Pick Up the Phone

Today I am suited up with a scarf, boots and printed tights. It's quite cold outside and a strong case could be made that the end of the year is drawing near.

How pleased I was, then, to come across this article while defrosting in my office. 

The article documents what we already know: people simply don't call each other anymore. It's quite funny (and relatable) to read about typical reactions to the phone ringing. At first, a sense of dread that the person on other line is the bearer of bad news, only to be followed by an altogether different sense of dread that they merely want to talk, interrupting important time that could be spent doing other things. 

Funny. Relatable. But sad, too.   

Which brings me to the point of why reading this article on a cold October day makes me happy. As you may recall, I started out 2011 with a list of goals, written in a small notebook that successfully made the rounds of purses as the seasons changed. As the months passed, I shared a few of my goals here and took time to evaluate my progress. This article, however, forced me to take a hard look at one goal I've let slip by unnoticed. Digging into the pocket of my latest purse (a red saddle bag, in case you needed to visualize it), I grabbed the notebook and reluctantly flipped through the pages until I found it. 

Goal number 6: Learn to be a better friend. Take risks. Pick up the phone. 

Ouch. 

Let me explain. It's not that I don't want to be a better friend. I most certainly do. But insecurities and laziness often get the best of me. This particular goal was written with purposeful intention. It's long been my desire to be the kind of woman who not only remembers birthdays and has cute parties at Christmastime, but also relates during hardships and rejoices during victories. Who is vulnerable enough to be herself and and relies on God to be better than herself for the sake of others. 

Who picks up the phone for crying out loud! 

I'll spare you the details of my insecurities and laziness to simply say this: I've got a lot of work to do. I'm so grateful to have the remainder of this year to focus on being a better friend. 

How are your 2011 goals coming along? Can you relate to this one in particular? I'd love to hear!

(yes, it's been a while. let's just skip the reasons why and dive back in, shall we?)

Take Small Steps

It's been some time since I shared one of my 2011 goals.  I realize it's already May and posting on resolutions is the thing of four months ago.  To keep you interested, today's goal will include a report of how it's going so far.  Be sure to read on because this one is exciting!

Goal number 5: Research and act on career opportunities.  Take small steps.

Sounds boring and predictable so far, right?  Let me explain.

As a somewhat newlywed (approaching 2 years) and a somewhat recent college graduate (4 years - okay, not so recent), I am enjoying time with my husband and growth in my career.  If you know me personally, you are probably aware that I don't work a dream job.  I am content and glad to contribute to our income.

There is, however, something I've wanted for quite some time now.  To be a mom.  To have a chubby baby with Eric that we can cuddle with and watch grow into a toddler, kid, teen and one day - a young adult.  In fact, if nature allows, I'll happily have a few of them.  

We're not ready to have kids yet (sorry Mema!) but when the times comes, I want to stay at home. I trust that God has his hand on our marriage and future family and, if we use wisdom, he will help us realize this dream.

What does this have to do with my career?  Everything.

In college, I tossed around the idea of being a Journalism major.  I was a book worm growing up (summer days spent reading in a tree, anyone?) and thought writing would be a perfect extension of my passion.  Then I got scared.  What if I couldn't find a job or make good money?  So I took business courses instead, graduated and found a great job.

The longing to write was still there and a little over a year ago, my sweet husband encouraged me to start a blog.  It's been a wonderful journey.

As I pondered my goals for 2011, my mind focused in on "take small steps." This made everything sound easier.  I want to write.  There are local magazines in Birmingham.  Small step: send an email to a local magazine editor.

I did.  She was so gracious to meet me for coffee, offer advice and an opportunity to work as a freelance writer for her magazine.  It's silly I know, but I could cry.  As I type this, a beautiful picture runs through my head.  Me, doing what I love: taking care of our home, spending time with husband and our little munchkins, and writing.  Writing!  I hope and pray that this small step leads to big opportunities so that I can one day stay at home, contribute to our income and challenge my mind.

Tomorrow, I'll share my first published article with you.

Are you (or do you want to be) a stay-at-home mom?  How do you (or will you) make it work?  Do you think it's an absurd desire in this day and age?  I'd love to hear! 

The Art of Brick Laying

Through an inspiring book and our newlywed small group, we stumbled upon the simple, yet revolutionary concept of brick laying.

I am so challenged by this! 

Life is not formed by great catastrophe or triumph, but by the small choices we make each day. How easy it is to overlook our daily actions and interactions with others!  

I am now in the painstaking process of forming daily bricks for the foundation of my life: attentiveness to my husband, quiet time with God, pursuing passions and interests and even menial tasks like straightening up our apartment before bed. These desires encompass many of my goals for the year, with one small difference.  I now know that they can not be accomplished overnight.  

Goals are realized only by a daily investment of laying bricks.  

{Amy Butler Brick Quilt}

What better visual inspiration for brick laying that the picture above? Through hard work and daily dedication, Caryn, created a lovely quilt for warmth, snuggling and cheery thoughts whenever needed.  

I would love to recreate this, however, my sewing skills are extremely limited. Instead, I'll start on an apron using the fabric I bought nearly 6 months ago. 

What bricks are you laying today?

Hobbies for Women

My sister and I recently had a sad epiphany: neither of us has a true hobby. Sure, we like to have fun with our family and friends, but nothing in particular inspires us to action when we are alone.

She googled "hobbies for women" on her smart phone.

We had a good laugh at some of the suggestions and found a few that sounded enjoyable.  Baking, sewing, crafts... you get the picture.  Then, the inevitable guilt set in.  These things cost money!  And what on earth will we do with the cupcakes, pillowcases and headbands we make?  What a waste!

So we shelved the idea and returned to our semi-depressed state on the couch.

Until we realized: our sweet husbands have plenty to do on a day off when no one else is around. Hers hunts, fishes and golfs; mine plays guitar, climbs, hikes and they both like to bike.  Heaven knows these things cost money - and yet we have happier homes as a result of their pursuits. Which brings us to my next goal for the new year.

Goal number 4: Explore interests and passions. Find new ones.

For now, I have baking on the brain.  And a pretty new pedestal to display my efforts, courtesy of Eric's sister.  It's a start!

What do you love to do?

The Hardest Button to Button

Last night I worked out for the first time in months.  This is sad, people.  I want to give you excuses about the holidays and our crazy, busy schedule but they all sound lame.  Which brings me to my next goal for 2011.

Goal number 3: Get in shape - have fun while working out.

This, my friends, is the hardest button to button.

I want to be healthy but I lack motivation.  Hence the "have fun" addendum of my goal.  I hope that by keeping a smile on my face I can convince myself that working out is an enjoyable hobby and something to look forward to.

While Eric and his friend Owen hit the weights, I went to a spin class and did, in fact, enjoy myself.  My bum is rather sore today from the seat and I feel a proud sliver of accomplishment each time it hurts.

My favorite way to have fun while working out is to hit the great outdoors.  And when spring finally arrives, I plan to do just that.

{Eric and I at Edward's Point in Chattanooga - a long time ago}

Why then, do I wince in sharing this with you?  

Do you have any goals you're afraid to share?  

Nine Lives

Our war on clutter concluded this weekend with the dreaded guest bedroom.  The (thankfully) enormous closet busted at the seams with outdoor gear, old books, unfinished projects, a desktop computer and much more.  We pulled out every box, emptied and refilled, made trash piles and new thrift store piles and purposefully organized the contents back into their (now spacious) home. 

During the process, I came across the Nikon camera I received for Christmas many years ago.  So long ago that 3.2 megapixels was nice.  I remembered that it does not turn on anymore and the SD card is stuck.  I tossed it into the "would anyone want this for parts?" pile and went about my work.

Eric got the SD card out and turned the camera on.  What?!

This camera has nine lives.

During a backpacking trip with our dear friends, Sam and Rebecca, I took one picture and then dropped it in the sand on the bank of the creek.  It was toast.  Eric's dad took it apart and it functioned perfectly.

Then, Eric borrowed it on a trip to North Carolina with his friend, Wes.  Ice tools in hand, they climbed a 250' frozen waterfall on Whiteside Mountain.  Once at the top, Wes dropped the camera.  In slow motion, it fell all the way down and lodged itself in a deep mound of snow.  Eric rescued it, set it in front of the car heater on the drive home and it thawed out nicely. (Below are a few amazing pictures from their trip, including the mountainside the camera was dropped from).

See?  Nine lives.  I'm so excited, though, because it made for such a nice segue into my next goal for 2011.

Goal Number 2: Take more pictures - bring a camera along!

We now have Eric's Canon, my Nikon and my new Polaroid Instant Camera.  No excuses.  This year, we are making memories and taking note of them. 

Please share - what are some of your goals for the new year?

A New Year

This past fall I traveled to Chattanooga for work.  Finding myself alone in my most favorite of places, I browsed Frasier Ave like a regular tourist and brought home a few inexpensive treats. 

One such treat was an tiny, old-school journalist flip-top notepad.  I have always wanted to be the woman who jots down ideas and thoughts as she goes throughout her day so she can actually remember them later. 

Finally, it has a job.  Storing my 2011 goals. 

I've never written resolutions before.  I am not much one for setting goals.  But I have this notepad now and it is begging to be used. 

It works like a charm.

Goal number 1: Keep a clean, organized home.

Simple enough, right?  As soon as our feet hit the cush apartment floor Sunday afternoon, we made a beeline for the bedroom closet and organized to our hearts content.  We have since organized the kitchen cabinets (even under the sink!) the bathroom and laundry room.  Old, unused items are sitting in garbage bags awaiting their ride to the thrift store.  Everthing in it's place.

My mom helped us in this endeavor with the cute-as-pie owl letter holder she gave me for Christmas.  Mail seems to make its way into every nook and cranny in our apartment and I'm sure it feels special now that it has a home.

In closing (seems like the right thing to say at the end of such a long post), this blog needs more lovin' and I intend to show it how much I care, starting today.

Happy 2011!