Graduation!

My daughter Michelle just graduated from RVC with a AAS!  We are so proud of her.  She works full-time, is a wife, a mother, and is expecting a new baby...  and she is going to start a new job (for the same hospital) which will utilize her newly acquired skills - coding. We attended an evening graduation and had a party for her on Saturday.  Lots of Food!!!

The card was a "standing" card so I didn't put it in an envelop.  It had an opening for a picture so I selected a picture of her when she was 3 years old.  I added a graduation cap (looked great on it) and a border trim around the picture.  It was a Martha Steward card kit.

On the back of the card....

You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground.
You run with them until you're both breathless.
They crash.  They hit the rooftop.
You patch and comfort, adjust and teach them.
Finally they are airborne...
They need more string and you keep letting it out.
But with each twist of the ball of twine,
there is a sadness that goes with joy.
The kite becomes more distant,
and you know it won't be long
before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that binds you two together
and will soar as it is meant to soar, free and alone.
Only then do you know that you did your job.

Thru all the years of laughter and tears…We are so thankful that God chose us to be your Parents.
You ARE the gift from what our dreams have come true.

To our dear child of God
And with all our Love… Congratulations on your receiving your AAS – RVC 2012!
Dad & Mom

Rolled up and attached to the card (like a diploma)

May 18, 2012
GRADUATION is a time
For feeling very proud,
For thinking lots of lovely thoughts
And saying them out loud.
It's a time for feeling love
About to overflow,
And to let our daughter, know…

Young woman, our daughter,
Our joy and our heart,
You taught us love unconditional
from that first moment in our arms.
It seems just yesterday
that we held your frightened little hand,
as you started preschool
and made new friends.
The world sees the woman you have grown to be,
with her charm and her smile, and own personality.
But behind that young woman, we will always see,
Our beautiful daughter, our child, our baby.

We are so very proud of you for being who you are,
For making something of yourself, you have come so far.
Just remember that God is always with you
In everything you choose to do.
So we lift you up to our Lord
And we pray that all your dreams come true.

You are dearly loved by the ones who love you.
Follow your heart wherever it takes you,
and be Happy
Life is brief and very fragile
and only loaned to us for a while.
Wake up every morning with the thought
that something wonderful is about to happen.
And as you continue to learn
Remember we will always be there for you

Thru all the years of laughter and tears
We are so thankful that God chose us to be your Parents.
You are an inspiration.
You ARE the gift from what our dreams have come…

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE has come full circle
For you are now the parent, a mother, who will teach
Her children the meaning of dedication and
The importance of a good education.

Congratulations to our dear child of God
And with all our Love…

Dad & Mom

Interactive Spinner Card




I adore www.splitcoaststampers.com!  I've been using this site for many years now.

I would like to direct your attention to All about the Challenges page.   A challenge is simply an invitation to make a card!  

If you don't want to "make a card" and join their challenge - THAT'S OK...but what you can do is LEARN from their challenges.  You can review their suggested sketches and then see what members have loaded up (using their vision of what that sketch challenge is).  I strongly recommend this.  

They do challenges for Cards and for Scrapbooks!

ENJOY and have FUN while LEARNING...



'til next time,


Con

I am just started using Pinterest.  At this point and time, I am not sure how it will work out for me.  I'll let you know;)

 My Pinterest

Happy New Year to all my friends - May God Bless You Richly!

 

Resolve to make at least one person happy every day, and then in ten years you may have made three thousand, six hundred and fifty persons happy, or brightened a small town by your contribution to the fund of general enjoyment.

- Sydney Smith

Hello everyone!
The countdown begins to 2012...

"Prayers and blessings to start off the New Year. Thoughts and words to remember what is  important in our walk with God, in our life and relationships."

NEW YEAR WISHES

The following "YouTube" dance done by "Carlton" always makes me smile so I pray that you too will find it uplifting. We can all do this on our last day of 2011 or the first day of 2012. Wouldn't that be fun! Just click on the YouTube and it will take you to the original site;)

Carlton Dance On Soul Train

from the Fresh Prince of Bela-ire (TV show)

I haven't been writing (naughty of me) but we have been on holiday for the last month. We got home just before Christmas and found out that (unfortunately) a small little visitor had invaded our home. Don't fear he no longer "lives" here;) But I did have a lot to clean up...and then we had Christmas dinner at our house.

On vacation I was looking at the small little shells on the beach when I stumbled upon a rubber-stamp!  I believe this is a good sign...that I need to start utilizing what I have in storage and put it all into good use! and for a good purpose!!

I found a "foam" rubber-stamp on South Padre Island, TX.  It was a sure sign from God;)

My dream this year is to organize or at least get started and get enough done that someone would notice! I dream of getting my paper-crafting organized too. Its everywhere! My husband threw some of it in the attic (I wasn't happy about this); he doesn't understand that it needs to be stored near acid free products and then there is the issue of hot/cold temperatures. Ugh.. It's going to be "One Step at a Time!"

My grandson turned three this December and what a joy he is. I enjoyed seeing our beautiful country but was extremely happy to get home to see my family!  We traveled about 5000 miles - I wish I had some time to go up North to see my parents and my brother and sister's family before it snows.

I did loose some weight prior to vacation...45 lbs!!!  but when you travel by car and stay at hotels one tends to eat too much or the wrong things.  I've gained back 20 lbs already (including Christmas foods).  I need to get back on the "diet" challenge again.  I'll need your thoughts and prayers because I have a hard time loosing weight. I tend to be an emotional eater. Thank you all for your prayers!

A Poem For The Dream Doer

It is the day after Christmas and all round the world
People’s plans for the next year are getting a little absurd.
I’m going lose weight, improve my financial position
Have better relationships or just make better decisions

And while those all sound great and desire to be better is noble
Such statements typically ring empty; New Year’s resolutions a foible
Point A to Point B is not achieved by our desire or dreams
But by the plan and the action and diligent follow thru it seems

I’m not saying do not dream. Dream big and aim high
but you must do quite a bit more or those dreams will shrivel and die
But some feet on your goals; take the time to plan and prep
Write down those dreams and some intermediate steps

Surround yourself with the “dreamers who do”
Perhaps a mentor who has done it and believes you can too
Someone who pushes you forward, they might be a bit of a pain
because they won’t stand for excuses or let your lose sight of your plan

Silence the critic, the skeptic, and those who foster despair
Those content to believe that opportunity is not there
And remember the wise words, paraphrased so they fit
Those who believe it can’t be done, stay out of the way of us doing it!

- Matthew Moran, December 26, 2011

HAS ANYONE DONE ANY CRAFT PROJECTS LATELY?

 I would love to see them!

 From Lisa's Creative Corner Blog-site

I like the simplicity of this card.  It is very clean and elegant. I like how the letters are popped up so you can see shadows.  Isn't that bow cute!  Please visit Lisa's blog by clicking on the above name or on the card.  Lisa has great samples and ideas... many templates and tutorials too!  Please give Lisa a big HI and let her know that she is doing a great job...

Lisa, "Here’s to a clean and simple New Year!"

Prayers and blessings are just one way to bring in the New Year with gratitude and love.

'til next time,

Con

I Am the New Year

I am the new year.

I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living.

I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."

(Bible Illustrator)

 Blessings for the New Year

I choose to initiate God’s promises and blessings for my life in the New Year by declaring them as true. He is the “God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were” (Romans 4:17, NIV). The power in a blessing is in speaking it! Because I believe that God has more wonderful things planned for me than I can even imagine (Ephesians 3:20) for the coming year, today I declare that:

I am blessed with God’s divine purpose and perfect plan for my life. I am blessed with gifts, God-given abilities and guidance. I am blessed with strength of character, self-determination and self-control. I am blessed with family and friends, faith and freedom. I am blessed with health, happiness, favor and fulfillment. I am blessed with promotion, protection, prosperity and provision. I am blessed with spirit of obedience, supernatural success and a positive outlook on life. I am blessed with a fresh start and a new outlook on life, beginning today.

I am looking forward to the new thing God will do in my life this year. I choose to let go of the past and get excited about my future because I am blessed!

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Joel Osteen

Contact of Northern Illinois

My brother-in-law, Ted, is a volunteer at this wonderful place...

CONTACT of NORTHERN ILLINOIS!

 

http://www.nicontact.org/index.html





CONTACT of Northern Illinois is a 24 hour a day 7 days a week Helpline, that has been serving our area for the past 28 years.  CONTACT of Northern Illinois is one of over 48 centers accredited by Contact Teleministries, USA.

FACEBOOK PAGE

Do you have comments or questions on the organization? Would you like to become a volunteer or sign up for an upcoming event? Please get in touch! Just e-mail:  help@nicontact.org If you would like to become a line volunteer, please fill out the application and send it in by e-mail or regular mail, and the staff at Contact will be in touch with you soon. Volunteer Application Or you can reach them: Contact of Northern Illinois P.O. Box 83 Freeport, IL 61032 Or you can call the helpline at  815-233-4357 or 1-888-463-6260

If you would like to help CONTACT out, they have compiled a Wish List of items needed in order to continue to be a productive ministry. Any assistance with these item will be most appreciated. Wish List Ink for Printers Paper (White and Colored) Comfortable Desk Chairs Laptop Power Point Projector File Cabinets  (4 drawer) 1" 3 Ring Binders Office supplies Microwave Recliner Portable Fan Portable Heater Coat Tree Storage Boxes Camcorder Gas Cards Incentives (Gift Cards) in $5.00 increments for volunteer recognition



Your Name Is Volunteer

Written and submitted by Nancy Jo Grim
RSVP Director, May 20, 2005

Your Name Is Volunteer

Your name is love, because you showed me love and compassion when I needed it the most.

Your name is patience, because you took time to listen to me when my stories were long and my heart was heavy.

Your name is kindness, because you used your healing hands to touch my pain and guide me when I was lost.

Your name is mentor, because you taught me the lessons that life cannot teach so soon.

Your name is a volunteer, you are love, patience, kindness, a mentor and so much more…

We celebrate you the volunteer. 

Secret (Volunteer) Service
Submitted by Elizabeth Ellis

How to make an impact today!

Open a door for someone
Pick up a piece of paper left on the street
Say "Good Morning" to someone you don't know
Plug someone else's meter
Say "thank you" to the mailman
Give the next person in line at the grocery store your leftover coupons
Keep shoveling snow after your sidewalk ends
Truly listen to someone
Say "good job" for a job well done
Recycle
Donate your used clothes and toys
Make a cake for your fellow employees for no reason
Join a committee
Let someone else go first in line
Give your used magazines away
Note good service on your waiter's ticket
Send a hand written note of thanks to a volunteer for no particular reason
Say "Have a great evening" to the night watchperson
Switch seats with someone on the plane if they've been separated by a family member or friend
Print on both sides of the page
Pretend your Monday at work is a Friday!
Refer a potential volunteer to another agency who might better fulfill a volunteer's interests and passion
Mentor a new volunteer coordinator
Bring your receptionist a treat just because
Wave to children on the bus
Walk, take the bus or ride your bike to work
Learn about a new organization and how they engage volunteers and community
Put flowers on your desk
Don't "almost" make a difference, do something today!

Explore The Wonder

by Sandy Cavinee

The mystery of God's creation unfolds along our way.
Never fully revealed to us, just pieces every day.
The earth, the sky, the oceans hold their secrets but show to man- How
beautiful and mighty are God's works and plan.
The greatest gift He gave us-to share as here we dwell, are people just like you who know love so well.
And as we "explore the wonder" of what volunteering means, the WONDER is your service-you are the greatest theme!
(Sandy Cavinee wrote this several years ago and it was made into bookmarks for Volunteer Week- theme was "Explore The Wonder-Volunteer).

To Our Volunteers
by Lisa Ellinwood

V is for the Very special people that you are
O is for the Overwhelming support & compassion you offer others during their time of need
L is for the Little things you do that make such a difference in someone's life
U is for the Unspoken words that sometimes mean just as much
N is for the Need you fill when others aren't able
T is for the Time you give of yourselves on top of your own busy schedules
E is for the Emotional support you continually give
E is also for the Endless energy you all seem to possess
R is for the Responsibility you have taken on & never once complained S is for the Smiles you bring to patients & families by just being you

Luke 6:35 ESV     But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

 

'til next time,

Con