Happy New Year!

Hello all!

Wow...time sure flies. It's been almost a month since my last post. I've kinda redirected myself for a time to another blog that is more real, more raw, more...well...life like. If you'd like to know more, email me and I'll send you there. :O)

In the mean time, I have not forgotten about this blog. I will continue to report inspiration as it finds me.

In the mean time, blessings to all for a healthy and Happy New Year!

Be INSPIRED!!!

I'm the recipient of a daily inspirational report from a gentleman by the name of Jeff Young. Jeff is a Single Dad. And he's lived with Lou Gherig's Disease since the 80's. If anyone knows anything about Lou Gherig's, you know that the prognosis is not good. To beat all odds and live not just a few months or a few years, but YEARS AND YEARS beyond an original diagnosis...is amazing and inspiring all by itself. Add single parenthood to the mix and you've truly got yourself a super hero. I'm grateful for the reality check that lands in my email box every day.

Here is today's message:

"Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability." - John Wooden

John Wooden coached the UCLA men’s basketball team to ten national titles, including seven in a row between 1967 and 1973. Yet, he never implored his team to beat another team. Coach Wooden believed that the scoreboard was irrelevant to whether or not you won or lost. He told his players that only they would know whether or not they had won, because winning was determined by whether or not they had given everything they had to give. He told them there was no honor in outscoring another team simply because the other team was lousy or because they got lucky. Likewise, there was no shame in coming up short on the scoreboard if you had given it your all.

Be very careful when comparing yourself to others, because disappointment via unrealistic expectations is often the seedbed of failure. Can we get over the notion that life is supposed to be fair? It’s not fair, and it is never going to be fair. Because everyone plays the game of life with advantages and disadvantages others do not have, we must begin measuring our success based upon our own abilities. What would you do with someone else’s ability? Not a damn thing if you’re not already utilizing the ability that you already have. Regardless of where you are in life, start disciplining yourself to give your all in all that you do and you won’t be there for long.

To sign up for Jeff's Inspirational Quotation for Today, send an e-mail to warriors-on@friendsofjeff.com or use the automated link on the website (www.friendsofjeff.com).

Even in the limited state of his body, his brain and spirit are alive and well and still setting goals. He has a goal now of adding 10,000 readers to his email distribution. Let's all gather and push him over his goal! I encourage you to copy and post to your blog so all of your readers may be inspired, as well!

Today's goal status: Readers Added Wednesday 2, Total 3,157, To Reach Next Goal 6,843

Let's all be Friends of Jeff! :O)

Advent Conspiracy

In the current economic climate, there are a lot of people who will struggle more than usual through this holiday season. I personally, have no money to contribute to gift giving of the standard variety this year. Rather than being discouraged, though, I’ve opened up my my box of creative possibilities to serve and give from my heart, rather than my pocketbook.

A few ideas that I have thought of immediately are:

*Clean out closets and donate to homeless and women’s shelter’s.
*Donate extra coats and blankets to homeless and women’s shelter’s or take a journey downtown and hand deliver them to whomever you’ve been lead to.
*I love to bake. The time and love poured into baking and cooking for others is a sure way to warm a heart, as well as the tum! And when has a homemade cookie ever NOT put a smile on your face?!
*I have several hidden gifts of the creative variety that I plan to utilize for blessing others. What do you do with your hands that could bless someone?
*It seems the hand written blessing has gone by the wayside with today’s modern technology. Tell someone how much they mean to you in your own words; your own handwriting.

These are just a few ideas that I have up my sleeve. Do you have any other ideas? Please comment and share your ideas so that we may all benefit and spread love and joy this Christmas Season with the gift of our TIME.

Thank You!

Thank you, dear brother and sister-in-law, for sending for the babe and I, Mom and Gramma, so that we could all spend Thanksgiving dinner together. Even though you just received a pay cut just before the holidays, you dug deep into your pockets for the best present we could ever receive: Time. We don't see each other very often now that you've moved away, but I will remember this forever. Thank you.

Thank you, employer, for keeping me through the holidays. In the current economic climate, it is a privilege and a blessing to have employment while I watch multitudes around me lose their jobs.

Thank you rain, all of it, for most of the year...because without it, Oregon would not be as lush and beautiful and green an amazing wonder to look at every single day of the year.

Thank you, technology, for allowing communication to happen quickly and easily no matter the distance that parts any of us.

Thank you, comfort food. Just because. :O)

Thank you, Blogger and other blog hosts for opening up a world of community that may not have ever been known without you. I now have friends from afar that I would not have known any other way. My world has been enriched.

Thank you, peace and quiet, when I am graced with it. It's where my batteries are recharged.

Thank you, church family, for loving me so unconditionally; for always knowing what I need, when I need it, and for helping when I'm afraid or stubborn or too prideful to ask.

Thank you, musically gifted individuals, for creating amazing sensation for the ears, mind, body and soul. Music moves me.

Thank you, friends, who I could not live without. My world is a better place because simply knowing you, makes me a better person. Thank you, for loving me.

Thank you sanity, for appearing when life would otherwise dictate insanity's presence.

Thank you, dear daughter, who fills me with so much joy, I almost can't stand it sometimes. I am blessed beyond measure!

Thank you, clients, for allowing me to capture your special moments and joy. Sharing a morsel of your world is priceless to me and I am enriched more than I could have ever imagined.

Thank you, childcare provider, for loving my daughter (and me) as one of your own, and taking such good care of her...you are the only ones I didn't feel I had to compromise my values for.

Thank you, America, for the freedom and abundance that we live in today. It's so easy to take it all for granted, but I appreciate the opportunity to be whatever it is I choose to be. Thank you for allowing us choices that so many do not know.

Thank you, washer and dryer, for getting all the dirt out, with relatively little effort on my part.

Thank you, Grace, for giving me the eyes to see that in a world that is broken, that there is hope and joy and peace in spite of it all; and we are all brothers and sisters, equal in our gifts and strife, together.

Thank you, Jesus, for saving me. I have been freed from a heavy cloud of burden and pain and released into the freedom that is hope, in You.

Thank you, God, for creating all things so beautifully and magically. I'm so blessed to reside in such wonder and amazement.

Hi :O)

Wow. So... It's been like... almost 3 weeks since I've posted. My how time flies when...when...when single motherhood happens! lol!

My Mom came to visit for a week and a half and help me with the babe while her regular daycare provider was out on vacation. SO great to have an extra set of hands from time to time. But then I start missing my space when she's here. In a couple days I'll start missing the extra hands again.

Single Motherhood is an exercise in constantly setting things down. Nothing is certain. Everything is moving. Plans always get redirected. I can't really get excited about anything because then baby chokes on a grape and throws up all over herself and the floor at Costco...you know...the life of single handed juggling has a lot of rain on the preverbial parade. But it is my life. :) I love it. It sure does enhance patience. Choking baby has strengthened my heart...because I've had a hundred heart attacks in the last 22 months. I have a lot of people in my life who help out a great deal. I am eternally grateful. But there doesn't ever seem to be anybody there when things get heavy. Or messy. (like having to just be right in the middle of a messy grape mess at Costco by myself.) There's no point in getting frustrated with the things life throws...or baby throws...up.

At any rate...this post isn't about anything in particular. Just kinda spilling whatever beans I can find. Marbles. I've lost mine. Could you help me find 'em? I filled out another Meme the other day. I should post it. A couple friends of mine said I was hilarious. I have my moments.

Okay, I've decided to post it...

44 ODD Things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 44 things about your friends, and let them learn 44 things about you! Send back to me and to several more friends!!

1. Do you like blue cheese? Nope.
2. Have you ever smoked? I've puffed a few times. Gagged. Threw up.
3. (I just realized 3 was missing...make that...43 ODD things about me.)
4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? The sugar flavored kind. GAK!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Nervous, no. Annoyed, yes.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Okay from time to time. Try not to think about what they are made of.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? The one with Jesus in it.
8. Favorite thing to drink in the morning? Coffee
9. Can you do push ups? Yup. Well...I used to. I'll have to try later. :O)~
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Um...My rings, I suppose
11. Favorite hobby? Photography, Reading
12. Do you have A.D.D.? Sometimes. Actually now that I have a toddler, I think I do a lot more.
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I don't hate anything. I'd prefer a couple different things, but have come to love all of me and my idiocyncricies. :)
14. Middle name? Lee
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.
1) I'm getting paid to fill in this form
2) Happy thoughts :O)~
3) Missing my baby
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee, Water, Juice
17. Current worry? Nothing much to worry about. I COULD worry more...but there's no point. It always works itself out.
18. Current hate right now? I don't hate anything...'cept maybe...hatred.
19. Favorite place to be? Someplace sunshiny and warm and...
20. How did you bring in the new year? I think I was sleeping.
21. Where would you like to go? Carribean. Maui. Someplace sunshiny
22. Name three people who might complete this:
A) He
B) She
C) Definitely they
23. Do you own slippers? Need new ones. Mine are 12 years old. Tell Santa, would you?
24. What shirt are you wearing? Burgundy sweater with white collar and cuffs.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Cotton is good. I suppose satin would be okay for a treat from time to time. But not all the time.
26.Can you whistle? sorta
27. Favorite color? Purple
28. Would you be a pirate? No
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower. But I sing REALLY GOOD in my truck! :O)
30. Favorite Girl's Name: Charis Nicole Rose
31. Favorite boy's name: Rowe
32. What's in your pocket right now? Lint
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Playin' with my daughter. I don't know where she gets her sillies from. :O)~
34. What vehicle do you drive? Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Truck
35. Worst injury you've ever had? Heart injuries
36. Do you love where you live? I like it a lot. Don't know if I LOVE it.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? One. Its a big dust collector.
38. Who is your loudest friend? All my friends are meek and quiet. BAHAHAHA! :)
39. Do you have any pets? Only dustbunnies. And pet friends. hehe
40. Does someone have a crush on you? I think maybe. Yes. :O)~
41. Your favorite book(s): The Bible. My Utmost for His Highest. And a whole slew of others.
42. Do you collect anything? I collect a lot of air. lol! Perhaps I have a collection of dust bunnies.
43. Favorite Sports Team? Uh...
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Don't worry...be happy.

That was fun. What's next? :)

Alrighty then...back to work. Have a great day now, y'hear?!

The Least of These

As the Season of Giving approaches, it's easy to consider all those who are less fortunate. It is my personal desire to incorporate a year long season of giving, into my life; to think of others always, before myself. And not just this coming year, but for the rest of my life.

As a single woman, it can be a bit intimidating to consider how to help because the environments in which the poor and homeless reside are not always the safest. I'd like to offer a few ideas that I have been prompted to in the past few months.

There is a local market downtown (Portland Saturday Market) that is in the neighborhood of the homeless. Because there are so many people, it is a safe place to be, if alone, to do 'something'. A few weeks ago I felt compelled to go and take pictures. I have a zoom lens so was able to capture the life without intruding into their space. What I have done with these photos is post them to my photo blog and have drawn attention to a ministry that actively assists with helping them, called Bowls of Grace. I plan to create a book for them with my pictures to assist them with their ministry outreach efforts. While I was there, I had the opportunity to chat with a couple of individuals who live the life. They approached me, so I feel like they were God led. They were who I was to go downtown to see. And they asked me to pray for them, which was an amazing privilege to do. I learned during this trip that when He asks us to go...that if we just go, He will guide us and protect us and give us the resources that we need to accomplish His purpose.

I have felt a pressing to minimize and simplify the abundance of 'stuff' in my house. Stuff is just stuff. Why do I have so much stuff? I don't need it all. So I will donate my 'stuff' to the local GoodWill in order to allow them to help others who are in need. We don't always have to be on the front line to still make a difference.

I will be donating all my extra clothes to the women's shelter.

I currently work for an organization that makes shoes. Sometimes freebies are available for the taking. I've recently collected some shoes and t-shirts that I intend to bring to those in need. Any opportunity that I see/find that is giving away freebies, I first consider the needs of those who are without.

I have a collection of coats I've collected over the years and I plan to take them downtown sometime soon to pass out to whomever God leads me to.

For Thanksgiving, a friend of mine always receives a turkey for free from work. We intend to cook it up and make turkey sandwiches out of it, and provide a good turkey sandwich to those who live downtown.

I've had the opportunity to be a part of a Bowls of Grace outreach downtown and its amazing the stereotypes we create in our mind about who really lives on the streets. On one occassion we served over 200 homeless and I was surprised to know that there were only a very very small handful that were visibly drunk or on drugs (because that is what I have thought of them). The individuals I was able to speak to were genuinely humble folks who hit a rough spot and were in transition. Some are very ashamed, but are working on finding their way 'home'. My heart broke for them.

Taking a giant leap of faith to step into the world of the oppressed is a life changing experience to say the least. It truly puts into perspective the abundance that we are surrounded with.

I'm in the process of finding a new job and the job that I anticipate obtaining will provide me a great deal more of a salary than I am currently receiving. It would be very easy for me to think first about myself and about what I'm going to do with my new found 'wealth' (vacations are usually the first thing in my mind). But all I 'need' is enough to keep the roof over our head, clothes on our back, and food in our bellies. The rest of the 'stuff' is just 'stuff'. In contemplating my journey to the heavenlies (which could happen at any moment), I've thought long and hard about the legacy I will leave. Will it be found in the 'stuff' that is collecting dust in my garage? Probably not. Will it be found in the coat that I give to somebody who is cold? Or the warm sandwich to the growling stomach that hasn't had a meal in a while? I am rich beyond measure to have a roof, food and clothes. The essentials we so take for granted are not a privilege for a great deal of Americans. Here...the land of the FREE...is so incredibly oppressed beneath the obsession with self. How many financially rich people are happy because of their wealth? Probably not many. But richness and fullness is realized when handing someone something that seems so trivial to me. What about a warm hug and a smile on a cold day? Because beneath the dirty clothes and exterior is a heart that deserves some warmth and love, too.

Matthew 29:40
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Me Tired Head

I am so ridiculously tired I almost can't stand it. I say almost because there's only about an ounce of anything in me at the moment that is keeping me on the responsible adult side of consciousness. (How in the world did I just articulate that sentence...Apparently my fingers are on auto pilot.) Because really...seriously...my brain has left the building. It is taking a nap...like the rest of my body should be doing.

I love love love my baby so much and she's so worth everything that is difficult about single parenting. But probably the HUGEST annoyance and challenge I have is never getting enough sleep. The past couple of weeks have been the worst. Every chance I have gotten to get to bed early...I can't sleep and end up tossing and turning until really late...so I may as well have just stayed up and gotten things done like I needed to anyway.

Thank goodness I work in a completely casual work environment (at least for now) because today I'm sporting jeans and a hoodie. I could not muster enough strength to find anything else. Wow. I'm so going to sleep in my truck at lunch today. Intravenous caffeine would be good for now. UGH!

Add to my tired's a new job search. Job hunting is the least pleasant of my favorite things to do...interviewing sucks the life out of me. And since I don't have a lot of life to suck out at the moment, I'm praying fervently that the interviewers can see past the black circles under my eyes to see the really capable individual who wants to work her tired hiney off for them. That makes me tired to think about...working my hiney off. Cuz really...my current job is cake; I don't need to bring my brain in on most days because its just really...brainless...work. But I can't stay here because as fabulous as the culture and relaxing flexibility of this environment, it's not adequately paying my bills. If it was just me, I'd stay because I can make compromises for myself...but since I'm the sole breadwinner...I can't make compromises. Little munchkins require a certain amount of funding that is completely out of my control. And gosh, it sure would be nice if I could afford someone to come out and clean my house for me every now and then.

And with all of that said, the sad part is that I have to consider setting aside the thing that really brings me to life...my photography. Or at least redirecting my focus/time/energy...because it is the thing that I do in whatever spare moments I get. But I can't push myself over into doing that full time right now. Too much of a frivolouse expense for people to spend money on photography when they can't pay their bills and they're losing their houses.

So...today...its about survival...and keeping my eyes open (particularly while I'm driving). And it really frustrates me when I have to place myself in auto pilot just coasting...because its the only thing I have the energy for. And I can't push myself until I break. Gotta be at least partially functioning for my baby.

UGH.

There Will Be a Day

Sometimes a song will come out that grips my heart and soul...like God Himself has wrapped his giant arms around me and I'm so full of hope and love and if for only a moment, I feel absolutely complete, in His presence. This song has done that, but this time its like a huge hug that will be followed by a lengthy time apart...like when your best friend moves away and it will be a long while before you see them again. You know you will...but the missing them seems so agonizing. There's another song called 'Homesick' by Mercy Me... I've never really felt this kind of homesickness until now. My heart aches to just be 'home'...where there will be no more pain; no more worry; no more fears. But my hope for that is what keeps me alive. What an incredible anticipation... :O)

Kinda Quiet 'Round Here...

Ya, so I haven't had a great deal of Inspiration these days. This doesn't mean I haven't had truck loads of 'stuff' passing through my brain. It just means the truckloads are not taking on any kind of form. Even a tornado has a cylindrical form...Hurricanes. Perhaps what has happened is an earthquake. :) Lots of ruckus, but a form cannot materialize until some time passes clearing up the rubble.

What HAS been happening?

Well...I'll start with the stuff I don't have a great deal of control over...Economic 'stuff'. We're all in it. I try hard not to consider how devastating things CAN or COULD get; try to focus more on God's provision in spite of it all. I realized yesterday that gas prices have dropped a whole dollar in the last couple months, but it is still a wreck to drive through the pump. For some reason my gas mileage has decreased significantly, so just because gas prices have gone down...they haven't really, if I have to fill up more frequently. I purchased cooking oil for the first time in a long time this weekend...It took me a minute to pick my jaw up off the floor...almost $5 for a small jug...of the GENERIC STUFF!?!?!?! I remember paying less than a dollar...or a little over a dollar for a BIG jug...what seemed like not so long ago. Hello! What are they putting in it? GOLD?! Okay...end gripe. [UPDATE: I visited a different grocery store...and oil was around $1.50. I took a giant sigh of relief. The other store clearly benefits from robbing their customers. Won't be visiting there again.]

Anyways...things are feeling a little dismal. I hear almost daily now of someone losing their home and families are starting to stack up on each other. I am mentally preparing myself for the same possibility in my household; that my Mom and Gramma might sooner than later take up residence in my spare room. This wouldn't be such a bad thing...I could use the company sometimes. However, losing your 'space' is hard to get used to; hard to consider getting used to. But...all things happening for a reason, I ponder how this economy could be forcing us to look at our families and depending on one another, like they did in the 'olden days'. Back when I feel like people were a whole lot less selfish and a whole lot more selfless. When God was more of the center and not our own self. Hm.

Even considering the loss of our 'convenient' lifestyles, which is essentially what we at this point are mourning, is convenience...we in this country are so RICH. My garage is full of 'stuff'. Why do I have all this 'stuff'? Because I can, I suppose. What would it look like if every penny we earned went to only our basic and essential needs...food. Clothing. Not designer clothing or pretty clothing, but clothing for comfort and warmth. Perhaps I/we could learn to appreciate our abundance. I'm a single woman with a small child who owns a home. I have no equity in it right now because of this economic ditch we've fallen into, but I OWN a roof. How rich am I?

I've decided to simplify myself over the next few weeks and start donating clothes and 'stuff' to those who are less fortunate. I've love to find someone specifically to bless with it, but I don't know anybody personally who could benefit. Fortunately there are organizations that help with finding these individuals, though. My clothes will all go to a woman's shelter. Other household items will go to Goodwill.

It's interesting how difficult it is to make a decision to downsize. Like there's some emotional attachment to 'stuff'. I admit...it is difficult for me to get rid of certain things. But if its been in my garage for a while and I haven't thought about it or looked at it or used it... then what is the point of it collecting dust? And truly, on a grander scale...if I was taken from this earth today, what agony my friends and family would have to endure sorting through this 'stuff' and having to find something to do with it. What is more important? Blessings to others will last well beyond this life. Material 'stuff' is but dust...that will choke you if you get too close to it...

So today, I'm going to start cleaning house. Clearing the clutter. Freeing my spirit and conscience to focus on more important things. Finding gratitude in all the things I have collected over the years, but finding also freedom in letting it go.

I'm Moving to Denmark

Just heard on the radio this morning, this FANTASTIC revolution... for we night owls, they've begun the 'B-Society'. Those who start functioning the best after 10am. Those who have a PAINFULLY difficult time getting up in the morning. Those whose natural time clock is a bit later than the 8-4/9-5 standard.

Here's the 10 Commandments of the B-Society:

*The daily rhythm of each individual is genetically conditioned by heredity. Society needs to be structured to support a diversity of daily rhythms.

*We are calling for an uprising against the tyranny of early rising, and for a better world where a diversity of daily rhythms is acknowledged and respected, giving us the opportunity for a better quality of life, more productive working time and major socioeconomic gains once we no longer take up the same space on the same roads at the same time.

*We are working for equality between early birds and night owls.

*We are working for a more flexible labour market. Each individual's daily rhythm should, as far as possible, govern that person's working life.

*We are working for the introduction of collective agreements for early birds and night owls at negotiations for labour market agreements.

*We are working for the establishment of day nurseries, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools as well as universities that open between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m, at least.

*We are working for more research into daily rhythms.

*We grant ”B-certification” on www.b-productive.dk/eng to businesses, who allow employees to work according to their own daily rhythm, work rhythm and life rhythm.

*We are working globally for a better world that supports a diversity of individual daily rhythms, working rhythms and life rhythms.

*Imagine how differently society would have turned out if the creators of the world had been night owls!

Yahoo! I'm moving to Denmark! :O)