Fireman Frosty

This is a card I made for a young man in our community named Trey. He is 16 years old, and has a terminal illness. This year for the holidays, his mother asked that individuals fill their mailbox with holiday greetings.

I made and sent this card on behalf of the entire Fire Department. I hope he liked it.

Merry Christmas

Last night was a first. Our group got together out at Jodi and Rob's, in their beautiful new home for a Christmas Party. But it wasn't just any old Christmas Party. This was our first Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.

Everyone found an odd, old, or pretty funny sweatshirt, tee shirt or sweater. But hands-down, the winner of the ugliest sweater had to be Billie...and she didn't even break a sweat putting it together. She just reached into her closet and pulled out one from the 'archives'.

It was a lot of fun to get together...it seems like a long time since we have a holiday get together with the gang. We had tons of food, lots of good drink, and a great time with friends.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Happy Birthday Kim!

Today is Kim's birthday, and to celebrate her special day Billie had a small dinner party last night. Jodi, Katie and I joined Kim at Billie's for a few cocktails, a delicious manicotti dinner, a few games of cards, and cheesecake for dessert.

It was great to get together with the girls...it has been too long. I can't remember the last time I laughed that much.

Happy Birthday Kim...I hope you have a great day, and a great year ahead!

Bye Bye Santa...I Sorry

With much anticipation, five adults and one child headed to the mall today to take pictures with Santa.

Kennedy was dressed in the cutest holiday outfit; a cream sweater with a luscious red bow, and a little red skirt surrounded by tulle to give it that festive feel. But sadly, this little girl wanted no part of Santa. Hard as us adults tried to convince her that he was a very nice Santa - and a very good and patient Santa he was - she was just not interested in the least in him, let alone sitting on his lap.

In the end, as we were leaving, a very sweet and always apologetic Kennedy said, "Bye bye Santa, I sorry".

Carmel Apple Cupcakes

Mmmmm...doesn't that sound so good? Carmel Apple Cupcakes! They were good, but just not as great as I had hoped.

We had a snack day at work for Halloween, otherwise known as FAC Snack Attack Day, and I knew I would bring some kind of cupcake. I searched the internet over for a different recipe and found this particular one that had apples and carmel right in the batter, maple syrup in the frosting, and then I added a carmel drizzle to top it off. They really did look and taste like autumn!

Mennonite Country Auction

This weekend, Billie, Mom and I headed up to Ritzville to the Mennonite Country Auction and Relief Sale. It's an annual event that we only just heard about. With nothing else really going on, we decided to go see what it was all about.


The main purpose of the event is an Auction, which among many various things inlcuded some beautiful quilts, to help raise money...with all of this year's proceeds going to flood victims in Pakistan. There was lots of food to eat - including pies of every flavor and homemade ice cream, some items for sale, and a couple demonstrations to see - like fresh pressed cider, and home made apple butter. Not a bad way to spend a warm, sunny autumn day!

Happy Birthday to...ME!

What a great birthday I had this year. Not so great turning 40, but celebrating with friends and family is definately great! First I had a wonderful day on my actual birthday - celebrating at work with donuts, flowers, balloons, cake and gifts from co-workers, followed by great gifts and a delicious 'early bird' dinner (isn't that what 40 year olds do?) at Anthony's with Mom and Billie. Then on Saturday I got to celebrate all over again with the gang at Cedars! Rum Barrels...Yum! Thanks to everyone for helping me celebrate my special day.

Happy Birthday Brittany!

Our girl Brittany celebrated her 19th Birthday on the 3rd. Unfortunately, we were getting ready to head out to the beach the next morning, so we were not able to celebrate with her.

However, tonight she had a little free time in her very hectic schedule, so Billie made her another birthday dinner...a little manicotti along with cake and ice cream, a mini birthday celebration so Mom, Billie and I could give her our cards and gifts. Nothing like celebrating your birthday for a week or two!

The card I made for her was somewhat clean and simple. I used my Cuttlebug Friends Forever folder, inked a bit, added a few rhinestones, and just stamped 'Make A Wish' with a Studio G stamp. Voila!

Happy Birthday Ms. Brittany....we all love you very much :)

A Trip To The Beach

For Labor Day Weekend this year, Mom, Billie and I...oh, and Baylee and Molly all loaded up and headed to the trailer in Seaview. We were able to leave on Saturday and stay until Tuesday.

We had some beautiful weather, met some nice people at a pot luck, had a nice visit with Kathy, ate some REALLY great food, saw a few sights, and even got in a little shopping.

It was really good to get away for a few days and just have a little change in scenery!

Moving Day!

So the day finally arrived...moving day. We are all so happy and proud of Billie. After months of planning, coordinating - oh and don't forget STRESS, it is all coming together!


On Thursday, Mom and I helped Billie move...well along with two strapping young men from HELP U MOVE! We got the bulk of stuff put into the new garage and ready for unpacking. Then Friday and Saturday were just spent trying to help her unpack and organize all of her belongings. Whew...moving is hard work!

Congratulations Billie...may you spend many happy years in your beautiful new home!

A Funny Thing I Saw Today...

OK, so this post is not scrapbook, card making or otherwise memory related. I just saw something a little odd today, and happened to have my camera with me in my bag. It's not everyday you see a couple folks on horses in the drive through at Starbucks. I guess even horseback riders need their daily cup of Joe!

Back to School Time

A few days ago, my mom asked me to make a couple cards for her. My nieces are headed back to school and she wanted to send them cards with some back-to-school fun money inside. I gave her these two cards this morning on my way to work, so she could get them off in the mail - those kids seem to go back to school early in Texas!

I hope Rachel and Kendra like their cards, and what's inside!!

Happy Birthday Kennedy

Even though our sweet little Kennedy turned 2 over a week ago, we celebrated her birthday here on the 'East Side' today. She got all kinds of good stuff, including a new bike from Grandma Judy, a table and chair set from her Auntie Billie, a fun blanket from Brittany, and some dress up clothes from her Aunt Trish...not to mention some pretty cute outfits, but what 2 year old cares about clothes?

The card I made her was certainly not elaborate, but was fit for a princess!

Welcome Baby

One of my co-workers, Stacy, is having a baby. She's actually due in early August, but is currently in labor as I post this. I was not able to make it to her baby shower, so this weekend I finished up her card and put her gift together...as luck would have it, just in the nick of time.

I used the nursery/crib set she's picked out as my inspiration for her card...hope she likes it.

Happy Birthday Billie

Yesterday was Billie's birthday. All the girls gathered at Cedars for Rum Barrels to celebrate. It turned out to be a great time. We were able to snag a table outside, and the weather was beautiful. It started out a little on the warm side, but there was a great breeze, and then when the sun went down, it was just lovely outside. We had lots of food and drinks, but even more catching up, chit-chatting and laughing our tails off. It was good of Billie to have a birthday...a great excuse to have a girl's night out :)

I wanted to make Billie a card with a cherry theme...I just had this idea in my head, but it didn't come together until I saw the oven mitt (Thanks TeriBeri http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/TERIBERI2/CARDS%202/IMG_7262.jpg).

I also ended up altering a small Christmas gift box to match, and put a couple 'cherry' odds and ends in it. All in all, it turned out pretty cute (I thought). I may have to make another one of these 'oven mitt' shape cards while it's fresh in my mind.

Happy Birthday Billie - I hope you had a good day!!

Happy Birthday Christy

Tomorrow is Christy's Birthday. Like last year, I just finished her card last night...my first card since December and I was (am) feeling a little rusty. I'm quickly putting it in the mail to her today, and with any luck and fingers crossed it will get to her overnight. The inside sentiment is "It's Your Bird•Day".

I hope you have an excellent birthday, full everything you wish for Christy!!

A Long Time Coming...

Yesterday was a good day. I scrapbooked with my friend Trina, for the first time in many, many months. I wasn't sure I even had a creative thought left inside me, but I gave it a shot, trying to get back into what I love so much.

I started with my trip to the St. Louis Museum of History and Zoo. I'm starting a bit simple, because...well, 1) there's a lot of photos to get through, 2) this is my first 8 1/2 x 11 album, and 3) easing back in, trying to find where my creativity went.

There wasn't a whole lot accomplished, but there was some good chatting and catching up for sure! Here's a look at the few (simple) pages I did finish.

4th of July

Another Independence Day has come and gone. It was a pretty nice day, very low-key and quite enjoyable. Even the weather cooperated and was more than tolerable - not the usual scorching heat we usually face.

We all gathered at mom's for a BBQ...and had TONS of great food. Fred manned the grill, Emilee and Kennedy ran through the sprinklers and Billie made a great batch of lemonade that we adults turned into a delicious sort of melon cooler.

Once again, I was in charge of the 4th of July cupcakes. I made my usual red, white and blue decorated cupcakes, but also finally had the chance to try out my JUMBO cupcake pan that Billie gave me months back. Not bad for a first crack at it. Can't wait to try it out again.

It was a good day, but just not the same without Dad. I miss him so incredibly much.