Speedy Recovery

**Stampin Stuff** How appropriate that my Cruisabella and sentiment arrived yesterday. So I made a quick Get Well card using my new stamps. The blue frame is made from DCWV textrued chipboard and my Sizzix die....love that die. I am not liking it for card making as it takes up the whole card. It will be better for scrapbooking and journaling. The image was colored with an aquapainter and Sakura stardust pens...adds lots of sparkle. I added gingham ribbon on the side for some texture....there really isn't any room for some brads on this card.....darn!

**Tools** Nicole asked what it was that I loved so much about my Fiskars Rotary Cutter that I talked about yesterday. It cuts so smooth and the blade lasts for a really long time. I have had mine for 4 months and I haven't replaced the blade yet....and it gets used daily! The paper stays in place and it doesn't matter if it is cardstock or pattern paper it doesn't tear the paper when it cuts. It also has some rubber foot pads so the trimmer so it doesn't move on the table as you drag the cutting blade.

Also, my biggest complaint about my other trimmer was the cutting track was not snug on the blade and sometimes (more often than not) the blade moved and I wouldn't get a clean straight cut. This track system is totally different and the blade does not move at all....perfect cut every time. There is an even bigger 12x12 Rotary cutter that sells for $60. This one will cut 12x12 paper but you have to pull out the arm that is stored underneath the base....just like the old cutter. I love this cutter and I am so glad that I found it.

**Random Blogging** Well tomorrow is the big day....my surgery. Yesterday, I went to my pre-op and he drew a lovely pattern of lines all over my tummy. Kinda wierd to see what is literally going to be missing when I wake up. But trust me...nothing I haven't imagined a million times myself.

I am scheduled for an 11:00 surgery so think good thoughts and prayers for me at that time. I am happy and comfortable with my surgeon and hospital....it's the pain that is freaking me out. No standing upright for two weeks, no putting my legs straight in bed for two weeks, sleeping upright for two weeks, no tension on my incision for two weeks.....miserably uncomfortable for two weeks. Throwing up is what scares me....I don't do pain meds very well and the last thing I want to do after abdominal surgery is throw up.

Ok...I know that the tummy tuck is the elective portion of my surgery and I am not complaining....just venting my pre-surgery jitters is all. Really I am more thrilled to have this hernia finally taken care of once and for all.

My friend Beth has a blog (not stampin related at all) and I will have her post updates if anyone is interested. Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes....it really means a lot to me!

See ya on the blog....in a few weeks!

My Favorite Tools

The other day I said I would post my "go-to" tools that are always on my desk and here they are....these are the things that I reach for the most. Some are standard, some are unique, and some may be odd but they work for me.

As of lately, I keep my SU paper piercing kit on my desk. I do like it for faux stitching however I wish it was bigger. I did see a 6x6 template online {can't remember what company} so I might have to step up to a new set.

My hole punch is used lots because I put brads on almost every card I make. Of course, my favorite brads are the SU Vintage brads...esp the Antique Brass and Black.

I don't know how I ever lived so long with my old 12x12 Fiskars cutter but the Fiskars Rotary cutter has completely changed my life!! I could not live without this paper cutter and I got it 50% off at Jo's...gotta love that deal. {Well worth the $20 I spent. Put it on your Christmas wishlist with your hubby.}

My EK Success adhesive eraser is used almost daily. I use it for items that I run through my Xyron. Sometimes there is a little sticky residue and this eraser takes it right off and doesn't leave any marks. I definately couldn't live without that handy dandy tool.

My Pampered Chef stone scrapper is definately a card making tool for me. What the heck do I use that for you ask?? I use it as you would a bone folder....I run it accross the folded edge of my cards and it makes a nice crisp fold and I have a million of them in my kitchen drawer so I will never be without it.

Finally, I use mono-adhesive for most of my card making. I do use lots of pop dots too and when I need something with extra re-enforcement I will use sticky dots or red sticky tape. But for the most part mono works just fine for me.

So there ya have it....my "go to" tools. Feel free to comment and share your tools of choice.

Happy Mail

Look what came in the mail today! These are all the Amuse stamps (all 24 of them) that I ordered from Sarah Vrolyk's big sale. I finally got almost all the Amuse stamps that were on my wishlist. I missed a few but I'll pick them up later now that I found a local store that carries them or is willing to order what I want. Sweet!

Here is my card for today. I love this Wild Asparagus double sided paper. The blue strip is the back side of the paisley. I added faux stitching and the brown polka dot scallop is SU Au Chocolate paper. The ribbon is some Barely Banana ribbon that I got from Taylor...which by the way, if she ever offers ribbon again jump at it. The colors are perfect, the quality is perfect, and the price is incredible! You would never guess that the ribbon isn't SU ribbon.

Today I was going to go to Jen's house and play but my life needs some things in order before my surgery....like massive loads of laundry.....so I am staying home today to get my ducks in a row. I am spending every insomniac waking moment tonight getting all my not so fun things done so I can enjoy my Thursday play date with Jen.

And finally you have to check out this awesome email I got today! Click here to read it....and then come back to tell me what you think of it. I am going to save it forever! Yeah...I know....I am a Dorkabella with a capital "D".

See ya on the blog!

Am I Addicted?

85%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Free Online Dating from Mingle²

^{Beth sent this quiz to me and said she can't wait to see my answer. Sadly, I could really answer yes to almost every question. I even said after the concert last night.....I can't wait to go home and blog about this! LOL}

"HOME"

Wow I am still processing the whole night and I am soooooo happy and grateful to listen to him sing in the same building I was in. It was HEAVENLY.

Frist of all, I did not take my camera because it said on the WEB site no camera and they search bags. Bill suggested not taking it so I would get it confiscated. Sure enough, we walked in the hall and flashes were going off left and right. People were getting yelled at by the Camera Natzi but I could have and should have brought my camera. Lesson learned

Even though we sat in the first balcony we were dead center with a perfect view of everything. As soon as he came out it was just a silhoette of him and sooooo nice. He can really get his groove on too. The first song he sang was I'm Your Man and it was hot!! Great choice for an opener. Of course he sang all of his great songs including Home and Everything. I personally think he should have sang everything twice each....but that 's just me.

Lots of comedy during the show...he is a very funny guy. But he ended the show with Song For You and dedicated it to the audience because he said that he was grateful and blessed to have such fans....esp us up in the balcony that buy the tickets, get a sitter and drive hours just to see him perform from the nose bleed section and that he will always be thankful and give the best show possible as we deserve to get our money's worth. It was very sincere and touching...people were crying {including me}. Then at the end of the song he put down the mic and sang the last few lines acapella.....it was so moving and beautiful.....a BIG Wow of an ending like that.

Oh and one super funny part of the night was a lady sitting front row holding a sign that said she has been married 37 years. So he came off the stage and sat on her lap and kissed. Her husand was no dummy....he snapped an awesome pic. Lucky girl.

Anyway, he said that would make a nice lead into his next song....and we were all thinking it would be the song Everything cause it's all about love. He said "this song is dedicated to all the wives that have cheated on their husbands or at least thought about it." LOL....yes he sang Me and Mrs. Jones and it sounds even better in person.

So I am going to scrapbook my memory without any pics! Actually, I can use the program and turn it into my own personal MB scrapbook...there's a thought!

I got a busy day tomorrow....going out to Jen's ans stopping at Ikea on the way home...that could be dangerous! See ya on the blog!

How Sweet It Is.......

........to be loved by you! That's how the song goes and he better sing it tonight as it is high on my favorite list. What the heck is this crazy girl talking about? The soulful, hot, crooning Michael Buble of course. BTW, mark your calendars for July 30th because he is going to be appearing on Live with Regis and Kelly.

So I haven't done any stamping today because I woke up with a killer headache from my new sleeping pills. Won't be taking those anymore....I'd rather not sleep than feel like crap when I wake up.

Tonight is the concert and I fully intend on smuggling in my camera....can you take pics at a concert? I hope so cause I am totally going to scrapbook this moment in my life....for sure!

Thanks for all the kind comments about the retirement video. It really is a special video and yes my husband was completely surprised during the ceremony when the MC said "At this time we will dim the lights so we can take a look at Chief Bryant's Naval career through the eyes of his wife Denise." I surprised him by having them play it on a HUGE movie screen {as big as a real movie theater} and yes he was speechless. Acutally, all he said was "I fondly remember all those moments in my career but what I remember most is missing my family and it feels good to be home forever." OK...enough....I am gonna have us all crying again! LOL

I'll be back tomorrow with a full concert report. My daughter Sarah just said I wish we were in the front row....yeah me too....but let's just be thankful we will be in the building hearing him sing live! {Big Sighs}. Oh and there is a stream of MB video clips at the bottom of my blog....just scroll down and click away. You too can be an obsessed freak like me! LOL

Sunday PMS Check

For those of you new to reading my blog....since the New Year I have implemented a Sunday PMS check which stands for Physical Well Being, Mental Well Being and Spiritual Well Being. It's jut my way of keep check on my New Year's Resolution to improve myself in those areas. So whenver you see the title Sunday PMS check it's usually not stampin related and feel free to skip over it. You won't hurt my feelings.

**PMS Check**

• Physical Well Being - Wednesday is my pre-op appt and Friday is the big day. I am both scared and excited. Scared of the pain and long recovery but excited to get things fixed and tightened up. {I am having an abdominal hernia repaired and as a bonus getting a tummy tuck.} I have been trying to keep up with my walking but not as diligent as I was earlier in the summer. I can only blame it on not making the time in my busy schedule.
• Mental Well Being - Well after my meltdown at the doctor's office on Friday and finally getting some good sleep I am feeling so much better. Insomnia sucks and it wreaks havoc on your whole body, mind and spirit. I am finally feel back in balance now.
• Spritual Well Being - Considering that I am having surgery on Friday it is only natural that I seem to be praying more, asking God for strength and guidance of the surgeon's hand. I am still praying the Rosary on a regular basis and I will be visiting with our Priest this week for a blessing and Annointing of the Sick.

On a final note......tomorrow is the Michael Buble concert!!!! OMG I am sooooo excited and can't wait to spend the evening crooning away to my favorite songs with my favorite guy {my husband you silly girls!} Yes, Bill is going with me to the concert and can you believe this will be our first concert together...ever.....in our 18 year marriage?

So to celebrate the concert countdown I am posting this video that I had made for my husband Navy retirement. The pics are of him going through the ranks from Bootcamp up til retirement and ending with our family on the front porch of our new {and final} home. Of course, the music for the video is my all time favorite Michael Buble song "Home". I will forever love this song and tears will come to my eyes every time as I can see this video playing in my head whenever I hear the song. Enjoy and don't forget to turn up the volume!