Thursday, October 30, 2008

I have been tagged--way fun random things about me




So Michelle, tagged me and wow I feel so honored. How fun, and even though I just did the 31 thing--these are fun random things about me that many wouldn't know-especially those living here in NY...in our ELIM days.


So here goes...you are all atither with excitement aren't you? Aren't you?




1. As a child I wanted to dance ballet for all my life. I had posters etc. all over my room of dancers, Mikhail Barishnykov, especially. Finally in 8th grade I had worn my dad down enough, that he started taking me to lessons once a week. Before the end of that year I was in pointe and dancing as many hours in a day as I could. I loved it. Not only did I love the dance classes--but the time I got to spend with Daddy in the truck on the way to class. It was very special that he would work all day, then come home and take me to class. In 10th grade I broke one of my toes while on pointe-and my dance instructor said to me in a very British accent-"If you want to be a danseur you will dance on it anyway!" So I did and now 20 something years later I have arthritis in that toe. Ah, war wounds from the teenage battlefield!




2. My favorite all time weird food is Nutella on wheat or whole grain toast.




3. The best job I ever had was working at Vinnies in Troy, PA. Joe Mignano was the best boss ever. A little tough, but kept the atmosphere light with joking around. It was never a chore or really even work to go in and do a good job. It was very rewarding and a pleasure to do my best for him. Besides a great employer--he is now a good friend. Visit Vinnies if you ever go to Troy, PA. Say I sent ya, and see if he doesn't tell you a funny story or two.




4. Back in the 90's I was highly influence by Martha Stewart. I loved her style and how it seemed like she could do it all. (Little did I know about all the minions in the back scenes.) I too wanted to learn to "do it all". I knew how to do faux finishing, sewing, cake decorating, etc. I also loved teaching what I knew. God worked on my heart about how to take those two desires and pass on to others that being a creative homemaker could be a pleasant job. Sometimes I had felt like it was all about the doing of the daily stuff, and not enough about making my home a welcoming place to live and come to. I wanted this to be different in my own life and knew others did as well.


So, I began a ministry called Martha's Stewards. Learning different skills to make your home a ministry-while learning God's heart of stewardship in the home. Using what you have or know or can learn, to beautify and bless your family and friends. It was alot of fun, different ladies taught the skills they knew-like quilting, cake decorating, sewing, home decorating, etc. The group consisted of ladies in the church as well as in the community. It was a very satisfying ministry to be a part of.




5. I am thoroughly addicted to Mocha Mint Coffee-and I will take that with an extra shot of espresso please. I do not need a support group, but if you ever want to go get one-I am with ya!




6. I am super afraid of spiders...especially ones in Australia.




7. My husband's favorite hairstyle on me was the hot roller doo...oy, I am so not going there again--I don't think. Gen said that they are back in. Here is a little glimpse of his fav pic of me, and the hair.





I would like to tag 3 people but I am not sure how to put there http's in so I will just put there names as they are in my list
Sally at Walking in the Sonshine
Katie at Learning and Growing
Deanna at On Eagle's Wings
hope the links work and hope they do it, I would love to get to know more about these gals. If you want to do it too, consider yourself tagged and leave a comment to let me know you did. Love ya guys

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

31 Things you might be curious to know--or not...

1. Where is your cell phone? on the table
2. Where is your significant other? up at the school-finishing a job
3. Your hair color? different shades of blonde
4. Your mother? Nancy
5. Your father? Roy
6. Your favorite thing?
7. Your dream last night? can't remember
8. Your dream/goal? to be wholly usable by God
9. The room you're in? Studio
10. Your hobby? painting, knitting, cross stitching, and cooking
11. Your fear? a healthy fear of the Lord
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Wherever God wants us, hopefully painting there
13. Where were you last night? home watching NCIS and painting
14. What you’re not? lost
15. One of your wish list items? clothing that fits my shrinking body
16. Where you grew up? Pennsylvania
17. The last thing you did? eat leftover stew
18. What are you wearing? OY-I dressed cuz no one would see me--blue plaid flannel jummy pants and a pink t-shirt
19. Your TV? 19" Orion--the perfect size for our tv cabinet so it hides
20. Your pet? Tepi our grey tiger kitty
21. Your computer? PC
22. Your mood? joy filled
23. Missing someone? Sen-don't even get me started...
24. Your car? Very old-- no payments Dodge Grand Caravan--YAY for no payments
25. Something you’re not wearing? socks-i wish I were
26. Favorite store? AC Moore
27. Your summer? Too short, spent some of it in Australia
28. Love someone? My hubby, and my bubby
29. Your favorite color? to wear-deep red, to decorate-browns
30. When is the last time you laughed? this morning doing aerobics-I am so not coordinated right now
31. Last time you cried? Sister Sylvia's class-God moved me

Anyone that feels like joining in....post a comment here with the link to your post....=)

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Letchworth- a little State Park-but a huge slice of Heaven



Have you ever spent the perfect day out--and just kept saying to yourself-I am having so much fun? It was incredible-the weather, the place, the crafts, and especially the company. God gifted us today, with such beauty. I truly couldn't have asked for any better day.



We spent the day with our friends, John and Cindy at Letchworth State Park, in NY.




We had all been to the park before lots of times, but we were specifically there for the Arts and Crafts Show at the North end of the park. There were over 300 crafters...it was in a word amazing! So many people there that were gifted by God (whether they know it or not), and so many were there appreciating their giftings.
One woman, Margaret Truxes Hixson, had the most incredibly beautiful paintings. I left her stall after expressing to her how beautiful I felt her paintings were. I could not hold back the tears any longer. I felt kind of silly, but the beauty that God has expressed through her hands...wow. She is located in Hamburg, NY. Look up her webpage-http://www.redhouseartstudio.com/ you will not be disappointed.

The colors of the trees were pretty wild too. It was so much fun to see the reds with Cindy, each one caught her eye, like a kid in a candy store. It seemed like God had turned them red just for her to be enthralled.


We stayed at the craft show for hours, which I think was very gracious of the guys to take such interest in what us girls were lovin'. You know your hubby loves you when he goes willingly to a craft show, to just spend time with you. I love my guy so much!


We then took a very slow (leisurely--due to all the traffic) ride down to the south end of the park where thewater falls are. As we parked we saw that they were going to be launching 2 hot air balloons. How sweet of the Father to put us there at that time. We quickly got out and went over to the site. Cindy got us right up close...unbelievable! The heat of the ignitors was intense and the sound was so scary. But more so it was exhilirating. I would love to do that for real someday, today we just dreamed. It was wonderful to watch them go.











We then walked up to the the Upper Falls-of which I ran (literally RAN) part of it to show Shawn I could--he was mocking me... really just reminding me that the last time we were there I had hardly been able to walk up to the Upper Falls. I think he was genuinly impressed that I ran a little ways. I am too!


We went down to the Middle Falls then, and we were surprised by one of my very favorite people in the whole world. He came with a couple of his friends. I was so happy to see him. I wonder if he will ever know how much he means to us. I just love him to pieces!!



John showed me how to take landscape pictures on my camera, so hopefully the pictures will look better. Thanks John.


And John--Thank you for this-I think it is just absolutely amazing. You are truly a gifted photographer.





Aperfect ending to a most perfect day!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

We went to Pennsylvania and what did we see?


A much skinnier version of Vic, tee hee!


We went to the Apple and Cheese festival and visited with so many friends. We had a great time. Thank you to all who opened there homes to us to visit and put aside their schedules for us. You all are amazing friends. We love you.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

6 Month Renewed Life

Well, today marks 6 months that I have been out of the hospital after the gastric bypass surgery. The actual surgery date was March 31, 2008, but I took my first picture on April 2, 2008. So today we took a picture-- in the shirt I started with. Wow. I have lost 92lbs. total, since July 2007-when I started this process.


I don't honestly know how I slogged around with that extra weight--God's strength...that's the only way. It has given me such compassion for other people who, like myself, were trapped in that body. I remember the judgement and condemnation that was thrown my way with looks of reproof or disgust. I feel sad that people do things like that. Did it make losing weight any easier? No, sadly it just made me wish all the more that those people could see the person inside. She was fearfully and wonderfully made-by a Creator who has a plan- a very good plan. Not to be too bold--no, I am going to be bold...My Lord made me for the same plan He is working out in me now-I just might get to do it for longer and with a bit more spring in my step. Does it mean I am more in His will than I was when I was heavier-not at all! I loved the Lord then with all my heart, just like I do now.


Some of the weight was medical reasons, some emotional, some my poor choices...whatever the cause--Please Lord God, never let me go there again. Help me to seek you for all I need.


I hope you enjoy seeing the renewing of my body--and sometimes check in on the renewing of my mind. May God bless you, everyone!

July 2007

May 2008

June 2008

August 2008

October 2008