Blue Yonder

Random

(Random photo above has virtually nothing to do with this post other than the fact that it is random. In case you're interested though, this is the Frost Tower at night. It is {for now} the tallest building in Austin. My boys think it looks like an owl from this angle, so they asked me to take a picture of it. I get that a lot... "Mama, take a picture of *this*!"

I've been tagged, mercilessly (I kid), by Lori, (sweet, cooler than cool, Lori) Visty (witty and wonderful Visty), and Tracy (incredibly talented Tracy ) , to give you five random facts about myself. (You thought I'd forgotten, didn't you Tracy?)

Honestly, how could I refuse such incredible women?

Alright then here goes (and don't say that I didn't warn you)

(Wasn't I cute?)

1. When my mother was pregnant with me she craved barbecue sandwhiches and oranges. Interesting, because while I was pregnant with James I craved Quarter Pounders with Cheese with a chaser of any and all fruits. My husband begged me to stay out of the produce department the way people plead with heroine addicts to get the monkey off their backs. Something just came over me when I got next to a pile of pineapples. I couldn't help myself. I had to have 10 of them, right away, or die trying.

2. I cry very easily. Very. Oatmeal commercials, sappy country songs, Nora Ephron movies... all the predictable stuff makes me cry and it kind of ticks me off. So cliche. Once though, I hit rock bottom and cried over a Chick Fil A sandwich. This time, I was pregnant with Ryder. I got really hungry in that way that only happens when you are pregnant. I was out shopping and the only thing I had on me, in the way of currency, was a check. So, I went to Chick Fil A, because they take checks at the drive through.

The line was long and I was about ready to gnaw off my arm, when I finally made it to the window, only to hear, "Um, I'm sorry ma'am. We no longer take checks." I sat right there and cried, CRIED over a sandwich. The poor little teenage checkout girl had no idea what to do in this situation. I think she might have cried later too.

3. My middle name starts with an X. It is not Xavier or Xanadu. Just you try to figure that one out :-)

4. I'm claustrophobic. Yep, and I'm preparing for a 13 hour flight in a few weeks. I'll be traveling with my mother, who is also claustrophobic. Cocktails, anyone?

5. In the 6th grade, I ended every single prayer with, "And please God, let me move to New York and be best friends with Madonna." For real. Maybe Gwenyth prayed the same prayer.

There you have it. I've been utterly random, and now I must inflict tag 5 other poor saps blog friends.

So, Lina, Lynn, Jade, Kristin and Kris, you're on!

I feel kinda bad, putting you on the spot like this. Really, you don't *have to* do it. I mean, I might cry if you don't, but then... I might cry if you do, too. So, you know, whatever.

In My Neighborhood :: Weird

Today's Neighborhood Challenge is to find something weird around the place we call home.

Well that shouldn't be too difficult, seeing as how it's our slogan and all.

I'll start with one of our neighbors, God love him (refer to previous post for the explanation of this phrase :-), who began painting his house some 10 years ago, and just decided to up and quit. I don't know if he ran out of paint or didn't have a ladder tall enough or what, but he shows no signs of rectifying the situation.

He's kind of a weird bird anyway. He hoards newspapers and puts his trash in our can because he's, um, shall we say, too "frugal" to pay for his own trash service.

He's a nice enough guy though, and I kind of think he adds character to the place. We like to make up stories about the stuff that might be hidden away in his house... pirate treasure, secret tunnels and the like.

Then of course, there's the folks who are so incredibly festive that they leave their Christmas lights up all year.

We discovered too, when we set out on our bikes to cruise the neighborhood in search of oddities, that excess in the way of yard decor is fairly common in these parts.

So are skulls.

Of course, it could be, that we fit right in.

I'm pretty sure that anyone who saw us at the corner store today, might have thought we were a little weird too. Kids, not in school and stuffing thier faces with doughuts and apples,

while their mama stood in the vacant lot next door, whacking the hooey out of the pecan tree with a big stick, and gathering up her loot like a nut-crazed, well... nut.

Yeah, that mighta looked a little odd.

In other news, my James asked me to tell you that he did not get lost in the mall this afternoon, but he did get new shoes.

More skulls.

They've had us dancing and singing this song all day:

Tomorrow's assignment: special... does that mean like "special," like wonderful and unique or "special", like needs a little help. Hmmm... well whichever, we can oblige, I'm sure.

In My Neighborhood :: Fun

Alright then, today's Neighborhood Week topic is "fun."

Hmmm, well, whatever we are lacking in peace, we certainly make up for in the way of fun!

Seriously, we have a knack for making even the most ordinary of events extraordarily fun. (Shall I warn you now that I'm in a bit of a sarcastic mood?)

Case in point: my middle son (God love him - which is what you say in Texas, to precede something you probably shouldn't say about someone, but are going to say anyhow) thought it would be "fun" to take off on his own in the grocery store, to have a look at some Halloween stuff. I reached for the cheddar, turned around, and he was gone. Complete panic ensued, until a dear, sweet woman with a little baby came around the corner with him, red faced and crying, at her side. I, of course, hugged him and told him never ever to leave again because it scares Mama, so badly.

I looked up and thanked the young mom, who then told me, in no uncertain terms, that I should, "really watch him more carefully."

She probably thought I was an awful mother because I actually laughed outloud at this and said, "yes, I'll get right on that."

I've had loads of fun, ever since, thinking of all the ways that her little cherub will knock that confident smirk off her face over the next few years. Oh to be a new mom again, and think that you know everything. Hilarious good fun, that was.

It was fun too when the same child, yes, the middle child, came in from the backyard today with blood pouring out of his nose. He had been practicing circus tricks on the monkey bars while I made his lunch, and landed unceremoniously, nose to the dirt. Her words rang in my hears - I should really watch him more carefullly.

I don't remember if she had a boy or a girl in her cart. I hope it was a boy. I think she needs a boy to lighten her up a little.

But I digress. This post is about where we find fun in our neighoborhood, not how we carry it everywhere we go, like a banner before us.

I asked my guys where we go for fun in our neigborhood, and they informed me that we ride bikes,

go to the park,

walk in the woods at one end of our street, or the creek at the other end, and catch bugs,

(we found this one today, and think it is on it's way to becoming a Luna Moth, which is incredibly exciting to me. More on that, another time.)

As for me, I think that what makes our neighborhood fun is the simple fact that each house is as different as their inhabitants.

Our neighborhood is older, broken in, and seems to understand what that sweet, and no doubt well meaning young mom at the store, did not - try as you might to bring about conformity, sometimes people just are who they are. Our neigborhood is quirky, not perfectly manicured. There is no homeowners association to tell you when to put your trashcan away or what you can do in your backyard, or what color your mailbox should be.

For the most part, I love this about our neighborhood. It makes things interesting. It also makes them a little weird at times... but that falls under tomorrow's title, I'm afraid.

For now, I'll leave you with a little sneak peek of something that's also fun:

Those are the beginnings of a little crafty project that I'm toyiing with.

Wishing you lots of fun and laughter, of the sort that doesn't involve lost children or nosebleeds!

Fly On Over...

... to my friend Leigh-Ann's site, Freckled Nest for a big, one day only SALE on some really sweet, handmade goodies!

And The Winner Is...

True to form, you guys amaze me.

Seriously, I don't know whether to jump up and down with excitement, or hide in the closet. I mean, I knew there were lurkers, but holy stinking guacamole!!!! Who knew there were so many of you?

Now that you have come out into the open, you know who you are, I hope you will say hello more often. I'd like to get to know ya.

Beyond just the sheer number of you though, your "three words" were so full of wisdom, laughter, and love. Your words rang in my ears all weekend.

When I lamented the condition of my kitchen floor, I heard, "Let it go, " and "Rock the baby." and "Remember to smile."

When another child was unkind to mine and I wanted to pinch his little head off, I heard, "Just be kind." of course, "Go for it" and "Follow your heart." might have worked too, but not for the good of those involved, in this case :-)

When my guys were upset over losing their first ever TWO soccer games in ONE weekend, and I began to fret over whether it had been a good idea to go along with this whole team sports thing, I heard, "Think less, Momma," and resolved to hang in there and see what lessons come of it. What good is victory if one has never tasted defeat, right?

When I passed the homeless woman that lives down the street and wondered, again, what can be done about her (for her), I heard, "Love heals all," "Open your arms," and "Think of others," and resolved to find a way to help.

At this moment, after a full, and tough weekend, I'm thinking of the ones that inovled simple pleasures, like chocolate, creating, coffee and the dearest to my heart, "Chicken Fried Steak". May I add, "Biscuit, Potatoes, Gravy?":-)

Thank you all, for the gift of your thoughts and ideas. You made my weekend something akin to Christmas morning. So many unexpected surprises in my inbox!

So, without further delay, on to the winner. . .

As much as I'd like to shower you all with Texan and Japanese wonders, we have learned (have we not, soccer fans?) that there can be only one winner.

I used a random number generator to come up with the winning entry. I know, I know, I said, "put all your names in a hat and draw," but that was before I knew how many amazing entries would turn up! I do hope you forgive me for taking this short cut.

And now, the prize goes to....

...

...

...

...

TRACY of Prickly Pear Bloom Congrats, Tracy. I will be in touch to finalize all the details!

Happy new week, everyone!

*edited to add....*

In the case that any of you wanted a copy of all the amazing words, for future inspiration, here they all are:

Trust in God. Could be worse. Always be ready. Love your kids. Make great choices. Think of others. Love. Love More. You will survive. Hope springs eternal. Follow your heart. Blue Yonder rocks :-). Love, create, smile. Faith, family, friends. Time for change. Remember to laugh. Kids, dogs, breakfast. Be not afraid. Thank you, Jesus. Disappointed, brokenhearted, hopeful. Live, love, be. Evelyn, Gretchen, Sylvia. Faith, hope, love. Life is good. Keep on going. Where's my coffee? Eat local food. Rock the baby. Always be kind. Love one another. Explore, discover, create. It's my birthday! Think less, Momma. Open your arms. Peace, love, knitting. Let it go. Live the moment. Have some faith. Create, inspire, dream. Live, laugh, love. Live fully, today. Love, create, dream. I love you. Just be kind. Love heals all. Serenity, courage, wisdom. Just do it. Cherish the moment. Nurse, sleep, poop. Children, heal, souls. Twenty four seven. Cherish, each day. Ach du Himmel. Let it be. Life is art. Moments make memories. Expect the Unexpected. Happy to be. Pogo-sticking for peace. Faith, love and friendship. I've been redeemed. Wind, ocean, moon. Remember to love. Own your journey. Follow your dreams. Work really sucks. God is good. Grace carries me. Remember to smiles. Chocolates, coffee, crafting. Trusting in myself. Appreciate little things. Improvise, adapt, overcome. Dream in colour. Up too late. Do not stress. Patterns, forms, ideas. Go for it. Visit Tokyo hands. Made the top. My cup overfloweth. Fall is here! Have no regrets.

Can you see a pattern? I'm thinking "All you need is LOVE!" (and some kindness too :-)

"Just Three Words" - 100th Post Giveaway

It's hard to say, what this blog has meant, and what it has come to mean for me.

It's hard to explain without seeming trite and insincere.

Back in May, I Googled, "little birds." My intention was to find out more about some little miniature glass birds that I'd seen at an antique store. Instead, I landed on this blog.

It completely consumed me. I had no idea that so many creative, inspired, strong, talented mamas were out there carving out their own beautiful spaces on the web.

I surfed and read and linked to another blog. I surfed and read and linked again. I read and surfed on, then began to comment, and before long, I felt the draw to make a little space of my own. You know, just a place to keep track of our days, keep up with friends and maybe make a few new ones.

Here I am, 100 posts later. My, how time has flown!

This blog has given me what I hoped it would, and so much more. It has stretched me, been an outlet, and required me to just pause and reflect more often.

It has been a gift, in so many ways, not the least of which is you. Your comments, your encouragement, the ideas that you share and the talents that you bring have given me much to treasure.

So, as a way to say, "thanks," for sharing yourself, and for being a part of our world, I thought I'd host a little "Happy 100 Posts" giveaway.

The lucky winner will get not one, but TWO prize packages.

First, you will receive a package chock full of Blue Yonder and Texas goodness. There will be handmade crafty things, bits of fabric and notions, kid treats, salsa, jalapeno jelly, Texas made goodies galore and more - it will be me, in a box, shipped to your door.

The second prize package will come later, and must be preceded by my BIG announcement.

For the first time in all of my 32 years, I am in need of a passport! My husband's boss and his lovely wife have graciously invited me to spend a week with them in Japan. My dear husband will hold down the fort in early November, while I jet to the other side of the world. I'm going to visit Tokyo, Osaka, and I think Kyoto... that is, if I don't shrivel up and die from excitement first! For the first time in a long time, my babies are big enough to do without me for a little while. I'm REALLY nervous to leave them, but I'm trying hard to focus on the fact that I get to go on a real live adventure!

I'm telling you, just the idea of sitting still on a plane for 13 hours, reading, writing, watching movies... that alone is enough to send me over the moon!

So, the winner of my giveaway will first get a package of Texas goodies, and then a couple months down the road, will receive a package of Japanese goodness. Craft books, bento boxes, origami stuff, who knows what it will be?

So, what do you do to enter?

Well, I've thought long and hard about this. What I appreciate most about blogging is the opportunity it creates for creativity and sharing, so I wanted this contest to be a "share a bit of you to win a bit of us" kind of thing.

Then I saw this video, and it sealed the deal:

To enter the contest, submit a comment to this post, with just three words. They can be any words - words you think are important for others to hear, words that describe you, words that sum up your day, words to inspire or words to make us laugh.

Robert Frost once said, "In just three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life. It goes on."

What are your three words?

You have until midnight, central time, on this Sunday, September 16th. At that time, I will put all your names in the hat, and draw. Good luck!

Thanks again, one hundred ways, for joining me here each day!

Mail, Martha and Ebay

I have my own personal fairy godmother, and her name is Sarah.. Out of the clear blue, for no apparent reason at all (save for the shameless ogling I did over at her site) she sent me this lovely clutch and the most gorgeous hand knitted green handwarmers EVER. I'm going to wear them, even if my hands don't yet need warming, because they are THAT cute, and I'm that cool.

But wait there's more! She also stuffed the clutch with some buttons ready to be covered in fabric. some fun felt letters for my guys, AND she sent along this glorious bunch of fabric candy:

Isn't she wonderful? I don't know what I did to deserve such kindness, but you can bet your backside I'm gonna find out, so that I can keep it up!

Y'all go over and say hi to her because she's had a really crummy day, and a string of bad luck and could use some smiles.

On an entirely random note, I had a thought. (Brace yourselves)

I know that many of you, too, have mourned the loss of Martha Stewart Kids Magazine.

I know that, like me, you guard your ragged copies with your lives, and have also put it in your wills that you should be buried with your MS Kids issues (pun intended). Also, like me, you probably send Martha daily letters begging like a backyard mutt politely requesting that the magazine be brought back and insinuating that otherwise, SHE will be buried with you.

What? You don't do that? Well, anyhow, as I was saying, I had a thought.

If any of you Martha Stewart staffers out there are sipping your cappuccinos and perusing the net, take a look around at all the amazing talent among crafty Mama bloggers! We (okay, THEY) can help you! The word is "FREELANCE" baby! I promise there are enough brilliant mama minds to keep you printing for decades. We (THEY) will help you bring MS Kids back, and then we'll all subscribe. It's a win win proposition, don't you think?

In the mean time, I will continue to troll around eBay hoping that the 10 issues that I'm missing will come up for sale. If you act quickly, and you have WAY more money to blow than I do, you can snap them all up at one time at this soon-ending auction.

If though, you can't bring yourself to bid with the high rollers, you can laugh yourself silly over this very clever mama's auction.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Collecting Days

My kids collect a lot of stuff. Some of it is intentional, some of it not so much, but valuable to us, all the same.

There are the natural wonders -

Feathers of all sorts.

Shells.

Heart-Shaped Rocks.

Insects and Fossils.

Add to these other, less tangible collections of natural wonders, like fantastic ways to annoy your mother with bodily noises (latest addition being the armpit fart - I'm sorry, there's no gentler way to say it.) A host of smell related memories (tootsie rolls = that time we all got sick at Halloween. waffles cooking = Daddy on a business trip), sounds we love (an owl in the middle of the night, train whistles, our thrifted cookoo clock).

Then there are the unnatural variety -

Bottle caps, an ode to public park-going litter bugs. I did not consume all that beer. Not because I'm opposed to alcohol, but because I prefer mine with a cork.

Pez dispensers.

Flattened pennies.

And others - near swears to say while driving ("Mama, what's a moron?"), days full of creativity, stories and exploration, Library fines for books lost to our home's black hole ($65 which I refuse to pay because I know they are here, SOMEWHERE!), foreign money from Daddy's travels, maps of all 50 states, vintage books, recipes that they can make themselves; minutes, seconds, hours, days of invested time and attention from loved ones, dreams, hopes, ambitions and confidence.

Combined net worth of all those collections? Depends on your currency.

Dollars and cents = nothing.

Heart and Soul = all of it.

Confessions of a Thieving Wham Lover

That's me, at two, or so, trying to oh so subtly lift the tea cakes out of my Great Grandma's cookie jar. Who puts cookies in a toddler's reach anyway?

I've been tagged, again, to list 8 random things about myself. I find this enormously funny because seriously, most everything about me is random, so picking 8 to share with the thousands of riveted readers that visit my little blog everyday (go back and read that as dripping with snarkiness) is like saying, "Gee Stef, show me the 8 most interesting of all the hairs on your head." I've got an endless supply of randomness people, but I can't imagine why knowing any of it is worth a spoonful of spit.

You made your bed though, so here ya go:

1) There are two kinds of people in this world, The Nancy Drew type, and the Trixie Belden type. I was definitely the latter. She was sneaky, always falling backwards into trouble, forgetful, had trouble in math class and she and her buddies rode horses. What more could you want? She could wipe the haunted mansion with prissy Nancy any day, as far as I'm concerned.

As a money-grubbing teen I sold all my books in my Mom's garage sale. Last summer though, I went on an eBay frenzy and bought most of them back. I read them too, back to back. Cuz I'm smooth like that.

2) When I was 11 I stole a kaleidescope from a toy store because Kristi F. asked me to. She was 8 years older than me, could tie a cherry stem in a knot with her tongue and listened to Pato Banton. I desperately wanted her to like me and I felt pretty confident that being a hardened thief would win her affections. Of course, it never occured to me that she was being paid to babysit me while my parents were on vacation, and would not have hung out with me otherwise, even if I'd managed to pocket the Mona Lisa.

3) I often have fantasies of going to a hotel... alone. Just me, room service, an uninterrupted hot bath, and a good book. Please Do Not Disturb. I'm pretty sure I'd last five minutes before calling my fellas to come and crash the pool with me though.

4) I have no idea what I'm doing on so many levels, and question myself all the time. Is homeschooling the right decision for my kids? Can I really claim to wear this size if I have to lie down on the bed to get the zipper up? Do I practice what I preach? Will I actually finish Ryder's quilt before he graduates high school? Can I call my house clean if I know good and well that opening a closet door would land some poor unfortunate soul in the ER? How on earth did I come to deserve THREE gorgeous, inspiring, curious, wonderful sons? Bloody WHEN will the next season of Project Runway begin? See, plagued by questions and doubts.

5) I have never left the country, and don't even have a passport. But... a little birdie has told me that I might want to get one soon....

6) I'd eat brownies everyday for breakfast if I didn't care to live long enough to see my grandkids. You know the ones, the thick, dark chocolate tasting, nut-filled gooey ones (the brownies, not the grandkids). I'd eat them in a box and with a fox, in the rain and on a train, in the nude, in lieu of other food, here and there, I'd eat them everywhere!

7) I had a crush on George Michael... in the Wham days. I've gotten over it of late, thanks to his extremely disappointing behavior. "Ew," is the word that comes to mind. I really do try to accept people where they are, for who they are, but... well suffice it to say that I'm not linking to any of his unfortunate public incidents because I prefer you to remember him at his espadrille-wearing, "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" best.

8) I played the trumpet in highschool. I had no real musical ambitions, and not much talent, but I was extremely determined to be the very best trumpeter that I could be because the longer I remained in band, the longer I was eligible to opt out of P.E. It was a small sacrifice to avoid sweating, running, bouncing or being made to change clothes in front of my peers. And let's face it, band geeks were my people... my Trixie Belden loving, toy-theiving, self-doubting, brownie-eating, Wham-listening, P.E.-avoiding people.

Seriously now, think long and hard before tagging me again, dear readers. There is a never-ending fount of this drivel. You've no idea.

Rockin' Mama

(Me, at 4 - or it could be Ryder in a dress, not real sure)

It isn't that I'm not appreciative, I am, I really really am. I am actually completely flattered. This blog love business has gone a good way to making up for some awkward, dorky middle school years! I have to admit though, that the whole thing makes me feel like it's talent show day and pick your kickball team all at once. I am supposed to bare myself and risk others feeling left out, in one fell swoop. So, it's taken me a while to acknowledge the fact that I have been tagged and given some blog awards, which I am supposed to pass on.

Here goes:

First to sweet Happy, who tagged me to list 8 things about myself.

Hmmm. How about 8 firsts?

1) My first car was a green 1974 VW Superbeetle. It had cool Ferrari chrome tailpipes and was painted dark metallic teal. I liked to drive with one hand draped over the wheel, blaring the Beatie Boys, cuz I was that cool. My mechanic, Vern, had it more than I did though. I still wonder whatever happened to Vern.

2) I married the man who took me to my first and only prom.

3) My first job was as a grocery bagger, after which I was a dog washer. My first assignment as a dog washer? A Bull Mastiff. How's that for an initiation?

4) First college major - pre-med. I took ONE biology class for science majors and knew that I was not nearly dedicated enough to follow it through. So I studied education instead. It's come in handy.

5) First instinct? To be a hermit. I have a handful of close friends and that suits me fine. I'm not into crowds or group activities, but I can fake it if need be.

6) First kiss - Jodi Nichols in the First Baptist Church. You can't make this stuff up, people.

7) First concert - Billy Joel. I still have a soft spot for the Piano Man.

8) First love? Well that'd be a three way tie between a boy, some wheels and a horse.

Boy: my little brother, who was born when I was 9. I was so crazy about my little living doll that I actually gave him a hicky on the back of his neck once. I couldn't help it, he was so kissable. I could have eaten him if I'd had a little whipped cream. He was that sweet. He's big and hairy now, but I still like him well enough. I don't kiss him anymore though. Gross.

Wheels: My sweet rollerskates. I really thought I'd make it on Star Search doing one of my roller-routines to Madonna or Cyndi Lauper. I was insanely talented.

Horse: Wilbur, who lived next door to me when I was 10. I gave him grass from my side of the fence and promised him that one day, after I won on Star Search, he'd be mine and he'd live on oats and honey.

Here's the lot of us, together in one shot:

I told you that I was cool.

Now on to the awards...

The most lovely ladies have given me the "Rockin' Girl Blogger Award." I am blown away by their kindness, and a little dumbfounded at how warmly received my rather new little blog has been. You girls amaze me. So Eren (the most kindred of spirits), Leigh-Ann (fun personified, and a talented crafter) and Brit (who I hope to someday quilt alongside, because we'd laugh 'til our cheeks hurt), thanks so much for the award!

There are so many amazing women out here in Blogosphere, that it's hard to pick just 5 to call "Rockin'". If I must though, here are a few of the girls who make my corner of cyberspace a happy place:

1) Visty - Whose fab photos and dry humor make me laugh outloud on a daily basis.

2) Molly - Who I really wish lived closer because we'd for sure go on field trips and make jam together. She's another kindred spirit.

3) Leslie. Her adventures with her daughters give me a little glimpse of life with girls, and her owls... swoon!

4) Sarah. Have I mentioned Sarah? I'm currently making a bid for her to move to Texas.

5) Oh, this last spot is killiing me. There are so many worthy women, that I just hate to leave anyone out. So, you know what? I just won't. I'm reserving this spot for you, the women who are sweet enough to read, comment, and inspire me each and every day. If you are reading this, you qualify as totally "rockin'" in my book. Consider yourself awarded this pretty pink thing:

Now go and spread the love (and do try to forget that you saw that whole rollerskate thing.)