tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83006377462594394422024-02-06T20:58:43.578-08:00Face Life With a Grinsharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-1228586090471253002014-03-16T14:29:00.002-07:002014-03-16T14:29:45.345-07:00I love to write, but you would never know it by this sad, neglected blog! It has been nearly two years since I last wrote--a LOT has happened since then! Charlie and I did get to go on an Alaskan cruise in August 2012. I went on a mission trip to Ethiopia in October of 2012, and after that, our world pretty much came crashing down! Charlie had to go on an extended medical leave from his job in November 2012, and had major back surgery in January 2013. We lost my Uncle Dave in a bizarre accident on Good Friday 2013 (he fell out of a small plane that he had bought--he was with an instructor, getting certified when it happened). We had to put our 17 year old dogs to sleep in July 2013. In August 2013, Charlie had to take early retirement due to ongoing health issues, and Laura broke up with her boyfriend which profoundly affected her. Philip moved out in October 2013, which freed up a room that I promptly took over as my new stamp room! <br />
One of the best things that happened was when we got our new, sweet dog. Less than a week after Rocky and Scooby crossed the Rainbow Bridge I couldn't bear the sad quietness of the house and we went to a rescue organization to "just look". Needless to say, as soon as they brought Venus in to the meet and greet room, she wormed her way right into the empty area of our hearts, and she came home with us that day. She was only 9 months old, and not quite housebroken, so it was a bit of a rocky start, but her funny, playful, loving attitude made up for it!sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-5912471178639162042012-04-10T07:25:00.002-07:002012-04-10T07:36:42.989-07:00Has it really been over 2 years?Good grief, I must be the world's worst blogger! Time truly seems to be flying by the older I get!<br /><br />Let's see--in the 2 years since I've blogged, Laura has graduated from high school, Philip has gotten his act together and is really excelling in college now, and I rejoined Weight Watchers. I've only lost 10 pounds, but hey, it's a start!<br /><br />Charlie and I celebrated our 26th anniversary in January, and it looks like we will be taking an Alaskan cruise this summer! We are excited about that!<br /><br />Now that Easter is over, I need to figure out how to decorate my fireplace mantle. It's so easy when there is a holiday theme, but inbetween times, I have no idea what to put up there. I am seriously lacking in the design department! Any ideas would be welcome. Pictures I can copy off of would be good, too!<br /><br />Well, it feels good to be back! <br /><br />{{{hugs}}}sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-71979075195829808442010-02-23T18:10:00.000-08:002010-02-23T18:21:52.810-08:00Forgiveness<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWfnyMUzPDs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWfnyMUzPDs</a><br /><br />Sunday, Gracia Burnham spoke at our church. I had read her book and was just blown away by her experiences in the jungle. It was amazing to hear her in person. She spoke about their captivity, and how her feelings of anger and hatred and bitterness towards her captors had turned to compassion and forgiveness as the years have passed. What a testimony she has, and what a blessing she was to me! May I always have that spirit of forgiveness and compassion even for those who try to hurt me!sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-29925003481418605422010-02-17T15:37:00.000-08:002010-02-17T15:51:39.106-08:00Something's got ahold of me!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEO9U6rK88-ZAZ2skp2U6YXtUiWxVHK6ETSzutelXsvLvHYCTevkRlVLi3augwiLRPLYaE66jyWCn0tEpZH7x9z9KUdIf6c8Oksi6DQgltCnQLNbZLemp89B0DE_pTEAJ4NQM19Ox1O3NW/s1600-h/IMG_0659.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439363951932109810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEO9U6rK88-ZAZ2skp2U6YXtUiWxVHK6ETSzutelXsvLvHYCTevkRlVLi3augwiLRPLYaE66jyWCn0tEpZH7x9z9KUdIf6c8Oksi6DQgltCnQLNbZLemp89B0DE_pTEAJ4NQM19Ox1O3NW/s320/IMG_0659.JPG" /></a><br /><div>It started at the Super Bowl party--I was minding my own business, having fun--and while laughing, I coughed a few times. I could feel my chest tighten a little bit, but I figured I'd just use my inhaler for a few days and I'd be fine. I'd been a little stuffy, but in the winter, who isn't?</div><br /><div>Plus I was working the next three days and who has time to be sick! </div><br /><div>By thursday I knew I was in trouble and ended up in Urgent Care for steroids to help with the wheeze and an antibiotic for a raging sinus infection. I felt sure that by the weekend I'd be on the mend--after all, this had happened before, and the steriods usually hurried the healing along. This time, not so much. By monday I was in the doctor's office, getting a shot of rocephin and one of solumedrol, breathing treatments as opposed to my inhaler, and a new, stronger oral antibiotic. Plus bloodwork. </div><br /><div>Ok, cool, THIS will do it--I don't have to be back to work until wednesday, so that is plenty of time to turn the corner!--or so I thought. I think I ran INTO the corner! So, here is it, wednesday evening, and I am going to miss another day of work tomorrow to hopefully continue to heal. My cough is not nearly as frequent, and I don't feel like I am working with each breath, but you don't even need a stethoscope to hear my wheezing. </div><br /><div>This is really getting old! Hopefully I'll be able to work on friday, but in the meantime, this is pretty much what I am doing-- </div>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-62218237878069655482010-02-15T08:57:00.000-08:002010-02-15T09:11:21.280-08:00A snowy day in Georgia!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWW9RX_wjEju1Ev5I4BUr4EAjFdEYGeHdzgNQYBj_8VFMty0XUPHfwY3sIPqnck2ePes5OX66I9O4_Wd0BsN4hm5dnvUDb_s-Jc4UWAKgtYFrCCCh6OQz-gDa494K6k7jQKNc-ygdOgBPp/s1600-h/IMG_0636.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438518358436214530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWW9RX_wjEju1Ev5I4BUr4EAjFdEYGeHdzgNQYBj_8VFMty0XUPHfwY3sIPqnck2ePes5OX66I9O4_Wd0BsN4hm5dnvUDb_s-Jc4UWAKgtYFrCCCh6OQz-gDa494K6k7jQKNc-ygdOgBPp/s320/IMG_0636.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2P4CWrUaVN90ks-RQRM7udw0vdxcvZVh6Crn3xSMOn7hOjWdkW9N_2UTUSVPYcovJe12NhPUrKsrmRxbGs1NDmUNYI0Kt9F5efHTiPBgFplER0pCx7M-_IacwdcMsFYjzn6w6cf45XuEG/s1600-h/IMG_0629.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438518347569192338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2P4CWrUaVN90ks-RQRM7udw0vdxcvZVh6Crn3xSMOn7hOjWdkW9N_2UTUSVPYcovJe12NhPUrKsrmRxbGs1NDmUNYI0Kt9F5efHTiPBgFplER0pCx7M-_IacwdcMsFYjzn6w6cf45XuEG/s320/IMG_0629.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WgVgeqfrzuu05U0ExirYMNLxK0oDK8hbI3Sg2WXi4_1v3WhgMVYdywRLxjS8pvStzuuKnvgK9YfjL5r6LKfAfqiauZd8nqqCeIcbDaifpsLsGJsek7-6uPyugUEPqsTIPvTdF0cpGREr/s1600-h/IMG_0634.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438518342686460498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WgVgeqfrzuu05U0ExirYMNLxK0oDK8hbI3Sg2WXi4_1v3WhgMVYdywRLxjS8pvStzuuKnvgK9YfjL5r6LKfAfqiauZd8nqqCeIcbDaifpsLsGJsek7-6uPyugUEPqsTIPvTdF0cpGREr/s320/IMG_0634.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAH-BlNbMNsTmrqv-Meyglu9gPK4SUVJbQf7mX64XEFi8L2s6EvyGv4i96nmQXb67EWckIp6imonYOBdsXiLuoNVe17AbBrFT-DmAi8Zj09mUzbEeYX2L-Swh2fyT0jWrFZIhp6y8IqbSX/s1600-h/IMG_0637.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438518341250608450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAH-BlNbMNsTmrqv-Meyglu9gPK4SUVJbQf7mX64XEFi8L2s6EvyGv4i96nmQXb67EWckIp6imonYOBdsXiLuoNVe17AbBrFT-DmAi8Zj09mUzbEeYX2L-Swh2fyT0jWrFZIhp6y8IqbSX/s320/IMG_0637.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hihFUOQbFjjPbAVh2RGP1V7LwiM4Y0pS5A6ma77i_q2hkiGeZ9HLk2fUq2s4aooYYR6q-LdD0p6i6YXoeXmhUmnytlfbzRHJVevU8Y7-9mUOgKRhuVytI95QqpgV15t-CkCGVYJ-5QDE/s1600-h/IMG_0633.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438518331068513458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hihFUOQbFjjPbAVh2RGP1V7LwiM4Y0pS5A6ma77i_q2hkiGeZ9HLk2fUq2s4aooYYR6q-LdD0p6i6YXoeXmhUmnytlfbzRHJVevU8Y7-9mUOgKRhuVytI95QqpgV15t-CkCGVYJ-5QDE/s320/IMG_0633.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I just wanted to share a few pictures of our snow! I measured 2 1/2 inches at our house. It was such a pretty one, with big, heavy wet flakes--looked like we were in a snow globe! It didn't last long--most of it was gone the next day! I had to include the picture of Rocky and Scooby resting after going outside. It was so funny seeing them run through it with their stubby little legs!</div></div></div></div></div>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-437505142886336812010-02-15T08:37:00.000-08:002010-02-15T08:56:59.727-08:00What's in YOUR (thought) closet?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXJBGxyW2cxQCbdkYZzlskove_WBjPzIbd2E9u1g0rPJDYon6XCiEtWaUafOfj0yuUoBv2TsHrBhH1OEV3QFqB56iGfCMNegfrm-NloIyEbXku27zHaENRp6ysJyocMKnRnTyKfDSwBBy/s1600-h/IMG_0611.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438514918934957394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXJBGxyW2cxQCbdkYZzlskove_WBjPzIbd2E9u1g0rPJDYon6XCiEtWaUafOfj0yuUoBv2TsHrBhH1OEV3QFqB56iGfCMNegfrm-NloIyEbXku27zHaENRp6ysJyocMKnRnTyKfDSwBBy/s320/IMG_0611.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Do you wonder why in the world I am posting a picture of my messy closet?</div><br /><div>Well, I'm taking a really good Bible study right now called "Me Myself & Lies" by Jennifer Rothschild. It's only a six week study, but it is packed with powerful ideas on how to change the way you think about yourself and your life experiences! I took a good look at my real life closet--chaotic and overflowing, packed with some clothes I NEVER wear that are just taking up valuable space (just ask my DH when he sees our electric keyboard covered with my tossed off clothes!), but also housing some precious treasures from my childhood tucked up on the shelves. It really was a good mirror for my own "thought" closet. </div><br /><div>Jennifer encourages us to be aware of what is in our thought closets (I love that she doesn't say to just ignore them--we do have to deal with them) and focus on making God the center of our thought closet. At one point in the book she gives a long list of "truthful labels" (along with the verses) to use whenever we are faced with negative thoughts about ourselves or our lives. This week will be the final class. It has gone fast, but has been so enjoyable! </div><br /><div>(and maybe I'll muster up the energy to purge my real life closet--my DH can only hope so!)</div><br /><div></div>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-15921046399660685022010-02-14T09:52:00.002-08:002010-02-14T10:10:45.750-08:00Happy Valentine's Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNQnJvKQFcy913v7-YPklF9I4jO4g4SKYR0-AKMI2W9ItLwXURXU3vCtdCFB2VOoh-ZOnXqYrm3fOaRceJGpP2vO99N6esLEg5RYG8L2HgrpK2lqUB_ZzsBHmDt4NMz3GiMGPu6vLk-DF/s1600-h/IMG_0652.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438161997710785522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNQnJvKQFcy913v7-YPklF9I4jO4g4SKYR0-AKMI2W9ItLwXURXU3vCtdCFB2VOoh-ZOnXqYrm3fOaRceJGpP2vO99N6esLEg5RYG8L2HgrpK2lqUB_ZzsBHmDt4NMz3GiMGPu6vLk-DF/s320/IMG_0652.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbUbux4UQVd7blU8EP4P9ozgo1K0Uc-i_4Aprx2JODxdGAFF52JsT-EA4d9RiojhcDxlpkYADNPGATNv2JcyOdIhx2YvXG3q4yCSLVXC6qM84ghVRU6TS1gc2LZp3QlLV82jTf2pS0LQK/s1600-h/IMG_0651.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438161993908241986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbUbux4UQVd7blU8EP4P9ozgo1K0Uc-i_4Aprx2JODxdGAFF52JsT-EA4d9RiojhcDxlpkYADNPGATNv2JcyOdIhx2YvXG3q4yCSLVXC6qM84ghVRU6TS1gc2LZp3QlLV82jTf2pS0LQK/s320/IMG_0651.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViLvsR3p3-lomJV_5HgznmE6o0zgcK_7b9nvehh6Q8sSBlV8EjzIP24-fH1GsB2f8ZMEq5rk-U6PPHsYbuX78tNLuGb1tmnSW10fAk5qZss-lA9nStsRnEyXV5OqFlsLddq2Q-liS9up2/s1600-h/IMG_0649.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438161986657940850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViLvsR3p3-lomJV_5HgznmE6o0zgcK_7b9nvehh6Q8sSBlV8EjzIP24-fH1GsB2f8ZMEq5rk-U6PPHsYbuX78tNLuGb1tmnSW10fAk5qZss-lA9nStsRnEyXV5OqFlsLddq2Q-liS9up2/s320/IMG_0649.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNfaBboZF-84B8vnNYPDmfprW6n4E6tacUSeRHp0fWvs3gsQIQiXjqXn7fuPzVwHABGmHW_d8QL6BKpx-IgBINpYgi80Y-02wqoqlzCUfT18dr-xCz6hNUHGAZ2rWBnc-k4aRPA5OzFOC/s1600-h/IMG_0646.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438161980215204178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNfaBboZF-84B8vnNYPDmfprW6n4E6tacUSeRHp0fWvs3gsQIQiXjqXn7fuPzVwHABGmHW_d8QL6BKpx-IgBINpYgi80Y-02wqoqlzCUfT18dr-xCz6hNUHGAZ2rWBnc-k4aRPA5OzFOC/s320/IMG_0646.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Whoops--sorry about the rogue post below, LOL!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Well, I woke up this morning and realized that I had not made any valentines for my family! Since I've been fighting a sinus infection and a pretty impressive asthma exacerbation, I really haven't had any motivation. Plus, I do my best work under pressure! I had been surfing around and saw the CUTEST stamp set with 2 turtles and the saying "I turtally love you", but of course there was no time to order it, so I had to improvise. I had no turtle stamps, so I made some with punches. I had bought a big bag of little googly eyes not too long ago, but do you think I could find the dang things when I needed them? I have GOT to get more organized! My DD loves dogs, so I made her one with a dog on the front that says "Doggone it, won't you be my valentine" on the inside. And DS is totally unsentimental, so his is just a basic "Love you much" on the inside. It felt great to make these--but just look at my table afterwards! What a mess!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Hope you all have a wonderful day!</div></div></div></div>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-28273486824224826892010-02-14T09:52:00.001-08:002010-02-14T09:52:29.848-08:00Happy Valentinessharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-60677169352326736722010-02-06T11:04:00.000-08:002010-02-06T11:13:11.280-08:00I've been a bad, bad blogger!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifR2wTw0nbfe3oUv8c0njkzbiguJ1WGaB6mTcf6d3dB8XzbIe2MCR1GYlWuLJPIcl4TTqUAC6M3inQLOlh6kq9o1CGMCtboyWHHrSZ9Bai3pj7ZCf1zUEYYDAchpv5acl5wvv_MYiQTghS/s1600-h/IMG_0559.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435210053587664226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifR2wTw0nbfe3oUv8c0njkzbiguJ1WGaB6mTcf6d3dB8XzbIe2MCR1GYlWuLJPIcl4TTqUAC6M3inQLOlh6kq9o1CGMCtboyWHHrSZ9Bai3pj7ZCf1zUEYYDAchpv5acl5wvv_MYiQTghS/s320/IMG_0559.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Well, I am still around, even tho you haven't heard from me since last May! I decided to change the name of my blog to reflect more of my personality--even though being a third culture kid is certainly a huge part of me, I think that this is a more accurate title for me right now!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I don't have a lot of pictures of cards, but here is one that I sent out during the holidays to a sweet friend who is Jewish. I'm pleased to say that I thought this one up on my own!</div><div> </div><div>Hope everyone is staying warm--especially my friends in the northeast! We have had rain here in Georgia the last few days, but thankfully no snow or ice!</div>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-10117150746454296722009-05-16T07:29:00.000-07:002009-05-16T07:40:56.351-07:00Who is your neice's baby?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKMKCwCmK2_mp1DPFqQEhnLfyNTdyADPqbbKuUVwn1LSlys5WXLUslZ7kYCOJmPpE4Y02bb1VcTJdOqjH-fr04ZuyCdqpoakntf002785NAa6Y2eZfikYmvzKB9hlcjdnEqL0JKtGzpS0/s1600-h/IMG_0285.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336430099323138354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKMKCwCmK2_mp1DPFqQEhnLfyNTdyADPqbbKuUVwn1LSlys5WXLUslZ7kYCOJmPpE4Y02bb1VcTJdOqjH-fr04ZuyCdqpoakntf002785NAa6Y2eZfikYmvzKB9hlcjdnEqL0JKtGzpS0/s320/IMG_0285.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Yesterday Charlie's neice had a baby--he is the first grandbaby, and the first great-grandbaby! We are so happy! But, now I am wondering what he is to "us"--and to our kids? All that geneology stuff makes my head swim, LOL! Well--for now all I know is that he is a cute, healthy baby, and I hope to meet him before he gets too old (they live in Texas)!</div><div>So--of course I had to make one of Lauren's cute baby onsie cards for them! This is one of my favorite baby cards to make. I especially love it with the ruffles, but it looks too girlie that way! I used to use round brads, but then I saw the tiny button brads from GinaK, and they added the perfect touch! I am almost out of that DSP (it's retired from SU), so I guess I'll have to start looking around for more "boy baby" patterns soon!</div>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-13818858494444974122009-05-16T07:19:00.001-07:002009-05-16T07:29:42.571-07:00Aack! Where is the time going?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkngBkcXtUs-_0jbn31Q_k-kg1RPOcFrSIwYnVX9HF9U3TOEmpi00eJpUlrpK6domVSHJf6OPU7KTcbZxMelauVcE5f3guAI0YQUgYio4LFfsKGEow1tIgOjExl37PUM141zPCLs9iSQb/s1600-h/IMG_0279.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336427666497257618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkngBkcXtUs-_0jbn31Q_k-kg1RPOcFrSIwYnVX9HF9U3TOEmpi00eJpUlrpK6domVSHJf6OPU7KTcbZxMelauVcE5f3guAI0YQUgYio4LFfsKGEow1tIgOjExl37PUM141zPCLs9iSQb/s320/IMG_0279.JPG" /></a> How can it be the middle of May already? And I haven't posted in almost a month. Oops!<br />Hope you all had a Happy Mother's Day! It was nice and relaxed here. We went out to eat, and I got some sweet and funny cards from my family. My Dad even picked out a special card for me. I love my Dad (and my Mom!)! Anyhow, when I saw Stephanie's awesome flowerpot cards featured on SCS, I just had to try them out. They are SO EASY to make--and they are so cute! I made them for my Mom and MIL, and I know I will be making more of them.sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-67732343576993860482009-04-23T11:16:00.000-07:002009-04-23T11:24:10.916-07:00The first iris of the year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAJYHee_NXwnbS9F4vPZb0Nzh3zyZBcZD2UqDWViCMZ_LEu9NSeV9oDU1F2-vSJAcj-hzdV5xGr1S_uJ3uq88ywzDlPrArEAvEzYx7VwbdJWNJFWbcI9nTRm5tucG-NYG6Ip9cJDimeDl/s1600-h/IMG_0213.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327952893386018930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAJYHee_NXwnbS9F4vPZb0Nzh3zyZBcZD2UqDWViCMZ_LEu9NSeV9oDU1F2-vSJAcj-hzdV5xGr1S_uJ3uq88ywzDlPrArEAvEzYx7VwbdJWNJFWbcI9nTRm5tucG-NYG6Ip9cJDimeDl/s320/IMG_0213.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I love iris. Especially the big ones with the ruffly petals--they are so pretty, and some of them smell SO good! They are my very favorite flower--I am partial to the purple ones, but really love them all. My grandparents created new varieties of them, and I am fortunate to have some of their creations in my flower beds. Now, if I could just remember all the different ones they created--maybe I will pick my parents brains and find out. The one I do remember is called "Hold that Tiger" and it is a yellow one with brown markings on the petals. I hope that one blooms this year so I can show you all the picture of it! Anyway--see the cheeky little bud in the right hand corner of the picture? A yellow one is just dying to pop out next!</div><div> </div>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-81037786313579037052009-04-23T11:08:00.000-07:002009-04-23T11:16:39.903-07:00Conquering Mount Laundry!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPiuy2-YyAYeF1ySStaYO_KRwAGNn7VjHTZUvoBFuJ2DL2MOIZK7TNW0FA5r3oZcc81J_ezU57sgufLAe73LFrxm3mcbJTLBJAr2l6gqoUYKZHzbOFgab9UcYmekUANL1FvEErL4ao4cV/s1600-h/IMG_0211.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327951223466680034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPiuy2-YyAYeF1ySStaYO_KRwAGNn7VjHTZUvoBFuJ2DL2MOIZK7TNW0FA5r3oZcc81J_ezU57sgufLAe73LFrxm3mcbJTLBJAr2l6gqoUYKZHzbOFgab9UcYmekUANL1FvEErL4ao4cV/s320/IMG_0211.JPG" /></a> This is what happens when you have four family members and only two of you really cares about doing the laundry-- <div>Yikes! I have to get most of this done because I am leaving tomorrow to visit some of my PSF's in OHIO!!! Can you tell I am excited? </div><div>I have gotten a wide range of responses when I tell people where I am going. Several have wondered "Do you know if these people are safe/normal/real?"</div><div>Hahaha! They have NO IDEA what "these people" have come to mean to me--but as far as "safe, normal, real" well, I'll just leave that alone, LOL!</div><div> </div><div> </div>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-87290867574125840552009-03-27T10:44:00.000-07:002009-03-27T11:04:13.176-07:00It's a rainy day in Georgia!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Hrq4taeZY1z15F-4T5Ovhl9MxvRGa_669ZAAnuOodggT395kak507qEZzPurNX2vH70hEOyPH8oykwU0YtfTU8-3UwMc9N_gBSsXZOLtWVa52sqwicJB3v8mPCyumFKbN-OqB9g9eRHa/s1600-h/IMG_0208.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317925790645813426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Hrq4taeZY1z15F-4T5Ovhl9MxvRGa_669ZAAnuOodggT395kak507qEZzPurNX2vH70hEOyPH8oykwU0YtfTU8-3UwMc9N_gBSsXZOLtWVa52sqwicJB3v8mPCyumFKbN-OqB9g9eRHa/s320/IMG_0208.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We are getting some much needed rain this week! I am so glad! One of my favorite things to do is curl up with a good book while it is pouring outside! I am also happy that the ground will be soft now, so I can finish weeding. We mainly have clay instead of dirt, and you can hurt yourself if you try to work it when it is dry!<br /><br /><br />I took this picture of some blossoms on our Japanese Cherry tree. We planted it in memory of Charlie's dad, and it took awhile to really grow well because of the relentless drought we have been experiencing. This year it has really done well! It is right outside the kitchen window, and right now when the blinds are open, it is so pretty! We have tons of birds that fly in and out of the branches. It's especially nice because our neighbors have decided to park two boats in the easement that is between our houses, and it is tall and full enough that I don't see them when I look out the window! We don't have a neighborhood association, and while I know there are a lot of problems that can come from those, sometimes it's not such a bad thing to have some rules! Oh well. On to more fun things. . . .<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi_BA-eKz-doV0pR7Sf4dy7dzq9e39hQsDLnnHvuY1iJIJ-KTtWxeF0nl8LSD0v19fVUimELIrQPXg_4J_WWEMhqiAFhympyewIai-EheUiK-7S8VRwTeapDMh9ca4PHuxN0bT3Ca_Iad/s1600-h/IMG_0194.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317927602469432034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi_BA-eKz-doV0pR7Sf4dy7dzq9e39hQsDLnnHvuY1iJIJ-KTtWxeF0nl8LSD0v19fVUimELIrQPXg_4J_WWEMhqiAFhympyewIai-EheUiK-7S8VRwTeapDMh9ca4PHuxN0bT3Ca_Iad/s320/IMG_0194.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This card was made with a German stamp set! It has such cute images! I got it from a friend I met on Splitcoaststampers. She came to Atlanta for a conference, and I took her around town to Archivers, Michaels, and a LSS in Marietta. We had the best time!<br /><br />It looks like the rain has stopped for a bit--just in time for car pool! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi_BA-eKz-doV0pR7Sf4dy7dzq9e39hQsDLnnHvuY1iJIJ-KTtWxeF0nl8LSD0v19fVUimELIrQPXg_4J_WWEMhqiAFhympyewIai-EheUiK-7S8VRwTeapDMh9ca4PHuxN0bT3Ca_Iad/s1600-h/IMG_0194.JPG"></a>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-35462353559747592102009-03-19T17:38:00.000-07:002009-03-19T18:11:06.926-07:00Try to do something nice...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTP4ucTqirREcq-516EwCKRG-ri6fEJno6SJoEEQ0XmvsKZ69EKR24orea8XwgClSYt2r2ixGUB4WYxsIwMnD5FWyC0hRLZpYknrnpkhtAd7wh37AFnjtj8LxvVx5VDVNpZ07fcXTc9e6a/s1600-h/IMG_0203.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315063498871212706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTP4ucTqirREcq-516EwCKRG-ri6fEJno6SJoEEQ0XmvsKZ69EKR24orea8XwgClSYt2r2ixGUB4WYxsIwMnD5FWyC0hRLZpYknrnpkhtAd7wh37AFnjtj8LxvVx5VDVNpZ07fcXTc9e6a/s320/IMG_0203.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>You can't really tell in this picture, but this is a large serving bowl full of chips, minus about 10 chips. On tuesday, when I was in Michaels (had to use my 50% coupon!), they had a stack of flyers from a local school who was trying to raise money for their orchestra. If you ate at Chili's, they would donate 10% of the bill to the high school. Being the civic minded person that I am (not to mention how much I love their chicken enchilada soup), I decided to have lunch there. By myself. Their soup and salad lunch special included chips. They brought me enough to feed four people! My DH was happy that I brought the leftovers home, LOL. </div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315065976120670210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpycVCckcbGW9I-GT9O7DAFFKvxStR4DBW67Yt6bAgYAyjbnPtJ56biuIK7YZUrpJCStC4KoQC97j-3H1Mz_WaW_e-0DrTqSe0GEkfQP0FlYN_8ogkCv572Kyzi4ULWN39S9ZP9Drgkjb/s320/IMG_0192.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>My PSF Amy got me this cute stamp set for one of the friendship swaps, and I used it to make a birthday card. This hippo just makes me smile, and I love pink and green together.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I did get the first four books of the Cherry Ames series, and had a great time reading them. They are set in the 1940's, WWII era. My, how nursing has changed since then! Such as:</div><div>-Now there are few, if any, hospital based nursing programs. </div><div> </div><div>-I know that when I was in nursing school ('75-'79), we were so excited to get our nurses caps (well, except for the 2 guys in our class, LOL)--we had a ceremony--it was a big deal! If I remember right, the caps were plain white until we graduated, then we added red and black ribbon. As proud as I was of that cap, it was a royal pain in the neck to wear at work. I was forever ripping it off my head by accidentally leaning against something. And can you imagine the germs that were on that thing? I wonder if nursing students these days still get caps? No one at the hospital where I work wears them!</div><div> </div><div>-I don't know when it stopped, but we don't stand up anymore when a doctor is present! (thank goodness). I do respect their education and responsibilities, but I did also graduate from college, took state boards, and have great responsibility as a bedside nurse. We nurses are usually the ones that alert the drs. if there is a problem, since they are not right there with their patients all the time. I very much feel that I am an integral part of the team, and I will just stay seated, thankyouverymuch!</div><div> </div><div>-Nowadays, parents are encouraged to stay with their children when they are hospitalized (and let me say here that for safety's sake, ANYONE who is hospitalized should have a family member or close friend stay with them). I cannot imagine, as a parent, having to leave my child in the hospital, yet that was the norm when these books were written.</div><div> </div><div>-There were "wards" for patients back then--very few "rooms". Can you imagine being sick and being in a room with, say, 10 or 20 other patients? Icky. The sounds, the smells, blah! Give me a private room anytime!</div><div> </div><div>Those were the main things that stood out for me. I have donated the books to my church library. I can't wait to see if any of the girls there read them--and if they do, what they think!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-45884438520916697562009-03-11T16:14:00.000-07:002009-03-11T16:26:43.954-07:00Invasion of the headless people..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO04arSyz1AwZ-hXcSKINTXPTn7aa3rV1Db8OQxMQpKrnBilWc-tivP3ulMZ1pO38z4aKaXgbD-H51VcHB_mf31GtrLkrGIfjeUKcLBF9pyNkMfCEg6GNHrF79id1K0kGHfM60JIVlzfcA/s1600-h/IMG_0191.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312073465260054578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO04arSyz1AwZ-hXcSKINTXPTn7aa3rV1Db8OQxMQpKrnBilWc-tivP3ulMZ1pO38z4aKaXgbD-H51VcHB_mf31GtrLkrGIfjeUKcLBF9pyNkMfCEg6GNHrF79id1K0kGHfM60JIVlzfcA/s320/IMG_0191.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Awhile back, my PSF Paulette sent me a package of goodies--actually she sent goodies to a BUNCH of us! It was so much fun to rip open that envelope and see what she had chosen for me! How did she know I didn't have any of the "headless people" stamps?</div><div>I had to ink it up and use it for her thank you card!</div><div>Humm--I need to work on my picture taking skills, tho. That background is way too dark! </div><div>And after gazing at all those kisses, I am craving chocolate!</div><div> </div><div> </div>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-21781604978641652272009-03-05T14:48:00.000-08:002009-03-05T15:17:56.909-08:00Cherry Ames<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkTVfye_IN2RJ97Bov-wdiKRA-eKTrkEvF0flqJs-7xIkIMzTLkRFj0_kZlsHTzvSLr7ZtxGvWGfpL_xFPbW1F90ahC5NBvXdzc1XehZga9fsWVGazUlN-TrmojoN6PxMRrIqRLqkjB5o/s1600-h/IMG_0190.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309845117078292130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkTVfye_IN2RJ97Bov-wdiKRA-eKTrkEvF0flqJs-7xIkIMzTLkRFj0_kZlsHTzvSLr7ZtxGvWGfpL_xFPbW1F90ahC5NBvXdzc1XehZga9fsWVGazUlN-TrmojoN6PxMRrIqRLqkjB5o/s320/IMG_0190.JPG" border="0" /></a> Before I talk about Cherry Ames, I wanted to share this card I made for my Dad's birthday! (actually, I wanted the card image to be at the BOTTOM of this post, but I can't figure out yet how to make that happen!)<br />I love the House Mouse images, and this one just made me smile! I got to use my new top note die, and I sponged brown ink all over it. I used stickles on the frosting (popped it up), and accordian folded a VERY TINY piece of DSP to try to look like a cupcake paper. I thought it turned out cute! Anyhow---<br /><br />I knew I would be a nurse from "way back when". In sixth grade, I went to boarding school in Accra, Ghana. The school had a little library, and I was enchanted! I loved to read--I practically devoured books--and in the bush village where I lived with my parents, the library came to us in the back of a truck, and it didn't come very often! Needless to say, I spent a lot of time plowing through the meager shelves of books in that school library. That is where I first heard about Cherry Ames, Student Nurse! I practically read the print right off the pages of those books as I dreamed about the day when finally, "I" would be a nurse, too. Funny how the books never mentioned working night shift, weekends, and holidays!<br /><br />I decided to google Cherry Ames today, and I found out the the books have been reprinted! I am going to see if the library has them--I truly can't remember what any of the stories were about. I have so many books that I keep going back to re-read. I feel like it is revisiting an old friend, and I think it would be fun to see if I still love the books as much as I did over 40 (gulp!) years ago!<br /><br /><br />I hope this link works, if you want to check her out!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.netwrx1.com/CherryAmes/">http://www.netwrx1.com/CherryAmes/</a>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-14525377358653677922009-03-04T16:28:00.000-08:002009-03-04T16:36:10.757-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jVeABXZxy6xN3J92N8CWbsrHcTdzXGpP_TducyZzgD6NO2zytSTJJuMrsFl-BwQwSagYy7Ate7did_xtYdJMV2EwToRJxlxN1c9i4157hQ29i5k2UJdR7lTwZtm9As5TLaCSMH5eFt2g/s1600-h/IMG_0189.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309494837000049362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jVeABXZxy6xN3J92N8CWbsrHcTdzXGpP_TducyZzgD6NO2zytSTJJuMrsFl-BwQwSagYy7Ate7did_xtYdJMV2EwToRJxlxN1c9i4157hQ29i5k2UJdR7lTwZtm9As5TLaCSMH5eFt2g/s320/IMG_0189.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Ok, I really liked this one when I made it, but now that I am looking at the picture, I think I should've turned the striped paper on its side!</div><div> </div><div>I am trying to use more of my DSP stash.</div><div> </div><div>Humm--I guess if I want to post more than one picture I need to pick them all at once!</div><div> </div>sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300637746259439442.post-35350853584274057612009-03-04T14:24:00.000-08:002009-03-04T14:49:00.902-08:00My PSF's made me do it!Ok, I really have no idea exactly what I am doing here, but I kind of like the idea of having a place to share my thoughts! Bear with me as I look around my new "place".<br /><br />I am a Third Culture Kid. I first heard that term while reading a book called "Letters Never Sent" by Ruth E. Van Reken. She was a Missionary Kid, like I was. I actually went to school with one of her sisters. She defined it in her book as "an individual who, having spent a significant part of the developmental years in a culture other than the parents' culture, develops a sense of relationship to all of the cultures while not having full ownership in any. Elements from each culture are incorporated into the life experience, but the sense of belonging is in relationship to to others of similar experience."<br /><br />This kind of experience can either make or break a person. It bent me, but I'm so glad that it didn't break me. I think I am a stronger, more compassionate person because of it. <br /><br />I have made some awesome friends in my life--currently some of my best friends are ladies that I have never met in real life! We love to stamp, shop, eat, drink, laugh and cry, share our hearts and do just about anything else friends do--all online! I am looking forward to meeting some of them next month at the "PSF Palooza". <br /><br />Once I figure out how, I will share some cards and pictures!sharonw05http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241577598370972685noreply@blogger.com9