Random

Sometimes life goes in spurts.  At least, it often does for me.  I get thoroughly interested in one topic or activity, then find myself distracted by other pursuits.  This is particularly true when it comes to media outlets.  I'm such a face-to-face gal; virtual connections just don't fill my tank.  Thus, I have found myself largely AWOL from Facebook and blogging as of late.

Here are a few snippets from what's been on my mind lately...

• Continuing to learn not to churn over my mistakes.  The other day friends came over for a playdate and got a kick out of the fact that my son had his pants turned around the wrong way. These were not sweat pants with a barely noticeable front and back pattern.  No, it was completely obvious he had his pants on backwards.  Mommy got busy during a potty break and neglected to check that his dressing skills were on target.  Of course, our guests included a mom with a three year old, 5 month old twins, and a demanding job.  Hmmm, you'd think one mom with one child and no position outside the home could manage to get her child dressed with the apparel facing the appropriate direction, correct?  Do not stew, do not brew, Kristen.  It gave us all a laugh.
• Learning to plant a garden.  It's that time and I'm determined to get tomato plants in this year.  I simply cannot abide the mealy, tasteless choice of tomatoes available at the grocery stores.  Granted, the season of Midwest farmer's markets is nearly upon us which should offer up more appetizing options.  I'd like to try some tomatoes and cucumbers, possibly some carrots and another option.  Herbs are easy.  They grow like wildfire and I can rarely use the amount that I grow.  A favorite fresh summer dish of mine...Caprese salad.  The robust garden tomatoes, fresh mozzarella from the markets, the bite of the basil, all complemented with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  Ah yes.  I love straight up sweet corn with dripping melted butter too.  That part of my rural upbringing has not left me yet.  I still remember stopping with my mom and brother at the roadside stands out by the neighboring farms to buy corn and tomatoes.
•  Being 42.  This topic could be a post unto itself.   I often hear people moaning about their age once they get past their early 30's.  The strange part for me is that I don't necessarily feel older.  I still feel healthy and strong.  It isn't unusual to get carded for drinks.  It cracks me up when a young guy will hit on me as I'm out with my son, assuming I'm one of the many au pairs in our area.  (Not that this happens every day, mind you).  My brain--and the optimistic driver inside of me--seems to think I can still do everything just as I did ten or fifteen years ago.  Then it hits me...you're middle aged!  You have a family!  It's time to think seriously about future financial responsibilities!   When a friend recently shared that she wanted to stay home with her children but was concerned that the years off would make her too old to re-enter the workplace, it occurred to me that it could mean me too.  I'm glad that I am fortunate enough not to feel slowed down by my age.  It just catches me off-guard sometimes.
• Growing our family.  Yes?  No?  Are we past this point?  How far do we take it?  We're already older parents.  In this current society, it it more common to pursue parenthood at an older age.  But how long do we think about this before we close the door?
• Trying new recipes.  Although this probably will not happen, my husband's company has offices in the UK and we've tossed around the idea of going.  In my research, I discovered a food blog called Farmette (of course, reading food blogs provides crucial information for a move!).  Imen is a fun writer and shares an engaging story of being a Midwest girl, meeting and marrying an Irish farmer, starting farm life after giving up her career and learning to cook.  Her recipes and blog are fun to check out and it's gotten me digging deep into the kitchen again.
• Soaking in the spring-like weather!  We're eager to experience the welcome change of warmer temperatures here in the Chicagoland area.  After being absolutely soaked with rain and flooding--along with the rest of the Midwest--it's been a treat to enjoy the shift.  Cliche as it might sound, I still love to watch the flowers and leaves budding.   The annual blossoming signals the coming of summer and new life.  It never fails to invigorate and energize my spirit.

Enjoy this spring as May begins!

Faux Holiday Chandelier

Renting poses all sorts of dilemmas when it comes to decorating.  One of the issues in our current house is the light fixtures.  The dated light fixtures, which are not particularly effective, can be a creative and functional challenge.  I have always decorated my dining room chandeliers for Christmas, and I decided to create my own faux chandelier since we do not have one right now.

Project Stats
Time to complete:  1-2 hours, not including the quick spray paint coat I gave the ceiling medallion
Cost:  $9 for ceiling medallion at Home Depot (had all other supplies needed already)

Supplies
Spray paint
Ceiling medallion
Craft paper
Glue gun, glue sticks
Scissors, hole punch
Tape - Scotch tape and Gorilla tape
Ribbon
Embellishments/mirrors
Split ring key tags

Directions
1.  Spray paint medallion.  I used black for mine.

2.  Make paper medallions.  Fold strips of craft paper into an accordion fold, and then fold in half.  Glue pieces together.  You can choose to decorate the paper medallions with paper shapes and embellishments.

3.  Punch a hole in top for tying ribbon.  Tie ribbon using hole, leaving a long length for attachment to ceiling medallion.

4.  Glue mirrors or other embellishments onto key tags.  Tie a ribbon onto the split key rings.

5.  Begin using tape and ribbon to attach decorative ribbon lengths to the ceiling medallion.  I had to experiment a little with this step.  I threaded some through the center hole and attached some to the outside of the medallion.  I alternated the paper medallion lengths with the mirror/key tag lengths of ribbon.

6.  Using ribbon and gorilla tape for extra strength, I attached ribbon lengths to hold my chandelier and hook it (using floral wire) with a knob on our old light fixture.  I have one tiny knob to work with so it's a bit tricky.  It was important to keep the whole project light so I could safely hang it!

This is the finished product!  Not bad for a faux chandelier made on a rainy afternoon.

Linking with Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest. 

Linking with Feature Free-for-all Friday at Five Days 5 Ways.

Indoor Workouts

The challenge of December running thus far has not been inclement weather, but finding safe times to run with the shortened daylight at this time of year. I also find that my attention wanders and I'm ready for fresh motivation.  Some days we make it to the local Y and some days we don't.  Here are some ideas I use to create my own workouts when I exercise at home.

From my Fitness board on Pinterest:

Home Boot Camp
http://pinterest.com/pin/156500155771132616/

1000 Rep Workout
http://pinterest.com/pin/156500155770914589/

Fitness at Home
http://pinterest.com/pin/156500155770914584/

Home Circuit Workout from Fitness Magazine
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/lose-weight/total-body/home-improvement-jackie-warners-at-home-circuit-workout/

At Home Circuit Workout
http://www.pbfingers.com/2012/01/15/at-home-workouts/

P90X, Beach Body and Insanity workouts have re-energized the old-school "skill and drill" workouts and inspired a host of new Boot Camp fans, including myself.  I combine 7-12  exercises (ideas from above links), usually taking several minutes to finish one round.

While taking a breather from the circuit, I fold laundry or complete another quick task.  If my son is awake, I play with him or help if needed between rounds.  He will often do exercises with me or sit on my back while I hold a plank or push-up pose.  Hello there, core strength. Sometimes he sits on my "lap" during wall sit...picture him laughing and me pretending to smile through gritted teeth.  Hello there, burning quadriceps.  Some days I do three rounds of the circuit and other days perhaps five or six rounds.

Exercise is not a priority for everyone.  Sometimes we are in a season of life that is tough.  But if you desire to make it happen, I encourage you to try even when it's not convenient.  This says it best...

Photo from maddies-miles.tumblr.com

Sharing this here at Five Days...5 Ways.

Breakin' my Rule

I have a quirk when it comes to the year-end holidays. Perhaps I'm getting crusty and irritable in my old age, but I think a little Thanksgiving is just what the doctor ordered for many of us.  Thanksgiving has quickly disappeared in the mad consumer-driven rush to sell, I mean celebrate, Christmas.  My preschooler keeps asking me if it's Christmas yet when we enter a store filled with decorations and  music.  Not a turkey, pilgrim, or cornucopia in sight!  I'm fairly stubborn, so my family knows that the Christmas season starts AFTER Thanksgiving in our house.  We are going to wait and embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving first.

Well...sigh.  We've talked about taking Ian here

to see this

Photo from Up Chicago.com

and this

Photo from The Cardinal

and this.

Photo from Lifeway.net

So I'm breaking my own rule.  We will still be striving to instill thoughts of gratitude at this time of year.  But tomorrow we'll be joining the throngs of other parents lining Michigan Avenue to see the parade and light the tree, just a little early this year.  NO TREES in the house until next Thursday! 

Have a great weekend.

A New Decade

Photo from thetwistedsifter.com

This weekend I stepped through the birthday gateway into my fifth decade of life.  That's right, the big 4-0.

I'm not the kind of person who anticipates a big party with lots of hoopla.  I tend to feel self-conscious and instead of enjoying a large celebration I squirm and fidget inwardly, eager to escape out of the spotlight.  When I was a child, my well-intentioned father always brought out the servers performing the big song and dance with everyone in the restaurant turning to watch.   Ugh!!  It was dreadful for someone like me.

I have made this very clear to my husband over the years so he honored my wishes and took me out for a date night to my favorite restaurant in Chicago, Frontera Grill,

with this famous chef at the helm.

Photo by Chicago Tribune

Unfortunately I  (once again) was not good with pictures so we didn't get any from the evening.  But I had a fabulous dinner with a Mango Mojito, jicama salad, shrimp taquitos, pork loin with mole and white corn cakes, and a tamarind-chocolate cake.  Divine.  Simply divine.  I suggested that we do this every weekend but somehow my husband did not see that as very realistic.  Oh well.

He also presented me with tickets to one of our absolute favorites--U2!

Photo from U2.com

I am so excited about the concert, but it will be a practice in delayed gratification as I have to wait until July.

Not surprisingly, as I enter a new decade I have been asked by a few people about the topic of being in my 40's.  Does it bother me?  Do I think about the number?

My honest answer is no!  I truly don't devote much time to thinking about the number of my age.  If I'm going to reflect, it's usually in the context of seeing where God has led me--the extreme ups and downs and everything in between.  I think about where I've come from, what I've learned, and what I'm still striving to do with the life I've been granted.  As I mature, I notice the inevitable life changes that come along with increasing years.  I can't easily bounce back into shape like I did 15+ years ago, I'm realizing that no amount of moisturizer is going to stop the crows feet from multiplying around my eyes when I smile, gray is creeping into my hair, people gently refer to me as an "older" new mom, and it is not likely that I will be having more children at this juncture of my life.  So...that's reality.  Here is more reality:  I have a relationship with God that never existed this way in years prior, I have a wonderful husband and an adorable son, I have an opportunity to spend extra time home with my son, I have supportive friends in my corner, I get to live right across the street from the beach and a great lakefront path which we use extensively, I go to a church I'm blessed to be part of, and I have the chance to continue my education and keep growing in so many ways.

I was thinking about what I might like to do in the next ten years...possibly...

1. Finish my Masters degree
2. Work on a second language
3. Do more skiing
4. Find a niche with serving
5. Take a missions trip with my husband--and possibly my son
6. Join a cooking club
7. Run another marathon
8. Grow in my own identity and build confidence in who God has created me to be
9. Travel to more national parks
10. Learn to sew
11. Find more ways to reach out to others
12. Plant a garden

Well, that--along with returning to work at some point--should occupy a fair amount of my time so perhaps I should save some thoughts for 50.

My biggest thought about being 40 is that I am GRATEFUL.

Grateful.

Soul Matters

The soul matters.  In a big way.

The last week we've had a lot going on at home.  In addition to busy schedules and long, unfinished task lists, my son was ill.  Several days were spent inside our little warm cocoon at home and we were both itching to get out.  As soon as we walked through the door and hit the sidewalk, he opened up his little arms wide to the world as if to say, "I'm back and I'm lovin' it!"  I know how he felt.  We even got to make a stop at his favorite park down the block to take a quick trip down the slide.

 This upcoming weekend is a women's retreat through our church called Soul Matters.  I'm staying with friends in a nice hotel and enjoying good teaching and personal time.  I'm leaving Friday and returning Sunday at lunch so I'll get a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some connecting with God, others, and myself.  I'm definitely bringing my running shoes along and hoping I can find a pretty trail in the area where the hotel is located.

When the soul gets a little weary from the daily trek of life, it's good to make sure that time with God is a priority.  Even if it can't be in the form of a weekend retreat, I find that quiet time to journal, read, and pray sharpens my vision and fills my tank for the next task at hand.  It's helpful for me to be in touch with those habits and activities that replenish my soul. First and foremost, I need...
Time with God.  This is all I need, I could stop the list here!  

There are other soul "thirst quenchers" that I can think of too.  This is not an exhaustive list, but a start:

• Walking outdoors (surprise!)
• Time having fun with family
• Journaling
• Crafting
• Reading
• An evening out with friends
• A new decor or cooking magazine
• Trips to the flea market
• Going to the library
• Trying a great new restaurant
• Putting my feet up with a glass of wine and watching a good movie with my awesome husband

Make time for the things that speak to your soul, your soul matters!

Creative Inspiration

I am in awe of people who can draw, especially since I can't begin to get past a basic stick figure.  It amazes me how artists are able to extract images from their minds and send them through their hands and fingers, the ideas spilling out on canvas for the rest of us to enjoy and learn.  There are so many avenues of creativity that inspire me to try something new, allow me to relax and take in the beauty, or challenge me to think differently.  Whether the creative juices flow through writing,

through painting,

through cooking,

Photo courtesy of Country Living

through decor,

Photo courtesy of Country Living

through clothing design,

Photo courtesy of Real Simple

through architecture,

Photo courtesy of Mary Anne Sullivan

through His creation in nature,

or the countless other ways we see creativity displayed, God has given each one of us unique talents to share with the world.  How are we doing with using our talents--our own special brand of creativity--and blessing others today?

Shift

Shift: 

v. shift·ed, shift·ing, shifts

v.tr.

1. To exchange (one thing) for another of the same class: shifted assignments among the students.

2. To move or transfer from one place or position to another.

3. To alter (position or place).

4. To change (gears), as in an automobile.

To exchange, to move, to transfer to alter, to change.  Sometimes we can do these actions automatically.  Other times it's SOOO hard to shift, especially when it's about our thoughts and habits--patterns that are ingrained in the way we operate during the hours of each day.

In the Soul Restoration class I'm taking, I'm realizing that I have some really bad habits, like focusing on worry and replaying events that make me feel unhappy about myself.  The more I concentrate on this, the more I become a worried, self-critical person.  

As I realize how much time I devote to my stewin' and brewin', I've know I need to SHIFT my habits of worry.  When I catch myself starting up, I have to STOP and turn my thoughts, shift my thoughts, into a different direction.  I can think of a task I want to finish, focus on being mentally present with my son, recall scripture, listen to a song I love, even change what I'm doing if possible to get into a different environment and break up that train of thought.  I love this quote from the class,

Do not give any more energy to things that you want to be free from (Brave Girls Club).

Very wise!  So, as I'm trekking through the wintry Chicago ice and snow (not so easy with a wiggly toddler, can I tell you?), I'm also remembering to be intentional about the kinds of thoughts I let my mind--and my soul--spend time on throughout the day.

^4-5Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!  ^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
 ^8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. 
Philipians 4:4-8 The Message

Soul Restoration

I'm feeling very excited about the next several weeks.  Through blogland, I heard about the Brave Girls Club based out of Idaho and discovered their online course called Soul Restoration.  Starting tomorrow, I'll be joining with many other brave girls to make new discoveries about ourselves, striving to live fully as the women we were created to be.  I'll have the opportunity to create projects that express the truths I'm learning along the way.  I'm not an artist like some of the participants are, but I absolutely love to dabble around with paper, fabric, glue, colors...you get the idea.   Because I've been teaching for so long, this is a chance for me to spend time doing something that isn't directly for my students. While teaching was incredibly important for me too, I'm glad to try something  a little different.  I'm also eager to see what I learn about myself throughout the class.

I'm also dipping into some "soul time" in trying to integrate some spiritual disciplines into my life.  Thinking back to my previous post, I'm aware that I need to unplug from media distractions and not get hooked into spending too many hours in front of one screen or another.  So I'm "unplugging" from some of those outlets to spend more time in other endeavors. 

The second discipline is tough for a lot of us...self-care.  Initially I dismissed this discipline, thinking that I get to the gym each week and am spending some time at home with my son.  Rather shallow view of the true meaning of self-care.  In reading the Spiritual Discipoines Handbook:  Practices that Transform Us  by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, I LOVED her perspective on this area.  Her words:

We are gifts of God.  His Spirit lives in us.  And we are to receive the divine love that takes residence in our bodies.  We are to take it in and let it form us into a place of prayer...Receiving this love into our bodies births the ability to give love and forgiveness to ourselves and others.

I hadn't thought of self-care in this light.  By caring for my mind, body, soul, and spirit, I'm creating a place for God's love to flourish for myself and overflow out to others.  Do I think healthy thoughts about myself during the day?  Do I allow my mind and body to be overwhelmed with nerves from anxiety or tension from an impatient spirit? Or do I open myself up to receive God's love and Truth about me, living content and at peace with the life He has given to me?  Do I devote my time to dwelling on thoughts that uplift and encourage, seeking solutions and not wallowing in self-pity or anger?  Caring for myself may include rest, proper nutrition, and exercise for my physical body, to be sure.  It also includes taking care of my mind, soul, and spirit so that I'm creating a place of love for myself and others.

Cheers to God, myself, and a new adventure with other Brave Girls!  Trek on, ladies...