{SIGH} ...not yet...

OK - so I have been busting my butt working on my dissertation and job hunting...and this past week I successfully defended the first 3 chapters of my study...and now have to finish the data collection and analysis...so, my dissertation chair, while a miracle worker, and I were trying desperately to get all finished before the summer term - we didn't make it...but the light at the end of this tunnel is BLINDING I am so close...YIPPEE! So, rather than totally kill myself working this all out, I think I want to spread it out two more weeks before I have to fly down to Florida...and then I can focus on just getting a new job...oh...didn't I mention I got laid off - officially - on April 28th? No? Well - that's just a little wrench in the scheme of things... something good is around the corner, I can tell...so really - no worries - well - ok - sometimes I worry a little - and then no worries again!! LOL Yeah - I should be the nurse in South Pacific , Nelly Forebush or something I think...cuz yup...the eternal cockeyed optimist!!! Got that from my mother, thank you very much!! One of the best things she passed on to me....

But what does that really mean for me? It means I need to cancel all Stampin Up events for May and restart in June...I just need to open a pressure valve somewhere, and unfortunately its my stamping...but not for long baby...wait til you see what I have been thinking up!! So - Now I have to ask for you to wait for me through the month of May - but I do think I will have some time to post now and again...unlike this last push to get Chapters 1,2 and 3 done. I miss all my stamping friends and the laughing we do...you all know how much I love laughing and having a good time...not to mention its good for my blood pressure!! LOL

OK on that note I gotta fly, Sy! TTFN (ta ta for now!)

OK, I'm back!!!

Sorry about the unexpected Hiatus! Life was just a little too hectic for me prior to and following the holidays, and I am just now getting "ma groove" back. Still working on my doctorate, but in addition, after catching Oprah yesterday, I have some personal research to do for myself as well...hmmm....more to follow later on in the "About Us" page when I get my findings...

One bright spot during this time was Stephanie's Pinning Ceremony. Yes, she successfully finished her AAS in Nursing!! Woo hoo!!! I have added some pictures of the ceremony and family here.

Anyway - thanks for sticking with me here...I have some great things coming up to share with y'all...tonight's GNO has 3 great cards I will have displayed...Good to be back! I missed you all!!

I'm back...

I cannot believe how sick I have been...I had to leave school early on Wednesday, the 26th (and we had a 1/2 day to boot, dang it!)...and I was sick all through Thanksgiving, and the subsequent shopping days...and I had to take off sick days from school through Wednesday December 3rd...and I was STILL sick when I went back Thursday...ey yi yi!!! So then you have to fight back that lethargy that comes from being wiped out with illness...I would get home and go right back to bed...and I slept a lot this past weekend...and I have SO many things to do...I really didn't need to be sick right now...not that any time is good, but this was really really bad timing...AND I totally missed Thanksgiving dinner with my family (and by the time I could eat - I missed ALL the dinner - really bites, 'scuse my french)....not something to make me feel any better about the holidays, I must say.....so, anyway - I am finally back....and trying to get a bazillion things done all at once...but believe me....I am so GLAD to be back!

Candy A'Comin!!!

Sorry - its been crazy here for me - the rental issue disaster - my mom's transfer to the new Alzheimer's facility - getting her new clothes that fit and are easy on and off - working on my doctorate (my time clock is ticking DOWN!) - plus regular life - then my poor Scruffy got sick last night and was up four times from midnite to 5am (when I get up)...and Back to School night tonight - and I am here until 9:30 pm....with a trip up to mom in the middle....

ok - I really am NOT whining....just " 'splaining, Lucy"....BUT- I will post that candy when I get home before I DROP into bed!!! ohhhhhhh, the week is SO long when we have evening school events...doesn't help that I live an hour away either!! {sigh}....ok - gotta go finish my bulletin board!! TTFN (ta ta for now!)

Small delay in posting...

Sorry I haven't been around...things as usual go crazy from time to time...and this was a week of one of those times!! I started school on Wednesday the 3rd and that has its own issues, what with making sure I have all my supplies and getting ready for the kiddos, etc etc....And I get really tired after teaching all day and the long commute I have to readjust to.....but I really missed my kids (when people ask how many kids I have, I have taken to replying "hundreds!") and lucky for me they missed me back! I am fortunate that I have my students from two to four years...and we all grow together....but I digress....

Then a "rental" emergency that lasted several days - involved plumbing....nuff said on THAT icky sitch.....AND who planned THAT expense! Dang house was supposed to have been sold by now, anyway.... ah, but the best laid plans.....

And last but not least...we were busy with happy family stuff...AND I have been diligently putting in my time on my doctoral work...I am in the home stretch now and while its killing me, its almost over!! Thank you, Jesus!! Then throw in that my mother was moved this past weekend from the Psychiatric Hospital to a nursing home/Alzheimer's place...(my sister and I are going tomorrow to visit).... and so....I have not had an opportunity nor the energy to post!! But I have thought about it!! ;-) But I am back!! Thanks for hanging around....and don't forget...I got some blog candy coming up....almost at that 5K mark! Feels like a marathon!!! LOL TTYL!

For those who think they "can't stamp"...

This posting is for the gals who have said to either Stephanie, my daughter, or to me...."oh your cards are so lovely, but I couldn't do that!" Well - I am here to tell you you can!! I have posted two cards below that I made eons ago with now retired sets - like 2003 or so ...and I don't know if you do - but I think they are pretty! And...Well ... no I didn't make them up....I "CASE'd" them (you know....copy and share everything!)....and where did I "case"them from? Why - our own Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog! Eh hemmm..... get it....Idea Book?!?! LOL When I started I didn't know techniques or have any ideas of my own that weren't "oogly"(be thankful I didn't show you THOSE cards!!!LOL)... so what I did was I started to collect different years of the Idea Book & Catalog....I went through the books and marked which cards I wanted to recreate or CASE. If I didn't have the sets, paper or embellies...I used what I had and made it work to come as close as possible to the original. And, along the way of doing this, I learned how to put together colors, create different layouts and many different techniques, tips and tricks... This is also the time where I learned how to fix pretty much all kinds of boo boos - cuz I made 'em all!! And THAT is why I am a valuable demonstrator - don't cha think?!?!? LOL No really - go out and CASE a card today...if you send me what you did by email - I'll post your picture right here on my blog! GO FOR IT!!! YOU CAN DO IT!

Where have I been, you ask?

Well - right here at home of course.....but on STAY-CATION! For 10 whole entire days!!! LOL Thank Goodness, Bob is back to work this morning!! You know, I really love that man, but ... he followed me around like Scruffy!!! LOL Every time I was on the computer - he was in here.."whattaya doin'?" and then off we would go and do something else....I did get stuff done around the house, because the poor man didn't realize if we weren't going anywhere then I was going to whip out that LOONNNGGGG honey-do list!! I just didn't expect to be helping him do it all!! LOL oh well...togetherness! I did get some major cleaning and re-arranging of my craft space - and all will be put back for this Friday's GNO (Girls Night Out)... I do have a picture of a 3 x 3 card with a matching note pad to post that I gave as a gift...and I will share with you Stephanie's and my swaps for convention (7 DAYS - OMG!!!!)...ok - let me get on with getting back into my old routine....I think even Scruffy is exhausted from our Stay-cation too! Poor lil guy! ok - ttyl!!!

Directions for the Wiper on their way!!!

So many people have either commented or emailed me about the directions for the wiper card that I am going to do my first tutorial! So hang tight! It's in the works and I will be posting it in the next several days!! Thanks for all your interest and great comments!

For my dear e-mail readers...

In an effort to be tech savvy, I have set up my site to use RSS feeds through FeedBurner, and I have added their e-mail notification as well...I am thinking that I should delete the FeedBlitz e-mail notifier. For those of you who have signed up for email updates on my posts, could you please pleases pretty please come back and sign in under the new boxed in FeedBurner e-mail notifier? I would ever so much appreciate it...and I certainly don't want to lose you! Thanks a mil! {{smooch}} lol


PS - please let me know if there are issues with the e-mail sign up - I tested it with one of my many emails and it worked so I have faith!!!

I'm back!!!! (think sing-songy!!! LOL)

OK - so we are back from Mexico and WHAT a lovely time we had! Of course I was all worried about Bob and the melanoma so he is fine and I am burnt! DUH! Its OK - not bad - at least it looks like I WENT somewhere!! LOL Anyway - glad to be back - now the countdown to the end of school...I should throw a widget on here for that dang it! Anyhoo - it was lovely to find all the lovely comments, know my DDSS#10 got her reveal package (although I realized I left out my letter to her explaining who I am - another DUH!) I also found that my lil squash book or explosion book was given kudos on Susanna Boyd's blog - and boy does that take the cake!! I am so glad someone loves my stuff as well as I do!! LOL I know - my brain has fried as well!! LOL...but seriously - good to be back and will catch up with everyone soon - and will post directions and recipes for the goodies I have already shared...take care and ttyl!! TTFN!

I think I have been neglecting my studies...

Alrighty then.....I believe it is time I really buckle down and "Git R done!!" if you know what I mean...I have been working SOOO long on this degree, but having to stop out for several years due to two more bouts of cancer with Bob - then the supporter/survivor depression as well as two moves, a change in jobs, picking a topic that is difficult for me, having 3 surgeries in two years myself...sigh...ok...want some crackers with that w(h) ine?!?!?! I need to finish - rather than excitement, it now feels like a monkey on my back. It is also difficult since my mom was my biggest fan - in everything I do - but she doesn't even know me these days....I actually am dreading seeing her on Mother's day - doesn't that sound awful? It just hurts too terribly bad...I was just telling someone the other day - Alzheimer's is a disastrous disease for so many reasons - but - having been with my husband through 3 primary cancers in the past 16 years and ALL the ramifications of surgery/ illness - like surprise career and income changes - illness hits more than your body....but anyway - I feel like we had SOME control - the choices we made for the best doctors - going to NYC to Sloan Kettering - treatment decisions -all of that...and Bob and I together worked through it all....but with Alzheimer's - the person you love is still in front of you - but not there at the same time - you need to grieve the loss of your loved one while they are still with you and you are alone in your battle against THEIR disease...sucks worse than the big C in my opinion. OK - off my soapbox about illness....I have to get to my writing....it is just tooooo tempting to be on the computer and NOT go on the net....arghhhhh....I think maybe I need a 12 step for the computer!!! YIKE-EEESSS!!! Later dude!

I don't even care if this isn't a real story...but I believe

OK - did you ever read something that just touched you inside....this was an email sent to me by my SIL, Romaine, and of course I blubbered like a baby (doesn't take much these days) - and I thought even if it is just a story - I LOVE it! So look at this lil pic and know I have decided that I will believe it it true.....enjoy!

E-mail entitled: "This will make you feel better about our postal service"


I have no way to know who sent this, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US Postal Service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her, You will k now that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith,' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

Sorry I haven't been on in a bit...We had off last week for our Spring Break and of course, I got sick!! I have been so good about NOT getting what all the students have - being vigilant about my and the student's hand washing - and about cleaning my keyboard and phone at the beginning of the day...so I was totally bummed...I did periodically work on stuff in the studio, but have been in a fog or asleep for the most part....oh well....stuff happens! I have been to work Mon and off today...don;t know how the rest of the week will play out...I HATE BEING SICK!

OK - so he isn't stamped...

LOL My husband says I stamp everything that doesn't move, so Scruffy is lucky! Isn't my lil boy cute?! I just had to share this photo....I love doggie things and especially things that remind me of my dog...I got this when I was in Colorado visiting my girlfriend Carol who had recently moved out there...and NO it was NOT the convention! I was so excited when my daughter and I could go to convention - and we were traveling to Denver - and my girlfriend got excited until she asked me the dates...and then deflatingly said she was going to be "home" in the Lehigh Valley at that time....Anywho - Carol and Rick took me to Boulder and we were shoppin in this funky lovely artsy crafty area - and in one of the stores I found my Iron dog...He sits in the foyer at my home and I caught Scruffy looking at him the other day and actually had my camera in my hands for a change! So - my dogz iz lookin' at each utter!!! Hey Whaz UP, DAWG!!!!!!! LOL (yes I am sick- but loveable)

big sigh here...

I joined in Oprah's online class and of course had major computer problems and then got blocked out of the streaming video when I tried to refresh...I will have to watch it tomorrow....which is in 1/2 and hour!! Anyone else reading the book or doing the class out there?

Also - if I hadn't putzed around with the computer for the 90 minutes the webcast was on - I could have looked up all the info about those cards I posted...I promise that I will be adding the recipes...If I could only remember to write it down as I created it would make my life SOOO much easier....but, what on earth would I do with an easier life?!?!?! LOL

ok - off to bed....totally kaputz!!

ttyl my friends!!!

ok - I'm back!

Didn't mean to scare you all...two things kept me off the computer...1) for several weeks I have had a TERRIBLE time with my upgrade to Norton 360 internet protection, and so I have yet to solve the issue on my main computer....duh....I forgot about my laptop and my network connection...but I was so peeved (to put it mildly) about this problem - I could spit nails.....so countless hours have been wasted on live chats, and other remedies that obviously don't work since I can't get my computer upstairs onto the internet...ARGHHHH!!!! but number two was a nice reason....2) the continual celebration of my 15th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day. Bob had several days off too - plus we had a delayed opening right before our school winter break for President's weekend - and once I got my garage door open from the ice...realized that the basement....MY STUDIO....was swimming (thankfully contained in one area)...due to the contractor not fixing the window well as they had promised....so I had to stay home and suck up water....but don;t worry....no cards or scrapbooks were lost! Thank goodness! It is a shame you can't get good service/help/products these days despite the large price tags - or you can't find anyone to take responsibility for a problem with their service or product. Sheisters!!

Well - I will be posting some pictures - as I will show you Bob's and Stephanie's Valentine's cards....plus some other stuff too - cuz stampin is my therapy and when I wanted to throw the computer out the upstairs window - I went downstairs to stamp! So - sorry I scared a few of you...it's so nice to know that someone noticed!! Thank ya sistas! ok - TTYL!!

Just a plain 'ol note...

So....I had been doing so great of late on posting and then WHAM! That four letter word called "work" steps in to screw up everything! LOL On Tuesday I went in to school, normal teaching day, and my supervisor called me down to talk about my career program being created into an Academy program...which is very exciting...however, comma, I did not realize we were going to discuss applying for an opportunity that had presented itself very recently - and this opportunity had a deadline of February 1st - yes - like this very minute!! At any rate, I was granted professional development leave time to write up this proposal to participate in this great opportunity - and being the perfectionist that I am - I can't just fluff something up - besides, we would be number 101 in participants for 20 spots....NO PRESSURE HERE! Needless to say I did not sleep for the last several nights...my mind would NOT shut off! I hate when that happens! At any rate, I do what I love best when I am totally stressed - and that is STAMP! Told you - it's my therapy! So last night I had a lovley dose of stampin' with a great group of gals as I did a workshop/party for a group I had met last year or so ago...they are definitely fun!! I mean, how can life get better than to hang with other "professional supply collectors" and stampers...let me tell you - it was great and just what the doctor ordered! So today - albeit tired - I am able to focus on finishing up all the touches to this proposal so that we can have it postmarked by today. {Big sigh here} So - this is just a plain 'ol 'lil note to tell you that I will have more to post over the weekend...my "baby" is going to be home when I get there (barring unforseen weather interuptions - I don't mind snow but hate ICE!)...and I am sure we will be stamping in the fabulous craft room.

By the way - thank you to all of you who left me lovely and funny e-mails and comments about the room. And Yes-sir-ee Bob, I know that I am a lucky woman (I love saying that since my DH is BOB!) - and no he does not have a free brother or clone - and no - no couch, but a chaise lounge that my hubby has no problem sleeping on so you can stay if you like, LOL, and yes you are all invited to come and play - consider it an open invitation - I NEVER turn down a chance to stamp with friends. And I am sorry about the bruise on your chin Katie! LOL - you guys are the best!

OK - gotta go give the final proof before heading to the Post Office! Whew! I need a nap - but would prefer to stamp! TTYL!!

2007 resolution....POST

OK - so I really want to do this blog....the picture uploading and downloading and resizing and whatnot are not my forte I am finding out... and as everyone else on the planet, I am up to my eyeballs in stuff....as a matter of fact, I have to finish grading a PILE of papers so I can finally finish up my grades for the second marking period....(please tell me why I allow them to hand in stuff right up to the last day???!!!???)....but really, this last move has really taken a toll on our family - I didn't realize how much....so in December, Bob, my dearest husband of soon to be 14 years, finally had to go to the hospital for tests for the chest pains he started having in September (I didn't know what was going to kill him first - his heart or ME!)... he had had several other tests done over a period of weeks but they were not showing anything...thank goodness this final angioplasty/catheterizing thing finally gave us most of the story...but of course, nothing is easy here and he had to stay an extra day in the hospital because he only has one kidney from one of his previous issues...so right before Christmas I was FREAKING out. So anyway, he goes on medication, stops eating ice cream everyday - eats like bran cereal for breakfast - and in 2 weeks dropped a ton of weight....which I think I picked up, thank you very much! And he is still losing weight - I can't lose weight on a diet for goodness sakes! OK - so like I am very happy he is here with me and I can bust him about those things....Now I am worrying because he is finishing my craft/stamp room in the basement. I am so excited and worried at the same time it makes me "ilky". Ahhhhhh, who said life was easy.....

Back to stampin! talk...I had fun over the past few months trying to build my business as best I could amongst everything going on, and I found a new friend in a "secret sister"...I had so much fun sending stuff to her....Now that I sent information on who I am, I can post some pictures in my gallery and here on my blog....hopefully, I will be able to spend our next break getting the pictures up and going....I am very excited about blogging....so please bear with me over the next several posts to see if I can "git r done!" Thanks for reading!

Whew!!!

Well, I am glad to say I have been stampin' my butt off....(if only that could be literal!)....anyway...I had tried to post about my INKredible weekend of the 11th & 12th, but unfortunately I could not...so here is what I have been doing...On the 11th, I attended a Stampin' and Scrappin' University that was hosted by my "really up there" upline...and we made a book with 24 techniques...from simple to crazy fun! WOW!! I LOVE that stuff....I cannot wait to share! Some of the things I already have... I have been stamping for at least 4 years and was totally hooked at the first moment, like many of you were...and I love learning and doing simple things I already know because it brings you back down to earth....sometimes I get carried away with doing something so complicated and beautiful that I am exhausted , and sometimes simple is good too.

Anywho...after a 9 to 5 day, completely happy, I traversed to my downline's house for her first pre-sale party, and it was awesome...she is soooooo artistic...we made 5 cards that I loved....I need to upload some of those photos both here and on my Splitcoast Stampers gallery....then at 11-ish or so, I headed home to PA.

The very next day on the 12th, was my annual get together with my stampin' buddies/sisters, and we worked on our Christmas cards...plus we had show and tell as I showed my book of 24 techniques and the 5 cards I did at Yulia's house the night before. We have been a group for those 4 years, and usually we stamp into the wee hours of the night, but we all had to work (sorry for the 4 letter word!) on Monday....ick!....but we drink, eat, stamp all day long....it is wonderful....

Then, THIS weekend, after a crazy Saturday of trying to put my bookmarks back into the computer after my DIL (daughter in law) erased them ALL on Friday evening (HOW could she do that? She only needed to look at ONE site....)...Anyway, I needed my therapy so I stamped...and got ready for an awesome class on Sunday night...I LOVE sharing SU! with people, and I get such a kick when they are delighted with what they can make...I demoed a cute vest card where I used SU! 2 sided decorative paper, and punches...and then we made a simple card with one background and then a 3X3 explosion card....I had everyone make two of the sheets for the inside so they could glue in the one we decorated and then they could use the other as a template to recreate the card...since they all ordered the stuff needed to recreate at home...wooo hooo!!! So a great party with some new friends - and met some other really cool peeps who like stampin'! GOTTA LOVE IT!!!

So....that's why I say, "WHEW!"

The Start of Something Good...

As I have been inspired to create a blog by those I have seen, which all have been awesome, and by the recommendation of my SU! upline mentors, I have decided to take on this challenge for myself....not that I need another one, mind you, but since I have decided that my middle name must be "chaos", I thought I would just take the plunge and go for it. I had wanted to try this for a while, but I wanted something special for a title and it wasn't coming....but this morning I must have had enough coffee (is there ever enough?) and I came up with my newest handle, ran it by my soul sister girlfriend Kathy, got her instant approval, and decided ok, now's the time....so here goes.....

This blog is dedicated to all of my crafting gigs, and especially to my new Stampin' Up! business. Most people don't really understand how much all of this actually means to me, as crafting was something my mother and I always did together, ever since I was a very little girl....and we can no longer do that....In my opinion, she would have loved making cards and scrapbooks with me, and she certainly would have put any of my creations to shame as she was truly a crafting artist....but these days I am lucky if she even remembers who I am, let alone be with it enough to craft with me. So share with me the gift of crafting and a love of creation that I have inherited from my beautiful mother, and know that everything I do is actually a little piece of her. 'Nuff said. Onwards sista!