Books are...

I recently joined in on a bookmark swap thanks to Patti who got me creating a project again. I had visions of what I wanted to do, but never really a plan. Finally I sat down and just made them. Here is the result:


Some had the pink ribbon, others had the saffron, just because of how much I had. It was nice to use up beautiful ribbon that I'd been saving for a special project.

I gave this one to a friend when I returned a book she loaned me:

After reading Three Cups of Tea and then this book, Stones into Schools I am so intrigued by Greg Mortenson. It is amazing what one person can do. It also makes me look at the students in my class in a new light. They don't realize all that they have in their classroom, and how some children WISH they could go to school.

Smiles,

MS Awareness Week

UNKNOWN

This week it is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Not many people understand MS, and I certainly didn't when I was diagnosed 5 years ago. But I am one of millions who is living with Multiple Sclerosis.

I was diagnosed with MS after suffering an episode of optic neuritis - a partial loss of vision in one eye. It had nothing to do with my eye, that was perfectly healthy. The vision loss was coming from the optic nerve in my brain which THOUGHT there was something wrong with my eye. An MRI confirmed the diagnosis. Five days of steroid IV treatment later and my vision had improved, though it wasn't until my eye checkup this past summer that I was told that I had regained 100% of my vision in the affected eye.

The thing about MS is all the unknowns. I don't know if it is a symptom when I can't remember a word, or if I trip, or when I'm just exhausted. Most people don't know that I have it when they look at me because I look like everyone else, and I'm lucky enough to not need a cane or be in a wheelchair. Through it all I do my best to do as my first doctor told me: "Keep your life free from illness and stress," but let's face it I teach 6 and 7 year olds. That's a breeding ground for both!

I live with MS everyday. It is a part of me. But I do what I can to find a cure, like participating in WalkMS to raise money for research and programs helping those affected by MS, offered by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

For the second year I have formed a team for WalkMS in my city. I don't have as many walkers as I would like, and fundraising is tough in these times, but right now my team is on top...I like winning, especially when it is for a cause near and dear to my heart! If you want to check it out, head HERE.

So that is what MS= for me. Does it = anything for you?

Smiles,

Bathroom nightmares (and dreams)

This post has nothing to do with stamps or stitches, just my life. Which has not been simplified in the least, despite my one little word.

At the beginning of this story, I present to you my bathroom: old, small, but fully functionally with the necessities.

Yesterday I was home looking forward to some time to blog a bit and just enjoy life. No class this week + finished report cards = happy me! I heard an irritating drip in the kitchen sink, so I investigated. Water was dripping, not from the faucet but from the trim above my cabinets, so basically my CEILING! I called my dad (DH was at work), called the plumber, and panicked. Apparently the water had been leaking under the sink in the apartment upstairs, and that is directly above my kitchen cabinets and sink. Hence my leak.

Everyone is now wondering, "what does this have to do with your bathroom?" Well in order to do a good job and properly fix the problem (old copper pipes that are slowly rotting and cracking) we should replace all the copper pipe that is running horizontally...above my bathroom. As I sit here typing the AMAZING plumber has removed the pipe and is putting in pvc. YAY!

My bathroom now:

A lovely site to feast my eyes on as I rinse shampoo...once we tack plastic up that is.

But looking on the positive side, the pipes won't leak on my head.

I know out of this we will end up with a better bathroom than I've had for 5 1/2 years. But its hard to see it now. I just want a sink with a cabinet below, a fan to vent out the steam, and a shower that is easy to clean.

Anything else I should dream of?

Dreaming,

Candy winner

After working hard on report cards this weekend, I just realized that I never picked my blog candy.....

So the randomly chosen winner is Donna S who said:

Love the sentiment and wonderful card! Thanks for sharing and the chance to win candy!

Be on the lookout for an e-mail Donna, congrats!

Nautical Thank You

Wow, I'm overwhelmed by ALL the comments I got on my OWH bloghop post. It was lots of fun hopping and checking out all the creations, especially since I had no homework for my masters class last week. Tomorrow is the last day of this class, followed by a week of next week, so that means TWO WHOLE WEEKENDS without homework. Woohoo! Of course I need to work on 17 report cards....



I just sent off 30 of my 50 thank you notes. This was the last design that I included 10 of:

This weeked I also finished my friend's wedding invitations. She wanted a nautical theme (though the wedding is being held at a vineyard, nowhere near water!?!) and I made these gold embossed anchors before I knew how many invites. I had 14 extra so I used them here and embossed the sentiment to match. Both the card and anchor are matted on navy, though it looks black in my horrid picture. I needed to balance out the gold at the bottom so I did gold eyelets up top. I don't use eyelets enough these days I think, so they may make more appearances in future projects.

Now it is time to veg and watch some American Idol. I thought I would hate it this year without Simon, but I'm loving the panel of judges this year nevermind the very talented singers!

Smiles,

OWH Bunny Hop

Welcome to another stop on Operation Write Home's Bunny Hop blog hop. There are TONS of stops on the hop, but click the blog hop logo above if you would like to start at the beginning. I discovered OWH two years ago on a Memorial Day blog hop (back when they were Cards for Heroes) and have enjoyed making cards for heroes ever since. My brother was one of them in Afghanistan in 2002 and I don't even remember sending him mail. (I was a senior in college, had just met my now husband, but STILL it is NO excuse!) This is my way of making sure today's heroes and families can keep in touch with each other during this difficult time.


I made a spring card with some beautiful flowered paper. I can't wait for this snow to melt so the flowers can bloom! While looking for a sentiment, this one seemed just right to send to a love one at home. I haven't been making cards enough lately to send a sizeable package so I tend to do birthday and generic thinking of you cards. When the box is full it gets sent! But if you are making holiday specific cards don't forget the deadlines: March 18th for Easter, and March 31st for Mother's Day.

One thing we were asked to do for this post was share a link to something we find helpful on the OWH website. I hadn't checked out the site since it was made over months ago (shame on me again) and enjoyed looking around in preparation for the hop. I love mail, I love cards, I worked at a card store for 13 years and worked in the mailroom all 4 years of college. It makes sense that one place I always check is The Mailroom! Its a great stop to see if shippers have specific needs, get addresses, and check deadlines. Last night I watched a YouTube video "The OWH Mailroom" which is great for visual learners, like myself. It is entertaining, teaches the proper 'tuck' technique, and has some good reminders of all the work shippers do and how we can help. Check it out, it is a great video!

Blog Candy.....I've been cleaning my stamping area since July. Okay, I started cleaning and kind of gave up. When I want to work on something I fill a basket with supplies, carry it upstairs, create, and then dump the supplies. Not a good system. But either way I have a lot of unloved supplies and am going to put together a package with ribbon, paper, possibly some hardward. Who knows what will make its way into the goodie bag! Just leave a comment to be entered, and I will announce a winner here next Saturday March 12th!

Your next stop on this Bunny hop is The Stamp Addict.


Happy Hopping,