Well Hello There --- haven't seen you in a while.

 I'm still kicking.

Lot's of changes in my world. 

But I do still make things. 

Actually I've been making LOTS of things.

These two are just the latest Design Team Offerings over at Globecraft and Piccolo. 

And cool news - They have asked and I have agreed to continue for the rest of the year as one of the team. 

It was very exciting to be invited back. 

I'm also requesting prayer for some things going on in my life. 

Just things. Nothing serious. But overwhelming none the less. 

In good news, the Softball Princess is busily preparing for post season play.

They have advanced into Regional play and are on the road to Nationals. 

I'll be spending LOTS of time on the road and by the field this weekend and hopefully for the next several weekends. 

Life is Beautiful.

Note - there is a tutorial for the cross and dragonfly here. 

Counting ....

This book made such a difference in my life. It is gritty, real, honest, and I can see me being friendswith the author if she lived near.

It is also one of those books that sent me looking and studying the scriptures she referenced.

I vowed when I was in the hospital - having just been diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma - that I would live as fully and beautifully as I possibly could. This book is one that has helped me keep that promise.

I make journals - pretty ones - and it's really funny, the list of my blessings is in one that is just a plain old store bought one. I could have thought and planned and made one for myself. But honestly - that didn't seem important at the time - I needed to get those first few blessings on paper. I started counting and I count them constantly.

But that is not why I am discussing this here.

Please pardon me while I ramble.

I've learned a lot about self-care in my years too.

And the very moment I finished this book, I have felt called to share the gift that this brought me. The gift of living in full recognition that being thankful really means living aware.

For instance - at choir practice Wednesday night, I was able to single out the voices and hear how each different voice adds to the whole, all the while being aware that the voice I was really listening too was the one that encourages me to be most aware. And I wear the smile he gives me often.

I am going to share pictures that you may have seen before, but from the awareness level. The kind that makes me realize about self care and gratitude.

This is what I call the dirt road to heaven.

I will leave this place, having relaxed, smiled, shared good food.

I'll breathe fresh air.

Feel the wind on my face and in my hair.

Look at natural beauty.

Laugh when we spot a burl on a pine tree.

Marvel at the way dancing campfire flames can entrance me.

and there may be laughter at my own or some good natured others expense.

I love the colors of this cross stitch piece.

I have a huge stash of craft stuff to work with. 

My mama taught me to make. 

It is a wonderful relaxing way to end my day.

It is also a wonderful way to "kill" time normally wasted waiting. 

All of these "blessings" are actual ones from my list. 

Since April of 2010 (yes that's when the C word happened), I have chased and celebrated 100's of sunrises and sunsets. 

Several of my friends say I have a "thing" for the sun.

I do -----

Blue Berry Muffin coffee. 

I love the Green Mountain K-Cup coffee in the wild mountain blueberry flavor. 

Coffee man gifts me with a supply for my birthday each year.

It is seasonal and difficult to find, I appreciate the effort. 

I don't drink it everyday, I save it to really savor and enjoy. 

It is wonderful with just the coffee and creamer.

But here is how I make it really special

brew my coffee

add creamer to my liking

add a dash of vanilla flavoring (a capful to my travel mug size cup) Amaretto works too.

add one packet of Stevia (I can no longer tolerate anything with aspertame in it) 

sprinkle with cinnamon. 

MMMMMM BlueBerry Muffin Coffee. 

Brew a cup of that coffee on a cold Saturday Morning. 

Add running shoes - sweatshirt - jacket - cell phone (to capture the image above) 

Take a long walk down the side road and watch the sun come up. 

Answer the phone because coffee man is calling wondering if you have noticed the sunrise.

Laugh with him because you are walking to a better view of it. (Chasing the sunrise AGAIN)

Pray thanksgivings for how blessed you are. 

Exercise is GREAT self care. 

Take off on a trip to where ever. 

No idea where you are going. 

Just ride. 

Turn the radio on.

Stop - look at junk.

Get a snack.

Explore an old building. 

Eat good food. 

Sing loud with yourself ---- or a buddy if you have one with you.

Allow yourself to have NO agenda. 

Walk somewhere - run somewhere 

Move your body. 

Alone - it gives you time to think.

Add a buddy - or two or 20 - celebrate being together. 

Walk in a public place.

Stop and look at the grey color of the underside of the crane's wings. 

Pet a dog or two walking with their owners.

Say hello to those owners. 

oh and ALWAYS smile at kids. 

99.99% of the time they smile back or at least wave. 

Walk in the sun --- the rain --- the wind --- the heat --- the snow. 

Move your body. 

Celebrate the fact that your body is amazing and capable and can be encouraged to become stronger.

Accept GRACE from others

Give GRACE to others

Share the beauty of GRACE with others

And above all else give and accept GRACE to and from yourself. 

All of this being grateful is so good for your heart.

It is one thing to be grateful and to lift thanksgiving for blessings. 

We are human and like so many "thoughts" we may forget.

We swear we are grateful and I believe we are. 

But when we take the time to savor and RECORD our blessings we start becoming more aware.

And like much of our lives, being good stewards will allow us to gather more. 

Which brings me full circle to the original reason for this post. 

I have share my reaction to the book with many people - many have read it and been affected. 

But I still feel led to do something else. 

I really really want to have a special Retreat using the devotion package from this book. 

Not like a "normal" womens retreat. 

but one that helps us "see" more of the blessings. 

A small gathering of just a few.

I sent a text to my sweet friend Patti about this here are phrases I used. 

My copy of the book is dog-earred and marked up (I want each person to have a copy)

I want to gift these ladies

I want them to feel special - and individual

Pampered

restful

With time to explore and create and discuss with one another

Be gifted and surrounded by loving moments 

I do not want money (or lack of it) to be a roadblock for this. 

I see this as an all day thing. 

Breakfast - lunch - dinner - between meal treats nothing fancy and we may even try a potluck kind of thing for the foods.

Beautiful decor 

Special SWAG

A comfy setting - not the church fellowship hall

This is a yoga pants and sneakers acceptable event.

The five sessions of DVD led study.

Discussion

Music - from all genre

A creative project. (some thing easy and non-messy)

a time for a nap or a long walk after lunch.

interaction with each other or alone in a natural setting.

Now here is where all of you come in. 

I need a place

I need helpers - food prep - decor - taking care of needs

I need the stuff (or a way to provide it) 

I covet the prayer for making this successful. And for some reason, I know that this is just the thing needed for someone I know and love and I am so hopeful God will work this miracle for her.

I've put this on MaggieGraceCreates, because, well, I feel like I am trying to CREATE a special feeling. 

Please think about it.

Share your ideas for the "perfect" retreat day.

Lift prayer and big blessings.

And if you have resources to help make this a reality - i thank you in advance.

edited 4-10-2014
THIS RETREAT HAS A NAME NOW
GRATEFUL HOPE
WILL BE COMING 
OCTOBER 4, 2014

snowcation

So, I live in the south of the good old USA. 

Yes, that South. 

The one that completely had gridlock in Atlanta a few weeks back with all of 2" on the ground. 

And we just had a huge double whammy of a snow storm for here. 

This is unusual and I was super excited. 

Cabin fever --- nope absolutely not.

I also got out with my camera and cell phone and took a load of pictures as well. 

Like about a mile and a half worth of a long walk.

Even with all these pictures, my favorite sight is not in here. 

The red birds (cardinals) eating off my front porch was my favorite. Just beautiful, but the pictures were through the screen and while they make me smile, they just are not good enough to publish. 

My "big barn" from the back side. 

This is the most photographed barn in the county. 

All those vines are Trumpet vine and when it is full bloom,  IT IS STUNNING.

There was a time that I would have hated being out in the weather. 

Cold hands, feet,  ----- hated it. 

I really probably owe my children a big apology for that. 

But things have changed for me, living fully, INTENTIONALLY brings me out and into doing big, beautiful, new things. 

I am not who I used to be. 

Life means so much. I am so grateful. I love who I am becoming. 

It took having cancer twice to have this kind of appreciation for all kinds of experiences. 

The neighbors fenceline. 

It is beautiful here, and I smiled as I remembered Molly and Ben having their save the date pictures made here by little sister Abby. 

I am so glad those girls are close to each other. 

See those curved steps. 

I love those. 

The smokehouse out back. 

It sure would clear up this view if I took down that little cedar tree. But I happen to love little Charlie Brown trees and I cannot bring myself to cut it. 

And my RED porch swing. 

I don't know if I have shared that story. 

I had this unfinished porch swing. 

For Christmas, the man asked,  "what do you want for Christmas?'

I answered "my porch swing painted red."

For Valentines, he asked "what do you want for Valentines?"

I answered "my porch swing painted red."

For my birthday - same question

I answered "my porch swing painted red."

For our October anniversary - same question

I answered "my porch swing painted red."

For Christmas, the man asked,  "what do you want for Christmas?'

I answered "the same thing I wanted last year." 

And what seems like an eternity later, (reality about two years), I come home one day. 

And my porch swing is painted RED. 

I do love it ---- RED. 

And I have spent hours in this swing. 

and now for my favorite image from the storm. 

The wedding candolier has been sitting on the porch corner 

Waiting to be hung. 

There it was immersed in the snow and it is quite lovely. 

I spent hours making this and so many other details for Molly's wedding. 

 One of the many labors of love to give her a special wedding day. 

I hope she knows how much of myself I poured into that day. 

The wishes for more help instead of feeling so alone, and the hopes she never feels that way.

But in pouring myself out, I was able to focus on beautiful things.

The prayers lifted for her and her future. 

The tears shed as I feared over disappointing her.

The joys I felt as I knew she was moving forward with a special man. 

I do hope both of my girls see the beauty of this place as HOME. 

I do hope I get the chance to spend many more beautiful moments with them in this place. 

My Snowcation was a wonderful reflective time. 

Cabin fever --- NOPE.

Loving my cabin sized HOME - yup. 

My life is beautiful.

tell me the stories ....

We make nativities. 

The current ones get lots of road miles.

He cuts and sands.

I trace.

He wood burns.

I paint.

He stains. 

We sell. But honestly, the ones we give to our littles are the ones that mean the most to me. 

The story of the first one I made is at the link. 

We gifted this little one with a set this year. 

She spread it out and Dad sent us this picture.

Cute. 

My hope is that she will play and really learn the story. 

Then teach it to her little brother. 

And so forth and so on. 

Much like my girls did. 

(at the end of this post is a fabulous active way to use this for advent devotions)

Then I get this picture via text. 

"Rebecca said this is "Jofus" I said you mean 

Joseph...."nope, Jofus" "

How cute - and if she is playing with it, there will be learning occuring.

Merry Christmas.

************************************

I cannot take credit for this idea, but it is a wonderful one. 

A friend of mine uses their wood block nativity along with some other props for their Advent readings. 

The various figures are placed around the house with the numbered envelopes.

Each night the search out the correct envelope and have the devotional. 

For instance 

Night one - the angel comes to Mary.

Night two - The angel comes to "Jofus" 

Night three - Joseph and Mary together read the scroll. 

All the while the empty manger sits on the table by the tree. 

For the twenty five days leading up to Christmas. The story unfolds and the characters in the story slowly make the trip through the house to Bethlehem. 

On Christmas Eve, Baby Jesus appears in the manger. 

On Christmas Day - before the gift frenzy begins - the Wise Men bring their gifts to the new Baby. 

A beautiful tradition for the kids. 

If you choose to adapt this idea for your Christmas, please leave a comment here, I would love to hear your stories. 

Much love and a Very Merry Christmas to all of you. 

#STASHTAGS 31/31

We are here --- I am excited. This project turned out to be so much more than just a fun way to use up stash materials. I learned about me and I learned some new techniques. Let's look at today's tag then I'll be posting about the November version of #stashtags.

Materials -
-cream cardstock tag base.
- simple rose watercolor print from a card top.
- pink letters
- this is the only one with a message on the back - it reads  "deep emotional words often go too long unspoken" ----  its from a mothers day card I sent my mom years ago when things were still quite stormy between us. I am so thrilled this is not the case any longer.
- the hanger is some ribbon Mom gave me from her stash (fitting I thought)

Its a reminder that healing relationships are never too far gone to keep trying - even if the only part you can manage to actually do is secretly Hope and pray.

Now for November ---

It will still be a #stashtags project over at instagram.

I am calling it Heartfelt Thankgivings - since we celebrate Thanksgiving this month.

I will still be making the tags each day. Still decorating them - simply as I like or with a theme if it fits the day. I have based my chosen themes using Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare prompts (you can find a printout for the year here.)

Some I have decided on --- for instance one of the days the prompt is three things government - I'll be looking for a US, state, or local government employee and hand them a decorated tag - thanking them for being someone I am grateful for. Maybe even a little note on the back. I'll blog the reactions here - with the rundown on the tags.

So here is the plan for me - I have my calendar marked. Tonight I will make the November 1 Tag and give it tomorrow sometime - the tags will be heartshaped and embellished. I'll decide who to "target" and in the morning I will instagram and facebook the tag and the theme - after I have given it - I will blog the tag and theme and reaction(s). and yes - in my mind some days there will me more than one tag.


You never know - maybe being nice and recognizing people as blessings can start a NICE revolution.

Please let me know if you are playing along.

Here is my list. and some ideas.

1. food - grocery store or fast food
2. clothing - store or someone who's outfit is inspiring
3.  starts with N -
4. gathered - a farmer or gardener or group of people we gather with
5. small as an acorn -
6. government - I'm thinking a post office worker or local government or local state college employee
7. from my window - maybe a different fast food person - or even my neighbor across the street
8. salty, sweet, or sipped - I do hope there is a waiter bringing me a margarita for this one.
9. harvest - farmers market person maybe
10 Bible or church - pastor - pianist - ss teacher - the lady who types the bulletin
11. Remembering - a veteran or a teacher from you childhood
12 Noon - lunch involved
13 behind a door - somewhere I am going into
14 Silent
15 golden
16. Grace
17 Laughter - not posting here, but I KNOW who gets this one
18 shared
19 Autumn
20 tradition - honor someone who has a recognized tradition with you - aka we always have donuts at the lake for Christmas - let them know how special that has been.
21 family - multiples here
22 grateful - this is a random category - just pick someone to encourage
23 Christ - some one you KNOW Christ put in you life
24 Humble
25 Ugly but beautiful - I will recognize some of my cancer caregivers or other survivors here
26 preparing - this would be an awesome day to recognize special teachers for preparing each lesson
27 held
28 community - maybe a police officer or fire fighter
29 red
30 astonishing - that person who has the "you wont believe this but ......." effect in your life.

Just ideas --- come on let's start a NICE movement. Even if you don't play along - please let me know your thoughts about this little project.



Have a great day.

His eye is on the sparrow ---

image from here

She was beautiful ----

Ebony skin.
A tiny bit of a foreign accent when she spoke.
Bright white dress.
A young woman originally from the Ivory Coast and a part of the group who came to sing at my church.
Stepping to the front of the Sanctuary, she gently cupped her hands and began. A capella (without music).

The first few words to His Eye Is On The Sparrow, those beautiful words, send chills over me.

Suddenly - you could see that this was not a performance for her. Hands cupped, you could almost picture the tiny bird being held gently. An image of trust and worship in the words she sang. The young lady was worshiping God with her entire being.

It was one of those moments. Where chills run all over. And you know that what you feel truly is the presence of God.

It moved me. In ways I still don't have the words to express. Other than to say that the young lady opened herself to be the full on vessel for God to touch many people in the congregation.

Then something else happened.

I sit with David and Melissa most Sundays.( Melissa was one of the first I called when I found out I had cancer for the second time.) Wonderful friends who welcome this often alone "third wheel" to join them in the pew.

As the young lady sang, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw David reach in his pocket and hand Melissa a tissue. To my knowledge she didn't ask for it. He was simply aware of a very practical need for the tissue and provided it for her.

That moved me too. In a way that do I know how to express. That seemingly insignificant gesture was a huge display of his love for her.  Of being aware of her in a deep and wonderfully adoring way. In a way that says "I love you" and I am focused on making you my priority. I hoped she wasn't struggling with any specific problem that caused the tears. But I also know that if at all possible, David will be right there to handle the tears if needed.

That --  my friends was one of the most beautiful demonstrations of love I have witnessed. A tiny little action. Caught out of the corner of my eye.

My friends, I am so very happy for her. She is one of my best friends and I am want her to be cared for and loved like that here on earth.

Actually, I am very happy for me too. God allowed me to see beauty and love in that action. I saw the song demonstrated in a very real manner.

"His eye is on the sparrow
and I know he watches me"

Bet I shed tears the next time I hear it.

special places

We all have them. Those places that make you feel like all is completely right with the world. Well look at these --- the colors are stunning.

Turn off the road on what I now refer to as the dirt road to heaven. Funny thing is - you can hear the traffic from the main road as you make your way down here. Still - it is beautiful.

Looks like this tree is glowing -- I love the fall light -- and the colors -- and the cool mornings -- and the sunny, warm afternoons. It is all beautiful to me.



Celebrate one of your special places.



Friends

These two are friends. Have been for many years. There were stories being told at this moment. I slipped my phone out and snapped this.

The really cool part - they are both my friends. They are both special to me. I am blessed to have them and so many others in my life.

This morning I sent out a block of text messages to several friends. There is an email waiting in my draft folder for several more.

Today I am thankful for my friends.

So much love -- so many blessings.

thankful for inspirations

I read a lot of blogs. I love my blogging friends. I am closer to one of them than I am even my sister. And the inspirations I find there really help keep the creative muses dancing.

I also have a pinterest account --- OMG how much inspiration is there? --- And it is so easy to use.

This image is from one of my pinboards. I cannot get the link to work, so here is the direct link to Melissa's blog post.  I love the same kinds of things she does and I pin her images over and over.

Today, i am thankful for the internet and all the fun inspiration and information that is out there.

BEWARE - I have google and I am not afraid to use it.

Have a wonderful day.





Thanksgiving Month

It's November - wow. As we speed into the holiday season, November shows up with beautiful colors and wonderful foods and celebrations of Thanksgiving here in the good old USA.

I'm going to spend my November recognizing some things that I really am thankful for ---

Starting with this -----

I love coffee - however; I rarely made coffee at home because no one else loved coffee like I do. Then I was gifted with this beauty.

That's a Keurig Mini Plus single cup coffee maker. I cannot express how much I love this. It was my birthday present. I now say ALL the time. I LOVE MY COFFEE MAKER.

Hot chocolate - no problem - daughter uses it for that.

Hot tea - got that one covered too.

Plain old coffee - yes - I keep the Millstone Coffee Breakfast Blend for that.

But I do have an absolute favorite. It's....

Wild Mountain Blueberry from Green Mountain Coffee. Wow. Love this stuff. Just enough berry flavor to make me a happy girl. It is rather difficult to find locally, so when I do, I stock up. But you can order it directly from Green Mountain. Being a true southern girl, I'm also going to try their Southern Pecan as well.

I'll brew a big cup - add my creamer - grab a blanket - and head for my porch swing. What a great start to my day.

Just so you know - None of these folks have any idea who I am nor do they know that I am seriously in love with their product and singing their praises. I'm simply sharing this because I am so very thankful that I was gifted with this coffee maker. I am also celebrating the way a nice cup of coffee adds beauty to my life.

Have a great day --- why don't you help me celebrate some things this month.





She wanted to include ME as a profile in courage?????

 This is a post about courage - and also about discovery.

Let's talk about courage for a moment. My girls are so fortunate to have good friends. We have been surrounded by some wonderful people and their children (most of these kids are now young adults). I have loved many many of these kids a whole bunch.

The picture below is of two of these kids. Brittany (left) and Renee (r) Ellisor. BB is College Girl's friend and NayNay is a friend of the Softball Princess.

BB graduated high school as Valedictorian and off to college she went. She was to play softball and soccer in college. But God had another plan for her - this vibrant, beautiful, smart athlete started having problems and is now wheelchair dependent. She has been diagnosed with DYSTONIA.

Let's talk about courage. She REFUSES to give in to this disease witch has robbed her of much of her mobility. She has changed her major to something her body will allow her to do. With her determination and powerful witness, BB has changed my life.

BB IS A PROFILE IN COURAGE.

So imagine my surprise when NayNay called and wanted information about my cancer experience. Why? Because she wanted to include me in her Profiles of courage. I was so moved by this request, especially with the knowledge that her sister is so much more courageous than I am.

This message is for Renee - Sweetheart, I love you and I am so honored that you considered me for your project. The only thing I can say is that God will meet your needs at the places you lean the most on Him. You are special and your phone call made me so very happy. You are beautiful and special and loved so much. (oh - and I blatantly stole these pictures from your facebook)

For the rest of us - I can't stop thinking about the deeper meaning of that chat with NayNay. Everyday, people are watching us. Watching the way we interact with others. Watching the way we handle the good things. Watching the way we handle adversity.

Courage is not looking for confrontation. Courage is not about being all big and bad and all that. Courage is very often quiet. It is about choosing to get up and recognize the blessings of every day. Courage is about realizing that you have another opportunity to celebrate your life and the impact of the lives of others. Courage is trying to make the best of every situation. Courage just keeps trying again in spite of the situation at hand. Courage keeps reaching out in love when there is such potential to be hurt. Courage is honest in the fact that I will do my best - realizing that some days my best may not live up to other expectations. Courage just keeps trying.  Listen peeps - at some level and in some way - we can ALL have a moment worthy of a Profile in Courage.

I want to keep living courageous.

Have a wonderful day.

Notes on the best birthday in a long time......

I turned 46 on Thursday - It was a wonderful event. There was no big party. Really,  no elaborate gifting. But there has been some major attitude changes in my life.

Basically - MY "GIVE A DAMN" is no longer broken.

My birthday included lunches with great friends.

It included breakfast with great friends.

There was one "liquid" dinner.  

I received a very symbolic gift from my Ohio Bestie Friend.

I took the time to relax and really celebrate this year. It was good for me.

Saturday was absolutely the best. I found myself with a day to spend on me, since the man and the princess were playing ball in Atlanta and had stayed the night with his sister.  I rambled around with a wonderful friend. Poked into old homeplaces, old cemeteries, and antiques stores. Played on dirt roads. Had fabulous conversation. It was one of my best days in a long time.

MaggieGrace actually worked in the studio on Sunday. She spent the morning Sunday watching the SoftBall Princess play ball and crocheting. It was a great weekend.

I also cleared out a piano. I kinda gained the piano in a roundabout way. It was old - broken - needed thousands of dollars in repairs - and my Nanny arranged for me to be the fine owner of this thing. Well - I lived with it until yesterday evening. And now it no longer takes up space in my house. WhooHoo!!!

Now for a few fun images from saturday.

I took this in one of the cemeteries. This is the image right off my camera. I do not know why I wanted this kind of "off" perspective.

Then, I started "playing" in the picnik.com editor. I will be printing this to hang in my office.

Then - using the sepia setting on my camera - I took this one too. Again, this is the image - right off the camera.

More picnik.com editing. I built an eerie - haunted appearing fire in the fireplace. Cool - huh.

I do hope, every one had a great weekend.

I did.

Missing in action....

Sorry - I didn't mean to do that again. Maybe shortly, posting will return to normal. Just had some huge life things happen to us lately. Not anything horrible - just Softball Princess graduating from high school - as the valedictorian - and other good good things.

So MaggieGrace goodness is a little shy right now. But that will be changing.

But I did have a few things to share with the internet peeps.

Ernestine Cochran, a very dear friend of mine, gave me this yesterday at church. She is a talented porcelain artist and I have several pieces of her work. But this one is so very special. It is in recognition of my cancer survival.


It came with prayers for my continued good health.

But here is the really cool part...........


That's my house. I love my house.

And on the other side......

That's my big barn... all covered with trumpet vine. That vine is in bloom right now.

And my breast cancer and kidney cancer ribbons.

I literally squealed when she gave it to me.

I am so blessed by really special people in my life.

Now for those who read because they be family members......

Saturday we were invited to the govenors mansion for a valedictorian recognition reception. This picture is way out of order, because this is right after we blew off the speeches and bailed on the whole program. The Princess was the instigator. But there wasn't much discussion before we all decided that was an excellent idea.

Mom Dad and Princess outside the mansion.

This needlepoint firescreen was in the first editions library. It has been cut from the canvas and handstitched to the silk. Intricate and beautiful.

Graduation Night - College Girl and Softball Princess. These two are my life.

A word about the Princess Speech at graduation. She is not your typical really serious academic student. We were not privy to any of her speech preparation - so moms mouth dropped open when her first word at the podium was "wassup". That jaw drop was soon followed by the phrase "oh my God" as she proceeded to deliver a witty and majorly different valedictorians address - to many cheers and much applause from the packed house.

Excerps from the speech can be found here. http://www.madisonjournaltoday.com/archives/4095-MCHS-graduates-say-goodbye.html

We will be spending the summer getting ready for the transition into being a college student.

College Girl will be spending her time in the Chemistry Dept at UGA on a summer internship and collecting salamander eggs for her senior bio chem research project.

Hope this finds all of you having a wonderful day.

Running and counting blessings

That picture is of Hartwell Dam. I grew up playing in the lake created by this dam. Camping, skiing, boating, floating, sun bathing, all those kinds of outdoor activities.

And this coming Saturday, I will be a runner. A relatively new outdoor activity for me. One that has come with sweat, tears, challenges, and perserverance.

I've lost 58 pounds - I have not taken one diet pill. As my friend Dawn Demo says "the answer is no... NO pills, NO lipo, NO bands, NO staples. It's called will power, sweat, and goals."

I'm eating better, I work out HARD, I drink my water. And slowly the pounds are coming off.

I would like to lose 25 - 30 more.

The 5K on Saturday morning will start from the South Carolina side of Hartwell Dam, follow the pavement above, cross the Dam, and end on the Georgia side of it. I was registered for this run last year when the "SURPRISE YOU LOST A KIDNEY TO CANCER" roadtrip began. The doctors were a little funny about letting me run a week after taking my kidney in a major surgery. So I sat and watched my daughter run. And I cried.

There will be hundreds of runners all with their own reason for doing this. Me - I'm running because I want to stay healthy this time. I'm doing the work every day to be that way. Making smarter decisions with eating, exercise, rest, lifestyle. I can honestly say that doing this for myself was, and still is hard. But it is so very worth the effort.

I have a 45 minute goal for myself.

I'm a little concerned, because right now, my asthma is not very well controlled. I've been struggling with that for about three weeks (hello pollen season) But I'm excited. I am healthy. My cancer recovery is now complete.

Better than that - I survived all the challenges so far, with very little negative effects mentally and physically.

So hey - lets roll - I'll let you you know next week just how I performed.

I can't wait to look down river from the top of the dam. And to count blessings. There will be a blessing with every step.

3.2 miles of blessings - that's gonna be a really big list.

Have a wonderful weekend.

2010 Recap - Wow what a year.

Photo from my front door on our White Christmas 2010.

It has been a year. And at times it has been a seriously challenging year. I have gotten into the habit of looking back and summarizing it so here we go.

JANUARY. I set my home as a priority. I had my first piece of MaggieGrace work published.

FEBRUARY. Teenage conversations abound - I am really glad I recorded this one. I met with some friends - (added note Rosalyn-Sue 's wonderful husband has been deployed to the middle east for a year. please pray for them all.) I even hosted my own playdate with some friends.

MARCH - I created Majesty. One of my favorite pieces ever. Then there was this little kidney stone speed bump.

APRIL - Well this was a challenging month. Seems that little kidney stone speed bump from last month became a full blown road block in what now is called the Kidney Cancer Vacation - the entire second half of April posts cover that little trek.

MAY - I celebrated with other survivors. College Girl took off for Spain.

JUNE - Close to normal life was back. But my very first serious bout of adrenal fatigue was worthy of commentary. And there was a quick trip to the beach.

JULY - we started the room redo for the softball princess. I cannot believe that my baby is an upcoming senior.

AUGUST - wow - as I scrolled through those posts - life was almost normal. Now that is worth celebrating. I was however released by the docs to resume bootcamp seriously.

SEPTEMBER - I sent 100 affirmations and finished a long put off project. Softball Princess started her Senior year of high school. And I finished my own Prayer Blanket.

OCTOBER - 25th Wedding Anniversary. Big Deal. WOW.

NOVEMBER - A huge month of serious thanksgiving. And while it was sad, the end of the hugh school softball season was very worthy of celebrating.

DECEMBER - I never found my missing Baby Jesus. But Christmas 2010 was the best one ever. Why, because I was given a major gift this year. I was given my health. I have been blessed beyond measure by friends, by family, by coworkers, by health care providers. I never found that small representative figurine of the Christ Child, but what I did find in my faith was bigger and better than that. And because MaryAnn picked the word GRACE for the month, I can also say that I found and focused on just how much Grace I have been given and how often I have been stingy in returning that grace. Maybe the real findings of this Christmas and this year were that giving and taking blessings and prayers and grace and forgivness are really what my faith walk is and should be about.

So now - I am picking and posting our word for January -- I'm choosing BEAUTY. (BEAUTIFUL)

I'm also choosing my focus word for the year 2011 - that word will be ABUNDANCE.

More on that in the next few days.

Happily Today -- Blessed Today - sending those good wishes to you today.

LOVE ---- t

Magic.......

I looked back on the first post of the year just a few minutes ago. I accomplished both goals stated - well kinda -

We are no where near what I want the interior of my house to be. But we have finished the Softball Princess room. A dramatic improvement. Other things have been accomplished as well. The very first attack for the 2011 year will be the bathroom redo.

I also made more money that I spent on MaggieGrace "stuff" - I was diligent about looking for things "I know I put somewhere" rather than buying it again. I focused on putting and keeping like items together. Progress has been made.

All that is very good. But......

The "surprise kidney cancer roadtrip" affected me. TO MY VERY CORE. Now the personality hasn't changed. I'm still a loud rowdy obnoxious redhead. But little aggravations do not bother me as much. Need to wait in line at the post office - no problem. Being left on "ignore" waiting for someone to answer the phone - no problem. Dealing with someone who works in our industry and can't speak our language - let me call a friend to interpret for you - no really it's not a problem. Temper tantrums come less frequently. Demands to live my life fully and happily today are the most important.

There is no "why me" -- there is a lot of "what can I do to make someone else's life better."

I'm taking generosity lessons from one of my most inspiring friends. If you don't know her, you have missed out. She is smart, funny, beautiful, kind, caring, uplifting, sometimes brutally honest. And even though I have never wrapped my arms around her, I feel as though we have know each other always. (Plus she mailed me a replacement kidney in April - I kinda owe her - ya know)

Drop over and read her archives about her 365 days of giving. It's good stuff.

We are playing a word game - and this month the word is GRACE. I have not made a single thing using that word, but I sure have focused on it - A LOT. Amazing what grace you find when you focus.

But back to generosity lessons. I took the challenge. 365 days of intentional giving. The important part is the intentional part. I have always been willing to share my time and resources "if I was asked to." I considered that to be generous - and it is. But this - this is different. Looking for ways to give. Finding tiny or huge opportunities to give without expecting to be recognized. It takes planning. It takes initiative. It takes intent.

I started earlier this month. So far so good. I will mention this from time to time here. Not for recognition, but for accountability. I am recording each day on an index card for myself - each daily card has three gratitudes and the intentional giving for the day.

This is just too cute not to share.


I made this cute little beanie hat with the intent that it be one of my "gifts" - special thanks to Jennifer Larkin for the easy peasy pattern. I prayed over it an then sent it to live with its new owner )and hopefully new wearer.

By the MAGIC of the cell phone camera - I learned that this cutie happens to love the new hat.

Now how adorable is she?

The fun thing is many things are totally anonymous in their nature. Some are just fun. Some are obviously a Universal Spirit completion of a challenge. All in all - I can already tell the one most affected by the MAGIC of the project is going to be me.

Any one else out there wanna join?