Reinvention in 2010

Thursday, January 14, 2010, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

We're moving! Visit us at Find Your Sock Yarn and re-subscribe to get the latest updates. Your favorite features like Question of the Week, Words of Wisdom quotes and fun giveaways will be there. Archives will remain here for now. Thanks for visiting!

You may have noticed that postings have been a little light here at iLashGirls. We’ve had some technical difficulties that we’re working to fix and thank you for your patience.

Our word for January is Reinvention. The definition “to remake or make over, as in a different form” is taking place at iLashGirls this month. Our technical difficulties have led us to the decision to “reinvent” some of what we do here at iLashGirls to simplify things in this new year. We will be taking some of your favorite elements of iLashGirls and moving them over to FindYourSockYarn.com and will do a mini makeover on that site.

We invite you to click over to FindYourSockYarn.com and subscribe right now so you’ll continue to get free emails with more fun giveaways, inspiring quotes and thought-provoking questions. Idea Coaching is where our true passion lies and where we want to focus our best energy to provide you with tools and resources to help you…we’ll introduce you to women who have an idea and turn it into something real and fun just like this one…

“Leigh Anne and Sherra are a dynamic duo! Their years of expertise in the world of marketing/sales, graphic design and blogging are an invaluable combination. I would have talked about my idea for a long time and NEVER gone through with it if it hadn’t been for Leigh Anne and Sherra’s encouragement and guidance. I was amazed with what came out of an hour of Idea Coaching—3 brains (mostly 2) working together produced some incredible results in a short time. Another thing that came through loud and clear is that Leigh Anne and Sherra are real women with busy families and lives. They understood me on many different levels and could throw in a little humor along the way through this process which is always helpful. I highly recommend these two amazing women! –Karen, Vancouver, WA”

All the iLashGirls content within the archives will stay here indefinitely. Thank you all for your support!

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Categories: Inspiration, Renewal

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Happy New Year!

Monday, January 4, 2010, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

Question of the Week

Photo courtesy of *_filippo_*

Leigh Anne and Sherra say…

This is the year we are continuing our hard work to create even more successful and profitable websites and helping women turn their ideas into reality.

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Categories: Inspiration, Question of the Week

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Peace Abounds

Thursday, December 24, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

Leigh Anne and Sherra say…

We both know Teri Helms from our homebased business. In addition to being creative and colorful, she is an irreverent storyteller who never misses the details and a woman who has an opinion and isn’t afraid to use it. Welcome Teri…

Teri Helms has been married to her husband for 25 years, and is the mother of 5 boys. They range in age from 21 down to 8. She loves living in Southern California, the land of sun, fun and fashion! It is essential that every day include at least 4 or 5 opportunities to truly bust a gut laughing.

She blogs about Leadership Education and how it is incorporated into daily life at TommyMom.com.




Favorite color:

There are two. Fuschia and black…sometimes together, sometimes apart, but always two.

Favorite food you associate with this holiday season:

So many foods, so little space…seriously! They are all amazing, and each traditional dish brings back its own set of memories.

Pet Peeve?

I have many…the one that is foremost in my mind at this time of year? People that stop in front of you with their shopping cart to greet an equally clueless friend who has done the same, thus jointly blocking any and all passage in an already crowded store.

What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)

There was a time when I KNEW that I was going to marry David Cassidy.

One word that describes you:

Social

What’s your motto or mantra:

The truth will set you free.

What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?

1. My faith.
2. My family.
3. Nurturing relationships with others

Peaceful Celebrations

Peace. It is rather broad by definition, and I’m certainly not going to address it in the context of bringing it about for the entire world!
Perhaps this is one of many reasons I never went into pageant work.

I am typically one of those individuals that does so much “decking” of the halls; that come December 31st, I’m so worn out, I’m poised and ready to deck somebody!

This year, I’ve spent a lot of time contemplating how to keep that from happening. I believe it is possible to enjoy all of the festivities of the season without doing so at the expense of my own personal peace and relationships. Bringing this about does take a conscious and deliberate effort.

Most of us have watched a child engaged in their activity for an extended period of time. They are unencumbered with the past, the future is too abstract to even think about; the present is where they reside. They are completely engaged in the moment. It is a beautiful thing. Even though they may be moving at 150 miles an hour, they have a spirit of confidence and calm that is the result of peace.

Adults, on the other hand, tend to constantly be consumed with the past; generally laden with regrets and the reliving of moments that are gone; simply unrealistic in the goal to attain. The future can be even more ominous when contemplating the “what ifs?”, “what abouts?”, and “just wait untils.”

An overly packed schedule is often a reflection of this complexity of thought.

Complexity and peace rarely coexist. This statement has been most helpful in setting guidelines for holiday scheduling and the taking on of various commitments.

As Americans, we are constantly bombarded with the fact that complex is more. Better.
Successful.

It just isn’t true. Some of the greatest gifts we will ever give or receive, are not represented by a tangible item.

The wealthiest and most successful people that I know do not consider “things” when measuring their levels of peace and personal success.

Upon thinking this through, I realized that by Thanksgiving of this year, I had already done enough where holiday events are concerned. The commitments that were in place were sufficient. I didn’t need to take on more.

I could relax. Live in the moment. Spend some time thinking. Evaluating. Planning.

I’m experiencing that these activities are achieved with greater success when simplicity and peace are present.

I’m watching more holiday movies than I have in years, playing with my kids, and having unscripted holiday fun.

I’m not feeling any denial; but rather a tremendous trade, that’s been more than worth it.

Am I still celebrating? Absolutely. And enjoying it far more than I recollect in past holiday seasons.

Am I totally finished with all of my preparations? Hardly.

But I have the time to focus on what I’m doing now, without a huge myriad of commitments lining up that threaten a relentless, pressing, complexity.

And guess what? Peace abounds.

May you be filled as well.

Visit Teri at her blog Tommy Mom.

***************
Moments & Memories is a column is centered around our word of the month. We love to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!

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Peaceful Eating at the Holidays

Tuesday, December 22, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

Leigh Anne says…

I met Jenn Ross several years ago at a women’s retreat. We enjoyed a wonderful time together in the beautiful Napa Valley and I was able to introduce Jenn to her first In and Out Burger! We kept in touch and when Jenn needed help developing an idea she hired Sherra and me for some Idea Coaching and within a few short weeks, we helped her launch her first blog. She already has another one in the works!

“Life is an adventure or it is nothing at all.” Certainly when I married my husband 30 years ago I had no idea what an adventure it would be! I married a Navy pilot and along with that came numerous moves, the pleasure of living in Hawaii for 3 years and  knowing the life of a psuedo single parent during my husband’s 6 month long Navy deployments. I have a BA in Spanish and returned to school with 3 small children to get a degree in Nursing. I work with new Moms and newborns. I love fun outdoor activities including flying on the trapeze, training for sprint triathlons, hiking and being with my five grandkids (5 yrs-1 yr)  In July 2010, I will be training at Duke University in their Integrative Health Coaching program. I believe it is never too late to get healthy and be active.
Favorite color:

Turquoise

Favorite food you associate with this holiday season:

Eggnog

Pet Peeve?

Negative people and gossip

What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)

If I had been blessed with a great singing voice I would have loved to have been a broadway singer belting out songs in those fun musicals. Instead I really really enjoy a fun musical with great singing .

One word that describes you:

Adventuresome

What’s your motto or mantra:

“Embrace the possibilities”

What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?

1. Time with family especially my grandkids. They are so fun.
2. Being authentic in my faith, relationships and purpose.
3. Staying active and eating healthy

Peaceful Eating

The holidays are a time of abundance.  Abundance of family, traditions, lights, decorations, parties and food. Holiday food. Yum. Christmas cookies, eggnog, luscious desserts, breads, mashed potatoes and great chocolate!

And let’s not forget that with all the fun and festivities with the holidays there is also a great deal of stress. How do we often relieve stress? We indulge in our favorite holiday treats and by January 1st our indulge has turned to a bulge.

In the words of Charles Dickens ” It’s the best of times and the worst of times”

And in my words…”the best part of the holidays is the food” and “the worst part of the holidays can be the food.”

This holiday can be all about peace with our food choices and staying fit!

Here’s a few steps you can take now (no it’s not too late) to help you stay healthy and still enjoy the holidays.

Food Glorious Food…mmm, I seem to be on a Charles Dickens kick here.

Ever heard of the 5p’s? Me neither until I met my husband. It’s a boy scout thing and since I was a Camp Fire Girl which had very little to do with camping or fires I remained clueless.

5P’s = Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

In years past for the holidays and food we usually had just one plan: Plan E Eat, Eat all of it.  That didn’t work very well. WAIT, it did until we got on the scale!

For holiday eating lets use the 4 P’s

Prior Planning Promotes Peace

• Plan ahead what you want to eat or what you want to drink (alcohol has lots of calories and leads to more eating)
• Park yourself far away from the food.
• Most hostesses love if you offer to bring something. Bring a healthy veggie tray (or order one from the local grocery) or another healthy dish that you love.
• Let someone else do the holiday baking.  My grown daughters are having fun making the traditional family goodies.
• Forgive yourself if you do indulge but get right back on track. No one is perfect and any “rules” about eating that are too strict are bound to get broken.
• Take extras to the office, or make up goodie bags for friends and neighbors
• Be okay about wasting the goodies (throw it out) better to waste it than “waist” it which could cost more health wise in the long run.

When you start to waiver and want seconds and thirds remember how much peace you will have after the holidays because you enjoyed but did not over eat!

Keep Moving!!!

Find inventive ways to do what is called “spontaneous exercise.”

Park far away from the entrance to malls, work, grocery stores.

Use the stairs and not the elevator (for reasonable distances).

Make multiple trips up and down stairs at home instead of taking one big load all at once.

Make it a game to find all kinds of ways to do spontaneous exercise and you’ll find it fun and challenging.

OR

Start walking with a friend 3x a week (or everyday)! It not only moves your body but relieves your stress.

Your walking buddy is key! Knowing someone is waiting for you will keep you on track. Plus the conversation will make the time go faster and make it fun!

Have fun this holiday season. We sometimes get lost in all the preparations that we forget the real purpose is to celebrate, spend time with family and remember our many blessings. We can do all of it and still be peaceful about our food and fitness choices. Have a wonderful and joyful celebration this year!

Visit Jenn at her blog See Jenn Tri.

***************
Moments & Memories is a column is centered around our word of the month. We love to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!

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Categories: Encouragement, Food, Inspiration, Moments & Memories

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Peace in the Spaces

Tuesday, December 15, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

Leigh Anne says…

I met Amber Schmitt years ago when she lived in Oregon, prior to her move to Texas.  She is the best friend of my next door neighbor Sheri.  Amber and I share quite a few similarities including our love for reading and scrapbooking!

I have been married to my college sweetheart for 20 years and we have three smart, funny, wonderful (ok, I’m biased) kids who are 9 (boy), 13 (girl) and 17 (girl). I have a degree in Business Marketing and had a career in Public Relations and Sponsorship Marketing/Event Planning for a large bank before becoming a stay at home mom.  Our family has a love for travel and have traveled together all over the world. I believe this travel has been a great education for the kids and a great bonding experience for our family.

I love being the best wife and mother I can be, but I also believe strongly in not losing myself in it completely. I have an entrepreneurial and creative mind, lots of energy, and lots of ideas. One of these days I know these will all come together to create the next adventure/business venture of my life (in the meantime you might find me a little scattered).

Favorite color:

Bright Blue

Favorite food you associate with this holiday season:

Peanut butter and Hershey Kiss cookies

Pet Peeve?

Negative Nellies (complainers)

What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)

I’m an open book – what you see is what you get.

One word that describes you:

Energetic

What’s your motto or mantra:

“Things go best for those who do best with the way things go”

What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?

1. Family travel
2. Scrapbooking
3. Reading

Thoughts on Underwear, Incessant Chatter and Chasing PEACE

“Peace on Earth” glowing in big red lights, surrounded by greenery and giant gold plastic ornaments greets me as I walk into the mall full of people scurrying like ants. There it is again on the front of the foil-lined envelope that sits on top of my mail as I pull it out of the mailbox. “Peace on Earth” embossed on the card, covered with glitter by a friend who loves to do stamping. I get home and stand next to the kitchen counter, flipping through the bills and holiday catalogs. Tucked in among this pile is a Victoria’s Secret flyer. The perfectly sculpted and spray-tanned model wears nothing but a red push-up bra and red underwear that have the letters P-E-A-C-E in glittery rhinestones all across the front.

What a lovely thought, this elusive peace. It goes without saying that I would love to have Peace on Earth. Heck, I’d even be happy to have peace in our school PTA! Peace on earth, peace at the holidays, it’s all a wonderful wish. But right now, I’m not looking for peace at the mall and I am certainly not looking for peace on my underwear! I don’t see what is so peaceful about looking over my “had three babies and am over 40″ stomach to view some glittery letters upside down on my underwear. That is not peaceful to me!

The truth is that peace is not something you look for and it is not always something you create. Sure, we can all seek to improve peace among our children and within our households. We can always strive to be a part of creating a more peaceful world. But what people forget is that there are moments of peace in every single day. So often we rarely even see them because we are not paying attention.

The question I would like to ask many women is this:

“Are you events planning your life or are you living it?”

Again and again I see women who are fantastic mothers, wives, homemakers, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and employees — wonderful women who wear a lot of different hats and are very good at it. But too often our lives become like movies that we are directors of and sadly we forget to be in the film. Sure, we jump in once in a while, even savor it a bit. But even as we enjoy putting the ornaments on the tree or making hot cocoa with the kids, we have this on-going chatter going on inside our heads. What do we need at the store? When are we going to wrap the teacher gift? What color thread should I use when I sew those apron gifts? This incessant chatter in our heads goes on and on and on.

I think that is why we all love photographs so much. Have you ever put on an event, like a children’s birthday party and the entire event you are busy buzzing around, doing what needs to be done? Only afterwards as you look at the photos do you admire how perfectly pink your little girl’s lips are as she prepares to blow out the candles? Only looking at the photos do you take the time to notice how handsome your teenage boy looks in that shade of blue, what a fine young man he is becoming?

As you decorate your house for the holidays do you take even just 60 seconds when you finish your mantle to just soak in the magic of the lights glittering and the stockings hanging there with the names of the people you hold most dear in this world? Do you take even 60 full, uncluttered seconds to simply enjoy just watching your kids open their gifts, or are you busy making thank-you note lists and gathering up the wrapping paper in a giant black trash bag?

Our lives are like novels. They are full of absolute sorrow and extreme joy that makes you want to burst. Our lives have chapters and storylines and always plenty of drama. Just remember that novels have pacing and punctuation – lots of it. They have spaces between the words. There are pauses after each chapter.

My challenge to you this holiday season is to mentally slow down and notice all the spaces between the words in your life. Peace cannot be found at the mall and it certainly isn’t on a pair of Victoria’s Secret underwear. It is inside you.

Whatever you do this holiday season, even if you do it quickly, do it with intention. Live it. Enjoy it. Quiet your mind a pay attention to the spaces and you will find little slices of heaven, little bits of real PEACE.

Visit Amber at her blog at As The World Churns.

***************
Moments & Memories is a column is centered around our word of the month. We love to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!

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Peaceful Shopping Tips

Tuesday, December 8, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

Leigh Anne and Sherra say…

We both know Karen Herrema through our homebased business. She is a Certified Personal Stylist and it is (pardon the pun) the perfect fit for her! Be sure to visit Karen at her blog, Style by Karen for more great fashion tips. We are delighted to introduce you to Karen…

I have been a Washingtonian all but 10 years of my life. I was raised in Lynden, WA in a small farming community in the NW corner, just a few miles from the Canadian border. After attending college in Michigan, I landed my first job in Denver, Co where I lived for 6 years and met my husband, Mike. His job in the lumber industry brought us back to the NW and in 1989 we settled in Vancouver WA, which is in the very SW corner of the state. Nestled in between Seattle and Portland OR, we love the small city feel which has been perfect for raising our two boys Ethan and Collin who are now 17 and 14. My previous career as a school teacher and home business owner has paved the way for beginning a new business in 2008. As a personal stylist I enjoy using my creativity in a whole new way. I love teaching women how to look, feel and dress their best.

Favorite color:

Certain shades of green, teal blue. I also love red.

Favorite food you associate with this holiday season:

I cannot resist a homemade frosted sugar cookie.

Pet Peeve?

Grammatical/punctuation/spelling errors in print or on signs.

What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)

I love to dance, even if these days that means in my kitchen with my iPod.

One word that describes you:

Enthusiastic

What’s your motto or mantra:

Laughter is the Best Medicine. I am thankful for a husband and kids who help me laugh every day even when things are not all rosy.

What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?

1. Spending time with my family/friends especially in fun places.
2. Being involved! Kids’ activities (school, sports). Church and Community.
3. Although I’m very social, I also enjoy time alone-reading, devotions, taking a walk, listening to music, scrapbooking or shopping!

Holiday Wardrobe Tips

I am not sure I could say my life is very peaceful in December. The calendar is full of events, and we often travel at Christmas. There’s decorating, baking, gifts, and families who need our help. It’s easy to feel pulled in a dozen different directions. As women, we try to do it all. We pull out all the stops to put together the perfect holiday. Add dressing for the holidays to the equation and it’s just one more thing to try and get right. For many women, it causes stress because there isn’t time to shop or it’s hard to make the right choice for the right occasion. Perhaps you’re trying to get by with something you wore last year (and now it doesn’t fit!)

In the dictionary definition of PEACE I found these words: Inner Contentment. It struck a chord with me. I meet women who have been catering to their families for years and suddenly realize: It’s time for ME. I’m amazed when together we do a few tweaks on the outside, sometimes the biggest change occurs on the inside.

Dressing for the holidays does not have to be an added stress. With a few tips, you can look and feel great. I’ve chosen some holiday looks that will cover a variety of events and flatter many body types. I’ve taken comfort and price into consideration (all pieces under $100).

For more details on most of the fashion and accessories shown below, visit Snapshot Emagazine where Karen has an article in the December issue.

Formal Office Party: We went to a big party for ten consecutive years. I miss those days as I loved finding my dresses at January sales. If you didn’t hit the jackpot then, you’re in luck now.

Nordstrom.com Purple dress Maggie London $98

Party with Family/Friends: We often gather for a formal dinner on Christmas Eve with a few other families. Everyone wears sweats/PJs. NOT me! Here are a few ideas that are perfect with jeans–comfortable and still dressy.

White House | Black Market Charmeuse Tiered Shell $88

Nordstrom.com Cardigan $58 Purple Tiered Top $48

White House | Black Market: Ruffled cardigan $98

New Year’s Party: If I had one to go to this year, this is what I’d wear.

Nordstrom.com Sequin cardigan $88 Ruffle tank $48

Last year it was just the 4 of us on Christmas Eve. I asked everyone to dress a little nicer for photos. Message to teenage boys: Wear something besides “ratty” T-shirt. My son came downstairs wearing MY old Christmas sweater I was planning to consign. He found it in the unused side of his closet (my overflow area). We laughed the rest of the night.

Just for the record, I’m not going to touch the topic of Christmas sweaters. Not a fashion faux pas–unless you are a guy–but I believe you can do better.

Karen’s Top Holiday Choice: The Cardigan. It works on any woman petite to plus size. Choose an embellished one to make it more formal, or add accessories to a holiday color of choice.

Kohl’s 29.99

FIT TIP: Wear with two buttons closed under the bust as shown in photo. This shows curves, yet still hides flaws.

Also, if you choose a solid color cardigan, add the bling. Embellished cardigan: 1-2 pieces of jewelry will be enough.

Kohl’s Accessories, $35 for all 3 pieces

There you have it – enough suggestions for every holiday occasion that I hope will help you dress your best while enjoying a peaceful holiday.

I wish for you a Holiday Season that is wonderful in every way and that you will look back and say–I did things for my family, others AND for me. It feels good. That is Inner Contentment.

***************

We have designated Tuesday as a day where we will have different women share “Moments & Memories” in their lives.

We plan to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. The column on Tuesday will be centered around our word of the month. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!

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Categories: Encouragement, Finding the Best, Inspiration, Moments & Memories, Renewal

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Thank You: Words of Wisdom #67

Wednesday, November 25, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

Weekly on Wednesday

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Categories: Encouragement, Inspiration, WOW ~ Words of Wisdom

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Gratitude: Words of Wisdom #66

Wednesday, November 18, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

Weekly on Wednesday

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Gratitude: Family Traditions – Duty or Delight

Tuesday, November 17, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

Leigh Anne and Sherra say…

We both know Loi Palmer from our homebased business. She is an active mentor to women in her church and she inspires people with her boundless energy, enthusiasm and creativity. We are delighted to introduce you to Loi…

I have been married to my precious husband for 24 years and the mother of three great kids ages 17-22. I have a degree in Biblical Education and I taught Special Ed for one year. I am a certified Lamaze teacher and birthing coach although I ended up with 3 C-sections! I have run a homebased business for 16 years and my favorite part of it is the amazing friends it has brought into my life. My passion is building deep friendships and encouraging women to love their husbands and kids….  life is hard and we need each other to pray us through the junk of life!

Favorite color:

Turquoise and white 

Favorite food you associate with Fall: 

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancakes topped with butter and Vermont maple syrup.

Pet Peeve?

Beds that aren’t made!

What is something that no one knows about you? (That you want to tell the whole Internet world) 

My childhood home was an old Jewish synagogue – it is now a restaurant

One word that describes you: 

Happy!

What’s your motto or mantra:

“Love God, live in truth and peace and pull your friends out of the ditch”  Malachi 2:7

What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?

1. Slowing down life and watching the grass grow w/ family and friends
2. Making my faith real
3. Homemaking

Traditions: Duty or Delight

A wiry smile tugs at my lips as I reflect on the desperate attempt to intertwine the Palmer and Eggimann family traditions. These were “situations” that were not hammered out before we said, “I do”. The Eggimann’s put up an artificial tree the day after Thanksgiving. Gifts were wrapped and placed under the tree as they were bought. The Palmer’s decorated their live tree five days before Christmas. Gifts magically appeared on Christmas morning. I’m sure you have a similar saga – A Thousand Ways to Celebrate the Same Holiday.

Traditions are an expression of who we are as a family. Step back for a minute and evaluate your family traditions. You will discover that traditions stem from our ethnic backgrounds, family religion, and the region of the country we live in. Here is a bold question… “Does my family really enjoy our traditions or are they a bone of contention stressing us out. Thus negating the true meaning of the holiday we are celebrating?”

Dare to be counter-cultural…

Cut out the stress -factor traditions and add family bonding events.

This Christmas we are stepping out of our comfort zone; traveling with 12 members of our family, and spending two weeks at a children’s home in India. Not the norm… we are at a “freedom” stage … so before everyone gets married and grandkids come along we are going on an adventure. Bottom-line, we will be together celebrating the birth of Christ.

Here are some of our favorite family traditions that I am grateful for:

• Create your Christmas card. As a gift to our family and friends Chuck paints an oil painting each year. Take digital picture and e-mail it to a printer. A child’s crayon drawing of the nativity or snowman makes a treasured card.
• The Snow Village. Chuck and I decided to invest in one of the Department 56 Villages. But, which one? We took the children to our favorite Christmas Shoppe and observed them while they looked at all of the villages available. The Snow Village, captured their attention. Each year we buy a new building and add accessories. Chuck built a huge display stand that goes under our tree to hold the village. The pieces are unwrapped with care as memories of Christmas past flood our mind.
• Sticky buns. The whole family gets involved rolling out the dough, sprinkling on the cinnamon sugar, nuts, raisins and rolling them up. There is nothing like waking up Christmas morning to the aroma of sticky buns and hot coffee.
• Chili for Christmas Eve: Chuck and I were engaged on Christmas eve, at his grandparent’s farm in West Virginia. He proposed in the tractor barn. We had gone for a walk in the snow, just before dinner. The whole family knew he was going to, pop the question, and were waiting at the door to see if I had accepted. After hugs and kudos, we sat down to steaming bowls of chili. In memory of our engagement we eat chili on Christmas Eve… it is a culinary adventure to come up with a different chili recipe and toppings.

Learning to combine family traditions and have stress-free holidays creates magical memories. Being respectful and grateful for all of our different traditions means a holiday season full of delight. Gratitude for family traditions, especially at the holidays, is what makes our family unique and special.

What traditions are you looking forward to celebrating with your family this year?

***************

We have designated Tuesday as a day where we will have different women share “Moments & Memories” in their lives.

We plan to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. The column on Tuesday will be centered around our word of the month. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an emailand we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!

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Categories: Encouragement, Inspiration, Moments & Memories

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Gratitude Brings Joy: Words of Wisdom #65

Wednesday, November 11, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

Weekly on Wednesday

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Categories: Encouragement, Inspiration, WOW ~ Words of Wisdom

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