Giving Thanks: Day One and Two

'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.'--1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Life has been busy for me. This has to be pretty obvious because I keep promising to update more often and then don't post for a month or two. Hoping to correct this, I am taking on the  '30 Days of Thanks' challenge. The month of November is the perfect time to take this task on so here goes days one and two: 


Day One: 
I am thankful to get a paycheck. 
I know that money isn't everything but in this day and age I feel extremely lucky to have a job to go to 5 days a week. I work hard and put in lots of hours after work but there are so many in this country and in my local community that struggle to get a job and have carried on that struggle for years. Which brings me to day two....


Day Two: 
I am thankful that the Mr. has a job. 
I haven't talked about it too much (if at all) in the blog but the past few years have definitely been both the sour and the sweet. My husband has always been a very hard worker and has always taken tremendous pride in the work that he did. He worked in construction, with the same company for 11 years. He was awarded 'Apprentice of the Year' right before we met. He worked his way from apprentice to General Foreman in no time at all and was responsible for huge projects. He worked for a company that built schools so when (around the time we were planning our wedding) we heard rumblings that construction was on a downward spiral in our community and that the housing market was imploding, we were worried but thought that we were safe. The Mr. built schools not houses or commercial buildings, schools. There was always going to be a need for schools...or so we thought. 
In a years time my husband would be out of a job. The last school that he worked so hard on, a state of the art brand new high school, didn't open on its scheduled date. The city couldn't afford to enroll students into the school so it sat dormant for almost 2 years. 
The next few years were a very trying time for us. The Mr. was used to succeeding in a career that he loved to do. That career was no longer an option for him. It came at a time when we were just starting a new chapter in our lives, we were newlyweds. 
When something like that happens it starts to feel like that movie 'Groundhog Day'. You wake up everyday without a sense of direction because you are still hesitant to start really planning your future. Everyday is the same and you think it will end soon but then weeks turn into months and months turn into years. It truly tests the bonds of marriage because both of you are struggling to be the people that you promised you would be to each other. 
When you get through all of this, and dust from the storm settles, you look over and the one standing next to you is the one that stood next to you on the most important day of your life...you feel absolutely empowered. 
The Mr. is working now and working hard. He has found a great job with a long standing company 10 minutes away from home. He is working 60 hours a week and never complains. We are finding our footing again and for that I am thankful. 

Sensing Sunday: September 18, 2011

What I am:

Hearing: Heading up to the hills today, this came on over the radio. Of course I turned it up.


Seeing: Although 'Citizen Kane' is just starting on the television behind me, as soon as I finish this post I am going to watch 'The Company Man'

Smelling: The perfume that I created at the boutique event at my friend's salon. It has hints of vanilla, white tea, persimmon and pink peony. I love it. It makes me feel sassy.

Tasting: A slightly chilled glass of sweet red wine. Or I will be in about five minutes.

Feeling: Finally creative again. As you can see there was quite the lull in posts over the summer but I feel I am getting my groove back. This weekend I baked, crocheted and went on a little adventure. More on that soon....

Sensing Sunday: July 10, 2011

'Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.' --Mary Schmich

Hearing: After lounging in the pool on Saturday listening to the oldies station, I have had the Beatles in my head all weekend.

Seeing: 'Jerseylicious'. Don't judge, its close to midnight. What else am I supposed to have on in the background at this hour?

Smelling: Pecan and chocolate chip cookies. I have to make sure to get them out of the house as soon as I can. I think I might take the leftovers to work.

Tasting: A glass of organic pink lemonade from Trader Joe's.

Feeling: Accomplished. I walked away from the dreaded social networking for a week and I have finished 2 books ('The Paris Wife', soooo good which led me to 'The Dangerous Summer' where I spent half the week in the summer of 1959 in Spain. As traumatizing as bullfighting is, I have a new appreciation for it.), I got a tan, lost a couple of pounds, made dinner a few times this week, maintained some household chores and got a raise at work. Here's hoping I can continue to keep my superfluous internetting to a minimum.

One Man Show

This week I look at things with a different set of eyes.
When I was a little girl my cousin had a friend that was our age. My aunt stayed home and would often watch my brother and I while my mom worked. She would sometimes watch my cousin's friend as well. As little girls we would color in coloring books with chipped crayons. The three of us coveted the Barbie coloring book. My cousin and I each had one. When one favorite page was colored, there was always the duplicate in the other book. Of course we played dolls, make-believe, on the swing set and dress up but it is that coloring book that I remember most.
One day at my cousin's, I remember a hushed conversation between the adults.
"I can't believe she's gone, and the kids too..."
I didn't understand it at the time. I didn't understand what death was. I didn't understand how a child could die.
A car accident.
My cousin and I were told that our playmate was gone, and she wasn't coming back. I couldn't understand because she was in my coloring book. The pinks, the greens. the lavender scribbles...all above where she scratched out her name with the apprehensive staccato of a schoolgirl.
Jessica.
Her name was still in my coloring book. I couldn't understand that she wasn't coming back. I kept that coloring book for years and would find it every once in a while as I was growing up. Sometimes I would forget why I still had it but after thumbing through it I would remember. I would feel the same confusion I had as a little girl. No matter how much I had aged, I still couldn't understand. Her name was still in my coloring book.
I feel that way again this week. This week a young mother, who I only casually know but is very close to a good friend of mine, was in a horrible car accident. She had her two year old and her four year old in the car with her. Her two year old, although badly hurt, will grow up in her mother's arms. Her four year now rests in the arms of God. She is in the hospital suffering from major physical injuries. Over time she will heal from these injuries but will be emotionally wrecked for life.
I don't understand it. I have seen people that I love leave this world too early and suddenly without warning. Although painful, over time I could at least try to rationalize it. I could try to understand. A child, I cannot. I can't even let myself try.
One thing I have learned this week, is that I am not a one man show. No one is. I cannot only rely on myself because the way I live my life affects others. There are people that care for me and love me. I care for an love  others. Sometimes I take that for granted. It is easy to let 'I love you' wander from the lips. Don't let it wander without direction. Don't say it without thought. Show it to those you love, show it every day. Accept it as well. One never knows what length of the thread of life has been spun for any soul. A person, no matter how much love is given or received, may be gone without warning. Everyday must be treated as a gift, lived to its fullest potential.

Party On

I love this County Fair themed party

Because I make cakes, I find myself growing obsessive about party planning. I get these wild ideas but have no children yet and no real reason to execute them. Instead they linger and stew around in my head. This little problem becomes worse when I end up blog stalking. I came across the following blogs and am inspired.

My first favorite, Party Perfect.

The Thompson Family

One Charming Party

...and Hostess with the Mostess