Rags to Riches

It all began on a beautiful fall day in Hershey, PA. The family went on a tour of a local farmers market with Natalie's preschool group. While there, John learned of the versatility of the, oftentimes overlooked, gourd. And we all know, when John hears an interesting idea he HAS to try it.


And so, the process began. Once the perfect gourd was procured - it sat. It sat and sat and sat in our outdoor closet. It sat all winter. It was busy though, growing a gnarly film of mold over it's entire surface. Finally, this Spring, John removed it from it's hibernating spot, wiped away the velvety cover, scrubbed it smooth with some steel wool and then soaked it in a bleach solution. Next, he drilled some holes (after researching the appropriate size), primed it, painted it with 3 coats of paint and 3 coats clear coat and added embellishment.



OH! And what is this latest project? A bird house fashioned after a Hershey's Kiss of course - a sort of souvenir from our time here in Chocolate Town.

Totally Forgot About That!

So, I was talking with my sister the other night and she reminded me of something I had TOTALLY forgotten about.

Picture it. 2004. Dark Auditorium full of people. A dozen bronzed and glistening men standing in Speedo-esque posing trunks standing on stage. With every last bit of strength in their starving, carb-deprived bodies, they attempt to reveal their best physical attributes. A voice rings out during a serendipitous break in the crowd murmur,

"Come on baby! Show that little thingy again!"

Um, let's just say that the silence was broken.

(Just to be clear, I was talking about the tear drop muscle directly over his knee. The crowd was apparently not thinking of the same "little thingy.")

Accountability at the Gym - A Real Look in the Mirror

I went to the gym 3 times last week. I didn't eat the greatest though. We went to a friend's house on Wednesday and I was tempted with some vegetable pizza. When it comes down to it, I need to plan better. I can see the words on the shirt participants in John's "Transformation Challenge" class received: "Failure to Plan is Planning to Fail." I need to make sure I have good food ready and available. Oh well I'll try better this week.

While there, I happened to pick up a magazine (which I never do.) I started flipping through some of the pics, I read a few lines from an article and kept reading. A woman wrote about seeing a picture of herself that was hanging on a friend's bulletin board. "Oooh! I hate that picture of myself. Why would you hang that up?!" It was a picture of her laughing whole heartedly with her mouth wide open and eyes squinting and wrinkly. Looking at her friend, she knew she had offended her. Her friend said, "I love that picture of you. When you laugh you completely let go and there is just this pure whimsy about you." Over the next few weeks, she started to notice that if a friend had a picture of her displayed, it was of her laughing. Somehow, her friends saw something in her that she couldn't see.

The author went to another friend's house and saw a picture of the friend on the refrigerator. She was rail thin. "Why do you have that picture up?" "It's my favorite picture of myself." It was a picture taken right after the woman had come home from India, where she caught dysentery!!!!! The author remembered all of their friends helping to nurse the woman back to health. She could eat nothing but broth for weeks, had no strength, and was practically bed-ridden. Why on earth would that be her favorite picture? It only reminded the author of terrible times.

Isn't it funny how we see ourselves? I typically hate pictures where I'm really smiling. The sides of my nose pull up while the tip pulls down, making it look gi-nourmas. You can see my one funky tooth that always reminds me I should have kept better track of my retainers (lost one, broke the other). Oh, and I hate it if my eyes are squinty. That's my favorite feature and if you can't see them, I figure there is no other redeeming quality.

Then, I think about it. While it may horrify me, no one has ever run when I laughed because of my "monstrous" appearance. I KNOW that I can be super critical of myself in all areas of life, not just appearance. (Try NOT being critical with a double shower door made of glass in front of a 3ft by 5ft mirror) ...... And so, sometimes I will close my eyes and say "Let me see myself as other people see me" and then open my eyes. I find I'm more forgiving =)

Don't get me wrong, I am all for getting healthy and being the best YOU you can be. But sometimes, our distorted view of ourselves can depress us and almost paralyze us into inaction. If you are like me (and I think a lot of women are... and worse) give yourself a break. Try to see yourself as other people see you - without the harsh lenses of self-criticism. Remember, God made you who you are. You are just as you are supposed to be (funny nose and all).

Our Sunday Pics

Two Little Monkeys

So, I come into the girls' room and found this:

"Jules! How did you get up there?... wait, let me get my camera.
...... OK .... How did you get up there?"
Big smile from Julsie.
I try to take her down, but she just screams.
"Nat, do you know how Jules got up there?"
"I don't know"
"How, how did she get up there? Did you help her?"
"No, I don't know how."
I'm skeptical. I go to take her down again and she just screams. I say, "Jules, I'm just taking you down so you can show me how you got up there." She was fine once I said that and gave me step by step instructions:

Step 1 (not pictured) Place your right foot on the bottom dresser handle
Step 2 Place your left foot onto the crib and pull up to a standing position






Step 3: Place your right foot on dresser, and using crib for leverage, pull yourself up to dresser top






Step 4: Grin from ear to ear along with your mentor

To the tune of "Oh be careful little ears" or "There's a spider on my head"

Oh, I have two little monkeys in my house

They're much louder and much larger than a mouse

Oh I have two little monkeys

They really are quite funny

Oh I have two little monkeys in my house

Bargain Bonanza

Pic 1 - Weis - at least $40 worth (that is w/the sale price) for $13

Pic 2 - Target - $6.50 (I used 16 coupons)

Pic 3 - Rite Aid - $29 worth for $6 (w/out sales it was at least $43 worth of merchandise) I paid nothing out of pocket because I had a $10 RA gift card from last month's promotion

No transactions with big profits this week, but I did get some pretty good deals. Most of it was stuff I desperately needed. Those things which I didn't NEED were usually free.

Spring Has Sprung

I love Spring. I love the feel of the sun on my face, the smell of the dirt and the growing vegetation. - Love it. Today is the first day of Spring. The Vernal Equinox. I think you were supposed to be able to stand an egg on it's end today. I told that to John last night (all excited-like.) He wasn't too impressed. He said, "I can do that any day." (It's a good thing that I always know he is only trying to drive me absolutely crazy!)

Anyway, today was my day to teach preschool. Here are the cute things we did. Their snack was a "bird's nest" made of those La-Choy chow mein noodles coated in melted chocolate and butterscotch chips. Inside were M&Ms that look like little eggs (I think those are new this year) and a Peep starring as the mommy bird.

The second pic is their craft - more bird's nests and newborns. (PS don't think I'm that clever. I got the ideas from the web).

Our Little Troopers

I know. Finally. I have some pictures uploaded.

For whatever reason, John has taught the girls the correct way to salute. Maybe it's because we're always jokingly saluting each other. You see, when either John or I get too big for our britches, the other salutes him/her, usually with a big goofy smile. (I always do a wrist-flourish accompanied by a zerbert/raspberry sound. Any tension that may have been felt is quickly washed away. Zerberts will do that.)

Anyway, both girls can now salute. I really wish I had a video of this. Jules puts her right and up to the proper position, then whips it down to her side with such a fervor. ..... Then, she tips her head back and laughs hysterically - so do we.

Flippin' Out?

Upon further review of my last post and consideration of my potential readers (all the people who can view it.... I know MOST of them do not read it, but if they would), I think I should clarify a few points.

First, I'm SURE most of you who are flipping out are doing so over my very controversial statement, "No Wal-Mart." I want to calm your fears and assure you that I have not lost my mind. I just mean WMHB really. I'd still probably go to others, just those stores NOT in crime ridden areas.

Second, it's unlikely, but there are, perchance, a few of you flipping over something else I said.... the part about wives submitting to your husbands. As I imagined the response of certain friends, family and acquaintances, I thought it would behoove me (and my husband) to expound.

The verses I was referring to are Ephesians 5:22 and Colossians 3:18. Often, there are 2 types of nut-jobs who take these verses out of context purposefully distorting the words of the Bible in order to discredit it and make it sound archaeic and irrelevant. The first kind of Crazy is the mis-guided man who is trying to control his wife and treat her like a dog. Most of us can pick out those perfect talk-show-guest-weirdos and will have nothing to do with them. The second is, for lack of a better term, the liberal. I'm using this term to include feminists, athiests and other non-believers, and watered-down or feel-good "religious" groups. These people distort Biblical views and then supplant them with their own brand of reasoning which is made to sound logical and kind and accepting. Don't feel bad if you were flipping out about what I said, don't feel bad if you've been influenced by one of these 2 types of idiots - they are everywhere, they are mainstream, and they purposefully try to be palatable. But don't dismay. Feel good. If you actually happen to still be reading, you may just get a better understanding of these verses and the Biblical view of husbands and wives - not like I'm some expert, but I do pay attention at church.

First, let's look at this word "submit." Based on my knowledge of the Bible, I am thoroughly convinced that this does NOT mean that a wife must "keep her mouth shut" or not give her husband her opinion. It does not make her worth less than the man. Why?
1. When God created Adam (Gen.) he saw it was not good for him to be "alone." Keep in mind that he wasn't alone alone. The animals were already made. God initially created Eve as a "help meet" for Adam. A partner, a companion, a helper... NOT a servant, NOT property. God gave Adam "dominion" over the animals.... nowhere in this passage does it say "dominion" over Eve.
2. When married, the two are to become one flesh. How can you become one flesh if you disregard, ignore, abuse, etc. the one half?
3. Just because I have to "submit" to someone does not make me worthless. If you don't know this from employment experience (chain of command), well... you musn't have had a job yet. Additionally, the Bible tells us here to submit, but says in Proverbs that a good woman is worth more than rubies.

Next, let's look at the context of each verse. We don't even need to see the whole book or chapter. Just including an extra verse or two helps out. First, you should know that these books of the Bible (actually letters from a guy named Paul) were written in Greek (I'm almost positive, just going from memory here), and in Greek, there are three or four words for our one word "love." One is philos, or brotherly/friendly love (like Philadelphia). Another is eros, or passionate love (like erotic). Another is agape. This is the Greek word translated "love" in these two verses. Agape love in ancient Greek is used to mean content with, hold in high regard. Often it is seen in the New Testament being associated with self-sacrificing love. As you can see in Eph 5:25, it clearly says that husbands are to love your wives sacrificially (as Christ). In verses further down, it says that husbands should love their wives as their own flesh.

Eph 5
22. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23, 24
25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Col 3
18. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Instead of looking at one verse and seeing one side of the story, we need to look at BOTH sides of the issue in context. Isn't marriage a "two-way street?" Doesn't it "take two to tango?" If we see a marriage as one unit (one flesh) made of two distinct parts and the symbiotic relationship between the two parts, we get a more complete understanding of this whole marriage thing.

Let me ask you this, if your husband is loving you sacrificially, more or as much as he loves his own flesh, will it be easy for you to submit to him? I argue you'll WANT to submit to a man like that - a man who always puts you first.

Let me ask you this, husband - if your wife respects you, makes you feel important and needed, actually listens to and HEARS what you are saying, values and appreciates you - will it be easy for you to love her sacrificially? I argue that you'll WANT to put her first, ahead of yourself.

You see, I truly believe:
-"submit" is not a demeaning word
-each person in a marriage has a role/purpose/job to do in order to make the partnership work
-God has set up a chain of command in families (like most jobs) to help things run smoothly
the accountability for that family ultimately lies with the man (the buck stops here kinda thing)
- a godly wife and mother is more valuable than rubies (Prov 31:10) and is the greatest asset a man can have

So, if you have read this far - thanks. If the word submit still makes you cringe, it's late and I may not have been a little (quite a bit) babbly. Email me and I can give you some more info and examples. If you think I'm crazy. That's OK too. If you feel sorry for me.... trust me.... don't. =)

My Final Trip to Wal-Mart

Yes, that's what I said. I know some of you may be shocked by this statement as Wal Mart is THE place to go in your locale for deals, weekly socialization, etc. and maybe, just maybe I'll be persuaded to return to Wally world once I move, but Harrisburg Wal-Mart saw me for the last time - even if they decided to give away free ice cream.

So, today, like most days I venture to Wal-Mart in Harrisburg (WMHB), I arrived with two kids in tow and high hopes. I had a list of items that were on sale from the flyer and a blog. Guess what. I only got ONE item from that long list. Either they didn't carry the item, it wasn't on sale at our store or they were all out. Everything else I NEED may have been slightly lower in price, but once I factored in no coupon-doubling and no gas rewards ... there were no deals.

What's worse, I could have avoided wasting the whole morning if I had only listened to my husband. Yes, we've had a discussion about this joint in the past ... and it had nothing to do with deals. Initially, he said he didn't want me to go there. Then, he heartily requested that I never set foot in there.... then, he passionately demanded I never take my kids there. What did I do? I went anyway. In addition to his requests, I recently was with 4 of his colleagues and they EACH said they did not personally go there, did not allow their wives to go there, etc.

So anyway, at dinner I confess I had gone to Wal-Mart.
"What? You went to Wal-Mart?"
"Yeah, I went to Wal-Mart but won't be going back."
"You went to Wal-Mart?"
"Yeah, but I won't be going back."
"You went to Wal-Mart today? Wal-Mart in Harrisburg."
His face is now drawn and slightly flush. He explains there was a high-speed pursuit through the parking lot of WMHB today. A drug deal was going down, got busted, and the guy sped through the lot and tried to run-down John's friend.

Seriously. Can you imagine how terrible I felt? What's even worse-est, I am completely convicted by the verse "...wives, submit to your husbands..." I know better. I know better. I believe that verse, understand it, and completely went against it. There's a reason for every word in that Book. I'm glad I didn't learn that the hard way today.

It's the Little Things...

It's the little things that make me happy. For example, I rented my first movie from RedBox on Wednesday. It was amazing and completely satisfying. First, the movie was FREE and you know I LOVE FREE! Second, you just walk up to this box, touch a screen and it gives you a DVD.... just like a candybar vending machine, only slower. Third, the box emails you a receipt and confirms return. (That part is both pretty neat and also a little bit scary.) Anyway, just a little thing that made me happy.


Another little thing: What do you want for dinner Nat? Ummm... popcorn. After a few nights of getting this answer, I picked up some kernels and started making it for us - the old fashioned way (in a pot). We've been eating popcorn every night since. (Did I forget to mention that on my accountability post? ooops) I even make it like kettle corn sometimes. So, the girls and I are in our pajamas, sitting on the couch, chomping away. (Nat is in a nightgown) She gets up and a pile of popcorn rolls from all angles into the indent left in the cushioh. She says, "mom can you eat that popcorn that was in my bum?" I just chuckle, say "sure," and pick up all the kernels so she can sit back down. As I'm cleaning, she's says, "Mom!" I look up and see her pull a little kernel from behind her. "This one really WAS in my bum!" I burst out laughing and say, "well I'm NOT eating that one! hahaha" Totally seriously, she says, "why not?"


It's the little things that keep me going each week.

Accountability Check

Went to the gym 3 times this week. I think I would have gone more, but we had a house guest on Friday and to tell you the truth... my legs are KILLING me! My quads and hams hurt, but the joints where my legs hook to my body are super painful. They even hurt when I am just lying in bed. Ugh.
Eating? I did Ok. Not great. I had some brownie on Friday and Saturday morning (made them for our guest). I also picked at some fish I shouldn't eat. Other than that, I think I did okay.

How'd you do this week?

Speaking of the Gym

Its a long story and you don't want to hear it, but I started going to the gym. I am know I am not nearly as fit and as healthy as I need to be, both for my physical and mental well-being.

Hey, I'm 30, have had 2 kids, and frankly, am disappointed in my lack of discipline. It is only going to get harder and harder for me to become fit as I get older and I know I need to make it a habit now.

We got a membership at Gold's for me right after I had Jules. Although we have a fitness room across the street, we thought Gold's would be best because they provide babysitting services. In the beginning, I would take the girls, but Nat really had a hard time with it and I was disgusted by the dirty conditions and lack of enthusiasm of the workers. A new Gold's opened and it was a lot better. My friend worked in the nursery and although it was farther away, it worked. I ended up quitting after some stupid circumstance that flipped me out.

Anyway, I finally had enough. I decided to start going again. I didn't even tell John. I had been to the gym 3 or 4 times before he knew it. You see, it took a lot of reckoning with myself and I've concluded that to be a good mom, I need to do this.
-One hour at the gym nursery will not irreparably harm my children.
-I am better able to serve them (for longer) if I am healthy
-Taking care of myself is a good example for them
-Being confident and happy with my discipline and body is only a good thing

Sometimes I think that there is a fine line between being a devoted mother and completely losing yourself in your kids. All the best mothers I know do SOMETHING they enjoy. Whether it be cooking, spinning, quilting, volunteering, reading, knitting, they do something they either enjoy, makes them feel useful, or both.

Why am I writing this? Two reasons.
1. In case anyone else is feeling the same way I was
2. I need your help! Please check in on me. Make comments on the blog or email me. Ask me if I'm being consistent. Be my accountability partners! I figure if I have you all to answer to, I'll be less likely to quit =) If you'd like, I'll be your buddy too. We can keep each other honest!