I am right where Dorothy wanted to be... Kansas. Yes, there is no place like home, but I still feel like I am in Oz. The end of July, my husband and I took a leap of faith. We moved to a town four hours away from the only town we ever lived besides our hometowns. We were always dreaming of living in this place or that place but it was all in theory. Then he got a chance at K-State (in Manhattan, KS) to do what he (in my not–so-humble opinion) does best: make stuff. That stuff more specifically is ceramics. It had been awhile since he had got his hands dirty, so when offered a spot at the post-baccalaureate ceramics program, he told them to count him in. We packed up our stuff and left the only state we have called home for a new one. We left our favorite bar and favorite coffee shop. We left our friends. We moved farther away from family. Instead of a sea of Husker Red, there is Wildcat purple everywhere. As I make this list, it makes me ask myself again, why? Well I found the answer: why not? Yes, we will miss Kearney terribly but sometimes you got to seize the chance for something new. Those chances don’t come around very often, the chance to move and experience a new town. My husband also has a chance to expand his knowledge and get clay on his hands, an opportunity our former town lacked. But what is it like living in brand new town? Exciting but also terrifying. It is surreal to use GPS to get around the town you live in. I am slowly getting my bearings but I am directionally challenged. I will be using GPS for probably the next year. But I can get to Wal-Mart and I know where the coffee shop is so I am all set. But I am trying to soak in the adventure. As we have unpacked mostly every box, the apartment is starting to feel like home. This apartment has a dish washer! I am truly enjoying that luxury. While here, I took the time for find the right job, I tried to take advantage of the brief unemployment gap. The last time I was unemployed was my freshman year of college. So I took some much needed time for me. I admit I may have watched WAY too much Netflix. I also created crazy long To-Do lists that were impossible to accomplish. But, I have thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in, which ends for me next week. This whole moving experience has taught me to take it day by day. Pray often and God will help steer you on the path He has for you. Stay tuned for new posts and new adventures here on my website and on my Facebook page!
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By Marie Bombeck I just finished the book Wonder. Let me tell you it tugs at the heartstrings with raw emotion and the honesty of viewing the world through young eyes. The author captures the adolescent view perfectly. Though I know the targeted audience is a younger demographic than myself, I enjoyed the book immensely. The main character August is still has the naïve spirit of a middle schooler, but he is observant and smart. He picks up on things other kids don’t notice. His story is one that reminds you to always be kind. Near the conclusion of the book, the principal says the following quote from a book by J. M. Barrie called The Little White Bird: ‘Shall we make a new rule of life … always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?’ ” The utter simplicity of this quote stuck with me and I feel like it a good philosophy to carry in the heart always. Though some burdens people bear visibly, others are hidden. Those hidden burdens can weigh heavily on the heart. I think recently books about these burdens are having their moments to shine. They help us shine light on issues we may not experience firsthand. We live a world where cruel words are everywhere we turn. People hid behind Twitter handles and Facebook profiles to say words they never would say face to face. And kids will be kids and will be blunt and sometimes cruel. Adults will gossip behind others back and sometimes surpass the cruelty of children. But what if you tell yourself that the cycle stops with you? What if you do as Gandhi says and actually “be the change you wish to see in the world “? What if you be a little kinder than necessary? Imagine how beautiful it could make the world. Imagine how much a wonderful example it could set for the young eyes in our lives. We need to be kind to everyone no matter race, appearance, belief system, past struggles or current issues. We all need to put a bit more kindness into the world. If Jesus is in your heart, follow His word. Do unto others as you do unto yourself. There is so many countless word of wisdom to remind us of this. But we need to practice what we preach. Can you put your actions where your mouth is? Are you brave enough to be kind? “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” By Marie Bombeck
Going back to church may have been one of the toughest decisions my husband and I have ever made. I was raised Methodist. He was Lutheran. We haven’t been able to decide where to go to church. We both believe. I have not stepped away from Jesus. I still believe he is my savior but the hectic schedule of college and then crazy schedules we kept our first two years of marriage made us put making a decision on which church to attend on the back burner. Then we have also just been lazy and enjoyed sleeping in on Sundays, to noon or later. We relished the last day before going back to the work week. But not any more, we need to make practicing our faith more of a priority. So we are going to churches to learn what a good fit to the both of us is. A few weeks ago, I realized I have never attended a different church without it being another family member’s church or going with a friend or my parents by my side. But, when my husband and I walked into a new unfamiliar church and slid into the back row, I realized how strange it was to be a stranger in a church. But then a thought swept over me, I wasn’t a stranger at all. I was standing worshiping the same God that has been in my heart since I was a little girl. Sure it may be a different setting, but I heard the word from the same Bible I would read, whether it was Methodist or Lutheran. I even sang familiar hymns. Sitting in that unfamiliar pew, there was my old friend Jesus telling me to come to him. I know this Jesus. I know my God. It doesn’t matter the four walls that surround me or the church we chose to go to. What matters is that I go and talk to my old friend whom I have known my whole life. It doesn't really matter to what church you go to. In the end, go to a church were good is. By Marie Bombeck
It is the time for New Year Resolutions. But to be honest, I really suck at those. I have never been able to keep one. But the first week of the new year gets you thinking about them, and I have been mulling it over in the back of my mind. Two nights ago, I made dinner. Nothing out of the ordinary but I cleared off two spots on my dining room table, pushing away the pile of papers, bills to the other side. I wanted to sit down at the table instead of eating in front of the tv which we usually do. We sat at our table, bowed our heads to thank God for this food, and enjoyed a home cooked meal of meatloaf, potatoes and salad. Sure the potatoes were the frozen kind in a steam fresh bag and the salad came from a bag too. But the meatloaf was made from scratch using my fool-proof recipe. We sat and talked and laughed. We caught up on each other’s day. The dog sat at our feet hoping for crumbs to drop. It was nice, Despite the fact there was piles of papers to be filed or a disheveled kitchen that needs to be tidied. I always think it is too much work to set the table for dinner. I don’t know what to do with the stuff that has made its home on the kitchen table. But tonight, sitting at the table let me focus on my family. No TV as a distraction. As we talked, I wondered why we didn’t do this more often. And then I thought of the perfect resolution for 2018. More meals at my dining room table. We need to sit down, bow our heads, thank God for the food, and laugh and talk and eat. Time to get back to basics and gather around the table. By Marie Bombeck
Hey you. Yes, you, the one who is reading this. You don’t give yourself enough credit. Yeah, sure you sometimes get it wrong. But have you stopped to see all the times you get it right? You, just like everyone else, are trying to get it right enough to make it through the day. You try to treat others the way you want to be treated. You are good to the people you love. You are always trying to be everything that everyone needs you to be. Sometimes you just can’t be it. And that’s ok. But there are times you are. And even when that happens, you don’t give yourself enough credit. I know the pain of wanting to be more, the desire to give more effort than is feasible. I know how easy it is to wear yourself out, to give more and more and never ask for anything in return. You are not invincible. You can’t be it all and do it all. Don’t look down on yourself simply because you are human. Because what you aren’t noticing is how much you have given those near and dear to you. And you, yes you, don’t give yourself the credit you deserve. You don’t always have to be more. It’s ok to try your hardest but stop there. It’s ok to give up on lost causes. It is ok to just be enough, because you don’t give yourself enough credit. So stop and breathe. Look around you. See what you are doing right. Cherish that. Cherish the ones that love you. Give what you can. Be kind. And give yourself the credit you deserve. By Marie Bombeck
So a few weekends ago, I tried to go screen free. In all honesty, I was not completely successful. But I did manage to stay off Facebook and Instagram for a solid two days. And once I did finally get back on, I became aware of how often I check it for no reason. My news feed doesn’t change that much. I really don’t need to know how many people “liked” my post. The quality of my life does not magically increase or decrease by how many thumbs ups my Facebook friends give me. The weekend of no social media or screens taught me that I need to limit the time I spend on my phone. I need to stop scrolling through Pinterest and start doing some of the stuff I pin. Actually read all the articles I have pinned. Maybe try some more of those craft projects I have saved for that theoretically “someday”. Where I really failed at my screen free weekend was going without TV, especially in the Netflix department. I started my screen free time on Friday night. I didn’t watch TV Friday night and Saturday I went to a pumpkin patch. (I didn’t have cell service, so I couldn’t check Facebook!) That night I came home and just didn’t feel like reading… so I slipped. My husband and I watched two episodes of a show. But then I shut it off. I swear! I guess in my mind I justified it because I was spending time with the hubby. We have been watching the show together. With crazy schedules, the weekends tend to be the only time we can both sit down and watch it. It was hard to cut everything out. But I think taking some time away from all the screens helped me realize how much time I actually waste glued to the screen or the idiot box. I got some perspective so that I really need to limit my time. I have been doing my writing without Netflix playing in the background. I will let you imagine how much faster I have been getting my posts written. So no, I am not cutting out screens completely from my life. But, I am cutting down the time I spend looking at them. How about you? Anyone been trying to do the same? Love to see your comments below. By Marie Bombeck Netflix has ruined my life. I am not trying to be melodramatic. Ok, maybe I am a little bit. But, Netflix to me is an addictive app that has stolen hours and hours of my life. I don’t know how to quit the habit or use responsibly. Every time I finish binge watching a new show, I say to myself, “This is it. This is the last time. Don’t start a new show. If you do, only watch one episode a day.” So, I started re-watching the first season of Once Upon A Time last night. Today, I am on episode 4… But I wasn’t always like this. I used to have hobbies. I used to just watch TV in moderation. I used to be able to turn off the TV. Shows were alright, but I preferred to spend my time reading. Books were my TV. But then I grew up and went to college. I was constantly reading and studying so reading a book when my eyes were tired was not the best way to unwind. I would flip on the TV. Let me be completely honest, college taught me to binge watch. Every Tuesday, USA had a daytime Law and Order SVU marathon. Between classes on Tuesday you could find my behind plastered to the couch in full potato mood. Slowly I thought I could do other tasks while I watch TV. I could finish that assignment. I can write that paper. Even though I knew it took me twice as long to complete the task. Then I got Netflix on my iPad, a device that could go with me anywhere, such as to the computer lab or in my bed or into the kitchen while I was cooking. Most of my day, Netflix was always on in the background except when I was sleeping or going to class or showering. When I graduated college, I told myself that I would kick this habit. I wouldn’t constantly have it on when I came home, but sadly that is not the case. I like to watch a show when I am home over my lunch hour. I usually finish the last of the episode I started when I come home before I cook dinner. Then, my husband and I select a show to watch while eating our dinner. We do some chores and I fall asleep watching my iPad in bed. I can watch Netflix while I do anything. It’s just background noise, I say. I lie to myself. I think I am in control but I am not. It is a sad life I live where I am addicted to my screens. Let me be the cautionary tale. Turn off the TV and read a book. But this weekend, I will be going screen free. Stay tuned for a follow up post on me trying to kick my terrible habit. Gizmo displays my legging and jegging collection to show how fantastic they look with cat hair. By Marie Bombeck
I have to take back what I said when jeggings made their debut. I also now am a total hypocrite when it comes to the whole leggings as pants situations. I didn’t think the trend was for me. I had numerous reasons. There aren’t flattering on me… They aren’t flattering on anyone… They are so tight and restricting… They are only for skinny girls… Lies. All lies. I told myself all these lies until I bought my first pair of jeggings. They were slimming. They were comfy. They were magic. (And sometimes they were half the price of normal jeans.) I was in love. One pair led to three or four or five in assortment of colors from black to grey to fake blue jeans. Then, I started to work out a little more regularly and I needed new workout clothes. I got a pair of black capri workout pants. My mind was blown. They were super comfy. They stayed in place. These leggings did not ride up like some shorts do. They were perfect, but I swore I wouldn't wear them outside of the gym or the comfort of my own house. One day, I wore them to Target. I was self-conscious at first. (Everyone could see the shape of my behind... Eek!) In my mind, everyone was looking. Everyone was staring. Everyone was judging. She isn't skinny enough for those. Who does she think she is? Wait... no one cared. No one stared. I was just another legging clad girl in the dollar aisle. Eventually patterned leggings came into the picture. No, I said. This is where I draw the line. I am a black/neutral legging gal. I don’t want to draw attention to my back side. I want it to appear smaller not bigger. Patterns will turn my backside to a planet. But on fateful day, a pattern caught my eye. It was pair with white and black polka dots. I impulse bought and I again fell in love. The polka dots led to geometric patterns to flowers to owls. And now I physically restrain myself from buying a new pair. Because really, how many pairs do I really need? I am all aboard the legging/jeggings trend train and I will probably rock them way longer than they are in style. They are fast and easy to pull on. They are comfy. They stretch on my fat days and cling on my skinny ones. I am so in love. So the day they go out of style, I will be in denial. That’s just how I roll. I stick with a trend even when the train has returned to the station. Check out my legging wearing rules below. *I follow strict rules for my legging/jegging wearing experience.
By Marie Bombeck
I am 24 years old and I do not know how to do a perfect cat eye. Or a smoky eye. Nor do I know exactly what the Kylie Jenner lip kit is. Most days, my mascara is clumpy. The average time I spend on my makeup is maybe 10 minutes, if that. By midday, it may be hard to tell if I put makeup on that morning. Girls, lets talk about makeup and how hard it really is, the struggles, the tribulations. I remember the good old days when I thought I had it mastered. I thought that I had it figured out. I used the cheap cosmetic sponge wedges to apply my foundation. I tried not to have a line, but let’s face it… most girls did. Girl, it is hard to match your foundation color. We did our best. I used the applicators that came in the eye shadow and lived to tell the tale. If I got my skin to be one continuous tone and the zits on my foreheads were barely visible, I was having a good make up day. But nowadays, it is a different story. Now your skin needs to look soft and dewy, but not sweaty. You have to highlight and contour and bake your face (whatever that means). You got to prime and set. You have to fill in your brows (I am lucky if I have plucked them this month). You gotta look on fleek, or whatever the cool kids are saying these days. You need all these different brushes and sponges. I looked at the sponges in the makeup aisle, and I walked away bewildered. I was so confused. I don’t know what they are used for what. If you are feeling as confused I am, just hop on YouTube and watch a 13 year old out do your makeup game and make you feel inferior. I don’t have time to learn all these tips and tricks. The beauty standards to aspire to these days are crazy! If I outline my Cupid’s bow perfectly, I am killing it that day. If my mascara looks even on both eyes, awesome. Actually if I look undead and un-sickly, my makeup game is on point that day. But hey, I have low makeup standards. And if one prolific day, I may master the skills, it will be in vain. For the skills and tips and tricks will evolve past my reach again. But hey, that is ok. Because as I said before, I have low makeup standards. By Marie Bombeck First, let me give an introduction to this post. It is a little different compared to my usual posts. I hope my ramblings have some value to you and inspire you. Because that is what my post is about: Inspiration, that illusive thing every person with a creative bone wishes for. I write this for all the people in my life who thrive on the creative process. Whatever their creative outlet may be, writing, painting, drawing, photography, etc. Also, this is a post that is a bit of continuation to my New York City post. It is also a bit of a reflection of my time there and my reflections when I came back home. This is what I wrote in the airport waiting to go home: Today we are going home. Last night I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go home, but today I think I am. We had an amazing time on our last night. We found an awesome bar. But, today my feet and head hurt and I am ready to be back in Nebraska so I can see where my artwork goes. I have definitely been trying to figure out what type of artwork I wanted to create. And after this trip, I don’t think that what type of art I create is important. I believe I just have to do it. I have to paint, draw, and write. I want this trip to become a springboard for my creations. Be creative even if the inspiration isn’t there in that moment. It may come to you. If it doesn’t, keep going. Push yourself. It will find you So how do you create even when you are uninspired? How do you create when you don’t feel like creating? I found myself trying to answer that question when we were wandering around New York City. As I looked at so many pieces of influential art that I never dreamed i would see in person, the answer came to me. The answer is really simple: You just do it anyways.
That is easier said than done. Sometimes, I don’t know what to write because I want every post to be interesting. I want every post to be the best post I have ever written. (No pressure or anything.) When I was in New York City, I was surrounded by so much greatness. I wished some of it would rub off on me. I didn’t want all this inspiration to end. But back in Nebraska, I started to feel uninspired again. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do or create. I let projects sit idle for days. I instantly turned on Netflix when I came home and became a couch potato. However, greatness doesn’t come to those who sit around and wait for the moment of inspiration to hit like a strike of lighting. For me, my moments of inspiration usually come in the middle of the actual act of creating. So, don’t let excuses hold you back. Be creative even if the inspiration isn’t there in that moment. It may come to you. If it doesn’t, keep going. Push yourself. It will find you. As for me, I am going to practice what I just preached. So enjoy this post. I am already busy writing the next one |
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