The Roller-coaster of My Life

Maybe I am too old to want to go to ride the readily available array of roller-coasters at my disposal here in the heart of Florida but my own life has been and continues to be an interesting ride of twists, turns, ups and downs of life experiences.

After reaching the bottom of an exciting down hill ride or my summer travels I reached what seemed a never ending ride of depression. 

Scratching and crawling my way to hook onto the upward climb I began busying myself with online declutter and organizational classes to refresh and renew my home environment.  Chug, chug, chugging to the top I felt as if the walls of my domain were closing in on me.  Never ending projects of purging and cleaning.  Organizing, painting and planning my new "Scrap Studio".  Void of contents currently stored in plastic bins I find myself waiting for the long promised wood flooring to go into place.

Picture of Texas Trio

My dear spouse had yet another, well deserved, trip to Auburn, AL then over to Athens, GA for a big rival match of football between the Tigers vs. the Bulldogs.  Facing a long stretch of football widowhood and out of town work for my spouse I got on this trusty pink dell and shopped for prices to fly to Houston to see my TX Trio buddies!  I spent several hours talking to Kris about the possibilities including driving.  After I got my "ducks in a row" I called my dear husband to get his approval and was denied permission to drive.

Being the wonderful, giving person that he is he allotted me money to fly.  I did find a flight but my gut instinct (as a Christian I know this to be the Holy Spirit) told me not to do it.

I decided to shop online Thursday night for cubbies and shelves for my new scrap room and then drive to IKEA in Orlando to get them on Friday, only to receive a tearful call from my daughter (also an RN) who had but 3 hours sleep Wednesday night due to the admission of her long term boyfriend to the hospital.  Max had spit up blood and wanted to go to the ER.  He was put immediately (that's 4-5 hours in hospital time) into isolation for respiratory infection, scheduled for a bronchoscopy Friday.  My daughter was needin' a little mommy lovin' by this point.

Picture of Max and Erin

To make matters more complex she was committed to being a bride's maid for a co-worker and needed to attend rehearsal and dinner Friday night.  Max did not want to be alone when he came out of anesthesia from his procedure either.  So, having done my laundry that day I was ready to hit the road in an hour after packing, arranging, pet care, hitting the ATM and running the car through the car wash so that I could see through the windshield.

Saturday morning I dropped Erin off at a Park Avenue Salon to meet with the ladies of the wedding party and have her hair done and then travel via limousine to the church and onto the reception which was held at the Orlando International Airport at the Hilton.  Now this was a long haul from where I had gone back to Erin's apartment to do what mother's do and clean...

Meanwhile, Colin and Kristy, my son and daughter-in-law were hot to travel up to Orlando to see Max.  I then assigned Colin to pick Erin up at the airport and bring her home.  I then continued in my motherly role and waited to have my three children to myself for a moment or two only to have them arrive at 2:00 AM Sunday morning.

Colin and Kristy

While on the way home from Alabama, the football warriors had a break down in their vehicle north of Atlanta placing their ETA late Sunday night or early Monday morning!

Done playing mother for the time, I dashed over to Ponce for a little mother lovin' of my own, spent the night Sunday and watched Atlantis being launched into space from the white sandy beach.

Atlantis November 16, 2009

As soon as she launched, I launched my ready and waiting car, clothes washed that morning and repacked, to head over to Lake County and stay with our friends Linda and Jim at their hideaway in the woods.  There I would meet up with my husband and together we would go to the hospital for him to have eye surgery Tuesday morning.

Linda and Jim's Humble Abode

Linda, Todd and Jim

Earlier on this year when Todd had his first eye surgery we were delighted that we were able to hand pick Linda to be the RN on Todd's case as she had been interning at the hospital where I was coordinating Ophthalmic surgery in about 1990 when we first met.  We grew to be great friends as we both got the hell out of the "big house" in the big city and headed to a suburb to practice nursing in an outpatient setting for about ten years.  Although the following pictures of them were from the first surgery, it's like you've seen one, you've seen them all scenario...

Left Linda at work...Right Todd about to go under the knife...

Having forgotten his dress clothes for work Today he headed back south to our home to retrieve them and carry on to his "out of town" duties on the west coast.  I in-turn, stayed another night for one more evening of girl time.

This morning I headed back to Ponce to reconnect with cyberspace and share my story while sitting and watching the sunset reflect shades of pink, blue, and orange over the Atlantic...Yes, I know the sun sets in the west which I can see over the Inter-coastal waterway as well...life is good.

I'll be heading home this weekend to prepare for Thanksgiving and spend time Monday and Tuesday with this little monkey...

Savannah's first Camping Trip...

It's Going to Happen!

My scraproom is now all crated up and in the process of being painted and getting new flooring!  Meanwhile, I have boxes and boxes of stuff to sort and purge...this isn't going to be an easy project but oh so worth it!  I've wanted this for a very long time!  Goodbye plastic drawers!  Welcome cabinets and decorative baskets!  I'm just now trying to get a vision!

Is a Latte a Latte to ask for?

Struggling with my espresso machine, a good one (Krups) for over a year now.  Finally decided to clean it with the cleaner that they use at Barnies, the Florida precursor to Starbucks.  My daughter worked for them her senior year in high school and through college, she sneaked me a bit home in a plastic cup.  It worked!  Now I too can have my homemade cup of java latte any time I want!  Someone put my tamp through the dishwasher so now I have to get out the aluminum cleaner!  Anyone know what works best?

Why Blog?

I've pretty much given up blogging. It always seems a blog needs more than a simp0le update. Either you have to add pics and some long thoughtful post. So I quit. I think that's why I like Facebook...it's quick and short and not so personal! There is already too much personal stuff out there on the web, I don;t need to voluntarily add more.

Quoting from another person on one of the message boards I frequet.

This gal was a friend of mine and we had a huge "falling out" that is hurtful to me this day.  She lives diagonally across the US in the NW.  It has been difficult for me but we both said some unkind things to one another.  She has chosen to have nothing to do with me.

This is exactly one reason I blog, not to say something "profound" or feel as if I must add pictures!  As you can see my blog is fairly simple!  It's my right to exercise the First Amendment of the US constitution.


About the First Amendment



By Brian J. Buchanan

First Amendment Center Online managing editor





Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

— The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution



The First Amendment was written because at America's inception, citizens demanded a guarantee of their basic freedoms.



Our blueprint for personal freedom and the hallmark of an open society, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly and petition.



Without the First Amendment, religious minorities could be persecuted, the government might well establish a national religion, protesters could be silenced, the press could not criticize government, and citizens could not mobilize for social change.



When the U.S. Constitution was signed on Sept. 17, 1787, it did not contain the essential freedoms now outlined in the Bill of Rights, because many of the Framers viewed their inclusion as unnecessary. However, after vigorous debate, the Bill of Rights was adopted. The first freedoms guaranteed in this historic document were articulated in the 45 words written by James Madison that we have come to know as the First Amendment.



The Bill of Rights — the first 10 amendments to the Constitution — went into effect on Dec. 15, 1791, when the state of Virginia ratified it, giving the bill the majority of ratifying states required to protect citizens from the power of the federal government.



The First Amendment ensures that "if there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein," as Justice Robert Jackson wrote in the 1943 case West Virginia v. Barnette.



And as Justice William Brennan wrote in New York Times v. Sullivan in 1964, the First Amendment provides that "debate on public issues ... [should be] ... uninhibited, robust, and wide-open."



However, Americans vigorously dispute the application of the First Amendment.



Most people believe in the right to free speech, but debate whether it should cover flag-burning, hard-core rap and heavy-metal lyrics, tobacco advertising, hate speech, pornography, nude dancing, solicitation and various forms of symbolic speech. Many would agree to limiting some forms of free expression, as seen in the First Amendment Center's State of the First Amendment survey reports.



Most people, at some level, recognize the necessity of religious liberty and toleration, but some balk when a religious tenet of a minority religion conflicts with a generally applicable law or with their own religious faith. Many Americans see the need to separate the state from the church to some extent, but decry the banning of school-sponsored prayer from public schools and the removal of the Ten Commandments from public buildings.



Further, courts wrestle daily with First Amendment controversies and constitutional clashes, as evidenced by the free-press vs. fair-trial debate and the dilemma of First Amendment liberty principles vs. the equality values of the 14th Amendment.



Such difficulties are the price of freedom of speech and religion in a tolerant, open society.

If no one ever reads my blog I still have an online journal siting a number of interests to me, wide in variety.  Writing helps me think through, process my own thoughts, comments are welcome.  I like to know what other's are thinking!

Double Nickle

The month of October is flying by. This week I turned 55. My husband bought me a cake that said "Happy Birthday Double Nickle".

It was my quest to find two 1954 nickles, which I found on eBay for 99cents. I'll either have them made into charms or put them in my scrapbook.

Just finished a lovely visit with my friend Lynn who is one tiny little 5 foot, 100 pound soaking wet, size 0 wearing jeans, megabyte of energy.

We hit Florida Mall and my favorite scrapbook store in Orlando after she touched down at the OIA.

Wednesday we shopped Daytona including Biktoberfest where Lynn tried out a Harley-Davidson. She wants a street bike but this was the best we could do. She also bought a shirt.

We then spent two days in St. Augustine, shopping every day with some sight seeing and wine tasting. We also got airbrush tattoo's, crazy girls that we are!

Ended out Saturday night with a 3 hour meal at the bar (no tables were available) at the famous Columbia Resturant in St. Augustine. This upscale Spanish resturant started up in Ybor City in 1905.

On our way home to my house we stopped in Altamonte Springs to have lunch at The Elephant Bar where we met my daughter. Of course more shopping and home by 7:00 PM.

Monday we went to the south end of Lake Okeechobee to catch an airboat ride and eat outside at Roland Martin's Marina and Resort in Clewiston and eat at The Gally there.

Tuesday we had time to shop Sebring, eat lunch at a local cafe, and for me to give Lynn a lesson in shifting a manual shift car to help her get the hang of motorcycle shifting! She did really well for her first or second try at this skill, and at least the car didn't tip over when she stalled out the engine!

While I don't have pictures of the casino in Brighton, we do have a fun picture of Lynn and I pulling the handle on a giant slot machiene at which time we were politely escorted to the door for her to place her camera in the car, but we did get the picture~

More fun stuff to come when I get the CD with her pictures in the mail!

October!

Well, I turn 55 in a few weeks but feel 35! I've been waiting to get back to blogging and this short post is just to let you know.



Righ now I am in the trenches of Simplify 101 and Organize Your Closet by Aby Garvy. It has helped me a great deal to declutter and purpose the items that live in my home or get rid of them. Last week I sent three tall laundry hampers that I hated to charity, over 300 pieces of clothing! I feel much lighter. Aby is a great inspiration and encourager as well as a smart woman with a plan to help you accompliish whatever area of your life you want to control, rather than it controling you!

More later!

Time Flies!

Amazing! Almost a month since I've blogged! Actually has been good for me to be away from this computer! Wednesday, May20, I drove my mother back over to Volusia county where they got 20 inches of rain. That's more than the total rain they got during Charlie, Fay,and Jeanne! The drive was horrendous with rain pouring cats and dogs! We did manage to hit a couple of stores on the way over in Polk county before we hit the deluge in Volusia. The closer we got the more rain and standing water. We had to take alternate detours to avoid the flooded Dunlawton main road to cross the bridge to the ocean side. The Atlantic was a roaring, angry sea but a beautiful view of nature and example of God's ultimate control of our planet and the universe. When we got upstairs to the fifth floor the water had blown in under the sliding glass doors so it was up and at 'em as I cut fun noodles to stuff in the tracks over plastic garbage bags and old towels on top of that! Most of the water damage was on the mainland.

Sandy

Nope, not gonna do it, too much wasted time! While under contract which I am no longer bound to, I created a vent blog with my alias Sandy! To take the posts from that blog and over to this one is too big of a task. If you like you can visit Sandy but she'll be quiet and not posting over there as I now am accountable only to God!

Amazingly Bored

I'm dumbfounded to realize how incredibly bored I have become. All my life I've wanted to be a SAHM (stay at home mom) and now an empty-nester, I'm a SAHW (stay at home wife). I've adjusted to this little town of 30,000 people and thankful for a reliable car that allows me to get the heck out of "Dodge" when it closes in on me.

Struggling through the death of my father, loss of my career (by choice) and learning to deal with life effectively, I now find myself turning to the Internet for mental stimulation.

I wish to return to school to increase my knowledge of things of interest to me. Alas, the adult ed classes run at the wrong time or fill up with q-tips before I can register.

Married to a successful engineer, I essentially gave up my creme da la creme job in the big city to move so he could advance his career. Not having kids on the payroll any more pretty much leaves my income only to be sucked dry by the US Government.

You can't go back and I wouldn't want to return to my old place of employment as people move on, many of my friends have husbands who have retired. I'll probably die before my husband retires as I am 8 years older than he.

I love to travel and crave time with my girlfriends, most of whom live all over this United States of America. I often travel alone, flying and can negotiate places like Chicago in ways that surprise me.

I'll keep seeking it out until I find the right course or online learning experience that fill my desires. I don't want a job, I don't even want a degree, I've got a degree and been there done that with the job scene.

For now I put a hodge-podge of stuff that strikes me and jog down some of my thoughts and feelings from time to time.

This may seem simple to some but this is my blog and I use it as I wish. Thank God for free speech!

Greenfields

This is an old song and to listen to it is bitter/sweet as my father used to love this group, The Brother's Four, so I loved them too.

In Like a Lion

It's said, "In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb" so April should arrive all sweet and woolly! Our temps are seasonably low making it for one chilly Florida gal! The wind has stopped after the cold front pushed through. Not blogging much lately as I've discovered Facebook! You can catch me there sometimes! Come join the fun at Facebook.

America!!!

Migration of Sting Rays

Migration of Sting Rays


Migration of Stingrays

Looking like giant leaves floating in the sea, thousands of Golden Rays are seen here gathering off the coast of Mexico . The spectacular scene was captured as the magnificent creatures made one of their biannual mass migrations to more agreeable waters.

Gliding silently beneath the waves, they turned vast areas of blue water to gold off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula . Sandra Critelli, an amateur photographer, stumbled across the phenomenon while looking for whale sharks.

She said: 'It was an unreal image, very difficult to describe. The surface of the water was covered by warm and different shades of gold and looked like a bed of autumn leaves gently moved by the wind.

House at Pooh Corner

Cancer Angel

Could this be ME?

This is too funny! Thanks, and you know who you are for comparing me to this God fearing woman with a mission to outlaw those items of conspiracy that will make the nation fall!

The Friendly Duck!

Like When Was the Last Time?

So, I haven't blogged in like forevah!!! Darn antigen/antibody immune system wacko! Monday, the 5th, the last time I blogged, I got stung by a yellow jacket at the base of my hairline in the center back. Yep, if we had us some cold weather maybe we wouldn't be dealin' with stingin' bugs and bees, bitin' mosquito's and fleas!!! So, by Thursday after being sick and tired of being sick and tired I went shopping with my mother to pick out something nice to give my sister for her birthday. I thought if I just got out of bed and fixed up a little I'd feel better. NOT. Called the MD about 12:30PM first of all I was blown away that I didn't get the answering service. Well, 4 hours later I had me a shot in the butt and a pack of steroids to take. They've finally kicked in and I feel a bit better. I've got to get myself together and packed for my trip Thursday. All the while I'm starting a 365 project for my scrapbooking and a 12 week course called The Artist's Way!! My psychologist said it made her tired just to listen to my list of projects I wanted to do. Ya know I want to be productive, it's a whole 'nother ball game once you become an empty nester and quit your career. Anyway, it made me feel better that she thought I was over extending myself and now I'm so anxious for a ten day trip to Missouri just to get away and think, sleep, read but most of all spend time with my girlfriends!!! Laptop will be in tow so I hope to keep bloggin'! The one thing that saved me the afternoon I waited and waited ad infinities was my mP3 player. Gotta love Josh Groban when you need to calm yourself down.

Basic Gray Calendar 2009

Don't Ya Love it when you get something with a coupon! I bought this Basic Gray Calendar kit at Mike's with my 40% off coupon. They were in a bin in one of the center asiles near the scrapbookin' stuff!
















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December

Counting Down to the New Year!

The year certainly has gone by quickly. Last New Years Day I was caught in the airport of hours trying to fly home from a New Years Eve Crop. By the time I got back to Orlando from Chicago it was 4:00 AM. If it had gone on schedule I would have been home for dinner! We had a wonderful New Year's Crop at the home of one of the SJ Gals. We all cane from all over, I probably came the farthest but I live in B Florida E!

February was uneventful except for daily life, which I am thankful for. I had a huge sebaceous cyst removed from my back in the office of one of the local surgeons, big mistake, why skimp on xylocaine, it's cheap stuff!!!



Flat Stanley came for a short visit which turns out to be a permanent resident here in our home as he hid from me and I didn't get to send him home to Chicago....yet!

March came and some good friends flew Air Barney down to the local airport (which isn't much) and stayed for about a week! We had great fun including trips to the local groves, winery,
EPCOT.

Of course Lynn and I had to hit the shopping in Tampa for Rubin Rouge!


Nikki came along and behaved famously! What a good dog! We were sad to see our friends fly away at the end of Spring Break but we knew we would get together once again someday soon!


Then Easter came with the obligatory egg hunt!

April brought a plethora of duties and emotions. We gained a Dear New Daughter in Law and a Precious Granddaughter. Colin married the love of his life!



May took us camping in the Keys, we liked to burned up! We did have a good time but I was ready to come home!


In June I turned right around to meet Bev in Palm Beach and take her to The Florida Keys! We made it to 0 mile marker!



The following week I boarded a plane for Colorado. Little did I know that I would be at the Southernmost point of Florida one Friday and at the top of Pike's Peak the following!


July was uneventful except for a little scare that put me in the hospital for 3 days. All is well now.

To my surprise my daughter invited me to join her in her first ever "self-paid" vacation. We enjoyed a trip out of Miami for 3 days on The Majesty of the Seas!

September brought devistation to my dear friend Kris and her family as Hurricane Ike struck and demolished their town home. As I write I am happy to say that God has truly blessed them and they are now in a new home, yet settlement with insurance, etc. is ongoing.

September late I spent time with my local friend Karen. We enjoyed helping a fellow LSS owner put on her crop for a fundraiser for Breast Cancer. It was a two day crop and Karen and I spent another two days relaxing and shopping!






October holds The Main Event Cracker Crop

November also gave me the opportunity to meet an online friend!
Now this girl's got a big ole camera!!!




Thanksgiving was held at our home


December 5 I met up with Jodi, Bri, and Tim!



My cousin got married on December 7!



I grieved my father's death December 8, from there things moved on and we made it through Christmas. Company party's at the house, breakfast for dinner at out house, Shepherd's Pie for Christmas Eve and the whole nine yards at DS and DDIL's new home!


No wonder I'm so tired!!! It's been a full year!!! I intend to start 2009 with another trip to the cold~~~~See you there!!!

Daddy's You Tube 1953-1957

Scraper's Poem

'Twas the night before Christmas,
I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.
Could it be card stock or chipboard or lace?
Or a Cricut, I said, with a smile on my face.

And that's when I heard him,
"Hi Santa, " I said

"You know....good little girls Should be in their beds."

"I know I should Santa, And now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited
To see what you brought."

"Well, let's take a look In this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly,
And left with a jerk.

I heard him exclaim As he put it in gear.
"You've got enough crap, I'll see you next year!"

I replied:

Dear Santa,
I wrote, it's not "scrap crap" I need,
It's recognition from those I strive to please

Oh help me Santa, help me let them see
Help me let them know what therapy I need!

There's always new toys and techniques I crave,
I want them to know it is memories I save!

Help them to know it's my art!
Teach them to know that it comes from my heart.

I know I have Bazzil out the wazoo!
I'll use it, I promise...
Would I lie to you?

Patterned paper delights me,
Like a song without words.
Oh Santa please tell me these words you have heard.

The brads, eyelets and ribbons delight
Journaling is my favorite, it's no problem, no fright!

I scrap for myself, 'tis honest and true.
Surely if anyone understands it is you.

Someone in the future will surely find insight
In the layouts I create all day and all night!

Oh Santa, it's okay if no new things you leave
I've got enablers galore who are sure to please!

So, Santa forgive me for needing an entire room
I'll finish my projects before too soon!

I'm just a little girl who has grown older with age,
But each time I complete another full page,
I feel so delighted, fulfilled and complete.
Oh Santa, don't let my dear husband give me more heat!

Dear Santa please help those who don't understand,
If they made a scrappin' wish I'd be at their command!

There's chronological, circle journals, and all kinds of swaps
My kit clubs and items I bought with some thought.

I need them, I want them, they may not be there,
Next time I visit the scrap store beware!

I promise, Dear Santa to be true to my craft.
My productions next year will be a blast!

Maybe next year you'll understand my plea,
But for now, dear Santa, it's all about ME!

Locked Out!

DH is walking the dogs, then we're going to "have a little come to Jesus talk"! He didn't answer his cell phone for two hours and I was stranded for two hours until he called with the key-less entry code. It was my fault for locking the keys in the car and I will be writing that number in several places, maybe my first tattoo? But we've had this problem before. He lets his cell phone battery die or leaves it on such a low ring he can't hear it in the bar, forgets to put it on vibrate. Bottom line, he's just not making himself readily available to me! I drive a lot of rural roads around here. The last time he did this to me I was driving home from Palm Beach through the everglades and sugar cane fields alone!!! That night he got an earful but last night I came home, he said "hello" I said "hello" took my shower, put on an ugly nightgown and got in bed. Put one king size pillow between us and the other between my legs, one pillow to hug, and one for my head. Not another word was spoken. I decided I needed to rest and settle down before I reamed him another one!

The Bean Counters Struck Today!

Oh, banking is my worst subject! While all the other kids were taking book keeping in HS, I was taking physics. I spent the whole day undoing some accounts that I had set up "with all good intention" and cancelling them today as it was a freak of a mess. Not a Christmas card was touched or a gift was created but DH and I are sleeping without guilt tonight!

My Creation is DONE!!!

Just now I finished pre-wiring all the lights, wrapped the ribbons and garland to the small wreath and wired the it to the large one and took it outside to finish. Woman, I have forgotten how stinkin' hot those glue guns get!!! I don't think I burned myself but am peeling wax off my index fingers. Once on the screw in the outside wall (oh yeah, I made my own wire hanger) I wired the jingle bells to the bottom wreath. I had to stand on a step stool to reach the top and proceeded to attach the ribbon wrapped Christmas balls, bows, and loose ends. Todd was a good sport about being my right hand man handing me glue stick refills and fetching wire. Then he counted the flowers, 18 in all, and handed them to me one by one as I placed them on the wreath and glued them down with the hot glue (which came first, the glue or the flower?). We spotted out the "holes" and filled them in. The wreath turned out just as I had planned in my head. I've been working on this in my head for weeks!!

Now, would the Little Drummer Boy please step forward and give me a drum roll.

The Enemy of Good is Better

Following yesterday's post. I bought another roll of ribbon to make my bow larger as it was quite small for the ever growing wreath. I also purchased another glue gun as mine has gone to live with one of my children. Removed the flowers to reveal the buttons and beads garland and decided that too must be removed to be replaced. Also one of the ribbon wrapped balls is coming unraveled. Well, if I am stripping it that far back I am going to add white lights. I'll probably take it out to the front entry to assemble and glue the flowers after I place the lights on.

Among other party prep that I must do such as floors and bathrooms I am going to make a huge pan of cinnamon apples. Busy day!! Catch ya later!!!

My Front Entry Wreath!!!

Ha, we'll see if Kelly makes it over here with her "sign train"! Anyway...this year I got it in my head that I wanted a wreath with fake red amaryllis on it. I wanted a grapevine wreath rather than a pine wreath in case I wanted to change the bow and transition it into a January wreath.

My home has a fully glass front door with glass side lights and a glass window above that in the entry. Lots of light in my home as it's mostly sunny here and light is so good for my state of mind.

Anyway, I finally found a small wreath at Target covered with the red amaryllis but not nearly large enough for my large entry way $20.00 in Daytona compared to $35.00 in Haines City, go figure!....Found an old grapevine wreath in my garage. Bought some wired ribbon at Mike's last night and proceeded to construct the bow. Got on a roll and wired the garland of red beads with various buttons to the large wreath. Placed the bow. Wired the ribbon covered matching balls and the jute covered ring with three jingle bells to the bottom. Proceeded to pull the flowers off of the tiny wreath and ended up with about 20 huge flowers!!!. When all the flowers were off of the tiny wreath it revealed a tightly tied grass wreath/straw/whatever. Very pretty...I proceeded to remove the hanging jingle bells and wired the little wreath to the large wreath and the ring with the jingle bells to the bottom of that. I placed the flowers flowing from left to right from about 9 o'clock down to 6 o'clock and spilling onto the little wreath. It was midnight at this point and I promised my husband no more late nights for me as it rakes havoc on my mental health. So, today I shall seek out my little glue gun and hope for some remaining glue sticks that fit and adhere the flowers to the wreath. It will be hung on the wall to the left of the door outside in the entry way. You'll get your picture later (Kelly)!

A Tribute To Family

It has taken me several days but at last I have a little "TV show" that skips through time, oh how time quickly does pass! Rather than produce something honoring only my father I wanted to take a quick little trip down memory lane. For me this has been very therapeutic!

Yesterday I went to the grave of my father and talked to myself, listened to our music, cleaned his headstone and spilled tears on his name. I talked to our Heavenly Father and now I can move on with the celebration of the true meaning of Christmas.

May the joy that comes with the true spirt of Christmas be yours this year.

Friendship Box

My design for a Friendship Box * demonstrates both qualities adding a muted look using the frosted material as well as adding strength for longevity from handling and water resistance! **Here are the supplies you will need.

Before we get started with the directions let me just show you the beautiful project* you can make and share with your best friends! I've decorated the outside of the box with the frosted full sheet product. This not only subdues the pattern on the paper but allow me to rub ons and chipboard. All paper and most embellishment products are from the Basic Grey Urban Prairie Collection, with exception of from American Crafts Premium Ribbon, and the Prima flower. The name was cut with my Cricut using the Opposites Attract cartridge. The embellishments and gifts inside are from my personal collection which have long lost their packaging, therefore I am unable to give credit to those companies.

This is the closed box, doesn't look like much but wait until you see how it "unfolds"! The box is capped on each end to hold it closed but once the caps are removed a wonderful gift of true friendship unfolds!

*** Top Cap: Built the

embellishment for the top on the glazed brad. Then place a chipboard flower on the top of the box. Mount the brad, flower, and ribbon loops with mounting tape to the top.

Bottom Cap: After constructing the bottom cap, using paper piercer poke four holes about 1/4" in and set the brads for the feet of the box.

Let's build the body of the box:

Take your pre-cut vinyl*** and paper*** to a well ventilated area. Use newspaper to protect any surrounding objects from over spray. I used Spray Craft Adhesive made by Glue Craft. It is acid free, non-yellowing, clear/invisible, re-positional or permanent (depending on the dry time before you put your item to be adhered into place. In this case we want to adhere our items permanent, so once the spray is on the object to be adhered it must be put into place right away. Be sure to read the instructions on your spray adhesive.

Have your newspaper for underneath to catch the over spray, your spray adhesive, your frosted 5 1/2" X 10 1/2" vinyl, your patterned double sided paper cut at 5 1/2" X 5 1/2 " OR (2) pieces of patterned paper cut at 5 1/2" X 5 1/2".

Spray the vinyl and lay the printed side of the paper on top and bray down for even adhesion. Spray the back (white side of the patterned paper) and adhere the second piece of patterned paper. Let this dry about 5 minutes.

Time to score this section of the friendship box. Beginning at the left with the paper up and the vinyl down (as to form the "mountains" up on the vinyl) score at 2 1/4", again at 4 1/2", and a third time at 6 3/4" leaving a 1" flap on the right. Using your paper folder fold each scored line nice and strong.

Place the bottom cap on the bottom and the top cap on the top. This will help your vinyl and paper portion of the friendship box to begin to memorize the shape that it will eventually hold. You may have trouble getting the sides not to buckle in, or difficulty inserting the caps but it will go together as you work to place the end caps onto the vinyl section.

Laying a straightedge along the scored line will help to fold these lines more easily as they are quite thick. Once you have the scored line folded continue to flatten it with your paper folder so that you get a nice 90 degree angle. You'll want the "mountains" to be on the outside (vinyl) side of the box.

The center picture shows the inside of the box taking shape

To the right is shown the outside of the box with the patterned paper subdued by the frosted vinyl.

The vinyl material on the outside of the box has allowed you to use pre-decorated chipboard shapes and rub-ons. Let's start assembling. The main technique you will use is folding the tops and bottoms of the boxes inside and the end caps, after you learn to fold this box technique you will never buy another box or use a different fold again! I love it that much!

The diagram for this is drawn here:

This information may help you with the box folding procedure.

Take each square that has been cut to size according to ***on the reverse (white) side draw an X from corner to corner using pencil and ruler. Fold each point to the center of the paper, and without unfolding fold once again to the center of the paper.
Repeat all for corners and unfold

Once you have folded and unfolded your square you will cut two lines on opposite sides as indicated by the below diagram will leave you with four squares in the middle, two "houses" opposite created by the cuts, and two "wings" opposite also created by the cut. Take your first "wing" and once again fold it to the center leaving pattern side showing and white side inside. Repeat with the opposite "wing". Follow example with the two "house" quarters and fold over the edges of the wings to secure the box. I have used adhesive squares or dots to secure the folds. When placing a brad for a faux drawer pull place it in the center of the fold closest to the center bottom quad of squares. This way when you make your final fold over the back of the brad, it will be hidden.

In order to strenghten this friendship box and to cover the inside like, "drawer lining" cut scrap pieces of paper about 1/8" less than the bottom of the box or end cap and secure with glue, I did use spray glue but a glue stick or ATC tape would work just as well. The point is you want to build your box STRONG!. After "lining the top and bottom of the inside of the boxes use your spray adhesive and quickly secure them in the bottom/top of the box by picking them up with tweezers and pressing down with the back end of your paper piercer or other tool that will allow you to press down the entire area.

Once you have your four tops and four bottoms folded and joined top on bottom you will need to cut a triangular cut on the back side that is to attach to the box. This cut will look like this.

If at this point your layers of fold seem to want to "ravel" you have not put enough adhesive on the folds. The inside of the top (pink) paper must be covered with adhesive and stuck to the bottom (blue) box. Then the blue and pink side (back side) of this box will be adhered to the top right corner of your folded box. Make sure not to overlap the scored and folded edges or your friendship box will not close properly. Repeat the same adhesive technique to your second box and adhere it to the bottom left lower corner, again making sure not to overlap the fold.

Once you have adhered these two boxes, the other two can be adhered at evenly spaced intervals. Closing and capping your friendship box will allow it to dry well, remember it's folds and not only appear more equally square but function more easily.

Once your boxes are adhered inside it should look something like this:

I added charms to each of the box lids. I also journaled a personal message to the recipient in the blue box left lower corner.

Inside I placed a mini album of pictures that were taken since we met 5 years ago, yummy chocolates, a hand embroidered handkerchief, and a special poem.

* Always give credit where credit is due. This box was originally developed by members of "Stampin' Up"! and altered slightly for this project...thanks ladies for the ideas and the majority of the work.

** Materials & cutting list.

(A) Outside (1) frosted or vinyl 5 1/2" X 10

(B-1) (2) Outside patterned paper 5 1/2" X 10" One sided

(B-2) (1) Double Sided patterned paper 5 1/2" X 10"(B) Inside Boxes bottoms, (4) 5 1/2" X 5 1/2"

(C) Inside Boxes tops (4) 6" X 6"

(D) End Caps (2) Cardstock or patterned paper (2) 6 1/2" X 6 1/2"

Tagged by Marelle

I've been tagged!!!!

Thanks Marelle.

The Rules are:
1. Add a link to the person who tagged you (see my friends links_
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. List 6 random things about yourself
A) I love being a SAHW
B) I am in love with my husband
C) I miss my kids
D) I have learned to like livingin Sebring
E) I love my scrapbooking friends
F) I am constantantly rearranging and straigntening my scrapbook studio

4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post

5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog
My 6 randon things about myself.....
* Loving my first scrapping job at Create on Garden.
* I start way too many projects at the one time and wonder why my space is a MESS.
* My father passed away nearly five years ago and I miss him terribly.
* Both my kids will be at school next year!!!! yay
* I think I have an addiction issue - scrapping, handbags, food etc etc
* I hate pea's cooked but love them straight from the garden.

Now I have to tag some of you ladies....
Firstly the gorgeous Marelle, and Skye and I don't really have anyone else to tag as the Kaiser DT blogs and these guys are the main blogs I check. No-one else will know me.
Hey Marelle, check out my friends list! We all know you at the SJ MB!
Have a wonderful holiday season!

I'm tagging:
Kris
Jana
Dana
Lisa
Jodi B.
Patter