Baby Steps

No, I'm not pregnant. Not that kind of baby steps. More of the I've-got-it-figured-out-what-I-want-to-do-and-now-I-need-to-figure-out-how-to-get-it-done baby steps. I want to talk about specific goals but have decided against putting too much out here on the big wide web, at least too much too soon, so I have to keep things generic but still know what I'm talking about, which is turning into rambling so I should probably be making a point soon except I'm not sure what the point was supposed to be any more so maybe I should just stop futtsing around and do it. 

Baby step number one, making up my mind. Done. 

Baby step number two, telling someone so I have to be accountable. Done. 

Baby step number three, having a specific target date for baby step four. 

Done. Baby step four, get a job. Done. 

Baby step five, do it. That's where I am now. 

And I'm pretty happy with that. More goals to come later. 

(That was a lot of hyphens. Too many, I think. Oh well.)

A New Day

I've been doing a lot of thinking about daily routines and life, about organizing and routines, about worthwhile choices versus wasteful futtsing around (that's a Betsy-ism). My Ravelry name is HobbyCollector, which very accurately describes me - I love all sorts of arts & crafts hobbies. The problem is I don't seem to feel I have the time in the day to feed the artist in my soul because of my lack of taking the reins on my own day-to-day life. I've decided to make some changes to my outlook, my personal spaces, and my activities. I've also decided to use my blog to keep me accountable to myself, because really, there's only One other who knows me truly and completely, and I know He loves me regardless of what I do but that He does want me to use my gifts, abilities, and knowledge for His glory. And so, today is a new day with new possibilities, new opportunities, and new choices. It's a beautiful new day.

My Opinion

First and foremost I have to admit that I did not see the news about the man who tried to bomb Times Square last weekend. I have a tendency not to listen to the news - I could use my kids and Spongebob as an excuse, I say I'm too busy doing ________, but the truth is I forget to pay attention sometimes. Having said that, I was thankful my Mom told me about the attempt on Times Square. There are lots of news reports and speculations floating around so I'm going to throw my two cents' in and be done with it. Why did he do it? Who knows, he was brainwashed, he made a bad choice, he's disenfranchised with "The System," he ate a bad tuna salad - for whatever reason, he made the choice to follow through with it. My prayer is that he gets what he deserves. Having said that, here's my true opinion: I love living in America and being an American. People noticed something wasn't quite right and dealt with it. People got involved, made good choices, and ended up saving countless lives. We in America don't put up with those who want to hurt those we love, whether it's bullies on the school playground or bullies trying to blow us up. Some have tried and succeeded in giving us a black eye or a broken arm, but we keep healing and growing stronger because WE ARE AMERICANS. We stand strong together. God bless America.

PS - To those who don't like America, go somewhere else.

May has arrived!

I have always loved May - and not just because of my birthday - May baskets, birds, beautiful flowers, baseball,  the end of the school year - and of course, allergies. OK, so I don't love that part. But allergies are another reminder that spring is definitely here, and I can handle that.

I've been knitting a lot lately (can't do much else, allergies have knocked me on my butt), and it's actually a great way to be productive when you don't have the energy to do anything. It gets you to focus on something other than your infirmity/illness, you can actually make something useful (clothing, wash cloths, hats, blankets, etc), and depending on what you are knitting, you can actually expand your brain and learn something new. To quote Martha, it's a good thing.

Today I am blessed to spend the day with one of my favorite little people, Mason. It's definitely a good day.

Thankful

There are so many things to be thankful for, and on a daily basis I'm sure I don't remember to thank the Lord for even a tenth of them, but He certainly is good. In times of crisis, in good times, in the routine of every day - He is good. I encourage my kids to daily find something to thank God for, and at the ages of 5 and 9 their perspective is often more self-serving than not... but sometimes they really surprise me with their insight and their ready love for others. The faith of a child is a wonderful thing. May that mine and yours is always that strong.

By the way... it's -20 here this morning. Just in case you couldn't think of something to be thankful for. :)

Christmas Gifting Giggles

How many times can the same little girl receive the exact same present - before Christmas???

Is it possible to knit like the wind finish one project and complete two that haven't been started when you can't comfortably bring your arms into your sides and won't be able to for probably a month?

Can husbands continue to change and evolve and surprise their wives, mostly good, with their Christmas spirit?

Hello Again

Many, many things have changed since I last blogged, and I'm thinking I should get back to blogging on a regular basis - it seems to help ground and center me, to have to corral all the thoughts buzzing around my head into a hopefully cohesive grouping that I send off to the unseen, ever-present World Wide Web. A New Goal: to blog responsibly, regularly, and faithfully.

Dad passed away March 29th, and while I know without a doubt that he is with God... I still miss him. I'm glad I miss him, because that shows our relationship had healed a great deal from The Past.

Life has continued to happen - children grow, spouses change, heat and blizzards and storms and beautiful moonlit nights pass - and through it all I am reminded that God is my Refuge, my Rock, and my Heart.