Empty nest day two

Today was one of those days I envision as an empty nest day.... busy from beginning to end! Started the day heading to Marshfield to get errands run - maintenance at the building, working on an awning for the store front, bank, supplies for the party coming up, etc. Had lunch with a wonderful friend - too long in between. Then tonight I took a cooking class - from farm to table - which was a blast. Ended the evening with some cold lime a ritas on the screened in porch of a friend. Doesn't get any better than that, does it?

you never know who is watching

Shot an email to a good friend today - just checking in - miss working with her. Didn't hear back from her, but she is typically busy 15 hours a day, so I figured I'd check back later. So tonight when I gave up trying to get to sleep, I checked my email, and at just about 9pm, she'd responded. With nothing more than an attachment, saying she'd found something in her old Dale Carnegie folder, a speech she'd done in that class.

When I opened the speech, I realized it was about me. And how my attitude when life gets hard had inspired her.

What an awesome feeling, to think that how I lead my life mattered to someone. And that they saw my actions, and my reactions to life.

It's an important lesson. No matter how much you think you don't matter, someone is watching. When you least expect it, they see what you are doing. Whether it's a smile, holding a door, or in my case, the reaction I took to some horrible life events, people see what we do, and it matters.

So make it matter for the GOOD!

Empty Nest "experiment"... day one

While my husband and I go away often for vacations that don't include the kids, this is the first time that we've been the ones left at home, just the two of us. Our oldest has stayed at school for the summer, so she's been gone. But our baby, for the first time, left this morning for three days of intense basketball training.

Day one of our empty nest experiment was a hot one - with temps in the 90s. So a large amount of gardening was out of the question. I did get two bags of mulch laid and a little bit of weeding done before the heat set in, but that was all I could take. Because it was a hot, windy day, I ended up spending much of the day on laundry - washing and hanging out five loads to dry on the line. Green, frugal, and just homey. I LOVE hanging clothes out to dry in the fresh air. What a treat.

Today was also one of my cooking days, so I made chicken noodle soup and baking powder biscuits, and then had to clean the kitchen from all the cooking. Now that the meals have been picked up, and the fifth load of laundry is drying, I think we'll relax with a glass of wine and dinner. I'd say day one was a pretty big success.

the good work....

I love working with my hands.

sweating.

getting dirty.

Today I was able to clean up all of the rock around the house, as well as get the grapes cleaned up. We've been gone - vacations - so I haven't had a ton of time to work outside. Today when I got back from church, I dug right in - and it felt so good. The DH got me some new mulch tonight, so I'm hoping to beat the heat and get it laid in the morning.

There is something soul-cleansing about working in nature.

To feel that body ache, to taste the sweat. It's all SO GOOD. 

'nuff said.

Sharing.....

Since I've left the corporate world, I've been cooking dinner for three of my friends, and their families. All young families with children, twice a week I offer to cook for them - so they can pick up dinner on their way home. Scary at first, I worried about menu choices, etc., but have come to realize that each family has their own tastes, and by constantly changing up the choices, each gets something they want once in awhile.

What I didn't realize is how much it would mean to me to be able to share this love of cooking with these families. And the JOY it brings me! I love getting texts or messages with comments from the kids.

"two thumbs up from our clan"
"you are an angel"
"your bread is amaaaaazing" (I often add a loaf of homemade bread for dinner)
"I need some more of that yummy chicken"
"my tummy is happy!"

All three moms are great cooks. So the kids are not lacking by any means. THis just gives the moms a break once or twice a week. But for the kids, it's like having a restaurant deliver.

Early on, some of the kids were confused. "Why aren't we eating this AT Melissa's?".

Some of them offer suggestions. a.k.a. requests.

They all make me smile. ALL the time.

When I took a few weeks off after my accident, they gently asked (both parents AND kids) when I'd be able to start cooking again. It made me smile. :-)

Delivering one night, one of the kids asked "what's for dinner tonight Melissa?", and I couldn't help but laugh. Two nights later, he was surprised when I showed up, confused to what day it was. I thought it was awesome that he knew I cooked on Mondays and Wednesdays...

I have found that the joy it brings me to share this gift with people I love is more than I ever could have imagined. AND I get to do what I LOVE. Doesn't get any better than that, does it?

words that cut like a knife....

It always saddens me to hear people use their words without any concern for the people on the receiving end. Do we not understand how the receiver feels?

Recently, I was the recipient of mocking, joking, and words that hurt me so deeply. And people simply laughed it off. It must have made them feel so good about themselves. They thought their comments about  my life were funny. Forgetting that it is MY LIFE they were mocking. And they said it right to me, right to my face, with no regard that they were being cold.

I am constantly amazed at how people use curt remarks, either in person, in email, in facebook, or wherever. Comments that maybe don't directly call out who they are talking about, sometimes comments that are completely direct. I will see a comment on someone's facebook page that indirectly talks down about another group of people, and I just want to scream. Those words HURT.

Words hurt people. They hurt like any weapon would. And no matter if it is friends, or family, that say them, the wounds they produce last for a long time.

As a Christian, I know to forgive. And I do. Some would say it means I have no backbone. That I keep letting people walk over me. But it is right to forgive. I just HATE it when I am hurt again, from someone who has done it before, that I have forgiven.

On the outside, I try not to let the effect show. But then there are times that I can't hide it. And no matter if I hide it or not, I hurt. And I know that I am not alone. I see people being hurt by words, and it saddens me so much.

So please people. Think before you speak. SOMEONE is going to be the butt of your comment, your joke. Someone hearing or reading it may be hurt by it.

What are YOU doing? the mustard seed....

Inspired once again by my Pastor's sermon, I ask you the following question:

What are YOU doing? What seeds are you sowing? God asks us to plant the seeds, and He will make them grow. So what are you doing to sow the seeds of Christ in other people?

I struggle greatly with evangelism. It is hard for me, as outgoing as I am. As soon as I started to understand what Pastor's sermon was about, I started wondering "what can I do"? When I leave this place tonight, how can I change my life to sow more seeds of Faith for God? Short of going door to door, or asking people to discuss their Faith, what can I do?

It wasn't far into the sermon when Pastor started answering my question.

Listen....to someone who needs an ear.

Smile...at someone you don't know.

Help...anyone....at any time...because you can.

I can do this. I DO do this. But I don't do these things to sow seeds! I just do them, because that's what we do! I had never thought of these things as sowing seeds of Faith for God to nourish. But truly - if we do live life as Christ would have us live, how is that NOT witnessing?

I have had a friend tell me that my Faith inspires her. Without me outwardly doing it - living my life as I do - is evidence of my Faith - and is inspiring someone. If I can, by my actions, lead others into doing good, then I am happy.

But not satisfied.

I just don't feel it is enough.

So like my entry on volunteering - which led to me volunteering twice for CMN, AND joining LWML (and leading a collection drive) - I now want to create a laundry list of things that I can do to sow seeds of Faith in others.

This one won't be as easy for me. I'm looking to leave my comfort zone. I will have to pray on it. But as always, I will keep you posted!

State baseball...what a ride.

Well, I've been absent from writing lately, but for a good reason. We've just finished the most amazing ride to the state baseball tournament. It's really hard for me to explain what it's like in a small town like this. Unless you've lived in one, and experienced it, it's hard to understand.

At the beginning of the playoffs, my son was able to start suiting up, to help with practices and warm-ups. No chance in playing, he knew that. But he loves being a part of the team, and is not afraid to help out. So he welcomed it. So he got to be part of this amazing playoff run.

After winning regionals, and sectionals, it was time to prepare for the trip to state - only the second time in our school history. Shirts were ordered, food organized, hotel rooms booked. The boys were honored at a tournament, and banners were made - all throughout town, and in the yard of each and every player traveling....

This was on the corner at the highway coming into town.

This is what we came home to after a day out of town.

The team would head over the day before. And we sent them off in style! With a police escort, road banner, and lots of Panther fans!

The semi-final game being an 8am game, we also went over the night before. The entire experience, from seeing Pittsville on the billboard at the field, to seeing our boys out there being announced, to our own hometown girl singing the national anthem. It was just such an amazing experience. Many tears, many cheers, and even though the game would be our last, a LOT of Panther pride. We could not be more proud of the job those amazing young men did this year. And an awesome chance for so many young players to go through this experience...

Congratulations Panther Boys. We are SO proud of you!

the Blessing of giggles, and Ken dolls, and wet willies...

We are in the final night of our crafting weekend. Plans changed, and we will be taking them home tomorrow night. It has been such a wonderful weekend. Four days, and three nights, of crafts, and giggles, and goofy pictures, and giggles, and wet willies, and giggling, and joking, and giggling...

YOU GET THE PICTURE

What better sound than two giggling goofy girls?

I am amazed at their ability to get along, to go with the flow, to scrapbook for HOURS on end. They were never at a loss for something to do. Grabbed Barbies for the road trips, made up shows for around the fire, and jumped into every project with whole hearts.

I could not have had more fun. Granted, I am tired. They have had me going for three days. I am beat. But it is a GOOD beat.

Some of my favorite moments:
On our road trip to Green Bay, the girls made the connection between my husband Ken and their Ken (barbie) dolls. So they decided to torment them - dressing him (the doll) in dresses, tutus, you get the idea. At one point, Kennedy said "oh, Ken, you can do the SPLITS". I about peed my pants. She is so funny!

Saturday was scrapbooking day. We started right after breakfast, and they started right in. Between the two - I was helping one with the PC, one with her pictures. By 10, I still hadn't had a cup of coffee, because every time I tried to leave the room, one or the other yelled "MISSY!", Pretty soon they were purposely waiting for me to be leaving the room, then they'd call for me, and break out in giggles. They cracked me up!

Before this weekend, the girls did NOT know what wet willies were. They do now. And they learned quickly that just making the SOUND of one would make William throw his hands over his ears. Oh, the laughter that ensued every time they walked behind him and smacked their fingers... but the BEST was tonight - Ken walked through the living room and quietly, simultaneously got them BOTH, and all I heard was a unison wail. It was hilarious!

I am extremely sad for the weekend to end. But I am so ridiculously grateful for the Blessing and opportunity to create a stronger relationship with them. It has been amazing. And hopefully the first of MANY.

big parent moments...

I have been absent from writing, but only because there is so much going on. I choose first to write about some amazing things happening in my son's life.

As a freshman, he plays JV baseball. At the end of the season, the coach offered to the JV players that if they would stay and help with practices, they could ride the bus to the playoff games with the team. My son loves the game, and he decided immediately to do just that. He was the only one for those first two regional games, so the coach actually had him suit up and join the roster. Not to play, but to be in the dugout, supporting the team. We were thrilled.

Then. They won both regionals. All of a sudden, my dear young son is in pictures, and is part of a regional championship team! Amazing! And it's on to sectionals!

By the time sectionals arrived, one other freshman was able to help out. And both were told to suit up, to join two other freshmen added as pitching back up on the roster for the playoffs. At sectionals, I cried as they called him name for the opening. And after winning BOTH the semifinal and final games, cried even more when they won the sectional title, meaning the next step was state! My baby - part of a state bound baseball team! I cried when he got his medal too. It just all became too surreal.

So now we are busy planning for the state tournament. Had his head shot taken today - the one they use for the big board. And the itinerary has arrived - they are staying three days - watching other games. And we parents are making yard signs. It's just been an incredible week for this team, this school, and this little town.

Lots going on in the next week - being announced at a JH tourney, practices, and then off to Appleton. I am so excited for him. Even though he won't play, he is getting the experience of a lifetime thanks to that coach. And as a parent, it is one of the highs myself.

I'll update you all after the tourney. Go Panthers!~

a family tradition...the next generation

I am heavy into preparation for what could turn out to be my favorite "vacation" of the summer. I absolutely cannot wait. Just thinking about it makes me cry happy tears. What could it POSSIBLY be, you ask? Let me tell you the story....

Growing up, I was the youngest of 6, younger than the last before me by over 9 years. I was actually closer to two of my neices, one my age, one a few years younger, than I was to my sisters. Every summer, each of the neices (sisters) would spend a week at my house, hanging out. Sometimes they got rides from their parents, sometimes we picked them up (90 miles away), sometimes they even rode the Greyhound bus. And those weeks were so much fun. Being so much younger than my sibings, those weeks were the only times that I had built in playmates at my house!

This year at our family Christmas, we were talking about these weeks, and the daughters of those nieces both got very excited, wondering if they could spend time at "aunt missy's" this summer? And so, the idea was born, and now, it is only four days away. And I cannot wait.

We are going to start out by baking birthday cupcakes for my daughter, who we are going to visit on Friday. Friday will be a travel day, and then Saturday and Sunday - crafts, baking, and SPA! It's been so long since I had little girls running around the house, chatting, and giggling. And I am so looking forward to it. I love these little girls (and their mamas!) with all my heart, and cannot wait to spend some seriously quality time with them. I really hope that sharing a little snipet of my life with them will bring us even closer.

So preparations continue! Pulling together supplies for various craft projects. Pulling together ingredients for our baking. Surfing pinterest... It's going to be a great week. I cannot wait!

Everyone has their own journey...

This blog is entitled Missy's Journey. I chose that name for two reasons.

One: for the first 18 years of my life, I was called Missy, not my proper name of Melissa. The minute I went to college, I of course changed it, using Melissa. (Don't we all do that? Shed our childhood....branch out... become our own person?) But since losing my mom in 2006, I've found myself calling MYSELF Missy. So I guess I'm coming full circle. I've realized that Missy is still part of me. and always will be. And I LOVE that.

Two: we are all on a journey through this life, learning, changing, adapting, and living in this amazing world together. This is the story of my journey, as I learn and grow, in my Faith, in love, in relationships, in everything.

But I've also come to realize that we are ALL on journies, and each of us a unique one. And who is it of me, or anyone, to judge what someone else is or isn't doing, when we are not taking their journey? It can be so easy to pass judgement, without any frame of understanding.

God teaches us not to judge. It is everywhere in the Bible. He teaches us to forgive. Best said, I think, in Luke:

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged.

 Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.

Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Luke 6:37

How many times have we made an assumption on someone's action without knowing the entire story? And how many times has the same been done to us? While I may have gotten up, lounged in my pajamas, enjoyed my coffee and garden walk, and relaxed with the morning news this morning, someone else could have been dealing with terrible family issues, disciplining difficult children, or worse yet, handling horrible family news. So their actions throughout the day may reflect just that. And on the flip side, I am recovering from an extended illness and car accident, and others that do not know that may not understand why I am or am not doing certain things.

We don't know who's hurting, or may be dealing with physical, emotional, or financial issues. We don't know what else other people have going on in their lives that may be complicating things. So we all really need to think before we speak, and remember to be compassionate for others.

For me, it's a very personal journey. When someone doesn't meet my expectations, I have to take time to understand their situation, or at the very least understand that I don't KNOW their situation. And then, I need to accept what happens, and forgive if I feel I need to forgive.

A friend posted this last night, and I love it, although it saddens me to think that she is hurting:

"These are the things that you shall do: speak the TRUTH to one another;

render in your gates judgements that are true and make for peace;

do not devise evil in your hearts against one another."  

  Zecharaiah 8:16-17

I am still learning, still taking this journey. There is SO much more to be learned.....