Articles

The Great Laundry Caper

The Great Laundry Caper

images (69)Moving is a stressful and time-consuming project, the more mature I get the less I like this task.  While I was drowning in boxes, I needed to search for a washer and drier. Our clothes were piling up and I was nearing my last pair of underwear ………  I searched the sale fliers for a laundry set that would fit both our needs and budget.  After comparing prices we made our decision.  A white set with burgundy lettering, I thought it would match our other furniture.  Besides, it had a wrinkle free cycle that appealed to me, sense my ironing board and iron are a Stone Age model.  

The salesman was anxious, jumpy, and talked incisively.  He assured me I had come to the right place, gotten the best price, deal and warranty of any other customer he had had that day. Plus they were going to deliver it on Saturday morning around      9:00 am. I was the luckiest woman in town.  Of course I was thrilled; I had a week’s washing and needed to get some clothes washed.

Saturday morning came and no washer and drier, I was in a panic we needed to wash clothes and be at another appointment across town by 2:00 pm.  Finally, I received a call telling me they were running late and would arrive at 1:00 pm. I knew this would be cutting my time short, mentally figuring out how I was going to make my next appointment.  I was about to have a meltdown. 

Arriving at 1:10 pm I was told they didn’t have time to set everything up. “It was easy, a piece of cake, you could do-it-yourself” Jr. said, giving me the thumbs up as he raced out the door.  Now I don’t know about you, but when someone tells me it’s easy, red flags start flying. He said he had confidence in me. Clearly, he hadn’t heard I am both un-coordinated and mechanically challenged.

I remember thinking the washer and drier looked different, but I didn’t have time to spend on that thought as we rushed to our appointment.

After a stressful afternoon, arriving home I began looking at the washer and drier again, I realized the top was the wrong color. Instead of white with burgundy letters across the top, it was baby blue enamel.  It had that “blast from the past” 50’s look.

Stressed I was awake most of the night doing research and worked myself into a dizzy-tizzy.  I was sure the company had ripped me off and sent me a relic from the back of the warehouse. I finally fell asleep at 4:00 am worn out and upset.  And I still had no clothes washed!!!

The next day I decided to go by the store and discuss the situation with the salesman.  Praying all the way over there that I would be kind but firm. I walked in and asked for Harold.   Explaining to another gentleman the wrong washer and drier had been delivered to my house.  He wasn’t sympathetic and told me those things happen all the time! At that moment I wasn’t feeling “That Lov’in Feeling.”

Why I write…

Blog Hopping and Why I write…

writing_a_letter

I met a wonderful friend in July, Heather Martens or 40YearWonderer, and she asked me if I would like to be one of her featured writers on a blog hop.  I thought it would be fun and give me the opportunity to introduce other writers who I admire.

Heather is has been and encouragement and sweet friend to me as I strive to write about life adventures and misadventures with a loving God.

She has a great compassion for others, even while dealing with pain and loss. God has enabled her to reach others with truth and honesty, lighting the way for others as she points to God’s comfort, love and grace.

Heather featured me in her blog hop. A blog hop is a round-robin, where a person answers 4 questions about their writing and then features three writers.

Also this Blog hop give me the opportunity to answer the many questions people have asked about “Why do I Write.”

1.   What am I work on?

I have been working on a  book called” Everyone Has Blonde Days®” for the last thirteen years, it is now in the final stages. It is collection of humorous stories about everyday life, when we have those Blonde moments that cause us to laugh out loud and then check to see if anyone else was looking.  No matter what our culture, hair or skin color, we all have Blonde Days.  Each story includes a reflection and spiritual application showing us God can use our misadventures to teach us valuable lessons about His love and ourselves.

I have two other books I am in the collecting and editing stages right now, but may be looking for a few more submissions. I will send out a call! 

2.    How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Blonde moments are something everyone experiences no matter what color hair we have, and when those unexpected, laugh out loud events happen, we know it must be a “Blonde” day. You may not have blonde hair, but I bet somewhere there are a few blonde roots! 

Does everyone have blonde days? Days when the most embarrassing and outrageous circumstances happen? Those are the days when all we can do is laugh out loud, hope no one is watching, and enjoy the moment. Who doesn’t need a good laugh these days to brighten and balance the stresses of everyday living? Laughter is a universal language. It has no boundaries and keeps us smiling no matter what life throws our way. 

Over the last fifteen years I have interviewed women of all nationalities, and occupations. I have stopped them at malls, grocery stores and women’s events, to see if they have experienced blonde days. They usually burst out in laughter, then share their hilarious stories. In reality, women of all ages, stages, colors, circumstances, and hair colors, share in the fun of having blonde-day misadventures.

Research shows daily laughter can add up to eight years to your life. Who knew having a good laugh was as healthy as eating broccoli?

 Everyone Has Blonde Days™ was created as a witty reminder we can find humor in the most unexpected places. When those unexpected days come into your life, embrace the moment, and realize you have just had a “blonde” day.

 “My platform is –Humor, My message is Christ

3.    Why do I write about what I do?

I become a writer because I felt that God has put a call on my life to share Love, Laughter and hope to women in a hurting world.  I believe He has given me a platform to connect with women through shared experiences with transparent love and acceptance.  If God’s love and forgiveness can heal my brokenness and steady my daily walk with him, even when I am week, mess up and disobedient, His love and grace can touch everyone.  I want women to know there is nothing and no place that God’s love cannot reach.

Because Life is Tough- I want to offer love and laughter to women who need hope. “You don’t stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing.”  

“Laugh often, Dream big, and Reach for the Stars”

4.   How does my writing process work?

The Big Purse Principle

 

The Big Purse Principle  

iStock_000017007643Small

          Years ago I remember how intimated I was stepping into the business world. I would always wear a business suit and three-inch heels, hoping to make a good impression. It was important to me to look pulled together so the people I dealt with would assume I knew what I was doing.

Then I attended a Women’s Conference and heard a speaker talk about how others could tell a lot about our personality our purse size. (Which totally blew my whole dress for success theory). This was a little horrifying to me, because I always carried a purse about the size of Texas. As she proceeded with her talk, I learned women who carried small purses are perceived as decisive, powerful, organized, and goal orientated. All the things I wanted to be, and felt I was not.

In that conference I learned big purse people were thought of as fun, artistic, easy-going and their purses were usually mess. (I knew that, my purse carried papers, wrappers, candy, Swiss army knife and a telephone at the bottom I could never find. In fact once something went into that purse, it could be lost forever. I thought my purse was my secret, I wonder if she had peeked.

At that moment I decided to become small purse woman, so people would think I had all the attributes of a responsible businesswoman.

I laugh when I think back to those days when I put so much emphasis on a purse. Even funnier, I bought that small purse.
When I couldn’t get everything into it, I ended up carrying two Safeway bags around

July Newsletter: Everyone Has Blonde Days

I was off to England for a wedding a few weeks ago, thought I would share my diet with you.  Trying to do a major diet before an important occasion can be real Stressful as many of you know, especially if you need a dress!

The Stress Diet 

This  diet is designed to help you cope with the stress that builds up during the day. 
Instructions for Stress Diet

BREAKFAST: 
1/2 grapefruit 
1 slice whole wheat toast 
8 oz. skim milk

LUNCH: 
4 oz. lean broiled chicken breast 
1 cup steamed spinach 
1 cup herb tea 
1 Oreo cookie

MID-AFTERNOON SNACK: 
The rest of Oreos in the package 
2 pints Rocky Road ice cream, nuts, cherries and whipped cream 
1 jar hot fudge sauce

DINNER: 
2 loaves garlic bread 
4 cans or 1 large pitcher Coke 
1 large sausage, mushroom and cheese pizza 
3 Snickers bars

LATE EVENING NEWS: 
Entire frozen Sara Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from freezer) 

RULES FOR THIS DIET:

1. If you eat something and no one sees you eat it, it has no calories. 
2. If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, the diet soda cancels out the calories in the candy bar. 
3. When you eat with someone else, calories don’t count if you do not eat more than they do. 
4. Food used for medicinal purposes NEVER counts, such as hot chocolate, brand

The August Hustle – Back to School

August has always been a stressful month for me.  I am rushing to finish up all the loose ends before fall arrives.  It is also an expensive month, with all the costs of getting the kids ready for school.  New clothes, backpacks, supplies, and trying to get an extra weekend away before those school days, sports, and music lessons take over my life.

When my children were younger, I could take them to the store and buy their school supplies and clothes, and they were thrilled.  However when they became teenagers, each one had their own distinctive fashion style.  One of my daughters decided she didn’t want to wear Levi’s anymore; she wanted designer labeled jeans like everyone else.  My husband, Lyle, wasn’t sure what designer was in, but he thought surely as long as it had a name on it, it would work.

While visiting a western-wear store, he found a sale on designer jeans: “Kenny Rogers” with the name and face embroidered on the back pocket.  Wow, he thought he had hit the jackpot and bought two pair. He couldn’t wait to get home and show off his find.

I had a hard time keeping a straight face when he gave those “Designer Jeans” to our daughter. They say, “A picture is worth a 1000 words.” I wish I had that picture.  She didn’t have the same enthusiasm that my husband had for those jeans, and she said, “I’m not wearing a picture of Kenny Rogers embroidered on my butt.” Who knew?

All My Life (Kenny Rogers song)

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

She never did wear those jeans, and two years later we packed them up and gave them away.

When I think back, I just laugh out loud thinking about those “Kenny Rogers” jeans. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have worn them either.

My husband thought he was giving her a greatest gift, but she didn’t see those jeans as wonderful.  How often I do the same with God. When he doesn’t give me what I want, or my struggles overwhelm me, I begin to doubt his love and promises.

Jeremiah 29: 11-14 states, ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.

My plans are often complicated and stressful, I tend to over research and worry about every detail. It is such a relief to know that God has a plan for my life, and he cares about the details too.  I am learning to trust in His plans and promises for my life, confidently embracing the hope and future he has planned for me.©

Lovingly,  Karan

Do you  find it hard to trust God in the in the hard times of your life?

What time of the year do you find the most stressful for you?