What my Allume Roomies should know...

The first thing you need to know is that I feel like a fake right now. Keeping up with my blog is pretty low on my priority list this week, this month, this summer... and though I really, really, really want to write I just have no discipline, no motivation. I even just want to send you to last year's "10 things my roomies should know" post--most of it still applies.

For your sake (and for mine) I'm not going to lock myself into finding 10 things this year.

So why, you ask, if blogging is not a top priority right now, are you going to a blogging conference?

ONE WORD:

COMMUNITY!!

The time I spent at last year's Allume conference still fills me with happy memories! It's a lot of fun, y'all!! I have to say y'all, because it's in the south this year. Which brings me to change number one from last year. I'm flying this year, not driving, which means I won't have room for my own pillows this year... maybe one of you more local people could bring me an extra or two... (j/k, I'll be fine)!

Now I really have no concern sharing a room with someone I don't know that well (although last year, I joked about ax murderers and all) Truth is, I really didn't spend much time in my room at all last year. I do however, anticipate that I might toss and turn a bit trying to get comfortable, but more likely I will wake up with a stiff neck from not moving all night for fear I would disturb you...

I'm a people pleaser... I like people to like me. I don't want to offend you. I hate confrontation. So if anything is bothering me, I will just try to find a way around it, or ignore it, or ignore you... okay, not quite that far!

I am NOT getting new business cards this year... just coming with the plain old ones I had last year with the horribly dark picture of me... If you want to see what I really look like, you can find me on twitter, on instagram, on facebook, on pinterest, and on google+

I am still highly addicted to Dark Chocolate and will love you forever if you show up with Dove Dark Chocolate... (by the way... come back tomorrow for 31 days of Dove Promises) ... you know you want to...

I still make handmade notecards and am working on moving beyond hobby and I opened an etsy shop last month!! I've made a few sales and also have a few more orders in the works! Check it out, here! See something you like? Message me about a free shipping code and I'll deliver your order in person at Allume!

I went to Allume last year because I wanted to grow in my blogging. My blog is still pretty much the same as it was a year ago. However, I made many new friends, learned soo much that's still brewing in my head, and had a great time of rest and refreshment! I am also looking forward to more music/singing/worship this year.

I can't believe it is less than 4 weeks away and I'm soo looking forward to seeing old friends, meeting new friends and making even more new friends!!

Will I see you there??!?

Five Minute Friday: She

 Friends, I wrote this last weekend... ya know on Friday or maybe Saturday, and then somehow it never got posted... Now wonder I'm failing at blogging. So it's a week later, but here it is. Me in all my five minutes of writing on the Five Minute Friday prompt: She




She wants to be a writer, but she's kinda lazy. Being a writer takes effort, work, commitment... and the ability to ignore some distractions.

But she... she is overly distracted, overly overwhelmed, overly tense and uptight.  She wants to write, but she's afraid of what might actually come out. When she can't make sense of what's in her head, what will it look like on paper, in ink, or on the computer screen.

She's always been a bit of a pessimist... and that discourages her even more. She's not miserable, just not right.

So she attempts to write without worrying if it's just right and hoping that 5 minutes isn't enough time to do much damage.

She loves community, but it scares her to death. What if she is rejected? Why is everyone else having such a good time? SOmetimes she isn't even sure how to write, blog, tweet, connect...

She is in desperate need of a weekend at Allume and she is counting down the days when the walls of the computer screen are broken down and there is connection again. A reminder of why she does this anyway. A shot in the arm of encouragement, inspiration, worship, and good food.

She is me... and she might be you.

What you need to know: Allume Roommate Edition

this is what I look like with glasses... which I never wear in public.

So we are down to THREE WEEKS until Allume Social and I am super excited! For many reasons... come back next week for the things I'm looking forward to! :)  But this week is all about what my roommates need to know.

Yes, I am staying in a hotel room with 3 girls I met on-line (here's hoping none of them are ax murderers).  Which I'm sure they aren't... just check out their websites. Crystal, Monica, and Mary Beth.

So in the spirit of the Allume Community, here are 10 things they should know.

1. I love DARK chocolate, and coffee, and Nutella, and DARK chocolate. (I know Hershey is just minutes away, but it just doesn't compare to Dove dark chocolate) :)

2. I must sleep on the right side of the bed (when looking at it) and I can not be in the position of closest to the door... You never know who might try to break in at night and I figure I have a better chance of survival if I'm not the first person they come across... Selfish, I know, but I want to be able to sleep... for a couple of hours at least!

3. I am left handed... and proud of it.

4. I'll be so busy all day long that I won't think of my family hardly at all. Until it's time to go to bed, then I might cry like a baby!

5. Because I am not flying, I will be bringing my own pillow... maybe 2. I hope my ride, Donna, is okay with that (also someone I met through a twitter party).

6. I am a pessimist and often the party pooper. I'm hoping you can break me of this.

7. I make handmade cards ... but not as much as I would like. I may bring a sampling to ask for your opinion... Would you buy them? How much do you think they are worth? etc.

8. I'm very insecure (see #7) and I worry too much what other people think. I know in my head that you guys love me and will welcome me with open arms, but I'm still very nervous!

9. I grew up with all sisters, so this whole room sharing thing, I'm good at it... although I might act shy at first.  The FMF party should  cure me!

10. I'm a follower, not a leader. I hate to make decisions.

and so as to not end on a negative note... I seriously can't wait to meet you!!!

to you and all my other future Allume best friends, you can find me...

on twitter
on facebook
trying to sell my cards
on pinterest



PS. did I mention chocolate? and coffee?


See you at Allume!  Can't Wait!!

Project 52 --Favorites

This week's theme for Project 52 is Favorites.
It brings to mind the crazy list things that people used to post on facebook back in the day. So before I share my photo of the week, here's a little "getting to know me" moment! :)

Favorite color --yellow or purple
favorite food --chocolate, tacos, brownies, good steak, chicken alfredo, ice cream...
favorite animal--wildlife outside my window
favorite flower--daisies
favorite sport--soccer
favorite season--summer
favorite holiday--any one spent with family
favorite number--4
favorite tv show--changes all the time... Psych, Castle, Monk,
favorite summer activity--campfires and smores
favorite hobby--making cards
favorite cupcakes --Frosted
favorite music --country ...or contemporary worship
favorite candy --3 Musketeers or Reese's Pieces
favorite store --Target
favorite drink --coffee
favorite constellation --Cassiopeia

but it all comes down to my favorite kids in the whole wide world...

and is linked up to

 
Previous Project 52 entries 

Mothers

Still Life

Fiesta
Green
Things That Grow

PS... What are some of YOUR favorites?!

Ultimate Blog Party 2012

Time to party like it's 2012!!

I always love blog parties and link ups... it makes me feel loved to get lots of hits to my blog and even some fun comments!  So it's time to enjoy some partying, blog hopping, meet new friends, visiting time... ya know, in between caring for my kids, making meals, writing, crafting, cleaning my house, paying the bills... all the other important things that need to be done!

This is me! I'm a princess, a child of the King!

This is my One Word for 2012... every day I need grace, my kids need grace, you need grace, God gives grace!

I love ... my husband, my kids, my God, my coffee, wide open spaces, being alone, making cards, giving thanks, and most recently, trying my hand at writing.  My blog seems to be morphing every day, but here's a little bit of what you will find here.

Recipes... some of my favorites are ... save the day dinner! ... is there any better combination than Bacon and Feta Cheese?  and I love this secret ingredient soup!

Craft projects, like my rag wreath ... or letting my kids use my card making supplies... or how Pinterest made me even craftier!

my handmade cards... birthday cards, Valentine's, Thanksgiving, Ombre inspired, baby shower...
if you want to see the collection I'm donating to the UBP Prize Pool, check out this post!

my 1000, infinite gifts... always counting, counting!

and writing... some of my favorites
Where I'm From
Some fun Five Minute Friday entries.... Loud, Vivid,  Awake,  Trust
a little poetry, Amazing


Okay, so that is just entirely too many links, but I hope you will take the time to visit a few of them and get to know me just a little bit better!  Thanks for joining the UBP 12!!

My lemonade stand

I never set out to be a writer. When I started blogging almost 8 years ago, it was an outlet as a new mom, mostly used for keeping my out of town family up to date on the antics of my kids. I met a few blogging friends along the way, but never developed a niche or passion.

I dabbled in photography --maybe just photo-taking, shared recipes, occasionally talked spiritual things I was learning, experimented with Five Minute Friday, and always used it for counting my gifts. I guess that would make me a memoir blogger.

But in reality, I'm a crafter, an artisan, if I want to be bold. I started this, my second blog, with the intention of promoting my handmade stationery and gaining exposure for my online card shop. I thought if I showed my cards here on the blog, more people would like them and buy them... But actually doing that takes time, commitment, investment, discipline. .. and it didn't really happen!  I don't have any spare change floating around to invest in getting my lemonade stand out to the street where it can be seen!

So while my real desire is to grow my craft, my actions don't show that because I can go weeks without spending time in my craft room. But then I start to get antsy... And cranky! And mad at myself for not prioritizing!

The real problem is that I haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up. There's too many great choices out there and I still haven't figured out which one is for me!

I'm a wife and a mom... Which makes me a housekeeper, a chauffeur, a cook and maid. I'm a friend and encourager...or at least I try to be. But those are things that everyone does. But what makes me unique? What do I have to offer the world, the body of Christ??

I enjoy taking pictures but don't consider myself a photographer.

I never considered myself a blogger, but I have fallen in love with writing... But I haven't figured out if I do it for myself, for God, or for the praise of men?

Then there is cooking, baking and sharing recipes. I used to find such satisfaction in preparing yummy things... But with 4 young kids, it became overwhelming and a matter of survival to just find something to eat!

And card making... It still makes me smile, and I feel most fulfilled when I create new cards that get rave reviews (which never really happens, but I can pretend). But card making takes time and effort every.single.time!

Hand made crafting isn't like writing and publishing an book. A TON of work goes into a book, but then once it's published you just reap the rewards... every time you sell another copy. If I want to make my cards successful, I have to be creative every single time I sit down! Even when I am copying a card I've created before, it is still a process. Each card takes time and effort, even when it's a set of the same card. A lot of time and energy goes into each card I make, and you just can't put a price on that.

Wow, I feel like I'm starting to whine, but I'm just trying to share my heart. I need someone to help me figure out this God sized dream of mine...

In addition to a Write it, Girl challenge, I need a Create it, Girl challenge!

I also need to hibernate and create/craft for a day...or two!!




This Write it, Girl post seems to be a little bit all over the place. I went to bed last night with nothing to write about... pulled out the iPad (new to me... because hubby got a NEW one) and started that first paragraph... and just kept typing.  I tried to edit a little this morning, but I just want to get it out there!  Thank you, Write it, Girl for the push to write this month!!

Where I'm from

The more I write, the more I think about the why I write.  To figure out where I'm going, I have to ponder where I'm coming from.  Ann Voskamp nailed it for me this week when she asked, "Where you from, friend?" So I answered.  and then I elaborated with help from this little sheet.   Join me as I take a little trip down memory lane...

I am from a wood burning stove and no television.  I'm from the the white house with a yard full of pine trees in the front and Two apple trees, one pear tree, and more pine trees in the back.

I am from singing church songs all the way to and from church. I am from a house of all sisters and the mantra "Let Sisterly Love Continue."  

I'm from the great field in the back, from the little creek with water spiders, from sledding down the hills and hoping you don't land in the creek.

from singing with my sisters, silly songs, church songs, ...special music!

I am from a week in the summer spent at Alleghany State Park,

from playing Clue as if your life depended on it.

I am from a pastor's home... from the "held to a higher standard just because of my dad's job." I am from playing the part and putting on your church face. I am from Sunday School every Sunday and prayer meeting every Wednesday. I am from the King James Bible.

I am from Sword Drills, and Christmas plays, and teen activities.

I’m from reading the Christmas story before presents and eating Monkey bread and scrambled eggs after.

I am from remote control cars, and climbing trees and riding bikes, and playing soccer and being a tomboy. 

I’m from the rod of correction and "Speaking in CAPITAL LETTERS."

and singing "Every Promise in the Book is Mine," 

from peanut butter and jelly crackers for snacks and tacos for dinners. I am from books and more books and Friday nights spent at the library.

I am from Hyperthyroidism, radioactive iodine treatment, and subsequent hypothyroidism.

I am from Buffalo, NY and never really enjoying cold and snow. and now the mountains of Pennsylvania embrace me.

I'm from speedy typing and proofreading everything and hating phones, and still being a secretary.

I am from birthing 4 kids in 4 1/2 years (no twins), and being crowded in a 2 bedroom trailer with my growing family. I am from learning patience and letting go of perfection.

I am from mistakes and grace and second chances. I am from doubts and then I John 5:13-15 "these things are written that you may KNOW that you have eternal life."  I am from giving thanks and counting gifts.

I'm from this home with the Red Door!

I am from creativity and artwork, although not enjoying just plain coloring. I am from learning and writing, from embracing God's gifts to me.

I want to know, Where are YOU from?

A day in my life

Friday, January 26, 2012

... because I know you all want to know what I do in a day, here's just ONE day in my life.

6 -6:30 am... my alarm goes off and I lay in bed dreading getting out, no picture because I forgot to set my camera by my bed.

7:00 am... busy packing lunches and making breakfast for everyone

8:00 am... I remembered that I wanted to record the day and started with feeding my chickens, 3 little hens and ONE unplanned rooster (but he is beautiful)

9:00 am... brushing baby girl's hair as we get ready to leave the house

10:00am... the ceiling at the chiropractor while I was enjoying the vibrating table at the end of my appointment... he made my back all better!! :)

 

11:00am...  laundry time!!

12:00 noon helping my 4YO make her Nutella sandwich for lunch!! YUM!

1:00pm... disinfecting Salvation Army find... Sturdy wood dresser for $29!!!

2:00pm... folding laundry, laundry, laundry!!

2:45 pm...  sitting in car line (took the picture early because it's a 20 minute drive home and I know I shouldn't take pictures when I'm driving)

4ish... the girls watching my son play some Wii

5:00pm... making a most delicious soup... recipe to follow in the next week or so!! (can you guess the secret ingredient?)

6:00pm 4YO eating said soup and loving it... and THAT my friends, is a miracle!!

6:30pm... my two oldest doing dishes to help out... and me playing with this new trick I found on Pinterest!

7:20pm... painting the girls' fingernails blue and white to show support for their school... it was Spirit week!

7:45pm...  a little ice cream cone before bed...

9:00pm...  movie time with my hubby!

10:30ish... time for bed!!

This great idea brought to you buy SimplyRebekah.  and you still have a week or two to document one of your days and link up with Rebekah!!