Imaginary Friends...And Friends That Are Real

When I was little, I think 2 or 3 years old, I used to have imaginary friends...several as a matter of fact. Does that surprise you? I have always been incredibly social and being a "dreamer" is at the core of who I am, so I created these friends. Their names were Sha-Sha, Shee-Shee, Lo-Lo and ready...Linda Price. Clearly my creativity had it limits even then. 

In order to give you a more clear picture of who they were and how we interacted, it may help to know that the first 3 "friends," I "played" with and Linda Price was our "babysitter." Our adventures included travel, house and school. We had great times together. 

Now before you all start looking at me differently, you can rest assured that my Mom found that imaginary playmates are very normal at that age and there’s no evidence that children with imaginary friends lack social skills or have emotional problems. Children with imaginary friends can be more social and less shy, and show more empathy in their play with other children. And within the normal period of time, I moved on but I never forgot the fun I had with those "playmates" nor did I forget their unique names.

Like these "friends" from my early years, I have had friends come into my life and transition out over the years but each one has left a mark. Many of them I miss...I actually envy people that have friends from their childhood. People that have shared history, memories, laughs and tears that can be shared with a glance and no words are necessary after that. My Mom has a friend that she has known since she was 8 and although miles separate them, they still talk basically every day and can disagree and yet the friendship remains STRONG! My daughter, Halle is 14 this weekend and she has a few friends that she has had in her life since the day she was born. Last night she was with 2 of them at Class of 2019 Parent/Student Night at their soon to be high school...just watching them together and hearing them laugh and share more moments made my heart smile. 

And then I look to the friends in my life; friends that I am closer to now and ones from other stages of life. Each one I am so thankful for and I cherish how they have impacted me. 

My childhood friend, Teri is now living in Oklahoma, others from Junior High and High School-some are local and others have moved to various states. Then there are friends from my early adult years-friends from Wheaton that were like family when I lived away. We celebrated holidays, learned to cook together, practiced hospitality in our tiny apartments-those simple memories formed me.

Moving back to CA, I met women in MOPS and at church that although we are busier with our older kids, are still the women that I turn to when I need advice, prayer, encouragement or just to feel connected. We always make time for each other and even though the time is limited I treasure these women (OK and some of their husbands are pretty special too!) We continue on a ride called "parenting" and it is a roller coaster at times!! Then there are people at church that have made lasting impressions...there are very few days that go by that I don't recall advice they have given me or remember a moment we shared...and even some of these people have moved or life's direction has us not interacting as regularly but again...I am GRATEFUL!

Most recently, I have met a group of people that have added new joy and laughter to my life. People that have taught me life lessons, challenged me to learn more, change habits and once again the memories have impacted me. As I write this, there are changes happening that will certainly impact the amount of time we connect and yet I am not worried, sad at times yes but not worried. It just takes effort...I know this...I have been here before!

What I realized recently is that the friends over the years are all connected...and although most of them have never met each other, they are real...they are not imaginary and they are seen in who I am today...they have made impressions that last. I didn't create them, they are created by God and we were intended to meet and I am a better person because of  them. 

Lists...And my "Bucket List"

I keep myself motivated and organized with lists! Some are simply my daily To-Do lists, I also have a list of restaurants that I want to try, various shopping lists, etc. I work off my lists and add to them daily. If I think of something that I need to add to my list, I will add it just so that I can take it off minutes later as COMPLETED! I am weird that way but I love how accomplished I feel when I can say I did it and I don't like forgetting things. I used to have written lists but since the iPhone, that transitioned to multiple "Notes" on my phone. I also have a "Bucket List" and this is where the dreamer in me comes into play...

Sure, I saw the movie "The Bucket List" with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman and yes, I cried. OK, no shocker there. My favorite item on Carter Chamber's list (played by Freeman) was of course his desire to "kiss the most beautiful girl in the world" which Edward Cole (Nichlson) took care of when he kissed the grand-daughter he never knew he had after Carter's death. So tender and so real and ultimately a surprise to everyone including Carter when he realized that the beautiful girl was far  better than he had ever imagined.

Like Edward (Nicholson) learned, I have also learned that I can have a Bucket List of dreams and I can imagine some pretty incredible things but nothing compares to what God has in store for me if I simply wait and appreciate the experience as it unfolds. If I am too wrapped up in myself or into making it happen, I can very easily miss the simplicity and the beauty that is waiting.

This past weekend, I actually checked 2 things off my Bucket List at the same time...Seeing the Grand Canyon and Riding in a Helicopter. And all I can say is WOW! There I was flying over things that were both created by man and things created by the ultimate Creator. The skies seemed endless, the details all around me were vast and then landing in the Canyon and having breakfast with friends while we tried to soak it all in...so simple and so unexpectedly amazing.

So there you have it...2 things checked off my Bucket List and I am grateful, still in awe and feel beyond fortunate to have done it how I did. Oh and this Sunday...Hike to the Hollywood Sign! One question...Do you have a Bucket List?

An "Emotional Volcano" I Am

I was the Photo Editor for my high school's yearbook my Senior year and the 2 Editors described me perfectly in the "thanks" portion of the book itself. They said that I was an "emotional volcano." And you know what? I agree...I feel emotions deeply...HUGE in fact. Not only emotions for myself but for my family and friends as well as perfect strangers. It is just how I am made.

I am also a person that needs to process my thoughts and those emotions tied to them. I was given my first diary when I was only 5 years old and could not write so I would dictate to my secretary...otherwise known as my Mom. She would write it exactly as I shared my thoughts on the day. Today, I have a drawer full of diaries and later journals where I have "processed" my days.

I am also a dreamer and love to have others see that dreaming is good. Some find it scary...some even see it as almost a sin but not me...dream and dream BIG. Share those dreams with God and ask Him for guidance as you go after them. I am certain that He will direct you. Sometimes it takes longer to see the dream come to fruition and honestly some may not ever come to reality but that doesn't make them or the process wrong. It is life.

Last year, I said I wanted to journal again. I will be honest...the desire never went away but I kept putting it aside and letting the business of life steal that away from me. Because well...I am a busy person. And I can get too busy in a heartbeat. But the thing about a dream, the thing about a desire...they don't typically go away. Sometimes they are squashed but they remain. 

Today, I moved the clutter around in my life and guess what....there it was! That dream and desire to share my heart and process. So for some, this daily, weekly or monthly journal now in the form of a blog may be boring but for me it makes me happy. I will smile and I will cry while I process. I will struggle through tough lessons and failures but I will learn from them.

I see myself sharing about all the different areas of my life. The various things that I enjoy and what makes me who I am-my faith in Christ, my family & friends, cooking, commercial real estate, learning, working out, decorating, soooooo many things. Can you tell I am smiling from ear to ear as I write this? I am...it has been a long time coming and although this isn't at all eloquent, it is 100% me! Thanks for reading...feels good to be sharing with you.

People matter & Recipe...of course!

I just have to say it...I love how Facebook and the Internet allows me to connect, reconnect, and stay connected with people that otherwise I wouldn't have in my life. Ok, I understand that sometimes those "connections" are passive but the fact remains I am encouraged, blessed and humbled daily by these friends and people. Just yesterday I received a message from an old friend that sadly I haven't seen in probably 14 years but she wanted to share with me a little about her journey over the last 15 months and how I was somehow a part of it and an encouragement to her.

She has lost over 100 lbs, changed her lifestyle, started working w a trainer (who is implementing Crossfit WOD's into her routine) and over the course of this incredible journey was reading this blog and found recipes, stories and encouragements through it. Wow! I was moved to tears to find out I was a part of this. The great part of moments like this are the memories that flood back in minutes-the  fun we had, the things that I learned from her and STILL implement in my life! I wrap gifts better because of her, I decorate with thoughts of her running thru my head, I still make recipes we tried together when we were both newly married, I entertain using little bits of flare she taught me, I light my Christmas tree like she taught me...she impacted me in so many positive ways and is a part of who I am today! I am better because of her and as I sit here typing the memories continue to overwhelm my thoughts!

So, although we haven't seen each other for 14+ years, today I am closer to her then I was 2 days ago and I am grateful! So proud of you! Thank you for sharing with me! Thank you for making me a stronger person! And now for a recipe for you,  see the connection from our past.

Paleo Almond Szechuan Sauce
(Use this as a mix for cole slaw, on grilled chicken, pork or shrimp or even on a paleo pizza crust)

2/3 cup almond butter
1 T chili paste (add more for additional heat)
2 T raw honey
1 t coconut aminos
1/2 t fish boat sauce

Whisk all the ingredients together. Enjoy!

Today was National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! Well then....

Cookies? What is your favorite type of cookie? Snickerdoodle? Oatmeal Raisin? Truth be told, I bet that Chocolate Chip Cookies are the MOST popular hence the reason they have their own day! And as soon as I heard today was the day...I put it out there that I was BAKING tonight!

And after a rough morning as Mom, I was ready to channel the Mrs. Cleaver in me and bake for my family. In many ways it proves to be therapeutic for me and I think it ministers to the hearts and tummies of the kids too.

This is not a recipe that I can call my own, in fact I owe it all to Kristin Carter for introducing me to it. The other day, she actually told me that she thinks she has the recipe memorized...love that kind of honesty! We are women after all and women love chocolate! These cookies are YUMMY...I especially like the mini Enjoy Life chocolate chips because there seems to me oodles of chocolate in every bite (yes, I said oodles). You can also reduce the chocolate chips by 1/4 cup and replace with shredded coconut or chopped nuts.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/2 cup  Semisweet Chocolate Chips
• 1/2 cup  Coconut Oil, Organic, unrefined
• 1/2 cup  Maple Syrup, Grade B
• 2 whole  Eggs, Pastured
• 3 cup Blanched Almond Flour

 

Process

Note, these instructions are written assuming the standard serving size, since you have modified the number of servings, these steps may need to be modified for best results

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl combine dry ingredients.
3. In a small mixing bowl beat eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract with a hand mixer.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry and beat with hand mixer until combined.
5. Melt coconut oil, pour into batter, and continue to blend until combined.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, drop balls of cookie dough, about a tablespoon in size.
8. Bake for 15 minutes.
9. Let cool and serve

Life is FULL!

I just need to write tonight. Maybe it will help me to get ALL these thoughts out...I give you permission to close this blog immediately OR scroll to the bottom to find the recipe OR read it and get a closer glimpse into me. Your choice and I won't judge! I appreciate you regardless! =)

Hmmmm where to begin. Well let's start with how thankful I am to have participated with Renita, Ally, Kristin, Mayra and Jill in the Femme Royale All Women competition at Orange Coast Crossfit! My thoughts & emotions are still processing in my mind...it was hard, it was exciting, it was like nothing I have ever experienced before! I loved the time working up to it (even though I was nervous), the community that I competed with & against (Andrea Ager & Maddy Curley-seriously they are in a class all their own), the friends and family that came to support (too many to name but a big thanks to my Mom for coming-her first Crossfit experience), our coach Andrew for being in every moment with us (Alisha was AMAZING, too!), the vendors (this girl LOVES to shop)...yep it was a very good day! What did I learn? I learned that working on form is so important so that it is natural even in a competition-this will save me from injury and also help me perform at my peak...I learned that focus is key-especially during those darn double unders...I learned NOT to use my head or neck to assist in a ground to overhead lift (my coach Andrew said he had never seen anything like it and that wasn't a compliment, LOL)...I learned that I can compete-Renita & I were the oldest team competing and we tied for 20th out of 23, HECK YES!...And finally I was reminded that "I can do ALL things through Him who strengthens me"-Philippians 4:13-thanks Merisa & For Him Gear! Finally, the Crossfit Open started today...I take on13.1 this Saturday-I am excited & nervous. =) www.games.crossfit.com

So much going on at home too! Zach turned 16 last month, he got his first job at Porky's Pizza in Placentia, got a new football coach and every day he comes home with exciting news about weight lifting, play books and drills. We are also working through some challenges with homework and although that is HARD on both of us, I am confident we are on a path that will ultimately lead to success but there is likely to still be some pain along the way. Thankful for great teachers, even better doctors and support from family and friends. As I write we are experiencing our second all-nighter in 2 weeks to complete homework and late assignments. BUT again, here I am reminded of Philippians 4:13 for the both of us! I see a theme developing!

OK now for work-I am encouraged EVERY DAY with new opportunities with clients! So thankful for these provisions. Yes, the deals still take longer BUT the market continues to improve, I continue to learn, the division continues to grow and we continue to work hard and yes, Philippians 4:13 is true here also. OK pause...one great thing about being up late is the chance to watch Friends re-runs! Oh my gosh that show makes me laugh! Reminds me of when we lived in Chicago and every week we had Must See Thursday! Good memories!

Thanks for "listening" now for the recipe. When I first did Whole30 last January, I tried the Firecracker Tuna Salad Recipe from The Clothes Make the Girl and YUM! This is a regular staple for me during the FULL times in life! So over the course of the past year, I have played with the recipe and added a few things for variety and here it is thanks to Melissa Joulwan and her amazing recipe (with a few additions to make it from me too). I serve this over mixed greens or spinach with sliced mangoes (the sweet and spicy together are so good).

www.theclothesmakethegirl.com
Firecracker Tuna Salad
Serves 2 | Prep 10 min.

Ingredients:
1/2 to 1 large jalapeno pepper, finely minced
1/2 English cucumber seeded and chopped
4 scallions, green & white, sliced thin

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar
2 cans tuna
salt & black pepper, to taste
2-3 tablespoons homemade mayo

Directions:
1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the jalapenos, scallions, mustard powder, Aleppo pepper, cayenne, vinegar, and tuna. Mix well with a fork, breaking up any large clumps of tuna. Taste for seasoning.
2. With a rubber spatula, gently fold in the mayo so the salad becomes creamy, but the mayo doesn’t devolve into its component parts.
3. Pile on a plate with raw veggies — I like cucumber slices, jicama sticks, green pepper strips, and carrots because they’re cool and sweet in contrast to the spicy tuna.

5 Love Languages & of course, a recipe

So today was Valentine's Day and I thought I would share a little bit about a book I read 20 years ago...The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. First, I have to tell you that I think it is a must read for everyone! I will not do it justice in this blog, so please read it! Even if you aren't in a relationship with the opposite sex, the principles are good for ALL relationships-friends, family, etc.

Essentially, you understand that every person has a Love Tank and that tank is "filled" by receiving love in 5 different ways...

1) Acts of Service
2) Words of Affirmation
3) Quality Time
4) Gifts
5) Physical Touch

But wait! We all have dominate Love Languages-ones that fill the tank more. And it then makes sense that the way we feel loved best is the way we show love! Now it gets tricky...what if your Love Language is different than your main squeeze, your friend, your family member or your child? We are encouraged to learn to appreciate each person's dominate language or languages (yes most have 2) and commit to showing love the way that fills their tank-yep, this takes effort...it takes understanding...and at times it is HARD! Any guesses on what my Love Language is?

As for me; my husband, my son and my daughter all have DIFFERENT dominate Love Languages but looking at the bright side, I can do almost anything and SOMEONE will feel loved. Ha, seriously though I love getting to know a person well enough to understand their heart and have a chance to help "fill their tank." In fact, I can honestly say I am passionate about it.

Here is the website to check it out more if you are intrigued. http://www.5lovelanguages.com/

Now for the food... that is what you wanted right? This one came from the urbanposer.blogspot.com. She is a great resource and I am not at all good at creating the dessert recipes so I look to the experts! I am dying to make her Strawberry and Coconut Macaroons this weekend.  To keep with the love theme and let's face it chocolate says love; the recipe I made was her Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Raspberry Frosting...they are Paleo, they are EASY and they were GOOD! You could even just eat the cupcake as a chocolate muffin with coffee.