If you have the right mind-set, you can be just as happy on Monday as you are on Friday~ Joel Osteen

Hello, hope you're all well!

I've made more dress cards.

Of course they have all turned out how they should. sigh 

Moms St. Patrick's Day card has a dress! 

 Sent one to my cousin, who takes the cards I make her to work, and pins them up!

 Sent one to Vanessa.

She had surgery, so it was kind of a thinking of you.

 I have two more on the go, (remember, everyone was getting one until I get it right!) and then I will put all my little dress pieces away for a minute.

I also sent Bryson another thinking of you card, when I sent a package after Christmas.

I am getting terrible at taking pictures of the cards I have been making! 

Vanessa took this before Bryson was home from Kindergarten, as she can't open his mail, he'd be devestated!

I couldn't send Vanessa a card without one for my favorite small person.

Vanessa told me that she asked him to go wash his face.

He told her that gramma wouldn't mind if his face was dirty. Haha

I paper pieced this plane on the die.

It was easier than I thought it would be. 

I really should use up that 'little boy' paper I have, because I'm sure he will be 18 next year!!

Kalen starts a new job next week, so he got a card.

Not a dress card, however, I do have to make him a

birthday card! 

Kalen asked once why I had a sanding sponge in my craft stash. I told him to sand cards.

This is made with core'dinations cardstock, so I sanded it. 

Better go, this working 5 days a week is for the birds!

Stay safe, wash your hands!

Talk to ya later!

 

Life didn't come with a fool-proof manual. --Richard Carlson

Hello!
I made Kalen a card for his new job.

 I sent it this past week with his mail and included a gift card for one of his favorite restaurants. 

The next part of this post is a little out of the ordinary for me!
I've been doing some serious thinking lately. I've been cranky, weepy, emotional. You gf's reading this post, who hang out with me regularly, do not need to offer sympathy or feedback. It's not what I'm looking for!
Sometimes I find myself wondering if I (as one person) can make a difference in the world! The quote "Always be kind" has been on my mind A. LOT!
When we went to Grande Prairie for the concert we spent some time with my cousin.
When we got back to our room after the concert, we encountered this:

It was from my sneaky cousin. In the envelope, was this letter:

Which said:
Go Figure, the only pen I have in the truck is a highlighter.
I hope you had a great time tonight, that you smiled, laughed, maybe even cried a little. Most importantly, I hope you made a memory. When you looked around you, I pray you realized how surrounded you are with love, with friends that mean as much or more than family. I can promise you that they're not chillin' with you for your riches or fame, they are with you for your heart filled with contagious hope, optimism & humor; for your beautiful eyes filled with sparkle, laughter and mischief; for your creativity, your passion, your drive. 
You are infectious, uplifting, kind, insightful and beautiful inside and out. 
I am with you in realizing the world is not all we dreamt it would be....But oh my dear, the gifts God does bless us with are so much better than riches!
Like these friends of yours tonight. xoxo
Thank you for always being a ray of sunshine in my life.
I pray these stickers are uplifting, encouraging, and that these flowers are some bright color in your beautiful days. 
Stay Beautiful!
Stay Creative!
Stay Strong!
xoxoxo
Love Crystal
P.S. Eat Chocolate
xoxo
Sometimes I get tired; being the planner, event co-ordinator, liner up of stuff to do, trying to get all my peeps to play along!
Sometimes I wonder if it's worth the effort!? I wonder what would happen if I just quit trying to plan, do stuff, get together........... Honestly, some days I just want to scream when you people are uncooperative! But that would be selfish and uncaring............
So I'll just keep on keeping on, and you peeps will play or not.............it's what I do, and according to Crystal, I'm good at it! 
Don't forget, if you don't show up for what we have planned or is going on.......we talk about you! hahahaha
It also makes me think of the quote, 'No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.' I get annoyed when someone says, 'Oh I should have came.' 
I am never going to beg, or try to talk you into it! I do not have the energy or time! You need to know that whether or not you're participating, I'm doing/ going!
Anyhoo..........

I have to keep being me, even though some days are a chore to get through!

Keeping in the same vein, the kids had a friend over for a Sunday supper.
He was lamenting that when he goes to some of his friends houses he feels awkward, and out of place.
I said, "What do you feel when you come here?"
He said, "Like family."

And that my friends was an enormous compliment! It's what I love to hear! 

Alrighty, I'm done!
I have the rest of the afternoon to find a good movie on Netflix, and make some cards! 
I watched Tomorrowland last week, and made cards! 
I liked it.

Hope you are well!
Talk to ya later!

Change your thinking... change your mood. --Larry Senn

I've had a stressful week.
We all (at one time or another/ or still do) have friends that suck the life out of us!
I've been 'friends' with one such person for about 30 years! I. KNOW.
I can't do it anymore.
What. Am I a slow learner?
I don't think so.
I always look for the best in everyone.
I have some really good 'friends' I see a few times a year, and it's like we talk all the time!
We just pick up where we left off.
I LOVE those friends.
I've had a headache (migraine) 3 out of the past 5 mornings.
Oh yeah, I've got drugs, ones I don't like to take, cause I can be stoned and still have a headache!

I can't tip toe around this 'friend' anymore.
I can't listen to her problems, which are always the same.
I can't fret about getting together with her, never knowing what mood she'll be in.
I can't stress over making her a card, worrying she'll take any sentiment I put in it or on it, the wrong way.
I can't offer solutions and suggestions anymore.
I've done it for about the last 10 years....or more. Really.
I've decided she doesn't want a solution, she just wants to be miserable.
I'm trying to come to grips with that.
Are some people just happy being miserable?
My mom said: "You've been friends a long time, you must have been at the end of your rope."
I guess I was.
Pretty sure it's the end of that 'friendship'.
I said some stuff......no, I don't think I'd take anything back.
I said I wouldn't want to hear about it anymore.
Like I tell the kids: "Everything's good in my little world, til somebody screws it up!"
I've dealt with depression, and I don't like feeling like this.....
Like the headaches, it makes me tired.

Anyhoo, I read some good stuff on the internet.....well, I don't know how good it is......
Pretty sure I've tried it all.
It makes for interesting reading anyway!

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7212/energy-vampires-who-they-are-how-to-ditch-them.html

http://www.life-with-confidence.com/how-to-deal-with-negative-people.html

And a humorous look at friends.....

http://www.angelfire.com/ri/luckyman/types_of_friends.htm

I'll try to lighten up, just had to get that off my chest!

And yeah, she reads the blog...........................................

March 1st/ oh wow!
There's some new challenges I'll be trying to come up with something for!
I put one up with blogaversary candy over there on the sidebar!
Brenda makes gorgeous cards!

It's tropical here today!
Sun is shining, birds are singing, and it's light out for about 10 hours in the day!
Gotta love that!
I've got a UFO on my desk that I just can't get right!
And yeah, some of it is GLUED down!

I got some new stamps today; Bugaboo, from Stampalicious!
They make me smile!

I sent Kalens congratulations card.
He got promoted to Leading Seaman.
It was a ceremony, and he also got whatever he was getting for being picked as the Sailor of the Quarter in December!

Note to self, use a darker ink on these!

He's sailing now.......for months.

Maybe I'll be able to talk to him this weekend!

I also made this birthday card.

Sorry for such crappy light for both!

Hope this finds you well!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. --Agatha Christie

TGIF!

I keep forgetting to welcome my new follower(s)!
Glad to see you!
I doubt that you'll learn anything here, but you might get a laugh or 2!

I am getting ready for a wine & cheese party later tonight!
One of my BBF's bf planned it. (One of the gf's I spend every Wednesday dinner with)
I guess he figured if the world was ending she might as well be with her gf's!
Smart man, or maybe he's trying to get on Santa's 'NICE' list!!

These are the invitations she gave out!

Ya know ya live in a small town when............hahahaha!
And what's the concensus...Do I take wine for the host when it's a Wine & Cheese party?

Wine & cheese tonight, and dinner out tomorrow with Rays boss & co workers.

I've filled the furnace, cleaned the roof, fed & watered the cats & dog!

Had 2 dinners & gift exchanges out this week.........
One of my gf's said the Hot Chocolate on a Stick didn't even make it to the hot milk!!!

AND it's blizzarding!

I made Kalen a Congratulations card, cause last week he was awarded Sailor of The Quarter, at a small luncheon with the Lieutenant Governor!

I DID ask him for pictures & such!
He found out that morning & thought his crew mates were pranking him!
The US has a great site on the Navy, Canada...not so much!

Hope I get time to whip up a few cards this weekend!
My gf's stepdad had a heart attack......she said he 'needs' a 'Gail card'!

Vanessa & Shawn will be here on Monday; I think they're staying until Wednesday!
Hope it's not too cold for skidooing!

I go back to work next Thursday! Yay me!

Here's a Thank you card I made for the local theatre.
They are very generous with coupons for the kids for Daddy & Me!

 

I also gave them some Poppycock and Hot Chocolate on a Stick!

 

Better go, gotta start the van & stop at the liquer store!

Have a great weekend!

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.- Anthony Robbins

OMG! Can someone please tell Gail it's OK to relax!??

Things I've learned this week:
Don't do your 10 (?) acres of yard work all in one day!
Last Saturday I was outside by 9:30.
I sprayed weeds around the dugout, whipper snipped, mowed, hauled dirt, went to the Greenhouse in my farm clothes and hat....I thought no one would be there!
Well everyone was, but they were all dressed the same as me!
I had empty pots that needed filled.
I was in my bath by 5:30 pm, had my supper, and was ready for bed by 7:00pm! OY!

I had a meeting this week, went for dinner with the gf's, putzed around the yard, and spent 1 1/2 hours nightly, watering stuff.....I'm waiting for a thunderstorm the weatherman keeps threatening us with!

Yesterday I went to my nephews wedding 3 hours away.
My van had to be at the dealers for work at 10:00am.
Vanessa was my chauffeur & date!
We went to Michaels, Walmart, the candy store down town, the wedding, the dream home (amazing), and a show home down the street from the Dream Home!
Went for the wedding supper, and I was home by 10:30 pm.

Here's a pic of the happy couple!

Today, I'm just tired!
I DID mow & whipper snip over by the fruit trees and cat house!
There's 9 Saskatoon trees, 3 Cherry trees, and 5 Chokecherry bushes in my crooked row!

And the other way!

Darn dandelions just duck!

A lot of trees & shrubs are trying to make a comeback.

Either from Ray over fertilizing, or from winter kill, as is evident (or maybe not), on this cherry tree that only has leaves on the branches half way up!

I've hung 2 loads of laundry out, hoping for rain!

Ray has gone up the street (about 6 miles); one of our neighbors has a small sawmill, and we need a new back step!

I've got steaks marinating for the BBQ!

Pasta salad is made; potatoes & corn on the cob ready for the BBQ!

This week I hope to take it easy! HA!

I'll probably be watering stuff!

Friday, we're going to E-town for a celebration.

Ray's aunt, who is a SISTER has been a nun for 60 years!

60 YEARS people!

That's longer than a lot of people stay married!

I found pictures of her 50th party we went to, so am going to try & get her a mini album made up!

She'll love it!

I did make her a card.

My mom called while I was making it, and she asked what color it was.

I said, "pink".

Mom: "Is she a princess?"

Me: " She is that day!"

I just have Congratulations on the inside!

Hopefully I'll talk to you before another week is up!

There's a challenge or 2 I should play along with!

If I don't talk to you, stay well, and out of trouble!

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

If your plan isn't working, adjust your plan. Never give up.--Matt Martin, Personal Trainer

Hello people!
Hope you had a great weekend!

I worked last holiday Monday so I could take today off!
I had an appointment in Peace River (100 kms away), then I did Walmart & came home!
Been busy though!

Vanessa was home for the weekend!
Friday night I was a good mother and watched Breaking Dawn with her and a friend.
Before she came home I was talking to my blog friend Myrna through e-mail.
We were talking about the different syndromes we had.
I told her I had something, cause the night before I went to the spare room to get some paper I had in mind for a card (the paper rack is in there), decided to make the bed up (futon), cause Vanessa will be home tonight, cleaned a bathroom, did some dishes, went back to make the card, and didn't have the paper I went for!
Went to get it, was feeling hungry, cut up a melon.....yeah, I finally got there!
With the paper!

Saturday afternoon we watched The Help.
Vanessa left yesterday morning so I whipped up a Congratulation card for her.
She starts her new job Thursday, so here's the card.

I KNOW it's blue...I'll try to quit that!

It helps that her favorite color is blue!

It probably won't get there until she's done work Thursday,

so if you're lurking Vanessa, Good Luck at your new job!

Here's Shadow outside with her horn cap from a buffalo;

I think she has a stash somewhere!

I think we discussed horn caps before.

She chews on them like she would a bone!

Ray brought home a new toy on the weekend!

I can't WAIT to play with it!

A log splitter people!

How FUN is THAT!?

Last night my desk was full of these fellers!

This was my inspiration!

Aren't they cute!?

I finished them tonight!

And hey, they're not all blue!

They're Birthday cards to go in the stash for SAS4K's (Canada)!

The House Mouse & Friends challenge is up.

I don't know if I have anything to play along......I'll give it some thought!

Last week an ad for this site popped up on Facebook.

http://www.peachycheap.com/

Of course when it popped up the deal of the day were some stamps I just HAD to have!

Then I was looking at some templates here to tell Myrna about, and they had www.paperpizazz.com on them.

That took me to this site!

http://www.paperwishes.com

Of course I looked around, and made a small order, of things I just NEEDED!

Then I made the mistake of popping over here:

http://www.scrapnstamp.ca/blog/

And,

you got it!

Stuff I NEEDED!

My stamp club stuff should be in this week too!

I should have the needing out of my system for a while!

Thanks for stopping by everyone, and leaving such nice comments!

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!