Refreshed Attitude, Refreshed Blog

Tuesday, March 11th, 2014

It has been a long while since I last posted. My family changed so much since my Mom, Marilyn, died July 15th of last year. So it makes sense that a devastating life event like that will sooner or later create changes in equilibrium both within ourselves and as a whole family...change is hard, often painful and allowing others to change can be just as difficult yet united we all are in loving Mom ... she was a wonderful Mother and Meme - she lives forever in all of us.

Kiew-nik's Valentine's Day Card

Personally, my relationship with my partner has gone through some shifts that have been challenging and now we are taking steps to reconcile issues that have been between us. I have been learning how to truly let go, and in doing that forgiveness comes and releases us. It requires honesty with myself and with Kiew-nik. It's a beautiful process to go through because I feel so "bare" sometimes but I trust him enough to be me. In the meantime, our boys continue to be a source of inspiration - they see fun and beauty where others may not.

Kiew-nik & Isaac Building Our Valentine's Gingerbread House

I have heard from Native Elders that children chose us before they are born - I always thought that it was for what we had to teach them. Now I think it's a choice based on what they can teach us, the parents.

Momma (me!) , Ethan and Isaac

I mentioned changes: My Dad, Andrew Nicholas, is getting married soon to a lovely woman, Carolyn Saulis. I can say that I am truly happy for them, I have seen how the sadness and loneliness was wearing him down despite him being very active and social. Now he has a spring in his step and his laughter reaches his eyes. I know in my heart that Mom had a hand in guiding Dad to someone who can walk with him for the rest of his journey in this world.

Dad & Carolyn's Valentine's Card 2014

I feel Mom around me, I prayed for this, to feel her presence more than feeling her loss. Her Spirit has a light, warm feeling and I talk to her often because I need her now as much I ever did. Her card reflects her: she loved green and loved floral prints plus it's trendy (she always knew the latest):

Mom's Birthday Card, January 18th, 2014

As for my card-making, I continue to find inspiration and though production waned at times, it still kept going because it feeds my soul to create cards. I have had some orders and have made many for family.

A Valentine's Card for Oona and Family

Oona's Birthday Card & Envelope

Valentine's Day Card for Isaac

Cindy McCarthy's Valentine's Day Card  2014

Our little butterball, Isaac Andrew Kiew-nik, turned 5 years old on February 27th, 2014 - we are both so proud of him, he is so kind, out-going, smart as smart, artistic, a good dancer and singer...an overall stellar person who shines from within and always will! We told him he was our cottage cheese, blueberry, cotton candy, rolled-ear 9 pounder....omg such an honour to be his Mom!!

Isaac's 5th Birthday Party 2014

Isaac Andrew Kiew-nik
Born February 27th ,2009
4:30 a.m. 8 lbs. 15 oz.
Dr. Chalmer's Hospital

So the blog is refreshed and that reflects how I feel...still me but a fresher new attitude...feels like a good year to me!

Love To All

Sheena Joy - Happy Birthday Card Video Tutorial (Washi Tape & Heat Embos...

Long time, No Blog - Happy Sunday!!

Hi Everyone! Sorry for so much time passing since my last post...a combo of things going on with me. I have been sick and fighting depression which is not entirely surprising. It hit me all of a sudden that I'm not going to see my Mom tomorrow, next week... or ever again. One morning, I was half awake and I said to myself "I'll ask Mom's advice on that" ... yup, the pain of loss can hit hard. My Aunt, Linda (The Milk Witch) stopped by this past week and it was so wonderful to talk with her. One of the things she suggested that I do is to burn some sweet grass and talk to Mom-mom whenever I want to talk to her. I got some sweet grass from my Dad yesterday and I know that will help - leave it to Linda to help me find healing....love her!

We traveled last weekend to Kouchibouguac Park to swim in the ocean and stayed overnight with my Aunt Gert and her partner, Marlene in Indian Island, N.B. My Aunt was with her Mom, Laura so Marlene was our host. What a wonderful, interesting person she is - so generous and down-to-earth...I could go on and on about her, she's truly the best. Her and I stayed up late cooking and eating lobster, talking away...the next morning she made the biggest breakfast ever and then we were on our way. Back to the beach, where we were really popular for some reason, talked to people, the boys made friends, we all swam and then suddenly the dark clouds came  - with hail!! That's when you realize how long the boardwalk is - when hail is hitting you like crazy!! People certainly are kind: a stranger used his beach umbrella to shield the boys and Kiew-nik all the way (no room for me but that's okay because Kiew-nik had to carry Ethan who is very heavy!) . A huge thank you to that kind man!! 

We drove home and the next day went to Uncle Barry's Birthday Party - it was so fun to see family and friends. Bonus: got to see Marcie Francis and her partner, Paul. Marcie is from Elsipogtog First Nation and I don't get to see her that often. We used to see each other more in Ottawa, Ontario (oh those Ottawa days!) where we both lived for a few years.

I have done a few YouTube videos because I'm still card making (even though I haven't been blogging lately):

Uncle Barry's Birthday Card & Envelope

The video explaining the card:

A thank you card I made for Marlene and Auntie Gert:

Aunt Gert & Marlene's Thank You Card

This is the corresponding video:

This weekend has been another good one: Tony's Graduation Party was yesterday. We are all so proud of Tony - top marks in all subjects - now that's a huge accomplishment!! Again, friends and family aplenty, good food, good conversation ... I think of Mom and she would be so happy that we are all sticking together and celebrating life - I love you Mom and we wouldn't be who we are without you!!!

Final note: made a card for Tony's Mom, Chatawna who celebrated her birthday on August 7th:

Chatawna's Cherry Tree Birthday Card

This is the video to go with it:

I thank all of you for reading my blog and for watching my videos. I have had some good responses and helpful suggestions so keep sending the comments and e-mails:

YouTube Channel: Sheena Joy

E-mail: Sheena Joy

Peace To All!!

YouTube Tuesday - July 30th, 2013

Happy Tuesday to all!!! It has been one week since my last post ... been keeping busy because if I don't, I think about my sadness and I get weepy and heavy inside. I know that I am grieving (we all are mourning Mommom) but I don't want to overindulge my sadness either so I keep busy and I can't seem to stop watching card videos, making cards, planning future cards and recently....YouTube.

This whole You Tube venture is inspired by our trip to Fredericton this past weekend...it was amazing because we got to spend so much time with family: my niece (and godchild) Shayla, her husband Jason, their daughter, Gema and my nieces extraordinaire, Summer & Hailey and their baby brother Axl (omg, what a sweetie!). We swam a lot and I did a bit of shopping: at MICHAEL's - my most FAVORITE store in the world!!!! I took my time picking out what I would buy ... some decisions were hard ones and at the same time I was mentally forming a wish list for my next visit (LOL!!).

So this is where YouTube comes in. I wanted to share with all of you my new card making supplies and I thought the best way would be through a video. Our camera is not working right now so I used our cell phone to record myself but it wouldn't allow me to send it through gmail, one of the options was to post it on YouTube and 2 videos later, here I am.

I have a lot to show you (pics and videos) so bear with me, my lovelies:

  

Check out these supplies!

Next is a photo and a video showing a card I made today (so proud of this card - I love it!):

Natural Tones Thank You Card - Using White Embossing Powder

This video was my first attempt to explain a card - Super Fun!

Also, when we returned on Sunday, we went to Crissy and Neil Perley's House (my cousin and his wonderful wife) to swim - I had a chance to give Crissy her card ( I made it last week for her birthday):

Crissy's Birthday Banner Card

Thanks for visitng my blog and taking a peek at the pics and videos. Keep in mind that once our camera is fixed, the quality will improve (I promise) I really appreciate any comments and also you can always go to my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVxRcjMJmtKVIw_6oJV-qkA

Peace in Your Hearts and Love to ALL!

P.S. A big thank you to Shayla and Jason who went out of their way to make us feel special (best BBQ ever!) and big hugs to my Sister, Shari,who I was able to see briefly!) My family is the best and Laurie, you better be visiting my blog, Sis (LOL!) Plus, missing Tony like crazy!!!

Rainy Tuesday - Filling In the Gaps

I find that since Mom died (still hard to even write that let alone say it) there are these gaps that I am trying to fill in... spaces in my heart that miss her. I know on one level that she will always be with me yet I want to hug her and to talk to her in person, I want to see her facial expressions and hear her responses... I want to smell her beautiful scent that permeated everything she wore (even her purses had that good smell!).

I know that all of us in the family are all coping and thankfully reaching out to each other which is so very good. I love all my sisters, my nieces and nephews... we all carry a part of her.

It was a gray, mostly rainy day - the boys and I spent it quietly. I still have that lingering cold so I tried to rest when I could. I have been texting lately which I haven't done since Isaac was a baby...a good way to keep in touch and feel connected.

On that note, my sister Laurie texted me last night to say that we were going to have a full moon ceremony for Mom at the beach...it was beautiful and quietly powerful. Afterwards, Laurie and I offered some of our hair (with tobacco) to the fire in honor of our Mother. After the other women (and Dain) left the beach, Laurie, Tony and I reminisced in the car...

Yesterday I made a card which didn't turn out as planned but I still like it. Forgive the quality ( I took it with my cell phone). This is made from a paper collection that I bought - it reminded me of Mom plus it has one of the flower brads that I bought for her card (posted a pic yesterday). Used some EK Success paper punches too:

Purple Hello Card

Love and peace to all!!

Sunday @ Maggie's Falls - July 14, 2013

Hello everyone!!  What a good weekend it was - so full! Yesterday we headed to Salmon River in the morning to go swimming (after having Kiew-nik's famous omelette, which is yummy btw!). We were having so much fun: swimming, laying in the sun and snacking and then .... the leech!!! It was on Isaac's hand and wanted to stay there - Kiew-nik had a hard time taking it off...well, that was the end of our day at the river...super sad for all of us but we did have fun while we were there so not a complete loss. We came home to play in their little pool and run through the sprinklers...nap time for me and the babe (Ethan).

Today the baby got up so early but I went back to bed at 5:30 so him and his Dad could have some time and enjoy their morning together (lol - not sure if Kiew-nik saw it that way!!). So happy that Richard (Kiew-nik's uncle) came to mow the lawn. After breakfast, we headed to Maggie's Falls which is a local treasure that I didn't even know about growing up. It's just outside of Arthurette, N.B. We walked to the falls after parking (takes around 20 minutes) and once you get there, you have to go down a steep slope to get to the base of the Falls. Isaac and I fell and went sliding down the slope a bit - a little scary but we were okay. Once we got to the bottom, we went right in the water and pretty much stayed in the water the whole time. OMG, the horse flies were phenomenally bad on the way back (made us walk faster!). Of course, the babe and I went for a nap after while Kiew and Isaac did their thing. Woke to supper made (yesterday too - god, I love my man!). Made a card after we ate while the guys went to the park, then relax time and bed for the boys.

I have got to send a big THANK YOU to Tatawnyha Nicholas (my cousin and my good friend) who treated me on Friday at Governor's in Presque Isle, Maine - we went shopping and took a supper break. She really spoiled me  and I sooo appreciate it. We had a fantastic meal and I love her company!!

Here's a pic of my card - used some new washi tape and stickers I have (photo by Kiew-nik):

Little Birdie Hello Card

This is a pic of Maggie's Falls that Kiew'nik took:

Maggie's Falls - July 14th, 2013

Thinking of My Mom so much today - sending her LOVE and prayers - Please Creator, let her treatment be successful!!! 

Already Friday! July 12, 2013

Hi everybody! Wow, haven't posted since Tuesday and I really did miss it...it's been busy. Not stressful but filled-to-the-rim kind of busy. We have had appointments, lots of playing outside, and some late nights (for me anyway, I know that "late" is subjective to each person). One night I sat out at Uncle Barry's porch with him, Tatawnyha and a nice couple: Jeanette and Gene. We talked about so many things and it was so good to hear old stories about Tobique, hearing family and community history - I love that stuff! I actually worked on Tobique genealogy for awhile at one point - so interesting. We saw an eagle soaring overhead which is significant for Native people ... beautiful!

I got a pedi this morning and it looks so cute - a nice pink - yayyy, now I have pretty toes!

Made two cards yesterday, one for my Mom and Dad but only one worked out. I used a technique called triple time stamping and it always turns out so nice.  It's for my Dad's birthday which was last month but was too sick at the time to make cards, but better late than never. Here it is (photo by Kiew-nik):

Dad's Birthday Card