Mood

I've taken to not turning on TV when I come home. I let this soak in for a couple of hours before letting in 'the noise.'  And more times that not, I end up canceling the noise.

Something I haven't done for a very long time. 

Lavender Rose (love!!!!)

A few things I'm loving right now

Google Image

Online Reading:

1. Souls of Society: I love "Dijon." 
2. The Humans of Josephine
3. Necessary Fiction
4. The Elephant Journal
5. Medium: Always SO many great perspectives to think on
6. Shining Stars Magazine: Brings me comfort

My image: on my desk

Creating:

1. Bleeding Tissue Paper: WOW, this ain't your mama's tissue paper!! haha
2. Canvas Panels: (various sizes): I chose the panels because they stack against each other w/taking up much space. I'm truly addicted to these; when I sit down in front of a blank, my creative juices SOAR
3. Acrylic Paints
4. Watercolor Paper
5. Mod Podge: This stuff ROCKS!!! In fact, here's a couple of Fall leaves I captured in time courtesy of 'the Podge'

It's the simple things in life. :-)

Testing, testing...

James 1:2-3 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Well, friends, time to share. Last Friday 3/22/13 @ 3:25 p.m., I was let go from my job of 11 years. If you've read here before, you know I've mentioned that my workplace was going down, so I somewhat wasn't surprised. Even when I was told "this isn't working out," I wasn't surprised.

Over the weekend, it felt very surreal, especially on Sunday night when I had nothing to prepare for. I filed an unemployment claim online (wow - times have changed since my last firing, Lol). I am prayerful, but I know if any decision is left to my ex-employer, he will deny any attempts. They barely wanted to give employees money (no raises in 7 years), let alone someone who no longer works there.

Prayers, inhaling, then exhaling.

So in these few days, I've done nothing. And I mean nothing. My feelings at first were: failure, what am I really meant to do, etc. Everyone says take time, rest, create, be productive, however, I still feel a heavy weight. My aura is dull. Thinking of finances overwhelms me right now.

I'm still getting  up each morning as 6:00 a.m. to make sure son is out the door & to take my dogs out, so there's no sleeping in. Once I hit the coffee pot & get online, I'm awake. There are plenty of things I could do around the house, but cleaning just isn't in me right now. I feel very tired. Last night, I shut off all things electronic, laid 'cross my bed in total silence & read 3 magazines, cover to cover.

I look at my mess of a desk with all it's inks, stamps, cards, etc., & can't find the groove to create anything right now. A friend suggested that it being springtime, that I hit up all the local nurseries as my love for people & all things flowers would be good for me. At first I got super-excited at the thought, then my mind wandered back to finances.

I truly do not want to go back to the office setting; especially law firms. I've been the office worker for 20+ years. So much attitude, arrogance, pettiness, gossip, mean-ness, blaming; I just want out of all that. Being a Walmart greeter or a cashier @ a grocery story sounds pretty good about now.

I don't know where this new road will take me, but for right now, I feel like I could sleep for a week. I haven't done anything more than wash my face, brush my teeth, shower & that's it. My hair is wondering what the heck am I gonna do with it. (Lol) I haven't touch it in days aside from running my fingers through it. I just have no energy. I think perhaps still a little numb.

Peace, be still.

Quiet Signs Friday

"Mantra"

Still Kickin'

"Growth"

Seems I feel off the planet, eh? Lol. I didn't realize how long it had been since I posted. My mind has been a jumbled mess of rush, rush, rush w/my son's basketball, and then I haven't been very inspired. We're in the "gray" period of weather where drear overrules some days. Not a lot of snow, yet very cold, even when the sun does grace us with its presence.

As you can see, I've changed the looks of this place. My "words" for 2013 are "change" and "grow", so I thought I'd start with the easiest thing to do. I like how it looks less cluttered. I have enough clutter in my life, so at least this spot will look nice, clean & organized.

Nothing exciting or new has occurred so far in these 2 weeks into the New Year. It seems my employer is still sinking toward bottom, so I've been doing the resume thing. A good friend offered to "tweak" it a bit - to bring me into the current century. Lol. Or, in her words: "Tracey - NOBODY says "typing" anymore. Nor do they say "wpm" (words per minute); that is so Stone Age. Uggghh... I feel like a relic.

But I'm still kickin'. Peace & light ;-)

Picture: tracey

 Prayers to those who are still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Issac. We finally got a slight touch him starting last night & ending this morning. It was so nice to wake up & roll back over to the sound of heavy rain @ 7:00 a.m. Once again, I realized how the rain, with all its power, yet all it's gentleness, can also soothe.

Pictures by: me
Sunday Scribbling word prompt: "soothe." 

Caladium holding up under pressure

"Chocolate/Mint" Choeleus"

Choleus

Gerbera Daisies. While waiting on blooms, the leaves are great on their own.

My Alma Mater

 What a great weekend. Slow, not too hot, a nice breeze, grilling, high school car washes, relaxing on my part w/card making & some reading. The Hall of Fame Kick Off Community Parade was today; son, me & mom never miss it. It's a tradition before the "big" Hall of Fame Parade next Saturday when the football players are inducted into the Hall of Fame, then they ride in the parade. It's a pretty big deal here in football town. It's almost surreal to see them 2 feet away from you riding on the back of a convertible. Sweet.

I picked up THREE more books at the library book sale. Why? Because I need another book like I need another eye. Lol. It's official - I'm addicted. I just bough the 3 from Amazon, Jesus Calling from Walmart, now these 3 in less than 3 weeks.

I found Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. I know it's years old, but I never read it & it was only a buck, so what's to lose? This copy was definitely well loved; it's FULL of highlights, underlines, marginal notes. The best.

The "Human Flag". Toss your spare change onto the flag.

Elizabeth Berg's Home Safe is another. I have always loved her books. So 'homey', real & honest. I've listened to a couple of hers on audio while driving to work. Love.

Lastly, Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins. A woman becomes VERY rich in a divorce settlement & buys and old town that used to be a 'slave town.' Even though it's a very sad, dark period of time, I love reading about slavery, while my heart aches.

There were a TON of Queens & Princesses. More than enough.. Lol.

One of our many churches, St. John's. It's magnificent.

Shot out my bathroom window. Hall of Fame Kickoff.

I'm over a mile away from downtown. Not bad, huh? :-)

Pictures by: me ;-}

Weekend Light

Since I got home on Friday evening, I declared I wasn't leaving the house again until today when time for work. I really enjoyed piddling around the house, taking time to read, etc. But it's never quite long enough.

I am sharing some shots of the different types of light I experienced in and around the house, everything from my fireplace mantle (I adore tea light candles), to the sun setting in the kitchen, to incense, to my Snowman (who may just hang all winter since he, too, requires a tea light candle), to the way the sun shone through the icicles in the backyard.

Candles and good light - there's nothing like 'em. :-)

Pictures by: me :->

"New"

Happy New Year's, everyone!!! How is everything going three days into the New Year? This past long weekend was very relaxing for me.

I stumbled into a new, amazing dollar store called "Dollar Respect." I used to laugh @ the name because we have SO many dollar stores that this one sounded like an after thought. However, once I went inside, I truly came to respect the dollar (LOL!)

I found the CUTEST things for crafting (like I need one other thing). I couldn't wait to get home to play. I ended up spending hours making the following different cards. I always loved art class in school and hated when the hour was over. Now that I'm "an adult" (LOL!), I can have art class when I want, for as long as I want.

So, after watching about 2 hours of Hero Arts YouTube videos on "how to" and thinking to myself, "I can do that!", I dove in head first. When I spread everything out before me, the ideas flowed like water. I like how no two cards are alike.

I am glad my creativity came back with a vengence, with lots of new ideas.









And finally, I found the super adorable new coffee can for my coffee!!! They had different ones, but I liked this one the best. I'm sure I'll go back & get the others. How cute is it? I take my coffee very seriously.

And lastly, I got a gift basket for Christmas with chocolate, Merlot wine, the Pumpkin Spice Fettuccini & Sun-Dried Tomato sauce. I've had this type of sauce before, but the Pumpkin Spice will be new to my taste buds. Looking forward to it.

May you all discover wonderful, new, great things in this New Year. No matter how big or how small, monetary or free. Let yourself discover the newness! :-)

Sunday Scribbling word prompt: "new"