Bloom Where You Are Planted

Friday, August 3

DeBunk the Funk-y

FUNKY - panicky; 1 a : a sudden overpowering fright; also : acute extreme anxiety b : a sudden unreasoning terror often accompanied by mass flight c : a sudden widespread fright concerning financial affairs that results in a depression of values caused by extreme measures for protection of property (as securities)2 slang : one that is very funny

Well, I call myself a 'textile artist' with a minor in ceramics/porcelain . . . but when Granddaughters Madison and Valorie come to spend the night, they call me 'Freaky' Mimomma.

Go figure!

I make dolls! When the girls were very little, these now-5-year-old girls used to refuse to spend the night in the guest-doubles-as-a-doll-studio bedroom, emphatically stating, "Mimomma, that's creepy - you're freaking me out!"

Today, however, they both wanted this finished product which I delivered to a sweet TN Chick named Grace...she named her babies, McKinley and Emily...

And here's McKinley and Emily with new Momma Grace.

Grace's Papa provided me with the huge assortment of doll parts you see in the top picture. So now Madison and Valorie can help make their own babies!! Both are eager to learn the fine art of Debunking the Funk-y!!! (And Mimomma is very excited to show her craft to her best 'dolls' Madison and Valorie!!!)

Labels: Activities, grandchildren, photo hunters

posted by Marsha @ 8/03/2007 07:48:00 PM 18 comments

Sunday, July 29

Cabbage Patch Hospital

Ansley with cut out CP Kids in garden

Valorie with her favorit CP Kid which she named Varona Kathryn

Ansley fits right in with the crowd - wonder what she was thinking about?

Valorie says her dream came true!

We enjoyed the CP Hospital sooo much we went back on Saturday morning...the highlight for Valorie was assisting in picking out a name for the first baby born that day - a blonde-haired blue-eyed boy which became Peyton Cameron (after her Uncle!!)

More pix will be available of the whole visit on my photologue at I've Been Framed!!

Labels: Activities, grandchildren, personal

posted by Marsha @ 7/29/2007 01:25:00 AM 1 comments

Saturday, July 28

Xshot Contest is closed and -

WE WON SECOND PLACE!!

glittergraphics.co.uk is the best glitter graphic code resource :: GlitterGraphics ::

Family and Friends-THANK YOU!!!
---for putting up with all those corny, 'harrassing' emails;
---for voting even once for me;
---for telling others' about the contest and coercing them to vote as well;
---for considering or purchasing an Xshot for yourself;
---for being a friend!Our collective effort netted us a second place in the Win an Xshot contest...or in other words, WE WON an Xshot and a 5 dollar gift certificate to Kodak Gallery. THANKS THANKS THANKS!!

I'm not sure who was first or third place as I went out of town with the granddaughters to watch Mother Cabbage birth $300 Cabbage Patch Kids!! Yeah, $300 for the original (not Coleco brand) CP Kid!! Think I'll get my patterns back out and see what I can do for the Grandbabies.

WInners of the 3 place popular poll and the BenSpark Choice awards will be announced on Monday at http://www.benspark.com - go check it out for yourself!!You can still order and Xshot at www.xshotpictures.com and, using this special code XSHOTVOTE, get $5.50 off your purchase of one Xshot. I can hardly wait for the one we earned to get here!!!

Again thank you - you can forward this note of gratitude to all those persons you specifically asked on my behalf to vote. Tell them how much they are appreciated, please?!

Grins and blessings for all,

Marsha

Labels: Activities, Challenges, personal

posted by Marsha @ 7/28/2007 11:52:00 PM 0 comments

Friday, July 27

PHOTO HUNTERS: Creative? You bet!!

This is what my desk looked like after it's 4:15 a.m. cleaning. Well, this is it for Amberly's Clean Desk Challenge, Photo Hunters, and anyone who knows that my house is 'user-friendly.

I'm an retired school marm - that's me! About three years before I medically retired, I purchased this old desk set from the Winton Blount Office Estate for $50.00 all four pieces. Although not nearly as beautiful or creative as my desk, the two overly large filing cabinets (SOLID HEAVY OAK) adorn either side of my bed and the 8' long credenza and two cabinets serve as hubby's and my chest of drawers and nightstands. The wood on those pieces were nearly perfect and needed no extra refinishing.

However, the desk was another story! Stained with rings from coffee mugs and dotted with black and red magic markers as well as dings and dents, I got the idea for this desk. I coated the desk with a light gray sealer, then painted the whole thing yellow (MY fav color.) After it dried I painted random angled and width white stripes and stenciled red and blue stars and hearts. My daughter took actual hand drawn pictures that I had saved from some of my students and projected them onto the sides of the desk. Using tempera paints she carefully matched colors to the drawings and shellacked the entire piece to prevent the paint from chipping or cracking.

Finally, I took some of my favorite quotes and carefully printed them on the top and in between paintings to remind me of how very important it was to be the best teacher I could be each day as there is NO "substitute" for good appropriate teaching. Students, parents, and fellow teachers loved hanging out by my magical desk!! For three years, it caught an earful each school day of priceless statements and watched as my younsters grew from day-to-day blossoming on to the next level in the educational system. Then PD struck me, and after a very mentally painful decision, I retired to home to get stronger. I still go volunteer throughout the school term and reminesce with colleagues and former students about - you guessed it - that colorful old desk!

My desk was headed for eBay when I went back after Christmas break 2003 to rescue it! Seems the principal at the time thought I had 'left it' for the school to raise funds for technology. I adored my 'job' as Tech Ed, but my desk was far more priceless than any monies could have been raised! After all, the contributors to its designs were near and dear to my heart!

I hope you enjoy my contribution to PH Creative as much as I enjoy sitting at my desk, reading books while grandchildren sit in my lap, or while I work there on the websites I design and maintain, or sometimes where I just lay my head down and think on the good things that the MASTER CREATOR gave us to visually enjoy!

Labels: Activities, Children, photo hunters

posted by Marsha @ 7/27/2007 12:46:00 AM 23 comments

Thursday, July 26

Xshot Contest nears an end -

One last appeal- The contest ends tomorrow at noon (Drew's time). I would really like to be the recipient of first place as not only the Xshot is a prized gift (and would be very helpful to me with my physical diability of PD) but I'd really LOVE to have that subscription to ProFlickr for the next year. SOOO, if you have folks out there who have computer access - please request at least one vote from them between now and tomorrow. I'm thankful!

Labels: Activities, Challenges

posted by Marsha @ 7/26/2007 09:37:00 AM 0 comments

Sunday, July 22

YOU can be my 100th!

Labels: Activities, Challenges

posted by Marsha @ 7/22/2007 05:40:00 AM 0 comments

Thursday, July 19

Photo Hunters: Even I feel like a GIANT here!

I am five foot tall - very vertically challenged except in Madurodam, The Hague, Netherlands...

I took these pix in May 1993 on my whirlwind tour of 11 countries in 17 days with my three "tweenage - 12, 13, 14" kiddos. This first photo shows Hayley and Cameron standing in front of some of the curious 1:25 scale modeled buildings one can find there. My children could almost relate to Kareem Abdul Jabar!!

This second photo was an absolutely marvelous replica of European majesty (perhaps some Euro friends can tell me the specifics - 1993 was too long ago for me to remember exactly what this was a model of). Notice how the full-sized people in the background dwarf the display! Fun place to go - wish I could do this one again!!!

click here for more Madurodam info ;-)

PLEASE GO VOTE FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND ME AT

at http://www.benspark.com/xshotvote.html

(Pssssst - Marsha!)

Labels: Activities, Challenges, Children, personal, photo hunters

posted by Marsha @ 7/19/2007 06:26:00 PM 20 comments

So, Here's the Deal--

Labels: Activities, Challenges

posted by Marsha @ 7/19/2007 01:38:00 PM 0 comments

Thursday, July 5

Photo Hunters - Fantastic Realistic FANTASY

Her second visit since birth to Great-Grandma Mary's provides my Valie-girl with a firsthand opportunity for fun 'puppet-actvity' as they both pretend to be something they are not! The whole experience was deja vu (twice) for me - Great-Grandma Mary is my mother and Vallie-girl is my Granddaughter. I've been on the 'giving AND receiving' side of this entire activity setting in times past!

Labels: Activities, Children, grandchildren, photo hunters

posted by Marsha @ 7/05/2007 07:00:00 AM 19 comments

Monday, June 25

Blossoms in My Garden

Too many pictures on one page could send my readers aloft just like the seeds from a dandelion or milkweed pod on a windy day in Indiana! So, I've decided - like many other blogspots I frequently peruse, to start another blog dedicated to pictures and photos only! Please feel free to leave messages and critiques - I'll answer or respond as time this side of cyberspace permits. Until then -ENJOY!

Labels: Activities, Children, grandchildren, Husband

posted by Marsha @ 6/25/2007 12:22:00 PM 0 comments

Saturday, June 2

Swirls for Twirly-Girls?!

Vallie in her twirly skirt and matching top!

After visiting a recommended website for instructions, Madison and I picked from my 'sewing closet' a fabric to make her 'twirly skirt.' I tweaked the pattern a little bit as I didn't want her skirt to look like a 'pillowcase dress gone south'. I gave the pattern a bit more contour by putting more fabric into the bottom and cutting less around the waist. Here's the result! Now Madison can actually swirl 180 degrees if she chooses to spin like a top. I'll get a picture of her wearing it...very nicely fitted with a slight elasticized waist and a naturally recurring drape or flounce all the way around her hem. Madison LOVES it because she got to choose from THE closet all the 'pretty stuff' that went into making it!

Value of material - $1.00 per yard (1.25 yards used)

Value of ribbons, rick-rack - $1.00 per package of 25 ribbons with 9 ribbons/rickrak used from package

Total time spent chosing material, trims and sewing - 2 hours

Value of Madison's lovely smile adorned with twinkly blue eyes - PRICELESS!

Labels: Activities, grandchildren, personal

posted by Marsha @ 6/02/2007 11:48:00 PM 3 comments

Wednesday, May 23

Homecoming!!!

Everybody dance now - my Babies are coming home from the west a week from today!!!!

Labels: Activities, Children, friday favorites, Friday's Finial, grandchildren, personal

posted by Marsha @ 5/23/2007 04:40:00 AM 0 comments

Friday, May 4

Bubbles Everywhere

Labels: Activities, grandchildren, personal, photo hunters

posted by Marsha @ 5/04/2007 11:35:00 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, April 11

It's Snow Trouble Clean-up

When my three were young, needed something to do, AND I needed "Alice" from The Brady Bunch to lend me a hand, I whipped up a gigantic bowl of Ivory Snow flakes. Yep, just beat those flakes with a little water making a marvelous 'snow' for my kiddos! They could get the stuff on anything from kitchen counters to tables to floors - even the covered back cement porch - and paint with actual paint brushes or finger paint to their hearts' content. Then all I had to do was wipe down with a wet towel or pre-moistened cloth and we were ALL good for the count of go! (Actually the back porch was the cleanest on the neighborhood block because we got to rinse down with the outdoor garden hose - such wonderful, inexpensive summertime fun for preschoolers!)
Funny thing, though, happened when they turned six-, seven-, and eight-years-old...I drove them "home" for Thanksgiving that year. (I'm a Hoosier and these younguns are Deep South Bred and Born.) On the way to Grandma's and Pappy's it began to snow. We certainly dressed well for the occasion - it was 70s when we left home so short sleeved shirt and shorts with a lightweight jacket seemed appropriate - NOT!!! Cameron remarked as we got out of the car (due to some rather extensive and strong persuasion from all those backseat drivers), "Our snow in Allablama isn't cold like this snow - what's wrong with their snow, Mommy?"
Have fun!!!

Labels: Activities, Children, grandchildren, WFMW

posted by Marsha @ 4/11/2007 06:25:00 AM 2 comments

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: Name: Marsha; Location: Sweet Home,, Heart of Dixie, United States

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Thursday, October 11

ABCs of Righteous Living

Excellent timing on this one, Mom! My love to you:

A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in thanksgiving
D o not begin to blame
E ven when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
G od is forever able
H old on to what you know
I magine life without His love
J oy would cease to be
K eep thanking Him for all the things
L ove imparts to thee
M ove out of 'Camp Complaining'
N o weapon that is known
O n earth can yield the power
P raise can do alone
Q uit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
T o 'thank' is a command
U ntil we see Him coming
V ictorious in the sky
W e'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

Mom adds (and I concur):
'I AM Too blessed to be stressed!' The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.

Labels: Bible Nuggets

posted by Marsha @ 10/11/2007 10:35:00 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, September 25

Wordless Wednesday - I didn't tke any of thesebut,

I wanted to share my Grand"angels" - especially the unborn Cadence through the 'eyes' of technology. (She's sticking out her tongue in that pic!)

posted by Marsha @ 9/25/2007 10:33:00 PM 2 comments

Wednesday, September 19

Wordless Wednesday - Pastoral ASF

Labels: Children, grandchildren, wordless wednesday

posted by Marsha @ 9/19/2007 08:42:00 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, September 18

My Fork Is Ready

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted one of her pastors and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit in which she wanted to be buried.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork.... the best is yet to come.'"
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did.
She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her.
The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND even if it means sending back to the person who sent it to you.

Personal note - thanks, Momma! I've got my fork ready!
And keep your fork...

Labels: Bible Nuggets

posted by Marsha @ 9/18/2007 04:30:00 AM 0 comments

Thursday, September 13

Wordless Wednesday - Better LATE than Never!!

Very Late Wordless Wednesday!!

Labels: wordless wednesday

posted by Marsha @ 9/13/2007 09:56:00 PM 0 comments

Thursday, August 23

Does "LIFE" really have a Silver Lining?

My granddaughter Ansley was diagnosed on Monday with pneumonia. That was after paramedics, ambulance workers, and hospital ER personnel poked and prodded for the better part of the day on her little 15 month old body and emotionally on her 25 year old pregnant Mommy. I didn't think we could have a worse day - until I experienced first hand the run-around with Ansley and Mommy today.

Mommy called early to ask about sending Ansley to MDO but had reservations because the 'labored breathing' had not really subsided. While Mommy talked on the phone to me, I made plans to go sit with Ansley as Mommy slept - very rough night for them both. Just as I walked out the door the phone rang - Mommy was headed to 'doc-in-a-box' because Ansley had worsened. I headed to the same location and was greeted by rude receptionist-type personnel who, three times when asked, replied "They left." She seemed annoyed at best that I'd even think to use her time asking where my daughter had taken my grand baby.

Two and a half hours later, searching two local hospitals and Mommy's physical address, I returned home to discover a message from my daughter that she and the baby had been 'sent' to the next small city's LARGER "better equipped" medical facility because pediatrics could tend to the baby's needs more efficiently and quicker. This is what military intervention had recommended via the doc-in-a-box facility. That was the first BIG lie told to my daughter.

I arrived at the hospital at 11-ish a.m. "They" were sending someone immediately to diagnose etc. and so forth. BIG LIE #2 (An RT did come every four hours or so to administer breathing treatments to Ansley - THE only consistent professional ALL day long.) My grand baby labored for hours with her breathing - she was scared of the seemingly unconcerned staff and terrified that she could not breathe. Her little face told the whole story - petrified sunken eyes, red tinged feverish cheeks, and uncontrollable twitches (at times) of fear and sobbing.

My wearied worried daughter, although 7 months heavy with a new little life growing inside, cuddled and comforted Ansley as best as she could. Her little wiser yet still youthful face told the same sort of story only from an adult "Mommy" viewpoint - dark circled sleepless eyes slightly reddened from pushing back the tears trying to be stoic, intermittent Braxton-Hicks contractions...a reaction, I believe, from sleep and nourishment deprivation (unable to rest for fear that something will happen to Ansley and "no food or drink permitted in the ER" .). ER personnel promised "to see what they could do" at 1:30 about getting Mommy something to eat - BIG LIE #3 - I broke the rule at 3 o'clock because Mommy hadn't had anything since sending Big Sister to school at 6:30 a.m..We gave anything Ansley wanted from our purses just to get her some kind of sustenance - she tried to eat fruit bars, Nerds, peanut butter from crackers and water. My two actually three "babies" were being mistreated by professionals who had promised to CARE for them!!

Gratefully, Mommy has a beautiful MiL who retrieved Big Sister from school and joined us at the hospital. That was at 4:30 p.m. Since 10:30 a.m. Mommy and Ansley had inhabited ER #22 triage 'closet' - waiting area at the point I arrived at 11-ish was COMPLETELY vacant; when Big Sis and MiL got there the same area was overflowing with all sorts of ailments. Ansley still had not seen a physician.

After a brief visit with Mommy and Ansley, I took Big Sis to my house (I needed an extra change of clothing for tomorrow) to see Granddaddy. Then we headed to her home where Big Sis would feel more comfortable and be ready for the school day tomorrow after a good night of sleep. (Big Sis's wish) At 9 o'clock a physician was on his way to check things out and admit Ansley. BIG LIE # 4. I requested that Mommy call me with room info as soon as that was available. Big Sis finally drifted off into a fitful 'sleep' - but not before expressing her 'Big Sister 5 year old fears' for Ansley and Mommy as well as for Daddy - he's out of the country with the military doing what he does best for the rest of us in the USA. Tearfully she said her little heart is "'broken" (her word for her feelings) because she could not do anything to help - "I'm too little." Good opportunity for object lesson about GOD's love and care for us AND the POWER of prayer. I know Daddy's heart is "broken" as well for his adoring pregnant wife, his temporarily 'guilt-ridden' oldest daughter, and for his sweet yet very sick baby....8,000+ miles around the world having to rely on professional personnel who have yet to put their ducks in a row....wishing he was the one HERE pushing to get comfort and relief for his young and growing family...Please GOD ALMIGHTY grant him peace perfect peace throughout this ordeal.

Mommy returned the promised phone call - ER #22 triage closet would be their room. Seems that Someone dropped the ball at 11-ish that morning and forgot to tell Anyone that little Ansley was struggling so that No One would be able admit Ansley because Everyone had completely filled the pediatric unit/floor. Mommy had tried to get assistance all day long....I had asked question after question to get the process moving to get relief for my Babies....MiL made phone call after phone call to find that elusive Someone or aid for Mommy and Grand baby... And now there's "no room in the inn" - so what about another floor? Did Everyone get all those spaces, too?

For those of you who know me, I usually see the silver lined clouds when the 'sparkle' is not yet evident. This post is a very raw self-examination of my emotions. I cannot seem to find the Silver Lined Cloud tonight. I am "broken" - not just my heart...my feelings, my thoughts, my actions, and as of right now my words. I am thankful that Big Sis fitfully tosses and turns in the bed so she does not experience my doubtful disposition. I guess, in a simple way, that can be the beginning of the SILVER LINING HUNT.

I ask for prayers on Ansley's and Hayley's behalves. I DO believe that Phil 4:9 holds a promise and blessing for me - in HIS time....maybe tomorrow.

Labels: Children, grandchildren, prayer requests

posted by Marsha @ 8/23/2007 02:13:00 AM 1 comments

Thursday, August 16

Photo Hunters: Twosies-twosies