"What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God." ~Eleanor Powell
Today my oldest grandson attended his Senior Ball. A little more than five years ago we didn't know if he was going to live or die. He was dying of a disease that destroyed his liver. Miracle of miracles, he was given a liver transplant and survived the operation, and got better and better, day by day. He spent a lot of time in the hospital before and after the transplant, but the operation was certainly worth it.
He was given the gift of life by a stranger. It was this last thing this stranger did on Earth. So, it was an amazing gift. After that, my wife and I signed up to be organ donors. It's a worthy cause. You should consider doing it if you are not already signed up as donor. Perhaps, you can help a young man or woman make it to their Senior Ball. What a blessing that would be!
My grandson has a wonderful, loving personality. I am sure he will make the Earth a better place as an adult. He is already doing that by working part-time in an animal hospital. He's giving back on a regular schedule. It might become his career.
He's using his gift of life, which he has been given twice, to give back to God four-legged creatures. And I am very proud of him.
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Not to make anyone jealous or anything, but i'm about to go on a trip again!
Flying out to Amsterdam later today to visit friends and family!
Well, i'm saying i'm flying out because up till now that is what Delta Airlines is telling me. There was a huge vulcano explosion in Iceland and now a lot of flights to and from Amsterdam airport have been cancelled. Later today everything will be cancelled! My 'luck' is that i am scheduled to arrive early tomorrow morning.
I don't think i will be blogging over the next two weeks, but i will send out tweets every now and again, whenever i have the change.
Keep your fingers crossed for me that i will be able to fly and get there safely!
I have travelled a lot in my life but i have never flew through a cloud of vulcanic ashes.
I'm off on my dream trip to Tokyo!
Not bringing a laptop and not sure if i'll have access to a computer and internet, so i'll be back here when i return to NY! Hope you all will be here to welcome me back and read about my Japanese Adventures.
Very excited!
Part of an applique design that appeared in my book 100 applique motifs.
For years and years i've been wanting to travel to Japan. I have said many times to my husband, who is a musician, that if he ever had to go to Tokyo, i would go with him! He then just smiled and said yes dear. Since there was no indication that a trip like that was on the horizon.
Until a little while back. He started working with a Japanese producer, got released on a compilation EP, asked to do some more work, and now invited to come over to perform! Whoohoo! I knew it would happen some day!!
My dream is coming true, we are flying to Japan at the end of this month!
Since it's been my dream for so long, i already know about a lot of places that i want to visit, a lot of shops i want to go to, i even already know what trains to take! I'll be arriving prepared!
The flight from NY to Tokyo will be a whopping 14,5 hours so i'm definitely bringing something to craft on to pass the time. What is a better inflight craft? Crochet or embroidery? (can you even bring embroidery needles on a plane nowadays?) Any suggestions?
I think that’s a wild and crazy picture of Hillary, and I figured it was a good way to get your attention. I always loved the quote, “Our eyes are windows to our soul.” I heard that many moons ago, yet I think about it a lot as watch people come and go daily in my life. I am highly attracted to people who have a passion in their eyes that declare, “I love the work that I do! Just watch me do my thing!” Of course, I love observing them.
I was worried about my cataract surgery last night, and I had to be at the Surgery Center at 6:30 a.m., which is long before I usually jump out of bed in the morning. And what was I doing with my valuable time? I was watching Charlie Rose interview Morgan Freeman. It was a very gentle, relaxing, and honest interview. Tears could be seen rolling around in Morgan’s eyes, and perhaps, Charlie’s. Both men have deep respect for one another and their talents. Both men admitted that they could have been better family men had they give more time to the role. But they sought happiness through perfecting their talents in the media with total determination. Both were happy with the way their lives have unfolded.
But Morgan said that he is trying to do better as a father now.
Morgan shared a poem that meant a great deal to him that learned in his youth and is a pivotal part of his latest movie. Can you imagine that?—poetry being important in the mainstream? The movie? The movie is Invictus, starring Morgan as Nelson Mandela, who rallies South Aftrica’s underdog rugby team as they strive to do the impossible: win the 1995 World Cup Championship match. The movie is named after a poem. Can you believe that?
Charlie said at the end that there’s always a great story if you can get someone to talk about why they leap out of bed in the morning.
In the morning, I leapt out of bed, even though I had a significantly less amount of sleep than usual, a
I don't think i have ever been more ready to start a New Year. All though i am amazed that life brought us to the year 2010 already. Life gave me some tough times over the past year, but things seem to be turning around for me. Plus i will not, won't let the bad times overshadow the good. There were many good times in 2009. And i am planning to have many more in 2010!
I thank everyone for sharing in my adventures and let's make 20-10 one to never forget! Wishing all a loving and safe new years celebration! Watch out for the fireworks and be happy!
Some of you might have already noticed it by a couple of hystericalhappy tweets, but i have received some great news!
I'm overjoyed. The official letter from the immigration service came in. And the first word said it all: "Congratulations!" Whoohoo! I will get my green card back and will be able to stay in NY with my Love!
No more worries. All ends well. I'm so happy, i don't know how to describe it. I am instantly more relaxed. I can start planning for 2010 again. (did anyone say Tokyo and Amsterdam?)
I have now read the letter multiple times. Just to be sure it is real. Plus i was looking if there was an apology anywhere for making me worry so much. Or something like "We were wrong, you were honest". But nah, nothing. I won't make a point of it. The congratulations will do just fine. lol
Now only get 100% physically better again and my life can really get back to normal. My hip is healing, but there is still daily pain. My MRI got postponed twice, but is now scheduled for next Monday. If the outcome is good i can start physical therapy to learn how to walk normally again. I still look somewhat like a slow penguin when i walk now. But i know this is temporary and will one day be a memory.
I'm definitely looking forward to the future again. And wishing all of you a lot of positivity and blessings too!
This is the first year that i've been cooking a Thanksgiving meal. I didn't grow up with celebrating Thanksgiving, but i have been at 2 thanksgiving dinners before, plus what i've seen in movies and on Food Network, i whipped up a storm in the kitchen today!
Cranberry Sauce, Cornbread, Coleslaw (two batches!), Stuffing, Peach Cobbler (only thing that didn't came out right), Potato Salad, Sweet Potato Casserole (ala Boston Market with marshmallows!), Gravy, and Mac & Cheese. And since hubby doesn't eat Turkey, i made Fried Chicken.
Everything from scratch! Oh, i'm lying, the cornbread came from a package, had to add some ingredients though.
We will be eating for days!
All though we've been going through some hard times lately, today we are relaxing and giving thanks.
In between cooking i've been watching old Gene Kelly Fred Astaire movies. Oh i love today!
The Thank You card design with this post is the setup for a bunch of postcards i will have printed and send to all those who have helped us with convincing the immigration service that Love and I are really a loving couple. So many people came trough and wrote letters for us. I am very grateful.
I don't know what the future will bring, but i think i have had my share of bad luck for a while. Better times must be ahead!
Thank you. Everyone. Online and Offline. For all your love and support.
I'm a bit disappointed. Life keeps testing me. Yesterday i went to see the Orthopedic Doctor for my hip and back. It's now 3 weeks after the accident and all though i see progress i still have pain. I was so happy last weekend that i could walk a bit better and even was able to go out without my walking cane! But then the doctor tells me he doesn't want me walking until i have a MRI scan done. I understand it, but i'm not happy about it. Crutches? Yes. But so not me.
Guess i don't have a choice here. I will be back resting again. And i will need a lot of physical therapy to learn to walk right again. But i expected that.
Thus not a lot of thrifting and flea market visits for me in the near future. I was so planning to stock up the shop with new vintage finds! I have a couple of items to list still and a box of vintage magazines and children's books.
Today i went out (yes doctor i know you told me not to) to get some new yarns and other craft supplies. What does a girl need when she is faced with more time inside? Craft goodies of course!
I'm planning to crochet a big round throw to put on our couch and there are some smaller Christmas craft projects that i want to do and write tutorials for.
Yesterday i also sent out all additional paperwork to the immigration services. Now it's out of my hands again. Praying that i will receive good news soon. I'm scared, but cannot let the thought in that it will end otherwise.
I'm staying strong, keeping my head up and staying focussed. Better times will come again.
Thanks for all the support so far. I really really appreciate all the messages and comments!
Special thanks to the sweet Maartje from Mamutopia for sending me the most adorable Hema Care Package! Love it!
I'm still recovering from the accident. I now can move around the apartment a bit with my cane, but no way i can get outside yet. Can sit up for like 15 minutes before my hip protests. Even though i am still hurting, at least i see there is progress. I will get better. Thank you all so much for the well wishes. My hubby read them all to me and they really gave me some needed support.
So what's happening now? Well if you have been following my blog for a while now you will know that me and my husband we're in a 7+ year long distance relationship before we got to the point of getting married and filing for my visa to be able to finally be together here in NY. It was a long road to travel, but being here now makes it worth it. The last i told you all about was that i had to apply for a renewal of my greencard since we hadn't been married for over 2 years before i moved here. Again that process asked a lot of us, sending in proof that we are actually a loving married couple living together. We sent in everything we had, utility bills, our apartment lease, photographs, affidavits of people that know us, joint health insurance, joint tax returns, everything. It's a humbling experience, but if that is what it takes, we'll do it. We know we're legit so what could happen right?
Well, wrong. Yesterday i got a letter from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The evidence submitted with your form is insufficient. ... The evidence you submitted with your petition does not establish that you and your spouse have entered into a legitimate marital relationship. ... may result in the termination of your conditional resident status and your possible removal from the United States.
This is not my week. I can still not believe it. It's one of those things. We try to do everything the right way. We work hard to make a living, we try not to bother anyone, we do everything the system asks of us, and they just tell us they don't believe us.
Again they have sent the list of documents they think would prove a loving marital relationship. We've been through that list and everything we had we have sent.
Sorry that we weren't lucky enough to have already conceived a baby together.
Sorry we are not rich enough to own a house and have a mortgage. Or own a car, vacation home or time share.
Sorry we don't have any debts and thus loan papers to show.
So what's next? After the sadness, frustration and anger its now on to more action. I have already printed out all the blogposts i have written throughout the years about our process, about our love. The interview my husband did for the Heart Handmade blog as part of the Other Half series. We will send them even more photographs of the two of us together. I will send them a copy of my book where there is a special note to thank my loving husband, we will ask everybody that know us for a affidavit letter testifying that they know us and know our love is real. How many people didn't tell us over the years that because of seeing us together they believe in true love again? Apparently the CIS doesn't feel that.
I will step over any pride i may have left and ask for help.
The US government doesn't believe us? We will have to make them believe. They have never met us, didn't come by on an unannounced visit, didn't do an interview, just went through our paperwork and decided they think we are not legitimate.
I woke up this morning thinking for a split second this whole week was a bad dream. Until i felt the burning pain in my hip and saw the blue letter laying on my desk.
We need to be strong now and get this done. We are for real. We are.
Now only to convince the system of that.
If you follow me on twitter, you might found out already. The title of this post is not cryptic nor meant to be funny. I was really hit by a car while crossing the street yesterday.
The car that hit me was speeding and ran a red light. There was nothing i could do except yelling No No No NO until i was on the hood of the car and fell to the ground when the car came to a stop. Everything went real quick and i was very scared. Out of nowhere there were all these people around me i saw some making phonecalls (later i found out 911 got a LOT of calls for me, thank you unknown people for doing that!) There was this nice nurse that happened to see me and she kneeled down beside me and started talking to me, helped me call my husband and she stayed with me until more help arrived. I remember seeing the lady that drove the car, but she didnt speak to me. I don't know what happened to her. I don't know if she stayed until the cops came, i don't know what she told them what happened. I do know i heard sirens real quick, i was told it was a firetruck but i could see it. Then there were all these firefighters surrounding me, taking over. Putting me onto one of those hard boards, strapping my neck and taping my head to the board. They asked me a lot of questions. I don't even remember what exactly. I was so embarrassed being on the road like that. I do remember i kept saying it wasn't that bad, that i just wanted to get out of the street. But since i was pretty far away from the crossing they had to strap me like that. Than i felt someone cutting my pants open and i freaked. No i didn't care about the pants, but i was already so embarrassed. I didn't want to be there on the ground in the rain exposed like that. So i started yelling at the firefighters. Really. Freaking out. (i apologized later) My left hip was hurting like hell but i could still move my right leg, so i crossed my right leg tightly over the left so that man that was cutting couldn't proceed. Yes i understand, they need to do that. They need to check if i was bleeding. But i wasn't. I told them. I said have some compassion. If it was your mother or sister laying here, you wouldn't want her to be exposed like that. Please do it somewhere inside or when the ambulance gets here. Please. So the only thing they could do was strap my legs as they were, crossed. At that point the ambulance got there and those two men were really kind to me. But i was so scared being lift up and put in the ambulance. You know, you really have no say in what happens when you get in an accident. People just take over your life at that point. They took my heart rate which was crazy high. Someone else entered the ambulance at that point. With my head strapped to the board i couldn't see nothing that wasn't right above my face. I was told it was a cop for my statement. As good as i could i told him what happened. I really needed to calm down. I was so scared and felt very alone. Especially realizing all my family is living on the other side of the globe. Plus my parents happen to be on vacation in Portugal somewhere. I was relieved when we started driving, at the emergency room it wasn't long before my husband arrived. Oh how great it feels to see your Love at a time like that.
I wasn't so scared anymore.
So i went through the motions of checkups and got xrays taken and was told nothing was broken. It was an experience i wish i hadn't experienced, but i know i am very blessed to come out of it just heavily bruised up and with a sprained hip. The hospital gave me a cane, but i can't say it help a lot with walking. It hurts! So i'm on painkillers and need to lay down for a couple of days to let it heal.
It took me like almost 15 minutes to get from the bed to the computer, so i doubt i will be online a lot until i feel better.
I met a lot of caring people yesterday and i came across some very annoying people. Nevertheless i am so thankfull to be here. To be healing. It could have been way worse.
Pfew... sometimes life just catches up to you. I took care of things and am ready to get back to work full steam ahead!
It's October already. Oh my. Time flies. 3 months left to this year. Only 84 days till Christmas. I think i will put up our tree early this year. I got such lovely vintage ornaments, can't wait!
Oh yes, i am sorry to say that due to my offline 'adventures', i missed my blogiversary! When i started i didn't know how long this would last, how long i would be able to keep it up, now it has already been four years!
Four fun years. Its so amazing how this blog made connections happen that otherwise would not have. It has been an outlet for me to show my crafts, my collections, my thoughts and feelings when i was moving from Amsterdam to NY.
I love all my visitors, the ones that only read my stories and the ones that leave me comments. I love the ones that have been with me from the beginning, and the ones that just recently found my little place on the net.
I don't think i would have lasted so long without all your feedback! Thank you so much.
On this note, my loving hubby has just started a blog, taking his first steps. He is a great songwriter and maybe that makes it only logical that he is a great story writer too. He does this daily talk thing, sharing poetry, sharing his thoughts on music, life and new york. I have put a statcounter on his site and now he has discovered that he can check how many visitors he got every day. Not that many yet since he just started out. So do me a favor, click on this link and check out his blog, it would make him very happy. And seeing his happy face makes me happy. Oh, hope you don't mind a little slang, he writes as he talks.
I'm out for now, prepping a lot of new exciting things.
Lets make the end of this year count!
Just a quick note to let you all know i will be Missing In Action for a little bit. Got to take care of some urgent things in my offline life that require time and attention. Don't worry, i'm handling things. I will keep my shop going allthough i doubt that new items will be listed over the next couple of days. I will try to answer emails as soon as i can, but maybe not as soon as i normally do. My apologies.
I hope to be back in full force real soon (hopefully a couple of days, maybe a week or so), i miss you all allready.
I don't like to get up at 6 in the morning
i don't like to run to catch the bus
i don't like to travel during morning commute
i don't like to stand in line after line after waiting area after line
i don't like to get fingerprinted
can i get an amen?
But i did do it all this morning. Plus i got whistled at at by the Hispanic day workers standing at the corner, waiting for work.
If you are now eagerly reading in hopes of finding out an amazing adventure involving me, the law and a tiger, i will have to disappoint.
Recently i had to apply for a renewal of my green card. Quick update in the mix: due to a huge backlog in processing applications, i now have a temporary card (or letter) to replace my previous temporary card until i get my new not temporary card. Logical right?
Anyway, now i was summoned to go to the immigrations office today to get my fingerprints taken.
Totally unnecessary i would say. Since the US immigration service already has my prints from when i entered the states for the first time officially with my card. They printed me. Oh and they again took a picture of me. They already have like 4 on file plus the copies of my picture id's. But hey, they wanted another picture. Go ahead. You only charge me 80 dollar. What if i was a model? Wouldn't they supposed to be paying me to take my photo? Ha.
No i'm not sour. I'm just doing what needs to be done to get where i want to be.
By the way, photo above is not from the official fingerprinting session. I officially state there was no cute stationary nor pink ink involved what so ever. Serious business people, serious business. *smile*
And yes. I need to get my nails done. I know. i will.
Not much to say, except turning 33 on the 3rd. Who? Me!
Happy Birthday to me! ;)
No pictures of presents (yet), looking forward to spending birthday budget this Saturday at the Renegade Craft Fair! Whoohoo!
Anyone else is going to be there? I'll be the one walking around with a birthday hat on ;)
Image from one of the vintage postcards in my collection
Random things of the day:
* Got a great deal on this adorable Korean vintage doll. I love her. Wish i had a whole collection. Then again, maybe she is the start of a collection?
* My parents are visiting new york. Hadn't seen them in almost a year. So we're having fun.
* I'm working on a design for an IGoogle theme. Hold on, soon you can add your own ismoyo theme to your igoogle pages!
* Added a left column to my blog. If this is annoying or messing up pages, let me know!
* I got a lot of great vintage items and some Japanese craft books that i'm photographing to put up in my etsy shop.
* And there are a couple of new vintage image magnet sets waiting to be listed.
* In need of some 5x8 poly zip bags. Wasn't paying attention and bought 4x7's the other day.
* Confession: i dropped my metrocard in the toilet the other day. (before peeing!) it still works. ;)
Hi everyone. Hope you are having as much fun as i am! I have a friend staying with us from Amsterdam, so i'm spending a bit more time offline than online. I am getting a little bit of work done in between having fun at home and playing in the city. There are some extra vintage items that are waiting to be photographed and listed in my shop, the large cute pillow is about to have two friends, i am working on some small design projects (anyone uses igoogle?) and the re-design of my blog and site is just waiting to be finished.
I really didn't expect it anymore, but i think my
last (sad) blogpost about Suki did the trick: She's back! I'm so very happy she found her way home in the end. It took her much longer and she stayed in fewer places than planned, but she did travel the world, even made a stop in South Africa! I am very grateful to all who gave her a place to stay on her journey and took her lovingly along on their adventures. I LOVED reading all the stories in her little passport. And one of her hosts even made her a cute sleeping bag. I think i recognize
Jonah's sewingskills, but i'm not sure since there wasn't a note about it. Thank you all!
The same day that i found Suki in my PO box, i also found a sweet surprise from Rima over at
Willy Nilly Waterlilly! A supercute set of
Japanese bookmarks i won in a recent giveaway. I adore! I'm planning a trip to the bookstore to find the perfect book to use them on!
One who shares my love for the Dutch department store "
Hema" is Tizz from
Tizzalicious. When i moved from Amsterdam to NY i didn't expect i would miss that store so much. Tizz understands. She was the sweetest when, on a recent trip, she picked up a couple of cute and pretty designed goodies for me. I so appreciate it!
Another thing i feel i need to address is that i haven't been blogging too much recently. I don't know why this is. No special reason. I lost the routine of doing it. I think about it daily. I am busy but not too busy to write a quick post sharing the creativity. Maybe it's a normal thing, i've been blogging since 2005 and it only makes sense that you go through phases. I'm definitely planning on getting back into the groove of daily blogging. Maybe i should schedule some posts ahead when i have the time and inspiration to write, or give myself a special time in every day to post. I just wanted to share these thoughts, maybe you have some insight, and to let you know all is well with me, no special reasons that i blog less frequently. I promise to do better again!
*crossing my fingers* I hope you will have a safe flight. Have fun visiting your loved ones and shopping in Amsterdam on Koninginnedag! ;)
Oh, I feel a bit sad for you, as I knew how much you looked forward to go to Amsterdam again :( But I'm sure you can travel soon, I'll keep my fingers crossed! And maybe the weather here will be a bit nicer by then ;)
Thats so disappointing. I hope Delta gets their act together.