Sketch #1 and Easter!

It's official and we are up and running at . Come check us out! Here is my lo for Sketch 1. I had a great time fingerpainting the paper and the life jackets made for a great set of primary colors.



I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter holiday. Mine was shaken up a little bit by a sad change in plans but the dinner and the company were both great. My wonderful hubby surprised me with some "Easter shoes". I had seen them at the mall and fell in love with them. I came home Friday to them underneath my bed. What a surprise!

ALMOST TIME!!!

It's almost time for the unveiling of the web's newest scrapbooking sketch site! Saturday morning you can join the excitement at www.unscriptedsketches.com. It's a brand new online community of scrapbookers, card makers, paper crafters and more come join us for a new sketch challenge each Saturday morning to keep your creativity flowing!

It's also almost time for beach weather here in Florida. In reality we have already been once but the water is way too cold for the thin blooded residents here. Some girls from Maine were frolicking in the waves in adorable swimsuits and the whitest skin I've seen in a while! First sign of an out-of-towner. LOL! More exciting stuff to come!

Blessings Abound

My Wednesday night Ladies Bible Study has been working through a book called Completely His, Loving Jesus Without Limits. You study these books and you read your Bible and you hope and pray that you reflect Christ to someone and your life will be changed. Last night we got that chance. Just as we started our session a homeless woman came in crying. She was afraid, broken and obviously in need of some time, love and understanding.

Now to set the stage. We missed our study last week due to spring break so we doubled up on our chapters and planned to discuss them both last night in the 65 minutes we have before they take our children to the police department as abandoned kids (lol, just kidding). I had studied and prayed about which points God would have me share with these women and for Him to guide me since He knows exactly what we need at all times. But He had other plans.

Once we got this woman, Linda, calmed down with some water and some hugs she sat amidst our group and I really wasn't sure how to proceed. Do we focus on our guest or as the leader of the group, do I lead us through our 2 chapters, fulfilling my commitment to this wonderful group of women? I asked God to show me what I was supposed to do for that moment and we all felt led to love His hurting child instead of sticking to our "agenda". It was a blessing for all of us to hear her story and her hopes and dreams of living a better life.

Some of us were reminded of all we have in life and gratitude filled our hearts. Others realized how far the Lord has brought them and still others were thankful they didn't have to endure the growth experiences God obviously was giving Linda.

After study, I took her to Publix where she got some food with a gift card someone had given her and we found her an inexpensive local hotel for the next 2 nights. She has a plane ticket back to Maryland waiting for a Friday morning flight. Back to people who care about her and a ministry I'm sure the Lord will develop.

I gave her my name and address and the name of the church that loved her last night in hopes she would follow up and share with us how the Lord was working in her life. There is no guarantee we will ever hear from her again, but I'm sure God allowed us to serve an angel and practice what we were learning...to Love Jesus completely and without limits.

We are humbled, emptied of ourselves and in His service.

Ohhh, I'm Scrappin My Life Away...

Haven't been blogging because I've been scrapping. I've also been asked to be a designer on a "COMING SOON" design team. I'll leave the name a mystery for now but we should be up and running soon! The talent on this site will definitely be worth a peek and the inspiration will flow.

Life has been grand and the weightloss is slow but effective. I'm down 10lbs and increased my speed by just over 2 minutes in the 5K. Next one is April 18th and so far I'm doing it on my own. Anyone interested??? My last 5K turned out to be a joy when I hooked up with my dear, dear friend from high school, Wanda, who soldiered up and came out. She can be called a runner about as much as I can. BUT WE FINISHED! That's what it's all about, that and 2-3 hours of catching up on the last 25 years.

Wanda's house was the place I wanted to be all the time. The family dynamics of the Rhamy's gave me wonderful examples of how to parent my own children and gave me a solid foundation of the kind of family I wanted mine to be when I grew up to have kids.

I owe my adventerousness (new word) to the Rhamys. My excitement for trying new things, being outdoors, and the general sense of loyalty I share with all the special people in my life. Needless to say the reminiscing was heart warming and often hysterical. Oh the things we used to do!

One of my favorite scrapping sites, Scrappin Mojo has been keeping me going on my challenges with exciting sketch ideas. This one of my mother (then and now) was chosen for the Layout of the Day March 30th. It was great to let the world know how wonderful my mother is and how she challenged my and shaped my life. Enjoy!

For the Love of Your Parents

This has been a tough time for me. My dad is in the first stages of Alzheimers and my mom was displaced from her home due to black mold. I feel helpless at times and wish I could do more. My dad's back is really bad and he was hospitalized only to find out there was nothing they could do short of surgery. What a blessing when I found out my chiropractor accepted Dad's medicaid!!! Dr. Nickse was so wonderful with my dad, talking to him and walking him through what he was going to do. Dad is a little confused these days and Dr. N was so patient and attentive to Dad. Dad loved him and will see him all this week. God bless my amazing mother who, despite divorcing my father in the mid 70's, is helping to get him to Dr. N everyday this week. Who does that for their ex-husband? She is truly a gift to our family and the best thing to have ever happened to my dad...even now.

Well, life is busy but I have another 5K this weekend with my friend, Sharon. She is such a trooper and the timing is perfect since we are both beginners so we either stink together or we push each other to excel. I love it!

Don't know what other plans are in store for Valentine's Day but any reason to celebrate life and love is good with me. Jesus, I lean on you for peace and quiet because my burden is heavy. Thank you for being my rock, Lord.

Surf's Up

My dh and dd went to the International Mall last week and found a store we all had to go to this afternoon. Adrenalina is a surf shop with a flow rider surf machine in the back. Amazing! Brett, Rachel and Noah hit waves this afternoon. Next time it's my turn!

I have a 5K next Sat and I need to get back to running or I'll be power walking most of it!