The Affirmation Project: Day 31

"Be Content with what you have; 
rejoice in the way things are. 
When you realize there is nothing lacking, 
the whole world belongs to you."
~ Lao Tzu

My Positive:  I am happy with who I am.  This project has shown me 30 positive things about myself.  And the 31st...I like myself.  If I wasn't me, I'd want to be friends with me.

Again, seems pretentiouos, but getting back to the whole premise for this project, 80% of what we say about ourselves is negative, I'm standing by this.  I like who I am.

My Final Affirmation:  I will continue to remember my positives and making Affirmations, because they more you think or say something, the better chance it will come to you.

The Affirmation Project: Day 30

*

My Positive:  I believe in myself.  I believe that I can become what I desire. 

I believe that I am ___________. 
Try it.  Say it to yourself. 
I believe that I am ____________. 

You are.  And when you can believe in yourself, you can believe in others.

I believe I can make a dress.  I believe I can be a great mother.  I believe that I can write a book.  I believe in everything that I want.  All my affirmations, I believe in those. 

My Affirmation:  I will write a book (it's a duplicate, but the more you say something, the more likely it will become).


*photo taken from http://vi.sualize.us/view/30e155d06082737a3aaa9fa32124b1a0/

The Affirmation Project: Day 29

 My Positive:  I can design and decorate fun cakes.

I love all those cake shows, especially Ace of Cakes.  Bigger and badder.  I'm not so much into the pyrotechnics and the wooden frame, but never say never.  This little cow cake was for my little buddy, Carmen on his first birthday.  He got his little fingers into this one.  I think his mom was less disappointed in the mess of the boy, and more in the destruction of this little cow.

I also made a barn.  To feed fifty adults.  There were cupcakes for the kids.  And a big ass barn.

With haystacks.  Sounds like the cake was good, all glutenouseness of it.  Maybe someday I'll make myself a wild cake - gluten free.  Yum.

My Affirmation:  I won't stop being creative with food.  The boys are already planning their cakes for next month.  Oh my.

The Affirmation Project: Day 28

My Positive:  I've made an impact on the lives of others.

This is a really strange one for me.  I feel extremely pretentious claiming this one.  I only do it because it was a revelation to me several years ago, and again reminded of it just last year. In my tenure as the Youth Director at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, I saw many "kids".  High school kids, to be exact.  I did my job, I had pretty decent attendance numbers and we went on a couple pretty cool trips.  The one pictured above was the most memorable...beginning with a dead squirrel.  (Don't judge me, swerve a 15 passenger van with 14 kids, or leave fate to the squirrel and his non-stealth like movements?)  The group never let me forget that poor little squirrel.  And I thought that's what they remembered the most about that trip.

What I have since learned is that they remembered more.  They remembered how beautiful the mountains and rivers were, how to work as a group, how to deal with different personalities, and how to have fun and love each other and nature.  Apparently, through our trips and weekly youth group get togethers, I made an impact on their lives.  When I say "their" I am only speaking of 2 that I am verbally aware of (assuming all would only make an a$$).

At a wedding last year, another young adult made me aware of the impact I made on her life.  I'm not sure what exactly I taught her, but I hope it was love and caring and fairness and integrity.  She has all those things, so perhaps a little of mine rubbed off on her.

People come in and out of our lives, but the ones we remember with fondness had an impact on our lives in their own way.  Mrs. Reagel, my second grade teacher in Clarence, had faith in me that I could pull off Cinderella in our class play.  My grandma Joyce taught me that women should work, even if the boss chases the women around the desk to slap buttocks.  Tom taught me that saying "I'm the best" over and over really does make you feel better about yourself.  My brother Keith taught me that being kind and compassionate brings good things to ones life.  Sam taught me that farts really are funny.  My youth group taught me that even though I might kill a squirrel, they still like my company.  All this leaves an impact on my life.

My Affirmation:  I am a good person and people will remember me for that, and that's good enough for me.

The Affirmation Project: Day 27

My Positive:  I'm a good photographer.  I love being behind the camera.  Not so much in front of it.  I try not to do a lot of cropping.  I think a good photographer doesn't need to crop or filter or adjust to the point that the photo on the screen is 180 degrees different from the initial shot through the lens.  I'm not saying I never do those things, but I try to frame the photo in the camera first.  Once I figure out how to work my super cool camera, maybe I won't have to do any adjustments.

This is a pot of lady's mantle I dug up when I was putting in my pond.  My pond that is green.  Hoping my new pond plants will multiply and take care of some of the green.

My Affirmation:  I will learn how to use my camera.

Love the rain for the droplets it leaves on my mantle.

The Affirmation Project: Day 26

My Positive:  I'm a good hostess.  My home is never spotless.  My laundry is never done.  My coffee pot is never empty.  I enjoy having parties, not so much the cleaning, but love hanging at home with my friends.  I like when friends and neighbors just walk in my house.  No formal bells (ours doesn't always work anyway) around here.  Sit back, relax and feel at home. 

My Great-Grandmother Lillian (Ghee, to us kids) made this sampler in 1933.  It is one of my favorite pieces of her work.  I wish I had known her when I was an adult.  We would have sipped root beer floats and stitched and chatted about the weather.  My mom can recite it verbatim on queue (she'll probably comment on it in Facebook...).

Ghee was a great stitcher.  I don't remember ever seeing her without a hoop on her lap and needle in her pants or shirt sleeve, awaiting the next stitch.

I would love to curl up in this patchwork quilt.  This is how my home is, relax and put your feet up.

My Affirmation:  I will learn Crewel (already have a sampler on order) and think of Ghee in every stitch.

With my feet up on the furniture.

And a needle in my hand.

And you sitting next to me.

Guest, You are welcome here, be at your ease. 

Get up when you're ready, go to bed when you please. 

Happy to share with you such as we've got, the leaks in the roof, the soup in the pot.

You don't have to thank us or laugh at our jokes, sit deep and come often, you're one of the folks.

The Affirmation Project: Day 25

 My Positive:  I see beauty in simple things.  This tiny bud on my burning bush.

 The vine growing on a old tree in the swamp.

And an old rusty railing.


Nature and time are extraordinary.  I love discovering things that are passed by without a thought.

For example...my two boys that ran right past 2 turtles, a bullfrog and a red winged blackbird.

My Affirmation:  Slow down enough to see the little things, but not too slow as to miss the obvious.

The Affirmation Project: Day 24

My Positive:  I am realistic.  Never will I fit into size 6 jeans.  It just isn't going to happen and I'm okay with that.  We won't own my dream house in the next 12 years.  My kids won't ask for a pony.  And no matter how many times I remind myself that I only need a dollar and dream, I still won't win the lottery.

Sometimes after a treat at our favorite ice cream stand, we take the long (very long) way home.  I notice the big farm houses with wrap around porches, the perfectly manicured lawn with no dandelions, and comfy furniture on the front porch. Strangely enough, I never see myself actually owning a similar home.  I'd love to, but I just don't see it happening.  They are old and require a lot of maintenance.  I don't think that is something our family is up for.

What I do know is that we will be happy.  This little family of mine will have our problems, struggles and challenges, but being realistic about all types of outcomes, will help us navigate through our challenges and celebrations.

My Affirmation: My life is filled with love, fun and friendship all I need do is stop all criticism, forgive, relax and be open.

The Affirmation Project: Day 23

My Positive:  I know how to weave.  Serious floor loom weaving.  Not loop potholders (although I do adore making those), but mathematical yarn planning, measuring, calculating weaving.  For such a simple over-under method, there is a lot of set up involved. 

Finding the right pattern and the perfect yarn are the two steps I enjoy most, aside from finishing.  Patterns are set up like this:

A weaver needs to calculate how wide the project will be, how many threads per inch, and how many total threads.  Then, need to figure out how long the piece will be, this is where you try to plan out 2 or 3 projects in one set up.  This is where I get overwhelmed and put my workpapers down to let it stew.  Then, the winding of the warp.  A warping board is one yard wide, making it easier to plan our the measurements.  If the weaver needs 6 yards, the yarn will cross the board six times.

Then, the threading all those ends into the reed, then through the heddles, then wind-her-up.  Some serious tying and tightening to get all the threads of equal tension (good luck necessary on this one).  Then, weave.  Then, finish.  See?  The set up is often more laborious than the actual weaving process.

My favorite part of weaving is the time it affords me to think.  Even if I have the radio on, the rhythm of weaving drowns out the music and opens my mind for thoughts and ideas that were once pushed to the back of my brain.  Press, slide, pull, press, slide, pull, repeat.  Some of the thoughts that come to me while weaving are truly extraordinary. 

What I am embarrassed to say is that I haven't touched my loom in over 2 years.  I  bought this loom from a garage sale for $200 with boxes full of yarn. I don't think my Dad ever thought I'd still have this loom.  I was living at my parents' house when I purchased it.  I kept it in my room.  My room began to look like this:

It was tight, but it was my loom.  My very own loom that has brought me so much joy and confidence.

My Affirmation:  I will put a new warp on my loom in the next year.

The Affirmation Project: Day 22

My Positive (if you believe in this sort of stuff):  I see dead people.  Never scared, I feel comforted by these visits and messages.  I've always felt that there was more to death than a wooden box and some dirt.  In the past year, I've had 3 readings from different clairvoyants.  All of them began with, "You can do what I do.  You talk to spirits already.  You can do this.  Open your eyes."

Most often, it is my Father-in-Law, Don.  He first came to me in a dream.  One of those dreams that feels so real that the next day or two (or five) I still couldn't shake it.  In the dream he was behind me with my hands on my shoulders.  I could hear him breathing, I could feel the weight of his hands on my shoulders.  When I think back on that dream, now 5 or 6 years ago, the breaths and the hands are so real, as if he just backed away.  I've also seen his hazy image poking out of my kitchen.  That one really freaked me out.  In my second reading, down in Maryland, Don came through as protector.  He was guarding me with his arms around me, not allowing anyone else to communicate.  To know he was still protecting me, was heartwarming.  I always had a soft spot for Don.  I miss him terribly.

I also see my Grandma, always sitting behind an easel, painting a stream with yellow flowers on the banks.  My Aunt is there, too.  Milling around chatting to people, in her nurse uniform.  Family members that pass are usually playing bocce ball and drinking beers with Don. 

This realization that there is still communication after death, has changed my opinion on dying.  When I was 10, I remember standing at the top of the stairs and crying to my older brother that I was afraid to die.  He pushed me off and told me to just go to bed.  I was so scared that night.  I never forgot it.  But now, I have no fear (other than not seeing my children grow).

Meditation has opened me up to exploring and developing my abilities.  I find it fascinating.  I'm sure many of you think I'm a little odd, but that makes me who I am and I'm not afraid to admit that I see dead people.

My Affirmation:  I trust in the process of life.  Trust is good.

The Affirmation Project: Day 21

My Positive:  I am creative and imaginative and I love it.  I don't know what it's like to not be able to make things.  I come up with an idea or see something and recreate it.  It's hard to understand why others can't just make things.  I am grateful for my creativity.

One of my favorite parts of motherhood, is coming up with birthday cakes for my boys.  I make them all, even when 9 months pregnant (that one wasn't so special). My kids will say what they want, and I get to figure out how to execute.  From School Crossing signs to robots to Chica Chica Boom Boom to dirt road matchbox tracks, I've made lots of cakes.  I love it.

At the beginning of this month, I watched a documentary called Young At Heart.  It is a touching documentary on a group of retirees that form a musical group, singing mainstream songs that cross all genres, including Sonic Youth.   The chorus director is speaking to Bob on the phone, "You can't do anything wrong here, Bob." 

The chorus director speaks to the camera, "Whatever he gives us will be strong."

While Bob sits in his car after rehearsal, just one day after he was in the hospital for chest pains, the producer is asking him on camera if it is a good idea for him to be at rehearsals and how perhaps he isn't strong enough.  Bob says, "Yeah, oh yeah.  Sure.  I really love what I am doing."

I certainly didn't do justice to this film, but hearing Bob, who dies a couple days after saying "I really love what I am doing" has stuck with me for the past 20 days.  

My Affirmation:  I really love what I am doing.

The Affirmation Project: Day 20

My Positive:  I married an extraordinary man with a fabulous family.  A large Italian family.  Quite the contrary to my little family.  Tom and I met at Buffalo State College in a Young Adult Lit class.  I sat in the back row next to my friend Ed.  This guy walked in with mutton chops and a pink Jimmy Hendrix tie-dyed shirt.  I turned to my friend, "See that guy?  I'm going to marry him."  It was a matter of fact, the sky is blue type comment.  And six (long) years after that day, he kissed me for ever.

We lived in Chicago for four years after we were married.  Those were some of my favorite memories, young love, new city, new explorations.  We started our roots in Chicago, I'll always have sweet memories of that city and their boiled hot dogs with no ketchup.

Since we've moved back to Buffalo, I've grown to love Tom's extended family.  Tom's aunts, uncles and cousins are some of my greatest supporters.  They boost me up, cheer me on and encourage me to continue on my path.  They are the branches that shade us and protect us.

My Affirmation:  I am blessed with Tom in my life.  I love you, Tom.

The Affirmation Project: Day 19

My Positive:  I can make monsters pop out of purses.  This was my lucky accident.  The day I sold my first monster was the moment I realized I wasn't just a crafter, but an artist.  I think that was a turning point for me.  When I stopped being crafty and became artsy.  Yeah, artsy fartsy, I get it, ha ha, but there is some negative connotation to crafty.  It's that same stigma between knitters and crocheters.  Why is it less of a technique using one hook rather than two pointy sticks? 

Being an artist made me stand up straighter, and be proud of my creations.  Creations all my own.  There are a couple "crafters" trying to copy my technique, but they haven't quite figured it out yet.  It's my little secret (and my neighbor that caught a glimpse, but she isn't telling just like Duke won't tell his Bush's baked bean secret).

My Affirmation:  I am an artist.  I am an artist.  And I am a good artist.

The Affirmation Project: Day 18

My Positive:  I'm an excellent babysitter.  I thought I was great as a teenager, I'm fantastic now!  I have the Midas Sleep Touch.  Look at this little guy, asleep in 30 minutes.  Up again (as normal per his parents) and it only took an additional 8 minutes to pacify this little man.  This same boy has cried so much that his parents have to leave parties early.  But not for this Sitter-Extraordinaire.

I had a lot of fun babysitting when I was a teen.  I met a lot of interesting people and definitely had some fun stories to tell...still, my favorite is the little boy, buck naked except for his red cowboy boots, running around his backyard with a clear plastic cup over his privates yelling, "I got it, I got it!"

Or the young ladies that had to follow my jumping jack rule for calling their sister 'stupid'.  I still cringe at that word.  Apologize, then do 20.

And who could forget the little girl that cried the moment her mom left, until she passed out, nearly 2 hours later.  When I say cried, I mean screamed.

All lessons learned.  It's fun to run around naked in cowboy boots; don't say hurtful words; crying doesn't bring people home.

My Affirmation:  Avoid hurtful words, even when they fit perfectly to the situation.

The Affirmation Project: Day 17

My Positive:  I am a good friend.  I may not have always been a good friend, in fact I often remember times when my friendship was at a low point.  I wish I could take some of those times back, but, they also taught me lessons in kindness, etiquette, and truth.

Listening used to be very tough for me.  It's hard to sit back, listen, and not interrupt.  I'm trying to look into the eye's of my friend and feel the words.  I've realized that the looking helps the understanding.

While away on a work trip, my friend Meredith and I were taking a much needed respite at the hotel pool.  I was floating and she called something to me from the pool deck.  I said, "Wait, I can't hear you, I don't have my glasses on."  I hear with my eyes as much as with my ears.

My Affirmation:  Become a great friend and listen with my ears, eyes and heart.

(Are you wondering about the photo relationship to the Affirmation?  There is none, deal with it, don't judge...gray and gloomy isn't the most inspiring time to get out the camera).

The Affirmation Project: Day 16

My Positive:  I am smart.  I am not the opposite of smart.  This is a hard one to feel comfortable with claiming.  I know the idea of this Affirmation Project was to put forth my qualities and be positive.  If I was reading this on someone else's blog, I'd think "Smart or Snooty?".  But, so be it.  I am smart.  The easiest way for me to wrap my head around this one, is that I am not stupid.  I may not be brilliant in science or mathematics or history, but I am smart. 

My Affirmation:  To remember those people that have passed through my life and thank them for the lessons they taught me (CDBE; KB and SB). Fare thee well.

As I am halfway through this project, I wanted to tell you how much joy this project has brought to me.  The power of positive thinking is an amazing tool.  Some of my friends are joining in on the blog, some on their own blogs, some on Facebook, please join.  If you have not, I challenge you to write down 20 positive things about yourself.  Just list them on a sheet of paper, no explanation, just a quick list.  It is an empowering exercise.  Try it.

The Affirmation Project: Day 15

My Positive:  I have thick hair.  It's always been thick.  When I was in first grade, it was down to the base of my back.  Then the 'Dorothy Hamill' cut became popular.  My Mom, apparently, wanted me to be popular. 

If today was any indication of the summer heat, I may consider shaving my head.  Thick hair is hot hair.

My Affirmative:  I will not complain about my hot hair.  At least I have hair.

The Affirmation Project: Day 14

My Positive:  I am an encourager.  I chose this quality because I find myself encouraging and helping others get their art on Etsy.  I encourage people to try to get their art in a show.  I encourage my kids to go to bed on time.  I encourage people to think about the other side of the story.  I encourage friends to try.  Try something new.  Do something you might not feel comfortable with (this Affirmation Project is my "not comfortable").

I haven't always been this way.  Must be my age.  I have changed since I was a kid just out of high school, college.  I didn't encourage myself then and never (at least I don't remember) encouraged others.  Unless of course, it was to have another beer, or stay up later, or get a big basket of french fries for dinner with me.

My Affirmation:  I will do something every day for my WashMyCloth and/or WashMyBooty shops.

The Affirmation Project: Day 13

My Positive:  I can make gluten free taste like gluten.  Pizza, check.  Banana Bread, check.  Cream Puffs, check.  Lasagna, check.  Christmas cut out cookies, almost.  Still not quite my Mom's (aka Pillsbury), but close.  It's been a really long and hard road.  One that is all downhill from here.  There is one cookie that never works for me, a lemon cookie.  So, with the advice of my neighbor, fellow gluten omitter, I'm going to add lemon to my sugar cookie and see how that comes out.

If any of you reading this feel like gluten free is a fad or a way to lose weight, you're mistaken.  My boss, Jeff, still kids with me that I'm faking this one.  Celiac Disease, my reason for eating Gluten Free, affects 1 in 133 Americans.  That's a lot of people.  And I'm proud to be one of them*.


My Affirmation:  I will perfect my Christmas Cut Out Cookie to the point that I make them for every holiday!

*  I have been questioning my diagnosis after the removal of my very scarred gall bladder.  All the pains I had, thinking they were gluten attacks, could possibly have been only gall bladder attacks.  But for now, I remain GF until I am ready for retesting.

The Affirmation Project: Day 12

My Positive:  My parents taught me how to be a good person.

I had no idea I was getting lessons. I didn't know they were teaching me at all.  I thought we were building train layouts and camping and reminiscing and making dinners.  They were teaching lessons and wrapping them in a disguise.

As I try to teach my boys the qualities of being a good person, I realize I'm teaching them what my parents taught me.  They WAY they taught me.  I move the words in my head around to make the most simplest sense to the boys and when I open my mouth I only hear my mom's voice.  I sit my boys down to give them a quick lesson and hear myself talking in drawn out stories instead of sound bites, just like my Dad.  When I hear these things out of my mouth, I feel the warmth and teachings of my parents.

I know now how they loved me and how they thought best to teach me.  These wrapped presents made me the woman I am today.  I took their actions and words and grew into myself, a good person.

Thanks, Mom and Dad.

My Affirmation:  I will show my kids through my words and behavior, what it means to be a good person.

My friend Linda has a saying, "Say what you mean and mean what you say."  I never understood that, in fact, after she'd say it, I would repeat it in my head a couple times to try and make sense of it (she probably saw my lips move and the blank look on my face).  Even after the repetition, I never got it.

Until my boys came along. 

Teach with love and say what you mean, you can't go wrong with that.

The Affirmation Project: Day 11

My Positive:  I love baseball.

I have Tom to thank for that.  When we were first dating, we were hanging out in his parents' basement on the old orange and brown floral velvet couch watching the World Series.  I struggled to keep my eyes open, not finding much excitement in the slow game.  They weren't even teams he was necessarily fond of.  He just loved the game.  

When we moved to Chicago, Wrigley Field was a wonderland.  Tom is a life long fan of the Chicago Cubs.  Going to a real Major League baseball game was thrilling for me.  That's when I fell in love.  Maybe with both Tom and baseball, but baseball for sure.

As I work on this post, I have the Cubs on WGN (they are losing).  WGN reminds me of simple times.  Hot dogs and beers (pre-Celiac), no responsibilities (pre-boys), and Ron Santo. It reminds me of Chicago and being newlyweds and buying our first car and our first home and welcoming our first son.  I even went to a ballgame in the bleachers with my girlfriends when I was quite ripe with Sam.

And now,  I have my own Little League Ballplayer to watch and root for and wish Major League dreams upon.  That same little baby that enjoyed the game in my belly and felt the warmth of the sunny Chicago afternoon.

My Affirmation:  Sam will find strength, camaraderie, and strategy in the game of baseball.  Heck, I just want him to have fun.  Play Ball!

The Affirmation Project: Day 10

My Positive:  I am a good neighbor.  Just like State Farm.

Now, some would say I was nosey.  I prefer, "knowledgeable" of the goings on in the neighborhood.  I feel it is my obligation to my neighbors.  I like to know what is common in the area, spot repeat offenders in speeding, and non-pooper scooper pooch parents.  I am fortunate enough to work at home and my "office" happens to be in my living room.  Right in front of the large front window.

It's also hereditary.  An Evans family tradition is to peek out the curtains at every falling leaf.  Or the less secretive way: stick your head in the window with the lights on behind you...not so smart.

Being a good neighbor isn't just about being "knowledgeable", it's about caring for the people around me.  Waving, lending tools, picking up mail and newspapers, keeping an eye on children, holding the house key in case something happens while they are away.  I like being a neighbor.  I like having neighbors close by.  We are very fortunate to have the neighbors we have.  Well, for the most part.  Do you remember this post?  Out of the 10 closest neighbors, this guy is the only one that doesn't quite socialize the way the rest of us do.


My Affirmation:  I won't burn bridges and even when we get our farm (pipe dream in 20 years), I will continue to be good neighbors, and relax a bit on the "knowledgeable" part.

The Affirmation Project: Day 9

My Positive:  I am a good mother.  No, I'm a great mother.  I can heal scrapes and cuts with a single kiss.  I can entice my boys to do what I want with a simple nod (and bribery of candy), and I can make dinner a super cool indoor picnic with the spreading of a blanket.

I'm giving my boys confidence (in fashion), humor, imagination, charm, inquisitiveness, and courage.  We have some work to do in the categories of intellect, integrity and knowing the difference between reality and Super Mario Brothers, but there is plenty of time for that.

I love these boys and their personalities.  They have little bits of me, little bits of Tom and lots of their own bits.  Bits and bites.

My Affirmation:  With my continued guidance, these boys, my boys, will grow to be strong, independent, intelligent, fun loving, all around good and decent men.

The Affirmation Project: Day 8

My Positive:  I always say Please and Thank You.  My Mom and Dad taught me.  And I am teaching my boys.  It's the simplest way to show gratitude.  It's the simplest way to be the bigger person.  It's classy, too.  Like a diamond tiara and a royal blue ball gown.

I enjoy thanking people when they are truly pissing me off.  Perhaps they cut me off while driving; stepped on my toe; insulted my tiara.   Try it sometime, it's a great conversation starter.

My Affirmation:  Book ideas, book ideas, book.  I will.

The Affirmation Project: Day 7

My Positive:  I do not watch American Idol.  One of the "singers" in the picture above makes me want to hurl.  Perhaps I'm not in keeping with the "Affirmation" part of this project, but it's my project, so deal with it.  I do not watch American Idol and I am better because of that.  After all, I have to get my DVR'd episodes of America's Next Top Model in at some point, right?

My Affirmation:  I'm going to look at my notes from a year ago on book ideas.  I can write a book. 

Or at least a pamphlet.

See, this is light and fun, now you write something in the comments...don't be shy.

The Affirmation Project: Day 6

My Positive:  Handy with a hook.  After my mother-in-law showed me how to make a corner in crochet, I was off.  My kids enjoy my handy hookery.  It isn't rare to hear, "mom, can you yarn me a power up star?"  or "mom, when you are done with Sam's star and mushroom, you can make me a penquin and fire flower."

Not sure when it really started or how I figured it out, it just happened.  I made Sam a car from the Cars movie a couple years ago and just made it up.  I think once I realized that if you think you made a mistake in crochet, just repeat it and it becomes part of the pattern.  Obviously this is for fun items and not a lovely blanket or sweater. 

I've always wanted a tattoo, but could only come up with a crochet hook and a ball of yarn.  That's about as sexy as flannel lady gowns.  My neighbor suggested cross hooks and a ball of yarn mimicking the jolly roger.  Hmmm, I think we have something.

My Affirmation:  I will write a book on Free-Style Crochet.  Or Crochet with out Rules.  Or Jolly Roger Crochet.  Or My Monster Ate My Crochet Hook.  Or Is That a Crochet Hook or Are You....

The Affirmation Project: Day 5

My Positive:  I have a good imagination that I have passed on to my boys.  Nothing makes me happier than seeing my boys with pencil (or dry erase marker) and paper, drawing and pretending that the monsters on their paper are alive and will eat them if they aren't erased fast enough.  Imagination is so important to me, without it, I would be stuck doing things that already have been done.  If you know these boys, you'll know that they can even play battles with toilet plungers and water bottles.  Anything works for them. 

My Affirmation:  I will make room for imagination, even when those bothersome people try to squelch it.

Please join along, one day, four days, whatever you have, I'd love to read your positive and/or affirmations.  C'mon, you should try.

The Affirmation Project: Day 4

My Positive:  I have Celiac Sprue Disease.  Sounds like an odd Positive, but I've met so many people because of this and have learned so much about food. 

When I was pregnant with my first son, I had severe anemia.  After adding iron and rechecking, I was sent to a gastroenterologist.  He did some blood work and another invasive 'exploration', determining I had "Sprue".  I'll never forget the call.  We were in Chicago, I was working in our baby's room when the phone rang.  It was the doctor and he said, "You have Celiac Sprue.  You need to follow a strict diet."
"So, what does this mean?" I asked.
"No bread, no pizza, no donuts.  Nothing with wheat, oats, rye or barley."
"Oh, nothing that tastes good?"
"Well, kind of."  he said. 

And that was it.  I never spoke to him again, I never got a piece of paper diagnosing me, and I never got a bill.  Perhaps that was my consolation prize, no bill for such devastating news.  At that time, January 2003, it was devastating.  No one knew what Celiac or Gluten Free meant.  My, how things have changed.  Because of the people before me, demanding more options, telling their story and encouraging doctors and scientists to learn more about this disease, I have it better.

People I know and friends of friends can ask me about being gluten free and I can help.  Whether it is talking through symptoms, recipes, or my favorite Gluten Free foods, I can help.  I enjoy it.  Sometimes too much, just ask my cousin Chris.  I was sad when he did NOT have Celiac.  I wanted a GF buddy in the family.

My Affirmation:  I will not let other people bother me.  (Sound familiar?  Having a rough time making this one come true.)

My favorite Gluten Free Blogger and author, Shauna James Ahern posted this on Twitter:  Do you know someone with celiac? Urge that person to tell her or his story. Someone else will get diagnosed thanks to that generosity.

She is right, and I just did.

The Affirmation Project: Day 3

My Positive:  I'm a decent gardener.  I excel in perennials.  I get this from my father, I also get some of his perennials.  What I love the most about gardening with perennials is that you ultimately need to divide your plants.  Once I've filled in the places I have left, I have lots of plants to share.  This makes gardening a social activity with trading and sharing specimens, combined with the solitary act of planning and caring for the plants.  I think it is perfect for everyone, a little social time, a little private time, some sun and water.  The private time is very helpful for me, allows me to escape people (usually the bothersome ones) and find solace.
This year, I'm trying some vegetables by seed.  I think I'd be in much better shape than the solitary 12 inch pea pod plant if we had more than 2 days of sunshine since these were planted three weeks ago.

My Affirmation:  I will not let people bother me.  I will not let people bother me.  I have a tough time with this.  Repetition always helps.  I will not let people bother me.  I will not let people bother me.

“When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden.” ~ Minnie Aumonier

Please join me by commenting here one positive quality about yourself and/or an Affirmation that you hope will come to fruition.  We all MUST be better to ourselves.

The Affirmation Project: Day 2

Positive:  I am a funny person.  My parents are funny, I got some of that funny, too.  If I know someone is having a frustrating day or moment, I try my best to lighten the mood in a respectful way.  I think humor is important.  Yesterday, driving with the kids in the car, I donned a clown nose.  It was hysterical to watch people take double takes of my big red nose.  The best part, I'm okay with people laughing at my expense.  I hope I brought a bit of laughter to at least one driver.

Affirmation:  I will keep humor in my life till the day I die.  And after that, I'll visit the living by playing jokes on them~watch out!

I had The Bucket List on the TV yesterday afternoon.  Carter, played by Morgan Freeman, asked Jack Nicholson's character:  Have you experienced Joy in your life?  Have you brought joy to someone else's life?

Have you?

The Affirmation Project: Day 1

My Positive:  I have cute freckles.  Especially in the summer when new ones pop up daily.  It makes me who I am.

My Affirmation:  I will continue to look fondly upon my freckles, even when my skin sags.

I watched this documentary Thursday night called The Human Experience it is available on Netflix instant play.  It's only 89 minutes, but the images are beautiful, and the story is thought provoking.

Please add your affirmation in the comments.  Let's be positive together!