A Great Impression

You're Beautiful

2012-01-09T08:56:00.005-05:00

Lyrics by Mercy Me

The days will come when you don't have the strength

When all you hear is you're not worth anything

Wondering if you ever could be loved

And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much

You're beautiful

You are made so much more than all of this

You're beautiful

You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His

You're beautiful

I'm praying that you have the heart to find

Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight

For all the lies you've held inside so long

And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

You're beautiful

You are made so much more than all of this

You're beautiful

You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His

You're beautiful

Before you ever took a breath

Long before the world began

Of all the wonders He possessed

There was one more precious

Of all the earth and skies above

You're the one He madly loves

Enough to die

You're beautiful

In His eyes

You're beautiful

You were meant for so much more than all of this

You're beautiful

You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His

You're beautiful

You're meant for so much more than all of this

You're beautifulYou're beautifulYou are treasured, You are sacred, You are His

There is not one of you who are not beautiful. Wherever you are, He knows It.He Loves YouHe has created you just the way he wanted you.

You're Beautiful By Mercy Me
Take a few minutes to listen and remind yourself of howbeautiful you are.

New Year Reflections, 2012

2012-01-01T12:58:00.010-05:00

" ...And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, "

This is the second half of the first verse of Hebrews 12 and it is a meaningful verse to me for many reasons. I was a runner in my younger days. I fully understand the preparations needed to run the race set before me. To even compound that knowledge further, my son Jeffrey is a marathon runner.

Jeff finishing the Boston Marathon in 2011

From Jeff, I learned many things about the months of work and dedication needed to prepare one's body for such a race. The eating, the sleeping, the miles, the shoes; it is truly incredible to me. So yes, I feel I have a good handle on the understanding Hebrews 12:1.

I was in a field running about two years ago when a not so often thing happened. Mid song on the ipod, while in deep thought, and half in prayer, God spoke to me. He told me to hang on tight, and trust in Him, because my life was going to change in a big way. (I blogged about this here)

(Funny how this running theme is taking shape in my mind, I think I am looking forward to getting back to the gym.)
But with today being the first day of a new year it has us all doing the same thing: reflecting on the past year, and looking forward to a new year.

I had one of the loved pastor's in my life say this: "Everyone is in one of three places in their life, 1. about to enter a storm, 2. just coming out of a storm, or 3. in the middle of a storm."

I remember sitting in my pew with a smug little smile on my face at the time, thinking that it had been quite a while since I was in a storm, and that I was loving my life right where it was, (thank you very much). Oh, but he was right. And without even knowing it, I was sitting in a boat with the sun shining down, not even realizing how quickly the sky can change, and that I was heading straight into a Michigan Summer Thunder-doozey!

So if you are my friend you know this stuff, but if you are just tuning in I can assure you that I am just crossing over the finish line of the biggest, and longest marathon I have never prepared myself for.

I chose this picture because I remember having a migraine this day, and after looking at our photos,
my mother commented on how she could see the pain on my face.

I will explain for you in case you have never read my blog before. In November, I had a double cervical fusion. That means that the Dr. took out two disks between vertebrae that were broken and painful in my neck, and filled the space with bone from a cadaver, then bolted it all into one segment. (Can you say OUCH?)

There are hardly the words to describe the pain I went through before making that decision, and the fear that went with it was crippling. Add to my past 18 months: moving away from family and the best friends I had ever had to a lonely, and not so friendly place, and you have the picture of my "RACE"

I want to tell you the good news of this. Just as clearly as God gave me a word up on this time coming, I had a clear word this morning that it has ended. I am so relieved that I am free from pain for the first time in nearly two years that I can honestly not wipe the smile off of my face. Talk about a new lease on life.

At the same time I write this, my heart is breaking for some very dear friends and family who are going through some big storms at this very moment.

Maybe your spouse has decided to call it quits, or worse yet, has betrayed you?

Maybe you are living in pain physically?

What is it that God has given us this entire verse for?

Hebrews 12: 1-3

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

What race is God calling you to prepare for in 2012?

Maybe God wants you to throw away years worth of bitterness and anger and finally forgive that person who is asking for your forgiveness?

Maybe God wants us to look outside of our world view and see that there are other life situations than the ones you can see through your life's experiences.

Maybe you need to be the strong leaning pole while your friend suffers and needs someone to cling to.

I do not know what God has in store for me, or for you in 2012, but I do know how to understand the rest of that verse. He (God) has suffered far worse than our worst storm, and apparently one of his motivations was so that we would have the opportunity to say;
"God not only understands, but he is letting me go through this to make me stronger."

So much to be Thankful for

2011-11-28T18:01:00.001-05:00

I hope that all of you enjoyed a warm, healthy, and loving Thanksgiving.
We have so very much to be Thankful for, but I know sometimes the holidays bring up memories of loved ones lost, or painful times. I have a dear family member who lost a son 6 years ago at a very young age, the day before Thanksgiving. I don't know if Thanksgiving will ever be a truly happy time again for her. If you are in this category, my heart breaks with you and for you. My prayer for you is that each year builds happiness on top of your pain, and that your heart mends a little with each new joy.

With me recovering this year from a double spinal fusion, we knew ahead of time that this year would be different. Mom did not do all of the planning, shopping and fussing as in past years. Nor did we have extended family to spend it with as we did the 10 years we lived in Michigan.

This time my daughter in law Mandy and my son Jeff came to spend it with us. Mandy and I chatted a couple of times in advance and she came with her grandmother's cookbooks and family recipes in tow to bless us with her cooking abilities.

Mandy told me about a funny greeting card she had seen. It was directions on how to cook a turkey and it went something like this:

1. Put turkey in the pan breast side up and pour a glass of wine

2. Fill the bird with stuffing and refill your glass of wine

3. Put the turkey in the oven at 325o, or was that 275o? Have a little more wine

4. Sssseet the timer on your cooker (oven) for 15 minutes per 10 pounds of chicken, I mean turkey, or was that 5 minutes per 5 pounds of turkey? Finish your glass of wine

You get the idea. And no, we didn't follow those directions. In fact Mark got involved for the first time ever. He did some research and chatted with Jeff and Mandy several times about their plan of action. I got the biggest kick ever out of this. To have my husband who has NEVER cooked, and I mean NEVER cooked anything other than ramen noodles come home from work telling me about his plans. It was awesome.

They decided to deep fry it.

We even made a fancy brine and soaked it overnight.

Here are a few shots of our delicious preparations:

I even got dressed for the occasion. For the past two weeks, I have been living in pajamas and sweat pants, and it felt great to get my jeans on, and a little make up.

We really missed our middle daughter and her fiance. That was the only down side of our day. But like I mentioned above, with so many people hurting, and so many things to be thankful for, it was nice to know that we will at least be spending Christmas with them.

Here we are at dinner

I think that what made this one of the most special Thanksgivings ever was how everyone worked together this year. I should have surgery more often.

So welcome to the Christmas season 2011.

Many Blessings! Mary

Prayer Request

2011-11-09T15:47:00.000-05:00

Why is it so hard for women to ask for prayer for themselves?
I guess it's because we are the care takers, and we like that role very much.
It keeps us in control of our worlds. It is also the way that God has hardwired us.

So sharing this with my friends (yes, I consider my customers my friends) is not an easy thing for me.
I am so very grateful that I do not have any type of a long term illness, and I thank God every day for my health.

But starting back two years ago, it got harder and harder to ignore the pain in my neck.
I went to a Chiropractor for 6 months, and it seemed he could not hear me when I would tell him it was feeling worse, not better. So I gave up on him.
Some of you may remember that last December I wrote about being diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Well, I did everything that the Dr's told me to do to overcome the pain, but it continued to get worse.
Many friends shared with me that they did not think I was suffering from Fibromyalgia, since my pain was so isolated to one area.
Finally in May, after lifting some weights at the gym, and a couple of hard work outs, and a lot of pain, I got very brave.
I made myself an appointment with a Neck and Spine Institute here in Connecticut.
After 10 minutes with the Dr. he suspected that I had disks pinching some nerves in my neck.
After the MRI confirmed that I had a Herniated disk to the right, and a bulging disk to the left, he referred me to physical therapy.
12 weeks later, my symptoms got pretty severe. I had an entire day that my hand trembled. The only way to make it stop was to hold it tight. The headaches, the neck pain, all was getting worse and worse.
My Dr. suggested surgery and I practically sprinted out of his office. I called my mom and closest friend and talked it through with my husband.
Then after it was suggested, I did a google search that said "Who is the best Neurosurgeon in Connecticut"
I researched and I prayed and I made some phone calls. I wanted to be sure I was not rushing into a surgery that could be avoided.
Well, as God so often does, he led me right where I needed to be, even though I have gotten here grudgingly, and with many days of doubt. 3 different Dr.s confirmed to me that I have no more choice in the matter. I could suffer permanent nerve damage if I do not get this neck repaired.
So on Friday morning, 11/11/11, at 7 am I will be having two disks in my neck replaced with bone from a cadaver, and held in with some metal brackets.

I am truly more afraid than I have ever been before about surgery.

Please pray for me while I recover.
Please show me understanding when it takes me a little bit longer to answer emails or phone calls.
And please know that God is so good, that he had already covered the bases for my business before I even knew I needed surgery. In September I flew to Michigan and helped our oldest daughter Jessica get a shop set up to fill decal orders.
So we will all be working together as a family as I recover, and we continue to help you make your homes and churches more beautiful by adding God's Holy word to the walls.
Blessings to you,
And Thank you for your prayers.
Love in Jesus Christ,
Mary

My Girls and I
Jessica 21, Julie 16, Me, (Not telling!) and Mandy 23

Sneak Peek at a fun new project I have started

2011-10-18T11:27:00.001-04:00

I love my job, I really do. Making decals all day long is still fun, after 3 years. I love to create too, but it seems like lately I keep so busy filling orders that I long for days to create.

So I create on weekend. It is so hard to look at my half done project and know that I wont be working in it again until Saturday, but here is a sneak peek at my latest project.

I found these two awesome club style chairs on Craigs List. I ordered these awesome fabrics from www.fabric.com, and set out to make slip covers.

This is what I do, I cut squares of fabric that will for sure reach from side to side, and top to bottom, then I use straight pins and pin each panel to the chair. Then I cut around the edges, making sure I leave a little over a half inche seam allowance all raound every edge.

Here is the smaller chair. Check out those great legs, they are super sturdy and in perfect shape.

Here is the fabric for the smaller chair. The fabrics compliment each other so nice, but I am crazy about mixing prints. There are always too many choices to settle on just one. The shade is my favorite shade of blue.

I am still not sure where these chairs are going. Either for me, or maybe for my two oldest girls for Christmas, or maybe for sale. I really don't care. I just have fun playing with stuff like this.

My little girl is engaged

2011-10-11T20:02:00.003-04:00

I am so behind on blogging.

That could very possibly be because

I have been crazy busy

But anyway here is what is new: SHE'S ENGAGED!

You know those commercials that show what parents see sometimes when they look at their nearly grown up kids? Well, here is what I see:

My little 6 year old with a smile for me every time I look at her

But in real life she grew up on me!

Jessica had only been in college for about a week when she told me she had met a boy. Well, first she met a girl, Frankie's sister Shauna. That led to meeting Frankie.

Jessi had dated other boys in high school. It often left Mark and I shaking our heads, wondering if she could see the beauty she had. We were never fond of any of the boys she had dated, but we knew she was young and we kept on praying for the boy who would someday be her husband. We have done this with all 3 of our kids.

It did not take us very long after meeting Frankie to see that he was a really great guy. They got along very well, and had so much in common. Frankie was very close to his family and he and Jess did a great job spending time each evening with either Frankie's family or us.

After about 6 months of Jessi spending quite a bit of time over at the Aldrich's house, we asked if we could meet Frankie's family. It was so nice to meet them, and find a family with values like ours, and a love for God. We could see why Jess was so happy when she was around them.

When Jess and Frankie had been dating for almost 2 years, Mark got a new job in Connecticut and we had to relocate. I thought it might break my heart, leaving Jess behind. But it was Frankie's mom, Jenny, who put my mind at ease a bit.( Her and my friend Lisa, but that's another story) Jenny and Frank promised me that they would be a family to Jessica in our absence. And that they did. She just adores them and has come out of her shell so much since knowing their big, Italian Family.

So me, being the nosey, investigator type, it was a big surprise while all of our kids were here this summer visiting, when I heard Frankie ask Mark if they could talk outside. Mark and I did the quick eyebrow raised look at each other and off they went to chat.

I did not get to hear the official plans until 11:30 that night.

The next morning Jess and Frankie went off to New York. Frankie stepped into Central park, found a nice quiet hill, and got down on one knee and proposed.

Lucky for us, Jeff and Mandy had gone along on the trip, and they snuck off to get this awesome photo. Mark, Julie and I were almost to the city to surprise them when she called to tell us her news. We got to them as soon as we could to celebrate.

I love the little sister in the background, don't you?

It was so wonderful to all be together to celebrate with them both.

We could not have asked for a better man to marry our daughter. Frankie is everything that a parent would want for their child. He is so supportive of Jess, and they fit together perfectly.

We just love Frankie and are so glad that they are getting married.

Having young adult kids is so much fun.

Now we are busy planning a June wedding!

A Message From Julie

2011-07-28T07:33:00.001-04:00

Today we are blessed with a "Guest Blogger", Julie Zimmer.

Julie is my 16 year old daughter who recently took her first "Out of Country Mission Trip". She traveled with a team of 13 who went to Jacmel, Haiti for a week.

We raised money for Julie by designing certain items that were discounted on A Great Impression, so some of you are partially responsible for helping Julie raise the money for her trip. Friends and family sent Julie checks for various amounts, and the generosity shown to us by people truly amazed us. This message is a thank you, and an account of Julie's trip.

I hope you will enjoy these words from a 16 year old. They encouraged me today.

A fine layer of sweat, bug spray, sunscreen, and dirt covered me from head to toe, and we had been traveling for 20 hours. I had a choice to make instantly when I arrived into Jacmel, Haiti. Either I could be a prissy baby and hate everything about the trip, or I could embrace everything we did with an open mind. Either way, there was no leaving, so I realized there was no choice but to dive right in. That is what I chose.

Riding in the "tap-tap"

Saturday morning we were up by 4 am after getting to the airport Friday night at 12:45. We got to Jacmel around 3 in the afternoon wanting to unwind and relax. Come to find out it was time to assign chores, get ready and go start work.

Each morning we would wake up around 6 am, get ready, do our chores, eat breakfast and go to 3 places a day. The three places were usually either churches or orphanages. Each place had its own character, its own way of acting. Some places the kids would love to come up and cuddle with anyone who would take them, other places the kids wouldn’t even come near you. One all boys’ orphanage each boy came out, shook everyone’s hand and then sat in a line. However, there wasn’t a single place that did not have an effect on my heart. Seeing the way the kids acted to each other and their elders was a treat. For starters, nearly every kid’s clothing was a donated piece. No one worried about what they were wearing or how they looked. In many cases a boy would be wearing say… a purple Tinkerbelle shirt, or a hot pink sweater that said “cheerleading”, or even the sweetest boy wearing a flannel sleep shirt with mittens on it. Not a single child cared or even realized was would here be known as a “fashion disaster”. Another example of how grateful the kids were was when I saw a little girl holding a craft that we had made 3 days prior. A simple square of black paper saying “Pe kris la” on a stick was all it took to make a kid’s day.

The best treat of all was getting to go observe the youth retreat going on at the property. The way that they could just praise God with their arms held high was amazing. Just the fact that they were so happy and open to loving the Lord even when they come from nothing was so enticing to me. It made me even more thankful for what I have.

Every single event that happened, every memory and life lesson, were made possible by my amazing friends and family who helped me with support both financially and in prayer. I could truly feel the prayer as I was on the mission field.

Thank you so much to everyone who was part of my mission team by way of prayer, financial support, and encouragement.

And Thank you to my Grandma and Grandpa Decker who traveled all the way from Michigan to see me off.

Thank you to No Eye Has Seen professional photography who shared an awesome trip and took all of these photos of the group.

To All You Mommies~

2011-07-08T21:14:00.006-04:00

I was in a bathroom stall at church the other day and I heard this conversation going on next to me that really made me smile. It was something like this:

Mommy: Come here, wait, not there, here, no wait, keep your hands at your side, don't touch anything at all.

Child: babble, babble, on and on about her story of some ladie's hair in the hall way being pretty like her mommie's.

Mommy: Yes, she does have pretty hair. Can we hurry up please? We don't want to be late. Do you still need to pottie?

It went on the entire time, and then moved to the sink where more directions and less listening were happening.

I stood there waiting my turn to wash my hands and letting them go ahead of me while I enjoyed the fact that my days do not consist of those conversations, and they have not for a very long time.

I complimented the mother on doing a great job and told her it will go by very quickly.

It amazes me how any of us really have the energy to raise little children. There is truly only one way we get through it. The love we have for our children is enough to make us talk in simple terms the rules and guidelines for at least 5 years to each child before they start to catch on to what we are trying to say. And then, we never truly are sure if they do catch on. Especially in the teen age years.
We just keep babbling.
Endlessly.
Because we love them enough to say things 1 million times until they finally hear us.

I came across this picture the other day while cleaning and it brought a smile to my face. How do the years go by so quickly? Did I take the time to enjoy the minutes I should have? Or did the stress of the moment keep me from making eye contact and connecting like I should have with my kids? I am afraid to know the true answer to that.

Circa 2002 Jessica 12 and Julie 7 Me, fakely blond.

Last night at 10:00pm it dawned on me that I was going to call my daughter during the day to see if she was having a good day. I had gotten busy and forgot to call her. I felt so bad, and sent off a quick (lame) text instead.

Tonight I was sitting at the kitchen table cutting coupons and my teen age daughter left for the mall with a friend. Without even looking up or making her stop for a kiss or hug, I let her leave with a mumbled good bye from the both of us.

lame, I tell you!

When we had young kids we talked non stop, when we have older kids, we have to remind ourselves to pay more attention to what they are saying because the words come in code at times.

Am I alone in this constant berating of my parent abilities?

Funny how you never hear many dad's sitting at lunch telling their guy buddies how they fear that they are a terrible parent and have such guilt over it all.

Why do we do this to ourselves?

Then, this was a big surprise today, my Oh so sweet, and wonderful 21 year old daughter posted this beautiful country song on my facebook page. I just had to share. I cried when I listened to the lyrics.

I hope you are reading and in need of a big dose of encouragement too. Sit back and listen to this wonderful song.

Like My Mother Does by Lauren Alaina

So give yourself a break today. And realize that they are hearing you, and learning, and knowing that you love them more than anything.

Because in the end, isn't this what we are all hoping for?

The 16th Birthday Dinner Party

2011-07-05T21:21:00.001-04:00

Ahhhhh..... Memories of a year ago today. We had just celebrated one of the saddest holiday weekends ever. We had only lived in Connecticut for 3 weeks, and had no friends to be with. It was lonely, and were leaving on Julie's birthday to fly to a celebration in Tennessee. Jeff and Mandy were about to get married, so we got through the day knowing that in a few hours we would be with Jeff, Jessica and Mandy. I can't say that Julie will have her favorite birthday memories from her 15th birthday.

But this was a brand new year. We got through a tough season and a long winter, so it was time to celebrate Julie turning 16 today. I have been so proud of Julie the last few months as she has prepared her heart and mind for her mission trip. I have watched her soften from the inside out.

One of my closest girlfriends actually called the other day to tell me thatshe could see from the recent pictures of Julie that she actually looked prettier, and the reason was she is happy now. That was awesome to hear.

;So for dinner,I made our favorite Korean BBQ dinner; BulGoKi. I made Julie's favorite; cucumber salad. I served white rice and Kimchee too. I can't say that Julie's friends were as in love with the different food as she was, but it was still lots of fun to all sit down to a dinner together.

I used our best china and had the girls dress up. I took several shots of them together before dinner

I made sugar cookies for dessert.

They were a big hit.

And something I have been wanting to do for a while, which actually is why I fell off of the No Fabric Buying Wagon already on Saturday. Bunting flags for decorations. Who can resist fat quarters half off at Joanns?

The evening was complete with friends, fun and lots of jumping on the new trampoline.

And what party is not made complete without a stop by visit from the Boy you like??

Come on, do you remember being 16?

I am happy you had a great day Jewels.

No Fabric Buying (Ugh)

2011-06-29T07:10:00.000-04:00

I look around my work room, and I see these little bags of fabric shoved to the corners. Still unpacked, sitting nicely folded in the bag I brought them home in. I have suffered from this addiction for over 25 years. It truly is a problem.

I had to take some control. I put myself on a NO BUYING ANYMORE FABRIC RESTRICTION for the rest of summer until I sew up some of the "great ideas" I had to have. So far I have created 4 pair of cheer bloomers for my daughter and her friends, and 3 baby blankets as a gift. That hardly made a dent.

I have also finally started the curtain for my bathroom that I purchased fabric for over a year ago. Next on my list is a vinyl ping pong table cover for my husband, (Oh, long story, will explain later) and patio cushions from the lovely brown swirled outdoor fabric I have. Those projects will only clear up counter space, they will not make a dent in the stash I have hidden.

Are you like me? Is it more fun for you to purchase supplies for projects than it is to actually sit down and make them? Join forces with me. Let's work together. I need your support.

A Big Big Year

2011-05-15T15:34:00.003-04:00

I think that everyone has a year in their life that they wont forget. This has probably been that year for my son Jeff.

Sometimes I have to force myself to realize that Jeff is 22 years old. In fact, it's today that he is 22 years old. That must be why he is my main focus today.

I just love this kid.

Do you ever wish you had just a couple more days like this?

To go back in time and remember what that felt like?

In my case, I was only 22 myself in that photo.

I have a few memories.

Love like I had never known it before in my life. The most wonderful smell of a newborn baby in my arms. And a feeling of overwhelmed that could cause me to melt down into tears.

Mark and I brought this newborn home and sometimes we laugh with wonder of how he made it through the first year of having such unequipped parents.

I would also love to see this smile, and hear all of the millions of questions again from this face, for just a couple of hours:

It was right around this time that I started to understand that Jeff had certain qualities that were going to take him further than most. He was driven, determined, and had an intelligence that would soon surpass me.

It was at about age 10 when Jeff and I really bonded. We decided we were on the same team and we could be quite a force to be reckoned with if need be.

We had just gone through a big move from Tennessee to Michigan and we partnered up as buddies to get through our hard adjustment together.

Those are special memories to me.

I digressed,

I know I did.

That will happen to a mommy who misses her boy on his birthday.

Thank you for indulging me.

Lets get back to Jeff's big year.

A year ago Jeff made some big decisions about his career. He was about to get married and knew he would have to make his plans known to his bride to be and her parents. That started a pretty big list of decisions and plans for a family who were not even officially together yet.

God blessed Jeff with a Godly, wonderful woman to love him.

And to play the way he plays, and to laugh the way he laughs.

They share their passion for fitness and life in general.

In July they had the most beautiful wedding I have ever seen.

And we got a new daughter in law.

In August, after one month of marriage, Jeff started his senior year of college.

Mandy was a terrific help to Jeff as he got through this last year. It was the toughest he has ever had. The schedule was grueling, and sleep was a luxury he did not often get.

They also changed his schedule at UPS and his hours got even worse for a few months.

He went through like a trooper.

I think it was about January when he began to train for the Boston Marathon. This was a huge bucket list goal for Jeff, and even though at first they were afraid he did not get in, he did it.

The training was amazing, added to being a husband, full time college senior and UPS management trainee.

In April we got to watch him reach his goal.

Then, the icing on the cake in this big year was last week Jeff reached his goal of graduating from Middle Tennessee with a degree in Aeronautics.

As I looked at this photo below, I could hardly believe that 22 years just passed so quickly. I hope I made the most of enough moments that Jeff remembers it as well as I do. I hope he knows how much of myself I put into raising him. I hope that the closeness we still share never ends.

And I know that it will take him years and years of this type of investment in his own child to understand how very proud of him Mark and I both are.

Congrats Jeff. We love you.

And Happy Birthday to our son, the man.

My daughter Julie is going on a mission trip

2011-04-12T21:14:00.001-04:00

In the weeks to come, I will be telling you more of how my daughter Julie has been called to the mission field.
It is a very exciting thing. I have done some time this year praying for Julie. I was not quite sure for a couple of months while we adjusted to our new life, if keeping her reigned into our faith and way of life was going to be as easy as it was with the first two kids. I committed to prayer, and will keep that commitment, but I just love to see when God picks up and takes over someone's heart.

In the past couple of weeks we have come up with yet another medical issue that is just frustrating, and hard to take when you are only 15. Many of you have not been reading our blog for a long time, but a year ago, Julie was in a wheel chair recovering from two major foot surgeries that left "Jewels" unable to do any impact sports for the rest of her life. So, even though I know darn well she snuck in a few tumbling passes this year, living a life with limits has left her a bit frustrated. Then this new thing has come up, and we feel like life is just way too great to go around whining, but "gggggeeeeeezzzzzz, sometimes things can get you frustrated!"

In the midst of all of this some missionaries came to our church a couple weeks ago, and moved all of us. We were very touched. And it's not like we have not all heard many missionaries before, these people just touched us with their story. On the way home from church Julie told us that she feels like she would like to go full time into the mission field. Her dream right now is to become a physical therapist, and then go to a third world country and serve there with her skills. Mark and I both told her we would pray for her and encourage her as we could
.
We were not home from church for more than a few hours when Julie got a random text message from a girlfriend. She invited Julie to go to Haiti with them this summer on a mission trip, they were looking for more people to join their team.

My initial reaction was "no". She will only be 16 by two weeks at the time of her trip. But as the week went on and the Dr. visits got the best of us, I found that Julie was using her Haiti trip as her happy thought to get us through.

So, as all of us Christian mom's do, I prayed for her. As I prayed, ideas came to me about how we could raise the money together to help her go. And I kept getting that gentle nudge to tell me it was ok, that she needs to go. I think it will be truly life changing for her.

Just wanted to ask for your prayers too.
Thank fellow believers out there.
I so enjoy getting to enlarge my network of prayer warriors through this web site.

My new office

2011-04-09T20:30:00.001-04:00

Wow,
I am so sorry for how long it's been since I last blogged. Well, the reason is a good reason. It's because I have been filling orders. I am so very happy with this little arrangement I have made for myself. I truly feel so blessed that I don't even know if I can take the credit. It's truly just a huge blessing from my heavenly father who loves me. I now work every day, about 6 hours or so, making your orders, taking your phone calls, and getting to the post office by 4:00 pm. It's so much fun, it reminds me of when I was a little girl. I would sit at my desk in my bedroom, and play office. My dad was a banker, so my desk always was complete with stamps and stamp pads. They said things like "paid" and "bill to". I even had a date stamper that you could roll the date on. It was the greatest. I knew how to set my sister's alarm clock to go off (we now call this the snooze button, ) every 5 minutes. I would shut it off, and say, "Ok, send them in!", pretending that my secretary just told me that my meeting had arrived.

Yep............ I am living out my childhood dreams. Only I don't have a secretary, and all of my stamps are neatly put away downstairs with my scrapbook supplies that I no longer have time to use. I do however get to look at caller ID and see if I should answer the phone with "A Great Impression" or just my simple, "hello" because I know it is my bestie, or my sister. (I have 4 sisters, and refer to each of them as "my sister". It truly confuses people.)

Anyway, on the weekends this winter, Mark and I had a project. We worked together for 4 weekends trying to get this new home office of mine installed. I wanted to share it with you, so that you can picture me sitting at my desk playing office each day. And to thank you, because without you, and your wonderful orders, none of this would have been possible.
Blessings to you!!

We had a young guy who was just going into business order
our cabinets for us. We took it from there.

This was our first go at crown mouliding. We were super nervous, but it turned out great.
Do you see that white door to the right of my desk? Actually it it double doors, and through that
room sits my work space office. I will take pictures of in there for you nest time. One day when
your orders are all hanging on metal clothes line before I ship them out.

It's the little things

2011-03-03T19:03:00.000-05:00

When we live in a busy world, where most of our transactions are digital, and pictures of babies are posted on facebook 5 minutes are they are born, it makes the daily trip the mail box not much fun anymore.

I have been working very hard lately, and it's been quite a struggle because everything is very unorganized for me. That is another blog post, and I will explain, but working among a mess is a difficult situation. It tends to get me down. I am not a neat freak by any means, but I do need a clean house and a clean space to feel my best creativity.

So the other day it was dark and dreary for the umth day in a row and I was going through the motions of my day. Work as hard as I can until it's time to go get Julie, grab the mail on the way in at 3:00 and try to wind down while I do what I can to make myself available in case my little hormone machine should want to privy me with any details of her day. (I admit that I am not great at that, I try daily, and almost always get side tracked before the good stuff spills) Oh, back to the mail, so I noticed as I was carrying it in that there were two hand written envelopes. I recognized one immediately, it was a check from my favorite client of ten years, who has grown into a friend. I felt something thick in the envelope, and as I opened up the check, I smiled over finding a tea bag and this note:

It was so cute, and I was a bit chilled, and it was time for tea, so I heated up some water and enjoyed her sweet sentiment right away. Isn't it funny how the little things in life just make us feel special? I could just see her about to send off my check and thinking to herself, "What can I do to make her feel special? Oh, I know, a tea bag!!"

Next I opened up a card that was hand written to Mary Zimmer at A Great Impression. That piqued my interest right away. Since being in business for 2 and a half years with A Great Impression, I have received 3 thank you notes from happy customers. Who does that? I don't, that's for sure. I usually expect to appreciate the products that I buy, and don't think to then Thank the person who I bought it from. But some people are actually that thoughtful and kind. Take a look at this incredible note:

I seriously almost started crying. Picturing this woman taking 5 or 10 minutes in her little house in East Africa to thank me for a vinyl wall art order she had gotten. I was thinking about how much meaning and feelings she put into her thank you, and I just knew without a doubt in my mind that God wants me to get more missionaries some more vinyl wall art. I had been praying for a way that I could better serve God with what I do, and this sounds so exciting, doesn't it?

So, I did a little research and found out that I can send a box with vinyl wall art to Africa for about $15.00 slow mail.

I also have had some time do to some praying. (My method is to first pray, and ask God how he likes my ideas. Then after I get the go ahead from HIM, I usually run it by my husband to check myself and make sure I am not imagining things are good when they are not.) So next I ran my new idea by Mark. I got the total thumbs up, so now I am running it by you.

Here is the Idea:

You can now go onto www.agreatimpression.com and purchase the postage for a missionary of your choice to receive a free vinyl wall decal.

Just go here: http://www.agreatimpression.com/category_17/Send-Art-To-Missionaries.htm

I will make a calendar and add it to this page after I have gotten my first missionary sponsored for a free decal. We will all be all be able to check the calendar from A Great Impression and get to see who is being blessed each work.

I will provide the decal, if you will partner with me and provide the shipping.

I am so excited to watch God work though this idea.

Blessings!

Mary

2011-01-28T22:50:00.005-05:00

I am blogging rather late tonight, which is very unusual for me. Truth is, I am hiding out from the 20 (I can't actually count them, they move to quick) teen agers who are lingering around my home. Some are watching TV very loudly in the living room down stairs, some are playing pool in the upstairs loft, and yelling down to their friends. Some are running, many are screaming. Some are couples, but all are friends. These are the 10th graders whom my youngest now calls FRIENDS.

I am so grateful to these kids, that I feel like I owe them the opportunity to "just hang" tonight. I am thankful for them to have welcomed my daughter, AKA "The New Girl", into their group. 6 months ago we knew no one. We showed up in Connecticut with our "Hello World, It's nice to meet you!" smiles on our faces and hoped for the best.

This has not been easy. Being that I am a sensitive Mom, (OK, probably over sensitive, I will admit that) I can say it's not been easy for "US". But the truth is, I didn't have to make sure I looked absolutely perfect, put a fake smile on my face, and walk into a building with 500 new peers I had never seen before. I just had to watch from the rounded drop off lane as my little girl put on her big girl pants and marched on in.

I will spare you the painful details. Lets just say there were tears. Then there were my tears alone in my car as I prayed for Julie to find the right friends each day. Although I am grateful for her new friends. The prayers will never end. It's my number one Mom Job.

So yes teenagers, you may trampse all over my fresh fallen snow, you may sling your coats, jackets, scarves, hats, and boots all over my pretty new carpet in the den, you may eat our snacks, and heck, you can even take Gator ades (that I limit myself to one a day) from my garage. It's because of you that Julie is happy to walk in the door to school these days.

And so it goes.

(Oh and by the way: There is a girl down stairs whose name I wont mention. But they call her "New Girl" and Julie was sure to invite her tonight so she would have a chance to make friends too.)

Forgive the quality of these shots.
I actually took them from Julie's stash, not my own.
Cool kids don't have mom's walking around with a cannon
taking quality photos of them at parties.

Snow Day

2011-01-12T16:28:00.000-05:00

I don't have any deep words of wisdom today, or anything very inspirational to say, but I have some awesome photos to show you of the biggest snow storm I ever remember being part of.

The news had all of New England forewarned about this storm. They even named it "Bernie" (I think, it's been a long day)

Neither Mark nor I slept very well last night. We both woke a few times and peeked outside. It was so beautiful the way that the sky was lit up with snow.

We got out of bed at 6:15 to really take a good look. Mark was not sure if he would try the drive in to work today or not. He was first to check things out. In fact, it was as he was getting back into bed that I woke up.

He is always under exaggerating things, so I was expecting him to tell me he would sleep for just a bit longer and then get the driveway cleared. Instead he said: "I'm not even going to try!"

I was so surprised, then I had to run down stairs and turn on the outside lights so I could take a peek.

I cracked up laughing. Our back glass door was already 4 inches lower than the snow. The sky was filled with more snow than I ever remember seeing, and I was much too excited to go back to bed.

I made some coffee, grabbed a blanket and put myself in front of the television. I had such a wonderful morning, I could have started singing. It was LOVELY.

About 9:30 Mark got up and we decided to head outside. Me to take some pictures and him to start clearing snow. After I saw the conditions, I could not leave Mark to do it alone. I helped. For over an hour I shoveled the 8 feet of paver blocks that lead to my front door. It would take me 3 shovels full to clear one square foot of snow. Boy I was glad I have been going to the gym again.

I hope you all had as great of a day as I did. I am really only 9 years old on the inside.

My daughter Jessica

2011-01-10T18:09:00.000-05:00

I want to tell you about my daughter Jessica.

I feel like I often miss telling people about her because she is such a sweet constant in my life, and I am fairly certain that she does her very best to not give me any stories to tell. Her name is Jessica, but mostly I call her Jess. Her dad and brother call her Missy, and I have no idea when or why that started, it's just a family thing.

Jess is only 12 months younger than her very out-going, class clown times 10, brother. I can't imagine what it was like growing up behind someone like that. As hard as Jeff tried to be the star of the show, Jess did her best to blend into the scenery and simply smile. I often wondered if her personality would have been different if she was the oldest. As mom's we always wonder those odd things, as if there is anything at all we can do about the birth order of our children. Five years younger than Jessi is her younger sister Julie. Who, unfortunately for some, great for others, is the female version of her brother. Sitting right between the two of them is the most kind hearted, sincere girl I have ever known.

As most mom's can, I could go on and on forever about the goodness of my daughter, so I am going to limit myself to a top 10 list of my favorite things about Jessica.

1. Her kind and gentle spirit

2. Her ability to take care of people, even her mom!

3. She smiles 95% of her life

4. She is as beautiful on the inside as the outside

5. She is very smart, I truly can't wait to see her as a teacher

6. Her love for quality time is awesome.

7. She is a true "girly-girl", purses, bling, shoes, the whole deal

8. She loves God and is living her life for Him.

9. She took on the challenge to live independent from her parents

(and this has to be mentioned, has not asked for money, not ONE time.)

10. She is a very hard worker. She always goes above and beyond.

So, there is my list. I love the relationship we have, I love the girl I have raised, and I am so looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together in an adult relationship. She was an incredible child, never gave me any trouble, but as an adult, I love how we can learn to be friends.

I have a feeling she will be one of the best friends I ever have.

I love you Jess.

2011-01-05T11:30:00.002-05:00

"He said to me,

"'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'

"Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

This ought to be a good blog today. It comes complete with a confession and an apology.

I want to apologize to a general group of people, and no one in particular, who I ever misjudged for having Fibromyalgia. It seems that without even knowing it, I had this misconception that people with Fibromyalgia were a tiny bit lazy, and a tiny bit crazy all mixed together. Please don't be offended by this if you have Fibro. It seems that God does funny things to change our minds and our hearts when they are not in the right place.

It might have been the very same day that Mark left for Connecticut last winter, leaving me home to sell the house, finish 10 dance teams, and home school my youngest daughter who would be in a wheel chair for two solid months, that it dawned on me that my back was really hurting. I had grown used to this pain, but needed some real relief now that my personal masseuse had moved out of town. (Mark)

I got through all of the above chores, and added to it making the wedding dresses for my son and daughter in law, and actually getting us moved across the country when I decided I could not take this back, neck, shoulder and arm pain any longer. I got myself to the Dr, and then after being given a big bottle of narcotics for pain, I got myself to the Chiropractor.

Months of doing every single thing that the Dr's all advised, nothing was helping. NOTHING.

Having been told two years ago that my body was hosting some type of an auto immune disease due to the dry eyes, dry mouth, etc, (sjogren's syndrome) I knew that I needed to get to a rheumatologist. That is where I ended up, 5 doctor's later, the first week in December.

I sat in the waiting room after a full exam and another round of X-rays. I watched the patients with Rheumatoid Athritus, and prayed to God that my body would not turn out twisted and deformed. I knew for sure that something was wrong with my back, but hoped it would show something that could easily be repaired and let me get back to enjoying life. The Dr. then called me back into the exam room and asked me several more questions, the whole while with his hand on a brochure that he held upside down. I could not read it. He proceeded to tell me that while I did have a mild case of simple arthritis, that there was no real injury to my neck.

I wanted to cry, I wanted to shout at him that I am a very hard working, very head strong lady who is NOT FAKING!! How dare he accuse me of faking? I said all of that, just much more quietly than I wanted to, and through the tears that were running down my cheeks.

The Dr. turned over the brochure he was holding and began to explain to me that he did not think I was a big faker. He told me I had a very classic, and very diagnosable case of Fibromyalgia. I had passed each test with flying colors, oh joy!

This was the very second that I discovered the wrong misconception of this disease that I had. I know I am not alone in this wrong thinking either. Many of you probably share my thoughts. Check yourself for that. It's not true.

I came home and cried all day long. I am not a cry baby, so don't underestimate that statement.

On my facebook page, I made this simple statement:

"It seems the Dr. has a name for what I have been suffering through for quite some time. (Fibromyalgia) I have always though I was a strong lady, and this feels very weak"

I could not even sit and wait for anyone to respond to my pain. I walked away from the computer and took a nap. A nap in the middle of the day for me is like a vegetarian giving in to the luring smell of bacon. It makes me mad to be that weak.

When I came back to my computer a few hours later, the verse that I started this blog with was sitting between many other loved one's wishes for cheer and good health. It was the soothing, gentle word of God that reached my heart and made me realize that I had been relying on my own strength for much too long.

It's Give Away Monday

2010-12-06T07:21:00.000-05:00

I am beginning something new today, December 6.
Every Monday will now be Give Away Monday.
We could all use something to make us smile on Monday's right?
Here is how you register to win a free vinyl wall decal each Monday:
1. Visit www.agreatimpression.com and pick your favorite design. Also, sign up for our mailing list
2. Visit http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=125021784852 and follow us on facebook
3. Leave us a note on facebook telling us you have registered for both and what your favorite decal is.
4. Each Friday I will pick a winner from the mailing list registrations and announce who will be getting our latest decal.

Today's Free Decal is:

The measure of love is to love without measure

size 24 inches wide by 11 inches tall in color black

Good luck. You have until Thursday to get registered.

What I Am Doing Today

2010-12-03T22:47:00.001-05:00

I have come to realize in the past few years that if you let it happen, you will work your way through the Christmas Season and not enjoy it very much. So therefore, I am out to craft away my December, and keep a healthier balance between work and play.
Having the privilege of working at home has blessed me for 22 years now. I have often longed for leaving the house, but the truth of the matter is, home is where I want to be. This was for sure the case as I sat in my pajamas at 1:30 this afternoon happily crafting. My real work sat underneath the embroidery machine stitching up some jacket backs for a dance team. They were taking 30 minutes each, and that gave me time to work on a few Christmas gifts. (I can not do vinyl wall orders while I sew because there is lint all over the work table, and the clear plastic topper sheet and the vinyl will pick up too many fibers.)

So, I had to sew fun little things for myself.

There are 6 of these new pillows in my possession now
I am just deciding who all gets one. (I get two)

Fun little heart shaped pillow using all my left over
scraps. The front is a knit sweater that I washed and recycled.
The back was from my left over drapery fabric.

This will bet lightly stuffed and be a pillow that
hangs on the wall. Not sure if I can bear to give
this away, although the recipient I have in mind is SO deserving!

This is my living room, not finished the way I want it at all,
but the new drapes I made yesterday helped.
Some Christmas decorations will be added tomorrow.

Do any of you enjoy staying home as much as I do? I am so glad that I enjoy my own company, because as the new girl in town, let me tell you; there are not many options on a daily basis.

Having a little fun.... at Maddie's sake

2010-11-22T23:41:00.001-05:00

I was a good girl today. I filled as many orders as I could while I hoped and prayed that the UPS guy would bring me brown and dark green vinyl. No luck, he didn't come. Now he will bring me the vinyl I ordered last Wednesday just in time for us to be having Thanksgiving. If your order didn't make it there in time for Thanksgiving, I am truly sorry. I was not at all prepared for the wonderful blessing of lots of work the past week, and I didn't stock up on enough vinyl.

*****************

Anyway, after working all day I had a little bit of energy left. My neighbor has graciously invited our little Maddie on vacation with her to Cape Cod. I got her all bathed, washed her bed, and toys and packed her up Then I started to wish Maddie had a cool cape cod something for her trip. Now, please keep in mind, I am not the "dress your dog" type of dog owner. But my neighbor Jane is. She loves Maddie probably more than I do. (not really if you read this Maddie) So I went to work on my trusty old sewing machines.

Mark came home from playing raquetball about 8:00 and asked what I was up to. I showed him Maddie's new hoodie and he pointed out that her name needed to be on there too. So I fit it on her hood. Isn't that a crack up? What a great husband I have, who after 22 years still makes suggestions to make my crazy ideas even more fun. I love that guy. Oh yeah, I told you that.

I thought you might enjoy seeing what I do in my spare time. I can tell you that stopping is sometimes the hardest part. Here it is 11:30 and I have been at this stuff all day long.

Here are a few more shots of my poor dog. I hope it gets cold in Cape Cod this weekend so she can enjoy her new sweat shirt. I know that Jane will have her in it walking the streets of "P Town" Which I assumed meant Province Town, but didn't ask.

How about that zebra print for the trim.
Can you tell how much she loved it? Ha ha

I hope I have some grandchildren to torture some day!!

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

2010-11-18T08:42:00.006-05:00

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that fall on my nose and eye lashes

Silver white winters that melt into spring

These are a few of my favorite things

This is one of my favorite songs. I sing it often.

When I was a little girl my mom would sing it too.

Some things just make you smile.

I thought in light of this song I would share a few of my favorite things today.

In my mind I have this awesome scrapbook page that I want to do some day. But blogging is easier and to be completely honest, I need to have a grand daughter first. I need a little girl to make a white dress for with her own blue satin sash. I should have made one for Jessica, she was funnest little girl to dress up. (unfortunately Julie was not as much fun, she fought me tooth and nail)

So here is my list of favorite things this year.

If you know me, you know this one. Not only is coffee my favorite way to start every day, it's the only way I can start each day. For some crazy reason, Mark asked me to iron his shirt this morning. He was running late. The first thought I had was "Are you insane? I have not had any coffee." With that in mind, I also thought it was the perfect morning to crack open the coffee my friend had bought for me in Africa.

Whew........ I hope you like your coffee strong!

Side note, not only do I love coffee, but something sweet to go with my coffee makes me a happy girl!

Taken last week at Carlos' Bakery in New Jersey, The Cake Boss!

Once I have Mark's lunch made each morning I sit down in my favorite chair with my bible study, coffee and my little dog, Maddie, at my feet. I do everything I can to put God's word into my head first thing each morning. If I were to keep up my honesty, I would tell you that I struggle with this. My mind is a working mind. It is very difficult for me to sit still and study. My hands do this little Dennis the Menace thing and start twitching to get busy. I do sit for at least 30 minutes and study each morning. This is my sun shiney bright room and it is a wonderful place to start my day.

Next on my list, because of routine, not because of order, is my dog Maddie. For over a year I debated about what kind of dog I would get. I would sit in the morning and dream of this little dog who would keep my feet warm and keep me company. I convinced Mark that I wanted another dog. I had this dream dog in my imagination who was white and fluffy. I figured out that my dream dog was a Labradoodle. Maddie does everything that my dream dog would never do. Mostly shed. I clean up about a dog's worth of hair every week. And I clean up all the stuff she shreds while I work each day.

Our theme with Maddie is: "But she's soooooo cuuuuuutttteeee!!".

I swear to you, it's the only reason this dog is still alive. After raising 5 Great Danes for my husband, don't I deserve this adorable dog?

I often talk about my kids, they are a huge source of my happiness, but I don't often highlight my husband. He is the best thing that has ever come into my life. He is my biggest supporter, and my best friend. He is the one who will tell me the truth when everyone else is afraid to. He is picky and stubborn and determined, and exactly what God knew I needed in a mate. When he tells that I have done a good job, I know I did well. He is funny, and crazy and I never know what might be around the next corner. Usually a crazy guy jumping out at me to scare the heck out of me. I love this man.

Taken last week in New Port Rhode Island

And the last thing that made today's list was my love for New York City. I went there for the first time on my 40th birthday,and since that time I have been back 9 or 10 times. I can't get enough. Nowhere in the world can make me smile like New York City does. There is shopping, action, energy, creative ideas, it never ends. No place can keep this A.D.D. brain stimulated like New York can. No Place. The fact that I live only two hours away now, and my super husband has learned to drive in Manhatten traffic is the icing on the cake.

No description needed: HAPPINESS

Mark and I in Bryant Park

So there you have it. There are other things I love that did not make this list of course. I don't think you want to hear it all. I just love life. Truly, I do.

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Hebrews 13:5, KJV

Mary Says: Old to New

2010-11-10T11:08:00.002-05:00

When I was young, it embarrassed me to not have the money for the nice things I wanted in life. I am so thankful for that lack of money, hands on training now. I learned to recycle, and re do things myself to make what I wanted. Now with blogging and the world going green, what I have always counted on as survival has become popular and sought after.
Sewing and creating are a wonderful skill. I have heard it said that creating is even better than therapy. I agree. Think of the hours on a psychiatrist's couch I have saved by being passionate about what I make.
Here are a few of our latest creations at www.agreatimpression.com

Our new logo. I would so love to redo our website in these colors

Rachel Designed this one, I love this idea for any room!

I think I want to make one of these for my family Christmas gifts

Have a creative day. Take 5 minutes and think of something you can do. Even if you are not crafty, you will feel so accomplished just by adding a vinyl wall art to your home. It never fails, every time I add a new one, I just smile when I look at it.

Get creative by finding something old you can make new. Paint an old picture frame and put a piece of scrapbook paper inside. Get a mono-gram decal letter from us to put on the glass, and Voila! You were creative! Easy as: picture frame, scrapbook paper, vinyl letter from A Great Impression!

Mary Says: It was a good day.

2010-11-07T20:12:00.005-05:00

When I woke up this morning it was to my surprise to find out that I had been granted an extra hour of time. I felt like this was some special gift that I should use very wisely. I pondered what could be done of importance at 7:00am on a Sunday morning. I decided it would be coffee and some useless computer time. That suited me just fine.
Forward two hours, about to leave for church, I exchanged a few harsh words (regarding attitudes) with my teenage daughter. Oh, the blessings of motherhood. Stepping onto the porch to flee the scene of teen girl's heavy sighs and eye rolling, I discovered that someone had thrown eggs at our front porch last night. O joy.
There went my mood.
Sitting in church I felt the wonderful message coming together in my mind, and it helped me reflect on my life. I felt this great relief when I decided to just let everything on my mind go. All that junk I carried in a tight fist last week, just to let it go. I visually dropped all of my burdens at the cross for my God to pick up and sort through for me. I had this great feeling of; "It's ok Girl, I got you!"
How do people ever get through life without that?
Do you know God?
So many people know about him. And they truly love the warm feeling it gives them when they do something good for someone and feel good about themselves. But have you ever just really blown something, messed it all up? Then when you were sifting through what was left of your mess, you know that this is the moment when you really felt the love of God? There is no greater feeling than that one. You know you are a mess, you know HE knows you are a mess, yet he loves you anyway.
That makes for a really good day.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Mary Says: "I believe I can fly!"

2010-11-02T16:55:00.004-04:00

Jeffrey sitting in a Black Hawk Army Helicopter, age 4

I believe I can fly! I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away!

This is Mark on bottom, and Jeff at age 4 on top

I have this memory of sitting in a lawn chair in my neighbor Janie's back yard, 17 years ago. Our kids were playing together, and us moms sat chatting on a summer afternoon. I looked up on Janie's rasied deck, a full flight of stairs up and saw my 4 year old son flapping his arms with a Batman cape on. I stared for a second and it dawned on me that he might actually think he could fly. I ran to him and got down to his eye level to talk business.

"Jeffrey, you do know that you can't actually fly, don't you?", I said seriously.

"Mom, if I really flap my arms very very hard, I think I can fly off of this porch like Batman does.", was his honest reply.

I kept it simple, but went into one of my motherhood speeches about how movies were not real, and how there was no actual Batman. He obeyed me, but I was never quite sure he believed me.

Jeffrey has adored two men in life. 1. Batman, 2. His Dad.

Mark was a hellicopter mechanic in the army for the first 7 years of Jeff's life. By age 2 Jeff knew the name of every airplane that his dad could find him a model of. He had quite a vocabulary and it included words like, "Look Mom, a Schnook Helicopter" or "Stop, there is a Black Hawk." He had his eyes on the sky for anything that flew.

When my kids were only 3 and 4, Mark and I were so thoroughly frustrated because the army had just put him on orders to go to a special training to get his next rank. There would be no promotion without BNCOC. We grudgingly sent him of to VA Beach to school, angry he would be missing Halloween and Thanksgiving.

A week after he was gone I got a call to go to a special meeting. The unit had invited me out to a secret bunker to tell us wives that all of our husbands had been shipped off to a secret REAL LIFE army mission. The atmosphere was surreal, and I had to remind a few leaders that Mark was gone to school, not gone on this real mission.

I was kept informed of the men's status by my close girlfriends. We had many wive's get together's and the support was truly special. On a Sunday night, October 3, 1993, my girlfriend was just about to leave my house when we saw on the news that some Black Hawk Helicopters had been shot down over Somolia. Don't ask me how we knew, we just knew. We looked at each other with wide eyes, and waited for news.

By the next morning, it was confirmed. It had been our unit. My friend's husband had been shot, but was alive. Many of our friends had wounded and missing husbands or boyfriends. I had a good talk with God that morning, thanking him for the inconvenient timing of the school that protected my husband's life. It was a sad and emotional time, one I will never forget. No one who went through those dark days will ever forget October of 1993.

Fast forward 12 years. We have now gotten out of the army, my husband got himself a degree and a better job, and we had moved back home to MI. Jeffrey came home from school in his Sophomore year telling us that he had decided he would be a soldier in the Army. Didn't that sound like a good idea? No, we said, you won't be a soldier. You are going to get a college degree, and do whatever you want to do with your life, except be a soldier.

Well, we knew that Jeff was interested in aviation, so we did whatever we could do to help him get a degree in Air Traffic Control. He met a wonderful girl that I have told you about, and a few months before his wedding last spring, he called me one day.

"Mom, I have to tell you, and everyone involved in my life the truth about my future, before I go any further with this wedding. I cannot stop feeling like God is calling me to the Army."

"Jeffrey, are you crazy? You are going to graduate next year with no debts, why on earth do you want to go in the Army?" I said in return.

Well, our conversation went on for quite some time. He ended up telling me that the more he had prayed about his life decisions, the more he knew God was calling him to be a soldier. I conceded. What else could I do? Mark was beaming with pride, yet cautious of this life for our son.

God is a really cool God. Who knew that the whole time Mark was working in the civilian world he missed helicopters more than he would ever admit? God did. That is how we have ended up miraculously in Connecticut where my husband is now the Safety Manager on the very same helicopter he loved more than ever. And starting over was hard.

I am studying a book called Experiencing God. It is a wonderful study. Yesterday Jeff called me to ask if I would gather some important information for him so that he could get his flight packet into the army for review. He wants to be a Army Helicopter Pilot as soon as he graduates this May. It felt like I was enabling my son to do something dangerous as I scoured around for his diploma that he requested.

I signed onto Facebook hours later and saw his posting It said "There is no safer place on earth than directly in the middle of God's will." With a lump in my throat, I posted below it, "and I pray he will always keep you safe."

This morning I went to bible study and one of the first things that came out of the mouth of Henry Blackaby's recorded video message was. "You are never in a safer place than directly in the middle of God's will."

Ok God, I gotcha, loud and clear. Now please help my Mother's heart as we go through the rest of this story. Not only does he believe he can fly, he believes you are telling him to.

Mary Says: I aplogize, but I have to brag for a moment

2010-10-25T19:36:00.000-04:00

Dress Made of Stretch Satin which we loving referred to as "Butter"

For many years, long before I ever started A Great Impression, I was a seamstress. Just a seamstress. Before the days of commercial embroidery equipment, screen printing, or vinyl cutters, I would sit a a sewing machine for hours and hours and hours. Each day I did what I had to do to get the house cleaned up, babies fed, or whatever needed to be done, so that I could do my sewing.

It was not long into my marriage that the need for me to make some extra money came into the plan. Sure, I was home raising babies while my soldier went off and trained for weeks at a time, but I can honestly tell you that the next joy to my family was always sewing. It was my creative medium. With years and years of practice, I got kind of good. By the year 1995 I was professionally sewing dance costumes for whomever would hire me. This led into a career that I would never change for all the money in the world. And on that note, let me tell you that the money sure has helped out our family of 5.

Then I grew. And I got into the other realms of creating and business which very happily led me to opening A Great Impression. If I were to look around my office in a huge circle, it would go something like this. Computer and accessories, then 5 commercial sewing machines in a row, each doing thier own thing, then a huge rhinestone setter machine, next comes a commercial embroidery machine, (I am down to only one now). Wrapping up the circle to my right now is a big rack of vinyl, then my vinyl cutter. In the center of the room is a huge work table that usually has fabric, plus vinyl scraps, and glitter on it. This is the happiest place in my house. I create here.

So, every once in a while since moving, I have wondered who I am these days. Am I a seamstress with only a few left customers from my old town? Am I a web site developer who strives to learn more each day about back linking and all of that confusing stuff? Am I a graphic artist, or embroiderer? One thing I always know, is that I am a follower of God, and will trust him to lead me where I will be next.

But after a day of struggling through those questions about who I am supposed to be now, I had the pure joy of getting this absolutely beautiful picture from my most wonderful daughter in law. And here is who I am. I am Jeff, Jessica and Julie's mom, who has no more pure joy in life than to create wonderful and treasured items like this dress I sewed for my son's lovely bride. They were married this July and I am so very proud to show you what I created for her. As my gift of love, for her loving my son the beautiful way that she does.

Mandy is the most beautiful person inside and out

Mary says 'Sometimes I do things for me.'

2010-10-21T18:05:00.007-04:00

Every once in a while, ok, it has turned into OFTEN these days, I do something for me. I have an entire house to decorate after all. I won't go into details about how long it actually took us to prime and then paint our kitchen, dining room, foyer, stairway, and upstairs hallway. Let's just say that the 5 gallon buckets of paint were carried up and down those basement stairs about a dozen times in between our breaks!! I also can't emphasize enough how meticulous my husband paints. But, finally, after much hard work, we got it done. That left me with the fun part. I got to decorate!

Kitchen window

I made curtains for the kitchen out of some fabulous pale yellow floral fabric. It has some greens and grays running through it. I thought that area needed a little something more, so I cut gray vinyl scrolls for over the top of them. (I can never get enough!)

Dining Room

For the dining area I made my own wall paper out of the same gray vinyl I used in the kitchen.

You have no idea the amount of weeding that took!

*note* Weeding: (verb) the process of picking out the vinyl we won't be using. Much the same way you weed your flower bead. Yes, weeding vinyl is just as much fun as weeding dandelions. Check out those diamond pieces around the circles! It may have taken me a little while, but it sure beats putting up and then having to remove 'real' wall paper!

Next, I made a quote that we agreed upon for over the soffit. The quote reads: 'May the Lord bless you and keep you.' I love this new font I have. I carried over a similar scroll design to place with the quote to keep the design fluid.

Vinyl Wall Decals are so much fun and the possibilities are endless.

I hope I got your thinking!

God Bess!

A Fun Vacation

2010-10-20T16:00:00.003-04:00

After months of planning and talking about what we would do, my partner Rachel finally got to bring her family out and visit us in New England last week. It was so much fun to show them the beautiful places around here. One of the best parts was that it was totally peak color change season, so the views were just breath taking.

We visited some gift shops and were both inspired about new ideas we could create for A Great Impression.

My favorite day of our vacation was going to New York City. Rachel and I had visited there a couple of years ago, and we had a ball fabric shopping again, and finding all of the inspiration in that wonderful city.

Thanks to a great week full of ideas, you can be on the lookout for some creative new vinyl wall art products. It will be so much fun to see what comes out of our little brains after a week of fun fun fun!!

See our new items here!

We heart NY!

Be Strong and Courageous

2010-10-04T09:40:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I design art for myself. This was one of those times.

As much as we try to keep our chins up and smiles on our faces. Moving is just plain hard sometimes.

As mom's we all know that when our kids hurt, we hurt even more. (is that really possible?) My daughter has been trying so hard to have a good attitude at her new school, and to make friend's to feel part of the group. Unfortunately, girls that age are not always kind. They get jealous, and angry and mean. My girl has been the victim of this for the past couple weeks. Girls can be so cruel.

I designed this artwork for my teen aged girl today. And it dawned on me how many of us know someone who is struggling to be strong. Maybe your sister or loved one is fighting cancer. That sure makes our little heart breaks seem unimportant.

One of my friends just found out her husband has been unfaithful. I could go on and on. Life is just hard. Someone made mention of the phrase "God will not give your more than you can bear." I have to disagree with that comment completely. I don't think that God intends to give us hard times to make us suffer. I think that the world is full of people who have a decision to make each day of their life. So for that there are ways in which we all suffer from each others wrong decisions. I do think however, that God is right there to hold you in his lap while you hurt, and to carry your burden with you.

Be strong and courageous this week. Rest in the last part of that verse: For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

A Story

2010-08-27T18:08:00.007-04:00

It dawned on me last week that I have a story I want to tell. I wish I were better with words, to clearly put down on my blog the events that took place in my life a year ago, to tell this story properly.

I never know who actually reads my blog, or what is taken from it, but I do know that things happen in life so that we can help each other along and encourage one another.

2 Corinthians 1:3 & 4 (New International Version)

^{Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,}who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

My story starts in a field.

There was a wonderful field by my house in Michigan. It was supposed to have been a public park, where festivals were held, and ball games played, but the city ran out of money and it was just a field with a walking track around it. Very unpopulated, it was the perfect place for me to begin my journey of walking daily, and building up to running without anyone seeing me while I progressed. All I had to do was walk up the street, and turn right into the field. My dog loved it, I loved it, and I found it to be a great place to get alone with my ipod and praise music.

I had my girls help me load some good songs into an old ipod that they did not want anymore, and found that I loved to crank the music up loud and run my two miles in peace and quiet. They laughed at me every time I was going for a walk and would ask one of them if they knew where I had put my "walkman". "Mom, it's an Ipod, not a walkman!", then look at each other like I was so out of their decade.

I knew that my husband had been struggling with his career, and lack of job satisfaction. He had worked for a large corporation for 10 years, but took an offered buy out when the economy took a bad turn in Michigan. He was now employed by a small company, and truly knew that he was just not a fit for the current job he was in. To put it mildly, he was completely miserable going to work every day. At the same time, we were just so thankful that he had employment at all.

So as I would run, I would pray for him. I had also just started a bible study that was very encouraging to me. The topic of my online study was God's promises to us for being faithful to him. I was learning great stuff. Here I was in my field; running, and burning off the stress from my own work I did at home. On this particular weekday morning, I was just about to round up my second mile when a song I had heard several other times came into my ears, and instead of taking the last turn towards home, I took one more lap so that I could enjoy these beautiful lyrics by Matthew West:

There you go changing my plans again
There you go shifting my sands again
For reasons I don't understand again
Lately I don't have a clue

Just when I start liking what I see
There you go changing my scenery
I never know where you're taking me
But I'm trying just to follow you

As I ran, my heart started to race more than normal, and tears started to stream down my cheeks a bit. I knew, in the deep part of my gut that we were moving for my husband to get a better job. I can't really describe to you an actual voice, or anything more than just a very strong feeling. Still I knew.

You who don't know me need a little bit of history at this point. #1. I had moved away as a young married gal, and had finally gotten to move back HOME in my home town, near family. #2. I had worked for 10 solid years building myself quite a successful business in our community, and at this point, I only wanted to grow it even bigger. #3. I was loving my church family more than ever. A decade of raising kids and fellowship, and love. Oh, and I also should tell you that my house was just exactly the way that I wanted it. Suffice to say, I didn't want to go anywhere, but God spoke to me on that August afternoon, just about a year ago, and told me it was time for us to move.

More coming soon.

Ehhh emmmm, I have an announcement

2010-08-10T09:44:00.004-04:00

As A Great Impression grows, I am not able to keep up with doing things alone anymore. Nor do I want to, so I would like to make an announcement.

Let me give you a little back up info on my story: Two years ago when I was a seamstress and embroidery crazy lady, I needed a vinyl cutter to help me put names on the backs of t shirts. I sought out a vinyl cutter and found what I was looking for.

Rachel and I had been friends about a year at this time. She worked for me a couple days a week. From the beginning, Rachel and I were two peas in a pod. We both enjoyed talking all things scrap-booking, sewing and creativity. Soon we began to discuss my ideas of making wall art and I began A Great Impression. Right beside me, Rachel began to learn design and became my protege. Rachel helped me design my website, some of the art items and my business plan. I was amazed by her ability to pick things up and I often benefited by her great research and technical help.

Two years later, God has moved both Rachel's family and my family out of the state we lived in. Rachel began her own business and I continued with mine. We finally realized that we missed doing things together. After prayer, and several weeks of consideration, we have decided to merge our two companies together. I am in Connecticut and Rachel is in Nebraska. (Thank God for free long distance!)

I would like to introduce you to my sweet friend Rachel Fain. She will be answering some of your emails, designing some of your products, and adding new pieces of artwork to our website daily. She is completely set up to fill our orders as well. I have already told Rachel that I have the nicest customers in the world, so she is looking forward to meeting you too.

Our hopes are to serve you more quickly and be better about communication with Rachel's help.

We are excited to watch www.agreatimpression.com grow.

With our work, God's help, and your orders, it will be fun to see the results.

His compassions are new every morning

2010-07-26T07:28:00.001-04:00

Lamentations 3:22-25 (New International Version)

²² Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

This might be my new favorite verse. I think that many people are like me, and fail at meeting up to their expectations of themselves daily. I try very hard to not beat myself up anymore. (Even when I make the a pot roast that resembles shoe leather)
The good news to me is that whatever today may bring, be it a flared temper, harsh words, or lack of a quiet time, tomorrow is another day to start over fresh.
I hope this encourages you. Put today away when you lay your head on your pillow tonight. Pray for a new beginning tomorrow and wake up to the assurance of just that.

Come on, please tell us your clean home secrets

2010-07-20T12:39:00.002-04:00

Ladies, it's time to share your secrets. I really want to hear from you about your homes. How do you gals keep your houses clean on a day to day basis? I honestly love nothing more than a clean house. But the minute I scrub a bathroom, I use the blow dryer and there are hairs all over the floor. Then it sits there for 10 days until I do it all over again. How about you? What is your secret to a clean home?
One day I went knocking on doors to invite children to our church's VBS program. I came home disappointed and it had nothing to do with the response to our invites. It had to do with looking into these people's front doors and seeing nice, clean, pretty homes behind the door. These gals not only had amazing yards, nice looking figures, but the houses were even clean on the inside. It made me truly wonder what am I doing with my day?
I know that my work takes up much of my time, but for the past two months I can't really use that excuse. I must daydream much more than I think I do.
So here is your chance to shine gals, tell us what you are doing right. Tell me a brief description of your day, and what you do to keep your home looking beautiful on a daily basis. I am talking about you dog owners who see that clump of dog hair on your way to the front door, and cringe like I do. What are your secrets? And how do you keep your home pretty?

A Wonderful Wedding

2010-07-17T21:20:00.004-04:00

My son and his new bride's wedding was an absolute fairly tale in Tennessee last weekend.
Here are some highlights of the week:
~Lots and lots of loving hands came together and worked on everything from Programs to Decorations and Cookies to Cake Toppers.
~Mandy's family are the most wonderful addition to our family, they are loving, kind and lots of fun!
~Many many loved ones came a long distance to Tennessee to celebrate with us, seeing family and friends might have been the best part.
~Laughter carried on and on in many a hotel rooms, we were "chillin' at the Holiday Inn!"
~Not a detail was missed by our new daughter in law. I was so very very proud of Mandy and her planning.
~God was the center of the entire thing. From the promise rings to the bible verses quoted, no one in the place wondered where Jeff and Mandy stood on anything.
~Then there were some wonderful jewels in the event, like the awesome chat I got to have with Jeff on the dance floor during the mother and son dance, and the praise and loving words spoken by a particular family member telling us how much we meant to him. (after a lifetime of wishing to hear those very words)
~The reception was atop a beautiful hotel in downtown Nashville. You could look all around and see the city lights.
~Mark and I were so proud of our son and his new lovely, beautiful wife.

Going to the Chapel

2010-07-02T17:52:00.000-04:00

This is such an exciting week for my family. My son Jeffrey is marrying the girl of his dreams. He met her at college and soon after we found that she was the girl we had been praying he would meet someday. Mandy is a strong believer and a wonderful match to Jeff. They are both very outgoing and so much fun to be around.
Having just recently moved out of state, I am so excited to see my family who I miss so much. Many of my siblings will be in Tennessee for the wedding, as will my parents, and in-laws.
Mandy's family are wonderful people and we blend together quite nicely. We have all been so excited about this wedding for over a year as we planned it.
As the seamstress of the family, I had the pleasure of making Mandy her wedding dress, and all of the bridesmaid's their dresses. I will be very excited to post pictures right after the big day. Until then, it's all a big surprise.
If you are one of my wonderful customers, please keep my family in your prayers this next week as we travel the country to celebrate together. I am praying for sunshine and blue skies on the big day as well.
You are the best clients a business owner could have. Thank you for your friendships, and have a blessed week.

A new year, a new home

2010-06-26T12:40:00.001-04:00

Wow, I can't believe that I have not blogged in 6 months.
Here is a recap of our life since then.
In September my hubby lost his job in Michigan.
In November he started talking with a company in Connecticut about employment. They told him to expect an offer anytime soon.
In December, and January, we waited for any news. Sikorsky was on a hiring freeze.
In February Mark got the job and left the girls and I in Michigan while we got the house sold.
The house sold in 10 days.
We found a house in May.
We moved on June 5 to Connecticut.
We love our new house and miss all of our family and friends in Michigan, but are really enjoying life in CT so far.

2009-11-15T20:53:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone.

I hope you are all well. Even though I have the best intentions ever, I have the hardest time keeping up with this blog. Sorry about that.

Life has been busy as usual. I had the luxury of heading to New York City for a few days last week. My son is getting married in July and I am going to make the bride her dress. My future daughter in law is dream. I hope things will always flow as nicely between her and I as they do now. She is a believer in Christ, and a wonderful match to my son. I have to say, that her parents are just the dearest people ever, and a bonus in an already sweet package. The 6 of us had a ball in NYC. We even got to take in the live show of Mamma Mia. It was perfect for a wedding trip.

I might also add that while in NYC for 3 short days I shopped for all of the supplies to make 8 dance teams this season. It was a marathon trip for me as always. But I am truly in my element there. Each time I get a little bolder and more brave. If I were not a happily married suburban housewife from MI, I would pack up and move there to try and be discovered. Thank God I have already been discovered by those who are important.

For those of you keeping up with our story. My hubby has a job interview this coming Wednesday. Please keep us in your prayers. We need a job desperately. But this will be the life changing, moving across the country type of job. I promise to keep you updated, but if you happen to read this, please do say a prayer. I am nervous just writing about it.

God bless your busy little lives too!

Mary

2009-10-24T07:14:00.003-04:00

Good Saturday Morning

Saturday is a day when I can do what I want and not feel bad for anything. I give myself the day off. I usually spend it cleaning up my house and then scrapbooking or gettting together with friends in the evenings.

It was a fairly quiet week at our house. My husband and I got orders filled and ordered alot of supplies for upcoming jobs. I am so thankful that the work keeps flowing for us in screen printing and embroidery. Very soon I will be starting dance costumes, and that takes on a life of it's own.

I had a funny thought I would share with you. Yesterday while praying for my husband to hear from one of the potential employers he has applied to, I was thinking about the Israelites and their manna. I realized that each day God sends manna to us in the form or more work for my business, but I keep wishing for a job for my husband. If only we could be content with what he does send our way.

Yet, the word also says to pray without ceasing. So....... which am I doing? That is my thought of the day.

I hope you are well and that you are content with whatever life you are living today.

God Bless!!

Mary

2009-10-19T07:40:00.002-04:00

Happy Monday Morning to Everyone.

I have seen on the weather channel that no matter where we live, October has been an odd month of weather. Snow in some places, record highs in other places. Raise your hand if you feel like life is just getting so unpredictable these days. I am just so greatful to know that even though life changes, God does not change. He is still the God of this world, and I love having him to rely on when I cannot rely on anything else.

I had the best treat I have had in a long time last week. My sisters and I all met in Florida for 4 days of fun and silly sister time. As an added bonus, we also got to see our Dad, one of our Brothers, some nieces and nephews and a Brother in Law. Great fun was had by all, and there were many late night chats that will go down in the memory books for sure.

I hope that your life is happy today. And I hope that even if it is uncertain, you have someone to rely on for your cares and needs.

God Bless!

2009-10-12T08:55:00.003-04:00

October 12, 2009

Hoping this note finds all of you doing well. Everyone seems happy and well in the Zimmer Family. We did have an unexpected job loss for my husband in September, so we are praying often and trusting much these days. I thought I would share this with you to ask for your prayers, and to encourage you that we are looking to these newest additional bible vereses to my website.

More and more, it seems what people are looking for is a little encouragement. I am clinging dearly to God's word, and hoping that by doing so, I will incourage you to do the same.

I promise to keep you updated on our life as we go through these challenges, and I ask you to do the same. As best as I can, I will keep the encouraging bible verse wall arts coming.

God Bless You and Yours!

Mary

April Showers Brought May Flowers

2009-05-05T07:00:00.003-04:00

It has gotten so much prettier in Michigan in the past week. There are blossoms on the trees and the grass has gotten such a pretty green. I thank God for the new life outside. It was getting to me to see any more brown branches!
The Zimmer family got an awesome new addition this past weekend. We got a little 8 week old Labradoodle puppy. She is just the sweetest thing ever, and there is not a person in this family who does not just LOVE her. We named her Maddie, short for Madigan. She is adding to the beauty of new life and sunshiny days.
I put up some pictures of some cheerleader tryout outfits that I made last week. This owner is trying out for the University of Kentucky team for the second year. She cheered for them last year and loved it.
I hope that everyone is getting outside and enjoying life this week.
God bless

Love This Weather!!

2009-04-18T11:57:00.003-04:00

Today it is beautiful sunshine and 70 degrees! Wow, this is great for Michigan in April. I am cleaning my house, opening up windows and putting away winter gear. This feels fantastic!

I got busy last night designing a few new peices of artwork for http://www.agreatimpression.com/.

I thought I would show you some. They are not always easy to find on my webiste.

Soon I hope to have my font previewer installed. That will allow you to design your own wall art and then preview what it will look like. That is going to save lots of time and description on your part and mine.

Keep posted for new additions to the site coming daily next week.

Enjoy the weather wherever you are!

God Bless

It's almost Friday again??

2009-04-16T17:55:00.003-04:00

This week has flown by for me. I have taken most of the week off of work. I needed a break really bad. A few days off though, and my creativity is getting restless. I am not sure what I will be making next, but I am in the mood to play. I have several vinyl wall art pieces to make tomorrow and get shipped off too.

I hope that you enjoyed your Easter holiday with your families and loved ones. I sure had an exciting surprise. My son Jeffrey, and his girlfriend Mandy showed up on our door step at midnight on Friday night. I had no idea he was coming home from Tennessee and I could not wipe the smile off of my face for the rest of the weekend.

Our Church did something new and exciting for Easter. We have been busting out of the building with visitors for a while now, so we set up a temporary church service at a nearby school and held almost 500 people for Easter service. That was very exciting! I almost cried as I watched several people come forward and pray to ask Jesus to take over their lives for them. It was super cool.

Do any of you ever watch Joyce Meyer? I just love her practical and wise advice. For about 3-4 weeks now I have been watching her each morning at 6:30. I call her my "life coach" to my husband. I highly recommend her if you have not watched.
I am working on some new vinyl apps for you to see. I am starting a new category this weekend called "soffit collection". I have had so many requests for custom wall soffit art. It will be nice to have several to choose from.
Please excuse the long post. I have lots to say today I guess.

It's almost Easter!

2009-04-07T20:01:00.002-04:00

Here are a few new ones that I added this week

Are you ready for Easter on Sunday? Not me!! I have still got to embroider 44 shirts for my church for the ushers, and greeters and staff to wear. Plus get my house ready for about 17-20 people for Easter Dinner. Oh yeah, I better grocery shop and prepare the food as well. And as I am at it, I will pick up a few Easter goodies for my girls' baskets. (I did however get my college son his basket of goodies out in today's mail)

All of that is running through my mind, plus making orders for you all as you so nicely have placed them with me. I am so excited that you are all liking my wall creations. Thanks for your support and have fun getting your houses pretty and your hearts ready for Easter. Remember why we are celebrating and WHO.

Take care! Mary

I've got some catching up to do!

2009-04-04T22:19:00.005-04:00

One really cool thing that is new with me is that my little sister moved back home from Texas!! Yeah!

These cute girls won nationals in Dallas Texas in these costumes

These dresses had me breathing feathers for days!! (There were 19 of them!)

Wow, I have really forgotten about this blog. I need to get back on here and keep up with it.

Let me fill you in on what is new in my life. In January and February I concentrated heavily on creating and sewing dance costumes for a local dance team who I sew for each year. They are my favorite dance studio of all time. I have been sewing for Raedene's Dancin' Stars for 10 seasons now (I think) and I just love them. This year I only made them 9 teams. I did a few jobs for a couple of other teams as well. Dance costumes are so much fun, but lots and lots of work.

I did about 6 or 7 teams of cheer briefs this season as well. I had teams from all over Michigan, some in Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, that is who I can remember. Please keep me in mind for cheer spankies when you team needs them.

And this vinyl wall art is so much fun, I cannot get enough of it. I spend most week days doing my screen printing, embroidery, and sewing, but the weekends I spend making vinyl wall art for orders. To me it has taken the place of scrapbooking. I am obsessed with making new designs for people to wrap their walls in. The bible verses are my very favorite. I love them all though. So very much fun.

Hope you are well!

Mary

Welcome Michigan Cheerleading Coaches!

2008-11-21T21:33:00.002-05:00

Hello to everyone who got my flier this weekend at the Michigan Cheerleading Coaches Conference. I am looking forward to meeting many of you. Please check out my site and keep in mind that many of my products can be custom made with your team names on them. I do all screen printing and embroidery and sewing in house. (Literally, in my house!!) I hope to make a few new connections with some of you local gals out there who need some teamwear for your teams. Hope you had fun and learned lots of new stuff. Drop me a note so I will know how the interest went over my freebies!!

Cheer On! Mary Zimmer

I hope everyone had a great weekend

2008-11-16T21:24:00.002-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.
I did. I spent Friday night and Saturday at a ladies conference here in Michigan called Extraordinary Women. There were several Christian speakers, and lots of great Christian Music. I just loved it. I did have to think to myself that I wished I could tell all of the other women there about www.agreatimpression.com I know that lots of those ladies would just love my vinyl wall art and scripture verses to decorate their walls. That doesn't sound very good willed of me, but hey, you can't turn off the business lady in any of us. Right?
I do hope you love the way that my sayings can give "light" into any room! Take care. Have a great week.
Mary

Tell me what you think about my website

2008-11-13T17:40:00.003-05:00

Everything is up in the air at the Zimmer household these days. The auto industry is not doing well, and unfortunately that is where my husband works. How are things in your neck of the woods? We can all use some encouragement and a few good thoughts these days. Please drop me a note to tell me what is going on with your life. I will be happy to keep you in my daily prayers, and I ask the same from anyone who so should think of our family in the next couple of months. There will be lots of changes happening with us. It is even possible that we will have to relocate to find better work.

God bless all of you in similar situations!!

I thought I would post this picture of Mark and I. We took a 20 year anniversary trip to Cape Cod a few weeks back. As we got on the airplane to come home we saw USA today had some grim headlines about the automobile industry. Life has seemed to be crazy ever since.

Hello To Everyone

2008-11-12T07:26:00.002-05:00

Wow, It's been forever since I posted on my blog. I have been working so hard on keeping sweet pea athletics going while still trying to get www.agreatimpression off the ground.

All is well here at the Zimmer house. As best as it can be for a Michigan family who is reliant on the automobile industry.

Please Check out both of my websites and check back often to see what projects I am working o each week. My plan is to start posting my latest jobs to keep somewhat of a journal to show what is going on in my daily grind.

Thanks for peeking!

Just wanted to show a few of my new ideas

2008-09-04T21:44:00.002-04:00

I have been a busy little bee again this summer. I have found a new passion. I am making vinyl wall decorations for every room I can get people to let me decorate. Here are just a few. I am launching yet another web site by October 1. It will be called A Great Impression www.agreatimpression.com

I am still filling all of my sweet pea orders, making local teams all of their spirit wear, and gearing up to make some awesome dance costumes. But I wanted to show you all my new fun hobby, soon to be business.

I told the people that I gave some to that this is thier peice of crack. That they would love and desperately need to buy more from me later!!

Thanks for peeking!!

Vinly Wall Art

2008-08-13T08:36:00.002-04:00

Hello,

It has been such a nice summer for me. I always take my summertime and use it as a time of growth for my business. I have this creative brain that just wont turn off.

This summer I have discovered a vinly cutter. The funny part about this new machine that I bought is that I got it to put cool looking names and numbers on the back of Team T shirts that I do for the local community. Once I got this machine working and played with it, I discovered that I could make very cool looking wall art. Every day when my husband comes home, he wonders where the next new decorative wall art will be hung. He did tell me the other day that he is not excited about "too many wall decorations". I told him that I will start peeling some down if I feel the need to try out any more.

The really cool part about this story is that now I can offer my customers custom and stock wall art, window clings, and decorations galore. I am even looking into opening another website just to sell my wall art.

I thought I would show you a few ideas about what I have developed so far. PLEASE do me a favor and let me know what you think. I would LOVE to hear your opinions about this new decorating idea.

Thanks so much

Mary

Sweet Pea Athletics

Happy Anniversary!

2008-07-30T08:20:00.003-04:00

Twenty years ago today I married my sweetheart, Mark Zimmer!

Have you heard that song by Josh Gracin called We Weren't Crazy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xRKjOcu8bM

When I hear that song it makes me think of how it was for Mark and I. The younger years were young, wild and restless.

But we knew one thing, we weren't crazy!

Mark is my best friend, and the reason for the success behind everything I do. He is my biggest cheerleader, and always in my corner. I thank God for putting him in my life.

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart. I would do it all over again today that is for sure! I love you. I pray that we have 20 more years together at the very least. We have only just begun!

Zebra Duffel Bags Are Hot!

2008-07-23T07:27:00.002-04:00

The weather has been hot in Southern Michigan, and so have Zebra Cheer Bags! They are my hottest item this week. I shipped out a bunch yesterday. Check out our Zebra Bags, our Polka Dot Bags, and our Quilted Bags this fall. Maybe your whole team would like to get Zebra Bags for the same price as your regular athletic duffel bags this season!

Keep cool, and look cool too! Get yourself a Zebra Luggage Set from Sweet Pea Athletics!

New Accessories for Cheerleaders and Dancers

2008-06-24T08:31:00.002-04:00

Check out the new line of fun gifts and accessories for Cheerleaders, Dancers, Softball Players, and Gymnasts.

I am excited to bring this great line of products to you. They are brightly colored, and very nice quality items. They bring encouragement and great attitude sayings to the girl in your life.

HI Natalie

2008-06-21T23:22:00.002-04:00

Grandma told me that you check out my website sometimes, so I thought I would say hi to just you and surprise you.

We miss you so much! How is life in Texas?

Write to me and let me know what is going on in your life and how your summer is going.

Much love to you, our favorite little girl in TEXAS!!

Love Aunt Mary and Jewels!!

Cheerleading Camp in Summer

2008-06-20T11:45:00.005-04:00

Hello to Everyone!

I hope you are having a great summer. I am. Work always slows down for me and I get to regroup and enjoy life again each summer.

Right now I am busy making camp clothing for cheerleaders and dancers. I thougth I would show you a few of the latest designs that I have created for individual teams. I have so much fun getting into a client's brain and making their ideas come to life on a t shirt.

Give ma a call with your team needs. Let me make your team stand out a cheerleading camp or dance camp this summer. I only need two full weeks to place your order and get it back to you!!

Keep up that cheerleading and dancing! It will all pay off at competitions this fall.