Poems My Way - Valrie

2012-01-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes out of the blue you come across information you wish you had not...Does that ever happen to you? When it does to me, I turn to the Lord in prayer and write my thoughts in poetic verse... Here is today's musing and working through difficult facets of my life. If they touch your heart in any way and lighten the burden of your day, for that I shall be thankful.

In Christ Only Shall I Trust All..

Trust to me is a big issue

It is earned not a given -

Just what do we do when

Our trust in another is violated?

How do we reconcile with betrayal?

Lord I know you turned your cheek

And forgave all... I pray you help me

To walk the same path you did -

Help me to become forgiving - in time

Of others who have inflcited suffering

Upon me or my family.

At times Lord, I am overwhelmed...

Filled with despair and no longer able to cope

Or function as a Christian; I need Your Love

God - Jesus - Lord Saviour; I am your child.

You are my Father and I know my needs

To You are already known... perhaps You

Have answered this prayer afore and my

Eyes, ears or heart were closed

To the Wisdom of Your words...

Now Lord, I open them unto You.

I am ready to receive

Whatever it is, however difficult a hardship to bear...

I shall take up the cross of my burdens,

Indeed they are light compared to Yours,

I will walk with You, I will talk with You

And I now know that You are near...

So dear to my heart and soul and mind are You..

I will serve You with all of me, to You Lord I surrender all...

Poems My Way- Valrie 01/23/2012

copyrighted please ask for permission for reposting or printing here:poemsmyway@yahoo.com

May your day be blessed and filled with prayers.

Your comments always brighten my day!

2012-01-22T19:31:00.004-05:00

Creating Confections in PINK!!!

Recently I went to EPCOT and had to visit Lucille Ball's exhibit. This is a shot of me in one of their PINK CANDY Hats! That has got to be my all time favorite episode of the famous sitcom..

I tried my best to imitate her stuffed puffed cheeks that she had with Ethel in the outrageous candy factory making episode. Tee-hee.

Very busy weekend and I don't have a lot of free time but just had to post this picture!

Meanwhile please lift me up in prayers I was diagnosed Thursday with a full thickness tear in my right shoulder, shoulder blade, rotator cuff and bursa region. It will require surgery and we are awaiting insurance authorization. This has been ongoing and untreated since the assault I survived July 27th, 2011.

Politley put, it is excruciating pain and nearly stripping me of my faith in healing powers...other than God's of course.

Did I tell you all ...the man who did this to me runs free, has violated his prior restraining order (7/27/2011) and was actually brought up on contempt of court charges AFTER the existing restarining order expired January 10th, 2012? Oh yeah, only in America. If you would like to sign a petition on my behalf requesting NYS to reissue the restraining order please email me through my link here

On a happier note... I am potentially being offered a pt position provided I have background clearance and can successfully complete training. I ask for your prayers -for employment and healing. All good things come to those who wait... in PRAYER!

May your day be filled with PINKS! Thank you Bev for your constant hosting.

LINK to PINK Saturdays...

Make it a POWERFULLY PINK WEEKEND!

Valrie

Some of My Favorite PINK Things!!!

2012-01-15T19:33:00.001-05:00

Some of my Favorite Pink Things!

When my mood drops
When my fears rise
All I simply do... is turn
My eyes to some of my
Favorite Pink Things...

Here they are:

The pinkness of my daughter Jenni, she lives in a world of Hot PINK really!

Pink hearts and butterflies...

The miracles of God's PINK sunrises and sunsets...

Collecting PINK chotsky! All of this and so much more...

This beautiful PINK reminder to stay calm and pray....

Carmel my unconditional loving cat and his little PINK nose. A messenger of God and my angel...

It really is PINK!!!

Licille Ball and her PINK glow in this picture and they way she has always been able to make me laugh and lift my spirits..RIP and Thank You!

Chang Chang on my daughetr's PINK blanket and the happy memories I have this past October of meeting him and being with Jenni in Waco, TX....

You just have to love this cat. He is ALL fur but really long!

Totally Purrrrrfect in Pink!

The love of family and how simply PINKALICIOUS it is to have them....

MY BFF and angel sent by God, Carol, her love and Christian friendship has carried me and blessed me beyond words these last several months.

My Mary Kay friends and all the PINKS!!!

And of course PINK SATURDAYS, BEV at How Sweet the Sound...

May your weekend be very pink!

Sending PINK HUGS to ALL!!!

On my way where ti the web is PINKED!!!!

Me and my brand new 2012 Honda... blue is my favorite color for cars, but YES I am dressed in PINK!!!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T14:08:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year 2012 to all my followers and blogging friends.

My what a busy and unexpected surprising end to the year 2011. I was married on October 15th, 2011 to my white knight! God blessed me with a Godly man who tryuy loves me, provides for me and protects me every minute of his life.

This is our wedding ceremony. We wrote our own vows and were married in Chantilly VA.

I had my 2nd doctoral residency in the beginning of October and am progressing forward to the dissertation phase.

I now live in VA. We are having the time of our life setting up our new condo and building our lives through Christ. We attend McLean Bible Church in Tysons corners and it is a powerful church with
so many blessings for us. This year we will becoming stewards in Christ to couples' ministries.

I have 3 new step-daughters (25,13, & 11) and each is another blessing to my life.

Autumn (11) was my junior attendant and Soleil (13) a camera genius!

Faith lives in CA and I was fortunate enough to meet her in Dallas a week or so after our wedding for Dad Hefty's 90th birthday! That's dad and mom and Mark's brother on his 90th birthday celebration with the flag balloon we gave dad for his birthday!

Faith (25) is an accomplished pianist and I just adore her!
She lives in CA and flew into Dallas too for the party!

I also got to see my daughter Jenni (27) was able to come up to Dallas from Waco for the party too for dad. It was great too see Jenni too!

Night of Deployment July 2010

Joey's friend in Afghanistan...

Joey my proud marine son returned home from Afghanistan. yeah! Booh just before Christmas we learned he is headed back to Hell (Afghanistan )mid January 2012... please lift my son and all who serve up in your prayers and God please return him home safely once more... I hope to travel to NC again in the next week or so to say Godspeed and give him love...

May the prayers we send return all safely home to their loved ones....

I have had so many beautiful memories and places visited since geting married. We spent the Sunday before Christmas at Mt. Vernon and toured the grounds having a lovely simple meal

at the Mt. Vernon Inn enjoying peanut and chestnut soup, cornbread and George Washibgton's drink of choice a cherry bounce! I will tell you it warmed the soul and spirits.

Christmas came early at the Hefty home as we honeymooned Christmas week in FL...

Gorgeous view of the swimming area at The Omni where we stayed the week.

When it was cold the outdoor fire was lit, real cozy and romantic!

Beautiful water fountain in the patio terrace area just before the swimming pool, lazy river rafting and outdoor cafe Croc's.

The terrace just outside the main dining room, just lovely!

Below the long shot of the swimming area with the private cabanas, ooh la lah!

Above the Christmas Caroler's in the Americas exhibit at Epcot, below the fife and drum corp entertained with a lively march and invited the children to follow in the ranks.

A beautiful view of the Epcot waterfront...

Pierre Noel, France, Father Christmas in Epcot told the most beautiful Christmas story.

A view of Epcot; that's Mark taking his shot...

God Bless MOM she lights up the room with her smile and I love her so dearly.

Dad and mom taking a breather from opening their gifts to each other and from us....

This is Miss Kitty at my parents' home getting into the groove of presents!

Now Mr. & Mrs Clause (my mom and dad) have these adorable guests in their home in FL. Some head of hair on me too, Christmas morning at dad and mom's before church.

Mark was thrououghly enjoying the acts and scenery at Al Capone's dinner theatre!

The main acts at Al Capone's were really cute!

Al Capone's dinner theatre!

The Blues Brotehrs entertained at Universal Studios oh my they were awesome!

Norte Dame performing central square at Universal Studios.

Norte Dame perfect ranks in this marching band at Universal!

Our last night in the hotel the women from the Morsels Starbucks cafe had these awaiting us in our room. It was supposed to say WEDDING BUT THE THOUGHT WAS THERE AND THE CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRIES DIVINE!

SO much more I could post here but I will end with a bit of pink!!!!

This beautiful tea set is available at the Mt. Vernon gift shop, very pink! It's on my wish list!

May your New Year be Blessed and filled with PINK!

Be sure to blog over to BEV at How Sweet The Sound and join the New Year filled with my PINK blogging friends!

Please leave a comment when you are done they fill my days with joy!

Hope to be back soon and stopping by your blogs....

In the meantime here is a very PINK hug for the New Year!

From our home to yours, Happy New Years!

A New Life!

2011-11-12T07:12:00.001-05:00

So much has happened in my life since I last posted. I have found the most amazing man through God and prayers and on October 15th we were married. I have moved to VA and am now setting up our home. We had a beautiful wedding in Chantilly VA at the Westfields Marriott, poolside terrace on a gorgeous Autumn day! A weekend getaway to DC and our honeymoon is coming up in December Christmas week we will spend in the greater Orlando FL area. I also flew to Dallas twice in 3 weeks, at the beginning of October for my second doctoral residency, then a half of a week in Waco TX with my daughter Jenni (first I'd seen her in nearly 2 years!) and again the last week for Mark's father's 90th birthday! Flew home to VA, drove to NY in a snowstorm and moved during it.... Nearly all unpacked and back in the throes of college, job hunting and being a wife. We attend a lovley church in Tysons VA, The McLean Bible church and are in the process of becoming stewards for couples counseling. Mark and I are so blessed!

I have written so much poetry including the wedding vows and a poem to Mark. I received notification that a poem I recently wrote has been selected for publication soon... Today though I will share the poem I wrote yesterday for Veterans Day honoring Mark, retired Major, Army, my son, Joey Lce Cpl Marine, and all my other family members as well as all those who served, serve now or will serve.

A Soldier Mother's Prayer

They came, the young bold and strong and the old...
Weary, but No matter what, they did as told.
Their lives for all of us were sacrificed
Some served once, some twice or thrice -
Mighty - they fought, so we might live free;
Hard ,they fell protecting our sacred liberty.
Prayers are said today for those who rest
Among the heroes fallen and others test
The nerve and endurance 24/7 all year
Never resting from the bombs they hear...
How gracious are you my friends today -
For the lives of our soldiers - men, women, so brave?
Have you thanked them all for what they have done?
Will you rest tonight knowing for some 'tis just begun?
I pray for world peace and for our country's forces
To all return home, eliminate the obstacles and courses!
Unite with me in a solemn silent moment of prayer -
And stand up with our armed forces for liberty if you dare!
God send them home soon, safe and sound, unspoiled
Relieve them from the bloodshed and works of toil.
Wrap your arms around each single soldier and save
All from the pits of the Hell they see, your love gave
Us redemption and forgiveness of all our worldly sins,
Might this prayer too cleanse our soldiers and forgiven
Be as they return home (some) others rest eternally
On unknown battlefields of past and yet to be -
I pray a prayer of world peace dear God, let it end -
So that a life renewed in Christian Love might then begin!

Poems My Way Valrie 11/11/11

My pink for the day is the powder room on the first floor of our new home. Mark is very agreeable to my pinks, provided he has his fun too... I found little army action figures poking out from amongst the florals in this room... just too cute and funny!

Here is a looksie at the new PINK powder room. I have thrifted and upcycled all of the decorations here; it has a cherry blossom and pink floral theme! While in DC on the weekend getaway I found this amazing cherry blossom potpourri which smells Heavenly and cherry blossom tea that is absolutely delicious!

May all of you be blessed and as we enter the holiday season this year, let's all give our thanks to God for the many blessings He has bestwoed upon us and pray for those in need.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Link up to other PINKS with Bev at How Sweet The Sound.

Sending you my Pink Bear Hug for a Happy Pink Saturday!

A little time today to hunt and surf the web, then write those papers....

Please leave a comment!

Have a blessed day!

Mark and I thank you all for your well wishes!

STAY TUNED.... next week I will be psoting pictures of my holiday giveaway!

A tribute from me a mother, sister, daughter,educator, and friend; supporter of Peace, Justice and Liberty!

2011-09-11T18:08:00.001-04:00

Today I helped my church by making three floral arrrangements and baking up a storm of delectable sweets and treats for the memorial service and coffee hour. Here are a few pics to share with you.

A white confetti cake with almond buttercream frostening... chocloate cupcakes and strawberry cupcakes, nearly 6 dozen were eaten in addition to the cake... yummy!

Forever America Remembers 9 - 11

A solemn day filled with prayers and memories, well spent time with my new friends at church.

I did the remembrance walk and attended the town ceremonies. Ou town fire department received an artifact from the Trade Towers, not sure how I feel about that, but it was nice jus the same. Several politicians attended and spoke at the local memorial service as well as walked in the memorial walk... While in process all the firefighters of three towns were called into action for a fire.. doing what all first responders do... please pause and say a prayer for all those whose lives were touched
by 911.

I cherish my family and children and am blessed to be their mother, daughter, or sister.

My first born Jenni...

Jenni and her brother Joey USMC (Lance Cpl Hranek)

Jenni and her loving boyfriend retired Army...

Lance CPl Joseph Hranek on the night deployed July 2010 to Afghanistan...

The going awy party for our GI Joe...y!

Oops can't delete this for some reason, another look at Lance Cpl Hranek...

In the midst of war and terror, a brief moment of laughtrer, Joey found a hedgehog which quickly became a temporary pet and mascot....

Prayers to all on this solemn day, may we move forward and feel God's love.

As the sun sets today, pause and bask in teh glory of God's world, and know that He is with us...

Make it a powerful day!

911 A Day of Solace and Remembrance

2011-09-11T17:13:00.001-04:00

Land of the Brave, Land of The Free, In God We Trust To Eternity!

911 A Memorial Post and Tribute to Our Heroes, Victims, & Loved Ones

On this day more than any, I reflect, weep, pray, and weep some more over the senseless loss of lives from 9/11/01.

Did you know.....many people jumped hand in hand instead of being engulfed in flames? Did you now others were thrown from the windows by mere force of explosions? Can you believe Mayor Bloomberg excluded first responders such as firefighters from today's ceremonies?

I remember vividly this day in history. I taught at Montgomery Village Middle School, on relocation site at Tilden Lane, MD, minutes from The Pentagon. A day of terrorists attacks on the sanctity of innocent lives. We amassed to protect our children, the school in total locked down. The sky outside blackened not only from the smoke of the assault on our Pentagon, yet too filled with air responders, vipers, helicopters, it became more famous of a day than the Ride of Paul Revere, for truly this attack resonated the world over.

Please join me in solemn prayer and remember those whose lives were lost that day and others whose lives would be changed forever...

A serene tribute to these brave souls may they all rest in peace...

Twin Towers Jumpers, World Trade Center, WTC Sad Tragedy - Watch the top videos of the week here

These people were not suicide victims THEY WERE VICTIMS, period, and in knowing they were going to die, they chose HOW to die. I do not see them as any less than human heroes who dealt with the tragedy they were thrown into by terrorists. Ten years later has anything changed? YES we harden our hearts and stand braver and taller as a country defying the odds YET still allowing these terrorists to have their dominion over us. STAND up AMERICANS, STAND UP for what we ARE and do NOT allow terrorists to take hold of our lives! Our soldiers, our firefighter, police, first responders, all HEROES, all unified as one. Rescuing some and never giving up hope that others would be found. This is my tribute to our Fallen and living heroes. I weep in knowing friends and family members were lost this day and some never being able to or saying good-bye.

Our Heroes 9/11 Remembered...

In sorrow we stood by and watched the towers fall,
Who knew that as they fell so did many Americans?
How would you have coped, plummet to death
Or burn in the flames of the suicide air plane bombers?

On the shore of disaster our tears flooded the parameters
But were not enough to squelch the erupting flames of terror
As they spread among the twins, engulfing destroying all...
One by one and side by side both humans and towers fell.

The heartbeat of America fallen, the culprits claiming victory
In falsehood for as a nation the moral fiber of our heroes
Shined through the Hell created on earth by terrorists
I only pray that the wrath of God burns eternally for them -

As the towers emploded, so did bodies trapped by flames
Or crushed as they bravely dove out windows, some blasted
Out by the force of flames and eruptions claiming their lives,
Hand in hand many joined and together faced their reality of death.

Innocent victims of such repulsive terrorism aimed only to insult
Degrade and demoralize our men and women and yes our children.
Yet Americans were not the only injured or deceased, but still
Who came to us in our time of need in numbers other than Americans?

We are such a proud country YET still young, our birth so new
Compared to those of The Holy Wars, centuries of hate and anger
Aroused in them the audacity to strike the land of Liberty, the land of the free
How dare they, because they could and who enabled them, not us?

Ah but were you to truly know the hidden truths, I dare to say
Our government would change, yor anger unfold on them,
Not just the terrorists but the follies of politicians misled
By trust they placed, and bargains made, alas the price was paid.

A cleansing of this wave of terrorism yet awaits the world -
The wrath of God one day soon will unfold and lile our flag
Unfurled with a gust of pride and woes so strong that not
Even the shot heard around the world of colonial time

Will compare to the rage and rampage once unleashed by God
Upon His earth, will the rapture come to Thee and cleanse
The slime and unserving souls, casting them in the pits of Hell,
It will come, not IF my friend, yes indeed BUT when?

In solemn wait time fall upon your knees and ask for Grace,
Keep your fith and renew it every day, hold fast to Hope,
Place your efforts on rebulding the values upon which we were built
Rebuild The Towers, refuse the sacred burial ground to a foreign temple be -

Amass my friends in numbers and turn your face to God, time is near,
It is upon us, and the toils of the earth shall soon fade, will you?
Are you able to turn to God and plead for mercy, renew your
Vows of dedication, commit to a world without sin and begin?

Begin to build a world without terror, a world with ONE God,
Put back in print the oaths that minorities deplete, omit and negate.
You cannot negate what IS and God IS in control, the one true
Deity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever and EVER AMEN!

Poems My Way - Valrie 09/08/2011

My son ia a Marine Lance Corporal, and just this past February returned home safe in body from serving 7 months abroad in Afghanistan. Those 7 months were Hell on earth for me and my family as we rarely heard from him. The senseless war on terrorism continues to claim the lives of so many innocents. Each time the phone rang in the wee hours of the morning I trembled fearful to answer it. Joey came home in one piece and has talked very little about those 7 months except to say it was 24/7 fight for your life, act, not think and having seen and done things he never thought he would have to do and all because of a war on terrorists and lithium for batteries.

The night Joey was deployed to North Marja Afghanistan, now serving at Camp Leguene, NC. May his last year of service keep him on the homeland and safe.

Please honor all the brave men and women who served are serving and the loved ones and their families. I have many friends who were there at ground zero, my dear friend Leno, an EMT first responder who relates the horror and the reality of this event that affected not only the USA but also the entire world.

Stand Up! Stand up for freedom and liberty and let the bell of freedom resonate forever in the ears of our aggressors that we as a nation stand undivided and will not relent until justice is served!

Be blessed and thankful that you are alive today. Love your children and your parents, your siblings, your friends, and too pray for the enemies to cease and desist. The war on terror will never end as long as the uneducated masses of the world are swayed with false beliefs, false religion and politicians that lie and do not deliver. Most of all as a single person STAND UP and make your voice be heard, your vote count. Become a change agent and plan with us a strong nation to achieve world peace in our lifetime.

Remember GOD loves you.

Fill your heart with love, live each day as if it were your last for we know not what tomorrow brings.

May God's angels watch over us all and keep us safe!

Be blessed and know that God has a plan...

Please leave a comment and your link on 911.

Pay It Forward and Bless a Friend!!!

2011-09-10T22:51:00.001-04:00

I discovered this post today, September 10th, 2011 by Carol, a blogger friend I met visiting over at How Sweet The Sound, Pink Saturdays, and she has challenged me to start it going on my blog.!

I would simply love to have replies and share in the blessings of making new friends while all of us

Pay It Forward.

It would be delightful to bless 3 more people in our lives before the 2011 ends.

Carol's blog Blessed Mum posted all the rules who recieved it from

Donna at The House on the Corner. I think I can mange it, here in little remote West Winfiled, NY . I have what nearly 3 whole months to have 3 of you take up the torch so to speak and

PAY IT FORWARD Too!

So this is what you do and the rules make it so VERY simple.

I promise to send something handmade

to the first 3 people who leave a comment here.

To be eligible, you must also post this in your blog,

offering to do the same thing for 3 other people.

The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it

must be sent to your 3 people *sometime* in 2011.

Hope I get some comments to be able to bless three

people who will then PAY IT FORWARD too!.

If you like link back to me! I will add you to my blog roll of favorites!

Have fun and can hardly wait to meet my three new blogging friends to bless!

I do Bless My Friends!

May your day be filled with many blessings as well!

My heart is filled with gladness to be Blessed By You!

Off to bed soon and looking forward to YOU being blessed!

Please leave a comment and email me if you accept the challenge!

Living the Life in Frugal Pinks!

2011-09-10T19:21:00.003-04:00

I so love antiquing, garage sales and baragin shopping! I always find plenty of PINKS!!!!Found this dainty pitcher and bowl set at a barn sale yesterday, ($4) the sparkly gittered miniature roses at the dollar store, 2 for 1$. Pretty enough alone but think I'll do some more...hmmmmmm....

These antique novelty dishes were also at the same barn sale! Can you believe they were only $3 each? The teddy bear riding into my china ($1) was found somewhere along my travels between sales!

Want to see more?

The candles were bought in The Cooperstown General Store, and the dainty climbing ivy and pink roses candle holders were .... you guessed it only $1 for the pair.

The checkerboard linen vintage tablecloth ($4) and the pink woven placemats (4 for $1)

were both found along with the candle holders at the SPCA goodwwill shop in Index, NY.

Not bad barain hunting, all only $18.00. I don't know about you, but I adore finding these treasures expecially when the money is going to charity and a good cause. It brightens my day to know the needy, our abandoned animals, and through the Salvation Army and HARC Goodwill, I am able to help others like me, on a very limited budget, starting over, and want quality wares! The local folk have gotten to know me quite well thanks to my sister Vanessa, who is my partner when we go out on Friday mornings at the crack of dawn to beat the EBAYERS! So much fun!

Now if you would be so kind as to uplift my hometown Binghamton NY in prayers, they have been declared a state of disaster from the massive rain and flooding from the tropical storm that lasted 3 days in our area. My area too was severely flooded, schools closed, roads barricaded all through Friday (since Saturday last week)! The rain started late Saturday, by Sunday even my church was flooded inside, Monday the winds reached higher levels than during Irene, and the rain came on and on and on. The winds later hit at tornadoe gusts, I was right in the eye of the strom in my little farmhouse first floor haven. Rain poured in every side of the house. I ran to get the windows shut, too late as some had already flooded my living room window sills. It wa so weird to see and feel the wind twirling around the entire house. Across the road my neignbor's heavy duty dumptruck's lid blew open, and his flagpole snapped in two, the flag dragging on the ground. Doc could hardly wait to get out there when it was safe and rescue the flag. The next morning my backyard (about 3 acres) was flooded high enough to swim in. Fire engines pumped out homes and dips in the road.Whew! I do not want to be amidst another one of them anytime too soon!

May the angels above surround all our friends and family tomorrow as we pause for a moment of silence in remembrance of 911. Our Heroes, those who lived and those who died sacrificing their lives for others, or joining hands as they jumped from the towers, knowing they would die, yet nobly choosing how. I cannot imagine the loss of the lives of so many. Children and spouses, parents, sisters and brothers, best friends, and all the first responders, the EMT squads, police, firefighters, and all the good samaritans. Bless You and Thank You.

The Land of the Free!

America we must stand tall
We will not relent or cave -
Our God hears OUR call...
For this IS the Land of the Brave,
The Land of the Free, and We
Will fight for God, Our country...
Our Liberty, forever through Eternity!

Poems My Way Valrie 09/10/11

I dedicate this poem to the fallen, the survivors, and those who helped during 911. It was a very hard day for me as an educator I taught less than 9 miles as the crow flys fromThe Pentagon. While taking care of 785 middle school children, all I could think was that my own children's father was in the midst of it all., as he worked in NYC at a publishing firm, and was a straphanger commuter from Islip to NYC. It was into the evening hours before we heard that he was safe.

I often write poetry to express my deepest feelings and beliefs, and tomorow I will post the poem.

Please come back to see what I have done for my church's coffee hour for tomorrow's memoriam service and coffee hour. I made 3 floral arrangements of silk flowers, red, white , and blue; tons of cupcakes, cookies, and a megasize cake too!

Sending out very PINK bear HUGS from ME to YOU!!!

Please link up to Bev at How Sweet The Sound and share with all the lovely PINK Bloggers!

Do leave a comment they brighten up my days!

It's Kitchens PINK Saturday!

2011-09-04T02:08:00.000-04:00

Dear fellow bloggers of PINK! I am having such a delightful time decorating my home in ACCENTS of PINK! I recenlty moved as a result of being victimized through domestic violence. It was hard to move again, BUT easy to fall in love with all my things coming out of storage and new thrifted items being added!

Please sign my petition to create legislative changes for victims of domestic violence here.http://www.change.org/petitions/domestic-violence-victim-seeking-justice

Today I share some of my Kitchen Pinks with you.

I fell in love with this adorable vintage Teddy Bear that is musical and moves to the tune of "Please Bring Us Some Figgy Pudding"... and the angel pig and her pal molly cow atop a dainty crochet doiley and pink tablecloth. Notice even the countertops are PINK in this home!

This is the view out of my kitchen window into the back yard. The dainty PINK and teal hummingbirds hover over little stained glass window charmers and suncatchers. A little dark, no flash,but I will try to update...

This cute little teddy bear in PINK is on her way to market!

The oversized Pink Tulip dish serves as a pedestal for the phot shoot, atop a bold gingham Pink and White linen tablecloth, and the hand woven PINK placemats add a finishing touch to my table settings!

I will definitely have to find the cord to my digital camera, this sweet PINK bouquet of flowers was found several weeks ago at a SPCA thrift and goodwill store. Simply elegant on the windowsill!

These are a set of the daintiest little heart candles I bought in February at a truckstop on my way down to Camp Lejune to receive my son upon his return arrival from deployment to Afghanistan.

Love the Ivory vine and PINK roses thatadorn these candlesticks and just had to have them.

Another view of my Pink Kitchen Teddy Bear and counter tops.

Got this little vase with flowering hearts on Friday for $ .25 and the flowers were only 10 cents.

A sweet little PINK Mother's mug...

And this prickly but PINK cactus was perfect to hold it for me!

Sweet little hermitage schoolgirl all dressed up in Pinks and burgundy for her first day of school and just have to love those braids, they reminded me of my own long and thick plaits I wore forever!

Just had to show you her butterfly wings!

My trio of hearts, all thrifted. The clock $2 the rolling pin holder and rolling pin $2, the heart pie plate, $3, the heart vine wreath $2.50, frugal and beautifully PINKED!

Keep trying to straighten the huge wreath but it has a mind of its own...

And of course me as your host on this blog all ready to go out and celebrate my birthday albeit belated. Found this 2 piece vintage PINK lacey number at the SPCA for only $5, BUT I felt like a million dollars. The earrings my sis bought for me ata barn sale we went to 2 weeks ago, and that exquisite pair of dainty sequin PINKs matched the dress delightfully. The necklace was an extravagance a year ago that I bought to turn the little black dress into a knockout with this adorning my neck. Two of my favorites here, PINKS and Hearts!

And here is something I baked and created in celebration of my new little home.... double chocolate fudge cake and Dutch chocolate almond buttercream frostening and PINKED with butterflies!

I am currently running a promotion for Jason, my stepson's benefit. He is a survivor of Crohn's disease. My stepdaughter and her mother have entered a half marathon to help raise money for the charity. Please enter and donate via email below in the underlined URL.

Please help us support a good cause! Any donation no matter how small can be the one to find a cure or help someone!
http://www.active.com/donate/DC11TCVEGAS/DebLauren

Leave a comment on this post that you donated, email me here with the date and amount for verification and I will enter you in my drawing for a totally PINK MK Skincare and Glamour basket valued at $50.

Make a purchase or donation HERE (email on links to me) for the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation for Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer Research, leaeve a comment also and be entered a second time..

Anyone who purchase at my website, 25% of your purchases will be donated to the Mary Kay Ash Foundation and

Be sure to link up to many wonderful websites and PINK Saturday bloggers with BEV over at

How Sweet the Sound, let her know Valrie sent you!

Had my xrays and films come back with not so good reports but al least the doctorswere enlightened to the level, degree, and extent of my injuris, and pain. My entire spine is virtutally a train wreck. Started physical therapy this week and will be in that for quite some while...

Found an attorney to represent me for a civil suit against the man who has inflicted grave and permanent injurie to me and my spinal colum. Have encountered a plethor of resources to help me start all over again. Healing slowly but in both body and soul and mind or spirit.

Make your day BLESSED by GOD with plenty of PINKS!!!

Please leave a comment they complete my day!

It's 2AM and time to put down the coffee and go to bed! See you while I surf in the morning!

Don't forget to HUG someone today, it will change their day!

I really might just make another pot and stay online...

Somewhere is there Love?

2011-09-01T00:22:00.000-04:00

Somewhere Is There Love For ME?

Somehwere is there Love for me?
WillI e'er have that which others hold?
How will find what I cannot see?
How do I listen to what I am told?

What can I do to change my life?
When will inner peace and happiness come?
Is there a way to remove me from all strife?
How do I start over, and lose what e'er I suufer from?

Why most I feel I toil so all the days?
What might I learn that I have not heard?
How will I know when I am being played?
Is there but One supreme voice, One word?

Where shall I go to seek comfort?
How do I journey to this mysterical place?
How do I leave behind the deceiving cohorts?
Shall I ever know Truth or God's face?

Is there a place for me in His Heaven?
Will the Kingdom e'er to receive one as me?
Might I kinow when to stop and how to anew begin?
Why am I locked in dark chambers and not free?

How does EVIL present itself so often in my world?
Does it matter not that I fraily walk among life?
Is there sanctuary for all that makes me cry and curdle?
Is there no man for me to become his wife?

Am I to be only the bride for One such as Christ?
I am unholy and deflowered by my wandering?
Can I be cleansed and made whole, freed of device?
Or do I remain banished, lost, and staggering?

In Faith, is there Hope, in Hope, does happiness exist?
Does the snake dare once more to enter in temptation?
Will the serpent usurp my soul or will I resist?
Am I doomed to eternal Hell and damnation?

When Lord, when will I feel cleansed and pure?
How shall I walk in Thy path to Light?
Is this possible or truly bleak and obscure?
This place called Heaven, where all is made right?

I want to believe, but HOW, in that which canot be seen?
I take a leap of Faith and will I land among the clouds?
Do they lead me to the Gates of St. Peter even?
Is it wrong to feel pleasure and be proud?

Shall I come to you on bent knees in prayer?
Will you listen to my words and answer?
Or will You shun me with doubtful stares?
Am I to wonder and wander , my life a blur?

Is it passing me over this thing called Love?
Am I too not worthy to be one of grace?
Are there truly cherubs and seraphins above?
Are the temples adorned with gild and lace?

When will I receive the gift of Life eternal?
What is the number remaining to those of mine?
Are their days and nights creatures too nocturnal?
Or is it You tell us not being pure and too kind?

How hard it might be to know the Truth?
Was the book of Life for all was written long ago?
Can I aim to be pure in mind and soul like Ruth?
Or is this all really figmented thoughts for show?

Poems My Way Valrie 09/01/2011

Been a very long and difficuLt week for me so far. Today was exhausting, docotr appointments, social services, banks, attornies, shopping and cleaning house and washing. CAN'T SEEM TO FOCUS...

Had very bad news today as well form a letter from a doctor....
L2 vertebral body chronic compression deformity, near anatomic thoracic, lumbars, and sacral; disc narrowing at both L4 & L5 intervertebral level, NEW facet joint degenerative chnages noted at L5-S1. Demineralized bones, severe advanced osteoporosis and osteopiina L2 cement vertebral body chronic compression deformity. Bone loss at T11 which appears chronic as well; degenerative disc disease noted at multiple levels is facet joints. oh and PLEASE contact your PCP STAT to discuss these findings in light of your recent exacerbation of pain and trauma. funny or what?

So rather bleak feeling as you might gather?

Keeping my chin up.

I am having fun though in spite of myself. Really getting into decorating my new home and finding some real bargains?

Look for my pictures soon.

Love to all...

Time to sleep!

Valrie

It's about time I got PINKED!

2011-08-27T20:08:00.000-04:00

My dearest friends and PINK family bloggers, I am finally in a SAFE new home, in a new county, a new city, town or actually a very small village hiddened from the real world among the hayfields and the cows and corn crops. Only some of my family even know the address.

In case you haven't kept up with my saga, HURT strikes again. On July 26th, 2011, the man whom I thought really loved me and was building a future betrayed me in the worst way possible. Earlier the same week he had gotten very violent and injured me and my cat but I chalked it up to his angst with his mother. Instead I have come to find out he has a chemical dependency and a history of hurtful relationships. I was badly injured, fractured 5th ribs on left side wraping around from the shoulder blade into the breast bone. This is the main rib. I also sustao=ined multiple injuries to my back, neck and leg, both forearms and wrists, hands. Covered in tears and black and blues and his calamine lotion he had just put on himself for itchiness, I was pinned between two doors and the frame and then had the life nearly squeezed out of me. I had my cordless phone on me as he had destroyed all theother house phones except my own provate line there and managed to dial 911, while on the 911 call he tried to get the phone out of my hand and pushed me backwards out the doorway and I tripped, sprained rhe back, and he proceeded to slam like a sardine tightly into the doorway and frames of the interior and exterior doors to the back deck. The police dispatcher for 911 had me get to my car and lock myself in. My little CARMEL was locked inside in the bathroom to the bedroom I used so as NOT to escape while I had been packing all day. They responded in 5 minutes and since he had been hauled in on the 23rd for violence and chemical dependency into the crisis center his history was hopefully working against him. NOT. To date the ADA NOR the DA have charged him with anything beyond menacing. After reeturniung to the ER and clinic withon days unable to breathe and severe sharp pain, the ribs were then xrayed and my status became much more critical and serious than had been expected form mere musketal and soft tissue injuries. The police chief took an amended statement and had me take my medical files tothe assistant district attorney, who promptly asked me why I brought these files to him in the first place. I told him because the police chief told me to. Hmmm., he says well I haven't decided what if anything I am going to do with these charges and might even void the menacing. BIG MONEY talks.

I called th DA this Tuesday, he returns the call on his lunch break from court and "promises" to review the file and call me back that evening no matter what. YEP, NO call back. So I start hunting all over the grand state of NY for an honest attorney and judge to get these files logged and registered through another county and I meet with an new attorney and DA elsewhere. Can you believe it?

gets better, 2 weeks ago Thursday I collapse on the way to work, having been living in a domestic violence shelter in yet another town 65 miles from where I had lived and worked, driving every day... my primary care physician then had me admitted to the crisis center for uncontrollable crying episodes and severe pain management. I was passing out and have lost 40 pounds in the last 28 days. Not good. Apparently I was released prematurely as they never addressed the severe potassium depletion I have and that was what was causiong listlessness, passing out and dizzy spells. I got ill in front of a little town clinic, pulled over and went in and the doc discovered the potassium deficiency, that I should have been on synthroid for the last year for thyroid issues, according to all the bloodwork and hospital stays and that most of my hospitalizarions MIGHT have been avoided if a doctor last summer had done HIS job... I am off work until furhter notice, re-evaluation on Monday of the ribs, Tuesday of the bloodwork, Wednesday of the emotions, and also the meeting woith an attorney in a different town. I need to find a car, and a job that is less physical as this one is not doable from where I live without a car or going broke trying to get there.

I found an apartment, it took 3 weeks to get the sercvices hooked up and a plumbing issue addressed and I moved in one night before my 56th birthday. After living in the VIP shelter being affronted by another resident telling me to go hang myself, hassles with social services and so much other red tape it will all be in the book... I am now at the end of my first week or so and my little farm house is really shaping up PINK!

Over the next several weeks I will share with you my pretty pinks that I have been collecting for about a year since I joined PINK SATURDAYS.

First I'll share a photo update of myself. My parents came on Thursday and with Vabessa my living angel, we went out to celebrate my birthday to a local tea house. being the HAMBONE that I am I dressed in a Victorian looking dress I found in my thrifting journeys and of course it is PINK!

Sorry couldn't resist a CHESHIRE CAT grin for you all!

The necklace was a piece of extravagance last year that I purchased for my nephew's wedding.

Looking forward to many SATURDAYS to fill with my fabulpus PINK wares and wears!

Here is the first about PINKED. This adorable collection of cookie jars and miniature teapots is all thrifted and yard sales or consignment shops or goodwill stores, and decked with lots of PINKS!

Hard to get the right angle on a laptop webcam, but I am trying! two of the decorative little teapots thrifted over the last year with my sister Vanessa, we are always on the hunt for each other and when we show up together at a sale, NOONE stands a chance!

Mr and Mrs Kitty cookie jars, oh so sweetly bedecked and trimmed in PINKS!

The happy family on my PINK kitchen countertops.

More to come in ensuing weeks.

When times are tough, get PINKED!
Tears flow richly into my kitchen sink.
I cry them of happiness for all my PINKS.
I turn to my friends and the Heavenly skies
I reach out and share my heavy sighs.
I cleanse my soul and purge my past
Even this too I am told shall pass.
I look the LORD with prayerful hopes,
Somehow I manage to once agin cope...
Go to church and receive my prayers
Thank God for all my lucky years...
Begin a new a life of purity and solace...
And watch me build my PINK PALACE!

Poems My Way Valrie 08/27/2011

I am working on a new charity WAVAC (Women Against Violent Agreive Crimes) and please stay tuned to see how YOU can help me and others rise out of the ashes and begin a new life.

Thank you for being my friends.

I love you all.

Valrie

Sending ALL my BIG BEARY PINK HUG!

Fresh pot of JAVA brewed and now time to come and visit YOU!

May PINK Hearts fil yor day and weekend with love!

God and his glorious PINKS sunrise will cleanse my soul...

Please pray for me and I shall in turn do so for you. All pray for protection from hurricane IRENE!

May your weekend be peaceful and please hook up to BEV at How Sweet the Sound to share PINKS!

Remeber GOD LOVES YOU!

Life is So Confusing!

2011-08-24T00:53:00.000-04:00

I have been through so much again. Why do these things happen to me? I was assaulted on July 26th, 2011 and have fractured ribs and am on total disability.The former SO alleged fiance got badly drunk and hurt me and my cat and the ADA isn't doing a thing about it. Aggravated assault and he gets out in 3 hours from being arrested on $200 bond. All my life is worth was $2000.00. There is no justice no safe place for me. I feel so alone and abandoned and hurt. Physically I am broken my heart is damaged and I'll never trust again any man EVER!

I can't seem to get past this state of depression and abuse. After living in a safe house for 3 weeks I was abe to get into an apartment in another county and a city. I am starting all over again and am on disability and earning only 60% of my pay and will not earn any money for weeks.

My cat almost died last Thursday after I administered over the counter flea drops and I spent the next 12 hours frantically nursing him , m-m resuscitation, eplilectic seizures, convulsions, bathing him in warm water and ivory liquid and vinegar wash and cradling him in my arms. I mouth to mouth fed him water and soy milk drops and molasses by mouth. The veternarian told me I saved his life. I love CARMEL.

Anyways I am asking for your prayers and any help you might offer. I am trying to increase my income through MARY KAY and any one you can refer to me as a customer or potential recruit is geratly appreciated. Please visit me at www.marykay.com/vverhoeven

I am thanking God for saving my life even though I was badly injured and so was Carmel, we are in a new home and safe now we hope. Loss of income has affected me nearly as much as the injuries as it is hard to make ends meet. Where there is a will there is a way and I am searching for it. I hope to get back to work when the subbing starts up as the Otesaga is quite physical and I will not be ale to do that job for about 4 more weeks. the DBL claim has been submitted but red tape delays take time.

Please send up prayers for me and my CARMEL.

Thank you for caring.

I walk alone the path I trod
I heave a heavy sigh and nod
How sad to see my dreams sink
So deep into the sand, and on the brink
Of despair I lay down and close my eyes
In thoughtful prayer and realize
What a mjess my life has been -
And yet I will once more begin
A new chpater again, rise out of ashes
Annihilate whatever poses or clashes
With my endeavors to succeed
Or take from me what e'er I need
Lonesome for the arms of one
I loved with all my heart, broken bones
Will heal yet the heart forever stained
By hurt imposed on me, I'll refrain
From engaging love for quite a while,
Not even shall I spare a smile -
For what is there to be happy about
Noone came nor heard me shout-
The law looks the other way my rights
Are stripped his supported in light
Of the situation and set quickly free
Whatever is to happen with me?

Poems My Way Valrie 08/24/2011

Also my heart goes up to Heaven, dear MOM I miss youand I hardly count the 22 years you have been gone. God smiles upon you everyday and I am sure you are there helping him look over my life. I need your love tosay more than ever mommy, I miss you, I love you, thank you for being my mom.

Angels watching over me my Lord...

Sipping a spot of hot cinnamon tea and roaming the net with thee!

Remember God Loves YOU!

Please leave a comment they really brighten my day!

Sending out beary happy hugs to you today!

Kitty Prayers

2011-08-06T10:14:00.000-04:00

Is there any more I can do in life to be the person God wants me to be? I have finally broken free from the control of a bad relationship although it cost me great physical harm and financial loss once again. I have come to the conclusion that God wants me to be single and love only Him. There is no man out there greater than HE. God and his ANGELS are constantly watching over me.

Over the last week and a half I have been assaulted battered, hospitalized, moved temporary to storage, staying in a safe house under protective custody and found a new home (apartment in the country) to move once more to. WIth the love and constant guidance of my sis' Vanessa and her husband David, I have survived yet another epic soap opera episode of my tumultpus life. My dad too has been there for me assisting me with part of the security deposit to wehre I shall move within the next 2 weeks when all the utilities and phone services are hooked up.

The domestic violence crime unit has kept me safe and hidden.

Work has been brutal, college is suffering and am I am far behind. I will get through it all though...

My kitty had been staying with my sister Vanessa since the SO assaulted me and when we took the UHAUL there to load up the posessions she had been storing along with those from my storage unit, the little bugger had unbeknownst to any of us hopped into the back end of the UHUAL. Imagine our surprise after backing up the truck to unload and when David opened the door, this orange streak of a tabby went yodeling MEOWS! Interror of the neighbor's 3 dogs although penned he is hiding and comes out around their bushes and sits on their front wicker chair on the porch. He usually comes right to people. I have yet to be able to spend a night there as the authorities ant the phone hooked up for protection.. the cell phone service is minimal. Today, I finally have a day off from work and will travel the 52 miles one way and spend the day and bait him with his favorite treat, tuna in water, he only likes the JUICE though.

I miss my kitty Carmel and his sweet PINK nose terribly and want to make a new safe home for both of us. Please pray for us. I just want to lay down with him curled up in my arms and tickle his belly.

I am very excited about setting up my little pink country cotttage and will be doing all sorts of shabby cottage chic for the entire first level of a farm home.

PINKS are coming back into my life. Thank you all for the paryers you have sent and the many more to come. May you have a peaceful and Happy Pink Saturday! Stop by and say hello, I could use the cheering up!

Please visit Bev at How Sweet The Sound , our loving sponsor and LINK UP to other PINKS!

Please call me if you have my phone number!

Filling up the to go PINK travel mug and on my way!

I love to read your comments! Please brighten up my day! Here is my poem for the day!

Dear God, It's Me Again!

Hi there God, yes, it's me again -
How do you put up with the mess I've fallen in?
Will I ever learn from my mistakes?
Might I become someone filled with grace?

So many times I have begun life over
This time I dare not be a rover -
By your faith and love I shall abide
My fears and terrors from YOU don't hide.

You know God what best I need
I promise YOU I shall take heed
And walk the path of Light
Not stray in day or the terrors of the night.

Brokened bones one day will heal
But will my life e'er be filled with zeal?
I tremble at the sounds unknown
I cry when I hurt fillewith d saddened moans.

To Thee I turn in faith and hope
From danger, I run like the antelopes.
On bent jnees to YOU my prayers rise -
Wondering now what took so long to realize?

Comfort found in hymns and angelic sounds,
Knowing now through You safety abounds.
I ask for Your protection and constant love
And to keep sending those Angels from above.

As I enter this phase of mt new life
Help mold it to one void of strife -
I do not need a mansion for a home
I just need one to call my own.

To you I turn in thoughtful prayers
Remove from within that which scares
Send away the evil demons the unkind
And constantly send hints to remind,

That through You and FAITH, all is possible
The sins of the past no matter how terrible,
Are removed as I wash in the blood of Christ
And offer my life in Christian sacrifice.

I know deep within my heart there is a place
For forgiveness but I am not yet ready, grace
Be yours to forgive those who inflict wrong
Upon others, and may the Angels' song

Sing out in rejoice of one coming home
To the way of life and peace and from
Harm's way return no more, a closed door
SO a window opens, I'll wait to see what's in store -

Poems My Way - Valrie 08/06/2011
Dear God, It's Me Again.

Pink Tears

2011-07-30T09:59:00.000-04:00

A symbol for domestic violence. Here is the week of violence I just lived.

This week has been extremely stressful and dangerous for me. I was assaulted by the significant other, had him arrested, as last Saturday evening began the week of violence. The SO came home disoriented and intoxicated and without his car. He began smashing phones, throwing everything in sight and then threw a 25 pound dumb bell towards me, it hit my leg. The mother called frantic to the house pleaing for her son to call her. Their had been an obvious disagreement over his drinking and me. He shredded the phone lines and they snapped iff in pieces. The ceramic floor shattered, the wood floor cracked throiugh to the foundation. He was taken away in handcuffs for restarint but not arrested to the Crisis Center. I thought it might have been his cyst in his brain had changed. The house was flooded from him having left a bathtub fulll with water running and the overflow must have ben clofgged. I was betwen the hospital and the house the next 36 hours mopping up water. Frantically trying to save my possessions stored in the basement and his. Then he was released with a plan and contingency agreement to see the PCP and a chemical dependency appointment was scheduled. I took off a day at work to stay with him and monitor him, so now 2 days less paid and at risk of losing my job.... Thursday he threw a glass bottle at me when he came home drunk, and that made solid my plans to leave. I began boxing up everything and moving the things out in my car to a storage unit that was already chocked full of the furniture from my carraige house apartment. I called social services and they said they had a place to put me. I just didn't get out soon enough. He had kicked Carmel one night and the next night slammed the doors on his little paws. Now I was furious! Then Wednesday afternoon he came home and all Heck broke loose. By 8PM he was arrested. It hurt me to do it to him giving hum a criminal record but I realize it is He who have it to Himself. I have an injured shoulder blade and back, having been pinned into a door frame and pushed backwards out of it as he slammed the inside door on my right side, both sides of my body are scraped, bruised and injured. Back in the wrist splints full time. I now am FREE! I intend to stay that way.

Please post a domestic violence ribbon in support of all of us who have survived it. I hope it encourages others to speak out for their loved ones or self interests. I pray for legal representation and the finances to cover all of my injuries and losses.

Have a blessed day!

His "mommy" posted his bail and through the grace of God had a kind judge and compassionate officers who wrote and reccommended an order of protection, a restraining order and a transfer of property request. I had been sharing his home since last August, gave up my adorable carraige house apt because of him In March and since April this year have been looking for another place to live.

Currently I am in a safe house hiddened and protected. I believe I found an apartment. Hopefully next week I will be able to move there from the safe house but very scared he will find me and hurt me again. I pressed charges and will see it through to trial. Men who abuse women have to be taught a lesson. With the love of my sister Vanessa who immediately came to the home to help me pack after getting out of the hospital, we frantically and harrassingly packed up another era of my life while the chief of police and the sgt. protected me as the mother who is coowner of the house goaded me every second of the 1 1/2 hours it took to load the moving van.

I am asking for your PINK PRAYERS to help wipe away my tears.

PINK TEARS

In my despair I cry out a pool of pink tears...

My eyes swollen like my body flood and pool -

From injuries deeper than skin or broken bones

No longer hidden are the bruises or his sins.

I crouch in fear of being harmed once more

I scream in silence and yet nothing changes

For the good, the evil rules the world -

Does He not care, why do I suffer so?

Each time I believe my life has changed

And am back on the track it falls apart.

I am so weary from ill trodden paths.

I feebly keep on keeping on and for what?

Abusive times appear to be my mainstay.

Frightened nights filled with terror and

Wonder of where the next blow shall fall.

And bent knees bruised from prayers....

I know they are not unheard yet answers

I have yet to find and seek once more counsel

For the injustices of life, and cling to my faith

In hopes of a better tomorrow today.

With a paining heart first bruised by love

Of another, by another, and now hardened

Like a crystal... mine shattered broken glass

Shards pierce the essence of my soul -

Begin again this cycle, where but in God

Will I find the strength to pursue Life

With the zeal once embraced with joy -

Now but a regime to follow a day at a time?

The power of prayer is strong and I ask

You to send up legions of prayers among

Friends and for pink blessings to blanket

Me in Christ's love and His protection.

I like the phoenix will rise from ashes

Each time filled with more determination

To achieve my dreams, break free from

Chains of bondage and serve God.

One day I will become the woman He

Intended for me to be - I will surrender

All to shed the past exist today and

Live for the tomorrow that awaits me.

Poems My Way Valrie 07/30/2011

Time to refill the mug and visit my friends today at PINK Saturdays!

I could really use a lot of PINK Hugs to wipe away my tears!

Love and thanks to all of you for being my friend.

Please join Bev at How Sweet The Sound and all the other lovely blogs on PINK SATURDAY!

Pinking Up my LIFE!

2011-07-23T07:46:00.000-04:00

Pinking UP My Life

Lately I have been feeling rather blue and decided it is time to PINK UP my life.

Have spent the better part of May and June in the hospital or sick at home in between work...

So here are a few of my favorite things to PINK UP my life and maybe yours today!

My daughter Jenni loves PINK!

My cat Carmel snuggling me in my PINK jammies...

Missing the memories I built last summer with my Jenni both of us PINKED out that day!

A family wedding and PINK was the color for the bridal party!

My son a Marine and his PINK sunburned nose July 5th, home now from Afghanistan.

Talking up a PINK storm with almost anyone takes away the BLUES.

How can I feel blue with this PINK smiley!

I love getting presents all wrapped up in PINK!

Nothing brings greater joy than a little ones' pink hands!

Chang-Chang, Jenni's cat playing PINK!

The awesome power of God's sunset skies and waters reflecting totally PINKS!

Jenni a veternarian student in TX took a recent field trip to the zoo and here is a favorite flamingo PINK pic!

How about the mystique of this PINK ghost?

A cute little PINK dress from Coldwater Creek.....

Or this one from Victoria Secrets will HOT PINK things up....

Hot enough lately to have a strawberry PINK milkshake every day!

Nothing pinks up my life better than a new pair of shoes, PINK of course! Not only is the color shocking PINK but the price tag of these babies Stuart Weitzman pair of Parigi is FUCHSIA and shocking....go here for details!

Been hard at work interviewing, recuperating and working on those doctoral courses. Today is Induction Hall of Fame weekend at Cooperstown NY and the Otesaga is filled with celebrities and baseball stars and their families. SO time to hop in the shower and get all gussied up to go to work on this hot summer day.

I'll be by later to browse and read what's PINK and new in your lives. Thanks Bev for hosting this once again. How Sweet The Sound will fill your day with PINKS!

Out of the jammies now.... Smell the French roast?

My day would be so boring without my PINK coffee and teddy bears!

Having a sale so please stop by to buy! BOGO email me here for details.

PINK Hugs to all of you!

Lost in Life!

2011-07-20T09:57:00.000-04:00

Lost in Life!

Lost in the worries of my daily life
I reach into your hearts and ask for prayers...
I wander in my thoughts and seek guidance
I pray to be reproeved of sorrowful tears.

Pain consumes my day it terrorizes my night
I fight back diligently yet there is no end
I struggle to walk, to hide the grief deep inside
And my chest heaves powerful saddened sighs.

I know that Christ is there yet I cannot feel
The warmth of Heavenly light guiding
Me through my decisions and so make none
In fear that the wrong choice will be made...

I see not clearly a path to follow and walk
In clouded vision through my fears and dreams
No discernment in place or plan to rise above
And so my friends to you I come and pray...

Lift me up in your thoughts and prayers
Ask for guidance in all I am and shall be
To GOd alone let Him decide my fate this day -
In that I Shall become what He intends for me?

Poems My Way Valrie 07/20/2011

Guide me!

I will be hard at work today on college courses...

Plenty of JAVA on the stove!

Needing your love and HUGS to make it through the day!

Please leave a comment they brighten up my day!

Time to shower and get on with the day!

Pink Hats are there any PINK Horses?

2011-06-18T17:57:00.001-04:00

I am honoring history today with this lovely rendition of exotic elegance worn by a famous model for England's 300th celebration of The Royal Ascot of horse racing. Please visit here for my info on the celebration and to view the model displaying the amazing balancing act.

Also in honor of father's day I am sharing the PINKNESS of my heart with you and the special love my father AKA daddy, have always had with each other.

Daddy, Because of You!

Daddy, I wonder if that was my first word,

Probably and with the pinkness of a newborn's lips

And the gentle innoncence of a newborn babe,

Our eternal love and understanding has sprouted

Far beyond the realm of anyone's understanding...

We can still look inside each other's eyes

And know what lies inside the other's heart...

A lifetime of memories shared, some good some sad

Others we both would like to forget and some

Will never be forgotten and those which

Deserve not to be forgiven as well...

How does a daughter honor her father?

What can I do to let you know how dear you are to me

Daddy, do you already know?

You taught me how to swing a bat, ride a trike...

And laughable you taught me how to fish, to swim,

To dig ditches and mow a yard and be a tomboy.

Then as those years went by, you began to seee the woman

I would become and instilled in me the values of life -

You had hopes for me that are still being realized.

Many sorrows and losses you alsos shared with me.

Days I would have never gotten through without

Your love and your being by my side whenever I needed

You - daddy you were always there and still are.

With tears you cradled me as a newborn I am sure.

New tears came with childhood illnesses that caused us pain,

Yet I never doubted that because of you I'd get through it all.

As a woman yor smiled with pride each time I graduated with a higher degree

And wept with me when the doctorate of hard knocks bore me down.

Funny how I remember more the days of yore when I was young

Filled with life and so heartedly carefree.

Daddy, silence sometimes spoke more than words and I knew

At once when I did meet your chagrin and it motivated me

To do better and become the woman of my dreams.

In my middle years now I stand alone, a mother of two

A daughter and then a son, two beautiful gems -

Blessings from God, we shared such a short time with mom

And now with you and the beautiful woman they know as grandma DeeDee.

Oh the tears we have shed, the places we have gone and things we have done -

Yet to this day my happiest times are those late night talks we had

As a young teenager growing up and you'd come home from a long day,

Having been on the road all day, tired, and share your day with me,

As I stared wide-eyed back at you deprived of sleep -

Insominiacs that we both are. Those cups of tea and cookies

Or small bowls of our favorite maple walnut ice cream

Will always mean so much to me...

But first and foremost daddy,

That you always believe in me

And tell me to follow my dreams

When they fail, giving me

Encouragement to "get back up on that horse

By my bootstraps" and try until I do succeed -

Will forever remain in my heart.

Daddy, because of you

I have faith in myself

And hope to never let you down.

Happy Father's Day - Daddy

I love you.

Poems My Way - Valrie 06/18/2011

My daddy and 2nd mom 'Grandma Dee Dee' in the lovely lilac dress and daddy in the grey suit.
The beautiful bride and groom are my nephew and his lovely wife celebrating their FIRST anniversary on Father's Day. Me in the black dress behind daddy and most of my siblings.

Dad's little girl, little girl, Jenni, lives in TX grandchild # 9 I think and Joey # 11 I think....lives in NC off base, USMC...

Jenni and Joey celebrating her birthday and getting ready to say goodbye to Joey being deployed last Fall.

Jenni and her significant other Mikey!

Me and Jenni horsing around!

Joey just back this February from 7 months in Afghanistan, our PROUD MARINE in NC!

These children are my legacy as much as is they are grandpa as without grandpa none of us would be here!

My kids lost their own daddy May 28th, 2002. I lost all my posessions when ill and have no pictures of them were their own daddy to share with you. Treasure your memories and keepsakes for they can never be replaced!

Hope your PINK SATURDAY is filled with PINKS and that you also have a beautiful Father's Day!

Love you all!

Sending great beary PINK hugs out today!

About to take a long break and visit you now, then back on the computer to type out papers galore, nearing the end of 2 more courses towards my doctoral degree!

Don't forget to link up with BEV at How Sweet the Sound and share in all the glorious PINKS!

Love!

My Birthday Angel! Happy PINK SATURDAY!

2011-06-12T18:00:00.000-04:00

My Birthday Angel!

So long ago, yet just yesterday you were born to me -
A tiny little angel babe so happy as can be.
The only girl amidst all those boys in the nursery,
They cried and cried but my ANGEL sang with glee!

Your baby hands held tight to me and daddy all day -
You cooed and squirmed and smiled while you played.
A blessing sent to us from Heaven so long did we wait
For a babe as you to keep us up through the night.

The long walks we took in baby buggy rides and you
My sweet girl did giggle and made my dreams come true -
The first year you celebrated a birthday trying to walk
And long before the chattering came, as you did talk!

The years went by far too quickly it seems and now
A woman you have become, so proud am I of how
You have faced the trials of your life, and dealt with things
A young girl never should have to done. My heart brings

You all the love I hold, and in it I know your dreams
Will be realized as the angels watch over you... sunbeams
Of the tears of ones you love shine down upon you
And wrap their arms about you holding fast so true -

A special love sent this day I am sure from your dad
How proud he must be to see our ANGEL, glad
To know you persevere through all these years
And too he sheds tears for not being with us here...

Forever dear daughter we will embrace your life
With the love of parents, through happiness or strife
Just call out our names and we will be there
Always my loving daughter, I'll hold you so dear.

Poems My Way - Valrie 06/11/2011
Happy Birthday Jenni! Love Madre and daddy too!

My beautiful ANGEL Jennifer Ann, aka Jenni, born 6:59 PM June 11th, 1984.

Madre salami sends her a big PINK hug for her birthday of 27 years!

You will always stay my little ANGEL in that nursery!

And daddy in Heaven sends down a BIG teddy bear hug for you too!

AND Jenni last year I got to celebrate with her!

Be sure to link up to BEV over at How Sweet The Sound and share in many PINKS!

Also I missed our Pink Saturday Birthday Celebration being sick and in the hospital and here is my tribute to BEV and her beautiful kind spirit that fills my life and yours with PINKS each Staurday!

Off to rest a spell, long day at work, Sunday night and loads of papers to write, articles to read and projects with deadlines, but I so miss my PINK SATURDAY fix I am posting late and can't wait to come and visit you!

                                   Please help me get to go to my Mary Kay SEMINAR this year!
                                   BOGO (buy one get one free and free shipping!)
                    Includes all products on my website and orders placed before June 29th!
                           Building my team and living my dream, email me here for details!

Independent Skin Care & Glamour Sales Consultant www.marykay.com/vverhoeven

Love to all, and thanks for stopping by! God Bless you all and protect you!

Lost Love

2011-06-07T20:45:00.000-04:00

Dear bloggers. Today is always a very hard day for me to get through. It would have been my 36th wedding anniversary to whom I thought was the man of my dreams and would be by my side forever. At the young age of 19 I married my childhood sweetheart and believed our love would last forevet. I always looked forward to sharing our 25th, then our 50th wedding anniversary. Our never thought our love for each other would ever end, much less my true love's life at the age of 48 just 9 short years ago. We divorced after a 4 year engagement and a 16 year marriage, the last 2 which included a turbulemt divorce conquest I won. Doesn't matter the wrongs he did, and his falling in love with another wopmen 14 years his junior and 12 to mine, He is the father of my children and I will always love him for giving my precious gems.

Lost Love

I, but a mere babe fell in love with you
And forever gave myself to thee the night
We wed and joined souls for all eternity -
Little did I know how short the years would be...

Deeply in lovem unconditionally I to you betrothed
My life and gave us two beautiful children,
I sacrificed my career for them and you,
And now, they, full grown, I stand alone.

Saddened by the memories of our last years -
Yet too full of joy for the love our children bring,
For the praises they sing to you, even though
Now you are lost in body but not in mind.

Often I reminisce of our first long kiss,
The walks we took into the countryside -
The playful way we'd frolic on the beaches
Of the Jersey shore, and join each night.

Now though they are but lost memories to me -
Never to be relived in life, but yet a dream
That entwines my heart and wraps my soul
In sadness for happy times gone by, my prince -

The day you rode your chariot to the Heavens
Oh how we three did cry out in pools of tears,
Outraged at the injustice of your short life,
Robbed of the love twice we held for you -

Once more I cradled our children in my arms
And told them in our hearts you will always be,
More than a memory and to share them keeps
You alive in our hearts, souls and our minds.

Lady Luck robbed us all that day and took from
Me my future, my children's more than they would
Know at the time. We carried on, resilient yet
Turbulent lives led. I hope you are proud of us -

As you look down upon us and watch over our gems,
I too hope you mourn for the first love you forsook,
How difficult my life became that night you chose
To leave our home and I had no course but to fight -

And to protect the interests of our family, and until the end
Of your worldly domain, we three stood by your side,
Still I weep for those years and the chance to relive them,
To convince you we were the true love of all your years.

Time stood the test and we hold your memory dear,
Cherishing you more each day and only wish the past
Would change and have your smile by our side and
Your arms enfold us all once more, 'tis but a dream -

Oh were I to walk the book of life what to change,
What step mistook that changed our lives and which
Ones to take to set it right once more, but that book
Is closed, we are but to hold fast the memories of yore.

Poems My Way Valrie June 7thm 2011

Rest In Peace my love.

Valrie

Memorial Day! Where would we be without JESUS?

2011-05-30T08:58:00.030-04:00

In remembrance of all the men and women who have fought, lived through or sacrificed their lives so we may live, PLEASE honor them today with remembrance of the sacrifices they and their families have made. Fly your flags proudly and know that to be an American is to live free!

Where Would We Be Without Jesus?

Where would we be without Jesus in our lives?
How would we live and care for each other?
Would we shed tears of sorrow
Wait with anxiety until the tomorrows
Of our lives passed us by?
Would we weep and sob of years gone by?
Would the crimes of war haunt us any more?
How would we live without Jesus in our lives?

What woul;d you do if your son was sent abroad?
Would you die a thousand deaths whikle waiting?
Or worse if your daughter or son did not return?
How would you live without the sacrifice Jesus made?
Could you carry on once more or would you die inside?
How can we continue to live without Jesus each day?
What will it take to make the world finally see
That without Him there is no lifewithoput Jesus in our lives?

When will we realize that crimes of the past still
Are those of the future, and lern from others' mistakes?
Where do we go to find Jesus in our lives, and not be alone?
How do I reach out and touch the ones I lost and protect
The ones I hold dear to my heart from acts of war?
Will we ever lay beyond the reach of terrorists?
When does enough finally come and peace reign the earth -
When will we all live with Jesus in our lives?

What do you pray for at the rising of the sun?
How do you wrap your day's end, in prayer?
Is it hemmed with the love of Jesus and cries for peace?
Or do you unmask more sins of the fathers on our youth -
Do you project blame upon the innocent and strip
Women and children of their families and men too?
Do you see deliverance from crimes of hate and war?
Do you really desire to have Jesus in your lives?

When will you fall on bet knees and say your prayers?
Have you given thanks to those left overseas?
It is but a matter of time that Holy wars devour all
And our soil is attacked because we have warred
And because we have protected others, who
Who will protect us without the love of Jesus?
Will we bare the test of time or lose it all?
Is there life without Jesus in our lives?

Poems My Way Valrie 05/30/2011

Happy Memorial Day!

Valrie

What BUGS YOU?

2011-05-15T04:01:00.000-04:00

What BUGS you?

Pink bugs bug me unless they are on four wheels....

Are you Pink Bug friendly?

This is more my idea of a PINK BUG!

LINK HERE FOR Heather's GOOGLE PINKS

Once again the lovely bloggers over at Bev's How Sweet The Sound take my breath away. Soon we celebrate our PINK SATURDAYS birthday... come see! I will have a very special post next week to honor BEV and all my PINK friends so join as a follower and enter to win my PINK SATURDAYS BIRTHDAY giveaway!!

Pink LINKS with BEV at How Sweet The Sound

Please consider donating to The Relay for Life. I am walking the survivor's lap this MAY! Would love to have you on my VIRTUAL TEAM! Email me here to donate and details!!!!

Want to see a pretty PINK VINTAGE Dress I found?

This beautiful PINK calico ensemble can be purchased at Recollections.

And of course what is a beautiful dress without the right jewelry?

I am planning a big PINK java day next weekend for sure!

Can I call on you to join in the fun with me and everyone?

Perhaps you'll have a pink tea with me?

Or spend it sending out PINK HUGS!

Whatever you do with the rest of your day... please send your comments my way as they will really brighten up my days!

PINK Loving Thoughts go out to all my PS friends!!!

To MOM with Love!

2011-05-08T10:19:00.002-04:00

MOM, I Love You!

Have you ever wondered where the beauty inside you came?
Do you remember the first person who held you, spoke your name?
I am pretty sure it was you MOM, nuzzling me, a newborn
On a hot summer's day, Wednesday child, full of joy?
So many memories flood my mind, as a pool of tears
Runs down my own motherly cheeks and collects
The years gone by once more and I still remember
The day I too became a MOM, and turned to you...
Guidance sometimes, though distance far between us
Might have kept warm embraces yet in heart and mind
You were and are still always with me, to rock away my tears
And fill an empty heart with hope once more, each day...
How great a MOM were you, a family of we six siblings
Always underfoot, scrapping, playing, jumping monkies
On our little twin beds, sleigh rides on cardboard in Spring
On the morning dews wet glossy fields of grass that rolled
Into our backyard, the smell of snickerdoodles baking
Or that chocolate mayo cake in a pan, and homemade!
And that walk to the bus on the first day of school
And I came home singing a new song much to your demise
No honey Popeye does not live in a garbage can
And you can't sing about him being a naked man any more..
That summer when the three of us bed ladened with pneumonia
And we all missed the World's fair in a place called NYC.
Our camping trips that began with me in brownies and
Went on for years and years, our summers packed with fun.
How proud you were of me when I received my first trophy
Upon that stage in second grade and we two shared
Our love of poetry. So wise a MOM there ever was is she -
The gentle and firm ways you had with us, and humor
Filled our lives - even when the tempest stormed, or complaints
Ran rapid from our sassy mouths, yet we knew we were loved.
Those crazy car trips for 12 hours straight down to the Carolina shores
And visits with our cousins as we played upon the sandy beach
In April and thought that it was warm, little did we know...
Your strictness came with discipline and expectations galore
And I strived to make you proud of me in all that I would do -
For you dear MOM are the most special woman to me -
My life would not be the same had to another I been given
The choice was God's and He knew just what I needed- YOU
MOM, I hope you are smiling down on me and tears are not shed -
For MOM I'll make more mistakes and learn from them, growing
Every day to the understnading of how to mend my ways -
Improving my life, and loving too unconditionally my own
Children, for little of you first hand did they know before you
Were Heaven sent, but trust me, they know you through my memories
Held fast inside my heart and once locked, now opened with a key
Of kindred spirits that float along the way, stopping now and then
To reflect upon our lives and knowing how and when to believe
In a better way of life. The legacy you left behind grows richer
Every year as we expnd our families with your great grandchildren
Oh how we wish your laughter they could hear and feel the love
You gave to us, through us they do, and photos rest upon
The stands and dressers lace dollies underneath, remembrance
Of the one who first carried us within, loving us to the end...
MOM I miss you so and just want to let you know, alhough
At times we disagreed you filled my life with glee, I'll always
Hold you in my heart and though tears fall, throughout eternity.

In Loving memory of MOM

Poems My Way - Valrie 5/08/2011

Please share with me your favorite memories of your MOMS!!!

This is my beautiful MOM, an angel in Heaven now 22 years and here she was just about 22 years of age, in loving memory MOM!

Now this would be me, is there a resemblance?

And this is my beautiful daughter Jenni, and she doesn't think she looks like her mom or grandma?

What do you think!?

Jenni

The lovely little daughter who first made me a MOM, my Jenni! (26) Soon to be 27 and is earning honors in her veternarian doctor's academic career...

Jenni & Joey May 2010

My gorgeous son Joey, 23, last August 2010, the night he left for Afghanistan as a Marine....

Yes, he is home now and as a MOM I couldn't be prouder of the life he has chosen!

CARMEL, My loving four pawed kitty (He really thinks I am his mommy!)

Linking up to Bev at How Sweet The Sound HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY! and all my PINK SATURDAY FRIENDS!

I work all day and night today, so wherever you are JENNI & JOEY thanks for being my children and loving me both on my good days as well as the not so good days!

I will always be your MOM!

Camera is giving me grief still, so PLEASE leave a comment, become a FOLLOWER, AND YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED IN MY pink mother"s day GIFT BASKET DRAWING.

As I posted a bit late, the winner will be chosen next Friday at 12 midnight EST!

Please leave a comment and share your facvorite memories with me of your MOMS!

Sending you MOMS my PINK SATURDAY HUGS!

Off to work today no time to play. I will be at the computer tonight though to read all the lovely PINKS!

All of you are so VERY dear to my HEART! Thanks for being my blogginf frinds!

Don't forget to leave a comment and share a mother's memory with us!

I pray that God's blessings grace each of us and our memories of our MOMS and being a mom!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

2011-05-01T09:26:00.000-04:00

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Looking out my windowpane I see
The little robin bobbing for his worm
I hear birdsongs fill the air with glee
As flocks, once more, return home.

The velvety grass ticking my toes
As I walk barefoot and chase
Spring's first baby butterfly and choose
To let her escape my net with grace -

The garden tended with e'er so much care
The thistles and the buttercups are wild
But just as dainty, perhaps will fair
Better than the ones hands have toiled...

The sweet fragrance of magnolias
Spray across the sky and Easter lillies
Now become a memory, regalia
Foregone and the pathway filled for miles -

With violets and forsythia, daisies too
Oh what beauty amounts beneath the blue
Skies and puffy marshmallow clouds, you
Can't help but wonder but 'tis true -

Our Heavenly wonders bestowed on earth
The journeys of our youth reach far
Beyond the wisdom of the myrth
Brought to our Holy King and the stars

Now guide us and light the way
From the darkness of each night
Into the beauty of each new day
With rays of happiness shining bright -

The junipers ladened with fresh greens
The ponds rippling with bellowings
Of bullfrogs and the proud bees, queens
Pollinate the flowers and honey sucklings

Complete the cycle of nature once more
Each tiny being or plant a purpose serves
Adorn our tablescapes, hung upon doors
The lavender scent to relax wrought nerves.

In all the glory of Spring new hope is born
The cycle of Life renews our faith to Thee
We wash away the sins, for they are shorn
By the blood of Christ sacrifice, painfully -

We bear the loss with you yet cannot understand
How great He suffers still for in His death
There yet remains the inhumanity of man
I pause and stop to cry, refill an empty breast

For in Spring all is fresh and cleanliness prevails
I so enjoy the melodies of songs between
The creatures of the day and night, oceans' whales
With songs for miles heard, the winds and their gales

My yard bedecked with daffodills
Its banks lined with pink hyacinths
And the short lived pale jonquils
First to burst through with their scents

A myriad of colors will soon fill the beds
As flowers in their blooms spurt forth
A sea of wondrous glory, spring fed
Waters graced by God's kind earth

Tend the gardens in the night
Basked in a warming sun by day
Ah but for the Showers of April
Would there not be theflowers of May!

Poems My Way -Valrie 04/30/2011

Beautiful outside, a bit chilly but I do have jonquils, daffodills, and hyacinths to appreciate, and so many birds are tweeting aloud their songs of spring.

Pink hyacinths are e'er so sweet to smell in the dew of the morning sunrise.

Sending out PINK beary hugs to all my PS friends!

REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU!

May your PINK Saturday be filled with the lovely bloggers you may see. Link up to Beverly at How Sweet The Sound for more posts!

Make it a PINK SATURDAY!

PINK BUBBLE TIME! RELAY FOR LIFE FUNDRAISER FOR BC!

Mother Day specials buy one get one free! 24/7 shop here!
25% of all sales 4/30/11 through 5/31/11 will go to the MaryKay Ash Fundraiser for BC Research.
As a survivor, will you help me raise money for breast cancer research? Email me for details!

Off to the keypad for an hour to see my PS friends, then to work, home at 5:30 and a night of writing my ffriends!

Remember God Loves You!

Love to read your comments, they shine upon my day!

Please respect copyrights of original art and poems!

As I Ponder Through the Night...

2011-04-27T12:03:00.001-04:00

"In the Still of the Night" came on the radio and here is where my own thoughts take me in the still of my nights...

As I Ponder Through the Night

Sometimes I lay awake at night and wonder,
Oh the troubles and worries of my slumber -
Never a frutiful evening for me was spent,
Trying to discern the irony and malcontent
Of those who would inflict pain upon
Another, prey on them when downtrodden -
Souls empty and ever so lost in despair
Consumed and frantic because of their fear.
What causes such a futile life to be -
Why is it the past so haunts them and me?

And then there are the mornings' sweet sunrise
WHen the tears of the night met their demise
For as I awaken to the laurels of birds in Spring
I celebrate the life of every living thing!
The butterflies whose grace takes away my breath
The tulips and the lillies perfection underneath
Barefeet and silky grass in meadows as it grows
For the little fawn spotted and her dainty nose
That sniffs for luscious greens partakes a meal
Each day filled with love and off explores with zeal..

Yet still the night returns and thoughts of yesteryear
Creep in between the folds of more than just my fear -
Of memories and treasure lost forever, untold
Lies and wounds left to heal, oh to be loved, to hold
Another in my arms without the fear of pain -
To renew my faith, have hope for love again,
But can that ever be or is trust and respect so gone
Annihalted through years of hate, sad and broken bones
Left on a roadside to die or as the law of nature demands
Rise above and fight for Life and Love, I stand!

But as I begin to crawl out of the pits of my sorrows
Although I may forgive them, I'll ne'er forget the tomorrows
Of my life, the roads I traveled, the murky bloody waters
The visits came they went and love like wilted flowers.
A soul awakened from slumber to rise out of the ashes
Of another's sins, to rebuild a life without lashes
From those loved the most, the cruel whip of man
Mudering my thoughts, absconding with my plans...
And I now cajole myself with the truth and bare
My secrets for noone but for me, as I dare!

Sometimes a pause in Life brings a new calm
It rejuvenates the once burdened empty palms
Delightfully returns one to a better state of mind
The tiny granules of hate did not last in time
Enough to destroy the joy, the love of a birdsong
As it glides amidst the damp dewey morn, gone
To soar among the skies and build a nest
Among the Poplar trees for their own sweet rest.
and as the moon settles in aloft upon the clouds
I pause to think and speak my fears aloud...

Yes, a pause serves well, it does not set back
The hands of time, nor remove the hard cold facts
Of war and other sinful acts, yet brings us time
Time of reflection, projecting lesser than kind
The blame unto nother, friend, foe, or lover
And man agiain forget hiss brother and his mother
Strays from the path of Light, and his thoughts
Walks alone in darkness, all is indeed for naught
Unless the pause in Life renews our hope for mankind
So my friend, need I once again, a glimpse behind?

Poems My Way Valrie 04/27/2011

I hope that God brings each of us what need for commfort in the still of our nights!

A final note, I will be walking in the local Relay for Life this Spring in Cooperstown Dreams Park and honoring those os us whom are survivors of BC and of our loved ones, I am accepting donations for a virtual team to walk with me. Please email me here! for more details!

My goodness, it's almost 12 noon and here I sit sipping my JAVA and still in a robe...

Time to be running though, as our dear poet Robert Frost wrote... "and miles to go before I sleep."

Additionally as a MaryKay Independent Skin Care Consultant I am donating 25% of all sales to the Mary Kay Ash Foundation for researching Breast Cancer, chances are we all have someone in our lives touched by this disease. Visit my PINK BUBBLE here and free shipping now through May 31st!

Enter your email here for A PINK Mother's Day/MAY DAY Spring PINK BASKET! All entries must be received by Tuesday May 3rd and will the lucky winner be shipped Wednesday May 5th!

Please leave a comment, they so brighten up the darkest of days!

Remember, GOD LOVES YOU!

To Thine Be The Glory

2011-04-24T00:01:00.005-04:00

To Thine Be The Glory

Dear God, to Thine be the glory, the resurrection takes hold
For the Son as lambs was sacrificed unto Thee we're told...
The palms were laid, the tomb was closed and laid to rest
Harken the angels call as Mary boldly confessed...

Christ has died, Christ has risen again, King of Kings,
How wondrous a miracle such good news to bring...
The trupets sound, the soldiers are aghast
For they feared not what we know at last...

The Son, our God, and Holy trinity proclaims
Life everlasting for in His death no longer to refrain
Proclain your faith for we are redeemed...
Hasten to the chapels at sunrise to be seen...

Hosana loud the angels sing Hosana is Our King
Sins forgiven, washed away by His sacrificing
All to be our Lord, His Father did unselfishly provide
The way to Eternity, so our sins we need not hide.

To God and Christ be Thine glory, cheer, share the story
Of Jesus, His Life, His Love, everlasting faith, surely
Deserves no less of Thee, for God loves His Son
And what is, was, and will forever be is not undone.

Praise all the Heavens, Loud the anthems sing
For on this Easter Morning, we crowned Him King.
Rejoice, rejoice, and know with all your inner soul
That Christ's death is Life, for thousands yet told...

Spread the Word, the gospel hymns sing Thee well,
Embrace the Love, the Light, and find a peaceful
Sanctuary to embark upon your walk with Jesus
His joy is in the redemption of our sins, beseeches us...

We hear His Word, and most today obey
For with His life our sins He did pay!
Behold the garden of our innocence was plucked away
Yet on this Easter morn' we beg forgiveness, pray...

To Thine own Life, God should be the glory
For His Son's sake, disciples tell His story,
The lilly scented Heaven brings forth delight
For no long in darkness does despair rule the night.

The rays of Hope, blessed by Eternal Life renews
Our inner souls, a second chance to our Lord be true,
Do not betray His trust, nor throw lives away in lust -
For verily this time Life promises much for us.

Yea, though you have walked through troubles waters
And now been washed clean by Christ, life matters,
Make of it more than years gone by, heed this advice
And in God's powerful sacrifice of Christ have Life.

Poems My Way - Valrie 04/24/2011

To Thine Be The Glory Hymn that inspired this poem...

May your Easter be filled with happiness and the promise of Life. Remember to Love others as God Loves!

Linking up with so many wonderful inspirational bloggers at Spiritual Sundays visit for more blessings!

God Loves You!

In The Bulb There Is A Flower

2011-04-23T20:25:00.001-04:00

In The Bulb There Is A Flower...

In the bulb there is a flower,
In spring there is new life...
In Christ's death was made a sacrifice
Yet as we near the coming hour...

Have you shared in His glory?
Does your heart speak purely
Are your thoughts His, totally
Cleansed by the wounds of His story?

We walk along the path of Man
Doing good deeds to enter within
The Kingdom of God, how convulted then
Is it to think it is purchased, planned?

Kindness is truly a virtue, forgiveness
Though is mine and yet how difficult to choose
To forive, yes, forget I think not, those
Who could ever forget the reasons are useless..

The will toil on earth and plant seeds
To become weapons of doubt, to confuse
The minds, hearts, and souls, to diffuse
The strength that grows in the garden, take heed.

In the bulb of Christ's story there is a flower
Tat flower is one of new life, rebirth
An opportunity to cleanse the earth
Take fast ahold of God's word, for near is the hour...

As the sun comes up Easter morn' will you see
The sunrise of God's glory, His sacrifice
To Man was His Son, the bulb of eternal life
I pray you reach out and welcome Eternity.

Poems My Way- Valrie 04/23/2011

May your Easter be blessed, Passover cherished, and your heart filled with the love of Life.
I had so many ideas for the post today, nd yet when I sat to compose prose, this poem just came to me... literallly.

As a young Christian one of my favorite songs was and still is.. In the bulb there is a flower...

Today I start a seasonal position at Cooperstown's famous The Otesaga. Check it out here and come to Hawkeye Grill!

I, A modest greeter to welcome you to the Grill.

The Otesaga, prestigious, exquisite and we love it!

See this adorable bunny holding her Spring Lamb? I found her thrifting on Monday, I fell in love!

Sending you a BEARY Happy PINK EASTER hug!

Please HOP over to BEV and share with all the great PS!

And I so love to read your comments!

Remember, God Loves us everyone!

I'll be by later this evening, just so EGGS CITED to see all the spring and PINKS!

Crown Him Our True King

2011-04-22T18:46:00.001-04:00

Holy week is drawing to a close and as Christ died upon the cross let us remember He suffered in death so that we may have eternal Life.

Crown Him Our True King

Along the road he bore a cross, our sins and even more
The knowledge that His earthly life would soon cease...
Betrayed by those of trust, loved too by women of lust...
And yet a man and but a King, He was crowned one day -

Crowned Him with the thorns, humiliated further and yet
His words, "forgive then Father, they not what they do..."
Crown Him The King of Kings and share in the glory
Through the years has the journey changed?

We visit Good Friday, the day Christ died
And yet the world today seems far worse than before
Christ died, why I wonder? Why do You allow the suffering?
How can our pains, and hurts, and heartbreaks matter...

When on bent knees I fall and beg for mercy, relief
From the woe and ways of the world, a sea of tears
Shed, and not even sweet vinegar removes the stain
Mankind has placed upon the earth, filled with scourge.

A time for renewal and the rebirth awaits, a second coming?
Or the beginning of the end, does it matter, will it ever end?
The homeless wander and wonder where the next meal might be,
The battered and abuse turn their cheeks and flinch in pain...

And when God, when will mankind refrain from ill gotten ways?
Is it today Lord, the day you were crowned with thorns?
Or will it be tomorrow or the next and the next, and...
I flee the lands that birthed me for they too have forsaken me...

I stripped myself of the sins I bore and cleansed myself in Communion...
And still here are more, crosses to bear, tears to shed, and blood
To wash away yet more sins yet to be unleashed by the wrath of man,
And God, where are you? Should we endure it all as did Christ.

In scoff, the soldiers crowned Him a King, made of thorns; the women
Weeped and begged of His crucifiers to have mercy, yet in no way
Was Your Son released from the burdened of our sins, a travesty
It must have been to stand by and watch the wounds Christ endured.

Crown Him a true King, release from within this hateful world
For all eternity man's hate, crimes and wars, show us how
Tell us why crown a king and then upon his grave roll the door?
In attempting to build I fear more faith was destroyed...

So Crown Him, Crown Him the rightful King, AND in the second coming
Raise high the palm branches as he rides into the Holy Lands,
Awake in all the ability to see and share the one true light,
Please God, a humble servant, I beseech Thee, Crown Him, King.

Poems My Way Valrie 04/22/2011

Will You Walk With Me? Be Still My Burdened Soul, All is Well

2011-04-21T15:53:00.000-04:00

Today's Poem is inspired by this Swedish lyric. Hope you enjoy it!

Will You Walk With Me?

Into the garden of life I came and once walked alone.
No longer for you are here and so walk with me...
Once forgotten I know now where and how to come home
And how simple, yet did I only know sooner to open my eyes to Thee?

Many a cold wintry morn' I walked the woods of my youth tide,
Afraid of my feelings, wiping teary eyes, for I felt forlorn
My friends were but mine enemies, the truth from them did I hide?
A heart filled with so much love to give, yet ruthlessly torn...

Searching among the starlit Heavens I gazed up in awe,
I cried out to You, yet little knowing the answers weren't far...
I heard the lips of angels speak to me as they comforted, raw
Within the burden of my loins and heart a lost soul marred...

And they said will you walk to me, will you come into my arms?
Or as did we once help to carry footprints in the sands,
Come to you as Jesus so you too will walk, no longer harmed?
Please dear one, stretch out your weakened woeful hands...

Won't you walk with me, and feel the gentle breeze of love?
Are you not worthy of happiness, relieve the burdened years...
Come unto the Heavens and Hosana, join Aaints high above,
For full well we know, 'tis long enough and pain becomes tears.

Our tears or of joy, happiness, and birth for your Salvation
Comes and time is drawing near, so Ye of Faith, come walk
With Me, harken to the angels calls, and through Resurrection
Of your Faith, conviction to the LORD, new Life embarks.

So are you able to walk with me, steady by my side in faith?
When will you make the choice to enter the realm of God?
Will it be today my friend, a gentle walk and talk ... how great
A choice for all when you answer true my call, yes, through God...

Now, a tender talk from me to you, and we walk a glorious path
Into new begnnings, washed by the blood of Christ in sacrifice
Not the Lamb but the Way, belongs to you, as today rejoice, hath
Made a new entry into the book 'tis written your eternal life.

Poems My Way Valrie 04/21/2011

Like I said yesterday, they just come to me... and when the muse speaks I listen and my fingers take the walk with Thee oh God, Praise You!

A second by a favorite hymn... Be Still My Soul and John Moen's rendition...

http://youtu.be/nHV_uEGSTXA

Be Still My Burdened Soul, All is Well

Be still my burdened soul, for all is well today
Christ my Saviour has come to the garden of my life
And planted the seeds to rebuild awaken yesterday
When all was good and true filled with love not strife -

Be still my troubled heart, relieve the salty tears
That pool deep within your wound and hear His words
No longer live in chains that bound you all these years,
Break free from laden straints placed unjust and so hard...

Be still and know that He is here with you lost soul,
Bathe in the cleansed waters, your sins washed away,
What was once dark, depressing, and long run foul
Is replaced with peaceful thoughts, in not so subtle way...

Gone is the time to wile away your youth, reach out now
And hold fast to the rope I sent to you, climb high
Upon it and permit the pure waters to baptize, somehow
You have known, cajoled yourself many a day, but why?

Why will you not be still my soul, what causes the unrest?
Have you other burdens left to share, does pain still await
Your closed door, or is it time for Love, Life, Happiness?
Yes, be still my souls, be still and enter into His gate.

There is but one way to be still, my soul, it rests with HE...
Ponder longer, delay once more, or break free from heavy chains
That bind you, how many years oh troubled soul, unhappily
Left to wander and wonder or know through Christ, He came...

Ah, yes, peace, serenity, I bask now with thee, content beyond
Belief or becasue I do believe, through my faith I rise to Thee.
Whole again, the injured soul lies still, lost, now found,
I am coming home to you, be still my soul, be free.

Poems My Way- Valrie 04/21/2011

You Were There! Making choices that count in LIFE!

2011-04-21T12:36:00.001-04:00

You Were There!

Were You There?
Yes, most definitely, you were there when they crucified OUR LORD.

He took from us our sins and washed them away with the wound he bore -

Deep into his side, as the sword plunged and nails pounding –

Soldiers hung Him high upon the Cross for all to see … pondering thoughts.

My God the sacrifice You made, seemed filled with cruelty to take the Life

From within one born in Your Namesake, of humble means and civility.

Ne’er a kinder or more compassionate soul than HE walked our Earth,

And yet now… Was it all futile, as we desolate YOUR lands; Destroy your flocks?

The sheep and lambs we send to war, pale in comparison to what is most at stake -

Lost souls, lost lives to dwindle and combat away their incessant fears in Hell.

Idyllic worships in vain, misguided prayers to false gods filled with false hopes

Of eternity with the One High Being, or a game of chess is surely played –

I FEAR what I do not understand, I run from what I know, I seek in knowing more –

How Lord, how to tell all we were there with you upon that once barren cross?

Tell me how to share the walk you took up Cavalry Hill… with total faith

You bore the sins of all mankind and in your death there is Life, Resurrection -

A day for all our souls is near. When , You are too kind to enlighten us –

Yet rest assured, The Day will be either a rapture of wrath or a blessing of Angels

Consuming those without repent or guiding home your precious flock.

The choice remains ours alone, as do the consequences. What do you choose?

Remember YES you were there as Christ died upon His Cross , He chose

The path of Life, to honor His Father as do I, the One and only father of mankind.

The road you will travel is not always filled with joy, but it brings eternal happiness

Will you Stand up for Jesus this Easter Sunrise? Will you be there this time?

Poems My Way – Valrie 04/21/2011

credits for picture

Did Christ die in vain?

artist credits

The One Question, this Year will you be There?

Or will the sun go down without your Salvation?

I send up prayers for all to come to eternal LIFE through the Light!

Please share your thoughts and comments!

...And now back to scholarly writing, the creative juices are battling against the academic ones, and yet to achioeve my goals I must reach a balance of the two. How?

God Bless YOU and as Mom always said , "Rememeber, GOD LOVES YOU!"

This too will pass!

2011-04-20T20:10:00.001-04:00

There are days when creative juices flow, flood my thoughts and I ere can help but jot them down. Thank goodness for voice activated software. As you all know this has been a very difficult 8 weeks for me. I am off crutrches and have to wean myself off the walking boot aircast. :-) I actually walked barefoot in the grass and even though quite soggy I loved it! And to think at 3AM this AM we had an inch of snow fresh fallen.

Trying to beat the odds and finish my current doctoral course with courage and on time... I did have to request an extension, rather an incomplete in progress. The class officially ends Saturday,and with my meager accomodations I am on the books for 1 1/2 times extension to complete it. However, the good Lord has given me an angel of a professor and she understands what I am enduring and has been a constant supportive professor and a nurturer. Bless you Dr. Thompson. There needs to be more facilitators , educators and administrators like her, empathy without making you feel badly. She always encourages me to keep being The Little Engine That Could!

From the Poet's Corner!!!

This Too, Will Pass!

And I too will endure all that it takes to make me whole

I will, like the Phoenix rise from the ashes of burning pain

Soar among the clouds when this terminal degree is done

Run with the bulls in Madrid, dance with the tulips in Amsterdam

Bask on the beach in Hawaii, swim with the dolphins in the sea

Bounce with the kangaroos of Australia, laugh with New Zealand seals

Roar among the African jungles with my saber tooth feline kin.

Rise to new heights with the bald eagle of the great American Northwest,

Climb the highest peak I can find even if it is only Mt.Washington...

Sail the oceans around the world and snorkle the day away with fish...

Race around the track in a new to me Corvette like the one I lost...

Sing with the Angels for all they have guided me through,

And one day sit with God, my Maker and Saviour, for all eternity...

Oh but for all our dreams, would we still want to endure?

Poems My Way Valrie 04/20/2011

May the angels continue to watch over all in their times of need....

I give thanks to You God,... for God is good, and all the time God is good!

Among all Nature rests God in His Glory!

Please leave your comments, they brighten up my day!

In loving memory for MOM & Granny~ Susan Boyle How Great Thou Art (HD Scenic)

2011-04-20T09:06:00.000-04:00

Dear Mom, Granny,

In loving memory of just How Great THOU Art.

Mom used to sing this so loud thee rafters in the house would shake. It was awesome! Mom, I hope you are still singing this only now for the angels and GOD!

Granny was the greatest grandmother a little girl could ever hope for. I miss you Granny HAPPY BIRTHDAY in Heaven!

Love your Daughter & Grandaughter,

Valrie~

Rise above Fear

2011-04-20T04:42:00.000-04:00

Today I dedicate my poem to a dear friend in Poland who has been stressed out over a stalker who has terrified her daily life. Please send up prayers for Teresa and may God Bless you and keep you safe Tess!

Rise above Fear

When into the pits of FEAR we gravely fall -

Rise above them and listen to a higher deity's call!
Remove yourself from the circle of chains that bind you -
Grab that rope and tie as many knots to hold onto!
Know that you are not alone and that I know your fear is real...
Return to your life, with a bit less zeal,
But return and safeguard the signals that are sent out, as they bounce back!
Address the look in the mirror - what does it reflect? Get your life back!
Hold high your head, square your shoulders, lift up your chin?
Confront these fears despite others' murky chagrin...
When you break free of fear, your life at once begins again!
Close this door now and open your heart and win!

Poems My WAy Valrie 04/20/2011

I am reaching across the globe to give you a hug!

My heart goes out to you!

Will always be here as a friend, you just call out my name... (James Taylor)

I always ever a keyboard click away or email me here!

Your guardian angel will watch over you....

My heartfelt prayers are sent for you to God's hands...

Love You!

Sweet beary hearts and dreams!

Please leave a comment and prayers send up in name of teresa.

By God's Grace

2011-04-19T23:25:00.000-04:00

By God's Grace

Oh Holy Week upon us once more
God in all His glory knows what lays in store -
He asks that we humbly enter within
The door He opens in order to begin...

A life filled with serenity, kindness and His love -
The warm touch of His hand reaches down from above...
To Thine name, oh Lord I share Thy wondrous story
In hopes of peace, eternal life and a realm of glory.

Healing Grace who shines upon all that flock
Within the walls of His kingdom, doors unlock
To those who reveal themselves and surrender all
Answering the cries of woe, empty arms that call

Out for relief, burdens and toils runneth over -
No means to rise above the ashes and take cover
In the blanket of Godly love, redemption of a soul -
To how many others will Thy story yet be told?

In my life I have felt Thy love, been resurrected from my grave
Of sadness more than once, yet still the heart tears apart, save
For the One constant in my hands which rest upon your feet
As you carry me through desolate sands, barren lands and weep -

Tears of sadness or tears of hope to cleanse away the sins
Of the earth, of man, not for scoffing or to offer chagrin
But to set straight the crimes of all and wash the bloody river clean
For this I lay awake at nights in hope of this reality and not amy dreams...

Take my life and Lord let it be, shape it molded and held fast by Thee
Fill my empty soul with tears of joy, show me steadfastly, and happily
I will follow Ye into the Kingdom of God - renew my broken faith
And by Thy love oh Holy One, as only You might grant me grace.

Poems My Way Valrie 04/19/2011

As I walk the path to God, I pray my questions have answers, my fears subside, and I release all to You!

New Ventures Trying to Make an Honest Living

2011-04-11T12:20:00.000-04:00

Unemployment benefits will soon run out. Full-time teaching jobs at my level of experience in low socioeconomic regions are non-existent so I am turning up my focus in generating self-employment opportunities. Noone seems to want pay for the experience, teachers are churned out and burned out faster than they are trained. I so pray for a real job in education soon.

I continue on with my doctoral studies, and have to remain positive, yet one does have to eat and pay bills in the meantime...

I start a part-time position soon in the local resort area. I hope I have the physical endurance to do the job, a "greeter" at the grand Otsesaga. It is 35 plus hours, no benefits, but a regular paycheck and I can still substitute days to increase my income.

I came across a product that has been rejuvenating me and improving my health and so I also became a distributor. My website gives you all the information on the nutritional and healthy products, including for our children.

Here are the URLS:

Valrie Verhoeven ForteBuilder Opportunity Page

Vemma Profile

Have you checked out the new MaryKay Lines? I so love the professional looks for business women. Come visit me in my PINK BUBBLE ! Email me for your personal consultation and SPRING bonus with a purchase of $ 40 or more!

Very busy day ahead, 4 papers to write, a webinar to attend and finishing up loose ends for the tax seasons!

Have a wonderful day! 60 degrees at 10AM and loving it!

Guess it's time to get out of the jammies and intothe shower and begin the regime of the day!

Of course a fresh pot of coffee brewing and soon my fingers will be steaming from racing across keys!

Sending out HUGS to all my friends and loved ones.

Please leave a comment, they brighten up my day, and if you have anything you want to say only to me, here is my email (Click)!

Celebrating Pink Silk Fans, Butterflies and Cherry Blossoms

2011-04-09T12:53:00.002-04:00

Hi to all my PS fans! No pun intended as you scroll down and view the collection of exquisite fans I came across and kimonos in silk and PINK from Japan at Asian Ideas. I have been reminiscing over my lovely collection of Japanese art once owned and cheridhed and missing those as they are now but memories of my lost art and furnitire. I am slowly beginning to rebuild my life and fully intende to have at least one Asian room in my house.

Isn't everyone glad the President gets to take his children to Colonial Williamsburg, just one of the parks that would have closed this weekend if last evening's hail Mary deadline was not achieved? Never mind the thousands of disappointed fans to the closing weekend of the Cherry Blossom Festival at The National Mall in DC!

Linking up to Beverly today with PINK SATURDAYS at How Sweet The Sound, be sure to visit and peruse all the lovely posts, make new friends and travel the world from your fingertips!

Kitty Carmel ran away this week and is home again. He is such a persnicketty cat, read more about Carmel!

Thank you dear Kitty for coming home to me. This adorable gift tag was found while rousing through my favorite blogs and for the life of me I cannot remember whom it was psoted by, Vintage art to be sure!

God's artful masterpiece. He is the most affectionate cat EVER!

In tribute to three of my favorite things, The Cherry Blossoms Festival in DC, my love of the Japanese culture, and God's masterful butterflies, today I celebrate PINK through them!

These exquisite and affordable silk fans can be found at Asian Ideas. Notice the butterflies as they dance above the bamboo? These fans are made of authentic materials and can be engraved. The prices range from $12.00 and up.

The dainty flowers that embellish this one below remind me of the Cherry Blossoms in DC.

A beautiful acccent to the fans are these divine authentic Japanese kimonos. Most are only $55, also found at Asian Ideas.

A walk with Thee...

Imagine yourself among the Okami Cherry Trees,

In full blossom, the sun shining softly upon your face,

An God's beauty in Nature also glides onto your cheek

A majestic butterfly of pink and silkened wings...

Adorned in soft flowing and embroidered flowery robes

The kimono, warms your body, God's nature, your soul.

The butterflies fluttering a symbol of rebirth, reknew hope,

And the cherry blossoms assure that Spring is here!

A closer look into the world behold, the soft shades of love also blossoms...

The lush green meadowlands soon to burst a song as God's creatures return

Home to chirp aloud sweet melodies to behold, and the crickets in the grass, alas -

How sweet the sound of God's grace as His hands hold me in a loving embrace

Warming my inner being, resting a troubled soul, guiding through troubled waters

As I am restored to His glory and honor once more, He opens His door

And I gladly enter within, for now Life as He wants for me begins...

It is my self-made destiny I choose to embrace Him back and live through His love.

The Empress blosom trumpets loud His song, come to my sweetness, hold my crown
And you will no longer fear, but walk among my garden, share in my glory, take steps
With me, and see your footprints next to mine and only mine when tis needed
And then my heartbeat stops but for a moment and a love so strong is born...

Into God's hands I pray Thee place your trust with the divintiy

And one day you shall live in the house of the Lord forever more.

Poems My Way - Valrie 04/09/2011

All out of PINKS for the day, guess it's time to come by and visit Thee!

Filling up with Anitigua roast today, using a PINK mug, and the next wee hours I'll be by your blogs!

Please leave a comment they brighten up my days!

Love you and God loves you!

Carmel The Lost Kitty

2011-04-08T10:55:00.001-04:00

Carmel, The Lost Kitty

Carmel my persnicketty tabby cat
Where oh where might you be at?
I have battled the winds
What sort of trouble are you in?
My heart shall not beat til you're home again...

Carmel, Carmel, with your pink nose
Your golden caramel eyes. I suppose
Have you meandering the mountainous hills -
But when will you once more perch on window sills?
I wait and I cry; why oh why are you so strong willed?

Carmel you impish crafty four pawed friend
Hunt well the mice and birds of men
Scamper fast or the sly fox meal shall make of you
Oh little orange tabby what ever shall I do
Do you doubt the words I speak, or that I love you?

Carmel I shout into the Heaven's starlit skies
I weep deep tears of sadness, and will not dry my eyes
Nor smile shine upon my face to return home, and race
Across the wooden floors once more, and memories make
Twixt and tween our kindred spirits' and lovelit face...

Faith in you my dear scoundrel and feline -
Patience a virtue I no longer have, 'twould be divine
If you might return to me, and tickle me once more -
Stretching upon 3 paws the forepaw once more
Gliding o'er my cheeks as you tumble out the door.

I know 'tis but hours and you will be at my side
Purring and frolicking, begging for a tummy rub, then hide
Beneath the ruffles on the bed, peaking out to see
If I am transfixed upon the antics that you so merrily
Entertain with me and I again am happy as could be.

Poems My Way Valrie 04/05/2011

This is the BIG Bugger BOB, with his own Cheshire Grin!

The little bugger Carmel fast asleep from his haunts..... I wonder what he is dreaming about?

The little bugger snuck out right under Bob's nose. Bob has a hearing impairment of over 50% in both ears and even with the tinker bell on his collar (Carmel's not BOB's) the little scoundrel gets by Bob. He had made a fabulous Jimbalaya and kitty followed the scent of the scallops and shrimp remains in the garbage as Bob took it down and out through the garage. So goes Carmel out into the wilderness of a frosty sleet born night of ice and wintry mix in April! Geez! He came home to my calls and 2 cans of Albacore tuna in bowls at opposite ends ofthe house outside. Lucky the wafting winds bore the scent to Carmel and drew him home. I had to move Friday last week and we are all adapting to our new surroundings here with Bob who gave us sanctuary. Quite the happy family until the kitty gets out. Don't let the Kitty get out, don't let the kitty get out, 'cause you'll have to get up and let the Kitty in.....MEOW! Mom used to sing that to us all the time when we were little. Happy ending about 10:30PM after 5 hours of traversing the hillsides and country roads CARMEL relented and came home. I love this cat so much. Thank you God for bringing him home once more to me!
Snuggling up with his Momma, too pooped to object to being home, Carmel loves to "milk" it!

Please leave a comment they brighten up my day!

Do you have a notorious 4 pawed feline? Please share your story with us!

Here I am Lord...

2011-04-03T05:23:00.003-04:00

Here I am Lord...

I will stand by my God and know that He loves me,
I will weep only tears of joy and happiness for I know
In God I am not alone and should have no fears.
Today I start fresh in my faith to Thee O Lord.

Will you stand by me God and help me feel Your love?
Can I cross over the bridge of troubling waters
For the last time, no longer drowning in tear-filled
Pools of sadness and despair, will You show me Your way?

I read the Psalms and they soothe my troubled soul -
I listen to the morning doves sing their songs of praise,
I see the morning dawn with spectacular hues of pinkness
I feel the warmth the golden orb sends down to blanket us each day...

Yet still I cannot find my way to You Oh God, and so I ask
You, bent on my knees, and release my prayer once more -
Help me Lord, guide me to Your shining rays of life,
Engulf me with Thy loving hands and hold fast to my heart...

By Your design I am alive, and I wait to discern the purpose
You have enstore for my humbled soul, here I am Lord,
Shape me, mold me, bend me to Thy way and rejoice,
For in this early pre-dawn hours I am ready to do Thy will.

The gentle wind floats across the lake outside my window,
And although yesterday a door was closed to me, today
I feel renewed, surrounded in a glorious sea of divine love,
And thank you for rescuing me once more, as I let go.

Poems My Way Valrie 04/03/2011

For all I know, for all there is time left to be, here I am, Yours lord; may all those days be blessed!

Share with my blessings at Spiritual Sundays, I am linking up!

Inspirational Quotes
Love

Teddy Bear Tea Party Ideas From You to Me!

2011-04-02T17:39:00.001-04:00

A very long and hectic someone sadddened week for me as I said goodbye to my little apartment in the Carraige house in Cooperstown, NY. Nothing settles my upset tummy more than a hug from my teddy bear, a steeping hot cup of tea MADE FROM loose tea leaves , and a spoonful of love for good measure.

Teddy Bear, Teal and Love

Wonderful ideas for teddy bear tea party with Michelle Hylton at The Party Shelf.com

I would never have made it throught these last few days were it not for my sister Vanessa. She is my rock, my sister, my best friend and God's angel.

Floraltrims.com

Vanessa I have something very special waiting for you the next time we get together...

In the meantime, this beautiful butterfly (Vanessa means butterfly ) is for you !

The saga started wgen Carmel realized his manhood. He had a strong odor in his kitty litter box and my landlord has doube standards. Apparently everyone else can have cats, dogs, she keeps mice and does nothing but give me peanut butter in a tub continer and an old fashioned mouse trap, and leaves the rest up to me. I couldn't get rid of the mice and Carmel who had ran away after I moved last June from sister's house trying to find me was my answer. I didn't want to give him up or risk him being put down and so I left the little dollhouse apartment Vanessa and I had craftesd with our finds, her creations and alot of gagarge sales, thrifting, creative ingenuity, and plenty of love. One of therse days I just might get pictures up of whjat it looked like if I can eve get my digital camers to unload them! Anyways this is my angel Carmel for whom I sacrificed my little haven. I am temporrily staying with my sweetheart, had to put everything in storage and it is so hard to let things go... Let go and let God though right?

Carmel has a PHD in technology computer sciences. Right here he is making sure the dvd player has all its wires connected and there are no loose ends!

This was near Christmas time and he just loves to snuggle with me 24/7. He is my shadow, he also loves to pose pretty. Such a little ham.

Notice the little bit of PINK here below, snug as 2 bugs ON the rug, me and my Carmel!!!!

Purrrrfectly content! Pink kitty nose, Pink jammies and my and my Carmel!

Sorry for the late post. Went to bed at 2AM up at 6:30 AM and finished the last bit of the move....

Very tired now, going to get me some chamolile tea and visit all my blogger friends.

God Bless You and Happy Pink Saturday be sure to visit BEV and link to all the pretty amazing

PINK Saturday Posts!

Big PINK HUGS going out to you!

Email me here if you need my new phone number or address.

I have my mammaogram Tueday, please say a prayer, I hoping for 3 years in a row baseline clean, Survivor since 2000, and each year I am terrified of going...

If you have time, please leave a comment!

Dear God, Will You Hold Me Now? Hillsong With Lyrics

2011-03-30T10:39:00.000-04:00

Dear God, I am in your hands, will you hold me know? Moving with a fractured ankle and heel, interviewing my brains out, nearing the completion of my doctoral degree, yet there still seems no end in sight to the suffering and pain. Please,Will you hold me know?

Dear God, Will YouHold Me Now?

Will you God, will you hold me know?
Can I turn to you in my time of need?
Do you feel my pain and see me bleed?
What should I do, where do I go?

Have I not suffered and weeped long enough?
Are not the sacrifices made genuine and real?
Why am I tested in my faith, why not healed?
My nerves are strained, dreams shattered, rough!

Is there no end to what lies ahead in the path of life?
Will there be a rainbow or blinding light one day?
Are the angels and their trumpets blaring, I pray -
Yet it appears 'tis written I was born to live in strife.

Where is the tender hands of my Father, gone?
How am I to mend the broken heart and soul
I have tried through years and do what I am told,
Yet still I am alone, saddened and forlon.

God, a Trinity of hope, faith, and trust, believe
I believe in you God, yet who believes in me?
Each time I fall, and mount the burdens happily
Once more, but no, I see no Grace, nor am relieved...

I dare not test my faith beyond the limits of my heart
I yearn for the day when dawn comes and suffering ends
When I for the last time will once more begin again,
Building my hopes, realizing my dreams, in faith, a fresh start...

Will you God, will you reach down to me and hold me now?
Will I God, will I join you one day and come to know your love?
Shall I share in the Glory of faith, ascend with angels above?
Or will my fears paralyze me, and my soul be devoured?

I pray on my knees, my face to the floor, will you hold me now?
I weep with a lost soul for the years gone by to be restored...
I yearn to hear your knock upon my heart's closed door...
Are you there and will you, will you hold me now?

Poems My Way - Valrie 03/30/2011

A dear friend of mine sent me a link to this song, and it touched my heart and soul. This is how the song spoke to me in my present circumstances. It would be easy to despair, but God, I turn to you in heartfelt prayer, and will you hold me now?

It's me God, Valrie Ann, and I need your hold fast to me.

Do you hear my prayers?

In all the glory you create, I place my hopes, faith and dreams in Thee...

To my dear blogland friends may God grant His blessings upon you and keep you safe.

Please leave a comment, they bring joy and laughter to my heart!

Sending out my heartfelt hugs to you and asking for prayers of strength and courage to face the day.

I love you all so much, may your guardian angel keep you safe from harm.

For Japan I Sing a Song.

2011-03-26T11:41:00.001-04:00

Many of us know the plight of our allies in Japan. As I sit here today and reminisce about the cherry blossom festival in DC at the National Mall and Monument, I weep with sadness for all the lost lives and wounded in Japan. Here is my tribute to Japan.

For Japan, I Sing a Song

This year, as the dew settles upon the cherry blossoms it weeps tears instead of misty droplets...
The sea deepened with salty tears from senseless loss of life and full despair.
The world, so saddened by the turbulence mother nature has befelled upon your great nation.
Nothing can dry the eyes that are brimful, the sobs and heartaches grow with each new dawn.

Oh where again is God amidst all of this... why forsake your children and perilous journeys
Peak once more as trhey traverse the aftermath of the storms at sea?
What can be said "good" to come of such loss, innocents, punished by the anger of the earth?
I seek to, but will never understand the toils and tribulations that are put upon mankind.

It is here where I most question the existence of God or a higher being, faith to see it through,
Yet doubts inflicted where 'ere I look and journeys traveled too -
When I have seen with mine own eyes the injustices of life, poverty, desolation...
Of despair, and myself am forgotten, downtroddened, and alone?

Were I the orchestrator of the world, I would cease these woes; I would like to believe
In a kinder soul of Thee. I have my doubts as you might plainly see.
The atrocities we inflict upon each other, the devastation we impose upon others,
Surely this can not be considered civilized? For all our advances we step back in time, savages...

How am I to trust that it will ever become better?
Please speak to opened ears, give me hope for all mankind -
Or else I fear that into my inner being I will subside and no longer choose
The path of light, I will become a skeptic, a recluse with no purpose left to live!

Do you feel the tears that flood once smiling eyes?
Do you feel the heavy burdens placed within my heart?
Can you see the high levels of anxiety within my soul?
Will you ever heal them and from this prison let me go?

I long to soar above like an angel in the sky -
I dream of a better place to be, perhaps with Thee?
I yearn for a time when all pain and suffering shall end.
And we no longer war among ourselves, mankind?

Poems My Way -Valrie 03/20/2011

Please pray for the citizens of Japan.

Love,

Off to see the lovely pinks!

Be sure to stop by Bev's!

Surfing through today and linking up to Bev and Pink Saturdays over at How Sweet The Sound.

Also I came upon the most exquisite blog this AM and decided to feature Jan over at Rose Haven, be sure to stop over but have a huge mug of coffee or pot of tea at your side as you will spend awhile browsing her delicious recipes and artful designs~!

May God watch over me I am asking for your prayers. I need to find a new home, the landlord has double standards and lets 2 other people have pets but not me and those of you who have followed me know how special Carmel is to me. I had him neutered yesterday and he is home and healing fine But I will not give him up. With a broken fractured ankle and heel I have been requested to "make other arrangements." I have until April 30th before they start legal proceedings so they say. NEXT SATURDAY I WILL TRIBUTE MY LITTLE PINK HAVEN. It seems every time I finally get my home exactly the way I want it tragedy hits and I have to move on. I am also asking for your prayers to help the ankle heal qucikly and that I be blessed soon with a full-time job.

I found the perfect home to call my Pink Castle too!
It is Barrington, MA and only $15 million, a bargain!

Please leave a comment they bring smiles to my face and turn my heart a glorious shade of pink!

Pink Hugs to you ALL!

Where is God, I wonder?

2011-03-11T13:38:00.000-05:00

Where is God, I Wonder?

Where is God I wonder?
Has He turned His back on mankind?
Did He not promise to not devastate
The earth as in the days of the floods and Noah's Arc?

Are we and his animals no longer worth the care?
Have we cashed in our prayers for the last time?
Each day we awaken to yet another atrocity
Caused not by mankind's hands or are they?

Do you ponder the bigger thibngs in life?
Do you question why so many inncent must suffer?
Do you lay awake at night questioning what next?
Do you seek vout positive thoughts to change the horror we endure?

Where are YOU God? Why must so many die?
Why do are prayers go unheard?
Why does it seem YOU toy with our lives?
Is it true we are but pawns in the Supreme chest game?

I am saddened today for Japan, I hurt for lost lives...
I weep for the unborn children who die...
I scream for the injustices of this world.
I scoff at the prejudices that cause war and hate.

Yet I am but one woman, what can I do Lord?
Yet I am alone in a sea of sorrowfully shed tears,
Yet before I drown, I pray you heed my call,
Yet again, I listen, but hear no words of comfort.

Yea, verily you say unto us, be patient, the time is near...
Yea verily, I fall to my knees in solemn prayers and weep
I beg of You Lord, stop, the hurt is real, more than can be endured,
I beg of You Lord, show us, NO lead us to Thy wishes, prepare us.

Hear this humble prayer, for I weep and pray for all mankind,
Guide them to Your shining Light, the One and Only.
Bring back the songs of Praise and Glory to Thy name
And remove forever the horrors of this earth, it is in Your power...

Poems My Way - Valrie 03/11/2011 Copyrighted, do not reprint without permission.

I am in awe of the terror and rage that engulfs our world. Please everyone do what you can to make it a better place for you and me and all eternity.

Is there a Heaven to receive us? Will there be a place therein for me? I wonder, where is God?

Please leave a comment!