Finding My Happy Place

I refreshed the look of my blog, pink makes me happy so I went with this template. Is it me? What do you think?

20 Wishes

2011 didn't end on a good note for my family and myself. On December 7th my mom was admitted to the hospital with pnumonia(sp?) beginning the longest and hardest three weeks of my life. Beginning with the pnumonia and then adding complications of several TIA's, several heart attacks, and a septic gallbladder, my mom passed away on December 20th, 2011.

During the time that I spent in the hospital, hoping, praying, holding her hand, holding my dad and my brothers, I also read A LOT. One of the books I read was "Twenty Wishes" by Debbie Macomber, if you haven't read it, it is a very sweet story about a group of widows (probably not the best thing to read while watching someone die.) While the story has it's round about plots, the main premise is about doing things that you never made time for because the business of life in general takes charge. Over the past few days I've really been thinking about what "wishes" I may have that I've put away on a shelf somewhere waiting for "someday." The story stresses that you need to think of "wishes" not things you "should/need" to do. Things like eating better, losing weight, balancing the budget, etc, etc. We have to or should do those things, but what about the little things that get put off?

I decided to put my 20 wishes out in the open, and I challenge you to do the same thing. If you do post your 20 wishes please link you post so that I can share it with you. Now I've had time to think about my wishes and my list still isn't complete, but here's my beginning of 20 wishes.

1. Stand beside the ocean with someone I love and watch the sunset.
2. Make a quilt.
3. Knit a pair of socks.
4. Get back into scrapbooking my favorite memories.
5. Go on a Whale watching cruise and get close to these majestic creatures.
6. Have dinner with my brothers at least 4 times a year.
7. Go fishing with my dad.
8. Spend a romantic weekend with my husband at a unique bed and breakfast.
9. Take a yoga class.
10. Go dancing with Kait.
11. Play a video game with Jacob.
12. Walk in the woods with Ben.
13. Get back on a horse and ride.
14. Design an Angel garden in memory of family and friends I've lost.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

I'm still not sure what else I'll put on my list, but I'll edit it when it comes to me.

What's your 20 wishes?

Shhhh... I know it's a mess!

This is what it looks like after a week long stamp orgy!

A Facelift

I'm in the process of trying to update my blog look, I think I screwed it up, what do you think?

Almost Artisan Bloghop begins today

A few of us that entered the Stampin' Up! Artisan Award contest and didn't quite make the cut are excited to begin showing you our "losing" projects ;) I say that "tongue in cheek" because none of these ladies are losers and quite frankly I cannot imagine having to judge that contest!

So check out the following blogs over the next few weeks if you want to see some awesome Stampin' Up Only (SUO) creations!!!!


http://stampspaperandink.typepad.com/stamps_paper_and_ink/

http://igotstamps.com/

http://jhurley90.blogspot.com/

http://jackietopa.typepad.com/

http://paperpatty.blogspot.com/

http://stampingaddiction.blogspot.com/

http://onyxstamps.com/

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=162570

http://www.saucystamper.blogspot.com/

http://www.reneevs.blogspot.com/

http://monikastamp.wordpress.com/

http://www.inkspotsandgumdrops.blogspot.com/

http://artisticavenger.wordpress.com/

http://letmestamp.com/

http://www.stamperbeth.blogspot.com/

http://stampinwithtina.blogspot.com/

Pure Craziness!

Sorry I haven't been around lately, life is in fast forward again!

Let's see I have 25 days to get everything finished for the 2010 Michigan Mingle.

Katie qualified and got excepted into the new Cros-Lex 5 Early College program.

Ben and Jake are both in a panic trying to get everything done before spring break, which is in one week.

And the biggest stress is that Sanilac CMH is moving into our new building in five weeks! Which is a good thing but it means that we're trying to consolidate 150 handicapped individuals and 50 staff from four buildings into one! For those of you that haven't had much experience with the disabled, they often have a seriously hard time adapting to change (I mean take a so called "normal" person and multiply it by 100) so along with all of the regular moving stuff, boxing, packing, deciding what goes where, etc... We have to make sure the our consumers aren't stressed and worried anymore than necessary. Which means as coordinator of the programs, I have to make sure that 150 plans, equipment, supplies, room furniture, and everything that goes with our people are in place!

And I'll let you in on a secret...I can handle the consumers, they are often the brightest spot in my day, but the so called "normal" people - EEEPPPS! I have some co-workers that I could cheerfully dope up with Valium and keep them that way until we're moved - I mean c'mon people what are we 12?

Sorry that was snarky but I needed someplace to say it!!!

Anyway I promise some happy posts starting tomorrow!

Happy New Year

Well the holidays are done, the decorations are put away, work begins again tomorrow, and it's time to get back into the groove!

May 2010 bring us all health, wealth, and wisdom!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

REWARD OFFERED

For the return of my missing MOJO! I haven't stamped or created in a week! What's up with that? Plus I have a box of new goodies sitting here that I haven't touched :((((

Someone please find and return my MOJO!!!

Nothing Crafty

But I've had my nose stuff in a few good books lately! Have you read this "Paper, Scissors, Death" by, Joanna Campbell Slan?

Wonderful scrapbooking mystery!



Hopefully I'll get some time to post something crafty later tonight ;~)

I Haven't Forgotten About You!

I promise I've got some new goodies on the way! I've been busy stamping so I haven't had a lot of time for updating, but that will be changing soon! Hang with me!

It's still hot!

Well it is August in Michigan and the humidity didn't forget us even if the sunshine did in June and July!

However, I did find some time to stamp so I promise you'll be seeing some new goodies starting tomorrow!!!

What am I doing?

Just hanging around!

Sorry nothing new to show you, it's just been so bloody hot that I've done nothing but sit around in the AC with some new books!

Hopefully I'll get some new stuff out this weekend!

Soooo......

Did you see any difference in the last four cards I've posted as compared to the ones I've done in previous weeks?

Yes I know I NEED photo editing software, it's on list baby!!!

Do you want to see the same directions I used? Check them out here > Photographing Your Papercrafting Projects with PickleTree

Later Gator

Well it is mothers day so I should do something with my family!

STAMP CAMP DAY!

I'm off doing my Spring Fling Stamp Camp today, I'll be back with some goodies later this weekend - stay tuned!!!

IT'S TIME!

Have a great weekend everyone! I'm off to Bay City to stamp for the next 48 glorious hours with about 75 fellow Michigan SCS'ers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Like 99% of us I will be crazy busy today and tomorrow with Holiday stuff, but I couldn't get busy until I wished everyone a very merry Christmas!



May the new year bring us all hope, love, contentment, and peace!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

pssstttt...

Remember when I asked how to hide a Big Shot? Well DH found it and rolled his eyes at me!!! Then I get this poem from my friend Joni:

Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.
Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?
Or a Cricut, I said, with a smile on my face.

And that's when I heard him,
"Hi Santa, " I said
"You know....good little girls
should be in their beds."

"I know I should Santa,
and now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited
To see what you brought."

"Well, let's take a look
in this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly,
And left with a jerk.

I heard him exclaim
as he put it in gear.
"You've got enough crap,
I'll see you next year!"

~Author Unknown

Is someone trying to tell me sumtin???????

Kinda Bummed

Well I thought I did SU! proud, I mean I was very upbeat and excited about the "Night To Indulge" vendors fair that I did last night, only it ended up being somewhat of a bust!

Now that isn't to say I didn't have fun, cuz I did! I had a ball! What's not to love when you've got good looking young men in tux's at your beck and call with delightful chocolates of every variety?!!!! Never thought I'd see the day that I didn't want "more" chocolate, but it actually happened to me last night! Then there was the flirting DJ with his hugs, his tunes, his dancing, and his all around nice comments I mean c'mon a girl's gotta take it where she can get it!

Would I go back? As a customer is a heartbeat! As a vendor, I'm just not sure!