so it started with a birthday.....

and since mine is today I ask you give me the present of your attention to this video.......

The story of charity: water - The 2009 September Campaign Trailer from charity: water on Vimeo.

don't forget; change happens one person at a time. YOU can make a difference in this world.....

Artful reminders of a bigger picture....

Since the house is on the market I have taken down the little inspirational cards I am known to have around.... but my favorite messages are slowly emerging now as artful collage canvases.

A simple one made a few weeks ago. Seriously this took probably a half hour to make. The quote is "greater things are yet to come"

The one below is my largest work to date. 10" x 30" collage. I love the messages that remind me to do my part to help others. It is titled "Feed the World"

memories of recent concert.....

I got to hear Steven Curtis Chapman at the recent Women of Faith conference. I hadn't really listened too much to him before but have become a fan now.... I love this song! At the conference he sang this song and told us the story he tells afterward.

I think a lot of girls can remember standing on their daddy's feet and dancing like a grown up!


It's August and I think of and miss my Daddy a lot still....








This is a particularly sad story he tells after singing this song. One of the little ones he spoke about was tragically killed in an accident last May.

He grieves his little girl and I still grieve my Dad.....

no more excuses.......

My belly is full and content. My taste buds filled with the delights of my lunch of Fried Green Tomatoes. But what about those who do without the luxury of a lunch? What can we do for them? What can you do for them?

Excuses not to serve from Overlake Christian Church on Vimeo.

I have wanted to go to Africa to contribute to a positve message for many years. Serving others in greater need than me has been a significant influence in my recovery from self destructive mind thought and behavior. I learned this long ago and try to practise in everyday life. I have long admired my brother Dick and SIL Margy for their time in the Peace Corp when they were younger. I have always admired the work of World Vision and Save the Children. My biggest dream is to go on a mission trip to Africa and I believe the time will come next year.

There is some good interest in my home recently and I will be able to make a lot of positive changes when I have sold it. I will be able to pay back all debt and start rebuilding a retirement account and still meet my goal of going on a trip to help those in greater need than me. I also have sent my resume to World Vision, headquartered in Federal Way. No openings right now, but you have to start somewhere right?

So there it is..... Set a Goal and take one step at a time to move toward meeting those goals! That is what I am all about today.....

I need a weekend to rest after this weekend!

Living proof that I am getting out of my shell and enjoying life a little more...... Thank you friends and you know who you are (Roy, Leslie & Todd)


Friday night Concert series at Bothell Landing....



Normally camera shy Roy in right corner below.... Thank you for being my friend.



Saturday Hike with Leslie and Connor; Mirror Lake on Snoqualmie Pass...

Two buddies bonding ....... a love fest on Connors part. Me? I took a quick dip in my hiking clothes to cool off. It was absolutely heaven. Hey Leslie; thanks for being my friend.

Seafair Sunday I went out with Todd, Julie, Amanda and her GF to watch the Blue Angels on the I-90 bridge. I am practising my T pose (I will explain next week). All I can say is that the Angels are again AWESOME. I think I had more fun than the rest and expect to go it alone or have to gather a new group for next year (their interest died with the heat).

Finally got to meet Julie. I hope you are feeling better!

So there...... She lives......

and has fun with the help of some awesome friends! Thanks to everyone! (except the bugs that ate me up; 52 bites and counting)

For the record.....

Yowza it is a hot one out there today. Current temp of 104 actually sets a record here in Kirkland topping the previous record of 103. After what seems like a month of above normal temperatures I think I am actually starting to acclimate. Listen to me, talking pretty tall for a girl that is sitting in front of a fan in a cotton sarong. Not that there is anything else to do in this heat….. Simply not a day for outside activities.

With a renewed hope for my job search I have spent the day in front of the computer and fan searching all the job sites. That being completed for the day, I move onto checking in with the old blogaroni.

Last weekend I went to a Women of Faith conference with a couple of girlfriends. I’ve been before and really recommend ladies with the opportunity to check it out. A great weekend filled with ladies sharing courageous stories of their Faith walk. I both laughed and cried throughout the weekend. And danced and sang with Steven Curtis Chapman and Mandisa. Just a great way to spend a weekend!

I thought I would share a few collage pieces I have done recently. I did the Seek 2 Learn canvas a while ago as I am dedicated to remain open for spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God. I used to have cards with scripture written on them plastered around the house but with it being on the market I thought these might be a better alternative.




The past month has provided a recurring theme in my life lesson. It seems that my requirement is to learn forgiveness. Whether at church, at work, the recent conference or in talking with friends, the topic of forgiveness comes into the picture. I have worked hard at resolving resentments over the years but have been stuck when it comes to an ex-boss and my ex-husband. Through the help of the scriptures and several friends counsel, I finally accept that forgiveness is a choice I make, not a feeling that can be acquired. So as a reminder of the gift that I have received and am now expected to also give I made this collage now hanging on my bedroom wall……




Ok I have nothing else to say for now…. I am heading out to set up the sprinkler for my nightly romp with Connor. It’s been a wonderful thing we both share on hot evenings!

Friday night video.....

Can't believe it's been almost a month since posting. 2 part time jobs and full time job search are filling my days. I just wanted to post this video making the news circuit today. This is my kind of wedding..... I absolutely love it! These kids got married last month in St. Paul MN. I wish them the best!

To see correctly Double click on the video to enlarge the screen....





I have been gifted tickets to the Women of Faith Conference this weekend at Key Arena. I have gone before & am sure to get a boost of Inspiration, Hope, Lovin'. There is something special when women hold women up isn't there?

Have a great weekend! It is going to be a hot one!

friday night video on a monday.

wow its been a while since I ranted on the old blogaroni.....

I have had a little trouble adjusting to all the different duties now required daily. I will get there and am making progress. James moved out and now I am living completely alone for the first time in my life. That reality alone, with all its pendulum swing of emotions, will take some time for adjustment. One moment I love the perks, the other I fall into a loneliness I have never experienced. I know I will be ok. Just another opportunity for growth even though I kind of wish I hadn't had so many growth opportunities over the past 1.5 years.

Moving on; changing topics.....

Lately I have been thinking about the topic on the video below. My family would definately confirm the I am one that has been preoccupied by the external appearances for most of my life. Over the last several years I have been gradually letting that go. Now I know I have a few non churchy readers but this is still a very effective message about todays obsession for the tan, thin and beautiful. This video will hopefully make you smile or laugh and more importantly think about the bigger picture. I especially like the Washington white joke. Now you watch this video while I go spread on another coat of self tanner...... lol! It is all about progress, not perfection!

Burning Barbie from Overlake Christian Church on Vimeo.

finally feeling my mojo return......

I was totally inspired after a great church service on Sunday and came home and whipped this out in a couple of hours. No Fear!

most product is from Studio Calico or Jenni Bowlin

hopefully I will become a great Auntie again this week...... waiting patiently for the news from across Lake Washington.

Lots of not so little things…..

It’s a little after 3 and I have had a full day by my usual standards. I woke up to some great news. My son James got an awesome email from the U of Washington. He was awarded a partial scholarship from the Engineering department for his Senior year. He worked with his counselor and through a few minor changes (like moving out of moms house) he now qualifies for more grants and a higher level of subsidized loan. After all is said and done, he will have his senior year covered by a combination of scholarship, grant, and loan. And some say there isn’t a God……. This mama is sighing in relief and is very grateful for one less thing to guilt trip over.

I spent a few hours working on a Habitat for Humanity project in Redmond this morning. It was great working side by side with the single mom who will be living in the townhouse I was painting and cleaning. It was fun watching her take such loving care as she polished and vacuumed her future home. I did so little in retrospect but I have full intention to get more involved with the program in the future. One thing I know to be true is service work for others reduce my own tendency to throw outrageous pity parties for myself.


Last thing for today is showing a layout I just finished. It has been really hard to keep up on the scrapping and I think my mojo might be lost forever….. however this one was way to quick and easy…..




I hope to be back again tomorrow with another post. I have a burning desire to jump up on my soapbox and talk a bit about something affecting every American…..

PS - had to add this video for my Pastors wife Jodie. This awesome woman in doing a half Iron man in Boise as we speak. Her theme song is one of my favorite U2 song. I am going to play it this afternoon several times in her honor. I am pretty sure that right now she is doing the bike portion..... Go Jodie you Rock star you! By the way a link to her blog is on my sidebar to the right. Jodie Howerton. Just click on her name......