The Dark Knight & I made cards!!!

We went to see The Dark Knight tonight. It was really good, plus it was a freebie - gotta love that! WOOHOO! It was easy to see how this disturbed Heath Ledger to play the "Joker" but WOW what a performance. He was the perfect mad-man. And the story was just good anyway. I am usually not into Spiderman, Superman type movies. But we saw Batman Begins with Christian Bale when it came out a few years ago, and I liked him as Batman - so this was a must see (especially FREE!)

Then tonight when we go home Keith had a movie he wanted to watch and I could CARE less about, so I made about 12 or so cards. I used up some card fronts I'd been saving from swaps I'd been in and had left-over of what I made, cool postcards people had sent me in swaps, and some serendipity squares left from Nancy Walker's class at last year's Tennessee Stampers retreat. But goofy me didn't get a single picture! I was so excited to make them and get them WRITTEN IN and AdDRESSED that I almost cried! I mean WOW! Maybe Keith should watch movies I don't like more often???

Mazie is sleeping under my scrapbook table, Marlie is on the couch, and Missie Moo is probably behind the couch. So I think it might be time for bed, b/c it IS 2:12AM and Keith is snoring in the recliner. Will post pictures tomorrow of two swaps I completed this week, and of one card I did with Unity Stamp Company Stamps - LOVE 'EM!

TGIF!

Well it is Friday, and I did a run to Cool Springs. Actually I rode to work with Keith. And ran errands and then came to Panera for dinner and web surfing. :o)

I just have to rave about my new favorite thing. THERAPY SYSTEMS!

BACKSTORY: Since I was 11 or so I have had trouble with my skin. It is VERY SENSITIVE, and I break out easily. I remember my brother being home from college and we went down to the local mall when we lived in Kennesaw Georgia. My mom got Joey & I both set up on the CLinique 3 step-system. I used it RELIGIOUSLY all through my early teens, and then life happens, you don't get to the mall, etc. By this time, my pores were HUGE as well. So from high school, my wedding, up until a couple of months ago I have tried the following: Proactiv, Neutrogena, Oxy Clean, Noxema, Mary Kay, Avon, Beauty Control, etc. And I did go back to Clinique a couple of times, but that stuff is NOT what it used to be, or my skin needs more help than it used too! LOL! But NONE of the prodcuts I tried ever really did any out of this WORLD for my skin. I mean it was clean, but it wasn't CLEAN. And they always smelled so medicinal - YUCK! Not to mention I have tried every kind of make-up to COVER this horrid skin up.

NOW back to THERAPY SYSTEMS!!! A couple of months ago, I went into "The Cosmetics Market" in Cool Springs. I was on the hunt for a new skin care regime. Now remember I have OCD, and going into new places IS NOT my thing, but I was desperate, and I think my anxiety over my skin won out over the worry about a new place. When I walked into "The Cosmetics Market" I was blown away. They were so helpful, and after talking with me about my skin and conditions I have, they decided my best bet was THERAPY SOLUTIONS. It is made here in Nashville, and let me tell you it is a DREAM! I get an OCCASSIONAL pimple, but nothing like I used to, and they go away almost overnight. But I was still having pore issues, and make-up issues.

Can we just say three different brands of make-up ordered from QVC in the past month, and all have been RETURNED!!!

So today I went back to The Cosmetics Market for a consultation; and once again, I am blown away. Their people are SO KNOWLEDGABLE about their products. And since I was already using Therapy Systems with such great results, she just added to my regime. I added a microderabrasion 2x's a week, a new toner to help exfoliate; and THE bEST EVER - THERAPY SYSTEMS HAS MAKEUP!!! So she got me all made-over and then I was just amazed. She used a primer on me, which I have used before, but this one is OUT OF THIS WORLD, plus it is made for lighter skin, and has an SPF. It is ALL NATURAL too! I am so excited!

Now don't get me wrong, it isn't cheap, but neither is most of the things I have tried in the past 10 years. Even if you buy stuff at Wal-Mart, by the time you buy the whole set it is HIGH. But this stuff is worth EVERY PENNY I have paid for it and MORE. I am SO AMAZED.

The primer is by Sue Devitt. Called MICROQUATIC BLUE Anti-aging SPE 30 Protection Primer. First off, I need the anti-aging primer (when did that happen???) But it made my pores appear smaller, got rid of the redness in my complexion, and got my face ready for the mineral makeup. WOW. Now girls - RUN OUT and get some of this. It is made for light skin tones b/c of the SPF 30, but I am sure it cannot be bad for any skin tone. It feels so good when you put it on.

And all MINERAL make-ups are not the same. I have used Bare, Everyday, Revlon, Loreal. Therapy Solutions did not make my face itch or tingle once!!! So nice to be excited to put on makeup and go out with hubby, so I don't feel like I look like a frump-a-lump.

Ok, time to go ask Keith to make me a latte, it is FREEZING in here, b/c their air WORKS! LOL!

HELLO PEOPLE - Mental Diseases are REAL medical conditions!

It is 3:54am, and I read something earlier tonight that has had me awake for hours. And really has me angry. I read several comments about a TV show, and how the person on there was Obsessive Compulsive and how it "bugged/annoyed" them. First off let me say that there is a DISTINCT difference in someone having obsessive compulsive traits and truly being diagnosed with OCD (or any mental illness for that matter.) But I realized long ago, from my own personal experiences with family members or friends, that people are NOT comfortable talking about mental illness. And they are even MORE UN-COMFORTABLE talking with you about yours, or how they feel about it/worries/concerns/etc. If someone is diagnosed with Diabetes, or Epilepsy, or allergies we talk about it, we deal with it, we make people aware of things that can or can't be done around that person/with that person/to that person. When someone has a mental disability/disease if they mention that they cannot do something, people almost laugh, and have to my face personally. WHY does that bother you, why can't you do that. Well heck if I knew that it wouldn't be a problem. "Oh so and so can't have this b/c of their allergies, so let's have this instead." That happens in conversations daily; people are also aware of the toll different diseases take on people emotionally/physically. But when it comes to mental disorders, they don't feel the same way. We can't be upset by something, we can't not do something, we can't, can't, can't. WHAT??? I am just so sick of this attitude. I am going to talk about OCD and the prejudices b/c I know about those personally. People think having OCD is like it is on MONK. That you are neat and quirky, and you like things done in a "certain" way and you are a freak about RULES. There is so much more to OCD, and that show MONK really ticks me off. They make fun of him and his disability, and I refuse to watch it. If you only knew how hard it is to leave a room without things in THEIR place. It is not just "Oh I WANT THEM that way." They have to be that way or I cannot sleep, eat, talk, think. NOTHING. Like right now, something has upset me, so here I sit at 4:04am blogging. I am blogging as therapy b/c I am upset, but at the same time - this is physically exhausting. I cannot sleep, and that happens A LOT. Not this is not all IN MY MIND. Physical things happen to me because of my disease. And yes IT IS A DISEASE, recognized by the medical community. People discuss something around me, maybe nothing that would bother a normal person, but it bothers me. So I ask them to stop, or I won't be able to eat/sleep/whatever. They LAUGH and continue to talk about it. If someone was not able to do something because of their epilepsy would you make them do it knowing it would harm them? I mean GOOD GRIEF. For all the advancements in the world, they might as well still lock us "mental cases" up in a ward, so no one has to deal with our petty little issues since it is all in our head anyway, and we're just "CRAZY." Now these are all OCD things, but people with bi-polar disorder, anxiety, depression, etc. all face these same discriminations. Click on today's post title to see a GREAT article on prejudice and mental illness. And go through the articles in the site, there are several on the left of the page under: "You may also like..." which truly explore the prejudices against mental illness. And remember next time you go to watch MONK or some other show that is making fun of someone's disability - change the channel.

I love Patter Cross...

I discovered this gal's blog over at twopeasinabucket.com a while back, and have been subbing to it for a few months now over on bloglines (click today's title to see her blog.)She is amazingly talented, a wonderful example of a Christian woman, and she led me to my latest addiction of Unity Stamps. :o) Three reasons to love a gal huh? :o) I don't know her personally, but I love checking in on her blog and seeing all her beautiful creations. Then she just made my year. She posted a color combo chart for Stampin' Up (SU) & Close to My Heart (CTMH). Now you say, ok big deal? Well, lots of people use SU or CTMH cardstock and ink to stamp/create. And even though I used to be a CTMH demo, I haven't been in 4 years, and never have I even OWNED any SU cardstock. So these little charts ROCK, b/c when someone lists one of these colors I can now go to this cool site and figure out what the heck these colors are - WOOHOO! Now this isn't Patter's site, but she led me to it, so you'll have to ask her if you need more information about who owns it.

But now if you want to join in on the splitcoaststampers color challenges, but don't use SU Cardstock - you can find out what the colors are and GO FOR IT! WOOHOO!

Now I am off to check on Missie Moo - she and Marlie got into a fight this morning. Not sure why, and now Moo-moo has a boo-boo. :o( We've been doctoring on it for a couple of hours, and Marlie had to go into time out during that time. Now we are all out, Marlie has given everyone kisses and said sorry. So we'll see how it goes.

Mazie is such a sweetie...

This afternoon when Keith got home from work we had to return 2 movies to Silver Screen (our local DVD rental store.) So I suggested we load all 3 girls up into the truck for a ride, and also so we could let Mazie meet Ms. Karen that owns Silver Screen. She is a dog lover and had seen pictures but really wanted to meet Mazie.

So I attached Mazie's new leash (sidenote: I love a 4 foot leash and the gentle leader harness we got her. She is a different dog when out walking), got Marlie's harness on, and Missie's collar - put Missie & Marlie on the double leash and out the front door we went. We all loaded up nicely, and amazingly, they all found their spots in the truck. This was the first time all 3 had been in the truck together - they did so good. When we got to Silver Screen, Karen had me bring Mazie into the store. She did SOOOOOOO good, and Karen asked a lot of questions and wanted to know about her, and we had a few people standing & listening. Asking to pet Mazie. She was such a good baby, and it was so cool to see so many people interested. Not realizing she was hearing and visually impaired, but when they did still saw how AMAZING she was. I was just so proud of my girl. I really wish I lived closer to more Lethal White owners to do events. But I know now what Jeff & Dede told me was SO VERY TRUE. She is changing our lives, and we are so thankful to have her. :o)

:o) So Proud (o:

Well first I am going to start this post off with a BIG BRAG on myself. July 4th & 5th are a really rough time for me usually. In 1994 my dad passed away on July 5th & then in 1995 my Mama Elsie passed away on July 4th. So my first couple of years of college, not so great. I usually let this "Celebration" weekend pass without much enjoyment. I hated the fireworks, I just would rent movies and cuddle up in bed, or scrapbook my ass off. Well the 4th came and went, then the 5th came - we went to see Kenny Chesney at LP field (more on that later,) and then the 7th came and went and I had therapy and was having a good day. And then suddenly probably on the 10th I realized those days had passed for the first time in 14 years without me going into a depression. That is a pretty big deal for me. And not because I normally went into a horrible depression that lasted forever, etc. But I just shut down for a few days. July 4th I was out workin in the yard and keeping Missie Moo occupied while the fireworks were going off everywhere. :o) And on the 5th we met Shonna, Patsy & Ricky at Logan's off of West End Ave. downtown, and that fun day began. WOW! And the funny thing was I went to therapy and didn't even TALK about this stuff! WOW! Ok so big pat on my back. :o) YEAH ME!

Mazie is now sleeping in the bedroom with us at night. Not in a crate. She now only goes in the crate when BOTH of us leave the house. I still can't trust her little puppy mouth - she likes to chew. But I can't blame her. All babies chew - they are teething, and Mazie is no exception. Now some of you are thinking...hey wait this dog is 2 years old. NOT SO MUCH! That is what we were told originally. But Keith called her foster mom last week to get some information, and we were told she would be 2 NEXT January 19th. Well just like there is a big difference between a 1 1/2 year old & 2 year old human babies. There is a BIG DIFFERENCE between a 1 1/2 year old & 2 year old fur-baby. We're doing pretty good. No accidents in the house in the past 3 days (KNOCK ON WOOD, KNOCK ON WOOD, KNOCK ON WOOD!) I do have the spare bathroom & bedroom closed off. And I only open my scrapbook room for her to go in when I am in there. But she has to learn, and we did the same things with our other two girls.

This past Saturday, we had all my aunts, uncles, cousins over for a BBQ. SO FUN! My brother, SIL & nephew even made it. I was so happy. :o) Keith worked so hard on the back and front yards. He weeded, mowed, built steps up to the deck from the new patio. I painted tables, hung pictures, decorated, but Keith did 95% of the outdoor stuff. And well at around 3:30pm as he was cooking it came a DOWNPOUR! So the debate about whether it was too hot to eat outside was solved for us. I mean it went form BEAUTIFUL to GLOOM & DOOM THUNDER in 5 minutes. It was crazy!!! Later it cleared up and some Debbie & Betty went to sit outside, but I just felt so darned bad for Keith. But he did get to show off his new steps to Donnie and that was the main thing (my uncle Donnie is a cabinet maker/wood GENIUS.)

I have pictures of the KC Concert, pictures of Mazie, and am getting Ellen to email me pics of Saturday. And I will post them all soon. But I am tired, and Mazie is actually sleeping pretty soundly, so I better scram and get to sleep so I CAN sleep. Like having a new baby - I tell ya! :o)

Meet Mazie...and some other stuff

Well this week started out SUPER wonderful. Monday morning we called about a Lethal White in Kentucky that needed rescue. We chatted with the lady, and it was pretty much a GO! So Keith called her and scheduled us to pick up "Helen" on Wednesday. So that was SUPER exciting.

Then some shocking news in our family. My cousin was just diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer. She starts her treatments this coming Monday - so please keep her in your prayers. I was so praying that when she got the final test results all the doctor's speculating would be wrong, but that was not the case. But her attitude is GREAT, and we have started a prayer chain like no other. So please keep 'em coming for her.

I also had lunch with my friend, Lynn, on Monday. We had lunch at Buckhead coffee house. GREAT Chicken Salad! Then I went and got my oil changed and tires rotated for our trip to Kentucky on Wednesday. Honestly it was good to keep busy after hearing the news about my cousin.

Tuesday I went to my MIL's to work on shirts for Shonna & I. We are going to see Kenny Chesney at LP Field on Saturday, and we decided we wanted cute tank tops to wear. So I made them, along with a pair of flip flops for each of us. You can see these pictures in my artistic adventures flick (2nd one)------>>>It was really a lot of fun. I hadn't done much applique with the embroidery machine, so I did it exactly as Pam told me to. And it was SO MUCH FUN! As stressed and upset as I was, it really took my mind off things. And they turned out SOOOOOOOOOO cute! I used Red, Green & Yellow oN Shonna's since Red is her fav color and it had to have some TRACTOR GREEN on there! And mine is PINK and green OF COURSE! I had started the flip-flops before I went out to Pam's house to do the shirts, and luckily took them and the bandanas along to show them to Pam. And she said "OH you need to use bandana fabric on the tractors!!!" So I did, and they turned out super cute, and I'm telling ya, you can take something "kidsie" and make it JUST DANG CUTE if you use the right fabric and cool colors. :o)
The Flips Flops are just from Hobby Lobby, cost $1.00 a pair. Bandanas were 97 cents and 87 cents and I bought 4 and that did both shirts and both flip flops. So for $15.00 I got an ORIGINAL outfit to wear Saturday, and I will FOR SURE wear it again!

We got everything all setted Tuesday night to go pick up "Helen". We had to drive to Hazard, KY. Not a short drive at all, so we were up at 4AM on Wednesday morning. Off we went. We finally got to the Wal-Mart parking lot where we met "Helen" and her foster mom, and when we saw her it was LOVE AT FIRST SITE! She is deaf/hearing impaired; and we are realizing her peripheral vision is limited but she sees FINE, plays FINE, and LOVES fine. I told Keith, she may not can hear us with her ears, but she can hear us with her heart. And we are already learning to communicate with her. You can see her pics -------->>>
in Life in the World of West. So in love and she is teaching me so much about patience. We still talk to her, but that is ok, she CAN hear us in her own way. :o)
And "Helen" has been re-named MAZIE for AMAZING because that is what she is!!!

Ok, I am off to play with some rubber stamps while all the puppers are taking a nap. And then we'll go outside for playtime, and for momma to swing on the swing daddy bought her! SO EXCITING!!! Just trying to find the happy in life, and keep a positive attitude, and keep myself busy.
HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!