Saturday, November 1, 2014

Saturday Spotlight: Pat from Gypsy Heart and Soul

Hi, everyone!   Kris from Junk Chic Cottage and I wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.
There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Kris's and my blog. 

      

I'm thrilled to have Pat from Gypsy Heart and Soul as my Spotlight guest today!
Pat is such a sweetheart, and although she's been through a terrible tragedy, she still has the best attitude!
Please sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know Pat better.


I can't begin to tell you how stunned I was when Susan asked me about doing this feature.Me?  My little blog?
She and Kris have some of the most incredible bloggers featured on the Saturday Spotlight. I am so grateful
to be here!  



I've been blogging for awhile and have met some of the greatest friends by doing so. I 
feature whatever comes
along ~ food, inspiration, crafts, DIY, decor, you name it. I'm a Native Texan and have always lived in this great
state. I grew up in a very small town south of Ft. Worth and, after marriage, moved to another small town. He
was transferred to Amarillo and my kids were raised there. My son was born in Ft. Worth and my daughter 22
months later in Amarillo. A lot of people have only heard bad things about the city but it was a delight!  Our
street was 3 blocks long and we knew everyone. The adults and kids were all about the same age. Since it was a kinder, gentler time the kids were able to play outside together. Of course, I must share that I was a "helicopter mom" and always had my eyes on them. I didn't go back to work until the kids were 6 and 4. I first worked at 
First Federal Savings & Loan and then Bell Helicopter. The Amarillo facility was the "repair facility" for the
ships (helicopters) returned from Vietnam. 



We moved back to the mid-cities area in '73 when the Vietnam war was coming to an end. In early '74 I started
my career with American Airlines. I had a wonderful career with many incredible opportunities. I/we traveled all the time and I feel so fortunate that I was able to take advantage of that privilege. I rode an elephant in Thailand, saw Niagara Falls, spent time in the Caribbean and Hawaii, enjoyed the tulips in Amsterdam, lived it up in Mexico and discovered so many wonderful places in the U.S. 9/11 was the most stressful time that you can imagine. I can't get into that ~ makes my eyes leak. I took advantage of an early retirement opportunity in 2003 and have absolutely loved being out of the stress. It hurts my heart to see what is happening today...the merger with USAir, customer service going downhill and AA employees being dismissed, just because.



I'm single and live with my roommate, Forrester. He's a Shih Tzu and a rescue that I adopted in 2005. He's
beginning to show his age and that is not something I want to think about. He's such a love bug and so much 
company!  His foster mom named him for a very special reason so I didn't change it.



Most of you know that my precious, beautiful granddaughter, Abby, was fatally injured in a freak auto accident
June 21, 2013. Another teen lost his life, another was critically injured and one just had a few scratches.  I have experienced many losses in my life ~ divorces, parents and step-parents, other family members and dear friends, however, this has been the worst thus far. I was having lots of problems at my old apt and in the process of trying to pack to move. My brother almost died the first week of June and then we lost Abby. I have not been the same since ~ nor has my family. Thank God, people from church took over the packing and moved me just a few days after Abby's service. I haven't cared about a lot of things but I do have brighter days now. The pain never leaves...it's just adjusting to a "new normal". Grief is different for everyone. God has been faithful even
though I don't understand His plan.



I don't want to appear as "Negative Nelly" so I'll try to share fun things!  I treasure my family and friends and
am always open to meeting new friends. I love to laugh and I think if we don't, we'll all go insane. A bit of 
Jimmy Buffett ~ :)  I love being at a beach as well as the mountains. Have to have my coffee first thing each
morning and iced tea in Texas is a must!  I don't do sweet tea though. I really enjoy being in nature, walking,
seeing a sunrise or sunset, having a glass of wine or a skinny margarita. Chips and guacamole are a part of
the food group as is all Mexican food!  I love to cook, especially baking. Have to have some bling and glitter
runs in my veins. I love movies, especially the classics and most all types of music. Pepsi is my vice and I'm
a candleholic. My favorite color is red although I do have to have my black and white!  I don't spend a lot of
money on bedroom or bath decor as I tire of it easily and ready to move on to other colors, etc.  I definitely
have to have color in my life and an eclectic, funky look in my home. I don't do white or neutrals although 
they look beautiful in other homes. I'm not a formal person, much more laid back. I grew up in a "sterile" home
where I couldn't have friends over or parties. I decided I'd never live that way nor would I have my kids grow
up like that. I love performing RAOK's ~ especially the anonymous ones. 

I hope that you will find a few minutes to come over and visit me at Gypsy Heart and Soul. You probably
know now why I consider myself a restless gypsy type, a bit bohemian and always looking for friends and fun!

Susan, it has been my pleasure to be here. I can't thank you enough for the invitation!
xo
Pat


Pat, thank you SO much for sharing so openly with us, about both the good and the painful times in your life.
Abby was so beautiful and you've given a sweet tribute to her!
Please visit Gypsy Heart and Soul then head to Kris's blog to read about Sandi from Wayside Treasures.
Have a wonderful day! :)

46 comments:

  1. Thank you, Susan, for introducing Pat this week. I've already been over to her blog and hope to get to know her better. :) Happy weekend, and have fun at the store.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Rita! I appreciate your visit and tried to respond, however, no email. I look forward to visiting with you!

      Pat

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  2. Pat and I have been friends for quite a while and I adore her. I love this view of her "real life"...and my heart aches over the loss of Abby. We have talked about that- it is the pain that is never completely alleviated.

    Thanks for the great feature. xo Diana

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  3. What an interesting life Pat has had and sadness about her precious granddaughter .


    janice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Janice! Thank you so much for your visit. I love making friends via blogs. :)

      Pat

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  4. Lovely to meet Pat. She has such a sweet spirit in spite of all of the heartache she's lived through in her life.
    Mary Alice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mary Alice! I so appreciate your kind words ~

      Pat

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  5. Good Morning Pat. It was so wonderful to read your feature. You have had a very interesting life so far. Love that you got to travel to all those wonderful places with your job. So sorry for your great heart breaking loss of Abby. My granddaughters name is Abby too and I just cannot imagine losing her. My heart breaks for you. They say time does not make the pain and loss go away it just makes it more tolerable. I wish this for you. Thank you for being so open and honest here in your feature. Hugs.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kris! I was very fortunate to be able to travel like I/we did. My kids were exposed to a lot of different cultures & experiences. It's been almost 1-1/2 yrs and the pain never leaves...it's just a different way of life. There are brighter days now but the missing them never stops. I so appreciate you and Susan doing these features! It's a great way to meet new friends!

      xo
      Pat

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  6. Thank you Susan for featuring Pat. I always have thought of her as sweet....but now I know she is also very strong. She is enduring through the pain of loss. Prayers for her and hugs too. She is an interesting lady. Blessings to all, xoxo,Susie

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, sweet friend! I don't think anyone can have too many prayers or hugs. :)

      xo
      Pat

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  7. OH Susan ... Your header is amazing! I'll be checking out Pat's blog for sure. love that she described herself a restless gyspy type and bit bohemian. Now how can you not love that!
    xoxo,
    Vera

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Vera! Seems we may have a lot in common ~ :) I look forward to getting to know you.

      Pat

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  8. It was so nice to meet, Pat! I am so sorry to hear about the very sad and tragic loss of her granddaughter. I am sure it is something you will never get over, but it sounds like you learn to live a new "normal" after such a loss.

    Being a bit bohemian sounds right up my alley! : )

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kathy! I so appreciate your visit and kind words. I'm so glad to know you're a bit bohemian too. :)

      Pat

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  9. It's great to meet Pat, Susan! Because loss has touched my heart so closely I sure do understand Pat's struggle with getting back 'at life'. Thank you for inviting her to share! Blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cindy! I am very sorry for your loss...will hold you in prayer.
      I appreciate your stopping by!

      Pat

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  10. So glad you featured Pat today! She's a true sweetheart. ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ((((Stacey))))
      Thanks so much sweet friend!

      xo
      Pat

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  11. It was such a delight (although there were some sad words, too) to find out more about Pat. I'm new to following her blog, so I really did enjoy this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Carol! Just sharing the "real" me ~ :) Glad you're here as well as following!
      xo
      Pat

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  12. So happy to meet Pat. Such a strong woman. Thank you for featuring her today Susan. I visited her blog and I'm a new follower.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Precious Pat...you have been through so much heartache and loss yet your heart remains wide open to the rest of us that are lucky enough to call you friend.
    Much love, T.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so appreciate your kind words, Tina!

      Love & hugs to you ~
      Pat

      Delete
  14. Hi Susan and thank you for featuring Pat today. She is an incredible lady and been through so much. Her courage and strength comes through in her feature.
    Blessings for a Happy November!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so sweet! Thanks so much for your kind words.

      xo
      Pat

      Delete
  15. Thanks for reminding me about Pat. I used to follow her and don't know why I haven't visited in awhile so I am off to read more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So wonderful to "see" you again! Thanks for stopping by.

      xo
      Pat

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  16. I love Pat and her story always touches my heart. I can't imagine. Just can't. I lost my baby brother when I was 14 so I know the toil a tragedy of this magnitude takes on a family. Thanks for featuring her.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Bonnie! I'm so sorry about your brother. We just have no idea when God might be ready for one of our loved ones.

      xo
      Pat

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  17. It's so nice to learn more about you sweet lady. My heart goes out to you and I hope you can find some joy in blogging and making blog buddies. It helps us all so much to have lots of girlfriends that care. I love Texas and lived there many years. 3 of my sons still live in the DFW area so my heart is there, too. I'm retired in Florida now but hold on to my Texas twang! Sweet hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Diane! Please let me know when you make your next trip to Texas ~ would be fun to meet. One of my dearest friends just moved to FL. Sad for me...happy for her. :)

      xo
      Pat

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  18. I just loved hearing more about you, Pat! We go back a long way. Were you a flight attendant? That was my dream job. And I so feel for your lingering pain over the loss of Abby. It never gets easier.

    Love to you...keep up your great blogging! :)

    Jane x

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jane ~ so happy you stopped by! No, I wasn't a flight attendant but at one point I did work in Flight Service Recruitment where we interviewed and hired them. One of my most favorite jobs! I also worked at DFW for awhile in Flight Service. My ex urged me to be a flight attendant, however, my kids were young and he traveled a lot. I didn't want to leave them too!

      xo
      Pat

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  19. What a sweet lady Pat is, Susan. To be able to speak of God's faithfulness through such a tragic loss is an amazing testimony to her faith. ~ Nancy

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Nancy! I appreciate your stopping by and I look forward to getting to know you.

      xo
      Pat

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  20. It's lovely to read about Pat. Thanks for sharing.
    Kisses
    Alessandra

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  21. I love Pat and my heart breaks at the mention of her dear Abby...I cannot fathom the loss of a grandchild...a tragic and senseless loss....Pat is a very special person and I know her strength is getting her through her tough times...a great one to feature today Susan.

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    Replies
    1. Shirley, you're such a sweetheart! Thank you for stopping by and your kind words.

      xo
      Pat

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  22. thanks for sharing your story, pat! so sorry for your loss. lovely feature, susan!

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