Jun 29, 2008

LOVE YOU!

Another card that I made at Lori's. Loooooove how you use the slit punch and fold it over. COOL huh? Then YOU (and some hearts) are stamped inside of the card. I looooved this one!


Its a beautiful Sunday. God is everywhere! Be blessed-B

Jun 28, 2008

Were havin a party!!!


OK, we already had the party! Sorry that you missed it. The daisy scout troop had an awesome time!!! We had 8 little girls and their mamas (and one dad). I didnt get too many good pics as I was trying direct everyone. But over there on the left is one game that we played where everyone had to pass a doughnut between themselves with drink stirrers in their mouths. It was uber fun and absolutely hilarious! We drew with chalk, we cooked marshmellows and we played flash light tag. Along with tons of other stuff. I think it was a great great party and I think every little girl went home happy...most a little bit sleepy. But it was awesome. They all earned their courage badges for catching lightening bugs.
You know that it wouldnt be my life if I didnt already have something ELSE on the horizon. I think the next big thing will be our 4th of July camping trip. I dont know where we are going. But I think we must go!
How was YOUR Friday night? Can your excitement top MY excitement? Id love to hear!
Be Blessed---b

Thankful.

Isnt my baby getting so big??? Shes almost a whole year old!! She is such a good sport tho. This is her playing baby in the doll stroller with her little stuffed dog. It was absolutely hilarious a little bit after this photo was taken. Hannah was singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to her and she slowly closed her eyes. It looked like she was dosing off. It was just tooo cute! Twinkle-Bella is certainly a great part of our household. And I am sooo thankful for her. I think Jenny (my old lady cat) is VERY thankful for her too. It means she doesnt have to be the "baby" anymore!


Look at this next card. This is one I made at Lori's. Dont you just LOOOOOOOOVE this image??? Its a retired SU! that I am trying to convince her that she really doesnt need anymore. And I do! :) Shes not buying it tho.



Anyways....hard to tell, but the little photo clip is holding the "buckle". Its just a strip with the words on it. When you open it then you can open the rest of the card. Like I said, it was an uber awesome COLORING pic!
OK...well with any luck I have survived the sleepover and I will be posting again soon. Have a fantastic Saturday friends. BE BLESSED!--b

Jun 27, 2008

Proud to be an American

Last week BEFORE we went camping I had the honor to go and spend the night with one of my bestest friends Lori (in Nashville). It was a whirlwind trip, but I got to attend one of her great classes, meet her awesome family, her beautiful friend Mary and of course have lunch with Amy & George. AND--garage sale! Talk about a great trip eh? Anyways...as usual we had a good time and I am forever grateful for her hospitality.

As you can tell I am NOT good with straight lines. Anywhoo....U S A is using the alphabet stamps and then embossing it all with glitter. (Doesnt it make you cringe Amy??---Amy has a phobia of glitter...hahahaha...cracks me up!)


This is a star box that we also made. That generally is NOT sposed to be crooked. But since I obviously dont know how to fold right, mine has CHARACTER.


Now check out this little one! Isnt this popup cool???? I loooooved this one and it was even almost relatively easy.


And here we have another issue with straight lines. *LOL* I wont tell you what my FIRST one looked like. But lets just say my 5 year old would have laughed at it. Anyways. This is using the fake stitching. COOL EH?

I have tons of pictures to share with you from the girls trip to Florida, but would you believe I am still trying to unload luggage and get stuff put away. So I will post more soon.

But they had a wonderful and fantastic time. They were tired little guppies when they got home, but they said it was the trip of a life time. And of course this little mama duck was glad to have her babies home.

As for our camping trip...we had a great time!!! Its always a good thing when the campsite goes up without a hitch. It was great. It did rain off and on all weekend, but since we had the cover it was no big deal. It really was a relaxing time. And I was uber proud!!! I made homemade brownies in the dutchoven that turned out like PERFECT --- and they were all the more perfect over the homemade icecream we made too. Yeah...ok so it wasnt real good for the diet, but it sure did taste fabulous!! And I caught 4 fish! Bluegill. I fried em up and we ate those too. Omigosh...nothing like catchin yer own dinner.

Tonight I have 18 girls coming to my house for the Daisy Girlscout camping trip! I think it will be fun, if I dont lose my head in between now and then. *LOL* We have our popup set up and then one of my friends brought her popup and set it up last night. We look like the KOA campground right here in our yard. I am sure it will be absolutely PERFECT tho. I am soooo excited. So I will be posting about it soon too.

((HUG)) to you and you and you. Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for worrying about me when I dont post and puting up with my generic preposts when I am MIA too. Summers are just crazy though. We have sooo much going on.

Jun 24, 2008

Ohhhhhh Bella Bella!


Isnt she adorable!? I just loves me some Bellas! And those seashells. Those are Marilyns little bitty ones. Perfect eh? Wish I was on the beach today dont you?? But I am thrilled to be right where I am too. God is GOOOD! Be blessed---b

Jun 23, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY dearest Lori

OK, so Lori's Birthday was a week ago. But I am not KNOWN for being on time with ANYTHING. But anyways....isnt this flamingo perfect!!!??? Shes soooo blingy! I soooooo loves her! What are YOU doing today? Are you back at work? My happy MONDAY days are now over as R got switched to a 4 day workweek. I am sooo not complaining...but you might be hearing me do the Tuesday dance now instead of the MONDAY dance! In any case...its a wonderful day! Be BLESSED!--b

Jun 22, 2008

Happy SUNday!

Isnt this sun too cute?? This is a sideways kickstand card. Inside it says wishing you a WARM hello.

I hope that YOUR day is warm and wonderful! Are you at the beach? The pool? How bout just outside in the sprinkler?--go get wet! And NO! I dont mean doing the dishes!--enjoy! be blessed---b

Jun 21, 2008

Im back!




Hey look ya'all! I can upload pics and post again! WHOOOHOOO! Of course right now I dont have time to post a big ol post. We are heading out for camping in just a bit. Its the last weekend without the girls and I am uber excited to get them back home. I know they have had fun, but ohhh I miss them.


I made a whirlwind trip to see Lori yesterday. (& Amy and George too!!) HAD A BLAST! I got to play and make more stuff and meet her lovely family. THANK YOU FRIEND for being so hospitable! I love you as a friend--mean it like a sister!



Anyways. Heres a card I have been trying to post all week. Isnt Gruff toooooo cute?? Hes a popup card, where if you pull the ends of the card the saying pops up. CUTE HUH???
I love you dear friends. Have a fabulous weekend! --- be blessed!--b




Jun 16, 2008

A new DO!!!


I got me a new DO!!! OK...so you give a person hours upon hours with no real rhyme or reason to her day...and she gets creative. No, not creative like polishing the badly needed tile floor. No not creative like catching up on some much needed sewing. I am talking about a darastic change! I had noticed that I was always pulling my hair back. It was just too hot to leave it down. So a clip...every single day. My darling made the comment to me one day....why do you condition your hair if all you do is pull it back? Hmm...good question. So I gots me a new do! Its bouncy! Fluffy! I love it.
I cant wait for the real makeover...which will come on Thursday when I have my front teeth fixed. I reckon only a couple more visits before the whitening...then I will be done with the dentist! WOOHOOOO!!! What a trek it has been.
Anyways. Tomorrow is stamping day! I cant wait!!!
((HUGE HUGS))
B

Jun 15, 2008

Embrace Life (for real)



Are you all tired of me being a part-time blogger? Are you tired of me being MIA? Well, I apologize greatly. Its been a ellofa week.

The girls are now safely in Florida. They left on Thursday for 10 days with their cousins and Grammee and PawPaw. daVan and my babies. ~sigh~ After dropping them off I was glad to be in the peace and quiet. I was relaxed, but immediately I realized I missed the little lady (daVan). I am grateful to have my inlaws car to drive this week and it truly is a beautiful little car...but dang...I miss my van. *shhhhh* dont tell anyone I said that. *LOL* As the week has gone on I am having the hardest time keeping going. I KNOW! I should be seizing the moment to do what I wanta do, when I wanta do it. Breaking out those BIG projects...but the truth is...I am a lost puppy. I miss tucking them in at night, I miss Hannah following me around like a shadow, I even miss Heathers music blasting from her room upstairs. Empty Nesters...I pitty you. I wake up in the mornings...wondering WHY I need to get up. Afterall....8 hours longer before R will be home.

XX

Today I am feeling a bit better and am totally anxious to spend the day alone with my darling dear. But those days that he works are torture. I have watched every movie there is on pay per view just trying to pass the time.

XX

Many of you are thinking that I should be stamping my guts out. Truth of the matter is up until this morning I was convinced that my MoJo was packed away in one of their suitcases, resting soundly in between a sand covered swim suit and Mr Cow. Its days like those that we are reminded of our every single blessing. Everything from Hannahs nonstop chatter to Heathers rolling eyes. I do believe I would litterally die if I could never embrace those again.

XX

I also wanted to comment on the late passing of Tim Russert. Now, I am NOT a political person. I have never ever watched MEET THE PRESS and I wouldnt know this man from any other talk show person. But in watching all of the people talking about him...I have never heard of a more remarkable person. Every single person that speaks...tells of how sincere he was. How much he loved life. How enthusiastic he was in EVERY thing he encountered. WOW! I wanta be like that. I wanta be that person. That well rounded. So...today I start on a new mission. Though, my family is my life and means EVERYTHING to me...I am simply faced with the fact that I need to work on myself. Desperately.

XX

So today...Embrace Life. Embrace everything you are faced with with integrity...with love and passion!

Be blessed!--b

Jun 8, 2008

Beautiful Sunday!!

Well our normal relaxing day! WONDERFUL SUNDAY!

Anyways. I did it! No more TALKING about registering for a 5K in the fall. I did it!!! I really really did it! November 2nd is my official date. To most people they are thinking...so..its 5K, thats not far.

But for me its huge. I am NOT athletic, I have a LOT of training to do and also I have never competed in anything like this in my entire life. I am a tad nervous. But now also very very determined.

And an update on things here. No more strange phone calls and no more surprising events and everything is wonderful in my world.

I just wanted to tell ya all that you are fabulous! THANKS FOR BLOGGIN WITH ME!

Be blessed--b

Jun 7, 2008

BEE HAPPY!


Well dang. NO ONE TOLD ME that my pic from yesterday was all messed up. I think I got it fixed now though, so that you can see the double slider.
The most peculiar things have been happening lately. It makes me wonder what signals God is trying to tell me. I have had some ummm...."issues" with a current friend. Ones that dont appear that they are ever going to be resolved. I have been mopey dopey and worried sick about it. Ya know...that overwhelming feeling that *gasp* someone is MAD at me?!?! When I dont feel like I have done a single thing wrong...I think maybe the Lord is trying to force us our seperate ways. I have often wondered this in the past and thought about it several times. But anyways, THAT is not the strange thing. The strange thing is that I have been getting phone calls from people that are very very special to me, but not ones that I pick up the phone to "chat" with on a daily basis. Okay...not even a MONTHLY, YEARLY or ok...really EVER. Phone calls that you spend the entire conversation wondering WHAT IS WRONG--WHAT HORRIFIC NEWS DO YOU WANT TO TELL ME? When each of these people just called to tell me they were thinking of me and wanted me to know I was loved. WOW! How awesome is that? How awesome is it that GOD knows what I am feeling and how "lost" I have been feeling that he is sending little bits of encouragement to tell me "I" am okay and this IS His plan. Now whether my friend and I work out WHATEVER this is, or not...I have no hard feelings, I am okay with it all. I wish her the very bestest of everything. It makes me very excited to move on and see where the Lord is taking both of us, whether it be together or not.
So, on a happier note. Look at these bees! Arent they adorable!!! I LOVE THIS STAMP!
I hope your weekend is beautiful! Enjoy! And most of all...BE BLESSED!-b

Jun 6, 2008

Sliding on into Friday!

OK...so a Photographer I am NOT! But I was trying to show you that this is a double slider. Each end pulls out when you simply tug on the ribbon. As Lori so nicely described: "Its a card that is easy to cuss at." I dont think I could say it any better. It is certainly NOT my favorite TYPE of card to make. I DEFINITELY lost a few hairs and I am not anxious to do it again.

I am just loving this camping set though! Like how I converted this little boy into a girl with piggy tails??? Everything of course is colored with Copic Markers and then I added Applique to the marshymellow. It was real real hard not to add more bling. But since it has to SLIDE anything real bumpy just doesnt work.

**note, the little line in the what to bring is so that I could write an extra something for each girl to bring...like marshmellows or paper plates...or hotdog buns...**


But on a happier note--they are finished! They are in the mailbox and ready to reach each of those fabulous daisy scouts!! Now...on to party favors. Remind me again that planning parties is really NOT my forte'. HAHAHA! Funny...but I seem to keep ending up in this situation. I think my subconscious thinks I AM a party planner, cause its the one that keeps volunteering. HONEST! I have NOTHING to do with it!
XX
All is great here tho! We are off to see CONG FU PANDA today! I cant hardly wait!
XX
Do you have big plans for the weekend? Hey...almost fergot to mention---BLOG CANDY will be coming up soon. See my counter over there?? Its almost 5000!! YIPES! So....when that gets closer...I will be announcing a couple of free gifts for YOU! And the coolest part? Whether you are a stamper/crafter or not...you WILL get something that you just love!!!
XX
Are you being creative? Are you enjoying the weather? Are you safe? Please know a special prayer goes up each morning for each of my bloggy friends. I love you all!---be blessed!--b

Jun 5, 2008

Tuesday Mourning!

REMARKABLE TALENT!! Since we have gotten home from the festival I have researched Ms. Tuesday Mourning AKA Merrilee Lilliard and OMG! She like has done SOOO much. How come I had never heard of this girl before??? She was amazing!!! Go Check out her blog -->> HERE <<--, I promise, you will also be amazed with her work and fall in love with her just as we have. Look at this signing! She did this cute little girl in like 2 minutes. HOW COOL IS THAT? We tried to convince her that she SOOOO needs a rubber stamp line. Even though I am an absolute die hard Bella fan, dont you think this could be a good competitor?? And I would surely be one of her bestest customers.

And FINALLY Heather graced us with her appearance in a photo! See that bag she has over her shoulder?? See all that skin sticking out around it? Imagine it neon red! The girl got sooo sunburned -- I felt so sorry for her. Especially since she has a nice stripe from that bag!!

OK...so today ends my ranting about the Festival, but can you TELL that we just thoroughly enjoyed it!?! I know...I know...my poor bloggy friends are severely card deprived. I promise to feed you all some eye candy in the line of cards tomorrow! But for today....Are you blessing someone today?--b

Jun 4, 2008

1st Grade Stinks!


A title that screamed out to us from the table! Mary Ann Rodman was also a wayyyy neato author to meet. She was lots of fun and was so sweet to Hannah, whom of course is going into first grade.

Our summer has been engulfed in reading. So this little festival was so awesome. It didnt do much good at cutting down on our want to read lists, but rather added more to them. The love of books was everywhere at the festival and I was so excited. I think, maybe even more than the kids were.

Are YOU excited about reading? How long has it been since you picked up a book...just cause? Not because you had a report due, or because you wanted to whip up a batch of cookies...but just because you wanted to get lost in that NATION that doesnt cost a dime to get to. The best NATION of them all..Yes, even better than the US of A...its your IMAGINATION! Have you been there lately? READ! Its cheap....its fun...it can be done indoors AND outdoors...you can learn...you can relax....and its something that is NEVER too late to get involved in. Ha! Do I sound like a librarian or what? UGH! Actually...no I am about as far from that as ever. Growing up I HATED to read. I mean...really really really hated it. But now that I am older I am finding it so much fun. I am trying to keep up with Heathers summer program...keep Hannah engulfed in hers and also I have taken on a couple of challenges myself. How crazy is that???? But whowouldathunk that all of us who are at different levels of reading could enjoy it together?

Go...be blessed!--b

Jun 3, 2008

R. Friend = REAL FRIEND


R. Friend, or Ronda without the Honda as she says...was sooo much fun at the festival. Her books are not in book stores, so it was great to see something new and exciting. Also very interesting to learn WHY that is too. Lets just say...this chick is WORTH supporting! She has definitely got YOUR child's best interest in her heart and she seeks everything for the glory of God! WOOHOO! Doesnt get much better than that friends!
XX
Each one of her books represents a seed that children need to know. Like one is R. Friend Swollows Her Pride, Seeds of Forgiveness. Her latest, that doesnt come out til Sept is about lieing...oh man...can I pre-buy POSTER size print of this book? Maybe to wallpaper my children's rooms with?? I know! Ill have a slide show that constantly flashes in their faces. Hmm...maybe a little too high tech?
XX
In any case I KNOW that the book will be perfect! I just hope we can MAKE IT til September!!
She was an absolute blast to visit with. Someone you want to go out to lunch with. Someone you WANT to get to know better, cause you just KNOW she would be tons of fun! Ha! And she is from Franklin, TN...well dang! Thats close enough to spit on!!!
XX
Let me tell you something though...If I could recommend ANY book for you to read to your kids its this one and the next one...and might I recommend that you go ahead and buy the four... cause you WILL want them... I promise. Her website is http://www.downonfriendlyacres.com/ go check it out! Or http://www.sunflowerseedspress.com/ Its fun! Shes fun!
XX
And dont ferget...ya cant run down to Borders and pick her up...shes not there. If ya ask her she will probly even autograph a book for you. Course you gotta tell her that "I" sent you! Hahhaa...then ya gotta go and tell all yer friends too....TRUST ME! You want to do this.
XX
Would you believe me if I told you we have already read one entire book! The girls wouldnt let me put it down. It was so much fun! In fact it was so good that they were ready for me to start the next one right then and there. We HAVE started it now...but trying to go a little bit slower in this one. It is SOOO not easy!
XX
She has a fantastic recipe in the back of Grandma Brombaugh's Peanut Butter Fudge that is super duper creamy. And we had so much fun trying it out. The girls LOVED it! They enjoyed reading the candy thermometer and of course watching it all come together. Its super rich though. WOWZEE! But already theyve been naming people that MUST try this fudge! Cause it is soooooo good!
XXI hope that your week is awesome! Are you creating? --whats beautiful and fun for you today? Remember to feed your heart and soul with beauty...without it, life is just plain boring!!
XX
I am off to stamping...so of COURSE its an awesome day for me!! And I might even have a card or two to share with you tomorrow!!!!


be blessed--(dont ferget tho...go look at Ronda's site...GO NOW!) --B

Jun 2, 2008

Another great experience!

Robert Blake has been the artist and illustrator for lots of books. He is definitely one though that I think we will continue to follow. He was sooo much fun! He was so congenial to the kids and he really was a great person to be around. He and the girls drew this picture together!

Its funny how some of the authors were awesome to be around. Some were definite people persons and then others seemed more with the fact that they were on a mission and that they forte' was certainly to be behind closed doors with their word processors. It was fantastic to listen to them talk none the less.

Have you exercised today? Have you created anything? Be blessed!--b

Jun 1, 2008

We stepped into CULTURE this weekend!

I am sooo grateful for my friend, Marilyn. Not only did she tell us about the great Childrens Reading Festival that was this past weekend in Knoxville, she went with us! Directed us around town and got us great parking! We had soooo much fun! We got to see lots of famous childrens' authors, see story tellers, do crafts, get autographs...etc etc. HOW COOL HUH??

Today I am showing you one of the most exciting ones that was there. Mo Willems! The girls were uber excited to see him cause he is one of the authors on THE KIDS NEXT DOOR cartoon as well as SHEEP IN THE CITY. He told stories and signed books and it was just way cool to see him!

It was really fun to be out and about!

Things have been a little chaotic here. As I have started a new training program. Yes folks, this big ole lady is gonna be a runner!! As most of my friends know...I seek that runner's high that so many people talk of. I want to feel the freedom of running. OK...not an unusaul thing right? Well for me it is HUGELY unusual. As I HATE to run. I hate to be exerted in the slightest. I get winded just goin up and down the steps and I usually dont see the need to run unless something is chasing me. Even then, I go through the thought process, to determine if I can take whatever it is that is chasing me...will it be a slow and painful death or will it just take me out in one bite? These are very important issues you know.

I have to admit though, I am doing WONDERFUL with it. I have been reading an AWESOME book that seems like it was written just for ME. It talks you all the way through the very first steps. It tells you what to expect and what not to expect. Most of all, it tells you that, chances are you will NOT be running a 10K in the next month...no matter HOW invincable you think you are. And it also tells you that a little bit a day is STILL in the right direction. Ha! It breaks it down into like 2 minute incriments. I can do that!!

So stay with me friends as I embark on my new goal.

Have a blessed week!! --b