Get Your Feet Wet

To be honest, this page scares me. The thought of stepping out of my comfort zone, doing something new, and taking a step that could lead to failure is scary. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. It think that is how the quote goes. Why do I stall and get stuck in the moment right before I jump? One summer I was at family camp at Black Lake. Three of us moms decided to climb the ladder to the platform and jump to the "blob" below. It was a huge pillow looking thing that floated on the water and caught you when you jumped. Now the platform didn't seem so high until you were on top of it. The problem came when I volunteered to go first. I went to the edge of the platform and counted, 1, 2, 3 and ..... nothing happened. I could not make my legs move. I was terrified of jumping. The whole idea sounds relatively harmless and kids had been doing it all day but I might as well have been jumping out of a plane thousands of feet up in the air for how I felt at that moment. OK, I swallowed hard and counted again, 1, 2, 3... still nothing. I had my arms swinging this time hoping the momentum would move me over the edge but no deal. About that time I took a moment to look around. All the people on the beach and those in boats on the water had their eyes focused right on me. OK, now that changes things. Pride was on the line now. There was no way I was not going to jump this time. 1, 2, 3 and off I went. I hit that pillow and proceeded to roll right into the water. I apparently had not landed in the center and so I rolled right off the side into the lake. At that point my faithful companions who were at the top of the ladder preceded to climb right back down. They had seen enough and decided they weren't going to jump. Maybe I didn't succeed with my initial goal of landing in the middle of that blob but I jumped. I jumped and that was success enough for me. Sometimes it takes jumping to figure out what works and what doesn't. Sometimes we do it in front of lots of people who are watching but not jumping themselves. And sometimes you don't succeed the first time and need to try it again with the lessons you learned. It reminds me of Peter and that he was the only one who got out of the boat and walked on water towards Jesus. Yes, he may have been seen as a failure for not keeping his eyes on Jesus but I bet if he got the chance to do it again, he would. Our failures teach us valuable lessons and some would say they are not failures at all just part of the process. So, get out of the boat, jump, get your feet wet and move towards where you see Jesus leading.

Hat in Hand

I know I already posted today but I just couldn't wait until tomorrow to share this page. All elements are from the presents I got for my birthday from my generous friends. It was so completely exhilarating to go out to my art room and have new stuff to play with. There was so much to choose from I had a hard time focusing. I have had a few days of so much busyness that I haven't been doing anything in my art journal and I have missed it so much. Thank you , Thank you, Thank you for all who contributed to the stash. To just think that a year ago I didn't know there could be so much fun to be had with little pieces of printed paper, paint and a glue stick. I discovered a whole new world at Art & Soul in Portland and the journey was continued in Art & Soul in Hampton. I have caught the wind in my wings and feel the breeze in my hair. I want to be open to new opportunities as they come up and who knows where this all will lead? It sure is fun to dream.

Fall Expectations

I was thinking about the journal prompt that I had last week. What are you looking forward to this Fall? August has been such a busy month that I have to say, I am looking forward to a slower pace. Boys will be back in school and bible studies will be done until October and so I think I will be able to be home more. That always makes me relax. I am looking forward to taking a painting class from Paulette Insall http://pauletteinsall.typepad.com/. She is one of my favorite artists and she is doing an on-line class of painting faces. I hope to be able to keep up and paint something relatively presentable so that I can show it here. I personally am hoping to teach a journaling class even though I have no idea how to find people who are interested. I'll have to think about that one some more. I am also anxiously awaiting our trip to New England to see the Fall colors and using my new Rebel camera to catch the beauty. And of course, I am looking forward to celebrating my grand baby's first birthday. Oh, just thinking about all that is awaiting me this Fall is getting me excited. So much to look forward to.

Birthday Bash

Well, the birthday was great! I had a party with some of my friends on Saturday and we had the best time. There were so many people I wanted to invite but space limited the guest list. I also knew some of my friends who live out of town would not be able to travel for an evening party but they were thought of for sure.

We started out with making paper bag purses. Everyone's was different and so beautiful. I wish that I had thought to take a picture of everyone with theirs but I was too busy enjoying the moment to take too many pictures. And even the not so crafty friends were good sports and made one as well.

We took a quick break and had chicken fajita salads with sides of Falafel and humus and grapes. All things that I love. Then back to creating masterpieces. I am going to use mine to put all the pictures of my birthday in. I did make sure to get a picture of everyone there to put in there. After we were mostly done with the purses I opened some lovely presents that my friends were so sweet to bring. You will be seeing quite of few of these things in upcoming art journal pages. There were too many items to list and I can't wait to get my hands on them. First I have to unload my dining room table of all the craft mess and move it back to my art room. Then I can organize and be ready to create. My long-time friend Karin over at www.twitterpatedkarin.blogspot.com brought me a beautiful dessert that she made especially for me. YUMMY! and incredibly beautiful too. She is talented like that. Thanks Karin!





It really was a shame to destroy this piece of art but, what can I say, somebody had to eat it. Then we finished the night off watching Stranger than Fiction, a Will Farrell movie. If you haven't seen it you have missed out. It is the cutest, sweetest story and I won't say anymore, you will just have to rent it and see for yourself. I already want to watch it again. Then too soon it was time for everyone to go home :( and it wouldn't have been a party without a party bag to take home with them. These were kind of fun because I hit an estate sale last week and picked up a bunch of hankies and vintage jewelry that I used to decorate the bags. Each one was different and it was fun to see who picked which ones. Lots and lots of fun and memories to last for a long time.

Silence

The house is silent. This hardly ever happens anymore. Everyone has some place to be and I am alone. This is heaven. It will only last about 40 minutes but I am giddy with relief. I don't know what to do first other than to post about it because I have been so busy I haven't been able to post much. Tomorrow is my birthday and everyone keeps asking me what I am going to do and I finally decided. I am going to sleep in and then I am going to play in my art room all day. I will play some nice music and put a big sign on the door that says "Don't interrupt a creative mind is hard at work". I hope that works. Anyway, I am very excited for what the day will hold. I bought myself a tiara that is pink and lights up and I will wear it all day and maybe I will even dance a bit. Wherever the mood takes me, creating, dancing, singing and of course there has to be laughter. Oh, so fun to imagine.

Artistically delicious

This week is turning out much better than last week. I slowed down a bit and feel much more inspired with art too. Well, I am thinking of deserts for two reasons. My birthday is this week and I started a diet. Hmm, those two things don't seem to go together. I think I have it figured out though. I keep telling myself to enjoy the beauty of the deserts like art and remember that they look a lot better on the plate than they do on me. All this talk of food has made me hungry. I think I will go eat some lunch.

Don't Give Up

I have been so un-inspired lately. I think it is the tiredness. I was reading in Jeremiah today and Baruch says, "I am weary of my own sighing and can find no rest." I totally could relate to that. I am tired of saying 'I'm tired'. This week has been a slower pace than last week and so I am catching up. Plus, I think my body is going through withdrawals with my new eating program. I am persevering ahead knowing that the goal will be worth the hard work now. I am imagining dog paddeling, keeping my head above water just long enough to catch my breath and then I will be swimming again with strength and purpose and vitality. Every once in a while we need to slow down, catch our breath and take a look around us and evaluate if we are headed in the right direction. Especially if it has been a busy season. Summer has been very busy especially these final few weeks. I look forward to the change that is coming. But for now, enjoy the moments and memories and do what you love and love those you know.

Another week

Mondays tend to be hard days for me just because I am so tired from the weekend. I was sure feeling it today. Just in the last week I have celebrated my in-law's 50th wedding anniversary, my daughter's 21st birthday, my husband's 30 year class reunion, participated in my church's servant festival and got my son off to camp, oh, and had lunch with two other friends in addition to the two bible studies I lead. YIKES! no wonder I am worn out. Whew, just listing all those things makes me tired. No rest for the weary though. My niece is coming over to help me organize my office and I decided to start a new eating program today. How crazy can a person be? I hope this week is less eventful. I think I need a vacation from all the celebrating. One really cool thing that happened though was that I got to visit with a friend of mine that I grew up with. We went to the same church and school and her husband graduated with my husband so we always look forward to seeing each other at the reunions. We discovered that we have known each other for 40 years. How is that even possible, I don't even feel that old. . She reminded me of stuff that happened when we were kids. In a way it is cool that someone knows all that stuff about you and on the other hand it is embarrassing and you don't even want to remember it. In fact some of the stuff she brought up I had completely forgotten about. We also agreed that everyone at that reunion looked really old except us. The gal in the top picture I have know for 30 years and she knows plenty about me also. There is no escaping my past but at least I can laugh about most of it.

The other really cool thing that happened to me was that a woman I have known for a lot of years, but not been close to, told me that she really liked me and thought I was such a nice person and would like to get to know me more. It is not everyday that someone says that to you. Well, at least I don't . Usually I am wondering if anyone likes me at all. So I decided to not blow it off and make an effort to get together with her. You got to take the opportunities when they come. All these memories, I think I had better go and write them down in my journal.

Simple Things

I have had the funniest conversations with my kids lately. They are really funny but you have to listen carefully because it is shrouded in conversations full of fast talking and more than one person talking at the same time. I got the video camera out today to film the grand baby and I got some of their funniness recorded as well. I hope the recording was not too bumpy since I was laughing through most of it. Here is a quote by Laura Ingalls Wilder that says it all.

I am Beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

Monday Prayer

I had a friend send me this prayer this morning. I really needed it today. I hope it uplifts you as much as it did me.

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,
I thank You for my being able to see
and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are
a forgiving God and
an understanding God.
You have done so much for me
and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything
I have done, said or thought
that was not pleasing to you.I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe
from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day
with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day
to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Please broaden my mind
that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.

And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray,
You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.
Keep me strong

that I may help the weak...
Keep me uplifted

that I may have words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost
and can't find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged
and misunderstood.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank You that I believe
that God changes people and
God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member
in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy
in their homes;

that they are out of debt
and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this
knows there is no problem, circumstance,
or situation greater than God.
Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
I pray that these words be received
into the hearts of every eye that sees it
in Jesus' name. Amen!

Follow Your Heart

Women don't want a divided life...They recognize that career is not enough; they want to keep growing throughout their lives. They want to be interconnected, adjusting as needed to different circumstances. They want to live balanced lives. Quote by Mary Ellen Ashcroft.
Our hearts are torn in so many directions. We want to follow are dreams but the reality of responsibility keeps us planted firmly on the ground and yet quite often unfulfilled. Where is the balance in that. I think God puts the dreams in our hearts to give us hope. Sometimes following my dreams makes me look a little crazy and like I don't know what I am doing. That's OK. Eventually I will find the balance. By following my dreams I am showing others it is OK to follows theirs and giving them permission to even start to dream. I have to admit though, it is addicting. Imagining what you could do and where you could go. I loved this girl on my page. She has suitcase in hand ready to explore the world but at the same time wearing a suit with just enough flair to not be conventional. She has a paper to keep grounded on world events but hair that expresses her true personality. I hope she is not criticized and beaten down by drones. Don't you just wish the best for her. That she will make it after so many before her have failed. You can do it sweetheart. Break out and live, imagine, believe, hope and inspire. We are all counting on you to pave the way. Bring home the victory!

Kindred Spirits

This page is dedicated to a young woman I met recently. A friend of mine met her in Scotland but she is really from England but is now living in Spain. Have I confused you yet? She came for a visit and I got to meet her at my friends house. She is the sweetest person and has the coolest accent. I woke up last night with this poem in my head and it is dedicated to her.

I wish I'd known what might have been

Your stay was way too short

A cup of tea and time to share

Who we really are

You never know what the future holds

we may be friends one day

I thank the Lord for this brief time

our lives have crossed today!

I won't be the only one missing her when she leaves but I suspect she will be back.