a new week, a fresh start attitude

If you bought a paper pack through etsy, look for an envelope like this. (I am trying to make more for all that are upset about how quickly they go. Need to work on some good ol' fashioned art first though.) I've received some questions about the pens used, so I thought I'd answer them for all here... the blue pen is a Chartpak AD marker, the mustard and pink are Copic sketch pens and the olive green is a Marvy LePlume II. The light olive inside the olive letters is a Letraset Promarker. All can be found at a good art supply store, or online at dickblick.com. Thanks for the nice comments about the time put in, it's the fun part of shipping and handling for me!

Friday night we celebrated our son's birthday with special family friends. (The birthday boy is in front of big sis in the brown sweatshirt). The kids spent the entire time in the unheated pool even though it was actually very cold out- not the case in southern California today- hot hot hot. My friend Debbie, who's home we were at, had just returned from the hospital where she works as an OR nurse and had terrible news about a local family. There was a horrific accident on the freeway and the tragic outcome is that all three of their children (ages 2, 4, and 5) passed away. Needless to say, I am sick about it and have done nothing but pray for the parents, especially the mother who was in the car with them, all weekend. Dreamt about it all night, worried, and prayed some more. I thought that maybe you, if you are so inclined, could send loving thoughts and prayers their way too. I'm of the opinion that more prayers can do nothing but help. It sure does make you hug your loved ones tighter and appreciate the moments of life like the one captured above. It also makes my talking about wallpaper packs and envelopes seem rather unimportant. Thus, the post title reference to a fresh start attitude. Remembering what's really important, fresh perspective. Here's to a week where we all live savoring our blessings.

Comments

[Carola]

Oh well Pam wish I could watch out for such a cute bluebird envelope but I wonder if I'll ever get a chance to get one of your vintage wallpaper packs. When I looked sunday evening and night they were not yet listed and when I checked back first thing next morning they were all gone! Damn time difference I say!*sigh*

Happy belated b-day wishes to your son! Carol xox

[Carola]

Oh my I've just finished reading your post and that accident is really horrible!:( The poor family! I sure send my prayers and will savour my blessings!

Gorgeous roses! Carol xox

[Maija]

I will join you in lifting that devastated family in prayer.

[Andrea S.]

You're so right. It's easy to get caught up in the not-so-important things. A heavy heart and prayers are with the family. Thanks for the gentle reminder of what really matters.

[kristin]

such a tragedy! sending thoughts and prayers as well

[Nancy]

Joining my prayers with yours and others!

[Lilli]

Oh what shocking devastation for that family! They will need all the support they can get from their friends, and from all of us who will be keeping them in our prayers.

And for those of us who haven't been living every precious moment with gratitude for all our blessings, it's a nudge for us to do so.

[Jeanne]

Thanks for sharing the info on the pens. We too have just experienced the death of two of the finest people in a tragic plane crash. I can completely relate to what you said about dreaming about it all night. I can't get it out of my mind either. But the arrival of your paper pack in the special envelope was a happy diversion. I will be sure to include your local family in my prayers.

[donnalayton]

Sort of puts everything into perspective doesn't it? I shall pray with you.

[liz elayne]

sending prayers their way. such sadness. thank you for the reminder to notice the blessings.

peace to you and yours...

[d]

well said pam. i too heard about this family on our local news. my heart aches for what the mother will go through. her life has been forever altered. if praying is all we can do, so be it. it can only help, not only her but ourselves as well.

[Chiara]

Hi Pam:
Happy Birthday to your son!!!!
My prayers to the family who lost those kids. I know that when I hear news like this I look at my daughter and family realize how lucky I am.

[Helle Greer]

Our family will join in with our prayers, if only there were more we could do.
So sad.
helle

[Vickie C]

I'm so sorry to hear about that family. Of course my prayers go to out them. Their lives will be altered in many ways. Ipray for there to be peace and understanding, that they can survive the devastation to their lives. Now I feel silly because I had popped over to say I was having a tiny give-away. It really does put things into perspective.

[Mary-Beth J.]

What a horrible tragedy! My thoughts and prayers are with the family. It's such a shame that we tend to lose sight of what's really important in life and even more so that it takes something like this to remind us.

[tracie Huskamp]

Pam THAT IS TERRIBLE.... I am so very sorry for this families loss. Thanks for sharing and I will keep them in my thoughts!!!!

[Shana]

I am so sorry for this dear family. Sending prayers their way.

[Jana]

I got my beautiful envelope yesterday and it brightened my day to find it in my mailbox!! I will definitely say a prayer for that family, I just can't even imagine.

[LindaSonia]

First things first - definitely sending thoughts and prayers.

Secondly, 'making more vintage packs' you say??? Yippity doo dah. I'll be hoping against hope that I am lucky enough to get one. Missed out the first go round! but I did see evidence of your envelopes on someone else's blog. How delightful!

[zUzU]

Pam
Your post sure changes the way I am looking at things this morning. I have long believed in living every day as if it were one of only a handful left ... But in the back of ones mind you don't want to think of it ever possibly being true.

My heart goes out with prayers along with others to the families that are touched by such tragedy. Your little bluebird is perfectly apropos to remind us all of not just what we have ... But what we could lose without warning.

A new week of HaPpY fresh start attitude is a wonderful idea. (and on a HaPpY note, I am watching for the mail truck!)

=^..^=zU

[suzi finer]

Sending love and prayers to you; I heard about the accident on the local news and was just sickened by the whole thing. Can't stop thinking about it either.
Hugs....
Suzi

[pam]

How chilling it must have been to hear that terrible news. Of course I'll pray for comfort for the parents who lost their young children and for the grandparents as well. I'll also hug my daughter extra tightly today, and give thanks to the Lord that He brought her safely home, without incident, from her first ever road trip (without a parent along) with her best friend. God does answer prayer!

[Risa {The ParTea Planner}]

Pam,
We live in south OC, and it took DH hours to get home that night on his commute. But it broke my heart to hear the news and the tears were plentiful. My little ones are 8,6 and 2 years old and I can't imagine the mother's pain. You are right that all the piddly things don't matter when things like this happen....I have been praying for the family and wish I could do something since I am local. I have been squeezing my kids a lot more lately. ~Risa

[Suzanne]

Greetings from Sydney, Australia....great roses, you must have a beautiful garden. Do they have a perfume? I've noticed you have included similar photos in the past and decided to send a comment this time.

Happy Fresh Starts from the land "down under".... :o)

[Karin (creativechaos)]

Pam.....I've been keeping up with the tragedy in the OC register ever since reading about it on your blog. I have been in tears the last two days and can't even talk about it with out breaking down. I travel to Los Angeles from San Diego ALL the time with my two boys. I can not tell you how many times I have been sitting in bumper to bumper right there at Oso/Crown Valley stretch on the 5. My heart hurts so bad for the family. I'm donating toward the memorial fund and praying for them everyday. There will never be a day that goes by that I don't appreciate my incredible fortune of having my children another day on this earth. Peace...Karin