Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Guess what I was trying to say in my post earlier is that I'm completely and totally overwhelmed. *sigh*

Home ...

Home... and BURIED in work, life, lack of sleep, deadlines, despair, etc. The list could go on and on.

Trip was wonderful to see Papa Merlin. He knew who I was the instant he saw me. He was overjoyed to have his eldest granddaughter home for a visit. I really got to spend some good quality time with him.

It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to do to say good-bye knowing that I'll never see him again. It was gut wrenching and felt like I was ripping my heart out.

Got home at 1:10 a.m. on Friday morning. Had to be up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready for work. Between jet lag, trying to catch up on a lot of sleep I missed, trying to catch up at home and work... being depressed and sad ..... I've kind of been MIA.

Trying to catch up and pull myself together. Hope to post more and more positively laters.

Hugs!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Big prayers please ....

Got a message from my brother today that Papa is heading downhill fast. Seems super tired and keeps asking when my Dad and uncle are coming. I have a feeling once he's said good-bye to everyone that he will give up and go home. Please pray I make it there in time to see him.

Have my boarding pass and all paperwork, reservations, etc. in order. Almost done packing and then need to get the laptop, etc. together. It's going to be a super long day for me tomorrow. I'll get to see Papa hopefully fairly early on Tuesday morning.

Hugs to all .....

Saturday, January 19, 2008

More bad news... quickie update ....

Sorry for the lack of posting, it's been super upside down.

I got a call on Wednesday that my Papa Merlin (grandfather) was in the hospital and that they diagnosed him with cancer with only a month to live, a slight chance at two. They drained his lungs on Thursday and he was headed to a home with hospice care on Friday . He's 86 years old and they aren't giving any encouraging hope. Unfortunately I'm in New Jersey and he's in Washington state. I've made emergency plans to fly out on Monday and fly back on Thursday afternoon (arriving after midnight in NJ). It's tough $$ and time wise, but we'll have to find a way to make it work. I want to see him now and spend time with him, as opposed to flying out for a funeral. It's been 14 years since I've been back to WA, last time I was there was to bury my precious Jenn. It's going to be a super emotional trip all around.

I'm busy trying to get everything together to go, get hubby and Ollie situated and taken care of. Lots of laundry, list making, etc. Good news is that God is good... I was upset about missing Ollie's game on Wednesday, but got an e-mail from coach yesterday that the game is postponed until February. It was like a reward for doing the right thing if that makes sense.

Anyhow, Ollie was supposed to go to his first freshman dance tonight, but he just got a call from the Varsity coach and has been asked to play Varsity tonight. Yes, you guessed it.. we're going to hockey. More hockey laundry to add to the list, but that's always ok.

Of course all this on top of the partner at work being out with cancer. Fortunately we had someone start this week to help us out some. I feel better bailing on my boss for four days if he at least has someone there to help. I'll try to look into the e-mails each day and help out where I can.

Soooo.... I don't know when I'll be back online, but I'll check in if and when I can. Please say prayers that everything goes smooth, I get some quality time with Papa and that we figure the $$ situation out as needed.

Hugs to all......

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

So many things ....

My mind won't be still, it's running in so many directions that I feel like I'm spinning round and round. Hey... wasn't that a song? LOL

My heart and mind are heavy with some things going on and it's hard to focus at times. The partner with kidney cancer is in the hospital this week getting is first IL2 treatment. He had the cancerous kidney removed in November, but there are spots on his lungs and liver. We all need to keep him in our prayers and remain positive, but some days it's hard. The workload at work has been tremendous. Any time you take a 3 person office and have someone out for 3 months now.... it's hard to keep up with everything. I seriously need to get the end of year books and stuff done but I can't seem to catch up enough. My house has turned into a disaster area as a result of taking on extra hours, etc..... I need a day or two off to get caught up. Good news is we are going to get someone in here to help us out for a little while. He's going to start on Monday, but of course that's more work for me getting him set up and situated! Bad timing, but at this point I'm not sure there is good timing.

I'm behind in design stuff which is bothering me. I really started the year out with some good ideas and feeling good about trying to stay on top of things. I have to tell you I have those days that I totally understand the number of designers that are "retiring". I've contemplated it myself at times. It's a tough situation sometimes. Don't take me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE designing. It truly fulfills me in a way I can't describe. However, sometimes trying to keep up with the responsibilities at the stores/forums, etc. start to put even more pressure on and I wonder why I'm putting myself through it? I don't have time to scrap for myself and my family which I promised myself I would do better about this year. The number of pages I did last year were dismal at best. There are days that I think I should just stop designing and scrap for myself. Participate in challenges, play, etc. BUT did I mention I LOVE designing? I don't advertise like I should (it's a huge time factor) and therefore my sales aren't what I'd hoped they be at this point. BUT I LOVE designing. See my dilemna?

Ok, enough whining. Sorry for the heavy post ... sometimes I need to think/type these things out loud and that's what a blog is for. Right? Off to get back to work and make a list of things I need to get done. I promise to be back in better form next time.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Checking in ...

Just checking in ... it's a busy weekend at our house. Ollie didn't play Varsity last night, but wanted to go watch the game. They won 5-2 and have a great record so far this season. Tonight he has a JV game, another game tomorrow afternoon. Went to the grocery store .... woohooo for having food! Seems it's harder to keep around with a 15 yr. old in the house.

Tomorrow is Little Christmas and then hubby will let me take the tree down, etc. I'm ready to clean the rest of the holidays up. Other than that, it's just the routine housework and laundry. Oh yeah and with games comes ironing dress pants and shirts for him to wear to the games. They have to dress on game days which means wearing a shirt and tie to school on game days.

Ok, off to get a few more things done before running out the door. Hope everyone is enjoying their first weekend of the new year!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




I made hubby his wallpaper using my New Years Jewels kit which is on sale at TSG for only $2 through January 15th. Also on sale for only $2 are my 2008 Calendar Brushes.


Please come join me and my Dream Team for our monthly crop at The Scrapping Garden. It's a new year and we are celebrating. I have a fun template and challenge ready to help you recap the past year.


The crop is on Thursday, January 3rd at 9:00 p.m. EST in the TSG chat room.