Überscüber Creative Services

If she decided to poop on the moon, would you too?

Wendy — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:43:20 +0000

A quote from my mom when I was little. I grew up the oldest of a gaggle of sisters and one brother. Always mischief of some kind.

I thought of this while looking through a book, “Being Happy” for an inspirational quote to post on Facebook or Twitter. I flipped the book open to a section titled, “you get what you expect.” It’s very true. So I posted it with hopes of inspiring some of my friends to enter their work in an awards program I’m working on for IABC Minnesota. My status update was “Get what you expect and make sure you have high expectations! I’d say the over the moon with a gentle earth landing.” After posting stuff about the competition.

Personally, I do not like awards competitions because I think they are too subjective, especially when it comes to creative/art/graphic design. But this particular one sends the entries to other states for judging with a set of criteria – hopefully making it more objective.

Expectations for Bronze Quill this year: way over 30 entries. Let’s shoot for the moon. Poop on it. And then land on earth, telling everyone about our experience. I’m adventurous, why not?

The truck in the street

Wendy — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:29:30 +0000

I am writing here because I know nobody will read it. Ha. I let my worry about what the neighbors thing get to me today. It snowed a few inches and the snowplows came by before we could move one of our vehicles off the street. A few of the neighbors were standing in the street looking up and down and I could tell they were commenting on how many vehicles were out. Frustrated, saw the plow go by on the opposite side and then yelled for Alex to move his truck, but it was too late. They plowed around it. Stomp, stomp, stomp. Shovel, shovel, shovel. Nod at the comment from the neighbor across the street when she said, “If they are staying with them, why can’t they move the cars in the driveway?”

Later I thought, “well, I have a husband who leaves for work at 2 a.m.” so that might be the reason why the vehicle was out in the street. We like his car in the garage and that means we can’t have the 4th vehicle in the driveway – it would block his car. Ugh. Next time we’ll move the truck in the street

Finding home

Wendy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:50:23 +0000

The photo here is not home. I thought I would find home in Oregon but it was the opposite, I could not wait to leave. The waterfall you see is certainly beautiful but it did not welcome me.

This year I made trips to Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago, Sioux Falls, Hill City, Mason City, Dubuque, Duluth, St. Louis, Tuscola, IL and Portland – each one had me thinking about how trips change my mindset. Each trip was completely different of course. Traveling is my favorite thing to do and I feel lucky enough to be able to travel as much as I do. But this year seemed much different than past years. The one thing that stands out the most is the high number of homeless people in the larger cities.

An early spring trip to Vegas and to Arizona for baseball spring training was busy as you would imagine. The highlight of the trip was the food at Dillons on Grand – fabulous BBQ. Oh, and the Chicago Hamburgers. And of course traveling with my son and husband who loved the baseball games the most. They will go back. If I go back, it will be to see more of Arizona than baseball. Perhaps I’ll put Sedona back on my list.

June brought me back to Chicago for the HOW Design Conference and a couple of days sightseeing with my husband. The architectural tour was informative. The most interesting were the homeless people on the streets which certainly multiplied many times over since the last time I was in the city. On one corner, there were people handing out free ice cream bars as a promotion for a movie or television show. No one bothered to give ice cream to the homeless people on every block. This bothered me intensely and made me feel violently ill by the time I left the city. The last night kept me up all night feeling violently ill and wondering if I would make it to the airport safely.

The super quick trip to Duluth was amazing. Up and down. Up one afternoon and back home the next morning. I found myself in a very negative mood until I arrived at the B&B on the shore of Lake Superior. Walk in the door, greeted by the kind owner and my mood changed instantly. Gone were all the negative thoughts of the last two hours. Back home the next day the mood was once again negative. I must reflect and find out just what it is that changed my mood so dramatically. Haven’t figured it out yet.

The trips I take alone are more refreshing. I come home feeling energized. This is because I get my energy from being alone. And, for the first time, I find myself liking my home.

My father’s extended family reunion took place in Hill City, SD in July. My sister and I made the trip out there, staying at a small B&B for a couple of nights. One family member had rented a very large home with a view of Harney Peak and was gracious enough to host several meals at the home. Along the way, we saw the swollen Missouri River which was trying to swallow as much of the land as possible.

At the end of each summer, I get the urge to take off, feeling like it’s my last chance to go somewhere while the roads are without ice and the air is warm both day and night. Soak up the sunshine and celebrate the end of summer. This year, I decided to drive alone through Iowa. I had no plan, just pack a suitcase and drove south on 35W. Clear Lake, Mason City, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Potosi, Wisconsin, Decorah and Lanesboro. It was a therapeutic trip for some reason. Driving along the country roads with the sun roof open and the windows open felt amazing. I felt most at home in Mason City. I am drawn to that city for some reason. Not sure why.

Portland in October was horrible to be honest. I had heard Oregon was amazing and “like a different country” from a couple of people I know. I felt completely out of place there and not at home at all. Found nothing interesting there other than the waterfalls.

The best decision I made all year so far was to visit my dad and his wife in November the weekend before Thanksgiving. They had moved from Colorado to a small town in Illinois to be close to my stepmother’s family. To be honest, I felt like my stepmother’s family was stealing my father away from me. They got married in the same town but did not invite any of us (his children) to the wedding. I was able to spend time with her family to get to know then a little better. They are all very nice and I like them a lot. Anyway, making the trip was the best decision I made all year because it was so wonderful to spend time with my dad. I love him very much.

I have one more trip scheduled for this year. I’ll be going to Charleston in December because my husband and I have never been there and it seems like it will be interesting.

Home is here where I am right now but it seems like I am always searching for my real home. I’ll find it one of these days.

Reading the books on my shelf

Wendy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:44:27 +0000

I was bored a couple of months ago. Walking around the house sort of looking for something to do that wasn’t too strenuous. Maybe looking for something but not sure what I was looking for. Straightened a few things in the closet. Moved some summer clothes out of the closet an into a storage area. Got out a few sweaters and warmer clothing. The usual Minnesota stuff. It’s not on the calendar, it’s in the air. You know when it’s time to change things up a little bit.

And then I opened the drawer of my bedside table. Tossed a couple of pens that no longer had enough ink to sustain journaling. Opened the door under the drawer and went through the books and the other travel keepsakes I had gathered. Why do I keep some of these things? Because I loved the trip and the things bring back wonderful memories. Do I keep them or throw them out? I have been known to throw things out depending on my mood. Not today. Today I wanted the comfortable memories to stay next to me while I slept. And then I re-discovered a book that I had purchased several years ago.

Several years ago I was completely miserable. My son had gone into the military. I was sad, angry, frustrated and not happy at all. Everyone around me knew it. I hated my job the most and had stopped liking the people around me. What I did not realize is that I stopped liking myself. Not sure why but it might have had something to do with raising a child to be non-violent and never wanting him to join the military. Whatever the reason, I was open to changing things up a bit. I found myself going to a sort of “new age” convention at the downtown convention center. It promised good vibes and help for people who were looking for different ways to help themselves. I drove downtown alone, parked the car at the top of the 2-story ramp to the east of the convention center and shuffled in the door. I’m sure I looked sad and disheveled and a little lost. A woman, Isha, was speaking to a group of people so I decided that’s where I should be. Forget the title but it spoke to me and seemed to be a good fit.

Isha was from South America. She seemed to be in charge of the room but in a calm way. She got up on stage and talked about herself and how she was lost but now she is very, very successful and wants to share with people how she found ways to make her life better. She spoke and interacted with people and of course she was selling her book. I stayed after the program and bought the book from her. She autographed it for me (which, when I think about it now, makes me cry). The book is titled “Why Walk When You Can Fly.”

I did not read the book right then but it was the right thing at the time. After the presentation, I walked over to the area where many holistic healers were gathered selling their goods and services. Open to new things, I got my palm read by a kind but sort of pushy gentleman who promised to help people with their careers. Sort of feeling lost in my career, I paid him $60 to read my palm. “oh, you are an artist, perhaps a healing artist. In a past life, you killing lions, in a past life you were a warrior . . . ” And then he asked me if I would re-do his brochure for him. Odd and sort of funny now that I think about it. I felt so exhilarated and hopeful at that moment, that perhaps there was hope outside my current job that someone else would really hire me. There was a huge adrenalin surge and a feeling of great hopefulness.

Back to the book. I read it and contemplated what it said. And then a few months later, I got laid off. The BEST thing that could ever happen! I was ecstatic. Full of energy, wanting to try new things . . . on and on. Super charged and manic but also a bit depressed because I waited much too long for the moment. Working under duress for 15 years had really taken a tool on my mind and body. It almost killed me. But I’ll write about that some other day.

I put the book away. But found it again a few months ago. And I read it cover to cover. What was this book telling me? I needed to hear the words, feel the words, believe the words. Perfect timing for some reason. I was looking for something and I found it right in front of me.

“Why walk when you can fly” has changed my life. But not in ways that you might think. Not in ways I had expected years ago. If someone had asked me what I wanted, I would tell them “work three days a week, live in the sunshine, make a million dollars a year” I now have all that and much more, I have a sense of peace most of the time. But now that I write this I am of course doubting myself. The book’s teachings are helping me to accept myself, love myself and love everything around me. It is a process and a journey but worth every moment.

It involves facets. Simple statements that change the chemistry of my mind. The first: “Praise love for this moment in its perfection” repeated and felt deep in my heart. The second: “Thank love for my human experience in its perfection.” The third: “Love creates me in my perfection.” and Fourth: “Om. Unity.” It’s sort of mushy and philosophical but it works for me. I sleep better, work better and take better care of everyone and everything. I am learning to love which I don’t think I knew much about.

I’m almost 50 years old. I’ve always wanted to be 50 because I thought I would be in a good place. I am in a good place, especially when I decide to read the books on my shelf over again. They speak to me differently and I really like what I am hearing.

You know when it’s enough

Wendy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:07:31 +0000

I’ve been listening to some talk about the high unemployment rate among our country’s military veterans and of course thinking about it. Of course I have an opinion, as I always do when it comes to having a “job.” It’s very simple: the people who need to work and want to work, have jobs and the ones that don’t need to work or want to work, don’t have jobs. So, when you hear someone say, “I can’t find a job” what they are really saying is, “I don’t really want or need to work at the moment.” And what’s wrong with that? We all have our unique purpose. Perhaps someone’s purpose at the moment is to relax and spend time with family and friends. Maybe sort things out. There has to be a balance, not everyone can have a high-paying job, there just isn’t enough energy on this planet to sustain it.

Back to the unemployed military veterans. We have an unemployed military veteran living with us as I write this and I am very grateful he does not have a job. I was so incredibly sad when he joined the military, left for basic training and then served in full active duty. I cried every day, sometimes several times a day while he was away at basic training. The sadness lifted when I attended the incredible ceremony for all the new graduates. It must be a process many parents go through – of letting go and then trusting that everything will work out. Trusting that my child has become a man and that he needs to go through hardship in order to grow as a human being. And now that wonderful human being is living with us again after several years of being away from us. He’s teaching us all how to be better people. There is a calmness in my home like there never was before. I am finally realizing that I really let things go while he was away. I gave up and thought “what’s the point?” Why clean the house? Why decorate? Why take care of things? What difference does it make? But ever since he moved back, we’ve been making things better and it feels really good. It feels good to sit in a room that has been well taken care of.

And, I believe, you know when you have enough. Enough work, enough money, enough love, enough food, enough sadness, enough madness and enough joy. Enough sanity to realize that this very moment is as good as it gets.

The Secret to Delicious French Toast

Wendy — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:23:24 +0000

What’s the secret? Using the right bread, a hint of vanilla, cinnamon and butter.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 loaf Challah bread with raisins from Trader Joe’s, sliced in half and then into 3/4 inch slices
3 eggs
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup milk

Toppings:

butter
powdered sugar
maple syrup
fruit (berries, apples)
any fruit spread

Prep:

In a wide, shallow bowl WHIP: eggs, milk, cinnamon and vanilla extract until frothy (TIP: use a hand-held blender)
HEAT a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat
Spray skillet with non-stick cooking spray
DIP 4-6 pieces of bread at a time and place in skillet
FRY bread until golden brown on each side (time varies depending on skillet and heat)

SERVE on individual plates with your choice of toppings

A wonderful benefit of preparing French Toast with cinnamon is the aromatherapy. I found this info on Discovery Health:

Therapeutic properties of cinnamon: Antiseptic, digestive, antiviral; relieves muscle spasms and rheumatic pain when used topically

Uses for cinnamon: In general, cinnamon is used as a physical and emotional stimulant. Researchers have found that it reduces drowsiness, irritability, and the pain and number of headaches. In one study, the aroma of cinnamon in the room helped participants to concentrate and perform better.

The essential oil and its fragrance help relax tight muscles, ease painful joints, and relieve menstrual cramps. In addition, it increases circulation and sweating when used as a liniment. Use 2 to 4 drops per ounce of vegetable oil for a warming oil or 8 drops per ounce to make a hot liniment.

Remember to breathe.

Wendy — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:47:11 +0000

What’s it all about? It’s about helping you and your team relax so you can work more productively.

An hour consists of several activities, tips and techniques you can use throughout your day to help relieve stress. It’s perfect for starting a busy day of team work.

The cost is extremely affordable. I leave it up to you to pay me what you think the creativity hour is worth to your organization.

Why we shouldn’t drug our kids

Wendy — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 01:04:00 +0000

This post was written by my sister, Tara C. A genius writer, wonderful friend, sister and great mom to her two wonderful kids.

Memorial Day 2010

Took one of Christian’s 18mg concerta pills for adhd.

my what a chill. i am TOTALLY focused on my ebay sales. I am selling Mary Kate and Ashley, star wars legos, and Ultra Corps fighting men. Also a Targus cable. I am putting lego sets together and I haven’t done that since….maybe 15 years ago. I find the little people and the little animals to be very cute.

In fact, everything is very cute and fuzzy.

Could i operate machinery? NO WAY
Can I do complex tasks like my IM Newsletter? I can put it together but could i go research, analyze, and write a new topic? NO WAY MAN

I was supposed to go to Logan to see Jami but there is no way i could drive my car to get there. And I don’t seem to be worrying about it or stressing out like I usually would. Like I would normally be freaking that I didn’t do something I said I was going to do but right now I could care less.

I can just do stuff its like a speed pill and a chill pill combined. I’m wired and sleepy.

I’m chilled and high. No wonder Christian couldn’t sleep on these. I can see myself laying awake all night long wondering happily how to get the stars out of the ceiling and into the room and have them float around me and fuzzy sparkly shoo shoo nighty night quiet time. Focus time.

Yeah, these would change my attitude because i have no attitude AT ALL. Why did I ever flip off the neighbor lady? I love her now.

Its nice outside but I don’t care if I’m out or in. Ordinarily i would care about missing out on something but right now I really don’t care about anything, anyone, food, drink, or water. I had to make myself eat something a little bit ago.

I am getting ALOT DONE today. In addition to cleaning the basement, the garage, my closet, and selling things on eBay, I organized all the paper on the table. The dog hates me. I’m too chilled to play with him.

I would have to force myself to do anything of real big time effort right now.

This is what chill is. I have a little bit of a tiny headache kind of in front on the right but it is def not a migraine.

I could not drive on this. Probably couldn’t do the bike ride like this either. I don’t feel like walking around or exercising. Seems to be no point in that at all.

Make my bed? Naw.

So, I took the concerta this morning around 7 or 8 am. It is now 124 pm. 7 hours into it and I am flying. I could maybe take a nap but it would be short. Or not. Don’t care.

Twitter. What’s twitter. Who cares about Twitter. I am following Mary Kate and Ashley Olson now though. For some reason. They are chilled and fuzzy and they say such reasonable things.

What about the MS150 not even worried about it my leg cramp is still there and i don’t even care about it at all. The letter about not being able to register til i pay my 103 dollars for the 2007 ride is still laying on the table. I don’t care about it either. Isn’t fazing me in the slightest.

I wonder when I will come out of this chill. I have to get some work done.

(A note to my sister after getting the above in an email: “This is absolutely fabulous. Can I get your permission to publish this on my website? Seriously, this is a perfect example of why we should not drug our kids.”)

She replied: “Yes – publish – we….must…..”

Diary part II

Right now I couldn’t care less. Seems like a part of me feels like it is a good idea for society to know this. More on that later.

So, my diary continues. 8-9 hours into the 18mg pill now. Seemed like such a tiny little pill. How could it last this long. How could anyone function like this. But it is kinda nice in a boozy sort of way.

Right now I feel like the headache is getting worse. Checking the pamphlet from the pharmacy, I see that headache is a possible side effect. Along with naseau, vomiting, drowsiness, irritability, rage attacks, on an on. I feel none of this. Certainly no rage attacks. I feel as peaceful as a kitten and about as useful.

I am maybe a little bit drowsy but there is no way I could sleep. I tried playing with the dog a little bit ago just because I felt sorry for him but then I got sidetracked and forgot what I was doing.

I do maybe feel a little bit nauseous but in a way that it isn’t bothering me at all. It’s like morphine or that stuff they gave me during childbirth. I had the pain, but I didn’t care? Something like that.

Maybe mothers shouldn’t try their children’s prescription medication. Actually, I probably won’t do it again. I can see how this could be addictive. I can see how tomorrow is going to seem like a reality wake up call after the fog of today. I envision wanting to go back into the fog and not wanting to face reality. The fog is kinda nice.

Somehow it got to be 4pm and I don’t know where the day went. I seem to have gotten alot done today without doing anything of significance. I don’t feel tired. And for once my back doesn’t hurt AT ALL. Also my leg is not bothering me anymore and it has been bothering me for MONTHS.

Yeah.

I feel like I’m coming out of the weirdness now a little bit. Just writing down my thoughts is somehow moving me back into reality. I could write a lot of stuff now like how do kids go through their school day on this stuff. I probably would have liked it when I was a kid because I didn’t have any friends and this stuff would have kept me from caring either way.

It is LA LA land for sure. I’m going to try going for a walk or something.

The hungry boy with a million smiling stories. An Überscüber Sunday Notable

Wendy — Sun, 16 May 2010 12:59:46 +0000

The hungry boy with a million smiling stories.

Once there was a huggable little boy who loved books more than anything in the world. It did matter if he could read them or not when he was tiny – it just felt good to look at them and hold them! His mom had read to him since before he was born, so he knew books were special.

Well, every book has a wonderful story. And every boy has stories to tell. But this little boy had many stories to tell and he would tell anyone who would listen – especially his mom and dad! Oh, they were wonderful stories about anything and everything the little boy could imagine. Full of detail, humor, creativity, wit, and wisdom. He would tell stories for hours and hours on end during family car trips. Little brother and dad sleeping in the back seat. Mom driving. Once, his mom asked him, oh can you please stop with all the stories? “Oh sure, I’ll just swallow this penny!” And he did! OK. Point well taken, do not stop this little boy from telling his stories!

The little boy’s gift for storytelling stayed with him. He went to school with everyone else – where there were too many rules for such a creative little guy. So he really couldn’t communicate his stories verbally. But in school, you’re told not to talk so much so he was rather miserable some days. He did not know how to write them all down – he only knew how to TELL THEM OUT LOUD! His stories were too full of life and creativity for one sheet of paper with only a few lines. How would he limit himself? Oh dear. So, he shared only a few wonderful details. He just never really shared his wonderful gift while he was in school.

The sharing would come later… he would share his stories and help others share their stories to help families smile around the world. The stories have become recipes because over the years, the little boy has become a man WHO CAN COOK. No recipe book needed for this guy, no way. All he needs is a kitchen and some hungry people. Yum.

It wasn’t always a happy time, the boy was sad for a while, but sometimes people need to be sad in order to know what happiness truly feels like. We know the little boy wrote some stories in school, but the best were kept for later! And we’re all SO very lucky he kept them, because now is when we need them most!

The little boy’s parents always, always knew he was extra special – even before he was born. He was born kind, gentle and happy. He brings light and smiles to every room he enters. Huggable, lovable, funny, warm, creative and gifted.

The world is a better place with happy people sharing wonderful stories and encouraging people to share. Families will smile around the world. It’s true. The hungry boy with a million smiling stories – and now an amazingly gentle, caring, talented person. He’s the best grill chef in the world. Zack.

Zack will graduated with a technology degree – systems admin. It’s only the beginning for him, look for great this from this talented man.

A side note: Kids like Zack have inspired my sister, Tara, to create a learning system that allows creative children to learn in a positive, nurturing environment. Think of teaching kids in short bursts – like tweets.

wendy@uberscuber.com 612-719-0702

Sunday Notable: Pennies for a mom

Wendy — Sun, 09 May 2010 23:45:54 +0000

Pennies for a mom.

A story about a little boy, a dog named Hush and pennies from heaven.

Once upon a time there was a little white-haired boy. He was so tiny, he needed suspenders to keep his trousers up. His white hair was so white, his mom called it duck fuzz. Just like the white down of the whitest little duck you ever saw. And just as cute! The little boy had the brightest, clearest blue-green eyes – so intelligent and curious. A perfect little nose, ears, tiny hands with long, slender fingers. He would sometimes go to the playground, play for hours and come home with his shoes filled will tiny pebbles. He didn’t care – he’d keep them in his shoes and wear them for days or until his mom emptied them out. He loved to hold hands when he was tiny, especially when he went grocery shopping with his mom. But then of course would have nothing to do with it a few year later – when running through the parking lots!

For the longest time, this little boy only weighed 27 pounds. He stayed small and his mom and dad worried about him but his grandma always said, “Oh, he’ll be fine, he’ll grow some day.” And he did of course. He stayed small for a while though and good thing he did. His dad carried him everywhere and absolutely loved every minute. The best part was that his mom and dad knew he was safe when they were holding him.

The little boy was fearless and fearful. Fearless when it came to jumping, running, playing, swimming, diving, skiing, biking. He could throw, catch and ride anything – completely incredible. But also a little afraid of some things. See, when he was little, there was a boy from St. Joseph that was taken away from his family. This caused fear in the minds of many, many families. Then, of course all the parents taught their children to be extra careful around adults – with touch and taking them places they shouldn’t go. The parent just wanted to keep their children safe.

Because of that, the little boy’s mom and dad told him to stay safe and take care around adults and teenagers. The little boy was very smart, so this made him feel a little afraid and he would even hide behind a chair in the living room when his mom took his big brother to the bus stop down the street. He knew that his parents wanted him to be safe. So maybe he wasn’t so afraid – he was simply making sure his parents felt better about leaving him alone for a few minutes. He was always thinking about how other people felt – very caring and wonderful.

Then, one day, Hush came to live with the family! Hush was a tiny puppy, golden-brown – almost the color of a new copper penny. Bright and shiny and lovable. Hush helped the little boy and his family feel a little safer. Hush went everywhere with them – all the soccer practices, soccer games, baseball games and of course the park. Hush loved everyone and everyone loved her. Always happy.

Hush. The dog the color of pennies from heaven.

Hush made the little boy so happy, that perhaps he wanted to share his happiness, especially with his mom, who worked too much sometimes and was sad about the world some days. So, the little boy (and especially when he was a teenager and even adult!) secretly placed pennies here and there. Every time his mom picked up a penny she would say, “Oh, a good luck penny! Pick it up and you’ll have good luck!” or “Oh, a penny from heaven! How wonderful!” It always made her day. Not all the pennies were from Alex but many of them around the house were.

Pennies from Alex. A secret for many, many years! Alex never told his mom that he was the one leaving the pennies here and there until he was ready to leave for active duty in the Air Force.

Wonderful son, brother, friend, airman. How gifted. Alex has brought so much joy to so many people and he continues to do so. Even when he was a baby, people would say, “Oh, this little one is very special. Oh, he’s so smart!” They meant it. It was true.

And now, Alex is an F16 crew chief with the United States Air Force where he keeps pilots safe every day. He’s gifted and they are SO lucky to have him for a few years. His family and friends know he will come home safe and happy in a few years. But for now, he’s helping people where he is needed.

It’s been one year today, April 1st, 2009.

We celebrate with Alex and know he will be home safe and happy some day very soon where he’ll spend time with his family, friends, go back to school if he wants, make Überscüber a wonderful company and so much more.

Remember to help someone smile today!