Sunday, October 24, 2010

Mosaic Monday and a Family Update



I spent some time yesterday playing with my camera. It seems that no matter how many pictures I take there is still more to learn about my camera and even what is appealing to the eye. So I read and practice trying to gain knowledge and skill.

The pie pumpkins above were accidentally grown in my compost pile from last year's pumpkins.


I found the sweet little nest on the ground in our neighborhood common area and I have been collecting acorns while on my walks.


I got this old weather worn desk drawer at a garage sale for a dollar; I loved the look of the aged wood. Do you see what is attached to the nest? It is the sack of a bagworm. I wonder what kind of bird made this soft little nest.



When I last blogged I mentioned that things were not going very well for my family. My husband had just been laid off for the fourth time in five years. The first three times was while he was working in the RV industry. He'd had a very successful career with one company for 15 years when the poor economy caused that company to file bankruptcy. He got jobs quickly but each one of the companies fell victim to the poor economy and had layoffs.

The last job he had was with a well-known company in medical sales. We thought that he finally might be safe from economic woes and have some job stability in a different field, but that wasn't the case.

It has been so difficult and heart breaking to see my sweet husband going through this again. There were so many people with this company who were hired during the same time frame as my husband, many of them were coming from layoff situations too. My husband has talked to quite a few of them and he feels so bad for them. It is almost as if companies hire people, use them for a while and then toss them aside with no care or thought for the people and how these job losses affect them and their families. The way this particular company handled this was absolutely horrible, thoughtless and corrupt. It was shocking!

I actually feel more sorry for those who remain than the ones that got laid off. They got their already low pay cut in half, their car allowance has ended and they are doing the additional work of those who were let go. They are also bound to a non-compete contract and can't look for jobs in their field. They are being used and abused.

For the last few weeks my time has been spent encouraging my husband and quite frankly it has been spent in earnest, fervent prayer. The only time I felt true peace was in my quiet time place reading and journaling through the Psalms and praying. I don't know what I would do were it not for the LORD to help me through these difficult days/months/years.

Thankfully God heard our prayers and my husband will start on his new job on Tuesday. How this job came about and the story behind it is amazing and we know it was God who provided.

The news gets even better! Our daughter recently finished college and was job searching too. She just got a great job and will start November 1. Her graduation ceremony is next Saturday and we just found out that she is Salutatorian for her class. That news made this homeschool mom very proud! It seems that when we homeschool we have more to prove and the success of our children is personal and very sweet!

After so many bad things have happened, we are very thankful for these wonderful blessings.



Now that we have that little business out of the way, I'll show you the next group of pictures.

I don't know why, but I love old things. I always have. I am happy that now with upcycling and recycling trends and the poor economy that old stuff is in style and very popular. I never follow decorating trends but this is one that suits me.



My home is filled with family treasures from my husband's parents and grandparents. I have also found things at garage sales and Goodwill.

The bowl with the eggs was passed down from my husband's grandparents. It is a set of three.

Here are some collages I created using different color techniques. The one above just has the colors desaturated to give it a bit of a vintage feel. One of these days I want to try my hand at some of the textures that are available. Like I said at the beginning of this post, there is always more to learn.


Here is the black and white version...



and lastly, the sepia tone.

Thank you all for reading this blog and for your sweet comments. I appreciate you all and thank you for your prayers and your encouragement during this time of trials. We are hoping that things will be calm for season, we have certainly had enough storms to last for a good long while!

I'll be linking this post to Mosaic Monday at Little Red House

35 comments:

Hilary said...

So lovely to hear your wonderful news. I'm very happy for you and yours. Love these photos... and your items are beautiful. I especially love the bowl and the milk bottle.

Suzy said...

Glad to hear that a new job is in the works! We may be in the same boat by the end of the year and the older you get, it becomes even harder.The mosaic are wonderful!

Marie said...

What lovely pictures. The moaic in sepia is great.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Wonderful news.I am so glad you husband found a job so quickly.
I agree.that were it not for the Lord.these times of trial would be impossible to face.
Jake and I too rest completely in Gods' care and find peace in times of trial.
Hugs,Ruth

Carolyn said...

Hi Robyn,
I am happy for the good things that are happening now in your family. I hope your husband loves his new job and your daughter too.
Your fall mosaics are lovely. I would love to learn how to use the layering etc. too.

Take care,
Carolyn

Ginny said...

I join you in thanksgiving for your husband's and daughter's new jobs. My husband was also laid off, along with many others in the newspaper business. It took him 18 months to find a new job, and the new one is at half the salary of the newspaper job. But it's in a service field and is much less stressful and in many ways we consider it a blessing. I continue to pray for all those who've suffered in this bad economy.
Your pictures are wonderful - I love those nests!

Sue Catmint said...

Hi Robin, I'm so pleased things are going better for your family. Your photos are wonderful - it's a whole other facet of photography like still life painting. You compose the scene, more than when photographing the garden or landscape. I look forward to learning more about photography and you are an inspiration. cheers, catmint

Lisa at Greenbow said...

You and your family has had a hard way to go lately. I sure hope all levels out for awhile. Congrats to your daughter. I hope this economy doesn't toss her around like it has your husband. Love the acorns in the nest. A cute way to display them.

A Garden of Threads said...

Hi Robyn, This is wonderful news, congratulations to both your husband and daughter. It has been stormy seas for you for awhile, but your faith has helped to through and I am glad for you. Stunning photos, always something new to learn in photography. Take care. Jen

Patricia said...

Oh my goodness, Robin - what a sweet post - filled with good and encouraging news and beautiful, beautiful photography. What a lovely way for me to begin my day - inspired by your gorgeous photos and good news.

Rose said...

I am so sorry to hear your husband was laid off again, but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, considering the company he was working for. But how wonderful that he found a new job so soon! And congratulations to your daughter--you must be very proud, Robin.

Beautiful photos! Everything is so artfully arranged; you definitely have the photographer's eye, Robin.

Vee said...

Beautiful mosaics and a beautiful personal story about perseverence and finding peace in times of prayer. We are praying for a change in economically challenging times. It's brutal out there as your husband's story reveals. Blessings to both of the new job holders. May their jobs bring not only a paycheck, but great joy as well. Oh, well done, teacher! (Though I suppose some of this has to do with an excellent student.)

Snap said...

Such wonderful Autumn mosaics. I enjoyed them all. Thank you for sharing your story and congratulations to your husband and your daughter. Times are difficult, but hope sure goes a long way!!!!

Rosemary said...

Robyn Love the Autumn touches . Best part so many are free if we only look. Congrats to your husband and daughter hopefully the future will stay bright and shiny.

cherry said...

Miss Robin as always your photo's take my breath with their beauty.
I'm so happy for you & your family I hope that good things keep coming your way ~ BTW you look wonderful!
I hope you don't mind but I wrote about you, your blog and shared a couple of your beautiful pictures on my blog this morning.
hugs from Savannah, Cherry

Jayne said...

I'm so glad to hear the good news about your husband and daughter finding jobs. I know how stressful that time must have been for your family and hope that you can now enjoy some peace of mind. Your photos are wonderful - this is my favorite time of year and you have captured its essence beautifully in your work.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What gorgeous mosaics! I love the photos in your previous post, too! I'm going to put your blog on my list of favorites! ♥

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Robin, you are a talented photographer and designer. I love these pictures! There is a warm, comforting feeling that comes from them. Autumn, home, family - this is what your pictures are about. All the best to your family!

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

We all look for your posts and drink them in like a fine wine, Robin. Your imagery is very natural and pure, and I love the way you think. My prayers have been with your family during this (these?!) times and I am pleased to hear you're having some upturns. Hang in there, kiddo. We're all here for you in our own bloggy way. XO

Catherine said...

These photos are so beautiful!

How wonderful that things are turning around for your family.

Warm wishes,
xo Catherine

Evi said...

Lovely post and what a fun blog. I'm a new follower :-)

Anonymous said...

The job situation in this country has been awful, but I'm glad your husband found something. My best wishes for his future success! And your photos are gorgeous, as usual!

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

I am so pleased for you and your family! Thanks for sharing these lovely photos. That soft little nest makes me want to be a bird. :)

Mel said...

What happy news, Robin. I am so glad to hear things have been looking up and hard work and fervent prayer have been rewarded. We've had similar trials in the past few years, and if we've learned nothing else, we've been learning over and over that God is our Provider, and that all we need do is trust in Him and wait for Him. Hard to do, I know from experience...yet as our pastor says, the Lord is seldom early but never late. : )

Jan said...

You are so talented with the camera and your photographers 'eye', Robin. These are such 'cozy, homey' pictures. I'm glad you are able to breathe again now that your hubby has a new job. And many congratulations to your daughter--and to you, of course--for her success in school & starting a new job. I do hope the economy will be kind to her. My daughter will graduate from college in a year and a half. The market is so unpredictable.

Sunny Simple Life said...

Lovely and inspiring post. Glad your husband found work quickly. We too home school and I had my first graduate be the youngest ever at 18 to be accepted into a college RN program. We were so proud and I did feel a relief that she did so well and that any doubters would now be silenced. Congrats to your daughter.

Naturegirl said...

Robin your images are simply delightful! I love the editing that you played around with..yes there is so much to learn with photography!
Praise God that things have taken a turn for the better in your personal life!
Here I am enjoying my new life relocated among the OAKS in a cottage in the woodlands near a beach!
hugs Anna

Lone said...

Hej.
What a nice blog.
I'm new here.
Kh Lone.
Denmark

Anonymous said...

Beautiful blog!!!

With great pleasure I will continue to follow your wonderful blog.

Kisses, Zondra Art

Kerri Farley said...

Congrats to your hubby and your daughter.

Your images are just stunning! WOW!

FarmHouse Style said...

Your pictures are beautiful. I love the fluffy little bird's nest you found.

Congratulations to your husband and daughter on their new jobs. This has certainly been trying times for many families.

I wanted to thank you for your kind and encouraging comment the other day. I am happy to report that all is well, and I will pray the same results for you.

Rhonda

fer said...

Very nice picture!
hope everything keeps going well for you

NCmountainwoman said...

Just wanted to drop by to let you know I'm still praying for you and the family.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

Ruth Hiebert said...

HI,I'm just stopping in to let you know you are being prayed for.I trust that you are well.Please know that you are missed in blogland.
Hugs,Ruth

Jane Doe said...

Your photos are wonderful! Each one tells a story. Do try textures. I recently discovered how adding these layers can create a whole new look.

I'm glad to read that things are looking up for your family. These are such hard times for those of us in the middle.

*Sending you warm thoughts*