Prayer, Planning, and Poo

This has been a gorgeous day. It has been worship filled day. It has been filled with laughter.

And today was a poopie day.

First, let's stroll around the Bailey Plantation. This is my home for 10 days while I watch over the estate and the youngest resident.

Here's a glimpse of the peaceful beauty that surrounds me.

The view from the expansive, back deck.

Part of the front drive.

The youngest resident, Belle. She isn't very good at hiding from the squirrels.

The charming potting shed.

The day began at church. It was a lovely time of worship and learning. We studied John 12: 20-26, and learned that dying to self means letting go of ego. We can leave a lasting legacy in God, if we die to self.

Then it was on to a meeting with the women's ministry leadership to plan for a year of activities. I am the new publicity coordinator, so this was my first time to meet with the group. We ate boxed lunches before getting down to business. 

My friend Janet arrived a little after the others, and she brought her four month old. When I finished eating I took the baby. This allowed me some baby time and allowed Janet to eat. We all learned how vocal B. was, as he sat in my lap. As Janet says, "He's quite chatty."

Sweet B. just awake from a nap, and sporting a pretty decent comb-over.

The meeting was in full swing as I continued to hold B. in my lap and take notes. Out of nowhere we heard what sounded like a congested elephant sneezing its trunk off. It was loud, and everyone stopped and stared for a moment.

We all knew what had happened, but I actually felt it. The force that came out of that child caused him to bounce on my lap like the lid on a boiling pan of water. I could feel his diaper flapping against my leg.

I looked at Janet and said, "He just had a blow out." Janet just nodded calmly and replied, "He's really good at that." 

I turned from the conference table so Janet could take B. for a change, but Janet wasn't reaching for her baby. She was reaching for the wipes. She started snickering and said, "Oh Tauna! It's on you. It's on you! I'm so sorry." I looked down to see the grey poupon on my pants. (I'm so glad I wore jeans to church today!) 

And that's when I lost it. 

I started laughing. Janet started laughing. I held the baby out in front of me as Janet cleaned off my jeans. After a valiant effort at cleaning me up, Janet took B. and laid him on the floor to change his diaper. That's when I looked down and saw the "spicy mustard" on the carpet between my feet. B. had been dripping the whole time. I snorkled and whispered, "It's on the carpet." That put Janet over the edge. 

I slid out of my seat onto my hands and knees beside Janet. As she cleaned the baby. I cleaned the carpet, and we laughed hysterically. We now had our heads below the table level and were fighting for every breath as we laughed. We were crying, sniffling, and gasping, all while the grownups continued the meeting above us. Janet whispered, "I feel like a 12 year old who is laughing under the table." I could only nod, as I wiped my eyes. (Did I mention this was my first meeting with this group?)

It took a few moments to regain my composure and take my seat again. I picked up my pen to write something on my calendar and noticed I had wiped a yellowish smear across the page. I turned my hand over to see more poo. I ducked my head toward Janet and said, "It's on my hand, too." Suddenly a hand was thrust from below the table holding a baby wipe high in the air, and the giggles started again. 

I'm not sure about the impression I made on the ladies and one gentleman, but I know I left an imprint. They may be calling for a backup in the publicity department. Oh well. At least they know I don't frazzle easily.

I hope your Sunday has been as peaceful, joyful, and worshipful as mine.

tauna

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Summer Iced Tea Party

My niece Caitie is part of a trio of best friends that have been together since baby-doll age. These three young women are extraordinary examples of fun-loving, Jesus girls. 

After spending over a decade together, they will be separating next month. Two will go to different universities, and one will join the military before heading to college. 

Caitie asked if we could have a tea party before everyone leaves. Of course it had to be an iced tea party, because who drinks hot tea in the summer in the South?

Our menu included sweet tea- regular and raspberry, zucchini and goat cheese tarts, and sugar cookies. We also served flower shaped cucumber and pink, cream cheese sandwiches, and mini, bite-sized apple & peach pies. 

DECORATING TIP: Add fresh flowers to a tea pot then stack on a plate and candle holder for a darling centerpiece. 

Mini pies stacked on plates and tea cups.

PARTY TIP: Print guest's initials on clear stickers and use as drink markers. You can also use a flower vase as a decanter, and don't forget adorable, paper straws.

Christmas ornaments were used to dress up a blah light fixture.

PARTY DECORATING TIP: Use four dollar store doilies and scrapbook paper to make medallions. I hung three in the kitchen for a festive look. Double the doilies if they are too thin.

DECORATING TIP: Dip dollar store silk flowers in water with food coloring. This will tone down the brightness of the flower. They still looked inexpensive, but these flowers were plopped in a tea pot behind a glass door as background dressing.

We had a "Miss Tea Party" pageant. Everyone was a contestant and had to answer a ridiculous interview question as if it were a real situation. 

PARTY TIP: Make pageant sashes by printing titles on clear, full-sheet stickers and adorn them with stick-on pearls and rhinestones. One page of jeweled accents decorated all six sashes and cost $1.00 at Michaels.

 PARTY TIP: Make a scepter out of a sturdy, cardboard tube from a large roll of aluminum foil. Glue finials to each end and spray paint the whole thing with silver, glitter spray. Once the scepter is dry, add a pink, acrylic drawer pull to finish the look.

I filled tiny jars with sugar scrub as a party favor for each guest. These adorable little jars were bought at a flea market for 25¢ each! 

(Sugar scrub recipe found HERE.)

PARTY TIP: Print monograms on clear stickers and put onto pails with matching tulle for party favor packaging. The pails held the homemade sugar scrub.

Of course we had to have chocolate. The bars were wrapped in paper that matched our color scheme.

We also gave each girl a wire-bound journal wrapped in tissue paper and tulle. 

PARTY TIP: Use a vintage quilt to cover a table for a gorgeous shabby chic accent. I covered the coffee table with this beautiful pink quilt.

Here are the gorgeous guests with their Miss Tea Party titles. Such fun!

While I'm not in the picture, I was voted "Miss Silly", but that's because we didn't have a "Miss Laugh So Hard You Pass Out" title.

We also had a "photo booth" set up in the bathroom. Sure it seemed like an odd choice, but the counter was perfect for holding all the props. The girls also liked having the large mirror to try out the props before they posed. The shower curtain was a perfectly plain backdrop for the photos. I'm pretty sure everyone had a good time.

It was a perfect Sunday afternoon.


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focused on Glory (Investing in Youth)

Last month I learned about a YMCA program that provides free bikes and helmets to youth. As it turns out, the program also welcomes adults.

WOO HOO!

The program takes place over three Saturday mornings. The first week we picked out our donated, refurbished bikes. We spent our time cleaning and making minor repairs to our bicycles. Any major repairs were completed by volunteers over the following week. Week two was for safety. We went over road rules and practiced riding through intersections.

I attended the class with my friend Brenda. She invited another friend named Tonya. We were the only three adults in the program without a child. The rest of the class was made up of a group of kids from Children's International. And may I tell you how much I enjoyed those kids! What a fun group with which to spend a few Saturdays.

Today was the last Saturday. We went for a short ride past the Clinton Presidential Library and onto the new pedestrian bridge. As we rode past the library we encountered a large art festival. High school art clubs from around the state were gathered, and they were drawing amazing, chalk images on the sidewalks. It was a visual delight.

We rode back to the warehouse and said our goodbyes. I am going to miss seeing "our" kids next Saturday. Then Brenda and I took our bikes to her house for storage. (I CANNOT believe I forgot to take a picture of my bicycle!) I got an amazing cruiser (circa early 80's) with a sweet wire basket on the front. It is chocolate brown, but I am going to paint it baby blue. I will post before and after photos.

Here are a few of the photos I snapped with my phone today. The old saying is that the best camera is the one you have with you, so I hope you don't mind the picture quality.

Everyone was given a helmet. All the helmets had a shape similar to what you see professional cyclists wear. All of the helmets but mine. None of the "tear drop" helmets would fit on my enormous melon, so I got stuck with the white combat variety. (I'm blaming the thick french braids I was rocking on helmet fitting day.) I looked like I was going to be shot out of a cannon.

I decided to embellish my helmet. I had plans for a more creative design, but being sick for the last two weeks left me with little motivation. The circles still look better than leaving it plain. Note the silver, glittered nickname added to the front. Fun, fun!

Brenda and me over the Arkansas river.

Our motley crew of bikers. I will miss those personalities.

Beautiful chalk art in progress.

Doesn't this make you smile?

I really liked this flaming bird.

This is Malcolm. He is one of the program volunteers. He makes sure the bikes are in good working order for each participant. He is such a delightful character. You will smile if you are in his presence.

I can't express how much fun it was to participate in this program. Not only did I get a free bike and helmet, but I got to spend time with amazing people. The Children's International sponsor said she was happy that we (the grown up girls) were in the class with her kids. She told me that she thought we were good influences and short-term mentors for the children. I was humbled by that remark. It was an honor to help with her group.

One last mention for the YMCA leaders who headed up the program. We were blessed to have God loving folks who were interested in investing in children of the metro community. They were the true role models. They showed God's love and generosity with such enthusiasm. The whole experience was a blessing.

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focused on Glory (in fellowship)

I had a great day hanging out with a sweet friend today. Carla asked me to help her get canvases ready for a women's event at church. It was a great day with a great gal. We laughed, acted silly, and shared stories. What a present it turned out to be.

Without knowing it, earlier in the week, Carla repeated the Bible study lesson I had just covered. That lesson and Carla reinforced a decision I'd been called to. God has further substantiated what he has asked of me. Don't you love hearing him speak? I do.

focused on Glory is a weekly post in conjunction with Ponderings of an Elect Exile. Make sure you stop by to hear about the great blessing Jennifer encountered.

Thank you for visiting creative confetti!  Please take a moment to "like" creative confetti (website) on Facebook and/or follow me on Twitter. And I'd love to hear from you via the comment section or the email option on my profile page!  

focused on Glory (little things)

Week 33

I know. It's another mushroom picture. It has only been a month since my last post (here) with a picture of a 'shroom. That post also had yummy recipes with it. 

Forgive the repetition, but they were so cute growing in the front yard. (I can almost hear gasps of loathing coming from snobby-yard people who wouldn't dream of allowing a mushroom to grow in their yard- much less this type of grass.) 

I should have gotten a shot of the sky. It was a gunmetal blue. Maybe it was the pre-storm sky or the lowered humidity that teased me outside to lie down in the front yard and look at this little fella.  What an interesting piece of craftsmanship. Who could have thought of that besides God? 

Be sure to stop by Jennifer's BLOG. She is amazing. I think you will agree.

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Light Bulbs & Leotards

This post comes as the result of a challenge. My friend Erica threw out a suggestion for this post that was quickly seconded by CBell. 

It began last night as we watched the Olympics closing ceremony. We watched together from our separate homes in four different towns in two different states. We came together on facebook as commentators presiding over the night's festivities. This is a common occurrence  much to the delight, or chagrin, of our fellow facebook friends who may or may not be watching the same live program. (I had another friend from a third state log on to tell me that she was on facebook for the sole purpose of seeing what I might say about the closing ceremony. My oh my, that's funny!)

As it were, I had decided to forgo the world-wide television extravaganza and had told CBell that they would have to fly without me. So I missed the first few acts by the time I caved in. 

The closing ceremony was every bit as odd as the opening ceremony, in which we had entirely too much fun critiquing the chosen fashions of each country. Remember England's gold lame armpits?

And Spain's McUniforms?

(We feel your pain Buddy.)

Last night's fashions did not disappoint either. We had a royal plethora of unique clothing options begging for analysis. (How did you like that bit of fancy writing. I managed an homage to English government as well as avoiding one of the "dead" words (i.e. lot, bunch).)

The theme for the evening seemed to be light bulbs. The crowd control volunteers had lighted bulbs atop bowler hats.

The Brazilian contingency had equally bizarre lighted head dressing.

And my favorite- Oompa Loompa Elvis in light bulbs. (I promise he looked 4'9" on TV.)

I searched for dozens of seconds looking for a picture of OLE. I finally settled for a screen grab of a video. It doesn't do justice to his lighted cape, mutton chops, and 70's shades.

And my true favorite- the Spice Girls cars! I'll tell you that I want, that I really, really want one. (Sorry! I couldn't help it!)

There were other, non-illuminated, questionable style statements as well. There were many forms of leotards and lingerie even, but don't look for those pictures here.

I'm just not sure that a fashion show cat-walk embodies the Olympic spirit. And I may or may not have secretly wished for a wipe out. 

Then there was this debatable decision.  Should he have gone with those pants? That belt buckle? The 70's biker 'stache? The decision to dance? 

(My apologies for leaving you with this image.)

The music portion was quite eclectic, and fun overall. I'm still scratching my head over a few acts, but I'm chalking that up to the cultural differences.

English style typically leaves me with raised eyebrows. After watching many interior design programs on BBCA, I just don't understand their fascination with 80's style. Not that I have anything against the English. They have a beautiful country. I just want to help them decorate it.

Thank you for visiting creative confetti!  Please take a moment to "like" creative confetti (website) on Facebook and/or follow me on Twitter. And I'd love to hear from you via the comment section or the email option on my profile page! 

Young and Wise

A short while ago I dedicated one of my focused on Glory installments on an amazing young woman named Melonie. I had the honor of getting to know Mel when I worked with the student ministry at my church in TN. She is now a sophomore in college, and the growth I've seen in her is a challenge to us all.


As I said in this post, Melonie participated in a mission trip to Kenya. Now she is recording her memories and encounters in a new blog entitled ONE.


I want to invite readers to stop by Melonie's new blog. I think you will be amazed and blessed by this young woman of God. 

ONE

(Melonie wanted to point out that she will not be a regular blogger due to her college schedule. I plan on adding her to my reading list so I can be alerted to when she is able to post new material.

focused on Glory (forever friendships)

I met Jennifer (the other half of focused on Glory) in 1988, and I know God smiled when he made that introduction. She was part of the singles Sunday School class at Woodland Heights Baptist Church. I remember noticing her because, as I recently told her kids, she was just so nice. There was something pleasant and refreshing about this girl, and I thought it would be fun getting know her.


One day this nice girl announced that she needed help teaching a children's class on Sunday nights. I jumped. I had been looking for an opportunity to get involved at my new church, and getting to know Jennifer was just frosting.


We had so much fun teaching Mission Friends. It was a blast coming up with creative ideas to go with the lessons. A sisterhood was born, and I knew Jef would share my heart for all time. There have been more tears, hugs, heartache, and giggles than can be counted over the last 24 years.


When I moved to NW Arkansas we kept in touch with cards (some actually mailed to each other), letters, a few phone calls (long distance was expensive), and the occasional visit. It wasn't long before Jennifer moved to less than and hour from me, and the heavens rejoiced.


Soon it was time to part again. I returned to college to finish a long awaited goal. After graduation I moved out of state for almost 12 years. Jennifer and I went about 7 years without seeing each other, but that didn't matter. 


Now I'm back in AR and get to see Jef and her ridiculously awesome family about twice a year. Can you feel the grin on my face as I type? It's there!


Jennifer has grow into a whole group of people to love. She married Billy (who is the bomb-diggity as far as husbands and fathers go), and they have four cool kiddos. It goes without saying that they are not a perfect family, but they are pretty great. Billy could teach young husbands about leading and caring for a family, and Jennifer is his compliment in every way. They work hard at equipping their children with knowledge and faith in God. And they are true examples of falling on their faith when it's too hard to stand. God's glory is most definitely in the testimony of this family.


Last Thursday we all met in Conway, and may I just say how cool it was to go back to where it all started. We ate lunch at the Cross Creek Sandwich Shop on Oak Street. It's attached to Jennifer's Antiques and one of my recent favorites. Since JBPBE&G hadn't been there before, it was perfect. The food there is so tasty! 


After lunch I got to snap a few family pics outside the antique store. The girls and I went shopping, and Billy and Peter went back to the hotel to swim. I put in a request for time to stand still, but that didn't happen. I'm grateful for the few hours I had with my beautiful friend.

It looks as if Billy is looking at his sweet wife. I love his expression.

Do NOT miss Jenn's blog this week. She has a fantastic post from yesterday. It's a long but excellent read. You can see it HERE.