Your Memories Quilted

Today's ramblings...

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:07:00 +0000

so, on the way to work today I realized how much I dislike mean spirited people. And I am betting that as things get worse, people will get to be nice or mean, depending upon how they feel. What prompted this was watching one driver in a right lane speed up after a car in left lane put their signal on to change lanes into their lane! for over a mile the first driver had been paced a good 5-8 car lengths from the car in front of him, but as soon as the second driver put their signal on, he sped up to not let them in! Talk about mean! Anyhow I think (and please, do not bother to comment that I am being a PollyAnna- I am not) that as times get worse (or we perceive that they do) we should try to help each other and be nicer, this can make all the difference in one's day. Not just for the other person, but for us too. I was thinking that I had read something about this recently, and I had. From my church's journal guide they gave out the first week in January, the reading was Romans 12:1-16; verses 1 & 2 have always been favorites of mine, because I am hoping to be "all used up" by the time God takes me home; in addition verses 3-8 specifically talk about us each using our gifts to help other. So, let's stick together to "ride out the storm" together!

And to the mean guy on the expressway, you need a hug, here it is ((HUG)).

Smiles to you!

Shannon

Coming back....

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:16:00 +0000

I frequently forget that this is here and usually just journal, but have decide to daily post a thought or two, only. As an outlet for all the business in my life, that I choose to have in my life and basically just vent...

See you in the funny pages soon. JK!

For today I am just grateful for work and having jobs to provide for us, the gifts God has given me to out my "eggs in many baskets" and also get to choose what those baskets will be. I feel strapped, like many right now, financially, but encouraged that if I continue to work and be a good steward of my pennies (literally) I will survive these trying times.

I am also EXTREMELY grateful for family and friends, whom have seen me through some of this and continue to pray for me and love me. Thank you.

I am so happy Jay comes home next month, I have missed him terribly!

That's it for now...

Shannon

Coming Home....

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:12:00 +0000

We have received the great news that Jay is on his way home for leave! Yipee! And as I was journaling this morning about all the great things going on in life and at my church I had an AHA moment. My church, Community Christian Church, http://www.communitychristian.org/ , is all about helping people find their way back to God, and I am so happy today that my son is coming home, I bet this is only a small portion of the happiness God feels when we go back to Him or turn to Him. Yeah, God! And thank you, for the blessings of sons, family, friends, and homecomings!

Shannon

Forgot How to Cook?!?!?

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:36:00 +0000

Hello All! We have received quite a few e-mails and phone calls from Jay and are so happy about that, but at times the news is bad and then we are sadden or even scared. He has posted pictures on a web page and the address is: http://photobucket.com/jayhernandez . Enjoy! On a recent call we made to Jay, Marc made a point of telling Jay I had "forgotten" how to cook, and all we were eating is grilled cheese and canned pastas! Ok, somewhat true... but with my jobs and what not, (in my own defense) there was not allot of time to cook. I recently was able to have my schedule changed at one job so I am home evenings Monday through Thursday, so back to cooking dinner I go! I really did miss that bc I love to cook and feed my family, no matter how large or small. So, back to the kitchen I go bc I think having dinner as a family is very important, don't you?

Happy cooking,

Shannon

Update

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:14:00 +0000

Hi all! It seemed like forever since I had been here, and really 2+ months is a long time.... anyhow, I am alive, moved, and working, ALLOT! I will post some letters from Jay here once I get them. We have received a few pictures as well... But I need refresher on posting pics, so that will be tomorrow, maybe....

I am sorry to all my friends that I have not kept up with, I miss you and life is just taking me for the ride right now.

All my best wishes to you all, and of course a big hug! Shannon

Guess what "gives"

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:13:00 +0000

When I get really busy- which I have been lately, the computer loses in the priority list. Here is a short note I sent to friends recently, please, forgive the copying and pasting, I promise to write something "original" later:

Hi All! I just wanted to send a quick e-mail bc two of my friends have contacted me in the last couple of weeks and said, "Girl, you need to stay in touch with us ~ we do not know what is going on with you and miss you." So, here goes and later a request.

I am fine, was very ill in December but now I just have a dry throat (weather related) and so I always sound raspy.

Jay leaves for Afghanistan a week from today and we are handling that as best as we can.... I still catch my self welling up with tears when I think about it.

Job is going well; I became the site coordinator at Brady the first week in December and we are slowly making changes to improve the program to better serve the kids. Wayside is having an awareness event in March for people to better learn about the work we do here in all the ministries; I am attaching an invite in case you would like to come, and if you do, please let me know. I most likely will not be in attendance (working on the Saturday one but maybe could attend the one on Thursday), but would like to chat with you about your visit. Or you can visit our website at www.waysidecross.org .

I am working weekends again bc of the move (see below) and will be for 2-3 months until I get enough money for new furniture for my new place.

Marc and I are moving April 1st to a home in Aurora. We are renting the lower half of an old Victorian "doll house" that is 2 apartments and I may consider buying it in the future. Marc is a bit anxious about attending a new high school but he assures me he will be ok. I am really looking forward to this as I will be 1 mile from my office and 1.6 miles from Brady, where I work! Wow, no need to rack up the miles on my new car! We have starting packing boxes and since the furniture is all staying, we only have boxes and some small pieces to move.

I have officially moved to the Montgomery campus, only a few miles from new home and I am attending small group with Kirsten Strand at her house on Monday nights.... but I miss you gals so much, so I have decided to try and come back every other Wednesday, if that is ok? I have a new car, so transport is not a problem. I am just not sure where we are meeting and what we are studying? And bc of a previous promise, I will come on 3/12, if it is ok. Let me know.

That is probably everything "in a nutshell".... Hope to chat with all of you soon.

Thanks, Shannon

Made to Slow Down...

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 03:25:00 +0000

Well, the past month has really been a whirlwind and not all good, but I have hung on to God and this past week was a real eye opener for me! I have been keeping busy to avoid dealing with things, especially my health, and my body finally decided to NOT forgive me and I got sick, very sick. I have been to the ER and am now taking my antibiotics.... and the most important thing I have learned is that I need to slooooooooooown doooooooooown. Way down! So, I guess I will only be doing one thing during the week besides Bible study on Monday nights, and some weeks that will be the only outing during the week, since I am now averaging 10 hour days every day and some longer.

In any case, I am glad the holidays have started and even though I only have Christmas off, I will love it and enjoy every minute of it doing nothing.

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

Long time no see......

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:55:00 +0000

That was a favorite saying of my dad's that I remember from my childhood... and even though we don't "see" each other here, I still feel I have been absent too long. No excuse really, bc that is all those are, excuses. I just have had some life changes and am dealing with them the best I can, lots of decision without allot of choices. Please, pray for peace for me and my family. Also, for my friend and co-worker, Amanda, whose father is having quadruple by pass surgery this week, my friend, Amy, whose life is filled with sorrow for her dog and pending adoption of her future daughter in Kaz, and for your intention, please leave them here. I have recently gone to join a new small group due to work times and location challenges and we are reading/studying/praying along to Bill Hybel's book, Too Busy Not to Pray . It is very good so far and I cannot wait to meet with the group.

Well, that is it for now...

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

Where have I been?

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:12:00 +0000

Busy, like always... year is just humming along and getting busier as the holidays approach. Boys are fine. Marc is as always, bringing me joy and Jay brings joy (sometimes). Jay leaves for Iraq in April (maybe March though...). That is it. What is new with you?

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

Mystery Photo

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:56:00 +0000

Sorry I was not able to get this to post on the group thread.... enjoy and happy stitchin'

Shannon

Fal...

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:14:00 +0000

Here in the Midwest the leaves on the trees are changing color and falling from trees. Their colors are bright and vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and purples and really a delight to my eye, even though I am not really big into nature. And at the moment I slow down enough to really appreciate it, I thank God for this beautiful sight that I have so often taken for granted, and for loving me.

Fall also brings out sweater season, and I am making a chunky one! Yeah! And quilts too, cannot forget my first love. Working on my UFO list still, but, as always, need to be more consistent in that area.

What are you doing now that Fall has come?

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

Home, Sweet Home.... AT LAST!

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 14:46:00 +0000

Well, the 15 weeks were very long for me but in the end they did fly by and Jay is home! TY, GOD! We just sat around last night, eating tapas (which was really just an old favorite of finger food and appetizers that we started when the kids were younger) and watched a funny movie. He said he enjoyed being on the couch (the ugly old one I am dying to replace) and he is still sleeping, so I guess he feels like home also. He only has 7 days so we will also have a busy day today and then he will have the week to hang out with friends and Miss Ashley (GF). Then onto Fort Campbell for jump school (scary), but at least he will be closer for 6 months, till he deploys in April.

It is still hard to believe he has grown up so much, seems like just yesterday he was a baby in my arms.....

Happy Stitchin'
Shannon

Graduation....

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:25:00 +0000

Most of the time we think of graduation as the end of something, but really it can be the beginning of a "next" in some one's life. Like last night, 10 men graduated from the Master's Touch program, part of Wayside Cross Ministries, where I work, www.waysidecross.org . It was truly humbling to hear their stories, their songs, their laughter, and give and receive hugs. I realized how amazing God is to provide the resources to help these men and many that have come before them and the many that will come after them. And He does it not for them or us, but for Himself, just because He can and I think to exercise Freewill and prove that man does choose Good over evil. Yeah GOD!

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

TGIF!

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:58:00 +0000

Not very often do I get a Saturday off~ so this weekend will be so great because I do! I am spending the whole day sewing! Well, a big part of it! I can hardly wait. And I have not been very good about my daily challenge of 20 minutes/day on UFO's so I think I will post a ticker on that (to remind me to do it daily!)

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

Groups Help with a Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:44:00 +0000

Hello, so I have not been walking much, but Scott promises to walk a mile with me daily, that coupled with 2 quick half mile walks at work will get me closer to my year end goal. In addition, I really will be making some positive choices in diet and eating habits and to help I have joined Miss Lundie's Healthy for the Holidays challenge. (Lundie's spot is over there on the side~ there is a link ;-) I will lose 28 pounds by Christmas Eve~ And that will just be the beginning. How? You say, I will be using the ThinWithin philosophy of only eating when I am hungry, easting soup and salad for one meal, and lots of other healthy habits I should have been acquiring all along. Want to play along? Go to Lundie's spot, get a post going, and let me know, so I can watch your progress.

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

A Spoonful of Sugar

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:13:00 +0000

May help the medicine go down, but it does nothing for bad news. I know some people eat for stress, but that does not seem to be helping me at all. We have received the bad news that Jay has received his platoon assignment and will be joining them in Iraq in about 5 months. :-( There is no amount of sugar, carbs, or anything else that can lessen the heartbreak, pain, or concern I (we) are feeling and I know it is really up to God, but I feel like I should be doing something to prevent or fix this. Not this time. It is his choice and he has to listen to God for direction. Consider this an advance invitation to come for a welcome home invite on Sunday the 14th of October. We will find a place and have a party for Jay... If you know us or Jay, you are invited to come and celebrate with us. Please, e-mail me your addy and I will get you all the info as time goes on and we are able to make the arrangements.

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

Time to go back yet?

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:38:00 +0000

Even though we have just returned from seeing Jay I can hardly wait for these next 4 long weeks to pass when we go back for graduation and get to bring him him, even if it is only for 2 weeks! We had a great time and just spent the time, talking, Jay told us lots of funny stories, we played games, watched movies, swam in the hotel pool and basically just hung out. Darn I miss that kid! For those of you going to graduation, the first part of the ceremony is on Thursday and their is a family briefing that day at 11:00 at Sand Hill. Jay gets to leave then for about 8 hours and the next day graduation is at 10:00 AM and lasts about an hour. After which Jay goes back to his area, secures his paperwork and home we'll go with our big soldier in tow. If you are attending graduation, please, e-mail me so I can send you some directions about getting on base and Sand Hill (they are separate and you need a visitor's pass from base entrance and then drive back to Sand Hill to enter the area. If you are planning on visiting Jay while he is home, better make plans soon, his dance card is starting to fill up fast! Here's a picture of us, obviously from the first day, as we are still smiling and not thinking about taking him back yet.... and a picture of Marc in the pool (he needs a hair cut!). OK, so I need some instructions in adding pictures, but you get the idea....

Keep Stitchin'

Shannon

Appealing to your market....

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:29:00 +0000

in what I do we really do have a market but not in the sense most people think of. When ad companies think of ads and demographics they make the ad appeal to a certain group they have in mind. In youth programs, we do too.... but it can be a little more challenging to figure out their interests as they are at an age when even they changetheir interests daily! I started thinking about this as I prepare to form the book clubs for the two middle schools I will be at this year and suddenly realized that will be my biggest challenge. Engaging young people that sometimes change and reinvents themselves regularly, sometimes more than once a day! Yikes!! :-0 So I will be spending part of my 3 day weekend, finding out what are the "hip" (they probably do not even use that word any more), new trends for teens are.... If you happen know, please, share those with me. I will be forever grateful (and may ask for your advice and help in the near future).

Keep Stitchin'

Shannon

Mistakes in the Media...

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 22:01:00 +0000

Does TV programming count as "media"? I am guessing yes so I will proceed.

For the last few months I have been watching what has become one of my favorite shows, Army Wives on the Lifetime Network. I like the story line, characters and actors. Someone told me it is similar to Desperate Housewives (which I do not watch yet) but set on an Army base instead of Wisteria Lane. The only thing I really do not like about it is the misrepresentation they constantly give that soldiers in basic training can have visitors~ They cannot! One of the Wives has a son that has just entered basic training at Fort Benning and another Wife has a daughter that repeatedly goes to visit him, how real is that? NOT! Otherwise I would have just showed up at Fort Benning to check on my son whenever I chose. Very poor writing.

Anywho, In just a little over a week (which will pass like an eternity) we leave to go visit with Jay for a couple of days (which will go by too quickly). Please, pray for our safe travel and a good visit.

Graduation is two days of events that start on Thursday, October 11th and end on Friday, October 12th. then home he comes with us for a couple of weeks. If you need the specific info for graduation, please, e-mail me.

Bye for now....

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

For me....

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:03:00 +0000

Like most women, I put me last on the list of things to do today... and have for years. But recently my small group and I have been reading a great book by John & Stasi Elderedge called Captivating, Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul. I know, you think it is a guide for men, but it is not. And if I was a little more techno savvy, like my friend Lundie, I could embed the Amazon.com link here, but you'll just have to go look for it yourself. One of the things I noted weeks ago, was that I miss being feminine. Really I do. I long for the days when I took the time to fix my hair and make up just so and these small things made me feel pretty. Please, do not send me a deluge of e-mails or comments telling me beauty is on the inside, I already know this. But consider this, how do you feel when you get dressed up for a special occasion? And did you know that on picture days at grade schools the kids are dressed up and there is notable difference in their behavior and attitude? So, I have decided to spend more time on (drum roll, please...) ME! Now a few of you have seen me today and know that I looked the same as always, shorts, tee shirt, flip flops, hair up in scrunchy.. but the difference is I walked this morning! Two whole miles and I feel great still! While I know the walking will make me look better I have decided to walk twice a day (not 2 miles both times:-)) and this will really help me feel better on the inside and out! My friend Lundie, the techie one (as if I have two friends named Lundie), showed me where I can chart my progress and put it here on my blog page, hope it works.... but if it doesn't, I'll post.

What are you doing for YOU today?

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

P.S. Sweater is almost done, only a few rows to go! Then back to the D#%n Tablecloth and quilting UFO's.

More time coming!

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:10:00 +0000

Well, not really MORE but MORE free time, since this is my last crazy work week! Yippee! I cannot hardly wait to get my quilting UFO's out and start working on those daily, one motif daily ( I think) on the D*#m tablecloth, and work for 15-30 minutes daily on a sweater (only one at a time so I do not create UFO's in my new hobby. It is hard to believe but once you try it you will see that just 20 minutes daily really does add up to a finished project! It is incredible and God is great to give me these gifts and the time to do them.

Also, which will be a priority, I will start walking each AM and PM, only 20 minutes each time but that will help me (heath wise) and the dog (who loves walking but will only get to go on the evening walk). This week, so far, has been a preview of what's to come, since we have not had to leave the house till 8:30 each day I have 2-3 hours from the time I get up before we have to leave to do things! Wow! I love that and plan to make the most of it. May actually get to finish the Bible in a year plan I have started several times but gave up... Anyone want to do that with me?

Well, onto work.

Keep stitchin', walkin', prayin', and lovin' others,

Shannon

26 Days and Counting...

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:06:00 +0000

ok, only 26 more days till Marc and I go to GA to see Jay!! I am so excited! And I am sure Marc is too, but it is not cool to show that much emotion, so....

On another note, Jay's platoon had earned a pizza party but he asked instead if he could make a phone call, so I was able to get a call from him on Saturday! It was great! We talked for about 6 minutes and he sounded so much better. He asks that everyone keep writing, send pictures and short articles of interest. And he said to tell everyone he misses them all.

Well, I have lots of work to do, but keep posted here for new things happening in my crazy, functioning-at-light-speed of a life soon.

Keep Stitchin'

Shannon

Missed....

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 07:36:00 +0000

Oh, today of all days to miss a call from Jay! What a wonderful son to try to call me on my birthday, and I miss his call, twice! I was in a crowed large room and did not hear my phone ring! I am so bummed all I could do was wait for my time to leave, listen to his messages a cry...Still crying... like a big baby. I miss him much more than I though I would. Even though I have been preparing for his growing up since he was a baby, it still hurts so much. If you have been writing Jay, please keep doing so and send any pictures you have. He can also get single sheets of news articles, but not magazines nor books, so send him something interesting to read. No puzzles....last week I sent him a ripped out Sodoku puzzle from the news paper but they would not let him keep it. it helps if he gets mail daily, they really run them ragged and the heat and humidity there is worse than here. Pray for him too, please, he could really use God's help.

That is it for now... I am signing off to finish my crying in peace.

Shannon :-(

Tired, too tired to realize just how tired....

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:33:00 +0000

So, camp ended last week, and you'd think I would be recuperated after a few days of rest; but I'm not. In fact I have come to the conclusion that I am no longer in my 20's and fit for working so many hours... so, all though I love all the work I do, I will be saying good bye to 2 of my part time jobs as my true passion and calling from God turns into full time work on the 20Th! And just as I was thinking all of this I felt like a fool! God does not want us to be busy rushing around to take care of "things", He wants us to lean on HIM. So today I will take a real leap of faith, give up all extra jobs and things not necessary for life (except the one at Fringe, bc I really do love being there amongst all the yarn) and by this time next week I will see the end of business in my life! Say yeah! (And maybe the end of some of the clutter, dust bunnies, piles of laundry, dishes, ect too). This has always been an ify spot for me, bc someone, I truly admire, once told me that I was the only person I could count on. I now realize this person is not the Christian I want to be when I grow up, I want to depend upon God for all my needs, true needs. And ask Him to show me that which do not need... (probably lots there to work on). Pray for me. LOTS

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

Growing up during the warm days of summer

noreply@blogger.com (ShannonSN) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:26:00 +0000

So, all summer i have been working like a crazy person, too many hours and lots of driving from one job to another! But at the beginning of the summer I promised Marc I would take off today to take him to the Vans Warped Tour, an all day concert featuring many bands, kids of all ages, fun, and independence from Mom and Dad miles from home! At first I was not sure I wanted him to go without his big brother as chaperon, but he convinced me that he and his group of friends will be OK and safe. And then I remember my first summer concert. I was 16 or 17 and drove myself and several friends to Poplar Creek to see the Cure and several other bands we loved at the time in our lives. I remember how great it felt to be an "adult" and travel around in my car having fun... So, even though Marc is not driving himself, yet, he is getting his first taste of being a young adult... They grow up way too fast! What favorite thing did you do over the summers of your youth that made you feel "older"?

Shannon