First OWH cards

leap'n lizards and believe

today is New Year's Eve eve

PRAYERS

i wish all an amazing 2010 year in the Lord.

may He grant you the desires of your heart

according to His riches in glory.

what a year this has proven to be.

PRAISE THE LORD

He is Great

and

able to do exceedingly abundantly above all things.

i believe.

Operation Write Home

i am working on cards to send to troops for OperationWriteHome.

i think this would be a worthy cause

and

i am sure there are many soldiers that would love to send a

card to their loved ones but are in parts of the world

where they are not able to take the time to shop for one.

they love the handmade ones so my time will be spent wisely

GIVING BACK.

and

the size envys i need were on sale at Staples -

a box 100 @ $5.00 so i bought 2 boxes.

but

i think i will go back and purchase the other 3 too.

Art Lottery PC

here is my art lottery pc. i chose 5 numbers and then sharon sent the techniques that represent each number. origami, couching, organic, large item and straight, thin line. this was so fun. i'm doing another one. can't resist the challenge.

hubby is away on a golf trip with his best bud, so i have plenty of time to do what i want. well, not exactly but i have a little more time with art endeavors. looking forward to the New Year.

Sunset

i took this pic from my balcony aboard the Caribbean Princess

at the end of the day leaving Barbados.

and

sad to say i broke my camera two days ago while uploading my pics to the computer.

i celebrate life today

grateful for early morning sunrise

being able to get up and see it.

a warm home

plenty of food to eat.

opportunities to help others

by making a few cards.

how will you celebrate your life today?

Happy Birthday Jesus

Merry Christmas to one and all,

every creature stirring

and

all people groups around the world.

John 10:10

remember Jesus' Words:

I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.

this morning i awoke before 6am aware there were no presents under the tree.

that really bothered me yesterday as hubby spoke - "go out and buy something to place under the tree if you want." Which i replied, "it would be buying just to be buying." and he ended it with, "yeah that's right." well that settled that.

instead i went to Hallmark and selected a special card for each of my family members to let them know how special they are to me each and every day.

The World looks different today.

Its full of hope and possibilities,

love and encouragement,

peace and goodwill to men.

You are my world.

Gift-giving

all the packages were underneath the tree.

In the San Juan Marriott was a gorgeous, extravagantly decorated Christmas tree.

i love the ginormous balls hanging from the branches and the beautiful white bows.

this year i hope and pray that every day i can give the gift of love away.

and

leave behind the negative, critical attitude.

i hope and pray that God would show me how to be more like Jesus in every way.

loving, kind, generous, encouraging, not a nay-sayer, joyful, selfless.

my gift to you would be

Jesus.

but

He gave himself along time ago to reconcile this world to the Creator of the Universe.

enjoy Christmas bc this is the time of year we celebrate Jesus' birthday.

3rd Day

the third day we experienced rain but along

with it was a beautiful rainbow in the sky. God's gift to us.

closeup of rainbow

i believe it was Antiqua.

Read for Yourself

i really find it disturbing how Big Pharma, CDC and our government are in bed together all for the sake of "the citizens" best interest. what a laugh!! we are like sheep being led to slaughter. why do we believe everything they say? can't we research things for ourselves? i guess in the long run people want "quick fixes" even if it means it kills them.
my frustration level with the medical world seems to be growing. Big Pharma gives large sums of money to doctor's hospitals for them to train students not to question their train of thought, just do as taught. But when one does begin to question they are black-balled or even worse made to look like charlatans.
wouldn't you really like to hear the truth just once. i've learned so much since receiving my diagnosis.
well the biggest thing - take time to research info for yourself. then make your decisions based on fact not scare tactics.

here's an interesting read. i was very concerned about my son taking this stuff and i'm so glad he was not able to get it.

http://www.naturalnews.com/027734_Tamiflu_Roche.html

i sound radical but really i'm not; just trying to educate myself on all the info out there.

I'm Home

i'm back home from our Caribbean "different crazy" anniversary cruise. Anyone for a little art lottery? waiting to see what techniques my selected numbers will bring. fun idea Sharon.

San Juan was great. we would love to take our sons to San Juan for a week. we arrived a day early and stayed on the 14th floor of the Marriot overlooking the pool and ocean. great view.
on way home we took shore excursions to the fort and ole' San Juan - i was able to go back to "The Poet" gallery. one true desire i had on this trip.

Antigua Wed

Well i feel there is this cloud, in more than one way, hanging over our heads. today its cloudy and showers. but the excursion has been wonderful, simply because i am sharing it with my hubby. we've discussed the diagnosis a little, wept a little together and just snuggled together. hubby is now ready to try a western Caribbean cruise.
i just splurged on a chicken salad sandwich and chocolate truffle. two things on my not-2-eat list. i must do better.

I wanna Do Steampunk

this little peeping tom is the closest thing i've done in a steampunk fashion.

His little brain is in cog-nitive motion looking into UUs kittykat klub window.

i squished him against a plastic frame to look like a window, added a curtain that drops down and added words to the cog for a little humor. The tag reads "naughty". Here is what he is starring at.

well this is part of what he's gawking at. UU's page was so fun to make.

and

i'm off tomorrow morning early for another anniversary cruise.

See you when i return on my actual anniversary.

i'z s-cream, you s-cream

we all scream for ice cream. i remember saying that as a young child. anyway lisa has a cute journal page posted about Mr. Cone Head. i just love her Teesha Moore-type page. go over an check her out.

Robin's Wonder

my doggie now

yesterday was a wonderful get-up and out of bed day. i arose from bed listening to this wonderful music - the birds were chirping and singing their happy songs. even my dog enjoyed listening - he was so cute to watch as each new sound arose in the air from outside my window.

i stepped out on my deck to watch and listen - a large group of robins were in the yard. one particular little robin was on my split rail fence bopping along and as he came to a leaf he would stop, pick it up with his beak and drop it to the ground full of leaves. he did that all way down the rail fence and then turned around and came back to where he started. wonder what that was all about!! i used my word for 2010 - wonder. the earth is full of God's wonders.

Black Friday chaos

my puppy

this is my sweet little puppy from days gone by.

he's now 7 this year.
but just as loving and adorable.

well at midnight on Thanksgiving Black Friday began. this year was not as bad bc they had a police officer at the entrance of our subdivision. if you didn't live in here you could not come in. it actually worked and they had another police officer stationed at the roadway to our area. he stopped the others from coming in an parking, tearing up our yards and trashing the area.

what are county planning commissions thinking when they allow businesses to overflow into residential? its not a good thing, unless you live in an area developed like NewTown where businesses are on the ground levels and apts are on the top part of townhomes. But then when a person buys there they know exactly what they are getting. That's a lifestyle the person really wants - to be in the middle of the bar scene and restaurants and shopping area.

my hubby and 5 other homeowners were at the entrance to our street from 11pm until 2am. people feel they have every right to park in front of our homes, cut through our yards just to get to the outlet mall down the street. it amazes me - people's rationales - of course, it's all about them.

on that note i am thankful for:

hubby getting involved in govt, sticking with it to the end, the rain-hailstorm last night, my warm home, the pleasure of family, memories, laughter, new memories, great food, hands to prepare it, health, love, devotion, kindness, gratitude, God love's us no matter what, my toasty bed, an umbrella and raincoat, clothes that still fit for the cruise.

i'm just plain grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving

my white Christmas

here is a little tree my hubby bought me at the end of summer when the first Christmas decorations came out. it was going outside but i like it right where it is. handmade decorations of white on this little tree with my homemade snowman family. daddy, mommy and baby.

have a very happy Thanksgiving.

the house is still quiet

i awake early to start the day

thawed out turkey filled with stuffing

so what can i say.

soon all the trimmings will be placed on the table

and

all will find their usual seats with one more added.

that always kind of neat.

i reflect over the year

the good news and some bad.

but

i am so thankful My God reigns

on this wonderful day as on every day.

Happy Thanksgiving

enjoy the glorious day, your family and friends.

that's what i am going to do

rejoice in this day.

BY-The-Sea Charms

By the sea, by the deep blue sea

my charms were made for you and me.

don't know what to do with thumbnails pics.

add them to your lucky charms

along with repurposed jewelry

and create one-of-a-kind delights.

to remind you of the travels

near and far.

two pics in center taken from my cruise last year - Aruba.

and

i am counting down the days until i leave again.

packing lighter, checking that list, throwing out

more so that suitcase will be lighter.

no overweight charge for me this year.

Kenya Christmas Box

Teri has a soldier friend in Kenya that requested decorated brown paper sandwich bags and also had a list of goodies we could collect an mail to him for Christmas distribution to children in their area. So here are a few things i was able to find. God so blessed me to find flip flops at \
70% off. i had given up finding any this late in the year. Yahoo, hip,hip,hurray!!! This goodies box will be mailed out tomorrow. thank you so much terri for the opportunity to give back to the servicemen and women around the world as they continue to give of themselves for us.

Song Bird

sing little bird

mouth full of treat

you swept down

to capture your prey

and

hurried back to safety.

The Blind Side and Blind Challenge

have you seen this movie? it just came out yesterday and i had to see it. from a true story - i love Sandra Bullock so it was a must see for that reason alone. i loved it, we need more of this encouragement at the box office and not all the killing and gore.

Leilani's 5-Day Blind Challenge

Art Quilt Results

after the last step of sewing sides

in unusual ways it became my iron cover.

i truly love it.

Wildflower & Gratitude Continued

Wildflower on Skyline Drive

my hubby noticed this little flower growing all alone on the walking trail.

He asked me to take a picture of it.

on to my growing list of gratitude

1)2:30am wakeup call, 2)a gentle rebuke to obey, 3)living life simply, 4)noticing the neglected,

5)my dog taking me for walks, 6)Day 3 of devotional - the thorn in the flesh, 7)friend from GA called, 8)no tv watching, 9)son going to visit new doctor, 10)trusting God knows best, 11)a leaf-free yard, 12)i love piles of leaves, 13)the smell of Fall, 14)wood burning fireplace, 15)my brother killing his first deer of the season, 16)being able to work out issues, 17)enjoying my Inspired tags, 18)working on my sea charms, 19)phone calls from friends, 20)seeing a prophesy fulfilled!!

UUs Breast Cancer Doll

i had been meaning to take photos of this gorgeous doll UU made for me and sent with the healing friendship quilt the gang made for me. UU is an amazing artist and her laughter is contagious. a-a--a-shoo!! the cancer quilt behind her was made by my DIL. its a huggie.

do you notice her boobalas are major tasselled, pointy, beaded?

and here are another set for the person feeling a little overwhelmed with the pointy ones.

she made three sets, so now i can play dress up boobalas, never a dull moment.

and it keeps you guessing.

the little pin she made has a charm that reads "girlfriends".

there is so much detail in this little lady. she hangs on a chandelier in my dining room,

don't you think that is appropriate?

Trees BR Page

Trees Bedroom Page for Me

i never posted Trees' page for me bc it came during the rough time with the diagnosis. There for a while everything stopped, the only focus was getting to the next doctor. I've been reading Suzanne Somers' book Knockout. It very interesting she has complied a list of alternative doctors for cancer treatments. Sad to say the medical field acknowledges they have killed many people from the meds they have administered. Suzanne Somers diagnosis was a nightmare to say the least. At least she has a voice that can make it count. Think of the everyday patient that deals with misdiagnosis and if they follow blindly believing the doctors are like a god. Not!!

My list of gratitudes

1book Knockout, 2Sarah Palin new book, 3Glen Beck's books, 4Psalm 1, 5my friend's new devotional book, 6reading for pleasure, 7gathering information, 8checking things out for myself, 9a new tire on car, 10checkup on car, 11money to pay the car bill, 12my naturopathic visit, 13herbs at work, 14trusting in God, 15B&N, 16peppermint tea, 17my hubby's attentiveness, 18twenty-one days to cruise, 19talked to all my sons today, 20God's faithfulness.

Gratitude Continued

LOVE

love bears all things pillow was created by michelle for me. isn't her tie-dye gorgeous. it matches my quilt perfectly. thank you so much michelle.

Day 6 Gratitude

1my dog barking when someones around, 2waking up early, 3i am blessed every day, 4my groups, 5the dictionary, 6books i can finally alter, 7meeting new people, 8going to lunch w/ friend, 9dinner last night 10food in the cupboard, 11memorizing a new scripture, 12playing with my art techniques, 13-ning groups, 14terri, 15michelle, 16trading fun, 17shops in New Town, 18beautiful day in park yesterday, 19my doggies affection, 20leaves to rake in yard aka exercise.

Advent Calendar

ADVENT CaLenDaR

i decided to place my magnetic advents art pieces on a broiler pan bottom. wonder what kind of paint i could use on the background to give it a Christmasy feel. i just love all the artistic little pieces all my friends did for this swap.

thank you very body, i am so looking forward to building up to Christmas using this advent calendar. It is another treasure from a great group of artists around the world.

Day 5 Gratitude

i am so grateful for

1- i can change the color of the letters if i want, 2i love feel of early morning air, 3for a new day, 4rising early, 5my #1 advent yoyo from Trees, 6my #2 advent book from leilani, 7for a newborn fighting for its life, 8the young ofc manager leaving Planned Parenthood after seeing an ultrasound abortion kill a baby, 9Fox news, 10the Bible is Word of Truth and never changes, 11the day is just beginning, 12i can go on very little sleep right now, 13freedom to post my feelings, 14Hannity, 15people who stand for Christian values, 16Jesus paid the ultimate price of freedom, 17there is light at the end of the tunnel, 18God's forgiveness, 19the love of family, 20listening to the Word of God read

Day 4 Gratitude

back of page front page closed front page open




my last page assignment was for gretchen but UU will actually be the last. i have something big i want to do with hers, hopefully. Gretchen mentioned visiting Switzerland and other countries in her college days. Her memories were a little faded. So half the page is the face with different women in the background representing her memories of the trip. When you open the page the equestrian rider and horse lay across her forhead perfectly like a little cap. they are all muted colors to represent fading. Her back page is her jardinet with her little blossoms (children) growing in the pots. I used a little torn book page, a piece of colored lace, ribbon for stem, a fabric flower and brad in the center to finish the back page. stretched after Donna Downey's class.

DAY 4 Gratitude

1that i can post this new page, 2being able to have mail delivery, 3the sun is shining-hooray, 4i hear the birds chirping, 5my window view is gorgeous, 6its the Lord's day, 7one little bird is singing, 8my red rose bush is still in bloom, 9i was able to fix son breakfast, 10my laundry is finished, 11my dishes are in the dishwasher, 12greatful for things i have, 13i can help others, 14God hears my prayers, 15i am memorizing scripture, 16less than 30 days to anniversary cruise, 17i can read, 18go to library and get free books to read, 19you can request a new book from the library and they order it, 20this is a brand new day and God's mercies are new every morning. Clean slate!!

Saturday 14th Day 3 gratitude

i am so thankful for: 1love of hubby, 2going to breakfast with hubby, 3he loves me enough to fix computer, 4God never leaves ME, 5i can smell, 6for you reading this, 7fun inspiring people, 8taking a class, 9joy of the Lord, 10my diagnosis, 11God's one word for ME each year, 12He loved us enough to send His Only Son, 13struggles, 14working through the struggles, 15laughter, 16paying our son's tuition, 17trust, 18this past year 19friends online 20this time to express my gratitude.

Donna Downey Fabric Class

i could not resist taking a pic of the cutest couple around. Donna is sporting her new turquoise
eyewear and i caught Bill off-guard. They are so adorable. and love how they work together.

wired man heart on bottom

here are two of my canvas scrapbook pages from Donna Downey's new "Fabric" Fredericksburg class. She has so much to teach and the class was so much fun. lots and lots of gooey fingers.

.

Friday 13th gratitude

thankful for: 1being able to read, 2laughing, 3my dog who is pawing me to feed him, 4that i have a washer and dryer in my house, 5i can see, 6i enjoy the warmth of my home, 7the rain, 8being able to feel, 9wondering with my mind, 10creating art, 11my groups, 12my mom celebrating 80bday, 13life, 14my brother who encourages me in the Lord, 15food, 16warm bed, 17freedom to do what i want, 18the men and women in service who serve and protect our country, 19my middle son who is a police officer, 20God's protection

Jilliene's Challenge of Gratitude

my dyed, stamped fishy fabric

leilani is having a FAT Five Day challenge. I don't think this is the blind leading the blind but i sure feel lost. Each day we are given instructions to follow in making our art quilt. Oh the challenge in that alone. but i am being taken out of my comfort zone - that's a good thing.

Jilliene has challenged us in the month of November to follow along with her in seven days of gratitude posting on our blogs. So here goes:

1 - for my next breath 2 - my hubby's great paying job
3 - my doc appt was interesting 4 - my doc's openness in listening to me
5 - everyday i get up 6 - i was able to cook a good meal for family
7 - i can laugh 8 - i have great friends online to stick w/ me
9 - i have great artist friends 10 - the rain feels great to walk in
11- i'm wet from walking in rain 12 - my son is doing great in college
13- i enjoy the small lit tree in my dr 14- for jilliene challenging me
15- i can read my Bible 16- God loves ME
17- i can leave my burdens w/ God 18- a warm home
19- we can pay our bills 20- opportunity to enjoy this day

Again thanks jilliene for making us aware of our attitude of gratitude. Be blessed today.

Friendship Quilt

Friendship Quilt

i must say i have a great bunch of friends on my small group. after my diagnosis those little sneakers planned a quilt behind my back. Each one made a block and sent to "d" and "UU".

"d" put it together, added the border and UU quilted it.

when i received the big box in the mail i was shocked to say the least. i can truly say if my house were on fire two things i would grab - m family Bible and my quilt.

thank you all you artisty ones from around the world. i am honored.

next i must take pics of the beautiful doll UU made me and sent along. what a cheery little one she is. and also of michelle's heart pillow and leilanie's sweet little bag to carry to doc appts.

i've been slacking lately in blogging and creating - just enjoy hubby this week while he is off.

although we had doc appts every day. such is life.

Away, Away w/ Me

i went away for a few days - alone. it was really great to enjoy a class with creative ladies and Donna Downey and her hubby, Bill. she is such an amazing teacher. Now i have inspiration to finish a few pages that seemed to allude my creative side.

now that i am home hubby will finish changing over our internet and computer. with that said i hope i can figure out the changes. i get comfortable with same-o-same-ole.

i love stain glass in old churches. when i attended my mom's 80 birthday, my brother and i went into the old church on the Monacan grounds. My brother loves to share Jesus Christ with everyone. i can see him being a preacher one day. He is so humble and full of Christ it overflows

Computer

well it finally happened - my computer died. it's at the service/tech guy right now. thank God we backed it up last week with Carbonite.

this week hubby is off and we are enjoying spending time together. the weather is getting cold, fall has arrived and my doggie is loving it.

Round Trip

Wow yesterday was a busy day. We drove 3 hours to visit 2 hours with my mom and family, and friends to celebrate mom's 80th birthday, flipped around and drove home 3 more hours; only to run out the door to the healing service. It was a busy day, glad i was not driving, hubby was tired. But he will be off next week so he will have time to recover.

It was great seeing cousins, aunties and friends i have not seen for years. At one point my diagnosis came up. My nephew brought it up and we talked in depth about it all.

The service was wonderful, watching my hubby go forward for prayer and healing was wonderful. The worship time was so sweet; you feel like you are in the heavenlies. I hate to see the "crazy kiwi" leave after Sunday and so does my hubby. My hubby has been like a moth drawn to light.

Disturbing

i can't for the life of me figure out why parents are allowing the vaccinations of their young girls supposedly against cervical cancer?!?!?! i'm scratching my head. we are a bunch of idiots - being led to a slaughter by the pharmaceutical companies. they get richer and our families die at the hands of their trial serums.

When are are going to wake up!!!! read more about a young 14 yr old who died from the first vaccination she was given but it was her fault. http://www.naturalnews.com:80/027151_cancer_cervical_cancer_Natalie_Morton.html

why won't we read and learn for ourselves instead of being lazy and wanting everybody else to do it for us????!!!

Dust Bunny Rides Again

Oh how funny - sitting at my computer this morning in the dark i began to watch a mosquito rise up from the desk carrying along an extended tail - oh no - that was a dust bunny from behind the monitor. i had to laugh but sadly to say i squished him. i detest mosquitoes. do they serve a purpose? and on a slightly heavier note - i spent an exorbitant amount of money yesterday on my doggie. for going on 5 years he has had an ear irritation. maybe yesterday we found the problem. BUT i'm going to talk to my naturopathic to see what's going on. too many fatty tumors, ear infection and gum problems. Sounds like i'm describing a babies problems - well - he is my baby that will never grow up.

God is up to something and i'm going there. I never told you about the insurance company's letter last week. They sent a letter explaining they were denying my surgery bc the doc had not sent in enough clinicals. i had to laugh with God and ask what's up with that?! really i did laugh and laugh all the way to packing my bags and pulling out of the driveway to head to the mtns for a visit with family.

In quietness and confidence will be your peace. gotta run, get ready for the day.

Up 2 The Mtn 2 Pray

Prayer Mountain





The greatest miracle in all of this - restored relationships with my mom, sis and brothers. The most amazing of all, my next-to-youngest bro, and his life now sold out to God. He calls me everyday to share Christ-happenings. Here's one for you to ponder:



he shared with me that his friends, a couple and the man's mother have lots of land, little money; want to build a sports complex for youth on this land to advance the Kingdom of God. Yesterday my brother told me he was going up on the mtn to spend time with God and seek His Face. Where we live "going up the mtn means timber roads and no people or homes around". On his way close to the top he ran into a man, who he stopped to ask if he could help him, did he need a ride or anything. After exchanging pleasantries my brother went on his way. He stopped short of where he was headed, bc he really didn't know how to find the place and ahead was nothing but a mud hole. He knew if he got stuck there was no way to naturally get unstuck. Right after turning around he ran into the same man again. This time the man wanted to talk to my brother bc of his kind words to him about Jesus Christ.


After talking for quite a while and the man introducing himself to my bro (he was wealthy and an inventor; i checked him out on the web he is for real) the man told my bro if he ever needed anything, anything at all, to call him and he would help him. My brother told the man although he made very little he wanted for nothing bc of Jesus in his life. But he told him of the sports complex desire of the couple. The man told him once they had all their plans laid out to call him and he would donate money in my brother's name. My brother said, "when you donate do it in Jesus' name not mine."

How is that for a God-divine appointment? Personally i believe God is doing that for all that are willing to step out an share Jesus with the world.

hope you don't mind my sharing this story with you online. This is one of many my brother has shared with me. He has me in tears of laughter everyday when i talk to him bc of what Jesus is doing in his life. He is now a soft-touch for Jesus, pliable and supple in the Master's hand. He openly weeps before people and his heart is so tender to things of God.
dove

my brother desires to know the King of Kings personally by his name "Majestic Glory"

Wonder-filled Life

Today is a new day filled with wonderful opportunities to shine and be a bright light in this world of darkness. I'm loving life right now. This pasts weeks healing services have been wonderful. I love the messages Craig Marsh has delivered to the body of Christ here in our city. challenging!!

I'm loving the word God gave me for 2010 also. Wow, amazing how its popping up all around me! WONDER - in the books i read, conversations being had, pastor's sermons, on net. Thank you GOD for opening my eyes to see.

In scripture there is a verse that says,

"even the rocks will cry out if we don't for the Lord"; my paraphrase.

My hubby loves venturing up the mountain to Sky Line drive to see this formation of rocks. They are so huge and he realizes the expansion and bigness of God standing atop this grouping of rock art from God. Creativity began with God and that is where it will end but somewhere in between the created must need create too.

Busy Cleaning Out

Well the last two weekends have been spent in the mountains visiting family. And it has been wonderful to get away, see my family and spend time alone with hubby. While visiting my brother we went to his church on Sundays. The pastor delivered a great sermon both Sundays that hit home for me. I took this pic of a beautiful stain glass window in the sanctuary. I would love to have pics of them all. I believer there are at least twenty.

No art worked on but feeling so much better bc i rid my house of a ton of books and magazines. Then moved into my art studio and hit it hard too. Tons of junk out the door, DAV and trash can and giveaway. I even found a lady that could use some fabrics for making quilts. Her hubby is unemployed so i'm going to call her to come over and go through my stash and take whatever she wants. Wow i'm loving this. I needed to do this two years ago. It takes a wakeup call to get your ducks in a row and be obedient to let go of stuff - toxic relationships, attitudes, beliefs, everything. It all has to go!

Home

last weekend my hubby took me home - to the mountains. I was able to visit my sister and see her new grandson. Also my middle brother and his wife, daughter and her three children. It was great! The weather was perfect. We journeyed up the mountain to Skyline Drive and the rock, near Lookout Mtn. that my hubby loves so much.

I've thought so much about the solid rock we are standing on during this little "bump" in the road, as my hubby calls the diagnosis.

While stopped at the overlook my hubby pointed out this beautiful butterfly on a thistle bush. It was as if the butterfly decided to do an exhibition so i could take its picture. Don't you just love the color? It was such a wonderful get-away. So much so that he is thinking of taking me back today when he gets off from work. Then i will attempt to see mom and another brother. My mom will be 80 this coming month and my sister is attempting a big party over at the Monacan's site.

I'll get to hear the next part of the pastor's sermon if i go. Seems the Lord is working in me "that godly sorrow" the pastor was talking about last Sunday. And this Sunday he is going to extend the series to broken relationships. Both my brother and i are looking forward to hearing that. He and i know how broken our family has been for years. So my "healing" will come in more ways than one. Only God could use a diagnosis to heal the broken hearted. For that my brother and i are both grateful.

i think i hear the tune from John Denver in my head "take me home, mountain momma". ah nostalgia.

Inspired Tags

Here are the 23 tags i received plus mine

when Cheryl sponsored an Inspired tag swap.

i love all of them, so creative.

In The Storm

our days spent away were

in the midst of a storm in more ways than one.

we walked the beach in the pouring down rain

and the wind blowing a gale.

i loved it!!

looking out over the ocean the storm grew stronger

you could see it coming

and yet in the midst was clear sky at times.

long, honest conversations.

intimate moments.

tears, hugs, silence.

deep sighs.

and he remembered a card sent me years earlier from a friend

its in the valleys that we grow

though the mountains tops are wonderful

its in the valleys that we grow.

Seaside

hubby and i going away for several days to sort through all the decisions on my diagnosis.

see you on the flip-flop. a few buntings i made for heather's trade called Seaside.

i'm looking forward to walking the beach with hubby, riding bikes, praying over everything and just spending time alone with my hubby. what could be better?

What's Black and White - Justice

Scrapbooking My Faith - Ch 3 Persons of Influence

My page titled "What's Black and White - Justice" is a pic of my hubby right after we were married. This is my favorite black and white pic and probably my favorite pic of all of my hubby. i love the way the shadows from the sunlight and window blind coming through the window fell across his face; like a beard. His hand up beside his face barely shows his wedding ring. His gentle, sweet baby face behind that trooper uniform never seemed to match the authority he carried - "a privilege to serve the people", he would say.

But the man i know could handle the lace i placed underneath the journaling i did and know it didn't take away from his masculinity. lol. The fabric background has clam shells on it bc he loves the Chesapeake Bay area where he grew up on the water. The soft lavender paper has embossed hearts through the paper. My title is kind of a play on words'; if you knew my hubby you would understand.

The journaling says, "though you served justice, you also knew mercy, love, and compassion. i loved you then and because of those i love you more even now. all my love."
i think the page might have had more impact if i kept with black, soft whites and gray. any suggestions?

What News

ok hubby was finishing his prayer time just before going to work. He met one of the cleaning ladies in the hall. She asked him if he would consider giving to a charity for the female barber. Then she proceeded to tell him the lady had beat breast cancer but now the cancer was in her brain, lungs and throughout her body. that was devastating news for my hubby to hear.

he called me but hung up w/o leaving a messasge. So when i called him back this is what he shared. As he was sharing i began to laugh, this is something God does for me, i laugh when the enemy comes in and tries to snatch something. He said "I hesitate to share something like this with you but i figured you would respond just the way you did." i can't emphasize enough we need to communicate all our feelings to one another.

I said maybe we, out of our own struggles, need to give generously to help her with medical bills. and share about naturopathic treatments too. We should not become so self-centered we can not see other hurting people too. and most importantly we need to begin praying for her - find out her name. You know i believe he needed to hear this bc he needs to refocus.

GOD IS FAITHFUL

Treatment

wow ok now this is interesting - my friend that prays with me every morning suggested a cancer treatment ctr from a commercial she saw last night. and then - when i arrived back home from walking my dog hubby calls with a number to call of a couple that work for a cancer treatment ctr. you guessed it - the same center. what's a girl to do!! forgot to say the center is in PA.
they evaluate you over three days - they meaning surgeon, oncologist, naturopathic, clinician and spiritual leader. wow! whole mind, body and soul.

i talked to my son's girlfriend and found out my son is really struggling with me having cancer. but my decisions at this time for no chemo, no radiation are what's troubling him more.
you see he is the one i share with and he shares with me - he's open to what the Lord is doing in his life. So we move on to the next spiritual level together and see where God is leading.

I'm fast-reading several books i received yesterday - Outsmart Your Cancer and Beating Cancer with Nutrition. i went to my naturopathic today. looks like the big guns are being pulled out for me to begin taking. i'm pretty sure i've arrived at the decision to stop working probably after next week.

my body is tired too much of the time and my mind seems to be shutting down at times - not good when working with money.

A Painted Picture

So much to say - well on Saturday i felt very impressed to pick up two books at the bookstore. One i will share right now. God began to speak to me about my Word for 2010 - its a little thing he started to do with me in 2008. The book is called The Season of Joy - Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis. Little did i know as usual it was a setup. You would not believe how many times the word or variations of the word "Wonder" are in this little treasure to me. BTW my 2010 word is WONDER
my hubby was struggling on Sunday, could not say much without tearing up. We took a ride and listened to the music - titles being - Catching Snowflakes On Your Tongue and STille Nacht. what peace this music brought to us.

He knows what we have need of before we ever do. God knows how i desire His joy. The titles in the book: The Joy of Wonder, The Joy of a Family, The Joy of Friends, The Joy of Music, The Joy of Giving, The Joy of a Baby.

i asked my hubby to consider buying a guitar to play to me during this time.
i feel very much that his playing will bring healing to my soul in ways he would never realize. i look forward to being serenaded by him. looking forward and not behind.

wonder - awe; that's what this word leads me to. wonder-full, wondrous, wonderer, wonderland, wonderwork, wonderment, wonderfully, all i can say is i'm wonderstricken.

Hawaii and Inspired Tags

Sister Birthday

i called my sis on her birthday. wondered if she took her phone to Hawaii for vacation. don't know that i would have. She is having a blast with my cousin and aunt all expenses paid by our cousin.
Wow good thing i called while she's there bc my cousin extended the visit to me - room and board taken care of just buy my plane ticket. Um! wonder if i can fit this in before surgery. lol
what a treat that would be. My sis was so excited sharing about all she has seen so far and that my cousin was flying them over to the big island and they were visiting one more island too.
My cousin treated them to a dinner cruise on my sisters birthday. She so deserves this time away from all of her responsibilities. When she gets home i will tell her about my diagnosis.
But for now let her enjoy her break away from it all in peace and joy.

Inspired Tags

my art took back seat when the mammo/ultrasound was scheduled. i just could not concentrate.

But i had two deadlines looming by EOM. So i needed to figure out a way to step back into art.

What better way than to do repetitive tags, 25 to be exact. The tag was to be something about yourself and required a pic of self. So i made an inchie head. I don't do "self" stuff. BUT GOD had already prepared me at the end of last year through now to begin buying pink fabric, even breast cancer fabric. HE had also began teaching me to love the color pink. He has such a sense of humor.

So from there the above tags have been created and mailed out to Cheryl, who will collect all and send me back my 25. I am looking forward to these and have a feeling they will mean more to me than i realize right now as time goes on. If not for the cancer i could never have put a crown on my head - so this was fun and humorous and freeing.

Peace bc He Loves Me

i now have a peace about possibly the doctor that will be doing my surgery. Hallelujah!!
Here is another "aha" moment with God. He was speaking to me last week about daisies and that little thing we do with "he-loves-me, he-loves-me-not" and had me focus on the words "He Loves Me".

Well today while shopping at Walmart i went into the Inspirational book section. A book titled, you guessed it, He Loves Me, caught my eye. Its by Wayne Jacobsen. Just in time,
God is always right on time.

Tomorrow i go for an MRI, prayer appreciated. thank you very much.

Outstanding vs Blessed

i won't quote this correctly but hopefully you will get the jest of this. Yesterday at church i heard this said, "when physical strength gives out - your training leads to the mental endurance." spoken by a Navy Seal-in-training.

the message was

"Jesus' Word for Outstanding is "Blessed."

- many stuck in one place like in movie Ground Hog Day settling

for the same over and over and over.

But Jesus gives outstanding Promises to give us outstanding life.

Jesus mystery - let go of what you are holding on to to get what God has for you

-you're qualified bc of what Jesus did on the Cross for you.

make a choice

1- keep showing up with imperfect people to the Body of Christ

He's tracing out your lives together.

Hebrew 10

2- keep looking up - He's with you in circumstances conforming to you to His beliefs

believe what the Word says about you

Hebrew 12

3- keep giving up Matt 16 follow Me take up your cross

the Cross is an instrument of execution

give it up

Have Passion to live big-keep giving up

and i love this story shared

there was a ship stranded in the sea fearing death bc of no drinking water,

they could see a boat in the distance and sent an sos about no water.

the ship returned a message to "let down your buckets".

the stranded ship couldn't believe they were telling them to do this in the sea

but what they didn't realize was they were near the mouth of the Amazon River.

A river of fresh water that feeds into the sea where the ship happen to be stranded.

Jesus is a river of fresh water in our seas of can't sees.

Who's willing to "let down their bucket today" to receive that fresh water?

Mr Bubbles and God Winks

On the day i worked on the previous scrapbook page i was given my guardian angels name - Mr. Bubbles. Who knew that "Mr. Bubbles" the bubbles every child loves to play with was celebrating 75 years last year through one of the oldest toy company's. My boys loved bathing with Mr. Bubbles when they were little.

Now my hubby was struggling when he went back to work with my diagnosis. He approached a young lady that works in their cafeteria and said, "You look like you are a prayer?" She replied that she was. So he shared our circumstances with her and ask her to pray for us. Her response, "You know my mother is the lady at women's imaging that everyone talks to when they find out they have cancer." Who knew - what a God wink for my hubby - that God would be so personal to him. He stood amazed. But i just laughed bc i know that is the kind of person God is.

Yesterday another gentleman he plays golf with sometimes ask him how his wife was. He said, "Oh you already heard?" The guys response, "I was just asking how she was from the ER visit. What are you talking about?" My husband shared the results at which time the guy responded back to hubby, "You know my wife had breast cancer and she has wig books, and she went through chemo and radiation and is fine. Except now she has come down with leukemia." Ok another God wink for my hubby and a boost of spiritual adrenaline for hubby - God is listening and encouraging my hubby to look to HIM. i just love it!!

In His Image

In His Image

Scrapbooking Your Faith

my first layout went rather easily together. surprise, surprise! a painted, stamped tissue paper background. with cardstock paper stamped with hot pink circles, my favorite Bible verse ripped out of a torn, old Bible (very hard for me to rip out), fabric stripe circles, my middle son at age 1, ribbons with stripes, circles and saying "Hugs and Kisses".

i wish i had not put the breast cancer sign where i did, but trying to remove to different place was taking off the paper backing. it will have to stay there. it competes with my son's face. you see i'm learning about layouts.

live out loud - happy b-day hubby

Peeping Toms





i just love this aluminum power drink can postcard from janis.
I call it "peeping toms". i didn't notice the green eyes until i scanned it in.



isn't that the way in life
- we miss so much bc maybe we are "navel gazing"
instead of enjoyingthe life we have
right where we are within the circumstances at the present time?

i feel so saddened by the fact my news was delivered right
before my hubby's birthday.
it seems to suck the happiness of the occasion right out of us.
he has to work today, and i have to work tonight.
but
2 of my sons will take him to dinner and celebrate his life.
i am so thankful to him for the life i have had.
he has made all the difference in the world.

i love the sermon we heard on sunday.
appropriate for the news we were delivered.
our #2 most powerful force in the world - fear
but
our #1 most powerful force in the world - FAITH.
he explained 3 men born to be Kings -
Adam, Saul and Jeroboam
all allowed fear to rule them.
fear will make you hide, fear will make you lash out
at the ones you love the most and fear will
make you hold back.

BUT
David even in fear worked through it.
David understood his God was faithful.
live big - live deep
Go deep within field tested in fearful places of life.

Di's ATC birthday card

Di's ATC






i was amazed at this beautiful ATC for more than one reason. The biggest reason the shape of the fiber and the color. Looks like breast cancer symbol to me! um, thank you God it had such a great impact on me when i opened it. and thank you Di for sending it with the extra fabric and this lovely fairies panel.