Backwards birthday wrap from a backwards girl

I've always been a bit backwards. 

So I was thinking: why not go all the way and make it a lifestyle? I could back up my existence in honor of economy, health, and the environment. 

I don't think this is making any sense. I'll try again.

It's like this:
I order spaghetti at a restaurant.
Back that up to...
Make spaghetti at home with a box of pasta and jar of sauce.
Back that up to...
Make homemade spaghetti sauce using canned tomatoes.
Back that up to...
Grow tomatoes and then make sauce.

Get it?

It's not that I want to make life complicated. I like the thought of being able to make
my own sauce, but that's not because I want to. I would much rather grab it at the store.

The reason I intend to make my own sauce is to be sure I know HOW to make it (and bread and jelly and soap). It's an investment for an unknown future.

What if food prices rise--even more so than now? What if we lose our jobs and need to penny pinch any way we can? What if our food supply gets contaminated? I want the peace of mind in knowing I can implement alternative methods if necessary.

Here's some backwards birthday wrap (from a previous post):

Went to a birthday party last weekend. This was the gift we took. 

Did you guess the wrapping was a deflated helium balloon?

It's so sad when party decorations lose their passion.

I tried tossing them in the air, but they always drifted down again. 

Fortunately, these balloons got a second chance at life.

Sherlock knew what I had in mind. 

I cut open one side of the balloon. It could be used as a gift bag at this point.

I kept snipping, though, to use it as traditional wrapping paper. I like the way the material gave me a natural angle. I was able to fashion an envelope-look on the back.

Comfy in there, Sherlock?

A backwards lifestyle. Are you with me?
 
This post was shared on:
Natural Living Mamma 
The Prairie Homestead 
Flour Me with Love 

Busyness blob

I write a weekly column called “Neighborberry.”

I post these essays on my blog a few weeks after each one is released. 

The publishers get first dibs. :)

If you would like to see "Neighborberry" in your local paper/website, please tell the editor to email me at krisjane7@gmail.com. Thanks so much! 

Busyness blob (released August 2, 2013)

By Kris Kolk

When neighbors experience life-changing troubles, why do we struggle to help? I think it’s because we are overrun with meaningless time hogs. We need to take control and smack busyness around a bit.

Following are three scenarios which are typical and unfortunate.

A woman hopes her cancer treatment works as her coworker hopes to find strawberry-scented hair conditioner at the salon.

A mother argues with her daughter about buying a new cell phone while en route to a candlelight vigil honoring a teenage suicide victim.

An elderly man sits alone in front of a TV dinner. During that same hour, the family next door fusses about too many phone calls at suppertime.

Jumping from one task to another, we plant marigolds by the mailbox, buy a plain white t-shirt for a school project, and groom the dog as he whines about it. After decades of this lifestyle, I’ve learned something important: busyness is like basement storage. It will grow to the size of its container.

When I was in my early 20s, I attended college full-time. I also had a part-time job and a boyfriend. I barely had time to bleach my hair with lemon juice, get my colors analyzed (I’m an “autumn”), or line my shoes against the wall in an orderly fashion like strappy, kitten-heeled soldiers. I accomplished it all, though, and was proud of my time management skills.

I lived according to the dictates of glossy magazine essays. I knew the seven ways to host a bodacious birthday bash and how to be the envy of women in a fitting room. I never saw headlines about helping others. If there was an article about producing a pinochle party for a playful nursing home populace, I missed it.

Splurging on ourselves is encouraged in our culture, but we must earn enough to fund the things we are told we deserve. This is a madman’s merry-go-round. In reality, having enough money for indulgences is a luxury. Many families would be satisfied for a chance at survival. Work and worry take a toll. It is no wonder most of us are exhausted and have little extra time.

Focusing on one another, especially in times of need, is an underestimated pleasure. It is low-cost, family-friendly, and much more fulfilling than acquiring things. It has the power to provide passion and is quite addictive. Use it to replace any bad habit or vice.

Be warned that becoming aware of our neighbors’ problems is often eye-opening and sometimes shocking. Therefore, we must protect our own inner joy. The mission is not to join the number of people wallowing in muck but to share our cheer and happiness with those navigating the darkness. Just having a compassionate person acknowledge and respect their situation provides valuable therapy.

I can call a friend who is battling cancer and listen while she vents frustrations. In addition to the tests and procedures, sick people need somewhere for their thoughts to land. That I can provide.

A family’s grief from losing a child will never go away. Yet there are many details to arrange during this time. Casseroles are helpful, but if we dig deeper, we may find school books need returned and siblings need a babysitter.

I understand we all must tend to necessities. I also realize that charities, faith-based services, and social programs exist for a reason; but these facilities are struggling. Helping at the neighborhood level relieves some of their burden. All it takes to help the guy next door is a spare moment and some forethought.

The next time busyness tries to boss your around, wrestle it to the ground. Declare: “After supper I’m not going to give the dog a bath. I’m going to take this apple crumble to Mr. Pivens instead.”

Mr. Pivens will be grateful and the dog will thank you, too. 

Kris Kolk has been a writer and neighborliness promoter for more than a decade. You can also visit her at www.neighborsabouttown.blogspot.com. Email her at krisjane7@gmail.com .

Mad toast

If breakfast looks like this, go back to bed.

Marianna Rose is not the problem

I was at the grocery store the other day. You know how you can hear shoppers in the other aisles talking? You might not see them. But you hear them.

On this occasion, I overheard a mother talking to her toddler. 

Or her dog.

"Marianna Rose, sit."

"Marianna Rose, stop that."

"Marianna Rose, that is NOT the way to get what you want."

"Marianna Rose, stop making that face."

I didn't hear a peep from Marianna Rose. I didn't hear scuffling. Marianna Rose seemed to be a most compliant child.

I was tempted to find Marianna Rose's mother and say:

"Lady, YOU are the one who needs to sit and stop that. The way you are acting is not the way to get what you want."

"And, by the way, your face is probably stuck that way."

But I didn't.

I hope Marianna Rose is one strong-willed kid. 

Or imaginary.