One Mom’s Lifesong

Have you heard the expression “dish towel moment”? I can’t remember who first introduced the phrase to me. I want to say it was Kristen but I’m not sure.

A “dish towel moment” is when you are so embarrassed for the person on television that you want to cover your face with a dish towel. I think maybe it assumes your folding laundry, but whatever.

Well last night was one such moment.

The last two seasons I have been a faithful viewer of HGTV’s Design Star but somehow it alluded me this season until last night when I caught the last 40 minutes of the show. One contestant, Michael, was sure that he was going to be the next Design Star. There’s always one in the bunch who is convinced he/she is destined for greatness. (I don’t think they ever actually win.)

Last night’s episode had each designer creating a room based on a country. Michael actually got first pick and chose Spain, somewhere he apparently had spent some time. So I’m not sure how he thought this looked anything like a nightclub in Barcelona.

To make a long story short after the judges initial comments the contestants are sent to the green room and it is there that Michael’s tears started flowing. By the time he realized he was in the bottom 3 he was crying and repeating “I’m so sorry” like he had personally disappointed all the judges.

The dish towel moment began there. It got even more painful when he was booted and during his “exit” said he was sorry he’d disappointed his mom. That quickly dissolved into “I want my mom” over and over again.

I had to turn it off, it was that painful. It was more like a beach towel moment.

UPDATED: I found video!

I seldom write about my “other” job on here – you know, the one that doesn’t involve wiping snotty noses, refereeing fights and stepping over Legos.

But I love what I get to do as the “Communications Coordinator” at Palm Valley Church. I’m responsible for all the print and online media that we put out. I started over 5 years ago as a volunteer, helping Pastor Greg out with a few pieces. In all honesty it was mostly because I cringed every week when I saw the bulletin and its many typefaces But as a church plant getting off the ground priorities were understandably elsewhere. So I did a few volunteer things. Then I had Natalie and transitioned to being a SAHM and PVC started paying me hourly to do mailers, bulletins a few things like that.

Three years later with the church at around 1,500 people and 4 services it was time for them to bring someone on staff full time and I was quite content to be at home with the kiddos and, in fact, was ready for a break. So I had two years off (from that job) until last August when I went back to work to pick up the overflow. It was part time, 3 days a week while Natalie was in preschool.

Then in January my boss left for another job. So since then it’s been just me. I work about about 3/4 time, mostly in the office and some from home. After 5 years “at home” it’s been fun to be in an office environment again and I love the staff at Palm Valley – they are like family. I get to share an office with Derrick, the worship director, which means I’ve always got a song stuck in my head. But it also means I get to preview the weekends worship which is fun.

The project I’m working on right now is one of my favorites. It’s a piece that has been on the pile for awhile, with ideas percolating in my head and I am thrilled at the way it turned out. It’s actually just one brochure in a series of 6.

So here’s a glimpse of what I do…

Granted this is the first draft and it may get changed once the reviews have come in. But I’m having fun with it.

You know how you can never accomplish those picture-perfect cupcakes with the cute swirl of frosting. While going through some old cake decorating books I found this awesome tip.

Use a container of whipped frosting in a bowl and give it an extra whip with your mixer. (I do this anyways cuz it fluffs up the frosting and makes it go further.)

Then take the cupcake in your hand, turn it upside down. Put it in the frosting bowl, turn and pull it out. It works great and is much neater than trying to use a knife. Even my kids can do it.

Head back to Shannon’s for more WFMW ideas.

So I’ve heard people buzzing about twitter for about the last couple months. I checked it out. Seemed kinda fun but really, who has the time?

Then D-Lo got twitter so now he’s twittering in our office and so I figured, what the heck. I’d give it a try. It’s actually pretty fun. And not time consuming.

Rather than try to explain it to you, I’ll let these guys do it. Then if you want to twitter you can sign up. Or you can just go see my twitter feed. I follow a mixture of people – some from church, some from the blog world and a bunch of the designers from the Church Marketing Group.

If you end up twittering, go to my feed and then click “follow”. That way I can find you! I would love to see Stacey and Jen twitter!