Tranquil Moments

a quick update

I'm just going to post here what is over on Baylee's webpage. I'll post an update as soon as I am able.

 

Hello,

 

We want to make sure all of our friends know the latest update with Baylee.  Friday, July 10, 2009, Baylee had an MRI that revealed she has a very aggressive Tumor that is dominating the left side of her brain and extends down into her spinal cord.  Baylee has been given anywhere from a few weeks to three months to live.  Hospice care was started on, July 13, 2009.  Any treatment would be horrific and futile.

 

With this type of tumor the patient usually just falls to sleep.  There are rare occasions that severe headaches are involved.  Our prayer request is that Baylee goes in her sleep very soon and there are no headaches.  We want Baylee to go to sleep while she is still smiling, giving hugs, kisses and before she suffers or realizes what is going on.

 

Our family and church family have scheduled meals to be delivered to us each day.  They are also running any errands that we may have.

 

Please pass this information on to whom ever you wish to.

Thank you for your support and prayers.

irons in the fire

I'm not really sure where this post is going today.  I've had so much on my mind lately about everything....life, the biz, family, the house, friends, Bay, school, not enough sleep, you name it!!  Too many irons in the fire for sure.  I'd like to think it keeps me young, keeps me going, keeps me moving.  Yesterday, I was struggling with a very tough decision, one I admittedly was trying to make on my own.  Not on my own as in by myself without Duane, but as in not seeking God's help.  I took Bay for a walk (we go for an hour) and decided it was the perfect time to ask the Lord to help us.  To lead us in the right direction.  I feel like we've been on this path for so long going absolutely no where.  Lost.  Wandering.  We came to a fork in the road, turned left instead of right, and are trying to get back where we belong.  siiiiiiiigh.  It's been a long road to say the least. 

Today I received this wonderful quote from a dear friend of mine.  Maybe you know her...Angela, the owner of Unity Stamp Co.  Anyways, here's the quote:

"Often we allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. We lose many irreplaceable hours brooding over grievances that, in a year's time, will be forgotten by us and by everybody.

No, let us devote our life to worthwhile actions and feelings, to great thoughts, real affections and enduring undertakings." -Andre Maurois

 

Thank You, Angela, for emailing that one out today!  What an eye opener.  It made me remember Matthew 6:34 which reads: "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  I'm printing both of these out and placing them on my wall so I can read them everyday. 

 

As for the tough decision, well, I'll be back with more details about that another day.  Please pray for our family.  We really need it right now. 

 

Until then, enjoy your day.  :)

Happy 4th Anniversary, Paper Posies!!

Wow, it's hard to believe it's been 4 years already!  PAPER POSIES is still going strong!! 

For the month of May, we are celebrating all month long!  Head on over to the message board to join in the fun!  And just for kicks, we had a new blinkie created just for the party!  So grab it now and place it on your blog and siggy.  There's going to be a prize for someone who has it posted!

And, what would be better than a NEW BLOG?  NOTHING!  So guess what, Paper Posies has one!  Go check out their NEW BLOG!  It's going to be a great resource for all kinds of fun happenings with Paper Posies.

Now onto the May Kit!  Have you seen it?  OMGOSH it is so gorgeous!  I cannot put it away!  It's still spread out all over my table just waiting for me to use it up!  So happy it's NSD weekend!  WOOOHOO!
 

Here are just a couple of things I did with the kit.  I will post the others after the NL is sent out on the 10th.  I can't give away all my design secrets now can I?  haha 

 
There's green tea glimmer mist all around the edges...I know, it's really hard to see.  Kim's gonna be surprised when she sees this one.  We had so much fun together at CHA!  Can't wait till Jan2010 girlie!  :)

 

More to come later in the month.  Ciao for now!

yoga today

I just had to post this even though I dont have a photo.  (I'll take one next week)  Bay has yoga every Wednesday.  It's in her goals to help her with strength.  She's not ready for any downward facing dog or anything but she is gaining strength.  Anyways, today was the first time she was able to hold her legs herself when we were doing single and double knee to chest.  I was getting teary eyed and told the instructor, "Hey, it's the little things that amuze me."  We had a good laugh and she told Bay she was doing a good job.  Her finger tips were turning white just a little bit, that's how I knew she was doing the work  herself.  WOOOHOO!  Now if I can just get her into child's pose by herself.  We'll keep working on it.

new quilt

I ♥ quilts!!

I'm not really a comforter person.  You know what i mean...those bulky blankets for the top of the bed.  Imagine my surprise when I saw THIS!  Some very good friends of ours gave this to us last week.  So nice of them!  My favorite part....it has GREEN on it.  WOOHOOO!!  The little flowers remind me of cherries even tho they are teeny roses.  :)  I spent the majority of yesterday cleaning the room and bedding and then remaking the bed.  It's so nice to have something fresh to look at.  :)

Happy Easter!

I ♥ spring!  And Easter means spring is here.  The weather is just lovely.  Baylee and I walked down to the church this morning for the egg hunt.  Tons of kids everywhere!!  2 girls gave Bay an egg since she really couldn't participate.  SO CUTE!  (The inside was filled with chocolates and toys.)  Hubs tooks some pics...oh and here's my new haircut that some of you have been asking to see.  Short, short, SHORT!  Perfect for summertime!
 

Friday I decided to dive into my craft table and not leave until I had some things created.  This first card took a while since I had to let parts of it dry.  I used the April Paper Posies Kit, Unity distressed dots stamp and cheerful tulips stamp, cotton candy stickles, easter stickers from the Target dollar spot (which really should be called the Target spend-a-bunch-of-money spot.  LOL!), color pencils, MM mini alphas, MR jewel pin, AC spring ribbon, EK Success swiss cheese punch, Cuttlebug swiss dot embossing folder, and a bunch of other fun things I've had forever (mesh, flowers, buttons, floss, jewel.)  Sure hope you can see the shimmer in the closeups.
 
 
 

This one's for my Mom, who turns 60 tomorrow... ON EASTER DAY!!!  Hard to believe!  Happy Birthday, Mom!  I got this clever idea from my friend, Beth, who did a challenge to use some acrylic in a different way.  Her layouts are gorgeous!  I didn't have any acrylic that would work so I used some acetate and embossed it...then painted the back and stitched it on the green paper (I love how the dots still show thru.)  I used the April Paper Posies Kit, MM velvet scallop ribbon, HS sentiment stamp and a purple jewel.
 
 

Happy Easter everyone!

She's sleeping. Awwww

I ♥ watching Baylee sleep! 

Just captured this photo of Bay Sunday morning.  I couldn't help it.  She looks so sweet when she's sleeping.  She's just getting over a really bad cold too.  :(  I listened to her little snoring noises for a bit and then grabbed the camera.  This was without flash...not bad eh?  She sleeps all curled up with that hand under her face.  I was afraid my little giggles would wake her up, that and the camera noise.  But it didn't bother her one bit.  She's hard to wake up on the weekends...probably b/c we let her stay up a little later at night. :)  We're on spring break now and hoping to do some fun things outdoors. 

Inspirational Blog Hop

Hi Everyone!  What fun to be a part of this making in history!  :)  I ♥ Unity stamps and can't get enough of them!! 

Here's my card using one of the March KOM stamps and the April PP Kit (in post below):
 
 
Supplies:
Cosmo Cricket papers
May Arts ribbon
Zva crystal
Unity Stamp
Ranger stickles
button, scrappers floss

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

View the Inspirational Blog Hop by starting HERE. 

Now head on over to the next blog.  The talented Maria Levine. 

Ciao!

Paper Posies April Kit

 

Ready for spring?  Then this April Kit is just what you need!  I love the little touches of dark brown in this kit.  (btw...the brown ribbon is not pictured.)  Here are a few of my designs...

Right after I cut 8" of Bay's hair off!  She is so cute with it short.  :)
 
 

 
 

Thanks for stopping by.
Ciao!

Shamrockn Half Marathon

 Kim and I ran the half marathon as a team yesterday.  What fun!  We finished in 2 hr. 15mins.  I have pics but they are on my phone so I'll to update here once I figure out how to get them downloaded.  We froze, got rained on...then some sunshine came out...what a crazy day!  It was really windy too! 

Next race is in mid-April.  Then we continue training for another Half in October and the Full in December.  Wish us luck!

Trip to Tracy...errr Chrys' house. :)

Michele and I got to spend the entire day scrapbooking with Chrys yesterday.  The weather was quite overcast and cold but we managed to make a trip out for lunch and  to M's anyway. :)  On our way down we stopped to get gas.  Don'tcha just love getting gas!?  I hate it so much!  I'm pretty spoiled tho....dh always keeps gas in the car for me.  However, on trips, I'm on my own.  I had to get a pic of the actual station...Michele was just hangin out waiting.  tee hee
 

school party for the Valentine ♥ girl

Bay had her birthday party at school today!  I just had to share these cute pics.  OMGOSH!  Cannot even believe she had 13 candles on her cake (+1 to grow on.  LOL)  A Valentine's Day Birthday Party is the BEST PARTY EVER!!!  See for yourself!
 
Baylee and her teacher!  :)

 
Everyone singing happy birthday to Baylee.  I just love how this photo came out.  The glow of the candles, everyone around the table smiling ☺ and ♪♫ singing ♫♪ and then there's A. in the back with his WAHOOOO hands in the air!  PERFECT!  tee hee

♥ ♥ ♥ Happy Valentine's Day!  Ü ♥ ♥ ♥

Paper Posies February Kit

 
Is this kit a beauty or what?  February PP Kits are always one of my most favs!!  Who wouldn't love all that pink and brown?  And CUPCAKES!!  and HEARTS!  YUM YUM!!  Here are a few of my designs working with the kit.

My list for Baylee could go on and on and on.......  That brown paper is the back of the stripe paper, embossed with the cuttlebug and sanded. 
 
 

I had this idea to "stiffen" my heart punches and double them up so they looked 3D. 
 
 

The felt heart is hand cut and sewn.
 
 

Card for my hubs. ♥  Sometimes it's fun just to go out for dessert instead of a full meal.  The heart is a Prima stamp colored in with color pencils and outlined in gold foil pen.  SU stitched felt ribbon.  Coupon downloaded from HS.
 
 

This item was for my DIY section in the newsletter.  Really simple pillow box filled with conversation hearts!  Such a fun gift for anyone on Valentine's Day. :)  Prima flowers.
 

Thanks for peeking!  Have a great day!
Ciao!

Now they've done it!

My poor neglected blog.  :( :( :(  I've been so swamped since before the CHA show...then we got really behind on kit production b/c of CHA...then we came home and it was catch-up time.  I'm finally feeling like I have better control over it all now.  WHEW! 

Today I find THIS in my e-box!  Oh Cold Stone, My Cold Stone!  HOW I LOVE THEE!!!  I just had to come here and post this!  I'm telling you...Cold Stone is my bff!   Throw some of that deeeeeeeeeliiiiiiiiiiiiiicious ice cream in a cupcake and I'm a happy camper!  Can't wait to get my 6-pack this Saturday, of which I have already given the hint to the man.  tee hee  ;)

 

I'll be back soon with some fun Valentine's Day projects and cards.  Can't wait to share!  Ciao!

the other 2 cards...

Using the same sketch in the post below, here are the other 2 cards I made for the 3M booth at CHA. 

I used some Paper Posies Kits for these (even a hint of the NEW Jan Kit!)  The white paper is new Post-it craft paper by 3M.  Really sturdy and get this scrappers.........completely covered with adhesive on the back!  WOOOHOOO!  The coolest stuff around and it comes in all kinds of COLORS!!!!  I love it for cards especially!  It embossed so nicely as you can see....then, just peel and stick!  Gotta love that!  Everything is adhered with 3M adhesives: wrinkle free glue stick, quick dry adhesive, scrapbooking tape & pop-up foam squares.

 
 

Look familiar?  Think way back to the Feb08 kit.  Yes, I still have a bunch of it left.  LOL  I just love the velvet alphas by American Crafts.  Really wish they wouldn't have stopped making them b/c I just add a little quick dry adhesive to the back and I'm set!  They are stuck for ev ah!
 
 

This last image is my make-n-take for the 3M booth!  If you are coming to CHA stop by and make one.  So easy and you can totally decorate it up when you get back home.  Lots more Post-it craft paper on these and the Jan PP kit.  :)
 

sketch play

Today I have a sketch for you all to play with if you choose to.  I have gotten away from using my own sketches and thought it was about time I made a bunch more.  So I went card crazy and made 4 cards from this sketch!  I was on a roll!  I used the Dec Paper Posies Kit for both of these cards.  Such a gorgeous kit!  I think I mutilated the kit completely.  Only scraps left to speak of...but I am determined to use it all up!

 
 
This one is for a friend of mine from Bay's school.  Miss her dearly.  (Deb it's in the mail!  ;) )  I wont get to see her during our holiday break.  Such a bummer.  :( 

Here's a close up of the trees and snowflake (which is wood and covered in the glitter paper).
 

 
This one is for our new Pastor and his wife.  Such wonderful people who hold a special place in my heart.  They are so good with Bay too..pay attention to her, give her hugs, talk to her...really makes me feel good inside.

Here's the zoom:
 

Horrible lighting here all week long.  Gosh..i want some sun!!  I'll post the other 2 cards after I get those photo'ed and in the mail for CHA!  They will be at the 3M booth!  WOOOHOOO!  So excited about that!  (pssst, Hil & Mel...look!  I used my new Cuttlebug!  tee hee ;)  )

Ciao!

Happy New Year!! A Yearly project? hmmmm, maybe...maybe not.

Welcome 2009!  I'm excited to think of what this year may bring us.  Praying.  Fingers crossed.  The whole bit. 

I've been thinking alot the past few days about what type of projects I'd like to accomplish this year...scrappy wise of course.   I'd like to have an ongoing project that comes out finished by the end of the year but not one that takes FOR EV AH to complete.  kwim? 

 There's Ali's word of the year.  I really like this idea and may incorporate my word into some other project.  still thinking on that one.  BH is doing a 365 project but honestly I know I just couldn't keep up with it no matter how awesome it is.  I couldn't even complete my DYL class by Cathy last quarter.  I'll have to try to finish that one up this summer.  So I am still on the hunt for others to consider.  One I came across was a Gratitude Project which will be lead by the AWESOME Brenda Arnall.  Gosh I love that girl.  She is one talented lady and keeps things so simple.  love it!  This project seems a little more doable for me...and i looooooove that is focuses on the blessings in life.  Something I take for granted.  Honestly, I dont even stop and really think about how blessed I am.  This year I need to do better. 

Got any project ideas?  Seen any on the web anywhere?  Link me up!  I still haven't made up my mind just yet.  Thanks!

Christmas Program

Last Sunday was our Christmas program at church.  The choir and drama team did such a great job!!  Several of our youth and children were involved this year.  SO COOL!!  
Merry Christmas to you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

meeting Santa

Today was Bay's last Christmas play at school.  (she graduates next summer)  I dont have pics of the actual play to share (they are on my IL's camera...have to add those in later.)  She did really well.  She was a sugar plum fairy and got to make her magical wand chime fresh snow over all the trees.  awwwww so sweet.  What was really cool was her holding the wand up high in the air and shaking it during one of the songs.  Now you must know it was very heavy for her.  Just reaching up that high is an accomplishment.  I was so excited to see it!!  :)  So I'll have to show you that pic later.  But for now...here's a pic of her and Santa after the play.  He brought gifts for all the special needs kids in our unit.  So sweet!!  She loves her little princess book.  (Santa was pointing to the camera.  tee hee)

 
 
oh geesh...all the costumes are piled up on Bay's desk. 

I did it! I ran in a marathon!

Last Sunday, Dec. 7th 2008.  Hard to believe.  Notice I did not say I ran a marathon.  oh my...26 miles...i would never make it.  Not yet anyways.  I was part of a relay and get this, ended up with 14.5 miles altogether including all the walking I did.  Maybe I should explain.  Before the race, I walked Kim up to the front....this was a 1.5 mile walk from the car.  Then we had to walk back to the car and get me to the 2nd relay point.  So far, a total of 3 miles.  (i know what you're thinkin...and she still has to RUN!  I KNOW!)  Kim's hubby was with us (who drove...thank you so much Mark!)  We drive as far as we can (road closures) and park.  Then we get out and walk ANOTHER almost 2 miles up the road.  I was late getting to Kim for the "chip switch" but hey, at least I made it.  So...that's almost 5 miles total and now it's my turn to run....7.6 miles.  ACK!  I am already huffin' but ya know what?  I WAS WARMED UP!  Tee hee  Off I went and trying to make up time from our 10 min. loss of me being a bit late.  I did pretty good...an 11.5 min/mi.  not too bad for my FIRST time ever but dang sloooooooooooooooow in the marathon racing world.  Gotta get that time down to at least a 10 min. or less.  The next switch was to Katie and Yvonne took the last leg.  We all did really well.  here are our results:

9

HEALTH CLUB-F

FISH OUT OF H2O

7214

F

04:39:15

00:10:39

02:39:47

04:37:34

ROSEVILLE

CA

00:59:37

02:45:09

03:52:00

4:39:15 = final finish time
00:10:39 = pace
02:39:47 = half

individually:
1st leg  00:59:37=Kim 5.9 mi.
2nd leg  02:45:09=Sonda 7.6 mi.
3rd leg  03:52:00=Katie 7 mi.
4th leg  04:37:34-Yvonne 5.7 mi.

(we had to subtract the 10 min. difference from all of our actual running times.)

After I was finished running we drove to the finish to cheer on Yvonne.  Sooooo cool seeing all those people cross the finish line.  SUCCESS!  Here's a pic of us 4 taken after the finish.  From left to right: Me, Katie, Yvonne, Kim.  (notice us bundled up...it was FREEEEEEZING!)  By the time I got back in the car...yep, 14.5 miles had racked up on my pedometer.  WHEW! 
 

I had a blast!  Surprisingly, I wasn't too sore...a little bit but nothing where I couldn't walk around without pain.  So that's good.  And now it's time to get busy training for the WHOLE race on Dec. 6th, 2009.  I need a cheering squad...wanna come?  Michele?  :)  WOOOHOOO!  GO ME!  CIM2009

special stockings for Christmas

I've been working with the rest of my Paper Posies Dec Kit making ornaments for friends and family.  Thought I'd share those with you today.  They are stuffed with cotton to make them puff and look like fabric.  tee hee  ;)  Fooled ya, huh?  Had to borrow the neighbor's christmas tree since we dont have one up this year.  Bad lighting but it does the job. 

It's so cold outside (yet the sun is shining.  what up wit dat?)  So, we're staying warm indoors and I'm creating to my little heart's content.  LOVE IT!  Bay has been really sick so hopefully she can go back to school tomorrow, although today she was talking and playing a little so I think she is feeling much better.  Have a great day!  Ciao!

   
 
 
 
 
 

December Paper Posies Kit!

Good Day-after-Thanksgiving to you all!  Thought I'd post a couple of my designs using the Dec. PP Kit.  It's so gorgeous!  All the pinks and greens mixed with some Christmas colors...oh lala.  Gotta love it!  I just love the Pink Paislee papers mixed with October Afternoon!  What a great kit for Christmas!  If you haven't snatched one of these up I highly recommend you do!  They are going FAST!

I hardly ever create layouts about the hub's likes...so here's one for him, or should I say about him.  One of our favorite ice cream shoppes is Ghirardelli...so screamin' good!!  There aren't too many here in California so when we find one, WE GO!  He loves the banana splits there!  :)  The pic is right from the menu!  LOL

And here's my card!  See what I mean about the papers?  Oh my!....makes me want some peppermint sticks!  Tee hee  The flowers is from Prima.  These didn't photograph too well...had to take pics indoors b/c it was raining.  :(

   

Have a great day!  Ciao!

stuck in LA!

Thank goodness we are home!  The ride back was extra long b/c the freeways were shut down due to all the fires in Santa Ana and surrounding Los Angeles counties.  What a mess!  I don't want to see the inside of another car for a while!  Take a look at these pics of us trying to get out of Anaheim!  (Disney on the left...the convention center up on the right.)  Within just a couple of hours the sun was gone and there was a BIG BLACK cloud of smoke over us.  It literally looked like it was snowing...but not snow, ASH and SOOT!!  Several people were walking around Disney with masks on and their faces covered.  It was awful.  Click the images to see larger views.  Sorry they aren't real clear...i was inside the car at the time clicking at the windshield.  Shocking to see nice clear blue sky just beyond the smoke!  My heart goes out to all the families that are affected and/or have lost their homes.  So devastating!!  I sure hope they get this under control soon.

Pretty sure this last photo is showing where the fires were coming from...it's pretty DARK right there above those people's heads.

ya never know who you'll meet...

when you're on vacation.  tee hee

Today we went down to the coffee shop here by the hotel and look who I got to see!!!  Terri and Nathalie, both Willow girls.  WOOOHOO!  We had fun and just chatted about everything under the sun.  What a fun hour that was hanging with them.  Terri is the owner of Color Me Miki...check her out if you haven't already.  Nathalie is French, you know.  ;)  Enchanté Nathalie....merci beaucoup!  :)

After our visit we went on a drive to the MEXICO border.  Crazy right?  I know...but the hubs wanted to.  This is the farthest south we have ever been in California.  We are on an overpass that states, LAST USA EXIT.  The next one you see in the distance here says MEXICO, autos only.  I wasn't tall enough to get my arms up over the fence.  LOL

More pics tomorrow after we visit Disney.  :)

success.

My first kits with CupCards {to go} were a huge success!  I am so happy about that!  Can't wait to show everyone what we have in store for December!  :)

Thought I'd share just a couple of cards I made with the kit (which is still on my table waiting for more creating time.  ;)  )
I love how simple this came out.  Notice I didn't even add machine stitching?  I know...what was I thinking anyways?  HAHA  The stitch marks are drawn on with a pen.  The awesome tree tag is from petitepear over at Etsy.  She makes the greatest tags.  I added a whole bunch of orange peel stickles to the leaves so they would sparkle, because you know how much i love the sparkles! 

This card is for the sketch.  Again simple.  I had fun tying all those buttons on with real hemp cord.