heartrunes

2012-01-27T00:26:00.000-06:00

Boy aren't I a rocket scientist? Well, not really. Just extremely bad about posting. I'm still undecided about whether I'm moving my blog or not. Or if I just want to permanently archive what's already here and start over.

I'd really like to just add pictures and crafts on a regular basis. Just do it! Right?

We got new phones. I broke down and bought us all iPhones. It was an expensive investment in a phone for two years but I think in the long run, it will help me with several goals.

I downloaded an app called My Net Diary that lets me put in what I've eaten with the nutritional information. I put in what I currently weight and what my goal is. It computes the calorie intake a day and then adds as I eat/munch during the day.

I'm horrid about munching. And it's mindless. It's got to stop. I was reading a devotional I get and saw a wonderful idea. When I find myself ready to eat mindlessly, open my Bible instead. Feed myself with the word of God rather than calorie filled food.

I've also downloaded three or four photo apps. Instagram, Hipstamatic, Magic Hour, and CamWow. I will probably get rid of CamWow. I think I much prefer the square format of the other three. :)

I made a small accordion fold book today. I'm going to start printing some of these little square prints and actually scrap them. Yes, with real paper and glue and ink.

I'm off to bed. Niters!

Christmas

2011-12-28T11:28:00.000-06:00

We had a great Christmas. Just the kids and I for Christmas morning. It was quiet. Breezy got skirt, sweater, tights, camisoles, necklace, and gift card. Chaz got cardigan, boxers, the new Switchfoot vinyl album, and Zelda Skyward Sword game for the wII.

The afternoon was spent with friends. Dinner. Playing 313. Much laughter. :)

Today, Chaz and Breezy are headed to Ft Pickens for a birthday celebration with a friend from Blue Ridge. I got to meet their friend the other day when they came by to pick up Breezy to spend the day.

New Years will be spent with family less Chaz. He's going to meet up with his girlfriend (via Greyhound) then they are off to watch the fireworks in Downtown Disney. Bet that will be amazing, huh?

I've got dishes to put away and laundry to do today. A bit of FB. Been doing some praying for friends in need of prayer. It is good.

2011-12-25T12:16:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Merry Christmas from all of us at Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoyed these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you missed a few posts, I hope you'll be able go back through and read them on this blog over the next few days. If you'd like to keep up with Pearl Girls and our new book project, Mother of Pearl, coming this spring, just click this link and sign up for our newsletter (lower left sidebar).

Also, just a reminder that today is the last day for the pearl necklace and earrings giveaway! Enter now by filling out this {form}. The winner will on 1/1 at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Jesus -- The Reason For the Season

By: Rachel Hauck

Through the narrow scope of 2000 years, Mary, the mother of Jesus, appears to be one lucky woman. Chosen by God to give birth to His son, the Savior of the world? All right, Mary, way to go.

“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you,” Gabriel said.

How many of us would like a declaration like that? Highly favored. The Lord is with you. But Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

The angel told her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Mary’s seems confident and resolved when she responds, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

She’d just been told the Holy Spirit will come upon her, that God’s power will overshadow her, that she’d become with child even though she wasn’t married, and she said, “I’m the Lord’s servant. Let your words be true.”

I find this amazing! A young woman. Ancient Bethlehem. Unwed mother. They stoned women for such things in her day. But Mary believed in God. And submitted to His will. He gave her the Holy Spirit – the same Holy Spirit given to us. If He gave her confidence, He will give us confidence. Even though, like Mary, our situation seems impossible.

Listen to Mary’s song later on in the first chapter of Luke.

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me Holy is his name…”

Conceiving a child out of wedlock, by Divine intervention. Not a girl’s every day existence. Yet she had a Yes in her heart to God. She rejoiced. She boldly said, “Generations will remember me!”

How we struggle to trust God with our children. Our finances. Our emotional well-being. We worry. We fret. And wonder why we have no peace.

Christmas is the season where words like joy, peace and love are bantered around like Christmas candy. Let’s not take them as just words, but as truth. Let’s be like Mary and embrace God’s favor on our lives. Boldly declare "He’s done great things for me!”

Out of the grit of our own souls, we can reach His heart, and feel Him reaching for ours. No matter the pain of our past, present or future, God is there for us. He is able. Best of all, He is willing. “My soul glorifies the Lord this Christmas!”

***

Rachel Hauck is an award winning, best selling author who believes God has done great things for her. She lives in Central Florida with her husband and ornery pets. Her next release is Love Lifted Me with multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans, January 2012. Then in April, look for The Wedding Dress. www.rachelhauck.com.

2011-12-15T16:12:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND just for fun ... there's also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 - 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Advent By Sibella Giorello

Consider the bride's walk down the aisle. We all know where that woman in the white is going but somehow waiting for her to arrive at the altar is an essential part of the ceremony. In fact, the waiting is so essential that even cheapskate Vegas chapels include wedding marches.

Why?

Because the wait adds meaning to the moment.

At Christmas time, we tend to forget this essential truth about anticipation. We're lost to shopping malls and checklists, rushing toward December 25th so quickly that we forget the quiet joy of the month's other 24 days -- and then we wonder why we feel so empty on the 26th, amid ribbons and wrapping paper and our best intentions.

Because the wait adds meaning to the moment.

And that is why Advent is so important to Christmas.

I'm as guilty as the next harried person. This Advent was particularly tricky because just six hours before it started, I was still trying to finish a 110,000-word novel that was written over the course of the year -- written while homeschooling my kids, keeping my hubby happy, and generally making sure the house didn't fall down around us.

It's an understatement to say my free time is limited. But waiting adds meaning, and Advent is crucial to Christmas, so I've devised several Advent traditions that are simple, powerful and easy to keep even amid the seasonal rush.

When my kids outgrew the simple Advent calendars around age 7, I stole an idea from my writer friend Shelly Ngo (as T.S. Eliot said, "Mediocre writers borrow. Great writers steal." Indulge me.)

Here's how it goes: Find 24 great Christmas books, wrap them individually and place then under the tree. On the first day of Advent, take turns picking which book to open. When we did this, we would cuddle under a blanket and read aloud -- oh, the wonder, the magic! We savored "The Polar Express," howled with "How Murray Saved Christmas," and fell silent at the end of "The Tale of The Three Trees" (note: some of the picture books I chose were not explicitly about Christmas but they always echoed the message that Jesus came to earth to save us from ourselves and to love us beyond our wildest imagination. In that category, Angela Hunt's retelling of The Three Trees definitely hits the Yuletide bull's eye).

This Advent tradition lasted for about five years. It gave us rich daily discussions about the season's real meaning, without being religious or legalistic, and it increased family couch time. But like the lift-the-flap calendars, my kids outgrew the picture books.

Because the wait adds meaning, and Advent is crucial, I prayed for another way to celebrate anticipation of Christmas. By the grace of God, last year I found an enormous Advent calendar on clearance at Pottery Barn. Made of burlap, it has large pockets big enough to hold some serious bounty.

But my husband and I didn't want the kids focusing only on the materialist stuff for Advent -- we already fight that on Christmas day. We decided to fill the daily pockets with simple necessities and small gift cards. We also printed out the nativity story from Luke 2:1-21 in a large-sized font and cut each verse out. From Day 1 to Day 21, there is one verse to read aloud. The kids memorize it, then get to open their present (again, on alternating days for each person). Then we tape the verse to the wall in order. By Day 22, all the verses are on the wall, in order, and the kids now try to recite the entire nativity story from memory. That's not as difficult as it sounds because they've been memorizing one verse each day. Still, the entire recitation -- verbatim -- usually requires Day 23 and Day 24. Whoever does memorize the entire thing -- without mistakes -- earns a bonus gift of $25.

Does that sounds extravagant?

It is.

Because we want our kids to understand that God came down and humbled himself and taught us about love right before He suffered and died on behalf of the undeserving -- which is every one of us.

"That's" extravagant.

And in the waiting, we find even more meaning.

***

Sibella Giorello writes the Raleigh Harmon mystery series which won the Christy Award with its first book "The Stones Cry Out." She lives in Washington state with her husband and children, and often wishes there were 36 hours in a day.

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

A Christmas of Kindness

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

"You can give without loving, but you can¹t love without giving." Amish proverb

I do it every year.

I plan for a simpler, less stressful Christmas season and, every year, by Christmas EveŠ I'm exhausted! After our delicious and very-time-consuming-to-make traditional Swedish meal to honor my husband¹s relatives (think: Vikings), it's time to head to church. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but the last few Christmas Eve's, I have sent my husband and kids head off without me. The pull to spend an hour of quiet in the house feels as strong as a magnet.

It's odd. My children are young adults now. Wouldn't you think that Christmas would be simpler? Instead, it's just the opposite. Jugging schedules to share the grandbaby with the in-laws, trying to include our elderly parents at the best time of day for them, dancing carefully around recently divorced family members whose children are impacted by the shards of broken relationships.

The thing is: you can simplify your to-do list, but you can't really simplify people. We are just a complicated bunch.

Here's where I borrow a lesson about simplicity from the Amish. It's easy to get distracted with the buggies and the bonnets and the beards, but there's so much more to learn from these gentle people if you're willing to look a little deeper.

Yes, they live with less "stuff" and that does make for a simpler, less cluttered life. But it's the reason behind it that is so compelling to me: they seek to create margin in their life. Not just empty space‹but space that is available to nourish family, community, and faith. Their Christmas is far less elaborate than yours or mine, but what they do fill it with is Šoh so right.

Christmas comes quietly on an Amish farmhouse. There is no outward sign of the holiday as we know it: no bright decorations, no big tree in the living room corner. A few modest gifts are waiting for children at their breakfast place settings, covered by a dishtowel. Waiting first for Dad to read the story of Christ's birth from the book of Luke. Waiting until after a special breakfast has been enjoyed. Waiting until Mom and Dad give the signal that the time has come for gifts.

Later, if Christmas doesn't fall on a Sunday, extended family and friends will gather for another big meal. If time and weather permits, the late afternoon will be filled with ice skating or sledding. And more food! Always, always an abundance of good food. Faith, family, and community. That is the focus of an Amish Christmas.

And it's also how the story begins for A Lancaster County Christmas, as a young family prepares for Christmas. A winter storm blows a non-Amish couple, Jaime and C.J. Fitzpatrick, off-course and into the Riehl farmhouse. An unlikely and tentative friendship develops, until the one thing Mattie and Sol hold most dear disappears and thenŠ. Ah, but you¹ll just have to read the story to find out what happens next. Without giving anything away, I will say that I want to create a Mattie-inspired margin this Christmas season. Mattie knew inconveniences and interruptions that come in the form of people (big ones and little ones!) are ordained by God. And blessed by God.

Creating margin probably means that I won't get Christmas cards out until the end of January, and my house won't be uber-decorated. After all, something has to give. But it will mean I make time for a leisurely visit with my dad at his Alzheimer's facility. And time to volunteer in the church nursery for a holiday-crowded event. And time to invite a new neighbor over for coffee. Hopefully, it will mean that my energy won't get diverted by a frantic, self-imposed agenda. Only by God's agenda‹the essence of true simplicity.

And that includes taking time to worship Christ's coming at the Christmas Eve service. You can hold me accountable! This year, I will be there.

***

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, The Search, and The Keeper, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Christy Award nominee and is the host of an internet radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California. www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

12 Pearls of Christmas

2011-12-13T06:00:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the 3rd Annual Pearl Girls™ 12 Pearls of Christmas blogging series!

We've gathered several of today's most beloved authors to share their Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along beginning tomorrow (Wednesday the 14th) through Christmas day as Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Rachel Hauck, Sandy Ralya, Sibella Giorello, Susan May Warren and more, share their heartfelt stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.

If you'd like to share the 12 Pearls of Christmas with your blog readers too, just email Christen and she'll send you the series.

AND of course there is a giveaway! Beginning tomorrow you and all your friends can enter to win a PEARL NECKLACE and EARRINGS valued at $450! The winner will be announced on New Year's Day! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

***

Just a quick note before the series begins on the 14th ...

As I write this, I imagine that we are sitting at my kitchen table and chatting over a cup of coffee while familiar Christmas carols celebrate the Season. My twelve year old Chihuahua, Pongo, barks for a pinch of pound cake while my Shih Tzu, Lilly, patiently sits by the chair and waits for a crumb to fall.

My name is not Martha Stewart, and I will never receive a neighborhood beautification award. Just look at my front stoop. Yes, my never-had-time-to-carve-the-pumpkin-that-now-suffers-from-frostbite slouches next to the front door which is decorated with a Christmas wreath. I plan to roll this large orange ornament to the garbage pile tomorrow. For now, however, I will pretend that my front stoop is a contemplative modern art exhibit capturing the essence of contrast.

Actually, I love the concept of juxtaposition – placing things together that don’t seem to belong together, yet somehow ultimately make sense being paired. A personal example for me this season is the phrase: “comfort and joy.” Having just completed my manuscript for New Hope Publishers about the aftermath of grief, I fully understand the contrast of those two words. How can comfort bring joy? How can one find joy in loss?

Perhaps, dear reader, you have experienced loss this year – loss of a loved one, loss of friendship, loss of health, loss of financial security, loss of trust, loss of love, or loss of direction. Even with the best intent, words of encouragement shared by others can somehow seem insufficient to address an inconsolable loss. A spoken word cannot fully restore joy to a broken heart; however the Word can. And that’s the bottom line message of Christmas! God gave us the most amazing gift: His Son - the Word of God, the Holy Comforter.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

You are not alone this Christmas, dear friend. Juxtaposed to the unexpected grit in life is the gift of God’s grace wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This year I purposely placed a pearl in the Nativity scene as a metaphoric reminder. When we place our grit into the hands of the Lord, His grace transforms our pain into a pearl.

“Joy to the world!”

Thank you so very much for sharing the JOY of the Season with us this year.

God Bless,

Margaret

@mcsweeny

***

Margaret McSweeney lives with her husband, David and two teenage daughters in the Chicago suburbs. She is the founder and director of Pearl Girls. For more information please visit www.pearlgirls.info. Margaret is fast at work on several fiction manuscripts. Her book Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace was written to help fund the Pearl Girl Charities. She is also the host of weekly radio show, Kitchen Chat. Connect with Margaret on Facebook or Twitter.

Gratitude

2011-11-23T10:00:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.

I have so many things to be grateful for in my life.

I am grateful for my children, Chaz and Breezy. They never cease to amaze me. Caring, loving, helpful, kind. Their relationship has changed so much over the years. They stick up for each other.

I am grateful for my Father God. He sent his son, Jesus to die for me on a cross to set me free. He always loves me.

I am grateful for my family. While we don't always see eye to eye, we're still there for each other. Still love each other.

I am grateful for incredible friends. Friends from work, church, the Navy. Sounding boards. Godly counsel.

There's just so much to be grateful for. A roof over our heads, vehicles to get to work and church with, a job. An awesome church with a pastor who cares and great people.

May your Thanksgiving be incredible.

Chili

2011-11-08T17:32:00.000-06:00

Making chili for dinner tonight. Here's my recipe:

1.5 pounds of ground beef, browned and drained
2 packages McCormick's Original Chili Seasoning Mix
1-24 ounce can of Crushed Tomatoes
1-15 ounce can of Organic Pinto Beans
1-15 ounce can of Organic Dark Red Kidney Beans

I chose to use organic beans to help reduce the salt in the recipe. I'd really like a low sodium version of the chili seasoning mix also.

Serving with cheese, onion, and corn chips.

Yum!

Meet Lily...

2011-10-01T11:22:00.000-05:00

Late on the 26th, I got a Facebook message from a friend. She had found a kitten at the church as she was leaving. She wanted to know if we were interested in taking her. She sent a photo of a little gray tabby that was so cute.

I shared the picture with Chaz and Breezy. They were like "Yes!" Jen would bring over the kitten and I'd head to Walmart to pick up kitty stuff.

She's such a love! All purring and weaving and curling up!

After 5 days, she's a little more active. Into everything! Last night, she discovered the plastic cup I keep on my dresser with some change and stuff in it. Sad, to say, it's no longer on the dresser and I have a mess to clean up! lol

And here's a picture I took of her two nights ago.

Her name is officially Lily. Breezy calls her Lily. I call her Lily Belle. Chaz is calling her "Biggie Small." I have no idea where that came from but it's funny.

9/11

2011-09-11T21:38:00.000-05:00

My heart still breaks when I think of the events of 9/11. I am glad we got Osama Bin Laden. But all the lives lost can never be replaced.

This morning, I was digging through my old cd "archives" looking for my "911" disk and found not only it but my blog archives from 2001. The rest of this post will be my blog posts from 9/11/01 and 9/12/01 and images that I saved from the days following 9/11.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tuesday, September 11, 2001

What has our world come to????

From headlines today:

"......... Witnesses: Plane Crashes Into World Trade Center

.c The Associated Press

NEW YORK (Sept. 11) - Two planes crashed into the upper floors of both World Trade Center towers minutes apart Tuesday in what the President Bush said was an apparent terrorist attack, blasting fiery, gaping holes in the 110-story buildings. There was no immediate word on deaths or injuries.

Within the hour, an aircraft crashed on a helicopter landing pad near the Pentagon, and the West Wing of the White House was evacuated amid threats of terrorism.

The president ordered a full-scale investigation to ''hunt down the folks who committed this act.''........ "

i'm shaking so bad..... so many people and so much violence.

9:02 AM •

Wednesday, September 12, 2001

The morning after. I was up til 2 am EST listening and watching the news. I was up again at 7 to begin listening again and to get the kids to school. I dropped Chase and Brianne off with a friend. She drove them to school and I headed to Books A Million to pick up copies of the New York Times.

TRAFFIC? Pensacola has 3 bases. All are accessable from Blue Angel Parkway. Entry to NAS Pensacola was back up from the back gate past the Sorrento intersection and down Sorrento road for as far as I could see.

As I was leaving to go to Books A Million, I observed the moment of silence for the victims. The radio station followed with the song "God Bless the USA." I couldn't drive. Just sat there and cried.

After I decided what way to take to the book store I headed out. As I continued my drive up Airport, I saw Ted Ciano's car lot. Normally, he has flags from all over the world flying. Today? He has 3 American flags only flying. All at half mast. Thumbs up.

I made it to Books A Million 35 minutes before they opened. I spent the rest of the time talking to a gentleman who works nights for Life-Flight. We talked about the reaction, the horror. How lives have been shattered and changed forever. He said that there is bounty on the head of Osama bin Laden. He thinks we should take ALL the lotteries of the U.S. for one week and put toward the same bounty on the head of who did this. You know, I agree. Maybe a bounty like that would help. We were joined by a guy from Tennessee who is new to the area who was also looking for the NY Times. A few short minutes later, a lady who has 3 family members who worked in the WTC in NYC. One did not go to work because his time to report to work was after the planes hit the buildings. The other two are unaccounted for. Thank you for your company this morning.

We made it in and bought our editions of the New York Times. I walked back out to the van and sat and cried. The headlines are horrendous. Yes, that is one of the only words i can use to describe this.

There isn't much I can do from here. We can give blood, fly our American flags at half-mast. BACK our president in the swift retaliation of this terrorist act. Show your support for your fellow man. We are all in shock.

I think a great thing would be ~ for all of those business who do not have flags to fly at half mast, use their billboards/signs to show their support and sympathy.

Hug your family and friends. Be sure to say I love you. You never know when it will be the last time.

10:32 AM •

Dear God, what a horrid horrid day. These acts of terrorism are horrendous. So many lives lost.

I sat here this morning for a couple hours and did nothing but cry. I couldn't see. I went to give blood as it's one of the few things I could do, but I had my ears pierced less than a year ago and couldn't.

BUT let me tell ya, we may not be in DC or in NYC or PA..... but the US will pull together.

There were close to 200 people in line at the Northwest Florida Blood bank to donate blood. TK101 broadcast live from there all day. They broadcast full coverage from the time it started until 8pm tonight. Companies brought food and drinks for those waiting to donate blood.

AND this was going on around the U.S. Overseas there is outrage. By the time the count is over there will most likely be over 10,000 dead in NYC alone. The estimates at the Pentagon are 100-800. Everyone on all 4 planes died ~ that's over 250 people.

What have we come to? Tonight I sat and explained to my children and Judy's children what they were seeing on the tv. That there are bad people in the world who don't like the United States and how they help other people. AND try to explain that there are so many people who will never see their mommys and daddy's again.. their sons and daughters.... And to watch their faces as they try to understand.

In under an hour, the entire U.S. came to a screeching halt. The entire commercial air system came to a halt. Buildings evacuated all over the U.S. Military installations are in the max state of security.

12:43 AM •

playing...

2011-09-10T16:27:00.002-05:00

With the background. Graphics by Graphic Fairy. Not completely happy but I'll play with it some more later.

Saturdays...

2011-09-10T13:10:00.000-05:00

It's quiet. A little football on the television. A great graphic blog on my browser. A little Words with Friends on Facebook. And Pinterest.

I am pretty sure Pinterest has surpassed every website other than Etsy for inspiration. I can get lost for hours on Pinterest and following links. Wonderful quotes, awesome recipes, amazing refinishing, decorating, reuse, you name it.

As for actually making something? I made name pendants for my nurse, myself, and the door to our office. All of them have a little bling. The school mascot is shown on our name ones. Of course, mine I had to actually put the name of the school because I don't want to be mistaken for a UF Gator fan. lol (Yes, I removed the school name.)

I also prepared 16 - 4.25 x 5.5 mini pages to print out and add to a journal. They turned out so well. I used some free graphics from Graphic Fairy and some images from digikits I purchased at Scrapbook Graphics. I set the pages up with the double border lines and then set most of them to overlay for layer properties. By the time I'm finished with the book, it will have 128 pages (front and back). I chose the scrapbook paper for the cover yesterday. So cool!

Off for now. Need to sew the signatures together and go pick up cash to pay for our "delivery" barbeque. yah!

Soap, Rain, and stuff...

2011-09-03T15:46:00.000-05:00

I found a "pin" on Pinterest for homemade laundry soap. Today, I bought the stuff to make it and find out how well it works. The supplies came to $8.16 from my local Walmart. I totally forgot to get quart jars. Duh. But I'm going out later on to find some. Believe it or not, I have none in my house.

It is raining. Constantly. Whether just a sprinkle or heavy, it's raining. And I love the rain. This is the perfect weekend. Tropical Storm Lee sitting in the Gulf churning. And expected to churn for another two days. While we don't need quite this much water at once, I'm enjoying it. The last time I remember a storm sitting like this in the Gulf was Hurricane Danny in July 1997. I had come back to the states from Guam. My Daddy passed away on July 14th. We held a memorial service for him and then had to wait until Danny was gone before we could go sprinkle his ashes. I can still close my eyes and remember my brother wading into the water to sprinkle his ashes.

We are trying the trial subscription to Netflix. I'm disappointed that several of my favorite movies aren't on it. What? Really? Yes, no You've Got Mail, no Two Weeks Notice, and no to several others I can't think of right now. I did however, on the first day, manage to watch the first 5 episodes of Star Trek - The Next Generation.

Bet you never knew I was a closet Trekker, huh? I HATED ST-TNG when it came out originally. I was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida when it came out. However, after we (the now ex & myself) to Japan, we started renting movies from a local video store. We picked up the first few episodes of ST-TNG because we didn't see anything else we wanted to watch right then. I've been hooked ever since. Now if only I could convert my children so I could watch them while they are home and not just while they are away. *sigh*

No kitty love yet. Still have to wait a wee bit longer.

My daughter and her boyfriend have been together a month now. It's a big milestone for them. Seeing as they don't live in the same city, let alone in the same county, they have to make an effort to see each other. They spent over 2 hours today texting each other to make arrangements to get together on Monday. Of course, in between, she was texting me asking yes or no to "this that or the other." We came to an agreement as long as the weather cooperates. If not, it'll be next weekend.

I'm off to find quart jars now. Have a safe weekend and have fun.

A week has gone....

2011-08-31T20:33:00.002-05:00

and there is no kitty. We weren't able to get the kitten because my friend couldn't get back in touch with the gentleman who had it. So..... we wait. We actually want a full grown cat. A cat that might not have had a wonderful family to love it. As my daughter says a "fat lazy cat." My son wants a kitten. And maybe there is room in the house for both. We will see.

Source: catmas.com via Deborah on Pinterest

Work has been absolutely crazy. That's all I'll say. C R A Z Y

I'm still playing with Pinterest. If you come by here and haven't tried it yet, leave me a note and I'll send you an invitation. It's nothing but a huge web page of inspiration. You name it, it's there. Sometimes, it's just fun to find something that hasn't been pinned already. I did discover a pet peeve. If you want to "pin" something, please make sure you open the post that the image is in to a separate window. So if there is a picture in this post, click on the permalink and open in a new window. That way when the next person clicks on the image in Pinterest, it goes to where the picture is and not to the main page of the blog/store/web page. *s*

Other than that, life is life. I'm grateful to be alive. I turned 48 a couple weeks ago. I have amazing children. A great job. Super church. Nice place to live. Vehicle to drive. So many people don't have half of that or even a third. I'm thankful to be so blessed in my life.

Source: iamthegirlanachronism.tumblr.com via Deborah on Pinterest

Niters. I think I'm headed to bed early.

Belt Deconstruction

2011-08-22T21:37:00.000-05:00

Breezy gave me a couple of her belts that have fallen apart. They are made of these really rows neat "brads." As the first belt was peeling on the back, I grabbed the peeling piece and yanked it. When it came apart from the rest of the belt, all the little "brad" pointy pieces came up. This made it easier to straighten them and remove them.

Here's the pictures:

I'm going to use these "brads" on the covers of journals.

Colors and Pinterest

2011-08-21T00:23:00.000-05:00

Today, I had a luggage run. Not too long. Chaz and Breezy cooked dinner. It was so good! Sirloin roast with potatoes, carrots, and corn on the cob cooked in the crock pot. I have no idea what sauces/spices/seasonings they used but it was fabulous! I'm letting them cook more often.

I spent some time reading journals and "pinning" to my Pinterest page. Here are a couple noteworthy before I go to bed.

Source: michelleward.typepad.com via Deborah on Pinterest

I have found some amazing creative blogs. Blogs of women who have been published in some of my most favorite magazines ever. Which ones you ask? Why that's be nearly anything published by Stampington. Somerset Studio, Somerset Life, Artful Blogging, Art Journaling, and so many more. Ah.... These are the magazines I splurge on when I get extra into the household every now and again.

kitty....

2011-08-20T20:06:00.000-05:00

My friend called earlier. She was making a delivery and there was a little cat outside that kept trying to get into the house she was delivering to. She said the owner offered her the kitten. She asked me if I wanted it. But of course! She is going to call the man back and ask him if he was serious. If he's serious, Breezy and I'll go get him tomorrow!

work...

2011-08-18T23:33:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to post a couple things that I made for work today.

Source: thepinkandblueblog.tumblr.com via Deborah on Pinterest

and this:

Source: likecool.com via Deborah on Pinterest

I posted a set of them inside the bathrooms, one set on the door to the clinic, and one set on the outside of one of the bathrooms. :)

I'm thinking about taking my window with the chicken wire to work and using it to hang photos and artwork on during the year. Not sure yet. Will have to see what my nurse thinks about it.

Tomorrow I'll post pictures of the banners I made.

2011-08-17T22:56:00.001-05:00

I haven't been here in a while as you can see. I am not on any creative teams for digi-scrapping right now. I so need to take my computer in for repairs. Both the usb ports on the right side are messed up. I've gotten a memory error and a display error in last couple months. Of course, I'm over due for a backup and for a defrag. But it has been virus scanned thank goodness. :)

I am thinking about starting a new blog. This one has been around a while. I'm thinking photo blog? Art journaling? Digiscrapping? Who knows. Just feel like it's time for a change.

School starts back up for the kids on Monday. Breezy is a Junior in high school and Chaz is a Freshman in college. Hard to believe we're at that point!

I'm headed to bed soon. Another early morning so I can get to SHO for training. Niters!

Moments in Time by ScrappinDsigns

2011-05-23T21:58:00.002-05:00

Awesome kit! 18 papers and 74 elements to scrap those great outdoor moments! Great variety of frames and flowers. Got garden pictures that you want to scrap? This would be an awesome kit.

CSD ~ DSA ~ DSO ~ DST ~ GP ~ My Blog

2011-03-27T19:55:00.000-05:00

A kit right up my alley! I love Japan and my heart is breaking for what they are going through. This kit has lovely papers with cherry blossoms, beautiful flowers, ribbons, and more. Did you know cherry blossoms have just started blooming in Japan? 10 papers and 48 elements. (Images linked).

2011-03-21T18:38:00.001-05:00

What an awesome kit from ScrappingMar! This kits lends itself so well to development of scenery type layouts. 23 papers and 71 elements. :)

Kylee taking pictures at my house.
Digiscrap kit by ScrappinMar (Sunrise). Photo Mask by e-lena Designs (Photo Masks 3). Font: Bohemian Typewriter.

Digiscrap kit by ScrappinMar (Sunrise). Word art by Jen at Word Art World (You - Volume II).

Calm Savour by Kaklei Designs

2011-03-14T23:42:00.000-05:00

Calm Savour is a great kit! The colors are marvelous. Very calming! 16 papers and 36 elements. The papers are lovely! I picked this wonderful kit because it reminds me of all the paper scrapbook papers I used to buy! Isn't it awesome to be able to scrap and use the same pages over and over again? Thank you so much for the awesome kit Kaklei!

Sneak Peak! Playtime Fun

2011-02-25T23:22:00.001-06:00

Upcoming collaboration between Jen of Word Art World and Lorie M. Playtime Fun! It'll be at Gotta Pixel on March 1st. 10 adorable papers, 14 word art images, 5 coordinating alpha sets and a ton of fun elements perfect for your "playtime fun" layout.

Kindle....

2011-02-22T21:16:00.000-06:00

a fire for books! I bought a Kindle! I'm so stoked! I didn't think I'd like it even though I bought it but it's great.

Years ago, I sold my book collection. Nearly 4,000 pounds of books. The overwhelming majority of them were science fiction/fantasy. My favorite author is Mercedes Lackey and her Heralds of Valdemar series. I had read nearly all of them. Those, too, I sold. I miss them.

I purchased 3 of Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series for my Kindle and have finished the first two. Arrows of the Queen, Foundations, and Intrigues. I have read Arrows of the Queen at least a dozen times. Foundations, I had read once. It was the first time for Intrigues and I totally enjoyed it.

A couple of friends liked mine so much and the review that they are going to purchase Kindles too! Man, I should be on commission for these things! LOL

Magical Sea by Chili Designz

2011-02-19T21:29:00.001-06:00

What a great kit to work with! I had a great time doing layouts with this. Beautiful shells and leaves to arrange around your images. Awesome!

http://coolscrapsdigital.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23&products_id=6992

Kaylee, Dori, and a Hawaiian Dancer. Hawaii, 2007.

Digiscrap kit by Chili Designz (Magical Seas). Font by Kevin and Amanda (Pea Amy).

Chase, Zac, and John cheesing it up while we wait for admission into WinterJam 2011.

Digiscrap kit by Chili Designz (Magical Seas). Alpha by Free2Scrap (Oriental Inspiration). Font by Kevin and Amanda (Pea Amy).

Jardin en fleurs by Louise Scraps

2011-02-12T14:44:00.000-06:00

Lovely kit! The floral pieces here are gorgeous! Would be wonderful with little girls or big girls! :) I think my favorite color in this kit was the warm orange! I'm desperately wanting some warm weather right now! :)

http://coolscrapsdigital.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23&products_id=6462

Journaling reads: "This is my Sweet Pea Freya. I also call her "The Lidda-dog.”

When she was a puppy, I came out of the shower one day and

couldn't find her. I finally stood in the center of the apartment

and started singing "Oh Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone"

& she came running. To this day she still comes when I sing that."

Journaling reads: Finding a camel tied up outside the local Sonic next to our church was pretty surprising! While they wouldn't let Chase and Brianne any closer, I just had to have this picture. Definitely a PRICELESS moment!

2011-02-04T17:34:00.000-06:00

I had a great time using the SteamPunk kit from EMS Arts. There's just something about gears and rust! LOL

http://coolscrapsdigital.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_81&products_id=2498

Chaz' soccer team took District Championship. Digiscrap kit by EMS Arts (SteamPunk). Font: Bohemian Typewriter.

My sweet friend Andrea and her son. Digiscrap kit by EMS Arts (SteamPunk). Font: Bulky Refuse.

Summers Rainbow by Athena

2011-02-01T22:49:00.000-06:00

Great summer kit from Athena. My summer pictures are few and far between so thought I'd get a little outside the box. Great for Birthdays!

http://coolscrapsdigital.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_207_297&products_id=1504

Here are a couple of layouts I did with Summers Rainbow.

so anyway....

2011-01-27T07:00:00.002-06:00

I am always stunned when someone posts something nice about one of my digiscrap pages. I know that sounds dumb but I've been doing this for 7 months now. There are incredible layouts out there done by so many talented people (ladies and gentlemen). I feel mine often pale in comparison.

Back to work. It was a long weekend. 4 days in fact. It was nice. Chaz played soccer on Monday. He got his FIRST yellow card ever. In 9 years of playing soccer, he had never had one.

Wednesday....a week later.....
So.... Chaz now has TWO yellow cards! BUT his team won their two playoff games (Monday & Tuesday). They play for district championship on Friday. Breezy and I'll be going to the game as well to cheer! Also, there was a great picture of him in the newspaper and online! Yah!

Taxes were filed on the 14th. It's nice to be done with them and actually getting a nice return. On the agenda? Tithe. Some toward credit card bill. Acoustic-Electric guitar for the kids. PhotoShop Elements 9 for me. GPS for the car. Register and insure Chaz' truck. Some in the bank. Some toward the band's bill for the artist.

Still digiscrapping. Entered a CT contest. Should have the results for it tomorrow.

Going to post my last 7 layouts here. Well, more than several. Enjoy 'em!

Quote: All God's angels come to use disguised. ~James Russell Lowell

Image taken by me of my daughter. Kit by PrettyJu ScrapDesigns (Un brin d'air frais by PrettyJu).

Photo taken by me of my son and modified using CoffeeShop Actions. Song lyrics by Rascal Flatts (My Wish).
Kit by PrettyJu ScrapDesigns (Un brin d'air frais by PrettyJu). Scraplifted from layout by kakleidesigns.

Done for my friend Suzanne who totally enjoys Panda Cam from ZooAtlanta.

Journaling from ZooAtlanta. Digiscrap kit by Sweet Blossom Designs (In the Jungle). Film Strip and frame by Ange Design (Clic). Word art and Alpha by Word Art World (Our Moments and Got it Covered).

My children in elementary school and then in high school. Digiscrap kit by Kaklei Designs (An Ode to Memory). Font: Bohemian Typewriter.

Photo by my dear friend Jolie who actually sees snow, unlike those of us in Florida who were the only state in the US without snow recently! LOL

Digiscrap kit by Kaklei Designs (An Ode to Memory). Fonts: The King and Queen (dafont.com) and Microsoft New Tai Lue. Photo edited in Photoshop Elements 6 (no actions used. Just playing.)

My sister and her husband. They celebrated their 25th anniversary on January 21st. True Love!
Digiscrap kit by Soval Designs (Eros). Word art from Word Art World (Only Love).

yrics: I Can Love You Like That by John Michael Montgomery. Word art by Word Art World. Digiscrap kit by Raspberry Road Designs (Kindred Spirits). Font: Bohemian Typewriter.

Made it...

2011-01-08T14:38:00.000-06:00

...through New Years. Kitties are doing great. They have turned out to be best buds. So cute curled up on the "box" together.

Breezy is at a conference this weekend. Chaz is out on a luggage run. I sort of recommended he go. Not sure how he likes that.

The last 5 months have been so challenging with the kids. It seems like for every step I take forward, I take two steps back. I've cried more in the last months than I probably have my entire life. And they both think I'm "pretending." No pretending involved. Truly upset. I spend a lot of time praying but feel like I'm getting nowhere. I know God hears. I know He has plans for them. I'm going to continue to stand on the prophetic word that has been spoken over them both.

Getting back to school was good. Our Christmas tree is still up. I like looking at it. I think my nurse does as well. I may leave it there until the end of the school year! LOL

In other news, I'm going to attempt a 52 week project. I did the cover and the first 2 pages last night. I managed to get 5 scrap pages done this week. That is good. Right?

I'm sitting here watching the wedding planner on tbs. Never seen it before. It's cute. And clean. Not many clean romantic movies around. I'll add it to You've Got Mail, 2 Weeks Notice, and Letters to Juliet.

The cover to my Project 52. Digiscrap Kit by Dawn Inskip (Project 365). Cluster from Raspberry Road Design and created by Ellen. Coffee Shop actions run on photo.

Journaling reads:

January 1st: We started the year with new kitties. Pickles and Merlot joined us from the Humane Society of Pensacola.

January 2nd: Incredible service at our Foley Campus followed by communion with New Covenant Christian International and lunch.

January 3rd: Back to school. Kind of tough to get back into the swing of things but glad to be there just the same.

January 4th: Senior Night for Girls Varsity soccer. Got to take pictures for the girls.

January 5th: Chase’s first game of the new year. They played hard but lost.

January 6th: Brianne’s first game of the new year. Sadly, it may have also been her last one of the season. She was in so much pain when she came off the field that I ended up taking her to the emergency room. Doctor gave her a mobilizing brace to keep her from bending it. She must wear it for 5 days.

January 7th: Brianne is off to the YMCA CLC meeting in Montgomery, knee brace and all. I took the day off to drive her to Navarre. Chase had a soccer game. He drove to Taco Bell to meet some friends for dinner and then back to the school for his game. I began my modified P365 scrapbook. I’m just doing the year by week. We’ll see how it goes!

Digiscrap Kit by Dawn Inskip (Project 365). Cluster from Raspberry Road Design and created by Ellen.

Photo taken at Blue Angel Recreation Park the summer of 2000.

Digiscrap kit from KellyJo Scraps (part of the Just Beachy collaboration with ScrappyBug). Word art by Bethany at Elegant Word Art. Photoshop Element Actions run on photo by Coffee Shop.

Journaling reads: Jolie and I met during Base Indoc at Atsugi, Japan in January 1991. We explored Tokyo that first Friday (or was it Thursday?) after we met. What a trip! A stop in a stationary store, Tokyu Hands, the Sake place (where you could try 5 types of sake for 100 yen), and so many other places. She was there when I bought my first Japanese car and went driving down the wrong side of the road! Well, it was the wrong side as far as Americans are concerned! LOL

After I left Japan, I only saw Jolie once more around 1995 in San Diego. I lost contact with Jolie sometime around 1997.

Although I often searched on Google for Jolie, I never located her. And then, a search on Facebook the summer of 2010, brought me back in touch with my wonderful friend.

Life has changed greatly for both of us. I’m now a divorced Mom of teenagers and she, the Mom to her nephew.

And yet, after all that time apart, it was like we had never lost contact! How wonderful to have a friend like that!

Digiscrap kit from chriscrap (Japanese Moment). Word Art from Word Art World.

That's it for now. I'm off to clean the kitchen. It needs serious help. Go figure. Doesn't everything?

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T15:42:00.000-06:00

We are going into 2011 with new kitties! We are so excited. I even scrapped it!

To anyone who happens by here, may 2011 bring you all the desires of your heart. May you draw closer to God (as I hope to). Be safe this evening!

I'll be delivering luggage and Chaz and Breezy will be at a friend's home with her 2 girls and a couple more people to celebrate together.

Thanks to the generosity of a man and his wife from Tennessee, we have TWO fur babies instead of one. We are so grateful for that generosity. Because of it, we got Merlot.

Journaling reads: “About two months ago, our kitty, Sammy, was killed while he was outside in the yard. Sammy had always been an indoor/outdoor cat because he had been a stray. He was a sweet cat. And a wonderful mouser considering he had been declawed before we got him.

About a month ago, Brianne, Chase and I decided it was time to get a new cat. So Bri and I made a visit to the local Humane Society. We checked out all the cats but our favorite was Pickles. Pickles, as you can see in the photo, is a long haired gray kitty. She currently has a lion cut. However, we could not get her at the time because we just didn’t have the funds. Liz, the director, told us if we were to have her, she’d be here when we came back. We left with the intent of coming back to get her.

Two weeks later, Chase and I went back to see if Pickles was still there. She was but there was someone interested in her and they planned to take her home that day. Instead, Chase and I checked out the older kitten room. There we discovered Merlot. Merlot followed me all over the room. He was so sweet. And, black cats are difficult to adopt so Chase and I decided he’d be a great addition to our family but again, the funds were not available.

Today, the funds were finally available! Brianne and I went to the HSOP to pick up Merlot if he was still there. When we got there, Pickles was there! Yahoo! We immediately decided to get her. I took Bri back to show her Merlot and felt so bad that we would be leaving him behind.

While we were out front filling out paperwork for Pickles, I joked with the man filling out the papers about a “Buy One Get One Free Offer.” Oops, no BOGO offers. I told him we’d be back for Merlot.

A few minutes later, a man who was there with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law, tapped me on the shoulder and said he’d like to pay for our other kitty! I was stunned. And in tears! He handed me the meney and we started the paperwork for Merlot.

Isn’t God so cool? We have desperately wanted a kitty since Sammy disappeared. We wanted to give a home to an older cat which both Pickles and Merlot are. And we wanted a black kitty since they are so hard to adopt.

We start 2011 with two beautiful new members of our family.”

Digiscrap kit by Trixie Scraps (Defining Me) and word art by Word Art World (Moments). Both are available at Gotta Pixel.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T01:13:00.001-06:00

So grateful for the sweet baby Christ given to us for our salvation! Praise God!

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! And God bless all of our military men and women serving around the world tonight.

still creating....

2010-12-22T02:49:00.003-06:00

So, I'm still creating although I took about a two week break and didn't do anything. These first 4 pages were done before the break. The ones afterwards were done in the last two days.

I went out yesterday and took pictures of some young adults/youth from our church. They were going to print pictures and give to their parents for Christmas. I think they turned out rather well.

Our Christmas tree is up. Lights on it but not decorated. It's one of the skinny ones this year. It's got over 200 bulbs on it! Christmas for the kids will be different this year. Mostly cash and it won't even be available until January. Their father is also giving them cash. They'll get a couple small things under the tree but otherwise, everything else will come after the new year.

Chaz got his driver's license. That hurt. I took him in to get his permit and we left with a license. Ouch. The insurance flat out hurt. It more than doubled when I added him to it. And I've not even added the truck yet. Well, gotta fix that first.

Was teaching a friend about digiscrapping and did this page as a sample. No journaling at all but fun just the same. I may redo later but in the meantime....

Digiscrap kit by by SKrapper Digitals (Sherah Kraan) and TrishF.

Journaling reads "Chase and Brianne visited with Santa during the USS Frank Cable's Children's Christmas Party. This was the last time they sat on Santa's lap."

DigisScrap kit is from Christmas Love Blog Train (December 2010). Individual pieces as follows: santa moon (Scrapping Serenity); blue swirl, green star, blue star (Designs by Snow Lady); white "snow" (paper), 3 ornaments, blue button, red star, red/green tree (Giggly Polka Dots); bird, frame by Luna Rosa; skinny tree with star (Scraps By Andrea); green tree w/star (Lady Saphira); Blue background paper (Dewdrop Scraps). Word art from Word Art World.

Digiscrap kit from Dewdrop Scraps (My America). Font is Bohemian Typewriter.

Journaling reads: “I enlisted in the Navy’s Delayed Entry Program in Janurary 1981. I signed up to be a Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) (CTM). My recruiter was Chief Petty Officer Sanford Flach. I began my active duty time on September 24, 1981 when I entered bootcamp at Naval Technicial Training Center, Orlando, Florida. I was part of Company 128, the last female company for fiscal year 1981. Our Company Commander was AZ1 Adair.

I graduated from bootcamp in November of the same year. Mom and Dad both came to Orlando for the graduation ceremony. One of my favorite memories of graduation was Mom and Dad eatting in the chowhall. The dressing was green because it had so much sage in it! Daddy used to always joke about the Havy food after that.

I spent December 1981 through March 1982 in Basic Electricity and Electronics School. It was self paced. After finally finishing the course, I transferred to Pensacola, FL for my Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) “A” school.

I classed up in March or April of 1982. I was in “Bravo” Company during school. We marched in formation to and from school each morning. The first 10 weeks of school I was on a day schedule. The next 2 or 3 weeks of school was on eves. During these weeks, the CTMs and Electronic Warfare (EW) technicians went to class together. The final months of school were the actual CTM portion of the school. I graduated in November 1982 as a CTM3 and spent December working “On the Job” training in the maintenance shop in Building 514.

I transferred to Fort Devens, Massachuesetts the end of 1982 to attend AN/GSQ-76 (Tebo) “C” School. Our school days were only 6 hours long. The rest of the time we spent exploring the area around Ayer and Boston. Boston is still one of my favorite places in the United States. After graduation, I was moved back to Pensacola for my first CTM tour.

I was assigned to the maintenance shop in Building 514. While doing preventive maintenance on an AN/FRA-86, I took a 750 volt shock! Oops! It gave me a huge fear of electricity. After 13 months working in the mat shop, I moved to Building 511 to work Supply. I learned to type while working supply. I typed 1000’s of supply requestions. I signed for incoming materials and helped distribute them to where they needed to be. And soon, my time in Pensacola came to a close. I received orders to NCTAMS WESTPAC Guam. One of my chiefs in the supply office used to ask me every day what the temperature was in Guam. And every day, he told me it was 86 degrees. Little did I know at the time, 86 degrees is the average temperature for Guam always.

Enroute to Guam, I spent a month assigned to Naval Technicial Training Command Detachment, San Angelo, Texas for Statuette “C” school. Again, days were short and extra time was spent hanging out with friends and exploring the area.

In June 1985, I transferred to Guam. I was assigned to the maintenance department in Building 200, the “Elephant Cage.” I only spent about 4 months working in the mat shop. I spent several months working in Facilities Maintenance and eventually, I was assigned to work in the Administrative Office for the Maintenance Department. Here I learned the Navy filing system, message preparation, preparation of evaluations and military correspondence. I finally had found my “niche.” It was here that I decided to apply for the SCORE program to convert from CTM to Cryptologic Technician (Administration). I was approved for conversion and in December 1985, I was transferred back to NTTC Pensacola for “A” school. I was still a CTM3 when I left.”

(Note) I plan on continuing to do pages for my military career. What this page doesn't note is that I married and divorced twice in my first 6 years of military service. Not generally something you get into with your children. *grimace*

Santa and his elves made an early stop at our home at 33 Betel Palm, Dededo, Guam on Christmas Eve 1997. Chase and Brianne both got movies from Santa.

Word art by Word Art World. Digiscrap kit by Kim B's Design (WinterSong).

I redid this page as I was not happy with the last one. Because of it, the red page above about the first 6 years of my Navy career came about.

Chaz. Just playing around. Word art by Word Art World.

Yah!

2010-11-23T20:00:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited! I was selected by Jen of Word Art World to be part of her Creative Team! Jen makes awesome word art! She's got word art for nearly anything!

We had a little excitement at school last night while I was at Breezy's soccer game. Someone set a garbage can on fire. The garbage can was on the breezeway of one of the buildings. One minute, there was a small puff of white smoke and then it was a little darker. I couldn't figure out what it was. AND then, there was the heavier puff of dark smoke and I realized what it was. I ran over to where smoke was coming from as did a couple co-workers. 911 was called by someone who was nearer where the fire was. A student put out the fire with a water hose that wasn't far from the garbage can. He had seen the smoke from the front of the building and ran to the fire. He did an amazing job!

Today was "Friday" at school. How cool is that? Yesterday was Monday and today was Friday. We are off the next five days. Going to spend a little time with my Mom, her husband, my sister, nephews, and possibly my brother over the next few days. It's going to be good.

DigiScrap Kit from Fall Carnival Blog Train (2010) (Paper by Stargazy, Feather by AlbinaD, Flowers and twine by DedeSmith, Postage frame by Dylabel, Leaf by CCL). Masking Tape by Scrappin Cop. Font is Waltograph. Word Art by Word Art World.

Journaling reads: "I nearly missed the incredible Animal Kingdom parade the day I was there. On my way to he gate to meet up with one of the kids and leave, I got STUCK on the wrong side

of the ropes. Best time I have ever had being on the WRONG side of anything. The costumes were AMAZING!!! The detail in each one was like nothing I had ever seen, including at Disney. The “floats” were sort of primative in construction and yet at the same time beautifully detailed.

The joy on the face of each of the parade participants above was so obvious. I loved it! This parade is without a doubt one of my FAVORITE memories at Disney ever!"

DigiScrap Kit from Gotta Pixel (From Boy to Man by CVisions and MBatton). Word art by Word Art World.

Journaling reads: Phillies themed birthday party invitations and cake were a great start to begin Austin’s 12th birthday. Friends from school and family played baseball, ate pizza, and had a great time."

DigiScrap Kit from Christmas Treasures Blog Train (November 2010) (Paper by AndyDesignz; Ornament cord by ericamade, Ornament by JMS, Frame by JAM, White swirl by GetDigi, Notepaper by sjs). Word art by Word Art World.

Journaling reads: "Arranging presents under the Christmas tree each year is one of my favorite things to do on Christmas eve. You know, getting the presents “just so” so that when the kids see the tree in the morning there is the ahhhhhhh” moment. Christmas 2009 may be the last year that we have presents under the tree. 2010 will have a small gift in the stocking and cash. I will miss these days."

DigiScrap Kit from Cinnamon Scraps (Christmas Time). Word art by Word Art World.

Journaling reads: "Austin, Chase, Brianne, and Tyler in front of Bass Pro’s huge Christmas Tree. We had so much fun there on that I think it should be an early Christmas tradition!"

These are my first layouts for Jen. I'm so thrilled to have the opportunity to create for her! And it gives me extra incentive to scrap my own special events with my children.

In the case I don't make it back by before Thanksgiving, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy your time with friends and family. Take time to remember those far away from home serving their country.

Senior Night...

2010-11-15T23:16:00.000-06:00

Friday night was Chaz' last football game. I got the opportunity to walk him in front of the stands. When he handed me the football that he had written a note on, it was so hard not to just burst out in tears. I am so very proud of him.

Journaling reads:

"Chaz’ last football game was also Senior Night. I was able to escort him in front of the crowd. (or did he escort me?) Either way, I was tearful all the way through the walk. At the end of the walk to the center of the bleacher area, we were met by Mrs. Mims, the School Principal, who handed Chase a football that he had written a message on for me. Then Chaz presented the football to me. By this time, my tears had dried and I was just incredibly blessed to be with him. I started tearing up all over again when he gave the football to me. Imagine my surprise when I read it. The football reads: Mom. I love you! No matter what's going on, even if it doesn't seem like it. Thank you for believing in me no matter what. You mean so much to me. All your love and support helped me through these many years. Love you, Chaz I am so very proud of the incredible man that Chaz has grown into. I love you Chaz. ~Mom"

Word Art by Word Art World. Digi Scrap kit by Raspberry Road Designs. Created using PhotoShop Elements 6.

Word art by Word Art World (Kid 101) at Gotta Pixel. DigiScrap kit collaboration by KellyJoScraps & Scrap Happens to Me over at Angel Baby Scraps. Created using PhotoShop Elements 6.

I also did something I consider brave. Or at least different for me. I applied to be on a creative team. Will find out official word later this week. It is good. :o)

I was given a new Bible this week. The Bible I was given is a Youth With a Mission Bible (YWAM). The extra parts of it are written with an eye toward missionaries. I bought my first Bible in 1997 after my Daddy passed away. It's started falling apart at the binding years ago. A friend of mine and I were talking about it a few years ago. I told her I'd like to get a new one but the only place you could get it was from YWAM. Crazy part of this? I bought mine at a Pacific Stars and Stripes bookstore in Guam! Lord only knows how it got there! My friend who used to be a YWAM missionary went to their conference last week. She brought me back the 50th anniversary edition. How cool is that? God has a way of reminding me how faithful He is even when I'm "fighting Him" every step of the way some days.

I am so grateful that God loves me like this. And for the friends He has placed in my life.

Veteran's Day

2010-11-11T20:25:00.000-06:00

To all who have served, past and present, gone on and still living, thank you for your service our great country.

This year was the most special Veteran's day I've had. The daughters of my nurse made me a card and bookmark to thank me for serving. And then the SGA at the school also made cards and handed out to the veterans. It's the first time I ever remember being thanked in this way. It was really special.

Baby it's cold outside! Well, not yet but it's getting there. I was trying to figure out something to scrap using parts from the Shabby Holiday Blog Train (hosted by Digital Scrapbooking Studio) and finally decided to scrap a picture I took in January 2010 of the "ice trees" that were made when people left their sprinklers on overnight to prevent the piping from freezing up.

Word art is by Jennifer at Word Art World. It's from the Kids 101 pack on Gotta Pixel.

And I was brave this week. Well, brave for me. I applied to be on a creative team for a digiscrap designer. Will find something out next week. Either way, she's got the best word art!

The kids have settled with the phone thing. It took Chaz a couple days to apologize. Breezy hit the ceiling the same night when I told her there were limits at night. Told her to keep it up and she'd have no phone either. And that ended that.

Last week was the toughest week I have had parenting in a long time. I spent a lot of time praying last week.

Work is still good. I am grateful to have such a great nurse to work for and the school staff is awesome. Still enthralled with the windows! LOL

I'm off to find something to do. Well, I have something to do, guess I better get on it! LOL (cleaning. YUCK!)

Phones....

2010-11-04T00:22:00.000-05:00

Phone restrictions. That's what comes from abusing the privilege you've been given. Texting during school hours? Texting after you should be in bed?

I logged into Verizon to pay the bill and check usage on all phones to be sure we are not near going over our minutes/data. Imagine my surprise when I saw huge numbers on my son's account. So... I decided to review the text messaging. One phone had over 1,200 text messages during the school day this month. The other phone had over 40 text messages after midnight! Not pleased. The only text messages during school should be to me or maybe their brother/sister. And there should be absolutely no messages after bedtime.

Both kids are extremely upset. They feel I've invaded their privacy. I'm the parent. Part of my job is to monitor what they are doing. I didn't read the text messages. Only discover when they are being sent and received.

.
Digi-scrap kit by Raspberry Road Designs (Java Joe). Watch faces, hands, and frames by Scrappin Cop. Created using PhotoShop Elements 6. Not the best layout but how I feel at the moment.

Fail

2010-10-25T23:33:00.000-05:00

It never ceases to amaze me. It seems no matter what I do, how I do it, or how it comes out, it is wrong to my daughter. Period. And don't even try to correct her. Just stand by for heavy rolls. Tonight was another of those days. I had to leave the house. I am one person. That's it. I've been doing this "alone" for the last 11 years. Without God, we wouldn't even be where we are. But just the same, lately, it's just nothing but banging my head against the wall. And I'm tired.

Amazing Rescue!!!

2010-10-13T23:03:00.000-05:00

Praise Yahweh! The 33 Chilean miners have been rescued after 69 days in the mine. Nothing but a miracle! All of the rescue workers are also up.

The last rescue worker coming up in the Fenix.

End of official coverage from the live feed out of Chile.

Rebroadcast picture of the rescue workers after the last of the 33 miners had gone up in the Fenix.

In case you wonder... I took screen shots of my computer screen as it was broadcasting. Wish I had done it all along today.

Moved!

2010-10-11T21:27:00.001-05:00

Well, moved to a different school to work that is. But a move just the same. LOVE IT!

I did have a revelation after changing schools. If you dislike what you are doing or have stayed past when you should have gone, your frustration does not help you keep your witness. I don't think I was much of a witness for Christ when I left because of my frustration. Lesson learned. I'm a wee bit slow some days obviously.

Chaz tried for a walk on position on the football team. He's now a wide receiver. Yah! Well done. Hopefully he'll get some game time.

Breezy is playing soccer. This week is tryouts And she is playing powder puff football. Yes, that's my beautiful girl. She'll either be the quarterback or a wide receiver. Yah! Well done.

Me? I'm downloading digi-scrap kits and still digi-scrapping. Totally enjoy extracting the subject of the digi-pages. So far I've printed 30 pages and put them in a real live scrapbook! Amazing I know!

A very old picture of my Mom. Created using PhotoShop Elements 6. DigiScrap kit from DigiDesignResort (Natural Breeze). Word art by Elegant Word Art.

Chaz and Breezy with Tigger at character breakfast at Walt Disney World. Sweet memory. Definitely worth the splurge in expense.

Created using PhotoShop Elements 6. Word art by Word Art World. Kit is from Gotta Pixel (Ephemeral Soul by Designs by Helly).

I love this picture of Breezy. Although I know she was having a marvelous time in the rain, the picture always reminds me of the song "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns.

Created using PhotoShop Elements 6. Digi scrap kit by Polka Dot Chicks (Reflections). Fonts: Pea Noodle for song text and "Praise" "in the Storm" and The King and Queen for "You." Photo modified with PSE Action by Paint the Moon.

I'm off to do a special page for my friend Debi and her husband. They are such an amazing couple and speak such encouragement into not only my children but so many others.

Ohana!

2010-09-06T12:43:00.001-05:00

Family. We are a family. No matter what our differences. No matter where we are.

Sometimes God gives us extra family. Extended. From other places and other families. Debi and Dennis are part of our extended family.

I met Debi through our church during Vacation Bible School 2004. I remember thinking "Man, I want to get to know this lady." She's incredible with children and has a story a minute. Former Navy JAG officer. Now a medically retired lawyer. Children's pastor. Band manager. Amazing friend. Her husband Dennis is steady. Nearly unflappable. Sense of humor is cutting when you get to know him. AND they love my children and I just where we are.

I don't know if they'll ever really know how much they mean to us. But they are family. Love 'em!

I made this digi scrap page using a quick page (from Vicki at A Work in Progress) and word art from the Polynesian Blog train (KellyBell Designs). Debi was excited! She's thrilled that there are quick pages to start from and she won't have as much to learn when she starts digi-scrapping.

Love ya my friends!

rearranging, prayer, digiscrapping...

2010-08-26T00:16:00.000-05:00

So, I'm headed to my new school in the morning to rearrange. Our supervisor doesn't like the last layout I did, so I drew up a little sketch and sent it to my new nurse to see what she thinks. She likes it. And so, I'm going to be there at 7 a.m. to help her get it rearranged the new way BEFORE I take the kids to school and BEFORE I go to work. Yeah, long day but so worth it.

I've learned new things the last few days. I've been helping my nurse review files. WOW! Lots of paperwork. It's nuts but I know it will help her tremendously with the work she is about to start.

I'm learning to pray in a different way. I know my daughter needs more help than I can give her but she doesn't "hear" me. I'm just noise to her. Any and all prayer is appreciated. God, we need an intervention.

Made a digiscrap page tonight. DigiKit by Bruissements (Raccrocheuse). Yeah, the French site. Word art by Word Art World. Jen has fabulous word art! Check her out!

Starry Night

2010-08-25T00:42:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite new songs is "Starry Night" by Chris August. I find myself singing it randomly during the day. Thank the Lord for amazing music that helps bring Him to mind and helps lead me into worship with Him.

From the Birds that Sing, In the Tallest Trees.
To the Human Life, of you and me.
From the Desert Sands, to the place we stand.
He is God of All, He is Everything.

Waohhh

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything
'Cause he is everything

From the Autumn Leaves, that will ride the breeze
To the Faith it takes, to pray and sing
From the Painted sky, to my plank filled eye
He is God of all, He is everything

Waohhh

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything.

Ohhhhhhh (everything)

Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe
Ohhh
Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun
On that Starry Night, He changed my life.
I'm giving it all to the only son who gave me hope when I had none.
So let the praises ring,
Ohhhh Let the Praises Ring

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the Angels sing, that he is Heavenly

So let the Praises ring
'Cause he everything

Even as I'm creating this post, I'm listening to it. I added it to one of my "mix" cds that play 24 hours/7 days a week. I want the enemy to know who's worshiped in my home... and it's not lord of the airwaves (satan). It's the Creator of the Universe!

Night of Joy at Disney in 3 weeks. I have been saving a little each month for the kids and I to go. I'm still not absolutely positive I will be going. Considering taking my portion and paying bills that are behind until I start getting paid again. We'll see.

Back to work...

2010-08-19T22:12:00.000-05:00

I went back to work yesterday. The first 4 1/2 hours was spent getting updates to procedures. The next 1/2 hour was spent driving. Then an hour of updates with our team.

I spent the last hour of the day at my new school. Yes, I'm changing schools! Yahoo! I've been working in the clinic at the school I am currently at for 9 years!!! I have never spent that long in one place. The tech at my kids' school moved to a different school leaving the position open. It was offered to me and I jumped at the chance. Not only does it give me a change of school, I'll have WINDOWS in my office for the first time EVER!!! I'm so excited. The nurse is sweet and I believe we are going to work great together AND I get a window! I'm so going to watch me some storms!

I'm still digiscrapping. I finished a couple challenges this week. And I won a kit from Shell's Playground. Yah! First kit I've ever won. *dances* The page below "Worn Out" was made with that kit.

Breezy's 15th Birthday was done with parts from Scrap Matter's 3rd Birthday Celebration. Papers by Scrapmuss, word art by Graham Like the Cracker and cluster by Stephanie.

Chaz' 2nd Christmas done with digiscrap kit by Delicious Scraps.

Breezy playing in the rain was done with digiscrap kit from Au coin de l'objectif. Yes it's in French. Google Chrome will translate pages written in foreign languages with the click of one spot on the options page.

Chaz' first year of basketball. Digiscrap kit from the Surfs Up collaboration by Scraps N Pieces & the Scrappy Kat.

Breezy after playing in the rain. Kit from Teapot Lady at DSO. Font "Love Ya Like a Sister" from dafont.com.

Chaz at his 8th Birthday Party. Digiscrap kit by Free2Scrap (Tough Enough).

Breezy colored her hair and then spent a half hour trying to get the perfect picture to post to facebook! LOL Digiscrap kit from Free2Scrap (Tough Enough).

My sister at Bass Pro. We all spent time trying on hats. Here she was testing out the camouflage gear! Digiscrap kit by Rebecca B and done for a contest.

Hope you enjoyed the digiscrap pages almost as much as I enjoyed making them.

It's my birthday!

2010-08-09T01:39:00.000-05:00

And a birthday at ScrapMatters digiscrapping store too! How cool is that?

In honor of the 3rd b'day of ScrapMatters, Happy Scrap Girl has a giveaway. Check out her giveaway and maybe pick up some amazing digiscrap stuff for your pages!

As for me, I turned 47 today. I'd like to say I feel different but it's just another day. I'm extremely grateful to God that I have another day to spend with my amazing children and serving Him. Some days I don't do so very great but I know that each morning His mercies are new and my page is blank and I get to start all over again. So I'm taking today to "start all over again." Thank you God!

different....

2010-08-05T14:49:00.000-05:00

I am usually in my own little word over here on my blog. It's been nice to have visitors again. Maybe I should post more of these layouts. Or.... my Mom asked if she could see, maybe I should just create a blog for digi-scrapping? No idea. I'd have to tie it to a different email addy though.

Surgery and digiscrapping

2010-08-04T16:17:00.001-05:00

I had surgery on my left knee yesterday. There was a tear in the meniscus. I'm doing well. Not a lot of pain fortunately. Removed the big knee brace last night. Doctor said start bending knee as soon as possible. So I'm bending it already.

Did a couple scrap pages last night and today.

The first is Breezy in crazy high heels. Kit is Glamouricious by Jabi Scraps. Didn't it turn out cool? I tinted the shoe pics to make them coordinate a little bit better.

The second is from Chaz' hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail. The kit is from Saphira's World Scrapdesign and is part of the Great Outdoors Blog Train. Word art is from Create with TLC. She has amazing word art!

That's all for now. :o)

Digiscrapped

2010-07-31T14:28:00.001-05:00

Yes, I have continued to play with digi-scrap kits. Even spent a little bit on kits that just make my mind spin with possibilities. I heard that. Really? Paid for? Yes. And so worth it. I'll show ya.

This picture is from Chaz and Breezy's trip to Blue Ridge for the YMCA Christian Values Conference. Last year's conference made a HUGE difference in their relationship for the good. This picture was taken at the conference this year.

The kit "A Perfect Day" was a collaboration kit and I got it at Scrap That Idea. Isn't it marvelous?

I love these snapshot pictures of Chaz. I was taking pictures of all the kids in the band preparing for the cd cover art and these ones just tickle me to see.

The kit is "Let's Hear It For the Boy" by Rebecca B.

My friend Debi was having a bit of trouble with her computer so we downloaded her photos from Disney to my computer until hers got fixed. I think this is such a sweet picture of she and her husband that I had to scrap it.

This is part of the JacaBean Summer Smiles Blog Train Collabration. This one was free! The papers I used are from Mandy of MandyCrafts. The frame is also part of the collaboration is by Kala of The Kaleidoscope.

I actually ordered eight 12x12 pages in print from Scrapbooks Please last night. At 99 cents apiece for matte finish 12x12's, I couldn't resist the savings. I also ordered the picture of Debi and Dennis that I plan on framing. Yah!

p.s. I think that's the most links I've ever placed in a blog post!

Men at Work

2010-07-19T15:56:00.001-05:00

I finished another layout today. This one of Chaz. He was jumping off the wall at Fort Barrancas. I was on the wrong side to catch the look on his face but loved the picture anyway.

The scrapbook kit is Angel Baby Scraps "Let's Hear It For the Boy!"

Fishy take 2

2010-07-18T23:28:00.000-05:00

As I was driving to church for a teaching, I had this great idea for the little fish. It so matches my daughter's personality. The picture was taken at a Reimagine event earlier this year. She was abandoned in her worship. The place I'd like to be.

Back to School

2010-07-18T17:58:00.000-05:00

This layout is for Create with TLC's fish challenge. The little fish are cute and remind me of time to go back to school. It's not so far away for us. Kids start back up on August 22nd.

Scrapbook kit is A Perfect Day by ScrapThatIdea.

Tis been a while.....

2010-07-15T22:36:00.000-05:00

Life has been busy as always. Go figure.

Working summer school. It ends on July 22nd. Kids head to the Blue Ridge Mountains on Saturday. I'll have surgery on my left knee on August 3rd to fix the tear in the meniscus. Back to work on August 19th. It's all good.

What else have I been doing? Learning about digital scrapbooking and downloading digital kits. Up until last week, everything I did I've been doing with PhotoShop Elements 6, brushes, and images I have on my computer. I'm going to learn to use kits to get more variety.

I discovered Create with TLC several days ago. Paulette has the most fabulous word art I have seen. I shared her site with my Mom and several friends already. They are all excited! Yah!

She is having a creative challenge with a "Park It" theme. The image below is my submission. Every image/background on it came from Create with TLC. Thanks Paulette!

2010-06-22T23:14:00.000-05:00

Southern Hospitality is giving away a Silhouette Digital Cutting Tool! WOW! This is the bomb-diggity! Would love one! My spins with the possibilities. All those vinyl designs that I would like to put on my walls! Etching glass! Designs for cards and scrapbooks. Whoa!

dislike

2010-06-18T00:05:00.000-05:00

You know how Facebook has a like button? Right now, I'd like to have a dislike button. I'd stamp it on the forehead of my ex.

Breezy has loved her dad although he's only seen them 2 months in the last 10 years. The first year we moved back to the states, I gave her a little photo album with pictures of her dad and her. A couple years ago, she started scrapbooking those pictures only. Only the pictures of her and her dad. About 3 weeks ago, she took those scrapbook pages and tacked them on the walls around her bed. 6 pages of scrapbook pages.

She's still waiting for her dad to be the knight on a white horse who cares for her.

And this week, he blew it again. He called Sunday. Told her he couldn't remember if her birthday was the 12th (and had missed it) or if it was the 27th (which it is). I thought it broke her heart.

Tonight, I said something about calling her dad for Father's Day and she said "maybe I should call him a day late." Maybe he'd get it. Or better yet, she is at the point she'd like to forget. Because if she forgets she can't be hurt again and again and again. And the knight on a white horse fades.

My heart breaks for her. She wouldn't sit with me and let me pray for her. And even now, I think that she is in the shower crying so no one will see.

God please bring healing to my baby.

Memorial Day

2010-05-30T22:26:00.000-05:00

For all who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice, I salute you. To those who served and remain, God bless you for your service. For those currently serving, my eternal thanks. I LOVE our military!

2010-05-09T09:11:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, sisters, and beautiful girlfriends who are mothers. May God tremendously bless you today for all you do for your own children and those around you.

Z's Divine Coffee

2010-05-02T23:47:00.000-05:00

I was wandering around my twitter and facebook feeds and found alice.com.

One of the contests it is having is for a giveaway of Z's Divine Coffee.

I started my coffee drinking late in life. Strange considering the Navy way of life includes coffee and when I retired I had only been drinking it for 2 years!

So anyway, I was reading the descriptions of the different coffees available in the giveaway and the Blue Velvet sounds yummy! Who knows, I could start drinking coffee at home again!

2010-04-30T22:29:00.000-05:00

My nephew came through his knee reconstruction with flying colors. Praise God!

He was on a roll though with the one liners.

"Do you think they will give us a family discount?" This is the 2nd time in 16 months he has had his ACL replaced in his knee and this time they had to fix the meniscus as well. In January, my sister had to have a plate and 10 pins put into her ankle.

"Man, ice cream would be good." When told it would probably curdle, he said "it will still taste like ice cream going in."

His recovery was much faster than last year and he was able to get himself into the car to go home and onto the crutches to get in the house this time without having assistance. Last year, we had to half carry him in!

I hung out with he and my sister until a little after 7 this evening. She made dinner for us. It was yummy.

The ride home was nice. I went through Gulf Shores on the way home and stopped at Books-A-Million to pick up the 4th book in the Dragon Series by Chris D'Lacey. I've been reading the series from the school library. I'll donate the book to the library when I finish it.

I'm glad to be home though. My own bed. Yah.

Anger and Bitterness

2010-04-18T15:44:00.001-05:00

I tend to stubbornness. God is working on me. I've been hanging on to anger and bitterness for almost 2 years. He's saying it's time to let it go. I can't move forward with it. I can't have true hope in Him with it.

God, I release this anger and bitterness that I have been carrying. I give it to you. I ask for your forgiveness for carrying it. I thank you for redemption. In Jesus name, Amen.

yah!

2010-04-17T01:21:00.000-05:00

I have my computer back. Wait, you mean it was gone? Alas, yes. The wireless card went out on my laptop. The tech at my local BBuy told me the computer would be gone a month! I took my laptop home, downloaded everything off of it (just in case), and drove to the Spanish Fort BBuy on Saturday. They told me it would be back in two weeks so I left it there. It took 11 days for it to be repaired. That includes the time for shipping, work and return. Beats the heck out of a month!

EP had their band retreat over Spring Break. It was nice down time. The kitchen, living room and porch areas had been renovated and were lovely. Even got to go on a boat ride to see nesting hawks. Too bad the camera didn't cooperate. Kids got plenty of work done.

ReImagine Warrington turned out great. There were several bands, three or 4 dance/drama teams, food, manicures, haircuts, games for the kids, food and clothing giveaways. What a joy to be part of what God is doing in our city. I got some great shots using my camera.

I jerry-rigged my camera to get the flash to work. The focusing takes longer as does the time it takes for the flash to recharge. I desperately need to get a good working camera. I'd really like to have something that I can change lenses on and use filters.

I'm having surgery on my left knee in July after summer school. I have a small tear to my meniscus. The pain is extreme some days and milder on others. I just want it fixed before I don't have the option. With our "new" healthcare nightmare, I probably won't be able to get it within 2 years. Really sad.

Still loving our new church. We've been there for 8 months now. Time seems to be flying. I love how Pastor J.P. starts the morning with "hello church, welcome to liberty." I love that he prays for the other pastors in the area and for their services before we get started. The visuals are still great and leave a lasting visual in my mind.

Both Chaz and Breezy had good report cards. They both had mostly As and Bs with a couple Cs each. I'm grateful Chaz is off probation for his scholarship.

Last summer, Chaz and Breezy went to the YMCA CVC camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Chaz was not pleased that Breezy got to go too. But when they came back, their relationship had totally changed. Prior to the trip, they argued or fought about stuff constantly. They are closer now, more apt to encourage one another. There is still a competitiveness between them athletically but otherwise, it is so much better. Thank you Lord for growing them both.

2010-03-22T23:57:00.001-05:00

I forgot. I updated my graphics with a new set from Cutest Blog on the Block. I may leave it this way for a while. I really like these colors.

2010-03-22T23:52:00.002-05:00

So I sit around and play with photoshop elements when my mind is busy. It seems so strange at times. I know I hear God. But two days ago, I did the flowering tree branch with "Mercy" on it. And on Sunday both at small group and church, I heard about mercy.

Sanctification has been on my mind the last week or so. Am I allowing myself to be sanctified in Christ? Or am I fighting every step of the way because of the hurt I've felt over the last couple years?

I almost feel as if I am regressing rather than progressing. God, I really need to get over this place.

2010-03-20T16:05:00.002-05:00

No job.

I'm not sure if it's my resume wasn't good enough, $12 an hour was too much, or the answers to the questions I put weren't good enough.

Or maybe, I'm not supposed to leave the school until the end of the year.

I'm sure God has some idea but I don't at this point.

carts and horses

2010-03-09T18:52:00.000-06:00

Today, I got the cart before the horse. Not the first time but probably the worse time.

I am considering a job change. I have a bit of work to do on my resume but it will be ready to submit on Friday. I'm going to apply for 2 or 3 jobs at a local university. Administrative type positions.

The benefits, pay, and working environment are good. No shelter duty either. I know several people who already work there are love it. It would give me employment over the summer as well.

My cart before the horse moment occurred when I let my supervisor know I was going to send in several applications. I've been told that was a really bad thing to do. I think I did it more out of guilt for wanting to leave before the school year is out.

I've been miserable lately. I know I work for God. His opinion is what counts. But lately, it seems there is pretty much nothing I can do that is right. I talk to almost nothing but pre-teens all day long. I don't mind doing behind the scenes work but the last year has been rough. If I screw up, go ahead and chew on me. But when I'm getting chewed for things I didn't do, I'm kind of over it. I'm tired of pre-teen attitude, pants to the knees, and a hundred other things. And I know it's not really a hundred other things but I am tired. Probably the least appreciated job I've ever done. I truly don't feel like I make any difference to anyone there. Is that such a bad feeling? Am I wrong to feel this way?

I'm also ready to go to college. I believe I've finally got it figured out. I want to study Library Science (maybe specializing in Research) with Art on the side. I wanted to be a librarian most of my childhood. I love books, libraries and everything to do with libraries.

We'll see. So if anyone is still around, please say a prayer for me. I've been told my cart before the horse moment could be costly.

2010-02-17T08:18:00.000-06:00

Crazy as it may seem, this song comes to mind a lot when I see frost on the ground. It's an old song. It was a number one in 1974.

Country Bumpkin
Cal Smith
Words and Music by Don Wayne

He walked into the bar and parked his lanky frame upon a tall barstool
And with a long soft Southern drawl said
"I'll just have a glass of anything that's cool"
A barroom girl with hard and knowing eyes slowly looked him up and down
And she thought "I wonder how on earth
That country bumpkin found his way to town"

She said "Hello, country bumpkin"
"How's the frost out on the pumpkin?"
"I've seen some sights but, man, you're somethin'"
"Where'd ya come from, country bumpkin?"

It was just a short year later in a bed of joy-filled tears yet death-like pain
Into this wondrous world of many wonders one more wonder came
That same woman's face was wrapped up
In a raptured look of love and tenderness
As she marveled at the soft and warm and cuddly boy-child feeding at her breast

And she said "Hello, country bumpkin"
"Fresh as frost out on the pumpkin"
"I've seen some sights but, babe, you're somethin'"
"Mamma loves her country bumpkin"

Forty years of hard work later in a simple, quiet and peaceful country place
The heavy hand of time had not erased
The raptured wonder from the woman's face
She was lying on her deathbed knowing fully well her race was nearly run
But she softly smiled and looked into the sad eyes of her husband and her son

And she said "So long, country bumpkin"
"The frost is gone now from on the pumpkin"
"I've seen some sights and life's been somethin'"
"See you later, country bumpkin"

She said "So long, country bumpkin"
"The frost is gone now from on the pumpkin"
FADE
"I've seen some sights and life's been somethin'"

God is Good

2010-02-02T21:16:00.000-06:00

The year started most interestingly. Our church participated in Awaken21, a call to a 21 day fast for our nation, world, city, families, churches. We started with a Daniel fast but had to modify it after 3 days for various reasons. It wasn't perfect but it was good. It was the first fast for Chaz and Breezy. I think there was some breakthrough for all of us.

Chaz will turn 18 this year. He still has not gotten his learner's permit but now has extra incentive. He has been given a truck. Tomorrow, the title will be signed over to me so I can get it registered and insured. Chaz will get his learner's permit next week or the week after and when he turns 18, he will get his license and start driving he and his sister to school. I will add him to the title then and eventually, he will have the title only in his name. God is so awesome. Our friends are amazing for being willing to listen to God and give him the truck. What a blessing!

My kids have changed so much over the last year. They have such a heart for God. They started in children's ministry when they were still part of children's ministry. Now they are part of a band and have a real live album. Their cd release concert was this past Sunday and it was amazing. There are 10 young people in the band and it gives new meaning to the term "big band!" LOL They are so talented. I love these kids!

WinterJam is next weekend. We all will have the day off. We're going to sit outside the Mitchell Center all day to be sure we get in. We'll have pizza delivered for lunch. Walk down the hill for bathroom breaks. Take a football and soccer ball for entertainment for the kids. It is good. The bands? Third Day, Newsong, Newboys, Tenth Avenue North, Side Walk Prophets. It is good.

Week after next, both Chaz and I will have Ortho appointments for our left knees. We'll see what happens.

Roll Tide Roll

2010-01-08T00:41:00.000-06:00

That was a tough game to watch. I feel bad for Colt McCoy. He's done really well this year. The Freshman QB really stepped up.

But in the long run..... Roll Tide Roll.

2009-12-29T20:21:00.000-06:00

My letter to Fujifilm:

Dear Fujifilm,

I love my FinePix S700. Since purchasing it on March 19, 2008, I have taken over 20,000 pictures. Crazy I know.

I have several friends who purchased the same camera because they loved the pictures I took with this camera. I gave my daughter the S1500 for Christmas. She wanted a camera like mine so I got her the upgrade.

If you ever need samples, I'd love to share. There are over 3000 images on Facebook from my camera.

I do have a couple of questions though. Does the S700 have a "life expectancy?" My flash no longer pops up and when the camera is focusing I can hear it.

Thank you for making such a great product.

Pondering...

2009-12-28T04:31:00.004-06:00

I'm been thinking on the things I'd like to accomplish in 2010. Not resolutions. Resolutions are broken so often. I'm talking about goals. I have several on my mind right now.

First, I want to get into college. I did the financial aid paperwork online a couple weeks ago. I prepared my application for the local university but have not submitted it yet. There are so many questions I have and until today I didn't really know where to go. I'm going to go the university this week and see an adviser about where to start.

Second, photography. I want to continue taking hundreds of pictures. Pictures of cats and trees, birds and window frames, adults and children, whatever comes my way that looks interesting. I'd like to be paid for the time I spend taking pictures. I often feel the pictures I take aren't good enough but lately, I'm happier with what I see.

The third goes along with the second. I wish to be fluent in PhotoShop and PhotoShop Elements. All the geeky little add-ons, filters, patterns, brushes, layers, those I want to use with an artistic eye.

Fourth, is to continue something I started this year but lost focus on. I want to continue to lose weight. I need to do this for my health, for my children, and for our future. I can do this. God is bigger than what I see here. He's bigger than this addiction to food I've had for most of my life. I can do this with his help.

Which leads to the Fifth. I want to run a 5K in 2010. Run. Not walk. No set date. Just in 2010. I've walked many 5K's in the past (mostly 1990's). It's time.

Sixth, I wish to be a better influence for my children. Is all that I do helping them? Am I walking the walk or just talking the talk? In order to lead my household by example, I have to be on the right page. Not the easy page. I've spent too many years on the easy page.

Seventh, HTML/CSS. I wanna remember HTML and learn CSS. It's time to build web pages again. Or at least my own blog layout.

Lastly, but definitely not last, where do I stand when it comes to God? There are days I feel so far away. This was a year of changes for us as a family and for me personally with God. I stayed angry most of the year at God and not particularly happy with my church family. The move we made in September to a different campus did wonders for my attitude and my growth. But I want to grow closer to God. Quiet time and devotion time have to be included in my schedule to make this happen. I have time for everything else. Why do I have so much difficulty putting time for God in there?

Friends

2009-12-05T10:29:00.003-06:00

I remember when I used to post several times a day every day. Of course, I was bi-polar/maniac depressive and angry at everyone and everything.

I was thinking about those first 2 years of blog entries yesterday as I was talking to my nurse. I can't even read those first two years worth of entries now. They are permeated with hate and anger at my ex and the world. Profanity abounded.

I am so grateful that God has cleaned up my mouth and changed the song in my heart. You realize how much you have changed when you get hurt. You go from saying "#@$%^ @##$" to saying "poop" or something else slightly less offensive. Yes, that's what I said when I hit the metal medication cart in my office. "Poop!" I actually cut my elbow and had to have help to get the coban around it to wrap it. The kids got a laugh out of it.

Chaz and Breezy are going to watch the Bama/Gator game today. Chaz is going to one household and Breezy will probably watch it with me.

I have through Facebook recently gotten in touch with a friend from Japan. She and I went through base indoctrination at Atsugi together. We hung out every day until the hubby got to Japan and then only hung out a couple times a month. She was such a great friend. She came to visit us while we lived in San Diego and then we lost contact. We have had some marvelous conversations catching up. Somehow, someway, the kids and I are going to go up and see her in Washington State. The kids will probably go visit their grandma while we are there.

Time to get around. I have got to clean the kitchen and put away some boxes so we can put up the Christmas tree. (All the shopping for the kids was done from a comfortable chair using the internet.)

Later.

Hello Hurricane....

2009-12-01T18:19:00.003-06:00

I bought this cd for Chaz. Love it! I particularly love the song Hello Hurricane.

Oh, I've been watching the skies
They've been turning blood red
Not a doubt in my mind anymore
There's a storm up ahead

Hello hurricane
You're not enough
Hello hurricane
You can't silence my love
I've got doors and windows boarded up
All your dead end fury is not enough
You can't silence my love
Oh (my love)
Oh

Everything I have I count as loss
Everything I have is stripped away
Before I started building
I counted up these costs
There's nothing left for you to take away

Hello hurricane
You're not enough
Hello hurricane
You can't silence my love
I've got doors and windows boarded up
All your dead end fury is not enough
You can't silence my love
My love

I'm a fighter fighting for control
I'm a fighter fighting for my soul
Everything inside of me surrenders
You can't silence my love

Oh, oh, oh

Hello hurricane
You're not enough
Hello hurricane
You can't silence my love
I've got doors and windows boarded up
All your dead end fury is not enough
You can't silence my love
My love

It has been good. My Christmas shopping for Chaz and Breezy is finished. I have several gifts I want to get for friends and several I want to make. I want to make a couple brooches for friends. Not sure what materials yet but ideas are flowing.

2009-11-24T19:20:00.002-06:00

Very long weekend began today. Tomorrow, Chaz, Breezy and I will head to Alabama for Thanksgiving. Friday we will go to my other sister's home for the Iron Bowl.

Things I forgot the other day...

Got a new laptop. It's a Toshiba and it's powerful. I just need to find the last graphic program disk to have all my graphic programs on it.

Work has been incredibly busy. Saw nearly 150 kids total in the last 2 days alone! I think last month set the all time record for visits to the clinic. Over 2000!!!!! Yikes!

Chaz and Breezy are both playing soccer. Last night's game with Chaz was nerve wracking. I cannot believe how poor the sportsmanship was and I wasn't particularly impressed with the ref either. I'm usually all for playing hard. But I'm of the opinion now that every now and again, the head of the referees should come watch a game unannounced so he/she can observe the calls being made on the field.

Spent an hour of Sunday evening at my 4th favorite place.... the ER with Chaz. We thought he broke his right thumb. Fortunately it's only sprained.

Almost time for me to go get the kids from youth. Have a marvelous Thanksgiving.

Today I am grateful for family, friends, my church, a job, a vehicle, a laptop, and the kids' Christmas shopping being done! I am grateful that God loves me no matter what.

2009-11-20T23:55:00.002-06:00

Wow! almost 2 months without a post. I'll start with this:

It has been a good 2 months. We are still at the Foley campus. Empty Page's cd has gone off for mastering. Should everything else go as planned, they'll have a cd by the end of December! We have started pre-selling the cds.

Breezy has finished playing volleyball. For a short time she was playing nearly 5 hours of volleyball a day!!!

Chaz and Breezy are both playing soccer. They had games tonight. They are now in Panama City for a birthday party. Yah.

I am sitting here watching Star Trek and uploading cd's onto my laptop. Yes I got a new laptop. The old one has a trojan horse that I cannot get off without reformatting. I managed to save all my data fortunately. I even "skinned" the new one. It's beautimous!

It seems that twittering at 140 characters at a time has left me wordless for anything longer at the moment. How strange. Speechless on my blog.

2009-09-28T03:44:00.003-05:00

Change has come. The kids and I officially started at our Foley campus on the 20th. It is awesome. I actually want to go to church for the first time in ages. It had reached a point that I was miserable.

And today (or rather yesterday), God reminded me that I knew in January/February that I was supposed to let go of the position I had at the church in August. When I didn't let go because I thought I had to have the income, it had to become miserable enough to let go.

I am grateful I let go. I feel like we turned the page and are in a new chapter of our lives. Thank you God for putting up with me when I'm hard headed.

In other things, we did get to go to Night of Joy. Other than the teenage D-R-A-M-A, it was a great trip. I spent most of the trip alone and it was a wonderful thing. I took over 900 pictures in EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. I need to get them modified to update my facebook page. I also have already set up our finances to pay for next years trip so that it won't be such a burden when it gets close to time to go.

Work is going well. Busy but well. I can deal with that.

Been downloading my music from iTunes lately. For the cost of an album that may have only 1 or 2 songs I like, I can get up to 10 songs that I really want. And I'm actually dropping them to disk so I can hear them in the car and at home. Yah for technology!

The following lyrics are from TobyMac's new song "City on Our Knees."

If you gotta start somewhere why not here
If you gotta start sometime why not now
If we gotta start somewhere I say here
If we gotta start sometime I say now
Through the fog there is hope in the distance
From cathedrals to third world missions
Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave

Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide in a beautiful display
It’s all love tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

If you gotta start somewhere why not here
If you gotta start sometime why not now
If we gotta start somewhere I say here
If we gotta start sometime I say now
Through the fog there is hope in the distance
From cathedrals to third world missions
Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave

Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide in a beautiful display
It’s all love tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh-oh-oh

Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
Tonight could last forever
Ooh
Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
As family
We’re family
Oh Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
You and me
Ya, you and me
Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide
In a glorious display
Cuz its all love tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh oh oh
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh oh oh
If we gotta start somewhere why not here
If we gotta start sometime why not now

2009-08-23T11:09:00.003-05:00

I once said the only way I'd leave my church is if God forced me to go somewhere else or I married.

Well, I haven't married. But I do feel as if I am being forced out. I prepared a draft of my two weeks notice resignation letter this morning. I feel like crying nearly every time I come through the door lately.

The kids and I are going to start attending one of our other campuses starting the 20th of September. They already love it at the other campus. I've never been but I'm willing to take the chance on it. Everyone I know who has attended there is very pleased. We will still be associated with our church, just a different campus.

School is back in session. Great update on the Novel H1N1 influenza. This may be the first year in over 15 years that I get a flu shot! (kids too!)

Angels Sing

2009-07-26T12:48:00.002-05:00

I heard this song on Power 88, my favorite radio station. Angels Sing by Press Play.

You see, see in me what I can't see
Believe in me in my unbelief
Strengthen me when I'm so weak
You know I love you
And you light the corners of darkness in my life
You answer when no one can hear my
Cry for my rescue
The clouds open up and my world sees a savior

Chorus:
And you make the angels stand and sing
You make heavenly melodies
You make my life forever free
You know I love you
You know I love you
You make everything wonderful
You make each day more beautiful
You make life unbelievable
You know I love you
You know I love you

Bridge:
Angels will bow at your feet as they worship
Heavens will open the gates show their splendor
The earth starts to rumble our loved ones we welcome
Trumpets will thunder my world sees a savior.

2009-07-20T18:34:00.003-05:00

I will start with gratitude today. I am so grateful for Chaz and Breezy being healthy and following God. I am grateful for a home, electricity, a vehicle to get to work and to church. Grateful for my church family. Grateful for books. I am thankful for a great family.

~

Chaz and Breezy went to North Carolina last week. They had an amazing time. Their friend Sethie got to go with them. One of the guys from the north campus went with them. he's the one who found out about the conference and we were blessed enough to have Chaz, Breezy, and Sethie included. Yah! Next year, Chaz will get to help plan it.

Summer school is over. No regular work until late August. Praying for grace and provision from God to make it through September on what we have. Or what He will provide.

Death. We have had several deaths at church in the last week. A friend who is a couple years younger than me and a child less than one year old. It is so sad. I have been to more funerals in the last 2 years than I have the first 43 years of my life. I don't understand.

And another thing I don't understand. We always tell people they will see their loved ones again in heaven, that they will be together again. But in Matthew 22, it says:

23 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24 "Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27 Finally, the woman died. 28 Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"

29 Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 31 But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'[a]? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."

33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

So... then when I get to heaven I won't know my Daddy? my Grandma? my children? I don't understand.

And so there is where my mind is today.

Hero Arts Web Site and Stuff

2009-07-13T17:35:00.004-05:00

First, Hero Arts is revealing their new web site on the 15th. They make beautiful rubber stamps and have fabulous stamping ideas! And they have a a fab blog too!

Chaz and Breezy are out of town at a conference. Actually, they're way outta town! As in outta state and several away. They got to go to a YMCA Christian Values Conference. 5 days in the Blue Ridge Mountains! I'm thinking I wanna go next year!

Summer school will be over Thursday. It's been busier since they have 4 times as many students as they have had in previous years. But I did get a little bit of crafting time. Made some lanyards to sell, a couple necklaces, 130+ tags to write on, and about 20 handmade cards using pictures I took and modified or rubber stamps. They turned out great!

I got to see the last episode of Eli Stone online today. I really enjoyed it. I'm sad that it's over and disappointed that there are no more episodes. Still not sure what to do about my general boycott of ABC.

I'm sitting in my favorite coffee shop reading blogs, facebook, listening to music and thinking I really should eat an earlier dinner tonight.

And today, I'm thankful to God for the summer work and believing He will provide the rest of the summer. I'm grateful the kids got the opportunity to go to this conference (and a friend too).

whew, long time

2009-06-21T14:48:00.005-05:00

I know, I know. it's been a while. A long while.

Much has happened. School is out. I spent the last week of the school year in the hospital. Um yup.

I've been having really bad headaches for months. Little numbness in my hands every now and again. The last Monday in May, I tried to give blood but my blood pressure was 152/104. To say the least they wouldn't let me give. So I went ahead with the kids and went to the movies.

On Tuesday, I didn't feel right so I let my supervisor know and went to the emergency room. My B/P was 152/98 when I got there. I was having that pins and needle feeling in my left arm. The doctor had me put on a heart monitor and hooked to an iv for fluids. They pulled some blood. He seemed to think it was just my B/P until they got the blood test results back. Everything was normal except I had troponin in my blood. Troponin is only supposed to be in your blood if you have had a heart attack or are going to have a heart attack. So they admitted me to the hospital. The next day, I had a echocardiogram and a stress test. Both turned out normal and later that day they released me with no answer about the troponin levels.

On Thursday, I was getting ready for work when I had an intense pain across the center of my back. I thought geez, I really slept well to cause this much pain in my back. But the pain started getting worse, and then I started thinking women present for heart attacks in their back. I'm pretty sure I panicked because then I started feeling tightness in the chest. I dropped Chaz at school and called a friend to come and pick up Breezy from the hospital.

By the time I got to the ER, my B/P was 198/100. They pulled some blood again, started a heart monitor and iv. Again, there was troponin in my blood but everything else looked ok. I explained what was going on and they decided to send me to a local hospital via ambulance.

Off to the hospital I go. Thank goodness they don't run sirens when they transport someone like that. whew! Within 30 minutes of arriving at the hospital, the cardiologist on call had me in for a heart catheterization. Everything normal. He scheduled me for a CT scan at 5 a.m. the next morning. They slapped nitro patches on me and kept me on the heart monitor all night. Put me on blood pressure medications.

The next morning, the tech came in to take me for the CT scan. I was back in my room by 6. Then I waited. And waited and waited. The doctor never did show up. When I asked about him, I was told he hadn't made rounds of the floor yet. By the time they paged him and he returned the page, he was over 40 miles from Pensacola. He told them to release me, my tests were fine. Excuse me? Did I miss something? To say the least I was pissed.

A friend called someone at the hospital who worked there and she came to see me. They paged the doctor again. He finally called back and said he had the ER doctor write me a prescription for the blood pressure medications and that when he came to see me I was having a test done. Don't even get me started on that comment. I left the hospital over 12 hours after the CT scan with two prescriptions for the blood pressure medications. As I was being discharged, the nurse told me that my troponin levels were normal and had been since just after I arrived at the hospital the day before. Do you think maybe someone should have told me earlier?

I am grateful to God that I am ok. I'm 45 years old and now know that both my heart and lungs are in good condition. I am slowly losing weight (4 pounds already). I'm eatting better. Moving more. I thank God that I will be around for my children.

Last week, I went to a funeral for a friend's nephew. He was under 20 and had committed suicide. Wow! My heart goes out to the family for the unanswered questions left by his death. It was a tough funeral to attend. It was also the first funeral Chaz and Breezy have been to.

After the funeral, I called the kids dad to again encourage him to stay in contact with them. Let him know that they both have Facebook accounts with dozens of pictures. He told me they had trouble connecting to Facebook. (Only people I know with that particular problem.)

They have both had cell phones for 22 months and in all that time he has called 3 times total. I received an email the next day saying not to contact him any longer and if the kids wanted to talk to him that they could call.

How could you not want to keep contact with two of the most amazing kids ever? That's not just my opinion as a Mom. That is the report of everyone who works with them, mentors them, loves them. Amazing children. And I'm angry all over again at him.

So, I'm preparing a draft message to respond to him with. I'll save it. One of these days, I'll need it when they start asking questions. A friend is reviewing it with me to make sure I don't let my emotions override what needs to be said.

I also talked to that friend about what would happen if something happened to me. She told me that she and her husband had already discussed it. They would like the kids to come live with them. I talked to it with Breezy a little bit. She is good with that idea. I've not talked to Chaz about it. After we discuss it, I will be having my will prepared and select the executor of the estate.

Other than that, the last month and a half haven't been bad. I've taken a lot of pictures. I recently figured out how many I have posted on Facebook. Over 2000. One day I'd love to own a DSLR camera (with an autofocus mode too) to take better pictures. My daddy was a photographer on the side. He took beautiful pictures. My mother is a great photographer as well. This apple didn't fall too far from the tree. I'd love to take professional portrait photos, landscape, animals, whatever. Just let me take some pictures.

Saw Joshua Stevens, Steven Cochran and John Michael Montgomery in concert at the base with my sister. Incredible concert. Steven Cochran has quite the testimony. A tour in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was injured in Afghanistan and he said he woke up a month later at Bethesda. He said he was told he would never walk again. He's walking and talking and singing. God is good.

Ah, but Eli Stone was on last night. We watched. I still can't believe ABC canceled it. I'll be sending them another email. It was great!

Chaz and Breezy will be attending a youth conference at the church on Monday and Tuesday. Then Wednesday - Saturday they will be at a worship conference. They are pretty excited about it.

Today, they are spending time with friends out on the water. I thank God for the incredible mentors he has placed in their lives. People who care and show that they care.

I miss you Daddy.

geez

2009-05-12T19:19:00.003-05:00

does it get any less busy?

School is nearly out. Only 11 1/2 more days. I will be working summer school though. I'm looking forward to it. It's at one of the best elementary schools I've ever been in!

Breezy and Chaz have been playing soccer. Chaz however is out for the rest of the season after a football injury.

Chaz tried out for wide receiver on the high school team and ended up at defensive end. On Friday, he wanted to skip since he didn't make the spring team but I wouldn't let him. During practice, he broke his left index finger.

We spent 5 hours in the emergency room on Friday night/Saturday morning. They splinted him up and gave us a referral to orthopedics. That appointment was today. He will have to have surgery on his finger. He broke the phalanx between the 1st and 2nd knuckles. The break is so close to the end of the finger that just casting it won't fix it. So on Thursday, he will go in for surgery and have pins put in his finger.

So, for the next 3-6 weeks, no sports and he won't be able to play his guitar either. He's not particularly happy with me either because I made him go to practice.

I had a long rant for this but have calmed down enough not to vent it right now. Maybe if it comes up again and is fresh then I will.

For now, keep us in your prayers.

always

2009-05-02T12:24:00.002-05:00

this is an awesome song by Building 429. God is always with us. hard to believe sometimes but true.

I was standing in the pour raining
One dark November night
Fighting off the bitter cold
When she caught my eye
Her face was torn and her eyes were filled
And then to my surprise
She pulled out a photograph
And my heart just stopped inside
She said He would have been three today
I miss his smile, I miss his face
What was I supposed to say

But I believe always always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and His promise remains
He will be with you always

He was living in a broken world dreaming of a home
His heart was barely keeping pace
When I found him all alone
Remembering the way he felt
When his daddy said goodbye
Fighting just to keep the tears
And the anger locked inside
He's barely holding on to faith
But deliverance is on its way

'Cuz I believe always always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and His promise remains
He will be with you always

Friend I don't know where you are
And I don't know where you've been
Maybe you're fighting for your life
Or just about to throw the towel in
But if you're crying out for mercy
If there's no hope left at all
If you've given everything you've got
And you're still about to fall
Well hold on, hold on, hold on

Cuz I believe always always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all faith is gone
God knows our pain and His promise remains
Always, Always
He will be with you always
He will be with you always
He will be with you

This crazy life....

2009-04-04T08:42:00.004-05:00

Does it slow down? Seems like we are so "plugged in" that we are never still.

Spring break started yesterday. I had hoped for some down time. Not to be. Between band (EP) practices, soccer practices, volleyball games, church, youth, and school, it doesn't stop.

My sister and brother-in-law will be in from Maryland and staying at the beach starting Thursday. We won't get to see them until Sunday. I can't see driving 40+ miles one way to come back a couple hours later for whatever is going on in Pensacola. Yes, I know I don't get to see them often. But sometimes I need to be realistic in how much I can do in the few hours we have.

We are hoping for a trip to Camp Beckwith this week to take pictures. Andrea wants to go up and I'd love to take my twin lens reflex camera up and shot some 'through the viewfinder' photos. I've only gotten to take a couple pictures so far and need to finish up the box I'm shooting through.

We have also had singles get together last weekend. Not sure if I'm glad or aggravated. I'll leave it at that.

And have you ever wished to be anonymous? Even for just a few hours? I do. I think that's why it's nice to go to 722 occasionally. No one knows me there and I can just be quiet and watch rather than having something to do or someone wanting something.

And, I sometimes wish God would send the 'right one' along to help. I know God is with us. He would have to be for my kids to have turned out the way they have (amazing!). But it would be so nice for someone to say "Let me take a look at that" "let me help you with that" or just to turn around and give me a hug when I need it. I know, small things that count little in the day to day things that are going on in the world. But God, it's been 9 years with just the kids and I. We love our church and the help and care they provide. But there are some things they can't do.

I know, I'm complaining. Sorry. I'm tired.

I am grateful for the wonderful friends God has given us. And for family when we get to see them.

2009-03-19T08:34:00.002-05:00

Checking email on the Sony with Bri on the netbook. Headed to school soon.

Things have been busy as always and I feel I neglect my blog. It may almost be worth getting internet at home so I'll update more.

I am going to make my own graphics though. I have some marvelous photos I took over the weekend.

I'll put one here. I found this marvelous little red chair at the place we stayed over the weekend while the kids were in studio laying down the vocal tracks for their cd. The chair and I spent about 3 hours touring the property we were staying on.

Eli Stone and ABC

2009-03-02T14:50:00.000-06:00

It has been nearly 2 months without Eli Stone. Thought I'd share my continued disappointment with ABC. Also, since the cancellation of Eli Stone, my family and I chose not to watch any ABC programming to include our local news.

Have a good week. See you when Eli Stone returns.

Sincerely,
Deborah

PCs and Macs and other things...

2009-02-26T18:41:00.002-06:00

I priced a macbook to use for graphic type stuff and it could be a while before I buy one. A long while.

In the meantime, I think I will upgrade the ram on the Sony and get a wacom tablet of some variety. Found a reasonably priced one and it would be so nice to do modify stuff with a "pen" rather than a mouse. Also, I'll be able to draw with it. That is the best part. I'm a doodler/artist at heart and being able to draw straight to the computer will be a beautiful thing.

Combine that with the printer that I got last weekend, I will be set for a while. I know. Sounds like a lot but not so bad. All told, less than 1/4rd of the cost of the macbook I was looking at.

........

finishing the post a day later and after my computer at work has been stupid and sent stuff here that shouldn't have been here. *sigh*

Placed an order for a wacom intuos 3 tablet (6x8) and a MSI Wind netbook.

I'm going to find the RAM to upgrade my Sony. I learned tonight that I have 512M of RAM on the computer and need at least 2 Gig!!! No wonder it's locked up so much!

anyway, I'm outta here for now. Kids are staying with Debi tonight.

2009-02-16T17:02:00.001-06:00

It should be a misdemeanor if a parent falls to provide appropriate medical information and phone numbers on a student's emergency contact card.

2009-02-16T09:37:00.000-06:00

A disturbing sight passed me on the road today. I saw a tractor trailer hauling signs for gas stations. The prices on all 3 windows read $5.559. Hello???

2009-02-15T18:25:00.001-06:00

At twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right, and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt

And you’re free to be you

Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe
Even though

There is just something about this song that speaks to me. With God, I am free to be who I am supposed to be. Although at times, I'm not sure who I'm supposed to be. I like that standing with God, I am free to find out who.

Inspiration and Discouragement

2009-02-08T12:06:00.001-06:00

I opened a beautiful magazine by Somerset Studio called Artful Blogging this morning to read. Such inspiring images and tremendous words by so many creative women. My eyes welled with tears just from the joy of reading and seeing it. So many words, so many media choices. Vivid. VIVID.

It gives me hope to know that it's possible. Hope to stretch, to reach, to grow. God gave me this talent that I have Not just to hide in this little sphere of mine but to share, to teach, to imagine even more.

And yet, at the same time, I seek direction, a goal. Everything seems so overwhelming and unreachable as well. I don't even know where to begin the majority of the time.

Yesterday I sat with a friend from school and her significant other who used to work at Apple as we discussed macbooks. He is a major graphic/computer geek. Beside him, my little meanderings and piddling creations seem so small and insignificant, so unworthy of... anything compared to just the little mini demonstration of what he does.

I felt so discouraged and insignificant when I left. How does anyone at all ever get past what seems to be a crushing of the spirit to take the first step?

2009-01-20T19:17:00.002-06:00

I have to admit, being able to change my layout with a couple clicks is awesome and I didn't have to do any work. Yah

I'm drifting around the net today checking out new stuff. I'm checking out Aviary which I found via a link on a techy web page.

Invite Share which I have no idea what types of invites you might get but hey, if it's graphic related, I'm there.

2009-01-20T19:08:00.001-06:00

These awesome pictures were taken by my beautiful daughter who now thinks she wants to study multi-media possibly.

2009-01-18T17:36:00.001-06:00

oh! cute birdies. Can you tell I'm easily amused?

The kids are with other Debi. I'm not sure exactly where. Just somewhere east of here. The musicians in the band are laying down the music for their album. Too cool huh?

off to small group. later.

p.s. ABC....

2009-01-04T22:09:00.001-06:00

I'd like a response for a change. I know you get a lot of emails. But for once I'd like an acknowledgment that you hear us. Thanks.

Open Letter to ABC

2009-01-04T21:55:00.003-06:00

The following is the email I sent to ABC tonight. They have canceled Eli Stone. My family throughly enjoys Eli Stone.

Letter to ABC:

I am very disappointed to see you have canceled Eli Stone. With the loss of this show, I am back to watching only the local news on ABC. I am tired of garbage. You moved EMHE to the 7 pm slot a couple years ago and replaced it with Desperate Housewives. No longer can watch EMHE due to time slot. I'm tired of smut. If I wanted smut, I'd subscribe to cable and watch HBO and Cinemax. I want shows I can watch with my children. Eli Stone was one we all enjoyed.
Sincerely,
Deborah K

I'm over smut.

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-01T19:58:00.002-06:00

Kids spent the evening at a capture the flag New Year party. I went to church for a worship service.

Afterwards, I joined Steph for coffee at Waffle House. Then home to play Animal Crossing City Folk. The image below is of my character at New Year.

Hope everyone had a marvelous New Year start and may the year be filled with blessings!

ah ha!

2008-12-27T15:43:00.002-06:00

Hope your Christmas was amazing. We had a great day. The kids got plenty of clothes. Their dad sent them money. They will gradually spend that.

Chaz got me Animal Crossing City Folk edition. Breezy got me smelly stuff from Bath and Body works. We especially liked the Dancing Waters fragrance.

I'm sitting at Martellis (my favorite place other than Hobby Lobby, Books a Million and Liberty) looking up information on ACCF.

Wish you all a Happy New Year in case I forget to check in before then. You'd think I'd get here more often since I come to Martellis a couple times a week. Guess that's what makes the Twitter feed good?

ohhhh

2008-12-13T13:05:00.002-06:00

I like this layout. All I need to do is make a title header to replace the text header.

I'm sitting outside the church waiting for everyone to get here for practice and finish preparing for the Christmas program. I'm getting a better signal sitting outside than I do when I'm inside. *grimace*

One more week of school. I have to say I'm totally ready for it. I hope and pray God opens a door for me to be somewhere else come August of next year. Breezy will be finished at the school in high school. Chaz is already there. It's time for a change.

Still need to finish Christmas shopping. I returned the shirt I got for Chaz while in Alabama. I'm going to order him a replica Alabama jersey for his big gift. Still not sure what Breezy's big gift will be. She hasn't given me any clues. Go figure.

Anyway, I'm still alive and kicking. On Twitter and Facebook more often. I use text messages to update Twitter which updates my Facebook account. That way I don't need to be logged in as much and can just use my phone. Good idea huh?

Oh yeah, I got my 1099R from the military today so I'm 1/4 of the way ready to do my taxes!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T12:52:00.001-06:00

Short week. Only two days of work. Finished up. Completed the monthly report for November that I will email before leaving Martellis.

Laundry is done. Chaz and Breezy are cleaning the kitchen. Groceries are purchased.

I just need to pack my clothes and the car and we are ready to go.

To the few who come by, Happy Thanksgiving. May your day be full of blessings!
~Deb

2008-11-26T12:50:00.001-06:00

That was the easiest template change I have ever done thanks to "The Cutest Blog on the Block."