Wednesday, November 28, 2012

psalm 138:8

The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
- Psalm 138:8

Monday, November 26, 2012

finished a few projects

I have been very behind this year on staying on top of Baby Gifts, Wedding Gifts, and Birthday gifts.  In an effort to get a little bit caught up, I spent a good portion of this past Holiday Weekend working on completing a few...here are pictures of two:


full view of Emilyne's Baby Blanket for Monika James

close up view of Emilyne's Baby Blanket

the Baby Blanket wrapped with crocheted ribbon trim...
[the pattern is a lace knit]


Liam's Baby Blanket for Sydney Brown

the Baby Blanket all wrapped up...
[the pattern is the dishcloth pattern, just extra big]


CHECK OUT the giveaway!!!

My second cousin, a talented lady of The Virginia House, is giving a giveaway since she has reached 1000 followers...can you imagine?  We were roomies for 3.5 years...and beyond being related, we know each other pretty well, who wouldn't by living in a two story, 800sq ft cottage with one bathroom???  She has such great ideas with a theme of "We Can Do It Cheaper" along with having been presented in various magazines, it is amazing!  

Go check out the giveaway The Virginia House Giveaway!

Quotes

Your problem isn't the problem. Your reaction is the problem.
- Seven Days in Utopia

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving 2012

This year I joined a lady and her family from my Woman's Bible Study group.  [We are doing a bible study of Beth Moore's called Breaking Free.]

There were 8 of us, Jim & Miki, their daughter Amanda and her 9 year old son Tristen [her husband was working at the fire department], their son Jonathan, and both of their mothers [Vernita and Dot].  

As we begin to enjoy our time together, we gathered in the kitchen and joined hands in a circle and Jim opened in prayer.  It was a little after noon when we began our feast with all the typical foods: Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Sweet Potatoe Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Broccoli Salad, Cranberry Sauce, Rolls, Coconut Cream Pie, Chocolate Cake, and Chocolate Mudd Pie. It was yummmmy!!!  Tristan was so cute, he kept going back for more Spinach Artichoke Dip and said that it was way better than TGI Friday's.  It truly made me laugh.  He has such a cute personality!!! and isn't shy about showing it.    

We visited through lunch and after eating went around the table and each shared one or two or three things we were thankful for.  Jim then shared thoughts from John 21 when the Lord asks Peter if he loves Him, three times and two of those times the Lord says for him to feed His lambs.  They shared their lives, thoughts and faith with me.  It was a great time of sharing and fellowship with them!  It is amazing to spend time with people you hardly know who do not hold back their love for the Lord and desire to share it with you.  You don't have to pry into their lives to find out if they love God, it shows and pours out.  Truly is/was a great experience.  At the close of this time, we joined hands again around the table and Jim closed the time in prayer.  It is hard to explain what this experience was like to me.  

We then moved to the couch and sat and visited the rest of the afternoon.  Amanda browsed through the ads trying to see if she was going to go Black Friday shopping.

The only regret I have on the day is that I didn't take Tristen up on his offer to ride the 4 Wheeler with him.  I should have, even in my dressy black boots! ;)

I came home and let Maggie out [Brent & Jennifer & girls are on a cruise and I am babysitting their dog].  After doing dishes and getting some things together, I went to Brian & Shelley's for the evening.

We sat around in the living room and were lazy and ate leftovers and chatted.  The day was too warm for a fire and hot drinks.  I came home and was in bed by 10.30pm and plan to sleep in and enjoy a day at home tomorrow shredding papers, filing papers, organizing my home office...maybe even list a few items on eBay.

Monday, November 19, 2012

6 week Post Operative Appointment

Today was my 6 week Post Operative Appointment from surgery.  My doctor was pleased with my healing and improvements.  He was grateful that I can tell a difference and don't regret the surgery.  I only regret not having done it sooner!  He stated he could tell a difference in my coloring.  Now the goal is just to get somethings at the right levels to improve body performance with some more adjustments to medications.  Will re-evaluate in January after more bloodwork.  

I am very grateful for the improvements I have had in my health.  Though it is not perfect, I have seen dramatic results.  I have been sick twice now since surgery, probably a combination from still trying to do too much even though I have tried to pace myself and from the fact that my body has been majorly tweaked with hormones that have to be adjusted.  Thankfully the strep test today was negative so I will continue my routine to treat this sinus congestion and head cold.

Quotes

To sustain balance you have to control your emotions.
- Seven Days in Utopia

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Quotes

Remember to focus first on your wellbeing. You cannot truly be of service to others if you put your life on the back burner. 
- Write On, Creative Writing Services, LLC 

letter from my Dad

I have not seen my Dad or talked to my Dad since I left home 15 years ago when I was told that I was never welcome back due to leaving without their blessing or approval. So when I opened the mail box Friday Night and had a letter with a return address of R R Gilbert, I was absolutely shocked.  I could not breath for a minute or two.  I felt the air had been sucked out of me.  

The first question was do I open or not open the letter?  I quickly calmed my feelings and decided I would open it, read it and then would have to deal with whatever was presented to me.

The letter from my Dad was one that was an apology for failing in raising me and my siblings, not being available or interested in our lives as children and not supporting Mom in raising us.  Dad stated if because of these failures this was the reason I left home, he bares the blame and responsibility.  It grieves him that he caused me to lose interest in, to lose confidence, rest, joy in the one place we can retreat to and be accepted.  He stated he is writing a similar letter to my siblings and asked that I keep this to myself.  His prayers is that the Lord would make up the difference and may this letter help heal the hurt/wound he has caused.

This is nothing I expected to read in this letter.  

I have shared the letter with those who have been very involved in my life and who have been instruments used to help me deal with my past, to put things in perspective, to make sense out of right and wrong, to understand God's love for me and the truth.  I understand where my Dad is coming from in his request, but just as he asked me to never discuss what when on in our home [and I have], I will share that my Dad has apologized.  My life is not a secret and I will continue to live an open book, I have nothing to hide.  I also know that I need the prayers of others and will benefit from their input in how to take this from here, and sharing this letter is how I will get that help.

My heart was grieved and thankful at the same time.  

Grieved for the knowledge of how hard this must have been for my Dad to write and for the years of heartache that can't be undone. Thankful that my Dad sees some things and for the chance to show love to him in a way that I have not been shown love.

But in the midst of all this, the memories come back to haunt me...many of them create nightmares, even at 36 years of age.  The feelings flood like it was just yesterday.  The fear takes over my heart.  All I can do is cry.

I know God understands when others do not.  I know God cares when others aren't caring. I know God is walking right here beside me even when others have left me to go this alone.  I know God has a plan, even though I don't always understand it.  I know God loves me, deeply loves me, more than I can imagine, even when I don't feel it and when I have not experienced love by a parent.

Please pray for me that I know what to do with this and know how to respond, if I even should respond.  I truly would love to communicate to Dad that I am not bitter and do not hold this against him and that he is forgiven.  How to say this to him, I do not know yet.  The fear that my Mom doesn't know he wrote this and will not let him read any response I send to him, are horrific feelings.

If you don't know my history very well, ple
ase know I have NEVER regretted my decision to leave home!!! I am a totally different person and have gratitude beyond words to God for the love, happiness, peace, forgiveness and harmony I have in my life now. I know I still face some giant battles because of my upbringing and struggle with truly feeling loved, loved with no partiality or contingency, approved of without having to prove anything, but with the Lord's help, I truly hope that I continue to be successful in working through this baggage to be the woman He wants me to be. And as I continue to become that, I know that that means I have to address various things from my past.  I only ask for your prayers and God's strength to do this.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Quotes

Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.
― Corrie Ten Boom

Sunday, November 11, 2012

song ~ one thing remains

One Thing Remains

Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me
Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me
Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me
Your Love
Never gives up on me

And it's higher than the mountains that I face
And it's stronger than the power of the grave

And constant in the trial and the change
This one thing…Remains 


And it's higher than the mountains that I face
And it's stronger than the power of the grave

And constant in the trial and the change
This one thing…Remains


[Chorus:]
Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me

Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me
Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me


On and on and on and on it goes
Yes, it overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
This one thing remains

This one thing remains

[Chorus:]
Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me

Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me
Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me
Your Love


In death, In life, I’m confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can
separate my heart from Your great love...

[Chorus:]
Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me
Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me



On and on and on and on it goes
Yes, it overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
This one thing remains
This one thing remains

[Chorus:]
Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me

Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me
Your love never fails, it never gives up
Never runs out on me
Your Love
It's your love
It's your love
Your Love
It's your love
Your Love

Friday, November 9, 2012

my friend Jennifer...

Do you ever just stop and reflect on your friends?  Maybe like me, one comes to your mind and as you reflect on your friendship you are overwhelmed by how much the person means to you?  Yah, they probably would die if they knew you were blogging about them too, but hey, maybe then in a small way they would know how you feel about them once they read the thoughts you have and realize that you really matter a TON to them in spite of the lack of phone calls, lack of email updates, lack of dinner dates or sharing a newfound recipe, lack of time spent working on a knitting project or card stamping class...


I am not really sure when Jennifer and I became friends.  I know the "first" real thing I can remember doing with her was when she was willing to go and check out a serger sewing machine (that was listed in the classified ads in a green sheet like paper) with me since I had little to no experience working on them and I wasn't sure I would know if it was a good one and how to test it out.  I was raised sewing, but we had never owned one.  At that point in my sewing career, I had not worked very much on a serger.  So this was our first event to do something together.  She picked me up and we headed that way.  I felt like a stranger riding with someone whom I didn't know hardly at all.  We went to this ladies house, way out the east side of town just as it was getting dark.  Jennifer sewed on the machine and tested it out.  She told me a few pointers and bits of information as she did so.  Since I didn't know her really well, it was so hard to know what she truly really thought of it and read between the lines.  Did she really think it was a good deal?  Would she buy it?  How do you ask these questions directly in front of the seller?  I didn't.  I was early in my working career and felt like $175 was a lot of money and I didn't know whether this was a wise investment or not for a used product.  The seller stated she had only sewn like 10 hours on it and of course I had no way to know if that was a true amount of hours for the shape it was in.  I left there telling the lady that I would think about it.  I still wonder to this day what Jennifer thought of me doing that.  Later that night, I decided I wanted it and that I would sacrifice the $175!!!  I called the lady back and told her I would be by the next day to pick it up but she was vague as to if she would hold it for me or not.  I was a bit disappointed, but had to realize that this was what I got for not making up my mind on the spot.  In the end, I got it plus several spools of serger thread all for $175.  And guess what???  I still have this serger today!  It has been an awesome machine.  The only issue I have at times is threading the stupid thing and making it work with all 4 threads. LOL!


Okay, so let me move forward.  That in my memory is the 1st event Jennifer & I shared in our friendship together.  Since then I have learned much from my friend.  She has:

  • introduced me to sushi...something now that I love emmensly!
  • inspired me to learn to knit socks even though I was an avid knitting teacher at a local quilt & knitting shop - I had never attempted this...though I have yet to complete them
  • told me about a great investment representative who I moved my porfolio to when the person who had been my rep passed away
  • introduced me to a fabulous sweet Realtor who ended up being the one working with me when I bought this house
  • reviewed my home loan options and paperwork with me so that I would now be "educated"
  • gave me a referral to a great home inspector
  • helped me patch a bad spot in my ceiling in my "new" house
  • helped me learn to lay laminate wood flooring
  • her & her husband spray painted my ceilings and cabinets with a fresh coat of paint
  • helped me till the front flower bed when I moved into my new place
  • gave me pool advice 
  • referred me to a great alternative hormone doctor
  • taught me how to make Kombucha
  • introduced me to Cottage Cheese with Applebutter on top (Absolutely Yummy)
  • replaced my kitchen facet with a new one that was not leaky and was cute too
  • shared books with me
  • introduced me to one of my favorite authors...Karen Kingsbury
  • introduced me to oysters, though I didn't end up liking them!
  • offered assistance in many other forms (I bet I will remember a bunch more once I complete this post!) and I must say that I think I have only been able to return these great tips advice, assistance on like 2 or 3 occasions.  But I hope she knows that she means a lot to me!!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jennifer!

Do you ever stop to think about your friends? ...do you ever tell them??? ...why do we keep that secret inside?

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Prayer from Seven Days in Utopia

"For food in a world where many walk in hunger, For faith in a world where many walk in fear, For friends in a world where many walk alone, We give you thanks oh Lord. Amen."
-Prayer from Seven Days in Utopia

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

4 weeks since my Surgery...Very Thankful!!!

Today...I am very grateful to be 4 weeks out from surgery and for my continued healing and improvements! You have no idea how grateful I am!!!  I want to Thank the Lord for His strength through these really tough times and for giving me relief of an ongoing issue that I have had for a very, very, very long time.  I pray that it will continue and not be short term, but know that either way, He will be my strength and comfort and I will praise Him!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Quotes

"You have to let go of perfect to be an artist." 
-Seven Days in Utopia: Golf's Sacred Journey

Sunday, November 4, 2012

36th Birthday Weekend

Yup. I am 36.  Officially.  ;)

My birthday weekend started off Friday with Lorrie calling and asking me if I was at home and could join her for lunch at Panda Express.  What a surprise and a treat!  I was and so I asked if she could give me 5 minutes to get my hair in decent order [I have this bad habit of not doing it when I am working at my home office which is not smart because people always call or come to the door when I don't]!  LOL!!!  We had a nice time catching up and visiting for about an hour.  I don't believe I have ever done something just with Lorrie and it was fun.

I then made plans to be a couch potato at Gilbert & Connie's after my acupuncture session.  It was fun to visit and knit and just relax.

Saturday, I slept in.  I then worked a few hours and went over to Brent & Jennifer's for the evening along with several others [Martin & Cheryl, Jeff & Debbie, Devin, Tolley, Jonathan & Kristen, Gary & Debi, Daniel & Jessica, and Eric...Carrie came later].  They were having various forms of pancakes [Sourdough Pancakes, Aebleskivers, Danish Pancakes, and Yorkshire Pudding along with Chocolate covered Bacon, Sausage and Ham.].  We ate outside on the patio and the weather was absolutely lovely!!!  We then went inside and Jonathan played the piano and we sang...loud and for about 2 or more hours.  Wow...what fun!  I stayed up way too late!!!  It has been quite some time since I sat & stood around singing like that.  I enjoy singing with people who put their heart into it and are not afraid of how they sound or how you sound.  It was absolutely a bunch of fun.

Sunday, I slept in.  I was disappointed that meeting was canceled for an all day men's meeting...I had hoped to see everyone after not being up to being out since surgery!  I decided to go treat myself to brunch [a late breakfast] at Fuzzy's Taco Shop.  I love their Chilaquiles.  So YUMMY!!!  I then went into town and went shopping at a really nice shopping center.  I had a $50 Coupon for White House Black Market along with a $10 Birthday Coupon, $40 Coupon for Banana Republic, and a $15 Birthday Coupon for Ann Taylor.  I know those stores are not the cheapest places to shop, but I haven't been shopping in awhile and I decided to splurge on myself!  I had a blast!  I got two skirts, a little black shrug, two shirts and a dress!  My shopping excursion was 3 hours which wore me out.  I was tired but had dinner plans to go to Jeff & Debbie's.  I stopped by the house to put my leftovers from brunch away and freshen up and then was on my way.  Devin share's my birthday and since he was in town, Debbie thought it would be fun if I came over.  Travis & Sarah were there along with Dylan & Alison.  Winter came later.  I was the first to leave as I was really tired and my day along with the time change was catching up with me fast.  I came home and crawled in bed...thankful for all my friends who called, sent eCards, text messaged me, sent emails, wrote on my Facebook wall, and sang Happy Birthday to me...I am thankful for another birthday to celebrate my year and a very fun day!

Here is to a year of being 36 and my opportunity to serve the Lord!

Ephesians 4:29

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.~ Ephesians 4:29, NLT