Roses in January . . . are you crazy???

I'm not, but the weather is. We have had great weather. Some rain, but mild temperatues. Temperatures have been running in the mid-70s. Ray just installed a 17" tall toilet for me in our bathroom and spruced it up a bit. He hasn't had time to trim the roses and trees. We looked out the window and saw the peach tree in full bloom. On his recommendation, I went to get a picture to share. When I was out there, I saw 3 roses, just amazing for January!

The past year has been a rough one. The back yard has been a source of joy for me. When I've been down in the dumps, I can look out there and see lots of roses, and other flowers, fruit trees, palm trees, Bird of Paradise, a pretty bird bath from Robert and Jessica, and birds too! Problems, health issues, and what seems to be a gazillion doctor apointments can be overwhelming. Sometimes looking in the back and watching the birds in my back yard helps by reminding me of Matthew 6:26:

26 Look at the birds of the air;

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?

27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (NCV)

   

Who I Live With

It's a cold, grey day in Sunny CA. While we need the water, I'm ready for our sunshine to be back. In the meantime, here is a picture of my husband Ray and me. He is amazing and can do anything. Right now he is remodeling our bathroom. It will be so nice when it is finished.



The rest of our house is shared with our furkids!

Daisy Dog--she is 14 1/2 and going strong. She has mellowed so much with age, but is still our big protector. Our granddaughter and I put bows on her whenever we find one that will stick to her collar well. 

Next is Quincy Jefferson. He is such a love bug, just the sweetest guy. He is about 6 years old and is a double dapple doxie. We loved his coloring and the fact that my friend Susan (photo with me on left) has his dad. His mom's name is Cocoa and she belongs to Susan's daugheter's mother-in-law. Both mom and dad are great dogs. When I looked double dapples up, I called and told her not to breed the two dapples again. They were lucky with the dogs they got. You can read about them here. Double Dapple Doxie Information

Our newest is Lucy Belle, part wire-haired doxie, aka fuzzbucket! About 1 1/2 year ago, my husband made me go to the swap meet with him. My granddaughter saw puppies in the back of a pickup. We knew Daisy was aging and wanted a buddy for Quincy before she passed on. Our granddaughter instantly picked Lucy Belle. Little did my husband know Daisy would still be hanging in there. Seriously we're all glad. One other thing, I don't think I will ever have just one doxie. It is so much fun to see the two of them together. They are funnier than any comedy on TV. It is just a blast to watch the them!

I am so NOT computer saavy!

Something I've always wanted to do is take a picture a day. I even remembered to start that this year. So tonight I decided I would update my Blog and share my Picture-a-Day photos. My computer ate them, including my Christmas photos! Oh well, it wasn't meant to be I guess. One less thing to scrap.

I have a monthly group of ladies who meet, In the past, as majority wanted, we made 4-5 cards. The majority now wants to incorporate cards as well. Personally, I was bored with the cards we were making so I'm ready to step things up a notch. I tested this out with my October and November groups and it went well. My December group was thrilled with the new format. (I will share that project on another day. I'm making it for a non-scrapper and just received some of the photos today.) But I do have a card from November that I can share with.

First: The pattern is from Stars & Stamps, Operation Write Home. It is the Trifold Shutter Card tutorial. They have a fantastic handout that you can print complete with dimensions. I just changed a few of them; it was easy to make the adjustments I needed for my card.

This was made using the CTMH Olivia Workshop On The Go (WOTG). The WOTGs are great. You get a paper pack, an exclusive stamp set that goes with the papers, an embellishment, a multi-page/multi colored brochure filled with instructions (including all dimensions) and tips to make cards and scrapbook pages using all elements within the kit. Everything matches and it's all ready to go in one spot, making your projects faster, simpler, and easier!

On the center greeting . . . the one with the green button in the top, left corner, you will notice that the greeting is stamped on a neutral paper, while the back side has a design. For this effect, I just cut out two pieces of paper out, the same size: a neutral-colored Cardstock (CS) and a Background and Texture (B&T)paper. Then I glued the two together. Not only does it give the nice pattern on the back side when the edges are distressed, but it also adds thickness to the B & T paper and I think makes it easier to work with.  

I also used the Stamp of the Month (SOM) for November, "A Little Thanks." A SOM set is only available during a specified month; if you like the set, get it while it is available. The best part is during their month, you can get them at a discounted price or even free with a qualifying purchase. You can read more details about this program and the current SOM at my Website. Just select the top, square box on the right--that's the spot for the current Stamp Of The Month.

2010 Going, Going . . .

It's almost over, where did it go?

My friend Sandy has been after me about creating a blog. In my Close To My Heart newsletters, I try to share a little bit about me with my friends and do so with a smile. Even the worst of times can be better if I make someone smile.

This year has brought a big change to our liveswith the biggest being my retirement. This is due to Fibromyalgia and moderate to severe osteoarthritis. Mainly in my knees and throacic spine area. A fancy name for the spine thing is Spondylitis--I can't spell it let alone pronounce it. To me it's a big long name for backache! At some time in my life I've also broken my coccyx. I can even pronounce this one but the common name is much easier--tailbone. Part of this employment change is I have to budget and it is the pits!

When I'm hurting, I try some different things. Scrapbooking and rubber stamping are right up there at the top of my list. I also use this time to thank God for my knees hurting--the pain reminds me that I have knees for which I'm thankful. Then I also go on to ask His blessings on my friends with similar disorders. There are days when these tactics help. Occasionally there are times when I just have to focus on, "this will go away."

So here I sit with my Weird Weiners (2 tweeny doxies beside me), my husband in the chair next to mine, my granddaughter (LOVE my Sambones--she helps, is fun, and I can't get enough of her!) asleep on the couch, her friend next to her, and my old girl--Daisy Dog on her bed next to the TV. They're all watching CSI Miami and I on the computer. Nighttime is my computer time.

Thursday I have my friends coming over for a playday--this is a time to share my knowledge of stamping and scrapbooking with them. I will be working on project samples tomorrow. I look forward to these days of fun, laughter, and visiting.
One of my goals for 2011 is to post more regularly to this blog. Hey, maybe I will learn what I'm doing . . . won't that be something!