HAPPY BIRTHDAY............................

HappyBirthday Mary Z.!!! Here's to many many more!

Happy Birthday......................

KIM MARKEY!!!! Here's to another 100 Birthdays!

(...........no picture of Kim. cause she hides when the camera comes out!)

Down and Out

Hello Friends,

I haven't forgotten you...I have been down and out with a wicked wicked flu! All I can say is I hope no one else comes down with this........YUCKY!! I am on my 3rd day home sick from work.......I promise as soon as I am better, I will be posting.........

The new catalogs have arrived.....but sadly enough they were delivered to my parents home.....I don't even have them to keep me occupied! Unless my husband takes a drive over to get them for me!!!

Have a great and healthful day!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work we go....

.......oh just one more day, PLEASE!! Isn't that how it always is?

Happy New Year to you and yours! Sorry it's a few days late.....was feeling a bit under the weather....no not too much to drink, just some kind of yucky flu bug! UGH!!

I am back in the mode of stamping. I know that tomorrow when I get back home from work, I will need sometime of creative outlet. Just you wait and see!

Tomorrow I promise to have the Christmas Cards I received posted. I promise!

Here's to a new year, that brings you much love, health and prosperity!
Happy New Year!!!!!

What a Wonderful Life

Happy New Year!

Isn't it funny how reflective we become when the new year roles around??? I am truly grateful for all that I have. I have a loving husband (of 11 years in February), loving family ~ my parents, my sisters, their husbands and children. I have a job that I love 98% of the time and friends who round out my life.

I never gave it a thought when I became a Stampin' Up! demo how enriched my life would become with new "stampin friends" I would make. From my upline, Shari Dudek, to my downline Sandy Webb, to all the demo's I have meet at differnt events. The creativity, support and fun I have had with these woman.....( I wish I could say men too! BUT I have not had a man stamp with me............yet!)

I think the best has been all the new friends/woman who have come into my life has enriched me beyond my wildest dreams. This makes for my demoing so much more fun!

I promised you I would post some of the homemade cards I received this Holiday. These ladies did such wonderful jobs......even with the Sock Monkey!!!

Stampin Up! 1990-2009

This card came from Kim M. Now in my group of stamping I have 3 ~Kim M's. Isn't that too funny! Anyhow, I meet Kim at a Daycare center I worked at for a short time. We became "distant" friends, until after I left the center. Our paths crossed when a friend of hers and mine, invited me to one of Kim's crops. We became quick friends then.

Kim has been a stamper much longer than I. I have learned many tricks of the trade from her! She is also an awesome scrapbooker whom I have enjoyed scrapbooking with! She always tries new techniques and is always willing to help those who are stump!

This card came to me from Emily. I meet Emily through a Girl Scout Buddy, Sheila. Sheila and Emily's husband have been friends through the school years. Emily is so energetic and fun to be around. She makes us all laugh and always has a good time where ever she goes. She has such a great outlook on life!

Emily has been card maker for sometime now. She also is an avid scrapbooker too. On top of it all, she now had a beautiful daughter of 1 who adds joy to her life!


Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009
This card came from Shelia. Shelia and I meet many moons ago through Girl Scouts. She was friends with a friend of mine, Laura. Laura and Sheila "sucked" oops I mean "requested" my help in the International Friendship weekend for the younger girls. We lost track of each other over the years, and she found me on a Yahoo Group! She found out I was a Stampin' Up! Demo and booked a workshop. She has introduced me to many new friends. Her thinking is "always" out of the box and comes up with really fun and exciting cards. She surprised everyone by making her Rehearsal Invites......oh they were so very cute! She is also a Creative Memories Demo and her creativity overflows into her scrapbooking. Once again her books are clean and crisp.....always thinking outside the box!

Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009

Susan, Sheila mom's sent this beautiful card. She was a novice stamper and always afraid her stuff wasn't great.....well I am here to tell you, that they always have been and continue to get better and better with every new card! She even ventured out and used water color crayons on this card. Way to go Sue!

Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009
This Card comes from my friend and neighbor, Carol. Carol was one of my original "groupies". A group of my friends were worried about me going to homes of people I didn't know, so they would come along to the workshop, and be a "groupie". Carol was one of those people. She was a great co-pilot and map reader when we drove out to God's county for a demo (1hr 30 minutes away!) She is also one who helps fuel my need for more scrapbooking stuff! Besides all the animals she has fostered that have found their way over to my house and became part if my family!

Carol made this card at a 12 card class I held. I was not too particular in the design....just wasn't cuttin it for me (and me a birds......not so much.......). Carol loved it and asked if I was OK with her making that card. I was honored that she wanted to us one of my designs.

Amy sent this card. She only made a few, because like the rest of us, she had the candle burning at both ends! Amy and I became friends through Valerie. Amy is a "true" person. She gives so much of her self! She is always bringing me something homemade. She is such fun to be with!!! She is the one who enlightened me to the "Copic Makers". HOLEY MOLEY! and she can find the deals!!

This card was made by Valerie. Now here's a few things about Valerie.....she is the NICEST PERSON I have meet thus far in life. She is always happy and has the best, and I mean BEST outlook on life. She always has a smile and I have yet, in the 5 years I have known her, she her in a bad mood. I meet Amy at a workshop, of 4 woman and she is the only one out of that group that stamps with me!!!! She loves to try new stuff and always has a creative thought in that head of hers! Valerie even got me hooked on the book "The Secret". Watching her live her life as she does, I know that a positive way of life leads to a positive life!

She embossed with a cuttlebug new embossing folder~ Swiss dots. I love the look!

Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009
Lois sent me this card, all the way from Florida. I meet Lois through Sheila....at Girl Scout camp. Lois too was a novice. But as you can see by her card, she has come such along! She too enjoys new techniques and used watercolor crayons this time around!
Lois tells me all the time that she misses stamping with us. I hope that when she comes up for a visit in June that we will get a little stamping time in!

Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009

This card came from my upline Shari. As I had said before, Shari was the 1st Stampin' Up! Demo that I went to. She had me hook line and sinker! Her presentation, made you want to stamp. She is also a fun friend to travel with (how many people do you know, would to Louisville, KY for a Stampin Regional ~ from Michigan~ for an overnight stay and come back home the next day?)

She also knows all the words to Queen songs, how many people (besides me) can say that? She is also is a HUGE Captain Jack Sparrow and Van Halen fan. One day when your paths cross, ask her about the bracelet she made and gave to a Van Halen member!

Oh Yeah, and she takes a mean High School Photo too! (Salt Lake City Convention!)

Last but not least...........

Copyright Stamin' Up! 1990-2009

THE SOCK MONKEY!!! This card came from Stacee. Stacee was introduced to me, through Valerie and Amy. Stacee and Amy are partners in crime.......they always like to "surprise" me with goodies and homemade stuff. Stacee even made me a "Mr. Crabby Pants" bookmark. She too, has a love for that Sock Monkey and vows that one day I will too!

I am glad that am able to share with you the holiday cards I got from these outstanding woman!

Have a great rest of the evening........I am off to stamp!

Binky Balls, Binky Balls, Binky all the way!

My nephew "M" sings binky balls instead of Jingle Bells ~ that's how he sings/says it. It is really cute and makes me laugh very time I hear it. Along with his "Ho Ho Ho, Merry Nismas". I spent Christmas Eve with "M" and his brother "A". It was fun hearing/seeing how excited they were that Santa was coming!! They even tracked him on the computer!~ I remember my dad and mom showing us "blinking" lights in the sky, on the way home from Church telling us it was Santa. We had to hurry in the house put our pj's on and get to bed! Now he is tracked on the computer.......jeez I am OLD!

I got to scrapbook with my 6 year old niece "A" and to tell you the truth, so does a better job of picking out colors and pictures than me! She saw so much more than I. It was a interesting/enlightening experience. I can't wait to scrapbook with her again! Time with my nieces and nephews are so special to me!

I had a HUGE revelation on Christmas Eve this year. I was stressing over what I bought whom, would I get it wrapped, etc. Plus, the thought of my Aunt still in the hospital, mentally a lot on my plate. As I was wrapping up the last couple gifts, I started to reflect on the past year. It was sort of a jolt....you know when you have a "brain fart" (as my friends call it). My husband has done so much for me and my family this year, visiting my dad everyday while he was in the hospital for his back surgery. He was there everyday for the 33 days, that my dad was in the hospital. He was "our" (my families) eyes and ears when we couldn't be there. He helped out at my parents when my dad couldn't get stuff done......was at the hospital with my mom, for my dad's last surgery (when us girls couldn't be there because of work and children) and has been my dad's "coach" taking him to rehab the last 3 weeks. Besides all the stuff he does for me here, helping get stuff together for my demo's to making my lunch everyday, to going here and there with me, when I know he would rather be at home watching whatever sports is on! Now I know that I have made he sound like a saint......which at time he is far from, but in retro spec the good out ways the bad.

I am truly grateful for him realize how lucky I am that he is in my life!

I guess it wasn't what was in the "wrapped box" so to speak, but the actions of the whole year. I felt so loved and so blessed that of course I had a crying meltdown!! When I tried to explain to him why I was crying, he told me that he was part of my family too, and that is what family does for family.

I have been slacking the last couple days, reading and lounging. I need to get back to stamping and getting my "stuff" ready. Before you know it, I will be back in school and back to work!! OH how I wish I would win the Mega Millions!!!

Thanks for all your prayers and good thoughts for my Aunt. She came home from the hospital the day after Christmas. We spent that evening at her house, celebrating Christmas part II with her.

OK enough rambling at this ungodly hour. I am off to do some more reading and drinking hot chocolate.

Have a great day and until next time...........

Merry Christmas From Our House......

..........................to Yours!

Love

Anne Marie, Larry, Tess, Humphrey, Tillie, Hillary, Tahiti and TaTianna

Santa Claus and Popcorn, Jingle Bells and Reindeer Songs, Christmas Trees and Mistletoe......

Handmade by S. G.

Copyright Stampin Up! 1990-2008

Hello!

Can you believe that it is almost Christmas? Holy Cow!
Where did the time go??? I have had an eventful two evenings,

with family stuff, that I am now behind in finishing up my Holiday Shopping and wrapping! UGH!!!

I will probably pull an all nighter tonight just to get it done!

I got this card today, from my friend "SG". She loves the Sock Monkey.....me not so much! It has been a on going "discussion" of the monkey since his appearance in the Fall/Winter SU catalog.

So, today when he arrived in my mail, I had a good chuckle!

Thanks "SG" for the cool card. I have received so many beautiful handmade cards, that at a later date I will post them all here!

Here in Michigan we had more snow today.......about 3 inches. Driving totally sucked! Now, we are having freezing rain and by tomorrow morning (just in time for me to start doing that last minute running) we are getting rain. Only in Michigan!

If you have a moment I would ask for prayers for my Aunt Margaret. She is currently in the hospital fighting pneumonia. We hope that she will feel well soon and be home for Christmas.

All righty then.....it's off to wrapping my gifts! Have a wonderful rest of the evening......stay warm and dry! Give your loved ones a hug and a kiss..........

Baby, It's cold OUTSIDE!

Good Morning, as my sister would say, Merry Christmas Eve Eve!!! My second youngest sister is a true Christmas Lover! She sends us(her family ~ my sisters, brother in laws and parents) countdowns during the year, letting us know how many days until......CHRISTMAS! Well, she loves all holidays, but I think Christmas and her Birthday are her favorite two!

It is a whooping 3 degrees this morning. I am off to do some last minute shopping for my husband (still need some stocking presents!) and then be home by 2p to wait (AGAIN) for the ATT repair truck. Hopefully I can get some wrapping done!

I started my Christmas Holiday a day sooner than planned. On Friday, we had a dumping of 12 inches of SNOW! Now, we have been tricked before in thinking a storm was coming, but didn't get it. When I left work on Thursday, we were told even if it snowed, school would be open. I came home, worked on finishing (yes, finishing) my co-workers presents and some last minute stuff for the Middle Schoolers. I went to bed, thinking oh how wonderful it would be to start our vacation early!

I woke up at 4am, looked outside, and saw NOTHING! I mean no snow, no NOTHING! UGH!!! I got up, and was a little disappointed that the snow hadn't started. I knew one of the c0-teachers in my room was going to raz me......I have the biggest crush on a local weatherman, and "J" keeps telling me he is always so wrong with the weather. Well, I knew since there was no snow, that it was going to a LOOOONGGGGG day!

I decided to iron my clothes, take a shower, read some blogs.....OK really just read some blogs! I got up to leave the computer room in my house, and looked outside. Now mind you an hour before there time, there was Nothing......and this is what I saw:

This is our backyard! The dogs of course needed to go out in the snow while I went and got my camera. Can you believe it?? HOLEY MOLEY! I sat glued to the television waiting for my school to close, and at 6:20a, the notice came over the TV! WHOOT WHOOT! No school, let the vacation begin! When all was said and done, we ended up with 12 inches of snow.

These pictures are from once it all said and one with. The front of our house and our dog Humphrey checking it all out!

But with the "good" also comes the bad.......our phone, television and Internet went out. It has been a quiet time here! It has been a long and frustrating story, for another day, but hopefully today (after 4 days of getting someone out from ATT for service) they will be out to repair our service.

I did get my holiday cards all done, all 143 of them! Here is a sample of one:

This card was CASE'd from Jean Harper at She designed a life she loved. I tweaked it, using up Stampin' Up! supplies:

Kiwi Kiss, Red Riding Hood (textured cardstock), Basic Black, Very Vanilla, and Whisper White cardstock. Black brads, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa,and Going Gray ink. Stampin' Dimensionals, Square and Scallop punch, and the Coluzzle for the circle. I think he looks a lot like my dad!

OK, I am off to start my day, getting my husband up, so he can get to my parents, to take my Dad for rehab. My Dad had knee replacement surgery last week, and my husband is his "coach".

Have a wonderful day, and stay warm!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY................

VALERIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!