Becoming - In a new year

Last night I chose my word for the One Little Word project -

Becoming

Becoming a better person in many ways

1. spiritually - becoming more Christ - like
2. financially - becoming stable and secure
3. mother - becoming the best I can be to both of my kids
4. grandmother - becoming the active grandparent in their lives.
5. Friend -becoming someone they can count on to be there both in good times and bad.

The thoughts of losing Claudia, knowing that her daughter and family stood right beside her until the end, the friendship she had with all of us - not ever meeting us, the kindness in her heart, among many other attributes has made me decided to become a better person. Now knowing she is gone - I know that is the word for me. I am honored to have known such a wonderful woman even tho I never met her in person. Claudia had a heart as big as anyone that I have ever know. She was generous with her time and talents - sent boxes to Operation Write Home, sent inspiring and uplifting emails if she read sadness in someone's post - just a Real Live Angel.

Claudia's spirit lives on in her family but especially in her daughter Melissa. Getting to know Missy these past few weeks, I can see why she has always been proud of her daughter. Missy is a strong person - there when she was needed - holding up the family and stepping into her mother's shoes. Love ya girlfriend.

This has been a hard year for me with losing my job, decline in my health, financial and family issues just to name a few. I feel that part of the reason this is happening is due to my failure to look UP. Instead I have had a negative attitude and feeling sorry for myself. Its time to hitch up the boot straps and get on with living to the best of my ability. But in doing so not to forget to always LOOK UP AND THANK GOD FOR ALL THE TRIALS AND BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE on a daily basis.

My Grandmother passed away 30 years ago on New Year's Eve and it wasn't until her passing did we know that she did not like New Years Eve and what it stood for. She was a survivor of the World War II, a wife and mother - but it meant she was getting another year older. So it was fitting that she passed before the New Year

New Year's will always be a tribute to these 2 beautiful women who went to Heaven to prepare a place for the rest of us. I don't look at it as dying, but moving to a new home. That is the way my other Grandma Elsie always told us - "I am not dying, I am moving to my other home".

Christmas Eve

WOW! I can't believe it is finally here. I just took the tree skirt off the bottom of the tree to sweep around it and so much grit and hair from the dogs fell off. Into the washer it went - since all the gifts have been taken to my mothers, I thought - lets just take down the tree. But I will not be all humbug till tomorrow night! I am so ready to have my house back to normal (what ever that is)!

I finished the album for my roommate and she looked at it and said Thank You - its beautiful. She is really depressed as she hasn't heard from her children. Her birthday was the 10th and now with Christmas - its their loss.

Prayers and good wishes to all the friends and family.

Gratitude List:

1. My family and that we are going to be together tomorrow to celebrate His birth
2. My health is improving - getting feeling back in my face
3. Christmas is almost over - the commercial side of it
4. Going to Candle light services tonight to honor our Savior
5. My family and friends both near and far

Gratitude List and Holiday Decorations

Today's Gratitude List

1. The sun is shining and the weather is warm
2. I have food in the house
3. I have finished all the Christmas gifts, wrapped and ready to take to parents.
4. I have a roof over my head
5. I have my health even tho I struggle with some things - fibro, asthma, etc.

Today is a clean, sweep and mop day. I started to do it yesterday and ran out of steam quickly so I headed to my craft room and played. Made another little album - have to get the pictures to complete.

Here are some Holiday Decoration in my neighborhood as well as the trees from the mall.

Gratitude and 2012 Goals

Firstly I want to start out with what I am Grateful for at this time:

1. My Salvation
2. My Parents
3. My Children and my Grandchildren
4. My Dogs that love unconditional and have taught me how to love myself.
5. My friends and extended family that I have over at 2Peas. There are so many loving and talented ladies that I am happy to have as an extended part of my family.

So with all that in mind - my goals for 2012 are J.O.Y

Jesus
Others
Yourself

I want to spend more time in the Word and in Prayer and with other who share the love of the Lord.

Others - honor and lift them up and be kind. Go back to the Golden Rule

Yourself - treat myself as a person - work through the depression and weight issues. Take care of myself and quit worrying about what others think. Know that I Matter to God!

I hope and pray that everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Slacking

I have been a slacker due to the allergic reaction to a medication the doctor put me on. My neck is swollen and tight, numb and tingling and constant pain. I can't turn my head to the right without severe pain.

Praying that it is better by Christmas. They said the medication will have to work out of my system. It was a steroid and a C-pack where you take 6, then 5, then 4, etc. I had gotten down to the 4th day when I quit taking them. So basically I have 2 weeks worth in my system.

Slacking

Portfolio

Here is the album/portfolio I made with the help of Kathy from Paper Phenomenon.

Front Cover

Holiday Book

Firstly - wanted to show you why I can't put presents under the tree - My Baby Boy! If I put anything under the tree he pushes it away. Normally the other doxie is there with him.

Bronchitis

I haven't been feeling well so I went to the doctor yesterday and I am having another bout of bronchitis. I remember now why I hate taking steroids. I have been up ALL night. I have a Christmas Luncheon to go to today so there is no way that I can sleep. I am calling the doctor to see if I can take the darn things at night - I am up during the day anyway. It is one of those where you take 6 one day, then 5, then 4 till you reach the last day of taking 1.

I have my portfolio to finish, 2 matchbook albums to make, 2 wedding portfolio albums to make and I haven't done squat for my DD. I think that will turn into my annual Christmas one that I put the family pictures in. I need to be more organized. I was much better when I was working. I had a handle on time management. Oh yeah - I am also making plastic canvas place mats for my mother. How many days till Christmas?

Gotta get off from here and get started on the day.

A Jesus Advent Celebration

A Jesse Tree Journey is a wonderful book to unwrap more of his Love. Check it out at www.aholyexperience.com . There is a link to the book on the right side.

Cards and more cards

Cards

Another one of Christine's








Not sure who's made the rest of these: Bad Hostess didn't check before tossing the envelope and the crafter didn't sign them!

More cards

Another one from GoBucks

One from Christine58

More cards from the swap

This is the 2nd card I made

These are from the other ladies in the swap - aren't they awesome

This is one that GoBucks made to honor her mother

Red Bird

I have always loved Cardinals (guess being from Missouri helps) and to honor a dear person's mother, my mother and grandmother I made this card/ornament for a swap over at 2Peas. Sorry the picture isn't the best - I put it on my table on a piece of cardstock so you can get the idea.

I will post the other cards in the swap later.

Winner is Crowned

I am a huge fan of JR Martinez from All My Children. I was so happy that he took the Mirror Ball Trophy last night on Dancing With The Stars. Congrats to JR and Karina.

Today I am making Sweet Potato Casserole to take to my DD's house. We are deep pitting a ham and turkey as well as the usual trimmings.

I also have some of the grand kids over and they are playing in my "Crap" room as my grandson has always called it. I threatened them within an inch of their life if they messed with anything they aren't suppose to!

I also made a cake from Vanilla Wafers that I got off the food network site. It was on Paula Deen's show and it is awesome. I think next time I make it I will cut down on the sugar as it is so sweet with the cookies.

Here is the link if anyone wants to try it
http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?fnSearchString=vanilla%20wafer%20cake&fnContextRefinement=true&fnSearchType=site

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family.

December Daily

Here is a picture of the cover for my December Daily. The size is 5 X 7 (based on the 7 being the longer side). Looking forward to working on it.

Free template

Get a free "Santa's Magical Sleigh" card making template from Card Carousel.
Just visit www.cardcarousel.co.uk/free/sleigh.html

Newest Project

Here is the most recent project that I completed. This is for my DIL

Zoelyn Scaps: HUGE BLOG GIVE AWAY!!!!!

Zoelyn Scaps: HUGE BLOG GIVE AWAY!!!!!: "Well I have been thinking of a blog give away, and have decided that it will be HUGE!!! Here is what you have to do!!!! Just become a subscr..."

Happy Belated Mother's Day

I spent the day at church, went to lunch with my mom, spoke to both of my children on the phone and did some scrapping. Overall it was a relaxing day.

Skowky but surely

figuring it out. Thanks for all the tips. Now if I can figure out how to post pictures!!!!

Trying to figure this blog thing out.

Anyone want to help me or better yet set it up for me.!

Back Pack Album

Going to try and add pictures

Scrapbook Expo

Back from 2 days of shopping at the Expo and 2 flea markets with my daughter. We had such a great time. Yeah there were moments of frustration for us both as there were so many people in each tiny booth you couldn't shop! But we saw everything and made decisions as to which booths we wanted to re-attend. Got some great stuff!

The 2nd best part (other than being away one on one with my daughter) was getting to meet Angela 9aka griperang0 and her daughter Rachel from 2 peas and SCS. I also met another lady and her daughter from SCS but for the life of me can't remember her name right now.

Got an email stating I was approved for a Pell Grant and Financial Aid at PHCC - so will be checking into their medical program. I think I am going for a CNA first then I can work either in a doctors office or with Hospice until I get my RN degree and pass the test.

Busy Phone and Paper day

Today I have been busy on the phone making calls and trying to sort out paperwork - bills and EOB's (Explanation of benefits) from my insurance company. Until I receive each and one must be itemized I refuse to pay the bill. I want to make sure that I am not charged for something that I did not use/receive.

I didn't realize that there were so many papers involved!!!! Also taking time to go through and toss some other not needed papers and try to get things under control. Taking a week to get me organized and back on track.

DId you knoiw?

Take your bananas apart when you bring them home. Leaving them together causes them to ripen faster. (If the grandkids are around that is not a problem!)

Add a teaspoon of water to ground beef when frying and it will keep the grease away from your meat.

More tips to come..........

Good Morning

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and its a beautiful spring day. I am getting ready to go to church with my parents and then if my daughter hasn't left when I get back will go to the Sun N Fun fly in with her to pick up my oldest granddaughter.

This week I want to work on my yard. Needs mowing and general clean up from the winter frosts. Flower beds need to be cleaned out, new plants planted and the bird feeder and well put into their homes!

Have a great day.

WOW - Its been a long time since I posted -

Life happened and things were put on the back burner. I am back to getting my life organized. I am still scrapping with my daughter and we just finished making a backpack album! Will take pictures and try to post them.

You can also check out the U-stream for Paper Phenomenon and do a search for backpack album.