What Are You Collecting?

Have you ever thought about the "things" you collect? Are they just things? Or could they be symbolic of something else? Could your collections be about a search for happiness; or trying to fill a void in your life? Could your collections be hiding a secret longing or hurt?

Have you ever thought your collections were anything but a singular item that you purchased and then desired more of? 

I'm a bit OCD, a bit of an addict and a bit of a hoarder all at once. I love color, texture and completeness. If I'm going to "do" something I'm going to do it and not just half way. But, is that always a good thing? Did you know that I have several collections? Or, were my collections part of my secrets of life that are kept locked in my "vault" waiting to be dealt with?

It is entirely possible this post is not making sense to anyone but me. I'm my own choir and I'm speaking to myself. I'm questioning myself and the motives behind the things I collect. 

I love to read. I'm a passionate believer that books are meant to be devoured and enjoyed. I've always leaned towards light hearted, uplifting books. I love books that focus on my interests: encouraging words and stories; cookbooks, scrapbook magazines. Romance novels. There. There you have it. My big secret: I'm a Harlequin Romance junkie. After a stealthy foray into my Mother's stash of reading material by her nightstand and the procurement of a paperback novel that I secreted into my yellow bedroom and stashed in my dresser drawer .... I read my first Harlequin while I was still in elementary school. I was in the 5th grade and I became totally entranced with the idea that a romance could bloom within the space of 110 pages of neatly spaced text. One of these days I may even find the intestinal fortitude to write my own novel and submit it. 

These days I read my Harlequins on my Kindle. They are light hearted stories that I enjoy. Some people call them trash and say a good Christian shouldn't read them. One man's trash is another man's treasure....and I am a good Christian who loves to read a good romance. Yes, I occasionally wince at the words and actions of the characters; I read them any way. 

I love to have my spirit uplifted. Words of encouragement and hope. Of a journey that impacts the hearts of others.....I have an awesome collection of Chicken Soup books. I love magazines that inspire me....and I have several collections sitting on a bookshelf collecting....DUST! I collected scrapbook and paper crafting magazines for years. I still own them haven't looked at them for years and can't get rid of them. 

Cherished moments...or rather Cherished Teddies are also something I collected and enjoyed. I obsessively collected ones that had names or themes which are special to my life and times as a daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. Sitting on oak shelves behind glass and nestled among Crystal glassware these adorable teddies are cherished. But, do they serve a purpose?

The third bedroom of our home is filled with wall to wall bookcases. The shelves house yet another collection....my Creative Memories scrapbook, Stampin' Up! rubber stamp and paper craft collections. As someone recently said, "it's like Michael's only bedroom sized." Yes, I am/was a bit obsessive with making certain I had everything I needed to complete those perfect pages/hand made cards. And to think that passion started by attending a single party given by a friend. 

With each of these collections I can define a period of my life. Each period encompasses a stage of life that includes growth, pain, and change. Several of them encompass family and friends and social interaction. 

But, does any of them really achieve what I was trying to make happen? What was my motivation behind collecting things without realizing that is exactly what I was doing?

The answer is easy. I was trying to create that euphoric feeling of happiness by buying it. I wasn't working for my happiness. I was trying to buy happiness and peace without putting any energy into it. 

The phrase; "Know God; Know Peace ~ no God; no peace"  just popped into my mind. I was replacing the love, peace and joy of God with other idols. I was trying to buy an intimate relationship with happiness without having a true relationship with my Heavenly Father. Thank goodness for his merciful forgiveness and unending love. Through Christ I have the joy and peace I was seeking.

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13

Does this mean I have to get rid of my collections to clean out my vault and know true joy. Nope. Not. At. All. It means I can enjoy these items which give me a moment of happiness with the understanding that they give me happiness but they are not my happiness. It means I am free by the mercy of Jesus to enjoy these products and not idolize them. It means through His wisdom I know the difference between being happy and trying to buy happy. 

Let's get ready.......to BLOG!

It is the new year; and once again I find myself ready to be an active participant in my own life. What?!? You are probably wondering what the crazy meaning is behind that statement. Well, in the process of living life in 2013 I kind of left a piece (okay, several pieces) of myself behind. I stopped blogging. I stopped creating hand stamped cards. I stopped taking the dogs to playgroups and/or training and I stopped noticing that I wasn't fulfilling my personal needs. I was letting the changes and challenges of life restrict me rather than challenging the changes and restrictions to make me grow and learn and reach for a healthy balance. It is time to move forward and live my life.

I am social. I am fascinated by people, places and creating/doing/helping to accomplish things that I enjoy. I adore being involved at Bayside: serving creates a special warmth that connects me to other servants of Christ who are fulfilled through service and agape love. I adore being a part of a Small Group for Women's Bible Study. I adore meeting and interacting with others. I grow and learn and become a more balanced Christian through healthy fellowship. My family thrives when I thrive and stay committed.

I am creative. Whether I am writing, cooking, stamping, taking pictures, or organizing a space for better usage I fully appreciate the colors, textures, scents and visual balance that indulging my creative side releases. I'll admit that messes, failures and errors happen along the way. I think that allows learning, growth and laughter. Creativity lends to socialization. I need to reach out to my stamping friends and reconnect. I've missed them.

We are a Beagle family. Beagles require training and a high level of activity. With Eleza Kerfoot of Paws in Progress we each get respectful, intelligent, motivational ~ much needed training and education. Dog training is not just teaching a dog how to sit. Training is about creating a family that includes our dogs. Training includes exercise for both humans and canines. Our pups adore training exercises and we've failed at keeping them on track. That is not okay. Our Carly and Cannon are sweet, intelligent and fun. They love interaction with humans and canines. Carly loves Agility. Cannon loves to play and run. I miss our training family.

I'm ready to live my life. I realize my budget is way different than it used to be. I've let that control what I do instead of controlling my budget to live a balanced life that is full of enjoyment. I'm tired of migraines and more importantly  I'm tired of fighting minor depression that I hide behind a smile and laughter.  Yes! I am happy. Yes! I am blessed and grateful. I'm also human and need to live as an active participant in my life.

Join me on my journey!

Mandisa: Good Morning - Official Lyric Video

This song makes me dance and sing. In fact, it makes me feel like grabbing my hairbrush so I can sing into the mirror and dance like a teeny bopper.

Robin L. Greenslade - Resume

Robin L. Greenslade 

RobinLGreenslade@gmail.com

Dependable Administrative Assistant with more than 21 years of first-rate bookkeeping, clerical, payroll, customer service, personnel management and communication skills. Dedicated to providing organization, excellent customer care, responsible tenant care and personal reliability. Focused on exceeding the expectations of clients and employer.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

General Office

• Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Sales Reconciliation and Deposit Reports
• Prepared P&L and Expense Reports using MFS and QuickBooks
• Managed A/R, A/P, Payroll and Personnel for multiple corporations concurrently
• Answered phones for multiple corporations concurrently and took accurate messages
• Located desired information using the Internet

Customer Service

• Welcomed all visitors, deliveries and inquires in a friendly and courteous manner
• Provided customers/clients/tenants with desired information in a timely manner
• Listened, calmed, and assisted customers/tenants with concerns
• Established friendly and lasting relationships
• Contacted Past Due Clients/Tenants with concern and implemented payment strategies

Communication

• Utilized Internet email and CRM as effective communication tools
• Answered phones in a courteous and professional manner
• Established rapport with diverse individuals and groups
• Demonstrated ability to express ideas in a team environment and encourage action
• Maintained Social Media accounts to encourage interactive engagement

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Twenty-one years Administrative Assistant experience providing bookkeeping and clerical services; technical, customer and property management support to corporations owned by Drew and Jill Pefferle:

Smart Web Concepts, Inc.	March 2005 – December 2012
ASAP Properties, LLC	November 2009 – December 2012
Hi Tec Automotive, Inc.	July 1991 - March 2005

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Feagles, Inc./Hair Crafters 1136	August 1986 – July 1991
NCD – Kirby Vacuum Sales	May 1986 – July 1986
Brockway Hair Design	September 1985 – May 1986

                                                                   EDUCATION

Roseville High School	Diploma	1981 – 1985
Citrus Heights Beauty College	Cosmetology License	1983 – 1984

Salad Dressing DEVINE Yumminess!

The canning jar may look crude; and the picture does not do justice to the contents.........but, Amanda has perfected a salad dressing so delicious, so fresh and so delightful that I have to rave about it.

Lets face it. A salad dressing can make or break a salad.

If it is a good dressing it will compliment and enhance the salad giving your palate a completeness of flavor your taste buds appreciate.

A bad salad dressing leaves you longing for a glass of water, your toothbrush and something else to satisfy your taste buds.

Amanda's dressing is full-bodied but not over powering. It compliments a simple lettuce, tomato and cucumber salad perfectly allowing the crisp crunch of lettuce, cucumber and the sweet refreshing taste of the tomato remain the primary taste.
 
The flavor of the dressing is easily able to blend and enhance the heavier flavors of blue cheese,  bacon, onions, egg and spinach for a more hardy salad.
Simple ingredients are key: EVOO, Balsamic Vinegar,  fresh garlic, fresh parsley, Italian herbs, Onion powder,  spicy brown mustard, Del Monte Sweet Pickle Relish and grated fresh Parmesan cheese........combine, shake and chill.
Delicious!