we like shaving cream.

I sewed.

finally.

and it felt good.

Tiffinie's having a girl, and she said she wanted

lots o baby bling, aka headbands,

so I started making headbands.

then I stopped making headbands because

they needed an outfit.

matching separates, if you will.

I had a bag and a blanket and a jumper

all designed in my head to go along

with the headbands...

but I had to stop.

because, really.

I believe in moderation.

The headbands are super easy.

Especially the one made out of a sock.

yup.

that's what I said.

Here's not so much of a tutorial:

Let me know if you're like,

"uh, that's a lame explanation",

and you actually want to make one,

and I'll give you better pictures and stuff.

I love to sew.

{it's so rainy today, so no good sunlight for photos. sorry.}

{I love rain.}

patience.

I love the slow, breathable space that sneaks in between busy and consumed. The soft spot of time, when everything's clear and smells of contemplation. That time when I'm allowed to linger.

Until I get bored with the scenery.

It's ingratitude, I think.

Impatience for sure.

When I'm anxiously waiting for the view to change {to build our house, when all our dreams wil come true, etc}, just because I want it to; and the Lord tells me to stay put. Learn to love where you are.

Okay. I'll stay. But I still think it will be better over there.

So He gives me this:

"The seeming flat periods of life give us a blessed chance to reflect upon what is past as well as to be readied for some rather stirring climbs ahead. Instead of grumbling and murmuring, we should be consolidating and reflecting, which would not happen if life were an uninterrupted sequence of fantastic scenery, confrontive events, or exhilarating conversation.

Patience helps us to use, rather than protest, these seeming flat periods of life, becoming filled with quiet wonder over the past and with anticipation for that which may lie ahead, instead of demeaning the particular flatness through which we may be passing at the time.

We should savor even the seemingly ordinary times, for life cannot be made up of all kettledrums and crashing cymbals. There must be some flutes and violins. Living cannot be all crescendo; there must be some counterpoint."

-Neal A Maxwell, Patience 1979

Humility. I can only pretend I know what's best for me, but I don't.

He knows for real. He knows I'm not ready for the crescendo.

It's time to linger in the flutes and violins with gratitude.

and patience.

hello hermione's hair.

it seems Hermione grew up.

when did this happen?

She's beautiful.

but I'm not ready for this.

I suppose I should embrace the hair,

but it all just screams YOU'RE OLD.

Me. I'm old.

entering the unknown.

oldness.

teenagers.

cell phone bills.

attitudes.

forgetfulness.

who we talkin' about?

metabolism.

all because Hermione cut her hair.

rubbish.

my kids won't eat ramen.

what's up with that?

we kept this birthday simple. and happy.

He's celebrated,

and can tell me all his secrets,

and can eat whatever he wants for dinner.

we all have a happy day.

You're pretty remarkable, Andy. I'll write a book about you someday.

things I've learned lately that may be of use to someone.

• Sleep governs me. I'm worthless when I'm tired. worthless is a bad adjective.
• worthless: poor-quality, low-grade, cheap, shawdy, tawdry, crummy, ineffective, fruitless, inadequate, unproductive, empty, lame.
• I don't like being a bad adjective.
• Creme Brulee cooks for 1 hour @ 250, not 45 minutes @ 220.
• You can see a lot of Transformers and Bunnies in the clouds when you have company.
• This is funny.
• When you pray for your weaknesses to be made into strengths, you're shown your weaknesses.
• It's humbling to see your weaknesses.
• If you're uncomfortable being humbled, it means you're not very humble.
• Humility is a strength.
• Hmmm.
• I get anxious if I don't make something.
• I love Conan more than I thought I did.
• Weight Watchers is a torture method.
• Food affects how I sleep. Sleep affects how I eat.
• My weaknesses are front and center when I'm tired and hungry.
• Hmmm.
• one eternal round....
• Listen to this: you'll cry. It's all about perspective.
• It's hard to blog when you're a bad adjective.
• Ants will invade your kitchen if you don't sweep. inevitably.
• I very strongly dislike ants.
• You don't sweep when you're worthless.
• moral: if you go to bed at midnight, you'll have ants.