Confessions of a Reality Show Reject

I've been crafty!

2010-05-16T20:05:00.002-05:00

I actually did something this weekend!! Of course, I'm too lazy to take any pictures. Yesterday I met with my stamping/scrapping buddies at the Chamber and worked on Thank You cards. I'm trying to get ahead of the game before I have a baby shower so I'm not rushing to get cards made and out. I've got 38 completed so far. I also got rid of a LOT of paper last night. I have accumulated lots of scrap paper in my years working for printing companies that I've finally decided to part ways with. Luckily my wonderful friends were willing to take it off my hands!! Hopefully next weekend I'll have a ton more items to get rid of as I get my stuff organized.

I'm trying to get into nesting mode. Once I get all of my scrapping/stamping stuff moved into my dining room/stamp/scrap area (got a totally cool six foot by six foot shelf from IKEA) I'm going to get rid of my desk and get another shelf for the spare room. Then, all of my fabric/sewing/needlework will be organized in there. I also need to get the full size bed that is in that room back to its owner (actually her mother in MO) and pick up a crib that she has for me. I also need to go to my MIL and pick up two chest of drawers that she's so kindly offered to us. One for us and one for the baby. The one for the baby needs to be sanded and refinished to match the crib. I'm so fortunate for everyone offering me stuff (crib, dressers, baby stuff). That means so much to me and will save us a ton of money.

On Tuesday I'll be 15 weeks along. I'm ready to know the sex of the baby...NOW! And believe it or not, I'm actually ready to start showing! I wanna see my baby bump! I'm ready to feel it move and for it to actually feel like I'm really pregnant. I'm finally over the morning sickness and the exhausted feeling that I had during the first trimester, but now comes all kinds of other issues...back pain, hip pain. I know it will all be worth it in the end when I see that sweet baby's face in November!

Well, I guess I should go get some dinner. My tummy is starting to growl!! Toodles!~Kim

Guess who's preggers???

2010-04-21T10:07:00.003-05:00

Yep, it's me...who else would I be blogging about!! I haven't posted in a while. Not because I've been busy. Cause I haven't. I've just been exhausted!! Luckily this first trimester will be over next week. Hopefully the exhaustion and sleepiness will go away too! We're leaving tomorrow night for vacation in the Keys. I'm excited to go and relax, but not looking forward to the long drive down!! I've got some stops planned for some quilt shops along the way, so maybe it won't be so bad. Plus, I'm taking books, stamping projects, knitting and quilting projects with me to keep me entertained and keep Jason awake while he's driving. Hopefully it'll help pass the time.

Anyway, back to me being pregnant...yep, I'm pregnant! I'm due November 13th. And that's about it! Sorry for such a boring blog!! More later, maybe!! Toodles! ~Kim

Kneedeep in the Hoopla

2009-12-19T07:27:00.002-06:00

How's that for a catchy title?? I have been knee deep in it, that's for sure. Knee deep in sewing! Still can't post any pictures, because it'll be my luck, nobody reads my blog until I've posted presents for them and then they see...all because I wanted to show the world my goodies. The girls at the crop last night saw them...and loved them as much as I do. How am I supposed to part with this stuff?? I love it so much!!

Anyway, not much else is going on. Three day work week next week. And you know it's gonna be the longest week ever. I thought this last week took forever to get through, but next week will be worse!!

Well, I guess I should get going. Still have some presents left to make and some cleaning to do...

Toodles! ~Kim

Didn't make my deadline!!!

2009-12-12T09:14:00.002-06:00

Well, I tried. I worked so hard, but December 1st came and I'm still not complete. Hopefully will get done with all of my Christmas stuff this weekend. I'm getting ready to teach a rag purse class, so hopefully I'll get a couple done today. I'm waiting until I get everything done before going to the laudromat to wash and dry all these "raggy" things!!

Since I spend every waking hour at home sewing, I've been working on my Christmas cards at work on my 10 minute breaks. It's worked out rather well. I also worked on some cards last night at the scrapbook store. It was our last crop there as the store is closing. It's rather sad too. I was originally invited by my stamping demo, but once I came, I really started feeling like a part of a family. We're still going to get together, at least twice a month as I'm able to use the Chamber of commerce twice a month since my boss is a member. We're going to try to get together at the library too. So, it's sad, but it's not the end of the group. I'm glad about that!

Well, I've rambled on about nothing, so I better go! Toodles!~Kim

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

2009-11-30T10:05:00.003-06:00

It seems I haven't posted in a while. That's because I've been busy! Yep, you read correctly. I haven't neglected my blog because of laziness, but because of busyness! And while I'd love to post some of the projects I've been working on, I can't because they are Christmas presents and I don't want to spoil the surprise! However, I'd probably be safe as I'm not sure any of my family reads my blog. I don't think I'm gonna make my deadline of having all of my Christmas presents completed and wrapped by December 1st as I've got 3 more quilts and several purses to make. I am teaching a Rag Purse class on December 12th, so hopefully that day I'll get one or two done. DH is off fishing with his dad in the Keys, so I've got plenty of "ME" time, so I'm sure I'll be a sewing "machine"! Oh well, time to get back to work. Toodles! ~Kim

Rag Purse

2009-09-15T06:57:00.004-05:00

Well, it looks like I'm quite addicted to making raggy items...quilts, purses...what else can I make? And to be quite honest...I love, love, LOVE homespun fabric!! I had a friend come over last night and I was showing her all my homespun, and became nearly hypnotized by the beauty of it all. She said I had a sickness...perhaps I do. Anyway, here's my purse I made over Labor Day weekend.

This is my favorite project so far. I've also made a denim rag purse that looks a lot like my denim quilt. Same paisley flannel. I'll post a picture once I complete the repairs.

Well, I need to go to work...boo, hiss...I'd much rather stay at home and craft!

Kim

Denim Quilt

2009-09-10T06:34:00.002-05:00

Howdy folks out there in bloggyland! I'm finally taking the time to post. As I was trying to figure out what project to post (yes, I've been a busy girl!) I realized I had not posted Mom's quilt!! This quilt didn't start out being her quilt. After my first rag quilt, I decided I wanted to make a denim quilt. So, any free time I had, I was cutting blue jeans up. On July 4th, Mom saw some of the jeans had embroidering on them and made the comment, "I wouldn't mind having a quilt if they had stuff like that on them." I told her she needed to get busy and go to Goodwill and thrift shops to find some good jeans to cut up. Of course, at that moment, I knew...my denim quilt was no longer my own! It was going to be Mom's. Before this point, I was at Backyard Quilts and found some beautiful flannel to back my denim quilt. The two wonderful friends that were with me loved the idea and said my quilt would be beautiful. Well, we talked about it quite a bit and I was finally told that I couldn't put it together without the two of them. Finally I started really working on it. The week before Mom's birthday is when it all came together, so I had to work hard to finish it. I had all of the squares sewn together when I called Cathy & Cindy and said I was ready to lay it out. We met at Cindy's house and laid it on her hardwood floor and set out the squares. We had fun doing it. They both kept asking me if it was OK to change this and that, and I finally told them that this was our quilt, anything they thought was fine. The only thing I said was that it didn't have to have a definite pattern to it. Well, without trying, a pattern happened. And I was OK with it. Here it is. I can't believe how well it went with Mom's living room. I told her she needed to display the quilt like shown in the picture. Whether she is or not, I don't know.

Mom told me she loved it. Then she said that she'd tell me she liked it whether she really did or not...but she really did. I asked her how I knew she wasn't lying and she said because she was telling me she wasn't lying!! :) I know she liked it. She bragged about it to everyone and had me dragging that thing outside to show it to everyone!!

Anyway, there it is. Hopefully I'll get some pictures of my rag purse to show soon. ~Kim

I am alive and kickin'!

2009-07-01T15:07:00.002-05:00

Well, it's a good thing I do not limit this blog to crafting only! Cause I got nuttin' today, but thought it would be nice if I make an appearance! I'm in the process of cleaning up my craft area, so hopefully I'll do something soon and post it. I plan on sewing all day on Friday since I'm off work...cross your fingers that I actually DO that. I want to get my rail fence quilt top done before next Tuesday. I'm taking a Flying Geese/Northern Star Christmas class on Tuesday and I'm too excited!!

I've also recently learned Swedish Weaving. I've made one placemat, and am working on #2. I should be done with that tonight. It's very easy and mindless (except in the very beginning). I can watch TV and weave and not worry about messing up. And if I do mess up, which I have, it's super easy to take out and redo. I'll post a picture on those later on tonight after I finish the second one. Gotta run! ~Kim

Latest Favorite Things

2009-05-30T08:43:00.000-05:00

Well, it seems I have neglected my blog...just a wee bit! I've been so crafty lately, just nothing I've taken the time to share with my one reader out there in bloggy land. I've actually started some new crafts. (I know, who ever knew ME, starting new crafts! geez!) I know I shared my rag quilt a few months ago, but now I've kind of dived in, head first into...wait for it...QUILTING! And not just rag quilting either! Last week I took a quilting class. The type of quilt was called a rail fence quilt. It is going to be beautiful...if I ever finish it! The fabric I chose was inspired by this card. The card was a CASE from a card we made at stamp club. The paper is Stampin' Up! Designer Cardstock called Parisian Breeze. My demo was so wonderful about letting me borrow her Top Note Die AND her 1 1/4" square punch at a Friday night scrap. I punched ALL night! I now have these pretty little designs coming out my nose!! I even had enough to use for my swap! I did everything you see below EXCEPT the added welcome baby sentiment and the scalloped rectangle under it. I wanted to leave it blank so it could be used for different occasions.

Well, I gotta jet. I'm quilting today with the Quilt Lover's of Murray quilt guild I joined. I did say I went face first into this quilting thing. Why wouldn't I join the quilt guild??? Hopefully I'll publish again soon!! ~Kim

Blog Candy and Paper Blog Hop

2009-05-09T13:40:00.002-05:00

http://burninrubber-anotherstampblog.blogspot.com/

Check it out!

Blog Candy

2009-04-23T12:38:00.003-05:00

Debbie is giving away a TON of stuff!! Go to this blog here.

http://passionforcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/04/blogoversary-candy.html

But hopefully I'm gonna get picked!!!

Rag Quilt

2009-03-29T21:10:00.001-05:00

Well, I said a few posts ago that I was going to take a photo of my rag quilt and post it, but still have not done it. So here it is:

I absolutely love it! I didn't make sure the batting was not showing on the edges (which I knew I should have cut it out...) and you can see it some on the edges.

Oh well, maybe eventually I'll take scissors and cut each little piece out. I started doing that the day that I washed and dried it, but soon I was tired of it! I bought more fabric yesterday at Hobby Lobby only because I actually found some homespun fabric. It will be red, white and blue. I think it will turn out beautiful, just gotta get it all cut down. That's the worst part! Hopefully I'll have enough fabric to make a matching pillow too! Let me know what you think about the quilt! ~Kim

A Couple of Cards

2009-03-28T23:51:00.001-05:00

Well, I've been crafty lately, even though I've been super busy. Unfortunately, I've had to create some sympathy cards. Those suck. My boss's father in law passed away while we were on vacation and I'm just now getting a card made. I didn't have a single stamp having to do with sympathy or losing someone. So at stamp club this month, I ordered a sympathy set. Now, someone else that I know has lost his wife very suddenly, so I've got to make a few more cards for him and their two adult daughters. It's all very sad as she was only 55. So, here is one of the cards:

Here's the inside:

I made another one last night with the same stamp set but different layout. I've got two more to go. I think one will be an exact duplicate of the card above since it is going to my boss's wife and the other will go to the friend who lost his wife. The other one I'm going to try to make completely different since they will be going to the same family.

It's so odd when someone dies. I've only been affected by death a couple of times in my life, and it really makes you numb. Just the thought of any of my family dying cripples me. I've lost my Pop, and that alone was terrible. I wasn't as close to him as I wish I had of been, but he was a wonderful man. His death made me see my dad in a different light. I've grown closer to him, and I'm so happy for that. Jason's lost his granny too, and that was awful too.

Sorry this has been such a bummer of a trip...death just gets ya thinking!

Butterflies & Scraps

2009-03-20T20:47:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm finally posting my butterfly card. The card I cased this from was so beautiful, and I thought it would be easy, well, except for all the cutting. Boy was I wrong! I couldn't get the color to stamp correctly. I had to sponge a lot of color on. I was really discouraged after stamping, but I continued on. I had decided I wasn't stopping until it was finished. Here's the card. I loved it in the end. Nope, doesn't look like the card I used as the inspiration, but that's ok. I'm fine with the way it turned out. And my sister loved it.

Well, me and Kara made a pact...to only have WHOLE sheets of paper by the end of the year. We both have a LOT of scraps and frankly, I'm sick of having little pieces of paper everywhere. So I decided that by the end of this year, we either had to use all of our scrap pieces, give them away or throw them away. WHOLE PIECES ONLY in our stash!! I'm not quite sure she's really in for it, I might have dragged her (drug her?) kicking and screaming. But, the night that we (I) made this pact, I made count 'em FIFTEEN cards!! All with scraps! I was so proud of myself. Tomorrow is another scrap/stamp/craft night. I think I'm gonna try to do it again. Maybe even more cards. I'll post more soon! ~Kim

ETA: I finally finished my first rag quilt!! It turned out BEAUTIFUL!! I'm so glad I did it!! I've got more fabric to make another one. The next one is going to be made of flannel instead of homespun material. Hopefully it'll fray halfway decently. I'll take a picture of it soon and post it!

I finally made something!!

2009-03-04T13:22:00.005-06:00

February 28th
I finally made something! Today my hubby and I attended a birthday party for our "faux" nephew, Peyton. His birthday is actually February 29th, but since the 28th was a Saturday, the party was then. Of course, since his birthday won't happen for another three years, it is celebrated on the day after February 28th. So, tomorrow is his "birthday." Anyway, since I am known around my circle as the one who makes handmade cards, I made a card for the wee one. And ya know what?? I enjoyed it! I decided this morning after spending HOURS on this card, I wanted to come home and create. Here is the card:

This is the card I cased. Turned out nothing like it, but I tried!! Details: Classic Laid Duplex Cover Ponderosa Pine/Alpine White (base), bubbles and plaid paper is Martha Stewart paper, 80# Cougar Cover White, generic markers for outside stamp, and I think that's it. Oh...the number 1 was covered in Versa Mark and then heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. The number was cut out using my Cricut and the cartridge was Cuttin' Up. Stamp set for outside was So Many Scallops.

SIDETRACKING HERE...try to keep up! As we're on the way home, I remember I need to go to work and print some film before tomorrow morning. After spending WAY longer at the party than intended I decided that this has to be done. Now, we're under a weather advisory tonight as it is snowing/sleeting tonight. So, we decide to come home and walk to the dog, then go by work. As we're driving there, we decide that Huddle House is good for dinner, so I stop by work, turn everything on, print the film and then go to the House. It'll take a while for the film processor to warm up, so I'll go eat while it's doing it. Had a great dinner/breakfast and then ran the film through. We had to wait a good 15 minutes for that slow machine to work, but finally we were able to leave. We were going to go grocery shopping (cause that's what you're supposed to do when it snows. But I told Jason, we have bread and milk, what else are you supposed to shop for?) So we didn't go shopping and came home. Luckily nothing stuck so no need for going to the store!! So, I didn't go home and create. I was too tired. Plus, I wasn't feeling creative at all.

March 4th
The next morning, I started working on my sister's birthday card because I KNEW It would take all morning. I was casing a card by Mary Jo Albright that was inspired by a cover of Martha Stewart's magazine. It took forEVER to stamp, and once my mom told me we were postponing the birthday party, I didn't work all that hard on it. After getting all of the butterflies cut out, I stopped. I might work on it tonight after I get home, but I'm not sure. If I do, I'll post it. Gotta run...I'm at lunch so I'll try to post later! I need to update my details on this card! Kim

Greetings from Conch Key, Florida

2009-02-16T12:24:00.003-06:00

Hi All. Nope, I promise not to post each and every day of vacation, as that might seem as if I were trying to rub it in your face that I'm on vacation and you're well, OK, probably not. Anyway, this first picture is the view if you're standing on the boat and looking to the right. I thought it was just a beautiful sight and had to shoot it!

This is the second fish I ever caught (yesterday, while WITH the inlaws on the Gulf of Mexico while vacationing in the Keys vs. the first one that was caught while visiting the inlaws when they lived on Merritt Island in Florida in 2003.)

This was probably the biggest fish of the day!! Woot Woot!! Actually, Jason caught one even bigger than mine, but I didn't get a picture of it. So that means I caught the biggest since it's the only record we have. (And as I tell the story over the years, the fish will get larger and larger...ya know, cause that's how fish tales go!!)

The weather is pretty nice here. A little cooler that I had hoped, but nothing to complain about. The boys are out on the boat fishing. I decided I didn't want to join them as my touckas is a little sore from all the bumping around we did yesterday, and the water is even choppier today. Plus, tooth is still hurting from root canal on Wednesday. What a thing to have to get done right before vacation!! MIL is out shopping at some "Florida-y" clothing stores ("Lazy Lizard" and some other store that I can't think of the name now) and to Publix...I almost went just to get to go to Publix...love me some Publix.

OK, I think I'm gonna go nap. Yep, that's what my people do when on vacation. Heck, that's what I do on any day that I don't have to work!!!

I'm not off to a good start on my Resolutions

2009-02-05T10:08:00.002-06:00

OK, it's now February and guess how many resolutions I've stuck with? Zero. I haven't even started on most of them. So, since I don't want to be all negative, I won't even try to address any personal resolutions that I've ignored. I'm just not gonna go there. But, I will address my crafting resolutions.

Craft resolutions
1. Make three cards every week. Nope. I made thank you cards, but that was it. And they were all the same. I really should post some pictures as they were super cute (in my opinion). I cased them from someone, but of course I don't remember who!!
2. Get crafts organized and set up where I can sit down and create whenever the mood hits me. Nope. Houseguests and the overall situation with the ice storm prevented anything I could do. Of course, I probably wouldn't have done anything anyway.
3. Make a rag quilt. I'm actually working on it. I started it on January 24th, and I'm down to 4 fat quarters that need to be ironed before I cut them. I should be ready to start sewing the sandwich squares together tonight.
4. Complete all projects that I start (or that are halfway done now.) Nope.
5. Get all Christmas stuff (cards, presents, etc.) completed before December 1st so I can concentrate on the season and all that it stands for (family, friends and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ). Nope.
6. Decorate my new house (provided that we get one!) Nope.
7. Learn one new craft or technique each month (this can probably be accomplished at stamp club as Tonya always has good stuff for us to try!) Well, it's only the 5th, so I'm sure that will happen.
8. Record all of the details of the cards I make, so if I get good enough and have the confidence in my abilities, I can submit cards/projects for publication. Here's a link of Cammie's article with tips for publications. Nope.
9. Along those lines, I'd like to become a design team member for a stamp company. I love all of the stamp companies and it seems like I'm finding new ones every day. I'll keep my eyes open for design team calls and hopefully I'll be right for one of the. The idea of free supplies is something I love!! Of course, I have to get good enough to achieve that goal too. Nope.

What was the reason for this post again??? I guess I am trying to keep myself accountable. I'll forget all about making this post until I get it in my inbox tomorrow, so maybe that'll keep me on track. Hopefully I'll post some pictures this weekend of cards and maybe a quilt?? Later! Kim

Weather sucks...but we're OK.

2009-01-28T23:10:00.003-06:00

OK, so anyone who might be reading this post knows what's going on with the weather in Western KY. Well, our power was out all day yesterday, starting conveniently right after Jason's alarm went off. So I wasn't late for work or anything, but spent all day worried about Lucy being cold and if it didn't come on soon, I'd be cold too. (The way I knew my power was still out was by calling the house. If it rang and rang, that meant the power was out because the answering machine didn't pick up.) I called my friend Shawn to see if there power was on and she said they were at a hotel. If worse come to worse, we could pile up in their room. So, I call and get the very last room at Days Inn. So, I'm happy. They still have power and we've got a room. Well then I call Jason and let him know. He gets mad at me and tells me he can get a room at Baymont, which is closer to our home and we can get home to Lucy quicker. So, we decided I would cancel the room at Days Inn. When I did, she said, "You realize this is the last room we've got, right?" I say yes, I realize that. We've got reservations elsewhere. And we did...on paper. Our card was charged, but the hotel said they did not have any rooms available. I called everywhere, and I was at my wits end. Days Inn booked the room probably as soon as I got off the phone, so even that was out. I even checked Murray Plaza (which anyone that knows Murray knows that its a No Tell Motel). Even they were booked. So, it looks like we're shackin' up with the Johnson's.
So, we get all of our stuff and pack them up a flight of stairs to their room. We move beds around, blow up an air mattress to sleep on, bring food, etc. We are there about an hour, hour and a half, something like that, and I think to check our house to see if power came back on. I got the answering machine, so I was stoked!! I was gonna get to sleep in my bed afterall. SO, we pack back up most of our stuff, saying we'd get the rest today. So, I get to go home, play on my computer and get the internet (which I was unable to do at all at work yesterday as the internet went out and I didn't feel right asking them to come fix our internet when lots of people were without power). So, I was a happy camper. I get in bed around 10:30 or so, after turning on the electric blanket and am diggin' it. Well, evidently, my sleepy time medicine worked because Jason said the power went out a little after 11. And he said , "Well sh*t! The freakin' power just went out." Luckily, it didn't wake me up and he didn't try to since he could tell that I was out, so he just left me alone and let me sleep. Now this morning when I woke up, I realized the power wasn't on and he told me what happened. So, I ask him to get me another blanket to go on top of the comforter to try to get warm again. Finally, after a little bit, I get up and get dressed. Jason decided if we drove around we'd be warm. So, that's what we did. We decided we'd drive by my work to see if there was power. Nope. Then we drove over to his work. Nope. Then we go to the animal hospital to see if we could pick up Lucy (as we couldn't bring her into the hotel). They had a note on the door that said due to power outages, they were closed. It also said that someone had come by this morning to take care of the animals and that they were in a warm place. It also said that we could do pick ups from 3 to 4, so that's what we intended to do. We drove back to the Baymont to check on Kris, Shawn and Peyton. The power was out there too. We sit there chatting as its still warmer there than outside or at our house. We decide we're all gonna jump in the car and start driving south to look for a generator. This was around noon I guess. Nobody had them, so the wild goose chase began. We ended up in Nashville and still wasn't sure we were gonna one anywhere. So finally around 8 pm, we go to IHOP to eat and it's the first meal we've had all day. All of the sudden, Jason's cell phone rings and says that they've got a generator at Home Depot. The one that was directly behind the IHOP. So Jason and Kris go to get it, leaving Shawn, Peyton and me there. It was fine until Peyton dropped a deuce and Shawn left the diaper bag in the car. I offer to walk over there and get it. By the time I got over there, the generator was in the back of the car and they were getting ready to come back. So, now we've got a generator, but it was getting close to 10. Shawn has a great friend Jennifer who has a big three bedroom house in Nashville. So, this is where I'm posting from. Yep, NASHVILLE! We've all bathed and put on clean clothes and are currently washing the clothes we were wearing today. We still haven't been able to reach my parents or sister. I've tried my bosses, but couldn't get through to them. Jason got a hold of his boss luckily. They are saying that power will be out for 5-10 days, but in reality it will probably be two weeks. We're hoping the generator will be able to get our house semi-warm with the space heaters we have. I love the way everything looks as it looks very magical, but I hate being without power. SOOO, if anyone is reading this, we (us and the Johnsons) are OK. I talked to the Sizemores yesterday and they were without power, but had a generator. I think everything is going to be OK eventually, but it's been rather nerve wrecking today. Having a baby and a drama momma with us has not helped the situation. Luckily, the baby's been pretty good as is his momma.

So, I'm signing off. Hope everyone is well. ~Kim

New Years Resolutions & random babbling

2009-01-10T12:22:00.000-06:00

OK, so I'm a little late on this. I haven't made any resolutions until now as I wasn't sure what I wanted to accomplish this year. Kara and I were discussing resolutions, and that got me to thinking. I definitely cannot make resolutions without writing them down. And if I list them here on my blog, maybe it will keep me accountable. (This blog really got me to thinking about this and is the final push to making these resolutions.)I will make life resolutions and crafting resolutions. Not sure if any of them will be easy to do, but here goes:

Life resolutions
1. Purchase a house and move.
2. Start watching my diet better and lose 15 pounds.
3. Start exercising...again.
4. Learn to manage stress better.
5. Spend more time with my family.
6. Start journaling my diet/weight/meds/moods, etc. again.
7. Try to get off of most of my pain meds.
8. Live life to the fullest.

Craft resolutions
1. Make three cards every week.
2. Get crafts organized and set up where I can sit down and create whenever the mood hits me.
3. Make a rag quilt.
4. Complete all projects that I start (or that are halfway done now.)
5. Get all Christmas stuff (cards, presents, etc.) completed before December 1st so I can concentrate on the season and all that it stands for (family, friends and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ).
6. Decorate my new house (provided that we get one!)
7. Learn one new craft or technique each month (this can probably be accomplished at stamp club as Tonya always has good stuff for us to try!)
8. Record all of the details of the cards I make, so if I get good enough and have the confidence in my abilities, I can submit cards/projects for publication. Here's a link of Cammie's article with tips for publications.
9. Along those lines, I'd like to become a design team member for a stamp company. I love all of the stamp companies and it seems like I'm finding new ones every day. I'll keep my eyes open for design team calls and hopefully I'll be right for one of the. The idea of free supplies is something I love!! Of course, I have to get good enough to achieve that goal too.

I guess that is all for now. I should probably resolve to not buy so much crafting stuff (random stuff to alter, paper, dies, etc.) as I haven't been using stuff, just buying. But if I stick with my crafting goals, maybe I'll NEED to buy more stuff! :)

OK, hopefully soon you'll see some cards. I never posted my Christmas card or any of the cards that I made at Tonya's Stamp a Stack workshop. I am without my wonderful portable studio, so I'll have to wait until I get it back to take the pictures. But I really will post some crafts soon.

In other news, Spellbinders is holding a contest to win the new Nestibilities releases. You have to send an email everyday with the featured die name in your subject. I hope I win! Of course, I've got four sets of Nesties and never use them (hard to use when you don't make anything!)

Something else I've been meaning to do is show some blog love. I subscribe to several blogs, but I have one in particular that I LOVE! Debbie is so creative and always an inspiration to me. I've seen her projects in magazines, so she's famous in the crafting world. But she's also very nice and has emailed answers to my many questions regarding a certain card she made. Anyway, I've been meaning to share this info for a while now, but never got around to it!

I'm still alive!!

2009-01-08T23:02:00.002-06:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Before Christmas, I was too busy trying to decide what to do for Christmas presents and all that. Then Jason got sick on Christmas Eve, so we missed out on getting together with family. Then, on Christmas morning, I had it and felt like crap. He passed the bug along with me!! So we didn't go to my parents house OR see my dad's side of the family! I was really bummed. We did go to the Greater Cincinnati Area the day after Christmas. We didn't leave Murray until late afternoon as I was still feeling a little poopy until then. Plus, we had a leak in the tire that had to be fixed. So finally we made it! We had a great time up there with Jason's family and had fun with his sister, her huband and their kids. Then, we came home on New Year's Eve. We were so tired, and didn't want to go to anything. But for a long time now, we have a tradition of getting together on New Year's. I couldn't break tradition. We laid around from New Years until this past Sunday. Then we both started getting the Sunday afternoon blues!!

Well, not too much has been going on in my crafting world. I did sit down and make thank you cards to send to all of my friends and family who gave presents to ous. I can't show them on here as I may have one reader or two who will be receiving them!! So, for now I must sign off as I'm a sleepy girl. I'll post copies of the card once they are in the mail. Toodles ~ Kim

I don't wanna get booted!!

2008-11-28T02:14:00.002-06:00

I received a message from blogger saying my website was tagged as a potential spam blog and that it would be deleted in 20 days unless I took action. I still have not heard back from them...and I'm getting worried that a computer may boot me!! Yikes! I would hate to lose everything! I guess I should start backing up my posts just in case!

Here is a card that I made for one of my friend's parents. Her father is battling cancer, and I wanted to send them a card with some photos of their grandbaby!

The paper is stuff I got from work. 120# Classic Laid Double Thick Duplex, 80# Cougar Cover, and the yellow is something else...can't remember the brand. The stamp set is Embrace Life. I really liked the card. I wish the photo would have come out better though, as usual! I tried using my mini studio kit that I got for by birthday from my best friends, but still not the best. I've tried with some other cards and I think I may be getting the hang of this. Well, I must go, as I'm getting sleepy!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Toodles ~ Kim

I really am alive!

2008-10-28T12:45:00.000-05:00

WOW! I can't believe it's been a month since I've posted! I've been so busy with schoolwork and work I've not gotten a chance. Plus, I'm trying to not spend all waking hours at home on the computer so I can get other stuff done, like actually MAKING something! I've just finished another baby blanket, but have yet to decide who it's going to. I have several baby boys that I can send it to. I decided I'm sick of making blue blankets, but everyone I know has had boys. So finally, I've found out my husband's aunt has a new granddaughter, so I'm making a blanket to send out to her. Of course, I'm only working on it at breaks at work, so 20 minutes a day isn't making much progress! I have two more boy blankets to make. Hopefully I'll find make the time to work on it.

My husband and I have been house hunting for the past few months and yesterday we made an offer on a home. I like it, but I'm trying to stay calm about it, and not get disappointed if the offer is rejected. If it's accepted, we will be getting a great home at a great price. I'll talk more later about it once it becomes a reality. (But I am already starting to plan my craft room!! I'm sure a trip to Ikea will be in my not so distant future!)

Well, I guess I'll wrap this up. I'll try to take some pictures of some cards I've been working on tonight or tomorrow. I've got a test tonight and need to study my behind off so I can get a good grade. It's funny, when I was younger, I didn't care what kind of grades I made, but now I am striving for A's. Guess it's a maturity level thing! Toodles! ~Kim

Wonderful Event!

2008-09-21T12:14:00.001-05:00

Cammie is hosting a wonderful blog candy/raising awareness event. She is also donating all of proceeds to the Alzheimer's Association from her stamp set, Whimsical Autumn at Gina K Designs. Here is the card I created at a stamp camp, and I'm sending it to the Artman House, where Cammie's grandmother was taken care of during the last years of her life. I applaud any family/friend and/or caregiver who has been affected by Alzheimer's for their kindness. Please visit the sponsors of this wonderful giveaway, and thank them for donating to the cause. Also, send a card to someone you know who is a caregiver, or to the Artman House, and thank them for their kindness! Thanks!

Busy, Busy Life!

2008-09-21T11:40:00.005-05:00

Man, when did my life get so busy?? It's my own fault really. Not only do I work full time, but I've gone back to school at Murray State. I'm taking six hours this semester, English 102 (trying to get a D off my transcript from a decade ago, when I didn't take school seriously) and a fine arts elective (Introduction to Theatre). I'm enjoying the Theatre class, other then the fact that I'm WAY older than everyone in the class, including the teacher! I still feel pretty young, well, I did, until I started this class! This is the first on-campus class I've taken in a decade. I've taken online classes, but that's it. (Wait, actually in Cincinnati in 2001 I was in broadcasting school, but there was several classmates who were my age and older, so I didn't feel as out of place as I do now!) Anyway, back to this class. Last Tuesday, we had to perform in front of our classmates in pairs. We were all given the same "open" script, but had to make it our own, including props, costumes, scenery, etc. So my partner, Jacquiline and I, came up with a plan. We were at the airport. I was a rocker chick, she was a pretentious chick. Well, I decided I was gonna go all out. So I talked to my hairdresser and made an appointment to get my hair and makeup done. Lisa went ALL out! She even brought clothes for me from her 16 year old daughter's closet! When she was done, I looked AMAZING! (If I do say so myself!)

As I showed up at class on Tuesday night, I was hoping not to draw attention to myself. (My friends would say "Pshaw" at that, as I'm usually very happy being the center of attention with people I'm around all the time. But with these "kids", not so much.) Anyway, I figured they never paid much attention to me anyway, and they wouldn't notice. Well, as I was walking up to the Fine Arts Building, people outside practicing, kept saying, "Wow! You really went all out!" One was walking in the door in front of me, and got in the lobby of the theatre and yelled, "Jacquiline, here's your partner! Look at her!" Everyone was in the lobby as the teacher had not opened the classroom yet, so all eyes turned to me. I was mortified. But what could I do? I had to go to class and I had to stay where I was. So, I just smiled shyly and found J. It ended up going off without a hitch. I did drop a line, but it was OK. The teacher called me out before class started saying "You get an automatic A for your costume! You look fantastic!" After class, she said I did really well and said I could be an actor. I'm sure she was just saying it, not really meaning it, but still! So, here's a picture. Don't laugh too hard. I ended up really digging the hair, not the makeup so much! And the outfit...I LOVE! I really started feeling young!

Well, I guess I should go as I'm putting off writing a 1,000 word paper for english right now. It's due on Tuesday. Plus I have a test on Tuesday for my theatre class that I need to study for. Yuck. Why am I going back to school again?

Stamp Club & Craft Club

2008-08-28T18:07:00.002-05:00

Well, I really lucked into a cool thing a couple of weeks ago. Some friends and I have been talking (for years now, even when we lived in Cincinnati) about starting a craft club. Basically, a group of people to get together and do crafts. In the beginning, we were going to have different people host each get together and teach some kind of craft. Well, the craft club kind of became a reality last week. I sent out emails to everyone I knew who I thought might be wanting to get together to do some crafting. It didn't matter what type of craft either. Scrapbooking, stamping, whatever you wanted to do. Just a time to get away from home and kids and focus on crafting. I sent an email to my friend Candee, thinking, "Well, I don't know if she's crafty, but I'll send it anyway. She'd like to get together and socialize anyway." Well, she emailed me back and told me about a Stampin' Up! stamp club she was in. She also asked me if I wanted to come to one of her classes! It was so much fun! I made the most beautiful card I have ever made! I never would have learned how to make that beautiful card if I had not emailed Candee. Here is this card:

and the inside:

Here is the other card we made. It is beautiful too.

I think I could have come up with that idea on my own, but the flower card? No way. I didn't know of this technique (huffing) until I met up with these ladies. Tonya is the demo, and she has a ton of great ideas and products!

Well, back to Craft Club. Everyone emailed and told me they would be interested and what days were good for them. So last Friday night was the first ever Kim's Craft Club. OK, so it won't really be named Kim's Craft Club. I just couldn't think of a name for it, and since I initiated the email to get this thing going, well, right now that's what it is. Once we get a little more formal and designate certain dates that we're going to do this, and get more people to come, then I'll come up with another name. We met at Aurora Baptist Church, Kara's home church. We've crafted there before and it's a great place to meet. It has a kitchen, bathrooms and lots of tables for crafting! It was a great night for all who attended. I ended up getting four or five pages done in my Lucy scrapbook, but that was it. I was too busy socializing and seeing what everyone else was doing! We are going to have to do it again sometime soon. In the meantime, I'm waiting for the next Stamp Club class, which is on Sept. 11. I'm too excited. Tonya came to the Craft Club the other night and I told her how I didn't use heat emboss powder too much, basically because I was no good at it. So she said the stamp club will then have lots of projects that involve embossing so I can practice! I think that will be cool. Plus, more ideas!

Just a quick note on the above photos: I was in a hurry when I took them, so they are not really that great. Kara and Jenni got me this really cool photo box type thing to set up an item and take really good pictures, but I was in a hurry and trying to get back to lunch on time. So for now, that will have to do. In the future, I'll use my little "photo studio" for all of my crafts and maybe they'll look better.

Well, we are leaving to go to Cincinnati this weekend to see the inlaws. I'm excited and ready to get out of town. J had to work late, so we're getting a later start than we wanted to. Oh well, they were gonna go to bed anyway and just leave the light on for us. So I guess it doesn't matter what time we get there. We just need to be quiet when we come in! Well, everyone have a safe and happy Labor Day! Kim

Heartbroken!

2008-08-13T10:04:00.005-05:00

Yep, I'm heartbroken as I write this. I'm sure it will mend, but it will take time. Last night was just terrible for me. I got home from work, and our neighbor has a wonderful little tom cat named Tom. He is the sweetest thing and every time I see him I stop to pet him.

Well, after petting him, I go inside and feed Lucydog and then go to wash my hands. (It seems I've grown a bit allergic to kitties as my eyes and nose itch if I touch my face after touching them. Who'd thought? I grew up with three indoor cats!) Anyway, as I was washing my hands at the kitchen sink, I see a little kitty outside coming up on our back porch. She looked a lot like Tom, except her colors are exactly opposite. He's mostly white with large black spots all over. She is mostly black with white boots, white chest and neck and a small white mustache. Cute as can be...but she's limping. And from the window, 10 feet away, I could see what I thought was a wound with bone showing. So, I watched her from the window for a little bit, and finally had to go outside to see how bad off she was.

Here's where I got sucked in. She was the sweetest little kitty. She purred the entire time I was petting her. Her wound looked pretty bad, and her paw was swollen about 2 1/2 times larger than normal. As I'm rubbing her, I feel of one of her front legs, and it's obvious she was either born with some kind of disability and her leg grew wrong, or she'd been hurt before, because her "elbow" was sticking out sharply, but was covered in fur and obviously an old injury. So, I'm bawling my eyes out as I feel like she's hurt really bad and I don't know what to do. I call the animal hospital (who knows us...well, LUCY, very well because of all the stuff she eats...see this post for a quick story on that!) They tell me I could bring her in and incur the costs myself, or call Animal Control and see what they could/would do. So I call Animal Control. Of course, it's after hours, so I have to leave a voice mail.

The longer I sat out there with her, the more I cried and decided I had to do something. I called the animal hospital back to see exactly how much an exam would cost and if they could see her. They said just an exam was $37.50 but yes, they could see her now. As I'm crying to Jason, asking what I should do, Kitty sits down right beside me, placing her two front paws on my leg and looks up at me like I'm the only person in the world who could help her and it broke my heart! Jason said at that moment, "Oh Kim, you know you gotta take her!"

So, I packed her up and took her in. At the time, I didn't know if she was a she or he as I didn't want to handle her too much with her yucky wound. Well, after arriving at the animal hospital, I found out she was a little girl, at least a year old. Once the doctor came in to look at her, he found a lot of things wrong with her. The first thing was ear mites. No problem, those can be treated. Then the original back paw wound. No problem, 21 days of antibiotics, daily hydrotherapy (which means holding the paw under a steady pressure of water for several minutes...and you know how cats love water!), drying the wound, applying scarlet oil once a day, applying ointment twice a day! Whoa! I think I got it all. Then they broke the worst news to me. She's pregnant with two little kitties. She's around two weeks and the gestation time for cats is 9 weeks. He said he could still spay her but he needed to do it before she reached 6 weeks. How would I ever make that decision to kill her babies? (Side note: I am very pro-life as my biological father (or sperm donor as I call him) wanted my mother to have me aborted when he found out she was pregnant. If my mom hadn't of stood her ground, I wouldn't be around. Luckily she packed up and ran back home and into the arms of Dad, the wonderful man who raised me as his own, along with my older sister when he was just a kid himself! Love you Dad...even though I know you don't read!!)

OK, back to kitty. I bring her home and give her food and water, along with the antibiotics and patched up her little paw (luckily they did the hydrotherapy at the vet so I didn't have to do it last night) and then decided I was gonna see if she had a home. She was just too friendly not to have one. I started with the family that lives in the other half of our duplex. She has a son who's always playing around the neighborhood and keeps track of everyone. He and his mom thought they knew who it belonged to and offered to go over there with me to see if it was theirs. So, we walk over there, and there is a couple sitting on the steps with a toddler playing in the parking lot. The woman looks up and says, "What has my cat gotten into now?" So, I told her I just got back from the vet and she starts acting a little more concerned. By the time this was going on, the cat was peeved cause I had been holding it too long and it just wanted down. So, she saw it as she was running under the car. I told her what all happened and that I had medicine I'd bring over for her if they'd take care of it and she said they would. Then, I told them she was pregnant (and the girl was pregnant herself, smoking...but, who am I to judge?) and she said, "She's pregnant again? I've only had her a year and this is the second time she's gotten pregnant. I just got rid of the litter she had before." So, at this point, I start getting peeved. She said she was planning on getting her fixed but they didn't have the money and now that she was pregnant she would have to wait until the kitties were born. Then I told her that the vet said he could spay her before she got to six weeks and she said that was just "disgusting." And then she brought up the money again. I told her that I knew someone at the humane society that could give her a 1/2 off the price of a spay or neuter as long as it was done at a vets office here in Calloway County. I told her that meant it would only cost $35. And then I offered to help her pay it if they didn't have the money. She then said, "Oh, no, I thought it would be more than that, I could pay that." I think she felt a little insulted, and I wasn't trying to insult her. I just wanted the kitty fixed so we wouldn't have more cats in this world. So, then, my Schwann's man pulled up and I told her I had to go, but that I would get the medicine and food and instructions and bring them back shortly.

As we were walking back, my neighbor and I looked at each other and had the same thought. We hope she'll take care of them. We were trying not to judge them on our first impressions, but it's kinda hard sometimes. She looked pretty rough, like don't want to meet her in a dark alley kind of way. Well, I spent a little too long talking to the Schwann's man so it was probably 30 minutes before I got back over there. It was dark and they were already back inside. So I rang the doorbell and waited. Nothing. Evidently their door bell does not work. So I knocked a little bit. Didn't want to wake up any kiddos or anything. (I also didn't want the girl coming and kickin' my butt!) Well, the guy answered the door. He was very thankful for everything that I did and told me he would pay me back as soon as he could but that he just got laid off from his job, and just got another job, down on his luck...yadda yadda yadda. But, as I was asking questions (are you from here, where'd you live before you moved here, etc.) he told me he was in the military (Air Force) and was a trained surgical technician. He got burned out on it, so took some time off and got into contracting (I think that's what he said) but now he's a chef at a local restaurant! He said he was trying to get back into surgical because the money was good, and I don't think the girl worked. Anyway, as he was telling me this, I started feeling a little better about them taking care of the cat as he has medical training and maybe he would know how to do all of the stuff that needed to be done.

So, that's it. I spent too much money on a stray cat, who ended up not being a stray but owned by someone in my backyard. The thought that is comforting to me is that if I had of found the owners before I took her to the vet is that they might not have taken her, and she wouldn't get the medicine and care she needed. So, if they take care of her, then I've done a good deed. I didn't want recognition or even reimbursement for the care. I just wanted that sweet little kitty taken care of. And I hope they do. I'm in the process of getting the spay voucher to them, and then hopefully I can check up on her from time to time. I'm such a sap when it comes to animals. It breaks my heart when they are sick or injured, because they can't tell you what is wrong or how I can help them. I just love on them and try to comfort them as much as possible. I'm in such a funk today. I know my broken heart will mend. I've been praying a lot since last night. I'm not much for saying prayers a lot, but I needed God's help and wisdom and I felt like He helped comfort me last night. I will continue to pray about this and other things in my life that I have not been able to get control of myself and maybe things will get better. Maybe this was God's way of telling me to pay more attention to Him and every thing around me. WOW, sorry if I got a little deep there. Keep me and Layla (the preggo cat) in your prayers...we're gonna need it! ~Toodles! Kim

I passed!!

2008-08-04T13:02:00.002-05:00

Well, I finally finished my Chemistry class. I'm SO glad it's over! I made an A, so I'm excited. Hopefully that'll help get my GPA higher. I'm taking English 102 and The Theatrical Experience this fall. I'm ready to take more classes. But this time, I'm not gonna wait until the last minute to do my assignments!

I'm ready to get back to crafting! This evening, I'm going to Cardio Blast at the gym, then coming home and cleaning my neglected messy home! Then, I'm crafting! I'll post some of my new creations soon! ~Toodles! Kim

I've been crafty!

2008-07-24T18:19:00.004-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted. I've wanted to post, but I've had nothing to share. But now I do. I've discovered altering composition books. I've really become obsessed with it. I've got a ton of them, ready to decorate. I'm even teaching a class at the local scrapbook store. Here's my favorite so far:

And now my second favorite:

I made this one for my Shawna for her birthday. Sorry it was a little late Shawna!

And here's the card I made with the left over scrap pieces! Yay for me!

It really isn't one of my favorite cards. I used a rub on tape for the faux stitching. I didn't like it much. Looks too fake.

Hope you enjoy looking at what I've made. Maybe I'll keep making stuff and posting. I've been busy trying to finish up my chemistry class before next Friday. I have a bit left to go, but I'm sure I'll get it done. I'm going to Nashville tomorrow to visit a friend who's just had WLS. I've talked to her sister and she's doing great! While I'm in Nashville, I'm getting to see my old massage therapist and I'm getting an hour and a half massage!! I'm so excited! It's been a while since I've had a good massage!! Toodles! ~Kim

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-06T22:05:00.003-05:00

Hello anyone who's reading! We had a wonderful weekend! On Friday, my hubby and I went to some friends house for a pool party. They have it every year and it was last year when I saw them last. It was great catching up with everyone! I have some pictures of the kids showing off.

Then, on Saturday, we had a definite experience. I ended up bringing Samantha home with me and boy did we have fun. Our friends, Dinker & Dozer, asked us to help them with a job. They own a catering business called on the mark catering and event planner and they were hired by the radio station to cater for the Freedom Fest concert. We were catering in the artist hospitality room. That meant we would be serving Jason Meadows, Tracy Lawrence, and the Charlie Daniels Band. So, Sami & I got there right before lunch. So we helped serve band members (we're assuming as nobody really introduced themselves our anything and I didn't ask.) At about 1:30, everything slowed down. My friends left to go get the food for supper. So it was just me, Sami & Mikey. Then Mikey left so it was just me and Sam. Then this gorgeous lady and pretty cute guy walked in. The guy said he needed to get "this lady something to eat." So, by that point, lunch was pretty scares. So, she ends up getting a little salad, as the guy is sitting there humming, walking around. So, I compliment her hair, as it is absolutely stunning. Then I ask if she's with one of the bands and she said "Yeah, I'm with Jason." and points to the guy who was with her but walking out the door. I asked her if that was Jason Meadows and she said yep. Dang it! A famous person and I didn't know it. She just laughed! Then his bus driver came in and we talked a little bit, but Sami really took a liking to him. She was sitting with him talking the whole time he was eating. Then, he came back for supper, and she kept going and getting his dirty dishes for him and talking and being cute. He left, and then came back with a ball of something. He told me to "give this to that youngin". It ended up being a Jason Meadow T-shirt. I thought it was so nice. I told him that she said she wanted to ask him if she could see the inside of the bus, but chickened out. He told me to tell her to come find him and he'd let her see it. Well, then I said that I was her guardian and I'd have to come too and he said that was fine!! He said look him up once Jason was on stage.

So, after that, a lot of people started coming in to eat. We were feeding people and then all of the sudden there was this cute little puppy running around. So Sami and I started playing with it.

Isn't he a doll?? We were playing with him and I asked who owned him and this guy sitting at the table closest to us said it was his. He told us his name was Tank and he was an english bulldog and he was 9 weeks old. So we just kept talking to his owner, and then my friend's son came and whispered in my ear, "You're talking to Tracy Lawrence." I told him he was a liar. I mean, the last time I saw Tracy Lawrence, he had long blond hair and this guy wasn't him. He was wearing a ball cap, and some glasses and just didn't look like him. Until I kept talking to him and then all of the sudden it hit me and I could see it. I'd been talking to him like crazy and didn't even know who he was! So, here's a photo of Tank, the dog of Tracy Lawrence.

After that, we went out and hung out at the concert until it started. Then, we saw Jason's bus driver sitting over by the tour buses, so we went over to see him. He had us pull up some folding chairs and have a seat. We talked with him while the Froggyland Idol was singing. Then we saw Jason's band come out of the bus and start walking to the stage. Then, out pops Jason. It was pretty cool. So we sat there for a little bit and then walked back over to the front, and then walked back over to where he was sitting. He had gone up to the stage to do some stuff, but then came back. He told us his name, and where he was from. He's married and even has a grandbaby! He's driven tour buses for quite some time now. He's driven for Neal McCoy and even Gwen Steffani. I thought that was pretty cool. Anyway, he never mentioned anything about getting to tour the bus, so I didn't mention it again. He was nice enough to let me take a picture of him and Sami. Here it is:

He was super nice and kept us entertained. After we told him bye, we went back over to the concert. Jason was still on stage. I got a couple of photos of him that were pretty good. Here's one of them:

We didn't stay for the rest of the concert. Unfortunately, I started getting a migrane and was tired from working all day. Plus, Sami didn't really care about staying. She doesn't listen to country music and didn't know who anyone was anyway!

So, we went home and waited for the fireworks. I got a lot of cool pictures. The first one is posted at the beginning of this post. Here are some others:

How cool is that photo? Love how you can see the little squiggles. Here's another one:

It reminds me of a sun in the middle with starburst rays all around!

Well, thanks for reading if you've stayed with me this long! Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday weeknd! Toodles! ~Kim

Happy Doggie & A Card

2008-06-06T20:23:00.004-05:00

I've created quite a few cards lately. Here is what most of them look like. I have finally gotten on the boat and started working with "Inchies". It really was fun. And kind of addicting! I just had a ton of them to put on cards. And it left the cards to where I could put whatever sayings I wanted on there as needed. Here's the photo:

I don't remember what all supplies I used. The photo isn't really good...still haven't mastered the taking photos of my projects thing. But, if you can tell, I did get a little stand to put the card on so my fingertips aren't in every photo! I did add little rhinestones to all of the inchies...almost used all of my rhinestones as I had a ton of inchies!! But, they're all on cards now, so I have 20 or more cards that I have for whatever occasion.

Here's a picture of our happy dog!

She's just panting from her long walk, but it looks like she's smiling! I have this on my desktop at work. She's so adorable.

Well, nothing new is going on with me. Oh, except I'm working out with a trainer now at the gym. She's really tough, but I feel better after working out. I still hate exercising, but I know I need to get in shape. I've put a few pounds back on, so I could definitely stand to lose a few. Of course, if I'd start watching my diet better, control the carbs, maybe I'd lose some pounds! Uggh!

My chemistry class is going OK. I've got a lot of assignments to do, so I'll probably be working on school work all weekend. All I really wanna do is sit in the recliner and veg out. I'm sure I'll be doing a whole lot of that! And playing Guitar Hero III on the Wii. We haven't played in a while, so I'm about to get on it. Maybe sometime this weekend I'll do some crafting. If I do, I'll post something. Thanks for reading my ramblings! ~Kim

Random Ramblings

2008-05-28T23:16:00.002-05:00

Well, the holes from which my wisdom teeth were pulled have finally healed most of the way up. I'm still having some pain, and I'm out of meds, but I guess I'll survive. I've been so busy I haven't had time to think about the pain.

Lots of things happening right now. Unfortunately, I haven't been too crafty. I've got some projects in progress, but nothing finished to show yet. Well, actually, I do have a photo of a card I gave to one of my friend's kids. She was nice enough to drive me to and from the dentist's office (and Dairy Queen afterwards) when I had my last wisdom tooth pulled. Then, I made another card on Monday while I was sitting around catching up on my TV watching.

I'm getting so stressed out and am procrastinating like crazy over my Chemistry 101 class. I have a paper due on June 4th. I know I've got plenty of time, but I haven't written a paper in years. Especially when I have to defend my position on something. Luckily my husband will be nice enough to proof everything for me to make sure it makes sense. And one of my friends is taking classes towards her Masters right now, and she'll be at my house alot this summer, and she was an english major, so I'll get her to proof my papers too. Yeah, she'll be even better than Jason.

I feel like I've got a list of things to do and have no motivation to do anything. Tomorrow I am starting an exercise program. Since I'm now a student at MSU, I can take classes at the Wellness Center at the college. Tomorrow I'll take a cycling class after work, and then after that I'm working with a personal trainer for a health assessment and then she'll work out a plan for me. I'm excited. I haven't had a personal trainer before. I guess since I am saving so much money by not paying for the gym, maybe I can afford to use the trainer once a week or something. Problem is, I'm now needing to start watching what I eat again, and I'm horrible at planning meals. I went grocery shopping tonight and ended up with $90 of junk. Actually, not a lot of junk, but nothing that went together. So, I'm gonna have to set down and plan a menu and follow it. If I'm gonna exercise and spend time and money for a trainer, I need to stop putting junk in my body.

I've got a ton of stuff I'm gonna do. In the next 9 months, we've gotta change a lot of things in our lives in preparation for the possible steps in the future. We're almost 100% sure we want to start a family. So, we're needing to get our lives organized, house organized, health in good/great shape and start preparing. You hear that if you wait for the perfect time to start a family you never will. Well, we now have a goal of when we want to start trying and a list of things we want to complete before that happens. I need to make it into a checklist type form. Just for me. Heck, nobody ever reads my ramblings, so it is just for me! haha! I'll post a craft item here in the next day or so. Thanks for reading! ~Kim

Starting School and Teeth Removals!

2008-05-24T11:53:00.002-05:00

Yep. I'm finally going back to school. In my lifetime, I'm gone to school to do many things. The first after high school experience was going to a tech school to be a medical secretary. I dropped out quickly as I decided I didn't want to set at a desk all day. 2nd try: went to school to become an EMT. 3rd try: two semesters at MSU, majored in partying in the dorm with my new friends and not going to class. (Actually, my major was OSHA, but as a freshmen, the only class I took toward my major was Freshmen orientation.) 4th try: Respiratory therapy. Worked really hard at it to get C's, but stuck with it until I started clinicals. Once I had to go into the hospital and do that job, I quickly quit as I discovered that was NOT a job I wanted. 5th try: Nail technician. I finished school, and I enjoyed doing it alright, but it was hard to build up a clientele and still work to pay bills. 6th try: back to MSU, without a major. Only went to school for one semester, worked 60+ hours a week just to pay rent, so my grades suffered. MSU decided I wouldn't be coming back for the spring semester. 7th: moved back home with parents, and started tech school for graphic communications. FINALLY, found something I liked and was good at. I didn't get a degree, but got enough training to where I was able to get a job. Most of my training and knowledge is from on the job. 8th: I went to broadcasting school. Not sure why, guess I thought I could make some money doing what i do best...TALK. Well, unless you are in sales, there is no money in Radio. So, that was just a waste of $10,000.

So now, I'm just going to school to get my degree. Not sure what in, but I do want a degree. I still work in printing, but now I'm in customer service and LOVE it. I'm not going back to school to get a degree so I can find a new job. I'm taking advantage of the benefits offered to my husband as being an employee of the college. He's too busy with work, so I'm taking advantage of it. I'm taking a chemistry class online this summer, and then next fall, I'm taking an english class online and then a theatre class on campus. I'm excited to go back to school!

Now, onto the teeth removal!! YUCK! A few weeks ago, I had one of my wisdom teeth pulled. I have been having problems with food getting stuck back there around the tooth and the dentist said they should be gone. So, initially, I was gonna go to an oral surgeon so I could be knocked out. Well, he wanted to charge a ton of money. My dentist would only charge $100 per tooth. For $200 vs. $1,000, I decided to suck it up and get it done at the dentist. He gave me some Xanax beforehand, numbed me up real good, and then went to work. Actually, on the first one, he filled a cavity and pulled the wisdom tooth at the same time since they were on the same side. It wasn't bad, just like normal dental stuff, never fun, but tolerable. Well, afterwards, I was having some MAJOR pain. I ended up with a dry socket. Not fun. I had to go in every day for him to pack it with this nasty clove-tasting guaze. It helped it heal, so whatever. Well, I decided after all of that, the other tooth was staying. I didn't want to go through that again. Fast forward a couple of weeks. I start having some tooth pain on my left side. I thought it was from one of my old silver crowns from when i was younger. Nope. I had a huge cavity in my wisdom tooth and that's where all the pain was coming from. So...out it comes! Thursday afternoon I had it pulled. I'm not feeling too great, but whaddya gonna do? I'm just hoping I don't get another dry socket.

Well, I think I'm done rambling. I've got some projects I'll post soon (hopefully). We'll see. Thanks for reading! Toodles! ~Kim

Mother's Day Card

2008-05-20T08:13:00.004-05:00

Here's a craft post!! I made this card for my mother for mother's day. It was almost everything I imagined. I saw on someone's blog something similar that I wanted to try and recreate. I don't remember who's it was now, but I was determined to NOT refer to it as I was making the card because I wanted to make a card that was an original. I'm not great at taking photos of my cards yet, but here it is.

The green cardstock is 120# Classic Laid Duplex Cover Brittany Green & Avon Brilliant White. It was something we got by mistake at work and cut it before we realized it was wrong (both sides were supposed to be white, and he started cutting on the white side!) Good for me cause I have a small stash of this paper now! The paper on top is something from the Dollar Tree, Mrs. Grossman's I think. It is pierced and then faux stitched with a Creative Memories fine tipped pen. I scalloped the edges with my cheapo corner rounder from Wal-mart. Finally broke down and bought one even though I have 4 Creative Memories corner rounders from when I was a consultant, but you can't remove the backs to do this, so, whaddya gonna do? I then used my brand new crop-o-dile and put two eyelets in each spot (tried to make it look like a rivet by punching one eyelet, then putting another eyelet in the back side...did NOT like the results...will not try again until someone has a surefire way of doing it!) and then tied the ribbon (came from Wal-mart in a clearance bag with other ribbon scraps. It took me a while to tie the bow, so when I gave it to Mom, I told her to not open it, just squeeze it and read it from the side. She must not have heard me, because five minutes later, she said, "You're gonna have to tie this back for me, cause I'm not gonna be able to do it." WHAT!!!! She said, "If I didn't open it, how could I read it?" I told her I just put happy mother's day in it!! Nothing big!! Anyway, the Morning Glory flower and Mother Teresa stamp was a last minute addition. I took a picture of it before I put the Stampin' Up! clear gloss stuff on it to make it shiny. Is there a secret to using that stuff? I could see the brush marks and was not happy with the look of it at all. I've used it again for another card with the same results, but I'm not too worried about redoing it at this point.

So, there is my latest crafty thing. I'll post something that I'm making for my massage therapist once I have it finished. She's moving to Nashville and leaving me and I'm very, VERY sad. She's great at what she does, and we've became friends over the past two years. So, I'm really gonna miss her. Toodles! ~Kim

GREAT WEEKEND!!

2008-05-19T17:00:00.003-05:00

I have had a fabulous, wonderful weekend. I've had weekends like this before that ended up dreadful... I had my 14 year old nephew and 11 year old niece from Friday evening until Sunday night. They usually provide enough birth control for me for MONTHS! This time...well, this time we had so much fun. Don't get me wrong, the boy still had his teenager apathetic attitude, but he's so cute and witty, I overlooked the "I don't care what we do" things. And the girl, she was still super hyper (and I'm sure all of the Snickers and Fruit Roll-ups I didn't monitor her eating didn't help!) but it didn't bother me up until the very end. I just can't believe how much of a joy it was to spend the weekend with them and have so much fun. We went bike riding (Samantha & I) and Jacob skate-boarded with us and we just had the best time, and the whole time I was thinking (and even getting a little weepy) that this is what my life is missing. I hate it that I've started thinking like that. I don't want to give in to the whole having kids thing because it's expected of me. I loved the fact that I thought my life was complete with just Jason, Lucy (the dog) and me. But now I'm starting to feel like something is missing. Maybe it'll pass. Maybe I'm just pre-menstral. Who knows! I know I'm confused as all get out! I guess it doesn't help that I have little Peyton (see post below) that I get to hold and snuggle and kiss all the time and that I don't want him to have to go home. (That really is a big change!) Whenever I am around him, whether it be at our house or theirs, I want to take complete care of him. Feed him, change him (yes, I've even done a poopy diaper...not the last one though because I smelt it as he dealt it and I said NO WAY!), rock him to sleep. EVERYTHING! Maybe that means I'm ready for motherhood...who knows. Jason is still on the fence, but he said yesterday that he knows he'd be a good dad. I think he'd be a great dad. I do question my ability to be a mother. I know I can take care of his/her physical needs (feeding, clothing, bathing, that type of thing) but I'm not sure if I can handle his/her emotional needs. I wonder if I'd be a complete f-up when it comes to parenting. I guess I'll never know until I do it! Can't do it until after February of 2009. We're going to the Keys in Florida with Jason's parents and I don't want to do that in my last trimester, or even being pregnant at all. That's a long trip in a car ride for me, not being preggo. Can't imagine with a bun in the oven!! I'll keep everyone (my two subscribers...one of which is me!) updated! ~Kim

ETA: I had to change some punctuation, but then I also realized that I referred to our possible future child as a HIM. We want to have a boy so much, so we're probably gonna have a girl!! Last night I went to Lowes looking for a bookshelf. I started looking at wallpaper borders and started envisioning decorating a child's room! Then, when I couldn't find a bookshelf, it started the weepiness again. Man, I suck!

Card for the Troops

2008-04-26T19:51:00.002-05:00

Below is a card that I made to send with care packages for the local National Guard who has been deployed. They were in need of supplies so my Woodmen of the World Lodge decided to help out. I purchased this stamp set with care packages in mind.

Here are the details...I normally don't put details about my cards because I usually don't know them, but I kept track of these. The paper is from The Paper Studio and is called "Patriotic Words," the stamp set is Stampin' Up!'s The Free and the Brave, I used black Stazon Ink and Kimberly Watercolor Pencils to color the image. The eyelets are from my Crop-a-dile set that I bought to put my Crop in. The white paper is 80# Cougar Cover. On the envelope, I stamped the stars up both sides in Night of Navy ink. (I didn't get a pic of it cause it was pretty plain!)

Today has been interesting. I've been babysitting for a friend. He's a two month old precious little boy! It's been almost 12 hours now and I haven't lost my mind! He's been fussy at times, but it's been OK. I've been able to handle it and haven't lost my mind! AND, I've been feeling bad because I had a wisdom tooth pulled on Thursday evening! His daddy called me early this morning and asked if he could bring him over earlier than planned because mommy was sick as was going to the ER. So he was dropped off around 8:30 this morning. Turns out, mommy has gallstones and was admitted tonight. So, once her parents come in from Missouri, they will come pick him up! I've even washed all of his bottle stuff and gotten everything ready for the grandparents. Once he wakes up, I'm changing his onesie and then he'll be good to go. Here's a photo of Peyton and I cuddling!

Well, I'm stopping my rambling. I've got more stuff to say, but I'm not in the mood to type. I'm pretty tired after watching the boy. I think I'm gonna be going to bed pretty early!! Thanks for reading! ~Kim

I'm so boring!

2008-04-22T00:45:00.001-05:00

If you are a reader of my blog, I have to apologize to you. Why? Because I'm such a boring person and never have much to say. At least nothing that anyone wants to read about. I've stopped doing the fact a day, basically because I've been too lazy to do it. And I just read the originator of the challenge isn't doing it anymore. Since I've made very little effort to do it, why continue? I may make that scrapbook page with 100 facts about me at some point, but I need to start crafting, doing ANYTHING but sitting in the recliner after work and on weekends. Last night I was a little motivated, since it was still daylight because of Daylight Savings Time, but all I did was laundry. That is a good thing, since I do not do laundry much, and I need clean clothes. But it wasn't at all productive in getting stuff done that I think about all the time.

So, here's my pledge to you, my reader(s)...sad to think that I've only got one reader...my own husband hasn't ever been to my blog...back to the pledge. I pledge to make a craft post by the end of this week. That means I need to make something this week. Knitting does not count. (I challenged myself to make something every day this year, and as I was knitting a couple projects, I reasoned that I was making something...No More!! I have to make individual projects too!)

Sorry you had to read all of my rambling. ~Kim

ETA: I actually wrote this post on March 11th, but nothing much has changed since then. My computer was out of commission for nearly a month, but I have it back now, and the desktop is fixed too. I just need to get them set up so I can get everything going again. On a more craftier note: I MADE A CARD! Yesterday, I was shopping for care packages for our troops. We have a local National Guard Company that is overseas and is in need of items. So my Woodmen of the World Lodge decided to purchase $200 worth of items to send. And I got to go buy them! It's such an honor to do it for such a worthy cause. Plus it feels so good to give back. I made a card to be put in with the items, and I hope it gets to them. After I get my computer situation up and going, I'll upload a photo. Again, thanks for reading! ~ Kim

Fact Number 29

2008-02-22T21:51:00.000-06:00

I Love TARGET!! OK, I guess most people love target. But it's certain things that I love from Target. 1. Dollar Spot! I have been finding so much stuff for scrapbooking and/or card making! I'm loving that. Then there is their Archer Farms items. I've been getting some tropical mix of dried fruit. It has dried mangos, pineapple, coconut, papaya and kiwi and it is the bomb! Too bad there are not any Targets around here. A couple of weekends ago we went to visit from friends in Georgetown and decided we had to get to Lexington early so we could go to Target. Then, the other night, the friend that was with me when we went to Target, said we were gonna have to go to Clarksville (our nearest Target) to get some Archer Farms almonds! So now I'm not the only one!!

Fact Number 28

2008-02-21T21:46:00.000-06:00

I am addicted to ...The Dollar Tree! I love all of the stuff I can get there. Other than the entire candy isle, I can find so much stuff that I love, for crafting mostly. I get some weird excitement when I have a good find and I usually end up with both arms full of good finds, but then once I check out, and I've spent maybe $15?? Who can beat that? Hopefully this will blow over soon! Or maybe not...

Fact Number 27

2008-02-20T21:44:00.002-06:00

I got a Cricut for Christmas, and I absolutely love it. So far, I've used it mostly for card making, but I can't wait until I start scrapbooking on a regular basic, cause I know I'll do tons of stuff on it!! I love it!

Fact Number 26

2008-02-19T20:44:00.001-06:00

I love to make beaded items. I use seed beads to make lace-like covers for glass ornaments. I really like doing it, but it is time consuming and very tedious. I haven't made one in a few years as I've got too many crafts to do as it is, but I do keep them around for when I get back to it.

Update on Organizing...I did NOTHING today. In fact, I did something that is counteracting all of the organizing and cleaning I did yesterday. I went to Walmart and bought too much stuff!! I bought some super cute pink camo flannel and some UK Wildcats flannel. I want to make some sleep/lounge pants for me and Jason. I have a TON of flannel in my sewing fabric box, but I just had to have it! I also got some stickers and more mats for my Cricut...I've barely used it a month and it's lost all of its stickiness! I know they are not supposed to last forever, but they should last longer than it did. Maybe I'll get creative tonight and post something...don't hold your breath! ~Kim

PS...HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATSY! HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD ONE!

Fact Number 25

2008-02-18T21:39:00.002-06:00

I LOVE to paint ceramics. When I lived in Cincinnati, I worked with a lady who painted bisque, and she took me to a class and I fell in love. It became a true obsession. I went to class every Tuesday for a couple of months. I found out that I liked painting at home, by myself much better. After I moved back to Western KY, I would still go back to that ceramics store in Bethel, Ohio to buy my bisque. One time last year, I was going to visit the inlaws in Northern KY and I wanted to go out to Bethel to buy some ceramics. They had closed down. I even googled someone with the owner's last name and called, hoping that they'd be a relative. When I started asking, she said that Mindi had closed the business and sold all of her molds. I was so disappointed. I feel like I helped keep them in business when I was painting a lot cause I would buy $100 a week in supplied and bisque. I can get stuff online now, but I just hate it that her little shop couldn't survive. I like keeping my money in the community, and even though it wasn't my community anymore, I still wanted to see it thrive.

UPDATE ON ORGANIZING: I've finally started it...I actually got more done that I expected. I cleaned up the office and got a path cleared up enough to get my wonderful dining room table directly in the spare room. Just where it will get the most use. We don't use it for dining, so it might as well be put to use! And boy do I love it! Hopefully, tomorrow night I'll get as much done as I have tonight. I should be creating sometime on Wednesday!! Keep reading! ~Kim

Fact Number 24

2008-02-17T19:00:00.000-06:00

I purchased a sewing machine a couple of years ago. I had been using my mother's old one, and it started smoking one day. So I called a local repair shop and it was going to cost $40 just to look at it. Mom said she only paid $35 for it and it wasn't worth it. So, I saved some of my Christmas bonus and bought a new to me machine. I really love it. I even took a sewing class last year and learned how to make capri pants. The class was OK, and it taught me a lot about cutting a pattern and stuff like that, but it also taught me that I don't like making clothes that much! It's a lot easier to buy them. The teacher talked about how the quality of hand sewn clothes was much better than when you buy them in the store, but I think you spend way more time and money on hand made clothes. I'm all for being creative, but I'm never gonna make a wardrobe that I would like more than what I see at clothing stores. I guess it must just be the decades that I grew up in. Mom never made us clothes, everything was store bought.

Anywho...I made a card for my sister for her birthday. It is on Tuesday, but we celebrated it today with the family. I ended up leaving the handmade card at home. So, as we're pulling into town, I tell Jason he needs to stop at Walgreens, I need a card for Patsy. I found a great one, but when she opened it, she said, "You didn't make my card?" Man, I felt like so bad! It was sorta cute, but I felt like it was thrown together. I'll make a better one sometime this week and send it to her. Better late than never!

Fact Number 23

2008-02-16T23:44:00.000-06:00

Since losing weight, I have become a thrift store junkie. Losing weight as rapidly as I did, it didn't make sense to buy new clothes as they usually only lasted a month or so. So, once I got down small enough, I was able to shop at thrift stores. Now, I have issues paying regular price for something, when I know I could find something just as good for a really good price at the thrift store. I especially like when they run specials. One day I walked out with 12 pairs of pants, 4 button down shirts and 3 sweaters for less than 16 bucks! Another time I walked out with a wool pea coat and a couple pair of pants and shirt for under 5 bucks! I'm quite addicted! And I've got a stuffed closet to prove it! Thanks for reading. Maybe tomorrow I'll post a card. I'm needing to make one for my sister's birthday for tomorrow, so I'll get it up here soon! ~Kim

100 Facts about Me!

2008-02-15T22:11:00.001-06:00

Angelosity has this challenge on her blog. I first saw it when California Stampin had facts about her in each of her posts. So I read back to fact number one and saw this challenge. I think it's really cool so I've decided to join...22 days late! So, this first post will include 22 facts about me, and then I will start doing this daily. Maybe this will inspire me to do more blogging (and more crafting) in the process! Anyway, here's my first 22 facts:

1. I am married to a wonderful man named Jason. He is my best friend and my soulmate. He loves me the way I am (which is enough to drive anyone bonkers!) and I couldn't ask for more. Love you babe!

2. Jason and I do not have kids. We are almost 100% sure that we do not want children. Not completely...time will tell. I know if it is meant to be, God will let it happen.

3. I have one older sister. We fought like cats and dogs growing up. We're not real close, but I love her and wouldn't trade her for anything.

4. I have three very cute nephews and one beautiful niece. My sister's two children are Jacob, who is 13 years old and Samantha who just turned 10 years old. Jason's sisters two children are Quinn, who is 4 and Cade who is two...wait, maybe he's three...I'm a horrible aunt! I can't remember the year he was born!!

5. I am a mac nerd! I love my iBook and wish I still worked on a mac at work. I go back and forth between mac and PC pretty effortlessly, but would still rather use a mac.

6. I love to scrapbook. I used to be a Creative Memories Consultant, but I didn't sell much and since I have a closet full of stuff, I couldn't justify buying more stuff to keep me active. Hopefully some day I'll get motivated and get back to scrapbooking. I have a ton of stuff to scrap, and all of the supplies, I just need motivation.

7. I have lost 224 pounds in the last two years. I had gastric bypass surgery and it has completely changed my life. I was a healthy obese person, but I knew it was only a matter of time before I developed diabetes and heart problems. When I had my gall bladder out in 2005, the surgeon told my mom if I didn't have WLS I wouldn't make it to see 50 years. Scary thought!

8. I have worked in many different fields in my life. I started out in restaurants as a teenager. Then I worked for a temp agency doing secretarial work. I've worked in convenient stores. I've also worked in the admitting department at a hospital and the emergency room of the same hospital. Now I work in the printing industry. My favorite job of all times was working at a youth camp. I loved working with the kids and working outdoors. I'm not sure if I have the patience to do it now, but I did when I was younger.

9. My favorite color has changed over the years. At one time it was black, purple, pink, etc. Now it depends on what it is. Overall, my favorite color is blue. But for cars, I like brown/gold cars.

10. I've lived in Kentucky and Ohio. Different cities in each state, but in the same areas. Not too exciting!

11. I've got two tattoos. One is on my ankle. It's a rose that a friend in college drew. The other is Ariel from The Little Mermaid.

12. I have a new addiction. It's called knitting. My mom taught me how last year and I can't quit it. She taught me how to crochet as a kid, but I never had the patience to sit still long enough to learn to knit. I have that now and I'm hooked! Now, I just have to get her to show me what to do to get the project off the needles!! She said it is easy, but not easy enough to talk me through it over the phone! Maybe I'll see her this weekend and she can show me!

13. I LOVE sugary candy! Nerds, suckers, gummies, anything with sugar, I love. I'm not that big of a chocolate addict, but I love me some sugar!

14. How did me and my husband meet? We both worked at the same summer camp in 1996. He's from Northern KY, and I'm from Western KY, and we never would have met if he hadn't of went to a summer job fair at EKU. We had a summer romance that I was sure was gonna end once he left. But, he kept calling and visiting. And 10 months later he asked me to marry him! We've been together ever since!

15. I have a very close group of friends that I hang out with and I met them all at the summer camp I worked and grew up at. I have Kara, who I've known the longest, who also works with me at the printing company. Her sister is Jenni, we roomed together in college. Then there is Jason, of course. I live with him, so we see each other alot. Then there is Kris and Shawn. They also met at camp, neither are from the town I live in, but both went to school here and have made it their home. To round out the group, we have Dinker and Dozer. They ran the camp that we worked at and have proven to be great friends. I don't know what I'd do without my close friends. I feel like a very lucky person to have them in my life.

16. I love all kinds of music. The only thing I'm not real keen on is Opera or Death Metal (if you want to call it that) or hard core gansta rap. It does surprise people to know that I LOVE Eminem, but I also love the Dixie Chicks! Mostly what I listen to is 80's music on my satellite radio. Love the Big 80s!

17. I love to read. I haven't read any good books lately. I mostly read at night while trying to go to sleep. I've been looking at Women's Health lately. Good stuff.

18. I am a reality show junkie! I love almost all reality shows. My favorites are American Idol and Big Brother. I don't watch Amazing Race or Survivor, but love the rest. I've sent in an audition tape for Big Brother, but didn't get picked. I also auditioned Nashville Star but I didn't make it either. That is why I am a Reality Show Reject!

19. I HATE to clean. I love having a clean house, but I hate doing the deed. I guess if I'd keep things straightened on a daily basis, then it wouldn't be so hard. I could just dust and vacuum weekly and be good. Well, maybe if I was a happy homemaker I'd get more into it. Who knows!

20. I don't know how to cook. I know how to fix some dishes, and I have lots of recipes for appettizers, but for me to go into the kitchen, pull ingredients and spices and start cooking? Nope, can't do it. I asked my mom recently why she didn't make me learn to cook as a teenager. She looked at me and gave me the evil eye and said, "I couldn't MAKE you do ANYTHING!" OK then. I must have been a hand full. That may be one reason that we don't have kids. We're afraid we'd have another one like me!!

21. Speaking of my mom, I love my parents! My mom is my best friend and I can talk to her about anything. She is kind hearted and loves her kids and grandkids more than anything in the world. She works hard, and complains about her job alot, but she doesn't have much of a life outside of work and home. She's a homebody hermit (that's who I get it from!) My dad is a jack of all trades, master of ALL! He worked at a sporting goods store in the gun department. I grew up around guns as he used to take me to the range to shoot. He's very good at his job because he's a people person. He's never met a stranger. I remember going with him to a flea market one time and he stopped to talk to a guy. They carried on like they were old friends. As we walked away, I asked who that was and he said, "I don't know, some guy I know." He knows faces but usually not names. I guess I get my good nature in dealing with the public from him. He's good in customer service as I am too. I may complain about my customers in private, but I never let them know it. I make sure they know that they are number 1. Without them, I'd be without a job.

22. I wear contacts and glasses. I wish I could have lasix surgery so I could fall asleep while watching TV without worrying about breaking my glasses or taking my contacts out. Maybe someday.

WHEEWW! That was a long list! I'm glad to have caught up, and will start making this a daily thing. What a great challenge!

Imma Big Fat Liar!!

2008-02-15T10:10:00.000-06:00

OK, so I haven't organized a thing. NOTHING! My stamp/craft/catch all table is still a mile high with clutter. I haven't made any cards for my giveaway winner, and over all I just suck. I don't see how all of these bloggers in the blogging world make daily posts along with daily cards?!? Maybe they do not work full time jobs and that allows them to be creative during the day? Or maybe they are just more motivated than me? (That is probably not too far from the truth!) And I've stopped spending all of my free time searching other people's blogs for ideas that never come to me. I haven't stopped knitting though. That does take a lot of my time, but I'm wanting to get all of my projects done before my friends have their babies! I just can't knit fast enough!

So, my plan for this weekend...1.) Get my office straightened up so I can set up my craft room. 2.) Clean off my craft table and move it into office and get everything organized. 3.) Try to talk my husband into building my ribbon/stamp rack that I've envisioned for quite a while. 4.) Make cards for giveaway winner and some to have on hand for me. 5.) Make birthday cards for my sister and one of my friends. 6.) Finish my project for my friend in Utah. 7.) Rest. Hopefully I'll not decide to jump straight to 7 and be done with it. I'll probably be going to see my parents on Sunday, so the hour drive each way will be good for knitting. And I'm sure I'll knit while I'm there, cause that's what I do!

I'm feeling very motivated right now...too bad I'm at work today and can't get my house work done...blah...

OK, my break is over...must get back to work. I'll make a post later and show you my lovely anniversary/valentine's present from my hubby. There's a story to go with it, so it deserves a post all to itself! Thanks for reading! ~Kim

Organizing...really, I am!

2008-02-07T17:14:00.000-06:00

That's what I'm doing, from now until...well, until I get done. And who knows when that'll be. I'm ashamed to say that I just took down my Christmas tree and decorations earlier this week. Yes, I know it is February. But, in my defense, DH didn't put the tree up until December 12th, and I usually want it up Thanksgiving weekend, so leaving it up a little longer than normal isn't too bad...is it? (OK, I've already admitted in a post last year that I am a procrastinator. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but I'm not afraid to mention it now...I'm lazy too! I hate anything that has to do with work, especially cleaning.)

So, back to organizing. As I was cleaning, my craft table just got piled really high with junk. By junk I mean craft stuff that had gotten spread out all over the living room. So, after getting the rest of the living room clean and organized, I decided that I'm going to get my office clean (which is a feat in itself, lemme tell ya!), move the dining room table in my office (we never use it to dine at anyway...it's a small butcher block table that is PERFECT for stamping...I was gonna buy one at a thrift store, but DH said to just use what we got...ok!) and get my stamping/scraping/crafting area ORGANIZED!!! I've got some plywood that I got from a friend. I'm gonna have DH build me a rack to hang on the wall with dowel rods in it for my ribbon. I'm gonna have him put a couple of shelves on it for some stamp pads. Then I'm gonna find a permanent place to hook up my Cricut. I read on someone's blog that they used priority mail boxes for 12 x 12 paper storage. I measured one I had. Sure enough, it will hold it! I'll decorate it with pretty paper and no one will be the wiser! All this talk about organizing is making me want to start right this minute. But, well, one, I'm lazy (we established that earlier) and tired from work today, and two, I have to start getting ready for a meeting that I'm going to in an hour. And I would hate to start getting into what I'm doing and have to stop. So, I'll sit here on the computer some more! I'll post pictures once I have my area situated. I do have a couple of photos to share. The first one is of the Thank You card I sent to the animal hospital that took care of Lucy Dog. I didn't like it when I first made it, but when I picked it up a couple days later, I decided it was OK.

The next photo is of the Lucy Dog. I might have sent her mixed signals at the time this photo was taken. Lucy has reign over most of the furniture in the living room. She has ruined our couch and loveseat with her claws. It's her daddy's fault. When they were living in Cincinnati and I was down here, he started letting her sit with him on the couch. She rarely did it when I was living there, but well, when mommy's away, the kiddies will play. So, anyway, she has the loveseat and couch. She also "claims" any blankets that are around. There are two blankets on the couch and one blanket on the loveseat that have her patterned markings, kind of a circle like indention. Anyway, when we bought matching leather recliners, that was one thing that we said she would not get in. Well, she likes them just as much as we do. However, we put our foot down when it comes to these things. I usually keep my sketch clipboard in my seat when I'm gone, and I've got a notebook that I sit in Jason's chair. He doesn't remember to put it there whenever he leaves that often. And Lucy gets tempted very easily.

As I walked in the door at lunch, I completely caught her off guard, as she usually hears me and meets me at the door (and if she's been in the chair it is rocking and it's a dead giveaway). I yell at her, but I think she's so comfortable, she doesn't care. So, I scramble to find my camera to catch her in the act. Then I drag her butt out of the chair and scold her. Mixed messages?? Oh well. I just sent Jason an email with that picture and the subject was "Look Where I Found Your Dog!!" Thanks for reading!~Kim

We have a winner!

2008-02-03T22:28:00.000-06:00

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2008-02-04 04:26:55 UTC

The winner is JavaMama! I'll be emailing you shortly to see your preferences for notecards! Thanks for playing everyone and keep on reading! ~Kim

Bloggy Giveaway Carnival!

2008-01-28T21:42:00.000-06:00

It's that time again! I had so much fun with my Fall Y'all Giveaway that I've decided to do it again! Leave a comment on this post and you'll be in the drawing to win 8 Handmade Greeting Cards. The contest will end on February 2nd. I'll pick a winner on February 3rd. Everyone is eligible to win, no location restrictions. However, you must either leave an email address in your comment or have a way that I can contact you to let you know if you're the winner. If I can't contact you, I can't get your address, and you won't be able to win. Good luck and happy blogging! ~Kim

P.S. For more giveaways, visit Rocks In My Dryer!

What a DOGGIE Experience we just had!!!

2008-01-25T20:50:00.000-06:00

We just experienced the weirdest thing ever with the dog. I've never really said much about our dog on here. She's a cute little beagle. Well, sometimes she's cute. Other times she just grates our nerves. She's been a little sick the past couple of weeks. Two weeks ago last Thursday, I came home and she was laying on the floor. That is odd for her, as she's usually on the couch or loveseat, or on her pillow or in her crate. She was laying in the middle of the floor with her head stretched out on top of her front legs. I said hi to her as I was walking in the door. She didn't move. In fact, she was laying there shaking and whining, but wouldn't get up. So, I start freaking out. I immediately think she's had a stroke or something and is now paralyzed. (Yeah, I know, I'm a little dramatic at times!) I try calling my husband at work and then on his cell phone. No answer. Then I call the vet. As I'm talking to the receptionist I tell her how Lucy is acting. She tells me to see if she'll eat and/or drink. While I'm talking to the vet's office, Lucy decides to get up and start walking around. I get off the phone with her and Lucy is laying on her pillow, still shaking and whining a little bit. She seemed scared. So, I bring her food to her, and put it under her nose. Nothing. In the meantime, husband calls back and asks what's wrong. I tell him and he says, "Yeah, this morning I had to stand her up to get her to go out. She also ate one of my shoestrings up to the eyelet on my boot." Huh?? That might have been good to know to tell the vets office. So I tell him to hurry home. I call the vets office. They say to bring her to the office and drop her off. The vet on call is in surgery and will look at her once he gets out. I then tell her about the shoestring. Evidently, this is the only words they heard. This is not the first time she's eaten his shoestrings. When we lived in Cincinnati, she completely de-laced two boots and ate both shoestrings WHOLE! (And they came out whole too, so my husband says!) So, I get a call a little after 7:00 that night, and the doctor says they've taken X-rays, and the shoestring isn't causing a problem. He was giving her an anti-inflammatory and watching her overnight. Told us to call around noon to see how she was doing. Jason called and they said she was doing better and wanted to keep her until he got of work. She was put on restricted activity. No jumping, no long walks, no walks without a leash (not that we do that anyway...she is a beagle...her nose rules where she goes!) So he goes to pick her up and they've given her a prescription for steroids. So, we give them to her and she is starting to feel better. (At this point, we're starting to question the $200 we spent on her overnight stay at the vet's office.)

So a few days later, actually like a week and a couple of days later, she finally throws up and there is the shoe lace. It doesn't digest or pass. Too weird. Once the steroids were gone, she started feeling a little mopey. So I called the vet and he put her on three more days of steroids. She seemed to feel better instantly.

Well, the last few nights, she's been acting really, REALLY needy. I mean up in everyone's face at every possible moment. She also acts like she's never been fed. So, today I come in and feed her just like normal. Jason comes home and then takes her for a walk. He comes in and plays with her a bit, cause it's been a while, and she finally lays down on her pillow and decides playtime is over. So we decide we're going out to eat dinner.

We're gone, maybe an hour, hour and a half. We come home. Jason opens the door while I check the mail. All I hear is J yelling, "BAD DOG!" I come in and Lucy has drug his 30# plus tackle bag 20 feet across the room, tore into a couple of the pouches and ate like 5 packs of artificial bait!!! I couldn't believe she ate so much. So, Jason decides we needed to call the vets office. Of course, it's after hours. We hope it doesn't cost us an arm and a leg. After spending $200 at the last visit, I couldn't imagine how much it would be. When the doctor finally got to the phone, he said that we needed to give her 5cc of hydrogen peroxide every 2-3 minutes until we induced vomiting. After about three or four times of that, she finally upchucked. It was gross, but yet very fascinating. Don't know why, I'm just really weird that way. I took photos, cause I scrapbook everything. I was gonna post pictures of her, and the stuff she threw up, but decided against it. I have some family that look at my blog, and I don't want them thinking I'm even weirder than they already thought! So no pictures. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. ~Kim

P.S. While I was looking online to see if bait was poisonous to dogs, I found this online forum that had some funny stories. I googled Dog Ate Bait and came up with it. After we got Lucy to vomit and cleaned up, we sat down and had a good laugh. Here's the site.

Baby Shower

2008-01-23T13:23:00.000-06:00

A few friends and I threw a baby shower for a couple of friends of ours. I made some really cute invitations and actually designed it myself!!! Surprise surprise! That rarely ever happens! I took ideas that I've seen on other people's blogs and came up with it all on my own! Here it is:

The Football baby stamp is from The Angel Company. The "It's a boy!" stamp is from Stampin' Up. The baby pin is also from Stampin' Up.

Then, for the shower, I made some nugget boxes! They were too cute! I even had someone ask where they could get the instructions to make it. I told them to go to www.splitcoaststampers.com and look under "Anything but a Card" and look for nugget boxes. She said she wasn't sure if she'd remember that. She was wanting to do something for her daughter's wedding. I told her that if she wanted something like that to let me know and I'd work up a price for doing them for her. She liked that idea!! That's too cool! I would love to make stuff to sell. I've purchased a web domain, but haven't done anything with it. Maybe this will give me the motivation! OK, anyway, here is a photo of the boxes:

Here's how I displayed them:

I also put them on the tables that everyone sat at to eat cake. Speaking of cakes, my friend Jenni made some wonderful cakes. Here they are:

The cakes were yummy! The football was chocolate (I didn't try it). The pennant was orange and the onesie was french vanilla and they were super good! I had to restrain myself!!

The cute little pacifiers on the cake boards were made by Kara with Lifesavers and Jellybeans! Too cute. She also made several table arrangements and a couple of great flower arrangements. Here's a photo of one:

The punch was made by Colleen (with the help of her hubby) in a cute little bathtub. Here's a photo of that:

I also made a name plate for the baby. His name will be Peyton. His dad is a hardcore University of Tennessee fan. I had a really hard time finding TN stuff, but finally found some stuff to work with. Here is the finished product:

I don't know if they liked it, but they said they did. They were having a hard time finding TN bedding, so they weren't sure if they were gonna decorate the nursery in orange. Time will tell. Maybe they will still be able to use the name frame and the TN poster I had framed for them. Here's a picture of the poster:

Toodles! ~Kim

Thank You Cards

2008-01-22T15:06:00.000-06:00

Here are some cards that I've made this month. I got a Cricut machine from my mom and dad, and started playing with it after I got over my Christmas Cold! I decided to make Thank You Cards for all of my family for the Christmas gifts I received. I loved it and had fun making them!

Hopefully I'm starting a good trend of posting frequently! Toodles! ~Kim

Name plates

2008-01-20T17:45:00.000-06:00

Here are some other gifts I made for the children in my family. I found the idea on www.splitcoaststampers.com and went with it. Cheap to make and neat to have. I made two others, but forgot to take pictures of them before I gave them away! Here are the ones that I did take pictures of:

I had a hard time with finding frames that I liked that were inexpensive. These were purchased at the Dollar Tree for $1 each. I really wanted something larger and nicer, but I couldn't find anything larger, period. I didn't do any researching online, but locally, nada. If anyone has any advice, let me know! Toodles! ~Kim

My laptop is fixed and I'm back in action!!

2008-01-19T22:00:00.000-06:00

I am one happy camper today. I've been without my laptop since Christmas night and I've been jonesin' for it! I bought a new power plug on ebay hoping that would solve the problem. After waiting two weeks for it to arrive from China, I plug it up and it doesn't do one bit of good. So, it sat in my living room for a week before I finally found someone to take a look at it. 24 hours and $100 later and it's back in my arms again. Yep, I have a problem!

Here are photos of the cards that I made for Christmas gifts this year. I worked up till the last minute and the pressure was on! I made a resolution to get all of my gifts done before December 1st this year. Usually, my number one resolution every year is to lose weight. Well, not this year! So, since I have an empty spot, my Christmas gift resolution will be number one!

There is a weird pattern over the photos. It's from the sun shining through the screen in the window! Who know that would show up?? I really wanted to make 12 cards for each pack, but I made these for eight different people, and I had a bunch more stuff to make, so 8 it was! Everyone seemed to like them. DH's employees said that I should sell cards. I told him to tell them next time they needed a card for someone, give me a week's notice, and I'll make it for them and they can give their money to me instead of Wal-Mart! I really enjoy making cards. It keeps me busy! Hope everyone likes them! ~Kim

I really am still alive!

2008-01-10T12:27:00.000-06:00

Wow, it's been a month since I've made a new post! My laptop is completely out of commission right now, and I can't stand to sit at my desk for very long. Plus, all of my photos are on my laptop, so I couldn't show anyone a project if I wanted to.

I had a wonderful Christmas! I got to see all of my loved ones that I had not seen in a very long time. I got some cool gifts from family members. My parents gave me a Cricut, which I am too excited about. I have gone home every night this week and made a card. I'm making that a challenge for me this year. Make something every day. I probably won't post every day, but I'm gonna make something every day, whether it be a card or some other kind of crafty thing. I really need to start scrapbooking again, but I just haven't wanted to lately. I haven't felt up to it. If I could scrapbook from my recliner with my cornbag on my back, I'd be in luck (especially since I'm not wasting all of my time on the computer!) Man, I really miss my laptop! I bought a new cord for it because I thought that was what was wrong with it, but it still won't hold a charge or start up. So, I think my next step is to buy a new battery. And if that doesn't work, then I'm going to have to try to find someone around here who works on macs. Grrr...I don't wanna have to do that, but whaddya gonna do?

I got sidetracked while talking about my Cricut. My inlaws gave me this cool digital frame. If I ever get my laptop up and running, I'll be able to put some photos on my small memory card and bring it to work so I'll have it on my desk. But until then, it sits at home. I also got some cash from my inlaws and from my Nanny, which was awesome. They will fund my addiction, um I mean hobby of crafting! (Or either pay to get my computer fixed...grrr...can you tell I miss my computer?)

Well, I need to get back to work. Thanks for reading! ~Kim

To My Friends in Africa

2007-12-10T22:18:00.000-06:00

Michael and Joe Joe are missionaries in Tanzania Africa. (You can visit their blog here.)When I heard this group and their version of 12 Days of Christmas I thought of them. So, here's wishing you guys a Merry Christmas and hope everything is going well for you and I hope you are touching a lot of people and spreading the word of God.

How I Got Fat...

2007-11-30T20:26:00.000-06:00

DH recently started receiving a subscription to Men's Health. Neither of us purchased it, but there are a lot of magazines we started getting (Outside, Field & Stream and Backpacker) after reserving a campsite at a Corp of Engineer's campground so who knows, it could be from that. Anyway, we both love reading it. It makes J think more about his health and eating better and becoming healthier. (He has gotten healthier since I had surgery as we were each others WORST diet buddies. We would go on a diet together and then cheat together...not a good combo!) It has good articles, and I like it because there is a LOT of eye candy in there. (DH says it's definitely not for married men as they don't want their women looking at all of the half dressed men...all I say is YUM!) OK, focus Kim...

Anyway, we were discussing what we were going to have for dinner tonight. Carryout, as usual. I've learned how to eat much healthier, even fast food, since surgery. So we're trying to find a menu for the new mexican place that is in with Hardee's now called Red Burrito. I wanted to see if there was anything that I could eat and see the nutritional values. I was AMAZED at the values of all of the burgers at Hardees. I asked J what he would get if he went there. Sandwich and fries totaled more than 2,000 calories!! He then asks me if I read the restaurant article in Men's Health. I had not so he went to get it and proceeds to tell me all of the worsts in the article. Half of the stuff was stuff we used to eat on a regular basis. The worst item was a fry appetizer at Outback. We used to go to Lone Star and get their Cheesefries. They had bacon and different cheeses on it served with spicy ranch dressing. The two of us would split one and then get a steak or steak and salmon combo, and potato and salad and eat ALL of it. Probably 3,000 calories or more in one meal. And we did this on a regular basis. I always contributed my weight gain (or maintaining at 359 pounds) to the fact that I ate fast food for lunch and dinner (skipped breakfast regularly...still not much better at that!) and drank sweet tea by the gallons and NEVER exercised. But with dinners like that?? Don't get me wrong, I'd still love to eat that type of food. My brain hasn't changed in the least. That's why I had to get surgery. I have a problem with self control. That's why I had to have surgery impose some self control on me. I'm not proud. I hate it sometimes that it had to come to something so drastic. But, it was the only way. I'm still not changed. I still have head problems that I will probably have for the rest of my life. But I'm a work in progress.

Sorry for rambling so much! It just really had me thinking tonight.

I'm almost finished with my Christmas Cards. By almost, I guess I really mean I'm almost half-way done!! Hopefully I'll get them done by this weekend. I want to make most of my gifts this year as money is tight and I love making stuff for people. I hate going out and trying to find something that I "think" a person "might" like just for the sake of getting someone a gift. I would much rather put some time and effort and give something from the heart. But I guess the person getting it could think, "WTH was she thinking?" I just try to remember that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus and spending time with those we love. All the rest is minor details. (That was pretty good. I need to tape that to my bathroom mirror so I remember it when I start stressing over the holidays!)

Thanks for listening! Maybe I'll post a craft or card sometime this weekend...who knows! Toodles!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-23T00:57:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I did! We went to my mom & dad's house and the whole gang was there. We sat around socializing until chow time. Then, we all got our grub on. I wanted to eat soooooo much, but my little stomach wouldn't allow me to. Dang it! It's days like this that I get upset with myself that I had so little self control and willpower that I had to have surgery to lose weight in the first place, cause then I'd be able to enjoy more food. Of course, that's not really a healthy way to think. Oh well, I'm a work in progress. After everyone ate and all of the food was put up, we broke out the Wii. Jason and I bought one last spring and thought it would be fun for the whole family to play. My mom and dad even liked it. She's talking about buying one for her and dad as their Christmas present to each other! I told her good luck finding one! I had to stand in line for a bit to get mine, but it was well worth it! All of the kids love it, and it was so fun watching them have fun. We didn't get home until after 11 pm. Poor Lucy Dog couldn't wait to go outside. She even skipped her food just to go walk. If she hadn't of been waiting for us, we probably would have stayed longer! Anyway, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Tomorrow is going to be a day of prepping for my day long Stamping/Scrapping/Cardmaking Day. I'm not gonna do much, if any Scrapping, but lots of stamping and possibly some cardmaking while I'm at it! I've got lots of Christmas presents to make. Well, I must go to bed. I's a tired girl! Kim

I'm a Complainer...

2007-11-12T17:50:00.000-06:00

OK, so after I made my last post...yeah, a few minutes ago, I realized that I was thinking about a bunch of stuff I was gonna complain about as I was making Dinker's card. I hate, absolutely HATE the new stamp cleaner I bought from the local scrapbooking store. I've used up all of my SU! cleaner, and I was impressed by the price of this stuff (less than $4 maybe) and the fact that it had a "bubble gum smell." EEKKK! It doesn't smell like bubblegum. It smells like crap! And it doesn't clean worth a darn! (I'm a little nutty when it comes to cleaning my stamps. I want them to look new...I wish I was this nutty about keeping my house clean!) So, I guess I need to just go back to the SU! cleaner and be done with it. I've even tried rubbing alcohol and I didn't like it either. I do think I'm gonna get some Staz-on cleaner so I can get the white staz-on off my snowflake stamp. That white Staz-on won't come off for anything!

What else can I complain about...stamp cleaner, check. Nothing that says "Happy Birthday," check. Oh, I got something else. I've been trying to make some stamped ceramic coasters. So, on try #1, they looked absolutely gorgeous! I stamped them with Staz-on, colored them with my classic ink spots and sprayed them with ceramic matte sealer. After testing with a glass of ice water, I was able to scrub the image off. Now, I was scrubbing hard. First the color came off. Then the Staz-on came off too. So, try #1, not a success. Try #2, I stamped on the image with black Staz-on, and then colored in with sharpies (as I've read to do that somewhere). Hated the way it looked. Yep, it may be permanent (I didn't do any testing) but it doesn't look anywhere near as nice as the first set did. I haven't done anymore testing as I was frustrated by this point. I need to do more researching. I've read where baking them works, but I'm just afraid that if I use my classic ink spots, whether or not I bake them won't make a difference. If anyone is reading this (other than my non-crafting, motorcycle riding friend Mikey...hi Mikey!) and knows what I need to do before I waste anymore tiles, please let me know. This was gonna be some great Christmas presents for family and friends but now I'm not feeling them at all.

One last thing to complain about. My laptop is dying. OK, so maybe not dying, but something is definitely wrong with it. Something to do with the power supply. At first I thought it was just a faulty plug. It's kinda torn and it seemed I had to hold it in a certain spot sometimes to get it to charge. Well, now that doesn't work. I made an emergency trip up to Radio Shack Saturday night to see if they had a new plug. He tried another plug and it still wouldn't charge, so he said I needed a new battery. They wanted me to pay $150 for a new battery. I don't think so. Especially when I can get it from the apple store online for way cheaper. But I'm not even sure if that's the problem. On Saturday night, it died completely. I plugged it back up and just left it all day. Yep, me, all day without my computer. I didn't even come in the office and get on this ancient desktop that I'm on now (it's not really ancient, just not liking it so much as I can't sit in my recliner and type...plus one of the shift keys isn't working and I'm having problem using caps on my left hand...and yes, I'm so anal that I'm making it work, even using the wrong hand...anal girl here...wow, it just started raining HARD here...) OK, back to topic. So yesterday, no computer until last night. Keep in mind, my iBook was off all day yesterday with the power cord plugged in. I start it up, the battery is fully charged. WTF is up with that? Oh well, I used it last night and part of this afternoon, until it died again. It seems it will only charge if the thing is turned completely off. So, that's what is happening right now. I had started this post around six but as I was laying in bed trying to get to sleep, I realized I had a draft waiting for me. And since I know I have one faithful reader (hi again Mikey!) I wanted to finish it.

We went to my friend's birthday party tonight and had a good time. Her 12 year old was flirting with me like crazy. I didn't realize they started so young! Gave my self confidence a little boost! OK, so I'm old enough to be his mother. I get it! Now if I could just get the college kids to flirt a little...nah, just kidding! I'm perfectly happy with my hubby!

OK, I don't guess I have anything else to complain about right now, other than the fact that I need to go to sleep and I'm not sleepy a bit. I was about to fall asleep earlier but kept pushing myself to read this book from the library because i need to return it, but once I finally woke up enough to read it, well, here I sit! I guess I'm off to look for more ideas for Christmas presents to make since the coasters might not work out. thanks for sticking with me! ~toodles! Kim

Procrastinator's of the World, Unite...Tomorrow

2007-11-12T17:37:00.000-06:00

OK, so I admit it...I'm a procrastinator. I've had all weekend to make a birthday card for my friend, but yet, I wait until 2 hours before I need to give it to her. Could I have waited any longer? However, in making this card, I've discovered something. In all of the supplies I've purchased over the last few months, I've yet to purchase anything for birthdays. I've got something that has a cupcake, something that says let's party, but nothing that says just...Happy Birthday or even Birthday Wishes! It was way easier when I had like fifteen of my friend's stamp sets, but I had to give them back (she wasn't asking for them but I was starting to feel a little guilty). But now, since I had to make something other than Thanksgiving or Christmas cards, I realize I need to buy more stuff. Great! (for me, but not for my checkbook!) Here's the photo of the card I just made. Not my best work, but worked in a pinch! (I had the background pre-made from when I had Jessica's stamps...one good thing about making stuff in mass!) Thanks for looking!

Inside:

I won some blog candy!

2007-11-09T12:18:00.001-06:00

I received my blog candy yesterday from Nicole! Such a nice candy! And the cards are so cute! Here's a photo that I took from her blog, since (if you look at my other posts you'll see) I can't take up close photos worth a crap! Thanks again Nicole! I won another giveaway during the Fall Y'all Giveway, but I haven't got it yet. When I do, I'll post a photo. It's a beautiful bracelet!

Blog Candy Winner

2007-11-04T21:10:00.000-06:00

We have a winner!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2007-11-05 02:53:09 UTC

The winner is Emily. Let me know what type of cards you want and I'll get to work on them right away! Thanks for playing everyone!

WOW, lot's of hits and other ramblings!

2007-11-04T01:31:00.000-05:00

OK, so I know it's just because of the giveaway, but I've had a TON of hits over the past few days! I hope some of the people who came for the giveaway stuck around to look over some of my random ramblings! Sometimes I actually have something to say. (This isn't one of those posts though! This is an I'm up too late and can't sleep post!)

My nephew is here visiting this weekend. His sister was supposed to be here too, but she had better things to do than gang out with old Aunt Kim. She had a football game to go to with one of her friends. A High School Football Game. She's 10. She said she goes to almost all of the football games, because her friend's brother plays, so they get to go. Nope, it's not about the game itself. It's all about the socializing. I understand. That's not what I did when I went to football games, but that's because I was a band geek and was sitting up in the stands having fun with the other band geeks, or performing during half time. I know I wasn't even AT the games when I was 10. Heck, I don't know if I even wanted to go at that age. But, times are different now. (crap, I sound like my mom) I also can't imagine needing a cell phone at the age of 10, but she's DYING for one. No, not because she needs to make calls or anything crazy like that. She needs it to download ringtones and take pictures. She also wants to add "bling" to it. She even said she couldn't wait until she could get a job so she could buy a contract cell phone, cause they were way cooler than pre-paid phones. whatever. I just think it's ridiculous! Oh well, I guess that's just be getting old and being old. I asked my nephew if he'd rather be at the ballgame and he said no. Too much trouble that he could get into. When I asked further, he said there was nothing to do at the ballgames (I guess watching the game is no fun) but get into fights or get in trouble for making out (ummm, what, he's not even 14 yet!). Now, this really surprised us. He said if you were caught making out at a ballgame, you got 20 days of alternative school! 20 DAYS! Jason said the teachers who made those rules were probably the ones making out when they were in school, then changed it and said they were the ones who WANTED to be making out at ballgames but weren't. Honestly, I don't remember any making out going on at ballgames, but again, I was in the band, so who knows what the other kids did!

Jason took the boy out fishing today. They caught over 40 fish. None of them keepers though, even though they were given specific instructions by me to bring home dinner. (We ended up going out!) They did catch two fish that they didn't know what they were. I asked if they asked the fish what it was, but they didn't think that was too funny!

Well, I guess I'm getting sleepy and should go. Tomorrow is the big draw for the giveaway. I was gonna wait until midnight to draw, but I think I wanna cut it off sooner, so i can notify the winner and get started on the cards. Anything to put off finishing my own Christmas cards. I did a few last night. Couldn't get into it. need. some. mojo. NOW! OK, later! Kim

Fall Y'all Carnival Giveaway!

2007-10-31T18:53:00.000-05:00

OK, so I've been spending the past two nights at this website, looking at all of the wonderful giveaways on everyone's blogs and it got me to thinking...I need to have a giveaway myself. So, IT'S TIME FOR SOME BLOG CANDY!

I don't have a picture yet, because I haven't really decided what I want to give away yet. I guess I can give some choices and I'll make the winner exactly what they want.

The first choice is 8 handmade Christmas Cards (Snowmen; Lion & Lamb; Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus). The second choice is 8 handmade Thanksgiving cards.

For your chance to win, just leave a comment on this post. I'll leave the comments open until this Sunday, November 4th at Midnight CST. Then I'll use a random number generator to draw a winner. It is open to anyone worldwide. You must leave your email address or I must be able to go to your blog or some way to contact you. If I can't contact you, you can't win! :( Sorry!

Get Well Soon!

2007-10-28T20:52:00.000-05:00

Below is a card I made for my daddy. He had an accident at work on Wednesday. He works at an outdoors store, and was climbing up to get something down from a shelf. He fell 10 feet onto a concrete floor on his back! OUCH! Miraculously, he didn't break a single bone! He's super sore. And he's got a huge bruise on the back of his head. He's stopped taking the pain medicine that was prescribed because it's making his tummy hurt (anybody that's been on Lortab for any amount of time will know what I mean! I've been on it for the better part of a year and it WRECKED my stomach...but oh, the pain was gone!!) Anyway, God sure was looking out for him.

Here is the card I made. I patterned it after a card I saw on Michelle's Blog. I wanted to try this type of card as I've got a great idea for a baby shower card for a friend that I think that will look great, but wanted to make sure I could do it first. Enjoy! ~Kim

I finally finished a Christmas Card!

2007-10-27T09:55:00.000-05:00

Yep, you read right! I finally finished one. I've got hundreds of cards in the making, but none complete. Last night I had some friends over to scrapbook. I did some stamping, but no scrapbooking. Finally, towards the end of the night, I got my scrapbook out and started sorting some pictures, since the last time I scraped, I threw everything back in my bag and not in an orderly way! So, hopefully today, I'm gonna do either some scrapbooking or some card making. I'm going at 11 to get a massage, so I might not want to do anything but sleep when I get home, who knows!

So, here is the card. I got the idea after seeing a challenge/blog candy that Allison had posted. (If you've never been to her blog, well, let me tell you, you are missing out!!! It is the only blog that I visit RELIGIOUSLY, as she always has links to everyone's challenges, new to her bloggers, blog candy and loads of tutorials, which I LOVE! Anyway, go visit her!) Well, I tried to get it done in time, but had some difficulties. I used SU! White Craft ink on the acetate and the black kromokote paper to begin with, and it would not dry. After 3 days and using a heat gun, it was not dry. So, I decided to throw it away and forget about entering my first challenge EVAH! Well, I just couldn't get the idea out of my head. So, last Friday when I was in Nashville for my Dr. appt., I decided to go to Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's (ya know, just to look!) Actually, I knew what I was looking for. Stazon White and Stazon Brown. So, last night, I decided to try the card again. I was amazed how fast the Stazon white dried! Blew me away! So, here is the card. My photo skills are lacking. (I can take great pictures of anything else, but when I try to take pictures of my cards, they always suck!)

I like the card so much, I might just make a few more and use them for my own Christmas cards. I'm not sure though. I like making one card and then doing them in masses so I know what I sent each year. I don't want someone getting the same card two years in a row! Plus, I'm not creative enough to come up with too many new ideas! Thanks for reading! ~Kim

99% Excess Body Weight...GONE!

2007-10-22T17:09:00.000-05:00

I had my 18 month appointment with my surgeon. I've lost 99% of my excess body weight! Woo Hoo! I've lost a total of 217 pounds. That's a whole person...or two skinny ones! This whole journey has been absolutely amazing! I'm now wearing a size 8 in pants and a M in tops. I've learned that it can be fun shopping at thrift stores now. I think I'm becoming a thrift store junkie. I have to go at least once a week, and I'm always coming home with a bag full of clothes. Unfortunately, it's mostly jeans, and I need to stop wearing jeans to work so often. I'm allowed to, but they wish I wouldn't so much. I guess if they'd just tell me, you can't wear jeans, I'd stop. But until they do...

I asked my surgeon for recommendations for some plastic surgeons in Nashville. I'm looking to get some excess skin removed and maybe some other reconstructive surgery (implants). I don't have too much skin to be removed, but I'd probably be wearing a six right now if I didn't have the tummy skin. As far as the implants, well, I guess that's just something I've always wanted. I'm finally thin now, so I'm gonna go for it. Plus, if I get it done at the same time as when I'm having other stuff done, it'll be cheaper because of the anesthesia already being used, or something like that. I've been checking out pics on line of implants and tummy tucks. I'm starting to see what I like and don't like. I've tried to involve my hubby in the process, but I don't think he cares too much. I told my boss that, and he said, find a picture in Playboy that you like, get that done, he'll be happy. Problem is, I'm not sure 18 year old boobies would look good on this 33 year old body. Oh well, who knows!

Hopefully later on tonight I'll post come card pics. I've not made too many lately. I've been working on my Christmas cards and trying to get a big bunch of cards to send to our troops through www.anysolder.com . I want to send a lot of cards for them to send back home to their families. I know I get a lot of joy sending cards out during the holidays and receiving them too, so maybe it will brighten their day to receive some hand made cards to send to their loved ones. Anyway, that's it for now. After my batteries recharge, I'll download my photos and post a birthday card that I made for a friend. Her birthday was last Monday. She still hasn't received the card, cause I had not taken a picture of it. I'm a bad friend. Hopefully I'll take it to her at work tomorrow. Toodles! Kim

ETA: Here is the card for Kara! She finally got it tonight...I finished it off while she was here. We're scrapbooking/card making tonight...we'll, I'm not doing too much yet!

American Heart Walk Fundraiser

2007-10-10T00:51:00.000-05:00

For the first year, I've joined a team to support the American Heart Association in the American Heart Walk. I've known and loved several people who've been affected by heart disease, and if I had not have WLS, I'm sure I would have been affected myself, as I was on the fast track to heart disease.

Anyway, if anyone would like to make a donation to this worthy cause, I'd greatly appreciate it. I know times are tight for everyone, and if you are not able, I completely understand. Just trying to get the word out as I'm joining late, and want to be able to say I tried to raise some money. Next year, I'm starting early.

Thanks for taking the time to read. Here's my website.

Thanks!

PS...for anyone who makes a donation, I'll send out a goodie to you if you PM me your address. Could be paper, could be embellishments, could be a warm and cozy cornbag...who knows! Could be a bunch! Just trying to raise money so I can help out as much as possible. Plus, I know a lot of people want to get something for their money. This year when I was raising money for Relay for Life, I was selling Corn Bags. It took very little time to make, I had the supplies anyway, and that way, the people who bought them helped a worthy cause and got something in return. Thanks again for reading!

Back from Vacation!!!

2007-09-22T21:42:00.000-05:00

I am finally back from vacation!!! WOO HOO! I can't believe how much I missed my home! Florida was so relaxing! I did not have any connection with the outside world (other than my cell phone and I didn't use it much at all) and I missed it! But it was nice not spending all my time on my computer! Here is a photo of me and hubby on the beach!

So, maybe not the best photo, but I was sunning and searching for shells! Jason was busy fishing!

Yesterday, we had my aunt take pictures of us for our Christmas cards. I'm not sure how they all turned out, but here's my favorite so far.

And here's one of just me...goofin' off!

Here is the last photo from this morning...a perfect ending to a perfect vacation! We had packed up all of the stuff in the car and was just checking through the condo and I looked out the balcony and this wonderful rainbow is what I saw!

As I was uploading photos from my camera, I found this card that I cased titled "Hope Leaves by Gem". I loved the way it turned out! I sent this as a RAK to Maddy Mason.

I hope everyone had a wonderful week. Since I was away from the computer and TV since this time last week, I've got tons of stuff to catch up on. But, since I wasn't reading everyone else's blogs, I was able to do some stamping myself. Once I get photos, I'll post them soon! Thanks for reading!

Blog Candy Winner!

2007-09-11T19:51:00.000-05:00

I've got a winner! Rebecca is the winner! Please email me your snail mail address and I'll try to get the package out before I leave for vacation on Saturday!

Check out this blog candy from Leslie

2007-09-07T15:34:00.000-05:00

Continuing to Create

She is getting together a list of must have's for beginning stampers. What a great idea!

Vacation Blog Candy

2007-09-03T16:47:00.000-05:00

Yay! We just got home from the in-laws in the greater Cincinnati area and I'm glad to be home! I've truly become my mother! She is such a homebody and so am I! I love visiting family and getting to shop at places that we don't have here in Western Kentucky, but I missed everything about home...my bed, my wonderful, comfortable leather recliner and my DVR. (Having fibromyalgia, having a soft spot to relax in is mucho importante! And being addicted to tv, I'm really addicted to my DVR...I was having Hannah Montana and That's So Raven withdrawals...and no, I don't have kids!) Anyway, yep, I'm a homebody! I had my computer with me, but my internet connection wasn't the best, so I did a LOT of coloring (I stamped a lot of images before we left so I wouldn't have to take as much with me) and finally finished the last Harry Potter book! (It made me cry too, but it was a good cry!) Of course, you're probably thinking, "Why did you bring stuff with you to do when you were going to visit family?" Well, they (my hubby and all of his immediate family) are early morning risers. They get up super early (well, to me it's super early!) and I sleep as late as my body will let me, let's say noonish whenever I don't have to work. So, when everyone else is going to sleep, I'm wide awake, looking for stuff to do! I shouldn't blame it on the sleeping habits of his family though! Last time we went to my mom and dad's, I took my clipboard and pencils and colored the whole time I was there. Basically because it was 100 degrees outside and there was NO way I was going outside!

Anyway, back to this weekend! I went to a place called Stamp Your Art Out. I had been there five or six years ago, but that was WAY before I'd ever really thought about stamping and it was really overwhelming, so I didn't buy anything. But evidently I did sign up for the mail list cause they had me as a customer! So, me and my MIL went there on Saturday. Now that I enjoy stamping, I loved it! I only bought one stamp, but found two other things that I've been looking for ever since I started stamping! Marvy Giga Scalloped Circle and Oval punches! WOO HOO! I've found them online, but once you add shipping onto the price, they were close to $30 each and I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money on punches! So, I am finally a proud owner of those punches! I'm so excited! I just can't wait to use them!

So, if you've read this far, congrats! I'm not a writer by any stretch of the imagination. I write what comes into my head and I do not have much of an internal editor. I get off track very easily and usually have to re-read what I've written to get back on track! So, thanks for sticking with me. Now, on to the good stuff...CANDY! I'm calling this my vacation candy. I bought most of it while on our Labor Day vacation, and will hopefully get it sent out before we leave for our Florida vacation! (We leave for Florida in two weeks!! WOO HOO!!) It consists of:

3 clear stamp sets from the $1 bin at Michaels
25 sheets of 10" x 7" cardstock (100# Classic Laid Cardstock) with 25 matching 5" x 7" envelopes in Classic Crest Solar White
10 scalloped circles in various colors
10 scalloped ovals in various colors
random diecut shapes in various colors
and whatever else cool stuff I find between now and closing!

To have a chance to win, post a comment on this post telling me your favorite lazy day, easy read book. Our Florida vacation is going to consist of laying on the beach, reading a good book, while soaking up the sun, and not doing much of anything else! I want to check out some good books to take with me, so I need some advice. Of course, I'll be taking some stamping stuff too. Who knew that coloring/watercoloring was so therapeutic?!

I'll be taking comments on this until September 11th and then will pick a number using random.org to see who wins! Please make sure I have a way to contact you to notify you if you win! Feel free to link this candy on your blog to direct others here so everyone can have a chance to win! I'm relatively new to stamping and blogging, so I'm hoping this candy will help people to find me! Thanks for looking, and if you have any suggestions, please let me know!

Finally...I finished my gift!

2007-08-30T20:40:00.000-05:00

I finally finished making all of the cards that I put in that neat little card holder for my mom's best friend who was nice enough to give me some clothes on Independence Day. Yep, almost two months later, but still done, none the less! Now I just need to deliver it!

Here is one of the cards in the bunch:

I put a total of 12 cards and envelopes in there. Some are really cute cards. Others I'm not as fond of, but who knows, she may love them! '

DH and I are heading to Cincinnati tomorrow for Labor Day weekend to visit his parents. I'm too excited. I miss living there and really enjoy the visit. Plus, I get to go shop at Archiver's and now that I'm into stamping, there is a store I want to visit called "Stamp Your Art Out". I want to see if they have any kind of watercolor crayons or pencils. I have some cheapo pencils from Wal-Mart and a set of SU! Bold Bright Watercolor crayons. Unfortunately, I really need the Earth Elements to color my Thanksgiving cards. And I hate to spend $10 just for shipping something so small. :( So I'm just gonna take my Christmas cards with me to keep me occupied. Yep, I have to be entertained at all times!

Here's a couple of cards I made (maybe I'm a bit scatterbrained too!!):

This one I made for my aunt for her birthday. We are going to Florida for vacation with her and her partner next month, so I knew she'd enjoy a card with a beach scene on it!

Sorry the color on the photos aren't that great. I tried to set up my own photo box (wasn't exactly like the instructions said and I think that was the problem) but it didn't work too well. Maybe some time I'll follow the directions and the color will come out better!

Hope everyone haves a safe and Happy Labor Day!

It's Official...I suck!

2007-08-27T23:31:00.000-05:00

OK, so I thought this blogging thing was going to be easy. See, cause I'm ALWAYS on my computer, and I'm ALWAYS doing some kind of craft. So, why wouldn't I be making LOADS of posts? PURE LAZINESS! It's much easier just reading everyone else's blogs and getting great ideas and signing up for some wonderful blog candy. So, here is my resolution. Tomorrow after work, I'm going to come home and take photos of the latests cards that I've made (could be quite a few!) and hopefully get them posted before I go volunteer. (I volunteer at The Angel Clinic. It is a free clinic for people in my county who are employed but have no health insurance. I work in the pharmacy filling prescriptions. It gets pretty boring, but it's such a worthwile cause. I haven't been in several months, but need to get started again!) Anywho, I will get those photos posted before I leave, and then once I get home, I'll either try to create a card, or possibly put up some goodies...Can't decide whether or not I've got some good stuff for candy...Keep checking back! Toodles! ~Kim

Check out this blog candy!

2007-08-10T22:34:00.000-05:00

Rings Like a Bell.com is giving away some candy! Here's the link:

http://www.ringslikeabell.com/2007/08/09/give-me-some-candy/#comment-223

Today, I was notified that I won some blog Candy from Crafty Engineer. Her blog is here:

http://papercraftingengineer.blogspot.com/

This blogging thing is so cool! I just wish I'd make my self craft some more. I made two different cards tonight, but haven't taken pictures yet. I'll do that tomorrow and post them!

Happy Birthday to ME!

2007-08-05T19:08:00.000-05:00

So, today is my 33rd Birthday. WOW! Who'd of thought I'd live that long? Not me, that's for sure! But this has been one of the best years of my life! Yesterday, I went to my hometown to visit all of my grandparents and my mom. The first person I went to see was my Nanny! I haven't seen her since Christmas, and it was good catching up. Here is a photo of Nanny and Me.

Then it was off to Grandma & Grandpa A's. I haven't seen them since Christmas 2005. They have not seen me since surgery. My grandpa didn't recognize me! I do get that alot, so it wasn't unexpected, but it was funny. Here's a picture of me, Grandma & Grandpa!

Then I went to see my PawPaw. He lives next door to my mom, so I see him pretty often. I didn't until he moved down to this house. I don't have a picture of him and me from yesterday, but here's one from Memorial Day.

Here's a photo of me and mommy! She was a trooper. After visiting everyone, I drug her around to Michaels, Hobby Lobby and World Trade Market. She hates shopping, but since I was driving, it was either go in or sit in the hot car, and she didn't want to do that. She told me as I was leaving that she had fun and next time we'd have to go shopping for clothes. I need all the help with clothes that I can get! I'm not used to being able to choose what I want to wear. When you're fat you pretty much have to take what you can get!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! UGH! It's almost over...boohoo! Toodles!

Random Creations

2007-08-01T22:25:00.000-05:00

So, this card making thing is pretty relaxing. The mess I've made in the process, however, is not. I was going to post pictures to get my point across...however, I'm slightly ashamed! I started to clean up and then got distracted and well, nothing got done. No cleaning, no card making...nada! So, here are a few items I've made over the past few days. It seems like I can only come up with one design at a time, and then, I tend to make three or more at a time, so I have a few. That really came in handy when I had two of the hoppy birthday cards left over and two birthdays that needed to be sent out! My main project has been to make 12 different cards to fill up this wonderful card holder that I made to give to a wonderful person who was very generous to me recently. I've lost over 200 pounds in the past 16 months and have been going through sizes like crazy. So on her annual 4th of July pool party, she gave me a bag full of pants. 8 pairs of capris and two pairs of pants. One are some kick ass jeans that make me look skinny and make my legs look super long. I'm loving them. Oh, and they are all size 10. Never wore that size...ever. So, I wanted to make a special gift for her. I decoupaged this "paper mache" bag from Hobby Lobby, then added ribbon. Not sure how I feel about the ribbon, but it's staying for now. I think I'm gonna add more to it...eventually. Here are two cards that are included in the set. Let me know what you think of these projects.

It holds cards and envelopes that are 5" x 7". I'll be glad when these envelopes (bought a box of 250 from work) are gone, and I can just make 5.5" x 4.25" cards like everyone else! It will simplify everything!

Latest Card

2007-07-28T23:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a card that I made today. I cased it from someone...not sure who. I've looked at so many people's ideas that they all run together! I used paper and ribbon from Walmart. The brads are making memories, the black ink is Staz-on. The colored pencils are Kimberly Watercolor Pencils. I like the way it turned out. I made it for a couple of friends who are leaving for Africa on a mission trip in a couple of months. They are home for the week, and then leaving to go train in Virginia for two months and then off to Africa for two years. I'm best friends with Joe Joe's sisters, and work with one of them, and I know they sure are gonna miss them. It was bad enough when they just lived in Lexington! I told them if they let me know what they wanted, I'd send them care packages, as I love sending care packages!

So, here's the pic. It's blurry, as I didn't take a pic at home, and realized as Joe Joe was about to leave, that I didn't get a photo, so I took it with Jason's camera phone!! It looked much better in real life! So, here it is!

Goal

2007-07-23T17:30:00.000-05:00

So, with all of the excitement of the big fall on Friday, I forgot to mention...on Friday, I met my weight goal of 150! Woo Hoo for me! And Friday was my 16 month anniversary since WLS. I cannot believe how blessed I am! So, in 16 months, I've lost 209 pounds! My next goal is to wear a size 8. I am currently wearing a size 10 and L but it's probably closer to a M, except I haven't tried! I started out wearing a size 30 and a 4XL. Wow! Anyway, enough bragging about me. I've got some photos to post, but don't have them ready yet. I'll post them sometime, if anyone cares!

I fall down and go BOOM!

2007-07-21T23:38:00.000-05:00

So, yesterday started out good enough. It was Friday, getting ready for the weekend. I love Fridays, even at work, cause I know the weekend is coming. And all day Friday, I was looking forward to the weekend. I was going to Paducah, to get a massage from my aunt who just graduated from massage school and go pick up my 10 year old niece to spend the weekend with me...she's my mini-me or my sister from another mother. For the first 7 years of her life, my mother called her Kim so much and then said her name (Sami) she finally said, "Nanna, my name is Sami, not Kimsami! Anyway, I went to Paducah, and got my massage. It was very good! Very relaxing. So, I'm leaving my aunts and as I'm walking to my car, I trip on the sidewalk and fall. I do believe in the phrase "The bigger they are, the harder they fall" because it wasn't as bad as it could be. But it wasn't fun either. I trip, try to catch myself. My left elbow, right knee, right shoulder and left side hit the ground, but not before my face (right side, cheek and forehead) hit the tire of my car and the pavement. As I'm falling, I'm cussing, way too much. My keys fly out of my hand, under my Explorer and across the other side of the car. Finally, after all of the commotion, I roll over and start to cry a bit. Yep, I'm a big baby when I get hurt. The first time I ever hurt myself in the presence of my husband, he looked at me really weird and said, "I've never seen anyone cry when they get hurt." He's seen it happen enough now that he's used to it, as we've been married now for seven years. Anyway, my aunt's neighbor comes over and asks if he can help me. I tell him I fell and he said he heard me...must of heard me swearing! So I ask him to go get my aunt. She comes out, freaks a little bit and wants to take me to the ER. I go get cleaned up, and realized I'm ok, just shook up and feeling a bit stupid and REALLY clumsy! So, here's the pic. It doesn't do my face justice though, as the flash isn't capturing all of the bruising and scratches. My glasses nearly broke on my face. I think the scratches on my cheeks and eyes are from my glasses. I have bruising on my forehead from the tire. I've got a skinned elbow and knee and a bruise on my stomach and shoulder. And I felt like a mac truck ran over me. So much for the benefits of the massage!

So I go to my mom's and pick up my niece. My mom is worried and thinks I need to go to the ER. The only reason I would even THINK about going to the ER is so I could get some good drugs! But, I didn't really need any, so I said no way! Then, Sami and I went to Hobby Lobby to start our weekend of crafting! We've had a good weekend so far. She's busy playing the Wii right now. We've gone out to eat twice today. I was good both times, as we shared a meal each time. We went bowling tonight, and she just can't get enough. She did some scrapbooking this afternoon, but I was hurting too bad and wanted to sit on my corn bag, so I just talked her through some stuff. She's scrapbooked before, so she didn't need much help! I think she's having a good time.

At the bowling alley, they have these machines that have stupid stuff in them. I found one that had "Hillbilly Teeth." After I got a super cool pair, Sami decided she needed them too. She is, after all, my Mini-me. Jason's getting tired of both of us, especially with the teeth! He finally said, "Take the teeth out if you're both gonna talk!" We just laughed!

It's Share Time

2007-07-17T22:12:00.000-05:00

OK, so I've finally taken the time to download my photos of the cards I've made so far. I've made a total of five. The last one, I've made four times, because it seems I work better by mass producing. I've made a list of everyone I want to give a set of cards to, therefore, they're all going to get the same cards until I get inspired to do something else! So, without further ado, here they are. Since I'm new at this blogging thing, I haven't kept up with what I've been using. The stamps are all Stampin' Up! The paper is either Creative Memories, something from Walmart, or some random paper from work (working at a printing company does have advantages!) The tools I used were my CM 12" paper trimmer, my personal cutting tool (also CM), my CM tape runner, my CM corner rounder, my Making Memories eyelet setter and I think that's it. (I'm a Creative Memories Consultant, in case you couldn't tell by all the CM stuff I've got! I love it! Now if I could just get back to scrapbooking!) The glitter is something I found at Walmart, along with the flowers on the one card. Who knows where the eyelets came from. I've had them for a long time. The adhesive that was used for the glitter was Zig two way glue from Walmart, the ink pads I used were black Staz-on, Bordering Blue by SU! and Versamark. OK, I'll shut up now...here they are!

The only original idea was the "Thanks so Much" card. Everything else was ideas I got from Splitcoast Stampers. Unfortunately, I was scribbling on a notepad the ideas, and didn't write who they were from. Sorry if it was you!! Let me know!

Here's one more thing for me to share...my puppy dog Lucy. She's the best little girl a family could have.

Well, I'm not sure if anyone will read this, but if you did, I hope you like it. Send me links to your blog and I'll list you as blogs I visit. I love looking at ideas and techniques that others use. The only disadvantage is that I look too much instead of creating! Happy crafting!

First Post

2007-07-11T22:40:00.000-05:00

OK, so I didn't really create this blog to be anything about reality shows...more about me and my obsessions. Once upon a time it was reality shows. I've dreamed about being on a reality show ever since the first Real World came out in the 90s. I've even applied to a couple of reality shows...only to be...wait for it...Rejected. Right now, my current obsession is rubber stamping. It should be scrapbooking, because I have a ton of photos to scrapbook, I have all of the supplies I could ever need. I'm just not inspired to scrap. Unfortunately, I'm wanting to stamp. I do not have the inspiration or ideas to stamp, nor do I have all of the supplies to stamp. I have a ton of paper. I have a ton of embellishments that I've bought for scrapbooking to use. However, I have 3 sets of rubber stamps, along with some misc. stamps I've bought at Michaels. Ok, I can work with that. I have three...count them...three stamp pads. Staz-on Black, Bordering Blue from SU! and some cheap brown stamp pad from Wal-mart. I do have some watercolor pencils from WM that I'm learning to live with until I can get me some Watercolor Crayons. I told my husband, if he really loved me, he could, for my birthday of course, sign up as a Stampin' Up demonstrator so we could get the products at a discount. Why my hubby? Well, I'm a Creative Memories Consultant, and I don't think you can do both. BooHoo! I shouldn't be stressing out over making cards, but I have been! Arghhh! Time for bed! Goodnight, anyone who reads this! I'll post tomorrow the cards I've made. (Total of four! WooHoo!) ~Kim