Finding a Balance....

In our hectic lives sometimes our daily routine becomes a balancing act. I thought this devotional I received in an email really had a powerful message.
Happy Weekend to my Blogging friends!


Finding a Balance



Brian Dyson






Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them work, family, health, friends and spirit, and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that "work" is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - family, health, friends & spirit--are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same.






You must understand that and strive for balance in your life. How?






Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.






Don't set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.






Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.






Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live ALL the days of your life.






Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.






Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us to each other.






Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.






Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.






Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you are going.






Don't forget that a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.






Don't be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.






Don't use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved.






Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That's why we call it "the present."










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Attributed to Brian Dyson, CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises, from a university commencement address.

Gotta Love a Fabric Giveaway....

Plus it's over at one of my favorite places - 44th Street Fabric.

This Blog Was Started Because of My Tongue Cancer...

  Now, it is a little of everything from updates about me surviving cancer, my grandkids, and sewing.
  I love sewing and embroidery so keep scrolling down if you do too.
  I am very blessed, and I try to NEVER forget that! God and family are first and foremost in my life.
  I'm participating in the Friday Follow Me Blog so click on the button to the right if you would like to participate also.
Thanks for looking at my blog.

Sharing some Thoughts, and My Goodies from a Friend....

 I'm joining the Fabulous Friday Linky Party Today. Come and visit to meet new blog friends.


Posted July 21, 2010:
 I feel like I'm so far behind in a lot of ways. It is summertime, and we've been gone a lot too. It seems like when we are home that I have so many interruptions that keep me from getting my projects finished, and I seem to be behind in my blogging too.
 We went to an out of town wedding over the weekend, but in the process we got to eat dinner with one of my sewing/forum friends in Mississippi. Jerry and I met on a sewing forum a few years ago, and we have a lot in common. We've gotten to meet and eat a few times, and she was the one I went to the Carol Ahles workshop with in March. We had a great time Friday night along with our hubbies!
 Then on the way home on Sunday, my DH left me at another friend's house in a small town in LA. We live a little over an hour apart. We haven't gotten to really visit in a long time, and it was so nice to be relaxed, swim, and eat some good home cooking.
 Jenny had just returned from a 2 week trip on the East Coast. While there, she brought me some fabulous goodies (for my birthday).  So I have to share because these things are very special to me.
 She went to Pennsylvania to the Amish community. These two pictures were cross-stitched, and they are sooooo detailed. I am just in awe of their needlework. Look at those quilts hanging on that clothesline.

She also brought me some maple syrup from Vermont. Look how cute that little bottle is! The candle smells wonderful, and I love those cookbooks. The Amish cookbook has very simple recipes inside. Just my speed!

She brought me the Martha's Vineyard Cookbook because I've always wanted to go there. Actually, she never made it to Martha's Vineyard, but she found me a little souvenir anyway. LOL

 The framed cross is special because Jenny said it is to remind me of all I've been through.

  Don't you love it when people give you things that have special meanings? I know I do. I also love to give things to people that I think they will enjoy for the same reasons.

 Thanks to Jerry and Don for a lovely evening, and thanks to Jenny for my goodies, and for thinking of me in such a special way.

  My friends mean the world to me!!

So many great giveaways.....

 You must go and check this one out. It is on the Shadow Case with Ruth and Rose Blog.

Another fabric giveaway.....

As much as I would love to win myself, I have to spread the news. So take a look over at Marie-Madeline Studio's blog. They have some beautiful fat quarters to give away.
 Now I'm off to check out their Etsy store to check it out.

Pattern Giveaway...

If you like to sew for little girls, then check out the giveaway on Sara Norris' blog.

I Won Some Fabric!! Woo Hoo!

 I entered a blog givaway over at 44th Street Fabric, and I won 5 - 1/2 yd. cuts of Rural Jardin by Moda. It is soooo pretty. Thanks, Bev.
 You need to visit their blog because they have another giveaway going on right now, and they have an Etsy store too.
  Now I just need to decide what to make with this. A couple of the pieces would look good in my bedroom. The problem is that I need to take time to do something for myself, but I can also picture some kind of strip work outfit for Shelby.
  So what do you all think? Let me know.

A Beautiful Giveaway....

 One of my favorite blogs - Shabby Cats and Roses - is having a giveaway. Just click on the name, and follow the instructions.
 Have a happy day!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

 I've seen several blog posts devoted to celebrating the Fourth of July so I thought I would join in.
  We are so blessed to have been born in the United States of America. I know it's not the perfect place to live, but compared to many other countries, it looks pretty darned good to me.
  I wanted to share some pictures of flags and things associated with this holiday. I love looking at pictures of the American flag with it's beautiful colors blowing in the wind. (Be sure you scroll to the bottom. You'll be glad you did.)

The image below is embroidered.

 Some flags have other images to also symbolize our freedom such as the Statue of Liberty.

 

Some images are forever etched in our minds. At least those of us old enough to remember our history lessons.
 

  I hope we all will take time to pray for our soldiers who are giving so much to fight to keep us free and safe from harm. I have a special young Marine friend, 2nd Lt. Joseph Swearingen, in Afghanistan right now, and I pray for his protection every day. 

   Also remember the One on High who gave the supreme sacrifice for us all to be saved and born again.

Now I will leave you with some "Food for Thought". These pics came from the Food Network.

Last I will leave you with these yummy cookies and the caption that was under the picture.

 "When baking these scrumptious cookies, be sure to not burn America. And when icing them, be extra vigilant that the colors don't run."