Hospital update

For those of you who don't know him, my hubby had an elective surgery yesterday.

Up at 3AM
Out by 4:30AM
At the hospital by 5AM
Surgery 7:30 - 10:30AM
Home at 7:30PM

I'm exhausted.

For those of you who know my hubby and haven't been updated yet.... he is doing exceptionally well. Everything is working like it should and he's up and walking. He had his tubes removed this AM and should come home tomorrow or Friday.

Please pray for him, for quick physical recovery and to keep his spirits up, too.
Me? for rest and strength to keep the house and our son's schedule going without collapsing! lol

Soul Journal Background page

I love how this page turned out. Kathryn asked that we spend about two minutes just writing. Boy, I needed that! When I sat down to do it, I was on my lunch hour at work and didn't realize how much I needed to vent.
My writing was all about being surrounded by negative people. You know that choice person in the office that drives everyone nuts? The one who isn't happy unless they are whining? The one who enjoys dragging you into all of their drama? Getting the idea of what vent was? lol.

That of course went on to, all the people outside of work, that I allow to "get to me" with their comments.

That evolved into - "Wait!" "I whine!" "Who am *I* to complain?!" Right? I mean, we all have those days. The days when we are no better than the people we complain about and I decided that I needed to get off my high horse and have patience. I need to offer understanding and prayer for these people. Just as the Bible states, we are ALL sinners, none worse than the other, and that of course is SIN! All I'm talking about a little grumbling!

So I took a breather, took a check list of my equally bad attitude and punched back in with a little calmer attitude. When I got home.... I finished off the page.



It really evolved into something beautiful~ I like the texture the stamp made, and I used green, a color I don't normally use, or like. But I really like this entry. The picture isn't so good, but if you look hard enough, I've even hidden on the right side.... "Turn a new leaf".

oh~! and yes.... my page is "under consturction".... I was growing tired of the black... Be patient with me... lol

Report Card - Movie & Soul Journal

What a treat we had in the mailbox today! We received our 11 year son's report card. He received all A's and B's! Not that this a surprise, really, as he has always done well, but it always nice to see that he continues his hard work on a regular basis. All of his teaches have always said what a well behaved kid that he is. Reports usually include adjectives like respectful and kind. He has a lot of friends and he and his "football buddies" tend to remain together in their group, but he never seems to leave anyone out. He's been known to be the one to help out the kid(s) having problems, or even sticking up for the ones being bullied. Education is fantastic, but these are the qualities that I'm most proud of him for. The thinks that can't be "taught". The character qualities that will last longer and be more effective than any text book can show him.


We went to a movie today, too. Saw "Ink Heart". I really enjoyed it. We are all readers, and often enjoy the library. I'm the one who loves the atmosphere of a Barnes & Noble or Borders, and could wander, or sit and read or drink fancy named coffees and be lost for hours, so this movie was right up my alley. Yes, it's a kids type movie... but that considered, I still liked it! It's about a book being read out loud and when that is done by certain people... "Silver tongues"... that they can "go into the book" and when they do... someone "comes out of the book".
Anyway.....good flick.

I also completed the next journal prompt. It was more of a texture and background page. It's sort of busy for me...but I like it. The color is hard to see in the picture, but it reminds me of the orange creamsicles we used to eat when we were kids.

Felt good just to get back to my art journal again and I'm going to set some time aside for it tomorrow, too. 'Night all..........

A whole mish-mash of stuff....

I've worked a little bit more on the board for church...

The puzzle pieces represent pieces of the church coming together as a whole.... and of course the words, that I posted before, that I've changed a little bit. Hopefully the next time I post about this it will be the finished board!

What else? Hmmm... I've journaled every day, but I really miss my art journal! It calls my name every name. Nor Have I scrap booked lately either. I don't like weeks like this one. You know those weeks when you're so busy and tired that you don't have time for creativity or reading or any of those things we do to regain some of our sanity? I find the weeks nearing it's end and the laundry piling up and the house not quite the way it should be... but find myself asking - what in the world HAVE I DONE...all week? (and not really know an answer!)

My husband's Mom is in the hospital with pneumonia (she is nearing 70 and already has congestive heart failure) and my daughter in law has been in the hospital twice with pre-mature contractions, (she's only 32 weeks), my husband has his own medical issues we have been preparing for and my Mom's .... (Hi Mom....! ILU)..... birthday is tomorrow and I want her to know how much she is loved and not forgotten about on her day.

I have to wonder, maybe I'm not that busy! Maybe everything is just to heavy on my head...that it feels like it. Hmmm.... maybe that's why I go to bed at 11:00 and lay there staring at the ceiling and don't fall asleep until 3:00 AM? Boy I hope the hubby is enjoying those back rubs!! lol

My Inspiration isn't working for me...

Ok, so Connie's blog took me to Jessie's blog, who has given me a little inspiration for the board I'm ATTEMPTING to do for church that I spoke about in an earlier post. Jessie has been taking a word and working into her art, and I thought... "This may work for my in-betweener board".



The purpose of the group is to reach out to people in need and to let the church know that we are available for them. We are hoping by making the board and sort of announcing ourselves, will promote people coming forth with their needs.



Anyway..... they are SO NOT done, and I'm actually thinking I will do four words. But here is where I'm at so far. Each square is 4 x 4.



I'm not feelin' it girls..........

Surprise~! ...and a SJ Page

I came home yesterday to a huge surprise! I had a swap package in from the swap-bot web-site that I belong to. I was way early, and by far the best package I've gotten in a long time. Look at this! The swap was a "journal with a twist" swap. Meaning... you make a journal entry a day, for a month and with each entry, you send an "extra" to go along with it. Wow! Cathy certainly out-did herself!

I received a blanket, 5 teas, 3 mint hot chocolates, a pair of socks and a book. (all perfect for Michigan's -23 degrees!!) There was also a baggie of brads and bottle caps and paper clips, etc.., 2 sets of letter stickers, matching ribbon, some clear acrylic stamps, a mini scrap-book album, a chip-board album, note cards and envelopes, a wooden box to alter and in the box...was more! A necklace with a scrapbook charm, and bracelet to put your own pictures in, flowers, ink and more embellishments! What a wonderful package. I hope Cathy is treated as well by her partner!



I love got another soul journal page done. The prompt was all about texture and adding items that would make some texture, and then adhering it all down with gesso. I used some mesh, a paper flower, and chipboard letter, a foam star, button, lace, a napkin and also I stamped in the gesso as well. I enjoyed it.... but I think I should have used more items. But!! I kind of like how a little color still shows through on some of the items.

Have a wonderful day, ladies~!

I received a Lemonade Stand Award!

Karen at purplecat's corner, was kind enough to bestow me with a Lemonade Stand award for being a blogger who shows great attitude and gratitude! Thank you so much, Karen!

Now I get to pick 10 of my favorite bloggers who also show great attitude and gratitude. These girls are blogs I love to read, all for their own individual and special reasons:

Iris at The Indigo Dingo
Kim at Queen of Arts
Stacey at Primarily Primitives
Erica at BluJayStudios
Judy at Judy Wise
Jessie at Diary of a self portrait
Christy at Average American Girl
Connie at Dirty Footprints
Anne at Gaal Creative
Dove at Morning Dew



To pick up the award, (1) comment at this blog, (2) clip and paste the award logo and attach it to your own blog, (3) list your own ten favourite blogs, (4)comment on their blogs to advise them,(5) link back to this blog in appreciation.

New finds and New projects

Over the weekend I had some good buys at Hobby Lobby. I've been wanting a water brush from some time now and had a hard time finding one. Gotta love Hobby Lobby! I bought a couple of new stamps and some book rings, too. I want to attempt to make my OWN book. I tend to buy journals, or alter old or found books, but I think make my own book with my own cool papers in it, would be fun! We'll see how it goes. I have so many "plans" and "ideas" and due to lack of time, I never seem to accomplish as much as what is in my head.

Next, we were off to Office Max! My son's binders were falling apart and he wanted new binders and a messenger bag to carry them in. We found a great binder at Office Max that zips closed, has two separate binder rings and dividers with pencil & calculate, etc... storage. It also has a strap on it, so it can be carried much like a messenger bag. He's happy and I'm happy we didn't have to search and search for "just the right messenger bag" that he wanted.




And finally, I worked A LITTLE BIT, on a project that I feel completely overwhelmed by. We are forming an "in-betweeners" group at church. No - that's not right. An in-betweeners group has already existed for some time but has never really "taken off". There seems to be quite a bit of interest in it lately, so we have decided a "purpose" for the group other than a bunch of people of the same "middle-age", hanging out, getting to know each other and having fun. We are going to be the group to "fill needs". We will have both "in-church" and "out-reach". This will include, the elderly who need their driveway shoveled. The hospital bound, who just needs a visit, someone recovery from illness and needs meals delivered, and of course, the ones hit with financial hardship.

Well.... I decided I'd be a part of the committee and they have asked me to decorate the "board" in the church, so that everyone is aware of us, what we do and they will know who to come to (and some sort of "box", too, for anonymity).

This board is 8 FEET x 4 FEET!!! No pun intended.... but HOLY MOLY!

I've never worked on anything bigger than 12x12 INCHES!! Boy do I have my work cut out for me!

Let's get to know each other...

This was a litter get to know each other posted on Erica's blog.....

Sit down.....and have a cuppa tea with me~!

1. What is my occupation right now?
Don't hate me ok?...... I'm a bill collector. (but HUGE corporate debt, I won't call YOU, I PROMISE!)

2. What color are my socks right now? A Burgundy toe nail polish... (I'm not wearing any socks!)

3. What am I listening to right now? Big Head Todd and the Monsters

4. What was the last thing I ate? Grilled chicken salad & bread sticks

5. Can I drive a stick shift? I forced myself to learn after I had already bought this car that I HAD to have!! I saved my own money Dad! THIS (P.O.S. mind you...) is THE ONE! i want~)

6.Last person I spoke to on the phone? Don't know... someone from the Police Dept.

7. Do I like the person who sent this to you? Of course

8. How old are you today? ick...... thhh... thhh... thhirrr.... thirrrteee....nine!!

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Is crafting a sport?

10. What is my favorite drink? Tea -or - Star Bucks Hot Spiced Apple Cider

11. Have I ever colored your hair? Umm... see age above. ^^

12. Favorite food? Soup or salad

13. What was the last movie I watched? @the Theatre: 7 Pounds on the living room floor: Mr. Woodcock.

14. Favorite day of the year? My son's birthday☺

15. How do I vent anger? Nope. Hold it all in until it eventually spills over in a burst of tears.

16. What was my favorite toy as a child? I don't think I was EVER a child.

17. What is my favorite season? Fall

18. Cherries or Blueberries? Blueberries

22. Living arrangements? What the hell kind of question is this? Married in a house... I guess

23. When was the last time I cried? Yesterday In Bible study class

24. What is on the floor of my closet? Dust bunnies & shoes

26. What did I do last night? ^^^ Bible study class

27. What am I most afraid of? Dog the bounty hunter

28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? They make burgers WITHOUT cheese?

29. Favorite dog breed? German Shepard

30. Favorite day of the week? Rainy/snowy/blizzard/stay in the house and do nothing days

31. How many states have I lived in? I've only lived in five places in my whole life. All in Michigan

32. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls

33. What is my favorite flower? Daisies & Heather

Ok, now copy and paste all the questions on to Your Own Blog...and leave me a comment that you did it! I thought it was fun!

Blog referrals... lol

what the heck ELSE do I call this post? lol. I'm spending my lunch hour blog reading... and found some goodies I wanted to share w/everyone.

Moni is giving away two beautiful pieces.... and will be drawing on January 10, 2009. Her snowman are gorgeous! Click the link in Moni's name and go check them out!



I was reading Letha's blog today and she has noted Ewian's blog who has all sorts of great info on different types of journals, like their size, durability, Producer, etc... to make that awful decision making process a little easier, especially for those who are new to journals. I've been doing them for about 6 months now and still consider myself a baby.... I know I sure enjoyed reading the mounds of info she took the time to put together! check out her Dream Journal post.



and lastly, the always beautiful, sometimes a little scared, but always bold enough to come back strong.... Erica.... is offering a new workshop. Erica's work is great and I think she would have a lot to offer and artist of any skill level.

Holy moly!

Did I just call myself in there and call myself an artist, too?

I think I did.... :)

Soul Journal - Advent Calendar

I know..... I've been hibernating.... I would love to tell you that all is well and wonderful. I would love to tell you that I've just been sooooo busy, that I haven't had a moment to post. Those things, unfortunately, are not true. All is not ..... bad. They are not good. lol....
I think I'm still in my holiday recovery mode. I'm not sure.
I haven't posted in so long, I thought I would drop a quick notes of what I'm up to. Pathetic when I haven't written in so long...and still don't have anything to write about. Guess that's a sign of the 40 around the corner, huh? The year life slows down and I become... boring! lol

I did finish two books, finished some notes in a Bible study journal, been to an "in-betweeners" meeting at church and considering joining the newly forming "committee", falling waaaayy behind at work (which is totally stressing me out) due to all the days we were closed during the holidays, and we've been to lots and lots of movies (Bedtime Stories, Yes Man, Seven pounds and of course Marley & Me)

Anyway... I've been working on the advent calendar prompt in my soul journal and here's what I have so far.... I think my journal is a little smaller than what most soul sisters are working in. I had to break my days into four pages, six per page. I'm still working on them and will update the pic when they are finished.

My goals in the next few weeks coming: Get caught up in my soul journal. Make some background papers in my original art journal. Make some mixed media 4x4's. Strip this awful wallpaper in my "computer room", and maybe even begin a new canvas. Get a new book scrapbook for my youngest son and start a new book that I got from a co-worker for Christmas. ("Black" the first book of a series)

Are we taking bets on what gets done and what doesn't?