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"Beginnings"

Interesting isn't it? Like hatching eggs, weird creatures have invaded my home and left their empty shells behind.

Okay, so it's only symbolic. Most of them have moved out, spreading themselves far afield to raise their own special broods.

I got a little creative. Between the staple gun and industial adhesive I did manage to keep all my apendages. Batting, muslin, orange peels, paper mache', clay, balloons, thread, cheesecloth, and white spray paint, who knew these things would end up looking like this?

I entitled this creation"Beginnings," as it represents some of the feelings I have had as a mother beginning my family. My beginnings were fragile and required a great deal of courage. I lost my own mother when I was 17 years old, she was such a meek quiet person, I wanted to be just like her. Anyone who knows me knows that didn't happen!

I have watched the circle of beginnings come back around...watching my children begin their own families. It's like a full circle event to watch a grandchild being born in to the world, knowing that somehow that significant moment has somehow completed me. What started out as me and my husband has grown to a family of 27 wonderful souls. And it won't end there.

A mother's nurturing arm reaches out all through the life span of her family, through the obstacles, seeking to sustain and nourish the hearts and spirits of her children and grandchildren. Her influence never ends.

There is so much represented in this piece, hopefully you will find a connection that speaks to where you are in your journey with your family.

"Kachunk, kachunk, kachunk!"

I spent most of the day working on a project for my Design class...and running around town finding staples that would fit my staple gun. I can still hear the "kachunk, kachunk, kachunk" ringing in my ears. Who knew that I would become so proficient with so many power tools? I learned how to use my husband's scroll saw over the past three weeks. The smell of saw dust is burned into my brain and I am still blowing white paint out my nose.

Why staples? I am stapling stuff to a board 24" by 36." I have to say, I really appreciate "Tide to Go" as it saved the white covering I stapled to the board today. I pricked my finger at least six times trying to sew it down to the backing and found out I have really bright red blood. Not quite the look I wanted...red on white, although it might have created an interesting anomaly. Some of you are probably shaking your head and saying, "I see dumb people." Sigh......I have no excuse.

I guess I owe a big "thank you" to the team that came up with this little pen of super whitening strength. It has saved me on more than one occasion so thank you Sandra for introducing me to it.

Now if they could just come up with a product that would instantly and permanently remove weeds I would be a happy camper!

To My Family and Friends, My Heroes

My heart has been so touched today. Jeannie put me in touch with the See family, a member of our church in the South Shore area, through her blog....a 32 year old daughter, sister, mother is battling Lymphoma. They are looking for white blood cell donations. If you can help this family or want to know more about them go to this blog: http://bobbiejosmiracle.blogspot.com/

If you want to know more about lymphoma go to this site: http://www.lymphoma.org/site/pp.asp?c=chKOI6PEImE&b=1573289

I am grateful for the love our family has for others, their determination to serve and to give of themselves. Each of you are so unselfish. We have so many good friends who do likewise.

I guess today my heart is filled with gratitude for the blessings we all share, the goodness of our lives. With the world ever spiralling downward it is easy to forget what matters most to us.

So today....I just want to express my love to all of you out there, for the way you touch so many lives. You are my heroes!