Christmas part deux

Meant to show this picture of the Tree, snow babies and special globe--but couldn't figure ut how to load it. Ugh, still need lessons in blogland. Anyway love ya and blessings!!

Merry Christmas one and all

I finally have my house decorated for Christmas. Normally, I would have it done by the first week of December because it always has to be down by Sen's birthday...it is not coming down this year before his birthday-since I "JUST" got it up. He is 20 now so I think maybe he knows his and Christ's birthday aren't the same?

Anyway, I wanted to show everyone how we decorate. Since we have been here at Elim, in our itty bitty but very cozy apartment, we have had a little tree. Ok, 'little' is giving it more tallness than it really is. Our tree is no more than 2 feet tall if that. But it is very cute, in its primitive way. Last year I decided to snaz her up a bit and took away her primitive look. This year she is still dressed in her silver, gold, and metallic blue and green. I like her this way.

I decided this year to place my snow babies under the tree along with an angel musical globe which was a special gift from Gramma Neitz. Shawn and I think of Gram when ever we look at this globe. She is so dear to our hearts. We are praying we have her around for many years yet. She is the only grandparent left for either of us, and we love her to pieces.

I think my favorite of my decorations is the nativity that a special friend, Lori Ayres, painted for me. She lives in the Canton area and blessed me one year with this nativity. We bartered a bit for it, and now I have this to remind me of her and our friendship. It is so beautifully painted. Every year when I bring it out, I feel my mouth turning up in a smile. It is not hard to imagine Jesus as this happy little babe.

Lastly, I want to show you how a friend blessed my socks off when we first moved here. She and her daughter and neice came to help me decorate back in 2005 the week following our move. I had always wanted to decorate above my cupboards but never had the gumption or ideas on how to do it. Well, she knew just how to, and went about it. 3 years later it is pretty much the same, (although this week I got up there and cleaned and put it all back again). At Christmas we add the Christmas decorations, then take them down later, leaving the lights and everything else there as decoration. I have had many compliments over the years on how nicely my house is decorated. It is mainly due to Robin and the girlies...they are awesome.

One last thing keeping our household busy--We are in the Christmas Eve production at Elim Gospel Church. If you are going to be in the area or would like something to do--it is at 6pm and 8pm with a beautiful play and candlelighting service. Sleigh/wagon rides, a live nativity, and hot cocoa for all. It would be wonderful to see you here.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas from our home to yours. May Christ be the true reason for the season in your heart.

The Everything Goes Blog

Ok, so it has been so long since I have blogged, I have to make this a catch up blog and hopefully it will be entertaining as well, not just a boring list of all that I have done since I blogged last.

So last when I was talking with you I shared that I had gone on a hike (first in for as long as I can remember), trekking to find my beloved's surprise for me. What I found was a beautiful carving of my name, so as a surprise for him I carved a heart and his initials underneath.

Sorry that I never finished the story. Chalk it up to blond? or age, whichever makes me look better...

I have been quite busy keeping up with the cafe at church. Scheduling and making sure things are running smoothly from week to week is fun. Mostly the cafe ministry runs itself, because the host teams are so fabulous. They all know just what to do. There has also been some additions to our team, a new host team and a new assistant. That has been fun training and it is such a blessing to have these people on the ministry team. I thoroughly enjoy heading this ministry and getting to interact with so many people in the church. God has really been stretching me in incredible ways through this.

Shawn and I have been taking a Financial Peace University class this fall. It has been an eye opener for us. We try to live very frugally, but we realised that if we are ever going to have an emergency fund or any savings, things have to be different. We are praying that God would show us what we need to do. We both feel I am to still be concentrating on painting. My job is to not keep letting other "little" things distract me. FOCUS is the key word, but it is very hard for me to 'let' myself paint-because for so many years I viewed it from others eyes--as a hobby. But that was never how I felt in my heart about it. I have always wanted to do it full time. I have felt released by God and Shawn to do it full time, now maybe if I could release myself to do it. I have a wonderful pastor friend named Jerry who is putting a web site together for me to sell and promote my artwork. It seems a shame that he do all that work and I have nothing to sell right now.

Thanksgiving holiday was wonderful. We spent most ofthe time with Shawn's family, but squeezed in some other friends and my family at the tail. A highlight of the trip was getting to see Don and Laurie Frey; friends from way back. They are a wonderful couple, with an awesome testimony. Don was a childhood friend of Shawn's. We met Laurie when they began dating and realised right from the beginning she was going to be a tremendous match for him. Laurie recently went through a battle with breast cancer and wrote a book about her journey, it is called Unbeatable [the whole story]. A very good read, Laurie comes through the book as witty, bright, and a fighter. She shares how the Lord moved her heart to focus solely on Him and the fight for her life. Laurie also has co-created a musical from the book, which has been in a few cities. Quite the amazing woman and awesome witness of God in her life. You can purchase the book through Amazon and Barnes and Noble bookstores. It is very inspiring and worth the read. I am so glad we got to talk with them, it gave me a new love for this couple and their son Andrew.

We also went visiting with our friends the Weibley's who are UM pastor's in the Jersey Shore area. That was fun to catch up. Cathy and I got a chance to share our journey's of letting go of our precious boys and how we are praying for them, as they are away at college and making choices of their own. It is really difficult to just let them choose--ugh! At 40 I see some things so differently than I did at 20... God is there with him though, and he has been taught and encouraged to walk with his Lord. Our prayer is that he will keep his eyes on the prize-which isn't heaven, but a relationship right now with the God he loves.

Super Duper highlight of the time was TRENTON, also known as Squirt. He is so darn cute, I could not keep my hands from hugging him and squishing his cheekers. He spent the night with Shawn and I for Wed and Thurs. and we got to play Twister, and Trouble and cars and all sorts of stuff. He colors so well...a budding artist? No way, he can't sit still for 10 minutes straight--which neither can I really, so well, maybe! Anyway, we went to the playground to walk off some of the good food we ate, and I played on the playground equipment and in and around and with Squirt. It was so much fun! We went down the slide and I actually went fast til Shawn tried to take the picture--I had to hold myself there. In the past I could have easily been wedged in there-tee hee. We had a blast.

I had a checkup with my Endocrinologist who takes care of the pituitary tumor I have, and also the diabetes stuff, and thyroid. Well, all the reports were phenomenal but one and it was my fault. First the bad--7 weeks ago I stopped taking my tumor med by accident for a week and thought-well I am going to see him next week, so I won't bother and we'll just see where my levels are. Well, they were bad-124 from 26. Basically what that means is the tumor started to grow again, and I have to take my meds again for it to stop. Bad thing is that they make me really sick when I start them-and I don't have time to hurl with all that I am trying to do. Grace, Grace God's grace... Good news--at this point my thyroid is working without meds, so he is going to let me go a month and test again to see where I am at for a whole month without medication.YAY! Also...drum roll please...it is officially official (do to the proper A1C test being done) I absolutely positively no longer have Type 2 diabetes. Can we hear a collective Wahoo!! I know I share before that I no longer had it, but he kept testing me to see if the numbers were right, and this particular test, tests over the course of 3 months so it is very accurate. Happy Dance!! Also, my blood pressure was again very much in a normal range. So that is 6 appointments in normal ranges, hopefully soon I can get off that one last pill.

Okay, so that is much of my life but here are a couple of fun things I have been doing too. The sign for Mt. Zion took me 99.5 hours to do. It is double sided with reflective beads on the letters. I enjoyed doing this, but it was alot of work. Please, before you get any sweet ideas of asking me to do this for you---I will charge you lots of money to do it. So you probably don't want to ask. Sorry, it just isn't in the range of "I loved doing" it. But the other picture, is for a sweet couple and their baby boy, that used to live under us, but moved to the other side of the building. This kind of thing--"I loved" doing it.

I am looking forward to the holidays. Cooking and baking for ourselves and friends is one of my favorite things to do. Keep an eye out on my blog for recipes--I have taken pics I just need to put the recipes up too. That part takes time.

Blessings to all who read my blog, please leave a comment so I know you have been here.

Stonybrookand two goals met

Back in June I had gone to Australia to see my sister, and Shawn climbed a hill in Stonybrook Park, NY. He said sometime when I felt up to it, he would like to see me climb it. Well, I set a goal to go there before the fall trees were done. The weekend came for us to do the climb and unfortunately Shawn got sick. I decided I was going to do it anyway, and called a couple of friends. I am so glad I did, we had such fun!

The hill was quite steep and the views were beautiful. Shawn drew me a map of where I needed to go, he had left a surprise for me at the top of the hill. The treasure hunt was on. Ellie, Sally and I laughed all the way up the hill, that is inbetween pants and puffs. We took some great pictures.

We made it all the way up to the top...It was awesome.

Second Goal

So that was one goal--my other goal? Two weekends ago-I hit my 100 pound goal. I have lost 100 pounds!!! Wahoo, Yippee, Holy Cow! I feel so good, and have been working really hard. I have more to go, but I know that God will help me lose the rest. Thank you to my friends and family for encouraging me, and for especially Monica and Cindy my workout buddies--who keep egging me on and who are amazing friends. May God bless you both, for all the blessings you give me each day we are together.

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

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....=)

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!