Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Monday, August 1, 2011

Quit Playing God

Someone wrote the following on an email loop.  I copy it here with her permission:

A 12-step CD I've been listening to about Step 3 points out that anxiety comes from trying to run the universe. It's true, to my experience. The speaker also points out that 12-step programs are NOT self-help programs but programs of self-abandonment and service. OA doesn't say "manage your life better." It says step AWAY from your life, please. Give up the food. Seek God's help and direction. Abandon your self-determined objective -- only God really truly knows your needs -- and help His kids, and let's just SEE what happens to your life.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Zentangles

Wow!  I'm learning a new art form...zentangles.  All you need is a 3 1/2 x3 1/2 square of matte board, a sharpie fine point black ink pen, and a pencil.  There are tons of designs on the web with drawing instructions.  Check out the link.

Depression

Wow - it's been a while.  I'm writing this because I'm experiencing insomnia again, then sleeping too much and/or napping during the day.  A dangerous habit to get into.  Not sure where to go from here.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

I'm Baaaacckkk!!!

     Wow - can't believe I haven't posted since March.  Where did the spring go?  Here in WA we're just getting spring weather after too many cold and rainy months in a row (try 7-8 months).  I don't have a scanner at the moment, so can't post pictures, but I just finished 3 Christmas in July ATCs for an exchange set up through the Art42 folks.  I hope to get a scanner next month.
     I also finished a b'day card for my aunt yesterday and am quite pleased with the results. 
     The next crafty thing I plan to do is painting and antiquing a nativity set I recently purchased.  Lots of detail on those pieces. 

Deanna

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Change

It is wise to keep in mind that no success or failure is necessarily final.  -Unknown

I keep thinking I'm going to "get there" in my spiritual growth, but there is always more to be revealed.  And that's okay.  Each day I move closer and closer to Him and discovering His will for me.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Friday, February 25, 2011

Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.  John 14:27

I have been troubled and afraid lately.  I have journaled, gone to meetings, attended Mass, called my sponsor and friends, completed 10th steps, had a written food plan, daily 'to do' lists, read inspiring literature...why am I still afraid, and overeating?

Be still and know that I am God.   Psalm 46:10

I have been so busy trying to fix things myself and frantically using all the tools I could think of to make things better...EXCEPT be still...sit with God...quiet my mind and be with God...pray whiule just being in the present moment...meditate. 

I will find no peace or serenity until I do these things.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Gratitude...Step 10

Dear Lord, I come to you as humble as I know how. I confess my sins, those known and unknown. Lord you know I am not perfect and I fall short everyday of my life, but I want to take time out to say thank you for your mercy. Thank you for my family, my friends, a roof over my head and a warm home, food on my table, and everything I have. Amen!!!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentines Day

Self-acceptance leads to the ability to accept and love others without conditions or expectations.  Thought for the day from OA For Today daily reader.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Love and Listening

Love is above all, the gift of oneself.   Jean Anouilh

from For Today, February 12
In order to give the gift of myself, I need to see how I have been avoiding it.  There are two ways of doing this.  One is to feel that I am worth nothing, that no one would want me.  The other is to make it clear that you ought to recognize how wise I am and follow my advice.  Both are protective shells; neither is the best I can give.  Giving of myself means giving quality time - listning to another without thinking of what I will say next; listening without giving advice; listening with energy and care; listenng so intently as to forget myself.  It is in that instant that I give myself to another.

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Gallery

I finally figured out how to add a photo gallery to my blog.  I  plan to add more photos as  I finish quilled samples for my classes.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Craft City Cafe'

I've been asked to teach a quilling class at Craft City Cafe', a new craft shop here in Federal Way.  So exciting to be in on the ground floor  of this business.  It features a huge place to relax and work on projects, a childcare room, and wonderful craft supplies of all kinds.  Also has an area with leather chairs and a fireplace, and...wait for it...an espresso stand!  Wow!

You cn find them on facebook.  They're also on the web, but they don't keep that blog up very well.  Maybe I'll offer t do it for them...lol

Packages from Home

My nephew was recently transferred by the Air Force to Honduras.  There are no card shops there.  For his anniversary he had to send his wife a card with "Happy Birthday" crossed off.  It takes a week to get mail there...so I sent him a beautiful Valentines card on Monday so he can send it to his wife.

You can bet that I'll be making some more cards for him to send to his family...for special occasions and some "thinking of you" ones as well.  

Now I realize how important it is for us to create cards to send to the troops.  I often send them through Packages from Home organization.  Here's the address:

Packages From Home1201 S. 7th Ave Ste 50
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Quilled Violets

This is my favorite creation yet.  My sister's all love violets and I plan to use these on the lid of an oval box.  The pattern is from kit called pretty posies.  I chose my own colors rather than the recommended blue.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Morning Reading and meditation

I spent about an hour this morning reading spiritual and recovery literature, writing in my journal, and generally trying to immerse myself in the recovery program, which is spiritual in nature, although it sure helps with my overeating and compulsive eating.

I tried to meditate, but I found I had filled my head so full of stuff I couldn't concentrate, or let go of all the thoughts.  Result:  7 minutes of meditation.  The intent was there.  I'll try again this afternoon or evening.

A Terrific Weekend...Quilling and a new church

I spent the weekend at my daughter's.  We watched movies and quilled until our eyes about fell out.  I also went to a church near her,,,and I loved it.  The Mass was sung (love that), huge congregation, great feeling.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Patience

"Patience gains all things" according to St. Theresa of Avila.  I must remember that when I don't see the pounds falling off, but rather slowly slipping away.  When I am impatient with the rate of my weight loss, it throws me into a diet mentality where I starve myself.  This leads to a binge.  Yoyo dieting got me where I am today.  Thank God I have lost 68 pounds in the last 5 years.  Seems like a long time,  but if I hadn't found a twelve-step program I would probably weigh 68 pounds MORE than I did 5 years ago.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Honesty

I eat compulsively.  When I am stressed, the first thing I want to do is eat.  So, surprise, surprise...I am overweight.  But, I am working a strong spiritual program to deal with it.   They say we need to learn to act on life, rather than react to it, and I believe that.  I tend to react, do sometinbg, do anything (eat?) rather than stay here and feel those feelings.   I've begun meditating, which is helping to slow down, calm me down, and give myself time to think through things in my life rather that reacting to them.

Thought for the day:  Let nothing disturb you, let nothing make you afraid.  All things are passing.  God alone never changes.    St Theresa of Avila

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Quilling Photo

This is a photo of a quilling pattern that uses patterned paper to make a card.  The source is at http//lady-of-the-manor.blogspot.com. 

Prayer, Meditation and quilling

I spent the morning in prayer and meditation, then surfing the net for quilling sites.  I found instructions for setting up a blog and am delighted with the result!  Today I am planning to quill teardrop flowers for an Easter card.  I found one I liked and printed off the picture.  I wonder if I can post the photo to my blog...

Testing

This is my first attempt to post a blog.  Hope it works. I look forward to connecting with others who share my interests.  Right bow I am in a quilling addiction.  I started quilling January 1 as a way to handle quitting smoking.  It's been 17 days, no cigarettes, and a real passion for this beautifdul art.