I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar

in numbers to big to ignore, cuz I know too much to go back and pre - te - end . . . .  Are any of you all old enough to remember this Helen Reddy classic?  This was truly my theme song when I was a divorced mom and going back to undergrad working toward my law degree!  Fiercely strong and independent - I was the most manly woman I knew :0)  My, my, my - how things change! 

On The Homefront

There were more roses in my kitchen last weekend

but, they weren't for me.  It was Hannah's birthday, and my son went all out to plan a very special day for her - melting my heart along the way as I watched!

He wanted to have a quiet dinner here with take-out for her before taking her to the movies, so I set the table for them

where they ate 54th Street burgers with our favorite dishes and finest linens, and drank Dr. Pepper out of wine glasses!

After they left for the movie, I cleared the mess - and McStudly and I had a romantic candle light dinner of our own!

We had lamb chops with wine sauce and this awesome Aspragus & Gruyere Tart (found the recipe on Pinterest :0)!!

This morning I put together a Turkey Roulade for dinner tonight.  You can find the recipe Here!

(Ina's Pix, not mine)

I couldn't get my breast pounded out flat - so mine is more folded in half than rolled!  So mine won't look this pretty, but it smells delish!

The Valentine Mail Is Rolling

The boys are loving it!  I decorated their mail boxes

and left them a note on the bathroom mirror

to remind them each morning to check their mailbox!

This was the mail for my McStudly Yesterday:

And, surprise, surprise - I got some mail back :0) 

Here is tomorrow's mail

I'm having a ball - and the boys are loving their mail :0)

Super Bowl Fun

Oh, and I mentioned before that I so heart the  Dating Divas Blog, and I truly do!  I couldn't care less about football or the Superbowl - but, I do care about connecting with my guys, and planning lots of good times for them!

So, they had this idea on there to draw for a team to root for, to fill out these score cards, and then to choose whatever you want if you're team wins!  This way, we all have a stake in the game - greeaaattt idea :0)  I added a bit to the fun, and created our own game cards.  If you'd like, you can download them Here.

The boys are already teaching me about football, and helping me on how to fill out my score card.  I'm going for a "McStudly Planned Date" - where he plans it all, takes me out, treats me like a lady, and even orders my dinner - I love those dates!  Wish me luck!

Will You Help Me To Brighten A Little Girl's Life?

One of the highlights of my weekend was receiving a Flat Stacy.

My mom teaches 2nd Grade, and has a really fun learning project planned for her class.  The kids are reading books about "Flat Stanley", a boy who gets flattened by his bulletin board. They realize that Stanley can travel to all kinds of places through the mail - and so the kids learn through reading about his adventures.

For the class project, the kids mail out their own Flat Stanley/Stacie to someone, and that person takes the Flat Stanley places, takes photos of Stanley, and they send a letter back to the child with photos of where they took Stanley - and the kids get to read the letters to the class.

Well, when they went to make these - one little girl came to my mom and said "I don't have anyone to send my Flat Stacie to", and my mom said, "Oh, I know someone who would love to have her - my daughter, Kelly."  And, this little girl was super excited! 

I have a lot of fun adventures planned for Stacie, but I thought it would such a treat for this little girl (and the whole class) if this little girl could get letters from all over the country and the world to share with the class.

If you would be willing to print Stacy, cut her out - and take her to some places in your city or country, and e-mail me the photos and a short letter about what you did with her, I'd greatly appreciate it.  Anything you can share about interesting things in your area (history, cuisine, language, culture, entertainment, etc.) would be great! 

You can download Stacy Here, and e-mail me at  kelly at cottoncharm dot com. 

Bloggy Break

I'm going to be taking a bloggy break for a while - not because of anything bad, but because of something really exciting for me.  Not much time to explain here - I have a hot date ya know :0)

So here is a quick run down.  I believe that everyone has a gift to offer to the world, and I think that gift is often revealed to us by the compassion we feel for a certain group of people.  And, for me, that is the modern American women who are under a tremendous amount of stress and pressure to be and do it all.  And, the weight of this burden carries a heavy price tag - there are millions of women struggling with anxiety and depression, and millions of women are unable to meet their most basic need of a simple good night of sleep.  Their stress and pain is real, it's palpable, and it's something that weighs very heavily upon my heart.  

Since the late 90's when McStudly and I first began reading the John Gray books, I have been systematically changing my life - moving away from being that "manly" woman and striving to embrace my feminity - and I've experienced so much more joy, intimacy, and peace.  Even better, the lives of McStudly and my kiddos have been enriched and transformed as well!  Yet, I've felt that there was something deeper that I hadn't quite put my finger on - something that would bring even greater fulfillment.

(one little finish for you :0)

And, well, I think I've found it.  In some recent reading, I came across something so profound, so transformative - just reading it.  So, I need some extra room, some extra space in my life - both to do further research, and also just time to put this into practice in my own life - to really receive it.  And, then, to write!

Yes, I'm still singing "I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar" - but in a very different context!

I love you all -  you amazing women who truly deserve peace, joy, fun, intimacy, and sound sleep :0)!!  I'm gonna miss you!  Take good care while I'm gone - I'll be peeking in on your blogs!

TTFN,

Kelly 

Comments

[Cathy]

Stacy has just arrived in Thailand via download. How tall is this child supposed to be? Just so I get her the right size for pics. I'll try to get something back to you by the weekend! Have fun on your break, you deserve it! xoxoox

[Allie]

Love those mailboxes, Kelly, what a neat idea. I do remember that song, didn't like it then, don't like it now! Your son is so sweet to do that for his sister.
I'm sure whatever you're planning will be awesome - I'll miss you but am looking forward to hearing all about it!!!

[Sunny]

Oh my, that asparagus and Gruyere tart looks heavenly. I'll be trying that soon. For some reason, my computer won't let me open the Stacie download. Good luck with your new venture. We'll be waiting to hear more about it.

[dawn]

I'll miss you while you are gone but I know that what you learn will surely benefit us as you share your wisdom. I love all your ideas and ways to love on your 'studs' and your stitching finish is fabulous!

[Linda in Calif.]

You are having just too much fun over there Kelly. God is really working in your life. Enjoy your little bloggy break and I'll see you when you come back.

[sue]

I am going to miss you! But, waiting to hear from you again in your wisdom.

[Carol]

What fun you all are having! Sounds like you have something wonderful up your sleeve!

[Debi]

Hi Kelly, we will miss you too - don't wear yourself out though. The asparagus tart looks gorgeous!!

[carol broughton]

Hi Kelly,

You are a breath of fresh air! Thank you for being such a dear friend, even though we have never met in person, yet. I hope you enjoy your bloggy break, will be right here when you return.

[Dawn-Marie]

Stacey has just landed in Maine. And because she is in Maine she will be cheering for the patriots this weekend!!!!

[Carla]

Hi there. I hope that little girl gets lots of mail. great post

[Lynn]

Hi Kelly,
Flat Stacie has just arrived in the Smokey Mountains of East Tennessee!

[Tracey Holzer]

Kelly,
Thanks for all of your wisdom in your blogs. I look forward to each one and will patiently wait for your next blog. My word of the year is "Gratitude" and you fall into my "being grateful for" category. I hope to get some flat Stacy pictures from Saskatchewan, Canada.
Take care,
Tracey

[Jo]

This time Google translation did'nt want to help me so I hope I understood everything lol!
Your house is full of love and appetizing foods my dear ... your happiness is contagious!
For Stacy, my printer is broken but I will send you something anyway ..
While we will miss your articles, I understand your desire to make a break of blog , we spend all too much time on this thing and not enough in real life.
Take advantage of your good break we'll wait quietly...
Warm hugs xxx

[Colleen]

I would be happy to have Stacie visit me in Lewisville, NC. I have a Flat Stanley amde for me by my student teacher (I was a 2nd grade teacher) who traveled with me to chemo treatments (and starred in his own Flat Stanley at the Cancer center book) and then traveled with my dad to England and Italy and Canada. He even survived a near drowning clenched between my sisters teeth when she fell off a boat into the lake when she missed the rock she was supposed to stand on. He still has the teeth marks in his head. Email me if you need my help.

[Evelene Sterling]

Flat Stacie is visiting in California too! She is going to visit my granddaughters class.

[Michele]

I wish you luck in whatever you are doing! What a great evening for everyone :-)

[Polly]

Thank you for sharing so much on your blog! We love reading it! You've been chosen to receive a blog award. Go here to check it out!! http://www.auntpollysporch.blogspot.com/2012/02/sweet-mrs-pickles.html

Thanks for blogging! Polly