Moving forward...

Hello friends,

I have to start by saying thank you! So many of you have reached out and offered a virtual hug or prayers and continue to check in on me and my family. I really do appreciate it. You also have asked if I have friends and family near by that can help me through this time and I want to assure you that I do, I am blessed beyond measure, that is for sure. This experience has shown me how much I have to grow in the way of supporting and loving on those who are going through a difficult time. I have said it often and I mean it from the bottom of my heart, I know the reason my feet hit the floor everyday is because of all who are lifting us up in prayer and the fact that my kids are doing so well, I feel like who am I to not move forward as well. So moving forward is what I must do. Not to say that I don't miss my husband terribly, I do, words can't explain how much, he's in every move I make each day but I have also come to realize just how much my husband enjoyed life and I know he would want me to do the same thing.

Our plan had been to go to the beach in Florida for my birthday which is just around the corner, that isn't going to happen now, but someday I plan to go back to our favorite beach. For now I am taking myself on a little vacation. I have to be honest, I'm scared, and excited! I happened upon a retreat that is happening in Seattle this week and so I am going, alone, all by myself and I don't know another soul. Here's a peak of where we I'll be staying.

I'll be taking mixed media classes, learning yoga and meditating. Sounds amazing right? I will also be meeting 12 other ladies that are on their own journey coming from all over the US. I love Seattle and I love to be creative, as for yoga and meditation that is a bit out of my comfort zone but I am nudging myself along. Before Mike's death this is one of those things I would have said, that would be fun, but I wouldn't have signed up. I'm trying to pay attention a little more now, listen to the desire's of my heart. I'll tell you all about it when I return.

I'm really looking forward to getting creative and walking on the beach, I do know how good that is for my soul!
And I have to share a cute little bag I picked up at a local craft show. I think it will be the perfect carry on!

Isnt' is adorable!!??? It's the perfect size and has a great long handle.

And the back side, love the graphics!
Oh and I plan to hang out with 2 of my friends from high school on my last day in town. It should be a great week!

So right now, put down the computer, go tell your husband you love him and then thank God for all that he is!

There are no words...

I am not sure how to say this, how to put the words together to give some kind of explanation of what the last 34 days has been like. To say the least it is has been my worst nightmare. You see my husband was diagnosed with lung cancer. My husband, who has never been a smoker, was told he had stage 4 lung cancer that had metastasized to his brain, muscles, bowel, kidneys... just all over his body and then just 10 days later he was gone. Shock is the only word that continues to come to mind and how the hec did we get here? It is more than my heart and head can even grasp right now. So that being said, don't be surprised if you don't see me around this blog for a while.

He was my rock, he made me laugh, he reminded me to not be so serious, he believed in me and always encouraged me, he gave me 2 beautiful children and helped me raise to others. I will miss him so...
 It sounds like such a cliche until it happens to you, each day is ALL we have, make sure the people you love know it!

Easy Map Art

Maps are crazy popular right now, everywhere you look they are on Pinterest. Actually my son was all about the states when he was younger so I decorated his room with them back then. I posted this map on my blog several months ago as inspiration.

People keep sending me emails asking me how to make it. Ooooy... if only they would read. I did not make this, hence the title of the post... Inspiration, things you can buy from the catalog Nappa Style. All that being said, I do think it would be really simple to make. This one is on wood probably like pallet wood.

Ok, pardon this picture, this was taken a few years ago, before I knew you aren't suppose to use a flash. I made this for my sons room. I used artist canvas to mount it on. I took the map, wadded it up a few times to age it out and then Mod Podged it onto the canvas putting more Mod Podge on top. Once it was totally dry I took some watered down brown paint and rubbed it onto the map. The Mod Podge keeps it from really absorbing into the map which is good. This is one map that I cut in half. It really looked aged, I wish I still had it so I could take a better picture for you to see it. If you want to see more great stuff from Nappa Style check out the original post here.

Isn't this amazing!!! I actually had 4 of these a few years ago. I got them free! I just saw them listed on Etsy for 450.00 each, OUCH! I think I gave mine to Goodwill. Yep, makes me sick! I'm thinking does it pay to get rid of things??? Seems like whenever I do it becomes the next big thing! How about you, any remorse over something you got rid of?