Texas, I have arrived!

After a grueling trip (LONG ride, our car completely fell apart in TN, we had to get Red Cross to help us get a tow and a hotel room, had to junk our car and get a rental from an airport an hour and a half way), we FINALLY made it to TX. The best part was as all of this insanity was happening to us, we kept strong as a family and none of us had a nervous breakdown. I try to be thankful of all of the good that we have. Even though it is a difficult patch, we are all being optimistic and upbeat. We have a home, we have our things and we are working on getting a car. The kids are in school and I've even had a chance to meet a group of really friendly and cool wives. Here are my initial observations about Texas:
#1 ~It's HOTTTTTT!
#2 There are huge, icky crickets out here.
#3 ~The walk, in total to & from school to take my kids will total about 4 miles daily!
#4 ~This installation is HUGE!
#5 ~People really DO wear cowboy boots on a regular basis out here!

Still so much to learn, so many people to meet, places to visit and things to do! Forwarrrrd, MARCH!

~LPS~

Bitty ponytail, Spare Change & Cleaning persons

Jobs...endless options! Meaning, you can seek out jobs in any field provided that you are qualified. I want to take this moment to say how much I appreciate all of the people in the world who are OCD about cleaning. These are the people who excel and enjoy the job of being a cleaning person. I am totally serious too! As I mentioned, I'm moving. I have spent the past week, scrubbing, bleaching, scraping, wiping, washing rinsing....and I'm tired and my fingers are peeling from Clorox & all the other cleaning products. (Even though I love the smell of cleaning supplies like Clorox, Windex & Pine Sol!) This is another opportunity to state how much I appreciate my husband. Even with all the cleaning I have done, there is still a lot to be done!! So my hubby has agreed to hire cleaning people to clean the house to clear for our move!! Woot-woot!! I have done so much already so it's pretty much easy, but I almost teared up at the thought of cleaning blinds again!! So that makes me a really happy camper! Oddly enough, I DO have several OCD tendencies, but they mostly stem from my obsession with order and doing things "just right". About my ponytail...I HAVE ONE. It's a little itty bitty one, but it fits in a pony tail holder!! I am growing my hair out. I've considered getting extensions in, but they are SO expensive. I'll have to see if I can get a good deal!! It would be a change. Speaking of change....I am saving all of the loose change and singles I am finding around the house! I can't wait to see how much I gather! I told the kids we'd have a pizza party with the $ we collect!!

Message for me...

It's been a while since I've posted. I'm not one to ramble about what I did or ate today. It has to come to me, that "thing" that I want to share, to say. As I was scrolling through my FB page, it was like someone said "pssst". The message...it was for me, not about me at all, but for me. The phenomenal Raven posted "I'm running late but I'm on my way." And at that I instant, I said, "me too". Just to myself, I said it. That's exactly how I feel. This, of course, is in regards to my writing. I am in the middle of moving just about cross country and there's a LOT to do. I have had very little time to write. Aside from moving prep, my mind has been on trivial things, that really should not consume so much mental and emotional energy. Today, I decided to release it all. I cannot carry the weight of it, like hooks pierced through the flesh of my back, dragging heavy chains, and I am trying to move forward. Today the chains are gone, the flesh is healing, and the mind is freeing. I probably won't get to do very much writing until I actually arrive at my new home, so it may be later than sooner, but I AM on my way, and I WILL get there. My destination awaits!

{P.S. ~I can't figure out how to take off that second picture! LOL Ooopsie!}

Music as Inspiration

I'm not talking about Inspirational/Religious music, although that can certainly provide a source of inspiration... My horoscope told me to find my creative inspiration in music today. So I had my coffee and plugged my earphones in and started listening. I have listened to many songs, many genres. What usually happens to me when I listen to music for inspiration, did happen once again, and that's this. I listen. The songs vary greatly. But what happens is that a recurring theme resounds to me. There is a message that is being conveyed to me and it's said to me in different ways each time, fragments of words that all belong to the same thread of thought, message, that is for ME today. I've been in a funk once again, just regular things in life that irritate me more than usual lately. I crave order and structure so when I don't have that, I get a little cranky. I'm smack dab in the middle of getting ready to move half-way across the country and it's a bit stressful, to say the least. (although in all honesty, I am SO excited about it and ready to start the new adventure) The message I keep getting is simple. Shut up, stop complaining, you have the power to change, to make different the things that displease you, you have the power to move mountains if you really wanted to, you are a winner, you've done this long enough to know how to brush it off of your shoulders and rise above. My confidence slightly gaining, I keep listening. I expected "inspiration" to be tied to my writing. But what I needed was a swift kick in the a$$ telling me to get over it and get above it. So that is exactly what I am going to do. YES, I have to convince myself, force myself, but I will. How does that saying go? "Fake it 'til you make it" Something like that, I am not at ALL about being fake, but I guess if I smile enough, strut enough, I'll remind myself there is too much to feel GOOD about and all that is weighing me down is incidental and unimportant. Off to strut!

~La Poetic Seamstress~

Wounded Wiser

WOUNDED WISER

I must be confessing
That I have been stressing
My wounds all need dressing
And it’s been messing
With my head

I gotta get right
Not everything is a fight
It leads to losing sight
Of what is right
In front of me

Not just giving away status
Because that is
Just plain madness
Recognizing that it
Must be earned

Not looking for highlights
In my life
As mother and wife
In plain eye sight
They find me
All day

In the smiles on their faces
In the peaceful places
In the familial embraces
No need to chase it’s
Right here

I’ve refocused my mind
Making the most of time
Chasing the dreams
That I am meant to find
And leaving behind
Baggage


~La Poetic Seamstress~

Moving (on) New Chapter

Moving. It can be a dreadful process to some. As a military family, we are somewhat accustomed to it, and come to expect it. The only part that I really dislike is packing and unpacking; the rest, I really don't mind. This move, however, is a little harder than previous moves. Only because my children are older and are leaving friends and what they know. We have been here for eight years. That's a lot of time. I am not apprehensive though. We have had great times, met great people and created fond memories here. But, I have also had the displeasure of encountering less than likable characters. Even if I don't associate with them now, the shell remains. I am ready to shed all of the disdain that I have come to acquire while here. I am ready to embark on a NEW chapter, and move on, move forward. I have learned much and grown incredibly in the eight years we have spent here. I am a stronger woman, a better mother and have a solid marriage. Priorities are clear and I am taking what I have learned about myself, and about people, with me. It gives me a greater sense of who and how I need to be as I plant my feet on new territory. On a side enote, I have a terrible headache, and it's probably the anticipation of 8 years of stuff that I have to rummage through, and throw away. You can accumulate a lot in 8 years, in a family of 5!! Wish me luck!

~La Poetic Seamstress~

The Universe

I'm no Zen person, whatever that may be, but I often hear and read about people being in touch with the Universe. I still don't know what that means, but I decided to try and figure it out. What does getting in touch with the Universe mean? If anyone has any insight, do share. For me, I decided to take cues from life, from nature. I am embracing the positivity in my life and shunning negativity. I am embarking on all things positive. I am making things happen instead of waiting for them to land in my lap. The saying is true that Time waits for no one. As most know, I love to write and always have. I've never considered it as a profession because I can't imagine imposing deadlines on my creative process. But I started learning more about freelance writing. (Yes, I write more than just poetry.) I've begun to expand my horizons. I am working on several writing projects and submitting work for publications. I am writing on my terms and it feels great! I was working on an article yesterday and my son said to me "Watcha doing Mom?" I told him I was writing and article to submit to a magazine and he replied, "Wow Mom, that's really cool!" What I am hoping they (my children) learn is that passion is a powerful driving force. So I am opening my senses. I am accepting cues from the Universe. And when things don't go the way I imagine them, I believe it's all part of the grand scheme of things. Maybe I'll start doing more Yoga!

~La Poetic Seamstress~