Success: Disney

I'm late to the Frozen world, but I did just get "Let it Go" on my iPod a couple of weeks ago and finally have listened to the lyrics.  It has resonated with me for so many reasons, but mostly because maybe Disney can inspire a generation that it is ok to not be "ok" and to truly "let it go" when necessary.  And, maybe if the younger ones believe it the older ones of us will begin to believe it as well. 

I'm not sure where we got into the habit of answering the  "How are you?" question with "Ok", "tired", "busy" and "fine".  Sure, there are times when that is the only response we can give based on the audience.  But, somewhere our society has succumbed to the expectation to appear we have it all together and no one wants to admit some days, weeks, months, heck years aren't going like we hoped and we feel just like this ...

Don’t let them in, don’t let them see
Be the good girl (guys too) you always have to be
Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know

We become bound by meeting expectations of what we think others want  to hear and/or expect to hear and eventually begin to feel like living trapped in a bird cage.  I was just running this weekend and listening to my iPod when Lauren Chandler's "The Sparrow" came on and I was reminded.  His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me...I sing because I'm happy and I sing because I'm free.  There are no details God isn't into and He sets us free from having to be "perfect" and "ok". 

 

I am selective in who I am "not OK" in front of.  I have a tight group of besties who are my wise counsel - they range in age and stage of life, but I know I can always be 100% myself and it is ok, and they are the same to me.  Just within my circle of besties life is tough ...

challenges with children

dealing with Government & VISAs

major illness and life changing diagnosis

loss of loved ones

marriages that are hard

seasons of unemployment

infertility - adoption - miscarriage

jobs that are demanding and require time away

blended family challenges
and the list goes on....

 

I talk to this circle most every day and always at least weekly.  We keep tabs on real life.  What is going on and how to pray and support one another.  We are free to let it go when life is hard and we celebrate big when prayers are answered and life is good! 

Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl (guy) is gone
Here I stand
In the light of day
Let the storm rage on

 

This group is my steady in my day to day, but they aren't my lifeline.  There are times I want to spread my wings and solve it myself, because doing something is better than doing nothing.  And, sometimes no matter how much we've covered a burden there comes a time to set it free and let it be.  I have been reminded through so many seasons of Exodus 14:14....

 

 

I know my friends will fight for me here, but the  greater comfort is that I know The Lord ultimately fights for me every day. I am free from the birdcage, but I need to sit on top.  And, I need only to be still. In prayer. In reading. In not doing. 

 

So, if you're not ok, it is ok.  Find a trusted circle, let it go and then be still.  One of my favorite reminders is Amy Grant's song "Better than a Hallelujah" ...

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

 

Trust Jesus. Perch outside the birdcage and let him sing over you, his eye is on you and he is fighting for you.  Be a role model to the tiny prince and princess who are watching. Teach them the value of trusted circle, but ultimately to trust Jesus when life is hard.

 

Blessings,



 

Space: Music

I've never been a big TV watcher, I don't turn it on immediately when I get home, I don't need TV for the "noise" and there are days in a row I never turn it on.  My apartment came with a TV installed in the bathroom, and anyone who knows me well and sees that TV questions why I, of all people, would have an extra TV.  Believe me, it's not that big of a space that  I couldn't hear or see another TV from the bathroom! 

The TV I love the most is from 7am - 10am, Good Morning America and Kelly & Michael show.  But, I can't see that on a daily basis, though will work it into the summer routine some.  However, I don't love it enough to DVR every day and watch at the end of the day either. 

Most often I fill my space with music.  While I'm doing anything around the house I will turn on my iPod.  The iHome player some friends gave me as a gift is one of my favorite gifts.  When I have a new playlist, sometimes I will even turn it on as I go to bed and let it play because it is all of my new/recent favorite songs.  I definitely wear out a new playlist while running and if I'm on a road trip, that's what is playing in my car!

I keep a running list of songs I want to get from iTunes on my phone and add them a couple of times a year.  They are usually a mix of Country, Pop and Christian music.  I do listen to TV radio every morning, so I hear new songs there, who ever thought I would like a Jamie Lynn Spears song?!  I also play Pandora in my classroom and pick up new songs I like from those stations.  Songs we sing at church usually make it onto my list as well.  This year The Voice has had a couple of songs that are in new renditions I love.  (That is one show I do try to watch weekly, but usually just the singing, not the judges comments, intros, etc. -- that's why I love DVR!) All in all, a new mix-tape a few times a year!   

My most recent playlist...

• All of Me - John Legend
• Blessings - Laura Story
• Brave - Sara Bareilles
• Callin' Me When I'm Lonely - Sheryl Crow
  (she should have gone country a long time ago)
• Drunk Last Night - Eli Young Band
• Everything I Shouldn't Be Thinking - Thompson Square
  (one of my favorite duos)
• Hold On, We're Going Home - Christina Grimmie (The Voice)
  (Never liked the Drake version of this)
• How Could I Want More - Jamie Lynn Spears
  (cast no judgment)
• I Won't Give Up - Christina Grimmie (The Voice)
• Kiss You Tonight - David Nail
• Lay Me Down - Chris Tomlin
  (My daily prayer)
• Let It Go - Idina Menzel
  (Everybody needs a little Disney in their life)
• Love Is War - American Young
• Love Knows No End - Hillsong Live
  (Thankful for this promise and truth)
• Me and My Broken Heart - Rixton
  (Who the heck is Rixton?  Thank you Pandora)
• Meanwhile Back at Mama's - Tim McGraw feat Faith Hill
  (I love Mama's house and I love Tim + Faith duos)
• Light em Up - Fall Out Boy
• Radioactive - Imagine Dragons
• Rest Upon Us - Caedmon's Call
• Riser - Dierks Bentley
• Sober - Little Big Town
  (I loved LBT LONG before Pontoon)
• Some Nights - Fun.
• That Power - Will.i.am
• This is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham
  (Grace that Humbles me daily)
• Timber - Pitbull

And, this just released this week, which I will be purchasing ASAP!  Passion:  Take it All

Try filling your space with music.  Sing along when your favorite is on!  Turn it up!  Heck, dance if you want to!  Music speaks volumes to me, and I get lots accomplished when I'm just listening vs. sitting down in front of the  TV. 

This week, I made a cake, cooked dinner and did some computer work...all while my new playlist was playing!

 

 

Blessings, 

Self: Stolen

One month ago … my favorite car I’ve ever had was stolen.  It was the weirdest experience to walk out of a quick mall trip and not be able to find my car.  I’m not one who “loses” my car in a parking lot, but I thought I had lost my mind as I wondered that parking lot for 30 minutes thinking “I know I parked right here”.  

As I’ve been frustrated, mad, sad and a whole other range of emotions about it I began to realize, I feel like this was the ending of 2 years ago when I felt like my life was stolen out from under me.  (2012, 2013) At the end of the day it is just a car.  But, I’ve always said I would drive that car until the wheels fell off!  I had 140,000 miles of memories in that car and for the better part of two years have hauled my life from one location to another, traveling, working, living, visiting friends, seeing family and finally settling into one place again.  It’s taken me a long time to work through these 2 years and am just feeling like I am getting settled this Spring in my “new life” … moved, finally have all my stuff in one place and trying to adjust to living in a new location. 

 

 So, what is it about something tangible being stolen vs intangible?  The intangible cuts a lot deeper, takes longer to heal from and changes everything within you.   I couldn’t wait to get all my stuff in one place and quit living out of a suitcase and temporary living situations.  But, I worked, traveled, ate, did errands and lived with people day in and day out for these last 2 years, and I miss that community.  My new place doesn’t seem quite mine, there are things I love about it, but I don’t love it like I did my old place.  We are made to be in community and despite being a couple of the toughest years of my life; I was surrounded by community that I miss.

I’m in a new town, where I have best friends, but am also 30 miles from other best friends and what was familiar to me for 15 years.  There are conveniences I miss, they require more effort/scheduling now, effort I’m willing to make, but element of last minute and spontaneous, which I thrive on, isn’t as readily available.  It’s an adjustment, one I’m not quite settled into.  

 

There have also been changes in relationships and friendships.  Some that I never thought would be different are now very different due to time/distance.  I have made new friends at my new job and from life on the road that are the sweetest gift of these two years.  And, the friends who stand the test of time, no matter the distance, time apart or other life circumstances…we make effort to keep in touch, see each other when we can and for those people I am very grateful.  They have at times carried me through this season. 

I didn’t really realize the magnitude of adjustment. I moved, worked to unpack, started a new semester teaching new classes and went right into a busy season of Rodeo and then my car was stolen.  Sitting with an empty garage and trying to figure out what next, I felt like time stopped, and realization set in this is reality.  What does it look like for me!?  Why is there a struggle? 

 

I believe being aware of my weakness, asking for help in those times and realizing it can’t be done on my own has been the hardest.  Change isn’t typically difficult for me, in fact I usually embrace it.  Ultimately my faith has been stretched and my dependence on Jesus has been increased.  It doesn’t matter that my place doesn’t feel like home yet, or that my new car doesn’t feel like mine yet….at the end of the day things (both tangible and intangible where we falsely place security) are temporary.  They can be stolen at any time and the One who sustains us remains faithful. 

I can remember my Mom sending me a verse at the beginning of these 2 years…it has stuck with me, despite not thinking I could ever see the end as better, but ultimately coming to realize the end can be  better. 

Ecclesiastes 7:8 “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride”. 

No new beginning can start without something else ending, even when you think it was the best before it ended.  I know my pride put security in those things and patience has taught me to wait for that which is best.  Over, and over again, to wait, but still believing that wait is purposeful. 

 

 
Anticipating new beginnings,

Style: Stacks

Bracelets, rings and necklaces ... I like a lot of them and layered up!  Lots of people have asked me about stacking, how to stack and putting stacks together.  There is no real secret ... just grab a handful, add one more and layer it up! 

My everyday is stacks with my watch, stack of rings and stacks of necklaces if I'm not wearing a scarf. 

Here's a few lately ... again, no right or wrong, just grab what you like, put them together and go! 

Some staples that get stacked a lot ...

 

 

Ring stack with brown center.  These are all a mix of Pandora, Nordstrom, Amazon, Brighton and rings I found along the way on Rodeo show trail 



 

My Papa's watch and mix of gold, silver and wooden beads.  Yes, you can mix metals. 

If one is good ... 4 are better ...

More ring stacks, all are interchangeable, mixed metals happens again! 

Part of outfit, and yes, I did layer a necklace with a scarf, bracelets stack and ring stack with yellow center ring.

Necklace stack . I have several brushed gold, stone, pearl and chain necklaces that get interchanged all the time!

And, lately, these are a new favorite style.  Similar at Nordy's for $28+, perfectly trendy priced at Sam Moon for $5.  Added this stack to leggings, white T and cardigan. 

 

 



More bracelet stacks, sometimes need a little bling ...

Necklace layers + bracelet layers ... leather & pearls mixed one day working on the Rodeo Show road ...

 Layer up! 

Self: Time

Time is my thing.  Any  relationship that is important to me takes time, I invest time and time invested is reciprocated. 

I learned a long time ago that  there are people in life for only a season and there are people in  life forever.  Some of those for a season you never thought would end, but they did.  Time to keep that relationship going wasn't put in from one side or both.  It doesn't mean it ends ugly, it just isn't what it used to be. 

Time for me isn't expensive or extravagant.  It is simple, time spent together.  It's effort though and at times requires sacrifice.  Text messages don't sustain relationships.  Phone calls and face to face time do.  And, time looks different in every relationship. 

There are people I talk to when I'm on a road trip driving and we catch up/pick up just as if we'd talked the day before.  There are people who don't live near me that I wish I could drop by and hang out with on an afternoon, but instead it's an afternoon at the ballpark because they happen to be close to me and it's worth it to go spend time there.  There is a friend who gives me airline miles because it's easier for me to travel than her, and every time we pick up just where we left off and time spent together is precious.

Time is working with a friend because that means we get to catch up when we don't get to see each other often.  Time is using an app to keep in touch with a friend who lives abroad and leaving 10 minute messages back and forth.  Time is driving to see a friend for an important event.  Time is hanging out with friends and their kids because I love their whole family.  Time is walking literally and metaphorically through life together with a friend.

Every relationship is different, but it's worth it to invest time to keep relationships going and never do I think "I wish I would have" instead of the time I spent.  In every one of these relationships time is reciprocated.  And, that is what makes them quality friendships and important in my life. 

The same applies to our relationship with Jesus.  It requires time.  Time that I often put off, or try to squeeze in.  But,  I know that I have to put in the time to grow my relationship with Jesus just like any other relationships. 

As the Easter season is upon us, I am reminded of the cross and the gift of grace and mercy given to me.  A gift that I can't repay with any action or to-do.  I often fall short, but all that is asked of me is time and obedience  Time spent in prayer and reading my Bible which results in obedience.  I am thankful for grace when I don't put in the time and a constant love to pull me closer to Him . 

I am thankful for friends who give of their time to me.  I know time is precious and it is at times a sacrifice to fit one more thing in.  But their time means a lot to me and speaks my language.

 

Spend your time well. Invest it where it matters. 

Blessings,

Self: Hope

March brings so many memories to mind, but always top of the list is March 22, 1996.  The day my best friend died.  2014 marks 18 years, it is strange to be heading towards a 20 year anniversary of her death and realizing the years that follow will number greater than the years she lived life on this earth.

March also brings a time of reflection on my own life and the season I endured in 1996 ...the grief, growth, faith and hope I experienced in that season...I am who I am because of that day.

Because I have hope. 

I don't have hope in this world.
I don't have hope in a bank account.
I don't have hope in a person completing me.
I don't have hope in material things.

I have hope in eternity.  I have hope in Jesus. 

It's been almost 30 years since I believed in Jesus in my heart and knew I was a sinner.  I grew up in a generation of "re-commitment" and church camp to youth event challenging me to what feels like now a message of "doing better" and checking off everything I was to do on a daily basis and making sure I didn't do the things I wasn't supposed to.  I challenged my faith at 17 years old, was I really saved, did I really know what that meant, was that really forever??

As I've grown in my understanding of Bible, the will of God and the "plan" for my life I can look back on seasons, like 1996, a season that lasted a long time and see that through each of those seasons I had hope.  I was sad.  I was in disbelief.  I was angry.  I wasn't sure how to "help" a devastated family.  

But, I had hope. 

This life, the Christian life, isn't about me checking the box every day and making sure I did everything right, and feeling like at the end of the day/week/month/year I did __________ every day.  Or, heck, didn't do ______________ at all. 

The Bible tells me "his mercies are new every morning".  He doesn't keep record of right and wrong.  So why should I? 

If I am honest, it doesn't matter where I've come from, nor what I bring to the table, I have hope.  I have a God who loves me despite my poor decisions at times, despite my disobedience at times, and despite my other shortcomings on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. 

I have hope in an eternity with Jesus.  He doesn't ask me to only recommit my life at camp or a conference.  He asks me to recommit my life every day and live it better than the day before because I have learned to be obedient and have been loved through my shortcomings.  He asks me to honestly repent and recognize where I fall short, and He receives that and moves on.  He doesn't keep a score sheet.  I suffer consequences at times, because He loves me and disciplines me with love.

I can confidently say I am content because no matter the season, I have hope.  The seasons of lies, deceit, loss, waiting, and also the seasons of great joy and delight.  He loves me the same.  He pursues me the same.  The hope is the same. 

We're all dealing with "stuff" and endure seasons of life.  My hope for you is that you recognize in Jesus you always have hope and He will never leave you nor forsake you.  He is pursuing you through it all to bring you ultimately closer to him, a loving merciful God. 

This morning on the radio Laura Story's song "Blessings" played and reminded me of the faithfulness through all the seasons and sometimes what it's taken for me to realize the faithfulness of Jesus: 

...What if your blessings come through rain drops...

...What if Your healing comes through tears...

...What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near...

....What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise...

Through all of life's seasons may you "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

Blessings,

Space: Closets...a simple solution

I spent the better part of a year with my closet looking like this ... in fact I think this was on the way to 30 days of Houston Rodeo last year which is currently underway for 2014!  I was on the road and my clothes traveled in hangers instead of in suitcases. It made for faster packing and easier settling in when arriving for a show.

I know, closets are a pain to keep organized.  I have been asked a lot about keeping a closet organized.  I could give you a handful of tips, and will in a future post, but keeping your closet in order depends also on how to make your closet functional for your lifestyle.  Before you start sorting short sleeves vs. long sleeves or by color or fabric ... check out your hangers! 

Hangers?

Yes.  Hangers. 

 

If your clothes are constantly falling off your hangers, hangers are jumbled in your closet, similar items are hung on various types of hangers making them impossible to see at quick glance then chances are you're frustrated with your closet. 

 

I use a few different types of hangers in my closet....

 

1. Lightweight Slim Design velvet-like hangers.  (top left) All shirts with sleeves (button up, t-shirt, tunic, sheer, 3/4 sleeve) go on these hangers.  They are available at any Marshall's or TJMaxx for $12.99 in packs of 25 and every color you can imagine.   I chose gray and black for mine, and will soon be adding cardigans folded and hung on these in my favorite .. chartreuse green! :)
2. Old fashion plastic hangers with shoulder breaks.  (top right) The kind you can buy in packs of 10 or more for $1 at any Walmart, Target, Dollar Store or heck probably Walgreens carries them by now.  These are for tank tops. Quit fighting the in-arm-clear-plastic-strap to hang up your tank tops and quit fighting those straps when you're wearing the shirt. 
3. Retail Store/Boutique Style plastic hangers.  (bottom left)  The hangers you usually get with items when buying and they ask "would you like this on a hanger" ... YES.  Your answer is yes.  I've never bought these kinds of hangers, I've just moved whatever I bought to type of hanger I use in my closet and used these for specific items.  All dresses, blazers, jackets and hanging cardigans (not folded, see #1) are on these hangers.  They are sturdy for heavier items like jackets and coats and are little wider at the top which I like for dresses. 
4. Cleaners pants hangers.  (bottom right)  Again, I don't buy these.  Well, except for I pay for the dry-cleaning.  I'm from the south, so I have jeans I get starched - heavy please and it's hard to find a place in a big city who knows how to starch jeans like they do in a small town.  I digress.  Pants that you wash and dry at home or pants that you pick up from the cleaners.  Put them on these hangers. 
5. Skirt hangers. (not pictured)  I use either the Retail style with clips or the multi-tiered hanger with clips.  Depends on what it is ... strapless dress - on a single hanger, collection of colored skirts - on a tiered hanger - ultimately taking up less closet space. 

So there you have it.  Easy, simple and relatively inexpensive.  Might take some time to sort your clothes onto the right hangers, but once you do, they will all be hanging and viewable in your closet. 

 

Here's examples of life in tiny spaces with hangers in place ...

 

when I lived in an RV ... in the middle of tornado season, but that's another story for another time.

 

When living with a bestie and only have a small closet ....

 

 

When living on the road and a hotel is home for 30+ days ...

 

 

No judgement on the starched jeans ... 30+ days at a time of Horse & Rodeo Shows!

 

So instead of thinking "I need to organize my closet" ... start simply.  Just get your clothes on hangers that function for the type of item you're hanging and maybe you'll start to notice a difference and lose the dreaded "why bother hanging it, it will just fall off the hanger" frustration in your closet! 

 

Blessings,