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MY FRIEND SHARLI IS ENGAGED!!

2011-05-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

Congratulations my friend. Sharli is a fellow Close To My Heart consultant and she is now engaged and planning a December wedding. I hope she doesn't mind me borrowing the pictures she posted. I am just so excited about this. She is the sweetest person and you can tell just by reading her blog, but she is now so happy it just oozes from her words.

I am excited as we watch this unfold and see more and more of Steve as they get nearer to the wedding date. Be happy my friend and the best to you as always. Namaste! (Sharli is the one on the left in red...Lady In Red)

Isn't her ring and those nicely manicured nails just perfect together. HUGS SHARLI!!!

Mojo Monday 183

2011-03-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

The Mojo Monday Sketch 183 just screamed baby card to me. Of course, I am thinking baby card because my daughter is expecting a little girl in August and it is our first granddaughter.

This card is made with that in mind. I used the special paper packet from Close To My Heart that was a one time purchase called "Tickled Pink". I thought the two items went together really well, as all I have left of it are scraps and what better way to use them than a card.

I used Creme Brulee and Tulip Ink Pads, Bubblegum Watercolor Pencil, Moonstruck Marker, Creme Brulee Butterfly from Just Blooms Spring Blossom packet. Used stash white very narrow ribbon, I believe I purchased it from Michael's...not sure at all. Been a long time since I used it.

Enjoy the card please, as much as I enjoyed making it today. Have a blessed day and will see you all tomorrow for the next card challenge.

My Play List Gone

2011-03-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

I recently read on a bulletin board that quite a few people don't like music playing on blogs when they are trying to read. They prefer their own music and can't turn off the music if they don't want to hear it. It also bogs down their internet and makes it hard to load so they can read.

With this in mind, I have deleted my playlist of Glee songs that I enjoy so much so that other people don't have to listed to them. I guess if I want to listen to them will have to create my own little blog for music only LOL...just kidding. I was trying to make it a pleasant place to visit and provide music too.

Anyway, sorry if I ticked anyone off because of my music choices and choosing to put them on my blog. Thank you for my followers and hanging in there with me and my experimenting with things for my blog content.

Talk to you later on today and will be catching up real soon on my 365 project. I do have pictures but haven't posted them in a while. We moved and am still unpacking so will be up and running again very soon.

Hugs and have a blessed Sunday. Hugs!!

Ultrasound of New Granddaughter!!

2011-03-11T17:04:00.001-08:00

We know what the middle name is going to be, but they don't have a first name yet. She is using my mother's middle name as the baby's middle name...Adell. I just wonder if my mother would remember this if I told her what Melinda will be doing.

My mother has alzheimers and in a facility dealing with alzheimers. I will call them tomorrow or the next day and ask them then maybe make the display album um to send to her and they can look over them with her or my brother can. Not sure how to approach this but will be putting labels on each picture so she will at least know who it is when she looks at the picture.

We hope to be going to California for the birth :D She is due August 4th, but she said today that she is 19 weeks. My husband says it will probably be July when she is born. We will see LOL.

Thanks all for indulging this proud grandma. Hugs all until later.

I Have Great News This Time!!!

2011-03-09T19:08:00.000-08:00

We have finally gotten moved and are VERY happy with the new place. We moved into a 2 Bedroom 2 Bath house and it is like a log cabin interior as you can see from the picture. Still unpacking and getting things put away, but all in all we are happy.

Also, our daughter called us tonight and informed us that we are going to be Grandparents again in August...this time a GRANDDAUGHTER!!

We are so happy about that and we are at this time planning to be there for the birth. Big brother Tyler will be 10 in October, Kolby will be 6 in April. They are very happy to have a sister and God help the guys that want to date her LOL.

I haven't posted in a while so have to get caught up very soon as I am still unpacking my card/scrapbooking items. My friend is going to have me do some tri-fold brochures for her beauty salon and I will be getting my hair done for free...she is like that and will be doing about 3 of them.

One of them will be a handout for the schools on what needs to be done should your child get lice at school and you know that someone will some time during the year and it doesn't have to be expensive to clear up either. The tri-fold will help explain what has to be done with the least amount of cost. Helpful in this economy.

Just thought I would update everyone. The baby album for our friends has been completed and now just needs to be sent to them very soon.

Thank you all for your prayers and support for their loss. Hugs everyone and I will be posting more very soon...off to do more unpacking!!

Sad News

2011-02-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

Our friends that live in Maryland and expecting a little girl in April, just lost the baby. The umbilical cord got twisted and hardened and the baby died in the womb.

Baby Shelby Aramina we will miss you. They have a picture of her after they did the C-Section on the mother. She was such a beautiful little girl.

I ask for your prayers for the family and for the other children as they deal with their little girls and little sisters death. They are going to cremate the baby.

We love you guys and want you to take all the time you need to heal and be with your family right now. Hugs from us here in Washington. Our prayers and love are with you and your family.

GO STEELERS GO STEELERS GO STEELERS!!

2011-02-06T11:36:00.000-08:00

My husband and I are Steelers fans...can you tell? He used to live in that area and has been a fan for years through thick and thin. Has one of the original TERRIBLE TOWELS.

Have a wonderful day and dond't get too stuff on gameday food. We are fixing beef stew from scratch, vegetable tray, a meat and cheese plate that we are doing ourselves and some Diet Pepsi, Milk, and a bottle of the local Wesport Winery Little Blackberry wine hehe...can't get too haavy today.

Have fun today and have a blessed day and I will be back later with some more posts...must catch up with the 365 project AND my scrapbook layouts.

Day 33--365 Project

2011-02-02T14:43:00.000-08:00

This is my friend PJ's salon and she is giving a lady a pedicure. I was waiting for my manicure and we just wait till everyone else is done and we enjoy ourselves hehe. I need to get in there for a pedicure soon.

This lady reminds me so much of Flo in the Progressive commercials. Some of the things she says and how she says it just fits perfectly. She is my best friend and soon we will live upstairs in an apartment that her landlord has and will be able to hang out with her more.

I hear a movie night maybe Friday or Saturday coming up :D

Have a wonderful rest of the day. We are enjoying sunshine for the first time in a while. Great and beautiful day. God bless all!!

Day 32--365 Project

2011-02-02T14:25:00.000-08:00

This is my husband and I waiting for our Coffee Saturday morning. Most places have Starbuck's but Westport has Cap'n Jacks. They have a coffee named after the owner. I don't know what is in it exactly, but I order the largest they have double shot Dirty Debbie. It is yummy.

My husband is diabetic so he gets an Americano with cream. Great cups of coffee and they don't cost an arm and a leg. We both get 2 large coffee's for $5.00 and maybe some change. Ok Washington likes their coffee. hehe

Have a blessed day and a wonderful rest of the week.

Day 31--365 Project

2011-02-02T13:54:00.001-08:00

Here is the pull tab house that he built from the $2.50 pull tabs we got...the $0.50 was the roof LOL. Just thought that the food was taking too long if this is what happens when it does hehe.

Just have a fun good look and enjoy the rest of your day...have a blessed afternoon.

Day 30--365 Project

2011-02-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

This picture is funny. We took the computer tech that my husband works with to lunch and my husband asked for 4 quarters. He came back with pull tabs. Of course, we didn't win and with waiting time for the lunch, he became bored so he went to get some pull tabs.

He didn't win either sod so piled the losing pull tabs on the table. We had fun just messing around and eating lunch and just good company.

Have a great day and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts hehe. Well the sun is shining here for a change. I LOVE IT!! Have a blessed day.

Day 29--365 Project

2011-02-02T12:38:00.000-08:00

As you can tell from the picture, there is a boat unloading its catch. I think a call goes out to all the nearby seagulls to COME AND GET IT! LOL but I wanted a picture of all the birds flying around because there were A LOT of birds. The car comes home looking like it has been in a garbage fight after a day like this hehe.

The skies are gray and my husband says it it like that a lot around here that is why it is called Grays Harbor County LOL. He may be right to a degree, but I don't think that is it although I have never researched it. Seems good in theory anyway.

Have a great day and enjoy yourself...hugs!!

Day 28--365 Project

2011-02-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

This is a going away luncheon for this lady that worked with my husband. When we all get together for lunch, it is at the Mexican Restaurant in town. Pretty good food now that it is under new management.

We all enjoyed ourselves and she is loving her new job. That is my husband sitting next to her that day. We had fun just talking about stuff and then I went back home.

Have a great day and a blessed one...hugs!!

Day 28--365 Project

2011-02-02T12:05:00.000-08:00

Today is my mother's birthday, and I wanted to post a picture. The picture does not look like my mother. I cried when I got it from my borhter because of so many memories she has lost because of Alzheirmers.

I will just blog today but will post a picture later for today, but this is the blog post fot today truly. I love my mother so much and feel guilty that I am not there to help out and go see her when no one else would. My dad is 88 years old and my mom is 85 and on February 3 they celebrate 66 years of wedded bliss.

It is going to be so hard on my Dad. He misses my mom so much but so much more on their anniversary and her not being there to sleep with him. He cries and it is at that point that it is so hard for me to talk to him on the phone because I just want to hop in the car and go over there. Kind of hard though since they are in Arkansas and we are in Washington. I just feel bad knowing they are there and I am here.

I will be calling my dad on the 3rd and wishing him a happy anniversary. I am not sure if I can talk to my mother or not, but I will also try that.

Have a blessed day and be sure you tell your family you love them. Hugs!!

Day 27--365 Project

2011-02-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of our favorite band Ockham's Razor and another band playing at Galway Bay Irish Pub in Ocean Shores, WA. We try to make the 1 hour trip once a month, but of late haven't gone much because of funds and helping out with family. We really like the area and would like to live there. More going on there on a regular basis.

They said that they are an Irish Rock Band, but know that they are a fun band to listen to for sure.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day. God bless!!

Day 26--365 Project

2011-02-02T01:20:00.000-08:00

I thought with St Patrick's Day not too far off I would show you a few pictures from Galway Bay on our last vicit there. We will probably have to make reservations for March 17 before long if we are going. Since we will be moving March 1, might be kind of tired, but who knows.

I love taking pictures, can you tell? I would love to be a photographer I think, but not sure how to go about selling my pictures. It would be so much fun. I have to look into submitting some photos into the Photographers show in Ocean Shores, WA that they have annually. I have some beautiful shots taken on the beach there and it is all about nature if I remember right. It is definitely Ocean Shores pictures that they want I know. I shall have to look into it as they have to be pretty big to be on display there and see how much it would cost. Wouldn't that be a hoot to do.

Ok everyone, I will do more posting later today. Time for this chickie to be in bed. Hugs all and have a blessed day.

Day 25--365 Project

2011-02-02T01:17:00.001-08:00

This is a picture of my friend's shop after all the customers had gone home. Pet friendly and this was such a friendly pooch hehe. Just wanted to play and give your hand doggy kisses. I told him my cat wouldn't understand LOL.

Anyway, I thought this little guy was just too cute not to take a picture. Enjoy your day and may it be blessed.

Dat 24 -- 365 Project

2011-02-02T01:11:00.001-08:00

This is a band playing at Galway Bay Irish Pub in Ocean Shores, WA. They have live Irish music every Friday and Saturday nights. We follow a few of them, but our favorite is going to be there on St. Patrick's day.

We have fun when we go there because the owner knows us now, and the bands that we follow know us too. It makes for a fun evening and a great date night event. We are getting ready to move right now, so we are not going too many places. I and my husband also have dentist appointments, so not doing too much traveling at this point.

Have a great day and if you see someone not smiling, give them one of yours!! God Bless You!!

Day 23 -- 365 Project

2011-02-02T01:02:00.000-08:00

This is our son James and his girlfriend/fiance Valerie. They are so cute together and I love to take their picture. We miss them when they go home and try to get to California but right now it's not happening because of various things going on.

This was their trip to Washington and we had lots of fun while they were here and she made a couple of recipes that I want and will have to get them one day. Yummy lumpia and oh so good.

We love them and they call us from time to time and us them, but with her hours it is hard to figure out at times. She is a nurse and he is looking for a job I think, but he may have one by now...just can't get hold of them lately hehe. Busy beavers :D

Anyway, again have a wonderful day and Via Con Dios...go with God. Hugs!!

Day 22 -- 365 Project

2011-02-02T00:56:00.001-08:00

I know I haven't posted in a while, but like I said I still have pictures to post. They are varied in their oddities LOL. I love this picture of our cat Sundance. Christmas, I put this red throw over the coffee table. I don't have the heart to take it off now because he loves his naps on it LOL.

The thing is that he runs and jumps on it and creates a little fluffed up area for him to lay on and sleep. He spends several hours there and makes me sleepy just looking at him hehe. Anyway, lots of days to catch up on so will make them short for the time being. Can you tell we love our cat? Have a blessed night and day...hugs.

365 Cards-Day 328

2011-01-23T00:00:00.001-08:00

Today's word over at 365 Cards is HAPPY. I struggled over this one for part of the day as there are so many directions this could go. I wanted to do something different yet it looks like I went kind of with a trend. I used stamp set D1423 Happy Forever and Desert Sand, Blush, Sweet Leaf and Colonial White cardstock. I used Chocolate ink pad to stamp aaand waterbrush with. I also used the Blending Pen on the face hands and feet. I used Watercolor Pencils on the butterfly on the Hedgehogs nose and then picked up the same colors in the cardstock I used for the matting.

I really like the way the card turned out. All week long I have tried to keep up with the cards and this completes the week. I stuck with the clean and simple for the cards because I think that is my style. Doing the challenges takes me out of my comfort zone and stretches my creativity. Going to try to do this another week, but this week coming up I have a dentist appt and trying to pack and clean to move....who knows but I will give it the ole college try as they say.

Thanks everyone for a great time this week and I really appreciate your comments. See you later and have a blessed and happy Sunday!!

365 Cards -Day 327

2011-01-22T02:19:00.000-08:00

Today the word is LOVE over at 365 Cards. The inspirational words this week have sparked a clean and simple card experience for me. Since I am supposed to be moving at the end of the month...may not happen, but that is another story...I have tried to be simplistic and use up some of the items or use some items I haven't used before and wanted to.

This card is Cranberry and White Daisy. I used Cranberry cardstock, ribbon and ink, White Daisy cardstock dry embossed using a Fiskars Texture Plate-Lace on it. I love how this one turned out. Also, used a white gel pen for the faux stitching around the hearts.

I have enjoyed this week so much and the inspiration that all the people have evoked on their cards. Thanks Pam for a wonderful time in card creation this week.

Have a great weekend and God bless you all.

365 Cards-Day 326

2011-01-22T01:58:00.000-08:00

Todays word over at 365 Cards is PEACE. I thought about it for awhile and had a couple of ideas in mind. This cards idea is the fact that when I look at a bird in flight it represents peace. Peaceful travel on calm air and isn't that a meaning of peace...calm.

I used Heavenly Blue and Vineyard Berry on the card. It is simple yet conveys the message for the word of the day. Peace to you and yours and have a great weekend.

Day 21--365 Project

2011-01-22T01:42:00.000-08:00

This carved representation of a whale with a sea lion balanced on its nose is sitting outside of a restaurant where we had lunch today in Westport, WA. In the background is the Maritime Museum. Kind of appropriate I should say.

I had been in the restaurant many times and just today noticed what the actual image was. I knew there was something there just hadn't paid any attention. Knowing that I didn't have a good photo for today made me pay attention to it.

I really like it and the more I looked at it the more I liked it LOL. My husband really likes whales and wants to see one jump out of the ater or swim around somewhere around here but as yet hasn't done it. So just look around you no matter what it is and you think you have seen it lots of times. You may; not have really seen it if you know what I mean. Just like me you could be missing out on something wonderful. Enjoy your evening and day tomorrow. Hugs for a great and blessed weekend.

Day 20--365 Project

2011-01-20T23:29:00.000-08:00

Well today I show you another of the many resident wildlife in Westport, WA. They are around when there are fish being packed but not always the same time. My husband tells me when the sea lions are in the area and mooching off the boats. Of course, they can't feed them, but you know if something falls from the transfer line or from the boat no one is going to go get it LOL.

This BIG eater is going to get it for sure. I think he/she is the biggest one along the marina I have seen. He doesn't go hungry for sure. Enjoy and I will catch you all tomorrow. Hugs for a great and sunshiny (HOPEFUL) day tomorrow. God bless you all.

Day 19--365 Project

2011-01-20T23:20:00.000-08:00

Today I am featuring my WONDERFUL husband...Jerry. He is my best friend and we met on the internet. Yes, good things do happen on the internet. I talked to him a year and a half without any pictures or personal information being shared...they only thing he knew is that I was married and had 3 kids.

Today we are married now 10 years as of December 29 and we love each other more and more and know that we belong together. My kids call him Dad, well the boys do. Melinda had her real day with her until he died almost a year ago. She does not hestitate to ask his opinion or advice. She also knows that he loves her like his own.

This is my love and my best friend and I wouldn't have it any other way. God bless you all and have a wonderful evening...still have to catch up don't I. Hugs!!!

365 Cards-Day 325

2011-01-19T22:56:00.000-08:00

Oh I like today's word over at 365 Cards. Bliss=Happiness, Paradise, Heaven...yes, love the word. I knew exactly what stamp set I was going to use because I used it before and loved how it looked then and now.

The stamp set is C1310 Happiness, the colors are Sunflower, Topiary and Chocolate from Close To My Heart and on White Daisy cardstock. I faux stitched around the flower with Chocolate Watercolor Pencil, but didn't use any water. It is a one layer card and I think it coud be considered clean and simple.

This is an exciting week to try and keep up with as far as 365 Cards go. Inspirational words. It doesn't matter what part of the country or nation or world you are from, words of inspiration sparks creativity and enthusiasm in your heart. Great week to try and keep up. Want to do all 365 days this next round, and I hope we are moved by then so I can keep up more easily.

I have card bases already cut, scraps in my scrap drawer, punches in a small bin, stamps in their organizer and other things needed to make cards. I just have to get it all in one place soon.

Have a great evening and a great day tomorrow. Blessed rest for the weary and we will catch y'all later on. HUGS!!

365 Cards-Day 324

2011-01-19T01:37:00.000-08:00

I used Close To My Heart (CTMH) Dreams Come True D1470 stamp set, Vineyard Berry, Olive and Juniper Ink Pads and New England Ivy and Vineyard Berry Markers for distressing flower and leaf edges and faux stitching around card. This is for Day 324 of 365 Cards.

I really like the sentiment on the card too. "BELIEVE UNTIL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE"

I thought about this and it is almost like a pep rally, believe, believe and believe and you can see your dream of a better education or what ever your dream is come true.

Have a great day and I am going to bed. Hubby already there but I wanted to finish this card and get it posted so I only have the current one to complete today. Blessed dreams for a restful sleep. Later ya'll.

365 Cards-Day 323 & Color Chef Challenge #70

2011-01-18T21:35:00.000-08:00

I started out making this card for Kelly Jo's Color Chef Challenge, then discovered it would be pretty as the 365 Cards Day 323 challenge as well. I love the Serenity Prayer and it is the first thing I thought of for the word of the day on 365 Cards...WISDOM.

I used Close To My Heart Black cardstock and font CD as well as grosgrain white daisy ribbon and the pear colored back of one of the sheets from the Olivia paper packet. The butterfly I have had fro so long that I hope it stays stuck hehe.

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful evening.

Day 18--365 Project

2011-01-18T18:56:00.001-08:00

These are also residents of Westport, WA. They are visible somethimes but secluded most of the time. So when you can get pictures like this, you stop and take them. Traffic will wait or go around LOL because I am getting the picture.

We had one deer come up in our yard. The only thing left was to come inside and be introduced LOL. They are not afraid of people just skittish enough to stay safe I think.

Have a great night and enjoy yourself...do something good for you for a change..recharge!

Day 17--365 Project

2011-01-18T18:22:00.000-08:00

Stormy day in Westport, WA. I have told you that we are on the coast of Washington and as such have lots of different weather. You don't like the weather...wait a bit and it will change.

The businesses along the marina used to flood out every time there was a big storm and they did a summer renovation of the street running it one way and including a new drainage system. The true test has yet to occur but it will be tested this winter I am sure.

Thanks for looking and I have another day...today, to catch up with. Later all and have a great evening.

Day 16--365 Project

2011-01-18T17:03:00.001-08:00

The moving, culling, tossing, packing and cleaning has begun. We started going through all the bins we have in our storage bedroom here and have begun on cleaning and stacking bins and boxes.

The cat thinks it is a cue for him to start looking in all of these things as we go and we have to shoosh him away from them from time to time. We are just so happy to be moving to a place that is less money and they said having Sundance was no problem so it was a YES for us.

Thanks all for looking and I have to catch up my pictures it looks like. I am easily distracted and it shows by my catching up with the pictures LOL. Later all!!

365 Cards, Day 322-My Word is Friendship

2011-01-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

This is a card I made for 365 Cards for Day 322. Can't believe it is almost another year on 365. I was going to do the whole year in cards...didn't happen but I think the 365 Project will do for now.

I made this card from Close To My Hearts Olivia paper packet. and the stamp set C1361 Buttoned Together for the buttons and the Sentiment. I used Barn Red Marker and ink pad on the card as well. The idea for this week is to do the daily cards with words of inspiration as the jumping point for your card.

Today's words were Friendship (I chose this one), Focus, Courage, Strength, and Joy. I am inspired by the project and the cards so it was a great idea. So have a great day and I will see you later in the day for my 365 Project picture post...HUGS!!

Day 15--365 Project

2011-01-15T22:22:00.001-08:00

This was actually in our Doctor's examining room and again I knew no one would believe me so I HAD to take a picture. This is just one of those things that screams...TAKE A PICTURE!!

This is something you would think would be in Arkansas (sorry Mom & Dad), or West Virginia (sorry Mom and Honey), not in Westport, WA. It again was just too funny not to take a picture. My husband didn't see this and I knew he wouldn't believe it either LOL. Obviously this wasn't taken today but I had to get it on her for today as we were in the house all weekend. Hope you don't mind.

There are some strange things around here and I probably will be showing a good many of them to you in my project this year. Soon I will be just letting it go until we get moved, but I will continue to take pictures.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my project pictures. This has been so much fun so far and I just can't wait to see what tomorrow has to offer as far as the project goes. Have a great day and I will see you tomorrow.

Day 14--365 Project

2011-01-15T21:58:00.000-08:00

Ok have you ever seen something and words just couldn't explain so you HAD to take a picture. Well, this is one of them. One can only imagine a conversation going on ROFL.

I don't know if you can tell, but there is a dog in the back seat, a dog in the passenger seat and a dog in the drivers seat. My husband said you have got to take a picture because no one would believe this pose. Well, it isn't a pose but it sure looks like it.

"Hey Sam, what we gettin' at the store?"
"I don't know Ralph but I think we need food?"
"Yep, yep we need food."

LOL I just thought that the picture was just to cute to pass up...hope you like it. Besides, they knew they were in pictures right? hehe Have a great night!!

Day 13--365 Project

2011-01-15T21:51:00.000-08:00

Our stormy coast the last little while hasn't detered the seagulls from hovering around the boats when they come in. They know that there will be fish on board and maybe JUST maybe they will drop some for them LOL.

This is the outside area ov my husband's worksite. At the moment, he looks over this part of the marina and the back of his office. Soon he will be in an office with no windows because he is the accountant and they want security for what he does so they want to move his office. All he cares about is the safe and where it is located.

Enjoy and I will be posting to catch up. My days have gotten away from me even though i always take pictures, I just forget to post them. Have a great night and a wonderful day tomorrow.

Day 12--365 Project

2011-01-13T08:32:00.000-08:00

What a difference a day makes...to coin a phrase from a song. It is raining and windy and still somewhat cold. Not cold enough to freeze, but still cold in my book.

I really like the snow because it makes the outside of the house look soft and peaceful to look at. You know you want to grab a cuppa (Oz expression where my Brother lives) or some knitting or a good book, open the blinds and just be quiet and peaceful for awhile.

The Christmas tree looks like it moved a bit, but I am not surprised with the strength of the wind we have been having. I just hope that the trees in the ground are rooted very well as not to topple with the wind and wet ground.

Have a great day and I will be back later with another picture for today. This was yesterday's as I completely missed a day again. That happens when I take a nap early in the day...thats my story and I'm sticking to it!!

LOL have a great day everyone and thanks for stopping by!!

Day 11--365 Project

2011-01-11T19:39:00.000-08:00

Today I have 2 photos for you but the same scene 4 hours later. You will understand after viewing both pictures. The Top Photo is 4 hours after the 2nd photo. The photos loaded in reverse...will remember that for next time I have 2.

Funny thing about it, we were only supposed to get an inch of snow...we are coastal Washington state. I think by the time it ends it might be 2 inches, but 2 inches will throw people into a tizzy because they aren't used to it. I am loving it because my husband is less than 2 miles from work.

I was going to try to take my resume in to a local business and apply for a job, but don't know about travel conditions until in the morning. Supposed to rain after the snow is finished, but we will see about that in the morning because it is still way too cold for rain.

Thanks for keeping up with me and my 365 Project. I am loving it so far...don't know how I missed yesterday, but I did but posted the pic this morning.

Have a great night and keep it real!!

Day 10--365 Project

2011-01-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I missed a day posting, but I have a picture so here it is. This is a new business in town...it is a coffee shop/skateboard/comic store LOL. The ocean scenes are pictures hung on the wall. I couldn't believe how realistic they were in the picture, in person you can tell immediately, but the picture is a little wonder about it hehe.

We believe in supporting our local businesses when possible. Since it was new, my husband took me in for a mocha...my favorite hot or cold in summer...and we discrobered the other elements inside. There is a coffee stand called "Capt'n Jacks" that makes a definite good cup of coffee called a "Dirty Debbie" named after the owner. She fixed me my first one and it was love at first sip hehe. Also my friends favorite so when I am going into her shop I stop and get us both one :D

Have a great day and will be back up to speed a little later today. Looks cold out so will have to bundle up and go outside for today's picture. Have a great day!!

Day 9--365 Project

2011-01-09T23:51:00.000-08:00

It is going to be a harsh winter this year. At least that is what a lot of pelicans on land are supposed to mean. These pelicans were atop the line of the place where my husband works. I had never seen a pelican except for a zoo, but now I can't say that.

I also took a picture of a pelican that walked past my car while waiting on my husband one day, but it was dark outside and my flash just wouldn't reach the pelican and it didn't take without using the flash. This is what I have and hope you enjoy for today.

Hugs for a great night and see you tomorrow.

Day 8--365 Project

2011-01-08T18:55:00.000-08:00

We drove to Federal Way, WA today which is a 2 hour trip one way. I had to pick up my new IB's from my Upline. She showed me some cards made with the SOTM and they were awesome. I guess I have to break out my stamp set and get busy while everything is still out and accessible.

Anyway, we then headed over to a friend of ours duplex that lives in Puyallup, WA (pronounced Pew-allop) that we haven't seen for a while. She and husband of 6 months live there with 2 of her children who are leaving the nest soon. Well, within the next 6 months they will be gone probably...graduating and other endeavors.

She and her daughter dis something weird to their hair when they tried to lighten it and they both ended up with 2-3 colors and none of them what they wanted LOL...PJ got 2 customers for you hehe.

This is her dog Jewels. I couldn't believe that Lisa picked up my camera and the dog was still enough to take the picture. It was like a rat on acid she was bouncing around and off the furniture so fast LOL. At one point she jumped out of my arms and down onto the floor then up on the back of the couch so fast...what the??? hehe.

Have fun because I just had to put this picture on...my cat hasn't made any comments yet so might be upset with me...lol. Anyway everyone...enjoy your evening and I am starting the second week of this...so far so good :D

Day 7--365 Project

2011-01-07T20:57:00.001-08:00

This is our fur baby Sundance. At Christmas I put this red throw on the coffee table and he thinks that he owns it while it is on the table. He thinks it is there just for him to sleep on most of the time lol.

He also likes to sleep on my scrapbooking cart, and on a chair in the dining room. He just likes to sleep all over the house. We are moving and we asked the landlord if we could bring our cat. We aren't moving if we can't bring our cat and they said no problem at all for a cat.

We rescued Sundance from North Beach Paws in Ocean Shores, WA when he was about 9 months old. Now my husband just pronounces him a fat cat lol. Best of all he is our snooze buddy. Whenever we sit on the couch...he is right there beside me or on top of my husbands tummy. I sit on the couch and he lays next to me. My husband lays on the counch and he is on top of him lol.

When I go to the kitchen he wants a treat that I keep on top of the refrigerator. When my husband goes into the kitchen and starts opening a can...no matter what it is...he thinks it is tuna and starts the meowing prance around my husbands legs hehe...so funny.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a great weekend...more pictures later...HUGS!!

Day 6--365 Project

2011-01-06T23:17:00.000-08:00

I have a new favorite candle I think. I love to have candles burning at my desk that smell so good. Glade has a new candle (2 in 1-Moonlit Walk & Wandering Stream)...the smell is so fresh. I have another one but it is for later after this one is finished. The first smell burns off then there is a second one later. It is like two candles in one :)

I just want to get outside some, but the weather is not cooperating this week. The wind, rain, gray skies and cold. Just not your normal picture taking weather at all hehe. I hope to get some pictures of the outside of the house before we move. Maybe some sunshine will appear before then LOL.

Have a great day and blessed evening.

Day 5--365 Project

2011-01-05T20:58:00.000-08:00

Tonight was a totally girls night out type thing. I spent 3 hours chit chatting with my girlfriend in her salon, she had closed and was doing my nails, I bought us coffees from the local stand that she and I both really like (and its cheap $2.50). She always gets new stuff for nails and I am her guinea pig, also she just does my nails as a friend to keep in practice. She doesn't do nails, she does pedicures and manicures...mmm pedicure :D

Tonight she had some nail polish that said CRACK on it. It does like cracked glass or antiqueing in a way. She put on a white polish underneath then the red "crack" polish on top and when it cracked it looked awesome. She used my camera but not sure what the issue is but it came out a little blurry. Batteries might be going down...takes fuzzy pictures more often when they are going down.

I had fun and so did she...obviously we had fun when it took 3 hours to do something that only takes about an hour or hour and a half hehe. Gotta love a small town...sometimes. Have fun and LOVE YA PJ {{{HUGS}}}...I know she will be reading this later.

Have a blessed evening and remember...stop and smell the coffee.

Day 4--365 Project

2011-01-04T22:04:00.000-08:00

Ok, this has got to be a favorite meal of mine in the future. Hamburger with mayonnaise and cheese, and baked sweet potato fries....YUM!!

My husband is the cook in our family most of the time. I pitch in when he is playing online or he is running late sometimes. I also cook, but I seem to injure myself or drop something etc and he wants me to be safe as he puts it. I cooked one dish one time that he and my son didn't like too much but my daughter and I loved and now he says I can't cook LOL.

Anyway, he cooks and does a fantastic job at is so I don't worry about it till I have to LOL. The picture was taken on my desk that needs cleaning off badly. It will get cleaned off in the next month as we will be moving and need to get the living room and other rooms clean and tidy.

Until tomorrow friends when I hope to get outside and take some photos. It has been downright cold around here (for here) and they are expecting some snow maybe by Friday. We live on the coast and have only gotten snow one other time here since we have lived here two years. Take care everyone and have a blessed evening.

Day 3--365 Project

2011-01-03T23:19:00.000-08:00

Day 3 and all is well. Amy Liz Schultz first showed this wonderful product on her website and I hunted until I found them. There is also a Key Lime Pie as well. Can I just say THANK YOU!!

These two happen to be my favorite right now. Key Lime is ok too, but favorites has to be these two. They sure help with cravings late at night when you know that you shouldn't eat anything. Besides, they just taste good, are sugar free gums (my husband can chew them), and they are very low calorie.

My picture for today had to be these :D Thanks again for looking and reading. I will see what develops for tomorrow. God bless for a wonderful night and day tomorrow. Hugs!

Day 2--365 Project

2011-01-02T11:01:00.001-08:00

Well, today is Day 2 and this is a picture of the Yacht sitting in the marina by my husband's office. My husband said one time that if we won the Lottery that he might get one and I said no way, it money that would do better elsewhere because we would never use it. I am not a yacht person even if I could afford it.

Just a touch of elegance in a not so elegant city as Westport. This beauty was built in Westport, WA at the Westport Shipyard. Every few months we will see one of these nice boats in the marina. Sometimes we find out where its going but most of the time we don't. We thought the shipyard was going to close because they didn't have any more to build, but I guess they found work somewhere.

That is my picture for today. Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend and your Sunday. Hugs for a blessed day.

Day 1--365 Project

2011-01-01T17:39:00.000-08:00

I thought it only appropriate to show the beginning of the New Year on the stroke of 12.oo.01 toast hehe. Well, more than a toast and I had to drink the entire bottle by myself (oh darn). My husband is diabetic and I am the only one that drinks. Besides Champaign (sparkling wine) does not carry over well.

You cannot recork it. You can't let it sit and with no one to help you must drink it ;) hehe. This is the beginning of my 365 Project and the beginning of life as I see it via my camera lens this year. I will be posting all kinds of photos that just happened to be the one for the day. Sometimes 2 photo's depending on appropriateness to each other or that day.

Also today was the traditional food faire. Pork and sauerkraut, also black eyed peas. Tradional food for good luck and prosperity for the New Year. We wish everyone the best in the new year and I look forward to where my photo project will lead. God Bless you all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 2011

2011-01-01T01:14:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

I have been contemplating taking on a challenge from a fellow consultant regarding 365 project. I am going to try and do this. Instead of scrapbooking each day's photo, she said she blogged it because that way everyone could read and see what she saw during the year. I am going to try to do this for 2011.

My husband and I will be moving to an apartment (2 Bdrm) from a house (3 Bdrm) shortly. The new place is above my friends beauty salon and it has a sun room. So perfect for my scrapbook room says my husband. The sunroom has lots of room for all my supplies and my tables that I have spread out from the livingroom to the now not used scrapbook room.

This weekend we will be going through old clothes that are too small or too big and getting rid of them first. We think that this process will clear up some bings to put the rest of the stuff into and my friend said she had some pickup truks and strong men that can help us move when the time comes. I watch her salon when she goes on vacation and this will be perfect in location...no driving to do it.

There is no laundry room but the landlord owns the only town laundromat downstairs and I guess that is where we will do laundry. Gives me an opportunity once a week to visit and help out my friend in her salon. It will be cheaper and what was charged for in the house will be included in the rent for this place. Money saved and applied to another bill that needs paying desperately.

Later today I will begin my 365 project here on my blog and hope to keep it up all year long. I guess this is sort of my Julie & Julia project. I will endeavor to take at least one picture everyday of something that I have done, my husband has done, we laughed at, we cried over, we appreciate or just plain caught our attention that day for some reason.

I love to take pictures anyway. I got a new Kodak printer for Christmas, well almost Christmas and I think it will help me complete my Scrapbook Challenges and keep up with the cards etc that I want to do also. I may or may not decide to scrapbook these pictures, but at least they will be on here as a daily reminder of Gods grace and the daily miracle we call life.

Thank you for reading my blog and I really appreciate everyone of you. My husband and I celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary this past week and without money enough to do much we decided on a great meal at home. Shrimp Scampi and fettucini alfredo...mmmm it was yummy :D

Wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR and pray for you all that you will have the best year ever!! HUGS and much prayers for a blessed New Year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2010-12-26T01:22:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas all and a wonderful New Year. Hope your day was filled with family warm wishes and much needed rest and relaxation in the presence of family and friends.

Looking forward to a grand New Year with family and friends. I am so grateful for my husband and we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary this week. We met online and ultimately got together 12 years ago, but married 10 years ago.

I love him so much and look forward to another 10 years. We share some of the same things but our taste in movies differs quite a bit. However, we do watch most of them together like them or not, and then later we get the DVD and whoever gets to watch it when the other isn't home if the other doesn't enjoy it...compromise LOL.

Have a wonderful New Year and I will be back later in the week for some more posts I completed the last scrapbook challenge and need to post the pictures of it, once I get the pictures on the LO. I have new Christmas pictrues for it so maybe it will get done. I want to get each and every one done this coming year complete with Title, Journaling and Pictures. That is 52 x 2 or 104 pages from the scrapbook challenges AND more if I set my mind to it.

I was going to try and keep up with the 365 cards and SC challenges...but there are more that I want to do so will start out with 354 cards and maybe a Christmas card challenge or 2. Need cards for next year.

Hugs everyone for a blessed Christmas weekend and to a wonderful New Year!!

Thoughts on the Holidays

2010-11-29T07:21:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to post something I have been pondering the last few days. Of course, it was after my husband made a comment this morning and that got me to thinking some...yes it hurt LOL.

My husband and I have been going through some financial difficulties the last few months...the last year if the truth be known. My husband loves helping other people and I do too, and right now we can't do that and it is breaking my husbands heart.

I have been out of work for quite some time...going on 3 years now and every time I go in for an interview it is always the same answer. "We hired someone else with a better fit." How do they know if they don't give me a chance. I am older (60) and not skinny by any means, and I don't have big boobs...well maybe but the rest of me isn't tiny.

I want to help bring some joy and happiness into my husband's life right now. He seems to be down this time of year and I don't know what to do anymore. Everything I try gets sluffed off as if I don't understand...maybe I don't but I do know that I love Thanksgiving and Christmas because of family and friends being together.

It isn't about the presents at all or what we get...it is about relationships, friendships and being together. I want a job so badly so I can help. My husband says it isn't my fault and that he just wants to be able to do things for me. I just want him to be happy. I don't need things...I need him to be happy and together we can figure this out. "God didn't bring us this far to let us fail. When he closes a door, he provides a window and way of escape." I guess right now we don't see it yet.

God's timing is perfect and I say that all the time. I know God understands this next statement. I just find it had when I am in the midst of this to keep us both up and happy. I try to be so that my husband will be, but today it seems harder than usual. Not sure why.

I love Christmas and like to watch all the Christmas programs on the Hallmark channel on TV. He always says when I am watching one and he wakes up from his nap on the couch that they make him sad, but there is always a very happy ending to them. He doesn't like the feelings that they bring and I haven't been able to get what kind of feelings he is talking about. I just feel inadequate to do anything.

I need a job. We want to help our kids. We want to be with our daughter and grandsons on Christmas as well as the youngest and his fiance. I also need to be in Arkansas to take care of my dad, brother and mother somewhat. Mother is in an alzheimer care facility and my brother lives with my dad in his mobile home. He always says he doesn't know what to do and that he feels if I were there I would know what to do to help him out so I feel guilty that I am not there. My brother writes and gives me a guilt trip too so there it is.

I guess what I am saying is that I need your prayers and God's guidance to know what to do next. I guess my next step is to clean up the house as best I can and get it in order in case we have to move on a moments notice. He says our love is not in question...I just hate to see him so down in the dumps when Christmas is a happy time of year...not sad.

If you have read this whole entry, I thank you. I also ask for your prayers. Have a very Merry Christmas everyone. It isn't the big things for everyone it is the little things that money can't buy...LOVE-JOY-FAMILY are just a few. Thank you all and Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Bless you all.

365 Cards Day 256 Stamping in Several Colors

2010-11-11T16:25:00.000-08:00

I made one of these cards the other day for a business (friend of mine owns it) anniversary...2 years in business, but 1 year on her own. So the previous post was her card.

I then saw this post today for 3 color stamping so I made another with an addition so everyone could tell it was a new card. This one has a sentiment on it. I used Olivia papers and cardstock and A Sip A1109 for the images and sentiment. It is called tissue stamping. I told my husband I needed to buy more Kleenex or stop doing tissue stamping so much, but it is my new favorite technique.

Here is the new card:

I really like the look that tissue stamping gives the image when finished. Great technique if you want to give it a try. Instead of daubers or sponges use tissues. Use the lightest ink first then progress to the darkest in as I did on the cup and spoon. The spoon is 2 colors (Grey Flannel and Grey Wool). The Cup is 3 colors (Sunflower, Sunset and Barn Red). Cut out and placed on dimensional tape and the spoon is just adhered tot he card at the handle and the bowl part of the spoon.

Enjoy because I had so much fun making it. Thanks a lot.

I Am Back Inspired by CTMH TV!!

2010-11-06T22:25:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!! I and my husband have gone through a bit of struggle with our finances of late. Ruined almost by the IRS but enought about that.

I have created the card that was on CTMH-TV and I am loving this stamp set and the tissure stamping technique. I used the exact method demonstrated as the first technique and card in the sugar rush section.

The card is from Wishes-Noteworthy on page 109. I used Sunflowr, Sunset and Barn Red on the cup and steam from A Cup stamp set. For the spoon I used Grey Flannel and Grey Wool. I used an edge anchor is Colonial White and not sure the ribbon color because I have Olive and Garden Green. After I took the picture of the card I decided to put the sentiment of Time for Coffee? on the front as the person I was giving it to would understand. I used Olivia Level 2 paper packet for the CS and patterned paper. I also used the Barn Red marker for some faux stitching around the patterned paper that can be seen.

Enjoy as I did making it. The card was just so much fun :D Have a blessed Sunday and I will be posting more tomorrow as I have a few layouts that need to be posted.

PLEASE PRAY!!

2010-09-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

I have been following this little girls progress for a while now and continue to pray for her and her family. Please go read her story and pray too. She is such a cute little girl and she has many worries for one so small.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate

Thank you and your prayers for this family are coveted.

Excited and On the Road This Extended Weekend

2010-09-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

We will be on the road this weekend...well, it either starts tonight or VERY early tomorrow morning. We are traveling to California to see our youngest son graduate from ITT-Tech Fresno (Clovis).

He is Valedictorian for the second time. When he received his AS Degree 2 years ago he was Valedictorian then. He set some records for GPA there and has done it again. He has received 4.0 GPA all 4 years!! I will be taking LOTS of pictures and adding them to my last few scrapbook challenges when we get home. Need more ink for sure LOL.

First though, we will be seeing our grandsons before their dad takes them off for the weekend somewhere. He should be going to the graduation...anyway, time with the boys can't be all bad I guess. We want to take them to Build-A-Bear Workshop, so daddy better let us have time for that for sure!!

Then on Saturday morning we will be going to Fresno from Sacramento area for our youngest son's graduation. We will stay with he and his fiance on Saturday night and then they along with us will get in our car and start the long trek back to Washington. If we get tired, we can stop and spend the night or just switch drivers.

I am excited for him and a little saddened. Between his last graduation and this one, his birth father died of cancer. He has called my husband dad for quite sometime now and feels comfortable doing it. Our daughter said that my husband is the only papa that her boys have other than her husband's dad. You know we have to spoil them a little when we see them, but hope there is enough time to do that this trip LOL.

Well, here is my day today and who knows...if we can't sleep when we try to go to bed, we may be up packing the car and taking off. We are just so excited about this milestone in our sons life. He wants to get a good job and then take his future wiefe on a trip to Disney World. Settle into the new job and get married. They have been talking about it for a while, and have already named some children. A boy and a girl name LOL...nothing like planning ahead.

Well, I will sign off of here for now and hopefully, have lots of layouts to post when I get home and print some pictures. Have a wonderful and glorious weekend and celebrate the little things...they may not be here for long...only God knows and He's not telling.

Blessings everyone, and have a great weekend. Ciao!

365 Cards Day 188 Divide and Conquer

2010-09-05T13:19:00.000-07:00

Today over at 365 Cards we were asked to Divide & Conquer. 6 separate sections not overlapping or touching each other.

I decided to scraplift the essence of Heidi's card on today's challenge. I lookd so perfect and would work for what I had in mind. The sentiment is from the stamp set Buttoned Together. The paper is Cherro-O and the embellishments on the squares are a bit mixed up LOL.

The Cherries are shiny with Liquid Glass, the hearts are brads from CKC about 2 years ago, the buttons are from CTMH and the knots on the buttons is dental floss. Didn't want anything too stiff as this was for small buttons and on a card.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoyed my week in cards...now to complete some more and do it gradually. We will be gone from the 1th through the 19th or 20th because of my son's graduation in California. I am so excited about this one. He is graduating with his Bachelor's Degree in Computer Networking Systems. He has earned and received straight "A's"...ALL FOUR YEARS!!

Any way, I have to keep up this week on the challenges so all I have to catch up on are those that don't get done while I am gone.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful few days of rest and relaxation. Have a blessed day!!

365 Cards Day 187 Friday Favorite

2010-09-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

Today over at 365 Cards we were asked to think of our favorite food or beverage and use it for today's card inspiration. Well, as you might suspect, you can't be in the northwest and not be a fan of Starbucks. I took a picture of my iced latte and top of our car, put the picture on Colonial White cardstock and cut it out for the card. I used the Fountain Pen Font from CTMH on the sentiment. I also used some Desert Sand cardstock for the base.

I like this challenge and will be putting the image on an all about me page for that album one day. Thanks for stopping to look at the card/cards I have created...have a great weekend.

365 Cards Day 186 Ad Inspired

2010-09-05T12:50:00.000-07:00

Over at 365 Cards today we were asked to use the ad above to inspire our card. As soon as I saw the picture I knew which stamp set would be on target for this card. This is our Wonderful Friend stamp set and I paired it with Sorbet, Indian Corn Blue, and Colonial White cardstock; and Indian Corn Blue Ink also. Colonial White button was added to the heart as an accent.

These are fun but time consuming when you do them all in one day and try to get them posted...do one or two a day...lol much faster LOL.

Thanks for looking and hope to see your artwork over on 365 Cards. Have a blessed day.

365 Cards Day 185 Shape Up!

2010-09-05T12:21:00.000-07:00

Over at 365 Cards today they wanted polygons or shapes with at least 5 sides. I have a pinwheel technique that was learned at Creative University Online last weekend that suits this purpose to a "T". I used the Splendor Paper Packet and a computer font from CTMH that is called Heritage. I wanted this to be a sympathy card because most sympathy cards are so dark. I wanted this to be a celebration of life.

Thanks for looking and on with the rest of the week. Have fun everyone!!

365 Cards Day 184 Opposites Attract

2010-09-05T11:53:00.000-07:00

Over at 365 Cards today we were asked to pick 2 colors and scrap a card with only those two colors or shades of them. Your favorite and the least favorite or least used of your colors.

I chose Juniper (my favorite color) and Taffy (my least used color)...I think I have only used Taffy one other time maybe 2 at the most in the 3 years I have been a Close To My Heart consultant.

I wanted the card to be simple since I wasn't sure of what I wanted to do at the time. It also has Glitz Glimmer Glue in the center of the flowers and along the edges of the quote. I love the many quotes of Eleanor Roosevelt and this is one of them. "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Thanks for looking and enjoy your day.

365 Cards Day 183 Digging Deep

2010-09-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

Today over at 365 Cards we were told to Dig Deep in our supplies and come up with the following: (1) An item (not paper) that is at least 6 months old (Moon Doggie My Stickease stickers) (2) 2 sheets of patterned paper that you've never used (2 patterned papers from Stemma-blog candy from Kelly Jo's Color Chef) (3)An embellishment that you've had for more than a year (the BEACH PARTY words are also from Stemma and is from a sheet of words and I cut out just the two) (4) A stamp that you've never used but you've had for at least a year (Stamp from Inkadinkadoo -different from other- Coastal/Maritime...the seagull on the beach).

This one really was challenging for me. I try to use most of my items when I get them, but as you know, some things just seem to slip into the cracks of your stash. I have lots more things as I discovered and shortly (like next week or so) most of it will be gone to California. I am boxing up my unused or rarely used items and they are going off to my daughter and my future daughter-in-law for their use. Neither has money to spend on scrapbooking supplies so mom to the rescue :)

Any way, on to the rest of the week, I have more creating to do LOL. Thanks for stopping by and will see you later on. THANKS ! !

365 Cards Day 182 Super Sketchy Sunday

2010-09-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

Over at 365 Cards this week, they had a 2 for 1 kind of entry into their drawing. You submit 7 you get 14 chances into the drawing...sounds wonderful and I really nailed them this time I think...Love that site for card challenges...they challenge you every day 365 :D

I used Close To My Heart (CTMH) Juniper and Sorbet. I think these are two of my favorite colors and I thought I would use them together on this card. I also used a stamp set from Inkadinkadoo that I picked up at Michael's they last time I was there. I thought that it looked so vintage. Also used Sorbet ribbon.

I really like how this one turned out and hope you do too. This is the first of my Christmas cards. I just haven't felt like the rest of them were Christmas cards yet LOL.

Enjoy our Holiday weekend and I have 6 more cards for sure today to get posted for 365 Cards. Thanks for stopping by.

HUGE Undertaking...I Want to Do IT!!

2010-08-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

I have had so much fun over at 365 Cards for the past few weeks and so much so that I have decided to do all 365 cards. I am going to try and get at least 3 cards done per day in order to catch up...if I get more done in a day, I will definitely be ahead of the game.

I really like making cards and have an outlet to sell them at a local salon. We will probably be moving in the next couple of months so I am always looking for something to use up the scraps of paper and cardstock I have plenty of.

So on with cardmaking today...problem is I really keep taking pictures of the cards and use up my batteries for my camera. Need to get some more rechargeable batteries...can't find the one I used to have so it must have gotten thrown out or packed somewhere I have not looked yet hehe.

It is raining and getting windy so what better thing to do than create cards and scrapbook pages to share with friends. See y'all later on with postings for the day. Have a great and crafty day!

365 Cards Day 177 Color 4 Ways

2010-08-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

This was definitely a challenge day for me over at 365 Cards. You had to use 4 methods of coloring on your card creation.

I used a digi-stamp from Dustin Pike and colored it by 1) Markers, 2) Pencils, 3)Gel Pen and 4) Glitter Glue on the eyes and thermometer tip. I used some Bella stickers I had left over because I didn't want to stamp a sentiment for this one. I am starting to use my own handwriting more on cards...very different for me to do so very much a challenge.

These have been hard to keep up with because of trying to help out my daughter long distance etc. I also went to Olympia, WA with my hubby yesterday and got a new MS Score Board and some adhesive refills...emergency because I had started using my non-refillable one from Staples and that is getting down to the bottom of my stash hehe.

So trying to get some more done to see if I can complete another week of cards...wow 2x the fun next week...OK!!

Thanks Pam!!

Creative University Online Saturday ! ! !

2010-08-26T05:35:00.000-07:00

Tresa Black is holding an online Creative University. You can find the ustream link to the right of this post or at the top right. The day starts at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time so get your creative game on and give it a try. I am going to try to be there...it is all set up and it's free.

Thanks Tresa for holding one online for those of us that cannot be there for your in person Creative University.

Have a great day all and I still need to make some more cards. Thanks a lot!!

365 Cards Day 176 Pierce and Piece

2010-08-24T20:21:00.000-07:00

I had fun with this challenge over at 365 Cards because it was one that was near and dear to my heart. Quilting(piecing) and piercing. I relied on a tutorial by Nona Davenport here because she did one and I did one a couple of years ago. I updated mine and used a little more than I did the last time. I also did faux stitching around some of the blocks to look like quilting. The bee's trail is pierced and looped around to add interest.

This one has one of the stamp sets she used and one that is new because it is a petit perks stamp set. I used the Splendor paper packet as I have begun to be in the moving mode around here...not sure exactly when, but it looks like we are moving to Arkansas within the next few months. It will have to wait until at least the end of September we think...the decision of the job that my husband is putting in for won't happen until the end of September.

Anyway, enjoy and I love this one and how it turned out and look forward to the next one. Have a great week.

365 Cards Day 175 Super Sketchy Sunday

2010-08-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

Ok these challenges over at 365 Cards are fun and now that I have started again it is hard to stop...well, who wants to when you want more cards hehe. I used Splendor paper packet along with the August Stamp Of The Month D1424 Something Splendid. I try to take the sketch as literally as I can so that I know the day and sketch used easily, but when it is on your blog with all the info...well, lets just say it is a hard habit to break :) !

Hope you like it and no didn't feel the Christmas on this one...maybe next one...not sure yet. Have a great Monday.

Notes for Future Creativity...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2010-08-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

I think that I am going to try and do Christmas Cards this week if the 365 Cards challenges and others that I visit cooperate. I want to get a few cards made before we move and we will probably in the next few months, but not sure when or where as yet. It will be after my son's graduation in September and he and his fiance are going to be visiting after for about a week.

Once our son and my husband get together who knows what will happen as far as decisions and ideas. My son is graduating from ITT-Tech with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Networking Systems and he has gotten straight A's during the entire 4 years he has been there. He should be able to land a lucrative job somewhere with a good company with ITT-Tech's help.

I can't wait to share my scrapbooking supplies with my daughter and my son's fiance because they are crafty too. Their funds are even shorter than ours so we take them care packages when we go to see them for special occasions or sometimes send them things. Right now I am trying to get some pages for a scrapbook for my son's graduation...not of him graduating but him growing up and into the wonderful young man that he is.

We are so proud of him and will know if he gets Valedictorian again this graduation. He may keep it a surprise as my husband is the only Dad that he has now and he may say something...we will see what happens.

Thanks everyone for stopping bay and seeing my new found creative mojo LOL. Have a wonderful week. Hugs all!!

365 Cards Day 174 I Hope You Dance

2010-08-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I have been having fun today over at 365 Cards. I needed some cards and didn't have any idea where to start or what to do because my other cards aren't selling, so time for some new ones.

This one again is done with a piece of the papers from the "Just Because" card kit from the past and I updated it with a stamp set that I like a lot. Old paper, newer stamp and the song by Lee Ann Womack "I Hope You Dance" as inspiration. I hope you like it.

This was fun today and I have 8 minutes to get this posted to 365 Cards. Hugs for a great week.

Day 173 Don't Forget Your Purse

2010-08-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Over at 365 Cards they wanted us to make a purse that would contain something. Mine houses a gift card for a friend, and I think she looks at this so I won't show the inside of it. The little purse is up her alley too.

Used Boom-Di-Ada paper and some stickers from one of CTMH's card kits. Too easy because I love this particular card type too.

Thanks for looking and I have one more card to get done and it is a Sing Along Saturday :D Gotta love the song challenges. Now to find that perfect stamp for it :D Will be back with one more for tonight maybe two...have to think about the one for today first. See you shortly.

365 Cards Day 172 Do Over

2010-08-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

Here is my redo:

Over at 365 Cards the challenge is to Redo a card you weren't happy with the first time. I have one that just didn't turn out like I wanted it to so I redid it with a different approach and the colors match lol. I think I like the overall card on the redo better than the first.

I used Honey, Indian Corn Blue and Colonial White cardstock, Digi Image and some local scrapbook store ribbon 1/4 inch wide satin. I also hand wrote the sentiment with a white gel pen. I have been trying to do it more, but not always with success. I think I succeeded this time :D

Now on to the next day...I just might make the deadline today :D

Thanks for looking and more to come!!

365 Cards Day 171 Wacky Color Wednesday

2010-08-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

The colors for this particular Wacky Color Wednesday over at 365 Cards was Brown, Grey and Yellow. I was thinking of this card as soon as I saw the colors but I just didn't know the layering part yet. I think it came together nicely.

Thanks for looking and hope to see you soon with more...have just a few hours left to finish 3 more cards.

365 Cards Day 170 Tuesday Triplets

2010-08-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

I am using up pieces of a card kit that CTMH has had in the past and am using up the pieces that were in it. I used the cards themselves for other cards so now using the pieces for additional cards. It was their Just Because Card Kit. I used the D1350 Tender Tags for the sentiment and flourish. Used Clover Meadow brads and some local scrapbook store buttons. White Daisy Just Blooms and Bamboo and Topiary cardstock. Bamboo CS is the base of my card.

These challenges are so much fun over at 365 Cards, I just have a hard time keeping up with them when life happens. I was working with my husband 2 days this week so was out of the loop so to speak.

Thanks for looking and I will have more later today.

365 Cards Dsy 169 "A Certain Sentiment"

2010-08-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge over at 365 Cards was to make a card with the sentiment "A Little Birdie Told Me" then you can add anything inside the card that you need it to say. I left mine open because I am not sure what I will need it for...will make it to fit the occasion.

I used a stamp set that was part of Close To My Hearts card making kit at one time and Indian Corn Blue and Topiary Ink Pads. Juniper, New England Ivy and Vineyard Berry markers. Also used a corner rounder on the bottom corners.

The card is 5x5 and hope to get the rest of the cards done for this week by the due time today...wish me luck and happy creating!!

365 Cards-Day 168 Super Sketchy Sunday

2010-08-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

I used a couple of the B&T pages from Sarsaparilla paper packet and the stamp set C1390 So Lucky stamp set for the sentiment and the flower hearts in the pocket, and Z2104 Barn Red ink pad and marker from Close To My Heart. I also used a white gel pen for the stitching on the pocket.

I am going to try to keep up this week with all the cards at 365 cards and post here as well. I have a couple of layouts to post later also. I still have to figure out the pictures for the last one...a few more than I have I think but will find them hehe.

Thanks for looking and I will be back later with another post because I am loving this again hehe. It has been a scorcher the last couple of days, but especially yesterday with temps reaching 100° on the coast no less. We just got back from the only grocery store in town and there was nothing left on the drink and snack isles LOL...including NO ICE go figure lol.

Any way enjoy your wonderful Sunday and see you later. Have a blessed day.

Scrapbook Challenge #70 and Disney World

2010-08-08T18:34:00.000-07:00

This was the perfect setting for the pictures I wanted to use in a layout (LO) this time and this is the result. I used the Zippidee paper packet and some stickers I had for over a year I am sure that I finally used. We went to Disney World between 2001 and 2003. Can't remember the exact year, but it was in January because they were still doing the Christmas Parade.

My husband and I decided to let our son take a picture of us on the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car and our legs wouldn't fit in between the seats very well, so I look really weird in the photo but make up for it with my friends on the other page hehe. Here we are:

What do you think? I used up those bottle caps and stickers from my stash I have had a very long time. Enjoy!!

Creativity on the Loose :)

2010-07-26T22:49:00.000-07:00

I have been having so much fun with Helen's Scrapbook Challenges and creating all of the LOs she puts up. This one SC69 was really about what you wanted or want to do on the page itself. There are really only 2 background and texture papers, different ones that is, and 1 color of cardstock. The base cardstock shows through on each page so there would be 2 colors if you count that.

I have some pictures in mind for this LO (layout) because I used Splendor paper packet, but used White Daisy as my base cardstock so there would be stark differences in color and I could create brightness with this one. I haven't finished the entire LO yet because no ink. We forgot to go get it tonight. LOL I always forget until I need it then remembering is easy hehe.

So tomorrow I will try to take pictures of my LO and get that posted then worry about the pictures once I get some black and/or photo ink as nothing seems to be working at this point. I have tri-color ink cartridge but not the other two.

I am enjoying a glass of Rapture of the Deep (cranberry) wine from the Westport Windery. This weekend is my sleep study so will be out of town this weekend being tested and monitored. I hope they figure it out soon because I am running out of patience. So many doctor visits this last few months. I feel like a test subject LOL.

Have a great week everyone and remember to stop and smell the roses/flowers and appreciate all that God has created.

Pray for Sharli's Sister-In-Law

2010-07-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

Sharli's sister-in-law is back in the hospital. She has had a hard recovery and now she is back in the hospital. You can read about it on Sharli's blog here. Sharli is a dear friend I have never met, but know her heart.

Please pray for her SIL that she may have a full recovery and be a testimony to what God can do. This is the mantra we all strive for when things aren't going according to our plans. God's timing is perfect and you know he knows just when to perform his miracles.

Hang in there Sharli, you are in line for a big blessing. Hugs girlfriend!! Our prayers are with your SIL, you and your family.

Excited and Anxious

2010-07-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

I am both Excited and Anxious I guess you could say. I am no longer employed by the Charter boat company, but I also think that God has a plan for me some other place. Not sure what that is as yet, but sure glad that we have been able to catch some of our bills up and pay them up in full until the next month.

We have turned in some equipment that we have had in boxes or bins for a very long time and thus have saved us a lot of money in the long run. Now I have to figure out a way to save money on printing my own pictures and may have a solution on that score, but have to do some more research before plunging in feet first.

I am trying to clean up my scrapbooking area and get the house more in order in case we have to move. We need a cheaper place but we also need money to move anywhere LOL. Just a snowball efect whenever change comes. If we go to Arkansas, then we have a place to stay while we get jobs and shop for a place to live. If we go to West Virginia, then we have to have money to find a place to live and also time to find a job. Same if we move to California...so Arkansas is looking like the most popular place at the moment.

I still need to get some things done and clothes washed, but for the most part we are ok and God will take care of us. I go in for a sleep study on July 31st and will see if I can sleep away from my hubby. Hey it's a queen sized bed so who knows LOL. I just want it to be over and let them tell me if I need a machine or not.

Thanks everyone for hanging in there with be the past few months, but I promise to start posting more regularly. I have several layouts I need to post because I really like how they have turned out. Have a wonderful week and lets all enjoy the nice weather...no matter what ;you enjoy :)

Please Pray for Kate McRae

2010-07-15T00:05:00.001-07:00

I have been tracking this little girls progress for sometime now. Please read the Caring Bridge entries by her so loving mother as she helps her daughter cope. You can read the story here.

This little girl has gone through brain surgery. and so many tests, but she keeps believing and smiling...and can we not do the same. Pray for Kate and those like her that they will be normal and feel great too. Let them be a testimony to God's wonderful healing hands.

Thank you and have a wonderful week.

Prayerfully yours,

Ok I Saw It Coming

2010-07-10T22:52:00.000-07:00

I am without a job again. My boss let me go today because he couldn't afford to keep me on. I was making more per hour than the other lady so he let me go and may hire her daughter. I kind of saw this coming however, I thought it would be in a salary decrease rather than separation.

My husband thinks it is a good thing, because now we have our weekends back AND we plan a small road trip to see some friends that just got married tomorrow. We are taking them a gift of a sparkling wine. He has vacation next week so who knows what will happen.

All things work together for good to them that love the Lord!!

I believe there is a place for me and God will see to it that I find it. I believe in Him and his promises.

He didn't bring me to it not to see me through it!!

I will be posting more later, but tomorrow...Sunday...my husband and I will be on a 2 hour road trip to visit friends we haven't touched base with in a while, so we will be back late maybe. I am excited about all the new things happening at Close To My Heart and can't wait to see what it will bring.

Next years convention is in Anaheim, CA and a short ship and hop to my youngest son and future daughter-in-law's apartment so I am excited about that. My son will be graduating in September from ITT Tech with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Systems Engineering or something like that...not sure and can't remember :D

I do know that he has gotten straight "As" since he has been there (4 yr degree)...and we are so proud of him and his fiance who helped put him through school. We love you both...James and Valerie.

Thank you all for stopping by and I should be posting pictures of my layouts in the next few days now that I have the time to get the pictures taken...also, have pictures of our recent visitor.

Thanks all and have a blessed Sunday!!

June 29th and a Birthday!

2010-06-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

I am wishing my oldest son a Happy Birthday. I don't know his phone number, his address, whether he is now a dad or not, nor do I know his actual location in California.

That said, my son has been a trial, but he is my son. I love him and only want him to be a good person and not always look on how to get something for nothing or how he can manipulate even your family to your own means.

I love you and I know that inside there really is a good person, but you always seem to get with the wrong person who influences you to do something you shouldn't. I lost something over the past couple of years and that is trust. We trusted you because until that point we had no reason not to, then when you moved out we had reason not to again. Plus several things ended up not where they were left and we don't know when, but we know who.

I apologize to my readers for putting this on here today, but I wanted to wish him a very happy birthday and I really hope you are working an honest job and not trying to please someone that doesn't participate in contributing to the household. I love you so much and want only the best for you son and you know your dad would have wanted that too. May he rest in peace.

Another Layout-I LOVE the way this one turned out!!

2010-06-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

Here is a layout i did for Scrapbooking Challenge #64 in Splendor Level 2 Paper Packet and Topiary ink sponged around all the pieces except the base cardstock piece.

The pictures are a little large, but I like them larger sometimes...might have to redo if they don't show up properly. I took the pictures with the pages on one of my bins we are packing up to get some moving around room, and it was red so very bright.

Enjoy looking and thanks for stopping by my blog. Have a blessed day!!

Some Layouts I Have Done Lately

2010-06-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

I have been participating in the Scrapbook Challenges over at Close To My Heart's bulletin board and also posted on http://www.hookedonstamping.com/ They are wonderful and I am getting so much accomplished. A 2-page LO once a week insures that I will have 52 double page layouts by the end of the year and I have more because I also stuck in there my 2010 Calendar pages along with a challenge page on the left of the calendar...will have to take pictures of it one day when you have time to sit and go through a boat load of pictures hehe.

Anyway, this is my first layout I took pictures of in a while. This is SC#63 and I used Cherry-O Level 2 Paper Packet with all the cardstock in the packet as well. Enjoy!

Enjoy the day and will post the next one in a few minutes. I love doing the layouts, but need to get pictures on them for sure...thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day.

It's a Beautiful Day

2010-06-23T01:03:00.000-07:00

Today was picture perfect for ocean fishing. The seas were very smooth and the sun was shining...it was beautiful. The boat had great success in that there were few on the boat and every one I mean everyone got a Salmon. They were good sized ones too.

I loved being downtown today across from the Marina and the sun shining on all the water and boats there. When people came back on the boats, all were smiling and having a grand time and their salmon in bags and ready for cooking :D

I didn't get any pictures today but will in the near future. Saturday is my birthday and it is the largest group yet that I have had a part in booking. There will be at least 19 people and maybe more...and they want me to be there when they leave Saturday morning. The leave at 5:30 a.m. and we have to have the office open at 4:30 p.m. The one that was in charge of getting everyone together for this trip will be in Friday afternoon after 1:00 p.m. because they want to talk and deal with me and no one else at this point...makes a lady feel good ya know hehe.

It is also Pirate Daze and we are supposed to dress up. I have a blouse that will work, but no skirt or pants that would look the part. I need to do some looking around the house or ask our landlady if she has anything I can possibly use...they build little one man boats for Pirate Daze and they have mini cannon fights or pirate fights. You can look it up on YouTube and look for Rusty Scupper Pirates in Westport, WA and they have a few videos of what goes on here.

There are booths down the street and lots of people dressed as pirates. I captured on my digital camera a lady dressed as Calypso from Pirates of the Caribbean but it has disappeared. Hope she does it this year and I can get another picture because she definitely looked the part.

Anyway, wanted to thank God for the beautiful and wonderful day. It takes all our rain to get a sunshine infused day...beautiful.

I will have a couple of layouts to post tomorrow that I have posted on Close To My Heart's bulletin boards, but I wanted to get pictures on them. Guess it will wait for another week or so to get pictures. I will get them posted here before work I hope. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!!

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

2010-06-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

The Cardiologist confirmed that I do not have a heart murmur. Praise the Lord!! What he did say was that I might have sleep apnea. I have the initial visit with the Respiratory Clinic today and see what they say.

My husband keeps saying that we are just two big people that need to loose weight and then we can sleep better...no apnea just too much weight. I will see what the specialist has to say this afternoon and go from there. We have appointments with our regular doctor on Friday. Hopefully, this doctor can have a report to my regular doctor by Friday so that he can tell me whether I need a sleep test or not...I don't do very well when away from home and especially a controlled environment and no husband next to me.

Will be quite interesting, but today will tell me if I really need the test done.

I have a couple of photos to post, but will do that later after I get home from the doctor. They aren't even on photobucket yet so will do that this afternoon.

Have a great day everyone and I will update everyone this afternoon. Praise God I don't have a heart murmur. Later all!!

June -Summer and Birthday

2010-06-05T23:36:00.000-07:00

As all of you are aware, June is the start of summer. Also, it is my birthday. I turn the big 6 0 this year and loving it right now. People seem to freak out on the, as I call it, milestone birthdays.

My daughter turns 30 this year in July. She said she knew how old I was each year by adding 30 yers to hers hehe. We hope to get to see them soon, but finances and my job as it is I can't take too much time off because of summer being our busy season.

Our son James, graduates from ITT Tech in about 4 months with a Bachelors Degree in computer networking. We, of course, have to be there if at all possible. There have been so many things happen since he started school. 2 years ago when he graduated with his AS Degree, James was the Valedictorian for his class. He has straight A's for 4 years now so we are thinking that he will be Valedictorian again this time, but until the final word you never know.

I have taken some pictures and hope to get them into a layout shortly because it tells the story better than just showing you pictures. I am looking for an acrylic stamp from CTMH to use on it if possible. Not sure if we have on or not, so I might have to use a digi stamp because right now I consider those my only two choices as we might have to move and those move the easiest.

I have made a card I will try and share tomorrow when I have more time to load the pictures etc.

Thanks for looking and reading everyone. Have a beautiful weekend and God bless!

Celebrate Memorial Day!!

2010-05-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

I celebrate Memorial Day whether I am working or at home because it is this day that we honor all Veteran's of conflicts (be it local, foreign, or even at sea).

I had an uncle die in World War II in Germany and he is buried in Germany. My uncle Wayne had a buddy that went over there or someone that saw a post about his quest to find his brother's grave sight, took a picture of it and sent it to him. By way of my brother that lives in Australia, I have a copy of that picture too.

I have various relatives all over the United States and Australia that have been in the armed forces. Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard but no marines I don't believe. Unless I don't know about them.

Being that it is Father's Day next month, I wanted to lavish my Dad with some well deserved love. He will be 88 years old in August and I love him very much. I always think about the Holly Dunn song "Daddy's Hands" when I think of my Dad. He and my brother live in their double-wide trailer in Arkansas while my mother is in an Alzheimer's care facility there.

I love my family and miss them very much because I just can't get in my car and go see them. Being in Washington state kind of runs interference. We may be moving to Arkansas if things don't work out here in Washington in the next month or so. Things are just pointing that way it seems.

So on this Holiday...No matter if you are working or enjoying a day off, remember the fallen and the ones now serving that all family members and friends are safe and secure because of sacrifices of the many. We love you all...rest in peace.

CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY!!

Health Scare/Concern and News!

2010-05-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, here is what happened last week to put my nerves at attention. At my doctor's appointment last week he said he heard a heart murmur. I had never been told that before so I being the worry wart I am started to worry. My husband didn't say but I know it concerned him too. A wife can tell.

I went to the Cardiologist on Thursday and got an Echocardiogram which to say is an ultrasound of my heart. They took pictures of my heart pumping for the cardiologist to look at and will consult with him on June 7th for the final word on what he sees.

The technician said he had seen lots and taken lots of pictures over the years and he didn't see anything to substantiate the heart murmur the doctor had seen. PRAISE GOD!!! I went out of there rejoicing and almost skipping hehe.

Now for the family news. My brother and dad are wanting my husband and I to go to Arkansas as soon as possible. My dad cries about every night because my mother isn't there. She is in an Alzheimer care facility in Hot Springs, AR and doing better than when she went into the facility. She has gained some weight and my bother said he thinks she is looking better.

We live in Washington state and my husband's job looks uncertain at this point. We really need to figure out what we need to do and get moving on it really soon. If we move to Arkansas, then we have to sell a good portion of what we own, empty out our storage unit and get a moving truck OR see if what we own will fit into a Kia Spectra LOL. Don't think so but nice thought.

Anyway, those are the perplexities of what has been happening in my life. To boot, doctor said I had high blood pressure...well, I am working to bring it down and eating better too. Cut my drinking of Diet cola's to less than half, and less fatty foods etc. We are drinking more Green Tea and water so we are generally going to lose weight and get back on track. Doctor was happy to see that I had lost 8 pounds in the month between visits to see him. Due to go back in next week to see if the new medications are doing their job and to see that everything is working together for better health.

Will be posting as I can, and have some great pictures of different things to put on the Layouts I am creating so keep watching as I hope to get things running again here on my blog.

Have a safe and Happy weekend. Be Blessed!!

Too Long Gone LOL!!

2010-05-29T08:33:00.000-07:00

I thought this would be a good title. i have been gone too long from blogging this month, but it couldn't be helped fortunately. I have been working again with the charter company and business has picked up some. Also, since this is the holiday weekend I am there every day (Friday-Monday). Not sure about Monday yet as I hope to persuade the other lady I work with to take at least one day of the Weekend.

My flowers are starting to burst forth with spring. My Iris are blooming and they are my favorite spring flower I think...daffodils are special BUT I love Iris'. They came up last year in the same spot so I think I have 3 or them planted in front. A white one and 2 purples. Just love 'em.

Now, I have been keeping up with Hooked On Stamping's Scrapbook Challenges but haven't posted any pictures yet. I get them done and then don't take pictures...figures right? hehe

Now I have lots of LO's and no pictures, however, I plan on starting this week to get them done early and get pictures taken because I want to get back in the groove.

Thanks for reading and I have another post right after this one for personal and family news because I had a little scare/concern. Have a blessed weekend and be careful out there.

Happy May Day!!I

2010-05-01T23:33:00.000-07:00

I am excited about the new catalogs that just came out from Close to My Heart. They are very informational as well as full of new products. It is times like these that make me think Christmas because it is a new package us Consultants open each new Idea Book.

The many new flowers and fauna that are around and are coming up new for spring/summer are just what the new paper Splendor is all about. The fresness of Zippidee for the great and wonderful Disney colors and memories. Cherry-O is great too as I have wanted to use buttons as cherries etc for a while now. Cherry-O gives me the perfect opportunity to do so. Now Passages is a whole new ballgame here. It is vintage travel and so worth the effort to come up with something appropriate to put into a layout or card.

There is a new punch, some new glitter, new stamps a plenty and so much more. I always think the new catalog is the best yet, but you know...it will always be that way as the techniques and items change with season and new trends.

There is a punch flower in the new catalog that everyone is doing. I still have to work on my folding skills for this flower and give it a good go. You can see this in our new catalog and check out the instructions for it too.

Just loving the newness of Close To My Heart every time a new catalog or campaign comes out. The company is so with the new trends and helping Operation Smile, that you can't help but be caught up in it all.

Work has been interesting to say the least and Halibut season opens tomorrow and there is a boat scheduled to go out. Things are picking up somewhat, but still need more so we are working during the weekends and any other time that there is a boat going out. During Halibut days (Sunday and Tuesdays during May) the boats leave at 5:30 a.m. and the office opens at 4:30 a.m. for check in and any ice etc that they may need. We start a pot of coffee too of course and will probably have about one or two more by the time people leave on their trips.

So in a nutshell, these are the highlights of the new catalogs and the newness of Summer. Hope you get outside and enjoy the many pleasures of the season that God has made. Enjoy and explore the greatness of nature. Just love taking pictures...will have to do this myself hehe. Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed weekend and week.

As Promised!! Love the Color of Spring!

2010-04-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

I love these flowers. It was such a beautiful sight when I went around the corner of the restaurant to photograph them. The pictures are beautiful and the flowers were so pretty in person. ENJOY!!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!

2010-04-17T04:03:00.000-07:00

I am Spring inspired. My husband and I had a doctors appointment yesterday and on the way home we had to stop and eat something at a local restaurant. Fabulous food and it was the first time we had ate there.

We were sitting enjoying our dinner (4:00 p.m. by this time) and I looked out the front window of the restaurant. There was a beautiful tulip waving in the breeze. I thought I have got to get a closer look at it because the color was striking.

I knew the flower was going to be beautiful BUT had no idea about the color that would await me as I decided to take a closer look and get a picture. The colors are beautiful and so eye catching. The Lord does great work you know :).

I took several pictures and will post later then I will put them on a layout very soon as these are just too pretty to not. You know I didn't even take a picture of the restaurant, just the beautiful flowers. I still need to upload them to my photo gallery so will do that then insert a picture here when done...it is so early in the morning right now I need to get more sleep.

Funny when inspiration hits isn't it? Have a blessed day!!

Movies and Such

2010-04-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I am just getting into working again. Last 2 weeks have been hit and miss, mostly miss. The wind and rain have been causing so many high waves and causing issues for the Charter industry. So this week we think that it will be better. We are starting a postcard mailing and will hopefully have full boats and charters soon.

Movies: I love "The Blind Side". I have watched that movie over and over again since we got the DVD. All of the main characters in the movie did a fantastic job and Sandra Bullock was so deserving of the Oscar. "The Game Plan" is another of my favorites and Peyton (Madison) is on "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?". "Mamma Mia!" is another great movie.

My husband on the other hand likes "Hellboy II", "Avatar", "The Count of Monte Cristo" (this one we don't own yet, but watch it every time we can on TV), and yes a few of the ones I like as well-"Mamma Mia" and "Dante's Peak". We keep watching Dante's Peak hoping we can spot some familiar ground as we live in Washington state. However, on watching the scenes and extras at the end they tell you that it is in a city that they could compare with a small town beneath a mountain...the rest is movie magic...well we knew that, but it is amazing anyway.

I have a couple of scrapbook pages that I want to do, but have to figure out how to get me AND my husband in the same picture inside the mall area where the movie theater is and maybe inside in the lobby. I know I can't get one inside the theater because of copywrite issues, but hey it is just not done when the movie is on anyway...geez hehe.

Ok here are a few (many) of the DVD's in our collection. You can probably figure out which ones are "his" and "hers" hehe and maybe not.

"Oscar, The Quiet Man, The Blind Side, Mamma Mia, You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, The Game Plan, Celtic Woman, Celtic Thunder, High Kings, The American President, and Snow Dogs." These are just a few of our favorite DVD's. To say the least our taste in movies is varied. We like different kinds and genre's of movies.

That's all for now, will return with some artwork very soon I hope. I took some of my lates LO this week, now to download and post after picking the best one. Thanks for looking and reading...If you have a favorite movie and a must see, please share and maybe we have seen it but not purchased it.

Have a great day and God's world awaits our discovery. Have a blessed day.

I Have Changed the Look of My Blog

2010-04-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

I decided to bite the bullet and jump in with both feet...is that enough cliches?

I have changed the overall look of my blog and hope that you like it. With that done now to concentrate on getting my photo's taken of my layouts, and some cards I have been working on. There are a lot of pictures to take and hope to get them done today.

HAPPY EASTER Y'ALL!!

Have a blessed and happy weekend with the ones you love and never forget...Jesus is the reason for the season."

Thanks everyone, have a great and fantastic weekend.

Spring and the Coast

2010-03-29T00:11:00.000-07:00

Hey Ya'll!

Here on the coast it has been nothing but windy since about 3 weeks ago. We are experiencing 29-49 mph winds and it sounds really bad from inside the house. I think that it is colder in the house because of the windy conditions.

We just thought that the fishing season would be underway and going strong by now, but I was informed that this is typical until mid April early May. I just have to remember to be patient and still work on getting the boats booked.

We will be having a Perch Derby the end of May and I will be getting that together with some help from a couple of people who have been around it for several years and will be able to help me get donations for prizes I'm sure. Now for the card a day that I was going to try and get done...well it hasn't happened yet and hope to get that done too. So with all the winds etc tonight and for the next several days, maybe I will get some cards made and my SC work done too.

So now that all that was said...I am going to be getting the house cleaned up too as we may have to move by June with no clue as to where we would move in town because my job will need me to be at work by 4:30 or 5:30 a.m. some mornings so will need to be in town for sure.

Thanks everyone, and I will try to post more as soon as I can. I really need to get my pictures posted, but haven't found a good item to use yet for my double LO pictures. So I will be working at taking pictures, posting same, and getting all caught up on everything and still get the house clean LOL full time job in and of itself.

Later all...wind is so blowing hard. Have a blessed week and love ya!!

I Am So Excited!!

2010-03-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about my new job. I officially started my new job on Monday. We were in the office setting up the merchandise, getting it priced and booking charters as people called in.

Also, we have a website that is being redone and will feature me and my coworker and the owner in a few of the pictures. This is going to be such fun because of the novelty and the people I work with...so refreshing when you work with people you like and enjoy being around.

I will try to post a few pictures of the office when I get my computer fixed yet again and back home. I am tempted to try it out when we stay all night at the motel, but not sure what kind of arrangements they would have just to test it out while we are still in town and can take it back, but I think they are closed on Sundays...wouldn't help hehe.

Anyway, I will be setting up my office the rest of this week and getting ready for the season to start on March 13...if you want to take a look at the website as it stands now (will be redone in a week or so). The website is: http://www.anglercharters.net/

Have a blessed week and enjoy the great sunshine while you have it...I know I will. Hugs everone.

New Commitment and New Posts

2010-03-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone and welcome to a new Month. I decided after looking at the new 365 Cards year began that 365 Cards is actually doable if you do it 365 days a year and not try to do them all at once hehe doh!

SO I decided to give it a go...LOL already a day behind because today was the first day of the new year. I will endeavor to do 2 cards tomorrow and post them on here and then keep up, but it might be a bit sticky as the fishing season approaches and summer sets in on the coast.

This will be my first year in the charter fishing community and think it will be quite busy, BUT hope to have some time in between boats going out and coming back in that I can get some cards made. My days will be starting as early as 4:00 a.m. in arising and getting ready to go to the office 2 miles (if I stretch it) away and get set up and coffee made before the crew and fishermen/women start arriving.

This week I am putting the inventory list into the computer and pricing the items with a price gun to get the gear ready and booking the first of the trips to get the season started. The season officially starts on March 13 so will be getting busier as the season and weathr permit.

So between catching up with the photos for the Scrapbook Challenges and committing to keeping up with the 365 Card Challenges and work, I am going to be a busy beaver...ummmm Husky? lol...I will be busy no matter what I am hehe.

There are a few things I still want to do in the house so will have to catch those as best I can I guess. I need to clean off my work table in the living room so that I can have a workspace at home to book trips if need be and that is exciting to me.

My computer still isn't fixed so I am using my husband's computer again. I think it has my camera software on it so will be able to post pictures, just won't be able to print any for my LO's. Thanks everyone for being patient and I will be posting later on so be sure to check back when you can.

Thanks everyone for your prayers on my behalf in getting work. God's timing is perfect and I am his vessel. This has been a ride and I am thanking God every day for my new job and not far from home either. Have a blessed week and will try to get pictures posted as soon as I can. Still haven't located any Flower Frogs for taking pictures of cards and LO's but will try to come up with a workable solution.

Enought Already LOL!!

2010-02-24T05:05:00.000-08:00

My computer shut down again EVEN after we took it to Federal Way last weekend. They said after my husbands call yesterday that it sounds like a hardware problem...DUH!!!

I think that is what we told them when we had it in there on Saturday. Just move my hard drive with my stuff on it to a new computer and I will be a happy camper LOL. I want my 1G graphic card and my 4G memory and my hard drive and you can have the rest LOL.

Oh well, we wanted to go for another 4 hour round trip to Federal Way again didn't we...NOT hehe but it has to be done I guess if I am ever going to get to do any work because my pictures are on my computer, but I think I actually saved them this time on my flash drive. Good thing, but there are some freebies digi stamps I can't get back if they have to do something...don't think so but who knows.

I am going to give it a go this morning and then try to back up my computer forms that are on it if nothing else. They should be able to jut move the hard drive and things that we purchased extra from them and move them but I think they will try to fix this one...who knows.

Y'all have a great and blessed day. I will be trying to fight off this cold again today, but wanted to make an apprearance to get messages and look at the new gear in the Charter office. Will be starting work soon and want to be prepared.

Later all!!

Update!!

2010-02-20T04:39:00.000-08:00

Just to give everyone an update of goings on in Westport, WA these days. I have been getting to know the elements of my new job and am loving it. Who doesn't love fishing and ocean views...I have both LOL.

My brand new computer has been on the fritz for about 3 weeks now and I don't want to put my pictures on my husbands computer and then have to transfer them to get them to print and work on mine so I have been trying to be patient. We are taking it to Federal Way, WA today to get a tech where we bought it to fix it. The computer is 2 months old and was operating very well, then just stopped cooperating LOL. Anyway, we are going to drive 2 hours to take the computer in and pray that they can fix it while we are there, because I am NOT (did I say that out loud?) driving 4 hours round trip about a computer.

Ok, so maybe if I have to, but they will get a piece of my mind maybe or at least a deal to give me one to use till I get mine back or just give me a new one because I don't want to drive another 4 hours to deal with a computer...did I say how much we dislike the trip for a computer LOL just had to say it.

I have been very busy scrapbooking and catching up my calendar for 2010 while it has been down. Reflections has a Calendar to scrap at the very end of the book but it is only the calendar part. You then decide how many pictures or just one picture etc you want to highlight the month and you prepare a page from the other layouts in the book for the other side. Since we can change up the pages, I have come to the conclusion tht I don't care if it says right side only, you can put it on the left if it works for you...because there is no right or wrong way to use them.

I started doing this last year and couldn't complete it, so the whole year is already done as far as the calendars are concerned so that leaves the pictures on the left hand page to get done. I have some pictures I will be working on once I get my computer back for the January calendar. It was a New Year's party we attended this year (our first one ever out) and so a great layout will be done I think hehe.

That about wraps up my update. The daughter (in California) has a cold as do my husband and I here in WA. Our son in Bakersfield, CA is doing well and due to granduate with his Bachelor's Degree from ITT Tech in September we believe. I hope to have work ready for me to take a few days off for the event.

Thank you all for all your prayers as I was struggling to find a job. God's perfect timing and a great friend helped me get this one. Love you all and be sure to enjoy the beautiful sunshine we have for a little while longer here in WA. Have a blessed weekend.