More Incarnations

The pic I put on facebook was stinky so here are a few more pictures of the metal stamping that I've tried.

I like the wedding date one the best.

Drumroll Please

Turning in the form for preschool tomorrow giving definition to my life for the group of 4 and 5 year olds. Here is what I wrote:

I am a Homefront Maintenance Supervisor
I work at Luitwieler Industries, House of Luit
Some of the things I do everyday include: cajoling, feeding, teaching and loving on the three small members of our company. I cook, clean, sew, kiss boo boos and bring forgotten lunches.
The thing I like best about my job is snuggling my wee ones.

On a side note, I have several "jobs;" I love each one. This one is most important to me.

This is gonna be so much fun

I am a genius. Thank you.

You know, I love talking to other women about the work they do inside their homes and out. If it were at all possible, I would like to have every job for at least a day. There are some fascinating and talented women in my life.

I am developing a weekly interview series with some of the great crafters and artists I have met in Tulsa. Next week we'll start with my friend Amy Poss of "The Possibilities" (cute, eh?). She is a Tulsa jewelry designer and metal artist. Her work is fantastic. You can view her shop at etsy.

Please tune in and also make suggestions. I know you're out there, awesome ladies and cool people.

Little Compartments

It's been a loonnnggg day. Little man does not have school two days a week. He wears me out sometimes. But this is not about him. It is about my recurring struggle to reconcile who I am with what I do. His class is studying occupations. We, his loving and participatory parents are to fill out a little sheet answering these questions:

Name
I am a
What I like most about my job is
Here is a picture of me at my work

While I see the importance of studying occupations, I am loathe to fill in the blank that asks I am a ___________. I feel like writing I am a "person," or "woman" or "homo sapien." I'm so rebellious.

I am a lot of things. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a sister in law, a daughter in law, a business owner, a crafter, a sleeper, a daughter of the King, the list goes on. I don't think the teachers want that kind of answer.

I haven't turned my paper in. I'll let you know what I decide to write.

Ambivalent

I am about up to my eye teeth with pink and red and hearts and cupids. I think we all are. Ironic that a "holiday" designed for love generates such negative feelings. All the tweets I follow are sick of it. Why is our response so violently in the opposite direction?

Is it because we don't want to fall prey, again, to the machinations of capitalistic America, buying more and buying into a day to spend, spend, spend.

Is it because some of us once had a break up or a bad date or a bad gift on this most lovely of loving days?

Or is it because really, we seriously just had Christmas, and New Years and can we just move along for a while without being forced to celebrate something else.

For me the issue is rather complex. I used to love Valentine's Day, when I was young and dumb and sincerely thought that the ripple chested Lothario from the cover of the Harlequin was going to ring that bell, and find me gorgeous and never would I look back. Over the years that turned to cynical outrage at consumer manipulation and of course, the implication that if you were alone, well, you were...alone. Who wants that?

Despite my ambivalence, and present day laissez faire attitude, I do, however, remember distinctly two very different Valentine's days.

High school found me angry and struggling. And hopelessly crushing on a boy up the street. I like to think he is responsible for this memory but I will never know.

The doorbell rang; it was dark in our front yard, late at night and cold. I remember opening the big door and seeing frost on the screen door, the porch light shining into my face. I was confused. My siblings and I were home alone and we were not expecting anyone. No one was there. Straight out of a movie. I wondered if I'd really heard the bell. But my sister was behind me, so she had heard it too. She stayed with me as we opened the door.

Lying on the welcome mat was a huge bunch of flowers wrapped in green tissue. The card had my name on it. We peered from the porch into the winter night. We knew all our neighbors and we knew where to hide when ringing and running so we looked off to the pine trees to the left, round the frozen hydrangeas to the right. Nobody. Nothing. We even looked for footsteps in the frost. It's okay to roll your eyes; I am as I remember.

Inside we opened the card, giddy schoolgirls that we were. It read, "from your secret admirer." We did not recognize the handwriting. I blushed. I'm blushing now. I looked for clues from the cute boy up the street the next day. Nothing. Talked to my friends. Nothing. I never found out who sent the flowers. A part of me wonders if my dad did it, because he knew I needed a little boost. Part of me hoped, and still hopes, that it was the cute boy from up the street.

In college, I found myself, finally, blissfully, in a serious relationship. I had thought it would never happen. And I conveniently wanted to fall back into that rosy tinted glory of February 14th. I expected flowers, a gift, a card, a dinner, a something. A something big and special, outrageous even. Here is what expectations typically get you: disappointment.

I got a heaping pile o' nothing. That's right. Not even a comment. I got him a gift. National Geographic. I know.

After a little fight, (okay it was more than little), and a lot of talk, the situation resolved. Enough that I married that boy. He is not a Lothario from the cover of a romance. He is my husband, imperfect and wonderful. His position is thus, "Why should today be any different? You know I love you because I tell you and show you everyday." And he does. He also makes me mad on a regular basis but that's what humans do.

So, really, I don't need a box of chocolates, or a stuffed animal (really not that). I need what I get everyday from him. Love, affection, companionship, trust, smiles...the real stuff of what makes us us.

Stamped Metal

Oh. My. Stars. I am swooning. Now my angels are always with me! And this way, it's actually quiet...

My New Love and a Messenger Bag

So, I guess my 11 yo is old enough to make her own book lugging decisions. And apparently, it is not cool to use a rolling backpack. Many of the 5th grade crowd, harbingers of taste and cool that they are, carry the ever popular messenger bag. Being the hyper cool mommy that I am, I made her one. It is super cute. My girl loves her new bag and it is actually lighter and easier to use. We are both happy; for now.

Also my metal stamping kit arrived minus a B and a 9, but including two Qs and two 7s. So I could only do my son's name. Let me take a turn around the crazy block and tell you how incredibly happy new craft toys make me. Geeking out right now. Really.

You like?

Hat Juggling

So, here's what I'm thinking about today. I'm just gonna throw this out there because I want to see what you all have to say about this topic.

Sometimes it seems I am the sum of the hats I wear: mom, wife, daughter, sister, business owner, crafter, friend, Christian, reader, consumer, etc. etc. etc. But I rail against that because those are things I do, not who I am (with the exception of Christian because that is a slightly nuanced relationship). There is a disconnect. The sum of those roles does not equal capital M me.

Do you ever feel limited by your definitions of self? Please leave a comment on the blog. You don't even have to have an account; no one needs to know its from you. I just want to hear what you think.

Economic Recovery Legislation; Energy Efficiency Amendment

Below are two sample texts you can use to write your senator about the Energy Efficiency Amendment that is part of President Obama's Economic Recovery Legislation.

Please take the time to find your senator and get the message out there. I know we are all busy and we may not think about stuff like this but it is vital that we participate in our government so it can be by and for the people, as designed.

Now I will step off my soap box. Move along.

Making homes and buildings energy efficient is the quickest and most cost-effective way to help people with their energy bills, reduce foreclosures and create great jobs in every community. I urge you to contact the Senate leadership in support of the Inslee amendment that increases the funding for energy efficiency in the Economic Recovery package. Thank you.

Or

I am writing to encourage Senator X to contact the Senate leadership in support of the proposed Inslee amendment to the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As an (insert your energy affiliation), I believe it is critical that the energy efficiency funds in the Recovery Act be increased, not decreased, to meet the immediate needs of Oklahomans. Too many people can not afford their energy bills and are even losing their homes because of the recent rise in expenses. Making homes, businesses and government more energy efficient will help every community and will create at least 100,000 jobs in this state. I know Senator X will see the value of expanding the energy efficiency infrastructure in Oklahoma Thank you for reading this message.

This would also be a good project for students...

You can find your senator by clicking here.

Soundtrack for a Workout

Music gets me through the days I just. don't. want. to. exercise. Today was kinda one of those days; my back hurt, I was running late on some promised activities, it was cold, and well, I just didn't wanna. My dear husband likes to put the ipod on shuffle and just take what he gets. I can't stand that. I want to listen to what I want to listen to. I want to be the DJ; it is a personal musical device, personal being the first word in that phrase. Personal means I get to pick what I hear. Plus he likes weird music.

So, for fun, I thought I'd tell you my perfect 30 minute set.

You have to start with U2's Desire. Just sets the right tone.
Coldplay's Death and All His Friends followed by their
Viva la Vida
King's of Leon Sex on Fire, which I do not understand but like anyway
These are followed by extended versions of two New Order songs, Bizarre Love Triangle and Blue Monday. This will take you nearly to the end.
If you have time, you do Viva la Vida again and then segue into Desire.

I just broke one of my promises, because this has nothing to do with faith, family or craft, but it seemed like a fun thing to do. Remember, I reserved the right to do whatever I want. That's how I roll. (Unless we put it in craft, as in I'm crafting a new body....?)

What is your perfect workout mix?

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Just wanted to pass along a passalong. I really like this idea and I think I will make one...I know just who will get it, too. Check it out; it looks like a great community of thoughtful inspired women.

http://www.shawlministry.com/

The Code

Hi! You're here. Welcome. It has come to my attention that many of you are in fact clicking my obnoxious links and coming here to read what's on my mind today. Blogs are in fact a form of self flattery; clearly I must think I'm all that to open up my magnificent writing skills for all to partake. You're welcome!

One thing I didn't really count on was that you would really click through. And I may have shared a bit or two that was inappropriate, by my standards, so I wanted you to know the ground rules for myself. I don't want you thinking that this is a place where I will be sharing all your deepest and darkest secrets. Just mine...not that I have any.

The Code

• I promise I will never write about you without your permission.
• If that is true for you, then you must assume it is true for all.
• I will avoid all topics concerning a certain private school unless it relates directly to the actual education of our children. Did you know they did that there?
• I will restrict myself to topics that relate to the following headings: family, faith, craft. I reserve the right to change my mind about this, for no apparent reason.
• I cherish my friends and love getting your feedback.

'kay. That's it. Love that you give me a little time in your day. Love seeing your smiling faces. Love knowing some great people. Have a good one.