Good Morning

I only have a half of a second to post right now....but I wanted to wish you all a Happy Friday!!

Twink went in for the big surgery today. Already I am feeling lost without her. I cant wait til she is back home with us again this afternoon.

I am busy busy this morning and hope to be back later of course with FURRY FRIDAY pics and some other stuff I am working on.

Have a great day!
B

This little light of mine....Im gonna let it shine!

OK--Confession time. I had a blog post all written and ready to go this morning. I had pictures and paragraphs and paragraphs about how I have had several mishaps in the last week. Everything from that day where EVERYTHING went haywire to sick kids and other woe-is-me comments. But the Lord and I have been talking this morning. And as He has been telling me for the last few weeks....to reboot my system. To do away with relationships, habits and overall bad things in my life...He also made it clear that I need to get some of my other programs working right as well. Ya know...like that one proverb that EVERYONE knows...Do unto others as you'd have done to you. I havent been doin such a fabulous job of this. Yet I am expecting others to bow down to ME and treat me correctly. HA! Imagine my astonishment when this doesnt work. You mean I have to be nice, forgiving and accepting too??? Dang!

So my post today is short. But I am back with bells on. I have a brand new puter system and it is a dream. A true dream.

As beautifully though as this new system runs, I look over at my old dishoveled laptop. When I can relate to it so much more. Its got a crack. Its outward drives are all malfunctioning and even the motherboard might have issues. It is today that I pray for Jesus to make me more like my new system. All fancy with a beautiful sleek design. Smooth transitions between operations and programs. Calm and peaceful.

So I beg of you today. Stop. Take a moment to send a card or even an extra email to someone special in your life. Maybe you have forgiven them for something, but not stopped to tell THEM that. Maybe distance has just drawn you apart. For whatever reason....send a raindrop of love out and bless someone. Chances are they really NEED a little rain.

Arent the new Stampin-Up! rub-ons fantastic? I just looove these! These little candles are just simple little treats I gave to my stampin buddies this week. Arent they adorable!?

So...this little light of mine is gonna shine on. Right now its tiny. Its almost been extinguished many times. But I am gonna keep on shining. For its through Jesus that we can ALL be big and beautiful.

Make it a blessed day!--b

MIA? AWAL? Or just plain Postal??

OK...heres the scoop... Do you ever have days where your life seems to be off by a fraction of a hair? You drop things, you run into walls, you stub your toe on the edge of your bed that has ALWAYS been where it is? You burn your finger on the toaster...you know what I mean. Today IS one of those days for me. Yes...all those things mentioned up there--I did them...and to think the day is still young.

The kids are home from school today as they closed the county schools for illness. Praise God this is one "illness" break we dont have to actually use to recover from illness. We are all healthy.

OK...so now the reason why I am going postal. My &*&%$## laptop is fritzing out ONCE again. I mean seriously...has this thing EVER worked right? Has it ever done exactly as it was sposed to do?? Now of course its no longer under warranty. A quick call to geek squad quoted me a $379 minimum price cause they said it sounds like the external drives are all bad. Might also mean mother board is damaged. Which of course would make the price go up....and the crack in the screen...thats more too. OK...I only paid $700 somethin in the first place. ~hmph~ So...while I try to figure out what the heck I am doing...it will be hit or miss on here.

I have great pics to show you (cant cause dumb puter wont recognize camera card) and lots to share. So just be patient and I will be back with bells on real soon.

---b

Its amazing what a little spray paint can do!

Dont you just LOVE this TShirt??? I got it over at Chelsey's Place. It says: A clean house is the sign of a lazy stamper. She has other kinds too, but this one is my most favorite!! THANKS CHELS!!


I have also been doing a bit of altering. I am getting ready to repaint my bedroom and put on my new bedspread that I got for a steal last week. I am sooo excited. We have finally decided to paint the walls a navy blue. Its real hard to explain...but its real rich looking. I think it will go fabulously with the silver colored bedspread. Of course in doing this I have been looking for other ways to decorate the room. I want to go for a real shabby shic look, but I got to be careful not to get too femanine so that R wont freak out.

OK...so here are more of my finds. A simple candle & stand. A glass photo frame that was on sale for 70% off!! Can you believe it? And then a silver vase that was also on sale! This whole ensamble...a mere $10.

And this uber awesome t-totally cool necklace holder. Yes. I know---its pink. It doesnt go with silver or blue and it definitely crosses the line of girly girl.

But with the help of Silver Spray Paint I think it looks fabulous!! The feather adds a little flare back to it and I think this will sit absolutely perfect on my vanity. That place IS allowed to be a little fluffy isnt it?

Here we are with the plain candle.

And I added some ribbon and some decorative paper. It is really hard to capture how great all this stuff really looks. I am sure once I get it up in the room it will bring out the true beauty. See there...more silver on candle holder!

Then we have the steal of the week. I bought this photo frame with the intentions of dismantling it.

Yes, I ripped the kickstand back off of it and laid it down flat. I was able to bend up a few of the flowers that are in the decoration and whala! I have a beatuiful little tray. I know...I could have just BOUGHT a tray...but I havent seen any that are for one...not gargantuously huge and for two dont cost a lot and three that I really like. This fit all three of those needs. I am anxious to pull out more of my purfume bottles.


And then the simple little vase...

Got adorned with a bouquet that was ALSO on sale! HOT DOG!! Since I soooo cannot arrange flowers to save my life, I love how this one was already done. Just a little trim on the stems and plunked it right down in there.

So...this concludes my accomplishments of the morning. I am sooo excited to bring it all together.

Yesterday I finally got to meet Jennifer! We have been chatting on line for a looong time, and even though we live like 30 minutes away from each other it has never worked out to meet in person. So that was cool!

Make it a great day!--b

Trophy?

Why is it when you get a good report from the dentist on one (or both) of your children you feel like you should be handed a medal of honor? A trophy? SOMETHING that says...woohoohooo--my kids made it 6 months without a cavity? Or better yet...that one that says...WOOHOO! I remembered to bring em BACK in 6 months? Funny how our children's successes and failures are almost our entire being. Like it was MY hounding them to go in their and brush their teeth every evening and morning that got them their clean bill of health. When you and I BOTH know that many of those times were just a swoosh of the brush under the running water and straight back into the drawer (you know...in case mom checks to see if the brush is wet). It was ME that got them those pearly whites. When actually I had very little to do with it. It was Gods master plan that made little ones teeth extra absorbant of that toothpaste if and when it DID ever touch them. But then I think God also knows how fantastic it makes moms feel too. Thanks Father for giving me a boost too.

This set just came in the mail yesterday (THANKS MOM) and well I HAD to put it to ink. The paper and flowers are from CTMH and then I had a bottle cap and rhinestone on hand. The little swirly is from Clear Impressions....I think.

Make it a good day!---B

Everything is better with CUPCAKES

Isnt it funny that no matter what kind of mood you are in, it is next to impossible to think about a cupcake without feeling even a shimmer of happiness? Imagine the power you would have if you had that effect on people. WOW! Instead..."wow, my wife really isnt all I had hoped for", or "man...mom sure was in a grumpy mood this morning". What if they went about their daily lives with smiles on their faces each and every time they thought of you . What if they were more excited to come home tonight than they usually are. Wouldnt it be amazing if EVERY day could be a cupcake day?

I learned an incredible thing the other day at Walmart! Ha! Yes, it is proof that knowledge is EVERYWHERE -- even at the local discount store. Anyways...the gentleman that was checking me out carried on a very intriguing conversation. I wont bore you to death and go over every aspect of it but it is what he said as he handed my my receipt that made the biggest impact on me. Now mind you I was having a pickle sort of day. You know...where you are just full of vinegar and are pretty content with being mad at the world? Well...this man...said

Go and MAKE it a great day.

*GASP* You mean I have control over the fact that I am having a sucky day?? You mean I can make it better? You mean "I" have to do it? I cant just wait for some miraculous blessing to fall out of the sky and enlighten me with happiness?? Now...my day didnt change much but it didnt get any worse either, as I am certain it probably would have. It made me realize that we truly do have the keys right there in our pocket to make our lives exactly what we want them to be.

So I have done a lot of soul searching. A lot of self meditating and such this past week. Hence the reason there havent been many posts. Our Sunday Sermon was also a major factor in this...

You know how when your computer gets all fuzzled? When none of the programs work properly. When your files are all in the wrong place and when the whole system just drags? To remedy this one might install the boot disk. This will return it back to the original factory settings. This takes off all of the installed programs, all of the saved files and everything that you have done to your system. You then get the grueling chore of reinstalling each program that you WANT back on there. Though, this time you are installing each with the upmost care, making sure to install it just PERFECTLY because you want everything to run smooth. You dont install the programs that you THOUGHT you wanted...but just the really important ones that you know you do.

Well, how many of our lives need to be returned back to the original factory settings? How many of us need to return back to a 4 year olds way of thinking that you truly CAN be a princess or a fairy if you want to. No one has yet told you that the chances are slim to none. Or how bout that you ARE the most beautiful girl (or boy) in the whole wide world? And certainly the smartest. Our boot disk is right beside us...the Bible. Does it not say those things in there? Does it not say that we can do ANYTHING through Christ? Hmmm...somewhere along the way my file got corrupt and told me I couldnt. How bout yours? How many relationships do you have that arent healthy? That arent running as the original programming has told them to run? Do they need to be rebooted too? Maybe some files need to be deleted altogether.

OK...nuff preaching for today. But I wanted you to know whats been happening here with me. Im not ignoring all of you...and I appreciate each and EVERY single one of your comments. You all bless me with so much.

Now...lets get on to some cards ---eh????

This is for CHELSEY & I's challenge this week, but I for the life of me cannot find the file that had a copy of the sketch. I guess I ate it. The background (what you can see of it) is the bouncing brayer technique on glossy card stock.

And here is the SCS challenge. These first 2 cards are using images that I received in the flood. Which have you all checked out the slideshow up there?? Arent I getting some magnificant cards????? I have had soo much fun!

This is using my new TAC set. I love these little dogs. Arent they too cute??

Speaking of dogs... Cyris has begun his training and he is doing amazingly well!!! OK...hes still pigheaded when it comes to running off with his friends. But he is learning. Yesterday we went for a walk and he stayed RIGHT with me. I was uber proud of him. He is such a good boy.

And heres a Twink update. Look at her new hiding place!! This is in the storage area. And yes, that is the ceiling! She is a good 9 feet up in a box!!!!! I think she has discovered this place because Hannah cant find her NOR reach her up there. Hahahha---maybe shes not such a dumb dumb after all.

~*~*~*~

MORE FACTS:

31. I have a severe addiction to jigsaw puzzles, as in I usually cant have one going because I litterally get nothing else accomplished.

32. I dont like dark chocolate. Would seriously rather have none than that.

33. I have only had 3 surgeries in my life. Two of those were c-sections and the other was Lasik on my eyes.

So today....rather than saying BE BLESSED as I usually do....I am going to say

MAKE it a blessed day!---b

Its that little thing they call the Love Bug!

Look at what my darling dear sent me! Arent they just simply the most gorgeous?? I soooo love tulips. They are so simple and so elegant. And he had them delivered just for me. Isnt that the sweetest thing?? To think...he picked ME out of the 6 gozillion people on earth. That thought alone is enough to make me feel like a princess. I am blessed. The Valentine Construction Zone was in full force last night. We had pink paper and hearts a flying every which direction. Its hard to believe that Heather is now "too big" for boxes and Hannah is just now starting her career of constructing. Why do they have to grow up? I love this stage...when holidays are simply amazing. Even the simple ones like Valentines Day.




This is Mr. Bunny. His mouth is the opening in which she will receive her Valentines. Isnt he cute??? We had a lot of fun with him. I was thrilled that she was happy with just a BUNNY. She loves Easter and always has. So when I asked what she wanted to make, her natural response was an Easter Bunny. YIPES! Hannah...not EVERYTHING can be Easter. You can bet if she could find some Easter Valentines they would have surely been in our cart. She was happy with the Hello Kitty ones tho.

Then on to Heathers. She, like I said...is "too big" for Valentines Boxes, but she wanted to make a few cards for her friends. These are featuring Naruto. Just some clips we found online. I of course added a whee bit to them and then we put some candy in some bags to go with them.

Funny how she has grown. Still caring about details, but never ever willing to admit it to anyone. I love that girl!

OK...I love em both! I will be honest.

I have the bestest family in the whole wide world. So remind me of that when I have one of those times where I am certain they are all from Mars and I have been cursed with their presence.

Ya know, I wonder....did Jesus' mama ever want to hang him from the rafters? Did he ever get under her skin, where she simply wanted him to just go out and play? Did she ever wonder what on earth was he thinking? Or did he ever roll his eyes at her? Often times we forget at what a true blessing our kids and yes, even spouses are. Never know...they might be on their way to being that ONE person that changes everything for mankind. You could be raising a saint, right now as you read this. You could be raising the next Bill Gates, Ronald Reagan or Ghandi...how bout Mother Theresa? Gosh...makes me stop and take a deep breath and not be so quick to run them on out of my way.

So on this Valentines Day....take all the hugs and kisses you can get. No matter how many you stockpile, I promise your supply will ALWAYS be running low.

At this rate of posting facts about me, by the time I get to 100 I will have to start over cause I will have all new things. Shows ya how long of a memory I have.

OK...so heres some more facts about me...on my trek to 100.

26. My favorite taste & smell is coconut. YUM! I love everything about the stuff.

27. My biggest fear is to not be able to scream when I am scared. Dh says this is the most rediculous thing he has ever heard of cause I could win emmy awards for my blood curdling screech.

28. I hate haunted houses. You could send me in the lamest haunted house out there and I will still scream and cry like a baby.

29. Up until about a year ago you couldnt pay me to eat sushi. Now I looooove the stuff! Mostly just tuna...I will not never no how eat octopus. EWWW!

30. Theres a woodpecker outside my window right now...we have named him Frank...isnt he beautiful??

Be blessed--b

A good weekend, a long recovery and good mail!

This week, instead of a sketch CHELSEY and I decided to altar our mailboxes. This first one that I did, is for Heather. Simple. To the point and just plain. The image on the flag is Oriental LOVE. Heather LOOOVES oriental stuff so I thought this was perfect. I didnt decorate the front or the back.

Hannah, on the other hand is very much like her mama and loves everything BLINGED out! I used these uber cool rub-ons that I got a few weeks ago. Of course adding some Primas and some bling bling.

Our Schwans weekend was WONDERFUL! Sooo very inspiring and motivating. We met some fabulous people, got to know a few a bit better and over all just had a great time.

I am slowly starting to feel better. I can honestly say I felt FABULOUS all weekend, but now I am sniffling again and having a heck of a time getting my energy level back up. I am doing a bit better today though and I hope to be back to normal soon.

A gentleman enlightened me this weekend with a phenominal statement. Decide what you need. Then decide what you want. Then put every ounce of your being into both. WOW! Arent those words amazing? OK...no they are not earth shattering and to most they are just common sense words. But it was a true V-8 moment.

For me...I want a loving and secure family. I want a home that is a sanctuary for that family. I want a good relationship with the Lord and I of course want wonderful people in my life. I want to have fun. I want to be financially secure enough to HAVE a little fun...and the snowball goes round and round. But the reason this was so amazing is the thing he said at the end. Use EVERY ounce of your being...Not just some. Not just a half way job here and there...but EVERY single ounce. So when I study in the mornings...read to broaden my relationship. When I clean even the gross toilets...do it so that my family has a clean and welcoming place to return to each evening.

OK...so now on to my point. Do everything that you are doing today with gusto. Make it count. Now...I know there are days that you just simply cant. Like when you are sick and simply getting off the couch takes all the gusto you got. But on those days that you make the kids lunch...make it with an extra kiss....or maybe its being more Christian-like by blessing that car that has been waiting for eons to pull out into traffic. Slow down and let the poor guy in, afterall....wouldnt you like the same?

Let those around you know how much they mean to you. Make each and every single ounce COUNT!

Furry Friday -- I am alive!

It was a rough week. Yesterday I finally gave in and went to the doctor. He said I had a major sinus infection but with some good drugs I oughta be up and better in no time. Well, I am still waiting for that that "no time" to come about...but I DO believe I am on the mend.

This little coin purse is a project gone bad. I was hoping to make this purse to match the fox purse I had made last week but instead it turned into a big ball of fur. Rather than giving up though I attached some ribbon and decided that for Hannah...its perfect. She will love it! Yes...even love the fact that the ribbon color is probably not the best choice.

This weekend we are off to Nashville for the awards ceremony for Schwans. Ronnie has not been with the company long enough to be eligable for anything, but we figured it would be a good thing to attend anyways.

And since I havent been paper crafting this much this week I guess I will leave you with a pic from last weeks auction. Holy cow! Look at those tails!

What the heck is the FLOOD anyways?

I am so glad that you asked. I am a member over at the uber cool Stamp-Shack and they have a swap called the FLOOD. Today I received a card from from Cathy that explained it just perfectly.
F --Friendly
L --Level of
O --Opportunity
O --Obviously
D --Deserved

OK...now to put that into English. 4 or 5 names are drawn a month to receive the "flood" of cards from other shackie members. And I just happened to be one of those 4 or 5 this month. Now I send to the other names this month and I also send a card to those that are drawn next month and so on. I guess its an organized Random Acts of Kindness thing.

I dont know what you want to call it, but I call it SPLENDID! I have gotten some wonderful cards! I love the diversity. I love the fact that they are coming from all over the world and I love seeing the different ways people express themselves in papermaking.

Trust me...its SOOOOO fun!

And now you know!--B

We are okay here

I just wanted to check in and let you know that we are okay here. The weather missed us. Its still incredibly warm here and we have gotten a LOT of rain and wind....but we are fine.

At least weather wise we are ok anyways. I am still not feeling worth a flip with this dang cold. Geesh! Whats up with that? I have already decided that if something miraculous doesnt happen over night tonight I am gonna go in to the doc tomorrow. Surely there is some relief SOMEWHERE right? My ears are clogged, my eyes are blurry and of course my nose is stuffed. UGH!!!

I wanted to share this blog with you. I just recently found it by way of one of my bestest friends, Lori and I KNEW that you all needed to know about it too! So go check out Lysa TerKeurst you wont be sorry!

Have a good day. Be safe! -- b

mumbling, bumbling and tumbling along

Its super Tuesday, which means ITS KIDS AT HOME ALL DAY TODAY day. Which any other time I would be overjoyed to have an extra day to spend with them. But since I am still not feeling fabulous--it just means I gotta stumble through my whole day without missing a beat.

Anyways...so here is a quick post just to let you know I am a-ok.

Its about that truck that hit me...

Did anyone get the license plate number of the truck that ran over me? I have got the uber bug of the century. I am slowly pulling myself up out of the slum though and starting to feel all humanlike again. Though Heather came home with the sniffles and a headache all over again today. Dang! Is this thing ever gonna leave us?? Thank goodness they are out of school tomorrow anyways...maybe we can do some serious resting!!!

OK...so here is my sketch challenge that I do with Chelsey. These are both using my new TAC sets. I am soooo excited about them. OK...so heres the sketch:


Its inspired from a card done by corinnesmith over at Split Coast Stampers.

Inside says: And have faith in how far you can go

I hope that each of you are doing well and are creating much.

FACTS ABOUT ME:

22. I have 355 songs on my iPod
23. I started collecting Disney Movies before I ever had kids
24. I won a trophy for throwing a frying pan the farthest once (23.5 ft)
25. I am a forensic files and crime scene fanatic. I love all those kind of
shows on TV.

Wonder how many posts I can do in a day?

Isnt this little basket soooo cute?? I just love it!

I just wanted to come here and tell you bout this fabulous tutorial that my friend, Lori has on her blog today. GO! She has awesome pics to show you how to do it.

--->GO HERE <---

Facts

I have forgotten to post facts about me. GEESH!

so here you are...

15. I love Mary Englebreit stuff. --Especially LETS PUT THE FUN BACK IN DISFUNCTIONAL.
16. I have a nasty habit of leaving the cabinet doors open.
17. When not dieting I can single handedly eat an enitre Key Lime Pie by myself.
18. I can type 60 wpm (yay me)
19. I learned to sew when I was a kid. 4+ years of 4-H (Thanks Mom for encouraging me)
20. Everything that I do on the computer is self taught. I have only taken 2 computer classes--and they were just to get the dang certifcate so I could put it on my resume. I took DOS programing in highschool too, though I couldnt tell you the very first thing about it now.
21. My favorite actor is Matt Damon. Fav movie of his is either Rainmaker or Good Will Hunting.

Furry Friday

Well Chelsey and I agreed to change our sketch days til Monday so that I could make Fridays my designated days of showing you fur. I have really really got to get busy with my sewing and well, I figured since this blog has encouraged me to stamp more, maybe it will help me sew too!

Anyways. This is a purse made from red fox. Its about 13 x 12 and has a single pocket on the inside.


It has a wooden handle and magnetic clasps to keep it closed.

This one is already sold and will be delivered some time this weekend. I have plenty more sold if I can just hurry my butt up and get em done!!!

Its Friday!!! Even though we have a fur auction tomorrow I am anxious for the weekend.

Heather is feeling all better and back to her normal self. And for the first time in WEEKS Hannah woke up this morning without having a major coughing fit!! WOOHOOO! So much so that she didnt want to take her cough meds.

Alright...so now...go create something! Go conquer that task that you have been putting of for forever. Trust me...you WILL feel better. I did once I got this dang purse done and I know that you will too.

ENJOY!!

B