Humanity

Where to even start?!  I am in tears constantly today.  I think about my sister who is a third grade teacher.  About my son who is in third grade.  My daughter who is the same age as the sweet, lovable children killed.  What causes this?  What causes a person to shoot children?  For some reason its easier to handle the death of adults.  They had their lives.  They had a chance to grow up.  But these children will never have that chance.  The kids who survived this horrific event, have to somehow cope, come to terms with something they should never have to experience.  How does this shape them?  How does this affect their future?  Will they be able to move on?  Will they be able to forget the sounds, the horror?

As a parent, I am mourning not only the tragedy of 20 of my Emma's classmates, but the loss of innocence for the other 680 students in that school.  I'm mourning for those parents who lost their babies and for the parents who have to help their children process this event; who have to sit up with their kids after nightmares, holding them and feeling so helpless, knowing they can't shield their child from this horror.  There is nothing they can do to erase this memory for their kids.

It is impossible to think of anything else.  We've had Columbine - which happened 12 years ago.  That is the first school shooting I can remember.  And I began to wonder, where are the kids that made it through that...are they doing okay?  Are they able to make it?  I found this article when I did a search on Columbine from CNN.  And they feel exactly like I would feel.

I think of the things my parents tried to shield me from - the first gulf war, which I was obsessed with.  I cut out every article about the war and kept them in a ziplock baggie.  I remember sitting in my closet and reading them.  But it still felt remote.  I was 9 when that war started.

I think about the Davidian Branch in Waco, Texas that all burned to death.  I was 11.  That was 1993.  I can remember so many details, people talking about the smell in the air, the strength of the fire and I remember my thoughts.  A naive little girl who went to church who couldn't understand why someone would follow a guy like that.  Now that I've been through a cult experience, I completely understand how easily it is to be blinded to truth.

I think about The Oklahoma City Bombing.  I was 14.  I can remember the pictures, the memorial set up on the chain link fence around the burned out remains of the building.  I remember there was a daycare in that building and thinking how horrible that those children had to experience that.

Even though I was states away from New York on September 11, 2001, I still cringe when I hear a low flying plane.

I remember coming home at night wondering if anyone else had been killed during the 23 days of terror in DC in 2002.  I was 21 and by know could have intelligent thoughts about the situation.  But we all still walked around waiting, and wondering, apprehensively if copy cat shooters were going to come around.

These tragedies seem horrendous to us because we are civilized people.  These things aren't supposed to happen.  We have zero tolerance for bullying in school, we have gun laws and weapons control.  We have strict lock down rules.  I have complete faith in Emma and Johnny's teachers, knowing they would be the standout teachers protecting my children in this scenario.  There isn't a school secure enough to keep what happened in Connecticut from happening.

We as a nation mourn together.  A small handful actually dealing with this nightmare firsthand. And for those, I am speechless.  There are no words of comfort that can do justice to what you are feeling.  I cannot fathom the heartache you are experiencing.  Each time I try, I cannot stop crying with you.   And while each event stands out on its own, I feel selfish.  I feel selfish for being so focused on just us.  Not that our country and fellow Americans aren't important, but its bigger than us.  What about the terror in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, China, North Korea, South Korea, Egypt, Mexico, Somalia... the list goes on and on of countries, who's people live in fear every day.  A gunman walking down the street is a daily occurrence.  We don't have to wonder if a suicide bomber is riding on the bus next to us.  We don't have to think about bombs being dropped on our city block at any time.  Yes, our inner cities know the terror and while many our innocent victims, many are also informed bystanders.  They might not be a part of the bad drug deal or gang wars, but they know their family and friends are and do nothing to remove themselves from the danger.

Its so easy to get caught up in the evil of this world and lose hope.  But I want to focus on the bigger picture. Here are a few sources that make me think, we can do better.  If we can inspire others to greatness, then we can build upon that greatness and become the people God meant for us to be in the beginning.  Thank you, teachers.  Thank you to those who are not afraid to stand up and be counted.

Vicki Soto

Josef Miles

The other side of Islam

Narayanan Krishnan

8-year-old classmates

It takes a lot to do this...but I'm impressed

For the last week and a half I have been working at a wood components manufacturing shop where my big brother Jason is the plant manager.  They needed some extra help this month in getting out some big orders.  In just a week and a half, I have learned a lot about the world of manual labor and about myself.  Let me tell you, not only am I impressed with who I am and what I can do, I'm also very impressed with the company itself.

First, let's talk about me, because really, is there anything else better to talk about?!  Okay - don't answer that.

The things I've learned about myself:

1.  I LIKE MANUAL LABOR.  I have always been a behind the desk girl.  I enjoy researching and computer work, but since working at the shop, I have also realized how much I like manual labor.  The thrill of setting goals and seeing the work completed by my own hands and shipped out.  The sound of the machines and the people, working together.  I actually enjoy getting dirty and smelly. I have blood blisters, sore muscles, aching joints, cuts, nicks, bruises, and two stained fingers, but I LOVE IT.

2.  I ENJOY SEEING THE END RESULT.  In the office, there are slow days and days when you wonder, what did I do all day?  There's no pile of completed work, no list of jobs to check off as done.  Mostly, everything done in offices today involve electronic documents and unless there's a pile of mail to be sent out, it's hard to have the sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.  In manufacturing, I have quotas. I have piles of completed work.  I have goals I can try to achieve, (most of them unrealistic), but it still gives me something to work towards.  I see the items I'm finishing add up and I can look back at the end of the day and be proud of what I accomplished.  When I see a pallet full of things I've worked on get wrapped up and ready for shipping, I know that I had a hand in that.  I can walk into that store or restaurant and say, I did these, with pride.

3.  I CAN HELP MAKE QUALITY PRODUCTS.   I'm not doing these projects from start to finish.  The things I've been working on come to me with a few final small steps to do.  So I don't want to sound like I've cut the wood, glued, pasted, sanded, stained, and finished an entire project. I am a very small part of the whole picture, but being at the end of the assembly line of workers, I get to see the perfection of what we are turning out.  I get to make sure everything is as perfect as humanly possible before it gets stacked on the pallet for shipping.  And I take pride in knowing the quality is where it should be.

4.  I CAN SET AN EXAMPLE.  Although my kids don't see what I'm doing all day, they can sense the fact that I feel good about my work.  That I'm putting in an honest days work for a third of what I used to make, but can know I've made a difference 10 times more than I ever did in other jobs.  I like to feel like I'm a part of a team, to encourage others to do their best.  In manual labor, I can set the example by making sure each piece I touch, although tedious, isn't just the same ol' thing.  Each piece should be treated like it's the first time I'm doing it without getting lazy.  That's enjoyable, to make sure the quality stays the same throughout the entire project.

The things I've learned about myself are nothing compared to the example this company sets for its employees.  I have been so impressed with the way things are run at the shop.  Let me first say, the employee handbook is the STRICTEST handbook I have ever seen; quality control, time-off, employee relations (not dating, just how you treat each other), safety, and general guidelines.  This company doesn't play around when it comes to laying the ground rules. If I had read the handbook BEFORE I started working there, I would have thought - Wow...I don't think I can live up to the standards!  But, unlike most other places I have worked, the management team here makes you WANT to live up to the standards.  They make me want to do better every day I am there.

When mistakes are made, the management doesn't get upset.  Here's what happens.  Its ingenious and something other business' should try to implement.  Ready for it?  They come to the rescue.  They walk over, brainstorm on how to fix it, and help get it done!  Woah!  Who would have thought management might ACTUALLY be available when they are needed?!  The concept BLOWS. MY. MIND.  My supervisor, Rob, is incredible.  He knows the tricks of the trade like the back of his hand.  He's quick to come up with solutions on fixing things and yet really laid back.  Great combination for management, on point when needed, but doesn't sweat the small stuff.  And ALWAYS willing to help no matter how busy he might be.

Not only is the management highly visible on the floor, not only supervising the process, answering questions, giving tips to do it faster and better, but...wait for it...the OWNER is also visible!  He's not holed up in some corner office with plants and a wall of windows, but he actually walks through the sawdust covered shop and says hello to everyone EVERY DAY.  A visible presence is a morale booster.  And here's something else...you know the dread you get when management or the owner walks through?  NON-existent here.

My temporary co-workers are amazing too.  They brought me in like I was family.  Never mind that my brother is management - that connection might as well not even be on the table. Maybe its my good looks or friendly demeanor, ::WINK WINK:: or maybe its just the world of manual labor.  I was instantly family, brought in on all the jokes and made to feel important by teaching me what I needed to know.   I will miss every single person I work with when this job is completed.

The teamwork in this shop is incredible.  Everyone jumps to help each other and works hard.  It takes everyone to see the job from start to finish and the respect for each person's job along the way is refreshing to see.

I would love to work for this company on a permanent level, but being a mom with unexpected demands to leave work for sick kids doesn't really fit in with the employee guidelines for time off.   I would use up all the vacation time within a month and a half!  But I will enjoy the month of December, the friendships made, and the new skills learned while I have it.  There have been days I have forgotten I was actually getting paid to be there!  Only a great business can do that.

First World Problems in Michigan

I laugh every time I run across a first world problem on Pinterest.  If you haven't seen a first world problem, click HERE.

It makes me think, just this week, we're experiencing a lot of first world problems.  For example:

1. We have a love/hate relationship with the weatherman.

2.  We want to go outside in December, but can't get over the shock and awe that we don't need 14 layers to do so.

3.  We can't take our snowmobiles to the convenience store to get a beer since there's no snow.

4.  We can't track the deer we shot because, again, no snow.

5.  We can't ski with no snow for the hills and the lakes are too cold to get in the water.

6.  We want to stay up past 5:30, but thanks to daylight savings time, it makes it feel like 10:30.

7.  We've already winterized our summer toys, so tomorrow's 62 degree weather is wasted.

8.  We go to work in the dark and we come home in the dark.

9.  The kids' Christmas programs are cutting into our TV programs.

10.  We want to root for a sports team, but don't have one worth rooting for.

Booo.  I know.  #10 is a drag.  Thank you NFL, NHL and do we even have a NBA team anymore?!  At least we can revel in the fact that Detroit still beat the Yankees this year!  Go Tigers!

I can't wait to see some snow in the forecast and yet, I'm totally one of those people that are like, "I'm okay with snow as long as it stays off the roads."  Yeah.  As if the flake coming down goes, "Wait, Floyd! Over here! That was a close one.  You NEVER want to land on a road!

And so I leave my ramblings knowing I'll probably delete this later since I'm still in a head cold coma, and have probably made zero sense in today's post.

The real reason I can't wait for snow?

Source

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow! 

"Wood" you want these?!

 I'm wracking my brain on ways to bring in funds.  All over Etsy there are wood crafts galore and while I'm not quite ready to open a shop, I do want to show you what I worked on today... Hoping to get more creative with these and maybe sign up for a few craft shows!

So my neighbor was AWESOME and shared his business' scraps of wood with me.  I am in crafting heaven.  I have so many things I want to make and have all the supplies I need to do it!  Now to find the time... But Sarah!  You don't have a job!  How much time do you need when you stay home all day?!  Well, starting tomorrow I'll be helping at my brother's shop in Holland, so I won't have daytime anymore for crafting...not that I'm complaining!

So here's the few things I managed to bust out this afternoon.  I have vinegar and steel wool soaking for some weathered wood looks tomorrow.

Share the LOVE
Start out with a plain piece of wood

 Then, beat the crap out of it.  I used a hold poke, a sanding tool, a hammer and a wrench

I put a dry stain on it and let it dry for about 15 minutes.  I really rubbed it in good.

 Then paint a heart, add some detail and the word love.  Turned out super cute and will be a nice addition to above the cabinets after Christmas.

 I also made a small plaque using rub-ons and painting the wood a washed out white, so you could still see the grain.

 This Christmas sign is small enough to be an ornament, I painted it black, used a stamp pad with silver ink for the background, added rub-ons and drilled holes for the wire.

 Same idea here, only with a rub-on saying and some hearts and birds.  Then I distressed it, added wire and a ribbon.

 Most of my afternoon was spent gathering supplies and waiting for the wood to dry.  The next time I have some free time, I'm going to paint a lot of pieces so all I'll need to do is grab a piece and start creating!
I'm really looking forward to getting some scraps to make homemade dominoes, and some Americana American flags.  Let me know what you think.  Are these things people would buy for others?!

Race Update - what really happened

I was just reading back through my previous posts and realized I never did a follow-up post on my Race Day Guarantees .  I spent months training for it quitting once and being very discouraged most of the time.  But you know me...I just kept going.

So here's the answers to what I thought would happen and what really did.

1.  I thought I would twist my ankle
Well, I didn't twist my ankle, but I did fracture my hip and end up on crutches for 3 weeks.  The two weeks before the race my hip hurt so bad that I didn't do any running.  On race day, I drugged up on 800 Motrin and energy gel.  I managed to run the entire race except for parts of the last mile and a half, which you will see why below.

2. I will cry.
I did.  I knew I would, but it was just because I had ran through swirling winds that had just come off the lake as water spouts, hail, cold rain, cloud to ground lightening and thunder.  I'm terrified of storms, so the fact that I kept going in that weather through tree lined streets was a miracle upon the miracle of finishing with my hip.

3. I will walk.
I did.  Not for long, but between miles 11-13, when I was cold, soaked, tired and the pain was so intense in my hip I had to walk.  Luckily, the nature of motherhood was against me and every time I started walking, I peed a little. (I love my kids, I love my kids...) My choices were run or pee my pants.  I chose to run.

4.  I will look awful in all pictures.
 Oh my, this was never a truer statement.   I almost didn't write this post strictly for the reason of not wanting to show this picture.  I had known my face would look weird. I had known I wasn't wearing fashionable clothes, but just something to keep me warm. I don't think a winter coat would have kept me warm by the end.  Well, here it is:

Ouch.  It is still painful to look at this picture.

5. I will have regret.

I regret not listening to my body and backing out of the race.  I am so proud of what I accomplished, but I didn't get an official time. (Unofficial time was 2 hours, 22 minutes for 13.1 miles.)  I was in so much pain the days following.  I had been concerned about losing out on my $40 entry fee and instead I had to pay $65 for all doctor's visits, plus the nuisance of not being able to exercise for two months!

6.  There will be a blog post on my experience...

Um...yup. 

Here's the weather report from the day of the race:
Waterspouts and hail

It started out sunny and a bit chilly, but it was 8:00 in the morning.  Then as we ran through the woods, the clouds came rolling in.  We stepped out onto the road that leads to the lake, and saw the lightening out over the lake.  Then the winds picked up.  Have you ever been sand-blasted?!  Luckily, I haven't either, since the rain started before I hit the state park where we ran a loop around the parking lot before heading back out onto the main road for the the last five miles of the race.  It was as I hit the main road, they were announcing that they were calling the race.  I was just into mile 8 and I wanted my medal.  So I channeled my inner Forest and... I was running.  As I ran past tunnel park, the wind picked up, branches were laying across the path that had fallen and the hail kicked in.  It was later realized that the waterspouts were coming on shore at this very park the moment I was running past.  I did mention that I hate storms, right?  At this point I was scared out of my mind!  Shaking, running faster, yet it felt like I was going no where because of the strong winds.  The hail was like bees stings all over my body.  My shirt with the elastic waist had become a belly shirt.  Luckily I had a tank top on underneath.  I was miserable, but just when I thought of quitting, at mile 11, these angels were standing there, in full rain gear, still passing out water; still cheering us on.  They had been there the entire race, the entire storm!  Knowing they had roughed it out with us was what kept me going those last two miles.  I really don't even remember much of the rest of the race.  My only sadness was that the hubs didn't see me run at all.  He couldn't find me in the starting crowd and he was inside the building when I crossed the finish line.  My parent's were out there though and I sprinted to the finish line crying, not because of finishing, but because this brutal storm that came through, a storm that would normally have me hiding in the basement, I had ran through.  At the finish line it had become a slow drizzle.  I conquered more than a race that day.  I didn't let my fears stop me. (Although, I probably should have, now looking back at how severe the weather had been.)

All in all, I have been told I can't run long races anymore without risk of re-fracturing my hip.  Last week, I managed to run two and a half miles without stopping.  It felt like a major accomplishment.  I guess I'll stick to being a volunteer for the River Bank Run instead of training for the 15 miles in May like I had hoped.  Can't say, looking back on the Park2Park, that I'm all that sad about it. I can say I ran a 1/2 marathon.  I don't need to do it again.

A little bit of home

Hello, again!  We've now been in our home for 6 months.  In the first month, we did A LOT of changes.  Painted almost every room, made over the kitchen cabinets, new carpet throughout the entire upstairs, and new hardware for all the doors.  This house went from early 90's blah (which was weird since it was built in 2001) to a chic rustic cottage.  Here's some of our changes:

The changes outside were pretty simple - the shutters, vents and doors were painted a purple-y-blue.  We updated the home by painted the shutters a classic black, the vents white, and the doors a deep cranberry.

Before:

 After:

The kitchen and living room were a yellow/purple mix with light oak cabinets.  I found a method online for using a gel stain.  My dad and the hubs painted the kitchen and living room for me!  Those two projects alone were HUGE!

Before:

After:

Before: 

 After:

Well, not quite after...we had new grey shag carpeting put in and hung some pictures... Stay tuned for more do it yourself home decor.

I'll do a blog post soon on the steps of re-staining the cupboards, Christmas at the Takens, and a few more rooms we've redone, as well as some minor crafts such as the vintage metal cupboard re-do, the pallet clock, and making your own artwork.  

See you again soon! 

Here, fishy, fishy...

So what do you make for the outdoorsman who has everything?  Why not make the fish of all fish stories?! This one is bound to stay on the line!

I had a blast planning out and making this fish.  I used the scraps from the leftover hat and mittens sweater upcycle I worked on earlier today.  If you don't want to make your own...let me give a shout out to the creator of this awesome idea, MimiKirchner.  You can visit her Etsy shop and buy one of your very own!

Let's get started.

1.  Cut the body of the fish - I used the neckline of the sweater to add a little more detail to the head area.  I don't really like how it turned out since the neck is not as stretchy or mold-able as the rest of the fish. (You'll see in the finished product.)

 2.  If you have a cuff left, use that to create the tail.  I used the bottom of the sweater and just folded it in half and sewed up the side.  I also sewed across the top.

3.  Make a box pleat by taking the center of the two sides and tacking them together in the middle, then laying the two flaps flat again.

4.  Next make the fins.  You'll want a long one on the top, a boxy one towards the back on the bottom, and two smaller triangle shapes towards the front where the gills would be.  I stitched between each valley to create more dimension on the fish.

5.  Because I wanted to keep the neckline showing I sewed the 'gill' fins right to the outside of the sweater instead of where the head and body meet.  

6.  I forgot to take a picture but sew the head and body together on each piece, keeping right sides together as you sew. (Do as I say on this tutorial.  Again, because I wanted the neckline detail to show, I sewed the head on behind the body fabric.)

 7.  I hate pinning, so I sewed the tail, top and bottom fins onto one side of the fish.  You can pin and sew them all together if you'd like.  Next, sew the two pieces right sides together, leaving a space large enough for the fish to be turned right side out.

8. Next, make sure all the strings are cut off and the pieces are sewed completely.  I had to hand stitch a few areas that the sewing machine couldn't get through.

9.  Stuff your fish and add eyes and a mouth.  Then close him up and shape him!  

As you can see, the neckline is a little stiff, but I think he looks quite dapper in his argyle sweater!  This took about 2.5 hours to make, but it was a lot of fun seeing him come together and take on a personality.  Well, I'm off to bed.  Currently working on a blanket, finishing a book, and job searching...  Until next time, happy crafting!