May 16, 2008

An Occasional Perk of Homeschooling

Me: Okay kids, no school today.

Them: Really? Wow!!

Me: Yup. We'll just eat a few of these instead.

What? They're good for your brain.

Teaching at the Table | By WonderGirl | 02:09 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

From Her Sketchbook

Czarina is her father's daughter. When something interests her, she is quick to grab her pen and pad and try to capture it with lines. Here are a few pages from the mind of my seven year old.

Continue reading "From Her Sketchbook"

Child of Mine | By WonderGirl | 12:07 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

May 14, 2008

BohoBaby Winner!

Hollie won the giveaway over at Musings of a Housewife! There were over 140 entries, and a Sift reader won! How do ya like that? Thanks for participating, everybody. I wish you all could have won! Oh, and I'll be handing out cokes for those of you who helped promote this little venture-- thank you so much. In addition, Hollie, you can look for a little lagniappe to come with your sling, as I promised if she selected a Sift reader.

In related news, I've taken extra fabric from my slings and made a few tote bags. They are TOO cute. I don't know what to do with them, though. Sell them? I've given a few as gifts. This one, I just had to keep myself:

The purple lining is such a delicious color that I want to eat it. I am eager to wear it out, and may have to settle on a trip to Kroger just to go show it off.

Anyway... so, thoughts on these? I could make them in addition to the slings- they take me about the same time. But cost-wise, what would you say? They have a pocket on the inside, and a shape-holding piece in the bottom. They are basic, but well made and durable. And they cost me nothing out of pocket, as they are made from my remnants stash.

Advise!

All Business | By WonderGirl | 05:17 PM | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)

Shutting It Down

Yowch. That sign just kicks ya right in the gut, huh?

Self revelation is rarely a pretty thing. I had a rather jarring realization the other day about my internal complaint system. Totally malfunctioning. It was kicked all the way up. Running nonstop. You couldn't see it or hear it, because it was on silent mode, but it was steady vibrating in my pocket.

And, nothing can sustain that maximum level for long, before overheating and blowing out.

Okay, 'nuff with the analogy.

Seriously, though. I have a tendency to internalize discontent, which is not to say I'm some sort of martyr, bearing up under stress. It's a bad thing to do. It is sneaky, in that it steals the joy and satisfaction of a job well done. It undermines the good things going on in your life.

And it's so easy to do, complaining in your brain. You look pretty good from the outside. But it's wrong, just as wrong as griping over a microphone for everybody to hear. What's inside you never stays there for long- it's bound to find a way out eventually. Better to deal with it right now, when it's just a thought, than before it becomes a word in your mouth that you can't take back. Before your complaining words find innocent targets.

The Bible is clear about complaining. Don't do it. Not in your mind, not in your heart, and not with your voice.

1 Corinthians 10:10 - And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

Psalm 106:25 - They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD.

Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Good grief-- how far short do I fall of that last one? What percentage of my internal dialogue is edifying and kind? I would be ashamed to hear my voice ringing out loud with some of the things I've thought, and that's not an easy thing to confess.

Consider it this way: do you know somebody who complains all the time? It's exhausting, isn't it? You can't console them, because that's not what they want to hear. You can't encourage them, either, it doesn't even register. And their discontent is infectious, it contaminates the people around them. You never bring them up, and they'll always bring you down. It's exasperating and frustrating. I imagine that God must feel that way sometimes when we complain in our spirits- because He certainly hears our thoughts and knows our hearts. Imagine your complaints as a megaphone in His ear. That certainly gives me pause. I don't want to be that person. I really don't.

So how do you stop? Well, if you've had a lifetime of indulging your inner complain-o-meter, then it'll be a struggle. But if you want a sweet heart, a gentle spirit- then you've got to start by relinquishing your discontent. When you feel that grouchy instinctive response to something- to a bump in your day, an interruption in the middle of your work, to the regular, small irritations of life... just stop. Make today the day that nothing ruffles you. Today is No Complaint Day. Just for today, be the duck the water rolls right off of. Determine to be absolutely unruffled. Loosey-goosey. It's actually quite liberating. Being unhappy is exhausting work. God is working diligently to bring joy into our lives- Romans 8:28- And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Being discontent means we're swimming against the current of His outpoured love! It's not the natural direction for the Christian. We are wearing ourselves out, and don't even know it. "Go with the flow" has special meaning for Christians. I don't want to waste precious time flailing about in bitter waters, when I could be sailing in His goodness.

(I really milk those analogies, don't I? Squeeze every last drop out of 'em.)

Anyway. Besides out right, purposeful rejection of the whiny, complainy voice in your head, you can, and should, pray. Pray that God will help you be happy today, in this moment, in this life with all it's imperfections and aggravations. Ask Him to give you peace and joy no matter what the circumstances are in your life. And most importantly, ask Him to give you a grateful heart. Thank Him for all He's done in your life, then try to count those countless blessings. It's hard to be thankful and to complain at the same time. Try it- it just can't be done.

It starts small. It starts today. That's all you have to do, is just this 24 hour period. You can do that, you know you can. Then tomorrow, you do it again. Wash, rinse, and repeat. It'll get easier, the voice will get smaller, and you'll feel better. I guarantee it.

Anyway, those are just some thoughts on my mind today. I figured, maybe some of you know what I'm talking about, and might benefit from yet another painful, hard learned, WonderGirl lesson.

Will I ever learn things the easy way? Doesn't seem likely. Usually takes the big, obvious road signs that say, "STOP SINNING!" Good thing God keeps putting them up all over the place. Ha.

**Photo by Brett Rogers (http://www.beatcanvas.com)

Spiritual Places | By WonderGirl | 09:54 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

May 13, 2008

Important Looks

Okay, I have a confession to make. I -er- watch The Hills. I can't help it! I'm sorry! I know, it's an awful show where everybody looks the same and nothing ever happens. (As King Pen feels compelled to point out EVERY single time he catches me watching it!)

What I want to know, if you watch this i.q. dropping show as well, what is up with the pregnant pauses? Do these people really give that many significant looks, or is this creative editing? Honestly, they LOOK at each other for most of the show. It's maddening! Talk! Say something! Or, is this confirmation that what they DO say is so unintelligent that the producers are forced to cut out the actual conversations? That seems likely.

But the shoes, dangit! And the belts! And the huge sunglasses! I can't quit watching the shiny clothes!!

Alrightie. I need to go scrub my brain now.

The Daily | By WonderGirl | 11:26 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

May 12, 2008

Dangerous

King Pen and I were talking last night about this movie, which I accidentally called, "No Country for Old Women".

Why does that make me burst out laughing? Cause old ladies don't cause trouble, people. At least, not in roving gangs. Unless you count the quiltin' fueds, which can get pretty vicious.

The Daily | By WonderGirl | 11:40 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

After Midnight AGAIN.

Okay, this is me, going to bed. See? Seriously, this post is gonna be all of TWO SECONDS, I swear it.

Just wanted to remind you guys about the giveaway that starts today. I think a winner will be chosen on Thursday? Not sure. But, please, do get the word out! If you can mention it on your blog, I will owe you a coke. An icy, perfectly fizzy, absolutely delicious coca-cola. It'll be one of those amazing moments when you're totally parched, choking on the dust of a ball field, or sweating at the office picnic-- and surprise, surprise, I'll be there. Holding out the most beautiful, thirst-quenching beverage you've ever seen. All for telling your peeps to go try to win a cute babysling at Musings of a Housewife.

Okay, enough shameless self-promotion. I'm out, ya'll, before I keel over.

PS Happy Mother's Day, mamas!! Hope yours was as nice as mine.

The Daily | By WonderGirl | 01:39 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

May 09, 2008

I Will Dwell

This is a beautiful video. This woman is in labor, singing the 23rd Psalm. No worries, it's in no way graphic. If you have a moment, please watch it. It is one of the most moving, intimately spiritual glimpses into someone's life I've ever seen.

What's so amazing about this video is the visible, vivid picture of our dependence on God. The physical struggle for peace, for strength, during dreadful pain-- what a metaphor. I see her striving, hear her praising God in the midst of adversity, and my soul expands. I am lifted up, joined with heavenly choirs. It is so clearly what God wants of us. That in our pain, we call out to Him, we trust Him. That despite our circumstances, the heartwrenching moments in life, we are looking to Him. No matter how it hurts, that we do not curse His name. We do not rail against Him, instead, we cling to Him, as our only hope and salvation.

That's what I see when I watch this video.

I know it acutely, I know where she is as her body toils in the particular pain of childbirth, and I marvel at it. But pain comes in all forms. Whether it is living with the consequences of our own sins, the inevitable losses and despairs of mortality, or the strain of obedience and putting to death our carnal man, pain is pain. But whatever it is, whatever you labor with, God is God. He carries you through the pain, always. He heals and soothes, He strengthens. He is bigger than any hurt this life produces.

Again, because the world needs to know- He is bigger than any hurt this life produces.

What a testimony this woman has, what use God made of her pain. May He do likewise with mine- may He have the glory in the valleys of my life.

Spiritual Places | By WonderGirl | 10:43 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

May 07, 2008

BoHoHappy

Yoohoo! Guess what? Next week, Musings of a Housewife, a very nifty blog, is going to be hosting a Give-Away. And what, you ask, is she giving away? Well, that would be a BohoBaby sling. Yesiree bob! So check out her site on Monday, follow her directions, and maybe she'll pick one of you'ns! If she, by chance, chooses a Sift reader, then I'm gonna throw in something extra, because we're buds. We're tight like that. I really, really hope one of you guys wins!! Dolly? Jeannette? Laura? Wouldn't that be cool? You don't have to be pregnant to try for it though-- they make nice gifts, too.

Here's my graphic for the Give-Away-- whatcha think? Don't even ask how long it took me to figure out the watermark. It's embarrassing.

And, also, look what a lovely satisfied customer sent me! A picture of her wearing a BohoBaby sling! My heart swelled with happiness and she became my new best friend instantly. We're ordering the BFF necklaces and calling each other to coordinate our clothes for the next day. (Thank you for referring her to me, Brandy. Too bad I probably just spooked her away from ever speaking to me again.) Isn't her baby cute? I want one. Okay, no. Yes. No. Yes. No. (So forth and so on.)

Anyway, that's what's been keeping me hopping lately. Besides a massive plumbing problem that had us sans toilets and baths since last night!! Mama mia!

Even with that, though... Isa happy.

More tomorrow on coffee dates, cinco de Mayo, box turtles, and the never ending hunt for fabric. Tune in. You don't wanna miss that excitement.

All Business | By WonderGirl | 06:23 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

May 06, 2008

Crazy Like a Fox?

Well, you know Hillary Clinton has fallen out of favor with the media based solely on the pictures they've been publishing lately. Yikes! Is it me, or does this woman scare the pants off you, too? Wonder how many votes Obama will get because of these babies?

(That one wasn't biased at all was it?)

(Sweet, merciful pot of chicken noodle soup, who is this poor woman Hillary is screeching at? Can you imagine getting in trouble with Mama Clinton? *shudder)

And last but not least, this pic. Not so subtle, eh?

Funny Business | By WonderGirl | 05:56 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

May 05, 2008

Might Need Sharpening

Driving home from my inlaws, we take winding country roads for the first leg of the trip. We put down the windows, and revel in the fresh air and the sunshine as we bump along. This time of the year, Louisiana is a wild, unruly tropic. The jungle of trees and grass and bushes and briars is interrupted only by the long, manicured fields of corn and cotton. There is so much life here, lush and nearly impassable at times. It always makes me think of the effort it must have taken to civilize and cultivate this land into a livable place. Quite a formidable task!

Anyway, Louisiana becomes transformed at this time of the year into a world of green. It is a spectacle, a wonderment- that was best summed up yesterday by Czarina as we drove down a shady, cannopied road.

"Mom, do you think God's favorite color is green?" She paused, thinking deeply before answering her own question. "I think it must be, because He used it everywhere!"

She's got a point.

Child of Mine | By WonderGirl | 10:50 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

May 02, 2008

Hey, you, psstt!

No, don't look over here! Just listen.

*lowering voice We both know I should be doing something else right now. But we're not gonna mention that, yeah? You don't tell anybody I'm blogging when I shouldn't, and I won't rat you out for mindlessly surfing the internet when you've got laundry to fold and papers to file.

Mhm. Conspiracy of the procrastinators.

Okay, so just look straight ahead like you don't even notice I'm here.

So, what's everybody's weekend looking like? (Oh, you didn't think I actually had anything important to talk about, did you?) We're headed up to the inlaws for a little relaxation in the country. (Since we're such big city folk and all.) We are enjoying the ability to make the quick weekend trips to see family since we've moved closer. I am happy to see relationships deepening between the cousins, glad to spend time with everybody that isn't squeezed into a chaotic holiday. And maybe, just maybe, we can actually renew some old friendships around this part! I may gripe about central Louisiana from time to time, but the proximity to family and friends makes it all worthwhile. (Unless I get West Nile virus. Then I reserve the right to throw a very public, very embarrassing hissy fit.)

Let's see... what else?

I heard this story through my mother-in-law, who was here for a day visit the other day. She watched the kids for me while I took Czarina to the dentist, and was chatting with my next door neighbor, ML. ML loves my children, and often talks with them throughout the day as they play outside. Anyway, ML told my mother-in-law that she adores my kids. She said she got tickled the other day because the kids were hovering over a pile of roly-polies, chatting and laughing. When ML asked them why they thought there were so many roly-polies, HeroBoy responded enthusiastically, "We don't know, Mrs. ML, but we think they're having a festival!!"

Cute. Cute. Cute.

And I wanna go. Don't you know the Roly Poly Festival has to be the most happening event in bug world? Can you envision it? Can you see the roly-polies riding the grass blade ferris wheel? Eating seeds-on-a-stick?

I'm thinking about this too much.

I suppose I can't justify a rambling post about rolie-polies any longer when there are suitcases to pack. -sigh-

Okay, off with ye. Back to work, friendsters. Roll it on outta here. And do not, repeat, DO NOT, tell anybody I have been blogging today.

Child of Mine | By WonderGirl | 03:52 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

May 01, 2008

Wearing My Memories

Sweet time, these days with you- they are memories I will hold clearly forever. They are the places I will revisit when my bones are old, when I sit on the porch and wait for you.

Will you have slivers of these memories hidden in your heart? Will you remember breezy rides on the grocery cart in the parking lot? Will you feel the playdough in your hands, smell it, and remember the funny creatures we made? Will bluegrass music make you think of me, and how we danced in the living room? When you eat homemade bread, will you see us around the table as a family, sharing meals and stories of our day?

You are woven into me... your pattern and rich hues delicately stitched into the tapestry of my life. It is a blanket to wrap around myself in old age, the warmth of these memories will be a comfort, dulling the chill of coming goodbyes.

If I forget to tell you, if I miss a day of reminding you how special you are, and when I hurt you or disappoint you (because I will, little one, and I'm sorry already)... please see this image of me- a mother joyfully wrapped up in the fabric of four little lives. And if you struggle to remember these fleeting moments, if you forget the taste of the bread and the sounds of our music... then maybe this guy will remind you. Maybe he will spark your memories. And if he doesn't, then you will sit with me on the porch and I will tell you, because I am cloaked in each vivid moment. I will not forget.

I love you, all four.

Child of Mine | By WonderGirl | 09:53 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

April 30, 2008

It's Half Past I Should Be in Bed

Oh sakes. I've gone and stayed up late again! What's the dealio? I simply cannot manage to get myself into bed at a decent hour these days. And it's not like I suddenly need less sleep, oh no. The kids have had to PRY me out of bed to make them breakfast the last few days. And I'll admit, they've been less than stellar breakfasts. I can only feed my children Pop-tarts and Nutragrain bars so many days in a row. Seriously. Child services is gonna come knocking soon if I don't get some oatmeal and scrambled eggs and toast on the table soon! (You think I'm kidding, but they don't joke in Pineville. I could be in some big trouble if we don't eat a balanced breakfast, like FAST.)

Okay, I feel a little better. Confession is good for the soul. Tomorrow morning, my kids will have freshly squeezed oj, dadgummit. (Okay, maybe not freshly squeezed. But I promise it won't be orange kool-aid. No warrants out for my arrest. Yet.)

Fortunately, (especially for my kids who like to eat breakfast), I'm getting over the first craze of being in business. I'm working out the kinks, and hopefully will move it more to the background of my life. I don't want (nor can I allow) it to be the primary function of my day. It is gratifying work, though. I know this sounds crazy, but when I sew a hem, and iron it-- when I look at the construction, knowing that I have rendered this thing with my own labor, and that my efforts will be enjoyed by someone else and bring profit to my family... oh the satisfaction! It is a big boost in my day. But, I don't want to neglect the other areas of my life, so I have to consciously set it aside and tend to other things. I'm still sorta learning how to do that, how to balance it all.

I read a really good post over at Femina the other day about creating things. It was a timely read for me in relationship to my recent endeavours. Here's a lovely paragraph from Nancy, who is talking about why we are drawn to craft objects:

"My theory is that God puts wisdom in our hearts and it comes out our hands. And when it does, we make stuff! And not only does this stuff glorify God when it is offered to Him, it gives us a soul satisfaction that is healthy and invigorating. We are imitating our Creator when we make things, and that image of God which is stamped on our soul shines a little brighter."

I love that.

I love that it's okay to indulge in making things beautiful, and making beautiful things. Not only is it okay, I believe it is a sign of something healthy and good happening inside us. I think it might be very hard to create beautiful things when your soul hurts. I know I feel unispired and uninterested in those things when I am in a dark place. Or, at least, the things born of those darker days are dark in themselves, and are weighted down in some way.

I think for the crafty person, if you look at what your hands have produced, it might give a measure of the state of your heart. Of course, I don't mean that your level of talent or particular taste equals a good spiritual condition. ('Cause that would be stoopid.) And I'm certainly not saying if you don't bake or sew or scrapbook that you're in questionable territory. It's more about what activities your hands are engaged in. What good have they wrought lately, in whatever form? Is the product of your labor a beautiful thing, whatever that may be? For me, I know that the best writing, cooking, sewing, whatever, comes when I am spiritually nourished. I think there is a definite connection there. What we harbor inside us will bear fruit whether we want it to or not. So, maybe looking over that fruit isn't such a bad idea, ya know?

Well, I didn't mean to go off on that quite so much, but I guess that's what happens when you're sleep deprived and in denial! I must hie myself to bed. I have to get up early to go milk the cows and feed the chickens.

Sweet dreams, butter beans. See you in the bright and early.

The Daily | By WonderGirl | 01:15 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)