Craft Talk

Some of you have asked me about my latest craft craze - copic markers. If you have not tried them - beware of addiction. These are fast-drying artist quality markers that come in 322 colors! I have 10 markers - enough to have way too much fun - yes way! If you stamp or scrap, they will be a fun addition to your craft. Some websites that I spend way too much time on - and offer tutorials, instruction, and purchase of fun stuff:

• ElzyBells


• My Favorite Things


• Ellen Hutson


• Fun Blog

Wanna know sumpin' tricksy? I just close my eyes and pick a copic marker and color something. That gets my motor running, then I start shading in with additional colors and then I use my "O" colorless blender to make it all come together. Finally, I use my favorite copic marker "W1 - Warm Gray" to give it a shadow. And, as I like to say, "BAM - before you can say "Bob's Yer Uncle" you got yershelf an arteest quality lookum gooder thing! Whaddya waiting for? Just do it.

Threes

I've been trying to feel better. One day I'm great, next day I'm half great, next day I'm down for the count. I think it's part of the "three strikes and you're out" rule. Who invented that rule anyways?

Three Things About Thursday:
1. My sister, Jean, had hip surgery - not a replacement, but a hip repair.
2. A few hours after surgery we talked by phone: Me: "Hi Jean, this is your younger sister, Kay". Response: "I thought I was the younger sister!" She's gonna be just fine.
3. She has a sign-up sheet for "Hip-Helpers" if you wanna be HIP!

Three Things About Friday:
1. My sister, Joyce, had a special birthday - she is now 60 years young.
2. Her family is throwing her a 30 + 3o party tomorrow evening and I'm sure there will be NO margaritas and chips at that party!
3. She opened my present to her - a personalized return address stamp that you can order online here. Love the matching stationery options too!

Three More Things About Friday:
1. My husband, Kevin, enjoyed an early birthday celebration with the Wilsons & Bryants.
2. We had a 30 + 28 party, or as Kevin likes to say, a 29 x 2 party!
3. First-dinner at the Mongolian Grill. Second-off to the movies to see "Leatherheads".

Three Things About Saturday:
1. Went to Hobby Lobby to pick up another Copic Marker (25% off this week). Accidentally forgot my checkbook/coupon holder at the Hobby Lobby. Made a second trip to Hobby Lobby a few hours later to make the retrieval.
2. Kevin & I enjoyed lunch with Mom at the Cracker Barrel. Keaton a/k/a Florida Boy who was on his way to enjoy a day at the beach said "Oh man - you're at Cracker Barrel?! I'm SO jealous." Let me see: Beach vs. Cracker Barrel. Hmmm.
3. Did I mention that I love my husband?

Three Things About Sunday:
1. Slept 12 hours without extra meds! Kevin made a drug-store run for more Mucinex - should have bought stock in the stuff.
2. Need to pack my overnight bag for my "Hip Helper" trip to Jean's tomorrow!
3. Looked at my Stampin Up catalog for the 56th time, decided on a cute Kitty Set and the photo corner punch.

A Great Big "S" on my Forehead - SICKO

My sister-in-law, Connie, recently had a motherboard failure. Carol Brunette always said failure was written on her forehead - FAYLUR. I digress. Sorry about your motherboard, Connie. What a funny name - wonder why they don't call it a fatherboard or sisterboard or brotherboard. I think it should be a personal choice.

Anyway, I am currently taking my turn at being a sicko with coughy, sneezy, wheezy stuff. Got real drugs from the doc today, now fighting nausea from the antibiotics, can't win. But I did clean up my craft area so that counts for being off sick and getting something done. Am also reading a good book I would recommend - The Glass Castle. I recently finished a book called Three Cups of Tea. Both books are true stories, interesting, and must-reads! So -- I am blowing through my book today while home being coughy sneezy wheezy. Oh my heck, I kept my nose out of a kleenex for a minute or two, this is progress.

Here's to a better tomorrow!

Happy Easter!

A friend sent me this cute little comic and I could not resist sharing it! It's not the cutsie little Easter shot that you'd expect but it's sure funny! I have had a lot of fun coloring chicks, bunnies, and eggs for Easter cards and baskets, but I am thankful that Easter has a deeper message than chicks, bunnies, and eggs. I am thankful that Christ has risen! Some Easter Day ramblings:

Today: I am thankful for a beautiful Easter church service, the message preached by our very special good friend Pastor Doug, and that my mom could enjoy it with us! I am also thankful for a delish Easter dinner out (i.e. no cooking) at The Bonefish Grill, compliments of our sons, Brandt & Keaton (been holding onto that Christmas gift card for a special occasion)! Love you guys!

Unpredictable Weather: Easter Sunday morning was sunny with a crisp chill. This afternoon seemed like a waste of a good crisp sunny day without a walk around the neighborhood. First stop, Robin's house and off we went. Then the white specks began to float down from the heavens. Yes, we had a mini Easter snow shower! Robin saw it too, so I knew I could not be hallucinating on Easter!

Easter Memories of Years Gone By: One time I sewed an entire Easter dress inside out. It was the last time I tried to sew clothes. I attended Easter sunrise service ONCE in my life (anyone who knows me knows this is noteworthy since I am NOT a morning person). My parents always gave us a chocolate Easter Bunny and I always ate the ears first.

Cell Phone is in a "Safe" Place: As a mother, I am amused at the oddity of my sons. You see, it is usually Brandt who "misplaced" his cell phone, wallet, his head, etc. etc. etc. - you get the picture. However, on this sunny, chilly, Easter Sunday it was Keaton who "misplaced" his cell phone - left it at church, where it was discovered by a kind young soul who called me! However, as of this writing, Keaton himself is "misplaced" but I have half the college campus looking for him and I'm sure he won't get far!

All My Children: Do you know how good it feels to know that All My Children were in church this morning, in our respective cities and states? Do you know how that touches a mother's soul? A little snow, a delish Easter meal, a few Easter chicks, bunnies, and eggs --- nothing compares to the blessing that "All My Children" spent time with the Lord. Nothing. Enough said.

The resurrection gives life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what the circumstances.

Who-Ray for Horton

HORTON HEARS A WHO Movie Meter: 10! Yay for Dr. Suess!

Horton hears voices, but he's not crazy; he's an elephant. (Duh!) Jim Carrey and Steve Carell get animated for the movie of Dr. Seuss' book, which reminds us that a person's a person ... no matter how small. Whoville is a town on a dandelion full of tiny people. It was surprisingly fun for the grandkids AND the adults! Here are some funny quotes:

Horton: There's a tiny person on that speck that needs my help!

The Mayor of Who-ville: I have 96 daughters and 1 son. Horton: [laughing] Whoa! Busy guy.

Horton: I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. Morton: [sighs] An elephant's faithful one hundred percent. Horton: That's my code, my motto.

Katie: In my world everyone is a pony, and they all eat rainbows, and poop butterflies.

The Mayor of Who-ville: Seriously, who is this? Is this Burt from accounting?

Morton: Horton, the kangaroo has sent Vlad! Horton: Vlad? Vlad, Vlad... I know two Vlads. There's the bad Vlad... And then there's bunny Vlad, the one that makes cookies! Morton: ...Yeah, Horton, she's sending you a bunny with cookies. I think it's safe to say it's the bad Vlad. Horton: Yeah, good call.

The Mayor of Who-ville: So Jojo, what's uh, what's shakin'? What's happenin'? What's the word?

Horton: This entire jungle is a house of death!

The Mayor of Who-ville: Listen, Horton, I've gotta go. Apparently there's a problem with a giant meatball. Horton: You just take care of that meatball sir and leave the freaking out to me.

Horton: We must become invisible, travel silently, for there are forces that would seek to destroy us.

Oldies But Goodies

This is a picture of myself and my good buddy, Linda, from 1902. She has the beautiful curls and I have the pixie haircut. Aren't we cute???!!! It was taken on a Sunday afternoon after we had just snuk out of an all day church tent meeting (look closely at the tent flap in the background) and we were contemplating what our deviant streak of behavior was going to cost us!

NOT!!

But I had ya going didn't I?! Actually, my good buddy Linda sent me a CD that is chalk full of Vintage Clip Art. YES WAY!!! So I blogged it and DANG I'm feeling quite brilliant and productive! Don't you just love anything that translates a vivid memory into creativity? I mean, hello, I was NOT born in the early 1900s (nor was Linda, I'm pretty sure) but I bet we can each look at that picture and come up with a childhood memory and BAM, before you can say Bob's yer Uncle, everything falls into place! Alas, the beauty of scrapbooking! Thank you Linda!

You Gotta Have Freinds

Several weekends ago, I met some girlfriends for breakfast (yes, I said breakfast - not lunch - and no it was not an early breakfast or would I be there?!) This is they, and me, and a a few pancakes later! Today, I am feeling very thankful for the many fun friendships that bless my life. Pancakes aren't so bad either.

MORE FUN: Yesterday, I enjoyed a class at Archivers called "Stationery in a Snap" with several other girlfriends. GET THEE TO ARCHIVERS AND DON'T MISS THIS FUN CLASS! Loved it, had a ball, learned a lot, laughed a lot more, good medicine for the soul. Following class, mom joined us girls for lunch. Has your 85 year old mom been the hit of your girlfriend lunch lately? Mine has! We ROARED. Love your guts mom! Let me just say, afterwards Robin said to me "It makes me miss my mom." I am so lucky to have my mom so close!

INSPIRED: So after that fabulous class at Archivers, I came home and made good use of my scraproom, i.e. dining room table until 1:30 AM. My latest craft-craze is COPIC MARKERS. If you don't know what they are and you are a scrapbooker/paper crafter, you should. They come in a bazillion colors (this is a good thing) and they cost approximately $5 a pop (this is a not so good thing). Hobby Lobby recently put them on sale so I was able to pick up about 4 more colors, bringing my craft-craze copic marker collection to a whopping 9. But -- oh baby -- do I love them a bundle! I am learning to "shade" like a real artist (self-teaching from web research) but I DO think I'm hot stuff. It's really fun.

HONORED: My dear friend Eleanore, and her beautiful bride-to-be daughter Kara, called me yesterday and asked me to sing at the wedding! She would like for me to sing The Wedding Song when Eleanore is ushered down the isle. Everybody say awwwww! How sweet is that?! I had been planning all along to cry when Kara comes down the isle since she is such a beeeeuutiful girl, but that takes care of that! I really am so honored. I love you Eleanore. It takes a long long time to grow an old friend. (She's the pretty little gal in the picture, sitting in front of me, she's in a blue sweatshirt.)

FAMILY TIME: Kevin enjoyed an unexpected visit with his brother, Harold, yesterday. Harold and Viv drove up so Viv could spend time with a sick family member, who is suffering from cancer. Kevin & Harold started the day with breakfast, piddled around in the tool store, worked together at the shop, and ended with dinner at Montana Mikes. I think this is somewhat equivalent to a GIRLS DAY OUT, only it was a MANS DAY OUT. I mean, come on, does it knock your socks off to go to the tool store? Isn't it nice that God made us different.

A Recent Telephone conversation with Rhegan:

Rhegan: Hi Grandma! Are you done visiting with Keaton in Florida?
Kay: Yep, I'm back home now!
Rhegan: Good, cause I need to come over to your house and eat banana's and apples.

Needless to say, we are having Andrea/Shawn and the babes out to the house this weekend and you can bet your farm that I will have banana's and apples.

Continuing Telephone Conversation With Rhegan:

Kay: Remember to bring your monkey banana pajama's and a good book for us to read.
Rhegan: "MOM - she said for me to bring my monkey banana pajama's and a book!" (to me) I have a really GOOD book!
Kay: Don't forget! I want you to go make a list, and write down banana pajama's and a book so you will remember to pack them.
Rhegan: I can't go make a list, silly, because I don't know how to write numbers yet.

Cool Pic of Bike Riding Girlfriend

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ERIN,

BRANDT'S COOL BIKERIDING GIRLFRIEND!

May your days always be beachy!

In the long run ...

We had a fun little dinner last Saturday night with good friends the Wilsons (Brent & Eleanor) and the Bryants (Gary & Lynn). First, we set out to see a new movie called "Bonneville" It premiered last week and we noticed it when we were at the movies with the Wilsons last weekend. We decided right there and then to make a plan to see it this weekend (mainly because we are cheap and cannot use discount coupons on premier showings. That's called being a respectable baby boomer.) The preview makes it look like "Thelma & Louise" in first gear. 3 women set off on a cross country jaunt to deliver an urn full of an ex-husband's ashes to a resentful daughter. Sounds good huh?

WELL - I'LL NEVER KNOW!

We got to the ticket window (with our discount coupons) and learned it was no longer showing! What? Why? The sweet teenager in the box office simply said "Oh, we lost that movie last Friday."

PLEASE TELL ME, HOW DO YOU LOSE A MOVIE?

We LOLed all the way to our seats in the next movie of choice, The Bank Job. Mr. Wilson still had time to get his all-important popcorn! Kevin, Brent, and Gary all liked the movie. Lynn and Elearnor said it was good. But let me just say this: I could have lived my whole life without ever seeing that movie. The true story of a heist gone wrong -- in all the right ways.

Dinner at Adobo's was the best part of the evening. There is something about authentic Mexican cuisine that gets the taste buds going. They mix fresh guacamole dip right at your table, but it still doesn't fix the fact that it is green!

Dedication of the Babes

Back in early February, Andrea & Shawn dedicated their 3 babes to the Lord in a beautiful church service. (I mentioned it earlier in the blog and promised to post more detail). This was a day filled with tender mercies ... those little reminders that our Heavenly Father hears my prayers and shows me that He cares. Here I am, a month after the dedication service, enjoying the blessings of that day, knowing that God is working in the lives of my children and grandchildren. I ask you, is there anything better? Listed below are the scriptures chosen by Pastor Jeff - God love him!

For the dedication & the Stewart family:
Psalm 103:17 From everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

Clayton Nathaniel Stewart (meaning -Clay, Pliable Earth)

Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Rhegan Elizabeth Stewart (meaning - Royalty) We KNEW she was really a princess!
1 Peter 2:9 For you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Parker Thurman Stewart (meaning - Keeper)
Psalm 119:2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.