Show and Tell

never disgraced... and... a gift for you

Today is Thursday, January 26. Yesterday I was feeling pretty good until about half-way through the infusion and then started feeling a little puny. And that's continued into today. Food does not sound good but I make myself eat because not eating doesn't seem good either. Today I felt really good when I woke up. I did all my usual morning routine to get ready to go to work, but by the time we got in the car I was feeling sort of lousy so we turned around and came back home. This infusion stuff is getting tiresome. But, if it's working then I'll endure. And tomorrow should be better. 

I told you that last week we stopped in Raleigh on our way to the beach. We went to Archiver's, where I bought some new red embossing powder (but haven't had a chance to use it yet). We also spent some time with these people:

Kenneth & Britt! Always so good to spend time with them! And this time we learned something new about our son-in-law.

He builds an awesome fire! I suppose that being an Eagle Scout pays dividends throughout life. :)

 

Today's scripture:

Psalm 22:4-5

"Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced." 

These verses remind me of one of our family stories. Actually, it happened before I was born. I may not get all the details right, but I know I have the gist of it. My mom and dad were newly married and Dad had just been drafted. (This was in the early 1950s.) Until being called overseas, Dad was stationed in Missouri. Mom was in Indiana with her parents. Dad had a brief leave and was driving from Missouri to Indiana to be with my mom for awhile. It was the middle of the night and my mom suddenly woke up feeling that she needed to pray for my dad. As they compared notes later, the time that she awakened and began praying was the time that Dad was falling asleep while driving and was just about to run off the road. That really impressed me as a young child... how God hears our prayers and how He does rescue us and those we pray for. (And how if we are impressed to pray, we should pray!) I have other stories like that, and I'm sure you do, too. If you don't, maybe you should be praying more. Or paying more attention. It doesn't always hit me right away when God answers one of my prayers, but later (sometimes much later) as I'm reflecting on a specific event it might all of a sudden hit me how God answered that specific prayer. He is so good!  

 

While we were on our little trip to the beach last weekend, we wanted to make sure that we got to see Kenneth's parents. They live about an hour in from the coast, so it was an easy visit to make on the way back home. Of course, it was a great excuse to make a cute gift bag, too. 

SHOW

I made this little bag using a Papertrey Ink die and a lunch sack, and filled it with a book, a notepad, and a Starbucks gift card. Making a gift bag is a fun way to personalize a store-bought present. It's also a great way to use up some of that patterned paper that you've been hoarding. (If you're a paper crafter, you KNOW what I'm talking about!) 

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Fillable Frames #11, Fillable Frames #9, Tag-its #5); cardstock is PTI (Rustic White); patterned paper is My Mind's Eye (29th Street Market: Beautiful Blooms/Peachy Paper); ink is Stampin' Up (Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red); felt is PTI (Fine Linen); button is PTI (Ocean Tides); twine is PTI (Rustic Cream); ribbon is PTI (Vintage Cream classic grosgrain, Ocean Tides satin); also used PTI dies (Front & Center #1, Bloom Builders #3, Fillable Frames #11).

Well, that will be all for today. I'm going to try to rest up some more this evening and be ready to go to work again tomorrow. That's the plan anyway. I hope all is well with you. Thank you so much for visiting!

Give Praise to the Lord... and... Wine Bottle Tags

Today is Thursday, December 29. It's been kind of a blah day for me, so far. Which has kind of taken me by surprise because the last two days have really been pretty good. I've been in good spirits and felt mostly good. Today I've been tired and just a little crabby. I probably need to get out for a walk. That has helped in the past. 

Well, let's change the subject... Back in early December my sister-in-law Kris came to visit. We had a fabulous time together and a highlight was when we were invited to my friend Sara Gwynn's house for dinner. Sara Gwynn and Kristine had formed a strong bond earlier when Kris was seeking a way to get some champagne cupcakes from her home in California to our home in North Carolina. (The story is in the post here.)

It's about time that I posted some pictures of our time together, isn't it? Here is one of Sara Gwynn, Kris, and myself.

You can really see how tubby I've gotten to be. I'm gonna figure out how to work on that in the new year! 

Here's another photo of the three of us, but this time Sara Gwynn's husband, Doug, was included.

And, I need to post this one, too, so you can see that Ken was also with us. :)

And here's one of the reasons that I can't seem to lose weight...

Yep. I know way too many good bakers. :) (But, thanks, Sara Gwynn! We all had a fabulous time!) And, I'm so blessed with so many great friends!

 

Here is some scripture for today.

Psalm 148:1-2

"Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven!"

I have not really been having a very good day, as I mentioned above. But verses like this really help me to change my focus. It's easy for me to just think about me, me, me... and about my unfortunate lot in life (I say that with a bit of a smile...). But taking my focus off of me and praising the Lord instead, well, that makes a huge difference. He is to be praised. Afterall, He is the Lord who created the heavens and the earth... yet He still cares for little old me. What a wonderful thing that is! It's not a day to mope around and feel sorry for myself... it is a day to celebrate life and the God of creation! Won't you join me in the celebration? 

 

Well, let's switch gears from the gazillion Christmas gift card holders I've been posting and get to another type of gift. How about a way to dress up wine bottle gifts for the holidays? 

SHOW

Once again, I made two of this item. Since the patterned paper is two-sided, I cut one from each side... making tags that coordinated with each other. Which was especially nice since we were taking both bottles to our neighbor's house on Christmas Eve. 

(Take a good look at those snowman faces. Does it look to you like they've been imbibing a little? Their smiles are just a little too goofy. :) Didn't think of that until just now, but it is a little funny, don't you think? I know... it doesn't take a whole lot to amuse me!) 

 

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Banner Builder, Fillable Frames #8, Tag-its #8); cardstock is PTI (Vintage Cream); patterned paper is Basic Grey (Jovial: button nose); ink is SU (Pure Poppy) and Memento (Tuxedo Black); marker is SU (Basic Black); baker's twine is The Twinery (Mandarin); also used PTI dies (Double-Ended Banners, Wine Bottle Tag, Tag Sale #5).

Well, it looks like I may be finishing my post early again today. Yay for me! I've already been on one walk this afternoon, but since I'm posting early I think I'll be able to get another one in before it gets too cold and dark.

Thank you so very much for stopping by to visit with me... and for listening to my daily ups and downs. (I should probably say "my momentary ups and downs" because the downs are really pretty fleeting...) This is an interesting journey that I'm on and I'm so thankful that I have people who are willing to share it with me. So... I'm sending you big hugs of thanks and bushels of love!   

A Strong Refuge... and... Merry Christmas Gift Bag

Today is Saturday, December 17. And, once again, I'm having a hard time getting going. Here it is, nearly 7:00 pm, and I'm just now starting today's post. So — I suppose you won't see it until nearly 11:00. Sigh. I really wish I were more efficient.

Ken and I did go on a walk this afternoon. I was trying to walk off this...

Well, not ALL of it. But last night I did sample each item... and then I had a little more at lunch today. And I think I may have some tonight, too. What can I say? I've been in the mood for pizza and this Pizza Hut commercial about their Big Dinner Box keeps coming on TV... and so Ken was kind enough to go out and pick one up. And, I must say, it is as delicious as it looks. :) 

And, back to the topic of the walk, I've been wanting to show you these trees that are on the next street over from ours. 

We've lived in Charlotte for almost 25 years, but I've never noticed the Crape Myrtle trees — and we have them all throughout our neighborhood — looking quite so lovely. I think the coloring of the bark is just so interesting. 

 

Today's scripture is again from the Old Testament.

Nahum 1:7

"The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him."

I love how scripture in the Old Testament is so applicable even now. And, you know, it's always been that way for me... I just love the Old Testament. And I love pulling words from it and applying them to my life. Like here: I trust in the Lord. He is my refuge. My strong refuge. And He's oh, so good to me. I don't have to look far to see His goodness in my life... Ken & I have been so cared for over the past nearly five months. We're so grateful! God has definitely been good to us! I bet He's been good to you, too... just look around and you'll see. :)   

 

Here is another gift bag like the one I showed you yesterday, made with PTI's Front & Center die. 

SHOW

Cute, isn't it? Kris used it to put her stamp in for our Stamp Club stamp exchange last week. 

AND TELL: stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Wreath for All Seasons, Tag-its #9); cardstock is Stampin' Up (Old Olive), Paper Source (a discontinued shimmery red), and PTI (Stampers Select White); patterned paper is My Mind's Eye (I Believe: Wreaths); ink is SU (Old Olive, Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze); baker's twine is Divine Twine (Cherry); ribbon is PTI (Pure Poppy satin); also used PTI's Mat Stack 3 die, Cuttlebug's Birds & Swirls embossing folder, a glittery miniature ornament from Target, and lots of miscellaneous ribbon scraps.

Well, that will be it for tonight. I appreciate you stopping by and spending some time here — and I hope you have a wonderful evening! Love and hugs to you! 

He is a Shield... and... Joy Gift Bag

Today is Friday, December 16. And, once again, I'm having a bit of trouble getting going on a blog post. But this time I'm going to push through.

Yesterday was the last day of preschool for 2011 and this morning we had our staff Christmas party. We do a breakfast at a restaurant so that we can party but still have lots of time for everyone to head out and do their last minute Christmas things before they pick their older children up from school.

 The restaurant where we ate has a separate room that can be closed off and is perfect for our staff. We eat and then I distribute their Christmas gift card bonuses... never as much as they deserve, but still a nice little token of our appreciation for their service to the weekday school. Wow, I love these ladies!

And here are photos of the Christmas programs for the classes we call 3C, T4, 4C, and 4D (our Wednesday music classes),

and T3, 3B, and TK (our Thursday music classes)...

In the picture above you can see how the kids in the front (who had been in the program the day before) are enjoying clapping along with the music. Love preschool programs. Love how there is almost always one child who shouts the words late and maybe out of tune. And another who may twirl instead of sing. Or the ones who pick their nose or any number of things that are cute when they're preschoolers, but not so cute as they get older. Yep. Gotta love preschool programs.

 

Today we have some scripture from Proverbs.

Proverbs 30:5

"Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection."

Another good word for me — and you — to keep in mind. God is a shield to those who come to Him for protection. And since it also says that every word He speaks holds true, I'll believe that He is a shield that protects me... even in the face of a brain tumor. And He'll be a shield to you, too, in whatever challenges you are facing. He is so good — trust Him! 

 

I may have explained before that part of our stamp club Christmas party involves exchanging gifts of "the best $5 stamp you can find". We bring our wrapped offerings, put them all on the table, and draw numbers to determine the order in which we select our gift. I love that this gave me the perfect opportunity to use my new Papertrey Ink Front & Center die. 

SHOW

Oh, so easy... and oh, so cute! I love bright non-traditional colors for Christmas, so this was pretty fun for me. And I love finding a way to use things that I picked up for pennies at after Christmas sales like the glittery ornaments. Very fun, don't you think?

AND TELL:  stamps is from Papertrey Ink (Signature Series: Flower); cardstock is Stampin' Up (Peach Parfait, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight) and PTI (Stampers Select White); patterned paper is Crate Paper (Snow Day Collection: Flakes); ink is SU (Peach Parfait); ribbon is PTI (1/4" silk); twine is PTI (Rustic Cream); also used PTI dies (Signature Series: Flower and Front & Center #1)a Sizzix embossing folder (Starry Night) and an EK Success border punch that may be discontinued (I couldn't find a name for it).

So, that's all for tonight. It took awhile, but I finally got it all done. :) I plan to be back again tomorrow. Thank you so much for stopping by and spending some time with me. Sending you love! 

Come with great power, O God... and... Christmas Sticker Tags

Today is the monthly meeting of the Stampin' Up stamp club that I'm a member of... and above is the teaser for that. :) But now — let's just get into the usual format.

Besides being a stamp club day, today is also Saturday, September 10. Since it is again the weekend, I am again uneasy about not having radiation treatments. I'm usually quite strong mentally. Lately, not quite so much. And I can't help remembering when the tapering down on the steroids caused me mental issues. A little reduction took place a couple days ago... and we're due to reduce more on Sunday evening. Yes, I try not to think about it but it is always there. I'd really like to get the dosage down where they want it to be, so I'm hoping (PRAYING!) my body and mind cooperate!

I also thought I'd give you an update on one of my concerns from early last week... the constipation and hemorrhoids. I know, not polite conversation topics... but it is one of my realities, so skip on if you don't like this kind of stuff. But — the news is all good! After prayer (including, of course, all of yours!) and some changes in what is "going in" — well, things are so much better. Now — this is not something the normal healthy person would want to do, but if you happen to know someone in my situation (or, I hope not, but if it is ever you) here's what is working for me right now. Upon rising I take one Dulcolax and one Colace... just the over the counter stuff (this was at a PA's suggestion). At breakfast I drink 4 ounces of water with Benefiber dissolved in it. I also have a prune or two. (Two because I usually can't remember if I've already eaten one or not — haha!) And if we have any bran muffins, I may have one... or two... or... throughout the day. Then when I'm going to bed I do the Dulcolax and Colace again. And — so far, so good! Whew! That's a relief. :) And since the pooping aspect is better, so are the hemorroids. All good news. 

Oh, today's scripture is so fabulous that I had to make it very person to my situation. Hope you don't mind. (You can do this, too. After all, we all of some sort of "stuff", don't we?)

Psalm 54 (personalized for me... :) )

"Come with great power, O God, and rescue me! Defend me with your might. Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea. For [a tumor is] attacking me; [an aggressive tumor is] trying to kill me. [It cares] nothing for God.

"But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them. Do as you promised and put an end to them.

"I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you. I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over [this brain tumor]."

See how personalizing scripture can really, really make it come alive for your own life? After you do that, try reading it out loud. Multiple times. Powerful stuff, I tell ya! This one I think I'm going to copy onto another sheet of paper and carry it with me all day. Sometimes I just need a constant reminder... and carrying scripture around with me provides that. Maybe it would be helpful for you, too.

Now — how about a picture or two from a typical morning around here.

 Yes, it always involves a nap. At least one. Look closely at that picture. We have a black dog. Sometimes I'm fortunate and she'll share the couch with me. :) 

But sometimes she tries to keep it all to herself. Her being on my pillow is frowned upon by me... but she does look comfy, doesn't she? She also looks like she's just waiting for me to shoo her to the other end of the sofa... or off it altogether. :)

 

I think I'll move on to the crafty portion of our day, now. 

Our stamp club's swap theme for the month of September is packaging. I was going by memory (crazy for the brain tumor girl, right?) and was thinking gift item... but since it's packaged, too, I guess I'm OK. :)  

SHOW

I just folded over the Decorative Label punched paper, stapled, decorated, and used it for a bag topper. So, I guess that's the packaging aspect of my project. Easy-peasy, right?

And, in the bag? I stamped and punched sticker paper from an office supply store to make a set of holiday stickers — some for gift tags, others for sealing envelopes or decorating packages. And there's the gift idea for you. Now, I must say, I didn't try to peel the paper backing off the stickers yet... hopefully it's not too difficult. Maybe you can let me know... :) 

AND TELL:  stamps are Stampin' Up (Season of Joy, Delightful Decorations, Tags til Christmas, Tiny Tags); SU (Real Red, Kiwi Kiss, Summer Sun) and Papertrey Ink (Stampers Select White); sticker paper; ink is SU (Always Artichoke, Summer Sun, Real Red, Brilliant Blue), PTI (True Black), and Encore (Ultimate Metallic Silver); marker (Chocolate Chip); punches (1-3/4" circle, 1-1/4" circle, 3/4" circle, ornament, decorative label, dotted scallop ribbon border, jewelry tag, punch pack).

Now, I better close this up and get ready to leave for stamp club. So I think I'll post early today. Today the steroids haven't seemed to be working quite as well. I'm hoping it's all in my head, because after stamp club — if I'm up to it, going out for a birthday dinner with our "adopted daughter", along with her parents. I'll let you know tomorrow, but I'm thinking it will be a very good thing. And it's less than an hour until my next steroid dose, so I should be juiced up and ready to go... right?

Thanks so much for stopping by here and for all your prayers. They are so, so, SO appreciatiate — and needed. Sending lots of love your way! 

A triple-braided cord is not easily broken... and... Tranquility Trilogy

Today is Saturday, September 3. The first day of a three-day weekend. 

And here is my reality for the day... constipation and hemorrhoids. I know. This is gross. And you may want to skip ahead a few paragraphs. But since this is my record of my life at the present-time... well, I decided that I'd just put it out there. (Maybe you can consider it all to be prayer-list items.) I tend to be a little irregular anyway, but I guess the radiation and chemo really disrupt things. Yuck. Not fun. I've had hemorroids before... and really bad ones, too -- but that was as a result of giving birth and then there is at least a cuddly little baby to distract you from your misery. Blech. I know. Too much information. 

So, since I'm telling all, how about some more grossness? I have a scab on the top of my head that might be an 1-1/2" long. And only about 1/2" of it is still attached. But it's firmly attached. Which means the rest of it is just hanging off -- some from each end. Talk about irritating. Even though I can't see or really feel it, just knowing that it's there is annoying. Maybe I'm just a little crabby this morning. I don't really feel crabby, but I sure seem to be complaining a lot! That must mean it's time to turn to some scripture. :)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

Isn't that great wisdom? And, oh, how true it is. We all NEED each other. Don't deny others the blessing of you. Like you haven't denied me the blessing of yourselves. I have been so overwhelmed with love and support. And, humanly... I feel like it is very underserved. But, I am so, SO grateful. It is much easier to keep the enemy at bay when so many are surrounding me with prayer... with support... with love. Yes, I am truly blessed! 

And here's another specific way that I've been blessed. I have so many great and creative friends. I'm so, so fortunate. Again, I share these things that people are doing for me to plant seeds in your head. These ideas may come in handy when you become aware of someone who could use a blessing.

A couple of weeks ago, my friends Margie and Susie (who are sisters) brought by this container of wrapped packages with the instructions that when I needed a pick-me-up I should open a gift. Well, so far, I've only opened two (yes, I have great self-control... :) ). The first was a pouch of Ghiradelli chocolate -- which was perfect as I was quite steroid driven at that point. :) The other I just opened this morning. It's a dry-erase board with the instructions to put it on the front door to let people know if it's a good time to stop by or not. Great idea, huh? Because getting up to the door (especially quickly) is not always an easy thing to do. But... I think I may also use it for the Bible verse of the day. Might as well put God's Word out there in every avenue available to me, right? (Thanks, Margie & Susie! Can't wait to see what else is in that container... but since I'm anticipating that I'll need more spirit-lifters later on I'm practicing self-control!)

 

Oh, my goodness... it's getting to be late in the day. After 6:00 p.m. already. And I'm still not done with this.

I think I mentioned before that I have a "rule" that I must use all my newest stamps before I buy more new stamps from the same company. I try to do that with other things that I purchase, too... things like the dies that can be used to cut shapes from cardstock.

SHOW

Isn't that just the cutest little box? Perfect for holding a few Hershey's Kisses. :)

And here it is from the top...

Yep. I think it's adorable... and it wasn't hard to make at all.

AND TELL:  stamp is from Papertrey Ink (Tranquility Trilogy); cardstock is Stampin' Up (Real Red, Daffodil Delight) and PTI (Vintage Cream); ink is SU (Pear Pizzazz, Real Red); baker's twine is Divine Twine (Lemon); also used SU circle punches (1-1/4", 1-3/8") and PTI dies (Two Triangles, Favor It Box 5).

Well, while I was typing all of that I had a thought about something else that I could talk about... but the thought is gone now. Sometimes I wonder if the forgetfulness is brain tumor or being over 50... guess it could be either... or maybe a combination of both. :)

So -- since the thought is gone... and since it's now after 7:00 at night... must be time to finish this up. Thanks so much for stopping by for a bit. Your visits are special to me! 

Tags for Guy Bags

Today has been Saturday, August 6 (I think...).

We were released from the hospital a little before noon this morning, and I don't mind telling you that it's been a long and hard day. While it's good to be home — and I'm definitely looking forward to sleeping in a regular-sized bed with real sheets — nothing is normal and I've never been really good at being the center of attention.

That said, I cannot tell you how overwhelmed we are by the outpouring of love, support, and FOOD (maybe too much food!). It's so appreciated and so undeserved. (And we're going to be so fat!)

And here's what I looked like going home. 

I call it my mission trip look. When I was in Nicaragua several years ago I noticed lots of women wearing random t-shirts from various events in the U.S. — often with a non-matching skirt. Guess Ken likes the look because this is what he brought me to wear home from the hospital. :) 

 

Now, let's leave all that behind. 

Today I was planning to post the tags that I made for the bags that the girls in the wedding party used for their belongings after they changed into their wedding clothes. However, when I went to find the pictures... they simply don't exist. Oops. Guess that I had a mental lapse.

So — here's Plan B. The tags that went on the bags with the groomsmen and usher gifts.

SHOW

One color for the ushers and one for the groomsmen.

Premade tags, a little texturing, twine, and masculine-ish patterned paper. That's it. 

AND TELL:  (what? no stamps?!?), tags are from Avery (4-3/4"x 2-3/8"), patterned paper is from Bo Bunny 's Back to Backs line and Webster"s Pages (Petite Papers Garden Gala line); twine is Papertrey Ink (Rustic Jute); buttons are PTI (Royal Velvet); also used a PTI embossing plate (Picnic Plaid), a Cricut cartridge (Plantin SchoolBook), and bags from Walmart. 

They served the purpose and looked pretty good,too. (But, truly, I don't think the guys cared one iota if they got special bags or not... :) )

We're exhausted and Ken is here waiting for me to finish this post so he can get to bed. And so I can get to bed. So, I think I better close this out. Thanks so much for your outpouring of love and prayers on our behalf. And now we're off to sleep in our own bed with our own sheets and pillows. What a luxury. Hope you sleep in peaceful luxury tonight, too. :) Hugs from us to you!

Dry Mouth, Bad Breath, Hospital Realities

Today is Thursday, August 4:

In a few hours I imagine they'll be coming to get me so they can drill a hole in my head and figure out what's wrong. But before they do that I want to be sure to say again how much I appreciate your messages and all the cyber love that you've been sending our way. Oh, and the prayers, too. Most importantly, the prayers. Getting messages from all over the world is a humbling experience and, knowing my many faults and failings, seems very undeserved. Yet, every word you've written and each prayer you've breathed is so, so appreciated.

Here's my view this morning:

five flower arrangements, an angel, a prayer box and balloons with chocolate bars weighing them down; a box of Papertrey Ink stamps waiting to be opened and played with; a pitcher and cups of water and a bag of lifesavers... none of which I'm allowed to have (so why are they here staring at me??); the ancient-looking hospital phone, my not-quite-as-ancient (but nearly as out-of-date) iPhone, and my Bible and current devotional books.

I hope to muster up the energy to open the PTI box in a little while and prep my new stamps for action. (And hopefully forget about the gnawing in my stomach... I'm not good at denying myself nourishment!)

But, I thought that I might be able to put in a simple, crafty thing here. Can't leave you without a bit of happiness, now can I? :)

SHOW

Just another wrapped gift with a few embellishments. One of Ken's sisters had a special gift sent to be given to Britt at one of her bridal showers, so when it arrived I wrapped it in a cheerful butterfly wrapping paper, and stuck on a few die-cut and embossed  butterflies.

AND TELL:  no stamps (?!); cardstock and patterned paper are miscellaneous scraps; no ink (?!); also used Stampin' Up's butterfly die and butterfly embosslits (sorry... exact word retrieval is not my specialty right now...).

Now how about a few pictures from the Sunday bridal shower — back on July 17. (Hope this isn't too confusing for you, bouncing back and forth between wedding things and bridal shower things... but, hey, if I can do it, surely you can, too! :) )

This shower was given by our neighbors to the left and was so relaxed and lovely.

As we arrived we were given recipe cards to fill out... recipes for a happy marriage.  

4 year old Nora Grace ran in from a playdate to help her oldest sister dispense marital advice. Hopefully the 4 year old and the 18 year old gained a little wisdom and some reminders along with the rest of us. :)

Gracie helped unwrap gifts — and had fun adorning herself with the butterflies from Aunt Krissy's present. And, since I suspect that you're a little like me and want to know what came inside a box, here is a picture for you...

Kinda hard to tell, but it's a set of frosted North Carolina state glasses... perfect for our North Carolina girl. :)

And, as is tradition, someone used the bows to create a rehearsal bouquet... 

 There was a beautiful cake...

and beautiful hostesses...

And you know how I like cake. :

Well, that's probably enough for now. They tell us that my surgery has been pushed back to around 2:00 or so. We'll see. My mom took a picture of me in the hospital bed earlier. I think I'll spare you. And maybe I'll spare you the next picture that will probably be taken, too — the one where I have my new haircut. :)

Thank you so much for stopping in to visit. Your visits, comments, and prayers mean more than you know. I hope to talk to you again soon. Love and hugs!

Gift Box & Tag

Written late Monday night, August 1:

After my last post, I suspect that you may be at least somewhat interested in my medical stuff. So — when I'm able, I give you a brief update here. And then follow it up with something crafty.

I'm writing this on Monday near midnight while I'm waiting for my nurse's aide to wheel me downstairs for a scan of some kind. I drank all my cups of not-so-tasty fluid and just got the word that they now need to put a new and better IV thingy in my arm before they can do the scan. Bummer. But I'm assured they're sending in the pros. :)

Written Tuesday night, August 2:

OK, now it's Tuesday, and what I know is that my tumor is deep inside my brain, near the center, on the left side, but close to the right side. They can't remove it, but they are planning to bore a hole and take a piece of the tumor for analysis. I guess the best case scenario is that it will be non-malignant and can be shrunk with radiation or something. (Can you tell I'm not too medically minded?) [Well, truly, I guess the best case scenario is that when they look inside my head tomorrow there will be nothing there. Well... not really nothing. haha. :) Just not any of the bad stuff. So that will be my prayer. Complete healing.]

I'm scheduled for this surgery tomorrow morning, hopefully around 9:00. Of course, that is very subject to change as priorities for the O.R. adapt to the needs of the day. We'll see about updating the blog with the latest information — no promises, though.

Written Wednesday, August 3, about 1:00 p.m.

I thought I sent this yesterday, but the brain must not've been working too well. :) Last night they changed the schedule for today and now I'm supposed to be taken back for surgery at 3:30 — but they've started hooking me up to leg pumps and stuff, so I guess it could be anytime. If there's an abrupt ending to this information, I apologize. My time is not my own right now.

Grrrr. This is the third time I've started to finish this post... not saved... and lost my connection.

So — I just signed new consent papers that say they are going in to biopsy a lesion. Today I've been told that it could be a tumor, a stroke, a lesion, an infection... basically, they're going to try to find out what that spot deep inside my brain is. They'll take a piece of it to analyze and then, I guess, form a plan of action.

I'm going to try to teach Ken how to update the blog; we'll see how that goes. :) If we don't get to it, maybe Britt can take over when she gets back from her honeymoon. (Welcome home, Baby! :) )

So — thanks so much for your emails, notes, comments, messages, words of encouragement and PRAYERS. They mean more to me and my family than you know. Know that I go into surgery with peace in my heart and mind. My Lord is with me and all is well.

Now, how about some crafty fun. So much better than all this medical talk! :)

SHOW

I made this cute little box to house a special gift for Britt from Ken's cousin Kay. It is a salt cellar that, if I remember right, belonged to Ken & Kay's grandmother on the Hayes side of the family. Definitely a heartfelt gift and Britt was thrilled to receive such a special family heirloom — probably not valuable monetarily but certainly precious in sentiment.

Of course, the box needed a tag, too — so I whipped up a tag with kind of a hide-away message. (Good thing I was there to show Britt where it was!)

AND TELL: stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Tag-its #3 and #4); cardstock is PTI (Vintage Cream) and Stampin' Up (scraps of Tempting Turquoise and Cool Caribbean); patterned paper is Anna Griffin (Isabelle Collection); ink is SU (Tangerine Tango, Regal Rose, Basic Gray); ribbon is from Michaels; also used SU's 1-3/4" circle punch and PTI's 1-3/4" Limitless Layers dies and Back to Basics Box template.

The weekend that Britt and her future mother-in-law came to Charlotte for the bridal showers, we spent part of Saturday night opening all the gifts that had arrived at the house.

There was quite a stack and my girl who likes to stay ahead of the game was eager to start writing thank you notes. :)

Besides the salt cellar from Cousin Kay,

she received a couples special items from her registry...

a creamer and sugar bowl from our good friend Susie, whose sister lives down the street from us (and who is always so kind to ask about our kids and be interested in what they are doing)...

and a tablecloth and napkins from Aunt Kris (and family). Aunt Krissy is an entertainer extraordinaire and it was fun to see her get Britt started down the road to fancy dinner parties and nice holiday dinners.

A real highlight was the gift from Aunt Lynne and Uncle Mike —

an oak end table handcrafted by Michael. I know it will treasured by Kenneth & Britt as the handiwork of Uncle Mike.

There were quite a few more gifts, but I had to stop taking pictures and start taking notes on who had sent what... the thank you note girl saw to that. :)

I was going to try to get a some posts ready to go for the next few days, but don't think that's going to happen. Sorry that you'll have to wait a bit longer for the wedding pictures and fun. And, since I'm not sure what to expect after tonight — well, I don't really know when I'll be back. I'll try to teach Ken how to provide you with updates. But know that you won't be far from my mind — and i hope you'll keep me close in thought and prayer. Love and hugs!

Ticket to Love

So, I had a bit of fun making tags for the gifts that I took to Britt's bridal showers. This one was inspired by something Britt told me that Kenneth says when he's really excited about an event — "punch my ticket... I love this ride!" Seemed like it could work as inspiration for a bridal shower gift tag.

SHOW

When wrapping a gift, I like to tie a little something on top of the package — kinda making it a gift outside and in. I bought these wooden utensils at a great little shop in Winona Lake when we were in Indiana last month. They're smooth as silk... so, so nice. (They can be ordered online, too, here.)

And — since I always like to know what's inside a box, I thought you might, too. This box held eight little accent plates that coordinate with the every day dishes that were on Britt & Kenneth's gift registry. (Teal colored every day plate on the bottom.) Pretty, aren't they?

AND TELL: stamps are from Stampin' Up (Alphabits, Straight Up Alphabet & Numbers, ) and Papertrey Ink (Just the Ticket); cardstock is SU (Kiwi Kiss) and PTI (Rustic White) plus some used to diecut birdies a long time ago; ink is Memento (Tuxedo Black); also used K&Company embossed stickers and PTI dies (Just the Ticket border, Button Card, Heart Prints, and Little Bitty Birds).

 And here's a picture that's sort of symbolic of the way things go around here sometimes. That's the upstairs trash that was on its way outside for trash day. Ken said, "I wasn't even moving too fast!" (If you know him, you know how funny that is... he doesn't really know how to move slowly.) :)

Also, today was my final day of work before the wedding. Tomorrow I'll finish up those last minute details (like I still need shoes!!!). Yep... the big day is almost here!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a few minutes here with me. I have another gift tag to show you tomorrow and see no reason why I shouldn't get around to it. Unless, of course, the search for shoes goes awry. (Surely not!) So — see you tomorrow! :)