Monthly Archives: January 2010

Miscellany

An inconspicuous escape

11 January 2010 – 1:00 am

If you’re planning to, say, meet your grandmother for brunch at “the home” … and must leave your small church body during the final song … do not – I repeat – do not walk down the center aisle.  Because try as you may to look small and invisible, you’ll glance to the left and see someone you know.  Since you don’t have time to chat, you’ll wave.  You’ll look to the right, same thing.  Before you know it, you’re gliding your way down a walkway, blowing kisses and elbow-elbow-wrist-wrist-wrist-ing your way out of church. 

The side aisle my friends… the side aisle is the only way to go.

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Shop therapy

Let that banner fly

7 January 2010 – 1:00 am

It does not take long to realize our family is not afraid to let our freak flag fly.  With that in mind, I suppose it’s only natural that I would be drawn to banners.   Banners made of paper, and those made of bunting.  Bright, colorful banners, and those of muted tones.   I love them. 

Because they’re fun and fanciful…

{visit Nestable's Etsy site}

Because they tell a story…

{visit monkeypuzzle's Etsy site}

Because they add character to even the dullest of rooms…

{visit adorablefiend's Etsy site}

Because they make me feel like this, even when it’s cold and blustry outside, and I’m stuck indoors …

{visit ladybugsuebee's Etsy site}

*sigh*

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Miscellany

Let’s cuddle

6 January 2010 – 1:00 am

Now lest you be alarmed, let me explain:  today, January 6th, is ”Cuddle Up Day.”  Oh yes, it’s true!

Lucky for me, I have the perfect blanket.  My Ana Sonja made it for me upon graduating from High School.  She makes one for everyone she knows – and we are the luckiest people in the world.  Pretty sure.  Made up of demin squares, backed with super soft flannel, they are so warm and snuggly.  You do, occasionally, have to fight others off, but it’s totally worth the fight.  For that reason, my aunt has been known to make another quilt for a spouse – all to save a marriage.  The blankets are that good.   

I certainly hope you have something that might compare; because for one blessed day we have an excuse to curl up with a favorite someone, cat nap, read, write, watch a movie marathon, or simple stare into space.  For one blessed day we have an excuse to cuddle with our favorite blankey, no matter what our age.

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Miscellany

Weiners!

5 January 2010 – 8:22 am

The Boise State Broncos did it again.  In case you haven’t heard, they won the Fiesta Bowl, beating TCU in a 17-10 victory, and completing a 14-0 season.  It was thrilling; and completely stressful.  My shoulders *whimper.*

I’m not a diehard football fan, as you might have guessed, but I do so love our boys.  And Coach Petersen!  He deserves every win … not just for his tireless work as a coach, but his sportsmanship.  I’ve never heard him put down an opposing team; I’ve never seen him gloat.  He is a good example of how one should win, not only on the playing field, but in life.  So to to our Broncos – the Big Blue – a hearty Congratutions for a perfect season.  We’re proud to call you our team, not just for your wins, but your character as well. 

And while we’re on the topic of winners, I thought you might like to know I am one.  Now I know what you’re thinking, aren’t you the girl who took the “fun bus” to Jackpot – where you played Bingo all three hours – and did not win so much as a fly swatter?  A FLY SWATTER, PEOPLE - and yes, that’s correct.  

But a couple weeks ago, I was perusing the winners on the Bright Side Project and came across my own entry.  Naturally, I didn’t believe it at first, figuring it to be some sort of technological spasm.  But after clicking back and forth several times, I realized I was, indeed, a winner.   

First of all, I won my choice of jewelry from FriedaSophie - and you must know I love, love, love her pieces.  Secondly, I was informed by the girls of the Bright Side Project that I probably wouldn’t hear back from FriedaSophia until after the first of the year, being the holidays and all.  I figured as much.  But much to my surprise, I promptly received a reply.  Even though it was a gift, she allowed me to choose my gem, and she created the earrings and sent them out before the new year.  I received them Saturday.  

Here I am wearing them …

And since you can’t really see them (with that beak, I refuse all profile shots, naturally), here’s a bit of a closeup (profuse apologies for the blurring nature of the photo) …

They are well-crafted and oh-so lovely.  You can probably guess that I now highly recommend FriedaSophie.   

Lastly (but certainly not least), there was meaning behind this win.  I wanted teal because it reminded me of Dixi.  Winning with this entry, at this time, was truly a bright side to a moment of blue.  Who would believe a couple of women would come up with an idea to give away free things, to make people happy … an artist would donate one of her pieces … and the heart of a sad stranger would be lightened.  

For such a time as this … After reading the winning entries for the last few months, I know I’m not the only life that’s been touched. 

So remember, winning or losing is not nearly as important and how you conduct yourself.  If you feel led to do something – even if it requires a lot of work, and not-so-much money – do it.  You just never know the lives you’ll touch.  And even if you consider yourself unlucky, refuse to give in.  Chances are, you’ll win when you least expect it - right when you need it most.

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Miscellany

A new day

4 January 2010 – 11:03 am

Well, my friends, did you see the new year in, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed?  Someone had to, as I most certainly did not.  As a matter of fact, I was uncharacteristically blah.  No festive napkins, no party poppers – I did not even attempt to keep my peepers open ’til midnight.  I went to bed at 9:30 and slept right through the fireworks. 

Perhaps this means my year will be the thing to shine?  We shall just see, won’t we …

Of course, I did celebrate.  My mum and I went to “the home” to celebrate with my grama and her friends … who, in turn, were celebrating the new year with Paris (France, not Hilton).  It was a rousing party filled with music, noise makers, hats, food, libations, and prizes!  We each received a raffle ticket.  I offered to read my neighbor’s ticket since he left his glasses up in his room.  I also had my grama’s ticket, along with my own. 

Now my mom and I decided that if our numbers were called, we would pretend it was grama’s.  That’s precisely what I had on my mind when the top ticket was called.    

“You won!” I said to my grama.  “You won!  You won!  Say something –   you’re a winner!!!” 

Right about the time my grama’s hand shot up in the air and started waving wildly, I realized the ticket was neither mine, nor hers.  It belonged to the gentleman sitting next to me.    

“Oh wait!  It’s not you!  Wrong ticket!!!  You didn’t win … so sorry … he won.” I said this as I pointed to the gentleman sitting next to me; like it wasn’t rude enough that I completely botched my job.   Obviously, I completely fall apart under pressure.  Sigh.     

Of course, said gentleman was truly a gentleman and pretended he was the least bit interested in the CD, handing it back to my grama.  In God’s great mercy, his number … or my grama’s number, as the case may be … was the last to be called.  But alas, some old woman up front either couldn’t see her number, or just plain decided to take matters in her own hands.   Whatever the case, she was not to be trifled with and won the prize.   And that was that. 

So yes, I did celebrate.  I did have fun – right up until that last little bit.  But it wasn’t anything big and clamoring that made the start of this year great.  It was a quiet stroll through Kathryn Albertson Park.  The temperature was all of 32 degrees F.  The park was still, the ponds iced.  We greeted perfect strangers – pink cheeked and bundled – and took photos as best we could with frozen fingers.  It was just what we were needing – a simple reminder that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.  Sometimes even the gnarled can possess a hint of grace.

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