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 :)

Home in Heaven

A beautiful woman, my close friend and second Mom, passed away unexpectedly a few days ago. I am still in shock knowing this... it doesn't seem real. You can read a post I'd written about her almost last year

here.

Rather than express my pain in losing this wonderful friend, I will just say that I love her, will miss her terribly, and wish I had the proper words to write her in a fitting tribute, but I am in so much pain, I just can't find the words. Sometimes, there are no words... but I am ever grateful for the wonderful memories.

I love you Sue... may you be at peace and happy in the company of our Savior.

Sue

Her precious dog Chichi, who had to be put down only a few days earlier...

Rest in peace, Sue. You are missed.