A new tradition

for Halloween ~ @ the movies waiting for "You Again" to start.....  got popcorn, got drinks, got hot guy as my date ~ WooHoo!!

Values.com ~ The Foundation for a Better Life ~ Pass it on....

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1886);
author

Daily Bible Verse

James 5:8 ()
8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. #Bible http://j.mp/cJ63oD

Cards and such

For a time I had really put an effort into making some more masculine cards. Most of them I sent out as birthday cards for military personnel stationed overseas. I did manage to take a few pics of some before they got sent off however....

This next one was done at a Stampin' Up! night with my demo Lynn Higerd. I had made a set of four, I believe, but have used all but one.

As you can see, my technique improved with time, direction, and help!! ;)

I am really looking forward to getting back into stamping, scrapping and card making soon! I am slowly trying to get my craft "room" in order. I was able to make a wall hanging for a friend's baby shower and had a blast doing it!! I used a variety of materials for this project.

What if...

{a guest post by Donna aka Froggi of 2 taking a 5th}

What if something were to happen to you tomorrow? Could your spouse, significant other, traveling partner:

1. Contact the appropriate family members?
2. Find the necessary financial/banking information?
3. Know how to find your will?
4. Know where to find all life insurance contracts?
5. Have access to updating or closing out your blog(s)?
6. Have access to social accounts such as Facebook, Twitter and favorite forums?

If you are a solo traveler, do you carry emergency contact information for someone (family or not) who has the above information? In addition whether solo or not, do you carry emergency contact information? In these days of cell phones, you can add a contact for I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) and many smart phones have apps for storing all the needed information.

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Pass It On

“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”
Unknown -

Fall Memories

As an entry for a giveaway, I was asked to share "a fun idea to celebrate Fall." My response made me smile so much, I decided to share it....

Something my son and I love to do, very simple, you can do anywhere (almost) and just puts a little more joy in your day - we are willing to walk out of our way to step on dried leaves just to hear the scrunchy sound! It is one of our favorite things about fall! He is 16 now and he still does it with me. Sometimes, we will push each other out of the way, laughing and giggling, fighting for an especially good area! ;)

The Oxford Family : Baby Shower Giveaway #5

Blog: The Oxford Family
Post: Baby Shower Giveaway #5
Link: http://oxfordfam.blogspot.com/2010/10/baby-shower-giveaway-5.html

The Value of "Lost"

The Value of "Lost"

via TAC Simply Inspired by Mischelle Smith on 10/16/10

I recently heard a story about a father who had lost something quite valuable to him.  He enlisted the help of his son and his son's friends to try and find the item that had been lost for years and he feared, forever. The added incentive of $1,000 for the person who could find it, sent those young men right to work. To everyone's surprise one of them DID find the item buried beneath the surface on the grounds of his home. Anxious to claim his reward, he took it to the man, but was baffled at his response to his found treasure.  You see, it wasn't quite as he remembered it. He had missed it for so many years and reminisced about what it meant to him, but when it was actually found, it didn't seem as valuable. Sometimes, things become more valuable to us only when they are lost.

I have been thinking a lot about that principle lately.  It is part of the reason I am such an advocate for Gratitude... why I keep Abundance lists and why Thankful Hearts in others are so attractive to me.  I don't want to wait until I lose my health to be thankful for my strength. I don't want to wait until I am out of work, to be thankful for a job. I don't want to experience the day when my girls are entangled in the consequences of bad choices to be thankful for the right ones they have made along the way. I will not wait until my house is clean to be thankful for its warmth and shelter. I will not waste my days by coveting others opportunities or good fortune. Instead, I will try to be mindful of the little things that can be so easily overlooked.

Then, this week, I read this quote by Richard Emmons.  He said, "The more I study gratitude, the more I have come to believe that an authentic, deeply held sense of gratefulness toward life may require some degree of contrast or deprivation. One truly appreciates a mild spring after a harsh winter, a gourmet meal following a fast... some blessings are not known until they are lost."

I have heard of many who have lost loved ones, and especially parents, in this last month or so. The deep grief we experience is partly because of how dear they were to us. Sometimes, we don't fully appreciate people until they are gone. My daughter mentioned this morning that if Grandma were still here, she knows she would send cards and packages to her at college. I'm happy that she knows that and sad that she didn't appreciate it as much when Grandma was here. Those "little" things that we do for one another, truly are the big things.  There is nothing like the loss of a loved one to make us all the more grateful for having had them in our lives!

October is going so quickly! I have been working on a few little projects to try to capture the Thanksgiving season in fresh ways.  {My husband has already asked when I am putting the Thanksgiving tags out, but I am not sure we are going to do the same thing we have done the last three years.} Hopefully, you will see some pictures of a couple projects in the next week or so either on my blog (I know... it's all too rare!) or the TAC website. Until then, I encourage you to exercise the discipline of gratitude. I realize that some days it takes a little detective work to find things to write down on that abundance list but with that said, when we take a look, we realize that truly "Life is Good!"

Preparing My Heart for Thanksgiving,

 

Adopted

Adopted

via We are THAT Family by kristen on 10/13/10

*I heard a story about a woman who had a dream: She was in a vast stadium filled with thousands and thousands of people. The crowd was focused on the field.

There were people bringing children out, one at a time, and they were looking for homes for them…just giving the kids away. The kids were beautiful and as each one was on display, people in the crowd vied for the child.

It happened over and over.

Then another child was brought out. But this time the child was ugly. Hideous. It was hard to look upon her face without turning away. No one stepped forward for this child. The crowd was silent. There was no tug-of-war for this child like the others.

But then, a man stepped forward. He lovingly took the child in his arms. He scooped her up like she already belonged to him.

It was Jesus.

When the dreaming woman looked closer she recognized the child and her gestures.

She stared intently and recognized  her own face.

She was the unattractive child.

I used to think the word adopted was reserved for orphans from third-world countries or the lucky kids rescued out of the foster care system.

Until Jesus came and chose me in my ugly sin. He took my orphaned spirit and became my father.

Jesus adopted me and grafted me into His family.

Adoption isn’t just a word splashed on fundraiser t-shirts or reserved for those who are following God by bringing an orphan into their home.

Adoption is a part of my story, too.

Is it a part of yours?

———————————-

Knowing that according to the United Nations latest results, there are more than 160 million orphans in our world today, I would be bereft if I didn’t mention a day I’d like you to champion: Nov. 7 is Orphan Sunday. You can read about it here. Would you consider talking to your church about praying for the orphans of the world on this day?

After all, adoption is a part of all our story, isn’t it?

Why Love Orphans? from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

*as told by JD Greear at the Together for Adoption Conference

Adopted is a post from: We are THAT Family

Audrey Assad-The House Your Building

The Vintage Pearl Beautiful hand-stamped jewelry

LaBella Jewels-Unique handmade jewelry

Goat Milk Soap -Work hard. Get Dirty. Use good soap.

Christian Clippers Spending God's Money Wisely

31 Gifts Beautiful Personalized Bags

Glory Haus Inspired Home Decor

December Daily 2010 | Creating A Foundation

December Daily 2010 | Creating A Foundation


This is the neatest thing!!! Looks like a bit of prep but well worth it in the end!! I definitely want to try it this year, if I don;t get to it, I'll have a whole year to get ready for December 2011!!

Wow!! More giveaways!!! Share the love!!!

This is sooooooo cool!!!! I am blown away!! Have you ever heard of The Original Scrapbox ? I hadn't either until today. They have got amazing pieces of furniture for storing all your craft supplies and they fold away like an armoire/entertainment center - well, you've just got to see for yourself!!

This is called the Paper Tower~



To enter in the giveaway, you have to check out this blog: A No. 2 pencil stat!

Another great giveaway!!!

Wow!! Get on over to The Oxford Family's blog!!! She's doing Baby Shower giveaways. First The Inner Hooker, now The Little Knitter!

I just adore these photo props at the Little Knitter's Shop!!!

A great new tradition to try....

I just came across this lovely post on one of the blogs I follow. Not only is this a fantastic children;s book, but what a great idea!! I am sure it could be adapted to wherever you live!!


Going on a Bear Hunt

Another great giveaway!!!

This site is the best for those who love crochet!!!! You have got to check it out!!!


The Inner Hooker


Dontcha just love that name?? Cracks me up!!! But she does soooo much more!!! She is soo crafty! You can also find her here:


The Oxford Family


And that links directly to her great giveaway - some beautiful handmade burp cloths!! Sweet, soft flannel - yum!!!

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People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (1926-2004);

Psychiatrist, Author

I actually won!!!!

Lately I have been trying to keep up on my blog reading - the result of which has been I manage to get entered in several giveaways each week. I was really shocked when I won a 2011 Sewing Desk Calendar, but thrilled!!! Now, I have actually won a huge package of Scotch craft/gift supplies!!


Yay!!! Craft Gossip is a great blog with lots of great tips, tutorials and yes - giveaways!!! Go check it out!!! Happy blogging! ~sheri