ce update.........and odd stuff!

hello to all..........life is just as busy as always.......and i just love it! i would love to have some time to catch up on everything.......however i really do love my life!!!

ce was wonderful!!!!!!!!! the classes were outstanding.....they were absolutely better than the first two years....can you imagine that??? however the atmosphere while there was definitely different.....and not for the better! really kind of sad, too! i missed all the girls that have been there in the past........even the yahoo party lacked some of the flavor of years past!

catherine and i took laurie montague to CE......at least in spirit....and she had a grand time.....she was seen getting a little kiss from doug jones.....her paper boy.....and another man from "across the pond" was also seen giving laurie a little peck on the cheek...........how the heck did she get some kisses.....when the rest of us hardly saw a man around???? well...............................................i did get to see some of the friends i've made over years ....my very special secret sister, lyn meeker!! she was there with bree ross......love those women!!! just beautiful...inside and out!

also got to see miss joey otlo......and she is just the most bubbly person evah!!!!!!! and she shared the shirt off her back with me!!! just love that! (will have that puppy on this weekend!)

and carol from bazzill......gotta love her, too.....she also shared the shirt (inside scoop!!)

shared a room with catherine f-e....what fun! she decorated the room with streamers, fresh flowers and banners!!!!!!! she also had wine, chips and cheese.......our own party in the room! and laurie had a large fruit bouquet waiting for us..........it was delicious...gotta love watermelon and cantaloupe..........mmmmmm good! shared some of it with the girls at the yahoo party......way too much fruit for just two girls..........!!!!

let's see......heidi looks fabulous.....doug jones looks wonderful......especially in a pink boa and black/pink apron! frani, joey otlo, carol and all the wonderful folks from bazzill looked so great!

amy totty's new hair style is soooo damn cute.......and lara cousins hair is sooo damn long....i almost didn't recognize her!!!!!!!! now i want to let mine grow out.....and use the flat iron even more!

mary mitchell was there......and doing well.....until she received sad news from her son.......a family friend had been killed while overseas in the service. we tried to support her the best we could........she held up.....just really needed her family.....that was half way across the country!

amanda and ann looked great......love that girl.........she is just soooo beautiful......and tiny, too!!!

kyoko gave me one of her charms......looks like a little white hershey's kiss.....will always think of her when i look at it! jeanne kelly gave me two of her charms....love them! since i didn't know i was going to ce until the last minute i didn't join in any swaps........i did receive some pages......from mary mitchell....and a few from some other girls.....they will be a great start to a book for me! saw jeanne kelley, cathy, shannon, jill b from texas, karin from here in missouri, saw meredith (who lives less than 1 mile from me......and i've only seen her once while here at home!) i'm sure that there are many names that i have forgotten.......sorry....i'm old and tired!

i had most of my stuff shipped home....and it arrived yesterday.......can't wait to get into it and start to play!

i have been working on some stuff for a design team try-out......wish me luck...........and i still need to do a few more things for it.....and email those!

i will attach a few photos from ce...........

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

packed........and leaving at O-dark-thirty!!!

off to ce in the am.......way early am.........mr. butt and i will rise at 3:45am.......shower......shine up a bit.........then he's packing my sorry ass to the airport..........only to drive to work and sleep in the dustbuster on wheels for an hour or so.............he sees no reason to return home to snooze.....only to have to get up and drive to work!!!    go figure .......BOYS!!!!!!!

can't wait to get to arizona............yesterday the temp was 90 degrees.......today the high was 78 and rainy............hurricane or TS gustav has been soaking our lawns..........and making it miserable to drive..............also all the folks here for the  BMW PGA tour at bellerive country club!!!!!    these folks drive like they are out on the greens..........and can't make a quick move to save their lives..............and they are doing that on the interstate!!!!!!   

catherine gave me a call and said the weather is fab in az.........so looking forward to seeing some of the girls from ce............and playing with all the stuff.........paper, glue......and ink.........and seeing friends.......shopping..........just hanging out...........what fun!!!!!!!   of course i will miss rex soooo very much.........the pups.............stinky mcgee and the new boy!!!!!   and also her royal highness , princess lucy!!!!!     it's only for 4 days then back to the same ol' stuff...........however sometimes 4 days is all you need to regenerate.......renew ..........relax............and well........re-something!!!!!!!

love my life................will see everyone soon!!!!!

new layout for rock,paper,scissors

this is the layout class i taught at rock,paper,scissors.............just a little something to remind me of miss erin's wedding! love her pink shoes!!! enjoy!

poop.............i'm such a dork i can't even rotate the image!!!!!!!!!!!! help!!!!!!!!!!

still love my life!!

lovely wedding.....wonderful friends!!

the day was warm.....however inside was cool.......cool with the a/c......also the atmosphere....what a cool place The Glass Olive is.......they even have tufted seat cushions attached to the ceiling for a really cool effect!!!

the ceremony was perfect......the music was too.....the singer had a superb voice....unfortunately you couldn't hear her as well as i would have liked from all the talking.......however we were in a bar......and friends were all trying to catch up with each other!!

cathi made a grand entrance.....wearing a beautiful black sequined/beaded dress......and looked stunning! she saved one of her new pairs of glasses just for the occasion! ken looked sooo handsome in his suit....and silver tie...........i had to take a second look....since his brother looked sooo much like him only he had on a red tie!!!

all the girls from scrapbooking were there.........we even had a photo taken of all of us.......seemed like when cathi asked for all of us to gather that most of the women in the room got up and converged into the area...........not many were left in the seated sections!!! anyway the photo op was fun.........here are a couple of the best!!!

linda and jim stayed and we went out for supper at macaroni grill.......jimmie kept calling it yankee doodle macaroni.....damn country boy!!! then back to the house and they went back home..........erin and mike had stopped by earlier in the afternoon........wanted to swim and hang out for a little time.......plus mike had to pick up his bike from the cycle shop. they had to fix some spokes or something like that! then they left and off the kathy and ralphs'........they were hoping for dinner............yep.......young kids on a budget and hoping to have dinner with the parents at least once a week to help out with the finances!!!

well......rex is mowing the yard......the puppies are barking at the neighbors.....and here i sit on the computer...........what doesn't seem right about this???? yeppers.......the puppies barking!! no.....really i need to get moving and tidy up this studio........it's a disaster........so much stuff lying around..........ick........anyone wanna come over and help organize????

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

not dead.....am HAPPY, THOUGH!!!!!

man......what a debbie downer i am.........or was!!! i think that last post was when i was just beginning to change my medication.......and felt totally overwhelmed............and well.........let's face it...........i was having my very own PITY PARTY........and i sent out no invitations!!!!!! i feel much better now.......and will stop behaving in such an unbelievable manner!!!!!

sitting here waiting for toots and jim to arrive so we can scoot off to miss cathi's wedding!!!! we are going to the GLASS OLIVE...... a swanky little martini bar for her ceremony.....then a little reception to follow!!!! how fun to celebrate with someone that we all met through scrapbooking!!!

played with barb, becky and tina last night!!! didn't get much done......was trying to finish the gift for cathi and ken........looks like i will have to give it to them in a few weeks........after their honeymoon!

well..........looks like the friends are here.............I DO LOVE MY LIFE!!!!!!

so very sad!!!

wow..........i am sad! i tried to post a few days in a row on my blog.......and even posted photos of the wedding.......and no-one has looked! so very sad!

well........saw a shrink......yep.......that's what i said....(to no-one!)........and will try some new medications......he doesn't think i need shock therapy......and i wasn't committed yet......so i guess we'll see!

work is the same..........of course, i haven't had a moment of time to go and talk with the girls at Rock.Paper.Scissors.......and i need to do that! hopefully tomorrow will be a quiet day at the center......doubtful, however hopeful! if not......i'll call corey and denise and let them know the situation......

hope erin & mike are having fun on their honeymoon......lucy is having fun........she is keeping me on my toes........and knees.......she keeps having accidents......then i have to clean them up......not having fun with that! running outta cleaner!!! right now she is patrolling the studio........the boys are outside with rex......he's cleaning the pool........so us girls are inside staying cool! (we're delicate flowers......don't ya know!)

okay.........still kinda sad!

and i still love my life!! (told that to the shrink.......he didn't even bat an eye!!!)

beautiful bride....groom......day!!!!!

well......it's over!!!! they are in miami waiting for their flight to jamaica.....seven days of fun, sun and no worries!!!

lucy is here....running around like a chicken.......arguing with comet.....playing with apollo.....and stressing me!!!!!! (she decided a clothes pin was a new chew toy.......don't you just love splinters!!)

what a joyful experience.......kathy and ralph fluchel are the best.....the rehearsal dinner was fabulous, and they are great people! love all of their family.....they have welcomed erin and us with open arms. a true blessing!

aunt debbie was phenomenal...........what a great wedding planner she is!!!!! (and i don't think that is her official job!!!!!) if i ever have a function that needs expertise......i'm calling debbie!!!

i know i will forget names......so i will just say thank you to everyone that attended the wedding, reception.....sent gifts.....couldn't attend because of everyday life......but thought of erin, mike and their families on this special day!! we love each of you and can't imagine our lives without you!

i truly love my crazy life!!!!

stinky is getting hitched!!

it's 7am....stinky (erin) just came into our bed and chatted....(no....i did not talk to her about any stuff!!).....and off she went to play with the puppies!!!

last night at the rehearsal i started crying........wonder which aunt won that bet??.......we did two walk-throughs......and the second one was done to music.........when the music started for the girls to come down i lost it!!!   a really cool version of somewhere over the rainbow!............

well.......off to get busy.....must help with flowers......then shower.....and off to have my makeup done......wish us luck!

i love my crazy life!!!

really cool news........and i have a wedding coming UP!!!

i really shouldn't be online right now......i should be working on other things......cleaning this house.......doing the laundry.....preparing for the company that will be here on Friday for Erin's wedding..........however i have some really COOL news...............

        late this afternoon i was working on some stuff for erin's wedding when my cell phone rang........the number didn't come up as one i knew......and i answered anyway.......it was denise lombardozzi from rock,paper,scissors.....owned by corey dansocik (i hope i spelled that correctly!).........anyway.....the call was to ask if I would be interested in teaching classes there!!!!!  can you believe that??????    now i just want to shout to the world that i said YES!!!!!!    and i can't wait............

    i was at the store just a few weeks ago...........corey and denise were doing make-n-takes down in south st. louis while at ScrapStLouis........and some of my friends from out of town were there and wanted to go to the store.......so after dinner at magpie's......we shopped at rock.paper,scissors............    i just love that store.......so much goodness.........art, rubber, paper.ribbon..... &.......i love the music.......i think i have heard vivaldy while there..........it just makes me want to be a better person.....and also a better artist!  

well................guess i better get some sleep......still have to go to my regular job and save lives tomorrow!!!   then perhaps i will get to play with some artsy stuff!!!    wanting to play with gesso, paints, and some old stuff!!!

i love my crazy life!!!!

thinking of new adventures!!!

okay................anyone want to play in north carolina ..........say next year ...........the weekend of mother's day????

yep......since i am NOT going to creative escape..........nor is CHINA going to be in the cards......i have already decided that i'm going to go to the INSPIRED event in nc...........

so............who wants to be my roomie??????? anyone??????? anyone????? ferris bueller?????


i love my life!

i did it.............uploaded photos to my mac!!!

okay........still not blog savvy.....will try again and add some of the photos from se..........have to find some of the cruise photos.........wish me luck!!

it's all over

well.................another weekend over..................back home.............to reality!!!

what a great time i had seeing all the girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i know if i start to name them i will forget someone.....please forgive...................love you ALL!!!

okay..........tootsie is soooo damn much fun to play with............love her to pieces...........barb, nancy and becky are the most fabulous girls.......... can't wait to do it again!!!!!!!!!!!!...barb...the magnet is just awesome........nancy.....love the little notebook so much............becky....love the battery candles.....and all the little gifties you gave me.............love you all!!!

kath w, shelley, kathleen.............love chicago peeps..................just love them............and LOVED the garretts' treat.................another 17 hours on the treadmill!!!!!!!!!!!!! love it!!! loved to get those great hugs......and KISSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can't wait to come up and play with you...........SHELLEY....................start working on that timeline!!! kath..........magnets rock!!! love little jenn and Bunnie, too!!!

becca..........love that she co-hosted the secret sister swap with me..............and hooked me up with the BEST SISTER ever..........................MICHELLE ISAAC ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what a grand woman she is......................and she spoiled me beyond my wildest dreams.............i can't thank her enough...................however.............i will keep trying!!! love those babies......what a great gift they were given in you and scott..............also............pink & green little bags ROCK!!

michelle..........i can't wait until your new little baby arrives...............i think she will need another aunt............one that lives in st. louis and loves to touch little toes!!!!!!!!! your gifts to me were amazing.............i don't think i will go a day without the necklace you gave to me..............so exquisite................just have to make sure to keep it outta the water............(isn't that bad for pearls????)
all the girls in the swap were just the BEST......each of you were soooooo generous with your sisters............and made this swap one of the best for me!!........also, thanks for all the gifts!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love each one of them.................and appreciate all your thoughtfulness!!! ...( did receive some bath and body cherry blossom lotion and gels........and there wasn't a tag with them.................thank you to whoever gave this to me!!!........

mary mitchell................ BFF for life..............enjoy your summer................and CE!!!!!!! will miss you much!! you absolutely ROCK,..................will miss playing with you in AZ.

the NEW YORK sistahs....................and their close personal friends............. I LOVE each of you............my cowboy hat is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!! wore it home and didn't want to come outta it.....................however mr. butt was asleep................and it wouldn't have helped me score with him !!!!!!!!!!!!!! karen f.............love my hat sooooo damn much........... susan........just love that adorable bluebird.............i am going to tuck in a wonderful photo of you and i sharing a pickle!!! karen r...........the beautiful pearl K is going straight into the collection of K's.........just love it!!!!!! ( and have never seen one before!!)....next time i'm going to RIDE a bull..............and i PLAN to come to new york next spring for the grace crop..........anyone want to let me stay with them????

megan & mel...........you both are such great girls!!!!!! wish i lived closer to play with you all the time!!

shannon...love that you love disney........me too!!! ...., amanda...(love that your voice sounds like my baby girl on the phone......can;t wait to play with you again.........just chat and hang out.....) sher.....love you so!!!, sandy h....your art is soooo damn spectacular.........would love to come and play with you in texas!!! , gloria....what an amazing woman you are..........may i come live with you???, liz, carolyn......such wonderful spirit that lives in your soul......love you!!! the FAMOUSPERRY sisters.....Yo_YO>>>>>.love my beautiful yo-yo!!!, jennifer henson...you are just beautiful!!! , lisa and terry...........thank you for the great plaque............it will be proudly displayed in the studio.............will look at it each day and remember just how lucky i really am. deb h from kentucky............you are a doll...............thanks so much for the beautiful card....and fun flowers..............i'm sooo lucky!!! kyoko..........love you much!!! josiane....thanks for allowing me to sign all the cards!!

kimberly heard........my thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband...........i'm soooo sorry that your weekend was cut short with such tragic events...........i hope your next outing is fun and issue free!!! god WILL keep you both safe .....prayer is a GREAT thing!

cfe.............SISTER-WIFE......... i love my sparkling bling!!!!!!!!!!! *(had to remove it for driving home..............the glare off it from the sun was blinding!!!!!!!!......can't wait to put in a darling photo in the bling frame!!.....NO MORE racing with silly girls............just trip them to begin with and you will always WIN!!!!!!!!!!!! love you way more than pickle juice!!! any chance my room will be done before the summer is finished??

classes were great............heidi's rocked as usual.......love wilna, gretchen, vanessa, monique's, jenni's, angelia,..............would love to do them all again!!!!!!

a little chaos during SNL.............okay........ A LOT of chaos.............tooo bad the event had to end on such a sour note......................won't be coming back for some time............will see if time can help some of those issues!!!!!!!!!!!! lucy is such a delightful woman..............she made shopping soooo damn much fun!!!

how lucky all the GROUP C girls were to have such an energetic, exciting woman like BRITTANY.......................she had soooo damn much energy...............and kept a smile on the entire weekend.............even though she was just as tired as we were!!

i love my life..........i'm soooo blessed to have such wonderful people in my life................

will try to add photos soon................trying to locate my cable to the laptop..........(want to add the photos to my little MAC...............then play around with them in photoshop!!

back to reality

i just love my life......back from the cruise......still not ready to be back at work.....however some one has to do it......(pay for the mortgage that is!)

i will post some photos from the cruise....it was such fun.  and i even got to celebrate part of my birthday while in costa rica!  what a great and beautiful country that is!

and mr. butt surprised me with a fabulous birthday gift that i couldn't even have thought of asking for...........this fabulous macbook pro laptop that i'm using at this very moment!   i just love it........last night i had a little ichat with kristin bruno from staten island, new york.....and a few days before that i chatted with sher from new york............wow........what a great life......can you believe it's absolutely feasible to chat via laptops.....and see gf's that i haven't seen in 2 years.....

this weekend is the grace crop in new york.......i wish them all the best.....hope they make lots for their charity!!  Good luck, girls!!

also....i'm taking some classes this saturday.....hope to have some fun.....and make something fabulous!

the grand puppy miss lucy is doing wonderfully.  she has proven that she is very intelligent and willing to try just about anything.   erin and mike decided to keep her in the kitchen during the day.....and placed her crate in front of the doorway.....with some heavy books on top to prevent her from moving it......yet allowing charles manson some freedom........well......when erin arrives home at 4pm.....there sits miss lucy....on the couch pillows.....with a super big grin......saying "look mom.......look what i did!!"   she was soooo damn pleased with herself.......

well......hope life is treating everyone well............looking forward to warmer weather.....keep hearing the birds in the morning.......just love that part of spring!   also seeing some lilies coming up in the garden!

i love my life!!

crazy life............getting ready to CRUISE!!

okay.........i know.......BAD BLOGGER<>...............okay........get over it..........i'm doing mY best.....

everyone knows about flat stanley........right???????? well...........mr. butt and i thought it would be fun to take the green tree frogs to costa rica with us..........and photograph them at all the sights............since they did greet us with the itinerary for our fabulous holiday!!!!!!!

so.............since i just finished packing........this is where i found those little cuties!!!!!!!!!

and...............i have to introduce everyone to Miss Lucy............she is our new grand-puppy.......charles manson is having issues with her...............however i'm sure he will grow to love her as we do!!!!!!!!

okay............i'm outta here...........see ya all soon!!!!!!!!!!

i love my crazy life!

presentation!~!!!!!

wow.....that's about all i can say........WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

on tuesday of this week a large box was delivered to our door.......... upon cutting the tape and starting to open the top noises from the RAIN FOREST started coming from inside.......what was this???? tree frogs...............green or red tree frogs............the POISONOUS kind????? yep...............it was green tree frogs...............in a small little crate......surrounded by straw.......and on top of the little crate was our ITINERARY.......for the costa rican cruise................!!!!!!!

i can only say the presentation of this was SPECTACULAR!! can you imagine all the little sound devices they had to put into boxes......along with all the little crates with tree frogs.......to deliver to all the MASTER ELITE winners of this cruise???........someone deserves a raise..............such imagination to create something like this...............wish i would have thought of it!!!

well......another week at my new job and i still love it................have to stay away from any of the gossip.........will NOT be a part of any of it!! the boys are too funny........and dr. n nicknamed me SPARKY.............can you imagine???

what a great today was...............shared some time with girlfriends........love them.........and can't wait to see them...............tootsie told me that the new grandbaby will be here on march 3.......it's a monday.............fair of face................we found out that she was born on a tuesday...........full of grace......YEAH RIGHT................she's the queen of clutz................oooopppppsss.........was that my outside voice??? i just love babies.............can't wait to hold them.............ALL!!!!!!

still trying to finish my charms...........i'm putting one in the mail to megan for the grace crop........it will be postal by tomorrow............

better get moving..............need to go get onto the treadmill..............gotta lose 10lbs by march 8..........then keep it off till june..............don't want to be the chubby mother of the bride.........i have gained sooooo much since december............rex had to explain to me how depressed i was then...............damn......it's really hard to not realize how bad things really are until someone we love tells us! i am sooooo glad i have him and he supports me in all that i do............god smiled down on me the day he came into my life!!

gonna run............(okay..........walk fast!)

xoxo,

i love my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sorry about the sideway photos..........still kinda photo illiterate!

damn skippy......it's me AGAIN!!

yeppers......can you believe it.........i'm back again!!!

had the best weekend........got to sleep with toots.............well......in the same room!!! jumped on the bed........fell off the banister...........yep.......too much JOSE' for me......actually was patron......just damn good tequilla!!!!!!!

i finished my page swaps......just need to finish my charms now............i mailed off my secret sister gift and i'm feeling pretty good about things!!! my new job is still going great........ and i took myself a nap with the puppies..........how much better can it get!!!

here are some photos of the pages............and one of mr.butt and myself taken at the holidays!!!

i love my life!!!

hang on.........it's me again!!!

i'm just waiting for tootsie to arrive...........so thought i'd chat a bit!!! i'm off for the weekend with toots, michele and another girl..............we are going to a scrapbook weekend event...........will get to see miss monica and miss katie.........love those girls.............also will get to see some other friends..............love to see them...................

i hope to get some stuff done...............i have page swaps, charms and some other stuff to finish...........what fun it would be to actually accomplish something while there.........besides talking......eating........shopping............drinking.............and just generally screwing around!!!

the puppies have been a little clingy the last couple of days........not sure if it's due to the cold weather..........or the fact that i had a day off this week and hung out with them............now apollo just wants to sit on my lap................and for those who don't know mr. apollo..........he's about 28 lbs of lovable skin condition..................and it's not just putting a paw on you.............NO>>>>>>>>>>>.he has to be completely on your lap....getting you sooooo toasty that it's instant sleep................then there is comet...............my aloof puppy.........he'd rather hang out at the end of the couch............and lick my feet............he's about 12 lbs.........and is more like a cat than a dog............however.......i just love my little guys.............

well..........guess i better finish packing.............tootsie will be here any minute............well..........she's here right now!!!!!!!!

i love my crazy life!!!

time flys...........hi jennie!!!!

time sure does fly.............it seems like just last week i was worried about my first amendment rights and whether i would continue to blog..................looks like i'm gonna keep it up!!

well........thank goodness that i lost my job and found another............this new place is sooooo fabulous..........work is hard and fast..........no time for listening to people bitch and crab.....and sometimes they do...............and it's totally NON-TOXIC...........saw one of the old doctors i used to work with....he now works at this center...........his response was..."it's like old home week".......then he went to the boss and told her that they got the "cream of the crop from the old center!"..... how nice was that!

i have definitely decided not to go to Ce this year...........laurie is going to take my place........and it will be great for her...........she had been ill this past fall and winter......and had to cancel Scrap, ETC...........and hopefully she will be well for arizona............and enjoy her trip immensely!!! i will miss all the girls......however i will make a point to be there next year..........and have a great time!!

jennie........lookie.............i updated...................hope we get to hang out soon...............and i want to go to dinner with the other peas............

well........i'm getting ready to go to bed..............going to have off on friday.......and i'm going on a weekend retreat.......so i need to get some things done..........and i need to get some sleep............

i will try to post some photos................rex and i took some over the holidays.......just need to photoshop them.............and i am going to work on my page swaps.......and also my charms.............hopefully i'll have them done......and will post those too!!!

love to all.............remember.........i love my crazy life!!!!!!!

ooooohhhh.....got a goofy letter from vista prints.com.........and i got a free pen, calendar magnets, t-shirt and a bunch o'crap and had them all made to say "i put the lime in the coconut!"..........fun, huh???

k............i'm outta here!

First Amendment and Questions!!!

Wow......what a day!!!!!!! i started my new job today........what fun!!! i had a great time.....worked hard and can't wait to go back tomorrow!!! i really love what i do for a career......helping people.......easing their pain......and making life just a little easier for their families.......just love it!!! and what great co-workers.......

okay.......my question is pretty simple.....yet very complex........do i continue to blog.....and post comments to yahoo ........and maintain my First Amendment Rights........or do i just tuck my tail and run????

kind of a difficult decision i need to make...........seems that a comment i made on a yahoo group regarding MY interpretation of an event is coming back to hurt some people that i care about......and it really has NOTHING to do with them........... someone who didn't have enough nerve to address this issue with me......i just don't get it!

perhaps it's something i'm not supposed to understand..........i do believe that i have the right to speak my mind........and i believe others have that same right..............i just don't get this.............

perhaps i will sleep on it...................perhaps God will guide me...................i can only pray that this will somehow have a good ending.............


i do love my life............questions, speech and all!!! ohhhh....especially my new job!

OUTRAGED!

that's how i would describe how i feel about what happened today........some friends and i decided to spend the day shopping.........and when we arrived at RedLead Paperworks we were greeted with questions about why we were there and NOT at ForKeepsSakes Scrapbook store... we have been ignored in the past .....the two owners obviously don't know how to treat customers.........and we have wondered why we have returned to shop there.......well.......i watched as my purchases were rung up.......different prices for 2 of the same items......and when i was finished......i didn't hear Thank You.......what i heard was "see you next time".......WELL>>>>>>>>>there will be NO NEXT time....and i will tell all my friends how i was treated.....i have even brought out of state friends there.....and WILL NEVER again recommend that store.......i would even go so far as to say that i would tell them to stay far away......VERY FAR ..........now one of my friends wondered aloud.......would the Walmart Greeter ask why you were there instead of at Target?????

doesn't it make you wonder why some people work with the public????

time for new beginnings and a cruise!

well.............things at the plant just got totally out of hand.......and after a fun holiday party, i lost my job!! yep...............couldn't wait until after the holidays.......or after my surgery..........let's do it in the middle of the day............."Your services are no longer needed".......well.....f*** me! then i just had to shout......"merry f***ing christmas to one and all!".......i know.....not very adult like however i was just blown away by the unprofessionalism and ignorance of this employer. can't handle jefferson county hoosiers!!!

soooo.......here it is 5 days later....and i do believe i have another job.......this center is impeccable....and they are really quite busy.....which means less time for people to sit and think of things to start trouble about! keeping busy and focusing on the task at hand means doing your job......then going home............no time to "stir the pot" as the beast said she enjoyed doing!

well.............my thoughts will never be on the beasts again..............i do pray that peace will come into their lives..............and i also know that what goes around comes around........sooooo they will all get theirs.....in the end!!!

okay.............happy thoughts.............mr. butt won a cruise to Costa Rica!!!!!!!!! yep......you read that right...........we will fly into costa rica on march 8...........board a luxury yacht that will only have people from Isuzu....that also won the trip...........and we will cruise the pacific coast of costa rica for 6 days..............and fly into st. louis on my birthday March 15............. we had to fill out lots of papers.........passport info......clothing sizes.............even had to pick out costumes......for the pirate party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'm hoping for the wench costume.......it was the only one that was a size small.......all the others were size 12 or above.................i just may show up in my swimsuit...........one never knows!!!

gotta run..........rex just broke a jar of pickles.......specially bought for the wing-ding at the pottery barn..........guess there are no pickles for them!!!!!!!!!!! just rye bread and dip!!!

happy holidays to everyone..........love to all!!!!!!!!!

i DO love my life..........warts and all!!!!!!!!!!!!

ICE.........BURRRRRRRR..............

don't you just love the look of ice...............

it's the most beautiful thing......especially on this rose bush......(in my backyard garden!)......it has been soooo damn mild so far this year........and instead of soft fluffy snow......we get ICE!~ and they think there may be more.......over the next 2 days!!!!!

got to spend the afternoon with erin & mike........we did a little shopping......taste tested the cupcakes for the wedding....(they may go with a cupcake wedding cake vs the traditional kind!) sooooo tasty..........hoping for some plain ol' white ones.......the devilsfood was quite rich.....and since i'm not a great fan of chocolate........well....i just may have to have an extra cocktail, instead!!

we had hoped to go and pay off the wedding gown......and snap a photo or two......however they were closed.......sooooo off to the mall to do a little christmas shopping! got a few gifts.......still more to go!!!

hoping to make a card or two........or perhaps i will just go buy some.........time is running out.......and things have been quite stressful here........what with the happenings at the plant.........way too painful to relive........just suffice it to say that i pray for these people.......that they find peace and happiness in their lives........somewhere............

thanks to mary mitchell for the great BFF gifts............i was allowed to only open 1 of the 3.......it was this wonderful advent calendar that she had made...........sooooo damn talented!!!!!!.....i will try to post a photo........then there are still 2 other gifts.......looking rather lonely under the tree.......hope to add more!! and also thanks to mary for giving becca the head's up on my awful week........cause then miss b. called me......and it was wonderful hearing her voice. we talked for what seemed like forever......but alas.....it was only about 45 minutes..........she herself had had a very stressful week........becca lives just miles away from the omaha mall where that tragic event unfolded earlier this week..............pray for all those that have been affected.........and pray for all............this seems to be the time of year when we all need extra prayers......so many seem to behave sooo badly.........the spirit of christmas needs to just come and take residence in their souls...........this world would just be such a better place......

okay........wow.......can't believe i am getting sooo damn corny.......however i do believe in prayer......

mr. butt is scaring me..........he has been running from the basement.......to the second story of the house (multiple times.)..........and i can't quite figure out what he's up to..........course it is the time of year for secrets......and surprises..........so i'll just keep busy!

time to get ready for bed.........early day tomorrow........

i love my crazy.....BUSY......life!!!

whoa................where did november go??????

damn.......where did november go....................i just turned around and it's gone!!! (also.....this flipping blogger just ATE my last post.)......this may be why i don't update as often as i could! f**** thing!!!

okay.....what did i have to say........something about not having any gifts purchased....and having a party tomorrow.....will show up empty handed..........well.....will probably have a cocktail in my hand......just NO gift!! perhaps the gift fairie will come by!!!

had barb, nancy (barbies momma) and becky here to play on saturday! we had taken a class at the lss where i teach/design......then off to our photoshop elements class with the world's worst teacher...........yep......got my butt in trouble again.........thought my computer just defaulted to something............what the hell was i thinkiing..................yeah....right!!

also......this crazy lady ordered us to take all our photos in RAW......and i can't figure out how to change them to jpeg's for this blog.......(that might be why it ate my last post!).....soooo NO photo's of my gorgeous turkey...........or the little girl with her fiance'.

i did make a little charm tonight.....using the bandana technique that robin beam talks about......i think it turned out kinda cute......and will see about teaching it at the shop........if not......perhaps an impromtu class at my home......

well......gotta be at the plant at 530am......soooooo.........see ya!

ohhh....i sent out all the secret sister information.....as did miss becca.......sooooooo now the shopping begins......and we get to make new friends..........

i love my life

charms!!!

hello again...........wow.......i'm back within one week.............hang on to those socks..........

okay.....played with stamps and beads.......and this is what i came up with.. this will be my charm for the SE swap..........hope all will like it!!!


tfl, and i still love my life!

kathy

wow......can you say "BAD!!!!"

see......i screw things up as soon as i try to update!!!!!

okay.......on with the show......cricket.........see me......i'm here!!!!! love you and hope to see you the first of next year........let's figure something out........miss you like crazy!!!

thanksgiving is over......pretty uneventful......took some photos of erin & mike......was asked NOT to add them to the blog......soooo i will comply.......at least right now.......who the hell knows what i'll do next week!!!

since turkeyday was also rex's birthday.....he's still pretty cute for 53.........and also the 8th anniversary of my dad's death we ususally keep things a little on the quiet side. and since both of our parents are gone.....and two brothers.....and my little sister worked......it was just the two of us for most of the day. the puppies loved the turkey......well.....let's say apollo gobbled his......while comet sniffed it a bit......then grudingly nibbled it......can you say PICKY......ooopppssss.....guess that's the pot calling the kettle black!!! sorry comet commerson!!!

the plant is exactly the same......same beasts that move sooooo slow.......same complaints.......same politics............just going with catherine's "let it go".......there is absolutley no way anything will change.......and if something does....it's usually not for the better.....soooooo.....just do what i need to do......then home!

worked on a little thing last night.....after cleaning the entire 2500sq ft house to prep for christmas...........it's a dry erase board.....a remake of tammy tutterow's from heart in hands scraps......i am trying out for her creative team...........hopefully will make it........if not......well.....guess that's not the path i'm supposed to take!

still getting ready for creative escape 2008.........and scrap etc.........can't wait!!! was sooooo very disappointed when i spoke to laurie montague and she told me how ill she had been. i was on the phone with her.....and she sounded out of breath and just soooo busy with her new practice........she needs to rest and have someone care for her..........would love to fly to new hampshire and do the job...........anyone want to kick in for my plane fare........ohhh.....and i'll need help with the mortgage payment also!!!

it's after 10am......still no shower......(yep.....living up to my nickname of stinky!)......so better run and get myself clean! mr. butt has to play at the barn today.......soooo going to run to crate&barrel (i know....stepping out on the barn!) for some ornaments that i got there last year.......going to stop by erin's and see if she wants to join me............she is a little stressed with grading........and the wedding plans.......

hope to update sooner..........

still love my crazy life!!!

hey BARB!!!!!!!!!!

lookie....lookie.......i'm updating!!!!!!!!!!
actually i'm at work right now......waiting....and waiting for a patient to come out of the OR.....while my beasties sit around eating and wasting time....(i offered to go home early.....however one wants to leave.....just won't.....and keeps sucking up time on the clock!!!)


okay......spent the weekend with some friends......shout out to toots, barbie, nancy, becky, monica, katie and suzie!!! what a great time it was.....just too short......and not enough liquor!!!
i really didn't get much accomplished.....except for a new class for december....(barb.....send me those photos so i can send them to nancy w!!!) what fun!!!

life at home is just as crazy as ever......erin's bf from high school emailed photos of her wedding dress......and the dress is just the most beautiful thing evah!!!!!!!! erin looks like a radiant princess......waiting for her knight in shining armour..........and mike is just that!!!!!!!! i'm sure she knows how many days until the big event.....not me........just know it's coming soon......all too soon!!!!!!!!!!
mr. butt is still hanging out at the barn.......love the discount.....and would love to buy some living /family room furniture.....however what i currently have is only 4 years old.....and i doubt he would go for it!!! perhaps some wifey favors might work.........nah......too much work!!!!!!

okay.....some of you know that i injured my wrist 2 weeks ago.........dr wants an MRI now.......since it is still hurting......not sure what else is up......soooo will probably do that next week....(don't you love procrastinating!!!!!!!!!.......i do!!!!!!!) he still offers the cast......i still opt for the splint......just can't wear it at work (too damn many germies here!!!!).....sooooo.....

still working on photos for SE homework.......took some of the fall leaves/flowers yesterday....(oooohhhh....camera in working order!!!!!!!!)......we received a personal epson printer at the retreat this past weekend....and i could use that to print out my photos for se.........what an idea!!!.......still need to come up with an idea for my charms...........anyone??????? anyone??????
where the hell is ferris bueller when you need him????

comet and apollo are doing well........they both need to head to the groomers........oooohhh....just remembered.....they get a free cut/color.....no.....really just cut and bathing for FREE........since the last time they came home soooo damn disheveled and apollo still had skin condition under his little chubby armpits.......soooo perhaps i will schedule that!

i have a massage appt tomorrow.....i just love having massages.....and getting one each month has been spectacular........i only hope rex will continue to pay for them!!!

well..........not sure about the beasties....better run check!!!!!!! wish everyone well.....

i still love my crazy life!!!!!!!!!!

21 day challenge and losing it!!!

well......still going strong with the challenge......had a friend come by yesterday and photograph my journal. it looks cool.........and just after she left for her 40 minute drive home i realized she didn't leave the card from her camera.............totally LOSING it!!! a mind is a terrible thing to lose!!!

tonight is my halloween loot bag class........i am hoping one of the girls at the shop can photograph that......and can post it for me.......at least on the store blog!!!

hope all is well with everyone.....


i love my crazy life!!!

challenges........21 days and otherwise~

life is just a series of challenges.....21 days or otherwise!!!

my camera seems to have bitten the dust.......or perhaps it's just operator error....(course mr. butt isn't any help with it!)......so....needless to say i have no photos from my challenge book! it's nothing as cool as suezlou's.......however it is MINE!!! and i love it!!!
i love the quote's that rhonna gives us each day.....and i hope i can continue to find quotes to fill my journal with......i will continue with this until there are no longer any pages left.......so my challenge will actually last much longer than 21 days.......perhaps one hundred and 21!!!!!! (haven't actually counted the pages in this book!)

work continues to be a challenge for me.......co-workers seem to find fault with everything around them......and there is always a need to stir up trouble.....even if it's only to find something to grouse about. such a waste of time and spirit.......i do believe i need to find somewhere else to hang my hat and care for patients. it's just hard to pick up and move......even after a short period of time......change is never easy.......however....if it eats at your soul......and dampens your spirit.....change is GOOD.

i think that next week i will explore new employment opportunities......and will let you know!

on another note.......dani will be in town weekend after this (erin's best friend from college and her maid of honour)...... erin & dani will look for wedding dresses.......i hope the dress erin loves will still be in the little shop.....and dani can see it on her.........i cried when she walked out of the dressing room.....(after seeing her in 5 other dresses........the last one was her favorite...and my favorite.....and was just stunning!) what mom doesn't envision her daughter being the most beautiful bride ever.........

well.......have some things to create today........i will continue my challenge......and wish everyone that has taken the challenge congratulations. that the habits broken or started will remain......perhaps the camera will be repaired within a week or so.......and i will post my photos of the completed journal (up until then!)

(just received a call.......camera will take at least 3 weeks for repair.......perhaps there is some place that rents???? anyone......anyone????? said in my best bueller voice......)

i love my crazy life.........kathy

holiday box......and returning to the scene of the crime

my gf kathleen reminded me of this.......gotta love the truth!!!

ohhh.....here's the box!!! anyone know how to rotate photos???????

i love my life!!!

Rocking at CE......and holiday boxes! also.....my challenge to myself!

okay.....since it's been a couple of weeks.....guess i can spill my beans.........ce ROCKED!!!!! yes.....while at ce i tried to get the attention of some friends by tossing little rocks at the patio doors......well......who would have known........that i PACK a punch!!!!!! after 2 little pebbles on lauries door.....NO response.........sooooo i move down to kathleen's door.......and miss the door twice......and hit the screen door........however.......the THIRD time was the charm.........and that door cracked like an egg!!!!!!! you could hear it!!!!! debi was with me......and thought we were surely in trouble.......i just figured that was what homeowners insurance is for!!! i called kathleen........she let the hotel know what had happened.......and the rest is CE history!!!

check out the photos.....miss catherine f-e sent me a lovely box of rocks.....and kim schroeder from new jersey sent me a bag a chocolate rocks......i just love my friends!!!

okay........back to reality........trying to get caught up......finished my escape banner......love it.....and the inspiration!!! also wanting to make some samples for the shop.......here is my class for November.....a little holiday box for cards........had fun with this......just wish it wasn't hot in the house.......mr. butt turned off the a/c.......and it's over 88 here.......with NO air moving......and these halogen lights are just TOO toasty for this girl! (now mind you....i love hot....just not this kind!)

well.....i still love my crazy life......going to shop for rolodex supplies....guess i will do the swap while in nashville........then again......maybe not.......will have to decide.....since i already signed up for the page swap......charm swap......and secret sister hostess!!! damn.......when will i learn to say NO......(to anyone besides rex, erin, comet and apollo!!!!

forgot about getting to play with tim holtz......man......that really ROCKED.......he does some amazing things with ink........would love to be going to his holiday retreat......just wasn't meant to be!!!!

okay.........separate post for the holiday box........

forgot to add.........i'm going to accept the challenge from rhonna........and compete in the 21 day challenge. i have done this before.....and loved it.....and will love it this time also! my challenge.........to create art each day.........and watch what snacks enter my mouth. this is such a hard thing for me......each day at work seems to find my eating pretzels contiunously.......then when lunch time rolls around.....i'm not hungry.....however i eat my lunch anyway.....i don't want to hurt mr. butt's feelings....since he spent the time to prepare it for me!!! wish me luck!!

ce ROCKED

literally..............it ROCKED~~~~~~~~~ can't give any details just yet on my blog......however, i need to find someone who knows how to add music to blogs.....and i want to have annie lenox's "walking on broken glass" play!!!!!!!! those of you that played in az know what i'm talking about!

i just love my life.....and i love all the girls at CE!!!!!!!!!!

i'm leaving on a jet plane........la la la

yep.....tomorrow i'm jetting off to arizona......creative escape starts on thursday.....and i'm meeting some friends tomorrow night.......going to shop.....and hopefully spend some time in the lazy river......sounds sooooo relaxing!!!!!!!

this flu bug still is here.......just hanging round in my chest now......think i'll give myself a little breathing treatment in the am.......then we will see what happens.......good thing being a nurse.......all the better to self medicate!!!

hope everyone is doing well.......erin and mike were here today......little pool time.....some great bbq......and a great time just chatting!!!

take care........i love my life!

virus.....flu bug.....illness sucks!!!!

yep......i got something that has kicked my ass........this has been going on since last tuesday......still have a fever.....achey all over......and damn do i know how to WHINE!!! mr. butt just asks if i want some cheese with my whine!!!! butthead.....speaking of the butthead.....he just pulled into the driveway from the barn!!





okay.....ce is just 2 days away.......who wants to bet that i'm still sick!!!! i'd take 100 to 1 odds......never fails......guess i just get toooo excited and my immune system fails.


i have finished my gifties......sister sister stuff......roommie stuff.....still haven't packed a thing.....anyone know how to contact the packing fairy??? i've heard she exists......wonder if she is anywhere close to st. louis???





missing all my friends terribly.....get to see a few this week.......then i'll get to see some more in april at scrap etc......still holding out hope that miss cricket will sign up........miss you sooooo damn much! totally understand about redoing the homestead though.........just being a little selfish!!!!!!





okay......cricket.....here's a photo of the cut.....before and after.......nothing really new.....just got tired of the curls......and looking like my mother. the red has faded into a blondish color.......think i may take some scissors to the top........getting kinda long ......and i want to spike it!!!!!!





miss erin is still walking on cloud nine......she started her new job at parkway west high school......good thing.....4 students from her prior high school were just arrested for 1st degree murder in a drive-by.......thank god she is out of that atmosphere!!!

well.......rex just zoomed off to kfc.....gonna have ourselves a plate of heart clogging fried chicken.......tasty for a once a season treat! tomorrow we will grill... erin and mike will join us for an end of season pool party/bbq.............the weather is sooooo damn cool here, it just makes me want to move west!!! course, i don't think that will be happening for awhile......trying to help stinky with wedding plans......then of course there is the grand-kitty......charles......love to play with him.....(he'll chase this goofy string that the kids named russell.......can you tell that i have a wacked out child.......yeah....yeah.....yeah.....i know....the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!!) don't tell her that!!!!! she is hoping for a puppy......and wants to name him.....ready for this......henry david thoreau!!!!!!! yep...nuts!!!!!!

can't wait to see all my girlfriends in az......hope everyone travels safely.....love to all!!!!

i love my life........just hate colds/viruses.......(oh.....and i think kath willits emailed it to me!)

in my own little room, in my own little bed!

anyone remember that song???? i'm so tired and wanted to just pop in here and say hello!!!!!!!!!!!


life has been quite busy......with many new events and ideas flying around!!!

okay.....2 weeks ago little miss stinky mcgee became engaged to her boyfriend.....and i'm just thrilled!!!! mikey is just too sweet and treats her like a princess......and she loves him dearly!!! i can't wait until some of the other plans start taking shape. they are made arrangements where it will be......artists guild in clayton , mo........and mike found the photographer........so now they are working on invitations......then fashions...!!!!

no photos to show right now!!

okay......i also cut off all my curls........couldn't stand them for one more day.......and really wanted brown with blonde hilights......and got red with reddish golden hilights...........this too shall pass!

have lots to be done for creative escape.......just have no desire to work on them.....perhaps this week.......i think i'm starting to do better under pressure/deadlines!

well........family and friends.....take care.....enjoy live!!!!!!!!!


i love my crazy life!!!!

wiped out!!!

wow......cha was totally overwhelming........i can honestly say that i would rather take care of 5 post-op GYN patients than do that again!!! simply exhausting!!!
all the new stuff looks sooooo damn yummy.....can't wait to play with it!!

i got the privilege to be holly mccaig's personal stalker/assistant.......and i LOVE it!!!!!!! she is just the most delightful person i have met in such a long time! she thinks that she is off the hook since we are back home.....HAH!!!!!! i don't think soooooo.......just wait......merlin will begin to think i'm his second mom!!!

tammy tutterow was just the best! sooooo quiet and demure......then watch out!!! she's a damn fireball.......and ooooohhhh.....the hand gestures!!!!!!!!!! wowsers.......that's all i can say about that!

jen knepper......love you to pieces........can't wait to go somewhere again........and just hang out! you are soooo damn funny.......and such a creative force!!

a personal hello to audra, mish and robin.......you all are such sweet women.....and i hope to stay in touch with you.......thanks robin for you offer to help me!! and mish......thanks for everything! what a gorgeous smile you have!!!

got to see the birthday girl...miss becca........hope she enjoyed her gift......and sherri was there also!! love them both!

hooked up with kathleen and shelley at the sistv party........then off to the 2peas thing......then for some shopping at windy city.........had to spend some cash....don't ya know!!

well.....i'm back at the plant........still not liking my job.....perhaps it's time to move along....will see!! anyway.........i still love my life!!!!

oooohhhhh.......we came up with a tag line for me!!!!!!!!.......tell me what ya think of it!!!!

"I PUT THE LIME IN THE COCONUT!!!"

kinda like it!!! it's says..........me!

love my life,
kathy

new studio photos!

well......a friend from the lss (nancy W!!!) was chatting via email with someone and showing some photos of her space and invited the lady to check out photos of my studio on the blog! well......this lady is publishing a book about scrap spaces and liked it!!! soooooo......needless to say i sent photos of the cleaned up room and she said she loves it!!! would like to add it to her book.......and will send out interview questions in a couple of weeks!!! how cool would that be!! guess i'll just have to wait and see what happens!!!

anyways.....spent the weekend in the pool.....cocktails in hand......just relaxing and having fun with friends and family! now it's time to recover and get ready for the work week.....ick!!!

hope everyone is doing well.....miss so very many friends.....and would love to just sit and chat!

i love my life so much!!!

our loss, heaven's gain

this is the dear friend that we all lost this past friday.....he was doing what he loved.....climbing a mountain....angel's landing in zion national park. and i guess enough angels saw him.... realized his potential....and just swept him away! i know that he is okay.....it's just the hole in our hearts that are left aching for this man!

this week has been trying at the surgery center.....new people coming in.....trying to fill shoes that are way to large for them.......we all just need time..... the person who is selected to come to work will have to prove themselves in so many ways.......and it's unfortunate for them.....barry was a force....a perfectionist.....and he demanded that from his co-worker's also.

i'm sure with time we will all welcome another member into our fold.....just not now....it's too soon.



this saturday is the race for the cure......i am on a couple of teams.....carolina sue's crew, and also "help pickett kick it".....two very dear women in my life. sue is a survivor of a few years....and inga is just about to finish her chemo. my prayers are for each and everyone that has or will face this disease to have recovery and survival. i also have another dear friend that is a survivor.....lyn meeker.....she is not in st. louis.....but in arizona and i race for her too!!!


today was spent working on the secret sister information for Creative escape......just 3 short months and we will all be in arizona again.......happily playing with paper and glue.......losing sleep.....running on empty......and having the time of our lives!! i can't wait to see some of the friends i made last summer and reconnect with them!!

i love my life!!!

yeah.....here i am again....

and obviously i don't know how to use blogger very well......oh poop.....who cares!!

i finished up my little photo matchbook today......and have gotten a few things done! still not feeling like my self.....just feeling old......damn....don't ya hate that!!

hoping to talk with kath w in the next couple of days....gotta get rolling on the secret sister stuff for CE......man......it's unbelievable that in just a few months we'll be in az again.....hanging out.....dipping our toes in the water......sipping on cocktails......and renewing old friendships....and building new ones! i can't wait!!

well....i'll show you the insides of the matchbook......this was fun! just wish i had a couple of months off.......i would really like to get some things done.......like the charms sitting in front of me........i know, megan......i'll get em done!!

i love my life!

holy smokes.....here i am again!

pitiful.....just pitiful

yep.....that's me....just pitiful!!! try as i might....i just can't seem to blog often......(was just distracted.....brown is outside.....wondered if he was coming to my home>......nope......sad....so sad!)

spending the day fasting.......ugh........jello doesn't fill you up.....and miss smarty pants (dear baby girl erin...) reminds me that "there's always room for jello!! kids!!!!

anyway.......haven't been playing much......been feeling under the weather.....actually been feeling like i've been living inside a tornado......and nothing feels right! will take care of it......no worries!!!

last week i made a cool little photo book....plan on teaching it in july at ForKeepsSakes.com check it out!!! think it will hold some cute little photos for CE.... what do you think???

well......'nuf said!!!

i love my life!