Long Gray Hair

Over the weekend my husband made a remark: "I've been thinking about this new phase you are in, this 'de-cluttering' - when you get tired of that, give me your next project for the backyard disaster area".  That remark really struck a chord with me!  I admit, I have gone through many phases in my life during the 32 years we have been together.  Over the last several years the 'phases' have given way to depression and feeling stuck.  Part of it is natural in growing older and life not looking anything like I imagined when I was 25, but does anyone's life really look like they imagine when young?

 

I have started many projects over the last two years, and nearly all of them remain in a state of limbo.  I start things that I think will make me happy, when all I'm doing is continually searching.  When I had my 'light bulb' moment about 10 days ago and started on the quest to simplify it was not like any other time in the past when I have gone through another phase.  This morning I looked up the definition of change:

 

To make the form, nature, content or future course of something different from what it would be if left alone.

 

Something inside of me has been changing lately.  I have been stuck in the place of still imagining that things will be different, when the only way they can be is if I CHANGE!  One of the first big changes for me came almost exactly two years ago. I had hair that was about 1 inch long all over my head, and I received tons of compliments on how cute it was.  Just what most women want, compliments!  But not me. My hair had been super short for a couple of years, and I hated every moment of it.  But the words of my mom, back just before I married "you are getting married now, to a banker - you are too old (26?!) to have long hair".  So my childhood dream of long flowing hair, with flowers in it for my wedding went out the door - and I had the ultra conservative, short styled hair, with a traditional veil.  The beginning of many long years of being someone other than me. 

 

In the midst of this simplifying and de-cluttering, I am SLOWLY discovering that being me is much more fun than being who the world wants me to be!  Does it make things easier?  Not necessarily.  Is life still hard and full of disappointment?  Yes. No matter what age you are, be YOU!  Don't wait, like I did, until you are 58 to be the person you want to be instead of who others want you to be.  When you are living and being who God created you to be, you will be a blessing to others and that is so much better than being stuck in a place you don't want to be.  I choose change.

 

 

Other things I'm changing:

 

I have an unfinished book that I have hesitated to complete, for fear that no one will read it. I'm changing my attitude - I'm writing it because I want to, whether anyone reads it or not.  I will complete my book.

 

I am going to succeed at my two direct sales businesses - even though many tell me that I won't.  It will take work, and it will take change - but I am using my skills and training as a life coach to help the people on my teams to succeed, I will succeed as well.

 

I'm continuing on the quest to simplify and de-clutter.  It is not another phase, it is a CHANGE - and I can't wait to see how it all turns out.

 

My challenge to you: be YOU and seek a change in your life, oh the places you'll go!!

 

 

 



Yummy Strawberries! (recipe)

 

Another reason that I love Fredericksburg, TX - 20 minutes from our home is Marburger Orchard.  I was a little late this year, but went and picked about 5 lbs of strawberries this morning.  I missed the super duper big ones a few weeks ago, but these small, juicy gems were worth the trip.  It is like a treasure hunt to still find good ones, but oh so good!  Blackberries will be ready to pick soon.

 

 

 

 

Today I came right home and used most of them in a great jam recipe.  First I washed the berries in a tub of clean water, with a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar added, this helps get all the loose stuff off and just a good cleanser.

 

Easy Strawberry Jam

 

4 lbs of fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and crushed with a potato masher

5 cups of organic sugar

4-5 drops of Young Living Lemon Essential Oil (you won't believe the bright fresh undertone this adds to the jam, and with the fresh strawberries it is just awesome)

1 pouch of natural liquid fruit pectin

 

Placed mashed berries, and sugar in 8 qt stock pot.  Cook and stir until at a rolling boil that is hard to stir down.  Add in the pectin and the drops of essential oil.  Stir for another minute at the rolling boil.  Remove from heat, skim foam if desired.

 

Ladle into clean prepared canning jars (use the size you prefer, makes about 8 pints)

Follow regular canning instructions, placing jars with seals and lids secure into a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.  Carefully remove and place jars on cooling rack.  After all of the lids have 'popped' (assuring a good seal) I like to gently rotate the jars every so often through the cooling process to distribute the fruit evenly in the liquid.  I also put one jar into the refrigerator after cooled to room temperature so we have some to eat right away ;-)

 

This jam has less sugar than most canning recipes, we like the fresh strawberry taste with the hint of lemon rather than a heavy sweet jam. It's fantastic on ice cream. I hope you enjoy!

 

 

Need some excellent lemon essential oil, with quality you can trust?  Check out Young Living.  If you want to order, I suggest joining as a wholesale member, kind of like your favorite warehouse club.  You get a discount on your order and get the best deal. Choose the Premium Starter Kit to get a great selection of basic oils, a home diffuser and a special gift from me - an excellent book for getting started with essential oils.

 

www.youngliving.org/cscowan



Box, box- what's in the box?!

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As I continue on the quest to de-clutter and simplify my life I started to tackle the 'guest' bedroom yesterday.  This room also serves as the sleeping quarters for our granddaughters when they visit (often).  Typical of a 1979 ranch style home, this small bedroom has an even smaller closet.  The closet doors were bi-fold, always coming off the track, so a couple of years ago I replaced them with curtains that didn't take up precious space and could be pulled closed to hide the extreme clutter.  This closet has been the dumping ground for everything from Christmas and holiday wrapping supplies, off season clothes, various boxes from multiple moves from our daughter and so much more.  I would find myself constantly stuffing things in this very small space until the curtain was 'flowing' out into the room and there was no denying that a mess was behind them.

 

Amid the 1980's glamour shots, my 1979 military enlistment portrait and my tap shoes from the years of adult tap class I found one box that I had forgotten about.  My mom died 5 years ago this month.  This cardboard banker's box held items that my sister and I had packed away, things Judy didn't want so I brought them home.  I found a pretty set of tiny ceramic plates that used to hang in Mom's kitchen, they will be hanging on my kitchen wall later today.  There were papers, photos, and other random things that I enjoyed looking at and reminiscing over. Then there was "the box".

 

I remember this box, a metal tool or cash box with a spin combination lock.  Of course, no combo to be found.  I tried every possible 3 number  combination that I could think of, nothing worked, so Waylon pried it open for me...... it was heavy and I couldn't imagine what was inside.  Perhaps a secret stash of money? (not likely). Some long forgotten jewels?  (also a long shot).  As he came walking back in from the garage with the pried open box I couldn't wait to see what was inside.......

 

 

The box was obviously my Dad's.  Since he died in 1980 I imagine that it had been closed for all these years.  Mom may have known what was inside, but maybe not.  Knowing her, she probably had the combination but had it filed away somewhere.  Nothing too exciting in this box, mostly tools (12, yes 12 standard head screwdrivers!) a couple of Phillips screwdrivers, some random picture hangers, light switches and a cute little tape measure in a metal case that I remember Dad carrying in his pocket. Nothing of great value but some things that we definitely can use. 

 

Then I noticed glued on the lid was a business card from my Dad's short job as an office supply salesman.  You see, Mom and Dad lost their lease and closed the tire shop that they had owned and managed in Jackson, CA  for most of my childhood.  He then went on a quest to provide - working odd jobs like office supply sales, bar tending and mostly sinking into depression because this hard working man wasn't 'providing' as he always had.  I remember some tough years at our home and now being 58, the age he was when cancer stole his life, I can really identify with what he must have gone through as we too struggle through life in these difficult financial times.  Seeing that business card reminded me that though his business dream was gone, my Dad never gave up.  He worked hard, played harder and was my hero. During those same years Mom started her career with a local title company and went on to work many years at a job she loved.  Opening this box gave me a little glimpse and reminder of them today, and I can hold those tools and imagine Dad's hands using them too.  Rest in peace Vic and Billie Koplin, you left Judy and I a great legacy and taught us about hard work. Just like my Dad when in his 50's, my work dreams have kind of dried up.  The job that I went to school for  (completing my Bachelor of Ministry at age 47) and loved- that  I thought I would retire from is gone.  I still imagine that my Christian ministry teaching, leading  and guidance will have its place in the work I do now. I work hard at several small businesses, to provide. Things change and now I'm working at life coaching and mentoring young women to follow their business and family dreams. I will never forget and I will continue to work hard to make my parents proud.

 

I pray that the few of you reading this will also never give up.  Follow your dreams. When and if they disappear, make new dreams- they may turn out better than you ever imagined.  I'm still dreaming......... 

 

Proverbs 22:6   Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. New Living Translation

 

 

Willa Mae Davis Koplin (Billie) and Victor Lloyd Koplin (Vic) on their wedding day.

July 3, 1947