tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28032258882008745132024-02-19T07:43:10.213-06:00PeacockbluSearching for Harmony...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-81778421500525625322014-07-29T23:08:00.001-05:002014-07-29T23:08:36.639-05:00Resurfacing againI have resurfaced. As I read back over the entries I have posted I see growth, change and wow - maturity.<br />
Hindsight brings us clarity.<br />
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When ruminating over a problem the best advice should be " just take one step then look back and readjust..." Seems so clear now. So much time waster over the right decision. Random thought I know.<br />
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I have graduated. I am now a doctor inthe academic sense. Doctor of Nursing practice specializing in Informatics... Fancy way of saying I know a lot about nursing and information to improve health. But I am still me. Lover of all things creative and shiny and love to learn.<br />
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I am spending the summer exploring. Exploring what the world ( actually my immediate area) was doing while I was studying.<br />
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I have a garden, I am painting water colors and I am learning about essential oils. Oh and I am finishing my house projects. Trying to reclaim my house. But that's another story.<br />
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Finding me and who I am now. I started this blog in my early 40's now pushing 50. What's on my itinerary now? I am resting and reconnecting. Getting ready for the next great adventure.<br />
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I'd love to post a pretty picture but ... I can't get that feature to work on my iPad. Next post I promise.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-13018639916693755502012-01-21T12:13:00.000-06:002012-01-21T12:13:19.063-06:00CuttersCutters, cutting... I didn't really understand what this was until I had one in my home. I had a basic understanding. This was what some teenagers were doing... another fad that emerged out of the borderline teenagers looking for attention.<br />
Boy was I right. It was my own daughter's way of screaming for help. She was in so much pain that I, her own, mother did not see. As I reflect on those dark days. I have my story to tell and then hers. I'll start with mine...<br />
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We were you average american household. Mom, dad, two teenagers various animals living in suburbia. We laughed an teased. We had high standards for our kids, semi strict rules, went to church.<br />
At the end of a retreat my daughter was on a counsel told us of what she saw on our daughter wrists.<br />
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At first I reacted like I could just yell it away. Or grounding or more control. But what I didn't realize was that my parenting up to this point was part of the problem. As I screamed at her to stop then begged her to stop I learned from her that her pain was real and it was deadly. I needed to change my parenting, I needed to forget everything I knew of this girl and listen to her. I was desperate to save her from this evil called depression. I would not let it take her away. I read everything I could. I googled and searched until I found something that worked. I knew it was up to me. No one else seemed to understand. I know I didn't but I was her only shot.<br />
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I changed her world. I removed her from friends that didn't build her self esteem. I drove her everywhere. I became a bloodhound to her moods. I hounded her about her feelings until she would scream and yell and then cry and we would sit huddled in her closet rocking until the tears dried up. I promised her she would not battle this alone. We would find away to beat this pain she was in. Slowly she started trusting me. We tried different medications. Some made it worse some worked for a while but then the depression would creep back in. As soon as I felt it was allowing her mood to dip we moved on. I would not loose my daughter to this disease. Deadly as a cancer we attacked it.<br />
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That was about 6 years ago. She knows it will always be her disease. That her meds will keep her alive. She had to understand this is not a phase or a teenage drama. This is a disease and it will rob her of everything good in her life if she does not treat it.<br />
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When we talk about those days now her reflection is fragile. I have to hold her hand how frightening the memory is.<br />
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She tells me about a world that she didn't feel she was worthy to exist in. That she was the cause of all that was ever wrong. That nothing she did was good enough or that she had any hope of having anything good because she didn't deserve it. She was so numb of feeling that the cutting actually felt good - reminded her that she was alive. Nothing mattered. Even her. This deep despair was so foreign to me.<br />
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And I thought we could yell it away. What a joke. I had no idea.<br />
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Here is what I learned:<br />
Yelling or judgement does not work.<br />
Patience and love does.<br />
Be gentle.<br />
Find a good counselor and take them weekly.<br />
If they refuse love them anyway. It may be that they cannot face the demons that day. This is hard exhausting work to get better from such a horrible disease. They cannot will or think or hope it away. They have no hope, no desire to live in this world of pain.<br />
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I had to help Alicia create a new world for her. We found one thing that made her happy. Dancing. So we did everything we could to encourage that. We eliminated everything that made her feel bad. I listened and held my tongue when she attacked. This was her demon and I had to battle it with her. When she would withdraw I would crawl in bed beside her and watch disney movies till she slept. We removed all knives and sharp objects from the house. We went shopping and went to movies and lavished attention on her. She craved to matter. She needed to find something other than her bleak world. I considered home schooling but we were able to take many "home days". She suffered from migraines and stomach aches. She failed classes and lost weight. All symptoms of the depression. But slowly she started to grasp on to life again. She carefully made some better choices. We talked about friends that lifted her up and those that pushed her down. She learned to tell the difference. She like to look pretty so we bought some new clothes and and found safe places where she didn't feel stupid. I had to change every aspect of my parenting. Her younger brother complained. Her didn't understand why we were babying her. He was sure he would be strong and conquer everything that she couldn't. He didn't understand why we were giving her so much attention when she was breaking every rule.<br />
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Now looking back. I know that this disease is hereditary. That he would soon battle this disease in his own way three years later. He understands now.<br />
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Now six years later.<br />
We have three people on medication for depression. I am not one of them.<br />
We do not call each other names or tease in this house. Our house is now one that only fosters self esteem and a safe haven from a often cruel world. We old build up. We listen and we let each other talk with out censure. We tolerate bad moods. We learn to say sorry when we had hurt each others feelings. <br />
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We have become a house of lavish attention and safety. They are caring and wise. They have lived through hell and are now extremely sensitive to others. They understand compassion.<br />
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This disease we will battle for the rest of their lives. But I am better armed and hope I can smell it coming.<br />
God be with you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-18904890987370734072011-12-14T23:15:00.000-06:002011-12-14T23:15:15.616-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmojscOm0Fdcc51y8ZbopcpHr1fT_F972hcNqHfrbeBXxs9HzeAxCrpbikhg42OdqTHsNlziJ-xLHHmJOm6Nc0CSmWqch189ZH-DZCJXKDeHZ7VGf_046rRpjORHHcrZvD0IZrugGyCEJ/s1600/encrusted-pastel-trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmojscOm0Fdcc51y8ZbopcpHr1fT_F972hcNqHfrbeBXxs9HzeAxCrpbikhg42OdqTHsNlziJ-xLHHmJOm6Nc0CSmWqch189ZH-DZCJXKDeHZ7VGf_046rRpjORHHcrZvD0IZrugGyCEJ/s320/encrusted-pastel-trees.jpg" width="207" /></a> I am happy. I have found peace. I say this with awe and conviction. If you asked me last year if I was happy, the answer would have taken me some time to answer as happiness is fleeting. At least my history has taught me so. Two years ago I was numb and tired of being so very unhappy. I was empty. Three years ago, I was bereft and lost of hope. My heart was raw, scraping for a lifeline to cling to. </div>
Now, as I sit here re-reading this Blog that I started as away to put words to my thoughts.. to find some connection to anyone, anything to give me direction. I was looking up and sideways and every which way but in.<br />
I have now looked in. In my heart and finally found my light. My light of strength of conviction and my light of hope.<br />
I took my future in my hands two and half years ago. I quit waiting for life to happen, I made my life take a new direction, with full adult superpowers and started to create my own future...<br />
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My dear friend and sage said that if I changed the way I acted, others would adapt and change around me. I did not believe her. But it worked. I quit being afraid and started being brave. (I pretended till it was true). These adult super powers can be used for good. I changed my life and others adapted. I held my boundaries and expectations and they adapted. I reached and stretched and suffered but here I am three years later after days of misery and defeat... happy. Who would have thought?<br />
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I can't wait for my children to return from school for the holidays. I can't wait to hear their footsteps on the stairs and the mindless bickering of siblings... I can't wait to give my dear son his hug that makes me feel so very proud that this boy is mine. How very lucky I am to have had the privilege of being his mom. And my darling daughter, to listen to her go on about nothing and everything as she explores her new life as a new adult... I am so proud I moved beyond fear and unhappiness and rescued us. All of us.<br />
My new challenge is shame..It is one of my newly identified shadows. It creeps up behind me when I am not looking and makes me feel unworthy. Unworthy of the greatness in my life. Unworthy of the wonders of love. But the funny thing is with shadows. Once you bring them to the light... they are not so scary or powerful. Shame -be-warned-- I am on to you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-5224990588723680142011-09-25T10:50:00.000-05:002011-09-25T10:50:22.468-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX4sQTKIMdgPXKMoTfoNN87Ck6OFDH8ey-s4OlpWjmFqsTzthnuuhG2R0lWbqUzkhrVAnzTvlpPRfgwsKaxOhQA0nBblPlLB_Dl1dUrAqSUB21d2wlhu6Mh0SEfWQIMnemmjp6av1g5Pn/s1600/106-amy-merrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX4sQTKIMdgPXKMoTfoNN87Ck6OFDH8ey-s4OlpWjmFqsTzthnuuhG2R0lWbqUzkhrVAnzTvlpPRfgwsKaxOhQA0nBblPlLB_Dl1dUrAqSUB21d2wlhu6Mh0SEfWQIMnemmjp6av1g5Pn/s400/106-amy-merrick.jpg" /></a></div>
Isn't amazing how one image can alter your next step? I wandered into this amazing<a href="http://emersonmerrick.blogspot.com/">Blog</a> <a href="http://amymerrick.com">(website here)</a>. Wow beautiful. Graceful and peaceful... I just want to live in this space of harmony and diversity all at once. How can these be so different yet so harmonious that there is peace just looking at it.
I want to make my space this harmonious, this relaxing and soothing. My space is a jumble of contrast and colors. I call my style drunken Diva. Where the lady of the house has grand ideas and luxurious taste but often gets distracted and never quite pulls it off. The home is filled with good intention but somehow as another idea or thought wandered in the completion gets lost and the idea is now wandering half in and half out of completion.
Someday when I get brave I take you on a tour of what a drunken diva home looks like... Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-14473388822282737662011-05-12T14:23:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:24:44.882-05:00The phoenix...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_RxACTb4L6XOdU2mahy4upOxvIDEUUOAiCnjAk0KYqKSaPZxHDZCG2MtLEPGSU8YUcCGZnV0UgiiW7ovA5dav975oQ8avnifM-2niaLOyTd6LWJbv1YWQmYYYDrYvVs4uBr6RRdoPTMi/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_RxACTb4L6XOdU2mahy4upOxvIDEUUOAiCnjAk0KYqKSaPZxHDZCG2MtLEPGSU8YUcCGZnV0UgiiW7ovA5dav975oQ8avnifM-2niaLOyTd6LWJbv1YWQmYYYDrYvVs4uBr6RRdoPTMi/s400/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605914979802396258" /></a><br />Rising from the ashes... <br />Yes that's me coming from emotional ashes. I am surfacing again, taking the big breath of fresh air after being tumbled in a really big wave. <br />As a kid I loved to swim in the ocean, the thrill of fighting the waves, figuring out the time to drop under the wave, then pop up after it passed. But then once in a while a really big wave would take you down, then up then turn you into sand and gravel, not sure where to go or how to gain your strength. Lungs screaming-- then I would find my light and pop through the surface to grab air and sun light. <br /><br />I think the last two years have been just this for me. I can see the sunlight -my God is forever molding and shaping me, giving me what I need to master and heal. I am floating. The waves have settled for now...<br /><br />Wow, what a ride and now on to the next adventure. I just only hope I won't be under for so very long.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-53790873751723229372010-04-24T13:19:00.003-05:002010-04-24T13:32:37.511-05:00Oh lighten up!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwDKM972Z7Tyv-us0IOSynNZs5AOT1Rg_LlpNHrCLVgVXWkOLqEj4st0dt3-FKHwtf2r_6vZp4IKWmhxBzU1dh6igOF60oUvZh1GkrbVHq69PtMtxjDH2SS7xqDsekhIUz8BX353IXS3-/s1600/CIMG0587.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwDKM972Z7Tyv-us0IOSynNZs5AOT1Rg_LlpNHrCLVgVXWkOLqEj4st0dt3-FKHwtf2r_6vZp4IKWmhxBzU1dh6igOF60oUvZh1GkrbVHq69PtMtxjDH2SS7xqDsekhIUz8BX353IXS3-/s400/CIMG0587.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463773398795467554" /></a><br />As read over my last few entries I can see with open eyes how sad and tired and intense I was. Life was hard and I was carrying the burden of so much. Life has shifted or at least I have adapted to my new life... the face of me is now recognizable again... The changing is difficult..But the emersion is beautiful.<br /><br />I have emerged. I have found my rhythm. I can see how I have grown and adapted. This gives me courage and confidence that I can survive quite bit and still find me in the midst of chaos. <br /><br />Like a caterpillar to butterfly we assume the transformation is painless but is it? I know, in my life as I morph in to yet another phase of my life, another new career, it is not painless. But the process is so worth it.<br /><br />My clouds have cleared, the sun is shining. I have adapted to my new place of corporate america. I miss my art, I miss the freedom. I am now in a place to find the balance. <br /><br />I have found peace... at last. <br />Yeah, me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-45351210344359436902009-11-01T14:05:00.005-06:002009-11-01T14:18:56.796-06:00Two faces of me...I miss me...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiBtsuG5x_l1V6XPWSSLeTAhqlaIQEbiVzqDwkbRWtHPd0CEkkGjbKAjWQXRl_pd3IzDbogD6yIBjza3bdj0x5HUn-Suh4Bl7lzRrtwEYlX-Np1XSXq3Uk78PSKXBsUAsAwQqJddBEvOB/s1600-h/IMG_0083.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiBtsuG5x_l1V6XPWSSLeTAhqlaIQEbiVzqDwkbRWtHPd0CEkkGjbKAjWQXRl_pd3IzDbogD6yIBjza3bdj0x5HUn-Suh4Bl7lzRrtwEYlX-Np1XSXq3Uk78PSKXBsUAsAwQqJddBEvOB/s400/IMG_0083.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399232240852641522" /></a><br />Working full time, going to school half time. being mom to one grown up and one almost grown up...part time. (I wish it was more time), wife of grown up (at times) part time... and being me- not very much time at all, any more...<br />I miss laughing and my art. but I love learning and enjoy working... trying to find me in the new life I have created. I miss me. The me I thought I was and the new me I have become are at odds. This me I have become is an old me I traded in..when I became the artist, the caring and creative one. I traded in this serious, stressed, left brained creature I was to laugh and create. But that self had to go away to become this hard working serious self again, had to save the family... the home stead. <br />Oh, why can't the two selves find each other and dance in harmony.<br />I miss me.. the creative one... this serous one is boring and uptight. I had a glimmer of her, the creative one, yesterday when she dressed up the pets and laughed very hard all afternoon. But today she is gone and she says things like "I can't, I have to study and I can't, I have work to do..".When all she wants to do is carve pumpkins a day late with her very grown up little girl.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-88661474610440250032009-03-06T09:43:00.004-06:002009-03-06T10:11:34.581-06:00A real Bionic man<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4An4BkkFDdvbPjafHdcQ92CwHUYL457azw62UEFAopN2absfqQLRN-cO34SxDoMw78jFR6zjkz0IUvs1XS1fsQ8DQLVlDA9wMSheSDykfxtlTkkGyax4rOloPgjBeFvLpIaDEOBCTwWQH/s1600-h/IMG_5998.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4An4BkkFDdvbPjafHdcQ92CwHUYL457azw62UEFAopN2absfqQLRN-cO34SxDoMw78jFR6zjkz0IUvs1XS1fsQ8DQLVlDA9wMSheSDykfxtlTkkGyax4rOloPgjBeFvLpIaDEOBCTwWQH/s400/IMG_5998.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310107880112573074" /></a><br /><br />I meet another soldier last night...<br />Some call it a full house or even a royal flush but he has it...<br /><br />He is extra special man living on borrowed time...I am sure he asks everyday that he wakes up "why me?"... You see he has a broken heart. and Pancreatic cancer...<br />He lives each day with a machine that has been implanted in his abdomen that actually helps to pump his heart. Without it he would die. It has electric cords that leave his chest and hook up to a battery pack that has to be changed every four hours and at night he is plugged into a wall. A laptop is used at the hospital to monitor it's function. He started with heart failure then was on a list for a transplant and they put this in to buy him time for that heart....Then he was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer... So now he has a bag that dumps from his body that we empty every shift and battery pack that never leaves him. Yet he lives. Oh yeah and he has diabetes...<br /><br />His 10 fingers are bruised and look like pin cushions. He has to count every morsel he puts in his mouth. He can't drink or smoke or even indulge in chocolate... The things that most of us able bodied souls use to cope with our blessed life... and yet he sits quietly and smiles graciously and watches the news...<br />He has been chosen for this nasty battle. Why I am not sure why him...God has deemed him worthy to teach us...<br />He strength and spirit teaches us to mind our manners...<br />He teaches us not to complain, things could be worse. He teaches us that time and life are precious. Yet he doesn't have to say a word.<br />Some are blind to his teachings, they are sorry for him and move on as if they didn't see a thing. I met him and still marvel at his story. I refuse to be blind to these silent hero's of Gods light. My heart cries for him but also rejoices that I saw it and can only pray that more see his teachings so less have to suffer... so we get it.<br /><br />Why do we need these people to suffer so that others may see... Cuz we are slow and dumb. It isn't until after we see tragedy do we look up and wonder... It is after great adversity that we start foundations and run marathons... It is only after we loose a loved one that we open our hearts for a cause. It is only after we fall down and suffer do we look for God. We blame him and scream He's not fair....Yet we quickly forget to thank him for our health, and our loved ones and our joys...for the perfect days? Our talents and blessings are easily forgotten...we all have gifts yet we forget to say thank you...we just complain when our toys are taken away...<br />Look for these soldiers so that thier suffering is not wasted. Honor them and learn so fewer will suffer... Pay attention...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-5293707572335726192009-03-06T09:31:00.004-06:002009-03-06T10:22:58.496-06:00Good people bad things...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6zESqhzgAQpBGGAwpNBFNC3VL2_9h55jcz7XoSsYwnuXr2DbUMoJ4hS4FyTrqUjI-12jfpFAO7eWgPx_VaNw4R1ZH5L9L5W19sbB85xKZVEYf5ex43z85KrBO7UYIuXvnH2pcLgqTyWs/s1600-h/IMG_4617.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6zESqhzgAQpBGGAwpNBFNC3VL2_9h55jcz7XoSsYwnuXr2DbUMoJ4hS4FyTrqUjI-12jfpFAO7eWgPx_VaNw4R1ZH5L9L5W19sbB85xKZVEYf5ex43z85KrBO7UYIuXvnH2pcLgqTyWs/s400/IMG_4617.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310100521525504322" /></a><br />Why do good things happen to bad people...and bad things happen to good people....<br />The old argument...<br />Here is my theory...<br />Those of us who believe in God are asked and challenged to be soldiers for Him. We are asked to fight his battle for him on this earth...<br />I was asked by a patient that had end stage Endometrial cancer with Bone and brain mets why her...? I have no answer except her beauty and her light makes the rest of us feel dumb and shallow... God reminds us through her that we are fragile and spoiled with grace...and through her we see his strength...She has been chosen to be an examlple for the rest of us... We are to blind to get it with out these examples of incredible human strength. Her battle scars are seen by her ravaged body, her grace is seen as she tries bravely to hold her head up and eat more pudding. Her unrelenting love is seen as her mother shows up day after day and helplessly sits and prays while her dear daughter sleeps...<br />Now you can choose to look away because God's light hurts your eyes. You can say that it's unfair and God is mean to put this burden on this frail woman...But she teaches us..Everyday that she breaths and lives she teaches us. We only have to look.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-49165413759227452902009-02-02T22:07:00.004-06:002009-02-02T22:23:26.015-06:00My Golden ticketI was at church tonight, ending our membership class. My husband talked about how some people have "it" and what is that "it" that makes some people from church different. Peaceful, light filled, joyful...<br />To me finding God is like finding your Golden ticket. Like Willie Wonka and the Chocolate factory. You spend your life searching and eating and trying anything you can to get that golden ticket. In and out we search, we despair, we find copies, we convince ourselves that maybe we don't need it.... We try to be different people, we try to hang with the right crowd, all trying to find the Golden ticket to what ever "it" is. Some give up, some turn to addictions to mask the pain of not having it. But yet if we sit in the stillness and there in our own left pocket hides the ticket all along. YES, it's that simple. In the quiet, is God. and that noise of our busy lives is just noise. That sticky kiss from the two yr old is God. The hug from your mother is God. Even a cat's purr is God. and that peace is God's golden ticket.<br /><br />I no longer have to hunt or worry or despair that I am not good enough or that I am not complete enough because I found my Golden ticket. You can too. It's with you all along. It doesn't matter what you've been told all your life, or who has hurt you or even why...It matters what you tell others, what you do to others and how you care for others because it's in that what you do for others that they maybe can find their golden ticket.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-24935856647851214232009-01-05T15:31:00.002-06:002009-01-05T16:09:13.311-06:00Sunshine from Australia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLy2RZ4o3eTKiRUWb0CiUsZHucVdRqxYz7N0M9s8z0677TxQ-9mzFQOo_4F9iia77lYtTfJOjEKn2j2LCHZAZKc4VxHRCYS6Wugj5FEMIym4uolGUIUl7qNRucWj9RGJ8utS5gSQfJ2Qx3/s1600-h/IMG_7047.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLy2RZ4o3eTKiRUWb0CiUsZHucVdRqxYz7N0M9s8z0677TxQ-9mzFQOo_4F9iia77lYtTfJOjEKn2j2LCHZAZKc4VxHRCYS6Wugj5FEMIym4uolGUIUl7qNRucWj9RGJ8utS5gSQfJ2Qx3/s400/IMG_7047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287925772330591458" /></a><br /><br />My first swap present came in to day!<br />this was part of the very vintage swap. I received beautiful treasures from Christina. Rays of sunshine from Australia. <br />A pretty little rose tray, shimmering vintage ear bobs, a smashing pocket watch and bits of ribbons, cardinal napkins, chocolates and a Santa sign reminding me to be happy..!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-72192726130198772302008-12-11T08:53:00.003-06:002008-12-11T09:28:21.542-06:00Buried treasure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoj2FK4EhzfT4_r9tXviYEIvhiPTIGdaeMApSaUYIXLSoKDH_Qiwqug8JL0lHeWCQ4P_hmZ75E4NwXyRxjU2AvwYyyhaV1vI1pc8r6AHApXvS-EgU-dEqEt9oN4JXj2NsVSUMQM-XpEd5/s1600-h/blue+fin+2005.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoj2FK4EhzfT4_r9tXviYEIvhiPTIGdaeMApSaUYIXLSoKDH_Qiwqug8JL0lHeWCQ4P_hmZ75E4NwXyRxjU2AvwYyyhaV1vI1pc8r6AHApXvS-EgU-dEqEt9oN4JXj2NsVSUMQM-XpEd5/s400/blue+fin+2005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278554319805836930" /></a><br />Everybody loves buried treasure. Everybody wants to find it but few want to actually get their hands dirty, crack their nails, ruin that lovely pair of slacks and maybe get a little sweaty.<br />That what it takes to find treasure. Treasure in relationships, treasure in your destiny even treasure in yourself. <br /><br />I have been digging, digging and shoveling and sweating to find my purpose and my destiny. Now I understand that finding your destiny and our purpose are like finding a rainbow. One just needs it on the horizon to know which direction to start heading for. As soon as you get close, it changes or disappears and there you are finding yourself sitting on a rock lost and searching again.<br /><br />My life is like this. I started my life in nursing. I thought this was my life's purpose. So I dug and sweated and mastered every challenge and worked very hard, joined committees, set policy only to find my self lost and redirected. I did find bits of treasure along the way and loved many aspects of that job. I was sad when redirected. But I was pushed a different direction. So I worked on my art, mastered every challenge, taught classes, made friends, climbed that clumsy ole ladder to find my self here again. My favorite rock. Now Nursing again....<br />I was sad. I thought art was "it" for me. <br /><br />As I sit on this rock, waiting for the appearance of that rainbow to show me which way to go, I find myself wondering that maybe I haven't been wrong before. That these small journeys are the small treasure I was meant to find. So instead of being sad that my art career ended I should be ecstatic that I was able and had the opportunity to pursue it as long as I did. <br /><br />Now with bated breath, I wait to see where the great almighty will send me next. I have a wonderful opportunity at a very large medical facility to use all my skills. Teaching and Nursing and even some creativity...Go figure. I am guessing that this treasure may be bigger than the last...<br /><br />So, if you find yourself on a rock looking at those storm clouds and braving the rain make yourself comfortable. Write your name on the rock, reflect and know the terrain, maybe find a cave close by to recover and heal and prepare for the next journey... So if you ever find yourself there again its not so scary and not so frightening. <br /><br />I keep getting glimpses of the rainbow it the same place but it hasn't been clear or steady enough for me to be sure of what I saw. So I am hanging out at my cave (my newly cleaned and organized office) waiting for that big bright one. The kind of rainbow that stretches from one edge of the earth, to the heavens, then down to touch the horizon again.<br /><br />I know they exist... I've seen it before... <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyefzxoLmgSSMD1f_BPs6ORRE0tWt61X-e2X6VlOhu6yHD93Jpif_V0ygf_ecC3O1_hi3OMRU5_RNlyRr2lP5fxY8UnagVJJiSLg2ca6nhEYJQgh4nOuZokBFh9vqElkOZP-UanuMJeJPd/s1600-h/blue+fin+ice.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyefzxoLmgSSMD1f_BPs6ORRE0tWt61X-e2X6VlOhu6yHD93Jpif_V0ygf_ecC3O1_hi3OMRU5_RNlyRr2lP5fxY8UnagVJJiSLg2ca6nhEYJQgh4nOuZokBFh9vqElkOZP-UanuMJeJPd/s400/blue+fin+ice.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278554560385756418" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-28245638301189705032008-12-02T14:42:00.002-06:002008-12-02T14:57:02.021-06:00New OpportunitiesI started a new job today. Not a painting job but a school nurse job. I was a nurse before I started my mural company. I have missed it. I have missed helping and caring for those in need. Health and wellness are integral to happiness. <br />Most people do not know how their bodies work and often are not connected to their bodies. <br /><br />The general population tries to make good eating and exercise decisions on a large scale but often neglect listening to their bodies and it's needs during the flux of stress in a typical day. <br />Illness arises out of neglect of the body. Certain systems become over taxed and stress and toxins build up at a weak point and illness develops. <br /><br />The general population know it in some diseases but don't realizes it happens with all people. Not just the heart attacks or the stomach issues. And typical modern medicine takes the treat and street philosophy. Not the slow down what's going on approach that is needed for real disease prevention.<br /><br />But I digress. I am back and dusting off my stethoscope. I am reading my Nursing books at night to get myself up to speed. I am loving it and excited to have a place in the health care issues.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-51732657742731942672008-11-03T09:58:00.011-06:002008-11-03T10:27:45.961-06:00Walk with me...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuNWlOZB2N7LAKysyaoLyd6MSpypdCyvXjju96CWQ8kHYc8We2gLGHUWW3dNy8mI95kNAVtQEtXtS8NsISodfK-fTqGaAoPbvHJntFng89k-RJCTsvzNUMBCPies1sqRKYf2qNYSmpGJG/s1600-h/IMG_6883.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuNWlOZB2N7LAKysyaoLyd6MSpypdCyvXjju96CWQ8kHYc8We2gLGHUWW3dNy8mI95kNAVtQEtXtS8NsISodfK-fTqGaAoPbvHJntFng89k-RJCTsvzNUMBCPies1sqRKYf2qNYSmpGJG/s400/IMG_6883.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264468582255543490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN_NTeoa-ao2Gwtwo8VIZPKasqo3GMdW1uj3PQFqrwG6iTTuqVwPWRf1T44GKrrqkrpk8Glb30gBb-Zycpan2MeFMhZYHn4W2TGxFb6bCRoqffriR0-kqwIwEx1-o_9uCx7AJyE_FiB2N/s1600-h/IMG_6885.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN_NTeoa-ao2Gwtwo8VIZPKasqo3GMdW1uj3PQFqrwG6iTTuqVwPWRf1T44GKrrqkrpk8Glb30gBb-Zycpan2MeFMhZYHn4W2TGxFb6bCRoqffriR0-kqwIwEx1-o_9uCx7AJyE_FiB2N/s400/IMG_6885.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264468423889118322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhUlpFzB1vXk-cMhBEdFqjSn_5fl7RDtXmqx8bVrCxGpU7kPPW-PPA6dMuksXYn_APtOfs9jyAQrPQ9pfuPdkiqQVg6mjOdncVCWjAwR7jPU6jz2Cgp7KIJPFNc_b6fFx-SdcJgqzjlNW/s1600-h/IMG_6897.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhUlpFzB1vXk-cMhBEdFqjSn_5fl7RDtXmqx8bVrCxGpU7kPPW-PPA6dMuksXYn_APtOfs9jyAQrPQ9pfuPdkiqQVg6mjOdncVCWjAwR7jPU6jz2Cgp7KIJPFNc_b6fFx-SdcJgqzjlNW/s400/IMG_6897.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264468155913503442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamUb_qYHId68LPWIkRHGi0ShzOZKdxPvdP6Tkx4eXcd83KFYXUV3o7e_DjZgh94U2j4iVba4c97YNFSlG7sO4gXvoo2pdVz4GQM3WbLV4peURotN6eL4-kxyyuj202qkmeXhYwYkjc6dt/s1600-h/IMG_6895.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamUb_qYHId68LPWIkRHGi0ShzOZKdxPvdP6Tkx4eXcd83KFYXUV3o7e_DjZgh94U2j4iVba4c97YNFSlG7sO4gXvoo2pdVz4GQM3WbLV4peURotN6eL4-kxyyuj202qkmeXhYwYkjc6dt/s400/IMG_6895.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264467936126330978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvxTR37xYSoRwZOkstZnczJqqoMiIdTQ1Z6JBAZCrSeImQVrSPmDjNNcqv7QBxD5fGPzTd_EYkAQGVdbIVy6EjpjSwn80oUVD0avtDICDgNjI3_55tgU3N-c-3HBpMohvCn13tWPEAkym/s1600-h/IMG_6892.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvxTR37xYSoRwZOkstZnczJqqoMiIdTQ1Z6JBAZCrSeImQVrSPmDjNNcqv7QBxD5fGPzTd_EYkAQGVdbIVy6EjpjSwn80oUVD0avtDICDgNjI3_55tgU3N-c-3HBpMohvCn13tWPEAkym/s400/IMG_6892.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264467773422685778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEAn5PtsVLuNOkzHNAmffZrgS34yvMsrq40ytUcqIVIgyHF5XnvtZ0T1zHtnicgw5m5DOoe3RSxLSTUs2xlAPW-lNyI3i9UKAPCJa1aUs00SAWA8oh6Lct7cGzNSPeTaRykEVRrMVVNbC/s1600-h/IMG_6878.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEAn5PtsVLuNOkzHNAmffZrgS34yvMsrq40ytUcqIVIgyHF5XnvtZ0T1zHtnicgw5m5DOoe3RSxLSTUs2xlAPW-lNyI3i9UKAPCJa1aUs00SAWA8oh6Lct7cGzNSPeTaRykEVRrMVVNbC/s400/IMG_6878.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264467617618043266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT9njz3w1Ow1yaUXj_1sBe8zEZq2g6qDmQyPYOl_aprOXT1jgCWk-rUrMGvJQz9YFu2gRrkYCgkUuORy3Il5MdzWPlVvd52f1zS377P4FAmofdPCDSka7-ov_PUptZIgzsBrtXE2VqKRU/s1600-h/IMG_6879.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT9njz3w1Ow1yaUXj_1sBe8zEZq2g6qDmQyPYOl_aprOXT1jgCWk-rUrMGvJQz9YFu2gRrkYCgkUuORy3Il5MdzWPlVvd52f1zS377P4FAmofdPCDSka7-ov_PUptZIgzsBrtXE2VqKRU/s400/IMG_6879.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264467480585457058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mDaCbyVsLyt-W7a8RfMLV8vdL6cfXRbagtIwONJvSi3o7Utgc7kA_9Xwz7zMKAUFmoYnnom-behYMIVHfYoRH1XJM7ahvOy8oQ75GXA877UhXJyN3IMPA2IeQ_iOgKOe65IvpIMXg-YJ/s1600-h/IMG_6880.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mDaCbyVsLyt-W7a8RfMLV8vdL6cfXRbagtIwONJvSi3o7Utgc7kA_9Xwz7zMKAUFmoYnnom-behYMIVHfYoRH1XJM7ahvOy8oQ75GXA877UhXJyN3IMPA2IeQ_iOgKOe65IvpIMXg-YJ/s400/IMG_6880.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264467328150283442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl0n_45_JEPfE9_d3z9A3-gp5xO2G_XWvnWEehogMwSopQ3j9F7i_TQCu8NYJHHRQOnz1g8y1HQEv6KGDAaQm-K9nArbfhNBo_0LxHgfqqrDF2Y7kJP0eb-A5y94_Pt9nyYJ9DTK5UbLn/s1600-h/IMG_6874.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl0n_45_JEPfE9_d3z9A3-gp5xO2G_XWvnWEehogMwSopQ3j9F7i_TQCu8NYJHHRQOnz1g8y1HQEv6KGDAaQm-K9nArbfhNBo_0LxHgfqqrDF2Y7kJP0eb-A5y94_Pt9nyYJ9DTK5UbLn/s400/IMG_6874.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264467168486979474" /></a><br />Change is hard... It brings up many emotions for many people. For me I am hit with sadness first. The disappointment of dreams unfulfilled. The things hoped for and not realized. This sadness makes me hesitant for change. I pull back. I become afraid of what is ahead... I then have to put to rest the dreams that I am leaving behind and start to make new dreams. I have to be gentle with myself. Learning new things takes time and mistakes. I need my rest and my quiet. I need time to grieve the old and then pull up my bootstraps....and plunge ahead. <br /><br />My friend Carolyn talks about change as a little death. If i agree with this, then I need to allow myself to grieve. To feel the pain of loss. If we don't we tend to hold on to the sadness and not heal. We harbor our grief and it can hold us back. Resentment can build and create pain where there doesn't need to be.<br />So my little company is gone. I am hanging a little black wreath on the door and moving forward. <br />What I wasn't prepared for was the goodbye from friends in the industry. I didn't think about the people I won't see any more. Now I am really sad...<br /><br />Kinda like leaving high school....Mixed emotions....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-14314873620960809442008-11-03T07:21:00.003-06:002008-11-03T09:39:13.811-06:00Make it Monday's.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3ET2QwZB_G6cn25YFxoAoAb3YWNwL46Xjx8uTcMPJfTbD5b_kyZHuypse8rgee9kbP2Ek-lWpb9TBeFVacwBBE4bqEBkBmwnyncs3YhIFhr8M3lX1p2Ik8WkMauXceq8pcDcESQaLcef/s1600-h/glass+ecthing.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3ET2QwZB_G6cn25YFxoAoAb3YWNwL46Xjx8uTcMPJfTbD5b_kyZHuypse8rgee9kbP2Ek-lWpb9TBeFVacwBBE4bqEBkBmwnyncs3YhIFhr8M3lX1p2Ik8WkMauXceq8pcDcESQaLcef/s400/glass+ecthing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262594030820462002" /></a><br />Glass Etching your wine glasses...<br /><br />What you need:<br />Glasses<br />Amour Etch Cream<br />Foam Brush<br />sticky stencil or stickers<br />water to rinse<br /><br />Step one:<br />Clean glass well with Alcohol to remove any grease<br />Two: Remove paper backing from stencil and apply to glass. tape off any unprotected areas with making tape. Burnish it well.<br />Three: Apply etch cream over surface. Make sure no bubbles are present. watch for drips.<br />wait 10 min.<br />Four: Scrape excess cream off glass then rinse quickly and thoroughly.<br />Five: Remove stencil carefully rinse again. Dry carefully.<br />Enjoy!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-49850446402871025242008-11-01T15:56:00.002-05:002008-11-01T16:08:36.226-05:00Taking my crayons and going home....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjRy2xdAVguq5AcvLM8BEEwm5cEXJhNRSjQz24JlBeaSCehh-qfcra5b3nM_uWzY_2Taw0SlT-jK8qFmQ0CvRZxkfNSIxrk0TjXBfU-xnOqrfBPX_UxL2q3D2WpkWJ1S70z5kesEOSZ2X/s1600-h/crayons.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjRy2xdAVguq5AcvLM8BEEwm5cEXJhNRSjQz24JlBeaSCehh-qfcra5b3nM_uWzY_2Taw0SlT-jK8qFmQ0CvRZxkfNSIxrk0TjXBfU-xnOqrfBPX_UxL2q3D2WpkWJ1S70z5kesEOSZ2X/s400/crayons.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263798923287249042" /></a><br />I am closing up shop... I am sad but excited.. <br />I have decided to move on. I went through horrible grief when I closed my little shop three or was it four years ago...I am having leaky moments as I sort though the boxes of art supplies. I loved working at trade shows and teaching all over this big country of ours. I have made so many friends in this industry. But the winds of change have pushed me back to nursing. <br /><br />I am going back to school for my doctorate. Big change, big commitment and Yikes I have to take the GRE... Haven't had a math class in 20 years... So I am cramming every night Big day is DEC. 16th.<br />But in this econmy where jobs are scarce and health care if failing I feel compelled to do my part. I want to be a part of health care reform. There is even a new discipline called Art Therapy and even a center of Spirituality and wellness at the U of M. That is where i am headed.<br /><br />So Here I go reinventing myself yet again. I can never say to my kids what do you want to be when you grow up....More like what do you want to do now...? Then change as you grow.<br /><br />Faux finishing is done for me now. I have gone as far as I wanted to take it. I have done homes, commercial spaces, been published, sales and rep a big company, became a national instructor and created art in over 200 homes. I am still creative but feel the need to create for me. I have moved on in my heart.. My heart is just not in it anymore. I have turned my hobby into a great business for 10 years... Now back to my first love.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-21612965490368251962008-10-29T10:20:00.003-05:002008-10-29T17:24:40.456-05:00Artsy Party Last night!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2GY5VPh81v3G7MM3SSHJ__l20PVaXO8K-a7Ig6DR2DoI9eoI-HPpNc2gNZYhoGBnOQS52p4-HLrJC-ntpwTUIQD6EpaDoewEVTl11ZA43ayBk13CldzuVvhK7QNVKugA9HTyuXjKDSlv/s1600-h/artsy2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2GY5VPh81v3G7MM3SSHJ__l20PVaXO8K-a7Ig6DR2DoI9eoI-HPpNc2gNZYhoGBnOQS52p4-HLrJC-ntpwTUIQD6EpaDoewEVTl11ZA43ayBk13CldzuVvhK7QNVKugA9HTyuXjKDSlv/s400/artsy2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262595444579216994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGctlesFelj94vXY8GRDqAEzjCdBPDHbrpSlKCeexQpxOsFJaaRt6-dCDpObli_d8XU3gqKLvTMeGNDFiCzCWdnmUI_9vKchVx4bTRBRUdt5C-T0XzudLMtwAAjbNjeeytu_7B-D2H4ls/s1600-h/artsy1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGctlesFelj94vXY8GRDqAEzjCdBPDHbrpSlKCeexQpxOsFJaaRt6-dCDpObli_d8XU3gqKLvTMeGNDFiCzCWdnmUI_9vKchVx4bTRBRUdt5C-T0XzudLMtwAAjbNjeeytu_7B-D2H4ls/s400/artsy1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262595264624081442" /></a><br />It was a blast. Seven of us clipped and snipped and came up with come great floral arrangements. It was so interesting to see the different personalities show up in their arrangement.<br />We were working with similar ingredients and some had never done floral before. <br />Great time.<br /><br />Here's the skinny on How to...<br />Start with a container. any size will do<br />stick floral foam inside about to the top of the sides of the container<br />Start with a tall focal point and add to the center. <br />Add larger elements around the middle, stagger the heights of these.<br />add elements in 3's of three and fives. try to make triangles with the colors. Not group all in one spot.<br />Get up and look at it from accross the room to see it as a whole.<br />Fix areas that don't look right. <br />Put larger items towards the bottom.<br />Use a variety of sizes and textures to make it more interesting..<br />Use wire cutters and cut the stems of your florals to be what size you need them to be.<br /> Have fun!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-49281617209660364452008-10-28T08:20:00.008-05:002008-10-29T10:19:43.784-05:00Artsy Party Tonight!I have more crafting stuff than I will ever use in a lifetime. I decided to have a party monthly and GIVE my crafting supplies to my friends as we laughed and created. So The Artsy Parties have begun. <br />Tonight is the second month.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fbqTlpjXtgh1P_r4Vfs6t26IK4xrWubIEmISk9Hvlw324izErYna-q3PUMr2GaMXP0i6LwF0I-_JCrhiyHaER47Ov-EGXtUc-0iVTSAnVF9s1UeXMHLMMkAO4gkhqT0lQdMnVtNyk3MX/s1600-h/IMG_3636.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fbqTlpjXtgh1P_r4Vfs6t26IK4xrWubIEmISk9Hvlw324izErYna-q3PUMr2GaMXP0i6LwF0I-_JCrhiyHaER47Ov-EGXtUc-0iVTSAnVF9s1UeXMHLMMkAO4gkhqT0lQdMnVtNyk3MX/s400/IMG_3636.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262202485457205586" /></a><br /><br /><br />I was feeling a bit disgusted with myself a few months ago. I was feeling the craving to be creative... Make something. That's a bit funny for someone who makes her living as an artist.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIRSHDpsq_5Q6DP4z74kmTIVPcarOAYlkapJ2QvbqnFGZBave2_jbBPPn5jTek-esEo2eJRbb4wMYI3U7Iq7p4GsaJOu8rBaZeMTC4M59uo6WiKq_AP2mRWoBx3lv9zi86sCzLiDMqHFI/s1600-h/IMG_3638.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIRSHDpsq_5Q6DP4z74kmTIVPcarOAYlkapJ2QvbqnFGZBave2_jbBPPn5jTek-esEo2eJRbb4wMYI3U7Iq7p4GsaJOu8rBaZeMTC4M59uo6WiKq_AP2mRWoBx3lv9zi86sCzLiDMqHFI/s400/IMG_3638.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262202173348216722" /></a> But making art for the sake of creating is very different than painting what a customer wants and getting paid for that. I wanted to create without a vested interest in the outcome.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnu9XzK5LLx_kF9jx97SVvDrUG_Px6U0yMnJF-8FWyZO5SNiTFZN4mysfpnGV29esJ0xgTH0QF8qjnckw5SEJrQSeFL4rimjopW7xi5IZfWOl1MY8ml_9krSg2jj6auYPYAPHR82V1ghal/s1600-h/IMG_3637.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnu9XzK5LLx_kF9jx97SVvDrUG_Px6U0yMnJF-8FWyZO5SNiTFZN4mysfpnGV29esJ0xgTH0QF8qjnckw5SEJrQSeFL4rimjopW7xi5IZfWOl1MY8ml_9krSg2jj6auYPYAPHR82V1ghal/s400/IMG_3637.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262201993861318114" /></a><br /> I had spend too much time reading about creating, collecting books about creating and gathering supplies about creating but NOT creating...<br /> I invited one of my artsy friends over and proceeded to tell her my plan. As I was showing her my hoards of craft materials... <br />I make a theme (based on how much crap I have for that activity) and then invite my friends. They can invite more friends if they like. It is free. They bring essentials for the craft or they can work on an existing project. I have some basics. Everyone brings an appetizer or a bottle of wine and we spend the evening creating.<br />This months topic is Autumn centerpieces...<br />Bring stuff (flowers wire container to share) treats and or wine. I supply the space the floral tape and misc. filler for the centerpiece.<br />I am so excited as this lands on my first day of 29 gifts in 29 days...I can't wait to tell everyone about this wave of giving...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-52208928373218502812008-10-28T00:17:00.005-05:002008-10-28T08:08:46.924-05:0029 gifts in 29 days.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9R8u4TGlAFQy0rF28nvYJDrN-7n2xXz4NuHbIW6eFIm9YPyT5sDvLm8axBeO1zTzaFQtQC_hLZnxjxmV0FAEI2d6LRmyQ0aXVAvKWe-Z4VA5_em8gp_Jrc0OAmStyJG8MlQOZCbW04vj/s1600-h/29giftslogo.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9R8u4TGlAFQy0rF28nvYJDrN-7n2xXz4NuHbIW6eFIm9YPyT5sDvLm8axBeO1zTzaFQtQC_hLZnxjxmV0FAEI2d6LRmyQ0aXVAvKWe-Z4VA5_em8gp_Jrc0OAmStyJG8MlQOZCbW04vj/s400/29giftslogo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262070804817179362" /></a><br />I just joined the group to the right. Amazing stories of change and healing...Give and your world will change, if everyone gives the world will change....<br /><br />So the first person to comment on my blog after each entry, will receive a gift from me...leave the comment and email me your address...<br />It's that easy...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-87306987789581727512008-10-27T14:11:00.004-05:002008-10-28T08:18:29.749-05:00Make it Monday's... Glass painting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMgMOXdZBUX41MBSogN1AFRRahPjiKDQECxlDammhevVSW60VopfyhbVcbWzi86S3hdk_DAYHm7fXTSevjEBg0ECoH2XOX5GbgDIDGX-0303av1QCYz1dUuUoQNHh1Xx_4e89Zvjykg3t/s1600-h/IMG_6853.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMgMOXdZBUX41MBSogN1AFRRahPjiKDQECxlDammhevVSW60VopfyhbVcbWzi86S3hdk_DAYHm7fXTSevjEBg0ECoH2XOX5GbgDIDGX-0303av1QCYz1dUuUoQNHh1Xx_4e89Zvjykg3t/s400/IMG_6853.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261918381072764738" /></a><br />What you need:<br />Old window with glass panes.<br />pattern or drawing<br />Contact paper<br />razor blade<br />glass paint<br />foam roller<br /><br />Step One: <br />Clean glass with alcohol to degrease.<br />Two: Apply contact paper to glass, make sure all surfaces are covered and protected.<br />Draw design or trace pattern onto contact paper.<br />Three: Cut out design remove the areas to be painted.<br />Four: Apply glass paint with foam paint roller. Two coats. Let dry between coats.<br />carefully remove contact paper. Cut edges with blade to prevent peeling.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-88937095320932908292008-10-24T11:03:00.006-05:002008-10-27T14:33:21.781-05:00Pretending to be.....happy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsET05j_wNt7rWauPLDDDPxFFx9sMKcknjv456DDCmmIK32R0niepzL_WLJSz0m9Q9QCMsJDpVDPf7KNCIHilMYH0lX5tDTosAzSiEs1XeE5pBlCGQE1FBJRy60bzT4FdBnKdGB5dYqtLe/s1600-h/IMG_6821.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsET05j_wNt7rWauPLDDDPxFFx9sMKcknjv456DDCmmIK32R0niepzL_WLJSz0m9Q9QCMsJDpVDPf7KNCIHilMYH0lX5tDTosAzSiEs1XeE5pBlCGQE1FBJRy60bzT4FdBnKdGB5dYqtLe/s400/IMG_6821.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261919035763936130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMMnPDJM3OMsXbvKfG9VlKfkCgkp_icph5HM8ivVbtgwBdwjh9bFdNMoyongiJEs7ZcyoZVS6AXJRX601f9GLOScLDgu8YabW6siecOcidtYCn1UMI_-1dT0GP5VF3ZClsy4PGjboABUy/s1600-h/IMG_6828.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMMnPDJM3OMsXbvKfG9VlKfkCgkp_icph5HM8ivVbtgwBdwjh9bFdNMoyongiJEs7ZcyoZVS6AXJRX601f9GLOScLDgu8YabW6siecOcidtYCn1UMI_-1dT0GP5VF3ZClsy4PGjboABUy/s400/IMG_6828.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261918825550565282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWQR_R432q_fGTVRlw0w9ykSV1oYnaLnAau_u2oQvbEATCQ9jgQJXwn8d5zkaztqapoDJQcSTR2w7PllyX2GR0a6uExtEcvyfsHH3LaefNmbe6yIbHNhLPMkFn4k8oeSs_2hu53jQf8Dy/s1600-h/IMG_6824.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWQR_R432q_fGTVRlw0w9ykSV1oYnaLnAau_u2oQvbEATCQ9jgQJXwn8d5zkaztqapoDJQcSTR2w7PllyX2GR0a6uExtEcvyfsHH3LaefNmbe6yIbHNhLPMkFn4k8oeSs_2hu53jQf8Dy/s400/IMG_6824.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261918675552086738" /></a><br />I have been pondering that quote that I found while doing the blog challenge a few days ago...<br />"That's alright. Maybe after while we'll be as brave as we're pretending to be."<br /><br />Can be applied to anything. I have been sad about my dearest going away and my youngest being too "old" for his momma. Quiet house, quiet heart, quiet mind... <br /><br />Yesterday, I posted about decorating... I was pretending to be excited but really I thought... "Why do this there is no one here to care"...I don't want to be sad anymore so I pretended to be happy...<br /><br />I had so much fun yeaterday. The pretending worked. I even dressed in holiday spirit for my one outing. I joined two swaps <a href="http://">here</a>. When I went to the store I ended up with supplies for pie and a spider cake, some pumpkin cookies for the cookie jar. I feel better. I decided to make a big Lasagna for dinner. My hubby then wants to ask if he can invite a friend over, then my son decides to have a friend over. Now My Dear daughter calls and says she's coming home this weekend. AND my Uncle called and he is coming this weekend and ....Yippeee!! The house fills with family. <br /><br />Oh the joy!<br /><br />So if you just aren't up to it....Some times pretending you are just might make it so...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-91911405370688191302008-10-23T17:08:00.008-05:002008-10-23T17:24:44.281-05:00Harvest fever...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS39TCHFAMTyzV245McG-8QomCTXtbKgd8gZRsy9lESp2Qe1j74pCSPhxV53D2uGX1pUU_2qKqX2sGJ9pskG70VHqjVhAYY-FCuzb-alzQF4yuExtIlTGpyYm2tQ3LPMDWmlsAe4rdrkrt/s1600-h/1843+HALLOWEEN041_SUMMERTOWNSUN.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS39TCHFAMTyzV245McG-8QomCTXtbKgd8gZRsy9lESp2Qe1j74pCSPhxV53D2uGX1pUU_2qKqX2sGJ9pskG70VHqjVhAYY-FCuzb-alzQF4yuExtIlTGpyYm2tQ3LPMDWmlsAe4rdrkrt/s320/1843+HALLOWEEN041_SUMMERTOWNSUN.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260475419166332674" /></a><br />I have been out visiting my favorite blogs...<br />Their blog pages are just so pretty I have to get up to speed and update mine... So Boring...<br />Any help would be great!<br /><br />Here's what some of the blogs inspired me to do,...<br />I went to that place ya know the one that sucks you in and keeps all your money yes Michael's...<br />and started with this...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxK9mZWNF115FbhI5JwcLmPhGR7oEBCm3ym3qzl0kyCcxdp9N0PpABRODxZbAt6wozUO1hPn8pAVZxWPJRFeFEU8VphdmsOGukgzko7skPBfNwaAl4h5qM2E9YqymgmcThNBQ4P4b7502/s1600-h/IMG_6809.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxK9mZWNF115FbhI5JwcLmPhGR7oEBCm3ym3qzl0kyCcxdp9N0PpABRODxZbAt6wozUO1hPn8pAVZxWPJRFeFEU8VphdmsOGukgzko7skPBfNwaAl4h5qM2E9YqymgmcThNBQ4P4b7502/s320/IMG_6809.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260476646735259714" /></a><br />and ended with this....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVXWL-wVwXYEzAGPURJl6s0Nc0mDzDEtcHkkVPmlWCMek_tTucwvKj0Bm8moXwmohkZNLZiH1s4eVCyZ-YDNsGG8sUSmiz4arGcOJcVwPfMwCiu4zvqstFuqScZIEVVaZHy2TFkgbXhQc/s1600-h/IMG_6811.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVXWL-wVwXYEzAGPURJl6s0Nc0mDzDEtcHkkVPmlWCMek_tTucwvKj0Bm8moXwmohkZNLZiH1s4eVCyZ-YDNsGG8sUSmiz4arGcOJcVwPfMwCiu4zvqstFuqScZIEVVaZHy2TFkgbXhQc/s320/IMG_6811.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260476414375472658" /></a><br />and this....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNku6vwkytyGzkMV_BDSLzuzJq0zla1lTOa773KswfeoK0q_KCepN4Jbi2Fx47R77dNAxTnK_IHVSjoP3zHDxFtvT88-z6qQ1KsyoS4xTHdWsvHMjaoJ5upyCFWH3UdjYDTPbThWzQG2h/s1600-h/IMG_6813.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNku6vwkytyGzkMV_BDSLzuzJq0zla1lTOa773KswfeoK0q_KCepN4Jbi2Fx47R77dNAxTnK_IHVSjoP3zHDxFtvT88-z6qQ1KsyoS4xTHdWsvHMjaoJ5upyCFWH3UdjYDTPbThWzQG2h/s400/IMG_6813.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260478035116257842" /></a><br /> <br />I think I caught a fever at that place....<br /><br />Stay tuned for what I did to the front step... Even found Mr. Owl to cheer up the doorstep..Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-81237579265305160232008-10-22T11:57:00.007-05:002008-10-22T12:11:51.542-05:00My big boy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6h7HiEmu4JcQ_UKZJxG_D1Hz_QDmrf9rJFfUdPg8wBePMcJZbSzXClFja6_xNIhlFOW7Hme9IDdMBTRxgcwmU9RhVljwdvYwirv_beRvzFAXqGE7_Z0xRlCTXaua1g0oDEyQdv5ZkPuF/s1600-h/n810749044_1267064_7572.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6h7HiEmu4JcQ_UKZJxG_D1Hz_QDmrf9rJFfUdPg8wBePMcJZbSzXClFja6_xNIhlFOW7Hme9IDdMBTRxgcwmU9RhVljwdvYwirv_beRvzFAXqGE7_Z0xRlCTXaua1g0oDEyQdv5ZkPuF/s320/n810749044_1267064_7572.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260026478389392434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBroj8mFNOrbYQlYnhsJPG755tG-LSscL6h7HAABi6zpzUZPFErFahFQGedV_SXs5b179O5nqfhHLoG21p9lh6mNVrkU6u5CATHSronXqMxf5ngunstbS9AQRR_yGG-9K0P7EmUaLtJvC/s1600-h/IMG_6795.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBroj8mFNOrbYQlYnhsJPG755tG-LSscL6h7HAABi6zpzUZPFErFahFQGedV_SXs5b179O5nqfhHLoG21p9lh6mNVrkU6u5CATHSronXqMxf5ngunstbS9AQRR_yGG-9K0P7EmUaLtJvC/s320/IMG_6795.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260023736872459538" /></a> I drew this for my husband when we were dating our first year of college. It was his Jersey. Now my baby Ethan, had his first shinning moment in football. He scored a touchdown for his team for their first playoff game. AND he made the evening news and newspaper!<br />Yippeee!!<br /><br />I was asked what it was like having children by a teenager...<br />I had to explain it like his...<br />I thought having children was like having a puppy. You love it a lot and unconditionally but I was so wrong.<br />Having children is like an extension of your self. You get to live another life. You feel their feelings, experience their joys and pain. I get to live three lives. I feel all they feel, cry when they do and cheer at the top of my lungs in the stands...for their simplest of efforts...<br />I can only thank God in the humblest of voices for allowing me the privilege to have these two precious dears in my care...<br /><br />Sniffle sniffle...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-59725824143300971332008-10-21T15:18:00.005-05:002008-10-22T12:26:08.951-05:00Cutest girl ever....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1sTTepWPweF_okWvSzJ_CS2MWv7Ck1G0ASYUzGGVGO2oKCFhWd3LH3b1g8LQnLKJR4oq2dM6qy8h-gf92pm67PTqEyvmtXYQEY1tJ92gsli64ms7o9n7gJ4ha3-AREcF2Q35H-Fsw3LI/s1600-h/alisuds.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1sTTepWPweF_okWvSzJ_CS2MWv7Ck1G0ASYUzGGVGO2oKCFhWd3LH3b1g8LQnLKJR4oq2dM6qy8h-gf92pm67PTqEyvmtXYQEY1tJ92gsli64ms7o9n7gJ4ha3-AREcF2Q35H-Fsw3LI/s320/alisuds.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259706175370685762" /></a><br />But now she's all grown up...Off to college. I am so sad. I miss her terribly. <br />No more princess parties and cute homemade dresses... <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8Te0bqjd1gCe_VhyfBc4jFvN9CWgyLhYjsj9msHhAbzX5hIvo0ZVjtVi9nFlwBNR3twwv2AURhP1wTKF5sLCxJUiI4fl-Qe4P7PYWmPbNB8Jc2BfiQ58QZfCU3J0Mh1kta9C_9cwr_cW/s1600-h/IMG_4568.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8Te0bqjd1gCe_VhyfBc4jFvN9CWgyLhYjsj9msHhAbzX5hIvo0ZVjtVi9nFlwBNR3twwv2AURhP1wTKF5sLCxJUiI4fl-Qe4P7PYWmPbNB8Jc2BfiQ58QZfCU3J0Mh1kta9C_9cwr_cW/s320/IMG_4568.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260030602740196242" /></a><br />A nice student of mine was knitting during class. She was making pumpkin hats for grand babies... so cute. I looked at her wistfully as I imagined my babies being so small...I said, "I'd love to make some but I don't know any babies right now." She casually said "you will." her calm response was balm to my aching heart...<br /><br />So I have to wait to make my stuff again. In the meantime the challenge is to find my creative muse as I faux bathrooms and take my nursing classes I will rediscover my mojo again...<br /><br />Here's a picture of the hats like she was making.... <a href="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:HQK2-VT-3A0iCM:http://www.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/65/b/AAAAAnospuEAAAAAAGW0lA.jpg">here</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803225888200874513.post-8585382593597527172008-10-21T15:07:00.003-05:002008-10-21T15:15:21.761-05:00Book challengePage 56<br />Line five<br /><br />He Frowned. <br />"that we're afraid,"she explained.<br />Bardon Grimaced. "Paladin Knows."<br />Kale plunged ahead with what she wanted to say. "That's alright. And maybe after awhile, we'll get as brave as we are pretending to be."<br /><br /><br />I saw this on <a href="http://everylittlething.typepad.com">Amandas Blog</a><br />Blog Challenge<br /><br />Grab the nearest book.<br />* Open the book to page 56.<br />* Find the fifth sentence.<br />* Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your blog along with these instructions.<br />* Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0