Better Together - Again!

So... I took the last blog post I did and submitted it to "The Power of Moms" - It was published on their site today:

http://powerofmoms.com/articles/better-together.html

Enjoy!

Better Together

Why do we think we have to do everything by ourselves? Somewhere in our culture of independence and self-sufficiency, somebody goofed. These are excellent virtues, yes... but they can be taken to the extreme.

The past few weeks a group of women I am part of have been participating in a fun activity. On Sunday we draw one of the other women's names and then we do something to help her that following week. I've been so surprised when I ask what I can do to help and the answer I get is, "I'm fine."

Really? Cause if you were perfectly fine then you wouldn't have anything left to do here on planet Earth.

So... I did something anyway... for each of them... unbidden. I'm such a rebel.

But it gave me pause. Why do we have such a hard time asking for help? Is it because we don't dare admit that we can't do it ALL? Heaven forbid!

I think we forgot that we are MEANT to help each other. We are MEANT to work together. We are MEANT to learn from each other. Besides, it's more efficient, more fulfilling, and more FUN.

Another friend and I have made it a regular habit to get together and help each other. I'll go to her house and do her dishes while I put my laundry in her washer (I don't have one!) and we'll talk and work and come up with great ideas for the world's problems... or at least our own.

It reminds me of days when women did their wash together at the stream. Or sewed a quilt for a young bride. Or sat out on someone's lawn during the long evenings of summer while the kids played together.

We were MEANT to work, play, laugh, cry, BE TOGETHER.

Stop saying, "I'm fine." Start saying, "Let's wash our cars together."

Just a thought.

Lucky

My daughter's high school show opened this weekend. They are doing, "Lucky Stiff" a little known musical comedy.

My daughter is Dominique, the French Lounge Singer. She can pull off an amazing French accent!

I feel lucky that my family enjoys the performing arts so much. I feel lucky that my life is filled with singing and dancing.

I'm feeling pretty lucky!

Showering Books

Lots of good stories showered down on my imagination this April. Here they are:

1. The Glassmaker's Daughter - Fantastic story! I love the setting - sort of like Venice but better (if you can imagine that). I also love how the main character is devastated when her life doesn't turn out the way she thinks it's supposed to... and then it turns out even better.

2. Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell - The same author who wrote The Tipping Point comes up with a brilliant look at what made "successful" people a success. It's a fascinating look at sociology and pure luck.

3. Artichoke's Heart - Suzanne Supplee - A sweet story about an overweight high school girl that is both realistic and hopeful at the same time.

4. Princess Ben - Catherine Murdock - Imagine... Fairy Tale Princess meets Harry Potter. This is a fun story that has little nods to many of the famous fairy tales all cleverly woven into a magical storyline.

5. Kung Fu Princess: Daughter of Light - This is book #1 and it left me hanging! Got to find book #2! It's a fun adventure/mystery with a young woman who finds out she's got a warrior's job to do.

6. So Yesterday - Scott Westerfield - If you LOVE the other social commentary novels by Westerfield (Uglies, Pretties...) then you will love this one too. It's a fantastic look at our commercially driven world. It will make you stop and think about why you bought the last thing you bought.

7. Believing Christ & Following Christ - Stephen Robinson - If you haven't read these books yet, go get them now. Yes, right now. They will change your life. They have totally changed the way I think about myself (in a much better way!)

All for now!

Patchwork

Well, I'm one week into another job. I'm now working part time flex hours at the Museum of Quilts & Textiles. So far I'm really enjoying working for this artsy organization.

I've always loved quilts. I've made a few over the course of my life - my favorite being a rainbow log cabin quilt I did the top of in college (and have yet to back it!)

I like the idea of taking little tiny pieces of fabric that don't look like much by themselves and by combining them with other pieces of fabric creating a beautiful work of art that you can also snuggle under!

My work life is sort of like a patchwork quilt these days. A bit of work at the museum. A bit of work teaching music & dance to preschoolers. A bit of writing. A bit of office work for a consultant. Put it all together and I have a means of income that takes care of my family and still allows me to take care of my family too.

Fresh and New

Change can be very good.

The change in my bedroom is very good!


As fresh and new as the spring I love, this green bed set just called my name. Add new pictures to the wall (another Jack Vettriano over my bed) and I've got a new sanctuary.

Thank you to the marvelous people who assisted in the new decor with birthday presents!

Tradition

I've always loved these first lines from the musical, "Fiddler on the Roof":

"A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But here in our little village of Anatevka, you might say that every one of us is a fiddler on the roof trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn't easy. You may ask, 'Why do we stay up there if it's so dangerous?' Well, we stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: tradition!"

(Is the song in your head now?)

Over the years, my children and I have made many traditions. Some of them we came up with ourselves. Some of them have been handed down for many generations. Each one has a special meaning for us and some events and holidays just wouldn't be the same without them. I think Tevye had it right. Traditions bring balance to our lives.

This Easter weekend we've celebrated with several traditions. Here are a few pictures of our favorites.

My son informed me a few days ago that we did NOT make the bunny cake last year for Easter and that it was imperative that we DID make the bunny cake this year. I hadn't realized this was a tradition, but apparently it is. We've made this cake on and off for the past 10 years. My son wanted to decorate the bunny's face this year. As you can see, it is a Harry Potter bunny.

We, like many families, love to color Easter eggs. Someone usually makes a rainbow egg. Someone usually tries to make a brown egg. All of the eggs are full of creativity. Anything involving creativity and color is bound to be an important tradition in this family!

This last tradition goes back many generations. My grandfather's family was from Russia and made the amazingly delicious traditional Easter bread (Kulich) flavored with saffron and lemon. It's extra special making this bread. I feel ties connecting me with family every time I make it. It reminds me of who I am and where I come from. It provides perspective and balance in my life.

"Without our traditions, our lives would be... as shaky as a fiddler on the roof!"