The older I get, the more I see the value of having friends in your life with whom you can simply live life. I cherish those friends of mine who I can call up on a whim and invite over to my house - or invite myself to their house - and together we'll just be.
I write about this today because I had a weekend of such encounters. On Friday night, a couple friend of mine called to hang out, but I had to do some baking. I half-jokingly said, "Well, you guys can come over here and help me bake cookies if you want." It was a wonderful evening. Very laid back, no pressure, and a great example of just living life together. By the way, we all wore our pajama pants and sweatshirts!
Again on Sunday I was fortunate enough to have an encounter like that with a different friend. She and I wanted to hang out, and we decided we'd run errands together. We went to various stores, but my favorite example was when we were at Target. We navigated our cart together through the toilet paper aisle, we compared prices on paper towel, and we even browsed the candle section and managed to smell nearly every candle. I absolutely love that I have friends that I can simply "BE" with. These are the sweetest kinds of friends to have.
Who are your friends with whom you can enjoy the simple, day-to-day events of life? Take a moment today to write a note of thanks and acknowledge the gift that they are!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Norwegian Rosemaling
My sister and I have stumbled upon our own tradition of taking a community ed class together each year. The last two years we have had the privilege of taking courses that teach us about our Norwegian heritage. Last year we learned how to make Rosettes just in time for Christmas. This year our course was Norwegian Rosemaling.
Rosemaling is a style of painting that people in rural Norway used for decoration. I learned last night that the traditional colors are yellow, rust, and blue. It's a flowing, scrolling style of painting that uses C and S strokes. DON'T GOOGLE IT YET! You'll see images far more superior to anything that I produced last night. :) Wait to see my first attempt and then you can be wowed by the skilled artisans whose work is on the web!
I'm a perfectionist through and through, and so it was difficult last night to put myself out there and try something new and so out of my comfort zone. Luckily I had my sis by my side, so we navigated this new skill together...with the help of chocolate that the instructor provided. I knew after she passed around a bag of full-size candy bars that it was going to be a good night.
We began by practicing C and S strokes on scratch paper. The instructor was very encouraging and said over and over again that there is no "right" way to do it. She said that we as artists have our own spin on it, and we should let that come out. That's not a great thing to say to a perfectionist. In my head, I'm thinking "I need a sample! Teach me EXACTLY how to do it!" :)
It was a great class, though, and finally Lins and I felt brave enough to start painting on the actual project - a box. Here is how my first attempt at Rosemaling went:
This is the front of my box. I did this at the end when I wasn't being as careful, so I don't love this side as much as some other sides. Yes, that's the perfectionist talking!
I wanted to put something larger on the top, so I made this tulip design for the center. The edges looked like they needed attention, so I used a very very thin brush to make the white designs.
And here is the side I'm most proud of. I really like how this design turned out. I had fun blending some different blues to give the image more depth.
Okay, now you can google Rosemaling and see some professionals' work. It's truly amazing and so beautiful! I have a much greater appreciation for this style of painting now that I have tried it and see how difficult it is!
Rosemaling is a style of painting that people in rural Norway used for decoration. I learned last night that the traditional colors are yellow, rust, and blue. It's a flowing, scrolling style of painting that uses C and S strokes. DON'T GOOGLE IT YET! You'll see images far more superior to anything that I produced last night. :) Wait to see my first attempt and then you can be wowed by the skilled artisans whose work is on the web!
I'm a perfectionist through and through, and so it was difficult last night to put myself out there and try something new and so out of my comfort zone. Luckily I had my sis by my side, so we navigated this new skill together...with the help of chocolate that the instructor provided. I knew after she passed around a bag of full-size candy bars that it was going to be a good night.
We began by practicing C and S strokes on scratch paper. The instructor was very encouraging and said over and over again that there is no "right" way to do it. She said that we as artists have our own spin on it, and we should let that come out. That's not a great thing to say to a perfectionist. In my head, I'm thinking "I need a sample! Teach me EXACTLY how to do it!" :)
It was a great class, though, and finally Lins and I felt brave enough to start painting on the actual project - a box. Here is how my first attempt at Rosemaling went:
This is the front of my box. I did this at the end when I wasn't being as careful, so I don't love this side as much as some other sides. Yes, that's the perfectionist talking!
I wanted to put something larger on the top, so I made this tulip design for the center. The edges looked like they needed attention, so I used a very very thin brush to make the white designs.
And here is the side I'm most proud of. I really like how this design turned out. I had fun blending some different blues to give the image more depth.
Okay, now you can google Rosemaling and see some professionals' work. It's truly amazing and so beautiful! I have a much greater appreciation for this style of painting now that I have tried it and see how difficult it is!Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A Second Chance
Do you ever feel little nudges from God? I do. Maybe. At least I think so? Some days it's just plain hard to tell.
Sometimes I get the idea in my head to say hello to someone I pass by on the sidewalk, or to offer help to someone. Today I had the urge to offer a ride to a woman I saw in the grocery store.
I know it sounds a little random, but I recognized this woman from my neighborhood. I think she has a slight mental disability, and I often see her walking to the bus stop when I'm going for a walk through the neighborhood. I've always wanted to get to know her so that I could greet her by name when I see her around the area.
She was two customers ahead of me in the check-out line. I watched as she carefully counted out $32 to give to the cashier. Another employee packed her groceries into two bags. I watched as she politely asked him to repack it into one. I knew why she wanted that. She wanted less to carry because she had to walk home.
I felt the urge to offer her a ride home. I knew about where she lived, and it was absolutely on my way home. BUT, I was afraid to be a creeper. I wondered if she would feel unsafe with a stranger offering her a ride. If I'm honest with myself, I was mostly afraid of being rejected.
I played a few games with God in my head. "Lord, if she's walking out at the same time as me, then I'll ask her." Well, she wasn't, but she was still within ear shot so I could have called to her.
I didn't.
I unlocked my nice warm car and hopped in. I turned the key, and began to back up. I felt a little wimpy and disappointed in myself. Did I let another opportunity slip by? Was that a prompting from God to give her a ride, or just my active imagination?
That's when I saw her pause on the sidewalk, turn around, and look back at the store. I had a second chance. I'd make my move.
I pulled up alongside her, rolled my window down and asked "Do you live on Hampshire?" She said she did. I introduced myself and told her that I too lived in the neighborhood. Then I popped the question, "Would you like a ride?"
She smiled an amazing smile right away, and made her way around to the passenger side of my car. She put her heavy grocery bag on the floor of the passenger seat, scooted herself in and closed the door.
We pulled out of the parking lot, the entire time my mind frantically trying to figure out if what I was doing was legal or not. I don't know why I worried that it wasn't. I think this was just so out of my normal realm that my brain was on overload.
I didn't want her to feel awkward, so I said, "How was your day today?" She said good and we began talking about our jobs. I learned that the sidewalks haven't been plowed yet from the storm, and so I imagine her hesitation at the grocery store was where she was going to walk! The street wasn't a great option, as it was a busy one, and the sidewalks were covered in about a foot and a half of snow.
She was pleasant company and thanked me throughout our conversation for the ride home. When I pulled into her driveway I again told her where I lived (trying to make her feel safe and know that I really AM a neighbor), and she thanked me (again).
I can't wait to see her on my walks. I look forward to greeting her by name. I hope she remembers me. What a gift that interaction was, and I am so incredibly grateful that God gave me another chance to help her. I wish I could be better about taking those first opportunities He gives me, but I am ever thankful for his grace which gives me a second chance.
This song came to mind today as I drove away from her house. Enjoy, and remember to take the first chance you're given. :)
Sometimes I get the idea in my head to say hello to someone I pass by on the sidewalk, or to offer help to someone. Today I had the urge to offer a ride to a woman I saw in the grocery store.
I know it sounds a little random, but I recognized this woman from my neighborhood. I think she has a slight mental disability, and I often see her walking to the bus stop when I'm going for a walk through the neighborhood. I've always wanted to get to know her so that I could greet her by name when I see her around the area.
She was two customers ahead of me in the check-out line. I watched as she carefully counted out $32 to give to the cashier. Another employee packed her groceries into two bags. I watched as she politely asked him to repack it into one. I knew why she wanted that. She wanted less to carry because she had to walk home.
I felt the urge to offer her a ride home. I knew about where she lived, and it was absolutely on my way home. BUT, I was afraid to be a creeper. I wondered if she would feel unsafe with a stranger offering her a ride. If I'm honest with myself, I was mostly afraid of being rejected.
I played a few games with God in my head. "Lord, if she's walking out at the same time as me, then I'll ask her." Well, she wasn't, but she was still within ear shot so I could have called to her.
I didn't.
I unlocked my nice warm car and hopped in. I turned the key, and began to back up. I felt a little wimpy and disappointed in myself. Did I let another opportunity slip by? Was that a prompting from God to give her a ride, or just my active imagination?
That's when I saw her pause on the sidewalk, turn around, and look back at the store. I had a second chance. I'd make my move.
I pulled up alongside her, rolled my window down and asked "Do you live on Hampshire?" She said she did. I introduced myself and told her that I too lived in the neighborhood. Then I popped the question, "Would you like a ride?"
She smiled an amazing smile right away, and made her way around to the passenger side of my car. She put her heavy grocery bag on the floor of the passenger seat, scooted herself in and closed the door.
We pulled out of the parking lot, the entire time my mind frantically trying to figure out if what I was doing was legal or not. I don't know why I worried that it wasn't. I think this was just so out of my normal realm that my brain was on overload.
I didn't want her to feel awkward, so I said, "How was your day today?" She said good and we began talking about our jobs. I learned that the sidewalks haven't been plowed yet from the storm, and so I imagine her hesitation at the grocery store was where she was going to walk! The street wasn't a great option, as it was a busy one, and the sidewalks were covered in about a foot and a half of snow.
She was pleasant company and thanked me throughout our conversation for the ride home. When I pulled into her driveway I again told her where I lived (trying to make her feel safe and know that I really AM a neighbor), and she thanked me (again).
I can't wait to see her on my walks. I look forward to greeting her by name. I hope she remembers me. What a gift that interaction was, and I am so incredibly grateful that God gave me another chance to help her. I wish I could be better about taking those first opportunities He gives me, but I am ever thankful for his grace which gives me a second chance.
This song came to mind today as I drove away from her house. Enjoy, and remember to take the first chance you're given. :)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Changing Conditions
This past weekend we visited some friends in Bismarck, ND. After a great weekend, we began our 6-hour trip home a little earlier on Sunday than originally planned due to a looming mid-February snow storm.
We left early because the weather reports were suggesting that this could be a snowstorm big enough to rival our December one. That was a big one. We had 17 inches of snow and things really slowed down in the cities. Leaving early seemed like the smart decision.
We knew we wouldn't be driving in the storm the whole way, just about half of it. However, after we had been on the road for 4 hours and still not seen a single flake, I began feeling foolish for leaving so early.
4.5 hours. Nothing.
5 hours. Nothing.
5 hours and 1 minute. A flake. Then another. Then some more. Soon it was really snowing and there was accumulating snow on the road. Once we entered the metro area, the wind was whipping the snow around and we could hardly see the road signs before needing to turn.
When we got off the highway near our home, we could scarcely see a half block ahead of us. Was this really happening?!? Just an hour prior there was not a flake to be had, and now we were in an all out blizzard.
Metaphorically, I've had days like this before. Have you? You're going along just fine and then something happens and you feel like you're in a blizzard. Maybe it's a frustrating phone call or email you received. Perhaps you had a bad interaction with someone during the day. Maybe you just started coming down with a cold or flu and everything changed.
What can we do when our days change from easy driving to blizzards?
On my hard days, I try to remember to breathe. Sometimes I make a gratitude list to remind myself of the things in my life that are going well that I'm thankful for. On really rough blizzard days in my life, I leave my Bible open near me so that I can have quick access to God's words. If it isn't possible to have my Bible with me, I'll write a comforting scripture verse or two on a recipe card and keep it in my back pocket.
Watch out for changing conditions in your life, and make sure to be prepared.
We left early because the weather reports were suggesting that this could be a snowstorm big enough to rival our December one. That was a big one. We had 17 inches of snow and things really slowed down in the cities. Leaving early seemed like the smart decision.
We knew we wouldn't be driving in the storm the whole way, just about half of it. However, after we had been on the road for 4 hours and still not seen a single flake, I began feeling foolish for leaving so early.
4.5 hours. Nothing.
5 hours. Nothing.
5 hours and 1 minute. A flake. Then another. Then some more. Soon it was really snowing and there was accumulating snow on the road. Once we entered the metro area, the wind was whipping the snow around and we could hardly see the road signs before needing to turn.
When we got off the highway near our home, we could scarcely see a half block ahead of us. Was this really happening?!? Just an hour prior there was not a flake to be had, and now we were in an all out blizzard.
Metaphorically, I've had days like this before. Have you? You're going along just fine and then something happens and you feel like you're in a blizzard. Maybe it's a frustrating phone call or email you received. Perhaps you had a bad interaction with someone during the day. Maybe you just started coming down with a cold or flu and everything changed.
What can we do when our days change from easy driving to blizzards?
On my hard days, I try to remember to breathe. Sometimes I make a gratitude list to remind myself of the things in my life that are going well that I'm thankful for. On really rough blizzard days in my life, I leave my Bible open near me so that I can have quick access to God's words. If it isn't possible to have my Bible with me, I'll write a comforting scripture verse or two on a recipe card and keep it in my back pocket.
Watch out for changing conditions in your life, and make sure to be prepared.
Friday, February 18, 2011
A Glimpse into the Subconscious
I washed my hands in the 3rd floor public bathroom, grabbed a paper towel, and put my hand on the door handle to make my way down the hall and get back to work.
As I pushed on the handle, it went down much easier than usual. Then the door swung open, nearly hitting me in the face as an incoming woman and I nearly scared each other to death. We caught our breath, apologized repeatedly to each other and then laughed it off, going our separate ways.
I kept thinking about that incident as I walked down the hall back to work. My mind has a way of replaying embarrassing things like that frequently. One thing that stood out to me was the woman's shirt. It was a sleeveless green shirt, the kind you'd wear under a suit coat. My mind started wandering without my permission, and I wondered what her office's dress code was like. It must be pretty strict if she has to wear a suit as the receptionist.
Wait a minute. What?
Did I just assume she was the receptionist? Why would I assume that? Because she's a woman?
Instantaneously images flooded into my mind of all of the women I've crossed paths with in the hallway or the bathroom. Have I EVER assumed that any one of them was the businesses owner at the office suite where they worked? Have I ever assumed that they were a financial planner, lawyer, executive or president?
I couldn't believe it. Seriously? This has never occurred to me?!?
I was so mortified by my own self. I felt incredibly frustrated that somehow these stereotypes have taken root so deeply in me that I didn't even realize what I was doing. I'm embarrassed.
Here I go around saying that women can do whatever they want to, have whatever career they want to, and can hold their own with the best male professionals out there. However, when it comes to my subconscious, I assume that women are assistants. Women are receptionists. Women are the ones who keep their male bosses organized.
Where do I go from here? How do I rid myself of that awful stereotype? How have I limited myself by this deep-rooted, silent stereotype that after nearly 30 years has made itself known?
What other stereotypes are lingering?
As I pushed on the handle, it went down much easier than usual. Then the door swung open, nearly hitting me in the face as an incoming woman and I nearly scared each other to death. We caught our breath, apologized repeatedly to each other and then laughed it off, going our separate ways.
I kept thinking about that incident as I walked down the hall back to work. My mind has a way of replaying embarrassing things like that frequently. One thing that stood out to me was the woman's shirt. It was a sleeveless green shirt, the kind you'd wear under a suit coat. My mind started wandering without my permission, and I wondered what her office's dress code was like. It must be pretty strict if she has to wear a suit as the receptionist.
Wait a minute. What?
Did I just assume she was the receptionist? Why would I assume that? Because she's a woman?
Instantaneously images flooded into my mind of all of the women I've crossed paths with in the hallway or the bathroom. Have I EVER assumed that any one of them was the businesses owner at the office suite where they worked? Have I ever assumed that they were a financial planner, lawyer, executive or president?
I couldn't believe it. Seriously? This has never occurred to me?!?
I was so mortified by my own self. I felt incredibly frustrated that somehow these stereotypes have taken root so deeply in me that I didn't even realize what I was doing. I'm embarrassed.
Here I go around saying that women can do whatever they want to, have whatever career they want to, and can hold their own with the best male professionals out there. However, when it comes to my subconscious, I assume that women are assistants. Women are receptionists. Women are the ones who keep their male bosses organized.
Where do I go from here? How do I rid myself of that awful stereotype? How have I limited myself by this deep-rooted, silent stereotype that after nearly 30 years has made itself known?
What other stereotypes are lingering?
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