Odds and Ends

I didn't get to play with my punches, etc. last night. J was having a moment. But I did this one with some Cosmo Cricket Jack's World Patterned paper and Rub-ons, plus a Maya Road Heart and an American Craft thicker letter:



I didn't score the Ott lite either, apparently this was a really popular idea at Tuesday Morning and they sold out, in fact, on Tuesday Morning. I didn't get the flyer until Wednesday Morning, but sadly there were no points for trying.

I can't believe it's Thursday already, can't believe it's almost August already. Can't believe the Summer is nearly over already. While I take a minute here in disbelief, I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday. :)

Gojumpinalake

Honestly, that's the name of this patterned paper by Cosmo Cricket. I laugh every time I think about that name. Makes you wonder how they come up with the names. I wish they would do a behind the scenes where they explain them. More Cosmo rub-ons on here (I can't get enough) with some Making Memories Passport letters:



Well, I haven't cut my fingers (or my arm) off yet with the Tonic paper trimmer. And I'm klutzy like that, so no promises. When you run your hand over the blade, it's not really that sharp to touch but I'd hate to be on the receiving end of that thing with some speed on it. That's for the professional test dummies, do not try at home. I'm still learning how to line up the paper, it does cut straight if you omit user error. Unfortunately, user error appears to be a key part of my technique. I'm not in love yet, but there is potential.

Thinking about running up to Tuesday Morning today. They have Ott lamps on sale for $15, regularly $50. I sure could use that since my only light in this room after dark is a desk lamp. I went to Walmart Monday and got 2 Martha Stewart punches-a butterfly and a heart. I'm so excited about the heart, love that. Plus I finally found the cutting mat that goes with my Martha roller, and it works awesome. I'll post something tomorrow with it, love that thing. I was so disappointed after I spent $25 at Micheal's to get the cutter, get it home and it doesn't work without the mat. Went back to Micheal's and they didn't have the mat. Grrrr. I also walked around the card section in Walmart for a while, that always inspires me. So, feeling better.

J is still eating lots of rice, and is now using my corner rounder as his newest car. I don't know about you, but I always say Vrroom went I use that thing. :)
Happy Tuesday.

ETA: Jill at Memorable Seasons is getting all 3 of the new Cosmo Cricket packs in stock within a week, but she does have individual sheets to purchase now.

Stuck in a . . .

hole, plane, foreign country, bathroom?


Rut. I'm in a rut. I feel blah. Nothing to say. I blame this squarely on one person and one person alone. Case in point:

Dh: So what did J eat for lunch?
Me: Rice
Dh: And dinner?
Me: Chipotle (Rice and beans)
Me: And for desert he had a Rice crispy treat we got at the pool vending machine.

I couldn't make this stuff up. This food jag is maddening, and boring!
And ideas on how to get out of said rut would be most appreciated. :)
Note: Layout is one of my fav pieces of Cosmo Cricket's Jack's World-patterned paper and rub-on. Love the Cosmo rub-ons.
Have a great Monday!

Pssssst
Memorable Seasons has Cosmo Jack's World, Haunted, and Mr. Campy in stock now, at 15% off. (But you didn't hear it from me) Move along, nothing to see here.

Golden Opportunity

My mom told me that a friend of ours is pregnant with her second child. Her first one was a girl, and her ultrasound this week shows she is having a boy. Additionally, that little boy will be born around the same time J was. They are moving to NYC, and are worried about the cost of everything. My mom told me she would accept any boy clothes I want to part with. A golden opportunity if ever there was one.

Except, I've been dragging my feet now for a couple of days. I didn't want to go through the baby stuff. I mean, J's only a year and a half. I figured I had time right? But, this morning I finally dragged out the boxes. And I figured I would give half to Kristy and keep the rest. Well, I didn't plan on 1/3 of everything having stains on it! Do you think those breastfeeding stains intensify with time because I don't remember so much stuff being stained? So, only 1/3 is going to Kristy, basically the new stuff that I have no sentimental attachment to. I know this is silly, but I'm not ready to let it go. What are the odds I keep telling myself, of me having another baby, the same sex, born at that same time? I'm just not ready. I did grab one of my favorite outfits of J's with these shoes and put this together. It's a frame box from PB, as is the clothing:


Of course, this only seems to make it harder to let go of stuff. Ridiculous uh?

Such Randomness

In the last 48 hours, I have spent about a day with no AC. We were told by the repairman that the capacitor got fried by lightening. Does this happen a lot, ever happen to you? Just seemed like a hard story to swallow. I read in the newspaper that some people are voluntarily going without AC to save money. I can say after involuntarily participating in this science experiment, I don't think I will be doing that. It's hard as the mother of a young child, I hardly ever sit down for very long and that makes it way hotter without the AC.

Yesterday I sliced up my legs shaving, I mean huge chunks of skin were missing. I was bleeding from every joint-knees, ankles. I guess I got a bad razor or something. It's the kind of thing that when I go into my office and look at my surgery certification hanging on the wall I think, seriously?

Here is some color with SC July Kit and add-ons:





Lastly, I was grateful for the responses to the Iraq layout. Some of the responses surprised me, the reactions were very strong, visceral almost. And I'm reminded of what Dave Matthews says about sharing your art/music, he says: "Once you share your art/song, it's not really yours anymore. It can be used and interpreted however the audience wants do to. That is their freedom, just as you had freedom in creating it." So true. I love Dave Matthews, even if he did go to UVA.

Moody Tuesday

We barely made it in from the food store before it started raining. It's dark and storming here. I guess it is as good a time as any to discuss this:



Another layout made with the studio calico July kit-My Mind's Eye, Making Memories, etc with Daisy D stitches tape runner and American Crafts punctuation.

The background is this: (names/places vague to protect the soldiers and their families, and the mission)

On 10/11/2005 my dh was the captain of a small unit that was conducting a mission late at night in Iraq. Their vehicle exploded when an IED detonated. My dh's driver M was killed instantly, their gunner K was critically wounded, and my dh was trapped in the burning vehicle. By some miracle, the wreckage shifted and he was able to crawl out. He suffered serious and severe burns and he had a bad injury to his right knee.

I would receive that news stateside on 10/12/05 due to the time difference. I had been so anxious all weekend, it was like I knew something horrible was going to happen and I was unable to stop it. I never got the chance to tell my dh that, he didn't call before the mission. I would see him a week later in the burn unit at San Antonio TX. His recovery was long, and painful. But today he just has the scars.

We both deal with survivor's guilt, which is weird because it hits us when things are going well. K is permanently disabled, but he lived. We attended several funerals and memorial services for M. His wife is just the sweetest, and I hurt and pray for her every day. I know that if that IED had been a little more to the center of the vehicle or if the wreckage hadn't shifted, that I would have joined her as a widow. If it had been more to my dh's side of the vehicle, well, maybe she would have had the family she always wanted with her dh and she would be praying for me daily. That is what the layout is about.

Anyway, sorry to take you to my dark and twisty place. Let's never go there again shall we? On a lighter note, I have found the color in the SC kit, can't wait to share some colorful layouts with you next time. If I haven't scared you off.

Blessed and Lucky

I am. Completely, in every way.
I'm married to a wonderful man, my friend, my husband, my love.
My dh and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary last week. We went to Fishbone grill and had an amazing meal. (Sometimes I wonder if I should change the title of the blog to For the love of Food, but I digress.) So, he turns to me during dinner and says:

T: What is the 9th year anniversary gift, the traditional one?
To which I say: (giggle, giggle) Paper?
T: Seriously? You are kidding right?
D: (giggle, giggle)
T: In your world it's always paper isn't it?
D: (LOL)
T: (shakes head and laughs) Ok then.

He makes me laugh and incessently giggle. I showed him this layout, to which he replied: "Postcards from the Edge?" And I giggled some more. After the sleep issues last week, it could be. :)



And here is another for the 5 product challenge at Studio Calico. Both layouts from the July Via Airmail kit with Venice add-on:


I worked with my studio calico kit all weekend. It was easier and harder than I thought. The colors are so muted, subtle. Something. But, that's why I like Studio Calico, it forces me out of my otherwise cozy box. But, um, I miss my box. :( And I'm working on getting some pics of dh and I to scrap. It's hard because one of us usually takes the picture, so I have to set up the tripod and keep the dog and wild child out of the shot. It's kind of a zoo. But our last together photo is from 2005, right before his injury. That's too long. I scrapped a page about Iraq finally, will share next time. I don't think PTSD mixes well with anniversary and giggles. Have a great Monday!