June 29, 2013

All on a Saturday Night

To work and then to play. 


Life is Good. 

June 27, 2013

And it is Finished!

For now anyway. I do not plan to have any more skin art done. Yesterday we touched up my back and finished my foot. I'm so happy with all of my work. I love my wrist that I shared earlier this month and now I'm going to share a picture of my finished foot piece. The photo was taken with a cell phone so pardon the quality. :)

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains, Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” This is the scripture the Lord gave me a few years ago. 

The girls and I had our own Drama Team for Keys of the Kingdom Evangelistic Ministries called, "Beautiful Feet" based on this scripture and on Romans 10:15 "And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

My Savannah came up with the idea of using the name as a tattoo. I've wanted it ever since. Finally got it. I love it and I think that this completes my body art.

Isaiah 52:7

June 23, 2013

Summer Solstice and the Super Moon 2013

What a beautiful evening, spent at such a beautiful place. Tony and I went with his close friend Barry over to his forefathers land. Barry has built an absolutely beautiful fire pit out of rocks from the land. I have pictures of the fire but not the pit. I'm going to have to remember to take pictures of the pit next time we are over. The old place as it's called is one of my favorite places to hang out. The spirit of the land is so sweet. The only thing missing last night was the LED Hula Hoop I'm dreaming of! 

The fire was so warming and beautiful. 

 
The moon was so bright and full. 

My God is a majestic creator.
The energy and the mood was perfect. 
My husband was precious as gold. He grabbed me out of my chair and he danced with me in the moonlight. 
 
I love to dance. We celebrated our love and the Summer Solstice under the light of the Super Moon. 
What a wonderful night and spectacular view.
 
The only thing missing is a picture of me and my brother B. :)

June 16, 2013

Happy Father's Day 2013

Happy Father's day to all the blogging father's out there.

Today has been a joy filled day of thanking dad's all over the world. My family, mom and dad, nephew, and all three daughter's all went with us to Golden Corral for a Father's Day breakfast for the Father's we have. It was wonderful fellowship, much love, hugs and laughs. A long over due visit and one that we shall have to repeat much sooner than next year.

Later here at home, out in Facebook land and in Blogger world as well - I have enjoyed seeing all the pledges of other's hearts for their own fathers.

My very best friend Melanie's son Caleb - really impressed me with his loving heart and the way that God has so blessed him to communicate himself so well. The following is what he shared today on Facebook.
You know, Father's Day isn't celebrating a day of fathers, but a day of heroes. It isn't celebrating a day of the "provider", but a day of a mentor and friend. Dad's can come in all shapes and sizes: biological fathers, grandfathers, step-dads, or any male figure that has raised and positively influenced the life of a child. A father is the backbone of the family. My dad is one of my hero's because I constantly see him work, and push, and try to be there for his family. He is a disciplinary, someone I can go to for advice, and a friend. Over the years, we have had our disputes like anyone, after all we are *****'s..., He and I both were born with a stubborn head. However, none of that matters. At the end of the day, we still love each other, and we try to make things better. I know that he wants me to do well in life, and I know his position as a parent is to actually be one. I also know my role is to be the child. Thank you dad for all that you do and all the sacrifices you have made. From the times you came and sat with me in the hospital everyday for the first three month's of my life, to showing me how to bait a hook, or showing me how to drive. Word's aren't enough when it comes to all that you are and do for not only me but for you family. Thank you for helping my mom raise me and some of the best siblings a kid could ask for. And a special thank you to Mike White. He is not my biological grandpa, but like I said, father's don't have to be biological. He has been there from day one, and He is my REAL grandpa. Thank you for all that you do. Thanks to every father that has been a hero to a child. Dad, thank you for your guidance and strength in the lord. God is the biggest father of them all, and for you to follow in his footsteps, and lead me in his way...well, that's the best thing that you've probably done for me. I love you dad, and papa, and paw. I am proud to call you my dad and grandpa's! I love y'all. I wish everyone a very HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! (I did omit their last name from this.) 
What a heart on a boy. He is 17 years old going 18. You just don't see this kind of honestly, devotion and love from most 17 year old boys these days. Caleb was born 3 months premature at only 1 lb 14 oz and lost down to 1 lb 7 oz. He spent 3 months in the NICU. Caleb is our miracle child. The Lord strengthened him and called him. Caleb overcame every obstacle and is perfectly healthy today without even one complication.

His heart is bigger than he is.

Always has been.

He's a fighter. A defender himself. Most importantly Caleb loves and he loves hard. Caleb is fast on his way to success already and I am quite positive a Hero to many already that he isn't even aware of.  I want to Thank-you for sharing your heart this Father's Day Caleb. You said everything my heart already felt. May God continue to bless and keep you highly favored. May you grow stronger in your pursuit of Him and in your sharing of His precious gospel. I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for you and the paths your feet will walk. I ask that He place a hedge of protection around you and your spirit man. I pray that your heart always be after God's own heart and He continue to use you mightily around all of those you greatly influence. I love you Caleb.

And Happy Father's Day again to all of the Father's out there! I pray your day has been as blessed as mine!

June 15, 2013

Isaiah 61:3

I love this scripture. It touches down to the depths of my soul. My Lord is so full of Splendor, He shows Himself in all of creation. I'm so thankful to be His child.

June 14, 2013

Friend's Day Out

I have to laugh because I am a tattoo LOVER. I do not like just any kind of tattoo. I love flowers and work that look like nice pieces of art. I prefer to call tattoos Skin Art.

Of my friends I'd have to say that I'm on the wildest side of all of them. I'm more charismatic, care less about what other's think of me and desire to enjoy my life. Not that they don't, I'm just so care free. My goal lately has been to allow myself to be me.

None of my other closer friends have any skin art. Andrea and I haven't caught up in person in months. We stay in touch through facebook, texts and phone calls but our schedules have been too busy to get together. So this past week we set a date.

It turned out that my Skin Artist had a cancellation on Wednesday and Andrea and I went to Salem. We went shopping, visited Bubble Cake, had delicious dinner at a fabulous mexican restaurant and then proceeded to the Blue Lotus Tattoo Shop.

This is what I got.
Left wrist. Blue Watercolor Poppy. 
I am so ecstatic! I love it. I have to say that this is one of my favorite pieces because this piece I done for me. It's based on my birth stone color and it's where *I* can see and enjoy it. I also had some work started on my left foot. I'm going back the 26th to finish up the foot and to finish all of the details on my back piece. I'm so excited. With summer coming on full fledged there is no better time to start adding new ink. 

My job. I love it! I did not get to fill my week up because the hours got gone so quickly! I'm still learning my way around BUT I did manage to fill my entire Saturday and Sunday. I got lots of hours so I'll be working two days and be off next week. I'm excited about that. I hope that next week I will be able to fill 3 days during the week and keep the other 4 including the weekend off but either way I'm not complaining. 

Well it's Friday night. I'm not so sure what our plans are this evening but I'm ready to shower, make-up, and GO! Hope you all have a splendid weekend! 

June 12, 2013

Consequences

For some reason in today's time people seem to think that they can act however they please. They live how they want to live, taking what they want without thought of who they are hurting. Sometimes even knowing the pain they will cause but not caring. Then they blame other people for their actions. I guess inside it makes it easier for them to live with their own mistakes and themselves.

Maybe some people don't have the capability to look into their own lives and actually see the truth?

It seems to me like they are able to look back and lump their mistakes into one big happening. They forget to look back at their situation day by day. Action by action. Every mistake has a consequence. You never know when the time to pay the piper will come. Some mistakes catch up to you very quickly. Other's you pay for over and over again. And some even still will haunt you years later.

The flesh gets angry when this happens. We try to defend ourselves. What I've learned at the sweet age of 41 is to embrace those consequences no matter how hard they may be. I know the wrong decisions I've made and even though it's over for me, and I'm truly sorry for what I done it's not over for those I hurt. They are still battling the pain, trying to cope with it as it pops up and haunts them in their own lives.

Sometimes we feel that we deserve more than we really do. Should everything in our life be like it was before? I mean honestly should it?

When mistakes are so big they break up marriages, break hearts, confuse families, and abandon children people surely cannot continue to blame the family that isn't ready to forgive yet. Those that are still hurting.

We all know what the word of God says about forgiveness but you know what? Each person comes to that in their own time. You can't be so self righteous as to believe for one moment that an "I'm sorry" will just fix everything and turn things around to like they were before. Not everyone gets to have their cake and eat it too.

You also can't justify the wrong you did. Period. There is a right way and a wrong to handle things. When you knowingly choose the wrong path the consequences will be harder. I think Christianity is a huge cause of this sin and repent behavior. People are almost taught that no matter how bad they mess up whether by mistake or choice there are no consequences they only have to say "I'm sorry" or "forgive me".

In writing this I'm speaking from some experience. I'm not pointing fingers. I've made some big mistakes of my own, which is why I can say what I'm saying. I see the pain I've caused in many people although in one person especially. I see how the mistake I made years ago still effects them. They aren't purposely trying to punish me, they are simply trying to heal from the pain I knowingly caused. To recover from the choices I made. Forgiveness isn't a one time deal. It's something you often have to do daily, for the same person, for the very same reason, every day, because our flesh is bold and strong.

I'm thankful that our Lord loves us unconditionally. I'm thankful He doesn't remember once we've confessed our sins and sorrow for making the decisions we did. We also have to forgive ourselves. Yet even still, we never have the right to be angry at the ones we hurt. Those are the consequences of our mistakes. We have to learn to deal with and live with those. I'm sorry doesn't fix things. If we could figure out how to teach that lesson to our growing children we might see a new generation.

Days of June Gone By

The days are flying by. I am so enjoying being home. For those of you who are grandparents, you know the bliss it is to have the honor of being able to keep your grand children some. Having the time to spend together has bonded us even more, since I've not been in school.

Time is so precious.

Every morning I awake to thank the Lord for another beautiful day. I take time to enjoy every moment and I consciously focus on slowing things down and not rushing a thing.

My talks with my girls.

Meadow is home for the summer and we have lots of time to talk and snuggle. I find her in our bed already asleep many nights because I keep late hours. I miss my Sky the most. She is working two jobs and isn't here as much. Heaven and I took Sunday and went to Maxie B's in Greensboro and had fresh strawberry cake with buttercream frosting. She talked all the way there. We had gotten a cd out of her car to listen to and never once turned it on coming or going.

Me and my friend Kimmie have been spending lots of time together. We go to Roanoke, Greensboro, and Danville shopping, visiting cake shops, or picking up furniture found on Craigslist. Eating at nice restaurants. Enjoying the occasional mixed drink. Talking, laughing, and truly enjoying every single day. Having fun. I'd forgotten how to have fun and enjoy life.
Me and Kimmie

That is my new focus. To enjoy life. To have fun. To indulge a little.
Tory, Me and Mandy

Sometimes us girls will meet at Kimmies house and hang out. Even ole Boney will come over sometimes. Talk about funny.
Melanie and Me
Me and Kimmie again.

Today I am meeting my dear friend Andrea. I haven't seen her in a coon's age-so to speak-and we aren't sure if we are heading up the Mountain and to the Crooked Road Café or to Salem to the Blue Lotus tattoo shop. I'm calling now to see if Christinia-my artist-has any openings today for walk ins!

It's just Wednesday.

Tomorrow is my scheduling day. I'm booking my schedule to work for next week. I'm going to try to get in as many hours as I can. This past week was a great success, I just didn't schedule me enough hours. I am feeling things out because I don't want to overload myself. I'm learning to balance my at home time and my out of the house time.
Just Me.


Well, I guess that is it for now.

June 4, 2013

Peace Love and Happiness

I'm just feeling the love ya'll. Everywhere I look I see good, good friends, good family, all this precious attention from my Boney, my girls out enjoying their summers. Tony sleeping so deep and me surfing Facebook, seeing friends and smiles, working at home from my computer. Yes I said working. I've gone with a company called Live Ops and it's exactly what I need. I love my home, this weather, good company, my life is a wonderful thing to enjoy. Tonight is a night of love and of peace. God is so good to me. I'm ever so thankful. All the stress is finally gone along with my decision to not go back to nursing school right now. Right now, I'm going to enjoy all the goodness I've been given.

June 1, 2013

June is Here! 2013

Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world. ~ Ada Louise Huxtable