Inclusive Homes, Inclusive People

O.K. This is the first post I have not wanted to write, honestly.

But you know when God is prompting you to do something, and you drag your feet? You kind of argue with yourself for a while first, then you ask for a sign (like a fleece) and then you get one. You write that off as a coincidence, but on the third sign you realize: Gotta do it.

My third sign was actually a magazine article in my friend Diana's magazine "Westlake Malibu"

written by Dr. Ian Armstrong, my dear friend's husband. It caught my thoughts that bullying wasn't usually/always physical, but that it was more subtle. One thing I had never considered was that "Intentional Exclusion from Activities" was something that is considered bullying, the consequences are devestating, to the person excluded, see article. (click on above to link)

Since Inspired31.org is about teenage girls and Inspired Design is about home, I feel perhaps the reason I was suppossed to write this is because our children learn from us what is ok! If we are ok with hitting and punching, they will imitate. Obviously, most of us aren't ok with that kind of blatent harm/cruely. But, what about intentional exlusion? What about the other forms of indirect bullying? I really began some thinking about this. I'd never considered this a form of bullying.

As a Christ follower the scripture that keeps coming to mind is Mathew 25:45, which is: "And he will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'

Always being inclusive is such a biblical concept. Throughout the scriptures we see example after example of people being kind or generous to someone who was so difficult. I am examining my own life...am i always including? Is my home open to all? Will I invite everybody, even if there are some conflicts? Does the above scripture mean if I intentionally exclude some, it is like excluding Christ? Something to ponder! The ladies I have learned the most from throughout my life have always been the kind that are always including everybody, sort of the more the merrier types! You know the kind of place, where you are always welcome. That home is truly a representation of Christ's all-consuming love!

Let me know your thoughts (You can comment on the original blog page at the bottom)

So I decided to "open" this for discussion...I'd love to hear your thoughts....

Home: The Allan Adler's (aka Grandma and Grandpa home)

This room, designed by famed architect Scollard Maas (of the firm William Pereira Architects) is not a great big room! The ceiling is reclaimed wood from a barn, which Scollard had installed on the ceiling, a very hip thing to do in the 50's! The lamps were made custom from architectural elements from Greece. The spectacular silver centerpiece was made by Allan Adler. Channing Peake, Allan's dear friend, did some of the artwork, although it cannot be seen in this pic. Black chairs were designed by Maas, as well, and now sit in my living room.

But what is important? The hundreds of days that we spent sitting on those sofa's, running around those chairs, nibbling on the nuts Grandma always had filling up the silver dishes, drinking 7up from Grandpa's special black and white glasses (the 3 left are on my shelf now) that HE filled with gin (ick)! The Thanksgivings', Christmas', Easters', High Tea's, Baby Showers, Graduations, Engagement Party's (Mine was there! Where else would it be?), Wedding Showers are what I feel when I look at these pictures. What I feel? Yes, feel!

In these pictures of Grandparent's home I "feel" all of these memories. This is what "home" is vs. the "house" you might see. Just like hearing an old song on the radio you almost feel like you have been imported to a different time.

It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.

Mother Teresa

At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.

We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in."

Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing - but naked of human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a home of bricks - but homeless because of rejection.

Mother Teresa

Home and all that it represents...God's "Inspired Design"

Those Designer Genes: Nostalgic for Grandpa Allan

I was reading through my emails, and one from my mom caught my attention: Just a copy for her to proof read. No big deal, but sometimes that bit of nostalgia, missing someone that you love just comes out of nowhere...I found myself missing my treasured Grandpa Allan! He was simply the best Grandpa ever, which I guess needs no more explanation. I read with such interest the "facts!" (There is a big exhibition at Los Angeles County Museum of Art in October, which will feature both Grandpa Allan Adler, and Great Grandpa Porter Blanchard, called: Design in the Modern Art at LACMA) The "facts" are just the beginning...

Norman Rockwell, painted the above featuring Grandpa Porters Silver Coffee Pot.

My grandparents home was just the most stylish home ever! Yet it was the hospitable touches that have etched it in my memory forever. (I'll do my next blog on just the house, designed by Scollard Maas, the architect) (You can see it huge, if you double click on the pictures!! )

Great-Grandpa Porter...hammering away! Not glamorous work, but in "Silver in the Golden State", he is quoted as saying (at the Arts and Crafts Society of Southern California Fiesta, upon relocating from Boston) ...."the Society believes in the infinite value of its handicrafts as true examples of careful, loving design and workmanship, well done and well worthwhile for their own value, and the influence for the better they have undoubtedly have on other industry."

I am so inspired by this creative intuition. In today's culture we, generally, have lost the idea "CRAFTSMANSHIP"(It takes time).

I'm getting a bit nostalgic (ok, my daughter is a "Senior" in just 3 days...my "nostalgia" is likely to last throughout the upcoming year-hang on I'm going to get really sappy) thinking of my dear Grandpa Allan, just above. He was inspiring in Silver, Modern Design, Arts and Crafts Movement in California, but he was truly inspiring in the way he treated others. He always used his words in an encouraging way "You can do anything My Rocky".........

So, Grandpa, you are the "inspired" design of the day...

Proverbs 25:11

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Memorial Day Thankfulness....

I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did. ~Benjamin Harrison

Although this blog is about "Inspired Design", (and all things about the home) today is about My gratitude (and yours as well, I am sure) to those who gave their lives so that we have the freedom to enjoy our homes, and the ability and gift to have our own home. After living over seas for many years while my husband was in the Navy, I know first hand what many families sacrifice for us to have this privilege, living in a safe & free country.

So thank you for the ability to allow my son to play tennis....

and more importantly to practice good character, and give the opponent a pat on the back.

For the privilege of the fun of playing a sport! (Yes, I said that!)

For the ability to use determination to do fun and hard things.

To get good at something....

For soft landings....

and for the freedom to have days filled with sunshine and smiles. My grandfather was in Pearl Harbor while it was bombed, as an enlisted man in the Navy. I was blessed to be able to hear HIM tell the stories, however many were not as blessed. To them and their families we are so blessed by your bravery.

May we never forget, and never forget to take care of our men and women in the armed services. To our readers who are in the military-although words are not enough-Thank You!

May God bless them and their families.

Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored. ~Daniel Webster

Shower the people you love... with love...James Taylor

My mom's dear friends all get together for "us" kids when there is something to celebrate...Weddings (in this case), Babies, Books, Birthday's...any old way to celebrate life and each other!

I love these ladies...

Real Joy: Thankfulness in friendship (1Thessalonians 1:2 & II Timothy 1:3)

I thought you'd love these pictures! So many Creative Ideas for Showers!

(You can double click on the pics to make larger don't forget, and to forward just hit forward-for mom's friends- like you would an email! To go to actual blog, hit the grey Inspired Design Blog/Words at top of page)

Ideas to note: *Curly kids straws are fabulous. They come in big packs of 12 for a dollar or two. They are fabulous alone or tied with a bow, with colored lemonade!

*We all always add to regular invitations a bow :)

or as they did above a yellow leaf for "Registry Info"

*My clever mom (ok, where I steal all my ideas from, truth be told)

cut slits in plain white tablemats, and the girls (mom's friends) ran grossgrain ribbon through them!

Simple White Gerbera Daisy's (Favorite! 5 made a big impact)

Ok...celophane is fabulous. How can a gift not look amazing tied with celophane and a big huge bow! Of course, look how beautiful mom and honoree are! (beautiful inside and out!)

Simple and Gorgeous!

Below, ribbons and cake? Yes, easy and gorgeous! I love....

Amazing Mrs. Kriz and Patty! Gorgeous cake and bow (removable, so I am sure will get used again!) Borrowing is a great thing! All those black and white checked items are borrowed from MOI! We are constantly packing and trading b/n my sis, my mom and I. Always celebrating someone or something! (Not big things...simply for the privilege of being alive!)

Jump to the sky, Hannah

Watching the polevaulters and their coach......

Saying I am not a sports girl is well...an understatement? (My dad is probably muttering "prolific understatement" as he reads this) I think sports are so overrated today. All this talk about teaching character and lots of other "stuff"...I'm so over it. Now, don't get me wrong...I like to walk (sometimes even run), ski (if it is 60* and sunny), and watch my kids or friends kids play whatever....As for role models in the sports industry...well, you read the paper....

BUT....

Polevaulting-- I am all over it! Talk about teaching great character? This is it! The coaches cheer and coach not only their girls, but the girls from the other teams. Our coach (who I will get to in a minute) coaches other girls when their coaches are absent. The coach from Agoura is wonderful to our girls, and when "our" coach Ben, was gone (only once I think) He coached our girls like they were there own. The girls from oppossing team root the other girls on, cheering and hoping for PR's for each other. (Even privately they all hope each other does well, and are actually sad for each other when they don't) Our team, pictured below, is really an amazing group of girls. They root for each other, are sad when one doesn't do well, and thrilled when each other (Kim) does phenomenally well, or when any of them PR, they all run, cheer and, of course, hug!

Ok, are you starting to get the feeling that I love these girls? Well, I do. Last week in Carpenteria we had some close calls, and a hard jump off, which brought me to tears, and brought the girls to....PRAY! See photo below! It got a little nervewracking...I was praying...then I see the girls go huddle up, and pray....Right there on the field. Well, does anything more need to be said? (Jeremiah 29:13)

Ok, I saved the best for the last. Their coach...is amazing. He has a quiet and strong way about leading these girls. Leading by example, calm and diligent, teaching them the skills necessary (as 5 went to CIF finals, 1 Alternate), but teaching them teamwork, and things I can't even put to words. I am blessed (as our whole team/parents/grandparents are) by Him and His family for the lessons they taught the girls. I do not say lightly to our coach, his darling wife, and their polevaulter...Our lives are richer because of you! We love you all!