I've most likely mentioned the wonderful store ("It's About Time") on South 14th and Albany Street before on my blog. When I was running our bed and breakfast, Journey's Inn, I had purchased many of the furnishings from this wonderful store. In fact, when the creative juices are dry, I head over there. It's food for the soul. Not only are the furnishings wonderful, but so are the owners. Delightful ladies!
I'm thrilled that they are going to carry some of my art. I'll be taking over some plaques mid week and am working on some mugs and totes to deliver soon, too. Gifts just in time for Christmas!
Today, my gratitude cup is overflowing. I'm thankful for a husband and best friend who supports me in this wild and wacky journey. I'm thankful for children that are beautiful inside and out. I'm thankful for the breeze that gently blows. I'm thankful for those plump pigeons outside my studio window as I write this. I'm thankful for the beautiful sun that shines. I'm thankful for the filling time of worship and praise this morning with our church family. I'm thankful for friends who support, lead and counsel along the way. I'm thankful for my God who is ever showing me more of himself through his beauty, his people and his word.
How many ways can I say, "thankful"?
Lila
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Time to Make the Donuts.
I really do, with all sincerity love my job. I believe that God has uniquely fitted me to the aging field. I get up in the morning and truly look forward to the day. I enjoy the residents I serve and the staff I serve alongside.
Some mornings I admit that I feel like the guy on the old Dunkin' Donuts commercial.
When his alarm went off at 3 or 4 a.m. he would get up, bleary eyed and declare, "It's time to make the donuts."
Sometimes this body feels the same way when my alarm goes off. But lately I'll go to bed with more ideas than I can shake a stick at for what I want to do the next day at work or with my art. By the time the evening rolls around after work, the creative energy seems to be spent.
Busy-ness of the day seems to blind my heart with each 'to do' task. I am meeting more and more people who are looking for a wonderful place where their loved one will not only survive but thrive. I believe I work at such a place, so it gives me great joy to share with them about it.
But at the end of the day... hoo-eee!
I remember commenting to my husband when we were in our 20's that I didn't understand why people in their 50's didn't seem to volunteer with the youth ministry or anything else much. Now? I get it. They (we) are tired. Yep. Bone tired.
It is my prayer that God uses me during the day with others and refreshes my spirit through art and being with my husband in the evening. This allows me to replenish my juices so I can "make the donuts" the next day.
Willing to make the donuts,
Lila
Some mornings I admit that I feel like the guy on the old Dunkin' Donuts commercial.
When his alarm went off at 3 or 4 a.m. he would get up, bleary eyed and declare, "It's time to make the donuts."
Sometimes this body feels the same way when my alarm goes off. But lately I'll go to bed with more ideas than I can shake a stick at for what I want to do the next day at work or with my art. By the time the evening rolls around after work, the creative energy seems to be spent.
Busy-ness of the day seems to blind my heart with each 'to do' task. I am meeting more and more people who are looking for a wonderful place where their loved one will not only survive but thrive. I believe I work at such a place, so it gives me great joy to share with them about it.
But at the end of the day... hoo-eee!
I remember commenting to my husband when we were in our 20's that I didn't understand why people in their 50's didn't seem to volunteer with the youth ministry or anything else much. Now? I get it. They (we) are tired. Yep. Bone tired.
It is my prayer that God uses me during the day with others and refreshes my spirit through art and being with my husband in the evening. This allows me to replenish my juices so I can "make the donuts" the next day.
Willing to make the donuts,
Lila
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Day After The Day
Yesterday was homecoming and our youngest daughter, Caroline was on homecoming court. It was such an honor to be a part of this experience with her. She was beautiful inside and out, as always. (I hope to post some pictures soon.)
I had planned to be in North Carolina with some old and dear friends for some much needed R & R this weekend and postponed my trip because my baby girl was being honored! Vann had also planned to be out of town but got an earlier arrival back so that he could escort her. What a precious daddy and husband he is.
So, Friday was recognition in chapel for the homecoming court, lunch and the Queen's Tea. It was all perfectly delightful. Yesterday was the morning homecoming parade, another chapel with recognition for Caroline, lunch and then the homecoming game. Another wonderful day to remember.
I came home afterwards and sat in my recliner and don't think I moved until I went upstairs to go to bed. I was exhausted. I kept trying to figure out why I was so tired. Caroline was the one with the busy schedule. Not me. She was the one who woke up at 3 a.m. to coordinate the parade that she was helping to co-lead. Not me. She was the one who went from one event to the next showing graciousness and a beautiful character. Not me. I was just the supporting cast.
But, today as I've fought the blues, I've begun to realize that I was with Caroline through all of it. I was feeling every elation, every emotion that she was feeling. . . real or imagined.
Isn't that the way it is when you are a mom? So, today, I'm sitting with these feelings (and fatigue), trying to not have all the answers . . . today. . . and allowing myself to just be. Us introverted souls need time for quiet reflection so that we can embrace the world again. I'm sure tomorrow the joy will return when I get another good night's sleep. My spirit is just weary.
Yesterday Vann was with Care and as they were heading to the homecoming court, he witnessed her speaking with a student who might be considered "one of the least of these." Caroline in her usual big-hearted fashion called them by name and asked how they were doing. This student told her he voted for her. She's our Queen of Hearts.
Am I proud? I know the correct answer is, "Of course I am." But truth be known, I'm really more just incredibly thankful that God has placed these amazing children in our lives.
As always,
Thankful...
Lila
I had planned to be in North Carolina with some old and dear friends for some much needed R & R this weekend and postponed my trip because my baby girl was being honored! Vann had also planned to be out of town but got an earlier arrival back so that he could escort her. What a precious daddy and husband he is.
So, Friday was recognition in chapel for the homecoming court, lunch and the Queen's Tea. It was all perfectly delightful. Yesterday was the morning homecoming parade, another chapel with recognition for Caroline, lunch and then the homecoming game. Another wonderful day to remember.
I came home afterwards and sat in my recliner and don't think I moved until I went upstairs to go to bed. I was exhausted. I kept trying to figure out why I was so tired. Caroline was the one with the busy schedule. Not me. She was the one who woke up at 3 a.m. to coordinate the parade that she was helping to co-lead. Not me. She was the one who went from one event to the next showing graciousness and a beautiful character. Not me. I was just the supporting cast.
But, today as I've fought the blues, I've begun to realize that I was with Caroline through all of it. I was feeling every elation, every emotion that she was feeling. . . real or imagined.
Isn't that the way it is when you are a mom? So, today, I'm sitting with these feelings (and fatigue), trying to not have all the answers . . . today. . . and allowing myself to just be. Us introverted souls need time for quiet reflection so that we can embrace the world again. I'm sure tomorrow the joy will return when I get another good night's sleep. My spirit is just weary.
Yesterday Vann was with Care and as they were heading to the homecoming court, he witnessed her speaking with a student who might be considered "one of the least of these." Caroline in her usual big-hearted fashion called them by name and asked how they were doing. This student told her he voted for her. She's our Queen of Hearts.
Am I proud? I know the correct answer is, "Of course I am." But truth be known, I'm really more just incredibly thankful that God has placed these amazing children in our lives.
As always,
Thankful...
Lila
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Fly
Today was such a gift. Though, so was yesterday...and the day before...and the day before. I've been toying with the idea of getting my art "out there." I have a friend who is going to help me do that. For a long time I drug my feet.
Our daughter, Caroline said, "Mom, are you afraid you are going to fail?" I thought about that a long time - - yet another one of my procrastination measures. tee hee.
As I thought about it, I realized I wasn't afraid I was going to fail. I was afraid I might succeed.
A new friend shared with me a Nelson Mandela quote today that really spoke to me.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. You were born to manifest the glory of God that is within you. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Wow. As I've reflected on this and other thoughts I've come to realize that not working to excel in what are God given gifts is in fact a big way to dishonor God.
I've been very drawn to birds and nests all my life, but even more so lately. I've been drawn to bird's cages and free birds. We are born free birds. But in the midst of life, we quietly, complacently allow ourselves to be locked in a little cage. Oh, sure, we have to follow rules, laws, etc. But sometimes we lose our true self in the cage.
Today I was at It's About Time, my favorite store in Abilene, and got this pretty little necklace by Jo Carol Spurlock. She does such a fantastic job on these little nests. I love what the medallion says, too..."fly."
Well, okay, then.
I will.
How about you?
Lila
Our daughter, Caroline said, "Mom, are you afraid you are going to fail?" I thought about that a long time - - yet another one of my procrastination measures. tee hee.
As I thought about it, I realized I wasn't afraid I was going to fail. I was afraid I might succeed.
A new friend shared with me a Nelson Mandela quote today that really spoke to me.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. You were born to manifest the glory of God that is within you. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Wow. As I've reflected on this and other thoughts I've come to realize that not working to excel in what are God given gifts is in fact a big way to dishonor God.
I've been very drawn to birds and nests all my life, but even more so lately. I've been drawn to bird's cages and free birds. We are born free birds. But in the midst of life, we quietly, complacently allow ourselves to be locked in a little cage. Oh, sure, we have to follow rules, laws, etc. But sometimes we lose our true self in the cage.
Today I was at It's About Time, my favorite store in Abilene, and got this pretty little necklace by Jo Carol Spurlock. She does such a fantastic job on these little nests. I love what the medallion says, too..."fly."
Well, okay, then.
I will.
How about you?
Lila
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