Just Write: Words

Linking up a day late with Heather of the EO.

"Mommy! Remember that day you colored with me? It was so fun!"

And those are the words that make a mother cringe with guilt. "That day?" Coloring with Lily has been so infrequent that she remembers it as a special day. I'm failing.

I do some things right. My kids are fed and clothed and clean and they get to their practices and activities on time. I say I love you when they go to school and when they go to bed.

But there is a lot to be desired about the rest of the time. Too many distractions that I've let in and let take over. Behavior is showing the effects of not enough attention. Patience runs short because I don't spend enough meaningful time with them and so my level of tolerance runs low.

Words aren't enough to let them know how they are loved. Time to live so that there is no question or doubt in their minds. I can do better.

Uppercase Living *Giveaway* **Winner**

And we have a winner! Bobbi Janay--please send me your address and phone number and I'll pass it on to Anne and y'all can work out the details. Hooray!!

Also, Anne is running a promotion and I wanted to share it with you.

 I am having a Mystery Hostess Month!!

Want one more chance to win some FREE Uppercase Living Products? Anyone who places an order and associates it to my "April Mystery Hostess Party" will be entered to win all the hostess benefits! Any size orde r will qualify. If you refer a friend and he/she places an order, then your name will get an extra entry. (She will need to email me to say she was referred by you.)

Besides the catalog expressions and designs we even have embellishments that start at $1 and our custom lettering starts at $1 per inch, per letter and goes up a nickel every 1/2 inch. Designing is fun because we have over 50 colors and 50 fonts!

I will end the contest on April 25th to give the winner time to shop with all the hostess freebies! www.uplift-and-inspire.com

Happy Monday! Let's start this week off with a giveaway! Y'all know I rarely do these things, largely because the companies/products that I love have yet to give me things to giveaway. I turn down most offers I get because they are for things that I don't use, and why would I recommend them to you if I don't use them?

Today's giveaway is for a $25 credit to Uppercase Living. My dear friend Anne started her business a couple of years ago, in an effort to contribute to the family finances and satisfy her need to have her own meaningful project that was not all about her family. She has seen it grow by leaps and bounds and is trying to reach a new goal so she can achieve a new level of success.

Uppercase Living is a company that sells custom vinyl expressions and jewelry through their Blume line.  I'm sure you've seen vinyl expressions at craft stores and Target and such. Uppercase Living offers a superior product, with infinite customization options.

The end of the school year is coming up and we will all be buying gifts for teachers. Why not give a personalized gift, something your child's teacher can use in the classroom? Or if your daughter is graduating to a big girl bed and room design, choose some expressions that will give her room that unique look you're looking for. The beauty of Uppercase Living is that if you can think of it, you can have it.

Uppercase Living has also expanded into jewelry. Each piece they sell is unique. Some pieces have customization options. I love the silver Hammered Hoops earrings Anne sent me for review. They are so delicate and simple--perfect for wearing with a statement necklace, when you want earrings that don't compete with the necklace but can hold up to the whole look.

Anne will work with you over the phone to help you design and create the perfect expression for your project. If you're local, she'll come out and help you install it for a small fee. We've ordered a couple of expressions and Anne has answered every question we've had. I would show you pictures, but we're not done with installation (we like to take our time).

Anne has generously offered a $25 credit to one lucky reader. For one entry, please visit her website and come back and tell us what expression you would choose and what it is for. For a second entry, tweet, facebook, or share on your blog and come back and tell me you did it. Just two entries per reader, please. Have fun shopping!

Giveaway ends at midnight April 22, winner announced Monday, April 23.

Disclosure: I was given product for review. All opinions are my own.

Just Write: Expectations

Crazy Mother Nature had me too distracted to write yesterday (I live in North Texas; we were spared the tornadoes, thankfully, but spent some quality time in the closet), so I'm joining Heather a day late and just writing.




I went for a run yesterday. It had been two weeks since my last real run. I tried to run after kickboxing last week and it did not go well. I could barely finish a lap on my normal loop. It was so frustrating and defeating. I had no good reason for taking a week off from exercise and it showed up when I tried to resume my normal activities.

So when I laced up my sneakers and got outside, I started with no expectations. I would take what my body gave me, even if it meant walking more than running. I would just be grateful for the opportunity to be out there.

What my body gave me was everything and then some. I pounded out three miles feeling good and strong and powerful, only walking about three of the 35 minutes. I felt so good I went for another mile. Four miles, after no real run in two weeks!

I felt so good. I remembered why I run. I didn't get that elusive runner's high people talk about, but I came darn close. I had my music on shuffle and mostly left it alone, only skipping a couple of slow songs. I prayed for friends who needed it. I thought about things I want to write.

I gave myself permission to struggle, to slow down if needed, to just accept what was.

(smooth segue here)

I pretty much failed at Lent this year. I forgot and broke the Friday fast more than once. I reduced my online time during the day somewhat, but I didn't replace it with anything more intentional. I feel like our days were no different than any regular days. We didn't do the family Rosary I said we would. We didn't go to Stations.

I've been beating myself up about this, internally. Comparing myself to others, comparing myself to myself and past, more successful observances. And while Lent is supposed to be a time of reflection and sacrifice, I'm pretty sure Christ didn't die so that I could wallow in my failures.

He gives me permission to struggle, to slow down, to accept what is.