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Usually when my husband says he wants to show me something online, he gets an eyeroll or two.
This time there was a jaw drop and stunned silence.
Everytime I watch it, clichés like "Don't judge a book by its cover" rush in...but I'll save you from an elaboration because it will just take up time.
Hurry.
Watch.
Then turn it up and play it again.
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If a quick glance at this post leads you to believe I belong to the community of crafty folk, you've been misled.
But a fantastic school year inspired me to channel (or piggyback) my kids' artisitc talents and attempt a project of my own -- to thank some phenonemal teachers.
DISCLOSURE: I finangled a Martha Stewart craft and made it my own
The first order of business was the thank you from the kids themselves. I gave them each cards and stickers that reminded them of their teachers. They went off into their own space and came up with heartfelt and adorable notes.
While they worked on theirs, I sat down to write mine. And I cried. It's been a year worth crying about.
The next step was to create the envelope accordian (so easy, my non-crafty self could do it eyes closed). Then we stuffed the evnvelopes with our notes, letters and gift cards (my son presents his challenges, this particular gift card was fitting).
And finally, we folded and tied them up. This is where I out myself as a crafting-poser. I used dollarstore curling ribbon. A true Martha would have used fabric. But you get the idea.
Happy last day of school everyone!
And thank you teachers, I'm in awe of everything you do.
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I'm always telling the kids to keep their friends close.
It warms my heart to see that they're listening.
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You've seen me splash the word Schmutzie around here before. It's no secret how much I admire her work and what an impact she made the first time I heard her speak. She helped send me in an unexpected direction. I couldn't be more grateful.
In a recent interview with BlogHer (where she will be speaking) she shares this compelling advice with her pre-blogging self.
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I would tell myself this: You are worth being heard.
Before blogging, I doubted not only the value of my own writing and other creative projects, but I doubted the basic value of my own ideas and their worth to others. Who could possibly want to hear me? And what could I possibly have to say?
Blogging is an incredible opportunity to discover the shape and tenor of your own voice, and it is both surprising and enlightening what strengths and gifts you can find within that discovery. Words are powerful tools that define and can redefine the boundaries around how we perceive ourselves and the choices that we make. It’s an opportunity for transformation, really, and your very existence within the medium is a message in and of itself.
Do you have something to say, and is it worthwhile? Will people want to listen? It’s worth a shot to start putting down words in public and find out.
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When I think of the past several months, my thoughts fly too quickly to be caught with the right words.
I know this much:
If I hit three digit pageviews in a day, I throw myself a party.
If I receive a thoughtful comment from a reader, I go back and read it no less than 1,000 times.
If my sister cries when she reads one of my posts, I'm smug.
I love writing with my own voice.
I am worth being heard.
To my pre-blogging self, my advice is simple:
Go ahead and write.
What are you waiting for?
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On the longest, hottest day...
we gave our pepper a shower.
Happy summer everyone!
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