Courage and Support

In my previous post, I talked about my cousin, Gary, the trials he has before him and the fundraiser that was held on Saturday.

First of all, my painting sold!  I was so afraid that I would end up, at the end of the night, carrying my painting back to my car because it hadn’t sold.  Shortly after it all started, I took a look and it was at $25.  Yay!!!  My aunt (Gary’s mom) had the final bid of  $50.  I was so happy that she got it. 

Dee and Ruth, Gary’s mom and dad, spent their lives and raised their children on the farm that my grandpa farmsteaded in the 1920/30s.  My grandpa worked very hard, even working in the coal mines in Utah during the winter so he could buy more land.  When the time came, he sold parts of his farm to his two sons.

The time has come for my uncle to now retire and they have a bid on a home only a few miles from my house.  The farm is about 200 miles away so this is quite a move for them.  The majority of their children live in the Boise area so I’m excited to have them live nearby.  My aunt was purchasing the painting for her new home so I think I’ll make her a matching one as a house warming gift.

Now, back to the fundraiser.  It was held in a church hall and the place was packed.  I have no idea how many people were there.  More than 200 I would guess.  They had several silent auctions, over 50 things.  Some were products from business, gift baskets, a Harley jacket, 3 quilts, and many more things. 

They were also selling raffle tickets for many, many, many raffle items.  They began calling names at 7:00 and didn’t stop until after 9:00.  My sis won a 50 lb. sack of spuds. Yes, it’s Idaho. They are huge spuds; better than what you can get in the grocery store! 

They also had a separate raffle for three different items—2 guns and $500.  That raffle alone probably raised over $10,000!  It was just amazing the outpouring of love for Gary!!!

They placed memory jars on each table with some paper and pens and asked everyone to share a memory.  I’ll tell you the story that I shared, okay?

Our family was lucky enough to spend several weeks each summer on my grandpa’s farm.  We would go at different times.  My older brother usually stayed most of the summer and the girls would spend several weeks one or two at a time.  We would spend part of the time at my grandpa’s house (my uncle Ray Vern just lived across the driveway) and then part of the time at my uncle Dee’s house down the road a couple of miles.  Both uncles had children around our ages that we could play with! 

When I was about twelve years old, I was staying at my Uncle Dee’s house.  He had a really mean bull that kept escaping from his pen.  He escaped one afternoon and got his foot stuck in the cattle guard down the street.  My uncle wouldn’t let me go down to help out because he was afraid that the bull my hurt me once they got his foot loose.  After they got him loose, Dee decided to put a ring in his nose, with a chain attached, so when he touched the electric fence, he wouldn’t try to get out.

Dee and the boys got him rounded up in the pen and were getting ready to put the ring in his nose and the rest of us took a seat on top of the fence.  Well, that bull got loose and came charging right in my direction.  (It seemed that way to me anyway.)  I didn’t stop running until I got across the street and up the hill to the house!  To top it off, I kept having nightmares that the bull would come into the house, scruffing his way up the stairs, moving everything out of his way to find me in bed!!!  That’s pretty tough on a 12 year old!!!

I hope I was able to entertain you with my story.  I’m sure it will entertain Gary when he reads it one day on the hard journey he has before him!  I know that he will get better.  I feel it in my heart!

Blessings,

Christine

Courage

I don’t talk a lot about things going on within my family very much other than when I do things with them.  But today, I want to talk about my cousin, Gary.  He has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer that has gone pretty much to the rest of his body,  including his brain.  He isn’t even a smoker.  The doctors gave him a very slim chance of beating this.  He and his wife have more hope and courage than anyone could in a situation like this.

Shortly after the diagnosis, they traveled to Minnesota to go to the Mayo Clinic and get a second opinion and to get more information about the type of cancer he has.  This week, they Mayo Clinic sent the cancer “markers” to his doctor here and things didn’t look good.  Any treatment they would be able to give would only prolong his life and because of other medical issues, the side affects might actually kill him before the cancer did.

On a happier note, his wife recently fought a very hard battle with breast cancer and last week they preformed tests that told her she is six months cancer free!  That is truly great news in the midst of all of the problems.

So, this is a prelude to give you information about why I painted this and to ask you to please keep him and his family in your prayers.  A benefit for Gary has been planned for this Saturday with dinner, dancing and a silent auction and raffle.  My painting is part of the silent auction.  I’m also working on another canvas as a gift to Gary and Sue, his wife.

Gary has been pursuing some alternative treatment.  He traveled to a small town near here to an Eastern medicine practitioner.  I’m not sure what he does but they felt very good about what he did.  He has also been going to another Eastern medicine practitioner locally that uses pressure points and massage in the belief that the body can heal itself.  They will also be travelling to Malaysia to see a Shaolin monk.   He will be using herbs and his chi to heal Gary. 

As his wife said, Western medicine has already stamped Gary’s foot with an expiration date and so they are trying alternatives that have worked for other people.  As my brother said when the doctors gave him little chance of beating this, “They don’t know our family.”  We are fighters and I know that if anyone can do it, Gary can.

So I ask for your prayers in helping Gary get through this.  God has a plan; we don’t know what it is but we do know that we have to do everything we can before He proceeds with His plan.

Thanks so much!

Blessings,

Christine

Oh, I painted this as part of Donna Downey’s Canvas Create class.

A Baby, Some Monkeys and a Butterfly

Just stopping in to share a couple of photos with you.  I’ve said before that my sister stops by each week to clean my litter box for me since I have a suppressed immune system.  Las week when she stopped by I gave her my monkey Beanie Babies.  She likes monkeys and needed some toys for Landon!

And here’s my favorite little guy with the monkeys in my brand new chair.  He was having a private moment while I was snapping the shots.  Some of the photos turned out pretty funny with his scrunched up red face!

I’ve been looking for a new chair for in my studio for a long time now.  I really need something comfortable in here because I sit on it when I need a sore back break while crafting.  I got a great deal on it.  It even has massage and heat!!!

 

When I took Chloe pup out Sunday morning, I noticed this butterfly in my butterfly bush.  This has happened many times but by the time I run in the house to get my camera, the butterfly is gone.  She stuck around this time.  I just had to share!

I hope you’re having a great week!

Blessings,

Christine

The Two Most Beautiful Things and Some Art

I have to start out showing you  my two favorite things in the world.

And, no, one of them is not me!  I love my little Great Grand Nephew, Landon and my sweet pup, Chloe.

I think I’ve mentioned before that my sister comes over every week to clean my litter box and help me with things around the house.  Well, lately she has brought my niece and this little guy with her.

I usually grab him as soon as they come in the door.  Tonight he fell asleep on my chest and Chloe came up on the chair to join us.  My sis mentioned that it all looked so sweet so I handed my niece the camera.  Let’s say it all at once--Awwww!!!  I love that little guy so much.  I think he’s gained at least a pound since I saw him last week.  His arms and fist have fattened up a bit.

Okay, now for my art.

I have mentioned that I’ve been taking Soul Restoration 2 and I’ve really been procrastinating week 2.  I’ve have never been one to set goals.  Even when I had a professional life, I would take classes or other actions to improve my position, but I didn’t really set goals.  I guess those were short term goals and I had a “picture” of what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I didn’t set goals.  It’s just not me.

 

There are a lot of details and layers in my collage so I didn’t resize it for the blog.  Click on the photo for a larger view so you can see the details.

I used journaling cards, tickets, lots of accruements and ephemera for the background.  Most of it is October Afternoon but you can see some Tim Holtz tags in there as well, and I know there are some misc. things too.  Lots of paint, Mod Podge, texture from bubble wrap and from spackle compound mixed with paint and stenciled on.  After completing my girl (a representation of me). I added a bunch of rub ons and the the words “The Life I Want to Live.” 

Can you see the butterfly wings in the background?  That’s the next page that I will show you tomorrow when it has had time to dry.

Today was such a wonderful day for me (now I’m being all mushy)!  I hope your’s is just as great!!!

Blessings,

Christine

2 Days in a Row!

Yes, I said I was going to start blogging more and here I am again—2 days in a row!!!  I have so many things to catch up on.  The most important of which, my great-nephew, Landon, was born on June 7!!!

We were all very worried when Alicia went into labor 5 weeks early but he’s a healthy beautiful baby!!!  Can’t remember the exact numbers but he was 6 lbs. something and 18 inches. 

(baby Landon at one day old)

I feel like such a bad aunt for waiting so long to post pictures but then I just remember I’m a GREAT-aunt.  (That’s what another niece told me when she had my first great-nephew.)  Since I have no children of my own, my great nieces and nephews are very precious to me!

(mom and baby at one day old)

He’s such a sweetie and he hardly cries.  If people are in the room and he wants something, he just squeaks.  It’s so cute.  But when he’s in his nursery alone, he gives a good wale to make sure someone comes to his aid!!!

My sister, Rose is coming tomorrow from Utah so we’ll be spending some fun and quality time with baby Landon, oh and his mom and dad too!!!

I’ll be back tomorrow with another card!  Can you believe it—3 days in a row!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Simple Woman’s Daybook

I’m going to try to start being a better blogger.  As you have most definitely noticed, I haven’t been blogging except for design team projects for several weeks now.  Starting with the Simple Woman’s Daybook, I’m going to be posting each Monday.  Simple Woman’s Daybook is supposed to be posted on Tuesdays but I will post on Tuesday but since I post for Paper Maniac on Tuesdays, I’ll post on Monday.  So, for the first time in forever:

for today MARCH 28, 2011.

Outside my window...It’s a beautiful spring day!  It’ll probably rain later, things are clouding up a bit now.
I am thankful for...my family.  I went to my uncle’s 80th birthday party on Saturday and saw my cousins that I haven’t seen since I was a child.  Such a wonderful time.  This weekend, I will meet some long lost cousins.  Seriously, you may have remembered me talking about a cousin I met purely by accident.  Well this weekend, I will be meeting her sisters.  Yay!!!
From the kitchen...same as usual.  I don’t cook!
I am wearing...my pjs!  Even though it’s past 11:00, I’m a night owl, remember.
I am creating...a tutorial for tomorrow’s Paper Maniac post.
I am going...no where.  I love staying home!!!
I am reading...Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy.
I am hoping...and praying for those in Japan.
I am hearing...the Young and the Restless!
Around the house...so much to do that I don’t know where to start.
One of my favorite things...motivation.  After not feeling well for the last few weeks, I’m finally feeling better and well rested.  I’m so motivated to get things done around the house.
A few plans for the rest of the week:  I’m so excited to get started on all the projects around the house.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...Today I’m sharing a picture of my two sisters and the birthday boys children.  Most of them anyway—he had 13 children.

If you would like to participate, just go to the Simple Woman’s Daybook blog for more information!

Have a great week, okay?

Blessings,

Christine

Reflecting on 2010

Warning—this is a long post regarding the personal aspects of my life.  I really wrote it here for me and for posterity so please don’t feel that you HAVE to read this.  Also, as promised I will be having a giveaway for my blogoversary but just haven’t had time to get things together.  I placed an order yesterday and plan to post a picture and start the giveaway as soon as I receive that order in the mail!

I have had this post saved for the last few hours wondering if I really wanted to share it but I’m going to.  I started this blog to talk about my life and through this blog, I found my love of sharing my creative pursuits.  I don’t share personal stuff very often and, as I said above, if you don’t want to read it, you don’t have to!!! *giggle*

I don’t usually reflect back on or even forward at the New Year but I think 2010 has been an exceptional year for me as far as learning more about me, Christine, and the person I want to become.

Brave Girl Camp was a big part of that, but even before that, with events at the beginning of the year, I started looking more about who I want to be in my life.  However, I’m going to leave the events at the beginning of the year unsaid here in this post.  Those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile will know and if you would like, you can look at some of my posts starting at the end of January.

Of course, one of the highlights of my year was Brave Girl Camp.  It quite simply, changed my life.  Plus I was so blessed to go with my sister, Rose.  We each needed it in so many different ways.  I have tried so hard to keep the things that I learned at BGC in my life—continuing to learn from the things shared their and with making my Brave Girl Art.

I will continue to grow more in the Brave Girl aspect of my life with the coming year.  One of the ways that I will be accomplishing this is to take the Brave Girl Soul Restoration course starting 1-11-11.  I received my packet in the mail yesterday and can’t wait for the class to start.  As the year progresses, I will be taking (and finishing) other courses to grow my soul and my artistic pursuits.

A few months ago, one of my Brave Girl sisters posted on Facebook that she was going to “live with peace in her heart.”  I have used this as a kind of life motto since and it really does make a difference in how I live each day.  It was difficult some days like when the property managers drove a backhoe through my very rain and snow soaked lawn including over top of my sprinkler heads (we’ll see how that works out in the spring).  I kind of forgot to repeat my motto until the next day and when I put it into prospective, at least I wasn’t the one with a big hole in my yard!!!  (It’s still there so I think they have a lot bigger complaint than I.)

Anyway, my motto of “living with peace in my heart” has been the biggest change I have made in my life since BGC.  If I’m stuck in traffic and getting frustrated, I say to myself “I choose to live with peace in my heart,” and I feel so much better.  If my neighbor starts his very loud, low rumbling classic muscle car and allows it to run for several minutes just a few feet and a wall from my ears, “peace in my heart.”  When I’m trying to untangle a pile of wire hangers (one of the single most frustrating things on earth), “peace in my heart.”  You get the idea.  It works for almost any situation. 

If you live with peace in your heart, there just isn’t any room for the bad things.  Thanks so much Jeri Lynn for suggesting this.

On the health-front, it’s been a great year for my heart and transplant news.  I continue to pass all my medical test and doctor visits with flying colors!!!  Yay!

The last few months I have been suffering from a past illness that has reared it’s ugly head again.  It’s more annoying than anything but at times, I’m just plain sick and treat myself accordingly.  I haven’t really done much for this yet.  I went to the doc but everything they suggested is just icky and I didn’t want to do it so I was trying to control it with diet.  That just hasn’t been helping much so I started on the medication (has a lot of bad side affects) on Sunday and will take the other med and run the test that the doc wants.  Hopefully, I will start feeling better soon but if not, I’m sure the doc has some other things up his sleeve.

I have had a lot of issues with pain this year.  Sometimes the migraine headaches would last for days at a time.  I’m not complaining here, just reflecting.  The doctor tried a couple of new things on me this year, one being a procedure that didn’t work and the other, a new med that did work.  To make a long story short, my Medicare prescription insurance has run out for the year so I won’t be able to get the VERY expensive prescription filled until January 1.  That’s pretty soon now!

The last several weeks, the body aches have been almost constant.  I will be calling the doctor to see if I can get some relief without taking the narcotics.  However, starting yesterday, I have been just pushing through that pain and doing the things that need to be done.  If I don’t have to leave the house, I take the drugs but really hate relying on those.  Hopefully the doctor will have some alternatives for me.

The neuropathy continues but that will remain constant because of the immunosuppressant medications that I must take.  However, the only real issue I have with that is itching in my legs.  It gets much worse when I go to bed.  When it get’s unbearable, I have a way of treating it with very hot water which I had to do last night but now they feel fine.

I’m also feeling some weakness in my legs when I’ve been working around the house for awhile.  I’m hoping that is because I don’t perform that type of activity much and plan to restart my daily walks—hopefully the weather will cooperate.  The next few days are going to be rainy/snowy and then cold so I won’t be starting that up until I can get outside more.  Hopefully, January 1.

I continue to move things around my studio.  I just can’t come up with a system that is working for me but I keep trying.  I’ve got a couple of other ideas in the works and hope to have “a place for everything and everything in it’s place” soon!  Then comes the decorating aspect!!!  Since I spend 90% of my waking hours in here, I can’t wait!

As most of you know, I’m a blog writer for the Charity Wings/Scrapbook Royalty organization.  I have really enjoyed giving back in this manner and plan to find other ways to give of my time in the new year. 

I sent an email off to an organ donor organization in hopes to start something up here in my community but haven’t heard back.  I plan to go further up the organization’s ladder until I can find someone to listen to me to see if I can get that started.  It is a really important cause to me.

So how does that sound for New Year plans?  It’s not resolutions, those just don’t work.  Really, I’m just going to continue trying to live the best life I can each day and then begin each new day with a fresh start.  That’s one of the best things, everyday is a fresh start!

Blessings,

Christine

Another Post…

just for you!!!

Remember—Comments on every post during the month until September 23 will be counted towards the blog candy!!!

I’ve promised myself to post every single day until my birthday so I can give you as many chance as possible to enter into my giveaway.  Aren’t I nice?  So what’s on the agenda today, you ask?  The old time photo of my sister’s and I that we had taken at the fair!  These photos are so much fun and it was fun to take with the sisters.  Notice, I am the sheriff with my six shooters ready to go!!!  We had wished that we did this on the way into the fair instead of on the way out.  We were tired and sore but it was still a lot of fun!!!

I really want to get in on the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge plus the Linda’s Compendium of Curiosities challenge so I’m off to get to work.  Maybe I’ll have another post today!!!

Blessings,

Christine

So Sorry…

…that I’ve been missing the last couple of days.  I mentioned that I was going to the fair on Friday evening with my sister.  Well, Rose, from Utah decided to come to Boise for my mom’s birthday.  She joined us at the fair!!!  We had such a great time together with the sisters.  My niece and her husband joined us as well.  I ate lots of bad fair food and we had one of those old fashioned pictures taken.  I’ll share that with you later after I get it scanned.

Yesterday, we left early (for me anyway) at 10:00 in the morning and took a beautiful mountain drive. 

 

On the first leg of our trip, we were stopped by a flagman because there was a forest fire right by the highway.  It was quite the site to see small fires and burned logs that had fallen down onto the road.  Wow!  We stopped at Crouch, Idaho, to visit one of my favorite quilt shops.  Crouch is one of my favorite places.  It’s a tiny town with a Trading Post, tiny grocery store, restaurant, video store and laundromat.  About a half mile out of town is a campground at which I’ve spent many a night!!!  It is owned by a family friend and it’s in such a great location.  It’s central to many places for a day trip and the little town nearby is wonderful if you don’t want to cook or have forgotten something.  We ate lunch in Crouch.  The restaurant was setting up a buffet to serve the fire fighters for dinner.  They had roped off the parking lot so that they could set tables up for the fire fighters.  The mountain towns in Idaho really appreciate our fire fighters!

Anyway, on to the drive.  The area that we were worried about was clear of roadblocks and pilot cars.  We did see some fire traffic though.  An ambulance, a couple of fire trucks and many fire fighters were along side of the road.  There was even a fire camp setup in one of the valleys. Most of the fires have been controlled but are still burning.  Evacuations have been lifted thanks to the cool weather!

We drove through the Sawtooth National Recreation area stopping several times to take pictures.  I forgot to bring my camera but I’ll be downloading copies of my sisters’ photos later this week so I’ll have some to share.

When we got to Sun Valley, we were surprised to find that we should have planned a place for dinner.  Just driving through town, we didn’t find anyplace that sounded good to mom.  It was her birthday so we were trying very hard to please.  We ended up stopping in Hailey, Idaho for dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  We ended up not getting home until almost midnight!  What a great day!!!  Both mom and I hand a bit of a bad night because the food didn’t settle very well. 

Then this afternoon, we all went to mom’s house for birthday cake.  We got home so late so we postponed cake until Sunday!!!  My brother, Ken, came over and we had a great time sitting outside and gabbing.  I think we embarrassed Ken a little every now and then!!!  I’m sure it wasn’t the first time!!!

Anyway, that was my weekend.  This afternoon, I organized my craft room a little.  Now, I’m going to figure out what I want to create.  It’s been three whole days since I made something!!!  I hope to have something to share by tomorrow.

I hope you all had a great weekend as well!!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Beautiful Weekend

Did you miss me this weekend?  I spent the weekend in Southern Idaho for a family reunion.  We had soooo much fun!!!

On Friday night, we had dinner with my cousin, Connie and her daughters.  Connie is a “long lost” relative, literally.  Over a year ago, when I was driving to Utah for a doctors appointment, I stopped at a middle of no where gas station because I had missed the rest stop.  My mother’s family is from that particular middle of no where and I told the lady behind the counter that my family came from here.  She asked if I new some in Pat so and so (no names to protect the innocent) and I said, that’s my mom.  (I’ve mentioned before that my father passed away when I was 3 months old).  Connie, the lady third from the left, was that lady and is my first cousin.  Her mother is my biological father’s sister.  She moved to Idaho from Southern Utah several years ago and had wondered if she would ever run into a cousin after she moved there.  Amazing, huh.

I’m ashamed to admit, that when I hurry to and fro for my doctor appts, etc., I never stopped to see her again.  So, on this trip, not only did we meet her for dinner on Friday, but she spent Saturday with us and our other uncles and cousins.  We had so much fun and it was like we have known each other all along.  So much fun!!!

I haven’t seen my cousins that live in Missouri since I moved back to Idaho from Nebraska, over 15 years ago.  They have really grown up!!!  The women on each side of the man in the tan tank top, and the man in the red t-shirt are my cousins from Missouri.  The two ladies on the right are my aunts.  I’ve seen my aunts about every year because they come out to visit but I haven’t seen her children in a long time.  The other folks in the photo are in-laws and children.  What a great time we had with them today!!!  It was so great to catch up.  Hopefully we will be able to get together a little more often that every 15 (or so) years!!!

After that long weekend, I’m hot, tired and sun burned so I’m going to stop there.  Besides, I don’t want to bore you with the dozens of photos that I took this weekend.  Just saying, a good time was had by all!!!

Blessings,

Christine

A Week Late but Not a Dollar Short

Do you remember me telling you that I would post pictures of our trip to Ogden to see the horses on the 4th of July?  I wanted to make sure that I had everything done for Brave Girls camp before I started editing the photos.  All I have left to do now, is to figure out what I want to where and pack.  Yay!!

First off, I took the photos of this horse just for Stef, you know, Glitterbabe!  She has bling incorporated in her mane.  And look at those kicks!!!

I said that I was going to show you a photo of me on a flag horse.  They had several horses with flags but this rodeo one was my fave.  The horses were a little to big to crawl up on though.  When I lived in Nebraska, a rodeo in town (or even close by) was always a must see, so this was a favorite horse!  Although it didn’t have any Wrangler cowboy butts.

This, of course, was another fave!  Trisha is pointing to her favorite, Reese's Peanut Butter cups… and Alice’s fave Twizzlers.  Rose took a photo of me pointing at my fave Hershey chocolate bar but it’s still in her camera!

I couldn’t resist a photo of this ice cream… Spumoni Pony.

And how about this beautiful American Paint horse.  It took me a minute to realize what image the horses spots formed.  Do you see it?  See Alaska on his neck, Hawaii on his front leg and the US Virgin Islands on the back leg.  I think Trisha was trying to crawl underneath!

This was one of my very favorite.  Don’t you just love all those flowers!!!  Rose and Trisha are trying to hold him down for me.  Speaking of him, Rose pointed out that there were girl and boy horses.  I don’t know if I would have really noticed except… all of the horses that were raring up, were boys.  I took a side picture so you can use your imagination!  This was my favorite horse.  The photo doesn’t do it justice but it’s an impressionistic painting of a Utah mountain scene.  You can see the snowy mountain under his shoulder with the pine trees under that and on his bum.  It was beautiful and definitely the most artistic!

They have a few fun statues around Ogden as well.  This little guy, who had dropped the ice cream off his cone, was sitting outside an ice cream shop but it was closed so we didn’t get any ice cream!

  And I couldn’t resist taking a picture of my family on the bench next to these little kids.

There were so many beautiful horses  but these were my favorites!  I hope you enjoyed.

I have a McMahon Five Designs post scheduled for Wednesday but you won’t be hearing from me again until Sunday!  I know you won’t be having as good of a week that I will be having at Brave Girls camp, but I do hope that you have a good one!!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Back in Good Ole Idaho

I’m home!!!  I got home late Friday night and I’m so happy to be in my new/improved studio!  My sister, Alice, said it’s not a craft room.  That I make too many beautiful projects to call it crafts.  So now, I’m officially calling my room “my studio.”  I’m still unpacking everything so I’ll show some photos later this week.

But, I just couldn’t wait until I finished my studio to start creating.  I cleared my desktop off and I’m about to make something. 

What, you ask?  Well, here’s what’s going on this week!

Squigglefly—First of all, Monday is a new challenge so head on over and have a look-see.  Also, I have some lovely new images to play with and that is the first thing I’ll be working on tonight!  I can’t wait to put my creative hat back on.

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge – We also have a new challenge for you on Monday.  I wasn’t able to work on it since my Cricut was buried underneath a mound of paper, stamps, etc., that needed to find a new home some place in my new studio.  I’ll let you know more about the challenge tomorrow!!!

You may have noticed the button at the top of my right side bar.  We’re having a blog crawl next Monday and it is going to be so much fun with lot’s of prizes and challenges!  I can’t wait to see what everyone has put together for our crawl.

Flutterby Wednesday – Of course we have a new challenge this Wednesday. 

So, long story short, expect some creating this week!  I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things. 

Have a great week!  I’ll definitely be seeing you later.  I’ll be by to see what you’ve been up to as well.

I about forgot—I went to visit my nephew yesterday and he is doing great!  He may even be getting out of the hospital tomorrow.  He is in on the rehabilitation floor and they are teaching him how to not use his right leg.  Thanks so much for all the prayers.

Blessings,

Christine

One a Day in May at Squigglefly

We’ve got some great things going on at Squigglefly.  We’ll have a release for you this weekend including some images from a new artist.  I would love to show off some of the new images but since my sister kidnapped me and took me to Utah, I haven’t been able to do any creating which is soooooo hard!!!  I might have to steal some of her supplies Monday and make a really cute card with the images that Holly sent to me!  Be sure to check the Squigglefly store on Saturday!!!  I can’t wait to see the rest of the images!!!

Edit to add:  I just went to Squigglefly and the new images are already up and they are adorable!!!  You won’t want to miss this new artist!!!

If that isn’t enough for you … we have One a Day in May back again this year!  If you sign up before May first and pay just $30, you will receive an a brand spanking new image every day in May!!!  You can get more details on the Squigglefly blog. 

Now I have a special request.  My nephew, Doug, was in a very serious accident yesterday and is in very serious condition in the ICU in Boise.  He underwent 11 hours of surgery today (still in surgery) and will have to have more surgery as soon as he is stable enough, probably tomorrow.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  We are all very worried and concerned.

It’s been nice chatting with you.  I miss being here and at all of your blogs but things should be back to near normal in about a week!

Blessings,

Christine

The Whole Famn Damily

This doesn’t happen very often, but we got a wonderful surprise this weekend!   All of my brothers and sisters (plus mom) were in town at the same time!!!  Everyone lives here in the Boise area except the tallest and the shortest (the two corners) but it seems like they are seldom here at the same time.  We decided this deserved a little celebrating!!!

I hope you had just a nice of a weekend!

Blessings,

Christine

Settling In!

I spent most of the day on the computer catching up on some of my blog hopping.  I took a long hot bubble bath, put on a new nightgown and put clean sheets on the bed.  Now that’s a relaxing day leading up to a sleep filled night!

Tomorrow, I’ll begin organizing my creative space and unpack the things I need to get started creating again!  Home, home at last!!!

I want to give a special thanks to you all.  Your kind words and prayers were appreciate by me, my sister and my whole family.

Blessings,

Christine

P.S.  How ‘bout my new background and header?  I made it with Photo Shop using a free digi kit from Heritage Scraps.

Hi Honey, I’m Home!

After 40 days (and 40 nights), I’m home! The weather forcast wasn’t very promising for today, but I didn’t care. I was going to come home. As it turned out, the worst of the snow stopped this morning and I had some wet roads but no slick roads. Phew!!!

It’ll be a few days before I have some new stuff to share with you. Before I start unpacking, I’m going to rearrange the furniture in my creative space to add a few more storage pieces and hopefully make more room! I left with three Rubbermaid bins and came home with three. That’s a good law of averages. Used some, bought some!!!

I'll be around to visit your blogs in the next few days! I'm not even going to try to catch up on commenting but please know that I'll be checking it all out!!!

That’s it for tonight! I get to sleep in my own bed tonight!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Brother In Law Update

I want to update those of you that read my blog on my Brother-In-Law.  I’ve told  you that he’s been in the hospital and came home but was still very ill.

What I didn’t tell you was that his condition was terminal and that he passed away Tuesday at 12:45 am.  He was a wonderful man, father and husband that would do anything for anyone.  He invited me to stay here for 8 months while I was getting my heart transplant just to name one of the things that he has done for me.  I would never be able to count the number of times he fixed my cars when I was younger.  He will be missed by all that have known him.  I wish comfort and piece to my sister and niece.  They are both beautiful women and lost their treasured loved one too early.

All of our family will be traveling to Brigham City this weekend for the funeral on Saturday and then they (me included) will be going home Sunday.  I think that the Lord made things happen so that I would not go home until my sister had the help and comfort that she needed to deal with what He had in store. 

Thanks to everyone for the concern and well wishes during this time.  I have really appreciated that you are their for me!

Blessings,

Christine

Missing for Awhile

I haven’t had any time for creating or blog hopping in the last few days and probably won’t in the next few days.

My Dell, brother-in-law, should be coming home from the hospital tomorrow but he will need a hospital bed.  I will be clearing and rearranging the furniture in the living room to make room for the bed.  Thankfully, the heaviest thing in the room is the recliner so it shouldn’t be too bad but I’ll be very sore tonight.

If all goes well with bringing him home, I will go home on Sunday.  I’m really looking forward to being home but if my sister still needs me here, I’m happy to be here.

Dell is still very sick so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

I am going to reorganize my craft room as I put the things away that I brought here so creating will be at a minimum until I get settled in.

Just wanted to explain what is going on!

Blessings,

Christine

Where in the Word is Christine

  I’m still in Utah and don’t know when I will be going home.  I’m here to help my sister out while she is spending so much time at the hospital with her husband.

When she got to the hospital this morning, her husband (Dell), grouched her because she took him to the hospital!  The old Dell is back!!!  She did remind him that he asked her to take him and that he would have died had she not taken him!!!

Anyway, I ran out of some craft supplies and need a few things I didn’t bring so I’m off to Hobby Lobby and to have dinner with my sister and niece. 

The town that I’m in is a very small town.  As far as shopping goes, they have Shopko, Wal-Mart and two other grocery stores.  They do have a small scrapbook store and a quilt shop.  So to do other shopping I have to go to Logan, a 45 minute drive.

I’m kind of a junk food junkie but not so much here.  I got tired of the places here when I stayed here for 8 months during my transplant so maybe I’ll lose some weight!  I’ll have to stop buying candy and ice cream though!!!

Anyway, enough ramblings!  Thanks for listening.

 

Blessings,

Christine

My Awesome Niece!!!

I have talked about my niece, Katrina, several times on her blog. Mostly in association with her beautiful children. Those of us in the family have always known that she is a wonderful Mom but now all of America knows! She one the National Head Start Association's PARENT OF THE YEAR!!! Plus, she did all that while not only taking her family but also taking college courses!

It started small, locally. Then the next thing we new, statewide, followed by regional and now NATIONAL.

I am so proud of her!!!

Blessings,

Christine

This is a picture of her at her 30th (in August) shortly after she had her fifth baby. Doesn’t she look great! She got an Edible Bouquet!!!