I'm an idiot...obviously.

I like maps really I do, I pride myself in being good with maps and directions, knowing my north, south, east and west wherever I am. Never East Shredded Wheat is a phrase to live by. I'm not that go by landmarks girly-girl. I like to know "turn right, south of blah, blah, blah". Basically you could call me a human compass (although this nickname has never been tested by an unexpected wilderness adventure where I am forced to rely on my skills for survival).


Anywho. This really doesn't have to do with maps, as much as it has to do with my lack of attention to my school work in my younger days. And, therefore my lack of knowledge now about the things on these maps that I have stared at all my life. In fact, in elementary school maps were everywhere. We even had one painted on the concrete slab on the playground. I never really saw anyone play with it, and we never used it in any sort of educational activity but it was there. Sort of worn looking, reminding us to be proud Americans with Alaska and Hawaii floating out there mysteriously both south of California, grossly out of proportion to the rest of the masterpiece. I vaguely remember learning some song to help us memorize the state capitals and all the conversation about how the size of a city does not automatically make it the capital; i.e. Seattle in our 3rd grade minds was the obvious choice for Washington, but no...Olympia. Olympia is where it's at!

One thing I have no memory of is learning the abbreviations for each state. Sure, they were printed on probably more than half of the maps we used in elementary school but we never addressed it. Or, I was too busy playing M.A.S.H or contemplating my tetherball strategy for our next recess during this crucial instruction time. What I do remember is that some of them are tricky. You know like Colorado and Connecticut, both start with CO, how did Colorado come out the winner on that one? And Georgia, there is no GE but it can't be that easy, let's make it GA just to throw 'em off.

So I'm at work today working on some billing. I call an insurance company in Nebraska to get their mailing address. The oh so sweet lady on the other end of the phone, across the map, in Nebraska gives me the address and I ask, "That's NE, right?".

Insurance Lady: "obviously."

Me(being the cheerful phone-talker that I am): "Great, I always get confused. I mean, it could be NA. Just checkin'."

Insurance Lady: "Where are you calling from?"

Me(now not so cheerful voiced): "Oregon."

Insurance Lady(Mrs. High and Mighty, I paid better attention than you in school): "Oh, Orea-gone. That's OR"

Let me just tell you it took everything in me not to correct her pronunciation.

She didn't care.

She's confident in her abbreviation skills...she wins.

Today...

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

I've been struck with this question posed by Mary Oliver in her poem "The Summer Day". What do I plan to do with my one wild and precious life? Thinking about knowledge and responsibility, willingness and action.

I'm learning, expanding my knowledge. With this knowledge comes responsibility and taking responsibility requires action. What I do with what I know reveals my heart.

I am called to action by these words...

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
~Edward Everett Hale

Geez

Seriously, this guy is fast, I will give him that. But I've had all I can handle. Really, he's out of control. Geez. And the pose, what's that all about? Does he think he is some sort of super hero? Whatev.

What the no ETSY is going on?!

Yeah, if you haven't noticed my etsy site has been MIA. You know me, I can't concentrate on any one thing too long. I'm working on that little character issue. Anywho, don't give up on me (or Simple Spiel). We've got a change a-comin', a little something to go along with all this injustice I've been thinking about and working through in my heart. So, stick with me!

Love.

The search is on...

Someday, yes someday I will attempt the monumental task of taking up quilting as a hobby. I love quilts, they speak history, tell stories and model cozy. Last summer while visiting our family farm in Penn. I was able to come home with seven amazing quilts, which have been handed down over the years within the Schenck family...what a gift!

A couple weeks ago Tracy and I hit up our local quilt shop to find just the thing for our current room re-dos. Tracy and I live in condos with identical (but mirrored) floor plans and are trying to tackle the same room! I gotta give Trac a little bit o' credit here, she started the whole thing. :) So, while Trac transforms her space into a guest room/office I'm working on turning mine into "the studio". We were on the hunt to find fabric to make throw pillows (Trac) and slipcovers for chairs (me). Just stepping into the store makes me happy. The colors overwhelm me, I love it. All hopped up on notions and color and texture I left the store ready to take on the world. Designers like Amy Bulter, Anna Marie Horner and Heather Bailey. I just love, love it all!

I'm still searching for the perfect print for the studio. It a trick to find decor weight fabrics that are fun. I'm thinking maybe I should design my own. But really, how does one get into that sort of thing? Until then, enjoy some of my favorites from these amazingly creative ladies...

It's raining in Mac today...

Love it!

This is how I feel today...

Bottle it up and it spills over
And over again
Through the pages
Onto the happy
Saturating the sticky
Causing mess

"Studio" Update....

Here's where we are folks:

Pottery Barn Table

$499.00

Slipcovered Pottery Barn Chair

$329.00

Grand total for completely ridiculously overpriced furnishings: $828.00

Don't worry I didn't do it. Oh, come on, seriously.

I'm a craigslist junkie. There is something I find amazing about scouring the Internet, visiting strangers homes, handing them cash and loading up your new loot. And, we are reusing things and saving money all at the same time! Wa-hoo!
Here's what I found:

Sweet table ready for some paint: $20.00
Two perfectly shaped armless dining chairs to be slipcovered: $10.00

Melissa's grad total thus far: $30.00

Now if I can only convince my madre to do some sewing for me! Pics will be coming soon!

No big deal, just savin' THE WORLD.

This is my friend Matt. If you haven't already checked out his website go here and read all about his adventure. Matt set out a couple months ago to spend time in Africa with his little bro (Ryan) and missionary friends (Joey, Destiny and their daughter Mercy). I'd tell you all about it but the guy is a much better writer than I and it is truly better in his own words. Let me just say Matt amazes me. Filled with faith, this tall cat left his job, peeps and all that he was "comfortable" with to travel around the world to Africa and learn all he can about poverty, injustice and such. He is in a place, faced with dirty, sickening, horrific situations that most of us will never even begin to relate to. Talk about bold. Turns out he is the contagious type. Since Matt left I have found myself being "that girl". The girl looks around her and sees the amazing amounts of resources that we squander away on a daily basis. I am so guilty of it myself. Last night my friends and I watched the Olympics. I love the Olympics.

Side Note: Why is it that when I watch I feel the need to judge each athlete's performance? Like I know anything! Don't we all get so into it that we suddenly feel like some sort of sports authority. When, truth be told, the Olympic games are the only time we see some of these athletes. Anywho...

I'm watching with new eyes, looking at the amazing buildings they have constructed to hold tons of people. State of the art facilities that are not only functional but also super artistic. I wonder how much was spent on this stuff...so I get my Google on. 3.4 billion! Seriously. I all of a sudden find myself as somewhat of an Olympics hater. Torn between loving the event and wishing that those dollars could have been used in other ways. I have no idea how many starving children could be fed with 3.4 billion, or how much that amount of money would help AIDS research. All I know is that the number is huge. This is just one small example, one that happened to get me. I'm overwhelmed with examples around us all the time. I'm that girl.

So, I'm sitting there, getting fired up. Fired up about something that I can't do anything about. I'm not going to change Olympic history. I'm not going to convince "the powers that be" to give sacrificially to others and dive into stopping all the world's gross injustices. But yet I'm left with a guilty feeling. I know I don't have much, but what am I doing? It is not fair to sit around and complain about how others are using their resources without first checking my own situation.

When Matt left, everyone asked me what he was going to be doing in Africa. I mostly replied, "Oh, you know, saving the world, no big deal." Mildly laced with sarcasm, this comment eats at me now. Matt is doing what he can to save the world, he has stepped out and the Lord is totally using him. Yesterday I was sharing with him about some stuff going on in my heart and I said that, "I guess this is where it's time to be bold." Matt's response: "It's not so much about being bold as it is about being willing." Geez, the guy has a way with words. But it's true. What are you willing to do for the Lord? What am I willing to do?

Just a glimpse into where my mind has been lately. If you hated this post you may want to stop reading my blog. I have a feeling that there will be a lot more of this sort of thing to come...

Cheers!

Pick it!

Yesterday after church my buddy Caitlin and I set out on the grand adventure of picking blackberries at a park here in Mactown. I chose to wear flip flops which proved to be a really bad idea but working through the pain had great rewards.





Yum, yum, yummity, yummster.

Side Note: Office/Studio space has been painted. Work table has been acquired (more on that process later) and shelves has been purchased. Pics coming your way soon!

Get your golf on!

I wish I was a golfer. My serious lack of hand/eye coordination really puts a damper on the whole thing. Sure, I enjoy a good round of mini golf and last time I was on a course Matt taught me all about proper "flag removal" process, but that's as deep as it goes for me. Despite my lack of knowledge and ability I was so excited when my friend Tracy suggested that we volunteer at this year's "See Ya Later" Foundation golf tournament. We had a great time! Check out Tracy's post for a full report of all the day's haps! I really wish you all could see our full outfits I had on knee-length khaki shorts with our black tournament polo shirts. I felt like a blond Kelli Kapowski. You know, from that summer when the Saved By The Bell kids worked at the country club, yeah, loved it.

P.S. I will admit that Fred Funk is my favorite golfer, always has been, always will be (mostly due to his name). And...in 10th grade art class I did a giant charcoal drawing of Lee Trevino which I believe still hangs on the back of my Dad's office door to this day, CLASSIC.

2-fer

Today you get a 2-fer!

I'm sort of a font, color and word nerd. Imagine my glee when I came upon this site that takes my three favorite things and combines them with a little randomness (also a favorite thing). Check out my first three attempts (thanks to one of my favorites: author/artist Mary Anne Radmacher).







Now you know what I'm going to be doing all day! Wanna make your own? Check it out here. Oh, fun!

P.S. Man, there sure are a tons of fvorites in this post...geez.

Do & Re-Do

Here's what I'm learning about myself. Ok, maybe I've known this for a while but I'm finally admitting it to myself.

I NEED A PROJECT.
I ALWAYS NEED A PROJECT.

Seriously. While in the midst of a project I long to have evenings where I can just sit around and not feel like I need to be working. But, as soon as I finish something I can't wait to jump in to something else. Here's my latest...the office! In my new house I have this great room that is solely for creating, getting crafty and doing my thing. But you know me, all must be organized before I can clutter it with my creativeness. I've got to get back to being creative. It's where I find sanity. My friend Tracy knows me all too well, can tell when I've not given myself time to create and totally calls me on it! (I'm so thankful for her!) Simple Spiel has been on the back burner since the move and is about to get a full face lift. But before I can start that the office must be conquered. Here's what I'm thinking.


What do you think? I love it. Totally within my budget...$50.00. Yeah, this project is going to have to be the definition of creative!