Finally a day off...

This was my make and take page from the St. Andrew School crop 2 weeks ago. I love the dahlia fold technique. It is so simple but the results are so elegant and WOW! The GORGEOUS PAPER is from a Creative Memories customer gift pack that you will get FREE if you attend Croptober-fest on October 24 at Berkey Church. This is the first time that I took the time to ink up the edges of the circles on both sides before I folded them and it made such a huge difference in the depth and dimension of the finished piece. I am thinking of doing this as a make and take for my Camp Harmony Crop on November 8.

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Baby Kya is improving. We are so thankful for that. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.

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Can I say that I am so glad for a day off from work! I haven't worked a stretch like that in years! It wasn't bad until the last 2 days when I didn't sleep well.

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Our Stampers Seven group is meeting this Saturday and it is my turn to host. If anyone wants to come to the party let me know! We are making a tin and two cards. I am also making apple dumpling cake!

Take care!

What a week...

First a little note card that I made to send to Melanie, who is in the hospital. Her appendix ruptured on Tuesday. She was to the ER on Monday and was misdiagnosed, went back on Tuesday because she had a fever and more pain. That is when they figured it out. She is doing okay. Kenny went to see her yesterday and took her a care package of stuff from us.

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Just one more night of my six night stretch. I am ready for a day or two off.

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I am working on my cards for my Autumn theme swap.... lots to do yet! I can't wait to see everyone's cards.

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Anyone have big plans for World Card Making Day? (this Saturday, October 4th!)

I am having my Stampers Seven SU club meeting! I love to get together with the ladies and make Barb's creative projects!

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Take care!

Sweet Baby Kya

Last Thursday we got to meet Baby Kya... this was her response...LOL!

Actually that was her response to her Mama agitating her. She really liked me, I think she did anyway. How about that teeny tiny diaper? It is a bit big for her still.
She had a little set back this week. They put the IV back in since she wasn't digesting her feeding and she has some fluid in her lungs. They say it is minor, but still keep her in your prayers. She is so very little and lungs are the last to develop, so we just want her to bounce back from this quickly.

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Uncle Kenny has given her a nickname, just as he has all the boys... (Brat, Peach, Hog, Chunk, & Peanut.) Baby Kya is to be called Stink... not cause she smells, but because Uncle says "she is so stinkin' tiny" and "she is a little stinker." LOL... if tradition holds then she will call him Uncle Stink...LOL!

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Take care!

Keepin' Busy!

It was quite the busy weekend. I was helping my CMC at St. Andrew School Scrap the Day Away on Friday and Saturday. Also on Saturday I had a Make & Take card table as well as handmade cards for sale at the Camp Harmony Church of the Brethren Heritage Festival.

Thank goodness my BS2 came along to help at Camp Harmony. The Make & Take table did about 40 tea bag holder cards. Thanks to BS2 for donating a basket full of tea bag holder cards! They were a very popular item!
We restocked the sale table twice, sales were brisk! I was thrilled that my booth did so well, since this was the first year I tried it. We sold over 100 cards and donated over $150 to the Camp!
I was trying to make cards to refill the sale table in between doing make & takes and selling!

I LOVE IT!!!

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That being said, I am asking you, my scrapbooking and cardmaking friends to PLEASE LEND A HAND! Next time you are scrapbooking and have some scraps left, turn them into a card for me to sell next year. I donate all the money we take in back to the camp. If next year goes as well as this year I am going to need more cards!

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Take care!

Let's Get Caught Up!

Travis went back to Pittsburgh last week. The house is so quiet and there is actually food in the kitchen! LOL! We miss him so much when he is not here. How do you like his new look? I love Dad in the background, just shaking his head in disbelief. (It is just fun fur and tape.)
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I fell on Friday and skinned my knee. Pretty typical of clumsy me. It is bruised and has scabs all over it. Our poor football team got beat again pretty bad on Friday night and it rained so hard at times during the game that it wasn't even funny. I worked the drink tent and was cold and wet by the time it was all done.
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I did buy a cute new purse. I love the Dollar General quilted purses, they are cheap, only $8, so if I use them for one season and pitch them I don't feel bad at all. They do wash up pretty nicely though! I got a real nice fall colored one.

I am not sleeping at night right now, just getting adjusted to the routine I guess. In about two weeks I work a six day stretch, Lord help me! I just told the gals I work with to have plenty of coffee and chocolate ready for me!
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I have become addicted to Mocha Joe from Burger King, so I have been working like a mad scientist and cook trying to get the formula down so I can make it at home and I think I have got it nearly figured out!

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That about covers it, Take Care!

Some Christmas Cheer

These items were included with my swap cards for the Christmas Cards in July swap. Just a little something to thank the ladies for participating in the swap. I really like the metallic "class appeals" type stickers for their double use. You can use the image as I did on the card above. The image is on the front of the card, and the "leftovers" are on the envelope flap. The tags below were made with leftovers and the image is on the inside of the card above. No waste, LOVE IT!!
An update on baby Kya.

She pulled her tummy tube out, the one that was in her mouth, so they put it in through her nose. She is eating good through the tube, breathing good, and only needs the bottom blue blanket for jaundice. Her big brother got to see her today and he is pretty impressed with her and can't wait for her to come home. Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers!
Take care!

First Pics

Just a quickie post to show off Kya! She is under the light for jaundice so that is why so much blue. Hopefully tomorrow I will get to see her in person. That hand in the picture is my Mom's. After waiting for 14 years for a baby girl she just can't keep her hands off of her! LOL!

Take care!

New Arrival

Just posting up the arrival of my FIRST NIECE! Kya Noel was born yesterday afternoon. She got here a bit early, at just 29 weeks. She came into the world wailing and kicking according to her Nana. She weighed 2 pounds, 14 ounces and is 15 1/8 inches long and has a pretty good head of hair. Her Mom (my sister, Jes) is doing well. I imagine that Tyler is anxious to meet his baby sister as well! Baby Kya is doing well too. They did not have to put a tube in to help her breathe, which was a good sign that her lungs are doing good. Hopefully I will have some pictures to post up tomorrow. Say a prayer that she gets bigger and stronger each day!

Take care!

Only Two Spots Left!

HI! Just a quick post... Only two spots left in the Autumn theme card swap, sign up in the post below! Sharon gave me her cards yesterday, so she wins the first to send in prize, but there is still a prize for my favorite card!

I am working a several day stretch here, so I may not post for a day or two. I do have great pics of our Stamper's Seven projects to post for you though! (so check back!)

Take care!

Autumn Theme Card Swap

I had so much fun with the Christmas Cards in July Swap that I thought I would do it again! This time our theme will be Autumn cards, whatever you like Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving

5 spots available (actually 4 since I plan to participate)

Each person makes 10 cards, 5 each of 2 designs.

Please use materials that you would like to receive.

Please put a sentiment inside the card.

Include an envelope for your cards (decorated would be nice!)

Give the back of your card your mark.

No Vendor Requirement, anything goes! I know I will be dazzled and amazed with your talents as always!

Sign up for a spot by September 8.

Cards due to me by September 27, I will mail back to you promptly after receiving all cards.

Please send your cards in a zipper bag to be sure it all stays dry.

Include an addressed return envelope with the same amount of postage it took to mail your cards, plus a few extra stamps (loose so they can be returned to you if they are not needed.)

PRIZES!!!! A little something *special* will be included for the first cards received! I will also choose MY FAVORITE CARD from the swap and send a special prize for it!

Let a comment to sign up for your spot!

Take care!

Sharing the Swap with You!

As promised, the cards from my Christmas Cards in July swap!

Tracy's
Sharon's
Jody's
Barb's
and mine.
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I was so impressed with everyone's creative designs! I loved hosting the swap and can't wait to do it again... so check back tomorrow, I will be posting up my next swap!
Take care!

Christmas Cards

A couple of quick and easy Christmas cards to share with you today. The images on the front (St. Nick and Snowman) are diecut punch outs from K & Company. They are older. I found them in my stash while I was going through some Christmas papers and such. The white and green rectangle pieces are embossed with the Cuttlebug old script/text embossing folder. I gold heat embossed the sentiment on the inside. Start to finish I think it took me 15 minutes to make 2 of each of these cards!

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I have been trying to make a few Christmas cards at a time to fill my stash up for my booth at Camp Harmony's Heritage Festival on September 20th.

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Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend!

Take care!

Butterfly Birthday

This card is also from one of Keathe's Stamp A Stack get togethers. Thought I should get it posted here since it is a rather summery card and it seems that our summer is fading fast!

The Christmas Cards in July Swap cards have been sorted and mailed out, so in a day or two I will post pictures of all of them here on Everyday Blessings. I want to give the ladies who participated a chance to see them in person before I post them up on the blog.

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The new position is going well. I am getting the hang of the HOW to do things, the WHY is still a bit foreign to me. (I had a thought the other day, one of those slap yourself on the forehead moments. I don't balance my checking account, I look over the statement, but I don't do the math. What was I thinking, taking a money and math job???? LOL!)

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Since I am waiting patiently for Fearless Fourteen, I picked up a few of Janet Evanovich's earlier romance novels and have been enjoying them. They are nice, short, funny and easy reads.

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Tomorrow starts the Fall Harvest Gospel Music Festival at Camp Harmony. I will be there all weekend helping in the kitchen.

Take care!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Just a quick post before I head off to work. Today is my sweetie's birthday!

This card is one that we made at Keathe's Stamp A Stack a couple of months ago. All products are SU!

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I work the next two days and then I am on vacation for a week! Yeahhh!!!! Can't wait... lots of good blog things while I am on vacation so check back.

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Take care!

Long Time, No Blog...

Take a kid to the fair! It is more fun that way! Note the smiling kid below with all his FREE LOOT! He got a glow necklace, balloon, water bottle, candy from the vendors in the local business & organization building and a personalized dog tag (at the Army recruiters booth.)

I love that grinning face! We went to the fair again on Thursday evening. It was tractor pull night. My guys loved it. Chunk especially liked the BIG, LOUD, SMOKIN' ONES. The one pictured below smoked so much it blocked the sun for a minute or two.
I enjoyed another Maple Milkshake, but was most bummed that the Tilt-A-Whirl was not at the carnival this year. Chunk rode a bunch of rides that he could go on alone, but there were a few that he wasn't tall enough to go on by himself. I told him he wasn't big enough, so Travis would have to go with him. Chunk informed me that Travee would go with him, since I was too OLD!

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Having another sleepless night, as you can tell by the time of this post.

Sorry I missed out on the Stampers 7. The projects were so AWESOME!

(Check out Babbie Blogs, over there --->>>)

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For my Christmas Cards in July Swappers, I have all the cards and I will mail them out Monday! WOOOOHOOOO!!!!! I am planning a fall theme card swap for September, so check back for details! Plus I have an idea for a November swap as well.

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I am also planning a little blog candy give away here soon!

Take care!

The Fair

I took a short nap yesterday and then went to the 108th Somerset County Fair. It was a good day to be at the fair. Somerset Trust Company was hosting free admission and parking day and handing out stadium seat cushions. WOOHOO! Went to the Queen Contest. My baby sister Abby was a contestant. She looked so pretty in her gown and was the second runner up. I enjoyed a Maple Shake (SUPER YUMMY!) visited with some friends and came home... and could not sleep AT ALL.

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My first night of third shift syndrome, I was wide a wake until 6 AM... lol... and then fell asleep until 2:30 PM.

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Tuesday is the Market Swine show at the fair. My sister Abby, nephew Rian, and cousins Amber and Hannah are showing piggies.

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If you get the chance to go to the fair do it! Admission is only $6 and that includes rides and grandstand activities.

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I am having PLUM WITHDRAWAL, I finished One through Thirteen, and my cousin Amy is reading Fearless Fourteen, so I am waiting for her to get done with it. I also read all the between the numbers books, so if anyone has some good suggestions for a good read send it my way!

Take care!

First Day

Just checking in with you all! I worked my first shift at my new position and WOW! I have A LOT to learn, but the gal who is training me is VERY GOOD at her job and is sharing all of her tips and tricks with me. Right now I am concentrating on learning the HOW it is done, and hopefully the WHY comes along in due time. She even started a notebook for me with cheat sheets, thank goodness for that because my brain is ready to bust after last night! On a positive note, she told me that I am doing things that the person before me did not do for a couple of months into his training and I was doing them my first night! I did make a few OOOPSIES... and had to chase a roll of flying dimes, but that was more funny than anything! The night flew by so very quickly and before I knew it, it was time to go!

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Best part is that I work tonight and then I am off for two. Love the schedule! I even got to be a little bit crafty today, and I am feeling my mojo making a return. I know that they Olympians have been feeding off of it, and if they need to use it for a while longer that is okay, but it really needed to be crafty today!

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Take care!

Good Bye Curse-at-me Desk...

******DISCLAIMER*****

This is a long one, I have been saving up for you! Get comfy, it is a long one!

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Today was it, my last shift at the desk, 1 pm to 10 pm. The desk has been very quiet this week, Johnstown is hosting the AAABA and I think the entire city must be at the Point Stadium. (Not that I am complaining about that!) All that quietness at the desk left me plenty of time to ponder what I liked about the desk and what I would miss and on the other side of that coin what I hate and am glad to not have to deal with any more. Here are my observations...

I will miss

• People watching, boy the sites that you can see on any given day! It is truly entertaining!
• My co-workers, each with their own unique quirks, but we managed most days to not kill each other!
• My friends from the other areas that were my lunch companions in the lounge.
• Being the self appointed "fashion police." There were days that the violations were too many to count.
• The occasional eye candy that we gals got to see.
• Checking out the "it's really a guy, but it looks like a girl"... we always try to figure out where they are putting IT.

I will not miss

• The general nut balls, thieves and liars of which there were PLENTY.
• The beginning of the month welfare, Social Security and Food Stamp rush. Not gonna miss it one teeny tiny little bit.
• Mr & Mrs Stinky & family. Soap is cheap and water is nearly free. Take a bath once a week or so, especially before you come to see me. We raise pigs here on the farm that smell better than you!
• Mr & Mrs I Lose My Kids Every Freaking Time... really.... and then you yell at the kids when they come to me to page you on the loudspeaker. Thanks too, for taking your sweet old time getting to the desk to retrieve them. You are so wonderful yelling at your kid who is in tears since they have been sitting here for 1o minutes waiting for you to get them. How about keeping a better eye on them in the first place! I vote for handcuffing kids to parents!
• The people who complain about EVERYTHING. I don't see someone standing next to you with a gun to your head forcing you to shop here, you have a choice, shop elsewhere if you hate this place so much.
• People who return food. It is one thing to return food that is spoiled before it should be. However, if you have had it past it's expiration and had time to use it, but did not, TDB!! If you overbought, oh well, do better next time. Any food that leaves the store must be destroyed, what a waste! Donate it to the food pantry.
• People who think that I want to know about their "female problems down stairs" and how their husband is upset because he's not getting any lovin'. Don't want to know, don't want think about it, too late, I got a mental picture and now I have to go wash my brain and eyes out with soap!!!! But thanks for letting me know you have conjunctivitis so I can throw my pen away and Lysol the counter top and debit reader!
• The customer who thinks that a motorized shopping cart is the same size as a wheelchair and should fit into the restroom. It is NOT a wheelchair and it is too big to fit into the restroom. Even though you got it in there and now are STUCK. That is your OWN fault and why do you think it is MY PROBLEM to get you out?
• Don't get me started on the VALID PHOTO ID people... I think I have beat that dead horse enough!
• Last of all, I am not going to miss the CELL PHONE CHATTER! HANG UP THE DARN PHONE!

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Take a deep cleansing breath with me... Let it out... Relax, it was all a bad dream...

Take care!

Perseid Meteor Shower

Monday night into Tuesday morning the 2008 Perseid Meteor shower peaked. I love to watch the show, so at about 2 AM I convinced my DH, Ken to come out to the back yard and watch with me. I got bundled up in my sweats and jacket, grabbed the sleeping bag and a flashlight and we set out for the back yard. It was truly amazing! I have watched the Leonid's before,but it is always pretty brisk in November, so watching on a slightly cool summer night was quite nice! We stayed out for about an hour and saw at least 30 meteors shoot across the sky. The sky clouded over and we weren't seeing anything at all, or I would have likely stayed out until sunrise! My DH was quite the good sport about being dragged out in the middle of the night and I think that once we started to see the meteors he did enjoy it. You can find out more info on upcoming Meteor events HERE.

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When I was a camp counselor (many many moons ago) sleeping out under the stars was probably my most favorite thing that we did each week. I always tried to schedule our "sleep out" night early in the week, so that if the weather was not cooperative I could still reschedule for later in the week. My favorite sleep out site was up at the top of the hill, beyond the trading post, in the field below the tall oaks. It is dark there and the sky is just sparkling with billions or trillions of stars. The best week of all was when the "city kids" came from the mission. They were in absolute awe of the brilliant star filled night sky.

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There is a state park here in Pennsylvania called Cherry Springs that has one of the best "dark skies" on the East coast. There are "Star Parties" and other special events through out the year. Pretty cool!

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I still have Olympic Fever and I haven't found my crafty mojo, apparently it went with Bab's Mojo to the Olympics... LOL! Tomorrow is my last shift at the Curse-at-me Desk. I am anxious to start my new position, a little apprehensive, since it is like going to a new school and having to make new friends. Say a prayer and keep a good thought for me! Take care

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GO USA!!!!!!

Olympic Fever!

Do you have it??? We have a pretty bad case of it here! GO TEAM USA!!!!!

How about our Men's Gymnastic Team~ they won the bronze when no one expected them to medal at all!

The Men's Swim Team! WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!! Winning the Gold medals, shattering world records, it doesn't get better than that, well, except for Phelps who now has the most gold medals of anyone on the planet I think.

Ladies Softball~ Kicking butt and taking names... they are doing so well that the mercy rule was used!

Ladies Beach Volleyball~ also just kicking butt!!

Ladies Saber~ they swept GOLD, SILVER, & BRONZE!

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I know I am full of excuses for not being crafty at the moment. I think my crafty mojo went on vacation without me! Hopefully it comes back soon, cause I have work to do!

Take care!