Sixteen

What were you doing 16 years ago today?

Do you remember?

I do.

I know exactly was I was doing at the very moment I am writing this post.  I can't say that about many days in my life, but I can say it about June 27, 1995.

It was one of the very best days of my life.

It was the day I became a mother.

Sixteen years ago today, I was sitting in a bed at Scripps Hospital in San Diego, California watching re-runs of Perry Mason on television, while my husband sat in a chair in that very same room wearing an ice cream moustache he had recently acquired from visiting the shake machine at the hospital cafeteria.  I was starving; my husband was not.

It was a long, long day of Perry Mason, being probed, and waiting.  It did not end the way that I had expected.   I imagined pushing, sweat, and screaming, but what I got was "your labor isn't progressing so we have to do an emergency c-section."   Those words both scared me, and made me thankful for modern medicine.

I left Perry and was whisked down the hall into a bright room wallpapered to look like a forrest.  A host of masked faces greeted me, and a voice said "Are you ready to do this?"   Matt yelled "Yes!" in the same matter you would cheer if your favorite soccer team scored a goal.  But,  I was scared out of my wits, especially when  I saw a doctor hovering over me with a giant knife.   So I closed my eyes and prayed that everything would be alright.

The end result was Claire, a beautiful red-haired baby girl.

Motherhood is my greatest joy, and my greatest challenge.  I have Claire to thank for the induction.  We have shared 16 years of discovery -- laughing, reading, playing, fighting, forgiving, and loving each other.  It's been a wonderful, wild ride.  Sometimes I have to cover my eyes and hold on tight, but most of the time I can throw my hands up in the air and scream 'wheeeeeeeee'.

Happy Birthday beautiful daughter.   I treasure your presence in my life.

P.S.  For those of you who are wondering.  The red hair fell out two months into it.  A year later, it came back snow white and turned into blonde.

The Reveal Part II: Circle of Friends

I've said it once, and I'll say it again -- I am thankful for blogging.  In years to come, I will probably say it a few times more.  (That is a warning.)  But, I want you to know, that  I really am.

Because of blogging, I stopped being lazy about trying to keep a journal.  I wrote more about the things going on in the life of my family -- good, and not so good.  I look back on hundreds of posts, and think "Boy I wish I would have done a better job recording our life 10 years ago."  But there weren't blogs then, and for some reason, blogs just make it easier to write and organize your thoughts as well as include pictures.

I love that blogging has allowed us to share ideas.  I am inspired as I look around and see what everyone is doing.  There is so much creativity out there, it makes my mind reel.  The possibilities are almost overwhelming.

I'm also thankful for the people that blogging has brought into my life.   My circle of friends has expanded clear around the world.  Isn't that a miracle?   I love that as we read and learn about eachother, can can leave comments, which lead to chatting, which leads to friendship.

Through blogging, I became friends with Meg (pictured), Lindsey, Jenny, Bethany, Genevieve, Nanette, Courtney, Stephanie, Lisa, Emily, Kristi, Lyndsey, Angie, Elizabeth, Sarah ...... and so many others ( I apologize, if I didn't include your name here.)

One of the things that has been going through my mind a lot lately is "How can I get some these women together in person for a weekend of creating?"  Some of us having been doing it for years, while others are just beginning their creative journey and want so much to learn.

Those thoughts, coupled with Melanie's great Gingham Project,  fueled the mega idea that became R&R --   a weekend of creating and sharing our creative spirits, connecting in person; and by doing so, helping women on the other side of the world the chance to do something similar -- create (and earn an income to to help their children.)

I shared this idea with several of my cyber friends -- Lyndsay Johnson, Sarah Bradford, Matthew and Jenny Mead, Linda McDonald, Reahel Bagley, Sarah Sample ..... and every single one of them said "Let's do it!"

Then I asked the people I see and know up close -- Wendy, Eve, Chantel, Kristen, Betty, Karen .....
They all said "I'm in!!!"

I am fortunate to know such good, good people ....  willing to jump on board and be a part of a big idea.

So for weeks we've been talking and planning, and Lyndsay has been slaving away at our A.MA.ZING website, and yesterday it all came together.  We launched R&R.

I look forward to February.   I'm excited to get away from the mundane chores and have a moment to laugh my head off, and be inspired by the exchange of ideas.  I'm excited to talk to people in person that I've emailed with for years.  I'm excited to have a big block of time to sit around a table and make stuff with people I enjoy so, so much.  I'm excited to open the circle even wider, and make new friends, which includes the women of Tamil Nadu.

I hope that you will come and join the circle too.

The Reveal, Part I: The Power of One.

Photo courtesy of Melanie Smith Photography

Have you been wondering what all of these hints, and hoopla have been about over the past few weeks???

I am now ready to tell you, but pull up a chair cuz it's going to take a minute or two.

It all came about in the strangest of ways.

A few months ago I received an email from a friend of a friend.  A woman I'd never met, named Melanie.  I was busy multi-tasking as I looked her message over.  What I gleaned from it  was this:

fundraiser ....... necklace ..... school ..... happy, hopeful, helpful . . . elephant . . . orange . . .

Which I interpreted as:  Melanie is starting a charter school in Temecula and needs necklaces for a raffle/fundraiser.  Happy, hopeful, helpful must be the school motto.

A week or so went by and I got to work making necklaces, but I couldn't remember  the colors requested.  So I went to Melanie's blog site to take a look.

I had a moment of humility then.   I learned that while I had read Melanie's original message, I hadn't been paying attention to anything she had been trying to tell me, which was this . . .

Last year, Melanie traveled to India photograph a wedding of a friend.  While she was there, she spent time in a village in Tamil, Nadu and fell in love the the people there.  In spite of their impoverished condition, these people were so happy, and hopeful, and helpful.  Melanie discovered that children of the village could not attend school unless they could buy a uniform made of Gingham, and a text book.  And sadly, many families can't afford these simple things.  So Melanie came home and decided to do something about it.  She started a non-profit organization to help these children.  And she contacted me to make necklaces so that she could spread the word about ways people could involved and help.

The minute I finished reading, I felt a rush of ideas.   I realized that besides necklaces, there were more ways that I could offer support.  So that night, I called Melanie and we met for a soda.  We spent a few hours talking about her organization -- The Gingham Project, and it's mission to help the village.  I left that night excited and inspired.

When I got home, my mind continued spinning.  I thought about the women in my association, all in different seasons of life, and different economical circumstances.  The young moms with children, frustrated because they had little time to do things that filled their cup,  those who yearned to create but didn't know where to start, women who were on the verge of being empty nesters and didn't know what to do with all the extra time, who worked full time and came home tired, and women on the other side of the world who needed a way to earn a living so that they could send their children to school and change the course of their lives.

And then something amazing happened, all these thoughts turned into a mega idea.  But, I needed help putting it into action. And fortunately, because of the miracle of blogging, I had a network of amazing friends who could help me pull it off, if they were willing to help.  I didn't even need to wonder "if", I knew they would, because they are good, good people.  So I sent a few emails, and over the course of a few days, friends began responding, and the mega idea turned into a plan.

Then we started working,  and the mega idea turned into reality.

The moral of this story is this . . . one person can make a difference.  And when you listen to that inner voice, great things happen.

In this case it all began with Melanie, one woman who went to India, whose inner voice told her to help the children in Tamil Nadu.

The story doesn't end here.  To learn more, click on the picture below, designed by the talented Lyndsay Johnson.  She really amazes me.  Just wait until you see what else she created . . .

Inspired.

Source: blog.freepeople.com via Crystal on Pinterest

Have you checked out Pinterest?   So much fun.  Come follow me, and I will follow you.  We can share ideas.

http://pinterest.com/crystalbeutler/inspired

P.S. Thank you Lisa N. the friend who shared Pinterest with me. Who will you share it with??

Planning.

I've been busy for the past few weeks!

Busy with family, busy organizing, and busy planning really cool stuff.

And the cool stuff involves creative, inspiring, fun people that YOU may know.

That's all I'm going to tell you . . . cuz I'm not done planning.

Ok, I can't help myself.  I have to share just a little bit, but not too much, because it would spoil the announcement that's coming towards the end of the week . . . .

1.  Start saving your money.
2.  Save these dates:  February 10-11, 2012.
3.  Line up a baby sitter.
4.  If you live far away, start looking for cheap flights to San Diego.

Super excited about this.  Hope you will be too.



P.S. While you are waiting, enjoy this photo of my experimental banana cupcakes. Super delicious. You can find the recipe here:

True Confessions #3: We Can't Stay Away from As Seen on TV

It's true folks. The Beutler's can't seem to stay away from "As Seen On TV" products. They have a strange pull on us, and I can't figure out why. Every time I see a new As Seen commercial, I announce to anyone within ear shot "That is the dumbest thing ever! Who would buy one of those!"

Two months later I'm all curled up on the sofa wearing a Snuggie. (And by the way, did you know that someone had the audacity to copy the product and call it a Slanket!  The nerve.)

I don't know who's to blame for this behavior. I thought it was the kids because there's always an "As Seen" product on their Christmas lists . . . the Bump-it, the Reacher, the Perfect Brownie Pan. But then, I found myself wishing for a Pedi-Egg which someone, I won't say who, was nice enough to buy me because they got sick of me using up all the sand paper hidden in the garage. (That was probably a little too much TMI right there, but that's what happens when you talk about As Seen products, they get you to say all sorts of crazy things.)

Last week, I went outside to do some yard work. Low and behold, this was sitting on the patio.

That's right, we are now the proud owners of a Topsy Turvey. I found this quite amusing since we have massive amounts of space to plant a garden, were it not for the ant hills, gophers, and other living creatures who make their home there.

Just as I was about to make fun of the person who took the time to purchase the Topsy and load it with tomato plants, I found myself saying "I've always wondered if those things work."  And I admit it -- I'm excited to see if it will produce hundreds of tomatoes As Seen on TV!!!

That's the answer right there.

We purchase these products because we wonder if it's really as amazing as it appears in the commercial. Those people using the products look so happy and thrilled to have all their pesky problems solved. I mean, who hasn't become so tangled up in a blanket while trying to read a book that you felt like tearing you hair out!  How did we live before a pan that instantly slices 18 brownies all at once!

Fess up friends.  Didn't you feel like life would be so much better if you could own a heated chip and dip tray?

I have to say, I have to admire all those problem solvers out there, who are making millions because they had the courage to take a chance. I'm using that as my excuse, next time I'm standing in the checkout line at Walmart, and see the lure of "As Seen" gleaming from the shelf -- I'm buying this to support the little guy.

P.S. In case you are wondering what to get me for Christmas, I have my eye on The Perfect Meatloaf.

The Terrible Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Today started out great, and progressed to not-so-great.


 I planned to get up early to watch the sun rise.  There were clouds.


I decided to spend time and curl my hair, which I hate to do because it takes so much time.   It went flat the minute I walked out the door.


I got ambitious and spent time cleaning my studio this morning, which included emptying an overflowing trash can.  On my way to the trash can, I stubbed my toe and did this.

Don't you just hate it when you ruin a perfectly good pedicure.   Why does this always happen during sandal season??


I had plans to go see Jane Eyre at the movies tonight with my book club.  I've been looking forward to this all week long.  Five minutes ago I remembered I have a conference call that I can't miss.  That's right . . . no movie, and no Panera.


Elphie is mad at me today, probably because I applied flea medicine to her newly cropped hair.   She's punishing me by hopping on my brand new sofa and digging at the fabric.  Now I'm mad at Elphie.


I went to do a load of laundry this afternoon, and discovered a load in the washer that I'd forgotten about.  The cloths smell like a locker room.


I'm having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.


As Alexandar's mother once said "Some days are like that."

P.S.   If you haven't read Jane Eyre, you must.   That's all I'm going to tell you.  And then you have to see the movie -- the Master Piece Theatre version is awesome.

Miracle of the Skittish Dog.

Do you ever have dreams that you are standing in a public place in your underwear?  I used to have them all the time.  It was aways in the same place -- the play ground at Highland Park Elementary School.  I spent half my dream hiding in bushes trying to find something I could wear.   I remember feeling so relieved when I woke up and realized that it wasn't really happening.  I haven't had a dream like that in a long time, thank heavens.

This morning, I had intentions of getting up early so I could take a long walk with Elphie through the neighborhood, but I stayed up to late last night and slept right through my alarm.   I woke up to the sound of Eden's voice coming from down the hall:  Don't forget that you are taking me to the Ranch this morning.  I need to leave right now!!!

I got up in a state of panic, and debated whether or not I should put on cloths instead of pajamas in case my car broke down or something.  I played it safe and put on jeans, but skipped combing my hair because I was only going to be gone for a few minutes.   So what if I looked a little insane as long as I had on jeans.  I'd be ok, right?  Except for the fact that I dyed my eyebrows yesterday, and if you've ever done that, you know that you have SUPER dark eyebrows for a few days. I went downstairs in my pajama top/jean outfit looking a little like Cruella DeVil after a night of heavy partying.

 The sound of jingling keys is Elphie's signal to come running in hopes that she might get a ride in the car.  I decided to grant her wish, and picked her up along with my purse and headed out the door.

About halfway between the Ranch and home, Eden said: I forgot to eat breakfast, can we go to Starbucks?" which is his sneaky ploy to get a chocolate frappachino.  He waits until he knows it's too late to turn back for a good old bowl of cereal.   I said: Ok, I'll take you, but I'm not going in because Elphie's a little worked up and I don't want to leave her alone in the car.   (I attribute her panic to yesterday's trip to the vet for a Rabies shot.)  So while Eden went into Starbucks alone, I sat in the car  and made a mental list of all the things I had to do today, which included a trip to the bank for a temporary debit card, while Elphie sat on my lap shaking so hard she looked like a bobble head pet.   I wondered if I could get away with running into the bank in my pajamas without seeing anyone I knew.

Once Eden had his beverage, we went straight to Green Acres and made it just in the nick of time -- for what, I do not know.  I just know Eden had plans, and they started promptly at 8:00.

By the time I waved goodbye, I had to go to the bathroom;  I failed to to that before I left the house, so I skipped the bank and went straight home.  I pulled into the driveway where Matt was working on one of the cars.

I said Hey, are you getting it fixed??

He looked at me and said: Is that a joke?

 I said: Is what a joke?

He said: Your outfit?

I said: What's so funny about a t-shirt and jeans?

Then he smiled a Grinch-like smile and said Take a look at what you've go on.

Well, I knew perfectly well what I had on.  I had on a pajama top, and a pair of jeans, which didn't look THAT bad.  And as got ready to respond with a clever retort,  I looked down . . .

What the heck!!!!!
I cannot believe that I walked out of the house looking like this!!!

Matt and I sat in the driveway and laughed our heads off for a good 10 minutes!  I think we alarmed my neighbor who was out mowing the grass.  In fact, we laughed about it all day long; random chortles that would not cease,  it was just too funny.

Thank heavens for Elphie.  She was the miracle that saved me.  Were it not for her panic, I would have walked into Starbucks this morning looking like a crazy person.  And the bank!

What I find most disturbing is that Eden didn't even notice his mother was sporting a huge bra over her pajamas!!!

I'm livin' the dream folks.  Liv. In. The. Dream.

Thank you???

Walking down the sidewalk the other day with a group of women leaving a restaurant, I received a compliment.  


Someone said "That's a really cute outfit!" 


Before I had a chance to respond, someone else chimed in "Yeah, with your skin tones you can wear vomity colors."


Thank you??????


Now before you think "Oh that's soooo rude!", don't be too hard on this woman.  I think she meant it in the kindest of ways . . . because she is a kind person. 


 I just found it amusing that someone would associate the colors of my wardrobe with images that make my stomach churn.    


Because in my lifetime, I have never seen any of these hues in my toilet bowl, have you?

If I had to associate hurl with a color, I think of those cosmic disco shirts of the 80's that had images in pattern printed on thin polyester.  I'm sad to say, I  think my husband may have owned one of these and worn it proudly back in the day.

 I don't think anyone can pull this look off and wear it well.  

Even me, and I'm a woman who looks good wearing vomit.  Or so I'm told. :)