#AtoZ Challenge: C- Calico

Remember, I did not choose these random words that lead to these random posts.  I asked my FB friends to contribute and boy did they step up.  This word seems nebulous, cute even, but it's proven more difficult than I anticipated.  The kids wrote short entries about cats though I thought about fabric, of course. Calico can also describe a mixture.  So, here's a stab at poetry because I'm behind.

my days are calico

a mixture of order and chaos

rest and spontaneous 

craziness

my days are calico

ten more masks

sew 

sew sew

yet no time to sew blocks

my days are calico

comfort and snuggles

long hairs are 

growing

unibrow, mustache, roots

makeup reserved for 

zoom

my days are calico

too close to closest

too far from 

farthest

just right with God

my days are calico

#AtoZChallenge: B- Beneficial

In these unusual days, I have had to seriously consider what things are beneficial.  I want to be focusing on things that are favorable and advantageous to living life well right now.  I want to be using my time in a way that results in good.

This word makes me think of the Word.  1 Corinthians 10:23 says, "You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others."

Paul is repeating the great principle of Christian liberty, "All things are lawful for me," but continues to insist that when applying this we must also consider the effect which each action has upon ourselves, and  its influence on the whole church. 

When this all began, a mere month ago, my social media and internet habits were most certainly not beneficial.  They were getting in the way of my devotional time, family time and messing with my mind and stealing my joy.  Then the pandemic invaded...and reading the opinionated posts of others filled me with anger, discontentment and frustration.  Ironically, I am myself very opinionated.  So, there came a day of tears and general overwhelm where my sweet Loverbrains sat me down and told me this just wasn't beneficial...and I needed to develop boundaries that would be helpful and beneficial.  Bigger still, I needed to seek to do this not simply because it had been destroying my joy but also because I am responsible for joy in my home for my husband and children and ultimately because it was displeasing the God I love.  

Now, I could easily point the finger and go on a rant about all the things in the news and in social media that aren't beneficial. But, I am responsible for me.  How can I think of ways to use my right to do anything (well anything not sinful) while still doing what is encouraging, edifying, and beneficial to myself and others.  There are things that we can be doing as christians that are different liberties on obeying the current governmental rules.  They are preferences.  Telling other people why your preferences and point of view are better than theirs isn't beneficial.

So here are a few Beneficial Ideas I've come up with:

• Share only funny, light-hearted and inspirational things on social media...if I share at all.
• Spend time reading and praying for as many lists of people as I can think of...with a list especially for those I'm most inclined to be annoyed with.
• Discover new ways to use technology to bless others while they are shut in. We just had Techno Taco Tuesday with a friend, via zoom, and played Yahtzee afterward.  Loverbrains is currently working on an online system that would allow us to play board games with our peeps, even the ones who've had to leave the country.
• Limit my news intake. Actually this wasn't even enough for me.  I just let Loverbrains tell me if there's an update.  He also found a super helpful site that gives lots of data and not any opinion.  
• Exercise.  It makes a huge difference.

Can you think of other beneficial things to do or say?

#AtoZChallenge: A-Absolutely

In anticipation for this challenge, and because I also recognized I'd be supplementing my children's remote learning experience (note refusal to call this homeschooling), I utilized my Facebook followers to provide me with a word for each letter of the alphabet.  True to form, they were momentarily distracted from their frenzied virus opinion polling, and provided me with more than 26 letters worth.  And some doozies for words too.  My kids will enjoy using these same words for journal entries on the off days when the schools are not providing instruction and I will use them here for random words.  Pretty sure I did random words last time I attempted this challenge but it seems so long ago that I don't remember.  

Do I wish I had more time to blog?  Absolutely!  

Did it take a pandemic to actually make this come to fruition?  Absolutely!  

I recognized early on that blogging would be more than just a way to share cute pictures of my kids for the grandparents.  Having set aside my career to love and serve my family, it became apparent that I needed an outlet and way to process.  This extrovert, she was absolutely not ok with preschool conversation and menial tasks.  The writing was cathartic and absolutely helped me to process my thoughts and feelings and change my focus upward.  (I am recognizing while I write this that I'm more inclined to use the word 'totally' than 'absolutely.'  Totally, dude!)

And as the years progressed I especially used this to process what I was learning about God.  It was a way to spell out in words what I believed about the Bible.  I was recognizing a deep need among moms and friends for biblical counsel, discipleship and mentoring.  I was also recognizing that there had to be a method for this madness.  I knew I didn't want to be haphazardly slapping Scripture about so I began to pursue counseling certification.  Slowly at first, then we moved and I had to restart, and now finally I am about at the cusp of starting the final phase of my training.  

Am I excited?  Absolutely!  Am I nervous?  Absolutely!  Am I frustrated by this weird virus that has put my process on hold?  Absolutely?  Do I see God's hand of goodness in it all?  Absolutely!

I am absolutely blessed with this time to restart this blog...which went to the back burner while I read and read and read and read and wrote and wrote and wrote elsewhere to help me learn and prepare.  Am I ready to land this plane?  Absolutely!  Does God have things for me to learn in the waiting?  Absolutely!  Do I want to be a grateful, faithful, steward?  Absolutely, totally, all in, 100%!  

I recognize that initially my reaction to being stuck safe at home was to chafe at my lack of control.  Then I decided I'd resign myself to making the best of it.  That absolutely didn't work.  God wasn't going to accept my half way attitude to what He had Sovereignly ordained for me.  So, I decided to be 'all in' with this time...to focus on being the best wife, mom, teacher, friend, daughter, sister I can be...and I absolutely have a long ways to go!  I am absolutely beyond grateful for the gift of technology that makes this much easier than it might have been.  And I absolutely need to give myself and others tons of grace during this time!

Suggestions:  

Absolutely make a list of things you can be grateful for during this time!  It will change your perspective completely.  Absolutely limit your intake of social media and the news.  If you must check it, read it instead of watching it, so you don't get the panic sound can create.  Absolutely take this time to reevaluate your relationship with God.  Do you have one?  What might He be trying to tell you right now?  What could you be learning?  Don't waste any trial.  

Am I here for you, Dear Void...Absolutely!

Wednesday Hodgepodge: Spring has Sprung!

1. Has spring sprung in your part of the world? How can you tell? Did March come in like a lion where you live? Going out like a lamb or something more ferocious?

Spring has sprung here in Indiana...but it's been super cold, windy and gray.  That might just be my mood though.  The forsythia are blooming, the grass is greening up, and the birds are singing cheerfully.  Hoping it goes out like a lamb.  If I can't really go anywhere it'd be nice if I could at least go outside on the porch without freezing to death or getting wet or electrocuted.

2. The last thing that caused you to spring to your feet?

The Doorbell...Someone dropped off this candle.

3. Do you have a spring clean to-do list? What's one chore on the list you've already managed to accomplish? What spring clean chore do you most dread?

I used to have a spring clean to-do list but then I decided it was bondage.  I had the kids help me do a pretty thorough house cleaning this past weekend.  I dread dusting...therefore, I often don't.  Hospitality keeps my house clean...so you can imagine the current temptation.

4. Tell us something you've learned about yourself or the wider world as a result of social distancing/the virus crisis.

I'm thankful for all the skills my Mama taught me.  I can cook from scratch and with limited supplies.  I can sew and my fabric stash went from 'hoarding' to 'being prepared.'  I'm making masks for friends who are pharmacists.  At least here in IN no in-store pharmacists are being given masks, even though they are being asked to test for the virus.  A homemade fabric mask is certainly better than nothing.  I like my family but don't like playing most games with just the four of us because my husband wins them all.  Homeschooling would never be my choice but turns out I'm pretty good at it.  Not a surprise...I do have an education degree after all.  

5. Something you love that's the color pink?

The only thing that comes to mind are my pink pajama bottoms.  Pink's not a favorite color of mine.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm determined to not gain the quarantine 15.  Started tracking exercise and calories with my fitbit again and I'm coming up with creative ways to exercise with my kids.  Hoping to escape to a national park close by...since they're still open.  

Hodgepodge Hooray!

1. Howdy Hodgepodgers. It's kind of fun to be back, isn't it?  Last time we met was September, 2018. Tell me something big-important-happy-or sad that's happened in your life since that date. Just one thing. We don't know how long this current isolation situation is going to last and we might need to dole out our news bit by bit.

Big/Happy: I'm one section away from finishing the counseling certification I've been working on for years!

2. Might as well get this out of the way early on...COVID-19. On a scale of 1-5 how serious are you about keeping your distance? Explain. fyi-I didn't create the scale but have seen it several places online. Also fyi-we won't only have virus related questions each week, but for this first one it feels right.

1-Not at all, living normally

2-Cautious but still going out

3-Going out as needed, mostly home or working from home, still seeing friends/family

4-Extremely limited, only going out when unavoidable, minimal contact with people

5-Full lockdown, no one in or out

I would have said 2-3 but as of tomorrow by order of our governor we will be 4.  For this extrovert it isn't exactly my dream come true but I'm adjusting and trying to take it one day at a time.  I love technology.  Zoom is my current favorite as it allows me to see all my peeps faces!

3. Raise your hand if you think you might run out of steam in the cooking department before it's all said and done? What's something delicious you've cooked or eaten in your own kitchen in the past week?

I love to cook and this will force me to be more creative with leftovers than usual.  My hubby smoked a pork butt that was delicious by itself and as pulled pork sandwiches.  Of course, I didn't want any of it to go to waste so I soaked some beans and made delicious smoked ham and bean soup.   Delicious for days and easy to share.  I've also been baking bread.  Bread makes everything better.

4. What's a television show or movie you've seen recently (it could be an oldie) that you really liked?

I watched the whole Anne of Green Gables and Avonlea series with my teenage daughter the other day.  They are long!  She had never seen them.  It was delightful to laugh and cry through them together.

5. Share something funny you've seen or heard this week.

This is my favorite Meme right now...

6. Insert your own random thought here

I would be interested in any good two player games using a deck of cards.  I know how to play crazy eights, garbage, go fish, and rummy.  Please link me to ideas if you have them to share.

Thursday 13: Changing Times

Times are changing.  I've been saying I just don't have time to write.  Now I find myself with loads of time on my hands.  I keep feeling like I should be somewhere or doing something.  Weird.  I'm mostly trying to stay calm, hold fast to my God my Anchor and create a new normal for my kids who've been thrust into homeschooling for probably the remainder of the school year.  Currently, though, we are enjoying a cold and rainy Spring Break.  We are hoping the closest state park is still open tomorrow morning and not too horribly crowded since it'll be the first nice weather we've had in a while.

I'm excited to see some other bloggers coming awake and restarting some memes I enjoy like maybe Wednesday Hodgepodge.  That always gets your writing juices flowing.  Our pastors have certainly awakened the good ole blog and are sending us one a day to encourage and strengthen us at this time.  This one is my favorite so far... How God's Love Helps Us When We Are Afraid.

From my little corner of the world things were made more confusing by Spring Break.  Closures for our local University seemed partial because they were hoping they'd be temporary.  A lot of college kids, foreign and domestic, stayed in town way longer than they should have or would have because of this unknown.  Thankfully, it seems most have scattered to their homes or are huddling in for the duration.

I'm not understanding the wild run on toilet paper.  I'm cracking up at some of the creative solutions.  It's better to laugh than cry.  Like many Christians I'm trying to figure out what the balance is between social distancing and caring for others.  I loved this article because of its use of history and its encouragement.... What Courage Might Corona Unleash?

So, I'm going to do a 13 Thursday of things I'm thankful for amid the craziness:

1.  I am healthy in body and soul.  

2.  Technology...texting, phone calls, streaming, and group zoom.

3.  Reading...I always have a ridiculous list and now I can dig in...currently started Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop.  Wowsers.

4.  Disney Plus streaming...so many shows and movies from my childhood to share with my children.

5.  A fuzzy doggie named Scruffy who loves her mother and gives many snuggles.

6.  My lovely daughter that does laundry solo and does artsy fartsy stuff with me when she's not playing her French Horn.

7.  My adorable son who still gives me tight hugs, vacuums stairs better than anyone I know and is my fellow struggling extrovert cooped in the house.

8.  Sewing...I just finished binding two quilts.  I need to now focus on getting the top done on my Psalm 23 green disappearing pinwheel.  

9.  Board games...We are a board game loving family.  We  usually have regular gatherings.  I will be missing our peeps but enjoying our little unit's games.

10. My handsome hubby.  He's put up with a lot on top of having to go into work every day still.  Things go boom when chemical engineers stay home.  He's helped me set some boundaries on my social media intake cuz it was stealing my joy.  And he set some helpful rules for the kids time that has made my days much more peaceful.  I love him.

11.  Cooking and Baking...I'm so thankful for the skills my Mama taught me.  I'm glad I can make food even when I need/want to cinch up the grocery bill.  I'm making soups and baking bread.  

12.  Music...It has always spoken deeply to my soul, especially during times of trial.  I love being able to play piano and sing!  I also love having so many, countless, songs via technology.

13.  Glad I went mostly paperless in the last year.  We are already used to doing without paper napkins and paper towels.  TP will be more of a challenge so I'm hoping that craze ends soon and people stop the hoarding.  But, we'll do what we have to I suppose.  Watch out spare socks (see joke above).

January/February Monthly Reports

January/February Fabric
Used up: 
Cut out Turquoise Crowning Glory quilt...about 3 yards fabric cut (all from current fabric).
Continued work on Psalm 23 Green Disappearing Pinwheels (current fabric)
Helped Emma make binding for her Batik Quilt (current turtle fabric)

Brought in:  6 yards 
Fabric for Loverbrain's Tesselation Quilt
Fabric flannel for baby quilt and panel for baby quilt
Shirting for Pinwheel exchange
Blue batik, bright multicolor, and rainbow for Pinwheel exchange

January/February Yarn
Used up:
Gave away two Walmart bags of yarn I never plan to use...ie. poor quality, etc.
Completed one grey sampler stitch scarf (current yarn)
2 dishcloths (current yarn)

Brought in: 0 skeins