SOAR to Success in SOCIAL WORK: December 2014

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I Say "Petunia"...

...even though I mean "Geranium". It's become a running joke with Kat and I. I'm always saying: "Let's go to Petunia's." She gets that look on her face. It's gotten so bad that I don't even have to say anything; she knows I mean "Geranium".

You might think this has something to do with flowers, but Geranium is an exquisite, fun, gorgeously displayed and reasonably priced shop in the mall across from the Galleria. Geranium carries a wide range of items: clothes, candles, sunglasses, jewelry, household items, and more; all with style and whimsy. I always find something interesting there that I can afford. These ruby red earrings jumped out at me on our last visit. They seemed to match everything I had on that day. For $9.50, who could resist. And of course, I had to put them on immediately. Drop in and check them out sometime. You won't be disappointed.

Posted at 01:28 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Potholder Pile...

...is growing.

After yesterday's session; I'm up to 32. You might say that I'm obsessed. You might say that I'm on some mad Christmas mission.

But, the truth is I enjoy making potholders. I can get lost in thought. I get to be creative. And, I have a pretty and useful product when I'm finished. These days, I'm needing a little control and closure on something in my life! It looks like potholders are it!

I recently bought a loom and some loops for Mom. She is coming tomorrow for a sleepover for a couple of days. I told her to bring her loom and we are going to make potholders together. For me, it's the finished product. For Mom, it's all about exercising her hands and using her fingers. She's already told me how difficult it is and how awful they look. She taught me to make potholders. She seemed pleased when I said we'd make them together. I hope I can help her to see that for her, it's the process and not the product. More soon!

Posted at 12:46 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

Haloes and Auras

During our wander through Garden Glow on Friday evening, it became crystal clear that all displays were not equal in the eyes of my camera.

Look at those lit trees side by side. I'm all for haloes of light and expect them at Christmas, but look at that blue. How it happens, and why it only seems to happen with the blue puzzles me.

The blue was stunning. I would go as far as to say: stunningly spiritual. It is the power we cannot see with just our own eyes. It is an aura not a halo. For me, it brings those I've loved and lost even closer during the holidays. What a treat and a treasure to share with those we love no matter where in the universe they might be. All I know is Friday night, ours were with us!

Wishing you a happy holiday of...

...holding your loved ones close no matter where they are in the universe!

Posted at 12:36 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

Missing...

...my music and stroking my Monsieur Winkelmann this holiday season.

White Christmas and The Christmas Song just don't sound as beautiful and so much like Christmas, when they're played on any other piano anywhere else in the world.. We are very spoiled and blessed. I think I hear a little White Christmas coming from Cadrieu. Keep Music in Your Holidays!

Posted at 03:25 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

Little Girl Glow

Kat and I don't have children. We love children. We can be seen in Baby Gap and other children's shops and stores. Kat is usually shopping with a vengeance. Me, I just ooh and aah and drip sugary sweet somethings with each touch of tiny shoes, little hats, mittens, baby overalls and pretty lace dresses. You can imagine what this store window did to us!

Although our society has become much more accepting of those of us who are "childless" by choice; the questions and comments still come. I was recently told again by a grown up that: "You don't understand because you don't have children." And of course, there are the clients and students who NEED to know and ask if I have children. In a session with a mother and a 6 year old client, my client asked: "Aren't you sad that you don't have children, Ms. Laury?" I explained that I wasn't sad because I did have children...and that my life was full of the children that I work with who are very important to me. That seemed to satisfy the client.

My recent substitute teaching experiences provided one of the funnier moments. When I got the "Do you have children?" question, I said: "Yes, I have four-legged children." It was clear that this class didn't get what I was talking about. They had pictures of handicapped, literally four-legged children, in their minds. I explained their puzzlement away when I told them about dogs and cats. They were relieved.

Saturday, Kat and I got to bask in little girl glow!

Posted at 12:51 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

When One is Left Behind

Even though Mom and I were on a mission during our cemetery circuit on Tuesday; I was able to catch a shot of this sweet sculpture that sits on land in front of the mausoleum building where Nannie and Papa and Aunt Ethel and Uncle Bill rest. It sits alone, with the tiny goat looking in their direction. The sentiments are perfect. I'd like to think that we are sharing them.

Posted at 01:03 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

OUR Paris

Isn't that a pretty scarf Kat is wearing? On our drive over to do serious "retail therapy" at the Galleria on Saturday, I noticed it and how pretty it looked with everything she had on. Kat is much more of a "scarf" girl than me. When I asked her where she got it, she said: "Guess!"

I guessed right...the Monoprix in Paris. Although there are many Monoprixs all over Paris, OUR Monoprix is located not to far from OUR Ibis Sacre Coeur on the Boulevard Rochechouart. It wasn't a difficult guess. We've spent a fair amount of time together and on our own at that particular Monoprix. Each trip I make, I still pass through to grab the memories and see if per chance, they might have my favorite black tights. These tights had kittens on one pair and puppies on another. They even caught the eye of the TSA guys on one of my return trips home.

As wonderful as retail therapy can be at the Galleria, a transport to our Monoprix would have made our day! For now, savoring the memories together will have to do. And, aren't we lucky that we have so many to share?

Posted at 02:35 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (2)

Stress and a Pretty Holiday Window

As if being in Ferguson isn't stressful enough; I had a not so gentle holiday reminder of just how I wear my stress. I'm very well aware of the pounds and the halt to my metabolism. It's also no secret that I've been a finger and nail biter most of my life.

I've done much better on that last one for long periods of time and actually enjoy looking at my hands as an adult.

That changed when Mike and I returned from New Orleans. Stress, fires in Ferguson, holidays...my hands are paying the price. I have been torturing my hands.

Saturday's retail therapy with Kat turned into a little window photography. First, I caught Santa below and then a few windows on our way out.

At this window on the left, a beautiful young woman came up behind us and asked if I liked the window. She said she had designed it so I asked if we could take her photo. Et, voila!

I was happy, but she wanted more. She commented on my hands and that she had just the product for me. I said no, but went inside with her so I could get her email to send her the photo. She asked again. I said no. And then, she steered me over to a woman selling hand products, and I said no again. In my book, I shouldn't have to say "NO" so many times. Kat was outside waiting for me. She said she knew I was in trouble the minute the woman was looking at my hands. We laughed about it together, but I know...I am wearing my stress on almost every finger.

Tomorrow, a story about Kat. I leave you with a sweet shot of her out in front of the same store.