Category Archives: Family Matters

Forward Motion


Posted by tlcinspirations

It has been a little over a month since we set up shop at Happy Delusions, in Renton, WA, sharing this unique venue with many other talented artisans.  Mary Clymer is the very charming owner and operator of this thriving little gift shop in downtown Renton, which features many “one of a kind”, handmade designs from an array of arts and crafts.  We would like to share with you a few of our items, along with some artisan favorites, although there are too many to show here.  We hope that if you visit downtown Renton that you stop in, and check it out for yourself.  Our local festival, Renton River Days is coming soon!

And here’s a little preview of our items…TLC Inspirations

We are experiencing many changes this year, most of them positive.  Rachel has moved to North Carolina (due to hubby’s job) which has brought a slew of challenges for her and her family.  It was an 8 day journey with a moving truck trying to avoid floods and tornados, but they made it!  They are currently getting settled in their new home, and new community.  Since they have never been anywhere on the east coast, there should be a lot to learn and explore.  I miss them, but sometimes moms just need to let go, and let live.  We have many ways to stay connected, and continue our TLC Inspirations partnership, thanks to technology.

Since we closed down our online shops temporarily, we have been expanding our crafting into new directions.  Rachel has been learning how to machine and needle felt, and she has created some adorable and unique handbags.  I, on the other hand, have become more interested in machine embroidery, and trying to implement that beautiful craft into some of my bag designs.  We hope to have some of these new creations available to our customers online soon.  We will keep you posted.

On another note, we started a YouTube channel a couple of months ago, and will be creating tutorials, so that we can share our experiences, ideas, and knowledge.  We hope that you will watch for upcoming tutorials, and visit our YouTube Channel, and subscribe as we add more content.

Find us on FB, Twitter, YouTube, and of course, here on our blog.

Bonnie & Rachel


Hope and Faith became the Destination


Posted by tlcinspirations

Vacation?

It began on a beautiful, sunny Monday morning.  My husband and I were headed out for a  little R&R in Eastern Washington (we live in Western Washington), so we loaded up the car with our over-stuffed suitcase and our beloved dog, Chance, since he would not tolerate being left behind.

After a 4 hour drive to Chelan, Wa., we arrived at our hotel, and disappointment began to set in as we realized it was not meeting our expectations. Our room was cramped, the view of the lake was barely visible, and children loudly playing in the pool right outside our door (I love children, but a pool full of kids 10 feet from our room was a bit much).  Since it was not meeting our needs, we decided to stay just the one night and then hit the road the following morning. Upon our return home, we learned that the Chelan area was hit with a massive rain and electrical storm that we would have experienced, had we stayed. Happy to have missed it!

Beating the Clock

At this point, I must tell you that my youngest daughter was expecting her 6th child, but her due date was 2 weeks away, and all of her previous children usually arrived late, so we thought it was fine to take our trip, and be back in plenty of time for our new grand baby.

I had read my horoscope the day before we left, and it said “Your plans will be interrupted, but you won’t mind hanging out at the hospital for someone you love.” That might have been my first clue.

Anyway, the following day started at 5:00am , as we headed up to the far northeast of Washington, hoping to experience some of Washington’s natural beauty. We had just arrived in Kettle Falls (4 hours of driving) and my cell phone rings. It is my daughter, and she is in labor! “Are you kidding me?” We immediately decide to head back home, using the shortest route we can find, not knowing if we would get there in time or not. I was so worried we wouldn’t make it. We were just so far away, and I wanted to be there to support my daughter so badly.

After a 555 mile drive that day, I called my daughter’s number and her mother-in-law said they had left for the hospital! “Oh no!” I jumped back in the car and headed to hospital. Upon arriving, I entered triage in the birthing center, after being informed of her admittance. She had been transferred to a birthing room, and things began to get very intense and fast.

She had opted for natural childbirth, so, as her mom, it was very difficult to see her in such pain, and to coach her through it.  At the same time, it was the most amazing thing I have experienced. I could not have been more proud!

Home is Where the Heart is

Jackson David Wininger was born July 27, 2010 at 9:52 pm, and we were all delighted to meet him! Thank you, Jackson, for waiting for “grammy”.

Jackson was born with some medical issues, was transferred to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital for surgery, and has not been able to come home yet. His recovery is going well, but slowly, and we hope he will be home with his Mom, Dad, 2 brothers, and 3 sisters very soon. (Prayers are much appreciated, thank you)

Bonnie (Grammy) & Rachel (Auntie)

“Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope;…..Love never fails.” 1 Cor.13:7,8

Update Aug. 6 *We are happy to report that Jackson is recovering nicely.  He has made great progress this week, and we are thrilled.  We are all waiting for the day he comes home.  That wonderful day appears to be getting  closer.  :)

Update  Aug. 13 Jackson has been in a Children’s Hospital since birth, and has had 2 surgeries.  Today was a great day, and we are so thankful.  He should be home within the next few days thanks to power of prayer and faith.  We thank everyone for their support and prayers that resulted in this miracle.

Aug. 16th He’s Home!!!!


Paper and Wood


Posted by tlcinspirations

So, it was the usual “casual” Mother’s Day…I get somewhat catered to, spend time with my hubby and two girls, and a card, gift and/or flowers in the late afternoon.

I was served fluffy pancakes and to-die-for bacon as the sun decided to grace us with its presence. We all decided it would be great to go for a bike ride or do some work out in the yard, but the weather had ulterior motives. During the hail storm, we settled in for a game of Scrabble, which I lost to my husband by 3 points. Let me just say, I *almost* always win…oh nooo, but not on Mother’s Day! Congrats, dh ツ

So, we thought our outdoor recreation ideas were ruined, but then the sun came out a SECOND time. Unfortunately, my hubby denied me the fun of playing in the yard (didn’t want to go flower shopping), which caused a minor disagreement…which progressed into us leaving the girls behind to go drive around town for 30 minutes. Sometimes, we just need a drive. All was better by the time we got back home.

They made me dinner…shrimp ceviche tacos, no less…and then served up an angel food cake that rivaled my grandmother’s, which is no easy task. That woman is some kind of crazy prodigy in the kitchen. She could have nothing in her refrigerator and STILL make a luscious casserole.

So, after all of this, we sit down to watch an old 80s flick and before we start it (I’ll spare you the title), my two girls offer me a token of their sweet love. My oldest daughter, 14, has put together a collage…no ordinary collage, but a work of art using little trinkets she has saved over time. Things that meant something to her…and now mean even more to me. So much thought went into it…and time. She was so precise in the way she applied every item. She painted the board it was on. She arranged. She glued. She expressed. What a treasure!

My youngest, 11 years old, took what may be perceived as the easier route and made me a card. The thing is that she wrote things like, “When you smile, I feel happy” and “When I think of you, I think of sunshine shining all over the world.” Teary-eyed, I was.

For me, as a mother, all the thanks I need lives in a piece of paper and a cut of wood. Life is so simple, if we just allow it to be.