The Rambling Papercrafter

Louisiana here I come!!!

2010-08-03T08:40:00.000-05:00

Well, for about the next week I will be in Louisiana visiting my father-in-law's family and attending a wedding. We haven't been down to visit in 6 years. I can't wait to see all my husband's family and don't forget about the food. I probably won't get to go to New Orleans this time around but that's ok. I will still get to enjoy spending time with the extended family, celebrate a wonderful union and get to eat some amazing food :) I will definitely blog when I get back. Here are some photos from our last trip to tide you over :)

crawfish boil with the family

Oak Alley plantation

beignets at Cafe Du Monde

Reflections

2010-07-12T00:32:00.000-05:00

It's been six months since I have posted on here and I can't say I've been too busy to not post. I have just been too lazy. Sure, I've thought about getting on here and leaving a post, but then something else comes up, usually a book that I am reading and the next thing I know the time has flown. So now that I can't sleep, I thought I would come and leave my thoughts here since they are cluttering my mind.

Tonight as my DH and I were going to bed, we laid down and he started talking about regrets. How it's all he can think about some days. Would we be in a better situation if we would have made different choices? Why do the decisions feel like the wrong ones and now we are stuck?

I am guessing he isn't the only one with these thoughts. I know I have thought them, but what makes it different for me is that I don't see them as "wrong". I see them as this is the path we decided to take and for better or for worse this is what we have and we make due until we go a different way if that's how it goes.
I laid there just thinking about the past and wondering where my path took a different fork than I planned. I couldn't find it, but I am sure if I look hard enough I could figure out where my life took a change. But you know what, I don't want to look that closely. I don't want to worry about the past. The past is the past. I need to learn from the changes I have made and when that next tough decision comes around, I can look at the other decisions I have made and they will hopefully help me figure out which is the next fork in the path to take.

There has been many changes in my life since I graduated high school. Shit, it's been 16 years since I graduated high school. If I hadn't had any change than something wouldn't be right. I know change is hard on many people, my DH included. I guess I have learned to embrace the change in some aspects of my life but in other aspects I have been very stagnant. I just wish that when a decision is made my DH wouldn't look at it as good or bad. I wish he would see it as another direction to go on the highway of life. I leave you with a photo of me thinking at Pooh's Thotful Spot at Disneyland from January 2007. Perfect photo for how I am feeling tonight.

Trying to get myself back on track

2010-01-20T21:03:00.001-06:00

I have been working on getting myself back on track since we have gotten back from Vegas. With the screwy weather and having so many days off from school, it’s taking a bit to get back into a normal rhythm with everything.

Some things I have been doing is working on not eating out as much as we were. I have been doing well with this. We have only eaten out once in a two week period. I am also trying to make more things from scratch and not use as much prepared foods. Leftovers have been going into lunches for the next day for DH and I so we aren’t tempted to going somewhere instead.

I am also checking into a gym to go to. I need to get moving again and it’s just too icky outside to walk and I get bored doing the same workout DVDs over and over again. There is a gym very close to where we live so I am leaning toward them. I have a free day pass to check them out so I will let you know how it goes.

I still go to Weight Watchers. I didn’t weigh in for over a month and I went in last week and was up 1.2. I was ok with that so hopefully I will do better when I weigh this week.

Next post will be a little more stimulating. Just felt like I needed to get a post in with an update. Everyone take care and hope you are all doing well and keeping safe.

Sick

2010-01-07T15:57:00.000-06:00

Well, it seems we have been struck with illness here. Both Jason and I are sick. We started getting sick last weekend and I think we are now on the mend but it's been a long week.

I didn't know I could have so much snot come out of me. Good thing the weather has been crappy and school has been closed the last couple of days so I have been taking the time to get better. I have a feeling we won't have school again tomorrow because of temperature. They are calling for -4 for the high tomorrow. -4!!! That is just not right.

Everyone stay safe in this crazy weather and hopefully I will be back with something a little more interesting next post.

34 things to accomplish

2009-12-28T08:31:00.000-06:00

Some of you may know I had a birthday this month. I turned 34. I love reading blogs and I was inspired by Elsie's blog A Beautiful Mess. She posted about how she made a list of things to do before her next birthday. It got me thinking and I just loved the idea.
Why not make a goal list for the year based on your age?!?! I need to get myself focused and working towards a goal. For the last few years, I have felt like I am treading water in my life.

Not going anywhere.

Not growing.

Stuck in stagnant water

This is my time, my year to make things happen in my life. I can feel it. Something was different about this birthday. Most of the time my birthdays just wash over me and they aren't that special. I hope to keep this feeling going.

Of course, over the last week it hasn't been a great time. Too much snow, not getting out of the house. I am getting down in the dumps, but today the snow is shining on ice coated branches making the world seem it is made of glass. The snow flocked evergreens waiting patiently. Today is a day of renewal and change.

I hope everyone has a wonderful end to their year and a great start for 2010.

Merry Christmas!!!!

2009-12-24T11:59:00.000-06:00

I have lots to share!!! You can see in the background I was in Las Vegas this month. It was my birthday and our Christmas present to each other. We are standing outside of Bellagio where we stayed for a week.

I hope this next week I have off from school I can catch you up on everything that has happened over the last couple of months. But right now I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!! I hope you all stay safe and be careful. We are staying home for Christmas because of the weather and will have Christmas with the families next week when hopefully the weather is a little nicer.

Take care and have a wonderful holiday!!!!

2009-11-26T01:07:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

I have lots to share with everyone for the last few months. I want to post and say how thankful I am for a roof over my head, the love of my husband and being close to my family once again. I have missed living in the desert but I now have a job I love and I get to see my parents more than twice a year.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and make sure you don't eat too much. I will be down at weigh-in on Monday even after turkey dinner :)

Take care and I will be back with photos and other updates this weekend.

8 Years Ago

2009-09-22T16:52:00.004-05:00

Eight years ago today I married my best friend. I met Jason my freshman year of college. We had a long distance relationship for close to 5 years. We were together 7 years when we finally got married. For some reason, we decided it was a good idea to wait for him to graduate from pharmacy school before getting hitched.

We have had a lot of ups and downs in the last 8 years. We have both lost grandparents. We moved over 1300 miles from both of our families. We bought our first house. We have had a niece and 2 nephews join the family. Jason changed jobs and we moved back to the Midwest.

I know I couldn't have done it without you by my side. I know wherever life takes us, I can count on you to be there with me. You are my friend and my partner in everything. I love you.

Maintaining

2009-08-05T12:15:00.002-05:00

Well, I am down a little over 8 pounds as of right now. I have been working hard and keeping myself on track. I have had some restaurant eating in my weeks and some trips to families for dinners or over night.

This week I maintained. No loss or gain, just staying the same. I am starting my 8th week. Two months I have been working on getting myself healthy. Here are some things I have discovered about myself for this journey.

1. It's ok to eat out once in awhile just don't do it everyday.
2. Don't limit yourself on something you want. Go ahead and eat it. Give yourself permission to enjoy it. Just don't use it as an excuse to completely go off program.
3. This is NOT a diet, it is a lifestyle change.
4. Know you will have ups and downs. Take them as they come and work through them. I have had a couple of rough weeks emotionally, but I have worked hard not to turn towards food as comfort. It's not easy, but I have been keeping my hands busy during these tough times with embroidery.
5. This will not be an easy journey, but I am ready to get going and keep on this path.

Now some things I need to work on :)

1. I need to exercise. I did ok at the beginning but I got my schedule messed up and now I am not getting it in as regularly as I was. I need to start again and just get moving.
2. Eating my fruits and veggies. I love them, all kinds, but it's not the easiest to get in everyday.
3. Journal. I do pretty good most days but the weekend I have a tendency to slack off. This I need to work on.

Ok, I know there is more for me to work on but I think three things will be good for the next 8 weeks. I don't want to discourage myself by making too many goals that I can't possibly acheive them all.

Now, time to get started on my Silverbella swaps. I have the bases done for two of them and ideas started for the rest. I am getting so excited for this event. I can't wait.

I am off, but remember take time to create today!

4.8

2009-07-01T11:52:00.002-05:00

This is a special number. This is how much I lost in my first week back at Weight Watchers. I was floored when the leader told me how much I had lost. I didn't know what to say at first. When I was last on WW I never lost that much in one week ever. The most I would lose is 3 pounds.

I want this. I want to be healthy. I want to be able to walk up the stairs to my apartment and not get winded. I don't want to end up like both of my parents. They both have problems with all their lower joints. They have high blood pressure, cholesterol and my dad is diabetic. I want to be able to live without these problems and without having to be on medication when I get older. Also, the older I get the harder it will be to get the weight off.

I am going to work hard and I will stay on program this time around. I want to see under 200 this time.

First Week of Healthy Lifestyle

2009-06-28T20:47:00.003-05:00

Well, last Monday I started back at Weight Watchers. I got on the scale and weighed in at my highest weight ever. I was sad and ashamed of myself. How did I let myself get this far down the road??

I got home, sat down and started reading through the literature for Week 1. They have changed up the program some since the last time I was on WW. I made sure I was comfortable with the new program and started counting my points on Tuesday. DH is doing this with me so hopefully the two of us will be able to keep each other on track. We are both tired of the way we feel and hopefully this time we will succeed.

Last time I was on WW we did well for a while but then we went on vacation. We let the vacation take us off track. We then started to revert back to our old habits of getting take away and going out to eat.

So, our goal now is going out to eat twice a week instead of the four-five we were going out for. We are trying new recipes to keep things interesting. I am making weekly visits to the farmer's market while they are going and just making sure there are good, healthy items in the house.

We are heading to my parents for the fourth this coming weekend and we will see how it goes. We are planning our snacks and I will make sure I get my exercise in.

I WANT TO SUCCEED!!!

Epic Fail!

2009-06-17T08:20:00.003-05:00

OK, some days things work out the way you want and other days not so much. This last week I was working on getting my charms finished up and in the mail for the "Things with Wings" charm swap I am participating in. I posted a photo of what I started with. Well, I decided to add this and that to the charms and at the end of the day I hated them. I was so disappointed with the first batch of charms I made. Then on Thursday, I went to get them off the balcony where they were drying and found them strewn by the wind. Some fell through the cracks of the balcony and I just gave up then. Here they are in mid process.

So, this Monday rolls around and I have to get my charms made and in the mail this week. I start like I did before, but decided to keep it simple but still beautiful. It's a good thing I cut more than I needed of the clay disks in the beginning. Now they are packaged and ready to be put in the mail today.

Next time I will practice on one or two before doing the WHOLE lot. Oh, and don't worry, the ones I did save, I can sand off and use them for another project so all is well in my little craft world.

Remember to take time to create!

Work in Progress

2009-06-08T14:21:00.003-05:00

Well, it's been awhile again since I have blogged. I have been working *gasp* at a long term position at one of the schools here. I decided to work for the public schools as a substitute para educator (fancy way of saying teacher's assistant). It has been a little crazy at times but I have enjoyed working for the schools. I plan on working next year as a sub also.

I have also been crafting in my spare time. I haven't been able to get into where all my supplies are but I have been doing some things that I can get to. Mainly I have been working on jewelry. I think I am going to open an etsy site and see if I can sell some things through there. Here are some photos of some things I have been working on.

These are some small canvas hangings I made for the teacher and para I worked with for the last month or so.

They really made me feel comfortable and part of the class I was working in.

The canvas are 3" square that I got at Dick Blick. The sayings are stamps from Paula Best. I just love the images and the sayings she has on her stamps. The canvas I painted using different techniques I learned in Paulette Insall's backgrounds class. It's online and I had so much fun taking the class.

This is a work in progress. I am in the "Thing with Wings" charm swap over at Faerie Dust Dreams. This has been a fun swap to work on. I have these started. I just need to wait for them to dry so I can get them finished. I am even making a couple of extra charms to use later.

Hopefully I won't be so long between posts from now on. Take care and remember to make time to do something for yourself.

Thank you Mom!

2009-05-11T08:24:00.003-05:00

I know I am late with posting this but at least I am posting it now. It's a running joke in my family about cards and gifts arriving late.

Mom,

I just want you to know how much you are a huge part of my life. Every up and down I have, I know I can talk to you and you will listen and understand. You have always been there for the big and little steps I have taken in my life. When Jason and I were deciding to move away, you were so sad but you also made to point to remind me that if we didn't do it know, we may never take the chance later in life. Those years apart from you and dad were rough but we still made it through. Technology really helped with that. Thank you for being there for us if not in person, at least over the phone and the computer.

Thank you mom.

Our House

2009-05-01T18:17:00.003-05:00

is a very, very fine house. At least we thought it was when we bought it. We lived in it for a little over three years. At the time we bought it, we didn't think we would be moving so soon. We were going to be in the house for 5-10 years and then maybe build our next one. Circumstances don't always work out that way. My DH decided he really didn't like his job and started looking for a new one in Tucson. He also started looking back by our families. He found this job in Lincoln, NE but he didn't think they would want him. He applied anyway and here we are almost a year later.

With the house, we had it on the market for 6months and we didn't sell it. We decided after some major contemplating, we would put the house up for rent. We got the paper work filled out, sent back to the rental agent and waited. We got a call last night that there was someone interested and we gave the okay today. It feels like a weight has been lifted some off my shoulders. I am so glad we will be able to get some of the money back we have been putting out each month.

Spring

2009-04-20T12:00:00.003-05:00

This weekend we had a wonderful rain. It made everything pop with color after the clouds cleared and the sun came out to play. I forgot about all the wonderful colors that were to be enjoyed during the spring in the Midwest. I remember driving back here from Arizona last July and thinking about how everything started to become greener the farther north we went. I didn't know I missed those vibrant colors until I started to see them again. Don't get me wrong. The desert still has it 's fair share of colors but for the most part it is pretty drab.

I am really enjoying the change of seasons and watching everything come back to life after the cold of winter. It's something I will treasure.

2009-04-07T14:47:00.005-05:00

Well, I received this a while ago but I have been working lots and have not had time to update my blog.

This is the first blog award I have received. I was thrilled someone picked me.

Jacquie over at Creations4U picked me for this.

Now time to pick the people the make my heart smile.

Here are the Rules:
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 10 blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

Jenni Bowlin
Becky Novacek
May Flaum
Amanda Willey
Princess Lasertron
Scrappy Jessi
Teresa McFayden
Vicki Chrisman
Kelly Lautenbach
Heather Ales

Working....Working....

2009-03-31T20:49:00.003-05:00

Well, it seems that subs are needed in the local school system here. I had a quiet week during spring break. I got a chair partially reupholstered, worked on some more jewelry pieces. DH and I went to a concert on Thursday in Omaha. DH took the next day off and we went shopping in Old Market and checked out a used record store. We met his parents for a nice dinner and basically spent the rest of the weekend just relaxing. It was a nice weekend and what a nice way to spend it.

Now I have worked the last two days, I am working tomorrow and we will see how the rest of the week goes. I have some photos to post and hopefully some mail to get out this week. Everyone take care and I'll be back soon.

Just a check in

2009-03-23T11:06:00.003-05:00

I am trying really hard to keep up with my blog and post at least a couple of times a week. I have some projects I have been working on but I need to get the photos loaded and scaled down for the web. I am also recuperating from spending time at my parent's house and my new job. I had a blast at both but I am worn out. Hopefully I'll be back later today or tomorrow.

First day on the job

2009-03-17T08:31:00.002-05:00

Well, here it goes. I have been hired by the public school system here as a substitute para educator and I am taking my first sub job today. I freaked out a little on Sunday when I finally registered myself with the calling line. I barely got off the phone when it started calling me with positions needing filled. I did eventually calm down and I am going to do this. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. I haven't worked for almost a year and I can tell I'm getting stir crazy.

Also, everyone be careful out there today. Today marks the 7th anniversary of our BMW's demise. 7 years ago today we were driving home from the airport after dropping DH's aunt off. We were at a red light when a drunk driver rear ended us. This was at 9:30 in the morning. Please be careful out there and if you do feel the need for a green beer or three, make sure you have someone to drive you home.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

What have I been doing?

2009-03-16T16:38:00.003-05:00

Well, the last week I have been making some pieces of jewelry. I managed to clean out all my craft supplies in my closet and attempted to organize it and put it all back in. It kind of worked. I can now at least walk in and look at my clothes without stepping over craft supplies. When I cleaned everything out, I found my jewelry making supplies and decided I need to make something. I didn't know what, but I knew I had to make some kind of piece. Along comes this bracelet. It went together so quick that I shocked myself. It's not the best piece out there but I'm pretty happy with it.

Now I am going to enjoy this lovely sunshine and get some supper started. Take care!

What a day!!!

2009-03-09T15:33:00.003-05:00

Saturday, I drove up from Lincoln to Fremont to take a beginning photography class with Becky Novacek. I was nervous and a little unsure of myself at the time. It had been awhile since I have taken any kind of class, let alone one for my camera. We have had this Canon for awhile now and all I ever shot in was auto. I wanted to be able to do more with my camera and when I read about this class on Vicki Chrisman's blog, I decided that I would take it if Becky ever offered it again.

I had such a wonderful time. I met some new people and learned how to use my camera at the same time. I think I have been needing something like this for awhile now. I have been holed up in my little cave for way too long and I need to get out and stretch my wings. Now I can't wait to get out and take some more photos. I will be going up to see my family in about two weeks and I will definitely work on getting as many photos as I can when I am there. The camera will not be sitting in the bag anymore.

Well, here are a few photos from this weekend. I haven't done anything yet to them in ps. They are straight off my cf card.

Family

2009-02-06T14:19:00.002-06:00

Today is a sad day for the Eliason family. My Aunt Lola passed from complications during her cancer treatment. It makes me understand just how important it is to be close with family. I have now lost two family members suddenly in the last six months. I moved away for seven years and grew apart from my family. I would always get a Christmas card from my aunt and uncle every year we were away.

I am sitting here, thinking about my family and how I don't want anything else to happen to my family. I have grown apart from them and I don't want to be apart from them. I am getting ready to head up there with or without my husband. He is on call this weekend. I asked if he could change weekends with the other pharmacist so we will see. If he doesn't come with me, I will go without him. I did before.

Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers, especially my Uncle Eldon in this hard time.

HOLY COW!

2009-02-04T12:55:00.002-06:00

Wow...I didn't know it's been over two months since I have posted. I think I need to set a challenge for myself to post at least twice a week this month. Not much has been going on here. I have visited my family over the holidays and just trying to still settle here. The house hasn't sold so I think we are going to try renting it out. We will see how it goes.

Ok, I'll be back later this week with some things I have been working on and other updates. I promise not to be so neglectful :)

Go Make Something Downloads

2008-12-02T09:50:00.003-06:00

For any of you looking for some great images to download for free, check out Go Make Something's 25 days of Christmas downloads.

Christmas downloads

I have downloaded a bunch of Lisa Vollrath's images and they make great use for collage work and any other crafting. So, link it and get to downloading!

Recoop

2008-11-20T10:22:00.002-06:00

I think that's all I have been doing since Sunday. I had such a fun time at Silverbella. I met so many wonderful people and learned some great new things from some awesome teachers. I just love that I was able to partake in this!!

I am finishing up a couple of the projects this week and I will start posting them when I get them finished. I just have to say that I feel so inspired and I am now completely out of my slump I have been in since about March.

Thank you everyone for making this a wonderful weekend!!!!

Some inspiration

2008-09-12T13:11:00.003-05:00

Well, I have been doing a few things here at home. I love crafting but I still don't feel completely there with all my things. A lot of my supplies are still in boxes so I am just really working with the bare essentials. Here is a little box that I made with one of Jenni Bowlin's papercrafting kits. I love this box and I may just have to give it to a special Bella come November.

Well, have a good weekend and find some time to create. I know I am.

Midwest Beauty

2008-09-09T15:47:00.003-05:00

One of the things I kept saying over and over to DH when we were coming back is how much I missed the green of the Midwest. I didn't know I would miss it as much as I did, but I started feeling more and more alive the greener the scenery got. Now that I am back in the middle of all the green, I just love it. The smell of freshly mown grass. The clean smell of the rain. the dew sparkling like diamonds on the grass in the morning. I am just over taken by all the green. I drive down roads that feel like I am going through emerald tunnels. The shade from the trees is a cool touch to my soul. I feel more alive now.

Friendly Neighborhood Critter

2008-09-07T10:20:00.003-05:00

There I was, sitting on the couch, watching television, when I hear this weird chattering going on. I look out our patio door and there it was. A squirrel yelling at something. It was the cutest thing. He stayed out there talking for a while. It's been a long time since I have seen a squirrel. I only got to see them when I came back to visit my folks. Now I get to see them everyday.

I'm Treating Myself

2008-09-03T16:33:00.002-05:00

to a retreat. YEAH!!!

I have been wanting to go to a weekend retreat for a VERY long time. Every time one comes around that really interests me, something comes up or I don't want to spend that kind of money or some other excuse so I feel bad even thinking about attending. The whole guilt mentality here.

So, I found out that Silverbella was going on again in Omaha, NE. How cool is that. I am only an hour away from this wonderful event. I have heard so many great things about this paper arts event that I wanted to find out how much and if there was still room. EUREKA! There was room, but crap can I have the money rounded up to go to this? So, I talked to my mom about it and told her how I always wanted to go to a weekend like this, but I always talk myself out of it. She decided she would pay half for my birthday since it's in December. Close enough :)

I am signed up and getting involved in the swaps and am so excited to be a part of this. I can't wait to share with you everything that comes out of this.

Well, I goofed

2008-09-02T08:16:00.000-05:00

I was really going to try and start blogging everyday but I got sucked into watching Dexter the series this weekend with my DH. We went and rented the first season at Blockbuster and we were up until 3 am Saturday watching it. It's a very interesting series and I got sucked right in, so did DH. It is a great thriller, mystery and I don't know what else. The third season starts soon, so we want to catch up on the first two seasons.

This weekend was a very nice, relaxing weekend with my DH. I hope you all had a good long weekend. September is one of my very favorite times of year. Summer is leaving, fall is on it's way. Our anniversary is this month. I love seeing all the trees starting to change colors. It's just a beautiful time. Well, have a great day and take care everyone!

My Goal

2008-08-31T08:41:00.001-05:00

Well, I haven't been the best with keeping up on my blog, but it's not easy when you don't have internet access at your home. We finally got it hooked up here this last week so I am going to work on blogging once a day for the month of September. I feel the need to keep up something for me and this what I am going to work on.
I hope everyone is enjoying this long weekend and I will start my posting tomorrow! Now time to get the donuts.

We're Here!

2008-07-25T13:59:00.000-05:00

Well, it took us a bit but we are finally here. We arrived on July 17th around 2 and managed to become completely drenched from sweat. I forgot just how bad the humidity can get around here. We emptied out our vehicles. Took longer than planned. Cussed myself out repeatedly for getting a third floor apartment. Got a good shower in and then blew up the air mattress and proceeded to crash. The next couple of days we went to see Jason's family, took him studying at Panera and his sister's house. We just couldn't find a place that was quiet enough so that's why we went to his sisters.

Monday, the movers came. They were here most of the day and I have a feeling some choice words were said outside my ear shot cussing out the fact that we were in a third floor apartment. Oh, and during this my wonderful DH started work the same day, but it was nice to have something to sit on besides the floor.

Tuesday, unpacking started. It has not been easy. The kitchen is small with no pantry to speak of so I am storing items in the oven and I am having to take some of my favorite kitchen appliances and store then at my SIL's house. They have a nice, big house now with an empty basement.

It's now Friday. I have the kitchen unpacked to the point of the boxes I have found. I am still missing some things so they must be in the boxes in the spare bedroom. I have the living room unpacked and we have the stereo hooked up so we can at least listen to some music until directv decides to pop in next week and hook up our dish. I have our room unpacked and the bathrooms are doing good.

The spare bedroom is the monster room, but I will start that next week since my parents will be arriving any time to spend the weekend with us. I haven't seen them since Christmas, and now I will be living only a car ride away from them, not a plane ride. I never really knew how much I missed being around my family until it came about that we were moving back here. I used to always do things with my family, especially my mom. I loved going to the movies with her, going to antique stores, going to concerts or the community theater. I never really understood how much we did together until I started planning on coming back and all this stuff started popping up in my head.

I know not many people read this, but today, find the time to tell a loved one how much you care for them and how much they mean to you. I know I will be doing that.

Take care and I'll post some pics hopefully next week.

Monday's the day

2008-07-12T10:18:00.000-05:00

Well, The movers will be here Monday morning. It feels like it's been just a whirlwind of activity and planning for the big day. I have a few more things to pack and I need to get the things we are bringing with us together, but other than that, we are leaving on a jet plane....oh wait wrong kind of transportation...How about east bound and down :)

Last night a group of ladies I have gotten together with for awhile now had a final get together with me at the lss. It was a wonderful night and I had many people come in and visit me that weren't able to make it into the crop. These ladies have been wonderful friends to me and I will miss them all terribly. They have made a big impact in my life and helped me stay somewhat sane after the fiasco with the store closing. I just want to say THANK YOU!!!!!!

How does one craft...

2008-07-07T10:12:00.000-05:00

When ones craft supplies are in boxes? Many of you know that I am moving back to Nebraska. It's 7 days and counting when the truck comes to pick up all our goods. The last few weeks I have been purging 3/4 of my craft supplies and packing up the rest. When you are downsizing from a 3 bedroom to a 2 bedroom, the basics is all you can bring.

I had been itching to craft for the last couple of weeks but most of my things I was selling at a garage sale or I was packing. I was reading Vicki Chrisman's blog
and here was the answer to my prayers. She was sponsoring a card challenge for the first twenty to post on the blog. What a wonderful chance to work with some product that I can't get out here. With the help of Vicki and Crafty Secrets
I was able to do some cards with only a few of my supplies that I still have available to me.

I used some white bazzill since this was the only cardstock I could find and sprayed it with my Tattered Angels sprays to change the color. I also sprayed the lace. The frame I squeezed and smeared liquid pearls on it to color it up.

Same thing for the card here. I had white bazzill handy, but to take down the harshness of the white, I used creamy brown Colorbox chalk ink on the cardstock and on the edges of the other papers. A little glitz on the flower was done with Stickles. When I can get back to my stamps I will stamp a congratulations on the lined space and send the card off to my friend who is having a little girl in September.

I really enjoyed using the items in the package and I can't wait to find some Crafty Secrets when I get to Nebraska next week. Thanks Vicki!!!

Nebraska here we come

2008-06-19T17:22:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been decided. We are definitely heading to Nebraska. DH found a job and we have an apartment lined up. The house is on the market and I would say the house is now half packed up. I am having a HUGE moving sale since we will be down sizing from 3 bedrooms to 2 and we may not have a garage to store a few things in. It looks like we will be heading out around July 15th. DH starts work on the 21st. I am nervous, scared, hopeful, frustrated and overwhelmed all at the same time. I am also happy and sad. I will be moving back close to my family and DH's family which will be nice and I hate to say it but I do miss the changing of the seasons that happens in the midwest. I am sad because I will be leaving behind our first house and all the wonderful people I have gotten to know as friends from Crafts Fifth Avenue. You have all touched my heart in many ways and I can't thank you enough for being there. I do hope to come back every so often and see everyone and I WILL keep my blog updated with all kinds of interesting things going on.

I am closing this chapter of my life and a new one is opening for me. I will keep you posted.

Oh and if anyone is interested, the moving sale will be on Friday June 27th and Saturday June 28th from 6 a.m. to Noon both days. I am selling some of the household items and I am selling off most of the scrapbook supplies I have now. I just don't feel like I can move all this stuff again. I moved some of this stuff once.

I hope I will get to see you all before I leave, if not, Thank you for everything!

Life turned upside down

2008-05-22T15:14:00.000-05:00

Well, I don't know when it will happen or if it will happen but DH is looking into another job, possibly back in the midwest. I have more emotions running through me that I feel like I am going to go nutty. I don't know what to do.

I think it will be good for us if we do move back, because we will be close to family once again. I will miss everyone I have gotten to know since I have been out here but if this is good for DH, then I am all for it. He really doesn't enjoy what he does now but he does it because he needs to. If we can find something he would like doing, how amazing that would be.

I will keep you updated on what happens. In the mean time, I have been doing more things here at home and working hard on some projects I would like to finish. I will try and get some photos posted soon.

Take care!!!

What are you doing?

2008-05-08T19:30:00.001-05:00

Well, some people have been wondering where I have been. I have been trying to take it easy and get my life back together. It's not been the smoothest ride. We are working on getting our bathroom finally put back together, landscaping done at the house and me trying to get myself finally organized so I know where everything is and be able to get to it. It has been hard. I only have so much space and it seems that it's not all going to fit. I have some great photos of what it looked like before and during but I am not completely finished yet so I'll load them up here when I get finished.

I hope everyone is good and if anyone can find a threading water border punch from Fiskars, pick one up for me :D

A Tough Moment

2008-04-16T22:26:00.000-05:00

Well, I broke down today. I was needing to do some final emails and phone calls to wrap up everything from the store and when I got done, I broke down. I have been doing pretty good up until this afternoon and I lost it. I think I cried for the loss of the store, the loss of a wonderful place that felt like home every time I walked through the doors.
I am doing better now. I know I will have more days like this but otherwise it's ok. I still get a queasy feeling in my gut when I go into the other stores here in town. I can't explain it but it still just doesn't feel right. I am working at it though and I am sure it will come a little easier each time and eventually the knots won't be there.
Take care and have a wonderful evening fellow crafters.

Getting Ready

2008-04-11T09:55:00.000-05:00

Well, I have been going through my things and sorting stuff to put out for the garage sale tomorrow. I have gone through so much that I can actually see my desk now. It's quite amazing.

I still have a long way to go to get my room the way I want it but it will get there slowly.

Take care and I'll be back later!

Lazy Days

2008-04-08T21:15:00.000-05:00

Well, the last couple of days Jason has had off. We have had a very nice, relaxing last couple of days even though I have a lot to get done in time for the yard sale this weekend. It will get done just rushed as usual.

In case you don't know, Continental Ranch is having their community wide yard sale this coming Saturday. I plan on having A LOT of things out for the sale so I hope you will all swing on by and take a look. I am clearing out my stuff since I am working with different things right now. Plus I need to get my work area so I actually want to work in. It's awful right now. Plus I would like to get my spare bedroom back in case I want to be in there once they start to work in the bathroom.

Everyone have a good week and I will be back soon!

The Weekend

2008-04-05T13:11:00.000-05:00

What do you like to do on the weekend? For me, I have a tendency to do the cleaning that gets done regularly. The bathrooms, the kitchen floor, dusting the living and bedroom, vacuuming. Those kinds of chores. I also like to fit in some time to craft. I love being able to spend a little time creating something. Right now I'm working on some gifts that should have been done back in December but of course the procrastinator that I am, they are getting done the day before I need them.
Even though the store is now closed, we are still having our Christmas party. I see it as a final farewell to the store and I get to see everyone at least one more time before life decides to invade and make it so I don't see anyone anymore. Unfortunately, that happens in life. Many of the people I met working at the store I would never had the chance to meet otherwise. I am blessed to have met so many wonderful people, especially the people I have worked with.
Well, it looks like it's time to run to the store and pick up a few things to get started cooking for tomorrow. I am going to make it easy on myself and try and have most everything done today so all I have to do tomorrow is get ready and enjoy each others company.

Take care!

Cleaning

2008-04-02T20:24:00.000-05:00

Well, I have been trying to do more cleaning. I really want to get started in our office but every time I go in there, I turn around and walk right back out. It's a mess. It's more than a mess. I don't know what I am going to do with any of it but with a garage sale coming up I need to get busy. I would like to get rid of a bunch of stuff if I can. I am tired of clutter and there is a lot of things I don't need to hold onto now. I'll have to post a photo or two just to show you how big of a mess I have. That doesn't count my spare bedroom. That's full of everything that has come from the store. I need to go through those boxes and figure out what's going on the garage sale and what's something I am keeping.

So...if you are on the look out for some things, come and see me in about a week and a half. There should be some good items at the sale.

A New Home

2008-04-02T10:51:00.000-05:00

I found out you can't post on my other blog unless you sign up. Well, I don't like that so I am moving to a new home. I will keep my blog updated on the workings of my life and let you all know what is in store for me. Thank you all for everything.