Blog-tember Daily - 9-30-15

All good things must come to an end; and I am certainly sad to see this Blog-tember challenge with Bailey Jean come to an end.  But, writing will continue ... and there is always next year!

Today's prompt is:

How Did the Blog-tember Challenge Go For You? Any surprises?  What was Your Favorite Prompt, Or What Would You Like to See Included Next Time?

The challenge came at a time in my life when I have been questioning myself; my faith; my commitments; my challenges; my choices...

And at a time when I am part of a team at our church, the Pastoral Search Committee.  We have been doing some soul-searching as well.

These two circumstances have inter-connected in the thoughts that have been running around in my brain...and I have pondered many of the prompts with these things in my brain (or elsewhere?).

One thing I learned during this month is:  How to make a photo collage in PicMonkey!  Such an easy thing, I'm sure, for those "techy" people...but I kept getting confused and frustrated all at the same time...

Until I made one!!  And then another...and now I think I could do another and another!!

So, the fact that I did get a collage done for the September 13th post that shared our inspiration or mood board for this season in our life, I'd have to say that is one of my favorite accomplishments!  And, here is the collage:

But, to pick a favorite topic would be really hard!  I enjoyed peeking into everyone's bags and and drooling over what they were carrying around...check out my bag below and on the September 15th post.

I also enjoyed sharing my blog with my friend Karen, who blogs at Finding the Grace Within by inviting her to Guest Post...check out her blog here; and her guest post on my September 23rd post.

This Blog-tember challenge really did help prepare me for writing every day - again - and especially for the October challenge which, of course, begins the day after this one ends!

{I may need to take November and December off to enjoy the holidays and start again in the new year...but I doubt if I do!}


Thanks again, to Bailey Jean for bringing us all together!

Blog-tember Daily - 9-29-15

Well, it has just about come to an end; I have enjoyed linking up with Bailey Jean for the Blog-tember challenge...

Today's prompt is:

Write Your Own List 
of 10 Blog Topics
to Inspire Next Month



1.  Scriptures to Live By

2.  Photos of Everyday Living

3.  Re-Cycled Crafting
{creating with what you already have!}

4.  Cooking for People Who Hate to Cook

5.  Living with Dementia

6.  What to do now that you're Retired

7.  Sharing our Inner-most Thoughts

8.  What's on Your Bucket List

9.  Fashion into your 60's and 70's

10.  Travel Tips

While I have no plans to write on any of the above topics for the "write31days" challenge, some may show up in the words that are prompted for the Five Minute Friday-style "Free Writes"!

Check out mine here.


One more day is left for the Blog-tember challenge; and I have made it through all but one or two {which were by choice omitted}...I have enjoyed "exploring" some of my likes and dislikes, good days and bad days, and so many other things in between!

Thank you, Bailey Jean for the Blog-tember challenge!  Looking forward to another year in 2016.

Blog-tember Daily - 9-28-15

I have been linking up with Bailey Jean for the Blog-tember challenge; and now that it is almost finished, I think I may miss writing every day...oh, wait!  The "write31days" challenge comes next!

Today's prompt is:

A Day in the Life...
Take us through it with you!

What would a day in my life be like?  Hmmm...

Should I pick a really busy day?  Or, one of those lazy days?

Let's see...maybe I can come up with a combination deal!

So, on this "day in the life" of this retired grandma, I would stay in bed until I felt rested ... and this usually comes after getting up for a "potty break" around 6ish!  Then, I would crawl back into bed, pull the comforter up to my neck, close my eyes and ...

Not get back up until 8:30 or 9:00 am!  Yep!  That's all...9:00 am is about as late as it gets, even if I have stayed up 'til 11:30 pm or 12:00 am!

First stop - my comfy "prayer chair"!  OK, I don't really call it that; but my chair is rather comfy; and it was given to us; and that is where I do my morning devotions!

Add a dark purple prayer shawl and a couple of pillows - a bright lime green and aqua blue one, and a heart-shaped pillow with tiny flowers in shades of pink {a hand-made "comfort pillow" I received during one of my hospital stays}...


Sitting in the {hopefully} quiet, I open my devotion book and Bible and spend some time reading and journaling.  Sometimes the reading leads me to other scriptures; other times I just read from the two books I am currently using.

Next, I "check in" with what is going on - e-mail, Facebook, maybe the news, but usually not!  As I browse the e-mails, there are blogs to read and e-mails to send and other things to do on the computer!   And...

Before I know it, I'm eating brunch instead of breakfast; and that is OK with me!  While eating brunch, I tune in to one of the shows I need to catch up watching: "The Voice", or "Project Runway", or some other "building" or "cooking" show that my husband really doesn't enjoy watching!  {He does enjoy "The Voice"; but it is on at the same time as "Dancing with the Stars"; so we have to choose which to watch later.}

While I'm preparing and eating brunch, watching TV or checking e-mails and Facebook, I usually have a load of laundry in the washer and one in the dryer...multi-tasking.  And when I am finished eating, it's time to clean up the kitchen.

Since I'm sharing a "mixed" day - one that is busy at home and also has a bit of errands or other things to do - after breakfast and cleaning up the kitchen, I may go shopping; or to the bank; or to pick up prescriptions; or to put gas in the car - or maybe all ot the above

...or, I may get one of those rare opportunities to go shopping alone and buy myself something I need (clothes, shoes, etc.)

Later, after the shopping trip, I would take a break {my day is a break!} and read my book - always have one going!! - or read more blogs.  And, at some point, I would be writing; either for my blog, drafting for a future post, or writing in one of my other journals {the non-computerized one!}

Since I had brunch, I usually wait to have an afternoon "snack"; and later cook something for the two of us for dinner aroung 6 or 7:00 pm...

And then, into my pj's for an evening watching something on TV with my husband.  At times, he goes to bed early and I have "free reign" of the remote control; other times, we find a movie or one of the shows we watch together.

Bedtime is anywhere from 11:00 pm to midnight - after watching our shows, I usually check Facebook and do a little more reading of blogs or writing on mine...

And, when I get tired and ready to head to bed...I'm off 'til the next day when I do it all over again!

Some days are busier than others; but I sure do love this life!

Blog-tember Daily - 9-27-15

Coming to an end; check out today's prompt for Blog-tember with Bailey Jean.

Today's prompt is:

What's on your wish list?
Include links...

There are not very many items on my "wish list"; but with the holidays quickly approaching, I need to give it a good thought - just in case somebody wants to buy me a gift!

Actually, I don't require much!  I already have more than I really need; but will list a few things that I'd love to have {and pass this post on to my family}!

Journals:  While I enjoy blogging, I love to write in my journal(s).  Whenever I see a pretty journal, I can't resist buying it and adding it to my "stash", waiting for the current journal to run out so I can start a new one.

I have a journal for so many different things: devotions; Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts"; quotes; blessings or kindnesses...and am always finding a new reason to start a new journal!

Crafting:  I could say anything scrapbooking would be great to receive; but there are a few items I would love to have...Julie Nutting's Prima Doll Stamps; here are a few I'd love to own!  They are so much FUN to "play" with...like, yeah, back to playing with paper dolls, as in my childhood!

And one more item I'd like to have for scrapbooking is this Cricut cartridge:

Reading:  I love to read; and a good book is always a great gift!  I don't have any particular books that I'd request; but there are a couple of devotional books I'd love to use in the new year:

            

And I would love to own the full set of C. S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia"!

  

Music and Movies:  I enjoy listening to music and watching good movies.  The Soundtrack CD and Video I'd love to have is "The Jersey Boys".  I'd also love to have the Casting Crown - Thrive CD and Colton Dixon's CD.

OK, I think this is way too many "wishes"!  I'll stop there!  What kind of "wishes" do you have...or, did you go a totally different route and write something different regarding "wishes"?!.

Blog-tember Daily - 9-26-15

This journey called "Blog-tember" with Bailey Jean is just about over; and we will be heading into another month-long link-up with the "write31days" challenge!  Love these link ups; and hope you will join us!!  Check it out here.

Today's prompt is:

What is on your to-reading list,
and what have you recently read?

Starting with the second question first; I have recently read:

"Into the Darkest Corner"

by Elizabeth Haynes

"The House at Tyneford"

by Natasha Solomons

"Dreams"

by Nora Roberts

"Reflections"

Nora Roberts

"Old Fashioned"

by Rene Gutteridge

...since the end of July, I have read the above books.  I don't read all the time; but I am reading something all the time!  We have a "book swap" at church, so I am always picking up new books (different authors) because they "sound good"!  The following "to-read" list is made up of some of those books I just happened to pick up:

"The Brethren"

John Grisham

"Juliet"

Anne Fortier

"Smoke Screen"

Sandra Brown

"The Darkness and the Dawn"

Charles Swindoll

"Consolation for an Exile"

Caroline Roe

"God's Guest List"

Debbie Macomber

"Beautiful Lies"

Lisa Unger

"Ricochet"

Sandra Brown

I just finished reading my last book, "Into the Darkest Corner" yesterday; and have not decided which of these book I will read next {I don't always pull the top one off the shelf!}.  Since things will be quite busy with blogging and the holidays and other (commitments) going on in my life right now, I may wait to choose one later...

But then again, if I get "bored" and need something to "do"...I just may grab a book and get started!

Just a few more days of Blog-tember!  What are you books read and to-read?

Blog-tember Daily - 9-25-15

I have been linking up with Bailey Jean for the Blog-tember challenge; and now that it is almost finished, I think I may miss writing every day!

Today's prompt is:

Three Songs
You Are Connecting with Right Now


"Through All of It"
by Colton Dixon

"I have won and I have lost.
I got it right sometimes 
but sometimes I did not.
Life's been a journey.
I've seen joy,
I've seen regret.
Oh and You have been my God
through all of it."

"Just Be Held"
by Casting Crown

"So when you're on your knees
and answers seem so far away
You're not alone,
Stop holding on
and just be held.

You're worlds not falling apart,
It's falling into place..."

And, last but certainly not least!  This one really gets to me; and I share all of the lyrics so you can see why...

"Completely"
Among the Thirsty

"I'm feeling so small
Standing here weeping
As I'm coming clean
Of the secrets I'm keeping
I've caused so much pain
To the ones I love the most
And I'm falling apart
As I carry my heart to Your throne.

I am completely surrendering
Finally giving You everything
You're my redeemer,
I run to the cross
Because You are more than enough
Lord complete me
Cause I'm Yours completely.

I'm letting go
There's nothing I own
The treasures I held
Just weighed down my soul
And there's nothing left
Inside of me
But a longing for Your
And a longing to be the man that You need.

I am completely surrendering
Finally giving You everything
You're my redeemer,
I run to the cross
Because You are more than enough
Lord complete me
Cause I'm Yours completely.

I let Your gifts take the place of You
And You pulled up my selfishness from its roots
I am a broken and fragile me
But I'm where You want me to be.

I am completely surrendering
Finally giving You everything
You're my redeemer,
I run to the cross
Because You are more than enough
Lord complete me
Cause I'm Yours completely
Lord complete me
Cause I'm Yours completely."

Whenever I hear any of these songs on the radio - which is most often where I listen to music - I tear up thinking of my life and praying I can be the person He wants me to be!

And I pray these songs will touch you as well!

Blog-tember Daily - 9-24-15

The Blog-tember challenge is almost finished ... and it has really been a challenge to keep up with this and other posts I normally write!

I have been linking up with Bailey Jean ... 

Today's prompt is:

Shout out five of your favorite bloggers.
Who are your regular reads?

So, the prompt is to list five bloggers that I read, and that is not easy for me to do!  I read many of the blogs I follow; and follow the threads in Facebook under the groups Together We {Blog}; 31 Day Survivors or 31 Dayers; and others that share a daily post.

There are also quite a number of blogs that notify me via e-mail that a new post has been published.  I usually save these to my computer to read later ... unfortunately, it takes time to read them!

But, there are several that I read automatically {and this list is not a complete list of those!}...

 Andrew at 

http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com

Helen at

iwillbloom.wordpress.com

Karen at

http://findingthegracewithin.com

Dawn at

http://enthusiasticallydawn.com

Shirley at

http://lightlovehope.com

{I have no idea why these links do not all show up the same color!

They are in the post as I am writing them out!}

These are by no means the only blogs I read or follow or "support" or encourage!!  I only lift these up today... Be sure to check them out!

Blog-tember Daily - 9-23-15 - A Guest Post

Today I have invited a fellow blogger to share a guest post for the Blog-tember challenge with Bailey Jean.  The prompt states: "Grab a Guest Post.  Recruit a friend or fellow blogger to share on your space for the day."



Karen Courcey blogs at Finding the Grace Within.  She is not just a fellow blogger; she has become a friend.

I first "met" Karen through the Tuesday @ Ten prompts...I find it much easier to get my thoughts together by following the prompts!  So, as we encouraged each other and followed each other's journey, the connection grew - and so did our friendship!  And we almost met once this past summer!  But, it will happen one day!

Now, join me in welcoming Karen as she shares her heart in her post "The path worth walking..."!

When I first began my path to healing 8 years ago never did I imagine there would be so many different roads I would need to take as a part of the healing.

I showed up thinking I would walk into therapy, talk about my past, and I would be healed and ready to walk back out into the world with softer wounds, and a lighter heart – – in a fantasy world maybe, but in reality its a lot harder than what it seems.

I have learned that in this process of healing, you need to take many many paths, and sometimes you have to go back and re-walk the steps and paths you have already taken; but on a different level of understanding.

I have learned that Therapy is not only about telling your story, but it’s about telling the story 3, 4 and 5 times over, because as you grow and heal, there are many different levels to what telling your story does to healing wounds.

Every path I have taken has been worth every hard step! There is this quote that I love because it has so much meaning to this process:

“When you can tell the story of your past, and it no longer brings up any pain, you know you have healed” Iyanla Vanzant

There is so much truth to this quote, because I have come to a place where I can openly talk about the sexual abuse and rape I endured as a child, and I no longer curl up into isolation.

That is when I know the path to healing is doing its job, and the steps are steps to a place of healing, and not steps of walking in place.

Therapy and the healing path is not only about telling the story, but it’s about connection and finding a new connection to yourself and those around you.

It’s about healing the child within that was stuck at the time of abuse; the inner child that holds those wounds and keeps the adult part of me from living the life that I need to live.

It’s about telling the story to yourself and growing the child up inside and loving and caring the inner child that was hurt and abused.

It’s about learning how to connect with others, and finding safety in people besides looking for the bad in everyone because of the bad that was done to me.

It’s about learning how to find trust in others, and learning how to love myself and stop punishing myself for the past which was not my fault.

It’s also about building a better relationship with God and learning that he was by your side and never left you!

8 years later and I am still walking the paths of my healing. Never did I think I would be in therapy for 8 years, but I have also learned to accept that healing takes time, and I am worthy of that time – however long it takes to continue moving into the life that God intended for me.

It’s a daily process; a process that is worth every step is takes.

I am healing and continue to heal, and today I have taken this healing as way to use my voice in writing, and as a way to connect with others and show others “you can use your voice, and healing CAN happen no matter how many different roads to get there”.

no matter how many roads there are to healing (good and bad, hard and easy) those roads all lead to a place of healing.

 "The path worth walking..."

Blog-tember Daily - 9-22-15

Another of the Blog-tember Challenge posts!  Linking up with Bailey Jean and catching up - 




Today's prompt is:

Get Creative!

Sketch, Paint, Dance,

Play Music,

Whatever...

Then share on your space for the Day.

So, as a crafter, specifically a scrapbooker, I do a lot of creating; and I guess it would fall under the "whatever" category listed above!

Once I have created an scrapbook page (layout), the pages are placed into an album and put on a shelf.  The albums created for my grandchildren will be given to them at some time in the future!

Here are a couple of layouts I have created:

My Youngest Two Grandsons

"Riding" the Dinosaur

A Flower Mosaic Layout

(top photo is the left side;

bottom photo is the right side)

Daytona Beach Mosaic

(those are real shells!)

 A new "obsession" is creating these "paper dolls" - actually called "Prima Dolls:

My Girls!

This card was made

in a class I took

...and I used the idea

to create this door hanger.

Scrapbook layout using Prima Doll

 Then, there are the "other" projects I have done:

A "Button Tree"

A "book" I decoupaged

(top is the inside;

bottom is the outside).

Currently I am putting a puzzle together:

It's actually further along than this photo shows!  Once I have the puzzle completed, I plan to decoupage it in a frame or onto a tray (or something)...it all depends on the size of the puzzle and what I can find that will work!

And that is my creative side!