Ready, Set,

...GO! Where do I start? I have so many things to share with y'all I don't know where to begin. I've been getting so much @?!#$? from Pr!ssy Pals all over the globe I thought it's time I posted something, anything or else I might just lose all of my followers (all "1" of them). Yeah I highly doubt.  Anyway, I could start with a pic of these guys...

Look how big they've gotten! You can even start seeing the white and markings on their backs (Picture below)

BEFORE - Note the little guy on the ledge - (Picture below)

AFTER - (Picture below)

Wow they are getting big.  I love nature even if they are just rats with bushy tails.  As you can see my backyard is a desert.  Yes, it is, hence, the DIRT.

Speaking of dirt lets dish some...wasn't that somethin' about... no just kidding.  I can't think of any good gossip.  Back to the purpose of my mission.  An update!  (I know I know overuse of the "!")  The glyph mark is not a graphic.  Hehe.  I could start with the rats above (with bushy tails) or I could start with these guys...

He (Prince, my dog) is never allowed on the couch but whenever she (my daughter) is around the animals are attracted to her like a magnet.  He can never get close enough by her side when she's over.  Her skin is amazing.  She's all dewy and pretty all the time.

This is her cat, Punky (below).   This is his carrier that I keep in my front hall when he is over at Gammy's for a visit.  Punky was visiting my house recently for two weeks.  He never once got in that carrier the entire two weeks that he was here.  The day his momma was coming down to pick him up he got in this carrier and waited as if he sensed it was time to go.  It's weird how animals can sense things.  I couldn't believe it.  I grabbed my camera quick so I could show my daughter when she got here to pick him up she could see who was waiting for her and ready to go home.  It was funny once she got here he ignored her for hours.  He really missed her. He was over it.  Look at his face...

Then when she was all packed and ready to go we walked out to put her bags in her car and look what we found (below).... HE thought he was going back with her.  You can't tell in this picture but he was leaning himself into the seat as hard as he could as if to say...just try and get me out of here.  It was the cutest thing ever.  He thought he was going to L.A.

Look at his big ole feet, little dope

And NO its not because they are trying to escape from my house.  They like it here.  They really do.  They just love my daughters tons.  Pied pipers of sorts.  They've always had that effect around animals.  They just love them.

Roughin it at Grammy's (Top of my bookcases) Yes, my only grandchild is a CAT!

Inside the basket looks better

I had just cleared this table off and was getting ready to wipe it clean with disinfectant because the cat always jumping on it (I don't like cats on my tables and countertops).  I turned my back to go to the sink and rinse my towel out and look what I found on top of my table.  I mean the nerve.  The dog is under the table.  What a mess.  It was if that cat was saying, thanks for cleaning my ledge for me.  He made himself all comfy.  Little dope.  It proves he does like it here he made himself right at home.

...I BET YOU THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO SHARE SOMETHING CRAFTY!

HAHAHAHAHA!

Whatever Happened to My Daily Gratitude Posting?

Here...

Golden Opportunities are everywhere for me. Prosperity of every kind is drawn to me.

My Girls!

girl   [gurl]
–noun
1. a female child, from birth to full growth.
2. a young, woman.
3. a daughter: I have two girls.
4. girlfriend; sweetheart.

REASON 1

REASON 2

Today is a great day for braggin' rights of any that I know of. These are my two wonderful, fantabulous, perfection, beautiful, genius, funny, silly, gawgeous, crazy, reasons for being a mom, reason for glad I am a mom DAUGHTERS. These two are my world. They are my family. They are my everything. I cannot say enough about my two grown daughters, individuals, angels that came into my life. I was surely blessed by them. From birth to adulthood all I can say is WOW. I don't know how I got so lucky. They are the one thing that I can say I done right by in this life and I didn't do much. It was all them. They made it easy being a mom. They made it easy to love them. They made it easy for me to be proud. Thanks girls for making me a mom.

Happy Mother's Day!

Angel of God,

my guardian dear,

to whom God's love commits me here,

ever this day,

be at my side

to light and guard,

to rule and guide.

catholic - prayer to the guardian angel

I don't know of a better guardian angel than a Mother~~

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE!

CUTE ALERT!!

I swear its feast or famine with me. I either don't post at all and then there's a string of them all in one day. All or nothing. eek. Anyways, I just had to give these next pictures their own post. Every year we have a new litter/batch (what do we call a bunch a baby squirrels?) Merekat Manor (What)? of baby squirrels. Well this year I counted eight in one litter. In years past we had maybe three or four in the litter, tops. These are little tiny babies when they are newborn. So CUTE. I never got a picture of all eight together but I snapped these few snapshots. I had to do it really quickly and I took these from inside the house through a window so I hope they are clear.  EDITED TO ADD:  CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO SEE THE LITTLE GUYS CLOSE-UP  OMG

ADORABLE

2

3

Hi

5

Happy Easter the After Party

I haven't been able to blog much lately. I sure do miss it and my crafty shtuff. If I ever get this chronic insomnia figured out MAYBE I would have my energy back. Oh well... I have so many SPRING photos to share. OMG just the cutest. This Easter it was just a small gathering with hubby, my youngest daughter and pets. Oddly no pics of them or me. Just the table, the dog and Mr. Rabbit who came to visit us on Easter (Bunny) day. Too funny Easter Bunny visited us on Easter Sunday.  This year we went with non-traditional items.  Normally, I do ham, scalloped potatoes, the usual suspects...  Every year everybody says we should do lighter menus.  Well, this year I leaned towards that theme.  On the Easter brunch Menu:

Spring Greens Salad w/Shrimp Cocktail garnish 

Choice of Dressing

Steamed Fresh Asparagus Spears (Yummo)

Hard Boiled Eggs

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (I know odd paring but was yummo anyway)

Fresh Strawberry Wedges

OJ Mimosas

Hot Coffee

Easter Lily (Optional)

Easter Rabbit - Priceless

Killer Dog  =D

Happy Easter

Zoom

Shrimp Cocktail on Ice for the salad

Colored Eggs (I know shock and awe!)

Boring Strawberries but I thought they were cute

My famous homemade cinnamon rolls

Look who stopped over OMG

I'm gonna eat me some Easter Bunny face.  Look at those eyes, they're practically glazed over.  Oddly if I would let him after the bunny.  He always lets them get away.  It is so cute he goes out like a monster and then stops just short of getting them.  And off they hop free.

But I'm really just a Teddy Bear

Happy Easter!

My Nephew...

Dangerous... he's a professional dancer at the Milwaukee Ballet so this little video doesn't do his talent any justice...

I've been thinking about this lately...

Wonder if it has anything to do with the economy?  I love the line... Why aren't they turning?  AND the line "this is bad".  NO ya' think

Live the Life You've Imagined...

Another one layer card. It's also a combo of digital and stamped, I guess they call those hybrids. The sentiment I printed onto the cardstock first lining it up just so, I used a two column layout with a landscape orientation. The font I used was "Lucinda Handwriting" in MSWord. I liked this saying and wanted to use it but didn't have a stamp for it (eeks) so I improvised. The stamp is from Stampscapes of course. I have always loved this stamp ever since I saw a card done with it over on Anna Wight's blog. So of course I h2h one for myself. Of course the ever clever circle mask for the moon. I think this turned out really pretty. I'm into one layer cards today it appears. EDITED TO ADD: IT APPEARS MY CAMERA IS STILL BROKE EXCEPT IT'S A NEW CAMERA...HENCE PROVING THAT IT IS OBVIOUSLY OPERATOR ERROR. THAT'S SETTLED ONCE AND FOR ALL I DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE A POINT AND SHOOT CAMERA.

YO-- Mo and Jo may have Found Themselves

This is a one layer card. I used SU "Measure of Life" set. I believe it may have been a hostess set. Anywho, I think this card turned out really nice. I used Copic markers on the dragonfly and Spica for some sparkly. (Click on any photo for dete's view). I masked off the half circle and colored that with SU chalks. To create the lines over the half circle I used a line stencil and used black SU chalk. I think the stencil circle/line image really works on this card. I left it very simple with no embellishment or ribbon. I just think it looked fine without. I was going to to use dazzling diamond glitter on the wings but the colors were so pastel I didn't want to lose the color underneath glitter even if it is clear glitter. Maybe if I do another card I will use stronger colors.

 

Crop view

 

HAPPY FRIDAY! and a BURNING QUESTION

I'm so glad it's Friday. Plus I have the house to myself this weekend. YAYAYAYAYAY. The dh is ootown in Pheonix watching the Cubbies at Spring Training until Monday. All of the kiddies have moved out and so it's actually the first weekend I have had ME time in a long long time and I am going to enjoy it thoroughly I can tell ya' that. I MIGHT even be able to find Mo and Jo. OMG I am sooooooo excited about this solitude. I have needed a mental health weekend for so freaking long. A question.... anyone out there in blogoland.... it's a burning question does anyone know why some of Martha Stewart's punches are white and some have the green handles? It has been bugging me. I noticed the green colored ones in WalMart you know that store that sells walls.... yet the ones they sell at Michaels are white? As a collector I like stuff to match. All of the MS punches that I have purchased so far have been white. Any ideas blogopals? What's with the green punches?

A Tribute to Mia the BESTEST CAT

I'm sorry to post sad information today especially since I have not posted in such a long time re: any subject. But I just found out last night that one of our PR!SSy Pals kitty passed away on Sunday. The poor thing was only 2.5 y.o. and it was so sudden. I thought I would dedicate this post as a Tribute to Mia and seeks prayers and good thoughts for Michelle. Michelle is also prego with her first child and is due in April so lets send out some good thoughts to our fellow PR!ISSy pal and let her know we are thinking of her and her special kitty Mia. I snagged this photo from Michelle's blog how appropriate/ironic that kitty is wishing us all a "Happy Saint Paddy's" day!! We wish you well kitty Mia we know you will make a great Guardian Angel for the new baby Lazlo. (Isn't that a great boy name?)

Cardiff by the Sea

Edited to add:  You really really need to click on the picture to enlarge it gives it a better effect.   We took my cousin and her new hubby (they were on their honeymoon) out to eat last night at this fabulous little restaurant on the ocean named "The Beach House".  I was so lucky to have been able to snap this photo of the sunset.  The marine layer had rolled-in and we pretty much chalked up the chances that we would be able to catch a sunset.  But we got lucky.  I was so glad because it was the first time my cousin ever saw the ocean (also the first time she ever flew).  I so wanted them to experience a cool sunset...I was trying to make it special for her bringing her to places I thought would have that wow factor.  Well we weren't disappointed.  The marine layer thinned out along the horizon line and this most beautiful bright fuschia began to show through.  This photo contains no editing and it doesn't even begin to convey the sharpness of the pink that we saw IRL.  OMGosh you should have seen the color.  All's I can say is (shout out to my sissy hahahaha) Hi Chicago.  The food was amazing as well.  

 

God is good...

We are so blessed

New Digs!

As I said in an earlier post just now...today was moving day for my youngest daughter. She found a great place that she was able to "swing" financially and she moved. It was all very sudden really. Literally found out in the last couple of days and she made her decision and moved in 3 days. OMGosh things happen that way sometimes and you just have to strike while the iron is hot. I took a few shots of her new digs. Its a studio so it's quite small but perfect for her. She's still in University full time and with work and everything it's best for her. She has enough responsibility right now and we want her studies to come FIRST because she graduates in December YAY. So anyway it was nice that she could find a place to meet her needs.

MAIN LIVING AREA (BEFORE)

 

KITCHEN AREA

 

BATHROOM ENTRANCE

 

STAINED-GLASS SUN CATCHERS

OUTSIDE BACKDOOR

 

SHARED PATIO (STEPS TO LANDLORD HOUSE)

RENTAL FRONT DOOR NEAR SHARED PATIO

CLOSE-UP OF MR. ROOSTER 

STAINED-GLASS SUN CATCHER

OF COURSE, TRUSTY OLE' LOVE BUG IS ALWAYS AROUND (HEHE)

Click on the link above and scroll to the 4th pic to see where love bug was last.  hehe

That car can cart a lot of schtuff

TURTLE GARDEN (Her new neighbors)

BEAUTIFUL SUCCULENT PLANTER

We are so blessed....

God is good

DOODOO

Always ready to go. Today was moving day. My daughter is moving to her own apartment and all of the cars at our house had doors open loading things up. This guy refused to be left out. HOW CUTE. I had to grab my new camera and snap a quick shot and I'm soooo glad I did. From the looks of it, my camera takes really nice pictures. I didn't crop or edit at all and almost all of my photos were edited in some way with my old camera. I was definitely overcompensating with that old camera.

 

He's the best, we love him so much.

 

I KNOW I KNOW I've been missing lately...

BUT when you break your camera and hence nothing to upload or show.  It gets kind of boring. BUT I'VE GOT NEWS..... stay tuned.....I KNOW I AM SOOOOOOO BAD in a good way.  I have a couple of days off from work.  I needed some personal time off (PTO) to take care of all of those annoying little necessities in life such as trips to the TORTURE CHAMBER oh I meant Dr.'s appointments and the TORTURE CHAMBER oh er I meant the DMV.  Yes with them being furloughed every other Friday and no more Saturday hours HELLO YOU TRY TO GET INTO THEM WITHOUT WAITING FOR HOURS.  Now that is pure torture.  HOWEVER, I was a rock star and made an appointment online.  They were a month out but when I went in I only waited seconds.  I highly recommend making an appointment if you need to go to the DMV.  However the point to my story.  DAYS OFF CAN BE VERY COSTLY back to the fact that I haven't had a camera.  So that is what I am getting at.  I went to Best Buy just to nose around and see what trouble I could get myself into.  Its OK I'll just go on a diet.  We won't eat.  I won't starve because I can just start using up some of my fat reserves REALLY.  hahahahahahahahaha Ok so even though I haven't taken ANY pictures with my new camera here is what I chose.  Yes I wanted an SLR.  Yes, I would have loved to go balls to the walls and get the top of the line Digital SLR with all of the bells and whistles and all of the lens bundles and yadayadayadaya. But seems how I don't have a couple grand to drop at the drop of a hat I settled (coughcough, it's hardly settling because I LERVE it).  I did some research and plus this was one of consumer reports top recommendations.   Hey they do all of the leg work and comparison shopping so why should I have to do all of that research??   I got the Canon Powershot SX10 IS.

Take a look at this little beauty:

SRSLY 

Then.....isnt that FUN!!

Hello

A quick card playing with my new Hero Arts Asian Girls set. These are sooooo cute when I saw the set on other blogs I new I had to have it too. Still no camera so I used my phonecam to snap this picture. It's a little grainy. Anywho, enjoy... not too original but wanted to get my mojo going.  The little flower in the center of the dress is glittered up with Martha Stewart "black onxy"  glitter.  I just picked up her 24 mini-jar set of glitter at Michael's with my 40% off coupon.  I lerve her glitter.  I have to say it is some of the best on the planet.  

What Can I Say.... I just have to brag a bit

My daughter.....she's sooooooo sweet. Isn't she?

I snagged this off of her facebook. I hope she doesn't mind. Love you honeybuns. She was at a friends wedding and took some time to smell the roses.

BSPPF - BEST SISSY PRISSY PAL 4EVER

Well I haven't posted anything in close to a month which is making me crzy.  I need to do something creative soon.  But I did want to post a picture of my BSPPF Patti because she says I never give her any blink.  Well, I finally have a digital picture of her because she finally is a stalker on facebook and I grabbed one from there.  This is a nice picture of her and her dh on their anniversary.  Aren't they C U T E!!  WOOHOO now never wear those green sweatpants again.  (JK)

Shadow Castle Stamps!

Time for some Bl!nk (Blog Ink).  FINALLY my BPPF Allison (Best Pr!ssy Pal Forever, click previous link and see the third pic down on the right navy shirt and here the fifth pic down) has a blog. Her new blog name is Shadow Castle Stamps to show case her lovely creations.  I'm super happy for her and me because now we can share things and I will get to see her creations sooner. Go on over and show some love to our newest blogger.  Leave a comment or two we all like visitors and attention =D.

While we're at it.... another blog virtual friend (I just read her blog I do not know her IRL and we have never met) over at Love Blooms in Me has a shout out for some help.  We are all going through tough times right now and we all need to circle the wagons and help neighbor to neighbor.  She is requesting that everyone just give one dollar to help a family in need.   I think it's a very nice gesture on her part and hopefully she'll be able to raise enough to make a difference in someone's life.  I know if it were me needing the help I would hope someone would do the same.  Leave a comment on her blog and let her know I sent you.  Thanks for any help you can provide.

Welcome Allison to blogoland.  Enjoy and have fun and I can't wait to see your blog develop.  

Pinch Me Now!!!

One silver lining when things get old, wear out and break aka computers, camera's etc.  You have to get new ones.  I am fortunate enough (ok so happy and grateful) that I am actually able to replace my computer.  I know a lot of people who might not be able to do this right now and that doesn't go unnoticed.  I am really really really thanking my lucky stars right now and pinching myself at my good fortune that I have the means to do this.  As you might remember my computer has been crashing, blue screening and having to be re-staged (hard drive wiped and re-installed which did not GO WELL).  OK fast forward.  I was pretty sick of Windows OS. Pretty sick of the fact that after having to wipe out my hard drive and reinstall everything of which I LOST ALL OF MY DIGITAL PHOTO FOLDERS in the transfer) MS kept telling me I had a pirated unauthenticated copy of Windows.  OK PEOPLE I DO NOT.  I HAVE THE ORIGINAL CDs that came with the computer.  Whatever.  MS proceeded to block any SP updates, the use of Media Player (my preference player) and lock up web surfing whenever it felt like it.  Needless to say it has been frustrating and no I did not have time to hold for TECH SUPPORT or pay extra for it.  ENTRE' APPLE are you surprised?  I am a card carrying sworn member of MS Windows OS.  NOT ANYMORE.  I just got one of these puppies...I haven't figured out how to insert a graphic so you will just have to click on the link to see a picture.  I am so excited.  I also got the wireless mouse and a keyboard for when we are using the laptop at home.  We will also hook up to a larger stationary monitor.  Ok enough for now.

Bargain Shopping

I thought I'd share a couple of the places that I go to order bulk buys at super great prices on "All Things Pr!ssy". (I am not receiving any compensation for either of these plugs, just sayin' EDIT... I just like to share great deals...) I just re-ordered some TOMBO Mono Adhesive Refills from an online place called Penwa. I ordered the Qty 6 refills and even with shipping it averaged to only about $2.00 per unit (+ or - a few pennies). That is approx. half what you would normally pay for retail. I love a deal like that. Another place that I lerve to buy "bulk" from is Pink HedgeHog Paper Crafts. I have purchased a lot (almost all) of my ribbon from here. I got some of each of the following: polka dot organdy, narrow stitched, ricrac, solid grosgrain, narrow organdy and ginham... just to name a few. She has tons more... these are just the ones I purchased. Her ribbon averages about .25 to .30 cents a yard. (but check her website for specific prices and Qty's) ....which is about what I think you should pay for ribbon. I think Pink HedgeHogs products are the most reasonably priced that I have found. TIP OF THE WEEK: Even Michael's ribbon in the dollar bin if you look at the yardage on the spool you are paying approximately $1.00 a yard or more. You think you are getting a deal because it is in the dollar bin but in reality its not the best price so check those yardages and prices. I will on occasion purchase ribbon that is more than .30 cents a yard if I really really really like it or need it. But for the bulk ribbon I try to keep it under .30 cents a yard. Especially if you are like me and h2h some in every color, size and shape. So if you are just getting into PaperCrafts and would like to stock up... these are great resources to do so. I got really great service over there and she has always been very easy to work with and shipment was prompt and as expected (she even sticks a little sumpin' extra in usually) I also purchased all of my eyelets and brads from her too, ANOTHER great buy if you are in the market for those so go check it out.

GINGHAM

1/4 ORGANDY

GROSGRAIN

POLKA DOT ORGANDY
(I got the 3/8in)

RICRAC

NARROW STRIPED

Postscript: Oh and here is the text from their "About Us" page I think it sums it up and says it all. They like to provide rock bottom prices and they do...

We are a new company started just this year (2007) after a frustrating and fruitless search for companies selling bulk ribbons, eyelets, brads, and other stamping and scrapbooking essentials. Our failure to find such a company lead us to the idea of starting our own.

We started our company with the purpose of providing quality ribbons and other embellishments at rock bottom prices. We have literally searched the world over for the best deals on our products in order to pass the savings on to our to you.

We are a family run business and we have a huge love of papercrafting arts, and a bigger love of finding a bargain!

~enjoy!