another highlight from michigan

As soon as I found out we were going to Michigan for the Odyssey World Finals, I emailed my bloggy friend, Ruby Red Slippers... to find out how close she was to anywhere we were going. I was thrilled that she wrote back with big exclamation points! On our first free morning, my Mom & I headed to the home of Ruby Red Slippers. We pulled into the driveway and before I knew it, we were all hugging on the doorstep... and when I walked into her beautiful home...

I recognized this room instantly. Oh, I know it only felt familiar because of this photo (that I borrowed from her blog... without asking) but it filled me up with the feeling of friendship. Everywhere I turned there was a piece of her heart... and words, words, words! Ruby Red Slippers loves words on the walls... and because I frequently admire them, she keeps encouraging me to try it! Our visit was two hours of fun... and it flew by with creamer & coffee and as much conversation as we could fit in! I'm sure we could have filled several more hours... and I am hoping we get them the next time Ruby Red & her family come to Florida. It is a very small world, you know... turns out that when my new real-life friend visits Florida, they often stay in same town where my Mom lives!

Thank you, Ruby Red... for a lovely morning. So lovely! And... for telling us how to find Hobby Lobby! Yes. It was our first time. With mixed emotions, I realized that it was certainly worth the hype... and when my Mom grabbed a cart, I had to remind her that she only had a carry on suitcase!

Now that I'm home... the creative thoughts are buzzing. And... I just may have added a second set of words to my wall!

today

Today I celebrate the beauty in the world.
Why?
Why not?!
This is the day the Lord has made... rejoice and be glad in it!

seventy dollars well spent

I choked a little... when we found out that the trading pins for Odyssey of the Mind were going to be $70. I felt a little better when they arrived... and saw how far the $70 had gone. So many of the pins were really cool... and when she pinned them all to her towel, I realized how heavy they were. Really heavy. At least I was not toting them to Michigan in my purse. And still... $70?


And then... we came upon a crowd of kids sitting in the grass under the trees. The breeze was blowing and the air was just about perfect. But these kids were not just enjoying the day... they were pin trading. Their towels were spread before them displaying their own treasure trove of pins... and before I knew it I was mesmerized by the process and totally in love with it. I was also kinda wishing we had bought a few more pins...






The pin trading continued all day... every day... into the evenings... and probably into the dark of night! But these kids weren't just trading pins... there were Hellos and Where are froms and Have you performed yets and Good lucks... and not necessarily in English, or even in words. What a way to meet people!
Laura came home with pins from Japan, Korea, Singapore, Poland, Mexico, Hong Kong... and a whole bunch of US states. But more than that... she came home knowing that she had made the most of her opportunity and met people from all over the world.

this girl & her mom

It has been years since I have had my Mom all to myself. Perhaps 35 years? But this past weekend... we headed off to celebrate Laura (and her team!) with the World. I brought a book along for the down time... two 3 hour flights and any free time we had at the hotel... and only read 15 pages. Who needs a story when you can make your own? My Mom & I... we talked and talked and walked... and laughed and played and visited. We dined on veggie subs at Subway... and hiked across campus for ice cream from MSU's Dairy Store. I annoyed the rented GPS so often that we were waiting for her to retaliate. She jumped on the bed when the alarm on her phone rang out two months 'til Africa. I was by her side when we met up with David at the Zoo... and she was by mine when we pulled up to the sweetest house on the cul de sac to meet my bloggy friend. And perhaps both visits gave her the extra bit of courage to share her potato chips with a sweet girl from Hong Kong.


I loved sharing this weekend with my Mom... and being Laura's cheering section. Gratitude buzzes in my heart for all she is and all she gives.