This is a test...

I'm planning to post from my phone next week during my celebration....

Constant Change

“I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou


Learning involves change. The only thing constant in life right now is change. My life is continuing to go through drastic change. But I am learning and growing. Change, even drastic change is inevitable and constant. Compared to what some of my online friends are going through and have gone through, my change is minimal. 
The biggest change is my marital status. After being married for nearly 25 years, I left my husband and moved into my mother's house 10 months ago. I'm separated and getting divorced. 
The second biggest thing is that since December, I've been working full time for the first time since my first daughter was born 24 1/2 years ago. AND I love what I do. I work for Travelex Currency Exchange. We are located in the Guest Service Desk at the mall so in addition to exchanging currency, we do all the guest service-y type things. It's actually the perfect job for a financial-minded-jack-of-all-trades-people-lover like myself. 
And the third major change in my life is I've gone from making cards and blogging about it EVERYDAY, to not making cards or blogging AT ALL. As far as the blogging is concerned, what I'm going through is too personal. It's not something I want to write about online, but in my journals. And the card making used to relax me, but now it doesn't. And there are just not enough hours in a day. A few months ago in the last post, I thought by getting my room (somewhat) set up that I would start making cards again, but no, that didn't happen. 


For those of you who, like me, would wonder "what ever happened to 'So and So' who used to blog everyday?" This post is for you.
I do miss the friendships that I made through this blog and the Yahoo blog before that since 2004... I still pop in on Facebook, so, if you are on there, be my friend? 
Definitely, keep in touch. I would love to know that you are praying for me. 


As always... I'm still Choosing JOY... It's always a deliberate choice... and some days it's harder than others. But I know that God is with me, just like Joseph in Genesis, God is with me. 
So long for now from your card-making Princess...  Choosing JOY! Jacki

It's time...

It's been many many months since I've made cards on a regular basis. I'm not ready for regular basis just yet, but I'm definitely ready to make some cards. I got my coloring table set up today... I still have a little more to unpack before I'll be totally ready, but I want to start selling cards again. Just saying that aloud makes me happy. I'm still looking for a job, so in the meantime, I'll be resorting to what I'm used to. Not only am I making cards, I'm developing a couple of classes. I may even try Michaels again now that they are back in the business of offering classes. More to come soon...

Pink for October

I turn this blog pink every year during the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
If you haven't had your check up this year, make your appointment today. Good for you if you have, but take a moment to call a friend or a sister and remind her to do so also.

With my move and all the changes in my life, I'm a little behind schedule this year, but I'm going to make my appointment asap.
And then I'm going to send the cards shown here to two friends who have been impacted by breast cancer.
Have a blessed day and don't forget to take care of yourself.

Fall-ish and Fruity.

Fall is here! It's my absolute favorite season! And next to flowers, fruit are my next favorite images to color. I'm not sure why fall and fruit go together in my mind, but they do. 

This is an image from SU from a few years back. I colored them with Prismacolor pencils.