Vintage Postcard ~ Chubby Angel

Vintage Postcard ~ Chubby Angel, originally uploaded by chicks57.

Just the neatest postcards!!! I love em all!

joy

joy, originally uploaded by pam garrison.

For my friend that has brought so much Joy into my life...:-)

CHRISTMAS REMINDERS

CHRISTMAS REMINDERS
-May the Christmas presents remind you of God's Greatest GIFT -- His Only Begotten Son!
- May the Christmas candles remind you of Him Who is the -- LIGHT of the world!
- May the Christmas tree remind you of another tree on which -- He died for YOU!
- May the Christmas cheer remind you of Him Who said, -- "Be of good cheer!"
- May the Christmas feast remind you of Him Who is the -- Bread of Life!
- May the Christmas snow remind you of the cleansing -- POWER of CHRIST!
- May the Christmas bells remind you of the glorious proclamation -- of His Birth!
- May the Christmas carols remind you of His glad tidings which we proclaim -- to ALL mankind!
- May the Christmas season remind you in EVERY way of -- JESUS CHRIST your King!!!

Neat blog..check this out!!!

http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2009/11/diyp-cheesecloth-rosette-pins.html

What are you thankful for???

This month on Facebook many of us have been writing something to say each day what we are thankful for! I have really enjoyed this as I feel we need to do this each day...what a difference it is to wake up and think about what are you thankful for to start your morning off!!! It sure makes even the tough days so much better!!! Thankful for my family, my parents, our home, our health even though somedays we are falling apart, thankful for the doctors that have been so awesome to us! Thankful for Food Pantry's that have helped us for so many years...the list goes on! hugs, cheryl

November???? Where is the time going?

I honestly had so many plans and dreams for this year! It seems it has been a year filled with hospitals, doctors and surgery's! I am still in a mess with my husband and his spine! Not sure what will happen this week. He has a huge mass on the outside of his incission and now looks like it will have to have another drain put in it this week. Please pray for Kerry and all that is happening here! Hopefully I can get creative this week. hugs, cheryl

Pumpkin Prayer.......

Dear God,
As I carve my pumpkin help me say this prayer.
Open my mind so I can learn about you (top of pumpkin).
Take away all my sin and forgive me for wrong things I do. (clean inside)
Open my eyes so Your love I will see (cut heart shaped eyes)
I'm sorry for turning my nose up to all you've given me (cut cross shaped nose).
Open my ears so your word I will hear (cut Bible shaped ears) Open my mouth so I can tell others you're near (cut fish shaped mouth)
Let your l ight shine in all I say and do! (place candle in and light it)
Amen
http://myhomespunthreads.blogspot.com/2008/10/pumpkin-prayer.html

Please pray for my husband!

We have gone through a rough couple of weeks once again but I know God is in control and I honestly have to trust him as the trials in life just keep throwing difficulties at us! My husband had a three level fusion on Oct 8, 2009. It was a rough time following the surgery. My husband has Post Traumatic Stress so everytime he goes into the operating room he goes back to 12 years ago when he went through a horrible surgery and ICU at a local hospital....I always thought it would leave someday but when Kerry goes into surgery all those memories come back so strong...so strange how the brain works and remembers things so intensly...you would honestly not believe how difficult to go through this over and over. The day after surgery we were told that my husbands interthecal cathater had been cut in surgery and had to be reconnected! Well, after getting my husbands staples out last week they discovered that the pump was still leaking and now Kerry is facing another surgery to go in and put a new cathater into his pump and spine! It has been up and down the last few weeks and just so difficult to go through more hospital and doctors.........I pray that this will be the last of this medical nightmare and hopefully this last surgery will give some relief to my husband. Tomorrow we go back for them to decide what is the next step and when they will decide Kerry can go back into the operating room as his incision was not healing well and had to wait for the swelling to go down. I am trusting God with all the decisons as it just gets so overwhelming to what will take place in the next few weeks and that their will be no infection in his spine! hugs and prayers, cheryl

PS It was neat today I went to get LiHeap help with our local County Office and the lady that was taking our application was so sweet and I told her I can either look at the cup half full or half empty! Today it is half full! She looked at me and said, "But sometimes we are still thirsty!" How true in life....Have a great week!

Love this saying!!!

I have always believed that God never gives a cross to bear larger than we can carry. No matter what, he wants us to be happy, not sad. Birds sing after a storm. Why shouldn't we? Rose F. Kennedy

My girls this fall!!!

 

Before and After Pictures of my Dining Room ...all for $8.00

I went to Home Depot last week and was looking at colors for my dining room and picked out a color chip...then asked if they had any oops paint? Ironically they had almost the exact color I wanted for $5.00 for the gallon...went to the Unique Thrift Store and found curtains for half price so got the entire room done for $8.00 total!!!

I lost another pound

I am so happy..I am down 12 pounds now!! This has been the hardest thing I have done ever!!! I went to Bikram Yoga today also..I feel so much better after sweating for 90 minutes..it is amazing...On Monday I start a Challenge at a Women's Workout..for Biggest Loser Contest! You have to go and work out three times a week, go to a nutrition class, have a trainer, and also journal everything you eat..I am suppose to stay around 1400 calories a day!!!! In 16 weeks I cannot wait to see how much I have lost...gonna do it this time!!!! hugs, cheryl

Lindsay turns 24!

This was on my daughters facebook page on the morning of her 24th Birthday..it was so hard being 8 hours away but when I read this from her it made me realize how grown up she is...All the trials from our life has made her into someone special!

My birthday

Today at 8:40am
Today is my 24th Birthday and I can't help but look at where I have come over these years. All the things that I have been through made me who I am today. When I was taking care of my dad when he was sick it made me learn to have compassion and to care for someone. Through my difficult teenage years it made me strong. When I was 19 and moved out into my first apartment I learned to be independent.When I went to South Africa at 19 I learned how much God loves me, how much he wants so much better for me, I learned that week in 2005 that God has called me to a higher purpose.When I was 20 years old and got a job as a office manager at the pediatric office I learned how to be responsible, be a leader and a team player. The day at kid's camp I think in 2007 when I was a counselor God called me to CBC and I learned how to give things up for His Kingdom. When I had family members and my best friend died I learned to know what it is like to lose.The day I moved down to Springfield car all packed and my sister Natalie with me , I was so scared but I learned to trust and let God take care of details! The times in the dorms with my crazy friends I learned how to have fun again, I learned what it was like to have the Joy of the Lord. Yes and even the time with someone earlier this year (we all know who he is) I learned what it was like to be heart broken and how I let myself down and friends, I learned who my true friends are through that experience. The time when I decided to leave CBC and finish my nursing degree, I learned regret and what it feels like to mess up but God again picked me up and told me He loves me and only wants the best for me. The day I decided on this last Friday that there is no more looking back, no more going back to my past, only looking forward, pressing on until I win this race called life!

All that I have been through again made me who I am today. For these experiences are not made for me at all, they are made to be useful in his kingdom and so that I will understand what others go through. I am so thankful for this life God has called me to, I am scared because at times I do not know if I am worthy of what he has for me but I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. : )

I am strong, beautiful, caring, compassionate and most of all I am a child of Christ <3

"If you are going to be used by God, He will take you thru a multitude of experiences that are not meant for you at all; they are meant to make you useful in His hands and to enable you to understand what happens in other souls so you will not be surprised at what you come across." 2 Cor. 1:3-5

Mallory turns 21!

I cannot believe Mallory is 21! Where did those years go..she was the tomboy at the park! Always wearing the baseball hat backwards and the overalls! Time goes by so quickly and your little girls grow up!!!!

Goethe Quote

Goethe Quote, originally uploaded by Artsychick Studios ♥.

Love this saying!

Show courage and make your own trail

Show courage and make your own trail, originally uploaded by ButterFly Project.

'' Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is not path and leave a trail ..."
Emerson

I love this quote!

Psalm 139: 13-16..."You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below, but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do."

I found this on a blog today and had to share this picture..it is too sweet!
http://www.gracefullives.blogspot.com/

be nice to yourself

be nice to yourself, originally uploaded by prettyfnmess.

I am back...just have had so much going on in my life! Will update this week but check out these awesome cards you can print and download to use! hugs, cheryl

Please turn off music on the right hand side to listen to this!

I have lost 11 pounds now!!! Also dropped two sizes!

I am so happy! Today I had two different doctor appointments and both of them noticed my weight loss and also some of the secretary's! I was told by one of my friends there today that I am her inspiration! It has been a long journey and I still need to lose 30 more pounds to get to my goal of where I was back when Kerry first became disabled but I am motivated to keep going! I tried on jeans this week that I have not been able to wear in years! I have been trying to walk twice a day now and it sure has been helping...hugs, cheryl

P.S. Where has this summer gone? The kids are starting school this week and it just seems like they just got out!

Jamba juice coupon..buy 1 get 1 free!!

Print this out and get one free~ Enjoy! hugs, cheryl

Rose

Rose, originally uploaded by Penalty Box Productions.

These are the most amazing pictures...check them out!

One Extremely Long Week! Kerry Surgery...

Kerry has been in pain since November and he has been to so many doctors and no one seems to know what is wrong with him...we saw Dr. Butsch at Rush in Chicago and he was willing to do surgery on Monday, July 13 to go in and see what was wrong with his stomach so we were at Rush bright and early! It seemed everything was going well until Kerry was about to go home and he lifted his gown and his bandage had blood all over it and it was bright red...I had the nurse call the doctor and they came out of the operating room to check and they changed it and made us stay a half an hour longer as they felt maybe he was bleeding internally! If I had only known what was in store for Kerry the following week! He didn't seem to bleed much more so we went home and he was fine for two days and the third day he woke up with a huge bruise across his belly! I had never seen anything like this but had no idea what it was...I called back to the doctors office but they didn't seem concerned and it was now Friday afternoon...told us to come in next week! I had a friend come over and check him and she didn't like how it was looking either and said to keep an eye on it...then on Sunday Kerry was really complaining so I called Chicago again and was told it was probably nothing and to come in on Tuesday...On Monday I still didn't feel comfortable and called his GP in town and had my dad take him over to see her and she immediately called the ambulance as she felt it was all infected..so he was brought to a Joliet Hospital...they ran tests and a Ct scan...it came back a huge blood clot and we were told his body should absorb this and to not move or twist and to lay still for a week...he was running a temp of 102 and it just totally brought back flashes from 11 years ago at Edwards Hospital and all the nightmares of the infections he has fought in his life....we came home last night but the nightmares I had and dreams...I woke up today with the worst headache and still today just laying here thinking of all the things we have been through and how much we have fought through to keep Kerry going ....Praying we do not have another fight on our hands and his body will just absorb this clot and no other problems here with this surgery! We are just worn out mentally, physically and emotionally! Please keep us in your prayers! hugs, cheryl

Broken China Necklace

I am finally back trying to get into making crafts again..I sure have missed not being creative...I had soldered this before my neck fusion and shoulder surgery and I made the necklace while Kerry was in surgery the other day! It feels so good to be able to look down and use my arms again! You have no idea what you take for granted until you lose it! I am so thankful to be able to start to do things once again! God is Good All the Time! hugs, cheryl If interested leave a comment!

The Brightness of Heaven’s Pure Gold

The Brightness of Heaven’s Pure Gold
In the course of your life, may you never lose sight
of God and his magnificent power.
For God is worthy of trust…and able to reveal
His strength unto you every hour.
When you need the wisdom and knowledge to grow
God will send you situations unknown.
But you will learn to cry out for what only He gives
and then later see how much you’ve grown.
There may be seasons you just don’t understand
where the pain seems more than you can bear.
But God will reclaim that brokenness for His ultimate glory
proving the purpose & plan that was there.
You may endure losses…much more than your “share”
or what you ever would have dreamed at the start.
Yet those heartaches are the instrument mysteriously used
to etch the peace of God on your heart.
You may struggle uphill in ways people don’t see
as you seek God through financial strife.
But later on, you will be the one voice in a crowd
to praise God for the basics of life.
You may walk through hard trials and difficult chapters
where others can’t comfort or relate
But you’ll hear the precious voice of Almighty God
and you can handle the stress on your plate.
For there isn’t a time in the course of your life
when God loses the power to hold.
And it’s the shattered, broken vessels of the Lord Jesus Christ
who shine the brightness of heaven’s pure gold.
©Sheila Gosney


It is hard to understand at times what we go through and why sometimes we suffer for so long. This past week my husband had one more surgery and it is so hard to watch him go through the struggles and pain. I wonder at times how much more can Kerry take as he suffers in pain each day. I never understood how difficult it was on both sides of this marriage. I feel as though I lost my partner in life but he is still here. I want my husband back that made me laugh and smile and we had the best times together. Now he lays in a hospital bed downstairs most days and nights in pain. He always has hope even after almost 11 years that someday he will get out of this pain and I know it is not going to happen until he gets to heaven but for now I have to watch him in pain. It is so hard to watch someone that you have loved so much just cry in pain and nothing you do helps! Medications do not even touch the pain and only in sleep is he peaceful....He had another surgery to repair tears in the stomach wall and scar tissue that the doctor feels nerves were trapped and caused the pain and suffering he has had since November. Now we wait to see if he is better in a few weeks...just wish for a day I could take his pain away! hugs, cheryl

Two Days!

"There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.
“One of these days is Yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone.
“The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow, with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise, and poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds; but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is as yet unborn. This leaves only one day: Today.
“Anyone can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities - Yesterday and Tomorrow - that we break down. It is not the experience of Today that drives us mad, it is remorse and bitterness for something which happened Yesterday and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring. Let us, therefore, live this one full Today."
Malcolm Forbes believed the important thing is never to say die until you're dead, and he lived that example to the hilt. But it also is difficult to be depressed and active at the same time. So get active! And make today your best day ever!

Natalie's Broken Toe!!!!

Hard to believe that while redoing my kitchen this could have happened again to Natalie! I had piled everything into the dining room and it was taking longer than usual due to my shoulder surgery to get the kitchen painted and redecorated ...then about two weeks ago Natalie came walking through the dining room and got her toe caught on a cart and pulled her toe off the foot and dislocated and fractured it for the second time! She had to have it repositioned then cut open and a pin put in it to hold the bone and seven stitches put in it! Almost exactly four years to the day she did this as a freshman ...she is now on crutches and is suppose to be going to Florida on Saturday with four other friends....I think she might be taking Kerry's wheelchair to get around! She has three more weeks of not walking on her foot! Not a good way to spend her summer!!! Please pray for quick healing for her toe! hugs, cheryl

The Best Day of My Life

The Best Day of My Life

Author Unknown
Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if i would make it to today; but I did! And because I did, I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger. I will go through this day with my head held high and with a happy heart. I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds.

Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice!

Today, I will share my excitement for life with others. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know. Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for them and how much they mean to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and His Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures. As the day ends, and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

I lost another pound!!!

I am now at 9 pounds I have lost in the past few months...only 21 more pounds to lose till my 30th class reunion! My goal is 30 pounds for 30th class reunion!!! Gonna make it!!! hugs, cheryl
PS Drinking more water is working!!!

We all need this sign!!! Going to start making these!

I have this in my kitchen....

What a week here!!!

Well what a week here again!!! It will change some time soon I pray...it started with Lindsay going to the hospital in Springfield Mo on Sat night...she has a kidney infection with yeast! Then her mouth got canker sores and she is a mess from being at camp all week...then Natalie had a friend die in a car accident that just graduated with her..they were driving and the road was wet and they hydroplaned and hit a tree and the back of the car was gone and she was sitting in the back seat and got thrown out and died..they found her on a fence! The night of the wake Natalie came walking through the dining room and her foot got caught on a stand and she kept walking and she pulled it and it became dislocated and broken...she did it to the same toe 4 years ago next week! We had to go back to the same foot surgeon and he has done 3 other foot surgeries on her and now a 4th this week! He has to go and put it back in place and put a pin in it..it is hanging off the side...I can't believe it! All his nurses kept coming in the room...he looked at Natalie and is like I have had you since you were a baby! He has been so good to us!

That same day I had to go to an endodontist for a tooth that was infected and was told it is cracked and of course it is holding a bridge so he couldn't do anything for me...he just told me to go and didn't charge me..it was suppose to be 95 dollars...I then had to call the dentist that has taken care of us and they called back and set up the appointment for when we get back from Lindsay's, as my parents and I are going down to help her move next week!

Now we get told Kerry has adhesions on his stomach and that is what is causing his pain..it is scar tissue growing and we have to get him into a general surgeon...so all of this in a week!!!! I then had my last session it was to be with the doctor in Chicago from the study at Rush and today he told me he is going to keep seeing me as he knows that I still have so much going on and he will just do it without charging me...I have to say God does take care of us...We have a dentist, physical therapist, podiatrist, psychiatrist, and they have taken us all for no charge!!! Is that amazing and I didn't even ask ....God just keeps providing through our trials! hugs and prayers to all of you, cheryl Here is a picture of what it looks like looking out this doctors office in Chicago..it is so beautiful...Lake Michigan!!!

Take the time to watch this..but first turn off my music on the right side! Stand by Me!!!

Quotes!

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."

Thich Nhat Hanh

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

How To Be Happy In Life - The 9 Paths To Happiness

How To Be Happy In Life - The 9 Paths To Happiness

- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Sometimes it appears that life throws more obstacles in our path than we can handle. However, even in the face of the most challenging circumstances, you can make the choice to be happy by following these 9 paths to happiness.

1. Honor Yourself: Remember what the flight attendant says, "Put your own oxygen mask on first." You are of no use to anyone else if you have not taken care of your own needs first - this includes your own emotional, as well as physical, well-being.

2. Forgive Everyone For Everything: Forgiveness is a gift to yourself. YOU created the stress in your life by getting angry, and YOU can instantly remove that stress by granting forgiveness. Expressing your forgiveness to the other is optional - internalizing that forgiveness is required in order to live a joyful life. Don't forget to also forgive yourself for everything you regret ever having done or not done.

3. Have Gratitude For All Of Life: As with forgiveness, gratitude is a gift to yourself. Saying "thank you" is a powerful way to create great relationships, but the real power of gratitude is internalizing an immense thankfulness for your very existence - everything that has ever occurred or failed to occur in your life.

4. Respect Your Mind: Faith is powerful, but it is no substitute for observing, paying attention, weighing alternatives, and choosing with intention. Without conscious choice, there is no freedom or happiness.

5. Design Your Future: Don't be a passive tumbleweed blown by the winds of life. Envision the future you want, and then take action to create that future. Often, you will fail. Plan again and take action again.

6. Begin Today, and Never Give Up: There is no better time to begin than today - each and every "today." When obstacles stop you, think of new ways to reach your goals. In the words of the Oriental proverb, "Fall seven times, stand up eight."

7. Be Of Service To Others By Radiating Happiness: Being of service is one of the greatest paths to happiness, but remember that your greatest service to others is the person that you are, rather than the tasks you accomplish. Your greatest gift to others is to give them happiness, and by far the most powerful way to do that is to be an example of happiness and to radiate that happiness to others.

8. Dance Lightly With Life: Life does not have to be a serious undertaking. You will make mistakes, you will feel regrets, and eventually, you will die - so what? Happiness comes from dancing lightly with life - playing hopscotch on the river of life - leaping gracefully from joy to joy while laughing at the threats of calamity - even laughing hysterically at our human frailness when we do fall into the muddy torrent.

9. Know Unity With Spirit: There are as many ways to connect with Spirit as there are people - each of us has our own way to receive strength and serenity from the Infinite. Your life will be happier if you acknowledge that you are not alone, become open to that presence, and create ritual to celebrate your connection. You may feel your bond with Spirit at the Lord's Supper, in Songs of Praise, in Calls to Prayer, in Meditation, or while walking in the woods. However you connect with Spirit, do it today.

Finally got the front porch clean!!!

Took me longer this spring and summer to get my porch ready but finally we can now go and spend our time out in our front porch!!! My friend came over and helped me get it clean and ready for summer!!! She even helped get the lights up around the screens and it looks so neat at night all lite up!!! Now to get my flowers planted tomorrow!!! Will get pictures tomorrow of all I am getting done finally! Feels so good to finally getting back to using my right arm! Still sore but at least able to do something! Will never take my arms for granted anymore!!!

Lindsay at Camp this Week!

I am impressed that my daughter took her vacation and is spending it as a camp counselor for this week from her church! Her team is red and she is loving this week...Keep her in your prayers as this is such a special time for these young girls! Lindsay just loves this week and spending time with these girls!

Make pictures look old!

Friday's in Chicago...Rented a Bike this week!

On Friday's I take the train downtown Chicago and go to a doctor's appointment for a study I am in and then right across the street is Millenium Park and the Lake...always wanted to ride a bike along Lake Shore Drive so yesterday was the perfect day and I rented one and spent two hours riding and also stopped at Navy Pier and had lunch! It was such a beautiful day along the Lake of Michigan!

Natalie's Graduation Party

Had Natalie's Graduation Party last Sunday!!! I am officially done with High School!! There is good and bad...makes you feel old thinking all of your girls are all through school but the good part is now it is time for me!!! Gotta keep going...now to get 2 through College! One day at a time...

Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."
- mary anne radmacher

My Brother's Wedding!

My parents, Oksana my new sister in law, Janel and Lana my nieces