Help Japan.

I know the news media has shifted on to other stories, leaving the ongoing tragedy in Japan behind.  I understand this story is old news and they need to move on to something else that is breaking for their headlines.

Mission to the World is still very involved in the recovery of Japan, with missionaries working together with locals to help feed and clothe people in the impacted areas.

This Link will take you to their website, where Roger and Abi Lowther of Grace City Church Tokyo have sent updates concerning their progress in delivering food, water and clothing to affected areas.

It's amazing. God's work is amazing. I hope you'll take a moment to read some of the blogs to learn more.  Roger has a Blogspot Blog Here.

Say a prayer for these brave missionaries and those helping in providing relief for those in need. These people are truly gifts from God that they were in the right place to help and show God's love to the people of Japan.  My heart breaks for those who have lost everything - forget material possessions, but their loved one's lives. Keeping them in my thoughts and prayers.

Raindrops.

So I guess without rain we wouldn't have raindrops, right?  I ventured outside after work yesterday in the misty rain and cold temperatures, hoping to find some decent pictures.  Wish I knew better what I was doing instead of just clickin' and prayin'. But I'm having fun.

Went to this very old graveyard close to my office.  Since I have this irrational fear of falling through a grave site, which becomes even worse when the ground is wet, I didn't make it far beyond the front gate. But that's ok, too.

We've gotten over 3" of rain in the past two days! I feel like we are floating away, but come August we'll be praying for this rain.  So I'm trying to have a positive outlook about it now and APPRECIATE it. *sigh* Trying.

Hello Thursday, I hope you bring some sunshine my way! :)  Only one more day until the weekend! Ya'll keep hanging on, it's almost here!

Just living is not enough - said the Butterfly

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly,
"one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."
~Hans Christian Anderson

Amen little butterfly.  And I could use some of that sunshine today. Holy cow, it's raining to beat the band out there today with dark overcast skies and not a drop of sunshine.  It's cold and dreary, making me put back on close-toed shoes and leave my flip flops at home. *pout*

But rain makes the flowers grow so I can't be too pouty. Or at least, I can try to be less pouty about it and pretend like that thought makes it better. HAHA

Any happy thoughts to make me smile today? Feel free to share a few!

I did it! :)

I'm so proud of myself. I made a double layer carrot cake with cream cheese icing from scratch - all by myself! :)  Every once in a while I get the urge to try my hand at cooking or baking and you never know how it's going to turn out.  It's always an adventure.

But this time, it turned out WONDERFUL! It was very moist, very tasty and VERY CUTE!

I'm really bad to tweak recipes before I try them, based on the comments in the reviews. These reviewers didn't lead me astray and it turned out great.  :)  YAYAYAYAY! 

Want to see the recipe?  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Carrot-Cake-III/Detail.aspx

I did make a few changes:

• 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of brown sugar
• 3/4 cup of oil and 1/2 cup of applesauce
• added some nutmeg and allspice
• grated the carrots with the cheese grater side to reduce moisture in the cake.

So yummy. Yum yum yummy!

Muffin Monday

I was dragging pretty bad this morning. Monday mornings are always tough, but rainy Mondays after rainy weekends are especially difficult. Seems I'm not the only one who thinks so.

I finally haul myself out of bed. Drag myself to the doorway and flip on the light. Muffin wasn't thrilled with the overhead light being on and groggily blinked at me.

I find my way into the bathroom, turn on the water and slowly come to life under the spray of hot water.  Turn off the water, toss back the curtain .... and there is NO KITTEN GREETING ME ON THE BATHROOM RUG!  What? Where is she? No meows, no hops into the tub... No Muffin.

I finish the morning routine and go back into my bedroom, where I find this:

 Right where I left her.  Just before this picture, she gave me the biggest yawn, like I'm interrupting her precious sleep. She didn't move from that spot until she saw me heading for the front part of the house - aka - where her food is located. THEN she manged to get up and show some excitement! :)

I hope ya'll have a great week, despite the gloomy beginning.  Wrap up the end of March with a positive attitude and welcome April with a smile!

Weekend Wants

What could I possibly want this weekend?

How about a 2010 Camry Hubcap, since one of mine went missing.  Yes indeed. I was less than thrilled when a co-worker told me I had a missing hubcap. I HATE it. But, I also don't want to spend $85 at my local Toyota dealership to have it replaced. So I'm driving around looking like a dingbat and trying desperately to be ok with it.

Weekend Cat Blogging.

Muffin returns this weekend. 

Obviously she's had a stressful week and is sneaking in a Saturday Snooze...

Being a cat is a hard life. *sigh*

Enjoy your weekend and follow Muffin's lead - sneak in a nap! :)

Mending Hearts.



Click the picture to visit the Etsy website for this product.



A sincere apology can go a long way
towards mending hard feelings
and erasing bad memories. 

I had a two-and-a-half-hour long conversation with an old friend last night.  We've been through the good, the bad and the ugly together and have somehow managed to come out on the other side.  His friendship is valuable to me, even though we drive each other crazy on a frequent basis.  Too often our history clouds the present and hard feelings creep back into the conversations.

But last night, a simple, sincere, baldly honest apology closed the book on many old memories, healing something I rarely acknowledged was still hurting. It was difficult to go back to some of those times, but still very healing, I believe.

Apologies, although difficult to suck up pride and say out loud, can go a long way to developing stronger relationships. I'm very thankful for my friend, who was able to do so with me.

Lewis Grizzard

Katie's Apple Blossoms in the Evening

Springtime is the land awakening.  The March winds are the morning yawn. 

~Quoted by Lewis Grizzard in Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You

Oh my gosh, you just have to LOVE Lewis Grizzard. I remember my Daddy reading book after book of good ol' Lewis. Hate he's now gone.  There was an actor that really did a jam up job of imitating Lewis Grizzard and he'd do a one-person performace on stage as if he were Lewis Grizzard. It's one of the only times I can remember getting Daddy to leave the house in the evening without Mama - Katie and I packed him up and headed for the show, leaving Mom behind at the house. I can't remember why she didn't go, but I do remember how much he thourgoughly enjoyed every minute of it. There is a Patsy Cline one similar that I'd like to take him to, but I don't see me being able to get him out of the recliner for it.

What a great memory, brought on by a quote to narrate my photo. Happy Thursday, ya'll! Enjoy Spring while it is here! :)

Enjoying God's Paintings.

My Sunrise This Morning

My Sunset This Evening

My drive in this morning was really peaceful and nice. I managed to get out of the house early so I wasn't freaking out about being late and instead enjoyed the sunrise that barely tinted the clouds with yellow and orange. I'm sure I caused one or two folks to panic as I tried to get the picture with my camera phone as I headed down the highway. Poor folks don't know I'm a pro by now. :)

This evening, after a laid-back visit with my sister, mom, and dad, I headed up to a nearby town for dinner by myself.  Waited for a break in all the trees to snap the sunset to my left. Again, I'm a pro - even if this picture is crooked. Oops. :) 

Eating alone is one of those things that once would have really messed with me. I hated it. Felt like people were looking at me and pitying me for not having someone to eat with.  Today, I'm ok with it. I took my magazine into the restaurant and enjoyed some uninterrupted quiet time to enjoy reading my magazine. I rarely run into people I know at this place, so it was just quiet me time. Nice.

I snapped a few pics this afternoon before the storms hit this area. I figured after the rain they are calling for, all the blossoms and blooms may be looking a bit rough. I'll post a few in the next couple of days for you to enjoy, too.

Happy Thursday tomorrow, everyone. We've almost made it to FRIDAY! :)

Progress Report

My Thankful Journal, with pen attached for easy writing!

I'm updating myself, more than anything, on how I'm keeping up with the goals and life additions I had made at the beginning of the year.  One of the most important, I believe, being appreciative or thankful.

I wanted to keep an active Thankful Journal this year, as opposed to last year when I may have written 12 entries all year. So how am I doing this year?

• January: 10
• February: 4 (bad Bethie)
• March (so far): 7

I'm noticing I'm wanting to write more than just one page, they are becoming longer with more details. Maybe that's a good thing? Regardless, it is AMAZING to look back at the prayers that have been answered and at all the blessings I've received this year alone. Awesome stuff.

One of the other things I rated of high importance was to take more pictures of life. Enjoy looking through the lens and finding the beauty around me. I think I've taken the time to stop and take pictures of the roses, so to speak. I'm looking forward to heading back out - maybe this weekend - and snapping some more pics of the life in bloom all around me.

So, I'm not doing perfect, but I am improving. And by taking a moment to review where I am in the life additions I believe I'll continue to improve. :) 

Muffin Monday - GUEST!

Muffin and I have had a rough weekend preparing for this morning's appraisal of the house - which is needed for my mortgage. Cleaning, re-organizing, building shelves, taking shelves down, rebuilding shelves inside the closet since they wouldn't fit, cleaning, organizing, cleaning. Oh and did I mention cleaning? I wanted it perfect.

Therefore, no cute pics of Muffin this week, as she doesn't like cleaning or weed eaters. And she doesn't like appraisers, either. She hid under the blankets the entire time he was here.

Today's Muffin Monday will share the spotlight with Snowflake!

My sister-in-law's kitty who is extremely fluffy and cute. She looks like a HUGE fur ball, but underneath all that fluff, Snowflake is actually quite skinny!

Clay, my brother, says she looks like an angry Muppet. HAHAHAHA - she does! Her expressions just crack me up because you can really read what she's trying to tell you.

I hope every has a wonderful week! I think the weather is supposed to be mostly sunshiny and warm here and I'm looking forward to it! Now that the appraisal is behind me, Muffin and I can both heave a sigh of relief and enjoy the rest of the week. :) 

This is the Day...

Edisto Island, 2008

Sunrises are beautiful beginnings to new days. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24

A Stitch in Time.

Whirligig quilt made by my great-grandmother. Sewn by hand with love. I wish I knew more, like did her little girls have dresses made from these fabrics? Or did she make an apron for herself to keep the flour off her clothes? What were her thoughts as she sewed the pieces together?

I'm happy to have them in my house, to be another one of many hands to have held them and appreciated the craftsman ship and love that was sewn into every stitch.

Can you imagine every stitch, done by hand?

Soul in Bloom

My Daddy's pear tree in bloom on a beautiful Spring day!

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul

by a flower in spring bloom,

maybe your soul has never been in bloom. 

~Terri Guillemets

Happy Tuesday to all my imaginary friends! I hope your week is beautiful and you take time to enjoy the miracle of Spring bursting open all around us.  :)

Muffin Monday!

Happy Monday! Today you are getting up close and personal with a curious cat! I interrupted her rest on the spare bed, so I deserved a little Muffin snot on the lens. Got it all cleaned up!

Isn't she a cutie?! Awww... just melts my heart.

Happy Monday, everyone! Say a prayer for Japan and then go have a good day. :)

Weekend Wants

This weekend, I want to encourage you to consider prayer for those impacted in Japan by the horrible events surrounding the earthquake and tsunami. I do not believe we can begin to comprehend what they are currently facing - hundreds dead, hundreds missing, families displaced across the region, and total devastation.  Suicides are up - people are not seeing a light at the end of this tunnel. Please help them.

Many of us are familiar with ARC - learn more about what they are doing to assist in Japan by clicking here.


I hope you will read this excerpt from missionaries who are serving in Japan. Their words are powerful and help open our eyes to what is going on - on many levels - in Japan. Operation Crash is an organization of Christians helping in Japan right now. Read more. (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope).

Anyway, HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE TO HELP - through donations, flying there to help yourself, through your prayers - please help. My weekend want: to help those who are suffering. Thank you!

Highs & Lows

It's been a week of highs and lows. The Roller Coaster called Life, right?

High: I have pretty vertebrae which are not ruptured. Yay! (Low - still having some back issues)

Lows: Losing Pa Boots. (High: knowing he is in Heaven with God and his wife, Sissy)

Everything has a flip side, right? But it's been all in all, a good week.

• Enjoyed a great conversation with several cousins that I just don't have the chance to visit with or talk with in a one-on-one format. I enjoy getting to know them better, becoming a closer family.
• Saw the cutest little Ellie Jean with her happy grins and giggles as she bounced bounced bounced on my legs.
• Celebrated a dearly departed friend's birthday with my friend, Donna. It was a blessing to have known Daryl for the short time span that I had him in my life.
• Sad to see Pa Boots' ending, but blessed to know his heart and have certainty he's with the Lord.

If you'll notice, none of that involved anything materialistic. No shopping, buying, wearing, - just people and love. And that's just awesome to be able to find so much joy in love.

Happy Saturday, everyone, and I hope your Sunday is filled with family and friends and LOVE like mine will be! :)  *hugs*

Weekend Cat Blogging

This is a not happy Muffin ignoring my camera and me!

Her new thing is to sit on the rug in front of the tub to remind me she wants fresh water tossed into the tub for her drinking pleasure. :)  She's a mess.

Happy Weekend Cat Blogging, my friends! :) Many thanks to the wonderful Pam and CoCo at Sidewalk Shoes for being our hosts! :)

Beautiful Sunsets.

This afternoon was a beautiful sunset of oranges and purples that literally filled the sky with color.  And tonight, the sky was completely filled with bright twinkling stars that were just amazing.

God is still right here. The times are sad because Pa Boots was a much loved man. But I know he's with God. The same God that painted the beautiful sunset for us this evening and placed each and every star in the sky for us tonight. So how can I not be happy for Pa Boots at the thoughts of him in heaven?
 

My grandparents.
I think I look a lot like grandma.


 I know it might sound crazy, but I do occasionally talk to those who have already passed. Maybe not to them directly, but I'll ask God to please let them know I love them and still think of them. Or in the case of my own grandparents, I can't wait to meet them for the first time, in heaven! I regret I never had the chance to know them, to see my granddad coming in from fishing with his catch and pole. Taste grandma's cooking and play a few hands of cards with her. But I feel like they both know about me and get a kick out of the bits and pieces of them that have carried over into me.

Tonight brings back so many memories of those who I've lost over the years, but honestly, I'll be seeing them again. Without the aches and pains and sorrows of life, but with the joy of God and His love. :)

It's these thoughts I'll take to bed with me. "What a day that will be, when my Savior I shall see, and I'll look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace, and He'll take me by the hand, and lead me to the promised land, what a day, glorious day, that will be!" (I hope I have all the words right! *laugh*)

Good night, ya'll.

Otter Rocks.

I have been stressing over what to name this new venture of mine. For two days I've thought of words to describe me, my nicknames, family names, ugh! I haven't done well AT ALL. No creativity, no zip zam boom! Booorrring.

Tonight, talking to a friend and listing off the many things I like, here are some names I've come up with.  Keep in mind, this is to describe a registry book you would keep all your shower gifts recorded in - for brides or babies. 

• Otter Rocks. Somewhere I read that otters keep a special rock with them that they use to crack open their food and they share those rocks with other otters they have affection for. ... however, I can't find that again, so I'm thinking the last part was in a children's book and I took it for fact. Oops.!  They are also wonderful devoted mothers to their young.
• Otter Love.
• Pressed Clovers. - like how you would press 4 leaf clovers in books as keepsakes
• Lucky Penny.
• Dancing Otters. Singing Otters, Twirling Otters. Silly Otters. Giggling Otters. AHHHHHHHHHH.

Ok, I'm not doing good. So feel free to add to this list with a name suggestion. SERIOUSLY - I'm open to suggestions! Help me before I lose my mind and bring Paulene down the slippery slope of insanity with me!

Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 48:14For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Isaiah 41:10So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

You know how sometimes your heart just feels heavy? I definitely have a heavy heart and it is sometimes hard to focus on how God is still right here with me, never leaving my side.  I'm saddened about the losses that have already happened and those that will come. I often have no courage, no faith in the talents God has given me and I lack the fortitude to walk down the path He is leading me to.

Faith. Courage. Love. Fearlessness. Support. Strength.
Thank you, God, for giving each one to me, if I only accept the gift.

Pa Boots - a Special Man.

Pa Boots & his daughter, Diane



Tonight I got to visit a very special man - Pa Boots. Although he isn't my grandfather by blood, I still considered him very much in that role to me.  He's actually my friend, Donna's, grandfather.  Everyone else in the community calls him "Boots" except his family. They call him, "Pa Boots." I didn't know any better, so I called him what Donna called him. Oops. :)  Thankfully, Donna's family seems to be ok with me adopting their Grandparents.

Pa Boots & Miss Louise

Pa Boots isn't perfect, I'm sure. I didn't know him when he was younger, don't know all the history, but from what I've seen over the past 10+ years or so, he's a gentle man, loving, adores animals and will adopt many. Miss Kitty just happened to end up in the house, a quick little kitten that had Pa Boots wrapped around her little paw. That cat killed dozens of moles and dropped at his door. Had a litter of kittens that Pa Boots would watch from his straight-backed chair on the porch.

Pa Boots & Ellie, giving him a kiss

He never seemed to be without a dog. Trey or Bear.  One time as we were visiting, Donna asked Pa Boots how that dishpan of water got into the living room for him to soak his feet in (he wasn't supposed to be lifting things, I don't think.)  He kinda grinned and said Bear must have done it. *laugh*  He does have a great sense of humor. He also likes to feed those dogs people food and would buy a hot dog for him and a hot dog for the dog. Or whatever else he might be eating for supper that night.



Me & Pa Boots at Donna's Wedding

And fishing. I've heard some fish tales.  Fishing with buddies on Lake Wylie with the dog. He told me the best eating you could ever have was to get those fresh fish and cook them right there beside the river. He said he had some fish in the freezer in case of an emergency. Not sure what kind of emergency involves fish, but he is prepared. *laugh*



Pa Boots isn't doing too good.  Donna told me over the weekend. I debated about going in to see him, didn't know if it would confuse him or not. But I'm really glad I went on tonight.  Although he did cut the preachers line when they were fishing one day, I know how good of a man he is and I know where he'll eventually be, with Sissy, his wife. And lots of other good people who have left us here.  It makes me incredibly sad and yet happy at the same time.

Saying prayers for peace and strength - especially for his family and for all who love him.

 

Muffin Monday! :)

Good Morning all you Muffin fans!! I'm starting your week off right with a beautiful new pic of your favorite kitten, MUFFIN! This was taken on her way to the food dish... one of her favorite spots in the house.

All things considered, she's a sweet kitty (ok, I might be stretching it just a bit) but she's my buddy. :)  And she can't help it if cat food is so yummy she has to go back for seconds. And thirds. Possibly fourths.

Anyway - ya'll have a WONDERFUL week and we'll see you back here tomorrow! :)

Think Pink! & Weekend Wants

Today has been one heck of a rainy day, making life so grey and blah. However, as soon as it slacked off a little bit, I slipped into my old painted-dotted flip flops and trudged behind the house to this one little Damson tree that is the spot of beauty among the thorns.  Seriously. It was surrounded by thorn trees, which are just evil, but my hero (Dad!) eliminated the thorn trees and saved my Damson tree!

With all this rain, I've decided I want a cute umbrella. Who wants to be running around in the already dreary day with a boring black umbrella? Surely we can do better than that - and we have! Check out these options:

This beautiful Gerber Daisy umbrella can be found here on Amazon. I was lazy and used Amazon for all my umbrellas. But isn't this adorable? It also comes in purple, but that isn't nearly as cute. Trust me.

 

 Then I found this one - which makes everyone else look at the boring black while you look at beautiful blue skies with white puffy clouds. Kinda evil, eh? But I like it. It can be found here.

 

For some reason, this type of umbrella just makes sense. It's more of a dome and seems that it would keep you drier if the wind were blowing. What do you think? Am I crazy? But I love the colorful dots... I think you could still see through it well enough to avoid bumping into other people while walking with it, too. I like it! You can find this (or the clear version) here.

 

And the last picture has nothing to do with my Damson tree or umbrellas. :)  It's a pic of my sister and I at a relative's baby shower. Since I always take my camera, I end up being the family photographer and "documenting" the entire event.  So I figured I needed one pic of my sister and me to show I actually do attend these family functions! Not too bad for holding the camera myself for a quick pic!  



We really don't favor much, do we? I'll have to find one that has my brother in it, too. Because the three of us really don't resemble much. I guess we are just different bits and pieces from our heritage, right?

Anyway - ya'll have a great Sunday afternoon wherever you are and we'll see you on Monday for Muffin Monday! :) 

Weekend Cat Blogging.

Happy Weekend Cat Blogging! :)

Never doubt that Big Muffin is watching you...

Yes, that's her tail wrapped up to her head. :)

This is my entry for the Weekend Cat Blogging, hosted by Mind of Mog (Thanks for hosting!)

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend and happy week next week!

Friend Glow.

I adore creating new friend memories. Even if they aren't those kind of memories that alter life, but just send a warm glow of happiness and friendship throughout your week - that's awesome. Maybe I should retitle this blog "Friend Glow." (Ok, I decided to call it that. :) )

Anyway, I did just what I said I'd do this past week, including dropping off some yummy food for Mom's lunch and having lunch with Dad.  Ran into town to my old job to help give a few pointers to their new person.  And enjoyed a great dinner with a good friend/old co-worker, where we also bumped into my brother and s-i-l.  Good seeing them, especially after Clay's first week doing his new job and not in training.


Sara & Elizabeth - two peeps I miss BUNCHES!


So my friend, Sara, who went to dinner with me is just a fabulous person who always makes me feel better after hanging out with her.  We talk in lots of parking lots, I'm finding, but it's awesome because it's just good relaxed conversation. I'm very thankful to know her and to be able to consider her a friend. I miss those old co-workers greatly!

Today was another lazy day until managing to get up and enjoy my first 3-D movie with Gary, Drive Angry. Good name for it, I'd say, with lots of anger and potty mouths. Someone needed to wash their mouths out because holy cow, Batman, they were out-cussing the sailors. But it was not bad... don't think I need to see it again, though.

Dinner at a dive in a nearby town, more conversation in parking lots (what is it with me and parking lots?!) and now I'm home. Exhausted from doing nothing all day and ready to snuggle back into my bed. I already have the electric blanket on and warming it up for me! Tomorrow: CHURCH since I've missed the past two Sundays due to my back. Looking forward to seeing my church family again.

On a side note: I have many friends who have lost loved ones, (fathers, grandmothers) and others who are having to see their loved ones decline. Pray with me for those who are struggling with these issues, please. I'm sure you all know some, too. Many thanks.

*hugs*

Lazy days ahead!



Did someone say Lunch?



I'm debating taking the next two days off from work. I have plenty of comp time hours that I'll only be adding to during the upcoming elections, so ... sleeping in tomorrow sounds Divine. :) I'll think of you from my cuddle cave of blankets and Muffin in the morning.

 

 I'm actually thinking it would be nice to surprise mom with some Chinese food for lunch tomorrow! She works at an elementary school, so some yummy restaurant food would probably tickle her pink. We'll see how the day goes, since Dad is off from work, too. Somehow, I have a feeling I'll end up checking cows tomorrow!

Maybe I'll explore Susan Branch's website, since she just sent out a Willard! Willard is the name of her e-newsletter, which is always packed with coziness and warm fuzzies. A real treat, with great quotes to inspire creativity, love, happiness, friendship and a host of other good and wonderful things. Her blog just lights up the computer... and my brain as I read and join in with a chuckle at her wonderful take on life. I think you'll enjoy her, too, so stop on by her page and sign up for Willard. It's not exactly what you read on the blog, so you'll get a little treat to your inbox! What more could you ask for! (how cute is the illustration to the left? From her blog! I can tell you want to dive in...)

For now, even though I'll be able to sleep in tomorrow, I think it's time for me to wind down and crawl into bed.  Maybe find a good book to dive into before closing my eyes. Have a wondermous Thursday! :) Night!

Maybe... Just Maybe...

I'm getting excited.

A friend and I have been talking, texting, plotting... and maybe, just MAYBE I'll start this project and see it through to becoming an actual piece of work to sell to the public. Maybe.

I can't tell you how thankful I am for friends! Just when I am doubting myself, thinking there is no way I have the talent needed to pull this off, I get another text saying, "Oh goodness! I love the pages! So colorful and lovely!! I am so excited to see more! Keep on going - its GREAT!!"

Wow. And get this - she was MY intern once upon a time. And now, she's definitely teaching me! Just seeing that from someone I respect so much, it really built me up and gave me the courage to say - I'm going to go for it! I'm going to try it out and see what happens! So please stay tuned and take this journey with me, I'm very excited.

On an unrelated note - Muffin is refusing to eat her food. Not that she's sick, it's just different food (same brand name, just a different flavor) and it's driving me CRAZY. Any suggestions on how to get this hard-headed cat to EAT her dadgim FOOD? GRRRRRR.

Ya'll have a happy Hump Day tomorrow - one day closer to the weekend! :)  And say a prayer that I find some confidence to see me through this project!