How long?

The other night I was just thinking about being almost 40 (later this year) and how it is different than I thought it would be 20 or even 10 years ago. It is different in a good way. I am pretty happy with my life and where it is. I like being more comfortable in my own skin and having that get better year by year. I then started thinking about what the rest of my future holds and suddenly realized that it is 27 years until I retire. TWENTY SEVEN YEARS!!! 2-7 YEARS! That is almost 3/4 of how long I have lived so far. 27 years! SERIOUSLY!?!?! I don't think I can make it. I have now been rather fixated on that number for the last 3 days since I realized it and can not get it out of my head. 27 years.

In Honor of Zandra Walker

This OPH comfort afghan is being sent to the Mother of Army Spc. Zandra T. Walker. It was my honor to assemble the squares sent by so many people for Heartmade Blessings. Each one of them filled with so much love and care.

In Honor of Marisol Heredia

This is being mailed to the Mother and Stepfather of Army Spc. Marisol Heredia (19)
May her Mother find peace in such a tragic situation. She was a beautiful young woman.

Mailing some love and comfort

This is for a young lady that had a terrible situation occur. In addition to other things, it caused her to lose her vision. The wonderful people of HMB came through on this and sent squares that contain so much texture and raised patterns. The picture does not begin to do justice to the beauty of this afghan. It is just radiating love. I hope it is a blessing to this precious girl.

In Honor of Michael Tayaotao

The first anniversary Marine Sgt. Michael E. Tayaotao's death is quickly approaching. The comfortghan here is being sent to his Father. I hope it helps him through this difficult time.

In Honor of Tamara Archuleta

I was able to get this comfort afghan assembled to be sent to the mother of Air Force 1st Lt. Tamara Archuleta. May it assist in bringing comfort and peace.

In Honor of Douglas Dicenzo

This comfortghan is being sent to the parents of U.S. Army Captain Douglas A. Dicenzo. I am honored to have assembled and be able to send this one.

Mailing some love and comfort

I was able to mail out this comfort afghan to the Mother of a friend. Currently her Mom is dealing with some pretty scary and not so fun medical stuff. I do hope she finds some comfort knowing others are thinking of her!

In Honor of Casey Casanova

I was watching NewsHour on PBS and at the end of each program they honor those that have given their lives in service and post the names. For some reason, Marine Lance Cpl. Casey L. Casanova's name caught my attention more than usual and I KNEW I had to find a way to get a comfortghan to her Mother. It became a personal mission to get the information needed to do so. I am very blessed to have great friends at HMB who were able to assist me in the process and never question why THIS one was so important. I am very honored to be mailing the comfort afghan pictured here to Casey's mother c/o her grandparents. Thank you to square donors and HMB for making this possible.

I have been tagged

I have been "tagged" by Debbie Hodge. First, I have to tell you a bit about Debbie. She is the author of the book I won called Get It Scrapped. I highly, highly recommend this book! It is NOT an organizational book. It is much different and helps you get all your pictures on pages and in albums. However, they are done with meaning! GREAT book! Debbie also has on-line classes you can take. More information and sample classes can be accessed via her web site.

Ten years ago.... I was pregnant with DS #2 and still not feeling so great. It was also only a couple of months after my Dad died AND I had started a new job. In fact, I think it was about this time that I told my new employer about being pregnant. I was also dealing with all the financial stuff in regards to my Dad's death. Wow, really glad all THAT stress is in the past!


Five things on my "to-do" list (only five?!?!?)
1-go to work
2-go to the bank
3-A-Stym appt for my knee
4-gym for physical therapy on my knee
5-per request from DS #2 - teach him to scrap

I enjoy....spending time with friends and family. I also really like that time in the morning when I am up before everyone else in the house wakes.

I have lived...for the last 13 years with the most wonderful man and husband a woman could want.

Now, I will tag
Sarah
Caralee
Gwennie
Sara
Courtney

Now I should probably let them know :)

200 cards

Have you ever wondered what 200 cards looks like? I KNEW you had :)
I decided to join in making some cards to send to soldiers to use. When I asked about inexpensive envelopes, my friend Kim volunteered to donate them. She brought over a couple of boxes and so I took it as a personal challenge to need them all. So, here are the 200 cards I made.

In Honor of Steven J. Christofferson

This comfort afghan is being sent with much love and respect to the mother of Army Sgt. Steven J. Christofferson.

Maybe I need to buy a lottery ticket or two

I have to share all the FANTASTIC stuff that has happened recently. Since May 31 this is the list:
paid off the mortgage -YES!!!
my DH gave me roses
won a Bind-It-All
won a copy of Get It Scrapped
won another contest that has a scrap kit as the prize
the books I wanted from the library came in and were held for me
it worked out to go to the Opened Caption showing of Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull
my youngest won an outstanding citizen of the year award at school
school is out for summer
and I know there is more that I haven't listed. I am in such a great place with all of this wonderful stuff happening that I just HAD to share!

In the mail

This comfort afghan is being sent to a very dear lady and friend who is going through a couple of different surgeries right now. She is very loved and we wish her a speedy and easy recovery.

Because I need more to do

HA! HA!!!
Seriously, I have fallen in love with these bags! They are just beautiful and I want one!! I have a friend who is much better at sewing than I and she has agreed to help me undertake the task of attempting to make one. I have scrap denim in smaller pieces left from the quilts I make and I bought muslin for the backing the other day. At least, I think that is what I will need to sew the design on. If not, then I have some extra muslin!
I keep thinking about them and can not wait to make one of my own. I just hope I am not too disappointed with the outcome.

In Honor of Michael T. Lilly

This is for the mother of Sgt. Michael T. Lilly. Thank you again to all who send squares to be assembled and make it possible for HMB OPH to send these comfort afghans.

It is that time of year

School is almost out for the summer. I have been working on end of year thank you gifts for my youngest's teacher, SLP and interpreter. I decided to make these card sets for them and there was also a pattern for a matching tote. Each one is different, but here is one of the sets. I am pretty happy with the end result and hope they like them. Now, to determine what to do for the bus drivers. They are who I entrust his safety to every morning and afternoon. They desire a big thank you as well for doing such a great job.

Recently mailed

My DH had a co-worker pass away recently. This comfort afghan was sent to his wife. I hope it brings peace during this difficult time for her.

Spring Fever

I've got it! I want to be outside enjoying the nice weather. It makes me crazy not to be and the days seem so long! At least the boys will be out of school for the summer in a few weeks so we can start to do some fun things!!!
I have been busy with multiple projects lately, but one of the things I have done is make some cards. I have been playing with different techniques and supplies. LOTS of fun! The dresses on these women are all paper pieced. It really created a lot more visual interest, but they were very detailed to cut out.

It is Monday

And do I know it! Actually, it wasn't super bad, I am just frustrated. I continue to end up in situations at work where my plans get messed up because someone else isn't doing what is needed for me to be able to finish my work. My day off tomorrow? Not happening. Why? There is a presentation out of town on Friday that needs to be ready to go. It is not ready to send to print because some decisions -that I don't make- still have to be make. I can not finish my work on it until they are. Consequently, I have to go in tomorrow and HOPE the decisions get made so I can finish and send it to print.
The worst part, we have two meetings next week (Thurs and Fri) that are going to end up in the exact same situation because I know there will be complete refusal to work on them (or even look at them) until Monday. I do not operate on last minute at work well. I hate it in fact.

Now, I will admit that my job has a pretty nice schedule and they are very accommodating. However, I signed up with the understanding that I work 4 days a week. If you want me to attend the meetings at the end, then the work preparing for them has to be done so I can have a day off in the beginning of the week. Just they way the calendar works. I know that the presentation work isn't not getting done with any intention of me not getting a day off, it is just how it is happening. However, there also isn't any thought given to me getting the day of either. So not intentionally malicious, but not courteous either.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Feel a bit better for venting, but not as much as if it all wasn't happening OR if I thought it would stop happening.