Inspirations: where we find them

At the fabric store this afternoon I found a piece of fabric that I absolutely love. It may become the inspiration for redecorating the kids playroom (aka dining room). I bought a length of the fabric to bring home and stare at, ponder over, be inspired by . . . I've had tons of ideas, but most of them involve the sewing machine. I called today to find out what it would cost to have it tuned up, so to speak, and was shocked to hear it would cost $69! I think I can buy a new one for $20 bucks more. Or find a great used one in a pawn shop. My sewing skills are minimal, so it is hard for me to justify that much money on a machine. I guess I'll just keep on pondering . . .

My son is having a hard time at school, so we had a parent/teacher conference today. The image he paints for us is a bleak one of damp, dark corners, cold porridge, and dim-witted bullies. I was even contemplating letting him move back to the class he just graduated from. His teacher, however, told us that his troubles are only the typical ones that all new kids experience upon moving up. He is neither a bully nor the kid whose lunch money is stolen daily. She felt like going from being the oldest, most mature child in class to the youngest and most immature child in class is often a hard transition, but certainly far from fatal. So now, we have to enforce better bedtime schedules, make sure he stays well and find a way to inspire him to like school again. Just a few little things . . .

I read an article on CNN today about how average people are making money publishing articles on the internet. Not exactly as professional freelance writers, but as amateurs with poor punctuation. It was actually interesting and thought provoking for me. For a few years now, I've though there might be a way for me to use my English degree along with all the other various and sundry experiences of mine to earn a little money or perhaps just the pleasure of my name in a by-line. I've even written a couple of pieces but have never submitted them to anyone. Perhaps I'll be inspired to try that soon . . .

Stupid TV (said with a teenage foot stomp)

Right now, there is this perfectly horrible show on pbs called "The truth about cancer" I watched it for nearly an hour and a half, before I decided that this producer/director's "truth" is that we all die. A lot of us from cancer. When I was only about 10 or 20 minutes into this show, I realized I probably wasn't going to learn anything I didn't know from it. Still, I felt compelled to watch it - what if the key to my Mother's cancer (or just some fabulous idea about how to live better with it) is in this show? If I don't watch I might miss it. Its ridiculous, I know. My compromise is to leave the tv on downstairs and then come upstairs to do make this post (and to eat a little cup full of my chocolate yogurt concoction that cures all).

I can't fix cancer, I know that. I also know that isn't my job (thank God for that, eh?).

Since I named this about drinking whatever the waitress brings, I'll point out that we made some lovely progress on our back porch. We now have festive lighting, a flowering plant, and lovely seating for four adults and one greyhound mix. I'm looking forward to warmer weather so that I can enjoy this reclaimed space with the ones I love. If I can get as smart as my mother is about computers and camera's I'll try to take a picture.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll be making new friends and knitting shawls and blankets for folks who need them in the process.

Getting started

New beginnings, everyday is an opportunity, a choice to maintain the status quo or to begin afresh.

Some of those around me have suggested (I dare say nagged) that I should create a place for some of my thoughts. Whether these thoughts are really worth publishing, or simply a rather public diary, I can't say. Today I felt inspired to create this spot.

We all have roles that change throughout our lives. At times I've been a musician, an outsider, a sorority girl, the smart one, a nurse, and a semi-professional student. Currently, I'm a wife, a mommy, a midwife, a daughter, and a breast cancer crusader. The future is plastic and ever-changing. What shall I be next?

Come with me and help me discover.