Not according to the plan

Wow. This week has just unravelled somehow. In the last 24 hours, my husband hurt his back and it's left him incapcitated. Poor guy. It's pretty bad; he can't drive. So I spent a large portion of yesterday driving him to various appointments, getting medications, taking care of him, and taking care of kids. Today is a new day, but looks like it will involve much of the same. It's especially nerve wracking because his job is a very physical one and he's our primary bread winner at present. My word has been "breathe."

So... my little giveaway is still going on as planned and ends tonight, but I'm not getting the things done that I thought I would. It's o.k., though. Suddenly, my task list doesn't seem so important.

Word Wednesday

I'm been thinking about sharing this little thing I do with you all. Sometimes I choose a word for the day that I feel could be helpful to me to focus on at different times during the day. I don't find that I make time for any formal meditation or relaxation exercises, but focusing on one word helps me lower my blood pressure in the moment. The most frequent ones I use are "breath, relax, compassion, focus, flower... " You get the picture. Somehow it seems manageable to bring a single word to the forefront of my mind through out the day. And here's the weird thing. It centers me. It takes me out of the chaos, and suddenly I am more present. My disclaimer is that two minutes later I may be harried again. It's not a cure all, but the power of the mind is phenomenal and directly linked to our physiological state. I haven't really researched this technique, but for me, it works. There are no rules; I just made it up. Try it and let me know what you think. I'm interested in hearing. So... today's word is balance.

My first birthday....

This blog is one year old this month, and I'm simply can't believe it! Really. How can it have been one year? Before I started blogging I probably spent an entire year pondering it. I had to think it through. Why would I blog? Would I be seeking external validation when my aim in these last few years has been about giving myself my own kudos and not worrying so much about what other's think. In the end, I think I simply needed to share... and to see what it was like. Honestly, I love my blog community.

I have connected with so many in ways that I might not have otherwise. It has broadened my universe. I am embarrassed to admit that I am a girl who has never physically travelled outside of the North American continent. But in my research, my conversations, my readings, and finally in my mind and heart, I have travelled far. This blog has helped me to communicate with so many I might have not otherwise met. My life is deeper and more rich.

So... as a sort of thank you, I want to offer up a giveaway. (Sorry for the terrible lighting of these photos. I need a professional, people!) These are a set of patchwork potholders that I've made. If I were a wealthy woman, I would give everyone a gift. Really. I would. Instead, I will make it a bit of a game. Nothing new in the blogging world, but not too complex either. Just leave a comment! I will close the comments to this post on July 31 at 8 pm eastern standard. (That's the time of night when my brain is mush and I'm sooo done for the day.) I'll announce the winner on Aug.1, Saturday. I know blogger can be tricky for some to log into, so feel free to log on "anonymous"; just be sure to sign an identifying name and email on your post. If you haven't left me an email, no biggy, but you'd better check back in. International shipping? Bring it on! (I just hope you don't cost me a small fortune. Honestly, though, I can't bear to leave out my Australian friends.) One last request, but no obligation... spread the word about my blog/giveaway/shop, if you will. I would love to connect with even more people in the next year. Life is simply an amazing adventure. Thank you for being a part of mine.

Checking in...

Hey folks! I wanted to post more, but this day has been one full of twists and turns. Maybe just a wee bit like the quilting on this bag I finished for a friend this weekend. I wanted to write today so I could give you the heads up. I'm gonna do a giveaway! Come back and see me this week... all you gotta due is leave a comment. (I'm such a tease, aren't I?)

T.G.I.F.

Happy Friday, everyone (except those in the other hemisphere!)

To you, happy Saturday...

Keeping busy

Besides for another particularly early morning wake up on my part (this morning), the rest of the family is up early every morning. It seems to be our natural rhythm around here. So by8:30 on summer mornings we've already zoomed through several activities and accomplished plenty. Sometimes they're inside, sometimes they're outside. Sometimes there is play that has evolved from their imaginations. Their favorite "game" is some form of playing puppy where one takes care of whoever is the puppy. This game has endless variations on the theme, but they usually play nicely for long periods during this one. I love it when this occurs because I can get tons done. The glitch is when they start fighting to the point that intervention is needed. Still, it is really pretty amazing to see how far they've come this summer in terms of playing together... and so sweet.

Other times they request an "art project" (their term) that is directed by me. So I scramble through my brain. Hopefully I've had enough coffee at this point. Lots of time we collage fabric scraps, paint, draw... you know the bread and butter. This time they brought to me a butterfly my little guy had made in Montessori. What a relief! We had clothespins, filters left over from the beach last year, paint, and of course, fishing line to hang them. (This family has got plenty of fishing line.) What amazed me about this project was how long it entertained both age ranges. An almost 3 year old and a 6 year old wear both totally into it.

Now I just need to hang these beauties!

This morning

I want to be outside, sipping my coffee looking at these. It's one of my favorite things to do in the morning (that, and cuddle in bed reading with my kids.) It's dark outside right now, though. What am I doing up so early? Worrying a little, I guess... about the small things, and the big things. I had a friend tell me once that her theory is women are just hard wired for worrying. She had noticed that if she didn't have something to worry about, she would automatically and unconsciously come up with something. The ridiculousness of this made me laugh until I realized that I do the same darn thing. So... I'm trying hard to focus on the present, stay positive, be a little more gentle with myself, and well... sew. It's my therapy right now. Have a wonderful day, friends!
P.S. A lovely soul left a first time comment yesterday. She said my blog "brightens her day." My heart just soared; it made me feel so good to think about being a shining part of some one's day. Every time someone comments to let me know they've been by to visit, it brightens mine. Thank you!