Schooled in the Boot Store

Two weekends ago Diana from Seattle came to the Ranch to play and work. She taught me so much and helped me to see more clearly. As a treat to her and all our guests, we like to take them down to South Congress or SoCo as people in the Know call it to browse a little piece of Heaven on earth in a store called Allen's Boots. You've never seen so many gorgeous boots in your whole entire life. Sometimes a pair will grab hold of you and will refuse to let go.

Diana was supposed to be the one to buy boots. I didn't go in thinking I needed boots, but after being at a wedding over the weekend where these classic Texas women wore boots dressed up, I will acknowledge there was a slight need in my life for black boots. I found these fun boots that looked like they had little flowers on them, but it was really the design of the lizard skin. Art is life.

I was getting ready to put them back because there were lots of reasons in my mind NOT to get them. One, there are other things I need like a new computer and always another camera lens, not to mention our older daughter's college education to pay off. I have my priorities straight. Two, the color was something I thought I'd never in a million years own: a two-toned boot, nevermind that it was double-whammy white! But Don came over and told me I had to have them. That I'd come back next time and they'd be gone and they are really perfect for me.



That's when it was time to look around the store at my accomplices (Don, Rosa Jane and Diana) and count on my hand all the times I thought I'd never do/be a part of something and life wonderful life turned out blissfully to the contrary:

1. I never thought I'd married an older man, just ask Seebug how much Hell I gave her for marrying a cute boy a mere 8 years older.

2. I never thought we'd get pregnant. Well, after months that added up to years and years of trying, I never thought we'd get pregnant. Maybe that's why when we did finally affirm (to my credit, I did take two pregnancies test upon suspect, but both came up negative) we were pregnant we were already 20 weeks along. Bliss that we were halfway done and we didn't even know it! Never mind the fear we live in NOW, knowing that we could get pregnant! Ha! My, my how quickly the tables turn!

3. I never thought my friend Diana from Boston who moved to Seattle would make it down to visit us. Sometimes as much as you love a friend, you can't help but think that wish of coming to visit is nothing more in reality than a pipe dream.



Three for three. I think it's time to recalibrate. So I listened to Don and I am grateful for the extra push. I know boots don't make the girl and I know true happiness lies within, but damn, it sure it nice to don some sweet-looking boots that make me giddy happy and will for years to come, even if they are two-toned white. Maybe that's the funniest part of all.

Roses are red

We love to get invites to eat and meet new friends!
Check out the pics from Autumn's house last night.
Good times and lollipops after dark!

I'm Ready to Throw Down

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Originally uploaded by ..Kristen...

any one that would like to compare Oprah to the devil. I listen to her XM radio program whenever it is possible and always learn something new and insightful. Over the last several months I have picked up books that have greatly affected my life and my point of view. I am eternally grateful. I am a Christian and I try to live my life as Christ has taught, but I have always struggled with that. I never could get a grasp on how and would always get distracted by worldly things -- be it the person that just cut me off in traffic, or the rudeness of a fellow customer at the grocery store, etc, let alone my constant companion inside my head with negative self-attacks. I just couldn't let stuff go. But now, thanks to the Power of Now, I am realizing that all my internal thoughts are just my ego doing it's best to "Edge God Out," as Dr. Wayne Dyer put it so eloquently. Oprah is starting an online night class Monday nights in March and I can't wait to participate. I hope you'll join it, too. It really is going to create A New Earth with those that are spiritually enlightened. Down with the ego. Up with Oprah and Living your Best Life here on Earth where there's enough love from God through Jesus to make the world go around.

Here's a photo of my inspired reading these days. Pick up these books and change your life TODAY!

I'm on My Way to Making New Mistakes

I'm on My Way
I'm on my way from misery to happiness today
I'm on my way from misery to happiness today
I'm on my way to what I want from this world
And years from now you'll make it to the next world
And everything that you receive up yonder
Is what you gave to me the day I wandered

I took a right, I took a right turning yesterday
I took a right, I took a right turning yesterday
I took the road that brought me to your home town
I took the bus to streets that I could walk down
I walked the streets to find the one I'd looked for
I climbed the stair that led me to your front door

And now that I don't want for anthing
I'd have Al Jolson sing "I'm sitting on top of the world"

I'll do my best, I'll do my best to do the best I can
I'll do my best, I'll do my best to do the best I can
To keep my feet from jumping from the ground dear
To keep my heart from jumping through my mouth dear
To keep the past, the past and not the present
To try and learn when you teach me a lesson

And now that I don't want for anything
I'd have Al Joison sing "I'm sitting on top of the world".
= The Proclaimers ala SHREK's soundtrack

Tears and love and stating that I've learned an important lesson. She really wasn't like the other girls. I have to remember that. So let February be the month of love and March be the month of return to old schedules, peace and tranquility.

I am AMAZED by the calmness in my head as I live in the moment during the morning routine and usual craziness to get out the door on time. When I live in the moment of "What do I need next? Oh yeah, RJ's shoes... Let's go get them! Now what? Oh yeah, breakfast. Let's go get it! Now what, and so on and so forth" I have actually been in my car 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Can you believe that? Frantic stress of thinking of a million and one things makes you LATE, while just living aware, makes you early or on time. I choose to live in the moment any day, but especially today!

"I need all my Kids!"

Ever since Thanksgiving, Rosa Jane has been playing with the Little People Nativity scene Honey gave her. She calls all the people and animals "my kids" and often says, "I need all my kids!" To think of putting them away for the season seems like a torturous thing for a mother to do to her kid. Every day, Rosa Jane seems fixated on finding all her "wise mans."

From time to time, some evil mommy who shall remain nameless will come about in a flurry tossing everything this way and that way until all is put away jumbled, but out of sight.

On Sunday, Rosa Jane was looking for baby Jesus and sorting though a green basket twice as big as she is through all her favorite toys that she had forgotten she had. (Imagine that!) As she is sorting she is encircling herself in piles of favorites. I was like "oh, my goodness! that's EXACTLY what I do, when it comes to sorting out closets or my "in basket" or just about anything. Then I get overwhelmed by all my favorites being out in plain view so I quickly toss them back in the closet or basket and push and shove the door closed until next time I am brave enough to open the door. Then next time all my favorites will rain down on my head so I never forget them again. I don't recommend this to any one with a husband or roommate she loves. From the look on Donr's face, I know this to be a trying experience.

This is my great Ah Ha! moment. Let's see if I truly have the power to babystep towards change and actually do something with these so-called favorites.

All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

1. I could pay some handyman guy $200 to come to my house to "weatherstrip" my doors, or I could be proactive and close the already weatherstripped doors more tightly.

2. I could hire some boy to come help me train my too-smart-for-his-britches dog and become totally stressed out about not having the time to correct all my dog's bad behaviors in the moment and in effect create a MORE devilish dog, but ask yourself, as a mother of a crazy handful two year old daughter, WHY?

3. I could change up my schedule completely and drive myself over the edge insane with so much structure a girl like me can hardly breathe.

4. since I have foolishly spent money on the aforementioned disasters, bartering is my new way of life. In exchange for photographs, I now have deliciously and miraculously clean carpets -- look no further than Heaven's Best -- all you people out there. They cleaned out nasty cat stains that have been with the house forever (previous owners). I now have a personal decorator and confidant and inspirer. This woman, Alicia Autrey at Decoratorforhire.com has CHANGED my life, y'all! I bartered with my neighbor for her like-new stationary exercise bike and with Ms. Deborah for Kindermusik classes for my musically inclined daughter... and the list goes on and on! I mean Honey came to visit and gave us that Kitchen Aide Mixer we always wanted.

So I've learned some hard lessons since the beginning of 2008. I thank all those sweet people who have helped reassure me, wipe away my tears and encourage me to keep on a keeping on finding balance in my life. Motherhood is like walking on a tightrope. Sweet Donr is my catch net. Thank you, love.

Now, time to get back to "doing the right thing." I'm not so sure blogging counts, but it sure does help me clear my head.

Like Mother Like Daughter

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Originally uploaded by ..Kristen...

Well the years start coming and they don't stop coming,
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running
Didn't make sense not to live for fun
Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb
So much to do so much to see
So what's wrong with taking the back streets
You'll never know if you don't go
You'll never shine if you don't glow
- Smash Mouth


My two yr old has become fascinated with the big green ogre, Shrek. She loves the "All Star" theme song sung by Smashmouth. A couple of times we have been out and about and a serendipitous moment occurs -- the song blares in the background. RJ will say, "SHREK!!" When I listen intently, I concurr she is right.

I have always loved this song, too. It is such a positive song that it inspires me to "get my game on, go play!"

There are so many strong memories attached to this song, too. It reminds me of Nashville and laughing with Sally. It reminds me of Jackson Design and their inspired ad campaign that led to Spike and the gang. And my debut as a Cover girl, Rachel.

I think I love listening to what has become the shrek song as much as Rosa Jane does. She's started to sing along even when it is not playing.

The power of music to transport to another time and place is magical. I am happy to go along for the ride to my shining glory days and 15 minutes of fame.

MAMA

Okay, of the mamas out there, who caught themselves with tears a-streamin' down her cheeks as Kanye West sang his heart out to his passed away mother?

As I worry about how much time I'm spending or not spending with my daughter... I have to remind myself I ain't working no nightshift to make ends meet and even if I was, there's Kanye to sing about how much love is still there. The song was not about abandonment or feeling unloved.

To each his own way. March to the beat of your own drummer.

Be in the moment.

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Originally uploaded by ..Kristen...

There's no where you can be that isn't where you're meant to be. it's easy.

There's no room (in your home that) you can't change for two weeks to see if it works.

Do one thing that scares you a little bit each day.

Live authentically. Break through shells. Strip through your facade of reasons why things can't change for you right now. Right here.

Don't forget how special you are and all those in relation to you -- your family, your neighborhood, your community, your state, your nation, your planet. What will you do to make it better?
I'm slow-roasting beef and taking baby steps when shopping for groceries. I'm enjoying the process and looking for ways to improve upon someone's day.

This way of living rocks my socks off. Try it for just one moment. I bet you can't stop. It's like an open bag of Lay's Potato Chips. The real ones.

You Shoulda Been There

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Originally uploaded by ..Kristen...

This image looks so effortless. Brett was squawking. Uncle Pat was lifting up Aunt C so she could do a herky to get everyone to laugh.

I guess my camera really was pointed the wrong way. ;-)

A Weekend of Heritage in Food and Sparkly Attire

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Originally uploaded by ..Kristen...

For Christmas, Honey gave Caren and me promised Lebanese-cooking lessons. I've been looking forward to this weekend for a while. It was originally a weekend for just the girls, but the town's library held a benefit ball and so we brought the boys and the kids in tow. The guys stayed with the babes during the day while the women spent the day in Tammy Haddad's home kitchen. We made kibbe nie (raw beef/cracked wheat mixture), fried kibbe balls, stuffed grape leaves and cabbage rolls with hashwee. It was so fun and such an insight to how women bonded over spending three hours in the kitchen. I can't wait to find our local international food market and see just how good my notes were.

We are currently accepting donations for a heavy-duty kitchen aid mixer with the meat grinder attachment. ;-)

Check out the pictures of the cousins. I edited the ones that spoke the most fun. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

And the Crowd Goes Wild . . .

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Originally uploaded by ..Kristen...

After a teary goodbye on *my* part to the old school and quiet chants from the peanut of "i want ___ (insert name of old school)," She seemed to want to stay home today and I was dubious of how today and the start of her new school would play out. So on the drive this morning, I asked her, "Do you like to play outside? Yes, she said. Do you like to play with friends? Yes, she said. Do you like to make crafts? Yes, she said. Well, you're in for a treat!, I said, Because today is a great day to do all these things and more!

When we arrived in the parking lot, I said, "Look at all the happy kids skipping into school!" I could feel her own excitement building as she gripped my fingers tighter as we walked right into her classroom. A classroom where friendly mothers greeted me and introduced themselves and their children. RJ headed straight to all the cool toys on the otherside of the room. I ventured closer to her and she gave me a little hug, then she was off playing again.

The teacher's report, "she is a natural." She acted like she'd been there all along. When she saw me, she came running to the door and gave me a big hug. Not like whew! what a relief you're back, but more like "Gee! I love you!! So great to see you! Let's go see Honey now." She fetched her bags and that was that. In the car it was, "I wanna come back here tomorrow."

So the best part of my day? The second hug I got. She's never really done that before. The worst part of my day? Packing for our short trip. Sally sent me some 101 reasons we should plan goals. On my short list: Make packing fun and less stressful.