Anne of Avonlea

We name all of the Bags for Zaza after books, and this is one of my favorite bags, so I picked one of my favorite books, Anne of Avonlea.  This chic little purse has an extra long strap to sling over your shoulder.  It is made of vintage scraps of table cloths, quilts, a beadspread and Calvin Klein jeans.  I know there is someone out there that this little shabby gem was made especially for.  It will be up for auction this week with all the proceeds going toward bringing home our little girl from Colombia.  You can see many more pictures (and click for zoomed-in shots) on the BFZ site:  www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com.  Please share this with your friends and help spread the word!

I’m Back in the BFZ Groove

I’ve envisioned a shabby chic denim and pink floral Bag for Zaza for many months.  I made the flap tonight.  So cute… if you like shabby chic and denim…. with cutesy heart buttons and yellow chenille rick-rack.  I also have a little girls size 2 denim skirt to make into a little princess’ bag for her treasures.  AND Darla, my friend who wants a denim bag, came over and picked out all the coordinating fabric for her bag…. last November, maybe December.  Anyway, I don’t have a blinkin’ thing to do these days, so I’m on a roll, baby.  AND I’m playing my “Learn Spanish in Your Car” CDs while I’m sewing.  Oh, I feel so productive even typing that….. now to remember the words in el español.

I didn’t comment much on our recent trip to Lake Tahoe, but there were, as per usual, entertaining stories that emerged.  My personal favorite came from garage saling, which we have continued the Saturday morning Tahoe tradition again this year.  Last year we came home to PHOENIX with such useful items as a snowboard, an orange butterfly quilt, a bee-bee gun, a $2 prom dress, a Beetles black wig, a purse shaped like a Chinese take-out box, butterfly sheets and a 1920 Singer sewing machine (minus the most important part to make it work).  I rolled my eyes as most of those purchases were made.  THIS year there was a higher level of eye rolling….. oh, Rick should be grounded from garage saling.  We came home with two pair of snowboarding boots (Rick and Larisa), an entry rug, a pink oriental little shirt (BFZ!), a green coat (Larisa), Vans tennis shoes, and Rick hit the jackpot:  a garage sale run by a sweet little widow who was selling her deceased husband’s clothing… ALL Rick’s sizes.  He got a really nice NEW pair of brown leather shoes.  No eye rolling there.  I kept pointing out other things to Rick like red plaid house slippers and white church shoes… with a matching belt.  He was satisfied with the brown shoes.

Anyway, Rick wore the shoes to church this morning and being the loving wife that I am, I pointed them out to one of his friends.  Of course I said they were a dead man’s shoes.  How could I pass that one up?

Back to the sewing machine y mis lecciones españolas. ¡Dios me ayuda!  (God, Help me!)

Brag Book Time

My 15 year old daughter painted this watercolor a few weeks back.  I thought she did a great job, but I’m the mom, of course I do.  She admired this photo and explained that “she” was stepping up to kiss him.  I suggested that the pink shoes were holding the black shoes in place so she could push him down.  :o)  Not overprotective at all!  (We have given her a stack of her father’s business cards to hand to boys if they want to talk to her…. “Just call this number and ask my dad.” ….. hey, it’s an easy out for her, if need be!)

I’ve heard people say that the teenage years are a nightmare and parents need to “just get through” them.  We haven’t believed that for one moment.  These are the exciting years when we can actually have in-depth conversations and our kids are actually bringing up topics that cause us to search the Word for truth.  They can effectively run our entire household and still have time to jam on the electric guitar, paint watercolor pictures and play the Wii.

Teens are so capable at this age of accomplishing so much beyond what is expected of them.  Our daughter is working on a “secret” project at the moment.  She has been for more than two years.  It is truly remarkable, but I don’t have permission to blab the news yet.  Don’t worry, you’ll be the first to hear when I get the green light!  It makes my buttons burst to see my children striving for excellence without parental coercion.  The fact that she is thinking beyond herself and reaching out to others is honestly a grand blessing in our lives.  We are so thankful.  Thankful to the point of tears.

I’m also extremely thankful that my children love each other.  Maybe all those times I made them sit on the couch and hug and kiss each other after arguing actually paid off.  You can’t hug your sibling long without giggling. 

For my kids, I’m THANKFUL!

Where’s the Righteousness?

Philippians 2:1-2  If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

This is the verse that I took my encouragement from today…. being united with Christ.  It seems those around us have blurred the lines of righteousness when it comes to entertainment.  We had a no-brainer decision to make today about our son attending a birthday party where they were going to see a PG-13 flick….. it was a 12 year old’s party.  I did go look up the movie on www.pluggedinonline.com to read the review.  Some (read: FEW) PG-13 movies would be acceptable for a 12 year old to view if I have seen it first and there is no language/nudity/brutality/etc.  There aren’t many films that have made that cut.  This particular movie had a strong warning for sexual content, language and battles. 

I just don’t get the point of filling your mind with filth.  What in the world?  This film has the Lord’s name used in vain MORE than 10 times.  Last time I checked, that was one of the no-no’s in the Ten Commandments.  So, once again, my child is going to stay home while his buddies go movie watching.  He asked if Dad could see the movie first to check it out.  I asked him is Dad should go to a movie where the Lord’s name is used repeatedly as a swear word?  He agreed… no.  He was disappointed about not being with his friends, but I believe he understood.  We talked about surrounding ourselves with like-minded people who stand for righteousness.  I believe he got it, but it’s not easy.

Later the topic came up with our 15 year old daughter.  She asked, “Why aren’t there more people who think like you and Dad about movies?”  I really didn’t know what to say.  There are…. they live in communes and don’t have electricity.…   I guess my thinking is that if you are going to choose a book to live by…. then don’t skip the parts that you don’t like.  Or find another book. 

It reminded me of the story of the mom who baked some brownies but added a little bit of dog poop to the mix.  Her kids were asking to go see a movie that only had a little bit of bad stuff in it.  She offered them the brownies but shared that there was only a little bit of bad stuff in them.  :o)  Wise woman.

The whole situation made me feel sort of lonely in my convictions, but then I read about being encouraged by being united with Christ.  That is who we are to be measuring ourselves against and emulating.  I took great comfort in that and am feeling a little better.

For Today

My sister sent me this list that she lifted from another scrapbooker’s site…..  “For Today”

1. Outside my window… palm trees blowing in the hot wind and billowy white clouds over the mountains.

2. I am thinking… that it’s time to go to bed.  I’m not thinking very clearly.

3. I am thankful for… dear friends through thick and thin.

4. From the kitchen… chocolate chip cookies followed chicken divan and wild rice.

5. I am wearing… tan capris and a light turquoise shirt with remnants of my lunch AND dinner on the front.

6. I am creating … a legacy with every word I write.

7. I am going … swimming in the morning.

8. I am reading … oh boy: The Bible, about four adoption books, the Prequel to Anne of Green Gables, A Woman Named Damaris and Quo Vadis.

9. I am hoping … for adoption news SOON!

10. I am hearing … the A/C working hard today.  It’s about 110 degrees.

11. Around the house … my 15 and 12 year olds have been snoozing all evening, recovering from sleep overs and work at the church.  I think Rick is asleep too.  I watched a live stream autism awareness meeting.  Keeve just returned from CFTN Fun Nights and has a friend sleeping over.  Trixie is sleeping on a pile of dirty laundry.

12. One of my favorite things … a fresh haircut.

13. A few plans for the rest of the week… breakfast out on Saturday morning.  That’s about it. (Loving summer break!)

One-of-a-Kind Handmade Purse!

This bag is called Mia’s Story after a beautifully illustrated tale of a little girl who lives in a South American village.  All of the Bags for Zaza are hand made of  up-cycled fabrics that have been donated for the cause.  What’s the cause?  The adoption of our little South American princess. 

The straps on the bag have bits and pieces of a remnant for a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt that was pieced by my great grandmother and her sisters.

Inside the bag is a little Asian surprise… two little men embroidered for your viewing pleasure.  They were once the front of a little Oriental shirt and the red frog closure is still there too!  There are more photos on the Bags for Zaza page.

To bid on a bag, please go to  www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com  and help bring an orphan home!  Thanks for looking and for telling others!

Editors are my Heroes

Today, bright and early on this Monday morning, I received my edited manuscript for Laughing in the Midst of Marriage.  I took one glance through the pages and had a flash back to college writing assignments.  Let’s just say my editor worked for every penny they earned on this project.  The red on the page is prolific. 

Once at TWU an essay was handed back to me with MORE red than black writing on it.  Good grief!  Written in big red letters across the top it said, “When in Canada, Write as a Canadian!”  I didn’t realize there was a difference.

Today, in America, I’m not sure who I’m writing like???  Maybe my editor is Canadian?  I’m not sure.  Anyway, I have pages and pages to go through of black and RED typing.  I’m so thankful for someone who is trained to fix other people’s work.  It makes me look and sound good. :o)  The email said something to the efffect of, “Let us know if you accept the editor’s corrections.”  WHAT?  Like I know anything about correct grammar and syntax!  I just love to spew forth on the page.  If they said it’s right, they’re probably right and who am I to say otherwise???

So far my day timer has my week all lined up for me:  B-day lunch with Cheryl, dentist, dog shots, adoption conference call, movies, sewing a Bag for Zaza and lots of reading black and red pages.  Enjoy your start of a new week.

Ask a Dumb Person…. Get a Dumb Answer

This is a famous quote from my father, o wise patriarch of our family.  But it’s true.  I’ve tested it!  Here are a few examples to prove the statement as factual:

1.  Why did you throw the rock through the window?

2.  (Asking a four year old) Why did you drive the van?

Since it’s Father’s Day, I figured I’d add a few more of my dad’s famous sayings for your personal enjoyment, and so some of you will understand why I appreciate the humor that I do.  Here goes:

“You know that old Mexican expression….. El Tuffo!”

When I asked if I could get a new bathing suit, “Don’t you have any old underwear you could spray paint?”

After slamming my foot on the coffee table, “Is the table ok?”

After standing for 30 minutes in the family room watching cartoons with us kids, “I’m just passing through.”

When on family road trip vacation after being asked how far we have to go, “About that far,” while holding his thumb and finger up to show 3 inches.

One of my personal favorites, when coming to our rooms to administer spankings he would sit on the bed and say, “The longer it takes you to get here, the harder it’s going to be.” 

He renamed the meaning of TLC to Tiny Little Cookies.

He also showed all of us kids (and spouses and grand kids) great integrity, faith and devotion in every area of his life.  I’m so thankful my husband and boys have my dad’s great example to follow.  I love you DAD!  Happy Father’s Day! (and can I have $20?)

It’s Quiet in Here

It’s almost too quiet.  The mother in me keeps thinking, The kids are surely up to no good with all this lack of noise.  But no.  There are no children at home for the moment.  Larisa is on her way home from camp today.  The boys are across the street playing with their cousins.  They’re on an every-other-day schedule with whose house they play at.  Here they have a huge car carpet set up in the loft with about 127 hot wheels all over the place, parked precisely in their parking places.  I’m not sure what they have going on across the street…. but something Lego, I’m sure.

I realized yesterday that I’m not getting much accomplished (in my two days since returning from vacation).  It’s because I don’t have a list.  Diligiently I hunted down my day-timer where I painstakingly make my daily lists….. the last three weeks of pages are blank.  (In my defense, I was gone for two of those weeks!)  No wonder I feel like I haven’t gotten anything done.  Lists are amazingly inspiring.  The thrill of checking off that little box cannot be overrated.  Not only are projects completed, blinds cleaned and closets cleared out, but the little row of boxes is checked off…. and that makes me happy.

Today’s list, that has yet to be made with pen to paper, includes: finish a Bag for Zaza (it’s half done), clean ONE blind (it’s a slow process, but it doesn’t make me cry when I do one a day), empty the suitcase, fertilize the lawn, plant Vinca all over the backyard (has to be done after 7 p.m. due to the temperature for me and the flowers) and de-collate my coupons.  Whew.  But just imagine the internal satisfaction of SIX boxes checked off.  Sweet victory!  That’s more than I’ve done in three weeks.

I also need to make a list for the kids of Things To Do during the summer.  They will not be as thrilled with their list as I am with mine.  Guaranteed.  Theirs includes daily piano practice, 30 minutes of reading, multiplication and division flashcards and chores.  (One measly hour…. MAX!)  Sounds like pure torture, doesn’t it?  I can already hear them moaning, “Mooooom, it’s SUMMER!”  That’s when I show them my list and ask if they want to trade.  They never do.  It works every time.  Do they think I’ll just willingly let their brains rot all summer???  Never!  That’s why I’m the mom.

Patience is a V-v-v-virtue

My patience has been tried and tested many times throughout the years, especially when I met and fell in love with my husband.  He’s on his own clock (Indian time) and it runs about 5 seconds slower than mine.  With 22 years of marriage I have slowed down and he has sped up… but never will we be on the same time frame.  Just when I thought I was done getting my patience tested with my dear husband, our dear son Keeve was born.  He is even slower than Rick…. but like his father, worth waiting for.  For goodness sakes, the kid used to take a breath in the middle of “O  -  K!”  What in the world?  Just when I thought I was done getting my patience tested with my dear son, we took a road trip to Lake Tahoe from Phoenix, AZ., a 771.3 mile trek.  Can I just say that I LOATHE road construction! 

Getting out of town was like pulling a jack rabbit’s teeth.  First a stop for a necessary book  from the Christian book store for a reading assignment for son #1.  Then a necessary stop at Old Navy because their flip-flops are two-for-$5 for our daughter. Then came a necessary stop at Costco for gas.  Then a dark parking lot stop for a quick change of clothing for moi.  THEN Rick decided he needed his back-up driver to take over.  Sheesh.  We weren’t 12 miles from home, after 72 minutes, making our first driver switch.

It should have been a large red flag to me that road construction signs started in Phoenix.  They continued ALL the way to the cabin.  Seriously, June 10-17 is road construction week across I-10 and up the 395 in California.  There were miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep (take me back to high school poetry with Mrs. Clark) where one lane of the two lanes was blocked with cones…. for no apparent reason.  There was one particular 12 mile stretch where I was the third car behind the little old balding man, Mr. Fudd,  in his pristine butterscotch pudding colored 1972 Toyota Corolla who was out for his 40 MPH Tuesday stroll on the 75 MPH highway.

“Am I not being a patient person?” I started pondering.  “Am I supposed to be learning a lesson here at 40 MPH on Hwy 395?”  Considering that we just passed TWO years, SIX months, THREE weeks and TWO days of waiting for our little daughter from Colombia, I assumed I was a patient person.  However, Mr. Fudd brought out the worst in me.  I never said anything out loud.  OK, that was a lie.  I spewed a few turtle, molasses, snail and growing grass comments under my breath.

Tonight as I pray for the 3, 857th time for my son’s spouse, I will add an extra emphasis on her virtue of patience.  She will need it her whole married life, as I’m finding out I do.