Soccer Tears of Joy

 Julia has this ability to dig deep, like really deep. I would like to think she gets it from me. When she is pushed against a wall and she knows in her mind that what she is fighting for is good and right she will dig so deep into her heart and bring out this fight and spirit to push on. I have seen it before but maybe not so clear as I did this past weekend.


Her soccer team played in a sectional tournament this weekend sweeping all 5 games and claiming the championship title. I was not expecting what I saw. In fact I am ashamed that I didn’t have more faith in my little girl. I truly didn’t see the win in her and a few of her teammates. But when the time came she did it and she proved to me that the power of friendship and camaraderie can propel her to great heights. She showed me that winning for others can feel so much better than just winning for yourself.
Julia faced the fear of being pummeled to the ground by an opponent who would have made a grown man run and hide. She was up against someone who was more experienced and outweighed her by 50lbs of muscle and Julia used everything she had, her courage, her long legs, her might, her force to try and move what seemed to be an immovable mountain. I would be lying to say that I did not fear that Julia would get seriously inured if she was to be fallen on by this opponent. My bitty girl just needed a few breaks to make a difference and she got them. She kept her head cool long enough to see the opportunities and when they presented themselves she took advantage of them. She also took that predicted hit from the mountain that would eventually fall and when she collapsed to the ground I held my breath until she got back up. She took a hard hit and my baby still got up. I couldn’t believe it. What was driving this girl?

She ignored the sometimes frantic screams from her coach and all those on the sideline and she just focused. She knew what she had to do. In the past at times she would allow the external forces to get to her and literally crumble into an emotional mess but not this time. This weekend was different. She had teammates falling all around her injured, emotionally and physically but she kept moving and didn’t stop. At the end of the weekend while at home cuddled in bed I asked her what the best part of winning was and she said without hesitation “I can still hangout and play with me friends, and that makes me happy”. It wasn’t the CHAMPIONSHIP medal or the knowledge that her team was doing something that this area soccer group hasn’t done in 10 years. No, what mattered to her was that this adventure with her friends was not ending. With each goal, each push, each kick and head bump they were winning more time to be together. More time to giggle and paint nail’s and make fun of coaches and tease each other. More time to make headbands for each other and find the best snack bar food to eat. More time to hang out and gossip and share and support each other. Oh and a bit more time to kick this ball around a field and score goals and high five each other.

I am so fortunate to be Julia’s mom and I thank god for allowing me to be her mother and raise her. It is an honor that he allows me to care for his child and to let me be a part of his plan for her in this life.

The next part of this story will take place in a few weeks in Palm Springs and I will not make the same mistake I did this weekend. Julia taught me this weekend that she is more than capable of making the unbelievable totally believable. She taught me that the power of friendship can give her the ability to move mountains.

Hurry.. quick.. faster..

I always feel like I am rushing from one place to another, constantly moving. My hand always on someones back tapping them out the door or one hand tugging on another to move. One of my "quotes" is "get ta movin" What the heck does that mean.. Get ta movin, redneck anyone? This morning it was just me and the tiniest bird of course running late. I gently tugged, pulled and encouraged him out the garage door. Does .. "you better hurry or else I am leaving without you" count as gentle? Here I was three bags in my hand, clutching a snack in the other and struggling with the keys to get the mini van door to open. I saw James head disappear and I hear his tiny little voice squeak out, "come here mama, look at the snails, there are lots". I rush over to the other side, 1. to make sure he wasn't going towards the street and 2. to tell him to leave the snails alone and get in the car. This is what I saw..

How was I supposed to drag him away from one of the wonders of every small child's life. The travels of snails. How excited he was, "look at the big eyes mama, ewww gross". I dropped the bags and crouched next to him and we hung out for a bit looking at all the snails and how they were moving really fast ..... for snails that is. He was thrilled and I was sad. Sad that me hurrying could have made him miss such a simple but amazing adventure. I have to stop and slow down. I forget that this little sponge needs some water to soak up. He walks plenty but only to get to places. Does he really stop and inspect like I use to when I was a child. Monday- Thursday just feels like this circus and I am the clown juggling all the balls. Then Friday - Sunday we all recharge and try and slow it down but why does it only happen on the weekend? Why can't every day be treated like a weekend? What did I lose, a few minutes late to work. Hmm late for a job that while I am grateful to have is not very rewarding, doesn't make me so happy and fulfills maybe my pinkie finger full of satisfaction in my life.

By coincidence I read a blog post this afternoon that touched on this same topic. www.huffordhouse.blogspot.com. It seems like I am not alone in this challenge of life. So I ordered a patio set. You know because thats how you slow things down. You sit your butt down. No but really, I need to make these nests around the house. I need places for each of us to get comfortable and rest our weary heads. Less running around and more experiencing. It's a good thing.

Update on 33 before 34

1. Mail out 33 postcards or hand written letters, and no Christmas does not count Not even close. I have to get on this! 2. Find 10 new places to eat Santa Barbara - Jeannies Baker, Santa Cruz - Tacos Moreno, San Fransisco- Louies, Blue Mermaid, Fisherman wharf, 3. Try 33 new recipes Ok this is still a work in progress. Enchilada bake- :(, everything else has been good, turkey meatballs, turkey chilli, all sorts of veggie soups and cream style soups. 4. Learn how to sew on paper and in journals nope 5. Spend 33 minutes outside on the sidewalk with chalk nope, coming up 6. Take 33 self portraits working on it, thanks iphone!! 7. Walk 33 minutes or more 2 times a week HAHAHAHA Haaaaaaaaaa NOT winning on this one. 8. Scrap 33 pages I suck. 9. Journal 33 prompts Coming up! 10. Photo shoot with mom and dad YES Done! Oak Glen and it was Fab! 11. Do a week cleanse at least twice Once only, I didn't really like it, Ok actually twice if you count the unfortunate Ikea food poisoning. 12. 33 random acts of kindness 13. Craft a lot of my Christmas presents nope 14. Buy more Etsy and less Target I have been frequently using Etsy for buys, Julia's b-day was one occasion! 15. Build a nest Yes for Julia's birthday decor 16. Wear more vintage house dresses 17. Wear my fun extensions more often Photo shot! 18. Spend 33 minutes a day working on crafty goodness HAHAHAHA haaaaaaaaaaaaa 19. Photograph 33 new subjects in Macro 20. Eat 33% less taco bell Yes, thanks to Weight Watchers I have eaten less Taco Bell. Which means less of me! 21. Plant 10 new things in the garden, starting with lettuce 22. Blog 33 times 23. Spend 33 dollars in a candy store (that one is going to be hard) 24. Find 33 different ways to tell the kids how much I love them Ok doesn't making dinner and washing clothes count as ways to tell them I love them? 25. Take a 33 day challenge of some sort, maybe walk 33 minutes a day for 33 days? 26. Watch 33 movies, thanks Netflix We got rid of netflix so this one doesn't count! But we have gone to the movie theatre more than ever. That means 2 so far. 27. Once a month craft days 28. Once a month purge days How about once a week purge days!! 29. Host a girls only camping retreat in the cabin Must plan! 30. Take a online class on a new crafting concept Of course, Brave Girls counts right? 31. Pick a subject to photograph and start a collage 32. Host a Porch Wine Night 33. Live in the moment and recognize it, journal it, craft it, express it, share it

Renegade Fair Christmas Edition

This time I went with my mom and sister. I always fill inspired when I attend the Renegade Fair. I come home with so many ideas and projects that I want to start.

I purchased the following items:

2011 Moon Map for Jackson. $10 Kids make your own monster kit from HANDS-ON 3rd complete with everything to make 2 felt monsters including hair and embellishments. This is for Jackson and Julia from Santa. Its so cute and I can't wait for them to open it on Christmas. $20

Crocheted Hedge Hog - this was my steal of the day. Sample Image. $3
Vintage flash cards- Apple, toilet, underwear.... the first card is for Jacks teacher, the last two are going to be used to decorate the bathroom. I know, don't ask. $1 each, total steal!
So I left completely inspired and I want to create the following projects over the holiday season.

Dollie Garland and Wood Chalkboard:

Cross Stitch Home Sweet Home:

I am super excited to craft and really want to work on transforming more of our home into a reflection of our families creativity and love.

Woodland/Fall Forest Friends/Chocolate Party

It's another party. This time Julia has requested a Chocolate party. Only my daughter. So I started to plan it around a woodland theme and it really does fit perfectly. Some ideas to get me inspired.

Fall finds #2

Fall finds #2 by cv715 featuring a vintage coat

Fall Finds #1

Fall Finds #1 by cv715 featuring flats shoes

Lovely finds for fall! I just want to surround myself with all these wonderful things. They make me smile, they make me shine and they make my wallet super light. I may pick up a few pieces but I hope to find equally good finds thrifting.

kids music for a cause

I started reading Pacing the Panic Room a year or so ago and was immediately captured by the photography of Ryan Marshall. Over the past 16 or so months I have been a recent visitor and spent many a hours wandering through his postings, his photography and his video makings. This guy is good. One of his recent projects has been in support of his stepson LB and his diagnose of SMS. Ryan along with various musical buddies, a lot of time and effort and a ton of faith have created a kids album for sale on itunes.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of this album goes to a grant fund he established with PRISMS. The money will be made available to grad students who wish to make SMS their field of choice, the benefit of this is more hard research being done, which leads to more case studies, which leads to more answers for parents and researchers.

As part of a huge blogger movement I have added a widget to help support the launch of his CD. If you notice on the widget at the very bottom there is a Make a Donation feature. This is here for anyone that is moved to make a larger donation than simply buying the album. If you can mention it, or just draw some attention to the fact that it is there, that would be lovely.

For more details about SMS or Ryan and LB visit his blog. I promise you won't regret it. To purchase the CD click below. It's good stuff.

Renegade 2010

It was really everything I dreamed it would be. I am exploding with ideas and ready to craft. Now I just need to find the time. I can't wait till next year!

Crafts.. crafts and some more stuff

Sewing sort of fell off the map of creativity quickly so I am making a second attempt to revive my interest. Rachel Denbow is teaching a beginners class to sewing and I am all over it.

Class description: Home Ec is not just for teenagers anymore, it's for everyone, everywhere!! Leigh-Ann, Courtney and myself have created this online sewing class for beginners and those who want to develop and polish their sewing skills!
We've planned 3 Guides, 26 step-by-step Projects with at least 1 new Sewing Technique in each, 3 Live Chats and a tips post on How to Invent & Adapt projects of your own!

I am super excited and can’t wait to pull out that machine, again.

I did some work on my front porch and now I found the most perfect do it yourself chandelier project.

Found in Sunset magazine, my favorite parts of this project are the mason jars and thrifted baskets. This will look perfect hanging from our front porch. My gut is telling me to paint it white however. And to look for colored gems.

I am super excited to attend the LA Renegade craft fair. I am sort of waiting to fall in love with EVERYTHING!!! Plus I like being around like minded crafty people and I think that is what I will find. Inspiration all along the way.

Summer time is so full of new expierences and fun....

Music moves me.....

Just a few diddies that have been playing through my head:

1000 Awesome Things

So I stumbled onto this blog 1000 Awesome Things today and it really made me pretty darn happy. Not even through the first page and I already could relate to a few of the writers awesome feelings. It made me feel like no matter how different we all really think we are there are some things that can not be denied. Like how awesome it is to get a high 5 from a baby. Check it out and see the mini video about the site and book.

BTW my awesome thing today was a hot piece of BBQ Chicken Pizza when my stomach was growling for attention. Tart BBQ sauce and melted cheese over chicken with red onions... So eating good food when you didn't expect it and were really hungry!!

Cookies and Milk Party!!

Also called... a reason to eat cookies!

So I have been daydreaming about this type of activity for months. Spurred on by images from various blogs it finally took this blog post and offer of freebie artwork to get me to commit. So this summer I will host a Moms Club event themed "Milk and Cookies". I will probably host in July and make it a 2:00pm afar so that the kids can have time to bake/decorate cookies (hopefully while James is asleep) and play some games celebrating the wonderfulness of cookies!! All before Oprah is on. I will handout cookie cutters as a "thank you" for coming gift and my plan is too ask each mother to bring a dozen cookies for a cookie swap. I will also have a giveaway of a cookie jar for one lucky mom to take all her cookies home in. What a fun way to spend some of the hottest hours of the day don't you think? Well except the baking cookies part.. hmm I may have to re-think that option?

Oh and side note: Soy milk will be provided.

Porch Re-Do

I need to re-decorate my tired porch. Actually since I never decorated it to begin with this is actually not so much a re-do as a do-do. Insert childish laughter.. I need a vacation. Anyways there is something about my porch that just kills me. I don't know what it is. No actually that's a lie, I do know what it is. I hate it, the style, the furniture, the fact that junk is piled up behind the Japanese box trees so that it can't be seen from the street. I dream of a porch like this.

Decorated for the Holidays in special personal ways with details and character.

I need a new project like I need another McFrappe (see below) but I desperately want a change.

The HOT MESS that has earned its own post!

Ignore the Christmas decor. Behind the sea of boxes you can see a porch crying out for attention, demanding that it be used for good instead of evil. Yearning to earn the title "Welcome to my Inviting Home", clamoring for some homeowners yearning for the title of "Porch Drunks"and hell bent on drinking boxed wine. Ok so that's a little far but really glass and cement don't mix so well.

Where do I start? Do I save up for a year and hire someone, do I jump right in and hit up yard sales and thrift stores for furniture? Do I put those box trees on craigslist and offer them up, you pull, you haul for FREE? Where will the snails and cats hide once they are gone? Where will I hide my crap from prying eyes? Why do my boots feel so tight today? Did I grab the right thin socks this morning?

Well be assured what ever I do decide will be 100x better than what is there now. Sorry snails, you have been given your eviction notice.

My Summer 2010 Collection

Summer 2010 by cv715

Here a few of my favorite things for this summer.

Clothing: So far the Madden Girl gladiator sandals have come home with me. A visit to DSW and $29.99 later they were mine. They are super comfortable and very stylish with my summer dresses that I have been living in lately. I already own the boots but I think I am in need of replacements this summer so that is on the horizon. The shirt is super cute and I think I am going to be wear a lot of thin leggings with flow shirts for our business casual at the office. The wonderful flop hat in dark brown is lovely and perfect for a trip to the beach or to the backyard with drink in hand. I threw those rain boots in because I want to start looking for discounted pairs now that spring is over. I really needed some this year, Chad's fishing boots were just not doing it for me this past winter.

Food: This summer it will be full of fresh.. fresh what you ask? Well fresh cookies, sushi and hopefully backyard garden veggies. Margaritas with silver tequila are a must.

Jewelry: I own the owl necklace, bought from a sweet etsy seller, the ring is also something I came across in a mall shoe store of all places. Now the feather necklace is something I have been eyeing for some time. I need a summer pair of glasses, my silver trimmed aviator style won't do.

Bathroom goodies: I started early on the self tan project. Most years I will spend May doing the indoor tanning thing to get prepared for summer but not this year. My skin cancer free body would like to continue to be that way. I already have one hole in my leg from a biopsy so I decided to go the self tan route. A few trial and error days and now I have the process down. Between Loreals Bronze Mist and Jergens Foam I have a nice golden color on my skin and its only May 10th. I also stocked up on my summer nail colors of metallic copper and brown.

Decor: I am sticking with my nature look through out the summer. The branches will stay up in the homestead and I plan on adding a few more wood pieces in the bedroom.

Earth Day 2010

Earth Day 2010 by cv715 on Polyvore.com

*yes I know earth day is the 22nd but I am going to be super slammed tomorrow so I posted about it today...

I now cringe when I have to use a cardboard coffee cup. I never thought that I would have a physical reaction to being wasteful but I do. My trips to 7-11 have stopped in favor of brewing tea at work. A move motivated by saving $2 bucks a day but also by trying to reduce waste. Our family recycles bottles and cans, worm composts, grasscycles and thrifts. We try our best to reduce the amount of trash we create and I personally am re-thinking our consumption all the time.

I watched this great video the other day and it really opened my eyes to how easy the explanation of how we are burning (literally) through our natural resources really is. I look forward to sharing it with my kids on Earth Day. Small steps lead to big changes.

Your name in lights

I have this weird fascination with home movies... like I wish I had some of me growing up. I told myself that when I had kids I would start filming them and I did pretty well for awhile. I have a ton of footage of Julia. But then Jack came around as in was born and my Spielberg days were over. Now after seeing this video from Pacing the Panic Room I must confess. I won't sleep another day until I get some montage videos handled. I mean come on dude..... The editing is fab, notice the head nod on the "hey, hey" beats and the blinks of his little guys eyes following the beat of the music. Lovely, pure and simple.

Freezing the Children in the Spring of 2010 from The Panic Room Videos on Vimeo.

Super Cool!

Hey Jude Times Square Subway Station from 39forks on Vimeo.

Window Dressing

I can't handle the blog today....

When I used to work at Universal I would sometimes get to work early just so I could watch the window dressers work their magic on the store windows inside the park. I learned so much watching them create and mold plastic garbage bags, cotton balls, styrofoam, strings of lights, material, cardboard boxes, ribbon and large props into wonderful creations. My favorite time of year was Christmas when the displays were amazing. When I started working in the events department I was even luckier to work with catering and watch tablescapes come to life for every event. Upside down milk crates and misc bowls and dishes from Ikea made wonderful displays. My favorite place in the catering workhouse, the linen closet. Every color, texture, size and style of linen just waiting to be soiled. During my travels through the Internet world I found my way back in front of those windows again. These lovelies have wowed me and inspired me to push that creativity level a little higher.

compliments of http://www.settingthemoodwithjamee.blogspot.com

Preparing for a Baseball Party

Jack turns 7 next week and with the craziness of every ones schedule we decided to host a after practice B-day party with his teammates. This year he was picked up for a minor team and we are all very excited. T-Ball was not going to cut it this year so we are pleased to see him up with the bigger kids.

So I have exactly 7 days to throw this party together. I am of course overflowing with ideas thanks to the internet but I have to remember this party is only 3 hrs long and about 14 teammates will be there. Some ideas I have come across are below, inspiration galore!

Baseball Party by cv715 on Polyvore.com