Art Fantasy

Which of these famous pieces of artwork would you hang in your home? Not which piece would go with your current décor, not which one would fit on the wall somewhere, not which one would be the least likely you’d mind getting trashed by your children.

We’re living in an art fantasy today. You get to choose based on preference, your preference. Ah, refreshing, isn’t it? Select one and then tell me why you chose the one you did.

It killed me not to pick one with water in it because I have a mad love affair with water. But the one I’d hang would be the lady reading. My reason: Her expression tells me she’s more than lost in that book. A close second would be the folks chilling beneath the pink blossoming trees. My reason: I honestly don’t have a good reason. I just like it. That’s allowed here too. And of course anything with water in it would be next.

So have at it. What artwork are you going to have delivered to your house?

*photos by flickr

My Mama Sayings

Today’s post is inspired by Lysa Terkeurst’s new book, Becoming More. On page 58, she describes a list of typical “mama statements” you might overhear her saying before company visits.

I thought I’d draft my own list of mama sayings you could overhear me saying any ole time throughout the day.

Morning

“It’s not even 8:00 o’clock. What’s there to fight about this early?”
“Did you remember to put on underwear?” If I’m feeling extra overwhelmed and I forgot to bathe my kids the night before the saying might go more like this, “Did you change your underwear from yesterday?”
“Why is my spatula in the dog food bag?”
While changing a diaper, “You don’t really need to see your poop.”
“Yes, my bottom is supposed to move like that.”

Afternoon
“Don’t let the dog lick your toes.

Don’t lick the dog’s toes.”
“What’s that ring around your mouth?

Is that chocolate or dirt?”
“This wrapper {fill in the blank with about 100 other items} does not belong here.”
“I don’t think using Resolve carpet cleaner this many times a day is healthy for me.”
“Because normal people wear clothes.”
While potty training, “Everybody poops. Daddy poops. Mommy poops. Your sisters poop. Even the dog poops. Outside, the dog poops outside.”

Evening
“Don’t bang on the computer like that or it will crash.”
“Sit down while we eat. What are you, a monkey?”
“We don’t talk about toots at the table.”
“Make room for your sister in the tub. Stop kicking her in the face.”
“It’s time for bed. Big Kiki is not coming to get you.”

Do you have any mama sayings you could be overheard saying any ole time? If you’re not a mom, did your mom have any memorable ones?

*dog photo by flickr. Monkey = mine

The Bridge--Lest We Forget

Heavy. Too deep. Controversial. Jarring. Powerful. Meaningful. Describe it as you may, but this video sends a clear message. One I received and receive every day. Lest we forget.




I’m curious what you thought after you watched it?

*Thanks to tangle for the video

Broken Places

I did not expect to write this. But I decided to because I’m guessing you’ve been here too. God is binding up the broken places in me. He’s mending so close to my heart I’m having difficulty writing about it. Deep wounds, gashed and still vulnerable, apparently. God, the wonderful Counselor is hard at work fully healing me, not performing a botched job where half my heart remains hanging out. He doesn’t want these pains to be scabbed over or His stitches to show forever. He is a God of healing, so I look at that same area of hurt and see nothing, no scar or jagged reminder that I once was hurt there.

I’ve been busy lately (likely excuse for not getting into “God surgery” before) but I’m cognizant that God is always working. His spiritual counseling has the potential to look and sometimes feel a little bit like surgery, tweezing out where sharp splinters of bitterness have impaled and pumping life-giving blood back into what’s been trampled by loss or betrayal. Unlike me, God takes His time. He wants it done right. Nothing is worse to God than a slipshod job of healing.

God and I bantered a little before I wrote this post and here’s how that talk went:

Me: “I don’t want to write that. I like funny. I’m comfortable with funny. Or questions. I love asking questions. How ‘bout that?”

God: (I don’t hear God’s voice audibly, but I know the impression of His Spirit and His voice) “It’s not time to be funny. You’re not there to be comfortable. And about the questions...we’ll get to that later.”

Me: “Okay, but it’s a risk.”

God: “Exactly.”

Me: “That’s part of the healing, isn’t it?”

God: “It’s part of your healing.”

My life is richly blessed. I’m still grateful for my role as wife and mother. I’m still developing strong friendships, still laughing with family members, and I’m still reading and writing during chunks of my day. But I’m also doing something else, invisible, yet more powerful than I’ll ever understand. I’m healing.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:3-5

“Then your light will break forth from the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say; Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will becomes like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” Isaiah 58: 8-12

*photos by flickr

**I'm over at Live Beautiful later today

One Question Friday

Every Friday I’m going to ask a question. The questions I choose might be ambiguous on purpose. The goal is to have you answer the question according to your beliefs, where you’re at in life or a circumstance that might have recently impacted you. The only thing I ask is that you provide an explanation for why you answered the way you did.

It is my hope to understand you better through this and also to gain a greater understanding of humanity and how people make decisions.

Kentuckians have been known to shout out, “I bleed blue!” in support of their sports teams. We lived in Kentucky for a total of four years and witnessed this devotion first hand.

Environmentalists might rally the cry, “I bleed green.”

Americans, especially on days like today, Patriot Day, have been known to espouse, “I bleed red, white and blue.”

And so now the question bounces your way…

Finish the sentence:
I bleed _______. (and PLEASE, as always give a reason for your answer.)

*photos by flickr

*received a funny email from an agent yesterday. I so enjoy laughing!

Doing Flips for Keli Gwyn

Keli Gwyn, paging Keli Gwyn…YOU won the color contest.

~~My friend read through the responses and decided Keli to be the winner. She found her response to be compelling and said, “Had I not seen the picture I still would have been able to visualize this girl.” I’ll mention that I loved how Keli described the girl’s eyes as the “color of forget-me-nots” and the “dusting of freckles.”

Terri Tiffany comes in a close second. I couldn’t stop thinking about that marble description all day. Thanks to all who participated!

Congratulations, Keli! I’ll send you new Southern Living Christmas book soon. Please email me your address.

One of my favorite parts about games, watching and playing them, is seeing how excited people get when they win.

And just a tidbit to stay with the color theme of the week, my favorite board game growing up was Trivial Pursuit. We kept a box of questions behind our toilet so I memorized more than my share of answers. I also liked (and here’s where the color aspect is fulfilled in my post) the wheels with their multicolored wedges (my sisters and I used to call them wedgies. It was one of the few times I wanted more wedgies.)

Anyway, way to go Keli. Have fun the next time you witness how a winner reacts. I bet Keli’s doing flips. :D

I’d love to have feedback about this contest. Do you want me to host more in the future or not so much?

*photos by flickr/yeah! I can upload normally again.

Color Contest #3

See color contest #1 for details

Kalash boy with beautiful Eyes
Originally uploaded by kalasha

*Just a note: I've had major difficulties with Blogger today. My posts aren't showing up on blog lists and getting these pictures posted (albeit in three posts!) was painful. I found an alternative way to post them and had to go with different pictures than I originally intended (though I'm pleased with these.)

If for some reason you don't learn about this contest and I get wind of that, I'm willing to hold it open longer.