Shout

Hallelujah to the Lord Almighty for all His wonderous works in 2008. It has been a great 8 for me!!:) Thank You Lord God for all You have done for me personally.

New Year's Eve Day

has been very hectic. I went to bed last night with a migraine and boy was it a doosey. Today has been my "sick day". But hubby came home to a house still in disarray and was not very happy. I am grateful I have a home, the warmth of heat and a bed to lay my this tired body in at night. Perspective - its all about perspective.

I doubt I will be up to see the new year 2009 roll in. Father Time is running so very fast.

Too Funny

Yesterday oldest son began the work on our bedroom. Needless to say stuff is every where.
My middle son decided he would mess with his dad. They love sending pics back and forth to tease each other. I received a call from hubby saying, "I've seen the bedroom so I think I will be staying another day to play golf." I laughed about the whole thing.

Truly it is better he delay coming home another day to give us a chance to put everything back in and clean up. He would be so behind us picking up things that we would need to use. I guess
that's what a perfectionist does. I wouldn't know bc i am the slob, so they say, in the family. But i can find everything i need in my piles.

This is giving me an opportunity to weed out stuff, esp. old books. They are going to the library and DAV. Walls primed, getting ready to paint(check). Keep sorting clothes, books, stuff.(check)
focused(check). See you all later, the new year is fast approaching.

Word 2009 - Healing

I loved the display to celebrate the birth of Jesus in SanJuan. Even on government land you could see the joy of Christ's birth.

Last year my word for 2008 was prosperity. This morning I began to feel the Lord wanted me to focus on the word "healing" for 2009. Ironically or not I am listening to a service on TBN about that very word. Many are sharing their healing stories. I heard an interesting word - healing is not the same as being cured. And the example was the 10 lepers - all were healed but only one was cured. Interesting thought.

Ornaments

I read this post from Julia today on StreamLiving. I realize I had many ornaments I did not unbox and put out this year. Some are tarnished and quite honestly I just love them bc they are so old, from hubby's childhood. They remind me of my elders, who carry so much wisdom, but are often ignored bc they are not so polished anymore. The young people overlook them many times bc they think they are too hip/cool/with-it to bother with their elders. Many of their attitudes is "what could that ole' person teach me?"

An Ornament for Christ by Julia Bettencourt

When we think of Christmas ornaments, something beautiful usually comes to mind. Shiny, bright, glistening, sparkling, and pretty are just a few words we use to describe them. The dictionary meaning from Webster says that an ornament is "anything serving to adorn; decoration; embellishment."

How well do we embellish the body of Christ?

"But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. " I Peter 3:4

Everything we say and do comes from our heart. Just like a Christmas ornament, hanging on a tree, our lives are dangling out there for others to see. How well do we embellish, adorn, and serve the body of Christ?

What type of ornament are you?

A Tarnished Ornament.

Have you seen those Christmas ornaments that are beautiful, you pick them up and all the paint, and glitter comes off in your hand? Are you that way? Have you been rubbed the wrong way a few times? Maybe you've been slighted by another Christian or had a disagreement with a friend and never made up with them. That paint and glitter has come rolling off you and your heart life shows signs of wear.

An Ugly Ornament.

There are just some ornaments that are just that, plain ugly! You may not be ugly on the outside but inside there's some sad ugliness. Got an ugly attitude? Do you speak ugly words? Do you wear ugly expressions? Do you just reflect ugliness? These types of ornaments hang on the tree all by themselves because nobody wants to be around them.

A Broken Ornament.

Are you broken and falling apart? Some people just radiate the fact that their life has problems. In reality we all have problems but we all don't wear those problems as our wardrobe like some. We get our lives all broken and falling apart because we don't have our priorities in the right place or we don't depend on Christ as we should. In turn we get cracked and broken because we're trying to hold ourselves together on our own.

A Packed Away Ornament.

These ornaments no longer are useful and are packed away in a box, put up in the attic or a shelf in the closet and are never used again. Got some dust on you? Can you feel the cobwebs just crisscrossing your spiritual life? Stopped reading your Bible? Stopped praying? Stopped witnessing? This type of ornament scares me the most. Never doing anything for Christ. Not only would it be a boring life but it would also be such an unhappy and lonely one as well.

A Perfect Ornament.

This is the type of ornament we all would like to strive to be. The kind that builds up the body of Christ and reflects all that is lovely. An ornament that beautifies and adorns.
"An ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price"

We can choose how we embellish and adorn the body of Christ by how we act as a reflection of what's in our hearts. Today, ask yourself: How am I hanging?

Sunset and Headed to SC

Don't let the sun set being angry.

I captured this sunset at the

end of our first cruise day.

I packed my hubby's bags and off we went this morning up the interstate to meet his dear friend. For the last three years they have headed to SC for guy time and golfing. I gladly wish him good health and traveling mercies. My hubby deserves this time. He is so busy throughout the year working for all his family. I hope they have the best time ever.





On the other hand he left us with a list to do. My oldest plans on heading up Monday to redo the closet (hubby needs more clothing space) honest!!! lol and my son will prime and paint our bedroom. Oh boy, hubby says to me, "I didn't plan on leaving you to be bothered with any of this." Right!! who is going to remove all our stuff from the closet and bedroom. The one that
wants to be able to find everything to put it all back. So my house will be in upheaval for the New Year. What a beginning!!

I am grateful I have my health and a willing son to be able to do this. Down with the Christmas tree and all the trimmings packed away before I begin. So today will be busy, busy!!

Closest Book Quote

Sue had this fun challenge on her blog. Closest Book Quote Challenge

How to play:* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.* Find the fifth sentence.*
Post that sentence along with these instructions in a note in your BLOG.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual... Use the CLOSEST.


It just so happened when I read Sue's blog that a dictionary was sitting in my lap. So the 5th sentence on page 56 is

"bakelite"

- a synthetic resin used for the same purposes as hard rubber, celluloid
- named after Belgian chemist

Thanks Sue for the light fun; a great amuzing thing to get your juices flowing. Jouranl that why don't you?!?!?! lol

SanJuan Kitty Brigade

Sentinel Cat Guarding the Entrances.

During our visit to San Juan we walked the long sea-side path to the end where you could see the fort. All along the route were stray cats being taken care of by the national park service. You could see kitty food and bottles of water with trays for them.


Look closely at the top picture - do you see the small opening in the rock wall. Amazing that a cat could jump up there but in the bottom pic you can see his little face peering out to the unwelcomed guesses along the path. This was really fascinating to me.

Even in the sidwalk that was poured with concrete you could see kitty paw prints. I have two pictures of that too. So to all my kitty-lover friends this is a tribute to your furry friends.

Christmas Memories

God so longs to give us the desires of our heart when they align with His Love for the world. My hubby had longed to see a friend from childhood. He had finally given up on trying to reach him since he had moved away to Key West, Florida.




Well you know God. Yesterday hubby went home to walk the streets of his beloved homeplace. He spotted a person in behind his friend's mom's home. And guess what!! He was able to spend several hours visiting with his friend.

His friend has reconciled himself to the fact that his days on earth are not too much longer. He is only in his late 40's. He realizes his organs are shutting down and he is heavily medicated. His wife just lost her job. But his outlook is so positive. My hubby needed to see and hear this coming from his dear friend. We hope to visit him for a little while on Friday.

This is another pic from days gone by. My hubby still has this classical guitar he received that year for Christmas. And now all my sons share the joy of music and playing too. If you were to enlarge this pic in the bottom left hand corner you would see an Easy Bake box. His sister obviously received a very popular gift that year too.

REMEMBER: every day is a blessing from God

and

Merry Christ-mas

Christmas Long Ago

I found these pics in the bottom of my hubby's chest drawers. Aren't they adorable. It's so funny that I have similar ones of each of our sons. Ironic!! My favorite pic of my youngest son is of him wearing the footie pjs my hubby has on in the lower bottom corner. Do you remember the trees?

Thanks for the memories. Look at that black/white tv. And the
bike has come back in style I believe.

Wishing You All A Very Merry CHRISTMAS

Blessed 2008

I am so blessed. Early this morning around 6am I went to Walmart to finish shopping for Christmas dinner. Right in the crossing lane before the front door lay this penny. I had been
praying and talking to God as I was walking from the truck to the store. Isn't God great!!!

Every day is a blessing from God. And isn't it ironic the year is 2008 on the penny. In God I want to trust more than ever for 2009. Merry Christmas Eve day. I hope you feel the love!!

Twelve Days Of Christmas-Continued

Nine Ladies Dancing made its way from Chicago from an artist who has been featured in Cloth,Paper, Scissors and Quilting Arts magazines. She thinks so outside the box. I love her view, how about you? Her little ballerina is so delicate. Look at the detail in the tutu and the way she wrapped her body and arms. She also
included a piece of her fabric paper. She is my poet-in-residence, who is teaching me so much about words.
The scan does not do this little ballerina justice.





Ten Lords A Leaping made its way from The Netherlands. Don't you
just love the frogs - reminds you of the frog and the prince.

Blessed

I awoke this morning in my own bed with our doggie laying at our feet. Something not allowed by hubby, but he did make an exception since we were away for a week.

I have been reflecting on life. I am so blessed, most of us in the US are blessed beyond measure. We just don't realize it and begin to complain and moan and groan about anything.
When I found myself complaining while away I was constantly reminded that the purpose for this trip was different. "CHANGE" being willing to accept what-come-may AND thanking God for that moment. Of course I failed so many times but kept getting better about what was most significant in my life bc God would not leave me alone - in a good way of course.

Friendships, family, relationships - all the God-stuff. One of my best purchases was on Grenada - a Caribbean gospel cd - which i am playing right now.

If you are reading this at any time consider yourself a blessing in my life. One I am grateful and don't want to take for granted.

On Our Way Home

Hopefully by the time you read this we will be through customs and on our way to San Juan airport to catch our flight home. See you soon, know i have a ton of emails to catch up on. missed everyone.

Happy 28th Anniversay

I forgot to wish my hubby a Happy Anniversary online. I bought him two cards before I left home to give him on the ship. One funny, which he really enjoyed, the other will be given at dinner tonight.

Happy Anniversary 28th and many more.

Sea Day

well our bags are packed, we're ready to go. Actually they begin taking bags at 6pm. I'm so efficient. lol. Hubby is suffering with a terrible sore throat. We see some problems with weather in Chicago and parts of the northeastern country in US. Hope JFK is moving on time tomorrow.

Aruba's Water Park

Sanka - when asking for coffee in Aruba don't ask for sanka. Why bc it means derriere. lol
Our driver taught us many different words but of course that one stuck in my hubby's mind. Any wonder?!! We are back aboard ship and leave the port in less than two hours. Boy am I tired!! Almost 800 pics and I forgot my camera in town of Aruba, so borrowed my hubby's against his wishes. I am a camera hog.

Bonaire Today

Bonaire is known for its sea salt and pink flamingos. What a combination. We won't be there until 12 noon today. So what's a girl to do? Spa! art auction! checkout the boutiques! or play bingo? Probably none of the above but relax on our balcony. More to come later, hitting around 600 pics and two more days to go. Wowser!! hope everyone is doing great.

Maids-a-Milking and Breast Cancer 5k Walk Aboard

We toured a different part of Grenada than we had visited 2 years ago. The island's economy is worse. Their banana trees are being destroyed by some kind of insect. I love this island bc of the beautiful colors in the homes. All colors of paint - a true melting pot.

Before we could get off this morning they had a medical emergency - it seemed to be a heart attack. We prayed for this older gentleman and his family. Hopeful it turned out to be nothing.

The 12 Days of Christmas ornaments are amazing. So far GvN's "maids-a-milking" touched my heart the most. She gave tribute to Breast Feeding mother's. And today on the ship they will have a 5K Susan Koman Breast Cancer walk. Each ornament holds a special place in my heart bc of the artists making it. Which brings me to what I buy on the islands and why. I look for local artists and purchase a piece of their art -whatever that might be. Today I bough a poem book and yesterday I bought a hand carved nativity ornament plus a beautiful native doll.

The Dominican artist shared if the doll has one know in her hair scarf it signifies she is single, two knots and she is engaged, if the scarf knots are three you are married. My doll has three knots bc the artist was married and makes only 3-knotted dolls. How interesting.

Dominica Set Sail

Today was wonderful bc our excursion wasn't shcheduled until 10:30am. We were able to see the Mother and Father Falls in the rainforest. The flowers were beautiful and to be honest I could have stayed there listening to the water all day. So peaceful

We were very blessed to be put in the two front seats of the van. Usuall we are in the back and can't see anything. I felt like a queen. lol. We are headed for Grenada.

See you Under The Stars where P.S. I love You is not playing. Heading off to meet my hubby who is watching the ship pull out of port.

St Thomas-God Challenging

You know how you just want to have everything work out as planned. Well I have to laugh bc that is not what God has planned on this cruise. We are enjoying each other - the most important thing. Last night saw a comedian - don't we need to laugh more?!! We were an hour and half late leaving port - waiting on folks to board - so after 12:30 we went to bed. Didn't get to see ship leaving port.

Today we did go to Peter's Great House - but - you know when you have experienced something and then changes occur. Things are just ever so slightly different. Well - we did get to see the Botanical Gardens but they stopped the tours inside the home. Bummer bc this house is gorgeous. God had other plans for us. At the top of the mountain we took pics with some unsavory characters - pirates and scalawags. lol

We are not back on ship where we will probably stay for the rest of the day. We are both tired and wanting to sit on our balcony. But we should found out our excursion for tomorrow has been cancelled so another change.

Hubby hates change. God loves to lead with us following.

San Juan and All Aboard

Well we made it and now are on board the ship. This morning we were up early and walked over 2 miles to the Fort and all around San Juan. I love the architecture and the colorful town. Found a great shop The Poet's Gallery. Off and running, or shall I say relaxing with hubby.

Eleven Lord's Leaping from Scotland

This is another tartan-astic ornament exchange. The detail

in this little book is amazing. I love the stamps and the stamped Lord's.

The teeny, tiny beads and buttons and wool w/embroidery

is wonderful. Is it any wonder why I enjoy trades/exchanges so

much?!?!!?!

Drummers Drumming

how unique every ornament is. This little ornament has paper

musical notes, a felted drum with beading and the crazy "pom pom" yarn, which I love. On the back lk put the little song with the cutest bunny fabric for backing.

Today is it, i have run out of time. I have so much to do before i leave early in the morning. Hubby has given me a list to try an accomplishment while he is at work. Oh boy! rushing around like

a chicken with my head cut off. i did begin a list - a very important list of addys to send postcards - if i can find them from each island. The hunt will begin tomorrow. We will be visiting 2 new islands.

Hubby may one day get his wish - to visit every Caribbean island.

Sent To Me

Actually I forgot to say there are 14 of us in 12 Days of Christmas. So

True Love and Sent to me were added days. Yes! more fun to open

wonderful handmade gifts. Sent to Me is this wonderful brown paper

bag painted cover and each page is one day of Christmas. Here is

Day 4 and 5. It was gold-edged with paint and thread. i love it!!

True Love

gave to me Day 1 of The 12 Days of Christmas. Here is the

very first one opened. Its an embroidered heart attached

is an altered key and wonderful tag using wall paper. It

was sent in a cute handmade little bag. Boy, this is a hard act

to follow. Thank you Nj.

Rough Day

Today has been a rough day. I may have picked up a bug from my DILs mom. I've pretty much slept all day. I did get one of my blog winner prizes finished early this morning and its to be mailed out tomorrow.

Grateful for

1) Christmas cards family updates

3) warm day comfy bed

5) being able to rest water

7) son helping out travel mercy for son

9) sons being off today sons having fun together

11) hubby taking his mom to dinner family

13) quiet sleeping

15) smell of fresh air hubby working

17) paying bills order

19) friends God's faithfulness

Grateful for

Day 9 - 20 things I am grateful for

1) you and you
3) a great day early morning star twinkling again
5) my doggie getting better my sons all being home
7) God's answers to prayer He has better ideas
9) friends family
11) deviled eggs macaroni salad
13) grocery store near by hubby's work
15) my health a good life
17) God's provision God's protection
19) it doesn't look like what I expected saying Good Night

Headed To London

here is the AB IW book page for Carol from London. Pocahontas

is a quilt I am working on from my guild angel quilt challenge.

I transferred her to paper, since feathers are not allowed to travel

through customs, made the clay face and added a Native American

choker for the border. She's one thing England and Virginia have

in common. Pocahontas was buried in England after she became

ill traveling back across the pond.

Day 8 - 20 things grateful for

1) friends invite to dinner a sweet new puppy

3) helping a friend figure out how to cruise a great dinner

5) son's safety the hard places

7) my migraine going away meds

9) visiting with son and his girlfriend the hard places

11) long years of marriage working through differences

13) the morning stars the cool of the day

15) The Lord's Day being able to focus on what is impt

17) furniture in my home a home

19) good conversations having fun and laughing

FiberArts

I won this issue on FAT Gadgets and Gizmos night from Leilani.

Thank you dear friend. How thoughtful of you to give some really

great magazine issues away as gifts. I can't wait to dig into this

issue. I usually look at the mag when I go into B&N but nothing

ever inspires me to buy the mag. I had not seen this issue and

there are lots of interesting articles - anyone for snow dyeing?!

Day 7 - 20 grateful things

1) shopping - not how about it being at your fingertips is necessary

3) clothes on ridiculous sale price pair of shorts $3.20

5) dinner with hubby being able to buy son on duty his dinner

7) safety of my son while working road God's protection

9) conflict situations that build character God knows best

11) trusting in God's decision not going my own way

13) sticking in there to work it through friends offer for dinner

15) hubby helping others another work week for hubby finished

17) doggie going for a walk after months of not waiting to see vet

19) conversations with sons my son's sweet girlfriend and her love

Scale

I learned quite a bit about scale by doing a project for Inspired.

The larger square is 4 inches and looked great with the items

I had placed on it but when you reduce it down to 1 little inchie.

Well it appears to be too much to make a great visual. So back

the drawing board. Reduce and reuse. This is the letter "D"

for the alphabet inchie trade I am participating in with Inspired

participants.

I am Artiste

"N" sent me this great little book made totally of threads and such. I love the brown paper bags recycled into pages with cute little kitty stamps on each page. On the cover "I love dogs." Thank you "N" for the gift of creativity and inspiration. Artiste live on.

Saying Yes is a great book. Pope John Paul wrote a letter to all artists in 1999.

It begins like this

"To all who are passionately dedicated to the search for new “epiphanies” of beauty so that through their creative work as artists they may offer these as gifts to the world.
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Gn 1:31)"

What a wonderful legacy to be reminded of and to keep one focused as an artist. What is the earliest creative thing you can remember doing? God has requested my presence as an artist. The Artist of all the ages, the Creator, Himself has put everything in me to create and express His love to the world.

Who along the way has influenced your artistic tendencies? Who are your believing mirrors?

After reading halfway through this book something inside me has changed. I can now give myself permission to "fan into flame the gift of God" inside me. My presence is requested and its never too late to show up. In Saying Yes there is this statement that I love:

"His (G0d)'s laughter rolled through the heaven as He watched from His studio."

I stood out on my deck in the early morning and gazed up at the sky filled with sparkling stars. Diamonds exchanging glances from one to another and then exploding on the scene for man to experience God's wonderful light show in the sky. What a treat and a great way to begin the day.

"N" my secret "Bond" agent

"N" sent me this wonderful little jean pocket purse all the way from

Tasmania, Australia. Isn't she the bomb? i just can not stop looking

at her. She is captivating. I have bunches of jean pants I've been

collecting. I'm wondering.....

Day 6 again - 20 grateful things

1) a great morning the night sky filled with stars

3) challenges in life a free spirit to soar

5) not thinking just enjoying life freedom

7) craziness of laughter potato skins

9) wonderful you wonderful movies

11) the wonder of it all another day

13) fast typing finger joy of the Lord

15) fast work a pace to enjoy life

17) Christmas lights tour of the Birth of Christ

19) letting go and saying no

I wanted to type fast and see what would pop into my head and just be grateful for. This was an

exhilirating exercise in gratitude.

Saying Yes

I was in B&N this afternoon for my Artist's Date, found a great

applique book with daisy in it; cost $5.00. Then I went into a
different section where I was drawn to a protruding book. Beside
that big book was this smaller one. I pulled it out, the title was
interesting and when I opened it to begin reading I began to weep.
Boy am I glad hubby was not along and no other patrons were near
me. As I read I kept weeping. So needless to say I felt very
impressed to purchase this book. Wonder what all the weeping is
about? Ask God; He will share His creative ways with me. This
journey i am on; I like it; just don't know where it's leading me.





Early this morning I went to Walmart to grocery shop. On the way there I was listening to the song about the little boy buying his mommy a pair of shoes before she goes home to meet Jesus.
All of a sudden I felt very convicted about; not the outer appearance; but my inner heart attitude. Dare I say I spent the rest of my drive over asking God's forgiveness for some not-so-nice heart issues. I don't think he will care if I am wearing stilettos or tennis shoes or sandals on the day I meet him. But he will definitely be looking at the heart.

Day 5 - 20 grateful things

1) received 9 12 days of Christmas gifts 3 more on the way

3) paying our bills mailing fee for artist's piece i ordered

5) a beautiful day listening to God

7) my doggie's love my doggie's friendship

9) 4th son's job favor for him in the new job

11) son off for a much-needed day getting shopping done

13) preparing spaghetti for dinner tonight aroma

15) sense and cents

17) online FAT gadget party laughter

19) cool sayings cool beans and sense of humor

SewPrettyChristmas

I absolutely loved the front cover of this book but the project pics

inside are even more alluring. I said a while back I had never been

a pink-sort-of-girl but again I am drawn to the pink projects.

Sew Pretty Christmas was first published in Norway as Tildas

julehus.

There are angel, dove, pig, geese, muffin, heart, apple and slipper

projects. They are all so wonderful. I want to try them all. The

chapters are divided by the rooms in a home - living room, kitchen,

entrance hall, etc. This is definitely eye candy worth purchasing

just for the inspiration.

Look at the Babushka dolls project. Isn't this fabric to-dye-for!!
She fits in under the "Little Girl's Bedroom."

Day 4 - Grateful Things

1) beautiful books the color pink

3) sons home safely the end of the day

5) late night projects fun art projects

7) peace and quiet

9) hubby home this past week holistic meds

11) project complete beginning on others

13) giving bloggers faithful blogger friends

15) i can post grateful things strong arms

17) healing power of journaling working w/ new medium

19) opportunities developing a plan The Creative Entrepreneur