Sunday Morning Quiet Time

     It's VERY early here at my home and even after the last two days of high energy craziness, I find myself awake and blogging to YOU!!  This seems to be happening alot lately (not the blogging part--my bad, I know I need to blog more!) I wake up before my alarm goes off and lay in my bed trying to solve the problems of the world---well, at least those in my own life!

   What thoughts are going through my head at 4:30am in the morning?-----"remember to pay the insurance bill today, it was due yesterday';     'what am I going to feed Brayden (my grandson and best baby in the WORLD) for breakfast this morning, I don't have any eggs';     'I need to sort through all the vintage clothes I just bought on Friday and get them ready to post in my new internet shop---www.mykitschycloset.etsy.com';     'can I stay in my pajama's all morning or will I have to get dressed at some point--I don't want to get dressed or go anywhere today!';  and my all-time favorite----'can I go back to sleep or should I just get up and get on with life?!?'  What---you were expecting me to have REALLY deep, earth-shattering thoughts?  Nah, not at 4:30am in the morning!!!!

   But seriously, I have found myself thinking more and more about my life, past, present and future, and I have been concerned with what I've found.  I think all this is probably brought on because I will be having a "BIG" birthday in a few months----the big 6-0!!!  Just typing it makes me shutter-uugghhh!!   Anyway, I've started to wonder what my life would have been like if I had made 'different' decisions in my younger days.  Maybe not have married so young or started a family so soon.  Perhaps if I had stayed in college and become a graphic designer as I had planned.  Or perhaps me and my best friend at that time, Jackie, would have traveled to foreign lands to absorb all we could of their artist cultures.  Or even have done some missionary work here in the states or overseas--perhaps.  But dwelling on 'what could have been' does no one any good!

     And then I begin to see the faces of my children, I see then as the little ones they once were and remember the precious adults they have become.  I remember all the pain and illness my mom has gone through the past few years and I cherish every moment I still have with her.  I feel the warm breathe of my grandson Brayden as he falls asleep on my shoulder, his sweet body cuddled in my arms, and I realize........I am blessed.

   There is a wonderful scripture in Psalms 90--"Teach us to make the most of our time....and make our efforts successful.  Yes, make our efforts successful!" (NLT)  I believe that's what everyone wants in life, no matter your religion, no matter your nationality, no matter your race, political leanings or life-preferences.  We all just want to matter, to have our efforts in life be successful!!

     And although success can be measured differently by different standards, in my own eyes I am successful!  Was this the life I planned for myself so many years ago--definitely NOT!!  But is this the life, with all it's struggles and hardships and pains, that is making me the person God intended me to be----absolutely!!

     And so this early morning 'thought session' becomes a time to thank my Heavenly Father for all that I have and all that I will become.  I'm not were I need to be but I'm on my way, and that's ok!!  And so I leave you with a few pictures to enjoy and I pray you are blessed as I have been blessed.......

 

Brayden showing me his banana--cheeky fellow!!

 

My son Jonathan and I at the beach

 

Brayden and I visiting my mom at the nursing home

My daughter Brittany (Brayden's mom) and momma

My grandson Tyler age 7 (Jonathan's son) who lives in Michigan--we haven't seen him since he was 3 yrs old

 

 

 

    I hear Brayden stirring and must fix breakfast---God Bless all and any who read this!!

Pat, A Remade Life
 
 

"Whatever" Purses are here!!!!

     As some of you may know I had foot surgery almost 5 weeks ago---and, although it went very well, a reaction to the meds and edema in my foot caused me to be laid up a little longer then usual.  Now, I am NOT one to just lay around and watch soaps (and what's up with cable?!-all those channels and nothing good to watch!!!) so I decided to try to get a little creative work in.  However, not being very mobile kinda limited what I could do.

     So, I gathered as many bolts of laces, trims, fabrics, kitschy items and STUFF that I could grab, sat myself down on my sofa, propped my foot up on a pillow and started sewing!!

     The one rule I made myself stick to was "JUST HAVE FUN"!!!   Under no circumstances would I let myself stress out over, 'does it look right?", 'is it too small', is it too big', is it kitschy enough', 'is it too odd'!!?? and on and on and on........NO!!

    And so I just started grabbing whatever was within my reach and sewed it on the purse.  Some purses turned out cute, some turned out a little odd, but ALL were fun to make!!!  And it was GREAT therapy as I recovered.  As a matter of fact, it was sooooooooo much fun that I decided to finish them up and I've posted them in my etsy shop for sale- www.aremadelife.etsy.com  .

     And that's how the "Whatever Purse" was born!!!  I do plan on continuing making them, even though my foot is doing better.  (I'm still in that silly 'boot' thing but will hopefully be out of it soon!)  Here are a few pictures of my Whatever Purses---let me know what you think!

Please be sure and leave me a comment, let me know what you think!
And be sure to 'like' us on facebook--'Remade Life Emporium"
Until then, God bless all and any who read this,
Pat, A Remade Life
www.aremadelife.etsy.com
www.lovethatvintagestyle.etsy.com

New Adventures are a-comin'!!

So, had a very busy weekend getting all my 'treasures' out of the antique mall.  It was a lot more work than I originally thought--who knew you could put so much in such a small space?!?!?!  Anyway, the antique mall is now just a memory.  It was an easy decision to leave--I wasn't making any money and it was becoming more and more difficult to get over there and work on my booth.  There are lots of good workers there and the fellow vendors I met were great.  Also, Kudos to the manager, Susan, who was always very kind to me. It was very much appreciated.

And now, on to our next adventure!  I still have to close down my shop in Winnie, TX ( now THAT will be work!!)  but that will be a much slower process, one we will probably spread out over the next few months. We are hoping to be out by October at the latest but really shooting for September.  In the meantime, I have begun working on my next project, one I am truly enjoying.  It's not something I can discuss at this time (I am working on trademarking it) but I will share a few photos.

It is amazing how God directs our steps when we let Him!  He is a loving heavenly Father and wants only the best for us in ALL areas of our lifes.  I know He is guiding me even though at first I wasn't happy about closing my shop--I couldn't see the path God was taking me down, all I could see was 'failure'!    But He has better plans for me, plans to prosper and excel (as He does for us all!)  God is good.

So here are the photos of 'what's to come', just a little sneak peak into an adventure I am looking forward to!!

And of course, a few pics of my wonderful grandson Brayden--sitting in the refrigerator!!!

That's it for now but there's lots more to come!!
God Bless all and any who read this,
Pat, A Remade Life

Introducing My New Logo!

My new logo is here!  As you can see, I've posted it as my header.  I really, really love this logo---it's been several yrs in the making!

'Back in the day', I studied in college to become a graphic designer.  I loved creating/designing/drawing and  hoped to make that my goal in life.  But things change, marriage happened, three children came and then divorce, things that redirected my life down a different path.  Creating was forgotten as I struggled to raise and take care of 3-children by myself.  It wasn't easy.  All thoughts of doing ANYTHING creative were lost to the daily grind of just making a living.

But my Heavenly Father is a good Father and He began placing in me the need, the desire to begin creating again.  And so, my business "A Remade Life" was born, a testimony to God's love for us and His ability to 'give new life to gently used items'.  But the process has been hard.  Unused for soooooo long, my creativity is slow in coming----ideas don't readily pop into my head as they used to, my 'creative' vision doesn't see like it did so many years ago.  But again, my Father God is good and I am learning all over again to be patient and listen with my heart to His voice, to have Faith in this area of my life as I must in all things!

And to remember that God's plans for me are higher than anything I could ever image---"For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope..."  Jeremiah 29:11

I love my logo--have I already said that?!  It's simplicity reminds me to slow down, stop making life so complicated, to let the love of God bloom fresh in my life everyday.  I'm sure I'll be tweeking my logo here and there over time, just like God is 'tweeking' me--- but the joy of this budding, new creative life is awesome!!  I will look forward to each day as a new beginning, a new 'dawn'---I hope you will come with me on this exciting journey!!

God Bless all and any who read this,
Pat, A Remade Life