Thankful for Deliberate Friendships

In this season of being thankful, I think back to my younger days in my youth.    There are so many things that I can now see God totally planned perfectly during this time in my life.

Lately I have really been thinking about friends from church and youth group.  I have a son who is in middle school and two daughters that are at the end of their elementary years.  My kids are entering the age of ‘youth group’ at church.  Those years may not be the pinnacle of everything perfect you must have as a youth, but I do look back and see the importance of all of my friends—especially in THAT time of my life.  What a sweet, awesome, beautiful blessing.  I had several different friends in different stages of my youth at church and these were people that seemed to always be a steady backbone in the blurry craziness of life in school, family and all that comes with that!

I would say I had a pretty quiet life in a home where I was loved by my parents and always knew it.  When I was a child, I was quite shy and like most kids—trying to feel my way around those awkward Middle School Years.   Friends were essential.  Of course I had my ‘best’ friend, Shawn from First grade on.  She would come with me to various Church events and trips in late elementary school.  We hung out pretty solid.  She was a gracious gift from God for me.

As time went on, I became friends with several girls at church.  Many went to other schools.  This was great.  If you had a bad week at school, they did not know anything about it and you could just pick up and enjoy youth group events.  This totally made those things feel minor! 

As a freshman, I entered Youth Choir.  Now, I had been in kids’ Choir for years—really non-stop since age 5, I think.  Youth Choir was great because you were able to interact with even more kids.   Many of my friends entered right along with me. It was fun and we could be social and go on the infamous ‘Choir Tour’ at the beginning of the summer.  Sunday nights after church were sometimes spent going to eat together, or deciding who had parents that would host us over at their house!

Those years in Youth Choir were great for me.  I not only had some great friends that were girls but also some great friends that were guys, too.  There was a group of friends when I was a 9^th grader that would include me and really give me a hard time.  It was all fun pleasant ‘ribbing’ and only encouraged me to dish it back.  Well, I should say the girls always had my back, but the guys liked to give me a hard time as the ‘Rookie’ choir member.  We would all laugh until our sides split.  Many of these in this crew were older and graduated on out in the coming years.  Only to have more funny and crazy (but good kids) guys and girls move on in to Youth Choir and youth group in general.

These are kids who learned about Jesus right along with me, then were Believers right along with me as we ventured through youth at church together.  I could relax and feel safe with these friends.  I could be goofy or have a tough day and these are people that would not skip a beat. (Sometimes they just ignited with more sarcasm with a smile….but that would usually just bring on the laughter) 

There is something so beautiful and deliberate about this.  God always knew WHO I needed in my life RIGHT when I needed it the most.  These are kids and friendships that helped me grow. What a complex time in my life but yet I can see the ebb and flow of God’s design for me in the form of friendships.

 

It is my constant prayer that as my kids grow, they will have friends in youth group like these.  I see the importance of it and want the same for my kids.  I can still see “to everything there is a season…” in that part of my life.  That season was great for me and I will cherish it!  I will always have a soft spot for my friends from the ‘old days’ in youth group and Youth Choir.  I am so grateful for those friendships.  So cheers to you guys—you all know who you are, for putting up with my crazy jokes, sarcasm, goofy antics and just hanging out with me.  You really were a blessing in my life!  Thank you.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

(“Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.”)

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1, King James and Good News Translation

With Joy,

Tracey

Pink Lizzard Designs

Can You Imagine Fear?

Yesterday was Halloween and I hope you had a happy one!  It is funny this time of year when we all get a kick out of spooky things.  My kids each have different personalities when it comes to being scared.

My oldest, the Honey Badger, is now very casual about being scared and scary movies.  He has always enjoyed some scary things, starting young with an obsession with Scooby Doo.  Honey Badger has now moved on but would still enjoy a thriller even though he is “over” trick-or-treating.

My middle child, the Comedienne, loves being scared and thrills even though she is the most quiet of the bunch.  It does seem to make sense as she has the crazy sense of humor and can totally take a joke.  Comedienne likes to plot to play jokes and will aggravate her younger sibling by jumping out to scare her.

My youngest, the Feisty-Smiley One,  does not like to be scared, does not like very scary or spooky movies, and prefers to go upstairs with someone else this time of year.  Enough said.

Upon the chance to secretly deliver ‘Boo Bags’ to neighbors houses recently, Honey Badger passed on the adventure.  The girls were eagerly jumping up and down at the chance to deliver a small sack of Halloween nonsense to unsuspecting friends.  If you are unfamiliar, ‘Boo Bags’ are whatever you want to throw in a sack—cool candies, trinkets, candles—and take at dark to a friend’s house.  You secretly leave the bag, ring the doorbell and RUN so you are not busted as the Boo Bag deliverer.    Then that person should head out the next night and pay the favor on another friend and it goes on!  So they load up and head out.  I hear that when they make a run for the car, Feisty-Smiley One will just push sister out of the way and get herself in the car as fast as she can.  She is out of breath and semi-shaken.  Comedienne arrives in the car…cool as a cucumber and laughs quietly.  I think we will have to keep our eye on this one!

So that brings me to fear and how we handle it.  This stuff is all fun and games but how many of us really experience fear?  I was reading a post from a friend of a friend.  Her dad is going through a terrible battle with cancer.  He told her he could not sleep the other night and it was hard to catch his breath.  I have only experienced this really once (slightly) and it was terrifying, but I am not facing the same health struggles.  I can’t imagine how he felt. 

She goes on and explains the next part and it just hit me hard.  During this fearful episode, he began to talk out loud to the Lord.  Then he prayed Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Wow.  So many things flooded into my mind.  During this scary, fearful struggle, he calls out and claims his faith and trust in the Lord.  He is comforted by the victory of GRACE.  Her dad knows that the One who gave the biggest sacrifice for him knows his pain and will comfort him. 

She continues and explains he was really grateful for knowing scripture and her continued prayer request is that he will be able to keep his heart rate under control while going through treatment.  I sat with tears in my eyes.  I was so moved.  More than ever I feel I need to arm not only myself, but my children with the gift of a library of verses to help them through life’s struggles.  Sure, they memorize verses but what about verses they can use as swords against fear?  What about verses to light their path?  What about verses to shield from indecision or controversy?   Well, I have lots to do, Ladies and Gentleman!  I thank God for people who share their struggles with others and how the Lord speaks to them or comforts them.  So many times, they don’t realize how much they make a difference.

Hope your Halloween was not so scary!  May the Lord comfort you today!

With Joy,

Tracey

Summer Project 2013

I have been so out of whack since the late spring.  Something about end of school and starting summer with a bang and never really stopping for a breath…..I guess that is my excuse.

My summer has been pretty busy, not unlike most moms with a gaggle of kids.  We had camp, and lots of Swim Team, friends and a family trip.  It is unreal our summer is only about 8 weeks.  Just not enough time.  Not to say I am not ready for some consistency, but I dread the strict time schedule and the nagging about homework and going to bed and getting up.  I dread the running around with all those activities, errands and exercise while trying to balance the homework and meals.  When I say ‘homework’ I am also lovingly referring to my load as well.

This was my 'Project List' to
organize my kid-free week. Ha ha!

So that brings me to my summer project.  Well, I actually had some dream-of-a-list of projects to get done while all three of my kids were at summer camp in June.  It was the first time in years they all were gone for days and I was at home. I prioritized my list and decided the best thing to work on that needed non-stop focus:  my armoire in the Master Bedroom.

This armoire was one of our first purchases after we moved to Tennessee.  It is a good brand, sturdy and well made.  It has been through 2 moves and 3 kids banging it up.  The armoire found a home in our Master, along with our other dark wood furniture. 

This is the 'before' pic.

I decided I wanted to paint it and distress it just a bit.  This would lighten up the room and avoid competing with my other dark furniture.  It had seen better days and lost a few knobs.  So Mr. Lizzard (hubby) helped me slide paper under the edges and I taped off the room around this project piece.

The kids left for camp and I worked hard but had many distractions with cleaning and our Swim Team starting up as I was volunteering with the team.  I had most of it completed by the end of camp.  

...and mid-way through...

I painted it with a creamy white chalk paint, then highlighted areas with a taupe chalk paint.  I distressed.  

I distressed too much for that piece in that room.  So, then I did a pale warm gray chalk paint wash and rubbed it all over.  I slightly sanded this time.  This made the finish less distressed.  It took forever to finish the whole project.  I followed with an antique wax about 2 weeks later.   I love it in my room!

Ta-da!!!  All done (finally)!

So much better now...

My list barely had a dent in it by the end of camp and certainly by the end of our summer break.  I have cleaned out just a smidge here and there. We did a lot of Swim Team and a lot of running around.  That is life.   One day, my house will be empty and my project lists will have more checks than now.  

For now, I can look ahead at the school year and try to plan a few projects….of course between activities, homework and work, dinner, errands…. you know the drill.  Sometimes LIFE gets in the way.  And that is ok by me.  Just remind me.

With Joy!

Tracey

Pink Lizzard Designs!

Small Transformations

We are just past Spring Break and Easter but I don’t think the weather around here knows it!!!  I can see some of the trees trying to bud and blossom but my cold-natured-self says to keep my jacket on.

With some much-needed sunshine Monday, I was able to walk around in my sad garden and see a few signs of spring.  Finally, I feel the need to start looking at garden plans but that will be for another day.

The display on my back fence

The pansies are starting to perk

The bunny statue needs Spring!

Phlox is blooming --slowly

We had a nice ‘Stay-cation’ here this time for Break and I was able to piddle around and get a few things done.  Now, not a TON because my kids thought Spring Break meant Spring Chauffeur (meaning ME) to them.  So, I decided to work on a few smaller projects as I could.  I worked on my garage a few weekends ago, clearing and trying to organize the space.  It is amazing how you feel like getting other projects done when you have a cleared out space!

I launched a new adventure I call, “Pink Lizzard Designs”.  The two ‘z’s are a throwback to a garage band my hubby had in High School-but his was Black, not pink!  Anyway, it is not really a true business, just a hobby where I can create and rescue and transform old finds.  I have a sweet friend that has an antique booth at Sheffield’s in Collierville called Ella May Designs.  Stephanie is a creative doll and lets me put some of my items in her booth.  She has great taste and I love her booth!  My hubby is supportive and lends some critical opinions my way when needed.  For the most part, Mr. Lizzard tolerates my crazy creative whims quite well and is happy to leave me to do my messes.  I try to make sure my family ‘business’ stays on track even though I would love to just paint and paint all day!

I found some interesting things in my thrifting jaunts a few weeks ago.  Some things are for me to keep and I think I will send some items to the Ella May Designs.  I found this lonely horse bookend that was somewhat heavy but ugly.  Since my girls and I all have the horse fever, I knew I had to grab it.   Originally I had plans for it in their room, but I changed my mind and I think it looks nice for now in my bookshelves!

I love all things galvanized metal these days.  I don’t know what it is about it, but I sure do love it.  I found a great French Market bucket and shined it up with come cleaner and a bit of paint.  I like how it turned out and have thought of a million places to put this find!

This cute shelf grabbed my attention but someone had decoupaged fruit on the front skirt of the shelf.  It was screaming for help so I picked it up.  I decided to add a wood embellishment to the scalloped ‘skirt’.  I brushed on an antique white and a neutral gray paint.  After sanding, I waxed it well!  Major change!

I have been working on a small budget to get my family hearth room together or somewhat ‘decorated’ since the fall.  Of course I get distracted and life gets in the way, but it is getting close to the end….for now.  I hope to post the update on the finished product when I get there.  I needed something to go over my triple windows that look out into the backyard.  Since the budget is not allowing for a major item, I decided to make a rustic sign. 

For the sign, I used a board that was started in the fall for a rustic Christmas sign but never was brought to full potential.  Luckily, the colors I started with were pretty good for my room.  It may be there for a long time (knowing me and my budget constraints), so I came up with “Faith Family Friends”, but in Italian.  Don’t ask me why, I just liked it!  After fumbling around with fonts (forever—that is how I roll), I found a font I like and got to work.  I want it to look a bit old, so throws me into what I refer to as The Process.  Now, The Process has a long definition that pretty much pertains to me and how I work.  Many of you that are uber organized would probably go nuts working alongside of me and The Process.  I guess it works like this:

I start a project with an idea. Get excited with the materials and ideas and get started on said project. Stop for life. Get started again. Stop to plan another step out. Stop for life. Days pass, because there is life and kids and house, etc.  Get started on another layer, discovering a needed material at the store.  Stop for a day (yes, life again).  Get started again, more layers…you get the idea. 

Mr. Lizzard does not always understand The Process and I know it frustrates him.  He is very patient mostly and just looks the other way.  Thank goodness for Mr. Lizzard and his patience….and golf.

Back to the sign!  After days in The Process, it is finished!  I like it and it will do… for now.  I think it will add to the framing of the view.

I always seem to have a small project going, or at least some materials to begin one.  I guess it is an outlet for me and I so enjoy it!  Sometimes working on a budget makes one think outside the box.  I love this quote:

“But out of limitations comes creativity.” – Debbie Allen

So true!  And so there are small transformations that arise out of that!

Enjoy the weather, come on spring!

Joy,

Tracey

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I was featured on French Country Cottage, Feathered Nest Friday!

Decluttering – It is a Journey

If you know me well, you know I am always trying to fit in cleaning, picking up, organizing, and the like.  Now, I am not saying that I accomplish all of these or do so in a timely manner (yes, I feel my mother-in-law cringe…hang in there, Maureen), but I do my best at the attempt and the process.  That is all a long way of saying, ‘I try’.  I don’t know if I am left or right-brained and if that has anything to do with it.  I do know I have some ADHD without the hyperactivity so that puts a whole new spin on it.

In recent months, I am working on giving myself some slack in this area when needed.  I am human.  I have some gifts.  Being uber organized is not my gift.  I want to be organized, but so many things get in my way.  I won’t go into all of that here.  I also need to give myself a hard time so I can get things done.  It is a balance and I am still working on it.

 

I love this verse, but I really like this translation:

“I will give you praise, for I am strangely and delicately formed; your works are great wonders, and of this my soul is fully conscious.” –Psalm 139:14 BBE

Oh yes, I love the ‘strangely’ part!  I keep on trying to remember that God does things for a reason and I am the way I am because HE did that with intent!

I enjoy looking at all things home décor and design on the internet.  One of my favorite sites is Houzz.  I was drawn to an article last night called, ‘Decluttering—Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back’.  You can guess why I clicked on it.  I really enjoyed the article; the author seemed to struggle with letting go of her kids’ artwork.  I too, struggle with that.  The article goes on with her struggles of regret of giving stuff away (yes, I have been there), and keeping and what not to keep.  Then you find her family survives a house fire.  She loses many possessions.  What her young daughter said as the author mourns the loss of sentimental artwork was amazing:  we still have each other to remind us we are loved.  Not the stuff.

Of course I was very choked up.  I will say this article was helpful.  I may not let go of all of my kids’ crafts, drawings, notes.  I will keep this all in mind when I go through it.  I will let go of some….ok, more.  One small step for man.  One giant leap for the decluttered-kind.

With Joy,

Tracey

(see the article from Houzz on my blog…)