It Happens to Be

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.)

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