Thank You to those who Served

All my life I liked a guy in uniform, it always brought tears from my eyes and pride to my heart. This all started with my brothers enlisting in the service and coming home in uniform. Later I realized it was not the uniform but the job they might have to do. I can never find the words to that expressed my appreciation for what they did for all of us.

Maybe thanking them in my heart and on paper will give them a glimps of my feelings. To my brothers who served and became better husbands and fathers, this is for you. For me you have been friends and supporters in my life, with valued advice and hugs when needed.

Carol

Earth to Carol

Today, my work was physically hard, and the temps were hot & the humidity was 90%. The pressure of the world was heavy on my heart as I drove home. I entered my driveway, realizing all the things that I had to do yet before supper.

Then to my right I saw it, I don't know how, was it fate or just luck, but there in front of me by the pond was my iris. Now I am sure you say big deal. Well it was, I stopped the car, walked over to the iris in wonder. Was it true, was the center iris blue in a field of yellow iris's. Oh my gosh, yes and it was the first year this had happened.

I feel to my knees and a tear fell down my face. This was the earths way of telling me to take a breath and enjoy, once again, my little piece of the earth. I was home, I was ok, I was loved. And now you know you too are loved by the earth's willingness to give you something without anything in return.

Have a great day.

Carol

Today it happened....

I hit 100 followers. There is a celebration coming, but since I can't serve cookies and coffee. Or even better drinks, something else will happen to thank you. Keep your eyes peeled.

God Bless those who travel through and especially those who follow me.

It's my moment to shine.

I looked at Artfire today to see if my interview was there. And by golly it was. I read it very slowly to see what I had said. With air escaping from my lungs I decided, as my husband says, full of Carol-isms. Here is the link. http://www.artfire.com it will be in the bottom left. Started today and will run through 24th.

The Greatest Man I Never Knew...

This was a song that Reba McEntire song. The first time I heard it, I had to play it again. That was my dad. After his death, I realized how little time I had spent with him. I know that he was great. He didn't travel the world, he failed to write a book, and he wasn't famous. He loved his children, he loved his God and never talked bad about anyone. Even Mom said that she loved to tell Dad things because he would never tell anyone.

My Dad was the hardest working man I ever knew. He was a farmer, dairy cows, he sold when the boys left for their dreams, after that he did all sorts of jobs. He was a proud man and never complained about some jobs others would never do.

I talk to Dad more today than when he was alive. I tell him how his life influences me by his constant love for the people around him. Before he died, I told him I loved him. He smiled at me as he always did when I said those three words and I knew he loved me. Words would have been great, but the smile was his way of saying it back.

Happy Father's Day to those like my Dad.

Stars & Strips Forever.

With the Fourth of July right around the corner. I start thinking of the gals and guys who fight so hard for our freedom. I myself have five out of six brothers that served. Four never saw fighting, but one did. It's hard to tell them how proud I am. Just because they didn't see fighting doesn't mean they're not brave. They knew when they signed up what the contract said. So that makes them brave.

So last year I designed two types of cards. One saying that we are proud of our country and one that says thanks. I sold all the thank you cards so you will not see an example of that card. But here is the other. I plan once again this year to send my brothers a card saying thanks. They are what America is made of. Land of the proud, because of the brave.

To my brothers, I love you and am so proud. God Bless you.

The Right Words

A few years ago my mother died, she was 91 years old. While going through the few things she still owned, a prayer book appeared. I myself, believe in fate. I believe that things happen for a reason. I truly believe the prayer book was meant to be mine.

I remember my mom reading from it and when done she would place it back in her purse. I loved seeing it in her hands, for two reasons, my mothers hands were beautiful and almost perfect just like the words I am going to share with you.

Even if you have no belief I am sure the words will make you feel good. Words are powerful but when put together in a loving way they are even more powerful. This prayer book doesn't have the prayer printed in the pages but a prayer cut out of some mystery publication and lovingly put in the back of this prayer book.

I hope that you enjoy it my dear friends.

God never promised us skies always blue.

A flower-strewn pathway our whole lives thro

God never promised us sun without rain, joy

with sorrow, peace without pain.

But God has promised us strength for the day

rest for the laborer, light for our way.

Grace for our trials, help from above.

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

I myself love this prayer and use it often. I love my mother for the little things she gave me. My belief in a here after, a little prayer that seems to give me what I need most these days, and God for giving me hope in human kind when there seems to be a lack of it.

God Bless those who follow me and those who wander through my little peace of heaven.

Carol

Rice Krispy Tale

It wasn't long after John and I started dating the first reality check came. We were wandering through a park when in my minds eye passed a rice krispy bar, I stopped in place and said, I would love a rice krispy bar.

He smiled and said let's make some. Yumm. However, I told him there was one problem, you only get four servings from one pan. To my surprise he said... don't you make it in a 9 x 13 pan. I was truly confused, does anyone get more than four pieces from one pan. I tried not to look confused and realized he must think you'll get six pieces.

So the reality is, the first pan I cut eight, however, I am sure I eat more than one. I figured it I wanted that guy, I would have to make compromises. Over the years I have slowly cut bigger pieces and by golly he still loves me.

God Bless those who travel through.

I am so excited...

I am the featured artist on Artfire for three days. June 22 through June 24th. I wrote the interview questions three months ago. So you can imagine that I am excited and a little apprehensive. Will I be surprised at what I wrote, will I understand what I wrote? Oh boy, I'm waiting to read it. Will I have to move underground, We'll see. If you want to see how I did here is the link. http://www.artfire.com/

I never felt that need to be in the front and pointed out, however, with all of us suffering from the economy, attention feels good. I hope again that in the future greeting card sending and receiving can have a come back. But for now this little bit of attention will feel good.

But the excitement doesn't end there. Northland Press of Outing and Crosslake, who also is suffering from the economy said they had heard from Artfire and would like to cover the feature spot in their paper. What a week, so for those who get the opportunity to shine, take the opportunity and shine. When so many small businesses feel down along with their customers sometimes the light that shines is brief but important.

God Bless those who follow me and those who just stop by.

Carol

Grampa & Gramma's are special

My dear sister in law requested a card for new grandparents, for a boy. This was such a fun project. I actually wrote a great limerick, in my opinion and they loved it. Of course I personalized their copy. But made a second one because the artwork was wonderful

I hope you enjoy the card. God bless all those who follow and the ones that are just traveling through.

Carol

Timber's World according to me, Timber!

There are days in my life that outshine others, when John takes me for a spin in my Truck, playtime for just the two of us. Then there is Carol, her constant need for attention often wears me out, however, her loving me is worth the work. I overheard John say that Carol was his biggest job. If he only knew.

There are things I find important to insure they, my people are happy. Every morning I run into the bedroom to thank them for breakfast. I play with John after breakfast, and when it is cold and Carol is tired, I will take a nap with her on her lap. Great job.

But this is the best, my new toy, yes it is a hot dog, and it squeaks. Be still my heart. I never get tired of the squeak. You should see my people when they hear the squeak, the smile. I love the smiles. I play with them, as you can see in the photo, John is truly getting into it. Don't you just love that. But after all is said and done I lay facing them, waiting for the laughter to settle and I can go back to my nap.

Probably will take my new toy with me for safe keeping, John really looked like he like it just a little too much. So for now, the household is mine and I rule.

New Capri's...pretty scary.

Today I did it, I spent time looking for a new pair of Capri's. I was stable when I walked into the store. And as I passed the fun t-shirts on my way to the pants I said to myself, normal for me, do I really need a new pair? That person in my head who sees my hips like a double wide trailer wants to walk back to the door and escape.

But today I braved it out and first had to figure out where my figure fits in all the little shops in the big store. My vision blurred and yet I went ahead and found my one rack. You may think I am joking but listen. I am not that big and yet not small. I am tall, and have seen my figure change with gravity and 57 years of being on this planet.

The thing that made me smile was the tag that said, Carol you are going to love these pants, they will fit like nothing you have ever worn. Ha! I wanted to see that. But as you can see the tags remain on the pants. Tomorrow I will take the next step, try them on. But for tonight, I feel I succeeded on my first goal. For tomorrow may not be my day, but today was.