Synonyms: simple, unadorned, spartan, spare, unfussy, stark, etc.
…
The stand guard,
In the yard.
Anything that dares to come in,
Will die for their sun.
No extra care needed,
They won’t get heated.
They just go about their day,
Maybe munching on hay.
You may not see them,
They are a true gem.
If you listen, you will hear,
That loud hee-ha in your ear.
The donkey is near!
…
I really wanted to write about an animal when I first read the word of the day. Minimalist. I didn’t really use the word, but it was my inspiration.
To me donkeys are so low maintenance. When we eventually get some land, we are getting a donkey. They take less work than a dog or geese. And geese are mean. But the donkey is a good alarm, but also they will trample animals that dare to trespass. So I want one.
I don’t know its name yet. But when we eventually get one I’ll know its name.
Haha!
My husband’s suggestion today for the word minimalist was, survival and death. Or his second suggestion was stupidity…I think he’s in a grumpy mood. He just had surgery and he is not recovering as fast as he wanted to. But I decided to not go with his idea. I wanted a more positive topic today.
Have a great Saturday!! Fall is here!! 🍁 Pumpkin foods are soon approaching.
My husband and I have already worked through many trials: depression of moving from family, postpartum depression, sadness of wonder about having another kid, financial stress, moving, downsizing, in-law stress, etc. we’ve dealt with it all in our first 9 years of marriage. And through lots of communication and hard work we are still together and strong. And we are happy.
He is venturing off into a career. He wants to be an airplane pilot. And I’m being his rock. I’ll hold the fort down while he does the hard grind. But we are happy. We talk through everything. I’ve gotten better to just speak my mind. I’m trying really hard to not let things fester. Just talk about it from the get go. But we are happy now, and we will only continue to grow.
My now husband and I probably crossed paths throughout our lives. But never actually met.
We were both apart of the same swimming world. We actually went to several swim meets at the same time. We probably stood in the same space, because we swam the same events. So I would swim first, and he would be waiting his turn to swim. But never intersected. But to his defense, when I was behind the blocks I wasn’t focusing on anything but my race; and after the race I was dead. Haha!
Another, is his older sister was friends with one of my teammates. So he would often go over to her house. But I wasn’t friends with that teammate. She was four years older than me, and we didn’t get along well. But that teammate live a few blocks from my grandparents house.
My husband worked around the block from my mom’s house. So he drove by my mom’s house everyday. He actually had told me that he saw a strange girl painting a front window of a house. Me! He was also amazed at how much my mom’s front yard was changing, and wonder who the work was being done by. ME! Haha. But never met.
Then another was that, my now husband, grew up in a house up the street from my cousin. The year before meeting my husband, I would drive my brother out to that cousin’s home. I could see my husband’s childhood house from the driveway of my cousin’s home. It was that close! But never met.
So I went online to find someone. You had to be outgoing, back then. Meet someone in a social setting, and I preferred not social. Also I my friends, at the time, didn’t share the same values. The few times I spent time with them…I felt uncomfortable or conflicted with their behavior while being a Christian. My life consisted of family, art, work, church. So online was my only option.
I’ve written so many times about meeting my husband. I searched for him for a long time. My first date with him, was the last time I ever wanted to go on a first date. I was finished after that date. To get invested and to meet and be lied to, time and time again gets rid of the desire to meet someone.
But he wasn’t a lie. He looked just like his picture. Handsome. So handsome. Dressed the way I liked. He was the opposite of me. He was confident. Talkative. Enthusiastic about his life. I don’t know how to describe it, but I knew he was the one. Probably God telling me. On so many other dates, I got the feeling of “no, not this one.” But my husband I knew instantly. Actually after my first date with him, I told my mom he was the one. Nd turns out he called and told his buddy that he had met the one. ❤️
I didn’t think I had a type back then, but my husband is my only type. Like if someone was to ask me I would confidently say, “my husband!” A man who loves me unconditionally. A man who loves me even with all my faults. A man who is an amazing dad; you can see it in my kids faces that they love him. A man who is so very handsome, and still is. A man who loves God; and chooses the right path for us, so that we can have a better relationship with God. My husband is my type. Love him! ❤️
If your future self could send you one sentence, what do you hope it would say?
Be brave; be proud of who you are, and understand you don’t need other’s approval.
I know it’s a few sentences, but I wish I had knew this throughout my life.
Like in elementary school. When my first group of friends were the bullies of the school. I didn’t know that when I became their friends, because I was always swimming whenever there were social things to do.
But looking back now, I’m sure I knew subconsciously at the time. But I wasn’t confident enough in myself that I would find friends that would want me. I’m happy to say though that I stopped being their friends when they told me to bully someone else. Umm…no… I’m not one to make anyone an outsider; I like including everyone.
But I wish I had been braver to stand up and tell them they were wrong and that they should try and be better people. So first part: be brave.
In my teenage years, I was proud of who I was. I was a Christian trying to be strong in my faith, being around unbelievers. As a parent now, man that was rough. Trying to figure yourself out; and constantly being drowned by others trying to make you do wrong. It was tough. Really tough.
I wish I could have told myself to be strong. Be proud of who you are. Be proud to be a Christian. Be an example to those that might have needed one.
The other issue was that there was a girl who portrayed herself as a Christian. (And she might have been, but maybe was lost at the time) but her actions and lifestyle choices would suggest otherwise. And me wanting to be a proud Christian didn’t want to be put into the same category as her. Into the category of I’m using my faith to appear innocent and unattainable to guys, but date around. I didn’t want my faith to be tainted. But I wish I had been stronger. To stand tall and proud in my faith. No matter what. So second part: be proud.
My adult years. I wish I had known that I don’t need approval of others. Not always, but usually the people who need to anoint their approval on you, are not the people that you need in your life. That if you don’t do everything right and everything they say; that you will not be approved and you will probably be shunned.
I’ve had several people like this through my life. That I wish I could have told myself that you are great the way you are, and you don’t need their approval. I’ve recently come to grips with this, after my most recent encounter with someone. But now, my life is better! I don’t stress over acceptance. I don’t nitpick all my actions. I don’t be selective in my ideas. I am just me, and I’m assertive of who I am now. I’m pretty much at the point of, “this is me; if you don’t approve, then we will agree to disagree.” Life is only so long. I’m going to start filling my life with people who will help me thrive and grow. Especially in my faith. I want to surround myself with other Christians, and drench my kids in people who love the Lord. So that they grow up the way I hope they will.
That they will be brave. Be brave to do what is right, even if they are the only ones doing it.
Be proud. I want them to love the Lord. I want them to desire to know Him more. I hope they will be rich in God’s love. But also to be proud to be seen as a God fearing, loving person. That their actions show, even if they don’t speak.
And live knowing you don’t need and won’t get everyone’s approval. And that is perfectly fine. There really are only a few people in life you need to approve of you. God. As my kids keep telling me, they love Him most! My husband. I always want my husband’s approval. My mom. Yes, even if we don’t agree on some things I will still want my mom’s approval in my life. I ask her questions often, especially now as I’m diving into the Bible more. My kids. Not so much their approval, but I want them to respect me. That I can be a good role model for them. And maybe another is, if you’re lucky, your pastor. Some people can have a relationship with their pastor. Our church is probably too big. I’m just at least hoping to make some friends, who also love God.
I know being friends with non believers is good. It is good to be an example to them, to show that that everyone makes mistakes. Everyone struggles. Everyone sins. But the difference is we Christians get back up, ask for forgiveness, and try to live right again.
So after all that. I wish I could tell myself, Be brave! Be proud of who you are. And you don’t need other’s approval.
Even if I didn’t have this knowledge back then, I have kids now…
What’s a book, movie, or TV show that you wish you could experience again for the first time?
Book:
Masterpiece By Francine Rivers
This is one of my favorite books. And I just discovered it on my mom’s audible list. I remember the first time I heard this book, yes heard. I listened to this book with my mom while we drove up to my brother at his second year of college. I don’t know how long ago that was…for sure over fifteen years. But the drive was five hours up and five hours home. I finished the last five hours of the book once we got home. I don’t do well with cliffhangers. Parts of this book I still remember, but I’ve always wanted to read it again. So over fifteen years later, I’ll listen again.
Movie:
This one is hard. I don’t really know if I have a movie I would want to see again for the first time. All the movies I have seen in my life, I’ve enjoyed to an extent. Where I either watch the movies over and over again, or I only watch it once, and once is enough. Like mom had us watch a movie called, “The Silver Stallion”. It was terrible. She probably remembers. Haha! But I only remember the ending of the movie, and once was enough for me.
TV Show:
I’ve seen so many TV shows. So many! Probably more tv shows than movies in my lifetime. At least in my teenage to early twenty years. Now I just watch the shows that I’ve liked in the past, new shows always have new ideas they want to force on you. So I just stick to a few. A couple are: “Lie to Me” was a good show that I wish I could see brand new again. It got cancelled but I still occasionally watch it. “Veronica Mars” I remember liking it, but it’s been years since I watched it. I watched it with my older sister. But I’ve recently started watching “White Collar” again. I’ve seen the first few seasons a few times, I don’t remember later on. But it should be interesting to finish again. Again, it’s been over ten years since I last watched the show. I’ve been sticking to YouTube or short tv shows.
Here’s one. Maybe I would want to watch “Lost” again. For the first time with no knowledge of it. Because now you could sit down and start and finish the show. You wouldn’t have to wait until next seasons are coming out. It wasn’t my favorite show, and I don’t really remember most of it, but i might watch it again. Maybe. It was a show I watched with my older brother. How time does fly.
But something I would really like to experience for the first time again, is meeting my now husband for the first time. I would love to be an onlooker watching what went down. How I walked right by him, and didn’t recognize him. How he ordered me a hot chocolate. How he talked the entire time and I awkwardly listened. How he drove me home. How he gave me a side hug. BEST SIDE HUG!! (That hug told me he was the one). I wish I could watch it all again. Or maybe watch our first few dates. I really need to write our love story down. So our kids know what a true love story can look like.
If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?
So actually before I knew where my name came from, I thought about wanting my name to be changed.
I had thought about keeping the Emily but changing my middle to Elizabeth. Because I used to love Clifford.
Then for a bit I wanted my initials to be DW. I didn’t care what my name would be. But that show Arthur was my favorite, and I of course I gravitated towards the sister DW. I’m amazed my older brother still likes me after those years. Haha!
Then in elementary school I wanted to have the name Samantha so that I could match my friend’s name. We could be Samantha twins. Instead I’ve given my daughter this name. funny how things come full circle.
In high school I liked my name. But I wanted a new last name. I had even thought about changing my last name to my mom’s maiden name. But then at some point I decided to see my last name as my brothers’ name.
Then pretty much the rest of my teenage years I dreamed about finding my Mr. Right. And I actually looked up men last names and wondered what my name would be.
In my twenties, I met my husband. My only true name change. And I’m so happy I kept everything the same. My mom chose my name because she liked it. And I could never be anyone, but who I am.
Love you mama ❤️
Enjoy your Sunday!
Three days until my husband comes home!! The kiddos and I have been counting down the days.
The cover photo is of my newer daughter. She likes to have capes. Her siblings don’t know yet, but she is the boss. Haha!
Obviously husband and kids can’t be my personal belongings…
#1 My giant metal bowl.
We have finally move again. We are in a townhouse for a year so that we can save up some money for a down payment. But we are unpacking boxes, and I found my giant metal bowl! It can rise four loaves of bread at once. It’s amazing. It’s been about two years since I packed it away.
#2 Mr. Pinky
I unpacked my giant pink bear named Mr. Pinky. It’s the one stuffed animal I didn’t want to pass down to my kids. However, my youngest saw Mr. Pinky and it was live at first sight. The hugs she gave him, made me happy but strangely possessive of him. Haha!
If you want to figure out what is your most important things; live in a 200sq ft camper and then a single 300sq ft room for a year. You unpack your belongs and it can make you cherish them more.
#3 The Sound Bar
The sound bar has been with us this whole time. Having the ability to play my music out load is a gift. Music somehow helps me with the chaos. And the more rock n roll type music calms my kids. I’m other parents worst nightmare.
#4 Berry
My two foot blue rubber chicken. I love Berry. He’s been with us the whole time too. Even in the camper. He has had his own perch this whole time.
#5 My skinny clothes
Since last August I have lost forty-five pounds. So I’m so happy I haven’t gotten rid of any of my clothes through the years. Because my clothes from ten years ago are now fitting. The clothes I wore when I had just begun dating my husband fit. It’s amazing.
I don’t have a picture of this. But believe me! Most of them fit!! Some I will just pack away and save for my daughters.
I know there are more, but I can’t think of them. As I unpack things I’ll find more. But for now I’m good with these few. Small blessings.
Enjoy your Tuesday!💕
Some tricks for losing weight. Realistic tricks:
I paid for 6 months of wall Pilates. But I got my deal on Pinterest for 50% off. I thought if I paid for it I would commit to it. And I did. (It was $36 for 6 months).
A big one is cut out all sugar. I know it’s quite hard because sugar is in everything. But switch to making things with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. What I learned from my years. For coconut sugar it’s a 1:1 ratio. But for maple syrup or honey it’s a 2/3 to a cup. So if a recipe calls for 1 cup sugar it would be 2/3 cup honey or maple syrup.
But also I did do the fasting part of watching your foods. It was included on the wall Pilates app. So it really did help to quit my nighttime snacking. I always loved to indulge in random sweets or chips at night. But if you don’t eat from 6pm to 7am you burn so many calories. As a woman you need to fast for 12hrs. My husband said a man needs to fast for 16hrs I think. Happy I’m a woman! But the fasting really helped.
The last one was stress. I don’t recommend it. I’ve been in stress maybe the last six months. I don’t stress eat. I only overly indulge myself when I’m depressed. I know when I’m in my depression. Painting helps with that. But I haven’t been in depression for a bit. I at least know the signs. I tell my husband and he super helps me stay motivated to get out of it. But back to weight. I know the stress helped me lose weight, but not a recommendation. Live happily and stress free.
But I’m human. I always eat the whole bag of chips. I can’t stop myself. Especially these spicy bbq chipotle chip we’ve found. If I’m given a bag, it’s mine. And it will be gone in a sitting. My husband now hides the chips. Haha!
For me at least it’s all mixed together. Because as a stay at home mom I don’t get balance. I get chaos ties with a bow of craziness!
But if we go for the idea of me painting, then I try to set aside one to two hours of painting time. Not really keeping it separated, but that I try to allow myself that small window of time to focus on only myself.
But being a mom, home chef, whole house cleaner, personal school teacher, etc. It is all my work. I’m constantly working.
But when I originally read this question I thought of my husband. He currently started a new job. His schedule is going to be twelve days working, twelve days off. So he is going to have a harder time balancing his work and home life.
I will just struggle with how life is going to be when he comes home. During fire season he can be gone for fourteen days, in various places. Out of state. He might miss out on some big moments for his kids. He also wants to still become a pilot. So even on his days off he might be flying or hunting…
Life is changing! But it’s a good change.
P.S. I finally posted my paintings on a secondary page on my blog called Portfolio. We have been so busy the last month that I have not had a chance to paint.
But I’m excited to have the paintings able to be seen. Also, when I go to a gallery to sell, I can give them a link to see my paintings.
Synonyms: come to a climax, come to a crescendo, peak, climax, come to the end with, etc.
.-.-.-.-.
Why are you rushing,
Constantly brushing,
Important people off.
Slow down!
Life won’t pass you by,
It’s not just about finding a guy.
Enjoy the sights,
Enjoy the heights!
Growing up will come real quick.
Should have been patient.
Those guys were just a few some,
If you waited he could have come.
Now at thirty-two,
Your dreams have come true!
He is perfect.
At twenty-two,
You found your crescendo,
Finally taking life slow.
.-.-.-.-.
My advice to my teenage self would have been to slow down. Unless you are one of the few lucky ones, most people don’t find love at fifteen.
And if I had been patient, I might have met him at fifteen. We were in the same sport and at same sporting events. We lived close enough. I would drop my brother off at our cousin’s house, and it was just down the block from him. He worked right around the corner from where I grew up.
But by the grace of God I didn’t miss him, by being impatient. I just met him later in life. Meeting him was at the peak of life. Now I’m enjoying the lowering decent into my adult life. Of kids and adventures.
Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.
Three different pairs of shoes came to mind.
First: My black combat boots.
Those shoes were throughout my teenage years. I wore them everywhere. They were so comfy. They laced up, but had a zipper. They went mid shin. Oh! I loved those shoes. They made me feel confident.
They took me to several different places. They took me to trivia nights. I was always so nervous to go to trivia. I’m not a social butterfly, but I wanted to try and work on my social skills. Those boots went with me.
I wanted to go to a Ball. (Yes. Think princess) but I had to stand before a panel of judges and say why I thought I should be selected as a Pasadena princess. I wore those combat boots. I looked cute, but compared to the other girls around me I looked tough. Haha! To help end your curiosity, I was not selected. But I still got to go to the ball, just because I tried. Getting ready was more fun than actually being there. That was too much socializing for me.
I wore those boots when I had coach banquets. They helped me walk into a situation I did not want to be in. Public speaking. Terrible. But my shoes were cute.
The shoes finally died. I really do miss that shoe. Maybe I’ll get another pair one day. But I got those from Nordstrom rack. They were on sale for $50. Normally $180. I can’t afford shoes like that anymore.
Second: My wedge sandle heels.
I love these heels. They are the most comfortable high heeled shoe I own. The straps are a light tan color. The wedge is light brown. They are quite tall. About three inches. So I’m taller than my husband when I wear them.
But I feel so pretty and fancy when I wear those shoes. My posture is also perfect when I wear heels.
Fun story. My mom and I got the same shoes at the same time. I tried them on and said they were so comfy, that my mom found a pair, rusty orange straps, and she thought they were super comfy too. So we got them together. I don’t think she has them anymore. But I do!
They are currently in storage. But occasionally I wish I had them currently. Some outfits would just pop a bit more with those shoes. My confidence would be back. I’m not one, but some women can wear the heels and deal with their toddlers. I can’t. My toddler is super fast and sneaky. Heels would just make it that much harder.
So as long as my feet stop growing with having babies, I’ll wear them again. At some point.
But they have taken me to dances, family weddings, dates (with hubby), all events where I felt the most fancy, just because I could dance the night away in those shoes. (without any pain!)
Third: My black short snow boots.
Its silly. But I’ve had those boots for so many different milestones in my adult life. I had them as my first daughter grew up. I wore them 95% of my pregnancy with my son. Also with my newest daughter.
I hiked trails, our old property, sledding, snowman, snowball fights, etc. And the boots still live on today. Merrel footwear is awesome! Expensive!! Buy them on sale, but they last for several years. Instead of buying a pair of shoes every two months for $12, it makes more sense to spend the price tag and not buy shoes for several years. (Not a sales pitch, just like the shoes!!) I like to use things until they are falling apart. And even then I still keep them sometimes. My husband usually has to throw them away, because I can’t seem to part with them.
But yeah. Those black boots are my favorite! But there is no snow…so they are too in storage. I can’t wait to have a closet big enough to have everything out! And me and my daughters can have a fashion show in mommy’s closet.
I’m excited for that day. I really want an extra closet in the house. And I’ll put all of the clothes I’ve been hanging onto. And for chores my daughter will get tickets. The tickets will allow them to wear clothes from that closet. But not to keep.
Just a way for them to “shop” without actually spending their money. Instead it’s hard work “buying” them.
I don’t know if that will be a thing, maybe they will just raid my closet like I used to do to my mom and sisters. (With permission) but good memories.
I think my most used shoes right now are my slippers. I wear them everyday, for almost 80% of my day. They are old, flat, and uncomfortable, but free. I like free.
Enjoy your Thursday! Just finished making my tortillas. Hubby wants Chicken Tortilla Soup tonight!!
emily2jane 