You are currently browsing the archives for August, 2009.
If you begin the day with love in your heart, peace in your nerves, and truth in your mind, you not only benefit by their presence but also bring them to others, to your family and friends, and to all those whose destiny draws across your path that day.
Unknown
I wish you all a most excellent weekend!
Pam
The Wednesday word of the day is Determination (noun).
“the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose.”
(thanks Dictionary.com)
Do you know what your purpose is? Have you been thinking about what it might be? Do you ever get overwhelmed, thinking there are too many unknown factors and that whatever you decide will just have to be changed anyway, so why bother thinking about it?
Yeah, I understand that.
Let me offer a different perspective.
What if, instead of trying to force your future into one tiny, little box, you decide to live well, despite the distractions. Be determined to enjoy your life. Be grateful for all that you have, and recognize the joy that comes from being satisfied with who you are. Remember, simple is good.
There. Feel better?
Let me know what you think.
Pam
It’s Monday, which means time for the Inspirational song of the week.
While I was taking my walk yesterday, I heard this song by Will Smith called Miami. Not only does it have a great beat, but Will is obviously INSPIRED and really shows off all of the wonderful things he loves about his adopted home-town. Click on the link to share in the love!!!
Inspiration and the recognition of it. That’s why you’re here. Have a GREAT week!
Pam
The name of this project is Denim. I made it using a frame a girlfriend gifted me from her basement (Thanks Jen!), some muslin I dyed scarlet, American burlap (as opposed to Mexican jute which I love and hope to get more of,…. hint, hint), and my husbands jeans after I went at them with a pair of scissors. (What a treat!!) One of his belt buckles shows off the in-seam, while I used a needle and thread to sew on the waist band.
This is one of my oldest projects, dating back to 2005. Having carried back and forth to Art shows and Craft fairs, it has become one of my most favorite, as well as the many people who have commented on it.
After moving back home from Brasil, I am now becoming acquainted with my Michigan home all over again ( cue “Reunited“). This project lives in my dining room, (along with a lot of others) and I found myself staring at it the other day.
This project really helps showcase the answer to the question “What is the difference between change and transformation?”
Anyone can change their pants. That doesn’t change who they are. It doesn’t even change the pants.
Transformation takes time, tools and vision. It requires development and focus.
Think about a Thanksgiving turkey. First thing in the morning, before it has been cooked, a turkey is just a dead, cold, slimy, heavy thing with removable guts. ick!!
Follow these direction on how to make the perfect turkey, and in a matter of hours you and your loved ones can come together in peace and harmony.
Cool, huh?!
What do you think?
Pam
The Wednesday word of the day is:
REGROUP= (verb) to become reorganized in order to make a fresh start.
Since my family and I have moved back home ( yeah!!!! home, home, home!!!) I have been focusing my energy on putting my life back together. I started with my desk, and today will aim myself at my stacks of paper, bills and filing.
This past few days has been WONDERFUL in every way. I am riding high the wave of confidence and focus. It probably won’t last forever ( duh, you think?) but for now, I am taking full advantage of this time to GET R DONE!
Is there anything that feels better than getting reorganized? What better future to look forward to than a Fresh Start?
I hope you have a wonderful week 
Pam
It’s Monday, which means time for the Inspirational song of the week.
My family and I have been back home in Michigan for almost 4 days now, and I must admit to being absolutely thrilled! WOOOHOOOOO!!!!! Baby, I couldn’t be happier if I were twins! ;P On my walk this morning I heard this song and almost skipped down the street…..arms swinging….singing along! I want everyone to feel like this!!!!
Have a most awesome week! xoxoxoxoxooxox
Pam
p.s. I heart Harry!!! ;P
Harry Connick Jr
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Miscellaneous
A Wink And A Smile
I remember the days of just keeping time
Of hanging around in sleepy town
Forever back roads empty for miles
Well you can’t have a dream and cut it to fit
But when I saw you I knew
We’d go together, like a wink and a smile
Leave your old jalopy by the railroad track
We’ll get a hip double-dip hip Topy two seat Pontiac
So you can rev her up, don’t go slow
It’s only green lights and all rights
Let’s go together like a wink and a smile
Give me a wink and a smile
We go together like a wink and a smile
Now my heart is music, such a simple song
Sing it again the notes never end this is where I belong
Just the sound of your voice the light in your eyes
They’re so far away from yesterday
Together like a wink and a smile
We go together like a wink and a smile
[ Harry Connick Jr. Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
My family had been living in Tatui, Brasil since June of 2008, until last Wednesday the 29th of July. After just a few days of packing and cleaning, we all moved back home to Michigan.
Well, not all of us. Our cat, Simba, really hates to travel. He managed to escape at the last minute and run and hide in the roof of my neighbor’s churrasco (barbeque). I climbed the wall and looked inside the hole he dissappeared into. The neighbor lady and I spent half an hour begging and pleading him to come out. I even sat patiently and quietly by the hole for ten minutes. Finally, an hour late, we had to leave for the drive to Sao Paolo. With assurances from my neighbor that she would keep an eye out for him and feed him, we reluctantly got in the shuttle bus to go to the airport.
We are heart-broken. Simba had been a part of our family for 4 years and he was the perfect cat. He didn’t bite or scratch. He didn’t ruin the furniture with his claws and he never peed on anything. He was a wonderful cuddler and loved to snuggle up to our bellies and just spend time with us. He even put up with “upside down cat” when my husband would turn him upside down and rub his belly! He loved us and we loved him.
The 2 hours it took us to get the the airport went by in a blur of tears and tissues. My son asked why we had to lose Simba. I couldn’t answer him right away. I just said something about making sacrifices and then kept crying with him.
The rest of the travel went very smoothly. Our dog, Tootsie did her time in the crate, travelling as cargo in the belly of the airplanes. We picked her up in Cleveland and she was sitting up in her crate, waiting expectantly for us to come get her. (This was her second time travelling like this, so she knew we would.) We then packed her, her crate, and our 5 monster suitcases into the rental SUV and then drove 4 hours home to Ortonville, Michigan. After 30 hours of travel, we finally arrived home safe and sound and completely worn out.
The next morning I awoke fairly early and took out my journal. I needed to work out in my head, just what it was I was suppose to learn from losing the cat. I believe God does things for a reason, so I went looking for that reason by writing in my journal. After 3 pages, it came to me that the loss of our beloved cat was God’s way of encouraging me to focus on what I still have and to really appreciate having it. I didn’t want to lose him, and I’m sure he doesn’t want to lose us either, but he didn’t want to be stuck in the cat carrier more. He chose to stay in Brasil. Although it hurts, ( and yes, it still does and it probably will for a while longer) losing him amplified the wonderful adventure we had, the strong, healthy family we still are, and the closing of one chapter leading into the next. If he is meant to come back to live with us, I will take him back in a heart-beat. Like I said, he is the perfect cat. But for now, I just have to thank God for the time we had with him, and have faith that he will be safe and healthy in Brasil. We have many more adventures ahead of us to look forward to.
Good-bye Simba. God be with you and watch over you. You will be missed.
Pam
