Sunday, April 7, 2013

Dreaming Big & Moving On

I've been absent from blogland for awhile and, if you don't keep up with me via facebook, you may not know why. So here it is:
We're planning to move.
We are working every waking moment to get this house flawlessly cleaned, painted, decluttered and staged, to be put on the market by the end of the month. Yeah. Swallow that down.
We're dreaming big, people. Texas big.
My great-aunt wrote and asked me why. Do we have family there? Does Fred have a job there? Friends? She's kind-hearted. Just curious.
But the answers are:
No, no, and no.
So why?
Because it's our dream. It always has been.
I've wanted to move farther south for about as long as I can remember.
I don't do winters well, friends.
I suffer from S.A.D. in a big way. ((For my well-meaning friends, let me assure you, it's not something you can turn off and on. I can't snap and feel okay. I can't think of those less fortunate and suddenly feel all warm inside because I have a home.))
Symptoms can be treated with special lights, medication, etc, but why treat the symptoms when you can help fix the problem?
Besides winter-onset-depression being an issue, our favorite activities are seasonal, and we only get to enjoy them about 6 months out of the year now. Moving to a climate that runs 20 degrees warmer in the winters is a HUGE incentive. Aaanndd, think about how much closer we'll be to the coast!! {sigh}
We've waited, guys. A very long time. I've been married almost 16 years. Lived in our first little starter home for 10 1/2 years. It's been a patient wait. We've been happy here. Maybe a little crowded, but happy. And, really, it never felt too crowded until it was too cold to go outside. We've waited and we've waited, because the time wasn't right.
Suddenly this year, it "felt" right. We knew. And then pieces started fitting together. It was as if they were magnetically drawn towards each other, just pulling and clicking into the right spots. Both of my parents started dating. My Papaw plans to move to NC when my aunt does. Suddenly these things that I was feeling responsibility for were taken care of (yes, I'm an Oldest Child.)
Then Fred said "yes." He's always hesitated before. It wasn't the right time. But now, although nervous about it, he is excited and on-board.
We started submitting applications and resumes, and got immediate responses, phone interviews. The jobs are there. Started looking around at homes. The costs are comparable. Suddenly it was no longer just a dream, but a plan. A PLAN.
Because, really....why not?
Why do people stay in jobs they hate? Or live where they'd rather not live?
Whatever the reasons, I'm not okay with that. I want to pursue my dreams. At the very least, I can say I did. I tried.
So, for the time being, everything but school and "house stuff" has been put on hold.
We are pursuing a dream.
We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal and then leap in the dark to our success.”


― Henry David Thoreau

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”

― Michelangelo Buonarroti

“If you're bored with life, if you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things, you don't have enough goals.”

― Lou Holtz
“When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal.”

― Napoleon Hill


“Patience is not passive waiting. Patience is active acceptance of the process required to attain your goals and dreams.”

― Ray Davis
These are a few of my inspiration quotes. Above all, I feel that this is God's plan for us, and He is directing us. I feel secure in that, and know that He is far more able than I am to work out the details.
Pray for us? Support us emotionally? Even if you don't fully understand why we'd uproot and move, we'd appreciate your love and support. We all walk different paths. I believe this is part of ours. :)

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Words with Friends

A few months ago, one of my boys took an extra long time brushing his teeth.
After he was in bed, I found this in the bathroom:

Yep, his name spelled out, in hair thinga majigies, combs, tooth brushes.
Creative spirit!
He started something, y'all, and my friends and family joined in!
My dear friend Suzanne's hubby did this from his office, in Little Rock, AR:
And she responded with this one, from her home:
Then I found some Joy, while hiking.
It is usually where I find the most joy--
outside, with my kids, in the warmth and fresh air.

Another friend, Ann-Marie, sent this from her office in Rockford, Illinois:
(I totally thought that was toilet paper on her desk, at first glance!)
And, below....
behold, my dishes.

Oh, and another from Suzanne. Isn't this sweet? :D

Monday, March 25, 2013

Meet Thor

This is our newest family member, Thor Joseph Adler. He is a pyr/golden lab mix, 9-weeks old.
Quite a large baby! Isn't his yawing face just precious?
My little sis, Julie

He's such a good pup-- always comes right to me when I call him.
He stays next to me (on a leash) while I run and walk, too.


Awwwww, just presh, you have to admit.
I'm not a "dog person," but this little (big) guy stole my heart.
We puppy-sat him twice, and did a lot of reading before bringing him to our home.
He's like the Pied Piper-- neighborhood kids started coming out of the woodwork to give him some sugar.
Are you a dog or cat person? Have any experience with Pyrenees or golden labs? We're cat owners, so most of this is new to us. I can read and read, but experience speaks louder.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Pour Jons

This coffee shop isn't just any old coffee shop, folks!
Talk about combining great food and atmosphere!

She's so talented, friends. And she happens to be my Dad's girlfriend's daughter. (Mouthful, yes.)

Seeing as I have ZERO- ZIP- NADA musical talent, I greatly appreciate those who do.
Especially impressive to watch someone play guitar, harmonica, and sing.

Love Pour Jon's new vinyl shop, too! They even have the little 45s! And, believe it or not, I actually own a record player, and bought a few (including a record from the Rocky soundtrack, for my Man.)
Also. I want a brick wall like that in my home.


How fun are these two?! Makes me want to go dye my hair all mermaid-like!


And, of course, my sister, feigning a fall out the open two-story window. Niiiiice, Julie.

 If you live in my area, and haven't been to Pour Jons yet, you have to go!!
I highly recommend the French Toast Coffee. //drool

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Volcano-making

Remember those volcanoes we sculpted, using our salt dough recipe?
A week later, they were dry and ready to paint!
We used acrylics to paint the inside red, the outside brown, and add grass around the base.

 I gave them creative license with their eruptions. Some of them had an all-out explosion on their hands, and others had rather inactive volcanoes.

Love how their personalities come out in their art.

 Progress, on some of their work:
We'll add more dimension to our dioramas next time, with pebbles and twigs, etc.


Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Girls' Art Class

For the last two weeks, we've been working on Folk Art drawings,
with lots of bold patterns and bright colors....
 {{amazing results!}}
 ...and bead-making, with this salt dough recipe.
 We also make necklace pendants and itty bitty houses.
I can't tell you how delighted I was to see my little pupils painting their homes with stripes and polka dots! That's what I love about kids!!-- their imagination is the limit!
Round house? Why not! Polka dots and swirly doors? Sure!
 It was sooooo gorgeous last week, so we did our lessons and snack break outside on the porch,
along with a little stretching (goofing off, whatev')
The sky is the limit!
Make some dough, mold your scuptures, and let air-dry.
(We left ours under the couch for a week, and painted them during the following lesson.)
Use tempera or acylics to paint them.
These are great, cheap, easy, personal Mother's and Father's Day gifts!

Monday, March 18, 2013

Spring days are here again

Things are starting to turn green again, y'all!!
We even hiked in tank tops and shorts last Saturday, and felt pretty sweaty after 5 miles.
 The breeze on top of the dam felt wonderful, and we took our snack/water break up there,
while watching boats go by, and rappellers descend.
 THIS is why I stay in Arkansas.
I dislike the cold, wet lingering winters (I know, you Northerners, I am a wimp!!)
but I looooove the forests and hills, boulders and bluffs, rivers and caves. I love the abundant sunshine and gorgeous views. The Ozarks are truly one of the most beautiful places in the world, especially when everything turns bright and blooming. {sigh} Can't wait.
 Two of my four kids looking. ha. It's hard to get the whole crew still and facing the same direction!


Oh, spring, hurry along!! I had to wear gloves on my bike ride again today, and I'd much rather don the tank top and shorts again instead!!