I know it has been a while since I have posted, and it is attributable only to my laziness. (And my distaste for technology, I suppose).

Anyway, I will, as I always do, reaffirm my resolve to post more often. And possibly, if I kept up with it more, it would feel more gratifying and less like a chore. I will try. That is all I can promise. I will assure you that it won't be every day. But at least once a week or so is the goal...

Also, instead of just, this is what I did today... I will post photos, lists, poetry, and random stuff.

And so, to start things off right (a second time) here is the top ten things I want to learn or do at some point in the next 5 years. (in no order)

1. Learn how to quilt and make 3 quilts
2. Learn the Wilton method for cake decorating
3. Learn how to sew
4. Run a 10-minute mile
5. Learn how to design and build furniture, and build an entertainment center
6. Put together and publish a family cookbook
7. Learn to knit and crochet (I already can crochet a scarf, but not well, and nothing else)
8. Start writing regularly again. Journaling and poetry
9. Learn how to do home canning, drying and fermenting to preserve food
10. Learn to make cold-process soaps

So, hopefully, in five years I won't have given up this blog, and I can look back and check all these things off my list. Granted, if I thought it was at all feasible, I would've put buying an embroidery machine on that list as well. Maybe it will happen. We never know what the future holds...

They offer classes on quilting, sewing, knitting, crocheting and cake decorating at Jo-Ann's and it is my plan to take those classes there. With regards to getting in shape, and journaling more often, it is just going to take me overcoming my inclination towards laziness. Getting the cookbook put together is just going to take time and money (time to get it all compiled, typed, uploaded and formatted. Money to get it printed). Shirley, a co-worker from Woodley's has promised to teach me soap making, but I don't know when. I may have to take a class at our extension office on food preservation, but I may be able to find a mentor to show me as well. And, I am thinking that my furniture construction may just have to be a slightly expensive process of trial and error.

All in all, those are some medium-term goals to get things back on track. Talk to you soon!

Also, I was thinking of using the writing prompts from Real Simple as well, so you may see those too...
xoxo

Sometimes I am struck with moments of sheer, indescribable clarity. It is when I give my mind space to be a peace.

Here is an amalgam of what came to me just now, and let my heart feel quietly present.

Sitting in the backyard by candle light in the evening when things are grown and filled in. The smell of the night flowers, like jasmine, in the air as fireflies dance a speckled dance. Jazzy vocal music with worldy undertones in the background. Warm night sticking to my skin. Space to be.

Happy Valentine's Day

I set my Valentine's Card from Jonathan to the side to eat later, only to find that Zen had written his name on it, and tried to claim the sucker as his. Ah, kids....

I am sorry. I suck at updating this thing. I figure if it's okay with you guys I will just accept the fact and move on.

So, here's what is going on in life with us right now:

Zen and I are getting over being sick right now, so life at the moment is relatively calm. I no longer work at the YWCA due to differences between myself and the shelter director. I volunteer part time at the Probation Department here and am getting really good experience. That happens Wednesday through Friday 8-5. Then Tuesday and Thursday nights I am going to school for nursing. (Iknow, I know. One would think I have enough school, but they'd be wrong.) It is beyond difficult to find a job here, and with nursing I could go anywhere, and make a decent living. So, that's the plan. And as soon as I am done with that, we are out of this town. I am expecting a year and a half to two years.

I am being considered for a position as an emergency services dispatcher, and have passed the first 2 rounds or eliminations for that. So that is something I am definitely praying for. A job is very necessary at this point, as Dad and welfare are entirely supporting our household (and yet we run a $900 deficit every month).

Ben hasn't seen Zen since the 14th of June, and he has agreed to sign over his parental rights. This leaves us the ability to move wherever we want, in addition, Zen can be adopted by another party. Also, aside from a minor incident, Zen is completely off of his asthma meds (and has been for 6 months) and has not had an attack, or any problems whatsoever.

Zen is doing well, and he takes his test to get into kindergarten some time in the next month. (Because the birthday cut-off is June 1). He is most excited to ride the school bus, which stops at his daycare (and I love that). His teacher thinks he is totally ready. He can count to 20, recognize all his letters (and most of their sounds), read and write his own name, recognize all his colors and shapes, and can follow directions on homework. Plus, his vocabulary is amazing. I always hear that from people. **It does kinda make me feel pretty old though**

Right now it is a big struggle for us financially, but God had managed to get us through is somehow. And I hear from some people that the economy is turning around. So i will just keep waiting on God's timing. This has definitely been a period to learn to trust, and to be humble. And those are things that are very hard for me to do.

We just got the pictures back that they took for the church directory. My little boy is growing up...

My Little Artist!!

Zen drew this picture of a slug for me today. I am so proud of his artistic development. It makes an art mom proud. Today we are headed to the graphics lab at Centennial so he can continue learning how to screen print and use the light table and all that fun stuff. He always has a good time. Yesterday he even got to do the squeegee and put the paint on to what we were working on.

I can see me in him a lot when it comes to art. And I want to be careful to let art be fun and expressive for him, which means sometimes I have to back off a little bit. Instead of trying to teach him everything, I need to let him play, experiment, and learn on his own. Which is not my natural inclination.

Anyway, we are well. Looking forward to Thanksgiving. We are having a dinner Friday at our house for all of our friends, and then going up to Grandpa Crackerboy's for dinner on the actual Thanksgiving.

We love you all and hope you are doing well.