30. January 2010 by imoomie.

I admit I was extremely skeptical…

But just as predicted, in fact, earlier that predicted the snowflakes began to fall, lightly at first and then within the hour, with purpose.  A storm with a mission.

 I bet some of you have snow stories to tell, the likes of which would leave me shaking in my boots.  I come from a place where we may have 3 decent snow storms a year.

I guess I don’t have a great reference point for what a dandy snow storm experience would be like or what it is like to be truly isolated for days and days…

Realistically, I am just playing “snow storm”(it has been really fun though).  Lots of homemade hot chocolate, snow ice cream and sledding.  We had hearty beef stew and homemade bread for dinner. 

We also cranked up the gas fireplace, you know the decorative kind, that costs so much to run that we live in fear that the gas company will hold one of our children for ransom when the bill comes due.   Hey, but it’s worth the risk for some toasty warm kids, dry clothes and lasting memories.

Happy Snow Day!

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29. January 2010 by imoomie.

I am just crazy with giddiness right now…

We are expecting “weather” this weekend in the Carolina’s.  Are you thinking that it is the prediction of snow/rain/ice that has me in this elated state?

Close…it is the emails that are flooding in this morning, postponing or canceling all the activities that peppered the squares of my calendar marked Jan 30/31. 

Have you heard the song -

“Feeling Groovy” 

Slow down, you move too fast,

you gotta make the morning last,

just skippin’ (or perhaps slippin’ is in order) down the cobblestone,

looking for fun and feeling groovy…

I’ve got no deeds to do, no promises to keep…

Well, that would be me, right now!

 I always feel like I should be doing something.  Ha!  There is nothing to do!

We are being isolated, yipeee, I feel so freeee! 

Games, pizza, movies and fun, here I come.

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28. January 2010 by imoomie.

My oldest daughter asked me why I only write about the goofy things she says and does…

Why, because the things she says and does often makes me throw my head back with laughter, that’s why!  These moments are priceless!  I am laughing all over again recalling them in my mind’s memory folder labeled “funny”!

Anyway, today was priceless for other reasons…

My daughter, Hannah,  when not home with us lives at the barn.  She is a working student and helps her instructor with the kids and horses while the instructor teachs out in the arena.  She also works horse camps, shows and recently has taken to cleaning stalls in exchange for board for a horse she gets to call her own for now.

She is maturing into a beautiful, balanced, hard working young gal and we just couldn’t be prouder of her! 

Here comes the priceless part…for Christmas, Hannah, gave our youngest daughter, Tori,  horseback riding lessons.  Between traveling and the wet weather, today was the first day we could take her up on the long awaited, highly anticipated gift.

Tori was all ready to go with her riding hat, pants and new riding boots that she bought with her own money and a smile clear up to the moon.  Hannah teaching, talking and demonstrating with her whole being.

They were adorable to watch, bringing sweetness to my heart and overflowing joy to my soul as I watched my oldest apply all the things she has learned from her patient, kind and remarkable instructor transfer to her student, who just happen to be her little sister.

I am telling you…priceless.

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26. January 2010 by imoomie.

Over at ChattingattheSky.com where we gather for Tuesday’s Unwrapped,

Emily has asked the question…Am I embracing all today has to offer?

Well, funny she should ask, this has been a a thought in the forefront of my mind lately.  I know that it is possible for God has told us in His word. 

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”  Philipians 4:12(NIV)

When it comes to being discontent or content there exists at times a canyon in between the two attitudes in my heart. 

I seek to embrace all the day has to offer, unfortunately I don’t always know how to merge how I feel with how I could feel.  I generally see the good in a day and if the messy is before me I can extract some gem.  There is another aspect of how I view the world (or simply, my home), and that is through the lens of what needs to be changed, fixed or better organized to run more efficiently. 

I think God made me this way and in it’s prime moments this perspective can be helpful.  It is during the times that are the opposite of it’s prime moments that I look inward and find…yep, a canyon.

As I am writing this, walking, walking, thinking, writing…I come to a inviting bench on the windy path of this thought.  Why, I am unwrapping right here, before you (thanks for being here)…

I know that my Heavenly Father, the one who inspired the book of life, can fill up my unwanted canyon in a heartbeat.  He is the lifter of my soul and I believe that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. 

“So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.” James 1:17(MSG)

Do you know what I don’t have though?  Enough, sleep!  I think a lot of dread for the day comes from being extremely tired.  I am reaching for the exciting “this or that” in the future as a tool to propel me forward so I can keep moving and not fall asleep or worse drop into a coma right were I stand.

Sleep deprivation is not a game just for the parents of small children, parents of a house full of teens get to play too.  I could easily go on and on about my sleep patterns if I thought you would stay and listen, but here is the crux of what I am trying to say.

When my kids were little I dreamed of the day that they would grow up and sleep.   You can imagine my shock and dismay when here they are closer to adulthood than toddlerhood and it’s not turning out the way I expected. 

So, here is the bottom line, be content, be joyful…call a good day a gift, find a smile behind a scowl and hug on those you love, (or if it is your love language-make them a really yummy sandwich).  You don’t know that tomorrow will be more exciting, or easier or what you are expecting it to be.  

Now, this is a notion I can daily embrace and maybe just maybe when the canyon is gaping open in my heart. I will stop and see that the canyon is not only rocky, but also full of colorful splendor.

Hop on over to ChattingAtTheSky to see what others have to share…

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25. January 2010 by imoomie.

I have just finished this book by Susan Meissner…in case you don’t know, I am on a quest to read all (or the majority) of her books… 

This is a charming story about a jilted bride who opens a Bridal consignment shop after her impending marriage is called off ten days before she is to walk down the aisle. 

A lovely aspect of her bridal shop is that each secondhand dress comes not only with a story to tell, but also with a blue satin heart sewn into it that brings a blessing.

You journey with Daisy Murien as she works through the “whys” of the situation.   We stand next to her as she comes to grips with the reality that maybe her perception of the relationship with her ex-fiance was a little skewed, although this doesn’t make the break up any less painful.

In the midst of her healing she crosses paths with another hurting soul and the dance begins as they each travel the road to forgiveness, unconditional love and eventually to each other.

A sweet love story that left me smiling.

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23. January 2010 by imoomie.

Who enjoys a good Rockband fest?

It is a fun time around our home when a Rockband marathon begins…it is enjoyable to see the kids and/or adults interact with each other.   Each personality brings something creative to the experience.  

I get a kick out of the freedom that comes from the encouragement of others and that even shy people will try it.   Nothing like being a rock-star in the privacy of your own home! 

There is something about the reprive from the chores and obligation of every day life.  Our home is routinely a little noisy, but this is the kind of happy noise that makes me feel like all is well with my soul. 

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22. January 2010 by imoomie.

After a dinner consisting of pizza…

My husband and I went strolling around the mall, not so much as a date but more of a let’s have a few moments to ourselves kind of thing…I know we weren’t alone, but we also weren’t with anyone we knew, he-he.

One of the highlights was going to Brookstone and relaxing in the back massage chair while having my feet massaged at the same time in the foot squeezer machine. 

I hadn’t done this in the past, but hey, I think I will refer to it as pampering myself on a budget…or what to do while your fellow shopper is looking at things you don’t get…

Then it was home for a bowl of Cookie Dough ice cream.

So what did you do for fun or to relax?

 Happy Friday, Y’All!

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21. January 2010 by imoomie.

What do you make of it?

Who is this 62 year old man who performed on American Idol spreading the entertaining tune “Pants on the Ground” across the world?

http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_9/memorable_auditions/larry_platt/

By the time I pulled up this American Idol episode on our DVR in an effort to catch up, my son already knew the song and was singing along with his friend as I viewed it for the first time.

This is a mite ironic for this is the exact same son that received a belt for Christmas.  He vehemently declared he really didn’t need a belt…

“Yes, you do”, I said.

 He said, “No, I’m good”.

No, REALLY you need a belt.” I declared.

He wore it a few times in the days proceeding Christmas, now it resides on the floor in his room.  Uh-huh… does anyone feel my pain?

So, General Larry Platt addresses what many are thinking; why does any self-respecting young person choose to let their pants droop so low that we all see their underwear?

Here’s the hope I am standing on when it comes to my son, he will outgrow it.  I never ran around showing my under garments, but yikes, I wouldn’t have wanted to come face to face with the fashion police.

This is going to date me, but I eventually aged out of  my quest to have perfectly feathered hair like Farrah Fawcett.  Although, puka shells were fetching in my time, if you were to run into me today, I wouldn’t be sportin’ them.

So I am banking on “this too shall pass”, I guess what makes me a little nervous though, is what will replace this fad.

Best not to borrow trouble.

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20. January 2010 by imoomie.

When I venture off on a vacation and have been away from home for a stretch of time…

I love walking back into my house!

My perception is new, I can smell what my house smells like and I can see my furniture placement, wall decorations, paint colors with a fresh eye.  I have to be poised for the revelation when I approach the front door or else I will miss it.

Quickly, my mind catches up and registers…I’m home, and the familiar instantly wraps around me like a blanket.

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18. January 2010 by imoomie.

Have you seen this movie?

I feel a little uncomfortable that I am crazy about a movie that came and went without much attention.  I have to say though that crazy felt so much better when my son, JJ, loved it too.  It just taps into the way we roll.

I dig the way a simple facial expression can speak volumes without a word being spoken, the play on words when words are the chosen form of interpertation and the detail to which they are delivered.  The lighting, shading and angles of the frames are fantastic, intriguing. 

The way the main character’s mind works, I often yearn for the extreme systematic life that he lives while at the same time seeking out a life of freedom to live beyond fear, to pursue dreams, to love deeply and to speak truth.

Oh…to be poetic, poignant and profound. 

Serious and silly, and you know, that’s where I abide!

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