It just came to me…..the name change. You see, here lately I have been joking with Jeff about how I don’t have anything to do being that I’m just a stay at home mom. I am just so bored and don’t know what to do with myself since I don’t have a real job. My days are long and lonely and it is just so exciting to get to go to the grocery store once a week. When people ask what I do with all this free time I have I just tell them that I eat bonbons and watch Soap Operas.
It’s a joke that my husband and I so love! We know the truth. I really do have a job as a Systems Operator/Management Specialist Level 3 of a local non-profit group. It is a very demanding job that is more than a regular 40 hour a week job. In order to do my job you have to be proficient in many fields and continue your education annually.
What gets me the most is that just because I am not on payroll I’m considered to not have a real job. I have recently been thought of someone who needs extra activities to keep my mind busy. I accepted a volunteer job in photography. I told someone about it and that person wanted to know if I would like to borrow their camera. I think if I was more of a bragger people would know all that I have done and can do, but I’m not a bragger. Because I don’t go around sharing with others all of the talents that I have taught myself over the years doesn’t mean that I do not have these talents.
So I will be compiling a work of all of the things that I have done over the years. I will be working hard to sell myself to be awarded credit for the things I have done in my life so far. I am hoping that the people who review this work will find value in my work. I will be bragging but only to earn the credit I believe that I deserve. We will see what happens.
Yes, I feel a bit bitter over the fact that working people do not value the work of those people who do not get paid for what they do. I’m happy to know that my Heavenly Father sees it all and knows the motives of my heart.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Just doing a little test!
I have a new computer and I’m testing out a new program that I can link to my blog.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
A Miracle Happened Today!
Let me start with a little history. Back in 1996 I bought fabric at the local fabric store to make my baby boy a quilt for his 1st birthday. This fabric had pictures of Bible characters on it like, Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark, David and Goliath and Moses. I worked on it when my then baby son Devin was bouncing away in his Jonny-Jump-Up. He would bounce, I would quilt, he would smile and would talk to him and quilt. It is a very sweet memory to me.
When I gave him his quilt on his 1st birthday (Thanksgiving Day of 96') he seemed to love it from the start. That quilt was still going to bed with him in 4th grade!
Well, when we moved to Oregon (for the 1st time) in April of 2006 something happened to the blanket. By the time we got to our new home the quilt was no where to be found. I thought that maybe after we settled in we would find it, but after time I realized that we must have lost it.
After I thought through the events of the trip, I think I figured out what happened. The second night that we stayed in a hotel, two out of three of my boys got sick.....the throw-up kind of sick. So I was up during the middle of the night and on into the wee hours of the morning washing blankets in the hotel laundry room. I think out of shear exhaustion I must have forgotten the last load and left it behind. By the time I figured this out it was too late to track it down by calling the hotel.
Devin was sad that his little quilt was gone forever. I think I was the most upset because I have many memories tied to that precious thing. I can't tell you how many times have I laid that over his little body after a long day, so glad that it was finally bed time. Or how many times I heard him ask for his "blue blanket". We would pack it up when he stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's or go spend the night at Aunt Wendy's house. It was an extension of that child of mine.
A few weeks ago, when everyone else was in bed, I search the internet trying to find the same fabric that I used for that quilt. My search was fruitless. At some point I said a little prayer telling God that I would really like to find that fabric.
Here comes the good part! I was leaving JoAnn's Fabric Store today and as I was coming out the door a lady was approaching the entrance. I looked at the fabric that she was carrying in her hand and it looked just like the fabric that I was looking for. I asked her if I could see her fabric and to my amazement she was holding a piece that was from the very same line of fabric! I told her my story of searching for the fabric, secretly hoping that she would be so kind and sell it to me. I did ask to see what was printed on the outer edge, knowing that the design company is usually printed there. It said Frabric Traditions copy write 1995. I went to my car and immediately texted myself the information.
When I got home I did some searching on the computer and found it on ebay!!! I purchased it and am so excited to remake this baby quilt. It won't be the same quilt I know, but it will remind me of the precious memories of my almost 16 year old son when he was so little. The one thing that it will remind me of the most is that God heard my prayer and he gave me this as a very special gift.
Here is the picture of the fabric as seen on the ebay ad:
When I gave him his quilt on his 1st birthday (Thanksgiving Day of 96') he seemed to love it from the start. That quilt was still going to bed with him in 4th grade!
Well, when we moved to Oregon (for the 1st time) in April of 2006 something happened to the blanket. By the time we got to our new home the quilt was no where to be found. I thought that maybe after we settled in we would find it, but after time I realized that we must have lost it.
After I thought through the events of the trip, I think I figured out what happened. The second night that we stayed in a hotel, two out of three of my boys got sick.....the throw-up kind of sick. So I was up during the middle of the night and on into the wee hours of the morning washing blankets in the hotel laundry room. I think out of shear exhaustion I must have forgotten the last load and left it behind. By the time I figured this out it was too late to track it down by calling the hotel.
Devin was sad that his little quilt was gone forever. I think I was the most upset because I have many memories tied to that precious thing. I can't tell you how many times have I laid that over his little body after a long day, so glad that it was finally bed time. Or how many times I heard him ask for his "blue blanket". We would pack it up when he stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's or go spend the night at Aunt Wendy's house. It was an extension of that child of mine.
A few weeks ago, when everyone else was in bed, I search the internet trying to find the same fabric that I used for that quilt. My search was fruitless. At some point I said a little prayer telling God that I would really like to find that fabric.
Here comes the good part! I was leaving JoAnn's Fabric Store today and as I was coming out the door a lady was approaching the entrance. I looked at the fabric that she was carrying in her hand and it looked just like the fabric that I was looking for. I asked her if I could see her fabric and to my amazement she was holding a piece that was from the very same line of fabric! I told her my story of searching for the fabric, secretly hoping that she would be so kind and sell it to me. I did ask to see what was printed on the outer edge, knowing that the design company is usually printed there. It said Frabric Traditions copy write 1995. I went to my car and immediately texted myself the information.
When I got home I did some searching on the computer and found it on ebay!!! I purchased it and am so excited to remake this baby quilt. It won't be the same quilt I know, but it will remind me of the precious memories of my almost 16 year old son when he was so little. The one thing that it will remind me of the most is that God heard my prayer and he gave me this as a very special gift.
Here is the picture of the fabric as seen on the ebay ad:
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A Soldier, The News, The Library and a Hot Shower
I don't know what exactly led me to the "Adopt A US Soldier" site a few weeks ago, but I ended up adopting a soldier. I thought it would be fun to write to a soldier and encourage him or her. I have been connected with a man who I think is serving in Afghanistan (I gather this by his address). We have had a few correspondences over the last week and I'm excited to learn more about him. I would not post anything about him here, that is information he shares with me and I wouldn't dream of posting it. But I just want to say that I'm excited to have a new friend and thinking of him and praying for him has made me think of things a bit differently lately.
Last night my oldest son was watching the news. I rarely watch the news, I don't know how much of it is true and how much of it is spun in one direction or another To be very frank, it depresses me. So in order to help my own mental health I choose to stay away from it. What I saw last night, in the short time I watched, was horrific. Two people in Syria had been shot in the street and people on both sides of the street were trying to get their bodies out of the street. I couldn't imagine living through that. I can't imagine the mentality of people who have to live through things like that. Are they constantly afraid, or do they live every day to the fullest knowing that tomorrow they or a loved one could be gone?
My awareness as an American has been enlarged over the past few years. I am more aware of how fortunate I am. I have a friend who isn't from this country who has enlightened me about the world and how other countries view Americans. My pastors wife from Modesto has had a passion for foreign affairs that has also made me realize how wonderful it is to live were the government is at least stable. I didn't write perfect government or country. There are some great places here and some awful places here, I know. What I am saying is that I see that I have it really good compared to multitudes of people all over the world.
Today I took my two older boys to the library in Salem. It is a very nice library, very spacious with lots of books. I love the library. I'm amazed at all the books written, realizing that there are only a few in any given library compared to all the books that are printed and on shelves all over the world. But this microcosm of books delights my brain and tells me that there is a plethora of possibilities for learning! For this cranial chic, that is exciting. As I walked down one quiet row in the upper level of the library looking for a non-fictional biography I thought, "I'm spoiled". I live where there is peace. I do not have to fear coming into a public place, it was quiet there, and no one had a gun (at least that I could see). I felt at peace. I could let my boys roam around and I could do the same with great freedom.
After the earthquake in Japan I noticed a few simple things in my life that many of the people there would like to have. When I step into a hot shower in the morning, I thank God for it. It is a privilege to be in the privacy of my own home and have a hot shower.
Then I have to wonder why I was born into such a wonderful state in life. I am not a rich girl, but compared to so many I am very wealthy. My only response to what God has given me is to be humble, grateful and thankful to Him. From that I want to share with others what I can. I know that what I give can seem small. Maybe all I give is one little baby quilt to a hospital as a member of a group by the name of Heavenly Angels in Need. Maybe all I can do is thank a soldier for working in the US army that works toward my own personal freedom. I could do a lot by doing a little.
I hope to encourage all who read this to think of the much they could do with the little they could give or do. If we all just stepped out some it could really impact the world around us. Here is one of my favorite quotes from Mother Teresa that I will leave you with:
"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
— Mother Teresa
I don't profess to do and live with perfection. There are many things that I need to work on. But I do have a passion for taking hold of opportunities with braveness and step out and do good when you can. Please, join me. The people around you and I need your love and compassion. Even if you feel a bit awkward, that's okay, awkward is better than regret.
Love to all who have spent time here with me,
Deanne
Last night my oldest son was watching the news. I rarely watch the news, I don't know how much of it is true and how much of it is spun in one direction or another To be very frank, it depresses me. So in order to help my own mental health I choose to stay away from it. What I saw last night, in the short time I watched, was horrific. Two people in Syria had been shot in the street and people on both sides of the street were trying to get their bodies out of the street. I couldn't imagine living through that. I can't imagine the mentality of people who have to live through things like that. Are they constantly afraid, or do they live every day to the fullest knowing that tomorrow they or a loved one could be gone?
My awareness as an American has been enlarged over the past few years. I am more aware of how fortunate I am. I have a friend who isn't from this country who has enlightened me about the world and how other countries view Americans. My pastors wife from Modesto has had a passion for foreign affairs that has also made me realize how wonderful it is to live were the government is at least stable. I didn't write perfect government or country. There are some great places here and some awful places here, I know. What I am saying is that I see that I have it really good compared to multitudes of people all over the world.
Today I took my two older boys to the library in Salem. It is a very nice library, very spacious with lots of books. I love the library. I'm amazed at all the books written, realizing that there are only a few in any given library compared to all the books that are printed and on shelves all over the world. But this microcosm of books delights my brain and tells me that there is a plethora of possibilities for learning! For this cranial chic, that is exciting. As I walked down one quiet row in the upper level of the library looking for a non-fictional biography I thought, "I'm spoiled". I live where there is peace. I do not have to fear coming into a public place, it was quiet there, and no one had a gun (at least that I could see). I felt at peace. I could let my boys roam around and I could do the same with great freedom.
After the earthquake in Japan I noticed a few simple things in my life that many of the people there would like to have. When I step into a hot shower in the morning, I thank God for it. It is a privilege to be in the privacy of my own home and have a hot shower.
Then I have to wonder why I was born into such a wonderful state in life. I am not a rich girl, but compared to so many I am very wealthy. My only response to what God has given me is to be humble, grateful and thankful to Him. From that I want to share with others what I can. I know that what I give can seem small. Maybe all I give is one little baby quilt to a hospital as a member of a group by the name of Heavenly Angels in Need. Maybe all I can do is thank a soldier for working in the US army that works toward my own personal freedom. I could do a lot by doing a little.
I hope to encourage all who read this to think of the much they could do with the little they could give or do. If we all just stepped out some it could really impact the world around us. Here is one of my favorite quotes from Mother Teresa that I will leave you with:
"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
— Mother Teresa
I don't profess to do and live with perfection. There are many things that I need to work on. But I do have a passion for taking hold of opportunities with braveness and step out and do good when you can. Please, join me. The people around you and I need your love and compassion. Even if you feel a bit awkward, that's okay, awkward is better than regret.
Love to all who have spent time here with me,
Deanne
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Our New Home
I finally have a few rooms presentable and I wanted to share some pictures (I have had a few request).
Welcome to our home. We have moved around so much that it is wonderful to finally feel home. I thank God for this undeserved blessing!
The view as you enter the front door. There is a good size entry, so when guest arrive you are not crammed.
To the left in the entry is my in-laws china hutch. It is a beloved piece that I am very grateful to have.
To the right of the entry is the hall that leads to the bedrooms and bath. Devin and Jake share the larger room and Drew finally gets to have a room to himself. We have the Master of course and it functions as Jeff's at home office as well. No picture of that room yet, it is still in "we just moved in" mess mode!
Not too exciting, but this is the hall.
This is a beautiful electric fireplace. Just flip the switch and you have a warm and inviting "fire"!
Here is the part of the living room that is on the same wall as my gallery.
And now looking opposite the hallway to the left side of the living room into the dining/kitchen combo.
My creative center! I plan to make it tidier under the table soon. We plan to clean out the garage this weekend, so I'm hopping to find room out there for my fabric boxes. I love this quilt. I started it when we lived in Visalia, I think when Jake was one or two. This saying has come to have deep meaning for me!
My dining room. I just painted and love the color. I have plans to hang my candle chandelier and hang white curtains. In good time!
Opposite the dining is the kitchen. I love the open bar. I have wanted an open bar for a long time. The little cupboard to the left is my dedicated baking cupboard. For those who know me well, this is a very treasured place. I didn't paint the backsplash because I have a creative idea. I'll post pictures when it is done.
And here is a luxury! I have an indoor laundry room! I haven't had one in a while.
This is taken when I was standing at the kitchen bar. I love the view outside. The picture isn't the best of the view. What I love is that I look out and see green and trees!
And last but not least.....is our six month old "Tree Walker Hound" Sofie. She is a sweet little girl in the morning and afternoon, but changes into a terror at night. Maybe she is a Vampire Hound!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
In Reply To A Dear Friend
This in reply to a dear friend's blog:
http://thecorums.blogspot.com
My dear friend, you know who you are, this is for you.
I love your latest blog post, because I see myself in you, my younger self. Your angst was my angst. Your fears and thoughts were my fears and thoughts. I'm proud of your for writing them out and sharing them with the world.
You, my dear, have grown up in a world (and live in it still) of comparison and competition. You know who the key players are and you know who has influenced you. If I could name your social illness I would call it: Social ADD or Look-at-me-iddis! It's like getting the flu, it gets passed around and everyone seems to get it a few times in their life. Let me assure you, strong health people get better and go on with there lives. (smile)
I have good news and bad news. The good news is that there is a cure. The bad news is that the cure is painful, pain that you can endure but painful no doubt. The vehicle of pain and the cure is summed up in a simple word, trials.
You and I have walked through an awful trial at one time. You know how much I suffered and you were there right along side of me to lift me up and help carry me along. It was hard and confusing, but I grew and God used it to refine my character. Since then I have been through numerous trials of various kinds, like James talks about in the Bible. And yes they have tested my faith. But the outcome of many of those trials has been a deeper faith and trust in God and a clearer view of what matters in life.
Decorating is fun. Baking wonderful cookies is a joy. Dressing in style is an amazing feeling. Loosing 10 pounds is a great success. All good things of planet earth. But the problem with all of these wonderful things of earth is that they quickly fade, you can't keep hold of them because they are illusive. So to keep the feeling, or the admiration of others you have to keep preforming. Think Britney Spears, she had to keep doing more sensational stuff to keep the media's attention on her. Once she stopped she has to just live a normal life dealing with the problems of her life, her kids and just normal stuff like laundry. We all live that desire to have attention on a smaller scale. Instead of grabbing for the media's attention we seek approval of people from church, family and friends and people at work. When the new hair style gets old, when the delish cookie is eaten and forgotten and when the new designer color on the wall fades into the background we are back to square one of needing to do something great to get attention and approval. It is all fleeting and you have to chase it to keep up with it. It is so tiring to do.
There is a better way, and you don't do it overnight. Simply put, walking with Jesus is the cure.
If I were to prescribe your first dose of medicine I would have you go to Scripture House and have you buy a copy of "If Only I Had A Green Nose" by Max Lucado. It is a book for kids, but I think it just might be targeted to the parents that read it to their kids.
The second dose of medicine for Social ADD would be to read through all four gospels.
Then pick a few people who love and support you when you are ugly, stinky and have no Pottery Barn within site of your house! This would include your wonderful hubby and your best friend who I think is Michelle. They get you. They love you. They love you for you on the inside and not how well you bake, photograph, or decorate.
Lastly, bake, decorate, photography, write for you! Do what you enjoy and share it with the people who love you for more than what you can bring to the table. Don't worry about the open house, it's a strange local tradition. Not everyone in the world is so HGTV about their own homes. I have met some of these people and I really like them!
Being in your 20's is like unto a caterpillar coming out of it's cocoon. There is stretching, striving and busting open. It is a process that takes time and can look ugly. God is patient with every butterfly that is going through the process, he created it. You are that beautiful butterfly, my dear. You have so much to give to this world and are crazy talented! I see such beauty in you.
Here is a secret in life that few can grasp: It is better to give than to receive. It is a beautiful thing to give a compliment, to pray with a hurting soul, to bring a meal to someone (you know how I feel about that). When you give, you are able to take your eyes off of yourself and your worldly status and join in the joy of life how God intends it to be.
You are on the right path. It is painful stepping away from the norm. The other side is freedom and beauty.
Warning: the struggle last for a life time, but the more you practice the cure the less you are inflected with the illness.
Love to my wonderful friend Jen who was there when I needed her.
http://thecorums.blogspot.com
My dear friend, you know who you are, this is for you.
I love your latest blog post, because I see myself in you, my younger self. Your angst was my angst. Your fears and thoughts were my fears and thoughts. I'm proud of your for writing them out and sharing them with the world.
You, my dear, have grown up in a world (and live in it still) of comparison and competition. You know who the key players are and you know who has influenced you. If I could name your social illness I would call it: Social ADD or Look-at-me-iddis! It's like getting the flu, it gets passed around and everyone seems to get it a few times in their life. Let me assure you, strong health people get better and go on with there lives. (smile)
I have good news and bad news. The good news is that there is a cure. The bad news is that the cure is painful, pain that you can endure but painful no doubt. The vehicle of pain and the cure is summed up in a simple word, trials.
You and I have walked through an awful trial at one time. You know how much I suffered and you were there right along side of me to lift me up and help carry me along. It was hard and confusing, but I grew and God used it to refine my character. Since then I have been through numerous trials of various kinds, like James talks about in the Bible. And yes they have tested my faith. But the outcome of many of those trials has been a deeper faith and trust in God and a clearer view of what matters in life.
Decorating is fun. Baking wonderful cookies is a joy. Dressing in style is an amazing feeling. Loosing 10 pounds is a great success. All good things of planet earth. But the problem with all of these wonderful things of earth is that they quickly fade, you can't keep hold of them because they are illusive. So to keep the feeling, or the admiration of others you have to keep preforming. Think Britney Spears, she had to keep doing more sensational stuff to keep the media's attention on her. Once she stopped she has to just live a normal life dealing with the problems of her life, her kids and just normal stuff like laundry. We all live that desire to have attention on a smaller scale. Instead of grabbing for the media's attention we seek approval of people from church, family and friends and people at work. When the new hair style gets old, when the delish cookie is eaten and forgotten and when the new designer color on the wall fades into the background we are back to square one of needing to do something great to get attention and approval. It is all fleeting and you have to chase it to keep up with it. It is so tiring to do.
There is a better way, and you don't do it overnight. Simply put, walking with Jesus is the cure.
If I were to prescribe your first dose of medicine I would have you go to Scripture House and have you buy a copy of "If Only I Had A Green Nose" by Max Lucado. It is a book for kids, but I think it just might be targeted to the parents that read it to their kids.
The second dose of medicine for Social ADD would be to read through all four gospels.
Then pick a few people who love and support you when you are ugly, stinky and have no Pottery Barn within site of your house! This would include your wonderful hubby and your best friend who I think is Michelle. They get you. They love you. They love you for you on the inside and not how well you bake, photograph, or decorate.
Lastly, bake, decorate, photography, write for you! Do what you enjoy and share it with the people who love you for more than what you can bring to the table. Don't worry about the open house, it's a strange local tradition. Not everyone in the world is so HGTV about their own homes. I have met some of these people and I really like them!
Being in your 20's is like unto a caterpillar coming out of it's cocoon. There is stretching, striving and busting open. It is a process that takes time and can look ugly. God is patient with every butterfly that is going through the process, he created it. You are that beautiful butterfly, my dear. You have so much to give to this world and are crazy talented! I see such beauty in you.
Here is a secret in life that few can grasp: It is better to give than to receive. It is a beautiful thing to give a compliment, to pray with a hurting soul, to bring a meal to someone (you know how I feel about that). When you give, you are able to take your eyes off of yourself and your worldly status and join in the joy of life how God intends it to be.
You are on the right path. It is painful stepping away from the norm. The other side is freedom and beauty.
Warning: the struggle last for a life time, but the more you practice the cure the less you are inflected with the illness.
Love to my wonderful friend Jen who was there when I needed her.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Plaph!
A person who has much internal conversations and thoughts has a difficult time keeping it inside because there is just not enough room. Many people can not understand why some people need an outlet for expression. With out expression some of us would shrivel up and die. Listen to what type of music people make and you will know what is going on inside. Jesus tells us that from the over flow of the heart the mouth speaks.
How can a person keep silent when there is so much on the inside dying to get out? What do you say when you are told to not say anything at all? Do you just stop speaking and expressing? Do you crawl into the whole that you want to go and hide in?
Life doesn't always give you roses. Life is good at giving you lemons, sour and bitter. Yeah, making lemon aid is such a good idea.....but what if you have run out of sugar?
How can a person keep silent when there is so much on the inside dying to get out? What do you say when you are told to not say anything at all? Do you just stop speaking and expressing? Do you crawl into the whole that you want to go and hide in?
Life doesn't always give you roses. Life is good at giving you lemons, sour and bitter. Yeah, making lemon aid is such a good idea.....but what if you have run out of sugar?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)