I Love My life!

our new haven charity event

2011-10-29T19:21:00.002-05:00

what a great day!!! spent with friends and it was a glorious time!!! i bought a wonderful little pink handbag.....a great black scarf to wear with my great little kicky jacket....and a great little red leather jacket/shirt! can't wait to wear that little number!

what fun it was today! i'm looking forward to next year! such a wonderful event!

hoping to play with some fabric, thread....paper and glue tomorrow! plus i must clean up the house for the little party next week......don't want any cobwebs or dustballs!!!

see you all then!!

i love my crazy life!!!!!

october......way too cold for me!

2011-10-22T20:26:00.002-05:00

i do not like cold weather.....and thank goodness this weekend is a little warmer! we had to turn on the furnace this week and pull out the blankets! love the smell of blankets....however i still don't like cold temperatures!

last week was employee appreciation at MSC......we received flowers....breakfast....lunch....a fun pink scrub shirt with a breast cancer ribbon on it.....and fun nurse barbie....and fold up chairs.....ohhh....almost forgot the massage therapist that our boss brought in for individual massages! oh, what great hands he had!!!

still having fun with some fun fabric.....can't seem to get enough of making little aprons......not sure what i'm going to do with all of them......perhaps some christmas gifts......will wait and see!

world series madness......cardinals 5 texas 0........sorry...however the rangers suck!! just saying!

i love my life~!!!!

etA fishy photos

2011-09-25T20:07:00.002-05:00

fish, falls and fun!

2011-09-25T19:29:00.004-05:00

well.......had a good turnout for the pampered chef party....got some fun little things....not too much...didn't want to spend a lot of cash!

i will be having a 31 party on November 4...friday night with a crop to follow.....so anyone that's reading this....come on over! i will be sending out invites....however just a head's up!

okay....not sure everyone knows...however michele and mark got married and had a little celebration last night at the home of some friends......these same friends live on a lake......like right outside their backyard!!! jeff had rods and reels all ready in case any of the men wanted to just relax.........well.....20 minutes into being at the party i just had to try my hand at it...(mind you i had seen the slimy rocky edge and wondered to rex aloud if i would fall in!)....so after the first cast....out comes a large wide mouth bass!....i attempted to pull the hook out...and jeff came to my rescue! i just couldn't let him throw him back in..needed to do this myself and well....got just a little too much momentum and FELL into the lake!!! damn that water was cold!!!! and ruined the cute little pink flats! not to let a little water stop me....i tried again......this time a medium perch came out hooked to my little rod!

fast forward 2 hours later and dinner is finished and well....i just needed a little quiet so i grabbed the rod and first cast...out comes another big mouth bass.....followed in quick succession with 2 more fish! i am now smelling just like that bass.....my ass is frozen from the wet jeans and my bare feet are ready for amputation! okay....one more part to this story.....as i was casting the lure it got caught on the neighbors lattice fence so i climbed around to get it....and thinking i'm as sure footed as any tree climbing goat, tried to swing around back to the yard.....and shit....i fell again! one of the men watched the event and i had to lie my way through that! only to find a large gash in my right knee and large contusions on my left foot and arm!

i'd do it again in a heartbeat!!!

up at 345am...having a horrible issue with sciatica and the fall just intensified the effect....so cleaned the annex...cleaned house......all the laundry is finished......now what??? i know......i'm gonna play with paper, glue and fabric!!!!

happy sunday to everyone.........i love my CRAZY life!!!!!

thursday night....quiet night

2011-09-15T22:07:00.002-05:00

well.....another post! can't quite believe it myself, however i've made a promise to myself to try to keep up with my blog......i plan on using some of the information for my scrapbooks!

karen burniston emailed and told me she sent the CE book. she designs all the pop-up dies for Sizzix and the CE book is made with multiple pop-ups. it's so damn cool... the banner autograph book is integrated into the book.....so damn cool. i'm hoping i can incorporate it into the joey otlo 8x8 book! wish me luck!

my pampered chef party is coming up soon! just one more week. i certainly hope it all goes well. and i am thinking of having a 31 party the beginning on November! anyone that wants to join us....please let me know! or if you know of something you would like.....email me and i can add it to the party list!

well......rex is at the barn tonight....so it's very quiet at home....well....unless comet is barking at the damn tv.......and i have to be at work early in the am....so

i still love my crazy life!

don't ruin your sign!!!

2011-09-11T15:41:00.002-05:00

the instructions state to coat your sign with Plaid clear gloss varnish to prevent weather issues.......well.......DON'T DO IT!!!!!! my welcome sign is completely and miserably ruined!!!!! rex felt so bad when i said that....(he sprayed it for me)....it wasn't his fault....just bad product!!! the paper curled and turned white.....the felt flowers and leaves look like they are covered in dust from the past 3 years....

so .........perhaps may call SB, ETC in phoenix tomorrow and see what i can do! pooh!!! guess i will play with paper and glue and try to finish another CE project! however i will not add ANY sealer!!

i love my crazy life!!!

here's your sign!

2011-09-11T00:19:00.003-05:00

played today with paper and glue.....finished my little Halloween countdown calendar. it really turned out cute! now i want to design one for christmas! wish me luck!

also finished my Welcome sign from CE.......it turned out wonderful. i will go to the store tomorrow to see if i can find a frame to fit it....spray it with some gloss varnish and hang it on the front door. the varnish is supposed to help with weather issues. i certainly hope it works! i also am making a Trick or Treat and Believe sign.... need to find another border punch and will have everything done!

will try and finish some of the other Ce projects tomorrow.....i still have some from previous years...and my goal is to finish a lot of these projects....perhaps give them away as gifts... need to purge more stuff to just make it minimal. i also need help with my expenditures...i don't need any more stuff....i need to make due with what i have. sometimes that is just soooo hard for me!

okay......i do love my crazy life!!!

eek.......i'm going to try again

2011-09-09T21:36:00.002-05:00

hello blog friends! i am going to attempt to update my blog on a more frequent basis. i have been such a slacker and have NO excuse!

CE rocked and i truly wish that this wasn't the last one! however there will be other events......and us girls will travel around to play with paper and glue.......and make new friends and hug old friends!

i LOVE my crazy life!

where was june????

2011-06-22T19:54:00.002-05:00

holy smokes.....is june almost over??? i can't believe it's the 22nd (and it would be my brother tommy's 64th birthday!.....boy, do i miss him!) anyway......the temps are just too cool for swimming and rex is at the barn.....so i am trying to stay busy with sewing and playing with paper and glue!

lucy is staying with us for almost 3 weeks while the children are exploring california.....i hope they have a great time!

well......i love my crazy life!!!

tornadoes in missouri!

2011-05-23T18:29:00.002-05:00

what horrible news it was to hear about JOplin, Missouri today! i pray for all those that have been touched by this disaster! we had some storms here today...no tornadoes...however hail and heavy rain....0h....and WIND!!! me and the puppies went to the annex for a safe haven from the storm....and the tornado alarms DID go off!! so after what seemed like forever (about 20 minutes!!) i headed upstairs to see what had happened!! only some minor stuff....large lounge chair in the inground pool....no worries...that will come out before any swimming is done! some of the plants we purchased yesterday for our wedding anniversary tipped over...however nothing looks broken and i'm sure they will all survive! the large arborvitae that we got was already in the ground! good thing...that pup was HEAVY!!! i just thought about the baby robins outside the front door in the birch tree....will have to see if they survived...i hope they did!

anyway....if anyone lost shingles from their home in our vicinity....come over to my house....we have a plethora of them that landed in our backyard....black ones..grey ones....even some green ones!!

anyway......i love my crazy life!!!

additional photos (blogger will only allow so many!)

2011-05-23T18:25:00.004-05:00

this is the living room,breakfast room and kitchen finished! just need some additional "stuff" for above the cabinets! and you can see the studio from the foyer through the doors!!!

thanks for looking!!

update on home remodel!!!

2011-05-23T18:04:00.002-05:00

we have almost finished the entire home remodel!!! the entire house now has hardwood floors! our masterbath now is travertine tile with glass vanities!! love those!!

i have been playing in the annex more than the studio of late....i can make LARGE messes and noone has to be the wiser about it!!! here's some photos of the finished product!!!

happy meals and hail!

2011-04-19T19:46:00.002-05:00

i am going to try to update my blog a little more frequently! wish me luck!

today was a low census day at MSC and i had the day off! i always seem to waste the morning and then get a wild wind in the afternoon/evening and push to get things done!

last week was particularly busy at the center and one of the anesthesia staff bought Happy Meals for everyone! how thoughtful! i haven't had one of those in years...perhaps decades!! the fries were tasty!

i played with paper, glue and glimmer mist today! something to remember the happy meals!
thanks for looking!

i do love my life!

playing again!

2011-04-17T14:20:00.001-05:00

what a wonderful day.....still have that mani/pedi to look forward to.....however i thought i'd drop in the layout i just finished!!! it's of the skating party! what a wonderful day that was.....doesn't seem like it was 10 weeks ago! love all of these friends! haVE a great one!

a new day!

2011-04-17T10:15:00.006-05:00

can you imagine that yesterday was 50degrees and we had the furnace and fireplace on!!! and hoodies!!!!! today the sun is shining, the windows are open and the sounds of the birds.....and my two annoying barking puppies are filtering through!!!

i played yesterday with some new paper and glue.....didn't finish what i had started...however there is always later today! stinky (the little girl who grew up way too fast! and married some young man who i adore) is taking me out for mani/pedi's this afternoon! what could be better????? well.......a cocktail while having a mani/pedi would be spectacular!

i have decided to try out for a new design team! this is always fearful for me....the idea of rejection can sting....however you have to stick your neck out and try! i play in the studio and annex and need some deadlines to keep me going! (not sure you all remember.....the studio is upstairs and the ANNEX where most of the supplies live is downstairs!) and i have been playing more in the annex....keeps the rest of the house a little tidier!

okay....will post a couple of items i'm going to send away! i LOVE my life!!!

where has the time gone

2011-04-13T21:15:00.003-05:00

wow.....i can't believe how long it's been since i have been here!!! sad, however life is so very busy!
trying to finish the remodel/rehab of the house....we just have the trim to paint and finish the stairs to the second floor.....then a thorough scrub and i think the inside will be done!!! yippee!!!! i will be so glad when it's done....especially with summer coming up! rex wants to work on landscaping this summer and we need to be done with the inside to start another mess outside! !!!!

still playing with paper and glue....taking lots of art classes and trying to learn more and more!!! having some great fun with photoshop....super classes out there for everyone....and some really great groups to get answers that just seem to hide from view!

planning a mani/pedi with erin for this sunday afternoon! she has been busy with the end of the school year and mike's brother/wife/children were in town from utah visiting so i hadn't spoke to her for about 5 days.....she calls today to ask if i don't love her anymore...since it's been 5 days....silly girl....she just needed a gentle reminder about family obligations and homework ....looking forward to spending some time chatting with her!
don't you just love that centerpiece.....may have to try to replicate it from the barn........
happy days to all.....i love my life

try again

2011-03-19T10:25:00.003-05:00

Source: bethproudfoot.blogspot.com via Kathy on Pinterest

2011-03-19T10:15:00.002-05:00

wow....this is really a cool idea...i always find so many cool things on the web that i want to remember and now i have a way to keep them for inspiration!!!

Source: bethproudfoot.blogspot.com via Kathy on Pinterest

spring.......RIGHT!!!!

2011-03-14T19:45:00.003-05:00

well......what a day this has been........glad that i'm home and it's warm and dry!!! just a little recap of 14 march, 2011....the day before my birthday!!!!!!

off to work at the break of dawn...took off as usual in the little red miata only to notice a small amount of snow on the ground.....and A LOT falling from the sky!!!! rex thinks i'll be good to go in the little sports car so off i go! i had a little swish of the tail after taking off from a traffic light and just thought i would maintain a slow and steady pace!!! so i enter the highway and i'm traveling about 30 mph when i get tapped on the bumper by an elderly man driving a VINTAGE station wagon (need i say more....it WAS a station wagon!!) so i start a spin in the middle of interstate 64 which landed me in the ditch next to the slow lane!!!!! i didn't notice that he had ended in the center median until the police officer arrived and parked behind him!! i then noticed that he obviously did some damage to his axle or tie rod( the front wheels were not vertical!!!! ) now remember that snow that was falling from the SPRING sky at 530am.....it's now coming down even heavier!!!! so the police officer comes over and asked if i needed help...which of course i deny!!!! my dear sweet REX will save the day.....which he did!!!!! i called him, the tow truck company and while waiting for the truck rex arrived with the dustbuster!!! MY HERO!!! *what will we do if that van dies!!!****???? so i climb out of the passenger side of the very small miata and exit into snow........and MUD!!! my cute little flats get stuck and out comes my foot into the snow and mud!!!!! crap....that sucked!!!!! so into the dustbuster and off to work i go!!!!! slow and steady!!! (i had to keep my shoes off, they were wet and muddy) i had to wash my feet once i arrived at work....no way i wanted to keep highway mud on my feet....plus i have a doctors visit today!! rex popped this photo while awaiting the tow truck.....notice that it's now daylight!!!

after a wonderful day at manchester surgery center....(LOVE MY JOB!!!) i left for a visit with a new doctor.......a little manipulation of my body and it felt wonderful!!! so, feeling all good ..inside and out , i decide to stop and use a coupon at archivers........and the snow is STILL FALLING so i exit the van and carefully try to avoid the slush on the ground.......only to FALL once again!!!! crap that hurt!!!!! i got my cute coat wet.....and soaked one leg of my jeans.....and skinned my knee@@@@@ WTF is wrong with me????? that makes three falls in just 4 short months....my co-workers want to wrap me in bubble wrap!!!!!
well....home with rex and the puppies....i'm safe .....i do LOVE my crazy life!!!

home and garden show...what fun!!

2011-03-06T20:34:00.003-06:00

rex and i spent saturday at the home and garden show at the edwards jones dome! wow.....that place is big.....big enough for an indoor ferris wheel! and no, we didn't ride it.....though i would have liked to!
after a few hours of meandering around the place, we had a little beverage and chips! they sold liquor (beer, wine and cocktails) at the door....can you believe that??? totally shocked by that! so anyway, after walking for some time we found only one thing to purchase.....a MOP!!! can you believe that.......$10 to park.....$8 for the tickets (each) ....and $75 for this cool mop/scrubber/cleaning stuff! and we all know how much i love to clean! (yuck!) however i do like clean!!! wish i would have taken a photo of the mop booth......(i did use the mop over the entire house...so easy and worked great!!!)

they also had this really cool balloon area that looked like a garden.....check out these photos of balloon flower s.......can't wait for the real thing.....looks like spring is just around the corner!

working and being diligent with my online class...mouse, paper, scissors...love learning photoshop and hybrid stuff.....hope to learn a lot more.

well......another great week at msc......i'm so glad i moved to a new job....so much happier in life!!!!!

and i love my crazy life!!!

cast is off......decorated before!!

2011-02-21T19:16:00.003-06:00

got the cast off and just using a splint now.......waited until the night before to decorate it.....used a silver sharpie and made some swirls.....how fun that was!!! too bad i didn't do it earlier!

rex and i are still working on the bathrooms...hopefully they will both be finished soon........rex installed the toilet in the guest bathroom and a few hours later i noticed that the drywall tape was pulling away from the ceiling in the breakfast room.......damn it to hell......so the toilet had to be removed and redone!! the bolts used originally weren't long enough so more trips to lowe's for additional supplies!!! oh, i do hope this will be one of the last issues we have with the plumbing!

erin and mike came for dinner on saturday....grilled burgers in the dark... some delicious potato skins.....salad and strawberries with angel food cake! yummmmmmm.....

will try to get some photos of the bathrooms soon.....can't wait for them to be done! wish us luck!!!

WINNER.......WINNER...........FOR THE BLOG HOP!~

2011-02-14T14:29:00.002-06:00

thank you to everyone that visited my blog and signed up to follow!!!!!!! i do hope everyone had fun with new knowledge about our country and saw some fantastic artwork!!!! i know i did!!!!

okay.....enough chit chat.....on to the winner!!!!!! via randon org......the winner is Jenn of craftygarden.blogspot.com!!! i'll send you an email........please contact me within the next 3 days to recieve your gift!!!!!

yeah to all!!!!

i simply love my life!!!!!!

Blog HOP.......have fun with this!!!!

2011-02-11T10:59:00.001-06:00

****** this blog hop begins at 9am 11Feb 2011.......i'll be saving lives at the center so my post is a little early!!! please check out all the blogs beginning at 9am on Friday!!!!! have fun and enjoy yourselves!!******
(i'm going to try to program this to "go live" at 9am.......wish me luck!!)

Okay.....this is my very first blog hop and i'm soooooo hoping i don't mess things up.....i am feeling a little wigged out about this!!!!! first off.... i'm just a crazy RN that loves to play with paper and glue! i do hope that someone will enjoy the markers and ranger distress ink! just leave me a comment.... and follow me.....YEAH!!!! would love to see some new faces....and i'm going to be following all the other blog posters!!!!!

A Big Cricut Hello & Chirp to each of you! Welcome to the Cricky Across the 50 Blog Hop hosted by K Andrew of Getting Cricky! ( http://www.kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com/). If you are here from Jenny Johnson of Paper Crafting Crazy Me http://www.papercraftingcrazyme.blogspot/.com then you are in the right spot. If you just arrived here and would like to start from the beginning please go to KAndrew's Getting Cricky! www.kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com. For this blog hop K Andrew is celebrating her big move across the country with a big road trip, and of course this hop across the 50 states! She has asked us all to post a little bit about the state we are representing, and then to post our Favorite Craft Project. I am representing the state of Missouri!

Missouri is the show me state and most of us like to be SHOWN just what you have to offer! Jefferson City is our state capital and is located in the middle of the state ...along the missouri river! I live approximately 30 minutes west of St. Louis, between the Missouri River and the Mississippi, so needless to say summers here are extremely HUMID!! sometimes upwards of 90% humidity and temps close to 110!!! needless to say, it's a STICKY heat!!!

Some fun places to check out nearby are The Magic House (a fun hands on museum for children), City Museum (an old building turned into a hands on museum/activity area for kids and adults. mainly made with old discards and found materials!..so much fun!) and a spectacular park...Forest Park in St. Louis....with a zoo, outdoor ice skating rink, horse stables. We also have a park named after Henry Shaw (noted philanthropist from England) (Shaw's Gardens) that has different floral exhibitions through out the year! A great place to visit.............oh.....almost forgot .....we have the St. Louis ARch.....gateway to the WEST!!

my project is about an outing to Forest Park on new years day!!! ice skating for the first time in years!!!! like the title states.....it's just like riding a bike!!! until you fall while posing for photos and break an arm.....(just a little setback!) the paper used was basic grey...max and whiskers! also my cricut cuts were from Winter Wonderland....the skates..cut multiple times on kraft cardstock and layered to give the illusion of chipboard. Also the title "just like riding a bike" was from Just Because cards! i had such fun with this layout! just love my family and friends and this was such a fun day.......even if i DID break my arm.....i kept going!!!

my blog candy is a package of american crafts markers and one ranger distress ink.....Broken China! what a beautiful color!! remember to post a comment and become a follower and i will draw the winner and post on monday! enjoy your weekend and i hope everyone gains some inspiration from each and all the blogs!

Please make sure to leave comments on all of the blogs for a chance to win a ton of different Grand Prizes on Getting Cricky's blog, from these great companies:Scrap N Tote, Scrap N Easel, Cri-Kits, Creative Charms, Memory Miser, Scrappy Chic Cafe, Loralie Designs, My Pink Stamper, Peachy Keen Stamps, Cricut Town, The Scrappin' Table, Piktails, and Pink by Design
Please make sure to visit ALL the blogs, as EVERY single blog will have fabulous giveaways (cricut cartridges, paper packs, copic markers, yourstory bundle, clear stamp sets, and tons more). Each blogger was extremely generous with their own personal giveaways

Next up on the blog hop is Kathy from Montana!!! Enjoy your trip across the 50 states!!
MONTANA
Kathy Floen of The Beautiful Life http://kathy-thebeautifullife.blogspot.com
NEBRASKA
Gloria Sleeper of Oma’s Crafts http://www.omascrafts.blogspot.com/
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Kristal of Getting Cricky http://www.kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com/
NEW MEXICO
Brynn Thornburgh of Flair and Frills http://www.flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com/
NEW YORK
Erin Span of I am SpantastiKreations http://www.spantastikreations.blogspot.com/
NORTH CAROLINA
Amy Westray of redwolfSCRAPS http://www.redwolfscraps.com/
OHIO
Patricia Logan of MDN Creates http://www.triciatreasure.blogspot.com/
Joe, Carol, Joe, and Betty of CreateNCraft at http://www.createncraft.com/
OREGON
Rebecca Maddux of Crafting with Becka http://www.creationswithbecka.blogspot.com/
PENNSYLVANIA
Midori Vasquez of Scraps for Me http://www.scrapsforme@blogspot.com/
RHODE ISLAND
Karel Jennings of One by One the Flamingos are Stealing my Sanity http//karelj.blogspot.com
SOUTH DAKOTA
Brenda Burffrau of Creativity is a State of Mind http://createbyburffrau.blogspot.com
TENNESSEE
Shannon Lefew of My Scrappy Creations http://shannonleffew.blogspot.com
TEXAS
Kista Orr of Scrapaleupagus at scrapaleupagus.blogspot.com
VIRGINIA
Chris Hanselmaan of Chris' Crafty Creations from the Corner http://scrappinchris.blogspot.com/
WASHINGTON
Mariam Satchell of Purple Lily Studio mariamsatchell.blogpost.com
WISCONSIN
Janice Wilson of Stamping with Janice www.stampingwithjanice.blogspot.com
WYOMING
Jamie Larsen of Baby Jayden’s Mommy http://babyjaydensmommy.blogspot.com/
Lindsay Loo of Lindsay Loo Designs http://www.lindsayloodesignz.blogspot.com/
Getting Cricky with K Andrew www.kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com

BEGIN: Getting Cricky With K Andrew www.kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com
ALABAMA
Tanya of Scrappy Scavenger www.ScrappyScavenger.blogspot.com
ARIZONA
Renee Kowalchik of KoolChik Crafts http://koolchikcrafts.blogspot.com/
ARKANSAS
Teela Young of Coffee24Tea http://coffee24tea.blogspot.com
CALIFORNIA
Jess Marin of My Scrap Diary http://www.myscrapdiary-jess.blogspot.com
Nicolette Simpson of Beyond Scrapin www.beyondscrapin.blogspot.com
COLORADO
Jennifer Anderson of Scrappin Lil Turtle http://creativearmywife.blogspot.com/
Amy Courchaine of Scrapbooking, Card Making, and Living with Fibro http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com/
DELAWARE
Meagan Jarjabka of Beyond Paper Designs beyondpaperdesigns.blogspot.com
Peggy Brustman of CeltikGirlCreations www.celtikgirlcreations.blogspot.com
FLORIDA
Stephanie Hedderick of Always Crafting http://www.alwayscrafting.com
GEORGIA
Brenda Haskin of Simply Bren is Having too much fun http://simplybrenhavingfun.blogspot.com/
ILLINOIS
Lori Brown of Saving My… http://savingmine.blogspot.com
INDIANA
Angela Urell of Creative Crafting http://creativecraftin.blogspot.com
LOUISIANA
Darlene Saucier of Simple Southern Blessings www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com
MAINE
Karen Madden of Lilac and Lupines http://lilacsandlupines.blogspot.com
MARYLAND
Karen Turner of Midlife Mysteries & Masterpieces http://www.midlifemysteries.com/
MASSACHUSSETTS
Andrea Fogleman of Scraplity www.scrapality.com
MINNESOTA
Krystal Gibson of Krystal’s Kreativity http://www.krystalskreativity.blogspot.com
Jenny Johnson of Paper Crafting Crazy Me www.papercraftingcrazyme.blogspot.com

blog hop.....going to give it a try

2011-01-25T18:16:00.001-06:00

here it's tuesday and i haven't posted in awhile.....still working to get the master bathroom completed.....we do have a toilet now....shower is complete and rex is working on the plumbing for the vanities......he has only made 5 (yep, five!!) trips to Lowe's for different pipes, etc! he thinks he has the proper ones now.......wish us luck!!

okay, while browsing my bookmarked blogs i noticed that krystal andrews...http://kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com/ is having a blog hop in february and i am going to sign up to participate~ i'm pretty excited about this......haven't ever done this before....keep your eyes open and i will have a fun giveaway for this!

happy tuesday, everyone!

i love my life!

brand new year.......

2011-01-03T18:31:00.000-06:00

wow.....2011.......loving the looks of that 2011.....just kinda cool!!!!

what a wonderful christmas holiday we had.....erin and mike spent all day on christmas eve at our home......then we had a delightful turkey dinner....(next year it's christmas tacos for mike!) then off to bed for all of us.........i was awakened at 830am to a full course breakfast......eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes....the whole thing.....table set......wow!!! that is the first time i have ever had it all done for me!!!!! then they (mike and erin) cleaned it all up!!!!! not a crumb was left!!!!! then off they went.....on their 21 hour drive to utah! they made it to cheyenne wyoming that night and finished the drive to utah on sunday! they noticed that we had more snow than kansas or nebraska!!!

mike loved the ipod adapter for his car and installed it that night! erin LOVED her cricut cake.....so much that we opened it up.....set it up and cut out designs for the christmas cupcakes!!!! what fun to watch the kids enjoy all their new toys!!!!!!! rex loved his new iphone 4.......he wanted to get it going but had to wait until sunday!!!! i got some new cricut cartridges and a new phone......also a cool jacket and a few other fun things!!!!

rex and i stayed home on new years eve......quiet night watching tv and just hanging around! then saturday 1 jan 2011 we went to steinberg ice rink in forest park for some wonderful ice skating...with monica, tim, peter, benjamin, beth, jacqueline, katie, kent, clare, bridget and chad!!!! i held on so tight to that railing all the way around.......i just couldn't remember how to do it (skate).........then on the second time around i got it.......not fast but i WAS skating!!!! then i stopped to chat with the friends....and pose for some photos.......and while standing still......holding onto the railing i was asked to move a little to the left...and i slipped and fell.........onto my left hand!!!! wowsers....i thought i was gonna pass out.......felt queasy....then climbed back up and finished the photo session! beth asked rex if i was laughing while down and he said....NO>>>>she looks stressed!!! so monica came with me to the indoor area to sit down......rex got me a soda to help the stomach thing! after some soda i felt much better!!!!! then i noticed the bump on my wrist......and my inability to move it!!! so i had both monica and rex help me get my rings off.......all FOUR of them......the thumb ring that never comes off.....the middle silver ring.....and my wide wedding band and anniversary band!!! wow.....all i can say is that it hurt to pull on those.......and thank goodness i thought of it cause they would have all had to be cut off!!!!!! then off to the first aid place (at the rink...monica aided another lady who hit her head on the ice and was bleeding from her barrette that caused a laceration)......a little gauze wrap and some tape and it felt stable!!! after sitting a little longer i got up and went back to skating!!!! about 1 hours worth!!!!!! i NEVER fell while skating......just standing still!!!!! then off to monica and tim's for some appetizers and hot chocolate!!!!! loved it all.......and every one of those children are remarkable!!!! so sweet!!!!! kent found a urgent care close by and by 715 pm we were off.......xrays and the diagnosis of LEFT DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURE!!!!!!( that's a fancy way of saying i broke my left wrist!!) damn......rex kept saying.....ahhhh, it's just a bad sprain.....too bad it wasn't just a sprain!!!!!! so i emailed david irvine md and he agreed to see me today for a cute cast!!!!!! unfortunately for me they didn't have lime green or hot pink.......so it was purple, baby blue, white or black!!!!! so classic black for me........now i'm going to stop at michaels or archivers for some prima bling and super glue!!! gonna dress this thing up!!!!!! and one more great point.......it's WATERPROOF!!!!!! so i can shower without worrying about it!!!!! yeah for me!!!!!!
i still love my life.......and i love my work!!!!!!!

dust and new tile!

2010-11-22T08:59:00.000-06:00

well, rex and i finally started installing the travertine tile in the master bath yesterday! i didn't think it was ever going to happen! we started this project over 6 weeks ago....however demo was quite a bitch, repairing what needed repairs, plumbing took over 24 hours (8 hours at a time) to accomplish......and here we are now, starting to install the tile!!! since erin and mike are spending thanksgiving with his family we will work on glass tile installation and continue with the travertine! our first row on the bottom was square.....next is a row of the glass tile......then thenext section will be diamond shaped travertine....then a row of glass....then square tile to the ceiling! we think...(and hope!) that the design will be wonderful......it looks good on paper!!!! then install the medicine cabinets....the vanities.....finish the plumbing (oh...hope that doesn't take as long as the first time!)....grout and accessorize!!!!! hopefully most of this will be finished by next monday! we have four days to work.....well....really only 3 since the children will be here on saturday for our holiday together! then we are going to see the harry potter movie with them that evening! i'm sooooo looking forward to that!

well....just wanted to add this fun little photo of mr. butt messing around! what a crazy man he is!!!! LOVE him!!

happy thanksgiving to everyone!

wowsers......lookie what i won!

2010-10-26T20:25:00.000-05:00

biRthday giveaway....

last week
was rhonna farrers' birthday and she had a little giveaway on her blog...wow, how lucky to
have won one of these beauties!

still working on the ugly masterbath room remodel......the glass tile was delivered on friday night, and the vanity/bathtub fixtures arrived yesterday. now....we just have to wait for
the next delivery of the travertine and the bullnose trim! hopefully we will have a functional
bathroom by the holidays.....say a little prayer!

happy fall days to all!

more bathroom demo

2010-10-03T19:41:00.001-05:00

what a mess.........drywall/floor dust everywhere............rex working on plumbing for over 6 hours.......and it's still NOT finished.........
it will all be worth it when it is finished...........just so much work and soooooo messy!!!!!!

check out the photos for evidence of the disaster!

hello again.......

2010-09-25T08:27:00.000-05:00

wow,,,,can't believe so much time has elapsed since i last posted... life is just so busy and it seems the last thing i remember is to post on this blog!
spent last evening with linda, monica and beth playing with paper and glue!!!!! what fun that was..........and dinner at CPK.....delish white pizza with pesto ......yummmmmm

demo'ed the master bathroom last weekend and going to work on it this weekend.....the plumbing and electric has to be moved to accommodate the new vanities..... so much work.....for such a wonderful space!!!!!
rex is taking down the Hooks from the old 9 foot mirror.....someone is coming by to pick it up now......yeah,,,,,less crap in the garage!!!!!

i purged the ANNEX again.....and put a few things up on ebay..........going to have a little spending money when it's all done...........also cashed in some old gold jewelry and added that to the savings account........feeling lighter about doing all of this..........want things to be simpler and less cluttered...........minimal.........loving it!!!!!

wonderful......wonderful weekend!

2010-08-29T19:02:00.000-05:00

rex has had the entire week off......and the master bedroom floor has been finished......yeah for hardwood!!! the painting is done and i found some different drapes for the window at BB&B...while out doing a little shopping with Erin! she just finished her guest bedroom and purchased a pillow and some art for the walls! so now we have decided to remodel the master bath with new vanities,travertine tile and glass mosaic tile.........so looking forward to getting this done! then some slate for the guest bathroom floor.......lots of work however it's so much fun when it's done!

cropped on friday night with linda and monica......and of course we accomplished absolutely nothing!!!!! however the company was FABULOUS.....................dinner at Cheesecake Factory......leftovers brought home for mr. butt..........and my scrap crap is still sitting in the kitchen!!!!!!

rex remodeled my closet......and now i have 3 shoes shelves.....a shelf for my handbags......and it's so damn organized it's wonderful!!!!! now i just can't wait to finish organizing my annex.....it's starting to come together......and i want to get it done so i can play with paper and glue soon!

well........happy week to all...............i LOVE my life!

friDAY THE thirTeenth!

2010-08-13T22:25:00.000-05:00

wowsers.........i used to like friday the 13th.........however today sucked the fun out of it!!!!

happy weekend, all!!!!!!

new design team for me!

2010-08-10T20:01:00.000-05:00

wow....i can't believe so much time has gone by since i last posted! the pool party was fantastic! and i just spent the weekend with the most wonderful girls ever........i was totally non-productive and seemed to have no MOJO.........however i did have some great KARMA and won 3 prizes over the three days! how fun is that?????
okay......the new design team thing is that i get to make layouts/cards/altered items using my cricut or silhouette........you can't beat that with a stick!!!!!!
this is my first layout and i just loved playing with my silhouette and using a cute photo of Apollo.....my main squeeze!!!!!! check out Kitty's Cuttings at visualdesignsbychris.com.....she is working on her blog and has some really cool files that are quite affordable and available right now!!!
well.......happy work week to all!!!!! be good, stay cool........or come on over for a little pool time!

Helmar Adhesive Guest Designer***

2010-07-15T21:13:00.000-05:00

check out HelmarUSA.typepad.com....the post on their blog should go live tomorrow. i have had so much fun using their products....just wish i had more time to play....

i will post photos of the projects on sunday (having guests for a pool party on saturday!) so hang on.....

i love my life!

Guest Designer for HelmarAdhesives for July 2010

2010-07-09T22:51:00.000-05:00

playing with some delightful paper and the WondErfuL HelmarAdhesive!!!!! this GLUE rocks the house......it will hold anything.....and is withstanding the 98 degree heat and 3 thunderstorms!!! how cool is that!!!!! will post some photos soon!

i just LOVE my life!

vacation fun!!!!!!

2010-06-23T17:15:00.000-05:00

having a great time on vacation..........last night was a RiverCityRascals game........minor league baseball in our town!!!! it was hot and humid......and the hair DIDN"T curl.....yahoooooooo!!! course today it looks a little flat.....have to wait until tomorrow to shampoo!!!!!

spent the morning poolside.....started a new book......the Glass Castle .......intriguing...... hope to finish before i'm back to work!

after some pool time, i was off to the studio to make a little camera bag........something that donna downey had on her blog a while back.......turned out totally cute! course rex said he wouldn't carry it! too bad for him.......doesn't have any sense of style!!!!!! thinking of getting the laptop bag to carry my mac!

hopefully going to cut some stuff from my silhouette to use with my design team project!!!!! and perhaps cut some funky vinyl and apply it to my laptop.......spice it up a little!

well.......going to have a snack and then rex and i are off to the circus!!!!! Circus Flora is a local circus that performs in a air-conditioned big top at the Powell Symphony Hall......it's supposed to be fabulous..........then tomorrow is WICKED!!!!!!!!! i have never seen it......and i'm totally psyched about going!!!!!!!

well........hope to post some photos of the circus........as well as some of some fun stuff from the studio............

i LOVE my life!!!!!!!!!

ClearScraps Guest Designer

2010-06-17T20:25:00.000-05:00

i was the guest designer for ClearScraps this month.....and designed a little wedding album ...complete with photos from my nephew's wedding! i had such a great time working with the graphic 45 papers, prima flowers and the ClearScraps album!!! i do hope to design for them again in the future!

here are a couple of the photos of the album.....i will be giving this to julie and shane soon!

i LOVE my life!!!!!

hello new week!!!!!

2010-06-14T18:33:00.000-05:00

cold is starting to ease and feeling better!!!!! and just think, it't the beginning of a new week!!!!! i spent saturday cleaning my studio........found the floor and desk top.......and COMPLETED 3 layouts..............yeah........damn skippy of me!!!!! i also finished my latest little album.....of my nephew's wedding.....it was pretty fun!!!!!! it should be on the ClearScraps blog soon!!!! i will post some photos in the next day or so.....need to wait until it's up there!!!!!

took mike to Pi for his birthday.........what great pizza!!!!!! it was the same pizza that Obama had flown to DC..........so damn tasty!!!!!! got some fun photos....too!!!!!

well.......home alone.......rex is working on erin's kitchen........well.....helping work!!!!! i'm just crashing on the couch.........have to be at work at o'dark thirty...........!!!!! crap.....i don't like gettin up early!!!!!!

i just love my life!!!!!!

lost saturday

2010-06-05T21:28:00.000-05:00

still sick........rex spent the day with erin and mike working on a slate floor for their kitchen......while i spent the day on the couch..........still nursing this flipping illness..........thought the meds would work much faster....however i still feel like a dirty washcloth.......lifeless and limp!

any suggestions for feeling better.........send them my way!

holy crap......still sick.......

2010-06-03T21:34:00.001-05:00

called joe,md....love him!!!!! now have meds that will kick this bug (bugs) butt!!!!!

this may turn into pneumonia and that would really suck!!!!! so if no difference within 3 days......off for xrays.......then i will probably glow in the dark!!!!!!

wish me luck getting my dt project finished this weekend.......have some fun wedding photos waiting to be picked up at walgreens......then add some fun stuff to the album.......feeling the mojo..........just bugs keep getting in the way!

happy thursday to all..........i love my life!!!!!! (bugs, and all!!!!)

summer colds SUCK

2010-06-01T17:37:00.000-05:00

have some kind of head cold.......spent most of the last two days on the couch........sucks.......freezing my butt off right now.........looks silly to be under a big throw on the couch when it's sooo warm outdoors.......

here's wishing it goes away soon..........i have DT obligations!!!!!

wedding and anniversary!!!!!!

2010-05-23T21:09:00.000-05:00

yesterday my nephew married his girlfriend.......the ceremony took place in my sister's garden and was wonderful.........sunny, warm and a little muddy!!!!! however everyone had a great time! then off to the reception! the bridal party finally arrived a couple of hours later........after having some fun on the PARTY bus.......wonder what happened on it!!!!!!

erin and mike drove us and had some plans, so we skipped dinner and left a little early! however i hope rex got some great photographs!!!!!!! plan to use them for my next guest designer project and will send it off to my sister when i'm done!

in other news.......rex and i celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary yesterday!!!!! wowsers.....we were just kids when we got married and still love each other.........and tolerate each other!!!!! course a little tussle occurred while in the bread company on saturday morning........just because we live together for so long doesn't mean we don't fight like cats and dogs!!!!

today we tried to work on the guest bedroom, finishing up the drapes, and artwork!!!!!! then to finish moving in the dresser and done!!!!!!! next will be the study.......repaint after installing hardwood floors.......then our room and lastly the loft!!!!! oh.......to have all this done.........and all the while we are trying to do some stuff around the pool.........we need more time and more MONEY!!!!!!!

made a simple going away card to leeanna........she is (was) the manager at ARchiver's at chesterfield and is leaving for greater adventures..........will miss her bright smile!!!!!! good luck, leeanna!!!!! and tanner!!!!!

happy monday to all.............i LOVE my life!!!!!

design posted at ClearScraps blog!

2010-05-17T17:53:00.000-05:00

had fun making the little travel brag book.........thinking of what i'm going to do for june!!!! then going to come up with something fun for the HelmarAdhesive guest DT thing for July!!!!! going to be a busy girl!!!!!!

hope everyone is doing well..........saturday is my 34rd wedding anniversary and my nephew is getting married that day! pray for nice weather........it's been raining for almost 12 days........would love to see some sunshine!!!!! we have actually had to turn on the furnace.....and the fireplace to get the chill and dampness out of the air!!!!!!

thinking of playing with watercolours tonight........have a fun little donna downey camera case and hope it looks good when it's done!

i love my life............happy monday to all!!!!

Guest Designer for ClearScraps for May & June 2010

2010-05-13T21:26:00.001-05:00

wow......what a great life.......i just finished a guest designer project for ClearScraps for the month of may.....it is to be posted next week........had some fun with the acrylic and photos from ikea!!! loved that store!

been extremely busy and tired in the last few weeks......working hard and not sleeping well.....then taking naps in the afternoon which just perpetuates the whole not sleeping thing!!!! wish me luck on fixing that!!!!!

saturday we are having a subdivision garage sale and i have been trying to get a few things together.........since we are installing hardwood in the second story of the house....we are trying to declutter and minimize all things!!!!

even with the storms we have had in the last few days, i just wanted to post a little photo of my beautiful and fragrant peonies!!!!! love these, just disgusted by the ants that come with them!!!!!

i love my crazy, busy life!!!!!!

Guest Designer for HelmarAdhesives for July 2010

2010-05-05T22:14:00.000-05:00

wow.........what fun this will be!!!!!! can't wait to get all the goodies and start playing with paper and glue...their adhesives work wonderfully! i have used it in the past and again recently and can't wait to see what they send to me ...............

hope all are doing well.........may seems to be a busy month! first weekend i was away with the girls for scrapbooking.......next weekend going to Cirque de Soleil for Mother's Day....a treat from my son-in-law and daughter.....Cathy (michael's mother) is also attending........that will be so much fun! just love her......such wit and she is so dang intelligent!

the following weekend is the subdivision garage sale and i have LOTS of old scrapbooking stuff to send to someone else's home! sunday will be a day off.....................then

the following weekend is our wedding anniversary (34yrs!) and my nephew is getting married that day! so after the wedding then off to the reception festivities!!! not sure about that sunday.....i'm sure there will be lots of laundry and other house keeping duties to fulfill!!!!!

then the following weekend is memorial day!!!!!!!!! hopefully rex won't be working on sunday since i invited linda and jim over for some pool time and refreshments........hope the weather holds out!

well.....off to bed for me!!!!!!!! I LOVE MY LIFE!~!!!

weekend fun and a glorious day off!

2010-05-04T20:49:00.000-05:00

wow.......i had such a great weekend.....spent saturday with gf's playing with paper, glue and WATERCOLOURS!!!!!! made some cards.....a couple of layouts and watercoloured on a canvas bag! now i just need to get some embellishments to add to it!

i had today off.........the sun was shining and the air smells so good!!!!! i could hear the sounds from the water fountain in the swimming pool........the water is blue and still quite chilly! once we add the solar blanket, i'm sure we'll be in it soon!

rex has been working steadily on expanding the pool deck......along with installing hardwood floors to the second story of the house! he painted the guest bedroom this past week.....he took a week's vacation to play and get some things done! he also visited the union hall and social security office........and he is planning on retiring within the next 8 months!!!!! hooray for him!!! at just 56 yrs old, i'm so happy for him! he has such bad rheumatoid arthritis in both of his hands.....and sometimes they just ache!!! so it will be good for him to get out of that type of work, and into something that requires less stress on his joints!

i finished photographing and typing up my information for my guest designer gig at ClearScraps for the month of May........i had fun making the little book and adding all the fun stuff from my first trip to Ikea............will post more about it next week...........

hope everyone is safe (with the floods and scary weather!)......take good care of yourselves!!!

i love my life!

worry.....just plain ol' worry

2010-04-20T17:47:00.000-05:00

well......as i posted....rex drove 5.5 hours to chicago on thursday......spent 8 hours at a class on friday....(some of it on his feet.....most sitting in a chair).....then i arrive on friday night! after we drove to the suburbs of chicago, he complained about his calf hurting and started to massage it!!!!! NO>>>>>> never.....REPEAT.....NEVER massage a calf that is hurting!!!!! okay.....my public announcement is over......anyway......after i told him NOT to massage his leg, i took a quick peek... not red, swollen or warm to touch! so just told him to keep me informed!

saturday.......at ikea he again said it hurt!!!!! well.....ikea just happens to have little paper tape measures hanging around.......so i made him raise his pant legs and measured his calves.....just a 1/4 inch difference!!!!! so again told him to keep me informed............

drove 5.5 hours home saturday night and no further comments!!

sunday......rex goes to work at the Pottery Barn for 5 hours.............no comments!~

fast forward to monday am.........he calls me at WORK...(first time in over 2 years!) and tells me his calf is hurting badly and his foot is going numb! so quickly called joe (our primary) and then met rex at the ER...............1 hour and probably $1000 later.....no DVT. (blood clot)....thank god and just muscle inflammation! so home for the rest of the day

with the leg elevated and iced!!!!! so very thankful that he is healthy.......i love rex so much......i can't imagine a day of my life without him........

next month we will celebrate 34yrs of marriage!!!! wow....and some said it would never last!

i just LOVE my life!

home sweet home~~~

2010-04-18T21:10:00.000-05:00

chicago was so much fun.......after a short flight to midway and a 1 hour to drive to Windy City....the flipping store was Closed!!!!! they had cancelled their crop that evening however they failed to update their schedule!!!!! so off to Smoque with Shelley and Rich.....they treated us to dinner.....what a great night!!!!! so back to their home.....drop off rich and with rex following us, shelley and i drove out to Archivers to surprise kathleen loughran!!!! so much fun to see the look of surprise on her face! just love those two girls!!!!!

after only a short time in archivers and spending just a few dollars, rex and i left and tried to find a close hotel......first one, NO vacancies ........so off to another one.......few minutes later we were in a cozy room with a king size bed.....and off to sleep.........there were children above running amok......and making it difficult to sleep soundly........so up by 8am (i know.....that's not early for some!) then to breakfast and off to Ikea.

well.......just 4 hours at $110/hour .....yep...$440 total.....we came home with frames, shelves, funky panel holders with fabric, paper holders with rolls of paper.....and other little fun things.!!! i can't imagine how much time i would spend in one of the stores if it was in st. louis.........however i hope they think about building one here!!!!! here's a little photo of some of my purchases!!!!!

it took us about 5.5 hours to drive home on saturday, pick up my car at the airport parking.....that cost $33....ouch ... then to erin and mike's to pick up two misbehaving puppies and bring them home! charles manson (their cat) finally got to come out of the basement rafters! lucy the puppy will miss comet and apollo.!! it felt so good to get home and into our own bed.......the windows open and very cool air blowing through.....waking up with the covers pulled up tight around us.........such a great feeling.......home......our home!!!!!

going to play with some paper and Helmar Adhesives later tomorrow......thought i would be able to do that tonight......however after a so-so massage i have a migraine......who'd have thought????

i love my life......my sweet husband......and my dear friends!!!!!

off to the Windy City.......and to Windy city

2010-04-15T21:38:00.000-05:00

yep.......hopping on a plane as soon as the work day is over tomorrow and going to spend 1 whole day in chicago..........yeppers.........24 hours.............can't wait! going to meet rex (who arrived there tonight) and then off to Windy City Scrapbook store.......gotta check out if they have anything fun! then.. dinner with some friends at a yummy BBQ place...........then to spend the ENTIRE day at Ikea.......doesn't that sound fun!!!!! i have NEVER been there and can't wait to poke around and see all the fun stuff!!!!! not too big of a car to transport items home.......however i think i can keep my purchases to a minimum!!!

still waiting about the HelmarAdhesive DT tryouts.........i'm so excited about this.....and hope i can keep waiting without going too crazy!

well......the puppies are at erin's for the next two days........so it's kinda quiet here........

i love my life........and hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Helmar Adhesive DT tryout info emailed!

2010-04-11T21:17:00.000-05:00

well.......i did it!!!!!! i emailed all my information to Helmar Adhesives for their DT tryout. I had a great deal of fun playing with the product.........the 450 Quick Dry rocks!!!!! and the scrap dots are fabulous for adding height and dimension! not sure i can post any of the stuff.....however i will try to put just a little sneak peek on here!!!!!

wish me luck...........

i also was able to complete the Copic Certification class and i'm now a Copic Certified Designer! what fun it was to play with Sally Lynn MacDonald!!!! she is soooo funny and informative!!!! and damn......she is TALL!!!!!! kinda like 5 foot 12........well....probably 5'9 or something.....however she seems so tall to me!!! what a delightful person! guess she is on her way home.....or may be there already!

i just love my life!!!!!!!!

dreaming about paper & glue.....Helmar, to be exact!

2010-04-06T20:50:00.000-05:00

not sure if anyone else has this problem, however if i work on stuff late at night......say 730pm (i'm old, folks!)......then i do nothing but lie awake thinking about what i could be doing.....instead of trying to sleep! not the best thing........after i made a big error with ages of patients.....thinking 6 and 7yr olds.....vs 16 and 17!!! sooooooo....i just went to the studio and looked at the pretty papers and contemplated what i wanted to do.........so just a little sneak peek.........love this helmar glue......it holds so dang gone well........and i love the scrap dots!!!!! can't beat a great adhesive!!!!!!! we all use adhesives, and why not use the best around!

okay.......just a little sneakie!

still just love my life!!!!!!!

dreaming about paper and glue

2010-04-06T20:49:00.001-05:00

design team tryout! with Helmar Adhesives!

2010-04-01T20:35:00.000-05:00

trying to get a little creative mojo and design some fun things for this dt tryout! i have been using Helmar Adhesives for a while now and really love them! wish me luck!

the weather today in st. louis was WONDERFUL!!!!!! almost 90degrees......and i drove with the top down..........now my hair could be a nest for any creature!!!!! with the curls, it's almost impossible to comb out........will jump in the shower and De-Tangle!!!!!

will try to post some photos this weekend.....the puppies went to the groomers and look so handsome!!!! erin, mike and lucy are coming over sunday for easter dinner! i got a photo of one of the LARGE turkeys that live in the neighborhood.......rex had to stop on the road for one with his feathers all spread.....(it's dating time in the hood!) and he had a little girl turkey following him......i whipped out my iphone and got a quick photo......not too good, however it IS the turkey!

i also snapped a few photos of some daffodils, and hope to edit them and add some brushes......(trying to learn something new!)

hope everyone is having a great week.........have a wonderful Easter with your family!!!

i love my life!

cough due to cold

2010-03-16T17:25:00.000-05:00

went to work..........came back home..........this cough is UGLY......

started some ultra strong meds........thanks blondie!!!!! (you know who you are!) so now i just have to get well......... staying home tomorrow and going to just push the fluids and healthy foods.......so i can get back to work and pay the mortgage!

dinner was fun last night with the children.........bandana's....love me some ribs and corn on the cob............then home for cake!!!!!! GREEN VELVET!!!!!!! whooooo hoooooo...... erin gave me a stunning necklace and mike gave me a new salad spinner........mine cracked and HE loves salad!!!!

rex.....my sweet rex got me a wonderfully pink optical mouse........and a fully packed calculator that has tape!!!!!!!! yep......TAPE!!!!! michael thought it was something from the 70's however i need something with tape when i'm paying my bills.............trying so damn hard to get outta debt and a machine with tape just makes it easier for an old school girl like me!!!!

well.......the cough is starting again.........i LOVE my life.......just not this cough!

it's my party and i'll cry if i want to!!!!

2010-03-15T11:54:00.000-05:00

nope......not really!!!! wait.......it is my birthday and it is a party.....and i am NOT crying!!!! i have everything i could want.......sweetest husband ever.......loving daughter, great son-in-law.....two of the best puppies ever........friends all sending birthday wishes..........what more could a girl ask for.

i just wish i didn't have a cold and cough.........this cough is soooo forceful......it hurts!!!! and that lousy tasting medicine isn't much help!

okay.......enough whining.........the sun was shining for about 15 minutes!!!!!! glorious!!!!!! and the air is full of sounds of spring......birds chirping......the harbor bell is ringing......and you can smell spring in the air!!!! (no, it's not just dog droppings!) IT'S SPRING!

hope everyone is having a spectacular monday.........going out to dinner tonight with rex, erin and mike.........not sure where.....however, it will be tasty!

i love my life!!!!!!!

sick bugs living here in mo'fallon!

2010-03-14T21:28:00.001-05:00

well.......guess i will be spending the day in sweats tomorrow for the official birthday outfit......have the day off (not sure why.......just a day off!) and i have been sick since thursday night........started with a little cough........mentioned it to tootsie about why am i coughing so much..........by that night i kept waking rex up with the coughing attacks...........got the call on friday to stay home on monday.....and thought.....yea...i can actually make a few things in the studio........yeah right.......been lounging with the puppies......can't keep my eyes open for more than a hour or so at a time.......really wanted to accomplish something..........perhaps tomorrow will be a better day......it is MONDAY!!!!!!

little jose' still has some narley spots on him.........his two hind legs and tail........just were the flowers are............hopefully they will heal over soon.

well..........did you hear......??????? i'm going to be the guest designer for ClearScraps for the months of May&June...........totally excited about that..........hope i can find some fun mojo to make some outstanding contributions!!!!!!!

will post some of the layouts i did yesterday with tootsie and girls!!!! think some of them turned out nice!!!!!!!!

tootsie gave me a remarkably stunning brooch for my jacket.....along with some other fun stuff......including red velvet cupcakes with pink/green icing!!!!! monica surprised me with some really cool pool stuff......can't wait to have the next party!!!!!!! along with a delish red velvet cake...........what a wonderful day it was..........except for the low grade fever and cough from hell!!!!!!!! downing cough medicine that tastes like is was made from yak intestines.......ohhhhh how awful it is!!!!!!!

well......off to bed........i love my life......sick bugs and all!!!!!!

poor little jose'

2010-03-07T14:52:00.000-06:00

well.....after one week of debate.....i have decided to name the little creature that is living on my foot Jose'........thanks to miss becky!!!!! rex suggested hector.....ICK.....and i thought HEY-SUS (you know spelled jesus......not) then becky suggested jose'......since i am already associated with jose'...........so jose' it is!!!!!

anyway......poor little jose' is peeling.........and i hope the color isn't all coming off.......just don't know.......if so, guess i'll be making a trip back to delmar! there are some spots that feel really icky....just keep washing and moisturizing.......course seeing those little pieces coming off where very freaky..... thinking about a little heart with rex's name in it!!!!!! ohhhhh, i think i see a habit forming!!!

it's sunny outdoors.....and the weather seems pleasant.....the pups are running and barking as usual........miss lucy is coming over with the children........we are going to grill some steaks and hang out........perhaps watch the award show!!!!!

on another note.....since spring break is coming up, and erin loves to bake.....etc..i purchased a little cricut for her.........hope she will make a superb cake for me for the birthday.......will just see!!!!!!!

still loving my life.......peeling gecko and all!!!!!!

lazy day

2010-03-06T20:31:00.000-06:00

wow......the warmth today was just wonderful.... we had some errands to run and just loved having some fresh air in our faces!

cooked dinner tonight.....using erin's recipe for chicken scampi......turned out wonderful.....and sooooo delish!!!!! and sooooooo fatting....... almost 2 sticks of BUTTER.....just wonderful!

rex took some time today to learn his new software program on computer aided drafting......he's planning on redoing the backyard.....new plants and hardscapes....... i'm sure he will come up with something beautiful!!!

well......off to watch some tv!!!!

i love my life!

tats and friends..........

2010-02-28T19:15:00.000-06:00

well........i did it!!!!!!! i have been talking about getting another tattoo for some time.........and i have been talking about it with tootsie.......and some other friends...........sooooooooo......

tootsie, jen k and myself went to the delmar loop......walked into IronAge and got some tats!!!!!!!

now.......mind you...........when i got my first tattoo there was NO pain......i used emla cream!!!!! okay........i got a script for emla......paid a butt load of money....applied the emla to each of our extremities..............and it HURT like hell!!!!!!!! well......actually only the outlines hurt.........poor little jen.........her's was ALL outlines......with just a touch of shading........however it's BEAUTIFUL! and toot's looks soooo damn gorgeous...........i even kept her sketch just in case i would like one like hers!!!!!!!!!

i just love mine........and can't wait until spring/summer to show this puppy off!!!!!! love the lime green and hot pink.............would have loved more pink..............however there is always a NEXT time!!!!!!!

tootsie's is the dragonfly......jen's the celtic heart........and mine is the GREEN gecko!!!!!!!!!

well..............i still LOVE my life..........and most all that goes along with it..........have a few bumps in the road............however i guess they keep me guessing!

new adventure!!!!!!!

2010-02-26T21:28:00.000-06:00

having some girlfriends join me and we are off for tattoos tomorrow!!!!!! hoping to have a fun day.........then do some scrapbooking about it later in the day!!!!!!

will try to post some photos of the activities.........

and will try to post photos of the progress on the homefront!!!!!

love my life!!!!!!

more renovations!!!

2010-02-20T21:14:00.000-06:00

rex installed new lights in the kitchen.....and replaced all the cabinet hardward......it looks sooo damn cool......next we are going to work on the hardwood floor between the first floor and second floor...........then we start on the second story with the hardwood........course i have to come up with some funds for that!!!!!

still planning on a little adventure with linda and jenny next weekend......already got the EMLA creme and toots is bringing the dressings..........so now we just need to wait until saturday!!!! then off to crop at Archivers in illinois (where jenny works!) this is going to be soooo much fun!

also......went to see Mamma Mia this past thursday night.......what great music from ABBA ( the first B is supposed to be backwards.....just can't seem to do that on this computer!).....loved all the music....and the company! lynne celebrated her birthday on sunday....valentine's day......what a fun day for her!

well......off to bed..........erin and mike just left after having dinner here......erin made shrimp scampi.......what a great chef she is.........so skilled in the culinary arts......not at all like her mom!

i love my life!!!!!!! and my puppies.......so cuddly!!!!

going to work on this

2010-02-15T20:33:00.000-06:00

here i am again...........short day at work.....came home and took a little nap with a puppy or two.......have some more snow outdoors......and comet and apollo just love to romp in it.....then have to spend "timeout" in the laundry room to de-thaw.......or just get into the sink and get a quick bath...........hopefully only one more time outdoors for tonight!

that's pretty much here..............still love my life!!!

busy hectic life

2010-02-14T20:34:00.000-06:00

wow.....it says on my blog that i have only posted once in the last 3 months.......what a slacker i am........oh well.....

spent the day cleaning up the mess that rex had made installing hardwood stairs to the second story.....replacing that nasty carpet that comet and apollo had drug their little bellies on and dirtied it beyond belief!!!!!! course, now that we have hardwood stairs the little guys can't seem to maneuver them at all........and need to be carried! okay.....comet only weighs about 12 lbs........however apollo and i greatly resemble each other and he's chubby.......and it's a chore! oh well.......love my puppies and will continue to do it!

it's snowing outside right now.......so glad i don't have to arrive at work until 11am.....certainly makes it easier with driving!!!

well......off to bed......after i carry the boys upstairs!!!!!

the new year, decade.....time to change

2010-01-08T23:01:00.000-06:00

i will post some photos of the holiday......what great days those were.

he's doing his part........keeping it GREEN!!!

2009-10-23T14:56:00.000-05:00

yep......rex and i both recycle....and try our best to keep as much out of landfills as possible........however i'm not sure rex isn't taking this just a little too far!!!!!!!!!! as you can see, almost one entire side of our garage is full of engine parts, block heads (????) and lead weights for wheels.......i missed shooting the wheels that are also on their way to the recyclers.........this will all take place tomorrow...........then straight to the eye doctors.......wow.....i really want to get some really funky glasses........just don't know what kinda cost that would incur.........

wel.....still love my life!!

wow.............where does the time go????

2009-10-21T19:44:00.001-05:00

the pool is closed......it was a sunny cool day.....and still they can't send a fun cabana boy to do the work.........looks more like a plumber with that butt crack going on..........and you KNOW i can't resist a great shot like that!!!!!!

spent a great relaxing weekend in innsbrook with these wild and wacky women!!!!! what a great time........i got to spend some time singing off key with a wonderful hairbrush mic....
also had some fun sliding across the marvelous hardwood floor......second oldest in the crowd and had to act like a 2yr old......oh well.....i LOVE my life! got little scrapbooking done......however can't wait to play again with these girls!!!!!!
tootsie (linda), michele and i had great fun while in vegas.......classes were fun.......little accomplished there, also..............hoping to go back to vegas.......not sure about it though.......will have to wait to see about funds.........and check things out with mr. butt............haven't had a holiday away with him in a couple of years......thinking perhaps the white sands of the gulf coast would be great.......perhaps see a couple of friends who live down there.........gotta chat with him and see what we can work out..............love that man.......seems like he works all the time and i would love to just spend some time with him!

mrs. erin had the icky swine flu while i was gone to vegas........she's better now.......thank goodness.........

well..........still love my life...........looking forward to the holidays..........low stress.........just peace......

what can i say.......SLACK QUEEN OF ALL!!!!

2009-08-17T21:07:00.000-05:00

well......i'm back and with some attitude!!!!!! seems like last time i updated i was helping poor little tootsie get started.....and then i just sat down and haven't moved in more than a month or so!!!!!!

okay to start..........DOES anyone has access to some patterned paper by creative imaginations....called Cream Musicpaper.....sku #11049.........i know that scrappy gourmet has it.....however i can't seem to log onto their site........think they know something i dont?

????

okay having more issues than thought of......trying to upload the new granite counter for the kicthen trying one more time,,,,,,,got it!!!!!!!

i am trying to decide whether to get scal on my computer and do some fun stuff with the cricut machine; perhaps make some holiday cards.....would be great to get started on those......\

i will try to post a photo of the small child that was here for her birthday a couple of weeks again........i still miss my little baby gilr!!!!!!!!

this is something like our new family room looks like...........going for very contemporaty........no clutter or anything.......will post some good photos when i have them

well......just remember that i still LOVE MY LIFE!!!!!!!

walking toots thru blogger

2009-07-07T20:12:00.000-05:00

i am coaching tootsie to blog via phone..........hope this works

holiday happenings at our home!!!

2009-06-29T23:03:00.000-05:00

it's holiday time at our home..........rex and i took 1 whole week off together.....the first one in over 16 months..........we have painted......cleaned.......done laundry..........and now the new furniture is being delivered tomorrow................i will have photos...........tomorrow is day 4........running to the groomers for the puppies,,,,,lowes for new switchplate covers,........jacpenney for some window treatments..............RSI for a new countertop...............old recycled glass with concrete........then find some paint to spruce up the appliances.........it's gonna look wonderful!!!!!!

feeling sleepy..........better run!

i love my crazy sleepy life!

oh lord.......i found another monkey that will have to come off my back!!!!!

2009-06-04T21:44:00.000-05:00

i spent the evening at schaefers hobby store.....and made a FABULOUS STERLING SILVER BRACELET!!!!!!!! IT'S SOOOO DAMN BEAUTIFUL...........

I HAD THE BEST TIME WITH THIS.....CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT AGAIN.........I TWISTED WIRE ((((THE TWISTED SISTER!!!))))) HOPE YOU LIKE THE WAY THEY LOOK........I JUST MAY PUT ONE OF THESE UP ON ETSY!!!

HOPE TO SEE SOME OF YOU FUN LADIES SOON,,..................I LOVE MY LIFE!!!!

bad, bad, bad!!!

2009-05-30T21:45:00.000-05:00

don't even know where to start......it's been sooooo long since i posted! played with facebook.....got some trouble with that......so just figured i better stay off the computer!

i also realized that we really don't have First Amendment rights any longer.......someone is always looking over your shoulder and critiquing all that is said! crap.......i hate that i can't be perfectly honest! a friend gave me a clipboard that says "it's not gossip if you know it's true!".....and i will always lay all my stuff bare! it's soooo much easier.......and then someone can decide if they want to be friends or not!

been working on some fun stuff for ClearScraps.......they have an event coming up in st. louis is august and needed some classes designed, instructions written, photographs and help with teaching these........so that's what i have been working on! can't post any photos......well, maybe i can show just a teeny teaser of something,,,,,hope you think it looks fun!!

let's see.......perhaps i can update some things........last friday mr. butt and i celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary.........i was just a teenager when we got married........my daddy wasn't too fond of

him, and asked me if i needed to change my mind while walking down the aisle! NOPE.........love this man..........can't imagine my like without him!!! we had dinner at a new place called Bravo......delish food.....fav desserts....creme bru'lee.., mocha gelato......hope to hit that place again!

the pool is open and just waiting for someone to jump im.........if only there wasn't soo much other stuff to do.......cleaning,,......laundry......working on design team

stuff........love it all.....just need more time!

perhaps i can find one more little teensy tease......

well..........happy saturday night and sunday morning.......please pray that the woodpecker is quiet tomorrow morning....(he's having issues distinguishing between wood and metal guttering!! oh what noise!

i LOVE my crazy life!!!

trunk show and miss JOEY!!!

2009-04-23T22:23:00.001-05:00

here it is 10:23pm and i'm wiped out...toots is touching my leg with her foot......creepy!!!!! she has to decide how much toprol (medication to control her hypertension)..to take tonight......she's old and forgetful.... gotta love old people.......she just took a whole one..........damn if she keels over tonight, it's gonna make this weekend SUCK!~!!!!!!!!!! i love tootsie!!!!!! (no photos of her yet!!!!!!! emphasis on YET!!!!!)

met up with miss JOEY OTLO.............LOVE her......and her friend terry from illinois!!!!!! here is a photo from tonight.......and all her wonderful works of art behind us.............can't wait to play with her in class............this weekend is gonna ROCK!!!!!!!! also got to squeeze kathleen, melissa, kathy w, jenn, bunnie, jeanne k, cathy and nan!!!!!

picked up a little something for michele for her birthday.......i don't think she really checks out the blog...........hope not.........course i'm NOT spilling my guts to let her know what i got!!!!!!

well.........time for bed.......will try to post more in the am!!!!!!!

i LOVE my life.................and SWEAR to the lord that i will NEVER where pink taco pants in public again!!!!!!!!!!! (thanks to my friend, miss otlo!!!!!)

kathy & jose'

sun..........glorious SUN!!

2009-04-21T11:02:00.001-05:00

the rain has stopped and the sun is shining...........what a glorious day!!!!!!!! it's soooo

wonderful to see all the tender vegetation becoming green and flowers starting to sprout! i especially love to see the pink and white dogwoods along the highway each day as i go to work.......also a few deer nibbling on the fresh grass in the morning......just pray they don't stray onto the pavement.

the puppies went to the groomers and rex snapped a few photos of them.......what handsome boys they are.........

well...........off to the plant...........then off to scrap st. louis for the weekend......ohhhh the joys of playing with girlfriends!!!

i love my life!

wonderful day!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-07T15:27:00.000-05:00

wow..........what a fabulous day this has been.......have been soooo very productive.....cleaned up some of the mess that is actually our family room and breakfast room.......still needs some work......however we are still painting and redecorating........so it's a slow progress!!!

i changed my blog...........can't believe i was able to figure it out......however it was fun and will try to change things up frequently!!!!!!!!!! also made some thank you cards for friends today....will get those in the mail tomorrow!!!!!!!!

also did laundry.....NO naps.....and it's 330pm.............course i could nap now before mr. butt comes home.............will have to decide on that one!!!!!

well..........want to play with some clearScraps.....and some new paper!!!!!!!! have a wonderful day.............anyone want to come over and play????????

i love my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ckc, friends and a little contest!!!!!!

2009-04-05T20:40:00.000-05:00

hello all......what a busy week & weekend........worked long hours this week (only to get them cut drastically this week!) got lost going over to collinsville to drop some things off to jackie and janet of ClearScraps......then got closed off in the parking lot in the rain......some ya-HOO decided to park his large ass pickup truck in the main entrance.....and he took his sweet TIME to come on down and move that bad boy...........lazy ass! anyway, got home.....got little sleep and went back on over the collinsville on saturday!!!!!! what fun that was........shopped (and spent a little too much.....now i want to play and have to get my home back in some order......having a garage sale in two weeks......hope to sell the living room furniture and order the pottery barn couch!!!!) then we went over to zapata's for a little cocktail and snacks............what fun!!!!!! i'll post a few photos.......

*******there is a contest going on over at the clearscraps blog.........post a little spring design using some acrylic to win some fun stuff.......come on.....you know using acrylic is easy.....and fun!!!!!!!!!!!!! here is a link for the blog.... http://clearscraps.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/04/spring-contest.html

okay everyone.....come on and play with us!!!!!!! CLEARSCRAPS ACRYLIC ROCKS.......IT'S SOOOOO EASY TO USE.....AND FUN!!!!!!!!!

tagged by becca.......okay, i'll play along!!

2009-03-25T11:24:00.001-05:00

okay......i have never played the tag game.........haven't ever figured out how to link blog addys here.............and still not sure.......however i'll play along!

this is a self-portrait tag.....and i'm tagging barb....the queen of everything!! becky.....the best special ed teacher around, and monica because i love her smile!!

here's the rules......

* take a photo of yourself....NO primping or preparing.....just snap a photo NOW!

* load onto your blog....(yep...mine will appear!)

* tag 3 people to play.....can't wait to see what great photos you girls take!!

my photo is a little rough around the edges.....just crawled outta bed.....yep....slept in til 915 this am..........what a glorious thing sleep is! so put on a jacket since the house is chilly and put on a ball cap to contain the wild hair! oh well......it's in the name of fun!

i love my crazy life!!

Clear Scraps and Chicago!

2009-03-24T14:49:00.000-05:00

had a wonderful time while in chicago......it's was awfully chilly (shelley didn't seem to think so!) however after being used to our warmer weather chi-town seemed like the dead of winter! i shivered and did my best to stay warm.....keeping in the sunshine helped!

kathleen was just radiant! she seemed genuinely surprised by the shower! it was delightful for me to see so many ladies from the chicago area! nan gudenhauf hosted the shower/crop, cathy doyle, jeanne k, kandi, sue, teribeth, melanie, kath w, melissa, shelley were all in attendance! (hope i didn't forget anyone!) the gifts kathleen received were wonderful.......a handmade afghan from jeanne, a baby wipe warmer (adults could use this item!) a germ guard type item for shopping carts!, clothing, books and other baby stuff! what a great time!

shelley and kathleen took me to dinner and shopping at windy city! the food was delish and the shopping was wonderful! i scored some of the new heidi swapp stuff.....loving it! and can't wait to play with it!

i played with some clear scraps while at the crop/shower and completed this little mini with the leftovers from the above album.....the pp is from MyMind'sEye and is the "justDreamy 2" line .....janet and jackie hooked me up with this while i was visiting them last weekend in quincy! (i sound like a world traveler!!)

i will try to post more photos.....seem to be getting better at this.........course now that i have tooted my own horn something will happen!

thank you to shelley for having me as your guest at your home...my hugs to max and harley!......also to nan for having me at your lovely home and all the wonderful girls for their laughter, smiles and fun!

here are some additional photos!

leaving on a jet plane

2009-03-20T16:02:00.001-05:00

Going up to chi-town to see the girls. Shelley has been after me for so long that I finally caved having dinner with Shelley kathleen Melissa not sure who else

Hope to finish a dt project. Wish me luck

I love my crazy life

missing my big brother....and KARMA

2009-03-05T18:10:00.000-06:00

well......having some issues with the little red miata..............the engine light came on after rex drove it to work to have the hail damage fixed.....so i called him and asked if we needed to get this checked.......he made an appointment for me at 245pm .....(note....this happened yesterday!)
so after a long day at the plant i scooted off to the dealership.......cruised down clarkson road......turned onto manchester and turned into bommarito's parking lot.........just about the time i was turning i started to think about TOMMY......my brother who died just 3 short years ago on feb 18.......he used to to work at bommarito with rex and was a great friend to rex......and HE was my big brother.........anyway......i thought about tommy and knew that i missed him and wondered if he was okay.....safe and not hurting anymore........when i pulled up to the port to call rex to have him come out and meet me......i looked into the bay (port) and the car that was hoisted into the air and in view of the windows had a license plate that read "MONTY-6"....now....for those of you who don't know my brothers' last name is montgomery....and he used to go by monty instead of tommy...........so i KNOW that my big brother is okay.....safe ....no longer struggling to breathe..... LIFE IS GOOD!!!

i LOVE my crazy life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mighty angry bug!!!!!!

2009-02-24T20:48:00.001-06:00

damn skippy......this wicked angry virus bug really is ticked off at me.......sneezing, coughing......fever, sniffling and feeling like crapola...........anyone want to come over and be my nurse?????? i only whine for short periods of time........you can pilfer through my scrap crap and take some stuff home with you..........what.............no takers???????? chickens...........it's not like i asked you to bathe me or feed me..........just sit with me........make sure i'm still breathing........have a sip of h20 every now and then...............

well.......guess i know who's not getting this little piece of o'fallon!!!!!!

planning on going to chicago in april.............mr butt has some business up there.......will arrive on wednesday and i will fly up on thursday pm.............WHO WANTS TO PLAY AND SHOP WITH ME ON FRIDAY APRIL 10????????? I WANT TO SHOP EVERY SQUARE INCH OF IKEA....... and if any time remains....I WILL BE UP FOR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING!!!!!!!

come on.........someone has to want to play that day..........kathy,,,......cricket........shelley...........kathleen.............anyone............bueller???????

well...........guess i could just try it myself.........would be very sad............

think about it..........perhaps i could bring bribes for those that want to play!!!!!!!

going down fast now..........the angry bugs don't allow me to remain upright for long periods at a time...........then i crash and sleep for hours.......only to arouse and not be able to return to sleep for a while...............talk to me........any time.......day or night........just never know when you may get a response!

my goal for this month/march is to complete my digital classes and will be able to make some decisions on my own...........and perhaps use some of them on my projects with my design teams!

well......still love my life.......just don't like viral bugs..........they should be wiped from the face of the earth.......

Virus bugs are icky

2009-02-23T12:30:00.001-06:00

Had a great time in Quincy. The class was greAt. Met julie from the design team and chatted for just a minute or two
planning on going back on march 7. Anyone want to come along. Let me know !!!!

Have a awful cold or virus , feel icky fever chills achey all over and still have to be at the plant. Sometimes life sucks

I still love my life

Sent via iPhone

alone.....and lonely

2009-02-19T19:37:00.000-06:00

mr butt left town for the greater midwest.......i'm lonely!!!!! we just ichatted....which was fun.....however i miss him.......hearing his soft breathing.......having a warm hand on my arm.....the puppies miss him too........he will be home tomorrow night.....which isn't soon enough for me!!

it's toots' birthday today!!!!! called her multiple times and sang to her.........hope she has no permanent hearing loss from that!! she is joining me to go to quincy this saturday to scrappin' it......teaching classes, shopping and having some girl fun! can't wait!!

tired, sleepy and lonely.............going to bed now... also remembering tommy tonight.....yesterday was 3 yrs since he died.......i know he is at peace.....no longer suffering.......however i still miss my big brother very much................turning his high school ring around and smacking his little sisters with it...........i miss him much!

i still love my life!

insomnia....in St. Louis

2009-02-14T08:18:00.000-06:00

well......had fun at the "book" thing last night......monica, julia and i rocked at the trivia contest!!!!!! damn skippy!!!!!! we split the grand prize.....i scored some fancy pants felt die cuts and some rub-ons letters........monica took the ki album kit, punch and some other stuff....julia took another album, punch and some other scrap crap!!!!!!

tried to sleep......tossed and turned.....feels like i only slept a few minutes........at one point, rex rolled over and put his leg onto me.......OUCH>>>>>>> i woke him up and told him that he had some kind on scab or something on his leg that stuck me@@!!!!!!! NOTHING WORSE THAN HAVING A HORNED BEAST WAKE YOU FROM A FITFUL SLEEP....... fast forward 4 hours and little sleep later...................rex rolls outta bed to get the puppies out for their am potty......since i was awake i said something to him like "lets check out that injury on your leg!!!".....his response......i DON'T have any injury.......!!!!!!!! well....nothing on his knee anyway!!!! i was determined to find that "thing" that stuck me...... just below his knee was this small protruding barb!!!!! well.......a scab anyway!!!!!! he looked and said...."guess i got a scrape at work!"....... fast forward another 10 minutes.......he comes back upstairs....(with puppies pulling up the rear)....and announces "i think i have something in my leg!!"... so off to the tool section of the bathroom and out comes the pick-ups (medical lingo for tweezers!) and a few seconds later out comes a shard of metal almost 1/2" long! damn skippy.......i couldn't believe it........neither could he!!!! he didn't feel it go in.........the area around it was reddened so obviously it had been there for some time (not just a few hours) however........now the offensive item was gone.....i was awake.......so on with the day!!! have a headache from little sleep....

also.......got a little valentine's surprise..............rex ordered a wide format printer for me (((((i am paying for it with my bonus check) and it arrived yesterday!!!!! can't wait to break that bad boy out and give it a spin!!!

well....guess i better move it along.......there is cardboard to rip into......breakfast to eat......stuff to be done!!!!!

i love my life!!!!! (horned beast and all!!!)

Another day. Another 1.50. Before taxes

2009-02-12T13:20:00.001-06:00

Just read the post from ScrappinIt. And they have posted about the class I'm teaching on feb21. Sat. If anyone is interested in a roadtrip. Call me.

Back to the plant

I'm here. Listening to a doctor curse like a truck driver

2009-02-11T10:48:00.001-06:00

Been gone too long. Working overtime and not getting much else done. This time of year just seems icky. Cloudy and windy. And a chance of tornados.

Hoping to find the mojo to get some clear scraps stuff done this weekend wish me luck!......

Sent out the blog prizes yesterday. Sher,Kath & Melissa...keep your eyes open!!!!

Okay. Back to the plant

2009-02-07T21:03:00.000-06:00

tried to make another post.........miss lucy is running amok in our bedroom and trying to keep us intertained!

had a fun time last light.......i actually got a few things done last night!!! feel good about that!

hope to see you girls soon!

happy days!@@

First post via iPhone

2009-01-26T08:43:00.001-06:00

Well. .......going to try this .....if it works will add photos.

Let me know if it works!!!!!

Kathy &jose aka Sparky

and the WINNERS are............

2009-01-20T20:30:00.001-06:00

okay.....after spending the weekend with the ClearScraps girls and wearing myself out........i had mr. butt choose the winners...........i put all the names in a bag and he pulled out 3......yeppers THREE!!!

so without further ado..........the winners are.......

Kathy W.......winner of Caroline's Caffe Clear-N-Chip

Miss Quido.....winner of the Skyline Acrylic Album

Sher ......winner of the Mini Arrow Album

please email me your addresses and as soon as CHA is over and these are shipped to me.....i will send them to you........with some additional goodies!!!!!!

thanks to everyone for playing!!!!!!! i think i will definitely DO this again!!!!!!!

day after...........feeling worn out and old~!

2009-01-19T20:16:00.000-06:00

i think i will need to STOP these little weekend events........staying up past midnight......drinking......laughing..........wetting my pants............and getting LITTLE done are taking their toll on me..........i have done NOTHING today except sit on the couch with 2 little puppies.....snuggle and nap with them!!!!!!!

crapola......it's 8:18 and i'm in bed ready to sleep........course i DO have to be up at 415am to shower and get to the plant to save lives!!!!!!! directly followed by a mac class.........then i'm sure i'll come home and crash!

i'm spending next saturday at FKS for a 12 hour crop and just designed my page swap............8.5x11 is an odd size for me..........however i'll make it happen! parakeet, wild pansy and some creative cafe felt paper is just up my alley...........along with some crap from the cricut .............hope it turns out cute!

well.......tomorrow night i will draw 3 names for the winners of the blog contest........keep your eyes and ears peeled!!!!!!

night night!!!!!!!!!!! sparky!!!

weekend with ClearScraps......and drawing!!

2009-01-18T20:55:00.000-06:00

hello everyone!!!!!! thanks to all for the comments.......you will ABSOLUTELY love clearScraps.......i had the opportunity to teach a class for them this weekend.....and had such fun!!!!!

didn't take ONE photo....too bad for me!!!!!!!

i will draw tomorrow for the Blog Winner.......guess i will make that winners....(just need to verify with J&J to numbers!!) and then the goodies will go out!......now ...just an FYI.......these new ClearScraps are all being released at Winter CHA, so it may be a couple of weeks before they are shipped!!!!! i will make sure that J&J let me know when these are shipped.....and i will send out additional goodies to go with them!!!

thanks again, everyone!

kathy AKA sparky!!!!!!

actual link!!!!!!!

2009-01-13T20:41:00.000-06:00

wow.......i can't think of anything more difficult than this.......anyway.....here it is!!!!!

http://clearalbums.com

just scroll down and check out the fun!!!

ClearScraps and a GIVE AWAY!!!!!

2009-01-13T20:14:00.000-06:00

HELLO, everyone!!!!! wow...life certainly is busy...... i finally finished my CHA items for Clear Scraps.....wish i would have had more time to spend playing with all their new items......if only i didn't have a mortgage.....if only i didn't have a credit card with wedding expenses......IF ONLY!!!!

oh well.....life goes on and i continue to work, play with paper, glue and ClearScraps!!!

check out the link attached...(hope it works!) you can check out some of the new items ClearScraps is debuting at CHA and some of the work done by the design team! One is even designed for a upcoming class!

okay....i haven't ever done this before.....however i'm going to have a giveaway!!!!! just post a comment about all the new ClearScraps on my blog and i will give away one of the new items......i will even add some extras from my own personal and EXPANSIVE stash!!!

hope that all sounds enticing!!!! good luck!

CHA...clear scraps will be the MEGA WINNER!!!

2009-01-07T20:03:00.000-06:00

the owners of CLEAR SCRAPS have done it again.....they have designed some of the most delightful albums and mini's ever!!!!!!!!!! i have had the privilege to play with some of them....(wishing now i didn't have a mortgage and could do this full time......
so with no further ado........here is the latest!!!!!!!!!!

hope everyone is enjoying their NEW YEAR!!!

i love MY life!!!

happy next year...........with BAD NEWS!!!

2009-01-01T08:33:00.000-06:00

crap...........our wonderful GEEK neighbor (he's a computer GENIUS!!!) came over last night to check out this flipping computer..............and I downloaded a VIRUS!!!!!!!!!!!! disguised as a virus protection that had expired!!!!!!!!! when it asked for $65 for the download i stopped..........and now it's totally screwed up my pc!!!!!!!!!! kevin said he is going to try to find an answer..........and if there is no fix.......well..........it will be time to dismantle this baby and start over!!!!!! last night i spent over 4 hours trying to back up all my documents......photos didn't go so well.......going to burn those to cd/dvd's today..........HAPPY NEXT YEAR to me!!! at least i haven't lost everything so far! (note to everyone.....BACK UP YOUR STUFF!!!!! external hard-drives are NOT that expensive!!!)

on a lighter note.............i love my life!!!!!!!! things feel so much better here......laughter....chasing each other around the house...........talk of painting the inside (i know....AGAIN!).....and granite countertops!!!!!!! also.....worked out a new budget .....i'm now the CFO again........my goal is to pay off the credit card in 1 year!!!!!!!! with erin's wedding, we got way over!!!!!! i think we are even past the national average!!!!!! wish us luck!!!!!! i may be working a lot of night shifts to help with this one............however after that is paid i may be able to cut back on days i work at the surgery center!

wishing everyone health, happiness and joy! i love my life!!!

some more!

2008-12-29T18:28:00.000-06:00

5 more!!

2008-12-29T18:24:00.000-06:00

yep, more photos!~

2008-12-29T18:19:00.000-06:00

more photos!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-29T18:12:00.000-06:00

yeppers........more photos of the holidays!!!!!!!

merry christmas and happy next year!

2008-12-29T15:16:00.001-06:00

can you believe it.....i'm posting on my blog!!!! november turned out to be a very difficult time for me.....and december just flew by!

i have finished all my gifts.....yep....just finished the last of them today......and it's a few days after the BIG day!!!! would love to post a photo.....however i still have to deliver some 10 of these....and don't want to give it away! hope everyone enjoys their goodies!

christmas eve was fun....rex and i hit the mall early......just to pick up a few bargains......and watch the crazed men that waited until the last day! some of them are down right pitiful!!! i think i saw one buying a CHIA pet!!!! damn.....i would throw that at mr butt if he gifted me with that!!! we made cookies......wrapped gifts.......napped.......and had a quiet evening! nothing at all like the ones when we first got married.....or when erin was young. we would always spend the evening at my parents with all the other siblings, their spouses and children! at one point we had upwards of 25 people in their home! food.....voices rising to be heard.....mom getting ticked off because someone is late......her standing at the door, handing out paper plates as the late ones arrived! some wild and wacky memories......just wish i had more photos of those times!

christmas morning was fun.......i had asked santa for 2 things....an iphone and a flip video! well....santa became a little befuddled with the iphone and setting up a new service.......so after a couple of hours of cajoling (that morning!) he finally printed off a photo of an iphone and gave that to me stating i could pick one out the next day...(actually saturday since he had to work at his real job.....then play at the barn that evening!) so......a new iphone lives at my home! and my flip video is sooooo damn much fun! course the only videos i have been able to get are of the puppies.....miss lucy loves to entertain for us! erin just won't participate any longer.....rex did get a little snippet of erin, mike (the son-in-law) and me playing smarty pants on mike's wii!!! that was so damn much fun.....course my shoulder hurt afterwards from pulling too hard at tug-o-war!!! i also got some wonderful perfume....trish mcelvoy #9.....smells divine!

the extra bargains that we purchased on christmas eve turned out to be the same thing for each other!!! i purchased a pair of ugg slippers for rex and he bought me some ugg slides! they are soooooo damn warm and comfy!! too bad those weren't on sale!

i also found a fun little pink tree.....wanted to add it to the tree forest.....however mr. butt wasn't too cooperative in that arena.....so the little pink tree sat alone.......until i added the children's' gifts under it......then it looked beautiful.!!!

i almost forgot about the excitement.....the small oven fire!!!! erin loves sweet potatoes smothered with melted marshmallows.......needless to say her dad (and I ) try to accommodate her.....sooooooo slide in the dish with the added mallows.....and wait for the chaos to ensue! it only took a couple of minutes to notice that they had spilled over onto the bottom of the oven.....then the BLACK smoke started to billow out.....i grabbed the fire extinguisher while rex started pulling out burning marshmallows.......what a disaster!!! the fire alarms started going off......mike tried to disconnect one.......then discovered they are electric.....so fanning with new jeans (first item to grab) began vigorously!...soon the smoke had dissipated and dinner began! oh what fun it is to .........cook......burn.......ride!!!!!

comet or lucy is scratching at the door.......she is just like a 3 yr old.......in & out....in & out.....IN & OUT........and she whines........it's the highest pitch whine EVER!!!!!

enjoy some photos from the holiday......and Happy NEXT Year!!!

i DO love my life!!!

sadness

2008-11-05T15:29:00.000-06:00

wow.....driving home from work today the sadness was overwhelming..........also i feel soooo damn naive...........i really thought yesterday was all about qualification, morals, values, ability.........NOT RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! however i found out i was wrong!!!!!! and i'm sad........
i am NOT a racist............and i voted for the man i think can do the best job to bring this country back to greatness.........however when i hear people talking about "the first african-american" it makes me sad........can't this just be about his abilities......not the color of his skin.......... i'm just sad.........

enough said.

Clear Scraps Acrylic ROCKS!!!

2008-10-31T21:34:00.000-05:00

hello there, blogland!!!! trying to keep up with my blog.......some days it just seems like there are only 2 hours in the day......while others seem to have a total of 24 hours! work is never the same start time each day.......and i never work the same amount of time......so i just can't get into a routine schedule...........oh well..........not going to bitch about it.........i still DON'T have to work weekends, holidays or take call like i used to!

okay......i finished my album earlier this week......did a fun little layout last night........and then made a cute little christmas card while playing with the the trick or treaters and giving out candy!

the christmas card was made using the plain 12x12 clear scraps acrylic......i cut it to 4"x5" to fit a standard card! using the new cuttlebug embossing folder "Lace Tree", i inked the "debossed" side of the folder with Black Cherry Staz On ink.....then carefully placed the acrylic onto the surface and ran it SLOWLY through my Sizzix Big Kick! i then opened the folder and gingerly removed the ClearScraps Acrylic (to prevent any smearing of the ink!)

Using the new Helmar Gemstone Glue sent to me from Tracy W. from our design team (thanks Tracy............check out her blog and the Helmar Design Team opportunity!) i attached pointsetta colored gems from The Robin's Nest to the front side sparingly. Next i cut Bazzill Diamond Bling Cardstock ( i had NO white American Craft Cardstock...:( to size and attached the ClearScraps Acrylic with brads. using a craft knife i made small slits at the bottom where the tree trunk would be and threaded a red ribbon through and tied a small bow......trying to emulate jackie, i impaled myself with said craft knife......howled for attention and since mr. butt was busy with the children needing candy i got NO attention........so i just went on about my business!!!.. Now...i couldn't find any red brads......what with answering the door to hand out candy to those little greedy children.........just kidding!!!......and running downstairs into the old studio looking for some red ones.........i just used gold ones that i covered with VersaMark from Tsukineko and then added Whispers Crimson Red Embossing Powder and heated until nice and glossy! i punched holes into each corner with my crop-a-dile and inserted the brads to anchor it down!!!

once this was done i attached this piece to red cardstock cut the size of a standard card! i think this design may be the one i use for all my christmas cards!

okay...........the lights are out and there is a substantial amount of candy left!!!!!! thank heaven most of it is chocolate.....so i won't be eating that! i stopped on my way home from work and bought a really fun coat for winter.......(it's really cute since i removed the faux fur collar!).....i also tried on a couple of holiday dresses............which fit soooo poorly!!!!!!!!! i really have to drop a couple of lbs...............and i just don't want to give up all the CRAP that i eat.......or work out on a regular basis...............course that is the only way it's gonna happen! wish me luck!!!!!!!!

okay......i love my life.........and i still have to pack up some stuff to take and work on while at a crop with toots and the girls!!!!!!!! my toes and ankles are swollen again.......so i called toots and i'm going to bed now.....and will pack my bag in the am............she's soooo agreeable and is willing to wait for me!!!

I Love My life!

our new haven charity event

october......way too cold for me!

etA fishy photos

fish, falls and fun!

thursday night....quiet night

don't ruin your sign!!!

here's your sign!

eek.......i'm going to try again

where was june????

tornadoes in missouri!

additional photos (blogger will only allow so many!)

update on home remodel!!!

happy meals and hail!

playing again!

a new day!

where has the time gone

try again

pinterest

spring.......RIGHT!!!!

home and garden show...what fun!!

cast is off......decorated before!!

WINNER.......WINNER...........FOR THE BLOG HOP!~

Blog HOP.......have fun with this!!!!

blog hop.....going to give it a try

brand new year.......

dust and new tile!

wowsers......lookie what i won!

biRthday giveaway....

more bathroom demo

hello again.......

wonderful......wonderful weekend!

friDAY THE thirTeenth!

new design team for me!

Helmar Adhesive Guest Designer***

Guest Designer for HelmarAdhesives for July 2010

vacation fun!!!!!!

ClearScraps Guest Designer

hello new week!!!!!

lost saturday

holy crap......still sick.......

summer colds SUCK

wedding and anniversary!!!!!!

design posted at ClearScraps blog!

Guest Designer for ClearScraps for May & June 2010

Guest Designer for HelmarAdhesives for July 2010

weekend fun and a glorious day off!

worry.....just plain ol' worry

home sweet home~~~

off to the Windy City.......and to Windy city

Helmar Adhesive DT tryout info emailed!

dreaming about paper & glue.....Helmar, to be exact!

dreaming about paper and glue

design team tryout! with Helmar Adhesives!

cough due to cold

it's my party and i'll cry if i want to!!!!

sick bugs living here in mo'fallon!

poor little jose'

lazy day

tats and friends..........

new adventure!!!!!!!

more renovations!!!

going to work on this

busy hectic life

the new year, decade.....time to change

he's doing his part........keeping it GREEN!!!

wow.............where does the time go????

what can i say.......SLACK QUEEN OF ALL!!!!

walking toots thru blogger

holiday happenings at our home!!!

oh lord.......i found another monkey that will have to come off my back!!!!!

bad, bad, bad!!!

trunk show and miss JOEY!!!

sun..........glorious SUN!!

wonderful day!!!!!!!!!

ckc, friends and a little contest!!!!!!

tagged by becca.......okay, i'll play along!!

Clear Scraps and Chicago!

leaving on a jet plane

missing my big brother....and KARMA