Creole Wisdom

good things to come.

Here is a blurry picture of myself and Gibson. The shoulder kitty. I love him up there, and it's how I always carried around the bigger cats I had in high school. Training him well :)

I have so much to tell you all- so much exciting stuff, but you'll just have to wait a little bit.

Right now I'm really looking forward to a Christmas family photo shoot of the PV family. They're probably the most hilarious people I've ever met, with the most adorable and well-behaved children. Loving what fun that will be.

Right now I'm getting excited about:

Going to the Gutherie for: A Christmas Carol

Heading to visit family in PA in late December

The annual Christmas cookie party

Starting shopping for Dec. daily supplies (I know, I know. I said I would never do it again. What's the definition of insanity?)

Getting a much needed haircut here!

xoxo

CW

making me smile today.

I love my new skirt, do you? It makes me feel so festive and a little retro with the circle style. Happy days and holidays are now upon us. Pick up yours here.

 

And... on that note, can you spy the little voodoo dollies in these photos? they are watching *you* so behave!

the verge

There has only been one time in my life where the Divine's voice was so unbelievably strong. I without a doubt knew that God was speaking to me, and guiding me. That was in July and August of 2008, more than an entire year ago. It was a direct, strong, and present voice. I never felt so convinced of anything else in my life, and if you follow my blog, I think you know what that is.

Two weeks ago I drove home down the alley of my street towards my house. The sky was the most gorgeous, rich shade of cerulean blue. That perfect color only late autumn in Minnesota can produce. Small leaves, the shade of gold floated down from the trees below and fell like confetti on my dash.

I felt God's love, and the guidance once again. 

For a few weeks during the summer I lamented over my current work situation, I felt that little might come from it. I was unbelievably wrong, and the confirmation has been unfolding before me in the most vibrant of ways.

Number one, I grew in immense patience. I am not kidding here when I tell you that a two year old, not to mention a classroom of them can get to you in ways you can't imagine. As in, I didn't even recognize my own voice. However, patience is not "earned" it literally is experienced in the trenches. So there, I learned patience, and I'm thankful for it because anxiety was  never a flattering color on me.

Two, wonderful things have come out of this job experience. I have formed friendships with families and been invited into people's personal lives and learned their stories. I have gained photography opportunities, with families and organizations (I promise more on that later!)

At the same time I feel like something is coming, there's something on the cusp. Tonight I drove over to babysit W & O, whose family I've gotten to know quite well. I was telling their mom about a vivid dream I had:

I was pregnant and married, frightened about the upcoming pain of childbirth. I cried, out of fear. I was comforted by my "husband."

Today while working before babysitting at an event for Melly (I know, is it hard to keep straight?) I walked up to the style editor of THE magazine I dream of working for and gave her my resume. I didn't know her from anyone, and we ended up connecting. Who knows.

So, the moral of my dream.

And right now I sit here, fully aware of how my past connects my future, the ability to connect the dots and see some sort of sense of progress.

It feels good, and I know- I'm on the right path.

making my mornings a bit more bright.

There's something really raw about getting up and into the shower by 6am. It's dark, cold, and so early!

But, a few days ago, while shopping at my local co-op, I spied this- coconut milk creamy body wash, and like any decent person, I bought the lotion, too.

 

It's wonderful, and smells like vacation and summer. Exactly what I need on early, brutal November mornings. And it makes me really anxious for breakfast.

so the holiday season begins

And with it, lots of family photographs for the most adorable Christmas cards. I am over-the-moon with how these turned out, but you need to believe me- the subjects were so charming. I love doing this. Here are a few favorites, and if you'd care to see more just head over to my flickr.

 

 

 

 

I was resiting the urge towards "Christmastime," but I looked outside and all the trees were leave-less so I guess we're there. I want to make some cute Thanksgiving crafts for the dining room table.

I'm off to do another photo shoot (this one business related). xoxo CW.

the holiday 2009

My Halloween was... epic. A bit crazy, and I almost lost one of my shoes. I was a ballerina. It was a trip. I pirouetted at the bars. I'm just kidding, but I did do that at Emma's. We're such crazy girls, and I love that I was a ballerina- warm, easy, and totally cheap to do.  I guess that's what dancing all through high school and keeping all your goodies will do for your.

And every girl deserves a day off, so look once, because I took just one Halloween photo of Emma and I. I've taken enough photos in the past few days anyway (more on that later!)

 

Do you think I have enough blush on? Just a touch. So there's a little re-cap and you can imagine the details for yourself.

shush your mouth!

What is it with old men convening at coffee shops just waiting to weasel their way into your conversation? I'm being so real here. It's already happened twice this week. I understand that I have a friendly countenance, but I work hard at shutting it off in certain situations.

Story 1:

Joy and I wanted to have a nice chat at Starbuck's Tuesday afternoon. We ordered our drinks, a signature hot chocolate for me, and sat down in one of those over-sized velvet covered chairs. I was tired, in yoga pants and pontytailed. Not looking hot, and not wanting to talk to strangers.

Joy and I chatted for a while, and the older man a seat away butts into our conversation. I'm not talking about a "hi how are you" kind of thing. I mean a full-fledged diatribe about how wealthy he is, what are the best private schools in the city, how much education all of his kids have, and how nice his life is financially. Nuts. And my personal favorite part was when he told us that engineering is the only way to make money and you have to be in the sciences. Rude. We didn't even know what to say, but gladly left before he ran his mouth much more.

Story 2:

Joy and I planned on having a resume editing coffee date at Dunn Bros. I went in, found seats, and sat down. Then trouble maker sat down nearby. He walked in wearing a pair of "dina blow your horn" striped train conductor overalls and a long white beard. Kind of like Santa meets the FLDS.

Joy came, we sat, and started chatting. I could tell he was eavesdropping, and staring. People are really struggling these days with basic manners!

A while later, an older woman came in, and hugged the man. Then they started making out. Ew. Ow. Ew. As she walked out, and I cannot make this up, she starts singing at the highest decibel

"God bless you! God bless you!"

Almost peed my true religions. Almost.

But wait- it gets better dear readers, much better.

A few minutes later the old man turns to Joy (who has the prettiest red hair). "Can I pay you a compliment?" LOL. "You  have the most interesting shade of hair. It's not copper, it's not gold, it's not red, it's not even strawberry blond. There's a girl who comes in here a lot with hair like that..."

Wow! People are special.

the tights.

I bought these tights at Target on a whim a few weeks ago. They were cheap and I needed something fun for work. I mean, if you're going to be a preschool teacher, at least wear some festive clothes once and a while.

Today I was standing in line, in these very tights, at home depot. I noticed an old friend, a fraternity boy who I had known through lots of mutual people.

"Oh hi!"

"Hi"

We chatted for a moment. He told me a bit about his first year in dental school.

Then he looked down and said, "those are some festive tights."

I don't know if he meant that in a good way. But my thought is: the internal monologue went, what the hell is an adult woman doing wearing Halloween tights at home depot at four in the afternoon.

So I had to give an excuse, "I'm a preschool teacher. The kids need something fun."

But I love these tights, too. So much. Being festive is fun.

eat. drink. and be.

Wednesday night dinner clubs have been going along quite well. I'm loving it, and laughing hard, but not as hard as I was over this. I don't even know what to say... I guess I'll just laugh.

But here is what was making me go "mmm" about a half hour ago-

Oh I just adore dinner nights with the ladies. Fun, fun. And oh yes, I had a good happy hour with a boy, too.

Happy Halloween Week-

And because we enjoy this holiday as adults, it's necessary to remember our past. For me that meant mom making me fabulous costumes year after year. We never went to a store. Mom never said "no" to a request. I felt so lucky. I loved, and still love Halloween. Here is a favorite:

As Pipi Longstocking (my childhood idol) as a 3.5 year old Preschooler.