Five Minute Friday: Bloom

Bloom . . .  This past Sunday I turned 43.  Recently, I have whittled my social media outlets down in order to be more in the moment with my loved ones and spend more time writing.  

Thus, without the yearly "happy birthdays" from Facebook, I didn't think anyone would acknowledge my birthday besides close friends and family, and this was okay by me.  This is not because I dread aging;  I am thrilled to still be kicking (breast cancer warrior) and happy to tell anyone who asks (or doesn't ask) my age.

Yet, I was surprised this year on my birthday.  Instead of digital birthday wishes, I received a pile of beautiful cards in my mailbox, and my heart bloomed.  I carefully opened each envelope and savored the handwritten messages.  To me, an old soul, these were packages being unwrapped by me (and my two young daughters).

Never having been the recipient of a Card Shower before, I was overwhelmed and am grateful.  A huge thank you to woman blessing Sue and all those whom participated in creating this bloom. 

What does BLOOM mean to you?

Share your idea of LOST in only five minutes . . .

Lisa-Jo Baker's Five Minute Friday:  Bloom

Easter Egg Dresser

I have spent the last couple of days feeding my addiction . . . not to books, but to furniture ReHAB.  My latest score, a dresser, came from the shed of my BFF's dad.  

With a good solid foundation, all I needed to do was select my spray paint colors.  Thus, an Easter egg became my inspiration.  

Voila!  

Writing Workshop Wednesdays (1)

Why do you write?

I write to understand, process, share, and be heard.  Writing allows me to find my position on subjects, archive my memories, and most importantly, show others my love for them.

In writing about books, I hope to infect others with my passion for reading as Professor Manuela Mourao did for me over twenty years ago.
 
Faced with a cancer diagnosis in 2011, I was motivated more than ever to capture my thoughts and ideas on this blog for my girls as well as others to reaffirm we are not alone.  One day, perhaps, my daughters will read my writing and connect with their mom on another, more intimate level, or at the very least, know I was a writer who constantly worked on honing her craft.

Now, it is YOUR turn to answer this week's Writing Workshop Wednesdays prompt. . .

Why do YOU write? 
  

An InLinkz Link-up

Habitat for Humanity ReStore Finds

If you haven't visited your local Habitat for Humanity Restore, you need to . . .  Love digging through piles of used materials due to the endless upcycling/repurposing possibilities?  Then, this is the place for you.

To date, I have visited the Sullivan, IL, ReStore, the Collinsville, IL, ReStore, and the St. Louis (Forest Park), MO, ReStore, and this is what I discovered.

Purchased at the Collinsville ReStore

A school-grade bulletin board purchased for $5.  I simply spray-painted it black, pinned my kiddos' artwork on it, and hung it above the mantle for a rotating display of creativity.  Can you see the flaw in the cork?  I can't either.  I covered the small problem area with a painting, or a piece of fabric stapled to the front (my BFF's idea) would work, too.

A return visit a week later resulted in a $15/dresser badly in need of a paint job and new pulls.  My youngest directed me as to which drawers would be painted what and selected the pulls from The Home Depot.  The result . . . pinkalicious storage for my daughter's room.

Purchased at the Collinsville ReStore

Since I like to pretend with my girls we are eating in a French bistro (Fancy Nancy-esque), I scored this frosted glass window for $5, did absolutely nothing to it except hang it on the wall (okay, the hub hung it), and use it to write our daily menus.  Ooh la la!

Purchased at the St. Louis (Forest Park) ReStore

Have you visited a ReStore?  What did you discover?

Five Minute Friday: Belong

Belong . . .  It's amazing how there are days when I can feel so alone when there are so many vehicles to being "social" in today's world.

For me, I need the good old-fashioned face-to-face interaction. . . the physical presence of another human being to share the uniqueness of human nature, find the humor in the everyday occurrences, and simply belong.

Like a plant which withers without water, I, too, wither when I am not watered with fellowship and God's word.

A good friend posted a blog this week at The Gentle Yoke which reminds me we all belong to God, and He is always near . . . hovering over us.

What does belong mean to you?

Share your idea of BELONG in only five minutes . . .

Lisa-Jo Baker's Five Minute Friday:  Belong

Book Club Babes II: Knuffle Bunny

Book Club Babes II member Miss Riley selected Mo Willems' Knuffle Bunny for our latest discussion.

A successful search on Pinterest resulted in the discovery of the Kids Activities Blog and the coolest activity to use as means of experiencing Knuffle Bunny.  In preparation for the meeting, my squirts and I visited our favorite park, Droste Park in Maryville, IL. and took several pictures of the playground, walking path, and dock.  At home, we converted these pictures into black and white before printing onto 8 1/2" x 11" paper.

When members arrived, they were allowed to choose from the scenes offered.  Then, they drew a color picture of themselves, glued it onto the black and white page, and added a caption.  Completed artwork was laminated so that further people, objects, etc. may be added and erased again and again to the picture using dry erase markers.

Discussion followed with each member sharing her journal picture and favorite part of the book.

For snack, supplies of bagels, thin carrots, raisins, peanut butter, cream cheese, and Annie's Cheddar Bunnies were provided by Miss Riley's mother so that each member could create her own Knuffle Bunny.

Next discussion:  Miss Morgan's selection of The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear

Five Minute Friday: Exhale

Exhale . . .  Yesterday I watched a friend's kiddos while she had to work.  This summer she and I are swapping days with our kiddos who are identical in age so that each of us has time to exhale.

The kiddos and I visited one of our favorite parks and ended up staying for over two hours.  Children's laughter . . . exhale.

They then fed "dead bread" (expired bread/cereal) to the ducks who happened to be M.I.A.  Exhale . . .
 

LOVE

A short walk to the local library followed where the kiddos selected books and movies . . .  Their love of reading . . . exhale.

A day I wish didn't have to end . . . exhale.

Share your idea of LOST in only five minutes . . .

Lisa-Jo Baker's Five Minute Friday:  Lost