The one with the cute knees

We have a home video of my older sister and I modeling our new Christmas clothes. From 1987.

I was three years old. Almost four.

I was kinda cute, I must admit.

We each had a handful of dresses and Dad had received a new video camera equaling the perfect combo for a modeling show. He put on some sweet tunes and was more than happy to narrate as though he were a beauty pageant host.

We came out from our room, bashful at first, not sure what we were supposed to do. Dad had to do some encouraging along the way....asking us to twirl, curtsy or asking question like "who gave the dress to you?" Of course, as the modeling progressed, we became more and more comfortable in front of the camera. So much so, we'd hear in the background "Minda, put your dress down!" after I'd get so excited and my twirling would become a bit aggressive.

Also, teaching a three year old to curtsy is quite comical. Each time the curtsy looked different, but most of the time it just involved some sort of bending of my knees.

In this particular video, at one point, dad has zoomed in on the new shoes and socks I'd received and did his bit sounding something like (said in most announcer-ish voice) "And next we have Minda's new black shiny shoes! And LOOK AT THOSE SOCKS, people! What a nice lace ruffle to top the socks off."  (He's very animated, even today) :-)

On that particular commentary segment, he also added "and look at those knees. What cute knees you have, Minda."

Growing up, we really liked watching the home videos. It's fun to see yourself at a younger age. It's fun to have memories- not because you remember them, but because you've been able to experience them again and again via video.

Can I completely honest with you? It wasn't until two years ago that I realized my knees were, in fact, NOT cute. Seriously. I was shocked. One day I was wearing a skirt and thought to myself, knees in general are really unattractive. Why have I always assumed my knees were cute? And I immediately knew the answer to that question. I have cute knees...dad said so.

So here's to you, dad. Thank you for telling a 3 year old girl she had cute knees. It may have seemed silly to you and just something to fill the space of that modeling video. It may have just been one of those things where you were finding things to talk about so you could hear your cool announcer voice. (and yes, your announcer voice is cool.) But thank you. That has always been one body issue I never struggled with :-) There were plenty others, but my knees? Nah, I had cute ones. Dad says so!

The one with the Wall of Frame

In each apartment I've had the past 7 years, I've had a wall in my home with a collage of frames. No frame was the same, and each contained pictures of dear friends. In my first apartment I think I'd had maybe 5 frames, but had 13 in my last apartment. In the picture here taken after the fire, you can see the outline where the frames had been hanging. One of my favorite things about this wall was the fact it was always a conversation starter. People would immediately go to the wall and look at each of the pictures, usually prompting questions about each of the people or places the pictures contained.

The hard part about 'recreating' that wall in this new apartment is the fact that each of the frames were different. It's not like I could just go buy 15 new random unique frames all at once. So. I've begun a new search. I'm buying frames to fit 4x4 pictures.

I bought my first three frames this last week while in Florida (fitting, I guess) and have the pictures ready to put together. I've been recently getting a lot of my Instagrams printed and decided this would be a great way to recreate the wall. So. For any of my old roommates who know exactly what I'm talking about or friends who've seen the "Wall of Frame"- know I'm working to put it back together! Here are just a few of the new frames to begin the project!

The one that is raw

If you follow me on facebook, twitter, or instagram, you know I take a lot of pictures. And post them. For anyone and everyone to see. But today I want to share a picture with you that means a little something different.

A company called Social Print Studio has made it possible to take all instagrams photos and print them on quality photo paper. I had several posters made using this company and decided to have some 4x4 prints made.

One of the photos I selected to have printed was of just myself. Which is kind of weird. Maybe. Well, no. It IS weird. It's a selfie. Taken myself. In my car.

When I was flipping through the prints I'd purchased, I came across this particular photo of and stopped.

It's an interesting photo. I have no makeup on. My hair is not fixed. I'm wearing a sweatshirt. These are usually not descriptions that most girls would say they find great about a photo they find themselves in. But when I came across the photo after having it printed, there was something about it... Something I couldn't put my finger on....Something so raw.

Raw. Yes. Raw.

You see, the picture was taken in my car on January 11, 2013. It was 6:30am. I'd just gotten in my car and was headed north. It was my first time in 46 days that I'd had to myself since the fire. I knew a new beginning was taking place. Something fresh. Something big. I was leaving Florida and the ashes and heading to DC.

When I see this photo I see pain. I see loss. I see exhaustion. But I also see excitement. I see a steady resolve. I see strength. I see hope.

The one where Chandler takes a bath

No, really. That's the name of the episode I'm currently watching. But not the part that I just cackled at. 

Yes. Cackled. And no one is around. I'm at my dining room table working and listening as Friends is on TV and I'm laughing outloud. By myself.

Weird? Maybe.  

Happen often? Yes. 

Phoebe: Hey! Have you started off thinking of names yet?
Rachel: Oh yeah! I’ve come up with a bunch of ideas!
Ross: Really? Me too!
Phoebe: Me too!
Rachel: Really?!
Phoebe: Uh huh! If it’s a girl, Phoebe, and if it’s a boy, Phoebo!
Ross: Maybe. But it wouldn’t hurt to have a backup, you know? Uh, Rach-Rach, what were you thinking? (Gives her a look)
Rachel: Okay! I was thinking if it’s a girl, how about Sandrine? It’s French.
Ross: Huh. That’s a really pretty name for-for an industrial solvent.
Rachel: Okay fine, what do you have?
Ross: Well, OK, it’s for a boy. Well, I know it’s a little out there, but…Darwin.
Rachel: Wow, oh my God, our child will be beaten to death in the schoolyard.
Phoebe: Yeah, by Sandrine.

That's all. Needed to share the laugh. 

The one where I give you tips

Washington, DC.

I've been here 3 months. (!!!)

I've learned a couple of things. 

I've seen a couple of things, too. 

Now that I've been here 3 months, let me tell you a few things I've learned- because of what I've seen.

If you go to a new city and visit- it's totally ok to buy paraphernalia. Really. It is. 

But save it for when you get home. Don't buy a purple zebra hoodie that says "Washington, DC" and then wear it in the same city.  We know you're here.  If you're one who needs to wear a screen printed shirt, wear one from YOUR home. Maybe someone will see you and be able to associate with you because of that. 

From Texas and love the Rangers, Cowboys, or Mavs? Wear one of those shirts. I'll for SURE stop you and tell you I love the teams too!  But if you're wearing a Washington, DC screen printed shirt, I'll most likely avoid you at all costs. (And for those of you thinking, "THIS is how to get her to leave us alone!" just stop it now. You know you'd want a Minda to say hi to you!!) But you get the point, right? When you go home- wear the DC shirt. Someone will stop you and say "ohhh my friend Minda is in DC!" :-) 

Ok, moving on. 

Next. This can be applied to girls all across the world. 

There is this phenomenon that takes place in our atmosphere called WIND. 

Yes. Wind. 

There are some days in which it is more windy than others. 

On those particular days....ladies. If you are wearing a dress or skirt, make note. Not saying you CAN'T wear either of those things, but MAKE NOTE. Don't be like the 3...yes THREE girls I saw this week walking to the metro whose skirts were not at their knees, but at their necks. 

I mean, a gust just came and whipped that skirt up. The thing is- it wasn't just one gust. It had been windy all day. Ladies, ladies, ladies. Just be aware. Hold that sucka down. 

Ok, so I only had two tips for you. But they are valuable ones. Take note. :-)

Book Review: Woman At War

I met Jan at a Panda Express in Southlake, TX in the spring of 2008.

I'd actually called my friend Elisa and asked if she wanted to grab lunch as I was in her area.

She responded "I just arrived at Panda Express with my friend, Jan. Come join us!"

Elisa had just started a new job at Gateway Church working in the women's ministry department. I should have realized she'd be eating with someone who was ALSO in the women's department. But not realizing Jan was a women's pastor, my mouth got the better of me when she said to me "since Elisa is now working in women's dept, will you be a part?"

I responded with a very emphatic: "Ha! I don't do women's ministry."

THAT is how I met Jan Greenwood.

Jan responded with an ever so kind "oh honey. I believe you do."

As I sit here and even type the above story, I can't help but smile to myself. Ok, scratch that. I'm grinning like a cheshire cat.

Women's ministry in a church.

In 2008- my view of 'women's ministry' meant you were the ministry that threw the baby showers, wedding showers, and were the ones designated to child care.

Women's events at church meant tea parties. It meant skirts and dresses, but modest ones, by golly. It meant lace and pink tulle on the tables. It meant dainty. And friends, I'm anything but dainty.

I will never forget our first meeting as Jan spoke to me that day about my destiny, my calling, and about my future. And she didn't speak casually. She spoke with such strong authority, but covered in kindness. Meeting someone for the first time and having them speak to you about...well, yourself, in such a way might scare some people off, but the words she spoke resonated with me and I was drawn to her immediately. Jan Greenwood was someone I needed to spend more time with.

Here we are 5 years later and my dear friend Jan releases a book this month titled "Women At War." (First of all, does that sound dainty to you? :-) Not so much!)

In this book she shares things learned that have transformed her from "a wounded, isolated woman into a staunch supporter of women becoming everything God has called them to be through the power of healthy female relationships."

The phrase "healthy female relationships"... it's bound to conjure up strong emotions in you. You either know the power of healthy female relationships and your heart is overwhelmed with gratitude just THINKING about the women in your life, or you laugh and say "what a joke."

Have you been hurt by close girl friends? This book is for you. 

When we’ve been hurt, it’s a natural tendency of self-preservation to stay away from anyone who might cause us more pain. As a result, we sometimes forfeit the very relationships that could help us grow strong and whole.

You will not be able to truly overcome your past pain until you dare to be- gin again. In order to grow strong, you have to take back what has been stolen from you. You have to begin cultivating something different in the place of your wounding. If you’re ready to make some real friends, you’re going to have to change your mind about your methods of relating to women and take a risk. You’ll need to step out into some scary territory. Yes, you could get hurt. You might be rejected. Someone may touch an old wound. You’ll probably feel uncomfortable, but the results will be well worth the cost. 

Jan Greenwood, Women at War 

If you think it's impossible to have healthy female relationships, this book is for you. 

Better yet, if you have amazing healthy relationships with other women in your life, this book is for you too.   

Bottom line, if you are a female- this book is for you. Jan Greenwood is a woman who has the ability to speak into difficult areas of my life with such tenderness. She speaks out of experience, out of compassion, and out of love. Pick up this book. Even reading it this last week has made me realize she not only has the ability to speak in this way, but to write in this way as well. 

Women at War. You're one of them. Find out what she has to say.
www.jangreenwood.com 

The one with puzzle lessons

After my half marathon last weekend, I took Sunday as a day of rest and recuperating. Little did I know, I'd get the next 6 days to do the same thing.

I've always struggled with allergies, no matter where I live, and springtime proves to be the worst.

DC is no different. But I think I got slammed with them more this last week than I have ever in the past. 6 full days of the worst allergic episode I've had. Nothing was relieving my pain, releasing the sinus pressure, or helping me to breathe. Finally I went to the CVS minute clinic and was given 2 steroids. 48 hours later, I'm breathing again. If all last week I was 15% functional, today I am at 70%. This morning was the first morning in 7 days I'd not woken up severe pain and inability to breathe.

Making progress.

At any rate, I started a puzzle last weekend on my dining room table. It's been slow going, but I've had ample time this past week to work on it.

And here in comes the cheezy analogy.

If you've ever done a puzzle before, you know the best way to start is to get the edge pieces all put together- then work on the inside. Lay the boundaries, then fill in the rest.

Well, 7 days in and I realized some sections of the puzzle were not working. I knew they were right- but were not fitting where they needed to go.

So I started taking it apart piece by piece.  When I realized- the edge had not been done correctly. I couldn't attach the insides to the edge because the edge was incorrect.

We have to set boundaries. But not just set them- they need to be RIGHT. We need to set clear boundaries for our lives so that everything else will fall into place. If boundaries are not in place, frustration will follow.

Boundaries for work, family, friends, social media...The list goes on. Does work come before everything else? Does family come first? What about our spiritual life? Where does that play out? If we are so focused on one area of our life, there will be mishaps in other areas.

Evaluating my boundaries today.

What helps you keep a balanced life?