Trying to find my mojo...and energy!

Things have been quiet here on the ol' blog. I don't know if I've updated here or not but I did get to get out of the boot last Monday so now I'm fully weight bearing on my ankle. 

It has been a very interesting week to learn to walk again, deal with swelling and deal with lots of pain and at the end of the day, no energy.

I know it's a process and as time goes by I will get "back to normal" or my new normal but for now, I'm just taking it one day at a time.

For those of you not on Facebook, here's a pretty picture of my hardware in my ankle. 7 screws, a metal plate and what they call a tightrope to help my ligament.

Sadly my crafty mojo has taken a hit with all this process. I am trying to find it but until it's totally back I have decided to step down from the Little Miss Muffet Stamps design team. I so appreciate the kindness that Barbara and the team has shown me and am hopeful to maybe rejoin the team later in the year.

Thanks for stopping by and I'm going to try my best to get crafty today so hopefully I'll be back real soon. Have a happy day!

Another dream come true....

I really feel like the happiest, most blessed girl right now. Not only have I followed my dream of working at a zoo but today I also had another dream come true---I did one of our zoo's Backstage Experiences. I did the Interactive Animal Keeper Experience.

Oh.my.gosh. There aren't words to describe the happiness in my heart, in my soul after this fabulous experience. I know it's not for everyone and not everyone has my dream but that's exactly what it was for me for so long...a dream...and now it has come true.

This experience was in our Red Barn area which is the part of the zoo where the goats, chickens, miniature horses, etc are at. The public can go in and pet/brush the goats and see the other animals up close.

For my experience I was able to go behind the scenes and help clean out some exhibits (they took it easy on me), I helped get the diets ready and then also helped feed some of the animals.

It was so amazing to be able to talk to the keepers, to ask many of the questions I've always wanted to ask and to just "be" there. Truly, this was just simply amazing for me.

I also got to hold a bearded dragon lizard, a corn snake--both were very cool and I actually liked this way more than I expected--and also got to pet/touch sugar gliders, a chinchilla and prairie dogs--oh my word are those critters squeals so adorable. Many of these animals are not on display for the public but used for education and as animal ambassadors for the zoo for different things.

I learned more about our African Wild Dogs and then ended my day with feeding and petting our stingrays--very cool.

I just can't stop smiling and am looking forward to my next Backstage Experience--yes, I'm a zoo nerd and I will be doing them all! LOL!!

I'll have more cards to share soon but thought I'd share a little more personal stuff today. 

Always, always, always follow your dreams and then when they come true, dream new ones!!!

A realization

Have you ever had something happen that just stops you in your tracks? that makes you really stop and evaluate your life, yourself? 

I had that moment in the past few days and it's left me shaken. Making me really take a look in the mirror and ask myself, how can I change to strive to be better?

The last few years have taken a toll on me. I'm almost wondering if I had a mini-mid-mid life crisis or something. I've behaved in ways that I thought I outgrew with highschool. Ways that if someone else were acting that way I'd be the first one to point the finger. You know the saying, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...yeah, I need to remember that.

I won't go into huge details but let's just say I realized this past week that I was thinking a lot about a former friend. a former best friend. one that was there for me through tons. who no matter how childish I behaved was always there ready to forgive me and move on.

I hurt her bad--in every way. Who am I? I don't do those things. but I did. I took the step to apologize to her but that can't undo what's been done.


I am taking this as a learning tool and am going to strive to get back to the person I know I am. One who doesn't play games, one who is really a good friend through thick and thin and one who doesn't think the grass is greener on the other side because it's not.

Just had to share because maybe there's someone in your life that you haven't spoken to that you miss...why not take the steps to rebuild that friendship or at least let that person know that you were wrong and apologize.

FBW # 236

It's time for another Flutter By Wednesday Challenge but before I get to that I thought I'd share some news!

Sam found out Monday that he will be separating from the army due to him being in the overweight program twice. While this means he won't get his retirement, it is happy news to us as he has been miserable the last few years.

We will be starting a new adventure towards the end of the summer as we start our fresh, new military-free lives in Omaha, Nebraska! We are all so excited and happy for this!!

I know some people are saying Omaha?? why Omaha. Well, several reasons~

• more centralized
• closer to most of our family
• one of my most favorite zoos--important since I want to work at a zoo when I grow up
• lower cost of living
• we really enjoyed Omaha when we visited there

Onto what you came here for~~ it's time for a new Flutter By Wednesday Challenge!! Be sure to visit the blog to see how you can play along and to see the Flutter By Team's wonderful creations!

This week our challenge is to use a sentiment on the front of your creation along with your butterfly or fairy!

Don't fall over...there's no coloring on my card today! 

For my layout I used an older sketch from Mojo Monday.

We're half way through the week--hope yours is and continues to be fabulous!

stamps~ Verve-Beautiful Kindness
ink~ SU Melon Mambo,
cardstock~ SU Melon Mambo, SU Whisper White, 
designer paper~My Mind's Eye-Lime Twist-Happy Go Lucky,
other goodies~ Nestabilities, rhinestones,

Forty Things About Me...

Since I'm turning the big 4-0 soon, I thought I would share 40 things about me....(hint, hint, these might be useful next month on Flutter By Wednesday's).

1. My birthday is September 4, 1969
2. My favorite color is pink
3. I have a weakness for cookies, especially right from the oven chocolate chip ones
4. Dr. Pepper is usually my soda of choice
5. I drink sweet tea at home mostly
6. I order a vanilla latte' at Starbucks during the winter
7. and a White mocha raspberry frappaccino in the summer
8. I graduated from high school in 1987
9. I love music but 80's music is my favorite
10. I love animals...love seeing them and learning about them
11. When the kids are older I want to volunteer/work at a zoo
12. My dream is to go on an African safari
13. I have a small collection of Precious Moments figurines
14. I collect thimbles
15. When I was little I wanted to grow up to be a mommy
16. Sometimes I feel my heart will explode with the love I feel for my kids and husband
17. I love my friends and try to be a good friend as well
18. I like Winnie the Pooh and his friends
19. Love TinkerBell
20. The person I miss the most in my life is my great-grandma, Vada
21. I played Wonder Woman often when I was younger
22. My marriage to Sam is my third marriage...I really got it right the third time
23. My favorite indulgence is a Dr. Pepper and Reece's Peanut Butter Cup
24. I worked at a camera store for 7 years before I met Sam-my job was to develop all the film for the one hour lab--I was the lab manager
25. I also had my own photography business and did portraits, weddings and wildlife photography--I love the wildlife photography
26. I love glitter and sparkle--betcha didn't know that...hehehe
27. I loved playing with barbies and dolls growing up
28. Before scrapbooking and stamping I did counted cross stitch all the time
29. I was born in Boulder, Colorado
30. I love the mountains and miss camping in them
31. I've never been snow skiing
32. I use to have my own motorcycle
33. I have one tattoo of Thumper from Bambi
34. I have a love of reading but haven't done much of it lately
35. I've never had a manicure or pedicure
36. I tried acrylic fingernails once when I was pregnant with Matthew, hated them so much I ripped them off the same night
37. I don't like crowds--worst crowd I've been in is at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
38. My favorite movies are : Dirty Dancing, Ever After, Top Gun, Titanic and 50 First Dates
39. I feel so blessed for all that I have in my life and hope to pass some smiles onto others every day
40. My favorite flower is a carnation
    

This and That

What a great day! We spent the morning at the park with some good friends. We love this particular park as we actually get to see some nature there there. Today we saw quail and baby quail, baby bunnies, ground squirrels and lizards. Fun!!

Then we ate at McD's and then this afternoon we went over to some other good friends. Just a great day.

Here's a few photos from the day~

Sam's mom made the shirt that Belle is wearing. She is just so talented. Belle also worked hard to get her babies all "posed" for a photo. LOL!

Lately I've just been so overwhelmed with life...and not really wanting to create. Finally after really soul searching and evaluating everything, I have made some decisions.

My kids and family always come first. Always have but seems I got very wrapped up the past few months in my stamping and didn't spend as much time with them. I guess that's how I was dealing with Sam leaving...that and spending money. LOL!

I also have decided that I am not a multiple design team person. I so appreciate the different teams accepting me on their teams but I stepped down from two today and I will not be applying for anymore. Even if the requirements are minimal, I still worry about them and well, I am just not cut out for it. I am staying on Susana's team as I just {heart} her and her store.

I am slowly feeling more "myself"~~finding a routine and a balance to do all I want. Just bear with me and thank you to everyone for your support.

I would be so lost without the blogworld!

I also will be adding a few more personal posts to this blog as it's just too hard to keep up a separate one for personal stuff.

Happy 10th Anniversary to me....

I can't believe that today is Sam and my 10th anniversary! Wow! So even though we're apart, it's still a wonderful day full of memories.

Here's a few photos from that special day.......

And a few "fun" facts...hehehe.... my dress only cost $22. Sam's Aunt made the cake...beautiful and it tasted so good. Sam left for Germany 3 days after we were married and I didn't see him until I got over there in August!

Stepping down, but not out...

I've been struggling for the last month, many of you know that. Well, after really sitting down and evaluating everything, I realized that I just can't do it all. I just don't see how some of you out there in blogland manage everything!!
I love being on design teams/challenge teams but well, I think I need a break from some of the "every" week ones. I was starting to look at them as a chore, not fun and that's not good.
My final decision was made this week when I created cards "just because" and I had fun again and I liked the end results, something I haven't done much of lately.
Also my own Flutter By team is growing so I want to dedicate more time to it.
With all that being said, it still was soooo hard for me to write two emails stepping down from teams. I adore the leaders of these teams, admire them and am inspired by them. Along with my other team mates, wow, the inspiration and talent there. So in all my heart, I hope that they all still stop by and say hello and don't become strangers.
So tonight I stepped down from Maria's, Christmas Stampin' All Year Long team, and also from Madelynn/Jessica's, Twinkling Tuesday team. Again, it wasn't something that was easy and I still plan on participating when I can.....just not as a team member.
Thank you so much to Maria and Jessica for giving me the chance to be on their teams. I so enjoyed them each and have learned so much from each of you.

A date......

Many of you know I've been waiting for the "date" of Sam's deployment to start. Well, it's the 26th of this month. Of course, subject to change by a day or so since it's the army but in a few weeks.
Let the fun begin...or not....

Edited to add~for those who don't know, this is Sam's 3rd deployment. It's for a year. He's been in the army for over 10 years so we know the drill well. I am just laughing because the army has to have a calendar of important dates so they know how to mess them up. May 1st is our 10th wedding anniversary.
I'll be fine....I just want it to get started so it can get over with.

Looking for geodes...

Just wanted to say sorry for not commenting today on everyone's blogs. Since Sam and Matthew are on vacation we went to Rock Hound State Park in New Mexico to try and find some geodes, or other rocks/minerals.

We had a good time but we took the dogs~~not really the best place for dogs~~and I totally forgot to grab our coats~~it was windy and cold. Oh well, we had fun, got out of the house and got some exercise.

I'll be back to commenting on blogs again tomorrow...I'm beat and am going to try to relax tonight!

My day..in photos...

Thought I'd share this on this blog as I know several people were emailing me asking where I was today as I was "quiet". Well here's my day in photos....

And to answer the question before it's asked, Sam made the green pancakes and butter while I slept. He's such a good guy! He's also the one that surprised me with ordering my pink laptop. Have I mentioned I love him?? I do!!
Also, you can always click on the photos to see them larger!

It's a reality now.....

I've shared that I've had a dream of starting a card ministry at my church but didn't quite know how to get it off the ground.
Well I am happy to report that as of yesterday it is a reality. We mailed out 9 cards to members of the church who submitted a prayer on our prayer requests. Of course this isn't everyone who put one down but if we continue to do some each week, more and more people are bound to get a little smile in their mailboxes.
It was just so amazing to me to feel the happiness of a dream coming into light.........

Just had to share.....

I'm so excited today. For the longest time I've wanted to start a card ministry at my church but just didn't know how to get it going. Today the ladies at my bible study came up with a plan for it to work!!
I'm just so thrilled and so excited to know that the cards I make will be used to help to let people know they aren't alone.
It is a good day!

The best day!

I had the B-E-S-T time today at a little scrapbook get together with my new friends here in town. I'm still smiling! Best thing I ever did for myself was contacting Jennifer through SU.
I'm a happy crafter tonight!

Can you see my smile??

Oh my! Why haven't I made my kids cards before? It was awesome.
They came downstairs and I had them sitting on the table where they sit. Matthew noticed them first and yelled, "Annabelle, there's something on the table". Then he ran to turn on the light and ran back. They both said thank you, mom and they sat down to look at them.
They both said thank you a few more times and they were both beaming! Belle is still holding hers. LOL!!
This is what it's all about!

I'm a blog addict....

So recently I stopped writing on my xanga blog that I had. I have had it forever and well, I just didn't feel it "fit" anymore. So I was going to start writing more personal things on here but that doesn't "fit" either as you come here for crafts, not my jibber jabber. So I started yet another blog....a fresh start for the more personal things. It could be my dreams, my thoughts, my family.....just a hodgepodge of things. So if you ever want a peek at it, I have a link on my sidebar or here's the link too: Flutter Bys And Dreams

Tippy

I thought I remembered scanning a photo of Tippy and I so I searched and found it! So here's me and Tippy to go along with the story below!

Extreme Home Makeover

Next month sometime there will be an Extreme Home Makeover show that is done here in El Paso. What is wild about this is that I know people who are helping with it. So cool. I don't know the lady whose home it is but I've heard enough to know she's more than deserving. She runs/operates or something, an orphanage and all the money she makes she puts into that vs. her own home.
Anyhoo, tonight I donated all our old clothes as they're trying to get a storeroom together for her and they wanted it full.
How totally awesome huh? I just thought it was neat and had to share. It's good to know there are good people left in the world.

Pigtails

Since many of you said you didn't mind a few personal posts once in a while, I've decided to stop using my other blog and just use this one......so there will be a few personal posts here and there.

Had to share a photo of Belle today. She hasn't been wanting me to fix her hair lately but today she let me. I was shocked at how long her piggy tails were! I just love this photo!

A request.....

I really, really don't like to "ask" for things but like I tell my kids, sometimes you just have to ask for help.

I really, really want to start making some little cards for my kids, just to tell them how proud of them I am and that I love them. I have tons and tons of images for Belle but Matthew is a different story. I just really don't have many cute "boy" images.

So that's my plea for help. If you have any cute boy images, could I possibly ask you to stamp a few for me and send my way? I'd be happy to return the favor with any of the images I have.

A bit about Matthew. He's 7, loves science, not so much sports, really into dinosaurs, loves dogs and he also is interested in space and things like that.

If you could help me out, just send me an email and I'll get you my address and find out what I can stamp for you. Thanks sooo much!

dannisdreams at gmail dot com

***EDIT*** Oh my goodness! I am so blessed with such wonderful online friends. I have had lots of offers to send images to me so I think I will have more than enough. Thank you all so much, I am touched by your kindness!!!