IF: "Tail"

Here is my illustration for this week's IF. Deuteronomy 28:13 :) God wants to make you the head & not the tail!

3am on Decaf...

So, it's a little after 3am and I'm awake, in my little kitchen, on my laptop because I need to stay awake all night for some test tomorrow. A sleep-deprived EEG. Most people would be upset about having to be up all night, but I'm actually grateful for the chance to get a little stuff done...

Time is a luxury. I'm a full-time Mom who lives in a very small space with my family. I have a laptop which only comes out of my closet maybe 1 or 2 times a week. I'm with the kids all day and at night, I work. I usually don't have a lot of "me" time. But I'm not complaining... my kids mean the world to me :)

That being said, there is a lot of technology out there that I'm completely ignorant to. A friend was telling me that there is a new phone that comes with software where you can literally do your drawing/sketching directly ON the phone, and even has the capability to color and adjust it at will. A PHONE. Only a few years ago, people were clamoring to get into colleges to learn the latest Photoshop and Corel... now you can do that stuff on a phone. It is incredible.

I still don't have a definitive way of storing my files. God forbid something should happen to this laptop, and a lot of my pictures (of my children AND artwork) would be gone. One of these days I'll get around to doing what is necessary to putting everything where it belongs. It's funny how people take space and equipment for granted. I share one bedroom with my 2 children (lol)... I have to cut back on art supplies and what not because I've simply no room to keep them. And as far as what I've on my computer, I would need a lot of computer time to go through everything and try and categorize/organize what I've got on there, and then decide what to keep, and finally, HOW to keep them. I don't have a scanner, nor a printer. I don't even have a PC. These days, most of the previously mentioned items are standard in a household.

And don't even get me started on apps... there is an app for everything. And the popularity of things like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. is astounding. I was online last month at a Dunkin Donuts and EVERYONE was on their phone... even me. Talking to someone? Oh, no... typing or whatever on it. It's as if all the latest gadgets have become greater extensions of ourselves... an extra appendage, if you will.

Christmas time is vast approaching, and a commercial I just saw featured a young boy talking about presents. He basically showed two items: a scooter, and a computer tablet. Then, he pretty much said NOT to get the scooter for your kids this Christmas, because it won't be used. He told the parents to get the kids the electronic device because that is something that WILL be used. I'm not exaggerating... this commercial was LITERALLY promoting getting your growing child an electronic device rather than something that they can use outside, to keep healthy, and have fun playing in the fresh air and sunshine like we used to when we ourselves were kids... oh, the times, how they have changed. The more technology advances, they say the better it is for us. I'm not so sure.

Our Own Steps

We walk. We stumble, we trudge, we plod, trip, shuffle... you get the idea. Often times, we do it all with our own two feet. I know I'm prone to that... I do it with "my" steps. "My" way. And I fall, many times, flat on my face.

I'm reminded of that popular saying, "Let go and let God." But I'm not looking at God. I'm looking at others. I'm looking at women who have little children, full houses to run, and still have flourishing craft businesses, plus time to write blogs, Tweet, Pin, etc. And here I am, sitting on the couch (also my Mom's bed), watching tv with my 2 little ones. I nap when they nap. I draw (sometimes) at work (I work 3 hours a night) taking care of an old woman who generally sleeps. I rarely have time to ever bring out my computer at home.

Where am I going with this ramble? I have no idea. I just know that so much is missing. I need to increase my relationship with God. I need to learn how to begin working with Kyle (4) on reading. I need to clean rather than tidy up. I need to make dinners rather than chicken nuggets or hot dogs (how did people exist before microwaves?) I need to learn how to play with my children... they won't be little forever. I just always feel so tired and am putting one step in front of the other, plodding on, in my own steps...

It's time for a change. I want to be a better mother. I want to be a better Child of God.

For AnnMarie

Ever have something you mean to do, yet you never seem to have the time to do it? You know, one of those things that's in the back of your mind, but kinda just stays there, perpetually on your "to do" list? Well, this was one of those things. But I did it! :)

Today, after I got off of work, I finally visited the Barntique Village, a place just up the road from my home where they sell all things, you guessed it, vintage! I only wish I'd had more time to peruse at my leisure... it really was a lot of fun, being that I'm not an aficionado of vintage items. I really went because I'd been meaning to get over there and grab some pics for my friend, AnnMarie.

This whole little village is comprised of about 20 shops selling various antique items, everything from pottery, collectible statues, bedding, clothes, toys, even James Taylor albums! (OK, so James Taylor is NOT technically "vintage", but I was thrilled to see it, lol). Here are the pictures I was able to grab, being that they were closing up... I mean to definitely go back!

Creative Interpretation- The RESULTS!

Hello everyone :) 2 weeks ago, I proposed a challenge for my readers and friends to take some fun time and grab a couple of photos of their personal interpretations of the words below... and I'm so glad for the entries that came through! I hope you had fun taking the pictures, as I had a blast seeing everyone's take on the words :) Here are the wonderful results!!!

URBAN

Jennifer Morrison

Kim Eyeberg

Rita Mascaro

AWAKE

Jennifer Morrison

Kim Eyeberg

Rita Mascaro

Yolanda K Degraff

SALVATION

Jennifer Morrison

Kim Eyeberg

LOVE

Kim Eyeberg

Rita Mascaro

Fred Baumbach

NEW

Kim Eyeberg

Rita Mascaro

Yolanda K Degraff

Pam Hardy

INSECURITY

Kim Eyeberg

Rita Mascaro

Yolanda K Degraff

1970

Jennifer Morrison

Kim Eyeberg

Rita Mascaro

Yolanda K Degraff

Art

Jennifer Morrison

Kim Eyeberg

Rita Mascaro

Yolanda K Degraff

So, which ones do YOU like the best? It took so long for me to go through the emails, divide up the pictures into their respective desktop folders, then upload them into the html code where I write my blogs... altogether, took me an hour and a half. LOL! No wonder I don't write on my blog all the time...

Creative Interpretation- What Does YOUR Voice Say?

Here is something easy, creative, and fun that I'd love for you all to jump in on. I'm going to post below a short list of several words that are open to YOUR interpretation through pictures... camera phone, actual camera, doesn't matter!

For example, if one of the words is "AWAKE", you could interpret that with a picture of whatever you think of... an alarm clock, a sunrise, a cup of coffee... the sky is virtually the limit! This exercise is creatively invigorating and mentally stimulating. I kept the list of words short to not burden you all with too many choices... you can pick one word, or do each one. Either way, all you have to do is take the picture and send it to my email jenniferbaysoaps@yahoo.com and I'll post them all here in 2 weeks. Comment below or email me if you've any questions :)

Sound exciting? I think so :) It's great to see what people come up with! Let's get started!

Word List

URBAN

AWAKE

SALVATION

LOVE

NEW

INSECURITY

1970

Art

I also wanted to show a video clip of an upcoming movie that my Pastor shared on youtube... just click on the picture below to view it. I really can't wait to see this. How about you?

Surgery

I'm not going to go into details about the surgery, because I don't really have any. I just know that the procedure was done laproscopically (however you spell it) and that they only took out my uterus.

The surgery wasn't scary. I honestly didn't really think much about it before hand. I basically went in, knowing Mom and Dad would see me later in the afternoon, and that they'd bring my backpack so I could do art while I rested in my hospital bed, one night, and then I'd go home. I didn't anticipate the pain medicine they'd have me on, which basically kept me barely awake until I stopped asking for it. I knew I'd be on a catheter, but I didn't know that I had to be off of it and "successful" on my own before they'd let me go home. That took a little while. I also had no idea that I wouldn't be able to eat. Anything. And I had to eat, in order to go home. So I forced myself to do so, because I could not, would not spend one more night in that place. It was horrible. The strangest thing? You go home, you heal, you go on with life, as if nothing happened. But it did. I had an anxiety attack while I was in there. Nothing too serious, thank God, and I was able to get through it WITH God, but still... I promised myself I wouldn't eat any more junk food, because it's bad for you. And if I eat junk food, knowingly doing harm to my body, then it stands to reason that I could end up in the hospital as I grow older for whatever I've done to my body while I was younger. That, and add to the fact that my Dad has breathing issues... what they call COPD. I also tend to have breathing issues... they finally diagnosed me with asthma, even though I only need the inhaler every so often. I don't want that to get worse. I don't want anything to ever put me in the hospital again. It's been a little over 3 weeks since I came home, and last night I ate a little ice cream. I had forgotten, for a moment, what the hospital was like. I was more focused on losing weight, and I figured a little ice cream wouldn't be so bad, especially after eating no junk for more than 3 weeks. But I forgot that the reason I wasn't eating "bad" stuff wasn't to lose weight... it was to try everything possible to be healthier. Because, every moment each of has is a moment to make right decisions. To take care of ourselves. To make sure that we don't end up in the hospital. Sure, there ARE things that happen regardless. But we don't have to add to it. God gives us common sense... I know I'm going to use mine.

Lovely Finds!

Popping in to share some really lovely finds this week... come check them out!

His and Hers Jewelry Holder and Rack

Lavender, Silver & Magnetic Hematite Beaded Bracelet

Cotton Crochet Washcloths

Holly Hobbie Cookie Cutters 70's Vintage

Photo Scripture Card

Knit Fingerless Gloves

Beautiful Photo Note Cards... Scotland and Wales!

Enjoy!!! Have a wonderful weekend!

Randomly Posting...

What a way to begin a post, with a picture of an injured toe? I was accosted this morning by a can of Chef Boyardee (lol) but, thanks to God, my toe looks now like nothing really happened at all, compared to this morning. That, and it doesn't hurt. At all. :)

Am currently preparing for my upcoming surgery, which will be next Tuesday, on Aug 6th. It is a hysterectomy, because I have a fibroid and more... stuff than I need, if you can catch my drift. Sorry for the TMI.

I've been really tired lately. Been living pretty much from sleep to nap, and back again. When my little ones take a nap in the day, I take one right along with them.

I haven't had much gumption to work on much lately, but I've always felt that a post without pics can be boring, so please take a gander at these journal pages I've scattered throughout here... some are finished, others are not.

It's already 10:15pm as I'm typing this, and I should be in bed. So, those of you who will, please keep me in prayer regarding my surgery. They only expect I'll stay one night, which isn't an issue. So pray that it goes well and a quick recovery for me, because I've two bundles of energy, otherwise known as children :) who need their Mommy.

Thank you, and God bless :)