~ Still Missing Amy…Nice To Meet You, Harriet! ~

I still miss the t.v. show, Judging Amy — my most favorite show! I can’t really explain why, exactly, I loved that show. I mean, there were sad stories surrounding these great characters, but the show presented many uplifting ones, too. I still view Judging Amy as my favorite show on television — and then it went and got cancelled for a YOUNGER viewing audience! I’m not exactly old! But justice was served. The show — I can’t even remember which one — that replaced Amy got cancelled in the end too. I guess those young people refused to watch the new one…Sustained!

Since then I have filled in the void with other shows that are good in their own right. As the every-good-show-gets-cancelled card has fallen on some of them, I stick with my t.v. line-up and have introduced some new ones. I always tell myself I’m not going to watch any new shows that may lead to disappointment. But if there are favorite actors involved, I make an exception. Though, as this season has proven, one of my favorites (Medium) will end this Friday…:( But alas, I have found a new show that I think IS the best one on television: Harry’s Law.

As a fan of Ms. Kathy Bates as Harry Korn, I just had to tune in. Harry’s Law aired last night, January 17, 2011. From only the first few minutes of the pilot, I was hooked. I knew that I would love this show. Ms. Bates is HILARIOUS. I found myself crying a couple times, and laughing loudly. If my husband was home, he would have said I was cackling. I also fell in love with Adam Branch (Nate Corddry). The whole cast is lovable! I can’t wait for next Monday! You know what I will be doing — Sitting in front of the boob tube watching Kathy Bates kick some ass!

If you missed last night’s premier, catch up on www.nbc.com/harrys-law. Just too funny (and inspirational) to miss!

 

~ Security Basics ~

For those of you who subscribe to Christina Katz’s e-zine, “The Prosperous Writer,” you may well be informed of this past week’s topic. I have been reading Ms. Katz’s e-zine for some time since I took one of her classes almost two years ago. I have wanted to contribute, but have been waiting for my blog to be underway first. And since I have a few posts under my belt, and this week’s topic turned on a light bulb, I was ready to jump right in.

For each of us, security (as Ms. Katz explained) can mean different things individually. Until reading the current issue, I have always thought of security as having money, mainly. You know, decent house; nice car; vacations every year; not living paycheck to paycheck. I’m not saying it’s the most important thing, but we need money to live. So this leads me to agree with Katz’s description of “basic security”: roof over our heads; food in our bellies; sense of comfort depending on our situation. Which, according to her, having security — whatever it is to you — will keep the creativity flowing. Even with those basics, I feel like they are on shaky ground at times. Well, here lately especially. That led me to think about my aspirations of a writing career — Is this the reason I’m not on my writing path just yet?

Not only does the “basic security” appear to be a contributing factor, but I feel I need order around my house before I can get the creativity flowing. I want laundry to be done, dishes all put away, clutter off the floor. Is this just me or am I just making excuses? Along with security, shouldn’t there be order? Yin and Yang.  I know my biggest problem is not having my own space. Yes, I have an office, but my husband or kids are usually lingering around. For instance, this evening trying to finish this post, my kids are practically in my lap. So I now need an extra desk and a comfy chair all my own. Maybe I just need my own bedroom — with a lock!

Most importantly, I have now realized that it’s not the clutter on the floor to worry about, I need that security to clear up the clutter in my mind. Thanks, Christina!

You can check out Christina Katz’s blog at www.christinakatz.com and make sure your sign up for “The Prosperous Writer.”

 

~ Giving Thanks ~

I am thankful for my family and friends.

I am thankful for getting through this tough year thus far.

I am thankful for the gifts yet to come.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It has been hard for me to get into the holiday season. In my area, the weather has not been the norm. Just last week it was ranging in the 60s. My city has the Christmas power pole decorations up already — two weeks ago! It’s just now Thanksgiving! At least this week has been more like November. Colder temps. Rainy days. It rained all day today. I was really thankful for all that mild weather we were having. I could really go for a California Christmas. I’m not ready for snow and below zero temps just yet.

I didn’t need Thanksgiving to be thankful for all the gifts we have been given this year — making it one day at a time. The past couple of years have been tough for us. Just like the rest of the world, getting those bills paid at times is stressful. But you find a way to get it done and you make it through. I have been telling myself that God is giving us a lesson in all of this. When things are good, they are good. When they get too good, here comes a setback for that wake-up call. We will keep on keepin’ on!

To top off our Thanksgiving Day, as my girls and I were watching Elf (to get into the Christmas spirit), that rain turned into snow. My girls got on their coats, gloves, and boots as fast as they could to go meet the falling snow. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

 

~ A New Birth ~

Happy Birthday to me! Thirty-seven years ago, on this day, my parents welcomed me into their lives. As young children we look forward to birthdays as a way to get presents (you know it’s true) and stuff our faces with cake and ice cream. Well, who am I kidding! I could take a party right now. It IS my birthday. I want some cake, and eat it too! I want to celebrate life, my life.

So, as adults, we may not get presents from all of our family and friends, but we learn what a gift it is to reach each birthday given to us by God. As I am getting older, and wiser, I am ready to focus on a new year, a new birth. What do I want for the next year; what kind of person do I aspire to be; what gift does the world want to give to me? I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to find out.

Kristen Renee Lusch

November 9, 1973

 

~ Sweet Love Affair ~

Since September I have been steadily walking every morning with a fellow momma. We drop our kids off at school and are off to our local nature trail. Now, to be honest, there have been days, like today, that didn’t work out. And now that the temps are dropping, we will be looking for somewhere indoors or I will be shopping for some long johns.

We initially started walking three miles, and now we are walking four. It didn’t take long that I was feeling better, some pep in my step. People also started to notice that I had lost some weight. That always boosts the morale. I haven’t changed my food habits much at all, but I have been trying to eat better foods and watch my portions. So after a couple of months walking and losing around five pounds, it is time to step it up. I have so many more pounds to lose.

The soda must go!!!

Soda is my weakness. If it has cherry in it, oh I’m in love. I’m taken back to when I was young and could go to an old diner and buy a real Cherry Coke for a nickel. Plain Coke with cherry syrup poured right in. The ole diner no longer stands — just a garden in its place. As I’ve gotten older, I favor Cherry Pepsi. I know when I’m stressed, it is soda that I look for. Unlike Oprah with potato chips, I would rather have a tall Cherry Pepsi (or Coke) on the rocks.

As a child, my mother never bought soda. I was raised on milk and Kool-Aid for a refreshing drink. I never really had the stuff unless we were out shopping with my grandparents and stop to have dinner somewhere. I do remember getting a soda and sucking it down before dinner was even served. Once I got to high school, it was official — I was a soda junkie! With soda machines readily available, two dollars for lunch, I bought a soda and whatever-sounded-great out of the vending machine. My love affair with soda began. My high-school sweetheart!

As a mother myself, I keep soda out of the house because I don’t want my kids getting addicted, as well. I do let them have it if we’re out sometimes. But I would rather get them away from soda altogether. I want them to understand it’s not a great choice. As a family we have been trying to eat better, cut out fast food, and make better choices all around for our bodies.

Soda has not only contributed to my weight, but falling into the trap of fast food because of being a busy mom. I know showing my girls how to take care of their bodies rather than just telling them is a better lesson. I know I will learn something, too, along the way. Exercising, or keeping active rather, is not only good for our physical health but our mental health too.

 

~ Growing Tree ~

As with many families this time of year, we are all gathering for the annual family reunion. I have gone to my maternal grandmother’s branch for many years now. This year seemed to be only a few. The group stays the same with time, though this is the only time I get to visit with them. We had a beautiful summer day for it; a little sun with a light breeze.

My girls and I arrived right at 12:30 when everyone was ready to eat, I’m sure. But, hey, this momma has three girls to get out the door, and one of them couldn’t find her flip flops. That’s our usual story trying to get out the door. I was really hoping they weren’t waiting on us. I thought maybe we weren’t the only ones running late.

But…I think we were.

As we got settled in, my relatives lined up, prayer was said, and we began filling our plates. Along with eating a light lunch, there was plenty of conversation. I learned we have a new addition to our family tree with another one on the way. We are growing and growing, but just in different directions.

I feel it’s important to take my girls to our family reunions — along with studying our ancestry — so they understand the importance of extended family, as well as, their immediate one. I want them to know where they come from, so maybe it will help to get them where they’re going. I don’t know who said that, but I do believe it. I know it’s helping me.

With the other branches, I have cousins on facebook in order to keep up with them. I have connected with distant cousins through ancestry.com while searching my family tree, as well. I’m grateful to have the Internet in order to keep in touch with long-distant family and friends, but nothing beats being together face-to-face.

One way or another, a good ole’ fashioned family reunion should never go out of style.

 

~ Girl Power ~

If you could ask anyone who knows me and my family, they would probably tell you about my three girls — how cute and little they are, of course. I’m not trying to brag, really. I do know how cute my girls are. I’m a proud mom…What can I say?  But as a momma of three little girls, I have heard that statement a lot. Well, that, and the apprehension in their voice; “You have three girls?” I know I have my hands full. I have three children in this day and age — period.

But in all that apprehension, there are smiles that come with it.

Every single day one of them presents me with a gift; whether it’s the gift of a good morning kiss, a question of curiosity, or a simple hello to start the day. As they are growing older, I’m learning more and more about them. I find it exciting as a parent to see the world through their eyes and be the first to hear about their hopes and dreams for their future. I only hope my support for every little interest that crosses their path feeds their inspirations for all the possibilities ahead.

As I am open to inspiration all around, I live with three amazing little beings every day that inspire me. My eldest, Hannah, reminds me to go for my dreams as she is not afraid to aspire for her dream as a rock star. Isabelle, my second baby, reminds me of my love for books as she gets just as excited for a trip to Barnes & Noble. And that wit of hers reminds me of myself, I must say. The youngest of our family, Allyson, is most like her dad, but she gets her dance moves from me.

Girls, girls, girls…Do you feel sorry for my husband? Even our pets are females!

This week I’ve been reading Allison DuBois’ Secrets of the Monarch. Ms. DuBois explains how in families we are living dreams, or seeking paths, of the ones who have gone before us; passing the torch, if you will. As I read her words, they resonated with me. I see attributes of myself in my three girls as I’m sure my mother could see some part of her in me. Mom always tells me how her bossiness (no offense, Great Grandma) came from her grandmother, as well as, how particular she is about cleaning the house. I can tell you I’ve inherited the same traits. Thank you, Great Grandma! She was a great woman.

I do hope I am making my ancestors proud by living this life the best I possibly can. I wouldn’t be here without them. That is one thing I have been teaching my girls. I want them to know who came before them; to know where they come from. I feel everyone should do their family tree. Somehow knowing your family history puts things in perspective.

Who was it that said, “Knowing where you came from helps you to know where you are going.” I’m sure that isn’t the exact quote, but you get the idea.

 

~ Hair on the Chinny-Chin-Chin ~

As a lady in her later 30s and striving to grow old gracefully, finding more hairs than usual on the ‘ole chinny chin chin was NOT a great moment recently. I almost called my mother! I resisted, though, as we already had the discussion. Mom warned me it runs in the family — So get used to it!

Trust me. My mother did not share any grief with me after I found my first gray hair!

I was taking the normal look-see in the visor mirror of my mode of transport the other day while waiting in the drive-thru line at McDonald’s. To my surprise, there were all these hairs on my face! Granted I had no make-up on and my hair up in a pony-bun, finding these hairs on my face didn’t help my self-esteem much. I was ready to get home as fast as I could!

I have never been too worried about having make-up on before leaving the house, but I don’t want to feel like I have to start using my husband’s beard trimmer before showing my face to the public.

Ahh…my usual large iced coffee suppressed those insecurities — for a little while!

More than ever before, I now catch myself rubbing my chin feeling for hairs. This is not how I envisioned my 30s! You know the show, Thirtysomething? That is what I thought my life could be like when I got here. Fabulous! I know, I know. That is Hollywood, and I’m not married to Peter Horton.

Things could be worse. It’s only a few hairs that can be plucked.  But I would much rather leave the facial hair to my hubby. Of course, to be honest, I really don’t like his beard.

So where can I find some inspiration in all this? I have something else in common with my husband, and I am grateful I only have a few chin hairs to worry about.

 

~ Found It ~

The first thought of having a blog was exciting to me. Since first starting my blog — working at it for over a year — I have been wishy-washy. I haven’t been consistent even though ideas are always bouncing around in this head of mine. I have been pondering a perfect title for my blog for awhile now…a long while.

My main goal is expression — as I believe that IS the goal for most. What I love the most about the world we live in is the fact that there are so many things around us to gain inspiration from.  So I hope to pass along some found inspiration in hopes to inspire others. Found It!

I aspire to inspire. It all starts with just a little inspiration.

 

~ Eat, Sleep, Laugh, Cry…Pray ~

On my way home this evening from a kid-sports-practice-drop-off, I looked over to catch a glimpse of a local CPA’s office marquee. On a daily basis there is some tidbit of information to make one laugh or to encourage thought. Today’s message conveyed “It is okay to pray” on this day of the National Day of Prayer.

My first thought was “well, of course it is! Are people really questioning whether or not they can pray depending on this day?

I have to admit that I haven’t paid much attention to the National Day of Prayer in years past. I didn’t think one needed a certain day to pray or just as a reminder. I pray on a daily basis about simple things or when I really need to talk to him, whom I call God.

So from what I have learned from my search engine, this National Day of Prayer has been around since before my time. I don’t fully understand why President Truman set this day, but I do know everyday should be a prayer day, however one chooses to pray. Traditional prayer, meditation, or a period of silence, all options are good for our souls.

One place I did learn of this day, and the uproar it seems to be causing, was from my favorite social site. I have read different comments from those who worry our president is cancelling our prayer time or others who want to move to another country. Really?

Do we need the government to make it feel okay to pray by setting a certain day? I think not! We need to keep prayer going ourselves, not because it is set on our calendars. Let the government worry about the big problems in this world.

If this IS the last National Day of Prayer, my days will be no different from here on out. I pray because I eat, sleep, laugh, and cry. Prayer is part of my everyday life.