Swell Sunray's

Storytime with Shelly!!

2008-07-06T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hello Family and Friends! :)Well i would like you to sit
down and get comfy for this episode of 'Story time with Shelly!'

Once upon a time (ahem, Sunday morning) there was a girl named Shelly.Now Shelly is a blonde, relatively-short, California girl who likes to communicate with her friends and family because let's face it - Shelly likes to have FUN!
It is in fact how she regularly invests her time and money! She would much rather be traveling or playing with good-buddies than anything else at all.

Well currently Shelly's habit of liking people and having fun has significantly supported the AT&T World Empire. How you ask? Shelly is what is known as a 'SET,' a Sensationally Extreme Texter. (Ok maybe i made that up).
She has a texting Package. Sometimes Shelly texts 1400 + times over the course of a month. (Close your mouth - I can see your teeth fillings!)
Now lately Shell's Cellular Telephone has not been so supportive of her 'SET' and loquacious (chatty, jabbering, talkative, conversational, gabby) ways, due to it having developed an annoying hummmmmmm.

So, One Fine Day, (ahem...Sunday afternoon) Shelly set out to purchase a new apparatus for which to continue her support and advancement of the Global Take-Over by AT&T! Shelly DID stumble upon a fabulous RED Cellular Contraption that she decided, after extensive research, to acquire! (Ok, not really, she liked it cuz it was RED and did a cool flippy action when opened!)

Although the AT&T empire did its utmost to fulfill Shelly's deepest wishes, their network was undergoing maintenance therefore Shelly's initial order did not go through :( Fear Not! Shelly is a persistent type and was not easily deterred! She tried again that fine day and was finally successful in her venture!!
Her desired contraption was promised to be on it's way within 2 days! Two days passed (la..di..da) NO cellular contraption arrived.
Shelly, the witty, blonde, California girl that she is, decided to inquire upon the traveling status of her anticipated package.
What did she find out you ask? Well she found out none other than that her talkative-texting box WAS indeed on it's way! Oh, but it was not alone...Oh, no, no!
It was to be accompanied by twins!
That's right it would seem Shelly's initial attempted orders Did in fact go through and not only would she be receiving one cell phone contraption promptly, but she would be receiving 3!!HA!

This has been Story Time with Shelly!
Thank You for joining us!Please tune in next time when
you will again discover your desire to live in Shelly's shoes
because her life is NEVER Boring!!

The End ;)

"Paper Geek"

2008-06-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

“Paper Geek”
That’s the term that has been bestowed upon me by my endearing friends (with some giggling) in regards to my job at present! It really is true though. I work for a commercial printing company these days and started out by doing graphics. Now I seem to be moving from place to place “cross-training” in every area of the company. Currently that means I am a Copy Operator or “Digital Press Specialist” if you want it to sound more important. Essentially I run around all day making the things in a designer’s head come alive in printed form.

I have been doing that for only 2 weeks now. It seems that the way things have gone I receive 1 day of training and then the very next day am “the girl for the job” and set loose on my own. I am thankful to have been able to pick things up pretty quickly. I have learned a ton over the past two months.

So you may laugh at the fact that I am a “Paper Geek,” but you’ll be thanking me should you ever need something printed like: banners, your wedding invitations, baby shower announcements, business cards etc. That’s when I will come in real handy when I tell you not to print it on 100lb White Index, but rather on 80lb Color Copy Gloss Cover!!

I am thankful for where God has me and what He is teaching me right now. I don’t know why…or what comes next, but about a year ago, when I felt the door close to go to a big Design School, He told me He is able to advance timetables and give aptitude in spite of what the world says is “required training.” So the adventure of life with Jesus continues… It’s a grand way to live life – if we can just learn to trust Him that He is truly good!

The Greenhouse Effect

2008-05-31T17:04:00.000-07:00

"If i knew then what i do now" Famous words that i have probably thought myself before.

It's June 1 tomorrow and 2008 is almost half over. What have YOU learned so far? Well for me...... This has been my first year out from under the "Sold Out" umbrella in a long while, and let me tell you the tests come when you step outside of the greenhouse (a fact any alumni will emphatically tell you).

But even though some things have been learned the hard way, i wouldn't trade any of it because of what i have learned. I am so grateful for God's grace and forgiveness that is always there. HE NEVER LEAVES! That's truly amazing. I am learning that if i let Him fight for me it makes my struggles shrink from their giant stature down to "you will soon crush satan underneath your feet!" That's a huge relief!

I know the things God has been teaching me this year will be invaluable to me (and others) in the not-so-distant future!
All in all Satan hates us, and will try his very best to take us out, but don't let him, stick with Jesus! He won't let you go! Take risks, who knows what you might discover

New York City Visit!

2008-03-05T13:42:00.000-08:00

So i have spent the past four days driving and seeing the sites of The Big Apple! Yep, if you hadn't heard i am on an East Coast Vaca! Flew into Philly on Saturday then drove over to New Jersey Sunday to spend 4 days visiting NY before on to other things like D.C. and PA.

The City is AMAZING!! However, i can't say i would call it visitor friendly as far as parking. Driving has been way fun....what an adventure...i am considering becoming a NY cabby!! (ok maybe that's not my calling). Saw Grease on Broadway on Sunday night and Stomp on off-Broadway last nigth! Oh so wonderful!

If you ever have the chance to get to the Big Apple i think it's worth a trip!

God is Not an Indifferent Bystander!

2008-02-20T12:08:00.000-08:00

For God is not an indifferent bystander. He's actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won't quit until it's all cleansed. God himself is Fire!

My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either. It's the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, the normal experience of children.

But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.

The Message Version - Part's of Hebrews 12!

Life Lessons Never End

2008-02-13T13:35:00.000-08:00

So have you ever played Pin the Tail on the Donkey? Well then you’ll know what I am talking about. It’s the “fabulous” kids birthday game where one child is blindfolded and handed a “tail” to pin on the picture of a donkey…if they should get so lucky…they might get close.

Ever felt like your life is like that? Well, lately it’s the picture of mine. I’ve felt like the one “chosen child” to be blindfolded for this “game” as everyone else gathers around to watch and laugh. After trying to be a good sport who just doesn’t get it, frustration overtakes me and the urge to rip off the blindfold and run out of the room for good. Hopefully to never see those laughing kids again.

Ya…I know that’s not so pleasant of a picture, but it’s a pretty good visual of a feeling. Ever felt life swirling around you and you just can’t make sense of it all? Not sure where to next…not even which general direction. These are very interesting times indeed.
So what does one do? Well I can only say hold on!

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Is 43:1-2

God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind. Is 40:31

Truly Blessed Christmas

2007-12-29T12:22:00.000-08:00

So this Christmas was a tiny bit different then many other years. For one thing due to the plans of everyone surrounding me there wasn't much decorating. And we didn't do any presents.

But my little brother and his wife flew in from WY for a bit, and my dad came down from WA for a few days. Christmas morning they all came to my house and we made breakfast together and spent the morning just enjoying each other's company! Then my mama made her traditional lasagna (we are Italian and don't over-do the turkey thing) and we ate lunch at my Aunt & Uncle's house.

Just after lunch the Adam's family piled into cars and drove to the park for a family photo opportunity. It was FREEZING, but we made it quick and it was fun! Then time for dessert and off to another one of my Auntie's for the family dessert gathering! After we were all sufficiently supplied with sugar we headed for the Movie Theater for a Christmas Flick!

All in all an amazing day! One to be truly grateful for....Especially now that life is going to change alot. My parent's move to WA...started Thursday.

I hope you all had a wonderful day as well, and found many things to be truly grateful for in your lives!!

"Holiday Fever"

2007-12-12T12:41:00.000-08:00

So i think i have Holiday Fever. Ever heard of it?
It's symptoms include: not able to focus on work, a desire to travel around with friends and play all the time.
It was Thanksgiving that did it. Having time off and days to play...amazing!
Now it's time for a healthy dose of reality to combat this Holiday Fever. And yet Christmas is still just around the corner. I am thankful for that!

I made my very first ever Fruit Pizza last night!
What do you think?

Thanksgiving "Break"

2007-11-28T20:48:00.000-08:00

I had 4 days off and my S.O. (sold out) buddy Sharon, who stayed with me, had the week off.
We spent days and days doing what?...Having FUN of course!!
We had a marshmellow roasting party in the back yard with a bunch of peeps on Wed Night. S'mores in November...ahhh...nothing like it :)
Then the Great Day of Giving Thanks came round on Thursday. We spent it hanging with friends and family of all sorts! You know what i am truly Thankful for...God NEVER Quits Me! That's Awesome!

Not to be outdone was Friday...the bargain shoppers dream. Sharon, Angie and I braved "Black Friday" and headed for Roseville at 4:30am! Oh-dark-ridiculous for anyone who wondered.
It was a productive day of sales where i obtained a digital camera to replace my old, dead one...among other "can't live without" bargains.

After an afternoon nap refresher it was out for more fun! A game night with the Richards Family at the conclusion of which we girls crashed on their couch to the dull background noise of Sense and Sensibility. All in all an amazing 3 days!
So that's just a few of the vacation adventures we had...not to mention the weekend.
If you too should like to fill me in on your fabulous Thanksgiving...I would love to hear the tales!

Early Christmas

2007-11-10T22:28:00.000-08:00

It was an early present of sorts. My little brother, Joe, came up for a surprise visit on Tuesday. When i got off work i had a message on my phone saying the plan was to meet for dinner! What a surprise since he's been working in L.A. He had a few days off and so he decided to come up.

It's been so fun having him here. Just like old times...all our family together. Old times...but now-a-days we are good friends. Just me and the boys! We have enjoyed some quality time this week including a little Nintendo Wii (oh so fun). After boxing 3 rounds with Alycia my back was sore for days!

Then last night both the boys got to accompany me to the Holiday Banquet i organized for my work. So Fun! Joe was the bingo caller and he did a great job...Chris went home with a great prize.

As the time approaches for my parents to move up north i am reminded how blessed we are. Blessed to have been together, blessed to have relatives and good friends close by. I remember the days growing up where that wasn't the case. So for all those priceless days I am truly grateful! Life is short after all....and who knows what the future will hold for each of us but God himself.

The Jesus I Know

2007-11-05T14:41:00.000-08:00

Do you know the feeling? When you worship and you close your eyes...and it's just you and Him. Your dad. Smiling down on you...like a proud pappa. He's been waiting for you! And now you are still and close to Him.

That is one of the most amazing things! I love being there! I love it when He speaks...when He smiles at me. He's my pappa after all...!