Monday, May 21, 2007

Introducing....... OSCAR


This is our new addition to our family, his name is Oscar. I got him last week, and I just love him. He's so funny. We ended up naming him Oscar, because he's not real fond of the dogs.... so he sits on his hind legs and punches them. Hence, Oscar.... after my FAVORITE boxer in the world.... (and the best looking, I might add) Oscar delaHoya!!!

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

If you don't.....

Just a note:

If you don't like what you read on here.... then don't read my blog!

Monday, May 7, 2007

Best Song EVER!

I saw Bon Jovi on American Idol last week, and was so glad that the video is now on aol.com. This has to be one of their best songs ever. IF NOT the best!!!





href="http://music.aol.com/video/you-want-to-make-a-memory/bon-jovi/1899480">

Life in general

Whew! What a week. I still haven't gotten over the whole thing with Trish, and then my oldest daughter is on one of her rampages again. I feel like every ounce of living has been drained from my body. I can't sleep, can't eat, and can't stop crying. I sat up the other night, and wrote this post that I'm including below.... It was in a response to some things that my daughter had said. I don't know if she knows about this blog or not, don't really care... but, I am so hurt and so broken hearted that I don't know that I will ever recover.

On a bright side... I have a huge order for some of my crafts. I'm excited, as it couldn't have come at a better time! Hopefully, this will let me get my mind and my heart healed.

Here's my post: Subject: Life goes on within you and without you”

“Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.”

Well, I’m back from 4 days in the “Triad”… Mark had school from Monday to Thursday in Greensboro, and I tagged along. The first night was spent at “Motel Hell” which sat atop of Walton’s Mountain. (Long story… just ask if you want to know the details). Then on Monday morning we moved to the Biltmore Suites Hotel. Really awesome place, if anyone is ever in the Greensboro/High Point/Winston Salem area (hence… the Triad), I would highly recommend it.

Then, I spent Monday through Thursday doing a lot of work on a craft catalog/brochure listing all of my craft items, worked on trying (the keyword here is TRYING) to set up an actual website, and finally…. doing a lot of soul searching; which has allowed me to pretty much come to a new outlook on life in general. I really should have done this sooner, because I actually feel better now about a great deal of things that were bothering me emotionally. After the last falling/passing out/hospital stay scare, I definitely needed to put a lot of problems and issues in God’s hands. This is what I’ve done.

I have also really been missing my Mom a lot more than usual lately and thinking about her a lot. I can’t believe that she will have been gone 7 yrs this September. I did a lot of thinking about how she would handle these issues. I KNOW exactly what she would have done; but I won’t do it her way. Only because I am tire, oh so tired, of the confrontation, the blaming, the accusing…. There is one thing that I do know, and that is that Mom would have confronted the issue and won, she would have came out of it screaming and fighting… but she would have won! In all honesty though, can you ever win when it’s a matter of the heart? NO! Especially when that heart (like mine), has been scarred beyond recognition. What does one do when the heart will no longer fight? When the fight has been literally sucked right from your body? Well, I don’t know about everyone else… but in my case… I will pick myself off, and continue on the daily battle. I have to, because there are other people in my life who love me, need me and are counting on me. The source of the “scars” will always be loved by me…. More than my own life…. And more than can ever be put into words or actions.


I also have realized here lately that some people are bigger in death than they were in life…. While others are simply gone and forgotten. This is in itself a very heartbreaking realization. One, that if pondered upon, will make you wonder why do we spend our time here on Earth giving our hearts and souls to those we love only to be forgotten when the casket closes??? And why do we spend our lives loving, supporting, cherishing, and helping… to have people walk away and never look, back never call, and never say thank-you?

My Dad will be 78 years old on the 11th of this month. Over the course of my life I’ve butted heads with him on so many occasions, I’ve been mad as hell at him, and have swore that I would never speak to him again. But, it brings me to tears to think of losing him. Over the past 4 ½ - 5 years, he has gone from just being my father to now being my friend…. My hero. He is a man who has been through a lot and seen a lot in his lifetime. And, looking back on the 42 years that I’ve been a part of his life, I’ve seen him go through a lot. I’ve seen him laugh, and I’ve seen him cry. I’ve watched him bury the woman that he spent 54 yrs with, watched him bury all of his siblings and his mother. I’ve seen him go through the highs and the lows. I’ve seen him so mad at me that I thought he would beat the snot out of me, and I’ve seen him lower his eyes in pain, because he feels forgotten. But, he has always loved me, he may not say it like I wish, but he loves me. Now that Mom’s gone, and I am not able to thank her, tell her I’m sorry for the screw ups, and tell her that I love her. I make it a point to tell these things to Dad. Because one day, I won’t be able to.

I remember asking someone once if it was possible to die from a broken heart. I don’t remember the answer I got…. But I do know what I believe. I believe that it is possible, because the hateful things that were said to me and about me over the course of the last few years and weeks had brought me down to the point that I sat and begged God to stop the pain by letting me leave this world. A broken will never fully heal, but with time it will quit hurting so bad. TIME…. A word that no one knows how much of it they have. I never realized what an amazingly powerful word it is.

On a person to person note…. I do not deserve this from you. You are the one who has bad mouthed me, trashed me, and expects me to take it. I NEVER once said that you screwed up your life, that you were not happily married, or anything remotely close to that. You are the one who “assumed” that’s what I meant and went and told everyone that I said it. (When I NEVER said that). I also NEVER said that your life turned out bad, that you weren’t happy or you weren’t in love. Those were things that YOU ASSUMED when I made the comment that maybe your father and I should have given you a little more discipline. I have never said that having Austin was a mistake. I would NEVER say that. Ask anyone who hears me talk about him…. And you can also ask them while you’re at it about me saying you getting married was a mistake. They will ALL tell you that I love that baby, and I love you and your husband…. And I am proud of the two of you. They will also tell you that I constantly say that I am proud of the woman/mother/wife that you’ve become.

If I thought you getting married was a mistake I sure as hell wouldn’t have came Florida, taken every last penny that Mark and I had saved up out of the bank, and spent 90% of it on you! I sure as hell wouldn’t have given you the money to buy the wedding ring he wanted, instead of the one you could afford. I sure as hell wouldn’t have bought you over $100 worth of items from Victoria’s Secret for your wedding night. It wasn’t/isn’t Mark’s place to pay for those items… but he did, because he knew that it was something that I wanted to do, thinking it would make you happy, NO WE wanted to make you happy. We never asked for anything in return… all we wanted was a simple “thank you, I love you”. I NEVER asked you to pay me back for any of the money that I spent on you that weekend. But, maybe I should have… maybe then you would have respected and appreciated what I did a little more.

You asked me who I was to judge? Well who are you to judge? You’ve judged me for over 4 years, and you know you have. Everyone knows you have. When I’ve tried to sit down and talk with you about it, you won’t talk about it, you just blow me off.

You are my daughter, and I love you more that you will ever begin to realize. I thought maybe when you had your son you would realize how much a mother loves a child.

Garden Stone


This is the garden stone I engraved for my front porch. I haven't got the lettering painted yet. But the name is engraved about 1/8" - 1/4" deep. I LOVE IT!

Angels II



This is another pic of the angels. The one on the left is using #3 crochet thread, and the one on the right is using #10. I really like the #10 thread better, just don't like crocheting with it.

Angels


I found this pattern for these angels. They are just too cute. I've made a bunch of them already... Have so much other stuff that I need to be doing, but just can't get my umph in gear to get it done.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Austin


Kayla sent me this pic of Austin. He's got 2 teeth! He'll be walking before I get to see him again!

Been a rough one....


Well, spent the night in the hospital last week. I passed out/blacked out and fell, had to call Mark at work to come and help me get up. They said I had a severe electrolyte imbalance, and a severe sinus infection. So I spent most of last week in bed. Have been working this week on some garden rocks. I'm addicted to this engraving thing! Not much has been going on because I haven't felt that well. I go to the doctor today, so we'll see what he has to say. I have a list about a foot long of questions for him. He'll just love me!

Mark has to go to Greensboro for school next week. I think I'm going to tag along and relax in the hotel. Let Covington give me a lil vacation!

This is the garden stone that I'm currently working on!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Tony Stewarts Hurse


This is another pic from the car show. It's an old hurse that Tony Stewart had redone. It's got a big screen tv in the back. Mark and I decided this was one hurse we wouldn't mind riding in! hee! hee!

Saturday, April 14, 2007

OOPS

it's a 67 camaro.... not 57

Dale Jr's camaro


I took this at the auto show today. I hope it's not as blurry on here as it really looks! This is Dale Earnhardt Jr's 57 camaro. I don't like the color but an awesome car none the less.

Unexpected

Ok, I love living in Concord, NC. We're less than 6 miles from the race track. But the major downfall is...... UNEXPECTED WEEKEND VISITORS!!!!

I love having company but give me a notice!!! Is that so wrong to ask???

Friday, April 13, 2007

What to do next!


Well, now that I've engraved 2 very different slates, I'm addicted. I have a ton of thank you cards that I need to make, but just don't have the umph to go do it. So, I guess I'll be working on some slates for a while. I did get an order for the bar and shield one, and another order for an etched Harley in glass, so that will keep me busy and hopefully, give me some inspiration to get back to stamping.

On another note, this is a new pic of Austin. He looks so onry!

HD Slate finished


This is the completed slate. The only thing I have left to do is to clear coat it. I can't wait to get my hands on some more of this! I am loving this!! It's really messy, when engraving I have to wear a mask or I sneeze black shit for days! But, I love the dimensional work.

HD Slate #2



This is while I was painting. It shows the detail of the engraving,

Harley Slate


I'm getting into this engraving slate. This is the Harley Davidson bar and shield. I deep carved the outline, and then all of the area that should be black (refer to next photo that's painted) is engraved out, but not as deep.

Monday, April 9, 2007



This is the whole slate.

All comments appreciated.

The verse reads:

Those we love don't go away
they walk beside us every day
Unseen, unheard but always near
Still loved, still missed,still very dear.

Slate #2


This is the verse on the slate

Slate #1



This is the slate I've done in rememberance of my SIL. This is the sunflower at the top.

Old Car


While in WV for my SIL funeral, I was rummaging thru my dad's building and found my old fire engine car! So I brought it home with me. Isn't it cute? Plus it's an antique!!!!!!

Must I say anything else???????//

Trent AGAIN

Trent Tomlinson


This a pic from Coyote Joe's - Mark, Tara, and Jennifer and I went there to see Trent Tomlinson. HE IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOT!!!

Slate


This is the slate that I've started working on for my BIL - in rememberance of Trish.

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Pic on last post~

This is my DD.... doing her layout! Her dad said he took a ton of pics... I will post some when I get some! I'm sooooooooooooooooo proud!!!

NATIONAL CHAMPS BABY!!!!


Kourtney's all star cheer squad.... the OHIO VALLEY ALLSTARS..... have been in Orlando.... they won NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPIONS!!!! Go "Power" which is really Senior Co-Ed!!!!!

I'm so excited and so happy for her!!!!

Kassie's Senior Pictures

one more


I am so inlove with the pics that I took today.

I need .......

Well, I need a LOT of things.... But I decided tonight that I definately needed a scanner. I want to be able to show everyone how much Kassie looks like me. (poor child :() It's unreal!!!!!!!

This is my absolute favorite PIC


This is one of my ABSOLUTE favorites!!!!! This is so my daughter~

Not so bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ok, I took her senior pics today..... the pink reall didn't show up to bad I didn't think. I'm gonna post some pics. Everyone let me know what they think.... HONESTLY!!!!
I don't know how to post more than one at a time..... but I think B/W is the way to go... that way the gray haired aunts can't know.....

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Unreal!!!!

Well Kassie is here to visit until Sunday! Yeah! We're going to do a bit of shopping, and I'm going to take some pictures for her senior pics, and we're making her graduation announcements. (Because her Dad didn't order them..... ) Anyways.... I go to pick her up at the interstate yesterday, and she gets out of the car and she has PINK low lights in her hair. Now I don't mean soft pink, it's like flamingo pink! OMG! I about crapped my pants right there. I told her it looked like a peacock had landed on her head. I think I have convinced her to let me color it back normal. Or at least I hope I have.

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Updating

It's been over a month since I've updated this blog. Sorry, for that guys! A lot has happened over the past month. I'm finally getting this diabetes thing under control, I think. After a lot of struggles.

On March 17th, my sister in law Patricia "Trish" Lynn Kyer passed away in her sleep. This was very unexpected and a total shock. I am at a major loss, as Trish and I were close. I can't even write about it right now.

I've been in a creative block, and have to force myself to even open the door of the craftroom. That's awful. I am working on an engraved slate in rememberance of Trish, and will post pics when it's done.

Kassie, (middle daughter) will be arriving this afternoon to spend the rest of her spring break with me. She and I will be working on her graduation announcements and going to look at prom dresses. Other than that, we're going to be having some good one on one time. Youngest daughter, (Kourtney) will be in Disney World for a Cheerleading National competition. I would have loved to have went, but just not physically and financially able right now. :(

Updating

It's been over a month since I've updated this blog. Sorry, for that guys! A lot has happened over the past month. I'm finally getting this diabetes thing under control, I think. After a lot of struggles.

On March 17th, my sister in law Patricia "Trish" Lynn Kyer passed away in her sleep. This was very unexpected and a total shock. I am at a major loss, as Trish and I were close. I can't even write about it right now.

I've been in a creative block, and have to force myself to even open the door of the craftroom. That's awful. I am working on an engraved slate in rememberance of Trish, and will post pics when it's done.

Kassie, (middle daughter) will be arriving this afternoon to spend the rest of her spring break with me. She and I will be working on her graduation announcements and going to look at prom dresses. Other than that, we're going to be having some good one on one time. Youngest daughter, (Kourtney) will be in Disney World for a Cheerleading National competition. I would have loved to have went, but just not physically and financially able right now. :(

Monday, February 26, 2007

I knew better.....

Well, Kayla won't be coming to visit. She wanted me to drive to Florida and pick her up, and then bring her back here. I just can't afford it. It breaks my heart. I knew better than to get my hopes up. It seems like everytime I think something is going to go my way, wham! I get disapointed again. I really miss her and Austin. I've cried for 2 days. This could be the cause of the constant headache/migraine that I've had. I give up!

I've been working on locating people in my graduating class for our 25 yr reunion next year. This will be the first year that I'm not in town to co-chair. That's bothering me too.... So, I'm doing what I can to help by spending hours online emailing and looking up addresses. We had a class of around 600, so this will keep me busy for a while. But, it's not going to be the same. When we did our 20 year, I had so much fun catching up with everyone at the reunion meetings. But, I won't be able to go home for all the meetings this year. I am going to try and be at the first one, and maybe will be able to do one here and there. But, I don't know.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

He's a genius



He's a genius already. This pic is just too cute. His mommy called this morning and she may be coming for a couple weeks to visit. She will most likely stay here a week (hopefully) and then go back to WV for a week. I am trying not to get my hopes up, but I need some grandma time really really bad!

Tuesday, February 20, 2007



This is the second baby shower invite that I came up with.


I've been asked to help make baby shower invites. This is one that I came up with. The sea critters will match the mommy to be's nursery set.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

My Little Race Fan


My handsome little grandson Austin, sporting his Matt Kenseth attire that MamMaw got him for Christmas! This is just the cutest thing ever!

Sunday Ramblings....



This is one of the pictures that miraculously reappeard frm my digital camera. This is me and Austin the day I was leaving to come back to NC from Florida.....

I spent all day yesterday in bed. I woke up with another migraine, when Mark came in around 1:00 from work I had him take me to Urgent Care.... they gave me a shot in each butt cheek.... one of tordal and one of phenegren. Came home, ate a sandwich and was out until about 9 p.m. Then I tried to watch some tv, but the lights hurt my eyes, so I went back to bed and slept until this morning. Migraine is gone, but now I feel hung over. I'll take the hang over feeling compared to the migraine feeling. Will spend today in the recliner, probably crocheting while watching the Daytona 500!

Mark delivered the Lucas name frame yesterday, and they LOVED it. I wish I knew how to get more orders on these. I love making them. The only problem that I've had so far is getting the frames. My dollar tree hasn't had any of them since about a week before Christmas. I stocked up then, but am down to 5 frames.

Debi is wanting me to help with baby shower invites. So I will be getting with her either this week or next weekend and working on those. I need to check with Tara and see if she has the "fishy friends" and "silly sealife" stamps from stampin up. Those will match the new mommy's nursery theme perfect.

Have been giving a LOT of thought to becoming a demo for stampin up. I just don't have the $199 right now, and don't have enough stampin up stamps to do the mini kit. I have a few sets, but not many. I really thought about asking dad for the money, but know he'll complain... i think it would be a great birthday present.... don't you? LOL.

Well, need to get off of here and get a few things done before the 500! GO MATT!!!!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Name frame



This is the name frame that I sold! I'm pleased with how it turned out, I hope the mommy is too! I've emailed her this pic, and am waiting on a reply!

Freakin' Out


Ok, I go to download a couple of pics of the hats/caps that I had made for my friend Nancy this morning.... and the pictures that "disapeared" when I came home from Florida in October suddenly reappeared. I was so upset when I came home from Austin being born, because all of the pics that were on my digital camera were gone. I assumed that the xray machine at the airport had zapped my card. I have since formatted the card, and taken probably close to 200 pictures and downloaded them. Then all of a sudden today, out of the blue.... there they are. I am really glad and excited... but also kinda freaked out. That's just too weird for me.


Anyway, here are 6 of the caps I've made for Nancy. I've got another one started and my goal is to make her about 8-10, so she'll have a variety of colors.


I got an order for a name frame! YEAH! I got it done and will also post a pic of it.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Valentine's Day

Well, it's Valentine's Day. Yee Haw! I might be serious about the yee haw if I knew I was going to get a Valentine. Mark won't be buying any.... One we're low on cash this pay period, and two he couldn't even remember to take the 40 small ones that I made for the guys at the shop to work today..... Yes, you all read right.... I busted my tail making all those matchbook valentines and they're still sitting on the kitchen counter. Oh well, such is life.

I've been crocheting all day yesterday, and will probably work some more on that today. My friend has breast cancer and has lost her hair to chemo.... so I've been making her some chemo caps. Her birthday is next week, and I thought that would be a great present. Plus, since I am in a creative block when it comes to stamping, I thought this would be a good break!

Not much on the agenda for today, will probably end up doing some laundry and the normal picking up. And then will try to get a couple birthday cards done, and then crochet. So much for the exciting life.....

Tuesday, February 13, 2007


Just got this picture over the weekend of my handsome grandson. He looks so cute in his little sunglasses, not to mention his Marshall cap. (Go Herd!)

Basket full of Valentine's for Mark to take to the shop. These are "matchbooks" with a small candybar inside, The candy has a label on it that says "Happy Valentine's Day".

3 x 5 laminate sample. The birdhouse is cut out from a wallpaper sample, and decoupaged on.

Tuesday....


Well, I didn't do a very good job this weekend of updating. Didn't do much all weekend long. I don't know what's been wrong with me. I had a migraine hit on Friday night, and it lasted until Sunday. That's the first migraine I've had in 6 yrs. And, believe me I don't care if I have another one for 6 yrs.


I got all the valentines done for Mark's shop. I also got all of the others done and mailed out. Now to finish up the birthday cards I need to make. I think I have 7 more to make for the month of February. I also made some more mini clipboards. I'll post pictures of them on here. The larger ones are made from 3 x 5 laminate samples and the smaller ones from the small laminate samples. There's a binder clip glued to the top, and ribbon added for embelishment. Magnets are on the back so that they can be attached to the fridge.


Friday, February 9, 2007

It's Friday!

Well, it's Friday. For me, that's really no big deal. Mark will be working tomorrow morning, then splitting wood all evening, and on Sunday. He's supposed to go after work tonight and see about working on a dump truck for a friend. So I don't know what time I'll see him.

I'm starting to get a little restless. I feel at days like the walls of the house are closing in on me. I went yesterday and just walked around Target for something to do and somewhere to go. And to top it all off, I feel like I'm in a creative slump. I've done a couple of cards, but I don't like them. I hope this passes... I hate just standing in the door to the craft room and having no idea what I want to go do.

Practice for NASCAR starts tonight, at 4:00. I'm glad! At least I'll have that to occupy my time.

Thursday, February 8, 2007


"Girly girl" contest card. I'm not sure that I like it. The quote says: "All I want out of life is a moments peace, a good book, and a great pair of shoes" by Katherine Hepburn.
I am not sure I like this!


Just a card I made playing around. I seriously thought about entering this into the "girly girl" contest that I signed up for. Because for some of us.... this is "girly girl" for us!

Wednesday, February 7, 2007



This is a card I did for a weekly challenge on Ink-stains. I've never done a challenge before, and did this one and signed up to do a "girly girl" one. I'm still struggling with that one.

The stamp I believe is either hero arts or inkadoodles.... I'm not sure. (I took the plastic tag off a long time ago, because it was peeling) I do know that I got it at Hobby Lobby.It's colored and shaded with my prisma pencils. I just love the way it turned out.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

BRRR! It's cold!

BRRR!!! It is cold outside!
It's 24 degrees here.... to me that's way too dang cold!
Didn't get much accomplished yesterday, I finished Kayla & Eric's anniversary card, and that's about it. Today I have a huge list of things to get done. Including trying to come up with something girly girl for a monthly card contest, 7 bday cards to finish the month of February & the rest of my Valentines. I hope to accomplish something today.

Saturday, February 3, 2007

Austin



Look how handsome! This is Austin, my gorgeous little grandson. Oh how I miss him! He's grown so much, and has gotten so big!


Clover checking out the snow on Thursday. He didn't like it much!


Valentine I made to send to friends. Paint chip card from Lowe's used for the background. Heartfelt Wishes was printed off of computer onto red vellum. Simple, yet effective.


A few matchbook Valentine's I made. This is just 14 of them, there are 35 in all! I've been a busy girl! Mark will take these to work to the guys at the shop. I usually on send stuff to a couple of our really good friends that he works with, but this year decided to treat them all!
Well, I haven't really done a very good job of keeping this thing up to date. Oh well, I'll try and get better.

Have been working on Valentine's this week. Have a couple Anniversary cards that need done and several birthday cards.

Nothing much going on this weekend. Having some friends over for the big game on Sunday. I've got to get the sweeper ran and all of that fun stuff. YUCK!

I'm supposed to go to Heather's tonight for a pure romance party, not sure if I feel up to going. It will all depend on how late Mark works today. I never see him. :(

Tuesday, January 30, 2007



9x12 etched glass of 07 HD Fat Boy. This one took me well over 10 hrs, the detail on it is amazing.


8x10 etched glass of my man! Go Matt!


This is a 9x12 piece of glass that I etched. This is from an actual picture of Kayla & Eric (DD & SIL) on their wedding day!
Tuesday morning.... It's another cold morning here. They're calling for snow on Thursday, I am so excited. We haven't had snow of any amount here in 2 yrs! I can't believe it's been that long.

Today will be spent playing on here, and working on Valentine's, and Bday cards. I am also in the process of making my own address book, will post pics when I'm done. I made a list last night of things I needed to do today, and I've done decided it's way too long! I don't know why I do that to myself, I make the list.... then the next morning look at it and think YUCK I don't want to do any of that. So I just end up throwing it away.

Off to get some things done!

I did it!

Well, I did it.... or at least I hope it's still here tomorrow. I am officially a blogger. Tomorrow I will finish adding some of my crafts for the whole world to see. I'm a little nervous about that....
Tomorrow on the agenda is to finish this thing, and work on valentine's and bday cards for February.

Until then....


Simple Valentine. I'm all for simple since I've agreed to make over 35 of them!


This is a bday card I made for my best friend back in WV.

Outside: We could always wear paper bags over our heads to hide our age. Of course, then everyone would think we're weird. Would you rather be old or weird?

Inside: RIGHT! Get the scissors and we'll cut out the eye holes.

I think she'll really get a kick out of this.