Grammarly :: The importance of good writing

(This post is sponsored by Grammarly. I typically do not write sponsored posts, but payment for this post is a donation to Reading is Fundamental, a fantastic organization that promotes reading by providing books to America’s children. In fact, my own children and their schoolmates have benefited from this awesome program! Thanks, Grammarly, for investing in literacy!)

Grammarly, an online "grammar checker," studied the correlation between strong writing stills and career earnings. I love this because a lot of the time I think people think of writers either as millionaire-J.K.-Rowling-John-Grisham types or poor-and-struggling-artist types. But these are extreme views. We're ALL writers. We ALL need to be able to write effectively.

Grammarly gathered information and came up with a helpful infographic that succinctly reveals the importance of strong writing skills. I’m happy to share their findings here today and hope that the data spurs thought and conversation about the importance of good writing. Take a look! I think you’ll find it fascinating.

My professional world revolves around the ability to write well and edit other people's writing on a tight deadline. But in addition to the work I do as a writer and editor, I use my writing skills constantly—all of us do!

As professionals, we all know that we need to pay attention to our email correspondence. It matters! I teach an Academic Writing Seminar for The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and at the beginning of each term I ask my students to please take time and care when they email. Written words create a lasting impression and it’s important to clearly communicate ideas, vision, and basic information. Of course, we all make typos and errors, but strong writing skills are crucial to career growth.

As parents, we can model to our children the value of literacy. We can do this by having books in our homes and by letting them see us read. (Read a short report on the meta-analyis conducted by Reading is Fundamental highlighting the importance of access to print material and educational success.) We can talk to them about the writing that we do, whether it’s a blog post, an email, or a grocery list. After I saw Grammarly's infographic, I told the kids about the relationship between good writing and higher paying jobs. They spent 10 minutes challenging the assumption. Do doctors have to write well? (Yes, they write emails and reports and papers in medical school). Do YMCA employees have to write? (Yes, emails, power point presentations, messages to clients, FB posts.) What about movie makers? (Yes. Scripts, emails, contracts.) And so on. We can support our overworked and underpaid English and Language Arts teachers (they’re often the very best people!) by valuing the incredible skills they offer our children.

I'm curious, how has being able to write well impacted your life?

MLK Day :: Des Moines :: Books for all!

This weekend we traveled to Des Moines for a short getaway. On Sunday we ate at Zombie Burger, a place we'd heard a lot about and wanted to experience for ourselves. It lived up to the hype. We all enjoyed the food—especially the creative milkshakes (Zombie Unicorn, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Chocolate Cake, to name a few). As we waited for our table we explored a few fun neighborhood shops full of all kinds of curiosities (pictured above).

The reason we went to Des Moines was to attend an MLK day event at the Great Des Moines Botanical Garden put on by the Iowa Commission of the Status of African Americans. It was a great event. We heard excellent speakers and got to meet the governor and lieutenant governor of our state. This was all very exciting for our family.

At the event, Oliver was given a certificate and recognition for an essay writing contest that he won. I was so pleased his teacher encouraged him to do this exercise and I'm so proud of my son. He currently wants to be a "writer and editor" (my heart!) when he grows up, so he took this assignment very seriously. Of course, as a writer and lover of words, Oliver's essay made me very proud. But more than that, I love his message. By the grace of God and the help of our family and community, Jake and I hope we raise our children to LOVE, LISTEN, SHOW MERCY, ACT KINDLY and CHANGE THE WORLD in ways both big and small.

Filling up the Empty Book Case

by Oliver Klipsch, age 10, in response to the question "If you could do anything to help your community, what would it be?"

Whenever I open a book, I feel safety. My mind goes into another dimension where my troubles disappear. Some books are filled with suspense and excitement, and some are filled with love and kindness. At night, I go to bed early so that I can cuddle up in bed and read, my mind filled with stories of fantasy. Whenever I can’t sleep, I grab my book and fall asleep with it in my hands. I really wish that all kids could get the amazing feeling of reading a book. Unfortunately, some don’t.

I’ve been to some of my friends’ houses only to be surprised that there wasn’t a book in sight. I think having no books in my house would result in me stressing out, which would lower my grades at school. I am a person who likes to be at the top of my game, so having no books would probably not allow me to enjoy the fun things in life.

I believe that if every kid had three to five books of their own, their lives would be better. My mom has always bought me at least one book every Christmas, and I have always read it two times as soon as I could. The first time for enjoyment and the second time for analysis.

Every kid deserves to have at least three books in their home, even better, a whole series of books. You can read books over again, which causes maximum enjoyment. I have the Harry Potter series and have read it so often that I have it practically memorized.

If every kid had their own book, the world would be better because there would be more innovative people, leading to more cures for diseases, better technology, and a better world.

All because of books. 

Party with a Purpose

A few Sundays ago I was invited to a new friend's house for an afternoon of community and doing something. I've gotten to know Jennie through church and loved having her as part of the Water Party team this year. She's an incredible photographer, a great mom, and a smart, delightful person. She also has a huge heart and, from what I can tell, a no-nonsense sensibility. In fact, this heart and style is what prompted her party. She saw a need and acted. "It's just so easy," she said, "It's something we can do."

What we did was gather together at Jennie's home for a Shoe Cutting Party. Apparently, jiggers are a problem in some parts of the developing world. Jiggers burrow into feet, lay eggs, and cause infection and great pain. The organization Sole Hope works to treat and prevent jiggers from crippling children in Uganda. Sole Hope relies heavily on people like Jennie to host parties and prepare materials that will be used to create jobs for local Ugandan tailors and shoe makers, and ultimately save children an abundance of pain and deformation.

Jennie asked her guests to bring old jeans (I gladly cleaned out the kids' drawers for jeans that were too small or had too many holes), scissors, and a donation of money and medical supplies. For each pair of shoes you provide the material for, Sole Hope asks for a $10 donation in order to pay a Ugandan craftsman a fair-trade wage to produce each shoe. Ten dollars to help an adult earn a fair wage in humane conditions? Ten dollars to save a mom the stress of worrying about her child's infected feet? I agree with Jennie, "It's too easy."

We watched a video (part of of the Sole Hope Party Kit that Jennie ordered) about the problem and the organization. Then we ate snacks and drank punch and chatted while our hands kept busy tracing and cutting material for shoes. It felt like a party. A party with a purpose.

In two hours we fitted the basic materials for two dozen pairs of shoes. And it was delightful! I got to spend time with a fabulous group of women, make new friends, and strengthen existing ties. The fact that we accomplished something beyond ourselves was simply a bonus.

Jennie's initiative to do something inspired me and got me thinking about my community of women. A party with a purpose is an idea that I absolutely love. It's a beautiful opportunity to use your good time for something larger than yourself. Everyone wins!

• Longtime readers of this blog know that we gather each year before the Water Party to craft and prepare. This year Emily also threw a dinner party to kick it all off. We party with a purpose. 
• I once threw a "Healthy Home" party for an article I wrote. (Similar set-up: we watched a video about the environment and enjoyed free samples that came with the party kit. Our party had purpose.) 
• My friend Beth threw a beautiful baby shower for a women's shelter in our community. We all brought gifts just like we would at any other shower, only they were then donated to new moms who needed a little love and generosity in their life. Beth is an incredible hostess and we had a delightful time. 
• I know of dinner clubs that meet once a month and focus on raising awareness and money for different issues. 
• I've heard of people throwing dinner parties and asking guests to donate to a specific cause. 

So let's talk about this. Have you ever partied with a purpose? Have you been to such an event? People are so creative! I'd love to hear about what it looked like for you!

(Thanks for the photos—and the party—Jennie!)

The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear

(Lyrics from I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight, U2 // Photos from Luminaired Photography // Not sure how I got so lucky in the sibling/friend department...)

Good to be back...

After several intense months of WATER PARTY planning, it feels incredibly nice to be back to "normal". The Water Party was amazing. Thank you all so much for your support and love and donations. It was a record breaking year! By the time it's all said and done, we'll have raised nearly $22,000 for The Adventure Project.

To put that in perspective, that's FIVE villages in Uganda that will regain access to clean water. It's actually really hard to quantify how amazing this is. It's 10 jobs. (Think 10 families pulled out of extreme poverty with dignity in tact.) It's at least 1,500 people who will have a much better shot at good health. (Remember, kids die when there's no clean water.) It's girls going to school and women pursuing opportunities and avoiding assault. It's so huge and beautiful and thrilling to be a part of.

Last night, Oliver had his first stage performance at Junior Theater and afterwards we had dinner with Jake's parents. The night before that I binged on four back-to-back episodes of Parenthood and ate half of a carton of ice cream. I'm not great at allowing myself time to relax and have decided to work on that a bit. I preach self-care to others and need to take my own advice. Today, Sintayehu and I are hanging out at home. She's watching an episode of Daniel Tiger...I'm blogging. I hope this quiet moment is representative of the weekend...a fun event at the kids' school, dinner with lovies, maybe a nap? May yours be beautiful and exactly what you need. xoxo

Photos by Luminaired Photography.

Shhh.....

I'm going to let you in on a secret. We haven't sold a whole lot of raffle tickets for the Jason Wu clutch (valued at $1300!!). So, if you purchase a ticket now, your chances of winning are about 1 in 20. Not bad, I'd say!! Please consider going and buying a ticket or two HERE. (1 for $10/3 for $25.) And remember, ALL of that money goes directly to The Adventure Project so that they can train well mechanics in Uganda, not only lifting people out of extreme poverty, but providing clean water to HUNDREDS who are currently without. (Can you imagine life without clean water? I can't even...) I'm not asking you to consider this because the clutch is beautiful (though it is), I'm asking you because a raffle is fun and to many of us $10 is rather inconsequential and because your donation will be an act of generosity that will make your soul feel good and will be of enormous help to a brother or sister across the globe. Especially if you cannot attend the party, this would be an amazing way to contribute to the movement. (You don't have to be present to win and if you're not local, we'll have it delivered.)

Let's take a moment. Here she is:

The truth in ten words or less: the Water Party has me slightly harried these days. But I can honestly say I've never been more excited. We have the most incredible group of women and community supporters working to make this event a huge success. What these extraordinary people are busy doing makes me teary. People are creating art for the auction. Friends are being brave and asking businesses for support. Businesses are putting love before profit and pitching in. Adults are buying an extra bottle of wine every time they go to the grocery to donate to the wine pull. Knitters are knitting. My sister-in-law Emily can't stop buying chocolate and copper cups and kitchenware and everything else you'd ever want in a silent auction basket. It's remarkable what a thoughtful, capable, passionate group of people can get done.

I was talking to the kids about the whole ordeal tonight. We had gone to four different places to pick up supplies/donations right after school. When we got home, I re-heated some leftover pizza and started organizing for our Wednesday night craft party (we'll assemble baskets, etc.). I have to confess, the three of them have been faced with a slightly distracted mom. However, I don't feel all that guilty about it. In fact, I kind of love that they're witnessing passion in action. We'll probably eat simply again tomorrow night and I would guess that I'll send multiple texts and answer a thousand water-related emails in their presence. We'll definitely be running after-school errands. It'll be exhausting and exhilarating and they'll see it all.

As I explained to Oliver, Eli, and Sintayehu and will now tell you: "My feets is tired, but my soul is rested." Help make it all even more worth it, dear readers! Consider buying a ticket today! :-)

Life Lately in Photos and Captions

^^ We've been hoppin' lately! Sometimes I feel like we're juggling too much, but most of the time I am quite happy to be in this beautifully intense stage of life! Sintayehu continues to be a happy helper who currently loves to "read books" and "play ponies." She recently got a unicorn Halloween costume and often puts it on, insisting we call her Zuri (which happens to be our cat's name). Oliver is loving his Junior Theatre acting class and recently dyed his hair blue. He finally got the new Rick Riordin book, which has been on pre-order since May! Eli, who opted for a green streak in his hair, is officially a student of karate. As you already know and as the pictures attest, one of my favorite activities is cooking with the kids. ^^

^^This is the time of year I refer to as Water Season. We're in the midst of planning our 6th Water Party and are SOOO excited!! We have some amazing new partners this year and I'm convinced this is going to be the best event yet!! We're raising money for The Adventure Project's initiative to help lift families out of poverty by providing jobs that lead to better living conditions for everyone. We'll be aiming to hire well mechanics who will get clean water flowing once again in communities with broken down wells. (1/3 of all wells built in Africa are currently broken, something that Jake and the kids will attest to after visiting Tanzania this summer.) It's an intense and wonderful time of year. If you haven't gotten tickets, please do so here! You can also follow the link to bid on a fabulous Jason Wu clutch or simply make a donation! (100% of your donation goes directly to fresh-water solutions through The Adventure Project!)^^

^^Oliver got a new app on his iPod and asked me to pose like this for a photo yesterday. It's my power pose, he says. I maybe need this outward pose because things are weird right now in my work life. I recently lost a huge copy editing client, which makes me really sad. However, my agent just sent my book to six interested editors. (When I say interested, I mean they've agreed to read it. This is good, but offers no guarantee, so my fingers are still crossed.) So, I'm in this strange time right now. Do I continue to look for more freelance work? Do I sacrifice the income to start a new writing project? (I have a new book idea I'm dying to dive into!) Do I switch gears all together?^^

Ophelia: We know what we are, but know not what we may be...

How Supporting The Adventure Has Delivered Friendship, Provided Purpose, and Made Me A Better Mom

You guys know how crazy I am about The Adventure Project. But have I ever told you why? This summer one of the co-founders (Becky Straw—she's incredible) asked my sis-in-law Tesi and I to think about why women like us (busy moms with a bent for social justice) are so passionate about the work they do. She asked us to write down our thoughts as she prepared to present to future investors. Today, TAP posted a version of what I wrote on their Tumblr. I'm both honored and thrilled because I believe so strongly in the work that TAP does.

Take a minute to read and understand my passion.

Photo credit: TAP.

Six Things :: Life Lately

1. I turned 36 a few weeks ago. 36! It felt like a big one. It was a day filled with wonderful people, coffee, flowers, cake, and champagne—all the best things. I'm finding I'm a bit weepy at 36. I don't know. By all accounts, by the time you hit your mid-thirties, you can't deny that you're a legit adult. And yet, it has all seemed to sneak up on me. Sometimes it's all so beautiful and overwhelming and REAL that it makes my eyes sting.

2. Jake and I spent Labor Day weekend first in Chicago at his cousin's gorgeous wedding and then at home without the kids. (We saw the movie Boyhood. So good!) We picked up the kids, who were spending the weekend camping with my mom and step-dad, and enjoyed sharing stories and spending some time in a beautiful setting by Lake McBride.

3. We've definitely entered a new stage of parenting that entails the shepherding of individual children with individual interests. Basically this necessitates more time in the minivan. Oliver is enjoying dance and acting class, Eli starts karate this week, and both boys are still taking piano lessons. Sintayehu and I bring our books and My Little Ponies and watch it all unfold...

4. I had a phone conference with my agent last Friday. Even though he couldn't see me, I dressed up for it. Do you guys ever do that!? I needed a boost of confidence—more than my comfy leggings/pretend work-out clothes were giving me that dreary day. Anyway, the conversation went well. After spending months building my "platform" (FB page + public appearances + new website + lots of other things to prove to publishers I have a few numbers behind me), he has decided to take my book back out to publishers. I'm so excited! I'm also trying not to think about. I still completely believe in the message of my book, enough so that I find this horrible, terrible, anxiety-ridden process worth it. Onward...

5. Wine to Water planning is underway! Yes, my partner in crime, Tesi, moved to Michigan, but a few silly miles won't stop this event! Of course, because the actual organization by the name of "Wine to Water" has asked us to stop using its name for our fundraiser, we will be calling it the WATER PARTY this year. (Ahem. I guess this means we're on the map.) Anyway, the event will take place in the same venue (3rd floor of the Redstone Building) and we've already managed to secure a few really fantastic details. I'm so excited to keep you posted!! Mark your calendar for November 15th!!!

This is a picture of a BROKEN well Jake took this summer in Tanzania. The Adventure Project can fix that! There are broken wells all over Africa. At the Water Party, we'll be raising money to train well mechanics in Uganda. The impact, I promise you, is astounding!!

6. Speaking of Tanzania, I still can't believe two of my kids went to Africa this summer. I need to tell you more about it! Stay tuned!

(Oliver on safari! Seriously!)

Upcycled Elegance: Cynfully Fun Furniture breathes gorgeous new life into old furniture

For this month's column in The Gold Book, I featured a lovely woman who upcycles old furniture in the most beautiful way! You can read the article here. Happy Earth Day! Thanks, Cynthia, for letting me feature you and the wonderful work you do!

It all started with an unassuming bench. Cynthia Weeks of Davenport, Iowa, liked the look of a sturdy wooden bench she found at a local thrift store and couldn’t help but to envision the potential for more. Trusting that she could transform the merely fine piece of furniture into something fabulous, she purchased it, cleaned it up, and sewed a deep blue custom cushion to affix to the top. A few throw pillows later, the once unremarkable piece of furniture now adds color and comfort to her home.

Since then, Ms. Weeks has primed, painted, repaired, and reupholstered cast-off pieces of good quality furniture for dozens of customers, expertly reclaiming style, function, and beauty with each stroke of her brush and turn of her screwdriver. Cynfully Fun Furniture, the one-woman enterprise Ms. Weeks operates out of her home, opened for business in 2012 and has steadily grown in clientele seeking custom furniture re-purposed and revived with care.

These days, Ms. Weeks spends time reviving dressers, tables, sideboards, and anything else with good bones and a hint of potential. A tired buffet is updated with custom colors for an adoring client’s home. A set of weathered side tables and a headboard become a classic, masterfully restored bedroom set. A detailed frame and a bit of chicken wire become a fun and functional jewelry display.

Besides adding great style to homes and businesses across the QCA, another welcome consequence of Ms. Weeks’ creativity is that her vision and labor keeps large pieces of furniture out of the landfill. “Furniture is no different than paper, plastic, or glass,” Weeks tells me. “I find it frustrating to see good, solid furniture discarded as garbage, so even before I started redoing furniture, I would often stop and haul furniture from the side of the road into my SUV and take it to the [Habitat for Humanity] ReStore or Goodwill.” Since starting her venture, she has rescued and revived several such discarded pieces, including a French provincial dresser, an engraved chair, and a sofa table. She rounds out her inventory with pieces she finds at various thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales.

Drawing creative inspiration from what she sees online and in various home décor and high-end decorating magazines, Ms. Weeks uses the basic carpentry and upholstery skills she’s picked up over the last several years to make her vision a stylish reality for clients. Sometimes she’ll simply see a color or a swatch of fabric and know that she wants to use it on a piece of furniture. Her eye is sharp and creativity copious.

Another influence Ms. Weeks claims is her mother’s love of decorating. “I remember many a Saturday morning moving furniture all around the house as she reworked a room or two,” she says of her late mother. “She had almost an entire library of decorating books. She took ideas from her books and magazines and figured out a way to have the same look but for a fraction of the cost.”

Ms. Weeks recalls that her mother was able to see potential where so many saw something that was simply old and battered. This unique quality is one Ms. Weeks likewise embodies and is perhaps what makes Cynfully Fun Furniture so lovely: Beauty is everywhere. Sometimes it takes a bit foresight and finesse to unfold it.

What I love about Cynfully Fun Furniture: The tagline for Cynfully Fun Furniture is “Revive, Renew, Refresh” and I couldn’t be more thrilled by these words. We will likely be reminded of the importance of another trio of R’s this month as we celebrate Earth Day (reduce, re-use, recycle), and Ms. Weeks has a way of making this sometimes-cumbersome commitment rather wonderful. By choosing to enhance décor with an updated piece of furniture from Cynfully Fun Furniture rather than purchasing something brand new, customers not only keep big-ticket waste from the trash, but also eliminate demand for the creation of something new. And beyond the earth friendly appeal, I simply love Ms. Weeks’ style. She artfully brings to life the polish and charm I admire as I browse design sites and swoon over look books by Pottery Barn, West Elm, and Anthropology.

Ms. Weeks’ favorite part of her work: “I love seeing furniture transformed and I’m tickled when my customers or clients are delighted with a piece,” says Ms. Weeks. “I like that the projects have a beginning, a middle, and an end—it’s gratifying.” Of the dozens of pieces she has refreshed and renewed, she is especially fond of a dresser she found at a yard sale, stripped, and painted turquoise for a client, and an elegant French provincial dining room table that she sanded, painted, distressed and sold in her online Etsy shop. “When painting furniture, I stick to what I would like and what I think will make the piece ‘pop’,” she explains. “I love turquoise and lime green, but soothing grays and blues are lovely, too. My style is all mixed up—cottage, French country, Swedish, traditional, beachy.” Her eclectic taste and versatility pleases a wide range of customers with diverse home décor preferences.

The details: Ms. Weeks’ furniture is available for sale at The Plaid Rabbit (1018 Mound Street, Davenport) or you can reach her at (563) 343-2945 to discuss a custom project. Her website and Facebook page host more information, including frequently updated blog entries that showcase the fantastic transformation of the furniture she so elegantly refurbishes. 

...

Weekending

• Can it really be the weekend? I feel like I've just now rested up after the big wedding weekend and am shocked that it's already Friday! The week was a happy one. Our schedule has picked up a bit (Eli is playing on a city league baseball team, both boys are playing YMCA soccer, and all three kids are in dance) and Jake has been traveling to a lot of conferences lately, but I can't complain because the kids are healthy and life is good! Tonight we'll have dinner with some lovelies (I'm bringing cupcakes and wine—what else do you need?), tomorrow morning we'll go to soccer, and then we'll pretty much relax the rest of the weekend. Nothing is on the calendar and I couldn't be happier! 
• Ever since our family trip to Mexico I've been dreaming about taking another trip! Jake and the boys are going to Tanzania this summer and though I'm excited for them and am very much invested in their trip, I don't have anything quite so big on my own personal agenda. But being in the airport…near the ocean…in a totally different place and climate…it all made the wheels start turning. Where to next? 
• If you're looking for some online reading this weekend, a dear friend wrote a lovely article about intergenerational relationships that you can read here. Also, I'm still very much interested in the idea of fast fashion and enjoyed this. Finally, I thought this post was awesome. "God made us all as an entire package. It all counts," Jen Hatmaker writes. "There are no throwaway qualities...Nothing is wasted: not a characteristic, a preference, an experience, a tragedy, a quirk. NOTHING. It is all you and it is all purposed and it can all be used for great and glorious good." Doesn't that make you feel good and strong and beautiful?!? Have a great weekend!

(Photo of Vernazza, Italy found here.)

Things That Happen in Vegas That Shouldn't Stay in Vegas

Whoever came up with the phrase "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas" is a marketing genius. Vegas visitors say it to one another with a wink and a chuckle and it’s on signage everywhere. Unfortunately, I disagree. Of course the implication of the phrase is deplorable, but on a lighter note, I learned a few things over the weekend that I hesitate to leave in Vegas. In fact, I want to bring them back home with me!

• FUN is FUN! I would say that I’m a rather serious person, but there was something about our weekend away that lightened me up a bit. I traveled with a funny and fun bunch of people and I embraced silliness over and over again. I love to dance and felt no reservations to do so. I love to laugh and did so loudly. It’s fun to have fun!

• Who needs sleep? Apparently I don’t need as much sleep as I think I do. I am a bit of a night owl, but generally, I live by the rule of eight hours a night. At home, I go to bed even if I have to fight the urge to read one more chapter. In Vegas, I didn’t count the hours I slept and didn’t worry when I sensed it was nowhere near the eight solids I’m used to getting. I went to bed waaaaaaay past my typical bedtime and never felt too tired. I don’t really even feel that I’ve suffered for it throughout this week. Perhaps I need more living and less sleeping.

• Traveling in a group is great! Since college, I haven’t taken a lot of trips with people. I’ve visited a lot of people and have taken all kinds of trips with my hubby and kids, but in Vegas we traveled with a group of 13 people and it made for a great adventure. Jake and I did our own thing for a bit and then met up with others. No pressure. No expectations. Everyone was laid back and it was wonderful to spend time with one another in a new environment.

• And finally, well, remember when I said I’m a serious person? I can’t help it. I have to bring this up. No one dances in cages, strips, or titillates total strangers because they want to. NO ONE. And I can’t leave some of those images back in Vegas. I’ve watched enough documentaries and read enough about human and sex trafficking and the exploitation of women to come home with a renewed concern about this terrible reality. Are you curious? Here are some resources I’d recommend checking out. This book + documentary. This documentary. This organization. This organization.

Weekending...

We're coasting into the weekend, which will be filled with basketball games, a birthday party, the Superbowl (snacks! yay!), and weather permitting, a short visit with some of my favorite ladies on the planet. If you've ever wondered if dinner with friends is worth a two and a half hour drive (both ways!), I'm here to tell you that it is. I can't wait!

There were some nice moments over the last week. I got to spend a little extra time with the kids thanks to a snow day and a half. I got to go with a friend on a random, freezing Tuesday night to a Patty Griffin concert where I was inspired by the sheer talent, power, and presence of a living artist. I got a much-needed haircut :) and I got to take a walk on an indoor track with another friend and enjoy helpful, delightful conversation. The two of us are both writers/editors by trade and we share some of the same goals. And yet, we're sometimes crippled by the voice in our head saying over and over again: "Who am I to a write book/an article/a blog post?" We discussed the tendency to downplay our talents (?) and passions (?) in a way that, I believe, hinders what we contribute to the world. I wonder what other aspects in my life I hinder myself because I'm afraid of my own light and my own power? Later, I stumbled upon this quote and it really resonated. 

Maybe you'll like it, too. Happy weekend!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” 

Marianne Williamson, via Momastery  

New Year's Resolution?

I'm usually a huge fan of New Year's Resolutions. In fact, I kind of love them…the challenge, the parameters, the thrill of a new beginning. In the past, I've made some major proclamations right here on the blog—like in 2012 when I resolved not to buy clothes for the entire year or in 2013 when I vowed to read at least two books per month and cultivate some serious joy in my life. This year, however, nothing grand or easily measured is jumping out at me, so I'm taking inspiration from this darling print and declaring my intentions for 2014.

This year, I will WALK JOYFULLY. I will let go of PERFECTION & embrace THE MESSY and SPONTANEOUS. I will honor my TIME and love THOSE AROUND ME RADICALLY. I will stand up and share my EXCLAMATION POINTS with the world! 

How about you? How would you fill in the blanks?

If you're like me, you'll think this all sounds great, but will need some tangibles in order to really move forward. Here are my specifics for 2014:

• How will you WALK JOYFULLY? By spending my time and resources on experiences rather than things. By continuing a meditation practice and endeavoring to concentrate on each moment as it arises.

• How will you let go of PERFECTION? By not allowing my need to please others to cripple who I really am, by sometimes settling for good enough, by reminding myself what really matters, and by taking the long view. (This year I will remember that I am loved and I am enough!)

• What does it mean to embrace THE MESSY and SPONTANEOUS? This is so scary. I hate last-minute plans and am crippled by forks in the road. However, I will try to be more patient with others and more adaptable in my day. Deep breaths will likely help.

• How will you honor your TIME? I will say 'no' to things that interfere or that obligate me to things outside of my mission to serve God and my family. I will be honest about what I am/am not capable of.

• How do you plan to RADICALLY share you LOVE with THOSE AROUND YOU? I intend to look my children and husband in the eye, thus striving to take the time to really see them when we're interacting. I intend to make two phone calls per month to long-distance friends. I also plan to leave the house ten minutes before we really need to in order to relieve stress. (This tends to be my least lovable time of day.)

• How will you stand up and share your EXCLAMATION POINTS with the world? I intend to continue to read and educate myself and allow myself to feel passion…love...something about this world. I intend to look for wonder and do my best to be a reflection of positive energy and Love.

Saturday Night's Alright :: Wine to Water 2013

It was a blast. The whole thing was perfectly wonderful. I once again had a great time working with my sissy-in-law Tesi and all of our friends and family on this year's Wine to Water party—our fifth (!) one. Five years ago we were planning this party with really little kids at our feet. This year, it was just Sintayehu. Crazy! 

Look at the itty bitties in 2008!

2013 set-up with Sintayehu.

Back then, we were five years younger, Tesi had a whole lot more hair, and we were rubbing elbows with Scott Harrison.

This year, Becky Straw came and gave a fabulous explanation of what her incredible organization does. I LOVE The Adventure Project because it's not just about water, but it's about JOBS and DIGNITY and SUSTAINABILITY. I am smitten by her work ethic and intelligence. I hope I have the chance to work with her again. (By the way, I still support both charity: water and The Adventure Project monthly. I still very much believe in the work charity: water is doing; we've just shifted a bit in our focus.)

Our community rallied just like it always does. The space looked beautiful, despite the fact that the whole operation is completely low budget. (Keep in mind that the space is completely empty when we show up. It's even void of electricity!) The art was gorgeous. The food and drinks were perfect. And the music was fantastic. It was so much fun! I am so thankful to be part of such a wonderful community of people!

All of this was possible because people like Lojo Russo donated her incredible talent and my brother-in-law and a few friends practiced like crazy to create the sounds of the night. Tesi worked her tail off for months and did incredible things. Crafters crafted. Artists created and then donated their work. Bakers baked for something bigger than themselves. People got gussied up and donated $30 to support the cause. Party hosts donated even more. Stone Crest Winery and Bent River gave us a deal and the Mississippi River Distilling Co. poured drinks out of the goodness of their heart. Countless people moved tables and chairs and my mom washed a hundred wine glasses when the party was over. And that's just the surface! Many other people did so much more! If nothing else, I love how the event illustrates the determination of a small group of people coming together with their talent and their passion in order to make something great happen. God is good!

If you want to donate to the event, you can still do so here. Also, we still have a few crafts leftover. (See older posts to view.) They make great (tax deductible!) gifts!! Let me know if you'd like one or two and we can figure out shipping. Until next year———