Set the Record Straight

I'd like to set the record straight and explain my story. I'm not a 'spy' for Collective Communities. I bought my house in a Collective Community in Black Diamond and received the keys on Sept 11 - 2020. As a Notary I did some work for Jake the owner of Collective Communities. My house won the Christmas decorating competitions 2 years in a row. I became known to the property owners as a good resident that took care of my property in the community. Management changed a few times during my residence, and I became friends with the manager 'Sarah' as we were both excessive plant lovers.

In 2024 my then husband began a battle with prostate and colon cancers, he missed a lot of work and found it necessary to retire after 25 years of service to the Boeing company. His pension alone was not enough to keep up the mortgage, lot rent, other expenses and daily living. So, we sold our house in May of 2024. We applied for his Social Security disability, a process that ended up taking 27 months to acquire. His pension alone was not enough to qualify for a rental anywhere as it did not meet the income to rent ratio, so we were technically 'homeless'. Living in the truck and with family while exploring Washington and fighting Social Security. 

Winter came and 'Sarah' found out about the situation. She went to Jake (The owner of Collective Communities) asking if they had a rental anywhere that they could rent to me. The original plan was in a property in Lynnwood that they were attempting to restore. Because of my reputation for cleanliness and immaculate yard keeping, I was temporarily placed in a new house in the new Enumclaw community while this restoration was to take place. Unfortunately, there were complications with permits and requirements with the City of Seattle. Rather than tell me, 'to bad can't help you'. 

I was offered this house in Bothell. As a rental with the prospects of renting to own. I have witnessed the amazing things that Collective has done with the property in Black Diamond, upgrades, improvements and cleaning up the neighborhood making it a safe and pleasant place for families to live. The Enumclaw community is brand new, 55+ community that was being built up as a safe and secure place for seniors. Truth be told, I wasn't fond of the idea of going to Lynnwood and found it to be a blessing when the property in Bothell was chosen as an alternative. This house had been on the market for over a year sitting empty.

Here I was looked upon as a 'spy' for Collective by many residents because of 'knowing' Jake. I'm not here to 'report' back to Collective, I'm not here to 'spy' on the community. I'm here because Jake is a good person and reached out to help someone that he knew to be a good person as well. I understand there is conflict between many residents and Collective. That is not a situation I choose to be on either side of. 

I am just happy to have a place to call home, and hope to find friends amongst the neighbors. For me, I have seen many positive things done by Collective in many communities. I will be forever grateful to Jake for giving me this opportunity and helping me out of my situation. I'm now divorced and never could have accomplished this much on my own without someone stepping up and offering me an opportunity. 

Blessed by God

Life's beautiful in Bothell @ the Bright Side of the Barn

thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Not Your Fault

Today is my Grandson's Birthday. I haven't seen him in a year and a half. It was on my Granddaughter's birthday they came out to ride and we all had a good day. 

Less than 2 weeks later, my youngest daughter shut the door and closed me out of their lives. Everything was fine the last time we were together, she gave me no explanation as to what was 'wrong'. 

I heard later from the other kids that she 'claimed' to have her memories back. Memories that were illusions and not the true account of her childhood. She accused me of many things that never happened. Things the other kids said were unbelievable and they knew it not to be true.

I don't know what explanation she gave the Grandkids, but the next family event they wouldn't even look at me, much less talk to me. I'm hurt for me, but more so hurt for them. They love their Grama and we truly enjoyed our times together. 

I've missed Birthdays, Christmas and so many other wonderful days in between. The other kids told me not to go to their house as my daughter has threatened violence towards me. The last thing I personally heard from her was a threat to stop trying to message the kids and she wished I would die in prison? 

Nothing I've done, it's all a hallucination in her own mind. She's partnered me with people I don't even associate with and considering she was the youngest of four, it was pretty hard for me to even accomplish anything she's accused me of without the others bearing witness. 

 They have told me they don't believe her stories and know better. I was a good mom, did the best I could for the circumstances of our situations. 

It doesn't seem to matter what you do or don't do. It's not always your fault. Children grow up and walk their own path in life. Some choose to stay close to their parents and show gratitude for all the parents have done. Others choose to blame their parents, even for their own mistakes. 

I miss my Grandkids and can only pray someday my daughter finds the truth. Her mind is very confused right now. I worry about all of them. My oldest son has been lost in his own lies for years. I keep them both in my prayers. They have clouded their own mistakes and chosen to blame me for their own bad choices. 

Family doesn't mean what it used to and children don't always appreciate those that made the sacrifices to give them a good life. 

Blessed by God

Life's painful sometimes @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Accomplished

Peace at last. 

Name changes complete, my new Notary stamp has arrived and we're back in business again. Had to pause waiting for the bond, license and stamp to all get changed over to my legal last name. 

Social security review complete and approved for my benefit change over. New income, new requirements. Still not sure what it does with the medical. That's the only thing left to get updated. 

Feels like I can breathe again. 

The holidays are approaching fast! Christmas shopping the next task to complete. Looking for gift ideas, I'm thinking Scentsy this year. Still haven't decided if we are going to decorate around here. Since moving up here my son and his family have been the only one's to make the drive.

I have a series of 6 of Washington's most popular light houses on mugs and tote bags for the light house lovers out there. Anyone looking for personalized gifts visit our custom products page for things we can make for you. I've done tree ornaments and mugs for the family a couple years ago. I have a new great grandson I need to make the ornament for my granddaughter this year.

My youngest granddaughter came up to spend the night and go riding last weekend, while we were at the barn we discovered my horse had 'cow poop' instead of horse poop. While I was there, I witnessed the neighbor throwing a bunch of apples over the fence. Hence the reason my horse had an upset tummy. It caused me to start looking for a place closer to home. Quite disturbing for me as she isn't supposed to have any apple. 

I found a place nearby to move my horse, affordable, unfortunately too much pasture for her with the Cushing's issue. I have to have more control over her diet and grass intake to keep her healthy. My friends horse continually had diarrhea before she passed, I'm guessing this was why. She had no idea what the neighbor was giving her horses. 

People shouldn't feed other people's horses without the owner's consent period. 

In the past I had a horse that was allergic to carrots. God forbid anyone would have given him one, they could have killed him. FYI too much apple can disrupt a horse's digestive system and actually cause colic. Whole apples can cause a horse to choke. A horse with Cushing's should never get apples.

Just because one horse is fine with something doesn't mean another horse will react to it the same way. Comparing a sick horse with a healthy horse is like comparing apples to oranges. My girl is 29 and in great health because I'm very protective of her. 

It's been a busy week! Stress and appointments ~ Hoping to rest and relax this weekend. Put my anxiety to rest as well. 

Blessed by God

Life's looking better @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Determination

Saffron is determined to make everyone love her. Even Cleo, who gets annoyed by her. She doesn't take no for an answer and as you can see, she wins them over. 

How determined are we? Do we give up easily or are we persistent? If what we are trying to accomplish is a positive thing, shouldn't we keep trying?

Love prevails, when we give it our best efforts in a positive way.

Blessed by God 

Life's beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Good Times

 

   

 

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Blessed by God

Life's beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Memories

 As you get old, there is so much to remember. So much you have boxed up and don't think about anymore. Being blessed with being 'smart' led to opportunities. Advanced in school could have led to a wonderful life. The ability to do anything the heart desired.

 But things happen that affect the heart and soul. Things that change the course our lives will take. A person can go from being proactive to reactive in a matter of minutes. Go from trusting the world to shutting the door.

I never knew violence as a child. My dad was soft spoken; punishments were lectures and stories of the past rather than spankings or being grounded. I was taught to use my mind, to think for myself. Taught to do what was right, even when I had been wronged. To look at the whole picture not just my place in it. 

I hadn't planned on getting pregnant. He knew what he was doing. He planned it, the set up the situation - all of it. My family was in the process of immigrating back to Canada. To a place where tragedy happened to me before. There were reasons I had wanted to leave that place the first time; I wasn't going back there. That was how this boy convinced me to 'go with him'. 

I call it a shot gun wedding because it was his mother that pushed for it. She pushed hard. My dad offered to buy me any horse I wanted if I would go with them and have my baby at home. Problem was I couldn't go back to where they were going. So, I married - at 15. My family moved 1000 miles away. I had a couple brothers living here still, but they were so much older and into their own lives. I was alone. 

Stuck in a family of disfunction and alcoholism. Isolated from my friends and family. I endured the drinking for as long as I could. It was the violence, the people taking his side. As if somehow his drinking was my fault? I kept having babies, that kept me chained to the situation for 11 years. By the time I had found a way out I had 4 little ones in tow.

The death threats were real, the attempts to take my life were real. It was the time he almost succeeded that brought me a door out. A divorce and custody of my kids. I never believed he would hurt them until years later when I found my oldest son covered in bruises from his weekend visit with his dad. My son refused to testify. The police told me without his own testimony there was nothing they could do. 

My hands were tied and visitation became their own choice. The kids didn't have to go if they didn't want to. God led me to a friend that found me a place we could live safely and in peace from my ex. It came with its own complications, but we were safe, so I thought. I endured the pain that came with the situation because my kids were safe.

Until the volatile ex sister-in-law found us. Then it was back to being 'on guard' again.

Life became a whirlwind of trauma and bouncing around place to place, job to job. It took years to discover my 'friend' was bipolar. So much of the pain from that experience now made sense. I regret so much, wish there would have been another way out, another way to go. 

When you are running for your life, you don't have time to think clearly. When you are alone you don't have as many choices of what to do. The last thing you want to do is put anyone else in the dangerous situation you are in. You do what you have to do until you can find a door to get out. 

It was a bittersweet life. My joy, my love was with my children. They were my reason to keep living. They were my strength. As they grew things changed, out of 4 only 2 remain in my life. The others blame me, hate me and they don't even know what I sacrificed for them. 

There are good memories I hold onto and try to forget so much of the rest. The scars still there, some faded. The hurt still there. It makes you hold onto the sweet moments even stronger. You strive for moments of happiness to hang onto.

It wasn't a life I would wish onto anyone. I know my kids didn't deserve it; they should have had so much better. I was alone and I had to do it all myself. I did the best I could. At least I kept trying. Some parents would have quit, walked away or even committed suicide. Turned to drugs or alcohol. I stayed, I kept going, I kept fighting to give us a better life. 

I'm proud of them for enduring, overcoming and moving on. I'm grateful to God, as my one prayer has always been to let me live long enough for my kids to make it on their own. Let me live till they don't need my help anymore. He's blessed me to live to see grandchildren and great grandchildren. Things I've never thought possible.

I've been blessed, even though I walked out of the church one day, God walked out with me. He's stayed with me through it all. 

God has never left my side, even when I wasn't the person, He wanted me to be. My life has been a miracle, one after another. So many times, the Lord has shown Himself on this journey, so many times, He's stood in my path. I believe in miracles and I've been in the middle of them so many times. I will never forget the million times God has saved me in this life. 

When it comes to memories, you have to hold the good closer than the bad. Find the joy to overcome the pain. 

Blessed by God

Life's a miracle @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Does God answer Prayers?

When we don't get what we asked for, we assume God doesn't answer prayers. God 'didn't' hear us, or God doesn't care. When it comes to God, it seems we can't take NO for an answer. 

Some people go through life living for themselves, some even deny there is a God. But then when things go terribly wrong, they start asking 'Why is God letting this happen?'

When they don't get the answer they want to a prayer, they blame God for the bad things happening in their lives. Tragedy, death of a loved one, long term illness.

We don't always acknowledge that as real as God is, the devil is just as real. We seem to forget we were given 'free will' in whom we would serve. Sometimes bad things happen to those who are devoted servants of God. The story of Job is a prime example of bad things happening to good people. Saul/Paul is a great story of how a bad person can become the good. 

Everything happens for a reason. Only God knows in many cases. The story of the blind man that Jesus healed. When asked ~ the man and his family were good people, believed in God, so 'why was he cursed with blindness?' Jesus stated that so the blessing could happen at that time, as part of His purpose fulfilled.

Sometimes things happen to one person, for the sole purpose of being an example for another. As a good parent you often tell your children NO. Do they always understand your reason? NO. But as a good parent, you are trying to do what is best for them. As an adult, you know things from your own witness experience growing up. So you are trying to protect them. Often from mistakes to be made. 

And yet, as much as you say NO. They have their own free will and some will go ahead and do it against your better judgement. 

God answers prayers. He just doesn't always say yes. 

Blessed by God

Life is a miracle @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Quick to Criticize

 

We are quick to criticize and reluctant to compliment.

Imagine what it would be like if the tables were turned and we complimented more and criticized less.

It's as if we are looking for something to be 'wrong' before we look at what is 'right' or 'nice'. 

You can make someone's day brighter with a simple compliment. Or you can crush someone's spirit instantly with a critical comment.

Check yourself, keep a quiet tally of how many times you criticize and how many compliments you hand out in a day. See where you are on the score. Make it a habit to compliment someone at least once a day. 

It doesn't have to be someone you know, it can be the person behind or in front of you at the check out line. Someone you pass in the store... Do you walk? A smile and 'nice day' to the passing person. You will be uplifted by your own kindness when you see how it lifts up another. 

We are so easily putting folks down, lets turn it around and lift others up. 

Blessed by God

Life's beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

How Hard is it to lose weight?

 I didn't weigh 100 pounds until I got pregnant with my first child. Gained 64 pounds during the pregnancy and lost it all within a few weeks after giving birth. 

 After my second child I lost so much weight I was down to 84 pounds and accused of being anorexic or on drugs. Neither was the case. It was stress.

 After my fourth child I managed to maintain about 125 -130, for years. I went up to 145 ended up in the hospital for other things - had a hysterectomy and they removed some tumors while they were in there, I lost 10 pounds.

Things were okay Until about a year ago. 

 My activity decreased due to the pain in my back, hips and left foot. I can't walk as much as I used to, and I haven't ridden my horse hardly at all. 

 Beginning of the year, I started having to get infusions for my osteoporosis. And the pounds started adding up. When it hit 180, I called the doctor, who then sent me to the weight loss doctor.

 That was 3 months ago. 

I changed my diet, feels like I'm practically starving myself, I've cut back all the good stuff I used to eat. She wanted me to take in 90 grams of protein a day and eat something every 2-3 hours. Gave me a sheet of exercises that I could do with my back issues. {not all of which are do able}.

I've stopped gaining, just can't seem to lose it.

So, I have purchased a full body detox/dewormer and will try getting my system cleansed. I have found some great smoothy recipes, using a protein drink, to replace some meals and found a routine with exercise I can do. Bought a treadmill so I can walk on a flat surface, even in bad weather.

September is the beginning of a whole new lifestyle routine. For those that know me, many will be shocked to hear I have cut my coffee intake down to 2 cups a day! 

Hopefully we will see some positive results

Stay tuned for updates ~

Blessed by God

Life's losing weight @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe & Happy Trails

A new Season has begun

A new season has begun. With it the rain. {Finally} hopefully the wildfires will die down now, the smoke will be cleared from the air. Folks that have lost so much will be able to begin rebuilding. 

It's the number one reason I don't want to live in Eastern Washington. Every year we have so many wildfires, so much is lost and so many folks are displaced from their homes and their livelihood. 

Here in Western Washington, so much of the green has been transformed to concrete and grown into cities, there isn't much place for wildfires to grow. Over crowded - yes. I would so love to be where it is less populated, but you have to give and take in life. 

It's my favorite time of year actually. The leaves change colors, and the whole view transforms. I bought a small blower, so I'm prepared for the driveway clean up this time around. While the tree out front is beautiful, it does drop a ton of leaves. Last year keeping them swept up was a daily chore. This year I can blow them into a pile and pick them up much easier. 

Sadly, with the rain comes the mud. My horse will have to endure another season in a mucky paddock. I often wish I could find affordable board closer to where I am, and it would be nice to find a place with trails nearby. It's been a hard year for her and I, with the distance between us. God knows my heart so maybe He will find us a solution, closer to home. 

I turn 62 this year, supposedly my disability benefits will be changing, still waiting on the new determination. I was asked if my condition improved or got worse. Hmm, like this gets better with age. Unfortunately, it's gotten worse. I've had to make some life changes to accommodate my bodies new limitations. The doctor's conclusion on the ringing in my ears is a sign of losing my hearing. {joyous}. I'd rather lose the ringing than the hearing.

There has been a sense of 'self' with going through the name changing, reclaiming my birth name. Many of the places only required a phone call, others wanted documents and a few charged a fee. But now, nearly everything has been changed over and it feels good to be 'me'. Another major step in 'finding myself' after so many years of being a part of someone else. It feels good and I attribute it to a big part of the healing process, emotionally. 

Hard to believe it's already September. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all just around the corner! I have the Jeep now, so I'm not so worried about driving in bad road conditions. Last year in the convertible, I was concerned about snow. Thankfully we only had one day of it. 

Well here's to a new month, new season and another year older. 

Blessed by God

Life's beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.