Manly Cards

A few days ago I attempted to clean up my workspace in an effort to get inspired to create again. As I was putting away all the supplies from my London album, I ran across these sticker that I bought for that album, but never used. They gave me a great idea that could work well for "manly" cards. Well, away I went. By the time I finished tonight, I made a total of 10 cards for various occasions. I will most likely give some of the duplicates away to Cards for Hero's (now, Operation Write Home). Now that I'm done, I have a great big mess again to clean up! I wonder how much I can get put away this time before I wind up creating again??!!

Fire Tower Hike

We started today with a nice hike up to the Devil's Head Fire Tower located just west of Castle Rock in the Rampart Range. We've done this hike a dozen or so times before, but it's always a great place to take new people (like our friend Melanie) and get a little bit of exercise in the nice crisp September air! This is the last manned fire tower in Colorado and from where they spotted the "infamous" Haymen fire back in 2002. It was the closest we've ever been to a fire (about 10 miles) and I tell you, the closest I ever want to be. As we looked to the south, Colorado Springs was in the clouds with Pikes Peak looming over it. The mountains to the northwest had a white layer called "snow" on it! The cold rain we endured all day yesterday apparently left snow up at that elevation! I'm not ready for that down here quite yet!!! It won't be long until the trees start turning and fall is officially here though!!

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday!

Finding the urge to blog...

I'm still struggling to find the urge to blog right now. I'm really hoping that will change here in September. Here is a birthday card I made for my Dad's lady friend Marcy's birthday last month. The inspiration came from a recent issue of Card Creations using a journaling block. The journaling block came from a set that Toni gave me a while back. It was a neat way to use these!!

So speaking of Dad, I got an update tonight that really made me smile! Not quite 2 weeks after his surgery and he is already walking down the stairs to get his own newspaper in the morning, trekking down the block for exercise, and following all of the doctors orders! He amazes me so very much at his strength and endurance! He truly believes that this recovery is a picnic in the park compared to his double-knee replacement! I was very glad I went to Chicago and spent time with him and I can't wait to see him in November for his 75th birthday!

My rock star is 14 today!!!

10 years later and Melanie got a bass guitar for her birthday... maybe I really do have a rock star in the making!!! Melanie turns 14 today - I'm in shock and disbelief that I am that old! Not to mention her!! I made her the favorite shake 'n bake chicken dinner and we're going for Cold Stone in a little bit! School was good, so I'm guessing she had a great day!

The concert on Saturday was awesome! I still have a hoarse voice from all the screaming! You would have thought I was a teenager!! They put on an amazing show and we had great seats! I'm surprised I didn't have nightmares from all the loud fireworks!! They made me jump every time! I will go back to see them next time they're in Denver! Love it!

Green Day!

You can say that I don't get out much! I'm so excited to be going to the Green Day concert tonight! I've always loved them and said if they were ever in town, I was going.... well my chance has come! Pepsi Center - 7 p.m. TONIGHT!!! I can't wait to act like an American Idiot and rock out!!!

Card, Chicago and HS???

Doesn't this Diva rock??!! This was a card and gift tin I made for my sister's 50th birthday (back in June)! The saying goes... "Just think with every birthday your even closer to being more like your parents"! The little horse is special... he was found in my mother's collection of stuff after she died. My sis, sil and I have been passing it back and forth for almost 18 years now. We hide it in each others homes, or in my case since they live far away, I just mail it back sometimes! It's like mom is always still with us! So for my sis' 50th, I made the special travel tin and sent it back! I think she got a kick out of it... who knows, we never talk about it - it's all secret!!

I'm headed to Chicago in 2 weeks to be with my father as he undergoes open heart surgery to repair his valve. (Maybe this will end back up in my suitcase?) The prognosis is very good - he has an excellent doctor. But I wasn't going to sit 1000 miles away and wait by the phone this time, I'm gong to be right there!

Tonight was back to school night. Melanie has been back since Monday and so far so good! It is definitely a bigger responsibility for her in HS! Oh, if only I had these opportunities when I was her age! What I missed!!!

June Challange a bit late

After I returned from Mexico in mid-July I finally had time to "play" in the June CJ Survivors Challenge of the Month. The challenge was to use 3 pieces of pattern paper to make as many projects as you can. I created a total of 10 cards and most of these cards were included in a recent package of 26 cards I sent to Cards for Hero's. It took me awhile to get the pictures posted, but hey, at least they got sent out to the troops first!!