Tray thingamajigs

7gypsies tray is all the rage at Archiver’s (archiversonline.com: a chain store for scrapbooking/crafts..super cute). And I kind of want to make one… but of what?

No, not my dogs. I’m trying really hard not to be that person.

I don’t have kids.

Oh! Great idea! But I can’t share it because I don’t know if the person it involves reads this.

Check back with me later to see how it goes! And by later, I mean Christmas after I give it as a gift.

Oh Christmas Tags, Oh Christmas Tags…

I don’t have “vision.” I can’t see 5 pieces of pretty paper, 7 paper punches, glue, and ribbon and see a wonderful masterpiece. No. I see an overwhelming amount of craft stuff and immediately want to give up and take a nap. But I didn’t have a choice this past Friday.

CA (Club Awesome) scheduled a craft day. You could do whatever you wanted to, but basically it was to schedule girly time and have something to blog about :)

So, I get there 2 hours late (work) to a fresh-baked-cookie-scented house full of beautiful Christmas cards, super cute tags, and a half-made shoulder bag. And then I start hyperventilating. Ok, not really, but still!

So I just sit down and start punching.

And then I start gluing or using those cute little 3D sticky things.

My greatest accomplishment was my “To” and “From” I wrote on a tag. I have horrible handwriting and I actually did pretty well! Especially since I can’t write in cursive!

When all was said and done, I walked away feeling… well… okay. I didn’t create a masterpiece, but I also didn’t glue my fingers together. Those punches sure hurt though!

Isn't this little guy cute?!

Here’s the four of us:

I want to have a gift-wrapping blog, so once I buy Christmas presents and wrap them and put tags on them, I’ll take more pictures.

Baby Steps

Recently I was asked to help provide food for the elderly or ill at church, and I said no.

What I should have said was “not right now,” but I said no. Actually, I said “I don’t think anyone would want my food,” then gave a face saying “please don’t make me do this!”

My husband didn’t agree with my decision. He made the point that I didn’t have to bring something homemade. But I’m still not there emotionally. Yes, the whole point of this blog is to find my talent, but it’s also to build up my self-esteem and build confidence. It takes A LOT of confidence to go to a stranger’s house and bring them food. If it was someone I already knew, sure I don’t mind, but I don’t know most of the people (I haven’t been going to this congregation for very long).

Also, in our ladies bible class, we’re reading Improving Your Serve by Charles R. Swindoll, and it’s about putting aside selfishness and putting on humility in order to serve people around you. On page 17, he says:
A good self-esteem is not the same as selfishness. Without a strong belief in ourselves, we are easily crippled and wounded in life. A poor self-image is not to be equated with humility or the mark of a servant. As a matter of fact, without a healthy ego, without the confidence that God is in us, on our side, pulling for us, we become fragile, easily bruised, counterproductive people.

And I admit, a little of my insecurities is my lack of confidence in God working through me. I once read, “Faith is not the belief God can do something; faith is the belief God will do something for you.” And that’s so true in my case. I believe God can move a mountain, and I believe God does wondrous things through other people… but not me. Why? Because I’m too scared to let Him.

My solution: practice making a go-to casserole. Something I think everyone would like, a complete meal, something I can make in an aluminum pan, take it, and drop it off with Jay or a friend with me, so I don’t have to do it alone!

Now…what should I make…hmmm… I’ll keep you posted. Once I pick something I’ll attempt to make it. Attempt being the key word here.

Brown Thumb

I've never really had an interest in plants. What's the point? They don't have pretty flowers. But now that I'm an adult, I figure like everyone else, I should have a plant.


Two years ago, my dad's father passed away. My grandmother was literally overrun with plants and flowers so she handed me a Closet Plant to take home.


"Don't worry, they can survive almost anything. Just water it when you see the leaves start to droop," she instructed.


So I took the plant home and constantly watched it, waiting for the leaves to droop. Once they did, I'd fill up a cup of water and pour it into the basket.


Within two months, not only were the leaves drooping, but they were brown.


Oh well.... maybe I can keep an ivy alive. Yeah, that didn't work out too well either. Within five months, it was dead too. Sorry, Grandfather.


A couple of months ago, my husband and I bought a house. And as a housewarming gift my mom brought a Closet Plant... from my grandfather's funeral. How in the world?! It's been two years! I thought to myself, "maybe I just got a bad plant; I'll make sure this one survives."


Nope. I was wrong.


Leaves are brown.

But I found more detailed instructions online, so I haven't given up hope.

Club Awesome

You’ve heard the saying behind every good man is a good woman? Well behind every good blogger is a good team.

Meet Club Awesome.

Yes, I know it’s a silly name. It started kind of as a joke, but it stuck… well, because it’s true. We’re four women that work together, but are completely different. We’re at different stages in our lives, have different values, and varying interests, but get along wonderfully.

Meet Lindsay (LC):

Newlywed, ambitious career-woman, loves sewing and baking. She’s kind of the glue of the group. See her blog at tartlemondrop.blogspot.com

Meet Susan (SG):

Expectant mother, anxious to be a stay-at-home mom, our little actress, and personal gourmet cupcake chef. See her blog at noseriouslynoseriously.blogspot.com

Meet Tami (TK)

Mother of 3, grandmother of 1 (her looks fool ya, don’t they?!), still searching for her “career,” but she’s the one we go to for advice & wisdom. Please encourage her to create blog!

Although we don’t work on the same project anymore, e-mails fly rampantly through Outlook daily. They are going to help me on my journey by giving me ideas, taking pictures, and teaching me their skills. So, expect to see them often!

I am so grateful to God for giving me such wonderful friends.

*raises glass* Here’s to CA!

Don't worry, I have more friends. You'll see Molly, Jordan, Courtney, Tracy, and maybe more later :)

Talent...hmmm

What is talent? How will I know when I find it?

Does it come naturally or will I have to work on it?

What about passion? I don't think I want a talent without passion. (but beggars can't be choosers)

Am I searching for passion instead?

Maybe I just need to find something I'm comfortable with. For instance, what if I discover I can go up to strangers, introduce myself clearly, and not stumble over my words? It's not really a talent per se. I don't think it would be a passion either, but it may be just what I need to fulfill my God-given purpose.

Speaking of introducing myself.... I hate that!
[imaginary conversation]
New Person: Hi. How are you? My name is Jane.
Me [looking down]: mly
New Person: Amy?
Me [looking embarrassed]: No, Em-i-ly.
New Person: Oh, nice to meet you. So, Emily, what do you like to do for fun? What are your hobbies?
Me: Uh... well.... um.... I don't really have any. Most weeknights are spent lying on the couch watching tv, and most weekends are spent cleaning house.
New Person: So you like cleaning the house?
Me: No, I hate it with a passion. (oh hey! I do have a passion!)
New Person: Oh, ok. Well.... um... it was nice meeting you. Good luck with that TV watching!
Me [hanging head in shame]: ...thanks.
[Scene]

My goal: I want to attempt at least two new talents a month. Unfortunately, I cannot afford, time and money wise, to do more than that. BUT I will post in between those times. Don't you worry! :)

Caveat: you may find whining in some of my posts, but hopefully you'll see my true, deep-down joy that I have in my heart...and thankfully, I can laugh at myself. It will be like watching Meet the Parents; you cringe every time he screws up, but laugh and keep on watching.

On my journey to finding my talent...

But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have
no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” – 1 Corinthians 12:20-21

This passage always scares me. What if I don’t have a talent? What if I’m a spleen and can be removed
without effecting anything?!

I am an introverted, low self-esteem ridden 25 year old. On paper, I sound awesome! I’m 5’9, 135 lbs,
long, thick brown (now kinda reddish) hair, blue eyes, plump lips, straight white teeth, long legs, decent
size boobs, decent size butt, graduated from a great university (Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2008!
WHOOP!), married my best friend, just bought a house, we have two Boxers (Emmitt and Maggie –
you’ll hear more about them soon enough), wonderful friends, large Christian family, the best family
anyone could ask for … yet, there’s a disconnect.

I see a clumsy, awkward, talent-less loser. I’m not funny. I’m a sarcastic cynic. (No one wants to be
called a cynic, add sarcastic to the front and it’s a double whammy!) I try to be friendly, but always
stumble over my words. I’m horrible at small talk. I’m not quick on my feet. Maybe in about two days
I’ll come back to you with a witty comeback. Although I’m constantly thinking, my thoughts are weird…
different than everyone else’s. I’m picky as all get out. Which I would think would make other people’s
life easier, but according to my mom and those who ask me what I want for dinner disagree. Unless
it involves chicken or chocolate, there’s not a guarantee I’ll like it. And to top it all off, I feel like I got
my degree in something I love (psychology) for no reason because I transmit document all day long.

What brought along the blog was my most recent bout of self-loathing: I can’t connect with girls at
church, I’ve been messing up at work, my house is filthy, I ruined dinner, and my fat & cellulite are
looking especially prominent. But in ladies bible study, we’re studying how to serve, but specifically
humility. I’m humble (paradox... if you say you’re humble are you really?!)… I don’t let compliments
go to my head… but wait, I don’t even let the compliment enter my brain at all. I block them
out immediately. Don’t tell me I’m good at something; you’re wrong, I’m horrible at everything!

So… I’ve decided instead of taking anti-depressants or paying money to see a therapist, I am going to
BLOG! I’m going to try new things, try to keep an open mind, and live life to the fullest (never really
done that before)! Primarily, this blog will be for me, to keep me on track with my goals, but if you
benefit from it too, then maybe I’ve found my talent!