Saturday October 22nd - Grateful for time to just be me
Sunday October 23rd - Grateful that finally it is all coming together
Monday October 24th - Grateful for time to sleep when my body hurts so badly
Tuesday October 25th - I am grateful for some time to reflect
Wednesday October 26th - I am grateful for time to just do nothing
Thursday October 27th - Grateful that Emma is doing better
Friday October 28th - I am grateful for friends who are there no matter how many times you chat with them
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Cricut Montly Contest - October
I created this for my mom. I used Best Creations Haunted House papers. I used Cricut cartridges Chic and Scary plus Flower shop. Used an 11x14 frame and had fun adding a Girl's Paperie charm along with bling and tulle. She decided to hang it out on the front porch so everyone can see it.
Happy Haunting
Sunday, October 16, 2011
My time at Inspiration Unlimited #2
After a good nights sleep, I was up bright and early to start the day. Unfortunately my body wanted to fight me but I won. At least we were able to stay in our group room and the teachers came to us. That definitely made it easier. Friday morning started off with a class by Janet Hopkins. I have to say that I really like her. She is one of the nicest people I have met and we have connected with some similar things in our lives. She was sick but made it for Thursday and Friday and went back home. I am sorry that she won't be there next year because I really enjoyed her class this year and next. Guess I will just have to keep up with her. Thanks Janet for a great class!!!
Group photo Florence, me, Janet, Janet, Renee and Melannie - aren't we cute?
This was a fun class because we did a book called The Story of Us but made our own bindings. Very cute and useful idea
The next class was with Teresa Collins and it was a fun book using her Notations line. A-Z all about me. Book is together but have to start filling it in. I am looking forward to getting it done. We used the Provocraft Book Maker and it was lots of fun.
Dave volunteered to help Ginger this year. He was on the prize patrol and loved it.
The final class for the day was with Amber Packer and we did 2 layouts using My Minds Eye product. I love the glitter and flowers of both layouts. They were both awesome.
Friday night was a crop and free make and takes from the vendors at the event. It was a fun night but was tired so back to the room to relax and get ready for Saturday.
One highlight of the night was Dave. He found a flower that my friend Melannie had lost, we were given them at registration and he put it in his hair. Actually wore it till we found out that it was Melannie's.
Even with little hair, it managed to stick.
I did have some time to talk to my secret sister April Berg. She gave to me and I gave to her. We had a great time. Thanks April for all the great goodies. You are the best.
Group photo Florence, me, Janet, Janet, Renee and Melannie - aren't we cute?
This was a fun class because we did a book called The Story of Us but made our own bindings. Very cute and useful idea
The next class was with Teresa Collins and it was a fun book using her Notations line. A-Z all about me. Book is together but have to start filling it in. I am looking forward to getting it done. We used the Provocraft Book Maker and it was lots of fun.
Dave volunteered to help Ginger this year. He was on the prize patrol and loved it.
The final class for the day was with Amber Packer and we did 2 layouts using My Minds Eye product. I love the glitter and flowers of both layouts. They were both awesome.
Friday night was a crop and free make and takes from the vendors at the event. It was a fun night but was tired so back to the room to relax and get ready for Saturday.
One highlight of the night was Dave. He found a flower that my friend Melannie had lost, we were given them at registration and he put it in his hair. Actually wore it till we found out that it was Melannie's.
Even with little hair, it managed to stick.
I did have some time to talk to my secret sister April Berg. She gave to me and I gave to her. We had a great time. Thanks April for all the great goodies. You are the best.
Week Forty Two - Gratitude
Saturday October 15th - Grateful for a better day today
Sunday October 16th - Warm apple pie and vanilla ice cream enough said
Monday October 17th - Grateful for a warm fall day in October
Tuesday October 18th - Grateful for an awesome vet who is always there
Wednesday October 19th - Grateful for 20 years of marriage. Not always easy but I know that Dave loves me.
Thursday October 20th - Grateful that God knows what I need
Friday October 21st - Grateful that sometimes I can splurge and spoil myself and those around me.
Sunday October 16th - Warm apple pie and vanilla ice cream enough said
Monday October 17th - Grateful for a warm fall day in October
Tuesday October 18th - Grateful for an awesome vet who is always there
Wednesday October 19th - Grateful for 20 years of marriage. Not always easy but I know that Dave loves me.
Thursday October 20th - Grateful that God knows what I need
Friday October 21st - Grateful that sometimes I can splurge and spoil myself and those around me.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Week Forty One - Gratitude
Saturday October 8th - I am grateful for a relaxing day
Sunday October 9th - I am grateful for words of wisdom to share
Monday October 10th - I am grateful for photos, they provide many great memories.
Tuesday October 11th - I am grateful for time to rest when my body is fighting me.
Wednesday October 12th - I am grateful for inspiration and time to create.
Thursday October 13th - I am grateful for special treats in the mail. Thank you so much Susan.
Friday October 14th - I am grateful for the peace only God can give me.
Sunday October 9th - I am grateful for words of wisdom to share
Monday October 10th - I am grateful for photos, they provide many great memories.
Tuesday October 11th - I am grateful for time to rest when my body is fighting me.
Wednesday October 12th - I am grateful for inspiration and time to create.
Thursday October 13th - I am grateful for special treats in the mail. Thank you so much Susan.
Friday October 14th - I am grateful for the peace only God can give me.
Friday, October 7, 2011
My time at Inspiration Unlimited #1
Two weeks ago I was in Henderson, Nevada for Inspiration Unlimited. We left on Wednesday September 21st in the morning with the attempt to make it in time for a group dinner at the resort buffet. 
Well what was supposed to be a 7 hour journey became a 9.5 hour trip due to road distruction LOL. With the lupus and what all it does to my body, that proved to be a very long and tiring trip. With having to sit for that long my legs and other parts of my body hurt badly.
We finally arrived stopped and had dinner at Claim Jumper and then checked in. The Green Valley Resort is absolutely beautiful but you expect that in the Las Vegas area.
Thursday morning began with breakfast with my friend Karen and then we were off to play in Amy Coon's Technique Journal class. What fun it was, we got to make a mess and I must admit I LOVED IT!!!!! I am looking forward to continuing with it. Thanks Amy for an awesome class.
Next was a great class by Imaginisce. We made this Christmas flip album what was so delightful. I still need to finish it and then buy more of the flip frames from IKEA, it is so cute. I was blessed to sit by my friend Janet Kapke, we had a great time. On top of that huge blessing of a great class, as I was leaving the teacher knowing that we traveled by car, handed me all the left over paper and such from the class - wow that was great cause I loved the paper. I was able to take out what I wanted and then many of my friends were able to have some too. It was so cool, what a great blessing. Thank you so much Imaginisce for the great products and great class. I almost forgot I also won a prize of travel embellishments too.
At this point Dave is taking some ladies to 2 of the local scrapbook stores plus Hobby Lobby. They had so much fun but I opted to stay back at the hotel instead of going shopping cause I could tell that my body just needed to rest. Though I finished working on gifts for my friends at IU, it was still relaxing and much needed down time. I get so frustrated with this disease because no matter what I do, I pay a price pain wise and it seems so unfair.
This is my work area, I finished up gifts for my friends and they all came to my room to get their albums and other goodies. It really was a fun afternoon.
This is the paint can that I gave my paint can partner - Michelle Candelaria. She forgot to bring mine but hope to get it soon.
My secret sister April Berg gave me all these goodie - she is awesome
Dave helped Ginger in the onsite store and had a blast. This was after doing 2 rounds of shopping tours with a group of 12 ladies. They all loved him. I finally made it downstairs and my legs were beginning to give out. The burning and the pain is so hard and at one point he spotted me and told me to sit down. He could tell that I was going to fall down and so I sat. He went and got me a cold drink, he really tried to take care of me but could tell on day two that my body was beginning to fight me and that is not fun.
Check out the candy bar that was set up in the teacher meet and great - yummm
After getting my registration goodies, visiting with the teachers in a meet and greet, I had one more extra class with ProvoCraft. OH my that was just the bestest experience. Not only did we create a fabulous clipboard, they gave us many Cuttlebug embossing folders and it was just plain fun. My friend Janet was with me and we really enjoyed the time there. They were giving away a Cricut Cake, a Cricut Imagine and a Cricut Expression 2. The clipboard we made had papers from Teresa Collins Black and White cartridge and were so cool, oh I so wanted to win the Imagine. But truth be told, I don't have room for it but a girl can still want. Well I didn't win it and that was OK cause I am sure the lady who did was going to love it too. Then came the drawing for the E2 - guess whose name they called - yep me. I was so happy but heres the thing I already had one. I got it in May when they first came out and I LOVE IT!!!! So, I said to please draw another name because I had one. To my amazement the teacher - Shannon then said well then I will give you a $200 credit on Cricut.com. WOW was not expecting that, I just felt I wanted someone else to have the E2 cause I don't need 2 of them. So once again God blessed me and I was very grateful Thanks Shannon and thanks Provocraft, you all rock.
Class got out at 9:30 and Dave finished up helping Ginger and met me at the class to carry all my stuff up to the room. The rest of the evening was quiet. Took my pain meds and then off to bed, going to be an early morning. What is so hard about events like this, is the fact I really enjoy them but my body has its own agenda. So that being said, first day of extra classes, proved to be a great day, so all in all I was thrilled to be there and with all my friends.
Well what was supposed to be a 7 hour journey became a 9.5 hour trip due to road distruction LOL. With the lupus and what all it does to my body, that proved to be a very long and tiring trip. With having to sit for that long my legs and other parts of my body hurt badly.
We finally arrived stopped and had dinner at Claim Jumper and then checked in. The Green Valley Resort is absolutely beautiful but you expect that in the Las Vegas area.
Thursday morning began with breakfast with my friend Karen and then we were off to play in Amy Coon's Technique Journal class. What fun it was, we got to make a mess and I must admit I LOVED IT!!!!! I am looking forward to continuing with it. Thanks Amy for an awesome class.
Next was a great class by Imaginisce. We made this Christmas flip album what was so delightful. I still need to finish it and then buy more of the flip frames from IKEA, it is so cute. I was blessed to sit by my friend Janet Kapke, we had a great time. On top of that huge blessing of a great class, as I was leaving the teacher knowing that we traveled by car, handed me all the left over paper and such from the class - wow that was great cause I loved the paper. I was able to take out what I wanted and then many of my friends were able to have some too. It was so cool, what a great blessing. Thank you so much Imaginisce for the great products and great class. I almost forgot I also won a prize of travel embellishments too.
At this point Dave is taking some ladies to 2 of the local scrapbook stores plus Hobby Lobby. They had so much fun but I opted to stay back at the hotel instead of going shopping cause I could tell that my body just needed to rest. Though I finished working on gifts for my friends at IU, it was still relaxing and much needed down time. I get so frustrated with this disease because no matter what I do, I pay a price pain wise and it seems so unfair.
This is my work area, I finished up gifts for my friends and they all came to my room to get their albums and other goodies. It really was a fun afternoon.
This is the paint can that I gave my paint can partner - Michelle Candelaria. She forgot to bring mine but hope to get it soon.
My secret sister April Berg gave me all these goodie - she is awesome
Dave helped Ginger in the onsite store and had a blast. This was after doing 2 rounds of shopping tours with a group of 12 ladies. They all loved him. I finally made it downstairs and my legs were beginning to give out. The burning and the pain is so hard and at one point he spotted me and told me to sit down. He could tell that I was going to fall down and so I sat. He went and got me a cold drink, he really tried to take care of me but could tell on day two that my body was beginning to fight me and that is not fun.
Check out the candy bar that was set up in the teacher meet and great - yummm
After getting my registration goodies, visiting with the teachers in a meet and greet, I had one more extra class with ProvoCraft. OH my that was just the bestest experience. Not only did we create a fabulous clipboard, they gave us many Cuttlebug embossing folders and it was just plain fun. My friend Janet was with me and we really enjoyed the time there. They were giving away a Cricut Cake, a Cricut Imagine and a Cricut Expression 2. The clipboard we made had papers from Teresa Collins Black and White cartridge and were so cool, oh I so wanted to win the Imagine. But truth be told, I don't have room for it but a girl can still want. Well I didn't win it and that was OK cause I am sure the lady who did was going to love it too. Then came the drawing for the E2 - guess whose name they called - yep me. I was so happy but heres the thing I already had one. I got it in May when they first came out and I LOVE IT!!!! So, I said to please draw another name because I had one. To my amazement the teacher - Shannon then said well then I will give you a $200 credit on Cricut.com. WOW was not expecting that, I just felt I wanted someone else to have the E2 cause I don't need 2 of them. So once again God blessed me and I was very grateful Thanks Shannon and thanks Provocraft, you all rock.
Class got out at 9:30 and Dave finished up helping Ginger and met me at the class to carry all my stuff up to the room. The rest of the evening was quiet. Took my pain meds and then off to bed, going to be an early morning. What is so hard about events like this, is the fact I really enjoy them but my body has its own agenda. So that being said, first day of extra classes, proved to be a great day, so all in all I was thrilled to be there and with all my friends.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Week Forty - Gratitude
Saturday October 1st - I am grateful for my husband and his wonderful sense of humor
Sunday October 2nd - I am grateful that I can say whatever I want - my opinion matters.
Monday October 3rd - I am grateful for sleep, sometimes my body just needs it.
Tuesday October 4th - I am grateful for life group, we really have a great group of friends in our small group
Wednesday October 5th - I am grateful for a very warm house since the cold weather seems to want to come visit
Thursday October 6th - I am grateful that no matter the need, we can always rely on God
Friday October 7th - I am grateful for God's answer to my prescription drug insurance, He blew me away with what He did
Sunday October 2nd - I am grateful that I can say whatever I want - my opinion matters.
Monday October 3rd - I am grateful for sleep, sometimes my body just needs it.
Tuesday October 4th - I am grateful for life group, we really have a great group of friends in our small group
Wednesday October 5th - I am grateful for a very warm house since the cold weather seems to want to come visit
Thursday October 6th - I am grateful that no matter the need, we can always rely on God
Friday October 7th - I am grateful for God's answer to my prescription drug insurance, He blew me away with what He did
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Week Thirty Nine - Gratitude
Saturday September 24th - Grateful for special moments and meds to help the pain so I can enjoy my time with my scrapping friends
Sunday September 25th - Grateful for a safe trip home - good to be home
Monday September 26th - Grateful for lots of time to sleep
Tuesday September 27th - Grateful that I can rest and recuperate from a busy but fun trip.
Wednesday September 28th - Grateful for my mom who just always seems to get it.
Thursday September 29th - I am grateful that everyone is working together to make our house a home
Friday September 30th - I am grateful that things are finally peaceful
Sunday September 25th - Grateful for a safe trip home - good to be home
Monday September 26th - Grateful for lots of time to sleep
Tuesday September 27th - Grateful that I can rest and recuperate from a busy but fun trip.
Wednesday September 28th - Grateful for my mom who just always seems to get it.
Thursday September 29th - I am grateful that everyone is working together to make our house a home
Friday September 30th - I am grateful that things are finally peaceful
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Week Thirty Eight - Gratitude
Saturday September 17th - I am grateful for great friends who I wil see in a few days.
Sunday September 18th- I am grateful for a new week
Monday September 19th - Remembering those who were injured or killed at the Air Race accident on Friday
Tuesday September 20th - Thankful for my family and friends - they are my life
Wednesday September 21st - Grateful that we made it safely to Vegas
Thursday September 22nd - Thankful that I am taking fun craft classes and just relaxing. Grateful for the special blessing during the ProvoCraft class.
Friday September 23rd - Grateful for fun times with my awesome friends.
.
Sunday September 18th- I am grateful for a new week
Monday September 19th - Remembering those who were injured or killed at the Air Race accident on Friday
Tuesday September 20th - Thankful for my family and friends - they are my life
Wednesday September 21st - Grateful that we made it safely to Vegas
Thursday September 22nd - Thankful that I am taking fun craft classes and just relaxing. Grateful for the special blessing during the ProvoCraft class.
Friday September 23rd - Grateful for fun times with my awesome friends.
.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Week Thirty Seven - Gratitude
Saturday September 10th - I am grateful our military and all they do to protect us.
Sunday September 11th - I am grateful for times to reflect and remember those who were lost 10 years ago. Even today it still brings tears to my eyes, truly was the worst thing I have ever seen.
Monday September 12th - I am grateful for time to put things in order.
Tuesday September 13th - I am grateful that no matter what my cats can make me laugh.
Wednesday September 14th - I am grateful that I have time to work on special gifts.
Thursday September 15th - I am grateful that vacation is next week.
Friday September 16th - praying for all those affected by the plane crash.
Sunday September 11th - I am grateful for times to reflect and remember those who were lost 10 years ago. Even today it still brings tears to my eyes, truly was the worst thing I have ever seen.
Monday September 12th - I am grateful for time to put things in order.
Tuesday September 13th - I am grateful that no matter what my cats can make me laugh.
Wednesday September 14th - I am grateful that I have time to work on special gifts.
Thursday September 15th - I am grateful that vacation is next week.
Friday September 16th - praying for all those affected by the plane crash.
Monday, September 5, 2011
The Journey........
In 1997, my life took a turn. How is it that I can have Lupus. Lupus was a disease that I heard about and people died from it. How is it with no family history do I have this horrible disease. It is one of those diseases that the medicines used to treat it are at times worse than the disease itself. A co-worker told me the day that I was diagnosed that her friends mom had it and it went to her mom's brain and she died. Lupus killed her. I had that in my head for so long and actually made the journey harder. It scared me, what was this thing that had violated my body and what was it going to do to me.
This disease over the last 14 years has defined me, ruled my life and kept me hostage. The ramifications of what it does to each body part at times make life so incredibly hard. In 2000, my doctor started me on steriods. These little pills do alot of good but wreak havoc on your body. Long term use causes weight gain along with a myriad of other unpleasant side effects. The dose at the beginning was 32 mg and throughout the past 11 years it has been a challenge to get me off of them. Easier said then done. At the beginning of the year I was down to 4 mg a day - it has taken me 2 years of gradual decreases to get down that far. So in April when we learned that Medrol was pulled off the market (no one knows why) I was thrown into crisis mode because I was going to have to get off of them and quickly. Well thank God my pharmacy had enough pills to take me to December but each decrease is only 1 mg at a time and every other day at that, I am finally at 1 mg daily. Each decrease brings pain, sickness and extreme fatique. Who would have thought that a little pink pill could have that much influence on your body. It is hard because it is taking me 4-6 weeks to get through each decrease. But I press on because I have to get 100% off of them. Lupus has been an enemy to me, brought things into my life that are physically, mentally and emotionally challenging.
Since being diagnosed, I have made friends with many who deal with the trials of auto immune diseases, tried to be supportive of others dealing with these issues and daily strive to not let this disease take me down. Some times are easier than others. Some days getting out of bed is a challenge and other nights the pain keeps me up. The medicines are there to help but it is tough. The journey is long, it is hard and sometimes impossible but I know with God's help each day I will make it through and my reward at the end of this life will be eternity with God and pain free. I am looking forward to that. In the past year, I have met others who are on this journey. At times I don't know what to say, I can only say that I am sorry to hear that because it is so unbelievably hard but with others walking along beside you, it somehow makes it easier. My prayer is that God allows me enough time on this earth to encourage others in their journey and let them see that life does go on and the disease is not necessarily the end of the journey but it might well be the beginning.
This disease over the last 14 years has defined me, ruled my life and kept me hostage. The ramifications of what it does to each body part at times make life so incredibly hard. In 2000, my doctor started me on steriods. These little pills do alot of good but wreak havoc on your body. Long term use causes weight gain along with a myriad of other unpleasant side effects. The dose at the beginning was 32 mg and throughout the past 11 years it has been a challenge to get me off of them. Easier said then done. At the beginning of the year I was down to 4 mg a day - it has taken me 2 years of gradual decreases to get down that far. So in April when we learned that Medrol was pulled off the market (no one knows why) I was thrown into crisis mode because I was going to have to get off of them and quickly. Well thank God my pharmacy had enough pills to take me to December but each decrease is only 1 mg at a time and every other day at that, I am finally at 1 mg daily. Each decrease brings pain, sickness and extreme fatique. Who would have thought that a little pink pill could have that much influence on your body. It is hard because it is taking me 4-6 weeks to get through each decrease. But I press on because I have to get 100% off of them. Lupus has been an enemy to me, brought things into my life that are physically, mentally and emotionally challenging.
Since being diagnosed, I have made friends with many who deal with the trials of auto immune diseases, tried to be supportive of others dealing with these issues and daily strive to not let this disease take me down. Some times are easier than others. Some days getting out of bed is a challenge and other nights the pain keeps me up. The medicines are there to help but it is tough. The journey is long, it is hard and sometimes impossible but I know with God's help each day I will make it through and my reward at the end of this life will be eternity with God and pain free. I am looking forward to that. In the past year, I have met others who are on this journey. At times I don't know what to say, I can only say that I am sorry to hear that because it is so unbelievably hard but with others walking along beside you, it somehow makes it easier. My prayer is that God allows me enough time on this earth to encourage others in their journey and let them see that life does go on and the disease is not necessarily the end of the journey but it might well be the beginning.
Week Thirty Six - Gratitude
Saturday September 3rd - I am grateful for a great sermon on Not doing it alone - it is what I needed.
Sunday September 4th- I am grateful for barbeque hamburgers and home made fries on a warm summer night - yum
Monday September 5th- I am grateful for the anticipation of seeing my scrapbooking friends in a couple weeks.
Tuesday September 6th - I am grateful that all my family and friends are safe but mourning for all those who were murdered this morning in Carson City. Very sad day for our community.
Wednesday September 7th - I am grateful that through it all God is in control but day is hard - so much sadness in our community.
Thursday Septermber 8th - Everything is focused on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 and the brutal killings in Carson City - things are so sad. I am grateful for my family and friends.
Friday September 9th- I am grateful for the Balloon Races, somehow watching the balloons is a great way to calm my soul
Sunday September 4th- I am grateful for barbeque hamburgers and home made fries on a warm summer night - yum
Monday September 5th- I am grateful for the anticipation of seeing my scrapbooking friends in a couple weeks.
Tuesday September 6th - I am grateful that all my family and friends are safe but mourning for all those who were murdered this morning in Carson City. Very sad day for our community.
Wednesday September 7th - I am grateful that through it all God is in control but day is hard - so much sadness in our community.
Thursday Septermber 8th - Everything is focused on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 and the brutal killings in Carson City - things are so sad. I am grateful for my family and friends.
Friday September 9th- I am grateful for the Balloon Races, somehow watching the balloons is a great way to calm my soul
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)