Are you like me?

Do you suffer from the idea that if you aren't doing something you deem as "productive," you aren't making the most of your time?

Let me explain. I seem to have this compulsion to do things - things I think are terribly important. I also make lists of hundreds of tasks I should be completing. You can see where this is going, I'm sure. So I have this list of hundreds of things that are terribly important, all which need to be completed yesterday. Oh yes, complete ridiculosity. I know. Wait, though, because it gets even better! Add to that a bit of guilt of each of the tasks left on the list, and equal parts procrastination and putzing, and you have created my to do list.

Not familiar with putzing? Oh! Well, then! Let me explain that idea. Since there are so many tasks to complete, I select a task that, while that task itself does need to be completed, meets one, or more, of following descriptions:
1. Requires at least 10-15% more time than I have available to actually complete the task.
2. Requires more people, equipment, tools, or technique than I currently have at my disposal.
3. Requires my complete attention, though Iam currently unable to lend it to that specific task.
4. Lends itself to the completion of another task prior to 1st task's completion.
5. Could theoretically have remained on the un-ending to do list until the truly important tasks were completed.
6. Has some degree of fun or creativity involved.
7. Allows for some degree of distraction.
8. Requires me to create another to-do list prior to completing the putzing-task itself, as the putzing task meets one of the previously mention criterion (lack of tools, technique, etc.).

Usually, a putzing-task is one I select when I have too many undesirable tasks on my to-do list. So instead of picking a task that... umm... well isn't fun or exciting or easy... I pick a putzing task which will inevitably occupy the time I would have had to complete the actual task. Yep. That's putzing at it's finest.

Now, with that understanding of putzing, and the previous explanation of productivity, imagine the exponential growth of guilt I put myself through each day. I roll my eyes at myself just thinking about the unbelievable nature of my task-selection skills. Adding to my bizarre nature is the fact that I know in what order I should complete my tasks; I simply choose not to.

God shifted my thinking the other day. He showed me I am not a freak of nature, and should not cast this guilt upon myself, as He lovingly reveals in these verses.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV), "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Job 15:11-16 (MSG), "Are God's promises not enough for you, spoken so gently and tenderly?Why do you let your emotions take over, lashing out and spitting fire, Pitting your whole being against God by letting words like this come out of your mouth? Do you think it's possible for any mere mortal to be sinless in God's sight, for anyone born of a human mother to get it all together? Why, God can't even trust his holy angels. He sees the flaws in the very heavens themselves,So how much less we humans, smelly and foul, who lap up evil like water?"

Hebrews 10:14 (NLT), "For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy."

(any bolded texts are that way for my emphasis).

I have to say that doing this search has helped me. He put that string in front of me, and rewarded my following it with His promises and reassurances that He is lovingly showing me how to become, and how to love, who He knows I already am.

What are your...

I've decided that I have to start planning what places I want to visit here. Unfortunately, I can't pick favorites, and I hate the idea of missing some place obvious I would want to visit.

So far, we've thought of these places.
1. Sevilla
2. Barcelona
3. Madrid
4. Rome
5. Athens
6. Rhineland and Edelweiss, Germany
7. Prague
8. Austria
9. Lisbon
10. African safari
11. Dublin

So what are your top five to seven places you'd visit if you were here? Consider that Africa and Europe are close, and as you probably know, I need all the help I can get. Oh, and if you were thinking that you'd want to stop to visit, let us know when!

It's such a good feeling...

God's been challenging me recently. He's been insistent that I follow through on something He taught me through Daphne, during One on One. God will give us these positive thoughts about other people, and those thoughts are things He wants them to hear. He knows why, and it's our responsiblity to follow through on His desires. So I've been doing that.

It's crazy to think how much a little comment I make to another woman can alter her attitude. Imagine that day when everything is "off" - you feel "off," you feel like you look "off," and on those days, for me, if someone says just the wrong thing, I want to go "off" the deep end. So for someone to point out how much they appreciate my... or they really like my... or ask about where I got that cute..., it gets me focused on how He's blessed me. It signals to me, and maybe to the ladies I comment to, the idea of, "I see you!" God sees me, she sees me... I'm not invisible. I am important, am worthy, am valuable. It reminds me a bit of Mister Roger's Neighborhood. You know that part where he sings, "It's such a good feeling, to know you're alive. It's such a happy feeling, you're growing inside. And when you wake up ready to say, 'I think I'll make a snappy new day.'" It is a good feeling. You are making a snappy new day. You can be yourself, and she can be herself.

I try to ensure it's not simply superficial things I point out. But, I also try not to over-analyze what pops into my head. I'm striving for immediate obedience, not perfection. I don't have to understand, and I probably won't. Instead, when I feel Him leaning on me to say something, I say it... even if it feels uncomfortable. It's such a good feeling, to know He knows I'm alive. It's such a happy feeling, He's helping me grow up inside. And then I wake up ready to say, I'll do what you say God, today.

Vivir afuera...

This post is dedicated to our outdoor living. Or as it directly translates, to live outside.


A friend and I stopped by a local nursery, which is most likely the largest and nicest I've ever visited. It included seeds, pots (macetas [mah-thay-tahs]), furniture (muebles [moo-ahy-blays]) and of course, plants. The picture above and below is one example of the hand-carved furniture. The amazing thing is that each one appeared to be carved from one solid piece. I could NOT believe the detail. Hence the pictures. I'll let you know the price next time I stop by. It reminded me of when the kids and I stopped by the indoor forest in Indiana. Same craziness, different woods.


A sweet little rocking tractor, which reminded me of my G-pa. 24euros, which is about $39. Again, one solid piece, with the exception of the smokestack and steering wheel.

A random stack of outdoor pots. I loved the colors in these. The colors and textures were so varied that it was next to impossible to pick one that I liked best. We saw one so big you could use it as a playhouse. I couldn't believe they had it on the top shelf (imagine this building is open and is 2 stories tall). Then Susie pointed out that it was obviously plastic. Or, they were completely uneducated about risk management issues. Turns out, there was another one, just down the aisle on the floor. I flicked it - plastic. But still...

A lake in the middle of the nursery. David says I should call it a gardeneria... it's not Spanish, he says, but it should be. No. The Spanish word for garden is jardin [har-deen]. Wooo-sah. The nursery had fruit trees, flowers, indoor and outdoor plants, and of course the other expected things. Not only were the plants incredibly healthy and well-maintained, the staff was removing all the dead growth, making it a much different experience than running down to Lowe's for the sun-dried gerbera daisy sale.


My Sohl-son rockin' our patio. And when he rocks upon the patio, he rocks the patio right. (Little Snoop Dogg for you. I know, ya dig my phat rappin' skillz, riiiiite? Fah-sho'!) His compadres, J-Do, my little SohlGal, and DiDo.

My little SohlGal, with her "wim uit."

My Sohl son loves to play with J-Do. He'll stand in the backyard and scream his name umtil his dad relinquishes and lets him come over. Thankfully, J-Do loves to play with my Sohl son, too... and his parents are understanding people - they have a 4-year-old, too.

The new pool. This one is less likely to break someone's leg.

Look forward to pics of my Sohlmate's painting skills, my new flowers (flores [floor-ehz]), and other random Spain views. Let me know what you'd like to see!

Fly Designs Rocks!

Welcome to my new space! A huge, huge thank you to Crissy, Fly Designs lead designer. ;) I love it, and she has worked so, so hard making it just right. Thanks Crissy for your patience with my requests and changes, and for lending me your time and creativity!