Heat hasn't stopped us...

The last family to visit us was my dear nephew and his wife, whom I consider friends more than relatives. We had about two weeks between visits so we were inspired to start our structure on the back deck. We decided to build a little privacy from our neighbors and at the same time add some shade. We know the project could not be completed at that time, mostly because of the heat. But wanted to get a start on our pergola. It will be fall when all things come together, but thought you would love to see the start.

The second picture is the house without the yard work or structure. I know it's ugly, but we are working on changing that.

Sincerely

Carol

He's at it again.

Last I knew he was done digging in the back yard till we come home from vacation. But I came home from work to find a hole in our yard. This is no ordinary hole in the ground. This is going to be a pond that will house the water rolling down the river bed to this resting place. Only to be pumped up again for recycling. I was so excited but realized the now apparent hole will have to sit there till we do come home. But I have to say, I love change, and any change is good.

Stay tuned for the next change. I sure will be.

Carol

Whaaat.....

I have designed money cards over the last two years. Tweaking the design, reworking the template. I designed my own template so tweaking was a slow process, always saving it on the computer, I have used this layout feeling secure that all I had to do was change the words, save and print. This is what happened yesterday. I know it's hard to see but the total card is truly one quarter off from top to bottom. Money cards have to hold cash or checks so size is important.

I am sharing this with you because I want you to laugh. It seems the harder we try to make life easy, the harder it is to be to be perfect. Yes I said perfect. I am a real fan of perfection, and know too well that I'm not. But I love my allusion and will strive to stay there.

Got to go, back to the proverbial drawing board. Giggle.

Have a great day.

Carol

Making Changes

Good Saturday Morning to all of you. As it is in life, changes happen. We can continue to mourn the change or make the decision to see beyond it. Now when change happens and you go on, it doesn't mean you don't feel the pain of change or in my case loss.

I decided along with John to change things we do, to create a life that represented now. This is my first change, a stop at the library, not to see what people do in libraries but to become a patron of this establishment. I am now a card holder.

I have to say, I never had much time to read, or did I make time. It would take months to read a book. But this change makes me sit down and read because I truly only have three weeks. I think this will be a good change.

God Bless all how visit my little blog.

Carol

Looking Out...Not In

Sometimes you need to look out, not only from your front door but from your heart. I realized the other day when I opened the door of my new home, everything was different. It dawned on me that it happens often in my heart.

Maybe it's something I read that softens my heart, or something that make my resolve stronger. But in all cases it's my heart that collects the details and holds them strong. Looking out of the house is easy, the trees, the homes they are there and I can bet on them from morning to night.

But my heart changes, when we were moving, I spent time making sure that in my heart it was right for me. My decision was right. I feel at home here, I feel as though it was waiting for me. When I design I feel the same way when I know a card is true to my heart.

So that is my thought for the day. Hope you find sense in it.

God Bless

Carol

A New Chapter to be Written

To most of my friends and relatives our moving never surprises them. But for you, my virtual friends that is probably a shock.

When I started this Balsam Ponds by Design blog it was to introduce you to my greeting card business and yet I achieved something quite different. I introduced you to my life and the two souls who occupy it.

We are not travelers, we are creators. We love to make something beautiful, really striking. Sometimes by painting, planting or adding those small touches that will make it a home. Worthy of God's blessing. Balsam Ponds is not just a place it's us. It's the love we put into it. But it is now time to move on.

Both of us are excited for the buyers, they are truly in love with Balsam Ponds, and we are looking forward to adding more beauty to where ever we go. I hope you follow the events that will get us to our new house, which we will make home.

God Bless those who travel in and out of our lives.

Taken Stock in My Life

April 2nd is my birthday and every year I think back to the year before, not long because I can't change it but just to see how I did with that years changes. Not the nations but mine, my personal decision to be a better person. This is my first year writing it down, maybe good, could really be bad. A few years ago, my Mother died, her journey was also mine. I found that at the end material goods are irrelevant, it is either God and me, or just me. I prefer to think it as God and me.

Last year it was tolerance, sometimes I really wanted to deck someone that hurt my feeling but than thought it over, you know that count to ten backwards stress relieving process. But I think just the thought of decking someone might have not been any better. Oh well, but as a human I find the challenge a continuing hill to climb.

So today I took out my moral compass and sat down to do a little soul searching. In a moment of pure silence it came to me. I have pulled out this soap box so often that people knew it was coming and ran. I love this word...RESPECT.

I realize respect covers all things. Think Green, respect for our planet that God gave us, respect family and friends and they will be kinder to you, and respect what I have, not to replace because I am tired of it but because it is truly wore out.

Come back next year to see how I did. You may say this is a high standard to set my goal at, but as I see it, if I try and fail, at least I tried but if I succeed, wow, I will than influence others to try the same.

Happy Birthday to ME.