What do you see...?

   Several weeks ago when we thought Spring might be around the corner...I took a drive through the beautiful and nationally recognized cemetery and arboretum, Spring Grove. It was quite a beautiful morning with azure blue skies and wispy clouds. Depending on the amount of time I have to wander about, these little drives may be as short as 15 minutes, or as long as an hour. This is most often determined by my mood and nothing else. Feeling a bit more adventurous, the drive may be especially slow. Stopping the car for a better look, or taking a picture is never out of the question. This Cemetery predates the Civil War, and is an amazing world full of information and mystery. 
  Driving through the park, there was a tree. An amazing tree. It reminded me of the tree in the movie Avatar. You know, the one with all the wispy things all around it. Being in a cemetery, it also prompted me to think of the Tree of Life. There were 2 trees placed in the Garden of Eden. One was the Tree of Good and Evil, the other was the Tree of Life.

Genesis 2:9 - And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

As we know, Eve was tempted by Satan and partook of the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil. Because of this, Adam also partook and was cast out of the garden with Eve.  

Genesis 3:24 - So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden, Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

  I didn't see any flaming swords there...but the beauty was palatable. 
  Color, texture, contrast and composition have always been a staple in my life. Not only were my parents artists and painters, they were teachers. As a family, we often drove to the Toledo Museum of Art for a Sunday afternoon stroll through the galleries there. There was no surprise when I decided to attend college and receive a Bachelors of Art...in Art.  
  Although the shifting colors of the leaves from summer to autumn is beautiful, my true love is Winter changing to Spring. There are no words to describe the anticipation and hint of the wonder to come...when the least...tiny...bit...of color starts to break through the black wiry branches of dead winter trees. The lightest of pinks turning to purple as the tree breaks forth in full bloom. The regal white blossoms of blooming trees along highways and city streets. Even turning a corner of a small cemetery path, only to find the magnificence of The Tree of Life in all it's glory....sans the flaming sword. 
  So, dear friends...this begs the question...this spring as you look out at the changing landscapes...what do you see?
  

Failures of my life....

     It was just one of those normal days. Rummaging through my dresser drawers for a work-out shirt. Not just any work-out shirt, what used to be my very favorite work-out shirt was forefront on my mind. In the bottom of the last drawer I did not find the shirt I was searching, but did see a glimpse of an old t-shirt. This t-shirt was from one of my past businesses. 
   One of my favorite things to do is to watch way too much tv. I am addicted to the contest variety. It could be cooking (Iron Chef), baking (Cupcake Wars), clothing design (Project Runway), even Tattoo artists (Ink Master!). The spur-of-the-moment design and creative thought process is exciting to me. Contestants from different backgrounds and experiences bring another level of intrigue to the concept and engage me as a viewer. 
  This afternoon as I munched on a late lunch, Project Runway's latest episode graced my tv. I record the series so it can be enjoyed at any time throughout my day. This particular show was near the end of the season. The contestants were being culled from 4 to a mere 3 for the final runway show. As the judges for this chapter of the competition called the final 3 names, one last contestant was left standing. The final 4 men (they all happened to be men this season), had developed such a strong bond that they were all emotional with the impending departure of their fellow designer. The style of the show always allows for a 'final interview' or 'final thoughts' of the person who is not moving on to the next round of competition. In this interview, the designer was humble for his time at the show, grateful for the critiques he had gotten from the judges, encouraging to the remaining contestants to do their very best. He talked about how this was not a loss. The time spent was encouraging him to do more, to do better and to continue to grow as a designer. He was kind and gracious. 
   Last year my husband and I started the process of closing down our photography business. I say started, because although we were no longer taking on new clients and sessions, we still had contracted events and weddings to photograph. Cherryblossom Design had been our family business for 8 years. When the offer came for my husband to work for a photography studio as the Studio Manager, we took time to really consider if this was the best choice for our family. It didn't take long for us to understand that this opportunity was put in front of us for a reason, and that we should leave our business and move forward. It was also very difficult for us to not feel like we had failed. That's what it means, right? Close your business. Failed at business. It is the same. 
   The t-shirts. There they were. I had 2 custom frame stores, one in Lima and one in Dayton. Both closed. Now CBD was closed too. How do I rectify having these businesses but not being able to keep them open? how am I not a failure? 
   Funny thing. I don't feel like a failure. I tried. I tried very very hard to make my stores successful. I worked up to the day I gave birth to Sam. I went back to work the week after I gave birth to Madeline. I went to framing conventions, I read magazines, I practiced. We moved from Lima to Dayton because there just wasn't enough business to continue. Then, we left Dayton when we had an offer to work at a big box framer that was moving to Cincinnati. Nope, I couldn't keep a storefront open. But I tried... How many people do you know that wanted to open a business, but never tried. Never tried. I did. I did it and failed. But I did it. 
   My husband and I talked a long long time before starting our own photography business. We tried to think of every kind of scenario that we might encounter. Gosh, we had a good run. One year we even had 42 weddings. Forty-two! Why didn't it work? Well...there you are wrong. It did work. We worked together. Together we had some very long days and nights. Early morning phone calls, rain delays, sick brides. Even death. We lost a parent one very very long weekend. There was a full-day coverage wedding, couple hours sleep, long drive to the funeral where I spoke the eulogy. Yea. We gave it everything we had and more. Failure? nope. How can you look at years of success, happy clients, beautiful work- probably the most creative work you have ever done...and say it was a failure. Success comes in many forms. Sometimes the time frame is just a bit shorter than you think it will be. 

How the Cub Scouts are changing my life....

    It isn't really a secret. The people who know me best, my family for example. Or, rather, my daughters in particular, know this. I can be a Nervous Nelly. I can be a Very Nervous Nelly around children. Not exactly all children, but loud, active, miss behaving, bad mannered, obnoxious children. Just those. I like well behaved children. You know, the ones you don't constantly need to watch and worry over. It also is not a secret that I do not (unless I am required too) ever (ever ever ever) go to events where there are likely to be unrestrained and unwatched and unmonitored children. Yep, I do not go to church Christmas parties or Hallowe'en Parties. I have been seen at an occasional Labor Day church picnic, but that is only because there is unlimited area for me to escape into.  
   Can you even imagine my surprise when I was asked to be the Assistant Pack Leader for our church Cub Scout troop? Hmmm. There was a moment when I looked to the sky, pointed a finger and said,"this is a joke, right? You are just being funny." Nope, no such luck. Rarely do I turn down a Calling for my church. Usually if I am asked to teach classes or head up a department of some kind, I am all on board. Even if it is a challenge and completely foreign to me, it will be accepted. I try my best, and learn so much more than I would have thought possible. Thus, I knew when I was asked, that this was not a joke. It was time for me to s-t-r-e-t-c-h my faith, my confidence, my knowledge, my friendships. Yuck. I'd love to say I just jumped right at the chance, but I didn't. There was no whining, or bad mouthing the opportunity...there was just no enthusiasm. No drive, no interest. And I was nervous. Very very nervous. 
  Blessings come in many ways. For this new Cub Scout opportunity (yes, let's call it that- an opportunity)...there were blessings in the form of incredibly talented, loving, sensible leaders. Our Den Leaders are amazing and truly gifts from God. Their knowledge is tantamount to our Pack being successful. I had not been a part of Cubs for many years. Their information and enthusiasm was a major part of the life line I felt that kept me afloat those first months. Not long before I was called, there was a new (brand new, never been a part of the Cub Scout program at-all. Ever. Never ever) Pack leader. She is truly the driving force that helps all the ends come together in a cohesive way. She is my rock for sure.
   The beginning of this year, we organized and planned our first Pinewood Derby and our first ever Blue and Gold Banquet. Did everything go perfectly? nope, not in the least. But did everyone have fun. Yes, yes they did. More importantly, the boys had fun. Even better, they were proud to be Cub Scouts. 
   There is no guarantee that my Pack Leader or any of our Den Leaders or even I, will be in these positions next year. Any of us could be asked to do some other church assignment. What I do know is that I was put here to stretch and grow and to get over myself a little bit. The boys are amazing. They want to come to Cubs. They want to wear their shirts. They want to earn their belt loops. They want to carry the flag every week. I love hearing them say the Pledge of Allegiance every Tuesday night. They show me they are ready to move forward with their knowledge and skills. I guess I need to remember that too. 
   Funny thing...not long after I started with Cubs, my husband and I were called to teach the 6 Year Old Primary (Sunday School) class. There are 2 students. Both are boys. Yep, I'm learning all right....funny. Really funny.... 

Oh my Goodness...who has the FLU?

Nope, contrary to the picture, not me. For once in my adult life!

It's crazy this year, isn't it? All the scary information about how many flu strains? Did you know that the flu germies stay on a surface for 24 hours?! Yikes! I swear, the older I get, the more of a germaphobe I am! (and yes, I did look up that spelling...and there are 2! like this isn't confusing enough!).

Yep, every single year, it (IT) would hit my household, and honestly, it may still get us. However, as of this moment, we have escaped any sign. Every year someone would catch 'it'...and the love would spread to the rest of the family. There were years where this was most spectacular. (We can be overachievers at times). Oh my...come close...but not too close...and I will tell you a story...

Early January there is a huge 2 day bridal show in Cincinnati. By most counts, there are hundreds of brides that attend. They do not attend alone...really, what bride would? no. They come with girlfriends, mom's, sometimes dad's and fiance's. The fact there is usually a Boat Show also going on at the same convention center at the same time...might have something to do with this...but I regress. There we are, in close proximity trying our best to deliver our message of hope and photography, speaking over the DJ's and other conversations around us. Get the picture? Well, one year my husband and both got it...on the 1^st day. I don't even remember coming home that night, but I am most certain that I just crawled into my bed and pretty much passed out. Ever been there? Yep, that was day 1. Then there was day 2. He would glance at me, give the nod that meant 'I'll be right back'. Or I would stand behind him and whisper, 'I gotta go!' Yes, This was the day that my dear husband and I took turns running (walking really really fast) out of the hall so we could be sick, alone and unencumbered into any dumpster that would be closest to the doors. Somehow we made it through the event, packed up our huge display, loaded the car and made it home. But. What did we find as we shuffled into the house that night? All 3 children were sprawled on the couches. Each were holding a variety of bowl or bucket of their choice. The Christmas tree was knocked over and on the floor in the middle of the living room. Towels not-so-carefully lined the carpet from the couches to the bathroom. We took one glance at the kids and went to bed.

This was years ago when there was just 'the flu' season and not 'THE FLU that could kill you' season. Now we look back at the ridiculousness of that weekend and chuckle. I do have to say though, that as we returned to the same wedding show this year, I was a bit nervous. It was projected to have over 700 brides and guests. I'm happy to report, we got through it...lots and lots of Thieves Hand Sanitizer! But we did it. So...to all my dear friends and loved ones...be careful!

And as Mama would say 'Hey! Did you Wash Your Hands?'

Till' next time!***