THURSAY'S GRACE NOTES: PLEASE READ! This is the most important Grace Notes that I have ever written.

THURSDAY'S GRACE NOTES.  PLEASE READ!  This is the most important Grace Notes that I have ever written

After falling out of my wheel chair on Monday left with even more wounds and a damaged and wounded left eye I was given the facts of my diagnosis for the rest of my life due to my chronic wounds. I can not go to large populated events ever. My main heart breaker is church. In my powered wheel chair I can go to a large store, like Publix as long as I do not get close to many other people at the time. No body can visit me at my home if they are sick or have a family member that is sick.  I will be losing my house and, my car has been repossessed.  But this is when the weird thing comes in.  I am still "inappropriately happy" and still look forward to the next fun day.  I still have my art , music, and marketing "job" and totally "work" from home.and I still have people (yes even you)  and Jesus will never ever leave my side.  The most "horrible" things that I go through the more I can help others because I have gone through them myself.

So

I no longer celebrate the day I celebrate each minute.

So let's go out there and let's rock our world!

I love you all.

Nancy

www.asbellarts.com

Thursday's Grace Notes

Thursday's Grace Notes

Seeing things in a different light, be very careful with what you for... God just may be listening again, all of my guardian angels , my new courier service... affordable, professional and insured, (I'm back!), many years ago Glenn and I had the privilege of being the Jax. Lupus Facilitators. My doctors would schedule new Lupus patients before and after my appts to gently hold their hands and support them while my doctor smiled and kept giving me the "thumbs up sign" behind their back, cute,. I don't know where that Nancy is but I think that I can find her AND being so absorbed in my work yesterday that I didn't know that my watch was upside down until 5:00 in the afternoon. I love my life!

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com



Wednesday's Grace Notes

Wednesday's Grace Notes

If you are a Christian, you are welcome here, Atheist, "Father Mother God", or just "hanging out" you are welcome here and we all can learn from each other,  hanging out with "half baked Christians... no wait that's me!  LOL,  being a trained facilitator since I was 23...  yes I have always been weird,  so much healthier but Doctors and nurses are still calling me to "check in",  turning a gossip into a "but bless her heart, let's pray for her" is still a gossip,  if I'm going to do something, make it fun!  and cleaning teams that work extra hours just to truly take care of me and to get down to the nitty gritty are really not gaining a great profit but they are making God's day.

Celebrate the day

I am so happy I can barely stand it!

www.asbellarts.com

Tuesday's Grace Notes

Tuesday's Grace Notes

"I can't I can't...  oh yes you can!  Sometimes our setbacks teach us lessons more valuable than gold,  Teaching early morning voice lessons w/out an ounce of make up then brazenly heading to Publix for the first time in weeks due to illness and being told that my "face just glowed",  very sick in bed the next day to "pay" for it but sometimes when you have a chronic illness that's just part of the game....and worth every penny and wondering "can life get any better than this?

www.asbellarts.com

Thursday's Grace Notes

Thursday's Grace Notes

Enjoying food again,  waking up feeling strong and better so that so many people can stop worrying about me.. including myself, once I become stronger I can be stronger for others as well,,  the fact that all of my students and clients end up eventually being my friends,  opening my fridge and not hearing the song "Blinded by the light",happy crows and old dogs chasing squirrels,  fun is always there to be had, we just have to remember to plug into it  and  Praising God that it is February and you and I are hear to enjoy it.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Waking up and finding that the sun beat me to it!  Forgiving myself for not meeting my own demands, allowing myself that second mug of coffee, only being able to eat 1/2 my food,  making my homemade soups...  realizing that all along God has been supplying all of my needs and I was the biggest roadblock  and now I am waving my white flag. Dramatically increasing my steroids, beginning a very minor antidepressent and, this is the big thing....  I began having sezuires once I turned 21 followed by a life of illness. Last night for the very first time in my entire life  changing my bandages and asked God "Lord! Why me?  What have I done to deserve this?"

Do I place myself above Christ?  Even He cried to His father in Heaven "My God my God why have you forsaken me?

Now it's my turn to praise Him and say

"My God my God! Why have you blessed me?".

It all comes down to Grace.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com



Tuesday's Grace Notes

Tuesday's Grace Notes

God is not standing there with his arms across His chest expecting my next mistake,  no His arms are open wide to take me back in,  sometimes taking the easy way out IS the right way out,  remembering how it felt to enter my children's rooms in bare feet then discovering the army of plastic Lego's all over the floor, knowing that someday I would cherish this,  I have never been this sick living by myself before... and have never felt this loved,  and , well, listening to my doctors and greatly increasing my steroids tomorrow.  It should be a much better day.  I have a love/hate relationship with my many meds.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com



Angels Unaware

Angels Unaware

Anybody out there and have 5 kids and have said "What was I thinking?" Hello.  How about being 50 yrs old with 5 rockin' kids?  Hello!  This is a posting about my big Sister Michele and my brother in love Chip. They are a true witnesses to what parenting and love has the potential to be. I was a very good mother, the best of the best and I never had a clue.  Did I mention that my beautiful sister has MS?  They have so much to teach, so much to share and so many people to encourage.

Please help them to continue to encourage others if nothing more than sharing this post?

Oh and by the way.  Michele is a powerhouse.  You rarely see her without a smile on her face and seems to always find the funny side in everything.

I want to be like her someday when I grow up.

They call themselves the "Rainbow Clannad"

While I "celebrate the day"

Her motto is "Living the dream.

Monday's Grace Notes

Monday's Grace Notes

I now declare that I only have a bad chest cold,  Today I took a real long look at myself in the mirror. I have been sick for several weeks. Once I recognized who I was and the shock began to wear off, I took two hours to slightly recaim my "girly girl".  Is it too soon to say "celebrate the day"?  Waking up to a messy house that I can still live in, hey! who turned on the birdsong again?  I have not been able to ride my blessed power chair down to Publix in several weeks.  It's not about the groceries.  I am well taken care of,  it's the baking manager that offers me not a free cookie but wants to give me a $14.00 torte just to make me happy.  I blush, stammer, give thanks and roll to the produce section.  There the produce manager takes me aside and says "our God is not on our schedule but he wants me to tell you that you are not alone. They know nothing about me... many of you are also in the dark as it should be.  They know nothing.  But they have seen me become weaker.  People who are strangers to me come up and say "you don't know me but you are such an inspiration to me...  you rock!"  I don't deserve any of this but if God wants to give it to me then I will try to pass on my Grace Notes for one more day.

Okay now can I say it?

Celebrate the day?

Celebrate!

www.asbellarts.com

Sunday's Grace Notes

Sunday's Grace Notes

Sleeping 7 1/2 hours straight!  Good golly Miss Molly!  Church is not for perfect people and that is why I miss it so much...   I fit right in,  able to eat an almost full bowl of cereal,  lighting a candle just for me and taking the time to slowly smell the lingering scent before I blow it out, old dogs that carry 1/2 of the "Nature Preserve" back inside with them to share, burning my delicious dinner but there is always tomorrow, "Joel Osteen" ( Mr Smiley) and Nancy Asbell both  smiling too much...  Okay! If they shared the outlook "Choose not to be a victim but a victor" they'd be smiling too.  Come one!  It's good endorphins. I still have legs... and they hurt... and how can I not be praising God...  I still have legs... and they hurt... and, and, I get it.  Bring it on!  Praise God!  I found my marbles.  They were in my chest.  Now I just have a nice calming pur of a cat before he plans his next attack.  Yeah....  I crack myself up.  I have to do something between snacks.  Seriously though, at least I have a beautiful bed to take naps in.  Tomorrow I am going to get my voice back to sing.  Even Panda misses it.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com



Angels Unaware

Angels Unaware

Living in Barstow California we were one of the lucky ones to experience the devastating earthquake.We were gripped in fear, darkness, and the crashing sounds of a "freight train". The only safe place in our government housing w/ a stud was at the front door so we huddled there. I was cold, in shock and forget about making conversation.  Above all of this roar my then 8 year daughter yelled "

HAS ANYBODY PRAYED YET?"

Out of the mouths of babes.

Celebrate the day!

Saturday's Grace Notes

Saturday's Grace Notes

I wake up and I still hurt and God says "I know.  And you are never alone".

A lot of people don't like me. I mean, how can she "be suffering" and still be able to post these "Grace Notes?"  Oh just gag me with  spoon! (I wouldn't suggest that.  It sounds very painful from here),  I mean she just about gives her art away. She cheapens the work for of all of us.  Okay. Let's play a game.  You are told by a doctor that you have 30 days to live.  What will you do?  Something good I hope.  Okay how about 3 months to live?  The Mayo Clinic says that I almost died 11 times in the last two years.  They say that they cannot take credit.  It was my faith, incredible will to live and attitude.  Now they say that I live "on a tight wire"... every day is a miracle for me. Today?  Tomorrow?  I and my family know where I'm going. So I unclench my hands and I give free advice to international art lovers, very cheap coaching to artists/performers (if they are really serious about their business) my talents? Eh, landscape artists are a dime a dozen.  My overwhelming amount of experience/wisdom in social media/marketing? Extremely good.

At the end of the day I am telling Jesus "I hurt" he says "I know and you are not alone".

Every day I will selfishly be posting my Grace Notes. They help to keep me alive.

You can always "change the channel."

You see, I am the lucky one.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com



Friday's Grace Notes

Friday's Grace Notes

The Village Idiot

No wait!  Don't change the channel!

Have you ever paused to think about the hows and whys you became the person that you've become?  Well I do and there is always someone to blame.  Yup.  That's when we begin w/ our parents and it usually is not on a high note.  That's the trend, right?  I could play along but no I would be throwing more of Gods Blessings back in His face.

So play along, please. Yes. Pun intended.

I was born premature.  The Dr gave my mother this way too small baby and says "be careful.  She can't have much stress... good grief.  I really liked that different drummer. (http://asbellarts.blogspot.com/2012/02/moses-had-aaron-i-had-michele.html

I was geeky and very talented.  Sometimes poor as church mice my Mom made sure that we always had the finest art supplies, piano lessons, two pianos so we wouldn't fight over who's turn it was to get to play, Michele and I sang and harmonized ALL THE TIME! She made sure that I had voice lessons, two of the best guitars money could buy, encouraged us to be in every play, no matter how stupid our costumes looked and cried every time that she heard me sing lyric soprano as I majored in voice with scholorships..

No Don't let me confuse you.  It's not Mothers day, but she is 86 years old and I have a life threatening disease. Why wait.  Life is WAY too important.

Celebrate the day

I love you Mommy.

www.asbellarts.com

Friday's Grace Notes

Friday's Grace Notes

I slept through the night. Didn't wake for pain medicines, only had some new wounds to treat for messes. I only struggled to breathe once I got up... and I was giddy. I gave myself shots, took blood pressure nmeds, I took my daily photos of my legs for my health care team..  today they are fire engine red (I am an artist you know so I can change from black to red if I want to),  it took me one hour to shower, re do some wounds and get dressed on my own and I was giddy,  my Mayo staff said That I still run a huge risk of losing my legs but due to new treatments using "balloon's" I should be able to live through the surgery.  Maybe NOW you can understand why I am so giddy!  Giddy up and go and

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Artist Tip For The Day

Artist Tip For The Day

Facebook people!

Create a separate business page for yourself and Blog.  If this stroke lady can do it so can you!

Market yourself!

60% percent of my social media sales come from Facebook.

Load it up with only your best images, make a very simple resume and remind them just WHAT makes you and your product so special.

It takes time but you and your BUSINESS are worth it.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Finally getting the correct meds for my pneumonia (I am allergic to too many)  choosing to have fun anyway and placing lightweight easy to read catalogs in my bed to read first thing in the morning or at 3:00 in the morning when I can't sleep, making biscuits just for me... oh and a big glass of chocolate protein powder,  Megan once again taking care of me w/ meds and groceries. I hear that she actually DOES have life... meanwhile she gut me a couple of real tubs of ice cream, you know the kind that I haven't had in a very long time?  I barely remember what they taste like but I'm willing to try,  people willing to take time off of work just to take care of me.  As you can see I am hanging in there but I don't deserve their kindness,  doctors showing more compassion and kindness and giving myself the gift of only surrounded by those who love them.... however there is always that "10%"

Celebrate the day you dear people!

www.asbellarts.com

Tuesday's Grace Notes

Tuesday's Grace Notes

When you are trying to help someone and they don't want it a wise woman just simply walks away...  Being brave and bold and posting about my "not wanting to play along" black legs.  I received responses from my Twitter, Facebook, email accounts, whole living, fineartamerica, linkedin and daily blogs.  "Thank you. I don't feel so alone".... "now I really do count my blessings every day."  TMI?  Maybe but I promised God to advocate for Lupus Then my art.  God keeps His promises.  So should I. People cutting me some slack after learning that I had a brain stem stroke in 1996 and running a business is sometimes hard to do.  Emails for me for communication help.  If this "compromised brain can do it then we all can... as long as we continue to help each other...  Thank you.  Thank you so much for being there.  Thanks to you I can always

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Monday's Grace Notes "help!"

Monday's Grace Notes  "help!"

Godaddy has disabled my accounts but was happy to accept their payment last month.  They say that it should be repaired by today or Tuesday...  now how do I make a Grace Note out of this one?  Any ideas?  Enjoying coffee in a huge 44DD cup... size,  LOL!  "I am one of Gods masterpieces...  Masterpiece Theater that is... we all need a drama :)  My doctor and friend called me Friday night, phoned in a new antibiotic for a new chest cold, complimented me on my new paintings, told me that I was working too hard and take it easy on the weekend "pretend that your sick".  I didn't follow directions. Sometimes following my own advice is like swallowing a bitter pill. Why does God insist that I keep having to relearn my lessons.  Maybe He just wants to make sure that I keep showing up in class every day.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Friday's Grace Notes

Friday's Grace Notes

My cup runneth over... quick I need to empty my hands before I "waste" my blessings,  Don't tell me that people on facebook are superficial...  you people are way too good and supportive to carelessly discard with such words while YOU grace ME with another blessed day,  I woke up with a chest cold and realized that as long as I don't laugh or giggle I wont break into a caughing spell. I'm, "okay" and then it hit me, I live by myself and laugh that much?  Where is Nancy and, you've  heard it again "where did she go?"  Today I need to slow down.... but I can still play the guitar and piano just no singing.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com



Chronic Illness Blog

Chronic Illness Blog

So... if you still have that cup of coffee,  I have decided to post a separate  Chronic Illness Blog.  I mean, really... somebody may enjoy my Grace Notes until they get a little too much TMI and are afraid that they may be asked to come over and massage my bunions LOL. In 2005 I dedicated to God my art career to Him to advocate for Lupus awareness and the rest... financial security, up to Him.  That hasn't changed.  But the real days ins and days oust of living the life of pain just may be too much and can be more addressed through Chronic Illness.  And accesss to my personel email and other social sites.  What do you think!