Etsy Store

I had an order for a Tinkerbell Costume that I just couldn't get motivated to complete. That's the first time that has ever opened since I opened my store over a year ago. I've put my shop on vacation because I just have too much things going on right now. I don't think I'll close it though because if I'm going to be doing craft fairs I can place orders and take credit cards which could really help me make sales.

Here's the outfit I just couldn't complete: I sell it for $50.

Memorial Day

It's been a quiet day of Bible Journaling. We went shopping at Aldi and I got a new coffee pot with a built-in shut off timer for $20! It was a steal. It's a 12 cup model with one of those mesh coffee filters so no more paper ones to run out of or more trash in the landfill. I'm really happy about that. I like that it's black too, because the white ones get dirty so easily. I haven't used it yet, but I will probably tonight.

We love shopping at Aldi. We used to go to Walmart for everything but now we can find most things at Aldi and for a fraction of the cost.

After Aldi we came home and had chili dogs for lunch then Eric sacked out. I colored for about an hour and then laid down myself.

I have discovered Pandora and so I went to bed with my headphones on and listened to it on my cell phone. I'm hooked.

Well off to color some more...

The Lord's Day: A Day of Rest

11:50am
Today I was going to go to church, but I found myself nodding off while talking to Eric and decided to stay home and work in my Bible Journaling, then doing a Bible Study and finally reading A Purpose Driven Life. It's a 40 day journey into enlightenment about who you are and what God has planned for you. Plans he determined before you were even born. I truly believe that once we have completed this goal, God takes us home to be with him and what an adventure that would be.

I'm off to journal now...

A Great Prospect Ahead & Pawn Shop Treasures

When I opened my email this morning I was thrilled to find an email from Robyn about my Peer Support Training class. Although she said she wouldn't be sending out notifications until today I looked at the date and time and discovered that she sent mine out at 4:30 yesterday ahead of schedule! I must have made a very good impression, but that didn't surprise me after getting my message from God in the Scriptures yesterday.

I'm so excited. I know that it will be challenging, but with God's guidance and support I know I will pass with flying colors because I truly believe that He wants me to have a career in this field and I'm thrilled at the prospect.

Today Eric had an acting gig, and then two music gigs after that so I knew he wouldn't be home until almost 3:00am and I always wait for him to arrive home safely. But I was on my own for meals today so I went to Del Taco for an early dinner and while sitting in the parking lot eating my epic bacon ranch burrito I saw a Pawn Shop.

Now Eric and I have always had great luck at finding DVD's and Blu-Ray discs at VERY affordable prices in these places so I took $35.00 of my birthday and headed over there. As expected I found a lot of movies for a great price. I only paid $33 for 13 movies. I got

The Passion of Christ (which had me in tears and I had to leave the theater)
10,000 BC
San Andreas
The Forgotten
Willow
DreamGirls
Vantage Point
The Road
Terminator: Genisys
The Secret Life of Bees
The Riddick Trilogy
Seasons 1 & 2 of The Walking Dead (which I'm an avid fan of)

When I finished with my purchases I went to Wal-Mart and bought Risen and Courageous and 2012.

So I had an excellent day finding treasures with my money.

Eric told me he will pay me back for the money I put out to have my nails filled (I have acrylic nails) so I will have $20 to buy some Prismacolor colored pencils from Amazon. I thought I could get them cheaper at Michael's or JoAnn's with a 40% off coupon, but even with the coupon Amazon has a better deal.

So once I got home I got started on a Tinkerbell costume that I have to make. It was a sale on my Etsy store and it's worth $60 which will buy me a bigger set of Prismacolor colored pencils. I should be able to buy the 130 pencil set! I'm so excited about this as it will really improve my Bible Journaling art which you can see in my journaling thread Sprite's Bible Journaling

So that was my day. I'm off to crochet now and wait for Eric to get home.

Happy 57th Birthday To Me!

For my birthday I went whale watching in Newport Beach, but before that I was fortunate enough to get called in for an interview for Peer Employment Training. Only a very few people are chosen for this. It's an intense two week program that once completed will qualify me for positions as a Peer Support Specialist which is like a therapist for people dealing with mental and addiction challenges. It is like a dream career for me since becoming an actual social worker/therapist is out of my reach due to financial reasons. Ultimately, it will be God who will lead me to where I should go with this, but so far He seems to have been opening every door in this direction and I have been following this path.

I had been very concerned about how successful I would be at my interview and doubtful that I would be accepted into the program but during this morning's Bible study the Lord spoke clearly to me with this verse:

"Now Go!
I will be with you as you speak,
and I will instruct you in what to say."
Exodus 4:12

After reading this all my fears abated and I went into my interview with confidence. I had a very positive interview and I believe I made a good impression. Robyn said she would be sending out emails tomorrow to those that had been accepted into the program.

After my interview I headed off to Newport Beach. I got there early and walked along the boardwalk and went in several of the shops. I was so enamored by all of the lovely soothing colors of the seashells and the aqua and blues of the decorations and artwork that I've decided that I will stick to my original plan of making my house over with a beach theme. I had hoped to do that when we moved in but the furniture we got  (for practically nothing) was of a more traditional style in olive greens, tans and dark browns. I bought traditional cherry wood tables to go with them and cherry wood colored bookcases so while the living room looks lovely it's anything but a beach theme in color, but I can always get a cover for the sofa or find throw pillows with a nautical theme to tie it in.

Anyway, I got off track...
Here's the boardwalk and some pictures of the inside of the stores. You can't see it from this picture but there's a ferris wheel on the right just after the Balboa Beach Treats sign. I've yet to go on it.

I love the seashells and the soothing aqua decor.

Aren't the lovely glass balls wonderful, and the coral designed bowl. 

After walking along the boardwalk I got in line and waited to board the boat. This was my 5th trip out with this company and so far all I've seen was dolphins and sea lions. Unfortunately, this trip was no different. It is on my bucket list to see a humpback whale. The captain informed us that on the 23rd they got to have an encounter with a humpback and a gray whale so he took us out beyond the shelf to deeper water to see if we could have any luck. Sad to say we didn't get any this time, but we did run into a pod of 100 dolphins feeding on anchovies which was fun to watch. I love the way they play along with the boat when it's traveling. They jump and frolic along the sides and in front of the bow. I didn't take any pictures though for fear of dropping my cell phone into the drink.

While I haven't had any luck that's not because the company hasn't tried and if you live in Southern California I highly recommend the adventure! Here's a link Davey's Locker Whale Watching. I didn't get to see this, but as I said it's my dream. Heck, I may have to go to Hawaii to see one and wouldn't that be a tragedy? NOT!

So after my nautical adventure I was starving and I headed for Ruby's Diner at the end of Balboa Pier. The pier was constructed in 1940. I don't think the diner had been there that long, but I could be mistaken about that. It was a lovely sunny day so I chose a spot where the umbrella was down and enjoyed the sunshine.

I ordered one of the western bacon cheeseburgers which came with endless fries, which I couldn't eat after stuffing myself on the burger. I also ordered an iced tea.

Once I finished stuffing myself I walked back down the pier and found a nice spot on the sand next to the lifeguard tower and watched the people playing in the water and listening to the soothing sound of the surf. The salty breeze was therapeutic and was lulling me into a state of intense peacefulness. After a while I laid down and read some of my book The Purpose Driven Life. Which is about how God has a purpose for our lives and how we can learn to discover what that is. I highly recommend it for any Christian to read. It will change your perspective and consequently your life!

Before I knew it, it was time to head back home. So I got on the freeway and was soon stuck in bumper to bumper traffic, but after my relaxing day it didn't vex me. It took me 2 1/2 hours to get home, but having a relaxing day at the beach made it all worthwhile.

Eric and I are going to go back on Wednesday and are taking our beach cruisers so we can ride along the coast.

An Early Birthday Gift

Today was a happy day!
My son, Adam, came over and took me to a late lunch at Gramma's Restaurant. It's just around the corner from where we live and an added treat is that it's a Christian place and they aren't afraid to advertise that. It's so awesome to support them with my business.

My son and I had a wonderful time shopping for houses for him and his family on our phones while we were there and talked about all sorts of wonderful plans for them.

It was very satisfying and made me very happy that he took time out of his busy schedule to drive all the way over here to spend time with me. He hasn't done that in ages! What a lucky mom I am to have such a son as he.

Also my friends at Wellness City threw me a surprise birthday party complete with birthday donuts and a lovely scented candle for my gift. It really touched me that they remembered me.

It's been a wonderful day!

Celebrating

This morning was foggy and cold. It was wonderful. I love how the fog muffles the sound of everything around you and all the shapes and forms that come out of it are a mystery until you can see them clearly.

I went to Coffee with Friends and WRAP at Wellness City and thankfully no Sado. The class was so productive and quiet.

On another happy note, Marnie from the head office called me to schedule an interview on the 26th for admittance to the PET program. I am hopeful that I will get in. I will put my best foot forward anyway.

The only bummer is that I had to cancel my whale watching tour with my friend,  Mona. We will have to reschedule. The whale watching trip with Wellness City got cancelled too so that's a double bummer but there are other days and other seasons. It's not the end of the world.

My son is coming out tomorrow to take me to lunch for my birthday which is on the 26th.