Saturday, February 6, 2010

Reclaimed Beauty


As I sit drinking my coffee and looking out my window as I am typing...I see the beauty of snow everywhere.  Children are sledding, throwing snowballs, dogs running freely....ahhh the good ol'days when life was simple.  Oh to be a child again and see the world through their eyes.

Aniticpating the snow made the markets an event like Black Friday, pushing, lines, angry people.  Complaining about everything that wasn't a fault to any of us.  When I said, "I want the snow!"  I could feel the eyes piercing my every being, with a smile I moved along.

Constant updates to make sure my parents were ok as even though beautiful sometimes the unexpected may happen.  All is fine and they are enjoying the snow from the comforts of their living room.





Now my eyes wander back to my window.  The children count has increased...so much laughter.  My poor birds that visit daily their feeders are covered with snow....we will clear it for them.  Then I thought of this birdfeeder I found at my parents home.  It was in so much need of love.  I snatched it up brought it home and loved it!  Now it is new again.

Sometimes we need the vision of a child to reclaim the beauty in everything.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

After my son's death, where does inspiration and strength come from

I have pondered writing this.  I asked friends for advise as to whether I should or not.  There are no coincidences, I went to "A Blonde Walks Into A Blog" and read her gripping article on her brother's suicide.  At this time I knew it was time to write about my son's death.

Life was good for me and my son.  Surviving domestic violence, going back to college to earn better pay, cleaning up credit and finally buying a house as a single Mom.


Excitement filled the air as we moved into our new home on April 15, 2005.  I was so proud that I could finally offer my son, my only child a house for a home, not an apartment anymore.

Plans were big as he was given the basement to fix up with his pool table, furniture, etc to make it his place for friends (that were always at our house) to enjoy with him.  We were busy making our new house a home.

June 7, 2005 started out as a really nice day.  Lunch at work with friends, making Dusty his favorite meal, baking chocolate chip cookies all was so nice.

Dusty had been fishing that evening with his friends at a friend's pond.  They came home, shot some pool, ate dinner.  I went to bed early as I always did.  Around 10:30 PM Dusty woke me up to say that he was going fishing at a family friend's cabin at a creek.  He fished for catfish and that is usually done at night.  I said, "OK, love you!" and he replied, "Love you too Mom."

Back to sleep only to awaken at 12:30 AM (June 8th) by the phone.  It was a friend (where they were going fishing) and he told me that Dustin had been in a terrible car accident and that they were going to LifeFlight him. 

The daze started at this time as I hurried to get some clothes on and then he called back and said they were taking him to the local hospital after all.  Somewhat relieved as his injuries must not be as bad as they thought.  I called a friend to take me 1 block to the hospital because there was no way I could have driven.

Once at the hospital I had to register him.  The nurse took me to the back in a quiet little room.  The doctor came in telling me about his injuries, etc.  I abruptly stopped him with my hands in the air, "I just want to know how he is and when can I see him?" the doctor then said to me, "Well he's dead!"


I fell to the floor, screaming, crying and being sucked into a blackhole so fast I didn't know what was going on or where I was going.

My baby boy was gone.  For 17 years I was a Mom and had a thriving, active teen in my life....then everything came to a hault.  My life changed that day forever as part of me went with Dustin.


To the present, my heart aches so much daily, I think of him almost every second of the day, I cry, I feel sick BUT I still have to live.  I live with this each and every day.  I wake up thinking about Dusty and go to bed thinking about him.

So many of you have asked me how do I do it.  Where does your strength and inspiration come from?

First and foremost my strength comes from God.  Without Him I never could have made it one day.


  

The entire first year Dustin's friends never left my side.  They inspired me to keep going, they gave me strength.


My brother was killed in Vietnam in 1968.  My Mother was my rock as she knew the pain, she knew the journey that laid ahead of me.

My friends never left my side for a moment.  They are the best!

Early on I made a website for Dusty.  http://dustin-davis.memory-of.com/About.aspx Through this site I have emailed and actually met others that have lost their child.  Then I started helping with an online grief support group http://www.preciousmemorials.com/ and from there I have arranged "Get Togethers" where we all come together from all over the US for a weekend.  I have some wonderful friends from there and we talk, visit as often as we can.  The Online support group has the most wonderful team of management, they are truly there no matter what.  Strength and inspiration.

Etsy....yes Etsy.  I have talked to so many wonderful Estians and so many wonderful Bloggers that have been supportive in so many ways.  I have been inspired and given strength by so many cannot count them all.  So much kindness exists I am at awe.

Keeping busy, helping others, all part of my inspiration and strength.

Living each day as I never know what will inspire me today or give me strength but I look for it in everything I do.  You are all part of my strength and inspiration.  So I want you to know how much I appreciate each and everyone of you...I really do.  I am humbled and honored by you.

See I need you, my friends, my family....my Etsy  it is where my inspiration and strength comes from.

Have a blessed day....Nancy

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Exquisite Beauties from Istanbul

Esty allows us the opportunity to reach across the big pond and communicate with wonderful people.  It has been my priviledge to get to know Sevda from Istanbul, Home Office Deco.  The facination grabbed me in an instance when I saw her crafts.  Beautiful paper weights, silk and window charms.  Take time to visit her shop you will be amazed with the beauty.

Black Stone Paperweight with butterfly


Embroidered Silk Pouch


Black Lilac Stone Paparweight


Iris Sun Catcher


Embroidered Silk Pouch




Lord the Sheepish


Isn't it wonderful to enjoy all of what life brings to us.  The Etsy connection.
Have a wonderful day.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Sunshine on a cloudy day


I was so excited I didn't even see my name on the list!  lol  My first award!  This came from Lavender Daisy http://lavenderdaisy.blogspot.com/

Thank you you made my day!

The award tradition has the following for sharing it with others:




- Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

- Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.

- Link the nominees within your post.

- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award


Tutorials, Tips and Talent Tuesday

Something new is now coming to my blog.  I wanted a way to feature others as much as possible along my journey.

Tutorials, Tip and Talent Tuesdays will feature or blog about all sorts of tutorials, helpful tips and show off talent of many bloggers.

Starting with a very talented lady, Julie from Sesenarts's, http://www.etsy.com/shop/sesenarts 

Here is an opportunity to buy a beautiful Make Your Own Fabric Heart Kit  Here is a little about it.



Make your own fabric puffy heart. Beautiful gold and ivory fabrics, beads, ribbons, lace and embellishments. You've seen my lovely little bridal and shabby chic hearts? Now you can make your own! See examples of my finished hearts in the photo's.



She also has a wonderful tutorial on how to make silk paper on her blog.
So many nice things, where do you start?
Check out her blog

Monday, February 1, 2010

Easy and Yummy Fried Chicken Pot Pie


For about a month now I have been craving this chicken pot pie.  It is easy and oh so delicious.  This is a quick dinner for busy craftors!

Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients
2 breasts (or dark meat) from your favorite store's deli already fried
1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables
1 can of Cream of Chicken soup
1 pie crust roll (you need two pastries)

Directions
Place pie shell in bottom
Tear chicken into pieces
Mix soup, vegetables and chicken together
Add to pie shell
Place top crust on

Bake 350 for about an hour
I precook the vegis for about 5 minutes to get them cooked properly

Remove and enjoy!
 

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