Function Vs. Fashion

Winter blew in, all at once, a few weeks before Christmas this year. Snowing for 8 days in a row. (I think the weatherman should tell us when it won't be snowing.)

All this snow means lots of shoveling, and walking where people haven't bothered to shovel. Boots are extremely helpful this time of year. Although, I've been able to sneak by without them for the past 4-5 years.

This winter, though, I'm not pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an infant in the house. I am free to help shovel and play with the kids outside. (insert sigh here) Needless to say, the sneakers I've been wearing will not do for long periods in the snow.

I finally broke down and purchased a pair of boots. Tall enough for wading through at least a foot of snow, waterproof, and good for temperatures down to minus 5. (I hope not to be out at temperatures colder than that!) They're not exactly the kind of boots I'd normally wear, but by this time in the continuing snow I did not have much choice.

My husband saw me wearing them to go out to shovel. His response, "Going out to cut down some trees? 'I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay.'" (Insert more sarcastic comments on the "fashion" of my boots.)

That's when it hit me. I had purchased a pair of boots without regard to fashion. When did that start? I started thinking...I prefer my mini-van over my husband's sports car. I wear flannel pj's to bed instead of a negligee. (although not a flannel nightie) I like the electric blanket, so I can crawl into a warm bed. The list goes on.

When did I grew so old that I sacrificed function and comfort for fashion? and Does these mean I now have to buy from the woman's clothing section?

I don't feel old. I still think of myself as being in my mid-twenties. (Although it's been a long time since I was mistaken for a high school-er most people I meet think I'm closer to 25 than 40) Now I need to decide, do I continue the downward slid into fashion-less function or do I fight to remain fashionable?

Only time will tell...

The End of An Era

It's finally happening. The thing I have looked forward to for the past seven years! In a few more weeks I will no longer be dropping off or picking up a child from the nursery at church!

A little less than seven years ago, I started dropping my eldest off in the nursery. An exciting rite of passage. It seemed unreal to me. But now, after dropping off one, sometimes two, babies every Sunday morning and evening, I will be done. Yes!

My youngest turned two recently. The age when they are kicked out of the nursery and dropped into the unstableness that is the toddler room. I'm very excited, but it's bittersweet.

No longer do I have to feel trapped by lugging around an infant, one who needs so much time and attention. The cleaning up, the breastfeeding, the explosive diapers, little sleep, introducing solids. But I no longer have that warm little bundle to snuggle with. No one who looks at me and thinks everything I do is wonderful and perfect. No one who looks at me with completely trusting eyes. No one who needs me so completely and wants me so completely.

I will miss the baby stage, it was fun and frustrating. I'm glad it's over, very glad I don't have to go back, but I will always cherish the memories.

"The Boy Who Changed the World" - Andy Andrews

"The Boy Who Changed the World" by Andy Andrews

What do Mose Carver, George Washington Carver, Henry Wallace, and Norman Borlaug have in common? They changed the world. Using these men, Andy Andrews teaches children about the Butterfly Effect. Showing them that no matter how small or insignificant they might think they are, they can change the world. Andrews encourages kids to realize God has made them special and has a plan for their lives that will effect countless unseen people. Every choice they make, good or bad, has an effect on the world.

All of my children loved this book. The one yo and three yo enjoyed Philip Hurst's art work. While the five and six yo's enjoyed hearing how each of these men changed the world and influenced each other. A spectacular way to start young children thinking about the choices they make, the plan God has for their lives and the world, and encourage them that they themselves can change the world.

I highly recommend anyone to read this books, whether they have children or not. An important concept for anyone to understand and follow. A spectacular book!


(Copy of "The Boy Who Changed the World" provided by Tommy Nelson publishing. Opinions are my own.)

20 Weeks to a Book - Week 9 (or there abouts)

I am far behind in my weeks for writing. I have been lax and have not written anything for my book. I have been writing, though. I finished a devotional and sent it on to Penned from the Heart. I believe it will be published in the 2011 edition. I have also been organizing myself to work on 2 articles for Moms and their children's health care. I hope to have those done this month to be sent out by the end.

Here's what Maeve has to say in week 9: Visualize Success...Sounds simple, but it's not always. The mind is powerful. It has the power to think some into thinking they are ill, doctor's encourage patients to visualize being well again (which does help), if your mind believes something has happened, your body can have all the sensations that it has happened. It can be scary thinking of all the power your mind has over you! Maeve encourages us to think about what it will be like to be successful...How will you celebrate when you publish that book? Who will you tell? What will you wear? How will you announce it? Detailed dreams of what it will be like to finish your book can spur you complete it during those times when writing is the toughest.

Get out there and visualize your success. I know I am!

"The Witness"

"The Witness" by Josh McDowell

http://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/FirstChapters/978-1-4143-3412-7.pdf


Marwan Accad, co-owner of Accad and Associates, an executive security company, finds himself embroiled in a French conspiracy. His current job is to find the wife of a wealthy Egyptian. During a meeting with the man, the unthinkable happens, his client is assassinated and Marwan becomes the only witness, and the only suspect.

Marwan flees for his life, suffering a gun shot wound in the process. Wanting to escape France, he flies to Morocco and to the safety of a friend's house. There he begins his journey towards a new life.

A redemption story, I had mixed feelings about it. Some places McDowell gives great detail, but in others I felt something was lacking. Not much is said about the conspiracy, or the resolution of it. While McDowell does an excellent job of portraying arguments for redemption, Marwan's conversion seemed too easy. His inner struggle was shown, but it seemed very superficial. The ending left me with too many questions to feel satisfied by it's abruptness.


It had so much potential to be a spectacular story, but it was just a good story.

A good read for the beach.


This copy provided by Tyndale house, but the opinions are my own.

20 Weeks to a Book - Week 8

It seems every time I post a new week, it's actually been more than 1 week. I've had a busy couple of weeks. Went to OH and KY with just my husband. It's been awhile since we spent that much time together, just the two of us, so it was a trial at times, but worth it! Then I spent the last week at the Montrose Christian Writer's Conference! What a great time. Saw old friends, made new friends, grew, renewed, and learned a ton! Thanks especially to Bryan Davis and Ginger Kolbaba! Both gave great critiques, gentle yet honest. I have a lot of work to do, but I've made some short term goals that will help me along the way. I also was able to write a ton, not having any kids or responsibilities can help with that. On to week 8!

"The Writer's Journey" - A short chapter, but filled with little tidbits of advice. Maeve speaks of writing as a journey, as made obvious by the title. During this journey you discover things about yourself you never knew, solidify ideas and concepts you've had, and actually become different people by the end. She gives a warning: "If you don't [finish] then it's no journey at all, just a series of stops and starts and eventual disappointments." Maeve encourages us to keep going, to finish what we've started. Otherwise, it's just been a waste of time. And just think, someday you'll be able to say to all those people, "Of course I finished it."

Keep on writing, I plan to!