Feeling blessed...

Hello Friends...I know it has been a long time, have my followers gone?  I sure would like to get back to blogging.

I have a few things to share.  I actually have a lot I would love to write about...all in time.  I have shared many things about my life with my readers.  I have been on journeys and made strides...and had losses...but I am in constant movement FORWARD.  Not back, onward...

In a recent chat with a friend, after a Zumba workout....lol... we shared many things about our lives, and shared our hearts.  I was telling my friend, I am trying so hard, to let go of worry.  My husband and I have had some pretty serious health scares recently, and of course the worry with my parents who live far from me.  Just life, when it gets hard and sometimes scary, we all know that feeling.  I do have ways to make things better... I still am very active in my yoga practice...mediation, ect...but when I try to "Let Go, Let God"... I just didn't 'feel' anything.  Just the worry and fears.  As my friend shared her relationship with God, we both cried.  She told me in a very gentle and loving way, she felt maybe this was a missing piece of my puzzle.  She asked me to join her, in her church and just see how it felt.  Well, I went away, she went away... and finally, I went.  I was nervous and a bit overwhelmed.  The church is huge, and we attended a contemporary service so there was music and videos and just the size of the church was something foreign to me.  The little church I attended as a child, could fit in one row of pews.  But, I felt the pastor was talking directly to me, as he preached.  I do know now, the day in the gym studio... sitting on the floor with my friend was a gentle nudge for me.  A whisper, and I feel it very strongly.  I am ever so grateful that I was quiet enough and aware enough to realize that this was God working.  I have had two Dear friends, share their love of God with me, so grateful.

I am new to this, I wasn't raised attending regular church service.  I do not feel you must attend church to believe in God.  But, for me right now, I feel this is what I am meant to do.  A new journey...xo.

trying to understand...

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I have so much to share, some things I feel are to soon to tell...
This one is still on my heart, but it has eased...I know it is not about me.

It seems I have lost a Dear friend.  The hard part, is I do not know why.  It came at a time I was stressed, scared, and just at the height of anxiousness.  This is the part that hurts the most, she knows exactly how I was feeling and knows how I react to this type of life event.  And yet, she left without a word.  I use the word cowardly, because I feel it was.  Un-friended on FB, seems so childish for the friendship we had, or I thought we had.  But that is how I found out.  I have learned to live with her choice, I just hope she considered it long and hard...to cause this fracture.

I say I am over it, have quit talking about it to my family and friends.  Yet, here I am... It takes time and maybe one day I will understand it.  I don't want to understand it right now, I am still to raw from it.  I don't want to hear her side now.  One day, that will be my question to her, why?

It has been an eye opener, for sure.  I have many friends and I am ok.  But I will be more guarded with whom I love as a 'true' friend.

thinking this morning...

I find myself questioning things this morning.
Maybe it is the early hour, or the mood...or maybe because the "seed" was planted by something I read, and it stuck.
I found myself doing my routine this morning, grabbing my coffee, stagger to our office, put the TV on very low (news) and logging on to Facebook.  So at this early hour, the feed was crawling, I caught up on what I missed last night...and moved on to my blogroll.
I read a post about drama and Facebook.  This blogger has a fan page for her art, but usually doesn't check in very much.  What caught her attention was the spat between 2 friends, not her personal friends, just FB friends.  They were nasty and out to be noticed!!!  Can't we all go to a time where we saw that, or had it happen suddenly on our wall?  She said she was done with Facebook...I can't say I am ready for that...because the good out weighs the bad for me.  But I did "hear" a few things.

These people we collect on FB, are they really our friends?  I could weed out a few people I guess, but at one time I had 500 or more friends, some I had no idea who they were.  During one of my funks, I did limit my friends to people I really did communicate with. What happens more is, I blab on and on and people read it and don't chat back... And I am guilty of that as well.  It is kinda of voyeuristic, really! 

We expect people to know of our news or worse yet, we ask a question, on FB, instead of picking up the phone.  Then we say "I posted it on FB" as if that is enough...  Also guilty of that.

This is all food for thought today for me.  I have had miss-communications with some people, and some unpleasant things that hurt my feelings... that is life!  And this can be done via text and email too!  Technology?  Has it left us, not dealing directly to the people we care about?  I think I need to think more on this as I go on with my day.

I keep saying one day I will hit that button to delete...maybe a switch to more blogging...for now.  Or maybe I won't even give it another thought in a day or so...could go either way!

Have a wonderful day, with NO DRAMA.....xo

Corner of Race & Religious

I had a fabulous day yesterday, a day with friends and taking photographs.  My friend Jill had the idea to go on a "photo safari" in New Orleans...an adventure...and I was in!  Another friend Mary joined us and off we went across the causeway to NOLA.
Jill had learned of a place called Race and Religious.  It is a venue filled with history.  Click on the link to discover what a unique place this is.  We just photographed the outside, and can I tell you, we were there at least 45 minutes.  So much inspiration.  A few gates allowed us to take a few shots of the courtyard.  Here are some of my photos.

today's thoughts...

Morning Sunshines...
I think I needed all day yesterday to unwind, and just let it all sink in.  You know how it feels when you are anticipating something exciting and you are just waiting for the day to arrive.  And then you have the day or the event and it is over so fast?  Well that is how I felt as I said goodbye to my friend Sherry Wednesday night.

I have a very, very happy heart. (Sherry took the photos, and I don't have them yet to insert , so these will have to do.)  When I saw her in person and we hugged...ahhh, yes, she IS for real.  I could go on and on, but I will say this.  We had a fabulous day of doing nothing really special, as far as filling the day with places to go and see.  She wanted to see a few of my junkin haunts, and we did, but mostly we talked, and talked, and talked.  So many things to say.  So we went to the lakefront and sat in a little gazebo, the day was beautiful and the sun was shining...and my heart was so warm.  We talked for a long time, had lunch, swept her thru the Drive-Thru daiquiri place and we came back to my house to chat more over our cocktails.  Later her husband Al, I call him Al-ster, came by and we went to dinner.  Fabulous day and memories I will hold close to my heart forever.  I am so humbled that they would drive out of the way, to see me before going on their planned trip.  Now I can say, I laid eyes, and hugged deeply one of my "trues"...(stealing this word from Melody at BG.)  Sherry,  love you and thank you for making this happen.  I will see you again, this I know.

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Now, onto this...I will say that I am so happy that I have been 94% on track with my healthy eating/fitness lifestyle.  I wont say diet, because as we know, if this is to stay, we don't stop...that much I know for sure.  I have lost the taste for sweets, WHAT?  I might every once in awhile, crave sweets a bit and I will buy something...most of the time, I don't finish it.  I am satisfied.  Now some of this credit goes to Cymbalta, this time taking it I have no appetite really.  Now that may be because the eating had been altered way before I began the drug again.  Who knows... But I think it is more, I know what I want to do, how my body now feels and I am taking in all I can from Body Restoration.  My anxiety is so much better, I still have those days, but we all do!  I eagerly go to the gym, again WHAT?  I know how much "lighter" and better I feel when I go and afterwards.  I can't tell you how this effects my mood and my feelings of self.  I have lost weight yes, and I do have a ways to go.  But by "lighter" I am not only talking in terms of weight-loss.

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I love the days when I go to yoga, today in fact...at noon.  I have come to appreciate not just the class, but the instructors and what they have taught me.  Not just the poses... the serenity and calmness.  There are few ladies who go regularly as I do, and we had a wonderful chat the other day, it was one of those "God things" for the lessons I took away.  Every day I am seeing that nothing is by chance...
Wow, didn't expect this to be a chapter...but these words were on my heart and I wanted to share them.  Have a wonderful day, and weekend.  It is Mardi Gras in these parts...we have some local parades this weekend, weather is a bit cool...and spotty rain.  My friend Bridgette invited me to the parades this weekend...so we will see.  I don't do rainy parades any more.  But I know I would have much fun with her.  Steve is offshore, so her hubby might not be so happy...xo *evil grin*

hurry up and wait...

Remember when I told you I was not going to get on the scale?  Well I did, and I am crushed...I knew I would be...Of course I pick the days before my period to do so, [when IS that coming anyways, hmmm.]  Maybe Peri-menopause is slowly creeping to the real deal?  Anywho, I am still in the dreaded 160's... Sure I see changes in my body, and I know, I know, muscle weighs more that fat, whatever...  So, once more I am swearing off the scale, and I am going to take time today, to measure, yes measure.  Because maybe then I won't feel so bad.
But I know what I am doing right, now lets think of what I am doing wrong, the number one thing that came to mind....WATER...

So, on my desk now, my water.  You will also notice my pig timer, for Facebook...15 min 2 times a day, that worked for 1 day...and my fan (hot flashs) my rocks (Rock Fairy) for when I need a reminder, from Sherry.  A truth card (Brave Girl's) also from her...you see I need her inspiration a lot...xo
Ok, so I learned somethings today...  All in good time?!

Which leads me to this.  You may also remember my orchid,  I have never had one bloom the following year, so I have been on watch, to see the beautiful flower unfold.  NOTHING!!!!!  Every day when I pass it, I expect to see it... yep, all in good time....
 I think I see a pattern here.
I was overwhelmed by notes sent to me and replies to yesterdays post.  If I had any doubts about opening up...they are gone now.  Thank you...

inspirational wall

I want to share with you, my little side wall beside my bed, I call in my inspiration wall.  This is a funny wall, our house has a very sloped roof, so upstairs bedrooms have walls more like ceilings.  Acadian style, here in Louisiana. Anywho, when I am feeling anxiety or stress, mornings are sometimes moments I am "in my head" and if I have something on my mind, as soon as my eyes open, the thoughts are there...so... when my friend Sherry gifted me this canvas, I hung it so I would see it first thing in the morning... and I would remember, the message behind it.  I added a piece I threw together yesterday.

I had an oopsie canvas I created, and I was not happy with it.  (side note, be careful adding cheesecloth for "texture"...) so I tried to remove it and save the canvas, no dice.  I tore it...so it was for me.  I added an old book cover collage with my word for the New Year.  Clarity...
So now, when I wake up, if I feel I need a little reminder, I have them.

circle of friends

nothing like it...
I am so grateful for my friends, some I can lay my eyes on and hug...some I have never met...but they ALL touch my heart.
I have had a few goodies come in the mail for my birthday, and I want to share them with you...

A wonderful little Christmas ornament from Debbie, you can find her artwork here.  It is a little bit primitive, a little bit shabby...and a lot fabulous!

Next is this wonderful arch, made by the sweet and ever so talented Nancy Maxwell James.  I love every itty-bitty bit and detail on this sweet card. 

And this afternoon, I found a package in the mail from Queen of Arts Studios.  I quickly scanned my memory, did I buy something?  Did I forget, I AM 50 now!!!!  I opened the package and found a beautiful card, signed Love, Sherry.  And I knew this was a gift from my sweet soul sister, Sherry Symth. 

I put the lovely rocks, in a silver box gifted to me by my sister, Patti.
A happy heart I have, and every time I look at any of these things, I will think of you...and your friendship.  I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and love you all...

This is the rock that speaks to me so much right now...and I plan on doing just that!!!

I will be placing an order for the rocks myself, because the idea and the message of the rocks in genius.  I love the idea of slipping one in your bag, and just leaving it for someone special who is on your heart..or a complete stranger to find it and "wonder" what they will make of it.  And how it will touch them to find it...
This is indeed a wonderful "gift" Sherry!

a giving heart

As some may remember, by 50th birthday is looming...(18th) Can this be?
Oh the people we meet in blogland, most we will never meet in real life, but they do touch our hearts.  I have a friend, her name is Lesley; she may well be your friend too.  You can find her at Paperlicious Delicious.  She creates amazing artwork, and guess what...I recieved a package from her yesterday. 
In honor of my milestone birthday... I was gifted this beautiful collage and handmade card. She even included some flowers seeds in sweet little packets, all the way from the UK.

the perfect card

 

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Lesley, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You generous heart has most certainly warmed mine and at the perfect time as well.  My days have been sad, missing my little furbaby...and this was just the right dose of "love"...I will add this to my wall of friends FABulous artwork, right above my desk, and will think of you and your kindness...every time I see it. xo

my soul friend...and fabulous artist

Sherry made this for me.
As my heart has been so heavy with my family worries, I haven't let myself smile much, or be happy...it is hard when you are bogged down in fear.  But I will tell you that when I opened this package, my heart leaped.  And when I saw it, and read it, I just cried, but very happy tears.  How can I love and trust this woman who I have never met in person?  Well, if you are lucky enough to have her in your life, you already know.  I am blessed, to have you in my life Sherry...and I will treasure this gift of your heart...always.  I have taken a picture and used it as my wallpaper on my phone, this way, I can have you with me...when I go home.
Now let me show you...

Sometimes it is uncanny as to how much Sherry "knows" me, we have had many chats about many things...but when I read the words, I knew she was reminding me of some of those chats, in this artwork.

And one touching element is this page from the secret garden, highlighting the word Yorkshire...this is where Sherry's grandfather was from.  Using a piece of sentimental ephemera brings another element to the finished piece.  I love that part to.

Every time I look at it I smile, and feel loved.  And feel YOU...
The colors are yummy, the frilly dress...please, so me!  And the shoes...so you!  The whispers of the flowers...so perfect.  I will always love it and cherish the message...and the words on the back...you have made my day!

Sherry's words... the meaning behind the canvas.

-- "The dress and the shoes are by Joanna Pierotti -- when I saw them I thought of you -- your love of antiques and old things, love of family and the past and what the past means to you. Butterflies are the future as you take flight towards new dreams, new goals, new meanings and the dandelions are little wishes I am blowing for you."

today I hit a wall...

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And without a word, my friend must have known.  An unanswered call didn't put her off like I might have silently hoped, another soon came and then the dreaded threat...I am coming over....lol!  At first I just unloaded and had a good cry...she let me just talk, and talk, and cry.  And then the words of support came (I knew they would)  I really just thought I wanted to be alone with my thoughts..I didn't want to go to lunch, my head was pounding and I just wanted to go to bed, and sit upon my "pity pot"...till I got a huge red mark on my butt....but guess what? She didn't buy it... So we compromised and she came to see me with a Sonic diet Cherry Limeade and I realized what a special friend I have.  So grateful...and now it is my turn, another friend is hurting and away from home and worried for her mother who she flew to be with...I will call her...it is what we do.

A CARD SWAP

One day while visiting Facebook, I saw a post from my friend Heather Simpson-Bluhm...and she was looking for some help in a greeting card swap, they needed some last minute swappers.  I had some cards on hand, so I gladly took advantage of the swap.
Well I got my cards in the mail today, and I was so excited to see them.  All fabulous....and all so different.  I have some wonderful cards now to add to my stash...Thanks Heather for the oppertunity to play.
Here is a peek at the cards....

ART SWAP WITH ONE OF MY BEST GIRLS....

So, we have friends of all kinds REAL life (you can touch) friends, INTERNET  friends, ART friends, and now FACEBOOK  friends...and I love each and every one.
Let me tell you about my friend Linda Baker-Hardy.  Linda (aka Mamapainter) is a wonderful crazy gal, lots like me...we are sarcastic, witty, and "play" a lot....but she has touched my heart so many times and in so many ways.  I met Linda on Etsy, in a mixed media forum we chatted in.  Instant bond!!! At least in my opinion...
So we have been buddies for a couple years  I would say.  Recently we decided to do an art swap, her and I...I was thrilled to do so.  I love Linda's art...I own some and have gifted a piece to my mom... I will show you my piece to her, when I can...she hasn't seen it yet...but here is the piece she made for me.  OMG, I was touched, it is sooooooo me....lol.  And she told me as much.  I do go on and on about my love of purses and all things girly, she even incorporated that....gotta love this one.  So let me now show you....

So thank you Linda, I love it...I love YOU...and I am so honored to call you my friend.  I also love the inscription on the back...one day we will meet in person...I KNOW it.   ~SMOOCH~

	kindred spirit - 2 dictionary results Main Entry:    kindred spirit Part of Speech:    n Definition:    a person who shares beliefs, attitudes, feelings, or features with another; also called kindred soul Main Entry:    kindred spirit Part of Speech:    n Definition:    a person who shares beliefs, attitudes, feelings, or features with another; also called kindred soul So have you a friend that you call your Kindred Spirit?  Have you ever met your Kindred Spirit looked in her eyes, or hugged her?  In this case, my Kindred Spirit I can say no,  I have not.  But she is always in my heart...she touches me in ways that people who know me the most, can never do.  My Kindred Spirit is Sherry...and so funny that she has commented on this post, as I struggled with my scanner.... lol  Another connection, yes! I went to my mailbox and this is what I found, with a note that made me cry, she does that often with her BEAUTIFUL words.  And she makes me laugh my butt off too....  In this case, this card could not have come at a better time, and she knows why, and I know why...and that is all that matters to me.  I will put this amongst my treasures and take it out from time to time and remember the words, and you. I love you, xo Sherry's blog Artwork is by Tara Leaver/ www.taraleaver.co.uk

EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON

As I sit here this morning, worried beyond worried, waiting for the vet to call me back after seeing Rocky.  I am humbled by the love of a friend...On this day, a day when I needed to feel something magic....I do.
I haven't mentioned yet on my blog, our furry Rocky 10 on the Valentines Day isn't well.  He has been having pain and didn't want to jump up and off furniture and over the few days has gotten worse.  I called the vet gave him some meds...and we went in this morning.  My poor boy is in great pain...Before I got home, the vet called and said he needed to sedate him for xrays, his pain is to great.  Now I wait.  Broken hearted, fearing the loss of my dog. (anxiety sucks!!!!!)

So Steve called to me and said "you have a package from Vermont".

One thought in my head, Melonie.  You see,  Melonie (Studio27) and I have never met, but she is an art sister...and I know and admire her from Etsy.  I was so happy to open this package and find one of her famous Goddess Books.  I wont share my note from her, lol, but she knew I was going through some stuff...as you my reader also knows, with anxiety and meds...  Bless her heart, she gifted this to me as a special surprise.  And it is... on THIS day, I needed this.  This is a God thing.... So thank you Melanie...from the bottom of my heart...you have made my day with your wonderful act of kindness.  love you xo