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New Photos/Ashley home for visit

2009-09-17T09:13:00.005-04:00

Just a few pics of Ashley at her home visit 2 days ago..it was so great to have her home, even for a few hours..The first pic was taken on my cell phone. Her therapist had her transfer from her wheelchair to the couch..She said that she wished she could cross her legs, like she use to..Her dad said, 'well, let's do it..' And he positioned her legs and she said she felt 'normal'..she looks so good and her spirits are so great..In the second pic, Ashley is doing her pressure release exercises..The last photo is of our daughter, Jessica and her husband Stephan, with Dad preparing to make pancakes..

Ashley's Home Visit

2009-09-16T11:45:00.002-04:00

Ashley came home yesterday morning for a 2 hr home visit evaluation..so excited to have her back home, even if it was only for 2 hrs..She also was thrilled to be here..didn't want to leave, but she knows that she has a little over 2 weeks of rehab and to continue to learn the skills she needs to be able to care for herself and lead a normal life..She was able to go everywhere in the house in her wheelchair, except for the bedroom and bathroom..which we are working on making the doors wider..She loves the kitchen because it is so big and open and she can reach everything and will be able to cook.. The one thing that happens to a person when they are wheelchair bound is the sense of uselessness...She feels like she won't be contributing to her and her boyfriend, as she use to work a full time job with overtime..I have told her over and over again that being a housewife and homemaker is a full time job and that is contributing..her boyfriend agrees..She is so happy to know that she will be cooking again...The one thing that they are trying to get her to do in rehab are 'wheelies' in her chair..it's the only thing that they have asked her to learn that she is balking at because it scares her..but they are working on it today..She continues to get stronger every day and we are so proud of her..Looking back at pictures at her first few days in rehab, remind me of how far she has come in just a month..even with the set back of the infections and 3 additional back surgeries..The first few days of rehab, we sat there watching her with her therapist, not having any 'balance' with tears in our eyes, because we knew how far she had to go..And also tears because we knew how hard she was trying..Now her balance is almost perfect and she has learned to do so much for herself..she still has so far to go, but I know that she will continue to get better and stronger every day...

Update on Ashley...

2009-09-12T10:37:00.002-04:00

Wow..so much has happened since my last post..My computer went down during the last storm, so I had to have it fixed..not in a big hurry to do that since I have had no time to be on my computer anyway..lol..
Since my last post of Ashley's first few days at rehab, she got 3 infections..bladder, uti, and Mersa..which is a form of staff..the dr. at Methodist also had missed a staple in her lower back, when he took out all of her staples and the infection was seeping out of that area..She was so sick and they took her back to Methodist and had to re open her back and try to remove as much of the infection as they could and put in a pump and a black sponge to suck out the infection..she had to have her back reopened 2 more times and be on a heavy duty antibiotic, which she is still on..The poor girl has been thru the ringer, including being dropped by 2 RN's after the first surgery, when they tried to transfer her from her bed to the chair..That's a whole other story that I will get into at a later time..She had so many blood test that her veins continued to 'blow' that they had to put in a pic line, which was much easier on her, as they can just draw blood from there and also do her antibiotics..The 12 days that she was back at Methodist, was just a nightmare and we are so thankful that she is back at RHI, rehab, and is doing fantastic..She has learned to transfer herself from the chair to the bed, has been in and out of a car, that they have there, and onto a commode and on to an actual bed..they will also teach her how to get up off the floor in case she ever falls, which we all know she will..lol..as her step son was pushing her outside and went over a huge crack in the sidewalk and she came out of her wheelchair and landed on the pavement..which is another long story..but luckily she was fine..but we all laugh and tell her that we will need to get her some knee pads, and elblow pads and a helmet..Her spirit is good and her sense of humor is still as great as ever..
We have alot of things to do to our house, as she will be coming home on Oct 1st. She finally decided that it would be best to come here for a few months..So we are renovating our house with a deck and ramp and new sidewalk..The inside doors are all 28" doors and her wheelchair is 30"..so, we have to have someone come in and fix that problem..The 2 spare bedrooms that I used for my paint room and storage for my painted items have been cleaned out, (which took about a week, because I am a pack rat and have been painting the last 8 yrs and they were packed full..lol) We are going to put an archway in between the rooms, so she will have a small master suite..french doors going out to the deck..still have to figure out how to redo the bathroom so it is suitable for her..So much to do and time is running out..I am working my shift at work and another woman's shift and getting about 40 hrs of o.t. to help pay for all of this..and we have a church that is going to build the deck..and I'm hoping they will be able to do the inside work, if I pay for the materials..otherwise, I guess, I'll just take my circular saw and make my own door ways larger and the archway..hahahahaha..one way or another, it will get done..
We are still taking every day, one day at a time and remembering how thankful we are that Ashley is with us and getting better and stronger every day..I can't tell you all how happy I am that my daughter has the best sense of humor and we laugh together every day..I am so thankful that her personality is still the same and her determination is so great..I am so thankful for all of my 5 children..they are all strong and loving and have great determination..We are truly blessed..
I will say, that I did have a hard time cleaning out my paint room and putting all my paints away..I will paint again and that also keeps me going..my passion and love for painting is still there, it's just been put on hold for awhile..when Ashley does move out and starts her life with her boyfriend, then I will have a new painting room..a master suite, with french doors and a new deck..lol..
Ashley will be coming home to visit this Tuesday, along with her physical therapist, to do a home inspection..The therapist, Katie, will be able to give us advice on how to make the home suitable for Ashley..it will be so good for Ashley to be able to come home, even if it is just for a few hours..She's so tired of Drs, and nurses, and aids, ect always being in her room..she says that she just wants to be in 'her room' here and be able to 'be alone' and have peace and quiet..I can't wait for that day either..It's been a long 2 months..So until next time, thank you for your prayers and have a wonderful day..

Ashleys First Day at Rehab (RHI)

2009-07-29T19:16:00.002-04:00

What a difference a few hours make...Ashley was transferred to RHI rehab at 1 pm today and it is a wonderful place..Nice, clean, airy and the staff are all smiling..Ashley's first request was to put on her regular street clothes, and her nikes, and get up in wheel chair and go outside..We were so surprized that they said 'of course'..So, that's what we did and to our amazement, Ashley handled sitting up in the wheelchair really well..most of the hour was spent without dizziness or nausea..the grounds are beautiful and we spent the time under a huge gazebo surrounded by roses and flowers..She couldn't believe how wonderful the air and flowers smelt after being in a hospital bed for 12 days..

The hard work starts tomorrow as her therapy begins and she is looking forward to the challenge and getting better and learning the skills she needs to live her life..Today is a great day!!

Ashley's Journey

2009-07-29T10:10:00.005-04:00

The last 3 days have been pretty good for Ashley...She continues to get stronger and actually sat up on the side of the bed, with her back brace, for 15 minutes..it was so good to see her sitting up with her feet touching the floor..She still has alot of dizziness from lying in bed for the past 10 days, but the dizziness and feeling of being nausious are subsiding a little..We, along with the physical therapist were in front and back of her, just in case. But, she balanced herself, holding onto the bedrail with her left hand, all by herself..When we tried to help her, she said that she wanted to do it herself..that's my girl..independent as all get out..always has been and I'm growing to love that about her..she's a fighter..

Our goal is to get her to a fantastic rehab, closer to home, that specializes in spinal cord injuries..which, she is suppose to leave today, if the doctors can get her off of a strong narcotic pain killer, because the rehab will not be able to give it to her..They took her off of it yesterday afternoon and put her on ibuprophen...that was a large jump, but she took on the challenge and seems to be okay this morning..so we'll see..

I treated her to a spa day yesterday, washing her hair with real shampoo, not the 'no rinse', and my wonderful leave in conditioner, gave her a facial with my Neutrogena Microabrasion system, and she applied her own make up..She looked wonderful and felt more 'human'...Our daughter, Jess and her husband, a friend from work and her boyfriend were all up to see her and there was alot of laugher..it was a good day..

I have to add..she has such a loving, caring, and concerned boyfriend and we are blessed to have him in our family..He went to the store yesterday to get her new clothes and all her personables that she will need at rehab..He got everything on the list and the clothes he picked out were 'exactly' what she sent him for, even the sports bras and panties..he even knew her sizes..amazing..My husband just said, 'He's making me look bad'..lol..I also have to add that Ashley's boyfriends mother is a true treasure..I worked with her years ago at a nursing home and she is such a good person..she, too, has not left Ashley's side in the last 10 days, traveling well over 60 miles a day, one way, to be with Ashley..She has 2 sets of parents on that side that love her and have accepted her into the family with open arms..She is truly blessed..

So, now we wait and see how her pain managment goes today and wait on the go ahead for rehab..We have heard nothing but great things about this facility and staff and are anxious for the next step in her very long journey to recovery..She continues to have tingling from her upper thighs down to her toes, in both legs..2 nites ago she asked her boyfriend if her feet were covered and he said partially, 'why?' and she said because she thought she felt a cool breeze on her left foot..yesterday she got a wierd look on her face and kept looking at her right foot and said that it felt like something 'scraped against it, or 'thumped' her toe..all signs that 'may mean something' or 'may mean nothing', as the neuro surgeons put it..but we remain to be hopeful that they do indeed 'mean something'...we'll just have to wait and see..

2009-07-26T11:30:00.003-04:00

I don't know where to start..Since my last post, our family has suffered 2 near fatal vehicle accidents..I say fatal, because if not by the grace of God, both accidents could of turned out far worse. The beginning of June, my husband and I had picked up his motorcycle from the shop, after receiving 2 new tires..It was a gorgeous, sunny day and we were on our way home, with me following behind him in the car..We live in the country, so we were taking a nice, untraveled road back home..I saw the lady standing in the yard with her large black dog jumping around her and started saying outloud, "Lady, please get a hold of your dog" over and over again. At the exact moment, the dog bolted and ran straight for my husband. I didn't panic at that time, as most dogs just run beside a bike or car and just bark and nip..This dog however, ran straight in front of the bike, sending the bike up and over the dog, with the bike going sideways in one direction and my husband up and over the bike in the opposite direction..rolling and tumbling on the asphalt into a ditch..I was terrified as I stopped the car and ran to him, as he was not moving as he lye in the ditch, but so relieved as I got to him that he was moving..Long story short, he suffered a dislocated shoulder, deep cuts and abrasions, road rash, and a broken toe..the bike was totalled and the dog died..The lady kept telling us that she was sorry and that they could never get their dog stopped from chasing cars and motorcycles..My question, to this day, if they knew this and heard and saw us coming, why in the world didn't she just reach down and grab her dog or have it on a leash..note to homeowners, even in the country, there are laws of keeping your animals, even in the country, confined with a leash or fence..Now with all this being said, I do believe that 'everything happens for a reason'..Which will now bring me to last Friday night, July 17th..We got a call from my daughter's boyfriends mother around 9 pm..My daughter, Ashley, had flipped her SUV on an exit ramp and was ejected into the air and had landed on her back and could not feel her legs and was rushed to the trauma hospital in Indianapolis..A parents worse night mare, we rushed to the hospital with our son and daughter-in-law to find that yes she was alive, and awake, but that her back was broke and her spinal cord severly damaged..and no, she could feel nothing from her waist down..The rest of that night and several days later are such a blur of emotions and xrays and drs. reports, ect...We held on to the fact that she was alive and had not been taken from us..After 8 days of being at the hospital constantly and sleeping in our car, she has had back surgery, fought off the threats of pnuemonia, is sitting in a chair for short periods of time, and has some tingling in both legs, starting at her thighs and going down to her toes..The specialists say that could be nothing or something and that we would have to wait and see..They have said from the beginning that her odds of walking again are very slim, but we all hold out for the possibility of one day and treasure each and every little blessing we receive each day..
My daughter, Ashley, is and always has been a Strong-Willed girl..since the age of 9, she has showed us that she will get things done, one way or another, whether we like it or not..Today, I am thankful for her determination and her spirit..She has asked several times, during the accident, 'why did this have to happen now', or 'I don't want to live my life in a wheelchair', but quickly gets over that to looking to the future and looking at wheelchairs online (pink, of course, with black trim) or looking into modifying a car to be able to drive again..We all just take it one day at a time and she charges ahead to the future and the best way to get there..She has so many wonderful friends and family support that have been by herside, around the clock, to help her physically, emotionally, and spiritually..
Now, to get back to 'everything happens for a reason'..Because my husband lost his job last year, and I had to go back to work full-time, his days will be free to help with our daughter when she gets out of rehab..We have the extra money in our account due to the motorcyle being totalled, it allowed us to have the money for the long trips back and forth to the hospital every day, and for me to be able to take time off of work, and for the things she may need when she leaves rehab.
We are not at the point yet that we 'know the reason' for this to happen to our daughter, but that will come when it's suppose to..For now, we are thankful that there was a nurse following Ashley that day and was first on the scene to help her..We are thankful that the first policeman on the scene was a family friend and was there to comfort her and take control. We are thankful that she was NOT wearing her seatbelt, in this instance, because if she had been, she would of been killed..because the top of the SUV on the drivers side was totally crushed down..We are thankful for the driver's side door coming open allowing her to eject from the vehicle instead of being trapped inside..We are thankful and grateful to one of her close friends, who went back to the crash site to look for her glasses and found them setting upon some tall grass..just setting there, unharmed and unbroken....one of those little blessings..We take one day at a time and know in our hearts and our souls that everything will be fine and every day will get better..We don't try to harness Ashley from looking to the future and getting things done, because that has always been 'her way' and for her, its the best way for her to get things done and get over the herdles that come into her life...I wish that we could all have that 'gift'...Blessing to you all...

High Winds in Indiana...

2009-05-19T09:10:00.004-04:00

I was just telling my husband how much I loved my big beautiful tree in our front yard, and the very next day, whammy..lol...straitline winds came in the middle of the night and broke our tree down to the ground..and my poor husband was home alone, as I was working the overnight shift at work..He thought he was headed for Kansas, as he watched the cushions from our 3 seater swing fly across the patio and the swing fly into our small pond..There was no bad weather at my work, so I had no idea what he was facing at home..One of the newly installed wooden fence panels also came flying into the yard, toppling over the cement duck that he and our 2 grandchildren had just painted..I just sat there and almost cried when I saw the tree gone...how amazing that the wind could just bend this big beautiful tree and snap it like a twig..The good news is, my husband is fine and the tree missed our house by inches and it didn't do any damage to our plants and flowers as it landed in some flower beds..Our yard looks so opened up now..and bigger..I guess that's a plus..lol..

Happy Mother's Day (a day late..lol)

2009-05-11T11:26:00.006-04:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's day and spent the day exactly as you wanted..I had a wonderful peaceful day, spent out in my beautiful flower filled yard, with all of my children and spouses and grandkids..Okay, all my flowers are not in bloom, yet..lol..but my yard is full of buds ready to bloom and I can imagine how beautiful they are going to be.. We have lived on our 1 acre country home, surrounded by corn fields for over 20 yrs and have finally gotten our trees and perinneals looking pretty good..my husband has worked really hard thru the years in our yard and I get to sit back an enjoy his hard work..My daughter in law always brings me the most beautiful flowers or bushes on mother's day and this year she outdid herself..bringing me a beautiful multicolored Butterfly bush..I have never heard of this one, but the photo is gorgeous and I can't wait for it to start blooming..We planted this one near my kitchen window so I can view it and hopefully be able to spot our hummingbirds up close..My oldest daughter brought me a very healthy and large pink/purple lilac bush and we planted it near my paint room..you just can't get a better fragrance than lilacs..okay, maybe a peony..which I am so happy to say that mine looks like it is going to bloom this year..I can't wait..Life is good..lol...

I am also happy to say that I have returned to painting, after a 4 month absence...As many know, my husband lost his job, of 27 yrs as a concrete driver, back in Jan 08 and I had to return to the 'real job' world..Which I might add, I don't mind because I take care of mentally challenged adults, and have returned to my passion of helping others..BUT, I have been working 32 hrs of overtime each week and have had no time to indulge in my other passion of painting..I closed my paint room door, put all my paints away, cleaned my brushes and just worked and slept..I have returned to more normal hours, gotten my knee problems pretty much under control and have the energy and inspiration to paint again..I am working on a small vintage wicker hamper, and a few cutom orders..it feels so good to have the passion back again..but my mind races so fast with all the ideas, that I have to slow down and just think of one thing at a time..which I have never done too well..hahaha

I have a new litter of chihuahua puppies..getting bigger and stronger every day..Our white doberman, Dozer, now 5 1/2 months with his newly cropped ears, is growing so big and beautiful..all legs and clumsy..lol..always in training and learning so quick and retaining what he is learning.

I recently received a lovely email from Kim of Twice Remembered, that is doing an article on vintage gumball machines on her blog..she came across my hand painted gumball machines with my pink roses and has asked me to be able to use mine on her blog..of course, I said yes and was honored that she felt mine were good enough to be posted on her blog..I visited her blog and it is wonderful and full of wonderful ideas and inspirational photos....take a minute or two and sit back and enjoy..

So until next time, I'll be painting and enjoying spring and all it's beauty...hope you all do the same and take care..

Newest Painting Creations

2009-02-11T11:09:00.005-05:00

Hmmmmm, my blog seems to have been taking over by my fur babies..lol..not a bad thing, because I can't ever get enough of them..but, I do still paint..lol...I have recently finished an oval train case that I think turned out so shabby chic and perfect for the pink lovers..I have also been making pin cushions out of the old Ball jars and I LOVE how this one turned out..They are so useful for holding buttons, or sewing supplies, ect..I need to make one for myself..that will be my next project..I haven't listed these items on ebay or etsy, as of yet, because I am working so many overtime hours at work, I don't feel that I have the time to commit to my customers as usual..I do miss listing and talking with my customers, but hopefully, soon, I will be back into it full swing..I do have a 'helpful hint' about removing candle wax from countertops and painted phones..lol..My husband accidently splattered candle wax out of my candle warmer and it splattered all over my counter and hand painted french phone..luckily the phone only had a basecoat on it..lol..I laid paper towels over the hardened wax and then used a hot iron and went over the paper towels..the wax melts into the paper towels and wha la, comes off of the counter tops..the phone was a little trickier..lol..this works on carpets as well and have used it many times over the years..The reason that I didn't just 'scrape' it off my countertops is because my counters are painted, of course..lol..and I didn't want to take the chance of ruining my countertops...even tho they are sealed, care has to be taken...Okay, I guess that's about all for now...Hope you are all having a wonderful and warm February day..

What's been keeping us BUSY!!!

2009-02-11T10:14:00.007-05:00

Unseasonably warm weather here in Indiana has me so anxious for spring...Being able to put my male Cockatoo, Gab, outside again..as the noise level in our home this winter has reached unbelieveable high levels..lol...With all the puppies, 3 litters, as to date and all in the house at once..lol..we have been very very busy...or should I say, my husband...lol..I on the other hand, have been working 32 hrs of overtime a week at my job...So, I have been working and sleeping and trying to keep up with some painting for some special orders...The doberman puppies are ready to find new loving homes, along with the first litter of long hair chihuahuas...2 of our dobies have found loving homes, with 3 to adopt out and of course, we are keeping the largest white male, Dozer..His name, Dozer, is short for Bulldozer..as when he was tiny (was he ever really tiny..lol) he would bulldoze his way thru his siblings, happily nursing, and one by one remove them from their mama, until he found his 'perfect' spot for nursing...These white Doberman puppies, as I mention before, are just beautiful with their ice blue eyes and coloring..We have seen no sensitivity to light, as of yet...So far, they see fine and my husband has been working and training Dozer (never too early to start) and they all seem quick to learn..I took a video of my husband showing off Dozer..sitting and shaking hands...so cute and I was so amazed that a 4 week old puppy was doing this..He is going to be quite striking as an adult..

Now, for my beautiful little long haired chihuahuas fur babies...They are now ready to find new homes and are so much fun...cute little personalities and practicing their little voices..Notice that I put 'PINK' around their photo...I think chihuahuas always need pink...even if their males..lol...Our other litter of chihuahuas are growing every day and getting fat and sassy...Well, at least 2 of them..my one little male was too tiny to be able to nurse without his siblings taking over and pushing him out..So, we have been bottle feeding him every 2 hrs..He is the tiniest one that I have ever had and has the cutiest face with little black nose...He is 2 1/2 weeks and fits into a tea cup..Isn't he just the cutest little guy you have ever seen...lol...I may have to keep him..lol..I have got to stop doing that..but sometimes, it's just so hard let them go.. I will keep posting new pictures of him to let you see his progress...I think he is going to be a beautiful adult..I will post some of my painting creations in just a little bit, as I have to close for now and go feed my little fur baby..

Cold Weather..White Dobermans..more Chihuahua Puppies

2009-01-25T09:27:00.007-05:00

With the start of a new year and the hope of good things to come, esp. with our New President..our house is FULL of the sounds of new puppies...Nikki's puppies are almost 4 weeks old and are getting so cute and playful and she has turned out to be an excellent mommy...they will soon find brand new loving homes..always hard to let them go, but I know that they will be loved and spoiled, as only chihuahua lover's can do..And I love the pictures that the new owners send me and the stories that they tell me..Our beautiful blue Doberman female, Thea, had her first litter on January 2nd..and we were up until the wee hours of the morning with her during delivery..Were we ever amazed when the first WHITE one came out..I immediately got on the internet and started reseaching this beautiful creature, since I had never seen one and my husband started thinking that an intruder had found it's way to her somehow...lol..I found out that there are pros and cons to a white 'albino' doberman...one of which being the sensitivity to light..the word albino means 'lack of color'...I also found out that they are not actually 'white' but ivory or cream..and their markings, where the rust or tan would be is actually white..they really are something to see..and of course, my husband wants to keep and train the biggest white male for home protection..He has trained dogs for obedience and guard dogs for the past 25 yrs..Our home has always had a large breed guard dog protecting our family and property..And it's a funny thing..living in the country all these years, we never locked out doors..up until recently, with all the home invasions and robberies, ect..signs of the times I guess..Anyway, here are a few photos of our beautiful litter of dobies..

Two days ago, my other precious female, Sister, had her second litter of puppies..the cutiest (notice I say that word alot..lol..) littlest chihuahua puppies..These are all white with black spots and black masks and are only about 3 1/2" long....The mommy and babies are doing well..I must say that it is a little noisy in our home with three litters of puppies, but it makes life happy and interesting...My husband was worried about the 'empty nest syndrome' when our 5 kids grew up and out of the home, but puppies have taken care of that..lol..and it keeps him busy, as I am always painting, creating or off to 'work'...

Is everyone else, as tired and 'over' winter and this cold weather, as I am? It's about 10 degrees this morning and snowing lightly....the older I get, the more I really dislike cold weather..I think more than anything, I am tired of the LP gas bills..It is on my 'list' to find a more cost effective way to heat our home in the winter..With my husband losing his job a year ago now, and unable to find another one in this economy, the large gas bills are hard...but I thank God that I found a wonderful job and are making ends meet..We have learned that we really don't need alot to live on and have gone back to a simplier way of life..It's alot less pressure and we find the time to enjoy life..which, in a way, is a real blessing...So, until next time..I'll be creating and painting and of course, having more puppies..and waiting until spring and warmer weather..Blessings to you all....

Etsy Cottage Style

2008-12-30T18:00:00.001-05:00

New Chihuahua Puppies and Finished Train Case

2008-12-29T14:30:00.006-05:00

We had new arrives last night..3 beautiful little chihuahua puppies...This is my new mother, Nikki, and she did such a wonderful job...nice easy delivery and fast, too..lol..She had 2 little boys and 1 little girl...such beautiful colors and markings...I just love my fur babies..I've taken pictures, but of course, there's not much to see at this stage..they move too much to get a clear picture, so I have to take what I can get..but momma cooperated and let me take a few photos..after, of course, she sniffed the camera to make sure it could be around her babies...I have finally finished my vintage train case for a special order....it turned out so soft, feminine and so shabby and pink...I used the Norcott Teacup fabric, pink satin, pretty delicate white lace, pink beaded ribbon, organza, pink of course, and a crystal broach....and a pink satin ribbon on the padded bottom to tie up love letters....it's really beautiful... Oh, and a beautiful sachet pillow, too....I hope my customer loves it as much as I do....
I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas...We sure did...our grandkids are so much fun to watch open their presents...it was a little noisey, tho..lol...Now that the Christmas season is over, it's back to the 'real' world....although, the weather here in Indiana has been unseasonably warm, it's still winter and I'm counting the days until spring...I have recently joined a new group on Etsy and it has such talented, creative women that I am going to have such fun, sharing, chatting, and enjoying looking at their items...I have not listed any items in my new store, as of yet, but will after the new year...Until then, I will keep painting and creating....Have a wonderful week....

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...

2008-12-23T07:23:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...

http://www.glittergraphicsnow.com/christmas.html">Christmas Glitter

Christmas is almost here.....

2008-12-17T21:04:00.017-05:00

Wow!! Christmas is almost here...again, I say, where does the time go...Since I have been working full time again, and sometimes working double shifts, the time seems to fly by...I still LOVE my job and going to work is actually a pleasure..I still enjoy painting and creating when I can find the time...My ebay has slowed down and I have decided, with all of Ebay's new rules for buyers and sellers, that I may not list there too much...With ebay's new 'Best Match' and 'Star' system, they have made it harder on the smaller sellers...I am concentrating on 'special orders' and have opened up a new store on Etsy.. I haven't listed anything yet, but after the first of the year, I plan on doing so..I have been taking care of my chihuahuas and our dobermans...litters due in a few weeks and in January...they are so much fun..and what a pleasure they are.. Here is a picture of our female doberman, Thea...all dressed in her green Miami Hoodie..waiting for a treat..hence, her ears layed back...lol..And, NO, I am not a Miami fan....I am a COLT'S fan, all the way...It was just a sweatshirt that my youngest daughter left here after she got married...lol....My computer died a few months back and I lost all my photos of my chihuahuas, for the time being, until I get a friend of mine, to try and retrieve them..But here is a pic of my latest little fur baby....We called him Bullit, because he ran around so FAST, but his new owner had a new name for him...lol....

I have been working on a special order for a nice lady that loves my roses and had ordered from me before and wanted more...Here are some photos of the french phone I have completed for her and a vintage train case that I am working on...

I think that french phones, vintage train cases and gumball machines are my favorite item to paint....Here is my last gumball machine of the year, that was sold on ebay last week...
I have another gumball machine, 15" that is on a black metal stand, just waiting it's turn to be painted...but, it will have to wait until after the holidays...I have my Christmas shopping done, almost, and will spend an afternoon on my day off, wrapping everything...Wrapping gifts is probably one of my least favorite things to do, but maybe this year, I will enjoy the moment, take my time and drink some hot chocolate....I have learned a lot about myself this past year...I have learned about living in the moment and enjoying life and to be grateful for all that I have...My husband still has not found a job, but maybe in the coming year he will find something that 'is meant to be'...until then, I am happy to have him home with me and enjoying life...And I think that I have finally gotten him use to my 'pink fetus'....when I brought home my PINK Christmas tree...lol...He said that it was cute...Okay, that's a start...lol...Blessings to you all and I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.....

So many changes...Life goes on....

2008-08-09T09:34:00.002-04:00

I can't believe that it's been 3 months since my last post...Time just goes by so fast and things change, just as fast...The summer has flown by and now I have to start planning for the cold winter that we are accustomed to, here in Indiana..But, for today, I am going to enjoy the beautiful weather and sunshine and the beautiful yard that my husband has been creating all season..He has set up humming bird feeders in front of my window where I paint..and has planted beautiful flowers that attract the humming birds and butterflies...and our lawn has never looked so beautiful..Let me go back a bit....In January, my husband lost his job, of 27 yrs..to a company buy out..He has been a concrete driver all these years and is going to be 58 yrs old this month..He has been searching and putting in applications in hundreds of places..Of course, he started with the most logical employers..concrete plants...but with the economy the way it is and the housing market the way it is, they are not hiring..in fact, some are laying off..So, he has put in applications in the work place that he has never dreamed of..The funny thing is..he has not even got a 'nibble' of interest from employers..So, I have had to return to the work force..I have gone back to work at my mom's convenice store, that I ran for 17 yrs..but quit last year due to stress..Now, the kicker in all this..my mom sold the store in January of this year..so, now I am working for a new employer, making half of what I use to..BUT....I am thankful to have a job, close to home, and the stress level is way down..My husband has taken over all the 'chores' of running a home and yard and taking care of all of our animals..We raise chihuahuas, dobermans and pot bellied pigs...I have found that my husband is a better cook than I am..He cleans better than I.....He takes care of the yard better than I....Let me also say, I have found out that I have been such a control freak all these years...and when I 'let it go' and gave up the 'reins' and let him, I am at more peace than I have been in our 31 yrs of marriage...Let me go back a little farther....About 2 years ago, I read on one of my favorite rose artist's 'me' page about how her husband did all the housework so that all she had to do was paint..I even read it out loud to my husband...lol...I thought..'How WONDERFUL' that would be...JUST TO PAINT!!..Well, be careful what you wish for..lol..Okay, so I do have a job that I work 40 hrs a week..but, now, all I have to do is that job and paint..He has even started priming all my items that I paint..and he does a wonderful job..(it was that 'control' thing again..) Since we live in the country and have a HUGE barn, he has even built me shelves and an area to store my items and set himself up a work area to prime my pieces..I have even opened up an Ebay store to be able to list my items and free up some more time..and give me more time to paint..It's really strange..I always thought that after raising 5 kids, and 2 yrs from paying off our mortgage..that this was 'our time'...Well, it IS our time..even with him losing his job, and me going back to work, and having to refinance our home (for 20 yrs to get the payment down low enough) I am more peaceful than I have ever been...Life is good...it does go too quickly..but it is good...My husband will continue to look for a job, but in the mean time..he has never been so relaxed and stress free in his life..He has worked hard and it's good to see him enjoying each day and doing things that he loves...yes, even the cooking...lol...

Our Granddaugher catches her first fish!!!!

2008-04-24T21:56:00.003-04:00

My husband and I have our 3 1/2 yr old granddaughter for the next 4 days...what a delight she is..and so adventureous and inquisitive about everything..Papa took her to our pond to go fishing and she loved it..She was so proud when she caught her first fish..with papa's help, of course..She was a little 'ify' about eating it..lol...but, to my surprize, she watched papa clean the fish and when it was time to eat supper...she ate the whole thing..And I might add, she loved it..she has talked with her aunt's and uncles on the phone today, and told them all about 'catching a fish with papa'....Special days and memories that we can store in our memory bank...

Cute and fun quiz to see what kind of Flower you are...

2008-04-24T21:48:00.003-04:00

I was on Pat's blog today and she posted the link to the site where you can take a simple, quick quiz to see what kind of flower you are..I am a Hydrangea..which I just love...one of my favorite flowers, after the rose, of course...lol..Just click on the hydrangea to the right and take it..it's fun and interesting..

Where did last week go..lol

2008-03-04T08:39:00.006-05:00

I just don't know where all the time goes..it just zips by so fast..I have been so busy trying to fix up the house...my husband recently lost his job of 27 yrs and has been 'home'..lol..it's a blessing and a curse..He's decided that our house needs updating..so little by little we have been fixing this and painting that..but it sure cuts into my 'paint' time..but I've been managing..One of my favorite projects for the house, was to paint my masterbath countertops to look like white marble..I think they turned out beautiful..what do you think? These pics were taken before the gloss varnish was applied..

This weekends weather was so springlike..it was in the 60's..not bad for Indiana..my husband spent the whole day, Sunday on his motorcycle...good for me, because I could paint..lol..but now it has turned cold again with freezing rain and snow on the way..I just keep looking out my window, and dreaming of all the pretty flowers that I will have in my yard..Our cardinals are back already and have made a home in their favorite tree..Their 'bird talk' is just so distinctive and I love hearing them chatter with each other..

I did have time to list a few items on Ebay this week..I love creating and I have really been into altered art and making it functional..here's a few of my creations on my auctions..

I've also been working on some special orders for customers...I love all the new friends that I have been making lately thru ebay and my website..They are all so special to me..I love special orders...

I guess that's about all for now..still staying possitive and no negativity in my life..lol..I made a resolution this year to stop worrying so much, be more possitive, get rid of all negativity and so on..The day after I made these resolutions, my husband lost his job, lol..then this week, my husband's car 'died' for good..and our water's pressure tank, we have a well, went bad..BUT, it's all good and I'm staying possitive..only good things and thoughts..lol..

Ebay listings for this week and some sad news....

2008-02-26T22:05:00.007-05:00

First, I had a little sad news this evening...I got an email from a lovely lady that had bought one of my precious chihuahua babies..She and her family came to my home last Sept. and fell in love with a tiny white female chihuahua..of course, they didn't leave without her..lol..they named her Tinkerbell and she became part of their family...(she is the white puppy in the photo at the left and at the bottom of this page)..Well, from the email, she told me that she had unexpectantly died from a heart defect..Just broke my heart and theirs, I am sure..I have never heard of this happening in all the years of raising chihuahuas..but, I am sure that it can happen, just as it can in humans..I feel very sad for the family, and hoping that my next litter will have a sweet little girl, that will help heal this families heart...I'm telling you, there's nothing more special or caring than a chihuahua lover...Those little dogs just take your heart from the minute you hold one...

On a lighter note, I have spent the day, trying to figure out more features on this blog..lol..remember, I am not real computer saavy, YET!! I have added a slide show of some of my handpainted items..that made my day..lol..I have also put on ebay, about 6 items this week...Here are just a few of the items...take a peek...

For more pictures of each item, please feel free to go to my auctions..

http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/brushstrokesbyteresalynn

Welcome to my blog..

2008-02-24T20:39:00.000-05:00

I can not believe that I am blogging..lol..okay, so maybe it's not a big deal to most..but for someone that's been married 30 yrs, raised 5 children and lives in the boondocks..it's a big deal..I am somewhat computer impaired..don't have a 'clue' how to 'text'..and all of my grown children tell me that I need to 'get up with the times'..well, I'm trying..lol...

First, let me say, my name is Teresa Lynn and I live in Indiana...born here, but not raised here...Have lived in many different states growing up, but settled back in Indiana after marrying my wonderful husband in 1977...We have 5 grown children..3 boys, 2 girls and have 4 grandchildren...My 3 boys were all in the military..marines and coast guard...My youngest daughter just got married to a beautiful Christian man last Sept. and what a beautiful and memorable wedding..

Yes, he is tall, isn't he..lol..6'7"...and my daughter is 5'4"...They are such a beautiful couple and he is such a blessing to our family...My oldest daughter is a daycare teacher and loves all her children....can't wait until she has some of her own..Our grandchildren are the 'light' of our lives and we love being grandparents...all that is said about grandparents are so true...

I am a self taught painter of over 10 yrs. and started out by watching HGTV programs with decorative artists...videos, seminars, ect...My husband tells the story of how he came home from work one day and I was painting on the walls..every day he would come home and a new mural would be on the walls..He says that I just picked up a paint brush one day and just never stopped..lol....When I felt comfortable enough with my painting skills, I started doing murals, faux painting, faux kniches, bricks, ect in clients homes...Imagine my surprize at getting paid to do something that I truly have a passion for...Below is a brick kniche with a vase of flowers done in a clients home...

I sold my painted pieces in my mother's little store in town, up until a few months ago...She sold her business and now is enjoying retirement..I think..lol..she definetly needs a hobby...

I have been selling my handpainted items on ebay for over 2 yrs now and have enjoyed every minute...making new friends and such wonderful repeat customers...Most of my items are 'found' and 'vintage' and just need a shabby chic rosey makeover...You can view my pieces on my picturetrail albums...http://www.picturetrail.com/teresa_h I also hope to be selling my handpainted, altered art items on Etsy in the very near future...For now, here are a few of my 'recent' handpainted items that have been sold on ebay...

2008-02-24T20:29:00.000-05:00

My Chihuahua puppies.....6 weeks old..

I have been raising chihuahuas for almost 20 yrs and love my fur babies to death..There's just something so special about a 'chihuahua lover'....and one is never enough....