Creativity Promise #1

10 Jan 2014 Leave a comment

by postcardsfrommosquitoville in I Heart Teaching Tags: , ,

I spent the morning at a teacher workshop put on by our district. It was so great! I got so much information and a whole lot of fantastic ideas that I can take straight to my classroom on Monday. What a fabulous way to end the first semester of the school year!

The one thing that stuck with me the most was a quote that one of the presenters used. I want to use it in my classroom, but just don’t think that black text on a white screen is going to do much to grab the attention of my 8th graders. I needed to do some creating, and that made me think of my New Year’s Promise to be more creative this year.

And so, with zero specialized training, and zero fancy software, this is what I came up with. I kinda like it. What do you think?

A Promise to Myself for the New Year

31 Dec 2013 Leave a comment

by postcardsfrommosquitoville in I Gotta Be Me Tags: , ,

I don’t have the greatest track record when it comes to New Years Resolutions.

Last year I decided to write one letter per week to a random someone in my life and let them know why I appreciated them or why I was grateful for them.  It started out so great!  The first 6 weeks I was on FIRE!!  And the people who opened their mailboxes to find my letters were always so thrilled.  I even got a couple of letters in return.  It was fabulous!

But then, my ship slowly started sinking.  I’m not gonna lie, 2013 was pretty bad.  I guess 13 really is my UNLUCKY number because Fate threw lots of nasty little curve balls at our family.  We did have lots of  happy memories, but to say that I’m looking forward to a new beginning in 2014 is an understatement.

So, now that’s officially New Year’s Eve, I’m thinking about what I can do to ensure that a year from now I will be able to look back and smile.  There are a few things that I think will help me feel alive again.  One of the biggest things I want to do is find some happiness within myself and enjoy my own creativity.

So, because of the fact that I don’t want to call this a “Resolution,” I will call this a “Promise to Myself.”

I promise myself that in 2014 I will find ways to enjoy living and be HaPpY!!

Here’s what I’m gonna do:

I just stumbled on a fun little website called The Daily Create.  I’m infatuated.  Today’s challenge was to write a list of  10 “Non-Resolutions” for 2014.  THAT, I can do!

1.  I will NOT win the lottery.  Money just doesn’t feel comfortable around me and I’m starting to understand that.  They say you shouldn’t chase people.  If someone is meant to be in your life, they will come to you and stay.  I guess me and Money are no good for each other.  (But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t LOVE the chance to prove that we could be the best of friends.)

2.  I will NOT pass up an opportunity to tell people how important they are to me.  Maybe I’ll write some more letters.  Maybe I will give out more hugs.  Even just making sure I always have a few extra smiles with me to give to someone who needs one.  I learned this year that you can’t take anything (or anyone) for granted in this life.  I want all the people I love to know that I love them.

3.  I will NOT continue living in such a “very vanilla” house.  I will find small ways to spruce things up and infuse a little personality.  I think this generic environment has been pulling me down long enough.  I need color and beauty to make me feel alive.  Time to do something about that!

4.  I will NOT stay in Utah all year long.  No matter where.  No matter when.  No matter how.  I will get my family the heck out of here for a much-needed vacation.

5.  I will NOT cry during Election Week.  (This is a silly and kind of personal promise, but I look forward to the fact that my tenure as Student Government Adviser will be coming to an end this Spring.  I need a break!  And I know the kids will be in GREAT hands with the new Adviser.)

6.  I will NOT leave the story that is burning within me unwritten.  It wants to get out and start living a life of its own.  I will make sure that happens this year.

7.  I will NOT neglect this blog.  I want to whip it into shape.  It’s been laying around, doing nothing for long enough now.  Time to start earning its keep.

8.  I will NOT reach the final level of Candy Crush Saga.  During my “rainy season” I used this game as an escape.  I called it my brain numbing time.  I’ll admit there were many times I actually needed to numb my brain in 2013, but that will not be the case this year.  I can find more creative ways to forget the sad stuff.  I think if I focus on being creative and happy instead of just numb, this will turn out to be a fantastic year.

9.  I will NOT allow Pinterest to rule my life.  I will use it only for good.  I will allow myself to be inspired and motivated.  I will learn and grow.  I will not use it as another brain numbing escape strategy.

10.  I will NOT gain another ## pounds this year.  So I tried to eat my feelings in 2013.  I will not make that mistake again.  Not going to go so far as to say I’m going to go to the gym every day or give up sugar for a year.  But if I concentrate on a happier and healthier me, I should be able to still fit in my jeans by the end of the year.

 

What is it that you WILL NOT do in 2014?  I hope you will NOT forget (as I did for a while) that life is beautiful.  It certainly has its rough patches, but we only go around once so we’d better enjoy it.

 

A letter to my children

30 Aug 2013 Leave a comment

by postcardsfrommosquitoville in Kidlettes Tags: ,

To my loves,

Our family has gone through a lot in the past few months.  It’s been tough.  No, it’s been excruciatingly painful.  We could fill buckets with the amount of tears shed at our house in the last little while.  Our very foundations have been shaken, but even so, our family is strong.  We will somehow make it through this life-storm and see blue skies again.  I believe this with my entire soul.  I have to believe this.  And I want you to believe it, too.

In times of heightened emotion I turn to words as my solace.  Words always get me through the down times and help me remember the up times.  This emotional roller coaster is the blueprint of my life and it is documented by the words I write.

I’ve wished a thousand times that I could take the pain away from you kids.  It’s been so hard to keep myself from crumbling, but the worst pain of all is watching my children suffer and knowing that there is nothing I can do to take their heartache away.  As a mom I would do anything for you kids, give up whatever was required to see you safe, happy, and healthy.  But there is nothing I can give to fix this.  Nothing I can say to make this easier.  All I can do is hold you when you cry and listen when your emotions overflow and pray for you and worry about you every second of every day and night.

I have a writing notebook (or three or four) that I open when my heart is too full and I need to release the pressure.  As I flipped through the pages I found a poem I had written back in 2007 that really speaks to the situation today.  It’s not a fabulous piece of literature by any means, but the feeling I was trying to express back then is the same thing I’m feeling today.  I want all my kids to read this and know that every word is true and spoken straight to your hearts.

Ever feel like life’s too much?
Like it’s tearing you apart?
So unfair,
No one to care
For the hurt you hold in your heart?

Ever wish for a magic spell?
An easy way to pass the test,
Erase the pain,
Be happy again,
Forget about the sorrow and rest?

Believe me, I know how it feels
To try not to let yourself cry.
Keep the tears inside,
Wanting to hide,
Knowing the smile on your face is a lie.

I wish I could take it away,
All the pain within your soul.
Throw it away,
Make a brighter day,
Hold you safe, wipe your tears, make you whole.

Whatever happens I hope you always know for certain that my love for you will never waver.  Nothing that the world can fling at us will change the way I feel about you.  You are the reasons behind everything I do.  Every choice I make, every detail of every day is all for you.  Eventually this storm will pass.  One day the sun will again come blazing through the clouds.  And when we are all together and happy again, there will be no greater feeling in the world.

Until that moment arrives I pray my love can burn in your hearts and keep you warm even on the darkest of days.

All my love,

Mom

Extremely Awesome Coupon Power

03 Feb 2012 1 Comment

by postcardsfrommosquitoville in Kidlettes Tags: , , ,

It’s been a week.

The kind that makes me want to crawl under the covers of my bed and just disappear for a while.  Nothing too traumatic, just the everyday stress and hustle of having five kids in a world of too many commitments and not enough time.  But, here is Thursday – finally!!

Bridger (9 years old) must have called me five times between the time he got home from school and I got home two hours later.  It was a very long day, filled with hundreds of effervescent teenagers, just bubbling over with… EVERYTHING.  That in itself is exhausting on a normal day, but today was not exactly normal.  Staples, blood, and chocolate bars filled my hours at school.  (Don’t even ask.  That is the subject for another post.)  Anyway, I could tell that Bridger was excited about something.

He met me at the door, hands behind his back, smile across his face.

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” he smirked, practically dancing with excitement.

“What is it?” I asked, warily.  (You never know with 9-year-old boys.)

With a flourish he produced a still-wrapped-in plastic cupcake from his lunch and a note.

It reads:

You are always the Fabulous cupcake.  And you treat me fair so here’s a coupon for A very nice day

(In the box) Bridger’s coupon 1 free nice day

(Arrow) Cut out

To: Mom

From: Bridger

That is just amazing!  Because that is exactly what I needed today:  the promise of one very nice day ahead.

Thank you, son.

And the winner is… My Willpower!!!

22 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by postcardsfrommosquitoville in It's Possible Tags: , ,

Not gonna keep you in suspense, just going to come right out and say it:

I DID IT!!  And it feels AMAZING!!!

Truly it was only the little things I missed.  (Like gum.)  But there were NO negative side effects (other than the halitosis thing, of course, but that was my own fault for not planning ahead).  I’m telling you, folks, no amount of small inconveniences could measure up to the intense THRILL I felt when I looked at my checking account balance.  For the first time in my life the balance was the exact same after an entire week!!!

I truly think I’m on to something.

I’m going to do this at least once a month.  No kidding.  There were so many little things I enjoyed along the way that I want to feel this way again and again and again.  Here are a few of those unexpected benefits (without a lot of humor.  Sorry.  Just not feeling like a comedian today):

1. My kids didn’t bug me about buying stuff.  Normally my kids are really good about this anyway because of the fact that they have to buy all their own “stuff” anyway.  They get a monthly allowance and then have to use their own money for everything from snacks at the grocery store, to movies, to going out to dinner.  They even buy their own clothes, shoes, and school supplies.  Being used to this, they don’t ask for a lot, but they do ask for extra family things sometimes.  Like some chocolate milk, a bag of chips, a pizza for dinner.  This week, every time they’d start to ask they’d remember my challenge and say, “Oh, never mind.” (And not in that snotty teenager voice they are so great at, either. Wow!)

2.  Stuff lasted a lot longer.  This was one of the biggest surprises.  My gasoline use was unprecedented.  I figured this would be the one area where I’d have to break down and spend money.  But what I found was that, because I was so conscious of the amount of gas in my tank, I made different choices.  I conserved my gasoline by trying not to drive even one mile farther than necessary.  I didn’t take off at a green light, and I let off the gas pedal as soon as I saw a red light ahead.  I was absolutely shocked that my gas gauge didn’t even drop below half.  And that is amazing for a gas-guzzling SUV like mine.

Another thing that lasted longer was our food.  Specifically milk.  My five munchkins can slam down a gallon of milk a day.  And because I hadn’t decided to stop spending money until after I left the grocery store, I did not stock up on the milk.  When Thursday came around and there was only a half gallon left in the fridge, I gave them a little warning.  “You might want to go easy on the milk.  This has to last until Saturday night.”  Two and half gallons in one week is probably the least amount of milk my family has gone through in close to ten years.

3.  I spent more quality time at home with the family.  Instead of finding a million errands to run after work, I came straight home almost every day.  Sure those errands are important, and I couldn’t put everything off every week, but by planning ahead I was able to cut out all but two or three little things that eat away at my precious evenings at home.  Because I couldn’t spend any money there wasn’t anyplace I could really go anyway.

4.  I found creative ways to keep from spending money.  Not only was I creative with my cooking for the week, but I was creative with entertainment to.  I guess this ties back in with spending more time at home, too.  Instead of going out to spend money, I made do with what I had, or figured out another use for something.

5.  I felt great about myself.  This should probably be number one on my list, but I just have to say:  I loved feeling so in control!  I wasn’t a slave to the almighty dollar.  I felt different.  I felt proud.  I felt empowered.  I felt like a million bucks.  (Ha ha!  Pun intended.)

I hope next month you’ll join me in my Don’t Spend a Dime Challenge.  I will be advertising on Facebook.  It was such a unique and joyful experience that I want to share it with others.  So, watch for your official invitation.  (Just kidding, I am not sending out invitations.)  But you will see me post on Facebook.  And I do hope that you will accept the challenge to prove to yourself that you can do anything!

Side Effects May Include Halitosis…

18 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by postcardsfrommosquitoville in It's Possible Tags: , , , ,

Just wanted to put this out there:  In case you happened to see me at the Harmon’s checkout counter yesterday – I wasn’t spending money!!  Well, technically I guess I was spending money, but honestly it wasn’t mine!  And I’m more of a “spirit of the law” type person anyway.

So there I was, puttering through day three of seven in my Don’t Spend a Dime Challenge.  It started out a little shaky.  The problem hit me like a blast of dragon breath from my own 8th grade English teacher.  I have a strict personal guideline that I attempt to adhere to at school:  No bad breath while teaching.  That is why I keep a supply of mints and gum in my desk at all times.  Well, turns out those darn mint tins look just the same when they’re empty as they do when they are full.  Normally this wouldn’t be a problem.  I could replenish the supply as quick as junior high school boys go through a can of Axe.

But not this time.  There was no gum in the bottom of my purse, nothing but an empty cardboard packet on the console of my car, and not a stash anywhere to be found as I rifled through my desk drawers.  Poor kids.  Now I have become Mrs. Halitosis instead of Mrs. Hansen.  (I hope they don’t print that in the yearbook.)  Thank goodness this is a short week!

So, back to the Harmon’s checkout line.  It wasn’t my fault and it wasn’t my money.  But the kids in Student Government needed me to pick up some treats for the opposing team coming to play basketball at Wahlquist today.  At first it had me in a panic.  I didn’t think I could do it.  But, after careful consideration and ratification I decided that putting a few dozen brownies on an in-store-charge that would later be paid by my school and not me would not count against me in this challenge.

So there you have it.  I’m halfway through Day Four and still going strong.  Just don’t stand too close to me after lunch.

The Ultimate Showdown: My willpower vs. The almighty dollar

16 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by postcardsfrommosquitoville in It's Possible Tags: , , , ,

I’m not gonna lie.  Circumstances have called for some extremely painful and mandatory belt-tightening.  The particulars of what brought us here are not unusual, nor are they pertinent.  But what IS pertinent is that I have this strange filing cabinet for a brain that brings up past memories at the most random of times.  I can’t for the life of me remember that one gal’s name when I run into her at the grocery store, but out of the clear blue I can remember the smell of the air on the crisp fall morning when I sat on my trampoline reading Gone with the Wind in the 8th grade.  See what I mean about random?

But I digress…  The other day as I was silently lamenting the fates and the lack of digits in my checking account, I got this idea.  It’s not exactly the most original or spectacular idea I’ve ever had, but it leads up to something big, I promise.  The idea was that I could try to feed my family of 7 on less than $50 a week.  I drug the laptop to the kitchen counter, opened up all the cupboards and pantry, took stock in the freezers, and went to work creating a masterpiece of a menu.  Not only was I determined to use what I had on hand, I also tried to plan for leftovers that could be used in other ways the next day.  In the end it was a thing of beauty.  An entire month of meals that I am certain I can pull off with little to no fuss and little to no dough. (And I’m not talking bread dough here.)

So I’m standing in line at the checkout, totally proud and kind of surprised to learn that it is truly possible for me to enter a grocery store with a list in my hand and exit the grocery store with ONLY the items on that list.  When the cute little checker hit the total button and I paid my $41.86, I tried not to grin in a strange, this-lady-is-freaking-me-out kind of way.  Under budget!?!  Two miracles in one grocery store?  I was on a roll.  Just then I took a look at the gas gauge in my not-exactly-fuel-friendly SUV.  Time for a fill-up, then time to head for home.

Okay, so THIS is where my brilliant idea/strange random memory generator kicks in to play.  (Finally, right?)  I remembered that a year or so ago I read an article on Yahoo about a single New Yorker who vowed to go a week without spending a dime.  Why I read that article at that time I do not know.  Usually when Yahoo publishes money-saving tips it’s something earth-shatteringly disappointing like “Don’t fly first class.”  Ummm, how that is helpful here in the real world I will never know.  Anyway, I decided then and there that I was going to be just like that New Yorker.  (NO, not single and living in a big city!)  I would challenge myself to go one week without spending any money.  After all, I have a full tank of gas and a week’s worth of groceries – what more could I need?  I can do this!!

So that was on Saturday.  Just got to make it until next Saturday and I’ll survive.  No problem.  I’ve got this.

But then last night my friend sent a text inviting me and the kids bowling today.  She has free tickets.  It’s a school holiday.  If I don’t take her up on the offer the kids and I would be stuck home alone together with nothing to do and no where to go.  But, on the other hand, if I do go there is 30 extra miles sucked out of my gas supply.  The bowling alley has an arcade and a pizza joint attached and I know the kinds of plea bargains and let’s-make-a-deal shenanigans that begin the moment my kids encounter a place like that.  It’s just not worth it.  I don’t think I’d better tempt fate.  I graciously decline her offer.

And then this morning I was just checking out my Facebook News Feed when all of a sudden I see that DynoMart has an amazing sale on cleats.  My twin boys are going to need new football cleats next summer and they do not come cheap.  Especially when there are four feet that are screaming for cleats.  $10 for a pair plus free shipping.  The angels were singing about such a divine deal.  My mouse automatically hovered over the picture of the sparkling new shoes.  But then, NO!  This is only day two of my personal challenge.  I will not cave!  I will not give in!

So that is why I am posting this whole rigamarole today.  I need to be held accountable.  I want people to know that this is my goal because then if I don’t make it, someone besides myself will be aware of my epic failure.  Sure, if I end up spending money this week, nothing bad is going to happen.  There is nothing vital riding on the strength of my willpower in this matter.  But, you know what?  I really WANT to do this!  I want to prove it to myself that I am NOT addicted to spending money.  (And I’m not talking about flying first class.)

Fiery Darts

18 Aug 2009 1 Comment

by postcardsfrommosquitoville in Oh, SNAP! Tags: , , , ,

arrowfire

So, I’ve got this blog, right?

I look at it. I change it. I play with it. I think about it.  But I just keep skirting the issue at hand:  I’ve got to actually POST on it.

It’s a whole lotta pressure.  The first post.  It’s gotta be good.  Really good.  I can’t just write about my last day of summer vacation or the fact that I folded ten loads of laundry on Friday.  It must be an inspired post that will live on in the echoing annals of my own personal history.

I was waiting around for something funny or positive or inspiring or upbeat to happen.  Maybe one of the kids would do something hilarious, or I’d see something incredible as I drove to the grocery store.  But then, yesterday I went to church.  I was just sitting in Sunday School, minding my own business when a bolt of lightning struck me where I sat.  I’m sorry to say it’s not funny or upbeat or quirky.  But, it happened nonetheless and I am going to write about it.

The lesson was about eternal marriage and how we believe it is necessary for our progression in the next stage of life.  Okay, that’s fine.  I’ve seen the light and I am grateful for my eternal marriage to a wonderfully imperfect and devilishly handsome man.  I know that it is something to work hard toward because we didn’t start out our married life by going to the temple; that came a little later.  And so I feel abundantly grateful for the blessings that have come into my life because of the temple.

Then came the problem.  In a calm discussion about choosing your mate wisely, Brother So and So made this actual statement:  “You can ask any counselor or therapist and they’ll tell you that if you want to avoid problems in your marriage, never marry anyone from another religion, race, or nationality.”

What in the world? Did he really just say that?  Oh yes, he did just say that.  But then it got even worse when he said, “I’ve been married to a white, Caucasian, Utah girl for the past 35 years and we’ve had our share of problems.  I can’t imagine if I had chosen someone different than me.”

ZAP!

(That was the jolt of anger that sizzled through my entire being.)

Now I was just plain mad.  I don’t have the foggiest idea what he said for those last ten minutes of class because I was lost in my own internal struggle.  I was locked in a tug-of-war with myself.  One part of me wanted to spring from my seat and huff out the door, never to return.  Another part of me was choking on a witty retort that would really put that guy in his place.  That wasn’t Gospel doctrine!  He’s preaching his own agenda now and I am so opposed to that.  The last part of me, the part that won out, just wanted to sit and cry but knew that I had Young Women’s next and it just wouldn’t do to go in with swollen eyes and runny mascara.

Why did those tiny statements offend me so badly?  Well, all I could think about were my two gorgeous brown-skinned boys sitting down the hall in their Primary class, arms folded reverently, listening to their teacher teach them about how much Heavenly Father loves all His children.  (Yes, I did say ALL of them.)  I have worked so hard over the past seven years since those Samoan babies came into our family to teach all my children to be colorblind.  I rejoice every time I see or hear one of them trying to describe someone they met or saw and they say, “that boy in the green shirt” instead of “that black kid.”  I have taught my children that people should be loved and treated with respect because they are people.  Not because they are a certain color or race or religion.  How could this old geezer be saying that none of the daughters of the white folk assembled before him should lower themselves enough to marry one of my brown sons?

Then I thought about my own in-laws.  Long ago Mark’s dad had married an 18-year-old girl straight off the plane from Scotland – accent and all.  And, quite honestly the fact that she says “garige” rather than “garage” has probably been the least of their troubles over the past forty-something years.  Could this man seriously believe that the likes of my children’s grandparents should never have hooked up?

These are the kinds of off-handed, thoughtless comments that do the most damage.  I could just imagine someone new to the church who heard this drivel spew forth from the mouth of an imperfect man and become so offended that they never return.  Then they hate all Mormons and tell everyone who will listen what a backwards, pious group we are.  It’s such awful PR!

I tossed and turned before falling asleep last night, trying to come to terms with what to do with this hurt I’m feeling.  I came to a couple of conclusions.  Number one:  This guy is NOT from my generation.  He grew up during the time of segregation and this kind of thinking is probably ingrained in his DNA or something.  People younger than he is are not so disgustingly prejudiced, right?  (Well, other than the skinheads and white supremacists, of course.  But I’m talking about regular people.)  So because of this genetic flaw, I should just forgive him and forget that he ever made such a ridiculous statement.  Number two:  I cannot relax when it comes to teaching my own kids about tolerance.  But, along with that, maybe it’s time I start teaching those sweet babies how to deal with the injustices they will undoubtedly face in their lives.  That idea just breaks my heart.  I dream of a colorblind world.  It exists within the walls of my own home, and in our circle of friends and family, but I can’t keep them safely snuggled away forever as much as I wish I could.

So there you have it; my little moment in time that will change us all a little bit.  Maybe it’s time to toughen up.  Maybe it’s possible for me to pour in enough love and mommy magic that those fiery darts of intolerance won’t hurt, or, even better yet, will just bounce right off without leaving a sting.

Maybe it’s possible.

Maybe…

Maybe my next post can be quirky.

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