Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Well that's Awkward

How many common phrases are you saying incorrectly? I found three. Seriously. WHAT? 

http://www.purewow.com/entertainment/Common-phrases-you-might-be-saying-wrong

And funny cats to take away the sting of saying common phrases wrong. 

http://www.boredpanda.com/funny-cat-tweets/

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Love

I never thought I'd write a post like this. But when a friend forwards a link to a blog where the goal is to unite godly like minded singles, how can I not? 

My daughter, Julianna, is a woman who deserves an amazing man. 

Note I said man. And unfortunately there are few too men available out there. Boys are a dime a dozen.

Julianna lives her life to glorify Christ alone. And He has asked much of her. Currently, she is foster parenting alone and is doing an amazing job of it. God called her to this path a few years ago, first by putting children on her heart, then foster children. He led her through one open door at a time until she was given the opportunity to take on a family of three children. With little more than the experience of nannying for a large family, the love of children and about 50 hours of extensive training she said yes. 

What a faith walk this has been for her, and what a blessing it's been for her dad and I to watch her blossom and bloom into a godly mother. She doesn't have the luxury of live in help. Nor is raising someone else's kids easier than natural born. Actually, raising birth children doesn't require visits to counselors for three children every week. Nor does it involve visits with biological parents who are so broken they can't put their kids first in any situation and consider that their kids owe them along with the state and the foster parent. 

Just a month ago the 11-month-old half sister of her kids joined the family. Julianna has morphed and moved to accommodate this little one. Her first birthday party was a homemade event that rivals the best birthday party pins out there. Julianna delights in each child individually, giving them reasons to feel loved and known. She handles struggles, growing pains and the grieving process with patience and grace. 

The three, when they entered her home, had been in house after house and each of them was in full survival mode. She waded through some intensely yucky stuff and has given them a childhood that is normal and full of joy for the past 19 months. These kids' lives are forever changed by her love, and she has been changed by them. The future is not completely certain. She will adopt if she is given the opportunity. 

Foster care is just one facet of Julianna. She is a loyal friend. Her heart is open and generous. She carries a profound wisdom that has come from a walk with God and some intense hurts. Always seeking to glorify God and grow into looking more like Jesus, she is a delight. A quick sense of humor colors her outlook and her days. She can and will find the joy in each and every day. And she will spread it where she can. Older folks and kids adore her. Seekers go to her for help navigating spiritual pathways. The only folks who don't adore her are the ones who find no value in relationship and great love for the black and white of law and tradition. Her enthusiasm and zest for life doesn't compute very well there. But I believe that really isn't the type of person Julianna loves to hang out with anyway. Laughing , talking, crying, living with Julianna is beyond a blessing. 

Any man who would want to be part of Julianna's life would have to love Jesus wholeheartedly. He would also have to want to raise children and he would need to love dogs. Lily and Lola, lab/boxer sisters are part of the pack. 

Scribbles and Scrambles~ Winter Skylight

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ For the Birds

Scribbles and Scrambles - Blast Past

My folks found an old church directory buried in their files. Old as in 50 years! The little curly haired girl? That's me. My dad in his rock-the-60s-black-frames and my mom in her stunning timeless beauty. My grandparents are pictured, too. Stunners there, too.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Hairowing

Desperation is here. My hair is awkward, real, real awkward. I'm not at the point of chopping into it yet (thank goodness) but I am resorting to borrowing those little alligator office clips at work. If you look closely among the silver strands you can see two little arm antennas of the clip. I had better make an appointment before I consider going after one of Rob's power tools next.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Plugging Away at the Goals

My goal to fill two bags this month is done. But I have another bag that is just itching for use. I may just have to fill that one, too. The thing I've noticed about getting rid of THINGS, and by things I mean items that really have no value to me. Those items might be really valuable to someone else. And by hanging on to my THING I'm maybe hanging onto someone else's blessing. 

I've also actually forced myself to take time to put together the three marketing pieces I need for our book release. Since it's not even the middle of the month I'm going to double my goal.  My violin sits neglected though. However, I have a lesson soon and I'm planning on asking some questions that might clarify some things for me so I can practice more efficiently. That's the plan anyway.   

I'm thinking about February goals. I think budgeting will be one of them...YIKES. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Knights on White Horses and Boy Scout Readiness

Sunday was a fabulous Winter Onederland birthday party for our sweet little girl. My daughter wants to give the kids in her care every opportunity to feel nurtured and to be celebrated. This little one-year-old most definitely did. 

My folks were present and my dad tends to like to keep things moving. My daughter's Christmas tree* (another memorable experience. Picking it out, drinking hot cocoa, smacking mom in the head with the huge orange stick that lets the cutter crew know the tree has been found, then decorating it. Oops, after mom had to hack away at the crooked trunk so it would sit upright,) *which was sorely dried out and ready for retirement. He suggested pruning shears which he happened to have in his trunk. So while the party guests were leaving he went to get his shears. My mom and I began undecorating the very, VERY poky tree. Dad came back with large garbage bags and gloves, too. Also a bin to hold the bag while he stuffed. 


He chopped, chopped, chopped that tree down and got it into two bags, the needles filled a smaller bag. And bam. The tree was taken care of. 

I thanked him later and told him how much it meant to my daughter that she didn't have to deal with the tree all by herself, or at all. He said that it was such an easy idea it should appear somewhere for the world to read. 

So there it is. Tip. If you have a Christmas tree needing to go back to the great outdoors, pruning shears are an amazing quick and painless (relatively) easy way to do it. 

Thanks, Dad for being a knight in shining armor and boy scout prepared. And for the pictures, too.  

Scribbles and Scrambles - J Goals

I'm going for small goals this year.

These two empty bags will be full of donatables by the end of the month. I will have 3 marketing pieces in place for Out of the Frying Pan by the end of the month. I also will actually practice my violin 5 times this month.

Those aren't crazy and unreachable, right? Okay. This is out there now. I'll keep you posted on the progress I'm making.

Do you have little goals? How's that working for you?

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Oops

While I was out and about carrying on with fun and frivolity and vomiting and coughing I nearly missed the big dog pants debate.   If you have had a virus or have been out of the country, maybe you've missed this as well. Apparently, like the black/blue vs gold/white dress debate earlier in the year, the world is divided on what constitutes pants for dogs. 

There is the camp that believes dog pants cover all four "legs" the other group has decided that dog pants are for back legs only. 

Here is out decision. Gladys is modeling it. We prefer the version called Winnie-the-Poohing-it. Nuff Said.