Dear Kind Friend

**Stampin Stuff** Here is another card using that favorite sentiment of the set. I haven't used anything else yet. This is a long card layered with some Loves Me pattern papers. I used some dollar bin ribbon in a cool carribean color with flowers on it. Not sure if you can see or not but I made a chipboard slide with a coaster and Cuttlebug die. I added the riveting image on top of it.

**Random Blogging** I really wish I had something funny to tell you but it's been a pretty boring week. Other than the sub-zero tempatures things are low key in my home. Ok...I lied Maddie threw up on the way home from school, Cody's Spanish teacher called to tell me he is a class clown and she is going to send him to the Dean every time he is disruptive, we had crappy tater tots for dinner and I totally put my foot in my mouth today...not once but twice!!! Oh and the lady with the 15 inch waist on Oprah just FREAKED me out!

See ya on the blog!

A Card

**Stampin Stuff** I made this card for my cousin Amber's birthday. The scallop circle is from SU and the letter "a" is from the Cuttlebug alphabet Red Tag Sale.

It's all the same supplies as yesterday's post. As a matter of fact, all the cards I made at my play date on Saturday were made with the same papers. Just trying to use up the stock that I have laying around here. I really do like this color combo.

**Random Blogging** Not much going on around here. It's the same old thing...work and school stuff. Actually, less and less school stuff each day...that's a good thing.

I am so not looking forward to another few days below zero....like majorly below zero....like 25 below zero and I don't want to get of bed below zero. I hate it when it is so cold that it hurts to be outside and having no heat in the car doesn't really help either. Yes, my piece of sh*t van randomly has heat and apparently when it is below zero feels the need to completely stop working. Last week the girls all had to bring blankets in the car and by the time I got to work my toes were numb. Nice. Now I need to start looking for a new car. Any suggestions?

I found out someone else that I know is going to CHA. Her name is Ivy and Jen used to work with her at Archiver's. Ivy is fun, obsessed with the color pink and VERY talented. Hi Ivy!!! Hopefully we'll find each other amongst the crowds at CHA. Oh...and she has a blog too. Ivy Pink...go figure.

**Complaint Corner** Just one more thing to vent about here and then I'll be done complaining. What is up with the new Bella's? Don't get me wrong...I am a total fan of the Bella's but there are like two or three Bellas that look like the exorcist. It totally creeps me out when I see them and their neck is all twisted and facing backwards. Just my two cents but I really don't like the ExorcistaBella at all. But I am still a Bella fan and will surely purchase more in the future.

For My Friends

I had a play date with Jen on Saturday. We so need to do that more often...at least once a month would be nice. Although I was with her for many many hours I made a total of 6 cards and gave one away. LOL....I tend to do more chit chatting than stampin. Just another sign that I need to spend time with Jen more often.

**Stampin Stuff** The card base is taken with teal with a layer of blue bayou. The pattern paper is from Sandy Lion and it has glitter highlights on it. The green scallop was Bazzil textured paper and I used my slit punch to make the scallop. The only thing stamped is the sentiment. Just another scrappy card....better than a crappy card. Unless this qualifies as a crappy card....yikes...I hope not.

**Random Blogging** I have been snooping around SCS lately and I found a new favorite stamper and she has a blog too. Please go visit Sherrie over at Card Creme and be prepared to fall in love with her work. She is awesome!!!

**Complaint Corner** What is up with the newest blogger trend that is cropping up...."video tutorials". OMG I can not tell you how many stupid videos I have seen! Just because someone asks you a questions does not mean you need to make a video answer. I thought picture tutorials on How To Tie a Bow were dumb but How To Use A Paper Punch....come on people! If you have to watch a video on how to use a paper punch then maybe....just maybe....a paper crafting hobby is not your gig. And if you need a video on how to tie a bow then maybe...just maybe...you need to get rid of those velcro shoes and learn to tie your shoes!!!

**Gratitude** I am thankful for the video that taught me how to open a SU pad. If it weren't for that video I would still be using the old flip top pads. LOL....just kidding. Sorry if someone really posted a video tutorial on how to do that. Hey... I should do that as my first video tutorial so I can be one of the cool bloggers. Um not gonna happen...I am so uncool.

Sunday PMS Check

Happy Birthday Johnny! Tonight we had a birthday dinner for my brother who will be 35 tomorrow. So funny that he knows my boss and went to high school with her. Small world.

**PMS Check** This week I wasn't so diligent about sticking to my schedule as I have been the last few weeks. I really was paying attention to they way I felt on the days I was out of routine. I didn't prepare for the week and it just threw everything off and I really was listening to my body. I have already prepared for this week and I actually look forward to getting back on track.

• Physically- I lost one pound this week and I am actually grateful for the one pound. I wasn't eating a good breakfast and Saturday i went to a crop with Jen and totally ate like a pig all night....way past 7:30. I felt so bloated and yucky later in the night....my body convinced me that the 7:30 rule must be enforced all the time!
• Mentally-I have not had any heart palpatations in two weeks. That means that my stress levels are steadily dropping. I have been knocking things off my procrastination list which is also a good thing because I mentally torture myself constantly thinking of the things I have to do. Just slowly letting go...feels good.
• Spiritually- So thankful for the opportunities I have been given. It amazes me when I think of all the things that I have accomplished this year and the opportunities that I have been given. But it is all about the energy I am putting out....just have to keep focusing on what I want to accomplish and moving closer to it by my actions. Gratitude is definately the key.

**Gratitude** I am so thankful for my wonderful kids. I am blessed to have four children with unique personality traits. It is my hopes that they grow up wanting to be friends and remain close. I would be so sad if my girls didn't maintain their sisterly bond. Hopefully, one day Cody will embrace his sisters but right now he views them as a pain in the butt.

Big Exciting News!!!!

**WARNING** This is going to be long but worth the read.....I have BIG news.

**Good News** I have some good news to share with you! It has been so hard to keep it quiet but I think it's safe to share with you that I got another job. It's a long story but a friend asked me to make some cards for her friend for Christmas.

It so happens that the lady that received the cards...her husband owns a commercial stamp company not far from my house. The commercial stamp company has a division which sells self inked stamps and some clear stamps. The husband saw my cards and told his wife (the card recipient) to send me a self inking monogram stamp kit.

From there we started an email conversation that lead to me talking to her husband about my stamping history. The conversation progressed to me testing out some products for him, coming in to meet him, giving him my feedback, touring the warehouse and then he offered me a job!!! Of course, there are pros and cons to this because I do LOVE my current job and I really don't want to commute an hour to this other job.

Anyway, he offered to hire me as a consultant and my first assignment would be going to CHA in Annaheim, CA!!! Sign me up! So in exchange for my consulting services I have received air fare, hotel accomodations and a pass to CHA. How incredibly awesome is that?!? The bummer is that I couldn't take off of work at my current job for the whole CHA so I will only be there all day, Saturday, Sunday (the day CHA opens) and half of Monday.

**New Shoes** So why the pic of the shoes? Because everyone said geta COMFY pair of shoes because it is huge and lots of walking. These are the shoes I picked out...now I need a cute, comfy outfit to go with them. I have no idea what to wear because it is below zero here and all I have is winter clothes! Last night I went to the Gap and found the cutest capri pants so I might end up getting those. I wish Jen could go with me but she can't. So she is mapping out my route for me. She has been going through the vendor list and helping me make the most of my limited time at CHA.

Oh and I found out that Sarah Moore from Craft Critique and two other reporters are on my flight. We exchanged phone numbers and agreed to hook up at the airport if possible. Soooooo excited that I will not only be at CHA but I might get to see meet some fellow bloggers and SCS'ers too. If you are going PLEASE let me know.

So there ya have it. My big exciting news!!! I am telling you...it's the Law of Attraction at work here. Being thankful for all that you have in your life before you can let more in is the they. Visualize, plan your actions and be thankful....do it daily.

**Gratitdute** Monday, January 21st was Cody's 16 year Anniversary for his Liver Transplant. What a huge milestone in his life. I am thankful that 16 years ago a mother was able to see through her grief after losing her child and saved the life of mine. Thank you is not enough to say to her but living life in a way that honors her choice is all I can do. Please take the time to complete your donor card and make your family members aware of your choice to be an organ donor.

See ya on the blog.

A Little Birdie Told Me.....

I normally don't like animal stamps but this little $1 birdie stamp from Rhonna Farrer is so darn cute. Now if it were riding a bike with a Moose or having coffee with an Elephant than it wouldn't be so darn cute and I wouldn't have a cute card to show you.

**Stampin Stuff** The card base is blue sky 4.25 square which is my new favorite size. There is a layer of SEI paper from the scrap bin. The birdie was stamped on the white circle first and then on the reverse of the stripe paper...which is green with white polka dots. I cute out the green birdie and pieced it over the one I stamped on the white. I sponged the edge and layered it on the scallop circle. The sheer black polka dot ribbon is from May Arts and the three black brads were inspired by Ana's card. The tag was made with a coaster and a cuttlebug die. The thank you sentiment is from a SU set.

I had the day off today....did nothing on my to do list. So I need to get off here and get something done! I need to make a procrastination list and get some things off my mind and off my list.

See ya on the blog!

Sunday PMS Check

I forgot to post this last night before I went to bed. So pretend you are reading this on a Sunday evening and it will all make sense. LOL

Hey it's Sunday and I don't have to work tomorrow! Yeah! Although I love my job who doesn't love an extra long weekend? It just means I have more time to stamp and do laundry....yahoo!

**Stampin Stuff** Not only did I make a card but I fully stamped it too. No die cutting involved on this card and it was inspired by the SCS Inspiration Challenge. I love looking at other people's interpretion of the item shown. Sometimes though I wonder if they are looking at the same thing I am seeing cause they are no where near the piece of inspiration provided.

Anyway, my card base is kraft that I stamped the canvas background with carmel ink. The image is from Best Blooms. (I just mounted it and used it for the first time ever!) The stems are stamped in Wild Wasabi and the flowers are real red. I used a Sakura black glaze pen on the flower center. I used the tag punch and stamped the sentiment friends in white craft ink. I used black sheer polka dot ribbon and the sentiment is stamped in Versafine black ink.

Here are two samples from the gallery that were totally the inspiration for my card.

• lakind's challenge card- Laugh's in Flowers
• lacyquilter's challenge card-Touch of Nature

**PMS Check** Today is Sunday....my day for review and balance in my life. Happy to have another great week to report to you all.

• Physically- Lost another two pounds this week....down for a total of 6. Yeah for me! I am following a combination of plans but mostly the Best Life Diet by Bob Greene. There are simple steps to take slowly and that is what I am doing. The first thing I incorporated was no eating after 7:30 pm and that truely the key for me...a night time snacker. I also started eating on a schedule. A real breakfast (not just coffee and a granola bar). a real lunch (not more coffee and another granola bar), a real snack when I get home (not just everything I missed out during breakfast and lunch), a real dinner (not fast food), and a real evening snack (not a little of everything in the cabinet). The first three days were hard but once I get adjusted to the schedule it works well for me and I feel so good.
• Mentally- I am letting go....just letting go. It's hard to let go of something that has been a big part of my life. It's hard to let go of something that means a lot to me. It's hard to let go when I know how much my family has sacraficed in allowing me to do my job. It's hard to let go and worry that the foundation I have laid may go to waste. I am letting go...just letting go.
• Spiritually- I haven't listened to any of my podcasts this week. But I have still focused on being grateful. Just taking a minute each day to close my eyes and think of nothing else other than my many blessings.

**Gratitude** I am thankful for fresh baked gooey chocolate chip cookies. {LOL...after I just talked about the Best Life Diet and losing a total of 6 pounds!) Let me re-phrase that...I am thankful for a fresh baked gooey chocolate chip cookie at 7:28 pm. I am more thankful that Sarah likes to bake them late in the evening.

See ya on the blog!