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!