A little of this and a little of that

This morning as I was getting ready for work, I noticed there were some major shoe shelf violations at the back door.  Do you see those two bottom, mostly empty, shelves...

Madolyn and I are in compliance with the Shoe Shelf Code.  Jay and Lane are not.  They just keep laughing, but it's not so funny when you trip on shoes as you walk in the door...is it?

Soaking up some rays.

Sweet Josie will search the house for a ray of sunshine and plop down.  It's so funny sometimes to find her in obscure places because she has found a patch of sunlight.

Madolyn finished her Spring club volleyball season.  It won't be long and she will be practicing and attending open gyms for High School Volleyball. (How crazy is that?  Mad will be a freshman!)

I took a last tournament photo of her Force Pink team. We were missing on player who was at a track meet.  One of the best parts of this club was meeting and playing with girls from area schools.

It was funny hearing them say, "baa" before every line. 

We had the closing program to our Wednesday night youth last week.  Madolyn's bunch did a skit and were sheep.  The girls did a good job and may have a future in acting...as farm animals.

Lane turned 10 a while back.  It's hard to believe that it has been a decade since he joined our family.

I'm not really sure why he is making this face...to be goofy, I imagine. We're all excited when someone wants a DQ Ice Cream Cake!

I'm glad my in-laws are good sports!

We celebrated Lane & Grandma's birthdays along with Easter.  It isn't a party until there is silly string EVERYWHERE.   Thankfully, it's an easy clean-up once it dries.

This was payback from Aunt Ashley & Uncle Jordan.  We gave our nephew silly string for his birthday...at their house.

I must end with this photo...a true portrayal of our daughter.  She loves to be in her volleyball uniform.  Slap on a pair of boots, grab a pig stick and you've got pig-show training apparel.

Going back to the basics

Just a follow-up to my 2014 perspective on Adam & Eve.  As I continued to read on in Genesis, I was struck by the simplicity (but very strong message) of that story and how it could be so pertinent in today's culture.

God told Adam (and Eve) not to do something, but they did it anyway and guess what?  They had to pay the price for it.  It wasn't pretty either.  What had been set up to be a life of perfection was now...pain during child birth, shame, soil filled with weeds, hard work and pain.

I saw someone post something on Facebook similar to this:  We put a dog down when it bites a human, causing injury, pain and suffering.  Yet, when a human does the same thing...

That is a pretty harsh statement maybe, but stepping back and thinking about it, hmm, it kind of makes sense.  Have we lost sight of a very simple concept?

Maybe we should go back to the basics.  If you do something wrong, you face the consequences.  Stop blaming someone else and take responsibility for your actions.

And I think to myself, Oh, if only it were that easy, and yet, maybe it is...

Adam & Eve with a 2014 Perspective

Most of us know the importance of the story of Adam & Eve and the forbidden fruit.  God put Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden and specifically told Adam... And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it, you will certainly die."  (Genesis 2:16-17)

Pretty clear instruction, wasn't it?  And what did Eve do?  She let herself become convinced by the serpent that eating the apple would make things clearer to her...and boy, did it.

Now, let's put this scenario into a 2014 perspective...

God places Adam and his companion in the garden, tells them specifically what not to do, and they do it. They are immediately ashamed and face the music.

Most certainly God is to blame for this and should be sued for their pain and suffering.  It is God's fault that Eve disobeyed because God put that pretty red apple right in front of her.  He should have known she would not be able to fight the temptation of eating it and the consequences she would face as a result.

I'm thinking that, as a direct descendant, I could even sue God for pain and suffering.  How about we make it a class action lawsuit.

Makes perfect sense, don't you think?

The Ab Challenge

Last week, it dawned on me that I had about four-and-a-half weeks until vacation.  A beach vacation. Which means swimsuits - puke!  I'm sick to death of trying to lose weight, I just want to be healthy so I decided I need to work with what I have.  And regardless of what the scale says, my body is weak and out of shape.

I've known for quite a while that I need to work on strengthening my core.  The core of your body is responsible for more than I realized.  It needs to be strong to support us.  My lower back aches, body aches and posture, I'm hoping, will be improved by a stronger middle.

So like I mentioned, last week it hit me that it was now or never, as far as vacation goes, in toning up what I've got.  If I happen to lose a couple pounds between now and then, I'll take that as well, but I am on a mission to try to firm up my mid-section.

I started looking on Pinterest for a good Ab workout.  Oh good heavens, that silly website gets me every time.  Overwhelms me, makes my head spin.  You click here, and then here and it takes you there, ahhhh!  Finally, I went to my beloved Google and just typed in what I was looking for.  (What did we do before Google?)

There are many different Ab work-outs and challenges in cyber space, but I finally found one that looked doable.  And by doable, I mean, short and sweet.    A let's-get-right-down-to-business type of plan.  30 days to firmer abs.  Do you promise?  Oh yes, I'll take one of those, please.

My biggest concern was seeing the 120-second plank on day 30.  Do you realize that 120 seconds is two minutes?  Two minutes isn't a long time when you're driving down the road or watching television, but when you're shaking and biting your lip to hold yourself up by your arms and abs, two minutes is close to an eternity.

I decided, regardless of the intimidating 120-second plank, I could do this or die trying.  I got Madolyn on board and my friend Traci, who is under the same timeline for her son's wedding.  Jay decided to jump on the Ab challenge train.  Then Lane was watching us and thought it would be good for him to prepare for football this summer.  We were eating supper with some friends, who we are vacationing with, and they decided they would all do it too.

Funny thing, I told a few of these folks that I would probably do more than the required amount of sit-ups because how could 15 sit-ups do any good?  I had serious ground to cover...

I'm on day eight and what I feared most - the plank - is the least of my worries.  Real sit-ups are the spawn of Satan, I tell you.  And what is crazy is that I used to do all kinds of ab exercises without any problem.  It is amazing how your body falls out of sync so quick.  Of course, when I use the phrase 'so quick', I'm talking like six years or so.  Yes, I think it has been that long since I did any kind of ab routine more than once in a six-month period.

And as long as Lane Truman isn't lying next to me as I do the challenge, I can get through it.  If that little booger is there 'coaching' me, I crumble.  He laughs the whole time, which makes me laugh, and I can't get through it.  It's best to let mama go at it alone...

Regardless of how my abs look at the end of this 30 days, mentally, I already feel better.  And the amazing thing, as my bff Jay said, is how fast our bodies re-adjust and get right back in the groove.  The first night, when I plopped down on the floor to do those super easy, nothing-to-worry-about-sit-ups, I soon realized how far out of it I was.  It was all I could do to complete those 15 sit-ups...the whole time thoughts of failure were filling my head.  I was going to press on and do my best, but doing 50 sit-ups, let alone 125 (day 30)  were seemingly out of reach.  A pure fantasy in my mind.

Last night I did half of my sit-ups (1/2 of 40) without using the couch to hold my feet.  Truly, I could not believe it.  How was I already able to do that?  When just a few days ago, I could barely muster up the strength to pull myself up to my knees with the huge couch holding me down.  I'm so determined to finish this challenge and prove to myself, and maybe a couple of my roommates, that I'm not a complete weakling!

Today is a rest day, yee-haw.  Every four days, we get one of those, to allow our body to recover.  Similar to my thoughts of doubling up on some of the sit-ups at the beginning, I thought rest days were going to be such a waste.  How silly was I!  The first one was like manna from heaven!  Today is our second rest day and I plan to enjoy it.

Just like with anything, taking that first step is the most difficult and often the most important.  I've known for a long time that I needed to do something, anything, to improve my aching body.  Madolyn, an over-achiever at times like her father, suggested throwing in a 30-day leg challenge, I told her one thing at a time is all I can handle right now.  This gal is a work in progress.  But who knows, after the abs are complete, I just may be ready to tackle the next one!

**And no, I will not be posting before & after pictures...you'll just have to take my word for it.**

Wonderful Workin' Women

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
She can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faith instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness...
"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.  
                                                        Proverbs 31:25-27,29-31  (NIV)

This is my belated Mother's Day post.  I'm not as far behind as I am sometimes...(RE:  Happy New Year's Cards in February)

Last week there was a local group sponsoring a porkburger drive-thru, which is a pretty good fundraiser in these parts.  Everyone loves a porkburger cooked by the Pork Producers.  Normally, you get them during fair time, but because of the ingenious idea of these fundraisers, we get them a little more often.  (Shoot, now my stomach is growling...)

Anyway, back to women...I drove over on my lunch hour to visit the drive-thru, parked my car and walked up to the firehouse where all the hoopla was.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day so the big doors were up and I had a clear view inside of some of the volunteers relaxing after a very busy morning.

What I saw when I looked around was a lot of wonderful workin' women.  Not only was my mother among this group, but some women that I have known all my life, some I haven't known very long and a couple I only know by name.  And as I stood there, I thought to myself, there are some amazing women right here in this room.   This bunch had just prepared and served up approximately 612 burgers/meals in just a few hours.  (I know there were some men who participated also, but this is about the girls right now.)

Most of the women were 'real' mothers, in the sense that they have children, but some were not.  Some are fortunate enough to be the aunt to nieces and nephews.  Some have step-children and grandchildren.  And some are mother to many 'children' around here.  There were a handful of ladies from my church in this group.

As I drove back to work, I reflected on the many 'mothers' I have had in my life and how important they have been.  I have grown up watching the women of my church, soaking up little lessons when I didn't even know it.  From learning how to make the best Thanksgiving dressing and 'real' hot cocoa to mashing potatoes the old-fashion way, there are very few church ladies that have come and gone that have not impacted my life in one way or another.

However, out of curiosity, I looked up what Merriam-Webster had to say about a mother...
1   :  a :  a female parent  b (1) :  a woman in authority; specifically :  the superior of a religious community of women (2) :  an old or elderly woman

2

:  source, origin <necessity is the mother of invention>

3

:  maternal tenderness or affection

I absolutely LOVE #1 & #3; there was a #4 & #5, but I didn't think they pertained here.  (#4 was not at all appropriate, and I was kind of surprised it was even in there!)

Not only have I been blessed with a hard-working, Christian mom who has been a great example, I've also been fortunate to know/have known many, many amazing women who have mothered me.  Thanks to the actual definition of the word, you don't have to have physically had children to take on the role of a mother.

And let me tell you, if you want to get something done around here, I can hook you up with a list of some wonderful workin' women.

Happy Belated Mother's Day.

Project Runway

I had my first experience 'modeling' vintage clothing for our local style show, Styles from the Attic, on Sunday.  When I was asked about six weeks ago, I hesitated for a moment, suggested my daughter do it instead, realized she had a conflict and accepted the invitation.  I try to help where I can and not be a party-pooper, though this is really something that is not within my norm.

A few weeks after I committed to the show, I tried on several dresses and found a few that seemed to fit, some that didn't (put in the skinny girl pile) and did next to nothing to prepare myself for this modeling debut. One might think making good eating choices and some toning exercises would be appropriate...but that didn't really occur to me until the rehearsal.  Of course, by then it was a wee bit too late.  Off to Wal-Mart I went to buy a cheap version of some Spanx (stuff-it-in-tight-type undergarment).

I originally was supposed to wear two dresses:  one from the 1920's, lovely, black velvet with ivory lace trim, flowy and forgiving; and the other from the 1960's, Aqua Blue, lacy and just about right in the size department.  At the rehearsal, I was asked to wear another dress that a nine-year-old was supposed to wear.  Yes, you heard that right - a nine-year-old, not a thirty-nine-year-old.  I suggested that perhaps someone a little younger and smaller than I would be better suited for the dress, but the lady was insistent that I could wear it, she had and she just knew I could too.  I tried it on, and that's when a friend and co-model suggested the 'Spanx."  Thank you, "Lora," for the suggestion. I was grateful to find one that worked.

It was obvious that the style show committee, made up of energetic, organized women in our community, had worked long and hard to put on a class act...and I think they did.  I believe there were approximately 60 different outfits modeled, beginning with dresses from the early 1900's and ending with the 1970's.  There were several children who participated and they too, did a great job.  Some of those younger gals had to change in and out of outfits quickly and run right back out on stage.

Just call me Her Ladyship.

Our local 'high-dollar' hair stylist was there to give us very quick up-do's and he was fabulous on my first fix.  I thought I would just wear my hair down and not mess with up-do's...apparently he did not agree with that idea because he called me over and said, "What are we going to do with your hair?"  I told him my first dress was 1921, and in less than five minutes, I had the most perfect hairstyle.  I felt like I had just walked off the set of Downton Abbey.

Jay was working so I texted him a picture of me in each dress.  His first thought: Oh, your grandma would've loved this.  Yes, she sure would have.

I had a little time to spare after the first dress, so after changing into a lovely aqua-colored lacy dress from the 1960's, the hair stylist called me over for hairstyle number two.  And let me just say it was a doozie.  The hair guy says to me, "I'm going to exaggerate this style just a little bit."  That is the understatement of the century.

There weren't any mirrors over by the hair station, so I had no idea what he was doing, but wasn't too worried, until he turned me around and everyone downstairs started laughing and grabbing cameras.  I scurried over to the mirror and about lost it.  Holy smokes, I looked like I had been caught up in a tornado. I had no choice but to go with it because I was up very soon.  The expression on the emcee's face when she turned to see if I was ready to come out on stage was priceless.

No, it's not a wig or hairpiece.

Inside I was mortified, but I made the best of it.  I will say I didn't waste any time on the 'runway' for this mother-of-the-bride dress at all.  Cameras were clicking from all angles.  AHHH!  I can only imagine the cackle I would have heard out of my grandma on this one.

As soon as I got to work today, a coworker had a nice 8x10 printout of me and ALL my glory.  One of the deputies was in my office and he just laughed and laughed.

I had to quickly change out of the pretty mother-of-the-bride dress and stuff myself in the cute meant-for-a-nine-year-old dress and then starting dismantling the nest on my head.  Lots of heavy brushing went into taming that beast.  I also lost several strands of hair.  (Thankfully I have a full head of hair!)

Thank God for the 'Spanx"

Within about ten minutes I was out with somewhat 'normal' hair in a tight-fighting cute dress from...you know, I don't even remember what decade it was out of.  But it really was a cute little dress...(emphasis on little.)

By the time the show was over, I was worn out.  And I didn't have to hustle like some of the girls did...I can only imagine how exhausted they were!  One little gal literally got stuck in her dress.  They were yelling, "we're waiting on you" over and over, and the lady helping kept yelling back, "she's stuck, we are trying to get her out."  It was one of those funny/not funny situations.  She escaped that zipper and was back up in no time.

I really wish I had more pictures to share of the decor and all the hats and outfits displayed upstairs.  The table decorations were very nice and tasteful.  They served punch, mints, cookies and cupcakes to everyone.  It was obvious the committee had worked very hard on this event.  I had a lot of fun participating and am pleased that I accepted the invitation.  There were a great group of 'models' downstairs and lots of good helpers.

I had pretty big hair in junior high and high school.   Perms were all the rage, and I had lots of curls. Sometimes I miss big hair.  I always say that I hope some day big hair comes back, but not the I'm-going-to-exaggerate-this-style-just-a-little-bit big.

More of my weirdness

So I've already let the cat out of the bag about the split-ends...I have another one.  I am addicted to hand lotion.  I'm serious when I say that I apply hand lotion approximately 12-15 times a day, or more, depending on my activities.

It's not a germ thing, it's a feeling thing.  If my hands come in contact with any water whatsoever, I must immediately apply hand lotion.  If I don't, I get goosebumps and cannot think about anything else until I can get my hands on some lotion.  I can't stand the feeling!  I always carry lotion in my purse.  I keep lotion at each sink in the house and at my desk.

For me washing hands and applying lotion go hand-in-hand.  Unless it is an extreme situation, I will even skip hand-washing if I don't have lotion available.  I know, some of you are probably grossed out by that, but it's the truth.  I will use Germ-X as an alternative if it is around...it doesn't moisturize quite as much as the lotion, but it's better than nothing.

I've finally realized that I must wear gloves when doing any kind of hard labor with a shovel or pitchfork.  It didn't click with me until Jay said it - my hands are so moisturized, they won't tolerate the abrasiveness of a rough, wooden handle.  Makes sense.  I get blisters on my hands pretty easily.  Jay doesn't.  But have you seen or felt those hands?  Yikes.  His hands are like that of a 220-grit piece of sandpaper.  I tease him that he could exfoliate my face (if I would let him put those hands on my face-Yuck).

You would think that I would prefer fancy lotion, or lotion that has a good aroma, nope, not really.  I prefer the cheap Suave Cocoa Butter & Shea available at Walmart.  I will use other lotion, but that is my lotion of choice...which is a good thing because I can buy it almost anywhere and it is inexpensive.

Thankfully, excessive knitting doesn't cause blisters or callouses on my soft hands because I can't soak myself in lotion and then knit - I wouldn't be able to hold onto the needles.  That would be a catastrophe. Actually, it would probably be a deal breaker!