What?!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Rant to those so called agenda driven Journalists and self promoting Politicians.

 

I am so irritated. It's a disgrace how some are taking advantage of this disasterous tragic thing to make a point, push an agenda, promote themselves. I'm disgusted. This is not a global warming/climate change issue, this is not a reason to make more legislation to take away more rights from law abiding Americans or a finger pointing opportunity....this is a tragedy of mass proportion that "sho...uld" touch the cold dead hearts of people bringing us together to show love, support, to help those in need. To provide comfort...to be what we are created to be. You did this with Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, You did this with Storm Sandy, and youre doing it now. This selfish, self worship, opportunistic garbage is the way of the world right now and it's killing us as a nation. Journalism is dead and politics does not belong here. Knock it off!!! Be More!

 

Who are we?  What have we become???

 

Good questions to ask this morning.

"plan" hahaha

In the past 6 years, since we left Ohio, We've lived in 5 different dwellings....2 Homes that we worked on and loved and passed on  (in the process of passing on one of them) to other home owners that will enjoy them too.  AND 3 small apartments, of which I affectionately have called "tinyland".

The "tinyland trilogy"

We just moved into "tinyland 3" and as I sit here typing, looking out the window that opens to a cute little courtyard with squirrels bounding around as they do.  The door to the balcony is open and the birds are singing.  It's quite peaceful considering it's communal living.

I smile when I think of how God provides so fully and so faithfully.  How He always makes a way.  Living with and loving a Husband who works so hard in the American Energy industry makes a wife surrender to flexibility.  That's a simple way to put an, often, very trying life for one who likes to have a plan.  Sometimes plans get changed and that's just the way it is.  sigh~~~

We "plan" to be out of "tinyland 3"  (hahahaha, I laugh hysterically each time I use the word "plan")
in 3-6 months.  The sale of our house in PA seems to be on track and we are considering building if we can't find the right home in the right spot.  Who knows, the options are open for now. 

So, for this moment, I'll just be....  be content, be in the moment, and be joyful.  I have so much to be joyful about. 

It's another step on the path to a Dream

Blessings on a great day!
T

"The Why"

And what shall we call ourselves???

Gypsy, Nomad, Wanderer???

 

How about...one who follows the heart.

 

We've had a few comments from loving and well meaning people close to us.

Why would we sell our lovely home...Again :) after such a short time, leave a good job, and good friends and move on???

 

An opportunity? yes

on a whim? maybe

 

Why leave our 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath beautiful home that took 6 months to recreate only to move into a small 2 bedroom apartment on the second floor of a building in an apartment complex?

 

I sit on a lawn chair in the living room of that apartment as I write this post pondering and smiling as I know this is just a step in our overall decision and,  no doubt, the right path for us.

 

Living an extraordinary life is not without risk

Reaching for something more meaningful requires a stretch

 

And

Keeping "the why" in the forefront of your mind keeps you going.

 

We didn't just want to continue to see them grow up through pictures,

We want to be a part of their lives,

We also have a dream to touch lives through our gifts in a unique way.

 

That deep desire caused us to make a move.

 

So, the first thing I did was put "the why" in the form of pictures up on the fridge in this little apartment I feel so blessed in which to live.

 

 

 

 

And, One Day, I'll open the gate to this Dream

 

 

Blessings,

T

 

 

Still on the journey

We have these precious friends who are Dreamers and Doers

Ralph and Sherry Schie are true inspirations to us.

Sherry has had a dream for many years.....many many years of being a Chef, owning her own restaurant, and loving on people with food.

 

Sherry and I have known eachother, we figure, about 27 years.  God has caused our paths to cross many times and always, it's been for a grand purpose.  He has used her to move. inspire, bless, and encourage me in unique ways.

(Sherry is in this pic beside her Hubby, Ralph...second from the left)

The Grand Opening of her Dream is being announced in front of the wall I had the honor of creating for them.

 

Here's a closer look at it

So blessed to be a small part of Shy Cellars in Strasburg, Ohio and to be an element of someones Dream.

 

 

I've had a Dream for many years....many many years,

So has my Hubby.

We realize that each time we've moved, we've compromised on that Dream.

 

I called Sherry last week and we chatted a bit and, again, she shared wisdom and her special brand of enthusiam and encouragment with me.

As we were speaking, I wrote down on a piece of paper these wise words that came from her, wise words I believe God gave to her for me.

 

"Do Not compromise God's plan!  He's put this dream and desire in my heart"

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That Dream is driving us to make another move.

Yes, that's right....we are moving again.

Our house in PA is on the market, and we will be moving to an area where we are about an hour and a half from our Children and Grandchildren.

 

We are looking for a town where the Dream can be realized and I believe God will go and has gone before us preparing the way.

 

No more Compromise.

 

I look at what I wrote on the paper daily and remember something else the wise Sherry shared with me.  "if you can't handle the challenges in the journey, how will you handle what I have planned for you"  This is a word she got as she's been walking her Dream path.

 

It's been difficult to inform our friends here that we are going but someone commented to me that they see sad eyes, but a smile on my face at the same time.  It's bittersweet.  I smile because I know this is the right move.  Precious people....We've watched the Mac's (our friends) who invited us into their family to watch how close they are, how much fun they have, their loud, memory making clan and we realized what we are missing.....neighbors who've loved and excepted us.....our bible study group...our church family...It's all added up to one big message that says... There Is More!

Those who love us and want the best for us, get it.

 

It's not going to be easy, but we are gearing up with God's word and walking in His Grace.

Seeking the Extraordinary in this life, to be an influence in our Grandchildren's life, to bless others, to build something lasting .....a legacy....a life, as the country song says, that you can hang your hat on.

 

 

We will keep you posted on our Dream Path.   Looks like we are still on this journey.

Blessings,

T

 

 

Dreaming

Saturday, we hopped in the vehicle and headed to parts unknown, at least unknown to us.

There are times when you just need time away to be together with no distractions, to talk about life, to evaluate...

 

and to Dream.....Dream Big.

We talked, we laughed, we gazed at nature and thanked God for it all.

 

I've been dreaming big with this man for nearly 30 years.

 

I believe we were created to Dream Big,,,,...to live Extraordinary lives and to tap into God's amazing plan for us.   Yes! I do!

 

So, we took a day to do just that, we walked, talked and dreamt and prayed.

 I start this week refreshed and full of ideas and Dreaming Big!!!

 

Happy Monday!

Girly and Swirly

It's so nice to get a little lift and little encouragement this early in the morning.

 

I was browsing through my facebook page and ran across a friend's photo she posted and clicked on it, which took me to Yellow Butterfly Winery's  (in Ohio) facebook page

and

There was a piece that I had painted.  I knew it was there because it was ordered by a friend for his friend who opened this winery a few years ago.  What a nice thing to see how they are using it. 

Really humbling ...

 

and I'm so glad they like it this much.

 

anyway, just wanted to share. 

 

***

So, I've been working on a few projects.  I love a chair with a great shape and this one was begging to be special.  with a bit of quirk mixed in.

 

So, she defined herself as a seat for a queen.

(Queen, (kween)...a woman considered to have the qualities and characteristics of a queen)

 

I enjoyed painting it.  It's girly

 

***

Feeling girly and swirly, I guess.

 

freehand, free form, just free...

 

 

 

added a little vintage hardware on the top storage space...and a handmade knob on the bottom drawer.

This knob was picked up a few years ago when we were on the Outer Banks in the Pea Island Gallery.

 

(in love with this place)

 

 

I saved them for just the right spot.

 

She's a bit wacky but I like her.

 

 

***

This weekend holds a trip of exploring for Hubby and me...a little inspiration seeking and just a good time together. 

Here's hoping your weekend is a special one.

 

Blessings,

T

Creating and ReCreating

Here we are, the week after Easter and finally, we have a glimpse, though small, a glimpse of Spring.

 

Now, if I can just keep the bunnies from chewing the tulips and daffies peeking out from the soil......hmmmm

 

I spent Monday over at TheArtfulLife Shoppe removing what Easter/ Spring items didn't sell (only 3 items!...I'm so grateful!) and moving things around and covering one unsightly peg board wall.

 

I found this open weave landscaping burlap at Lowes in the garden section.  It worked great and warmed up my space just the way I hoped it would.

 

It covers the wall and in this pic below you can see that I still am able to use the peg board hooks to hang things.  I love when a plan comes together. 

 

 

A few new items went in including this awesome table using a sewing machine base.  Its iron, it's cool and I love it!

 

 

 

I marked down the cute black and white nest chairs and a few other things that need to move because I have quite the potential pile of finds in my work room that I'm working on today!

 

 

I'm noticing that this is so much of me and where I am in my life....funny how that works...

 

Beach...Cottage...light...Dreamy....This corner is a smiler for me.(Except this peg board wall is getting a different treatment.  Any suggestions?

 

Well, I'm off to create some more goodies..  Havin a ball!

 

Blessings to you!

T