Tuesday Ten

1. I've started my internship at church. Which means several things. First, I'm reading. A lot. And will continue to read a lot throughout the year. I love to read - especially non-fiction, so I'm good with that. Secondly, it means that every Tuesday morning, I go to an intern meeting from 5:30 am to 7:30 am. And last, it means that I'm opening my heart to God - anticipating lots of challenges as I dive deeper into my relationship with him and allow myself to be stretched in new ways. Already, only two weeks in, I have a whole heart full of things about which I'm praying...
2. Kyler finished his cross country season on Saturday. I was sick, so I missed his race. It was the All City race - and he placed 13th out of probably 50 freshmen... his team came in second out of the ten schools in attendance - which is exciting to me. These boys could turn into a pretty good team over the years. Cross country is EXTREMELY competitive in Spokane. The past two years the number one team in the country has been here in town... last year it was North Central and this year it was Ferris. Neither one our school - but maybe someday!
3. Savannah started volleyball yesterday. I'm excited to have her playing. She hasn't done an organized sport since she quit soccer a couple years ago. She's so naturally athletic - it will be fun to watch her play. Poor girl though - her legs and buns are so sore. I only played volleyball one year - in 7th grade - but that's exactly what I remember about it. Sore legs and sore buns.
4. I'm going on week three of a new skin care routine... If you've known me for any length of time, you might know that I'm religious about washing my face at night. I NEVER take a night off. But recently I read about several people trying the Oil Cleansing Method and was intrigued. Well guess what? While it seems counter-intuitive to someone like myself with extremely oily skin to put oil directly on my face each night, I can't tell you what a difference it's made in my skin. I'm totally sold. My face is so soft and clean - and I no longer wake up in the morning with an oil slick on my face... really. Plus, massaging the oil in each night and then steaming my face is such a treat. I love it.
5. Where exactly has October gone?
6. Still wrestling with thoughts about sabbath... as my schedule is busier than ever it seems a little silly to be trying to figure out what sabbath might look like... but I'm certain (being one of the ten commandments and all) that it's something God wants for us... and so I'm really pondering it lately. Does anyone have this figured out? I'd love to hear from you.
7. When we added Savannah to our cell phone calling plan, we added unlimited texting for the whole family... a good thing, since the girl sends hundreds and hundreds of texts a week. I'm actually getting to be sort of proficient at the whole texting thing... amazing, because for ages it would take me forever to text even the most simple of messages. I really like it because Kyler is allowed to have his phone out during his passing periods at school and so we often text little messages throughout the day. It's so nice to hear how his day is going.
8. Halloween Saturday... I'm really ready as a parent to move beyond this silly holiday - but am trying to give Ethan the same attention I gave the older two when it comes to creative costume ideas. He's planning to be Frankenstein... my day Thursday is set aside for pulling his costume together. But really? I can't wait until he outgrows the whole costume thing. I'm really over it. Bad mommy.
9. We're hosting Christmas this year. Which means I'm starting to think about food - and guests - and gifts - and enjoying the fact that we won't have to travel anywhere this year. It only happens that way once every four years - so it's a treat. So thankful that everyone is willing to take the trek to Spokane once every four years to give us that break.
10. Happy Tuesday friends! Say hello so I know you're out there! Smooches!!!

Slowing down

Earlier in the week, I could be heard saying, "I don't have time to get sick this week. I have way too much to do."

Famous last words.

Because, of course, I got sick.

Fortunately, it didn't hit me hard until Tuesday night, when I'd already led three of my four meetings for the week. So I called around and found a sub for my Wednesday meeting, called and cancelled other appointments (including the haircut I've been waiting more than 3 weeks for) and have been planted on the couch or in bed ever since.

Other than my walks.

Yes. I've still walked. Actually, the fresh air has felt amazing and invigorating compared to the stuffy sick air in the house. (Mind you - these are short walks. But I'm out there. Not one sedentary day for me this year...)

I'm on page 373 of a 479 page novel. I haven't read a fiction book in so long. It always feels too self-indulgent, so I never partake. But I get SO tired of the tv. So the book has been a welcome break.

Asia and Ethan were the first to get sick. They were both out for four days. Then I got it. Then Savannah. Kyler is the only one who's stayed healthy. Hope he can pull it off.

While being sick is miserable, I never cease to be amazed at how the world really can go on without me. Even when I think I'm irreplacable, I'm really not. At all.

So it's okay - this forced sabbath.

I'd venture to say it's even good.

Sometimes it's okay to let the world go on without me.

I've been thinking a lot about sabbath lately after a sermon on the topic several weeks ago. Funny - how at this stage in my life when I feel busier than ever, that I suddenly feel the need to pull back and find ways to rest. Rest alone. Rest with my family. Prioritize my life in such a way that there are quiet moments to just be.

So I'll take this flu - H1N1 or not - as God's way of reinforcing the thoughts I've been wrestling with for the past few weeks. If it takes a fever and a sniffly nose to get me to slow down and ponder a little more, then I'll take it.

I could do without the head ache, but I'll survive.

And I'll even try to learn something from it...

Happy Thursday, friends.

For today...

I was inspired by Ali Edwards today...

Outside my window...
there are pine needles and pine cones in my front yard that desperately need to be raked. The grass is dead - a result of our decision to conserve water and save money this summer. The neighbors probably hate us. But I'm okay with it. I was tempted to put up a little sign in the yard saying something like "People all over the world carry water every morning for their most basic needs. In honor of them, we refuse to waste water to have green grass."

I am thinking...
that I really need to get into the shower. Busy day today.

I am thankful for....
my job. I really love it. It keeps me off the street.

From the kitchen...
Sloppy Joes last night... I know they're not gourmet, but my kids sure like 'em.

I am wearing...
sweats, my favorite jammie gown, a hoodie sweatshirt and slippers. Like I said, I need to get in the shower.

I am creating...
two commissions from the Fall Market I sold stuff at last month.

I am going...
out to dinner with two dear friends and Asia tomorrow night.

I am reading...
Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney and Josh Harris. It's the first book that's a required read for my internship at church... more on that sometime soon!

I am hoping...
that maybe we can go up to Green Bluff tomorrow as a family... would love to bring home a box of apples to make more homemade Apple Butter... I made some awhile back and am in love. It's SO good.

I am hearing...
Veggie Tales music from Ethan's bedroom and Switchfoot coming from Savannah's. Such is life in my house each morning.

Around the house...
I've been getting LOTS done lately - taking advantage of little snips of time and organizing what I can... somehow we've ended up with piles everywhere lately. Slowly working my way through them and getting them cleaned up. Also cleaning out closets and passing stuff on... feels good!

One of my favorite things...
saving money by not going to the latte stand... I was in a bad habit of always stopping on my way to work at the store since it was on the way... Now that I take a different path to work, I never go. Cash stays in my wallet a lot longer without that stop!

A picture to share...
Kyler at his XC meet in Richland last weekend... it was SO cold - all the boys were huddled under blankets waiting for their races. A few parents went to Fred Meyer up the street and bought Snuggies... and of course, Kyler - infomercial lover that he is - had to get one into his hands. Such a goofy boy.

Doesn't he look like Obi-Wan?

Have a great weekend, friends!

Confessions of a Weight Watchers Leader

1. I do not notice the number on the scale when you step onto it. I know you are self conscious, sharing this very private thing with me in our tiny little weigh booth. But just like your doctor sees nakedness all the time, I see well over 100 numbers every week. I'm looking to see if your weight went up or down - and that's about it. The number itself means nothing to me. What matters is that you're at my meeting, working hard to change the number. I'm so proud of you for being there.
2. I want you to succeed. I know that feeling of being stuffed into your clothes, pulling and tugging at them to keep them from sticking in between the rolls. I know. I know. I know how badly you want to change and how hard you have to fight to do it. And I want to encourage you every single week - whether you're up or down. I know you can do it.
3. If I could instill anything in your mind, it would be a peaceful acceptance of the notion that this has to be an every day choice for the rest of your life. Your body does not miraculously want to stay thin. You have to feed it fewer calories than you burn every day to lose. And you have to find the magic balance of feeding it exactly what you burn to maintain your healthy weight once you get there. Every day. For the rest of your life.
4. Which means: I am doing this. Every day. For the rest of my life. I am a member first. I need Weight Watchers. Because it keeps me accountable. I am just like you - striving to eat a healthy diet and be at a healthy weight. Day after day after day.
5. Sometimes it really sucks to have to be so vigilant. I know.
6. If you talk at my meetings, it means I am being successful as your leader. My goal is to have you talk 70% of the time and me only talk 30% of the time. When you talk, then I know what you're dealing with... I can be more effective as your leader if I know what your needs are. If you don't talk, I can give a 30 minute lecture. But I leave those kinds of meetings wondering if anything I said helped you.
7. If I see you at the grocery store, I will not approach you. I would love to talk to you, but I'm going to let you decide our relationship outside of the meeting room. I respect your privacy. So if you want to talk to me, come say hi. I promise not to look in your cart. You are a person first and a Weight Watchers member second and I will always see you that way outside the meetings.
8. I believe in you. You can do this. I know you are capable of making the necessary changes so you can be your very best.
9. I will celebrate every loss. There is no loss too small. I won't allow you to complain about a .2 loss. Not in my weigh booth. It's a loss. Hallelujah!
10. I love my job. I love that it holds me accountable to be at my very best in terms of my own weight. And I love inspiring you to be your best. I consider it a great privilege to walk with you through this journey. I will never take for granted the fact that you allow me to be a part of what can be a very private struggle. I will always honor that trust.

I've officially become a coupon geek.

You don't want to get in line behind me at the grocery store, is all I'm sayin'. 'Cause I've become that woman with stacks and stacks of manufacturers coupons who knows each store's coupon policies better than the clerks themselves.

This morning I managed to get all this food and schtuff for $17.59 That's:

• 2 small boxes of jello
• 2 small boxes of Wheat Thins
• 2 bags of Brachs Autumn Mix (I like the pumpkins best!)
• 2 bags of halloween M&Ms
• Olay Creme Ribbons body wash
• Chapstick in Green Tea flavor
• 2 packs of Trident Layers gum
• 2 four packs of Yo-Plus yogurt
• 3 bags of Halloween candy (stocking up now!)
• 11 cans of Pillsbury crescent rolls
• 4 packs of Bumblebee albacore tuna
• 4 cartons of Tropicana OJ (the only kind Asia will drink)
• 3 pounds of ripe bananas (I need to make muffins for Kyler's track meet on Saturday)

Without coupons, it all would have cost me $64.26.

I had an acquaintance in line behind me at Fred Meyer who caught up to me afterwards and said "How did you do that?" in reference to my savings...

I told her about a couple of my favorite 'frugal blogs'... sites where women do all the work of matching up the sale items with coupons.

Here are some I rely on heavily:

• Money Saving Mom
• Deal Seeking Mom
• Frugal Chic Living
• La Vida Cheapo

The first two are focused on more national stores and have lots of posts about stores that don't exist in the Northwest, so I can scroll through a lot of posts without wasting too much time. The last two are specific to deals for stores in Spokane - but would apply to many Northwest stores.

I also use Hot Coupon World's forums to find previews of many of the upcoming ads so I can plan ahead.

It is time consuming. I find that I spend about an hour a week clipping and organizing my coupons and probably about that long planning my shopping trips. Over the summer, it was much harder for me to get out and take advantage of the best deals because the kids didn't have the patience required to go around to all the stores to get the best deals. I tried to avoid leaving them home any more often than I had to for work, so I really didn't pursue the deals much at all during that time. But now that they're back in school, I can devote myself to it again.

I don't make nearly as much money as I used to before the store closed... and being a mostly stay-at-home mom, I consider it a part of my job work hard to be as frugal as I can be with the resources we have.

I'm not going to change this into a couponing blog, because there are plenty of blogs out there that perform that particular service WAY better than I ever could. But I wanted to share - because it's become a big part of what makes me tick as a mom - woman - wife. I LOVE to find good deals and then come home and ask everyone "Guess how much I paid for all of this?"

(Today would have been a great day for that because my trip to Walgreens produced the Jello, the Wheat Thins, the Brachs mix, the M&Ms, the Olay and the Chapstick for $.10. Yes. Ten cents. I'm not kidding... how fun is that?)

So there you have it. A blog post by a coupon lady.

And that's that.

Happy Wednesday, friends! Smooches to you.

My other runner

Last weekend Kyler went to Missoula, Montana for the Mountain West Invitational. He ran 3 miles in 18:24 and placed 62nd out of 434 runners in the JV race.

We didn't go, so I don't have pictures.

But I do have pictures from Ethan's first cross country meet, yesterday!

They haven't offered cross country at the elementary school level for about six years, so we were thrilled when the flier came home announcing that our school district had received a grant funding the program this year. E. was very excited to try his hand (or feet, as the case may be) at running like his big brother. Plus, he's hoping the training will help him when wrestling season rolls around... it can't hurt, for sure!

What a fun meet - there was constant action as they ran 14 races, one right after the other, starting with kindergarten girls, followed by kindergarten boys and so on - all the way through 6th grade. The course was a mile... quite a feat by those with the tiniest little legs.

Kyler's team even ran down to the park to cheer on all the elementary students... I love the sense of community this creates... they got in a good run and they gave the kids an extra boost of support - and maybe an incentive to keep running and aim toward being on the 'big kids' high school team someday.

(Note Kyler's SHORT hair - he's in the center of the picture with his black track jacket on. He left for the Missoula meet with his nice long, curly hair and returned with a buzz cut. He told me almost all the guys with long hair got their hair cut - by a senior who 'always grooms his dog' - so he was the best choice to give the buzz cuts. Thank goodness, hair grows back...) E. had a good run - he placed about 10th for the fourth grade boys. We didn't get his time yet - he should get it at his practice today, I think. He's aiming for a 7:30 mile.

Love my runners...

Tuesday

1. Asia's in Seattle this week. He's been home so consistantly lately I'm finding it hard to find my groove. I'll get there. He's scheduled to be gone three out of four weeks in October.
2. I'm up to leading four Weight Watcher's meetings. This week and next I'm working six and seven meetings with sub jobs. I really love it. The beauty of it is I prepare once and then just repeat the same material at every meeting. So different from teaching scrapbooking, which required LOTS of prep time for every class.
3. Gearing up for a big Craft/Antique/Junk Sale I'll be selling stuff at next weekend (Sept. 25 & 26.) My studio is all awhirl with activity as I create and organize for it. Fun stuff. I'll post pictures of a few of my items in the next couple of days. If you're local, it will be at the Moran Prairie Grange.
4. I had an amazing day at garage sales last weekend... only had an hour to go because we had to get to Kyler's cross country meet, but I managed to find BUNCH of new clothes for myself... I got a brand new track suit (tags on), a beautiful dress, a cardigan sweater, a hoodie and a t-shirt all for $8. And it all fit perfectly. LOVE THAT!
5. Asia and I are prayerfully considering doing an internship at our church this school year. It's an unpaid opportunity to dive in deep with other like-minded people who want to be challenged and pushed a bit out of their comfort zone. I've been feeling lately like I'm recuperated adequately from our time with Tejan to step out again... more on that as I find out more and get started with it.
6. It's candy corn time. I love candy corn. But only in small quantities. Too much is just WAY too sweet. It makes me so happy sitting in my candy dish.
7. Spokane in September is absolutely perfect. Cool mornings, sunshine, warm afternoons. I love it. Of course, October runs a close second. But for sure, it's my favorite time of year.

Seven is close to ten. I'm tired. Goodnight, friends. Smooches!

Go Tigers!

Kyler ran his first cross country race for his high school today.

He's officially a Lewis and Clark Tiger. See the tiger stripes on their uniforms?

Even his shoes are orange and black...

Kyler is in the back of this pack... the tiger right in front of him is Davis, who he ran with the past two years in junior high. He could never catch Davis.

Today, he kept pace with Davis the entire race.

He came in 14th out of 24 guys on his team that ran today. That includes all the freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. He was neck and neck with the 11th, 12th and 13th runners.

He was one sweaty, tired boy. But he didn't throw up. That's progress. We've had three post-run-throw-up experiences in his racing career.

This is his coach. He was accusing Kyler of holding out on him at practice. Essentially, Kyler totally exceeded his expectations today.

Good job, Kyler.

I love watching you run.

Don't Pig Out in the Park

So today after church, Asia decided to take the fam down to Riverfront Park to partake in a Spokane tradition - the annual Labor Day extravaganza - Pig Out in the Park.

Now, I have to tell you, we haven't been to Pig Out for many, many years. Mainly because the last time we went, the entire family got sick. Barfing sick. Not only did we get sick, but our houseguests, who were staying with us because they were dropping their daughter off at Whitworth college and she was going to live with us for the school year, well, they also got sick.

It was a regular barf-o-rama. Nine people in one house, with all of us getting up all night long and barfing. I'll never forget that their son, who was about 12 years old at the time, was the loudest barfer in the world. When he was in the bathroom, barfing, the whole house could hear him. Never mind that everyone was trying to sleep. He wretched as though his toes were being forced out of his mouth. It.was.not.pretty.

Now, the other thing you have to know - is that the other family - the ones staying with us because they were dropping their daughter off to go to college in Spokane? They did not go to Pig out in the Park. So obviously, instead of our collective illness being of the food bourne variety, it was clearly some sort of fast moving viral thing that knocked us all out. But that does not matter. Because in our minds - Pig out in the Park and vomiting have been synonymous.

But apparently Asia has had enough time to get over that - and felt that it was time to give the gastronomical gaity of Pig Out a try one more time.

Plus, Savannah was spending the day with a friend at the lake, so it was one less mouth to feed. Nothing like getting in some quality family time while saving a buck.

And guess what? None of us got sick. But none of us really enjoyed it either.

Everything was overpriced. And truthfully, none of us got anything that even tasted that good. I got a Gyro that ended up being made with some presliced meat and ranch dressing. Ugh. What a disappointment. Add to that the fact that a huge chunk of lettuce covered with ranch fell off and landed in my shoe and I was not a happy camper. Nothing makes me crankier than being sticky. And I was sticky. (Okay, there are probably a few things that make me crankier... but I really hate being sticky. A lot.)

So I'm sorry, Spokane. We won't be returning. I'll do Bloomsday. And I'll drag myself to the Lilac Parade every few years. We'll go to the fair occasionally and I'll patronize the Farmer's Market and we'll brave the crowds of Hoopfest.

But we won't go back to Pig out in the Park.

Sorry.

A pile of stones

It's been good to have the kids back in school.

There's room in my brain now for some quiet introspection. I've needed that.

I wrote about the challenge of this past summer - how I struggled as a mom to know quite how to meet the needs of my growing kids. How they don't really need me - but need me more than ever. How confusing is that? Believe me, it's a weird place to be.

And then, since the store closed in May, I've felt a little lost - wondering how to spend my time - working through the difference in income I've been forced into - learning to manage our budget differently without the cushion of the money I used to make teaching.

I had to work through Kyler's first girlfriend - a challenge I wasn't completely ready for - and one that knocked me out for a few days as I pondered the reality of wanting to support him and validate his feelings while knowing it would only lead to heartache. How do you do that?

I didn't particularly do any of this well.

In fact, I would venture to say I failed miserably at it.

Which led to some pretty serious stress levels for me. And some unforgiveable crankiness. And a lot of tears.

But now - after some good discussions with Asia and some time talking to God and a couple of good books - I feel like I'm on the other side of this yucky phase.

And I'm starting to feel a teeny bit normal again.

And a little excited about the future.

I have direction. And focus. And hope.

I realize how good I have it. I will not complain - because I am incredibly blessed.

But I'm also pretty dark and twisty. A pessimist. Often overwhelmed by my circumstances. And prone to get caught up in my emotions.

I'm so thankful for my patient and forgiving husband. And my kids, who amazingly love me through all my crazy-bad-mommy moments.

And thankful that God really never ever leaves me.

And that his mercies are new every morning.

Hope is a good thing.

I certainly won't pretend to have anything figured out. But it's good to find myself with a fresh perspective.

So I'll erect a little monument today to hope found.

I'll place another rock on the pile of stories that make up my life.

And as I find a place for it to settle in amidst the other rocks, I'll praise God for all the struggles that each rock represents - and the peace that comes after the storm - and the faith to believe it is all working for my good.

I do believe it.

And so I have this pile of stones to remember....