Cascade Falcon XXII

Cascade Falcon has now been over for almost two weeks. So now I can actually think about it and not feel exhausted. ;-) So here's my experience.

I went into CFXXII dreadfully unprepared. I didn't have the uniform pieces I wanted, I had holes in my shoes.  I had an injured ankle.... Anyway, my attitude was a *little* less enthusiastic about going. I griped to Evelyn and she told me that I signed up for it, that I needed to find something good about going. So I thought and this is what I came out with:

1. I go to support my siblings. It was Jane's first time on Cadre and she did great!
2. I go so the parents of Arlington's cadets know there is someone reliable who their cadet can talk to if there is a problem. Or for parents to text for information.
3. I go to take Arlington Composite Squadron exclusive pictures. It's been nearly two weeks and NO official pictures have come out.
4. Learn something new.

So I adjusted my attitude. I was going to be positive, give leadership advice when needed, supply snacks to cadre members, not cause drama and have fun.

I got there and learned that instead of 1 flight of girls, I would have a squadron (2 flight- 24 people) to take care of. I had 1 hour to get 24 girls through the shower (we had 3 showers).... That's like 2 minute showers.

I have girls who cried, wanted to give up, who were homesick and in pain... I also had girls who inspired, who thrived under the leadership environment, who took initiative and who pushed themselves. I had girls who wouldn't shut up and girls who wouldn't talk.

I got pictures every day and it took me two days to completely edit them. I still haven't gotten them to parents like planned.

It was so worth it. I talked again to Evelyn yesterday and some things I got from the experience were: 1. I don't have to spend time with other senior members. The majority of the time, I was alone, watching my cadets.
2. I don't have to be friends with everyone. There were people there who I didn't get along well with. He just didn't treat me well and I had no energy to deal with that.
3. Always look into someone's eyes to ask they if they're okay. The answer will be different.
4. Never baby someone's injury. Have a suck-it-up mentality. If they're in serious pain, you'll know.
5. Thank people for helping or teaching you something.
6. Making eye contact and verbally greeting people are both just signs of a good person.

7. No matter how tired you are, standing outside and watching the sunset, even for just a couple minutes is always worth it. I recharged almost every night this way. It was a couple minutes to think over the day, pray and see something beautiful.

8. Always have a notebook with you. The one I chose was too small, so I didn't use it and regretted it a little.
9. Thank the people who serve you food. I know this one from experience....
10. Take time to write in year books, you never know what will make someone's day. I found out that I was the only one to write in one of the girl's book last year and it meant a lot to her.
11. Always be observing what going on in your surroundings.
12. Have a few stress relieving things to occupy the minds of students and cadre. One of my cadre members right before a stressful inspection had her girls playing Rock, Paper, Scissors. It was great.

I learned so much more, but these are the ones that came to mind first. Check out my pictures on Facebook!

A Month of Work

So I entered the "real" work world last month. Part-time team member at JoAnn Fabrics. I love it.

Some things I've learned or moments I've had this month:

- I learned there are MANY brands of fabrics. I knew there were types, but never clued in that there were name-brand fabrics.

-I really do remember ever face from anyone who used my name.

-Learned dull scissors are from the devil. ;-)

-Never believe what you're told... There is a funny story involving a woman, a little girl and a bathroom...

-Regalia shawls are a thing and tons of people make them.

-I found a particular fabric for a woman who was near tears because she made a mistake and needed more fabric. She couldn't find it and needed to get the dress done by THAT afternoon.

-Watched 3 crazy ladies laughing their butts off while picking out fleece. Turns out they were making fleece blankets for foster kids.

-Learned that not all kids are on electronic devices... A girl confidently came up, asked for a yard of fabric

-The two ladies who had me measure out SO MANY FABRICS and then decided to purchase different ones.

-The gentleman who was snarky because he had to use the restroom. Slammed his hand down on the bell as I was literally running to grab the key for him.

-The one who asked how long it took to braid my hair (it was in a French side braid) and looked incredulous when I told him it only took 3-4 minutes.

-The older gentleman on a mission for his wife who had to call to confirm and told his wife that the lady (me) helping him was a "cute gal"

-Same gentleman who said sending a man to Joanns was like my (hypothetical) husband asking me to pick up some (insert some long words describing ammunition), to which I promptly replied that I would be fine with that as long as my "husband" took me along to shoot. He looked surprised that I knew what he was talking about....

-The couple buying material for shower scrubbies who were impressed that I had so many siblings, that so many of my siblings are in the Army and who asked if I was married or had a boyfriend. I told them I didn't. We continued to talk and just as they were leaving the woman said "I know why you don't have a boyfriend.... It's because no one is good enough for you." That was a compliment indeed!

-The lady who asked me what I thought of my job and it made her happy that I love it.

-The young man who had just as hard a time as I did in converting 60 inches to feet *facepalm* I really do know basic math....

-Tearing velvet is super satisfying, but terrifying all at once.

-The ladies who ordered yards upon yards of tulle to decorate a gazebo for a wedding in 28 days...

-The man who had so many question I practically did the shopping for him.

-I never thought I would work so much with glitter. #glitterhater It was everywhere.

-Faux fur is disgusting, makes me sneeze and feels pretty gross. Personal opinion.

-I can't count and give directions at the same time. Had to restart so many pieces of fabric because people will just talk to you and expect you to give answers immediately. -_-

-Went to purchase my first piece of fabric to make a circle skirt, couldn't find anything wide enough or that I liked in the right material. Ended up buying a sheet...

-The people who ask for opinions and actually do what you suggest.

-I get to be OCD. I spent like 20 minutes in the ribbon isle putting every single ribbon away correctly.

-Cut a boatload of fabric for my best friend's aunt. My mind was blown when she asked if I had a friend named Gracie and even more blown when she told me who she was.

-A lady I had never met a church before came up to me... I had cut fabric for her the past week...

-A lady who was making a reenacting cloak and needed it to be waterproof

-The heart-stopping moment when fabric I was just about to go and grab to put on hold for my aunt-ish, is on the cutting counter... Good thing it was her picking it up!

-Jaye told me I was doing so well and was happy I loved the work so much. She said I've picked it up way faster than the others.

-Literally walking around the store tucking fabrics cause there was NOTHING else to do.

-Asking people if I could help them find anything cause there was NOTHING else to do.

-The couple asking for stretchy denim to make rabbit guards.

So there's a bit of my work life right now. I look forward to every shift and the time seems to pass super quickly. I'm basically around beautiful things, around people who are passionate about their hobbies or creative in the way they fix things and that is super cool!

Grace on Grace

Grace. Sometimes I forget that it is more than a name and even though it is my name, I have never really done any research into what grace actually means. For as long as I can remember, I've flinched every time someone uses the word grace while reading the Bible and during any song that has the word grace (yes, especially Amazing Grace). For the past week or so it has come up more than a couple times - I am far from being gracious, graceful or full of grace... Yet my name is a constant reminder every time I check my Facebook or email and countless other times during the day.

So a very little bit of looking around tonight and I found this:

"Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." ~Ephesians 2:3-9

Titus 2:11

There are countless definitions on the word, based on noun, verb, blah, blah, blah. But skimming through some of the in depth definitions, here is one of my favorites: 

"Simple elegance or refinement of movement." (this is the very first Google definition) All I can do is think of me tripping on my own feet and yes, perhaps some of the ninja like saves on the slippery porch, but not a whole lot of this grace happening... Under that definition is also "Courteous goodwill and an attractively polite manner of behaving" Hahahahaha, only sometimes, when I'm feeling particularly diplomatic...

Pinterest gave me far more than I could ever sift through on the word Grace, it was hard to narrow it down to just one, but I did it!  Okay, after I weeded past all the Grace Kelly quotes and such... 

Receive grace, 

Live grace,

Show grace, 

Repeat...

So I have a lot to work on, I think I *maybe* just maybe might have the bare foundation, but I know for sure....I want to live out my name. I want to grow. I want to be grace.

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Jane-O

My littlest sister... She's no longer little. Well, kinda. Even a nine year age difference can't keep us from being close. I love going on errands with Jane, reading fairy tales together, tickling her, even though she says she isn't ticklish, playing Ninja, playing Jeep Beep and Slug Bug on drives and cooking together.

We had a blast taking pictures at Jennings Park and she was amazingly patient as I figured out the proper camera settings for all this light and sunshine we now have. Now some facts about this girly...

This girl enjoys fruit of any kind, pudding (especially lately) and if you ask her if she wants anything she will ALWAYS say pizza. Garlic chicken in particular and yes, she can make a mean pizza. 

The sarcasm as I told her to cross her legs and not sit like a dude... ;-) What a crazy kid. 

Jane loves the color blue (it used to be green) and if allowed, will try on EVERY possible dress at Value Village. She loves her orange/red pants and borrowing this leather jacket from one of the many sisters. 

Jane loves playing the piano, singing with Ev, any kind of animal, dancing and hanging out with her friends (and mine... She's in the process of stealing my two closest friends). 

Her normal face.... Naw, just kidding, she made a couple goofy faces when I told her to switch up her look... Guess she needs more practice modeling. ;-)

Who can resist a rooster sculpture? And there wasn't a sign saying not to climb on it!! 

Anyway, thankful for the baby of the family. She's one cool kid.

Count Your Blessings

So this song went through my head one of the days last week. More like, just the refrain was running through my head. Tonight, we sang it and there was a near constant rhythmic poking in my back as a friend lovingly showed me all the parts that applied to me and what we had talked about that day. It was so encouraging.  

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your Lord on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Thankful for this reminder tonight, people who care and for good friendships. 

Solo Adventure

Yesterday, I drove. No true destination. GPS-less. Spontaneous. For those who do not know me well, that is a rarity. I am a planner. I plan routes based on left hand turns and not taking the same road a lot. But not yesterday. I was in need of peace, a time to recharge my introverted side after a social weekend. I was in need of finding nature and painting inspirations.

Through forests, up hills, with sun in my eyes and windows rolled down, I drove. I fell in love with the mountains, the leaf-less trees mixed with evergreens, the lakes and rives, even the pot-hole filled roads. I enjoyed the challenge of not getting lost, of trying new roads and finding new places.

While in Tennessee, I would purposely leave the house in search of nature, since it was so different from here and yesterday I realized that I need to keep doing that. There is so much of Washington that I can explore.

I can't wait for the roadside stands to open up, until the tulips and daffodils bloom and when watching the sunset doesn't freeze me completely. 

I highly recommend adventuring. Both solo AND with friends. It was such a refreshing time. A thoughtful time. A quiet time... It's what we all need sometimes. 

Poetry Day

I picked up a poetry book while I was at Half-Price Books a couple days ago. I haven't read a lot of poetry before, but several of the verses caught my eye and made my heart happy. Carleton Briggs is now among my favorite poets. :-)

Down Through the Hours of this Day

Down through the hours of this day

I want to walk with open eyes;

To see the good along the way, 

And glimpse the rainbow in the skies. 

I want to hear soft voices speak

Their healing words to those in pain;

To hear the songs of those who seek

To scatter sunshine in the rain. 

I want to feel the touch of hands, --

To press my shoulder to the load

Besides someone who understands, 

And walks with me along the road.

I want to be alert to do

The works that's waiting to be done;

I would sincerely carry through

Each honest task in faith begun.

The many deep resolves I made

As I awoke refreshed at dawn;

I would complete them unafraid

Ere each short hour is quickly gone.

Down through the hours of this day

I march,-- and pray ere this sun sets,

I'll store each precious hour away

To treasure it, without regrets.