Where Have I Been...You Ask? (And a FREE Silhouette Cut File!)

Once again I've been missing for a while....here's the reason why....

Early in January, I had a procedure on my left thumb called Zancolli Arthroplasty.  The procedure basically removes some disintegrated bone from between my thumb bones and my wrist bone and replaces the joint by moving one of the tendons in my wrist/hand between my thumb bones and my wrist bone so that I no longer have the pain of bone on bone when using my thumb.  OUCH!

It's been almost 6 weeks now and this is how my incision is looking....not bad.  I still have to complete some occupational therapy to regain the motion and strength in my thumb, hand, and wrist, but at least the worse part is over with! I had this same procedure on my right thumb four years ago and the time frame for complete mobility and healing is about 9 months!

Since my crafting has been restricted to what I can do with my right hand, I've been doing a little designing in my Silhouette program and I wanted to share it with everyone.  These cute little guys can be cut and pieced together or you can do what I did and make them into a print and cut by turning off the cut lines from areas that you just want to print.

These guys are about 4 inches tall, but it you group the pieces together for each robot, you will be able to re-size them to whatever size you want!

Get your free cut file here.  I've uploaded the file to my google docs, so I hope this works right! I haven't added any of my cut files before, but it this works and you want to see more, just let me know! I'm always happy to share.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments and your visits are always appreciated!! Until next time...

Happy Anniversary, Darnell & Mister!

I have an online friend, Darnell, which I sure many of you know and love.  We've never met in person, but I know that we would thoroughly enjoy spending time together.  Her blog posts are always entertaining and usually make me laugh...and I always need a laugh!  I was missing from blog land for a while and Darnell was quick to notice my absence and sent me an email to check up on me...how sweet is that!  Thank you Darnell...for being you...we all need someone like you in our lives!  

Darnell and her Mister are celebrating their 42nd Anniversary...and another of our online friends, Ardyth has put together a little challenge for all of us to post our wedding photos...no prizes..just a lot of fun!

So...here's to you and the Mister, Darnell...Happy Anniversary!

Now I must confess what I did when making this card.  I obviously don't read/comprehend some of what I read.  I had the card all ready for the mail, when I realized that I'd put 43!  Thank goodness I was able to peel the 3 off and replace it with a 2!  Just so you know, Darnell...if the 3 hadn't come off, I'd have just sent it to you next year! LOL!

Now...my wedding photos.  I have been fortunate enough to be married to TWO wonderful men.  I was married the first time on July 19, 1970, when we were 19 years old.  We had three children together - two girls and our son who was born 7 months after his Daddy died. (My children's father was killed in an auto accident just a few days after our 8th anniversary.)

About three years later, on April 11, 1981,  I married my husband, Butch.  We will soon celebrate our 32nd anniversary.  What a wonderful man he is!  He gladly accepted my three children, and loves them as his own.  I have truly been blessed!

Here's a couple of photos from our wedding in 1981.  These three kids are all grown now with children of their own.  With our blended family, we have 5 children and 17 grandchildren!  We are a big family...but I LOVE it!

My life is proof that God has a plan for our lives....it might not have been my plan...but obviously, God knows what I need much better than I do!  

Thanks for stopping by...and again...Happy Anniversary, Darnell!! Until next time...

Hugs!

Happy New Year and Hello!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.  I know I haven't posted in a while, but our lives have been a tad stressful since Thanksgiving.  Things seem to have stabilized a bit for now, so hopefully, I can find Mr. Mojo and do a little crafting again.  I know I've missed so many of your wonderful creations, but I'll be checking in on your blogs again soon.

Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers, and to those of you who sent me a card, I appreciate it more than you know!

Hugs!

Happy New Year!

Another year has rolled around! Happy New Year to all my friends and family! My wish for you in 2012 is....

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words ............

May 2012  be the best year of your life!!!

Today is also the 4th Anniversary of my blog!  It's hard to believe that I've been blogging for 4 years! The time has really flown by!  I wasn't very active on my blog for the first couple of years, but during the past 2 years, I've posted more frequently and have really been enjoying myself.  I've met so many talented people via my blog...and had the opportunity to visit other blogs where crafty goodness abounds! What a wonderful world we have in BLOG-LAND!

A BIG thank you to all my followers...I appreciate you stopping by to see what I've posted and for those of you who leave me comments...you really make my day! I really appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment or two.

SO...in honor of my Blogoversary today, I think I'll put together a little RAK for one lucky winner whose name will be drawn on January 31, 2012.  To be eligible for the drawing, all you need to do is leave me a comment to let me know you've popped in, (and maybe you could tell me what your New Year's Resolutions are...)  and I'll put your name in the drawing for a RAK.  If you're also a follower that would be awesome too! The RAK might just be a gift card ...how does that sound to you? I know I'd LOVE a gift card to some of my favorite stamping/scrapping places!

I hope your 2012 is a wonderful year!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Until next time...

Hugs!

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to take a minute today to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.  

Today is my birthday....turning 61 is tough...the years are just flying by and it seems to get faster every year! My brain still thinks I'm 30...but the body just can't keep up! LOL! So far the day has been fabulous!   My sweet husband gave me a certificate for a massage and pedicure....both of which I've already taken advantage of...pure bliss!!!  Later in the evening, we'll be getting together with some of the children and grandchildren for a birthday dinner celebration...and this morning the florist delivered me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers!

I've spent this morning baking and making candy.  Let's see....we have brownies, peanut brittle and pecan brittle finished....so I think I'll take a little break and then do a little more this afternoon.  Gotta get all the goodies ready for the influx of the Goetter clan (about 40 people!) on December 26!

Hope your Holidays are everything you hope for...filled with joy and peace!  Hugs to all!!

Merry Christmas to ALL!!

Tomorrow, I'll be 60 years old.  I can't believe it!  Where has the time gone? Have I accomplished anything noteworthy in my 60 years?  I think so.  I have wonderful children, beautiful grandchildren, and my health. How rich can one person be?! 

On December 11, my children surprised me with a birthday party.  Now....I KNEW I would be having a party, I just thought it was going to be on my actual birthday on the 23rd....so they REALLY surprised me.  About 50 people came to help me celebrate.  I was almost speechless!  I know...who would have thought! LOL!  One of my brothers drove almost 3 hours to be there.  I had all the children and most of the grandchildren, friends from the neighborhood, and friends from work.  What a wonderful time we had.  To make it even more special, when we were talking about a birthday party, I had told my kids that I didn't really want gifts (you know the gag type gifts I'm talking about!), but that I would love it if people would bring non-perishable foods that we could donate to a food pantry.  Well....we ended up with about 3 laundry baskets FULL of food to donate.  It couldn't have been any better! 

Now, in a couple of days it will be Christmas.  It seems to come a little faster each year.  This week has been especially busy for me.  I finished all my Christmas shopping on Monday.  Tuesday, I wrapped presents for about 4 hours, and today, I spend the day baking....peanut brittle, cheese straws, pecan brittle, toffee bars, M&M cookies, fudge, and peanut butter Ritz crackers dipped in chocolate! Whew!!

Now, I think I'll go prop my feet up and rest.  Tomorrow...since it's my birthday, I think I'll pamper myself a bit and get a pedicure and manicure.  Ahhhh.....

I should be back to posting regularly by the first of the year.  To all my followers, and to those of you who visit my blog regularly....

Have a very Merry Christmas and and safe, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Hugs!



It's a Special Day

It's been two months now since the surgery on my right thumb. Slowly but surely I'm getting the use of my thumb back. There are still MANY things I can't do, but the list is getting shorter every day. I began my therapy (exercises) a couple of weeks ago to build back strength and flexibility. VERY painful, but I have to do it if I want to be able to have full use of my thumb again.

However...that is not what I was going to write on my first blogpost since surgery. Today is a special day....

Today is our wedding anniversary. We've been married for 29 years! Some days it's hard to believe it's already been 29 years...and other days it seems more like 40 years! LOL! Lots of ups and downs, we've been happy and sad, and we've shared lots of laughter and tears. With all we've been through in the last 29 years, I can definitely say...he's a keeper!

Here's to you and your special someone....have a great day...make it special!

Until next time....

Hugs!

I'll Be Back....

In about two weeks, I'll be having surgery on my right hand (AND that's my dominate hand!), so I'll be away for a while until I can type again. I guess I could type with one hand, but I know from trying it for the past few weeks that it would take me F-O-R-E-V-A-H!!

So, hang in there...I'll be back before you know it!

See ya soon!

Happy New Year

What a wonderful time we've had this Christmas season! I love watching the grandchildren when their eyes light up with joy on Christmas! There's nothing like little ones to make Christmas even more magical.

We've had overnight company and some that just visited for a few hours during the day...but all of it was treasured time spent with family and friends.

This weekend we will ring in the new year with a little get together with more friends, and my daughter, Kimberly and her family will be visiting (and bringing Katie, Adam and my newest granddaughter, Maggie Elizabeth). It'll be a full house again this weekend and I can't wait!

From my house to yours...I hope the new year brings you great health, happiness, and prosperity! Here's to a FABULOUS 2010!!

Until next time...Hugs!

I Wish.....

When I was a child, every time I said "....I wish", one of my parents would always say..."don't wish your life away". I guess I didn't understand it then, but now when I think about those words, I believe they were trying to tell me to live in this moment and enjoy myself in the here and now. That's a tough concept for a child, and it's still a tough concept for me now. Sometimes during the week (especially a stressful week) I find myself wishing for the weekend. Then when the weekend gets here, I find myself wishing it would last longer. For all the times I said "I wish I was older"....I take it back! Being older just means more responsibility not necessarily more fun! And why is it that you have to get "older" before you understand that concept? With that said...if you had the knowledge you have now when you were a teenager...what (if anything)would you have done differently? And...is it to late to do it? I'd love to hear your thoughts...so SHARE! Hugs! Susan

A Recipe for a Great 2009!

Someone sent me this....and I think it could make a difference in my life. What about you? 1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. 2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to. 3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________. 4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. 5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts. 6. Try to make at least three people smile each day. 7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. 8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card. 9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. 14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. 16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: In five years,will this matter? 17. Forgive everyone for everything. 18. What other people think of you is none of your business. 19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him. 20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friendswill. Stay in touch!!! 22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________. 24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. 25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

How Do You Spend Your Time?

Since I spend my working hours in banks, this really hit home for me. I've seen this little article several times. The older I get the faster time flies....so I leave this for you to ponder. Oh, and Enjoy your day! There is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out ALL OF IT, of course! Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the "tomorrow." You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success! The clock is running. Make the most of today. To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade. To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby. To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train. To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident. To realize the value of ONE-TENTH OF A SECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics. Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special. And remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a GIFT. That's why it's called the present!

A Bit of This and That.......

As we draw to the end of another month, it reinforces the notion that the older you get, the faster time flies! This week has been a great week. For starters, I was working close to home this week and was home every night! I never realized how wonderful it is to be home, until I took this job that keeps me traveling all over the southeast about 38 weeks out of the year! There's definitely something to be said for being able to relax at home...as opposed to sitting in a lonely hotel room, somewhere in a city where you don't know anyone....sniff...sniff!! Are you feeling sorry for me yet? LOL! We went to dinner with Traci and Jacob on Tuesday. Jacob will be four in December and he really enjoys calling Grandma on the phone. I got a voice mail on Tuesday from him telling me he wanted catfish for dinner at David's (a local catfish restaurant). The funny thing is, Butch and I had just decided Tuesday morning that we would go to David's for dinner that evening....then Jacob calls and asks about dinner at the same place! Of course we took them with us! We're still working on our "restaurant" voice. It's so cute when little ones believe that EVERYONE wants to be entertained by them! ...and another thought...it's much cuter now than it was when MY children were being loud in a restaurant! Wednesday night, we went out for barbeque with Matthew, Nichole, Allen, and Helen Grace. I'm not a big fan of this particular barbeque place, but everyone else is. Allen and Helen Grace were excited to see us. As we were finishing dinner, my daughter-in-law prepared two small dishes of banana pudding for each of the children. Helen Grace (at 2 1/2) seemed to be having a little trouble eating hers with just a big fork, so I asked her if she'd like for her Grandpa to help her (he was sitting right next to her). She said yes...so I moved her dish of banana pudding over toward Grandpa. She stood up in her chair (the kind that turn over easily) and I said to her...."Helen Grace, you need to pay attention to what you're doing, so Grandpa can help you with the banana pudding". She turns around..still standing in the chair and gently pats her Grandpa on the shoulder with her precious little grimy hand and says...."Grandpa, now pay attention.....okay?" I swear, that child just cracks me up! Since it's the end of the month, it's time again for another new kit from My Creative Scrapbook. I've finished four layouts, two bookmarks, and a card, using the Main Kit and the Mini-kit. Still have one more layout and a card to finish....so I'd better get back to work! Thanks for stopping by...leave me a comment...I'd LOVE to hear from you!

I've Been Tagged by StacEy!

1. Two names you go by: Hmmmm...guess I need to keep it clean....Mama and Grandma (these ARE my major roles in life!) 2. Two things you are wearing right now: Cropped pants (which are a little snug...UGH!), black sandels, shirt ...and the usual assortment of undergarments.....Being specific here is probably not necessary..... LOL!!! 3. Two of your favorite things to do: Scrapbook (DUH) and I read constantly! (oh......and a "small" confession here...I am somewhat addicted to my Gameboy DS...cause it travels well!!! sh.....I don't share that often...cause most people think that "grandmas" are TOO old to play with handheld games!) 4. Two things you want very badly at the moment: TO BE HOME!!!!!! and to be THIN!!!!!!! Not loving my chunky fat body right now!!! 5. Two Pets that you have or have had: No pets now...OH wait!!! Does DH count????? NO???????? Well in that case... my last pet was a minature pom named Muffin and before that a toy poodle (for about 6 months) named Puddles (any guesses WHY????) Gave him AWAY!!! But before Puddles....my sweet little silver toy poodle....Teddy Bear...and he was a teddy bear! 6. Two things you did last night: Sat in my hotel room...all alone....feeling sad.....cause I don't even get a decent phone connection here!!!! Oh...and spent a little time leaving some love for my friends at sb.com.....and My Creative Scrapbook... 7. Two things you did today: Spent the day at the Bank working....only because if I don't work, it cuts into my scrapbooking budget!!!!....then I spent 1.5 hours driving to and from the bank.......I'm SOOOOO ready to be HOME!!!! 8. Two things you ate today: Hamburger and fries (refer back to # 4.....wonder WHY I have a chunky body??????!!! LOL!) 9. Two people you last talked to: My DH, Butch, and my DS Matthew 10. Two things you're doing tomorrow: DUH! Working (again!!!) Hopefully, I'll finish up and HEAD HOME!!!!!! 11. Two memorable vacations: Please understand that memorable does not necessarily mean FUN......without going into a LOT of detail...the kids were teenagers....and the trip was long...but it became fondly referred to in our house as the "Vacation from Hell"!!! In fact....I'm pretty sure it was our last "family" vacation! LOL!!!! and......DH and I take trips to Sanibel Island off the west coast of FL about every other year...nothing really special....lots of quiet time.....nothing to do.....and ALL DAY LONG to do it!!! 12. Two favorite holidays: Christmas and Thanksgiving....mostly cause it's always been all about family!

Busy, Busy, Busy

The month of June really flew by! I've been on the road with my job every week this month...and that's really tough! I find that working and traveling really cuts into my scrapping time!!! LOL!!! Then when I finally get home, I rush off to my scraproom and hibernate! Of course, this month I have done four layouts and two cards for My Creative Scrapbook that had to be completed by today....I have a Daisyd assignment that must be completed and mailed by Monday, I have two grandchildren with birthdays this month...gotta make cards....Just finished my layout for the Winter issue of Scrapbooking and Beyond.....I decided to participate in another circle journal....and I haven't even THOUGHT about that yet!!!! Yep! It has definitely been a busy month....oop...June is over..now I've got to work on July stuff!!! DH had a birthday yesterday....I think he had a nice day. We went out to dinner with our son and DIL....Bonefish Grill...YUMMY!!! I did get a card made for his birthday....even though I didn't finish it until about ....oh......11:30 pm on July 1!!! Nothing like cutting it close!!! LOL! Thanks for stopping by....hope everyone has a great weekend...and for those who celebrate Independence Day (July 4)....Have a GREAT DAY!!!