life in my bubble

[100 facts about me.]

2011-04-28T16:17:00.002-05:00

Part 4 of 4.

1. My favorite flower is the daisy. As, Meg Ryan says in You've Got Mail, "Daisies are such friendly flowers." And, they are. You can't help but smile when you see one.

2. I love snow globes!!! I have been collecting vintage ones and ones from places that I visit for years. They make me smile BIG. :)

3. I kind of want a tatoo, but I kind of don't. I think the whole fear of needles thing and pain involved will probably keep me from getting one. I know. I'm a wimp. Who knows. Maybe I will get up the courage one day.

4. I really enjoy watching birds. Our backyard always seems to have lots of birds. (Maybe that has something to do with the bird seed that I periodically put out there. hee hee.) My favorites are cardinals and hummingbirds. So fun to watch.

5. I {heart} old typewriters. If I could, I would own several. But, I don't have the space for a large collection. So, I enjoy the one that I do have and use it often in my creations.

6. Whenever I go hiking or am near a lake or just out in nature I always look for heart shaped rocks. I have a bowl of them in my bedroom. When I find one, it's like finding a love note from God. Makes me happy.

7. I broke my right collar bone in high school when I rolled my car. Sad, sad day.

8. I learned how to crochet this year and I would like to learn how to knit, but it kinda intimidates me. I have dreams of all of this wonderful stuff I would like to make.

9. I love vintage/retro decor. I love how warm and welcoming it all is. I would love to redo my house and have brighter colors with lots of fun vintage and retro furniture, accessories, etc.

10. One of my regrets is that I wish I had written down and paid attention more to the stories that my grandparents told me when I was younger. They had so much to share and I didn't appreciate that enough.

11. I collect pieces of junk mail, envelopes, cardboard, tags, parts of boxes and packaging, etc. and recycle them into art.

12. GiGi is not my real name but a nickname given to me by my niece Ali. When she was little she couldn't say Gina, so she called me GiGi. I love the name GiGi, but don't really like the name Gina. So, thankful for Ali!!! :)

13. I have never been on a mission trip and really really want to have that experience.

14. I don't like coffee or tea at all. But, I really want to!!! I would love to enjoy a coffee with my husband or a cup of hot tea with my daughter. I have tried and tried and can't get past the bitter taste. I keep trying though.......

15. I can NEVER remember a joke that has been told to me. I literally have to right it down or read it right before I try to tell it or I will forget it completely. It's like I have a mental block or something.

16. My second home is in Powder Springs, Georgia with the Newlins. I can spend large blocks of time there and feel completely at home.

17. Owls are my favorite. :) Which may explain my much used phrase "HoOtiE hOo!!"

18. I am part of a small group that is redefining church family for me. I have never been a part of a group of people who are so real and willing to share the struggles in their lives. Everyone is so encouraging and uplifting. There is an intimacy to this group that is unbelievable. I have learned so much from them and have been encouraged in ways that I could not have imagined.

19. I could watch the movie While You Were Sleeping over and over again and never get tired of it. Love it!

20. I have never been to a dance of any kind. Ever. I sometimes wish Brett and I would get all dressed up and go dancing. But, then I remember. I don't know how to dance.

21. I really don't like texting. I know it's convenient, but I would rather talk to you on the phone so that I can hear the tone of your voice. Talking is more personal to me. I like personal.

22. Nothing has touched me in my life like God's answers to my prayers. He always has a much better plan than I do and I am so glad He is in charge.

23. I love seeing things through the lens of a camera. I {heart} taking pictures!!! I would really love to take a photography class so that I could learn more about my camera.

24. I don't really watch sports on TV except for golf (my husband's favorite and I enjoy it too), but I love watching sports live. Particularly, basketball, football, hockey and golf. Basketball is my favorite though!!!

25. One of my all time favorite verses in the bible is Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

[100 facts about me.]

2011-04-23T14:37:00.004-05:00

Part 3 of 4.

1. Nothing and no one has amazed me like God has. What He has done in my life and the lives of others is beyond my comprehension.

2. I tend to tear up easily over happy or sad things. I even cry at commercials. Sometimes, I find it very frustrating that I can cry so easily.

3. I HATE to argue. If you enjoy arguing for fun and try to argue with me, I will shut down and not talk. I will not argue for sport or debate with you. In my mind, it does not serve any purpose. If you want to share ideas with each other, I'm all for that. But, I won't debate or argue my stance with you.

4. I have broken both of my littlest toes. One I broke twice and the other one once. Gracefulness is certainly not one of my skills. Good thing I never wanted to be a dancer. But, I kinda wanted to be a gymnast at one point. Just for a moment.

5. If I am angry with someone or disagree with someone and need to talk things through with that person, I will get very quiet and talk slowly because I am trying to choose my words very carefully. I don't want to say something in the heat of anger that I will regret later.

6. I almost always sneeze in 3's. Don't know why, but I do.

7. I tend to be very trusting of people. I usually always look for the good in others until I have a reason not to. And, even then, I still want to see good in them.

8. I {heart} wood grain in almost all forms. Real wood, fake wood, contact paper, printed paper, rubber stamps, etc. Something about it just makes me smile.

9. I am completely blown away by Abbey's artistic abilities!!! The way she thinks and sees things astounds me. She is so fearless in her art and photography and I love that. She inspires me. all. the. time.

10. I cry almost every time we sing in worship. The words always get to me and I feel like God is speaking specifically to me through song. My heart just feels like it is going to burst wide open. I love the intimacy of praise for my Father.

11. Life art is a big part of me. I want to tell my story and the stories of my family. What we believe, how we lived, what was important to us, our faith journeys, etc. I love documenting it all with pictures and words.

12. I have had the following jobs: receptionist for a photographer, sales clerk, front desk personnel, receptionist, operations manager, auto paint repair, administrative assistant, and mom (my favorite one).

13. I exercise regularly but generally don't really "love" it. However, I am now doing yoga and I must say I really really LOVE it!!! I have never felt so good. I love how it releases tension, stretches and lengthens me and seems to help my joints feel healthier.

14. My one true addiction is chocolate. I RARELY miss a day of having some form of chocolate. And, it has to be dark chocolate. No milk chocolate allowed. Thank you very much.

15. When I was younger, I always dreamed that I would live in the country and own horses when I grew up and that I would ride them every day. I'm not sure when the dream changed. Maybe when I realized how much work it is to take care of them.......

16. I really really wish sometimes that we didn't have email. I would love to send and receive mail more often than I do. There is something about getting a note or letter in the mail. It's intimate. Personal. It's like a little surprise just for you. Nobody else. And, especially not for the 50 other people listed in the address line of the email.

17. I have always wanted to be able to sew like my mother. She can literally look at something and just make it. It's crazy. I have neither the skill or the patience that she has. I always wanted to be able to make clothes and cool things for my home but my skills are pretty limited. I guess it might have helped if I had enjoyed sewing in the first place.....

18. My favorite gifts received are handmade ones. That someone would take the time to make me something makes me feel incredibly special.

19. I am the oldest of 3 children.

20. I could not have made it through 2010 without E or Nellie by my side. They helped me to endure, stay focused, and not give up hope. I am forever indebted to them both and love them greatly. They are both gifts from God.

21. My deepest daily desire is to be closer to God. I want to find Him in every day and have an intimate relationship with Him. I have learned that I can't find Him in the word only, but in everything around me. He is constantly working around me, through me, and through others. He is everywhere!!! I just have to keep my eyes open for Him.

22. I played basketball in grade school and my dad wanted me to play in junior high, then high school and then college. But, basketball practice was at the same time as a math class that I wanted to take. I chose math. And thus, there went all my dad's dreams of me being a basketball star. Sorry, dad.

23. I collect buttons. I have for years. And, I have the jars upon jars to prove it. But, in all fairness, I do use the buttons in my art and various projects. So, they are given happy new homes. :)

24. To this day, I cannot parallel park. I will walk 10 blocks before I will try and parallel park.

25. If I start playing solitaire on the computer or a handheld electronic version, then my day is toast!!! I cannot stop playing!!! I always think, "Just one more game." It's crazy.

[100 facts about me.]

2011-04-22T16:05:00.003-05:00

Part 2 of 4.

1. I have small toes and I consider them my best feature. Between my 2nd and 3rd toes on both feet the separation between those toes does not go down as far as all of my other toes. E refers to them as "web" toes.

2. I have zero tolerance for emotional games. I hate passive aggressiveness and manipulation to get what a person wants or to cause another person to feel guilty. Be honest with your emotions and feelings with me so that I know where I stand and I can correct anything that I have done wrong. I might not like what you have to say, but I respect honesty.

3. I cannot leave the house without earrings in my ears. I feel naked without them.

4. If we could afford it, I would want a pool in my backyard so that I could swim laps every day in the summer. This might explain why I have web toes.

5. I wish I were more skilled at make-up and hair. I have always wanted to be able to have hair that is cut in a really cool shape and do a "smokey" eye and have flawless make-up. You know, like the "grown-up" women who look so put together in their cute clothes, heels and amazing hair and make-up. But whenever I have tried I end up looking like a clown with freaky hair.

6. I am extremely afraid of severe weather, but I have learned to control my fear and stay calm since I have had a child. Inside, though, my heart is always racing at the threat of what is to come.

7. My right eye won't open as wide as my left eye. It becomes even more evident when I am really tired.

8. If I could, I would get a massage every week. Nothing relaxes me more or releases the tension in my shoulders better.

9. I clench my teeth in my sleep when I am stressed. In fact, I have clenched so hard during some very stressful times that I have broken one of my back teeth in half all the way to the bone.

10. I have never had braces (I have very straight teeth) and I have never had a cavity. :)

11. I enjoy wearing a little bling whether it be diamond studs or sparkly shoes. Sparkle makes me smile.

12. I really want a pair of red high heels to wear with jeans and skirts because I think they are so sassy and the perfect pop of color for any outfit, but my right foot was injured by a can a few years ago and prevents me from wearing most high heels. :(

13. My favorite sound is Brett's laugh when he really gets tickled. It is awesome and always makes me laugh. :)

14. I love old bookprint, newspapers, paper, cards, etc. I love how it feels and smells. I can see so many ways to reuse it.

15. My favorite game is Scrabble (and Bananagrams because it's pretty much the same).

16. One of my best memories of all times is when my Granny let me bake my first cake all by myself. She gave me the recipe, told me where the ingredients and utensils were, told me to ask questions if I needed to and then left the room. I couldn't believe that she trusted me that much. It was awesome!!! She was so amazing.

17. I sometimes wish that we dressed like the women in the 50's and 60's. They always looked so put together and polished in their dresses. And, let's face it, those dresses were so flattering no matter what your shape.

18. If you gave me a choice between vegetables or fruits, I would choose vegetables. I will take a plate of steamed broccoli over strawberries any day. I like fruit. I just like veggies better.

19. My favorite relaxing activity is reading. I love getting lost in a good book, but I seldom have the time to read. If I start a book, I don't want to stop reading it until I get to the end.

20. My idea of a perfect meal is a chili cheese coney with onions, no mustard and fritos.

21. My favorite piece of jewelry that I wear every day is my Granny's wedding set. It reminds me of how happy my grandparents were and how much they loved each other. Inspires me to be the best wife I can be and look forward to all of the happy years ahead with my sweet man.

22. I have a very large stash of candles. I really enjoy the warmth and scent that burning candles bring to a home. I always light one or several when I'm stressed or need to pray. They help me to refocus and be calm in the moment.

23. I have often wondered if I am adopted. I don't think I look much like anyone in my family. I am the only one with fair skin, freckles, and blondish, reddish, brownish hair. But my parents tell me I am really theirs. I'm not sure I believe them.

24. I battle daily internally to control things that I would never want others to see in me. The days I succeed are the ones that I am letting the Spirit lead me.

25. I have always had a crush on Tom Selleck. Ever since Magnum, P.I. And, I pretty much will watch anything that he is in. I don't know if it's the moustache or the laugh or the smile or the eyes. Probably all of the above. If I ever met him, I'm pretty sure I would not be able to speak coherently.

[100 facts about me.]

2011-04-21T13:20:00.017-05:00

Part 1 of 4.

1. I have always secretly wanted to be the funny one. But, sadly I'm not. I usually end up trying too hard and fall flat on my face.

2. I have a love affair with fonts that can neither be explained or understood fully.

3. I am a sensitive person which is one of my greatest strengths and one of my greatest weaknesses.

4. I love old movies (30's, 40's, 50's, 60's). They make me smile big.

5. I love organizing stuff. Rooms, closets, drawers, etc. I like having everything in its "place." Unfortunately though my rooms, closets and drawers can look a bit chaotic at times.

6. I have to have to do lists for my day or I will not be productive and I will fritter the day away.

7. I have high expectations of myself and I feel like I am constantly disappointed.

8. I know for a fact that God is forever faithful and works ALL things to His glory.

9. Up until junior high I didn't really have any friends. In fact, in grade school there was a group of girls that were extremely mean to me and made me cry. I was often lonely and sad.

10. The first thing that I fell in love with Brett was his sense of humor. He can always make me laugh. I'm a sucker for a boy who makes me laugh.

11. I cannot refuse Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts that come to my door selling cookies and candy. I just can't. They are always so polite, cute and intent in their purpose.

12. My answer to every problem big or small is chocolate. As well as for every celebration.

13. I admire both my brothers' abilities to go up and talk to anyone. I struggle with that so much. I have to literally have a whole conversation in my head before I can make myself go and talk to someone I don't know or that I don't know well. It makes me very uncomfortable. I'm always afraid of saying the wrong thing or looking like a fool.

14. My favorite kind of days are cloudy or rainy days. I always feel like I get so much done on those days. I know. I'm weird.

15. I have always wanted to travel to Italy, France and Greece. I am infatuated with the history, architecture and unbelievable beauty of it all.

16. I have always wanted to learn sign language. It is such a beautiful language to me. I think it would be so cool to be an interpreter or teach sign language.

17. I am a creative junkie. I love to make things from bits and pieces of paper or fabric or recycled materials. I love the satisfaction of creating something new and the sense of accomplishment that it brings.

18. I have always been a bit of a perfectionist, but am constantly learning to let go of control of things. As I've gotten older I have gotten better at this. Unfortunately, I imparted that perfectionist attitude to my daughter and have had to teach her that everything doesn't have to be perfect. Ahhhh, the mistakes of the parent manifested in the child.

19. I am a night owl. I love the quiet of night. I can think so much more clearly later in the day. I prefer to sleep in and do mindless tasks in the morning. But, alas, life doesn't really work that way and neither does my husband. :)

20. I am entertained daily by my family. I never know what is going to come out of their mouths and usually it is something that makes me laugh or smile.

21. I would like to have a career doing something creative, but I am much better at numbers and administrative tasks. Plus there's the whole fear of failure thing.

22. I love mysteries. My favorite books are mysteries. My favorite tv programs are mystery type programs (i.e. CSI, Burn Notice, Psych, Castle, Criminal Minds, Chuck, etc.). I love the supsense and figuring out whodunit.

23. Insecurity is my biggest enemy. Even though I may seem confident and self-assured, I can assure you that I am insecure. My biggest fear is that I don't matter to someone. God constantly has to teach me that I matter to the most important One of all.

24. If I could get away with it, I would pretty much wear Toms every single day. Oh wait. I almost can do that. :)

25. Nothing makes me feel more like an adult than stopping at QT for a soda whenever I want to. Silly. I know. But it's true.

doubts, fears & insecurity. oh my.

2011-04-08T23:29:00.005-05:00

so, i recently found out that someone that i kinda thought i was sorta close to really doesn't like me much at all and the only reason given was different personalities.

i'll be honest. i was shocked. like jaw dropped to the floor shocked. i had absolutely no idea.

usually, i can tell if i'm rubbing someone the wrong way or if they just don't care for me. but, i literally had no idea.

it stings to find out you aren't liked or cared for. especially when you think that person really cares about you and it turns out to all be an act. and, when you have a long history with that person. it stings alot. kinda like when you rip a bandaid off. only worse.

then the numbness comes.

and then, the questioning.

satan totally twisting it all in my head and making me question all my relationships.

who really cares for me and who is just "tolerating" me?

who do i matter to? do i really matter?

a constant barrage of questions in my head with everyone i come in contact with.

i feel like i'm walking on eggshells. all. the. time. i hate it!!!

i have to stop listening to satan in my head and let God grow me through this. this is an opportunity for me to learn and grow. i can't waste it being filled with insecurity.

so, my prayer. that God keep molding me into someone He can use to His glory and that i let go of all the insecurities that hold me back from being who He wants me to be.

sweet silly boy

2011-04-08T23:05:00.008-05:00

me: "where's my drink?" (after seeing brett's QT drink)

brett: "um, we can share. it's cherry coke."

me: "so, you didn't get me a drink?"

brett: "yes, i did. i told you it's a cherry coke and we can share."

me: "but, you didn't REALLY get me a drink."

brett: "yes, i did. lovers are supposed to share."

me: :)

how could i fault him for that???

new day

2011-02-18T12:06:00.003-06:00

love love this quote i found.

this is the beginning of a new day.
you have been given this day to use as you will.
you can waste it or use it for good.
what you do today is important because
you are exchanging a day of your life for it.
when tomorrow comes,
this day will be gone forever,
in its place is something that you have left behind.....
let it be something good.

{intentional.}

convo at dinner

2011-02-17T23:07:00.002-06:00

abbey: it feels really weird to feel my eyeballs moving when i put my fingers right below them.

brett: (fingers on side of face and tongue pushing out his cheek) it feels really weird to feel my tongue moving.

brett again: (fingers on forehead) it feels really weird to feel my brain moving.

me: head in hands. shaking my head.

brett: do you feel your brain moving too??

it's official. i'm the only sane one in my family. i live with freaks!!!

new specs

2011-01-12T16:19:00.003-06:00

here you go folks.
new specs.
tell me what you think.
vote on one for my facebook profile pic. :)

cheesy i know.

but would you expect anything less?

things swirling around in my mind......

2011-01-06T20:07:00.006-06:00

first, while i was studying today i found this in my bible in the life application notes. felt like it was definitely worth sharing.

Satan's Plan

Doubt
makes you question God's Word and His goodness

Discouragement
makes you look at your probelms rather than at God

Diversion
makes the wrong things seem attractive so that you will want them more than the right things

Defeat
makes you feel like a failure so that you don't even try

Delay
makes you put off doing something so that it never gets done

it is so interesting to me that seeing something written down like this brings it home even more. i KNOW that satan is the great deceiver. i KNOW that he will do whatever it takes to make me lose my focus on God. and yet, i let him use those 5 things to derail me over and over again. i especially struggle with discouragement, defeat and delay. so, as i read that very short list i have to ask myself "why?" why do i let him deceive me like that??? makes my word for the year seem even more perfect for me. to be intentional in not letting satan blind me from seeing truth and removing my focus from God.

second, as i was talking to my dear friend elizabeth i mentioned some things that i heard in worship sunday from our minister terry rush and she asked me to share. i've been struggling with how i've been treated or how i perceive i've been treated by different people in my life and this lesson by terry just seemed to be aimed directly at me. pierced my heart to be exact. so here are some of the points from that lesson that really struck home........

irritations and frustrations that we experience in life are part of the process of dying to self. we are all selfish though and want to avoid all of that. we resent dying for those that will not appreciate it. but we need to REJOICE!!!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade -- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you may have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
...I Peter 1:3-9

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." ...I Peter 4:12-16

ouch!! i have been spending so much time with an attitude of "i don't deserve this." i haven't been Christ-like at all!!! i need to die to self. even when others are sinning against me. Christ was the ultimate example of this. He died to himself on my behalf. He died so that i could be with God. Christ intentionally went to the cross with a purpose. my soul. my eternity.

"For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved though His life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." ....Romans 5:10-11

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such oppostion from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." ....Hebrews 12:1-3

i have to learn to die to myself daily because i am other people's hope of knowing Christ. i need to empty myself of EVERYTHING but love. i need to be willing to intentionally die for a purpose.......

it's that time . . . .

2011-01-05T21:39:00.005-06:00

the beginning of a new year. and, time for me to choose my word for the year. i've been thinking and praying about this word for a while now. i really want God to guide me in my focus this year. and i keep coming back over and over to "intentional." it really encompasses what is deep in my heart this year. my desire to be intentional with the relationships in my life with my Father, my husband, my daughter, my parents, my brothers, my in-laws, my friends. my desire to be intentional in studying the word and really living it. my desire to be intentional in my prayers, my actions, my thoughts, my words. my desire to be intentional in bringing God glory in all that i do.

God brought me this verse today after i decided on this word......

"As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever." ~ I Chronicles 28:9

that says it all. He knows my heart and my intent. i want to live an intentional life for Him. one that will glorify Him. one that will show others Him living in me.

intentional.

feel free to dance

2011-01-05T21:30:00.004-06:00

so a couple of weeks ago i was sitting in a target parking lot.
waiting for abbey's friend to drop her off to go home with me.
while i was sitting there i glanced out my window.
saw the best. thing. ever.
really. best. ever.
there were 3 teenage boys out in the freezing cold.
no coats.
doors to a red truck open.
music blaring.
and, they were dancing for all they were worth!!!
seriously. busting a move.
dancing like no one was watching.
i smiled.
i laughed.
i cheered!!!
then i drove by and gave them a thumbs up.
which of course encouraged them to dance even harder. :)

hope.

2010-12-23T11:51:00.002-06:00

"Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without words and never stops.....at all."
~ Emily Dickinson

pity partay

2010-12-22T00:37:00.002-06:00

so, i have been indulging myself in a good old pity partay the past couple of weeks. ugly i know, but true. wrapped up in why i haven't been noticed, cherished or appreciated. silly really. allowing it to balloon into full blown insecurity. bottom line. me. me. me.

i love how God works through my poor attitude and my selfishness. despite my "me" attitude He loves me so much that He will direct my heart to what i need to hear. He brings my focus back to Him. tonite while i was studying i pulled out a workbook from a study that i had participated in years ago called "Loved by God" by Liz Curtis Higgs. as i was flipping through the pages i came across this prayer in the margin and it struck me directly in the heart.

"Heavenly Father, I confess that so often my focus is on me and what I want, and I get angry when I'm lied to or betrayed. Help me replace my anger with patience, my judgment with forgiveness, my selfishness with generosity. Teach me to extend to others the same mercy I so desperately need from you. Help me accept your will for my life and the lives of those I love....."

ouch. guilty. my focus has been on me and what i want. i have been angry and selfish. not at all what i want to be. the complete opposite to be exact. so tonite that will be my prayer so that i can in some small way understand God's love and mercy for me..........

going thru the drive-thru.....

2010-12-21T18:34:00.002-06:00

so, we went thru the drive-thru at whataburger.
we ordered 2 cokes and 1 tea.
that's all.
nothing else.
we received the drinks and straws.
then the girl asked if we wanted ketchup, salt or pepper with our order.
hmmmmm.
yes, please.
we always put ketchup, salt & pepper in our drinks!
i think she might have had a long day.

i am reminded once again......

2010-11-30T09:58:00.002-06:00

that my God is so BIG!!!
He knows what i need before i do.
He has me in the palm of His hand. always.
He brings just the right people at just the right time.
He reminds me that He is there.
He is gentle with my spirit.
at a time when i am struggling He brings me relief.
He loves me despite my weaknesses.
He reminds me to have courage.
because He goes before me!!!

He brought me back to this verse today. one that i needed to be reminded of.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you........The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." --Deuteronomy 31:6,8

i was reminded by a sweet friend that my shoulders aren't big enough to handle what i want to put on them. only God can shoulder the things in life that we can't control. He goes before me. He is my protector. my shield. what do i have to fear? absolutely nothing.

let it go

2010-11-29T00:32:00.003-06:00

why is it so hard to let go of hurt feelings?
especially when they are hurt by people you love.
like family members or dear friends.
maybe it's easier to hold onto the bitterness.
so you can build a wall of protection around yourself.
so you won't feel the hurt again.
i know in my spirit that i want to let go.
but my flesh wants to protect itself.
desperately wants to keep the pain away.
such a battle raging within.
i pray that God will guide my spirit.
i pray that He will heal my heart.
so that i can just.....
let. it. go.

ta dah!!!!

2010-11-06T23:41:00.006-05:00

it's official!!! we have opened our etsy shop!!! go to etsy.com and search our name: fourteen23

we will be adding product the next few days. we will also be adding new products on a weekly basis. so check back often to see what we've been up to!! we will be setting up a new blog for fourteen23 to give new product updates and sneak peeks. check back here in the next week or so and i will have a link for the new blog on the sidebar.

we also offer "alchemy" in our shop which is a place to request custom items. if you see something in the shop, but have a different "vision" use this feature and i'll try to meet your customization.

upcoming items (by me): christmas mixed media art, christmas embroidery, brooches, and totes

nellie rae and i are so excited about this journey and thank everyone for their support and encouragement!!! you guys rock!!! now tell all your friends about our shop!!! no, really. tell all your friends.

hugs, gigi :)

this girl rocks.

2010-09-01T23:09:00.003-05:00

my abbey.

she seriously totally rocks.

tonite she gave a presentation.

in front of the whole church about her mission trip to haiti.

she said she was nervous.

so couldn't tell.

her voice was steady and calm.

i was amazed at her confidence and poise.

you could tell that she was forever changed by her experiences.

she has such a different outlook on life now.

she has grown so much spiritually.

she has matured.

her focus has changed.

she is God-centered.

her faith has grown deeper.

her heart softer.

love the journey that she is on.

love watching God working in her life.

God totally rocks!

mellow yellow.

2010-09-01T16:54:00.004-05:00

so, we are revamping the office/art studio this weekend. putting shelves up all along the walls so as to get things off the floor. yay!!!! and, painting the room a happy yellow. below are the ones that we chose from. unfortunately the pic doesn't look anything like the paint chips do in real life . . . . . .

and the winner is . . . . . . .

the pic is supposed to show a paint chip that is a lovely golden, warm yellow. {insert frownie face here.} oh well. beach umbrella will brighten the room considerably and make it a happy happy place to work/create. :)

what is today's date?

2010-08-30T14:07:00.002-05:00

so, i finally cleaned off my desk.

guess what i found at the bottom?

probably should keep it a little cleaner from now on, huh?

quote of the day

2010-08-29T20:06:00.002-05:00

so, ab and i were talking polyester today.
i know, weird subject.
just go with me on this.
and brett pipes in.
"i bet polyester was named by 2 old women."
"polly and esther."
that's my man.

what's your fruit?

2010-08-29T15:24:00.003-05:00

had a convo with a friend today regarding something that someone said to her. someone who was trying to "teach" her. instead of teaching my friend though, it offended her. it got me started thinking. about the words that come out of our mouths and the way we deliver those words. made me think of a passage in 2 Peter 1:5-9.

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindess; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."

notice Peter didn't say add to your knowledge, all-knowing. or to your self-control, reprimand. or to godliness, self-righteousness. how often do we approach others with an assumption. or a judgment. and then we try to "teach" them? it says in this scripture that if we possess these qualities in increasing measure that they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Christ. i don't know about you, but i don't want to be that. i want to know Christ. how often do we say things with an attitude of judgment or self-righteousness. that can only lead to being ineffective and unproductive. reminds me of Galatians 5:22, 23.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

goes hand in hand with 2 Peter.

so, the question is . . . what kind of fruit are your words going to produce?

friday nite recap

2010-08-29T14:46:00.006-05:00

friday nite with nellie bellie.
good food from the Q.
frozen yogurt from orange leaf.
lots and lots of laughing. oh my goodness. lots.

lots of creating.

a little mixed media project i wanted to try doing on a canvas. here's some closer pics.

silly mustache pics. love them.

AND, drum roll please..................

we've decided to open an etsy shop together!!!!

hootie hoo!!!

haven't decided on a name just yet.

goal of opening in november or sooner.

more details to come.

so excited. really really excited.

hello friend.

2010-08-26T17:03:00.003-05:00

where you wanna go?

pearly whites + stress not a good combo platter

2010-08-26T11:06:00.005-05:00

ever woke up and your jaw feels tight or hurts?

not good, my friend.

you are a clencher or grinder.

when stressed i clench my teeth while i sleep.

i've known this for quite a while.

didn't think anything about it.

believe me.

go and get a mouthguard for sleeping.

now.

run.

don't walk.

seriously, run!

you will thank me later.

what is your purpose?

2010-08-24T09:20:00.003-05:00

came across this quote today and thought i would share.......

"You are only as strong as your purpose, therefore let us choose reasons to act that are big, bold, righteous and eternal."
--Barry Munro

makes me stop.

and think.

what is my purpose?

my first answer is to be a light to a dark and dying world, but am i choosing reasons to act that out? am i consciously looking for and choosing ways to be Christ to the lost?

so, take a moment and self-evaluate.

what is your purpose?

a biRthDaY sHoutOut

2010-08-23T17:30:00.005-05:00

just wanted to send a haPpY biRthDaY to my precious friend nellie!!! hope you are having a wonderful day and i wish you an amazing year!!! love you!!!

the winds of change are a blowin' . . . . .

2010-08-21T16:25:00.009-05:00

first of all, let me apologize for the lengthiness of this post. i know it's really looooooooooong. but it couldn't be helped. after all i haven't posted since february. wow. lots has happened and definitely changed since then. i have to start this post with giving God glory and praise. He has been working in the lives of my family in so many ways that it would take several posts to even begin to touch on how. let me just say that He has touched our hearts immeasurably and we are all growing spiritually and deeper in our faith. love watching His plan unfold and His perfect timing for everything. love. love. love.

so, with all of these awesome changes in our lives, i felt the need for changes in my home and have felt my creative spirit return. i've been craving color. so, i have spent some time painting old items new colors. pops of color to be exact. and, i painted 3 canvases. yes, 3. can you believe it???? i've finally started painting. and i love it!!!! it is so much fun!!! and forgiving. :) i have so many things i want to do creatively that it's hard to know where to start! i wish i had so many more hours in the day. and energy.

so, anyways. here are pics of what i've been up to lately.

painting old things new colors......

the frame gets a coat of turquoise paint and the 3 becomes yellow..........

the round frame becomes yellow and the wooden star plaque robin's egg blue........

the wire picture hanger on the wall a new coat of red and i'm going to put black & white pics of my man and me all over it ...........

this box used to be a very dark, muted gold and looks so fun and different a bright shade of turquoise..........

next, i moved things around and hung some things i've been collecting for a while.......

always wanted our initials in our bedroom :)

love this little vintage pic. love a small pic right above the bed. think i want 1 more to put beside it.

i have been collecting o's forever.......finally felt like i had enough for the look i wanted. i love them!!! they make me smile big.

next, i got new lamp shades for my birthday from my man. love them!!

this one mysteriously came with a new lamp base, hmmmm..........

love love love this one. hand embroidered flowers all around..........

who doesn't love a pop of red????

next, some new additions.........

this little guy painted by abbey. made out of something recycled. bet you can't guess what! {thanks ali for the cool idea.}

finally completing this project!!! yayyyyyyyyyy!!!!

and, finally, my first canvases!!!!

this canvas for my bedroom............

i wish you could see the texture in these pics. i layered papers on the canvas first and then painted over them.

this canvas for abbey's room because she is beautiful in so many ways.............

and, last but not least, my version of a canvas that i saw done by someone else. it makes me smile.

well, that's it for now. feeling the need to create again . . . . .

no search parties necessary.......

2010-02-02T11:53:00.006-06:00

really. i'm alive and well. for the most part. alot happening in my world the last couple of months. some good. some not so good. my heart and mind are trying to keep up and just listen to God's Spirit. allowing Him to have everything and then wait for His perfect timing. i must admit i'm not the most patient person so this is somewhat of a challenge for me. but what keeps me going is knowing for certain that God is bigger than anything i face. love that. so i will keep my focus on trusting that. hopefully i will be back later in the week with pics of something fun. :) enjoy today! find something that makes you smile big . . . . . . . .

leaving on a jet plane.......

2009-11-04T22:45:00.008-06:00

that's right, folks. tomorrow i'm leaving on a jet plane headed for atlanta for some much needed girl time with my bestie e. cannot wait. miss her bad.

so, i will leave you with some inspiration from one of my fave paper artists. she uses alot of reclaimed materials and that makes me very happy indeed. heart her stuff alot alot alot. i want to be her when i grow up........

catch a clue

2009-10-29T23:45:00.003-05:00

hello my lovelies. no, i haven't be drug away by zombies or anything like that. just busy. very busy. i'm gearing up for the holidays. christmas presents to be exact. below you will find some clues of what i'm working on for christmas. have fun trying to figure out what they are for........

a time for everything

2009-10-01T23:51:00.002-05:00

"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

i have always loved this scripture.
it soothes my soul that God makes everything beautiful in its time.
right now, i'm in a time of renewal.
a time of hungering for the word and a deeper relationship with my Father.
my spirit is thirsting for God.
i can't remember the last time i felt this way.
i truly feel that God is guiding me and working around me.
my heart is listening more.
my eyes are seeing more and more of His love being revealed to me.

so, i will leave you with this quote that really spoke to me this week:

"God did not create you for time; He created you for eternity. Time -your lifetime on earth - provides the opportunity for you to become acquainted with Him. It provides occasions for Him to develop your character in His likeness. Then eternity will hold its fullest dimensions for you. If you live only for time - the here and now - you will miss the ultimate purpose of creation. If you live for time, you will allow your past to shape your life today. Your life as a child of God ought to be shaped by the future - what you will be one day. God uses your present experiences to mold you for future usefulness here on earth and in eternity." -- Henry Blackaby

it's time for me to allow God to shape me and mold me for His purpose today and every day................

fabulous friday.

2009-09-11T11:29:00.010-05:00

hola my friends. it is friday. love fridays. they just make me go ahhhhhhhh. so, in celebration of friday i decided i would share some things that i love right now.

this new toy. cannot wait to really learn and play with my new baby.

this boy. he ALWAYS can make me laugh. whether he's playing a foam guitar or making pirate faces...........love him so much!

how incredibly creative and artistic my man really is. he rocks!

completion!!! love completing fun little albums.

so loving my sweet daughter's heart and how deep she thinks. love her beyond words.

the anticipation of fall and the change of colors, smells, sights and sounds. (and of course, temperatures!)

jeans. i look so much better in jeans.

a surge of creative juices flowing again. ready to get busy! christmas is right around the corner. yikes!

packages in the mail containing sweet surprises from china.

boots. so ready to start wearing boots.

homemade vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. mmmmmmmmm.

watching hummingbirds fight for the feeder.

amazing friends that share their wisdom and love with me daily. truly could not survive without any of you.

most of all, i'm loving God and his infinite wisdom. how he brings the right people into our lives at just the right moment. how he knows exactly when to open and close doors. how he has such an amazing plan for my life that i can't even imagine where it will lead me. how he can forgive me of so much and forget that ANY of it ever happened. how he loves me so much and is waiting for me ALWAYS.........love that.

hello 44.

2009-08-20T19:49:00.016-05:00

it's official. i'm 44. last friday was like any other day. busy with work. busy being a mom. busy with daily chores. oh, and did i mention i turned 44? even though it was an ordinary day i was blessed with sweet bday phone calls, cards, emails and some awesome homemade gifts. gotta love the homemade gifts. first up, the darling owl {i heart owls} felted wool purse from lisa lou that now holds my camera. lisa is amazing at knitting and felting. not to mention freehand stitching. yes, i said freehand stitching. so jealous.

next up, homemade strawberry freezer jam from my brother from another mother, timmy. oh my goodness. yummy doesn't even describe it. bliss maybe? i don't know. must make some more soon!!!

the next gift is not homemade, but makes me very very happy indeed. {please excuse the number of photos. e wanted to see what it all looked like.} i've been wanting to redo the bedding in my bedroom forevah! i found this awesome comforter, shams and turquoise pillow at target. i called brett and he said go for it. he bought me the comforter and shams and my sweet abbey bought me the turquoise pillow that i've been eyeing for about a year and half. i heart it all so much.

as if the turquoise pillow wasn't enough from my sweet child, she decided to make me 2 more adorable pillows to complete the look. she made me a round brown felt pillow with a red flower on top made up of freehand petals sewed on individually. absolutely amazing beyond belief!!! and then she made a pillow that looks like a log. yes, i said a log. we're big fans of woodgrain and trees around here. it is sooooooo cool!!! the pictures do not do these pillows justice. i can't believe how creative she is. she just blows my mind away. oh, and did i mention all of it was done freehand???? no patterns. she's icky cool that way. fearless. i admire her so much.

okay, and last but not least. remember my 43 list???

well, i certainly didn't complete everything on my list by my 44th birthday, but that wasn't really the point for me. it wasn't just a checklist, but rather a way to get me to grow and expand and really {do} some of the things that i've always wanted to do. i'll continue to work on the list until i feel like i've accomplished what i want and then i'll start a new list. it's been a great experience and one i want to do again for sure.

okay, there you go folks. the beginnings of a new year. who knows what it will bring. all i know is i'm ready. bring it on.

Changes

2009-07-13T00:29:00.002-05:00

Let's face it. Change is never easy. It can be painful and scary. It can be full of uncertainty and doubts. But, out of change can come incredible growth and strength that you never knew that you had. Change can lead you to depend on God that much more for your focus and direction. Changes are coming in my life and I'm nervous, excited, sad, unsure, heartbroken and a host of other emotions. But, I'm also feeling my dependence on God strengthening and my spirit ready to grow again. Change isn't easy, but I know that God is with me. I trust the path that He has laid out for me.

"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands......" Psalm 31:14, 15

This scripture meant so much to me a couple of years ago when I was diagnosed with a rare condition. And, now I'm returning to it once again as I face yet another change in my life. All I need to remember is that God is my God and my life is in His hands. I just need to trust Him. Nothing else really matters.

hot, hot, hot

2009-07-11T16:42:00.002-05:00

Oh my goodness!!! It is waaaaaaaaaaaay too hot for me!!! I feel like the heat is sucking energy and creativity out of me! This is when I wish desperately that I lived in Colorado or somewhere north. Somewhere that struggles to get into the 80's. Somewhere cool and refreshing. I'm trying to get inspired to finish some projects up so that I can start on some major Christmas projects. (I know. Yes, I'm already thinking about Christmas.) So, I've been cleaning off my scrapbook desk today so that I will feel like working there again. Trying to use forward as my mantra. :) I neeeeeeeeeeed Autumn. Crisp, cool, leaves falling Autumn!!

Check, Check

2009-06-18T20:48:00.006-05:00

Yes. It has been a while since I've blogged. But, as you can see, I've been checking things off of my list. Been having some fun making totes for fun and for gifts...........

Made my 2 Polaroid Christmas albums that I've been wanting to make...............

Making something fun with these...............

Let's just say that I'm having lots and lots of fun creating and making and doing and MOVING FORWARD!!! I have loved my word so much this year. I've never felt so productive and motivated. This word has pushed me in ways that I never really thought it would. I think I'm going to keep this word for next year too and keep the momentum going.

Nothing else really new in my world except for being a mom taxi for my daughter to her job 5 days a week. The first day was a bit emotional to say the least. My baby is WORKING!!! It felt like the first day of preschool all over again. Not sure that I'm ready for her to be so adulty......

I will close out this post with a pic of some visitors that we had this evening. This little duck couple flew to our driveway and walked into our garage while Brett was out there building an airplane. So cool. They didn't seem to be too afraid of us. Maybe it was all of the bread we kept throwing at them. You think?

Happy Momma Indeed

2009-05-11T18:30:00.007-05:00

Happy Momma's Day to me because I have this incredibly cool painting hanging on my wall painted by my ever so lovely and uber talented daughter. I asked her to paint me a tree. I was picturing a small canvas with a little tree. But noooooooo. My sweet daughter painted me this large, amazing canvas......................

And, it has this sweet message on it with a heart hidden in the trunk...............

And, these adorable little red birds.......................

AND, this sweet hidden message on the side........................

I {heart} this so much. Not just because it is so beautiful, but because my Abbey took time and thought to give me something so creative. I could not have imagined a more beautiful gift evah! Love love love it.

i {heart} rain

2009-04-17T23:59:00.009-05:00

what is it about rain?
i absolutely {love} rainy days. i really really do.

i love. . . . .
the smell.
the clouds.
the different shades of grey.
the coziness of being indoors.
the sound coming from the gutters.
how everything seems clean again.
how the grass and plants seem brighter.
how lazy the pets are.
the sound of the raindrops hitting the windows.
the peaceful beauty of it all.

i think i could totally get lost in a rainy day. . . . .

{True Beauty}

2009-04-14T09:26:00.025-05:00

this girl.

she is {true beauty} to me.

inside. and outside.

a beautiful heart. beautiful mind.

creative spirit. passionate soul.

my girl. can't believe that she's mine.

by having courage to be herself,
she put something wonderful in the world that was not there before.

52Q

2009-04-13T20:03:00.009-05:00

So, here's what I've been working on lately. This really cool Aussie, Emily Falconbridge, has a question a week journal card project and I've been {playing} along. Using up bits and scraps of this and that. Reusing and recycling. Love doing that. Seriously, just playing and using up old photos. So much {fun}. You can find Emily on my sidebar if you would like to play too. Hope you enjoy. Some of the photos are a little bit blurry. Sorry. I think I might make a little fabric or felt pouch to keep them all in...............

Final Farewell

2009-04-01T17:43:00.012-05:00

This is my Granny. These pictures were taken in 2004 on her birthday. She was 86 years young. Full of life. Spunky. A fireball. All of that packed into 4' 11". She died last Thursday. Finally getting to go home and be with Grandpa. I am so happy for her. Truly, truly happy. I know that she is in heaven right now with bird earrings, beads and a bright colored suit on dancing a jig. She's smiling and laughing. She's praising God. I miss her so much. She and Grandpa had such an influence on me and my faith. I've never known anyone like them. They LOVED everyone. Really. They knew no strangers. They were never judgmental. Everyone was a soul to them. They touched so many lives. And, no matter what was thrown at them, it was a blessing from God. Extraordinary people. I am so thankful and blessed that they were my grandparents and that they were a part of my life. I miss my Granny's hugs and encouragement so much. She ALWAYS had such faith in me and believed in me. She believed that I could do ANYTHING. Love that. I want to be like my grandparents. I want to have my arms open wide welcoming everyone into my heart and loving them unconditionally. I want to see every single person that I come in contact with as a precious soul. I want to have the {passion} that they had for reaching out to those around them. I want to encourage others like they did. I want to have just even a little bit of them in me. All I know is that I am a much better person for having known them and having them love me like they did. So, for now, I bid Granny farewell and look forward to the day when I get to see her again. Love you oodles, Granny!

FYI

2009-02-27T16:45:00.003-06:00

FYI, over at SisTV they have a Friday Freebie that you can download. Kinda fun. Just go here and look for Friday Freebie on the right. Enjoy!

today i feel . . . . . .

2009-02-27T12:17:00.008-06:00

super inspired to create something.
happy that it is friday.
incredibly thankful that E told me about excedrin back & body.
like i haven't seen E in forever!! and i'm missing her terribly.
that with our technology we should have a transporter from star trek already. seriously.
like i couldn't possibly eat enough chocolate today if i tried!
that i should have fresh daisies in my house. they're such friendly flowers.
at peace that my office is finally clean.
giddy because i have so many things i want to do and i'm so excited about them all.
nervous about going on a mission trip.
excited about seeing family and friends tonite.
happy to be.

{sneak peek}

2009-02-11T22:51:00.002-06:00

I know. I know. I KNOW. I haven't posted anything creative in a while. So.........here's what I've been working on. Just a few pages of it though. You'll have to wait to see the rest of it later. I'm working on a {43} mini album. What is a {43} album you may ask???? Well, back in August when I turned that bEauTifUL age I made a list of 43 things that I want to accomplish during the year before I turn 44. I wanted something to document the list and to remind me of all the things that I want to do. This is {the list}. After the year is over, I plan to do another small album showing what I accomplished. Anywho, here's a peek. Hope you enjoy. Peace out.

i {heart} bible study nite

2009-02-09T23:07:00.004-06:00

I really really do. I LoVe LOve loVE bible study nite at my house. I love having all of these amazing women from different backgrounds and in different stages of their life in my house laughing, talking, sharing, studying and growing closer to each other and to God. I love planning dinner for them so that for one night out of the month they don't have to worry about dinner. I love studying and thinking about what we're going to talk about that night. Most of all, I love these women and what they each bring to my life. I am so blessed to know each one of them and to be able to share my journey with them.

Tonight was even more fun because we got to get {cRafTy}. One of my favorite things to do!! We talked about choosing a word for the year to focus on and then made magnets out of chipboard as a visual daily reminder. Love the words that were chosen and why. So cool. Tonight was a very good night indeed.

Tag

2009-02-03T18:56:00.004-06:00

A tag from my peep, Nellie Rae.

Rules are: Anything you have done has to be in bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (hard to believe I know)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (saw it, but didn't walk to the top)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (does Camp Fire candy count?)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Volunteered for an Organization
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy

Wow! There's alot I haven't done!! Need to think about adding some of these to my future goals.

Happy Groundhog Day!!!

2009-02-02T21:31:00.010-06:00

My family {heart} this movie. We watch it EVERY Groundhog Day. Yes, I know. It's kinda repetitive and you wonder if Phil's day is ever going to end. But, it has the best message. No matter what is thrown at you {keep moving forward}. Don't get stuck in a rut. Don't give up. Don't always stay the same. Be willing to grow. Expand yourself. Step out on faith. Trust.

So, by now, you're probably wondering where I'm going with all of this. Well, each year I choose a word that keeps me focused for the year on what is important to me. One of my very favorite life artists, Ali Edwards, started this exercise of choosing a word for the year and this is my 4th year to participate. I have a link to Ali's blog on my sidebar. Check her out. She is wonderful at inspiring people to share their stories through pictures and words. Anyway, my word for this year is {forward}. Why forward? Because last year I felt like I lost momentum. I was just still. Paralyzed really. I wasn't moving forward and I wasn't moving backwards. Just still. Not really doing anything. This quote kinda sums it up for me:

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all." ~ Oscar Wilde

That's it in a nutshell. I was just existing. Nothing more. Nothing less. I don't want to live that way this year. I let things paralyze me last year. If I didn't meet my own expectations, then I was paralyzed to move forward. If I failed at something, then I let that keep me from trying again. If I was overwhelmed by projects, then I just stopped. Not this year. This year I will be LivInG! I am so excited about this word!!! I wake up every morning and the first thought that comes to mind is {forward}. Moving forward in my spiritual growth, in my relationship with God, in my personal relationships, in my aspirations, in my goals, in my health, and in my career. I have so much I want to accomplish this year and I love that my word has motion to it. I won't allow myself to become a spectator of life this year, but to engage and be a part. And, believe it or not I've already put some things into motion that will help me to achieve some of my goals this year.

Strangely enough all of this forward motion has brought me great peace. Maybe because even when I don't meet a goal or an expectation for the day or the week or the month I let it go....and just keep moving forward. So, if you don't hear from me very often on my blog, don't worry. Just know that I'm busy moving {FORWARD}.

Checking In . . . . .

2008-11-20T20:44:00.008-06:00

Hello, my peeps! Had a fabulous weekend!! Saturday was spent touring Route 66. Yes, I said touring. That's exactly what me and 4 of my friends did. It took us 12 hours, yes folks count them, 12 hours to get from Catoosa to Arcadia. The most fun 12 hours I've ever had in a car!! :) Why did we spend 12 hours in a car touring along Route 66 you ask? Because my sweet friend, Nellie, had on her list of things to do before she turns 30 to take a trip along Route 66 and I was lucky enough to be invited along for the ride. I will post pics later of our adventure and our encounter with "Madge."

Looking forward to Thanksgiving and having my family to my house for a change. Totally digging that. Abbey really wanted to have Thanksgiving at our house since we've never had it at our house before. Then, of course, the traditional movie theater trip after the big meal. Not sure what we'll be seeing this year.

Totally gearing up for Christmas right now. Having the best time making gifts. I've already made quite a few and can't wait to start a project for someone special on Saturday. Would love to have all my gifts made by mid-December. We'll see. Being very inspired by the November issue of Country Living and the December issue of Home Companion. So many gift ideas and eye candy to look at!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Isn't all just so lovely???

Also, looking forward to baking with my sweet daughter this year for the holidays. We haven't baked together since she was little. So, this year we will be making swedish ginger cookies, cranberry orange bread and who knows what else.

Well, that's about it for now. Have to go and take my darling daughter and her friends to the midnight showing of Twilight. On a school night no less. Unbelievable. Am I a cool mom or what???

M.I.A.

2008-11-06T10:40:00.003-06:00

Yes, I know. I've been {Missing In Action} for a month now. Wow. A month. Where did that month go??? I needed to take a break from the computer. I've been feeling frustrated and unproductive and I just needed to take time and accomplish {SOMETHING}. Anything. So, I did. I had a very long list and I've been slowly marking things off. I still have quite a list of things to do, so I probably won't be updating every day, but I will try to at least once a week share something. In light of how I've been feeling the last month, this quote really spoke to me and I would like to share it with you.

“I beg you to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves...Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now...the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), excerpt from Letters to a Young Poet

I've had so many things undone or not in focus in my life that I really needed to read this quote and remind myself that it's okay to not have all the answers right now and that I need to find my {joy} in the journey again. I've been letting things and others steal my joy. And, because of that it has robbed me of my energy and my focus. No more. I will find peace within any situation and I will not let others steal my joy. E reminded me of a verse that is so true.

"A heart at peace gives life to the body......" ~ Proverbs 14:30

So, here I am getting closer to that heart of peace. Working on it every day. Focusing on what is important to me. Asking God to be with me on this journey and trying to get closer to Him each day because without Him there will be no peace or joy in my {heart}. That, my dear friends, is why I have been M.I.A. for a while.

The Owl

2008-09-28T21:58:00.004-05:00

For all of you who have a desire to see the demise of the poor little owl from the previous post go here.

i {heart} owls

2008-09-25T15:32:00.005-05:00

It is no secret that I {love} owls. They make me smile. I'm drawn to them. My husband knows that I love owls. Today he yells at me to come and watch a cartoon short about an owl. So, of course, I think that it's going to be a cute little cartoon that he knew I would enjoy because of my aforementioned love for owls. Right? Well, it all started out cute and innocent and I was laughing and enjoying this cute little owl cartoon until the owl gets SHOT and then his eyeball gets sQuiShEd!!! I obviously couldn't bear to take pictures of those frames. All the while, my beloved AND my precious daughter are laughing hysterically while the cute little owl meets its doom. Sick. They are both really sick. To do that to me. Really. I should've taken a picture of them laughing. Unbelievable.

Photo-A-Day {No.26}

2008-09-25T15:24:00.002-05:00

I {heart} my Abbey's creative soul. She inspires me in so many ways. Her way of looking at things is so unique. Her creativity pushes me to want to be more creative and to think more outside the box. Even when her creative nature manifests itself in drawing on herself with a sharpie. :) I love you, sweet pea.

Photo-A-Day {No.25}

2008-09-24T15:22:00.022-05:00

End of summer blooms. I'm trying to enjoy the beautiful colors that God has given me in the summer flowers, but I'm so {ready} for fall weather to take over. It is, after all, fall NOW! I {need} to wear hoodies and long sleeves again!! Soon. I need cooler weather to clear my brain. I function so much better for some reason when it's cooler. Heat just drains me. I always feel much more productive in the fall and winter. I know my blogs have been kinda non-creative looking for the last several days. Hopefully, I will have another little book to post by early next week. It's my {43} book.

Today I will leave you with this quote. "Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you." ~ Oscar Wilde

Photo-A-Day {No.24}

2008-09-24T15:21:00.002-05:00

Again. My barn. {insert sigh here}

Photo-A-Day {No.23}

2008-09-22T07:08:00.003-05:00

These are a vital part of reaching one of my goals on my {43} list. Strong and firm. That's what I want people. Strong and firm. I'm tired of waving goodbye with the flab of my arms!! I want firm muscles.

Photo-A-Day {No.22}

2008-09-22T06:54:00.003-05:00

What is it about trains on bridges that just looks so cool? Got to see this one on our way to see Granny.

Photo-A-Day {No.21}

2008-09-20T22:07:00.007-05:00

Today, a photo of me and my man taken by our amazing daughter. :) Aren't we just darling??? I so {love} my man.

Happy Happy Birthday, Myles!

2008-09-20T21:54:00.004-05:00

Today we celebrated {my nephew} Myles' 16th birthday. Can't believe he's 16!!!! Got to take a drive with him in his Grand Cherokee around the neighborhood. He did a great job. Not nervous at all. Very laid back. Loved getting to ride with him. So glad that I got to celebrate his birthday with him. HOotie HoO!! Happy Birthday, Myles! Enjoy being 16!! And, be careful!!!

Photo-A-Day {No.20}

2008-09-19T18:36:00.016-05:00

This is my favorite thing that I pass every day. A big open field and a big red barn. It always makes me smile. I can just imagine myself turning that barn into a really cool house! I'll try to get a better picture of the barn for a later post. Today it just looked so beautiful with the fog all over the field. I {heart} it.

Photo-A-Day {No.19}

2008-09-19T18:36:00.010-05:00

The road well traveled outside our neighborhood . . . . early in the morning.

Photo-A-Day {No.18}

2008-09-19T18:36:00.007-05:00

Today, I caught Daisy {sunning} on the bench on the patio. She loves to lay in the sun when it gets cooler.

Photo-A-Day {No.17}

2008-09-19T18:36:00.004-05:00

This is the bridge I cross at least 2 times a day Monday through Friday doing the school taxi for Abbey. On Tuesday, there was fog all over the water, but that is kinda hard to capture as you are driving. . . . .

Photo-A-Day {No.16}

2008-09-19T18:36:00.001-05:00

{Hope} note for someone to find. :)

Photo-A-Day {No.15}

2008-09-14T22:17:00.003-05:00

This is what my desk looks like after creating {two} projects back to back. Quite a mess!!! Will have to put some things away so that I will have more than just that little square of space to create in!

Photo-A-Day {No.14}

2008-09-14T22:15:00.001-05:00

Love this pic of Sissy doing {Vogue} after Trish's bday extravaganza!

Photo-A-Day {No.13}

2008-09-14T22:12:00.004-05:00

Hummingbird frenzy!!! On Friday we had {SIX} hummingbirds flying around the feeders. Unfortunately, I could only catch 3 of them in a picture.

A {Birthday} Shout Out to Samantha

2008-09-14T21:47:00.004-05:00

I want to send out another HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Samantha. Her birthday was yesterday. Samantha and I have been friends for years and years. :) And, although I didn't get to celebrate her birthday with her yesterday, I was thinking about her and hoping that she was having a wonderful time at the {American Idol} concert!! {Funny, both of us going to concerts ON our birthdays this year, huh, Sam?} Samantha and I have so many memories of trips taken and fun times with our families. I know that you, too, are always there for me if I need you and I love your thoughtful and giving nature. I love how it is so important to you to live a life for Christ and how you are consciously making efforts to lead your children that way. I love how important it is to you to be a wonderful wife to Steve. I love how generous you are not only to me and my family, but to so many people that come through your life. You are always so willing to open your home to anyone who needs a place to stay and you are the hostess with the mostest!! You truly have a warm and loving heart and I am so glad that you are a part of my life, girlie!! Hope you had a wonderful birthday!! Love you!

{Project} Birthday Book

2008-09-14T21:28:00.009-05:00

For Trish's 40th birthday party I put together a {40 Reasons Why We Love You} book so that family and friends could write a message to her. Here are a few pictures of what it looked like. A very easy project and one that can be tailored to any occasion. A big thank you to E for the idea!! It was a lot of fun to create and I got to get out my stamps and play. I'm always up for some creative play!

Birthday {SURPRISE}

2008-09-14T21:01:00.007-05:00

Today is my sweet friend Trish's birthday. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, girlie! Last night we had a very cool surprise bday party that her hubby {and my big bro} put together. Way to go Timmy!!! Let's just say that Trish had absolutely NO idea that she was being thrown such an awesome partay!! :)

Trish, I just want you to know that I cannot imagine you not being a part of our family or as my friend. You are ALWAYS there for me and I know that I can count on you for anything. You are such a thoughtful and loving friend. You always check on me when things aren't going great or I've been sick. Always offering to do anything needed. You are willing to get up before the crack of dawn to run with me. I love our {alone} time together laughing, talking and sometimes just being silent. We've grown to know each other very well and I'm so glad that we are such close friends. Thank you for always having a listening ear and an open heart. Thank you for your patient and gentle spirit. You mean the world to me, girlie and I love you!!

Here are just a few of the pics from the party {so E can see}. E, we missed you so much this weekend! It would've been the icing on the cake had you been here!! Thank you so much for all your help with the decorating ideas. I love you and miss you!! I'll email the rest of the pictures to you, girlie.

A definite BIG surprise for the birthday girl. She couldn't believe her eyes!!! Yay, Timmy!!

The {BEAUTIFUL} patent leather Dooney & Burke bag. Or, as it is commonly referred to now as {THE bag}. It even smells beautiful!!! Ahhhhhhhhh.

The sweet family. Love you guys so much. So glad that I got to celebrate you, Trish and your 40th! Here's to many more years to come!

Houston, the fog has lifted.....

2008-09-11T23:15:00.005-05:00

Today was just one of those days. This week has just kinda been one of those weeks. Nothing really {wrong}. Just out of sorts. Not particularly happy. Frustrated really. With myself more than anything. Hate feeling this way. I needed to be {refreshed}. Kinda like the refresh button on the computer. So, tonight I was {refreshed} thanks to my awesome friends, Amy and Nellie. We spent time laughing and talking and laughing some more. We spent time making notes to leave anonymously everywhere we go to brighten someone else's day. We're putting into action a thing called Hope Revolution. You can read a little bit more about it here. Tonight we started out creating notes of hope for others, but in the end we also gave each other hope for the journey ahead of us. And, maybe just a little, the fog is lifting......

Photo-A-Day {No.12}

2008-09-11T15:59:00.004-05:00

I love when it rains and rains. And, I love how the pine trees beside my house look when it rains and how their needles {hold onto} the rain. It looks so beautiful. God gave me some really beautiful things to see today like raindrops on pine needles and {3} hummingbirds chasing each other around my patio. He knew just what I needed today. Something to make me smile. God is so good.

Photo-A-Day {No.11}

2008-09-10T21:06:00.003-05:00

This is Chloe. Today it rained almost all day. Chloe laid on the couch the {entire} day.

Oh, to have the life of a cat.

{SOY}

2008-09-10T13:23:00.012-05:00

Back in May I entered the Scrapbooker of the Year {SOY} contest. Obviously, I didn't win or you would've heard about it! Today I thought I'd share a couple of the layouts that were part of my entry. Maybe you can find a little bit of inspiration from them today. Now go get busy and create!!

Photo-A-Day {No.10}

2008-09-09T18:38:00.003-05:00

This, of course, is Brett. My man. The one person who can always make me laugh no matter what. And, the one person who I can count on to make any type of outing fun. He is always trying on things when we go into stores and then hamming it up for the camera for me. {He saw the mask and said that Abbey would like it. And, she would. She loves Phantom of the Opera.} He was like a kid at Christmas while we were in the party store. Thanks babe for always making me laugh.

Photo-A-Day {No.9}

2008-09-08T21:15:00.004-05:00

I am doing the photo a day for 365 days. This is No. 9. {Mom taxi.} Picking my baby up from school.

daily gratitude.

2008-09-08T20:15:00.020-05:00

So. I promised to post the project I just finished and here it is. My daily gratitude journal. I had so much fun making this. Pulled out a bunch of stamps, stickers and tags for this and just had creative fun. No pressure. Just creative freedom.
My goal {thanks to Nellie} is to daily write down something from my day that I am grateful for. So far, I have kept up with it pretty easily. Kinda hard not to when you have something creative to write in.

I used lots of different papers, tags, packaging, and garment tags to make the pages of this journal. I wanted to use up scrap pieces of paper and pieces of everyday life to create something useful. And, here it is.

I used 2 star playing cards for the front and back covers. They, of course, were the number 3's from the deck.

You may be asking why I made a gratitude journal. Mainly because my focus hasn't been where it needs to be. I haven't had my eyes on God every day as I should and I needed a reminder of what He does for me on a daily basis. So, this little stack of cards is my way of regaining that focus. Me, physically writing down at least one thing every single day that I am grateful for. {Making sure that God is the center of my life.}

{thank you} nellie bellie

2008-09-04T23:41:00.002-05:00

Nellie, you are truly a blog {Queen}. Thank you so much for all your help with my blog and your patient tutoring of me. You are the absolute best. I love how you made it fun and easy. I actually enjoyed playing around with my blog tonite. HOotie HoO! Hopefully, I will have a new project to post soon.............

NeLliE neLLiE dAy

2008-08-23T00:07:00.002-05:00

Today I {cEleBRatE} you, Nellie. The first time we met I knew we were going to be friends. We have shared so much in such a short space of time and yet it seems like I've known you all my life. You have such a tender and deep heart and I LoVe that about you. You have pushed me in so many ways to grow as a friend and as a child of God. I am blessed beyond measure that God {brought} you into my life as my sister and my friend. You are genuine, encouraging, funny, inspiring and beautiful in so many ways. And, as if that wasn't enough, you are incredibly {aRtiStIc}. Your handwriting kicks butt!! Thank you so much for sharing with me your love, laughter, late night chats, scrapping sessions, Michael's shopping sprees, hot cocoa and ice cream runs, lung punches, and daily emails. But, most of all, thank you for just allowing me to be a part of your journey. HaPpy hApPY BiRthDaY, NeLliE beLLiE! {I heart you.}

How {happy} will you be today?

2008-08-21T11:05:00.002-05:00

I have this little baby hanging in my kitchen right now. My first response to it was a chuckle and a smile. But, then when you think about it a little longer.....it really is very {simple}. Just be happy with your life, with what you have, with who you are. Stop looking at all the negatives and the could have beens and just find {joy in the journey}. Let God take control again and enjoy the journey He has planned for you. So, we all have a {choice} today. Will we be happy or not happy? Personally, I think I'll go with fRenCh frY bIrD today.

the 80's are alive and well...and so is Rick Springfield

2008-08-19T21:03:00.004-05:00

So, my birthday was August 14th and my sweet husband got me tickets to see Rick Springfield on my birthday. [He felt pretty clever for that one. Way to go, honey!] I wasn't quite sure what to expect. After all, Rick is almost 60. [His bday is August 23rd - sound familiar, Nellie?] I didn't know if he would still be rockin' or not. He is. In fact, he is in extremely good shape and can play the electric guitar like nobody's business. Actually, he played like 5 or 6 different ones and threw some of them almost to the ceiling and cAugHt them. And, his voice? The same. When he sang Jessie's Girl...WOW! Sounded just like I remember. He totally roCkEd! He had more energy than I would've ever expected. Love his new CD by the way. Yes, that's right folks, he's making music again. Venus In Overdrive. Definitely worth a listen to. Oh yeah, Rick's still alive and well. :)

Ahhhhhhhhh, Spring Cleaning

2008-05-19T16:56:00.017-05:00

Had a wonderful weekend! My family and I cleaned house and I totally reorganized my office. Nothing like a little reorganization to get you feeling creative again. Have a bunch of pictures to share. First of my reorganized and CLEAN office and of artwork by my daughter that I framed and hung up. And, since I had a newly cleaned office I was excited to finally work on an art project for my bathroom. Made some art to hang on a very boring wall.

Yes, I'm a bit of a daisy lover. They're such friendly flowers and they make me smile. :)

Find a way to be creative this week. Go through your supplies. Purge and reorganize and see what ideas might come from that. Make some wall art. Get inspiration from art created by your kids. But, most of all ~ ENJOY!

A Little Staples Love

2008-05-15T09:27:00.009-05:00

I'm baaaaaaaaaack! Sorry to have been away for so long. Just finished a humongo project. HOotie HoO!! So, I'm back to share a little Staples love today. First of all, love love love Staples! Cannot even begin to tell you how they rock. Super nice, friendly people who are so WILLING to help you with anything. Made my color copying experience painless and efficient. They totally rock. And, found these super cool paper clips and binder clips there. So many possibilities for these little babies. Can't wait to use these in my scrapping. Okay, that's all for today. Just a short note to let you know that I hadn't died or anything. :)

Heavy Metal

2008-04-01T16:00:00.004-05:00

It has finally happened! Abbey has gotten into Heavy Metal. Not the music kind, but the mouth kind. Here's my sweet girl sporting her new braces. She looks so different to me. She's been a real trooper with the sore mouth. Every time I look at her teeth it looks like something has moved already. I'm sure that's all in my head, but you never know. The orthodontist's assistant said that she would feel her teeth moving all the time. Kinda bizarre. I think she smiles even more now that she got braces than she did before if that is at all possible! :)

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T16:11:00.005-05:00

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Easter. Just kicking back here. No egg hunts for us. My sweet Abbey doesn't want to hunt eggs by herself. I can't imagine why! I guess that isn't too cool for a 14 year old to do. That's okay. I don't have a single plastic egg in the house! So, what do you do to treat a teenager on Easter? You make them a card and insert cash!

And, after you take a picture of the card, then you start playing with the settings on your camera and you find cool options like this one:

Apparently, my camera will shoot in black and white and color only the parts that have a green or yellow tint to them. Too COOL! If you have time this week, play with your camera and see what you can do with yours. Happy Bunny Day!

Why do you scrapbook?

2008-03-11T22:45:00.006-05:00

Let's face it. Life art can be full of creativity and joy. And, it can be overwhelming and frustrating at times. Taking a moment to pause and remind yourself WHY you create life art is a wonderful exercise in regaining focus and allowing yourself to enjoy your art again. A year ago I had the privilege of taking a mini album class at Scrap Etc. by Kristina Contes on "Why do you scrapbook?". I didn't work on the project again until last week. It was kinda therapeutic reminding myself WHY I create in the first place. Above are pics of my finished project. Hope that you will take a few minutes to remember why you create life art or maybe go even further and create a mini album of your own to serve as a reminder when you're feeling overwhelmed or frustrated by this amazing art form. Happy Creating!

Testing Testing 1-2-3 Testing

2008-03-08T23:12:00.000-06:00

HoOtie HOo! I'm finally up and running! Big thank you to Abbey for helping me. :)

Welcome to my bubble where I'll share little pieces of myself and my life art. Stay tuned for pictures and more . . . . .