This is page one of two about my birthday lunch at Serendipity 3 in Las Vegas with my daughter. Stampin' Up! cardstock, I think Bo Bunny paper, work paper, Stampin' Up! ink and stamps & punch, Martha Stewart butterfly punches.

"every thing in life is a choice and every choice comes with a consequence, whether good or bad! Stop and think before you choose your consequence!"

page 2

paper is Autumn Leaves, Kiwi Kiss by Stampin' Up!, punches by Stampin' Up, unknown stamp (I think it's from the Viva Las Vegas stamp store), Making Memories flower and jewel. Simple but done!

"“Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe.”


Saint Augustine (354-430"

I scrapbooked! Actually have done a few pages in the past couple of days, but they are all without journalling as I don't have "word" anymore. I will be adding the journalling to this page on the empty part of the green cardstock, typed onto vellum and then attached with invisible glue. I hand stamped words on the smaller red flower just for some interest. I have no idea who made the chipboard letters or the flowers - I'm thinking Making Memories or Prima for the flowers. New paper and Stampin' Up Kiwi Kiss cardstock. Next page may follow in a different post.

"Ask, Believe, Receive - just three simple steps to create what you want. However, very often the second step, believe, can be the most difficult one. And yet it is the greatest step you will ever take. Believing contains no doubt. Believing does not waiver. Believing is absolute faith. Believing remains steadfast despite what is happening in the outside world.
When you master believing, you have mastered your life."

Me, day of open house

• I had a rough night with dreams. not good dreams. repetative bad dreams. every night is something different. wake up exhausted and distressed.
• since last night with minutes to count, I signed up for the movie channels so I could watch the season premiere of Dexter Season five, I now have movies to watch, so early this am I watched one bittersweet movie with Robert DeNiro. I cried and fell asleep and woke up at noon when the phone rang. That nap was lovely.
• Working on a Vegas layout from last year. can't find my QUICKUTZ FONTS!!!! aaaaahhh So I went and used a Sizzlet set: wordsworth. talk about a step back in time. I miss having easy access to a printer so I could do my journalling and get the page done tout suite. I miss scrapbooking. Thankfully I have so many wonderful HAPPY memories from the past four years.

My open house went really well. Mamma did so much work, getting the house ready and preparing all the food. Had about 20 people come, all together, over the few hours. Nice to show off my new home and life. Got some lovely home made gifts and flowers AND my all time favorite chow mein made by my "J", my partner in crime from the old job. *sigh* we had some sad serious talks about that workplace. How I miss the old days!

OMG, I just had some chow mein for breakfast. TO DIE FOR!

Flowers & Me, from the Open House

• 3 months from now, Christmas will be over!
• my shifts went well, except for the last, which was busy and I was tired and fighting with day four of a headache. and crazy dreams.
• busy turn around day with coming home to my mom being here, cleaning +++, slept for five hours then we went all over the place getting supplies for today's party
• looking forward to the party today despite getting emails from several people cancelling. it always happens. Mamma is busy in the kitchen prepping all kinds of wonderful foods. me? spinach artichoke dip. you can count on me to make it. seriously, it's the only thing I make well.
• ankle is really acting up, which scares me.
• the trees in my "backyard" are starting to turn and it's pretty; get to see a bit more of the pond again. no more bunny sightings.
• tomorrow is totally a PJ scrapbooking extravaganza day. yippeee

• I got my computer back! All the critical updates are done and I managed to hook back up to the internet. Yeah!
• The below pictures are some of the cards that I had for my first Stampin' Up! party last week-end. I was a nervous wreck; my friends tell me I did ok but I forgot my speech and just feel I didn't do a very good presentation and talk enough about all the products. And I forgot to "upsell" and did some of the forms incorrectly. Learning process I guess - I just wanted to do it right. I should have probably gone to a party first to see how other people do it. Sales were ok, had to boost it a bit for my friend so she could get a good hostess gift. It was interesting how everyone did their projects differently.
• Had my mom down for a visit and she did so much cleaning for me. It was great. Will have to have her down again for Christmas shopping.
• Getting excited about my open house. I'm expecting over 20 people to come so that is great. I have a busy day on my turn around day: shopping and cleaning and prepping food. Not sure if my mom will come down the night before; that would be a big help. Will of course make my famous spinach dip!
• Had a fun Trifecta afternoon making cards. My girlfriends have hidden talents. We even played Christmas music while we made Christmas cards! How awesome is that. Next Trifecta is a mini holiday!

displays from the Stampin' Up! party

Oh no! Worst news ever! I have a sick computer! I tried to revive it but when I couldn't get vital signs, I rushed it Code 3 to the SCH (Sick Computer Hospital). They say no discharge for several days until a proper diagnosis and treatment is complete.

Can you imagine my withdrawl??? I don't know what to do with myself...... no matter that I have a whole house to get ready for a party and I'm back to work. Anyways, no blogging from me for a few days....see you soon dear readers!

voila!

95% cleaned up!!! Thanks Mamma!

Raja find a friend

who did he makes friends with?

Peter Rabbitt!

The new dining room set

*heart*
it's not in perfect condition, but I still love it

Saw this online somewhere and tried to CASE it. Stampin up! cardstock and DSP, two step Owl punch, embossing folder, inked up part of a stamp and punch. Notice the woodgrain background stamp? Aren't the owls just super cute?

1. oy it's the middle of the night of my last shift and am I ever knackered! my eyes are constantly watering and my body just aches. Can't wait to get home and crawl into my lovely bed. It's going to be an all day event!
2. I have two "events" coming up that I'm getting anxious about. First one is my first Stampin' Up party at MsCupcakes. I feel like throwing up when I think about it. What am I going to say and do? And then my open house. All the food and drink to prepare. I can't wait to see all my friends though and their reaction to my new home.
3. Speaking of my new home, I wish I could do more. Get more furniture, get my bathroom and the kitchen renovated. I SO would love a double shower in my bathroom instead of how it is now. And the kitchen is a disaster in design. I dream of four big chairs in a talking circle and a mini library, both in the living room.
4. Spent quite a bit of time last night looking at different card designs, so I have to quickly whip up some of those for the party. Excited to try to throw together a button display in a frame... Hello Home Depot!

Being happy doesnt mean everything is perfect , it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections

May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.-

Irish Blessing

From The Secret Daily Teachings

"To create your tomorrow, go over your day when you are in bed tonight just before you fall asleep, and feel gratitude for the good moments. If there was something you wanted to happen differently, replay it in your mind the way you wanted it to go. As you fall asleep, say, "I will sleep deeply and wake up full of energy. Tomorrow is going to be the most beautiful day of my life."

Your Career Personality: Independent, People-Oriented, and Fun

Your Career Personality: Independent, People-Oriented, and Fun: "Your Career Personality: Independent, People-Oriented, and Fun
Your Ideal Careers:

Bar owner
Bartender
Cheerleader
Event promoter
Flight attendant
Marketing consultant
Motivational speaker
Personal trainer
Real estate agent
Talk show host"

You Are Water Bubbles

You Are Water Bubbles: "You Are Water Bubbles
You are a cool customer. It takes a lot to rattle you, and you recover from chaos pretty quickly.
You have a lot of inner strength and inner peace. You know you can get through anything.

You like calm, but you don't like too much calm. You always want things to be happening, just not at a crazy pace.
You prefer to go with the flow whenever possible. You only swim against the current when you have to."

inspired from something I saw online but as always, I'm never able to "case" like some people, my interpretation always ends up differently. Cherry Cobbler, Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla and Pumpkin Pie colours. French Foliage stamp as well as used a sentiment from the gratitude set in the mini. The green was dry embossed and the orange ink embossed.

My adorable babys

Remembering 9/11

Remembering 9/11

Author: Unknown

As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.

As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building,
We became one class.

As we lit candles of waiting and hoping,
We became one generation.

As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno,
We became one gender.

As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,
We became one faith.

As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.

As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.

As we mourned together the great loss,
We became one family.

As we cried tears of grief and loss,
We became one soul.

As we retell with pride the sacrifice of heroes,
We become one people.

"Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day, saying,
'I will try again tomorrow.'
- Mary Anne Radmacher

• mothers and daughters. age old story. oy sometimes the headaches.
• it's Friday night. what have I done? changed the linen, set up the VCR and have sat in bed, watching 6 episodes of ER Season 3 with laptop on lap, cat sleeping at feet. the joys of my new life.

• heavy heart for many reasons but few I can share. Fighting in the court systems is so expensive and no one really wins. Especially when you have to spend what you're fighting for in the first place. Grrrr I strongly dislike irresponsibility.
• two days left on vacation and I think they will basically be spent doing last minute chores and such. Other than Vegas, it was a quiet vacation with lots of home time, puttering. Which isn't bad, though I don't think I got much done!
• the cat has had a burst of vomiting episodes. he has been drinking lots of water (from the running tap - yes, I know I spoil him) and then he goes and purges himself it seems. After having the housecleaner do the floors so nicely, it's a bummer. Still cuddley and affectionate and doesn't give a rat's ass if the laptop is on my lap while in bed. When it's his time, he wants his time.
• did a Mentorship course yesterday which had some good learning moments. I always enjoy sharing "my stories" but have to learn patience to hear others. I even got a vest out of the deal! And then find out there is a CLUB! well hell's bells........ Trifecta, Cricut Cliquettes and now the vest club. so cool. roflmao
• getting nervous about my first Stampin' Up! party. It's been years since I've been to one. I think attendance will be low which is unfortunate for my friend as that lessens her chances of getting hostess bonus stuff . I need to get busy and do some projects and have stuff for display as well as put the class kit together. I'm nervous about the talking part especially. What if I screw up and say something wrong, aka again Stampin' Up! rules??? aaaah
• have enjoyed having my morning coffee in the living room in the gray ikea chair, Raja sitting by me on his chair, looking into my living room and home. I would love to have a nice big chair in here by Christmas, but that "by Christmas" list keeps growing.

Happy Brigade Day Weekend! Be Safe and have fun!

All products by Stampin' Up!. Embossed the card, inked the circle, added cordoury button and pearls for details. Sentiment is retired. Real Red ribbon hasn't arrived so I did my old standby and used paper strip instead. Imagine coloured with Real Red and Black ink.

"The only thing even in this world are the number of hours in a day. The difference in winning or losing is what you do with those hours."

Woody Hayes

emotional heartbreak and heartache

WHEN WILL IT STOP??????

Your Personality Cluster is Introverted Intuition

Your Personality Cluster is Introverted Intuition: "Your Personality Cluster is Introverted Intuition
You are:

You are multilayered and complex. No one can quite understand you.
You are very inspired and driven to achieve your goals.
Whether you know it or not, you are a visionary with a complete life plan.
You are intuitive enough to understand difficult problems, ideas, and people."

The Meaning of Your Life is Joy

The Meaning of Your Life is Joy: "The Meaning of Your Life is Joy
The purpose of your life is simple: to live it to the fullest.
You believe that happiness is a choice, and being happy isn't that hard to figure out.

Too many people struggle in their lives. You think they should just let go and enjoy what they've been given.
It's easy to find misery, but it's difficult to find happiness. You know that all the happiness you need comes from within."

simple card I made yesterday. Stampin' Up cardstock, "work paper", Stampin' Up cord, Martha Stewart punches

3 boxes were unpacked and those stamps are happily snuggled into their new drawers. Happy happy happy!

homeless stamps, waiting to be moved to new homes

I know it looks bad, but it is about 2/3 unpacked!

a different view

new homes for my stamps!

thank you's

backgrounds