How Bolt Comes to My Rescue

I have a little guy named Bolt. He is a jack russell/boston terrier mix and I don't know what shape I would be in without him. I have always loved dogs, but never had one in my home until I was in high school. The dog my parents brought home was a wonderful addition and I love him to this day, but his existence didn't chance my life at all. My Dad also had a few dogs come and go over the years, though not seeing him all that often just made them cuddly playmates. However Bolt.... well he means so much to me and my husband.

Being a new year, I have started thinking about 2010 and how it was exceptionally difficult. There were many times I wanted to just give up on everything. When I felt worthless in life. When my husband and I would argue or feel down right depressed. As I've been looking back, I realized that there were so many instances where Bolt came to our rescue. No, I wasn't Little Timmy stuck in a long dark pit, but my emotions might as well have been. And Bolt knew just what to do! He licked me incessantly until I realized he was trying to give me kisses. He cuddled up and made me feel warm and loved when I all I really felt was alone. He brought me his favorite toy to squeak and throw so that I could have some fun playing. And he just plain did silly things that made me laugh out loud, even when I had been crying. There were many times his constant positive nature paired next to his contentment with simplicity caused me to look at life in different ways.

I know some of you may be thinking "it's just a dog; a pet." And I'm inclined to agree with you. However, I believe God has used my little pet this past year to help me cope with seemingly hopeless situations. My husband and I had wanted a dog for a very long time but we didn't feel the time was right until just before things began their downward spiral. We have always trusted in God to provide for us in ways we can't provide for ourselves. And during this past year that we have had Bolt, God has provided a way to endure this wilderness we are in. I hope your pet can be the same for you.

Don't have a dog or some other pet? I recommend a trip to your local pound. Though it may make you feel a little sad at first - for you can't take all those sad faces home with you - you just may find one you can. And it has already made you feel better! Now you have a companion and just think.... you saved it's life. Doesn't that feel good?

Holiday Conundrums: Gathering Family

Now that Halloween is over, you are probably beginning to make your Thanksgiving plans. I certainly am trying to. It has just become this huge cluster of madness in trying to coordinate different families and their "holiday" schedules. You know what I'm talking about: Different families spend a Holiday with one side of the family and then the next year with the other. It can all be so confusing and aggravating. This is what I am currently dealing with among my family and I felt that maybe you were feeling the same as I am.

Here's the deal: This year my husband and I are planning on being with my immediate family. An aunt on my mothers side wants to take on the planning of the day and host the gathering. My family never spends this holiday with them so it's sort of throwing everything off. However, my fathers side of the family usually spends every thanksgiving with us and has no one else who could take on such a daunting task (and hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is daunting). Therefor, they would have to be invited to my aunts but this may end up being too many people for her to handle (food wise and space wise). Because of this my mother is now thinking we may just have our own Thanksgiving as usual with my fathers side of the family only. But....... she's not sure. She hasn't decided. She doesn't want to hurt my aunts feelings or exclude the other side of the family. So here we are, unaware of what is happening and where the holiday will be taking place. For some of you this may not seem like a big problem, but to me it is. I can "go-with-the-flow" in many situations, but not when it comes to planning holidays. This is when I want to say, "Screw all this indecisiveness! I'll be with my in-laws."

Now, I'm bringing all of this up to inspire you to get your holiday plans worked out now before it's too late. The best way to go about planning your holiday is to know how many people you can accommodate (the more people, the more food you have to make and the more room you need). If that means that some people can't be involved then either host the gathering at a different location, ask people to bring more food, simply relinquish your desire to host or someone will have to host a separate gathering. No matter what you decide, decide now. Make your choices and then get the word out. Don't wait until the week before and leave everyone hanging. It will be the people like me - that always find information out through the grapevine - who will end up ansy and frustrated until they know where they will be for Thanksgiving.

No matter which way you decide to go, making the day lovely is what you really desire; ending up with happy people, focusing on what they're thankful for. So, take feelings and space into consideration, but ultimately make the choice that is best for everyone involved. And do it now!

What Was That Outfit Again?

I'm wondering if you've ever felt this way: You go to your favorite clothing store, pick up a couple of versatile pieces and while in the fitting room trying them on, the sales associate shows you how to create different, fashionable looks by combining these new items with one's you may already have in your closet. She (or he...) help make you look fantastic! But then a few days, weeks or months later when you pull those pieces out, you've forgotten everything they showed you. You think, "What was that outfit again? I just loved the way it looked on me. Darn it!" I know I've been there a few times, and I'm sure you have too. You can never quite piece the look together yourself. Did they tuck this one in? Should I add a belt? Was this cardigan pared with a ruffly blouse, or just a simple tank? It can turn a quick "getting dressed" moment into "I'm going to be late for work!" And now your rushed and frazzled. It's okay my dear's, I have an experience and solution.

A few days ago I went out shopping with my youngest sister who is currently working in an office as well as heading out to many a job interview. She is a rather petite young gal and dresses pretty casual most of the time with tee-shirts, tanks, jeans and flip-flops (we do live in southern Cali...). Because of the jobs, she needed more professional clothing and had no idea where to start. Having about 8 years of retail experience under my belt (and just plain good fashion sense) my little sis enlisted my help. I was glad to be her leader on this treacherous journey. We stepped inside The Mall!

Luckily, she was pretty willing to try on most of what I showed her and everything fit rather nicely. She has also been on the more Tom-Boyish side most of her life and so ruffles, ribbons, flowers and frill are out! We went with basics: solid tanks for under cardigans, sweaters and blouses as well as black and tan pants. But I did want her to have a little style so we paired things with belts on the outside of tops and simple jewelry that brightens and livens up her outfits. She left the dreaded mall, happy and satisfied. But not being one for fashion, I was afraid she would forget all of the outfits we pieced together. I live about an hour away from her and would hate for her to be stressed when choosing her outfit for the day or even worse, look boring and bland.

So here is my solution to this problem I think may be more common than not: take pictures. As soon as you get home (so you don't forget) from your shopping trip, put on the outfits that the salesperson (or loving sister!) showed you. Then have someone take pictures of you. Once you've done this for every outfit, have the pictures printed and then tack them to the inside of your closet door or on cork board that you have hanging inside for easy view. Now everyday you will have your own stylist right there with you. This will also save time when packing for a trip too! Now if you want to get really crazy (and I know that you do), you can to do this with all of your clothes and begin to create categories for types of events or feelings. Feelings? Yes, you know you dress based on mood or how your body feels. You can have a "Feeling Fat" section, a "Feeling Sexy" section or even Church, Bridal Shower, Tropical Vacation or Date sections. It will make getting ready a real "snap".

HomeWork: Repurposing The Chalkboard

There is something in the air each year when August rolls around. There is an imminent feeling of autumn and students and parents alike are aflutter with a new school year just around the corner. I believe Tom Hanks said it best in You've Got Mail--"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." I share that sentiment. For some reason when my thoughts turn to fall, I just want to be in a classroom. Luckily, I have an excited little boy heading into first grade so I will see my fair share of a school campus. Nevertheless, I think that I will bring a little of it into our home as well. My muse? The chalkboard, an elementary component to any classroom, and a surpisingly versatile design element as well with the help of chalkboard paint. Chalkboard paint is liquid chalkbaord on demand. It is great because you can paint it almost any shape, size and design your little heart desires. And what's more, Martha Stewart has a recipe for homemade chalkboard paint. I am partial to the classic green shade, which is surprisingly hard to find, so I love Martha's route. It seems pretty simple and you can customize the paint to any color you want. Here are a few projects that I am toying with right now.

I love the idea of chalkboard in the kitchen. There is so much to jot down in the kitchen: grocery lists, recipes, schedules, menus, etc. I particularly like the idea of uesing a chalkboard surface for labeling. Never again will you have to tell someone which cabinet the bowls are in. Although, I think that I would choose a more neutral shade to blend into the other colors in my kitchen, (Thank you, Martha!).

I have been in search of a calendar that can fit our family's needs for quite some time. So I am excited to create one that is custom made for us. I am thinking of applying magnetic paint underneath and making some fun magnets for the kids to put on when we have a special day as well.

Childrens' bedrooms are a natural choice for a chalkboard. But I especially like the idea in the picture above because it provides a fun place for the kids to play, yet with just a swipe of an eraser and you have an attractive, polished look.

Why We Don't Keep Up With The Jones'

A recent Girls' Night Out was just the eye opener I needed to bring my attention to a small, but very annoying personal habit. I have a few groups of friends, and none of them really mix well (I am a Jill of many trades...). With each set of friends, I am a slightly different version of myself. On this particular night, I was out with my mommy friends. We like to talk about kids, home life and vent frustrations no one else could understand. When I left the house, I was feeling fine. I was grateful to have a husband that got off of work early and a house full of happy kids. But after a few hours of nitpicking and comparing families, I was on my way home ready to set things straight.

It wasn't until after I got home and heard myself saying the exact same sentence from one of my girlfriends rants that I realized I had a problem. I was allowing other people to set my expectations for me. And I was piling their expectations on top of my own and hurling them all at my husband and kids. From that moment on, I vowed to put their feelings and my relationship with them ahead of other peoples' opinions and standards.

I am still taking baby steps. It is hard to hold back from throwing a to-do list at my husband, Alpha, when I see him watching TV on his day off. Or letting my first grader, Aiden, play outside when he could be practicing his reading words. Some days Alpha does work around the house and Aiden does stay inside to practice his reading. And I find that they are a lot more cooperative and willing to do so when I am not nagging and yelling. By relinquishing just a little control and giving them more of a say not only makes them happier, it makes me happier too. So what if that stupid kitchen light still needs to be replaced and Aiden isn't running circles around the other kids in his class. It is a small sacrifice to make for a stronger family bond.