For Whom to Vote?

I often am conflicted…..not necessarily for what candidate for whom to vote, but from whose perspective to vote. I used to believe that if everyone looked at the issues and voted for the candidate who most met their individual needs, we would have "the best candidate" for our country. Now, as a white middle class 30 year old stay at home mom living in middle America with a Master's degree and an equally educated, professional husband, things do not seem so black and white. Do I vote for the candidate who would be best for me or for my children? Is this the same candidate? Does it even matter?

I have also been raised in the Bible Belt and I have my Master's Degree in Religion. What role does my faith play? Do I vote for the candidate that most meets my needs or do I vote for the candidate that most meets the needs of my "neighbor"?

Here are a few things for which I am certain:
It does matter!
It is not black and white!
We are all children of God!
We are called by God to serve God's people.
It cannot be just about me and my children!

Best Laid Plans

I am sitting here at my first stop, The Red Cup. This is by far my favorite Coffee Shop in OKC, but today, of all days, it is not going well. The floor has been rotting in the bathrooms ever since I started to frequent this place and apparently they picked today to replace it. All I can hear is the sound of hammering and drilling.

To make matters worse their internet connection is down. I feel like I might as well be on Mars. No campaign talk or news. As soon as I scarf down my favorite, the #2, I am out of here…..skillet cookie and all.

Go Vote

Today is Election Day.  It almost feels like Christmas to me.  I love that so many people are thinking about the future of our children.  These are issues that plague my mind everyday.  It is a little discouraging, to me, that Oklahoma has been left off the list of swing states.....here is my crazy optimism speaking......but, I want to give a little credit to the people who live in the heart of Oklahoma who are working hard for a change that will impact the lives of my children and grandchildren.  I live just north of downtown OKC....my neighborhood is littered with campaign signs.  The good news is.....this year it is mixed Red and Blue.  

So, inspired by Birdie, I am planning to sit in a couple of coffee shops and live blog the thoughts and discussions taking place.  My hope is that some of my out of state readers will see that Oklahoma is in this election too.  Enjoy!

Grand Opening -- Playdates Without Pigtails

I am excited to announce that I have opened an Etsy Shop.  This is something I have been dreaming of for quite a while.  I have always appreciated art, but never saw myself as all that creative.  Wow have things changed!  In the past 5 years I have been dealing with the illness of my mother and had two children.  I found myself looking inward and needing a vehicle to express myself outwardly.  It didn't hurt that I lived on the most creative street in OKC.  Erin is one of the founders of the Girlie Show, and the other Erin volunteers with OVAC, works with the annual 12X12 art show and teaches art classes at the Oklahoma City Art Museum.  JD is a wonderful photographer.  This was enough inspiration to even get me going.  

I have also been inspired by the Creative Mom Podcast.  Amy Cowen is a talented artist and also a mom to two little boys.  She motivated me to "do art" in a way that would enhance the lives of my children.  I love the CMP because it has a great community of people from across the country who share their work and encourage everyone else.  

I began this journey knitting.  I signed up for a knitting class and the rest is history.  Then, I was inspired by one of the Erin's to design birthday invitations for the boys that reflect their individuality.  Meanwhile I had been sketching.  At first my sketches were rough.....I hesitate to call them sketches or even doodles, but I kept going and before I knew it I was getting better. 

Last Christmas was emotionally challenging due to the side effects of my mother's illness, so I decided to do an experiment.  I made almost all of the gifts I gave.  This was the best thing I have ever done.  I got so much joy from coming up with the ideas and seeing them come to fruition.  It helped my knitting too.  (I knit four hours a night for about 6 weeks.)  The gifts turned out awesome and everyone loved them....even my sister's boyfriend who received a halfway finished gift.  

I turned the corner with my art this summer when I began designing a robot card for the oldest's birthday invitation.  I couldn't find a robot I liked  so I drew one.  I loved it.  

This began my dream of an Etsy shop, Playdates Without Pigtails, to share these items with others.  Right now I only have some paper goods.  All of the illustrations are original and digitally colored.  I hope to have some knitted items, fabric gifts, and original art.....that will all come.  I am very excited and I look forward to sharing this adventure with all of my readers.  

The name, Playdates Without Pigtails, came from the fact that I have two boys and two nephew's....I have since had a niece.  Anyway, it often seems that all of my friends have boys and there are rarely girls at our playdates.  I wanted a general name so I would not have to focus on just one thing.  What is important to me, is to create handmade items to share with all of our children with the hope that they will inspire the creativity that lies in all of us.   Enjoy!

Missional Extreme Makeover

Rev. Edward Paup began as the new top executive of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries.  He officially started his new position September after serving as a Global Ministries director for the past four years.  

During the board's October annual meeting, Paup said, "we have the responsibility to work toward the kind of world where poverty can be eliminated."

Like other United Methodist agencies, the General Board of Global ministries will be guided by the denomination's four areas of ministry focus -- leadership development, church growth, global health and ministry with the poor -- over the next four years.

Making the most of "The Studio"

How I Roll
Originally uploaded by UpNAdam

One of the best things about moving to a new house is that I have a studio above the garage. I love it, but I have not been utilizing it like I thought I would. So, yesterday I got organized and I am LOVING it. It is awesome to spread out and I feel so productive.

Big Boy begs to come out here. That has not worked out.....for every minute he spends "doing art" I spend 10 cleaning up. I need to work on that.

Finley Ela

I am thrilled to announce the arrival of my first and only niece, Finley Ela.  She was born October 23rd at 7:13 am weighing 6 pounds 10 ounces and 20 inches long.  She is just adorable. Recognize the hat?  I am here to see she has only hand knit garments on that sweet head of hers.  Congratulations to her mom and dad!  We love you.