New Pottery Barn Stuff

Yes, I did spend the entire day yesterday shopping... after a visit to Dr. Kray for my asthma I made my way from one side of town (I-45 North) to the other (59 South) because Scrapbook Village has a sale of 25% off the entire store. I have been meaning to get there all week... and decided what the hell - we don't need groceries we need MORE scrapbook supplies! Good choice, I think! Bought a few magazines and mini albums and of course, PAPER... will take a pic later.
What is important is an email I received this morning... Pottery Barn has published their fall stuff and it looks interesting - if doodling is in for scrapbooking, distressed and worn is in for furniture... I want this desk

and this mirror so far - but I haven't made it through it all yet! Gotta grab a shower and get Gracie to Miss Lisa so she can look purty...

Sunday Sunday

It was a wonderful rainy day in Houston. Yes, I know... its rained for every day the past week but what can you do about it? Nothing... just enjoy the bennies...green green everywhere! You know what also makes me happy - 600 count sheets. I'm telling ya - there is nothing like the soft silky smooth texture! I think I got these at Target, believe it or not. They are coffee colored and just incredibly silky. Rainy + silk sheets = happy girl. I love waking up to rain when I don't have to go anywhere. Like today.

We stopped in Hempstead on the way back from College Station for a wedding yesterday. We bought corn and new potatoes and pinto beans. We fixed ribs and just finished a fabulous meal. Need to get another glass of sweet tea...

Okay, I'm back. This ALSO made me HAPPY HAPPY, JOY JOY. I love Rhonna Ferrar stamps and these will definitely find a home in my scrap room just as soon as they can be purchased! I used my alpha stamps today for a card - they are just sooo cool.

I have a circle journal LO to finish and get shipped... Can't settle on a title. I've been looking at scrap rooms on Two Peas - I may switch my table out for a stainless steel kitchen shelf - more space to store. And get a new desk - I've heard the PB desk isn't worth it so not sure what I'll

do. Love the expedit shelves from IKEA (which is TWO blocks away from my house but I NEVER go!) that Donna Downey has... that room is absolutely perfect in my book. I just love organizing and buying more stuff.. ha!

We need a pic... can't have a post and no pic...

Be careful What you Wish for

I haven't posted in a while and don't really have a subject in mind. My boss is quitting tomorrow... pretty cool for her - who knows whats in store for me. I am only working 2 days a week Tues/Thurs so its no biggie. My life revolves around grocery shopping mostly... I really need to get to Costco and join.
I've cleaned up my scraproom but can't seem to create much. Not sure why. Really wish I could figure it out and get moving. I have a new circle journal LO to do: what makes you giggle. Problem is - I'm not really a giggler. Not much makes me bust out laughing. I do smile though when I think about my topic.
About 20 years ago I bought my first house: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a great yard. I loved taking care of the yard. Even though I filled all the closets with my shopping, I often wished for someone to share it with. I even sponsored a foreign exchange student from Germany for a semester... my sister and her family stayed for a while, my brother moved in when he separated from his wife. I always felt a bit guilty for having so much damn space all to myself. HA! Be careful what you wish for ... because The Universe will eventually give it to you. Right now I have SIX people in my house... and its not all about me anymore! That makes me laugh.

Want some eye candy? I absolutely LOVE the new Basic Grey ribbon. I had to go back to Lone Star and get more... Oh Baby and I forget the other name... really gorgeous stuff though. And look at that paper. This is tuff from Scrapbook Village from the bus tour... I think! I love paper.

I'm going to Long Beach & Santa Monica in 2 weeks - the girls are going to meet me for a nice little vacation. We are staying here. For their sake, I hope it is amazing! But first, I have to go to Wilmington, NC and Savannah, GA - it is going to be a loooooooong week. And then, July will be over!

One last pic. Of my hubby on his birthday. He's 53. haha. And I'm not!

Warning New Scrapbook stuff Ahead

We need pictures... pictures of the beautiful supplies I've purchased on the book tour and at the Pasadena stamp show... oh yes and the KI stuff I won from Karen Russell when she was raising money. It's pretty cool stuff and tons of great paper!


Although there wasn't much at the Pasadena stamp show, I did manage to pick up a few cool brass stencils and very cool stazon pads - there were about 6 different pastel colors I've never seen - I got butter cream and soft lilac. Can't wait to use them!

On the bus tour the day before they did a cool glass slide with alcohol inks... gotta love it! So of course I had to get more Ranger Alcohol Inks.
Speaking of bus tour, here's my Lone Star Stash:
You will notice the new Designing With book... that "paper" is actually fabric - so cool. The distresser is for my secret sister at CE and the acrylic stamps are brand new and look like alot of fun. Not sure how I'm going to decorate the initials but I think they were like a buck or two... I've been wanting the big chip chatter too. Fun Fun Fun.

I'm focusing on all of this today because I had some gum surgery this morning and thanks to my friend, Darvocet I am fairly functioning (but NOT driving according to the label on the prescription!) and without pain. I love that stuff! And yes, it is a narcotic.

Pity Party is Officially OVER!

The pity party is officially over! It has been an incredibly hard month and a half, starting at Easter with the unplanned move of my mother in law (with us), then my mother (with us), throw in a couple of graduations and a funeral (my mother in law’s husband) and we’re done! I managed to keep my head above water most of the time and now I am finally able to b-r-e-a-t-h-e. This marathon “oh no” session reminded me of 2004 when my Dad, Brother and Cousin died within a few months of each other and life felt completely out of control. And part of me gets pissed off at the exclamations that escape from people’s mouths – as if it were my fault. Or rather I kept taking it personally and felt embarrassed. Embarrassed that my life contained so much freakin upset and chaos not to mention the doom and gloom. So during this 2006 version, some martyrdom kicked in and before you knew it, a full-swing pity party was happening. When Katie Couric quit her job and they were talking about her husband and sister dying within the same year, I had my “ah ha” moment. It’s not just in my life, everybody has tragedies and death and crisis. It made me stop feeling sorry for myself and move on. Nuff serious talk…

Saturday was the Four Corners Bus Tour and it was a blast. The past two times they gave the microphone to some young girl who giggled for 8 hours and it was kind of annoying. This time, no microphone and I’ve made a bunch of friends in the Yahoo group so it was a TOTAL blast. Talked to some new people…especially Laura who owns THREE dachshunds. My kinda girl! Bought tons of new product and still haven’t played with it… but will do soon! Had a great time and both me and my pocketbook were weary at the end of the day.

Sunday I trotted into Stinkadina, I mean Pasadena for the Rubber Stamp Expo show and it was so-so. I picked up the Creative Memories blades I needed and a few other trinkets like Staz on ink pads with refills in light aqua and butter yellow... Pretty sure that show won't be here next year. Very poorly attended by sponsors, probably because it's the week before convention and not the week after.

Ambien, My New Best Friend

I am so tired. soooooooooooooooo tired.
You ask: where have I been the past two weeks? For 3 days I drove 6 hours each day... from New Orleans and then to/from Abilene. We moved my mother out of her apartment (well, okay, not officially until tomorrow) and attended my husband's daughter's college graduation. As a child of the depression, my mother saved every piece of paper that she encountered. every. single. piece. I searched for a drugstore website for 30 minutes before I realized the bill was dated 2001. We found $4,000 in checks in all the paper - I think we've missed $2k.
Like I said before, you really shouldn't be bitchin because bigger and better shit can come your way. And I'm really liking this stuff, Ambien. Didn't take it last night...won't make that mistake tonight.
My mother in law's husband passed away tonight. I will tell her in the morning. He was 90. I know it will hurt.
I so want my normal life back.

Yeah yeah yeah - victory is mine. I collected $287k at work on an old matter and it feels good. I seem to have knack for finding and collecting money and it feels good when I get it done! I have to admit I haven't been focused on work much lately. I have a million little things to do, mostly doc appointments. I did get some Ambien and took 1 last night and slept like a log. Feel a little groggy today so I probably will just take one tonight and then leave it alone for a bit - unless I go back to no sleep at night.
Last weekend was mega busy starting with the thunderstorm rains Sat am when I left to go to Novel Approach for a paper bag class. The book/bag is really cute and reenforced with brads. Yeah, I know, I didn't really believe it either when Rosemary told me about it. But the class was easy and fun and that store is just amazing. They have tons of very very cool stuff - and all of the new stuff plus stamps and stencils. The paper is amazing. Plus all the latest magazines and books. I'm thinking its my favorite store now. Too bad it is so far away. Nice people too.
Sat eve was Prom for Rachel - she looked gorgeous of course. That girl is so photogenic. She had a great time and came in at 3. My friend, Pat's son went with her - long story but it was good for both of them. Really sweet to see Miss Pat pin the boutonniere on her son - got a good photo of that!
Missed the neighborhood party - oh well. But got some awesome outdoor furniture for the front porch and I am totally enjoying sitting out there. Great breeze - awesome hummingbirds and butterflies. One of my neighbors started it - it is a great way to bring back the "neighborhood" and nice to say hello to the walkers. My goal is to sit out there at least 15 minutes every day. Its also reflection time and quiet time - no tv or noise. Most people have goals to exercise 15 minutes a day - mine is to sit! Ah me!
I've made a few pretty prayer cards, I'll post 'em later. Still lots of pages to go but don't seem to have time to sit and work on them. Hopefully soon. Fri is DeWayne's 90th day being sober. Sat is the neighborhood garage sale and then wedding shower for a work friend's son. Lots going on right now...
Went to Crate & Barrel today to get a wedding/shower gift... Had to get this for me - just too lucious to pass up!