Hi Everyone. Happy Thursday night. I hope you are all enjoying a fabulous week.
Well, I logged on to do my blog update tonight and was just about to check on Leslie's website to see if there had been any change. Before I even got there, I noticed that there was an updated from Janna, who had asked us for prayers for Leslie. Here was Janna's message on my blog post for yesterday. "Thank you everyone for the prayers for Leslie. I found out that she has gone to be with our Heavenly Father. Please continue to pray for Mark, his kids, and her family through this difficult time.
On a positive note, one oft best friends gave birth to a healthy baby girl a few hours ago!"
Such incredibly sad news. The loss of a young mother, a woman filled with love and youth and so much to give, is so sad and brings sorrow to my heart. So, my prayers to Mark and Leslie's family and friends as they try to come to terms with this loss and begin their grieving and mourning.
However, Janna's second comment really got me thinking about the cycle of life. How often one life is lost and another is created – often very close together. It should make us all appreciate how special this life is that we have, appreciate every moment in every day – regardless of how difficult that must be….. if we feel pain – any emotion at all… even unpleasant ones… then we are alive. That in itself is a wonderful thing.
So… tonight's post is dedicated to the cycle of life – welcome baby! As soon as I read about the beautiful new baby girl, I knew which card I had to post tonight.
Janna – this one is for you, my friend
I'd like to give a huge shout out to Germaine tonight….. Germaine…. girl, you ROCK! I got back from the vet tonight (no…. I wasn't there for me… but for my poor little Muffin cat)….. and there was a box on the doorstep. It certainly looked as though it had done the rounds… a dinged corner – and I mean really dinged…. well… imagine my surprise when Lou shouted…. IT'S ROYAL MAIL! I screamed, "Germaine!!!!!" So…. there was a box of gorgeous cards hand crafted by Germaine.
Now…. there are three special things about that….. 1) Germaine joins the ranks of you wonderful ladies who have donated to the Operation Write Home card drives that we have run. That's a very select group! 2) Germaine suffers from Fibromyalgia and other ailments that make it very difficult for her to craft, as she is in constant – often excrutiating – pain…. and 3…… Germaine lives in England and these cards are going to US troops!!! And… on top of that… the cards are GORGEOUS! Germaine, my friend, you are one very special lady! And… I got goodies for ME!!! Germaine, you have made some troops and their families, very, very happy!
On a personal note:
I spent a several hours prepping cards to send in a box to OWH last night. I stamped the backs of 400 cards and put them into a box. and that, ladies and gentlemen, is only part of our card drive. I couldn't believe the variations in styles and colors and layouts….. it took me far longer than it should have to stamp the backs of the cards because I couldn't stop looking at each and every one and then stopping to take pictures for you to see later in the month. I am going to dedicate a week at the beginning of November and showcase the fabulous creations from each of you who participated in our card drive. Once we are done we will have over 1,400 Christmas cards for the drive…. LET ME REPEAT THAT…. REALLY, REALLY LOUDLY!!!!! THIS CARD DRIVE WILL HAVE GARNERED OVER 1,400 CARDS…. ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED CARDS!!!!! Amazing… You guys really are amazing. So, the first box will be going off on Saturday.
We managed to stand in the little area they are landscaping next to the deck to0day. Oh… it is going to be lovely. We bought a fountain back in July (yep… that long ago)…. it is an urn shaped like an Ali Baba jar and the water tinkles down it with an almost metallic sound. It got installed today and the plants went in. Of course, being a woman… I decided I wanted a little change….. right now we have slate flagstones steppers down and are waiting for the river rock to fill in the spaces…… when I stood underneath the tree next to the fountain I decided that a little patio area would be perfect. It's in the shade, under the tree and next to the fountain. Lou had bought me a marble top bistro table and bistro chairs years ago when we lived in California…. I now think they have found their place. mmmmm….. now I have to tell the landscape designer. ooops~
Prayers tonight for Leslie's friends and family and especially her husband, Mark. For Germaine – you rock my friend. For T and Pri. Interesting that their names should sound the same and they suffer from the same ailment! John and Sue… I hope John is progressing Sue. For Lesley, Rach, Adelle and their furbabies. And for all of you who need a little lift.
Remember….. LIVE each moment of each day.
Hugs to you all
Jaydee
8 Responses
Oh, my, what horribly sad news. My prayers for Mark and for Leslie’s family. I can’t imagine going from something that was supposed to be so joyous, to something so tragic within a matter of weeks. My heart breaks.
And, yet, there is joy in the life of that new sweet baby. It really is the circle/cycle of life. Your card is SO sweet. I love the pearls on the dots. Fabulous. :o)
Hooray to not only hear from Germaine but to receive an entire box of cards. Way to go, Germaine!! :o)
I hope Muffin is well. Vet visits are never fun. I’m looking forward to seeing all that landscaping you have going on.
HUGS!! :o)
Life brings all kinds of surprises in our lives . . . yes live each moment like it is your last…welcome baby and prayers for Leslie’s family.
Great card Jaydee…you always come thru no matter the occassions.
Give Muffin hugs for Sami.
I am looking forward to pictures of the landscaping and must be nice to hire someone… 🙂 I had to do mine myself.
Hugs,
I am so sorry to hear the sad news re. Leslie. My thoughts and prayers for Mark, the children and all the family.
Love the card you made Jaydee, soooo cuuuuuute!!!
Thanks also for your explanation of the tan mats used to emboss nesties using the Big Shot. Have not tried it yet, I had to cut out 40 nestability circles yesterday, so did not have time to emboss properly, just used my quick method!!!
Great job Germaine! I know that many people will be blessed by your efforts.
So sad to hear the news of Leslie. Mark and the children and other friends and family will be in my prayers.
What a great card today. Love the use of purple for a baby card! Fit for a royal baby!
Have a great weekend!
So sad to hear the news about Leslie. Her family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Great job Germaine! Fabulous.
What a sweet, sweet, precious, baby card! Love the colors and it just is wonderful.
Lynn
What an adorable card and thanks for leaving such a nice comment on my blog. Have a great day
Jaydee, a belated Happy Anniversary! How many years has it been?? I can’t wait to see your wedding picture!
I’m so sorry to hear about Leslie – her family will continue to be in my prayers.
And yes, I agree that whenever there is a death, a baby seems to show up! When my father-in-law passed away in May, everyone at the funeral was encouraged and tickled to see Nana and Grandpa’s great-grandchildren (ages 2 and 9 months at that time). They were especially a comfort to Jim’s mom, who is relatively healthy at 94.
Then, last week, We were in Wisconsin again for the funeral of Jim’s Uncle Walter. Fortunately Uncle Walter lived to see and appreciate his newest great-grandchild, Baby James, and at the funeral, we had Baby James and his brother Max, another great-granddaughter, and one of my two grandbabies and my two pregnant daughters. It was fun to watch the little 2nd cousins play after the luncheon in the school gym – the school where Uncle Walter taught. Everyone is so touched by watching the little ones, oblivious to what’s going on.
But these two funerals were for men who had lived to the ripe old age of 91 – it’s SO different when it’s a young woman with young children in the prime of life.
I’m SO thrilled that the OWH drive was so successful and I’ll look forward to seeing all the pictures!
Hugs,
Soozie
Thank you my dear cyber friends, you all gave me a boost! I am so glad it got to you Jaydee! and that you also liked my cards.
Its not been a great week, although I am keeping positive! You take care all of you and thank you for all your prayers! I finally heard from my daughter Pri, which made me happy and sad, but then I was glad that at least she called even if it was for a few seconds!
Have a great week my friends, and I am hoping to do the same! Belated Happy Anniversary Jaydee! and many more to come!!
Felt very sad for Laslie’s family, remembering her family in prayers!
I hope Muffin is doing well and he does not need to go visit the vet! Thank you again to all the ladies! and would love some picks of the Landscape…… living life on the world wide web!!!!HUgs always! G