•Beautiful Flowers•

Yesterday a knock on the door completely surprised me.

When I opened it, an elderly delivery man was

holding this arrangement of beautiful flowers.

Of course, this picture does not do them justice!

Look below the flowers and you'll see a bee!

These flowers were sent from my California Cousins!

No matter how much we worry about the cost of others sending

flowers to us, the beauty of the flowers put a smile on our face,

and we enjoy every cent out of them!

Thank you, California Ritchie's!

I am so blessed!

Amazingness!

•Happy Birthday, Dear Erica....•

Aren't little girls wonderful? Yes, they are!!

Today is my little girl's birthday. She was born on 

 Saturday, January 12, 1985 at 1:40 pm.

She weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz. Her skin was dark

her hair was dark, and she had beautiful blue eyes.

Her dad named her Stephanie, but in the delivery room 

I talked him into naming her Erica. She is a 5th generation

Gwyn, named after her Maternal Great Grandmother, whose

name was Gwyndolyn. My mother's middle name is Gwynelle, 

and my middle name is Gwyn.

Erica's brother Landon was 14-1/2 months older than her,

and when we brought her home from the hospital he couldn't

say her name correctly. His little Texas drawl pronounced Erica

as "Eri-cay" (Airy-Kay). It was so cute I couldn't bring

myself to correct him. Soooo, for several months, that's all I called

her. One day while at the mall, a woman asked me what my

babies name was, and I without a thought, said, "Eri-Cay". 

The woman said, "Wow, that's an unusual name!" I decided

to let her know that her name was really Erica, but her Bubba called

her "Eri-Cay"! The woman thought it was precious, too!

When Erica got a little older I began calling her Ric, but I'm

the only one she allows to call her that, and that makes

me feel very special. Her hubby calls her Rica, and I think

she signs most things Rica. He feels more comfortable married

to a Rica, instead of a Ric, and I don't guess I can blame him. : )

Through the years she was called Prissy, Princess, and her dad

called her his "Wheetie" (Sweetie).

 

She was such a fun little girl. I think her passion was and still is,

what I love about her most. 

Erica was too young to be in gymnastics class, but because the instructors

recognized her talent at such an early age, they allowed her to attend

 class.  She loved it, and continued gymnastics and dance class late into her teens.

She was a precious little gymnist. Here are a few shots of her in her "Gym gear".

She loved having her picture taken all "decked" out!

After moving to Florida when she was just 4 years old, she fell

in love with the beach, the ocean, and EVERYTHING in the ocean.

I remember asking her what she wanted to be when she grew up,

and her answer was, "I want to train sharks!" So began her love of sharks,

which she has to this day. Erica is a certified diver, and has no fear

of ANYTHING in the ocean. One of her dreams is to dive with Great White Sharks!

This picture was taken on our favorite beach, Destin, Florida.

I don't believe that Erica was ever happier than when

she was on the beach, and surrounded by the ocean.

We were lucky enough to be able to go every spring break to our

condo in New Smyrna Beach. She was as happy as a lark the full 

seven days we were there. She was in the water most of the time,

and I will never forget all the treasures she use to find. 

One of the most interesting things she did one time, was catch

some baby trigger fish with her hands, and we had to keep them

in the condo during the week. As you probably know, trigger fish

are very dangerous. However, these were babies, and she was fascinated

that she was able to hold them without being hurt.

This picture was taken at New Smyrna Beach around 1993.

My little girl is one of the biggest inspirations in my life.

She is spiritual, loving, caring, funny, smart, 

GIVING, dedicated, hard working, an excellent cook,

beautiful, artistic, inspiring, a wonderful wife

and everything anyone could ever ask for in a daughter!

So, Happy Birthday, Sweet Erica! Thank you for all

of the joy you have brought and continue to bring to my life.

You are the absolute heartbeat of my very soul!

Love,

Mommers

•Cooking for Cousins, Praying for Renfrows•

I am still very sore from falling off the counter in the bathroom yesterday. My ribs are very, very sore.

My cousins are coming to Florida today, to spend about 4-5 days with DC & I.  We are very excited! Richard and Teddi are actually my mom's first cousins, but they are closer to my age than they are to her age. Growing up, we'd see them once a year at the family reunion in Belton, Texas! I actually cooked dinner and made dessert too! <3  We are having a sausage, fruit dinner, with green beans,

croissants dinner rolls, and a peach apple cobbler with ice cream for dessert!

This dish isn't quite finished, I have to add the mandarin oranges, and blueberries! Yummy!! Tomorrow we are going to Disney World, bright and early!

On a sad note, I found out today that one of my classmates from High School passed away. He and I didn't see eye to eye politically, and we often argued, but we had some very nice conversations as well. I will be praying for the Renfrow family, and I hope you'll say a prayer for them as well. Robert was way too young to leave this life, he died from complications of Diabetes. Rest In Peace, Robert.

 

•Ulcerative Colitis, DC & Deb•

This is in no way meant to be taken, sexually. This is speaking of the pain of Ulcerative Colitis, and my hubby holding me in his arms, during the horrible cramps associated with this disease.

she longs to be tightly held against his chest, where his heart will beat for hers until she is strong enough to once again stand on her own. the tightness that he holds her with, frees her mind from the agony the fire in her body is putting her through, and she is able to relax, pain free, if only for a few fleeting moments. and soon when the wave of internal burning courses through her body yet again, he tightens his grip hoping his grip can hold the pain away from her, if only for an instant. he rocks her gently, moving her hair that is wet from the heat of the fire that consumes her, away from her face, and he gently kisses her cheek, and whispers into her heart the love he has for her. he whispers that he will hold her until the fire is completely extinguished. she falls into much needed slumber, only to awaken again too quickly when the embers of the fire catch their breath and are fanned with the flame of pain lighting the ocean of fire throughout her tired, lifeless body. he stays with her, and he prays aloud to God to give her strength, and he asks God to do what he himself cannot, to ease her pain. his breath breathes for her, and his heart beats for her, and he rocks her ever so gently, holding her tight when the pain seems unbearable to breathe one more breath. the pain is the pain of a laboring mother giving birth to an infant blessing, but there is no blessed child when the pain subsides. her pain is beyond belief, and the frequency of it causes her mind to wander, out of this world, to a safer, less painful place, but he will not let her go. he is torn between letting her go where there is no pain, and his selfishness of not wanting to let her go. she begs him to let her go, in between deep breaths she takes to try and survive for another moment. he convinces her that he will take the pain himself, and he pulls her closer to him, and they become one, and he tries to share her pain, once again, she is able to survive until the pain finally subsides. exhausted she sleeps in his arms, and he holds her, and he promises her he will never let her go, and though through her sleep, she can't hear his promises, she knows of which he speaks, because they are one, and his words are coming straight from his heart to hers. and because of their love, and the Father's grace, she has survived one more day......

• Sunday and my Tummy is still an OuChIe•

It's been a rough week with this ulcerative colitis. I missed church this morning, because I knew if I went I would have spent most of the time in the rest room. I've been in bed since Friday, and I'm tired of being in bed. The heating pad has been my closest companion. 

I got up for a while yesterday and put up some of the Christmas decorations. I knew if I didn't start now, I never would. It gave me a chance to do it slowly. DC was at work so I didn't feel any pressure to get it all done. I decorated for a while, then laid down with the heating pad on my tummy. Then when the pain eased, I would get up and decorate a little more.

This is  Rudolph that I made when my children were small.

It is ceramic, and when you push his nose he 

plays a couple of Christmas tunes! He's always

been a favorite of the kids who visit during Christmas.

I usually hang Rudolph low enough for their little 

fingers to push his nose!

The Santa Heart pillow is another one of my creations.

Santa is an upside down heart pillow. I made him

when the kids were a little older, and in fact

taught classes on how to make him at

the local Craft store!

So, I still have some decorating to do, but am glad I got most of it done. I'll show more pictures when I'm finished. We still have the tree to put up, and we've yet to hang our stockings,

but we will get it all together, soon.  Just a little at a time for now. Hopefully,

the medication will help with my stomach pain soon, and I'll be feeling better before long!

Tomorrow I go back to work, with a new and different job, well, sorta. I'll be working for a new boss, and in a different building, but doing about the same work. Hopefully, it will take a lot of stress off of me, and I will have more support and understanding of the job I'm doing.

Until then, Bee wonderful!!

• A vErY rOuGh DaY On SaTuRdAy •

DC didn't want to stay home and do art and craft projects as I'd planned on doing today! : (

He had an appointment at the Apple Store for his iPhone, so I decided to go with him and get them to help me upload my iWeb page.

I quickly patched my other pair of favorite jeans. Let me know if you know what the word I spelled with these patches!

 I wasn't feeling well, but DC and I like to go places together! When I got to the mall, I was able to hang on until they helped me with my iWeb.

There was a brand new store next door to the Apple Store, so DC and I decided to take a look.  I tried on a skirt that was marked $9.98! The dressing rooms were full, with a line, so I pulled the skirt over my jeans. Sold! At this point we didn't know there was an extra 40% off. I could have spent much more time in the store, but my UC had other plans for me! I yelled at DC to pay for me, and I would meet him at the Barnes and Noble Book Store where there was a restroom.

Away I ran, and luckily there was not a wait. I was so, so sick.  When I left the restroom, DC was right there waiting for me. On the way to the car, I needed to go again! So DC hurried and drove us to the restaurant we had already decided to eat lunch n. I ran to the restroom and once again, God blessed me and there was no line!

We decided to stop at Target on the way home, and while we were checking out, I had to run to the restroom again.  This time the restrooms were being cleaned, so I ran back to the line, and DC

 was finished. Thank goodness. There was a Chik Filet in the same parking lot, so DC drove me quickly there to use their restroom. We made it!

After leaving Chik Flet, we drove to the pharmacy to get some medication the doctor sent me on Friday to help with this problem. After picking it up, we drove home, where I quickly ran into the house straight to the restroom again!!

 

I am worn out, and at one point I guess I told DC that I was tired of living like this. I don't know why I said it, except I was so sick and tired.

Gonna give the medication a try tonight. Doctor wants to see me in 10 days. Says if I'm not better he needs to do some surgery. Forget the 10 days, I might just be ready for a little surgery, after today's fiasco. If the medication stops the bleeding, I won't need surgery. If it doesn't stop it, surgery will have to happen.  This is a tough battle I'm fighting, but aren't we all fighting some type of battle? Please add me to your prayer list. I would greatly appreciate it.

Bee Thankful,

•LiViNg? With Ulcerative Colitis.........................One

"Are you ready, baby?" I loudly call to DC while I finish brushing my hair. "Waiting on you, Baby." He calls back, reaching into the pups treat jar so he'll be able to give Samijo and Jesijo a treat as we walk out the door. I meet him at the garage door and hesitate. "What?" DC wonders half to himself, but actually questions out loud. "I'm trying to decide if I should go to the rest room, or if I can wait." I say with no conviction. "Up to you." DC says, walking back to the couch, knowing we have another 20 minutes or more before we can leave the house.  "Sorry, DC, I yell from the guest restroom, which is the closest restroom to the door." "Don't worry, baby, do what you have to do." And so it goes, every single time we leave the house.

This is the beginning of a series of posts about my everyday life.  I live with a disease that completely controls my physical life, but I will not let it control my mind and soul. My hope in writing these posts, is to help someone. If only one person is helped, my time will have been well spent. Ulcerative Colitis is difficult to talk about because of the sensitive area that it affects. I hope I can be candid enough to help, but not give TMI. Please know that if you want to know more than I give, I will gladly talk via email to you personally.

I am lucky enough to be in remission at the present time, but at ANY moment that can change. At any given moment, two things are possible, 1) I can come out of remission, 2) I can have what is called a "flare-up".  Most of the time there is absolutely no warning when this happens. It just happens.  When I go to bed at night, I do not know what the night, or the next day will bring. Many times I begin to cramp in the middle of the night, and spend up to 2-3 hours in the restroom. The best thing I can compare the cramping to is hard labor during childbirth, in fact, I use the breathing techniques I learned in my Lamaze classes. During this "labor" my stomach is in a constant cramp, my body sweats, and I get sick to my stomach. I have spent 3 hours at a time, many nights, and during the day as well, sitting on the toilet trying/or having bowel movements. The bowel movements are yucky, bloody, mucus filled watery waste. There is tons of gas, between the bowel movements. The bowel movements are traumatic, and extremely tiresome. Besides the painful cramping, the worst part is the dehydration that the bowel movements cause.

You may think that no one dies from dehydration in these modern times of medical miracles. False. In 2004, I became severely dehydrated and did not recognize the signs. I was hospitalized for 10 days, the doctor telling me that I was about 48 hours from death, had I not gone to the emergency room.  I was lethargic, coveting the moments I was able to lay in bed, between bowel movements. I remember praying to God, that I would just go to sleep and not wake up. I was in so much pain, and too tired to do anything for myself. The hospital staff worked for 3-6 hours getting an I.V. into my veins, just to have the vein collapse hours later. They had to continue to find other veins the first few days in the hospital, as they all collapsed after a few hours. The doctor ordered an I.V. of antibiotics. The antibiotic was called Cipro, and it was incredibly painful dripping into my vein, so painful, that it was impossible to sleep, yet I was exhausted. Ten days I suffered in the hospital, wanting God to just take me home with Him.

But God had a different plan for me, and I am still here. I feel like part of His plan for me is to tell others how I suffered, how I often suffer still, so that somehow, I can help someone. I can be silent no longer, I have to educate others to what I have experienced, especially if someone can be blessed in some way. I believe this is the way that God works. We all have a purpose, maybe even more than one purpose. We go through troublesome times, and wonder why? Well, maybe it's not about us (ME), but about the one that we can help. Maybe that's why we suffer the things that we suffer. I feel like my suffering is in vein, if I do not share it with others. Maybe I can give someone a little bit of hope?

As most of you know, I recently began a new job. I have met some co-workers the past 3 weeks that have made me grateful for the blessings of health that I have. Truly, amazing. Thank you God for the good health that I have and so often take for granted, you are truly the one and only True God!



Bee forever grateful,

deb

This blog is intended to be about different chapters of my life. I named it The Eclectic Queen Bee because my life can only be described as eclectic. My friends who know me best have asked me several times to write the story of my life. While I would love to write it, my life has been so crazy, no one would believe my life story was true! So for now, just a blog or two, here and there. In the next couple of blogs I will be discussing the disease I've had for over 25 years, ulcerative colitis. I will be writing from my heart, and will be as honest as possible, without completely disgusting.

•my baby girl's giggles•

it is very late, and i need to be in bed, i have something very important to do tomorrow. i had to take the day off, to get it done. but i'm pretty much wide awake. *sigh*

my son's name is landon, and my daughter's name is erica. sometimes i call him l.k. or keithers, and most of the time i call her ric, so don't be confused if i switch back and forth.

i heard a little boy who was 17 months old laughing tonight with his daddy, as his daddy stood at the jewelry counter getting his watch sized. "parker's" laugh reminded me of when i would tickle landon and make him laugh.

landon had one of those infectious laughs, and his laugh use to crack me up, i would have tears running down my cheeks and snot running down my nose, because his laugh was so precious to me. ric didn't laugh much when she was little, in fact, it was hard to make her laugh.  landon was the only one who could get ric to laugh, most of the time. landon and erica are exactly 14.5 months a part, but who's counting, right? for a long time, raising them was worse than having twins, because they were both babies, but with the age difference, they were on totally different schedules, which meant, there was never a resting time for me. anyway, when we lived in our very first house, they shared a room. he had a twin size bed, and she had a baby bed. she loved to sleep, he did not. seldom ever could i get them down for a nap at the same time, but it never stopped me from trying. one day i was successful getting them to take a nap at the same time! i was so happy, and had so much to do, but i probably laid on my bed and floated into dream land myself. even though, i don't remember exactly what i did during their nap time, i do remember hearing erica laughing uncontrollably in the next room. you can imagine how happy it made me to hear her laugh, knowing that landon was "entertaining" her and making her laugh. i listened outside their door, not anxious to open the door and stop her fun. i remember putting my hand to my heart and having a little proud parent moment. how sweet was it that ric's older brother was entertaining her enough to get her to laugh? i tip-toed away from the door, so that i wouldn't stop their fun, and got busy around the house. i stopped my chores every now and then just to hear their laughter. at one point, i went back to the door and started listening, wishing there was a peephole in the door, so that i could watch this laughing miracle! as i listened i noticed there seemed to be a pattern to their laughter. i heard something hit a hard object, then i would hear her giggle, then she stopped suddenly, only to have the "something" hit a hard object again, she would giggle, then suddenly stop.  what could be going on in there? i couldn't think for the life of me what landon had come up with to make his sissy giggle. this laughter had been going on for about an hour, so i finally decided i would open the door and join them in their laughing game. when i opened the door, i first thought the room was on fire, from all the smoke. landon was riding his "horsie", you know, one of the kinds we all had, suspended on springs? i searched for ric, and didn't see her right away from all of the smoke, but she was standing in her baby bed covered in white smoke. all i could see was her huge blue eyes staring at me. when she blinked, she completely disappeared against the white wall behind her. landon had taken the extra large baby powder canister and was slapping his "horsie" on the rear, and when he hit the "horsie's" rear, the baby powder shot out in a stream that would make any firefighter proud! erica would begin to giggle, until the powder hit her right in the face, each time he slapped the "horsie", then her giggling would stop (when she probably went into survival mode, trying not to inhale the powder), but then he would slap the "horsie" again, and the powder shooting out, caused her to giggle out loud once again. i stood there in horror, and looked around the room, as i picked her up out of the line of "the lone ranger's" fire. powder was as thick as an overnight snow in Denver! i grabbed her in one arm, and the bottle of powder out of his little hand with the other arm. i set the powder down, and with her in tow, picked him up as well, and left the clouds of new falling snow behind, slamming the bedroom door shut, as i left. neither of them understood the urgency of me getting them out of their "snow" covered room. i stripped them both, and they were both delighted that an afternoon swim fest in the bathtub was next on this remarkably fun day they were having. i couldn't believe how much powder was on my baby girl. landon was a happy little camper, telling me over and over  "sissy laughing, mama", "sissy laughing at ME mama!"

i don't remember how much time i spent on their bedroom, trying to get all of the beautiful snow out of their sheets, beds, curtains, toy boxes, closets, carpet, blankets, picture frames and walls. EVERYTHING had to be washed, and dusted! did you know, you'll ruin a vacuum cleaner, vacuuming powder up? i don't remember what it was, but i do remember that dinner was take-out that night.

after our "snow day", it wasn't as important for me if ric giggled or laughed, much.  i figured she'd have plenty of time for that when she was older. and if not, i figured there were probably tons of women who didn't laugh a lot either, and she would be okay. but do understand that when i did hear her laughing, i came immediately to her side, to find out why, especially if i knew landon, was with her. i may have stopped checking when she was around 10 or 11!!!

our memories are the snapshots of days gone by, and as you probably know, digital cameras were not invented yet. i have no pictures to post of what that girl looked like, but the memory will be etched in my mind forever, and every time i see that white little face, and huge blue eyes, just looking at me, blinking, i laugh over and over again, in my heart.

thank you for this memory landon and erica, i cherish it, just as i cherish both of you.

bee funny!

•a tough start•

wOw! today has had a tough start. my ulcerative colitis would like for me to know who is boss. i understand, believe me. i hope the cramping stops soon. i will take my medication to work, just in case. i don't like taking anything extra, i take enough already, but i may change my mind later. it is hard to keep upbeat on these days, i will try. macy's management wants to talk to me about my resignation. they want me to work for them part-time, or every now and then, or something, i'm sure. i want to say yes, and i probably will, but i'm tired today, and it's not a good day to talk extra work. lol. maybe i'll just tell them, we'll have to talk later?

i had a pretty good day yesterday. dc and i were off together. we didn't do much, we took a nap on the couch, which was fun, in a very weird sort of way. lol! he is so gangly, he makes me laugh. it's better when i have these physically bad days when he is home. he takes my mind off of everything. i love to watch him. i love to watch him think, especially when i know what he is thinking. lol.

i think the stress i will go through tomorrow is what is making my system upset today. hopefully tomorrow will come and go quickly. please pray for me. i am going to court, and that is no fun. i feel like the soldiers who come back from war, and they remember bits and pieces of things that they saw, and things that they did. it isn't a fun place to be. God is good all the time though. remember that. please remember that.

a little boy is smiling today, he is feeling warm and cozy in his mommy's arms. i smile for him. i will pray for him. funny that his initials are cd. sometimes i've called dc, cd. times when i'm waking from surgery and such. lol. dc. dc. dc. always makes everything all right.

bee brave,

•a little boy was born today•

i received a phone call about 9:30 EST this morning. dc answered my phone and told the person on the other line that i was still asleep. so i turned over, and quickly i was back in the middle of my crazy artsy fartsy dream that i was truly enjoying.

when i woke up a little later, i wondered if the phone call had been dreamed or was real? i decided to call the only person i knew who was expecting a baby boy. the voice on the other end of the phone was tired sounding, but excited none-the-less. i smiled at the excitement in their voice, and i instantly remembered the tired excited voice i had when my baby was born. they began to tell me the little boy's stats. i smiled again, remembering my little girl weighing in at 8 lbs. and 10 oz. i congratulated the parent on the other end of the phone, i told them i loved them, and i couldn't wait to meet this little boy, and we hung up.

then i began to think about the little boy. who would he look like? who would he act like? what would his grandparents think about him? would he be tall? what color eyes would he have? would he like school? would he be a writer? how about sports? would he play baseball, football, soccer?

i prayed the same prayer i prayed after my two children were born, i prayed for the special person that would one day fall in love with this little boy, when he became a man. the person the little boy that was born today would end up marrying. i prayed that the little girl who is being raised at this very moment perhaps, was completely loved and well taken care of, by a loving, God worshiping family. i pray that she is a Godly woman one day, who will love this special little boy who was born today, with all of her heart. and that she will take as good care of him later, as his family is taking care of him today.

yes, a little boy was born today, and i love him, even though we may never get to meet. i will pray for him everyday.

bee praying,

•Another day at work•

So today was very busy for me. Not so much with customers, but with tasks to do. I worked really hard, took a late lunch, clocked out and came home to DC and the pups! Tonight we will watch "Burn Notice" together. We love to watch t.v. together, but I usually multi-task while watching t.v.

I'm new at this blogging thing, so I hope I get a little better at it. I hope my life doesn't bore you too much. I never get bored, my mind is always wondering what I should do next. There is not enough time in the day to do everything that I want to do. The weird thing is that when I get a day off, I usually don't get anything done that I want to get done. I think sometimes, my mind just can't stay focused.

I started writing a book today, and I'm very excited about it. I'll let you know all about it later. For now, I'm not talking a lot about it. I think it is a great idea, and will really benefit others. I hope so. It should be a lot of fun to write.

Well, I think I'll go see what I can snack on, while watching Burn Notice. LoL! I usually don't eat anything this late, but tonight, I'm a little hungry. Ummm? I wonder if there are any ice cream sandwich's left?

bee great,

•You say 3 Day Ago??•

My Angel Pin

Oh, no, you say three day ago? It been three day ago since last blog? *Asian accent/wink*

WoW! I have so much to say, but can't get through my writer's block! Amazing! I've never had writer's block. What do I do?  I have so many funny stories to tell, I just can't seem to word them.  Wonder what's going on in this crazy mind of mine? One never knows for sure, that we know for sure! LoL!

So I sit here on my day off, wondering why I can't get the words out that I have in my head. Maybe it was the paint I painted Sally with? (Sally is the name I gave my hair. She is so big, she can handle a name all her own.) Could that be it? I went back to my natural color. Whatever that may be. When I was little, Sally was blond. In high school she started to turn darker. After the birth of each of my children, Sally seemed to get darker and darker. For awhile (a long while) I've been painting her with a reddish blond color, I've been happy, until recently, it seems Sally is growing faster and faster, and I can't keep up with the paint. So I had this wild idea, that I would paint her back to her natural color, and give the grays a little free speech. Hmmm? I think that is a lot of free speech. But that's ok, for now, we'll see how it pans out. If the grays aren't nice, I'll paint them a hi-light color.

I knew it was time for Sally's paint job when a little old lady in church yesterday said to me, "Hi, Deb, it's so nice to see you this morning, how are you doing? Did you know that you can never donate your hair if you've colored it?" I loved that! Open and honest! She could see the dark, down the middle part of Sally! No, she wasn't being mean, just honest Abe. After she walked away, to go sit in "her" pew, I laughed. In fact I laughed until about the middle of the first song. Then I made the decision that I would leave church a little earlier than I needed to, so I could go and get Sally the paint she so badly needed before going to work, and that's what I did. So now she is painted, and she is still wet, but she sure does look dark! Wonder what DC will say when he comes home? I'll post a picture later. Yes, Sally is a big girl, indeed. I found a little ceramic sign that says "The bigger the hair, the closer to God", so I bought it and attached it to the wall, in my bathroom,  just under my mirror. I love it! It makes me happy when I read it.

I've been planning a date with my sewing machine for about a week now. Today, I got her out and put her on the table. That's a step, right? I'm ready to start making my holiday pins. No, I'm not being PC, my holiday pins consists of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, January Snow pins, February Heart pins, so they are "holiday pins". I've drawn pumpkins, ghosts, angels, gingerbread men/women, black cats, hearts, and various other little drawings, and I sew them out of muslin and decorate them with different little odd and ends. I enjoy making and giving them so much. I'm considering a charity sale. My best friend at Macy's passed away recently, and her hubby is having a hard time financially. We've had a couple of benefits for her, but I think I might just sell some pins and donate the money to Norman. (Norman is his name, and yes, my maiden name is Norman, just one of the many things Bev and I had in common.) I love making my pins. I think the pumpkin is my favorite. I drew the pumpkin then had it made into a stamp, so that I could stamp the pumpkin on the fabric instead of tracing it on. I love it! Now, my only problem is, I can't find the stamp! Hopefully I'll find the pumpkin today, and can at least start sewing a few today!

It's been fun talking, even though I didn't say much. Soon I hope to have my creative thinking back, and will be able to write some of my favorite stories of growing up with my kids......until then,

bee creative,

•Why I'm Blogging•

Blogging has intrigued me since I first became aware of it. I love to write, and thought this would be a great way to journal some of my life happenings. There are so many things that have happened in my life that I have wanted to remember every detail of, and I think this just might be the way to go.  I've also always felt that by sharing my life with others, I might just help someone along the way, that would be the icing on the cake for me.  Selfish? Maybe, but maybe not!!??

I want to say up front, that I was an English major. English? Really? Why would anyone want to be an English major? Well, I had big plans when I was just 18. I wanted to be a journalist. WoW! Those thoughts seem so long ago, even I question them. Unfortunately, I was discouraged in becoming a journalist by my dad. He didn't mean to "crush my dream", I think he was looking out for himself. LoL! Maybe he thought, and was probably right, that journalism would take me out of Dallas! Funny, I ended up leaving Dallas anyway!

Even though I was an English major, it doesn't mean I majored in spelling.  Yes, I'm a writer, but no, I'm not an editor. So if the improper use of language bothers you, my blog may not be the place for you. If spelling is your baby, my blog may not be the one for you. However, if you just like a view of the other side, and you enjoy laughing, you are at the right place! I am an out of the box thinker, as you'll probably soon see.

So, there is the disclaimer, straight from the heart. I will try my best to edit and spell check, but please know, sometimes, I just won't care about the spelling or fragmented sentences and such. It just isn't my reason for blogging....I do hope you'll stay with me, especially if you are having a crummy day, I hope I can bring a little light and laughter to your world.

bee wonderful,