A Woman is Often Measured...

When I was attending university for the first time the world was suddenly a much bigger place. It was 1991, and I was living three hours away from home and lived in residence with a total stranger. Though freeing, it was completely scary- I was no longer sheltered from others and their ideas, opinions, and viewpoints. People, it seemed, expected me to have a sudden firm stance on who I was and what I wanted to become. I felt lost. I compensated by surrounding myself with all that I could identify with...pictures of farm life, wild animals, sunsets, and this poem. The poem funny enough is a Nike advertisement out of some magazine I was reading at the time. It has never left me- literally. I still have the clipping, though it is tattered and worn- it's truth has never faded.

A WOMAN IS OFTEN MEASURED

BY THE THINGS SHE CANNOT CONTROL.

SHE IS MEASURED BY THE WAY HER BODY

CURVES OR DOESN'T CURVE,

BY WHERE SHE IS FLAT OR STRAIGHT OR ROUND.

SHE IS MEASURED BY 36-24-36

AND INCHES AND AGES AND NUMBERS,

BY ALL THE OUTSIDE THINGS

THAT DON'T EVER ADD UP

TO WHO SHE IS ON THE INSIDE.

AND SO IF A WOMAN IS TO BE MEASURED,

LET HER BE MEASURED BY

THE THINGS SHE CAN CONTROL,

BY WHO SHE IS

AND WHO SHE IS TRYING TO BECOME.

BECAUSE AS EVERY WOMAN KNOWS,

MEASUREMENTS ARE ONLY STATISTICS.

AND STATISTICS LIE.

Simple Beauty to add to Your Holidays

Years ago as the Holidays approached, I found myself sick in bed for nearly two weeks. Going stir crazy, wanting to be productive and get my house decorated, I set out to do a craft in bed.

That year(2005?) Martha Stewart magazine had Paper Snowflake instructions. The results produced the most beautiful snowflakes! The more cutting I did the more amazing the results...and truly no two are alike as in nature. I made several.

Having a stack of paper snowflakes in all shapes and sizes, the next question was where to put them. Windows were always an option, but I wanted to make them a grand display of winter wonderland. Then it dawned on me to hang them from our second story balcony.

Hanging freely by fine thread, my freshly cut snowflakes twisted and spun with the slightest of breezes. It was beautiful. Magical even. My kids, as did I, just loved them. Even visitors would exclaim at their beauty that was evident from our front door when they arrived.

Years later even I still have them, saving them in an envelope for each winter season yet to come. I hope you enjoy this simple pleasure as much as my family and I have.
(See link below for how-to's.)

http://www.marthastewart.com/276331/how-to-make-paper-snowflakes/@center/307034/christmas-workshop?czone=holiday/workshop-christmas/workshop-christmas-stock

Note: One thing that I recommend to do after cutting and unfolding your snowflake...iron them! Use a small amount of steam if necessary, and take your time in coaxing your flakes to lie flat. I found them much easier to hang and decorate with, as well as making storing your snowflakes afterwards much easier since they will be perfectly flat. I also think ironing gives a more finished and polished look, allowing for all your detailed cutting to stand out.