lessons learned...

so much happening in my family... so many lessons to learn...

breathe, just breathe (this song rings in my head.. you know it from Grey's Anatomy?)

we had 2 deaths in our family last week- on the same day.. one for my family and one for my dh's...

I just keep hearing the song "breathe, just breathe!"

it takes me back to when my father died when I was a teenager... I just wanted everything to slow down so I could catch my breath!

so strange to think that this world is minus 2 souls that loved so much!

did you take a moment to tell others you love them?

to tell them you are sorry?

to just "be" with them????

I did just that with my friend, Mr. C, last week.
He was so excited to see me.. he had just been given Last Rights and I walked into his room. His face lit up and he tried to talk to tell the priest about our 2 families and how they have been intertwined since I was a kid...

I had not seen him in way too long... and knew he was at the end... you could see it in his face.

He was tired.

He had loved and been loved.. you could see that in his face.

I got the chance to tell him that I was sorry for not coming by to see him.

I got the chance to tell him one more time I loved him.

He held my hand tight and told me it was all ok.. and he loved me too.

another song that rings in my head is by Cat Stevens... "cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon" I heard this song over and over in my head as I spoke to Mr. C.. prayed over him... held his hand... where had the time gone? What was I so busy about??

Cats in the Cradle

by Harry Chapin

A child arrived just the other day

He came to the world in the usual way

But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay

He learned to walk while I was away

And he was talking before I knew it and as he grew

He said, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad,

You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When you comin home, Dad,

I don't know when,

But we'll get together then,

You know we'll have a good time then.

My son turned ten just the other day

He said "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on lets play

can you teach me to throw?"

I said, "Not today, I got a lot to do"

He said "Thats okay"

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed

And said "I'm gonna be like him, yeah

You know I'm going to be like him"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When you comin home, Dad,

I dont know when, But we'll get together then,

You know we'll have a good time then.

Well he came from college just the other day

So much like a man I just had to say,"

Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"

He shook his head, and he said with a smile"

What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys

See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When you comin home, Son,

I dont know when, But we'll get together then, Dad

You know we'll have a good time then.

I've long since retired, my son's moved away

I called him up just the other dayI said

"Id like to see you if you don't mind"

He said "Id love to Dad, if I could find the time.

You see my new jobs a hassle, and the kids have the flu.

But It's sure nice talking to you, Dad,

It's been sure nice talking to you........"

And as I hung up the phone it had occurred to me

He'd grown up just like me,

My boy was just like me..............

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When you comin home, Son,

I dont know when, But we'll get together then, Dad

We're gonna have a good time then.

so.. do you get it?? go and tell that one person you have been waiting to talk to... send that one extra card you have been putting off. Don't wait... don't put it off till later... it only takes a moment.....

and it is so worth it!

yummo

this recipe is a winner.. it is super rich but oh so good!

Chocolate Pecan Critters:
1 (11 1/2 oz) package MILK chocolate chips
1 (6 oz) package semi sweet choc. chips
1/4 c butter or margarine
1 (14 oz) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed milk
1/8 t salt
2 c coarsely chopped pecans (San Saba pecans are the best I have ever had!)
2 t vanilla extract

1. line baking sheets with waxed paper. In heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt chips and butter with Eagle Brand and salt.
2. Remove from heat; stir in chopped nuts and vanilla
3. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
Top with pecan halves (makes it pretty!)
Chill.
Store tightly covered at room temp.

*makes about 5 dozen.. I get a little more- these are super rich and a little bite goes a LONG way!

enjoy!!

energizer bunny

I swear my kid never sleeps and when she does is

RECHARGING!

I haven't had a chance to gather my thoughts except for this

while snuggling Queen V down for the 4th time I decided to ask 20 questions..

I love to ask "the favorites"- you know, "what's your favorite ___________"

well, I learned some new things.. or maybe she is changing a little and has found some new favorites...

what a great moment to capture.. the glow from the neighbor's Christmas lights up... snuggling my middle child that I am sure feels left out or forgotten from time to time.. I felt this way growing up.. I am the 3 of 4.. until my "sister" came along (hi, Jas!) and then I was the 3rd of 5 :) lol! still the middle..

anyway, the moment of Christmas to capture today was just this...

snuggles, favorites, Christmas glow from across the street..

pretty cool moment, huh?

one quick card made.. from an old set I had a while back.

I also used a paper piercer my dh got me YEARS ago.. he went into a stamp shop and the gal told him it was all the rage and only going to be more popular.. she was right and he is a cool guy for getting me something so neat. (i"ll scan it tomorrow to show you)

and here she is again.. it's almost 10pm and she is after icecream.. time to go snuggle again.. lol!

sweet dreams!

She gets it.. the true meaning...

finally getting some cards done
blogger is letting me put up pictures
getting my house cleaned and ready for the holidays!
even my girls are.. I bought them a tree at the Target Dollar Spot. It's about 20" tall.. perfect for a dresser!!! I didn't have ornaments so they pulled out their dress up costume jewelry and adorned it themselves!! beads, rins, earrings, bracelets.. anything pretty and girly! It fits them to a t! lol! Will get pics up when I get the camera downloaded- it's just precious!

before I get to my cards, I found a link to Shimelle's blog classes and on there was a picture of a Starbuck's cup. Now, this wouldn't ordinarily get my attention.. but the word "eggnog" sure did!!! Who cares what a latte is but EGGNOG!?!!! I am all over that bad boy! lol! My mom and I will take a little trip to the local one just built here and indulge a little!!!



Now, on to the cards... I had a challenge at The Shaker Box about using old cards to make new.. and really take that card and make the most of it!! bookmarks, tags for presents, new cards, ATCs.. whatever struck your fancy! Here are my 2 takes on it...

The True Meaning of Christmas.. she gets it!

I asked Lady G " What do you want for Christmas?.

She told me, "I had a mommy, a daddy, a Queen V, and a Mr. T... what more would I want?"

I then asked her, "What are you going to get Queen V?

She replied, "I am going to give her me. I will play with her and just be with her!"

24 more days till Christmas!

Queen V
From Queen to Pharoah.. I saw the exhibit,Hatshepsut with my 3 kids in tow! Yep, braved an art museum.. while there I told them to look for triangles and kitty cats. They searched each piece. I really thought there would be more cats.. should have told the kids to look for cows! lol!
The exhibit was amazing.. Jas- when you come home I will go again!!! The kids were so good- one lady (about in her 70s) came and even commented on how good they were. :)
Mr. T was amazed and gasped and stretched out his arms when we would see another sphinx or another tall statue... it was amazing.. did I say that? I can't wait to scrap this adventure for my kids.. something I want to remember and want them too. When I was a kid I went to King Tut's exhibition... that was cool!

on to scrappy news.. I got my giga scallop punches today!! I got them from Frantic Stamper! I will be punching out some shapes for a little blog give away next week!!! Stay tuned!
Lady G


Are you getting ready for Christmas? I am going to make my Advent wreath for the family.. if I can....I found this pinecone wreath and love it! My dh likes this one though. I will see what I can do by myself. If I can't make it cheap then I will go ahead and buy it. I want my kids to have a wreath this year. Teaching Lady G her CCD this year has me thinking more of what I want to teach her.