tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28533695028728947352024-03-13T09:54:25.889-07:00Journeying Through This LifeMy Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-38734647335869692742010-06-08T13:25:00.000-07:002010-06-08T13:25:17.664-07:00Celebrating 100<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppkZhuY0lAgl8xmwkV8oKRI8SrdH3-0F5yqEf4n6ZTvrLQ9Fb03OzCCM9zTQ2hBJiV4ZJPMA2qqKvDPoyPNHHNo-sCoYkdCN-7Dxs_oWfL4GXnZmroSdb7LtPDSmH2wxy3-sW8Pr9Uks9/s1600/P6040724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppkZhuY0lAgl8xmwkV8oKRI8SrdH3-0F5yqEf4n6ZTvrLQ9Fb03OzCCM9zTQ2hBJiV4ZJPMA2qqKvDPoyPNHHNo-sCoYkdCN-7Dxs_oWfL4GXnZmroSdb7LtPDSmH2wxy3-sW8Pr9Uks9/s200/P6040724.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K479v890yOvRZx_jS4ZXRMLtnxBulS8pF2JMiLKIpWuDS9XbLQUdtRqscApniH4smygflWWPvE-FbtX-NVF1LHl5CWwN8WHLkd5UYUeskbjraBoHdlU8JQty6rIJQ5DIaX6CRUB9RrOR/s1600/P6040715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K479v890yOvRZx_jS4ZXRMLtnxBulS8pF2JMiLKIpWuDS9XbLQUdtRqscApniH4smygflWWPvE-FbtX-NVF1LHl5CWwN8WHLkd5UYUeskbjraBoHdlU8JQty6rIJQ5DIaX6CRUB9RrOR/s200/P6040715.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Yesterday as I was completing the preparation to ship out orders that had been placed I realized that I had reached my 100th sale! Happy Dance indeed over this milestone! It has been almost two years ago that I started filling out all of the information to start My Shining Lights shop on Etsy. And then a few months after filling out the information I actually started listing items in my shop which would have been in October of 2008. For some reason reaching 100 sales has been a goal that I have been dreaming of this whole time. I am so thankful for God's provision in my life! Thankful too, that I am able to go to work at the hours I am able and that my work is something that I love doing. I want to thank my customers too as you ultimately are the ones responsible for this milestone.<br />
I hope that your day is a lovely one! I will put a photo of some of the newest items in my shop with this blog entry. And I would like to invite you to stop by the shop for a visit to see what is new and if there is something that you love. As I mail out each package I think of my customers and hope that the item I am sending them will help to add joy to their day.My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-25178775584825596942010-06-04T13:16:00.000-07:002010-06-04T13:16:56.860-07:00New Vintage Items<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hOIJQQdrIqRdSGsop58W70h0Ffr2esQ7Z3xkwSik4PIpGMkVcncaqgR8RyiNoC6jatDT6dLn-W0r_Eqn1FOZkEyHbX5rtIVl-os7wcxwoFQUCv1jrkAZnNiaYvueYKOmUY98x2jF2TcE/s1600/P3100649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hOIJQQdrIqRdSGsop58W70h0Ffr2esQ7Z3xkwSik4PIpGMkVcncaqgR8RyiNoC6jatDT6dLn-W0r_Eqn1FOZkEyHbX5rtIVl-os7wcxwoFQUCv1jrkAZnNiaYvueYKOmUY98x2jF2TcE/s200/P3100649.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPHv-KA9PFQfaef_5-4N6RNxlI91VIDCysSzJBKjnD39lPPwskuFwxW4VrpnCC7WZMbcoAkWEIVVuqS96BOQUO3ZK1fahXiSMI-Td9vAP6BVI90SKZkBno8jwe-ojwV9X56eZwzDg_-fn/s1600/P4210601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPHv-KA9PFQfaef_5-4N6RNxlI91VIDCysSzJBKjnD39lPPwskuFwxW4VrpnCC7WZMbcoAkWEIVVuqS96BOQUO3ZK1fahXiSMI-Td9vAP6BVI90SKZkBno8jwe-ojwV9X56eZwzDg_-fn/s200/P4210601.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
It was like Christmas today when a box of Vintage Jewelry arrived in my mailbox! I am sorting, pricing, and taking photographs as quickly as possible so that I can list them and then my customers can get as excited as I am when they see what is available for purchase. Most of my Vintage jewelry comes from a lady whose mother collected jewelry for 40 years and she purchased the remaining inventory from a jewelry store that closed in the 70's. When I acquire items from this lady I am receiving Vintage items that are in brand new, pristine condition. Most pieces have never been worn. All of those big chunky necklaces with layers and layers of beads that are now the trend well guess what? They have been the trend in the past too! Just check out <a href="http://myshininglights.etsy.com/">http://www.myshininglights.etsy.com</a> and you will see what my excitement is about.<br />
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I have also started working on wedding jewelry that is made from Swarovski pearls and as soon as I have a few items completed I will be listing them. Yesterday I was busy making freshwater pearl earrings that could be worn for casual or formal events. So far I have them in the colors of white, sea mist, and azure. If you are planning an upcoming wedding and would like this style of earrings but in a different color just send me a note or leave a comment on this blog and I will do my best to see if we can work together to make a custom order. Again, I must take photos and I will be listing them as quickly as possible.<br />
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That gives you a little update of what is going on with My Shining Lights this Spring! I hope when you get the chance you will stop by the shop. Pour yourself a cup of your favorite Java or possibly a tall glass of ice tea and sit back and enjoy browsing the shop!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-13548937438726866452010-04-04T15:42:00.000-07:002010-04-04T17:05:52.333-07:00Happy Easter"I serve a risen Savior he's in the world today! He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives He lives within my heart!" Hallelujah! This Easter Sunday is a celebratory day to remember that Jesus Christ took all of our sins upon himself to suffer and die on the cross on Good Friday when the daylight turned to darkness because of his suffering and death. When Easter Sunday arrives and we can celebrate that he is no longer hanging on that cross nor lying wrapped in a tomb! The stone was rolled away the tomb was empty. Christ is alive and interceding for us in Heaven. We all have an emptiness and a yearning in our hearts and Jesus Christ is the only thing that can truly fill that aching spot. If you have decided that you can no longer go on by yourself, if you are in need of a Savior and we all are here is the deal this is all that is required: acknowledge that you have sinned and ask God to forgive you of your sins and wash you clean. Ask Jesus Christ to enter your life so that you can be born again as a cleaned up new person. Thank him for this wonderful gift and rejoice in the joy that this brings to your life. And then tell someone that you have accepted Christ into your life that you are ready to start anew. The next step for you would be to find a Bible and begin to read God's word. Start with the Book of John it is a very clear book of what your new journey of walking with Christ will be like. Then find a Bible believing church where you can grow in your knowledge of Christ and be supported and loved by others who believe in him. Pretty easy for a completely life changing experience. If you would like please leave a comment here for me I would love to be able to share in the joy with you as you begin your new life. Happy Easter! Now I need to go grab a cup of decaf. coffee, perhaps a snack of ham and deviled eggs which will make my palate extremely happy and will get me away from the snoring of my very hard working husband who is finally getting a chance to relax and snooze on the couch!<br />
And I tell you this daughter of mine makes a Chocolate Chip Cheese Cake and Carrot Cake that is oh so divine and I can hear them calling to me...come to the kitchen, grab your cup of coffee and then eat them! Yum lucky me!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-55010976457895234842010-03-16T21:02:00.000-07:002010-03-16T21:02:56.774-07:00Top of the Morning to You!Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Are you wearing your green today? I have My Shining Lights all decked out in green to celebrate my bit of Irish Heritage. I really do love this holiday it comes in the midst of March which can be a dreary moment of time when the snow is melting and puddles are everywhere and it isn't yet time to celebrate flower buds on the trees and in the flower gardens. A holiday in March is a good idea whether green beer is involved or not. For our family as I mentioned on this blog last year, it was a tradition to have green milk, and green pancakes which was thoroughly enjoyed by two of our children, and left the other child feeling a bit green himself just from looking at the milk.<br />
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I was at a Womens Ministry Meeting Tues. night and this meeting was based around vintage hats and one of our dearest women named Luverne passed photos around the tables of her grandchildren who were wearing vintage hats that had belonged to their great grandmother. Their family brings out the hats every two years and the kids take turns modeling them and of course there is a photo session. I told Luverne that her grandchildren will always remember this tradition and the fun that they had with their grandparents. Two of their granddaughters are either just teenage or getting close to that age and they are looking very stunning and are at the stage in their lives to try to look glamorous for the camera. I wonder as their grandfather looks at the photo if he perhaps catches glimpses of the likeness to his own mother? <br />
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In thinking about this I am wondering what are your family traditions? And if you haven't put any into practice yet then let me encourage you to do so. Get creative. Spring will soon be here perhaps you could purchase some plants with your family and bring out the hand trowels and have a family planting day. Have this as something you do each Spring. Your family will remember these special days. We can get so busy that life just flies by and we find we haven't made those tiny stops to take time to celebrate life along the way. So take time to enjoy your family and make up your own celebrations, whether it be green milk, though nauseating for some, or a tablecloth spread on the Living Room floor to host a cloudy day picnic, or a quilt on the ground on a Summer evening so you can lie on your backs for a little star gazing and story time.<br />
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Please feel free to comment on your favorite family tradition I would love to read about it. And stop by <a href="http://myshininglights.etsy.com/">myshininglights.etsy.com</a> today to enjoy the green!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-76219165903819287422010-02-11T15:39:00.000-08:002010-02-11T15:40:05.420-08:00Last Chance for Giveaway Ends Tonight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq85oqeMn8PKvxIErf78FNN6nzpODnYMtwUCrWRYuIIUVkP86RCFIConZ2CJFCwReCpNw04F976x0xzs9XMWO6dEodIZKlLfJtV9iz-8EC69iQaBwCdkUYdYuo4MvGUvkg1xPKl7KhgXyn/s1600-h/P1280639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq85oqeMn8PKvxIErf78FNN6nzpODnYMtwUCrWRYuIIUVkP86RCFIConZ2CJFCwReCpNw04F976x0xzs9XMWO6dEodIZKlLfJtV9iz-8EC69iQaBwCdkUYdYuo4MvGUvkg1xPKl7KhgXyn/s320/P1280639.JPG" /></a></div>Hurry to register at www.idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com tonight ends the contest but you still have a few hours to enter.<br />
I can't wait to see who the winner is and package the necklace and earrings to send them to their new home!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmGxLfpNzjF1p4lSWE71-s9BWt6gs00s-5C6CIxI7WoGIjqHGucaLFtleN6EF8zP-kNSgSlCTEtlidbrclHsdC60eYkZwt8MiZNRpY46kbYNDRkzOJM7roHf4sLFJYCV2TgyxWkExit7a/s1600-h/P1280636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmGxLfpNzjF1p4lSWE71-s9BWt6gs00s-5C6CIxI7WoGIjqHGucaLFtleN6EF8zP-kNSgSlCTEtlidbrclHsdC60eYkZwt8MiZNRpY46kbYNDRkzOJM7roHf4sLFJYCV2TgyxWkExit7a/s320/P1280636.JPG" /></a></div>Quick now stop reading this and hurry to I Do Budget Weddings!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-12217762727708446172010-01-29T14:03:00.000-08:002010-01-30T15:06:11.995-08:00Key to My Heart and Pearl Earrings Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndHLUSk5Nj4aKTK2n2JAm4hWJVC1xyZsCBSL7N7IeySpLv3vp_PPq0Ep2bAvZdjdTC1NQe6MTh5xBEUTdXdoFpY_d5EmNwKIXvGdFNth0zLoGsowtNGN2mbyUou4CaQCgHTA48RXE6I5i/s1600-h/P1280639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndHLUSk5Nj4aKTK2n2JAm4hWJVC1xyZsCBSL7N7IeySpLv3vp_PPq0Ep2bAvZdjdTC1NQe6MTh5xBEUTdXdoFpY_d5EmNwKIXvGdFNth0zLoGsowtNGN2mbyUou4CaQCgHTA48RXE6I5i/s400/P1280639.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I'm so excited to be able to tell you that I am being featured in <a href="http://www.idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/">http://www.idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyUbwi8rxcZwFg5SMWgWQWDgVNur6nPN1YQ1fMibP67kBjIVJUI1uWIsRedY8obQOvTEOFdNpang7wmFIb7iuHIWDMMUQ-KvDEBCj8TJnn57uW-duTGHK_a_aXwqFhrj4tglUyXIEHDp4/s1600-h/P1280636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyUbwi8rxcZwFg5SMWgWQWDgVNur6nPN1YQ1fMibP67kBjIVJUI1uWIsRedY8obQOvTEOFdNpang7wmFIb7iuHIWDMMUQ-KvDEBCj8TJnn57uW-duTGHK_a_aXwqFhrj4tglUyXIEHDp4/s400/P1280636.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>it is a lovely blog about of course Budget Weddings and is created by Hazel who is planning her own wedding and helping others to realize that you can have a very elegant wedding and fulfill the dreams that you want for your own special date yet be able to do so with a budget in mind. What a lovely idea and help this must be for couples who want to enjoy their own beautiful day yet not begin a new marriage weighed down by debt. I have agreed to send off my Key to My Heart Necklace and a pair of Pearl Earrings to the winner of the giveaway that is sponsored by I do Budget Weddings. The Rules of this giveaway are listed below for you to see how to enter and hopefully be the winner! I hope you enjoy reading about this and know that I am so honored and excited to be a part of this contest and to be featured in Hazel's lovely blog. Best of luck to all who enter! And while you are here if you are interested please take a moment to become a follower of my blog. Remember that to enter this giveaway you must leave your comments at <a href="http://www.idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/">www.idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com</a> <br />
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<b>RULES:</b><br />
To enter, leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win. Each entry without any contact information will be disqualified. For each entry you complete, you must leave a separate comment. To leave a comment, each contestant must: <br />
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1) Go to <a href="http://www.myshininglights.etsy.com/">My Shining Lights on etsy</a> and comment on your favorite item for one entry! This is mandatory! Contestants who do not do this will be disqualified. Remember to leave your email address or some way to contact you with each entry!<br />
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You can add another comment to increase your chance to win if you,<br />
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2) Become a new follower of this blog (1 entry) <br />
3) Become a new follower of <a href="http://jo-journeyingthroughthislife.blogspot.com/">Jo's blog</a> (1 entry) <br />
4) Are currently a follower of my blog (2 entries) <br />
5) Become a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/I-Do-Budget-Weddings/262103926855?ref=search&sid=506145171.2649593313..1">facebook fan of “I Do” Budget Weddings</a> (2 entries) <br />
6) Blog about the contest and include a link to the giveaway. Each entrant must also include a link to <a href="http://www.myshininglights.etsy.com/">My Shining Lights etsy shop</a> in their post (3 entries)<br />
7) Buy anything from <a href="http://www.myshininglights.etsy.com/">My Shining Lights shop</a> (5 entries) <br />
8) Follow “I Do” Budget Weddings on <a href="http://twitter.com/budget_bride">Twitter</a> (1 entry)<br />
9) Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/myshininglights">My Shining Lights on Twitter</a> (1 entry)<br />
10) Tweet on this giveaway and include a link to this giveaway in your tweet (1 entry) <br />
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The deadline to enter this contest is <b>11:59 p.m., Thursday, February 11, 2010 (PST).</b> A winner will be randomly chosen and announced the following Friday morning. Good luck!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-38612524632348433782010-01-21T16:42:00.000-08:002010-01-21T17:17:17.709-08:00Joyous New Year Wishes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRivVkp1pWa72P8MsCA28qxkSSlZuzJd0YyjdIa4-qnVWL0zOIG7O5-ZzYWbzYERGzqq4aGHbWXTdN_Q-ssTakgfLmuzVUxATKYiC1JztcdEaGetjpQw6qCWTqBe3yGhAeuByo8dVf3phc/s1600-h/P1070615.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRivVkp1pWa72P8MsCA28qxkSSlZuzJd0YyjdIa4-qnVWL0zOIG7O5-ZzYWbzYERGzqq4aGHbWXTdN_Q-ssTakgfLmuzVUxATKYiC1JztcdEaGetjpQw6qCWTqBe3yGhAeuByo8dVf3phc/s200/P1070615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429366996893010882" border="0" /></a><br />We have survived and enjoyed the Christmas and New Year holidays! It really is my favorite time of year though I can tend to get stressed before Christmas with all of the decorating and preparations. My wise son Dirk told me that I was bringing this on myself and that I just needed to relax and enjoy! Great advice maybe not so easy for me to incorporate but I tried. This is the first year that we haven't sent Christmas cards. That was a little difficult for me to process and that won't be the case every year but it sure made this Christmas so much easier! We really enjoyed having our daughter home for Christmas plus her boyfriend came from England to visit and that was delightful. We missed not seeing other family but made the best of enjoying our time together.<br /><br />I decided today that it was time to blow the dust off of this blog and greet 2010! My wish for this year is to find joy in the small events of each day. A great cup of coffee! My sweet husband washing the dishes! Sunshine streaming through the window, well not right now as it is snowing and even in that there is joy to be found! Life can get too busy and too tense at times and I know those things will happen but I'm hoping to focus on the blessings that God so richly places in front of me each day.<br /><br />As far as My Shining Lights jewelry business I am busy each day and new opportunities are coming up for a new store opening that will have some items in it. A blog feature in the near future. I was so honored last week to discover that one of my pairs of earrings were featured in the Christian Artists Street Team Blog! I have also been adding a Vintage line to my shop. Ideas are constantly in my head looking forward to Spring and Summer Weddings I am really hoping to develop more Bridal items. And I can thank my sweet Sister- in-" Love" Peggy as she is placing an advertisement for My Shining Lights in an upcoming Beauty Pageant that my niece Elizabeth is entered in. I do love being able to be creative especially with sparkly things!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-4059356957628561002009-10-02T14:55:00.000-07:002009-10-02T16:50:32.699-07:00Think Pink for OctoberI created a Treasury on Etsy yesterday with such beautiful items from such a talented group of artists! You can see it at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=70308">http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=70308</a> What a great time to shop for very cool items and to shop for such a wonderful cause! Shopping and doing something good does it get much better than that? I'm certain that we all have our story about someone we know and love that has had their life stopped for a time with the news of Breast Cancer and it is all you can think about and then the many decisions that go with this news of surgeries, and treatments. This is my chance to share my story of the first time this frightening cancer attempted to enter into my life. Unfortunately since this first time there have been so many others. It is time for a cure what a silly statement it is way past time for a cure!<br />I was a Junior in high school which would make me 16 years old when my mom was hospitalized in preparation for surgery. The night before her surgery my dad returned from the hospital and I can still visualize him sitting in his brown recliner with tears running down his face. This was the first time in my life that I had seen my father cry! This left quite an impression on me! Life truly was easier when at 16 mom and dad pretty much control your world even though as a teenager you are not always so grateful about that fact and thankfully I thought that dad could take care of anything! I used to tease my parents saying that mom knew everything and that dad could fix anything! So this was a tender reality jolt to find my dad in this distress. I don't know yet seeing this time in hindsight if dad didn't have something to do with fixing this too as I know he was sending so many prayers to our Heavenly Father about this situation. My mother had a lump in her breast. This was in 1972. When my dad was at the hospital the day before mom's surgery was scheduled he was pulled aside by our family physician who told him that he wanted to prepare my father for the worst possible outcome. He thought mom had breast cancer, he thought that her lymph nodes were involved, and that he was concerned that it was so involved that my mom might not even make it off of the operating table. My dad traveled home that night offering up prayers to God that he would do anything if God would save his wife. My youngest brother Kevin was only 12. My oldest brother Wayne was married and had a child of his own and my older brother Mike was just finishing his University studies and was to be married that Spring. My mom would tell of this day of her surgery that the surgeon patted her hand before surgery and told her, "innocent until proven guilty." My brother Kevin reminded me recently that what he recalled was the impression it made on him when he heard that our family doctor took time to pray with mom before the surgery. This was a terrible scare for us however we were very blessed by the outcome as her lump was benign. I will always remember how it felt like my life would be changed forever by this and how fortunate our news was. Regretably at this same time I had a class mate named Nan that was in a hospital bed in the room directly across from my mom's room who had also had surgery and her news was not to rejoice about. She had throat cancer and we both missed our Junior Prom that was the weekend following these two surgeries. I always think of Nan when I remember about my mom. You know the feeling when you actually feel guilty because your news is so wonderful and someone else has such terrible news? Then too I remember that I felt so bad for Nan and prayed for her but I was a putz and didn't cross the hall to walk into the room to tell her these things! I have always regretted that! Of course other than being a not so great friend to her I truly was afraid that I would faint! Seriously! Fainter at the scent of hospitals maybe that should be the title to another blog? It is an embarrassing burden that thankfully has since left me. She was a courageous girl who lived to graduate from high school, ended up being employed in the same place that I was, married, had children and unfortunately did die too young. That puts me back to the reason for this blog. Too many lives have been touched by cancer! It can leave us feeling helpless and that is not a good way to feel. The month of October is set aside to remind us to be educated and take all of the precautions to do our part to help remove breast cancer. Make a stop by the Susan G. Komen website http://ww5.komen.org/ to learn what you can to help prevent and fight against this cancer. Get your yearly mammogram, do a monthly breast check, take care of yourself you are important!<br />Now for a fun topic as women shopping is like a sport to us. We might not be sitting in front of the television to watch every football game this time of year but chances are good that we are searching flyers or strolling through the mall to find the latest item that we really NEED (cough, cough)! I want to encourage you to check out Etsy.com there are so many talented artists there and you don't even need to leave home to browse and shop. Many shops on Etsy are offering to donate for Breast Cancer Research so stop by to see their beautiful things and know that your purchases could be helping to someday remove this frightening disease. I too have faced this disease twice in my life the first time I discovered a lump was when my firstborn was only a few weeks old. I remember going in for my first mammogram at the age of 22 while my husband held our baby boy in the waiting room. I was safe as the lump was a remainder from having Mastitis when trying to breastfeed but I remember all too well what a frightening time this was. I have since faced this scare a second time a few years back when I went through several tests, a biopsy and then surgery. I had a fast growing lump and was fortunately benign. I think it is important that we don't become so immersed in the fear that we don't do our health checks. The proceedures that can be done to save lives have increased. There are so many survivors of breast cancer. We need to be a part of cheering this process on. So this blog is to honor the women in my life who have been touched by this disease or by going through the frightening time of finding a lump. This blog is for Eva, Sharon (survivor), the memory of Shirley,memory of Colleen, Joanne (survivor), Becky (survivor),memory of Dorothy, Mary (survivor) , memory of Elvis' mother. Feel free to comment to leave the name of your loved ones.<br />Also, if you managed to get through this long blog there is some fun to check out. My two shops myshininglights.etsy.com and nannasknitting.etsy.com are offering free shipping throughout the month of October to encourage shopping for the cause and any item in my shops with pink on them will have a portion of the sale price donated to find a cure! So please stop by to see if there is anything that just has to come to your home. Also, I am going to have a drawing to give away a free pair of earrings on this blog. So please register in the comment section for this drawing with your name and your email address and on November first I will choose the winner and notify the winner! Have fun!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-31685809155625763902009-09-17T11:26:00.000-07:002009-09-17T12:10:03.485-07:00Invisible Illness Awareness WeekI feel so honored to be able to write my blog entry today about Invisible Illness Awareness Week! First let me say if you are interested in learning more about this then just click on the nifty badge that I actually figured out how to add it to my blog without daughter or husband help! This badge will take you directly to so much information about Invisible Illness Awareness Week that will be especially helpful to you if you or a loved one does have such an illness.<br /><br />I really want to applaud those who have gone through so much to bring this information to us and their efforts to educate those who are either unaware of this or who do not understand. I am especially impressed by this group of volunteers who have made this annual event possible because most of them suffer from an invisible illness and yet have taken their time and energy to put this week together. Now try to imagine the last time you had the flu. Right, you don't really want to think about this as it was quite unpleasant. Now imagine putting together a large national event while you were in the midst of having the flu. Hmmm, tissues in hand, comforter pulled around you, body aches turning you into a whining lump of yewww, you aren't moving from that couch today let alone pulling a vast organizational event into place. Good job! You have just imagined what most people with an invisible illness go through every day in just trying to get themselves out of bed, getting dressed, and trying to make some type of semblance to their day.<br /><br />I first started writing this blog so that I could be a spokesperson and hopefully comforter to those who have an invisible illness. So I am especially happy to have the opportunity to be able to blog today and to have the ability to send you to a place where you can receive more informative guidance. But before I do that let me explain a little about what is involved or the meaning of this phrase that I keep repeating of Invisible Illness. Invisible Illness has the face of so many symptoms. Those most familiar to me are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Sjogrens, Arnold Chiari Syndrome, Muscular Sclerosis, Depression and Lupus. This gives a very small start to the list of illnesses that fit under this category. So now just click on the I'm blogging for Invisible Illness Awareness Week at the side of my blog and it will take you to so much more information. That is where I am headed so that I can find the broadcasts for this day and feel the companionship of others that face the same challenges that I face.My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-17273733815035077332009-08-24T18:25:00.000-07:002009-08-24T18:48:54.598-07:00How Great This Feels<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlbMipgYDgdQ72A1DK4m1WXpsOfy6lom9PD0GU92NOKyqkaC5mp5a9G4UI9AsZKsWvsbVt0qbBmPRzj3SK5umIlVNpGH-UOGi-XKWz77P8kqG5Hi3KqOklvgIgEClfu6FyWgaK6MlfPDx/s1600-h/100_0308.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlbMipgYDgdQ72A1DK4m1WXpsOfy6lom9PD0GU92NOKyqkaC5mp5a9G4UI9AsZKsWvsbVt0qbBmPRzj3SK5umIlVNpGH-UOGi-XKWz77P8kqG5Hi3KqOklvgIgEClfu6FyWgaK6MlfPDx/s200/100_0308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373710446431037042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oagvoEeCbI3BcEs9umhQAX24dLgOUZAt_AwfsWBiC06bCIz4wmQWj4EtTdXNnkBUQNqwA67X0dgPoTXR2KK3z-WY5_TpJ9URuXXYC_hNAWEgwrjfmFr2WNDxmuv8-QlD2eaALvfdXgWO/s1600-h/100_0310.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oagvoEeCbI3BcEs9umhQAX24dLgOUZAt_AwfsWBiC06bCIz4wmQWj4EtTdXNnkBUQNqwA67X0dgPoTXR2KK3z-WY5_TpJ9URuXXYC_hNAWEgwrjfmFr2WNDxmuv8-QlD2eaALvfdXgWO/s200/100_0310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373710437561758402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj0v2xwnS0EqRKnYF1OLad-E0O_0aLbaghUmxu-hlJYHEjGbjwqAsWcDa04K-5IMuipOS2fq7GJCgG-CxnPDKwXCsoXNHQXEH4CyFVpBOu_4bndgZAU5IjWU6nGSdFCBbr0NfhBsd3eVV/s1600-h/100_0313.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj0v2xwnS0EqRKnYF1OLad-E0O_0aLbaghUmxu-hlJYHEjGbjwqAsWcDa04K-5IMuipOS2fq7GJCgG-CxnPDKwXCsoXNHQXEH4CyFVpBOu_4bndgZAU5IjWU6nGSdFCBbr0NfhBsd3eVV/s200/100_0313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373710428241599522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalHOBwb4DTZU-9ZNDETf-8I9ZWbNJBFwkdVGmKaVr2lU55GZi1Jub35ZfPcqfoKJFBlzl5uDlBBN6NeyiE6sDYJh2S7OhhbOrwkK0UyPvwo3KfjgDz2vhTrxWbGin4bAZi82_ma6bh0XF/s1600-h/100_0307.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalHOBwb4DTZU-9ZNDETf-8I9ZWbNJBFwkdVGmKaVr2lU55GZi1Jub35ZfPcqfoKJFBlzl5uDlBBN6NeyiE6sDYJh2S7OhhbOrwkK0UyPvwo3KfjgDz2vhTrxWbGin4bAZi82_ma6bh0XF/s200/100_0307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373710412706747698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHKUzCbWdRg08SPv69S8EZfGpSTpcD9_6mMCblgJVjNLp5U7mQn5RGxH8wMt4lNrKTtobfWCuPDLsfWyozdzl_het6cU6qhnf_TgSYuun5zPmKIX9iuZGl1-ziKSKWpkhT-OUdf_sta28/s1600-h/100_0312.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHKUzCbWdRg08SPv69S8EZfGpSTpcD9_6mMCblgJVjNLp5U7mQn5RGxH8wMt4lNrKTtobfWCuPDLsfWyozdzl_het6cU6qhnf_TgSYuun5zPmKIX9iuZGl1-ziKSKWpkhT-OUdf_sta28/s200/100_0312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373710401057202594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWwkGh-wxLS9JV3c26jmaABtupqizsGKV7nDTPTOx4lMv0CdvTJeowBK7m81lqVvcuWinIbZrEsKvn-2NJ9YL6G5tl4zgxkN3U1pUUREbEHcMAVggqQkurAk_V_ujZJRrj5Qvs0f_8udg/s1600-h/100_0306.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWwkGh-wxLS9JV3c26jmaABtupqizsGKV7nDTPTOx4lMv0CdvTJeowBK7m81lqVvcuWinIbZrEsKvn-2NJ9YL6G5tl4zgxkN3U1pUUREbEHcMAVggqQkurAk_V_ujZJRrj5Qvs0f_8udg/s200/100_0306.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373709641759221202" border="0" /></a><br />August 14 through the 16th my daughter planned and organized a Bake Sale. It took the efforts of many helpful hands in our community but let me tell you Deanna is a baking whiz! And Steve wins the Father of the Year award for volunteering to work at the sale for two days. The Bake Sale was for The Great American Bake Sale so google that if you are a baker or a willing volunteer. It is designed to feed hungry children. Deanna's hopeful goal was to raise $200.00 but instead ended up donating $400.00 to the Great American Bake Sale. People from our church and our community and our family generously donated baked goods, items for an auction, and baking ingredients. Then most of those that purchased baked items did so without accepting change from their purchase. And several threw in very generous donations as they purchased their baked goods. Deanna decorated the tables in our church where the sale was held with table cloths that had my vintage aprons added for a bit of whimsy and color. Steve and I are just so proud of her that she took on such a large project and was the impetus of having it be successful.My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-72797899788153328372009-08-12T12:37:00.000-07:002009-08-12T14:47:11.475-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXtMEt044z8MZdN9wrWV6INETXbYDpiSYqczIWuSvhyphenhyphenxyQRd6cJCNNntpp83AorDcnNvyq3BGnutocD1WncW_ggE3xfREh-eEo-Oz8uM7Tz8iKdjGKA9qXbQ32_mUAdXiUV0AkfkTRoxi/s1600-h/100_0258.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXtMEt044z8MZdN9wrWV6INETXbYDpiSYqczIWuSvhyphenhyphenxyQRd6cJCNNntpp83AorDcnNvyq3BGnutocD1WncW_ggE3xfREh-eEo-Oz8uM7Tz8iKdjGKA9qXbQ32_mUAdXiUV0AkfkTRoxi/s200/100_0258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369173675654223042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWofXn3dADQBi86hdHX6GgFza9M-kiJCkaif-kSLmNFu3qS45l1duGAyXoVqKe0ZldC3PUDDQ5L-l4HJwiqTFjluoPN2aeOS8_zXQIkaM6D8YNAnQvp_qyjaIXPFo44RffNuy-n934ly4R/s1600-h/100_0254.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWofXn3dADQBi86hdHX6GgFza9M-kiJCkaif-kSLmNFu3qS45l1duGAyXoVqKe0ZldC3PUDDQ5L-l4HJwiqTFjluoPN2aeOS8_zXQIkaM6D8YNAnQvp_qyjaIXPFo44RffNuy-n934ly4R/s200/100_0254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369173665097536658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBHWonPIKj_xbRbUozqaIxhRtXkmLUaB6VOGcrsWteOI-PrRly2_fppNFtGo3HbZOYVqkobhQydFDAe_YXj2rdAcl7H3MqxSEzY7MTpAo1Ysks-Hn5_GfI2mgNzti-pD8e8CbozFrEwuC/s1600-h/100_0255.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBHWonPIKj_xbRbUozqaIxhRtXkmLUaB6VOGcrsWteOI-PrRly2_fppNFtGo3HbZOYVqkobhQydFDAe_YXj2rdAcl7H3MqxSEzY7MTpAo1Ysks-Hn5_GfI2mgNzti-pD8e8CbozFrEwuC/s200/100_0255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369173658374695890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduR1GV7srL5Xx4JlDm8gTlRir0BkuSTGMTZ4ippP-cFUsMR33BGnlwFRfWSM3hYsqHrOhy0e-cQWd0yfioPGcmcM9LjL9wsCGBc8zt9I2DgWGEH6TjUXOMrcVloCdAWbHhkKqNxJqnaG5/s1600-h/100_0253.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduR1GV7srL5Xx4JlDm8gTlRir0BkuSTGMTZ4ippP-cFUsMR33BGnlwFRfWSM3hYsqHrOhy0e-cQWd0yfioPGcmcM9LjL9wsCGBc8zt9I2DgWGEH6TjUXOMrcVloCdAWbHhkKqNxJqnaG5/s200/100_0253.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369173647022868338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8ZkLnp116DtdxdquKDAd9n4YhqiTLKf4pUXdhwMvAY_ClNF8bzUyzfFgRLf4WbpwV6FsEZGS6A8RuvEUfb-cGSk-Sa0P__NtPiTBK9SYMY9v435AtZA-U-rJxD1415ur4ybXofjOr11X/s1600-h/100_0257.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8ZkLnp116DtdxdquKDAd9n4YhqiTLKf4pUXdhwMvAY_ClNF8bzUyzfFgRLf4WbpwV6FsEZGS6A8RuvEUfb-cGSk-Sa0P__NtPiTBK9SYMY9v435AtZA-U-rJxD1415ur4ybXofjOr11X/s200/100_0257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369173638214461314" border="0" /></a><br />It has been a very busy Summer for us. That is a very good thing! We have had lots of time with our family which is so wonderful and rare for us. As a Minister's family we are located far from our families and time spent with them is so dear to us and just does not happen often enough.<br /><br />This July our daughter had a visitor from Birmingham, England. She has been communicating with him for almost a year through e-harmony. His name is Elvis and he is originally from Cameroon, Africa. He was at our home for almost two weeks which did not seem nearly long enough. This was his first visit to America so we tried to think of ways to introduce him to American culture through our food choices, restaurants, and trips to the mall for his souvenir shopping.<br /><br />We live in a very small city so there is a limited amount of things to do but we managed and he seemed very content. We also introduced him to our extended family which at the time lived in Grand Forks, ND. They have since moved. Sniff :( but that is one other part of our Summer. Our nieces and nephew participated in the Grand Forks SPA (Summer Performing Arts) and so they provided some very wonderful entertainment for us at the time Elvis was visiting. We were able to enjoy Bye Bye Birdie that our niece Mary performed in. And then an all girls musical performance that our niece Sarah performed in. And to not leave Nathaniel our nephew out I must say that Steve and I thoroughly enjoyed his performance in Damn Yankees!<br /><br />We also took a trip to Itasca State Park which is where the headwaters of the Mississippi begins. I do have photos of this delightful trip to share. There are a couple of areas in the park that one can walk across the Mississippi and the water is so clean and clear that you can see the bottom of the river bed and there are three areas where you can walk across the Mississippi. It is truly a beautiful place to visit and I would encourage anyone that is going to be in Northern Minnesota to take the time to check this out.<br /><br />We have also enjoyed two weddings this Summer of our dear nieces Sara and Brooke and we were able to take vacation time to travel to Madison and Illinois for this time to enjoy their weddings and time spent with family.<br /><br />Summer isn't over yet thank goodness! I am hoping for a few more adventures or at least time around our fire pit toasting S'mores.My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-54573168131550393612009-07-09T13:59:00.000-07:002009-07-09T14:14:41.584-07:00Dreams Do Come True<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvdv9EArv9NRunRHI7ntJ8HlaGdDyeAWt06Dybcu15IYL61gSk-1SZSMi7mGxwjONAGtBzu_imWlRt66ddFk1c711s-AliRIqTj6hJWCHrnRR1_k4ls073ARKJeB9D7Qgu9i5OR_7Lp5b/s1600-h/100_0163.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvdv9EArv9NRunRHI7ntJ8HlaGdDyeAWt06Dybcu15IYL61gSk-1SZSMi7mGxwjONAGtBzu_imWlRt66ddFk1c711s-AliRIqTj6hJWCHrnRR1_k4ls073ARKJeB9D7Qgu9i5OR_7Lp5b/s320/100_0163.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356571437004011858" border="0" /></a><br />My husband is just crazy about bikes! He loves to ride them, to talk about them, to tweak them, look at me using bike terminology! He has recently starting riding again and he is so excited about this. On the 4th of July he rode 20 miles with some newly found biking friends who hope to do some riding every Saturday. It is part of his determination to become more physically active and fit and I am in his cheering section to help him reach his goals. For years he has had a dream of fixing bikes and then being able to give them away to those who do not have bikes. Those who can not afford them or for what ever the reason have not been able to own a bike. This dream is finally coming true. The only disadvantage to this is that our garage is now taking the form of a bicycle parts shop. I guess it is a good thing that we needed to sell our second car because now the bikes have taken over it's parking place. He is able to select bikes from a community resource and then cleans them, tweaks and repairs, and then finds new homes for them. I took this photo of his first attempt at this endeavor this past Spring. He advertised the availability of the bikes on our local radio swap shop and within minutes of the announcement he had received phone calls and all of the bikes had new homes. It means a lot to him to be able to pass on his joy of riding to others and especially to children. It would be his dream to have every child supplied with a bike. That would be a pretty large undertaking though so for now he will just focus on our community.My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-65506495822077949452009-05-28T12:12:00.000-07:002009-05-28T15:01:19.212-07:00Wonderful Surprise On Sunday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24270032"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkbm_ZP229GzUbw1fAn9sqwsre5VrujiszMHPM9xft3rCbQ3IoUyDvQgOa-SU3SzS_aSFBU-6HJybuPaL1NCS5g31PwqLVAO7xJbHPkA47Ns2EfS3b2Xj_wijWVx64VId55pqYXAfJGA9/s320/P4270416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340960914538193298" border="0" /></a><br />I was greeted by a conversation on my Nanna's Knitting at Etsy this past Sunday that my scarf Tribute which was in a beautiful treasury had made it to the front page on Etsy. The creator of the treasury Jennifer Hewett of jenhewett.etsy.com was even kind enough to mail me a screen shot of that front page on Monday so that I would be able to see it. Her treasury featured beautiful gray items and it was the first treasury that she had created. So way to go Jen! Needless to say I was ecstatic about this news. Steve was out on the deck reading the Sunday paper and sitting in the sunshine when I was able to tell him. I couldn't even wait to get out to the deck to do my happy dance so I had to let him know through the kitchen window. Well there were significant reasons for this as to go out on the deck would require a change from my pajamas into clothes and I was much too excited to take that long. I will include a photo of Tribute and I will also show a button of this made it to the front page of Etsy. Well that is what I intend to do anyway. That depends on if my computer skills are up to the challenge. I must confess, I couldn't figure this out. It is a wonderful thing to have a daughter that knows how to use a computer!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-19014146937841203882009-05-22T12:13:00.000-07:002009-05-22T13:15:31.581-07:00Time to Rejoice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkOBL_k0Z_MPrLkWbne9_nz_q-xRbCfrX3zfH3jkqM0nPCta-RQluNQ3cfZGuR8mJeibrP1ECZ8gIb9Ys9XXKWzpv6RN3l_Q8X7tl6tdaRqhIkXD-P29JdMvontCoDXRrKjBQpIsiaTQC/s1600-h/100_0160.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkOBL_k0Z_MPrLkWbne9_nz_q-xRbCfrX3zfH3jkqM0nPCta-RQluNQ3cfZGuR8mJeibrP1ECZ8gIb9Ys9XXKWzpv6RN3l_Q8X7tl6tdaRqhIkXD-P29JdMvontCoDXRrKjBQpIsiaTQC/s320/100_0160.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338742298555132738" border="0" /></a><br />It is a beautiful day today. The sun is out. It is in the 70's AMAZING!We have watched as the Gold Finches have gone from a dingy gray to their beautiful Golden color which in itself seems to be a miracle of Spring. It feels like a season to rejoice. Spring is new life a burst of freshness in a way it is like Ready... Set...Go! Our family has been reeling with illness the past couple of weeks Steve with Pneumonia, Me with Sinusitis, Deanna with Cysts and Enlarged Lymph Nodes which was a better diagnosis than Appendicitis, though she is still having pain. So antibiotics for Steve and I and pain medication for Deanna and we are all more than eager to jump into a fresh new Spring.<br /><br />As I am writing this the view out my front window shows little tiny pink buds on our flowering crab. In a couple of days that tree will be exploding with blooms. Our garden has it's newest layer of fertilizer on top and is ready for tilling. I'm thinking about which plants to put into our garden. Always tomatoes, there must be potatoes as this is one of the best regions for growing those. I'm thinking carrots, peas, yeww I don't know if I even want to fool with green beans though they will have to go in as my sweetie is the one who tends the garden and he does like these. I think asparagus would be nice though it can appear to be messy and if memory serves me I don't think you can harvest the first season. Any fellow gardeners reading this can leave a comment for me on gardening tips. I'm looking forward to seeing how large my herb patch will be this year. Last year my Rosemary did not make it through the harsh winter. The Lavender was growing wonderfully and every time I see it or take a whiff of the fragrance I think of the fields in Provence and dream of someday visiting them.<br /><br />The Collies in residence Abby and Skye are even smiling as they have been diligently watching Steve pound posts into the ground to put up the fence in our backyard so they can run, leave it to the females to advise from the sidelines on building projects. I know that our neighbors must be giddy with joy as they see the fencing going up. As they have looked at that neon orange snow fence throughout the end of last summer until now. Well it was covered by snow for most of the Winter so at least they didn't have to see it then.<br /><br />God is so good all I have to do is look out my window and see the gorgeous world that he has created for us and the abundance of beauty and eventually the provision of food that he will give to us through our garden. Life is good!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-62473452283881288532009-05-06T18:30:00.000-07:002009-05-06T19:45:09.285-07:00Why Didn't I Think of This Sooner?I have a brain that is filled with wonderful ideas today. I just finished cleaning my refrigerator. And ewww....who wants that job! So while cleaning with an ever busy brain that likes to run non-stop I started contemplating that for the next Presidential election that will probably start up the campaigning sometime next week. Oh wait I think that I just shifted from contemplative thinking right into outright bitter sarcasm so forgive me as I wander back to my great idea. If the next Presidential candidate would promise little tiny refrigerator elves to every household in America so they could make sure that leftovers didn't get left. And they would make sure that anything growing fuzz that shouldn't be would be discarded immediately thus saving both face as in non embarrassment and nose as in PU! I am telling you this person would have a bi-partisan win that would be overwhelming like no other in history. Now you just try to tell me that isn't a great idea.My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-87836463008839404412009-04-24T17:06:00.000-07:002009-04-24T17:27:59.000-07:00Learning New ThingsAsk and you shall receive! I know that is Biblical and sometimes it is just so hard to ask. As a parent I know how much I would truly love to give to my children. I would not wish for bad things to happen to them nor would I give them something to intentionally harm them. Doesn't the Heavenly Father have so much that he would desire to bless us with? I am trying on this journey through life to learn to walk a little closer to God as he is always there for me. It is I who neglects to seek this close walk. I become distracted, disheartened, and sometimes I forget that he is just a prayer away.<br /><br />My brain went to this thought of ask and you shall receive as I was reading a Blog by an Etsy seller whose shop is called ennadoolf you can find this shop at www.ennadoolf.etsy.com I have been seeing these great displays of Etsy shops on blogs but did not know how to put this feature on my blog. I left a comment on her blog asking how this is done. Within a very short period of time she sent me a note that gave a complete helpful explanation to walk me through the steps of setting up this feature. Guess what? It worked! I think that for the most part people want to help eachother. I want to believe firmly that there is a lot of good in this world to be found. It isn't always easy to ask another for help. I'm just thankful that there are many good hearts who are willing to step in if we just ask. I guess I'll be working on that skill. And many thanks to ennadoolf!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-71772914826832996682009-04-21T15:04:00.000-07:002009-05-27T15:06:47.398-07:00Fire Treasury<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkaM6mtuYZLpiiLctb0DpmPOgQ22QbSCPKQ6Ba4pKd8lXd8vIfd04Q4FKccyu0Ir9LWkBzItqmKSQlyNkiddR6VXC0i0uuYdfnzkC8nuWM-1r66zaKJ6eWfqoyP1j8CcSTtjr4utBBQpu/s1600-h/P4060423.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkaM6mtuYZLpiiLctb0DpmPOgQ22QbSCPKQ6Ba4pKd8lXd8vIfd04Q4FKccyu0Ir9LWkBzItqmKSQlyNkiddR6VXC0i0uuYdfnzkC8nuWM-1r66zaKJ6eWfqoyP1j8CcSTtjr4utBBQpu/s320/P4060423.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340628511509440354" border="0" /></a><br />This bright orange scarf made a Treasury on Etsy yesterday. I am on the Etsy Knitters Team and I will receive an email when there is a new Treasury that the team has items in. I always try to look these up so that I can leave a comment as an encouragement. It is so much fun for me to do this. As I was paging down to look at the entire Treasury....Surprise....my scarf was included in it! Happy dance! I tried to put the direct link in for you to see this. I don't know if my computer skills will be enough to accomplish this. Treasuries are only up for a limited number of days but if you have time try to give a peek at this because the person that put it together did such an outstanding job. All of the bright orange and red is really so beautiful to see. It reminds me of a gorgeous sunset.<br /><br />http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=53596My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-9307201274989265472009-04-16T21:19:00.000-07:002009-04-16T22:45:32.521-07:00If I Gained The World<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwJUH2UhkAdQNWnLi-Ny8_JSgJvXoldVWox6TRCCJizboioFpYT3ZQswDJIDnlNKmImpzcjYVfRgkIXcGlEed_djyANP0w4IfxSI4BmktW9dcvhNqQ0LZkpCvwp5egGd1TiZMvTeeVr_O/s1600-h/15_76_46---Seashore_web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwJUH2UhkAdQNWnLi-Ny8_JSgJvXoldVWox6TRCCJizboioFpYT3ZQswDJIDnlNKmImpzcjYVfRgkIXcGlEed_djyANP0w4IfxSI4BmktW9dcvhNqQ0LZkpCvwp5egGd1TiZMvTeeVr_O/s320/15_76_46---Seashore_web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325528066041299490" border="0" /></a><br />This day has been such a mix of joys and sorrows. I've joined the world of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Facebook</span> and Twittering and I have been interested in the variety of contacts this brings. The familiar faces of friends and family that I don't see very often. This is definitely in the joy department! The chase of more followers and their tweets. Sorry, Larry and Ashton, I'm just not even tempted to keep up in this race though it does make for a time of fun distraction. There was a tweet today that led me to the blog of a grieving mother. Her son took his life about two weeks ago and she is blogging in an effort to work through the grief and to hopefully help others to not go through this type of tragic loss. The tweet about this blog was from a woman that attended the same church as the grieving family. One life lost is not just one life touched the sorrow builds out in rings like when a pebble is tossed into water. One life touching another, touching another. As a mother I can't help but think what if it was my child? My daughter walked a little too close to the fire during a recent bout of depression. Thankfully, I have been able to witness a healing that is none other than a miracle that happened during a time with her father and I and two dear Pastors named Scott and Dan who took the time to fervently pray over her. I'm not saying that the answer is always this simple, I know full well that there are times where counseling and or medication, or hospitalization is needed. It is a true neglect as a Christian if I assaulted with the pray and pull yourself together attitude! But likewise it would be a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">disservice</span> to God if I did not share that I have been a witness that God does still deliver miracles and healing. While together with our daughter we were able to grieve with her about things that have happened in her past, to feel her pain as she struggles with a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">debilitating</span> chronic illness and to laugh with her as the depression left her and the transformation on her face and the laughter that bubbled out of her was a true miracle that took place right before our eyes. The joy of the Holy Spirit working in her life!<br /><br />Life is so full of joy and sorrow and the contrast today has been evident to me in so many ways. I was able to look at my grandson's photos as he is savoring his first bites of sweet potatoes with as much or possibly more ending up on his face than in his stomach. I laughed with joy as I was able to enlarge the photo and see that his hair is coming in about the same color as the sweet potatoes on his face. Yes, this definitely falls into the joy department!<br /><br />I am a little weary tonight. I have been working a lot lately with both of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Etsy</span> sites. I have had two more unexpected treasuries featuring my work. I am so delighted with this and I pray that it brings in sales. Yet as I work I find that I am focusing so much on this that sometimes it makes me feel very driven. And I feel the rush of excitement with the Treasuries and then the excitement of a sale which can be followed by many days of hearing nothing and no sales. Excitement/Disappointment all emotions. I had decided it was time tonight to stop working, to take a hot bath, read a good book, and listen to a new CD titled "The Longing" by Alberto and Kimberly Rivera. As I was reading my book titled <span style="font-style: italic;">"If I Gained the World</span>" written by my new favorite author, Linda Nichols, I came upon the words of an old hymn.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"If I gained the world but lost the Savior,<br />Would my gain be worth the lifelong strife?<br />Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing<br />For a moment with a Christ-filled life?<br />Had I wealth and love in fullest measure,<br />And a name revered both far and near.<br />Yet no hope beyond, no harbor waiting<br />Where my storm-tossed vessel I could steer.<br />If I gained the world but lost the Savior<br />Who endured the cross and died for me,<br />Could then all the world afford a refuge<br />Whither in my anguish I might flee?"<br /></div><br />That beautiful hymn will be the end to this day and accompany my thoughts as I fall asleep.My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-60510830009107043512009-04-13T15:15:00.000-07:002009-05-27T15:09:29.470-07:00Treasury for Nanna's Knitting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOBonR9BxPa2y78mgXtYYUz7SsaOT6mAVaM9LbiF1arFL-QVA6VS-YEiLEJSkQS8xoPrBy3ry_VaAXkMkWhDtC_DY_AEo39qzNwLqgZHNUH-6SUNPx2JK7IswZy2vWRgTElErTvE4RmPO/s1600-h/P3250421.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOBonR9BxPa2y78mgXtYYUz7SsaOT6mAVaM9LbiF1arFL-QVA6VS-YEiLEJSkQS8xoPrBy3ry_VaAXkMkWhDtC_DY_AEo39qzNwLqgZHNUH-6SUNPx2JK7IswZy2vWRgTElErTvE4RmPO/s200/P3250421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340629296853185378" border="0" /></a><br />http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=52119<br /><br />I opened up my Nanna's Knitting mail today and found to my delight that I have been included in a treasury! This is just so exciting for me. It is a pretty gloomy looking day weather wise today. But all sunshine inside from this joy!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-40226602347779354502009-04-08T16:01:00.000-07:002009-04-08T18:44:30.473-07:00Messy Life?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8T0EevO9dhGnW6UNu9IVKgXfxHs34sx_7GkcjQLd9Bt8Ai4Kk0ZJKdrA3oWg4kMyxHDTBsL_pfJdSm4mctlDWXNiRDfG0GBWsyleWW0zHxU5uQCG3iQU7FF6402Y9fzxuLNgyAmsflj2b/s1600-h/807_39_1172---Christian-Stone-Cross_web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8T0EevO9dhGnW6UNu9IVKgXfxHs34sx_7GkcjQLd9Bt8Ai4Kk0ZJKdrA3oWg4kMyxHDTBsL_pfJdSm4mctlDWXNiRDfG0GBWsyleWW0zHxU5uQCG3iQU7FF6402Y9fzxuLNgyAmsflj2b/s320/807_39_1172---Christian-Stone-Cross_web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322501557063190610" border="0" /></a><br />Last week as I was writing in this blog I asked if I could introduce you to the Savior of my messy life. Do you ever have that messy life feeling? I don't have it all together. Harmful words come out of my mouth sometimes that I just can't erase. Sometimes as I flip through the channels on TV there is the temptation to watch something that just has no place in my life. Some people annoy me and it seems just a little too hard to love my neighbor. You know the term the month is a little too long and the paycheck too short? When that happens I get anxious instead of turning it over to my Savior and allowing him to provide for me. And anger, bitterness, hanging onto something that I should have forgiven, yes that sometimes takes place in my heart and it should never be allowed to be there. Is your life ever making you weary? Is anxiety attacking at night as you sit and watch the news? Do you ever have that empty yearning feeling in your gut and you just can't figure out what it will take to make you feel whole? Believe me I know messy! Asking Jesus Christ into your life as your Savior does not keep life from giving you a few bumps as you journey through it, but he does give you a reason to get up in the morning, a true 24/7, 365 days a year guarantee for a lifetime plus the hereafter promise to cling to.<br /><br />"Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant-I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do." Psalm 73: 21-28<br /><br />Yes, I know messy. But I also know and love a Savior that has promised never to leave me or forsake me. A Savior that loved me enough to suffer agonizing brutality and die hanging on a cross because he loved you and me enough to take our sins to that cross. If you feel the need for a Savior who will walk with you through this journey of a messy life, who will hold you close if anxiety tries to attack you late at night, who will give you a brand new start like jumping into the shower filthy and stepping out of it freshly clean. Then these are the steps that you can take to receive this. All you need to do is ask. Jesus will never force his way in.<br />1. Acknowledge that your life has an empty yearning inside and that you have sinned.<br />2. Ask Jesus into your life. Ask him to forgive your sins.<br />3. Believe that Jesus is true and trustworthy and that through his death on the cross and then<br />his resurrection he has given you a new life.<br />4. Thank him! It is time to celebrate!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-63201483038935599012009-04-04T22:46:00.000-07:002009-05-27T15:18:48.840-07:00First Treasury Selection<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuaUSFwxOk668q7i8T1dfvTigfMmEYiJLnnxG4aFWbg9zmzKZrPbufhma1_2Oc2AZKv0ITprfuYt29xXryoHXt2tZMADwkv8ObyLJhFk42Scx12QHMvdhyeIjKaSNrBOEnrxToUbqS298/s1600-h/P3120488.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuaUSFwxOk668q7i8T1dfvTigfMmEYiJLnnxG4aFWbg9zmzKZrPbufhma1_2Oc2AZKv0ITprfuYt29xXryoHXt2tZMADwkv8ObyLJhFk42Scx12QHMvdhyeIjKaSNrBOEnrxToUbqS298/s320/P3120488.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340631718167062514" border="0" /></a><br />I am so excited this item was selected from my Jewelry shop to be in a Treasury. This is the first time one of my items has been chosen. So when I received the email message that this was chosen I did my happy dance. It was a very good feeling!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-9157712640770121572009-04-04T22:29:00.000-07:002009-05-27T15:23:16.504-07:00Chosen for my first Treasury<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZJksgFi4JHRkORjq5cKTz4Y5M20WRMaKxRCzJJCWcPlS0nlxCtpPVHM24ZWnX4BmeAZWpfAGhH5ANpaVcCh3C4SYsGC-zNqe2F5n_eKrGNtLo5c3PioTlFR-eY6K1TfOm550hbajLyeP/s1600-h/P3120496.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZJksgFi4JHRkORjq5cKTz4Y5M20WRMaKxRCzJJCWcPlS0nlxCtpPVHM24ZWnX4BmeAZWpfAGhH5ANpaVcCh3C4SYsGC-zNqe2F5n_eKrGNtLo5c3PioTlFR-eY6K1TfOm550hbajLyeP/s320/P3120496.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340632874959231010" border="0" /></a><br />http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=50204<br /><br />I came home on Friday to an email message that told me that one of my jewelry items had been selected for a Treasury. I was so excited that I did a little happy dance. So I wanted to share this. I hope you enjoy!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-52048508130373696282009-04-04T11:59:00.000-07:002009-04-04T12:02:01.700-07:00<h4>EtsyKnitters’ <a href="http://tinyurl.com/d35pnp" target="_blank">Spring Scavenger Hunt</a></h4> <p>This week, I am so excited to announce the <strong>EtsyKnitters Team <a href="http://tinyurl.com/d35pnp" target="_blank">Spring Scavenger Hunt</a>!</strong></p> <p>We have a grand total of <strong>31 Etsy shops</strong> participating, each offering <strong>BOGO specials,</strong> <strong>discounts of 10-15-20%</strong> on purchases, <em>and/or </em><strong>free shipping</strong>, <em>and/or </em><strong>charitable donations</strong> from their sales!</p> <p>The <strong>eye candy clues</strong> on the <a href="http://localgringos.com/etsyknitters/springscavengerhunt.html" target="_blank"><strong>official Hunt page</strong></a> are worth the trip alone. Wow, it’s really an honor to be a member of such a creative & talented group of knitters! (<em>Learn more about the </em><a href="http://team.etsy.com/profilest/knitters.shtml" target="_blank"><strong><em>EtsyKnitters team</em></strong></a>.)</p> <p>The <strong><a href="http://tinyurl.com/d35pnp" target="_blank">Spring Scavenger Hunt</a></strong> is a simple concept: </p> <ol><li>Find any 10 items in the EtsyKnitters’ stores, using the gallery of photo clues we’ve provided. </li><li>Send us the 10 item numbers matched with the Etsy store where you found them, using our easy online Entry Form.</li><li>You’ll get the “magic word” back by email!</li></ol> <p>Use that <strong>magic word</strong> with <strong><em>any order</em></strong> you place with these participating EtsyKnitters, and <em>voila</em>! You get tons of great deals on handmade, fiber-y goodness.</p> <p><strong>The Spring Scavenger Hunt promotion begins today, Friday April 3.</strong> <strong>Deadline for entries is Sunday, April 12.</strong> Your special discounts will be good for shopping throughout the Hunt, <em>plus an additional week</em> – until <strong>April 19</strong>. <em><a href="http://tinyurl.com/d35pnp" target="_blank">Click here for complete details.</a></em></p><p>Anyone interested in some fun and a chance to look at some beautiful items? Just follow the above and have a great time as you look for clues and find some great shopping deals.</p><p>Enjoy!<br /><em></em></p><p><em><a href="http://tinyurl.com/d35pnp" target="_blank"><br /></a></em></p>My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-41594237304441643722009-04-03T20:27:00.000-07:002009-04-03T20:30:21.875-07:00Etsy Knitters Spring Scavenger HuntIf you are up for a little hunt. The Etsy Knitters Team is sponsoring a Spring Scavenger Hunt. Just click on the badge on the right and it should take you directly to the page to find the information that you will need to participate. Have fun!My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853369502872894735.post-54970261105141483202009-04-01T15:50:00.000-07:002009-04-01T15:58:41.581-07:00Knitting TimeI have been busy working on my knitting for the past few weeks. I seem to need to have my fingers busy working as I watch TV or just as time to relax. Knitting has been known for years to be an anxiety reducer. I guess that is if everything with your project is going well with no dropped stitches or impossible instructions. Actually ripping out a project is sometimes a frustration helper. I had been making scarves to stay warm. Which actually is still needed here. But with Spring in mind I have started making frivolous fun flowers. Along with my jewelry shop I have a knitting shop called Nanna's Knitting. It is located at www.nannasknitting.etsy.com stop by to see what I have been busy with. The latest scarves are crocheted which isn't my first love, but it has provided a nice break for me. All of my projects are very simple nothing very involved but I enjoy making them and that is what is important.My Shining Lightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10586486182575996211noreply@blogger.com0