Wednesday

saying goodbye

With the close of my business during a horrible employment market I made the decision to sell my condo in order to get some capital out of my investment. You see the self employed experiencing a down turn in business just can’t go refinance with the banks. So as I stage the home for sale I am reflective and falling in love with it all over again.

Why is it so hard to let things go? Why am I having such a hard time in saying goodbye? Why do I find it impossible to call the realtor and sign the contract? Maybe it’s because this home holds a significant place in my heart as the first place I was able to own since my divorce in 1993. I worked hard to get a broken life pulled together and to focus on achieving some pretty lofty goals made in 2000. This place is my sanctuary, a place where I feel both safe and free.




It is a place where I had my own business for five years. I enjoyed much success before the eventual fall of the furniture industry…….





I will miss this yard, the second garden I have designed, and the beautiful sunsets on the back patio. I will miss my hydrangeas and clematis collections which I adore and Connor will miss his only home and favorite place to stretch out in the sun…..



I will miss this Rose. David Austin’s Shrub Rose “Evelyn” was planted shortly after arriving in 2001. It shares the name of my mother who is responsible for planting the gardening seed in me many years ago. Mom’s ashes are sprinkled beneath this rose among the campanula.......




My family has shared many holidays here and I have attempted to form new traditions.


Intellectually I can recognize that career and living changes might be good for me now. But I am just waiting for my heart to follow my head. Because the heart is hurting just a tad right now……

Sunday

sunday inspiration

just a really short post today. We are having a good weekend here in Seattle so I am going to capitalize on the extra energy and get some much needed work done....



Since most of my paper supplies are in storage I am left to exploring the digi world. so I was just playing last night on making blog banners - here is one......




I've long been a fan of Anthony Robbins and taken several workshops with him. I recently found him on twitter and look forward to his thought provoking tweets. I subsequently have found his Blog to which I give credit for finding this gem of a video.



Now this is inspiration.........






I hope you all have a good week -Keep the Faith!

If you start having doubts throughout the week and need to be lifted up............
watch this video again, and again, and again.

Friday

TGIF

You know that I must have a thing for Rebecca Sower since this is the third time I mention her. I loved her mixed media style since she had her scrapbooking books published through CK. She inspires me to play with fabrics and look at the world through a different lense. Her art is just plain inspiring and her photography just draws you in. But it's Rebecca's post today that exemplifies why I admire her. She encourages me while prodding me to reflect and take action.
You can read it Here.

The lawns are being mowed right now and the sun is actually shining through my window. I can hardly wait to sweep my porch and water the pots today. It is still too cold for me but the sun is just too inticing. Besides if I don't work outside then I must be working inside -YUK.

Here are a few layouts- Have a great day and weekend everyone.




off to get my work done so I can take Connor to Marymoor Park. Besides his head on my leg right now means he wants some attention. Little does he know that cutting his nails is on my to do list. (twirling my handlebar mustache right now)



PS- The new banner is from House of 3 and there is a link on my sidebar. I have a ton of fun on that new website.......
Have a great weekend!.


Wednesday

YouTube Fun tonight....

If this does not choke you up I just don't know......





My favorite volunteer effort has been to usher for concerts held at Overlake. I had the pleasure to work for Mercy Me a few years ago and follow them on Twitter and subsequently found their blog tonight. It's been so much fun to check out their blogposts and videos.... I hope you enjoyed their song.

I have heard of father-son triatholon story before but can't find any details to share now. It is so inspirational but I can't help but to feel a bit sad that my own 2 children have not known the true Love of a Father.

On second thought, they do have the Love of a Father. Just not the one that they thought.....

I hope they both know how much their Momma loves them too! xoxoxoxo

What are you doing to celebrate?

Tuesday

stay the course....

I have completed my morning search of job listings and taking a break. My routine has been checking in on Craig's List and Career Builder throughout the day because they seem to post opportunities more frequently than the rest. I did meet with a recruiter yesterday and have high hopes she can find me something. I used to work with her when I was doing the hiring at my previous position 5 years ago, so we have history and she knows the environment I have experienced.

Any how.... checking in with facebook and twitter I found a new video posted. I have been hoping to get a video of this incredible band to share and it is finally here.....

Not only do the words speak loud and clear to me, I really love the visual presentation. It sends those awesome sparks of delight through my creative nerves. I really missed my calling.... After discovering such joy in paper crafting and artful design, I so wish I would have gone into Graphic Arts. All those years being layout editor for HS yearbooks gone to waste. Oh well..... not good to harbor regrets.....look forward Terri.

I hope you enjoy this music. It's not the "How great thou art" that I grew up with. I long ago embraced this musical genre, and love that I have found a home where I can be free to dance during worship. Jesse just plain ROCKS!



Prodigal from Overlake Christian Church on Vimeo.


PS - His name is Jesse Butterworth and the band has 4 albums you can purchase from ITunes.... (If anyone out there knows how to link ITunes to blogposts please let me know)

Have a great day!!!

Wednesday

look straight ahead, not behind you....

Back at the job hunt again. I'm not sure what is up, just can't seem to seal the deal or get the job offer. Another one lost after getting to the final step.... Keeping my head up and looking straight ahead for the next opportunity.

Just a little something for us Moms to smile about.......

Why GOD MADE MOMS
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes t he best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goofball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them....
3. Dad s are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet,maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Have an awesome day!

Saturday

Thank you for the Cross Service - 2009



Enjoying my Easter weekend with friends! Loved last nights service at Church.
We nailed our scribbled lost hopes to a wooden cross. Now I have a wonderful visual reminder that he will take my burdens on if I just remember to stay connected or seek him. That tends to be the struggle for me though and I'm sure it's a control thing. Never the less this next year I will have something tangible to remember and I'm a visual kind of learner......
Another very cool thing that happened during Pastor Mikes message there was an artist squating down on the stage painting on what looked like some tarps..... At the end Mike lifted up and set on display a large canvas version of the above picture.....
It is a Stunning Canvas!

Thursday

staying focused......

A quick post as I am on a roll with the employment search and don't want to distract from my renewed energy. Please say a prayer for me as I have an interview tomorrow with a local company 6 minutes from home. The commute might be rough but I will give it a shot!!

I know it's a 6 minute commute because it's just a couple blocks away from here........


I HEART OCC from Overlake Christian Church on Vimeo.



Thanks for watching the video.... it's a fun place to be! God Bless and have a great day!
Leaving you with my latest hybrid Canvas art and something to ponder. I know I have been lately.....



JOY - is the echo of God's life within us




My reflection has been to recognize the responsibility I have to share the joy that He has provided me. It's all about being an example to others isn't it? Let me know what you think of when reading the message......