Faithful Balancing Act

I was just learning how to balance everything in my life - then I was thrown another ball to juggle.

I certainly wasn't perfect in coordinating my family and home, writing, fitness and health, and everything else. Who is?  We're all learning the fine art of balance.  And it is a constantly changing craft.

I had been looking for a part-time job to help with all of the bills, since the writing isn't covering it all quite yet.  Of course I'm making money freelancing, with more coming in than before but not enough for right now.  And the novel won't be making me any dollars until it's published and out there for everyone to read.  So we need other income in addition to that plus my husband's job.

I've applied to many places, but hadn't had any luck until recently.  In this economy, each position has so many applicants that chances aren't as good as before...but I prayed and trusted God to bring me to the right job for me, that would use my unique talents and abilities and work with my other activities.

It turns out that He was just lining up the perfect job for me.  I now work about 20 hours a week in a bookstore.  Now, what's more perfect for a writer than working in a bookstore?  I get to talk books with customers and help them find what they need.  Now I realize why no other job application worked out - God knows what He is doing!

The trick is learning to balance it all with the new job thrown into the mix.  The first couple of weeks were tiring, since I worked extra hours during training to get familiar with everything at the store.  It was worth it, to learn what needed to be learned...plus the additional money sure helps.  But now the schedule is evening out, and I'm finding  a way to get everything balanced again.  Retail hours mean the schedule changes somewhat each week, but I'm being creative at getting the writing, workouts, etc. done along the new job.  It's a challenge, but one that is making me stronger each day.

All I know is if I continue to trust God and let Him lead me, I will get to where I'm supposed to be.  I can do this with His help.  And I'm thankful each and every day for what He is doing in my life.

Balance?  It's getting there.  The main thing to remember:  if you don't put God and faith first, you will never achieve it.  Faith is the key to balance - and peace!

This Is Dedicated to the One I Love - My Mom!

This time of the year is always tough for me.  From October 8th through the 12th, I think about the events of 18 years ago and how much I miss my mom.

Yes, I miss her often all year long, as there are so many things that remind me of her.  Autumn, as it was her favorite time of year complete with her favorite colors - orange and gold.  Christmas, when I pull out all of the ornaments that she made and proudly hang them on my tree.  Back-to-school time, when she confessed that unlike many other parents, she was sad to see school start because she enjoyed being able to spend so much time over the summer with me.

Whenever I do something creative, I think about all of her great ideas and the many crafts she taught me.  Watching Dancing With The Stars, I remember what a wonderful dancer she was and wish she was here to watch the show with me, because I know she would have been just as passionate about it as I am. And of course, I still watch Days of Our Lives, which premiered when my mom was expecting me.  Her favorite was Marlena (Deidre Hall), and whenever she appears on screen now I smile and think of Mom.  There are just so many ways that she pops into my head...and though some of those moments are still painful I'm glad they happen, because it shows that she's always here with me in spirit.

On October 8th, 1994, my mom died of cancer.  And October 11th is her birthday - she passed away three days before she would have turned 61.  My dad said he refused to bury her on her birthday, and I absolutely agreed.  Her funeral was on the 12th. 

So during this period of time every year, I wind up going back to that particular year and remembering.  Over time I've tried to think positive thoughts...sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.  And that's OK.  I am human and I'm going to miss my mom. 

I usually wind up eating stuff out of sadness...lots of sweets, foods Mom loved like fish and hushpuppies from Long John Silver's, and other comfort foods.  Definitely not good for my health and fitness.  So this year I tried to handle things a little differently.

While I still thought about her and missed her, I didn't eat a bunch of fattening foods.  Instead, I played some of her favorite music (Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Mario Lanza) and thought happy thoughts.  And yesterday, for her birthday, I went to spin class and dedicated my ride to her.  It was the best ride I've ever had - and there have been some really great ones before.  I pushed harder - for her.

I know that Mom is looking down at me and feeling proud that I did something constructive to celebrate her birthday.  She wouldn't want me to jeopardize my own health just because she's no longer here on earth.

So here's to you, Mom.  You've always been proud of me, but I will do all that is in my power, with God's help, to make you even prouder.  I love you always!

Fashion Star Inspiration

 Fashion Star has gotten me thinking...

I really love fashion.  As someone who doesn't fit into single-digit sizes yet, sometimes I've tried to pretend that I don't care about fashion.  Sure, I get excited when I discover that something in my closet that I haven't been able to wear for a while fits once again.  But a lot of designer clothes come in only smaller sizes, which can be depressing if you think about it too much.

Enter Fashion Star - a show trying to find the next big designers, who can be creative while still making something that we "regular" people can wear and afford.  Let's face it, the economy does not help the fashion industry.  Many of our budgets can not withstand the big designer prices, which I'm sure is the reason why some designers create special lines for the stores many of us can afford to shop at. 

 I've become inspired by the designers trying to live out their dreams, and have discovered that I would actually wear quite a few of their creations.  I haven't shopped for any of them yet, since I'm losing more weight and don't want to spend money on something that will be too big soon.  (Although, it's a wonderful feeling to find out something is now too big on you!)

But that also inspires me in another way - to stay on my path to fitness so I can wear these awesome clothes.  Of course, there are much more compelling reasons to get fit and healthy...but fashion is still fun and we all want to look good.  Being your best in every way is important, which includes looking your best.

Congratulations to Kara, the winner of Fashion Star, and all of the other designers who sold pieces to H & M, Saks, and Macy's.  Soon I will be sporting your creations proudly - not only because I'm proud of your work on the clothes, but also because I'm proud of the work I've done on myself!

Crafts and Craziness

Welcome to one nutty week at my household! My son did not have school last Friday because of the snowstorm. Sunday night we then had a major thunderstorm with buckets of water falling for hours. School was closed Monday and Tuesday this week because of flooding, with a couple of rooms in the school still unusable because of the water damage. On top of that, during that storm the seal broke on our living room window and began to leak into the house. It wasn't a really bad leak, but enough to make me nervous as the rain kept coming down. School was in session yesterday and today, with the kids having a scheduled day off tomorrow because of teachers' meetings. Tonight are parent-teacher conferences, and the school has to reschedule the band concert which was supposed to have been Monday night.

Fast forward to today...the sun is out and I'm getting a lot done. I've met all of my writing deadlines for the week so now I can think about crafts. (And quite possibly, a nice glass of wine to unwind from the last few days.) March is National Craft Month, and I always think about those days and evenings making stuff with my mom and my cousin Carol. God gave me the gift of being creative with words, and I also love to try anything else creative or crafty. Some of you may know that I make jewelry as well and am attempting to learn to paint in my "free" moments. I have a long list of ideas to fool around with, and any chance to try them out makes my happy.

If you have any favorite crafts, please let me know how you get creative. And during the month of March, let us give honor and praise to God, who crafted all of us in His own image. He is the ultimate craftsman!

P.S. With the crazy week I had, I did remember to weigh myself but never had a chance to post until now. I lost another 1.2 pounds for the week! :o)

Healthy Trip Down Memory Lane

As I was cleaning yesterday, I came across one Christmas decoration that I forgot to pack away in January. It was a wreath that my mom made...so my guess is that I subconsciously did it on purpose. It wasn't still up on the wall, but on a chair that isn't often used so I must have been ready to put it in the box and "forgot".

This wreath reminded me just how creative my mom was. She never graduated from high school because she had to drop out and work to support her mom, sister, and brothers. But her wit was always sharp, and she was always doing something crafty...crocheting, embroidery, making flower arrangements as gifts to the people my dad sold houses to when he was in real estate, and so on.

My cousin Carol was also extremely creative...even though she was always a sweetheart she could have given Martha Stewart a run for her money in the "I can make anything" department. Many of our nights were spent at Carol's condo, eating pizza, listening to the radio and making crafts. My mom and I went with Carol to a lot of craft shows, seeing things we wanted to make ourselves, so then we would gather all of the supplies necessary and create our own. My mom made the wreath on one of these occasions, and hers is much prettier than any I've ever seen at any craft show.

Normally when I think of my mom or Carol, I suddenly have a taste for the foods we used to eat together...pizza, fried fish from Long John Silver's, or Mickey D's. Those thoughts still crossed my mind yesterday, but instead of giving in to the craving I decided to think CREATIVELY. I thought about what I could make next, instead of what to eat. Though they are no longer with me on earth, they are watching over me from heaven and wouldn't want me to sabotage my health for a memory. I got really excited thinking about new projects!

And yes, that is me in the red dress in the photo above. It was taken whle my husband and I were engaged, along with our parents. My father-in-law is also no longer with us...but my mother-in-law and my dad thankfully are. I still have that red dress, and though it may no longer be in style my goal is to fit back into it. I know I will get there...by continuing to be in the right frame of mind and praying often!