Movie Review: MAMA MIA!

If you love ABBA and musicals you will absolutely adore this movie! I love both and so this movie was very well received by me. I highly recommend it! It is based in Greece at "Villa Donna" so you can pretty much guarantee the amazing scenery. The hilarious storyline will draw you in with a fabulous cast of well known actors/actresses. The main theme is this; a young woman is getting married though doesn't know who her father is ~ rooting through her mother's boxes she discovers three possibilities and invites all three men to her wedding ~ it continues on from there so use your imagination as to what comes next... I had no idea that some of the cast could sing as well as they did, and others... well you will just have to see it for yourself to know what I mean.
After seeing the movie twice; once with my Mama mia and second with my girlfriends I still love it as much as I did the first time - and I bought the soundtrack too!
Enjoy... and if you do see it, let me know what you think!
Hugs and blessings

Experimenting Through The Transition

Giving up my 'crafting' side and turning towards my 'art' has been a tremendously freeing experience for me. I had used card making/stamping/beading/and other miscellaneous crafts to get me through some pretty rough times of anxiety and depression. It was like God spoke to me one day and said "let it go". From that moment on I have not touched my cardmaking/stamping etc. supplies other than to sort them from my art supplies. I realized that I no longer needed to use it as an outlet to get through ~ I was finally free to be creative on my own and transition into my trup passion which is my art. I have been experimenting with different mediums ~ pencils, pencil crayons, watercolor, felt pens (Copic Markers/Prisma Color markers/and others) I have been learning how to use different inks, colors, blending pens etc. Above are just a few examples and projects I have been working on. I did start to paint one painting but kind of have 'artist block' with the sky. It will come. I am enjoying this transition immensely ~ Thank you Lord for working in me in this way. Amen.
God bless you with many blessings.

Kelowna Was Beautiful

We got back from Kelowna on Saturday night. It was a beautiful week - the weather was awesome and I got a great tan. We all enjoyed it so much we didn't want to leave. I'm thinking next year we will book for two weeks and hang out while Randy is working again. The place we stayed had an outdoor pool and a gorgeous view of lake Okanagan. The boys and I explored a few shops by the water and discovered what a pawn shop is ~ we had never been in one, we also got to enjoy some of the outdoor art work as you can see above with the metal fly. We rented a peddle boat and made our way through the lagoon area ~ what a workout!!! We also had tubes and little dingy's that we paddled out on the lake one day ~ I think that was the most fun. We had such a blast. We got to see some birds we've never seen before in the wetlands beside the condo and got a good taste of Kelowna night life down by the water on the pier (at least I did when I took Mila for a long walk one night). I can't wait to go back again.
My mom and I went to see two movies in one night... because the first showing of Mama Mia was sold out, we went to see 'Get Smart' which I had already seen, but then we went to see MAMA MIA. Awesome movie! I loved it soooooooooo much I am going to go see it again with some girlfriends this week! I highly recommend it for a great laugh and especially if you enjoy ABBA!
Much love and God bless you all.

Movie Reviews

Get Smart has a hilarious movie. I went to see it before I took my kids to see it so that I would know if it was good or not. I think they did a great job filming it even though some things are a little predictable it was a cute movie. I recommend it for a light movie that you don't have to think to hard to watch. Good summer movie.


Hancock I took my thirteen year old to see this one. It has a few rough edges to it, but nothing he couldn't handle. It was funny and sad and we enjoyed it very much. Another one I would recommend, but for older kids I think. There are a few things that Hancock deals with like Alcoholism and going to prison, but the choices he makes are good ones in the end. Not your everyday super hero movie like Batman or Spiderman, but it was funny and intelligent none the less.


Wanted Definitely a movie you don't want to take your kids too. There was a great deal of violence and graphic scenes that I wouldn't want my kids to see. As for me, I love movies with action and interesting concepts, this movie had both with a matrix type feel. There was one sex scene that I wouldn't want my kids to watch. Really graphic fight scenes that would be too much I think. I am able to see things like that and then get rid of the images. I really liked this movie and the character development of the main character (James McAvoy) was great.

Let me know if you have movie reviews to share. I would love to read them.

Blessings Pouring Out Among Us

I love this picture and the saying that goes with it... "Don't forget to Fly?" Isn't that beautiful? It reminded me that we have so much potential, God gives us wings to fly in this life but we often forget we have them... we forget to fly. There is so much we can accomplish in this life as we rely on God to guide us, feed us, nourish us, and give us His wisdom to do the things we need to do. I have been on again off again sick for many months now, I am thinking almost a year. It has been really hard for me to get to the gym and work out so that my body can get healthy. I have wanted a treadmill for so long but we have always been unable to afford it - other things have taken priority, other needs. Then on Thursday my husband called me at work and told me he just found a treadmill for a hundred dollars. My first thought was "Oh great! What kind of treadmill could he have possibly found for $100.00?" I laughed at the thought. Then after work we went to see these people and discovered it was actually a pretty good treadmill - one that absorbs shock so it is easier on your knees (which I need). They had company coming to stay and they really needed the space. What a blessing! What an amazing blessing! We of coarse bought it and I have used it and it works awesome! Even my son Ben had a great work out on it yesterday! I am certain that it will work out perfect for our family.
Next huge blessing... I was at work yesterday just casually asking my boss what I would look for in a video camera should I want to buy one. He asked me what I was going to use it for and then said "Well, you could buy our old one as we are never going to use it again." I said, "Really? How much would you want for it?" and then he said "$150.00. I immediately said "Okay, sold". It is a really nice video camera with a touch screen/charger and extra batteries, he even through in a package of disks that we would need to record on. Thank you Lord... again. He is looking out for us in so many ways. God is so good!
Enjoy God's blessings everyone ~ they are all around us!

Jeopardy Answer: What is Pleurisy?

Udate on what was going on with my chest last week: I went to my doctor last Friday and he believes the chest pains were due to something called Pleurisy. Basically, an inflamation of the outer lining on my lungs due to possible pneumonia that I had and didn't know. I have been sick twice in the past two months with a really bad cold/ with respiratory symptoms but I didn't think it was bad enough to go to the doctor. Silly me.
What Is Pleurisy?
Pleurisy, also called pleuritis, is an inflammation of the pleura, which is the moist, double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the rib cage. The condition can make breathing extremely painful. Sometimes it is associated with another condition called pleural effusion, where excess fluid fills the area between the membrane's layers.
The double-layered pleura protects and lubricates the surface of the lungs as they inflate and deflate within the rib cage. Normally, a thin, fluid-filled gap -- the pleural space -- allows the two layers of the pleural membrane to slide gently past each other. But when these layers become inflamed, with every breath, sneeze, or cough their roughened surfaces rub painfully together like two pieces of sandpaper.
I went for xrays and bloodwork on Monday and haven't heard back from the doctor's office so I'm thinking everything is better now. The pain in my chest has subsided mostly and I am feeling really good. YAY. Thank you Lord that it wasn't something more serious.
My mom lives about 8 hours from us (by car) and when I told her about my chest pains attack the first thing she thought about was that it was my lungs - Mother's instict or what???? I laughed when I got home from my doctor's appointment. I guess my mom really does know me! LOL
So, just to update y'all - everythings fine! Amen

Life Is Precious

What does it take to open our eyes to the fact that life is precious? Each moment is a gift of time, love, peace, joy, experiences, adventures etc.

Yesterday I had a little scare that opened my eyes in a huge way. I was standing in my kitchen preparing some breakfast for myself when I began to have sharp pains from my back to my heart/chest. They were so sharp that I was dizzy and weak. They didn't last for long maybe a minute and then they would go away. Then they would come back every couple of minutes. I started to get really scared. My husband was out on the deck and he came in when I didn't answer him. The pain was so strong I couldn't speak right away. He checked to see if my eyes were dilated and if I could squeeze his hands with my hands - I could. He made me lay down on the ground hoping that would help and then he told me to put my feet up. The pains were still coming and then I started crying because I didn't know what was going on. Randy grabbed his phone and called 911. At that point I think I had an anxiety attack because my face went numb and my left hand was tingling. The firemen were the first to arrive and they basically calmed me down and took my blood pressure and asked me questions about the pain and where it was etc. The EMS arrived shortly after and they took over for the firemen. They also checked my blood pressure and my heart rate and then hooked me up to their machines placing all these sticker thingy's all around my chest and pelvic area. They too asked me many questions and in the end determined that everything was normal, my vitals were all normal, my heart was good and normal etc. They could not determine where the pains came from. After all the "excitement" I was left dizzy, weak and confused. The EMS said that I should get things checked out though not necessarily at the hospital. If it happened again I should call EMS. I was going to make an appointment to go see the doctor but I was so dizzy and weak feeling I just went on our deck and layed in the shade.

As I was lying there my mind was reeling with the thought of how I had reacted in the midst of the incident. I didn't know if I was having a heart attack or not, I truly feared that I was having one. I thought about my Dad having his heart attack when he was only 51 (as he died from his). All of a sudden my worries about my husband having a heart attack early transferred from him to me. I never thought it a possibility that I could have a heart attack, I always feared that Randy would have one and I would be left alone like my mom was. It troubled me deeply.

Then my thoughts disturbed me further because of the fear that had embedded itself into me. Why was I so afraid? If indeed I were having a heart attack the worst thing that could have happened was that I would die and be with my Father in Heaven. I never really thought that I would react with such fear facing the possibility of death ~ I always thought that I would be at peace. I prayed and asked God to forgive me for allowing this fear in. As I am His child I am no longer a slave to the fear of death. I have eternal life through Jesus so why be afraid? The Lord calmed me as I prayed and helped me to feel okay about my reaction. I realized that my fear was mostly not about me, it was about me possibly leaving my husband and boys without a mother/and wife. Then I too realized that even then that they are in the Lord's hands and He would be taking care of them too. I had nothing to fear.

This whole experience made me see that Life is precious. We need to take advantage of the time we have and not be consumed with fears and worries about the time we might not have. I pray that when God does eventually take me that I will be at complete peace knowing that God is in full control. He is a God full of grace and loving mercy ~ He takes care of all of His creations even when we are worrying about nothing!

Thanks for reading and have a blessed day!

I Am So Blessed

A lady from Austin e-mailed me today - she works for a foundation that helps children and adults in their healing from violence and/or trauma. She is developing a therapeutic game that will help in the process of healing with education for her patients. She has asked me if she can use two of my paintings on the back of her educational material. I feel very honored that she contacted me because I painted these images with the specific intention of being used to help others find healing. That is my entire reasoning behind my artwork, it is not for self-gain but for others, unless you count my own healing process for myself as self-gain because it has helped me immensely.
Thank You Lord for this amazing opportunity to touch other peoples lives in a way only You can do. I pray that you help whoever see's these cards to have hope in their healing and that they will come to realize that they have a huge glorious loving God just waiting to heal them. Amen
Signature ID **** 54486-104-0814F235638E146494EE9339B81997AB

Fact #51 - I Love Birds

Fact #51 - I Love Birds! I could sit on my back deck and listen and watch birds all day long every day weather permitting. I find it so peaceful. When we go to Kid's Camp with our Church I find it very relaxing listening to the birds found only in the woods. I can't wait to go camping this year and bring my binoculars. I find it funny (no offense) but my friend Nancy is afraid of birds and doesn't care for them at all! I think she had one fly at her one day or it was stuck in her house - yikes. That is pretty scary!

How I Spent My Weekend - Girls Weekend

Okay... when I say 'girls weekend' I am meaning myself and my Mila puppy. My hubby and boys were at spring camp for our Church. They had a blast and I missed them terribly... but I did manage to have some very much needed time in the sun and with God. The weather here has been so up and down (I'm talking snow blizzard one day to almost 20degrees (27 on my back deck) overnight. And now we seem to be back to a rainy snowy day as I look out my window! No... it looks like a light snow. Oy vay! What's going on with our spring. I got a sunburn on my back neck and shoulders on Saturday. I couldn't find our sunscreen anywhere but I HAD to sit in the sun. Now I am paying for it bigtime!
Anyway... back to what I did. On Thursday night we went out to dinner as a family and then I took my boys to Chapters. As they picked out their Spiderwick (Ben) and Guardians of Gahoolie (Josh) books, I made my way over to the "Arts and crafts section". I found two books, the first was Art Journaling - how it leads to healing... and the second book was Faithbooking, prayer journals and more. I was taken away by these books as God has made it such a passion of mine. As I read the first through some of the first book... God took me on my own journey of what I have experienced in my life and how far I have come. I spent three hours just writing, writing, writing ~ hence the sunburn. I wrote about what God has done for me, what I have dealt with, the process of healing He has led me through, what I have given up and what I have received by letting go of things I once thought I needed to hold onto. The above journal pages express some of what I journaled this weekend.

The first picture is from different magazines I have collected over the years. There was an article on Sifing Your life - letting go of yourself and latching on to God. That inspired the page with the big tree 'Transformed By Faith' as I thought through how God has shown me how to sift myself and then how He has been right here with me through all my storms. The next page "Describing the Experience" was about how I hear God in the still quiet moments of my life. How He transformed me through these moment and how He works is nothing short of miraculous. The last page I did the background with my distress inks, the colors are rather dramatic because I wanted it to show the dramatic way I have been transformed from a life of regret, to a life with no regret. From a life gripped with fear and loneliness to a life of forgiveness, and pure love. God has lifted me from all that I thought I knew, to filling me with His heavenly wisdom allowing me to be content and protected in the shadow of His wings. I know I say this over and over... but I am amazed, I am in awe of what an awesome God we serve! If we allow Him in He will restore us, make us new, wash away all the murky waters transforming us into His children.
Happy creating everyone. God bless you.

God Speak - Journal Entries

The first page I brought out my pastels and I had an image of a woman praying. It isn't me as I have brown hair, but it may have been me when my hair was much blonder. What I wrote was what I was feeling at a particularily hard time in my life ~ how I would cry out to God earnestly seeking His presence in my life. He was good and is always to be with me. He has brought such healing and peace and joy to my life, a comfort straight from the arms of God that I will share to others as God places them in my life.
The next two pages I created with Tim Holtz distress inks for the backgrounds. CHF Stamps of trees and Ranger Products Acrylic Daubers. The images just called for verses from the Word. The one page I haven't been urged with the verse that is trying to speak to me ~ I will add it in His timing not mine. I love playing with distress inks and alterable items. They are so much fun.
Well, Happy Creating once again everyone.

I Had To Add These Pictures To My Journal

I was at work one day, a day in which was particularily slow... and so after getting the mail I saw a magazine that my boss Cynthia ordered ~ April 2008 Country Living and so I browsed through it because I was bored and I came across the most beautiful advertisement I have ever seen. The above pictures are the ones that came from that advertisement. The colors drew me in and the whimsical feeling of all the pictures. It made me wish that I was a size "2" so that I could where clothing like those pictured. I don't think they would look as good on my size "12" body. Maybe one day I will miraculously lose the weight and then I can order clothing like them. I don't know why but it felt very "Southern" ~ and I don't know what "Southern" means except that it was the first thought that came to my mind. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I did.
Happy Creating Everyone!

What Has Lil' Ol Me Been Up To???

Well, let me see. We went away for springbreak which was basically the last week of March. We drove out to Kelowna, British Columbia. I always bring my journal when I travel because I like to record different aspects of our travels in my journaling. This trip I had to draw all the funky things in the apartment - the home decor items. I loved this apartment and the way it was furnished! The decorator knew exactly what and where to place little items throughout the apartment that added just the right touch. I personally do not have this talent ~ however that may be due to the fact that my hubby doesn't like nick-nacks. I have my nick-nacks though - I collect willow tree angels and family. They are so peaceful and my youngest son loves buying them for me.
On our trip I went to the dollar store and found these funky templates that are usually used in drafting for $1.50. They came in a small and large set. So I had fun with them and was able to create a page in my journal that was really cute and funny. I added little monsters from "CHF" that I had purchased for scrapbooking and my son Ben loved these little guys. I will add more of them to this page.
So... I can't remember the last time I made a card... I think they were for Easter - but I never got around to sending or selling them because Easter came to quickly this year. God is really changing my focus and I am growing more as an artist. I used cardmaking as an outlet for 6 years during the times that were hard ~ now I want to accomplish something with my art work ~ I want to touch people's lives through what God is doing in me now. So my focus on my blog is going to be more art and art journaling from now on. I hope this won't deter too many of you crafters out there as I still love hearing from all of you.
So that's the deet's on me. With working 4 hours per day I haven't had a lot of time for my blog ~ but I am focused today.
Happy Creating Everyone!

Fact #41 I Love To Play With New Craft Items

I received my order from CHF (Cornish Heritage Farms) a few weeks back but have not had the time to play with my new stuff. I love discovering new things to play with even if I don't know what to do with them. On this page I used the new background stamp with the dried up ground, and the new foam swirls, and this pearly colored 3D stuff that I don't actually know what it is for yet - LOL! Hence this is where the "Playing" comes into play.
I 'needed' to buy a new trimmer (right!) and I loved the fact that it had interchangeable blades with different uses! I am having a great time playing with it. So far I have made some tickets for my son Ben to draw on and I have been able to cut through 10 pieces of paper at one time. I still want to purchase different blades for it as I don't have them all yet. I am waiting to do this until I know that I absolutely must have them and will use them.
I LOVE TO PLAY!

New Journal Page With (Of Coarse) A Tree

I went shopping with my gal pal Nancy and her Mom Bev last weekend at Paper Past Times and I found this funky little template/embellishment underneith a shelf on the bottom of a little basket of sale items. It is a foil with (glue gun glue) shaped like scales or something. I bought it thinking I would use it for an embellishment but then I decided to put it on the page and spray my glimmer mist on the page and use it as a template. It worked out well but I needed to wipe off the access mist with a towel. Then I used my tree template that I purchased at The Scrapbook Pantry where Nancy works and I cut out the image, colored it and then put two layers of self-leveling gel, then I put a few drops of alcohol ink into the gel to ad deeper colors. It turned out so nice as it dried. I decided to add it to this page and I think it goes really well. What do you think. I haven't written anything on the page yet because I'm not sure if I want to write on it or leave it the way it is.
I hope you enjoy it.
Happy Creating Everyone!

Fact #40 - Collages

Collages are one thing that I have never really enjoyed creating. I never understood what they were all about. With looking through different art blogs I have noticed the rise in the amount of collages being created. So many artists have perfected this art and maybe that is why I have never really caught onto it ~ if I can't perfect it my way, why do it? I am getting much better though. I am trying new things and getting more comfortable with the idea of things not being exactly perfect.
This collage is made from different pictures of women in the 1500's-1800's. I went googling to find different pictures of women's fashions during these times. I love looking at the fashions but I know that I would hate wearing them day in and day out! I couldn't imagine having to wear layers and layers of heavy fabric on my body - even in the summertime. Sure their gowns were exquisite and beautiful but I think that it would have been rather difficult to pull off every day of your life.
I covered this page with a sheet of laminant and then stamped images on top with Staz-on ink. I really like the outcome of this page.

Fact #39 I am a Romantic

I love romantic movies - where chivalry still exists! Where courting was something that occurred without "going all the way"! Where women blushed at the mere thought of their betrothed passing by. I love period pieces of artwork that captures moments like these, books, artwork etc. I drew this picture from the cover of a book I am currently reading. Although there are a few words I don't like in the book, (these words only occur once or twice)the book in itself is very innocent and romantic in a sense that the main character keeps her purity for her marriage bed. I loved the picture on the cover of the book Philippa by Bertrice Small. The main character looks strong and bold and beautiful. I distressed the background to make it look like a "London" grey day. I wrote out some of the idea of the story of the book around her because I really liked the story.

Fact #38 I LOVE BABIES

I think I have a radar for babies! I don't know how it works but it seems the second a baby is in my vicinity my radar goes off and I am all goo-goo and ga-ga over them. My son's make fun of me because they know that I am going to get like this. They tease me saying "Mom it's okay... we know you like looking at babies more than you like us!". I know they are just joking. I got to hold little baby Sarai all through Church yesterday and I was in my glory (she is just two months old - unfortunately I didn't hear much of the sermon because I was so concentrated on the beautiful little miracle in my arms. Every newborn is such an amazing little miracle. Thank you God for each and every one of them.

What Happened to My Puppy????

Just yesterday my little Mila was a little "fur-ball" and then I dropped her off at the groomers... so... I was a little shocked when I came home from work to find we had exchanged our toy-poodle/papillion for a Chiauaua. I had to go to Petland to find a sweater for her because she was shaking so much. The day before yesterday I needed to tie Mila's hair up so that she could see! She does not look too happy in either pictures does she? She looks so frail now I am not certain as to how to hold her except to cuddle her like a little baby. LOL. My poor girl.

Fact #29

I wish I could be more organized at home! I find that I do not know how to be organized. I gather so much "stuff" that I don't know where to put it! I am a 'collector' of things, meaningless things to anyone else really. I don't think anyone would be able to organize me. It is rather strange that I can be so organized when I am working, but a total mess at home!