Whew...

WRITER'S WORKSHOP PROMPT:

Can it be saved? Think of something that is ruined when it’s totally wet. Write a scene (truth or fiction) that involves you and a soaked item.




"I'll be there in a minute." I'll admit it's a phrase I use far too often with my kids, but this time I had a good reason. I was already engaged in a conversation with Marlee and Jamie knew she shouldn't interrupt.

"Can you come now?" Jamie called a few minutes later. "We want to give you your birthday present."

"Almost." I told her. "I'm just finishing my talk with Marlee."

Then came Waylon's plea, "Mom hurry." His voice sounded faint and strained so I hurried upstairs, afraid that he might be trying to hold something heavy. But it was my heart that grew heavy as I rounded the corner to see my lumpy, little boy sized birthday present wrapped tightly inside of a DOUBLE LAYER OF PLASTIC TRASH BAGS.

"Waylon's not here. He went in the other room for something." Jamie slyly set up the surprise.

"Oh really?" I answered, trying to disguise the fear in my voice. Then with trembling hands I tore through the trash bags to reveal the thoughtful gift of a boy. My boy. My Waylon. He was soaked with sweat, but thankfully, THANKFULLY, not yet ruined.

Well that was interesting...

(Please excuse the randomness of this picture)

I had a birthday shout hooray...

I am now officially over 40 but still fabulous I must say (I decided this is my year for not expecting warm fuzzies or validation from others, but giving it to myself) far more fabulous than last year, but only because I've learned some new, life changing things from my Savior this year and through Him we can all feel fabulous. It's true. Really. You should try it.

So I figure if I continue to learn and grow I'll remain fabulous (no plastic surgery required) throughout my 40's, 50's, 60's (well fabulous sixties doesn't have quite the same ring to it does it, so we'll say...um...super or spectacular or splendorific (you get the idea) sixties and seventies. We'll figure out the eighties and nineties later. There's time).

My birthday was a bit interesting this year to say the least. Lets recap shall we...

1) My husband was out of town :(

2) The restaurant I wanted to take the kids to (I decided if I couldn't be with my husband I'd make a fun night out with my kids, remember personal validation and warm fuzzies) was closed due to a gas leak :(

3) I accidentally told someone that I didn't like the gift they got for me (this is an awkward somewhat HILARIOUS but terrible story that I may or may not share... but most likely not) :}

4) Jamie and Waylon tried to surprise me by nearly giving me a dead child for my birthday (this story I will share but later) :o

but on the brighter side...

5) It was also the first day of school and I am now officially an empty nester during school hours mom. :)
and

6) My sister-in-law made me a really yummy cake (that I ate. In my bed. 'round midnight. Cuz my hubby was gone) :D

Fabulous.

You're all invited...

I read C jane. See it says so on my sidebar and here's the newer version of her button on this post (you can click either and they'll get you there. gotta love them buttons). Anyway I read C jane and this morning I read her post about a gathering she went to. A "gathering of creative friends".
And...

1) I love this idea. A gathering of creative friends. How fun is that.
And...

2) Miss Marlee and I want to have our own gathering of creative friends because she and I both kinda live for creativity. Kinda.
But...

3) I know all y'all who read this will say, "but I'm not creative." And then I'll have to hurt you for saying that (not really, but you know...) because by divine nature we are all creators. Some of us just don't recognize that yet.

For example: Marlee's YW leader is known to say that she doesn't have any talents and yet-- AND YET--she makes the girls the most delicious home baked goods every week and she can garden like no body's business which, in case you didn't know, equals talent and creativity. Yes it does.
So...

4) Miss Marlee and I want to and will (someday) have a "gathering of creative friends" party so y'all just better start paying attention to those talents of yours right now cuz we're gonna invite you and you're gonna have to share and it's gonna pretty much be awesome.
Now...

If you're still feeling nervous about it I want to share with you my favorite quote from C jane's blog post this morning (it's not plagiarism if I recognize the author and put quotes around it--right?)

Anyway she said ( and I quote. See not plagiarism)

And of course there were plenty of confessions of depression, mania and self doubt as per usual in a gathering of "Creative Friends."

Miss Marlee and I read this and said, "Amen" and "Hallelujah" because ain't that the truth creative people everywhere (which is all of us remember) AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH.

It's only natural that the adversary, who knows good and well that "men are that they might have joy", would do everything in his power to keep us from doing that which brings the most joy-- creating.

So set your depression, mania, and self doubt aside (or bring it with you if you must) and get ready to party with us (someday) at our very own special "gathering of creative friends".

LOVE IT.

P.S. This post reminded me of a silly poem I wrote some time ago that goes a little something like this:

I am making a fear catch sack,
To carry my fear upon my back.
My fear tries to stop me, to make me hide,
But I won’t.
So if it wants to stay by my side,
It must climb into my sack,
And come along for the ride.

P.P.S. Visit C jane's post then visit the link to her friend's art page (found at the end of her post). I LOVE HIS ART SO MUCH that I pretty much want to marry it. It's got me fantasizing about being rich so I can buy all of it because I love it so much I REALLY, REALLY want to marry it (did I say that already).

And in case you don't go and follow the link over there I'll give it to you HERE because I love his art so much I... well you know, and I want you to love it with me.

The Hard Way Cafe (table for one please)...

WRITER'S WORKSHOP PROMPT:
DESCRIBE THE FIRST DATE YOU WENT ON IN A BOY'S CAR




"You learned things the hard way." The random elderly library patron said to me as I played puppets with my kids one afternoon.

"And that's why you're such a good mom now because you know how important it is to watch over and guide your children." He seemed to peer into my soul as he spoke and though I didn't know him (was he a psychic... an angel?) I wanted to cry back, "Yes random elderly library patron, yes I did learn things the hard way and yes I would throw myself under a bus if needs be to protect my children from doing the same."

Fortunately for me I haven't needed to throw myself under a bus because I've been blessed with good, smart kids with a heck of a lot more common sense than their mom had at their age.

I bring this up because after reading my post about my motorcycle ride, a family member told me that because of my shenanigans growing up I was lucky that I didn't have daughters who did stuff like that. You know... Carma.

But the idea behind "Carma" is that it's one of those "what goes around comes around" kind of things and in general I'd have to say that I wasn't a bad kid (I used to listen to "Afterglow" (a group who sings church hymns) on my Walkman for heck sakes (and said things like "heck sakes" for heck sakes)) I didn't want to stir up trouble, walk on the wild side or stick it to the man (if you will) I was just a naïve kid who blindly walked through life letting whatever happened happen much of the time.

Which is why I got on the back of that motorcycle that night and why I can't remember my first date in a boy's car. Hmm... I think my first "official" date in a boy's car was with a super cute guy who was visiting from out of state, but I can't say for sure because boys were my folly. Yes they were.

A folly that my daughters have managed to avoid because unlike me (at their age) they have goals, they have direction, they have dreams and aspirations, and if me having to stumble down that "hard way" has helped get them to this point I'd gladly do it again.

After all, it's far less painful than being thrown under a bus.

Well... maybe.

P.S. I am no longer a naive gal and I know good and well that someday one of my children or even the whole lot of 'um could decide to go frolicking down that "hard way" for themselves. I get that. I do. But for now I'll continue--as the random elderly library patron observed--to look after, guide and love them the best I can.

Would you like some crackers with that cheese...

Miss Marlee reads. Oh how she reads. She is a reader extraordinaire with a passion for (you guessed it) reading. Which is why she is my go-to gal when I get stuck while plotting my book. I yell, "Marlee, could you come here for a minute." And she graciously cozies up on my bed for a plotting pow-wow that often turns into an hour long (or so) brain storming extravaganza. It's fabulous.

Marlee laughs at me because I'm extremely picky about what makes the cut for my plot. But then I remind her that I'm going for the gold here (writing is my sport. Some train for marathons, some dream of scaling tall mountains, I want to "stick all of my landings" and write the best story ever) I tell her my story can't have any holes that make the reader say, "huh?" It can't have any "pretty bows" where everything gets wrapped up a little too conveniently, and most of all IT CAN'T HAVE CHEESE. No cheesy pleasey for me. "My story is lactose intolerant." I tell her. And she laughs at me. That is she did laugh at me

Until...

We went to a movie--Marlee, Paige and I. We went to a movie that we had long anticipated for what looked to be an intriguing story and a very HOT leading actor (and what mother doesn't like to encourage her teen girls to lust over hot male actors I ask you?) We went to this movie and we LAUGHED (it wasn't a comedy) we laughed and I turned to Marlee and said, "This movie is not lactose intolerant."

This movie had it all...
1) holes
2) pretty bows and
3) cheese. lots of cheese. Smothered, oozing and dripping in it.

It's only saving grace was the HOT lead actor.

But I don't regret seeing it because...

1) I had a fun night out with my girls (making fun of a movie is almost as entertaining as really enjoying it) and

2) Miss Marlee will never laugh at me during plot pow-wow again.