CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP!

 

Cheap Cheap Cheap.  No, no birdies around.  But that IS what I got these cards for.  The package included 8 postcard like things with 8 envelopes....for $.49!!!  Yes folks, I got the base of 8 cards and 8 envelopes for that!!  So then I did a little embellishing and slapped them on a card tent, and whala!  I have had these train eyelets for forever, no seriously since I started scrapbooking like 11 years ago!  I thought the saying was PERFECT for them!

 

Nothing says happiness like your cheeks in the sand!

A warm hello.

This was part of my mission to use each stamp once.  I am not real certain I am gonna keep the mittens.  They dont knock my socks off.  You cant tell it in the photo, but the mitten on the bottom is pop dotted so that it stands out a bit taller than the other.

Butterflies

 

 

 

I cannot for the life of me get this color to balance out.  The photo does make the glitter on the butterfly show up wonderful, but it also makes the ribbon look like its got a black light on it or something.

 

Both of these images I got from Marilyn and Janet at my last play date.  Are they not fun.  But what makes them the best is the saying for the inside.

 

Love is like a butterfly it goes where it pleases and pleases where it goes.

 

I have to say that as of late my whole life has been a flock of butterflies.  After the past few years it truly has felt like we stepped straight into a fairy tale.  It has been nice to just "be".  I know that it is definitely only a short lived rest as we are called to be involved and enrolled in life.  And I know that our trials were NOT just for the sake of experience.

 

Being here in Alabama our lifestyle has changed dramatically.  Not just financially and geographically but those that we are around on a daily basis has changed  as well.  My children are now a minority in the schools that they attend.  This is a little astounding as neither one of them have ever been around many other ethnic groups.  Both of course were taught to respect and of course how to act, but neither have had to USE those skills in real life.   

 

For Heather it is as if someone has directed the spotlight right on her.  She is doing amazing.  She loves that she can just be who she is, without the fear of being swept up in the sea of white people trying to find their place in the whole high school world.  Though she still hangs mostly with white, I am grateful that she has also made some friends that are not.  Now mind you, remembering their names is a whole other level. 

 

With all this being said.  PLEASE NOTE, I am NOT racial against blacks or whites.  I am simply stating that we came from the hills of Tennessee and well, there just are NOT a lot of blacks.  But within this same breath let me point out I have encountered just as many punk white people that deserve the slang terms more than many of the colored people I have met.

 

Hannah on the other hand, is having a bit more go of it.  She is at that awkward point in life where you break away from mom and dad to determine what YOU like.  At 5'7 and only 10 she already stands above everyone in her class.  Making her white just adds another label.  I have no doubt that she will find her groove soon, but it is a bit challenging for her now.

 

I was in line at the Walmart this morning 2 times.  I hate the store personally, and for me to say I stood in line TWICE, well you can imagine how great that was.  :)  The first go around was at the Walmart near my home.  I had picked up the few things I needed and gone to check out.  I was in line of a check out woman....black of course.  She was pleasantly dressed and really a very pretty older woman.  Now mind you....if I had not spoken to the woman first===other than telling me what the total was, I dont think she would have said a word to me.  THESE PEOPLE DRIVE ME INSANE...and it has NOTHING to do with the dang color of your skin!!!  But this brings me to my 2nd trip to the checkout lane of Walmart.  Only because Walmart #1 didnt have Cardstock (almost main reason of trip to stupid store in the first place).  The black lady there was equally pleasant looking and laughing and smiling.  She was cutting up with the old black man that was in line behind me.  It was light and airy and no one noticed that there was a difference between us. They talked to me, rather than through me.   I was even taken back a bit when the old man laid his hand on my shoulder as he was laughing.  It wasnt offensive, it wasnt intrusive, it was just common human interaction.  Why is it that people draw these lines between us?  The unwritten lines that says we are different?  Might I also add that if you work in a place of service to the public, I dont care WHAT your problem is, but you are being paid to be nice!!!!  (again, this applies to the purple people....even if the purple people are serving pink ones!)

 

Might I also add, when I say that we are a minority....I mean that we are in the lower ratio of whites to colored.  NOT that my poor girls are 2 of the 3 white people that go there.  :) 

 

This subject just really toasted my lips this morning and needed to voice my opinion to SOMEONE.  Lucky you...you stopped by.  Mwahahah.

 

So, I am also here...watching the news that Hurricane Isaac is getting ready to hit landfall.  I wonder...how do those people continue to live in New Orleans?   I would be a freakin basket case every time a cloud crossed in front of the suns path.    In my morning meditations I was reminded that I am to succomb EVERYTHING to Jesus.  Everything?  Yes.....Everything.  So my fear of weather has to go too?  Seriously....a clap of thunder usually sends me to the basement.  My dog Cyris nearly knocking me down on the way down the steps because he too, is a weenie.  Now tho...I am at a place that I have no basement.  I also have no Cyris to share in my weenieness.  So I am trying my best to give it to Jesus...HE will protect me from the storms right?  Do YOU have things that you just cant give to Jesus.  You SAY you will, you might for a minute, but then find yourself taking them right back?  I wonder, what would you do if you didnt have your main support friend and a basement to run to?  What if it was just YOU and Jesus?  Could you then?  I know that I personally, am being tested on this.  So far, I have not been looking for the nearest storm shelter...I am trusting in Jesus.

 

Go, bless some one.  And for the name of Jesus, be NICE while doing it!

 

 

Decorative Paper

One of the biggest things that missed while being in the craft store dessert (as in there was only 1 within 2 hours) was my addiction to Mat Stacks.  I looooooove those little books that have all the coordinating papers right there together.  So I saved my pennies and my coupon and visited Joanns this week.  Got me a new one!!  (Though, Joanns did NOT ruffle my feathers, I sure miss the one in Knoxville, because it is amazing.)

Anyways.  This is using some of that paper.  I used an exacto knife and cut some of the paper so that it kind of overlapped the mat.  I didnt want to cover up the paper that was already working so hard.  I did, however add some bling to it.

It says.  Hoping that each day finds you feeling more and more like your wonderful self!

 

Organizing Challenge

Most of you know that I am a hoarder collector of stamps.  I loooove rubber.  Over the years I have had people give me all kinds of rubber.  I have purchased rubber on my own.  And then of course some of the other rubber I think I inherated from my mom from when she stamped when I was younger.  But you see, here's the thing....I have never had the concept that I perhaps don't HAVE to keep every single piece of rubber that crosses my path.  I mean, yes...of course they have feelings but they truly DO need to find loving ink pads to embrace them.  I don't know why I never thought of this before.  DUH!  Actually I think I purged once a long time ago...but I can't swear to that.

 

 

About 7 years ago (I think) I did the undaunting task of unmounting all of my stamps.  Of course this is ONLY after we had moved a fiew times and I had lugged 4 of the ginormous RubberMaid bins to and from our destinations.  I was not even using a quarter of my babies and I HAD to find a better way to manage all of my rubber!!  So I came up with this system.  Stamp each image on the outside of the envelope.  Then cut a piece of transparancy to fit inside of the envelope.  Mount the rubber on the static cling sticky stuff and attach to the transparancy. Then file the envelope in the correct category.  I use the storage snap stackers used for ornaments...they are the perfect size for 2 envelopes side by side.  Traveling is simple and storage is a breeze too. I LOVE THIS.  But then.......

 

 

I got lazy.

 

 

After a few years of depression and just not caring my beautifully organized stamps got messier and messier.  My envelopes started looking ratty and half of them were empty cause I would use a stamp and not put it back.  (This is where the depression and not caring part came in).

 

 

Theres so many things on this particular envelope,  I couldnt tell ya if I wanted to use one or not.  So I have been racking my brain to figure out a way to better my system.  Most of you know I am a selective perfectionist.  Most things run off my back...but the few things that don't, will drive me insane until they are perfect.  So as you can imagine, the envelopes of old system, NOT WORKING for me!!!  They are messy.  I would LOVE to go back and restamp each and every one, making them nice and neat.  BUT there's a few glitches with this proposition.  1.  The cost of envelopes since I first did this has like doubled.  2.  I remember running out of ink several times in the first run.  Not to mention interest and follow through.  OK, so I had to come up with a way that could encase the stamps and keep them organized within themselves but NOT the cost of envelopes nor all the work of restamping for hours on end.

 

 

So THIS is what I came up with.  Taking a quarter sheet of cardstock and machine stitching it to a quarter sheet of transparency.  I only stitched across the bottom and up one side, leaving a corner open to slide the stamps in easily. 

The above pocket is obviously part of my spring/summer category.  At one time I did keep my stamps in categories by maker.  But I learned that I was again, not using them.   In the beginning, if I had been a little more diligent in keeping track of the manufacturer information, I think I would probably still keep up with that.  But since I didn't and I had several stamps from unknown makers...well it just seemed silly to do it.  Plus it took me a LOOOONG time to give in and to bust up my StampinUp! sets.  I mean...so what if that set has a butterfly and flowers, it all has to go in the bugs or the plants.  New system...the butterfly will be in its rightful place with the bugs and the flowers will be the plants. 

Though I have 2 more parts of my plan.  1.  I am getting rid of the rubber that I am not in love with or just doesn't spark some mojo for me.  2.  I am making it my mission to use each stamp I am keeping once.  So I make my project and stamp the envelope where it will be stored in the new system at the same time.  I wont get burnt out trying to get the whole system in place over night.  I will have lots of blog fodder because I will be STAMPING and I will have the perfect cleanliness that I need.  Actually I have other ideas, but since I don't exactly have a Chinese Manufacturer in my list of contacts, that can whip me up a prototype, this will work for awhile.

 

The main thing that I have to keep remembering is, these are MINE.  I need to organize the way that it works for ME.  I need to put them in such a way that I will get the most out of them.  NOT what everyone else thinks I should do.  I know...I know....some of you StampinUp! people swollowed your gum when I mentioned splitting up a set.  I am not selling my cards, so I am not worried about angel policies.  I am not publishing my stuff, so again...no worries about angel policy.  And I am not in the market to make a killing on resale.  So keeping them together just seems crazy.  Plus, I honestly have a few sets that I only like one or two stamps out of them, the rest will go to a new home. 

 

Do you have unmounted?  How do YOU store them?

 

You're Sew Wonderful

Refreshing

This first week of school is always a booger to get used to.  The getting up early, the devotion to paperwork and worrying that everyone is where they need to be and everyone has all that they need to have.  Its exhausting.  But its all good.  The girls are still waiting for their computers.  Hoping to get them within the week.  Its been a long mixed up thing.  But slowly and surely they are getting all that they need to.  I am really impressed with the computer system so far.  I have my own sign on so that I can keep up with each of their assignments and grades and what they are doing each and every day.  All teacher notes are right there and it looks like communication will be gigantically improved.

Mouses--First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school for the girls, and I think they felt very much like this chocolate dipped mouse.  Lost, completely confused and disoriented.   Maybe chocolate dipped would have been more fun.  They did really well tho.  Still a little hesitant of course.  But at least the first day is over.

Now, back to the card.  I looooves me some mouses.  Dont you?  And I glazed the dipped part so it is raised.  FUUUN!  I love my mouses cause they require very little creating along side of them.  They speak for themselves.

So for the first day of school we had to paint the nails and Heather wanted her hair blacker *insert rolling eyes look here* and of course the picking out of clothes and so on.  I have to admit, letting them have their own styles and become their own selves has been one of the most challenging things I have had to conquer in parenting.  NOT that I think my children's style is whacked.  It is just not MY style.  But as long as they arent doing drugs or smoking or drinking are still accelling in school and being good people, I guess if they wanted to paint their hair rainbow and wear pajamas, Id perhaps succomb to this (with therapy).

Heather wanted a metal lunch box.  And of course chose the best one!!!  AVENGERS!

And my little banana.  OK, so she is not so little.  At 5'6 she is seconds away from being taller than I am.

They both had good days, though no real conclusions of whether they like it or not.  I guess, stay tuned!

Back to the blog world

So I gotta tell you, I am not really worth shooting today.  As this was the first day of school for the girls!  It was a crazy and chaotic evening last night of painting nails and dying hair and packing bags and deciding on clothes and and and and....then it was up this morning at butt-crack of dawn to put it all into motion.  I can honestly say it was a GOOD morning.  Both girls were ready without mishaps.  Everyone's tummy full of breakfast (yes, even darling Ronnie was happy with this addition to his morning), and of course had bags full of new notebooks and pencils.  Nothing puts a smile on my face more than a brand new notebook.  I know---silly and crazy, but it IS a happy feeling.  One that BOTH of my kids share.  The bus numbers and times that the lady at the bus barn gave us, however did NOT coincide with those that actually came by.  So I have to call for the correct ones later on today.  Scared of being late we just gave up and I drove them both to school.  I am so used to TN where it is one bus and one time and no question of anything else.  But since we have three different schools and all in 3 different directions I guess they dont double up as they do there.  Hannah also gets dismissed a full hour before Heather.  Not sure how THAT works out, but I know Hannah is thrilled with it.  Heather, not so much.  :)

So this morning I have been doing my best not to go back in and crawl into bed.  A quiet house...wow--it is tempting.  I have however, been trying to distract myself from this and have been catching up on a few of the blogs that I used to visit often.  I realize now just how much I have been missing everyone.  There used to be a time where I never missed a post from about 30 different people.  *gasp*  Now I just read a handfull but they are intriging and I love them.  I also am realizing how much of a blessing a post can be.  I will admit, I dont always leave a comment, but I know for me, even seeing that the number of times a post is viewed raise over the 0 mark is encouraging.  So I have really tried to make my presence known where I go. 

With all that being said, do you know what I HATE??  I know...strong word, but really I DO hate this.  The little word verifications when you post a comment.  I mean cmon!!  If I cant freakin make out the letters cause they are all messy how can I tell you what they are??  I was trying to leave a comment this morning and it took me like 10 minutes to get it to take it!  ~sigh~

Anyways....comin back down off the soap box.

What I was trying to say earlier.  Is if someone does something you like, whether it be a blog post or an email or even holds the door open for you, make sure you let them know that you noticed.  Let them know that you saw what they did, you heard them, you respect them.  For some it may not mean much, for others it might mean the world.

Go, be blessed.

Bunny Bees!

I Miss You, Still....

Again, I have been playing with the same set.  I wanted something a little more fun for the girls to be able to send to their friends too.  :)  This is just punchies and ink and paper...*gasp* Sooo not my norm!

God bless you today...I hope you make time for rest.

Inspiration

READ THIS------------>  Inspiration   <------------READ THIS

I know you are looking at that link up there and getting ready to close out the window, thinking that you dont have time to read it or arent in the mood or just dont FEEL like reading it right now.  You are saying that you'll come back...you'll read it later.  But you wont.  You'll get busy, you'll forget.  I will post on and it will never cross your mind again.  But I promise you.  You are NOT here by accident.  And you are not being shown the link as a fluke.  Just like I wasnt.  This is super inspiring.  Go...read it.

Now, mind you, my husband is of sound mind and health.  And though there are many days that I am certain he'd rather not be dealing with me, he does.  But Melody made a profound statement...she was feeling let down and resentful because Marq was not loving her as she was loving him.  Honestly.  Until I read that, I have always loved my husband knowing he loves me back.  But it never occurred to me, what if there comes a day that he doesn't?  Of course if there is another woman thats a simple answer and response.  But what if it is of none of his control?  What if he simple doesn't "love" any at all?  Do I love him ALL the way?  I love my kids.  But I love when they love me back. 

How many relationships do we LOVE simply for what we will get in return?  Im not expecting your reply, but reflect on it.

Thank you Flexie for opening my eyes to so much more than just a marital tiff or difference.  May YOU  be blessed beyond your biggest wishes.

Friends, I also have a heartfelt prayer request for one of my friends tonight.  As their family suffered a horrendous loss of a 15 month old child yesterday.  I could not imagine the pain and sorrow they are experiencing.

Go now, love the ones you have and be a blessing to all else.

I Miss You

I just opened this set and seriously have been wearing it out.  OK, well the fact that I have been too lazy to go digging through my stamps MIGHT have something to do with it.  BUT I have still been having a ton of fun with it.

It pretty much says it all.  How much I miss all of my friends back in Baxter and Knoxville for that matter.

I think the hardest part is not having any REAL friends here yet.  Everyone is super friendly and I really enjoy our neighbors, but no one to actually call friend.

I know that takes time, but it sure is lonely.

I am a little jealous of the girls as they will be making a ton of friends next week. 

Clear the roads!!

My girl 's got her permit!  Only 3 hours at the DMV to make me an official Alabamaian and give her permission to give me gray hairs.  :)  Fascinates me how there was over 50 people in line when we got there an hour before opening time.  One lady said she had gotten there 2 hours before opening and was already 9th in line.  SOMETHING tells me that theres a problem with this situation?!  Oh well...we got in and got out and she is all set for Driver's Ed. 

Today we are takin it a bit easier than we have been.  Afterall it is our last free day before its back to schedules and books and homework and nagging and moaning and ---oh did I say that?  :)  Both girls are really ready though.  If we can ever get through all of the chaos and jump through all of the dang hoola hoops to get them there.  Still no teachers, still no schedules and still none of the final stuff because in Elementry the computers have been down all weeek and they havent been able to assign teachers or lockers or anything.  In the highschool...oh shes done all her part but has not yet rec her transcripts from Upperman.  Cmon folks--Baxters been back in school for a month now...the chaos there should be over!  Especially since it was THEM calling me to tell me that she was absent!  So its a matter of getting her transferred from Tennessee to Alabama.  They're bout to wake the Mama Bear and well, lets just say that Id rather not leave that impression.  But GOOD GRIEF!!  Seriously??

Ronnie got the priveledge to go fishing this week.  Caught him a ginormous bass.  I am soooooo excited to fry that baby up!!  His friend caught some too and usually throws his back (I know...a crime right?) so Ronnie kept his too.  I am so glad that he was able to get out there and have some fun, I gotta admit, I am a bit jealous though.  I wanta go fishing TOO!

Heres an extra card for you today as I found it as I was unpacking some of the stuff I took with me to play with my BFF's Marilyn and Janet!  

I TOTALLY love this inside!  BUGS & KISSES!  Ha!  On the outside the wings are tripple stamped on vellum and its hard to tell but his body is Rhinestones.

So I ask YOU, what are YOU doing today to let out the creative mojo?

Thank You

Doesn't this totally crack you up??  I mean, nice pretty card but sooo funny!

Its hard to believe that our summer is coming to an end.  WOW!  School supplies are bought, everyone is registered and enrolled.  The jitters of new surroundings is taking over each of the girls.  Summer reading almost complete (not bad for a week's time) and slowly but surely we are getting the sleep schedules on track.

I do hope that you are doing well.  Love you all!

Muttley Crew

I got this new set before I left Tennessee, mainly for a few of the other stamps that came in it.  But I LOVE this one too.  Since, I of course don't have any mutts anymore I am sending it on for my mom.

Today's mission, we are heading down town to hang out with our friends at the DMV, okay well maybe not our friends, but from what I hear, after you have stood in line for the predicted 2 hours with total strangers, you will become friends.  Heather has to get her permit and I have to switch my license to Alabama.  Let me tell you, I am just ALL kinds of excited.