Thursday, December 29, 2011

New Blog

I wanted to write a note on this blog to let you know that I have begun another blog.  Please visit us by clicking HERE.  This will update you some of what has been happening.  Thank you!!!

Hope to see you there ~Pamela

Saturday, March 5, 2011

What a Glorious Day!

It's Saturday morning...I'm lounging on the sofa, my two doggies beside me, enjoying my morning java, and listening to the multitude of birds singing their hearts out in my back yard.  What a glorious day it is already!  My heart if full of gratitude and joy - especially on this day.  You see, my son is getting married today. 

Adam and Lindsey will be getting married at the Iditirod dog race in Anchorage, Alaska...yes...Alaska!  Adam asked Lindsey to marry him on Christmas morning.  We are more than thrilled to have her as a part of our family.  They have been living in Alaska since last April after working on the train during the summer months. 

Lindsey, will you marry me???

And she said...YES!


I remember oh so well that day in September of 2009...Adam texted me while we were still in Alaska (and he was living in Jacksonville at the time), and the text said..."I think I have met my future wife"....  We knew it had to be someone extremely special for him to tell us that!  Once we arrived home in October, we were introduced to this special young lady.  Someone who had captured my son's heart.  Lindsey has been such a blessing to all of us.  She fits right in with the family - on some occasions, she has been goofier than Adam (and THAT is hard to do!).

With Adam leaving for Army boot camp at the end of this month, we knew that he and Lindsey would want to get married before his departure, even though it would probably be in Alaska.  Though none of our family can attend today, our hearts and prayers are with them.  They are planning on a big wedding ceremony and reception back in Jacksonville once he is out of boot camp and training.

I love them both more than words could ever express.  I know that God has brought them together and my prayer is that the Lord blesses their marriage with many, many, happy years together - just like Rennie and I.  Oh what a GLORIOUS day!!!

Until next time...
Pamela 

Monday, December 27, 2010

Moving Week Has Begun

Wow, Christmas has come and gone and now it's time to move on down the road - literally!  We begin packing this week to move to Orlando.  I begin my new job on January 4 and am looking forward to it.  A dream come true!

I came upon this organizational blog today and I might say it was a God send..just in time!  I am hoping that she will assist me in getting organized in my new home and hopefully I can keep it that way!  I will be participating in her 21 day organizational challenge. I want to encourage you to do as well!  To see her tips - click HERE.



I pray that 2011 is a blessed year for you - I'm believing that it will be for us as well!

Until next time...
~Pamela~

Sunday, December 5, 2010

With a Thankful Heart

It's the most wonderful time of the year...a time to reflect and remember the things that are most important in your life.

Over the past year, I feel as though I have been driving down a country road in the mountains with its ups and downs, curves and swerves, and sometimes bumps along the way.  Country roads usually have two lanes, and take you much longer to travel than by highway.  The scenery is usually picturesque, yet as a driver, you must always keep your eyes on the road - because you just never know what is around the next curve.  There is always a bit of stress while traveling these country roads because of the unknown, so you have to focus, making sure you have both hands on the steering wheel in the ten and two position (as taught in Driver's Ed class), and for some reason I have to turn the radio down while driving in order to see better.

As 2010 began, we had spent several months trying to adjust from our summer in Alaska, praying and asking God what the next step was, yet heard nothing - crickets - noda!  I call that, "sitting on the shelf" and my temperament does NOT like just sitting and doing nothing! I thought I was completely finished with teaching and was anxiously awaiting God to speak to me in an audible voice as to what the next journey would be.  Still...crickets!  What was the deal??

As I sat one day with a friend in Starbucks, thinking I was just "helping" her with some home school ideas, we began to discuss the possibility of me tutoring her daughter for a class.  In my mind, I was thinking, "NO WAY", I am SO done with teaching.  The more we talked the more ideas about what I would do keep flooding my brain AND heart.  Before to long, I was agreeing to tutor her daughter for the school year.  What? Teach again?  Haven't I been around this mountain?  Do I really want to go there?  However, God knew the plans He had made for me for HIS purpose.  So, I'm not really finished as a teacher?  You've got to be kidding me!

As the school year began, I had to laugh...not only was I privately tutoring two students, I was teaching in a local group setting - three more classes.  Okay God...what next?  My leisure, yet stressful, drive down that country road turned into a roller coaster ride - especially when I got bit by the Black Widow Spider - which by the way, pulled the rug right out from underneath me for eight weeks (see previous posts for that explanation).

As the school year progressed, I was happy and content, knowing that for this season, I was back in the classroom again and really loving it!  The students were awesome and I felt as thought I was back in the game. 

To bring you up to date...God moves in mysterious ways sometimes and knows our future WAY before we do.  I now have been hired by an incredible school in Orlando, as a teacher, and we'll be moving to that area at the end of December.  I am still pinching myself about this one!  What an honor it is to be affiliated with such a school as this one. 

My son, Adam, has just been sworn in to the Army and will be leaving for boot camp at the end of March.  We are extremely proud of him, however, my mommy heart is saddened at the thought of him being in the military...what if he gets deployed?  I now know what every mother feels about their children serving our country and the unknown. 

For this ride down my personal country road, I am grateful.  Grateful that the Lord orders my steps, that He continually takes care of us, that He is our provider and healer, and He knows what is best for me - no matter "how I drive"... He gets to be the pilot, not me, and I feel safe!

I pray that you have a wonderful, blessed, Christmas season with your family and friends.  Buckle your seat belts - I'm sure it will be a great ride!

Blessings,
~Pamela~

Monday, October 11, 2010

FALL...My Favorite Season of ALL!

Apples and Fall Leaves....Wonderful!
"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."
- Elizabeth Lawrence
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There is something so special to me about the season of fall.  When I was a little girl, we lived next door to my paternal grandmother and grandfather.  She and my grandfather would religiously take a trip to the Smokey Mountains each fall.  Being the only grandchild at the time, I had the privilege of accompanying them each year.  She would pack a picnic lunch of her famous iron skillet fried chicken, homemade buttermilk biscuits, and several small bottles of Coke.  Our journey would begin early in the morning and we'd stop for lunch at a roadside pull-off on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The crisp air and the beautiful leaves in colors of rich crimson, gold and orange, was exciting to me.  We would then travel in to Cherokee and Maggie Valley where we would stay the night.  A visit to Ghost Town or the Cherokee village was always on the agenda the next day.  My least favorite part was the visit to Cherokee village...you see, I was always afraid of the Indians!  The would be dressed in their traditional clothing and that scared me to death!  I think that grandmother got one photo of me standing pretty far away from a Chief.  The funny thing about that photo was that was dressed so cute in a little frilly dress but had a corn cob pipe hanging out of my mouth and looking over at the Indian as if to say, "You just stay over there mister!"

Since my childhood, the Smokey Mountains have been my place of refuge, comfort, and a place where I escape to if I really need to think.  Never has there been a place where I feel more at home, at peace, and full of joy.  I miss the mountains when I don't get to visit each year, but I know that one day I will be there forever!  So, for now, I think and dream of that special place and enjoy photos that remind me of my favorite season...FALL!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

School is Underway - New Things Coming

My days of tutoring have begun and I am enjoying teaching once again.  Of course the spider bite and the complications it has brought have put a bit of a damper on me racing out of the gate strong.  I have had to limp along (so to speak) for four weeks now not feeling quite myself.  I began the second round of antibiotics and steroids this past week.  Hopefully, I will get stronger with this round and will not need any more medical intervention.  I have felt sorry for my students because they have not gotten my absolute best yet...but they will SOON!

I long for creativity in my life and feel I am the most content when working on art and craft projects.  After working on lesson plans and new unit studies over the summer, I put my artsy side on the back burner.  Thinking about the Christmas season, which will seemingly be here next week,  I want to create again.  I plan on taking some classes at a local scrapbook store.  I was telling Rennie, that I don't always want to be the teacher...I really like being a student and learning new things.  I enjoy a new challenge!  Hopefully, my final projects will look good enough for me to take a photo of and post here. 

Until next time...
~Pamela~

Friday, August 20, 2010

You Just Never Know

This has been an interesting week for sure!  It all began last Thursday when I noticed I had a whelp on the left side of my forehead.  Not giving it much thought, I ignored it and went on with my daily routine.  I really didn't think much more about it until Sunday when the lymph nodes on that side of my head were noticeably swollen and the whelp begin to throb like a toothache.  Still I kept on with my "to do" list for the day, but began to "favor" it a little more and the site begin to swell more and more.  This is when I realized that I have probably been bitten by some varmint while I slept.  Then I REALLY was panicked...OH MY GOODNESS...I got bit in my SLEEP....this thing may still be in or under my bed!

Tuesday brought on more distress as my body was fighting this infection brought on by venom.  Tuesday night proved to be the worst ever.  About 1:00 am, I began to feel sick and experienced stomach virus type symptoms....you know the kind...the kind you DON'T want to have in the middle of the night!  Well, that tailspened me to call my doctor in the morning.  Upon hearing my story, they wanted me to come in immediately.

Upon her examination, she agreed that I had been bitten by something with venom, but since I didn't see the actual insect, we could not determine what kind; but she guessed a possible Brown Recluse spider.  She said that normally this would require a hospital stay for three days but we were going to treat it aggressively for the next three days and hopefully keep me from having to do that.  I received two injections that day, and then had to return for two more days in a row for more.  She wanted to re-evaluate it today and see what the next steps should be.

Today, I woke up with the upper portion of my eyelid swollen as though I'd been in a fight.  I had to laugh, because this was just too weird!  Even though I had a new issue, I felt that the antibiotics were beginning to do their repairs and the actual bite site was not as painful and swollen as before.  The doctor agreed - Praise the Lord!  She was very pleased with my progress and said I am now on the road to recovery.  I do look like I've been shot in the head, but at least my hair covers it up and you can't really tell it's there unless you look up under my bangs. 

I am grateful for the numerous friends (thank God for Facebook!) who prayed for me and had me on their church prayer lists.  I give God all the glory for wisdom, direction, and healing.  Looking forward....I am pushing onward to teach next week.  I am so excited to be returning to the classroom - that has to be God, because I thought I would not be teaching anymore. 

It just goes to show...you just never know who may be sleeping with you...

Until next time,
Pamela

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Up From The Dead...

Again, I can just imagine what you may be thinking regarding me and my blog since I haven't posted anything since May!  May!!!! I was even shocked at myself to see that I had not posted for two months.  I am terribly sorry and I pray that it won't be as long again!

Since May, a lot has come my way.  Last spring I "retired" from teaching/tutoring...I thought!  Even though I am still a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, the opportunity for me to tutor again has come my way (without me looking for it).  I am very excited at the prospect of teaching again - which has come as a HUGE surprise to me.  I will be independently tutoring as well as working in a Co-op here in town.  The opportunities with this are endless and I know that God has good things in store not only for me, but my students as well. I had a friend post on my Facebook the other day, "Teaching is in your blood, Pamela.  You are every color in the crayon box."  I thought that was so sweet and her sweet words encouraged me tremendously!

So, I will not only continue stamping and posting cards, I will also be including some articles and photos of my new adventures with tutoring.  Because of this new venture, I will be writing some unit studies for elementary grade levels as well as some literature units for middle school students.  I will be making them available for purchase as a instant down-loadable PDF file!  Of course, you will be notified when those are ready for the public. 

There are other things that are in the works, like:  Speaking at homeschool conventions again (so excited about that), speaking locally at support group meetings, and even working with my own grandchildren.

Now I have to be more organized that ever just to juggle all that comes my way.  Until the next time, happy stamping and I hope to be blogging again real soon!

Blessings!
Pamela

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Retiring Colors

Retiring Colors

Just a quick note ....if you are interested in ordering product in the retiring colors.   Please place your order as soon as possible.   There are some colors that are going fast.  If you're ordering card stock,  please note that if the regular card stock isn't available you will receive the textured card stock (no extra charge).  

Re-inkers & ink pads will available in May...but may go into backorder status.  In June they are available while supplies last.   My advice is if at all possible don't delay..... if it's something you can't live without (you know what I mean...right?).

To place a Stampin' Up! order - click HERE.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

A Lot of Changes Coming My Way

It is amazing what can happen in a month, week, or day...I have a lot of changes that are happening in my life, however, I am still a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I know I have been a slacker in the posting department on my blog, but hopefully, I will be able to catch up soon.  In the mean time...

I am so excited to announce that Stampin' Up! is introducing 5 BRAND NEW COLORS and bringing BACK 10 of the retired In Colors!!  

As of July 1st, (with the new catalog), we will have 40 regular colors and 5 "In colors". There will be 4 color collections…Regals, Brights, Subtles and Neutrals….no more earth elements…some of those moved to different groups.


Sorry this chart is so small….


5 Brand NEW COLORS :

Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze and Early Espresso

10 RETURNING IN COLORS :

Baja Breeze, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry, Riding Hood Red, River Rock, Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango and Wild Wasabi



Current Colors that will Retire in June:




So, now is the time to pick your favorites, make sure you have the ink refills, markers and stock up on cardstock. 

To place a Stampin' Up! order - click HERE.