The Weekend went by so fast...

It seems like Lindsay just came home and she is on her way back to College...hard to see the girls growning up and changing but neat to see how they are all changing! They survived all the years of struggles and have turned out to be neat people and so glad for how well they have done! We had a nice day with my parents..Kerry didn't do to well but that is about how much he handles stress any more and the pain is getting worse...the Neurosurgeon called back and Kerry needs another MRI this week as they feel he probably needs another fusion on his lower spine and then his interthecal pump is getting replaced next Tuesday and he is just about crying in pain daily lately...so it just seems to get harder to deal with daily! Pray for all of us as it is not easy on any of us! You just want to cry for him as nothing helps anymore....hugs and tears, cheryl

Lindsay made it home from College last night!!!!

Payton was so happy to see Lindsay...I picked her up about 10 p.m. as she drove home with a bunch of girls from College..She is going to Central Bible College in Springfield, MO....I am so happy for her as she did not go to High School from all kinds of medical problems and to see her now so happy and having the time of her Life is wonderful for me as her mom to see! We have struggled for most of Lindsay's life with her father's illness and she took over the roll of being Mom here as I was always gone to the hospital with Kerry so she didn't have the fun that most teenager's have...so this is just wonderful to see! Payton just wouldn't quit jumping and licking her! It was like a child so happy to see her mother! hugs and prayers, cheryl

Check out my other blog!

http://goinggreenboutique.blogspot.com/

I will be filling this one with craft ideas and youtube videos I find...along with different ideas I come up with to share..hugs, cheryl

Invisible Blessings!

Your Weekly Challenge from Brook Noel - Make Today Matter,

Invisible Blessings

You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.John Wooden


My mother recently came up with a very neat idea. With the holidays approaching, she decided to compile our favorite holiday recipes and our favorite holiday stories into a simple volume to share together. We each began searching our memory for Christmas stories of past and present to contribute to this thoughtful project. This story, although ours, can be yours as well. It carries the message of one of life's greatest fulfillments -- the invisible blessing. To give is a wonderful thing; to give completely anonymously is even more wonderful. When we don't need a "thank you" or a "pat on the back," then our giving becomes completely about the recipient versus an affirmation of ourselves. That type of giving or "invisible blessing" is the most powerful of all. This simple story shares a memory of a woman who had truly mastered the "invisible blessing." The Woman and The Postman Once again the tiny, rural Post Office in our Northwood's Wisconsin Town had been properly notified. The "Postmaster," simply known as John, had received his yearly letter (addressed to "John"--first name only--"Post Office"--no street and number, no zip code, only the word "Town" ) asking him to select 5 little girls "from Santa's List" who would love to receive a Christmas Doll. Now, John knew everything and everybody--If you wanted to find out something, or get the local 'scuttle-but' you went to John--so he set about checking his postal routes, making his recommendations, and had the season's list secretly delivered to the woman. From about November 1st on--the woman's dining room table became covered with snippets of lace and ribbons, buttons and bows, velvets and satins--along with the 5 Madame Alexander Dolls that had been ordered for that year through the mail. Her needles and thread in hand, and an old Singer sewing machine by her side, the woman began to weave her yearly Christmas magic. Party clothes, sports wear, ball gowns, warm winter coats--she fashioned them all--until each doll had a wardrobe beyond any girls dreams. A week before Christmas, she would have the dolls delivered to the stoop of the Post Office, beautifully wrapped and tagged for each child with a note from Santa. John would notify the families that a special package had arrived and needed to be picked up, before he closed on Christmas Eve. The week after Christmas, John would usually receive a thank you note, or two, or three, that needed to be delivered in return. Sworn to secrecy he would pass on the child-scribbled notes to "whom it may concern." Then one Fall a funeral came to pass, November came and went and the list hadn't been asked for, the Christmas dolls didn't arrive, and the magic faded. Not long after that John put in for retirement. The Post Office became renovated with zip codes + 4, an automated sorter, updated routing and regulations, and rules too numerous to count or accept; a new Post Man was "brought up from the city"--all in the name of "progress." Still bound by his oath of secrecy John's knowledge about the woman and the dolls retired with him. EpilogueEvery year, when we'd go to my Aunt's for Thanksgiving dinner, I'd always notice that her table had just been cleared of a sewing project ... She would set a fine table and our family would eat and feast until we could barely eat any more. And then, over her delicious pumpkin pie, my talk would turn to speculation about the mystery dolls that would surely arrive (just like mine had) at the Post Office--just in time for Christmas. My Aunt Joan would just give me a wink and her yearly reply, "Surely, my dear, you'll have another piece of pie..." Your Weekly Challenge:While in the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often think life is about gain, or accomplishment, or maintaining status quo. It isn't. Life is about relationships, about love, about kindness, about caring. Those are the moments we all long for more of. As we move into this holiday season, remember how much we all make a difference, and find a way to "invisibly bless" someone.

Angel out of Wallpaper!

Here is what I used to make her out of..an old wallpaper book, sheet music, lace, trim, buttons, and modpodge!


Here is an image I took off of flickr and cut her out and put her on the top of the cone..hugs, cheryl

Thanksgiving ~

Thanksgiving ~ Free to Use, originally uploaded by Suzee Que.

Happy Turkey Day...hugs, cheryl

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest,
and causest to approach unto thee,
that he may dwell in thy courts.
(Psalm 65:4a)

A day !!! Mom only a Day...

I received this today and had to post is as my daughter told me yesterday, "It's only a day, Mom!" But it was a day that changed our lives and I guess not many understand unless you go through medical negligience what a day does that you only dream if I could only change that one day but we can't and no one can fix your husband either! So it was an important day in my life! hugs and prayers, cheryl

November 21, 2008.... from Brook Noel

www.maketodaymatter.net

Good Morning "There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day."--Alexander Woolcott I love this quote by Woolcott, because it is a reminder to me that every day is very important--no matter what the day holds. Often, we believe that only the days holding significant events are important. We forget that even the simplest and unstructured days are important, too. Each day etches a slice into our history. And besides, we never know what can happen in a day! Even a quiet, unscheduled day, can bring a revelation.

Found this saying and fits for today!

"Do not ask God to guide your footsteps

if you are not willing to move your feet."

-Unknown

10 years...where did 10 years go!

I had no idea what today was...our lives were so simple 10 years ago..three little girls, a successful business, my husband loved his job as a sales man..we always joked he could sell anything if he could sell toilet paper...a Beautiful home that we owned and our lives were going so well..then November 20, 1998 came and life changed! I know today is just a day but every year I think it will get easier but when I had to put the date down on the papers to sign it hit me ...I stopped and looked up at her and she could tell something was wrong...tears came to my eyes and I tried to write the date! I shared in tears today is 10 years..10 years ago today it all started...Kerry went into the hospital for back surgery and never did I have the same husband that I married but I have not left I have stayed in every kind of situation that has been thrown at us! Through a nightmare of medical errors, mental problems, financial, legal, family, raising three beautiful daughters, we have done all those vows that we took 25 years ago...For Richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, for better or worse...we have done all of them and we are still together! So many times I think I cannot do it one more day! I only think what our lives would have been if so many mistakes had not happened those few days so many years ago but I have to let it go..just let it go! I have to accept this is who I have to live the rest of my life with and just learn to pray for strength for the day! It has not ever been a break from medical but Kerry is still here and still fighting so I have to keep fighting with him...hugs, cheryl

Tussie Mussie

Don't tell God how big your storm his,
tell the storm how big your God is.

Comfort Dolls...if you could help make one and touch another womens life!

I found this site one day while searching for paper dolls for a group I was in and it came up to start making these and sending them to Pat to send to shelters and we are starting this...if you would like to help please leave a message or email me...it is such a neat ministry she has...please check out her blog

http://www.comfortdolls.blogspot.com/

Life and more doctors...

Today I had another appointment with the Movement Disorder Clinic...didn't even know this part of life exited...my tremors are worse and no one can tell me why? They want me to do a study for three months and I have been thinking about it since I came home..it is going to downtown Chicago once a week so it is a commitment...it is all paid for but the traveling will take a toll on me...I have to deal with all that has happened to me in the last 10 years of my life..I have to face all the things in my life that I have had to give up, my family that does not talk to me because of what my parents have done for my family to keep us in our home or have done to keep my girls going or Kerry, the husband that I do not have that use to do so much for me, my business that I gave up to take care of Kerry, the trial that we lost that all I can do is pray for the nurses and doctors that they have to live with what they said in the trial, as we have to live with what happened to Kerry and the toll it has taken on my entire life and family, our financial and medical problems that just seem to never end, all the doctors, my girls and trying to raise them the best I can, trying to keep Kerry being positive when he just wants to quit, my parents as they age, and the toll all of this has now taken on my health has hit my body so bad that they feel the tremors are from all these years of stress and more stress....then tonight when I was just laying here thinking about these years my mom emailed me this post I just put on...I haven't called my parents as they just keep telling me over and over they do not know how much longer they can keep us in our home...it has been a lot this year for me to deal with and I think I am handling it but I guess I just keep it all inside which is not good...pray I make the right choices here! I know God is in control and he has taken care of us for 10 years...we have never gone hungry and he has provided a roof over our head for all these years so I need to just put it in his hands and leave it there...hugs and prayers, cheryl

To: You From : God

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling All of
your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.


P.S. And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you
that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put
it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME.
All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.


Once the matter is placed into the box, do not
hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful
things that are present in your life now.


If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't
despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of
privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work; think of
the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone
bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be
loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another
weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day,
seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles
away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity
to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the
mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to
examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and
pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful.
There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other
people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things
could be worse. You could be one of them!

Should you decide to send this to a friend;
Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!
Now, you have a nice day...God

God has seen you struggling,
God says it's over.
A blessing is coming your way.

From My Mom...It's Winter Before you Know it!

And it's winter before we know it...



You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all, and I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... but, here it is, the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? Where did my youth go?

I remember well - seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like... now, here it is. My friends are retired and really getting gray - they move slower and I see an older person now. Lots are in better shape than me - but, I see the great change. They are not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant... but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore, it's mandatory, because if I don't on my own free will, I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!

But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when my physical life is over, it¢s over and a spiritual one shall begin. Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done; things I should have done; but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.

If you're not in your winter yet, let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long! Life goes by quickly. Do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life, so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember; trust that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!

"Life is a gift to you.. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one."

LIVE IT WELL - - ENJOY TODAY - - DO SOMETHING FUN - - BE HAPPY - - BE THANKFUL!

Check out the Vintage Scrapper!

http://www.nancydooren.blogspot.com/

here is a freebie from her site..

Thrifty Decor Chick: Mission: Declutter and Organize

I just found her site and she has so much neat things..then she is starting this on January 2..go check her site out..hugs, cheryl

Thrifty Decor Chick: Mission: Declutter and Organize

My craft room...

I worked on cleaning up my area yesterday...this is how it was when my friend helped me a few months ago...hugs, cheryl My get away!

I am waiting to see who has won this contest! I entered the Christmas Tree out of Recyled Jewelry!

Today has a reason!

There is a reason why you are here to live through this one-of-a-kind day. Do you know what that reason could be?
Yes, in some way, somehow, somewhere you know. And the more you can connect with that reason, the more beautiful, fulfilling and meaningful this day will be.

Perhaps you have arrived at this point in order to learn something new and valuable. Perhaps you are here today to lend a hand or to give a lift to someone who would otherwise have no one else.

Perhaps you have something to create, something that has never existed before. Or perhaps you have something to say, something that others would truly benefit from hearing.

Today has a reason. Of that you can be sure. And today has a special reason just for you. Discover it, live it, and delight in being today who you are meant to be.

-- Ralph Marston

Tussie Mussie!

Here is a new tussie mussie that I just made this week..it is made out of a sheet of scrapbook paper...hugs, cheryl

Pennies.....

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.
Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house
The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.
He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

'Look at it.' He said. 'Read what it says.' She read the words ' United States of America '
'No, not that; read further.'
'One cent?' 'No, keep reading.'
'In God we Trust?' 'Yes!' 'And?'
'And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, 'In God We Trust,' and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient..

Wisdom of God...

The Wisdom of God for the Best


It has been through the everyday issues of life
that God showed me what can't be erased.
For the trials of the journey became priceless treasures
when they taught me to seek out His face.
When the way seemed uncertain and I truly needed
direction on how to proceed,
I found that the silence between heaven's answers
would hold all of the peace I would need.
It was in those times I felt utterly desperate
with no resource but the power of prayer,
That I came to realize that God made me desperate
just to prove He was already there.
It was there in the weakness of my own human nature
that exhaustion left my heart asking, "Why?"
But it was there Jesus taught me to rest in His presence
and to take from His endless supply.
It was times of disappointment and continual roadblocks
that showed me God's will is supreme.
For beyond the disappointments He revealed greater purpose
that was higher than my hopes & dreams.
The hard times and trials have added up to give me
the wisdom of God for the best.
For they changed me and showed me what I didn't know
and I walked away knowing I'm blessed.

©Sheila Gosney

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:2-8

My Brother and I...rare diagnosis...that we both have it!

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an emerging disease worldwide, as documented by recent case series from Switzerland, Australia, Italy, Spain, Japan, England, and the United States.1,2 Eosinophilic esophagitis mimics gastroesophageal reflux disease and may result in narrowing and stricture of the esophagus. I was diagnosed back in the summer and my brother was diagnosed in October with this...I had to go back to the doctor yesterday for a follow up at Loyola and my doctor looked at me when I asked her how often has she had both brother and sister with this..she said she has never had this happen to her at Loyola...she just shook her head and told me, "Cheryl I don't know what is happening with you, but you still always keep going and smiling!" I fought back the tears and shook my head as I told her all the things that have happened to me since I saw her last and she just couldn't believe all I am facing...she told me she is thinking of writing a medical paper on us..I just shook my head! I told her if I hear one more doctor tell me that! We have had that told to us too many times now! I just want it to stop...She is a really neat doctor and very caring! Just can't believe once again how strange that my brother and I would both have this throat disease! hugs, cheryl

Life! I really do keep trying...toilet paper~

Sometimes you just need to cry and cry...it seems like that is what I have been doing lately ...it really stinks but I can't help it.. I think I am just going to wake up and everything will be ok someday and another struggle happens..or another thing put on my plate to figure out how the Brown's are going to make it one more month! Today was my last day for a food pantry that we have been getting food at and now with winter hitting I sure do not have any idea where we are getting it next month from..I so remember the day our church told me to go so many years ago and I just about died that day but I knew I had three little girls at home that needed food and I had no way of providing that ..it seems so long ago..I thought it would only last a year or so and now it has probably been 9 years of going to food pantry's and being humbled ....we got our Thanksgiving meal but Kerry is so hungry for a turkey he wants to make it this weekend...so I guess we have turkey this weekend! He is so excited at putting some of the food away..I haven't told him yet that this is the last month..how do you tell a husband that hasn't worked in 10 years and is disabled that you do not know how we are going to make it..instead I just try to keep it inside but it seems like the stress of 10 years is just doing me in anymore...not sleeping, not wanting to really eat and just plain exhausted! Then so many things that I just wish I could fix and not one that I can...at the place that God has me and I remember so many years ago when I cried out on an October day wondering how we could do Christmas in so many days as the sign had read down at the end of the block...and that day we had also run out of money and toilet paper! Ironically I got two calls and one from Karen Hamilton asking if the school could help us with Christmas from the Needy family fund ...and the other from Hazel Eaton asking if their church could put our names on a tree ...I cried as I told them don't worry about Kerry or I just get the girls something ...well they wouldn't take that for an answer and we were blessed but the neatest thing happened that day and Hazel had no idea that we were out of toilet paper...she just listened to the nudge from God and she went downstairs of her home as I had asked for a crockpot and she had one for me to use until Christmas and brought it over and left it at my doorstep along with 12 rolls of toilet paper...my daughters that day came home and they were all shocked at finding 12 rolls as they knew we had none...I told them that Hazel had no idea about our situation and I had not told her..from that day on we were given toilet paper for four and a half years..always left at our door step not with a note or anything just left by strangers....I guess today I need to be reminded of all those years he took care of the simplest things and reminded me so many times how he cares about even the toilet paper! Tears and all hugs, cheryl

No arms, no legs, no worries...!!! Youtube

Spoon Jewelry with an Angel!

Here is another spoon Jewelry piece we designed for the new season...it is a flattened spoon with an angel, piece of broken china, a pearl, lace and the worlds, "Believe!"

Joann Fabric Coupons and Hobby Lobby Coupons 40 off

Here are two coupons this week..

http://www.hobbylobby.com/weekly/weekly.cfm?page=2

Good until November 8 for 40 off...

this is good until November 15...remember to print out extras and pass them out and make some new friends at the store..hugs, cheryl

http://www.joann-mail.com/J091102SU2/coupons_only.html?r=3151_2081336&i=J091102SU2004&bc1=520832028917441000403

How to make a Christmas Tree out of Recycled Picture Frame and Old Jewelry!

I went to Good Will and found a picture frame and a bag of jewelry...this started the neatest Christmas tree that I donated to Christian Womens Club for the Second year in the row for their Fall Auction ...the proceeds go to Missions! We are in the process of making a youtube video on how to make one! hugs, cheryl