I am in a funk ... and not a funky disco boogie all over the house funk either. After taking care of a "errand" (I didn't have to leave the house) for Richard, all I wanted to do was go back to bed, but I knew if I did, I would get nothing accomplished. So, I decided to work on a couple of websites that I have been procrastinating on working out. (yes, this one included - by the way - do you like the new look?) I played around with ideas for one - a site catering to providing custom QSL cards for amateur radio operators, and have not been able to create the look that I have in my head. It is there - I can see it, but I can't seem to get my fingers, mouse, keyboard and web editing software to do what I want and have it look correct. So, into the proverbial file 13 (aka the computer's trash can) that idea went. It just wasn't right - neither was the modification I did on my blog here last night. It was not what I wanted! So back to the drawing board I went and this is what I have ... and I think (dare I say it...) ... I think I actually like it.

The logo was actually inspired by some doodles that I had created by hand and imported into the computer for baby girl's birthday invitations, and by my recent reading of "Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope" by Mary Beth Chapman and listening to "Beauty Will Rise" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Yes, I know the Chapman's have been a VERY frequent topic lately, but I have that feeling that I am supposed to be listening to these messages. I keep hearing over and over again the lyrics "... Out of these ashes, Beauty will Rise..." and here was this image that I created and I decided to claim it as my own. I am keeping the blog title, Midnight Sonjiarose, because it is true, I have a tendency to write late at night - especially if I cannot sleep. Richard often chides me for not coming to bed until late, but if something comes to mind - I come in here and either blog or journal. Baby girl's invitations did not include the white rose - that one is just for me. The rose is a favorite of many, and I am definitely lover of this bloom. I have kept petals and some whole flowers from different events of my life - dates, proms, plays, my wedding, the birth of my children, ... so it has become a symbol of many things to me. Here in this design, it is rising up "on the wings of love" (oh and for those of you who just got that song stuck in your head its by Jeffery Osborne and here is on YouTube) representing all those glorious memories, and carrying on it's ancient symbol of beauty and love. The white rose itself can mean many things but mostly it signifies purity, innocence, sympathy, and spirituality. I chose the white rose to remind myself when I see it that God's PURE LOVE caused Him to feel SYMPATHY for ALL MANKIND, and he sent his Son to die on the Cross so we could REJOICE in our PURCHASED INNOCENCE so that we may have a SPIRATUAL relationship with God for all eternity. Well ... I guess that made me feel a little better.  Until next time!