40 Lessons I've Learned in My 40 Years: #37

Lesson # 37:

The key to a happy marriage is to keep your focus on his positive qualities and never dwell on the negative ones. Remember that you have negative traits, too. If you allow yourself to stew over the things he does that irritate you -- or even infuriate you -- resentment can take over; and resentment is the first ingredient for divorce.

I'm not suggesting that you don't communicate your needs and frustrations, I'm just saying that it's a real bad idea to hang on to those kinds of thoughts.

(Phil 4:8)

40 Lessons I've Learned in My 40 Years: #38

Lesson # 38:

It's almost a full-time job to have and maintain a fabulous body. A girl needs to decide if it's worth all the work and preparation and money, or if it's better to become and stay healthy and accept what you look like then.

40 Lessons I've Learned in My 40 Years: #39

Lesson # 39:

Never, ever gossip.

Zipper Pouches

I found this fabulous vinyl fabric with a gardening theme and decided to make zipper pouches that would be great for make-up or for art supplies on the go.

The pattern is from Lazy Girl Designs...and just the name "Lazy Girl" says all I need to know it's the kind of pattern for me!

40 Lessons I've Learned in My 40 Years: #40

I will be 40 years old in 40 days, and I am going to dig deep and share with you 40 life lessons I have learned in that time.

Lesson #40:

Everyone just wants to be accepted for who they are,

despite how they act, just like me.

Self-Portrait Quilt

Here is my latest art work...a self-portrait quilt. This was a challenge by my "Material Girls" sewing club. My camera wasn't working when we all showed our work. I just bought a new camera, so I can at least show you mine. But all the other ladies' quilts were fabulous!

Humility

Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less. ~C.S. Lewis

Never think of humility as a weakness. It is one of our greatest strengths.

Photo Booth Fun!

A Cure for the Doldrums of Winter

It's been a long winter. I don't really like winters anyway, but this one has been rough even for my friends who live down South, who aren't used to all the snow and cold they've had to endure this year. The days are shorter, it's hard to get out of bed in the mornings knowing the cold is going to hit you like a punch in the gut. And I don't know about you, but my entire body is tense and contracted against the frigid temps.

We certainly have reason to whine a little, but it won't do any good. What it will do is make us feel worse and be a burden to anybody we come in contact with.

So I have a better idea: Let's NOT COMPLAIN OR GRIPE OR WHINE about anything today. Let's think happy thoughts, count our blessings, look on the bright side, treat ourselves. And if there is a legitimate complaint or worry, take it to God!

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

More Work than Ever

I turned in my three-week notice for work last week, and am beginning to think about all the possibilities that await me now that I will have an extra 20 or so hours in a week.

My initial thoughts were to get some projects finished around the house. It's embarrassing to admit, but we moved into this house two years ago and there are still a dozen or so boxes I haven't unpacked!

I also will begin volunteering in Caroline's and Eliza's classes a couple days a week. I promised myself I will get my jiggly butt back in the gym regularly, too. I'm leading a Bible study group for BSF; and -- maybe most importantly -- I have lots of art to do!

Now, just looking at these things, I'm thinking that that 20 hours I'm gaining are lost before I even have them. And as the days go on, my mind wanders to all the other things I should and could do...and I'm starting to feel overwhelmed! There is SO MUCH TO DO!!!!!

Girl Drama

My older daughter is in the 5th grade, and the drama has begun with serious momentum. I have known it was coming, but expecting it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. These little girls are so confused and self-absorbed and insecure that my heart goes out to them. At the same time, I just want to take my little girl away from it all for the next few years!

It was a very heard time for me in my childhood, and I want to do whatever it takes to make it bearable for my two girls. I don't know how, but here are my thoughts:

1. I will listen and empathize without minimizing their feelings. Even though it is silly to those of us who have come through it and are on the other side, to an 11-year-old, it is a big deal. However, that is not to say that I won't help my girls to see a bigger picture and determine for themselves that what the girls say and how they treat each other from day to day (which is ever-changing) doesn't define my girls nor is it even about them most of the time.

2. I will encourage them to be involved in church activities, as well as other activities that broaden their social network. This is a good way to to get away from the ubiquitous cliques at school and see that there is more to life than who is popular and who is best friends with whom at their home-away-from-home.

3. I will teach them how to find the best in others and to make others feel special. After all, isn't that what these little girls are looking for? Acceptance? Assurance? If my girls can understand where these others are coming from and offer them acceptance and assurance, then they will probably be liked without quite as much drama. (This is a theory.)

4. I will encourage my girls to not enable another girl's pouting or attention-getting and to not be sucked in to gossiping themselves. Since I will be assuring and accepting them at home for who they are, I will also be cheering them on when they choose to take the higher road in these situations at school.

5. I will teach my daughters that their worth comes from God, not from their peers' opinions and whims. God loves all these little girls with all of their stuff, and a good grasp of that understanding could keep a girl from falling prey to self-doubt brought upon by gossip and fickleness.

6. I will always do whatever it takes to keep the communication lines wide open between my daughters and me. They will know that their mother is always available to discuss what is going on in their lives, and that she cares.

science fair project

Caroline got an Honorable Mention on her science fair project!!!!

hahahahahahhahahahahaha

Isn't that great?

Social Science on the Go

We got home from Kennewick, WA, late Monday night, exhausted from a great time shopping and traveling and rocking out at the TobyMac concert. Then Caroline reminded me that she had a science fair project due TODAY!

I didn't have time to deal with a science fair project. And anyway, I'm so right-brained, I'm pretty sure my left brain (the logical math and science side) has atrophied!

But, alas, we pulled it out. I mean, what else is a mom to do?

Since there was absolutely NO FOOD in the house, I HAD to go to the grocery store, whether we got the project done or not. But we combined efforts and made it work. I made the sacrifice of shopping at Wal- Mart instead of Safeway, because there are more restroom stalls at Wal-Mart.

Why were we counting restroom stalls, you ask.

Well, we decided that while I was shopping, Caroline would observe which restroom stalls people used the most: the first one, the handicap stall, the one with the door that stays propped open on its own, or the one that closes when it is not in use.

Her sister, Eliza, helped out by observing how many people washed their hands with soap and water, with just water, or didn't wash their hands at all.

They were in there for the hour that I shopped. They compiled data while I piled up snacks and vegies.

We managed to complete the project by 10 p.m., and Caroline was pretty proud of it.

Do you want to know the outcome?

Well, most people used the handicap stall. Mothers with their children always used the handicap stall and even waited for it when other stalls were available.

The next most used stalls were the one closest to the door and the one that stayed open when it was not in use.

The one used the least was the one that closed itself. It was only used when there were no other stalls available.

As for the handwashing, you will be delighted to know that more than half did NOT wash their hands with soap and water after using the restroom!

Tips from Caroline: 1-If you want to use the toilet that is used by the public the least, then choose the one that has a door that closes itself. 2-Don't assume people wash their hands after they use the restroom. 3- Use the sanitary wipes on your Wal-Mart grocery cart handle!