 |
| Nellie from Nellie's Cozy Place |
Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger is a feature done each Saturday that introduces you to a blogger you may already know or a new blogger for you to get to know. This feature gives you a peak into the personal life of the blogger. Getting to know the special person behind the beautiful blog.
There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland so enjoy getting to know these talented bloggers each Saturday.
Good Saturday everyone. I would like to introduce you to Nellie that blogs over at Nellies Cozy Place. Nellies blog is about her creative talents, decor, she shares recipes and talks about her faith and family. So after you read Nellie's feature please hop over and say hello.
Hi.....my name is Nellie
and I blog over at Nellie's Cozy Place.
Have to say when Kris asked me to do a
post, it was such a sweet surprise and I was
just tickled pink, as I have always enjoyed
her blog and her special flair for decorating,
and the Saturday Spotlight post and too,
she is such a sweetie.
Where to start...hmmmm
Well, I am a Florida Girl, from the Sunshine
State, born and raised in the panhandle,
(living with my Mom and half brother, and
maternal grandmother) but spent summers
in the Florida Keys (visiting my Dad and step
families and my paternal grandparents)
and have lived in 5 Cities in Florida over
my life time.
I had a dream as a child to be a stay
at home Mom and to give my children
a stable home environment and all the
things I missed out on as a child from
a single parent home who's Mom had
to work all the time to support us, and
who only saw her Dad in the summer.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt
that my parents loved me, and did the
best they could, considering what they
went through as children themselves,
and my Mom did try to spend as much
time with us as she could when she was
off, but she worked shift work which
further complicated life, so my
parents were pretty much unavailable
to me for the most part due to the
situation, and even tho my maternal
grandmother lived with us to sort of
watch over us, she was not a happy
nor nurturing woman, to put it mildly,
but the Lord was good to sort of provided
me a 2nd Mom, by moving us right next to
a loving and faithful Christian family of five.
Mrs. Thomas was a stay a home Mom and
I saw a very loving christian life style lived
out before me daily, as I practically lived at
their home, and attended church with them
at the Methodist Church most Sundays.
My older brother and I were best friends
with 2 of their children. These dear and
loving people, had a profound impact on
my life, emotionally, spiritually, and
practically, as I watched them navigate
the loss of their husband and Father, and
then 5 years later the loss of their Son and
brother to a car accident, he was our friend,
and like a brother in many ways. I saw a
real picture of the hope and help that the
Lord and his people can bring to his people
at such a heartbreaking time.
I believe the Lord used Mrs. Thomas to
help instill that dream of being a stay
at home Mom in my heart, and that
family is the #1 reason I am a Christ
follower today.
When I was a Senior in High School I
moved to live with my Dad and step
family, and half way through that year,
right after I had broken up with the
fellow I had been dating at my Dad's
request...... my step-sister talked me
into going on a blind date with an old
friend of her hubbies, who had just
gotten out of the Air Force and I said
I would only go if they went too,
so... we went and that is how I met
my sweet hubby Jim, of 44+ years.
Much to my surprise, we met and
married in 1970. I was in no way
looking for a husband.........but I
knew a good guy when I saw him,
as he was different than any guy
I had ever met and our 3rd date
was to church and to meet his
family, and I fell head over heels
in love with him and knew I would
be a fool to pass him up............
to be an Airline Stewardess. lol
Which was my original plan!!
About a year after we married my hubby
got an opportunity to take a job in
Germany as a civilian, so we went and
lived there for almost a year, and it was
a wonderful experience for both of us,
but it was not a new experience for hubby
as the job was right in the same city, Air
base and shop where he previously had
served in the Air Force, just about 2 years
earlier................so that was quite helpful
in our new adventure as civilians living in
a foreign country. We really did enjoy
living and being a part of the culture there
so much and got to visit some other
countries as well. Luxembourg, France,
Holland, Belgium as well as other
places in Germany.
About a year or so after we returned
from Germany, hubby got another job
and we settled into South Florida
so that we could buy a home so we
could begin thinking about a family.
For our 7th Anniversary we had our
first child, a son named Scott. He was
born just 3 days before our Anniversary
and we actually brought him home on
Our DAY!
What a wonderful Anniversary Gift!
Hubby and Scott, he was about 5-6 yrs. old
and this began my career as a stay
at home MOM.
I had worked at a Finance Co,
as a pharmacy Asst., as a keypunch
operator, a dental asst, clerk typist
and was the first woman administrator
in the Company I worked for, before I
retired to be a full time MOM.
Have to say I liked every job I had, but
being a full time Mom, over time, I came
to understand it was truly my calling from
the Lord. I think there is no greater thing
than helping to shape the life of a child,
your own or even someone else's.
Over the years, I did take care of other
children who had working Mom's or who
were from single parent homes for lil or
no money. Took care of my niece and
nephew every summer after their parents
were divorced and they moved away,
and they would come and visit their Dad,
so they would stay with us in the daytime
while their Dad was at work. I have always
had a heart for hurting children, so I saw
all these things as opportunities to do
for them what the Thomas family
did for me................
For about 8 yrs.of the time in South
Florida hubby worked full time and
went to school part time to become
an Electrical Engineer. That was not
too bad until after we had our son, at
that point for me it was like being a
single parent, as I had no family around
and no help at all. So those were some
tough years for me, but knew it would
be worth the sacrifice in the long run.
Two and a half yrs. after our son was
born hubby finished his degree and
landed a new job, much to our glee,
it meant a move to the central Florida
area, because we did not think south Fl.
was a great place for raising children,
so we sort of moved to the country, not
really, but to a wooded neighborhood
but at least it seemed like it was the
country by comparison to where we
lived before.....lol
We moved here to the Central Florida
area and much to our great surprise
it was less expensive to build a new
home rather than a to buy a resale.
We never ever dreamed that would be
a possibility, but it was really the best
option.
So we were both beyond thrilled.
While our house was soon to be under
construction unbeknowst to us, so was
our marriage. Some bad patterns had
been set in those years of being so busy,
and desperately needed to change as our
marriage was in trouble, and had been,
but just thought it was all the busyness
and that it would clear up on it's own,
and when it didn't we came to a crisis
point. We were now at the 10 yr. mark,
and we were both already Christians
and knew we would go to heaven but
as ignorant as a stone as to what being
a Christian really meant, but we decided
that day, that we needed to get back in
church and get serious with God or we
were not gonna make it. Fortunately,
a lady who was in real estate invited me
to her church, just a few weeks prior to
our decision, so we decided to visit her
church. We went and have never left,
and we have been there 35 years now.
That real estate lady was certainly a
divine appt, (and later became a friend,
and just a few yrs. ago sold Dee and
Jerry there first home), as she lead us
to a really great bible believing and
teaching church.
Everything we know about the Lord
and his teachings we learned in this
church, and we took marriage classes,
and parenting classes and dug into
God's word, and Jesus totally changed
us, and changed our marriage and
family for the good, and still continues
to this day. In fact, for about the last
15 yrs or so we have taught marriage
classes, and it is one of our passions
as the Lord used marriage and family
classes to help us so much. We are
currently involved with the young
marrieds of our church along with
another older couple who have been
married over 30 years. Which has
worked out beautifully...........
We moved in our new home about 6
months after we started to attend
our new church and I still remember it
today as if it were yesterday.....we both
felt overwhelmed by God's goodness to us,
and we truly felt like we had moved into a
palace, so it was like a pinch me moment
for both of us. We actually moved in on
hubbies 33rd birthday, and we are still
here 35 Years later and still love it....
Just took this recently, originally the cedar (on the top
half of the house) was a dark Walnut brown, with the same
color garage and front door, both solid wood then, and a
light brown roof. I like it so much better with the blue
and almond color, and the red door.
About 3 years after we moved into our
new home we decided we wanted to have
another child, this time it was a lil girl
named DeeAnna, she arrived just a few
mos. shy of our 14th Anniversary, and
she too, has been such a wonderful Gift.
Hubby and DeeAnna, she was about 3-4 yrs. old
I have to say the Lord has blessed me
things I missed out on as a child from
a single parent home who's Mom had
to work all the time to support us, and
who only saw her Dad in the summer.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt
that my parents loved me, and did the
best they could, considering what they
went through as children themselves,
and my Mom did try to spend as much
time with us as she could when she was
off, but she worked shift work which
further complicated life, so my
parents were pretty much unavailable
to me for the most part due to the
situation, and even tho my maternal
grandmother lived with us to sort of
watch over us, she was not a happy
nor nurturing woman, to put it mildly,
but the Lord was good to sort of provided
me a 2nd Mom, by moving us right next to
a loving and faithful Christian family of five.
Mrs. Thomas was a stay a home Mom and
I saw a very loving christian life style lived
out before me daily, as I practically lived at
their home, and attended church with them
at the Methodist Church most Sundays.
My older brother and I were best friends
with 2 of their children. These dear and
loving people, had a profound impact on
my life, emotionally, spiritually, and
practically, as I watched them navigate
the loss of their husband and Father, and
then 5 years later the loss of their Son and
brother to a car accident, he was our friend,
and like a brother in many ways. I saw a
real picture of the hope and help that the
Lord and his people can bring to his people
at such a heartbreaking time.
I believe the Lord used Mrs. Thomas to
help instill that dream of being a stay
at home Mom in my heart, and that
family is the #1 reason I am a Christ
follower today.
When I was a Senior in High School I
moved to live with my Dad and step
family, and half way through that year,
right after I had broken up with the
fellow I had been dating at my Dad's
request...... my step-sister talked me
into going on a blind date with an old
friend of her hubbies, who had just
gotten out of the Air Force and I said
I would only go if they went too,
so... we went and that is how I met
my sweet hubby Jim, of 44+ years.
Much to my surprise, we met and
married in 1970. I was in no way
looking for a husband.........but I
knew a good guy when I saw him,
as he was different than any guy
I had ever met and our 3rd date
was to church and to meet his
family, and I fell head over heels
in love with him and knew I would
be a fool to pass him up............
to be an Airline Stewardess. lol
Which was my original plan!!
About a year after we married my hubby
got an opportunity to take a job in
Germany as a civilian, so we went and
lived there for almost a year, and it was
a wonderful experience for both of us,
but it was not a new experience for hubby
as the job was right in the same city, Air
base and shop where he previously had
served in the Air Force, just about 2 years
earlier................so that was quite helpful
in our new adventure as civilians living in
a foreign country. We really did enjoy
living and being a part of the culture there
so much and got to visit some other
countries as well. Luxembourg, France,
Holland, Belgium as well as other
places in Germany.
About a year or so after we returned
from Germany, hubby got another job
and we settled into South Florida
so that we could buy a home so we
could begin thinking about a family.
For our 7th Anniversary we had our
first child, a son named Scott. He was
born just 3 days before our Anniversary
and we actually brought him home on
Our DAY!
What a wonderful Anniversary Gift!
and this began my career as a stay
at home MOM.
I had worked at a Finance Co,
as a pharmacy Asst., as a keypunch
operator, a dental asst, clerk typist
and was the first woman administrator
in the Company I worked for, before I
retired to be a full time MOM.
Have to say I liked every job I had, but
being a full time Mom, over time, I came
to understand it was truly my calling from
the Lord. I think there is no greater thing
than helping to shape the life of a child,
your own or even someone else's.
Over the years, I did take care of other
children who had working Mom's or who
were from single parent homes for lil or
no money. Took care of my niece and
nephew every summer after their parents
were divorced and they moved away,
and they would come and visit their Dad,
so they would stay with us in the daytime
while their Dad was at work. I have always
had a heart for hurting children, so I saw
all these things as opportunities to do
for them what the Thomas family
did for me................
For about 8 yrs.of the time in South
Florida hubby worked full time and
went to school part time to become
an Electrical Engineer. That was not
too bad until after we had our son, at
that point for me it was like being a
single parent, as I had no family around
and no help at all. So those were some
tough years for me, but knew it would
be worth the sacrifice in the long run.
Two and a half yrs. after our son was
born hubby finished his degree and
landed a new job, much to our glee,
it meant a move to the central Florida
area, because we did not think south Fl.
was a great place for raising children,
so we sort of moved to the country, not
really, but to a wooded neighborhood
but at least it seemed like it was the
country by comparison to where we
lived before.....lol
We moved here to the Central Florida
area and much to our great surprise
it was less expensive to build a new
home rather than a to buy a resale.
We never ever dreamed that would be
a possibility, but it was really the best
option.
So we were both beyond thrilled.
construction unbeknowst to us, so was
our marriage. Some bad patterns had
been set in those years of being so busy,
and desperately needed to change as our
marriage was in trouble, and had been,
but just thought it was all the busyness
and that it would clear up on it's own,
and when it didn't we came to a crisis
point. We were now at the 10 yr. mark,
and we were both already Christians
and knew we would go to heaven but
as ignorant as a stone as to what being
a Christian really meant, but we decided
that day, that we needed to get back in
church and get serious with God or we
were not gonna make it. Fortunately,
a lady who was in real estate invited me
to her church, just a few weeks prior to
our decision, so we decided to visit her
and we have been there 35 years now.
That real estate lady was certainly a
divine appt, (and later became a friend,
and just a few yrs. ago sold Dee and
Jerry there first home), as she lead us
to a really great bible believing and
teaching church.
Everything we know about the Lord
and his teachings we learned in this
church, and we took marriage classes,
and parenting classes and dug into
God's word, and Jesus totally changed
us, and changed our marriage and
family for the good, and still continues
to this day. In fact, for about the last
15 yrs or so we have taught marriage
classes, and it is one of our passions
as the Lord used marriage and family
classes to help us so much. We are
currently involved with the young
marrieds of our church along with
another older couple who have been
married over 30 years. Which has
worked out beautifully...........
We moved in our new home about 6
months after we started to attend
our new church and I still remember it
today as if it were yesterday.....we both
felt overwhelmed by God's goodness to us,
and we truly felt like we had moved into a
palace, so it was like a pinch me moment
for both of us. We actually moved in on
hubbies 33rd birthday, and we are still
here 35 Years later and still love it....
half of the house) was a dark Walnut brown, with the same
color garage and front door, both solid wood then, and a
light brown roof. I like it so much better with the blue
and almond color, and the red door.
About 3 years after we moved into our
new home we decided we wanted to have
another child, this time it was a lil girl
named DeeAnna, she arrived just a few
mos. shy of our 14th Anniversary, and
she too, has been such a wonderful Gift.
I have to say the Lord has blessed me
immensely with my hubby, children, dear
friends and our church and church family,
and by allowing me to achieve that dream
of being a stay a home MOM, not that my
children were always thrilled about that,
as so many of their friends had Mom's
who worked outside the home, and I
was a bit of an oddity. lol
But I loved helping to give my children
a stable home environment and doing
my best to teach them all sorts of things,
and most importantly to love and serve
God and their fellow man, as I know first
hand the value of all that, so I am
extremely thankful every day for the
Lord and my hubby giving me
that opportunity.
friends and our church and church family,
and by allowing me to achieve that dream
of being a stay a home MOM, not that my
children were always thrilled about that,
as so many of their friends had Mom's
who worked outside the home, and I
was a bit of an oddity. lol
But I loved helping to give my children
a stable home environment and doing
my best to teach them all sorts of things,
and most importantly to love and serve
God and their fellow man, as I know first
hand the value of all that, so I am
extremely thankful every day for the
Lord and my hubby giving me
that opportunity.
DeeAnna and Grandaughter, Brooklyn. Taken
in 2014, Megan (taking pic) and Jerry
(wasn't here) were missing unfortunately.
Nothing against single parent homes
cause after all I came from one and
sometimes it just can't be helped and
most of the time the parents do the best
they can as in my case, and I think I still
turned out pretty good, and learned a lot
from the experience, but It does complicate
your life, especially if your parents were
married as many times as mine, and
it causes you to feel insecure, and like you
or your feelings don't really matter, and I
really wanted to spare my children from
all that, and I give the Lord every bit of
the credit, cause we could have never
done it without HIM in our lives.
This was taken a few years back.
Hubby and I have been empty nesters
for about 12 yrs. now, other than a few
times that the kids moved back in just
temporarily. Both of our children got
married in the same year, to spouses
that we love.
Scott and Megan - May 2011
DeeAnna and Jerry - Oct. 2014
We have one grand daughter that is just
over 2 yrs. old, named Brooklyn, who I
affectionately refer to as "our lil darling",
because she is... such a lil darling and
such a Gift as we have so much fun
with her,and just love her too pieces.
Brooklyn a few months ago
right after she turned 2 yrs.
We also now have not one, but 2 furry
grand daughter dogs as well, Rosie being
the first...we thought for a long time she
might possibly be our closest thing to a
grand child we would ever have........we
practiced our grand parenting skills on
her. lol.......and Lola is a new comer
to the family just in the last few months,
both of these furry girls are so sweet....
and last but not least we also have a very
sweet kitty of our own named Molly.
Molly
Lola
most of the time the parents do the best
they can as in my case, and I think I still
turned out pretty good, and learned a lot
from the experience, but It does complicate
your life, especially if your parents were
married as many times as mine, and
it causes you to feel insecure, and like you
or your feelings don't really matter, and I
really wanted to spare my children from
all that, and I give the Lord every bit of
the credit, cause we could have never
done it without HIM in our lives.
Hubby and I have been empty nesters
for about 12 yrs. now, other than a few
times that the kids moved back in just
temporarily. Both of our children got
married in the same year, to spouses
that we love.
Scott and Megan - May 2011
We have one grand daughter that is just
over 2 yrs. old, named Brooklyn, who I
affectionately refer to as "our lil darling",
because she is... such a lil darling and
such a Gift as we have so much fun
with her,and just love her too pieces.
right after she turned 2 yrs.
We also now have not one, but 2 furry
grand daughter dogs as well, Rosie being
the first...we thought for a long time she
might possibly be our closest thing to a
grand child we would ever have........we
practiced our grand parenting skills on
her. lol.......and Lola is a new comer
to the family just in the last few months,
both of these furry girls are so sweet....
and last but not least we also have a very
sweet kitty of our own named Molly.
Molly
Rosie
Lola
Our son Scott and his wife Megan and
our lil darling live about 20 mins. away
from us, which is really nice, and such a
blessing, as we get to watch Brooklyn
every Wed. while her Mommy works part
time. Our daughter DeeAnna and her
hubby Jerry now live in Asheville, N.C., for
close to 2yrs. now, So now hubby and I get
the chance to adventure there every so often,
and really love going there, truthfully it isn't
for the sights, not that they aren't great
but it is because mainly we love spending
time with Dee and Jerry.
About 10 years ago I started designing
and making greeting cards to send to my
Mother as she had to be in a Nursing home.
Just after we came back from a visit with
her, and had put up a bulletin board for
her, I thought I should go buy some nice
cards to send her, and this crazy thought
passed thru my mind (and you would know
just how crazy it was if you knew how
afraid of computers I was). The thought
was "what about that Computer card
package, why don't you use that?", and
all of a sudden I had this crazy, so not
me, desire to do that. (I truly believe that
thought and desire came from God), as
my hubby is the computer person in this
household, and every time he wanted to
teach me something on it, I was like only
if you tie me to the chair. lol
Thus began my adventure with card
making.....I made a new card for my Mom
everyday, in fact, they told me she got
more mail than anyone in the place. lol
since I made them daily for about a year,
and just loved designing the cards, as I
have always been artistic and done crafts
(in fact, some of my friends and I use to
do a craft open house in the Fall for a
number of years) and decorating and
such, but the card designing was so
different for me........since it was done
on the computer and that I would like
doing this on the computer!! lol
So I just continued on making them
for family and friends, and I got more
and more proficient at it, and at a
certain point began to have thoughts
about it being a retirement business
for us. Again thinking these thoughts
were maybe?? from the Lord. So I
started collecting my own graphics as
I knew I would not be able to use the
card package graphics to sell cards, but
what I didn't know was that you can't
use their templates or fonts either.
So when I found that out I wrote to ask
their permission and called numerous
times but never got an answer, so even
tho, my hubby had built a website for
me and we were on our way, to starting
it, we were stopped dead in our tracks.
So then I was thinking did I miss God
on this thing, and really wanted confirm-
ation, if this was the direction I was to
go in, So over the next several years
we started researching to try and find
out how professional card designers
make their cards, and it just seemed like
everything we did just turned up with
nothing, so I was frustrated and a bit
heart broken but was also glad if this
was not the direction God wanted me to
go, then I didn't want to go there, and
just needed to accept it, Which I did.
As I didn't want to be trying to knock
down doors God didn't want me to go
thru. Yet I was never a woman who
thought when my kids left home that
my life was over, and it was also about
what do I do now that I have worked
myself out of a job, Then some years
later after a lot of physical issues that
kept me somewhat home bound.
and still making cards for others, I
started blogging due to my hubby and
my dear friend over at Time washed's
suggestion. Becky helped me set up my
blog and that was 6 yrs. ago in May and
it has been a great joy and lots of fun for
me to meet and share life with so
many talented and amazing ladies,
that supply so much inspiration in so
many ways................
About 2 years or so ago............
With a whole lot more to the story, one
day my hubby came across a professional
card package quite by accident, as he was
searching for something for work. Of course,
as a believer in Christ, we don't believe in
things like that being by accident. So we
were able to preview it, it was considerably
different than the old package I had used,
but we decided to buy it anyway, which
meant now, I had to relearn a whole new
way of doing it and also rebuild cards that
I had already made prior too. An exercise
in frustration I might add, but at this point
I do feel it is God's direction for me, which
is a great feeling I might add. So it has
been a long time in coming but I have been
busy setting up an Etsy shop, and hope to
be opening it around the end of July. I still
have so much to learn, that sometimes it is
just overwhelming to me. But at the same
time I am excited as can be................and
really looking forward to what the Lord
has planned in all of this.
Just a few samples
Just so you know, I typically blog about,
Pretty tables, decorating, food and recipes,
and faith and family, and do a Thankful
Thursday post weekly. So hope you
come by and visit soon.
Well, guess that's my story, and believe it
or not I was as concise as I could be...........
as I am a born talker and detail person!!
Bet you could never tell.........lol
Thanks again so much Kris, for inviting me to
post on Saturday Spotlight.
Hugs and Blessings Galore,
Nellie
Thank you Nellie for sharing your self with all of us. Have a great week end.
Kris
:)
our lil darling live about 20 mins. away
from us, which is really nice, and such a
blessing, as we get to watch Brooklyn
every Wed. while her Mommy works part
time. Our daughter DeeAnna and her
hubby Jerry now live in Asheville, N.C., for
close to 2yrs. now, So now hubby and I get
the chance to adventure there every so often,
and really love going there, truthfully it isn't
for the sights, not that they aren't great
but it is because mainly we love spending
time with Dee and Jerry.
About 10 years ago I started designing
and making greeting cards to send to my
Mother as she had to be in a Nursing home.
Just after we came back from a visit with
her, and had put up a bulletin board for
her, I thought I should go buy some nice
cards to send her, and this crazy thought
passed thru my mind (and you would know
just how crazy it was if you knew how
afraid of computers I was). The thought
was "what about that Computer card
package, why don't you use that?", and
all of a sudden I had this crazy, so not
me, desire to do that. (I truly believe that
thought and desire came from God), as
my hubby is the computer person in this
household, and every time he wanted to
teach me something on it, I was like only
if you tie me to the chair. lol
Thus began my adventure with card
making.....I made a new card for my Mom
everyday, in fact, they told me she got
more mail than anyone in the place. lol
since I made them daily for about a year,
and just loved designing the cards, as I
have always been artistic and done crafts
(in fact, some of my friends and I use to
do a craft open house in the Fall for a
number of years) and decorating and
such, but the card designing was so
different for me........since it was done
on the computer and that I would like
doing this on the computer!! lol
So I just continued on making them
for family and friends, and I got more
and more proficient at it, and at a
certain point began to have thoughts
about it being a retirement business
for us. Again thinking these thoughts
were maybe?? from the Lord. So I
started collecting my own graphics as
I knew I would not be able to use the
card package graphics to sell cards, but
what I didn't know was that you can't
use their templates or fonts either.
So when I found that out I wrote to ask
their permission and called numerous
times but never got an answer, so even
tho, my hubby had built a website for
me and we were on our way, to starting
it, we were stopped dead in our tracks.
So then I was thinking did I miss God
on this thing, and really wanted confirm-
ation, if this was the direction I was to
go in, So over the next several years
we started researching to try and find
out how professional card designers
make their cards, and it just seemed like
everything we did just turned up with
nothing, so I was frustrated and a bit
heart broken but was also glad if this
was not the direction God wanted me to
go, then I didn't want to go there, and
just needed to accept it, Which I did.
As I didn't want to be trying to knock
down doors God didn't want me to go
thru. Yet I was never a woman who
thought when my kids left home that
my life was over, and it was also about
what do I do now that I have worked
myself out of a job, Then some years
later after a lot of physical issues that
kept me somewhat home bound.
and still making cards for others, I
started blogging due to my hubby and
my dear friend over at Time washed's
suggestion. Becky helped me set up my
blog and that was 6 yrs. ago in May and
it has been a great joy and lots of fun for
me to meet and share life with so
many talented and amazing ladies,
that supply so much inspiration in so
many ways................
About 2 years or so ago............
With a whole lot more to the story, one
day my hubby came across a professional
card package quite by accident, as he was
searching for something for work. Of course,
as a believer in Christ, we don't believe in
things like that being by accident. So we
were able to preview it, it was considerably
different than the old package I had used,
but we decided to buy it anyway, which
meant now, I had to relearn a whole new
way of doing it and also rebuild cards that
I had already made prior too. An exercise
in frustration I might add, but at this point
I do feel it is God's direction for me, which
is a great feeling I might add. So it has
been a long time in coming but I have been
busy setting up an Etsy shop, and hope to
be opening it around the end of July. I still
have so much to learn, that sometimes it is
just overwhelming to me. But at the same
time I am excited as can be................and
really looking forward to what the Lord
has planned in all of this.
Just a few samples
Just so you know, I typically blog about,
Pretty tables, decorating, food and recipes,
and faith and family, and do a Thankful
Thursday post weekly. So hope you
come by and visit soon.
Well, guess that's my story, and believe it
or not I was as concise as I could be...........
as I am a born talker and detail person!!
Bet you could never tell.........lol
Thanks again so much Kris, for inviting me to
post on Saturday Spotlight.
Hugs and Blessings Galore,
Nellie
Thank you Nellie for sharing your self with all of us. Have a great week end.
Kris
:)
.png)
Oh Nellie your life has been a life experiance and testimony to how powerful God is and how faith kept you on the right track as well as being able to fullfil your dreams as a wife, mother, and mentor to others. The world traveling I am sure was part of what built a foundation in your marriage seeing so much in such a short time and being able to see the big picture as to God being so much bigger then life itself.
ReplyDeleteOut of all you have triumphed , your trials and tribulations God came through for you being so much bigger then mans Junk and gave you a life well lived with blessings to boot.
What a lovely home that built you, you can see the love that you give it with the up keep, and Imbet you planted those trees when they were as tiny and as sweet as your little darling. Thank you for the life story here, so encouraging to here all the up and downs life has thrown you when growing up, with the family next door that God placed in your path and the love from them that carried you through.
This is a story that should be told often to anyone headed for divorce, perhaps ones would take the time to get solid with faith, and trust that where there's a will there is a way through him.
I hope to visit soon and get to know something new about you, I may have read it all here, yet your art and creative side will be enlightening I am sure :)
Beautiful blessed weekend to you and yours.
By the way, my mothers sister has a daughter, my cousin and her name is Deanna :)
Xx
Thank you Kris for another beautiful spot light.
Dore
I enjoyed getting to know more about Nellie. What an interesting life and testimony. I'm heading over to follow along. Thanks Kris for another great feature. Hope you're having a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteThis was a different Saturday post and I really enjoyed Nellie. It was like meeting a new friend and, over time, knowing a best friend. Nellie, I am heading to your blog to view your creativeness. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteNellie, I love your testimony. Such a wonderful post. You have a beautiful family, and, talent.
ReplyDeleteKris, I love that Nellie realized early about the true values of a Christian life. I too had a guardian angel in my life. Nellie's family is a wonderful asset. I will check her blog out. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this post and all about Nellie-Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKris,
ReplyDeleteThis is a different spotlight you have featured and I admire Nellies ability to remain resolute. Nellie your unwavering belief is a perfect testimonial for those who are struggling. You wrote a sincere and heartfelt post. I understand the power of faith, loss has enabled me to gain insight and strength.
Nellie my husband and I during the 90's owned an international Greeting card company. I designed all the art and wrote the sayings, my husband John handled all the manufacturing. Those were days of working 24/7.
I will visit your blog and read your posts.
Stay inspirational,
Vera
Kris thank you for sharing yet another wonderful blogger. Her story was beautiful and from the heart. Enjoy your weekend. Jo
ReplyDeleteHi Kris and Nellie,
ReplyDeleteA very heartfelt post, describing so much of Nellie's life experiences, with wonderful photos of her family and pets. I enjoyed the introduction. Thanks, ladies, for sharing, and wishing you both a happy last day of Spring.
Poppy
I really enjoyed reading about Nellie's life and her new card making career. It sounds like she came away from a childhood that could've sent her in the wrong direction but instead came out even better for it! Life is really all about choices isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring life story! I don't believe in coincidences either, only God-incidences. I appreciated your honesty and your willingness to share your faith so sweetly.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you both, Nellie and Kris for inviting this lovely lady to post,
Dewena
Thanks Kris for sharing Nellie with us. So welcome Nellie. I will be going over to her post..
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Mary
I love sweet Nellie and have followed her for a long time. It's great to know more about her, she's such a precious soul. Thanks so much Kris for highlighting her in your series.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
What a sweet Spotlight :-))
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing this Kris!
Carla
I really enjoyed Nellie's story! She is quite a gal and a wonderful witness of Our Lord's faithfulness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Spotlight post, Kris.
Thanks for sharing Nellie's story.
ReplyDeleteMorning Kris,
ReplyDeleteWas going to send you and email but saw that my post was still up, so thought I would just say it here. Just wanted to thank you again for inviting me to guest post on Saturday Spotlight as it was really an honor to have someone interested in my life. Also, wanted to thank all of these precious ladies that left such sweet and encouraging comments and that came by to visit and left comments and became followers. You all have been such an encouragement and blessing to me, and look forward to visiting your blogs as well.
Hope all your hubbies had a wonderful Father's Day, and
Happy Summer to You.............it is definitely here in Florida, it was 102 degrees on our porch yesterday, needless to say we weren't
out there any longer than we needed to be...........shew!! lol
Have a great week,
Blessings, Nellie
So wonderful to read about Nellie and her story of her childhood and how she overcame many negative things in her life and turned them into a positive with her faith...We must have crossed paths at some point....as I lived in South Florida most of my life and then relocated to North Central Florida and now NC....Nellie has a wonderful family with so much love and support for each other...truly a blessing...Great feature here today Kris...
ReplyDeleteThis is really nice post works well and easy to configure...thanks for all info.
ReplyDeleteoffice carpet for sale