Because Painted Wood is Pretty

As promised, here are a few of my favorites from the "Because Painted Wood is Pretty" linky party.  To see my new kitchen and all of the links, go here.

This is my friend Kelly's house. She lives in a beautiful house in the historic district of town and if I could go take these doors off the hinges and bring them back here, I would. I would have nowhere to put them, but I'd take them anyways. Aren't they gorgeous?

Then, there's Sarah's piece, which she painted and then added fleur de lis. Love IT!

And Annicole's kitchen, which is TODIEFOR!

You mark my words (I used to love to hear my 'mamaw' say that) I will paint something this color before summer is out. I love this changing table from A Familiar Path.

And this is where TidyMom keeps her TRASH. I would crawl up in this beautiful primitive piece and sleep. She has other beautiful painted projects that you should go see. 

You must see this beautiful transformation at Saucy's Sprinkles...or as they call it in the business....this 'flip'. The whole project is amazing. You'll have to check out the whole house.

I'll conclude with the only kitchen that has more blue and looks more retro than mine:

Thank you all for sharing. If I featured your project today and you'd like a copy of The Verity CD (my son's band) just send me an email! You can hear them play here.

The boys are playing at the World's Fair Park in Knoxville tomorrow.  We're all pretty excited about that.  Taylor is graduating with first honors so I'll be sure to take lots of pictures at the banquet and at Honor's Day tomorrow!

I was pondering showing you my modest bathroom redo, but it's sure to be quite a let-down after the kitchen. I'll probably show you anyway. Stay tuned!

Retro Cottage Kitchen is STILL at it......

Y'all have no idea how much fun this Retro Cottage Kitchen has been for me.   First, just the fun of watching it all come together, then the fun of the big reveal and the linky party.  I'm exhausted!  But I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your kind words and encouragement.  And those of you who joined Mr. Linky, I love all your projects and plan to feature of few of them later today or tomorrow!   

A few thoughts from the Retro Kitchen:

1.  The little girls (7 and 8) have been walking around ON the countertops trying to pick their favorite  cup.  I think Elea has settled on the flower fairy mug and Emme is still undecided.  Picking out a glass  or bowl to use for dinner has become an epic adventure.   

"NO, Mom, I don't want to use that bowl today, I used it yesterday."

Moral of the story:  Open shelving may have its' downside.

2.  I was talking to my sister on the phone yesterday while I looked at pictures of my kitchen on my computer.......while SITTING on the sofa.  I could just walk into the kitchen and see it for myself, I guess, now couldn't I?  But in the picture, there are no dirty dishes, nor are there children with dirty little feet walking all over the countertops, nor is there a 50 pound golden retriever jumping onto the island to try to reach the brownies.  I'll stick with the pictures for a few more days.

3.  My blog friend, Rhoda,  from Southern Hospitality, that I met at Blissdom this year, is FEATURING RETRO COTTAGE KITCHEN ON HER BLOG TODAY!  (capital letters indicate screaming and doing hitch kicks). I'm already verklempt at all the nice people who have come over from ChattingattheSKY, the Nester, 320 Sycamore, Our Suburban Cottage,  A Soft Place to Land, and others.   I may be impossible to live with after all this fun.  I truly am thankful and appreciate your generosity!

4.  I'm still waiting for Hobby Lobby to restock the vintage glass knobs and I have two more cabinet doors to paint and hang.  I thought I'd better confess that in case you decide to pay me a visit.  And consider yourself warned, children will likely be walking on the countertops contemplating which pretty plate to use for lunch!

5.  The most common phrase I've received about my kitchen is, "It's sooo you."   I take that to mean that you can easily envision me wearing and aqua skirt with a cute white ruffly button down, a yellow and orange scarf, and a dark green military jacket.....all as one outfit.   And I'm pretty sure I have an ensemble like that.   My eclectic tastes are pretty easy to spot.  

For all you new friends visiting, I thought you might like this post (about my son Taylor leaving), or maybe this one (about southern women)....to see if you might become a subscribing friend to lifeingrace.  Thanks for visiting!

The Retro Cottage Kitchen and a "Painted Wood is Pretty" linky party!!!

Edited to add:  Remodeling Guy is having a Spring Round Up today and invited me to join!  You should too.  And go here to see other fun spring spruce-ups.  You'll love

his blue-stained deck!  And then there's Kelly's Korner----a blogger whose baby I've prayed for, but whom I've never met--- and well, she's having a 'Show us Where you live' party.  I'm just partying all around I guess.  My spring project also included a linky party, so when you've enjoyed all the links at the other sites , come and see the pretty painted wood projects here.

Welcome to my fresh new kitchen and my first ever Mr. Linky party.  I hope you'll join us and tell your friends about all the painted fun going on here at lifeingrace today.  I've included way too many photos in this post, but Mr. Linky is somewhere at the bottom of this montrosity.  If you have any painted wood projects that you've done or are considering doing, take some photos and link up with us!

I'm almost ashamed to show you the 'BEFORE'.  I am obviously not a professional blogger, as I forgot to take 'official' before pictures.  So, I dug through my photo archives and found a few illustrations of why 'painted cabinets are pretty'.....and why you should take before photos.   Here's a photo ofthe cabinets before:

and here they are 'AFTER'!!!  I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out.

And although the results look dramatic, it's all cosmetic changes,

 I like to paint, but I hired some help to keep it from taking a month to finish.  I painted while

he painted.  Then I painted at night.  And early in the morning.

And in my dreams.   Between the two of us, we painted nearly

every surface in this kitchen.....two or three times, including

the walls, the ceiling, all the trim , and all the cabinets.

This project is dedicated to Valspar primer, which claims to work

without sanding at all!  And I'll vouch that it does.  I would

not have wanted to do this project without it.  This is what

the cabinets look like after a coat of primer.  

I can hardly believe how much paint can change the look and feel of a room.  I

feel like the queen of all the world in this new kitchen.  This room

sings to me.   It inspires me.    I feel connected to 

all apron-wearing, vintage tea-towel collecting, homeade bread making

women everywhere.  

I had several kitchens that I used for inspiration.  I wanted a Nantucket/1950's/Eclectic/Cottage/French look, with an ambiance of fresh, elegant and casual.  My genius friend and neighbor, Leigh Ann, gave me the fantastic idea of taking the cabinet doors that I had purposely removed from the upper cabinets and adding them to the back of the plain-ole-plywood island, for visual and architectural interest.  So I (meaning my painter Rick) did just that.

It may be one of the highlights of the project for me.  And I love the

contrasting colors of the island with the other cabinets.  It adds depth and character, along with the feel that the room has been done in stages.   It looks 

fresh but feels old and new all at the same time.

Removing the upper cabinets doors proved to add just the feel of 'open' and 'elegant' that I was looking for.  Nothing is more beautiful to me than dishes.   I've seen other open shelving cabinets that are very sparsely and purposely filled with exactly the right amount and color of dishes, but we live here my friends! So all my dishes had to go in....perfectly matching or not.  I drew the line at the coffee mug full of bacon grease.

It's safely hidden away behind closed doors!

The chalkboard walls that I painted a few years ago

flow seemlessly with the new color scheme.

This little corner is a favorite with the lamp and the bird prints.....and of course, the homeade cookies.  You will rarely find that cake plate

empty at this house.

And how much fun do I have pouring my coffee beans from

that flirty orange tin?  Oh yeah, big fun.
And coffee stirrers never had it so good....their own little urn! (given to me

graciously by my angel friend, Donna)

When you're remaking a room cosmetically and on a budget, the details become crucial. I
love these vintage glass knobs that I found at Hobby Lobby.  And the white vintage milkglass compote (which has old fashion POWDER dish detergent in it), along with the splash of color in the potted fern bring just the right balance of
color, texture, old, new, and beautiful.

What once was dark and depressing.....

is now transformed to light and beautiful.

 Speaking of 'lights', these bookshelf lights from IKEA could well be my favorite purchase at $4.99 each.  If you don't have custom

lighting, fake it.

I hope you have enjoyed the tour!

The breakfast room is still a work in progress.....but it's taking on the retro cottage look like a charm!

For those interested, here's a list of the colors I used and where to find some of the items you see:

blue bottom cabinets:  Woodlawn Charm-Valspar/Lowe's

white upper cabinets and trim:  Roman column--Sherwin Williams

dark green island:  Cliveden Forest--Valspar/Lowe's

wall color:  Hemingway--Valspar

Ceiling color:  I'm too lazy to walk to the basement to look

Bookshelf lights:  IKEA

antique glass cabinet knobs:  Hobby Lobby

colorful tins:  IKEA

panels in breakfast room:  IKEA

bird prints downloaded from here

vintage milk glass--local antique store

chocolate chip cookies--homeade by moi

fresh dogwood blooms--God himself

Still on the wishlist:  white granite countertops, farmhouse apron front sink, subzero fridge, Viking stove, wide-plank walnut floors, one-level VERY large island, sous chef, and  'Alice'

from the Brady Bunch!

Oh, and I almost forgot.  You must paint the ceiling.   It's a must do.   A shade or

two darker than the wall color.  

Now I think I'll just sit in here all day and listen to Little Richard sing "Good Golly Miss Molly"!

Now it's your turn.  Show us some painted wood.  The rules for linking are as follows:

1.  Link to the actual post you want to feature and not just your blog in general.

2.  Link back to here so your readers can find the other 'Because painted

is pretty' projects.

3. Leave a comment when you link and by all means, enjoy!

Where angels fly

I had every intention of showing you my 'redecorranged' bathroom today.  It'll have to wait.  My son, who is JUST FINE, was hit by a drunk driver on the interstate late last night.   He walked away unscathed from a potentially life-threatening accident.   That kind of news changes your plans.  It changes the way you look at your children.  It changes the color of the dogwoods.  It makes  all things new.  

Taylor, 

May I never take for granted the strum of your guitar,

the strength of your beliefs,

the things that remind me of the little boy in you,

the amazing songs you write,

those baby blues,

and the sweet sound of your voice.

God has given me a gift.  I am blessed beyond measure to be your mother.  And I see you with new eyes today.  I will pray for you from a vulnerable heart.   I will cry tears of joy and purpose to be thankful.

And when the time comes---- and it's coming very soon----to let you go........

I will remember that you are the Lord's planting......entrusted to me but for a little time.   May he multiply the days, restore the years, keep you safe and give the growth.  And may you become 'an oak of righteousness' for His sake and His glory.  Strong and true.

I couldn't be more proud.  Love you long time,

Mom

I'll end this emotional day by playing this song for Taylor and Caiti that I used to sing to them every night before bed.

Tales from a Homeschool Conference

As many of you know, Steve and I took the 'little' girls with us to Cincinnati last weekend for the Midwest Homeschool Conference. Because this is our first year homeschooling and our first conference to attend, we were a little afraid at what we might find. Since we're only taking two of our children, will they believe we even homeschool at all? If we ask around for a good brewery, will we get kicked out?  Are denim jumpers required? But we were pleasantly surprised. There were all kinds of different people there and most seemed, for lack of a better word, very 'mainstream'.

I knew from the outset that I wanted to go to EVERY last one of Susan Wise Bauer's talks. I love all her books and feel certain that without her curriculum (The Well-Trained Mind) and without her history program (Story of the World), I could not enjoy homeschooling as much as I do. I would most certainly lock myself in my bathroom more often than I have. So, we went to almost all of her sessions and I finally got to introduce myself to her. I gushed on profusely about how amazing she is and how she has become my new hero. She said to me, "I do think you are my number one fan." Yes, I'm highly excitable and I'm most certain that I invaded her personal space. But she was very warm and ever so friendly in person and I would drive five hours anytime to hear her speak. She was inspiring and encouraging and I left there with a renewed sense of why we have chosen this 'less traveled' path. Some of the highlights from her sessions:

1. Relax. If your children say to you, 'Mom, are you mad?" very often, you probably have this worried look on your face all the time. Have fun with it. They ARE learning. Alot more than you think. And they are safe and being protected from many outside influences. Relax. Just relax and breathe. (Those last 2 relaxes are for me).

2. Avoid the common mistake of compartmentalizing school. Don't say (which I said daily in the past), "Hurry and finish school and then we'll.....". Learning is a lifestyle, not something to be done before other more fun things can be done. Instead, it should more like, "Let's do your math and then we'll go for a walk....then we'll read some and then we'll have lunch.....then we'll go to ballet and then we'll plant some flowers. Don't use school as punishment.

3.  Educate Yourself.  If you're embarking on trying to educate yourself (like I am, using her book The Well Educated Mind), don't be discouraged. Just because you can read the newspaper doesn't mean you can easily read great works of literature with ease. Be patient. Even if you can only get through ten pages of Plato, that's better than no pages of Plato. Just keep turning the page.

4. Surround your children with great books. Buy books for gifts. Read to them. Read yourself. Have them read to you. There is no substitute for great books. Keep them everywhere.

5. Sing. Dance. Laugh. Enjoy the fact that you are blessed enough to be able to stay home with your kids and teach them. If you enjoy it, they will too.

6. Don't ask your children repeatedly to do tasks that are highly frustrating for them. If they cry everytime you ask them to narrate or write something, there's probably a reason why. Break writing down into tasks. Have them narrate back to you verbally what happened in a story and you write it down. Then separately have them take dictation of short sentences. Eventually they will be able to do both steps together but this was a lightbulb moment for me. I have a child who cries everytime I ask her to narrate. But I do it anyway, thinking maybe she's just being lazy. SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE SKILLS TO DO IT YET ALL AS ONE ACTION! Oh, thank you for this tidbit Ms. Susan. You will save us many tears.

7. If they're crabby, feed them a sandwich. If that doesn't work, have them take a nap. Children are physical beings and most of their melt downs are related to physical needs. Don't neglect the physical needs while trying  to push harder with the mental tasks.  The brain needs food and rest.

8. Establish a regular 'rest' time. Even if they're older, they can go to their room and read. When you're with your own children all day, you all need a break from each other. Even mom. Especially mom. Susan says she has kept this up even as they get into the teen years. Her mother (who homeschooled her) would say, "Don't talk to me from 1-3, unless you're seriously injured". I think this is wise. We must pace ourselves. This is a long, hard but rewarding road.

Another highlight of my trip was visiting one of my favorite stores ever..... IKEA.   And I'd like to thank the Creation Museum for that. We were so looking forward to going to the museum and were sure we'd need more time than just one day. I think the concept is good and I happen to agree with the main theology points of the museum (God created the world in seven days, young earth etc) but there was something lost in the translation I think. I'll summarize by quoting Steve, "It's like a bad mixture of Dollywood and Jesus 81". Enough said.

And last but not least, I got to meet Darcy from Lifewithmy3boybarians. This was certainly one of my favorite bloggers to meet.  Sadly, the picture of the two of us did not turn out well.  Of me at least.  I had just had my hair colored and it was a sort of orangish-yellow.  So I'll spare you the fright but I will tell  you she is a beautiful, strong, kind woman who you should meet if you get the chance.  She is DARLING in person and I feel so fortunate to count her among my friends in real life now.

Don't forget, I'm making my big Retro Cottage Kitchen reveal on Monday and you can link up with me and show us your painted wood projects.  I think to warm us up, I'm gonna show you my bathroom redo this weekend.  So go get some paint and paint something wood.  K?   BTW, I did figure out how to use Mr. Linky.  I'm pretty darn proud of myself.

Love to all!

Post-Edit:
I forgot to add one of the key things I learned:

9. Think LONG and HARD before you join a co-op. I was contemplating Classical Conversations and after hearing her reasons for not joining, decided to postpone it indefinitely. Co-ops can be very time consuming, especially if you're required to teach. Spend that time preparing for your own kids instead. They also can foster unhealthy peer groups which is probably at least part of the reason you're homeschooling to begin with. I think co-ops that are just for field trips might work for us, but we've decided against joining one for now.

faq

1. What is your faith/denomination? 

We belong to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod----ie. the conservative 'branch' of the Lutheran church.   My husband grew up Lutheran while I journeyed through fundamentalism and then pop American evangelism before embracing Lutheran doctrine and practice.  I often blog about my journey of faith in Christ.  I recently wrote a post on Lent (new to me as a former Baptist) which you can read here.

2.  What type of camera do you use?

Nikon d90.   I love it and really still BARELY know how to use it.  I shoot in auto mode almost exclusively, which I am a wee bit ashamed to admit.  I edit photos on iPhoto but plan to get photoshop soon.   My advice for taking good pictures is:   1.  Take a lot of pictures and a few of them will be great   2.  Take pictures close up.   Even closer.

3.  How is been hard giving up your career?

I have written about this here.  But I will say that staying home with my children has been THE most blessed gift my husband could have given me.  I feel honored to do it and eager to learn to do it well.  I've never been more sure of anything---than that this is what I was made to do.

4.  How do you manage to do it all?

I'm so glad you asked because it gives me a great opportunity to say absolutely, unequivocally that I DON'T MANAGE TO DO IT ALL.  Not by a long shot.   My bathrooms are dirty,  I haven't showered in two days,  I have 76 unmatched socks sitting on top of my washing machine.  My husband shakes his head at the outlet covers that I still haven't replace from my kitchen remodel!

5.  Do you have any outside help?

Not unless you count these two 'merry maids'.  

6.  Where did you get your necklace?

  I bought it here.  I love her stuff.   And I love buying from mom-artists.

Feathers, eggs and painted wood.....

Today, I'm giving you a sneak peek into my 'Cottage Kitchen Makeover'. And I'm planning on hosting a Mr. Linky party of my own Monday when I make my big reveal. I hope you'll join me...this is my first attempt to host...and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that maybe a few a you will show off your 'Painted Wood Projects' then. If you've painted any wood surface (cabinets, floors, picture frames, ANYTHING----or if you've been wanting to paint some wood surface in your house but haven't gotten around to it, link up and show us your plans.  Spread the word on your blog and let's get everybody painting this weekend.  Of course we'd love to see stuff you painted months or years ago too.  That's this Monday April 26th.

Now for Mrs. Nester's Linky party, I have a confession to make. I have no L.Herbert Feathers and Eggs prints..... at least not yet. I'm always late for the show. Two seconds too late. Johnny come lately.   Like those ten years  I kept wearing blue eye shadow when everyone else had moved on to the natural look.  I do have a couple spots where they'd be perfect though.

First, in my guest bathroom that has also recently had a makeover, I'd love to exchange my faux eggs print (that I printed off the internet from this site) for 3 or 4 authentic ones.

It's pretty cute but I need something bigger there.

Or maybe in place of this bird print that's hanging on my newly painted kitchen cabinets.

Or maybe here....in lieu of plates.   I love the plates but I never know when to stop with an idea.  We have nothing to eat dinner on because all my plates are hanging on the wall.

And now for more teasers......these cabinets were very standard oak finish with the doors ON.

So my painter and I have been very busy this week.  

And because my kitchen is 10 years old and not built by me, the lighting has always been an issue for me.  Hence, the 17 lamps I used to have in the kitchen.   But I bought these little bookshelf lights from IKEA and voila......custom lighting.

Make sure you come back on Monday for the rest of the reveal.   

And link up with me for the love of painted wood!

Thank you my friend Mrs. Nester for hosting and for so graciously sharing all of your wonderful 'nesting' ideas!

Grace and Parenting

Gracie and I--7 years ago

One of the speakers at the homeschool conference had a session titled 'The Education of a Child--the Wisdom of Fenelon.  I was intrigued--so I ordered the book on Amazon before the trip and read it on the way.   Francois Fenelon was an archbishop in the Catholic church in France in the late 17th century, along with being a writer and poet.   One of his books, called  'The Education of a Daughter'  is fascinating if you can lay aside your feminist sensibilities long enough to get past lines like this,  "...they need not be learned, per se...it is sufficient if they (girls) know how to govern their families and obey their husbands without reason".    I am not easily offended, so I read on, and am certainly glad I did.  His overarching message for parents:  grace and unconditional love, exercised with humility, reaches a child's heart, and not just his behavior.

The speaker, Mark Hamby, from Lamplighter publishing, used Fenelon's points to drive home the idea that parenting is about seeking relationship and not merely behavior from our children.  Far too often, I find myself so determined to achieve a certain level of obedience and respect from them, that I'm oblivious to what is really at the heart of their 'discord'.  And admittedly, the desire for prompt obedience is often self-centered.  We want our children to make us look good;  to prove to the world that we are indeed good parents.   We're so afraid of letting them make mistakes.   We parent them more like drill sargents than we do loving mothers and fathers.   Have we not been given the unconditional love of our heavenly Father?  Do we not defy and disobey and display profound ingratitude to Him daily?  And what does He do?  He welcomes us with open arms.....the arms of One who poured out His life for us on the cross to ransom us.   He forgives and forgets.  His mercies are new to us every morning.  God gives us grace, pressed down, shaken together, running over and  yet we measure out to our children tiny doses of mercy laced with hosts of rules and scoldings and "I told ya so's".

Our authority should be exercised with humility.  Christ is our supreme example:  His humility cost him His very life.  We often associate authority with power and might, but as C.S. Lewis once said,   

"Authority exercised with humility and obedience accepted with delight are the very lines along which our spirits live."

   We must surrender our need to always be right and humble ourselves in service to our children.   As foreign as that may sound, that is exactly what our Father has done for us.  He could have come in power, seized upon our frailties and weaknesses and demanded right behavior.  But instead, He took on human flesh and died that we might have life.  

Does this grace and humility mean that we have no rules, no boundaries.  On the contrary.   Those whom the Lord loves He chastens.    It is our primary job to 'discipline' our children, but that word means 'teach'.   I think we often jump right to 'punish'---which should be reserved for extreme cases of direct defiance.  Likewise, God has given us rules, that if followed, will lead to happiness and unity.  His standards are incredibly high, as should ours be for our children.  But the final answer does not lie in following the rules.  He has not been content to see our behavior realigned.   He went to every length to reach our hearts:  His grace and mercy cannot be exhausted.  

You might think that I am providing the solution to our parenting conundrum as a simple 'Show more grace to your children'.   I am not.

 The solution is always Christ.   I will always fail to bestow enough grace.  I will always, even in my best attempts, fail to love them unconditionally.  The real answer for us all is the forgiveness and mercy of  the One perfect parent, whose love has no limits and whose grace knows no bounds.

  

He alone can restore the years.

I'm linking with Emily from Chatting at the Sky as we celebrate 'thankfulness' and 'noticing'. You'll love her blog!

Prom Night and fighting back tears......

I cried silent tears at least half the way home from Cincinnati today.

I know it should be a fun day.

A day filled with joy.

And it would be.....if  this weren't another 'last'.  

So, I listened to Matt Kearney sing 'Breathe In, Breathe Out'......

and I sighed heavy and remembered how

blessed I am to be a 'joyous mother of children'.

(Press play to your right and you can go down that weepy road with me)

Breathe in, breathe out

Tell me all of your doubt

everybody bleeds this way, just the same

Breathe in, breathe out

Move on and break down

If everyone goes away

I will stay

We push and pull

And I fall down sometimes

I'm not letting go

You hold the other line

'Cause there is a light

In your eyes, in your eyes

Hold on and hold tight

From out of your sight

And everything keeps moving on

Moving on

Hold on and hold tight

Make it through another night

And everyday there comes a song, with the dawn

We push and pull

And I fall down sometimes

I'm not letting go

You hold the other line

'Cause there is a light

In your eyes

in your eyes

Yeah, there is a light

In your eyes

In your eyes.

Breathe in and breathe out

Breathe in and breathe out

Breathe in and breathe out

Breathe in and breathe out

Look left, look right

To the moon in the night

And everything under the stars

Is in your arms

'Cause there is a light

In your eyes,

in your eyes

                    Yeah, there is a light

                        In your eyes 

                        In your eyes

Breathe in and breathe out

Breathe in and breath out.

100 things (painfully continued) Edition 3

First, peak in on my project but be careful....there's stuff everywhere!
My cabinet project is going well. I'm taking the cabinet doors off and embracing open shelving. They are soaking in SEVERAL coats of 'Roman column' paint from Sherwin Williams. The bottom cabinets are a nice hue of blue and they will be sanded and distressed.

and then there's the kitchen walls.......not such good luck. If they looked like they look in this picture, I'd be happy. But they don't. It feels like you're sitting in a 1950's ice cream shop where lime sherbet has been smeared on the walls. I'm trying a new color called 'Hemingway' tomorrow. Say a little prayer.

Now back to the list of 100 hundred things you never wanted to know. For editions 1 and 2, go here and here.

41. I speak from experience when I say that having children who are compliant can give you the false sense that you are an extraordinary specimen of a mother. And on the contrary, having strong willed children will have you convinced that you are not capable of parenting at all. I have both varieties in my little family. Until you've parented a strong willed child, it would be wise to save all your statements that start with "Well, if that was my child, I'd....". Give people the benefit of the doubt and spend the time you might judge them--saying a prayer for them instead. This is no task for the faint of heart. And grace and mercy need abound.
42. My favorite color is tiffany blue. I have plans to paint my craft room that color. Last year, my favorite color was orange. I'm wishy washy like that.
43. My favorite southern city is Charleston. My favorite northeastern city is Boston. My favorite midwestern city is Chicago. My favorite place to spend time in the summer: on the lakes of Minnesota.
44. I dream of lazy days reading and baking and making crafts with my children while the smell of clean laundry and fresh bread tickles my nose. No wait, that's what I get to do everyday. Someone pinch me.
45. My favorite tree is the southern magnolia. It looks beautiful and stately in the yard and its branches frequently adorn my tables inside. Neither Emme nor I, however, like the smell of magnolia.
46. If I could live during any historical time period, it would be colonial America. Maybe that's why I love Boston so much. I would assume the role of Abigail Adams.
47. My favorite movie is The Notebook . Or maybe Office Space. I also love Steel Magnolias and Little Women. And The John Adams series. And of course Coal Miner's Daughter. Then there's Slingblade. And Pride and Predjudice. Picking one thing has never been my strong suit.
48. Steve introduced me to Martin Luther and bird watching. I introduced him to C.S. Lewis and cornbread. I'd call that even.

49. Each of my children has altered my life in some profound way. They have taught me and changed me and made me a better person. I have learned patience and humility and loyalty and compassion. They continually force me to reevaluate my preconceptions and prejudices. I owe them a debt of gratitude which will be impossible to repay.

50. My hair is blonde. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

51. I'm pretty sure I could quote most of the Dr. Suess book "Yertle the Turtle". I cannot, however, seem to remember where I put my car keys or parked my car or laid my book. I now remind my children to watch where I put my cell phone. Between all of us, we can usually find it. Usually. And whenever I'm frantically looking for it before we walk into dance class, I'm usually talking on it.

52. I am an 'early to bed, early to rise' type. I could never stay up at sleepovers when I was a teenager. I always ended up with shaving cream in my hands and other girly pranks. My daughter inherited this gift and thinks it's pretty pathetic.

53. I dream of living in the country in a big white farmhouse with a huge front porch and chickens and goats and dogs and pigs. Or on the lake in a cute little 2 bedroom cottage. Or in a downtown loft in Birmingham. If only there were more time here on earth......**big sigh**

54. There have been people through the years who have had a dramatic impact on my life. They are numerous and I wouldn't even attempt to mention them all. One of those people is Susan, who I met when I was in medical school. Her children went to school with mine and she taught me so much about mothering children and nurturing a family. I remember her growing 'creeping fig' on the side of her old brick house. I found some this weekend and will plant it in her honor.

55. I was a gymnast as a young girl. I can still do a back bend with a kickover. I might see stars and need to see a chiropractor the next day, but I can do it all the same.

56. My youngest brother has Down's syndrome and I have an aunt with cerebral palsy. I've been bowling with the CP group many times and used to help with special olympics. I'm thankful for them in my life (even though my aunt once chased me around the yard with a butcher knife and then would repeatedly ask me if I thought she was 'going to hell') and I think it gives you an understanding and comfort of the handicapped that is invaluable. I love DS kids and have a special love for parents of children with handicaps. Christ always values the weak and vulnerable in society and we should too.

57. I frequently speak to Caiti and my sister and JamieKnoxville in my native appalachian tongue. Almost every morning as Taylor and Caiti leave for school, I yell out the door, "Caaaiti, don't git in no fites today and uh.....I luv u better'n anythang". It's like our own private dialect. It can be scary to a northerner. Or to small children.

58. I am terribly addicted to my own bed. I love my bed and my pillows. All three of them. Feather of course.

59. I currently have 33 lamps in my house. I never. NEVER. turn on overhead lights. Ever.

60. I once glued someone's eye shut when I worked in the ER. It's a good story. Maybe I'll tell ya sometime. Suffice it to say, I will never live that one down and as it turns out, an opthamologist told me "Aw, don't worry, people do that accidentally with super glue all the time. It'll come out in a few days." Maybe the public is safer with me here at home!

Welcome back!

A few things I learned during my comment-fast:

1. As soon as I typed the words "I'm closing my comments during Lent", I instantly regretted it and wondered if I'd be able to hold out for forty days. I knew it would change blogging for me. I knew it would help to clarify the 'medium' of blogging---that it would solidify in my mind the fact that this medium is not neutral. It conveys certain information better than others. It favors short inspirational blurbs and beautiful photographs. There are temptations lurking everywhere but especially those that threaten to steal our time. Time that might be better spent with our 'in-the-flesh' family and friends or reading a great book or serving our neighbor. I developed a healthy 'detachment' during the Lenten season that enabled me to step back and regroup. That said, I still love this community. I still love to write.

2. Who knew that with the closing of comments would come a curious case of writer's block? Apparently your feedback motivates and inspires me to write---and without it, I don't seem to be bringing my A game. So, I'm glad you're back. I've missed your encouragement. Maybe I'll get my 'mojo' back.

3. I have used the 'extra' time I've had productively. Be patient as I readjust and try to hang on to the balance and priorities I nurtured during Lent. Inevitably something suffers when we try to 'do it all'.

4. This 'fast' of sorts helped to set the rhythm for Lent and even if just in a teeny way, was a good exercise in denial of the flesh. The flesh wants to be gratified.....instantly......in every way. And sometimes just the smallest denial is enough to gain momentum against its onslaught. Do I think I became more 'spiritual' because of this. Absolutely not. If anything, I became more keenly aware of how weak and undisciplined I can be. Thanks be to God that He has given salvation to us freely through faith in Christ. When I am weak, He is strong.

In other news, I decided to forego the expensive and generic senior pictures/senior announcements and do it on my own. I did a little photo shoot with Taylor and got some great pics to use for his open house invitations and his announcements......

this one's my favorite

I've also been FRETTING over paint colors for a week. I'm still not exactly sure what I'm choosing.....but when I go to Lowe's at 7 am, I'm sure I'll pick the right cabinet/wall/ceiling colors for my kitchen. By the time you read this, it'll be too late for you to help me but I'll be sure to show you the progress!

One more thing. We are going to the Midwest Homeschooling Convention later this week. I'm so excited to hear Susan Wise Bauer, Jim Weiss, Jay Wile, Mark Hamby and others. Do you have any advice for me? Have you ever been or better yet, are you gonna be there? Are there any other speakers that I must hear?

So now it's your turn. If you've never introduced yourself before, I'd love to hear from you. If you're an 'old friend', then reassure me that I can make it through this week; I'm having some painting done in my kitchen, going to Cincinnati for the homeschooling convention, and my two teenagers are going to prom this Saturday!!!

He is Risen!

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Rom.8:29

He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

Maundy Thursday

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks,  He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said:

"Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you.  This do in remembrance of  Me."

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying:

"Drink of it, all of you;  this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.  This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

Eat your heart out Kevin Bacon........

7 things I need to tell you about the choir concert

1.  Taylor had a solo singing 'Footloose'.   He did an excellent job and even threw in a few 'moves'.   I use the term 'moves' loosely.

2. This year has been wonderful because Taylor and Caiti have been in the same choir, along with their dearest friends, Andrew and Kaley!  I think this eases the pain of wearing 'choir' clothes and dancing onstage to 'Footloose'.  

3.  I love any activity that's equally as fun for an 8 or 18 or 80 year old.

4. Taylor had a spring in his step when he realized that Morgan had driven from Kingsport to see the performance.

5.  Watching the kids perform always sends me soaring with pride.  As does the fact that Taylor just received a choir scholarship from ETSU!

6.  Taylor's band is vying for a position to sing at a large christian festival in the summer.  If you go to The Verity's myspace page, you can help them by voting for their band.  (You can vote once a day until May 25)

7.  Despite the fact that I have known for 18 years that Taylor would be graduating from high school at this very time in history,  this event seems to have me perplexed and bewildered;  as if it were totally catching me off-guard.   I am frozen with fear.  I think that actually finishing his scrapbook or video would seal his fate in my mind.   As long as I'm not done with my projects, he can't graduate.  Or move off to college.   Right?   So I playfully work on them both as if I have all the time in the world.  Presently, 'all the time in the world'= 47 days.   

And here's a big scary hug and smooch to you for all your kind comments on the last post---which put me into a state akin to a hummingbird on caffeine;  yet  more proof that closing comments for Lent has been much needed practice in humility.

I told you it was scary!

'Say what you need to say' ---a tribute to my 200th post

I am thankful for this place.....where I've had my say.......

and I am grateful you've been listening.



Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems,
Better put 'em in quotations

Say what you need to say [x8]

Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you'd be better off instead,
If you could only . . .

Say what you need to say [x8]

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open

comments are open

say what you need to say