Remember When

Remember when things were simple, and life just seemed to BE. 

As I am sitting here at my crafty desk working on the album for the Boutique, I have music playing in the background. Not really paying attention to it, but my spirit is. 

I'm focused on the album, placing the things on each page to finish it.  It's all about the details...

I've thought about grandparents today. My parents. My cousins. My siblings. My nieces and nephews. I've thought about grandchildren. My three grown children and each one of my friends. Thinking about each one of these people and wondering how they were. (there are many by the way). I've wondered many times how each one of them was.  Many I have not heard from in days, weeks, months, and even years...

Remember when the phone would ring asking if you wanted to grab a coke, sit and visit? Where did those days go...?

Remember when mothers and daughters would have a leisure day getting their pedicures and manicures done while sitting and conversing with each other. Catching up with each other's life. Where did those days go...?

Fathers would take their sons to the golf course, or the fishing pond. Lessons learned. Where did those days go...?

Remember when grandpa would say, c'mon...let's take a ride on the tractor? I remember my granddad well. He is in my thoughts daily. He was my mom's stepdad. He and my granny (mom's mother) raised me until their deaths in the '70s. 

I don't remember riding on the tractor with granddad, but I do remember him drinking a large glass of tea in a metal bright colored glass with a long skinny spoon and mounds of sugar sitting at the bottom of the glass. He would stir it and stir it and stir it until the sugar dissolved. (I think that is why today, I can't stand sweet tea). His WAS sweet, sweet, sweet! 

Remember when...

As I was working on the two pages above, finishing up the details, I noticed the quote I put on one page and then the other expression on the opposite side of the page. 

     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~LIVE IN THE MOMENT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~GRATITUDE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I am crafting, I am in the zone with the music playing, I am cutting, gluing, pulling this, and putting that. Grabbing this item and looking for that! I AM completely oblivious to everything and anyone around me. I can do this for hours on end and not even realize it. 

I didn't pay attention when I placed the two words on these pages, but today they jumped out at me like a ton of bricks. "LIVE IN THE MOMENT". What does that mean? Remember when life was simple. Where did that go? Life seems complex at times today...

Living in the moment these days is a constant battle of struggling with this or juggling that. Dealing with this and putting that on the back burner. Living in the moment today means we wear our masks when we go out in public. We distance ourselves at least six feet from the next person. Living in the moment today means, we don't have friends over for cookouts or other family members for a festive time of food and laughter. Living in the moment today means wondering if we'll have money to pay a bill or put food on the table. Living in the moment today, means will there be money for necessities such as medications or treatments if needed. 

Living in the moment means I must draw closer to my Heavenly Father. He is the only one who can hold me in the moments of my weakness. 

Living in the moment means I can hold on to God's strength and love when everything around me is in disarray. He holds onto me when I'm in a dark place. He holds onto me when things go crazy around me. He holds onto me when I am walking with my head held high. God is my constant...

Living in the moment. I remember when nothing affected me. I was a child. I spoke as a child, I acted like a child. I played outside. I was on the go all the time. Nothing mattered. Time didn't stop to remember what life would be like 40 years later.  

Living in the Moment. Remembering when my granny and granddad would take me to church. He would throw me up on his shoulders and we would walk down the long hallways. He stood over 6 ft. tall. I thought I could touch the clouds when I was riding on his shoulders... I miss my grandparents. Granny Inez and Granddad. My life was never the same after their deaths. I'm thankful they took me when I easily could have become an orphan. Remember when. 

The second word is GRATITUDE. 

I am eternally grateful for the time I had with my grandparents. They instilled values into my inner soul. They showed me, love. They showed me kindness.  They showed me firmness with a stern voice occasionally. They protected me. They provided for me. They cared for me and my well-being. Had it not been for my granny Inez and Grandad, no telling where I'd be today...REMEMBER WHEN.

That's me with them...I lived with them until I was 10 years old. Granny Inez passed away in April 1971 and Grandad passed away in November 1972. My birthday was in October. Living in the moment, remembering when...life was so simple. Was it really? I'm sure life had its ups and downs with this and that, but I was oblivious. I was protected from it all. Granny passed with Coronary Occlusion and Granddad with Colon Cancer. He was her second husband...remember when.

  

The simple things...being loved. Being cared for. Trusting others to provide for all our wants, needs, and desires. Remember when...life was so simple. 

Gratitude. What are you thankful for today? Breath, a job, food on the table, or possibly family and friends? Could it be, we are thankful for it all? As I sit here and think about this word...I remember when there was a time in my life gratitude didn't exist in my world. I was so angry at the world. At people. At family. At friends.  AT SELF. Remember when. 

I remember when the pieces were broken all around me...and the only way I could move forward was by laying it all down at the cross. Gratitude encompasses many things...

grat·i·tude

noun

1. the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Let me pose a question to you...when was the last time you stopped and thought about all you are thankful for? A few years back, I made a Gratitude Journal. It consisted of 365 days of things I was thankful for. Remember when. 

I am going to challenge you today to stop what you are doing and write down 3 things you are grateful for.  Can you do that for me? If you can, I'd love to hear what you are grateful for. If you can't, why not? Are you carrying hurts, unforgiveness, doubt, or fear? Are you feeling hopeless because living in the moment has become exhausting? 

There were times that a specific day only had one word on the page in my Gratitude Journal. Living in the moment...

Sometimes, being grateful and being able to express that gratitude takes a great deal of energy. I would encourage you to be grateful because you want to be, NOT because someone expects it. 

Gratitude...

For me, not only does the word GRATITUDE means being thankful, but it also gives me HOPE.

Gratitude offers me an expectation that I WILL be thankful and appreciative of something each day. For instance, I am thankful that I woke up today. I am thankful that I have breath in my body. I am thankful that I am a wife. I am thankful that I am a mother and a grandmother (regardless of what life has thrown at me). I am thankful that I can create beautiful crafts. I am thankful I am living. I am thankful I can listen to the birds singing. I am thankful I can play with our fur baby. I am thankful I can forgive others AND myself. I am thankful that my sins have been washed away and that my past doesn't dictate my future. I am thankful for change. I am thankful for resolutions. Even if they are not on my terms...

Gratitude means I will stand tall. I can give to others regardless of anything received in return. That is NOT the expectation. Gratitude is from our heart. COMPLETELY...with no reservations. 

Gratitude is not entitlement...it is something that I can extend to another human being or better yet, to myself.  I am GRATEFUL for life...I am GRATEFUL that I CAN live in the moment of today. 

Remembering when living in the moment was carefree and nothing else mattered. 

Remembering when no matter what, I stood tall with my head held high just living in the moment. 

GRATITUDE...no matter what!

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Crafting and Junk Journal Pages - day 14 UBC

It's day 14 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Today is also Valentine's Day...with the family visiting, we put a pot of chili on the stove and I made a batch of cornbread in one of our cast iron skillets. 

Our youngest grandson turned 1 on Friday. We had his "Out of This World" birthday party on Saturday. It was freezing cold outside and today, we have snow. It's still coming down. 

Snow is a rare thing in the Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas area. We normally get the massive ice storms...I'll take snow any day though over the ice. The kids took the little guy out to experience the snow for the first time. He wasn't sure about it...they had him all bundled up his nice, thick coat, stocking hat, gloves made out of socks. They only lasted about 5-7 minutes. My son-in-law told my husband, "I don't see how you played in the snow for hours on end back in the day". LOL - - we all laughed and he and I both said, "We just did"...

After sitting with my grandson, a bit ago while he ate, I snuck off to my crafting room to get some crafting time in for a few minutes and write up today's blog for the Challenge. 

Looking around my room, thinking to myself if I wanted to craft or look at my family tree, I remembered that the current Junk Journal (JJ) that I have been working on now since Christmas was setting on the back desk. Two weeks ago, I got tired of seeing everything out in my room, so I put things away that I had been using. A tub of scrap ribbons. A tub of vintage embellishments. A tub of bling and pearls. A tub of lace and trims. A box of assorted napkins. Get the picture? These things were all over my room near my desk. I get a kick out of my husband when he comes into my space...his first comment is, 'where's the floor"?! I just laugh. 

I'm almost finished with this Junk Journal. But for some weird reason, the last signature always takes me forever...for those of you who craft, do you have that trouble? 

Looking through the pages I have already completed, I saw a few things I want to go back and add a thing or two here and there, but I'll do that once I finish the last signature. I also need to figure out the closure and complete the cover. My journal is thicker than I intended it to be, so another closure is going to have to be added. I have a few ideas swirling around in my thoughts. 

I just finished this page...there is no rhyme or reason to it...just a painted page with what little paint I had left on the plate. Do you see a flower? An apple? I found this to be inspirational to me, so I added the word, "INSPIRE". If the recipient wanted to journal on this page, there is still room for them to do so. 

I hear my grandson coming down the hall looking for Nonnie. He loves Nonnie's craft room. I don't let him in here much though because there are too many things that don't mix with small, curious hands. When he does come in here, I usually set things to the side and put him on my lap. We draw his hands...I have been doing this since he was a few days old. I have a year's worth of his little hands. (They are going to be a gift for his mommy one of these days...another project for another day). I always draw them right around the day he was born each month. A few of them, I have traced my hands too around his little hands. I think it would be neat for his mom to get in on the project, but she is never too keen on my ideas...LOL - guess that's why I'm the creative one in the family! <3

My handsome would like my attention, so I'm going to go for now...until tomorrow. 

What has been your inspiration today? 

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Crafting, Scrapbooking, Mixed Media and Altered Art - day 9 of the UBC Challenge

Here we are on day 9 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Time is zipping by faster than fast. If you have been following my blogs, you know by now that I have two favorite pastimes genealogy and crafting. The latter of the two is what I'm going to share with you today.

Crafting and Creativity

Before I begin though, I want to apologize for the white space around my photos. This drives me batty. Ever since Blogger did some upgrades last year, I have not for the life of me been able to figure out 'how' to remove it. I've looked on YouTube, I've googled it, and nothing I do seems to work. IF you know how to remove the white borders, please let me know. I would very much appreciate it!!!

C R E A T I V I T Y - have you ever looked up the word? The Oxford Dictionary defines creativity as the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of artistic work. 

Are you an artistic person? If so, what do you create? Maybe a painter, or a craftsman of a particular medium related to art? I tend to dabble in a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Scrapbooking, Mixed Media, Altered Art, Junk Journals, Paper Crafting - my mind is always thinking of ways I can use things I see laying on the ground or along the side of the road in my craft projects.

I find crafting and creativity to be extremely therapeutic and relaxing for the most part. Sometimes though, when I am under the gun on time (so to speak) ...I feel flustered if I don't have the time needed to completely focus on my project. It stresses me out more than I care to admit. I'm having to juggle hours in the day and many times, end up staying up into the wee hours of the morning to work in the quietness of the darkness just so I can focus and complete the task at hand. Have you ever found yourself in a position like this while crafting? How do you handle it? 

Crafting is one of the coping tools. Many years ago, when I was going through a very dark time in my life, I learned about coping tools and the role they play in a person's life. I found crafting to be my happy place. My calm. My respite. I can literally lose myself to all matter of time when I am crafting and in the zone. 

I do this too when I am 'walking with the ancestors'. I can't tell you how many times I have sat down at my desk at 6:00 a.m. in the morning, only to get up for the random bathroom breaks or to let the dog outside, only to look at the clock and see that the day has almost come to an end! Yes, it's those days that I am truly in the zone...I haven't had many of those days lately. These days, I'm good to get 2 or 3 hours of quality time crafting and/or genealogy on any day. 

When I started out, I was crafting your typical scrapbook layouts. I didn't have any of the fancy scissors, scoring boards, unique themed papers, or even one sheet of Designer paper in my possession. 

What I did have were old magazines, a pair of sewing scissors, and a bottle of Elmer's Glue, or maybe even a glue stick. I also had plenty of letters (A-Z in assorted font size and styles), words, and random pictures (flowers, people, landscapes, etc.) cut out or torn by hand and sorted by letter or image in folders I made from cereal boxes. 

one of my early scrapbook pages

I have been doing this type of crafting since I was in my childhood. Through the years, I began adding little things to my crafting accessories. A better pair of scissors. Better wet adhesive. Even double-sided tape.

early scrapbooking

a layout my daughter created in one of my books

Over the years, I have had my crafting area set up on a small worktable. The kitchen table, on a folding table, In two regular-sized bedrooms and now I am in a smaller bedroom with so many wonderful things I could probably open a small store. 

from this to...

this

I have given things away, sold things, and even donated crafting goodies to different organizations. I have been destashing now for a while. I don't craft like I once did, and the goodies are overwhelming today. I look around me and think to myself I need to make this; I need to do that. I have that tub of photos that need to be scrapbooked and so forth and so on...I'm sure you get the picture. 

Through the years, I piddled with mixed media projects. I even have done a few altered art projects. I incorporated both techniques into my scrapbooking. I even started sewing on my scrapbook layouts. It's mind-boggling where a crafter's mind goes while trying to create. Do you feel like this when you craft? If so, how do you harness it, or do you go with the flow of the creativity? 

Would you believe me if I told you the flowers in the last photo above were from a toilet seat cover? They were...creativity, the options are so many. 

I've had to downsize my inventory a great deal since we relocated a couple of years ago. We moved into a smaller house with less room. I mean...a RIDICULOUSLY small house. THIS created a huge dilemma for me and my crafting goodness. My husband and son in law jokingly say, "I have more stuff in my craft room than there is in the rest of the house". That might be true, but I am destashing even still today.  Gone are the days of having two large bedrooms set up with all my crafting goodness to feeling like I am going to be swallowed up by the crafting abyss at times. I continue to destash here and there. 

I have gotten rid of my Cricut and all the accessories. I have sold rubber and acrylic stamps and sets from time to time. I still have a huge amount of them that are sitting in a tub not being used. 

I have sold paper and embellishments that I no longer want or need. I have sold lace, flowers, ribbons, and everything else in between. At one time, I even posted to sell the entire room for a nice sum of money. I had a few bites, but they wanted me to practically give the stuff away. I am generous and have given many things away over the years...but I have a small fortune wrapped up with all this goodness. 

I'm creating more Junk Journals today than before. Mixed media and altered art come into play nearly every time I set down to bring one of my journals to life. I have fun creating beautiful things from my heart and soul. 

I have a few mixed media canvas ideas floating around in my head that I want to tackle here in the next few weeks. But until then...I'll continue working on Junk Journals and whatever else comes to mind. Creativity...it never stops. 

I'm still in the process of downsizing my crafty goodness. My loss will be somebody else's gain. I hope they find comfort and enjoyment out of it all like I have so many times. Don't fret though, I'm NOT getting rid of all of it...

CREATIVITY, what are you creating today? 

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January 4 - 365photochallenge

It is a new year and a new day for creativity in my craft room. After taking off the last couple of months from blogging so I could focus on Christmas crafting projects I had on my plate, I have decided to do a 365-day photography challenge after reading about it from my FB friend Martha DeMeo and Glenda Cates. 

The challenge is to post at least one photograph per day for the year. Well, I am a little late to the party - but I have taken photos each day since January 1, 2021. Maybe I can play catch up! {laughing out loud}

Today's photo consists of a photo of my 'new' desk mat that I received for Christmas. Look at that...my desk is even cleaned off! That is a feat within itself. ONLY because when I am crafting, I am oblivious to the mess I create around me... (I am doing the happy dance since I am all caught up with crafting projects for the time being).

I was so excited to have received this Zerro Self Healing Cutting Mat. Although the old one was only 8 years old, it still has life in it and I will continue to use it on the desk behind me. Thank you, family, for my new self-healing cutting mat!!!

I am off to write a review on my new, clean Zerro Self Health Cutting Mat!

Who would like to join me in taking a picture a day (or more, if you choose) in 2021?

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Hello 2021 - - Glad YOU have arrived!

Hello, 2021!!!! Another year has started...can you believe it? Seems like yesterday I was looking at the year 2000. Where have 20 years gone?

Anyway, it's a new year and I am anticipating great things to take place this year from A - Z.

For starters, my Blog, Heart to Heart Soul Creations (H2hsc2020) will continue to grow with my Crafty Creations, In the Kitchen with Recipes, Life Experiences, Hope and Inspiration, Thinking Out Loud moments, Walking with My Ancestors (Genealogy), Weekend Adventures, Reviews, GiveAways, Gift Guides, and many more wonderful things that might interest you.

I also am going to be doing a personal Junk Journal Giveaway sometime in the near future. Be sure to like and follow my Heart to Heart Soul Creations page on Facebook if you would like an opportunity to get in on this giveaway and any other giveaways I might post.

You can also find me on Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram, too @H2hsc2020 or Heart to Heart Soul Creations.

It's time to get back to finishing up the current Junk Journal I've been working on for about 3 weeks or so now...it's almost ready to head out the door to its new home. Here is a glimpse of this creation...it is massive! 200 pages plus...

Until next time...have a wonderful and creative day!

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Saturday Morning Cartoons are no more

When I was a child, I recall waking up every Saturday morning to watch my favorite cartoons on television. I could not wait to get in front of that tv...that is not so true today. I can literally go days and even weeks without ever turning ours on. 

Saturday morning cartoons are no more in my house. In days of yesterday, I remember watching the Jetsons, TheFlintstones, Blondie (with Dagwood of course), Bugs Bunny, and all his cohorts, otherwise known as The Looney Tunes. Then there was the Roadrunner which was part of The Looney Tunes. Olive Oil and Popeye were on my list as well...occasionally, Popeye's nephews would appear in a show. You know, Pipeye, Peepeye, Poopeye, and Pupeye. Did you know they were quadruplets? 

On my list of cartoons to watch were also The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle Friends was also on my list as well. The Mr. Magoo Show, and The Deputy Dawg Show. Do any of these rings a bell for you? I may be aging some of you today as I sit here and think about my Saturday mornings as a child - they are a vague memory in my mind. But cartoons still come to mind...funny how these cartoons still bring a smile to my face when I hear their jingle or even capture a clip from one of the shows. These are not all of the shows I would watch on Saturday but the ones that came to mind as I sat down to write a blog this morning. What were some of your favorite  Saturday morning cartoons? 

I could not tell you the names of any cartoons that children watch today. Many of them, in my mind, are just not fit to watch and if I had small children, probably would not allow them to watch them. Sorry if that offends any of you...but Simpsons, SpongeBob, and Barney were some of the cartoons I banned my kids from watching. Oh, trust me, I got flak from them and other adults alike, but it was just my personal thing...lol. Still, even today, when I hear the theme song from the Simpsons come on the tv - I blurt out...change the channel! I am just shaking my head...it is funny to me memories that pop up in my mind from time to time. They are so random. Who else can raise their hand that you have random thoughts come to mind too from time to time? 

I no longer watch Saturday morning cartoons today. My Saturday mornings consist of crafting, walking with my ancestors, or taking a road trip on a great weekend adventure with my hubs...with that said, I need to finish up on a Junk Journal (JJ) that has been sitting on my desk now for almost three weeks. I have one signature left and it will be on its way to the purchaser. (just a small sneak peek into the JJ I am currently working on). 

What do your Saturday mornings look like today? 

Have a great day and Happy New Year! 

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Goodbye Twenty-Twenty, Hello Twenty-Twenty-One/TTOT

Twenty-Twenty is in the books...hello twenty-twenty-one! Ten Things of Thankful has continued to be uplifting and a warm welcome each week when I see the posts. I read most of them and comment on a few from time to time. For the last several months, I did not share any posts myself as I was covered up with Christmas crafting projects since the middle of September. Here are the covers of some of the Projects I worked on since September 2020. 

As you see, I was busy - busy making journals. I am thankful I was able to get back into my craft room and create from my heart beautiful gifts for others. I find so much joy in crafting...it is my respite. 

I had many things I was thankful for in twenty-twenty. Number 10, which probably should be my number 1 every time is LIFE. Many times, people take life for granted. I do not...God has blessed me with breath daily and for that, I am very thankful. I should be dead ten times over from this health issue or that health issue or this traumatic event or that traumatic event...but I am not. I am VERY much alive! 

For Number 9, I am thankful that none of my immediate family (apart from myself) had COVID. Although I have many cousins and other extended friends and family who lost loved ones to the horrific illness. I am sorry for your loss if it affected your loved ones...know you are in my thoughts and prayers. On a side note, my sister texted me earlier this evening to tell me she was headed to Urgent Care. She tested positive for COVID. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers...

Number 8, I am thankful for a roof over my head and food on the table. So far, my husband has been able to work each day since COVID hit. For that, I am thankful...this is his work truck. It is called a Volumetric Cement truck. What that means is, he mixes on site instead of having the tumbler like most other cement trucks. He has worked with H & H Concrete on Demand for a total of 9 years. He had this job before we moved relocated to the Round Rock, Texas area in 2013 for my job. When we had the opportunity to move back to the Dallas/Fort Worth area at the end of 2015, he went back to this employer. (I suppose he likes working here!) LOL

I truly am thankful for so many things in life. Breath, friends, and family to mention a few. Over the last several years, I have had the opportunity of meeting new family members because of "walking with the ancestors" through genealogy. Twenty-twenty was no different. My Number 7 expresses gratitude for meeting new cousins and friends along the way. Our very own Dyanne Vinyard Dillon, host of Ten Things of Thankful fell into this number 7 thankfulness. I had the opportunity of meeting her in person during October on our way to Illinois. Although our time was short...it was amazing finally getting to meet this beautiful lady. Thank you again, Dyanne, for driving over to meet up with us in Springfield, MO. Until we meet again...

For many people, family is everything...I must say, there are times I do not share this same sentiment with folks. My family has been my nemesis and thorn in my side for most of my life. Do not get me wrong, I love my family very much. But wait...there is a BUT! My family has hurt me, stabbed me in the back, walked out of my life, said hurtful, mean words to me, and has shattered my heart through and through. 

I know through the years, I caused hurt and said hurtful things, but I always asked for forgiveness once tempers settled down. With forgiveness, comes remorse...I wish I could say - I have felt the same from my family. But that has not been the case...Number 6 for me through twenty-twenty-one is, I want a change of heart where all my family is concerned. Although I have forgiven those who have hurt me in the past...I want to be able to move past the heartache that I feel daily because of the loss of so many people who still live and breathe today. I do not dwell on the pain anymore, thank goodness! I have learned to accept that we all make choices, and we are all at the age to be responsible for them. I have laid all this pain at the foot of the Cross and pray one day there will be amends before it is too late. I am thankful that Jesus Christ gives us all second chances and never holds anything over our heads. I just wished human beings were somewhat the same...tsk, tsk, tsk. Nonetheless, I am thankful for family...

I am thankful for Number 5 which is Jesus Christ being my personal Savior. Honestly, this is my number 1 - 10 and then some...without Him, I would be lost. I am thankful for His forgiveness and His love. 

Number 4, I am thankful for each one of YOU!  

My Number 3 spot is music. I am thankful for the sound of music in my life. I enjoy watching my grandson, Caiden who is 10 months old when music comes on. He moves his little body, waves his hands in the air and he and I share a few favorite tunes from one of his toys. I must say, he and Nonnie like to dance...I hope as he grows older, that maybe he will want to play a musical instrument of some kind. It would make my heart jump up and down with joy if that instrument was a violin. I was an accomplished violinist back in the day. My mom and dad always wanted me to play for them anytime we went to Amarillo for a visit... The first picture here was from a wedding I played at during my Freshman year in High School. The second photo was taken in 2000 when we had travelled from Illinois to Amarillo to spend Thanksgiving with my parents. (They and my niece are pictured in the photo). 

I am thankful for having the opportunity of being a part of this wonderful group of people in Ten Things of Thankful. That is my Number 2. 

NUMBER 1, I am very thankful for my three grandsons. My oldest one turned 16 on December 27th. I have not seen him in almost two years. His name is Noah. Then there is Isaiah...he turned 7 in September and I have not seen him since his first birthday. Caiden is my youngest grandson. He is 10 months old...I am thankful to have him in my life. I call him 'my handsome'. Regardless of the choices and the curveballs life has thrown our way, I love all three of my grandsons very much! I smile and my heart flutters everytime I see a photo of each.  

Here we are...January 1st...I bid you farewell twenty-twenty, hello twenty-twenty-one...I hope and pray twenty-twenty-one turns out better than the last twelve months. Can I get a second?  

Until next time...thank you for reading and I look forward to reading your comments. 

Heart to Heart Soul Creations
H2hsc2020

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