Awarded & Tagged.

Kady from "Life on Bonnie Lane" blessed me to tears w/ The Arte y Pico award. The kind statement she wrote about me and my blog humbled me. I thank you Kady from the deep place in my heart.


1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.4.The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.5.
I shared w/ Kady that because of my lack of experience I wouldnt be able to do all required to participate but she invited me to do what I could, so thank you Katy...I hope I dont let you down.
Thank you so much for this award Kady.
I was also tagged.
It was suggested that I tag 5 other folks, but Im so nervous to do this again, one time I tagged folks & a couple privately emailed me & told me not everyone has the time or interest to play along....(party poopers) (Im still licking my wounds after that one! tee hee)
So please forgive me for living up to my name, I am certifiably a "Scaredy Kat"...if anyone reading this, would like to play along, please feel free to bless us with filling in your own answers, just leave me a comment and well hop over and check ya out.

1)What was I doing 10 years ago?
Wow, lets just cut to the chase & get to the meat & potatoes of the horrible place I was in 10 years ago...This wont be for the faint of heart, and I wont go into grizzlie details, but I am who I am, & I believe I wont allow the closest thing to living hell I can think of, that I self inflicted by trying to hide, mask, or run from my pain, to ever go in vain.
I was in the tail end of trying desperatley trying to numb the shame I felt by becoming addicted to heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and anything else that would either make me "feel" or "be" anything & anyone than who I was. I was also an I.V. drug user & today I am dealing w/ the consequences of that high risk lifestyle. Physically, financially, spiritually, and emotionally. God rescued and saved me w/ His grace, and mercy & has incredible plans for me. He did for me what I was unable to do for myself, I was close to a lonely & ugly death. Im very active today in our 12 step community. Ive been clean & sober for several years now, Thank you Jesus! I am passionate about using my life, & my experiences, to help inspire others who were as once so lost as I was.

(Side note) Ive been asked online why do I share this with people, its ugly & could comprimise my reputation & integrity. I was told that folks may not trust me to buy any of my work...why I asked?, I was addicted, not my dolls!
As most know my life is an open book about my history w/ drugs & recovery today, to share just how real God is...My life may be the only bible anyone ever reads...I also live by Maya Angelous quote" I can be changed by whats happened to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it"
My War Is Over!

2) 5 things on my to do list.
1) Begin treatment for the Hep.C I contracted while in active addiction, as well as a birage of medical and dental help I wasnt able to afford w/o insurance but God is sooo good folks, on July 1st I am insured and let the party begin...grateful but groaning! (smile) I need an autopsy!!!!
2) Begin selling more of my work on line, and researching & then opening a shop w/ etsy, & begin a sales blog.
3) Forgive more.
4)Begin a program to inspire & teach "Women in Recovery" how to find their passion in the arts, how to tap into & express their own power, freedom & joy thru their creativity.
5) Find a way to update, clean up, add links to network, and add more POP to my blog.

Snacks I Enjoy!
mmmmm Stale cheetos, which I cant find a substitute since Im on weight watchers!

Things I would do if I were a millionaire....
I would create a program much like "Habitiat for Humanity" for the uninsured, except I would offer working folks who fall between the cracks financially, (working, but cannot afford insurance, yet make too much to qualify for help) for complete medical & dental care w/ the commitment that they will give back a certain amount of hours depending on their needs, somehow in their community. I believe its a win win situation. Being uninsured in this rich country is a travesty. It is unacceptable.(Ill get off my hope box for now)

I would by a small cottage on the beach BUT would have a redicuously large studio attatched exposing the beautiful ocean to inspire and feed my soul. Flower and vegetable gardens growing out of control. My only neighbors would be the sanctuary for abused and displaced animals I would also have on my land with another LARGE beach house housing women in sobriety who would be trained to take care and love these animals back to life (much like they were)...another win win. I would name "that" cottage "The Give Back Shack not The Come Back Shack!" But caring for the animals would only be a portion of the volunteering these girls would be doing.

Id buy Ronnie & I matching brand new Harley Davidson 105th Anniversery Edition Bikes & we'd begin our own Motorcycle Ministry to carry the message to secular bike clubs.

Naturally we'd pay off our debt, take care of our family helping them w/ their own businesses.

Id hire a full time tutor to help me imporove my computer skills.

Then Id go shoe shopping. LOTS AND LOTS of shoe shopping!

Places I have lived.
Ive only lived in Conn. (YaWn...well I need to get out more!)
Well that was fun. I hope I didnt scare anyone away. I share my experiences, strengths & hopes in case anyone ever needs to talk, help or have any questions about addiction. This is a powerful disease that effects family members as well. I have several resources, please feel free to email me anytime. It is not a burden but a privilidge. Have a blast today no matter what your doing.