Faking It

In the past month I have crammed a ton of Christmas related activities into my family’s free time in an attempt to bolster our spirits and make this holiday one to remember.

We made ornaments, bought presents for each other, bought presents for children we don’t know, decorated our home, watched movies, sang carols at the top of our lungs in the car, attended multiple concerts and programs at area churches, toured neighborhoods known for their garish light displays, and went to parties, parades, and festivals.

Yet last night as I hurriedly drove to get to another festival it hit me — I am faking it. I am faking having a Christmas spirit. You could put an army of elves on shelves and have the Sugar Plumb Fairy dance straight through my front door and though I would smile and enjoy the show, deep down I would know it’s all a facade.

Realizing that I’m faking it, I discussed it with my husband and we decided to pass on the festival planned for the night and enjoy a night in instead. It was so restorative to eat dinner around the table as a family, talk about the day each of us had, and snuggle with the kids on the couch for the evening.

As we snuggled, I started to think of what that first Christmas must have been like when Mary snuggled with her baby. Cold. Dark. Quiet. Simple.

Sure, I had Christmas spirit, but it was anything but simple. In my attempt to create a holiday to remember I distracted myself from what the true Christmas spirit really is.

The true Christmas spirit doesn't end on December 26. It isn't identified by red and green decorations. It is living out the character of Christ all year long. It is "...standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27 NASB)

One Spirit. One mind. Together.

If there was ever time to stand together in our faith it is now. This world is terribly broken. I can only imagine what it would be like if everyone would embrace true Christmas spirit and lived it out everyday of their life. I'm going to try.

GF Oven Fried Onions (great for green bean casserole) - SUCCESS!

I'm sure it isn't news to any readers that I'm weird. To confirm that, I'm devoting this post to my joy over onions.

Thanksgiving dinner was one of my favorite meals to make...until I could no longer eat gluten.

My first Thanksgiving I tried to go with nontraditional recipes. Red quinoa pilaf instead of stuffing, caramelized green beans and shallots instead of green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie with a graham cracker crust instead of the traditional dough crust. The recipes were tasty but my family, guests, and I all preferred the good old standbys.

Last year I went back to the traditional foods with gluten free substitutions, including purchased GF pie crusts and stuffing made with a couple loaves of GF bread.

I also tried to make one of my faves, green bean casserole, GF friendly. Instead of cream of mushroom soup I made a roux with butter and GF flour then added milk and simmered till I had the desired amount and thickness. However, frying my own onions turned into an epic, messy fail. I hate to fry anything and the charred bits of onion I had proved my disdain.

This year as Thanksgiving was approaching I started to search for recipes for GF French fried onions. Everything I found online suggested the same method of frying on the stove or using a baked onion ring snack that rhymes with bunion, which doesn't appeal to me.

Then last week as I was making oven baked chicken parmesan for my family it hit me...bake the onions! Tonight I tried it and, to my absolute delight, it worked.

So, though many of you who read this don't have to eat GF, I wanted to share. It can also be used with regular wheat flour if you want to avoid the chemicals and preservatives you get with purchased fried onions.

1/3 cup GF all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
4 medium onions
1/2 cup milk
3 Tbls olive oil

Preheat oven 450°. Place flour and salt in large zip top plastic bag and mix well. Slice onions in half then into 1/8" slices. Separate the onion layers and soak in milk for 5 minutes tossing often to coat. Drain off the milk and place the onions in with the flour. Zip close and shake well to coat. Drizzle half of the oil onto a jelly roll pan. Spread the oil around so the pan is well coated. Spread the onions on the pan in an even layer. Drizzle the remaining oil on top. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Flip the onions every 5 minutes and remove once golden brown. Place on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Use just like purchased fried onions.

I can't wait to chow down on some green bean casserole!

Notes to My Younger Self

I feel old. This is a new feeling for me. I knew it would happen to me some day, but I was still surprised when the feeling sunk in. It was triggered by turning 36.

(Okay cynics; go ahead and get the “Only 36? Wait till ____!” out of your system before you continue to read.)

How did I get here so fast? I knew the bench mark birthdays—16, 18, 21, 30, 40, 65— would be significant, but 36 surprised me. I think it is because 36 is twice as old as 18 and I am a much different person now than I was then. I turned 18 my freshman year of college. I had a plan for my life. However, God had other plans and here I am, 18 years later, living a life I never could have dreamed up on my own. Thank you, God!

However, I have to admit that I wish I could go back and redo some things. Nothing major, but it would have been nice to have my life’s Cliff’s Notes on occasion. So the following is just that—notes to my younger self.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Dear 3-inch-tall-bangs-Rugby-shirt-wearing-female-embodiment-of-Napoleon-Dynamite-Mandy,

You are in the midst of one of the most explosive identity crisis periods of your life. The high school/college environment can be cruel. Below are a few tips I hope you will take to heart during this exciting time.

• Just wear clothes, not outfits. The time and money you spent on putting together the MC Hammer pants with matching suspenders was creative, but it is gone for good and you will never wear that outfit again.
• It’s okay to say “I don’t know.” Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one who improvises.
• Your brothers are your friends. You are likely to lose touch with the friends you have today, but you will always have your brothers.
• Don’t play the mean girls game. Just ignore it. Don’t perpetuate it either.
• You don’t always have to lead. Learn to follow, too.
• Try new things.
• Your first job will likely be your favorite job ever. Do it well and be thankful for it.
• Wear sunscreen and moisturizer—always.
• Every decision you make will effect at least one other person. Think of others first.
• At your age, boys aren’t worth the fuss. You won’t find the man of your dreams until you are content with yourself. (And wow, is he awesome!)
• Wear your retainer after your braces come off.
• Your parents are your biggest fans not your biggest enemies. Practice humility and let them be your fans. The decisions they make regarding your school/friends/activities are the best decisions for you. After all, they were your age once, too.
• Don’t rush your childhood. You only get to be a kid once. It is all over as soon as you cross over into grown-up territory. And yes, at 13-18 you are still a child.
• Don’t be in such a rush to get out of your hometown. You will miss it, your family, and friends.
• You know that feeling you get that God wants more from you? It’s real. Don’t ignore it. The sooner you give him more the fuller your life will be.

Love,
No-bangs-t-shirt-wearing-still-the-female-embodiment-of-Napoleon-Dynamite-Mandy

Lucy

Photo by Elle-Emme-Be Photography

Today my baby girl turns 3 so today's post is all about her.

“Lucy” means light and though we had the name picked out even before her older brother was born, I don’t think there is another name more fitting for her. She is truly illuminating—from her almost permanent grin and accompanying dimples, to the sprightly way she walks, to the improvised songs she sings to herself. I find it hard to not smile when I think of her.

She is also our dare devil. Our kids share a room and we have contemplated moving them from their toddler beds to bunk beds. But Lucy’s courageous spirit causes us to pause. She would be the one to clothespin a towel to her shirt and attempt to “fly” off the top bunk. I envy her moxy. I was that kid who climbed to the highest tower at the pool but was too afraid to jump.

Though she is only 3 years old, Lucy has taught me so much:

• Sometimes you just gotta dance.
• If you get hurt, seek comfort, calm down, and then get over it.
• Skipping is a lot more fun than walking.
• Get as many hugs and kisses you can each day.
• The science behind airplanes is fascinating. Nothing that big should fly.
• Your brother is and will be your closest friend. Treasure him.
• Always have your lovey within reach.
• It doesn’t matter if your clothes match or even fit right. If you wear them with confidence then you’re well-dressed.
• Food is better if it is experienced, not just eaten.
• Snuggle time is mandatory.

Photo by Elle-Emme-Be Photography

I am so thankful God has blessed us with Lucy. She is an incredible gift. 

“Children are a gift from the LORD;
they are a reward from him.” 

Psalm 127:3

Though I do not feel worthy of such reward, I thank God often for it.

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Vintage

This morning I got ready for work in my normal hurried routine—shower, get dressed, drink a cup of coffee while I do my hair and makeup, brush teeth, put on my shoes and jewelry, grab my lunch and travel mug, and out the door.

I didn't think much about it, but when I did my jewelry step I grabbed a petite necklace with a small charm on it. It is gold with a peach-toned glass flower, similar to a geranium.
My gram gave me the necklace when I visited my grandparents at 21. She told me she received it when she was in her early 20s. I don't remember who gave it to her though.

Later in the day one of my coworkers commented on it and asked me if it was vintage. I smiled and said "yes" then returned to my office, smiling as I mulled over the word "vintage." I never thought of my gram as vintage. However, upon looking it up in the dictionary I found several definitions and one in particular really stood out—"characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic." That was my gram! Enduring appeal. Classic.

I miss her so much. I know we will one day be together again but that knowledge doesn't fill the void. I didn't get enough time.

Not having enough time is a big part of the reason why I've taken a month+ from this blog. I've written plenty, but didn't post any of it. It was all too personal or left me too vulnerable. But they all had a common theme of not having enough time with the ones I love and not appreciating the little time we do have together to develop vintage relationships.

So there's no aha message, no inspiration, or no morale of the story to this post. Just a bit of encouragement...  

• Savor every moment with the ones you love.
• Take advantage of living in the same time zone, area code, or zip code.
• Teach your children the value and preciousness of older generations.
• Teens, your parents are not your enemies, obey them. (You will understand in 10 years.)
• There is nothing like a family dinner at the dining table—whether you dine on PBJ sandwiches or prime rib.
• Praise God always, when you laugh together and cry together.
• Strive to be vintage.

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What I Learned From Day 2 of Our Roadtrip

1. It is hilarious to pee on mommy...twice

2. Forget Obamacare, Micah thinks corndogs are outright unconstitutional
   
3. Rumblestrips sound like farts to toddlers
   
4. Crying because you want your sister to stop crying will yield cookies
   
5. It is entirely possible for a 2 year old to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for 30+ minutes, including at least a dozen different arrangements
   
6. No matter how hard I try to fight it, everytime I pull up to my parents house after a long time away I get teary
   

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Near Misses

The kids and I, along with my dad, set off today for our roadtrip to my hometown of Seward, NE. Unfortunately, my husband has to stay home because he is teaching summer school.

I'll spare you any boringdetails of pit stops and how soon it took for one of the kids to ask "are we there yet?"

I do want to share how much we appreciate your prayers of safety and how thankful I am for God's perfect timing and protection.
  
The trip was relatively uneventful until we stopped for dinner in Cross Lanes, WV, a small community west of Charleston. As soon as we ordered our food and sat down a storm rolled in. It got super dark outside and the lights in the restaurant kept going out. Normally I don't mind storms. In fact, I kind of dig them. Ever since I was a kid, storms have reminded me of God's awesone power. 

When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. Jeremiah 51:16 NIV

However, I have a tendency to feed off of other people's energy and emotions--a characteristic of a classic extrovert. As the storm got stronger other diners began to voice concern. The family sitting next to us grabbed their food and hurried to their car, an older couple started speculating that it was a tornado, and a young girl started to whimper. This started to make me nervous but I did what I could to keep myself and the kids calm.

As we started to munch on our tacos I asked Dad if he thought we should leave. He assured me that staying put was much safer. I pulled out my phone and checked the weather. There was only a severe storm warning, no tornado.

About a minute later there was a huge bang on the window behind me. As I looked outside, white chunks of something were falling down. At first I thought it was hail, but then someone in the restaurant said that the sign broke. I assumed it was a sign on the side of the resataurant and we went back to eating. 

Twenty minutes later the storm passed and we decided to hit the road again. As we walked to the car we discovered what actually hit the building. It was the sign from the gas station nextdoor. In it's original form I guess it was a 10-foot square and likely made of plexiglass. It was mounted roughy 100' feet off the ground so I guess a strong enough wind just popped it out of it's mounting.  

Once we were seated in the car we looked at the restaurant and saw the damage the sign had created. It tore up the roof directly above where we were sitting. Looking at the damage, Dad estimated that the sign was 250-300 pounds. If it had hit just 8-10 feet lower it would have broken through the window we were sitting against. I hate to think of what injuries it could have caused.

But God is sovereign, he is so good, and his timing is perfect.  We had contemplated stopping later for dinner but then we would have been caught in the storm while driving. He made that gust of wind strong enough to carry the sign a few feet higher. He made it possible for my dad to join us on this trip. He also made RainX possible and gave my husband the skills of masterfully applying to my windshield.

This bit of excitement in our trip makes me wonder about all the near misses and storms God has kept me sheltered from that I have been oblivious to. I'm a little embarrassed that it took a literal storm to make me take pause and praise him.

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An Exercise in Upcycling

I’ve been purging items from my closet that I don’t wear any longer. Not to make room for new clothes, but to get rid of clutter. As Van the minivan said while driving through Radiator Springs in Cars, “We have too much surplus.”

During my most recent closet clean-out I came across this sundress. Aside from the fabric being stunning, I don’t know what I was thinking when I bought it. The cut is all wrong for me. But because I love the fabric I didn’t want to just toss the dress in the donate pile. I decided to turn it into a maxi skirt instead.

Since it is lined I first basted the 2 layers together just under the bust line. Then I cut off the top portion. I suppose I could have done something dainty with that but I’m not that daring. Next, I simply sewed a casing or tunnel for the elastic, threaded the elastic through, and closed up the casing. Viola—Maxi Skirt! (Photo of the finished product is at bottom.)

But wait, I wanted more! The skirt only took 30 minutes to make. What else can I upcycle?

I also had purged a dark purple t-shirt that I no longer wear. It was comfy but it was just a solid t-shirt and I’m not a solid t-shirt kind of girl. I want a little design or style to it. A recent pin I made on Pinterest popped into my mind where someone had taken a bleach pen to t-shirts. I sat down with a notebook and pen and tried to conjure some sort of sketch I could use. Regrettably, I have never been a good sketcher. I can’t even doodle. My notebooks in school were always pristine and unpenned. So I went back to Pinterest and followed the pin to sketchvon.blogspot.com. I loved her peacock design and decided to mimic it.

First I turned the t-shirt inside out and stuffed a large cutting board inside. I drew the design on the t-shirt with chalk. I took me about 5 tries to get it to look like a peacock and not a sick pigeon. I traced my chalk lines with the bleach, let it sit for about 10 minutes, thoroughly rinsed the bleach out, and washed the shirt. 

I am pretty pleased with the end result and can’t wait to try it again. I probably was a little too heavy handed with the bleach pen—I used up a whole pen (oops). The t-shirt also was a cotton/rayon/spandex blend so I think the bleach bled a bit more than if it was 100% cotton.

So here is the end result of both projects. (Photo courtesy of my 4 year old.) The skirt and shirt might not go together great but I’ll call it “boho” and rock it anyway.

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Puddle Jumping

It rained this evening. I mean really RAINED! My drive home took me twice as long due to flash flooded roads on my normal route. But when I got home, the down pour was just a light rain and the sun was breaking through the clouds. 

I walked in the front door, my husband and I exchanged a quick kiss as he left to teach class, and I went to the bedroom to change. Normally I would proceed to the kitchen to start dinner but not tonight. I told the kids to put on their shoes, fitted the dog with his leash, and headed outside.

We stepped off our front steps and Micah and Lucy exclaimed in unison “Mom, it’s raining!” Yes children, it is and we are going to enjoy it. I started down our walk as they stayed on our stoop, hand in hand, with puzzled looks on their faces. “C’mon kiddos,” I urged. Micah protested, “But mom, we’ll get wet.” “Exactly son, that is my plan.”

They cautiously stepped off our stoop and followed me down our walk until I stopped at a puddle about the size of a placemat. “Jump!” Lucy gingerly hopped into the puddle. Micah kept walking, probably not hearing me over the inner dialog I’m sure he always has going on in his head. “Micah, come jump in the puddle.” He twirled around, raised one eyebrow at me as if to ask "have you lost your mind?" His expression then changed into a determined grin as he bounded in to the puddle yielding a hearty splash. 

The three of us (four of us if you count the reluctant dog) proceeded to jump in puddles around our neighborhood for the next 30 minutes. I could say I did it for the kids but I had just as much fun as they did. The rain, the splashes, the giggles—I could have leaped and splashed until it dark. However, the kids were getting tired, the dog had enough, and Lucy’s pants were falling down because of the weight of the water that soaked in to them and her lack of a tush. 

I haven’t puddle jumped in probably 25 years. I remember running up and down the curb and gutter of our street with my brothers and the other neighbor kids after a heavy rain. It pooled at the bottom of the hill in a neighbor’s driveway so we simulated swimming in the 1- to 2-inches of standing water. I can only imagine the variety of filth we were wading in but as far as I know, we all grew up into happy, healthy adults. 

I guess that was my goal with tonight’s activity—raising happy, healthy children into happy, healthy adults. After showers, dinner, snuggles, and two sound asleep kiddos, I feel that I met that goal tonight.

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That moment you realize you put your underwear on inside out!

Admit it. It’s happened to you. Maybe you got dressed in the dark so your spouse could sleep in, or you woke up late and got dressed in a hurry, or you were so blasted tired that you pretty much dressed yourself while sleep walking. Nonetheless, you made it the first couple hours in the day, went to the restroom and discovered it…you put your underwear on inside out!

This morning, this has happened to me yet again. I haven’t tracked the frequency but I would guess I do this at least twice a month. More often than not it is because I’m still asleep while I get ready in the morning.

When I discover my bimonthly wardrobe malfunction I always giggle to myself. It is a gentle reminder that no matter how well I think I’ve got it together, I have something going on that is completely backwards. And you know what? I’m okay with that. It’s okay because I know don’t have to be perfect. I am completely incapable of being perfect. But I have a savior who is perfect for me. He is the only person ever to have been perfect, blameless, or sinless, and he gave up his life for me, for you, for anyone who chooses to follow him.

It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. Hebrews 10:14 (MSG)

I will never win mother-, wife-, sister-, daughter-, friend-, or employee-of-the-year but I’m doing the best I can—most of the time. I still strive for perfection, though. It’s what my kids, husband, brothers, parents, friends, and employer deserve from me. More importantly, it is what God deserves from me. But when I fall short, I know His love covers me. It gives me strength to take a breath, put on my big girl panties—right side out—and try again.

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$108,000

Remember how I mentioned in my inaugural post that a blog completely dedicated to the causes I support isn’t my aim? Well, for today, I’m doing just that.

Last weekend I learned that the generous people of our church, Hope Community, raised $108,000 dollars for ministry efforts in Uganda including Watoto Childcare Ministries, an organization dedicated to helping orphans and women who have been affected by war and disease.

I love my church. We are a group, albeit a very large group, of regular people. No celebrities unless you count the local radio shock jock. Our motley crew of regular Joe’s managed to raise a significant amount money in 2 weeks for people we have never met and very few of us will ever get to meet.

Last Sunday night I watched the season finale of Celebrity Apprentice. I can’t say that it is a favorite show of mine but I have watched most of the season because Sunday night TV is a bit lackluster and we are among the very few households in America that doesn’t have a DVR.

The season finale featured Arsenio Hall and Clay Aiken competing for title of “Celebrity Apprentice” and $250,000 for their charity. Both celebrities were tasked with organizing a fundraising event, including a variety show of sorts. The funds raised by each event would go to each celeb’s charity—Arsenio’s charity was the Magic Johnson Foundation, which is dedicated to providing health education to urban youth; Clay’s charity was the National Inclusion Project, which provides recreational programs to children with disabilities.

Arsenio and Clay, along with their celebrity team members, solicited fellow celebs for donations. The list of donors included heavy hitters like Chris Rock, Jimmy Kimmel, Eddie Murphy, Marco Andretti, George Lopez, and Jay Leno who donated to Arsenio's team, and Kelly Clarkson and Orel Hershiser who donated to Clay's team. Arsenio raised $167,100. Clay raised nearly twice as much with $301,500. Both impressive totals generated in only 48 hours. I’m certain the charities will greatly benefit from the money.

After the show was over it hit me—Arsenio’s total was only $59,000 more than what our church raised for Uganda. How can that be? Arsenio, though kind of a B-lister, is a celeb with some serious connections to some serious dough. The 2011 average earnings of 5 of the 6 celebs who donated to Arsenio's cause (I wasn't able to find data on Marco) is $19.3 million¹. Arsenio's total is only 0.86% of that. Not even 1%! This shocked me. These celebs have so much yet gave so little. Why? I know the answer, though. It is not their responsibility to give just because they have it—though imagine what an impact that would make on our world.

In comparison, the average household income of Raleigh, Cary, Holy Springs, and Apex, NC (the communities most of our church attendees live in) is $91,254². The total our church raised for Uganda, $108,000, is 118% of the area's average household income! This too, shocked me. Why did this group of John and Jane Q. Publics step forward in such a big way?

I can't answer for the general population of our church but I can answer for my husband and me. We do it because we are called to do it. We do it because we ache for those less fortunate. We also do it because it brings joy to our hearts to help others. We know that if we wait for the rich and famous to fill the gap it just won't happen. We need to step up and do what we can to make life better for at least one other person.

Don't get me wrong, what Arsenio and Clay managed to raise for their charities is awesome. The Magic Johnson Foundation and the National Inclusion Project are very worthwhile organizations. My point to all this is to get you to move, especially if you aren't moving already. We simply can't assume that the wealthiest 10% are going to make it happen.

“But I don’t have the funds right now, Mandy.” That’s ok. Neither do we. We give what we can but we also volunteer our time in other areas. Sometimes actions speak louder than bank accounts. Volunteering is also a great way to show our kids compassion towards those in need. We have packed and delivered meals to the homeless through Brown Bag Ministry and this fall we are participating in the Be the Match Foundation’s 5K and Tot Trot races to raise funds and awareness for bone marrow donation.

You don’t have to support the organizations I support but you should have at least one cause you believe in. My faith plays a huge role in the causes I support. But even if you aren’t a Christian, if you have a heartbeat you should ache when you see someone in pain, hungry, lonely, or sad. They don’t have to be in a different country or even a different area code. Look around you. I promise you will find someone who desperately needs help.

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1 www.therichest.org/celebnetworth

2 www.money.cnn.com

This First One is a Doozy!

I have had the urge to blog for about 10 years but always struggled with what to blog about. I’ve heard “write what you know.” The problem is I know a lot about me but not much about anything else. Nonetheless, the possibilities are just as endless as they are predictable.

Family and Marriage

My husband is my hero. He is an amazing father and even more amazing husband and friend. But we really have no idea how we make our marriage work other than we leave it in God’s hands and we laugh a lot. I simply adore my kids. You know that feeling you get when you think of someone and it makes your heart dance and your arms ache to hold them? That’s how I feel about my kids always. (Okay, almost always.) Not only have they made me a better person, but they are really cool people. Again, I have no idea how they have turned out the way they have but I praise God for it daily. Seriously though, who really wants to read a blog solely about my family and marriage other than a handful of family members and friends?

Food

I’ve been living gluten free (GF) for 2 years and have found a way to comfortably live GF in a gluten-filled world. I really enjoy cooking for my family and hosting dinner guests. I challenge myself to try at least one new recipe a week. Consequently, my repertoire in the kitchen has grown significantly and I’m more than happy to share. However, I have never created an original recipe. As a writer who has been blatantly plagiarized, I am very sensitive to giving credit where credit is due. So my GF blog would end up just being a directory of other people’s recipes with links to the original authors’ blogs.

Work

I enjoy my job but it isn’t my life. I work with great people in an amazing environment. But what I do for a living can seem rather mundane to those outside the industry. My official title is Marketing Coordinator. I work directly with engineers, planners, landscape architects, and environmental scientists in preparing proposals, statements of qualifications, and presentations. I know, sounds riveting! Aside from presenting a compelling argument for the Oxford comma, the blog would be rather dry. I find participating in discussions within different LinkedIn member groups is a better avenue for this.

Exercise

Hahahaha! That’s funny.

Causes

Causes are important and I encourage everyone to be passionate about helping someone or something deserving. However, I get burned out on the constant promotion of causes and I imagine many others do too. I have become numb to the barrage of pleas—both legitimate and phony—I receive daily via email, Facebook, LinkedIn, and even Pinterest. I think it is great that someone is passionate about Cause X, but I simply don’t share in their enthusiasm for that particular cause. There a few causes that I support because I feel they are worthwhile, truly do good, and evoke emotion in me personally. I understand if they don’t move you the same way they do me. I am happy to share if you want to listen but I don’t really want to devote a blog to campaigning for my causes.

Beauty and Fashion

Let me put it this way—Coco Chanel sounds more like an ice cream flavor to me than haute couture. About a year ago I received a small bag of clothes from a friend who had lost weight and subsequently, shrunk out of them. Her literal loss was my gain! In the bag was a pair of jeans. I never heard of the brand before but tried them on—they fit beautifully! I have never had a pair of jeans that didn’t gap at the back when I sat down, didn’t slide down my hips as I move, and were the perfect length. I have worn these jeans at least once a week ever since I received them and I usually wash them every 2-3 wearings. Not long ago I was wearing the jeans and a friend of mine commented “Those fit your great. What brand are they?” I replied “Six or Seven or some number.” Her jaw hit the floor. “SEVENS!?! Those are expensive.” “What do you mean,” I asked. “Like $80?” She just shook her head. It turns out that they sell for at least twice that. I also was scolded when I told her how often I wash them. I guess you’re supposed to treat them like a bridal gown and preserve them between wearings. So as you can see I am fashionably challenged and should never, ever write a blog about anything fashion related.

Humor

I think I'm hilarious! I suspect that I am more annoying than hilarious to others. I also am usually dripping with cynicism. Some people tell me that is my style of humor. The truth is that I use humor to make up for my insecurities. Not a day goes by that I don’t have at least a dozen sarcastic thoughts—half of which usually escape my lips. Partner that with the fact that a sarcastic tone is hard to convey in writing and you get a confusing, if not offensive, blog.

Travel

I would love to blog about travel. One major flaw—we don’t travel. It is so expensive and we live far from family so any traveling we do is on the cheap, infrequent, and usually to the Midwest. It drives my husband and me crazy because we are true wanderlusters. We daydream and chat about the far off places we would visit. Some destinations offer rich history, art, and culture. Other destinations offer an opportunity to help those in need. Our marriage began in Paris and recently we both have had a strong desire to return. Unfortunately, that itch won’t be scratched for a while nor will a trip anywhere beyond 4 hours from Raleigh.

Crafting

The word “crafting” used to bother me. As a seamstress, I considered my hobby to be far more refined than that of a mere craft. Crafts were for church bazaars and usually featured angels made out of tea-dyed doilies and ceramic geese dressed like humans. But now I embrace “crafting” wholeheartedly. Etsy and Pinterest are due much of the credit. I love to sew. It’s therapeutic for me. As my mother quilted into one of her first art quilts “it’s cheaper than a shrink.” But I’m afraid that if I devote a blog entirely to crafting I will end up losing it’s therapeutic benefits and start to feel the pressure of creating something new and different for every post. Besides, I already have an Etsy shop featuring some of my projects (here comes the shameless plug) at www.micahandmandy.com. I likely will have a show-and-tell project to share occasionally, though.

So what’s this blog going to be about? All of it and more! Call me noncommittal but I’m going to write about what is occupying my mind when I sit down to write—as random, passionate, long-winded, or brief as it may be. Of course, if you have any ideas for a blog post then send them my way. I like a good challenge!

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