Is There Anybody Out There??????

It has been so long since I have written, I'm not sure if anyone even checks in anymore. But on the off chance that you are still checking in, I am going to give you all a "HAPPY" update. After too many months, and lots of set backs and frustrations, I can finally say with complete honesty that I am feeling better!!!!! I never realized how hard it can be to be chronically ill. I also never realized how amazing it can be to feel better!!!

So, my last post I was feeling pretty defeated emotionally and really bad physically. I was denied my insurance company for the tests so that didn't happen that week. As I sat there at the Dr's office the next week she looked at me and said "I'm so sorry, but there is really nothing else we can do for you." These words were a crushing blow to my spirit. I went home that evening and was just so discouraged and so angry! But I couldn't handle the anger on top of everything else so I sat down at my Zentangles pad and started to draw. A few weeks before this I had started "tangling" for something to do. I added scriptures to my drawings and this seemed to help keep my mind and hands occupied. I know it sounds silly but I didn't have the energy for much else and I know creating always makes me feel good inside. So, every evening Gary & I would sit at the kitchen table and Tangle together.

Okay I got a little off track. . . but that night, after the Dr appt, I opened my bible to find a scripture to add to the drawing I was starting and this is what I found - or should I say what God gave to me. . .

Matthew 9:22:
Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

I really needed those words that night. It was as if this was a personal message just for ME.

This is the drawing I did that night

I have held on to those words so tightly. And on the days that I don't feel as good, I say these words to myself. And you know what - I have had very few "bad" days since that night!

This is another of my MANY tangles I have done

So besides being sick and tangling here is what else I have been up to since I last posted. . .

This was my first big outting since I got so sick. I have to tell ya I was a little nervous about my ability to hang all day. But I did and I did great! This was my first ever football game! My dear friend Judy has season tickets with great seats and she invited Gary and I to join her and Ken at the steelers game. We did the whole thing - tailgating and everything. It was a great day!

I went trick or treating with my family and my neighbors. We all had a blast!
We went to the Harvest Daze event in our community with the whole gang. I can't tell you how happy it makes me that I get to spend so much time with my grown up girls and my baby girls!!!

I had another birthday and again I got to spend the evening with all of my family. Although I still had to cook the dinner! But they did bring dessert.

I celebrated Thanksgiving and was truly thankful this year! I even made homemade rolls for dinner! I never make homemade bread on Thanksgiving.

We had a full table for dinner and even added another table at dinner. Some of my Daughters in-laws were in town and we were delighted to share the day with them.

After dinner it is tradition to decorate the Christmas Tree

We had some little hands helping this year

I did a photo shoot for my daughter with Monkey and Bug. She wanted some pictures for their Christmas Cards

Aren't they sweet!

Then my other daughter and her boyfriend asked it I would do some pictures for their cards too. They have 2 weinner dogs and wanted them in the photos. The caption on their card will be "Walking in a Weinner-Wonderland" isn't that cute?

They also wanted to do some pictures with ugly sweaters. They just had so much fun while we were at the park. Although it was soooo cold!!! I think AZ forgot to pay it's heating bill!

I have also been in my studio working - I know, can you believe it! My Mom bought me a fancy air filter thing and it really helps.

The Dr bills were murder on our pocket books so we are doing a homemade Christmas this year. So I have been a busy little elf trying to get something made for everyone. I don't know how Santa does it!

I did take a little break from the gifts on Saturday and made this for myself.

This was really hard to photograph since it is all black, white and chrome and my walls are also black in my studio. But I hope you can make it all out. I had so much fun making this Christmas scene for the wall in my studio - the only place that doesn't get Christmas decorations.

I am also working on a couple class sample for some classes at the new store. I am so excited to start teaching again!

So that is pretty much what I have been up to. I hope to be back again soon. I have missed all of my Blogger Friends! Thank you for hanging in there with me and for all of the nice e-mails and phone calls making sure I was still alive.

Have a great week friends. . .