I need your help! For a friend!

My scrapfriend Denean is in need of Prayers for her little girl Elena and also for herself! I have copied some of the information from Denean's blog here so you know what is happening but what would be awesome is if you went to the blog and left her a comment letting her know you are praying! A little web space to call my own

Elena has been diagnosed with Amblyopia. Amblyopia is the eye condition noted by reduced vision not correctable by glasses or contact lenses and is not due to any eye disease. The brain, for some reason, does not fully acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye. She started wearing a patch for two hours a day, and her eye improved some, so the Dr upped the patch wearing to six hours a day. This has been a bit of a struggle. Six hours is an eternity for a five year old.

Since this was not noticed at her previous check ups, and has seemed to suddenly appear, the doc wants to run some tests to "rule out" some explanations. Elena is going for a CAT scan of her eye and brain on Thursday and she is very nervous. Please pray for peace for her, that she will realize its not so bad and pray also that the scan is clear.

Thank you all so, so much!

Where did my snowman go so fast?

Yesterday Jason and I built a snowman! He really fell in love with it! He just kept repeating "Grandma even made legs for him!" I sure do love playing in the snow with the boys! I got some awesome photos too but I will share those another day!

I am happy for a warm day but Jason will be sad that Motorcycle snowman is gone so fast!

The weather forcast not so good.... We're getting a real taste of spring across my area this fine Monday afternoon with plenty of sunshine and temperatures that have risen well into the 50s, unbelievable in Upstate N.Y.! (NO WIND!) It all seems too good to be true and it is because here is the headlines for the weather on our local channel!
Multi-Faceted Storm Tuesday Into Wednesday ***Winter Storm Watch In Effect From 7AM Tue. to 12PM Wed.*

also for now they are giving flood warnings too....

7 Random THINGS About ME!

I have been tagged again... I don't have much luck with these
because usually those I tag don't do them but I will give it
a try!

Seven Random Things About Me
here how it works:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment
on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours.
Scrapping Servant tagged me!

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Share 7 Random facts about yourself on your blog.

4. Tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking
to their blog.  Let each person know by leaving a comment
on their blog.

Here are my 7 Random Things about ME!

1. I love playing with my three grandsons!

2. I would love a granddaughter. (hint hint dd!)

3. I have been on 3 missons trips! Albania, St. Kitts and to a
Childrens home in Georgia

4. I have Trigeminal and Occipital Neuralgia

5. I have a photo of my grandmother 8 generations back who was
full blooded Indian

6. Many times people have asked if my daughter and I are sisters (my
  dd hates it when people think she is still a teenager but yet she
  hates it when people ask this question also! I LOVE IT!)LOL

7. If I hurt someones feelings (which I never do on purpose, so
 accidentally) I get so upset that I beat my self up for
 days and cry to.  I am always worried about offending people.

And now I am tagging
Denean http://alittlewebspacetocallmyown.blogspot.com/
(check out her beautiful banner!)
Leslie http://www.dragonflytime.typepad.com/
Tabitha http://zippity-do-dah-tabitha.blogspot.com/
Spink http://spinkeeshy.blogspot.com/
Nadia http://nadiascraps.blogspot.com/
Jenney http://scrapbookinggal.blogspot.com/
Nancy  http://myfiercewonderings.blogspot.com/

Some New Layouts

Now first I want to say that Dear God has to have the writing part redone but I am out of brown cardstock so it has to wait till I can get some! I did these during a on-line crop and Dear God was done while suffering with a severe migraine! So it is a wonder that you can read it at all and I wrote it like 3 times! LOL . The Love at first sight is our new home which was after looking at so many homes and feeling so discouraged! I was looking out the window on the day we went to see the house and saw a double rainbow! my sign from God!
Last but not least, the middle layout is what makes my heart tick! my three special boys! My three Grandsons!
I love on-line Crops... they motivate you to get so much done! thanks for all the great ideas Jodie from Scrap4Life!!

Quilt of Holes

A friend emailed me this poem and I thought it would be great to share on my blog! by the way the quilt I have pictured is a quilt my husband's grandmother made for him, it was used by him and his brothers and my children (when they were visiting my mother in law) and then my mother in law gave it to me, the quilt means alot to hubby and me as both his mom and grandmother are passed away.

Quilt of Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant

holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day

life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been

trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go." I need this back. If you'll do this for me, I'll do it for you....When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

With all that said I would also like to ask you to pray for a friend of mine.. This friend Nancy Jones has Lupus and has had a pretty bad flare up! She has a beautiful little 4 year old girl "Bella" who needs her MOMMY healthy and home to take care of her! Please help me pray for them.

Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

http://nancywithajones.blogspot.com/

Feb. 22 is my daughters Birthday!

This year she will be 31! I am giving her a small surprise birthday party! No! She does not read my blog so she won't see this! She does not have any idea! Which is totally unusual to pull something off on her!

Today my grandsons and I altered a frame for her birthday from the boys! I am hoping to get a better photo of the boys together to put in it tomorrow but until then I have put one in of the boys with her! They sure do love their Aunt Mindy! Noah the youngest helped a lot with glue on the back of the paper! I probaly should have taken photos of them helping, but to late!

just a couple of my newest layouts

Thought I would share some of my latest layouts! I am doing great on my goal of 10 layouts a month. I only made the number 10 so the goal would be obtainable and I am doing well. Although as far as getting a lot of photos done, I won't say I am doing so well! Maybe I will show you why in my next post and see if you can figure it out! LOL! Have a wonderful day!

CLOSE TO YOU!

I did a layout for my sweet hubby a few weeks ago and was going to reveal it to him on Valentines Day, why I did not I am not sure, I just decided to wait. My husband has subscribed to my blog and reads it while he is at work normally so I want him to get this while he is at work.

Friday the day after Valentines he was suppose to take me for a procedure that is suppose to replace my nerve blocks I get for my Occipital Neuralgia that causes neck pain and severe migraines but due to the fact that the insurance has not approved the new procedure yet it was canceled, but originally he wouldn't have been at work. So here I am posting it so he will get it Monday at work.

I did the layout thinking about a song that I liked when I was a teenager and when we were dating it made me think of him, and then we had children I sang it to each of my children when I was rocking them and I have also sang it to my grandchildren.

I like knowing that my husband is nearby even when we are doing different things. When my neurological problems act up ( I also have trigeminal neuralgia, which can be very frightening) or even just my migraines, I like knowing he is close by and many times at night I will get as close to him as I can just because I feel insecure and when I get close to him it makes me feel so much safer.

When he has to go away for work or when something happens at home and he is just not home, I long for him to get home just because I want to be close to him. When I go away, I enjoy myself, yet I long to share the events and to be close to him!

This is why I used this song on this layout!

On a little side note... If you love those little chipboard birdies.. they are from Magistical Memories. They have the best lightweight chipboard.

I did it! I made a pull tab card!

It might not be the best card I ever made but it is sure not the worst and is better then my poor husband's valentine card! I made the pull tab a bookmark!

Cards with pull tabs!!!

I am working on a challenge to make a card with a pull tab, or should I reword this, I did a challenge and now I am redoing it because I hated my card!
I gave the card to my hubby but I just gave me a fit the whole time and was just not the best card! So I am determined to make a better card!
If you have any hints or ideas please let me know!!

Thought I would share what my grandson Jason and I made today!

My grandson Jason and I were creative today!

It was the perfect day too, the snow was perfect and the temperature was perfect, we were warm enough so we did not freeze but yet it was cold enough so the snow did not melt. Actually the snow was still coming down!

Jason was very proud of our snowman!

A funny for today! 25 REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER

Had to share something my hubby emailed to me!

25 REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished
cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION .
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL ;.
"If you don't straighten up,
I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC .
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the
store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT .
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry
about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth an d eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM .
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10.. My mother taught me about STAMINA .
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER .
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY .
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE .
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY .
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have
wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION .
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE .
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP .
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"


20. My mother taught me HUMOR .
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS .
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24.
My mother taught me WISDOM .
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you

Winter advisory for tonight!

Hoping this is the last of the year! Freezing rain then snow! Local schools started closing for the afternoon by 10 am and it has not even started! It is suppose to continue off and on through tomorrow until noon or 2pm tomorrow, snow, sleet and freezing rain! YUCK!

On a sweeter note I was invited by Tabitha to a new scrapsite, 2 Sassy Scrappers! I know another one! But hey I love scrapbooking!

Here is a link to the blog 2 Sassy Scrappers

Go see what you think!

Hey Scrapbookers and Stampers want to see what is happening at CHA?

I found the most awesome blog! It is called CRAFT CRITIQUE
They have lots of pictures straight from the floor of CHA for you to see and not only that but if you go back further in the posts there is a post with lots of links straight to loads of manufactures sites for sneak peaks! TRUST ME it is worth checking out!!!! Just in case you don't have time to go right now here is the address http://www.craftcritique.com/ . Have fun!

Fight and KISS

Jason and Noah like to play together but they do what all brothers do, they get into fights! Hey, give me that back, then Noah laughs and Jason chases him and tackles him, the whole time Noah is laughing until Jason hits him and by the time you get there to stop the argument it is to late, one or both are crying!
Then the next thing you know they are kissing and making up because they want to play together again! It is so silly! But I have a feeling they will end up best friends some day! Well this weekend I caught one of the makeups on camera!!! And of course I had to scrap it!

Candid Closeups!

I decided to do some candid close-ups of the boys, not as easy as you might think! I sure did delete alot and only ended up with a few good ones! I think I am going to try later to get a few more. But for now these are a few of my favorites. Why? well I guess I have my reasons, just some of the facial expressions I am either use to or else they mean something.

Jason and his smile touches my heart!

I love this photo! It was actually taken as an after photo for his new haircut, but I love the photo so much I have now scrapped it twice! The photo was only taken on Jan. 28th! I also have plans for scrapping it one more time!

I think one of the reasons I love it so much is because it shows the smile I love so much! He smiles and it justs makes me want to hug him so tight! He is my boy!

I think we all need to remember that saying "Smile and the whole world smiles with you!" because it is so true and if you want to affect the people around you then put a smile on your face! Try having fun in life!

THINKING TODAY !

I started thinking today and went looking for something to show how I feel for Valentines day but decided not to wait! Now this talks about children and I feel the same about them but my children are grown and now it is my grandchildren I hold and play with!
My Darling husband this is also for you!
I thank the Lord for all He does for me, I have my problems, health wise but I know how many have it worse and I am so blessed to be able to enjoy my grandchildren, my family and my home and my friends!

Today is my son KEVIN's 32nd Birthday

I can still remember Feb. 4th 1976 like it was yesterday!!

I wish so much that I could be with my son today and share his birthday! I miss that so much! I miss being able to bake him a birthday cake but more then that I miss being able to wrap my arms around him and hug him and say "Happy Birthday Son, I love you!"

I am hoping that maybe if he comes to my blog and sees this layout he will feel the love I put into it and how much I thought of him and how much I prayed for him as I worked on it today! I wish for him more happiness and love then he could ever know!

Happy Birthday SON!!

10 THINGS

I was Tagged by SHERINE so in return I am tagging ANYONE WHO reads this Post!!!

10 Things I have done, that you probably haven't.

1. I went on a missions trip to Albania

2. I used a Turkish toilet! (not an easy thing for a woman!)

3. Went on a Missions trip to St. Kitts

4. Helped 8 people pass out over 500 bibles in less then 20 minutes

5. Had a accordion player at my wedding

6. Have trigeminal and Occipital Neuralgia

7. Broke my foot walking on it while it was asleep

8. Was Married 3 weeks before I turned 17 and am still married to the same wonderful man!!!!!

9. Had my first two children 1 year and 2 weeks apart

10. Gave birth to a son that was 23 1/2 inches LONG (you thought I was gonna say 23 1/2 pounds at first didn't you. LOL!!!!)

Okay your turn!

WOW a Blast from the Past!!!

The Can Can layout is Jason Sr. my youngest son when he was young and The "I've been GOOD" layout is My brother and me when we were little!

I decided to try to do some of my older photos! So what I am doing, is every month I will do at least 2 or 3 older photo layouts. I have been surprised at how well some of the older photos are scanning! They are actually coming out better then the originals!

A special place in my heart!

Lately I worry a lot about losing a special friend! My darling hubby has predicted she won't be with us another year. It is our dog Beauty! Beauty will be 14 in May! She is one of the best dogs I have ever known! She is blind in one eye and the other is not so good either and she is pretty deaf now too. BUT she sure does love us and protect us still! Beauty has my heart!

Oh by the way Beauty is not allowed on the couch! Can you tell!!!

The Things Kids Say!!!

Meet Britton! My grandson in S.C. well today my son in S.C. Kevin (Britton's Dad) calls me and while we are chatting he tells me something that just happen and what Britton who just turned 4 in DEC. said.

Britton's Mother Maria had spoke to him about something and Britton said " Mom, I am Just a kid you know"

I could not help but laugh and almost cry too because Britton has mild autism and I love to hear him talk but to say comments like this just thrill me!

BUT it also makes me think about the fact that how many times as Parents do people forget that children are just kids! Today we want them to grow up and "BEHAVE" so fast! I agree they need to learn discipline but they need to be able to PLAY to!

So just remember that little boy or girl is " JUST A KID YOU KNOW"

Easter 2006 and Daisy Bucket Pattern Papers!!

Okay yes I am behind! But if you think these photos are behind then you have not seen anything yet! I have oodles of photos of my children to do, this is my grandson Noah!

He was afraid of the Easter Bunny and would not sit on his lap, so the Easter Bunny hid behind the fence so that he got in the photo at least!!!

The papers I used for this layout are Daisy Bucket Pattern Papers and I am in Love!!! they are such a neat texture! Great to work with! I cannot wait to see what the new line is when it is released at Cha!!!

OH Deer! OH DEAR!

One of the things we like best about our house when we found it back last sept. was that it has a long driveway off the main road and we have 2.3 acres with a lot of fields and woods around us! We see turkeys and DEER! Lots of Deer that will wander right into our yard.

The other day I took some pictures and did a layout.

But OH DEAR! we are being told that they are going to build a development around us! We know the woods area will stay, but the fields will go! So we will lose some of the deer at the very least! Such a disappointment!!

My favorite layout from 2007!

I was challenged to share my favorite layout from 2007!

Well my favorite layout is one of my grandson Noah! It is a picture I managed to catch of him at CHristmas 2006 and it was him starring at a toy his older brother got from us. He really liked the gift and it was obvious that he wanted the gift and the look on his face showed it! It was definetly one of those once in a lifetime photos!

2008's word for the year!

I have choosen my word for the year! POSITIVE! My goal is too try to be more POSITIVE and too look for the POSITIVE side of even the bad things that happen!

I do not often talk about my reason for being disabled so I am getting it done and over with now and only because I am asking for prayer for the 25th that the new procedure works!

On the 25th they are going to try something different instead of my normal nerve blocks. I will be having a procedure done where they will the occipital nerve, this procedure, GOD willing if it works for me will last 3-6 months. If this procedure does not work then I will have to go to the implant procedure. I am including a video on Occipital neuralgia and the implant procedure.



Now the other problem I have which was also mention on the other video is called TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA I just found out about the procedure on this video recently. Fortunetly right now my meds are working although some of the side effects to stink! But Trigeminal Neuralgia can come back worse and meds can stop working so I am glad I found the treatment. BUT THE VIDEO will help you understand my disease.

Now remember my word for this year is POSITIVE! AND I am positive it is going to be a great year and my health is going to be good! SO Please no sorrys as I am doing well right now, and am so thankful for how far I have come! Many days I hate my meds and their side effects but GOLLY I love the difference they made in my life, SO THAT IS THE POSITIVE part of my meds!!!

Playing with photos! Need your help!!

As you must be able to tell by now, there is nothing I like better then to take photos of my grandboys except playing with them!!! Well sunday my grandson Noah was enjoying some warmer then normal weather for here and no snow weather and playing on the swingset! TOTALLY unusual in Jan. in N.Y. and I hobbled out to take a couple shots!! Now the lighting was not the best and I had to play with this photo to even make it acceptable and then I played somemore and can't decide which is better to scrap! So tell me do you like the color, the sepia or the black and white better?

The future Toby Keith

My grandson Jason sang and played for me today! We tryed to do a video for you but could not get it to work!

Christmas lights

Took me forever to get hubby to put up the Christmas lights! this is my son and him up on the roof doing the lights!

NOW I am wondering when I will get them down! I am already bugging him to take care of the decorations on the front porch since I have a broken foot! Heck the tree is still up and no one is helping me do that! I think I am in trouble since the doctor says it will take 6 weeks to heal!!!

A blog Challenge!

what memory stands out in your mind as a great memory of 2007!

Well I have to admitt that there were not a lot of GREAT memories of 2007! We did get our new home but before that we lived in a camper for months and physically I was having a rough time because I have neuroligical problems called occipital and trigeminal neuralgia and the bed in the camper just was not helping me!

So our pastor and his wife offered for us to move in with them until we found a place to live!

I cannot tell you how much that meant to us! It showed how much they cared and also it was a wonderful month and a half! We will always have some great memories from that period of time! Pastor gave hubby permission to get rid of any red squirrels so hubby was in his glory! Pictures are Pastor, Tina (Pastor's wife) Hubby trying to get a red squirrel. Painting I did for Tina in the computer room.

Little man

Britton is growing up so fast!! I just am amazed when ever Maria or Kevin sends me a new photo! Look how big and sweet he looks! It is so hard to have grandchildren that live far away!

I entered a contest!

I entered a scrapbooking contest on Scrapping with Grace! the first layout had to be about 2007! So I did mine about all that happen to us in 2007!

The move, the packing, trying to find a house, not being able to see our grandboys, etc.
My big concern is that it did not load good in the gallery there though. I did a contest there before and had that problem, must be the type of forum. Oh well. Maybe next week I can figure out how to load better if I load some on to the regular part of the gallery not in the contest part.

I have been trying out a few different scrapbooking sites lately, trying to find a couple busy sites. I need challenges to keep me going. I found a couple new ones I really like! One is called Scrapdiner and the other is the Scrapbook dreamer. So between the three I am keeping busy. I am also on a couple others too so yep, I am busy. But I am also painting! Oh am teaching painting! RIGHT DAWN!!!!

First Layout of the New Year!

I did my first layout for this year! I did a layout of Noah from the day we did Christmas with the boys! The photo was auctually taken with the camera that we got for Jay and he took it!!! Pretty good job for a 6 year old if I do say so myself!!! When he opened the camera, he turned and looked at me and said,"I love you so much Grandma!" BOY that boy is special!! So is the Noah the one in the layout! OH and so is Britton my grandboy in S.C.! Can you tell I am a proud Grandma!!!

Boy Oh Boy am I behind!!

Yep I got way behind! I did do some scraping and definetly took some photos for Christmas! Just life got a little crazy between trying to keep up physically with the shopping, stress, decorating and all. But I can say I am finally mostly done unpacking except for bits and pieces.

Stress well that won't end I guess, I will ask for prayer, as I have some concerns with my grandsons and I won't go into that stress but someone is a big cause of stress in their lives and mine and sometimes I have a hard time dealing with it and remembering that IN HIS TIME not my time! But I do know GOD IS in Control and will deal with it in HIS WAY AND TIME! IN the mean time please continue to pray!

Some of the work I did in the past few weeks! Not a lot but here it is! I also just finished a canvas but have not gotten a photo yet!

Also a few photos from Christmas! I have to say that one of the best parts of Christmas was a few days after when the grandboys opened gifts and as the oldest Jason (6) opened his gifts, as he saw what some of his gifts were he would automaticly reply "Grandma, I love you so much!!" my heart just swelled knowing I had made his day!