Archive | September, 2013

What a week

By G@patina on September 27, 2013 in Uncategorized

Oh my sweet little new blog I haven’t forgotten you. I have had a strange week. Well, two weeks I would say. Last week as you know I was mentally over worked. The fear of a heart condition was too much on this mama. I just told my older sister about an hour ago, ” I swear all of this with Finley’s health took 10 years off my life last week.” I mean it. That is the first time in my life I have ever felt fear on that level. And ya know what, there was nothing I could do to “fix” the physical situation. But there were prayers going up by the dozens.

Wednesday, before the appointment on Thursday, was completely excruciating. I just knew that tomorrow was going to bring the most horrible diagnosis this heart of mine could bear. I was dreading sunset because I new the dawn would quickly come on a day I would just rather skip all together. I cried a lot of tears on Wednesday and when I got to parent pick up to get Fitz he immediately asked me what was wrong. I explained to him our concerns about Finley’s heart and that I truly couldn’t bear to face what may lie ahead. Yall!! I am not kidding you. This is what came from the mouth of my precious 11 year old. “Mom, now you stop crying. You KNOW God’s got this! Whatever it is, it is going to be ok. If God is ready for Finley to come to heaven then He will give us the strength we need to go through this. I don’t think He is going to take him but I promise you God will Hold us. He is holding Finley right now. He is holding all of us mama and it’s going to be ok. Give me your phone mom. I am going to call Klove (the only radio station we listen to. If you have never heard of it PLEASE go now and stream it!! It is life changing radio) and ask them to play Hold me Jesus for you.” Wow!! I could not believe the words my ears had heard from the mouth of my baby. He said it with such confidence. Such Faith!!! It made my heart smile for many, many reasons.

{Please listen to this beautiful song}

Hold Me Jesus, Big Daddy Weave

Early Thursday morning came quickly. We dressed and headed for Jackson and I was feeling a little bit anxious. About an hour into the drive I was suddenly overwhelmed with the most amazing feeling of Peace. I quickly texted my two sisters and told them I felt the power of prayer. I felt God with me! Carly, my youngest sister replied that at that very moment she received the text she was already deep into prayer for Finley and us. I truly felt the prayers of all. Then right after talking with them about feeling the most amazing peace and God’s presence, this song came over my radio. It was perfect timing. God’s perfect timing.

{oh, please listen to this one too!}

He is with us, Love and the Outcome

So, we made the appointment and as many of you already know, his heart is HEALTHY!! Praise God! The next step is waiting for multiple lab results and an appointment Tuesday back in Jackson with an allergy specialist. We are trying to rule out an adrenal gland tumor and looking at Mast Cell Activation Disorder. Both are rare but being considered. I will let you know what we find out.

Jennifer McCully

I leave you with a heartfelt THANK YOU! Thank you for the prayers and outreach of comments, texts and phone calls. Please continue to pray for a treatable diagnosis. Have an awesome weekend!!!

Cherish your day-g

Faith, Hope & Prayer

By G@patina on September 18, 2013 in Uncategorized

**NOTE- I could not get my pictures to load. I believe I am just too unglued right now. So sorry.

Life’s storms have been brewing since my last post. I am so sorry I haven’t been able to post before, but our life is a bit upside down right now. You see that absolutely beautiful, precious gift of life above that God has trusted myself and husband with? That’s our Finley! He is the baby boy of four boys!! He’s 9 and quiet the mama’s baby and that is just fine with me.

The storm broke the horizon Monday around noon. I got the call from the school nurse telling me that Finley’s blood pressure was dangerously high, and if I couldn’t be there in 5 min or less she was going to have to call 911! Thank God we live within five minutes of the school and I was home! I know I made it in 3min! She met me at the door with Finley in a wheelchair advising me to go straight to the ER. Well here is where the line becomes fuzzy. You see, for about a year now Finley has been having these episodes. Episodes of breaking out in a very red rash, complaining of stomach pain and trouble breathing. For a year now we have treated this as allergies. Honestly we have had no reason to think differently due to the many, many food and other allergies he has. Finley could have booked frequent flyer miles last year for all of the trips to the school nurse he had with these episodes. Well, yesterday for the first time someone, actually Nurse Carly, checked his BP during an episode. Holy Moly yall it was HIGH!! It was 153/119 ! He is a little fella. Tall, lanky, all of 85lbs soaking wet. This just didn’t make sense to us. Thank heavens my precious husband is a Doctor. We talked things over and he immediately said, “Call Braden and get him in!” Dr. Braden just happens to be what we consider one of the South’s Top Pediatric Cardiologist and our former backdoor neighbor. Lee, my husband had Thursday off so I called and quickly got Finley on the schedule for Thursday. Tomorrow. In the meantime I called our pediatrician to get Finely in and let’s get a BP recheck and see what the reading was now.

Fast forward three hours and he and I were headed to the doctor’s office when I noticed he was getting red. He said, “whew, mama I can’t breathe to good.” Now most people would have freaked out, but I didn’t. I have been hearing these words for 9 to 12 months now and would always give him a Benedryl because on the outside it looked just like an allergic reaction. Well the next thing he did was wiggle his fingers in both of his ears and I thought to myself, “ears are ringing-BP has to high”, so thank goodness I was coming up on the road that led to our local hospital. I hit panic and drove straight to the ER. (Thank you Jesus I was where I was! Right by the hospital!) They got us on back and hooked him up to everything that had a cord on it. Now I was out of my league. I’ve learned a lot of medical stuff just from my husband, but when it comes to reading monitors I am clueless! I finally asked the nurse for a tutorial and glued me eyes to that screen texting my husband every change of reading I was seeing. Finley seemed fine. It was his usual “episode” on the outside. Shallow breaths, heart racing and red splotches everywhere. But this time I could see what was going on on the inside and it was scaring me. Pulse was as if he had just ran a marathon and blood pressure through the roof. I’m talking readings that would send an adult to the ER. The only thing that held me together besides strength for my baby was my husband had finally gotten there and I knew I could share the stress with him and he knew exactly what was going on. Then the results of labs and tests all came back good. His chest x-ray, EKG and labs all looked good. I could tell the ER physician as well my husband were perplexed. They would throw ideas back and forth and talk each one through. Would you seriously believe that the final suggestion from the ER physician as cause of the elevated BP was possibly allergy related. Yep! Allergies again. He knew we had already scheduled the cardio appointment and said go get that cleared then talk to his allergist.

As the night went on I was a little more relaxed. Worried, but better. My husband on the other hand was not. I could see his wheels turning. It was about 9:30 Monday night and my husband stood up and looked at me and said three words of something I couldn’t pronounce. He said I have no idea why or how I just thought of this, but I’m going upstairs to read up on it. Well, about 10 minutes later he came back downstairs rather convinced that there was a HIGH possibility he knew what was causing the blood pressure to do this. I am not going to put the name to it right now, but I will say I am very relieved that what my husband thinks it could be is treatable. Unfortunately it would possibly mean heart surgery on my baby, but it would be something they could FIX as opposed to some other options that are not.

So I leave you now with tear stained burning eyes like only a mother could have. I am holding it together as best I can, hoping to hear good news tomorrow. I know God is in control of all of this! I know he will meet every need. My strength, Lee’s strength and most of all I know He is carrying my baby boy. My hearts prayer is this: For my Father, the creator of the Universe to wrap, swaddle my baby in His healing arms and rock him! I know the power of the God I serve and I know the power in prayer. I do ask for your prayers. Prayers for strength for all of us. Prayers for healing. I will post an update as soon as I am able.

Cherish your day-g

NOLA….What an experience!

By G@patina on September 13, 2013 in Marketing, My ART

What a day yesterday was! Wow! I think I am still exhausted. It was an awesome day to say the least. I learned SO MUCH! Let’s see….my day began early heading out to New Orleans and meeting my online artist friend, Ali, for the first time in real life. It was awesome! We became virtual friends from an online art/photography class and have been becoming fast friends. It was a true delight to finally meet her in person. Like we hugged immediately when we saw each other feeling as if we had known each other for years. We spent the morning talking at the speed of light. All things art. Dreaming and planning all of the next steps I could and will take. Ali had brainstormed a couple of shops that she thought would be a good fit for my art and after planning our outing we quickly realized it was already noon. So we loaded up my art and headed out. Butterflies were certainly setting in at this point. All the natural fears were coming to the surface. I felt so vulnerable. “What if no one was going to like my art?” “It’s ok if they don’t”, I would quickly tell myself and I really meant that. I know God has orchestrated this entire journey and there are places that will be a perfect match for my art. We entered our first destination in an area near the Riverfront that was full of beautiful merchandise. We looked around and I said “yes”, I could see my art in here. Well, it was time. Time to approach an employee and ask to see the owner or manager. It took me probably four minutes to get the guts up to do this but here went nothing. I did it! I was told the owner was not in but the manager would be happy to see my items. After looking at my bio and several pieces of my art he told me how much he liked it and that he would pass the information on to their owner and she would be contacting me. (HUGE SMILE) Whew!! I had done it! I put myself out there and my art had been received. I was ready! “Let’s hit the next place.”

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At this point it was 1:30 and our stomachs were growling. We headed downtown to Magazine Street and decided we might need to grab some lunch real quick. Ali had a cute and delish little French Bistro in mind, Coquette. Again, she and I spent 45min dreaming and planning of what the future could look like. We enjoyed the most amazing lunch and then headed out to visit a few shops.

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I can not get enough of the simple beauty of Magazine Street. The street is lined with colorfully painted shotgun houses that now house the dreams of retailers. From art to clothing to antiques, you name it you can find it uniquely available on Magazine. The first stop on magazine we made was to a darling place called Perch. It was oozing with beautiful furniture, unique art and home accents. Jack, the store manager was such a treat. He quickly loved my art and gave me the contact information for Caroline the store owner and said for me to email her my available pieces and let’s go from there. (Heart and face beaming!) I just loved this store and it seemed like a great match for my art. I can not wait to be in contact with Caroline and see where this may go.

perch

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Well, for four more stops the story was the same. No store owners were in. However, every manager loved my art and supplied me with owner contact information. I really liked this decorators space, Chet Pourciau. I had an instant connection with Chet’s design style. You can tell his expertise is in creating a happy space with style. I loved his eye for bridging contemporary with traditional chic. I think this is match for my for art! His manager, Nadia, was lovely and made some suggestions of different sizes and subjects they would also like to see. So, this gal is getting ready to make some more art this weekend and shoot the images over to the owner!!

All in all this was a very successful day. Priceless things learned but most importantly facing my fears head on and conquering them. I can not get over the response I have had through contacts about my art. I already have four stores from here to yonder that want me to bring my work in for them to consider. I can’t tell you how exciting this is. I have dreamed of this since I was a little girl but never really thought I would actually get to live it. More to come on how marketing my art is going.

I hope each of you has a wonderfully blessed weekend. Ya know what? Are you living your dream? I am living proof you are never too old to chase them. God knows your hearts desires, He put them there. Pray. Just pray about it!

Cherish your day-g

How Exciting!

By G@patina on September 11, 2013 in My ART

Wow is all I can say! God truly is spending a lot of time on this ahh-mazing chapter of my life! I stand in awe of the blessings pouring over me. It truly is like He is answering a prayer I didn’t know my heart was praying!! You see, 18 months ago I was sent home from my lifelong career as an elementary teacher. My disabling illness had gotten to the point where I could not perform my job.(my disability story will come soon) So in March of 2012 I went home. From March until September I was floundering. Falling into depression with thoughts of “What is my purpose?” “This can’t be how I am going to live the rest of my life.” “I want to do something!” I seemed to be so down over feeling like I had no purpose any longer. When I was in the classroom I knew my life’s purpose. I was making an impact on this world one little person at time and now I sit at home alone. Oh, and when the end of July 2012 came and I wasn’t in my classroom getting it all ready for the start of a new school year, that is when the tears fell.

Now, fast forward to September 2012. That is when this journey all began. Something inside began to stir. Let me back up just a minute. Back in 1990 when I graduated from High School, I attended a junior college on an art scholarship. I lasted two semesters when I finally told my parents I was changing my major to Elementary Education. My exact words to them were, “All I can see is myself being a starving artist in the French Quarter.” (French Quarter-the heart of New Orleans). I pretty much stuffed my dreams of being an artist away. I was however able to use my creativity in my classroom. I had like the cutest decorated room in the school. But anyway, in September of last year it was as if God whispered in my heart to play again. To dabble in my art. So, I did. I began taking some online creativity classes to get me going and I did start to blossom. I fixed a studio in an unused room in our home and it quickly became my haven. Oh, to walk in that room and be surrounded by all the supplies and objects of inspiration was truly amazing.

As time would pass my heart began to tug stronger towards wanting more. I wanted to be out there. Out in the world somehow, someway. My prayer was “use me.” “Take my talent and use me.” I wanted nothing more than for God to help me see a way I could share his love for this world through my art. I got so frustrated and stumped at times. You see I couldn’t find my unique thing. My art. I could replicate anyone’s art, but struggled so at finding my “thing.” Something uniquely mine. That is until three weeks ago. After church one Sunday I headed my studio and grabbed a ton of supplies I had for almost a year now that pertained to a certain technique of working with plaster that I had always wanted to try but was too scared. I jumped in blind. I just decided to go for it and if I failed, then I would move on to the next thing. Well low and behold I created a piece that made my heart jump! I loved it!! I quickly made more like four more pieces, loving each and every one of them. I did it! I had found a medium that I poured all of my into that in the end resulted in a unique piece of art like no one else’s. I was ignited. There was a fire burning inside of me like I had never felt before. I seriously feel as if I am standing on top of the world with all of the praise and glory going to God. I have found “my thing.” My little pieces of art that I can put out there with subtle promises of God’s word.

Now fast forward to today. Sorry for jumping around. This post is getting way too long and have so much I want to say. I will be posting more detailed posts about this time in my life soon, because there are so many God moments that I just have share. But, tomorrow is one of the biggest days of my life. Through encouragement from my husband, sisters and a friend, my husband and I are taking my art to New Orleans (of all places- Ha since that is where I thought I would be sitting as a starving artist many years ago) and offering my art to several shops for retail. I am over the moon to say the least. I dreamed it but never believed it would ever happen. I just know God has plans for me and my art. I am so anxious about tomorrow. Fears. Excitement. Joy. Possible rejection. You name it, I’m feeling it. So, I will leave you here with that. Many prayers would be greatly appreciated. I will be back on Friday to let you know just how my very first attempt at selling my art goes.

Cherish your day-g

The belated post

By G@patina on September 6, 2013 in Uncategorized

Well last week was one in the books for me. What I considered my first REAL post with the Family Command Center. I was busting at the seams to link to as many linky parties as I could find, however I had a major glitch in my permalink that has prevented me from posting a new post for a week now. Actually over a week EEEEEK! But with all kinks worked out, (fingers crossed) I hope I will be on my way to regularly scheduled post for MW&F.

As you know I live on the beaches of Mississippi, and about a week and a half ago the temps dropped slightly enough to get me in the mood for fall. Well, that didn’t last long. Back up to 95 we go again and that crush I was having on Fall has simply gone to the wayside. So what’s a girl who is burning up and yearning to feel Fall to do? Go look at Fall inspiration on Pinterest! I have chosen several pics filled with ideas that I just may have to try my hand at to get this home looking like Fall. Here are several of my favs. I hope you are inspired as well and enjoy.

Cherish your day-g

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Archive | September, 2013