let's pretend

Lady G became sick this weekend.. poor babe-
I knew she was going to be because of her wierd sleep habits during the week- I could just tell. She came sleep walking into my room on Wednesday or Thursday and then got up on my bed and danced around.. saying, "let's pretend"
ok.. let's pretend, Lady G
"let's pretend I am mad"
"ok... you're mad... now what?"
"I dunno." then she climbs into my arms and sucks her thumb...

I take her back to her bedroom and put her back under the covers.
She appears again only to be talking to dh in the front room- he didn't know she was asleep... lol!
well, needless to say she missed her first sleepover/birthday party and a cousin's First Communion and her first Gymnastics meet. Sad day.. she came ripping into our room and I knew right away without touching her she had a fever and was going to miss her busy weekend... poor girl. She did get to pretend it was 1950 and go to a sock hop on Friday night... she had a great time!

soooooo let's pretend I am not late on getting cards posted...
let's pretend I am a super photographer and these shots I got were on purpose...
let's pretend I got allll the laundry done....
now- isn't that nice??? I get to blog??? lol!

We are going to start a new thing at The Shaker Box. A lot of blogs are posting about "blog candy" and Hemimom (aka Angela) also thought it would be a good idea to create some "Shaker Candy" so that is what we are going to do!!! I am the first to start this and will post some time this week what the first "Shaker Candy" will be!!! I am so excited!!! Are you ready to play?? Come over, join us- you know you want to... all the cool kids are doing it!!! What? you say you aren't a cool kid??? WEll... .we can PRETEND! lol! just kidding!!!



ok- so quickly - some photos of my son- love these shots even if they are dark... let's just pretend they are "warm!" Yeah, that's the ticket!! lol!

This card is created by Amy Rysavy. This gal has more galleries at more places than you can imagine!! She has one at Inky Antics and another at All That Scraps. She is also a designer for Gina K Each one of these sites has talented artists! You really should drop by Amy's blog to see her talents- she has many tutorials and explains her cards in great detail!

Keri Sereika aka Pink Lemonade shows off her talents in her galleries at Inky Antics where she is a moderator on the forum and at SCS You will find oooodles of work on her galleries to inspire your stamping whimsy!! I also love her gallery on her blog for Gina K grouping!

So.. let's pretend I had a lot of time to make cards to post here....
and let's pretend I have a lot of time to work my PSE2...
and let's pretend I got allll the laundry sorted, washed, folded and put away.....
and let's pretend I got to ride my girl today...

freebies and giveaways... had to tell you what I found!

PrismaColor Giveaway

Act Of Kindness

CK download

FRAK Friday

SU! blogger lottery tomorrow the information will be revealed :)

Inkastamp Blog Candy

Elsie's sketches

don't forget to link to the Craft Critique (it's in my sites to see -> )

brushes (donations accepted)

so many ideas!

For a little one'sirthday bash Would this not be the cuteset?
Queen V already has plans and you cross her path you'd be invited too! lol!
Polly Pocket
Pizza
Cupcakes
NO boys

I think Sarah has the best ideas! So since she is so groovy I thought I would share her card today! It's reminicent of cards we gave as kids but with her own twist- she made it into a little book! She is so sweet and giving of her talents- and she has many. You can find lots of tutorials for fun ideas for an adfult and a child- just now to find the time! lol! She once told me it was her ambition to have a giant shoebox swap for SCS. How fun would that be??? What is a shoebox swap you ask? Well, it's when a group of gals get together to stamp a set of cards. Prior to coming the individual creates one stamp as the example for her "shoebox." Inside said box are kits for all the other participants to copy that card! She will have collected the inks, stamps and cut out paper, ribbons and whatever else they want on the card... ool idea, huh? I would love to do this some day but since Mr T is stil nursing it's just not my time yet- maybe this fall :)

Yesterday wad a first.
I had my first Starbucks.
I think I have to go to confession it was so sinful!
Peppermint Mocha,
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm good!
Have you ever gone? What did you get???

After that I trotted down the street to a toystore with the wee ones and Mom. She - Mom- was having a blast!! Wait till you see what we got there- so many litte goodies for Easter baskets and Queen V's birthday! Next to that is a new store that sells cheese curds. I so love these and so do the kids! They don't quite squeak like the ones I found in Algoma, Wi. but they are as close as I can get! I got another cheese at this store the other day- apricot stilton- blech! We threw it away! Then into the car and down the highway... to get....

A NEW CAMERA!!!

Can you stand it???!!!? Pinch me!Pinch me! It didn't really hit me until I almost peed in my pants- not really - just an expression! After playing with it last night I have come to the conclusion that I am a blithering idiot!!! lol! It will take some time, practice and rereading the manual several times before mastery- but what a fun time, huh?

obsessions

My friend, Twistedsoda, is asking about obsessions.. what do we obsess about?
being late for my dd's school
learning digi
a new camera... still don't have one and it drives me nuts
selling on ebay.. gotta get the nerve to put myself out there
being heard... not letting others tromp on me (it happened 2 times this past weekend)
having a presentable home
spending enough time with my kids

As I looked on the fridge tonight while gathering things to pull together for dinner I saw pics of my dd when she was 18 mo, 24 mo and right before she started kindergarten... I remember taking that 18 mo pic like it was last night!! I wondered then what would her life be like in a few years... highschool... college.. and now I DON'T obsess about that- I want to savor each moment that I have with the kids I want to read with them, color with them, swing with them, talk and listen to them.... When my kids ask me to push it's all too easy to say no, not now.. when a push is what is really needed... dust bunnies will still be there- you know??? leftovers are fine and we really don't need placemats for every meal :) She can read now and is reading BlueBerries for Sal to impress her daddy for Valentine's. It used to be one of his favorite books when he was a boy and I found it at the library!!! How exciting... I want to savor the NOW ... I obsess about that I guess... savoring the NOW... and not worrying what the future may hold... I know the future makes her sprout her wings and fly away...
the other 2 are catching up fast... in their own way..

I obsess about being there for them.. I think it's a good obsession right now- don't you?

How about another fab Valentine??

This one is created by
Michelle Laycock She is a true ink artist!! details, details, it's in the details- from the different color inks, to embossing, to glitter, hemp, beads and eyelets- this card has it all!! Her blog is amazing and she has been doing it for so long. Like Sarah Moore stated in her blog about Michelle- it would take a good long while to sift through the files Michelle has!! Go check out her files and see what goodie you can pick up and try!

sketches and Valentine Cards

soooo I woke with yet another migraine... hope when the next babe comes it will take away my migraines... they really are a pain! I think I found the stuff I used to use from China. A guy I used to tutor while in college- I needed him for my linguistics courses and he needed me to decipher his work for his disertation- gave me some stuff that worked like a charm! A new store went in the next town over and they carry this stuff.. now to actually buy it when I go there again! duh.. I just keep hoping they will go away magically!!!

I created a sketch for The Shaker Box and am pretty proud of it.. Now it's no Jessic Sprague but hey, I am not complaining! I think I finally understand the layers thing- just watch it all change into something so bizarre I'll never catch up!! I do have one question... how do I open up a zip file... I have all these wonderful digi kits I have downloaded for free but for the life of me can't unzip them...
Well, anyway, we have a February challenge to come play- stampers, digi and paper alike!!! I did have a good time with the computer adding things to my scanned in sketch... lol! I wouldn't have been able to do it if it were not for Jessica's Photoshop Friday I love having a quick lesson on something- she showed where to find SHAPES for thing.. there are so many!! love that!

Today's image (up above) is brought to you via that wonderful swap that Sarah & The Stampstars created!!! It was made by Denise Foxworthy. Her blog is so great- I found "Organizing Junkie" I can't find her site right now... will have to post later. But let me tell you it is good! Anway, back to Denise- her cards in her
gallery are simple in design but when you start looking you see the beauty in her simplicity- love that! It's the little touches that make it worthwhile!!
You have to go visit her blog to find out what she is up to- she has a lot of interests and I bet one of them is one of yours!

I did get some pics of my kids today... Lady G, Queen V, Mr T and my old lady, YoYo... they all look so sweet together!!! I will have to post tomorrow.
Gotta go scrap before I forget how!

silliness, stamping, photoshop, and BOYS

a little conversation with Queen V yesterday..
picture this:
we're in the van coming home from Burger King where we met the other mama's we hang with
Mr. T is asleep in his carseat because of going to "bounce time" at the library prior to this field trip
Queen V: mama, I kissed a boy!
me: huh?
Queen V: I kissed a boy!
me: where?
Queen V: on the forehead!
me: where were you when you kissed the boy?
Queen V: in the tunnel
me: Why did you kiss the boy? (makes me hear the song from Little Mermaid)
Queen V: because I like boys!
me: ok.. you can like boys but why kiss them??
Queen V: because I love to kiss them!
me: almost wrecking the van by now... ummmmm where do I go from here.. searching my brain... uhmmmmmm
I mean, what do I say? she is not even in school yet!!!
did I mention this is a friend's son..... he is homeschooled.... uhhhhhhhhhhh

so tonight at church I discuss this little show of affection with my friend... looks like we'll be drinking margaritas and dirty martinis- whatever they are- they are my friend's favorite... lol! soooooo now what???

My friend goes to talk to Queen V and asks her what was up... she puts one shoulder up and has a coy smile.. lol!
oh boy!! AM I EVER IN TROUBLE! LOL



this card is by
Cindy Lou Who What a talented stamper she is!!! If you haven't been to her blog she gives away FREE blog candy every Friday!!! Who doesn't like FREE??? lol! All you have to do is sign up and see if she draws your name. I got the first ever blog candy she made- and those petals for the flower- she made them with the extra rubbah you have when cutting out unmounted stamps- gotta love a girl on a mission!! This card glitters so much with all the dimension she added!!! If you haven't joined in on her FRAKs as she calls them then you are definitely missing out!!! She is also having a tutorial on her word phrases she uses and how she does it - makes it look so smoooooooooooth! lol! Her tutorial is accompanied by a deal on getting these cute little stamps.. seems she knows somebody that knows somebody.. lol! If you get a chance to look at her gallery it TOTALLY cracks me up! She has a quick wit about her!

I joined an image swap by her and I can't wait to see what all I get back! Several of the girls are using Bella Stamps. I can't wait to get some images of these gals! lol! So fun and sweet!!! I will have to find some sassy sayings to go with them!! Now... for me.. I have to figure out what to stamp for these gals... I am leaning toward Spring things.. I jump from image to image- it will all be a surprise.. hope Cindy doesn't mind... lol!

So from RAKS to stamps to Photoshop...
I went to Jessic Sprague's blog and wanted to look up some ideas to use for my photos. I love her style!!! Anyway, if you know me from The Shaker Box you know I am longing to learn about PSE2 and digi scrapping.... more of nursing babes sucking out my braincells.. I swear when I taught history and ESL I showed my kids how to do presentations using all this stuff and now.. kaput... nada... nothin' registering upstairs... until I found Jessica and now my new digi friend Verna. I have learned so much in the last few days following their lead.. lovely!!! ***clap like Paula Abdul*** lol! Such clean cut descriptive directions.. and when I posted on Jessica's blog a question refering to not being able to do something she walked me through it where I *could* figure it out!! yipee!! She will update her blog now with the little adendum to help out others in my perdicament!! Yea, Jessica! Yea, me! lol!

and last but not least... an SCS Valentine Blog!!!


I love what Amanda Sewell did with this card- really adult!! The lips change from red to black when going from one layer to the next- gotta remember to do something like this- take a stamp and just change the color from one layer to the next.. What a simple thing but it makes it stunning!! love that! You have to stop by her blog Inkspirations and check out her creativity!! From recipes to family to her card making - it is so fresh and inviting!! like going to a friend's for a cup of sugar! lol!

Alora Sweetser... her name says it all- doesn't it?
get a load of her FRESH card!

the colors are yumm-o!!
it's all in the details, I tell ya!! Alora stamped the background in a monochromatic color and then layered it on from there! I *love* her watercoloring and how well she blends- awesomw! Good things come in 3s: faux stitching, dotted ribbonm and the barads- all these elements keep your eyes flowing! The sweet little stamped "valentine" is just the right touch. It's not your ordinary Valentine... it's for sure special!
Her gallery is full of inspiration and she curls her images to give dimension!
I love dimension on images and my scrappy friend Jeanne does phenomenal work like this. I first saw this curling of objects in an Aussie site and fell in love! I need to get on the ball and do it too!

cards and cocoa

ice
snow
freezing rain
blue gray clouds
smiles and open mouths


we've seen it all today... sounds like a good day for my homemade hot chocolate!!
here is the recipe:
1/2 c cocoa
1 can of Borden's Sweetened Condensed milk
1/8 t salt (I use sea salt in everything calling for salt!)
1-2 t vanilla (if you can get Mexican vanilla it is delicious and so close to a vanilla bean!)
stir these in a pot and then slowly add 6 cups of hot water.
do not boil this mixture- just get warm and steamy...
top with a marshmallow or even better is some whipped cream :) delish!

here is my update on the Valentine Swap at SCS.

This wonderful art is created by Stampin' Terri
This card has so much dimention to it - unreal! To get this as a Valentine's Card would be a real treat! I showed it to a friend of mine and even she mentioned the silver embossing going around one of hte hearts- you have to see it and feel it- so much texture!! I once taught a boy who was blind- I had to convert all my history notes to braile for him. This card has so much going on and every layer has something to offer the sense of touch!!! Go ahead, the next time you get a card close your eyes and touch it.. does it strike that sense in you?? where you know it's special?? This would be the card I would give Michael. He could feel all the time and talent put into it!
Materials she used for this card are: Fancy and Flexible Phrases, Wild Hearts, Loving Hearts; Paper:Shimmery White (which has a texture to it too!) Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Silver Metalic; Ink: Craft White, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Taken with Teal, Uniball White Gel Pen; Accessories: Silver Metalic Brads, silver cord, rose grosgrain ribbon, winter white EP, silver EP, Microbeads(what a texture these have and make a great shimmer!), chipboard hearts- provide great dimension!
I'm impressed- are you?? Go over to her site and check her out!!!

I gotta crash... the kids have been hopping all day... here's one more I did for another shaker swap... enjoy!

shaking out the cobwebs!

yep, I finally figured it out.. I made a watermark into a brush..
it took 3 scrappy/stampy websites to figure it out for all the cobwebs in my brain.
I commented on Gina K's blog that it was either lack of sleep, kids running around or how much they nursed...
sucked the brain cells right out of me!! lol!
I hopped from The Shaker Box where the owner, Michele C., gave me her input (thanks, girlie!) to Two Peas in a Bucket to SCS to figure out what I was doing right and wrong! whew- finally figured it out!!! and in the mean time not only did I figure out how to make a watermark but created a brush!!! Have you see how fun those things are? If you are a digiscrapper it is so cool!!! I've seen Rhonna Ferrer use them on her things- lovely!!! (I am so envious of digiscrappers... it seems to fast to me.. make a mistake- no worries "control z" that baby outa there! lol!

Anyway, I hope to make a "class" at The Shaker Box on how to create a watermark and a brush. It really is easy and fun to do!! It's a brave new world when I shake out a cobweb or 2! lol!

So.
onto posting a swap I was in at SplitcoastStampers! Sarah had a fabulous idea about creating a Valentine's swap just for bloggers! How cool is that?? The idea was that we would create the cards, send them to her, she would swap them out and send them back to us. We had 12 in the group - it might seem like a lot but when I got into the grove of it I had a great time and had a ball working with my new stamps! (more on that in a minute) Anyway, so we each got one card from all the other players- love this- we get to see someone else's creativity and share in their excitement!! The catch to this special swap was to post all the cards on our blog and a link to that person's blog- great idea, huh??? I LOVE It!

Without further a do... here is the first card I want to share:

I used DeNami Design Stamps and American Crafts paper. The ribbon I have had in my stash for quite some time. The heart and cupid are both on foam tape and have also been colored with PrismaColors and then blended using Gamsol and stumps. It did take some time but it was all worth it. I had first stamped the cupid and then masked him off and stamped the heart around it....and then followed it up by restamping the cupid and using foam tape to pop it up again! I love the pink tushy it has! lol! The wings are covered in glitter glue just for that extra sparkle! gotta love glitter glue!


This second image is by Stamperosity. I think her style is clean and simple.. I love checking out what she has come up with lately... did you see what she got for Christmas for taking photos??? really an awesome set up! gotta love that! Do you know when you see a card from far off and there it is- the one that stands out because of the unexpected?? This is the card- the unexpected is the teal blue- really striking in a Valentine!!! The textures of this card are super in that Lynn used glitter, embossing, lots of layers, and 2 types of ribbon- lucious!
here is her recipe for success:
technique (thanks for doing this one- I had never seen it in person!) alchohol Polished Stone, Heat Embossing
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Glossy CS, Temping Turquoise, DS PP/Loves Me
In: Craft Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Real Red
Misc: rubbing alcohol, embossing powder, stickles, ribbon, dimensionals
Stamps: Noteworthy, Double Line Doodle, Floral

font crazy!!!

I've gone dog-gone font crazy!!! I love a good font and have been saving them in a folder to place in the word section.. just don;t know how to do it and use it. Anyone have any good tutrial for me to follow???

font siites I am haunting :)

Da Fonts
Search Free Fonts
!Simply The Best


I have a ton to do today and need to drop by The Shaker Box and post today's challenge. I think it will be an art challenge today.... won't you join us??? Jas, you know you have spare time to play with scissors and glue :) lol

I can't seem to add an image this morning.. .so I will have to do it later this afternoon :)
Have a great day!

watermarks...

oh.. I have been looking alllll over the net trying to learn how to do a decent watermark on my things... and on the Blogger's Valentine Swap...
there are so many ways to do it and I don't have all the right stuff on my computer to make it work so I am coming up with things on my own- go figure...

I hope to learn how to "make my own brush" and even apply it on a batch of images... will wonders never cease... I have brain cells that actually work and make a connection on a synapse! lol!

dd had her 100th day of school today... She did such a great job

power outs and restarts

where to start.... power out again on Sunday took out the computer and before that a user error screwed up the blog.....

ever been in church, a restaurant, or somewhere you are to be composed.. a child SCREAMS... you look around to ask, "where is this child's mother????" Only to realize it's YOUR child?? LOL! yep, user error.. lol! Seriously, I do this when one of my angels acts up- totally takes the eyes off of an embarrasing moment only to lighten the mood of the moment :)

found a cool site this eveninh and thought I would share: Color Blender I just love sites that help a little like that! How coolis this person to have set that up- all so colors would blend!!

A little Bit about me

I was tagged by Lula's Corner so here I am getting ready to share a little bit of me with you.. others I tagged are either family or friends :) enjoy!
A - Available or Single: Neither; been married for 15 1/2 years
B - Best Friend: My Husband, Jeff... best girlfriend would be Jeanine
C - Cake or Pie: this is tough.. depends on who is making it...and where it's from
D - Drink of Choice: Non-Alcoholic (Diet Coke with Lime) Alcoholic (Sangria or Gin & Tonic if Mom is making)
E - Essential item you use everyday: my car
F - Favorite Color: depends on my mood but I do prefer reds and yellows
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Gummy Bears
H - Hometown: Memphis, Tn
I - Indulgence: chocolates
J - January or February: January- it's a great beginning, a fresh start
K - Kids & Names: Lady G, Queen V, Mr. T
L - Life is incomplete without?: faith
M - Marriage Date: June 6 (D day)
N - Number of Siblings: 3
O - Oranges or Apples: Apples; Honey Crisp are THE best
P - Phobias or Fears: being attacked, having my kids missing
Q - Fave Quote: (I said this over and over while in labor with all 3 kids) I can do all things through Christ (don't ask me where in the Bible it is.. I have no idea. lol)
R - Reason to Smile: my family, my faith, my hope
S - Season: each one brings excitement to my world!
T - Tag 3 or 4 People: inkastamp
Dancing Queen Jeanine
my crazy sister
Jeanne
Sarah and the Stampstars
U - Unknown fact about me: I wanted to not go to college but teach windsurfing instead and go on the surfing circuit as a semi-pro and then pro
V - Vegetable you don't like: Peas
W - Worst Habit: procrastination
X - X-rays: chest for plurisy and a broken ankle I got when dancing in college
Y - Your Fav Food: Mom's rice, monocotti and cheesecake, paella, fresh sangria, tortilla de papas
Z - Zodiac Sign: Libra

snow... lovely... white... snow!

oh, how I love snow!!! The day is so calm.....
I love to walk outside.. be the first one to walk in the solitude...
It is something close to being on the shores of Lake Michigan for me...
I think I was born in the wrong place... live in the wrong place... lol!

at the beginning of the week I listened to the crackle of the limbs as they hung with ice
today I walked listening to the scrunch the snow made under my boots and then
stood silent
only to hear
nothing
silence
not even a whisper
quite
gentle
snowflakes
landing on my coat

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh sweet silence...
after my blog of blessings I slept better.... rested... fulfilled knowing I have blessings beyond my wildest dreams!!! and then all to be snuggled under a light blanket of snow.
just lovely!

Mr. T put on his first pair of shoes today.. yep.. first pair- I struggled, he giggled... and we finally got a pair of shoes on. First pair of shoes and he goes for a walk in snow... how great is that???
Queen V stuck her tongue out gathering snowflakes.
Lady G picked berries and hit trees with a stick to see if more snow would fall.
Just a lovely morning!!! How great a blessing is this??? just the best!

We have a driveby snowman... yep, we didn't build it... someone else did... it's at the top of the driveway. I'll add pics later... they got orange sidewalk chalk from where the kids left it for the nose and then rocks for the eyes!

chores to blessings

overwhelmed...

housework

ebay

more housework

spending time with kids

not being frustrated...

how do you handle it? what comes first? I think sometimes if I make a list it will be accomplished...
if I do the 15 min thing it will get done..

why can't we have a genie in a bottle every once in a while to make even one measely wish or chore come true...

why can't we wrinkle our noses and have it all great like in Bewitched???

I DO have faith.. if you read my blog you know I am full of faith... but just the mundane chores to disappear if given half a chance I would do!!! lol!

I did...

I prayed for runny noses... rubbing against me.. ok.. .maybe not that but you get the pic...

I prayed for extra loads of laundry...

I prayed for having to find a menu that will work for more than just me and dh...

I prayed for no hair do days... more like "hair don't days"

I prayed for toys strewn across the floor...

I prayed for snuggles...

I wished, I prayed..... I even wrinkled my nose a time or two...

so why do I feel overwhelmed???

because of all these blessings....

whew- journaling is a good thing- don't you think??? you get it out in the open... and then figure it out... it's all a blessing that is all across my floor... in the hamper... on the counters... outside by the sandbox..... it's all a blessing...

I am so glad I am so blessed... I remember nights and days of tears hoping for these blessings...

as I tried to explain my sense of overwhelming thoughts to my dh I explained my desire to have yet another baby... yep, amidst this chaos... amidst all these blessings.....

**angel above was stamped in Stazon, colored with Prismacolor pencils (my Christmas present from my dh) and then I used Gamsol (odorless mineral spirits) and a stump. I think she turned out really well... I will take her and make a card for a friend. She always sends the kids things in the mail... she told me she keeps all the handmade cards I send her. Sweet. She collects fairies but I was in the mood for an angel for her. I have stories of angels and will some day blog about that too. Probably in February. **

anddddddddddddddd she's back!!!

finally, I got my computer (thanks, sweetie!)

I snuck into my blog via Twistedsoda (thanks, Michelle! enjoy your vacation!)

my son is running around the house with toilet paper... little did he know I would squash his fun by stepping on the roll... yep, he went around the breakfast room, through the kitchen, in the dining room and now the study... he looked behind him and the roll had stopped...

where did it go?

he sees the stream of white behind him

retraces his steps...

nope, no roll.. why not?? he was rounding the corner into the frontroom to make the loop...

retracing again.... (I'm impressed at this point)

he throws his hands up in disgust... only to go back to the breakfast room..

my dd calls me to come see what he is up to now...

he is throwing pieces of toilet paper around... at least it's not wet!!! hahahahah

cards to come!

I joined a swap at www.splitcoaststampers.com and have had a ball with them.. I used DeNami stamps... I can't show you until the big reveal... in a few days... but will share other creations I have made since my computer was on the fritz ;)

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!"