2020,
I have again changed my life as I once knew it!  Meaning, I moved on into a new field of learning and participating with my life forces!! If you were following my beginning attempts at blogging my adventures since 2011, bless your support. There's been quite a large hole/gap in my writing, since 2013, life does get in my way!!  Catch up time!

After several years of  enjoying my home in St. Helens, the time presented itself, through unspoken words and life's unexpected changes, telling me, GO.

I have always tried to listen to the small inner voice, not always willingly, sometimes arguing/questioning more than I want to admit, but, listening.
   I bought my first Oregon home in 2006, just before the fall of money availability, and loved it, as past posts, with stories and pictures, attest.
   After the 2008 downturn of the economy, keeping the house running and happy became a constant struggle and the hole I was slowly falling into getting larger. The house was build in 1930, getting older with each year, and money for fixing needed repairs, was fleeting. (I may have wrote to this in past blogs).
   Forward, 2016, struggle, refinancing mortgage, working full time in town for a home care program, which allows elderly to receive needed care within the comfort of their home.  I loved and believed in this concept. But, money was barely staying in my hands or bank account, it was scary.

   February 10th, I received a phone message from my ex sister in law, to call. Before that, a call from my California daughter,  I returned her call first.
   My former husband, of 20 years, and reason I left and moved to Oregon, had been killed!  WOW, astonished, unexpected news, shock, traveled through my mind. He was to move to Oregon after retirement, we still loved each other, his depression had made our marriage break, per his words....how dare he die before me, to top it off,  he was much younger than I, this wasn't the plan!  I knew I must travel to California for the last goodbye. My best friend wouldn't hear of me going by myself, she drove me, we stayed with a past neighbor and great friend, while there. Final good byes are awful and in this case, bitter sweet.
   When I returned to my home, I walked in the front door, something had changed. I walked through my house, it felt that my entire life had changed in the handful of days I'd been gone. I knew what I had to do.  I phoned a lady Realtor in town, saying I need a current "comp" listing of houses sold around me, she compiled the list and came to meet me.  I had a first offer before the house went "live". Cute young couple, unfortunately, credit fell through. Soon, the right couple showed up, I needed to quickly find where that small voice was telling me to move!!
   I first checked out houses close to my 2 daughters, in Independence then Silverton, nothing felt right. I was scrolling through Craig's list one morning, there it was, a cute little place in Lincoln City (where was that) a block from the beach, 624 square feet of squeeze space with the right rental price! For a little background here. I once told my former husband, a Deputy Sheriff, if he ever died, I would get a big dog and move to the beach, where I always wanted to live! His unexpected death was the trigger, I already had Adele, in my mind this was a natural progression.

   As fate always happens in my life, the ad was removed from the site quickly, but, I had written the email addy down, I sent a request. Shortly, she wrote back asking "why I wished to rent her house"? I responded with the story, to which she replied, "come next Wednesday", I did.
   A lady was viewing the house when I arrived, I knew she would take it, it was little and cute, with a garage. Afterwards, sitting around an outside table, she told the landlady it was to small for her, but, she thought I would be a good tenant!  I was speechless, the landlady turned to me and ask my answer....I said yes, "don't anyone pinch me"!
   Three yard sales, finding new homes for 2 kittens, retiring, saying good bye to many friends, Judy and her husband helped me move the many "2 hour, one way" trips to my new home.
   June 3rd, 2016,  Adele and I  permanently arrived at our new little home,  in a city I had only visited once since arriving in Oregon in 2004. now we live here! We were tired and very ready to commune with the ocean, daily.

   What a whirlwind...but it continues!!
   I decided to renew my love of photography, buying my 1st digital camera with proceeds of the .  house sale. (I had always used a 35mm film camera).  I found a neat group of Artist in many mediums and art forms. Encouraged, I again took up watercolors and acrylics. Became Gallery Chair, in charge of hanging quarterly art exhibit's of local member's work and I had the opportunity to design, make and wear a beautiful piece of art I could "show off" at each reception.  Making friends has always been easy, I have made many these past 3 years.
   I have never looked back on my decision to let it all go and move into a "new chapter" of life.   It is so amazing, writing this blog makes me realize what a "fool hardy" woman I may appear….but, no, I know I am always in safe hands, and listening to the small voice who has traveled with me for many adult years, is not fool hardy, just astounding maybe!!    
   My adventure has not stopped since arriving here, it continues.
    Adele and I are getting older. she is now 9+,  I will be 71 the end of this year's March.....it is all only a number...as you will see in my new upcoming Blog Posts....stay tuned....

 
 

Design notes

I can't believe it is Spring, 2013!  Where has the year gone?? 

  I know I started with feet on the ground in a running stance.  It was decided at church, that we would pursue the making of the Easter Play, as 2012 was so successful, 900 people came to enjoy it.   I am the Costume Director, working closely with the Production Director and Music Director.
  As I  am Education co-chair, for the Portland Chapter, American Sewing Guild, and we were reviving the Annual Spring Fling, it would be extremely busy. The Spring Fling event is held the Saturday, week before Easter, and the Play was to be Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday this year.      
  For Spring Fling, I am responsible for teachers, set up, securing venue, food and such,  I would be slightly busy to say the least.  Luckily, I have a co-chair on Education, she is new but, was extremely helpful, she took care of the food and keeping final track of all as they signed up for classes.  I was free to secure teachers, get their class supply lists and forward to each participant while working on PR, and it turned out great!
  Meanwhile, at church, I have the best Costume Seamstress team!  I had ask 3 ladies to come help me last year as my core team. This year, my core group is back and additional 3 ladies joined. Everyone has their expertise, sewing, ironing, designing, accessorizing and organization.
  I love being part of this "artistic venture",  God has blessed me with this talent.
How do I accomplish this honor:  I start with prayer, then by reading the script.  As I read, characters begin to appear, in my mind.  I do research in my Bible, what type fabric did they make, how were the colors applied, what was the city like, where was it located, how big, style of clothing, status, rich or poor.  What is the story line, customs, how did this affect the way clothing appeared and was worn.  Soon, each character has a basic clothing style which appears to me. 
  As each actor is chosen, I watch the play unfold as they read or sing their lines. I decide how colorful each should be, what body language do they present that I may need to work into their character's dress, do we need extra props to make their costume read more believable.  Then, the real art designing starts.
   I brainstorm with my team, presenting play, characters, number of participants and my thinking on set and character looks, what we need to look for and new designs needed. We organize ready made costumes, pulling base gowns out for each actor,  make repairs, alterations are done for fit, add color with head covering, vests, scarfs, belts.  Now, the "stars" of the play are designed.  With this play, titled The Choice, we had the addition of an Angel, Pilot, and 2 Roman Officers.  An old Pilot gown and wrap was found.  The gown was to short, cape had to much fabric, so, lengthened gown, excess fabric trimmed out with addition of more gold trim and a spurt of gold spray over his Laurel leaves.

  I began my design for the Officers.  Love the Internet, researching I found a picture of a Roman Officer that I had seen in my mind, complete with helmet, which I copied and sent to my co-designer.  She started working up the 2 helmet designs based on this picture, her husband even helped.
  She and I did a field trip into Portland, looking for more blood for Jesus (as there was the Crucifixion scene), glitter for my angel, and to Mill End for fabric inspiration and costume trims.  We both spotted some silver, crinkle fabric at the same time, saying, "officer vest plates", then I spotted some round metal looking gold disks....trims to add, for 50 cents a pound, they were plastic, got lots.
   I used some clay, baking it, and added to the Centurion costume to read as medals.

                                        (in character, Hannah & Marcus, star Actors of the play)

  The Angel idea came slowly...Bible research refers to angels as "men dressed in white, appearing like lightening". 
This was fun, I found some Organza with silver glitter attached.  This was made into a gown to be worn over a long white linen gown.  A special "hat" was worn on his head to incorporate the shine, then glow make up to complete the "lightening" appearance as he exited the tomb.

  My Angel left sparkles as he walked, an added element.

 













Jesus was a challenge, between teaching, arrest, beating and hanging on the cross, we had a few clothing changes, and blood to clean off quickly so he could appear for the final curtain call. 

The play was well received with many positive comments shared, 1000 people came to see, cast was great, stage set beautiful and costumes were inspiring.

 

                                         Hope you enjoyed the journey of Costume design. 

Church camping at Nehalem Bay State Park

   I went camping last weekend, with my church group and my newly purchased, set up in 10 minutes, little bright green tent.  What fun.  Adele enjoyed the adventure with me at at Nehalem Bay State Park. 
   Now, I have not done anything like this in years...even left all my camping gear with ex-hubby in CA, thinking I'd never do this again....wrong...(I'm considering a call to him to see if he kept everything, he is not the "camper"....this would be nice to pick up on my October CA visit).
   Some things have changed since my younger days. First thing, sleeping bag is on an air mattress. I bought an air mattress several years back, when my oldest daughter, Kandi, came to visit, great for extra sleeping beds. Twin size, it was on sale for $25 at Big Five, and has a battery operated pump...the "bomb" for quick and easy inflation. Upper side has a velour lining which "holds" the sleeping bag or blankets in place, no slipping off in your sleep. My back and hips "thanked me" the next morning.
  

       
   Also, as there was a plug in for RVer's....I took a heavy duty electric cord and surge protector along for my toaster (made waffles at home, took them for breakfast or instant snacks) and "coffee pot".  NO camp coffee grounds for me!!   One of the gals in the group has even brought her microwave.  I did consider that, but, room in my PT was at a premium.....LOL

     Friday night I fixed a large chicken breast, which had marinated all day.   Fried some freshly dug up potatoes and tomato.  Found that I had not brought something to wash dishes in, did bring the soap.  Plastic container borrowed from neighbor worked.
    The beach was just over the dunes behind me, it was so pretty.  The entire weekend was perfect weather, long walks on the beach, Adele and I walked around the camp ground section visiting friends from church and making new friends.  Invited to campsites to enjoy fires.  Adele didn't sleep well the first night, as she could not see out of the tent and was a little paranoid.  The next day after our long walk on the beach, she made up for lost sleep.   

  
   I love the beach, and this area was beautiful.

      My daughter and family came Saturday for the night, great family time had. Saturday night was a "potluck" with other church campers.  I fried up a large bunch of fresh red potatoes, onions and marjoram, brought from my garden.  The food choices were unending.  Sunday morning was church in the open, what a wonderful way to worship. 
   It was a great weekend and nothing beats family and s'mores around the camp fire!! 

  

Hi, back again!!

MIA (to coin a friend) time is over, time to renew friendships via this blog.

   What has happened since my last post??  First, my PT Cruiser engine blew up last November, using up all my meager savings for another engine, ( remember, my Viking Sewing Gallery had been closed on my birthday, newly unemployed and on SS).  The crank shaft oil seal blew out, dumping all the oil....it was not a pretty thing!!  Just before Christmas time too.  God is so good though, my church paid my high heating oil bill.  My 2 daughters went together to provide wood for my fireplace, I cried as I opened the door, son in law standing on the porch and the pick-up with wood parked in front, "where would you like this stacked Mom?"  Someone put money on my electric company account, and someone left money for me to pick up.   It was a prayerful, tearful, counting all my blessings time in my life. A time of wonderful testimony to share.  Giving all praise to Him who promises to take care of our needs, and we are so surprised when He does!!
     The end of March, past, marked my 1 year of being unemployed.  I have had the time to evaluate where I am, a new chapter, where do I want to go with my life, and the celebration of turning 63 and 13 years cancer free, another "thank you God" moment.  My birthday gift from my daughters, is a tattoo, I had talked about having done, Celtic cross (Irish background), Christ's crown of thorns, 3 roses growing around the cross, each in color of the daughter's birth color, over my heart....the most important things of my life. 
     Saving money has become an adventuresome challenge.  Not that there is much to save, and, by using the Internet, I discovered all the many fun things available, just gas money required, and time...which I have had an excess of!!

     I joined several "Meet Up" groups.  You can do a search for these, marking off your areas of interest and suddenly there's groups to join with your interests in mind.  I chose several, two photography groups, for my photography hobby, even though I still use a "film" camera, it has been fun.  Met new friends, while I learned about F-stops, depth of field, landmarks and places of interest, who would have thought Hippo Hardware would be such a blast  and hiking the 4T trail was considered a "photography" opportunity.

            
    For my water color hobby, a couple of groups.  One group I really love, an artist guild of people who share many different art mediums, and encouragement is given by all as we share our art work each month, over chocolate.  The other is a Plain Aire, painting outside, I discovered Ft. Vancouver. 

     There is the Over 50 and Fabulous, Anyone Can Join and Keep Portland Weird groups, each is self explanatory.  I have discovered great eating places, the history of Big Foot in Oregon, as he surprised my daughter, 

 the beauty of  Lone Pine Cemetery, how to paddle a Kayak and met some of the "colorful" people who make up our city.  The Art Museum group, visiting museums of interest while learning about artist. (love the Monet works and found Mary Hill in the middle of no where)
Urban hikers, Glass Fusion group where I have discovered the beauty of melted glass , and, not to forget... Dog lovers groups where Adele showed off her St. Paddy's Day attire.

     Adele has become my companion in travel.  We have discovered the "dogie park" in Scappoose and Hillsboro, where we have both made friends, McCall water parkway, a romp on the beach, walks around town where she meets and greets walkers and their companions. She is a good exercise inspiration for me. 

     Sewing, have done very little.  Gardens look great, have finally carpeted my hallway and found the perfect old fashion wood screen door, which I painted....are you ready.....bright yellow. (I know the color is a shock to some).

     Along with all this, I have discovered how to apply for unemployment benefits, file a weekly claim, look for a new job, apply, be turned down, or just ignored, and the daily jobs now offered to  become a "money collecting site" for people in foreign countries....all with the last name of Mr. Smith or Ms. Brown, and the opportunity of becoming a "Secret Shopper" after I open a warehouse of stock, with all my unemployment money.....all via the INTERNET.....do you believe????   My goodness, times have changed!! 
     I had the privilege of becoming a Costume Director for our church Easter play.  Wonderful time, talented people and a group of fabulous ladies as my seamstress team. 
      Oh, the latest turn, a phone call from the Manager of the Vancouver Viking Sewing Gallery.....would I please consider coming back to work for Viking??   I have, and another new chapter begins, I'm not the boss this time, and it feels okay    8^)
     This pretty well brings my life up to the present...so...on with my blogging.