A Lovely Blog Award!

Miss Ruth over at 'The Beautiful Life' has awarded me the 'Lovely Blog Award'! Why thank you, my friend.... I am so honored, because I think your blog is one of the loveliest around!

Now I am charged with sharing a few special blogs who are my choices for 'Loveliest Blogs', so without further adieu, here they are:

1. Amy's Inspire Company is the very first blog I ever read, and then dear sweet (patient) Amy helped me to get my own blog up & running. (She is, after all, my Patron Saint of the Technologically Disenfranchised!) While she has always been filled with talent and creativity, it is her recent life change that I find so incredibly inspiring and touching.

2. Tracey of Notes From A Cottage Industry is someone I am blessed and proud to call my friend. We met online and found a connection in our shared passion for women entrepreneurs, decorating, vintage style, and painted furniture. Then we met in real life at the WillowNest show and in Dallas at the Victoria Magazine re-launch. Last June, Bob & I traveled to Reno to participate in Tracey's Tumbleweed Cotillion show, and Miss Generosity played hotelier to us, as well. She is altogether lovely, and so is her blog, where you can read about all of her big plans for the new Tumbleweed Cotillion shop!

3. Dawn at The Feathered Nest has a lovely sense of soft Southern style, which is perfectly reflected in her soft voice. I met Dawn at the Victoria event in Dallas, and was just taken with her kindness and sharp sense of humor! She's always creating beautiful things, and so many of them have shown up in Somerset magazines - she has something special in the new Art Quilts issue! Her blog is filled with beautiful inspiration (and lots of links to other blog giveaways!)

4. Teri & Serena at The Farm Chicks are the two most energetic & inspiring women I have EVER met. I am amazed at their teamwork, moved by their kindness to others, inspired by their vision, and absolutely humbled by the very kind things they have said about me. To say that they are professional is an understatement, and their show is THE highlight of the year for me. I learn so much from these women and find tons of inspiration as I browse the HUGE list of links on their blog!

5. Heather at The Present Past is another woman in business who inspires me and encourages me to reach ever higher for myself and my business. She has no idea how much I learned from her last year at Farm Chicks, or how much I'll miss seeing her this year. Her joyful spirit lights up a room, and her style sense is impeccable. She's about to open her online shop back up (June 1!) so don't miss all of the lovely things and ideas Miss Heather has in store for you!

There are many more blogs that I think are lovely and women whom I find even lovelier in spirit.... but this girl is exhausted and needs to sleep, so I am stopping at five this time. I know you'll love visiting them all!

Thank you again, Ruth.....

Lesson for Today...

Again with the butterflies....

OK, so today started out not so great: Had to do a hard thing, and that is always something that brings up my blood pressure. In the long run, it was necessary for the good of all concerned, but that doesn't mean it was without drama. But it was quickly done, by the focused and concerted will of my dear hubby, who was just sick and tired of things as they were. He stepped in, made a decision, and acted on it. Done deal. He knows I struggle, he knows I'll just take and take and take things heaped on me until someone pushes me past my breaking point... and he saw that point coming. So he took over, God bless him. All I had to do was follow his lead and keep my mouth shut. (No small feat, right?!) I did, he shepherded me through the morning, and drama was kept to a nearly non-existent level.

Three hours later, all was calm (all was bright.... really, the sunshine returned and it was a glorious day!) and we were going on with our day. We had errands to run, one of them being picking up another 5 gallons of paint. We had our sample with us, since the color and finish had to match what we've put on several items already. Walked into Lowes and almost dropped DEAD when we saw the price of the paint had been raised. Again. sigh. The paint counter was busy, with a line, and we basically decided not to wait in it. So off to Home Depotsky we went, and marched into their paint department.

Now, we always - always, without fail - check the 'oops' paint pile. Been doing this for 25 years, folks, even before Genevieve and Ty spilled the secret on TLC's 'Trading Spaces'. (I was so peeved at them for doing that.... suddenly everyone and their brother was buying the $5 gallons of paint that we relied on for murals and painted furniture! Our supply dwindled!) ANYWAY, we had checked the oops paint at Lowes - nuthin'. Walked in to Home Depot and circled the paint counter... found gallon cans of yellow (2), pink (2), and green (1). Can't use those, at least not right now... but maybe someday.... "FOCUS!" we said to one another. We were on a mission, I tell you: One specific color of antique cream, Behr eggshell finish interior latex paint. Period.

Walked around the backside of the paint counter, to talk to the guy there and order up our color-matched five gallons, and there sat one lone five gallon bucket of paint. Behr eggshell finish interior latex paint. Sitting on the floor. With a paper stuck to it that said: 'TODAY ONLY! 5 gallons, regular price $105. NOW $65. SAVE $40.!' And there was a paint sample on both the paper and the lid of the bucket. The color?

Antique Cream.

I held my little square of wood with our paint from home on it next to the sample on the paper and the lid.....

it was a perfect. freaking. match!

I wanted to find the paint guy and hug him for screwing up someone else's order, I swear! This event - which may seem simple to many of you - just blew me away. I mean, we are working like crazy and trying very hard to keep our spending in check.... no extras, no spending unless it's completely necessary right now. Well, the paint was necessary, as we have to finish products for shows. We had hoped to save 10%, but saving 30% had not even entered our minds!

This is one more amazing thing to help us along on this incredible journey. Just one more butterfly, leading the way, bringing a message of "It's OK. It's all going to be fine." We walked around for the rest of the day with dumb grins on our faces and shaking our heads at this manifestation of abundance in our lives. Have you had moments like this? I hope so....

Lesson for Today:
Stop worrying about the big stuff. Stop worrying about the small stuff. Stop the drama, stop the anxiety, just stop. God's got it. He's got the big stuff, the small stuff, the hard stuff, and the stuff that is so easy that you don't even know how easy it is. ;0)

Sweetest Surprises

O My Goodness... will you just take a peek at what arrived in my mailbox today!
Sweet Amy Smith of www.candywinkel.com sent me this sweet little darling vintage dessert glass filled to overflowing with yummy candies - just the pick-me-up I needed to fuel yet another day of creative work! Amy is such a doll herself, she's as sweet as the candies she sells!

I 'met' Amy online, then in person at one of the events at Mt. Pleasant (forgive me, I can't remember if it was the last WillowNest show or the first Flourishes show!) and since then, I've seen her at the gift shows. In her own graphic design business, www.GooseyPress.com, Amy designs & sells the cutest line of gift wrapping papers & cards, with storybook themed silhouettes on them, and I've loved displaying them in the exhibitor showcase at the Seattle Gift Shows.

When Tammy Gilley arrived at the Farm Chicks show last June, Amy came with her to act as her creative assistant for setup... boy, did she get a workout! The ideas those two bubbly, giggly, hyper-creative gals came up with for Tammy's booth design were FABulous, and made for a terrific segment in the video I shot with Tammy for GHC. (Check my Design blog for links). Amy also bought a darling set of china I had - yellow & white with black silhouettes of dancing couples. PERFECT for her!

You really do have to go check out the amazingly cute stuff that Amy and Alex (of CecilyInk) create for their business, Candywinkel.... these two powerhouse gals totally amaze me. I've seen photos of their booth setup at shows, and am always impressed with their products and presentation - check out ShopTalk to see some of them! I am SO excited to get to see it all in person in less than TWO WEEKS at Farm Chicks!

Amy, dear, thank you SO much for thinking of me and sending this special gifty! I love it!

By Popular Request...

Autumn Comfort

Winter Warmth

Spring Fresh

Summer Ease

The room pictured above is a perfect example of how our rooms and homes shift and evolve thoughout each year. Simple, subtle changes in color and accessories can make a dramatic difference in how a room feels, and how we live in it. Every season brings a new design scheme, refreshing the space and us with new energy. It doesn't take a lot of money or effort to get results like this - just imagination. And if you like that idea, have we got good news for you...


Now, in addition to our Retreat products, we will be offering residential seasonal decorating services. This service is something that has been requested by many friends, fans, and customers, and will launch in late June. Through email & digital photos or in person here in the Seattle area, we'll bring a fresh new perspective to your home decor.

You can have a whole new look and feel in your home easily and affordably, with our designer imaginations working overtime for you. Just as in our product design, the concepts of recycling, reusing, redesigning, and reimagining existing furnishings and accessories will be the heart of our service. We can show you how to restyle rooms, rearrange furniture, repurpose items, and change it all up to create memorable spaces for living. A little bit of paint there, a combination of items you never thought of here, a shift of that from another room... and suddenly your home is refreshed, re-energized, and ready for new memories to be made within its comfortable spaces.

For more information, see more on our Retreat design blog . To request a decorating consultation, please contact us at kennedy2design@gmail.com. We look forward to helping you create your own Retreat for living...

Feelin' Like Royalty...

When I returned home from running errands this morning, I was surprised to find a very large parcel on my doorstep. Dear Sweet Robin from Robin King Designs had sent me a prezzie! (I just LOVE her logo of a robin with a crown, shown above.... so perfect!) I had to take all of the thrift store bags into the house first, but then I bustled it inside and opened it...

Nestled carefully inside the box was one of Robin's beautiful fabulous incredible cachepots, in a marvelous black & white toile print that will look oh so perfect in my office. Now all I have to do is figure out what very special things it will hold! I may even get a real live plant for it... ;0) Robin, thank you SO much for this lovely gift... I treasure it just as I treasure your friendship. I'm so glad you attended my seminar in Denver last year and came up afterwards to meet me. What a pleasure to find such lovely people who become friends, wherever I go...

Please do head over to Robin's blog and web site to see more of her beautiful creations!

Eat.Pray.Love.Movie

I remembered today (not sure why) that there is a film version of 'Eat Pray Love' in the works. A book I love and have re-read more times that I can count. So, yes, I AM looking forward to the film version. I am also dreading the film version becaused like so many readers, I have my own personal vision of what it all looked like as Liz's story unfolded. Including the people involved in her life, so the film casting may come under some scrutiny from yours truly.


I Googled the book and author Elizabeth Gilbert and found http://eat-pray-love-fans.blogspot.com/. I also found a link to a film info site. There, I discovered that an actor named Richard will play the part of.....Richard From Texas. (Because although his real name is Richard Vogt, we don't know him by anything other than Liz's 'Richard from Texas' reference.)

I'm ok with this bit of casting, especially with the whole name thing: Richard as Richard. Like that! I do think that there is another actor who could do this role - I don't know his name, but he played Jodie Foster's dad in the film 'Contact' He also played the mean cop who tormented House a few seasons back. With a beard, I think he'd look like the real Richard from Texas. And I'm only going on looks here.

As reported months ago, Julia Roberts is the actress playing the role of Elizabeth Gilbert...

You know, I love Julia and all, but I just don't see it. Not in the way she looks or in her mannerisms. In my mind's eye and my version, here's how it would play out: They'd cast an actress who looks exactly like Elizabeth Gilbert to play the character of Liz. The fact that the actress I would choose is named Elizabeth (Mitchell, from "Lost") is purely coincidental, and totally cool.

Come on, you can see it, right?! Unfortunately, it's too late. Tho I don't know when the film will release, it's already been shot. With Julia.

So now we wait to see how it all works and who in the heck will play Felipe. And David. And the Italian twin brothers, and Ketut and.... ok, obviously I'm invested in this. I do hope that the message at the heart of Liz's memoir remains untouched and 'unglammed' by Hollywood. It is the reason the book came to life for readers, after all.

Random Rambling Saturday...

1. The swap meet at Poppyseeds was FAB! Sunshine, warmth, good friends, my best friend beside me (he brought me lunch at 1 and stayed 'till closing to help me load up - whatta' man!), and lots of happy shoppers. Oh, and I didn't get a sunburn! (Poor Marybeth, I bet right about now she's jonesin' for some aloe vera....) Lots of fun. I hope all the gals in Snohomish had just as much fun at the big inaugural Snohomish Antique Street Faire!

2. My obsession....

has officially changed:

Not that I'm giving UP Vanilla Coke, but I think the fact that my cravings for the silky smooth uber-sweetness of the top libation at Mac's Lounge this summer simply must be recognized.

I discovered sweet tea during my trip to Savannah a few years back. After returning from the South with a newly-exposed palate for the sweetest stuff on Earth, I could not find a decent glass anywhere. I couldn't even make it with the right proportion of tea to water to simple syrup. Trips to Texas have been contributing to my growing appreciation, as well, because they live on the stuff (well, that and alcohol....) and you can even get it at McDonalds. So, as they say, 'when in Rome', meaning San Antonio, one drinks sweet tea. (And margaritas, but that is an entirely different conversation for another time, my friends.)

You can only imagine my everlasting glee when, in March, dear ol' Mickey D's started advertising their 'new' beverage: Sweet Tea. X Large size. For a DOLLAR! With expectation, I ordered. With trepidation, I lifted the straw to my lips and..... (cue heavenly chorus singing 'Ahhhhhhhhhhh' here) I was enraptured. Suffice it to say that it's always my number-one choice of beverage AND I have even driven the three miles from my house to Mac's to get one. Or three. For breakfast, even. Vanilla Coke is still in the fridge, mostly for an early morning jolt of caffeine or a late-night rush when I'm in creative mode...but she plays second fiddle to Sweet Tea now.

(Hey, come on, I warned you this was random stuff...)

3. I just figured out that over half of the emails I've sent out lately from my Gmail account have been in error. I thought I was replying to comment you nice people have left on my blogs. In reality, I've been depositing random thoughts into the Blogger 'no-reply' inbox. DUH. You, on the other hand, have received nothing at all from me and must think I am a complete ingrate. No, I am just a complete moron. sigh. I think I have it figured out now..... but I am such a dolt that I first posted a photo of a postcard sent to me, and it had my address clearly visible. Yeeeeeeahhhhh. (notice it's been removed...)

4. Why is it so dang hard to find seam binding (new or vintage, silk, rayon, or otherwise) in thrift shops anymore???? I mean, all those old ladies who hoard the stuff in shoe boxes (along with spools of thread and empty bobbins) are letting me down.... there seems to be a drought of the stuff around here. I don't even care what color it is, I can dye or bleach it. There is just none to be found. Perplexing.

And now for my final Random thought.... it's been a few days, I think I can talk about it now.

5. REALLY???? SERIOUSLY???? Shonda, shame on you.

Izzy, we knew about.

George, we suspected. The 'joining the Army' plotline - classic maneuver.

BUT THIS?????? Holy cripes. Bob figured it out - I swear to you - less than one minute after John Doe came through the ER doors. I said no way. I was wrong. Unreal.
And the much-hyped Mer/Der wedding was............ NOT. (A POST-IT NOTE?! SERIOUSLY?)

The interwebs are abuzz with tearful, bewildered, even angry responses from fans to this shocking season cliffhanger....and suppositions as to how it will proceed, who lives, who dies, etc. But considering that we all thought this season finale would provide a wrap-up of all the storylines, why do we even expect to get answers when the show returns next year????

After watching Grey's, I felt eerily like I did after the heartwrenching scene where Izzy discovered Denny, dead. And after the season-something finale of ER the year that Lucy and Carter were attacked by a scalpel-weilding psycho patient. Lucy was NOT supposed to DIE, she was supposed to end up with Carter in a fairytale storyline. Or maybe like I did after Amber met a bizarre end, surrounded by mystery and House's hallucinations. I mean, poor Wilson had just found happiness and it was suddenly gone - and that was just WRONG. As I write this, I can think of no less than half a dozen abrupt & shocking ends to favorite character's lives on MEDICAL television dramas. And therein lies our answer, my friends. It all begins again in September.

As my daughter posted on Facebook, "Now what the HECK are we supposed to do on Thursday nights until September????!!!!"

He must really love me.... 'cause he hasn't had me committed yet!

Remember the WHOPPER I pulled on him last month before Sand Point?

Oops.

I did it again. (my apologies to Ms. Spears)

This afternoon, I was digging thru bins in my barn sorting and organizing small products for Farm Chicks, and I glanced over at a stack of bins poised for a restock of our space at Poppyseeds. And I thought 'That's a lot of stuff. How am I going to fit that IN there?' Of course my next thought was 'Their Swap Meet event is tomorrow.... I could sell a bunch of the stuff that I'm tired of, stuff that's been in there awhile... and then all this will fit!'

So, I called dear Mr. Bob over and asked him if he would mind me spending six hours of my day tomorrow sitting outside at the Swap Meet if it meant I would be a) making money and b) getting rid of stuff we are kind of tired of looking at. Dear friends, he gave me THAT LOOK again. That 'She has really gone 'round the bend this time' look. Admittedly, it only flashed across his face for an inkling of a second before he smiled and said 'Let's do it!' I love his enthusiasm - even if he really thinks I need to be committed for being such an impulsive chick, he always backs me up. (Tho it IS true that almost all of our last-minute ideas pan out big time!)

Within an hour we had the truck loaded, were at the shop, and I went to town with a total reset of our room. Out came a bunch of stuff, in went the new, and tomorrow we'll set up a little vignette outside with some cute vintage style! (check here for details) I'll be sitting in the sunshine, reading and chatting and selling, of course, while Mr. Bob blares his shop radio and cranks out a few more marvels of ingenius design.

Ahhhhhhhh....NOW I get why he thought this was a good idea: A day away from his crazy wife! ;0) If you come to Stanwood tomorrow, stop by Poppyseeds and say hello! (And don't forget the antique street fair in Snohomish on Saturday, too!)

I'm Lovin' It!

I really really love what I do as a career.....I have fun and express my creativity as I design, I help people do what THEY do better, I repeatedly meet & work with some remarkably effervescent women who own businesses, and I can stand back at the end of the project and see some pretty darned amazing results! To say I am grateful for the opportunity to spend my days doing what I love doesn't even come close to the complete and utter feeling of thankfulness I have.

Take today, for example: Put two bubbly shop owners and me together in their store for four hours and a whole lotta' fun, and we created what you see above. Yeah, I am a blessed woman.

Check out my Design Blog for photos of today's escapades at Poppyseeds...

Seattle Skyline

I just received this in an email from my #2 son's (husband of my #1 daughter!) parents. It's VERY cool, the music isn't bad, and if you've ever wondered what it is about Seattle that's so cool, well.... this is only PART of it! You'll see the city skyline grow through the years... be sure and watch for 1998 and the dusty implosion of the Kingdome!

At the end, you find out that this video is an ad for a new VERY amazing building downtown.... just wait for the view, in shots filmed from the top floor. Breathtaking.

Tribute to a Mother....

I read this article in an AOL link this evening, and though I got a little chuckle out of it (this woman is CHEEKY!), what I really took away from it was the spirit of the young man who will one day be King of England. William visited a 105-year old woman on her birthday at a home for the elderly. In person, of his own volition. And then, he invited her to Buckingham Palace for tea with his grandmother -The Queen. Hmmn, maybe it's HE who is cheeky!

Read the story for all of the details.... the point is, this is the kind of man we need leading countries in our world. A man who embodies all of the compassion and kindness and sense of the equality of mankind that 'Wills' learned at his mother's knee.

A mother who made quite an impact on her sons, and her country, the world, and history, in her all too short lifetime. For all she is known for, Diana's true legacy is one of compassion toward others. Clearly, it is a value her sons live and their actions are a tribute to what they learned from her. She would no doubt be very proud of them.

Bless their hearts.... every mother in the world wept at this sight:

But now we smile and watch these boys active in humanitarian work, just as their mother was, and we see the profound difference a mother can make in her child's life. Even when she is no longer present, we can see her influence. What a remarkable thought for each of us who are mothers, who sometimes think that our mothering is over - or just overwhelming! It is the values we teach our children that carry them through life, and help them to make a difference in the world.

And yes, we ALL should get to wear a tiara for this job! ;0)

Simple Elegance

It may have been a simple barbeque for mother's day, but I couldn't bear the thought of paper plates and plastic cups! Don't worry, though, I didn't stress out or work too hard on this.... within five minutes, I had gathered the linens, dishes, stemmed glasses (LOVE these short little guys! IKEA), and a few simple white accessories from the dining room. Our outdoor table was decidedly refreshing and elegantly simple for our afternoon gathering. We opened a bottle of wine (Dusty Cellars Riesling, from a local Island winery!) and visited the afternoon away in the sunshine. sigh. Perfect! It was, as the quote says, a golden day.


Dear Hubby's turkey burgers with caramelized onions, honey mustard, provolone cheese, and cranberry sauce relish were a HUGE hit (everything he cooks is divine!), and he even had a 'helper'... it seems that a little someone may be following in Daddy (a restaurant manager) and Grampy's (a bbq king!) footsteps...

...and quite possibly Grammy's crafty footsteps.... take a look at the sweet jewelry he made me! (With help from his Mommy, of course!)

(Harry Winston who?) No Tiffany's, no Ben Bridge. Nope. This is exactly what I wanted!

Um...... tho I DID get a very real Tiffany diamond solitaire pinky ring, too. From a thrift shop. For a dollar. ;0)

One, Two, Cha Cha Cha...

One step forward, one step back, two steps sideways....
Doesn't life sometimes feel that way?

You think you have it all figured out, the plan's on paper and you're following it, and then baddabing an idea or an opportunity or a circumstance (or two...or three....) pops up and you have to reassess, review, refine and redefine it all. A chance to redirect your vision, as it were. Not always a bad thing, really, even when it comes at an unexpected moment.

I'm a GREAT 'Starter'. I can kick into gear at the drop of a suggestion, and motivate hordes to jump on the bandwagon with me. I'm a whirlwind worker, too - I can gogogogogo to see a project through, foregoing sleep, food, and anything that passes for 'normal' to reach the end goal. I am also incredibly guilty of giving way more than I originally agree to, get paid for, or should. It's OK, that's just me, and I'd be less true to myself if I didn't throw myself with complete abandon into every project.

But when it comes time to end something, to make an exit, to tie up that one last loose end and be freed..... well, I suck at it. Even when I know it's time, it's over, it's done, and my best move is to move out & on, I balk. I'll even endure some ratty situations in the process, and still not make a move. Even when I have a feeling of 'Something here is not right', I don't act on it. I don't know why that is. Maybe I fear making the wrong move or the wrong decision? Part of it is inevitably not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings or make them angry. I hate confrontation and I over-explain myself, which makes things worse. In any case, it is always this part that stymies me. Until now.

I've recently been the recipient of much advice, both heartfelt and extremely logical. (Again, thank you!) That has helped me to form a new, clearer, more accepting view of myself and my attributes (formerly referred to as 'foibles'). In doing so, I've been able to set limits with some things that have been affecting me quite negatively...and make plans to begin making changes. Changes that will make life a bit more peaceful and simplified for us. And while I still have a little tiny voice asking 'Are you suuuuuuure about this?', the larger voice of my soul is reminding me to be true to myself, my values, my vision. Even if it's a bit uncomfortable. (Which it is). But I can do this.... starting tomorrow. ;0)

Forward, Back, Rockstep, Left....cha cha cha.

Mother's Day Flowers

As the sun finally broke through yesterday afternoon, the flowers in our backyard burst into bloom. Just in time for Mother's Day, so I wanted to share them with you.... the candytuft, above, is spreading everywhere and smells almost lemony.

One of the fruit trees (Apple? Pear? We don't know yet!) is blooming and smells like honey and roses. The scent is so intense during the warmth of the day that it fills the whole backyard... I wish it could last all spring & summer!

The buzzing honeybees like it, too...

And sprouting up to totally surprise me, these darling little Lilies of the Valley. I have never seen them growing in a garden before - only in pots at the nursery. SO charming, I almost expect to hear little 'tinkling bell' sounds coming from them. If I crouch right down next to them, I can smell their faint perfumy scent.... I just can't bring myself to cut any of them!


I wish each and all of you dear mothers out there a very happy and relaxing Mother's Day weekend, filled with sunshine, laughter, love, and beautiful memories. Blessings....

cute, Cute, CUTE!

I've been busy for the past week, helping to spiff up a lil' shop nearby.... check out the last three posts on my Design Blog for the play by play!

Blooming

Right around May 1st, several trees on our property exploded into bloom.... Absolutely stunning.

Covered with thousands of these puffy pink blossoms, they look for all the world like Martha Stewart came and decorated them with her tissue poofs (currently all the rage in party decor).

We've had a few bouts with high winds over the weekend & last night, causing many of the blossoms to flutter to the ground and look like confetti after a party. (On Sunday, I took a basketful of them into my friends at Poppyseeds and scattered them all over the floor of the front room... adding a sweet touch to the newly-redesigned space and perfectly coordinating with the black, white, and pink decor in the room.) It's so incredibly pretty right now... even in the midst of continued winds and rain and gloomy forecasts.

Wanna' guess how that speaks to me right now?!
It's coming from everywhere, I tell you... I read the intro to the new Where Women Create magazine last night and was in tears. In it, editor Jo Packham so perfectly describes the emotional journey & struggle that I am experiencing, which brings yet another comforting thought: I'm not alone in this. Of course I know that I have Bob and my Lord beside me, and friends everywhere whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude to - but it's reassuring to realize that there are a cadre of other creative women, all engaged in similar pursuits, journeys, and struggles like mine. We all face roadblocks like doubting our vision, not reaching our goals as quickly as we want to, and repeatedly battling a fear of failure or repeating past mistakes. These magazines always serve to inspire me and incite pride in other creative women....but now, I see each of them in a new light: As I read about them, I send them thoughts of strength as they pursue their artistic visions. We really ARE all in this together.

I made a decision after reading that letter: Next May Day, I am going to host an afternoon tea party under the boughs of my pretty pink pouffy tree. I'm inviting all of my creative friends to celebrate with me....now how's that for a positive thought?!

Follow, follow, follow, follow........

Since I have been the recipient of some really inspiring, uplifting comments and thoughts, I've decided to keep sharing them with all of you. I know I'm not the only person facing challenges or struggling with things in life right now, and I really do appreciate your kind support. My hope is that by passing these insights along, I can help someone else the way your kind words continue to help me over the rough spots.

This evening I clicked on one of the bloglinks on my design blog, and found

this post. Not your typical 'women in business' fare there.... but the interesting take on Dorothy's journey down the curving, twisting, winding yellow brick road certainly spoke to my current situation. I feel a bit like the photo of her shown above right now.... I'm sort of going forward, but I feel more like I'm going in circles and revisiting the past. Now I have a mental picture for those demons from the past - flying monkeys and Elphaba the Wicked Witch!

It amazes me how when we ask for help, it comes in droves - and sometimes from the most unlikely of places. Now...... where did I put my ruby red slippers?

The Truth Will Set You Free

"If we could do this all on our own, where would the glory for HIM be?

Sometimes He needs us to FULLY lean on him -- in fact, step back, sit down and let him flex His muscles for us. To step in right at that "eleventh hour" when all looks lost. If we can do it all ourselves, what then, do we need Him for? Perhaps He'd like to show you His resources and His power -- in the eleventh hour, so you can then be able to tell of His excellent wonders sometime in the future -- to someone who, like you is hanging on by their fingernails about to lose their grip.

If your spirit tells you this is where you should be now, what you should be stepping into now (whatever it is) then rest in the assurance that His loving arms are there -- relax and jump. He'll catch you."

We are, absolutely, being reminded that it's HIM doing this, not us. As it has been all along, since day one when we saw our future so clearly. No doubt about that. Only just imagine the responses of people you SAY that to - people whose schedule or expectations you have affected in one way or another. 'Eleventh hour', indeed... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuNJ2aw_0x0

Ruth, YOU rock. Seriously.

Just Hangin' It All Out There...

My friends, from the depths of my heart I thank you for the lovely, thoughtful comments that you shared with me after I sort of 'hung my laundry out to dry' in yesterday's post. I know it was uncharacteristic of me to write a post like that, but then..... God seems to be guiding me to a new way of doing everything in my life. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to each and every one of you who sent a prayer, a thought, a light, a positive ion heading in my direction. Thank You.

Just so you know, it worked. I spent my day working on projects and taking care of routine tasks, stopping every once in a while to breathe and whisper a prayer of thanks. At one point I was (literally) hanging things out on the line in the sunshine, and I felt the presence of my grandmothers as if they were standing beside me handing me pillowcases. It was a gift of the spirit that I doubt I would have experienced in my former state of mind. (And sun-dried white linen sheets, well, they are one of life's simple pleasures that I am enjoying right at this moment). Today, I was less conscious of those negative gremlins lying in wait to ambush me, and I know it is because you all surrounded me with your thoughts. You helped me walk through this day feeling like I didn't have to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. Thank You.

I do know that many of you, too, are besieged by worry and challenges, so I truly appreciate that you would take even a second to let me know you are thinking of me. 'Thank you' just doesn't seem to say enough.

Ruth, the video you sent to me was balm to my soul. The words of that song were an affirmation of the truth I know so well, and I am so grateful to have friends with a direct line to God - like you - who can be His voice when I need to hear something. My gratitude to you for this gesture is immense, my friend.

Oh, and Ruth? In answer to your second comment, Randy is a former classmate of mine. We recently got back in touch on Facebook. Not only is he one of the nicest people you'll ever meet, but he has a tremendous gift of insight and encouragement. He publishes a 'Thought for the Day' on his Facebook page, and the quotes he shares always inspire, uplift, and intrigue me. Though I truly think that his own words, shared in his comment, are much more uplifting.... I personally think he could be the next Anthony Robbins. He's THAT good.

Randy, thank you for sending me such a kind and thoughtful message. I am so blessed to have people surrounding me that are such giving souls... your words touched and warmed my heart, and I thank you for reaching out to help me. That's twice you've said something that lifted my spirit, my friend - I owe you!

Things didn't suddenly change around here...YET! I'm still waiting for answers. However, in the midst of situations that I can't change or even do anything about right now, I AM doing better than I was when I wrote that post. And it's all because of you, my wonderful, wonderful friends. Again, and again, Thank You. May you all experience abundant blessings in your lives today in return for your generous kindness.

I'm Asking...

I just love the butterflies in this illustration. I've shared the very personal story of why butterflies mean something to me here. They just signify a lifting of the spirit somehow...and I like that.

Through this wonderful blog world we inhabit, I've had amazing opportunities over the past few years to try and lift the spirits of people I know and love, people I've just met, and people I've never met at all. I've supported friends' businesses and artistic undertakings. I've congratulated winners and consoled losers, and rooted for the underdogs. I've counselled and comforted and encouraged friends old and new. And I rejoice that even the smallest things I've done have helped just a little.

I've also asked you to join me in prayer for a baby boy born too early. To send your cards & letters along with mine to a young girl stricken with a hideous disease. To hold my sweet 'daughter to be' in your thoughts along with me as she faced the heartbreakingly sudden loss of her mother. Asking for help on behalf others has always come easily for me, because I know that all of you out there have big hearts and willing hands, and you will step up to help. Because you, too, yearn to lift spirits to a place of peace and joy through your words, your art, your photos, your lives. And you do, every day.

It's the asking for help for myself that I have always had trouble with. It's hard to admit defeat, weariness, stress overload, confusion, and despair. It's hard to say I can't do this and ask for help. It is oh so hard. But I need to say it. I need to say "I need your help, my friends" and ask you to do something for me. I said I'd be honest here and not pretend everything is always rosy...

My spirit is weary, my heart is heavy and aching, my mind is beseiged. However, my faith is still strong - and that is where the battle is fought. Hour by hour, day by day, week by week, my faith is fighting to survive.... through endless onslaughts of doubt, exhaustion, fear, worry, stress, anxiety, and memories of past experiences that bring me to my knees, it fights. From a dogged belief that it will all work out for good, that karma sent out will return, that my past is not my future, my faith stands its ground. From a place of absolute certainty that God opened a door and provided every resource for us to walk through it, and gave us a vision for more with a promise to continue to provide resources, my faith plants its feet firmly and refuses to budge.

In the midst of the battle, I cry as I experience the tangible blue sky and birdsong and blooming daffodils. I weep with joy as I stand in the physical reality of my dream. I throw my arms open to embrace the scent of the grass, the touch of the breeze, the warmth of the sun. This is real, I tell myself. This is not imagination, this is real. I am here. That part of it builds my faith. God has brought me - us - this far, I remember.

But the other part....the misty fog of uncertainty that creeps in, the growing darkness that is fed by mounting concerns, the cold wind of fear that threatens to sweep it all away.... that part has me in knots insde. That deep dread of losing it all and being less than I so want to be ofr myself and for others, that thing is what I have fought all.my.life. Terrified of repeating the past, I pray, I cry, I work harder and smarter and give more of myself. I refuse to give in. I refuse to give up. Hard times are part of the journey. That is why my faith still lives.

This situation just defies all of my natural impulses to jump in and DO something. It asks me to be patient, trusting, to work at my daily tasks and be willing to do what is necessary while being totally reliant upon Him for solutions and resources to be revealed. God has wrought the most incredible miracles to change our lives so much in just six short months and yet I fear what comes next. Makes no sense, I know - I mean, it's incredulous how things have unfolded effortlessly... and now, when I am just this close to the next (and biggest) step, I am finding it so hard to keep myself in the right frame of mind.

I keep slipping back into my old unhealthy ways of thinking, being, and acting. I forget the awesome power of my mind and my heart and my faith, and that HE is in control so I don't need to be. I try to take the reins again. I let outside situations and other people's opinions affect me. I am distracted by what other people set in motion, and begin to focus on a timeline and other limiting factors. All of this is wreaking havoc in my head and spirit, and I know it is clogging up the process of things happening here. (That may sound a bit too 'woo woo' for some, I know...)

All I ask is for your prayers and thoughts. That's it. I'm not trying to get record numbers of comments here, an avalanche of cards, or anything like that... I just need your help in lifting my spirits right now, and I'm not particular about your methodology: Surround me with a light. Send your positive energy my way. Pray for peace, pray for clarity, pray for a miracle. I'm not ashamed to ask for that: Deb needs a miracle. I just need to stop this cycle of negative, draining, fearful energy that is gathering over my head so I can be of the right mind to see what He needs me to see when He reveals it.

I just need help.

Thank you so much, dear friends....