STREP

STREP - Seriously The Really Extreme Pits.

Okay, I know it's not clever, but it's the truth. I haven't posted in weeks. I have been sick. Sick, then supposedly better but not FEELING better, then sick again. :(

I came home from the Lowell show December 5th feeling exhausted, run down and just not well. My throat ached a little... but for the most part, I was just bushed.  So I picked up my kids, (my amazing sister had even fed them dinner already!!!) and went home for a shower and a nap.  I told the kids I was going to lay down... it was about 6:30.  At 10 Davis woke me up and asked if they should go to bed. Wow.  Um, yeah, that would probably be a good idea.  So I got up and got them into bed, but I was shaking.  Big. Time.  I scared Haley... and if I'm honest, I scared myself a little.  If I had been with all "with it" I would have been worried. Instead, I went back to bed. At 9 the next morning I woke up to Davis playing on the computer in my room. So... that's like 14 hours of sleep.  I was still tired... but my fever was gone and I figured I had slept off whatever had been ailing me. 

On Monday I had to go to the Doctor for a mole that needed to be removed (not cancerous, but just in case!) and he took one look at me and started asking weird questions.  lol  He has known me since I was about eight... he knows when I don't feel well.  I told him the story of Saturday's craft show, and he ordered a strep test. Yippeee!  Yupper... positive. So I came home, took some meds and went on about my week. Tired, exhausted, and just plain beat.  That's how I describe how you feel when you have strep.  I finished up my antibiotic, but was still feeling tired. I figured it was because I just hadn't 'caught up' yet. 

Then this past Wednesday both kids woke up not feeling well.  They couldn't quite place it, but they just didn't feel well. In to the doctor. Yupper... positive again.  Fun.  "So, Doctor... are they going to give it back to me?"  I asked. "Um, not necessarily??" he replied questioningly.  Ugh.  I stuck my tongue out at him, because I knew he was just saying yes nicely, lol.  Two days later I was there again getting my own test, lol.  Again. 

So here I am, and I still have strep... and 1642 projects to get done.  So though I love you bloggity blog world... alas I have let you down.  Please forgive me. :)  I swear, I'll be back with some semi-witty banter soon. But for now... I'm going to go take a nap. Zzzzzzz....

Feel like helping me out?

So.... I had this thought to do a gathered bag.  Similar to the one I used to make... only with it gathered at the top AND bottom.  So I made a hipster style... thinking that a long handle would be a nice option for a lot of people.  (Ignore the bad lighting...it's late here, lol)...

When I posted it on Facebook there were nice comments... but a few people suggested I make it wider and shorter.  I wasn't sure if that would work with the hipster style so I made this one...

This one is more of the over-the-shoulder style.  What do you think?  Which one?

I have my biggest show (and last show of the season) coming up and I wanted to make a few.  But unfortunately I only have enough time to do one style.  Help!! Opinions please!!!

Grumpy

I'm feeling pretty grumpy today. But instead of grumping to you... I'm just going to share of my cute little family instead. Here we are back in February when we went on the Disney Cruise.  My kids look so different now... and it's only been a few months.

Humility

I am pretty sure that the universe was trying to show me some humility today.

I'll admit it. I was feeling pretty darn good about myself.  I was featured in real, honest to goodness newspaper. Multiple people stopped me and said it was a nice article.  I was  feeling pretty good. Thinking about this weekend's shows (I was in TWO) I was thinking... whew!  I am going to make some MONEY! lol  I had it in my head... well... at the least I should make such and such at this one... and such and such at this one.  Right?  So life was good. Christmas shopping here I come.  :)

On Wednesday evening I dropped off my items to Beneath the Tree. It is a local Home Tour style show that has artists inside a series of homes. This is my third year. My first year I sold one purse, lol. Ouch. But there wasn't a booth fee.... they simply take a percentage, so I returned the next year.  Last year I did quite a bit better and was pretty darn happy.  This year I was hopeful... but expecting about the same income as last year. So I set up my stuff on Wednesday... then returned on Friday to do some touring/shopping. I was really disapointed to find that there were several other vendors with key fobs. Some of whom didn't tell the committe they were bringing the item. That's okay though. Mine are beautiful... they'll sell anyways, right?  Then I noticed some tissue cozies too. Sigh. Okay... I only brought purses, tissue cozies, lanyards, a few wallets, key fobs and my mixed media.  (Which is about half of what I have, lol).  So I started to get kind of punchy. Okay, I was downright feeling sorry for myself. I just KNEW I wasn't going to sell anything. 

Enter 8 am this morning.  I'm all set up at my show for today.  I got there and was surprised to see a very confined space to set up in. I made it work, with the help of my friend Celene. She's awesome. :)  Enter 9 am this morning. One hour into the show and $0 sold. Hmmmm... this was supposed to be the show with the HIGHER sales.  Uh oh. Enter 10 am.  One lanyard sold. Panic started to set in.  Celene came to see if I needed a potty break and and I expressed my concern. Normally I have sold the majority of my total sales for the day by 10 am.  By noon I was downright grumpy. I'll admit it. I kept trying to look at the bright side... but frankly couldn't find one.  Then after lunch it picked up a little.  I had  made my booth fee back. Phew.  But had JUST broken even.  Then a little more came in. Okay... end of the day.. I'm thinking that it was a bad day... but at least I came home in the black, right?

So I headed over to my Beneath the Tree house to get  my remaining product. I walked in and noticed there were a couple of purses gone. Hmmm... that's a good sign, right?  Then I look over the key fobs are all but gone.  Hmmm.... maybe I shouldn't have been so grumpy about all of those other key fobs. :)  Turns out I did about double there than I thought I would!  So basically... I just flip flopped the shows. The 'big' show became the 'little' show, and vice versa.  Phew. 

Are you still with me?  Yeah, I know, that was a really long post, lol.  Thanks for sticking with me. ;)  Anyway, all of this to say... sometimes I think I just need a little reminder to not sweat the small stuff.  I was so stressed, so bummed, so... just UGH.  And then I go and there is a sweet little surprise at the end of the tunnel.  :)  Sure would have been nice to have a flashlight, huh? ;)

Want to see some pictures of my house at Beneath the Tree?  Good! :)

Here's my tissue cozies... and some very popular mittens. :)

Some of my wallets. :)

I fell in love with these little wooden figures. He had a nativity... one that your kids could actually play with. LOVED IT!!! You do to?? You are so in luck. He has an etsy shop. :)  You're welcome. ;)

Oh, and this GORGEOUS arwork. I wanted it. Like.. really wanted it. I just loved everything this artist made.  Someday...

A Good Day

It's a good day when you wake up and you are news worthy.. and not in the my-house-burned-down, or the I'm-going-to-jail sort of way, lol!  Today I was featured in the Home and Garden section of the Grand Rapids Press. Smiles all around!!

Want to take a looksie? 

I was super excited that she included the link for Beneath the Tree. If you are local to Grand Rapids and you haven't been to Beneath the Tree... you are missing out!!  If you want more information (and you should, lol) go to http://www.beneaththetree.info/.  I'm also at Our Lady of Consolation next Saturday in Rockford.  Come on, admit it, you want to start Christmas shopping so you aren't stressed come December. ;)

Fun Fun

Today I did a little show at a local movie theater.  Fun fun fun!  It was slow, but the ladies there helped me have a great day.  I shared the booth with my bestie Stacie.  She makes the most adorable hairbows. Seriously.

Our stuff looks so cute together doesn't it?

My friend Sarah was there too, and I swear, the three of us just love each other. They can both just make me smile any time they want.  So I had to get a pic...

So we look pretty normal right?  We look happy... the show had just begun. After about 7 hours of sitting and people watching, Stacie and I got a little punchy, lol. There was a girl that was set up right in front of life size aliens from the new movie Planet 51.  It cracked us up... she looked like she was surrounded, lol. I told Stacie I was going to take a picture, and she said, no we need to take one of the 3 of us... only we need to make the same look they are making, lol. Oh my gosh, it just made me giddy. I am so NOT silly like that. Stacie is so good for me.  She makes me take life less seriously and just have fun.  So guess what?  You get to see us being totally silly...

I was trying SO HARD not to laugh that this look was all I could muster, lol.  I LOVE the looks on the other girls faces. Seriously, this picture just makes me CRACK UP.  Love it.  Thanks Besties. ;)

Rain

When it rains it pours. Both the good, and the bad. Don't you think?  Right now I feel like I'm being pelted from all sides. Let's start with the good...

I feel like my business is in such a great place.  I go to a show and have a confidence I didn't have before. I am sure of my product, and of my abilities. It's a good feeling. The other day when I did a show my wonderful friend came and helped me. At one point a person bought a lanyard, and I mentioned that they are $10 or 2 for $15.  She then asked me if I would do a dog collar ($16) instead of the lanyard at the same price. A fair question, but I declined, and said, "No, I'm sorry, I can't do that, as they are not the same price".  My friend looked at  me and said "I'm so impressed. You just said no, with such confidence. No back and forth."  And it sort of made me giggle. When I first started this, I was so far the other direction. I would either fall over myself apologizing, or just give them the deal... so happy and honored that they wanted one of my items.  Now I'm still honored... I just agree with them. :)

Another great thing that is happening is my new job. I love it. My only real complaint is that I wish I could be there more. Seriously.

And this weekend I got a call from a local freelance writer who writes a craft column in the Grand Rapids Press. You might know her from Craftsanity.  She is pretty awesome. She wanted to feature me in this Sunday's paper.  Honestly... even if it doesn't make it to print, I'm just giddy with pride. 

So things are good. But they are also stressful.  I have someone in my life that is less than supportive of my business. She doesn't say anything to me directly... but tries to convince others to not help me with the kids on days I have shows.  Part of me says that it shouldn't matter... it is between me and the person helping. The other part of me is hurt. Hurt that I don't have that support that I wish I had.  And I don't really know what to do with that.

Then there is my one sister.  She had her second mastectemy last week. Sigh.  I feel for her. I wish there was something I could do to help. But really... I think she just wants things to be normal, and calling to help is just a reminder that things aren't normal.  Hugs for her.

And you know that interview for the press?  Well, right about when she was emailing me to see if I could get together... I was dying my hair. Brown. The same brown I've dyed it twice this summer. Or so I thought. It came out Jet. Black. Seriously. Like, get out the black nail polish and dark eyeliner black. (Not that that's not beautiful on some... it's just certainly not me).  The interview was to happen the next day. With pictures. I ended up trying to strip my hair with the "oops" stuff from the store. It faded to a dark brown with reddish highlights.  I'm learning to love the new me. :)  (You'll see pictures soon...)

Then there is Haley, who is really struggling at school.  I am frustrated with her, and FOR her.  Having an 11 year old is hard.  WAY harder than I thought. And frankly, I've been scared about this age since she was born.

There are more... just silly little things that all add up to a big ball of hail, lol.  Some days I am just so exhausted, tired, and overwhelmed. And then I remember those wonderful things I talked about at the top of this post. Plus my two kiddos who are the most wonderful things in my life.  And I have a few really great friends, who support me in everything I do. In that, honest, I'll tell when I think you're screwing up, but still support you kind of way, lol.  And that makes me smile.

Forgive me while I share some lines from another song...

Call it what you will, I call it rain

When troubles come and pan against my soul

Go in if you like, I will remain

And let the washing waters make me whole

Just when I'm sure that I can't bear the rain

A tiny leaf starts pushing through the ground

In a place where the soil was too dry to sustain it

A new tiny flower can be found

I like to remind myself that with every struggle comes wisdom.  And just like the rain, those troubles do make me the person that I am. And I like that person. Even on the days I question what it's all about. :)

Sleep well tonight :)

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell

If you slept peaceably in your bed last night thank a Veteran!

The above sentences were on a friend's facebook status this evening. I couldn't agree more.  I would just add one thing. Don't forget their families. :)  I have always respected, admired and was thankful for, every person who has ever been in the service. But I'll admit that sometimes I underappreciate their wives, children and other family.  I always appreciated their sacrifice... but not enough. I have a friend whose husband has been gone for 8 months... and her courage, generosity and humility inspires me.  And every time I think about her husband being in Iraq, I wonder if I could make the same sacrifice with the smile that she has.  So thanks to her, and to everyone out there sacrifcing for our country.

Words of Wisdom from Davis...

Just a quick post... a few words of wisdom from my son. Who just cracks me up.

Today we got into the car after school and Haley said, "Ugh. My shoes are full of sweat." And Davis replied... "That's funny, my shoes are all full of feet." 

I don't know what, but that just cracked me up.  So matter of fact... and so silly. Love him. ;)

Worky work, busy bee

Phew. That was a big week!  Sorry I didn't have any posts this week!  I worked at my new job, which I just absolutley love.  Then I had a show on Friday, and another on Saturday in another city.  I set up my booth twice on Friday!! That was a new experience, but it was worth it. I had a great weekend. :)

Of course, I forgot my camera, so no pictures. But I had my first 'sleepover' in many years and felt like a giddy little teenager again. The show I did on Saturday is about an hour away from my home, and I wanted to set up the night before.  So I called my friend who lives about 20 minutes away from the show (about 45 from me) and asked to spend the night on her couch. She immediately volunteered to come and help me at the show. Woot! I never have a helper, and it was absolutley amazing.

Then on Saturday night I got a call from an awesome lady that freelances for the local press... and she wanted to do a feature on me in the craft column that she does. WOOHOO! So we met on Sunday and talked for about 3 hours more than it normally takes her, lol.  It is a special talent I have, you see. ;)

Hope you all had a great week... I'll be back to posting soon, i promise. ;)

Dove

Have you ever waited for a movie come out forever, watching your kids get more excited by the day, only to and have the entire movie be inappropriate for their age? Sigh.  Yeah, that sounds very frustrating. Fortunately, I know a way to avoid it altogether.

I use Dove.org.  It is a Grand Rapids MI based (my home town, WOOT!), non-profit organization that reviews movies.  They not only review the content to say whether it was a decent movie, but also if it is approriate.  Here's the nice thing... they also tell you WHY.  Not just 'violence' or 'language'. In the review, they tell you, the parent, that they said the word 'butt' two times, etc. Now, the word butt seems harmless to me... but maybe not to someone else?  Also, for those religions that do not condone sorcery, they will tell you about that too! 

I always thought this was something everyone knew about and used.  Then when I offered the site to a local mom, she said she had never heard of it!  A shame!  So I thought I'd share it with all of you... just in case. :)  Happy movie watching!

More of Sara

Since I some great responses from my other Sarah Groves post a few days ago, I decided to share another.  :)  This one has another very special place in my heart, and it is from the same album. 

I am a person that feels called to volunteer. Partly selfish, I love the feeling I get when I am giving to someone else. I love that my time, my thought, my effort can help another person.  I used to help run a Mothers of Preschoolers group, and loved it.  Giving a group of mothers time for themselves helped them be better mothers, and it made me feel like a better person.  I have done a lot of volunteering over the years. Girl Scouts, school functions, etc. You know the drill. ;)  And I have to admit that there were definitely some rough times. It is a lot of work.  You have to balance alot when you volunteer.  Why are you doing it?  If you are voluntering for Girl Scouts, are you doing it for your daughter? For the other girls?  When it starts to take too much time away from you family is it really a benefit anymore? So many adversities, so many reasons to keep doing it.  And when I first heard this song, I just sighed, and said "Thanks Sara. For getting it. For saying it."

Know My Heart

Inspired by Psalm 24:3-6, and Psalm 139:23 & 24.

Why do I pray-do I pray to say I prayed an hour? Why do I love-do I want you beholden to me? Why do I help-do I want to hear my name called out? Why do I sing? . Chorus: Search me and know my heart, oh God. See if there is any wrong thing in me. All I have ever really wanted are clean hands and a pure heart. . Why do I tithe-do I tithe so I can get a blessing? Why do I praise-do I praise to do the right thing? Why do I serve-do I serve so others will serve me? Why do I sing? . Chorus

I would love if every person who volunteers could hear this song before they choose to do it. "Why do I help-do I want to hear my name called out?"  Some people truly volunteer to help because it makes them feel important.  Which is in some ways, is justified. You SHOULD feel great when you help others. But it shouldn't be WHY you do it.  Do you go to church because that's just 'what you do'?  Do you help others to get the thanks?

 

I'll admit, sometimes I feel down when I don't get a thank you.  But then I have to remind myself that that's not why I did it.  This kind of goes along with this post.  My self proclaimed mission is to make at least one person smile every day. Even if that person is me. ;)  But I really don't do it because I want others to say "Gee, that Karin is really great", though of course, I certainly wouldn't mind hearing it.  I do it because that's what I'd like every person I encounter to have a happy moment.  And if I never get a thanks, well, that's okay.  Because just knowing that I made someone smile is thanks enough for me. :)  

"All I have ever really wanted are clean hands and a pure heart."

Halloween

Yesterday morning Davis asked if we could go to the library.  So we all piled into the car to go.  He had asked a few times the last week or so, but for some reason or another we just weren't able to go. So he was pretty excited. After about 5 minutes, he had only picked out one book.  Now, my kids read an hour before bed every night. Every. night.  So they go through a lot of books.  So when Davis had only picked out one book, I gave him kind of  a hard time about it.  What's the deal?  Then he asked me if he could just go lay down on the couch in the corner. Uh. oh. :(

And when we got home I took his temperature. 101.1.  Yupper.  No trick or treating for you.  Okay, I admit it, I thought about going with him to a trunk or treat (NOT our usual fair, frankly, we consider that sort of cheating here at the Schueller house, lol) or something.  But he was really not doing well.  And when I offered to bring him somewhere he said he didn't want to get anyone else sick. What an awesome kid!  So I asked him what we could do to make his night better, and he asked for a movie.  Done!  We ran to the video store to pick one out. And he wore his costume there, just so he'd be able to show somebody the costume that night.  But now what do we do for Haley???  It's not really fair to make her stay home just because Davis is sick. Aunt Susan to the rescue!!!

My sister Susan drive all of the way to my house (the opposite direction of where they actually trick or treat, which is by my mother's home 35 minutes away) just to pick up Haley and bring her trick or treating.

But the best part?  Aunt Susan dressed up in that costume JUST so that she could trick or treat too!! She gave all of her candy to Davis so that he'd still have his own stash. :)  Seriously.  That's one awesome Aunt. She defintely has cool points right now.  When he woke up this morning the first thing he said was "I am so glad that Aunt Susan did that for me."

When we were taking pictures, suddenly Davis appeared in costume. I thought he just wanted to get in the picture... but he told me later that he was going to try to go to a few houses with them.  (He thought they were going in our neighborhood).  It was so hard to watch him.  He was so exhausted.. but yet so sad about the whole thing.

But that was all better when Aunt Susan showed up with the candy!

This was at 10 at night. That smile is so big I can't even explain it. This is my junk food boy. He LIVES for Halloween. No kidding.  When she handed him a WHOLE candy bar, woah, that smile was true. :)  Of course, if he hadn't been sick and tired, he would have been jumping up and down and I wouldn't have gotten the picture, lol.

And here's Haley with her Hershey's bar.  She had an amazing night. This morning she came into my room and told me about the entire night. She was HIGH on sugar and happiness. It was awesome. She was talking fast, not making any sense and just purely joyful.  Halloween was officially awesome. :)

Won it, Love it, Woulda Bought it

A few posts ago I told you about a plug in candle warmer that I won.  I promised you that I'd review the item... so here goes...

Buy one. Seriously. I love it.

And I'm not just saying that becuase I got mine for free. And because the girl that did the giveaway was AWESOME (which she was!!).  I put one little square of wax in there, have used it every day this week, and it is still half full!  My house smells YUMMY instantly!  The best part? No flame... and it doesn't take up room on my counter. They have larger, tabletop versions, which I have heard great things about. But I really love that it doesn't take up any 'space'. 

AND since there is no flame, there is no soot.  For reals.  It is awesome. Want one of your own?  Go here!  Tell Alissa I said hello!  ;)

p.s.  No one asked me to do the review... I just loved it so much I wanted to share with all of you!

Costumes and Pumpkins

So last night, my sister calls me.  Her son chose to be Harry Potter... and she had found the robe on Craigslist. Perfect right?  Then the person with the robe kept pushing her off. Her kids had the flu. She couldn't get together. That was two weeks ago. So my sister waited. She got another email... but still no meeting time.  So last night, she was in panic. She had the glasses... she had the scarf. But no robe. HP needs a robe! Aunt Karin to the rescue!! So we met at the local fabric store at 8pm and I went right home, nephew and sister in tow, to make a robe. I would in NO way say it was perfect, but it worked. ;) 

Is he not a perfect Harry Potter?  It was an interesting evening, quickly sewing it up... but it was worth it to see that smile. :)  I had already finished up Haley's costume earlier in the evening. (Nothing like waiting until the last minute!)  Then when my nephew left I decided that I couldn't spend more time on his costume than Davis'.  Davis had chosen to re-use his Spongebob costume from a few years ago... but I decided I could add a few things to it. :)  Hmm... what to do. What to do. The Krusty Krab hat?  I think so!

Okay, I know. It's kind of lumpy.  But have you ever seen the episode where spongebob stuffs the inspector in his hat?  Just pretend that you're watching that episode. ;)  The important thing is that Davis was surprised, and happy. I think he felt special to add something to his costume. :)  This pic is of him at his school party.  Then I went down to see Haley...

My sweet little 50's girl. :)  Is she not just gorgeous?  I'll admit... it was a little weird to go down to her classroom. She is in 6th grade, the oldest in the school.  The parents that planned the party brought prizes, etc. They ran it, and when I was in there, the teacher didn't leave his computer. Before now, all of her teachers have been 'involved'.  I just felt like she was suddenly all grown up. Next year is going to be tough. On me. lol

I also just had to share this. These were posted all over the place, and it just kind of made me giggle. When I was a kid, it was basically "Suck it up and go to school!" lol. Now it's, PLEASE don't get everybody else sick!!!  Haley has already been absent like 5 times. :(  Two of those were for dentist/doctor appointments, but still. Should be interesting to see how many absent days she has at the end of the year!

So then we had to run out to the car... in the rain. Here's Davis and I all wet from running to the car. Haley waited inside. Smart girl. ;)

So since it was raining, we decided to carve pumpkins tonight.  For the first time, someone besides me helped gut one of them. WOOHOO!! Ross is not a fan of doing that part, so I always volunteer. Haley decided to give it a go...

This year they both carved it out themselves. I was pretty impressed! They drew their pictures and then did the rest.  All I did was smile and take pictures. It was awesome.

Davis' masterpiece.

Such concentration.

I think they did a great job, don't you?  I swear, they are getting so big. I know, I am such a cliche.

Just realized that i have no idea if I have candles for the inside...

Pumpkins

Last night we finally went to go get pumpkins. Last year we were slackers... got the pumpkins and then never had the time to carve them. So tomorrow... it is ON, lol.  If we don't Davis will never forgive me.  He actually wanted to carve them when I got home tonight and I was a party pooper. ;)

Prepare for picture overload...

How stinkin' cute is he??

Okay, now he's cute... but trying to be a hoodlum? lol Please note is not a hang loose sign, more of a "I love you" sign only crooked?

Awww, now he's sweet again. Hugging his sister!

And now he's trying to suffocate her, lol.

There we go. :)

Haley look so grown up to me in this picture.

And Davis, well, he's such a goof. He wanted to make sure you knew THIS was the one he picked, lol.

Yup, that's still the same pumpkin. ;)

This cracked me up. "Quick Mom, take a picture! The pumpkin is my head!"

Since we were at Post Farms, home of the best pumpkin donuts EVER, we had to get some. :)  Apparently Davis couldn't take a moment from the donut for a picture. Um, I don't really blame him, lol. They are YUMMY.

Still eating, lol. Haley's was long gone by this picture. ;)

And Davis took this one of Haley and I. I LOVE her smile here.  I just wish it weren't all fuzzy.  She is so beautiful it hurts. :)

Leafy Goodness

I love Fall. It is, hands down, my favorite season. I love being able to wear a sweater and jeans and be comfortable. I love walking out into the crisp air.  Love. it.

Last night my kids decided to go out and enjoy a beautiful fall evening, and play in the leaves. I was sitting at the computer, writing yesterday's post, and I hear Davis yell "Mom, you HAVE to see this".  I'll admit it.. my first thought was "Uh oh."

Do you see anything in the leaves?

Oh, there she is!

Seriously, how she was breathing under there, well, I'm not sure, lol.  But I just love that she is patient enough to wait for me to take a picture. ;)

And then of course, it was Davis' turn, so Haley threw on some leaves.

I kind of wish I had taken Haley's this direction too.... I just love it.

My plea to you...

I am going to take a big ol' step onto my soap box. Bear with me. I'm really NOT preaching, though it may come off that way.  I'm really just sending out a plea... because if you care enough to read my blog, I care enough about you to say this.

Do you wear a bike helmet?  No?  Do you make your kids, but don't feel 'it's necessary' for you?  Do you not make your kids wear one?

Here's the deal... I realize that when 'we' were kids, we didn't have helmets. We didn't wear seat belts, we didn't grow up in a car seat. And we all made it, didn't we?  But you know, sad as it is to think about, there were alot of young children who did NOT make it.  They died in a car accident because they didn't have a seat belt on. Or maybe they had brain damage from falling off their bike. Or perhaps they died.  I have a relative that was a professor at a university. He often rode his bike to work when the weather was nice. One day he swerved to miss a student... and the next day they were planning a funeral. He fell, hit is head and died.  My mom used to tell me that story when I didn't want to wear my helmet. In high school? Come ON, Mom! ;)

When my husband started cycling a year or two ago, I met so many people that shared my love of the helmet.  It's a must have. Actually, here in Michigan, you are legally supposed to wear one when riding in the street.

Lately I have noticed a lot of careless cyclists and it makes me sad.  Truly. The other night, I ran to the store after dark.  I passed a cyclist on a relatively busy road (speed limit 45) and she had one little blinkie (flashing light) on her bike. She wore no helmet, and no blinkie on herself. Frankly, I barely saw her. It terrified me.  What if I had hit and killed her? Or even just hurt her? Here is my plea to you.  If you are a non-helmet wearer... think of me. Think of the person driving the car. Think if that person will recover from the guilt, if they end up hitting you, becuase you didn't have your helmet and blinkie on.  On the same note... I saw a woman today with a toddler on her handlebars. She even had the seat on the back of her bike, but chose not to use it. One slip, and her child could die from that height.  One swerve, one pebble, one pothole. And he would be gone. The entire family did not have helmets on.

I am not saying this to say that I judge that mother.  I don't. We all have 'our things'.  This is one of them for me.  She has the choice to use it, or choose not to, and so do you. My plea is that you'll choose to use the helmet. Pretty please? I don't want to lose even one of you. ;)

Reaping what we sow...

One of my favorite singers is Sara Groves. If you don't own one of her cd's, you are missing out. If you've never seen her perform you are REALLY missing out.... because as much as I love the cd's... they are nothing compared to seeing/hearing her perform live. I love that she makes me think. She writes about everyday things from a Christian perspective. Oh sure, there are praise songs...but there are also love songs for her husband (and not those high school type love songs... real, true, LOVE songs) and songs for her children (which, frankly, just make me cry, because she writes what all mothers are feeling) and songs about the journey of life.

I can't even tell you a favorite album. I own all of them. And each one is a different journey in itself. But recently Haley and I were hanging out in the living room. She was doing a puzzle (I swear, this girl can do puzzles that scare the heck out of me, lol) and I was cutting fabric. So I asked her to go pick a CD and we could put it in and listen together. She chose the Conversations album. First of all... that is just awesome. She didn't pick the Jonas Brothers, or the High School Musical soundtrack. She chose Sara Groves.

Anyway, it has been a while since I've listened to this album... she has made a few since then, and the new ones took their spot in my cd player. But as soon as "Generations" came on, I knew that I was meant to hear this song again. If you don't know the words or the song... well, here you go.

Generations

Inspired by Deuteronomy 11:26-28.

I can taste the fruit of Eve. I'm aware of sickness death and disease. The results of her choices were vast. Eve was the first but she wasn't the last. If I were honest with myself, had I been standing at that tree, my mouth and my hands would be covered with fruit. Things I shouldn't know and things I shouldn't see. . Chorus: Remind me of this with every decision. Generations will reap what I sow. I can pass on a curse or a blessing to those I will never know. . She taught us to fear the serpent. I'm learning to fear myself and all of the things I am capable of in my search for acceptance, wisdom and wealth. To say the devil made me do it is a cop-out and a lie. The devil can't make me do anything when I'm calling on Jesus Christ. . Chorus . To my great-great-great-granddaughter, live in peace. To my great-great-great-grandson, live in peace. To my great-great-great granddaughter, live in peace. To my great-great-great-grandson, live in peace, live in peace. . Chorus . Eve was the first but she wasn't the last.

Bear with me. I know this has been a long post. But really think about those words. Generations will reap what I sow. I can pass on a curse or a blessing to those I will never know. She is talking about her grandchildren, and their grandchildren. And those that they will affect. When you smile, when you live life to the fullest, and you teach whatever it is that you CHOOSE to teach your children... that will have an affect on future generations. Do you want them to remember you as a martyr? Do you want them to you remember you as someone that smiled, or one that was never satisfied? Do you want them to be able to go out into the world and do their will... or do you want them to depend on you forever? Sometimes I need to be reminded of this... I'm not "just a mom". I'm helping to sculpt the people that my children will be as they grow older. And the type of parents they will someday be if they choose to have children. What an amazing, amazing job I have. :)