*Hello Rollercoaster*

Just a quickie from me on a beautiful Monday afternoon.  I am feeling human again for the first time since my stomach problems started 6 days ago.  I am actually wanting to eat and feeling able to swallow without a fight.


I hopped a flight to Regina last night after approximately 36 hours of Mom not doing well again... by the time my flight hit the ground, Mom was awake, feeling OK and laughing with her favourite nurse at the hospice.


So as not to freak her out, I am hanging at her house today while Heather sits with her at the hospice.  The family will be hitting the road today and we have told Mom I am with them....  we will stay for a few days and head back home unless something changes.  


And obviously, things change.


I don't like rollercoasters.... real ones or emothional ones!


But this is the journey I am on and I am fighting to be strong.


Anyway....


A little piece of goodness for you....

II am very sad to report that in my haste to get to the airport, I left my book of information at home.  I can tell you that the patterned paper is Stampin' Up!, as is all of the cardstock.  I have no idea definitely what colours I used... So Saffron is there but I'm not 100% sure on the other colours... I wanna say Rose Red and Always Artichoke.  But I could be wrong LOL.  The layout is the FTL98 over on the CAS Blog.


More and more, with my life so much in an uproar, I LOVE these clean and simple layouts.....

*It Was A Bad Week*

I'm so sorry to have abandoned you....  I left Regina right after a huge rainstorm on Tuesday and made it back to Calgary safe and sound to find Bruce and the boyz making a nice BBQ steak dinner.  We enjoyed the fruits of their labour before hitting the couch and watching TV.  I got up to head to bed around 10 and felt kinda bloated but didn't think too much about it.

Except that it kept getting worse.

And around 1am the fun began.... I will spare you the details but I am sure you can use your imagination when I tell you I was up and down all night long.  At 7am, when Bruce was heading for work, I finally thought to take some Advil for the aches in every joint.  I went back to bed and slept until 10 (the most sleep I got all night) and then spent the rest of the day laying on the couch, occasionally moaning and groaning, making the kids get me water and Ibuprofen.

Wednesday was a complete write-off.

I got up Thursday morning and felt tired and weak, but not too bad.... but obviously overdid it as I was in a cold sweat by the end of the day.  Friday I decided to take the kids to the mall to do some back to school shopping and ended up in a cold sweat.

Didn't help that I really hadn't eaten much of anything since supper on Tuesday.

Today I am feeling somewhat better.  I can put food in my mouth without having to choke it down.  I am tired still.  And a little shaky (probably from the aforementioned lack of food).  But the cramping is gone.  The desire to sleep all day is kinda gone (just wanna sleep part of the day LOL).

The only upsides to this are:
*mom and Heather didn't get it
*I lost a few pounds!

Anyway... enough talk of my issues....

I love this bright colour combination.... so fun!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango; PTI White
*Images:  PTI Signature Greetings; Whippersnapper
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Kiwi Kiss; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  Nestabilities; Big Shot; Sizzix Embossing Folder
*Challenges:  FTL94

*Quick and Simple*

Good Monday Morning everyone....  I am still here in Regina and Mom is still holding her own.  My plan is to head home tomorrow for about 10 days to get some stuff accomplished in my life and then I'll head back for another week or so to keep Heather company and to visit with Mom.  The hospice is a very good place for Mom to be... she is comfortable, for the most part her pain is gone, the staff is good....

The worst part right now is not knowing if we have days, weeks or months left of watching Mom suffer.... she's not suffering pain wise most of the time, but you can see just how tired she is... it's hard.

Her speech is slow, she is sometimes confused, she gets irritated easily, she seems about a page behind in every conversation, she is weak, she is not able to get out of bed without help, she can not do more than a few (aided) steps.

It's hard to watch a once vibrant 71 year old be so weak....

I created this card a few weeks ago to send to my Mom when she was moved to hospice.  I wanted to tell her how much she means to me.... and how much I love her.  The card is up on her bulletin board at the hospice.  I hope it makes her happy....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum
*Images:  Inkadinkadoo Dot Flourishes; Stampin' Up! Well Scripted
*Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! Whisper White
*Tools:  Stampin' Up! border punch
*Embellishments:  Stampain' Up! ribbon
*Challenges:  FTL100


Thanks for popping in for a visit....  I hope your Monday isn't too bad!

*MMMmmmmm Mini Donuts*

What a day we've had!  Yesterday, a neighbour of Mom's (and my good friends' Mom) came up to the hospice to visit.  She mentioned that she was working at Buffalo Days (aka The Queen City Ex, aka the Fair, aka the Regina Exhibition) today and Heather and I got a twinkle in our eye and I said "you could bring us mini donuts!".  You know, those ones with the cinnamon and sugar on them?

We got home last night and a childhood/highschool friend of mine had posted on Facebook that she was sucking it up and taking her son to Buffalo Days today.... and I wrote, kind of serious, kind of as a joke, on her wall that she could bring us donuts!  She said "Sure" and I was thinking "no way"....

So, around 7:15 this evening, who should walk in to Mom's room at the hospice but Kim, the friend.... with a BUCKET of sugar covered mini donuts.  Heather and I nearly died!  Kim came with a "hello" from her Mom... the two Moms were friends way way back.

Heather and I got home from the hospice around 8:30....  and around 9 there was a knock at the door.... the neighbour who worked at Buffalo Days with a bag of cinnamon sugar covered mini donuts for us to share!

What WONDERFUL people we have in our lives, who bring us such a small little thing that makes us smile so big!

Thank you so much Kim and Darline.... you are too sweet!!!

Quick update on Mom... she is holding her own, doing OK.... she and I even worked with one of the program coordinators this morning to make a card each.  By mid-afternoon Mom is exhausted, not talking clearly and getting confused.  But really, she is doing OK...

And now on to the card....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PTI White; Bazill Bling
*Images:  Whippersnapper
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; VersaFine Onyx Black; Copics
*Tools:  Big Shot; D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug embossing folder; Stampin' Up! oval punches
*Embellishments:  Pebbles Candy Dots; Stickles; Crystal Effects
*Challenges:  MTSC79


Thanks for popping by!

*Mojo Monday on a Monday*

I can't believe it!  I have actually done a Mojo Monday card on the day the sketch was released!

I haven't had a lot of time for Mojo Sketches lately.... they take me a lot longer than the Clean and Simple Fall To Layout (FTL) cards I've been showing lately.... and they take a lot more creative energy as well.

I hope that Julee doesn't mind that I took inspiration for my card from her creation for this weeks sketch...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PTI White; Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery, Rose Red
*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up!
*Tools:  Spellbinders Flower Creations; Big Shot; EK Success border punch; Stampin' Up! corner rounder
*Embellishments:  Kaiser Pearls; Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo150


I have a lot of work to do to get up on some of my favourite sketches, but they will have to wait.  I am heading off to Regina in the morning to visit with Mom and Heather for a week....  I have some cards saved on my laptop so I will hopefully find some time to post some cards for you to enjoy while I am there... I just won't be creating anything new!

Thanks for stopping by!

*Lovin' Summer Weather*

Calgary has been enjoying some truly wonderful summer weather the last week or so.... I'm afraid of jinxing it by saying anything....  but it's been wonderful!  Lots of sun, lots of warmth...  I was worried we wouldn't see much for summer this year.

For those of you who are following along, Mom has settled in well at the Hospice.  She was really upset about going there but I think she's felt very comfortable and at home from almost the first moment after arriving.  My sister tells me that the staff is all very awesome and caring.  Mom has been out and about the facility and gardens in her wheelchair which is a nice break from being in bed all day.  But it sure does tire her out by the end of the day.  Heather still has no plans to head back home to Ontario and I am uncertain of when I will head out to Regina to visit Mom for a bit.  For now my foot is too sore to make the 7 hour drive, but the foot is getting better...  once it's no longer swelling if not elevated I will decide when to go.

If anyone is interested, I know that Mom is still loving getting cards in the mail... she is decorating her room with them.  Heather brings her the mail every day and it truly is a bright spot in her day.  You can email me if you'd like her address....

I have spent a bit of time crafting this week....  I've made three cards.... nothing major, but at least it was crafty!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PTI White; Stampin' Up! Brocade Blue, Old Olive
*Images:  PTI Signature Greetings; Stampin' Up! Friendship Blooms
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Brocade Blue; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  Stampin' Up! border punch
*Embellishments:  Stickles; unknown ribbon
*Challenges:  FTL95


I hope you all enjoy your Thursday!

*I'm Back.... part 3*

I have a few cards I still need to take photos of but have honestly crafted NOTHING in the last few weeks... maybe I will try to today since I have nothing I have to do until taking Alex to the ortho for 3pm.  Oh, and laundry... but I can't start that until my sleeping boyz get up and sort the dirty laundry (which they were supposed to do before going to bed last night..... damn kids)

So, on to the card...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin Up! Basic Black, Brocade Blue
*Patterned Paper:  Die Cuts With A View
*Images:  PTI Signature Greetings
*Ink:  VersaFine Onyx Black
*Challenges:  FTL96

Such a quick and easy card to throw together and I got to use paper I fell in love with but have never cut in the 2 years I've had it in my stash!  It just always seemed too much for a card....


Thanks for sticking with me during a dry spell as well as through three long posts today.....  hugs to all!

*I'm Back.... part 2*

And then yesterday, I turned 40!  The big FOUR OH!  How on earth did that happen?  My birthday weekend was good and bad... Friday my BFF asked I wanted for my birthday and honestly I had no good ideas... then it came to me... I texted her with "you could take me to get my nose pierced".... and the next thing I knew I was in the chair at the tattoo shop getting my nose pierced! It didn't hurt nearly as much as I feared it would...  it made my eye water though....

A photo for you.....

Friday night we were at a friends house for a fire in the new fire pit, a few drinks, and cupcakes!  A very nice evening with friends....  I swear we have the best friends ever!

Saturday I got to meet up with my niece for lunch at the airport as she flew from Regina to London ON while the guys went shopping for my birthday present.  Saturday evening Bruce took me to our favourite hole in the wall for wings and I will admit to drinking a mini pitcher of vodka paralyzers.  We came home and since it was such a beautiful evening, we decided to take Milo for a short walk.... and about 3 blocks away from home I slipped on some rocks and gravel and fell.  I don't know exactly how it happened, but I managed to do a 180 degree turn and land on top of my left foot.  I thought my biggest problem was that my second to smallest toe was cut and bleeding pretty badly....  Bruce ran off to get the car and I decided to limp towards home... and then almost passed out so I sad on someone's lawn and waited.  I thought for sure I had broken my foot.  I spent the rest of the evening with my foot up with ice on it and went to bed still in a lot of pain.  Our plan was to head to get it checked out in the morning if it wasn't better.  Sunday morning brought less pain for my foot but the bruising and swelling were obvious.  Since it was my birthday I decided I would take it easy and sat in the yard (sometimes in the sun, sometimes in the shade) with iced tea, a good book and my foot up.

And Sunday was the big birthday.... the big FOUR OH.... the OMG I'm old birthday LOL!  I'm not sure how it happened, but here I am, 40.  I don't feel 40.  And that I think is the attitude to have.  It's just a number.  Bruce made a cake, we went out to dinner with a few friends and my father in law, came back here for cake... got a few presents including some more kitchen knives (I have started a collection of good kitchen knives) and a few nose rings for when I can change from this honking big "diamond" in 6 weeks.  I had a few unexpected phone calls as well as a call from Mom, after which I cried for a while...  I am so glad she was feeling up to calling me (I could tell how tired she was) but it was so sad knowing that this would be the last time she would wish me a happy birthday.  It still makes me cry....

My birthday festivities continue tonight with dinner at my Mother in Laws house....  and then, sadly, I will have to put away my birthday expectations until next year....

One more post for you to read today...  #3 will be all about the card!

 

*I'm Back.... part 1*

Happy Monday everyone....  this may be a long post as I have a few things I need to talk about before I share some creativity with you...  I think I will do it in three posts.... so you can decide what you want to read...

First, the blog break....  late in the afternoon of July 16th I had a call from my sister who has been staying with Mom in Regina while I've been home.  Mom was admitted to hospital on Wednesday and wasn't doing great.  Friday a Dr told Heather that Mom's time was very limited.  I hopped on the first available flight (9pm) and went to Regina, prepared to say "goodbye".  We were so sure of this.  Mom was showing all of the signs of being near death.  We summoned some of the family to come say good bye.  We started keeping a vigil at her bedside.  Saturday she was worse.  She was seeing dead loved ones.  She wasn't make any sense.  She was hardly awake.  Sunday she was more alert, but she still wasn't with us for the most part.  And Monday she woke up relatively alert.  She rallied.  And she's still with us.  I came home on Tuesday and while she's very tired and very weak, she is still with us.  She wants to die.  She is ready to die. But she is still here.  Yesterday (July 25th), she was moved to the Hospice in Regina.  She was upset about going there, probably because she knows it is where she will live the last days of her life.  But once there she realized how caring the staff is and how comfortable her room is.  And she thinks that it is OK.

We have no idea how much longer she has left.... days?  weeks?  perhaps even months.

My plan from 3 weeks ago was to be heading back to Regina on the 27th of July to relieve Heather for a few weeks but Heather has decided that she just can't leave Mom so Heather has suggested that I stay home for a while longer.  I don't know how much longer, but I am home with  my family.

It's been a tough rollercoaster for the last 6 months and the last few weeks have been very difficult too... so sad to think that your Mom is about to die, but you come to terms with it and are prepared for it to happen.... and then it doesn't.  You can't even begin to imagine the emotions...  I couldn't have written here had a tried in the last week....

Please keep my Mom in your thoughts and prayers....  all we are asking for right now is comfort for her...

*Necessary Blog Break*

Just popping in really quickly to let you know that I won't be around much in the next few days or weeks...

I *will* be back!

*Bad Blogger*

Good morning all... I have to apologize for not posting more... I truly have no reason why.  I just haven't thought to post a card in the last few days.  Bad, I know.

I've been sitting in my crafty space here and there and have done only a bit of crafting since I got home from Regina.  I'm not sure where my Mojo is.  I'm not honestly sure I even *want* to craft right now.  I do, and I don't.  Does that make sense?

I created this card last week... quick and easy to put together once I found three flowers that go together...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo, Bashful Blue
*Images:  AMuse
*Ink:  VersaFine Onyx Black
*Embellishments:  Prima Flowers; Doodlebug Brads
*Challenges:  FTL97 (on the Clean and Simple blog)

Mom is back in the hospital... was taken there by ambulance yesterday after waking up and having no energy and not being able to get herself out of bed.  Sadly she spent the night on a ward in a hallway and there has been no diagnosis of what is going on.  There was talk it could be her heart but apparently they ruled that out.  I understand her spirits are low.  Not sure what this all means.

And that's my story for today....

*Ooops*

I am so sorry to have ignored my blog for so many days...  being away for 3 weeks means I have a lot to catch up on when I get home and this week I got to add several visits to the dentist for the kids and I to the list of things I had to do.  Thus the blog fell by the way-side.  I feel bad, but life happens sometimes...

I hope you'll forgive me ;-)

I'm sharing with you today, the last card in my stash of photos... the good news is that I threw together three Clean and Simple cards earlier this week when I had a few minutes here at there in my creative space.  I just gotta get out into the yard and get some photos of them....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Going Grey, Ballet Blue
*Images:  Hampton Art
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Ballet Blue
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder; Stampin' Up! border punch
*Embellishments:  Doodlebug brad; unknown grosgrain ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo142

*Home Again*

Happy 4th of July to my American readers.... I hope you enjoy your long weekend!

Milo and I made the trek home yesterday after 20 days in Regina with Mom.  The first part of the drive seemed to take forever (like I was shocked that we had only been in the car an hour type thing), but at about the half way point things just sped along.  We only stopped for two pee/gas breaks as I wasn't at all hungry while on the road.

We arrived home to an empty but clean house... a plus and a minus.  I had really been looking forward to a night on my own in the the house (the guys are camping this weekend) but I will admit to being disappointed to find an empty house.  It was both good and bad.  Bruce and the boyz treated me to a clean house as well... they did some tidying and cleaning, ran the dishwasher... even washed the sheets so I got to enjoy "clean sheet day" on the king size bed all to myself.  I love clean sheet day!

I'm watching a movie this morning ("It's Complicated") and plan on running a few errands when it's done, before the family gets home.

I hope to spend some time in my craft space in the next few days.  The first thing I want to do is reorganize my Stampin' Up! ink pads and all of my 8 1/2 X 11 cardstock... I have decided to not keep my SU paper separate from my other stuff and with the big reorganization of colours in the SU world I think I will sort everything by colour instead of colour family.  I hope it works for me! LOL!!

Wow, I'm the Queen of Babble today....

Here, since you were patient... a card...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White
*Images:  Amuse
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flowers; Kaiser Pearls; unknown Ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo141

*Happy 143rd Birthday, Canada*

Happy Canada Day to all of my fellow Canadians...  a day to show your pride at being a Canadian!

Not too much to report from my neck of the woods....  my sister arrives on Friday morning and I am heading home on Saturday morning.  Mom is doing OK... not great, but not terrible.

I'm dying to try the Blizzard of the Month from DQ... anyone wanna go get me one???

Anyway.....

I created this card thinking I'd bring it to give to my friend and her family when I came for her Dad's funeral... but I didn't love the card and then I forgot it on my crafting table.... it will wait until I need another sympathy card...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss
*Images:  Inkadinkadoo Dot Flourishes; Boxer Remembrances
*Ink:  
*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flower; Dew Drops; Kaiser Pearl
*Challenges:  FTL93

*Lots of Sun*

We have been seeing a lot of sun here in Regina... beautiful summer weather.

Alex is at the school this morning to pick up his report card.... and then he's done.  He spent yesterday with friends at a pool down near his school.... he assumed Bruce could drive him but of course, Bruce had to be at work, so they decided that Alex could ride his bike.... it was about 90 minutes on his bike and it sounds like he found it tough (like I wouldn't???!!).  A good reason for this kid to keep driving so that he can get his license next spring!

Friends of ours did a huge bike ride this past weekend...  Four of our friends rode in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer... a total of 225km on their bikes in two days!  They each had to raise $2500 to be able to ride.  I am so impressed that they all made it!  I know I couldn't!  They are looking at doing a ride for MS next spring...  smaller amount to raise as well as a shorter distance.

On to the reason you are here...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Paper Trey Ink White; Coredinations
*Patterned Paper:  Junkitz
*Images:  Penny Black
*Ink:  VersaFine Onyx Black
*Embellishments:  unknown grosgrain ribbon
*Challenges:  MTSC76


And that's that!  I hope that the sun is shining where you are!

*The Countdown Is On!*

I have one month left... one month left in my 30s... one month until the big four oh!

Explain to me how I got to be "pushing 40"?!  I don't feel like I'm almost 40.  I feel about 25ish.

Of course, if I was 25, it would mean I had my first kid at 10.... and at 10 I was still in the "you wanna put what where?" stage of sex.

So I guess I can't possibly be 25.

Age is just a number... and I choose to not let it get me down!

But seriously??!!  40??!  WOW!

I had a little fun playing with this cute little froggie image.... isn't he cute??  Sure is making me want an ice cream right now...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Paper Trey Ink White; Coredinations
*Images:  unknown (but I think it's Inkadinkadoo)
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder; Nestabilities; Stampin' Up! border punch; sanding block; Corner Chomper
*Challenges:  MTSC#74


I will take a minute to warn you that there are only 4 cards left on my hard drive for me to share with you....  I'm here in Regina until July 3rd and I will do my best to get some crafting done in the three weeks I am home....  Please don't give up on me!!

*Celebrate The Day*

Happy Thursday everyone....  today is my youngest's last full day of school.... he has a half day tomorrow and then he's done grade 7 and moving on to grade 8.  The older one has an exam this morning, an exam tomorrow morning and needs to head back to school on Tuesday to pick up his report card.  And then he's off to high school in the fall.

They are growing into wonderful young men....it's just happening so fast!

I had a really nice evening with a childhood friend last night.  We went out for a nice supper and spent a lot of time talking, laughing and catching up.  We haven't spent much time together in many many many years (like 15-20 years) but it was nice to have some time together.  It's nice to have someone here in Regina I can go out with once in a while when my sister is here to give me some time away from the house.

I talked with my other sister last night and she's booked her flight to come back to Regina to take her turn with Mom on July 2nd.  I will head home on the 3rd or 4th.

So, on to the card....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Old Olive, Pale Plum
*Images:  PaperTrey Ink Signature Greetings
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Old Olive
*Tools:  Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder
*Embellishments:  Prima Flowers; Doodlebug Sugared Brad; white Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon
*Challenges:  MTSC75


I really like the clean lines in this card....  wish I had gotten the sentiment stamped straight LOL!

*It's Summer!*

It's official.... summer is here!  And here in Regina, we are bringing in summer with a wonderfully warm and sunny day.  We haven't had nearly the rain that other areas of the prairies have had over the last few weeks.  There are still people out of their homes due to flooding between here and home.  The Transcanada Highway has a section of the eastbound lanes that is totally washed out and it sounds like I might be taking a nice long detour to get home in the next few weeks.

Blech.

Mom's back yard is so wet that we have mushrooms growing back there.

I sure hope that we all get some wonderful summer weather now....

I had fun recreating the basics of this card to create another... I just loved the colour combination and that wonderful Stamp It Australia paper....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTrey Ink White; Bazzill Bling; Stampin' Up! Crushed Curry
*Patterned Paper:  Stamp It Australia
*Images:  Lizzie Anne Designs Say It In Script
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Crushed Curry
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! Crushed Curry ribbon
*Challenges:  MTSC73

*Rain Rain Go Away*

Will the rain ever stop??

I think that even the farmers and ranchers in the Prairies are complaining about the amount of rain that has fallen in the last few weeks.

I understand through news feeds today that a portion of the TransCanada highway (the one I take to get to Regina and home again) is closed due to flooding.  This is the main East/West highway that goes across the country.

It is absolutely insane how much rain has fallen.

I am hoping that we get a few light rain showers in the month of July but no more big soakers!

I am missing my family a lot today.... not sure why...  I called Bruce at lunch just to say "hi" and perhaps I shouldn't have... hearing his voice made me miss him even more.

Anyway....

I created this card following one of the Fall To Layouts on the Clean and Simple blog....  the more I play with Clean and Simple, the more I like it....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTrey Ink White; Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay
*Images:  Stampendous Birthday Blossoms; Amuse
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Bermuda Bay; Copics
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder
*Challenges:  FTL92


You can see that I took this picture after I bought my bedding plants and before I got them in the ground... that's a pot of wave petunias to the right of the photo.  They are all now planted and I hope they haven't drown!

Enjoy your weekend!

*Here, Not There*

Good morning everyone....  a beautiful sunny and warm morning where I am.... which isn't at home.  I am in Regina for a few weeks to care for Mom.  Calgary is cold and wet, Regina is not.  I lucked out I think.

For those of you wondering, Mom is doing well right now.  She is feeling pretty good, napping only about an hour a day (a month or so ago she was sleeping more than she was awake every day).  All of her meds are now going through her feeding tube which bypasses her stomach and goes directly to the small intestine.  Adds more work for whomever is caring for her, but it appears to be helping with the nausea.  She was at the cancer clinic last week so that she could get her hydromorphone dosage increased.  They did that no problem... she's now at 0.6mg per hour through her pump (up from 0.5mg)  It seems to have done the trick.  The doctors she saw are sure that the tumour has grown in size again, which is obvious by looking at Mom's face.  No idea if the 4-6 month diagnosis still stands or not.....  we are approaching the 5 month mark.

But for now, she's' doing good and she's back to pain free....  that is a good thing.

I created this card while playing with the CalGals last month.  I was really not in the mood to play that day so I was surprised that I created a few cards while at Shannon's.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum
*Images:  Close To My Heart From Me To You
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! ribbon (coloured with an Old Olive marker); Michael's Bridal Flowers (coloured with Stampin' Up! ink); Kaiser Rhinestones
*Challenges:  FTL90

Not sure that I like the ribbon colour....  maybe a lighter green would have worked out better.


Thanks for coming by to visit today!

*Sunshine? Is That Really You?*

Mother Nature has seen fit to stop the rain and cold for a few days and we have a fairly nice forecast for the weekend.  But come Monday, it's supposed to be grey, wet and cool again.

Bring on summer!  I am ready for it!

Thank you all for the very nice comments on the extremely ugly card I posted earlier this week....  funny how the one card I post that I truly hate gets so much fan mail LOL!  For those who suggested I wait a few days and see if I like it better, it didn't work.  I made that card weeks ago and I still don't like it LOL!

But I'm glad some of you do!

The card I am sharing today is one I made at the last CalGals gathering a few weeks ago at Shannon's house...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Going Grey, Pacific Point; PaperTrey Ink whie
*Images:  Close To My Heart From Me To You
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Pacific Point; Copics
*Embellishments:  Stickles (I did the dots in the centre of the flower)


Again, not a stellar card, but I like it a lot more than the last one I posted lol!

Happy Friday everyone!

*My Grade 9 Graduate*

I just want to take a moment to be a proud Mom.... to show off my handsome son, as dressed up as he's ever been, ready to head off to his Grade 9 Farewell Dance.....

I still can't believe he is old enough to start high school in the fall!

*I Don't Like It*

And I don't expect you to either....

I truly do not like this card.  It looked so much better in my head.  But on paper, it's not anything wonderful.

But in the spirit of full disclosure, I figured I should share the good, the bad and the ugly.

And today I am sharing the ugly!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTrey Ink White; Stampin' Up! Pink Pirouette, Pacific Point
*Images:  Gel-A-Tins Oodles of Doodles; Amuse
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss
*Tools:  Corner Chomper


I used one of the ideas in the Go To Sketches magazine I picked up at Michaels a month or so ago....  and am so not pleased with this card....

Oh well... we all gotta try something a little different once in a while...

Enjoy your Wednesday... it's raining cats and dogs here in Calgary so now that I have my errands done I think I will craft until it's time to take Matthew to drums.

*Flowers Flowers Flowers*

Happy Friday everyone!  It was a beautiful sunny morning here in Calgary but things have gotten cloudy this afternoon.

I spent some time out in the yard on Wednesday and planted the perennials I purchased the week before.  I also planted the wave petunias in the raised flower bed around the deck.  I discovered I needed more petunias though so I will have to head back to Rona this weekend.  Today I stopped by Walmart and I found some beautiful Hostas for the one bed in the front where we get very very little sun.  I sure hope that they survive!  I also bought a Dahlia for in one of the back beds but discovered when I got it home that I will have to pull it up in the fall and store it out of the cold.  I had hoped to not to have to do that.... but I will try it and see how it goes.  I think I will stop buying flowers for now until I see how the ones I have planted grow for this year.  And next year I'll add some more if needed.

I've had several cards "starred" in my Google Reader for many months (some even years) and when I wanted to be creative a week or two ago I started going through those favourite cards to create my own versions of them.  This is one I found on Jennie's Blog....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTrey Ink White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Images:  Verve; Stampin' Up! Warm Words
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics, VersaFine Onyx Black
*Embellishments:  Stardust Stickles

I am heading off on a two night trip to Regina on Sunday to attend the funeral of a good friends' Dad.  I have known this family literally all my life and Tracy and I have been friends since we were babes in arms....  her family lives four houses down from the house I grew up in (where Mom still lives) and Tracy is a mere 3 days younger than me.  We've known each other since the day she came home....  just a few weeks shy of 40 years ago!  Her Dad passed away suddenly on Tuesday and I want to be there for her for the funeral because I know just how difficult that can be.  Bruce and the boyz will be "baching" it until I get home on Tuesday...

Have a wonderful weekend!

*Not My Idea*

Nothing much for chit chat from me today because honestly, I just don't feel like it.....

This is my take on a card I saw on Andrea's Blog....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Kraft
*Patterned Paper:  Imaginisce
*Images:  Stampin' Up! Best Yet
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Best Yet; Copic markers
*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flowers (coloured with Copics); Kaiser Pearl; unknown grosgrain ribbon


I love this old release from Imaginisce....  and am sad to find some of my stash being depleted....

Enjoy your day.

*Welcome June*

While I am welcoming June to 2010, I am also happy to welcome the sunshine back to Calgary.... and I am hoping that warmer temperatures are following (and soon!).  We're already warmer at 11am than our daytime highs have been for a week....  but still below average.

Is it really so difficult, Mother Nature, to provide us with awesome weather??

And being the first of June also means it's a day of celebration in our house...  my wonderful husband Bruce and I got married 19 years ago today!  The time has flown by so quickly, but when you look at all we've accomplished, done and enjoyed, 19 years doesn't seem nearly long enough.  I love you more today than I did 19 years ago, Bruce....  I am so happy to be your wife.

I've actually been creating cards the last few days but the weather has been too wet  or windy or generally crappy to get outside and get photos (hopefully today!) so I am sharing some of the older cards I made instead.

And let me tell you, I love this card....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTrey Ink White; Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry
*Images:  Inkadinkadoo
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry
*Tools:  Big Shot; Daisies embossing folder; Corner Chomper
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry ribbon
*Inspiration:  December 9, 2009 post at Poetic Artistry

This was such a quick and easy card to put together.... but I just love how it looks!  Thanks for the inspiration Julee!