Hidden Treasures in Dark places

By now most people in the United States with a TV or computer have heard of the Carr Fire and a great many people around the world. I don't have TV or a computer, but with my phone I still could have been well informed.

I have lived in the Redding area since 1985, I raised my four children on the boarder of Shasta and Tehama Counties. Three years ago my son and I moved into Redding city limits. Last Thursday he and my oldest daughter were evacuated from their homes. We are thankful to report that the fire was stopped only a 1/2 miles to the West and North and the spot fire that was 5 houses away was put out without much damage to their little block of homes.

This was the fire map released this morning

In the summer of 2013 I spent about 40 hours of my summer working on the base map for the GIS. That is where I got the name: GIS-Butterfly. The information I collected and applied to this base map was what the first responders use when identifying a structure. It makes me proud to know that I was able to help in a small way.

There is no doubt in any of the minds of those living in Shasta County that this was a "Hellish" experience. A few weeks ago, we had had our 10 days of 100 plus heat days and were grumpy about hot winds and homeless people asking for handout at all our grocery stores. I say, "WE", I may not have said it out loud, but I can't say it doesn't gross me out to see a man dig through my trash can in front of Pier 1 every day.

Four days after the fire began and I don't know where all those sad people living on the street of Redding have gone. The streets are almost empty, because of the smoke. 519 structures have been reported destroyed and 35,000 people are evacuated. I am at a loss as to what I should do next...

My church is inside the evacuated part of Redding. The fire has been stopped from going farther into Redding City limits and Redding City Church is saved. However, we could not meet today and were invited to Little Country Church for worship today. It seems the grumblers didn't stop when the homeless disappeared from the streets, then it was said, "Why aren't the mega churches of Redding opening their doors?"

Today Pastor Rick at Little Country explained how the program works:

* Red Cross is in-charge of all evacuation housing, they open each "Registered" location as needed

* First Responders are in-charge of their own supplies and personnel needs

* Salvation Army is second after Red Cross

Our animal shelters have so much food they are sending it away. Everyone wants to help, but you need to go through channels. Little Country has been asked to be a 24 hour rest place for Fire Crews. It was 113 degrees one of the days of the fire.The clouds provided by the fires have cut the temps to 105 the past two days. The Red Cross is opening up each Church, School and Large Building in the order that they see fit.

Do you need help or have resources to give

Not to say that private organizations and individuals can't do their own thing too. Just don't show up without asking at Red Cross, they have a process to volunteer. If you want to help in the local church community Little Country has an application for volunteers and if you need assistance. 

Doulas in Shasta county stage a diaper give away at Kid Kingdom

Farmers donated Produce to a Red Bluff Shelter

A friend of my daughters bought a truck load of water and
said that he would deliver on Facebook

Thank You for Your Service

FIRE FIGHTERS

My car may look like this,
but take a second look at the Fire Fighter

Law Enforcement

The Young People Who Did This:

Thank💓You
Fire Fighters

Law💙Enforcement 

+First Responders

National Guard

My son-in-law left home to

help with the evacuation Patrols

New Beginnings

A woman spoke at church today who had lost her home. She has two teenagers. She said, "God has been in control through this entire week. He set things ahead 7 years ago to begin the friendship to the folks that we are staying with..." Jokingly she added, "The honey-do list is gone for my husband and I don't have to worry about the laundry getting done." Times will be hard for these folk, but God has refined them in the fire. 

True Super Heros

You can see plenty of crazy, scary pictures of fire and smoke. There are awful pictures of destroyed neighborhoods and smokey skies. I just want all who read this to know Redding is strong. We have a great faith community working together. We have great people who claim no faith, but are working for the greater good. We love our community and the resources that we have to share with the world.

I pray for the Phoenix of Redding to rise from the ashes.

We are a blessed people. 🦋

Spa Deena is still on the road

I continue to house-set and care for my friends homes and animals while they vacation.

Next week I plan to have the finished product ready to mail for the Em's "BIG 02". 2/19/18

  

Spa Deena ♫ On The Road Again ♫

 

Here in the Sacramento Valley it is said that we have two seasons: Fire and Flood. I've lived this side of Lassen Peak for over 30 years and each year we have a wet or wetter winter/spring and then a hot/hotter & dry winter/fall.  Not complaining, just stating the facts. 

These three weeks before School starts I get the pleasure to house set for some teacher friends and enjoy their larger space, animals, swimming pools and air-conditioning. My niece said that it is warm in Connecticut where it is about 80 degrees. That is what we turn the a/c to when it is 110 degrees outside. More than a 40 degree difference inside and outside is shocking.

highs and lows this week

I prefer to speak of the seasons of life rather than the seasons in Redding, California.

Intrepid Impatience

Last summer I planted a box of Impatience plants. My sister named this one "Intrepid Impatience." This lovely little flower is on a plant that survived the heat last summer, the rain and freezing temperatures of winter and now is surviving it's second summer in 110+ degree heat.

My goals last week mostly involved making doll clothes for Em's 2nd birthday coming up in a few weeks. Here she is at Costco, studying up on her books.

Em is on top of the World

Birthday Sewing for Em

I found a doll the same size as Em's at the Good Will to be a dress model for the four outfits I made.

crocheted two strands

My favorite

a great time to use the free arm on the Kenmore

Gray Sweat Suit with lace legs and neck

Last one to match her dress

Gum Ball Machine made a nice dress form (size 2/3)

I will be making little packaging for each doll out fit and get it ready to ship this week. I look forward to seeing a picture of Em wearing the pink dress. I have a great respect for the people who make Tiny People clothes. What a lot of work.

Spa Deena 7/24 to 8/11

These last three weeks of Summer Break I was blessed to have friends ask me to house set their lovely homes and keep an eye on their pets. Each couple had a test weekend and now for the long stretch.

I'm still getting to keep up on my hummingbird watching

A Tree House for adults, WOW!

There are even night lights up here

Always Morning Coffee Outside

Morning Coffee Western Exposure

Morning Coffee Eastern Exposure

Last Thoughts on Summer

Stay Cool !

Restoration of the Years the Locust have Devoured

It has been almost 3 years since my son and I moved to our Nest. 758 square feet on the second floor, with private access and a car port to protect my Le Saber from the heat and cold. For over a decade I had lived without an oven or stove and no central a/c or heat. I raised my children with only a washer and dried the diapers in the furnace closet until it conked-out about the time I stopped needing diapers.

We had a wood stove the last years, but the only escape from the heat (110 degrees for weeks in summer) was a wet rag, a book and a fan. I did not realized until last week that my metabolism had adapted, by slowing to what I now call the "Book Zone". 

Now at the Nest I have: a dishwasher, washer and dryer, a/c and central heating, as much hot water as I need and the peace in my heart that I am home. I have chosen to save expenses by not having WiFi and TV, so I still read a lot, listen to music and do all of  my textile arts.

The past couple of days I was off work and I read a Debbie Macomber book titled: Last One Home. This is a book that spoke to be about my Locust Years and the constant question that was given to me, 'Why didn't you leave?" A woman in abuse can not leave until she has done everything in her power to fix the situation. I tried twice when my children were ages 1-1/2 to 6 and then again when they were teenagers. It was not just about my leaving, it was about them leaving as well. We did have  extreme poverty and the metal/emotional abuse effecting each of us  in varying degrees, but I wasn't a quitter, so I just made the best life I could for my children.

I had to understand what was happening to me. Outsiders thought they could see what I needed to do, but I could not make it work. I will say, "When it was God's timing it happened." I want to thank  One Safe Place for giving me the knowledge of my rights as a human to live without constant verbal and emotional abuse.

Three years ago when the end came, I felt almost like the Children of Israel leaving Egypt. I had seen the plaques attack my spouse as he was cursed by his own actions. I Timothy 5:8 was spoken to me, sent in emails and notes from family and friends, but that was not my place to judge, that was for GOD alone. I am no man's judge.

I left the house of destruction with a safe vehicle to drive, a 14 foot square moving van full of furniture  and house wares (my children's inheritance) and having two jobs that would support me. Ian was just 20 and would be attending community college with his own expenses paid through Federal Financial Aide. I recently told someone that my mother use to say,"Someone should get use of Financial Aide considering all the years your father contributed through his taxes."Granddad, Thank you for putting my four children through college and university."

Through the Locust Years I supported my family with elder care and janitorial jobs as well as our summer vacations, which were my house-sitting jobs most summers. I home-schooled them through our local public schools and High School with a charter school and duel enrollment at the community college.

 In 2008 when the stock market took a hard hit my clients began giving up hope in their "nest eggs". Families of elderly clients had to make some tough calls and all of my clients either died or went to an assisted living within two years. 2009 I applied for college financial aide and joined the children taking classes with Graduation in 2012 with my oldest daughter, Mary.

It has been eight years since Deena's Overall Cleaning and Yard closed the books. My clients were all in their 90's and I felt so privileged to be with them, listening to stories and tales of a time long forgotten. Each one of these precious saints gave me much more than I gave to them.

New Beginnings

This past six months changing my second job to Pier 1 has given me freedom to create. I have begun house-sitting again this summer and look forward to three weeks to save on my a/c bill and enjoy their animals. We have a no animal policy at my apartments, so my cats had to stay in Cottonwood.

The most awesome thing that has happened to me this summer was a visit with an elderly couple next to the house I was watching. This couple had been a part of my mother's crowd 40 years ago and remembered her fondly. I lost her 32 years ago in an accident and always enjoy listening to people remember her love and laughter. Two days ago I was approached by this couple's family asking if I wouldn't mind visiting them again on a regular basis, as the folks had enjoyed my visit. What a privilege to yet again have my ministry restored from the Locust Years.

There is only one week left for me to prepare for school from this end before I will be gone from the nest for 3 weeks house-setting. My summer goals of Spa Deena have continued and I am thankful that GOD gave me a summer without catastrophe so concentrate on: Just Me. 

My goals for this week are:

* cleaning the apartment 

* preparing my clothes for the first week of school

* prepare my school apron and supplies 

* make doll clothes and a dress for Emelia's 2nd birthday

* clean out my refrigerator

I am blessed to be allowed a new hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Reflections from Spa Deena ~ Summer 2018

Healing a Broken Heart

My art the past few years has been a sign of the journey. 

Just Breathe

This piece was  made 2 1/2 years ago when meeting with the "I am well" ladies. We talked about creating balance in our life. At that point of brokenness I just needed to breathe. It seems very insightful that I wrote on this board, When I stop fearing failure, I become an artist.  Fear of failure has been a big deal to overcome. This group of ladies encouraged me to put myself out there, taking baby steps I did slowly come out of my cocoon.

The Colors of Rain

The Colors of Rain was another multimedia project. My world view had dulled and there was lack of luster and interest as well as the effort it took to do anything to make a change. Sounds like a definition of depression. I have PTSD and the effort to get out of bed was mostly to escape the place the nightmares lived. A year ago I went to a Christian counselor and began unwrapping the layers of depression and oppression that were keeping  me afraid. I knew the colors were there, but I felt none of it stuck to me.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

The Light at the end of the Tunnel was a finger painting. It was meant to be abstract and messy. I felt my life was messy, but I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel of my tree lines avenue. The wind is at my back pushing through the storm. 

 It took until this past fall when I left my second job with kids and began working at Pier 1 to see what (or who) was the storm. That was the scariest things I have done since moving to Redding in August 2015. Letting go of the control of my finances and allowing God to show me what way this tree line path would lead.

Advice from a Sunflower

Advice from a Sunflower was an example of what I was going to be doing in the future. I had learned to do a lot of different lettering formats in High School Art (1970 something). These skills had not been used a lot and it seemed that everyone uses a computer for this type of artwork. Recently, I have met people who do personalized invitations and wall art with hand drawn lettering. A few months ago I learned that at my store we make a chalk board sign regularly by hand. I have volunteered to make the sign since then.

Pier 101

This week my sign was near and dear to my heart. Making a small space have a big statement is my "spec-ee-ality". The Nest is just 748 square feet. A perfect size for me, but when I start a project it is time to roll up the yoga mate or eat in my chair while I create. 

Today I decided to change a pair of  short/shorts into cool 1970's short. I wanted to be able to show the girls at school in the "Booty Shorts" that there are options. I am hoping to encourage them to use their creativity, and maybe I'll even get a sewing club started or something...

1975 Kenmore going strong

4 inch post - it, "Just No!"

That should pass the dress code police

My project this week is to make Baby Doll Clothes for Em, but first I had to fix my shorts. We have a 4 inch or Post-it Note rule with shorts at my school. Unfortunately, most stores sell these cuffed up shorts that have the fabric, but are not hemmed which is also part of the dress code. The post-it does show that the inseam is 4 inches, but that is not the way these short usually fit.  By adding my 1970's trim and lowing the leg to the full length of the cloth, it is more like a 6 inch inseam. Very comfortable for my short legs.

I'm excited to see what will happen in my future. I have put the past behind this week. My journal is full of the insights God gave while turning over every care to HIM. ~Breathe~ 

Now...I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

~ Breathe~ 

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