July 2011 « Girly Muse

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Down by the Rivah

July 29, 2011

One of the things I love about Minnesota is all the water. There are gorgeous lakes everywhere~ we boast of 10,000 lakes, but there are actually many more. We also have gorgeous rivers. I love the St. Croix River~ it’s right on the edge of Minnesota and Wisconsin. It’s one of my favorite places to go.

I’ve been able to go TWICE in this past week and a half. Lucky Duck!

Yesterday we spent 13 hours on the river. That had to be a record for me and my kiddos. We went with our Pastor Mick, who we have dubbed “The Fish Whisperer.” He truly is.

It was the perfect day to be on the river. We got some sun, went swimming and FISHED.

It’s hard work being a Cowboy Fisherman.

It takes deep concentration.

It’s also hard being a Rockstar Fisherman, but someone’s gotta do it…

We were all excited about this Northern Pike, but threw him back in…and he didn’t just take off, as we expected him to…

So Mick worked on him for a while…

I might have said a prayer or two…which flashed me back to being a little girl with my grandfather, Paka. We caught a fish and I was all excited and then in despair. We brought the fish home~ I remember seeing it swimming in the bathtub. And I cried and carried on so much about that poor fish that we had to take him back.

With enough coaxing, Mr. Northern Pike finally took off~ it took about 5 minutes!~ and seemed good as new.

We had a run-in with some ducks…little pretty beggars is what they are…

Greyley tried to shoo them away a bit~ the little man and I don’t like them QUITE so close…

They were having none of it. Turns out, they have a keen taste for Ruffles. Boy, they knew the sound of that bag opening and came swarming in…

Once they realized I wasn’t giving them any (more), they settled in and I rather liked them. Look at that gorgeous purpley-blue feather they all have…just one little section on each wing. So pretty.

I’ve always wanted to do that with my head.

Love this picture…

We had such a great time. The best part was around 10:30 PM~ Indigo was asleep on my lap (he fought the good fight until 10!), Nate was naming the constellations, and Mick & Greyley were still fishing. Mick told Greyley to sing and sing LOUD and she did. My girl is a Stevie Wonder aficionado and she started singing, “Higher Ground” out there under that deep blue sky with all the stars shining and I got goosebumps...it was such a moment.

Ahh, thanks for reliving a little of our day with me…I’ll save last week’s water skiing pictures for another day…

Posted in Family, July 2011, Summer | 4 Comments »

Struggling with Addiction

July 27, 2011

My son has been trying to give up his thumb for a long time now. Before Kindergarten last year, he decided he was going to give it up…the bribe was right~ he could have Bowser’s Inside Story DS game if he gave it up. He did it. It was hard, but he would come cuddle with us when he felt like sucking his thumb, do other things to distract himself and before we knew it, we were buying him a game.

Then he had a really scary episode with asthma. It involved nearly passing out on the bathroom floor, an ambulance ride and an ER visit. On the ride home, he sucked his thumb. And we let him!

Since then he has struggled again with letting it go. He thinks he can’t stop one day and the next, he’ll find something that he thinks will help him get over it. On Monday, he bought a stuffed Luigi and said he thought it was going to help him stop sucking his thumb.

I don’t understand it. I’ve tried sucking my thumb and I have no desire to do it again. It doesn’t appeal to me.

It isn’t my addiction.

It might seem silly to use a thumb sucking boy as an example for the addictions that are hard to break. But the point is valid~ we all have those things that we struggle to give up. And we don’t understand other people’s addictions when they are not our own. Many times, I’ve heard people criticize others for the habits they can’t break. They don’t understand how someone can be an alcoholic or use drugs or why can’t they just stop smoking or eating or fill-in-the-blank?!…but they have their own addictions…ones that can be kept secret or that fall in the “Acceptable” category.

I have friends who have struggled with every sort of addiction and they want to be free of it. Other friends aren’t ready and may never be, but they’re addicted just the same. It can be hard to be the observer at times. You want to just shake them out of their mess or talk them into doing the right thing. But it isn’t up to me. All I can do is love them and care for them. Talk straight? Yes. Be there for them? Absolutely. Pray? Oh, without question, yes. But ultimately, I cannot fix them.

I didn’t know Amy Winehouse personally, but her story hits so close to home for me. I have a brother who was addicted to heavy drugs for many years and felt like any day we could get a phone call saying he was gone. It has shaken me up to hear some making comments about Amy, such as, “She should have said, ‘Yes, yes, yes!’” referring to her Rehab song and then laugh, as if it’s all a big joke. She lost her fight. She has a family who is crushed and brokenhearted.

I’ve seen videos of her from a long time ago and she was such a beautiful girl. Her voice was exceptional and unique and she had a sarcastic, quirky sense of humor. I am so sad that drugs took over her life. It feels like she was sort of thrown away once her drug use became openly rampant. People didn’t take her seriously and she became the brunt of a lot of late-night television jokes.

I wonder what we all could have done differently to help her.

For my friend who is especially struggling right now with a painful addiction, I will never give up fighting for you. Never. I may not know what to do to help, but I will always pray, always listen, always love. I pray for wisdom, deliverance, and peace to those struggling and not knowing how to get out of that destructive behavior. God will deliver. He will set free. All at once and one day at a time…the cycle can be broken.

As for my thumb-sucking little man, we’re proud of every baby step…every day he goes without sucking his thumb is progress. Every time he says he’s quitting, we support and believe in him. And when he fails again, we try to understand and get him through it. That’s all I know to do.

The cool thing is~ my Father in heaven loves me that very same way…only more.

Posted in Addiction, Amy Winehouse, July 2011, Touchy Subjects | 12 Comments »

A Little Barn, A Little Fashion, Part 2

July 26, 2011

I’ve been excited to see Mari’s pictures from Saturday’s Minnesota Fashion Blogger Meetup and she did not disappoint. You can find more great pictures from our day together on her blog. Take a look at some of her lovely photographs…

The barn looks so much better with pretty ladies in it!

I heart hydrangeas.

This is the fabulous Megan, who came up with this great idea…

And this is Cate…I feel like I already know her from her blog, Wild Ruffle. I’m excited to be part of her pop-up shop this fall. Will let you know more about that later!

So many sweet and interesting women right here in my state…I look forward to seeing them again. I was nervous because I only knew Mari and Jill, but the barn was abuzz with chatter in no time. Everyone was so down to earth.

Here we are!

I was scared to even put up this picture because I wanted to list everyone’s name and blog, but I just got too confused. PLEASE let me know who I’ve left out. I know of at least 2 that I’m missing and have tried all afternoon to find them on this here WORLD WIDE WEB. See…we HAVE to meet again so I can keep everyone’s names straight! Thanks again for a lovely afternoon, bloggers! XO

twobirdsboutique.blogspot.com

www.winksmilestyle.com

www.futurelint.blogspot.com

www.bombshellbeauty.blogspot.com

www.minnchic.com

http://2eyesinthemirror.com

http://www.alreadypretty.com/

www.spoilsofwear.blogspot.com

babesinthriftland.blogspot.com

http://salvagedstrawberry.wordpress.com/

http://lululetty.blogspot.com

http://tdrenice.blogspot.com

http://allthefussandmore.blogspot.com

http://www.pattythesnugbug.com/

http://www.topdrawervintage.net

http://dimestorediamondblog.com

http://abananamedley.blogspot.com

http://everrubygirl.blogspot.com/

http://uptowndiaries.blogspot.com

http://literatelystylish.blogspot.com/

http://timeenoughfordrums.blogspot.com

http://www.sexyshoesexpert.com

http://dotluv.blogspot.com/

Posted in Bloggers, Fashion, July 2011 | 2 Comments »

A Little Barn, A Little Fashion, Part 1

July 25, 2011

I wish I looked as alert as these guys this morning.

It was a FUN weekend.

Busy.

Tiring.

Bugs were involved.

Good food.

Music, music, music.

Cleaning.

A barn full of fashion bloggers. The irony, I know…

I’ll have to tell you more about the fabulous ladies later, as I get pictures…

But let’s just start here…

Jill so graciously offered to help get my barn ready for a MN Fashion Bloggers’ Event, put together by the lovely Megan. I’m not quite sure how I landed this honor of even being invited, since I’m not completely a “fashion” blogger…although I do love me some fashion. (!!!) But I am so glad I was a part of this event.

Back to the barn…it is a barn and it is full of gross things. So that’s always an adventure in getting it ready for an event. Eek! There were plenty of squeals throughout the day from all of us, as bugs, toads and mysterious things ran past…or simply lay dead, waiting to be suctioned through the vacuum. Ewww.

Midway through…

I love these Instagram pictures by Jillie. (That beanbag HAD to GO.)

My little helpers…

Indigo’s camera smile.

And my little soon-to-be teenager…

While we were working, the helicopter came and sprayed our wetlands. It is SO exciting when that happens. He swoops wayyyyy down low and it may be toxic, but I cannot resist standing on the bridge and waving my guts out.

Was it ever a hot day. I didn’t know I could sweat like that. Sorry, not a lovely topic, but SERIOUSLY. I am so happy for the warmth, though, I can’t complain. However, I did want to jump into some water in a big way.

If you’d like some exercise, come take a walk up this driveway. Take a left at the top and then you get to go up another one!

So, this is the pretty part of the barn…

The only problem is that it’s upstairs, so it’s even HOTTER than downstairs. There’s couches in front of the stage and where I pictured the ever so fashionable bloggers all hanging out…but it was HOT, so that didn’t really happen. It didn’t matter, the conversation was flowing freely once we all came out of our introverted blogger selves…

To be continued…

Posted in Bloggers, Fashion, July 2011 | 2 Comments »

Kissin’

July 21, 2011

This is what I wake up to almost every morning.

Oh, how I love this boy.

Posted in Heartwarming Events, July 2011, Kids | 9 Comments »

Scattered

July 20, 2011

It’s a strange phenomenon that we can hear some things once and remember it always and other times we hear the same things over and over again and it still feels like the first time.

A friend of mine told me about a friend of his who sleeps surrounded by pillows so they can never turn over…this way there will be no wrinkles on the face.

I think about that every time I nestle my face in my pillow, which is at least twice a night. And then I think, “Well, I wonder how wrinkled that person’s back side will be?

Why is it this thought that stays with me and not the countless things I’ve read on keeping a budget and the advantages of IRAs?

I guess the thought of someone completely surrounded by pillows was such a great mental picture, it stuck with me. That, and when I noticed the little crinkle I’m getting because of burrowing my face into my pillow…

So…if you see negative OR positive results from something, it should help you remember to do it, right?

I’ve told you about how I set my cell phone alarm for everything. It’s annoying, but it has proven greatly effective for me. When I don’t do it, I completely forget things, such as chiropractor appointments, etc. (This happened just yesterday.) Why would I ever ignore what I know works for me?

I know sugar and caffeine have an extreme effect on me and I keep being addicted.

I have to read the Bible a zillion times for some verses to register.

Computer manuals are lost on me.

Names are starting to go in one ear and out the other, except movies stars’~ why is that?

If I could get my brain to work hand in hand with my will, what all could I accomplish?

Posted in Confession is Good for the Soul, July 2011 | 5 Comments »

Summer Wish List

July 18, 2011

I started a new job this past Saturday~ working at the Markwest showroom in the Minnesota Gift Mart. It’s nice because it feels like a smaller version of the showroom in Dallas that I work in, so it’s familiar. Right now, we’re in the set-up stages, getting ready for the show in August. If you live in Minnesota and are coming out to the Mart, come in and see me!

I’m grateful for the work, truly I am, but I’ll be honest~ it’s difficult for me to be joyful, leaving while it’s summer and the kids are out of school. Fortunately, they are absolutely fine…they’re going out on the lake today, lucky ducks. Having already been gone from them for 2 weeks this summer and then Greyley being at camp the next week, I feel like my time with them is flying by. Summer is going to be gone in a flash.

Wish List for the Rest of Summer:

Fresh corn

Grill out lots, lots more

Watermelon

Go out on a lake, any lake

Go swimming

See fireworks (I missed July 4th)

Sleep in super late…numerous times

Long road trip

Mini road trip

A night or two in a hotel would be fun

Loads of laughing

Long walks outside

Fresh flowers

Peaches

Ice cream

Read 20 books

Did I mention sleep already?

Maybe we can cross all these off the list this summer. So far, we’re off to a good start. I’m happy that my children have been able to do so many fun things already~ they’re sleeping well at night!

What should we add to this list?

Posted in Family, July 2011, Market, Summer | 5 Comments »

I Love Food

July 15, 2011

Last night, we went to an amazing birthday party for our dear friend, Sara Renner. The party was even titled…An Evening in Tuscany…sounds full of promise, doesn’t it. It certainly lived up to my expectations.

It was in a historical home in St. Paul that’s been lovingly redone and it was absolutely gorgeous. I didn’t even pull out my camera, I was so overwhelmed…beautiful. And the gardens…wow.

Sara’s family made the delicious Italian food that they’re famous for and we feasted. It was a party to remember.

Timmy Z, one of our musician friends, brought up an interesting topic about artistic people and food. I hadn’t put the two together quite so clearly. I just thought I liked to be around people who appreciate good food and like to try new things. Most of my friends don’t just eat food, they EAT FOOD and moan and exclaim about what is making that dish so excellent. Not only that, but I’m surrounded by people who can COOK…not just a jar of spaghetti sauce over noodles, but the real quality, fresh ingredients DEAL.

But they’re mostly musicians or writers or drawn to some sort of artistic passion…hmm, I think there’s truth to this.

Our friend, Aaron, who is a professional bass player, even knew the types of bleu cheese he was eating last night. That is a food connoisseur, right there. He’s not even 30 yet, but he knows his food. I remember having him over with a large group years ago, and he noticed every extra touch used to make the food special. He wrote a letter afterward, written as a “food critic”, that was so delightful, it still warms my heart to this day.

It’s really fun to cook for people like that and to eat with people who appreciate what they’re eating. Have you ever noticed the difference? You can cook the same meal for two sets of people. One will eat and at the end say, “That was really good.” They typically ate it quickly and didn’t really look up from their plate.

The other will moan and groan and say, “I LOVE this…the mint is so good in there…did you put X, Y, Z in there?…” They will sincerely feel that their life was made better by eating that particular meal. Not only that, but they’ll remember those dishes from years to come, what was special about them, where they got it and how it compares to other similar dishes.

Another gift, in my opinion.

Now that I’m really thinking about it, anyone I’ve ever had that experience with does fit some artistic profile. Hmm. Don’t really have anywhere to go with this, it’s just interesting to me. What are your thoughts?

Posted in All Things Food, Friends, July 2011 | 6 Comments »

Buds Forever

July 14, 2011

We are blessed with dear friends…and not just friends who love the adults of the house, but who genuinely love the children. In fact, I’m pretty sure everyone loves my children more than they love me. And I am so great with that.

Last week, Indigo kept asking when Monday was…he was counting the days until Monday. I asked why and he said, “That’s when Steve is coming over.”

Backtracking a bit, when we were in Indiana earlier this year, we left Indigo’s little buddy, Cody, and as we did, Indigo said, “I really like Cody, the way I like Preston and Steve.”

This is Steve.

Photograph by Nick McMillan

Steve’s on the right. That’s Miles on the left.

I just love that picture.

Miles came with Steve, too, by the way…and they all had such a fun day.

Steve belongs with Jill…you probably recognize him, he’s shown his face on this blog a few times, I’m pretty sure.

So, age doesn’t seem to be a barrier with these buds. Steve came over, ON HIS DAY OFF, to play video games with Indigo. He arrived at 8:30 AM on Monday morning and stayed until after 4 PM. They’re serious about their gaming. Seriously, they’re serious.

Take a look at these sweet friends…

OK, they might be a little engrossed right then…

Here we go…

I’m not sure who is more excited in that picture.

Aww…

And let’s not forget Miles.

Two Peas in a Pod…

Thanks, Steve, for making my son’s whole week, whole month, whole year…he’s already asked several times to call you and I’ve reminded him that you do have a job…a very good one that we’d love for you to keep. You already had four fans over here, but after this week, just went way-tops-high in our Love Steve Book.

Posted in Friends, Games, Grateful Heart, July 2011, Kids | 8 Comments »

I Tawt I Taw A Pig!

July 13, 2011

A long time ago, in a land far away, Nate began the tradition of buying presents for everyone when he went on a trip. A tradition like that is one that will not fade quickly, it MUST carry on! In fact, it has been clear from the second trip on, that presents were clearly expected to pop out of a backpack or suitcase upon arrival.

Hugs were cut just a wee bit short and a not so subtle glance around to see, “Could he/she have pulled out my present during that hug?”

“Is my present in the suitcase?”

“Backpack?”

“Purse?”

“It’s in the suitcase, right?”

“Where is…”

When I go to Dallas, I don’t always have time to shop. I know…I’m at Market and all, but you can’t really buy things and take them home, you have to order them and WAIT. So I usually avoid that and either go to a mall or hit the airport up for their goods.

The last time, I decided I wanted to order something fun from the showroom I work in…order something that would be worth the wait…

I even let the kids know before I came home that I wouldn’t have anything with me, but it would be arriving in a box before too long. As you can guess, Indigo is the one who is all about it now…although, don’t let Greyley fool you, she’s into it too…and she certainly had her heyday of, “Is something in there for meeee?”

Well, Indigo got the memo, but it didn’t quite sink in. He could not BELIEVE that I didn’t actually have something tangible for him to HAVE right when I got home. And when I think about it, I don’t really blame him. I was gone a long time, he missed me…he needs a little prize. Right?

He thought so.

I said…on the 3rd, 4th and 5th day that the box didn’t come, “It will come and you’re gonna LIKE it.”

Well, by the 7th day, I was saying, “So you mean you’d rather I buy a cheap little tacky toy from the AIRPORT just so you’d have something right when I get home, huh.”

And he said, “Yes.”

It just so happens that the box for them came the day I left for Arkansas and they loved their sock monkeys (stuffed sock monkeys AND sock monkey BACKPACKS!) very much. But then when I came home from Arkansas, I knew I had to have something right away and I hadn’t been to the store at all, not even once. Even the gift shop at the hospital was closed when I finally found it and then closed the next 3 days because of the July 4th holiday…

Well, if you can even believe it, Arkansas AND St. Louis both have nice airport shops. I was halfway hoping to bring something tacky just to prove my point, but no…no, I found the BEST GIFTS EVER.

Why, yes, that’s the Razorbacks’ snout!

And what is that on their shoulders, you ask? Why, that’s a shoulder pet, of course! I didn’t know it, but Indigo has been wanting a shoulder pet, like, his whole LIFE and it’s the BEST PRESENT HE’S EVERRRR GOTTEN and he loves it more than a DS or even a 100 DS’s and even Wii too…

The way he’s played with that thing, I almost believe him!

Thank God for airport gift shops. They saved my life. Find one near you and you, too, can have children like this…

Posted in Family, July 2011, Kids, Mama Musings, Market, Shopping, Travel | 6 Comments »