Life is So Sweet!

What a difference a week makes! While I am still majorly sleep deprived, I don’t feel as anxious and stressed out as I was. Where should I start? Birmingham was amazing and inspiring and I am so glad I went. I had my doubts about the organization and whether I would fit in – ha! So silly. Monique had a dream and a vision and has only had her store for 15 months. I am amazed at her creativity and ability to pull off something this big – there were over 300 people there. As I expected, Heidi Swapp was amazing and Cathy Z was fantastic and so r-e-a-l. I like Carrie’s style. I don’t really get Elsie but I can see why other people would. Just not my style. I feel changed after attending. I learned a lot, spend some time with introspection. I have a lot to do and create but my desk is covered in all the stuff, stuff I bought, stuff I was given and project stuff I didn’t finish. I am going to clear it off tonight so I can get started. I have to get started! Here's Heidi with my new friend, Ann.

I signed up for Creative Escapes in Arizona in September. Even booked the flight, which is so not me. Still have to reserve the hotel, which I’ll try to use Hilton points, if I can. I know it will be fantastic. It was a little hard not knowing anyone at B’ham but I plan on making friends before hand. Most people made me feel welcome and I made several new friends. Can’t wait!
My MIL is doing great. The aide is terrific, even makes my bed and does laundry. I feel guilty and spoiled a little. Just a little, mind you, not enough to stop it! My girls have been fantastic and helpful and I am so proud of them. A while back I was having such a hard time with them and now, it’s like we’re a family and we’ve pulled together and I am so grateful to have them with me. And I tell them so. It is so easy to relax and be good to them. Funny how things evolve. Ruth is settling in and it doesn’t seem as daunting as it was.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been searching for Coach Hampton Weekend Patchwork accordion wallet (whew – that’s a mouthful). It was sold out in the states and going for almost $100 over the retail price. I walked into the Coach store at the Galleria in Birmingham and this little baby was waiting for me. Life is so sweet! And its not random, it all has a purpose!

I just can't use a cuss word in a Blog Title...

Remember this – when you think you have problems, be careful. Most likely, you don’t. Be grateful for all the little things in life. Because one day – BOOOOM. You will really miss all that trivial shit and wish that was your only worry. My 88 year old mother-in-law moved in with us on Saturday. Being responsible for another human being is an awesome responsibility. To say I feel overwhelmed, is an understatement. I cannot sleep. But I am also being pro-active. I am meeting with Sheltering Arms tonight to line up help. She is not an invalid but needs help with most functions. I don’t feel like going into it any more. I just know that my husband will never ever be able to divorce me because he will owe me for eternity. Have you ever noticed how caring for the young, the sick or the elderly is all done by the Woman. In every family.
Okay, I said I wasn’t going to talk about it anymore. I am still going to Birmingham on Thursday. I can’t wait but I also don’t have my photographs ready so I am just going to wing it. I hope nobody gives me any shit about it – either instructor or some bitchy woman. I could just lose it on them – I am fairly close to the edge.
I did take Gracie, our lhasa to the vet (she has an ear infection) and got my highlights done yesterday, along with a Target trip. Don’t you think it sounds better to say highlights done than hair colored. Doesn’t one mean: 30 something whereas the other means, fifty something… ha. I will be 50 next year. I seem to have a running battle with colorist and cannot find one to my liking. It probably boils down to money (doesn’t it always). I don’t like paying $150 for cut and color and I guess I just need to efffing let go and pay it. It all comes down to the dollar and cents. I went to Visible Changes (yuck) yesterday after getting p.o.’d at them 2 months ago because she charged $150 and told me when my head was in the bowl being washed – good timing. I couldn’t let it go so I sent an email – there were some other issues too I can’t remember them but they called and offered $20 on my account. Because I am a money-driven fool, I went back yesterday. She burned my scalp and left nasty brown stain along the hairline that was most attractive. Let me just call her now: Beyotch! It just gets under my skin when people mistreat me – I wish I didn’t take it personally, but I do. And I hate that! I swear if you hear a peep out of me in 6 weeks, whining about how much it costs, you have my permission to slap me. Now, I just need to find a place. When I paid $200 for color/highlights/lowlights/cut and it took 3.5 hours – I wasn’t happy then either. So I just don’t know but I don’t have to figure it out for today.
Oh, we closed on the house. I am so grateful not to be responsible for another dwelling with a pool plus the extra $1k a month is niccceeeeee.
Now you know why I’ve been so quiet. I loved the ScrapStamp Tour in Conroe – it was awesome and I spent a lot of money. And I have lots of neat stamps and tools to show for it!

More Paper - As If

Spent the afternoon in Pearland at Novel Approach and found some amazing paper. I know I know, I'm going to a stamp/scrap show tomorrow in Conroe - what was I doing spending more money on scrapping stuff today. Well, Rosemary's car was in the shop and as a good friend, how could I possibly let her sit in that stinky environment all afternoon - that's not much of a friend! She was at 610 South Loop, so what else could we do - go to Papers by Catherine? They'll be at the show tomorrow... I bought the latest Stamper's Sampler and a buttload of paper that is gorgeous. I have to say they had some amazing paper.
I am not a political person by any means but I have to give a shout out for the Hispanic Rally that was suppose to happen on Monday. It really chaps my ass when employers put out bullshit memos - just ONCE, I wish one of them would say - hey, celebrate your heritage and your people and go protest - that's what makes America what it is. Forgo the violence, but stand up and be counted and tell people what you think is important. Man, I wanted to go. Instead they talk about vacation days and not everyone can be off, blah blah blah. The one thing that stuck with me about this whole amnesty protest thing - these people do the work that Americans don't want to do and we ought to celebrate and appreciate that. I sure as heck do.
By the way, in case you were wondering, Kroger's two bite brownies are as good as Whole Foods, but they're $1.50. Buy 'em for someone you love.
I found some amazing articles to read - Heidi Swapp.com links to some old Creative Keepsakes articles she's written and they are just amazing. I really am glad I'm going to Birmingham - I think it is going to be cool. Check 'em out if you get the chance.
Any idea when Target will put out new 1 Spot stuff - probably after next weekend, huh?
I made the second round.

Second Helping of Ketchup

When I started this thing, I thought I would be posting on here every day – ha! It’s not that my life has been extraordinarily busy lately – I just haven’t had the notion to share, I guess. I’ll try to be more open… Good news is that we are closing on the sale of the other house next week. I am thrilled not to pay two house notes which is no fun plus the upkeep with the pool and all. It will nice to have the extra monthly cash plus we have some good equity. I love thinking about the possibilities but I really would like to just put it in the bank and forget about it for a while. Take a breather. I want to get a couple of rental properties for income when we retire but I think I just need to ask DeWayne – let’s take a breather for 6 months.

I went to the podiatrist last week and yesterday. My left foot has been aching – it was tendonitis. She wrapped it plus some naproxen and it has helped. I like her a lot – I’m going to do my second bunion surgery sometime this summer.

Meanwhile, the calendar is filling up like a big dog. Lots of scrapping stuff, plus two graduations. I entered a design team contest for Maridawn’s – we’ll see if I make it to the second round. I had a great time this weekend – preparing for it and just creating and playing. Even got my sewing machine threaded and ready to go – I swear I will be sewing on my next layout or card. I still have more stuff to play with – Stazon white ink, for one. Also, on Thursday I went to Lone Star Scrapbooking for a Hero Arts catalog party. It was great fun – the rep didn’t show but another teacher did and she was terrific! Friendly and helpful with lots of tips and information. I had a great time plus bought a bunch of stamps with a discount! Works for me!

In two weeks I am going to Birmingham for the Scrapetc event - I am looking forward to it. Getting away, staying in a hotel and new scrap stuff. My first event to attend out of town. Not sure how to pack but I'll figure it out.