The Winner & Hump Day Ear Candy.

Congratulations!  (Ha!  You have to watch the video to know if you won!)

Now, all you need to do is email me your contact information to send along to Krystal from Cardstore.com, and a set of photo gift tags or a photo notebook are all yours!

I apologize for my 'less than scientific' way of producing a winner.  In all honesty, it's as random as any number generator, and cuter, too {even if they did JUST wake up}.  Also, please ignore the construction mess.  However, I will say, I, currently, enjoy being able to put Diet Dr.Pepper cans wherever I please, like the window sill.

Now, onto the 'ear candy'...

this Wednesday, I would like to share with you the creative mind and beautiful music of King Charles.



My personal favorite:



Check these out, too  'Time of Eternity', and 'We Didn't Start the Fire' {a rework of the REM classic 'It's the End of the World as We Know It'}.

Unfortunately, most of his brilliant music is not available in the states.  It baffles me that iTunes UK and iTunes US are two different entities.  C'mon, Apple, let's get it together and just combine the two.  This is not the first  or the last time, I'm sure, that I've encountered this issue.

He is an eclectic sort, while seemingly still maintaining all of an English gentleman's best traits.  His blog is pretty interesting, too.  

Happy Wednesday!

And, if you're still confused...#6 is Amy!  Congrats, again, Miss Amy!

Because I still got it...

and because it's 10 seconds of funny.

THE END.

Doubt.

image via Brave Girls Club

{If you aren't reading that blog, you need to be.}

So, after all of my theological questions and my being hopelessly misunderstood by some of you, I've decided that I really don't need to explain myself.  Either you appreciate me for what I write {even if you don't understand it} or you don't.

I know my heart.  I know it is full of goodness, and even a bit of evil that lurks in dark corners, hopefully, never roused out of its hibernation.  I know my intentions, and my blunders.  I know that there is a plan for me and my life, and no one needs to give me their stamp of approval.  

If you've stuck around this long, I'm thinking you want to see what I have to say and share next, either out of a fondness or a pure distaste.  In the scheme of things, it really makes no difference either way.  I will continue to exist, and write, and trip over myself, and, at times, recover even stronger than before.  

That being said, I've been reading a new book, 'The Life of Pi', by Yann Martel.

It's pretty profound.  At least in my life at the moment. 

I haven't even finished the first of the 3 parts, but it is really poignant.  

Incidentally, I finished 'East of Eden', and am trying to find a way to articulate my feelings about that book.  I'm not sure I can.  Needless to say, I think you should all read it.  

Anyway, upon reflecting about 'the situation' that occurred on the blog-diggity, I came upon a passage that touched me deeply in 'Life of Pi'.  {And, for those of you who are interested, I have thought about THE POST often over the last week or so.  It will stay with me for awhile, I'm sure.  For many, many reasons.}

I will share the passage with you:

"I'll be honest about it.  It's not atheists who get stuck in my craw, but agnostics.  Doubt is useful for awhile.  We must all pass through the garden of Gethsemane.  If Christ played with doubt, so must we.  If Christ spent  an anguished night in prayer, if He burst out from the Cross, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' then surely we are also permitted doubt.  But we must move on.  To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation."

For me, it's the 'But we must move on.' that is quite haunting.  We must move on.  Whatever you choose to lay your faith in.  We must move on from doubt.  Decide what it is we believe in, and stay the course.  Faith.  Belief not based in proof.  Heart over head.  Nature over culture.  

I'm hoping sooner is the time for me to shake off my conflicts about my own faith and spirtiuality.  Because in all honesty, it's giving me a headache.

First ever giveaway.

It is Christmas card season.

I know a lot of you get exhausted just thinking about it.  I, on the other hand, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sending and receiving Christmas cards.  They are a true highlight to the season for me.  I hang them as I receive them, and they are one of the final 'decorations' to come down in January.

I've been having a bit of trouble this year deciding on one I like, but luckily, the fine folks over at Cardstore.com made it easy for me.  AND, they are going to make it really easy for you this year, too.

How?

By offering you a very pleasant discount.  That's right, just for being a dear reader, you can receive 20% your card order.  All you need to do is enter the code: CSHOLIDAY20.  These cards are the real deal.  They're printed on 130 lb. matte recycled cardstock, and they have super swift turn around time.

Cool, huh?

And, to make your holidays even easier, they are offering one of you lovelies a set of personalized photo gift tags OR a personalized photo notebook (which would make the cutest gift under $20!).  Your choice.

My favorites:

the 'Santorini'

'Hanging Wreaths' gift tags

All you need to do is leave a comment and tell me about the BEST Christmas card you ever received or sent, AND what notebook or gift tags you would choose if you won.  Easy peasy!

I will close this little giveaway on Sunday, November 21st, at noon central time, and announce the winner on Monday.

Good luck!

Hump Day Ear Candy.

photo of Sam Beam by Kevin Wrenn

This fine Wednesday, I am sharing with you 'Iron and Wine', or, more simply, Sam Beam backed by various bands.

His melodies are haunting, his lyrics will stay with you for days.  He's just one cool cat.  Not to mention, the father to FIVE daughters!

I like to call his music bluesy, southern, soul, chill, folk.

It can get a bit funky, but it's always a mood regulator for me.  

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of accompanying my husband, my sister, and my brother-in-law to see Mr.Beam, and his 'Iron and Wine' live.  {Rosie Thomas helped out with some back up vocals, and she, too, is worth looking into}.

And, yes, I had to go to the show with the 3 plaid losers. 

It was humbling.  :)

The show was beautiful. Stunning, even.  And that man is so gracious to his audience.  It was my pleasure to sit and enjoy.

The following should be enough musical bait to hook you {a Sam staple}...

If that didn't do the trick, here are two songs I shot at The Pageant on Saturday. It's a bit shaky, but the sound ain't too shabby.

I hope you find room on your IPod for a little 'Iron and Wine'.  

I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed.

A sore subject.

Some of you may be wondering about our new house.  Heck, sometimes I wonder about it.  I wonder about it a lot, actually.

What is potentially going to be a source of great joy, and a place where many new memories and traditions will be made, is now a big rusty nail in my side.  HUGE!

My husband is a rock, and I am a sloth.  He gets everything done that he can with us being DIYers and having four little noodles it is slow going, but he is awesome.

I, on the other hand, am perpetually putting things off, because, frankly, I want to be in the new house as little as possible.  Somehow, I think by avoiding all the rehab and reno it will magically get done on it's own.

My theory is really backfiring, because through the whole scientific process, I have observed this to NOT be true.  Avoiding makes it worse.

I think because we left such a carefully loved and cared for home, it has made all of this a bit harder.

Here's what we've been dealing with over the past several weeks:

Funny how I thought the origianl 'retro' kitchen' was the pits.

If I have learned one thing during this process,

it's that to get better, it has to get worse.

As you can clearly see here.

This is the first phase of the big kitchen and surrounding areas project.

Wall removal.

It is a dirty business.

It has made a drastic change to the overall feel of the floor plan.

One I adore.

Every living space is now so open, and airy, and light filled.

But it is still rough.

Oh, so rough.

Woe is me.

Living on one layer of sub-floor has been my big sore spot.

But, a floor doesn't lay itself.

If you know of one that does, email me!

So, the problem with this is that with all the demo nothing has a place.  At night, when I do a final pick up, there is nowhere to put things away.  With 4 littles, this is the tough one, the one thing that may just push me over the fine line between sanity to craziness.

But, here's the deal...

I need perspective.  I need to quite the pity party, whine fest, and suck it up.  

It's temporary.

It will turn out great in the end.

I am one lucky chicken to be able to move into a larger home, and have the means to redo it in the first place.

I am an idiot.

An idiot living on one layer of sub-floor.

And, I'm not referring to the one in my kitchen and family room.

An announcement.

This is my sister...

Jilly Bean and Me at the "Iron & Wine" concert, 11/13/10


and I like her a lot.

The end.

Missouri residents: read.

If you live in Missouri OR if you are just plain kind and find this cause worth fighting for, please write your legislator.

Personally, I cannot imagine if Betsy had not had early childhood intervention {she received it from 5 months-3 years}.  These littles depend so greatly upon it.  It is the most crucial intervention they will receive in their lifetimes {those first 3 years}.  

THANK YOU!

image via 'The Technical Writing Company'

Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  Children and youth, ages 3-21 receive special education and related services under Part B of IDEA.   Special Education for Kindergarten – 12^thgrade is mandatory under IDEA.   Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education are voluntary under IDEA, but Missouri enacted legislation in 1990 to make it mandatory.   This past year, several states, including Missouri, have considered making these programs voluntary in order to cut costs. 

In the upcoming session, the Mo. State legislature will be reviewing options to reduce state expenditures for Fiscal Year 2012.     If the state leadership considers a withdrawal from the current statutory requirement that all eligible 3 and 4 years old children  receive special education, it must be made by a statutory change.   We know that such legislation would have a devastating effect on children, so we are urging families to contact their legislators to ask their support in insuring that Early Childhood Special Education does not get cut in an effort to balance the state’s budget.  

How can you help?   Please consider writing a letter to your senator or state representative.   Never underestimate the power of your voice!    Legislators need to hear from their constituents; and we want them to hear this message from many individuals!    A sample letter is attached to simplify the process,  but it is important to add your personalized message to the letter; especially if your child is currently (or recently) receiving early childhood special education (see paragraph 3 of the letter).    Including a photograph of your child is even better!  

Who is your legislator?   Here is a link to finding one’s legislator.  You search by home zip code.       

http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx

No legislation has been filed at this time, but we will be watching closely as bills are pre-filed in early December.