Sarah's Along to Capture

The difference in having my daughter Sarah in attendance at one of my events, is that there are oodles of pictures of me during my presentation to share. Here's a couple from the launch of the morning. Thanks sweetie!! Mama-in-action........

Proud Mama, Four Words

This is a story about the power that we all have. The power that we have inside. The power of following our bliss. The power we have to support one another. You have to go back just a mere ten weeks ago. I could mark the exact date & time, if I had a calendar in front of me. It was the Saturday of GCAC's annual mega-whopping arts festival. Down in the museum district. Overcast skies. The three of us set out on an adventure, leaving Scott behind to tend the tribe and Allen always game to chauffeur..... Sarah & I were out for some fresh air with inspiration.

We were going booth to booth when we became particularly enamoured with one artist's bright, cheery paintings. The coloration captured my attention, the subject hers. They were all fuschia, Granny Smith apple green and kerpow cherry colored dogs & cats. Some with polka dots, others with stripes, all my favorite graphic details, as I recall. Anyhow, I turned to my daughter and said four words. Four words with sincerity. I quite genuinely said, "You could do that."

She stood there stammering her disbelief over my assessment. We went on about our morning of exploring, but kept coming back to those four simple words. She kept denying the possibility. I continued to reiterate that I knew she was capable. Well that weekend continued to unfold & I told her I was willing to put my money where my mouth was..... and the two of us went off on a field trip to JoAnn Fabrics. I bought her paints, brushes and some canvas -- a belated Mother's Day present and a launch.

Anyhow, that's the back-story & I'm claiming all sorts of credit for her renaissance. In the ten weeks since this interaction, she has gone on to paint dozens of paintings. The more amazing thing is that she has followed the family entrepreneuralism and she's sold lots & lots of her creations. Already! She's taking commissions for her friends nurseries and living rooms.

If you have need of a gift, you'd better ask her sooner rather than later...... she's still VERY affordable currently, but at some point she'll have to start raising those prices. This is the perfect connection of her creativity to her need & desire to contribute to her family's finances as a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom.) Their first born, my WonderBoy, is likely to benefit from a variety of support & therapy opportunities. Sarah's painting commissions have already enabled them in getting WonderBoy into some ongoing equine therapy. [Now granted I think being near the horses is just as much a benefit to Sarah, as to her son, but she swears it's primarily for his development.]

What a joy that four simple words have launched an entire emerging artist. Knowing my JoyJoy, she'll have whole whirlwinds sprout from her efforts before I get my next project launched. She has very few available minutes at her disposal so she's got to leap into these paintings. And what leaps she has taken.

Who could you give your four words of support? Who would benefit from knowing that you believe in them? What if we all supported one another's capabilities? Unconditionally? What if we put our money where our mouths are? How can we delve deep inside and pull out what is uniquely our very own? How do we assure that all of our children have the opportunity to develop their own talents and potential to it's very zenith? What are we waiting for? It does indeed take a planet.... and sometimes it just takes four words and a fieldtrip.

Firetrucks for #16

When I zipped thru Ohio last month I started doing my research in earnest on 'firetrucks' as I had come to the conclusion that would be the subject of the remaining, final, last, concluding, two page spread awaiting fabric-treatment, for my upcoming picture book. As I thought back to my memories of the September eleventh nightmare, it was the rescue personnel and their amazing acts of bravery in the face of the unknown & unbelievable that riveted my heart. They 'ran in' when so many were trying to 'run out'. So firetrucks, simultaneously both preschool-esque & also a concrete reminder of that day and the days that followed. The two pages immediately preceding this will be a cityscape. These will accompany the verse, "clap for our country."

Sarah and I took the twins to her local fire station, introduced ourselves, explained my project and got permission to photograph the trucks for my later reference. The firefighters were kind enough to give the twins their own hats as a memento of our little field trip.

Today I received the final music notation from Judy Ginsburgh who responded to my desperate plea for help in transcribing the musical arrangement from CD form to staff paper. The pieces of the puzzle are coming together. Thanks, Judy!!!! (I have permanently added her website in the resource column of 'friends-with-talent' section, here on my blog.)

Book Signing: D. Clement

There are so many avenues for the receiving of feedback when on this amazing journey. I love getting emails from folks who have just "seen" me for the first time. Now I have FB for fan exclamations, complete with pictures on occasion. There's the glow in a teeny preschooler, who starts squealing with glee when they're given permission to jump. There's passing a mature first-grader in the crowded elementary hallway that says, "I remember you from last year!!" There's the waving hand that DEMANDS recognition and a kingergartner who blurts out mid-song, "We-sing-your-song-at-my-church!" as though it's one long word of enthusiasm. There's the having your adult daughter drive you to a conference in another state........ but there is just something all together unique and affirming about a book signing on a college campus. Signing your books in the presence of a Caldecott winner signing hers, just send chills of affirmation thru my body. What a great day in the neighborhood. Being an author/illustrator is one thing, but signing your books for new admirers is on a whole 'nother level. Sometimes I just have to squeeze my lips together really tight, so my eyes don't start leaking.

Princess

One toddler-tutu.

One princess-mama.

One bloomin' flower.

One pretty smile.

BIGGEST Reward of ALL

The biggest reward of all is spending time with family. It puts the surgery, recovery, and physical therapy into it's rightful position of a mere distraction from what is truly important. Traveling back from Florida afforded the opportunity for hugs and smushes of the very best variety. We've gathered together for a quick bite before taking the three children to church to see the puppet show and hear the handbell choirs.

Scott to Iraq/Afghanistan

Today was the day. It was such an ironic overlay of snowing, blowing weather here this afternoon and overhearing Scott & Sarah discussing whether he had sufficient sunscreen and lip screen packed for the desert weather he will encounter tomorrow. She delivered him to Rickenbacker AFB this afternoon and made it safely back thru the snows in time to tuck everyone in to bed for the night.

Now let the prayers begin in earnest. She will have her hands full to be a 'single-mom' for the next few months, until his return. I was worn out after just spending four hours with our little tribe. We're proud of each of them. Thanks to all for your encouragement & support. Your prayers for Scott's safe return are what keep us putting one foot in front of the other here on the homefront. Does it look like Sarah's been crying at awful lot. This departure is really hitting her hard. There are so many emotions to see the one you love, preparing to say farewell to the one she loves. We are so proud of his service to our country. The truth? She is serving our country, too! So many folks forget that side of the equation. We are here to back her up, so she can back him up.

The Festivities Continue

The celebration continues to unfurl. Tonight at my house. Roast, stuffing, taters, croissants, fresh fruit salad..... and cherry cobbler. And there's always room for more presents!! We unwrapped and then we ate..... and then we played and hugged and laughed at one another. The biggest fun was letting all three 'play' on top of the washer and dryer. Forget all of those new toys: let's just sit up there and explore. There's knobs and great sounds when you tap. A whole new play center.

At this point it is now just under 48 hours until Scott deploys. He is headed to the Iraq/Afghanistan arena.... we don't get to know much more than that (as to specifics). Scott is a pilot with the Air Force, Ohio's Air National Guard. His orders are to have him away from his loving family for about 3 months. He flies the HUGE cargo planes and also does refueling, mid-air. We would be very grateful for prayers on behalf of all five of their family. We're very proud of Scott and his contribution..... we're especially proud of Sarah for her contribution as well.

Birthday Blessings

Birthday brunch. Birthday box. Birthday beauty. Birthday breath-taker. Birthday bounty. Birthday bonanza. Birthday best. Birthday bauble. Birthday bling. Birthday benefits.

Imagine my surprise as Sarah presented me with a little box after our meal together. Lifting the lid on this fuzzy black jewelry parcel, my brain was imagining all the possibilities that could await inside. As many thoughts raced thru my mind, not once in those nano-seconds did I imagine what was in store for me as I opened the lid.

There cozied inside was a rose gold ribbon, complete with three shining pink saphires. Sarah had taken the lead on designing a custom made celebration, a custom designed victory marker. She explained that everyone had been involved with this gift...... that the three gleaming stones represented the three of us, mom and both daughters: Deborah, Sarah and Noelle.

What an amazing benefit comes from birthdays. The chance to reflect. The opportunity to count blessings. A unique platform to survey the journey behind and anticipate the adventure ahead. Birthdays: bring 'em on!

The three stones mean a lot of things to me: past, present and future. Beginning, middle and end. Yesterday, today and tomorrow. Faith, hope and love. Mom and each unique daughter. And as I pause to enumerate the triads I'm also reminded by the three stones that I am headed for my third 'cancerversary' -- just around the next corner. I'm reminded of the miracles of this season. The miracles of family, friendship and faith. Faithandfifty is now faithandfiftyTHREE!! I always get choked up by the commercial from the American Cancer Society that intones 'the official sponsor of birthdays.'

Now I'll be getting choked up putting my choker round my neck in celebration of that very fact. (It will be the shining compliment to my new striped tights and my new pink & white striped high tops.... I've always told you that it's all in the details, it's all in the acessories.) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Once a year. The anniversary of my arrival on planet Earth. It's my happy, happy day. My amazing birthday started off with brunch over at the Mettle 5's homestead. We had a memorable meal of amazing proportions: eggs and all the fixin's -- thanks to Scott's efforts. The finishing touch was the warm cinnamon rolls, complete with icing, straight out of the oven. After our amazing meal together Sarah brought out the surprise of the day: a set of inflatable punch ball balloons. Let the mayhem begin!! Color and energy -- the perfect recipe for brithday joy.

The greatest treasure of the day is the amazing picture that Allen took of the three generations of Fiedler girls: grandma GeeGee, mommy Sarah Joy and itty-bitty McKenna with her shock of red hair standing at attention from all of that chasing of the balloons. It's a first. I still wonder if that red hair of hers will stay bright and shining into the future? It still amazes me 20 months later! A "brunette" followed by a "blonde" concluding with a "red head." We've covered the waterfront. What could the next generation have in store??

Santa IN the Aquarium!

MY personal favorite part of the entire Columbus Zoo is the Aquarium. Allen & I got separated from the rest of our tribe and got 'lost' following our delay to get a hot pretzel..... all of those colorful lights had us completely confused. So we wandered for a while in search of double-wide strollers. Eventually we caught up with our crew, who were engaged in watching the amazing sharks and bright tropical fish in their continuous cavort together.

Who would appear for our complete amazement? Santa himself!! With complete Santa suit and scuba tank -- to feed the fish and tickle the fancy of the throng in attendance. The fish swarmed him. Whatever he had to share the schools of fish were in holiday heaven.

I think that it's safe to say that McKenna was not as delighted by the gi-normous tree frog as her brothers. When she became increasingly more upset, her twinsie brother smacked the frog to back off. Interesting protective action. A memorable time was had by all. Fa-la-la-la-la.