When The Donner is Away...Stephie Will Play

We have lived in our home for almost a year and I have been dreaming of paint schemes for all of the rooms from the day we moved in!!!

A couple of weeks ago the Donner was in Vegas at The World of Concrete....he got back the day before our Anniversary....that being said, I decided to surprise him by painting the Living room and revamping some pieces to incorporate into the refreshed space. Now I have labored over how I wanted this room to be.....I have a great fondness for antiques and items that remind me of my Iowa farm roots.....but we now live in Florida and that isn't really the style. I wanted to take things from different parts of our lives and have them reflect who we are now......that is where Home Goods came in.......I love browsing that store!!!!

I had spent the day that The Donner left with some friends cruising the Delray Beach Art Festival in hopes of finding something spectacular to put in the room......there was no such luck!!! So the next day I started painting....hoping that inspiration would come.....lets face it by the time I was done the only thing that was going to hit, was my head hitting the pillow!!! Feeling as though I had accomplished a great task by getting the living room painted I decided to treat myself to a little shopping spree. First stop, Home Depot....perhaps if I walked around long enough I would think of something to make....I like to create things (that can be a blessing and a cures sometimes).....wasn't happening that day. Next I was headed to Home Goods.....I wasn't finding a whole lot of treasures until.......I hit the clearance pictures and then I hit the Mother Load!!! I could not have picked a better picture to represent us and this time in our lives....it was a dog running on the beach......now if you have read some of my other posts you would see that we have 3 dogs and they are our 4 legged children.....each one of them are dear to our hearts.....even those little furry friends that have passed on. Not only was a it a dog running on the beach....now I know you are not suppose to have favorites among ones children but Raven is my husbands girl, their devotion to each other can be nauseating.....much like the relationship Sparkles (may she rest in peace) and I had.......the dog in the painting looks like Raven!!!!! Can I hear an AMAZING Wife shout out???? I found a few more treasures and then headed to Joann Fabrics....one of my favorite places to go....looking for some fabric for curtains....but like every trip I make there, I found items for another project.....I think that is my way of always needing to go back....."if I don't find it this time I will surely find it next time".

The week went on and I slowly figured out the pieces I wanted to add to the room from the enormous stash of stuff we already had....it came together and I was pleased. The question was...would The Donner be pleased....He Was...what a relief!!!!!

There are still a few things to be done and pieces to found...or made......like life it will be an ongoing process........that and I am fickle. I have posted some pictures for anyone interested in looking at the fruit of my labors.......enjoy!!!

Before

After

Happy Anniversary

12 years ago today I married the love of my life……I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and I am grateful. Marriage is not an easy job; there have been periods when we have both wondered what we have gotten ourselves into….but like a storm there is an end to those times and there is sunshine and hope once again. Those learning times have brought us to a stronger and more precious place in our lives, they have cemented our foundation. He has helped me to grow as a person and I like to think I have helped him…we are a team!!!! Here is to my friend, my lover, my husband…..I look forward to the next 12 and beyond!!!

Being Creative

Being creative is one of the great joys of life for me. Recently I made a scrapbook for a dear friend and thought I would share the result of my endeavor. Paper crafting is one of the many interests I have....I like it because they are projects I seem to finish!!!! This little book was made out of small treat bags; that is how the pockets on the side are created......this little book is like a treasure hunt. I hope you enjoy looking at the fruit of my labors and feel inspired to create something yourself!!!

This Makes Me Feel Gushy!!!

I have a little book that I bought several years ago called the Checklist for Life for Women; it is a compilation of lessons on topics such as Forgiveness, Providence, Family etc. (68 topics in all) and I keep that as my standard devotional (I do not read it every day....I do try though). Today's topic was on security....which seems to be the lesson God is really trying to get me to see these days. I like to report.....I AM GETTING IT.......WOO HOOO!!!!

That makes me gushy but what really brings butterflies to my tummy and makes my heart soar are 2 passages out of today's lesson.

1. He is your sure place to stand in a shaky world.

If you only knew how long I chose to stay in that shaky world....often being the shaker myself, you would understand my jubilation over those words. I was on the barter system with God (I was, He....not so much). I can remember prayer time used to be spent with me trying to convince God I had a REALLY good plan...I knew how to fix everything so that I would be happy....do you see all the I references????
Not until He pointed it out one evening during prayer time by showing me the plans of mine He had allowed and the numerous failures that followed, did I get it......I am a bit stubborn....don't tell my husband I said that!!!!
When I stopped looking at the world through my eyes and looked at it through God's eyes....even the shakiest of times were smooth sailing......God's route and His driving are much better than mine....and He is so darn faithful!!!!

2. The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, God, took hold of me and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up. Psalm 94:18-19 The Message

That makes me gushy because it is so true!!!
I lived a life in fear that God wouldn't catch me.....I believed I was no good because God didn't give me what I wanted (I was more into the temper tantrum part of being a child....I don't think that is what the scripture meant when it said come as a child....my bad!!!).

It all goes back to Rules or Relationship.....I followed the rules and that is where the frustration came from......I followed but only felt burdened and on the brink of failure constantly. Now I choose Relationship and as it grows I feel more and more freedom....freedom to be who God created me to be.

That makes me feel Gushy!!!!!!!