Writing

I have known for many years that I want to write a book of some sort. Over the years I have journaled extensively in seasons, but none of it has even come together in one place or thought. Until now.

When I lived in Van Horn, TX this past summer I began to write in a journal almost everyday for a few weeks. The subject was something I had learned from a teaching out of 1 Kings 17:7. Last week I picked up the journal and starting reading it. I was cut through the heart. I felt like I was reading something someone else had written, and it was what I needed to apply to my life right now.
So I started typing. Transferring the journal onto my computer. With that, also came more journaling.

So right now I am in the middle of piecing together a short book. I'm not sure if it is going to be finished all at once, or if this is just the beginning and the rest will come down the road. But here it goes!

Extremely Unique, Kinda Cute, FREE Anniversary Gift

Wow time flies, it has already been over a year since me and my hubby tied the knot.

I wanted to do something thoughtful and creative for my husband for our First Wedding Anniversary. I didn't want to let the fact that we have no money or permanent place to live get in the way (no place of our own kinds cuts out homemade candlelight dinner, etc). I started to look up places near where we will be living that could be potentially good date nights (he lived there already, but I would be moving right before our Anniversary). 

A coupon booklet of dates seemed a little...3rd grade Father's Day gift, so I thought I would make him a website instead.

I used Wix.com, it is free to have an account and you can make several websites per account (I use it for Abintra Designs as well). I started with a template design and then made it my own. 

(Home page of "Date Night" website)

I added a picture of us as the background, and a song I wrote him for our wedding as the music to play when you visit the site. (Wix lets you use songs from Sound Cloud *also free to join and upload songs)

The second page of the site was for "Favorite Memories". Here I wrote some of my favorite memories with my husband over the last two years (we dated for exactly one year before we got married) and put some of my favorite pictures on that page. 

(Favorite Memories page)

The next page was "Terms and Conditions", these were the conditions of the future dates such as: I had to be present, they had to be used between August 2012 and August 2013, we had to have fun, I couldn't refuse to go on a date from the list, etc. 

On this page I also put a picture that I created on Tagxedo . 

I took the words from my Wedding Vows to my husband and put them into a "heart" outline.

("Terms & Conditions" page)

The next page of the site is "Future Dates".  It is a picture gallery that is full of local, fun places that we can go on dates to. After looking up specific places I thought were interesting or I knew were his favorite, I put a picture of that place/logo into the gallery. When you add pictures to a gallery wix gives you the ability to name the picture, give a description, and even add a link. This was perfect for what I wanted to do. I put the name of the place, then under "description" I wrote briefly what the date would be like,  then added the link to any place that had a website. (I added about 27 "dates" to the gallery) 

Now he can scroll through the "date gallery" and see a picture and brief description. When he clicks on the link he can find out more about the place, times of special events, and directions.

("Future Dates" page)

(When you click on a date it appears like this. Showing the description and link) 

The last page was "Bonus Material".
On this page I had a button to a link that went to a photobucket album of pictures for him.
Also there was also a video ( add>media>video and using YouTube) that was a slideshow of pictures of us from way back when we met at summer camp as teenagers through to the present.

Last but not least, a link to a photo book: "10 Things I Love About You". Mixbook is an awesome website that I created a few photo albums on (I have still YET to get my wedding album printed). You can create and account and albums/books for free (it only costs money when you want them printed) then link it to places (like FB, Blog, or a Anniversary Website). When you are finished making your album/book you "publish" it. (make sure when you are saving the settings that it is set to public view so he doesnt have to create and account or log in to see it)

("Bonus Material" page)

It was a success! He loved the thought and effort put into it.
I ended up working on our Anniversary, but the day after we went and did some things that represented past favorite dates, and some of the ideas I had put into the gallery.

Latest Projects

I feel like I haven't done any projects since I moved to Forth Worth. (I guess the 40+ hrs a week has something to do with it) I had today off and finally pulled out the sewing machine. (yah!) 

This was the result:

I also whipped out this little zipper pouch for all the loose ends that hangout in the bottom of my purses. 

Here is a closer look at the purse. I like the combination.

A few days ago I also made Galao a new doggie bed. His old blanket he had pulled all of the batting out of. (It was an old quilt). So I picked up some cute paw print fleece on sale at Jo Ann's. I bought a yard and folded it in fourths, then sewed the edges so he wouldn't unfold it. 

He seems to love it. I often find him dragging it around the room like a toddler with his blanky, chewing on the edges.  

Then I also had made this small purse for myself. Its one of those smaller purses that is black and white. For simple-ness sake. Those times when you want something that won't stick out too much.  

So there is what I have been up to in the crafting world.

Hope to add more projects soon!

the Hulk in Me

"That's my secret Captain, I'm always angry." Were the words that Dr. Banner said as he walked towards the oncoming Gamma Monsters, about to transform into the Hulk. 

I never saw myself as an angry person. I was the "peacemaker" in our home growing up. Everyone else had serious angry issues. I was the one trying to be really, really good and hope that everything would be ok if I could just be quiet and good. Even in my adult years I have been more of a peacemaker in situations. I continue to avoid conflict if at all possible. So why would I ever think that I am angry. I'm quiet and calm. I'm Dr Banner, not the Hulk.

One of the worst things that can happen to a victim of abuse, is to become an abuser. Today I was disciplining our dog for trying to bite my face. One hit became two. Raising my voice became shouting.  Discipline turned violent. My husband quickly grabbed my arm. I turned in fury to meet a solid stare. Eventually my muscles released their tention, and I broke eye contact. I took a deep breath and broke out in sobs.
"Am I an abuser?"
I thought of what would have escalated if he was not there to stop me. I thought of how much force he used to stop my arm. I couldn't breathe. What if that was a child not a dog?
It made me think of how short tempered I have been with everyone lately. How bitter my words and attitudes are. I feel like I am Dr. Banner, always angry. I may never turn into the Hulk like some people with angry problems do, but I am always angry just the same. Perhaps it is time to look inside and dissipate some of this anger. Just because it is invisible (although it really isn't fully invisible) does not mean it isn't hurting me (and potentially others).