From My Heart

It has been quite sometime since I shared an experience with you, so I am going to take advantage of this post and do just that. Yesterday morning as I was standing by my kitchen sink about to do the dishes before I went to work, I suddenly felt this very sharp, stabbing pain on the lower left side of my back. Sadly, I was not surprised, as it was a familiar pain. I was having this pain late last year and found out it was caused by a kidney stone. I thought I somehow miraculously passed it since I have not felt any pain in a couple of months. It returned with a vengeance. I quickly grabbed the bottle of my pain medication and took one with half a glass of water. From my kitchen I crawled to the living room couch while sobbing and calling out my dead grandmother while praying, "Please God, don't let me die today because it was my sister's birthday." As soon as I got to the couch, I sent a text to my husband and told him of my situation and that I should probably call 911. Then I managed to phone my sister to greet her and carried on a ten minute conversation with her about her birthday plans. I told her I loved her and prayed that it was not the last time I'd get to tell her that. I took another pain pill hoping they would kick in soon before I pass out. By then I knew I wasn't going to be able to drive to work, so I phoned my boss and told him I was not well and will not be in. My hubby showed-up shortly after that and told me we were going to the hospital. I did not argue.

I was seen right away by a nurse who took my information, my vitals, gave me a shot of Toradol, which wiped away the pain in nano seconds. It was like magic, to slowly feel the pain dissipate from my exhausted body...it was awesome. I was at that very moment so grateful for the brilliant people who invented pain medications. After the CT scan and blood work, my hubby and I waited in the lobby for the results and then waited some more for a vacant room so we could see a doctor. We waited for nine hours. I kept thinking I could have gone to work or drove to Vegas in all that time! I reminded myself of what my son always told my daughter, "Patience is a virtue." My patience surely got tested all day. Thank goodness to the Pinterest app on my phone which kept me busy. I pinned like a mad woman. The Stampin' Up! catalog that I keep in my car also saved me. I took my time looking at every page, made a wish list and looked at it some more.

A couple of days ago I was complaining to my hubby that we never go out on dates or do anything together. Well, we sat next to each other for a whole nine hours, we talked, laughed at other people (sorry, but we needed entertainment), we took a nap on each others' shoulders, held hands and shared a meal courtesy of the vending machines. It was definitely not my idea of a dream date, but I was with my dream guy and I was pretty happy. I have never been more grateful for his company. I learned a few things about myself yesterday. I learned that I could be such a snob. I did not talk to anyone else the entire time. Me, chatty Cathy who can approach a stranger in a circus! I kept to myself because...I am ashamed to admit that I didn't feel like anyone there was worth my time. Then again, perhaps I was just unwell and didn't feel like starting a conversation with anyone. I can be such a germ freak. I was afraid to touch anything. I learned that if I get stranded in an island, I would pick my husband of two decades to take with me. We can laugh at anything. He is my better half and without him, I'd just be flappin' around incomplete. I learned that I will know better next time and not return to the ER unless I am bleeding to death or nearly dying. I've never appreciated my iPhone more than I did yesterday. I am glad that I have books downloaded in it and my apps served me well. Mostly, I learned that I need to take better care of myself or else my husband will take someone else to an island :-).

Sentiment is from the stamp set From My Heart (W 126555 C 126557)

That's all I have for today. Good night and thank you for stopping by.

PS: There was no McDreamy in the ER.

Sycamore Street x 2

I apologize for my delayed supposedly Sunday's post. We went on a very short vacation and took advantage of the three-day weekend. You know how vacations get, especially the quick ones...very exhausting. Anyway, I am sharing with you a couple of cards using the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper pack. Like I said a couple of weeks ago, I am so in-love with the designs and colors of this DSP. I want to show you how versatile the items from this year's SAB catalog are. Same layout for these two cards, different messages. Easy and simple! Remember that you can get SAB items free with a $50.00 Stampin' Up! order. Sale-a-bration will end March 22, 2013. 

flower stamped twice and punched out, popped with dimensional

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Madison Avenue (W 129657 C 129660 SAB), Made For You (W 126340 C 126342)

Paper: Sycamore Street DSP (127540 SAB), Card stocks in Summer Startfruit, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo and Whisper White

Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry and Tangerine Tango

Accessories & tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Vine Street Textured Embossing Folder (130492 SAB), Punches in Word Window (119857), 1" Circle, Itty Bitty Shapes pack (118309), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (119275), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Vintage Verses (W 129633 C 129636 SAB)

Paper: Sycamore Street DSP (127540 SAB), Card stocks in Summer Startfruit, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo and Whisper White

Ink: Classic Stampin' pad in Rich Razzleberry

Accessories & tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Vine Street Textured Embossing Folder (130492 SAB), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch (119275), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Festive Paper Piercing pack (127857), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Paper Piercing tool (126189), Stampin' Pierce mat (126199)

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Thank you for stopping by.

Feeling Sentimental

I had a very slow start to my Sunday. I have not been able to sleep much the past couple of weeks. Although, I've really never needed plenty of sleep to function, it's still very annoying to just lay in bed night after night with your eyes closed, yet your mind awake. I think I am more tired trying so hard to fall asleep than my lack of sleep, if that even makes any sense.

I want to share this really nice card we made in class yesterday. It's from one of the Sale-a-bration stamp set called Feeling Sentimental.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Feeling Sentimental (W 129627 C 129630 - SAB), That's the Ticket (W 128072 C 128075)
Paper: Card stocks in Soft Suede and Very Vanilla, First Edition Specialty Paper (121878)
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Soft Suede and More Mustard
Accessories & tools: Ticket Duo Builder punch (126883), 1/16" Circle Handheld (101227), Stampin' Distress tool (127562), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Sponge Daubers (102892), Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon (129287), 3/16" Metallic Brads (119741)

That's all I got today, folks. Thank you for stopping by.

Sale-a-bration 2013

Like I mentioned last week, I am so in-love with the Sale-a-bration (SAB) designer series paper Sycamore Street and the coordinating ribbons and buttons. I love the subtle pop of colors and designs. My hoarding syndrome is on full alert, mind you. I also love the Bloomin' Marvelous stamp set. I love butterflies, so as soon as I saw this, I knew I must have it. It also has a coordinating butterfly punch that is in the new spring/summer catalog.

I want to share with you two very simple cards I put together last night for my Stamp-a-Stack SAB class next week. The item numbers with SAB next to them means you can get it FREE during Sale-a-bration 1/22 - 3/22/13 with every $50.00 order (before taxes & shipping) from any of the current Stampin' Up! catalogs. You can go to My Online Store 24/7 to start shopping now. Who doesn't like free stuff, right?

 

 Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Vintage Verses (W 129633 C 129636 - SAB item)

Paper: Sycamore Street DSP (127540 - SAB item), card stocks in Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White

Ink: Classic Stampin' pad in Rich Razzleberry

Accessories & tools: Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (130812 - SAB item), Punches in Decorative Label (120907), 3/16" Corner Rounder punch (119871) and Extra Large Oval (119859), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Sponge Daubers (102892) and Baker's Twine in Pool Party (125574)

Bitty Butterfly punch (129406) is brand new and a MUST HAVE!

 Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Bloomin' Marvelous (W 129651 C 126954 - SAB item)

Paper: Card stocks in Calypso Coral and Very Vanilla

Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade

Accessories & tools: Stampin' Distress tool (127562), 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon in Lucky Limeade (122977), Sponge Daubers (102892), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Bitty Butterfly punch (129406) and 3/16" Corner Rounder punch (119871).

Well, that is all for today's post, folks! Have a wonderful Superbowl Sunday! See you next time.

Retired BNF Friday #20

Can you believe it? The first month of 2013 is over! Happy Friday and Happy February to you all. It has been kind of an odd weather around here in Northern California. Really cold in the mornings and then it heats up to mid 60's by the afternoon. I was surprised when our A/C came on yesterday in the office. I think spring is almost here. Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, so we will find out.

Anyway, for today's Retired BNF (But Not Forgotten) Friday post, I want to share with you an old but very cute stamp set called, Monkey Business. I purchased it in 2005 and I have always found a way to use it every so often. It is still so darn cute. When my kids were small I always referred to them as my little monkeys, so to this day I am still a sucker for anything with cute monkeys on them. I don't think I will be able to part with this stamp set.

I used red craft ink pad, clear embossing powder & heat tool on the hearts.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Monkey Business
Paper: Card stocks in Real Red and Whisper White
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa and Real Red Craft ink pad
Accessories & tools: Punches in Heart to Heart, Extra Large Oval (119859) and Scallop Oval (119856), Heat tool (129053), Craft Ink pad in Real Red, Clear Stampin' Emboss powder (109130), Glimmer paper in Red (121790) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Well, that is about it for today's post. I have to prepare this weekend for my upcoming Sale-a-Bration Stamp a Stack card class next week. I am so excited to see the gals again. Thank you for stopping by.