oooh, l@@K! a shiny object!

We have been teasing Henry all week about his inability to focus. He will sit down to do something and within seconds, get distracted.  It's laughable as it happens quite frequently.  He also has a bad habbit of procrastination.  He had a book report due this week and we were literally printing it off 10 minutes before we had to walk out the door (he wrote it the hour before) on Thursday morning.

yet...  he manages.  and gets good grades.

To discover where he learned these habits, you don't have to look far.  {gulp} Yes, I admit, I have those same traits.  It's easy to point out in someone else, but not always easy to admit about yourself.  My job will be to help him understand how to use those faults abilities to his benefit and not his detriment.

When I was in high school, oh so many years ago now, there were no honors classes.  Or if there were, I wasn't aware of them and wasn't enrolled in them.  I managed to keep focus and get good grades, but was also easily distracted and procrastinated.  I discovered that if I always kept busy and close to over-extended, I managed better. 

Not much has changed.  I am the same today, but am finding that my purpose on earth is being challenged, or in the process of being redefined.  I don't have a packed schedule, nor a busy job, and so I've lost my UMPH! lately.  The year of 2012 is a self-defined year of focus for me.  On what?  I have no idea.  So I am easily distracted, once again, by shiny objects.  Looking to find myself.  My midlife self.  What does that mean to me? A new job?  A new passion?  Why isn't it coming easily to me?  the answers, I mean.

{sigh}

I could spend hours and hours blog hopping and internet surfing.  Guess you could say it's a passion. We're supposed to find our passion and turn it into a career, right?  That's what they say. However, I'm not sure I could turn that into a career, but it sure is fun.  I love peering into other people's lives and seeing what makes them tick. Aren't we all voyeurs on some level?  How else would sites like Pinterest get started?!  So, one of the more recent blogs I find fascinating is Kate's over on thesmallthingsblog.  She has fabulous videos, tutorials, and fashion ideas.  I've never been a girly-girl, but she makes it look easy.  Maybe it's time to reinvent myself in this way too.  One of the company's she recommends and highlights often is BirchBox.  They have a customer program where you receive a box of samples monthly.  Great!   Just what I need to get me inspired.  Sign-me-up!  Except for they've been sold out for months.  Instant gratification {poof}....  until last night when I recieved an email that it was my turn to sign up!  yippeeeeee.   So I've signed up and will soon receive a box monthly of new ideas, inspiration and fun, all wrapped up in a little pink box.  If you're interested in jumping on this beauty bandwagon, use my link here and I'll get referral points.

....look, a shiny object!

checkmate {flipping for Friday}

So proud of my youngest son!  He has been participating in afterschool chess club for three years now.  It started out as fun, with a little competition mixed in.  I believe he was something like #34E (whatever that means) when he began.  Last year he was able to participate in a couple of tournaments.  This year's schedule hasn't allowed that, but he's still having fun.

I picked him up after school yesterday and he informed me that he is #2 of the kids' afterschool club in his school.  I happened to take this photo of him playing back before Christmas break.  He is playing with the current #1 champion, and a good friend.  I love that my little man enjoys using his brain to master the game and that he truly enjoys playing chess with anyone that will give him the time to sit and play. 

Go O!!  Keep honing those skills that will help you go far in processing, making friends and strategizing into adulthood.  You've got this proud Momma flippin' with joy this Friday!

What's got you flipping for Friday?

catch the {creative} spirit of the season

I've come across quite a few crafty videos lately...  they just make me smile. 

I hope they do the same for you on this fine Friday in December.  May you enjoy slowing down just a bit and partaking in some holiday creativity and silliness going on around the world.

From Alaska...




To Haiti...



and everywhere in-between!







these can get very addicting!  go on, go ahead, share the joy!

And if you're in the mood to BLOG HOP...  link up and follow along!  I'm flipping for Friday and joining Never Growing Old today with her Follow Friday 40 and Over.

Fill in the Blank Friday

Found a new way to celebrate Friday... over on The Little Things We Do, she has a link up for filling in the blank. Because I'm recovering from some kind of flu bug today, not thinking too hard about a post sounds ideal!

Join in the fun if you're blogging and looking for something new to share today!

1.  The holiday season is generally not my favorite time of the year.  I know, I know.  Surprising, right?  I'm not scrooge or a ba-humbug, honest.  It's the obligations that are put-upon the holidays themselves.  People forget the reason for the season, quite honestly, and that's what bothers me most.  Knowing that I tend to get a tad grumpy about it each and every year, I will do my best this year to put on a smile and instead, wish you a genuine MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2.  Snow makes me {uh-oh, sensing a theme here}....  grumpy.  Ha!  Sure, it's pretty and all, when you're on the INSIDE looking out, but I really am a California girl trapped in a MinneSNOWta world.

3.  The best comfort food to eat when it’s cold out is hotdish. For those not familiar with the vernacular, it's another word for casserole.  Leftovers, combined together and tossed into the oven at 325* for 30 minutes.  Voila.  Dinner!

4. Winter is the best time for catching up with girlfriends and finishing projects in the house. 

5.  I can hardly wait for Spring!

6.  When it comes to holiday gifts I prefer to sit back and watch. I do not need anything.  I'd much rather gift, volunteer or donate than add more materialism to the holiday.

7.  If I were to rate my excitement about the holiday season on a scale from 1-10, I would say I am at about a 6 so far this year. We haven't figured out what to do about a tree yet, nor decorated.  We will probably dig out the ol' Charlie Brown Christmas tree because of the new puppy.  I'm really looking forward to the holiday break with the boys, however, and making the most of each and every day spent with family and friends.

Flipping for Friday!

Where in the world did this week go?  It just flew by quickly, although I don't feel like I accomplished much.  I guess it helps to summarize, on occasion, to keep sane, right?  So here goes.

My highlights this week, in no particular order:

• finally seeing the scale move in the right direction and losing four pounds in the last two weeks (the same four pounds I lost in the Spring, but it's a start and I'm excited to say I have a goal of another 6 pounds by Christmas)
• being over-the-top thrilled for my boys in their passion for music (Henry started Select Choir on Wednesday and Oliver sang at the Mayor's breakfast)
• living paycheck-to-paycheck, but staying above-water in an otherwise crazy economy (thankful to have a job, even if it's not following my passion rightthisveryminute)
• finding a local merchant who will make us a farm-table for 1/3 the cost we originally thought we would have to pay for an heirloom table (old set now for sale on Craigslist); in our effort to change things up again, because we can, I am also still trying to find a buyer for our gently-used, excellent condition sofa/loveseat if you know anyone looking.
• beautiful weather ahead this weekend to do all of the activities on the agenda below, as well as finish up the outdoor projects at home
• volunteering for set-up of the All Saints Carnival and inspiring my son to do the same!

My Saturday, however, will be crazy busy, so I am praying that Father Time slows things down starting about 4 o'clock this afternoon.  It looks something like this:  Going to the chiro in the morning, then I have lunch with my friend Ginny, Hank has basketball evaluations, JP and I are going to see aforementioned table/craftsman's workshop in Minneapolis at 2 pm, Hank has jumping at SkyZone for church and then a party at night.  Phew!!  I'm exhausted just typing it all out.  Oh, and it's a costume party and I don't want to purchase anything to wear...  must.get.creative!

I hope that YOU have a wonderful weekend ahead of you...  and that you take time to be thankful for the abundance in your life.  Look around, you'd be surprised at all of the little things that add up to big ones.

There is nothing to practice.

To know yourself, be yourself.

To be yourself, stop imagining yourself to be this or that.

Just be.

Let your true nature emerge.

Don’t disturb your mind with seeking.

Nisargadatta Maharaj

dUk DuK dAzE

summertime fun

It was a scorcher...  but then again, it always seems to be that way when the local festival arrives on Northwood Parkway.  The boys and I took a trip down to give some local love to the Duk Duk Daze festival last weekend.  They played a few games at the token games put on by the New Hope Women of Today and then we walked over to see the firehose display by WestMetro fire fighters.  They couldn't resist running into the spray and taking turns with holding the hose.

The night was made crazier by a car fire in the church parking lot where we normally sit to watch fireworks.  So instead we decided to escape the fumes and headed down the hill and join the crowds.  Because of the heat and high humidity, the fireworks were a little less exciting this year...  but they did make for some cool photo effects!

Another midsummer event come and gone...  time is flying by far too quickly!

Ready to get "blissed out" baby!

Today will be a great day! 
This weekend, even better!   

Leaving work early to road trip it five hours from Minneapolis to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. I am generally not a fan of road trips {especially as a passenger} but will make the trek with my girlfriend Ginny riding shotgun!  We lucked out and found a last minute room and will be staying at the Grand Geneva, where the Yoga Journal conference is being held.

Ginny and I are both signed up for six sessions, only parting ways once - she will do a chataraunga class {something I'm not quite ready to master and do not wish to make a fool of myself trying} and I will get out of my comfort zone and try yoga with music* instead.  Our weekend ends late afternoon Sunday and then we drive home.  I'll be dragging tail come Monday morning, but this opportunity is soooo worth it!  Time with a girlfriend to zen out, work on our yoga postures and leave the cares of regular life behind us for three days.

M1EZRA | Maty Ezraty
Shoulder Openers and Alignment | Asana practice with discussion.
(Therapeutic, Mixed levels)(Sat, 8:00am-10:00am)

M2JOHN | Sean Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band
The Groove Is in the Heart: Heart-Opening Vinyasa Practice 
Mostly asana with chanting. (Mixed levels)(Sat, 10:30am-12:30pm)

M3CRAN | Jason Crandell:
Opening Your Hips and Aligning Your Shoulders
Mostly asana (Mixed Levels, Beginners)(Sat, 3:30pm-5:30pm)

M4FOLA | Lilias Folan
The Joy Is in the Journey | Teachers welcome to take notes.
(Mixed Levels)(Sun, 8:00am-10:00am)

M5CORN | Sean Corn
Yoga for a Broken Heart | Practice and discussion.
(Mixed Levels)(Sun, 10:30am-12:30pm)

M6CRAN | Jason Crandell
Moving Toward Stillness
Mostly asana with discussion. (Mixed Levels)(Sun, 3:30pm-5:30pm)

*My second session on Saturday will be the one with the music of Sean Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band {playing in the background of the video above}.  Just might have to add a CD to my retail-therapy shopping bag while perusing the vendors this weekend. 

Signing off the blogosphere after midday Friday and blissing out....

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!

Funny Friday

Payin' it forward...

Today is one of those days in blog-land where everyone "flips, hops & follows".  I wonder if anyone will come to read my blog today?  Generally I take a few minutes over my cup of coffee and link up, follow and read along with others.  It's fun to find new friends online and fill the mind with ideas, information and inspiration.

Today is one of those days where I hear on the airwaves during my commute to work that it's "Drive Thru Difference" day at KTIS.  I have driven through Starbuck's many a Friday and paid for the car behind me.  I even did this once in McDonald's and the car was filled with a family full of hungry eaters.  It's good to feel like I've made a difference in someone's morning.  But today I brought my coffee with me from home, so I have spare change in my pocket.

Today is one of those days where I need to do something just a little different.  Okay, so not as much different that if you're a regular follower you know that I have become a regular reader and proponent of Adeye's blog and desire to make a difference.  I do not know her personally, but it is so very evident that she is a compassionate, loving mother...  a mother of ALL children of the world.  And as I've done in the past, I'm going to link up her story here on the chance it touches YOUR heart and you can also spread the word and spare some change...  change that, when added up, makes a huge difference in someone's life.

Maybe you too will feel tug on your heart strings to make a difference...  because TODAY is all we're promised.

Will you pay it forward?

Today is one of those days.

Our crazy, busy life!

Where has this week gone? I seem to recall saying that about the weekend before as well. Time doesn't stand still and neither do we.

Monday: We enjoyed a 6th grade concert of band, choir & orchestra at the middle school. Henry also received a "gold medal" at the presentation after the concert for his solo before a judge earlier in the year.

Tuesday: I worked a very long day and ended it with dinner at Jake's with the same work group.

Wednesday: Oliver came home with news that he made it into All District Choir for 5th grade in the fall. I cannot wait to be a part of his year of singing. I had so much fun doing that with Henry.

Thursday:  The elementary school carnival was in full swing and while we were cooking hot dogs, making popcorn and supervising the inflatables, Oliver ran amuck with his friends!

which brings us to Friday:  After a busy week of running we are celebrating our successes with dinner out as a family!

There's a forecast of RAIN again for the next four days...  might be a good weekend to stay in and get something done...   or go to a matinee!

Finally Friday...

Just in time for the weekend, a heatwave {sense slight sarcasm} is on its way!  We will take it!!  A few flurries today and then some weather in the 30's.  Sure beats negative temperatures and maybe it's a sign that we're headed into Spring after all.  A girl can hope, right?

Day 9 of JP's recovery...   the doctor said JP would hate him the first 10 days.  I believe that he was right on with that statement.  I took JP to a post-op appointment yesterday and it appears that he is healing well.  He still hasn't been able to eat/drink like he should, however, so I am hopeful that that turns around sometime today!  He's lost 10 lbs in the past week too.  I haven't seen much of my husband in the last week as he's been holed up in the bedroom for most of the time.  I am prayerful that he is on the mend swiftly this weekend and will be able to return to work next Tuesday.

Weekend ahead:  I am taking the boys out to dinner and a movie tonight to start our weekend.  Breakfast with Ginny on Saturday morning.  The boys sing at church for two services on Sunday.  And lots of chores to finish up around the house too.

Lookout weekend, here we come!

Admittedly so...

The topic du jour this week at our house has been gray hair.  No, not the rabbit kind, as much as I wish that were the case.  I was talking with Henry about getting my hair cut & colored this weekend and he asked why I would get it colored.  Try as I might to avoid the topic [of getting older and having it show], I was honest and told him I had a few gray hairs.  He laughed-out-loud and assured me that couldn't be the case!  Such a sweet boy.  I've taught him well.  Some ribbing went back and forth along the lines of at least I have hair to gray...  and he may take the route of his father's genetics and not have any by this age to gray.

Unfortunately, the truth stings a little, especially when staring in the mirror this morning and drying the multi-colored locks that sit atop my head.  At one particular moment, a flash of silver caught my eye.  I left it sit, tousled and glaringly obvious, and called to Henry to come in and see what I had discovered.  {gasp}  {giggle}  {grin}  Yeah, doubting Thomas no more.

"Oh, it's a good thing your appointment is tomorrow then, huh?"

Yeah...  thanks, Son.

Flippin' for Friday... and my first giveaway!

When I first started blogging it was very therapeutic...  replacing my little girl's diary and young woman's journal - this was the perfect venue for getting my thoughts to paper, er, um, computer screen.  As the year's have worn on, it has taken on a life all its own.  I've even got more than one blog to keep up with now.  After finding out that I could actually track/map where people came from that found my blog, I puffed up my chest a little and thought, "wow, maybe I do have something worth saying, enough so that people all of the over world are reading it!"

Sally Field's acceptance speech comes to mind
"they like me, they really, really like me!"

So sure, step back into reality, and I tell myself, Jules, those map pings can simple be people who have stumbled upon your blog and realized it was nothing much at all. Yet, even with minimal followers (because who am I kidding, I'm a middle-aged mother of three who really doesn't have much to say), I continue to blog.  It's not about attaining a following for me, but finding and making new online friends is always a bonus.

I believe I've been doing this for over three years now and while the reasons for continuing have ebbed and flowed like a river in Minnesota, it's still very calming and therapeutic to me.  I have also really enjoyed checking into others' worlds of blogging over the years.  I am following quite a few that I check on regularly...  I consider them my virtual friends and while I don't know most of them IRL and comment only occasionally, it's still amazing to me that our friendships can cross such mountains and oceans - even virtually - to become connected.

Within this virtual world are so many other paths and personas that a blog can take on...  fund-raising, giveaways and products, oh my!  Sometimes I find myself overwhelmed with the amount of stuff contained on a blog.  The ads alone I find obnoxious (I mute commercials, need I say more?), but never thought I'd see myself blogging a giveaway...  yet....  I was contacted this week and asked if I would offer one up.

Who me?  Seriously, did you see how many followers I [don't] have?  But sure, why not.  Count me in!!

Figured I'd wait until everyone's paying attention - well, those who actually stopped by today from another Friday follow blog/hop (which means I have to go actually do the linky thing, another blog phenomena I have yet to figure out) - and see if I can get at least a dozen to participate before drawing a name on Sunday.

Are you game?  Here's the giveaway...   

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish furniture, a leather briefcase, or great cookware!

 

The winner of my very first giveaway will receive a promotional code to spend $35 on any item of their choosing on any of their 200+ websites for shoes, decor or anything in between.  

How great is that?  Free money to spend.  Shopping.  Does it get any better?  To get your name in the drawing simply leave me a comment any time between now and NOON (CDT) on Sunday (don't forget we turn the clocks back an hour this weekend)...  and I will add your name to the hat.  I won't make it any more difficult than that (I know other blogs that have a gazillion rules, but not me - keeping it simple for my first giveaway).  Make sure that your comment contains an email or that your name links back to a blog where I can get in touch with you if you win.

And if you follow along for the fun of it, I will definitely follow back and say hello!

Once Upon a Time...

I knew this wonderful, amazing & inspiring designer, named Jeffrey. He changed the way I look at the world, in more ways than one. His design style is what I like to call eclectic, full of color and mixes in a little bit of old world with the new.

Last night I enjoyed dinner with a friend of mine at a new restaurant in town called the BLVD.  I have yet to find a website for the place but there are plenty of reviews to be found.  What struck me first and foremost, however, was the wall of antlers above a fireplace.

 

Immediately I knew that this trend had to have been inspired by my friend, Jeffrey.  Notice the similarity?  Interesting and stunning.  In the restaurant, however, it was just about the only thing (besides a bunch of mirrors tilted from the wall...   vanity much?) that spoke of design.  Oh, well, there were also the bathrooms that had a few design elements, but I'll let you discover those for yourself.

So, for my two cents on the restaurant itself, I agree with other reviewers, for the most part.  A tad disappointed that if you wanted bread, you were charged for it.  In Minnesota, at least, we are used to complimentary warm bread at the table.  The yummy looking loaves were displayed just outside the open kitchen and as we watched the manager of the restaurant cut off a piece and taste it, it felt just a little bit like a tease.  I'd also suggest you go early.  It was PACKED by 5 pm on a Thursday.  The food is rather pricey for local fare, but the flatbread (pizza) was very good for $10. The bottled water was actually tap water, but the waitress made sure to express that it was filtered when I joked about it out loud.  It ended up looking like a "swell place to hang out" or a pick-up joint  for the older crowd (LOL!) after a while.  Interesting mix of "momma's kitchen meets eclectic".  Definitely worth a try.  Once.

Oh, and I think between waitstaff and chefs, there were at least a dozen bald men...  stopped counting after a while and that doesn't even count the ones who were there as patrons!

Yulia ...nka... Julia

Such a beautiful name...  JULIA
I am named after my Great-Grandmother, Julia Champman.  And if you saw my side-bar button recently about Yulia's plight (stranded in a crib in the Ukraine) to find her forever family...  God has worked another of His wonderful miracles and her forever family is plowing "full steam ahead" to bring her home!

An update and her family's blog can be found here:
For the Love of Julia

Please keep this family in your prayers as they work through the months ahead!

Rejoice in the Sunshine

It is surely a blessing today that the temperature will reach into the 80's one last time this season in Minnesota, and quite possibly tomorrow too.  I am taking full advantage of the gift, and plan to play hookey from work in the afternoon to walk through the park with JP and the dog.  I will have to remember to bring my camera along and take some photos of God's tapestry among the trails at French Lake.

May each of you have

a wonderful day as well, 

from wherever you are reading, 

and catch a ray of sunshine too!

Grab my code:


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Sowing Seeds

As much as I would love to adopt a little girl, it's not in my future. However, I've been recently inspired (once again) by Adeye's blog to sow the seeds and spread the word about someone else's dreams. You may have noticed a few of the recently added buttons along the right-hand side of my blog. These are all families trying to raise money to bring home a child. Sometimes these fundraising efforts come with give-away incentives, other times not. Today I am inspired by Connie and her family, and just wanted to spread the love and share another story by linking it to my blog today. If you're so inspired, have a few dollars to spare and don't know where your money can do the most good, please consider helping this family feather their nest with abundant love.

Priorities

I've been lacking in post material lately.  It's certainly not because life is boring, but rather my priorities lately have been to turn OFF the electronics when I get home in the evening and on the weekend.  Last weekend I spent Saturday with all of my boys.  We walked through the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden and took some time to enjoy the sculptures while we took Alek's senior pictures.

We hadn't seen Alek since April, so the boys took full advantage of catching up on playing video games too!  It was fun to listen to all three of them lying on the carpet and discussing game strategy again.

On Sunday last, I also took Henry to see the musical WICKED at the Orpheum in Minneapolis.  I had seen the show two years ago when it as in town and loved it.  I knew that Henry is at the perfect age to enjoy it too.  So I splurged a little and got us 6th row seats.  We grabbed a Coke at the Irish pub next door before finding our seats.  During intermission we walked down to look into the orchestra pit.  He was surprised to see how bit it was and also that local musicians could join the orchestra while it was in town.  I think I might have a companion for future musicals in Henry.  He's hooked!

The rest of the week's fun events have been spent at work.  Did a little volunteering work with Hands On Twin Cities on Tuesday...  I could see myself doing something along those lines for a daily career.  I also spent some time on Thursday handing out t-shirts for our annual "BSC Day @ the State Fair" coming up on Saturday.  Henry was super excited to see the design this year and thinks it's the "best one yet."

The weekend ahead is predicted to be a hot one!  Neither Oliver or I do well in hot & humid, so our plans will be defined by exactly how well the weatherman predicts what happens with the weather each weekend day.  I am also taking Monday off from work and we're going to take the boys to IKEA and the MOA one last time before school starts.  The boys have all-you-can-ride-until-you-puke wristbands for the Nickelodeon park and want to get there when the doors open!  

The end of August is in sight, the beginning of school is just around the corner...  priorities are shifting and we're going to take advantage of what's left of summer!  I hope you're enjoying yours too!

If you're blog hopping today, thanks for flipping for Friday! Leave a quick comment to let me know you were here, so I can come and visit you, too!

The F Word

Feeling fat & frumpy. 
Less than fit, and a little bit fluffy. 
Still fabulous at forty-something, however.

Caught myself contemplating life this morning in front of the mirror and I still cannot believe I have another birthday around the corner.  When do they stop coming?!  Oh, yeah.  When we're dead.  Well, I obviously do not wish THAT to happen anytime in the near future.  So I guess I'll just brace for the inevitable.

The mirror still smiles back at me and I must say that there are minimal wrinkles, crows feet or laugh lines.  That doesn't mean that I don't smile, laugh or cringe, but perhaps I have the "good Chapman blood" raging through my veins and my skin will always look youthful.  One could only hope.  I have a friend who recently went to get botox in her brow.  I guess it only lasts a matter of months. It looked good although I couldn't tell you if it looked wrinkled to begin with?!  I think I'd rather put my money away for vacation instead.  That seems to me to be a far better stress reliever and cure for wrinkles. 

So in the weeks and months ahead, I know that I will be feeling far differently about my body and being forty-something.  I won't be the only one paying attention to my figure.  And that's just fine with me. 

What makes you flip for fridays?

Flipping for Friday

I don't have one of those "linky" tools yet, or the time to figure out how they work.  But if your cartwheels online today have landed you here, please leave a comment and tell me what makes you SMILE and flip for Friday?  Feel free to follow me and grab my button along the right-hand side of my blog and add it to yours.  I promise to entertain, enlighten or share a piece of my life with you too!

After having spent an hour on the grounds of a Hindu Temple, doing yoga as the sun set last night, I am flipping for Friday because I feel restored & renewed.  The stretching and meditation that I have begun to make a part of my daily routine has allowed me to put things into perspective.  On top of that, I am sleeping more soundly at night too.  What's not to  FLIP  about, huh?

So, this is as simple as I can make it right now to follow along:

• Follow Mining with Rarejule and at least one other new blog. * until more people follow me [which, hey, I believe could possibly happen...  some day] and I figure out the linky thing, you'll have to follow other blogs by clicking on their profile in FOLLOW.
• Flip through many blogs as you can, be sure to leave a comment telling them you’re visiting from Flipping for Fridays.
• Follow the blogs you want and return a visit back to your new commentors.
• Feel free to grab the button and the  fLiPpInG  code to and paste it up on your blog.