Simply the Best!

What an outstanding weekend! ALL of it was good. Simply the best! I woke up Saturday feeling much better - first time in several days... and headed to Wal-Mart to pick up photos and then to Kristin's for a crop. I had such a nice time and got to visit with a variety of interesting people. Lots of stories and got my SE page swap page laid out and most of it cut out. Finished it up on Sunday. I came home Saturday night around 10 ish and stayed up til 1 am working on my stuff. I felt so completely calm and peaceful and happy - scrapbooking does that for me. Such a tranquil happy feeling and for the moment I stop and realize that pure, blissful feeling.

On Sunday I headed over to the Urban Market for another fantastic day of shopping. I skimmed through a couple of shops and FOUND these santos wooden angels I have been looking for for the past year! I was thrilled and bought 3 of them! Oh okay, maybe five, whatever... I got 'em and I love 'em! The first one is large about 2-3 feet. They are so amazing. Last year I saw them and scoffed at the price, which was something like $60. Since then I've seen them on ebay for $190 and could not find them anywhere! It was another gorgeous day and just a nice time to look around. Ran into two friends. I also bought a couple of glasses and a Chinese caligraphy brush, which has a hand carved handle. Just liked the artistic part of that...

Finished my page swap pages - I'll take a pic before I ship them tomorrow, I'm too tired tonite. I started feeling sick this afternoon from the Z-pac, which I don't seem to tolerate very well (stomach upset). I should get to sleep so I'll be well rested for tomorrow - I have alot of catching up to do.

This one is going into my bedroom - I love her face. Goodnight.

I got it! But I don't want it.

Whew. I went to an interesting luncheon yesterday for RIMS (risk managers) - yes, I did just say interesting and insurance in the same sentence and no, it is not an oxymoron. I saw a handful of people that I haven't seen in ten years or so, which was fun. Learned some new stuff about WC and Medicare Set Aside, which is actually pretty boring but it still amazes me that after 33 years in this business, there is more to learn. And I feel empowered when I learn new stuff, so I can save my company some money. It makes me feel good inside. After lunch, I went out to the terminal so take pictures for a retirement book I am making and attend a diversity training, which was eye-opening to say the least. Somewhere in there, I picked up a nasty germ bug and came down with a honking red throat and congestion blah blah blah. So I've been in the bed all day crying and whining except for going to the doc and getting an antibiotic. I still have the headache but I feel better sitting up. I hope I will feel much better tomorrow because I have alot to do this weekend. I am getting a bit panicky. I have the retirement book that has 40+ pictures and tags that need to be added. I can't decide if I'm going to pick pattern paper for each page or just cardstock with PP accents. I learned a neat trick of folding paper in a zig zag to add the tag from Tracy Niehues at Creative Escape - I plan on using that. I also have 10 pages due for an 8 x 8 page swap for Scrap Etc, which are due next Saturday, I think. I know, everyone else has done theirs and mailed in and I still have mine to create. Sigh. When will I ever learn? I do better under pressure. I thought about stitching a limb on the pages to perch a bird but after playing with that idea (stitching a page), I realize its not practical for 10 pages... So my next option is to use a versamark pen and draw a limb and use embossing powder. Should be fun. I hope I can use some of the ribbon I picked up at Fabric Barn in Long Beach. I found a Lion King board book at the Target $1 Spot and made a cute little book for my desk, of the folks I love...I love doing board books - they are so simple and I've started using glue sticks, which makes it totally economical. To find them at Canton or thrift shops for .25 cents is even better. I paint the edges a coordinating color just in case the edge is not complete. On this one I used the left over binding tape from Tracy N's class at CE and used My Minds Eye paper pack. I am so drawn to their stuff. I found this site called My Craftivity and haven't spent much time looking at it but it looks interesting to me. I'm also hooked on Pioneer Woman - if you haven't read her blog, run now and start reading. She definitely has talent. It's the second time I've read now about changing the opacity of your photos (Karen Russell also mentioned it). So, now I've got to go and play with that... well, maybe tomorrow. I'm tired again.

Catsup

Jeez Louise, it sure seems like I haven't blogged in a really long time. Oh, yeah, right. I haven't. So, what have I been doing? Um. I went to Austin for a weekend to spend time with friends and visit Uncommon Objects near Town Lake. Yes, it really is an amazing vintage store. We also hit the Citywide Garage Sale, which was small but fun. I went to Long Beach for work and stayed the weekend. I spent most of Saturday in Olde Town Orange at Country Roads and wow, what a great little shopping haven. The weather was a pristine 70 degrees and sunshine galore - felt so good after the cold and drizzly we've been having. I visited with the owner, Sue and picked up a few pieces that would fit into my luggage. Ate a wonderful salad outside at Rutabagorz. There was a great garden shop next door, with a bunch of great CA flowers -there's nothing like flowers in CA. Friday night I stopped off at the Fabric Barn which is a great warehouse with tons of ribbon and then took a drive along the beach. As usual, I spent some time wondering if I would like to move to CA. I do that in almost every town I visit...

I got a new Canon camera, a 30D with a couple of lenses that Karen Russell recommended. She is such a talented photographer - I love looking at her photos and I definitely can't wait for her online photography class. I have alot of learning to do with my first SLR, but I have been playing with it. I got this shot of Killer. It's funny because both dogs looked pretty annoyed at me while I was shooting. They were getting bored with the clicking and wanted to go to sleep already.

Not much else going on other than my favorite Canadian, Charleen is coming to Houston to see Bruce Springsteen with me. That's in April and I just can't wait. I'll leave right after for Scrap etc. in Nashville. Not much else good happening. Alot of down time, trying to be good to myself and patient. I am hooked on watching Jon & Kate + 8. They are amazing parents - reminds me of my sister. Going to crop at Kristin's this weekend - have two projects pending - my 8 x 8 page swap for SE and a book for a coworker that is retiring. I'll post pics when done plus a board book I made for my desk.

The Sign - Gratitude Campaign

Little bits here and there to share. Sorry I haven't posted much lately - I was all excited about the new year and then bam - hit a wall. It's only been two days and hopefully it will lift this weekend.

We had a great time with the Mouse. It was crowded but we had fantastic weather in the 80s all 4 days and it was of course, Disney-amazing. Rachel was an extra in the Indiana Jones show. The girls had a great time but it really can't be called a "vacation". Nancy and I went over to see the fireworks at Cinderella's castle. WOW oh wow - it was AWESOME. I love fireworks. When she saw the castle, she gave me a big hug with tears in her eyes and said, "thanks for bringing me here. I've always wanted to see this." I realized, it has always been my dream to do this for them. I took 719 photos.

While at the airport, we saw a couple of soldiers and I wish I had seen this video. The Gratitude Campaign. Way cool - I love the sign.

Take a look at this pup (it's a video) and tell me if he doesn't need a friend to play with... You know, that kind of snow is foreign to Texans - I don't know where Bailey lives but that is unbelievable!

I saw the Crop A Dile II on HSN last night and I had to marvel at the brilliance of the product. You design a tool that is revolutionary but limited in scope. Everyone gets hooked on it and then you redesign it so that it works with the industry standard (12 x 12 paper) and sell it again. Whether it was intended or not, it is brilliant. I am also amazed at the fervor at which women (and I am one of them) get about new scrapbooking supplies ... gotta have it... lemme at it... I want it! It really is remarkable.

"When someone asks you 'think about what Jesus would do', rememberthat a valid option is to freak out and turn over tables" -- Unknown

Granny Panty Chic_ (http://grannypantychic.blogspot.com/)

And if I get one more prayer email about passing it on or something terrible will befall me or my family, I WILL SCREAM! I can get inspired by well written words and even a tear or two but don't screw it up at the end by telling me I have to send it within 6.2 seconds or I'll die. Crazy. Here's to a great new year!

PS - Hello Brisbane! I was there 21 years ago and LOVED it!

Happy New Year

A quick goodbye before we don our Mouse Ears and head to Orlando... We're all very excited about it and can't believe the time is actually here. The weather is in the 60s for the lows and 80s for the highs so it should be fantastic. I did land a room at a Disney hotel - Coronado Springs. We've used a great website, All Ears which provides great information, including menus to all the restaurants. I'm ditching all the chocolate and sweets that we've accumuldated over the holidays and going back to South Beach style eating. I'm tired of the look, so I want to get busy and start making better choices. And I feel so much better when I eat a salad for lunch - I just have to find a nice salad that I can enjoy.

Be sure a take a look at Daily Puppy - it just a bright part of my day. Wait til you see the little bijon that they have today. So precious. I'm noticing that they have some great shots of these pups - terrific facial expressions. I picked up Allison Tyler Jones' Designing with Photos this week with my 40% Mikes coupon. I know I can learn alot from this book... Also enjoy reading Karen Russell's blog with her photography tips. If you look on the left side of the blog, you can go directly to the photography advice. I am soooo dying to do a banner like the one in the background. I have been thinking about doing a Welcome banner since Creative Escape.

Happy New Year. I am looking forward to another fun and fabulous year of learning and loving.

Monday Monday

Hands down, I have found the BEST internet website evah! Check this out... Can you not fall in love a million times over. Isn't it the best! I am going to have to go back in the archives, definitely... just too much fun.

For some crazy reason, the DVR on cable fried this weekend but before that I was taping Martha Stewart Crafts on DIY - I don't know what it was but watching Martha make stuff was just fascinating. You keep wondering if she'll screw up - I mean, there she is... crafting. And it doesn't always go as planned. Last week she made a very cool lattice tray, some lemon candles by scooping out the inside of a lemon and french milled soap. So cool. I have to get the recorder fixed, if only just to watch Martha.

I received my Secret Santa box today - Yipee! It rocks! I got the vintage label stamps from fontwerks. I love love love these labels - they make meeee happppeeeee! There was plenty other cool stuff in the box. White Funky Vintage alphabet and MM paper stack and cute cards. I am glad I mailed my package on Saturday. And if I didn't mention it, I am loving my stamps!

If anyone has suggestions about Disneyworld - pls leave a message and tell me where we MUST go! We're getting excited and I've decided to get the park hopper passes - just in case we want to go to Magic Kingdom.

Every week I get an email newsletter from Cheryl Richardson, author and life coach. I've learned alot from her books and her newsletters are thought provoking and inspiring. Last week she talked about a website called Tabletopics and threw out these questions:

1. What's the most beautiful drive you've ever taken?

2. If you only had 5 more years to live would you change anything about your life?

3. When you're down what do you do to feel better?

4. What's your proudest accomplishment?

5. What's the best and worst thing about being a man or a woman?

Aren't they great ... make you ponder for a bit? I think after Christmas I might order a set of these. Of course, I'm thinking of them in terms of a layout. Hope its a great week for you.

Hello Mickey!

It was a slow week last week. My nose is healing up nicely from the basal cell surgery and I skipped my balance therapy (for vertigo). Rachel's birthday is Christmas and she was not excited about it - she'll be 21. I suggested that she plan something fun so she'd have something to look forward to - that's what I do. I've been toying with the idea of taking the girls on a trip and I just wasn't feeling wintery and cold so I threw out the idea - Disneyworld. We're going the 27th for a long weekend - they've never been. Both of them are over the moon excited which makes me really excited and happy. Unfortunately, the Disney resort hotels are booked except for the grande one so we're not staying there. But we're going to have an excellent time - I'm so excited to see their reaction. Plus, it's been 10 years or so since I've been so it'll be terrific. I still have to tell them at work - I don't have the second day of vacation but what's one day - they can dock me for it. I want the girls to have good memories for this Christmas, not be mopey about losing their mother. Not to say, grieving isn't necessary - believe me, we are in it. but they can have good memories about the Christmas of 2007.

Not much else to report - Suziblu has a new video up. She's just amazing. I am always amazed at her talent - every time I see a new video. I scrapped a bit this weekend - finished a baby book for a friend. Staying positive...