Pillow Talk

Today I worked on completing two pillows to deliver to some girls at a group home I have been working at for the past few months.

I had the girls draw or write their favorite sayings or "motto" on a piece of paper and then I turned it into an embroidery pattern and stitched it together.

After asking them their favorite colors, I then selected the fabrics for the pillows.



I hope these little crafted gifts will let them know they are thought of and that someone took some time to make something special for them.

Unfortunately, one of the girls had gone "on run" when I got there. She is making some bad decisions right now in her life. I am glad to hear the home is willing to take her back once she is located. The other girl I made the pillow for is headed to a drug treatment rehab facility for a couple of months and then returning. I am only thinking good thoughts for her and hope she will come back with strengths to help her "live her life to the fullest".

Handbook 2010

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's--Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours..
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you..
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument.. Agree to disagree.

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy, so, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40. Please Forward this to those you care about, I just did.

Horse 'n Around -- Eagle Mount

Two of my children and I got to tour Eagle Mount the other day and meet the staff that work with disabled children and adults.



I have signed mine up to participate in their "Wrangler" program where they will be doing horsemanship activities, which could include "mucking". Both children didn't sound excited about that chore and we will have to see how it goes.




Also, they do not have to be put on a waiting list to be involved in that or summer day activities on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11 to 3. We went over the calendar of events and each child got to decide what activies they want to participate in. (Savannah Rose - age 15 chose twice as many as Avery - age 9).

I am so thankful to be in a new community, a smaller community, and one that offers special activities for those with disabilities.




We took some photos of the horses and donkeys while there and some of the pictures turned out beautifully. Hope you enjoy.

Aprons

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.


It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.


From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.


When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.


Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow,

bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.


From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.


In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.


When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.


When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner..


It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that ' old-time apron' that served so many purposes.


Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Now her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.


They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron!

Sunny Day Delight

Yesterday was a gloomy rainy day. I didn't even stick my head out the door and didn't feel inspired to sit and sew, to read, to draw or just plain anything. I would have loved to stay in bed with the covers pulled up to my chin also.

But, like most, I made it through and now today is just gorgeous!

Here is a glass window hanging that I recently purchased at JoAnn Fabrics. It makes me happy and looks so beautiful when the sun light is showing through it.

I now feel inspired. Also, I am thrilled because my husband has two of our three kids out with him on a day road trip. Maybe I will get a little more house cleaning done while the foot traffic is lighter around here today.

Like Cracks in the Stone -- Calligraphy

sketch, originally uploaded by Marina Marjina.

Such a beauty in this piece -- so delicate yet vast in meaning.

Hope you are home -- feeling good in your skin. I sometimes question where is home. I love my husband and kids, but I came from a very fractured beginning, was transplanted into another "family" that called me their own, but display otherwise. So 41 years later, here I am wondering if I should have been Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, yet not really knowing "there's no place like home, there's no place like home." -- Just my ramblings for today.

I will pick myself up and get busy -- so much to do!

Film star Helen Twelvetrees, ca. 1936-7 / photograph by Sam Hood

If you love photographs from days gone by, then you are going to be in heaven when you check out this link. I know I will be going back there often to see a bit of history. -- Alice

http://www.flickr.com/photos/statelibraryofnsw/

Helen Twelvetrees during filming of "Thoroughbred", Sydney, 1936 / Sam Hood

Film star Helen Twelvetrees, ca. 1936-7 / photograph by Sam Hood, originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection.

w/WonderlandShoppe

Format: Silver gelatin photograph

Notes: One of the first American women to star in an Australian film

From the collections of the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

May Day Celebration History

My birthday is May 1st or better known as MAY DAY -- but what exactly is MAY DAY and what is a Maypole?



Wikipedia says: May Day occurs on May 1 and refers to any of several public holidays.[1] In many countries, May Day is synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day, which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labour movement. As a day of celebration the holiday has ancient origins, and it can relate to many customs that have survived into modern times.


Many of these customs are due to May Day being a cross-quarter day, meaning that (in the Northern Hemisphere where it is almost exclusively celebrated) it falls approximately halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice.




Historians generally agree that May Day celebrations probably originated in the spring fertility rites of ancient Rome, which occurred at about the same time of year marking celebrations honoring the goddess of spring, Flora. ((I had an Aunt Flora!!!)).

By the Middle Ages, the day was being celebrated with a procession led by a "Queen of the May" chosen from a population of pretty teen girls, followed by the townspeople dancing around a maypole decorated with streamers and colorful spring flowers.



Pilgrims later brought May Day to America, but Puritans were quick to condemn the tradition as "that Stinking Idol reviving feasts of ye Roman goddess Flora or ye beastly practices of ye mad Bacchanalians".

By the late 19th century, May Day was taken up in America as a socialist movement celebrating workers' rights, a tradition that remains strong in Europe.

All told, modern May Day celebrations today have evolved into a hodgepodge of traditions including parties, sing-alongs, Old World maypole dancing, parades and workers' demonstrations, along with general protests against Big Business on the streets of major capitals worldwide.

And just for a little contrast, in Hawaii it's ... Lei Day.




Location: Canungra, Australia

Date: ca. 1934




Tiled mural rescued from a children's ward in Middlesex Hospital showing a maypole dance.

Designed in 1929 by Haydn Jensen.

Now in the Tile Museum, Jackfield, near Ironbridge, Shropshire.

Get Excited and Make Things!

Brave People Make Things so get excited and make things…. The first five (5) people to respond to this post will get something made by me.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It'll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it's going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. Heck, I might bake something for you and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to blog.
7. Send your mailing address - after I contact you. IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if I do not see you post your own blog to pay this forward.
This is going around blog-land. I saw it first here.
http://stitchingandbeading.blogspot.com

Jane Austen Bath Festival

The Jane Austen Festival
Friday 18th to Sunday 27th September 2009

The Bath Jane Austen Festival was the idea of David Baldock Director of the Jane Austen Centre and the first Festival took place in 2001. “My aim was to draw attention to this very popular author whose works were so influenced by the city by holding an annual celebration where Austen fans from all over the world could come and indulge themselves in everything Regency.”




Each year the Festival, which is held at the end of September, grows and grows with more people dressing in Regency costume celebrating the life and works of Jane Austen. Throughout the city events are organized by the Festival team under the guidance of Jackie Herring the Festival Director. Entrance to the events is by ticket and those go on sale at the Bath Festivals Box Office a few months before the start.


The most spectacular day each year is the first Saturday, when the festival officially ‘opens’ with the Regency Costumed Promenade through the streets of Bath. Promenaders from all over the world dress in 18th Century attire led by our Town Crier and accompanied by soldiers and sailors adding extra colour to the proceedings.


In 2008 for the first time, a traditional Country Fair in Queen Square where not only promenaders but also the general public could partake of the sideshows and stalls as well as try the stocks for size!

Small soirees, theatre, concerts, walking tours, food, talks and of course dancing plus the opportunity to dress throughout the week, if you wish, in 18th century costume. These are some of the attractions of the Jane Austen Festival.



Stop and visit this site for information on City of Bath England: http://www.cityofbath.co.uk/

British artist Stephen Wiltshire

Truly Inspiring Skill and Art!!!




November 7, 2008 | New Art | by Gerry Mak |

British artist Stephen Wiltshire is known as the ‘human camera’ for being able to render images of entire cityscapes in uncanny detail after only viewing the real scenes once. Wiltshire’s abilities stem from his autism, but his pieces are no less stunning. Perhaps Wiltshire’s condition isn’t truly a disability, merely evidence that our species is still evolving.

New York Theatre Ballet

Amidst general bad news for arts organizations and the economy, as well as the poor general state of arts education, there's great news from New York Theatre Ballet: Fathom will broadcast six chamber versions of ballets to movie theaters next season.

Here is the company's announcement:


NCM FATHOM EXPANDS ITS ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING WITH RENOWNED NEW YORK THEATRE BALLET SERIES CREATING "SEASON OF THE ARTS"
IN OVER 400 MOVIE THEATERS NATIONWIDE


New Agreement with MarQe Entertainment Brings Classic Chamber Ballet to Local Community Cinemas Beginning in August

LAS VEGAS - March 31, 2009 - NCM Fathom, the alternative entertainment division of National CineMedia, announced today an agreement with MarQe Entertainment Inc., (MarQe) to present a series of New York Theatre Ballet (NYTB) performances exclusively in select movie theaters nationwide beginning this August. The NYTB is historically known for its elaborate storybook sets, rich costumes and mesmerizing choreography where each classical story comes to life through the art of dance. The New York Theatre Ballet series will complement Fathom's existing opera schedule, offering audiences a "Season of the Arts," beginning in late summer and continuing into 2010. The series will include a live performance of The Nutcracker, which is slated to be broadcast live from New York in December. Each performance will feature exclusive segments that will only be seen by cinema audiences. The agreement for Fathom to exclusively distribute The New York Theatre Ballet series was announced today by Dan Diamond, vice president of Fathom, at ShoWest 2009, the largest annual convention for the motion picture industry.

Through this new agreement, Fathom in conjunction with MarQe will present The New York Theatre Ballet series featuring six performances of dynamic chamber ballet classics such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Carnival of the Animals and The Alice in Wonderland Follies. The ballet performances are perfectly suited to the attention span of the youngest audience members, yet sophisticated enough for the most discerning adults. Hailed by The New York Times as "a discreet little pearl in the oyster of New York dance," NYTB has earned acclaim for its restoration and revival of small masterworks by great choreographers and for its innovative ballets based on children's literature.

The New York Theatre Ballet series will be offered across NCM's exclusive Digital Broadcast Network (DBN) - North America's largest cinema broadcast network that reaches nearly 500 movie theaters and performing arts centers in the country. Tickets will be available beginning Friday, July 10th. Visit www.FathomEvents.com to learn more.


About New York Theatre Ballet

Founded by Diana Byer in 1978, the NYTB is the most widely seen chamber ballet in the U.S. NYTB is the only chamber ballet company in New York to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2009 - an important milestone since numerous chamber companies have closed due to dwindling arts funding and increased costs.

"We are thrilled with the opportunity to work with MarQe and NCM Fathom bringing NYTB's 30-year legacy to the screen for audiences across the country to enjoy. In this current economic climate, it is more important than ever to make the arts accessible and affordable and we're doing just that by bringing the rich experience of the NYTB to local cinemas nationwide," said Byer, artist director and founder of NYTB.

Desiderata -- Attitude is Everything!

Desiderata
written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Then there is the belief that ATTITUDE is everything.

Gonna Be A Bear

In this life I'm a woman. In my next life, I'd Like to come back as a bear. When your a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, your suppose to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that too.

When your a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while your sleeping and wake up to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definately deal with that.

If your a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. you swat away anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If your a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

YUP, GONNA BE A BEAR

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute. look at it and really see it...... live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.

Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us!

A Cup of Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee..You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked,

'Tell me what you see..'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.

The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.

The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.



'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.? You can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!!