tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38522360287598222572024-02-07T07:58:23.667-06:00Why Not Both?I'm Shawna and anyone that knows me very well knows my motto of "why not both". It started very innocently when my father asked me what I'd like to do on our last morning at WDW. He asked if I would rather eat breakfast at Tony's or have the beautiful 7 layered chocolate cake in the bakery window. I, without hesitation, responded "Why not both?". Since that day that has been my motto and what I'm known for! I'm striving to live a life balanced with both commitments and passions.Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-60050860761551657662013-02-28T00:08:00.001-06:002013-02-28T08:27:54.944-06:00Ignore them. They don't count in life.<i>"Ignore people like him. There are all kinds of people you should ignore. They don't know anything so don't even look at them. Don't feel bad about it. It's just life." </i> - Middle aged, professionally dressed father to his 5-7 year old daughter. <br />
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I had just picked up dog food and was leaving the aisle as I heard this life lesson being taught. This life lesson was brought by a grown man that by appearances would "know" better. Why this life lesson? Why at this time? One minute earlier another man in the same aisle was excitedly telling his elderly father he wanted to buy dog treats. The request was loud, verbally unclear but nonetheless filled with pure joy. The happiness that was obvious over his dog made me smile. I shared one second of eye contact with the father who appeared tired as he was gathering just what his son wanted. <br />
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I had obviously noticed the different abilities of the people in the aisle but wasn't focused on anything particular because I was tired after a 10+ hour work day, cold and dreading the food/water duty I had facing me at home with my own dog who would be wanting more attention than I wanted to give. My self-centered focus was harshly interrupted. <br />
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In my own life circumstances I've developed a gift (to put a positive spin on it) in situations where people are less than kind in the acceptance of different abilities arena. I can stare. Not glare. Intensely give eye contact until words do not need to be spoken. Most of the time the other party will express acknowledgement of their actions but there have been occasions where I have received spoken apologies without me ever saying a word. This of course; only occurs when the other party has even the smallest amount of compassion in them. <br />
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Tonight I walked past the father listening to his words of judgement to his daughter and giving this direct eye contact with no intention of any additional action. As I was turning out of the aisle I found myself completely frozen. I was shocked, hurt and disgusted.<i> "Ignore him...doesn't know anything....don't feel bad....it's just life." </i><br />
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It's not my life nor should it be your life. <br />
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The next 30 seconds was like a blur. I spoke the words I usually let my eyes speak. <i>"Teaching your child to be so tunnel visioned and so judgmental will cause her to miss out on the blessings of life. I guess it's just too bad we aren't perfect like you. What if we ignored everyone because they wear glasses like you? God willing you will never be put in the position to be ignored and have your spirit crushed by strangers due to different abilities."</i> He never spoke. He didn't need to. Nothing could make up for what he had done. His words would not be erased with anything he could possibly say. <br />
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Walking past the father and son as I was leaving the aisle for the last time we exchanged direct eye contact and a smile. The father seemed a little less tired than the minute before. He seemed a little less burdened than the minute before. No words were spoken. There was no need. It's not about words. It's about actions. <br />
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It's amazing how less than 3 minutes of my entire day could have the maximum impact on my day. Who am I ignoring without realizing it? What am I missing out on because of my own tunnel vision? <br />
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- Posted using BlogPress on the goShawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-27222333600046370292012-05-12T09:44:00.001-05:002012-05-12T09:44:24.423-05:00PerspectiveMay 11, 2012 was another eye reopening day. The events should not have been shocking or abnormal but rather a way of life...The Golden Rule. Sadly, life has seemed to be darkened of that rule for society. <br /><br />A knock on the door began the ending. As a Highway Patrol stands with only a thin piece of glass between you and he, your heart sinks for a moment. As you are looking down avoiding any bad news you see a wallet in his hand and you smile. You exchange words confirming ownership, location found and contents. <br />"Everything is there....except the money."<br />"There was money?"<br />"Yes, he always carries a lot of cash but I couldn't tell you how much."<br /><br />The door closes with the feeling of closure and wondering why someone would take the time to return a wallet after taking the money. Why one good deed and one wrong at the same time. The wallet was not weathered so it had been in someone's possession. The wallet had been lost on April 11, 2012 during a silly evening driving by old homesteads stopping to take pictures, getting in and out of the vehicle and the always funny "drive away and make him run to get in the car" stunts. The saga of the lost wallet caused 2 trips to the bank, 4 trips to the DMV, dumpster diving, and countless hours of conversations revolving the location of the wallet - even one scavenger hunt to try and find it. <br /><br />The eye reopening ending? Attempting to be funny, the returned wallet was served in a dinner plate with a napkin over it. After moments of confusion like "are you saying you don't want to cook and we are eating out?" it becomes a reality. As the story is being told about the Highway Patrol and any information, which was little the statement "of course they took your money" was made and the emotion that was received caused a moment of silence. <br /><br />"Maybe a homeless person found my wallet and they needed the money for food or a house." There it was - in the middle of huge, running tears from the bottom of his heart breaking for someone with less than him the action that should remind us all of the priorities of life. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/12/1315.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/12/s_1315.jpg' border='0' width='195' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress on the go<br />Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-18897734974437232402011-09-14T22:51:00.002-05:002011-09-14T22:51:30.209-05:00This is a wonderful giveawayI've followed Where Women Create for some time now. I thank my cousin for this addiction! This is one addiction I don't wish a cure for. They are having a great giveaway this week and it's a BIG one! I'm glad I ran across this today before it was too late! <a href="http://www.wherewomencreate.com/2011/09/fabulous-friday-with-sterling-publishing/"><span style="color: yellow;">http://www.wherewomencreate.com/2011/09/fabulous-friday-with-sterling-publishing/</span></a> <br />
<br />
I've only just discovered this blog and I can't wait to explore it more!<br />
<a href="http://www.thecreativeconnectionevent.com/blog/"><span style="color: yellow;">http://www.thecreativeconnectionevent.com/blog/</span></a><br />
<br />
Thank you to the creators for such a wonderful opportunity for Creative Women!Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-85056086357541670082011-09-10T10:24:00.001-05:002011-09-10T10:24:24.615-05:00LOVE family treasures<b>GARAGE SALE SATURDAYS</b><br /><br />They are either fast paced and crazily insane or slow and steady. Regardless of the course it is exhausting. In a good way. <br /><br />It always begins with the spirit of purging and downsizing but quickly turns into a curvy path of memories. <br /><br />In the end you may not think the time spent preparing was worth it but if you are lucky when it's done you are well paid by the memories that no price can be attached. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/09/10/1718.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/09/10/s_1718.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-15744766890523821882011-08-01T16:21:00.000-05:002011-08-01T16:21:22.629-05:00I am...Changing<div style="text-align: center;"><em>CHANGING</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQLY9ritRNIejcMrfPFLXGvh26FmkqKYnorfhWtW1v4LPl3ceMy7GmghGCqAJ16PuTnC7lgpXh04NBHKuFVOd8VCnGDEd8OPWBYjAfvdIUFQjT6uagVVGRrxTN-kLrrQFoyZf2LxYxUE/s1600/Changes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQLY9ritRNIejcMrfPFLXGvh26FmkqKYnorfhWtW1v4LPl3ceMy7GmghGCqAJ16PuTnC7lgpXh04NBHKuFVOd8VCnGDEd8OPWBYjAfvdIUFQjT6uagVVGRrxTN-kLrrQFoyZf2LxYxUE/s320/Changes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://iammorethanjust.blogspot.com/">http://iammorethanjust.blogspot.com/</a></div>Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-5825062907685883222011-07-30T00:12:00.000-05:002011-07-30T00:12:56.182-05:00Happy Birthday Candie and a Homemade ExchangeHappy Birthday Candie! <br />
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I participated in <a href="http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/">Craftaholics Anonymous</a> handmade craft exchange in June 2011. I had participated in December 2010 and really enjoyed the challenge as well as meeting someone on the other side of the States. This time I was fortunate to be matched with Candie. We had so much in common! Candie shared her passion for travel and the beach. Our favorite beaches are just about as far apart as possible in the US but the focus is the peace and serenity that is found at the beach and all the memories that are retained. Candie also loves Britain and she had the opportunity to stay there for a period of time several years ago. I wanted to make her something Britain inspired but nothing <em>felt</em> right. I opted to make her a recycled journal designed around her home and her favorite beach spot. (I'll post about what I made her later.)<br />
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I was so excited the day the package arrived. I had been anxiously awaiting and looking at the mailbox or porch for a couple of days. It's amazing how the days drug along waiting to find out if my package had arrived. There is always so much anticipation involved in receiving something from someone you have never met and only exchanged a couple of emails with. Let me tell you the wait was well worth it! I was so happy to see a nautical themed gift. I think it is just the cutest ever! AND I love that Candie put in a picture of the sunset of the Pacific. I've added two pictures; one of the water of the back of a ship (my favorite view on a cruise) and one of the sunset off the Emerald Coast.<br />
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Today is Candie's birthday so I thought it was appropriate to save this blog post for her day! Thanks for the wonderful gift and memory! I hope you have enjoyed your birthday and your wishes come true!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjQqOX36ZFg7C1CKPbeD356uBuSF8lulp2-3QpMw_C1_IGw4PUDKy-PIaXODTGOTi2qoj-QW455STbm21BQ6Aj2QKYegFL9KTY2rM8MRloDwB4WMmCCFhYUxj6wf0jOy6B1adlnWctqI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjQqOX36ZFg7C1CKPbeD356uBuSF8lulp2-3QpMw_C1_IGw4PUDKy-PIaXODTGOTi2qoj-QW455STbm21BQ6Aj2QKYegFL9KTY2rM8MRloDwB4WMmCCFhYUxj6wf0jOy6B1adlnWctqI/s320/photo.JPG" width="140" /></a></div>Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-28763436122702202952011-05-28T12:41:00.001-05:002011-05-28T12:41:41.004-05:00The weekend...and it's a long one too!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/28/1992.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/28/s_1992.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />My view today as I start the long holiday weekend......warmth and partial sun. <br /><br />The checklist for the weekend?<br /><br />Relaxing<br /><br />Dozing<br /><br />Reviewing a friends vacation pictures<br /><br />A little Words with Friends<br /><br />Getting ready for a short week of work (including a fun CANstruction project for a local food bank)<br /><br />Packing for a fun family weekend away which also includes finish some fun projects to take <br /><br />And the biggest task on the list is.....catching up on 3000+ blog posts from my favorite iFriends. <br /><br /><br />Everyone enjoy your weekend!<br /><br /><br /> - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-37474394693475908802011-05-01T20:45:00.001-05:002011-05-01T20:45:00.624-05:00My day trip creativity<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/01/3318.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/01/s_3318.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Today was a road trip day and it was a great one. Since, I wasn't driving I took advantage of the time and created envelope packages to house $2 bills for some of my favorite people. It wasn't complex but it was fun. I started with scrapbook paper, 2 different edging scissors and a glue stick. I picked paper according to personalities and the started cutting and folding. When I was done they needed a little something extra so I added curling ribbon to the ends. I think they liked them and it made my trip fly by!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/01/3319.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/01/s_3319.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Girls finished envelopes<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/01/3320.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/01/s_3320.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Boys finished envelopes<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-68550865728290729542011-04-28T07:17:00.000-05:002011-04-28T07:17:39.678-05:00Positively Splendid: Elmer's Craft & Tell Party Showcase<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime;">My very first participation in another blog CRAFT & TELL. This was so much fun! (~and who knows maybe this will make me post more often on my own blog!)</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2011/04/elmers-craft-tell-party-showcase.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PositivelySplendid+%28Positively+Splendid%29&utm_content=Google+Reader"><span style="color: magenta;">Positively Splendid: Elmer's Craft & Tell Party Showcase</span></a></div>Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-68285249493965281442011-04-10T11:46:00.001-05:002011-04-10T12:07:24.562-05:00It's Sunday....and the start of some things newI'm not making an announcement. I'm not making major changes....at least not yet. I am however, going to concentrate on the things that are important to me. What's important to me should be given the focus and the priority in my days - right? RIGHT! I will no longer be trying to squeeze them in when I get the chance. The things that are not important to me will be the things I try to squeeze in - if at all.<br />
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And on another note...very excited about these possibilities!<br />
<a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2011/04/its-elmers-party-and-youre-invited.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PositivelySplendid+%28Positively+Splendid%29&utm_content=Google+Reader"><span style="color: magenta;">positivelysplendid</span></a> <br />
<a href="http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/2011/04/epic-letterpress-and-die-cut-machine.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FBLeF+%28Craftaholics+Anonymous%29&utm_content=Google+Reader"><span style="color: magenta;">craftaholicsanonymous</span></a><br />
You should check them out!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">ENJOY THE SUN!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIWub3OWZSvgFA8mhGvesFkgsa1pFReY9cg6RLhl6Zxc3ocWMsthEerLZryPlhNbd7K_2kmCeC-c28oHBvLeMBd6NTVWCVJdD2PF8om2LKwrcBbd2mVwj1i4Hu1Mp2OovPgUyPUwgbwk/s1600/shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIWub3OWZSvgFA8mhGvesFkgsa1pFReY9cg6RLhl6Zxc3ocWMsthEerLZryPlhNbd7K_2kmCeC-c28oHBvLeMBd6NTVWCVJdD2PF8om2LKwrcBbd2mVwj1i4Hu1Mp2OovPgUyPUwgbwk/s320/shadow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-37899659040365168292011-02-20T13:10:00.006-06:002011-02-20T13:48:58.246-06:00Reaching<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6KAw1ttFksmLIVNpJul-lG1ZJN3qQcV5B116fVdPeG2KnAicz3E7w58my342IUPFvlHVmfYSeGF8b1fjafjN9EY7_51NYwBtsW1gCAY3NHoOzCx2TwwaXLs4oEtubiPq_w5dSIz9HsA/s1600/Tree+sky+line.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575860393987618002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6KAw1ttFksmLIVNpJul-lG1ZJN3qQcV5B116fVdPeG2KnAicz3E7w58my342IUPFvlHVmfYSeGF8b1fjafjN9EY7_51NYwBtsW1gCAY3NHoOzCx2TwwaXLs4oEtubiPq_w5dSIz9HsA/s400/Tree+sky+line.jpg" /></a><br /><div>As I've mentioned before I haven't really noticed nature. I'm not an outdoors kind of girl. Unless of course we are talking about sailing or spending time on the beach. That is the only time that I get excited about being outside and look around to see what is offered. I've had people try and make me enjoy the great outdoors and I think they would agree that it just made themselves miserable; more so than the misery that I was feeling.</div><div></div><br /><div>I have noticed in the last year the trees and how they connect with the sky. I'm not sure what this signifies but I'm sure that this awareness is a message. </div><br /><div></div><div>It appears to me that trees serve many purposes. They protect, they provide shelter, they can be beautiful, they grow, they die, they fall, they are useful in the modern world, they can be less than beautiful and they can be the source of too much attention. A tree is a gift. As with any gift it is our choice to recognize, appreciate, cherish, sometimes re-gift and keep them in the proper perspective. </div><br /><div></div><div><strong><em>The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground - trees that were pleasing to they eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9</em></strong></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>This is a tree that I discovered about a year ago and I finally took a picture. It's quite intriguing.</div>Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-44890906613237922042011-02-14T06:34:00.004-06:002011-02-14T07:06:18.408-06:00Happy Birthday LindaI am excited to follow Linda's birthday bash all this week! I have enjoyed following Linda online for almost a year now. I thoroughly enjoyed participating in her handmade gift exchange. That was a great way to blindly create and make a new online friend! (Looking forward to the next one!)<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc33cc;"><em>Happy Birthday Linda!</em></span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">If you would like to follow Linda just click on her birthday bash link!</span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/">www.craftaholicsanonymous.net</a></span></div>Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-24514050021390792902011-02-12T21:20:00.003-06:002011-02-12T22:27:02.286-06:00Changing Years<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCVD799Z1sSpwaB0EbIpZOrLiBWhyudJqywzHOHfAMbYWnT7J1GyTDdZbT9pGC8A1wn-2-PSfNXd2mS6uJaFBUxrYiUc3Oo01sSJdA8dwKsNpMmES00DapyWBcWho-05NirHQOlTAvI0/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573009947212645874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCVD799Z1sSpwaB0EbIpZOrLiBWhyudJqywzHOHfAMbYWnT7J1GyTDdZbT9pGC8A1wn-2-PSfNXd2mS6uJaFBUxrYiUc3Oo01sSJdA8dwKsNpMmES00DapyWBcWho-05NirHQOlTAvI0/s400/IMG_0856.JPG" /></a>We may already be 43ish days into 2011 but it is still a new year. Thinking about the purpose and possibilities of 2011 has me thinking of past years. I've had tremendously exciting years as well as terribly disappointing years. I've had years of newness and years that were so void they just passed by without even waking up enough to know what year it was. I think I prefer not to ever have another void year.<br /><br />2011 - several online friends have been discussing what their word for the year is. I don't know my word yet. What I do know about this particular year is this: It's a year that will not be void. It will not be a disappointing year. It will be a year of purpose, which in of itself is exciting. I don't know how 2011 will end and I may not have a concrete goal on this date for the year but I know that no matter what 2011 will be one of the best years I've had in the last decade.<br /><br />2010 - this was the year of change. I didn't recognize it at the beginning of the year or even in the middle of the year but I definitely embraced it the last part of the year. Some of the best things come when unplanned life happens! 2010 was the return of several things for me. Thanks to my cousin Shannon <a href="http://www.blu-bambu.com/">http://www.blu-bambu.com/</a> I was able to return to a more artistic way of thinking and looking at life everyday. She introduced me to Shona <a href="http://www.shonastudio.blogspot.com/">http://www.shonastudio.blogspot.com/</a> . I really enjoyed working through her book. I may not have finished all the projects or published all my work as requested but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and it opened my eyes to things that I had missed in my prior void years. I found many muses through this process and to this day I enjoy following each of them and see how they are inspired. Seeing others inspiration creates inspiration. It's kind of like smiling - it's contagious and it spreads to places unknown.<br /><br />My cousin also implanted a phrase in my mind and it has meant far more to me than the words. "No naughty negative self talk!" That was used in an email conversation regarding a project for The Artistic Mother. (and no I'm not a mother so no one has missed any monumental news) However, as I look back at 2010 and all the changes that occurred I realize that that phrase has been life changing. I think that when you have so many void years that you yourself become void. You lose your sense of self worth. That self worth has been regained.<br /><br />The picture above on this entry was a great day. It was a day driving home from a new job and my eyes were wide open. I couldn't take my eyes off the sky. And in the FB world most of my friends were posting pictures and comments regarding the sky. It was remarkable so I had to take advantage of the moment and snag several pictures (while driving because I didn't want to miss it).Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-54865018446381359672011-01-03T21:38:00.001-06:002011-01-03T21:41:58.373-06:00Straight and Narrow<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybBUBgGSPrJ5dVbYY7w51eBBmITTAuGMBU4YissIHv2NAzhkKIbrm7mRB9F800FH7aJl463F90DJwBthy_fzA0SkeyhGxiJitOTu8D8ZLrTF60I2BVS_w4cXObBEHfPOlZRzb4pL4Wdg/s1600/53868fdd311e4437bec6fbb2994849b6_7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558170473944917698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybBUBgGSPrJ5dVbYY7w51eBBmITTAuGMBU4YissIHv2NAzhkKIbrm7mRB9F800FH7aJl463F90DJwBthy_fzA0SkeyhGxiJitOTu8D8ZLrTF60I2BVS_w4cXObBEHfPOlZRzb4pL4Wdg/s400/53868fdd311e4437bec6fbb2994849b6_7.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">It matters not how twisted a man's life is, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#006600;">there is hope for him in establishing a right attitude toward God.</span></em></div>Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-55320866513560077862011-01-02T19:36:00.001-06:002011-01-02T19:36:40.659-06:00<br /><font color="purple" face="Zapfino">Words sometimes are not sufficient. </font><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/11/01/02/3761.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/11/01/02/s_3761.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-8791437131310744272010-12-20T09:07:00.001-06:002010-12-20T09:07:18.264-06:00AmazementMoments that nearly pass you by. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/12/20/958.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/12/20/s_958.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-17534753427937567522010-12-18T08:48:00.001-06:002010-12-18T08:49:21.935-06:00<em><strong>God sends us miracles every day. <br />We just have to train our eyes to see them.</strong></em>Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-59914550611851536112010-12-09T08:20:00.001-06:002010-12-09T08:20:20.706-06:00A typical ThursdaySo this morning I wake up at 5:34am. Not bad for having to be working at 6:00am! <br />Pull up my bed hair and rat it.<br />Dressed by 5:40am – broken zipper in sweater – just decided it was a fashion statement<br />Gather “stuff” by 5:45am<br />Walking to car by 5:47am<br />Go back in for keys which are NEVER in the house at 5:49am<br />Land flat on my back after surfing on the ripped space bag remnant on the garage floor (story in of itself about RADAR and packing the car)<br />Got in car by 5:57am<br />Realized no gas – so coasted into work parking lot – praying that I can at least get across the street for gas at noon. (Can a car even start in these cold temps without gas?)<br />FLEW to work and while driving I had a productive cough (dainty way of say that wasn’t it!) so for the first time in my life I was going to SPIT out my window…..yes I remembered to roll down the window. I just apparently didn’t realize what force you need to put behind spit to make it leave the vehicle and ended up with drool down my shoulder and on the rim of the window so then digging for Kleenex, napkin, clothing, paper ANYTHING I realize I’m driving down National in the median. NO COPS and thank goodness they can only use the cameras for running red lights!<br />and walked in the door at 6:00am<br /> <br />IT’S BEEN A GREAT DAY SO FAR AND CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT ADVENTURES AWAIT……my bed calls at 3:45PM today and I’m not sure that I will show my face until 5:00AM tomorrow!<br /> <br />HAVE A GREAT DAY!<br /><br /><br />Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-77099979540759560412010-11-30T12:50:00.001-06:002010-11-30T12:50:36.593-06:00So excited!I am a terrible blogger. Step 1 taken. :). <br /><br />Actually, I often fall in to the category of blogger titled "What do I have to show and why would anyone want to peek at my life?". Well today I am so excited! <br /><br />I participated in the handmade gift exchange sponsored by Craftaholic Anonymous. I have mailed my package. I certainly hope my partner for this exchange is as happy about this exchange as I am. <br /><br />I made a book from scratch. Even the binder! It's my first and I hope it's not beginners luck! I challenged myself to not purchase one item for this gift. (I might be a hoarder hidden behind the logical "I can repurpose that" mentality.) I met my challenge and I do not believe that is apparent in the finished product. <br /><br />Thank you to Craftaholic Anonymous for this exchange. And a huge thank you to Shona Cole with An Artistic Mother for starting 2010 with art for me. It's been too long! <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/11/30/1475.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/11/30/s_1475.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-59910980593386068752010-07-09T21:10:00.003-05:002010-07-09T21:17:34.399-05:00Where I have been.....The title of my blog WHY NOT BOTH is very appropriate for me. <br /><br />1. I don't see why we have to limit ourselves in life<br />and<br />2. I need to learn how to master the "BOTH"<br /><br />This seems to be the year of replacements. Phone, Camera and now a laptop (still waiting on this one as it was definately not in the budget)....so I'm still around. <br /><br />I'm still doing the Artistic Mother projects. I'm still working too much. I'm still traveling. I'm still having fun. I'm still tired. I'm still excited. I'm still missing out on things. I'm still creating. I'm still learning my new camera. I'm still looking forward to the future. I'm still wanting more.....<br /><br />I will post pictures soon of my projects. I have varied a bit into my own versions of the projects. I think I've found some things in the projects that I really enjoy and have been "perfecting" those techniques. This year has been a very good creative year for me and for that I am very grateful!<br /><br />Until pics...have a great weekend!Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-8672543950429472812010-04-08T09:14:00.001-05:002010-04-08T09:14:55.906-05:00My book The Artistc Mother reappeared at work in my inbox! Happy Thursday!Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-21733000612746305722010-04-04T18:43:00.004-05:002010-04-04T18:53:59.622-05:00Happy Easter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGmK1uq00Nj7r5fP79lUyTr0QTmRK_B6mpY2VDdKbCNTM176ko5uCbZjIVFiX58soaQrC_fk6ppk6c1TCybMb3k2a9Ti0XAMmB9N7amZu13lwo7sLSlL0fu3kXTQJ-v49d3lHQDaHNxY/s1600/easter+2010+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGmK1uq00Nj7r5fP79lUyTr0QTmRK_B6mpY2VDdKbCNTM176ko5uCbZjIVFiX58soaQrC_fk6ppk6c1TCybMb3k2a9Ti0XAMmB9N7amZu13lwo7sLSlL0fu3kXTQJ-v49d3lHQDaHNxY/s320/easter+2010+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456433824714068066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmDE8Xgi_EO4Wu81IDs1qQMzzpj2ERBDFwBSqmZBNMcQ5qob6twJQBT5gpLcGGzKFn8tO_z-3JFEBBrSFQGuezXWgMLhE7OBl-y2nFK_NmGCekw1bguvNEz76wUevadG4O59wBlT6Fjo/s1600/easter+2010.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmDE8Xgi_EO4Wu81IDs1qQMzzpj2ERBDFwBSqmZBNMcQ5qob6twJQBT5gpLcGGzKFn8tO_z-3JFEBBrSFQGuezXWgMLhE7OBl-y2nFK_NmGCekw1bguvNEz76wUevadG4O59wBlT6Fjo/s320/easter+2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456432383395977282" /></a><br /><br /><br />While Easter is a serious holiday there is always the fun side. Some people have bunnies - this year we had frogs. We opted to paint our eggs this year instead of dying them. It was a lot of fun. <br /><br />I also had fun playing with the app on the iPhone, CameraBag. For the picture with the Lilies I used ColorCross and Magazine for the picture without Lilies. (Can't wait to have a flash again!)Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-26492427488503149912010-03-27T21:22:00.003-05:002010-03-27T21:34:53.330-05:00Week 2-3 Journal (First try)<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zsb5HUYKCj73E_ORzbz-H0TJRoQW0DhGFSzHoomvh4OREdoyST4lm3vvydMaWaxCwPkhz0lOipWkZf7Elw6SqtcWJAsJ_zWijZfCrCYLwufGaqWlGdn3xTVBvA3DQzSgh823sRcv28E/s1600/IMG_0626.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zsb5HUYKCj73E_ORzbz-H0TJRoQW0DhGFSzHoomvh4OREdoyST4lm3vvydMaWaxCwPkhz0lOipWkZf7Elw6SqtcWJAsJ_zWijZfCrCYLwufGaqWlGdn3xTVBvA3DQzSgh823sRcv28E/s320/IMG_0626.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px" align="left">I used the paper which was from one of my childhood bedrooms. I recently had been tagged in a photo from Kindergarten and thought the two seemed to go hand in hand. I also used oil pastels for the first time. I must say it is definately true - the better the materials the better the end result. I didn't find this project as fun and enticing as making the background papers but that is because it is outside of my comfort zone. (Not that background papers are in my comfort zone but are more familiar than anything I have done in the past.) I will not be giving up - I will do more journals - practice makes perfect or more satisfaction. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px" align="left"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px" align="left">Oh and - the words on the picture are symbolic of my motto "Why Not Both".....I remember being "fought" over and asking to choose - Baby Wart or Sugar Pie....really, who could choose between those two prime choice names?</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="justify"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-86764112509801552642010-03-26T21:31:00.001-05:002010-03-26T21:33:01.690-05:00On Location<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht34Q7O74wHlYBLYZmRKeNscWIQUBtp6-VOb93Qw-EcxL1BDNeqeS6J2s0W2n5_VkSvofqN8OgIQbzXTg6MFCTHa5-js721R2GC8ir7UjKQZOGLkw6LVEmnNyZ6-lZGx9u3NtG17dFVLU/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht34Q7O74wHlYBLYZmRKeNscWIQUBtp6-VOb93Qw-EcxL1BDNeqeS6J2s0W2n5_VkSvofqN8OgIQbzXTg6MFCTHa5-js721R2GC8ir7UjKQZOGLkw6LVEmnNyZ6-lZGx9u3NtG17dFVLU/s320/IMG_0621.JPG" /></a> This week the big draw in Springfield was Dog the Bounty Hunter. He was at a local bookstore...I avoided the crowd and went across the street. This is a much better choice and we should have a book signing with long lines for this book. (PS - I was really tempted to move the Mxxxxx Sxxxxxx books below and replace with The Artistic Mother. Too afraid I would be in trouble. I did however move the "Big A$$ Book of something or other book from the picture"!) <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852236028759822257.post-11706985434966884852010-03-20T23:23:00.002-05:002010-03-20T23:30:57.845-05:00Happy First Day of Spring<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06YzG803vLgKAyS_3TPS7przIupBFQm08h8P5P6Zqd2MNxCt9st6xpmxR93eCDEu72lStFE5-PCoem48SW4jkw85R1xs6riRkBmHqlmk395dNadbCBJWdG5vr6YoV29XZqG03DjsHzwQ/s1600-h/IMG_0610.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450938472943514610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06YzG803vLgKAyS_3TPS7przIupBFQm08h8P5P6Zqd2MNxCt9st6xpmxR93eCDEu72lStFE5-PCoem48SW4jkw85R1xs6riRkBmHqlmk395dNadbCBJWdG5vr6YoV29XZqG03DjsHzwQ/s320/IMG_0610.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />How exciting is this? Friday Night at 9:30pm it was 60 degrees and Saturday Morning 7:30am it was 34 degrees. And now tonight it's ice covered snow...at this point the temperature doesn't matter.<br /><div align="center"><br /><em><strong>HAPPY SPRING 2010!</strong></em><br /></div>Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182818310353343566noreply@blogger.com1