Happy Birthday Dear Friend - June 27th - recognizing and honoring Kathleen's birthday.  This card is for you, sweetie.  I miss you lady!  I'm sure you are keeping the angels busy with all kinds of heartfelt projects!

Love,  Nadine

Glimpse of our living room,,,

This is a picture of a room but it is a story about friends.  Kathleen was my friend in art, and friend of my heart.  When she died suddenly and so unexpectedly, my heart broke and nothing seemed important.  With the help and support and prayers of friends,  I was able to move and get through daily routine until enough strength was garnered to look past myself and past my grievous loss.   Another friend, Sue, stepped in and we started a project together of organizing my home.  We worked hours and she was so good about not throwing anything away, yet letting me know that if I was going to keep things, I needed to have a place for them, an accessible place.  Kathleen and I had worked on several large fun art projects together and with Sue's help I incorporated them onto the walls of my home.  Truly my home is not a house staged properly for selling; it is more a comfort zone, with work/play areas throughout.  Again, this is a picture of a room, but it is a story about friends.  I miss Kathlleen every day, and I am so thankful for Sue.  I am so thankful to God for friends!

Still remembering...

Several times a week my husband and I walk on the boardwalk, downtown Coos Bay.  He was in the Coast Guard when he was a young man long before he became a teacher.  When he signed up, he was a boy who had never been far from home, a small town near Oregon's capital.  He served, came home, married the mother of his four children and graduated from college, becoming a history and English teacher to junior high youth.  I didn't meet him until after he retired, having raised two children myself.  I never served in the military, but I have great respect for those who have and who are currently serving our country.  In a world full of uncertainties, I am thankful for all the servicewomen and men who are faithful to the positive foundation of our country and I am thankful for God's mercy and grace for those servicewomen and men who did not return home to their families and loved ones.  I salute in admiration.  (Flag photo was taken this week on our traditional boardwalk walk.)

Happy Birthday, PATTI

Patti, I'm a few hours early, just couldn't wait to wish you a happy birthday.  This card was made for you!
Hope you have a wonderful day, every minute of it!  I have enjoyed your friendship very much!  Your support and encouragement gives me strength.  Thank you, Sweetie, God Bless!

(the quote (in case you can't read my handwriting) is "Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year:  The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again. " ~Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Etsy street team OCEAN (Oregon Coast Etsy Artists Network)

This photo was taken when we met for coffee recently at Kaffe 101, downtown Coos Bay.  From left to right, Lynn, me, Brenda, Sue (with dragon), Pam, Patti, and Jan (embroidered red work by Jan).

Lots of conversation, laughter and ideas jumping across the table as strong as the scent of fresh brewed coffee permeating the air around us.

Memorial Day Gathering

Our family has an old cemetery plot right smack dab on private land (not owned by us).  The people who own the land graciously allow us to trek across their property and climb over the fence to open the gate to where our ancestors are buried.  Once there, we clean up the site, have prayers of thanksgiving and those who are older, tell stories of what is still known and remembered about our departed relatives.  These are the family members who were there Memorial Day Eve.

Boardwalk, downtown Coos Bay

downtown Coos Bay ART

Commercialism and true ART greet visitors in downtown Coos Bay, Oregon

3 Grandkids

Kay-Lee, Conner and Michael - all together now - CHEESE

Kathleen's Tussie Mussie

At our OCEAN etsy street team meeting tomorrow,  each of will bring a tussie mussie we've made to honor our dear friend, Kathleen.  Kathleen was the Tussie Mussie Queen, introducing us to the art.  I know none of us will match her exquisite masterpieces, but we will do our best!  This is one of Kathleen's creations.