Archive for the 'It's a Girl Thing' Category
March 30, 2009 @ 7:29 am | Filed under: It's a Girl Thing, It's funny!
March 6, 2009 @ 5:25 pm | Filed under: It's a Girl Thing, Uniquely Me
Has anyone noticed that Spring has arrived in all her vibrant regalia in Hobby Lobby?
I mean, long gone are the days of pale pastel pinks, blues, yellows and greens from when we were kids. No, now Spring pulls out the big guns - rich, luxurious versions of the older hues. The next generation, I guess, of the Springtime hues.
Well, they were on point today at Hobby Lobby, catching my attention as soon as my windswept hair was corralled back into place and I could actually take a first look around. Lining each endcap and display for as far as the eye could see were these sassy, flirty colors that for some reason just made me want to climb up on a chair and yell, I’m glad I’m a girl!
I had ducked inside for what I thought would be a five minute errand. The mission was simple, the plan was perfect. I was in the middle of making centerpieces for Lindsey’s shower and needed a couple of terra cotta pots, a few dowel rods, tulle, and some spray paint.
Having lost patience with most all stores in the past months and finding even the most simple of shopping excursions bordering on excruciating these days, I pulled out my meager list and prepared to knock this mission out in no time flat.
I managed to pick out the pots before the fever struck, thank goodness. I manuevered the cart through the aisles, trying my best to shield my eyes from the cute, trendy, Spring-y things that all of a sudden seemed to surround, then envelope, me.
By the time I reached the fabric department, I wasn’t feeling like myself at all. I grabbed the bolts of tulle and handed them to the clerk to cut. I tried to maintain my conversation with her, but I was terribly distracted by bolt after bolt after bolt after bolt… (and yes, I could go on) of the most precious, brightly colored calico printed fabric I’ve ever seen in my life. Bold stripes, perky florals, and amazing polka dotted prints reached out for me.
My reaction was immediate. I must sew. Never mind the fact that I’ve not sewn a stitch since the great Home Ec debacle of 1985. And forget about the fact that nothing has been known to try my patience and make me want to say not-so-nice words like having to rip out seams and begin again. And - oh yeah - I’ve not owned a sewing machine in over a decade.
It was so tough, but I finally managed to drag my eyes from this coveted fabric and back to the mission at hand. Centerpieces, Staci, centerpieces. Avoiding all eye contact with end caps, I walked around the store and procurred my dowel rods and two cans of spray paint. Feeling slightly more like myself again, I headed for the register, still not really sure what had just happened, but feeling certain I had just eluded something critical.
I paid for my purchases and reached for my bags, proud that everything fit into two small bags. Now how often does that happen? I was within ten feet of the front entrance of the store - almost home free, mind you - when the second wave of mystery disease hit. Large framed watercolors - ornate and inspiring - surrounded a mamouth sign heralding an upcoming workshop where “You can indulge that inner painter that lives within you.”
Yes! I must paint. I took in the paintings, instantly recognizing techniques and methods that must have somehow lodged in the depths of my brain after my art history class last semester and not been able to find a way out. A deep appreciation for the arts that I never even knew I had (not even during a thirteen week class devoted to the subject) gripped me in that moment and my fingers itched to grasp a brush, sit before a blank canvas on a green, grassy knoll somewhere -
I made a run for it at that point, clutching my two meager little bags to my chest, and letting the wind have its way with my hair.
And that, my sweet friends, is what you call SPRING FEVER!!!
August 26, 2008 @ 5:49 pm | Filed under: It's a Girl Thing, Pure Sunshine, Soul Food
Madie on Thunder
Bailey on Cowboy
“The true way to render ourselves happy is to love our work and find in it our pleasure.” - Francoise de Motteville
They say that when you love what you do, it’s not really work. At least it doesn’t feel like work. Instead there is a deep satisfaction that comes from diving head first into our passions, overlooking the hours of hard work, the occasional “dirty” job, and the huge learning curves we sometimes have to navigate.
I began to think about this several weeks ago when Madie, age 8, and - a few weeks later, Bailey, age 10, attended horse camp. Both girls have loved horses…well, since forever. They chose books about horses. They like t-shirts with horses printed on them. They played “horses” while other little girls played Barbies.
They really, really claimed to love horses.
What sets these two apart from many other kids their age who also make the same claim is that they have now proven that they truly DO love horses. While other kids love the idea of horses, these two love the horses.
They’ve proven it.
They have learned to feed the horses. (Who knew horses like peppermints?) They’ve tirelessly brushed the manes and rubbed a cool down after a ride. And while the other kids at horse camp enjoyed an hour of free play after lunch, Madie and Bailey both elected to remain behind and muck the stalls.
They really love horses.
Not just the idea. They love the reality.
As I think about my life and the things that I am passionate about, I can’t help but think about this horse camp. I think as long as I have these pictures handy, they may always serve as a reminder to me to only carefully pursue the things that are worth all the hard work to bring to reality.
I don’t want to merely love the idea of something.
I want to really, really love that something.
July 25, 2008 @ 9:41 am | Filed under: It's a Girl Thing
Onesoles
Cute covers!
When I was in Kemah a few weeks ago, I did a bit of shopping in the coolest little shop.
I found these great shoes (which I am now wearing on an almost daily basis!) called OneSoles. What you do is this. You pick out the sole you want (Mine is a black wedge) and each pair of soles comes with a standard cover. (Usually either black or tan.) Then you can buy all of these cute little covers to change the look of your shoes!
So cool!
May 19, 2008 @ 7:15 pm | Filed under: 3 Day Walk, Friends, It's a Girl Thing, Uniquely Me
I have taken on an incredible challenge. On November 7th - 9th I’ll be walking 60 miles over the course of three days, camping out at night with thousands of other women and men taking this journey with me.
It’s for an event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day, which benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Every advancement in breast cancer research, treatment, education and prevention in the last 25 years has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant. They are working hard to build a future without breast cancer, and I plan on raising $2200 to help bring us closer to that goal.
Please consider making a donation to this great cause. If you can’t give a certain amount all at once, you can spread it out over four months, using the payment plan option, if you donate online at http://www.the3day.org/. Please also ask your employer if they will double your donation with a matching gift.
This year I am walking in honor of the women in my own life who have battled breast cancer and have lived to celebrate beyond it. For those of you who know me well, you know that raising breast cancer awareness is one of the passions that I’ve taken into my heart.
Finding Faith is my novel set to release the end of this year and it chronicles one woman’s journey through this difficult and - too often - deadly disease. But there IS hope. There IS help. There IS healing. I am honored and excited to be taking part in this amazing walk for life.
Without a cure, one in eight women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s why I’m walking in the 3-Day. Because everyone deserves a lifetime.
To make a donation, go to http://www.the3day.org/. Click on Donate Now and search for my personal fundraising page. If you don’t want to donate online, please fill out the enclosed donation form and mail it to the address on the form. Or you can call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone. I would like to reach my fundraising goal by October 1st so please don’t delay!
breast cancer, Susan G. Komen, the 3 day walk
May 15, 2008 @ 4:20 pm | Filed under: It's a Girl Thing, Uniquely Me
I’ve not watched a single episode of America’s Next Top Model this past season so all of my info is at least second-hand, if not third.
But I can’t help but be greatly disturbed - and puzzled - by the hype that this year’s winner has garnered. Rather, that her size has garnered.
Whitney, a twenty-year-old student from Atlantic Beach, Florida, received the coveted prize of being the 2008 face of America’s Next Top Model. Perky and energetic, with fresh-faced good looks of the girl next door, Whitney truly is beautiful.
But the wild thing - and the one thing that I just cannot possibly wrap my mind around is that at five-foot-ten and a size 8/10, Whitney is being heralded as ANTM’s first-ever plus size model! In fact, this is the headlines that hit news stands everywhere last Wednesday:
‘ANTM’ SHOCKER! CROWNS ITS FIRST FULL-FIGURE WINNER
Huh…? Seriously?
Because I know that thousands of young girls - including many that I know in my life - are tracking this show and the models that walk its runway, it upsets me that this kind of message is being broadcast. If a size 8 is now considered plus-size, then our little girls don’t have a prayer of a chance to grow up with a healthy view of their bodies and their self-image.
I think that what disturbs me even more is that everyone, everywhere, seems to be accepting this fact without even blinking an eye. Even Whitney. She says this:
“People always say you have to be stick-skinny, emaciated and unhealthy and I’ve kind of stood up for [being full-figured] my whole life,” Thompson told The Post in her first post-victory interview.
“I’m not going to lose 50 pounds - if someone asks me to do that, I’ll go to another [modeling] agency,” she says. “I’ve already heard online from boys and girls all over the world who are dealing with eating disorders.
“They’re thanking me for standing up and saying, ‘I am a plus-size model and I am beautiful.’
“This is what people should look like,” she says, referring to herself, “rather than skin-and-bones, which is disgusting and sends a bad message to people everywhere.”
I applaud her spirit and her words, and agree whole-heartedly with the message that she wants to send. But in saying this she is acknowledging that she believes her size 8/10 self to be plus-size!
If this is plus-size, then, honey - make me a plus-size any day of the week!
America's Next Top Model, beauty, models
May 12, 2008 @ 5:14 pm | Filed under: Family, Friends, It's a Girl Thing
Several of you have emailed or called, wanting to know how it was to turn forty. So here you go - a photo journey through one very memorable - very special - week in my life!
May 4, 2008 @ 10:51 am | Filed under: It's a Girl Thing, Uniquely Me
“Let’s go to dinner tonight.”
I was walking past, on my way downstairs, when Mike’s words caused me to pause.
“Okay…”
“Let’s go around seven.” Mike barely looked up from his computer. “Sound good?”
“Sure.” I went on about my business, aware in a really weird way that something was just a bit off about his dinner suggestion.
He walked me into the restaurant promptly at 7:15 that night and I saw them immediately. A long table filled with friends and with balloons and with all kinds of reminders that I was turning…forty!
These friends were actually the women who serve with me on our WOW (Women of Worth) committee. I was beyond touched at the gesture but it was when I opened their gift that I felt the tears in my eyes and the joy in my heart.
Nestled inside of a great box filled with everything from popcorn to Funyons (there’s a story here!) to chocolate chip cookies was a hard-back copy of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. This is the book that WOW is using this year as a base for bible study groups and a fall retreat.
Inside both covers were words penned by these women, very special individuals who’ve come to mean the world to me. Each of them bring such talent and creativeness to our group. They serve tirelessly and willingly, and they share with me the burden that I carry for the women in our church.
Girls, you made my day!
You helped to make turning 40 a really special time in my life!
May 1, 2008 @ 2:03 pm | Filed under: It's a Girl Thing, Uniquely Me
“Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life.”
I first saw them a month ago, in passing, and walked on by. Although - I have to admit - I did turn around once and look back.
I saw them again two weeks ago and, this time, picked them up and got a closer look. Big mistake. It was love, or at least intense interest, at first touch. But the price tag caused me to swallow hard and put them down again.
Except I went back yet again, and - this time - decided to try them on. I’ve only felt this way a couple of other times about a pair of shoes. And once with a purse - my Coach bag. But there are just times when nothing hits the spot for a woman quiet like a great pair of shoes. Particularly the shoes that practically scream out your name.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. We have no 6 1/2 in stock.”
“Sevens?” Maybe I could make them work…
“Seven-and-a-half is the smallest we have. I could call around to the other stores…”
“Sure, that would be great.” I stood at the counter and listened as she made the calls, but no luck. My shoe was no where to be found in the metroplex.
Ordinarily I would have taken it as a sign by this point that this pair of shoes was just not meant to be mine. But somehow I knew that wasn’t the case. For someone like me, who doesn’t get a thrill out of shopping and who is only very rarely drawn to a piece of clothing or accessories, you just know when something is right for you.
This shoe…needed to be mine.
“Ma’am, may I order this shoe for you?” This was the manager of the department who’d overheard the last part of my conversation with the sales clerk.
And that is how this great pair of shoes came to be mine. All mine.
My instincts were right.
When I slip them on, I feel… great. Especially right now, when it feels good to remember that not only am I somebody’s mother, these shoes are a four-inch stilletto reminder that I am indeed…a woman.
April 21, 2008 @ 12:49 pm | Filed under: It's a Girl Thing
We all learned a little more about ourselves when we read this, right?
I love my Coach bag. Really, I do. It will always be special to me, and for many different reasons. It was my first purse ’splurge.’ And - even though it took several months for me to finally bite the bullet, so to speak, and actually spend the money, I have to say that I have absolutely no regrets.
Since it was bought with money from my book royalties, this bag will always be somewhat special to me. If the day ever comes when I no longer carry it, you can rest assured that it will have a permanent, cushy home somewhere in the depths of my closet. It will be with me for life.
Having said all this, imagine my surprise a few weeks ago, when a friend of mine purchased The Bag’s cousin! How can I say this….I think I may have experienced a moment of bag envy! And then, of course, I immediately felt shame that I had even let myself give the cousin a second glance…
I love my bag. Really, I do.
But it has some really good-looking relatives too!
