Have the Winter Blues?

It's that time of year again where Christmas is over...the beauty of the January snow is fading...and we are all getting antsy to see grass again.  

If you are feeling a little down, here are a few ideas to spice up the last few weeks of Winter. 

1. Get those boots on & go for a hike/walk:
     
     When I found out that I was going to have the day off today AND the weather was going to be nice, I knew I wanted to spend the entire day with my 7 month old yellow lab/ golden retriever, named Louie. So this afternoon Lou and I hopped in the car and went to Levis mound (hiking trail near Neillsville, WI). I have NEVER seen anyone so happy & excited as Lou Ball when he jumped out of the car and was overwhelmed with sniffs to sniff! Seriously, if you are finding yourself with the winter blues.....I will let you borrow Louie for a day. The fresh/crisp air, sunshine, sounds of birds, and beautiful nature, instantly brought happiness to my heart, and then seeing how excited Louie was running around...now that was priceless. Here are a few pictures from our day. I had to add the one where I caught Louie licking the snow off his nose. :)

 

 

 2. Send a letter to a friend, grandparent, sibling, cousin, etc.
     
     Who doesn't like to get mail...& you never know where that may lead. 

3. Look up a new recipe & get in that kitchen

      If you want....invite people over to enjoy it with you....or if you're like me....invite people over to help laugh about how much more practice you need in the kitchen. I just bought a cute apron which makes being in the kitchen a little more fun!

4. Go to the nearest library 

     Even if you don't love to read....there are magazines, movies, tapes, etc. Think of something you want to learn more about!

5. Get a group together to have a snowball fight

     Let's be honest....we're all children at heart. 

6. Do a random act of kindness

    I don't know about you, but making someone else smile, makes me smile. Plus, it can be something as simple as leaving a positive note on a random car.

7. Buy bright nail polish and give yourself a manicure 
  
     Sorry boys...you can go buy something little that makes you happy.

8. Plan a trip!

    Big or small. Just the excitement of waiting for the trip to happen is fun!

9. Go to an antique store and find a treasure

    It gets you out of the house and you never know what you will find, or who you will meet.

10. Go for a drive, blast the music, and sing at the top of your lungs

    Enough said.

11. Make a list of everything you are thankful for
    
     Try not to waste time thinking of the things you DON'T have and focus on what you DO have. Like heat in your house, a winter coat to keep you warm, food on the table.


We all just need to take a minute to think of the little things that make us happy. Notice that you don't need a lot of money for these things (unless you plan a big trip) and you don't necessarily always need other people to do these things. You create your own happiness & while you're out there embracing the winter, be reassured that this snow will melt away before we know it & then we can enjoy jumping in the puddles!
    

Finding love through change

As I wrap up my time at my student teaching placement, I am struck by how much change there is after High School and into, as a good friend would call it, "your real life". 

A few weeks ago, I was talking to someone and he said "Ya, the older you get the more change there is in your life...might as well get used to it." At first, I didn't want to believe this statement. I wanted to ignore the fact that each day brings with it change.....but he was right.

 I think Fall is a good time to reflect on all of the changes happening around us. Isn't it funny how each day we often feel like we do the same thing over and over again? Yet, when we talk to a friend we haven't heard from in awhile and we get talking.....we realize just how much things HAVE changed. We are just a bunch of leaves changing colors...

No, not all change is bad. I like to believe that change is often in disguise, helping us get to where we're "supposed" to go. And there is no doubt that with change comes challenges; obstacles that we are to conquer. Change often feels scary and unbearable, but some of my best lessons in life have been when all of a sudden it hits me, like a whisper from my heart, why a certain change had to happen. It's waiting for that whisper that just about breaks us....

I hope that no one ever feels alone waiting for that little voice in their heart. There are so many ways love shows up in our life during change. It could be from a friend, a stranger, or a pet. The best thing we can do is keep our heart open to seeing that love...whether it is through a note, a hug, or a surprise treat. 

When I left my student teaching placement for the last time today, I came home with notes, bracelets, treats, purple rocks, homemade books, and paper airplanes. I've never felt so loved, honored, and special in my life. Each of those gifts made with 110% love. Those 7 year olds sure know how to make change even more bittersweet, but they also helped that whisper speak, reassuring me that I am right where I am supposed to be.

Keep in mind that, that is just one example. Your changes may be completely different, but try to be open to that love disguised as change & don't forget to be that love for someone else. 

Fogged up.

Have you ever just been in a bad mood for no reason? Well, that was me this morning. It's like I was mad at myself for being mad. Stupid, right? 

I was driving and thinking to myself  "Gosh this fog is really annoying".... silently cussing to myself about how my car windows were all foggy and I can never remember if I should blast the cold air or hot air to fix it. (My brain is a scary place sometimes....)

As I was being Negative Nancy....I turned the corner to see a van parked to the side and a guy taking a picture of the fog. It caught my attention right away. To him, this fog was a beautiful thing. So, beautiful that he wanted to capture it forever. Then there was me who couldn't get away from it fast enough. When I quickly looked to see where his camera was aimed, I noticed how the fog was slightly above this beautiful barn and how the sun was starting to peak through the mist. In an instant, my view of the fog changed. Maybe it helped that my windows were finally cleared off...(blast the hot air when it's cold out). 

This moment, of course, got me thinking....once again....life is all about what you make it. Often times "negative" things fog up our positive picture. 

Sometimes....all we need is a simple reminder. 

Thank you mister photographer.

There Is Something About a Library....

There is something about a Library. I'm not sure if it is the smell, the atmosphere, or the vibe I get from it. 

I can't remember exactly when I started to love to read. I'm guessing it was when I wasn't forced to anymore in school (I can be kind of stubborn like that). It amazes me how easy it is to get sucked into a whole other world just by flipping through pages. This past winter I read "The Fault in Our Stars" and was one of those people that wanted to see it the minute it came out (but waited for Stimulus Tuesday with a few friends.) Personally, I thought this movie did a nice job of representing the book & after leaving the theater I thought about how cool it is that while we read we are hypothetically....directing the movie in our heads. 

I recently went to the Library in Menomonie. As stated before, I love Libraries, but this one has big windows that over looks Lake Menomin......it might just be a little taste of Heaven for me. 

Anyways, while I was sitting there, I realized that our lives are like books. The best part is that we are the main character in our own book, and supporting characters in so many others! We may only be in a few chapters of someone's book, or maybe we will be in pages that haven't even been written yet in someone else's. 

Yet, our book is always changing....take the genre of our stories for example. At some point we might be in the Drama section and then pages are written which slowly leads us to the Adventure genre, but then a tragedy happens that deepens our thoughts and we switch to the Philosophy genre. You get the point....

As I sat in the Library I watched this guy who was using the card catalog. It seemed that he was really looking for something, but couldn't quite find it--he'd write something down and then walk away and return a few minutes later typing in something new. Then, a lady checking her books out caught my attention, she could barely hold all of the books she had found. 

What is it that all of us are searching for? Perhaps, we're all searching for something unique that pertains to our own individual story. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to type a question into a card catalog and get a book called "The Answers to Life"? Sometimes I think the answer to this question is yes...but then I remember the wonderful stories being written while the main characters are searching for the answers. Oh, and don't forget about those supporting actors...helping us along the way. 

We all have our own book, our own characters, our own plot. Some chapters may seem to drag on forever, while others are cut off too soon, but try to keep in mind that we all have a story to tell & we all have empty pages waiting to be read. 

You are whole.

I believe that there is more to life than what we see. I believe that all of us are constantly searching for that thing that "completes" us, and we all have a different perspective of what that "thing" might be. Yet, I also believe that everyone right now is whole...no person or place can be our "other half". The people, things, and places that make us happy aren't "completing" us, they are simply adding to our wholeness.

To make more sense of this, I'll give you an example. I'm assuming at one point in your life you've thought something like "If I could lose 20 pounds...THEN I'd be happy," but once those twenty pounds come off (I say it like it's just that easy), we find that we still aren't completely "happy" so, we instantly search for something new to "achieve". I'm not saying this is a bad thing, in fact, it's great that we are always setting new goals and giving ourselves new experiences, but what does "happy" really feel like? Is it that $100,000 or that new pair of shoes? The funny thing is, we're always going to have obstacles, and as humans we're always going to have struggles...even when we get that new pair of shoes.

I recently went to a church service and the speaker talked about how our hearts are hardwired for relationships, but our lives are hardwired for struggle. Which basically comes down to, we are all here on this Earth to help each other over come struggles and to learn from each other while creating relationships and coming closer together. It's always been a comforting thought to me that all of us (all 7 billion) are going through similar things, just in different forms. That's what makes life fun! Learning and teaching each other things. (But that's a whole other topic).

Many people think that what "completes" them is another person. For example, many girls mope around thinking that they won't be completely happy until they meet someone that "completes them". I'm sorry girls, but if this is your state of mind, you will never be completely happy.You are whole. Right now. And relationships aren't about "completing" each other. They are about two whole/happy people coming together to learn from each other and to create this union of even more happiness. Of course, there will be ups and downs, but that is when you learn the most and help each other learn how to be better people.

It's a hard lesson to learn to just be content and find joy in every situation. I recently read a quote that said, "Believe that everything is rigged in our favor; the Universe is for you".

So, even when your heart aches and situations are difficult, the universe is on your side. Wouldn't the world be a happier place if we all tried to keep that perspective on a daily basis?

With that said, I think this world has become so wrapped up in judging others and thinking that their way is the only right way to live correctly. I find this so sad. Who's to say my way is right? Who's to say their way is wrong? Do what makes you happy. I can't say that enough. Do what brings joy to you, but always do these things in love and with love.

As some of you know, I am an avid "Super Soul Sunday" fan, and if you haven't seen the show, I highly recommend it and will share the link below. In the latest episode a woman was on talking about this same topic and some of what I wrote about relates to the episode so, if you have some time take a peek! (Especially the ladies).

http://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-sunday/Oprah-and-Tracy-McMillan-Soulmates-Love-and-Marriage

On a side note, I highly recommend trying to find time to do what you really and truly love at least once a week. For me, I love to be outdoors, in my Dad's boat, reading a book, while soaking up the beauty and noises around me.

                           

What's your happy place?

Thanks Dad!

When is the last time you "untagged" yourself in a photo because you didn't like the way you looked?

Well, this happened to me the other day...I saw the picture and my initial thought was "eww untag". I guess one of the main reasons I didn't like the photo was because....and it sounds funny...I didn't like how my nose looked.

Why is it that we can hate a picture of ourselves and then have some people comment and say how beautiful we are and have 20 likes?

Which got me thinking...

Everyone of us is unique. Everyone of us has things we don't particularly care for about ourselves, but guess what? It's what makes us.....us.

For instance, the picture I was talking about earlier....you "nose" which one I'm talking about? ;)

Instead of thinking "gross why does my nose look like that?" I should have been proud because I have my Dad's nose. Ever since I was little people have commented that I have my Dad's nose and my brother has my Mom's nose. If you stop and think about it, how cool is that? How special and unique is that? No, my nose may not look like Jennifer Aniston's and the camera may not always catch it's best side, but this nose is special. In a way, it tells a story.

Now you may be thinking....wow, she must be low on topics because she's writing a blog about a nose... :) But just think about it...what makes you special? What do you have that tells a story? Below I'm going to list a few more things that makes me....me, and I hope that it inspires you to never untag yourself because of something so silly. How boring would it be if everyone looked the same anyways? & to this day I am simply amazed at how EVERYONE in this world looks different in some way or another. Embrace your story!


1. Dad's nose
2. Mom's blue eyes
3. Grandma Seichter's soft hands

The present is a present

As many of you reading this know, I am a planner. I'm one of those annoying people that have to-do lists and gets excitement out of crossing each one off. So, with that said, I don't want to sound like a hypocrite saying this next statement...but...

It's important to live in the moment. Now, let me explain.

Lately I've noticed that I'm always looking forward to something or wishing I was somewhere else. Now, don't get me wrong having things to look forward to is great and exciting, but don't forget about the present moment.

For example, when Monday morning rolls around I usually find myself hitting the snooze button and thinking about how the weekend went way too fast. When really...I should be breathing in the morning air, noticing the sun peaking through the curtains, and embracing the moment I am given at that exact instant. It may sound cliche, but I am starting to realize that if more of us did this, we would be happier and more joyful people.

Another example, Winter. Yes, it has been a cold one and the snow that was once pretty, is beginning to over stay its welcome, but it is what it is, and if you embrace it, it becomes beautiful. If it wasn't for these cold days, some people may not have had extra time to stay inside and be with their family. If it wasn't for these snowy days, we wouldn't be able to catch snow flakes on our tongues and build snowmen with friends. If it wasn't for winter, we wouldn't appreciate the summer warmth, but let's not talk about summer yet because we're embracing this moment, right? :)

I'm not saying planning is bad, and for crazy people like me, it keeps us sane. I just notice that with plans, most of the time comes expectations & that's the part that catches most of us up.

I've recently been quite interested in the Buddhism philosophy and how they practice living in the moment and embracing what they have right now, not what they had in the past, or what they hope to have in the future. Here is a quote that kind of explains the concept well:

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”

Last week, while I was in church, I realized that I was thinking about all of the things I had to do the up coming week and found my heart raising and anxiety increasing. The funny thing was, once I caught myself, I realized I was obsessing over and completely creating outcomes of that week (mostly negative). Then, I remembered a few things I had been learning about focusing on the present moment and that was to concentrate on my breathing, concentrate on the present experiences (in this case, the song we were singing), or even the smell of the candles burning. 

The truth is, reality only exists right now. So, why dwell on the past, it's already behind you. (Right, Simba?) and why obsess about the future...Like that test you need to pass, that husband you wishfully hope for, and that job you are working towards. They will all happen, on their own time, in their own way. Worrying and planning for it is just going to give you wrinkles and unrealistic expectations.

Like many of you, I'm at that age where the future is quite unknown and the decisions I make will greatly impact what happens, but instead of constantly thinking about where I will find a job, what my house will look like, or what my children's names will be (sorry Pinterest)...I'm going to do my best to concentrate on these exciting days, the ones happening right now, the ones I will never get back-- the friendly feeling of living with 5 other girls, how light my purse is after paying tuition, and the "I'm an adult, but not completely on my own" moments. 

So, when most of you read this it will be Thursday. The day that is so close to the weekend, yet feels so far. Embrace the day! Try not to wish for the weekend, instead, focus on your breath while noticing the noises you hear, the laughter you share, and the little blessings each moment brings.

What are my plans for the weekend? I plan to live in the moment. 

Life Lessons from 4 year-olds

I'm currently student teaching in a 4 year-old classroom. I completely love it and can already tell that I am doing exactly what I want to do the rest of my life... Be greeted each morning with hugs, be spilled on during lunch, and dance to silly songs at the end of the day. After being at my placement for a few weeks, I've realized that I am not the only one teaching in that room. The children have taught me many life lessons in the short period of time. So, I thought I would share a few things I've learned from these cute, innocent, and energetic 4 year-olds (going on 30).

 Be open to new people:

It's funny, I'm never nervous to walk into a new classroom that are filled with young children because I know that they will be so excited to see someone new and instantly be your best friend. I think that this can show us (adults) just how important it is to accept everyone. Yes, we all may be a bit different, but no one wants to feel left out or awkward when being in a new place. The warmth and comfort that these children show you when you are brand new is so calming. For example, a little girl walked up to me on my first day and said "who are you?"  I realize that as adults, if we said this it might not be as cute, but it's the fact that she was wondering....so, she asked. She didn't go and gossip about the new girl. & fifteen minutes later, I had 20 kids on my lap wanting to hear a story. I love that about children. Their acceptance.

 Say what's on your mind (to a certain extent) :

When you talk to a 4 year-old...you're going to get the truth. They don't necessarily have a filter. For example, we had a guest in our room the other day and one child walked right up to her and said, "Why is your face funny?" I over heard it from the other side of the room and couldn't help but giggle. Only from a 4 year-old. I think it's important for us (adults) to take note. Obviously, we have a filter, but I don't think we should be afraid to say when something is bothering us, or we shouldn't just say what people want to hear. It's important to speak the truth (while filtering a little of course)  :)

 Give:

One of the most rewarding things about teaching young children is the wonderful pictures you receive as gifts. It completely warms my heart. To the child, that picture means the world. They took a lot of time to create this perfect image and are even more excited to explain it to you. This shows us (adults) that even the smallest thing can make a huge difference in someone's day!

Share:

One of the hardest things for a child to learn is sharing. It's difficult to give something to someone that you really really want to play with. For children, it can be as simple as sharing a doll during free play. For us (adults) we're still learning to share as well. It can be something as simple as sharing a pencil in class, sharing a smile in the hall, or sharing your money for those less fortunate. I find that the more you practice it, the easier it gets.

It's the simple things:

Last Christmas my mom brought this to my attention. In my family we have a tradition of playing a $1 game before opening the "real" gifts. Once the $1 game was over and the "real" presents had been opened...we noticed that the kids were playing with the dollar whoopee cushion over the $50 video game. Same goes for many things in life. I spent hours planning this lesson plan and making sure each part was perfect. Then, the next day I ran out of time and quickly put a different lesson together and I found that the children got more out of the second lesson where I didn't stress, or even lose sleep. As I grow up, I'm slowly learning that simple is okay---in many aspects of my life.

 Don't care what other people think:

The other reason I love teaching young children is because they will do the silliest things and not even think twice about it. The other day we were singing a song where we had our tongues out, or eyes shut, and our knees together. I thought to myself...if someone walked in right now...they would wonder what in the world we were doing....but with children....they go right along with it. They love being goofy and laughing. So, we (adults) need to take note that life is a lot more fun when we can let go and laugh!

With all of this said, I highly recommend going into a classroom full of young children for a day. Yes, you'll be exhausted by all of the love, energy, and chaos, but more than likely you'll leave with a smile on your face. (& marker on your hands)   :)

10 things I would like to tell my 13 year-old self

 

1.      You don’t need to fit in.

When you’re 13, everything is dramatic and the end of the world. If your crush is talking with someone else, or your best friend is mad at you…it’s not the end of the world. Be yourself. Wearing the name brands isn’t going to get you far in life, being kind and embracing who you are, will.

2.      Do what makes YOU happy.

Just because the “cool” kids are now listening to certain music, or hanging out at a certain place each Friday, doesn’t mean you have to pretend you enjoy it.  If you would rather be reading a book, or painting your nails… go do what makes you happy.  Don’t feel stupid if you don’t like what everyone else pretends to love.

3.      Don’t push your girlfriends aside just because you have a boyfriend.

Some girls learn this one the hard way. They give up everything they have in order to be with their boyfriend every second, of every day, and when they break up, the girl is completely lost because she pushed away her girlfriends. We’ve probably all been the friend that losses their best friend because of a guy too.   Try to balance time with each. Make sure that you leave some weekends to do makeovers, talk about girl stuff, and eat ice cream together. Show your girlfriends that you are able to have a boyfriend and still have time for them too!  Or most importantly, find a boyfriend that enjoys hanging out with you and your girlfriends too. Ps. Dating is not a necessity. You’re not as old as you feel.

4.      Listen in class.

Yes, each class can seem repetitive and it’s easy just to memorize the information for the test, but really listen to the facts, take notes, engage in your learning. Someday you will be glad you did. The information that the teachers give isn’t just “because they have to”… it is to better your future.  Yes, at the time it seems like a big deal to pass notes and see what everyone is wearing, but please listen.

 

5.      Try not to have expectations.

What screws us up most in life is the picture in our head of how it is supposed to be. Don’t try and plan out what high school will be like, who your date for the prom will be. Okay, I know that is the fun part, but don’t EXPECT those things. Learn that things don’t have to go a certain way in order for you to be happy. Everything happens the way it is supposed to in the end. You’re right where you are meant to be.

6.      Take one day at a time.

 

Don’t wish your life away. It’s a good idea to set goals & just remember, you may not be there yet, but you are closer than you were yesterday.  It’s easy to live for the weekend, and count down the days until your 16^th birthday, but don’t wish it away. Each day is precious. Every day holds a gift. Look for those small gifts hidden throughout the day. At 13, it’s easy to take life for granted, but try to remember that we are not guaranteed tomorrow, so live in the moment. Don’t stress about what college to go to, or why you don’t have a boyfriend and everyone else does. Take time to remind yourself that you can’t control the wind, but you can direct the sail.

7.      Be nice to EVERYONE.

 

If you like someone’s shirt, tell them. If you know someone is eating alone, invite them to your table. Don’t purposely leave people out when handing out birthday invitations.  Everyone has feelings, everyone has struggles, and everyone wants to be included. Be nice, be generous, and be thoughtful. We all know the golden rule.

8.      Listen to your gut instinct.

If your gut is telling you that staying out past your curfew is a bad idea, it’s a good idea to listen. Your gut will lead you in the right direction. If your gut is telling you that your friends are doing something wrong, listen to it & stand up for yourself. What you put up with, you end up with.

9.      Your parents really do know what they’re talking about (99% of the time).

I realize that every child goes through a stage where their parents are the stupidest people ever, and everything they say deserves an eye roll, but trust me, out of everyone… they are the last ones that deserve an eye roll. They are looking out for you. They want the best for you and are trying to protect you. It’s hard to listen to their life lessons and things that they learned the hard way, but stop & appreciate that they are trying to save you from heart ache. Just listen, hold that eye roll, and thank them for all that they do.

10.  You are beautiful.

Music videos, magazines, and social media all have high expectations. Therefore, we all think we are less if we don’t compare. Please don’t fall for that. You are unique & that is beautiful. No one on this earth looks like you, acts like you, or is you, embrace it!

Is the grass always greener?

I read a quote the other day. It read: "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." -Abraham Lincoln

It caught my attention that day because I had been thinking a lot about how life is what you make it. Life has a lot to do about your persepective on situations and experiences. On this particular day, I was feeling kind of down in the dumps. It was one of those days where something just felt off, where worries seemed to creep in on my every thought.

That day I really didn't feel like going to class. I just felt like cuddling up on the couch all day watching movie after movie, avoiding the real world. But, if you know me....you know I didn't skip class..... :)

When I got to class, I noticed that someone had taken my seat. You know, that seat that you sit in on the first day and then mentally claim as yours because it's a spot that makes you feel half way comfortable in a room full of strangers? Well, that spot of mine, was filled by a butt that wasn't mine. So, I casually went to the back of the room on the far right hand corner. (Probably stealing someone elses "seat").

As I sat there in class, I thought about how the view point seemed so different in this particular spot. How I saw the teacher was different, the people surrounding me were different. It may sound funny, but this particular situation made me think about life. Maybe when we are having a bad day, we can mentally try and switch spots. By switching spot, we can try and look at the room (or life) from a different perspective, from a different view.

I know, switching our thinking isn't as easy as it sounds. It's hard to try and cheer yourself up. So, maybe when you switch seats, sit next to a new person, or someone that can share what they see from their view.

A speaker recently told the audience to shut there eyes and try to remember what was red in the room surrounding them. He told them to keep their eyes shut for awhile a really think about the area. When he said to open their eyes, he said, "If you're not looking for the color red, it's sometimes hard to notice, but when you have your eyes open and are purposely picking items that are red, it's a lot easier." That kind of applies to life. If you go around looking for good, postive things with your eyes open they'll pop out more. If you keep your eyes shut, stay in one spot, and focus in on the "non red" items, you might miss out!

Are you complaining because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoicing because thorn bushes have beautiful red roses?

Pinterest Inspired Creations

I always liked to think that I was a "creative" person, but it wasn't until I was told about Pinterest that I was a confident crafty person! When I see certain things in stores now, sometimes I tell myself....oh, I could make that! (Something I would have said, but never done before). Lately, I've found that I get a lot more satisfaction out of buying all the material and making something, rather then just purchasing and hanging it up. I like to create it! Make it something that no ones else has.

So, I just wanted to share with you some of the things I've created! Some I did get from Pinterest, while, others I thought up (probably when I should have been sleeping).    (:  Let me know what you think!

I was graciously given my great grandma's old buttons. So, one day Corissa and I hot glued them to bobby pins. I did notice that some popped off easily, so I might sew them on next time.

During Christmas time, Corissa and I also made "Grinch cookies". They are regular sugar cookies with andes mint chips and green food coloring. Delicious!

These cute frogs were made at The Boys and Girls Club this past summer. The mouth is made out of two slices of apples and peanut butter in between. The eyes are stuck on the apple slices with peanut butter and are made of grapes and chocolate chips. The kids loved them!

 

This is an advent calendar that I made for a friend. It is made out of a mini muffin pan. I then covered the wholes with scrap paper and sticker numbers. Then, I stuck the scrap paper on the pan with tape. For each day I wrote a Bible quote that related to Christmas time.

This is one of my most recent discoveries. I bought a yard of fabric and wrapped it around an old pillow. The best part? You don't need to sew! You just wrap it like a present and knot it in the middle. Super easy and a fun/cheap change! Here is the link I found  on pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/172614598189175055/

I am a college student, so grilled cheese is a typical meal. BUT...this is no ordinary grilled cheese...Corissa and I made a "Cheese burger pasta dish" shown here: http://pinterest.com/pin/172614598189383417/ Then, the next day, we used the left overs to make this grilled cheese. We started by making an ordinary grilled cheese and just added the pasta dish to it.

For one of my Early Childhood classes, I had to make a puppet. I chose to make a spider puppet out of a black glove (from the dollar tree). Since I can't sew very well, my friend helped me sew on the three extra fingers (8 legs) and then I decorated it! The bow is made out of felt and ribbon. I named her Stella the spider.

This is one of my favorite projects. This is a wall hanging made out of toilet paper rolls & spray paint! Yes, you heard me right, toilet paper. I would be more than happy to sell you one for $5! Let me know!

This is one of those projects I thought up when I should have been sleeping. I had a big canvas that I didn't know what to do with...so, I bought a yard of fabric..stapled it on the canvas and sewed on a few buttons! This would also be cute used as a bulletin board.

 

I never enjoyed cooking before Pinterest. Now, I get excited about it. I made these for the Rose Bowl and everyone liked them! Here is the link: http://pinterest.com/pin/172614598188900138/ 

This is one of my favorite versus from the Bible, and I wanted to incorporate it into my room somehow. I bought a yard of burlap (JoAnn fabrics gets most of my paychecks). I then used a black sharpie to write out the verse. The next part wasn't as easy... My loving Dad actually made this custom frame for me! But, you could defintely just go buy a frame and then create the quote to make sure that it fits!

This idea came to me when I was supposed to be listening in class...Seeing that Lent is coming, I was trying to think of something I wanted to do/give up. I decided that each day I'm going to write down a blessing that I noticed that day. I think it's a fun and easy way to see the good in each day & will be fun to look back and learn from. I bought a composition notebook from the Dollar Tree and used Scrap paper to make the cover!

When I got my first apartment, I was trying to find easy and cheap ways to decorate. I found this old screen at Savers for $1. I decided it could be used to hang pictures, letters, and memories. I just pull apart-paper clips to hang the items,

I have to give my Mom props for this one! This is an old T-shirt cut up and put into a frame. This frame was sitting around so I just spray painted it to match my room!

I used the extra burlap from the Bible Verse wall hanging to create this. I put the burlap in a frame (where the picture would go) and then I just wrote with erasable marker on the glass. So, I can change the message whenever I want.

I have a ton of old magazines and knew that there had to be a craft for them! I had three canvases sitting around. So, I cut up pictures and sayings that I liked. I then used modge podge to stick them on the canvas. For the third canvas (the one in the back on the right) I used newspaper. The picture frame also has words and pictures from the magazines glued in it.

Now that I have my own apartment, I didn't really know how to decorate for Christmas. This was one that my mom put together. I found the tiny ornaments in the $1 section at Target. Then went outside to get pine cones and put in a jar we already had. My mom also wrapped lights inside so it would brighten the room!

These are picture frames from the Dollar Tree and pieces of scrap paper from Michaels. (I was just at Michaels, and they had 6 pieces of scrap paper for $1)!

 

Can you tell I like wall art? :) This is actually a painting I got while at the Art Crawl in Eau Claire this past weekend. The artist creates pictures out of yarn. I couldn't resist...The only bad thing was that it didn't come with a frame. So, I went to Savers and bought one for $5, painted it orange, and now I have a new picture for my apartment!

 

I printed these templates from pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/172614598187556161/ and then bought frames from Savers. ($1 each). Easy, cute, and cheap kitchen decorations!

 

 

This is the project that I get the most compliments on! I recently bought a huge jar of buttons......and couldn't wait to start button projects! I sewed buttons on elastic to make a headband! I'll make you one for $7! Let me know!

 

 

I also enjoy making accessories! These are a few of the earrings and rings that I've made. The rings are made out of...you guessed it, buttons! (: I'm planning to make a few button earrings soon!

 

 

So.....Those are a few of the many things I've created! I hope I gave you a few ideas. I would love to make any of these things for you especially: wall art, headbands, jewelry! Let me know and I'll cut you a deal!

Beware: This is a deep one!

There are more than 300 million people living in the United States alone & that's just in fifty states...Think about all the people in the world... Now, think about you. You are one. You are a grain of sand on an endless beach. You are 1 out 7 billion people. Now, imagine yourself being in a stadium of over 50,000 people. People who are possibly all strangers, filling this room, breathing in the air, talking in various languages, laughing at jokes, and all living in this moment together. Setting the same day aside on our calendars that will never come again. Isn't it amazing that each of these people holds a story? Each one of these people standing in that stadium carry a talent. Isn't it crazy that each one of these people have struggles, challenges, and dreams? What's even more mind blowing is that each of these people look different. Each one having unique features/personalities.

Think about the people that you've met in your life...Those that you would do anything for...and those that have simply crossed your path offering a friendly smile. 

Now imagine all of those people, or gains of sand that you haven't met. Or, how about those people that haven't met YOU.

I don't know about you, but I'm a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. I believe that people come and go in your life to teach you things, to challenge you, and to make you grow in some way. Most of these reasons, we may have to wait what seems like an eternity, to realize their purpose. While, others may hit you right in the face the moment your paths cross.

I never really realized it until the other day, but isn't it cool how one day in a random spot, you run into someone you haven't seen in along time. Isn't it interesting that you both were in the same place at the same time.

Just think about how busy our lives are, how each person has so many things to do in one day, but yet, sometimes our lives meet together in the same place at the same time.

I think there is a purpose.

That person may be a reminder; they may be a lesson. Your paths may be crossing to give you something, or to take something away. Any of those options may be true, but there is a purpose. The purpose may sometimes be heartbreaking, while other times you're heart skips a beat. It's your life. You know.

I realize this concept is quite abstract. Each one of you reading this, sees it with different eyes, and different thoughts. Every view depending on your unique experiences or circumstances. When I think about 7 billion people it scares me, but comforts me. Think about the possibilities. The coolest part is, we're all in this thing called "life" together. Even though we may see life and even death differently, and even though we may have different values, beliefs, struggles, & joy.....

We're all in it together.
We're each one teeny tiny grain of sand making up a beautiful beach.
We all have a purpose helping eachother find our purpose.

Just think about it.

The Riddle of Love

I read a funny quote the other day. It went like this: "You don't actually love a person unless you occasionally want to kill them."

Which made me start to wonder...

Why do we put such high expectations on those we love most? Why do we take out our problems on the ones we would never want to lose?

The answer could simply be that you start spending so much time with that person, that it's nearly impossible not to come across a situation you don't see eye-to-eye on. Or maybe we have such high expectations for that person because we would be willing to do that much for them.

I also read a quote that said "Love is spending the rest of your life with someone you want to kill, but not doing it because you'd miss them."

Maybe we have this image  of love in our minds due to the romantic movies, or the advertisements shown daily. In a Bible study I went to recently, the speaker talked about how in most movies, the ending is of the glamorous wedding. The movie skips right over the part where the wife gains 40 pounds and the husband loses his job.

 I guess I'm slowly learning that the part the movies skip over, is what defines love the most. Love means you're a team. Love means that no matter the circumstance, you are in it together. Love means that you don't have to worry about the other person giving up when things get hard.

I can think of a time, where I was yelling at my mom and she simply said "Wait, why are you taking your bad day out on me?"

 I didn't get it then, but it's so obvious now. It's like I was trying to make the world feel sorry for me, and the only way I found that possible, was to bring the people around me right down with me. Even though I was yelling, and even though I was not being easy to love, she looked passed my anger; she looked beyond my bad day....showing me love.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that when you love someone you can't expect everyday to be perfect. If you do, you're never going to be satisfied. You have to realize that there are going to be days that you want to "kill" that person. Yet, if it's true love, the good days will, by far, outweigh the bad. Plus, it's getting through those bad days together that creates the best love stories.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

I'll be honest...I've never been a huge fan of snow. Sure, it's pretty and Christmas wouldn't be the same without it...but I'd be perfectly happy getting an inch on Christmas Eve and then having it all disappear January 1st.

So, a couple days ago when the weather man came on TV saying to expect 3-8 inches of that white stuff, I wasn't very happy.

That is until Monday morning...

Sure, I spent Sunday looking out my window thinking...why.....why this early....now how am I going to get to class....now I have to scrape my car....now I have to shovel....now I have to leave earlier to get anywhere on time....

Without really realizing...I was focusing on all of the negative things.

Sunday night after being pumped about the Packers victory, I looked out the window watching the snow STILL falling...and felt my mood change. I really wasn't ready for winter.

Which brings me to Monday morning.

I woke up to this annoying sound... something was scraping against my wall. When I looked out my window I was reminded of that nasty cold stuff piled up everywhere, but the next image might have changed my outlook on that white stuff forever.

After looking beyond the snow, I noticed that the noise I was hearing, was of a nice old man shoveling a path from my steps to the sidewalk. Of course, this view warming my heart. I went on getting ready when I heard a noise coming from my steps....I ran to that side of the house and noticed the old man was now shoveling off my 15 billion steps.

The most beautiful thing about this, is that this man didn't have to do this. He didn't have to think of the girl that lives in the tan house. When I signed my lease I specifically remember it saying I was responsible for the sidewalk and steps outside of my house.

As if that wasn't enough....When I got home today, my steps were salted down and a little bucket sat there labeled "Salt for Ice".

Maybe snow isn't so bad...As I walked down my cleared steps, making my way through the thoughtful shoveled path, I also saw a man helping a women who had just slipped; I saw a girl taking a picture of the snow-covered trees. I also saw a family building a snowman.

Today at the Preschool, a little girl came up to me as I was helping another child make a snow angel. This little girl looked at me innocently and said, "Isn't there something magical about snow?"

I thought to myself... Yes, yes there is.

The Christmas List

The joyful music, the lights & the contagious spirit...these are just a few of the things that make this time of year so magical.
 
I recently was looking back at some home videos where my mom sat my brother and I down in front of the tree to ask us what we wanted Santa to bring us. Granted I was five and my brother was seven, I wished for things like a puppy, an American Girl doll, and a pretend cash register. My brother asked for a football, a real Packer jersey, and a BB gun. I'd be lying if I said Christmas still brings that much excitement to me, but I'd also be lying if I said Christmas means any less today.
 
I believe that as we grow up, things change. Our thoughts, our beleifs, and our views all alter depending on our experiences.  This year when my mom asked me to make a Christmas list, I found myself struggling. Yes, there are a few things that would be nice to have, but do I really need them? Are the things I "need" really something my parents can just go out and buy in the stores, or Santa's elves can make in their workshop?
 
Yes, when I was five years-old, while wishing for material things, there were people struggling, people that were poor, and hospitals full of ill people...but as children we are so egocentric.
 
The bittersweet thing about growing up... we realize that this Jolly guy dressed in red can't logically fly around the world in one night, while checking off our Christmas list.
 
Therefore, our lists change, our views alter. As I grow up, I'm realizing that it's not the items I have that brings me my happiness.
 
This year my imaginary Christmas list would consist of:
 
1. Groceries for a year
2. My loans paid off
3. Good health
4. Family time/traditions
5. Happiness for all
6. Okay....a puppy.....
 
I want to make sure this year, that I don't get caught up on the materialistic part of Christmas. Sometimes I find myself sad after Christmas is over. Like something is lost or missing.
 
So, why can't we all carry this contagious, joyful, magical spirit through out the year? The friendly smiles, the small acts of kindness...if you haven't noticed, money can't buy you everything.
 
And if money could by us everything, would the value be the same?

Father Time

I can't believe that my last post was in May...

It's funny. When I started typing these posts I found it so relaxing, but that crazy thing called life gets in the way and suddenly there is no time.

Time is a funny thing. Just think about it. It guides our every move. (I bet you just looked down at the time on your computer screen, or maybe your phone. Are you on schedule?) Sometimes we want time to just stop or freeze. I'm sure we all have that one moment (or five) that we want to last forever, or put it in a bottle and keep it for a later date. Other times the clock can't go fast enough. Each second feeling like a life time.

At the preschool the other day it was the Director's birthday. She was turning 60. We surprised her by having all the children sing Happy Birthday to her when she entered the room. Afterwards, the children were asked how old they thought she was. One little girl, responded "Two?" Another boy, shot his hand up confidently, "You are 21!"

Isn't it funny how children really have no sense of time? I know that they are too young to really grasp the concept, but I think that's wonderful. I miss that time. When I had no idea what the day of the week was, or what time of the day it was. Each day was just filled with excitement and many new things.

Today, I walked passed a woman who looked particularly sad...I thought to myself... We never really know what the person is going through that we're walking past, or sitting by in the cafeteria, or standing next to in line. That person could have just had the best day of their life getting to see a loved one, or they could have had the worst day of their life losing a loved one. The point is, we never know what storm God has asked the people we pass each day to go through. We don't know what their story entails.

Some of us carry our hearts on our sleeves, while others build up unbreakable walls. No matter what, we all have problems, we all have worries, but we also all have happiness and joy in something. Alot of the time, how we handle these ups and downs is by using our time wisely. Who knows what tomorrow brings.

So, smile at that person walking by. That may brighten their day for that one moment. And that one moment could be all that they needed. And in that moment, is time. Time to show them, that you too have worries, you too have struggles, but we're all in this together.