Year in Review/Resolution/Blessing--Condensed!

New Year's Eve, Readers!

It's been a good 12 months.  But it always feels like it's been a good 12 months.  Even when in reality perhaps it wasn't.  Therein dwells the beauty of not keeping a journal.

In 2012, we resolve not to keep a journal again.

Last year, we said no to prostitution—you can read about it HERE.  We did a mediocre job of staying away.  The world makes it a constant challenge.  But His process of perfecting us works even in the midst of that pressure—though it sure can pack a wallop!

We hope that whatever 2011 held for you, that you take the lessons from the not-so-good things, and cling to all that is Dear as you enter 2012. 

May you, Our Witty and Wise Readers, find an abundance of Joy, Peace, and Love in the Coming Year.

Maddie and Lisa Out

Infertility--Between Alcoholism and Blindness? Oy.

Dear MikChiks,

I've been stalking faithfully following your blog since it started. I've appreciated the advice that you've given others, so when I was presented with my own conundrum, I knew just where to go.

After two years of quietly dealing with infertility, I decided to start blogging about it. I didn’t want my blog to be a place to whine and complain, like many of the infertility blogs out there. Instead, I wanted it to be interesting and informative. I wanted it to be professional, not pitiful. I had grand visions of a large readership, multiple contributors, and a lot of interaction.

I was starting to get a few readers, and even managed to have a guest post or two, when suddenly, I discovered that I was pregnant. My immediate struggle with infertility was over, though I may have the same difficulties if when we try to have another child.

I wanted to shout my good news to the world, but held back on my infertility blog. How could I share my excitement about my baby with others who have been struggling longer that I? I didn’t feel I could. So, I stopped posting.

That was a year ago. I am now a mother and loving every moment of it. However, I still think about my poor neglected little blog. I just don’t know what to do about it. My experience with infertility has left a lasting mark. It has colored the way that I look at the world around me. I still have much I could say on the subject, but should I? Can a mother write an infertility blog without feeling like a fraud?

I need your advice. Should I continue my infertility blog or do I chalk the whole thing up to experience and move on?

Signed,

Bewildered Blogger

Dear Bewildered Blogger,

First off, we appreciate your stalking following ways!

Secondly, let's take a gander at other blogs.

When it comes to those that deal with a specific issue, many are written by people who went through it and have come out on the other side.  And we like that.  For example, if we followed a blog about alcohol abuse, it would be disconcerting if the blogger wrote in an inebriated state.  We might laugh, but it wouldn't really be funny.

On the other hand, if we were blind and followed a blog (by brail), and by some Miraculous Circumstance, the blogger regained his eyesight, would we still want to follow?  Perhaps.  Perhaps not—as we are now in completely different circumstances and that's not likely to change.

Your issue seems somewhere in between.  Infertility isn't self-induced (usually), nor self-destructive—unlike alcoholism.  Yet it can be overcome—unlike blindness (in most cases). 

And as you pointed out, you could experience it again when you try to conceive Tot # Two.

And you still have a heart for the issue, with things left to say.

Sensitivity permeates every line you wrote to us, and that makes us believe that you will be sensitive to your Readers.  We're guessing that you don't plan on splattering "It's a Girl/Boy!" stork signs all over your blog's sidebars.  With sensitivity, honesty, and transparency, we're guessing that reconnecting with your own stalkers followers won't be difficult.

Ergo, we give you Two Thumbs and Many Baby Feet up!

Blog with (sensitive) Abandon!

Chances are you will be the fertile ground that gives someone hope!

Well, what say The Readers???

Oh, and Bewildered Blogger—CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Mucho Amore,

Lisa and Maddie-Lou

Hip Sister Needs to Make a Delivery

Dear MikChicks,

When I was nine, I had major hip surgery because my hips were out of the sockets, and had been that way for some time, but not since birth.... Long story, but I'd love to share it with any of your readers who don't already know and figured out who I am.

A few years ago, a young girl in my church (We'll call her Sarah), who was also nine at the time, had the same problem, and a similar surgery, done by the same surgeon, even! My family was able to minister to her family as they went through the same situation we did years ago. Now tell me that wasn't a God thing that we ended up at the same church?

Anyway, I've been having hip pain for awhile now, and have found out that I will have to have hip replacement surgery sooner rather than later, though no official time line has been given.

I've been reluctant to share this newest uh... development? with many people at my church, because I first want to tell Sarah and her family, as I think it's appropriate that they find out directly from me, and not from the church wide prayer list/e-mail. But I want to wait as long as possible to tell them, because I don't want them to worry that Sarah's future will be the same as mine. She's 13 now.  My mom has pointed out to me that her situation was slightly different than mine, and that medical technology has made huge strives between my surgery and hers. But I figure if I am worried about it, her family will be even more so.

So my conundrum is this... When and how should I tell them? I actually don't see them in church much, mostly because we just don't run into each other on Sunday morning, as we have different areas of ministry and attend different services. This isn't exactly a "pull them aside in church" issue either.

So... how do I approach this? I feel the need/desire to be more open about my situation with my church family. I think it's evident I'm having some issues, but people are kind enough not to ask me what's wrong, or at least don't want to seem nosy. Oh, and we really aren't all that close as families. So it would probably come off more than a bit odd if I asked them to dinner or lunch or something like that. Any advice?

Signed,

Hip Sister

Dear Hip Sister,

We're hip to what you're putting down. (So funny, right?)

Maybe not.

Okay, let's take a deep breath. You have spent a lot of time thinking about this, and perhaps over-analyzing has been your undoing. It seems like this stress has led you to assume a lot of things on Sarah's behalf that may or may not be true.

This will be okay.

If you don't want to invite Sarah or her family to lunch, and chatting in church is too heavy, we suggest writing an email—it's safer than a phone call where words can get all jumbled.

Don't make the tone of your email an apologetic, "I'm sorry to burden you with this because clearly it spells doom for you in the future." Most people with major physical challenges are aware that they are in these battles for the long haul to some degree. Keep a positive and hopeful outlook in your correspondence (and speech).

We'd make it more of a prayer request. Something along the lines of:

"I'm writing to you because I find myself in need of prayer, and yours in particular would mean a lot to me."

Instead of worrying about all the hypothetical situations that could arise, focus on the facts:

-You are in a tough place, but hopeful.

-You need prayer.

-You are blessed to be in a community where not only your faith is shared, but so are your specific experiences.

This type of message enables Sarah to help you in a way that you once helped her--something she is probably happy to do. It also shows her that even if she does need more surgery down the road, it's not the end of the world.

If you feel that Sarah is too young to approach, email her mom—that might actually be better regardless. Mom will likely know the best way to reach out to Sarah with the news.

And don't forget, Hip-Sister, it's your turn to get the most advanced technology available!  For that we are excited.  But still you have our prayers for the difficulties that lay ahead—now go forth and get some support from your church family!

What say the Readers???

With Much Love,

Maddie and Lisa

Early Post About Being Late

Dear Readers!

We hope you've had an awesome and blessed Christmas.  We have.  Which brings us to tomorrow—Monday.  The Fam's heading to D.C.—Arlington National Cemetery is first and most important. Then maybe we'll head to the Sculpture Garden for some ice skating and finishing off at the National Harbor for the viewing of a Super-Sized Christmas Tree and Dinner (thanks for the heads-up on that, Holly).

We (the Mikitarian Women) are supposed to be ready to go at 9 a.m.

Good luck Mikitarian Men!  

But the real point is that there's no way we'll be on time with Monday's Post.  Mostly because we don't Pre-Blog—every blog comes to you FRESH.

We hope to be back by Wednesday with real conundrums which await us in the queue.  Some very serious conundrums, in fact.

May your Mondays be fantabulous.

Much Love,

Maddie and Lisa

Every Excuse in the Book!

Dear Patient Readers,

Another Late Blog  Posting!

We're just late on everything--ever since we got a LATE start on what we like to call the "nuts and bolts" of Christmas.  This picture is what it looks like when procrastination meets adrenaline rush—a lot gets done in short order.  

Productivity spikes.

Conundrum solved.

Yasukichi'a Chance Encounter

But then a chance encounter invites (not demands) you to slow down. . . and even stop.  And therein you have the opportunity to give of yourself.  A more generous, precious, gift—though a mere shadow of Divine Love—there could never be.

If I Knew You and You Knew Me

By Nixon Waterman

If I knew you and you knew me,
If both of us could clearly see,
And with an inner sight divine,
The meaning of your heart and mine,
I'm sure that we would differ less,
And clasp our hands in friendliness;
Our thoughts would pleasantly agree,
If I knew you and you knew me.

And that's why we're late with another post.  Or at least that's our story, and we're stinking to it.There's no telling what our next excuse will be.  If you have suggested excuses that have proven effective, send them our way.

And we're really hoping you are having a swell and leisurely time with Christmas Preparations. 

And that you, Dear Readers, have the chance to give of yourselves--a more precious gift, you could not give.

Much Love,

Lisa and Maddie

Shhhhhhhh!

Three guesses as to why Lisa didn't have time to post a blog yesterday.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaand, GO!

Love,
Maddie

The Results Show! or Who Wins What!

Dear Readers!

Lisa here.  I've waited for days for Madeline to say something about Wednesday's blog—how I merged your cars together in an extremely neat format after she refused to help me because Microsoft Paint is a pain in the tuchus. 

But she never did say anything about it.  Not one word.  So this morning when she told me she would be working all day and wouldn't be able to help with the blog, I folded.

But what did you think of the blog? I asked.

What blog? she replied innocently.

Wednesday's—with the cars?

It was fine.

Fine?

What do you want me to say, Mom?  That it was neatest execution of Microsoft Paint I've ever seen?  That it was a hundred times neater than my collage with the purses?  Is that what you want me to say?

Yes.

Silence.

Actually, I was hoping you were going to express surprise, maybe admiration that I was able to do it.

I was surprised.

Well, you should've been.  I didn't actually do it.  Amy did.

WHAT???

She emailed me and volunteered—said she had a program that made it a breeze…

I should have known.

And you would have if you hadn't let that stubborn pride get in the way.  Let this be a lesson to you.

Silence.

(for the record, Madeline has learned nothing in this lesson)

This special mother/daughter moment brought to you by Hallmark.

On to the CARnundrum Matching Contest. 

The Answer Key:

1-Janelle (her car is for sale, I believe.)

2-Mari (Suzi )

3-Sally

4-Lisa (old but loved and reliable)

5-Janster

6-Carol

7-Verna

8-Rita (pretend it's red and zippy)

9-Karls

10-Robyn (Ruby Tuesday)

The Number of Guesses Guessers Guessed Right:

Melody – 3

Jan – 0

Rita – 2

Shelley – 2

Anonymous – 4

Rebazooka – 3

Verna – 0

DiDart – 6

Vonnie – 1

L. Woodworth – 3

Cat – 2

cool pins from Ellen's shop!

Congratulations Di!  You are the consummate guesser!  As the winner, you have the choice of a signed copy of Her Safari sent anywhere in the world, or (and you will not hurt my feelings by choosing this) $20 to use at my friend, Ellen's Etsy Shop (Reminisce by E) which you can find HERE.  She has all sorts of very cool vintage-y jewelry and hair accessories that she makes herself.  We'll make sure whatever you choose gets to your weird Canadian address that resembles an American license plate number.

And 2^nd Place goes to Anonymous! Woo-Hoo, Congratulations!  (how are we going to award  this one? A conundrum….)  You also have the choice of a book (Her Safari specifically)  or $15 to use in Ellen's Shop, or a Restaurant.com Gift Card for $25 that can be used in participating restaurants across the country (the United States specifically). 

And tied for 3^rd:  Melody, Rebazooka, and L. Woodworth.  You have two choices!  A book or a Restaurant.com Gift Card.

And Jan and Verna—two terrible guessers—you get the pity award—A Restaurant.com Gift Card.  No choices!. 

Oh, heck, we're pretty sure we have enough cards for all the participants.  And in case anyone's worried that we'll go broke, we purchased the cards on Black Friday when they were $2.00 a piece.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Feeling Jolly,

Lisa and Maddie

P.S. Send us your addresses!

CARnundrum Contest--With Prizes!

Dear Readers!

Today we bring you the CARnundrum Matching Contest.  We've got cars, and we've got names—some you may know, some you may not.  Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to match cars and peeps.  Anyone may participate whether you sent in a car picture or not.  We'll be awarding three (cool) prizes to the top guessers!

The Cars:

And the Peeps:

Verna

Lisa

Mari

 Sally

 Rita

Jan

Janelle

Robyn

Carol

Karlene

The Format:

Place the number of the car with the peep's name in the comments section.  For example:

Verna - 8   

Lisa - 5 

and so forth...

Good Luck—it's time to start your engines! 

Lisa and Maddie (aka she who forgot to send in her picture.)