tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14009795459517976392024-02-18T21:17:36.372-06:00LuAnn Marie's Creative SolutionsWelcome! What I have to offer here is overcoming in life due to physical, spiritual and mental issues that have jumped in the way of success in life. My issues are short-term memory loss, osteoarthritis, kidney disease, hypothyroid and disk disease. I am a craft and artistic kinda gal and I love the Lord with all my heart and I choose to find joy day to day and not dwell on my limitations. Choose joy, find hope and new ways to overcome issues! Thats my message!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-17830910571604730342017-09-07T15:01:00.000-05:002017-09-07T15:01:38.924-05:00Completely Overwhelmed!Last night, we went to our first Bible study after the summer session. It was so exciting, studying Revelation, the last book in the Bible. I've taken it before and was a bit overwhelmed over some of the language and pictures brought out in the text. But this year is an eight month study of it, not a six week study, so it will be more in depth and we read through all 22 chapters last night, and it ended in victory for those who follow the Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) and believe that He is God's Son and that God sent the Holy Spirit to minister, teach and guide us after Jesus' death and resurrection.<br />
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Today, my heart is overwhelmed though, because this book predicts that there are people who will still reject following the Lord and who will curse His name. The book describes what will happen to those people and at the time, I felt sad for those, but this morning, I'm completely overwhelmed! It won't be a life sentence, or a 10-20 year sentence, it will be an eternal life sentence and it won't be pretty and there won't be relief. So overwhelming! If you're not sure who falls under the sentence of eternal suffering, see Romans 1:18-32 and Romans 2:1-16.<br />
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We are in the "Grace period" right now. This time period in the plan of God, is a time for mercy for those who are doing things against God. God provided this time because He doesn't want to see even one person lost to the predicted eternity that is in Revelation. In Romans 3 it talks of not one of us being righteous or worthy, but that God provided a plan for us to be seen as righteous, and that is through the sacrificed blood of His Son, Jesus and by having faith in Him, see Romans 10:9-11. This grace period has an ending as it says in Romans 11:25, where it says that when "the full number of Gentiles" (those who are not Jewish) reaches the limit set, Grace will end and then a period of horror will begin. Even in that period called the Tribulation (will last seven years), one will still be able to cry out to Jesus and be saved. Unfortunately, these people who accept and believe at this time, will be beheaded by those in political power at that time. But seriously, it is better to be in God's grace instead of giving into those in power, because it means the difference between an eternity in paradise or an eternity in the worst possible pain and thirst that has never been known to man. One who stands against the mark of the beast (a digital device under the skin in your hand or forehead) will have to be so strong to defy them and stand for Jesus. But be strong! Don't take the "mark of the beast" in your hand or forehead so you can buy and sell, refuse it and stand for Christ and you will be saved, not from the violence of that time, but from an eternity of suffering which comes after your death in that time.<br />
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After the reading of Revelation last night, I became so overwhelmed that anyone would see such fate! Some may say, "How can a god be so cruel, I won't serve a god like that!" But what I see is a God of love who is so concerned that anyone would see that fate, that He would tell a prophet all that is to come, warning us, so we know how we can escape this fate! You see, God planned all before He even created anything. He knew there would be a chance that man would fail and follow his greedy heart and turn against Him, so He put a plan B in place, just in case that happened! He went to men who were faithful to Him and He spoke the words of the Bible and how to be saved from the wrath that followed if they had followed their selfish hearts instead of Him. He gave all the answers as to how to be delivered from that fate! He gave us a way out! He has told us the ending to the entire story, so that we can be saved from that fate and all we have to do, is turn back to the One who created us and this world, and follow Him with a pure heart.<br />
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I'm going to conclude with this-when you read this, here's several things that may come to mind:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Oh listen to miss holier than thou, trying to tell me how to live my life!</li>
<li>What does she know, she hasn't lived my life!</li>
<li>If you had any idea what I'm going through right now!</li>
<li>What kind of god would let people suffer the way he does? I'm not turning to a god who does things like this!</li>
<li>Look at what's happening in this world right now! What kind of god would allow these hurricanes and floods and so many people who are now homeless?</li>
</ol>
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That's a small list, but some things I myself have said before I came to the Lord. I understand those questions and so does God! He's ready to answer them for you! He gives a lot of those answers in the Bible, especially in the New Testament. But bottom line, God tries to get through to each one of us through the situations that are happening in our lives and there comes a time when he let['s go and let's people wallow in their sin (see Romans 1:24, 26, & 28). Yet He waits for each one to call to Him and come back, then He welcomes each one who comes back, to His family and grafts them in, see Romans 11:13-27. He has made a way for each one of us to come to Him and He has told us why and what will be happening that we need to turn away from so we will never suffer His wrath. </div>
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Yes, there are horrible things that happen here on earth and that is part of what happened when man fell away from God in the Garden of Eden, by not listening to Him, but listening to one of his ex-servants who was jealous of the relationship He had with His created, and tricked them into thinking they could be like God with God's power and knowledge. Unfortunately, that is where plan B comes in, because God already knew there was a chance of this and because they defied Him, they were kicked out, and God's plan B then kicked into place to bring each one of this line, back to Him. Folks, we are of this line! But the world was struck with death and destruction because of this, and that is where these terrible things began. None of these things will be in eternity if someone turns back to the Lord and serves Him to the end of these days on earth. God has written a book for us and has shown us the end, so we can avoid it by taking action to come back to Him. How many authors do you know who write a story revealing everything, including how to escape? </div>
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How amazing is our God for writing such a fascinating, true book that is filled with great hope and delivers us from the horrible ending! Thank you for giving us the answers so we can escape the tragedies that are soon to come! Come, Lord Jesus, Come! Please save multitudes before that though, including those in my family who haven't come back to you! Please lead my grandchildren to you with open eyes and hearts and minds, so they may help others come to you as well. Please open the eyes of my nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters, friends and those who are not my friends...if there is a way, please don't allow any humans to fall into the trap of defying you, but let all come to you and obtain your mercy and grace and be grafted into your root as a member of your family. I love you so much Lord! Today, I'm having trouble telling you that enough! You have saved me, given me mercy and grace that I do not deserve! Yet you love me so much, that you provided the sacrifice that is so pure, that all can come to you and be forgiven and saved. You amaze me every single day! Thank you for seeing past my faults and loving me perfectly! Please save all these people that read this, from the destruction and chaos that is to come! Again I say, Come, Lord Jesus, Come! In Jesus precious and holy name!</div>
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Sincerely Me,</div>
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LuAnn Marie</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-50308194146593395292017-09-04T14:30:00.000-05:002017-09-04T14:30:57.715-05:00An Issue Overcome!A big hello to all of you who follow my blog! It has been a busy seven months! Let me share with you what has been going on!<br />
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As you know, we moved! One of my struggles was with organizing the art room aka, studio which now is also my business office as well. As of two days ago, I have overcome the clutter and have gone through all the boxes that were piled to the ceiling! I went through and decided three things:<br />
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1. Give away<br />
2. Throw away<br />
3. Stays<br />
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In doing that, I was able to concentrate better. I had one thing in my hand and that was the only thing I allowed myself to concentrate on, which helped my brain to not shut down when in such clutter. That is the change I made this time. I get to give away a van load of items to a rummage sale coming up that is being held to send people to Africa to teach people how to sew and deal with medical issues as well as help with making wells for water with them. What's so great about having a vision of something beyond myself, was to make this project of organizing the office/studio, not about me! It really helped me to focus on what was most important about doing this! I now have that van-full of things to give to the rummage sale to help others and will be dropping it off on Wednesday!<br />
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Now my job is going to be to go make labels for my bins and drawers so I know what is inside. I don't have a memory to draw back on to find something and that is the hardest thing for me. Once something is moved, that's the end of the memory of the item forever. I will be doing that after today's holiday! I'm giving my brain a rest for today!<br />
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Yesterday, I gave myself a gift for accomplishing this task! I invited a few friends over for lunch after church! I slow-cooked a pot roast (okay, two pot roasts) and it was delicious food and great company! They all were really excited about how the office/studio looked because they knew what it looked like before! haha! So they were very excited about the change! So folks, reward yourselves when you overcome something! My reward was a healthy meal with wonderful friends! How can it get any better than that?<br />
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My hope for all of you is to overcome and turn darkness into light, to turn grief & sadness into joy and to turn hopelessness into a life filled with hope! God created each of us with His own hands and because we're in a broken world, His plan may have gotten pushed to the back burner! Our job in life is to find the path we know was created for us through Him, and overcoming hurdles to get there! In that place, that is where we will be fulfilled! It is the journey of overcoming that brings us joy and hope! So turn your hurdles into smooth paths of joy!<br />
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I'll write more soon! Keep smiling!<br />
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Sincerely Me,<br />
LuAnn Marie!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-68916154354482020962017-02-17T19:27:00.000-06:002017-02-17T19:27:53.733-06:00Life in the Last Year!<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Here
we go again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I
have got to find a way to remember I have this blog! Just found it
again and of course, as I've said repeatedly in previous blog posts,
I don't remember having written/posted these things. So will give
you as much of an update as I can as to what's happened since the
last blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
art room never got organized, even after we moved in July of 2016. I
did, however, find things I didn't remember having! Haha! Jackpot!
Haha! What, you ask, did I find? Yeah, not a clue, but I remember
saying that to the gal who helped me pack for the move several times,
“Wow! I wonder where this came from!” hahaha! </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So,
as I said, we moved from our house to a two bedroom apartment. No
more shoveling or caring for the lawn! Yay! However, WHAT A
DISASTER! Moving for someone with short-term memory loss, is insane! I search
constantly for things, but finding stuff in the kitchen is getting
easier. However, yesterday, I needed my rolling pin to roll out a
pie crust! Yeah! It wasn't in the kitchen, it was in the art room!
There are boxes in the art room, but I have no idea what is in them.
So, will work on that after I get over being sick, which I am now.
I'm also sick of being sick! This is week three of being sick!
(Feeling grumpy).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Another
reason for not tackling the art room is because in December of 2016
and January of 2017, I had carpel tunnel surgery in both wrists and
had a trigger thumb released in my left hand. On the final recheck
with the surgeon, he informed me that I have rheumatoid arthritis in
my right thumb that will require trigger thumb surgery eventually
which is a repeat of what happened in my left thumb. Comes from
years of using my hands I guess or can be inherited from a parent.
However my mom doesn't have arthritis in her hands, so it must be my
craftiness that caused mine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Something
good that came out of the surgery though is, that my hands are no longer
numb! Yay! It had gotten quite bad right before the surgery. I was
no longer able to sleep because the numb hands were intensely
painful. I know, that doesn't make sense, but numb means tingling
and sharp pains that shoot into your hands and fingers out of
nowhere! Just suddenly, a zinger (as I call it) shoots into the
hands. After we moved, it got so bad that we almost went to the
emergency room because if felt like lightning bolts were shooting
from my elbows into my hands. It was so bad that I couldn't even sit
down and I was pacing and freaking out. But my husband remembered
something that was done in the past that relieved pain, so he took
hold of my wrists and slowly pulled down on them from different
angles and soon the pain subsided to a pain level I could handle.
That's what led to testing and surgery. I am so thankful that the
pain and numbness is now gone!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A sad
note, a month before we moved, our 11 year old cat died. She was the
talker and followed me around daily, meowing (talking) to me all day
long. She was so cute! She was petite and so beautiful! She was an
orange tiger cat with orange eyes. I miss her very much. </span> Her sister
is still alive and has since taken over the daily talking routine!
Haha! What a cutie! She will be 12 years old in May.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I
also didn't update to tell you all that we now have a grandson. He
is now 16 months old. He is completely adorable and has a great
sense of humor! Here are some pictures to update! Hehehe, grandma's
have to share these, it's a law! Hahahaha!</span></div>
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My first time with my new grandson who was born October 2016.</div>
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What a great sense of humor this boy has!</div>
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This is one of my favorites! Graham and his cat Moe who was checking out this new creature!</div>
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Graham and his dog who is deaf, Beethoven</div>
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I love the way Graham put his hand on grandpa's shoulder when laughing! That was hysterical!</div>
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Our cute little Toy Story cutie!
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<span style="font-size: small;">We
also inherited two other grandchildren, Willow-8 and Zayden-10 in
September.</span></div>
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There you go! My big butt, my daughter and my new granddaughter!</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Aren't they cute! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Okay, so the last update is the new craft I have begun to learn and do, and that is Quilling! Quilling is something that I have completely avoided for many years because it just looked too hard to do! But, I put aside the fear of failure and bought a quilling kit on Amazon.com and fell in love with the art! So I will show you a few things I have done! Hopefully, if I remember this blog is here, I will show you more in the future!</span></div>
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I can tell you that the toes on those feet can shoot across the room without warning when assembling the feet! The cat had a blast running after them! Luckily she didn't swallow them! haha!</div>
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Here I put things I quilled into my grandson's first birthday card that I bought. </div>
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This I call "the nervous breakdown tree" because it was extremely hard to put all these little pieced together without shooting them across the room! </div>
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The following are the envelopes of cards I gave to family members for Christmas. These weren't mailed though, the post office would throw them out if I did that! haha!</div>
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So there you have it! An update of 2016 into 2017! My wrists are mostly healed, but it will take time before I can lean on a table to get up out of a chair or clap! haha! Every day I stretch the nerves, hands and wrists and in a month or two I'm sure they will be 100% </div>
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Always remember, you may have limitations and ailments, but there's always hope! You just have to learn how to do things differently! Sometimes it's frustrating, but when you find a way to overcome something, it's time to celebrate and praise God for that wonderful day!</div>
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Hope to write more soon!</div>
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Sincerely Me,</div>
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LuAnn Marie</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-75316579203367384252016-03-28T20:09:00.000-05:002017-09-04T12:05:04.392-05:00It has been quite some time since I've been here. I can't seem to remember I have this avenue of creative expression. It so gets on my nerves! But thanks to She Writes, and emails from them, I have found this blog again! It seems I haven't been here since 2014, but it truly doesn't feel like that long to someone who has memory issues. To me, it seems I haven't been here for a few months, not years.<br />
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Right now, what I'm dealing with is a move. We are moving because my husband's heart health has gone downhill and my spine issues have gotten worse. We can no longer maintain our acre of land due to these limitations. So we are getting ready to move to an apartment and allow others to do those things for us. I am not sure how I will survive this move, because when things are moved around, I have no memory of them. I found this out when my daughter came and thought it would be great to rearrange things in my writing area and move all my reference books that didn't seem important to her, to a different place. I had no idea how bad my memory loss was until those things were moved. I was distraught for several days after that and all my reference books I was using in writing my book were gone and I have no idea where they are. This move is going to be quite a challenge. It's taken us eight years to set things in place where I could function at a seemingly normal level in my home and moving to a new place will be quite an experience I'm sure!<br />
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Yes, I'm writing a book which in itself is quite comical I must say, but also extremely frustrating. From one day to the next, I have no memory of what I wrote, so I have to review what I was writing the day before so I can continue to write today. I am writing a book talking of my thoughts and God thought it would be awesome if I checked out if my random thoughts matched up with what His word, the Bible, said! Believe it or not, I was actually convicted of some shortcomings of my own, just by reviewing what I had written! It's a great book...at least that what I say every time I reread it! haha! I am completely convinced that God has a huge sense of humor, because He watches me daily being amused by things I struggle with due to this memory loss and He laughs with me, then holds me on those days when I don't find my memory loss so amusing.<br />
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We are to overcome obstacles in our lives, not fold under them or throw tantrums and blame God because things may be hard. He looks for us to learn from His Son Jesus Christ, as to how to continue, even in the worst of circumstances. So I use Jesus as my example and work toward being the best me I can be in order to glorify Him and all He has done for me!<br />
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Well folks, nice chatting with you again! I hope you missed me! I hope I'll remember I have this blog so I can continue to share with you the twists and turns in life. Stay joyful, trust in the Lord for all things, and laugh instead of cry! Your days will go so much better that way! <br />
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Sincerely,<br />
LuAnn MarieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0United States43.758398367844457 -89.1210937531.637333867844458 -109.77539075 55.879462867844452 -68.46679675tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-39983755287711813502014-07-07T18:33:00.002-05:002014-07-07T18:33:37.142-05:00Getting Ready for a Craft Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi Folks!<br />
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So, Labor Day weekend is fast approaching and I have a booth booked at our Labor Day Craft Show here in the big town of Redgranite! Whooo hooo! Last time I did this was in the beginning of the recession and I had like 4 sales! Many seasoned crafters had the same results, so it wasn't just inexperienced me! The question is...what things should I do to get ready for a craft show that is a success, not a failure?<br />
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The first thing I did was invest in a credit card scanner through Intuit. I chose Intuit's credit card scanner because there is no monthly charge, it charges a percentage for each sale and it sends receipts to the patron through their email. This credit card scanner attaches directly to my iPhone! I have unlimited talk, text and web on my iPhone, so we're good to go! I did do a test scan, and it worked great! Yay!<br />
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Now figuring out what to sell. If I sell paintings, I will have to frame them and have a peg board contraption. I have a lot of things to sell, but not sure which to put out. It is close to fall, so maybe I should focus on fall and Christmas things. <br />
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Decisions, decisions, decisions!<br />
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Sincerely Me,<br />
LuAnn Marie <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-90591489172033725402014-06-18T17:45:00.002-05:002014-06-19T10:17:23.496-05:00There are Days! (ok, for me weeks or years)Hi folks!<br />
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Sooooo, just discovered I had this account! There are days that I get so irritated with this short-term memory loss, because I don't remember I have a blogger.com account. Apparently, I haven't been here since March of 2013! Kinda don't really remember being there then, but will reread my own blogs posted to find out what I had to say!<br />
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I have been quite lax on working on my art and on organizing my art room! When I come to start to organize the room, it is so overwhelming to me that I pack it back up and leave the room! I just have to stop doing that! So, for as long as I remember, I will start to try to hanker down on getting back to my art work and organizing my little room! (I hope I can remember that!!!!).<br />
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Ok, so for today, I can't write more than this because I am quite wiped out after a super busy day! So will work on remembering to post more within a day or two.<br />
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Thanks for your patience!<br />
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LuAnn MarieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-37183986806386877882013-03-30T18:31:00.000-05:002013-03-30T18:31:44.431-05:00Well folks, spent the last couple of weeks dealing with two flu type things and major pain from the change in weather and snow in our area. I don't know if you know this, but I can tell you when a storm is coming days before it gets here! What an irritating ability! But, having the spine of a 90 year old when you're only 52 will do that to you!<br />
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So, I blogged last time about making the light box. I have taken pictures within that light box and I'm quite impressed. I concentrated on the "white" background first, so that is what I have to show you right now. Once I get completely over the stomach flu I have now, I'll take pictures with different backgrounds to show how something can be enhanced or even declined in the value of the view.<br />
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First I want to tell you that lighting was a disaster and I had to move the lighting around for several pictures, but I don't remember which ones! I probably should write things down when they are happening! Yep, I think that might be a great idea since I can't remember the details minutes later!<br />
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So here is a series of pictures taken, please let me know the "goods" and the "bads" that you may think of when seeing these pictures because I really would like to know before I post these on Etsy!<br />
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The first 3 are acrylic paints; The next set of 10 are wood burned, then painted; The last are acrylic paints on buckets (small buckets, but could be done on larger buckets as well and could be done for outside with outdoor or glossy paints).<br />
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Now all the pics seem to have a color appearing instead of just being white in the background, which wasn't there when I took the pics. I do think it may be a reflection of the colors of the pieces themselves interacting with the light applied to it. Whatever it is, if I wanted a whiter look, I would have to find multiple ways of lighting up the box instead of just over the top to get rid of shadows that to me seemed light, but in the picture, appear darker. I could put a bulb coming in the sides of the box that were there as handles, even under the cloth if they don't get hot that is! Don't want any fires!<br />
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I have others to take pictures of as well, but will also try other background colors to show how a little color behind and under the item can change the hue and the feeling about what is being seen. <br />
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So that's it for today!<br />
Have a great Easter & an awesome day! :)<br />
LuAnn MarieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-79265966920670887622013-03-15T21:43:00.003-05:002013-03-15T21:43:49.811-05:00Light BoxI have been working on several things this past week and a half or so! The art room is now just looking like a disaster instead of a major disaster, so that's taking shape! haha And I have been working on creating a light box in which to take more professional looking photos for things I want to post on<br />
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http://www.etsy.com/shop/LuAnnMarie, </div>
my shop to sell my creations! And no, I don't have any items listed right now, so wait until I get some pictures taken and items listed before you go there :) BUT, when I tell you items are there, GO THERE and buy something!!! hehehe So the light box is what I'd like to talk of today!<br />
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I have tried to take pictures over and over and over again with multitudes of different types of cameras and the pictures turn out to be distant and not clear as to what is painted on them. I listed things on etsy and did not have great success but did try to blame it on the recession instead of my lack of picture taking skills and salesmanship! I am an avid online reader! If I have a problem, I will search out help and look through hundreds of webpages before I find something that actually works. I'm like a blood hound who won't give up! This time, I didn't find one particular thing that worked for me, so I kind of made up my own! :) hehe So, if you are one who loves to do DIY projects, this will definitely be exciting for you! It was very exciting for me to create! <br />
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Step 1: Find a box that is big enough for most of the things you need to take pictures of. We can create a larger box later for the larger things we need to take pictures of, but I haven't yet worked those steps out yet, so that will come in the future!<br />
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The box I found was my kitty litter box! No, not the box that actually had kitty litter in it, although I would imagine if you cleaned it out so no dust existed in it, you could use that if it were big enough! haha! We buy Fresh Step clumping kitty litter that has two boxes contained in one big box! So that's what I chose to make the light box out of.<br />
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Step 2: Open the box so it lays flat. And Step 3: Paint inside of the box with white paint. This paint must be a flat paint, not gloss, and
can be either indoor house paint or art paints of some kind. I used acrylic paint.</div>
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Step 4: The box has to have an open end on it which is how you will take the pictures. This means you are going to have to cut off one of the flaps. Save it though, because we're going to use it later!<br />
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Step 5: Now we're going to cut the little flap on the other end off to get it out of the way!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxu_YUzejwrAqU55NULE4ppgjLwXa82SXl3TON3d2n-3e83m5uXqlT8fmyItSniJYfgmXqTrz4wchQSO8r_t0xNhRT1tSgKAcy2k8RsyZdLKOm-dQCeJBKRJyJofa-weWIE7t4dUdTshK/s1600/March++2013+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxu_YUzejwrAqU55NULE4ppgjLwXa82SXl3TON3d2n-3e83m5uXqlT8fmyItSniJYfgmXqTrz4wchQSO8r_t0xNhRT1tSgKAcy2k8RsyZdLKOm-dQCeJBKRJyJofa-weWIE7t4dUdTshK/s320/March++2013+009.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Step 6: It is time to tape this puppy up! I'm using painter's masking tape because it is all I have in the house! You could use a white duct tape which would most likely work better, but since I have to travel about 30 miles round trip to get some, I'm just going to use the blue tape! Yes, I live in Hicksville, USA and have to drive far to get to a store! Just make sure no tape goes onto the white paint.<br />
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Step 7: Now slide the extra large flap you cut off over the the folded flaps that was the bottom of the box which looks yucky instead of smooth. If you lay your box down, it will be the bottom of the box where your camera may sit if you're talented (I'm not, so I have to set it on the table hehe), or it can be the backdrop of your box if you set it up in a different direction, which I did here.<br />
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Step 8: Now, the inside can be used as is, but there may be a couple of slits that you can see through because of the way the box is made and the holes for carrying the box when it was a cat litter carrier, so we want to cover those up. So here is a couple of ideas:<br />
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a. You can either get white poster board and cut it to shape and have it a solid piece that goes around the box on the inside (you don't want the lines of different sheets of paper showing in your pictures. Sorry, no pictures of this because, again, I would have to drive to get poster board and I'm too lazy!).<br />
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b. You could also get some cheese cloth and cut it so it drapes from the top of the box down to the bottom of the box (you probably would need six sheets cut if it is the thinner stuff I have and I kept it doubled so the slits wouldn't show through, and I put a couple of sheets on the bottom of the box as well. You will want to take a few pictures of items to sell with this treatment on to make sure it doesn't wash out your item. It gives a wispy or vapory look. Check out the picture below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5m895H6jCl7HwlvsChCZjxlTFffcxXBj6WKfQY1Z9jWQmQ33RDSAEjaedb-rUknOlZGCJVmzgNp4-UlrhJwIypTbry_4mAkcmc6NEnnCmfg9zgvxGBO5lBDRCn-i7fKz27Bni8g-TqPz/s1600/March++2013+Album+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5m895H6jCl7HwlvsChCZjxlTFffcxXBj6WKfQY1Z9jWQmQ33RDSAEjaedb-rUknOlZGCJVmzgNp4-UlrhJwIypTbry_4mAkcmc6NEnnCmfg9zgvxGBO5lBDRCn-i7fKz27Bni8g-TqPz/s320/March++2013+Album+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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c. Keep the cheese cloth in place and use a scarf or a runner to change the look or bring out certain colors in the piece.<br />
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Step 9: You have to come up with a way to light the box. What I did was take an old lamp, broke the bottom off of it to use the cord and bulb socket. Again, I did this because I had a lamp laying around that was so ugly that I knew I'd never use it again, but also, you guessed it, I didn't feel like driving to get an auto fixing light or something! haha! <br />
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I then had a wreath holder for when I sold wreaths at art fairs. So I hooked the light on the wreath holder and put it above the box. The light caused a bit of a shadow on the bottom, so I put a couple of layers of wax paper over the top of the box (don't have a picture of this, sorry, but do have one without the wax paper) and that seemed to calm the shadows down.<br />
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Ok, so this is a really sucky picture, but you get the point! I read that you could put the wax paper around the light bulb, but it seemed a bit hot to me, so I chose not to do that and instead lay the layers of wax paper on top of the box instead. <br />
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So there you have it, my photo box! I have a lot of pictures to take now, each may have a different background type! It will be nice to have some pictures that look more professional and not like my cat was standing next to the item waiting to walk in front of the camera! haha! I hope this will inspire you to get creative and DIY some projects you thought you couldn't do! :)<br />
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LuAnn Marie</div>
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(ignore the piles behind me! Ok, so now you know, I'm a pile person! haha)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-84484717229024221052013-03-05T09:08:00.001-06:002013-03-05T09:08:18.959-06:00The Art RoomToday is the day I'm going to begin to organize the art room. What I've done so far:<br />
1. Listed all that needs to find a home or be done<br />
2. Breaking #1 into what needs to be done for each item listed<br />
3. Gathering organizing containers, labels, paper for a list for what is inside drawers<br />
4. Broke room into four sections <br />
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Now, today, I am going to break the art room down. This is my favorite part, since I am a "pile person." I will begin with one section of the art room by:<br />
1. Separate into piles to determine which items are on the shelves in section 1<br />
2. Lay a labeled paper on top of each pile as to what each item should get filed into<br />
3. Put each pile in containers<br />
4. If more than four items in a container, create a list of what will be in that container and put it in the container or if the container is big enough, post the list on the front outside of the container to see at a glance, what is inside that container or where to refile the item I'm using. <br />
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You see, in number 4, the line of "post the list on the front outside of the container to see at a glance,
what is inside that container or where to refile the item I'm using" is vital because when I take something out of a container and use it, I may not remember when I come to put it back, where I got the item from! Short-term memory loss is not the end all of life, but it must be organized and clearly labeled to be productive.<br />
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Now, one thing I have not mentioned to date, is something that my husband's heart doctor told me a couple of months after getting out of the hospital from the Encephalitis, and that is, "you will have to find new ways to remember because most likely, your memory will fail you. Since you have no insurance, you will have to do this yourself, so you need to find new ways to remember. Write things down because it uses a different part of the brain. Do puzzles, new projects that you've never attempted before and don't get frustrated, keep doing them until you remember because you will begin to build new pathways around the old pathways that have died."<br />
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I have followed his advice and what is interesting about what this doctor said, is that, at that time, we had not yet figured out that I had short-term memory loss. So I began to write things I didn't remember after I began noticing that I was losing many things and realized I didn't have a "retrace my steps" memory. I also discovered that when I read a book where I need to remember what I'm reading, I write down the main points and I seem remember them or at least remember I wrote them and can look back. When I read the Bible for a Bible study, I have to write the Bible verses I read for that study so I can remember. During Bible study, I have to write anything I want to remember and I seem to remember them later. So when I'm redoing the art room, making the lists of what is contained within a container, is for more than just having a list to see, but also helps me to remember what is in there. So to all you with short-term memory loss, there is hope, you just have to find new ways to remember. Now, if you're writing notes for your memory, make sure you get one notebook to write it in or one notebook per room to write it on, because writing on loose sheets of paper will cause a new problem, losing the loose papers! So use a notebook, or if you want to use loose sheets of paper, get a 3-hole punch and a 3-ring binder to put your notes in so you can find them later. Keep the notebooks and the binders in the same place at all times, so you can find them. And if you find yourself saying, "ahhhh, I'll remember this," then say to yourself, "NO YOU WON'T! NOW WRITE IT DOWN," because you WILL lose the item! hahaha! I speak from experience and those are the words I now say out loud to myself several times a day! hahaha!<br />
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Well, it's off to the organizing races! Hope you all have one awesome day!<br />
LuAnn MarieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-13300182986372873792013-03-04T14:34:00.000-06:002013-03-04T15:11:45.418-06:00A Day of Joy<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I don't know about all of you, but I have days when I feel so down, I don't think I can function and then I have days that are so filled with joy, I can hardly speak. I have had a couple of those types of days last week, and I want to share them with you! (<span style="font-size: large;">And no, I'm not bipolar<span style="font-size: large;">!).</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A few days ago, (not really sure of what day it was), I had the down day. I felt so defeated that day and just didn't think I would be able to function at all. That day I felt like I would never be able to accomplish anything, my memory was so horribly bad that day which made me start telling myself how worthless I was, and, I don't know if I told you this or not, but I have spine issues due to degenerative disk disease and that was flared up as well. What did I do that day? I began self-bashing, which you might have detected above, then I stopped myself, and began to talk out loud, cry and yell, to the Lord about what I was feeling. He already knows what's in my thoughts anyway, so I figured I might as well say it out loud! I told him, beginning at age three, how my life had been struggle after struggle after struggle after struggle. I told him how it feels to have to go through these struggles over and over again and how it makes me feel like I don't even matter in the big scheme of things because I have never found relief from these struggles. My thoughts and my talking went through my entire life of struggles, negatives, people who were just plain nasty to me and then moved to all my failures.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I don't know why, but on my worst days, so many times, I bury myself in my misery and my thoughts turn to all I'm not able to do. Most of those days, I don't think of talking (some call it praying) to the Lord about it! How silly of me! haha! But this day, I just started and about 4 hours later, I was done venting. Then I apologized to the Lord for my anger, my doubt and my fears and let him know that I have every confidence that all things in my life, whether good or bad, come from him and are part of his divine plan WHICH in the end will always work out to the good in my life because I love the Lord. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sunday morning, I woke up sicker than a dog! I had a cold/flu that was way to bad to even attempt going to church. Of course, being a human, the first thought that came into my head was, "really? I prayed to you and this is how it turns out?" Then I silenced those thoughts and again apologized for my doubts. My husband came into the kitchen and couldn't hear my voice (because I had no voice due to the flu) and said, "Well, looks like its Ed Young day today!" Ed Young is a preacher on Daystar at 11am central time who has a great sense of humor! :) Love listening to him. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>So, my hubby turned on Daystar on our ROKU system (we dumped cable and satellite and got this) and soon, messages from God, directly to me, began to pour out of that TV! All of them were on fear and doubt. I felt like the Lord was speaking directly to me because the words coming out of the four preachers (A man with the last name of Morris...can't remember what show or his first name, sorry, then Dr. Charles Stanley, then Dr. Stanley's son Andy Stanley and then Ed Young,) spoke on sentences that were directly out of my yelling session with the Lord! I could not believe what I was hearing! They spoke on fear and doubt which was exactly what I was going through, fearing I would never measure up to what God expected of me and doubt that the Lord even cared about me or anything I do.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Later, I went to read a book I'm reading so I can teach a Bible study on prayer and guess what, the same thing happened! The words I was reading had to do with doubting the Lord when we pray and being based in fear. I was dumb-founded! But God's message was coming through loud and clear! He loves me so much that he didn't strike me down with lightning for getting upset and venting, he instead spoke to me through ministries he has set in motion, to let me know he heard me, he understands, he loves me and here's how to proceed! Now I don't know if you get this or not, but God knew far head of time that I would have this series of bad days and what I would say to him, so that he could work in those preachers to gear them toward the exact words I spoke to him in my prayer! I don't know if that blows your mind, but it surely blows mine!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Then, today, I was all over the place because I didn't follow my own advice and write a list today! (naughty me!) So I was in the attic, I was digging through projects I want to do, I was getting roller bags to put different types of art supplies in so it would be easier to transport them from the storage room to the kitchen where my art desk is, then it was time for lunch. I always try to look for a Joyce Meyers recording or a Beth Moore thing online to listen to during lunch to revive my spiritual sense and guess what today's message was on when I got to Joyce Meyers' website! It was "Fear and Doubt - Part 1." Yup! If I listen, God speaks. If I'm stubborn and don't listen, I don't hear him! hahaha!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My amazement of God hearing me and speaking to me brought my thoughts out of the negatives and into songs that started to flow through my head from the past from when I was a traveling singer. I began to sing these songs over and over and over again. My cats came up and sang with me or rubbed against me meowing. I was then so filled with joy I thought I might burst and felt I couldn't even speak of the incredible joy I felt. What I saw in these messages and the music that came to mind was that the Lord loves me so much that he listened and then responded. I know, many will say it was coincidence, but I know it wasn't because this type of thing happens to me a lot!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>So, today, are you feeling down? Are you feeling unloved, worthless, like you don't matter? There is a God who loves you and he knows your pain, your limitations and your sadness! He knows your insecurities and how you hide things with emotions so others can't see your insecurities. Let him know how you're feeling and then over the next few days, pay attention to the things that come your way, because he will speak to you through them! It doesn't matter how severe your issues are, he's got your back! He will turn things around to good! You might have to wait a while to see that, maybe years, but you will see!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I know this is out of my norm of writing, but it was part of the spiritual nurturing I talked of in another blog and thought I'd let you know how sometimes, things just aren't so great, but I still get through them with the Big One up there, who hears me when I'm troubled and then helps me out with those troubles! :)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Have an awesome rest of the day!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>LuAnn Marie</b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-77292353645518586902013-03-02T14:36:00.000-06:002013-03-02T14:36:39.528-06:00"Dis"ability is an Excuse not Reality!Saturdays are days of cleaning and attempts at organization! I just crack myself up when I type or say the word or derivatives of the word "organize." A vision of me hearing that word or saying that word is one of me standing at the door of the room I am to organize in, staring blankly into space. That term is one that is so far from the glue that holds me together that I can't even say this with enough impact!<br />
<br />
I'd like to share what happens after the blank stare occurs. I told you of the memory loss due to the Encephalitis, now I will tell you of what happens when entering into a room, aisle, showroom, etc., with many many things in it or laid out. My eyes look at what's there, and my brain doesn't comprehend what I'm seeing. This is another result from having had Encephalitis. I can see there are multiple things there, but I have no visual cues telling me, "this is many bottles of paint on the shelf." What my brain tells me is, "blurrrrrrrrrr...can't tell you what I see." It takes anywhere from five minutes to fifteen minutes to understand what is there and most of the time, I have to pick something up to help me see one item up close.<br />
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Let me tell you, that when this happens when I go to Walmart, Copps, Shopko, Walgreens, Piggly Wiggly, etc., anywhere there are aisles of things, it feels like an impossible task to find what is on my list. The physical feelings are nauseau, severe circular headache within the middle of my forehead, and a blank look comes over my face as I have been told by my husband and my daughter. I was later told by a doctor that this is not something to take lightly and that when this happens, I need to turn off the stimuli by closing my eyes because this actually could lead to my brain shutting down completely.<br />
<br />
So, organizing a room, a bookcase, a shelf or going shopping are extremely difficult tasks for me. Now, some might say, "Well, you should just not do these things anymore and stay away from things like that!" To those people I say, "You don't know me very well do you? I am an overcomer! I am one who will NOT allow something to stop me from doing something I need to do, something I have to do or something I love to do!" <br />
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"Dis"ability comes from giving up due to limitations. I don't have a disability because I don't give up or let these things stop me. What I do is trouble shoot, make lists, break tasks down into steps and I give my mind time to focus in and understand what is there! If I have to close my eyes, I do so, even in the middle of the store and people may think I'm crazy! haha!<br />
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So today I want to say to you, if I can function with the limitations I have, what is it that is stopping you from doing what you need to accomplish? Break it down, put it into steps, give yourself a reward after accomplishing things, so that you won't be saying down the road, "I look back at my life, and what do I have to show for it" or saying, "My disability took away my life." It is us who take away the progression and success of our lives. We may encounter new limitations, but it is not those limitations that take us down, it our own limited thinking. So get up and go today! Start that project on paper, work it into workable steps, and find success!<br />
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Have a completely awesome Saturday folks!<br />
LuAnn MarieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-20345144997581427362013-03-01T09:05:00.001-06:002013-03-01T09:05:29.341-06:00Feeling OokyToday is March 1st and...well...I'm feeling ooky! Sore throat, earache, probably should rest for the day. Resting doesn't mean I can't do anything artistic today. So many times when we're not feeling well, we plant ourselves down in front of the television and watch mindless hours of useless T.V. shows. Maybe it's time to rethink what feeling ooky can do for you!<br />
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I have not sat down and drawn for a long time! There are many things that I could create on a day like today. The list is a good one!<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. Scrapbook Pics: Roses; Cartoon eyes, faces, ears; Rivers with strong shore line; Stars of all sizes; Bunnies & other cute animals, etc.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2. Faces, eyes and lips </div>
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3. Old family pictures of relatives from way back in black & white picture days to preserve them from years of ware.</div>
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4. Cut out flower shapes from egg cartons to create roses, tulips, etc to paint and put together for inexpensive but beautiful bouquets or flower arrangements.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The important thing to remember is that it doesn't take much energy to sit with a drawing pad, creating projects that can be used later in scrapbooking, for presents, the first part of creating other craft items such as the egg carton flowers. We all have to get our creative on in the midst of feeling ooky! Let's get our creative on! :) </div>
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Hope you have a wonderful and creative day!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
LuAnn Marie</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-9609843684518627682013-02-28T15:38:00.001-06:002013-02-28T15:38:52.060-06:00Free Stuff Online-Even Webinars!Today I want to talk about resources that are online that may help with your craft business, with your painting skills, with your volunteer aspirations. I am a student in many senses of the word, and I absolutely LOVE to learn! I am fascinated by listening to, going to and trying out things I am interested in. Your craft business, although an awesome thing to take on, should not be your only focus in life! There's family life, there's spiritual growth, learning new techniques, learning new ways to run your business and there's volunteer work to be done. I recently began to pursue some of these online and you wouldn't believe what I found! So this post will be giving a few of these resources!<br />
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As family and/or spiritual life, I have a few awesome resources!<br />
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1. Kay Arthur's Precept Ministry where you can watch broadcasts or study on your own!<br />
http://precept.org/precepts_for_life<br />
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2. Joyce Meyer Ministries is awesome! Believe it or not, she looks and sounds a bit like my aunt Delores! haha! I love watching her because of that! But I also love watching her because she tells it just the way it is. She doesn't mince words or try to make everything all pretty so we will pretend we're Christians, but she delivers it just where the rubber hits the road! You can read her books but you can also see her broadcasts online as well:<br />
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http://www.joycemeyer.org/broadcasthome.aspx<br />
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3. You can get books and studies by Beth Moore, Joyce Meyer, Kay Arthur and many other authors, which you can buy at christianbook.com which is about the cheapest I've found online. There are plenty of male study leaders too, but because I'm a woman, well, I have been involved in studies taught by women. Randy Alcorn one male author that I have read, his book Heaven, was one that challenges your thinking of what you thought was in the bible and what is actually there!<br />
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4. If its preaching or shows you want, go to:<br />
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http://www.daystar.com/<br />
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The second area is that of learning new techniques for your art or craft. I paint, so I found free art lessons online.<br />
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http://www.creativespotlite.com/acrylic-painting.htm<br />
http://www.free-online-art-classes.com/Learn-Oil-Pastels-Introduction.html<br />
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http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-lessons/Medium/Acrylics/index.html?utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=Free+Art+Lessons&gclid=CN6wpK31yKQCFcFrKgodBgt1Cg (lots of mediums here, not just acrylic!).<br />
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http://www.livepaintinglessons.com/<br />
http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=painting+lessons+online<br />
youtube.com you can do a search for different types of arts and crafts and there are massive "how-to" videos there as well! <br />
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I'm sure there are many more freebees online if you did a search. Just be careful with the word "free" because some webpages are listed as "view for free" which translates into "you can see it on this website, but we're going to charge you to use it! <br />
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I just recently discovered free online webinars! I hooked up on linked in with a company that offers free webinars! I'm sure there are others, but I have gotten to know the person who promotes these on linked in and I'm quite impressed with him and what he offers!<br />
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http://www.smallbusinesscentr.com/webinars/<br />
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Now if you're talking of nonprofit business or volunteering, you might want to check out webinars about these areas that you're interested in. My husband and I are working on starting up a nonprofit business helping the aging and people who fall through the cracks because they are just a few dollars over the income limit for help and because of this, I found a few online resources as well that offer information blogs and webinars!<br />
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http://forums.techsoup.org/cs/community/b/tsblog/<br />
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/PublicService.shtml<br />
http://foundationcenter.org/events/archive/ny_startup_series/startup_1.html<br />
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I don't want to overwhelm you, so I'll stop there, but you get the point. To be content in life, it is vital that you are a well-rounded person, so round away with free resources offered online! Today I attended a webinar on Quickbooks for nonprofits which was very interesting! Since we are about to embark on this nonprofit, the easier financial things and quarterly & yearly reports go, the better for this not so math oriented person! haha! The webinar really helped me to understand the things nonprofit companies must think of when setting up their books. I don't know that we will use Quickbooks or not, but that doesn't matter, it gave me a view of what it looks like to set something up like that! So don't limit yourself to things you know you'll buy for workshops because you could be missing out on a lot of very valuable and free information!<br />
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Enough of this blog for today! I'm off to do the Sunday morning slides for our church (a volunteer activity). Hope you find a lot of awesome resources! Share them with me if you can!<br />
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LuAnn MarieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-44986814052151942102013-02-26T14:26:00.000-06:002013-02-26T14:26:44.080-06:00End of Day Update on OrganizingToday has been a very productive and busy day! To remind, here's my list:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. Plan 3 art projects to work on for spring</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. Organize Art room (getting pretty messy) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. Wash clothes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4. Do a workout</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">5. blogger.com - post if needed</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now, one thing I don't usually put on my work list, but I might want to from now on, is my Bible study time. I do that first and foremost because it is what shapes me for the day and makes me a much more pleasant person to be around! haha! So I need to add that from now on!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But, the update as to the list is as follows:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. Plan 3 art projects to work on for spring</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 1. Design Picture Frame Art for frames in stock</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 2. Egg Carton Flowers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 3. Test Strip Bottle Baseball Players</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Now that those are chosen, tomorrow I work on the how-to list and the shopping list</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. Organize Art Room - Break Down: Make list of 1st 6 things needed to do</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 1. Sort recycles (This year is recycle art year...no waste and no cost base for art)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 2. Choose your 3 projects from the recycles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 3. Take the rest of the recycles to attic for storage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 4. Go through closet shelf and:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> a. Throw out junk that doesn't work</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> b. Sort "to do" projects</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> c. Organize All:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 1. Books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 2. Paper types for projects</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 3. Pamphlets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 4. Articles stored</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> When done with this, file these in the appropriate places</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 5. Organize Book Shelves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 6. Go through gadget hanger and make a list of what is there so I remember what is there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now, after making this list of what needs to be done to organize the art room, I can see that it will take me either one day set aside to work on only those in the list or I will have to break them down into tasks that will get done over a few days. Since I am slow paced, I'm thinking breaking them down over a few days would be more productive for me than to try to crash do things in one day. The whole point of organizing things is so they are organized. If I feel rushed, I may start just shoving things here and there just to get done, which is how I got in this mess in the first place! hahaha! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. Washed 2 loads of laundry AND remembered to put them in the dryer! (You just don't know how long laundry takes me to get done because I can't seem to remember I'm doing laundry!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4. Did my workout and stretches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">5. Posted on blogspot twice! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What is most important about this day, is that I did get off track several times today, but because I had my list on the table, I was able to bring myself back to the tasks at hand and will be able to move on tomorrow! Organizing the day gives me more time in the long run to do more or to take a little facebook break :) I do love facebook breaks! Hope your day was as productive as mine was!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">LuAnn Marie</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-44440605298466204512013-02-26T10:18:00.000-06:002013-02-26T10:18:28.359-06:00Organizing for Results<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just read my one and only posting from 2011 on memory loss and my art, and yes, you've got it right, I don't remember writing it and unless a friend hadn't sent me her blog from here, I wouldn't have known I had an account here! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, today, what I want to cover is this, organization. This is vital to all, not just to one with memory loss, but for me, a readable list of things I must accomplish is needed, so I remember what I did yesterday and what I need to do today. Honestly, this is true for all! Each day, our first 15 minutes to a half hour should be spent in planning for the day. What have I been working on? What steps need to be done today? What things are vital to accomplish today that, if not done, will mess up tomorrow? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My son gave me an iPhone when he got a new one, and I downloaded a "to do list" program. Each day, I read what I accomplished (or didn't accomplish) from yesterday. I now will have this blogger.com aka, blogspot on my list so I don't forget about it. Here is a sample of my list: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. Plan 3 art projects to work on for spring</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. Organize Art room (getting pretty messy) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. Wash clothes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4. Do a workout</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">5. blogger.com - post if needed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now, as I do these things, I mark them off. A list of 5 things is a lot, so I have to know that something won't get completed today, but it is on the list, so I can work on it tomorrow as well. Organization does not come easy for me, so when I type in "organize art room" and look back at it, I do chuckle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Organization takes time and planning. I will have to sit down and write a list of things I need to organize, then under each item to be organized, write how to do that. This is an all day project to do on a day that I don't have 5 things on my list, so it will most likely get carried over to tomorrow, but the point is, I know it needs to be done and if I don't write it down today, I won't remember to do it today or any day in the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, I went back to my list and changed number 2 to, "Make an organization list for art room." This way, I begin to organize even before I get into that room to do it. Tomorrow I may put on my list, "for each thing to be organized in art room, list a way to do that." Then, another day will list as a task, "get materials/storage containers ready for organizing art room." Then on the day that I write to actually organize the art room, it will be an easy flowing task where I won't get overwhelmed by the hugeness of the project. Breaking things down into several days, helps calm the chaos felt when tackling a project that is huge!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Okay, so let's look at another task listed-number 1, "planning 3 art projects." That is only the beginning of this task! Tomorrow I will take one project of the three and list what materials will be needed for that project and determine if I need to buy any of them. The next day, do another of the three, compiling the same and then the next day, on to the last. I don't know about you, but I seem to think this list I made was easy, but in looking at it and now writing about it, I realize how I almost seem to set myself up for failure in listing these huge projects together and need to list only step one of that project, not the whole project. You may ask why don't I do the "list of materials needed" for all three projects in one day? It is clearly because, as I go through my day, I may come up with other things I didn't think of before to add to the materials list each time I look at my to do list. I know from past projects, that I personally need more time to think and rethink the projects. You may be able to do the whole list for all three in one day, but for me, I need to break things down into workable tasks so I am not so overwhelmed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now my day is planned and it is time to move into it! I have my list and am able to stay on track today because the list is made! When the end of the day comes, I will have accomplished many things instead of looking at the day and saying, "what did I get done today?" I hope you have an awesome time organizing for results and that this will help you do so!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">LuAnn Marie</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400979545951797639.post-85547494953635956622011-07-22T10:21:00.000-05:002011-07-22T10:21:22.428-05:00Creation Without MemoryI can honestly say that each and every art project I work on, is the first time I've ever tried the techniques! I was hospitalized with Encephalitis in 2008, then lapsing into a "walking coma" for 10 days (7 days in the hospital and 3 days after being sent home). I live in Hicksville, USA and my doctor, the nurses, the neural doctors were all unfamiliar with Encephalitis which is swelling of the brain. So, they thought I was crazy instead of physically ill. Luckily a Social Worker recognized that there were severe physical symptoms and prevented them from locking me away in a mental institution. On day seven of my coma, I came out of it for about 2 hours when a new Neurologist came in and told me he read my brain tests and that I had Encephalitis. Unfortunately, he never told my doctor and they sent me home 20 minutes later, to which I have no memory for 3 days after that, lapsing back into the walking coma.<br />
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I said all that to say this. One side effect I have from the Encephalitis, is severe short term memory loss. I can remember conversations I have with people most of the time, how to get to places near our home and people and places from before the Encephalitis. But when I sit down to paint or do an art project, I learn it every time because I don't remember how to do it and have to practice before seriously attempting a project. If I'm going to do the project today, I must practice first, then complete it, because tomorrow, we start from scratch again! If I move something from where it used to be before the Encephalitis, I can't find it and spend hours searching for it, with one memory of the object, that being a picture of it sitting in my hand(s). No "retrace your steps" memory is available to me, so I just keep searching until I find it (if I find it).<br />
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Now that may sound really bad, but in life, we adapt to things, even in the worst of circumstances. For me, it creates extreme joy every time I paint things, because I am surprised that people can actually recognize what it is! haha! The color, the shape of objects, the beauty of the finished project is a new joy for me every day. Seeing MY initials signed on the paintings, brings me such joy every time I see them!<br />
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My message to all of you who are reading this is, I know that life hands you lemons at times, but instead of being defeated by that, become a creator and make lemonade out of that lemon!!! We are all stronger and bigger than our limitations! Finding a way to overcome them and rejoice in that accomplishment brings you peace of mind and empowerment. There's nothing to big to overcome! But don't forget to give thanks to the Lord for being able to see this change and being able to rejoice in it! I hope you will be an "overcomer" today!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16338761216995969081noreply@blogger.com0