It Happens to Be

Tissue Tearin Tiger

This morning I sleepily shuffled to the other end of the house to wake the boys, so snoozy that my eyes were mere slits, open just enough to keep me from breaking my neck in the dark.    I flipped on the hall light and announced a new day was beginning – Wake Up; it’s time to get ready.  Announcement complete, I turn to make my way to the soggy sleep snuffer (a.k.a. the shower). As I pass the linen closet it occurs to me that I need a clean towel.  Eyes slightly ajar now, I turn the door knob and what happens next could be defined as Eye-Opening.  Out of the closet leaps a ferocious and vocal tiger, ah hem – cat. The clambering and meowing and fluff that accompanied her exit was enough to let me know that she had spent the night in there. Like most cats, Katie has a personality that rivals some of the strongest Type A people I know. She had to express her displeasure in a manner that would make the greatest impact – thus the “Tissue Confetti Fit” ensued.  (Note: This is not the first time a 12 pack of tissue has succumbed to the wrath of Katie Bird claws.)

  

Despite this escapade, Katie is the coolest cat.  She has been hanging out at our house for about three years now but prior to that she lived with my sister for the first six or seven years of her life.  We have come to love her high strung kittyness and actually argue over who her favorite family member is – we all want to be the one she loves on.  She is quirky in the sweetest sense. With her bob tail and affinity for down comforter sleeping, we wouldn’t know what to do without her.

 

When I get home tonight, I have a mess to clean up.  Katie’s precision and accuracy in her shredding technique do make this tissue confetti a great additive to the compost barrel – albeit expensive!!! Now that I think of it, I trimmed her nails last night – maybe she didn’t like her manicure and locked herself in the linen closet??? 

Meow!

Sugar Buns to Shoulders

I’m really not sure how we made it five years and two weeks without this incident but I venture that is probably longer than most parents.  It wasn’t immediately obvious since Anslie’s hair is really long and very curly but it only took one really close look and I KNEW!! Mischief was afoot.

 

The conversation went something like this...

 

Me:       Anslie, did you cut your hair?

Anslie:  No mommy (sweet, heart melting smile)

Me:       Are you sure? Were you playing with scissors at daycare?

Anslie:  No mommy. No, I didn’t. (HUGE, sweet, heart melting smile)

 

(This called for a closer inspection.)

Me:       Anslie!! Elizabeth!! Ollis!! Don’t tell mommy a lie. Did you cut your hair? Where is the hair? Where are the scissors? Did you hide it? Show me right this minute!

Anslie:  (Stepping down off the bathroom stool and heading down the hallway, with me in HOT pursuit – She turns to face me)

              “Wait here mommy”.

Me:       (Insert Exorcist Head Spin Here) Oh no I won’t! You will show me right now. (The nerve of my five year old to order me to wait here so I won’t see her hiding spot!)

 

As I round the corner of her bed and look down to see my scrapbook scissors amid piles of beautiful red curls, I can feel the tears.  I don’t know if I’m mad or sad.

 

 

Me:       Oh Anslie, why? Why did you cut your hair?

Anslie:  Silence – Goliath couldn’t drag an answer out of this mouth.

 

I gently scoop up the precious tendrils of her baby years and turn to leave; a wave of nausea sweeping over me. As I try to sort out this flood of emotions I hear the sweetest voice say “Wait mommy”! I turn around just in time to see her pull a second handful of curls from another hiding place. “Here’s the rest”.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!

I snatch the hair from her small hand and break into a run.  Russss…..ell, I scream. She DID cut her hair, Lots of it. Anslie and I arrive at my husband’s side at exactly the same time.  My face filled with horror and hers sporting, yes you guessed it – a sweet heart melting smile.

 

{Side Note: We see a good bit of these smiles when someone has been up to no good at our house.}

 

In a voice of indignance, Anslie proclaims “Look what mommy found under my bed”, as if she were being blackmailed or something.  At this point, I can’t even rationalize how this is getting turned around. 

 

How are we going to put it back with the rest mommy?

We can’t! You should have thought about that before you started cutting.

Remember when my hair was down to my sugar buns mommy?

Yes, now it’s up to your shoulders!!!

I don’t know about you, but if I were in Anslie’s shoes, I would be nervous – not her though.  She knows dad all too well. Pinky wrapped WELL! He is having a hard time discerning who to address, me or her. I can tell he is finding humor in her ability to own this conversation. In his sweetest dad voice – “Anslie Honey, why did you cut your hair?”

 

Shoulder Shrug

I absolutely MUST remove myself from this conversation before I cave into a heap of tears and laughter. I am in awe at her ability to make light of something I perceive as nothing short of life altering trauma.  In the end, Anslie gets a spanking (administered by dad) for telling a lie and I have to get an appointment for 911 Hair Repair. Thank goodness my salon not only has wonderful stylists but WONDERFUL friends.

Anslie now sports shoulder length hair that she is perfectly happy with.  She is oblivious to her mother’s pain of losing those precious locks of spiraling, bouncing curls.

Do you remember?

…where you were five years ago today?  Probably not, unless you are like me and are celebrating the birth of your 5 year old today. Yes, this has definitely been the fastest five years of my life.  Filled with excitement, worry, laughter, tears, sweet kisses and learning experiences.

 

It wasn’t suppose to be Anslie’s fifth birthday yet (she was not due until April) but just like everything else she does, she was in a hurry to get here.  A HUGE hurry. As a matter of fact, I think she is stuck in fast forward – she runs, leaps, bounds, skips, talks, runs, runs, runs. Well, you get the picture; she does everything fast and fast makes me t-i-r-e-d.  If you’ve ever read the Olivia books, you could just pretend it says Anslie instead of Olivia.

 

Tired has its rewards though – I’ll share a few of them with you – In the voice of Anslie:

 

“Mommy, when will I be 39 like you?” (This is only said shouted in very crowded public places.)

“God doesn’t like it when you yell at me.”

“Is there anymore Spegarus?” (That’s Asparagus for all of you who don’t have 5 yr olds)

 “Can you give me some of daddy’s money”?

 “God gave us these wonderful bodies, didn’t he?”

 

Makes you smile doesn’t it?  It makes me smile too.

 

Happy 5^th Birthday Anslie!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then........

 

 

 

 

......and Now

 

 

Lord, we thank you for our many blessings.   ~Amen

Things that make me smile...

  Just a few of the things that make me smile……

• mommy (whispered softly)
• a cold pillow

                                              

• my man in his blue jeans & beige sweater
• prayer
• forsythia blooms

                                            

• having the right answer
• memories of my mom
• strawberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream
• innocence

I’m really very easy to please. Such simple things that bring happiness to my life, how about you – what makes you smile?

I’ve got “Glitter” in my hair!

Just the other day, I was washing my hands in the ladies room at work when I glanced up in the mirror.  The light was just right and as I turned my head, a shimmer of light caught my eye. I’m thinking “how in the world did I get glitter in my hair??”  A quick replay of everything I had worked on this morning…email..copying…purchase orders – nope, not a trace of glitter in any of those jobs – Curious?

Now my vanity is 100 percent sure I have managed to pick up a speck of glitter and maneuver it to my head somehow but my realistic side says “Girlfriend!! You’ve got some gray in that mop of yours!!” Hmmpf!  Aren’t I too young to have gray? Surely gray is for “old” people and I’m not old am I?

 AM I? AM I?

A closer look and instantly my heartbeat picks up the pace. If I can see the gray in the mirror then so can everyone else!  “HARSH” reality.  Funny how gray on everyone else is either distinguished or sophisticated BUT on me it is plain old Ugly.  Now I’m not just saying that because I don’t want my hair to turn gray. My gray hairs are ugly, the course wiry kind (similar to those on a schnauzer – REALLY, just like that). You can bet, if you wind up with a whole head full of those you are in for some serious “Bad Hair Days”!! Could I get a little break here? If my hair has to turn gray couldn’t I get the beautiful silky silver hair that looks positively elegant when cut short at the nape of the neck – Oh Yeah!! That is the kind of gray I want.

I have spent the past twenty two years with some sort of artificial color on my hair. Maybe from a bottle or tube, applied with foil, pulled through a cap or artistically painted on with a brush. Whatever the method that I used to achieve a (perceived) prettier hair color, the fact of the matter is that it involved a lot of work, was relatively costly in the scheme of my beauty regimen and potentially unhealthy. So! This past year, I decided to go au natural and return to the mousy brown of my younger days. Herein lies the problem, after twenty-two years the mousy brown is being replaced by schnauzer gray.

Now all of this is distressing in more ways than one – first off, I don’t really want my hair to turn gray, second of all I often pray that God will give me the strength to age gracefully.  Gracefully I said – did you hear that Grace – ful – ly. No mid-life crisis for me. Whining over gray hair is far from graceful so I will take the high road and be grateful that they are turning gray and not turning loose!  I want to be strong enough to appreciate that each of those gray hairs was earned and that they are part of what defines who I am.  For now, I will label those “you know what’s” as strands of glitter – Shine On!!!

Labor “Free” Day Giveaway!

Labor can be physical or mental work. An effort that can be exhausting, methodical or rewarding, – but always time consuming. Labor Day, originally established in the late 1800’s as a day off for the working citizens has evolved into the modern “unofficial end to summer”. It may be the last three day weekend of the summer to spend with family and friends; swimming, grilling or just hanging out. Cooler temperatures, football season and shorter days signal fall is just around the corner.  Unfortunately the rest intended for Labor Day isn’t always restful.  Whether driving somewhere, preparing food, entertaining or cleaning up the remnants of a relaxing family day, Labor Day can be laborious, especially for women and moms. Don’t take offense guys, but most women are the planners, preparers and workers of celebrations such as these.

With that in mind I would like to invite you to create your own personal “labor free” day.  A day (or maybe just a couple of hours) all to yourself. No work, just plain simple relaxation that requires no preparation or effort. The kind you read about in FICTION books. Obviously it’s not likely that it will fall on Labor Day itself but on a day that you can set aside for you – but it should be soon, very soon! I envision this time alone in a cozy chair, a thought provoking book and soothing music all melded together by some sinfully delicious chocolate.  Your vision may be different, but enchanting nonetheless. The basket below includes some gear to get you started in your quest for a bit of rest and solitude.

Leave me a comment and tell me how you would spend your “labor free” day by noon EST on Friday September 5th and you may be the lucky winner. Gentleman, your comments are welcomed, encouraged, wanted – and yes, you could be the winner too.  I know about hard working men, who need a break – I’m married to one!!

The contents are:

*Green Floral Leatherette Writing Journal

*Contemporary Parker Vector & Parker Jotter pens

*Cool Colors Assorted Blank Note Cards

*The Last Lecture - The story of Randy Pausch, Professor Carnegie Mellon

*Chris Botti "Italia" CD (awesome jazz trumpeter) featuring Paula Cole & Dean Martin

AND.....5 ounces of rich, heavenly, luscious, assorted Lindt Truffles

- Sure sounds relaxing to me, indulgent even. J

A Few Rules

• You must be over 18 years old
• One entry per email address/comment
• You must leave a comment in this post to be entered (note:  If you are reading this through the email subscription, you need to visit http://ithappens2b.typepad.com to enter the giveaway)
• Winner needs to claim their prize within 3 days

Winner will be announced Saturday September 6th! (The prize will be mailed by USPS free of charge to the lucky reader.)

Green and Simple

Living green is not about sacrifice, it’s about making conscientious choices. It’s about our day to day actions and how they affect the care we give ourselves, our families, our community and our surroundings. It sounds really simple doesn’t it? As individuals, we can make a difference everyday. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m far from the eco-friendly, sustainable living, energy conserving “greenie”, but I have made a conscious effort in the past few years to pay closer attention.  We have established several green practices in our home but one of my favorite and most recent is the “Reusable Grocery Tote”.

Man, I love these things.  It takes me back to the days of old when you got real bags. Paper bags.  Square - with nice high sides and easy to pack, although sometimes awkward if not packed properly. But, they too were not very environmentally friendly. The new movement toward reusable grocery bags brings lots of good qualities for consumers and our environment.

A few of which are: 

*Reduced landfill waste

*Reduced petroleum consumption

* Reusable (of course J)

* Lightweight

* Long Handles for Carrying

* Bottom Inserts for Support (not all of them have this feature)

*and my personal favorite…they are square, which makes it so easy to pack your groceries neatly without split bags and torn handles.

Do I forget to carry them into the supermarket sometimes, yes. Do I forget to take them back to the car after unpacking, yes. Do my children wear them around the house on their heads, yes. (which mind you is safer than a plastic bag) Despite my inability to remember them, when I do – I love them. Some of you are probably thinking that it’s probably more hassle than it’s worth but let me show you why, if you use them, you are making a BIG difference.

1. Retailers spend approximately $4 billion a year for these bags and the cost is passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices. Ouch!

2. Over a billion plastic bags are handed out daily, daily I said, do you hear me - DAILY!

3. In a landfill, plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to degrade. (I’m not sure how they know this since plastic is not anywhere close to 1,000 years old – science! isn’t it great!)

4. Plastic is made from petroleum – enough said!

As if this information is not staggering enough; in 1997 an alarming discovery was made by an American sailor, Charles Moore in the Pacific Ocean. This discovery is what is now known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located in the North Pacific Tropical Gyre. This patch of “plastic soup” is constantly growing in size and poses extreme risks to marine life and the marine eco-system and possibly an impact on human health. Mr. Moore has been studying this waste and estimates there is about 100 million tons of plastic circulating in the Northern Pacific, which is equal to about 2 ½ percent of all the plastic produced since 1950 or one years worth of plastic being produced in the world today. If you are trying to visualize, brace yourself - it is twice the size of the state of TEXAS. That is a LOT of plastic. When I first heard this story in late 2007 I was amazed, stunned, disbelieving - but now I am scared. Scared for the people who will have to deal with the future of this. If this is the result of a little over a hundred years of plastics consumption what will the ocean be like in another hundred?

We can make a difference – one reusable bag at a time.

Supermarkets and retail stores are seeing the trend and making these bags available for a small fee, anywhere from .89 to $1.99. They come in all different colors and usually are branded for some free advertising space. My favorite ones come with a stiff insert (either covered cardboard or plastic) to add stability to the bottom. I even got a freebie from our local grocer who teamed up with some well known manufacturers to promote green living. Not only was it free but it zips up into a small wallet size for easy carrying and storage (think glove compartment or console size).

   

All that said, those new bags seem like a small sacrifice conscientious choice in order to make a difference – don’t they? I thought you would agree, see how simple that is.

You can read more about green living and plastics in the environment here. Tell me what you think?

A Perfect Example

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.   Romans 8:28

These are probably not the pictures that your mind conjures up when you hear this scripture but it’s one of the first things I thought of when I saw the Eco-Dorm garden at Warren Wilson College.  Even the casual observer can see how these creatures are working together; some pollinating, others eating harmful insects and some just beautifying the landscape and making me smile.  What was amazing was how many critters there were in such a small area.  You haven’t seen bugs until you’ve seen the likes of these guys – thousands of bees, butterflies, ladybugs and others that I couldn’t even identify – all living in harmony for a common goal.  So what if their goal was survival, for us (humans) it means life as well.  Only about 10% of flowering plants are able to pollinate without animal assistance, which leaves a whole lot of work to be done. We can be thankful that so many of the fruits, vegetables and flowers we enjoy are made possible by those “working together for good”.  Not only were the insects hard at work, there are some pretty special people working hard to make this garden so impressive. I was fortunate enough to meet Jeremy who is one of the caretakers of this little slice of heaven. 

Jeremy was full of knowledge about the plants and overflowing with energy about his work and the sustainability of this project. For those of you who don’t “buy in” to the green living and sustainability culture, Warren Wilson College is a perfect example of how these practices are being successfully employed.

Thanks to Jeremy for indulging all of my questions and sharing some exquisite blackberries and tomatoes with us!! Oh, and an extra-special thanks to Leah (Jeremy's sister) for so patiently waiting to go to breakfast - which wound up being lunch because we chatted so long!

These berries were part of their breakfast, er...Lunch.

This girl is having some breakfast too....isn't she (I know, this is probably a male L)the most spectacular sight!

Check out more photos of this wonderful haven at my flickr photostream.

Ciao ~ Renee

One of a Kind

Now every mother thinks her child is “One of a Kind”, we just can’t help it.  When it comes to describing our children, each one is special. What is really exciting though is when others acknowledge the traits and talents that make your child who they are – an individual.

Society believes that childhood is an idyllic time: carefree, filled with lazy days and contentment. No pressures, just toys, television, perfect playmates, summer vacations and the likes of which are publicized in skads of parenting magazines and assorted media around the world. The truth is – childhood is HARD. Sure children typically don't have the worries of high gas prices, food shortages or the multitude of most other adult problems, BUT they do worry and they do have stress. A lot of childhood stress comes from the pressure to be like everyone else – that’s where being “One of a Kind” can sometimes be painful, very painful. As a child it is impossible to see how being different can serve you well in life. “Mom, if I don’t look, dress and talk like the rest of the group they make fun of me”. That sentence makes me want to cry because I know the truth in it.

As a society we have conditioned our youth to believe that clothes, cars and money define who we are. Shame on us!!! I mean that.  What is wrong with us when we no longer value the true qualities that make people special? When you take off those expensive clothes, step out of that fancy car and federal regulators shut down your bank, you will still be that same special individual – minus the fluff.  That’s what I want my children to learn.  I want them to appreciate their friends for their kindness, humor and intelligence, the stuff on the inside.  I also want to appreciate my children in the same manner, to be able to realize that each one is different and treat them as such.

Speaking of which, last week Jordan (my 10yo son) participated in drama camp which culminated in a Friday night performance. All week he practiced his lines and talked about which parts he was playing and when I should be watching for him. This is one of my favorite things to do – watch him perform.  He is oh so dramatic and funny.  He can sing, dance, act and improvise at the drop of a hat.

Great talents for any ten year old but, especially so since he is mine! (I know bragging is not becoming of a lady – today I choose to be unladylike).

As we got settled in for the performance, the director came on stage to introduce the camp theme and give an overview of the week.  She also handed out camp awards – Dear Lord, I can feel that lump appear in my throat out of nowhere. It’s as if I’ve been harboring a fugitive toad in my stomach and he has decided at this very moment to relocate!! Don’t laugh, every parent knows the feeling – “will my child get an award”? So, I patiently waited and smiled as campers crept from behind the curtain to collect their acknowledgements. As I waited, the stack of awards got smaller until there was only one award left – oh, I hope that one is for Jordan! Then the next sentence out of the director’s mouth made the frog in my throat do a double back handspring triple somersault.

“This last award is the ‘One of a Kind Award’, it goes to a camper who, let us just say, made a lasting impression on us and is truly one of a kind”. (OH NO, I change my mind, please Lord, don’t let it be Jordan).

"Our One of a Kind Award goes to Jordan Rhea, come on out Jordan”! (uuugh!  Hooray!!)

(Applause here!) And in an instant with his perfectly bright smile and gracious stage presence he appeared to accept his award.  A brief handshake, slight bow to the audience and he disappeared behind the curtain.

I slumped ever so slightly in my seat. Are people looking at me? Muttering about the kid who is “One of a Kind”? Wondering if he was out there? What kind of impression did he make that would be so lasting? Stop It Renee!! You are paranoid, nobody is looking at you and nobody thinks anything.  He went to camp and showed who he was; his individuality.  Dear Lord, please forgive me for thinking the worst. (Remind me sometime to tell you about my “Nosey Award” at Girl Scout camp – I believe that frog has been hanging around ever since.) To my relief the lights dimmed and it was show time.

As I sat there watching the performances of these 30 or so young actors and actresses I realize that I put too much emphasis on what I expect my children to be and not enough emphasis on who they truly are.

All of these participants are brave beyond belief.  Each one revealing their individual style, creativity and talent to a group of total strangers – that’s impressive. As many times as I have read chapter one of the Purpose Driven Life I still forget that my children are exactly who they are supposed to be.  God made them for his own purpose and carefully planned out every detail of their physical and spiritual being.  I am thankful that He has enough faith in me to entrust three of His precious children to my care. I am proud of my three “One of a Kind” children for who they are.

Today I’m especially proud of Jordan for his ambition, talent, humor, kindness and his heart of gold. He is so special and truly one of a kind. I know that God has great plans for him.

I can’t wait to see his next performance - this one was FABULOUS!

Each new child brings the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.  ~Tagore

Uniquely me,

~ Renee

Beautiful Living

Bele Chere = Beautiful Living

...that's the meaning of Bele Chere (pronounced Bell Cher) as translated from an ancient Scottish dialect. But what Bele Chere means to approximately 375,000 festival goers is FUN! Bele Chere is a free outdoor street festival in Asheville, NC and draws crowds from across the country the last weekend in July.

To be honest we hadn't planned on going to Bele Chere this year, but it just so happened that it coincided with Jordan's trip to camp. What luck, we had to drop Jordan off at AICL on Sunday so I saw this as an opportunity to have a bit of fun while we were there. On Thursday night, at the last minute (like I do most everything else) I jumped on Priceline.com and got a hotel room for Saturday.  Just like that, we were on our way for a mini-vacation in Asheville.

Asheville is eclectic. A Menagerie of diverse people, things and sights on a regular day - BUT throw Bele Chere in the mix and it's like nothing you've ever seen before. I actually know folks who go just to "people watch". I know, that may not be the nicest thing to say but it's true. People like to look at people who are different than them and Asheville is filled with originality and imagination. It is a lot of fun and I enjoy cultural exposure in small doses.

In just 24 short hours we were exposed to

music...

          

sort of like music....at least it was a joyful noise

                                                

art...

art 1.

-noun (as defined in Webster's dictionary) the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance. (yep, this stuff is art too)

         

fine dining...

         

Are you kidding me?

Of course funnel cakes are fine dining! (extra thanks to Alenia & Jennifer from Burnsville - Jordan scored 3/4 of a funnel cake that these girls couldn't eat) Sweet! Sweet! Sweet!

Cultural & Social Diversity...

          

Artist, homeless, vegan, liberal, activist, tattooed, famous, ethnic, musician, farmer, christian, locavore, hippie, foreigner, chef, botanist, conservative, wiccan, or just plain Jane - you name it, Asheville encompasses the whole spectrum of todays diverse society.

Architecture...

          

The buildings here are amazing, especially the Grove Arcade. Art Deco to Gothic Revival architecture abounds. Many of them from the mid to late 1800's still stand because of Asheville's economic downfall after the great depression. Asheville was busy paying off debt during America's urban renewal of the 1950's & 60's. They were forced to maintain what they had instead of tearing down existing structures. This preservation combined with recent revitalization efforts makes Asheville a History or Art lovers paradise.

Sports...

          

The Slackline puts Soup to the test but Lu Lu is "loving" tennis J

Theater...

          

Silver Girl & Bronze Guy were fascinating - totally STILL - makes you want to tickle them, he! he!

and my favorite...........Shopping...

          

I would love the Mast General Store even if it didn't have the Candy Barrel but boy am I glad it does........individually wrapped circus peanuts and Coconut Long Boys made this a Saturday and Sunday stop. Good thing I'm scheduled to have my teeth cleaned soon.

Okay, right - that probably wouldn't be considered a small dose of cultural exposure, it was more like a big heaping helping. One of those, I'm hot and my feet hurt get me some water and air conditioning before I fall out Helpings! Whew, Thank goodness we had to get Jordan over to Warren Wilson College for camp.

As always, if you want to see more photos of our Bele Chere excursion see my flickr photostream.

As a sidenote I liked to give a little piece of advice for those of you venturing to Bele Chere in the future: No matter how comfy they feel right out of the box, NEVER ever wear that new pair of Sperry topsiders you bought on sale the day before the festival - you WILL get blisters. L

Living Beautifully ~ Renee