All of the posts about all of the things
When It Gets Different
So often I hear myself and others say, "It will get easier when/after...". I am beginning to realize that we are wrong. Life doesn't get easier or harder. It gets different. One child isn't easier or harder than another. They are different. Marriages aren't easier or harder. They are different. The true difference is perspective. How willing are we to recognize and work with the resources we are given? Can we appreciate the blessings that exist in every situation? Can we joyfully adjust to new circumstances? This sounds lofty, but it really seems to be that simple to me recently. For instance, my son recently started to walk. Some people say that this will make things easier because I won't have to carry him. Others say that this will make life harder because now he is mobile. Personally, I don't think either is fully correct or wrong. It isn't [...]
Be Yourself • Projects for Progress
Click picture for source. I found this on Pinterest the other day, pinned by my friend Shawna. I love it. I love that it's colorful, I love the way that it is drawn, and I love the message it sends. Altogether too often, I find myself playing the role for other people. I try to do and be things for the "crowd" that I am not or cannot do. Why take all of your energy and pour it into being someone else? Its a waste. Take the energy you'd otherwise spend stressing over what others think, and use it to consider what YOU think. What do you like? Are you presenting yourself using YOUR style? Are you taking care of YOUR needs? Like on an airplane, you can't help others until you put your mask on yourself. Why? Because when the oxygen runs out and you pass out, [...]
inside my 14 month old son’s mind
I have often wondered what goes through my son's mind on any given day. This morning, it looked like it may have gone something like this: 0730: I hear my sister. She's up. Why am I not out of my crib yet? I think I pooped. Yep, I stink. On my goodness it's unbearable. Oh the horror! Time to scream. 0745: Diaper changed. Play peekaboo, Ma! I love it when you play peekaboo. You look so stupid I can't help but laugh! Oh my goodness. Tickles, too?! This is the best morning EVER! Now my stomach is an immediate concern. Scream again. 0800: Food. Oh good. She's bringing me the little donut cereal again. Don't skimp on the milk, Ma. I can't get this in my mouth fast enough. Shovel faster. These darn hands don't work right. I'm sticking my face in the bowl. 0900: Getting carried to my [...]
Living on Purpose • Paying Attention and Setting Limits
Recently, I made a very important decision: From now on, I am going to live life on purpose. For a long time, I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing. I was wasting a lot of time, talent, money, and energy running around trying to do whatever seemed immediately necessary, without considering my actions. Now, I plan on doing just the opposite. With that said, CHANGE IS HARD. It's a regular bear. No, it's more like a bear hug. I am in a huge bear hug that is just slightly too tight for my own good. Growing pains are good though, because afterwards you stand taller and stronger than you did before. Sometimes people avoid change and pacify themselves into accepting a life they would rather not have. They settle. I'm over settling. Here are some things that I found that need to change: Diet: I used to [...]
I Don’t Want To Lose Weight • Operation Muffintop
I found this poster on Pinterest, and it got me to thinking. I originally began Operation Muffintop, and set my weight loss goals, based upon the opinion of the individual who did my assessment at the gym. "130-140 is ideal weight to achieve your ideal body fat percentage" she said. I am at 163. I'm 5'9". I think 130-140 sounds awful low. I agree that my muffin-top has to go, but what does this number really mean to me? Nothing. It is a guideline. Am I going to be thrilled out of my mind pleased if my weight goes down? Sure. My pre-second-baby weight hovered around 152. I'd be happy with that number. I still am joining Weight Watchers this weekend. Why? Because Weight Watchers acts as a budget telling me how much I should be eating. It teaches me to have will power, make more positive food choices, and pay attention to [...]
The Easy Way vs. My Way
Image Source I found this illustration on Pinterest the other day, and I realized that in just about every way possible, this describes me. I don't do anything the easy or direct way. I try to. I have the best of intentions most of the time, but often I end up going back and revising my prior work. Call it perfectionism or call it learning along the way. Call it creative energy or call it having two kids. Life is just one big cha-cha lately. Two steps forward. Two steps back. Good thing I love to dance!
Knitting • An Afghan and a Baby Sleep Sack
Just over a year ago, when I was about to have my son, my friend Melissa showed up at my door with two blankets that she made for my kids. Each were made with the given child in mind. Girl's was ladybug themed. It had two layers of quality fleece (green and ladybugs), and her initials were sewn into the corner. Boy's was giraffe themed, as is our nursery. She brought them without any fanfare. She just wanted to commemorate the birth, and give Girl something to help transition her into big sisterhood. I never forgot this generosity or thoughtfulness. A year later, it is Melissa whom is about to have a baby. Her little girl will enter the world in the coming month, and I knew just what I wanted to do for her family. I took Melissa out shopping this past Saturday, and purchased 10 skeins of [...]
a girl on a mission • operation muffintop
Do you remember the episode of Seinfeld where Eileen convinces her boss to start a chain of muffin top bakeries!? It was awesome! It was also the last and only time that muffin tops were cool. In my case, I'm not referring to the delicious bubbly top of a pastry. I'm talking about the super attractive bump of extra body that flows over the top of your pants (which ironically can be caused by eating too many of their namesake). When the muffin flows over the wrapper: awesome. When I flow over the side of my pants? Not. Cool. It makes me look like either I can't afford new pants or that I'm trying too hard to be under my age. It looks vaguely like a tube of toothpaste that has been squeezed too tight or an overstuffed teddy bear pulling at the seams. Super. Attractive. Mine isn't bad. [...]
Give Thanks
Thank you. It's such a simple thing to say, but so often we all forget it. It takes two seconds, but can make someone else's entire day. We all love to hear it when someone says it to us, so why are we so reluctant to pay it forward? This month, I started to make a conscious effort to be more outwardly gracious. I made my FB posts nearly-daily about what I was thankful for, but I also thanked others who did kind things for me. I even thanked a guy at the gym who was running on a treadmill beside me because he was so consistent that he gave me a rhythm to pace myself on the recumbent bike with for an hour. He thought I was strange, but as I walked away he smiled. Why not, right? Everyone likes to know they made a positive difference for someone [...]
the rule of thirds
You want to take a picture. What do you do? Put the camera to your face or look at your viewfinder screen, put your subject in the middle, and press "go", right?! Not so fast! There is a rule of thumb in the photography world called the rule of thirds that can help you line up your subject in a pleasing way, resulting in better photographs. Here is how it works: 1) When you look through your view finder, imagine the viewing space divided into thirds both vertically and horizontally (see below). 2) Best you can, align your subject along one of these lines. It has been shown that the human eye naturally floats to the four intersections of these lines, rather than the actual center of the photo. That's why the normal "point-and-shoot" of the average user makes for more average shots than those taken by someone who knows [...]
She let me shoot her horse
I have a kid post for tomorrow, but tonight I'd like to share a picture that I took of my friend's horse, Kintla, yesterday. The horse was beautiful and was very patient with me. My friend was also super patient. I love animals, and any opportunity to take one down on film is exciting for me. This horse was even patient with Girl! She lowered her head and let Girl pet between her ears. My friend assures me that 1) Kintla isn't usually so laid back, and 2) this is a huge sign of trust between the horse and Girl because a horse with its head lowered is in a vulnerable position. I thank the horse and my friend for letting us come to the farm and shoot them yesterday. We all had fun, and I hope you like the images. This one was my favorite. This [...]
Walking Away • A Photo Tradition
We are a military family. We move around a lot. When we were in Charleston, SC, my wonderful photographer (Jess Tyndall - Heartwork Photography) took a photograph of us walking away from her on the beach of Sullivan's Island. A tradition was born. At each base, it's my goal to get a photograph of us walking away in a typical area setting to signify our moving away from the area. The progression of these images will reflect the growth of our family during our stay. A couple of weeks ago, my friend Shelley (Finian Road Image and Design) blessed us with our Pacific Northwest shot. We won't be moving until June, but this picture shows the addition of Boy, the growth of Girl, and the beautiful evergreen forest of this area. Shelley is a Christmas tree farmer as well as a super talented photographer, and these were taken between two [...]
a bed fit for a ladybug princess
Here is one of my recent projects that I am proud of: a ladybug princess canopy for Girl's bed. Girl sleeps on a bed that was my husband's when he was little. While wonderful, it is very masculine. In fact, it is going to become Boy's when he turns 18 months. Anyhow, to girlify it, I made bumpers from fabric and interfacing that were green, and then I used two chiffon swags that I bought for five bucks at Goodwill to make a canopy. Finally, I made and hung two large red tissue paper pom-poms. I used my ginormous Sharpie marker to put spots on the paper prior to making the poms to make them ladybug-esque. I also took some scrap lace-style fabric and pinned it under the mattress on the long side of the twin bed to be used as a bed skirt. Girl loves it! I think it [...]
Surviving Post Partum Depression • My Story of Triumph
There is only one way to beat post partum depression. Fight. Like. Hell. I'm sorry for the language, but it really is the only way that I can think of to describe how hard you have to work to make sure that you beat this scary beast out of your life. You have to give everything you have, and use all resources available to you. I know. I did it, and I continue to do it every day. Here is my story. Read it for yourself, but also for the women in your life. This is a disease that often gets overlooked and goes way too far before it is confronted. You could save a life, or your own. The Backstory Growing up, I went through bouts of depression. In high school, and a little in college, then big time just after graduation, I found myself in funks. I would [...]
Think Good Thoughts
Last night on the way to a meeting, I realized I was listening to my kids' DVD without kids in the car. I quickly turned it to CD, not knowing which one was in there. I was happy to hear Colbie Caillat start to play. Then I started to really listen to the lyrics of the song, and I loved them. It was a perfect way to describe what I've been trying to do recently, and what I have realized... If we want people to be positive around us, we must be positive around them. To do that, we must be positive within ourselves. Negativity can quickly turn me into my own enemy if I listen to the things my imagination can come up with, there are some great monsters that exist only in my head that serve only ruin my day. These monsters feed on bad thoughts and [...]
Workout Motivation
I haven't worked out alone, let alone with a trainer in almost a month for a variety of reasons (including meningitis and a stay in the hospital). Mentally, physically, and emotionally, I need to return to exercise. I have scheduled three training sessions (30 min/per), and plan on hitting spinning or Zumba on my "off" days. When I saw the image above on Pinterest this week, it empowered me to feel like maybe I can do this again! Working out isn't fun all the time, but man is it nice to have my jeans feel too big after being washed. In the past year (since I had my son) I have lost 70 lbs. 10 more to go. Get ready, Fat. I'm coming to get you! Image Source: Fitness by Joelle Palmer (Pinterest)
Fulfilling or Filling Up? | Living in Inner Space
Remember how I said I was cleaning out my house? I want to use it up, use it up, bless others with unused stuff, and only bring things in that my family uses and loves. It seems to me that our society promotes filling up our homes rather than creating fulfilling homes. I realize that commerce is good and all, but it seems to me that this practice is creating more stress than it is happiness. If it takes us forever to find the things that are important, and we have to repurchase things because we can't find them, how does that make life better? I argue that the opposite is the case. If we can buy just the right things in the right amounts, we will waste less, find our belongings easier, and will be able to relax. There will be less maintenance and less time wasted. I'm in. [...]
merciful love • saying goodbye to Dunkin
Sometimes the best way to love a pet is to let them pass away without suffering. I have had to put down two animals in my lifetime. One was a wonderful beloved cat named Ted that had a congenital heart defect and died at 9 months old. The other was my rabbit, Dunkin, who passed last night after his body failed him in old age. Neither choice was taken lightly, but it was easy for me to release my animals knowing that I loved them and cared for them enough to end their suffering. This is a tribute to Dunks: one tough little rabbit. I got Dunkin almost nine years ago in a rebellion against my college's rule against pets living in housing. He lived under my bed for the entire semester. He may or may not have had his water bottle spiked during one party, but I was [...]
Mama Can’t Get Sick • Friends Save The Day
It should be a rule that mothers can never get sick. Regardless of if you are a SAHM, solo Mom, single Mom, working mom, or none of those - Sick is bad. Recently, I survived a three week run with viral meningitis. It involved two nights in the hospital overnight, and one additional trip to the emergency room, and a bunch of time in bed. Hubs was in New Zealand for the month on a mission, and my family is across the country in NH (I am in WA), so I was left to my own to figure out how to get through this exhausting time. I have one answer: friendship. When I started on my adventure with this virus, my mother-in-law Sharon was scheduled for a visit. She showed up, and I ended up crying due to fever and overwhelmed-ness within an hour. I felt bad, but Sharon [...]
Small Kiddo Halloween Fun • Jack O’ Alternatives
When I think of Halloween, I get all excited about decorating. With small kids, you have to be careful in your selections for both the safety of the child and the decorations. Thinking about Jack O' Lanterns made me excited right up until I thought about the hazards they present: knives, fire, pumpkin guts, possible smashing by the "special" teenagers that live across the street causing tears and heartache. That was out. To the answer to a lot of my creative inspiration (Pinterest) I went! I found these great ideas: Mister Potato Head Pumpkins and Gauze Mummy Googly Pumpkins! I was thrilled! When I went out to purchase these items, I was even more excited when I realized that the PH Pumpkins come in push-in kits you can get in stores! (I got mine in Target). I altered the design to include foam pumpkins so that the kids can [...]
apple picking ladder does double duty!
Once again, I have found a gem at the store up the street. They were selling these apple picking ladders for $100. I told them I'd give them $40. He said ok, and into the van it went. I love this ladder because it holds the blankets in my living room, can stand in the corner due to its closer at the top/farther at the bottom side rail design (common to apple picking ladders FYI), and when/if I need to reach high objects - I can actually use this ladder to do it! The blanket-holding ladder I had prior to this one was a display only item, and couldn't stand in a corner without taking up a ton more space than this one. That one will either be sold on Craigslist this weekend to recoup the $40, or get repurposed into one of the bedrooms to get us back some [...]
Running in Circles
Is this you? It took me 30 years to realize that trying to please others is like a dog running in circles trying to catch its tail. Even if the dog catches the tail, it is biting itself in the rear end. The dog looks insane and winds up with nothing to show for his efforts but exhaustion. It is funny to watch once or twice, but then it gets really repetitive, not to mention annoying. It is an endless process, with no reason. What does that tell us? Quit chasing the elusive goal of approval from others, or you will just end up exhausted from biting away at yourself over and over again. You aren't impressing anyone with your antics. You'd be more impressive if you were relaxed and comfortable with yourself. If you haven't read Waking Up Full of Awesome, you absolutely must. I like how Melissa [...]
Shooting in Manual
Note: You don't need an expensive camera to shoot in manual. Most point-and-shoot cameras offer this option! Check your manual! Learn before you buy a DSLR to figure out if photography is going to be your passion/hobby/profession (get a more expensive DSLR), or just for fun/just for snapshots (get a 3/4 camera or a point-and shoot). Instead of doing a FANTASTIC job of writing a post to explain when to go with manual settings or how to go to manual settings, I found two posts that said it just as well (ok better) as I would have had I written it myself (and linked them to their respective topics). I do, however, want to ILLUSTRATE the difference to you. The major difference (in my eyes) between auto and manual modes is the amount of control over your camera when taking photos. In auto, everything is automatic. Aperture, shutter speed, focus point, ISO, [...]
Slow Focus
Does this quote resonate with anyone else as much as it did me? Never mind the beautiful typography and graphic design (which I do love)... The message was what really sealed this one in my mind. When I look back over my life, too often I say to myself that I got too wrapped up in the immediate and not enough in the emergent or the truly important. I got all wrapped up in the details, and missed the point entirely. I am finally realizing that I need to slow down and savor the little moments and be truly present in each phase of my life. The posts that you read here on WickedKate are just as much reminders to myself as they are to you. It's time that we all slowed down a little bit and realized what is really important, get our priorities in order, and then [...]