Aspen & Roxy

WHY do the girls feel the need to sit right under me when I am in my scrapbook room? Seriously now! LOL You can see my chair, legs and cool socks.... and there they are right under my feet! OY!

Was I ever really 19?

This is a rare glimpse into me at 19! My dad almost died when I was just 19, but got a bonus year. Looking back, I can see how frail and old he looked (0nly 64 in this photo). But, this is most certainly one of the final family pictures I have. This is me with my mom and dad circa de late 1984. We are in front of their house in Tucson. That is a pekingese, of course. I will never be without one! I just love those little faces, and attitudes! So, this is me 5'10", dad 5'8" (maybe) and mom 5'7" and Penny the Pekingese (1'5").

Monday 'checklist'

I love this checklist set. Made with a random stamp of rustic flowers behind it, these are some quickie cards for Monday. Enjoy your Monday!

Pinks Purples and Yellows!

I have been working on digging out old papers and such that I love, but do not use enough! This group is all with the same papers, but colored and embellished differently. I think it is odd that I don't really love any of the Stamping Bella stamps except for the Bella's. I plan to finish up the spring clean of Casey's room today, and maybe do my 'Monday' cleaning. I have a big dentist appointment tomorrow. Boohoo. So it would be nice to go into the week with my house in order! Of course everyone is home, so I am not sure that will work for me!

I realize too that I don't own ANY of these Bella's. They were all gifted images! Yahoo!

MWAH!

MWAH! Cute card to share. It went to school for the drama teacher. I got the image from a swap I was in earlier this year. Very cute though! The drama teacher has put up with a lot of tough days from Alec, so I gave her a few pages in an album. Hopefully it will make her day. We shall see!

Birthday Cards

From Karen L. This is so classicly beautiful! Her work is always fab!














This card is from my MIL Donovan. Classic! =-)

From my Bella Sister.....

I got these awesome goodies from my Bellah Sistah LeAnne. She sent me a great card and a box of goodies including a great box with handmade monogram cards, a memo clipboard, and huggybellas! Too cool. Thanks LeAnne. You da bomb.

Cool Cards!

I got this darling "Olivia" card from Janelle and Olivia! Love it, she is a dolly.

I got this great bella card from Theresa H on my bellaholics anonymous group! Beautiful, thank you!

Birthday Gift Photos!

These are the three coaster hangings from Sue for my birthday. From left to right they say, Kassie, Aspen, Roxy. I absolutely love them! I have a place for them, but want to get some new photos printed to add to them first.
Sue also sent Javabellas (yea, and this cute card!) Thank you Sue, love them.

Aspen

How can this darling girl be so bratty this week?

Autism Awareness Month

My downline Sarita shared this. It is soooo true! I love Alec so much. I wouldn't have chosen this path for him, or for me. But, it could be sooo much worse and so different!

WELCOME TO HOLLAND
byEmily Perl Kingsley.
c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

Happy Birthday to ME!

So far this day has been fantastic! In fact, I can't remember a better birthday as an adult! LOL Mike made me a mini album. I got a 10 things I love about my wife mini album at CKC in February. I didn't buy it, it was free. I forgot I had even given it to him. But he filled it in and added pictures! It is awesome..... LOVE IT.

Sue sent me 3 coaster hangings of my girl's names. They are wonderful. I just have to add pictures. The ASPEN one has the largest letters, ROXY has medium letters, and KASSIE has small letters! SOOOO darling. I will post later. Lots of darling doggie stickers and embellishments. Just super.

And, I got a great card from Janelle and Olivia.... with Olivia's picture on the card front. =-)Olivia drew her name for me (or is it a picture? she is 3 you know). PLUS I got a great card from Karen L. Love it! I am so fortunate to have such great friends.

Karma called me last night to wish me a happy birthday. It was great to chat with her for the first time in months. I miss visiting with her more.

I also got several Happy Birthday emails =-) My plan for the day is to do as little as possible! Hehehehehe!

April 2nd 1949

Was the day my parents had their church wedding. They were actually married in Japan during the occupation after WWII. They were married by the Japanese Consulate, the American Consulate and then in the church. My fathers mother was very unhappy to not be there, as this was her only child. My mothers father wasn't all too happy either. Although mom was the youngest of 12, she was her father's favorite. I surely know that they are together again. Mom never was the same after dad died in April of 1985. She only lived another 2 1/2 years. But I do always think of them on this day. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. I love and miss you both.

I am feeling my scrapbooking desires coming back. I have done quite a few cards in the past couple of days. But suddenly, I finished and thought, "ok, done." Yep, gonna dig out the boys school books. I hate working on those. I think I organized them and kept them simple from the beginning so I find them boring. But somehow I am wanting to get a bit more caught up on them. So, I am off to pick up Alec in a minute, and then I will come home and work on his school book. ONe great thing about a kid like Alec is that he remembers when each and every assignment was done... and what is his vs what is his brother's work. So, on the occasion that I forgot to write on the artwork or writing or photo I took. He will know!

Oh, enjoy the bella of the day.

Tuesday already?

I made this little book today, OK yesterday but it wouldn't upload last night. Don't ask for directions, I am not the directions type. It was out of one sheet of 12x12 paper. How cool is that! I am going to do this at the Heirloom Productions Design and Treasure in Puyallup, WA in May. It is just too cute! It turns out with a bunch of pockets and ONE upside down pocket. Basically you score in both directions at 3, 6 and 9.... creating 16 3x3 boxes. Then you cut from 0 to 9 inches on the first and third score.... and from 0-9 from the OTHER side in the middle score. The three cuts are parallel.... that is ALL I am saying. Then fold it all up! I punched with my crop-a-dile. Speaking of which, WHY do I want to buy another one for $25 at Costco. I already have one, certainly I do NOT need another one! Oy, I don't always understand myself!

Denise tagged me..... again! LOL 7 Random Facts...

1. TOMORROW is my birthday!

2. My favorite part of living in Oregon is the spring flowers. They make me sooo happy. The cherry blossom trees are amazing.

3. I love to have the latest gadget. I can't help it, I am always looking for a better way, and I am not afraid to try a new one.... I am waiting for their to be a roomba "the animal" Love having those helpful gadgets.

4. I think one reason I like John McCain so much is because he reminds me of myself... he says what he is thinking, when he should SHUT UP! Now, don't get me wrong... I try to not be hurtful. But, if you ask me my opinion, I will give it to you.... straight up! I guess that makes me a good person to shop for clothes with! But, gimme a chair, I don't love to shop.

5. Stupid people irritate me. It might just be my one prejudice. I think stupid comes in all shapes, sizes, ages, colors, socioeconomic advantage (or disadvantage). I just go nuts when people don't get it!

6. My father always told me I had no sense of humor, aka took life too seriously. Yea, I do that sometimes. But I think I married the right man... he and I can balance each other well..

7. I HATE organizing and planning things. Love being organized... but it is not fun for me at all. One of the gals on the cruise loop is great about making forms and plans and such. YUCK. I think that is why teaching was such a great profession. You never really know what is going to happen.

OK, will likely post more later today.... if I can do pictures!

Spring Break Week

It has been a crazy week. Mikes dad and stepmom were here from Sunday until Wednesday morning. They were going to go to the coast with us to celebrate Danielle's Birthday, but decided to head to Seattle instead. The weather report said it was awful over the pass. We even thought about not going. But, we decided to go anyway, and the road was fine. Snow on the ground, but the road was fine.

It kinda started as a crazy morning. I went to the lab to do bloodwork. Checking in on the cholesterol and glucose levels. Cholesterol is quite good. Glucose not as much. So I already did follow up work on that, and should know something next week.

Then I ran to "Cupcake Jones" http://www.cupcakejones.net/ to pick up dessert for Danielle's birthday. I got a dozen of the most wonderful gourmet cupcakes! They were AMAZING! I got 2 each of 6 different types. I guess that is their normal dozen makeup. My two favorites were "Downtown Cupcake Brown" and the "Spring Lemon," both of which are made everyday. OMG yum! Just amazing. I have hinted for cupcakes for my birthday next week. OK, asked actually. But I don't know if I will get them or not.


After I got home with the cupcakes the Donovan's packed up their RV, said goodbye, and headed up to Seattle. As we were getting ready to leave Alec came running downstairs with Harvey (the bunny). He was paniced that something was wrong. Clearly there was something wrong. I wasn't going to spend $300 on the rabbit, but I did some research on the Internet to see how to help. Alec seemed to think he was feeling better so we went to the coast. Unfortunately, when we got home on Thursday (OK Mike came home first) Harvey had passed on. Very sad. Mike took him to the vet to be taken care of... They not only sent a plant, but also made a donation in his memory. I am quite pleased with this vet. RIP Harvey. We will see you on the other side of the rainbow bridge.



Thursday night brought Cirque Du Soleil. This was my birthday present. I went with my girlfriends Janelle and Danielle. Janelle's birthday was a few days before Danielle's... and in case you need to know when to send a card, ine is next Thursday (4/3) and I will be 43. LOL

First we went to dinner at The Melting Pot. Have you been? I love it! It is fun and different. We started with swiss cheese fondue. Then went to the cooking of chicken, fillet minion, lobster & shrimp! Lastly it was on to the chocolate fondue... bananas foster. It was a white chocolate fondue. YUM. Danielle didn't care for her dinner, which was a big bummer. But, Janelle and I loved ours!

Then, it was onto Cirque Du Soleil. This year it is "Corteo."




Corteo, which means "cortege (funeral procession)" in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music, by turns lyrical and playful, carries Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality.

I really enjoyed it very much. I love doing new things, and this was it! My favorite was the little person under the helium balloon. She got bounced around the whole darn place. It was just cool! LOL corteo_helium.jpg] src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKz99TCQMLMVI5lC0cBRmWHLA2nr010Jnq9IL8hW8TopIXACLEi5W-YOwpfd1Hmd9KSiKGNQ1_bB82KpMO-501k8Yk9m0rWrojyELEtAvsHt_xzY5w6tdxvpE7GQDl46bWL7Y3UzdxX6S/s1600/corteo_helium.jpg" width=349 border=0>We enjoyed an amazing 2.5 hours of great entertainment. I would say I would love to go again, but I know there are many other shows I would love to see!

The weekend brought more things to do than fun to be had! LOL I did work on cleaning up my mess today. It hasn't been a clean SB room since my Heirloom Show, and it needs to happen. So, slowly inventorying my make and takes and such! Hope I will get to play again SOON!

Surprise Visitors

We got a call on Sunday from Mikes folks, dad and stepmom. They were on their way. I am not sure how long they will be here, but they are passing through on their way home to Alaska for the summer. THey are snowbirds now. We had yummy dinners, thanks to Mike, the last two nights. I am not used to having drinks every night, but oh well. It sure is easier that they are here on spring break so I am not having to coral the boys too much.

Casey's best friend got here today too. Tim lives in Seaside, but his mom dropped him off for a couple of nights. We will take him back Wednesday when we go to Danielles for her birthday. Sounds like Mike folks are going to go with us too. That should be fun.

So, no artwork to share, still... maybe soon, hopefully.

Hoppy Easter

It is hard to believe it is Easter already. This is one crazy fast year for me. We had a VERY productive day yesterday. I was quite proud. We spent the day cleaning out Alec's bedroom. We even got him a new bed. We got him a queen, because he is so tall! We figure that will last him through the time he lives here. His room looks awesome right now. I just hope he keeps it like that. We found some interesting things there, as we knew we would. But we started about 9am and finished around 9pm. Oh yea, and thank God for Craigs list! Love finding furniture there.... I actually found the bed about a mile away! Woohoo, score.

My SB room is a mess right now. But, I will get back in there and put the rest away from last weekend, soon.... I hope.

I wanted to say Happy Easter. Enjoy your day. Oh, and for those of you reading.... Janelle's little girl is doing very well after Friday's surgery! Yahoo.

YAHAOO

Today was a good day! Mike got home at 11:30 pm last night. So, I was tired today, but sure glad to have him home safe. =-) As I ran my errands today I realized that spring is indeed here. The cherry blossoms are blooming. The ones in our neighborhood are going to pop tomorrow or Saturday I am sure. Tulips and daffodils are up in full bloom. The flowers are here. It is one of my favorite reasons to live in rainy country. It is beautiful.

Kassie went to the groomer, so she is all clean. I love it when she smells good as I carry her around.

Prayers go out to my dear friend Janelle and her hubby and daughter tonight. Olivia has surgery tomorrow morning. It is outpatient, so I would think that helps.

Happy Anniversary, and boohoo!

DH just called, again, from Shreveport, LA. He was supposed to fly New Orleans to Dallas, and Dallas home (Portland OR). BUT, I guess Dallas closed and they sat on the runway long enough, so back to New Orleans. They hopefully will fly out tomorrow.

So, no DH on the anniversary. It is 19 years this year. And this is the first anniversary we haven't been together. So, that is a bummer! But, I would rather have him safe, so I have to think of it that way.

Just another manic Monday...

When I stopped by the pharamacy today the pharmacist was telling me that he felt like that about Monday's. Seems too true. AHh what an exhausting weekend. I really do enjoy people watching as I have a booth at an expo. It wasn't a great expo, but it wasn't a bust. I really like the people who 'own' this show, so that helps. I had a small class on Saturday, that was really nice. I liked sitting down for a bit... hehehehe... I really enjoyed the Sat night class, 10 people per group for 30 minutes. We ran through 4 groups. I was exhausted, but loved it! Casey helped and in every group someone complimented him on what a great job he did with helping. It really made me happy. I figure we have been 'teaching' him for years, so he is modeling what he has seen. In this case, I feel like a good parent! Yea!

I was really tired today, I did get quite a bit done, but decided to nap for a bit. I was sooo glad that I did because right after I woke up Alec broke down. I won't go into details but it was about 3 hours of painful anger and tears... oh yea, and no homework. He is furious that he doesnt hav eany of his electronics, even though he has had some....

Anyway, no artwork today, but here is the photo wallet that I did at the design and treasure class on Saturday night. Cool huh?

Wooohoooo I make Sue's day =-)

What a FUN award. Thanks too for Sue to explaining how to get this picture on my blog! You da best, you make my day too!

And now to award the award is passed along to:

1. Susan, www.susanscrapbooks.blogspot.com

2. Diane, http://diane-justfun.blogspot.com/

3. Jenipher, http://scrapwithjennipher.blogspot.com/

4. Kris, http://www.shewhospeaksinlyrics.blogspot.com/

5. Denise, http://denisehappyscrappybeachgirl.blogspot.com/

I enjoy keeping up with all of these people through their blogs! FUN FUN FUN! You all make my day =-)

Yesterday today and tomorrow

Yesterday was a good day. School wan't great, but Alec came home, ate his 2nd lunch and got some past work done. He was pleasant and fun to be around all day. His mood was teriffic. He even did his Geometry last night without complaining. It was a success we have not seen in quite awhile. Mike pointed out that maybe it is easier for Alec to deal with school work when he doesnt have to worry about getting to his games, computer, or tv.



Of course, being the parents we are we took all of the cords out of his room, so he can't sneak any time on any of those. LOL I know, you are proud aren't you!



On a side note, I have the worst headache! Not sure what is up with it, but man OUCH! I don't get a ton of headaches... but seems like when I do, I get a good one. I can tell it is a stress one, in the neck and shoulders as much as the head. OK, it can go away now, it is making getting work done tough.



Sadly this image is yucky, and I already sent it out, so I can't take a better picture! Bummer! But, she says it all.

I am soooo excited about my birthday gift. What? A ticket to Cirque du Soleil! This is one of many reasons I wanted back in the city. Yea. I can't wait. This is going to be good.

Back to work for me! Hugs

Wow

I sure was rambling yesterday. Sorry! Somehow it all looks better this morning. Yahoo! I took Alec over to his dad's work. They went out for a bite. Then Mike got some work done and Alec did some missing Language Arts assignments. I think maybe I needed that break. If you read my blog yesterday you are probably saying, "ya think?" LOL

I did make some progress on getting packed up and organized for my show over the last two days. I am happy to report I am in a good position to be ready Friday morning. That set up day is always the hardest. But, it is great to decide how to do it everytime. I have it all graphed out and ready. I know, a little obsessive here...

I hope ALL of us have a great hump day! =-)

just shoot me now

OK, lets see... it is DAY ONE, yes day one of no electronics for Alec. And it is already painful. He is here, right here, with me, annoying me, begging me for his electronics back. Yes, it would be much easier to give them to him. But, the deal was 2 A's and 2 B's..... let's just say, no where close to that....

So, here on day one we already hate mom and dad. He feels we took advantage of him. In a word, he is furious. And he is saying anything he can think of to get his stuff back. Oh the joy of parenting.

Just last night I took the boys to IHop for dinner. If you haven't been to IHop this month you don't know about the Dr Seuss breakfast. I was LOL at Alec eating green eggs and ham. He had these pancakes with blue and pink glaze poured over them.... oh yes, and a sprite with blue and red jello cubes.... He is 5, he will always act 5...... It was very sweet. It just made me smile & remember how darling he was way back then, and still.

And here we are at today..... the day he told the psychologist that he would have his grades back up in no time. He has no plan. He just thinks they will magically rise.

He is angry with Casey now.... he wants Casey's yo yo. He uses all of the 'adult' language.... not meaning cuss words, but the way he talks.... yet the reasoning matches the 5 year old from dinner last night.

Oh boy, we are sure in for fun this month!

Stolen Idea

Now, this one I stole! Sue did a similar card as her SoM in December. Loved it, and am using it for one of my make and takes this weekend. But, with older paper! Enjoy.


Off to the psychologist this moring. I sure hope I get fixed soon =-) I figure at this stage, Alec is going to stay the same.... LOL

Monday

Nothing like a puppy dog to make Monday seem better than it really is... The week isn't starting off too well, not that I thought it would.... but I wish it could have. =-( But, my girls sure make me feel better. I love this picture of Roxy's face. hehehehehe just too sweet. OK, and here is some artwork too!

This is kind of a fun and easy card. It doesn't look quite so off in real life! LOL Oh well.

I am excited as I am now almost ready for convention 2008 in Orlando. I have a hotel room and a flight! In a week I will get registered for convention... sunflower color. Yahoo! Florida at the end of July and early August. Thank God I hear you don't ever leave the Gaylord Resort!

Art

This card was so easy and fun! I really love the conchos, since I started using our new stamp pad. That is the best $14.95 I ever spent with CTMH! I turn it over and press the concho through the paper into the pad. Then I whack it once with a hammer (not on the pad that time).

I really go through stages with easy vs more difficult cards. But I am liking the easier ones right now!

Mike is getting ready for his conference in New Orleans. I am getting ready for the Heirloom Show... it should be a busy weekend. Then, next thing you know it will be our anniversary. It is our 19th anniversary on the 18th of March (Tuesday). I can't believe it. My guess is that we won't do dinner until the following Friday. But thats OK. Working is good too! LOL

EZ Mount

I still have a few CTMH wood sets that I want to keep. Mostly they are 'business' type sets that I don't use very often. So, I pulled them off the wood and put them on EZ mount. This is a sticky system that makes your rubber images able to stick on acrylic blocks. It can be a little sticky to get onto your red rubber. But, with a hot knive that cuts like butter, you will be thrilled with your results. I stamped my images on a transparancy with StazOn ink and then adhered my images to it. For my more used stamps (bellas) I used a 6x6 transparancy and put them into a CTMH folder (like the stamps come in). I am so happy we sell these so I can use them for other stamps. My business ones I put on a 8x10 sheet and then stacked them in an old acrylic picture frame. I didn't feel like I needed these right at my workspace, so they are in my closet.

Rubber on the EZ Mount before I cut it out with the hot knife:

The back of the EZmount when I put it onto the transparancy sheet for safe keeping!

Artwork!

I made this javabellas card for the March challenge at Bellahollicsanonomyous. It was fun to just stop getting ready for the Heirloom Productions show and just play for a few minutes. Sue stamped this image for me. I thought the sketch today needed a bigger bella image, and I don't have one! I will have the shopabellas, someday.... does that sound impatient or what? Mike drove Casey out to the beach today to stay with Tim overnight. Alec has his friend Chris over, who will spend the night. So Saturday is good. Alec already did a section on Geometry today. Since our plan has not worked ( I don't know his grades yet, but I know they are not 2 A's and 2 B's) we are back to our old ways. Do your work, get a reward. No work, no friend. Some work = friend. He really can't handle hours on end of work... not that anyone can. But he really can't. So, since he is already three sections behind, we are not allowing it to get completely out of control this time.

It was quite a week. My favorite is how I took Casey to school on Wednesday and came home. Alec's school starts late on Wednesday. About 10:30 he called with a bad stomach ache. I made him stay at school. He was pretty angry. He made lots of threats against me and his school counselor. It was ugly. Well, not too long after I discovered that after he ate his two huge bowls of cereal, while I was taking Casey to school, he ate two candy bars and a protein bar. Well no wonder he had a stomach ache! Let's review, he is almost 14, not 4. He really had to DIG to find these things. Grrrrr. Anyway, this was just one of many many issues this week. His anxiety about school was very high. I certainly feel for him there. But, he is already on a short schedule, and needs to be at school. And, even more than he needs to be at school, I need him to be there. When he is home he needs me constantly. And, if I go into my scrapbook room, he is digging around in the kitchen, eating everything in sight. But, I digress...

Off to work on some more kits for next weekend! L

Short update

Well, it has been a very long week. I am not going to get into all of the details but Mike made a great point the other day when he said, "Wow, I keep thinking we are at the bottom but it gets worse. I wonder what the real bottom will look like." I know God has a plan for us.... all of us in this house. But yesterday when I picked up Casey from school we went straight to the grocery store for junk food. This is why I will never be thin. I eat when I can't deal! I am going to TRY to get some artwork and some real stories of life up SOON. Love ya'll!!!

Too obvious! LOL

You Are a Red Crayon

Your world is colored with bright, vivid, wild colors. You have a deep, complex personality - and you are always expressing something about yourself. Bold and dominant, you are a natural leader. You have an energy that is intense... and sometimes overwhelming. Your reaction to everything tends to be strong. You are the master of love-hate relationships. Your color wheel opposite is green. Green people are way too mellow to understand what drives your energy.

What Color Crayon Are You?