"One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering."

Ida Scott Taylor


Thursday, December 15, 2011

We've Been Under Construction

We've been up to our elbows over the past 3 weeks
in demolishing and remodeling.  We had a plumbing leak in our kitchen that
we did not know about until it ended up in a closet in the bedroom
 on the other side of the wall.  
 Thankfully, we had good homeowner's insurance and then
we also decided this was the time to do a few extras.  

(A sneak peek and will show you more when it is finished)
 Here is Byron, our cabinet maker doing his great detail work.



Right now, while I post this,
 I am squeezed between
 our new dishwasher, yet to be installed into the kitchen,
 and the computer desk,
 along with boxes full of kitchen items,
 just so I can type up this post.

A couple of days ago, the oven range 
was sitting in our family room along with the refrigerator, 
while flooring was being laid
 both in the kitchen and in our bedroom. 

 So now you know why
 I haven't taken the time to post for so long.
I just couldn't get my brain out of chaos gear and into posting mode.

I hope you haven't had anything keeping you from
being all ready for Christmas.
So glad that even in the midst of unexpected chaos, that 
I can center on baby Jesus, laying in that lowly manger inside
of an animal stable.  It kind of puts everything in perspective!
So thankful that HE is my KING.


Now I need to go sweep up some sawdust!






Sunday, November 20, 2011

Paddling Up Stream, But I'm Still Alive!

 Thought I should check in 
so you all would know I am still alive!
I've just been so busy creating some art orders
for others before Christmas. 
I'm really tired but it's a good kind of  tired.
  I know things will slow down soon.
Then I will be back to see you all  and 
get some new posts back up on this blog.

I've been in to personalizing 
many art pendants for others lately.
At first, I was a bit afraid
 to say I would put names on them,
but I'm so glad I took the plunge and did it.

They are really quite fun to create.
There is just something about putting a name 
with what you are creating. 
Somehow when I'm painting the picture,
 I look at the name and think about
 how special this piece will be 
because I'm making it for
 that someone special.


These were made to give to four sisters.
 Their grandma ordered them for Christmas presents.

So as I prop my eyes open,
( that is why they look scary big here)
 I tell you this, I promise I have not deserted
you, my special blogging friends!  


I'll be back soon!
I'll be leaving the day after
 Thanksgiving to spend a few days with 
my Pennsylvania family- daughter, son-in-law
 and the oh so special grandchildren of ours!
 (hubby has to work! I sure wish he could go too!)

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving
 with all of the trimmings,
but especially, may you be blessed
with friends and family all around Y♥U.

Love from me,

140.  God blessing me with art orders
141.  His provision and how he makes a way when there seems to be no way
142.  our insurance covering a water leak and the wonderful and kind contractor who is 
        remodeling for us.
143.  an early Christmas present when the hospital called and thanked us for making our 
        payments regularly and  they wanted to write the remaining 2 months off as a gift. 
        Wow!  Bless that hospital God! Who does that nowadays?
144.  my hubby transitioning well to a new 3rd shift position at work
145.  the wonderful ANTICIPATION brought on while planning a trip to see our daughter and 
        grandchildren

Friday, October 28, 2011

Happiness Is A By-product of Helping Someone Else

It made my day when my sister called me 
and said that her granddaughter,
( my great niece-8 years old )
wanted to know if I would come 
along with them on a Girls Day Away
and help her paint some pottery
for a Christmas present she wanted
to make for her mommy.

With my granddaughter and grandson
living 9 hours away,
I feel sad that we don't get to do these
spur of the moment grandparent
fun things like this together as often as I wish,
but I try and make up for it
when we are together ♥.
 

loved
  spending this time with my niece
and my sister.
It warmed my heart up so much when I was
asked to come along and to help. 
But I can't tell you what she made because it's a surprise
and her mommy might be peeking in on this post.


My sister Melanie with her granddaughter Shay,  (my great-niece)

I decided to whip up a quick little pendant
to surprise my niece with.
I think she really liked it.  She wore it the rest of the day.


she held it up so we could take a photo.
  there are shadows from the light that aren't really on the pendant

Shay is such a beautiful little girl on the inside and the outside!
...and she has Shirley Temple curls!!

Sometimes it's just what we need in life,
for someone to ask us 
to come along for some FUN while helping them. 


Many times I have thought about
asking my girlfriends (includes sisters) over for some
FUN 
 while they helped me
finish painting some of the rooms in my house,
that I've  put off getting started on. he he
Who knows, we might 
come up with some
really awesome ideas together
 to make those rooms awesome or
at least some crazy fun memories made in the process.

"I wonder what Piglet is doing," thought Pooh.
"I wish I were there to be doing it, too." - Winnie the Pooh


So in case one of them are reading this,
know you can ask me first
to come over to your house and
I will gladly have FUN helping you do whatever you
need help with.  I promise! 

I am honored that my sister and niece
asked me to join in and have fun 
with them.
(oh and Olive Garden Food too! Yummy)



Thank Y♥U
Melanie and Shay!
I love you both! 


"Happiness is a by-product of an effort to make
someone else happy."
Gretta Brooker Palmer






So.... have Y♥U ever 
asked someone to help you
and then found a fun way of doing it?
I would love to hear about it.



105.  a cup of Blackberry tea and my journal
106.  knowing there is a  purpose in trials because God tells me so in his word
107.  painting pottery with my sister and niece
108.  seeing my daughter love on her Hospice patients
109.  a beautiful sunshiny weekend
110.  the memories that finding old photos bring
111.  date night and a movie with my hubby
112.  good food eating out together for under $10.00!!!!
113. home owners insurance that takes care of repairing damages from a water leak
114.  creative new ideas and planning for a room in our house
115.  the happiness that children bring to us


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

When Your Planning Fails




Another pen and ink I've been creating this week.
To be safe, until I know for sure what quote I want to permanently
add, I have puzzled in another piece into the middle of my
\pen and ink doodle frame. 
I want to one day take Martha Lever's Calligra-Fun class
so I can have more confidence in my painted lettering.

Having one of those weeks where I am needing to
change up the pieces in my life puzzle. 
I had to refer back
 that I wrote
as my reminder that it is a part of life 
and the blessings in disguise will be
revealed in God's timing.

Aren't you thankful that we don't have to trust
in our own understanding?
We can rest in the peace that God
is working and already
sees the entire finished puzzle 
of our lives in it's 
finished masterpiece form, that He has designed?
I could never create that on my own.

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
   don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do,

everywhere you go;
   he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

What do you do to get yourself
going again when your plans get changed?


I hope your pieces
are falling right in place
for you this week, but if not, 
get out the card table and some tea
 and  invite me over. 
We could sure have some fun together
figuring out where some of those pieces go!!



87.  friends and family that pray for us
88.  answered prayer even when it's not what you expected
89.  a promotion for my hubby at work
90.  our granddaughter's beautiful tears during our video chat when 
        telling us  she really missed us!  
91.  encouragement that comes just when you need it
92.  finding a fall leaf in my path that looked like a heart put there just for me
93.  the gift of creating that brings me so much pleasure and peace
94.  finding creative new ways to rearrange the pieces in life  
  

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Abundance and the Miracle



As you can see,
I've been doodling for a few weeks 
on this creation which
  started out as pure therapy, since that is
what pen and ink so often provide for me.

(started it when I hurt my back and was laying on the couch)
(and please forgive my photography- since the photo came out crooked) 

I had no idea that it was going to turn into a frame for 
a new quote that spoke to me recently.  


Since starting my 1000 Gifts List,
I am finding it so true that 
thanksgiving
really does create abundance!
It is changing me into being less
of a worrier and more into
a person who
cannot wait to see what blessings are
there waiting for her when she gets up in the morning!
Anticipation is an awesome thing!

 I'll be honest here. 
My first tendency has often been
to worry

What if, .... 
what now, ....
what will happen next, ....
what am I going to do, etc...

that is until 
I stop and  listen to God asking me to
cast all my cares upon him instead.

"Throw the whole of your anxiety upon Him,
because He Himself cares for you."
1Peter 5:7

But you know what? 
This being intentional about
writing down what I am thankful for everyday,
has made the tendency
to begin worrying, so much less.
For that I am sooooo thankful. 

I came across this 4 faced doll the other day that
my grandma made for our daughters
when they were young.
This dolly reminds me of the many different emotions
we may go through on any given day.

(so of course I had to play along and show you) 
(hope you enjoy my craziness! )






I couldn't help but notice after posing with
little dolly here, how peaceful we both
look when we are  
praying together.


Isn't that the way it really is? We find peace when we
give our worries and cares over
to our Heavenly Father...
who cares for us and handles things for us in his own
way and in his own timing. 
And of course He gives us special friends
to help us through, along the way also.

I am so thankful he understands me and YOU
and every emotion we go through
because he created us.

Hoping your miracles multiply this week, 
along with mine, as we give thanks!

oh and....thanks for being my friend,

41. warm comfy couch and a good movie
42. good friends who understand and care
43. getting love text messages from my hubby
44. the privilege of getting to be an encouragement to someone else
45. MUSIC- all kinds
46. talking to my grandchildren over the telephone
47. hearing my granddaughter, over the phone, so excited about loosing her tooth
48. wonderful sisters to go to lunch with
49. Autumn smelling candles burning in the house
50. emotions that God created inside of me so life wouldn't be dull

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Living Fully Right Where You Are Now

It really has been a long time since my last post.  
A few weeks ago, I injured my back
and didn't realize it until after
sitting at the computer, and
upon trying to stand, I could not get up.
My back
stubbornly said
"No, you must crawl to the next room."  

 Photo courtesy of Country Living

 
After some pampering, ice packs
and resting, my back is better and
I'm even back to my routine exercise walking again.
 But that is why, my friends
that I just haven't sat long at the computer 
to visit
with you lately. 
I've missed Y♥U.

I want to share with you
about an awesome book I am reading.

ONE Thousand Gifts
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are 

It's all about "eucharisteo" 
(the Greek word for giving thanks)
Through tragedy and loss in the author Ann's life as 
a child, and the pain and disappointment she
carried,  followed her into
  her adult years. This brought her to the place 
of searching for true JOY and how to
live the fullest life that God wants to give us.


"Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives.  Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our YES! to His grace.”
                                                                  Ann Voskamp 
She found the secret,
to understanding how to have this real JOY
and it was in learning
how to be thankful whether empty or full...
(each day)  and that ......


"eucharisteo (giving thanks) always precedes the miracle."
                                                     Ann VosKamp


I've been on the sad side of things lately.  It's not any one thing.
I think I'm already panicking about the sun shining
less as fall approaches and then winter.
  And I've been in a creative lull...and...and..and..
on and on.
  I need to change things up a bit.


So I decided to start my own 1000 gifts list.
I started it today and will be sharing some of
the things I love that are right in front of me.
 Things that I'm thankful for. 
I am going to follow my friend Becky's lead
and add them at the bottom of my blog posts until
I hit 1000. 

You can join me anytime if you want.
  I would love to hear 
what things you love and are thankful for 
that are right in front of you.
So always feel free to share if you'd like.
And know that YOU are on my thankful list.

Have a wonderful week my friends!


1.  Ann VosKamp and her book- One Thousand Gifts
2.  the beautiful day God provided outside
3.  a phone call from my daughter
4.  the smell of pine from the pine tree
5.  a good night's rest
6.  morning sunshine casting happy shadows through the house
7.  my uni-ball waterproof ink pen
8.  my journal and a new page to write in
9.  my hubby who works so hard to provide for us
10. my blogging friends