Thanksgiving Reflections

Boy when I think about Thanksgiving I have a ton of things for which to be thankful. But today I reflect on my wonderful family & friends.

I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband of 33 years. My parents both in their 80's have been through quite a few health events but are still with me. My children..I have always said all mothers love their children but not all mothers like their children. I like mine (well at least most of the time LOL). Then there's that adorable little grandson, Mason. He is so cute.

In fact the other day I said, "Mason why are you so cute." And he said "Because" and I said "Because why?" And he said, "Because you love me." Then there's my brother, Joe. He's always there if I need him or if my parents need him. He just did a beautiful set of brick steps with the first step being a half circle...gorgeous. And crazy as it seems, I have online family...cousins who I haven't been in touch with for years who I've found online. Even though I don't see them, they are still a wonderful support to me.

I have so many friends online and in the flesh. The whole online thing never ceases to amaze me. For example, I had known an artist online for years on Ebay and not long ago we met for lunch in Baltimore. It is such a blessing to have so many people in my virtual life that sometimes carry over into my real life. Those people have always been a wonderful support for me too.

Anyway, if you are reading this, thank you. That means you are in some way connected to me, either in the flesh or virtually. Thank you for all the times you've given me encouraging words, for all the times you've made m laugh, for all the times you've prayed for me and my family. And thank you for us being you. God bless you this Thanksgiving and always.

I leave you with the following prayer from one of the Saints for this Thanksgiving:

St. John Chrysostom Prayer Of Thanksgiving

What praise, of what hymn, or what thanksgiving, or what recompense shall we offer unto Thee, the Only God, Who lovest mankind?

For when we were condemned to destruction and immersed in our sins, Thou didst bestow freedom upon us, and hast given us the immortal and heavenly nourishment of the Body and Blood of Thy Christ.

Therefore we pray Thee: Deliver us from judgment, together with Thy servants who minister unto Thee.

Keep us and them in honor and holy living; and those who pray with us, and who have been partakers of Thy Mystical Table, preserve free of condemnation unto their last breath.

May it be unto them a sanctification of soul and body, unto the keeping of Thy Commandments; and thus may we be granted tp attain Thy Heavenly Kingdom, together with all who have been well-pleasing unto Thee from all ages:

Through the prayers and intercessions of our holy, all-pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth giver of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, of Saint N. whose memory we keep, and of all Thy Saints, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Amen.

Sacrifices

I reflect today on sacrifices. The sacrifice a mother makes for her children. Sacrifices of those going into the religious life or priesthood. Sacrifices those who volunteer make to serve others.

And of course the sacrifice those who serve our country make. They give up their time, their families, their comfortable way of life and sometimes the greatest sacrifice...their lives. They do this to keep us safe, to preserve our way of life and our freedom.

I am eternally grateful for everyone who makes a sacrifice for others and today I am most thankful for the sacrifices made by the United State Military Men & Women. And I think of the military families like my cousin Tiffany Yori-Brown who awaits the return of her beloved husband. God Bless our military men & women and their families.

Pumpkins & Witches & Crows OH MY

The Fall Challenge for my Old Farmhouse Gathering Team (OFG) team on Etsy has begun. Our team members are a bunch of talented people which lots of wonderful things from primitive to cottage. Check them out. You can also search on OFGF in tags and titles on Etsy to see all of the wonderful crafts prepared for this Fall event.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade JYWheeler.etsy.com

Circle of Seasons

This morning I had to run an errand for the people I used to work for so I was up a little earlier than usual. It was so chilly that I was pouting over the fact that summer is over. It was so cloudy and grey it kind of made it even sadder to me.

I really love summer and I wish we didn't have to have Fall because that means we get Winter. I'm not a fan of the dead depressing look of winter nor the cold. But then I remembered without the death of winter, we don't get the new life of spring nor the sunshine of summer. So I guess for the next couple of months I can put up with it. And I look forward to next summer!

--------------------
the picture is of a watercolor ACEO available in my Artfire shop. Click on it to go to the listing.

Crazy Dream

so last night I took a Benedril which always knocks me out. Well this morning I slept til a little past 9 am making me late for my normal 9 am Mass...I must have in my mind realized I was missing mass and I had this crazy dream:

I was late for mass in a very large double cab truck with Melissa Serafin (our youth minister), John Boyle (her fiance who was driving), Kevin Wajek (another youth group adult volunteer). There was an altar set up on Ft. Smallwood Road near the Stoney Creek Bridge along the street near the Shell Station (all you people from The Dena will recognize this spot).

There was Father Brian with 2 altar boys offering mass. No one else was there. They were in the middle of mass and I said to John are we too late in the mass to go and still get "credit" for it? Of course John knew everything about the church because he went to seminary. He said in a very official knowledgeable voice ' No according to the church rules (but he used another big word for it) we are able to attend and still be able to get credit for it). But he couldn't find a place to park is large truck.

He tried to get into one spot and hit a little yellow car so he left that spot. We had to park blocks away and run to Mass. Of course when we got there mass was over and we were very disappointed.

I was so upset I woke up and it was after 9 am which is when I generally go to Mass on Sunday morning leaving me to go to a later Mass. How weird is that?


--------------------ACEO "Before the Blessed Sacrament" Not for Sale - Painted for my beautiful daughter.

Chocolate Quesidilla Yumm

I'm not such a good cook so I'm always looking for recipes that are easy like no cook or minimum ingredients or just plan simple. Of course I just LOVE chocolate and I came across this cook recipe.

It would look great cut up in pieces and served on my tidbit tray available on Etsy. The tray is handpainted kiln fired porcelain so it's dishwasher safe & microwave safe. I would however take off the handle which just screws in before microwaving or putting in the dishwasher. Anyway if you are interested in the tray just click the picture and it willl take you to the link.

Chocolate Quesadilla

July 28, 2007 by Tracie on http://icrochet.wordpress.com

This recipe serves one, but make several if you want to share with others.

1 – fajita-size flour tortilla, either wheat or white
1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
sugar & ground cinnamon, mixed
powdered sugar

To cook, place the tortilla on a flat skillet sprayed lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Leave just long enough to get warm, then flip over. On one half of the tortilla, pour the chocolate chips (add more if you want more–there’s no such thing as too much chocolate!), and sprinkle with a good heaping of sugar and cinnamon to your own liking. Fold over the empty half of the tortilla, press with a spatula, then flip and press again. Remove from heat when the chips are melted. Cut into four triangles, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and enjoy!

Health Care

Here's a link to the actual Health Care bill in Congress and an analysis by a lawyer from FLorida of some of the major points. You can look them up page by page. I did. He makes some twitty comments-disregard & use your own judgement.

Here's the link actual bill from the congress website so you can check his notes
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090714/aahca.pdf

Some stuff doesn't bother me but I think it's interesting that Cancer Hospitals like the Cancer Treatment Centers of American will be scrutinized as to whether their care is "cost effective" compared to other hospitals. I'd like to think if I had cancer I could do everything humanly possible to live. Oye vey! So read away.....it's been an interesting & eye opening exercise in some cases for me! Joann

Obama Health Care Plan Details

HR 3200 currently under consideration in the House of Representatives

Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Government will audit the books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure! !

Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC Bill - YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!

Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC Bill - THERE WILL BE A GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get

Pg 42 of HC Bill - The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your benefits for you. You have no choice!

Pg 50 Section 152 in HC Bill - HC will be provided to ALL non-U.S. citizens, illegal or otherwise

Pg 58 HC Bill – Government will have real-time access to individual’s finances and a National ID Health Care Card will be issued!

Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Government will have direct access to your banks accounts for electronic funds transfer.

(NOTE FROM RJ-This really does mean they can take your money at any time. Who will have this authority?—a government bureaucrat.)

Pg 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in unions and community organizations (ACORN).

Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Government is creating a Health Care Exchange to bring private health care plans under government control.

Pg 84 Sec 203 HC Bill - Government mandates ALL benefit packages for private health care plans in the Exchange

Pg 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs for of Benefit Levels for Plans = The government will ration your health care!

=0 A Pg 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Government mandates linguistic appropriate services.

Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The government will use groups i.e., ACORN & AmeriCorps to sign up individuals for government Health Care Plan

Pg 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of Ben Levels 4 Plans. #AARP members - Your health care WILL be rationed

Pg 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Individual will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice.

Pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue the government on price fixing. No “judicial review” against government monopoly.

Pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/ #AMA - The government will tell YOU what you can make.

Pg 145 Line 15-17 An employer MUST auto enroll employees into public opt plan. NO CHOICE

Pg 146 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for health care for part-time employees AND their families.

Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer w/ payroll 400k and above who does not prov. pub opt. pays 8% tax on all payroll

Pg 150 Lines 9-13 Businesses with payroll between 251k and 400k who do not provide public opt pays 2-6% tax on all payroll

Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesn’t have acceptable health care according to government will be taxed 2.5% of income.

Pg 170 Lines 1-3 Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes (Americans will pay).

Pg 195 Officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans' financial and personal records.

Pg 203 Line 14-15 HC - “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax.” Yes, it says that.

Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Government will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected.

Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors, it does not matter what specialty you have, you’ll all be paid the same.

Pg 253 Line 10-18 Government=2 0sets value of doctors' time, prof judg, etc. Literally value of humans.

Pg 265 Sec 1131Government mandates and controls productivity for private health care industries.

Pg 268 Sec 1141 Federal Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven wheelchairs.

Pg 272 SEC. 1145. Treatment of certain cancer hospitals – Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!

(RJ-NOTE: Much cancer treatment will not work unless implemented early, but the waiting time just to see a specialist will likely be months when this plan is implemented. As you can see in this bill, the option of the health care bureaucrat is to deny treatment to those they deem not likely to be helped by it. Watch the cancer death rate skyrocket.)

Page 280 Sec 1151 The government will penalize hospitals for what government deems preventable readmissions. (Incentives for hospital to not treat and release.)

Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Doctors that treat a patient during initial admission that results in a readmission-Government will penalize you.

Pg 317 L 13-20 PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Government tells Doctors what/how much they can own.

Pg 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Government is mandating hospitals cannot expand.

pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have opportunity to apply for exception, BUT community input required.

Pg335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Government mandates establis hment of outcome based measures. Health Care the way they want. Rationing.

Pg 341 Lines 3-9 Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans (Part B), HMOs, etc. Forcing people into Government plan.

Pg 354 Sec 1177 - Government will RESTRICT enrollment of special needs people!

Pg 379 Sec 1191 Government creates more bureaucracy – Tele-health Advisory Committee. Health care by phone/Internet?

Pg 425 Lines 4-12 Government mandates Advance [Death] Care Planning Consult. Think Senior Citizens end of life.

Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney. Mandatory!

Pg 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Government provides approved list of end of life resources, guiding you in death.

Pg 427 Lines 15-24 Government mandates program for orders for end of life. The government has a say in how your life ends.

Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An “adv. care planning consult” will be used frequently as patient's health deteriorates.

Pg 429 Lines 10-12 “adv. care consultation” may include an ORDER for end of life plans. AN ORDER from Government.

Pg 429 Lines 13-25 - The government will specify which doctors can write an end of life order.

PG 430 Lines 11-15 The government will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life.

Mathew D. Staver*
Founder and Chairman Dean and Professor of Law
Liberty Counsel Liberty University School of Law
Offices in Florida, Virginia and the District of Columbia, Lynchburg, Virginia
(800) 671-1776 - Telephone (434) 592-5300 - Telephone
www.LC.org
www.law.liberty.edu

*Licensed in Florida and the District of Columbia

Guardian Angels

So I was looking at my things in my Etsy shop this morning thinking what can I promote and all of a sudden I saw the angel ornament and this prayer came to me. It's one that I learned as a child:

Guardian Angel Prayer-

Angel of God, my Guardian Dear. To whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side to light and guard and rule and guide. Amen

Guardian Angels. We all have one. At least that is what I believe.  Do you send your angel off on missions? I do every time my kids go someplace and I'm home safe and sound, I say, "Guardian Angel go take care of Joe or Jackie and keep them safe."  He's always on the run.  Have you ever felt the prescense of your angel? I have many times but here's a story for you.

I remember one time when I was driving on a foggy morning across a very busy highway (Route 100 at Magothy Bridge for those of you in the Dena). I was at a light and it changed green. I generally don't drive fast. I usually accelerate slowly from a light but that morning something/someone pressed the gas pedal to the floor and I flew across the double laned highway. As I just got through safely, a huge Mack truck flew through what was for him a red light. He evidentally didn't see it in the thick fog. Had I been going my usual speed I'd have been dead.

I pulled over to the side of the road. My knees where shaking. He pulled over on the highway and I'm sure he felt the same way.  I know I didn't push that pedal down. Who did? I"m sure it was my guardian angel who has been with me all my life. He's taken care of me many times but this was the most obvious.  So to my Guardian Angel, "Thank you for everything you've done for me. For keeping me safe. For going out to protect my children when I ask. For carrying my prayers and praises from my heart up to God for me. And when my time on this Earth comes to an end, for helping me to find my way to heaven."

 

The ornament is available on Etsy.com  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27413409

 

 

 

 

Christmas in July

It's only 6 months away and I don't know about you but I start early with my Christmas shopping. Primarily because I hate going to the malls when it's so crowded but also because the later you wait the more things are picked over and you don't get exactly what you want. All the good stuff is gone early. 

Figuring that there are others like me who shop early I decided I'd run a Christmas in July sale in my Etsy shop. So this month, until July 31 I have 20% off all my handpainted PORCELAIN.  If you decide you want something before you put it in the shopping card, message me through Etsy and I will readjust the price of the porcelain on the item and move it into a section called Reserved for Customer where you can easily find it and purchase it.

Hospital Humor-I Needed This!

So yesterday, I'm at the University of Maryland Medical Center hospital with my Mom and there are two younger very hispanic looking men in there too. We walk in. They look at us. Mom says "7 Please." The one near the buttons looks at us like he didn't get what she said.

I say in Spanish, "Siete Por Favor". Looks at me and smiles. He pushes 7. I say "Gracias". Then I turn to Mom and say, "Well, that's the extent of my Spanish." The doors open. He turns laughing and says in perfect English, "Bye have a nice day."

It was like a bad sit-com but everytime I think of it I chuckle......they say laughter is the best medicine...I could use a good dose with all this going on.

ICU and a Surreal Moment in Time

This morning I was reflecting on the past 4 days at the Hospital ICU. There was one particular moment that will be forever etched in my mind and heart. At one point we were in the waiting room just talking.

There were a number of people in there. One group of people had been asked by hospital staff to come outside the room. The 3 ladies returned. One lady collapsed sobbing and uttering sounds of such pain that it tore through my heart and soul.

At that very moment the TV behind me was on and the sound of "Ave Maria" filled the waiting room. The other 2 women were holding that woman in their arms. One was praying, "Dear Jesus, hold her in your arms and give her comfort........."

It was the most moving moment I've ever experienced in my life. I said to Jackie and Jay, we need to leave and give them privacy and with that everyone in the waiting room did the same. Everyone leaving that room was in tears and at that one moment as we passed each other and looked into each others eyes, we were all drawn together feeling like one family in Christ...feeling the same pain...black or white, old or young, man or woman.

Death By Chocolate

You know I always kid and say, "Give me Chocolate or give me death". This morning I was going through the news online and came across this article. It's so sad.  I might have to rethink my quote.

Factory Worker Dies After Falling Into Vat of Chocolate    Wednesday, July 08, 2009 
 

A 22-year-old factory worker died Wednesday after he fell into a vat of boiling chocolate at a manufacturing plant in New Jersey, police said.

The Camden County prosecutor's office identified the victim as Vincent Smith II. He was a temporary worker at the Cocoa Services Inc. plant.

Smith had been in the melting pot for about 10 minutes by the time rescue crews arrived, MyFOXPhilly.com reported.

Prosecutor's spokesman Jason Laughlin says a co-worker tried to shut off the machine and two others tried to pull Smith out of the 8-foot-deep vat. He was hit and fatally injured by the agitator that mixes the chocolate.

By the time he was pulled out of the tank just after 11 a.m., he was already dead.

The plant is owned by Lyons and Sons.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was called in to investigate, MyFOXPhilly.com reported

Reflection on Life

It's been a strange week.  Three people I know lost family this week. Three celebrities lost their life this week. So I was thinking about life.  It's so fragile and we don't know how long we will be here or how long the people we love will be here.  This reminds me that every minute of every day is precious with our friends and family.  Remember to cherish those seemingly unimportant moments of life because each of those moments is precious.

You can't go back in time and spend more quality time with your loved ones. After someone leaves this earth it's impossible to say I'm sorry or I love you.  So do those things today. Say I'm sorry. Leave the grudges behind. Say I love you. Hug a little tighter. Make that kiss last a little longer.  Time is short.

 

Birds & DAWGs

 

Did you wonder what birds & dawgs have in common? Its raining and dreary and there are no birds singing this morning so I figured, I'd just find myself some! LOL...these pieces of art are by members of my Team on Etsy called, "Designing Artists Women's Group" or DAWG Team...I hope you enjoy them and maybe you'll even here their bird calls! :)

 

An ACEO by Carol Megivern...Entitled "Rose-Breasted Grosbeak". The link to the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9533870

Here's an ACEO by Myrna Migala or Thanks4Lookin on Etsy. The link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20892601 Entitled: TITLE: "Owl Love Too"

 

This is a larger piece of art by Brenda Thour. It's an original 8 x 10 oil painting.  She's known as Luvs2paint on Etsy.  The link to the piece is:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10085867

 

 

A cute ACEO from Lisa Parker or LisaKGallery on Etsy.  It's a hummingbird at a feeder. And here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10337809

 

The next one is another miniature ACEO by Marlene Hawkins aka. Lazyhawk on Etsy. It's a Common Eider Duck.  The listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22053802

 

Another hummingbird ACEO. This one is BackroomTreasures on Etsy or Judy OHara.  The link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=13065740

 

And last but not least MINE!  JYWheeler on Etsy. This is a crazy ACEO watercolor called, "You Call ME Chicken?" Here's the listing:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=10034449

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Painting is Like Eatting A Box of Chocolate

Lately I've been painting porcelain like a crazy person. For me, it's like eating chocolate. You can't eat one piece you end up eatting the whole box (well atleast I do). So I have been painting one thing after another. I've painted so much I've had a hard time getting it all up on my website.

I bought some lusters and I have been trying somethings with that...more to come on that later. Another topic for another blog.

This photo is one of a footed dresser box that I have on Etsy. It's one of my favorite new pieces. It's painted with the image of a beautiful woman, surrounded in a green background & by 24 kt. hand applied gold details. The bottom of the box is tamped with the same green color. It's 4 inches round...wonderful box for earrings, rings or whatever little things you have on your dresser.

Click here for the link to this piece of porcelain.