(Debby, Debbie, Debbi, Debi, Deb... take your pick, I've spelled it a dozen ways,
and the older I get, the less letters I use!!)
and the older I get, the less letters I use!!)
I'm a California girl, born and raised. I grew up just miles from Disneyland, and it influenced my life in more ways than one. I'm the oldest of five siblings - two brothers, two sisters, and me - and the first of seven grandchildren. I'm a redhead, a Rebel, a flag chick, an artist, a Blue Ocean thinker, and a Person of Faith. And I'm just trying to walk in that faith and become the best 'me' I can be. This blog is about everything...
'Hummadeedledee'
It may be a strange name for a blog, but it's the name of a song my sweet Grandpa Ward used to sing to me when I was little. It makes me happy, so I thought it would make a good blog name. You can read more about that story here.
I've been blogging here since 2006 [first post]
and have been through over 100 different banner images!
In August 2012, I launched a new creative blog:
I call it homeward found decor, and you can read more about it here.
It's all about seasonal decorating on a budget, with easy crafts and ideas.
I've been decorating this way all my life, and built an entire former business around it -
it's time to share the wealth, and I hope you'll join me there! ;0)
Before THAT,
I've had my own retail store [twice], been a public speaker, and been partner in a vintage home decor/furniture design business.
In addition to working since age 13 in retail, I've also worked as a ride operator at Knott's Berry Farm (Parachute Jump!), taught art to gifted elementary school kids, Sunday school to elementary, junior high, and high school kids, and colorguard/flags to junior high and high school kids.
I've organized and produced craft shows, vintage shows, and band and colorguard competitions, am a trained crisis counselor, and sang in a trio at church for part of my childhood. I've been in stage productions of Oliver! and West Side Story, as well as some pretty awesome field shows and Winterguard shows as part of the Savanna High School Mighty Marching Rebel Band as a 'tall flag' girl.
In addition to working since age 13 in retail, I've also worked as a ride operator at Knott's Berry Farm (Parachute Jump!), taught art to gifted elementary school kids, Sunday school to elementary, junior high, and high school kids, and colorguard/flags to junior high and high school kids.
I've organized and produced craft shows, vintage shows, and band and colorguard competitions, am a trained crisis counselor, and sang in a trio at church for part of my childhood. I've been in stage productions of Oliver! and West Side Story, as well as some pretty awesome field shows and Winterguard shows as part of the Savanna High School Mighty Marching Rebel Band as a 'tall flag' girl.
For nearly fifty years, I worked in the retail field as a display stylist & store designer and consultant, to assist businesses in presenting themselves and their products more effectively. My seminars, videos, articles, and blogs provide tools to help independent merchants build better businesses. Currently I am using my retail expertise as a contributing writer to Smart Retailer Business Blog and as a freelancer to many other retail trade publications.
As a lifelong writer (I started our elementary school newspaper in 4th grade, and was on the Jr. High yearbook staff and the High School newspaper staff), I am thrilled to have had so many opportunities to contribute to worthy projects. I have created content for online blogs, web sites, and printed magazines for the retail trade and decor / lifestyle publications. I enjoy helping people see the possibilities in life, decorating, and in creating their own style...
I have contributed written articles and regular columns to both print and online magazines, websites, and blogs that cover home decor and lifestyle content. I have been featured in magazines for my home decor & DIY projects as well as for my retail design knowledge.
I have contributed written articles and regular columns to both print and online magazines, websites, and blogs that cover home decor and lifestyle content. I have been featured in magazines for my home decor & DIY projects as well as for my retail design knowledge.
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The Personal Stuff...
My high school sweetheart, Bob Kennedy, and I married in 1980
I am the proud mother of four, a son and three daughters.
The Personal Stuff...
My high school sweetheart, Bob Kennedy, and I married in 1980
We were together for 32 1/2 years. Had four great kids.
Made some dreams come true. Made a lot of memories.
This photo of us together was taken in late August 2011 -
and is the very last photo of us together.
Made some dreams come true. Made a lot of memories.
This photo of us together was taken in late August 2011 -
and is the very last photo of us together.
It all went VERY bad on September 1, 2011. We finally separated in March of 2012, and I was preparing to file for divorce. In the saddest of all possible endings, he passed away in November of 2012, following a solo motor scooter accident.
I have many happy memories of those years. I have memories of hurt and pain, too. There are many reasons we stayed together - survival was one of them. There are many reasons I ended it - survival was one of them. No, I will never be the same.
I am the proud mother of four, a son and three daughters.
I am grandma to FOUR absolutely adorable boys
and one darling granddaughter
and one darling granddaughter
Being a mother and grandma are the greatest joys of my life.
They fill my heart, and they are all growing up TOO FAST!
I was born and lived in California from 1962 to 1994
(ok, with a few short-lived residences in Idaho, Arizona and Nevada)
I lived in Seattle from 1994 through 2011.
This photo of me?
Snapped by Elise Liptack of Elise Marie Photography in the Seattle area.
On the front porch of my island dream home in August 2011.
Hands down, the best photo of me EVER taken. That was a happy day.
I never dreamed that I could be that happy.
And I never had any inkling that I could become as sad or as broken
as I was just three short weeks later.
In February of 2012, I returned to Southern California
to start a new life in a safe place...
...and I intend to live it for all its worth ;0)
God is good, and I am healing, and I am grateful
for the dreams that did come true
and the new dreams He is giving me.
and that brings me to THIS photo from February of 2013...
Yes, that's a smile. God works miracles...
In January, 2014, my biggest childood dream came true:
I was hired by the Walt Disney Company
to work in the retail division at Disneyland Resort!
Thank you for joining me here, where I share parts of my story.
gratefully,
I was born and lived in California from 1962 to 1994
(ok, with a few short-lived residences in Idaho, Arizona and Nevada)
I lived in Seattle from 1994 through 2011.
Snapped by Elise Liptack of Elise Marie Photography in the Seattle area.
On the front porch of my island dream home in August 2011.
Hands down, the best photo of me EVER taken. That was a happy day.
I never dreamed that I could be that happy.
And I never had any inkling that I could become as sad or as broken
as I was just three short weeks later.
In February of 2012, I returned to Southern California
to start a new life in a safe place...
...and I intend to live it for all its worth ;0)
God is good, and I am healing, and I am grateful
for the dreams that did come true
and the new dreams He is giving me.
and that brings me to THIS photo from February of 2013...
In January, 2014, my biggest childood dream came true:
I was hired by the Walt Disney Company
to work in the retail division at Disneyland Resort!
Thank you for joining me here, where I share parts of my story.
gratefully,