Moments: An Unexpected Meeting

Sharing the little moments that make my life beautiful!

I was in my room for 10 minutes, maybe 15.

I might have been taking a nap.

Naps are good for the mommy soul.

When I came out of my room, refreshed and invigorated, this is what greeted me.

Hmm...did I miss something?  An important meeting?  A good show?  

Is this some kind of intervention?

I'm not telling you where I hide the chocolate. 

Did I win something?!

Maybe I should have prepared a speech...

A heart to heart and the disappearance of my toes

Hi.

I've missed you.

I am sorry for my long absence and I feel like I owe you a bit of an explanation.

Have you ever hit a wall?  I don't mean like a little tap with your hand or a small kick with your foot.  I mean a full on slam into a wall at running speed.

And, I'm talking figuratively here.

I hit a wall.  A rather big one.  I should have seen it coming.  But I didn't.

With my husband in school, 2 young girls, 2 Church callings, a job, and a home to keep, I have a very full plate.  On top of that, life sometimes just gets hard and sometimes the trials it brings are almost unbearable.

I hit that wall and had to take some time to recover and regroup.

Here's another analogy.  My mom and I used to hike a lot in the mountains behind her house.  It was good exercise and a good stress reliever and good Mommy/Daughter time.  I loved those hikes and I miss them terribly.

The highest point we could hike to we affectionately called "Heart Attack Hill."  That was a doozy of a hike, but well worth it.  Once we reached the top we could sit and see for miles and miles and miles in simple peace and quiet.  I have only made it up there a handful of times, but it is still one of my favorite places in the whole world.

But, I digress.  To get to the top of Heart Attack, you have to hike up a few smaller hills, each one getting gradually steeper and a little more challenging.  There is one point in particular that sits in my memory as a really, really, really, really hard climb.  The slope is so steep, you feel that if you lean backwards just slightly you'll go tumbling down the hill.  And, to make it worse, because it is so steep it is deceptive.  There is a point where you look ahead and see what looks like the top.  But when you get to that point, you find it is just a small ledge and you still have a few more feet to go.

Oh, and by the way, this point in the path is only about 40 feet long.

So, in my memory, I can see my mom and I struggling up this hill, practically crawling.  We were both in fairly good shape at the time, but still we had to stop every 5 minutes or so to rest and encourage each other to keep climbing.  We would sit until we could breathe normally again and then we would get up and move on until, finally, hand in hand, we reached the top.  It was exhilarating and exhausting.

That's where I am now.  I feel like I am starting to catch my breath.  I'm recovering, I'm regrouping, and I'm now getting back up and starting my hike back up.

I want to get back into blogging.  I have missed it so, and I get a lot of stress relief from the projects that I create.

Here's the thing, though.  I won't allow this blog to stress me out.  I have enough stress in my life.  This is my release.

I will post my crafts when I have them.  I won't post every day.  I will finally start working on the projects ideas I have been collecting for a couple of years now, which hopefully means I will be featuring some awesome bloggers and their tutorials.  I'm not going to worry so much about coming up with my own ideas.  =)  And, I'm not going to allow myself to feel guilty when I miss the holiday-specific crafts.  I'll get to them next year, or the year after that.

I may sometimes just post about my bad day, because, truth be told, I'm still very much in the midst of some pretty tough trials and I have bad days.  However, I am an optimist and I will always try to see the bright side and the Lord's hand in my life.  That's why I write.

I named this blog Creating Sarah because I want to use it to not only motivate myself to create crafts, but also create myself into the person I always hoped to be.  Hopefully, there will be more of that going on.

So, stick with me if you want to.  If you get bored of me, I won't be hurt if you leave.

I love that so many people that I don't know are following my little blog.  I want to make friends.  Please feel free to reach out to me, write to me, comment.  I'll reach back.

Ok.  I think that is enough babbling for now.

But I do have one more thing to share with you.

It has become apparent recently, that soon I will no longer be able to see my toes!  This may explain some of my stress as well.

This little issue is due to be resolved on August 19, 2012.

Are you a category eater?

I looked down at my cute new desktop while I was working the other night and saw this:

I don't really remember doing it, but I know I was saving those 2 beautiful purple skittles for last.

Have I lost weight?

Excuse me for a moment while I interrupt the start of this post.  I have to take a moment to thank you all for your votes and support during American Crafter.  I didn't make it through to round 3, but I had a really, really fun time and perhaps at some point I will give it another go. So, thanks for voting, thanks for sticking around and following me, thanks for being you...awesome, awesome you!

Do you remember me telling you a few months ago that I am a Jungle Girl?

I haven't talked much about it because I don't quite know how to define it.  I am the does-that-really-happen-to-real-people person.   If something strange is going to happen to a person in the room, I'm that person.  

But I don't always know how to tell you without sounding like a whiner or something.  But, you know, sometimes weird things happen.  Sometimes injuries happen in really funny ways.  Sometimes my crafts don't turn out at all right because I'm a Jungle Girl.  Sometimes I just have to share these moments so that I can laugh at them while you laugh at them and I feel better and not quite so embarrassed. 

Here's a good example:

Were you expecting a picture?  Yeah, sorry.  I didn't take a picture.  Read on and you'll understand why.

A couple of days ago, I had to drive to town for a Primary meeting.  I decided, since it takes about half an hour to drive to town, that I would save gas and do my grocery shopping after the meeting.  I was wearing a skirt.

And, honestly, I kind of felt pretty sophisticated and cool doing my grocery shopping in heels and a skirt.  

I got it all done and headed out to my car.  It was windy outside so I didn't think much about it when I felt my long skirt hitting my ankles.  I did notice, however, when I felt some movement at my hips and looked down when I felt that movement move to my thighs.

I looked down just in time to see my happy, confidence-building, sophisticated feeling skirt land at my feet.

Yeah.

My skirt, with no provocation whatsoever, fell off!

My first thought was, Holy Crap!  My skirt just fell off!  My second thought, as I pulled it back up, was, Is anyone looking?  No one was around me in the parking lot at that moment.  Phew.  And my third thought was, I'm glad I remembered to put my slip on.  I'll never forget it again.

Then all I could do was laugh.  Seriously...how does something like that happen!

As I drove home, I got to thinking.  I think I've been taking myself too seriously lately.  Maybe I just needed a jar to remind me that even when you are wearing a skirt life is meant to be enjoyed.  

Even if I have this great craft blog, it doesn't mean my projects have to be perfect all the time.  I'm going to be honest with you, guys.  Most of the projects I start on don't turn out the way I picture them.  And, I have actually put off posting several projects because they didn't turn out like I expected them to.  I'm going to stop doing that.  

I'm here to have fun.  I'm here to do what I enjoy and to share what I enjoy.  I'm also here to work on being a better mom and wife.  That means sometimes I won't be here.  So, if I disappear for a week or 2 sometimes, don't worry, I'm just off enjoying life.  

What Day is It?

Do you ever just get so caught up in something that everything else kind of disappears?

Yeah, me too.  I didn't even mean to this time!  The second round for American Crafter is "House of Order" and it has got me spinning with ideas on all the order my house could be in.  I am almost done with my project now, and I'm actually feeling very satisfied by it, but it is kind of a miracle that I've gotten anything else done!

I didn't realize how distracted I have been by this project until last night when I was putting O to bed.  In an effort to stall her bedtime, she was making up things to tell me.  Then, as I was leaving the room, she said, "Mama?  Do you mind...um, can we have a date tomorrow?"

So, today, we planned a date.

While putting my things in order (not for the project, just in general...the organizing thing is kind of addicting!), I came across this little kit I bought on clearance (50 cents!) at the end of the Halloween season last year.  

So, our first order of business was to decorate. 

Sorry about the blurriness of the pictures.  She was so excited, I couldn't get her to hold still!

Here is our mantle: 

Then, we put up a "tent," 

Popped popcorn, 

And watched a movie.

It was a good time.  

I apologize if I have neglected any of you with my distraction.  If it helps, feel free to put up a tent, pop popcorn, and watch a movie while imagining I'm there with you.  I don't mind.

A Little Bit o' Business

Hi Friends! 

Just a couple of things:  First, my friend, Fabi, over at Mrs. Sassy Crafter needs some help.  She is a fantastic card maker and has a surplus of cards that she wants to take to the Ronald McDonald house in her area so that they can pass the cards on to people who need a little bit of happiness in their days.  Her idea and hope is to be able to bring them a box overflowing with cards and she has put out a call for cards. 

Now, I'm not really a cardmaker...I never could find the inspiration.  But, there are a lot of examples out there to draw from and this is a really good cause to challenge myself for.  So, I'm going to try to pop out a few.  If you would like to, I'm sure she would love whatever you and I can give.

Cards of any sort and any theme will do, but they need to include an envelope.  She is hoping take them in on October 24th, so that gives about 3 weeks.

As an added incentive, she has put together a mystery box for the person who sends her the most cards!  Ooo!  Maybe you'll win.  She gives good prizes!  Head on over to her site and the link here for all the information.


Now, secondly, did you see my new header?  =)  Yeah, I really, really like it.  It is the masterful work of my brother.  He also designed my sweet little button, which I would love for you to grab and share if you are so inclined.  My brother, Michael, is a very talented graphic designer.  If you would like to see his work or if you might have a job for him, I have a link to his page at the bottom or right here:  http://www.mhardydesign.com/. 

Ok.  That's all for tonight!  Have a happy day!

I made bread...

I was trying to take pictures of it, but they just didn't turn out so well.  I'll try that again later.

I did manage to catch this little girl playing with her reflection in the mixing bowl.

It looked fun. 

Creativity Manifests Itself...

One of my favorite things about creativity is that it works for anyone.  Once you open your imagination, ideas start to flow.  It's fun and exciting.

And, it makes me so happy that my children are creative and imaginative.  I hope that I can nurture that in them.  The other day, I was given a fantastic example of how creativity can flow differently and uniquely in each person.

Remember page 2 of my quiet book?  The fabric chain?

Do you remember how I said, "This one took some time for my girls to figure out.  They were more interested in making the strips bracelets or using the Velcro to attach the strops together to form necklaces or headbands or crowns"?

It's ok if you don't remember me saying that.  You can just trust me on this.

Well...here's something I never would have thought of.

She called me in from the kitchen to show me what she had done.

"I'm a princess, Mama!"

"See my beautiful princess hair?"

And, as the graceful and beautiful princess she is, she taught her sister the secret of her beauty.

May she always be creative.

A Good Book

I have been something of a slacker this week when it comes to housework and crafting.  

I've been a bit distracted.

I've been reading this:

Which is, by the way, a fantastic book.  It has a good story to tell and left me feeling a need to be a better person in many ways I didn't expect.  

I did, however, feel a little bit of mom guilt for letting so much slide while I read my book.  

That is, until I walked into the living room and saw this:

Yeah, amid the clutter and the unfolded laundry, my girls pulled out their books and spent time reading, 

 Looking at pictures...

Imagining life as a princess... 

Exercising their minds.

It occurred to me that being creative doesn't mean just crafting.

Being a good mom doesn't mean just cleaning and feeding and meeting basic needs.

Being creative can come in the form of expanding your perspective, escaping to new places through intricate stories.  It means playing with kids, reading them books, teaching them to love learning and creating...it means an endless amount of imaginative and fun things!

How exciting!!!!

So, I feel justified in my love of reading and in taking an occasional week out of my life to immerse myself in a book.  And, I hope you will patiently excuse me during those weeks if the blogging slows a bit.  

I'm just letting my creativity refresh a bit.

P.S.  I feel that this would be a good place to tell those of you who share my love of reading and, perhaps, my sister's love of writing to head over to her blog, WriterBrained.  Jeigh is writing a novel and has started a blog to share what she is learning in the process.  It is entertaining and educational and I think her book is amazing!  (Yeah, you heard that, I've read it.)  She is what I like to call my book pusher; if she says a book is good, she is right.  So, head on over there, give her some love and a hug from me, and enjoy!

How to host a fruit fly party

Do you have a problem with fruit flies in the summer?

I do.  They are all over and they drive me ca-ra-zy!

I can't remember where I first saw the idea (I'm thinking it was on The Idea Room somewhere, but I couldn't for the life of me find it).  Get an old jar (cleaned out), put some fruit in it, and roll a piece of paper into a funnel. (I'm sure you could use a real funnel too.  I'll have to try that.)  Place the paper in the jar and watch the flies come flocking to the party!  For some reason, they can get in, but not out.  Silly bugs.

That doesn't sound too hard, right?  So, I decided to try.

Then, Mister came home and was super impressed with the idea, but wanted to experiment with it a bit.  I had an apple in mine, he used a banana and some canned fruit.  He also used a shorter tube.

We set out both jars in the same place to see who threw the best fruit fly party.

It's kind of hard to see in this picture (because they are so itty bitty!) but there are hundreds of flies in this jar.

My jar has maybe 20 flies in it.  

Now we know.  They like bananas (they rot faster) and fruit cocktail and the shorter the journey to the party, the better.  Also, we've learned that it can be productive to let the husband build on our ideas.  =)

P.S.  I read recently that it works to put plastic wrap on top of the jar, secured with a rubber band, with holes poked in the plastic wrap.  Maybe we'll try both and see who wins that party.

My secret language or a peek at one of my little quirks.

Do you remember those days in high school when you always had a crush on some cute boy...or you were frustrated with a friend...the days when you were filled with all kinds of ambitions and secret dreams?

Sometimes there were things you just had to tell someone, but when your best friend or your sisters or your mom weren't available (or maybe didn't understand), what could be done?  For me, I had to write it down.  Who better to tell than yourself, right?  I was pretty good at keeping my own secrets.

I still have lots of notebooks filled with my thoughts and hopes and loves.  But, here's the thing...those notes look something like this:

W oy ea wb xajs iwht Ywqtosx htoh W ywuth tojs ha zwee twe roqs ajsf obn ajsf ouowb.


Yeah, I was also a little paranoid.

You see, I had this thought that someone might notice me writing and would sneak up behind me to read what I was writing.  I didn't want just anyone to know who I was in love with and all the yearnings of my heart, so I made up a code.  Because, that doesn't look odd at all.

Seriously, I knew this code so well that I could write it, in cursive, as smoothly as I wrote in English.  I could also read it.

It became my own little language.  A place where I could go and feel safe and sort out my thoughts.  And, now that I think of it, I think it is pretty cool that I was able to create such a good place for myself.

It did become a little silly, though.  Like when I needed to go to the store to get...ahem...feminine products.  I was too embarrassed to write the actual word down on my list.  I just wrote "DOPE" instead...because that looks much better on a shopping list.  (heehee! If I write "dope" here, no one will notice that I'm buying maxi pads!)

You'll notice I'm not giving you the key to my code.  I have far too many notebooks filled with my teenage (and maybe not-so-teenage) secrets to let the key out now.  Besides...I may or may not be using it still.