All posts by debrafillingim

Funny Farm Review

What a WONDERFUL book. The book is part memoir..about the author’s childhood. The book is also about her animal rescue (that is why I picked up the book). While I got the book from the library, I have also got it from audible so I can listen again.

If you love animals and love a story of resilience-this book is for you. Laurie could have given up on life long ago considering what she endured as a child. She could have been bitter and angry. While I am sure she had her moments of those-she choose to find the best in everything and keep on going. She helped animals others would have given up on. The farm is in New Jersey and I plan to visit. I also intend to support when I can. This book is heartwarming and inspiring. You cannot help but cheer her on. She is truly a blessing.

I have so much to tell you….


OK so is blogging even a thing anymore? I have no clue…I just know for me-I felt like I had a lot I wanted to tell people. Good stuff that I would want you to tell me. One day I texted Mychele like 10 tens in a row. Did you know about this? How about this? Often I repost great things to facebook…then I thought I should do a newsletter to share…but wait. I have a blog. Read it or keep for later-but I have come across so many great things I want to share.

Got Books?

Amazon Book Clubs-it’s a new thing. I feel like it is a Facebook for books I am reading. Of course I started one to try it out. I am in three bookclubs and this is one way all my book friends could be in one place. Let me know if you want an invite. I will post books I’m reading and invite discussion. You can join public amazon bookclubs. I am keeping mine private-invite only. Trying it out for now to see if I like it.

Eudora Welty Fans-check out the virtual book club. I have enjoyed rereading this favorite author.

Bookaccino– not sure how I found this, but I get invited to author talks and twice I won the book. I think if you sign up for the newsletter you will get email invites to events. Of course I don’t make every one-but they send out the recording if you register for the event. Lots of great stuff.

Book Club Reads for June Affiliate links below
The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules

The House in the Cerulean Sea


A Bend in the Stars

It’s My Favorite-I know I say “it’s my favorite” a lot. But it is…

The Next Right Thing Podcast
I Listened to one when it was mentioned in a book I was reading. I loved it so much I started back at #1. She has several books and I have some on my TBR pile. This podcast is faith centered.

The Handmade Book Club-I pay to belong and it is worth every penny. Right now it says it is closed, but there is a waiting list to get it. It may not be for you but I love this club. Making books is my favorite thing. As member I am introduced to so much content and guest artists and lessons. I love it. Follow her on FB /YouTube if you like making books. She offers reasonable challenges and free lessons-did you see my washi tape journal?

One of my bookclubs had a bee themed meeting so I made Honey Oatmeal Soap. It was so easy and a big hit! I have lots of molds-feel free to borrow or come over and we will make it together.


Something to believe in…so many good things out there

Ready for Life– I recently starting doing volunteer work with this organization that wants to change lives after aging out of foster care. I mentor, teach lifeskill classes, and hope to do more.
I so believe in this organization.

My Church– when our preacher retired, we decided to check out another church. After just a few times attending, I knew this is where I am supposed to be. I love the variety of people, my online small group, and the depth of community involvement. I found out about Ready for Life when a speaker visited.

Creative Faith Cafe-don’t know how I found it…and the story is amazing. One of the leaders actually lives on my street. We have Bible Study Online on Mondays. I guess I was drawn to it because we do art responses to our study. It is not a huge group which has allowed us to become close. Even if you do not go to the Monday night Bible Study-there are other things for Bible Journaling on the Facebook page.

More love letters-this is a ministry for me. People send in names of those that need encouragement and we send cards (I send postcards) I feel this is something simple I can do. I know if it was me getting them, I would love it.

Love Notes Fairy-another ministry where I send postcards. Such a simple act, but so many are hurting right now. It’s the least I can do.

Drone Animal Rescue-I love how this guy uses his drones to find animals in disaster areas. His service is so requested he encourages others to think about doing it. If Zander was of driving/travel age-he would be great at this.

Art & Classes-I am featuring local artist/now friends this time
People ask about my art all the time. It did not come naturally friends, it was learned. Every bit of it. Below is a list of artists/classes that I have learned from-I am featuring locals this time.. Many have a variety of things available-facebook groups, membership sites, free lessons, and YouTube.


Mychele Boardman-Inner Journey Studios (lives in Clermont)
We have been friends a long time. That is another amazing story. We have been getting into trouble, I mean fun, for years.
https://www.facebook.com/InnerJourneyStudios
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySRaqb-1z9fljEwIC79tBg

Mary Correa (lives in Lakeland)
I fell in love with her when I met her at Art More Place and have been following her ever since. I drove many times (3 hours one way)…just to take her classes.
https://www.facebook.com/marycorreastudios
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3hiWnw-BmxAfpFWafjp5LQ

Rachelle Eason (lives in Lakeland)
I do art journaling with her On Tuesday nights-not every month but when I can. This month we are in Italy! She also taught me plant stained papers.
https://rachelleeason.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/RachelleEasonArtist


Good to Know-Great FREE stuff
Let’s Make Art– LOVE these people. So many videos available to learn from. A great place to go for watercolor tutorials, etc. They have subscription boxes, but you do NOT have to do that to learn from the videos.

Tracy Weinzapfel-Free watercolor demo on her FB page 8:30 eastern time on Wednesdays. She also offers many reasonable challenges through the year. I am not exaggerating to say she changed my life. She offered a $10 postcard class-in watercolors (which I could never get). I loved the class and became so confident, I did postcards for my 100 day project and have been doing postcard ministries every month.

Jeanne Oliver Newsletter-this newsletter inspired me to blog again. I always want to share great things I find. This newsletter is very art focused and it is jam packed with great things every month. Go to the very bottom of the page.

Did you know? My recent aha moments….
Plant id on iPhone-who knew! My daughter Megan told me.
Take a picture of a plant
Open it in the camera app
Look for the lower case i with a circle around it
Press it and you will see Look Up Plant
Press that and it will id

Sticker Paper (affiliate link to follow)-never thought of it before. I print my Friday Freebies for bible journaling on sticker paper-then I can just cut them out and stick. Then got the idea to print my art, or art pages I am given, onto sticker paper. Much easier than gluing things down. The possibilities are endless. https://amzn.to/3mz6Ddd

Save those avocados! Putting your avocados (skin on) in a jar/bowl of water , and then in the fridge, prolongs their life substantially. Be choosy about when you put them in as it stops the ripening. We have had avocados last two weeks! I learned it on TikTok!

OMG help me I am sharing and I cannot stop! OK…I am stepping away. One thing about blogs/newsletters…they are there to serve you. You can file them away to read when you want to. The good thing, everything is in one place.

Until next time….

I would love to know what you liked best!

Use it or Lose it!

I have heard that expression a million times but usually it refers to skills! During this pandemic, it has taken on a new meaning for me.

I have a room dedicated to creating.  First it was the craft room.  Well I do not really craft so much.  Then it was the bead room.  Then it became the sewing room. Then I started mixed media art and I called it the art room.

I usually have a very busy life-I never had much time in there.  I am in bookclubs, have girlfriend groups I meet with…so when I did a project, I would drag things to the dining room table, do the project, then dump (and I do mean dump) everything back in the art room.  I created on the dining room table because it was a nice space.  I was constantly running back and forth though to get supplies.

Then the pandemic came…and I had more time to create.  Suddenly I was tired of the mess in the dining room but there was no room to create in the art room because of the dump piles.

When the pandemic started I admit I was like a slug. No motivation.  Then after a while I realized I was going to be really angry with myself when it was all over and I had nothing to show for it. Also, there was nothing but politics on the TV.  So…I tackled the art room.  Turns out I have tons of great art supplies.  I was not using them to their best as they were lost or not organized so I could find them.  Some items (markers and such) were not good anymore because of lack of use.  Less is more-I get it.  I gave several duplicate items away. to people I knew would appreciate and use them. Completing this project has been life changing. Now I have spaces to work, my supplies are at my fingertips, and the dining room looks like a dining room. Now I wonder what took me so long! What I thought was an impossible task has made my life so much easier. Instead os spending time looking for things-I am creating!

Pictures below of  before. After pictures to come soon-as well as my new plan for finish in Friday.

Wait till you see the after! What project is hanging over your head???

OVERCOMER

I have ah ha moments all the time.  I find life incredibly interesting and exciting.  Despite achievements I have made though, I am often taken over by self doubt.  I know a lot of this comes from negative experiences  I have had over the years-with people I loved and trusted. It took me till I was 36 years old to realize that just because someone could not love me-did not mean that I was not worthy of love.  It does not mean I am unlovable.

I am sure that all people reading this can relate to this kind of pain, rejection, or exclusion.

Well I had a real big ah ha this weekend.  God used a friend to put me where I needed to be.  As an artist and entrepreneur (yes-in an MLM of all things), I often feel insecure and have doubts.  Wanting to be the business woman and also not “bother” people. Knowing what is in my heart but not knowing if others do. And as for art, comparing, insecurities, trying to share my art but not be boastful…so many feelings.

I took my friend to breakfast for her birthday.  She asked if we could see the movie Overcomer.  I like those movies so I went-because it was her birthday.

Not only was the movie wonderful, but it was clear to me that while Sharon WANTED to see the movie, I needed to see it.

In a recent podcast (Deb Erickson), I leaned that we have 85,000 thoughts a day and 90% of them are negative. So during any given day-you can have 65,000 negative thoughts.  This is why we must fill ourselves with POSITIVE thoughts to wipe out the negative ones.  No wonder we feel down, give up, or doubt ourselves.

I believe in my God.  I would not be here today if not for my faith and the people God put in my path.  When I look at the things I have done and the things I have survived-it is clear I had His power behind me.  It is clear that with HIM I can persevere and survive. Anything I have survived in the past-was so much harder than ANYTHING I face now.  

These are the words I needed to hear from Ephesians:

I am blessed.

I am chosen.

I am adopted.

I am redeemed.

I am forgiven.

I am sealed.

I am loved.

I am saved.

I am God’s child.

With these promises-it makes me wonder why I have self doubt, etc.  I know because I am human-this will happen.  I will, however, be putting these words where I can see them daily. I included them on a recent vision board project.

I encourage everyone to see the movie-I plan to see it again.

I also encourage you to fill your environment and mind with positive thoughts. Share positive and kind thoughts with others-it may be the only one they hear that day.

Thank you for listening!

Liberate Your Art 2017

 

I like to do different mail swaps through the year.  They are inexpensive and take little time.  The Bonus of my bit of effort is getting beautiful snail mail in return.

One of my favorite activities is the Liberate your Art Swap. This is led by Kat Sloma.  She is great about giving the very simple directions, reminding us as deadline approaches, and getting everything that we have mailed her circulated and sent out.

Basically this is how it works:

I send six postcards of my art to her and I get back six postcards o other people’s art.

My postcard is different every year.  Now that I am doing this a while and because someone else mentioned it to me-I should keep a spreadsheet. I always get extra postcards made and I don’t want to send the same one each year.

Sometimes my postcards are a photo of a painting I did.  Other times it is just a photo I think is cool.  Depending what it is and what I want, I will often use PicMonkey to add words to my card.

I took a picture of my friends rocks and loved it.  I asked her permission to use that as my postcard and I simply included her website on there.

It’s a lot of fun and the cards are beautiful.  I also have people I side swap with!

Here are the cards I got this year.

Here are some of the cards I have sent in the past:

I hope you will consider doing a swap…very little time -very big rewards. When you order your cards-order a few extra.  Postcard stamps are cheaper and you will have some quick snail mail to send out to those you are about. I sent one to my friend for her birthday and I was so happy to see that she was excited to get a “piece of my art”.

 

Happy Creating!

 

I DID IT-with a little help from my friends!

People find this hard to believe, but I am afraid of a lot of things.  OK I looked up the definition just to make sure I am using the right word. Afraid: 1.filled with fear or apprehension 2. filled with regret or concern 3. feeling worry or concern or insecurity 4. having feelings of aversion or unwillingness.The only one that does NOT fit is number four. 

I remember reading a book Love is Letting Go of Fear by Gerald Jampolsky.

“There are only two emotions: one is Love and the other is fear. Love is our true reality. Fear is something our mind has made up, and is therefore unreal.”

Gerald G. Jampolsky, Love Is Letting Go of Fear

At first I found that ridiculous but as I thought about different things I did-I realized everything I did-I could tie to either love or fear.  I started to think about over people’s behavior as well-the boss that hovers, the perfectionists, and the procrastinators. It helped me to see people differently.  We have all run into people at work that seem grumpy and indifferent. Instead of being upset-I saw them differently.  Certainly that type of behavior was not love-so they must be afraid of something.  It really is a paradigm shift and I think it is easier to stop taking things personally and be compassionate because no one likes to be afraid.

“Fear and love can never be experienced at the same time. It is always our choice as to which of these emotions we want…”

Gerald G. Jampolsky

Oh yeah-that is so true and I have gotten in trouble many times, with people I love, for choosing fear. Once it was too gone to get back-I realized my actions were fear based.  I will make every effort from now on not to make decisions based on fear-when it comes to my relationships with people.

I am always afraid of trying something new. Like I have a new silhouette machine.  Yes-I have been busy but I admit I may be procrastinating trying it the first time because it is new. I procrastinate on projects thinking I can’t do it, or I need hours of time-only to find out when I finally jump in…that I can do it just fine.


Sometimes if it is something I really want to do, I will do it anyway. It could be taking a class in a new technique, going to a party where I do not know anyone, joining a new group, or greeting someone at church (yes, this is scary for me). I won’t sleep and I ‘ll be anxious, but I do it.

But there are some things I would never do alone.  I am pretty brave considering all the things I have made myself do over the years and all the hairy things I have survived but I doubt I will I know I will never be as brave as my friend Annette who traveled to Italy by herself! I know I will never jump out of a parachute like my friend Sharon.

Ok I did crochet the bracelet I thought I could not do. But when I did not understand the directions for the closure, it sat for months.  Finally I decided I would finish it MY way so that I could wear this bracelet I loved.

Something that has been on my list for a while is a 5K. Now I am not a runner, I am a walker.  I want to do the Disney one because I want that medal. But, this is one of those things I am NOT doing unless I have a buddy. Too far out of my comfort zone. I have asked friends here and there but never followed through-well…because I am afraid.

Then one day I am sitting with friend Jo Foringer and she said she has signed up for a 10K and that she will be walking. I was listening-I asked for details. I used to walk over three miles a day so I figured I could do this-I can walk.  Knowing I would be with her-a confidence buddy or whatever you want to say…I signed up.  I told myself I needed to get out walking again and wearing sneakers (hate them) to get ready.  I had months.  Well, life is busy and I probably only walked a few times,  I was not giving up though-because as rigid as I can be when I am afraid, I am just as rigid if I have told someone I am going to be there.

So Jo and her husband Dave would meet me at the race. I got there first and then was freaking that she was not coming. Of course they did. I had only slept three hours the night before because-I was afraid. I knew I could finish in three hours because I know my walking pace.  But what if I have to go to the bathroom  What if I get a cramp? What if I get overheated? OK so I planned ahead.  I have a fanny pack and I packed it for every disaster.

Two waters

Two kind bars

tissues (lack of such could be embarrassing)

Deep Blue roll on (for cramping-my friend had used it in a previous race)

Digestzen (a tummy issue would NOT be good-I used this three times!)

Peppermint Beadlets (to keep me alert, help me if I get stuffed up)

Motivate Essential Oil-enough said

Cell phone-got to document this moment

Our friend Tara was there and that was a great feeling to see her before we began and get a hug.  Jo also had some other friends there as well.

When we started out, Dave & Jo were pacing a little faster than I expected. Dave has long legs and Jo was moving.  They asked if they were going too fast and I said no because really-it did not feel bad to me.  As I timed how we were doing, I felt the pace was a good one.

The walk started off with pelting rain and wind.  I was soaked and hated water getting in my face.  We had a headwind for sure but I would rather have it the first half and not the second. Overall I kept just a bit behind Dave & Jo.  The turning point was exciting.  I had no cramping, was not exhausted, and as water was provided, had plenty of water on me still.  I was not overheated at all.

I was thrilled when we got to the end-I think in just over two hours.  Would have been perfect if I had not fell in the sand.  Just to my knees-not out of exhaustion or anything but walking up the hill in the soft sand was the hardest part! There was one woman that was carried across the line by her friends! I got my Octopus Medal and I was SO PROUD of myself. I was SO THANKFUL for the experience. I wondered, of course, what took me so long to do this. But we know the answer, fear.

There were many encouraging words along the way!


After getting up that hill-we grabbed some water and then went off to party a bit before I headed home. Yes I did drink that before 10am!

Dave & Jo-I cannot thank you enough.  Thanks Dave for being the leader, even if you had to walk backwards sometimes. Thanks for your great pacing-all the encouragement helped me to do something that has been on my list for years.  Actually-a 5K was on my list so this was even better.  Just a little help from friends makes a difference.

Dave & Jo have already signed up for a 5K. As soon as I see that the date is not a conflict with our convention, I plan to join them.

Here’s hoping anyone that reads this will take a step towards doing something they really want to do that they are a bit afraid of. And if I can help you I will!

Have friend-will travel!

My friend Cecil came to visit me from Texas.  We have been friends since before my daughter was born (she is 34). As long as we have known each other, we have liked traveling.  Sometimes we do the local things in a given area and other times we venture out a bit.

I kept asking Cecil when he could come and he finally pinned down some dates in April.  So then I compiled some ideas about what we could do. My husband suggested that we alternate longer trips and shorter trips-ending with local activities on Cecil’s last day.  This was a great idea.  With Cecil arriving Monday afternoon-we had four full days for fun-Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Saturday we would bring Cecil to the airport early-so that we could participate in an Earth Day Vendor Event in Orlando.

Monday we went to dinner at Rib City-this place is one mile from our home in Grant. The owner of this place has really made this a favorite local spot.  Great food, great service, and great atmosphere.  It is so wonderful to have this place so close to home! Not only is the food great, but The Old Grant Creamery is on the premises with the best ice cream ever!  While Cecil was here I think we went a total of three times-Cecil loved it!

This is what we decided on for our week of fun.

Day 1 Tuesday: Tarpon Springs

Day 2 Wednesday: Sanford, Cassadaga,  and dinner at Megan’s

Day 3 Thursday:  St. Augustine

Day 4 Friday: Indian Buffet Lunch, Downtown, and Beach Walk

Day 1: We headed to the sponge docks at Tarpon Springs. The weather was comfortable until the afternoon and by then we were ready to leave. We ate at Yianni’s.  I told Cecil he MUST have the flaming cheese ( Saganaki). Cecil did like the flaming cheese but I learned that Cecil does not like Gyros.  For him the meat and the spices were strange. I loved mine and he offered me the rest of his-but I was full. We walked the streets and we picked up a couple things.  I loved lunch-but the Gyro was not Cecil’s favorite. It was a great ride though-both ways.  Cecil and I like to take back roads-you never know what you will see. We went to Abbott’s Custard in Vero-kinda on the way home.  Abbott’s is something I have been connected to since childhood when my grandparents took us every summer.  Cecil loved it of course.

Decorated bicycles in Tarpon Springs, FL

Day 2: I told Cecil about Sanford after friends and I had gone their to see a friend’s art exhibit.  I fell in love with this town.  There is a great variety of stores and eateries. There is so much charm in this city.  I love the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery.   I think Cecil was surprised by some of the crazy (that’s a good thing) art in there.  He really liked the watercolors. A new group was setting up and we met an artist that was retired after 47 years of teaching.  As Cecil and I are both retired teachers-that was fun.  We walked the streets, which are beautiful, and at my suggestion ate at Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe.     My stepdaughter had recommended this to me and I had gone there with my girlfriends on the first trip.  This is excellent food.  I do not remember what Cecil had but he did like it.  I had the sausage plate again (like last time) but this time had sauerkraut and mashed potatoes with it.  The mashed potatoes were the best I have ever put in my mouth.  The kraut was fantastic and if you eat German food-you know mashed potatoes and kraut together are amazing.  I had the bratwurst-also fantastic.

After Sanford we decided to bop over to Cassadaga.    Cecil had been years before and enjoyed the town, bookstore, and a reading. He had the reading and left feeling great about everything the person shared.  He tried to get the same person again but she was busy.  He was able to meet with someone that day and was very happy with that person as well.  It was very interesting to listen to things Cecil had to say about the experience and that was one event this time that when he told me about it, I got goosebumps…

 

Last stop for day 2 is to Megan’s for dinner. She made a fantastic eggplant dish-I bought the salad fixins’.

Day 3: St. Augustine-the nation’s oldest city. I love St Augustine so I suggested it. It’s a bit of a ride but Cecil and I enjoy long rides and he would often look at the map and find alternate routes to using the highway.  We arrived in time for lunch and ate at a place I hadn’t eaten at before.  The menu offered Po Boys which appealed to both of us.  While the inside was typical casual decor-the food was great! The Florida Cracker Cafe–  I admit I loved the name.  It reminds me that I told Cecil he must read A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith.  When I mentioned this to Cecil in the Sanford bookstore, a woman chimed in and also shared her love for the book. We walked around after lunch and I was excited to find some jewelry pieces by Kelli Rae Roberts on sale. When the afternoon got warm-we headed home.  I think we stopped at The Old Grant Creamery again-Cecil said it is the best ice cream he has ever had.

Day 4: Kept things local this day because Cecil would leave early the next morning.  Didn’t want to tire him out! In the morning I stayed home and got a little work done-then we headed out for a few short errands before lunch.  My grandogs Lotus & Po are having a one year Whobilation (birthday) on Sunday so first stop was the pet store to get gifts.  My daughter always collects donations for the shelter at their BD but come on-I am the grammy so I was buying a present.  Megan told me Lotus needed something challenging-that girl is smart.  So I picked a puzzle with four things to do.  For Po-I chose a ball machine.  You put the ball in and it shoots out.  I also knew Diesel (chihuahua) would love it. Off to Taste of India for buffet lunch

We both enjoyed it-I have never been disappointed here.  After lunch we went downtown.  I found a new store there Giftique, with lots of things my friend Annette would like.  I have my eye on a gold crown I saw there. Lots of art by Kellie Rae RobertsCecil bought some bath salts at Indian River Soap .

After perusing downtown-we headed over the bridge to the beach.  Every time Cecil visits we go to the beach.  As we walked this time, we remembered when we first took Megan on a beach walk.  She was about three and would walk at the water’s edge, fall down, run a few more feet, fall down-she loved it.  It was a perfect day for a walk-in fact we were very fortunate to have beautiful weather every day Cecil was here.

Friday night-Cecil’s last night-he offered to take us for dinner to our other favorite local eatery-The Old Fish House Bar & Grill.  We sat outside and it was wonderful.  We suggested the Redfish to Cecil as it is a favorite.  I , however, have been craving clam strips so that is what I ordered-with hushpuppies of course because they are amazing.  We had a nice dinner-but then it was back home to work.  Marty and I had samples to prepare and had to pack the car completely for the Earth Day Event at Lake Eola the next day.  Cecil offered to help but we declined-thinking it would not take long! Sorry to say that we worked till almost ten! Cecil decided to turn in-good idea as we would be out early in the morning.

I always enjoy when Cecil comes.  I am looking forward now to getting back to Texas, on his territory.  Have a quite a few friends I can visit in Texas-it’s a big state.

I kept the list of ideas Cecil and I compiled for travel-for when he comes again.

Sanford & Friends

I tend to be a workaholic-thank goodness for wild and crazy art friends to remind me to have fun! My friend  Mychele is on a roll with her creativity and is inspiring me to make time for creativity as well.

Artsy girls need to see art! Our friend Jaci suggested that we all go to Sanford to the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery when our friend Tracy Stilwell would have an exhibit there.

While this may be a bit blurry, I love this shot of myself, Mychele, and Jaci under Tracy’s eyes.

Jaci and I drove over from my home and Mychele met us there.  We all, for some reason, thought this was a small gallery but it was not! Not only were there many rooms of art but rooms where artists worked on site.  Our hostess with the mostest, Bailey, told us how the gallery was laid out and got us going on our adventure.

     

I really enjoyed one couple we met-The Abbots.  Debe  had an eclectic collection of work as did her artist husband, Kevin. They have been doing art together for thirty years I think they said!  I admit my favorites are the rooms she creates.  You can see this process on her blog at Evolution of a Painting.   Mychele and I agreed she had painted our dream room/house.  We spent a lot of time talking to Debe and Kevin-great people!

              

Of course our main mission was to see Tracy’s work so we headed to that area and enjoyed seeing her Garden Girls and fabric creations.We took several photos and left her a love note at the comment area. Tracy’s fabric creations each have their own story.  They are filled with images and details-each one takes time to see fully.

                    

We were surprised to see a small collection of work by another friend Midge Beaudoin.

Midge and Tracy have both taught classes at Art More Place in Melbourne Florida. That is how I met these two artsy gals.

This not so little gallery is very impressive and I cannot wait to go back.

While shopping in the gift area, I was thrilled to find a fused glass bird pendant. I loved it immediately , bought it, and named her Sky.  I have worn her every day since and get at least two comments a day . The artisan is Martin Cheek .

After all the fun at the gallery-we asked our hostess ,Bailey, about lunch suggestions.  She and Debe gave us lots and we ended up next door at Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe. My stepdaughter-Katie, quite a connoisseur, had recently suggested this place when she heard I was going to Sanford.  When she says you MUST go there, trust it.  It was right next door and I had read on yelp that they were great at helping with gluten-free/vegetarian choices.  Turns out they had a vegetarian menu! Our server Dalton was amazing! I was very hungry and therefore overwhelmed with the extensive menu.  He helped me pick something out quickly which I great appreciated.  He described the different sausages so I could make a choice.  I admit, when selecting sides, etc I went with his favorites-and I am glad I did. Dalton helped me select a sausage plate and two sides. It was delicious! The decor in this place was German of course-loved everything about this place. Although I did not have any, it seems there were many great beers on hand.

        

After lunch we strolled just a bit more.  We found a bookstore Maya Books and Music.  Well of course I was going in! (for those of you that don’t know me personally,Maya is my poodle’s name) This bookstore was packed with stacks and stacks of books.       

Then I found Magpies. I LOVED this place!  Just a room full of unique treasures!  I found soaps, gourmet cotton candy, jewelry, clothing, and small unique home decor pieces.  Cannot wait to go back! I set up the place on yelp because it was not on there and it deserves to be seen! Don’t miss it if you are in Sanford.

      

Sanford was a beautiful town and I admit I plan to get back there as soon as I can.   Even the walls of the buildings were unusual-encrusted with memorabilia. I did not have enough time that day to explore as much as I would have liked.

Mychele taking a shot!

View down the main street-there are many side streets as well!

just one of the encrusted walls.

Another encrusted wall-I thought this was fascinating.

A shot down the other side of the main road. Everything was so beautiful!

Sanford is now one of my favorite towns for a getaway.  Who wants to go?

Mychele also wrote about our day.  See her version here!

View from the desk…

THIS IS MY DESK!  Never judge your progress by the piles left behind.  Today Mychele was a great help as we both tried to get our blogs up and running again.

After lots of texts and a phone call, she helped me fix several things.

This very short blog is a test-to see if this automatically shares like it is supposed to.

Despite the messy desk-I have gotten tons done today.

I will not bore you with the details.

On towards progress.

That is all.

I’ll see you in my dreams…

I had my dream Friday night and wrote the post first thing Saturday morning.

What a dream I had last night-it was so real and entwined with real events of the day!  In the dream-I had two essential oil events scheduled-as I do today.  One was a one on one with Tricia.  The other was a rollerball class with Jessica in the afternoon.  In the dream I looked outside and saw TONS of people walking in my backyard.  There was a table there and they were sitting down. There were other people sitting in chairs. I saw some adults I recognized-Arminta, Teri, Holly, Ana, Sara, Annette, and Dawn.  Then I saw tons of young adults (20-30 years old) that I did not know.

I said to Marty-I must have messed up and posted a class today and not remembered.  Call Tricia and tell her I will get with her later.  So I went to the table (Teri was at the head facing me)  and asked them how many thought I always had my act together (I am accused of this all the time but those that do know me-know what an airhead I can be). They all raised their hands.  Then I laughed and said well this is a great example of how grandly I can mess up because  I don’t know why you are here! They laughed and Teri told me it was a teacher thing.  Something about my name being pulled at a school event.  All the people there were my grown students and some of their parents!  I walked around and could talk to many of the grown students I had in the past. They all looked great, were happy, thanked me and gave me hugs.  It was the most wonderful dream.

Whenever I have a dream that is so real-I wonder what triggered it. I retired December 2013 so it has been a while since I have taught. I was at a small business event the previous night.  I saw a former intern of Sandy Robinson’s there-Jennifer Blank.  She teaches at Royal Charter.  I saw two former students-sons of Lori Grodecky.  One is 18 and graduating this year-the other in 5th grade with straight As.  Former student Amy McPherson was at last night’s event with her mom.  She is in college-to be a teacher. I met a new friend at the event and when I told her I was a retired teacher-she asked if I missed it.  I told her I missed the students, working with parents and the teachers but that teaching was a grueling job.

Last week I saw Odean at Cinemaworld. It was the second time I saw him there and he always gives me a hug. I enjoy seeing Troy Parsons at Pollo Tropical. There is nothing more rewarding for a teacher than to see his/her students out in public being adults.  We all like to think we had something to do with their success.

It is so funny when I see a student, I sometimes cannot remember their name-but I remember them. When I tell them who I am they are amazed I remembered them.  I can always tell them a story-like how I called Troy’s sister Baby Bear after a school show she participated in. It is amazing how many of them tell me they were sorry they were a bad kid.  I tell them they were not a bad kid-they just sometimes made bad choices or had bad behavior.

Students do not realize how much teachers care.  Sure-we are on the back-working towards excellence all the time. Sounds corny-like a school mission statement-but it is TRUE.  I told a student once when he accused me of picking on him-that I cared about him too much to let him be a fool. That if I didn’t care-I would just let him keep going in that wrong direction.Many kids thanked me when they left Jupiter or when I saw them years later-for being tough on them and not letting them continue their bad behavior. I never felt that grades were everything when it came to teaching.  I cared about those kids as if they were mine.  I wanted them to be respectable people that could independently take care of themselves as they grew.  There are some students I still worry about and pray for. They pop in my mind all the time-I wonder where they are and if they are ok.

I do not know why but when I woke up I had to get this all down.  I am friends with some former students on Facebook that I was close to in school. To see them grown, working, raising children-is very exciting.  Teachers are unique people.  Teaching is one of the most difficult professions because we can never leave it at work-either we are bringing work home or we are bringing our student stories home-thinking about them, worrying about them, praying for them. Many teachers’ sanity and diligence is fed by the one note they may get a year from a parent or student-telling them they have made a difference.

This is not the first dream I have had about students.  I had them every year at the beginning of the school year and throughout the summer.  I may have been off work in the summer-but I was still working on projects and worrying about kids.


As tough as teaching is-we try to remember and focus on the good things and not on the things that break our heart-the kid moved out of state when he was just making progress, when you are told to stop your afternoon club unless you can prove it improves scores, and when the kids beg you not to leave in the middle of the school year. Like Marty said though-there will always be those kids, you will always have a reason not to leave. We agreed it was time.

If you are a parent-I hope this will help you see your children’s teachers a little different and maybe you will take a moment to think of your own. Know that the phone calls and notes you get about your child are because the teacher cares.  If they did not-they would just not bother. Keeping in touch with parents is a LOT of work.l  If you are a former student, know that myself and others at Jupiter-we always wanted great things for you.  And for my former students and others going into education..GOD BLESS YOU! If I can help in any way-I will.  We need new teachers that have a passion for the children like my peers did. I am in tears as I write this-because I do miss teaching and I do miss the kids. Last night’s dream was so real.  I wish I really could see so many of my students again. I have boxes of letters from them I will never throw away.  I am glad I am still somewhat local so I can run into them here and there.

I am sure the things I speak of here are not unique to me. Many teachers feel these things.

Thank you for listening to my rant and GOD BLESS THE TEACHERS!

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