"Don't let yesterday use too much of today" ~ Erma Phillips

I'd like to start by apologizing for anyone who might read this blog on a regular basis. I haven't been so good about keeping it up to date, and for that I am truly sorry.

I have so much to catch you up on since my last post ~ I'll probably crash the blogger server! My girls started school. Miss Molly is now a big 4th grader. Seems impossible to me, but she reminds me everyday whenever I get a little overprotective. Madison is in first grade and grows bigger and smarter every time she gets off the bus at the end of the day. Time passes in a blink.



My father also turned the big 6-0 on the first day of school. He's actually taking it much better than my Mom who turned 60 a few months before, and although I hate to admit it, better than even I did with turning 40. I made this little card for him using an owl stamp from The Paper Company. I've had the stamp for quite some time now but have never found the right card to use it on. Also used Making Memories large tag, OTC cardstock frame and Thickers alpha stickers. I outlined the white letters with a black marker so they'd stand out more against the striped background.



I also made him a dry-erase TO DO board from an old frame. I included pictures of all his grandchildren with Making Memories paper, die cuts and buttons, Colorbox pigment ink, OTC stamp, Pink Paislee alpha stickers and lots of stash. He really liked it and thought it was rather creative. :0)



Not only did my father, mother and I have a big birthday, but my husband also turned 40. I went with something a bit less mushy this time. I just love the paper from Crate Paper's Static Collection. It reminds me of my husband. I also used American Crafts ribbon, Thickers felt alpha stickers and DCWV cardstock. On the inside it reads: "for 40 more (at least)".

Since I was on a roll with my father's dry-erase board, I decided to do one for my husband. I used DCWV "The Mod-Retro" paper, Autumn Leaves epoxy stickers, American Crafts alpha stickers, Colorbok alpha stickers, OTC clock stamp, and lots of stash.

Along with all the good there certainly must be some bad. I lost my Grandfather on August 29th at 89 years young. He was the foundation of our family and will be missed in more ways than I can even put into words. I created this layout of him and my Grandmother shortly before he passed. I have it framed and hanging in my office now.

I've had a really hard time getting over the fact that Bampa isn't at his usual spot at their kitchen table for coffee on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Sunday family breakfast gatherings aren't the same without his strong opinions being voiced or his dry sense of humor. It's been weeks and still my heart hurts every single day. I was told that the pain will pass and life will get back to normal, but I don't believe that normal will ever return. Not the normal I used to have. Bampa was too much a part of my every day life for normal to be anything but different from here on end. I'm not sure I'm ready for different.

A friend of mine also lost someone recently and I wanted to send her a sympathy card. I have such a hard time with sympathy cards, but I managed to make her one. I used K&Company paper, DCWV paper, vintage book page, Kaiser pearls, Fiskars edgers, Joann woven sentiment tag and a few items from my stash.

Well, I appreciate you letting me ramble on and on. I've created quite a few things over the last few weeks, but I'll save them for another day. Remember to cherish what you have and don't waste time worrying or wishing for what you don't.

Hugs,

Mandee