Thursday, November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving... what a season

I have  a story to tell....
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours.

****

To be honest, November started off amazing and flipped upside down quickly.
****
November 5th I headed to LAX to fly to Orlando, Florida having earned a FREE Trip to the Stampin' Up! 30th Anniversary OnStage and CentreStage trip to Epcot Disney World.
****
Connecting with friends, exploring Epcot for the first time in Florida, roommates, fun, karaoke even! Presenting to the Leaders at CentreStage to being with our Getting Crafty Family at this amazing event.
****

The next day there was a Mass Shooting Attack at home, less than 2 miles from our home.
****
Eight Hours later a Wildfire swept through our hometown as evacuation orders came over my phone, waking my husband at 2am and helping him and the kids prepare to evacuate (4 kids, 1 Dog, Bearded Dragon Lizard, Tortoise and 5 goats) in one large SUV.
****
Internet and cell service becomes spotty and I watch, monitor and help from ACROSS the USA.
****
Our Community is a beautiful one, one where it maybe 7 degrees to Kevin Bacon but ONLY 2 to 90% of our tight night community.
****
Homes of family, friends, homeschool families, church families, MY Family on the line.
**** 
HIGH Winds, aka Santa Ana Winds up to 75 mph whipped non-stop for over a week and a severe drought, fire fighters from all over the western half of the USA join the battle in our Thousand Oaks, CA.
****
Arriving home to no access to our home, the freeways closed due to fires, my husband coming to get me and worry about evacuations.
****
Snuggles and love for my kids and animals.
****
Thankful for Facebook and Social Media as we can track a bulk of the fires.
****
Within ONE Day it went from 10% Containment to the winds stopping and 80%.
****
Friends from ALL over the world 
(Austrailia, England, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada)
to Friends from ALL over the USA
(Utah, Florida, Michigan, New York, Arizona, Washington and more)
Calling, Messaging, Texting, Emailing us love, prayers, encouragement and blessings.
****
As our community walks around, funerals being held for the 12 victims lost, connections to us all, we are mostly frozen.  It was like a War Zone.  No end, constant siege.  We hold hands, hearts, hugs and try to take it one step at a time.
****
I may have fallen off the web but this was a self-protection.  Attempting to go onto my computer froze me.  To blog seemed impossible. To breathe a struggle.  Praying our focus.  Breathing.  Regrouping.  Dealing.  Moving on, picking up the pieces.
****

My First move back to the living was partnering with Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters to create cards for those who lost so much, for the responders, the victims of loss of lives to homes.
****
Doing something, partnering with Ragamuffin and our Getting Crafty Family, with Getting Crafty Stampers, the community, church friends, coffee friends, school friends.  A handmade card won't change the world but I pray that the kind words, the love, the care will ease the pain and show our gratitude.
****
So TODAY I have so very much to be grateful for.  We are in our home and the fire didn't take it.  We are together and healthy.  Our community is recovering.  We live in a beautiful community that has a massive outpouring of love and support.
****
God is so good. 
****
Crafting brought such purpose into my life.  Friends, Family, Fun, Creating, Connecting over Crafting and Card Making.
****

This Thanksgiving (and all year long) we wish YOU love, laughter, lots of food and fellowship.
Blessings,
Jamie and the Albanese Family
Posted by at
Labels:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

What Others are SAYING about Getting Crafty with Jamie

Jamie is so passionate and creative about making cards - and wants everyone else to join her in the fun! She is so encouraging and positive in her attitude, helping me along when I get frustrated - and then rejoicing with me at the finished product! I love going to her classes to get new ideas, learn techniques, and have loads of fun in the process. ~ Christine C.

Jamie has wicked awesome classes! If you don’t like a particular stamp or paper/ink color Jamie wants you to change it to suit your style! I did my sister-in-law’s entire bridal shower from invitations/thank you cards, party favors to decorations, it was quaint and whimsical! Everyone ooh’d and ahh’d! I’ve had lots of special requests for classes and Jamie delivers; she always has tasty treats and flavored coffees too ~Ashley W.

I have been attending Jamie's classes for over a year. Her ideas for cards are fresh and fun. She always tries to have several different styles of cards available, so everyone gets to make cards that fit their personal style. The techniques she shows each class can be used in many different applications. She is very patient teacher when instructing class members on how to use the Stampin Up products. ~ Carol D.

If I looked up the word sparkle in the dictionary, I would find Jamie Albanese picture there. I have had the sweet blessing of knowing Jamie and her family for over 5 years now. Every time I am with her I feel loved and inspired. When I am in one of her classes I feel my creative juices flow, as she encourages me to go outside my comfort zone. Jamie helped our girl scout troop make cards for a soldier who needed some encouragement!!! For any of you who have not been in one of Jamie's classes, please don't let another day slip by. She is a beautiful friend and she will become yours too. ~ Blessings, Karen:-)

Jamie has a great eye for style and flair, and it shows in her work. Yet she can pick up on your own individual style and makes great recommendations. I love that she is always flexible for last-minute decision maker mommies like me! So much fun to host craft events with your friends and family - that personal touch always means so much. ~ Adonna

Total Pageviews

--YOUR CUSTOM HTML-- o