I’m so glad you stopped by!
This site is here just for you… that is, if you are looking for encouragement, reality, tidbits of wisdom (or simply observation) from the ‘school of hard knocks’, humor, compassion, and struggles with some victory sprinkled in. I cherish the opportunity to share some of my real life with you. Since most of life isn’t ‘resolved’ or perfectly healed yet for any of us, some of my sharings will be raw or right in the middle of something I am working through… but, isn’t that what life’s about?
Oh, just a warning… you may not find any amazing recipes, pictures of a pristine decorated home, or a treatise on marvelous parenting. Sorry, I just didn’t get to those yet. If you’re already there, please send me the links so that I can look like I have it all together.
In the meantime, just pull up a cup of (British) tea or some rich coffee, and enjoy!
Many blessings…
~shalimamma
Life Victorious 
Looks great, Shalimar! It definitely conveys (at least to me) the feeling you were striving for. I think it will be important to post failures, too (as odd as that sounds) in order to give credibility to the mission. It’s easy to SAY you’re not a perfect mom and then post pictures of happy kids playing with chickens and forget to mention how you lost your temper, a goat died, the landlord visited when the floor was a mess, etc. I have noticed how I struggle to “keep it real” on my blog.
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Shal- TERRIFIC site! You’re officially in my favorites. 🙂 I’ll be checking back often! So many of the blogs out there are either too darn specific to be of much use, too political to read very often without getting a headache, or simply too perfect. From one imperfect, but trying really hard, Mama to another- Horray for life! Let’s live it!
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Okay, so I’ve read the beginning to all of the stories and now I can’t wait to hear the rest of the story!
I’ve added you to my google reader, so I won’t miss an update.
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Great website, Shals. I miss you and rejoice with you….always giving thanks for you.
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Ok, I finally made it here, man, and it looks great. Marie is so full of joy. She is a perfect header for your “imperfect” page! This website will do a lot of good for a lot of people: I’m walking proof of that. However, I better not be hearing your victories and battles over the internet before I hear them from you!!! Okay, that’s just selfish. Way to be effective in speaking the good!
I don’t understand how this works. Is everyone going to read this, or do you get to edit me? 😉
Here is my favorite moment from the week. 7th grader: “What kind of phone does a turtle use? SHELL PHONE.” (These things tend to get blurted out when the noise level is beyond ridiculous, my face is contorting, and I’m taking that deep breath ready to descend with verbal wrath upon these uncontrollable adolescents who would be making me look bad if anyone was looking.)
My favorite two lights were these:
1) When my prayer life comes back, it will be better than before!
(Like my voice, which I’m getting back after two weeks – very hard to do without this when you’re a music teacher – it always comes back BETTER than it was before I got sick.)
No one says, look at all the BLACK around that little star!
(When out running last night. And yes, I always give thanks that I have the freedom to go for a jog, because I know moms can’t and would love to! It had been such a long time, my buttocks felt like they belonged to someone else, and my eyebrows had been STUCK in that stress frown for days. The dark thought came in about a service project I’m part of called Angel for a Day: “What’s the point? The evil in the world is so much bigger than any good that will come out of this…” (This thought was not nearly so articulate – it was more like a feeling of a heavy lead Devil sitting on my head which could be discerned between puffs and pants and “Yes.. Good. Hafta…tie my shoe…” excuses for rest.) I know well that thoughts like that are leading no where helpful, so I distracted myself by looking up at the night sky, which was cold, clear, and pricked with stars. And that silent voice which cannot be misunderstood spoke: No one says, “Look at all the BLACK around that little star.”
I love ya, man. Sorry for being so selfish yesterday.
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Ted – when I submitted my comment, it says, “Your comment is awaiting moderation.” (So am I!) First I thought that meant I was too longwinded, which I know! Just LOVE the sound of my own voice.
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Shalimar,
This is fantastic! I will try to pop by when I can. I’d be interested in writing but I have to warn you, I can be long-winded! What do you expect from an English Major! I miss writing and having thoughtful (not just thought provoking or adult) conversation.
I can definitely relate to much of what you’ve already written. Struggles, triumphs, surviving, loneliness, being overwhelmed and then feeling like I’ve got it together (not most days).
God’s blessings to you and your family!
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This sounds TERRIFIC! I love an honest faith-filled woman who’ll share the “real” 🙂 God bless you abundantly! Oh, and I LOVE your name–I used to wear Shalimar perfume….
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