January | 2013 | Lamppostings

January 28, 2013
by Melissa Leave a comment

January Challenge – No Eating Out

This year, instead of making a bunch of resolutions (I have a few, but they are simple), I decided to take on a different challenge each month. Some are just me and some will involve my family. For January we decided to tackle not eating out at all.

We don’t eat out a lot, but it’s definitely an option when things get hectic and we pretty much always eat out for lunch on Sundays after church. It hasn’t been an overwhelming challenge, but the Sunday lunch thing has taken some planning and is more effort for me.

I wanted to do this for a month to save some money, to make sure that we could do it and just to challenge ourselves.

This is NOT why we decided to not eat out for a month.

January Challenge = almost done!

February will be the no groceries challenge. I will allow myself $20 per week to buy produce and dairy if necessary. Again, this is a challenge to save money. I also like to clear out the freezer and pantry. I did this in 2011 as well and enjoyed it. Had to get creative sometimes, but it was good. I was joking with Colin that if we run out of food, we can just eat out!

I have challenges planned for most months, but I’ve left a couple open in case I get inspired. Every month will have a challenge though. I like the idea of being able to take on a challenge – focus on it, do it and be done with it. It’s challenging, but doable.

Looking forward to what this year brings.

How Many Fingers Today?

I love it when my boys want to hold my hand while we are walking. Sometimes they just run up to me and grab my hand, other times I have to tell them that they must as we cross a road or walk over an icy patch.

I got to thinking about it a lot this past Summer when we were hiking The Butte (that’s butte, not butt, people!) once a week as a family (until it got too hot for me). It’s a pretty major walk, a mile up and a mile down. The boys amazed me that at 5 and 3 years old, they did this 500 foot ascent without complaining (mostly). We played games along the way and always looked for familiar landmarks. I would walk with one of them and my husband would walk with the other. There was lots of hand-holding both on the way up and the way down. This was for safety and to keep them on track as they were often distracted along the way – many times by dirt! There may have occasionally been a bit of dragging on the steeper parts (better workout for Mom and Dad!)

Heading Down

We learned that Jude loves sticks and that Zane loves stones and I’m thinking that the rock band that they start when they are 17 and 15 should be called Sticks and Stones.

Grabbing a thumb for good measure.

Anyway, when I would walk with Jude, the five-year old, he would hold my whole hand. When I would walk with Zane, the three-year old, he would only hold my index finger. It was easier for his little hand to grasp one finger and hold on tight. I thought about the difference that two years can make. Now whenever Zane holds my “hand” I try to cherish it as I know that the times and these boys they are a changin’. Zane now alternates between clutching one and two fingers.

Sometimes, all I can do is hold onto one of God’s fingers – I can’t get my hand around His whole hand, so I grasp a finger and hold tight. It’s enough for today – it helps keep me safe and keeps me moving when I get distracted by “stuff”. On other days I can hold three fingers or maybe even His whole hand, that’s good too. On special occasions, I find that I can intertwine my fingers with His and that is amazing. Whether it’s a one finger day or a whole hand day, I’m just thankful that He walks with His hand held out to the side so I can grab it when I need it.

January 11, 2013
by Melissa 1 Comment

Fashion on Friday – January 11, 2013

I’d just like to reiterate how much I love fashion and clothes. They are not the most deep and meaningful things, but they are fun, they are a great way to express yourself if you are so inclined, and they can have a deep impact on people. I love seeing all the different ways that people clothe their bodies. The world would be pretty boring if we all wore uniforms all the time. People are fascinating and one of the first things we observe about each other is our clothes. If you love something and it makes you happy, wear it! (Within some socially acceptable guidelines please!)

So here’s a couple of outfits I wore this week…

Peplum!

Say hello to Zane! He like to join me when I take pictures. I love this peplum top – I got it from ASOS along with the belt. I wore it with a knit skirt so it actually looks a lot like a dress. I don’t wear belts much, I like them, but I’m still working on getting comfortable with them. Love these shoes – I’ve had them for a couple of years and they are super comfortable – enough to walk quite a bit in. Not slipper-comfortable, because nothing really equals slipper-comfortable.

Now this necklace. Super cool. I got it through Glint and Gleam on the recommendation of Coffee and a Cardigan. Great online shop. Someone saw me wearing it and wasn’t too sure what it was meant to be. Is it a necklace or a collar? Yes!

Outfit details: Top: Asos, Skirt: Target, Tights: Forever 21, Shoes: Forever 21, Necklace: Glint and Gleam, Earrings: ?

Serious

I wish I was as photogenic as this kid! Be still my heart.

And just to show you what the weather is like in our neck of the woods (Central Oregon)…

This is a tub of chalk that was outside, filled with snow, the snow melted, it got cold again and now it’s frozen chalk. Brrrr.

Another outfit…

I love this shirt. Makes me all kinds of happy. I ordered it online from Torrid, not realising until it arrived and I put it on, that it has pockets! A top with pockets? Yes, please.

Let’s talk about ankle boots. I wasn’t too sure about ankle boots at first – I thought maybe they made my legs look funny, but now I don’t really care if they do. Fun and comfortable! And I love a good buckle.

Outfit details: Top: Torrid, Skirt: Ross, Tights: We Love Colors, Boots: Ross, Earrings: Forever 21, Ring: ?

Finally, it’s not much of an outfit post, but here are a couple of accessory details…

I have a big collection of pins and brooches – some are just pretty or interesting and some have stories or memories attached. I’m not sure where the crest pin came from, but I love it. The reading pin is from a club of some sort and it’s always good to encourage people to read more! The trolley pin, I’m not sure where I got it from, but I know I have had it for years. I have memories of playing with it when I was about 9 years old and it has travelled with me throughout the years. Love it.

These shoes have seen me through many years. I found them Ross so long ago, they are Doc Martens. Hey, there’s another buckle! These shoes are comfy, comfy, comfy. When I lived in London, I had a pair of Doc Marten boots. I mean, really, I was a young adult living and working and going to school in London, something would have been wrong if I didn’t have a pair of Docs. Mine were the classic black boots and they were wonderful. It takes about a week or so of good pedestrian wear and tear, a couple of blisters and then they are amazing. I have it on my wish list to get another pair, there are so many amazing styles and colours now, but my heart really yearns for another pair of classic blacks.

So that’s the style round-up for this week. Hope you are wearing clothes that you love and that make you feel fabulous, or adventurous or full of joy. And on days when it’s very cold, sometimes it’s okay to sacrifice style on the altar of comfort, but if you can swing comfort and style – swing away!

January 8, 2013
by Melissa 1 Comment

Hello 2013

So it’s always a little awkward when you haven’t posted to your blog for a while, but when it’s been 8 months? Well, let’s just say it might take some time for me to get back into things and for you to get used to seeing me around again!

2012 was an interesting year, a strange year, a good year. I struggled with things, with myself and in the end, I think I’ve come to accept myself more than I ever have. It’s strange how accepting who and what you are can open you up for lots of good things – change, peace, love, hope.

A couple of new things happened last year as well.

My oldest son started school! It was a pretty big deal for us. He wasn’t preschooled, so this felt like a really big deal. He loves school as I suspected he would. It’s been fun for me to get involved at the school in his class and in PTA. PTA? What? Honestly, sometimes I look at my life and I have to shake my head. A mortgage, 2 kids, pets, a minivan and now I’m in the PTA? That’s just crazy talk. Life isn’t exactly the way I pictured it, but it sure is grand.

First Day of School!

I also am now gainfully employed. I’m working for my church as the Children’s Ministry Director. I love it! Lots of work and it definitely has its challenges, but I get to work some great people and the kids are amazing.

So what does 2013 hold? I still want many of the things that I wanted in 2012, I even managed to make progress on some of them last year. Simplify, be present, enjoy, create, improve.

As far as the blog goes, you can expect to see what I’m crafting and creating, some of what I’m wearing and thoughts on life.

I’m also tackling a challenge of some sort every month. For January, our family is not eating out at all. It takes a bit of forethought, but it’s good.

So, I’m back. Looking forward to the creative challenge of blogging again. Thanks for stopping by!

Me and my boys enjoying the snow!

Lamppostings

Finding and creating adventures in everyday life.

Monthly Archives: January 2013

January Challenge – No Eating Out

How Many Fingers Today?

Fashion on Friday – January 11, 2013

Hello 2013