AM~Erica Enjoys Ink & Words of Whimsy

So anyway...

I have been so entertained by my hubby lately. He's taken on some new things in his life, which is kind of a big deal!

For those of you who know him, you need to be sitting for this next part:
In the midst of me trying to convince him to come along my STEAMPUNK JOURNEY, it caused something else to happen: Pinterest.

That's right, folks. My hubby has discovered the world of Pinterest. He set one up quite some time back, but didn't even know why he had it. He didn't know what to do with it or how to use it. But now he's got a hang of it! And it's so much fun watching him come across pins for different things. He's got different boards set up. I find it adorable.

But that's a slight issue with him. He doesn't want to feel like he should turn in his man card because he's finding things on Pinterest. I'm trying to tell him that there are other guys on there pinning things for their cars, beer, wrestling, gadgets, camping...it's not just a girl thing!

But it was still that slight mental block when he was looking for things that could inspire a style he likes. He was coming across some things to give any dapper ensemble some pop: accessories! The problem became the word, itself. He didn't want a board with the word "accessories" on it. He didn't feel it was masculine enough...probably because I love using & talking about my own accessories I love to use. So We were trying to think things thru; we needed to find another word he might feel better about using for his manly accessory board. Then, it came out of my mouth: Haberdashery.

I tend to thank SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS for bringing things to my attention sometimes, but sometimes other kid shows help with things. Just as 'Phineas & Ferb' helped teach us all what an aglet is, it was 'iCarly' that taught me (at least) what a haberdashery is. Go figure!

As my hubby perked up at the thought of "haberdashery," we started talking about the fantasticalness of the very word. We lamented as to other words like it & the lack of their uses in everyday language.

Going along this steampunk journey, a large facet of the world contains authors/writers. Words are important in stories! And in order to keep a reader's interest, the writer must find ways to hold the attention of their audience. So using an array of words is a great way to do it! Well that along with a good story. But it's the words I'm focusing on here.

Around our house, when we find a crazy-fun word, we will use that thing from time-to-time, even if it's at random. Another favorite of ours is "shenanigans." We LOVE that word so much. And now we have "haberdashery" to add to it.

So I got thinking. I was thinking about what other words of whimsy & of old that are not used much anymore, if at all.

I enjoy a great refresh like this. When I'm researching for a character, one of the things I always look at is language they might use depending on the era the character is from. If it's a historical or historical-like period, I want to find terms & words that could have been used...and may even try to rework them back into everyday conversation.

How much fun it is to find links to articles which point out obsolete words that need to be brought back, or even some of those whimsical ones!

Another go-to place I love is a thesaurus! Oh, the fun ways you can twist a sentence with just the change of a word. Sometimes it's beautifully ironic. Much like me sitting here enjoying my coffee. So, as I am being completely entertained by words of old & whimsy, I decided to find synonyms for coffee. One of them happens to be "ink." Well that's fun considering I'm looking at words to use. Whether it's in conversation or on paper (well, probably typed...like in a blog), the word ink was loosely used as a switch-out word for my java. I was fully entertained by this! As much so as the words I was coming across. I mean, if Brian Kesinger can use tea AS ink to create his Tea Girls (check them out HERE)...then, "ink."

Not only was I finding the word haberdashery on lists, but words like gobbledygook, doohickey, flabbergasted, finagle, periwinkle, skedaddle & squelch are all words I do use from time-to-time already! YAY, me! But I see other words that inspire wording in my head. And I love when ideas start swirling around there.

I now have a Pinterest board just for my logolepsy for these amazing words! (HERE)

And it all started from my hubby wanting to keep his masculinity on Pinterest.

Because....haberdashery.
*sips ink*

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica is So Honored

So anyway...

I have big news to share! And I can finally share it publicly!

If you have followed my DEPRESSION & SUICIDE JOURNEY, then you know how passionate I am about stigma, education & advocacy with this cause.

I made the decision to open up about my own struggles to keep the discussion open. Someone has to break the stigma. So I knew I was called to do it.

As I have upped my advocacy in the last few months, I figured I needed to do more....I just didn't know what.

When I did the Out of the Darkness memory walk (reminder HERE), I was asked to step up even then. After that is when I knew I should step up in my advocacy & became a field advocate for the AFSP as I began contacting law makers to support & vote for bills that helped in the awareness & prevention of mental health issues & stopping suicide. And though I've stepped up in that, as well as my own personal advocacy, I felt like there was more. But I still didn't know what...

While I've been running (OK, the few times...I've backed off, but need to step it back up) and praying lately, I just kept asking for something to show where I needed to be or needed to go. I actually was even unsure if I needed to stay with the AFSP or focus on a different organization. Because I knew I needed to do more!

I've tried to be there for several who needed to talk thru some of their own struggles. I do continue to struggle off & on, myself. And I keep passing information & perspective along to anyone who is willing to listen.

As I mentioned, I pray. I have prayed a lot. I knew God was calling me to more. I was trying to listen & be still, even.
Do I go?
Do I stay?
Do I step it up?
Do I back off?
Do I try something else?

As I prayed, this Chris Tomlin song would become a part of my prayer:

Where ever it is, or whatever it is, I knew I needed to do something. But what?

~~~~~~~~~~

Earlier this month, I went with my hubby to his annual conference of clergy & laity in Missouri United Methodism. So I go for my clergy spouse events as well as to see several friends I only get to see about once a year. So, my hubby goes for business & I go to make the friends.

As we prepared to leave on Thursday (to get there the night before things started), we were rushing around to get last minute stuff done, last minute things from the store, last minute packing...a lot of last minute stuff. As the boys were off getting a few things & I was trying to take care of some home stuff, we checked the mail. I realized I had gotten a piece of mail hand addressed to me.

I looked at the envelope completely lost & trying to think quickly who has the last name of "Nelson" that would send me something from Kansas. The rolodex in my brain was turning rapidly.
"Think, Erica! Think!"
Then it hit me! It's from Barb! I love Barb!
So I figured it was about the upcoming walk this year. You know they have my information now. So I opened the letter to read about the walk information....
....but....
...it was different than that.

I'm not gonna lie...I wasn't grasping the letter at all. Since I was set on reading about the memory walk, but wasn't seeing wording about the memory walk, none of it was making sense & the words jumbled in my brain.

I needed to take a moment to regroup.

Then I realized there was a second page. That should let me know what to focus on! So I look...and...I'm seeing something about "job description"....
...and I read the letter again.

I was so emotional!! I was so overwhelmed!
This was nothing I had ever thought would happen!!

So as my hubby & I were preparing for a weekend filled with worship & wonderful Christian people, I was getting the answer I needed for my what I had been praying for, have a passion for, and direction for my calling.

This is where I'm going to skip over my tears of disbelief, of overwhelment, of emotion, and knowing my answer had been laid in front of me...as well as what lead to today.

As of today, it is official:

Yes. It became apparent that I needed to not just stay with the AFSP, but to step up in a bigger way.

I've heard it put that you know God has called you to it if appears to be out of your comfort zone.

I feel very out of my comfort zone. I'm still in shock, but I'm so humbled & honored that I was even considered for a position like this.

Is this the real life? Or is this just fantasy? (you're ear worm for the time being)
Am I really worthy of such a spot?
But I prayed hard for something I knew had to be bigger. I just didn't realize how big.

I'm serious when I tell you that if you do turn to God asking what more you can do, and if you are truly open to what could be in store for what you are being called to do, brace yourself. It could be bigger than you know. And know you can trust God to lean upon as you go forth in your greater calling.

Because if you're the one called to do it, YOU need to step up, no matter how scary it seems. And this Josh Wilson song comes to mind:

Can I be honest with you? Good...I'm sure that's what you'd prefer from me anyway....
I'm terrified. Beautifully & wonderfully excited....and terrified.
But, I know this is what I'm supposed to be doing. And I am still having issues grasping that others have so much faith in me.

But with that said, I am looking forward to getting to work! So much to be done in the area of suicide awareness & prevention. And, as scared as I am, I'm stoked to be able to step up with whatever I have to offer to work toward the eventual prevention of suicide all together.

And thank you to every one of you who have shown & shared your support. You all have been amazing!!

So, with that said....this newly appointed Board Member is ready to go to work!

Let's do this!!

*goes back to being emotional*

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica