Shades of my heart!

My Pride and Joys!!!

Randy Scott ~10

Riley Alexander ~7

Brodie Morgan ~4

Colt Jesse ~22 months

Moving again.. kinda

We rearranged the lower house again... Seems to be common in this wierd-sized house. I actually have a craft room, though! I'm excited about it! A WHOLE room to devote to my creative outlets.. now if I could just find TIME to use it! I have a long table in the middle of the room that doubles as a laundry-folding table, so at least it gets used.. just not in the way I wish I was using it!!!

My awesome friend Angel gave me this idea for my punch holders.. Shoe bags!!! It works great!!!

Our old DVD shelf with a new lease on life! My stamp cases fit perfectly, gives me lots of options to arrange them by my catagories and it's narrower than a normal shelf unit!

Here's to a New Year of Creative Output!!!

Christmas Card Fun!

My awesome Stampin' Up demonstrator did a cool Stamp-A-Stack this year, and these are three of the cards that we made. I LOVE the Top Note Die from SU! We tried to find several ways to put it to use since we all purchased the machine this year! I think we did a good job!!!

I LOVE snowmen, so this one was a MUST make!!

I love this stamp set I got to use for Christmas Cards this year. This card took some tweaking before I was really pleased with it. I LOVE the "Merry Christmas Dear Friend" punch. I thought it went well with the deer image! I had some red gem stickers that fit perfect in Rudolphs nose! I finally found some red ribbon that seemed to tie it all together!
This was another card we made. I love the multicolored strips! The ornaments are old-fashioned and I love how this turned out!

...and last but not least...

I LOVE the snow cuttlebug embossing folder I got at Hobby Lobby and have put it to GOOD use!!! I layered it with white and blue and I LOVE how it turned out! You can't really see it in the picture. but I used some awesome shimmer paint stuff on the word "sparkle" and the snowmen. (Thanks Angel!!!) Really brought it all together. I found some cute sparkling snowball type things to add on. I am QUITE pleased with this one, too!

I really had fun making Christmas Cards this year. I'm not saying which one I sent out, since I know they have not been all delivered. :-) I gave the boys' teachers a set of Christmas Cards this year in lieu of my regular ornaments I usually give. I couldn't find the material I usually use and I didn't like how they were turning out. I decided to give something they could hopefully use, so I tied 2 each of 5 different designs of cards together and that's what they gave to their teachers.

I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I am actually ready for it this year, but I'm still not feeling much in the Christmas Spirit. I'm not sure why. I put the tree up, but just have not had the desire to put the ornaments on it. The kids have made some in school and Sunday School, so I put those on this year, and I've actually put the Christmas Cards I have received so far on it, too. Maybe it's the warm weather, or the lack of Christmas spirit I'm feeling in the house. I don't know.

Randy is reading Luke 2:1-7 at the childrens Christmas Eve Service tomorrow and I am so proud of him! Hopefully something will energize my Christmas Spirit at the service!

It's finally beginning to feel like Christmas!

I have been a member of an awesome group of crafty ladies here at Hood. We meet once a month to scrapbook or make cards. For Christmas we had a gift exchange and I made a basket of "Gifts that keep on giving." There were so many things I wanted to make, I couldn't decide, so I decided to make them all!!! I had SO much fun making them!

Here's what the ladies got...

Potpourri box.

"Popcan" filled with mint candies
Snowman ornament

Matchbook candy holder

Inside of candy holder

Scor Pal box with Chocolate nuggets

Candle with image added

Back of candle

I know I probably went a little overboard with the gifts this year, but I had so much fun making all the goodies I had to give them away! What fun is it to make if I can't share it with other people???

I received some wonderful gifts in return and feel VERY blessed to know these very talented ladies!!!

I POSTED!!!

Oh my goodness! I am alive!! Yes, I did manage to finally post again! I know I've been slacking and if you are still checking back, thank you!!!!

Foot Adventures... the story continues

2 months ago today, I did something really stupid. I attempted to play softball. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE softball! But apparently my body doesn't love it as much as my mind! We had a double-header on our first night of the season. The first game went great... we made a amazing comeback from 4-14 to win the game 16-14. (I play for a church league... I wish that gave us an advantage, but God doesn't play favorites! Our record shows that!)

We started our second game of the night. I got up to bat, hit the ball and proceeded to run to first. After taking 2 steps, I felt this intense POP in my foot and was overcome with SEVERE pain! I managed to make it to first safely and actually all the way around the bases one by one. I got back to the dugout, removed my cleat and didn't see anything sticking out of my foot, thank goodness! I tied up my laces and finished the game, hobbling a little, but none-the-less, I played out the game. By the time I got home, I was in PAIN! It was starting to swell and bruise quickly.

I ended up going to the ER the next morning because I could not walk or stand. They X-rayed it, told me it was sprained, wrapped it, gave me crutches and told me to stay off of it, follow up with my doc in 3 days if it didnt' get better.

So... 3 days later I was at the doctors in more pain that I had ever been in. He took one look at the severe bruising in my arch, said "This isn't a sprained ankle. Your Plantar Fascia is torn. But I can't do anything until I have MRI proof." (Another reason I LOVE the military!) and sent me to MRI. Long story short, 3 weeks later I FINALLY got my MRI done. A week later, results came in and, what do you know, my Plantar Fascia is 80% torn, just like he said! He said that in his 20 years of being a doctor he has never seen a patient actually tear it unless I was jumping out of planes. Great, a medical first! By now, I'm in a walking boot because the ace bandage was just not doing it. I couldn't walk, and stairs were impossible!

So.. another week later, I'm at the Podiatrists. He, too, is amazed that I actually tore it. When he saw the MRI results, he said he was actually excited to hear this was one of his patients... not that he was happy I was hurt, but he had never seen one of these injuries in person. He actually has put my case on a Plantar Fascia medical website. Yeah... I'm so glad I can fullfill some doctor's "Bucket List" of injuries to treat! Then he tells me I will be in a non-weight bearing cast for 4 weeks. WHAT?? I've just spent the past 5 weeks walking on it and NOW I'm supposed to NOT walk on it. Lovely!

So, that's where I was 4 weeks ago! I can't believe it's already been that long! I go in on Tuesday to start the next step of my 9 week long injury! Hopefully, this cast has worked and I will only spend the next 2 months in PT in a second boot! If this hasn't worked and I still have scar tissue in my arch, then the next step will be surgery. Oh joy!!! I have to say, growing up, I always wanted to have a cast and use crutches. Now, all I can say is WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!! Of course, I wouldn't have had 4 kids in a two story house with a deployed husband when I was younger! I did get creative and put some of my crafty devices to work! I loved having a blank canvas, literally, and this is what I decided to do. They started out as just pumpkins, but decided they needed some personality! I'm hoping I don't have a repeat project after Tuesday and a new canvas to cover!!!My brother, a Texas Tech alumi, helped me decorate the front of my cast! I come from a family of Texan Techsans, and went there myself, so I was proud to sport this! Elaine, I'm still a Techsan!!! And.. since my husband is a UT fan, I couldn't leave that school out. So I put it on the bottom of my cast! HA!!! It's the only time that Texas Tech will continously walk all over UT!!!

So... that's my story as of today. Fun, huh? I now call it my "old sports injury." I am too old and I was trying to play sports!

I’m still alive!

I know I have been AWOL lately!  Ok, for a long time!  Things have been going non-stop it seems.  Between summer camps, a full household, major computer issues and problems with the van, it seems I haven’t had a minute to wait.

I finally have a new computer and am up and running again.  I promise to be back with more updates and pictures as soon as I get things figured out on here.  We’re having a yard sale tomorrow and that is what I’m trying to get past!

Thanks for being patient!

Rodeo Days

RS Rodeo

Elizabethtown, KY

5/8/98

Found this picture of me from my rodeo days. It is one of the very few I have. That guy is the photographer. I was the only female riding and he wanted to take a picture before I got all muddy. I remember that rodeo being VERY muddy!!! I was cleaning my hat and boots for days after that! The arena was like a muddy bowl since there was nowhere for the water to drain. At least it made the fall softer! Don't really remember details about how I did, which means I probably didn't do very well. I DO remember being VERY muddy, so that means I landed! Would love to know what happened to my gear?!

Oh the memories!!! My young, carefree and reckless days!

Midevil Knights

I volunteered to work at the Cub Scout Day Camp this year. I wanted to walk with my boys this one final time before I started my walk with Riley as a Tiger. I had 8 of the coolest boys in my den! We had a blast!!! 4 of them were from my Bear den and then the other 4 were from another den in town.

We did fun things like shooting rockets, BB Gun, Archery, Swimming, Compass, learned about the Sun and did some arts and crafts. Randy passed the BSA (Boy Scout Association) Swimming test and was allowed to swim in the deep end of the pool! He had to swim 3 laps any stroke, then one of backstroke, then float on his back. Go Randy! I was so proud of his determination!

Yep, Boys will be Boys!!
Alan, Thomas, Randy, Izak, Skyler, Austin, Isaac and Michael. My "Light Knights!"

AWOL & Catch up

Yes, I've been absent... for a month I realize... It's been crazy and chaotic since school got out. Seems I've been busier than before! We had Cub Scout Camp and then VBS and I worked at both, so it's been go go go! I haven't had a chance to do much stamping, but here are a few of the projects I managed to sneak in...

My cousin, Tanya, graduated from High School at the end of May and here is the card I made for her. I copied her graduation announcement and used the mascot picture on the front. I realized I don't have ANY graduate stamps, so I had to improvise! She loved it! I even used the vellum insert that came with the card with the details of the graduation on the inside.. she thought it was a neat way to perserve her announcement with a personal touch!

I punched a hole on the cardfront so that the bulldog would also be on the inside of the card.
My Cub Scout Bear den graduated to Webelos and there are the notebooks I made for each of them. The tartan plaid is what they wear with their uniforms. I actually made them by sponging ink onto white cardstock. It was SO much fun!!!

Teachers gifts are always fun for me to do! This year I had 4 buckets to make and had a BLAST finding things to put in them. I made each of them a pack of 5 "Thank You" cards to use with matching envelopes, a "Post-It" notebook, spiral nootebook, large paperclips,pen, candle and box of chocolate, all matching. I had SO much fun with the butterfly!

My Thank You card for the teacher. I finally got to use my new Die Cut machine and matching punch!

I've been dying to make these chocolate boxes and I finally found a reason to make them! They were fun, and hold a yummy treat to boot!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Baby Blessings

I'm so excited I can finally show this to you. I have been waiting, 1) for my bestest, oldest friend, Jennifer, to finally have her baby and 2) for her to receive this gift before I posted it! Both have happened, so now I can show!

I wanted to do something special for my friend... I found this sketch and tweaked it a bit. I came up with this card. I found the ribbon many, many months ago in New York (seems like forever ago!!!) and have yet to find a reason to use it.. till this card. You can't really see, but the circles on the ribbon actually match the rose and green on the card. Perfect!

This was my baby gift for Jennifer's little girl, Sophia. I found the chipboard "BABY" some time ago and knew exactly who I would use it for! I had to wait till I found out if it would be for a girl or a boy! Once that was found, I got to work!
I used a pack of coordinated paper and started out!
I had so much fun designing each page and trying to figure out what to add.
I added some "picture" spots that she can choose to replace with pictures of little Sophia or leave as is. (That stamp of a baby always reminded me of my little Riley!)

Then I added some scriptures, spots to write memories and some pretty flowers...

A little bling, here and there, some paper piercing...

And put it all together!

I love how all the colors and patterns fit together and made it all flow. I had SO much fun with this project, I may need to venture on to other projects with more of the chipboard words!!!

Summer is Officially HERE!!!

Yep... Summer has officially hit Fort Hood, TX!!!

The boys and I were playing in the front yard when the breeze carried a faint, but familiar tune. Was that annoying, repeating yet distinct music the same music that used to make my heart race as a child? The light in my boys' eyes made the sugar high I knew would come so worth it! They were so excited! They had just bought new wallets at the PX and they STILL had money in it, so they felt they HAD to spend it! Can you blame them when yummy goodness can be bought for only $2.00!!!

So begins a new summer. Full of heat, sweat, water, popsicles and sleep! I can't wait!!!

Card Catchup

I've been busy and haven't been able to post any cards, so thought I'd take a moment to catch up. I've got a few more projects to post, but I'm waiting to hear from the recipient before I post them on here! I don't want to her to see what she's getting before she gets it!

This was my Mother's Day card to my mom. I LOVE this image, but don't get much of a chance to use it.. although I should use it more! I have a few new toys I LOVE to use now! Paper Piercing Templates and Pearl Dots!!! I have used both of them on this card and I love how it came out!

One of my on-going projects is making cards to send to members of our church on our Prayer List. Those undergoing surgery, continued health cares or anything, really. My mom is the coordinator of this committee and is always buying cards to send out... I decided they needed a personal touch! It gives me a reason to stamp (gotta love it!) to use my supplies (need to do that!) and to give back to the church. I say a little prayer with each card I make, hoping that the person getting it will be touched by God.

A close-up of one of my favorites of the bunch.

Again, a close up of one.

Detect a pattern? I love the "bling" on this one!
My second set of cards included this style for the men in our church.

And here is the feminie version.

My quotes above were from my new set from Our Daily Bread Design. I LOVE them! I think I may have to go back and purchase the other set of scriptures since I now have a *NEED* for them! My template and pearl beads are also from that site. GREAT site and great group of ladies that showcase their products!

New members to our family

Yep... we have new members! I took the plunge and bought some pets for the kiddos. I miss having pets in the house and I thought I would start with something rather contained. I've been researching the different options since we were in New York and finally decided on Guinea Pigs. I found a Guinea Pig Rescue Team in Austin and found these two cute sisters. It's better to keep them in pairs, as they tend to do better, physically, healthwise and socially.

Meet Specter and Spike.

They LOVE their veggies!!

Spike seems to be camera shy.. Specter on the other hand will pose when she sees the camera!
Piggin' out at the Hay Tray! Their main food supply is Timoty Hay and fresh veggies. One of the cheapest animals to feed! Their digs. The cage is made from metal "cube" shelves found at Target and plastic cardboard called Coroplast. I actually got the cage free with the pigs from the shelter. It was dropped off with them, and it came home with me! It still would have only cost me about $40 to make the cage! Not too bad! The more room the little pigges have, the better they fare. They like to run around... kinda like my kids! Wish I could put them in a cage sometime!