selling it off or hauling it off for someone else to enjoy

Smaller loads of laundry

Buying the kind of orange juice I LIKE (medium pulp with Calcium)

Going to sleep when i go to bed vs. staying awake until I hear the garage door open and close

I'm sure there are other advantages we will discover as time goes on but for now I am grateful for Skype,
Facebook,
Twitter,
texting,
and Verizon.....just so I won't miss her tooo much.

The Long Good-Bye

2010-08-16T19:44:00.002-05:00

571 miles

8 hours, 46 minutes per MapQuest

2 vehicles loaded with all the worldy goods an 18 year could own

102 degree heat

1 dead car battery

Other than that, things went fine...

smooth check in

volunteers to help unload vehicles and carry her stuff to the room

room re-arranged once or twice...or twelve

good bye lunch over so-so Mexican food

good-bye hug in parking garage

a small catch in the breath, a little tear from the eye,

and then she's gone.

One last look over her shoulder as we drive away.

On to our new lives...

and another 8 hours and 46 minutes on the road

We're Going to Need an Intervention

2010-08-06T12:23:00.004-05:00

It is crunch time. 1 week, 1 day until I send my heart away.

We are washing, we are packing. By we, I mostly mean me.

I've never been very good with spacial relationship puzzles, but I'm pretty sure that what takes two regular size bedrooms to collect & store, may not fit into one half of a 10' X 13' dorm room. We may be bringing something back.

But it won't be her.

And it may not be these either.

The Princess and I have enjoyed sharing the same shoe size since she entered high school. Most of the time it has worked to our advantage and only on a few occassions did it cause conflict. That's about to change. We need to sit down and negotiate who gets what.

It will be sad to see them go.

All of them.

But especially the girl.

Gina

Happy Birthday Mom!

2010-08-05T10:14:00.003-05:00

I would like to wish my mom a blessed day today on her 77th birthday. She taught me how to mind my manners, keep a clean and orderly house, how to set a proper table and how to show hospitality. Because of her job at the public library, I knew the Dewey Decimal system way before my time and loved checking out piles of books to read every week. I endured piano lessons because she never got to take them as a child but am now glad that I did. I wished I'd been more attentive when she tried to teach me to cook or told me to stay out of the sun. She never was one to take the limelight but was content to work behind the scenes and do whatever needed to be done. As a pastor's wife, many things were expected of her--sometimes she was stretched out of her comfort zone (she drew the line at camp counselor) but she gracefully stayed true to who God created her to be. She cheered me on in my endeavors yet never let me get too big for my britches.
I love you mom!

Gina

Trial Run

2010-07-26T19:50:00.002-05:00

Here it is.

A trial run.

One week without The Princess. She's gone for a week doing good things for people in need. And it's quiet around here. Really, really quiet. Really.

And then the countdown begins. 20 days until we take her to college far away.

And leave her there.

So this week is a trial run, a test.

It's only Monday, and I'm not doing so good.

Gina

I'll Be Baaaaack!

2010-06-11T13:45:00.004-05:00

I am not dead. Both of my computers were. Now one is somewhat functional but not much fun to work on. I am currently shopping for a new laptop which is not as fun as I had hoped it to be. I hope to be back in blogging world soon.

Oh yes, and there's been a little other activity around my life lately. Two graduations, two children launching into another phase of life. One across the country, the other soon to be a couple of states away. The nest is emptying...the possibilities abound.

Hog Wild

2010-03-08T21:54:00.007-06:00

In the great

college decision

of 2010

we have

a decision!

Can you tell I'm excited that The Princess is going to my alma mater?!?

Since She's 18

2010-02-12T11:02:00.005-06:00

The Princess turned 18 in December. She was our Christmas baby--we brought her home on Christmas Eve...in a little red stocking. We were released from the hospital exactly 24 hours after her arrival. I was ready to get home...Christmas was on us and there were 2 little boys at home waiting to celebrate. Whenever I look at pictures of that time, I wonder-- " What was I thinking?" I looked like death warmed over.

Fast forward 18 years.

Now that she's 18, she can excuse herself out of high school classes.

Now that she's 18, she can vote.

Now that she's 18, she can pierce her cartilege/nose/whatever else without parental approval. And don't get me started on what happened at our family medical clinic when she went in alone for her final immunizations.

When she goes off to college this fall, they don't have to release any of her information to me even if I am the one paying the bills.

And there's a whole other list of things that her mom does not want to think about that are perfectly legal for her to do...now that she's 18.

Independent children. Isn't that one of the goals of parenting?

She can pump her own gas and is learning to manage her finances.

She can make macaroni and cheese, a mean queso dip and bake brownies so I figure she's got the basics covered.

She can wash her own clothes and will eventually figure out that if you leave them in the washer too long, they mildew and smell bad. In college she'll learn that if you leave them in the machine too long, they get dumped out on the floor...or stolen!

She has a schedule that would boogle the mind of a White House aide and manages to get it all done...and she's so darn cute while she's doing it.

Yep, she's flexing her wings of independence and making her own choices. She doesn't really need me much anymore...

Except when she's in bed for 3 days with the bug that's going around...

And I bring her soup and jello and sprite...

Even if she is 18.

A Winter Reading List

2010-02-09T11:40:00.003-06:00

I know. You thought I'd fallen off the face of the earth. I haven't. I am still here and still floating through the bloggy world but mostly just reading. A February blizzard has me at home by the fire catching up on life. Like this unexpected retreat, I stumbled on a site and was blessed by this post that spoke to me and I wanted to share with you. Take a minute and go see what Antique Mommy had to say. Go ahead. I'll wait.

Oh good, you came back.

Here are the ones that resonated with me today:

#3. In most matters, done is better than perfect. But done right is better than done fast, except for housework. Then good enough is good enough.

#6. You can disagree with someone and still like them.

#7. You can dislike someone and still be kind to them.

#9. You’ll never know how much your parents love you until you have your own child.

#10. You’ll never know how much you hurt your parents until you have your own child.

#11. No one will remember what shoes or earrings you wore to the party.

#18. Nothing in the mall will make you happy. For very long.

#19. We can’t all be leaders.

#20. If you can’t be a good leader, be a good follower.

#21. Make sure the person you are following is taking you where you want to go.

#22. Nothing good comes of a secret.

#23. On the other hand, every thought does not need to be expressed.

#24. Anger poisons the soul. A grudge prisons the soul. Forgiveness purifies the soul. Forgive with haste.

#30. Whatever stylish thing you are wearing right now will look ridiculous in 10 years.

#37. The only way to lose weight is to eat less and move more.

#38. Fashion magazines are designed to make you feel badly about yourself. Save your money.

#50. The person who most needs your kindness is likely the last person to whom you want to be kind.

How about you--which one(s) did you like?

Gina

But on the Other Hand...

2010-01-27T22:14:00.002-06:00

This is in response to my last post or perhaps a very sad rationalization of previous statements:

Some evenings, I'm ready to eat dinner at 5:00 pm This only happens when I have had a power breakfast and worked through lunch
I received an AARP card in the mail They send one to everyone who is even remotely close to turning 50
I've been mall walking Hey, at least I'm out moving...and blowing past most of the other mall walkers
I groan when I get up out of my chair Because I've sat there too long executing my creative genius blogging
The fact that I have a chair that I designate as "mine" You are right, there is NO excuse for that.
I take along a pair of "sensible" shoes to change into Which means my other shoes are stinkin' cute!!!
Lately, I've begun a few sentences with, "when I was your age..." Only when called on by my young friends to share my wealth of wisdom
I have a pair of reading glasses in several locations around the house Better than the little chain around your neck to hang them on!
I've wondered what my "grandma" name might be Okay, so there's another growth opportunity
I think all the songs on the "classic rock" station are the best! They are--but my iPod is loaded with songs from my daughter's playlist as well
There are a few more reasons...but I can't remember them now.
Memory leaks happen--I'm not ready for the Alzheimer's home yet!

I Think I Might Be Getting Old

2010-01-26T19:53:00.003-06:00

There have been recent signs that I might be getting old:

Some evenings, I'm ready to eat dinner at 5:00 pm
I received an AARP card in the mail
I've been mall walking
I groan when I get up out of my chair
The fact that I have a chair that I designate as "mine"
I take along a pair of "sensible" shoes to change into
Lately, I've begun a few sentences with, "when I was your age..."
I have a pair of reading glasses in several locations around the house
I've wondered what my "grandma" name might be
I think all the songs on the "classic rock" station are the best!
There are a few more reasons...but I can't remember them now.

The Gloomiest Time of the Year

2010-01-18T21:31:00.008-06:00

"Poets, publicists and psychiatrists all have their candidates for the bleakest time of the year. According to one equation devised by Dr. Cliff Arnall, a British researcher from Cardiff University, Jan. 18 is 2010’s most depressing day. His formula for this bleak prediction takes into account factors like post-holiday blahs and debt, failed New Year’s resolutions and, this year, the nasty chill that has reached much further south than usual." MSN

Well that explains everything. I've been in a funk since Christmas. Just didn't have anything worthwhile to say and no real motivation to post.

Maybe this is the hump and I'll get over it.

Good-bye gloomiest day of the year. Here's hoping there are sunnier days and dispositions around the corner!

Gina

Looking Back...and Moving Forward

2010-01-03T23:40:00.005-06:00

It's been a whirl wind ending to 2009. A non-stop frenzy of food, family, and football. We celebrated a wedding with extended family, Christmas with my little family of five, and rang in a new year with friends for life. We've watched so much football that I can't keep all the games straight but were able to watch our beloved Razorbacks pull off a win in the Liberty Bowl.

So here we are in 2010-- a new year, a new decade. The list maker in me has always felt compelled to make out goals for the new year ahead. I like new starts, new goals (even if they may look somewhat like last years goal). What I don't do very well is looking back and evaluating the past. I just flip the calendar and start over.

One of my pastors posted a link to a blog by Michael Hyatt called Leading with Purpose. He listed 7 questions to ask yourself as a way to reflect on the past year. I've spent some time the past several days answering these questions for myself and I thought I'd share them with you.
1. If the last year were a movie of your life, what would the genre be? Drama, romance, adventure, comedy, tragedy, or a combination?
2. What were the two or three major themes that kept recurring?
3. What did you accomplish this past year that you are the most proud of?
4. What do you feel you should have been acknowledged for but weren't?
5. What disappointments or regrets did you experience this past year?
6. What was missing from last year as you look back?
7. What were the major life-lessons you learned this past year?

You can read his article for yourself here, but I liked how he encourages us to give closure to the year past, "Declare it over, declare it complete".

So that's what I'm doing...

Stick a fork in it and call it done!

Happy New Year friends.
Gina

The Gospel According to Charlie Brown

2009-12-15T21:31:00.002-06:00

Charlie Brown: I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.
[shouting in desperation]
Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
[moves toward the center of the stage]
Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.
[a spotlight shines on Linus]
Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]
Linus Van Pelt: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Advent Conspiracy- Are you in?

2009-12-02T20:35:00.001-06:00

A Charlie Brown Christmas

2009-12-01T20:31:00.005-06:00

If there is anything I've learned from living in the Midwest, it is to take advantage of the first nice weekend in November to get your outdoor Christmas decorating done. I learned this lesson after a few frost-bitten fingers that were determined to wait until after Thanksgiving Day to decorate for Christmas.
I was pretty sure I had erred once again when my Florida vacation and another trip out of state for Thanksgiving prevented me from doing my outdoor decorating. Fortunately, the weather man gave me a couple of warm days to work with and I now have a few white lights and greenery to show for my labor.
I was afraid it was going to be a Charlie Brown Christmas. A few years ago I purchased some outdoor miniature trees to line my walkway. I was too conservative at the time and only purchased one set of three trees. Last year one of the pre-lit trees bit the dust and I was could not find another set to augment. Fast forward to Black Friday 09--I'm visiting family in Texas and I spot a set of similar trees at the chain store where I purchased the original set at. I was excited about beefing up my miniature forest but I had a dilemma--our vehicle was packed to the roof. There was NO ROOM for another suitcase or package much less a couple of boxes of miniature trees. So I left them behind in hopes that the store in my town had the same merchandise. On Monday I found and purchased the trees. It was too good to be true. They were a bargain price for a reason...they are the scrawniest miniature trees I've ever seen! I strategically placed them in front of some thicker bushes so they don't look so wimpy and at night no one is the wiser. Except for you...

Merry Christmas to you!
Gina

30 Days of Gratitude, Finishing Well

2009-11-30T21:54:00.003-06:00

Day 24 Safe travel to see family
Day 25 A walk with The Princess around my college campus
Day 26 Thanksgiving lunch and dinner with both sides of the family
Day 27 The thrill of early morning bargains on Black Friday with The Princess
Day 28 A visit with dear friends from the past
Day 29 A hubby who willingly drives ALL the way back home, another safe day of travel...and sleeping in my own bed!
Day 30 A quiet day of catching up on 2 weeks of work!

There is so much to give thanks for. This little exercise has taught me to look each day for the blessings all around.

30 Days of Gratitude, Days 18-23

2009-11-23T20:14:00.006-06:00

While I was away on vacation, I kept up my gratitude list but lost internet connection after the first post. So here's what I was thankful for...

sunset walks on the beach...

white sandy beaches and blue water...

Benadryl for the bug bites
(I'll spare you the visual)

Key Lime Pie...

the amazing variety of shells I found...

flights that were NOT missed...
and my very own bed to sleep in!

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 17

2009-11-17T19:18:00.000-06:00

Today I am grateful for
a good book
an evening walk with my hubby
Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream

30 Days of Gratitude, Catching Up...

2009-11-15T21:49:00.002-06:00

Iam grateful that you are a grace-filled community of readers.
I've lost track, gotten behind, been a little busy. So like I told the gals that attended the journaling class I led last weekend--don't beat yourself up if you have lapses, just start again.

Today I am grateful for...
palm trees
ocean breezes
and key lime pie!

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 11

2009-11-11T20:52:00.002-06:00

On this day that we honor all those who have served our country or are in active duty, I am grateful for freedom. Freedom is never really free, it cost someone something along the way. While I live in a country that holds those freedoms in high regard and i benefit daily from the sacrifice of others, I am most grateful for another kind of freedom. I am grateful that I am free from the law of sin and death and can experience life at it's fullest.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Galatians 5:1

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 10

2009-11-10T23:23:00.002-06:00

Sunshine and Sonic.
It was 60 degrees and sunshine today which is above average for this time of year where I live. I was out running work errands and thought lunch at Sonic was in order. My last trip there (Sonic is on the other side of town from my house and too far to drive on a whim) proved to be disappointing so I was hoping for a good experience this time.
Sun roof open, combo meal delivered as ordered, lemon-berry slush with Sonic crushed ice. All was right with the world for those 20 minutes!

What do you order at Sonic?

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 9

2009-11-10T22:50:00.002-06:00

Today I am grateful for comfort food.
Yesterday I was cranky, out of sorts, "ill" as my southern friends might say. A demanding (but fun) weekend coupled with some late nights preparing for a speaking engagement and a family vacation took me out of my usual "happy place".
Somehow macaroni and cheese sounded like the solution to the problem. Wisconsin white cheddar and shell macaroni courtesy of Panera Bread hit the spot and got me out of my funk or maybe it the unexpected conversation with a friend and Bible study later that night that did it.
There's no denying the power of food in my life.
Soup
Cookies
Meatloaf
Cheese
Pasta
Ice cream...
These are a few of my favorite things.

What's your favorite food?

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 8

2009-11-10T22:04:00.003-06:00

Today I am grateful for music.

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul"

"Music is what feelings sound like"

I have long been the only non-iPod user in my family. Until now.
I got one for my birthday. Up until now, I willingly shelled out $15 for a cd when I usually only listened to one or two tracks. Now I can pick and choose from millions of songs and make them mine for a mere .99 each. How cool is that? And podcasts- all topics will now be at my fingertips. Hubby has the fancy iTouch but I thought I should start more simply so got a new Nano. These pod making people are pretty smart and so is the Nano. It takes video and I can even listen to the radio with it. There's a tiny little speaker so I don't even have to wear the earbuds if I don't want to (although the sound is much better with them IN).

So as fond as I am of my new little toy, it's caused a dilemma. What do I put on it? I love ALL kinds of music. I like music that moves me and music that makes me want to move. I'm a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. I love the oldies but have fun finding the newbies.
It's a big, big music world out there and I've got an empty iPod waiting to be filled!

What's on your playlist?

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 7

2009-11-10T21:24:00.006-06:00

Today I am grateful for friends.
There are the "old" friends that knew me "back when". Some of them were a part of the growing up process and all contributed in some way to making me who I am today. There are the friends that stumbled along with me through those teenage years. Thanks to Facebook, I've re-connected with them and am happy to see that we all made it out of those years mostly unscathed. There were the friends who despite being in another stage of life than me, allowed me into their lives and served as mentors through the early years of marriage and child-rearing. To this day, their advice and example do not go disregarded in my life.

Then there are the "now" friends that share with me "up close and personal" what is going on in my life. We laugh and cry together and count on each other for prayers, for recipes, and for encouragement. We help each other with mid-life issues, and teenager/letting go issues, and show each other how to Facebook and tie a scarf. A few are the ones who you let in your house when it's dirty, who will give you a honest answer regarding your hairstyle or wardrobe, and who will listen to you rant without judgement.

From a birthday card I received last week:

"Forget the calories. Forget the years. If you must count something, count your friends"

30 Days of Gratitude, Days 4, 5, 6

2009-11-06T10:09:00.002-06:00

Oops, playing catch up here! This is harder than I thought--not finding things to be thankful for but sitting down and capturing those thankful thoughts on paper, er- computer screen. It has been a challenge with my schedule this particular week.

Sooooo, I'm giving you three for one...

Today I am grateful for my children (there are other days this gratefulness could be a challenging concept).

Today is #1 son's birthday. It was a sunny fall day such as the one I am experiencing today that he chose to come in to this world 25 years ago. He was a calm, scheduled baby and a compliant, easy going child through elementary school. He is the athlete of the family and we spent many memorable days and nights doing bleacher time watching him play football, basketball, and baseball. Today he is generous and fun-loving--a big man with a big heart. There have been some bumps along the way in this process of growing up but God has helped me see the prodigal tendancies in my own life and each day I have the privilege of praying for him and encouraging him as the opportunity is given.

College Boy is the middle child. He is shy but witty and smart. He likes reading the classics, listening to obscure celtic bands, and taking things apart! I've known from his earliest years that he was wired to be an engineer. He is graduating from college this May and my prayer for him is that he would be established in his career and life in a way that is honoring to God.

The Princess. When I was pregnant with #3, I wanted to know the gender and my husband did not. I was perfectly content with the idea that I might have all boys and at that time was pretty confident that I had it all together in the parenting realm (what's the verse about pride going before a fall?). But I wanted to be prepared for what #3 would be and so with hubby's approval, I found out the gender but had to keep it to myself. I soooooo get the verse where Mary, the mother of Christ, "treasured these things in her heart". It was the hardest secret to keep! My OB appointments were in another town so I would buy pink with abandon and kept it locked away for safe keeping. The Princess came into our world on Christmas eve eve and we gave her the middle name "Joy". For the most part that is what she has been to our family-pure joy. She was girlie to the boys brawn, ruffly to their rough, but not necessarily quiet to their loud. She had a way of making her presence known and used far more words in the first 3 years of life than her brothers combined! Today, she is driven and determined. She is talented and beautiful. I will miss her terribly when she graduates and goes off to college. My prayer for her is that God would protect her heart and guide her path--she is His princess as well!

I'm now a teary-eyed mess.

I would be grateful for your thoughts and prayers this weekend. I've been asked to speak at a women's retreat on the topic of journaling/blogging. Naturally, when you are talking about "using words", you want to "use your words well" so if you think of it, pray for me!

Blessings,
Gina

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 3

2009-11-04T00:26:00.002-06:00

On this my 52nd birthday, I must say I am grateful for my parents. They gave me life, they gave me direction, and they pointed me to Christ.
I am grateful for the continued health and life they have and regret that I do not live close enough to be there for them.
I hope that the best of what they did for me has been passed on to my children.

Thirty Days of Gratitude, Day 2

2009-11-03T10:53:00.004-06:00

It's Monday, so today's topic of gratitude is

Work, Job, Ministry

I am blessed to work where I worship. That can be tricky sometimes. As I said yesterday, "no church is perfect" and sometimes "sheep bite" but overall, I love what I do and am blessed to be working where grace abounds.

My job is ministry--that's actually true for anyone who follows Christ but somehow I am blessed to get to do what I love and get paid for it!

So here's some of my top reasons why I love my job:

It's never the same. I get bored with routine so I love that each day brings new challenges even if there is a regular rhythm to our ministry schedule.

There's always food. We have a fairly large staff so someone is always bringing in birthday treats, or there's leftovers from potlucks, brunches and other meetings. I count on a leftover donut each Wednesday morning from Men's Fraternity to be my breakfast.

I work for and with GREAT people. It really is a place I enjoy coming to everyday. We work in a supportive and grace-filled environment but we also have fun. Lots of laughter and some really great staff parties!

What I do matters. There is nothing wrong with bottom lines and soaring profits but I'm not really wired that way. I love that what I do helps facilitate ministry to PEOPLE and that lives are impacted by what we do.

Thirty Days of Gratitude, Day 1

2009-11-01T21:17:00.002-06:00

It’s November and in the United States this is the traditional month of Thanksgiving. So if you will indulge me for the next 29 days, I’d like to tell you what I am thankful for.

Since it is Sunday, I’ll start with…

Church

Mine is not perfect and if it were, I couldn’t attend! But I am blessed to be a part of a community of committed believers who are led by servant leaders who are intentional about encouraging us to a deeper walk of faith.

I love how God’s Word is taught with clarity and relevance.

I love how there is opportunity to pursue a passion to serve whether it be across the world, across the street, or in the nursery.

I love guitar driven worship, and brass line Sundays, and orchestra weeks, and BIG BAND! I love the kids choirs and the adult choir, and my peeps on vocal teams!

From the Psalms of Ascent--

“I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.” 122:1

Bless Her Heart

2009-11-01T11:56:00.001-06:00

“Blessed are the optimistic, for they will not be disappointed”

--mistranslation mine

I knew we were headed for an adventure when The Princess called me at work to ask if we still had “that sewing machine”.

“Why do you ask sweetie?”

“We’re at Hancock’s buying fabric for Halloween costumes'”, she replied. “Thanks, I’ll see you later”.

I thought my Halloween costume days were over but apparently high school seniors are not too old or too cool to participate in a little Halloween fun. Bless her heart…

I’ve never been a fan of store bought costumes so through the years, I managed to create outfits out of things around the house or with very few purchased items. I also managed to put them together with pins, glue, tape and staples. I can hem but I do not really sew even though my sainted mother tried to show me how. Bless her heart…

With one quarter of a semester class called “Family Consumer Science”, my daughter has more sewing experience than I have at 50- something (I’m embarrassed to say). So with much enthusiasm and optimism, The Princess made her fabric choices and brought them home to create. Bless her heart…

I got home from work to find this:

And this:

She had no pattern. She wanted no help. Bless her heart…

She did have satin, and some kind of tulle, sequins, and…

A ZIPPER. Bless her heart…

And with great determination (and a small amount of frustration), two days later she had this…

Isn’t she the cutest Tinkerbell you’ve ever seen?

I couldn’t have done a better job myself…bless her heart!

2009-10-30T13:17:00.004-05:00

I know! I seriously need to stop this obsession with all things Fall. But it's how I cope. It's how I cope with the fact that this southern gal has lived for 10 years on the frozen tundra of the midwest. It's how I cope with the fact that winter is coming. Long winters with lots of snow and little sunshine. Bulky coats and practical boots. Snow shovels and arctic temperatures.

So let me linger a little longer in the sunshine of fall.

The trees in my yard are still young. Their leaves do change color and fall but they do not produce massive amounts of leaves that require raking. Living on the open plains has it's advantages--whatever leaves that do fall from my trees are blown into the neighbors yards. So I go a little nuts when I see the leaves that fall from the mature trees outside my workplace. Some are bigger than my hands.

They are beautiful...

Do you see the cute animal print shoes? Do you see any socks or tights? No, it's an October miracle--warm enough to go bare footed!

Happy Fall,

Gina

Fall Transformation

2009-10-25T21:57:00.001-05:00

I know I promised to post pictures when the fabulous Fall Porch Transformation was complete but there were a few hitches in my plan…lack of time, lack of talent, uncooperative weather, and high expectations to name a few. When I was unable to replicate this photo from the Pottery Barn catalog,

I resorted to what worked for me last year with a few twists.

So join me for a little Fall Transformation Tour…

Front Porch this summer…

Kept the spikes and ivy in the concrete planter but took out the dying summer flowers for some mums:

Close up of the straw bale arrangement:

The clay jack ‘o lanterns were purchased YEARS ago when we lived in Georgia where they were made. They have survived 4 moves and have graced my front porch fall decor for 20 years. After Halloween, they go back into hiding and are replaced with something else.

Here’s the moss basket out by the walkway…

Summer view…

First stage of transformation…

Final version…

The only crafting I did was these candles that I wrapped in burlap and placed in my bargain lanterns from Walmart…

Been moving them around to decide where I like them best.

Here’s a last minute project for the back deck which I can enjoy the view more than the front porch…

I added an old grapevine wreath to the top of the clay pot that held geraniums this summer. I left the english ivy and fern but replaced the summer spikes with this fall grass. I filled the empty spaces with pumpkins and gourds to finish off the fall look.

Here’s another view

It makes me smile as I pass by the sliding doors to the deck.

Here’s something else that makes me smile. The Princess has some decorating talent of her own.

Speaking of transformations, my Creator God does some spectacular work everyday whether we recognize it or not. Sometimes it’s in the hearts of His children who allow Him to change us and then in every season He works transforming wonders in His creation.

Blessings,

Gina

That’s a Wrap

2009-10-11T21:23:00.000-05:00

The Homecoming festivities and activities have come to an end. Now we can return to normal—whatever that is. No more tie-dying in the front yard… no more pajama days at school.

The cheer dinner is done and the pasta bar was a hit. All the moms packed a goodie bag for each girl. They also received a personalized photo frame and a crown!

The big game ended in our first loss of the season so there were a few tears--however, THE dress arrived in time and The Princess did indeed look like one.

That’s enough for one old mom to deal with in one week. I’m going to bed- wake me up when it’s May.

We Got Robbed!

2009-10-10T23:25:00.003-05:00

No first place ribbon for the cheer moms float this year but I thought it was the best and several parade attenders all agreed! You can't see the sign in this photo but it says "You can run but you can't hide from the Lion pride". Thanks to one of the hunter dads for the duck boat. Don't we look cute in our cheer mom shirts? We took the picture before we donned our camo bandanas--we were stylin. Our float is one of the crowd favorites since we throw out little footballs like the girls do at the games. It was a fun walk and the weather turned in our favor--to bad the judges didn't do the same!

Fall Tour

2009-10-08T01:04:00.001-05:00

My preoccupation with hunting canned pumpkin briefly distracted me from fall decorating. There was also a couple of days of cold and rain that delayed my outdoor work but it's all good now. A warm day and an impending event I'm hosting at my house got me motivated to decorate.

Here’s my table with the pumpkin and pine cone candles that I purchased at Pottery Barn last year. The pumpkins are in the catalog this fall as well. I can’t bring myself to actually burning them!

A little randomness on my kitchen island. There was a smaller glass pumpkin filled with tootsie rolls but The Princess got this cute bag for homecoming activities this week so we switched it out for the smaller pumpkin (not to mention that we ate all the tootsie rolls).

Here’s a ceramic bowl that I purchased way back in my Texas days on a visit to Canton. I created a pedestal for it by turning a stoneware bowl upside down and setting the Trick or Treat bowl on top.

Photos from Halloweens of Yore. I’m no seamstress but always favored imagination and using what we had around the house in favor of store bought costumes. We had some great ones throughout the years. The bottom picture is my favorite. A pirate, Robin Hood, and baby Princess as Minnie Mouse!

My porch is still in process. This picture was my inspiration but re-creating it has escaped my grasp for this year. I’ll post the porch picture when it’s done.

I’m a little late to the party, but be sure to stop by Southern Hospitality for some other fall decorating ideas. I have Rhoda to thank for clueing me into Windows Live Writer. This is my second post using it and it has made posting with pictures SOOOOO much easier. You can read her post about it here as well as other blogging tips.

Gina

It Was a Grande Day

2009-10-06T22:31:00.003-05:00

I awoke this morning to rain and cold so I turned to the weatherman to see how bad it was going to be. Bad news--it's all downhill from here weather wise. He even used the "s" word for next week's forecast. This just can't be--I wish to linger in Fall until about March if that's okay with you.

So off I go with that dark cloud hanging over my head and proceeded directly to my favorite drive-thru before work. Due to cost and calories, I usually limit myself to just one of those sweet, caffeinated concoctions per week. It's usually a good week if I can hold out to Friday but it's Tuesday, and I'm giving in.

Double shot, extra whip and make it a Grande please.

Good thing I did. Got to work and our server was down. Not great news when 90% of my job is web based.

At least I had a hot drink.

When the Frost is on the Punkin

2009-10-01T01:30:00.000-05:00

When I was in college, my children’s literature professor could quote this poem by James Whitcomb Riley. I was reminded of the opening stanza this morning as I shuttled things out to my car in the crisp morning air. Frost warnings went out last night but a low blanket of clouds kept temperatures above the frost zone. For this I am glad because I have not yet been able to get some new Spring bulbs in the ground and also because frost is a foretaste of Winter to come (shudder).

Just in case you haven’t heard the poem, I’d like to share it with you and because I just may or may not have an obsession with all things pumpkin.

WHEN the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it's then the time a feller is a-feelin' at his best,
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere

When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here—
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossoms on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin' of the tangled leaves as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries—kindo' lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin' sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;
The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below—the clover overhead!—
O, it sets my hart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the cellar-floor in red and yaller heaps;
And your cider-makin's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With theyr mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and sausage too!...
I don't know how to tell it—but ef such a thing could be
As the angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me—
I'd want to 'commodate 'em—all the whole-indurin' flock—

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

Because You Asked

2009-09-30T00:30:00.003-05:00

Because several of you asked for the cookie/pumpkin dip recipe and because you asked so nicely, how could I refuse?

The cookie recipe came to me from one of my Texas friends and they were called Gladewater Gingersnaps. Truth is that they are not supposed to be crisp cookies so gingersnap is a bit deceiving. I renamed them Molasses cookies but are also known as Almost Famous Cookies because I usually get a request for the recipe whenever I serve them. It is one of my favorite Fall cookies.

Almost Famous Cookies
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup Crisco
1 egg
4 TB molasses
2 cups flour
2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt

Cream sugar and Crisco. Beat in egg and molasses.
Add dry ingredients and chill 30 minutes.
Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in granulated sugar.
Bake for 11 minutes at 350 degrees. Cookies will "erupt" on top but should not be crisp.

Pumpkin Dip
2 cups powdered sugar
1 8 oz. cream cheese
1 15 oz can of pure packed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Combine sugar and cream cheese. Beat until well blended.
Beat in remaining ingredients. Store in airtight container and refrigerate.
Serving idea:
Serve dip in a small hollowed out pumpkin. Cookies can be dipped or can be "iced" with pumpkin dip.
1 recipe of dip is usually plenty for a double batch of cookies.

Happy Fall Ya'll
Gina

It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

2009-09-28T15:22:00.004-05:00

A co-worker presented me with 2 cans of pumpkin when I arrived at work today. She found them at the next store on my list to search. For .79 each they could be mine.

I am happy to report that no babies or brides were blackmailed in the process.

Let the cookie baking begin.

Pumpkin Update

2009-09-24T22:22:00.003-05:00

I may have been exaggerating when I said I would not sleep until I found a can of pumpkin. Here's an update for all you who have expressed an interest in my mission...

2 stores searched, resulting in only cans of organic pumpkin, $3.29 each. Carving and gutting a real pumpkin is looking more appealing to me.

One of my duties at work is scheduling child dedications and weddings. In a church the size of ours sometimes desired openings for these two events are hard to come by. Perhaps I could show favor to those who bring a can of pumpkin with their request.

Ahhh, but again, I exaggerate.

Or not.

Gina

I'm On a Mission

2009-09-23T20:22:00.005-05:00

Apparently we are having a pumpkin shortage. A wet growing season and a run on the product last holiday season has resulted in a shortage of canned pumpkin this year. This is not good news especially when I've been requested to prepare my nearly famous molasses cookies. They are wonderfully delicious on their own but even better when served with a pumpkin frosting/dip recipe that requires, of all things, pure packed pumpkin. I had hoped that I had a can in reserve but when I searched the black hole that is my pantry I came out empty handed.
News agencies and grocery store managers assure the public that there will be an ample supply available the first of October but that doesn't help me now. I'm not desperate enough to scrape out my own pumpkin but I will not sleep until I get my hands on a can.

See you on aisle 9.
Gina

What I Love about Fall, Ya'll

2009-09-20T20:27:00.005-05:00

My in-laws have been here for a visit from Arkansas this past week. My friends said I started talking southern while they were here. Maybe so. After 10 years living in the Midwest, I am afraid I've lost my "ya'll". I haven't forgotten how to call the hogs though--too bad it wasn't enough to pull out a win on Saturday.

This is my 100th post!
One year ago I thought I'd try this new fangled thing called "blogging". It's been a creative outlet for me as well as proof positive that you can, indeed, teach an old dog a new trick. So for my 100th blog post, I wanted to share with you my favorite things of my favorite season of the year...Fall.

Pumpkin Spiced Lattes from Starbucks

Apple crisp, apples and caramel dip, apple cider, cream cheese stuffed apples, Fuji apple chicken salad at Panera Bread Company (it's actually offered year 'round--I was just on a roll with the apple thing)

Mums- all colors. Decorated front porches. I'd like mine to look like this from the Pottery Barn catalog:

Trees changing colors and falling leaves

Fire pits and fireplaces

Football games

Yankee candle in Spiced Pumpkin (my standard fall fragrance; the new fall scents were great too)

Candy corn and dry roasted peanuts

Warm days and crisp nights

Molasses cookies with Pumpkin dip

Fall fabrics and colors

Soup and chili recipes

Start up of Women's Bible studies-- I'm doing these two:

We all have a time of year that we enjoy the most but I hope you can find wonder and beauty and joy in whatever season you are in.

So what do you love about this time of year?
Gina

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words?

2009-09-13T23:16:00.015-05:00

Have you missed me?
I know, it's been sometime since my last post and I'm so close to post #100!Well I've been busy and I thought I'd let some pictures tell the story...

5 year anniversary. August marked my 5th year anniversary serving on staff at New Covenant Bible Church. I love my job and the people I work with. This plaque is what every staff member receives on their 5 year anniversary. I have looked forward to receiving my own print. The artist is Timothy Botts and I have admired his calligraphy for many years and have a couple of his books. I am blessed to work in a healthy environment and know that what I do helps make a kingdom difference!

Labor Day weekend in Chicago! This was the view from our hotel room. If ever I move to Chicago and live in an apartment downtown, I want to live here.More fun- delicious steak dinner at Gibson's, nighttime view of the city from the observation floor at the John Hancock building, late night stop at Starbucks, a stroll on the Magnificent Mile, lunch at California Pizza Kitchen then a train/subway ride to the baseball game between Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox.

Football season has begun. We are an SEC family living in Big 10 country. We don't have any strong allegiance to our state's college teams so we love watching high school football. Our local high school is known more for it's basketball championships than football but the year is starting out great. They are 4-0 even after facing their strongest opponents. It's been great fun to watch a winning team and there's a cheerleader on the sidelines that I could watch all day long.

Projects. I've had a few projects around the house that I've finally wrapped up.

Changing over my closet...I love Fall colors and fabrics!
Put husband's divot tool collection in a shadow box.
Wall stencil over kitchen door.

Senioritis. 4 years ago I had a great plan that we would scrapbook through The Princess's high school years as the events happened. We inherited supplies from my mom and bought a book to get us started. What we soon discovered is that neither The Princess nor I much liked scrapbooking. We only got a third of the way through her freshman year and then lapsed into just making a pile of programs and pictures and dried up corsages. Now that she's a senior and a graduation party will be here before I know it, I have tackled that pile and am resolute to get it into some form of display. It will be hard to stay motivated when the professionals are turning out great pictures like this one:
I think one picture is worth a thousand scrapbook pages, don't you?

Gina

What Not to Wear

2009-08-31T22:56:00.003-05:00

I tempted fate today and wore white pants for the second day in a row. It was a different pair, mind you, but the challenge was to see if I could get through another day without spilling or dropping something on them... or worse. Like the day when the car door slammed shut on my leg! There was a grease stain on the outside of my pant leg and blood on the inside- double whammy. Naturally, those are the days I am caught without my handy Tide to Go pen or Shout wipes.

So back to the white pants. I survived yesterday in a pair of Polo capris which I kept spotless through baking blueberry muffins, rinsing out a heavy crock pot of cheesy soup that had been soaking overnight, an hour and a half road trip, hubby's company picnic where I consumed baked beans, potato salad, and a grilled pork chop sandwich--complete with ketchup and mustard, pickles, and tomato slices. My only protection was one thin paper napkin that came in cellophane wrap with my spork and knife. After no lunch mishaps, I thought sure the tour through his factory would render some sort of stain momento but again I managed to escape unblemished.

So why would I test the law of averages and repeat the challenge today? Because Labor Day is coming and I only have 8 days to wear my precious bargain white jeans before the fashion alarms rings and it's time to put away the white.... I think.

Is this still true? My southern upbringing carries many rules to remember and I just don't know if they still apply these days. For instance:

No white after Labor Day or before Easter (same for straw handbags and linen clothing)
Don't mix patterns
Redheads shouldn't wear red (or pink, or gray)

Jewelry metals should all match
Shoes and Handbag should match
No mini skirts after 35-- no wait, that one came from "What Not to Wear"

I like to think of myself as an observer of trends and as one who fundamentally can put together a decent looking outfit, but when I go with The Princess into stores like Forever 21 and Heritage--I think to myself, there are no rules--they have done away with the rules--it's a generation in clothing chaos. Nothing makes sense to me! They mix all kinds of prints and colors. Skinny over loose, loose over skinny. ..metallics with tweed... velvet in the summer...it could drive a middle aged mother crazy! So with her, I just smile and say, "that looks cute" (and it does) and don't try to analyze what makes the outfit "work".
But as for me, I'll risk another day and keep on wearing my safe white jeans until the fashion police come calling...or till stains do us part.

Gina

What's in Your Trunk?

2009-08-31T00:09:00.004-05:00

You can generally know the season of the year by the contents of my car. It has been an unseasonable cool and wet summer here in Iowa. With a great deal of hope and optimism, I have driven around for the past 3 months with my fully stocked swim bag and poolside chair in the back of my vehicle just in case the occasion arose for a post-workday visit to the pool. That occasion only arose twice throughout the entire summer--what a bummer! So with some sadness, I said good-bye to summer that wasn't and cleared the sun-screen scented bag and it's contents out of my car to make room for the next seasons supplies:

Stadium blanket- check; padded stadium seats- check; emergency clothing kit (rain poncho and sweatshirt)- check.

As much as I may have missed Summer, I must say that I love, love, love Fall! Sunshine filled days and cooler evenings. Football games. Pick your own apple orchards. Corn mazes and pumpkin patches. And while I may have to take a drive up through the bluffs that line the mighty Mississippi to see vibrant tree colors, I think there is something spectacular about this region of the country during Fall. So since my car is packed with the essentials, I will look forward to this season and all it has in store.

Gina

There's Someone You Should Meet

2009-08-19T20:57:00.004-05:00

I am not a huge fan of the Lifetime channel but I do know where to go if I need to see what nobody will be wearing on Project Runway, or if I need a sappy movie cry fest, or if I have a hankering for past season episodes of Grey's Anatomy. However, my opinion of the network rose a bit when I heard about their "Every Woman Counts" campaign and it skyrocketed when they choose to feature someone I happen to know.

I first met Jodie when she was a newlywed, freshly transplanted to Iowa to join her new husband who was the worship pastor at the church we attended. I knew her as quiet and smart girl who would never put herself "out front" for any recognition (and was perhaps scarred for life when she was coerced into performing in the staff/spouse band during a women's ministry event). As she entered motherhood, I saw her handle the rambunctiousness of boys with unflappable style and grace. After my family moved to another city, I continued to follow her life through articles she wrote for a church publication then later through her blog. I was inspired by her family's journey of faith when they had a child born with physical challenges. Trusting God through that time stirred her already sensitive heart to open itself up to other children who are suffering in our world.

You can read more about her here, and I hope you will because she is really someone you should know...

Water for the Soul

2009-08-17T22:10:00.014-05:00

There's a blog post sitting in my drafts. It's not done and may not ever make it to the public domain. It's a list of the things that fill me up when I feel drained. One thing on my list is water. Whether it is a fragrant, bubble-filled tub, a sparkling blue swimming pool, a mountain lake, or a aqua blue ocean- I find water relaxing, soothing, and comforting.

One of the blogs I follow is doing a photo post. I found Angie's blog through the Show Us Where You Live carnival when she posted her lovely beach inspired home. So how appropriate it is that the first photos she is inviting us to share is about water.

So here are some of my favorite wet places:

Hot Springs Village, AR

Saugatauk Dunes State Park/Lake Michigan Holland, MI

Maui

Not only does Angie have a beautiful home but she is a great photographer too. Stop over here and see her photos as well as a few others for your own water inspiration.

Gina

Ahhhhgust

2009-08-11T16:01:00.005-05:00

It's August. Where has the summer gone? This has been an exceptionally cool and rainy summer in my neck of the woods so it just hasn't felt like summer to me. I grew up on the Texas coast and it's just not summer until you've dipped your toes in the sand and the ocean or at least in the chlorinated water of the swimming pool. I also love summer vacation trips, the smell of sunscreen, grilling out, fireworks, and summer produce from roadside stands.

But when August comes around, I am in back-to-school mode. As a former elementary teacher, I love the smell of musty classrooms, new books, and get 'the tingles" when the stores start putting out their school supplies. My season of back to school excitement is soon to be over. Last week I registered The Princess for her senior year. There was no school supply list. No new boxes of crayons or the latest Disney character emblazoned on a lunch box. There were, however, school fees, parking sticker fees, activity fees, yearbook purchase, lunch deposits, and graduation cap and gown purchases to be made. So much for free public education.

It's a new year and even being her last year of high school, I am going to savor every last bit of it. Right now she loves high school and can't imagine life any better than that. I'm sure her tune will change over the next 9 months and she will be ready to graduate and move on. So I'll wait (and save) because when the time comes to send her off to college, there will be bedding to coordinate, and dorm rooms to decorate, and a whole new list of new things to buy.

Gina

Never Underestimate a DIY Project

2009-07-17T23:19:00.008-05:00

It was a perfect storm--one old wicker love seat scavenged from a give-away pile, one too many posts by the queen of bargain shopping/refinishing, and one overdue promise to make-over The Princess' room-- so began my first trash-to-treasure project. I'm such an amateur that I forgot take any "before" pictures.

Several months ago I rescued a white wicker love seat from my neighbors driveway (it had a "free" sign on it). Never mind that these were the same neighbors I used to make fun of for all their random yard ornaments and lack of proper lawn maintenance. I walked behind my husband's car for a 1/2 block to make sure it didn't fall out from the corner to my house. Even after that gentle rescue, it sat in the garage for several weeks until I cleaned it up and brought it inside. I put it in College Boy's room because The Princess wanted NOTHING to do with it.
Some months later, I found Rhoda at Southern Hospitality and she inspired me with her knowledge of all things paintable and I thought, "why not?". I then moved the love seat back to the garage where it sat for another length of time whilst I searched for spray paint with the trigger sprayer lest I cramp my pointer finger using the old stand by spray paint can.

Once the trigger spray paint was located and a suitable color chosen (espresso brown), I left the Home Depot with my one can of paint--another novice move.
How was I to know that a worn white wicker love seat would soak that espresso paint up like a sponge to water? One can did not even come close to covering that little love seat. So I returned to the store and purchased 2 cans of trigger spray paint certain that this would complete my project. Wrong again. Certain that my purchase of multiple spray paint cans was raising the suspicions of the Home Depot sales team, I went to a different store and purchased 2 more cans of paint.
Five cans later and some $5 pillows from Walmart, the project came to completion and The Princess deemed the love seat suitable for her dwelling.

I will never underestimate another spray paint project again!

More evidence of my inexperience--telltale spray paint on hubby's garage floor!

And for those who really missed seeing The Princess room on the Show Us Where You Live Home Tour:

Disclaimers

2009-07-08T11:12:00.005-05:00

Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear

Individual results may vary

Use only as directed

Enlarged to show detail

Sent from my iPhone, not spel cheked

That's just the way she is...

So maybe you've never seen that last one written down, but have you said it? Has it ever been said of you?

On the journey of becoming more like Christ, I strive to become less like me. I do not want my behavior, my words, or my attitude to be excused by the phrase, "that's just the way she is". It's a transforming work my Lord is doing in me and on my best days, all I can do is cooperate!

Gina

I Ate at Bishops...and I Liked It!

2009-07-07T23:28:00.005-05:00

After dropping off The Princess at her last cheer camp of her high school career, I made a stop at the mall in the town. I find it my civic duty to stimulate the economy of the local economy whenever the opportunity presents itself. After a casual stroll through the mall, I sensed the need for some nourishment and headed to the food court to check out my choices. Finding no court to speak of but only a few unappealing fast food choices, I decided to see what the Bishops Buffet had to offer.
I was drawn in by the $6 all you can eat buffet and was undaunted by its reputation as a senior citizen hangout. Maybe I'm getting too close to that discount rate age, but I enjoyed my meal and the experience. Okay, laugh if you must but I found it all quite pleasant.

Here are some of my observations from my short lunch at Bishops:

Sliding a tray through a meal line brought fond memories of summer church camps & college dining halls
"Life is short, eat dessert first". What's not to love about a place that has dessert as one of the first choices you make!

Real food on real plates--no paper bags, wrappers, or plastic take home containers!
Not once did a cell phone ring.
Conversation over dinner. No one appeared to be in a hurry and they were willing to sit and stay a while (and no annoyed waitstaff hoping you'd leave so they could seat another guest)
No matter how young or old you are, there is someone willing to carry your tray!

I don't care if they card me on future visits--I'll go back again!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation...

2009-07-07T22:35:00.009-05:00

In the absence of a longer summer vacation, we have planned a couple of shorter getaways. Not really a staycation but weekend trips taking in the sights of our region of the country.
Our first weekend getaway was at the invite of some friends from days gone by asking us to join them for the 4th of July weekend at their family cabin in Michigan. We were able to combine it with a business stop for my hubby which "bought" us another day for the holiday. His business stop took us to Holland, Michigan. It is a lovely little town that we had visited in October. I fell in love with their beautiful downtown area and was able to spend a couple of hours walking it while hubby did his work. Besides the shopping district, the city has made every effort to keep the downtown area guest friendly. In the winter, the sidewalks are thermal heated to keep the ice and snow cleared. I missed the green spaces and statues on my last visit and they were especially beautiful with the foliage this time of year.
After his business was finished, we traveled further north to an area that boasts of being on the 45th parallel--halfway between the equator and north pole. For the first part of the weekend, it felt like it was closer to the north pole than the equator. Even for someone who seriously overpacks, I didn't have enough warm clothes for the unseasonable temperatures. So much for my plans of sitting poolside and finishing the latest Kingsbury book. Our hosts were gracious and we found other ways to spend our time.

Hubby found the green golf courses a good distraction...

while I spent some time sampling all sorts of cherry products at the national cherry festival in Traverse City. Even for a salsa snob like me, the cherry salsa was worth a purchase!

It was a good trip but, as always, it is good to be home. Hope you had a memorable 4th!

Show Us Where You Live- Master Bedrooms

2009-06-25T23:49:00.005-05:00

This week we are touring master bedrooms. Our bedroom furniture was the first thing I bought with my first real job paycheck. We had been married a few months. When we got married, to my husband's credit we were determined not to live on our combined incomes. We purposed to live on his income and bank my checks for building a savings. We "splurged" one check on the bedroom furniture--and it's lasted us 29 years! I must say that it is so NOT my style anymore but other furniture replacement has always taken a higher priority than my bedroom. It will be the priority on the next move but in the meantime and due to some inspiration from some other bloggers, I want to paint our furniture black. My good friend Miss B is going to coach me through the process but a project that big needs to have a plan and a schedule. So until then, here's a look at the before.

I told you how the whole room makeover idea got started here. I still like my wall color and since it's the same as the master bath, changing it all would be a job that I'm really not up for. Here's my inspiration room from Ballard Designs. Come back in a few weeks (or months) to see how it all comes together!

Thanks for stopping by! Go see Kelly for more masterful bedrooms!
Gina

Show Us Where You Live- Bonus Room

2009-06-21T20:48:00.006-05:00

I'm really late posting this week's tour. I don't know where my week has gone! This week is my pick for the tour and I'm showing our lower level. I never had a basement until we moved to Iowa--well, that's not exactly true our first house in Georgia was built by a couple from Ohio who thought every house should have a basement. If you know anything about south Georgia red clay soil, you know that we had a basement that stayed wet ALL the time-totally useless!

Iowa basements are quite handy--like now when there are multiple tornado warnings and watches out for our area! The lower level was not finished when we bought the house but negotiated to have it finished. The main living area is a long narrow room that has been a furniture arranging nightmare. That area was supposed to be our tv watching space as well as a place for the kids to bring their friends and hang out. Our furniture is all the cast offs from decorating days gone by. I was saving the furniture for the boys first apartments but so far no one is taking me up on the offer. It's still a nice place to hang out and the frieze carpet hides a multitude of sins, spills, and snacks!

We also added a "guest room" and a full bath which don't get used as much as I would like.

But my favorite place in the lower level is my storage room. My husband fitted it with Gorilla Shelving for all my Dept. 56 collectibles, seasonal decor, as well as 29 years of things that I just can't part with. On the unfinished wall, I put up nails to hold my many door wreaths and have this little table for crafting or gift wrapping projects.

Thanks again for stopping by. Stop over at Kelly's Korner to see what other people have posted.

Ya'll come back now! (I don't get to say that near enough living in the midwest!)

Gina

Nature Watch

2009-06-16T21:37:00.010-05:00

A break in the day long rain gave me an opportunity to catch a few photos of my backyard on this not-yet-quite summer day. I wanted to get a picture of the plants in the backyard before the rabbits made their dinner off of them. Caught one suspect near the scene...

On the other side of the yard, a gathering of birds remind me of the Alfred Hitchcock movie, The Birds.

Gerber Daisies on the patio table

Spider mum arrangement I put together for a going away party for a co-worker:

Gina

A Walk to Remember

2009-06-14T13:34:00.005-05:00

Last June our city was inundated with the rising waters from the Cedar River and not only was the downtown area completely submerged but the 100 year flood plain and the 500 year flood plain were under water.

Just a couple of years before, a few churches in our city combined efforts for a citywide move to express our faith towards others in our city through prayer, care and share initiatives. Little did we know how God was going to use that gathering of people to impact our community in the months following the flood.
Last year at this time volunteers were gathering to help evacuate people from their homes and sand bags were being filled in a vain attempt to hold back the rising waters. Last summer there were shelters to man, cleaning kits and fresh water to be handed out, and gaps to be filled as churches and businesses were relocated. In the fall, these churches partnered with 8 Days of Hope to bring in volunteers and skilled workers from all around the country to rebuild homes in the flood affected area. It's been a year long process of redeeming what could be salvaged and clearing off what could not.

This weekend our city is commemorating the floods that decimated our fine city and celebrating the recovery efforts of many people, businesses, and organizations.

One of the events I participated in was the 7 mile walk/run of the flood affected area. I have never done a walk or run before and after encouragement from some gals from church (these are some of the Grand Canyon ladies) and with the company of my husband and daughter, I joined 2000 people for Run the Flood. It was all very official feeling with t-shirts, race numbers, and a timer chip. My only goal was to finish and not to finish last.

It was fitting that the race started in the rain. The path was well marked and attended along the way with well wishers and volunteers to cheer us along. Many of the race volunteers were from area churches and their smiles and cheers were indeed encouraging. Last year's flood levels were also marked with blue tape along the path as well. While we dodged standing rain puddles on this day, it was minor compared to the 12 feet of water that stood in the same area just a year ago. Most encouraging was the business owners who are now back in business who also came out to cheer us, give high 5's and say thank you. About $50,000 was raised through the registration fees that will go to the on-going downtown recovery efforts.

It was a great challenge but great fun as well...and I didn't finish last! Here's my time as I crossed the finish line (not bad for an old gal). I stayed in the middle of the pack and had friends to keep me company.

Dad and daughter walked their own pace and had a couple hours of uninterrupted conversation. Here they are joining me at the finish line:

Thank goodness for whirlpool tubs, Advil and Icy Hot, I lived to tell about it!

Gina

Visit the Loo

2009-06-11T22:40:00.009-05:00

Loo, water closet, powder room, little girls room, john, can...

Whatever you call it, I was a little uncertain I wanted to show it on this week's Show Us Where you Live Tour. But I really like my bathrooms and I cleaned them up for company so here you go...

I'll start upstairs and work my way down.

Master Bath. Painted same sage green as Master bedroom. I love that the counter is taller than normal and the big mirror stretches the length of the double vanity--that is until it's time to clean the mirror! Our last house did not have a tub in the Master and I love me a good soak so it was top priority for this house. The shower is across from the potty but not anything spectacular to show off. Hopefully, the next house will have a BIG shower with multiple jets.

The Princess' bathroom. When we moved in 5 years ago, she was 12 and was sharing the bathroom with her 15 year old brother so I had it painted a gender neutral color. Now that she has it all to herself, I didn't repaint but have felt free to girl it up with the pink and green shower
curtain and towels.

The Red room. I love a red room and think every house should have one. For this house, I picked my powder room on the main level to paint SW Red Bay red. I had the builder frame the mirror and love how the white pops against the red. I just added the wire corner shelf so I'm not sure how practical it is to keep in this small space.

Lower level/Guest bath. I really wanted to paint this bathroom brown but I went through 5 sample colors and they all looked like poop (sorry) so my friend came over and helped me find this bluish green color that would look good with the wall colors in the guest bedroom and living area. I've tried to make it very spa like and stock it with hotel size shampoos and soaps. At Christmas/Winter I hang a red berry wreath where the grapevine is and accessorize with other red elements.

For more pretty pottys go here and enjoy the tour--just put the lid down when you are done.

Gina

Some Wild Hairs Should Be Left Alone...

2009-06-09T15:43:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I got what my momma would call a wild hair. For those of you not acquainted with southern colloquialisms, a "wild hair" is the spontaneous urge to do something. Some wild hairs should just be left alone.

It went something like this...

One day earlier:

The comforter on my bed needed cleaning so I took it off the bed to send to the cleaners.

I replaced it with a lighter weight down comforter. I liked the look crisp, clean look of the white comforter but thought it probably needed a duvet cover and now none of my pillows look quite right on the white.

The next day:

I went to Bed, Bath & Beyond with my 20% coupon looking for a deal that would transform my bed for a summer look.

I couldn't decide on a color because the sage green on my walls is really hard to match.

I went home without a duvet cover.

Later that evening after some online browsing for bedding inspiration I decided I needed a paint swatch to help me on my next shopping excursion. Having found none, I went down to the basement for a stored can of touch up paint to make my own.

The paint lid had been replaced by some painter with mammoth strength or had adhered itself to the paint can and took many and various screwdrivers and kitchen utensils to pry open.

Made my paint swatch. Washed out my paintbrush.

Went to replace the somewhat bent can lid back on paint can. This would require the assistance of a rubber mallet from the garage tool collection.

Go to the garage. Find the mallet from hubby's wall of tools.

In removing rubber mallet from its assigned location, a rusty rake topper (why did we keep just the top?) fell off the peg board and jammed into my wrist. Wrist begins to bleed. Wash out cut with peroxide. Put away paint can. Go to bed and hope I don't bleed on the white, unprotected down comforter.

Today:

Wake up with throbbing wrist and wondered when I had a tetanus shot.

If you don't hear from me for a few days, you will know that I did in fact get lock jaw and I'm hopelessly dying on my uncovered bed.

PS. Here's my inspiration from Ballard Designs--but more about that later:

Gina

Summmertime, Here I Come

2009-06-08T19:52:00.007-05:00

It's not officially the first day of summer but for almost all of my life-- whether I was a student, a teacher, or a stay-at-home mom--the seasons were dictated more by the school calendar than anything else. Today was The Princess' first day out of school and even though I had to go off to work, my mind went into summer planning mode. Gone are the days of swim lessons, ball practices and weekends at the baseball/softball fields. They've been replaced with College Boy's summer classes to stay on the graduation schedule, cheer camp for The Princess, and summer jobs for all. Gone are the days of popsicles in the freezer, slip n slides in the yard, and jars on hand for an evening of catching lightening bugs. I still stock the fridge with easy to make meals and the pantry with snacks. I make sure there's wood for a spontaneous firepit and a box of brownies and plenty of microwave popcorn for sleepover snacks.
I used to make a list of chores and projects for the kids to complete while I worked the morning away from home. The promised reward was usually a trip to the pool in the afternoon if tasks were completed. That was when it wasn't too embarassing to be seen with your mom at the neighborhood pool. That was back when I was good for some new pool toy or .50 to spend at the snack bar.
Now days I still love to sit poolside with a good book or, better yet, conversation with the friends who have children to bring to the pool. And because I'm not ever sure when the weather or my afternoon schedule will accommodate such an outing, I stay prepared. In the back of my car the swim bag sits packed alongside a beach chair & blanket in case the poolchairs are all taken. I may always long for the summertimes of yesterday but I'm not giving up on the hopes of summer yet to come!

Show Us Where You Live- Home Office

2009-06-04T23:26:00.016-05:00

This week on Kelly's Show Us Where You Live Home Tour, she is featuring home offices. I posted about my office makeover here but didn't do much to show you the decor of the room. We have had a room to designate as a home office in the last 2 homes we've lived in. When the kids were younger, it was the homework room. That's where we would stash the family computer and so it was also the bill paying, email checking center for my husband and I.

Then came the laptop computers and wireless internet. Truth be told, the office is less frequently used these days when it's way more convenient to sit in the family room with the laptops and do our work. Now days it's mostly where I go to file the bills, store the most recently completed book, and where hubby and The Princess download their music.

We have a mixed theme going on in the office. I have these prints that I've had for ages. At one time my hubby was into old radios and collected them so in another house, I displayed the prints with some of his radios.

I also created this golfing vignette to reflect his lifelong passion for golf. He also has a ball rack filled with collectors balls from various places he has played but it is too heavy to hang on a wall. As I said before, this area goes unappreciated as hubby spends most of his time in the family room with the laptop at his throne.

The pig collection is mine--you will need to understand that I'm an alumni of The University of Arkansas whose mascot is a Razorback. This little piggy started it all. I found her on one of our trips to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and had to have her (she comes with a nametag and life story).

Her name is Madeline Dubois Pigasus and I think she's precious!The print was found on clearance at Kirklands and the small cast iron pig was an unexpected find at a coffee shop in a quaint little town near where I live.

When our builder's wife was cleaning the house before we moved in she remarked how much she loved the yellow color on the walls and asked if it was going to be a nursery. After I quit choking and laughing simultaneously, I said "no, at 46 years old it was definitely not intended to be a nursery!" But it is a lovely color of yellow from Sherman Williams called Golden Fleece. I liked the color so much, I painted the guest room downstairs the same color.

And lastly, the corner of good intentions. When The Princess started high school, it was my intention to scrapbook each year as it happened. I thought it would be a good bonding experience for us and ease the pressure of having a picture portfolio to display at her graduation party. My mother had given me all of her scrap booking tools when she declared herself "retired" from archiving the family records. Turns out neither The Princess nor I really liked scrap booking with all it's choices of borders, backgrounds, lettering, photo frames, etc. The Princess will be a senior this fall and I need a serious scrap booking intervention. Maybe I can bring my mom out of retirement on this project!

Thanks again for stopping by and taking the tour. Come again real soon now!
Gina

I Said 'I Do'

2009-05-31T22:08:00.007-05:00

29 years ago I said "I Do".
I found someone who loved God and loved me. 29 years later he still does. He was loyal and stable and gentle and kind. 29 years later he still is.

He was a thinker, I was a talker. He slightly introverted, me more outgoing. He was a saver, I was a spender. I said "I Do" and hoped we could find a balance.

29 years ago I said "I Do". I didn't know it would mean 5 moves, 4 states, and 4 career changes (3 mine, 1 his) but I would still follow him wherever he leads.

29 years ago I didn't know that parenting could be both a joy and a challenge. But 2 dogs, 3 children, lots of trying our best, some mistakes, a few heartaches, and several joys later I would still rather partner with him on this journey that do it alone.

He is strong when I am weak. I am up when he is down.

We are a pretty much an even match at Scrabble.

He is logical, I am creative. He likes to stay at home, I like to go, go, go!

We are still very different but have found how to make it work.

29 years ago I said "I Do" to love and to life together--no matter what.
29 years later, I still do.

Show Us Where You Live- Children's Rooms

2009-05-27T23:46:00.008-05:00

"Jillian, Jillian, Jillian Jiggs, it looks like your room has been lived in by pigs!" "Later I promise, as soon as I'm through. I'll clean my whole room up, I promise, I do."

Jillian Jiggs by Phoebe Gilman

Welcome to my nearly empty nest
Where once I could have shown off a room filled with a treasured teddy bear collection mixed with sports memorabilia, is now a tranquil sleeping room for guests.

Where once the College Boy dwelled with his volumes of books and spare computer parts, is now a catch-all room and off season clothing storage area.

Today's tour leaves me in distress as the only room occupied by offspring is often a mess.
I've bribed and I've threatened, I've aided and abetted
but most days I just close the door and ignore what gets me besetted.

For the squeamish or for the idealistic, please be warned--You might want to look away!

Sorry, I couldn't bring myself to show you what's behind closed doors!

A Whirlwind Weekend

2009-05-25T22:14:00.008-05:00

For most of our married lives, we have lived some distance away from our families. We have been as close as 1 1/2 hours away and as far as 16 hours away. When our children were younger, we made trips "home" a priority. Our parents were young enough to make those long distance journeys to see us a couple of times a year as well. It wasn't ideal but we made the best of the situation.

As our children and parents have aged, those trips have become more difficult for everyone but some occasions call for a special effort. The first wedding in the family is such an occasion and so it was with great anticipation that we drove 12 hours for our nephew's wedding. On summer break and with a flexible work schedule, only College Boy could join us for the trip. It would be a scaled down version of previous family trips.

Since we were included in the Friday evening rehearsal, we gave ourselves some margin in the schedule and drove down on Thursday. Car rides are like a tranquilizer to me and most often I'm asleep 15 minutes into the drive. This day my hubby was fighting a migraine so I was called into active duty. With enough crunchy or chewy candy and some good tunes, I can stay awake while driving. My other weakness is that I'm directionally challenged. Fortunately, the GPS helps keeps me on the right route.

While I was busy staying awake and staying on track, I failed to check my fuel usage until I was 11 miles to empty. My theory is that this number is an estimate and that the manufacturer gives people like me a "grace period"--but I was not going to test out this theory on a particularly long and lonely stretch of interstate through Missouri. Uncertain of how close the next town or gas station would be and not wanting to wake my husband (both for my embarrassment and his mental health), I prayed hard and out loud. No sooner than I had said AMEN, there was a sign indicating an exit with fuel in the next mile. I was relieved! I took the exit only to find that the gas station was defunct! I could see another highway crossing the exit road about another mile down the way and thought that might be worth a try. Low and behold there was a Baptist church sitting next to some kind of petroleum business. It must be a sign! The station looked like the kind of place that farmers frequent for their diesel fuel but I was hoping they had something that would work in my car! The "store" was closed, but there were pumps (old timey ones) and some kind of card reader so I still had hope. To answer my prayers above and beyond what I asked, there was also a friendly man filling up his car. He kindly showed me how to work the pumps & card reader. A full tank later, I was back on the road again!

My mother in law had a light meal waiting for us when we arrived. How come turkey sandwiches taste so much better when someone else is making them for you? Top off the sandwiches and Rotel dip with homemade turtle brownies and we were revived from our long trip home.

On Friday morning, hubby got up early to take his dad for some medical tests at the hospital in the next town. MIL, College Boy and I met the men for breakfast after the tests then went on for a little wedding shopping for College Boy whose wardrobe is limited to t-shirts and hoodies.

Friday evening was the rehearsal followed by dinner at a quaint downtown Little Rock restaurant. It was a great evening celebrating these two young people who have spent as much time preparing themselves for their life together as they had the details of the wedding day. There were toasts and tears and lots of joy that night!

Saturday threatened rain showers but we arrived at the church on time and dry for family pictures. The ceremony was beautiful and officiated by both the bride and groom's youth pastors. They testified to their spiritual growth over the years and what strengths each of them bring to the marriage. Their were more tears and a few prayers. I do's were said and the party began!

The bride's family hosted a wonderful party at the Little Rock Country Club. Beautiful decorations, wonderful food and a rockin band kept the party going until late in the evening.

On Sunday, we drove another 1 1/2 hours to see my parents. My brother and his wife joined us for some yummy mexican food at one of our favorite restaurants and then an afternoon of catching up with each other in person.

Sunday night was back to the in laws house for a head start on the return trip on Monday.
Today hubby drove all the way in the rain for most of the trip...and I slept!

Happy Trails to you!
Gina

It's Just Different with Girls

2009-05-19T22:31:00.004-05:00

When I was the mother of boys and special occasion dances came around, I was usually the last to know. I would often depend on the knowledge that the mothers of girls always seemed to posses like where were they taking pictures, where were they going out to eat, when did the dance start--you know, the important stuff.

When I was the mother of boys and special occasions came around, I coached them on manners, helped them pick out flowers, advised on proper attire (and assured them they would not be the only one wearing a tie), and just hoped that they showered before they dressed for the evening. I rarely got pictures of the evening's festivities.

Now that I am a mother of a girl, those same special occasions are quite a bit different. I've heard all about the plans, the changes in plans, and the drama involved with the changes in plans. My fashion advisement is in regards to appropriateness and affordability. We've scheduled nail appointments, hair appointments, tanning sessions, and purchased teeth whitening products. They coordinate their appointments and get dressed in groups to offer last minute fashion advice and the occasional correction of an up-do gone wrong.

Now that I'm a mother of a girl, there are nails to paint and hair to put up. There are jewels to adorn and shoes to be worn. There are dates to be interrogated and pictures to be taken...and then they are out the door.

Now that I'm a mother of a girl, there are prayers to be said and no sleep to be had until The Princess is back home safely in bed.

Reality Check

2009-05-18T13:07:00.002-05:00

Last week was full of drama--
Biggest Loser finale
American Idol final 3
Grey's Anatomy cliffhanger
24
Survivor finale
my daughter's junior prom...

But only one of those events was real in my life.

I've previously confessed to watching way too much TV and now I add reading too many blogs/websites to that confession. Last week I found myself caught up in the emotion of the "Jon & Kate plus Eight" controversy/gossip. I've always loved the show and was sad to hear of possible marital problems between the couple. If the rumors are true, I defended their right to privacy to work things out. If the rumors were not true, I am outraged that such a thing would be advertised simply as a publicity ploy to generate interest for the upcoming season.

After spending much of the week on an emotional roller coaster, what I came to realize is that I was "borrowing" things to worry or fret over. These reality shows are not my real life!

Along the same line of thought-- blog people are not really my friends either. Potential friends perhaps-- I know there are people who have met in the blogosphere and met in real life and formed friendships. But for now, for me, no matter how much I read about them, comment to them or even receive comments back--we do not have a upclose and personal relationship. I have never given them a hug nor received one back. I have never sat across a table and shared a plate of nachos or more importantly, shared deeper heart issues.

What is real in my life are the family and freinds that are here for a hug, a cry, a smile or a pat on the back. They are the ones who write me notes of encouragement, who dare to speak truth into my life, and who love me in spite of myself. It is for them that I am putting some personal boundaries in place and monitoring how much of the unreal world I allow into my life.

"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."

Ephesians 4:8-9 The Message

Keeping it real,
Gina

Friday Home Tour- Guest Room

2009-05-15T21:22:00.003-05:00

Welcome to the Home Tour!
This week Kelly is having us show our guest rooms. Good thing, I needed some motivation to get downstairs and spruce things up. It's been a while since I had real guests to occupy the space. Most usually College Boy stays down there giving up his old room to his girlfriend so she can share the "girl" bathroom with The Princess. I guess, technically, his old room is also a guest room too.

When we bought this house 5 years ago, we chose to finish out the lower level for a family/media room, guest room, and full bath. Sadly, stay over guests are few and far between but I try to keep it guest ready for a moment's notice. The Princess still has impromptu sleepovers downstairs but those "guests" usually end up on the couches and floor. I love using our home to entertain friends and family. I've had the privilege of exercising the gift of hospitality by opening up the space to a couple of summer interns over the past 5 years and hope to do the same this summer.

So here's the lower level guest room and bath:

Thanks for stopping by. Come back anytime!
Gina

At a Closer Look

2009-05-08T11:50:00.004-05:00

The Princess has been saying that we need a new camera...before Prom and all those big moment events that will happen between now and graduation.

Looking now at my house tour pictures here and here, I've determined:

A. I stayed up way too late...

B. I had way too much caffeine in order to stay up late...

C. She is right, and we need a new camera!

Show Us Where You Live- Family Room Edition

2009-05-07T22:52:00.014-05:00

Welcome!
I had so much fun looking at all the beautiful kitchens that Kelly had us post last week that I thought I'd play along again. When we moved to this city 5 years ago, we downsized a bit from our previous home. One of the things I could give up was the formal living room. We never used them in the houses we previously owned and no matter how much older I get, I just don't seem to be the "formal" type. Our family room is open to the kitchen/dining area and I like that for family time and entertaining.
Here's the view from my front door:
And a close up of the corner table. It came from my office in a previous life and I've been looking for something else to go there for 5 years! When I do find it, this table will go behind the couch where this lone end table has been doing a decent job of providing some visual depth behind the sofa.

And on the other side of the room-- our "ma and pa" chairs. I used to make fun of my
parents with their his and hers recliners but we do get territorial with our chairs don't we? The chair and a half belongs to the man of the house but when he's away...whoever is in it, owns it! I do love my leather wing back though and it's a recliner too. The leather is just a little cold in the winter which is why this blanket is usually hanging on the back of it! I've just recently added this basket tray to hold the remotes and my latest editions of Midwest Living. The candle is battery operated...and fragrant!

There are 2 areas in my family room that are a source of contention for me.
One area is the TV. We started out 5 years ago in agreement not to have a TV in this room. We finished out the basement and installed surround sound in the family room down there. We both agreed that by moving the TV area downstairs it would make watching TV an intentional act. What we didn't count on was how stinking COLD it is the the lower level...in Iowa... in the winter. So the first compromise was that we would get a small TV that could sit on the end table and easily be put away when we were entertaining. It grew from there and that little TV has now grown to a 47 " complete with surround sound, DVR, DVD, and some other equipment that also requires a remote to operate. I've always believed that a TV should been heard and not seen (well, something like that) so have always hidden our TVs in a piece of furniture with doors. I cannot find such a wooden contraption in all my shopping excursions so the TV sits in broad view on this inexpensive stand from Target.Contention area #2 is the fireplace mantel. It has been my decorating bane for the past 5 during the spring/summer seasons. I have decor I like for fall & winter but have yet to find the right thing for spring and summer. I like Pottery Barn's style but this year's accessories are very beachy and that just does not make sense in Iowa. So here's my fireplace:

Discuss amongst yourselves. Your suggestions are welcome here!

Gina

It needed cleaning anyway...

2009-05-05T00:55:00.009-05:00

I was having a little insomnia and decided to catch up with the blogging world where I see that Kelly is having fun on Fridays with a virtual home tour for anyone who wants to play. This week she is touring kitchens and since mine needed cleaning anyway, I decided I would play.

Here's the view from the family room:

This is the first house I've lived in where I had light colored cabinets and I have liked the change but I love my dark wood and bring it in with the black table. We bought the house just as the builder was completing it and I was able to make a few changes to meet our needs better. The center island was originally a two level bar meant for eating at. I like to serve buffet style and do a good deal of entertaining, so I had that island removed and put the larger granite island in it's place. We added the bookshelf at the end. It's functional for storage but I change out my baskets, mugs, and decor with the seasons.

One thing I could not change was the small pantry area in the kitchen. It just wasn't going to be enough for my family of 5 so I took the coat closet just off the kitchen and across from the laundry and turned it into a pantry!
I like to change things around on my counters but like them to be as clutter free as possible. Here's one little corner that I love:

Thanks for stopping by!

Gina

Oh yes I did, I had to...

2009-04-28T11:17:00.006-05:00

Clear the air. Set things right. Excuse oneself. Retract. Grovel. Whatever you call it, I knew that I needed to do it. Apologize, ask forgiveness. Be set free.

I needed to do it for the reputation of my Lord.
I needed it to do it in honor of my parents/the way I was raised.
I needed to do it to clear my own conscience.

So this morning, I returned to the scene of the crime.

"Please Lord, don't let there be anyone else around."
There was.

"Please Lord, I don't want to cry in front of strangers"
I did-- and it was the scrunched up face, ugly cry.

But I said the words and meant them from the bottom of my repentant heart.

She was surprised by my admission and gently granted forgiveness.

What a way to start the day...