A story where Amber gets pulled over by police a lot.

I'm going to blame it on my sunglasses. Really it's the only reason I can think of.

No, don't even think for a second it's because I speed. Because I have ALWAYS sped. Speed limits are soo..well..constricting.Yet the last time I was pulled over I was 19years old... 19!!! (which was just like 5 years ago)

So I'm thinking it must be my glasses. I have been wearing them the last THREE times I was pulled over. I just purchased them this spring, I went from the large round glasses to the 80's knock off Ray Ban's.

I'm going to throw them away and switch to these..(yes, be jealous of my hair)

These scream don't even waste your time pulling me over unless you are ready to PARTY!



Or this paintball mask I found in our barn? (which smelled like sweaty boys..ick.)



Or our infamous Nacho Libre mask? I mean don't you all have one of these laying around??

After my last "infraction" I even went so far as to sweep my car..like kinda check it out for some hidden cop signal..almost like a post-it-note on your back saying ..."kick me" except this post-it-note would say..."Pull me over! Because yes I always speed! But really officer I was NOT talking on my cell phone THIS time and now Twin B is going to be late for guitar lessons."
I could not find the note. Darn.

So I had to pull out the tears this time. Really they were tears of frustration, because for the first EVER I was not talking on my cell phone..and yet I STILL got pulled over!!! Am I marked now?!?! Are there not criminals roaming the streets in Monroe Washington??? Criminals that don't drive mini-vans?? COME ON!!!

Yes Twin B accused me of using my "Doe Eyes". Whatever. He can judge me all he wants. I didn't get the ticket. Today he learned his first lesson in "How women can get what they want by using tears." His future wife will hate me for teaching him that lesson.

Don't get me wrong. I respect police officers. We need them. They put their lives in danger every single day. But seriously guys.. can you cut this mini driving Momma a break?

If I get pulled over again, it better be only to tell me you like my new glasses..deal?

Famous person post..

I've already done my 'deep thoughts' style post. Today I will shamelessly show you pictures of myself with a few famous people. I will also TRY to refrain from self destructive comments about my double chin..oh shoot, see I just can't help myself.


Ree Drummond!! The question of the day is..Where is Amber looking?? There must have been someone MORE famous standing behind the photographer (as if!). I asked her if her face hurt from smiling so much, because really she had worn that beautiful smile all stinking day long. She said no, it is easier for her to smile, rather than frown. I liked her, and she kinda side hugged me, it felt cozy:)


Ahh Mary Jane Butters. I told her I cried during her entire talk, she asked me why. Then I could not properly articulate myself,(I should send her this link) so I'm sure I sounded stupid, but thats ok because she also came in for the side hug..see?? It also felt cozy. Gosh I like these types of famous people


Then there is Miss Elaine with Mary Jane and her daughter Meg. There is just too much sweetness in this picture, it kinda makes my fillings hurt:)



Lastly here is Miss Elaine and myself glamin it up..(see I'm standing by the
"A" and she is by the "E", she came up with that idea..I'm pretty sure I could not think of something so..cheesy..oh I mean clever)


You will be shocked to know that I had on a black skirt/sweater/leggings/tights/undies/bra/fingernail polish combo..

Another shocker??

Random homeless men wanting to pose in pictures with silly ladies...see how Miss Elaine thinks it's funny?? How I do not? Well, at least my double chin is not as noticable.

Good times dear reader..good times.

I don't cry.

**The first post on what The Creative Connection meant to me, look for more this week**

I don't cry..like ever. I won't bore you with the nasty details, but of course it has lots to do with loosing my mother and all that jazz...

Remember I have issues.

The week BEFORE I left for TCC I could not stop crying...me going grocery shopping listening to John Mark bawling my eyes out in the mini-van, me thinking I just might be going crazy or at the very least early menopause...

So as I sat in a large group of women listening to AMAZING speakers the tears once again flowed. I could not stop them, I had no control. Yikes.

Life has just changed so much for me. The balancing act of Wife/Mother/Artist is not easy. For too many years it was just Wife/Mother, this of course is my highest calling and for the next 10+ will take the most of my time, but the addition of Artist Amber changes the dynamic of my life..like a lot.

For a long time a big part of me has had to remained shelved. I bought into a lie, like maybe I could not be true to myself and who my Creator made me to be along with being a wife and mother.

Honestly, I was really apprehensive about going, mostly I felt guilty. Me leaving the family for 6 whole days to do nothing other than focus on me, and to make me sound/feel even more selfish it was for me to focus on the business of my art. My motherly instincts were rebelling against leaving the kiddos the 2nd week of school. My wifely instincts were rebelling against leaving my already hard working stressed hubby in charge. In short, I felt dang bad.

So why the tears?

Peace.

I have never EVER in my entire life felt such a deep level of peace. In all of my uncertainty I suddenly knew this was exactly where I was meant to be.

Its taken me 35 years to feel this way.

I've searched long for myself.

Bouncing from idea to idea, wondering what I was designed for, longing for a purpose.

So when I finally arrived at my purpose, seeing it clearly for the first time.

I cried. I could not stop.

This past week has helped me to better articulate that purpose, to embrace it, live it, not ever, ever again be ashamed of who I am at my utmost core.

Truthfully dear reader, I feel like this is almost too personal to post. It goes against my nature to allow you to see so deep, but I feel like I need to encourage you to keep seeking. To slough off the bad relationships, thoughts, preconceived notions that other might have for you, lies, rubbish.

You were created for more, for that very thing that makes your heart soar.

Find your voice, then sing like you have never sung before.

The List...Randomness

Crepes for Silas' Birthday breakfast.


8th grade = sad momma!


2nd grade & 5th grade

10. The Creative Connection!!!!!

Miss Elaine, Timi and myself are leaving on a jet plane..don't know if I'll be back again.
Ok I will be back honey..I promise:)

There is just soo much going on at this event. Great speakers, tech classes, crafty classes and of course shopping. Plus I'm going to be heading out with Timi one day for the Junk Bonanza which should be an adventure..cuz really anytime you head out onto the open road with Timi its and adventure:)
There are so many parts to be really excited about and I'm hoping I come home refreshed with a new passion and ideas for Tres Birds..oh and a book deal would be nice as well.

9. I'm having such a hard time focusing on just one project lately. I'm soo all over the place. This is one reason why I have not blogged in a week, I seriously have like 8 drafts going..I get about a quarter of the way through the post and get distracted. I'm not sure if it's writers block or too much info in the noggin block.

8. Wild Whimsy just released their fall collection. Head on over to their Etsy site before it's too late!

7. Ambers cooking strike of summer 2010 has officially ended! The Strehle kiddos are very happy to have something other than hot dogs, mac and cheese and bean burritos again. I started off with my favorite Tyler Florence stew recipe along with some homemade goodness from artisan bread in 5 minutes. Ahh yum. One thing that I realized after taking my break is how much time I spend in the kitchen. Like a lot... A LOT. I'm not bitter, my family is just dang lucky.

6. Ruffles and Rust!!! This is going to be SOME show!!! Didja know that Friday night there is going to be a bloggers ball?? Yes for those of you ladies who are into those sorts of things (like trying to relive your high-school glory days) you can don a gown and get out and meet some fellow bloggers/facebookers! Tickets are on sale now and are VERY limited. This is going to be the event of the season that EVERYONE will be talking about..so don't wait!



5. I found this article very very interesting...I'm going to go update my facebook status now:)

4. I've been frustrated a lot lately. Mostly with myself.

3. Ok so my friend Jana over at Twig has started this series on her blog called "Things Bloggers Do". You need to go read them, because they are funny, what makes them so funny? They are true. Plus since she is a WAAAAYY better blogger than myself she is hosting a pretty sweet give-away..like 50.00 from Antro sweet.

2. Fall makes me highly introspective. So I'm going to leave you with something to chew on..

1. "People watch what you do more than they listen to what you say." Seth Godin