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To Do List…..

February 2, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 16 Comments

This is what I’m wearing for the ‘cocktail’ party’ on Friday night at Blissdom. I’m not a fan of cocktail dresses per se. I am, however, a fan of layering and boots and accessories. Even better news, I’ve had the outfit for a couple of years and bought the dress at Forever 21 for probably 14.99. At least I’ll be warm! Visit Big Mama’s site for other fun Friday fashion tips. And no, I do not own a ‘snuggly’…..although Stevie does vow to buy me one everytime the commercial come on.

Things I need to do before my writer’s workshop (*wink*Blissdom) on Friday

1. Clean out my car so that Leigh Ann doesn’t lose all respect for me.

2. Or at least clean out the front seat and throw the shoes and clothes and petrified french fries to the ‘way’ back.

3. Personal grooming items including but not limited to:

4. trim and polish nails

5. should I use ‘Oh to be 25 again’ or just clear polish

6. pedi….should I indulge or just do it myself?

7. shop my closet for some fun ‘looks’….I know there are things buried in there that I haven’t seen in a while….if I can just find them.

8. make my ‘cheat sheet’ list of bloggers I want to meet….and look back through emails to see if they gave their real names.

9. buy birthday gifts that the girls will need for parties they will attend while I’m gone.

10. plan a couple of make ahead meals to leave for the family for Friday and Saturday….they miss you much less if you leave good food.

11. Make a master list for Stevie of where girls need to go and when…..to make it easy, I’ll lay out clothes ahead of time. This will all be in vain because they will reject being told what to wear and will leave for their various events in sweat pants and tshirts with stains and mangled hair.

12. Should I bring my lap top or not? I know you say yes but Stevie uses it too and may need it desperately while I’m gone….and all my blogger friends will be with me….so they probably won’t be blogging, right?

13. should I Refuse to eat another bite of food and lose the 10 pounds I’ve been trying to get off.

14. Or have another creme de menthe brownie and make use of the slimming effects of black.

15. Print out the schedule for the workshops and back them with scrapbook paper and laminate them.

16. Just kidding.

17. I was thinking of making some kind small little love gifts for a few blog friends. Maybe a bookmark or felt flower pin. It’s the thought that counts, right?

18. I’m not a person who normally does girls’ weekends or anything much away from home and I’m a little finicky about the following items: coffee, pillows (I’ll just bring my own), mattress, bedding, diet pepsi (where and how will I find it), hours spent in real clothes, and real shoes, and the heartache that goes with missing the family.

19. That said, I can’t wait!

20. So what’s on your list? What did I leave off?

21. I’m working on a guest post on homeschooling. What do you love/look for in homeschool related posts….what do you hate…..do you even care? Should I just submit my king tut video and call it a day?

Hi-i-i-i-stayin’ alive…stayin’ alive

February 1, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 10 Comments

I may look like I’m scared…..or about to fall. But really I’m just singing and groovin’ to ‘Hi-i-i-i-i stayin’ alive’. Like my shirt? I thought so. My personal tribute to times gone by.

So Christine and Sue and I took

some big kids

and some little kids

and one really crazy kid
Photobucket
to the second most germ infested hangout in town……second to the bowling alley of course.

the teen girls bonded while trying to not knock over very small children…..

Taylor and Andrew took first place in the scooter race…..while Emme and Morgan finished strong in thirteenth…..

and then of course there’s the hokey pokey….my personal favorite….

and apparently a favorite of Marcus as well.

Most of the afternoon, this is what I looked like. Not because I kept falling, but because I skated so fast that I was a blur to everyone around me. I’m going back next week. I have plans to ‘dominate’ (Taylor and Andrew’s word) all the 13 year olds in the races.

BTW, Marcus can skate. I mean really skate. Those darn hocky players.

7 Quick Takes…….

January 30, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 15 Comments

~~~~~~~ 1 ~~~~~~~~~~

We bought a crucifix as a ‘love’ gift to each other. (early Valentine’s) Steve’s been wanting one for a long time. Did I mention we’re not Catholic? We are Lutheran however, and Lutherans tend to embrace and appreciate the historicity of christian symbols. We just hung ours up and I’m just a tad bit, I don’t know, squeamish or something, about it. And maybe that’s the wrong word. ‘ Not totally comfortable yet’, might be better. I grew up in various Protestant churches, mostly Baptist, and although we embraced the ‘bare’ cross, most rejected having the crucifix. I think Protestants in general are way too ‘against’ everything that resembles Catholicism. The common phrase was “We serve a risen Lord”……yes, one who was first a baby (and we have no trouble displaying a manger scene) and then lived the perfect life (it’s okay to enjoy art that depicts the various parts of Christ’s ministry) and died a sinless death on the cross (the crucifix ‘issue’). I read a great article about the history of the cross and crucifix which you can download here. So, do you display the cross or crucifix in your home and why or why not?

ours is made of alabaster in Italy

~~~~~~~~~~2~~~~~~~~~~~

I learned this fun project from my mother, who’s birthday is tomorrow, and who will enjoy her birthday in Key West. She’s been there for a month now and we’re beginning to wonder if she’s ever coming back. She’s always starts her tomato plants, green peppers, and herbs indoors about this time of year. Last year was my first try at it and it was so much fun. The girls and I bought different kinds of tomato seeds and a few different herbs and planted them yesterday in the premade window box planters. Steve was home and helped us with our ‘seed’ discussion. They usually sprout in about a week and then in a month or so will need to be replanted into bigger pots. The whole process is fun and educational. You should try it.

~~~~~~~~~~~3~~~~~~~~~~~

Where is this year going? My son Taylor graduates from high school and I’m starting to panic. I wish you could meet him. He is so kind and funny and caring and smart and talented. He’s just easy to be around. I know that he’s sinful and depraved just like the rest of us. I know he will fall and fail, but I can’t help well up with mommypride just a little. I was listening to his CD on my iPod and marveling at how talented a songwriter he is. You can listen to his music here. When the actual CD comes out (not until end of Feb) I’ll let you know.

~~~~~~~~4~~~~~~~~

I have recently taken the Facebook plunge. Which has resulted in many phone calls to my sister to say, “Do you remember suchandsuch? Should I remember suchandsuch?” Apparently my long term memory is failing me. My short term memory is not all that stellar either. My daughter gave me a tutorial on FB last night and rolled her eyes and snickered 76 times. Then she sent me a piece of flair that said something about laundry. It’s not a bad way to communicate with your teenagers who happen to be upstairs. Turns out, I can type faster than I can walk. And ‘Bring your laundry downstairs’ doesn’t necessarily work better face to face.

~~~~~~~~~~5~~~~~~~~~

I’m planning my Superbowl eating extravaganza. I’m gonna make several yummy appetizers including chicken wing meatballs and queso dip. I’ve decided to try my hand at homeade philly cheese steak sandwiches. (although I’m definitely cheering for Arizona) I’ve done my research and now need to head to the store. I can’t decide on dessert. Any suggestions?

~~~~~~~~~~~6~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the inside of our santuary at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Many of you have asked questions about Lutheranism which I am slowly trying to answer. One thing I love about the ‘design’ of the sanctuary is that the cross is central as is the altar (the Lord’s Table). The ‘pulpits’ or lecterns are off to the side. The message in that—-Christ-centered, cross-focused.

~~~~~~~ 7~~~~~~~~

Baby dog Hank is not so little anymore. He’s taller than Scooter (the maltese). Weighs 25 pounds and is 12 weeks old. And I can’t imagine our lives without him. He’s so smart and loveable and floppy. He still falls down a fair amount—which is hysterical–and has learned the ‘sit’ command. Steve just said “It’s a good thing they can’t smell him through that blog”. Yeah, he’s gets VERY stinky after dinner, if ya know what I mean.

52 books in 52 weeks

January 29, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 12 Comments

I’m on a quest to read 52books in 52weeks this year.I just finished ‘Amusing Ourselves to Death’ by Neil Postman: a great read about the powerful and denigrating influence television has had on our culture. I heartily agree with his assertions and yet I full well intend to watch “Lost” tonight instead of engaging in other more scholarly exercises. And while I’ve started St.Teresa of Avila, our bookclub book for February, I haven’t gotten very far. I have a serious literary crush on C.S.Lewis, who I and all his close friends affectionately call ‘Jack’. This drove me to jealousy when I saw Stevie reading ‘A Grief Observed’, so I read and finished it today…in one sitting….for the third time. It’s not that long but it is profound. He wrote a series of journal entries after his wife, Joy Davidman, died, and they were later published into this short jewel of a book. You must read it. Here are some of the ideas that will be swirling around in my head after reading this giant of christianity and philosophy:

1. Our ‘realities’ are likely not reality at all. The house of cards we often build and stake our very lives on will likely need to be torn down, over and over again, so that all we are left with is Him. I personally have had my house of cards smashed to smitherenes…..more than once. I have wondered how many ‘epiphanies’ it will take until I finally ‘get it’. And no sooner than the “I need some time for me” HOC’s is torn down, I’m busy building the “My children are now my everything” HOC’s. One may seem less selfish than the other, but either way, He will tear down the idols we make. He is an exacting surgeon in our lives and in His design to make us like Him, he will not shy away from tearing down the temple to rebuild it. He will do what it takes to drive us to foot of the cross….where our suffering can finally and only have its true meaning…..and where the very temple of God Himself is ‘torn down’ for our redemption.

Lewis says, “ The more we believe that God hurts only to heal, the less we can believe that there is any use in begging for tenderness. A cruel man might be bribed-might grow tired of his vile sport–might have a temporary fit of mercy. But suppose that what you are up against is a surgeon whose intentions are wholly good. The kinder and more conscientious he is, the more inexorably he will go on cutting.

2. This book cannot be read without the tightening of the chest that accompanies the ‘what if’ question. How would I ever learn to live again if my spouse died? It has a way of making every moment seem like a gift. I dare say that I will never meet someone again who knows me, sharpens me, teaches me, and encourages me to fully use my gifts, as Steve does and has. And it’s not perfect, I know. But I needed the reminder, as I suppose we all do, that our marriages and spouses are a gift from God that should be nurtured and guarded and protected. Our enemy will use anything to separate us…..and sometimes that separation is death. I’m hanging on extra long to that hug tonight.

3. Lewis does the equivalent of asking the ‘why’ question at the beginning of the book. Actually, he seems to be yelling the why question while shaking his fist toward heaven. And although even Jesus asks the why question on the cross (My God, why have you forsake me) the answer is ………….silence. We don’t get the luxury of ‘why’. But the Surgeon knows what we need. And is painstakingly making us over. Our stance toward him should be one of surrender and repentance. Whatever it is that brings us to repentance has been good for us. And shaking our fist at Him doesn’t change one iota of who He is or what He is up to in our lives. The sooner that house of cards falls, the better.

Won’t you join me in 52 in 52? It’ll be fun and keep us reading. And yes, Goodnight Moon counts, if you need it to.

Wanted: loving and experienced guardian angel

January 27, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 13 Comments

The day has come. She’s leaving and I can’t stop it. She’s promises that since she’s only moving an hour away, it’ll still be the same. And in some ways, I know she’s right. But the comfort of having her here right beside me has been one of life’s sublime blessings for me. And since I’ve always called her my guardian angel, I tell myself that God must think I’m ‘okay’ for now…..and He must have another someone for her to nurture and protect. I beg to differ. But when I saw that big moving truck pull into my cozy little cul-de-sac, I knew it was time to face the music.

Long story short, I even procrastinate grief. Elea said to me yesterday with teary eyes, “But Ms. Donna has known me my whole life.” Yeah, and you’re one lucky girl to be able to say that. So after a nice lunch with her and Sue and Lenna, we decided that we’re not really gonna say goodbye. We’re just gonna continue our friendship and pretend fifty miles is of no consequence. And it isn’t….really. But there’s a whole host of things that run through my mind that will change. That distance necessarily changes. Whether we want it to or not. I am not quite prepared for those yet. So I agree to not saying goodbye. Not yet.

Good thing my blogging meeting is upcoming. I’ll be on the lookout for a new guardian angel. And boy will those be big wings to fill. Someone who will call me and leave me sweet messages that say ‘Just wanted you to know I love you and am thinking about you’. Or someone who will teach me how to text….and then send me love notes about about how beautiful my Christmas decorations are . Or someone who laughs at all my musings. Someone who will be to me as Christ-like as is possible here on earth. Or someone who thinks I have great kids. And make a killer mocha cake. Someone who will always to be ready to lend an ear, a hand, a cup of sugar, and a free nursing assessment. It’s a tall order I know. If you’d like the job, I’m taking applications and checking references. You should know ahead of time that I’m a complete mess and not easy to keep between the lines. But I reward those who care for me with food….so it’s not a bad trade-off.

So Donna……I’ll see you in 2 weeks. Mocha cake in hand. And thank you for showing us your true colors.

I have this song on my iPod and listened to it as I ran this morning…..and cried my little weary eyes out. It was interrupted at one point by a message from Country Girl that said “I love and am thinking about you today”. God doesn’t waist anytime in recruiting angels.

If I had a salon, I’d call it COIFFEDINGRACE…..

January 27, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 18 Comments

I didn’t write this on Friday, but it is kinda funny. Here’s what I started singing when Taylor agreed to let me cut his hair:

“I got skillz….they’re multiplYing….and I’m loooooooosing contro-ol….for the power you’re supplYing …It’s ELECTRIFYING”. I sang it all night long. Then I tried to find my Grease video.

Meanwhile, he sat in the chair looking scared. I shoulda got a ‘before’. It was a shaggy, mangy mess with near dread-locks. This is much better. Look, he has eyes. Don’t look at me like that. I’m your mother. And I love you. And I know that musicians can’t have jacked up hair. Just trust me. Don’t I look like a professional?

Now just to fill you in on a little trivia, my mom was a ‘beautician’ as we called it back in the day. So I grew up in the salon. I saw more gray haired women get their hair rolled than you could shake some scissors at. I went to slumber parties for the sole purpose of ‘fixin’ everybody’s hair. And last year when I went to visit Donia with my angel friends Donna and Sue, I begged to get my hands in their hair. I can do a mean do.

I think I’ve got a pretty rockin’ technique. I’ve seen it done so many times that I really feel like I know what I’m doing. Of course, I don’t. But that’s not the point now is it?

Look at the dexterity….the precision….the shear skillz (bad pun intended). Never mind the outfit. I’ve got more important things to worry about than whether or not I have on my lounge pants at 7pm. Which I do. But whatever.

then Emme demanded to ‘style’ it for him….

We mean business at this salon.

So, what do ya think? Would you let me cut your hair? Or at least let me tease it and do Farrah Fawcett bangs?

I think I’ve proven that I have very happy customers. And I’m cheap.

There are a few people who don’t trust me and would rather play rock, paper, scissors.

I like my scissor skillz way better. It’s a beautiful thing to cut your own son’s hair!