Friday, April 25, 2008

It's time for a blog hop again!







There was a random drawing this month for the blog hop, and of course my name wasn't drawn, but that didn't stop me from making this card for the challenge:







For about an hour, I was in crisis mode. I could NOT find my new PTI stamps and I was freaking out. I thought I accidentally threw them all away in the shipping box. I tore my house up looking for them. Then, while rummaging around in a drawer for something else, I finally found them there! Whew! So I hurried up and finished this card. It's not the best, but I did it. Our challenge this month was to use the patterned paper squares on our creation.




I used the new Pond Life set as well as the new April papers, ribbon and cardstock.

Thanks for looking!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Time for new CHA goodies!!



Now that Tax Time is over,
it's time for some
SCRAPBOOKING THEREPY!
Feel free to get it at
http://www.justletmescrapbook.com/!

Use the coupon code
RELAX25
to save 25%
This coupon is good through Sunday, April 27.


xoxo,
Mary Beth

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Happy Birthday, Patty and Michael

On Sunday, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (twins) celebrated their birthdays. So I made them each birthday cards that really speak who they are and I think they both loved them. Michael is a real outdoorsman, so I used my watercolor pencils and Angler SU! stamp set to make his card. Patty is a beautician, so I used a Bella stamp and Copics for her card. On the inside of Michael's I hand wrote, "I hope you catch your limit of fun on your birthday". On the inside of Patty's I stamped a Bella sentiment that says "Hope your birthday is just your style" or something like that.

We had breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Connor was telling Patty's step mom, Georgia about his new puppy, Odie. He told her he loves to walk him around the house like a wheelbarrow (holding his back legs) so he can see Odie's butt. I thought I was gonna die! LOL!! Boys. Sheesh.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Easter recap








With all the goings on around here, I didn't get to share my Easter with you. Debbie blamed me for the snow because of the comment I made here.


And sure enough, it snowed on Easter. Here is a photo of my niece, Danielle, hunting eggs Easter afternoon. You can click on the photo to get a better look. Those white spots are snowflakes.








Sunday, April 13, 2008

Meet Odie

To occupy my mind, I decided it was time for Connor to have a companion, so my search began for a Jack Russell terrier. Jack's are a good breed of dog for a little boy. They have lots of energy, are really smart and just plain cute. I searched all over the pounds and shelters in St. Louis but none of the dogs we met were a good fit for our family. Finally, after searching everywhere, I stopped by the local vet office and thumbed through a binder of puppies for sale, and that's where I found our beloved Odie. Connor loves the movie, "Garfield", so he wanted to name his pup after Garfield's dog, Odie. But lately Eric has been calling him "Scruffy" so that name is starting to stick and now we're all calling him Scruffy. I wanted a wire haired (or broken coat) version of this breed because I think they shed less, so imagine my surprise when we met Odie for the first time and he happened to have that wirey coat. He's been a joy to our family even though the potty training is a lot of work! So you'll be seeing some layouts in the future featuring our cutie pies!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Life changes


I've been struggling for the past three weeks with a life changing decision that I had to make for me and my son, Ryan. He had been getting into trouble at school until the time came that it was best for him to leave me and start a new life with his dad in Texas. So last Wednesday, we packed up all his belongings into his little 2 door Chevy Cavalier and he left with his Aunt Robin for the 12 hour drive to Texas. It was hard letting go of my little man. After all, it was just us two on and off since his dad left us when Ryan was 5 years old. No matter what, through thick and thin, the two of us faced life's ups and downs together. But as most teenage boys struggle to find their identity and gain independence, they also become rebellious. It was that rebellion that led us to the decision to send him to his dad's. His dad is happy to have the chance to spend what little is left of Ryan's childhood with him and to try to make a positive impact on Ryan's life. Ryan is also looking forward to spending time with his dad, which, in years past, has been spotty at best. The whole time Ryan's been growing up, his dad and I have never lived in the same state except when I came to Missouri 5 years ago, hopeful that his dad and I could be in one place to parent Ryan. But, Ryan's dad landed in jail for a year and a half of that time and as soon as he got out, moved to Texas. So, again, we were in separate states. Ryan's dad has since gotten his life together and can now offer Ryan stability and structure/discipline that Ryan will accept. Ryan had a hard time accepting discipline from Eric for the obvious reason that Eric is not his father. I had a hard time administering discipline for the guilt I harbored of the situation that Ryan had to grow up as the product of our divorce. So finally, after many bitter tears, Ryan is gone.


Tuesday, April 08, 2008

My computer at home has been down

which is why I haven't blogged much lately. I'm at work right now using the computer so I thought I'd let everyone know I'm still alive.

In honor of my birthday, which was yesterday, here are a couple fun sites for you to visit:

http://www.birthverse.com/mybirthverse.cfm

http://www.paulsadowski.com/birthday.asp

I will update you on my life soon complete with pictures I promise!

I need to catch up on my blogging, so I will visit you soon!

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

My work