Matters of the Heart

Have you ever done anything that tugs at your heart strings?

Or, do you wake up in the morning with so much feeling of love pumping through your veins, routed in and out of your heart, and spreading through the rest of your body?

This happens to me often.... on most days, I think!

And then my brain gets involved with all this love ...and I become emotional.

I will give myself a bit of slack for being so emotional.  I am in a period of mourning... I'm grieving and feeling very vulnerable.

I lost my father George (84) on August 3. It was sudden, the day he died was sudden, but he had been fighting  Pulmonary Fibrosis for a few years (is one of a family of related diseases called interstitial lung diseases that can result in lung scarring. As the lung tissue becomes scarred, it interferes with a person's ability to breathe.) along with Pneumonia (Pneumonia is a lung infection that can make you very sick. You may cough, run a fever, and have a hard time breathing.). He had been in the hospital for over a month.

It was difficult for all of the family, because other than trying to make him comfortable, there was nothing we could do.

It is somewhat similar to my artistic analogy... bare with me!

..... his heart couldn't  pump the healing through his veins, the air had great difficulty spreading through his lungs... it was too much of a struggle for the rest of his body...  his mind was clear and it kept spinning through  all the things he needed to do before his final day.

Thinking too much, matters of the heart versus matters of the brain. Gut feeling versus mathematical logic stimulation.  Mind over matter.  I can't help it, as a self diagnosed introvert, my brain is wired this way... to think, think, think and think.

Sometimes, I just need to go with the flow.  What does my heart say?  Forget that silly 'off wired ' serotonin brain.  Create and make art through the heart.  Push it through.  Breathe it through... it is a struggle, but keep trying.... slow the mind and work out from the heart.

My dad was my rock and I will miss him greatly!   He was my cheerleader and encouraged me to create, and he was the bond that kept me solid to the ground.. He did a great job!  He was a wonderful dad.  And I am very lucky to have good memories of our relationship.

So, with matters of the heart....act on instinct and intuition. Work harder from the heart.  Keep that muscle going. Make it stronger than the day before.  Share your heart...

Be relentlessly passionate and Spread Shine.... and I intend to do that with my whole heart!

Just Your Average Thursday

What they say is so true!

Time Flies!

Thanksgiving was a week ago today.  

Everybody is back 'home' in their routines.  Jeff  and Kyle are back at work.  Holly is back to her studies and I am here to collect all the memories.

Black and white adds a different perspective to the photo, don't you think?

I can't tell you enough  how I am amazed at technology.  How quickly I can turn around a photo and create a memory with it.  Will those memories be stuck here in blogland for some unaware non family member to find, some day?  Will the kids be interested to see what the world was like in 2015. 

I would be fascinated to see my grandparents 100 years ago in 1915.... they probably would have had 1 single photo, if that, to commemorate their entire existence for that year of their life!

And here, now, I use my phone to take pictures.  How crazy is that?

Well, here's to Thursdays.  Happy that they are eve to Friday!!!

Why I Blog

Over the years, I have had people ask me what blogging is, and why do I blog. 

I always found that question to be quite interesting, because I don't think I'm a technological whiz by any means, but why did I jump on board to the blogging world?

This new part of technology was starting to build up online, or on the computer called Blogging.
A blog (a truncation of the expression weblog)^[1] is a discussion or informational site published on the World Wide Web and consisting of discrete entries ("posts") typically displayed in reverse chronological order (the most recent post appears first). Until 2009 blogs were usually the work of a single individual...

 

A little over eight years ago we moved to Illinois.  Just like any family move we had in the past, there is always an adjustment period when we get to the new house.  Organizing a new home, getting everyone settled in to their routines, finding music teachers and doctors, grocery shopping and home decorating, gymnastics and hockey practices, good vets and hair stylist, restaurants and car washes .... the list is huge.

 

At first, I used my computer and blogging as a diary, a place to write about things that were happening in our 'new' life, in our new home.

 

I used blogging as a tool to work on my writing style and my story telling.

 

 

I used it to 'show off' pictures of things I created, made, doodled, designed, cooked or costumed.

 

I used blogging after I took an online class or learned something new that I could describe and add pictures .... I learned how to enhance my photo taking and using all the tools the computer programs had to upload and download 'stuff'.

 

I didn't really think anybody would read my blog....maybe only those I invited. 

 

When I met new people and they found out that I created cards, or painted and designed something, they would ask if I had a website.... I had something more.... I had a blog and it was 'free-er' than a website.  At least if they made the effort.... they could actually see and read the story behind the creativity.

 

 

Often I have heard that some people couldn't find my blog, or they couldn't comment or they couldn't 'look around'.  That makes me sad, because I thought my 'thoughts' were very simple....and my blog layout is very basic, as I am a very 'SIMPLE' person. I'm not sure how to help others who come to visit.  Hopefully they aren't too frustrated when visiting me here at creative greetings.....whimsical paper crafts with a twist on LIFE!!!

 

I'm not afraid that I'm sharing too much personal information.  I guess know I'm pretty lucky.... I have strong core values, I follow the law and I don't 'really' use my blog to target or criticize an individual who may be different than me.

 

I use it to share things that are beautiful and things I think are interesting for others. It's a way to express myself... even if know no one is actually listening.... all the time.

 

At one time, I thought my blog would be a good way to 'sell' myself (things I make) .... but I discovered it was not.  All I know for sure is that I am embracing what I like and love and what I want to share .... and I like to show that on my blog!!

 

 

I got the opportunity to dress up for Halloween at work.  I did it because it was Possible!!! And I'm not missing out on any opportunities that let me express my whimsical side .... a bigger part of me really doesn't care what anyone thinks about me anymore .... life is too short to be any other way!

 

I write a blog because I can, it's fun, it's something creative, it's easy to share and it's become a positive habit in my life.  It helps me to spread SHINE and hopefully, Brighten Someones' Day!!!

What's Brewing?

Back to our road trip. 

I already wrote in a previous post that we were trying to do a lot of touristy things on our trip through Missouri. 

Of course you must stop at the St. Louis Arch.... the gateway to the west.  I like the picture below.  In the rear view mirror, I got one last picture of the arch as we were driving out of downtown.  It is such and impressive structure.

 

On to picking up the kids and finding the next thing to do. 

Because we didn't have any set plans, but we knew there was plenty of things to see.... once we got to Kansas city, we stopped to have lunch and then went to Kansas City Sea life Aquarium. 

It's like any major aquarium.... it's just a little different when you have 'adult' children with you.  Now they really want to see the fish and read about them.... not just run through the exhibits and see who can get done first!

 

Next, we wanted to try some real KC BBQ.  Our first choice was closed..... but no worries.... we found another excellent replacement restaurant!

 

Excellent!  Loved the side of pickles and love the Cheesy Corn Casserole.  Oh and of course.... the BBQ pork sandwich was delicious!!! Yum

 

Next.... Boulevard Brewery.  Small town specialty brew.  I tried once again to drink beer.  I mean I try it.... and I just haven't quite found the appeal for the taste.  It doesn't satisfy my thirst.  It doesn't taste good ... it's fun to see how it is made and how the small company started in someone's small warehouse and then grew bigger.... just don't like the taste!

 

Maybe she'll become a beer maid!

 

I enjoy the little tours.... especially when they are free.... and they give you a sample at the end!

 

Stay tuned to the next post and our next adventure in the Show Me State!

Pssst, it's Halloween, Boo!

Shadows of a thousand years
raise again unseen,
voices whisper in the trees,
tonight is Halloween!

 

Week #44 LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - Halloween

 

Do you have a favorite Halloween?  Was it a party you went to?  Or did you have the perfect costume? 

 

This weeks' simple pleasure is brought to you by: a tradition or a contraction of "All Hallows Evening".  We no longer celebrate All Saints Eve, which leads us in to All Souls Day.... but who wants to go back that far into Christian traditions... that evolved into Pagan celebrations?

 

Just give me some candy if I dress up and act silly!!!

 

I'm not evil.... I'm good with a twist!

 

I've gone back in the archives looking at my little  monster's Halloween costumes.  Now that they are both in college, I wonder what they will be? I no longer direct them, what and how to dress up for this sinister day.

 

Sissy has been everything from a princess to a SheDevil!

 

Although this looks like a store bought costume... we actually got it at Goodwill and didn't have to modify too much to make it fit. hee hee She was in 5th grade for this one.

 

 

Blood Donors needed, see the count.

 

It's great when the kids can 'grow' into a costume and it can be used over and over again.  Here, Bubba fits into the Dracula cape his dad wore 6 years prior to this picture. Add a little face paint and some plastic fangs and the costume seems brand new... or very authentically old!!

 

LIFE'S simple pleasures... Halloween costumes.... these a just a smidgen better than just a store bought one!

 

Happy Halloween!!!!

Witch One?

Too cute to spook!!

 

Week #44 LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - Halloween

 

I am so happy that I am a creative soul!!!

 

I am so lucky to have pictures of my kids during special events in their young lives. Who knows what I might have done with lots of  'extra' money and how our lives would be captured, if the digital world began 20 years ago.

 

Would have, could have, should have.... but this is what it was!!

 

Pirate Boy up above is trying to convince the faire princess to do something!  All the clothing is from some sort of thrift shop in Tennessee.  I modified Sissy's long gown and used the excess material to create the cone shaped hat.  Added an elastic band to secure it better on her tiny golden locks.  She'd go running and the hat would tip off the side anyway.  Bubba's pirate pants are ripped up from the bottom to give him that rugged tough look! The perfect stripped sweater gives him the fashionable look for pirates these days!! Add a simple eye patch and a bandana.... and a few whiskers on the face.... aargh matey.... he is ready to collect some booty!!!!

 

The above photo is circa 1999 and we have a pop princess and a Star Wars Jedi Warrior. 

Sissy has plenty of dress up costumes in her stash, it's just a matter of witch :) one.  Learning how to busta-move in dance class, the ultimate pop star pose is most important.  Add some flashy sun glasses and some fun boots and she is all set to ring some doorbells and gather lots of candy.

I must admit that Bubba's warrior costume by far is one of my all time favorites to make!  His mask is actually a gallon milk jug, painted with precision.  His costume is sewn from a 'choice' material and includes a warrior belt and gators to protect his boots.  Not shown: his official Star Wars light saber sword.

 

Ah, and again we have another 'princess' and the hockey player.  This beautiful Snow White costume was a lend-me-over.... instead of a hand-me-down.... we borrowed it from a costume designer mom.  A simple head band was added and instead of Snow White's gorgeous black hair, we decided to stay tow head blond and portray a Cinderella Snow White! Notice the 'oh look at me' cute head tilt?!!

 

Who knew this 2nd grade hockey player wanna be, would eventually play on 3 different hockey teams, in two different states all the way up to the Varsity team in High School.  But here is where it all started, on roller blades.  We added a bike helmet and knee pads and some of dad's white socks to get this look.  Tough guys always need a little black under the eyes to prevent the glare of the ice getting into their eyes! (Roller blades not worn in this picture, to save him from rolling off the front porch step.)

 

 

When witches go riding

and black cats are seen

the moon laughs and whispers

'tis near Halloween

 

Here the kids are.... 3rd grade grave yard monster and the 1st grade teenage witch. 

 

Bubba's costume are all clothes I purchased at Goodwill.  I added some paint to make things seem old, there are precise holes and rips in certain areas and a little bit of red paint to indicate some dried blood.  The white face make-up with a few stitches make this 10 year old a gruesome dude.

 

This cute witch had a custom made dress sewn specifically for her.  Don't look too close.... some parts may be attached with safety pins and glue!  This is another costume that I enjoyed creating (or the technical term in the theater... costume building ) ... although there were lots of witches at the time.... there were none as cute as this one!

 

So I admit it now.... I probably could have gotten off cheaper purchasing store bought costumes for my kids.  But what fun is that???? That frugal side of me takes over and I say to myself.... I could make that!  And then I actually try to. 

 

Were there some costume failures, yes!!!  But there were more costume successes.... and hopefully one day.... some day.... my kids will look back and realize that my 'job' being their mom brought me so much pleasure .... and to see their happy and excited Halloween faces was one of  my LIFE'S joys and simple pleasures!!!!

Boo! or Woof?

Will work for candy!!

 Kyle circa 1994 - cute Dalmatian puppy

Week #44 LIFE'S Simple pleasures - Halloween

One of the best simple pleasures is seeing the excitement through the eyes of your child(ren).  And this is one of the first moments our son Kyle understands what is going on with this 'holdiay' called Halloween. He is about 15 months old here.

He's checking out the jack-o-lantern on the front porch of our house in Racine. 

He got to feel the squishy innards and smell the sweetness of a carved pumpkin when we explored it earlier on the kitchen table. 

He really wasn't sure why I was putting this costume on him; a white sweat suit I found on clearance at Shopko.  I used some black paint and dotted him up like a Dalmatian doggie.  Added a little eyeliner black to his nose.  He's actually wearing our first dog Bali-Hoo's, puppy collar.  I can tell he's pulled off the head band floppy ears more than once... his tiny baby fine hair is all messed up!!  And to look like real paws.... white socks are pulled over his tennis shoes! 

And we had a little pumpkin treat bucket for him.  He really wasn't too sure about going up to the neighbor's house and ringing the door bell and saying trick-or-treat.  After only a few houses, we were done for the night!

Trick or treat,

smell my feet,

give me something good to eat!!!

 

Stay tuned the rest of the week and see what fun costumes we designed and created for Halloween!

Pimp my Ride

Well, I think I got the "new" header situation finished.... finally!  This photo shop and blogger stuff seems easy enough, maybe I'm the one making it complicated!!!

On yesterday's blog post I left you with a teaser.... as part of my next stage in LIFE, I'm going to have to make some changes.  I'm sure to anyone else, these things I'm doing aren't really a big deal ... but last week, two months ago, 15 years ago.... I was a full time stay-at-home mom.... now I am no longer the day to day hands on mom, we've become empty nesters and now I am the mom of two college students!! I'm at a new stage of LIFE.

Thus, my car has grown up too!  No longer is Mickey waving his sweet hello, no longer am I displaying our average stick family with two kids (boy and girl) and two dogs ... my decals now promote that we are associated with two big colleges!!

University of Iowa - Hawkeyes

University of Missouri - Tigers

 

Week #34 LIFE'S simple pleasures - stages of LIFE

 

So, what's my car say about me now???  The license plate is Illinois, my license plate frame is Green Bay Packers and I have two out of state decals representing colleges I never went to.

 

I did a little research.  There is a website called College Confidential .... the question was asked, "Do you have a college sticker on your car?"  I enjoyed reading each post on the thread and agree with many.

 

Having the kid's college decals on the rear window of my car makes me smile and think of both of them each time I walk around to my driver's seat.  It helps me to find my car in a sea of blue Honda Pilots in the parking lot.  I'm proud of my children and it shows school spirit and sometimes is a way to stike up a conversation and meet other parents who are either alumni or have kids at those schools.  And somebody behind me can laugh and think.... I know where all your money went!!!!

 

And then there are those may think it's boastful.  There are others who thought it would give a reason for a stupid rebel to key their car. I don't want to think about it those ways!!

 

This week I am embracing some of my changes! I am the proud parent of two wonderful individuals... this business of training little humans for LIFE is a mind boggling process!

 

Making a big life change is pretty scary.  But know what's even scarier? Regret

 

Stay tuned to see what's next in the nest!

 

My Kid was an Honor Student

"I believe the key to happiness is: someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to."  Elvis Presley

 

Oh, I like  Mickey is waving left handed!!!

 

Week #34 LIFE's simple pleasures - stages of LIFE

 

We all go through different stages of LIFE. From being a child to a teenager, from a new driver to a college student, from a young adult to a married couple, from new parents to empty nesters and from grandparents to senior citizens.

 

Whatever you call your current stage in LIFE, we all go though numerous changes... every day.  This year of simple pleasures I am having so much fun finding things that I really connect with, during ALL the different stages and changes I am going through....

 

One act of kindness could change a person's outlook on LIFE, forever!

 

It's better to look back on LIFE and say: "I can't believe I did that." Than to look back and say: "I wish I did that."

 

LIFE is a beautiful struggle.

 

I am currently in the stage of 'empty nest', as we have taken our youngest child off to college. 

 

I truly know that family and friends are honest and sincere when they say my parent 'job' will never be over!  But the active day to day parenting that I have been doing for the past 20 years has come to an end.  And I do know that it is okay to grieve over this loss.

 

Not that I'm throwing all of the past AWAY, but I am moving forward (with some things)  This post is really about me growing up (just a little bit). 

 

The picture above, I have always LOVED my Mickey decal.  It always made me smile when I was looking for my car in the parking lot.  He was always waving at me.... here is your car, here is the PILOT.... (you know how many look-a-like cars are in the parking lot at Target??) 

 

And below is the decal of our family.  I've seen this response to those stick figure decals : I don't know why they do that. All it does is let potential kidnappers know that their next victim may be in that car. I think that most attempts to "personalize" family vehicles are terrible ideas. People driving around with their family's last name emblazoned on the back window, right next to little stick figures that represent the members of their family. Look below and you see a bumper sticker telling everyone where their child goes to school. Great idea!!!

 

I took these pictures for posterity.

 

So what did I do? ....  I peeled off my decals.

 

I removed the honor student and hockey parent clings from the side window.

 

I'm really sad that they are gone. But it is time for a change in this stage of my LIFE!

 

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post to see what's new!

Full - Circle... of LIFE

As friends and family of mine, you all know that very shortly I will be going through another stage in LIFE.... I will be part of the Empty Nesters' Club. 

It's hitting me pretty hard.... there I said it!

We all have to make choices in LIFE. 

Our choice, Jeff and I when we became pregnant with Kyle was for me to be a stay-at-home mom.

Almost two years later with Holly barely 3 weeks old we moved to Tennessee and so our journey began.  Two moves and 18 years later... my job of every day event coordinator is about to end.  It is truly.... bitter-sweet.

One thing I do know is that I love to create... or in some CASE-s.... recreate.  That is something that is part of who I am. 

 

I had an aha moment recently.  I have incorporated Art imitating LIFE... or my LIFE imitating my art ♥

 

I've taken on a few self improvement awareness programs... if that's what I should call it.  As part of my Year of  (think of New Year's resolution ).... at the House of SHINE... I decided to take on the Year of LIFE's simple pleasures.

 

I also took an on-line mixed media class that goes the entire year.... it's called LIFEbook 2013.  Each week I get inspiration to think and feel my art.

 

And another activity is part of Do52.

 

 

Each week I pick a new Popsicle stick with a verb on it and try to incorporate that word into my  daily LIFE.

 

There is a method to my madness. I have been able to combine all of my interests and create a story.... my story!!!

 

 I get to dream it, believe it, think it, doodle it and live it!

 

And this is how I discovered that my LIFE, I'm living a full circle.  For the past 31 weeks I have been highlighting 'one' of LIFE's many simple pleasures... and I have been randomly picking a verb... and here is what I found interesting... all randomly chosen....

 

Week #1 we all need to LIGHTEN up on our BEVERAGES.... Week #2 there are different TYPES of SNOWFLAKES... Week #4 a FIREPLACE can SUPPORT the structure of a home.... Week #5 BOOKS can SPILL out of a backpack... okay....so a few of them don't work out but then there is.... Week #14 each SPRING I have a to do LIST to check off.... #16 a fun activity when you have extra TIME is to PEOPLE WATCH...#23 SUSPEND in time and STOP & SMELL THE ROSES.... #25 some people GATHER BUGS and collect them... #27 we OBSERVE other peoples' Birthdays and celebrate them.

 

LIFE has many ways of testing a person's will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once.

Can I help you???

 

An adventurous LIFE does not necessarily mean climbing a mountain, swimming with the sharks or jumping off cliffs.  It means risking yourself by leaving a little piece of you behind in all things you meet along the way.

 

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions and the roots spring up and make new trees - Amelia Earhart

 

LIFE moves pretty fast if you don't stop and look around once in awhile you could miss it.

 

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

BRIGHTEN SOMEONE'S DAY!!

 

 

 

A Walk in the Park

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike." ~ John Muir

From week to week, I never know where my blog will take me.

I have ideas how I want to highlight LIFE'S simple pleasures, but I never really know what I'm going to write about until Monday morning. I thought maybe I was more of a planner, but I think I enjoy 'finding' something that happens to come my way. And then, go from there.

Week #29 LIFE'S simple pleasures - parks

A few years ago when my husband and I realized that our path in LIFE was taking us on a new journey, the dreaded empty nest, we decided that we needed to find more things, not necessarily to fill the emptiness of the loss of day to day hands on parenting, but to search out different ways to discover what our LIFE had to offer us in our next stage.

One thing we thought about was hiking. Easy to do and virtually FREE.

I know I've written about this before (many times in many different forms).  Ironically, shortly after we made our declaration, we saw lots of different articles and stories about hiking in your own neighborhood, hiking in local parks and hiking & geocaching.  We decided that this was a sign that maybe we were on the right path. *wink

Living in the flatlands of Illinois, we knew that we weren't going to be climbing rocky or smokey mountains, we weren't going to be trekking the hot dessert wastelands and we knew unless we went on vacation somewhere out of the state, we wouldn't be hiking fo national treasures in parks.

But we did find out that there are over 25,021 acres of protected preserves in our county alone.  There are over 32 nature parks, with 17 dedicated conservation districts within a half an hour of our home.

And so, we have been visiting local parks and district conservation parks and state nature preserves.  A park is an open space providing recreational use and protection of wild life or natural habitats.

 

Parks have a sentimental value for us.  As long as my husband and I have been together, we have enjoyed going to the park, any park.  And through the years we have established a yearly fall family photo shoot of how we have all grown and changed throughout the year.  Parks have been a great backdrop to record the event.

 

Here is our little family 19 years ago.  Sweet!

 

We forget that life consists of small everyday experiences and it is what the happiness is made of. A walk in the park, a smile of your baby, a beautiful sunrise, unexpected compliment from a stranger...Those are the moments that count most. ~ Sumesh Nair

Slug Bug

Dear Blog followers:  I hate to say this, it saddens me to admit it....

no new projects to show you!!! 

But don't be too disappointed, these are never before seen photos of adorable and colorful VW's.  A few months ago my bean counting DH and I walked up the street to one of the local car dealers who were hosting strictly a VW bug & mini bus car show.  It was so cute and nostalgic!

 The pride in ownership was evident.  Some of the Beetles were fully restored... and some were tenderly cared for.  But they all made us smile!

Although I'm not a car enthusiast... I'm always open to LEARN new things.  It was a great day (look at the beautiful blue skies in the background) and we went to a place where a lot of people enjoy what they do.  I so appreciate passion and dedication.  Best of all... it was FREE!

Go Pack Go!

Although these pictures are from two weekends ago.... they must be shared!!!! 

Fall, football and family.... fun!!!!!