The struggle we all face...

This video shows the struggle we all face...whether we believe it or not. Take a gander. Thanks to Courtney for sending me the link!

Lifehouse - 'Everything'

Ever Wonder?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see your 19 year old sons name on a ballet for city council? Let me show you! That is right our oldest son, Scott, is running for city council. We think (and others...I'll have you know) that it would be great to have a council member his age serve. We also know that he would do a great job! We just have to wait and see what others think! :0)

You can check out his web page HERE!

Ahhhh...

Time away is so nice! When we go off to spend time together Todd and I like to go to Leavenworth. It is a little town about 1 hour and 20 minutes north of us. This town has found its tourism nitch by making itself into a Bavarian town. Everything in the town must have a Bavarian looking building and many of the shops are geared in that directions as well. We always stay at a Bed and Breakfast and have two favorites. Luckily one of our favorites had a room for 2 nights that I could book on the same day I called. That is pretty unheard of during the summer in Leavenworth. Anyway, we stayed at the All Seasons River Inn in The Cascade. When you click on the room hyperlink make sure you take the virtual tour and see the view we got from the jacuzzi tub! We had a great time shopping, hanging out on our private deck, and eating some really yummy food! We had Bavarian food one night and Italian the next...yummy!

I just have to show you this card I made before I left for Wisconsin. This is made with the Hostess set In The Spotlight, and the background stamp Polka Dot. Card stock is Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, and Whisper White. Ink is Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Groovy Guava, and Purely Pomegranate. Accessories are Stitched Ribbon in Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava, and Purely Pomegranate. I also used my old SU! corner rounder to make the scallops and white gel pen for make the dots on the scallops. The little 'friend' in the right corner is from the same set, I just punched it out with my 1/2" round punch and attached it will mono adhesive. I love this card! I just think it shows so much warmth and love.

I hope you all have a SUPER SATURDAY!!!

Dontcha Wish?

Between Grandma Louise (who drips with sweetness) and your oh-so-suave brother, Vic, you know that in life you can't choose your own family. But at Stampin' Up!, we've found a way to bend the rules so you can!

Purchase the Starter Kit between August 10 and September 14, and you'll get to pick the family of your choice-color family, that is-of Classic Stampin' Pads® FREE. That's a $57.95 value! And we've designed our exclusive coordinating color families (including our In Color collection) so that every color fits in. After all, it's all in the family!

Whether you live close to me or in another state I will help you become the SU! demonstrator that YOU want to be. Please e-mail me if you'd like any information at all! :0)

Coordinating Stamp Sets

Here is a great list for everyone! These punches and stamp sets work perfectly together! Have fun!

Stamps Sets for Punches

Scallop Circle Punch: In the Spotlight, Glorious Garlands, Punch Pals, Double-Line Doodles, Wanted, Priceless, Big Flowers, Big Deal Alphabet, Looks Like Spring, Fabulous Flowers, Ginormous Flowers, Sweet Shapes, Illuminations, It’s Your Birthday, Warm Words, Pictograms, Short and Sweet, Sincere Salutations, All Holidays, Jumbo Alphabet, All About Occasions, Brocade Basics, Baroque Motifs, Sparkling Sayings, So Much, Fun & Fast Notes, On Board Blossoms and Basics

Tag Punches: Perfect Presentation, All About Occasions, Flakey Friends, Punch Pals, Be Happy, Tagger’s Dozen, Bundled in Love, Business Boosters

Designer Label Punch: Party Punch, Labelicious

Round Tab Punch: Party Punch, Office Accoutrement, Totally Tabs

1” Circle Punch: Sending Happy Thoughts kit, Perfect Presentation, Glorious Garlands, The Snowflake Spot, Perennial Favorites, Holiday Blitz, Double-Line Doodles, Polka Dots & Petals, Create a Coupon, Genuine Articles, Business Boosters, Calendar Cues, On Board Blossoms and Basics

1 ¼” and/or 1 3/8” Circle Punch: Simple Delights Simply Sent kit, Perfect Presentation, Batty For You, Holiday Tag Team, Sparkling Sayings, Be Happy, Figures of Speech, Double-Line Doodles, Polka Dots & Petals, Big Flowers, Stamp of Authenticity, Carte Postale, Think Happy Thoughts, Big Pieces, Seeing Spots, So Happy, Dots Are Hot, Brocade Basics, Labelicious, Genuine Articles, Circle of Friendship, It’s All Good, Sporting

½” and/or ¾” Circle Punch: In the Spotlight, Holiday Tag Team, Glorious Garlands, Cold Play, Snow Flurries, Merry Merry, Punch Pals, Forever in My Heart, Holiday Blitz, Double-Line Doodles, Sweet Thing, Wanted, Star Struck, Little Flowers, Little Pieces, Please Come, Dot Spot background, Alphabits, Art by Design

1 ¼” and/or 1 3/8” Square Punch: Simple Delights Simply Sent kit, Perfect Presentation, Forever in My Heart, Sealed With a Kiss, Be Happy, Figures of Speech, Tagger’s Dozen, Sweet Thing, Office Accoutrement, Stamp of Authenticity, Carte Postale, Glad Tidings, It’s All Good, Art by Design, Sporting, Business Boosters, It’s a Date

¾” Square Punch: Punch Pals, Calendar Cues

Large Oval Punch: I did it, many of the word sets

Star Punch: Wanted, Starstruck, Sporting, Wild West Alphabet, On Board Blossoms and Basics

5-Petal Flower Punch: In the Spotlight, Be Happy, Priceless, Simply Said, Looks Like Spring, Heartfelt Thanks, Ginormous Flowers, Office Accoutrement, Big Pieces, Cutie Pie Double Sided Paper, On Board Blossoms and Basics

Snow Blossom Punch: In the Spotlight, Simple Snowman, Wondrous Gift, Snowflake Spot, Merry Merry, Snow Flurries, Punch Pals, Snowfall, Be Happy

Spring Flower Bouquet Punch: Looks Like Spring

Three for You Punch: Three Thoughts Simply Sent kit, Punch Pals, Take Three, Three for You punch box

Word Window Punch: So Many Sayings, Block Party, Boatloads of Love, Fun & Fast Notes, Take Three, Everything Baby, Short & Sweet, Happy Everything, Wonderful Favorites, Warm Words, All Holidays, Everyday Flexible Phrases, Amazing to Zany, Fundamental Phrases

Last Minute Plans

Hi All! Just want you to know I'll be away for a couple of days. Todd and I decided to take a short trip together while Kyler is with grandma. I'll be back sometime on Friday. See you then!

A Couple Of Pictures

Well, I've talked so much about my grandpa that I thought I'd show you a picture of him. Did I say how great it was to see him? Yeah...I know, I did. I just can't help saying it again though! I look like a total dork in this picture but I'm happy to have it anyway! I also got a four generation picture with my son, dad, grandpa and me. Did I tell you that my grandpa is my mom's dad? Do you think we look alike at all? This is the first time I've really noticed that we do have some features in common! How neat!

I know you don't come here for pictures of me so how about a picture of a card that I made before I left for my trip. This is a pocket card. They are so super easy to make! Here is what you do. Cut your card stock so it is 4 1/4 x 11, score at 5 1/2 and then 1 1/4 inch from one end. The insert is about 4 1/2 x 3 1/2. So easy and they are so cute! Here I used Close to Cocoa, Pink Passion, Very Vanilla, and Linen Prints paper. I used the stamp set is Garden Whimsy and I used part of one of the stamps from Stem Sayings for the happy birthday. Oh, and also the new Posy background stamp! Ink is Pink Passion, Close to Cocoa, and Basic Black. Accessories: Gel Pen and the Spring Flower Bouquet Punch. Where is the punch used you may ask? Well, behind the little ladybug image. I didn't have a scalloped circle that was the right size so I punched out a ton of the little flowers and layered them on the back. I really like how it turned out!

Hope you enjoy this pocket card and that you try one of your own! :0)

Punch A Bunch

Yay! Stampin' Up! has a fun special for the month of August. It is called Punch A Bunch. When you purchase the incredibly versatile Three For You Punch Box in the month of August you will received 30 textured Love Notes ($12.95 value) for FREE!!! The love notes are in the colors of Purely Pomegranate, So Saffron, and Wild Wasabi.

Just give me a call or e-mail me to order or for more information!

A Comment

I just want to make sure that you understand that I'm not saying that mother/daughter relationships are easy. They certainly are not. I'm not even putting a blanket statement on anything. There are times when, I'm sure, it is appropriate to put distance between yourself and your mother. However, in my opinion, if it is just a matter of not seeing eye to eye well...figure it out. We don't see eye to eye with our spouses, our kids, our bosses, and even sometimes our friends, yet we still figure out a way to make our relationships work (okay, not always). Why should it be any different with our parents?

I do think being told that it is easy for me to say is a bit off the mark though. I had a difficult relationship with my mother. It is from the experiences that I've had that I say 'try and find a way to make it work'.

That is it...nothing more. Take what you want from this little statement and throw the rest in the trash.

Have a great night all!

So Sorry!

I'm so sorry you guys! I really did mean to post every day while I'm gone. I don't know how but somehow the day always gets away from me and then when I do sit down to post...I don't have my thumb drive with me. Why don't I go get it? Usually because Kyler is asleep in the room where it is and I am NOT going to wake him up. I really hope to be able to post a picture for you tomorrow!

I had an absolutely fantastic time with my grandpa the last couple of days! I love and miss him so much. As a kid we would go to visit my grandparents (my grandma died 11 years ago) at least once a month. I would spend a week or two with them in the summer. He is 81 now and still amazes me with what he is able to accomplish. For one...he drives the 4 1/2 hours to see me! Because my mom died almost 10 years ago I thought I'd ask him if he would share something with me about my mom. Anything he wanted....a memory of her childhood...anything. Well, with tears in his eyes and a little choked up, he said to me that she was loving, kind, and generous and just so classy. He totally hit it on the head...my mom was just one incredibly classy woman and I so hope I represent her well. He went on to share a couple of childhood memories about her...it was just a fantstic time! It was also incredibly neat that Kyler was with to hear her talked about in such a loving way.

Ladies...I know that relationships with our mom's can be so hard but I just need to say that you need to find a way to make your relationship with your mom work. I love my mom so much but while she was here we often would butt heads (my dad says it was because we are so much alike!) and I so wish I would have just chilled out and appreciated having her around. Now I feel like I've been cheated out of the relationship with her that I should have and could have had. So, please, take a moment and appreciate your mom in the way that she deserves!

Off my soap box and onto bed I go. I'll *see* you all tomorrow!