How to Host a Craft Night

Earlier this fall my husband and I joined a new life class (modern speak for Sunday school class).  Even though we had been members of our church for 20+ years, we suddenly became the new people.  It was a little strange to find us introducing ourselves and trying to find our niche; but we found a wonderful group to do life with.  After just three short months, we had wiggled our way in enough for the class leader to ask me to host a craft night.  I eagerly said yes, after all, it was a great way to really connect with the other ladies in the class ... and well, CRAFT!  

Obviously there was a great desire for crafting because 25 ladies signed up!  It was a huge success so I decided to share my thoughts with you.  

 1. Plan ahead.  I'm not a big planner, so this was the hard part for me.  Make a list of all the supplies you will need.  Prepare yourself that you might have to visit more than one craft supply store.  Before I realized the crowd would be so large, I decided on three crafts.  In retrospect, we could have just done two, but it worked out fine.
2. Know your budget and stick with it.  I originally told the ladies it would be "around $10."  Our actual cost ended up being $11.75 each.  With that many women, the extra $1.75 adds up quick, so I couldn't just cover the extra cost.  Thankfully, the crafters were gracious about the expense.

 3. Provide written directions.  This will help with the chaos of everyone asking a million questions at the same time.  It won't eliminate questions, but there will be fewer.  It also helps the visual learners.

 3. Create designated spaces for each craft.  While we were preparing the house for the night, one of my kids said, "you're putting people in the laundry room?!"  With such a large crowd, we filled the whole downstairs!  By keeping the personalized coaster craft in one room, it helped contain the mess supplies.

4. Ask for help.   I only provided coffee and water... and crafts.  I asked each crafter to bring an appetizer or dessert and a glue gun. I even designated the coffee creamer.  Some brought homemade food, some brought store-bought.  One even brought some fun sparkling waters.  It all works out!

 5. Plan on mess, questions, and lots of laughter.  Crafting is messy.  Once you get over it, you will enjoy it so much better.  Sometimes even the most experienced crafters will have "silly" questions.  There is really no such thing as a silly question.  Let them know it's okay to ask for help.  You want them to go home with a craft they are proud of, not something that is disappointing because they weren't brave enough to ask a question.

When women have fun, we get loud.  Prepare your family (if they are hiding out upstairs like mine were) that it will be loud.  My husbands said he could tell we were having a lot of fun because we sounded like cackling hens.

6. Keep the fellowship flowing.  Choose crafts that aren't so labor-intensive that it suppresses conversations.  Our main craft (most time consuming) was the coffee filter wreath.  Once everyone got going, it was the perfect craft to chat through.  One of the ladies said, "I like that this is a mindless craft so that we can talk to each other."

7. Encourage creativity.  Some women will want to follow your example to the T.  Others will venture down their own little creative path.  I loved making the personalized coasters because each crafter got to choose their own paper pattern and monogram color.  There were so many beautiful, unique finished products.  Each one truly fit the owner's style.

8. Realize that each person crafts at their own pace.  The coaster craft made me realize this truth.  What I expected to be a ten minute craft ended up taking some of the women 30+ minutes to accomplish.  That is okay.  The important thing is that they accomplished it!  If you see someone lagging behind, just encourage her or help her make a decision.  Sometimes we just need someone to say, "Hey those two colors look great together!"

9. Start the evening organized and then let the chaos ensue.  Before we began the crafts, I gave directions to everyone, altogether.  This prevented me from having to explain the same craft 16 bajillion times.  I also made sure everyone knew where the bathroom was located and that the coffee was decaf, very important details. 

The craft station tables were labeled with a number. Before we began, each person drew a number (1-5) and then went to that table respectively. This helped with the whole "mingling" thing.  With 25 women, I had 5 craft stations (3 of which were the same craft) with 5 women at each station.  It mostly worked out that way.  Because of space, one station had four at a time with another holding 6 at a time. Once they finished their first station, I let them choose where they went next.  That way they could connect and chat with new friends.  Flexibility will be your best friend.  

10. Relax and enjoy.  If the hostess is stressed out, no one is going to have fun.  Use these simple steps to help you enjoy the gift of friendship.  Craft on!!!

I'm linking up with The Dedicated House, A Stroll Thru Life, Chicken Chick, Cozy Little House, Imparting Grace

Turning Old

You know that moment when you've waited too long to tell your friend she's had spinach the size of Africa in her teeth?  Or that awkward feeling when you should have asked someone her name to refresh your memory and now it's too late because she feels like you are long lost soulmates?

That's how I feel today with you.  I hit a huge milestone in December but I just couldn't quite bring myself to talk about it.

I turned 40.
Some of you are like "dude, she's old!"
Some of you are like "golly gee wilikers, you're still in your prime!"
Some of you are like "get over yourself."

I'm trying to get over myself, really I am.  But all that vanity that I was sure I didn't have has surfaced over two little numbers: 4 0
My kids graciously informed me several months ago that when I turn 40 I would be considered old.  As in AARP; send me my social security check; dye my hair blue-gray O.L.D.

I thought that when I actually hit the date, they would be so awed  by their oh-so-hip momma that they would take back all their "old person" chitchat.
Nope.  You're officially old, Mom.

So I decided to take the bull by the horns and celebrate a few months early with a girls' weekend away with some dear friends (one of which was turning 40 two weeks before me).
We lived it up eating carbs; strolling through IKEA not once, not twice, but three times; and rockin the sales at Hobby Lobby... twice.
To top it all off, we were awakened at 4am by the hotel fire alarm.  Nothing bonds you with friends like sitting in the parking lot in your pajamas watching the fire trucks roll in to put out a fire in the laundry service area.
Maybe our activities should have been a fair indicator that yes, in fact, I am getting old.
Give me some credit.  I tried sushi for the first time and bought skinny jeans.
Oh yeah pullin out all the crazy!

Bestie since college days FINALLY got me to try sushi

I decided that I would let the actual birthdate to slip in unnoticed and hide from my kids so they wouldn't realize that my oldness was official.

My sweet husband and parents had other plans.  They surprised me with a party that I was not expecting.  My house was filled with dear friends, tons of noise (from young and old) and delicious desserts.  As I looked at each precious face as they sang me into my 40's I was reminded that life isn't about numbers, but about being filled with joy, showered with grace, and knowing I am loved.  Wrinkles and all.

*******************************************************************************

 It helps ease the pressure to surround yourself with other crazy people.  

 My main squeeze totally rocked the Outstanding Husband award by ordering these shoes for me.  

He picked them out by himself and even got the size right!  I am blessed!

 Part of my parents' gift was this iPhone cover.  LOVE, love, love it!!!

 My brother and sister-in-law's motto is that "every woman should get a Tiffany Blue box at least once in her life."  I'm so glad they stick to their beliefs!  They sent me my 1st blue box to celebrate 40.

So many gifts and keepsakes from friends and family.  

By the end of the day, I was beginning to see 40 as a lens that 

helps me focus on all that is good in my life.

Speaking of good.  My mom's apple cheesecake was truly 

one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth.  

And we're talkin 40 years of puttin stuff in my mouth!  ;)

Things That Made Me Laugh This Week

1. As I sat in the paper towel outfit on the doctor's table I couldn't hide a giggle when I read the "Having a Blonde Moment" plaque hanging on the examining room wall.  My doctor is African American.

2. After a quick walk through Walmart (at a location we typically don't frequent) my daughter said, "Mom, why are we the only people who weren't weird in there?"

3. We spent the morning watching a dear friend's 6 month old baby.  It was precious to watch my kids be so enthralled with her.  My sweet boy, with pleading chocolate eyes said, "please can we have one?"

4. Last night my group of 7th grade girls were oohing and aahing over Scotty McCreery.  At one point one of them said, "do you know any of his songs?"  To which most of them muttered a quiet "no."

5. This is my new mantra:

I think it's a brilliant response to my kids' favorite phrase.

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It's been a busy week.  The Lord is teaching me many things.  I have been blessed in unexpected ways.  I'm so thankful for grace.
I hope you've been blessed!

Five on Friday

 Thanks to my friend Susan, I have a title for today's post.  ;)

1. We spend the summer in my parent's pool.  Everyone has a blast, but I think my mom enjoys it the most.  Last night a cold front moved through our area, so our pool time might be over for 2011.  We got one last swim in last night and my kids kept saying "we'll probably swim tomorrow."  Yesterday the high was close to 90.  Today the high is 64.  Yep, I think the pool days are gone for now.  This morning when I woke up, my kids had on down vests and wool hats.  Can we say a little excited for fall??

2. Whole coconuts were on sale last week so I made an impulse buy in the name of education and purchased one.  The kids had never seen a coconut up close.  They thought it grew in a blue bag in the freezer section.  So we punched a hole in it and everyone tasted the milk.  No one liked it (including moi) but we all tried it.  Then we cracked it open for a taste.  It was yummy, but after tasting it we kinda didn't know what to do with it.  Several Facebook friends suggested coconut cake, but really, that was way too much work. ;)
So I did what I do best.  I made a fun little centerpiece and called it a day.

3. One of our all time favorite summertime traditions is visiting the lake with friends.  This year it looked like it might not happen but we were able to squeeze a short weekend trip in before the weather turned cold.  There's just something about large bodies of water filled with little tan bodies of energy that makes me SO happy.  

4. Yesterday we did something we haven't done in a long time.  We ran errands in the morning and did school in the afternoon.  It started out as a quest to find jeans for my girls.  I need to stop right here and say it ranks right up there with a mammogram and cleaning the shower floor.  I love to shop and I love my girls; but shopping with a specific goal and trying to do it in one day is not fun.  While we were out and about I made a phone call to find out what the attire would be for a birthday party one of my girls is attending tonight.  While the idea of a bunch of 11 year olds dressing up and going out for a nice dinner sounds fun (fun enough we might copy that idea) it made me realize that my girls have NO church/semi-dressy clothes for the fall.  My poor son had to endure 4 hours of dressing room torture.  Finally he said, "Mom, I'm really tired of girl stuff."  Me too, baby, me too.

5.  During our torture session shopping spree, we discovered that Target has all of their school supply stuff 75% off.  We racked up on notebook paper (.18 a pack!) and other fun stuff.  

We took a stroll down the seasonal aisle and I discovered that somewhere between pirates and mummies, someone wants to dress as ME for halloween:

 How's that for a little narcissism?  Ha!  My kids thought it was great; my husband made googly eyes at me, and I suddenly had the urge to find a good German pretzel.

Guten Tag!!!

Real Men...

 "You might be a redneck if..."  your husband's best buddy gets this done to his Suburban.  He lives in a house full of girls, so he gets a little credit.  Add the fact that he's from Arkansas and he just can't help himself.  No offense to Arkansas.  In fact it's a compliment.  My husband has spent many cold winters on the fields of Arkansas, also known as the duck capital of the world.

So when this Man's Man showed up in our driveway to show off his vehicle's new duds my husband was oohing and aahing over it like I do over a newborn babe.  In case you were wondering, the paint job is considered "old school camouflage."  Doncha feel so smart now?

Even though this vehicle can hide in plain sight on the plains of Arkansas or the marshes of NC, it's a little bit noticeable around town.  Every once in awhile we'll see it while we're out and about.  The kids always giggle because they think he's a pretty neat guy.  I think he's a little crazy and brave ... just like my man.  :)



A few Sundays ago we were heading to our car after church when we walked past the "Duck Machine" and I noticed something that didn't quite fit the image this beast usually portrays.

I laughed until I cried.
Yep.  He's a Man's Man who happens to be the owner of a Bichon Frise.  Hey, with 3 women in the house, you can't win them all, right?

Apps that Make Me Happy

I had my itouch for about a year before I figured out how much fun it could be.  I was lost in the world of music and weather searches until I discovered all the joys in the App Store.  My kids were the ones who discovered Angry Birds and opened my eyes to the games mind builders that awaited.  

However, since there are so many, it is hard to know which ones are worth it.  I thought I'd share some of my favorites with the hopes that you'll do the same.

1. Words With Friends.  This is my all time favorite.  I often have 4 games going on at once.  I hear that you don't have to have an ipod or iphone for this one if you have a Facebook account.  This is a super fun game of scrabble that you play against other people.  I *think* you can play against the computer, too, but not sure.

 2. Text Twist.  Another word game that keeps my mind healthy.  It reminds me of the old Boggle game.

 3. Textropolis. Ahh, whadayaknow. Another word game.  See the numbers 14/66 at the top?  That means there are 66 possible words to make out of the letters in the black boxes and I have discovered 14.  Yeah.  I know.
Anyhoo... each level or "city" has different amounts of possible words.

4.  7 Little Words.  This is my newest addiction.  I went through the freebie round pretty quickly but for .99 there are 50 new games.  I like to think it helps improve my vocabulary.  Sounds so much better than wordy-time-waster, right?

Looking over my list, I realize that they are all word games.  Hmm... imagine that, a theme!
So, it's your turn.  What is your favorite App?  I really want to know!

Randomness of June

On Life:

1. I did my first baby photo session last week.  Oh my goodness.  The sweetness of a baby fresh from the arms of heaven is intoxicating.  Thanks, M, for giving me the chance to play with your new baby take pictures.

2. My two oldest have been at camp(s) all week.  We've kept little man busy with playdates and such.  Yesterday as I perused the bookstore alone for almost two hours I felt a wee bit guilty for enjoying myself so much.  Then I ordered a frosty mint coffee drink and the guilt magically disappeared.  

When was the last time I was in a bookstore to just browse?  Oh yes, I remember.  Twelve years ago.

3. Speaking of books.  This is the study I am doing this summer with a wonderful hodge-podge of women.  I mean that in the best of ways.  It's amazing how God's beautiful Word can bring hearts together.

 If you are looking for a study to do with a small group of women I highly recommend it.  Life changing.

On Food:

1. Do you have a Papa Murphy's Pizza?  Oh. My. Goodness.  We have a new favorite.  It's take-n-bake  pizza made right in front of you. $7 for a large.  $9 for xlarge.  Wanna know what my favorite is?  S'mores Dessert Pizza.  It's only $3 for a 10" right now.  It's slap-your-momma good.  (I'd never really slap my momma, by the way.)

2. Pretzel Crisps are addictive.  Especially when they are covered with sesame seeds, garlic, onion, caraway and poppy seeds.  Who needs dip when you have all that stuff?

3. I finally made it to our local WholeFoods store.  I think I'm the only person in the tri-state area that hadn't been yet.

4. I was craving pimento cheese spread while I was there, so I got a little crazy and chose the Red Onion Pimento Cheese.  Holy onion breath, batman!  That stuff is powerful.  I won't be getting that again.

On Travel:
1. It is important to wear deodorant, especially when visiting America and riding in small enclosures with other human beings.

2. It is important to stay away from garlic and curry dishes before riding in elevators with multiple people.

3. No, it is not appropriate to clear your nasal passages on said elevators.  Even though they are burning like fiya from the body odor and ode a la garleek.

4. A select few from the Detroit area think Steak and Shake is not a chain restaurant.  It is.

5. A select few from St. Louis think TGIFriday's is not a chain restaurant.  It is.

I warned you this would be random.  :)
Have a great weekend!

Rednecks on a Sunday Night

What do rednecks do for good CLEAN fun?

 We stick the backpack blower in each other's faces and laugh until we wet our pants.

Rocky Balboa stopped by for a visit.

It's cheaper than a facelift.  And yes, I realize I could park a car in my cheek cavity.

Kids, don't try this at home unless you are supervised by an adult (who doesn't mind acting like an idiot a kid).

*The headache/headrush that follows is a killer.

Friday Night Confessions

1. I have approximately 4 hours alone at home tonight with the house all to myself.  It's a little bizarre how excited I am about cleaning my desk, playing on the computer, baking, and listening to my favorite tunes AS LOUD AS I WANT!
Can I get an amen??

2. I keep trying to remind myself that the chocolate-peanutbutter no bake cookies cooling downstairs are much better once they've come to room temperature.  "Self" isn't listening very well.

3. I felt so proud of myself for cleaning 4 toilets and 3 sinks.  Then I realized the numbers didn't come out right.  Guess what my girls will be doing tomorrow?
No, not math, silly.

4. Remember that educational trip we were planning?  Well, the educational part just got thrown out the window.  Since the gas prices decided to skyrocket, we are opting for a shorter distance trip.  Which may or may not include the world's greatest roller coaster theme park.  It's all for the kids (wink, wink).

5. I am doing the happy dance tonight (while listening to my playlist of choice) because the pressure is off.  My kids completed their end-of-grade testing today and they I passed.

6.While my kids took their EOG's, I had 2 hours to myself at Starbucks.  My plan was to get my bloggy mojo going with several posts and design a new header.  Blogger decided that would be the perfect time to shut down their main server.  All my grand ideas were shelved for catching up with long lost friends.  It's amazing who you run into when you sit in a coffee shop for two hours.


7.I leave you with this little gem.

Hope your weekend is GRAND!!!

Just Say NO.

We'll start with the face since it's the window to your soul, or something like that. :)

1. Bronzer.  If it is more than one shade darker than your natural skin color, please say no.  

I walked into the dentist office the other day and was blinded by the orange woman behind the desk.  I truly almost laughed out loud.  I was just waiting for one of my children to ask the million dollar question.  

2. Eyeliner on the bottom lid only.  Girls, this only gives you that droopy eye look.  No, not bedroom eyes... rather, the I-grew-up-in-the-80's look, or possibly the I'm-just-too-tired-to do-the-upper-lid.  If you have to choose one lid, make it the top one.  

Speaking of eyes...

3. There are a very select few (in the world) who should be allowed to wear Aviator sunglasses.  If your name ends in Cruise, as in Tom or Penelope, then you may wear them without shame.  Otherwise, just say no.  Seriously.  

See?  Even in the 70's people thought they looked good in them.  But they didn't, did they?

Let's just camp out here for a minute, shall we?  There's so much worth mentioning:

high waisted pants, PLAID jacket with a MATCHING vest, the collar, the glasses, the hair.  Oh my.

4. Matchy-match.  Unless you are a 4 year old twin or on stage in Branson, Mo, it's usually not a good idea to try this look: 

5. With spring just around the corner, I thought this might be helpful:

No matter how much of a studmuffin you may be, mint green suits are a no-no.

6. Speaking of mint green...

Can someone please explain this concept to me?  Why does a toilet need a parka?  Why does a toilet lid need a knitted hat?  What is the purpose of this?  Anyone?

Please undress your toilet.  It's okay for it to go au-natural.

7. I have no good segue to this one.  Because really, nothing goes with MOLESKIN fabric.  Nothing.  It should be outlawed.  Only a woman over the age of 90 can get away with it; because if she has lived to that age, she has earned the right to wear whatever she doggone pleases.  No one else.  Period.

8. No words are needed for this one:

What's a fashion NO-NO that you wish everyone knew about?  

Stronger Souls, and other thoughts...

 I have a little quote posted at my desk.  Its message is so simple yet powerful.  For some reason it has spoken volumes to me this week.  I don't know why.  It's been on my desk for months.  Maybe I've needed the message a little more than normal.

Only speak words that make souls stronger

Stronger souls.
That's what I desire for my children.  For my husband.  For myself.  For my loved ones.  For you.

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I've fallen in love with my camera.  Not because of what it does or because of how clear it is. I've fallen in love because when I peer into the lens, I am reminded of all that I am blessed with.

Even on the crazy days.

It only takes a moment.  A click of the finger to capture the everyday.  The here and now.  How quickly it will become yesterday.  So I allow myself the pleasure of capturing the moments to treasure.

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I was blown away by your insightfulness regarding my dilemma.  Thank you for your words of wisdom, honesty, and encouragement.  I still haven't decided my plan of action.  I'm still praying through it.  Your comments were amazing.

 We've spent a lot of time outside during the past week.  The weather has been gorgeous.  It does a momma body good to get the kids outside!

Several of you asked about the ice.  Funny how the questions were not about the boot in the freezer, but the bags of ice...
Anyhoo, we keep bags of ice because we like to be prepared for ice shortages n' such.  Haha.  Just kidding.  We (meaning my husband) usually keep ice in that freezer because we do a lot of large group entertaining.  In 15 years of marriage I've never had to ask him to pick up a bag of ice on his way home.  Milk? Yes.  Ice?  No.
Until your questions, I never really thought of it as strange, but now that you mention it...
Wait.  You're distracting me.  Didn't anyone else find it odd that there was a BOOT in the freezer?

I sure do love you girls.
Have a happy, bouncing-on-the-trampoline kind of day.
Remember: stronger souls