Archive for December, 2009

You know how when you look at something in the review mirror, it gets smaller and smaller as you drive on?  That’s what I’ wanted to do today.  Revisit my 2009, see what all happened, what resolutions I didn’t meet, before they get so small I can’t make them out anymore. 

One good thing the digital age has brought us is the digital camera.  I can pretty much pick any folder in my pictures and see exactly  where my mind was that day.  Digital Camera defiantly goes on to my “things I’m blessed with” list.  I am also grateful for my blog.  My blog has become my diary, my friend, my link to the outside world.  It even introduced my to you.  Well, maybe not “you” as in YOU you, but you in general.  So this blog and the friends I have made from it also go on my blessings list. Three for me, and I haven’t even started the list?!  YAY!

I really admire the people that include a “family” newsletter in their Christmas cards.  I admire more that they found the time to just create the newsletter itself.  It seems like each year time becomes harder and harder to come by.  This year, even my Christmas spirit was missing!

Anyway, so here I am, adding a few more hours into the looking glass getting my YIR down before its gone from view. 

Enjoy.  Or not.  This post is purely for Me.  This is My blog, ya know?

blink.  blink blink.

January

January was a very average month this year.  I do know I fell in love with baking again this year.  I think I kind of fell out of it for a while.  Speaking of the kitchen, Sis had a big milestone in January.  She finally got to help with supper.  I also realized that Bub is not a baby any more.  I mean, he’s a teen, I know.  But it took seeing facial hair for me to really realize how quickly I’m losing him. 

The end of January also saw one of the worst ice storms in Hopkins County history.  We lost power for over a week, and lived off of the grill for both heat AND food! 

My Dad, aka “Daddy” aged another year.  January is also my sisters birthday.  I only mention this because I giggle every year on that day.  I know it eats her up inside that on that day she is 4 years older then me and not 3.  At least I imagine it does.  I guess you would just have to know her, to know what I’m talking about.  Who’s 40?  Who?  Not MEEEEE… heehehe!!  

The USA had a big month in January, when the new president took office.  The first african-american President.

February

February started off pretty badly.  We were just coming out of that big ice storm and had no power.  Sadly, on the last day without power we lost our dear Samual and Sara.  I still haven’t had the heart to replace them. 

On Feb 11th I truly realized how crappily “patched” this house is, when the wind blew and a window pane jumped right out of the window and shattered on the ground below.  I am now full aware that we purchased our very own “Money Pit”.  

February, according to my folders and folders of photos, also seems to be when “hybrid” crafting started to take over my creative endeavors.  We filed taxes in February, and it was the first time in 4 years that my income for the year went down instead of up.     For the first time in my life, in February, I got a virus on my computer I could not fix myself.   Giving up and calling a technician for help was one of the hardest phone calls my stubborn ego has ever made.  Also in February,  Matthew 7:12  became my “motto”?  What’s the word I’m looking for here?  Motto is not correct.  I also learned the meaning of ubuntu.  The philosophy not the software.  “the essence of being human”.  That statement alone, is almost enough to bring a tear to my eye.  I can see why my dear friend Kimmie loves home so much.  For all its negative press over here in the States, South Africa seems to be and is beginning to feel like… home.

March

In looking through my photos, March must have been pretty boring.  Lots of photos of “stuff” and not many of “the good schtuff”. 

In March, I remembered I love Alec Baldwin.  I started a reading log/blog here on BCdc, which no one read (RIP Reading Blog).  You guys do read don’t you?  I mean you are HERE reading THIS.  Has the internet killed books?  Am I one of the last lonely survivors trying desperately to provide CPR to a tangible literary world?  

Two of my brothers had birthdays this month.  Though I do admit I don’t enjoy them nearly as much as my sisters.  I suppose it’s because I know it doesn’t bother them, thus making it not as entertaining.

I did attempt at planting my own vegetable garden.  Sort of.

April

Started out exciting, and sad.  We found a new baby, only to have it die the next day. My Gran moved into a bigger apartment in April.  I was so happy for her.  Her other one was quite tiny, and I am sure miserable since she didn’t want to be in a “community” anyway.  At least now she is spread out a little and not living in a shoe box sized room. 

My computer repair business had a pretty good growth spurt in April, in fact it was enough of a spurt for me to realize that is not the “career” path I wish to be on.  It took so much of my time I barely had time for anything else.  So I decided that everything must be SCHEDULED and no longer do “drop everything and run over” calls.   My Computer Classes for Adults idea finally started to become a reality.   I can’t tell you how much I enjoy teaching, and I really hope this takes off in 2010!

I was blessed by the generosity of a stranger in April, and for a few days I really forgot how much people suck. 

Sis informed me of her life plan this month. LOL…  My girl child really cracks me up.

May

Looked promising out of the gate!  My crappy, nosey, animal hording neighbors had a FOR SALE sign in their yard.  They took it down a few days later.  Sad.  I would really like some new neighbors.  Of course, the next will probably be just as bad if not worse.  Trying to count my blessings not my banes.  Trying.  May was filled with images and memories of childhood (both mine and my kids!) for me, when I saw the preview for Where the Wild Things are.    May saw my Gran ring in her 80th, and there was a huge party.  

My Dad even made it in from Chi-town.  I need to work out how to see him more in 2010.  2009 sure didn’t have many Dad filled days.   We also spent a day swimming at my Aunts.  The fun, outside days were far and few this year.  That is going to have to be worked into my schedule some in 2010, before my kids are too old and family time isn’t entertaining anymore. 

I introduced you to me.  The REAL me, flaws and all.  Eager and hungry to fix myself.  I dieted.  And dieted well, and lost 18 pounds.  After being stuck at 18 pounds, I gave up sometime in September I think.  Broken.  It is all very depressing. 

OH, and I started playing with my webcam #2.  Yay!

June

Started out pretty good.  Well sort of.  I had my heart broken early on with my first visit to the POUND.  I mean, I’ve ran in before with donations, and been in the office when Sweetz ran away, but I had never been “in the back”.  That is where the animals are all kept.  I am pretty sure a few pieces of my heart can still be seen on the floor in there.

We had an impromptu family day at my Aunts, which was really nice.  I got to spend a little time with my Cousin Bubby’s kids.  They are, for sure, his little mini-me’s. 

It was also one of the only times this YEAR I got to hold, smell, LOVE on of these.

Omg, how I miss that smell.  Someone that lives close to me and needs a baby sitter needs to have one soon, or or…

Thinking of kids, Bub got one of his only haircuts of the year THIS MONTH, AND we also captured a VERY RARE moment on film! {well, on digital, but on film sounds better.}  Bug started taking her crafting a little more seriously.   We also took a trip to Chi-Town to visit my Dad.   I lost some weight, Bug lost some teeth, Bub lost some hair, and that pretty much sums up June.  LOL.

July

Oh July.  How many gray hairs you did give me, let me count the strands.  Impossible!  LOL!  In July we started renovating the downstairs into the Studio.  My work place, office, craft spot, Den of Creativi-tay….  LOL.

August

Renovations spilled over into August.  In fact, its nearly January 2010 and the studio STILL in not fully complete.  Usable yes.  Complete, NO. 

Bub had a birthday, of which NO ONE wanted me to photograph!  I do believe the novelty of my photo taking has wore off.  Jerks!

The kids returned to school for another year, YAY!  I nearly broke my ankle out in the yard, that blew.

September

Yikes.  From looking at my blog, September started out pretty crappy!  So, KimB and I relaunched the DigiScrapVault in September. 

 
I decided to sell DSO and the girls all talked me out of it.  I’m really still not sure if that was the right decision or not.  We’ll have to see what 2010 brings.  I really felt like crap this entire month and I finally admitted I have something medical going on, and went to the doctor.  UPDATE: I still have no idea what that SOMETHING is…

October

This month that kicks off the mad dash to my years end.  My life always seems to spiral from Oct thru Dec.  I have no idea why.

October was completely insane this year!  First, we got a new baby.  Gump.  Then, Mel came all the way over from Australia a visit!  It was so awesome!  She just happened to time HER visit so she would be here during my families ALL GIRL TRIP and my birthday and Halloween!  So this month was filled with shopping, long drives, and restaurants out the wazoo!  I have to laugh because while Mel was here, we had to fill up my car about every day.  Some days, TWICE.  I filled it up on the way home from dropping her off at the Nashville Airport.  I literally did not have to put more gas in my tank until the other day.  Like 3 days ago!  How funny is THAT!   Anyway, this month we went to Brown County, Indiana, celebrated my birthday, shopping in Evansville, Graceland!, my cousins Halloween party {and introduced my lil Aussie friend to real KY moonshine. LOL}.

I also got to meet another of my “internet friends” face to face! So funny to be walking across the street in a town you do not live in, nor had ever visited, and hear someone scream out your name from a passing car.  “BUNNY!!!” wave wave!  My first reaction was "WHAT THE…!!!!!!!!!!!”  LOL!!!  Hi Catherine!   Still waiting for YOU to come and visit ME up here in KY!!

November

November started out really sad for me.  I had to take my friend back to Nashville for her long journey back home to Oz. *sniff*  I’m not lying when I say I did cry a little.  I just wanted her to stay a COUPLE of more days….  LOL
 

Another big BIRTHDAY month in the Cates home.  Bug had one this month!  YAY!  Our NEW water heater died this month, and our sliding glass doors got BUSTED!  Bub got his AWESOME jr. ring!  My beautiful baby Gump had his first seizure on us this month too.  With Christmas approaching and stress levels so high, I found myself doing a lot of reflecting.   

Bug got a little too close to Sweetz on the 27th, and got her nose nipped by a normal docile animal.  I am really concerned about the changes in her behavior the last few months.   And in the end there was Thanksgiving.

December

December for me has been hard this year.  Physically, I’m spent.  Emotionally, I’m drained.  It was all I could do to get into the Christmas spirit for my kids, ya know?   I did finally get the tree up, AND I cut my bangs for the first time in like 7 years.  Funny how something so “small” ended up being so refreshing.

THE END

welp, there it is.  All typed out in black and white.   I cant believe I have been sitting here ALL day.  I started this post at 8:45am, it is now 4pm.  Talk about a full days work!  LOL!  At some point tonight or tomorrow I will sit down and write up my goals for 2010.  Maybe I’ll post them on here for you guys.  You know, put them “out there” then there is no ignoring them.  We’ll see. 

I am out.  Tonight we are making HOME MADE pizza for the first time.  And then a friend is coming over for some late night crafting.  So I need to clean off the table down in the studio, and get ready to start cooking!  Wish me luck!

>Im outtie<

EDITED TO ADD:

PLEASE PLEASE read THIS POST:   A Prayer Request, for Andrea…

The holidays are winding down, the food is being put away,  and right now… This is  on my mind..

I love P!NK.

Enjoy.

Here’s hoping you all had a very Blessed Christmas, spent with those you hold most dear, and realized that they are what’s important in life, and not how many boxes fit under the tree..

Much love from our house to yours.
><

Did I really sleep until after NOON today?!  SHOOT!  See what a little eggnog/rum late night combo does to me!  I had so much planned to accomplish today, and completed – nada!   Christmas Eve is only 3 days away and I have not wrapped gifts, grocery shopped, I even still have CARDS to mail!  OMG!  I have so blown this year.  Ba Hum Bug I say!

I cant find my list of things I mean to blog about either, so I am SURE there is something I should be telling you right now.  Instead, I’m just going to give you a freebie and tell you “how to” use it, roughly.  Then I’m going to THANK  YOU for stopping by and reading my rambling.  THEN I am going to wish you a very MERRY Christmas, just incase I don’t make it back before then. 

I love it, and am always so flattered when designers ask me if I would like to work with one of their products.  Sometimes, I even get brave enough and email my designer friends and ask them if they would like anything worked with.  Such is this.  I love Mrs Randi Oh .  She is one of the sweetest people I have met online.   I also enjoy her products.  So the other day I emailed her to see if she had anything I could do because I was bored and wanted something to do that wasn’t a “have to”,  you know?  She said Sure and sent me a couple of kits to play with.

The first one, the Bella Joy Bundle at scrapbookgraphics.com , I knew exactly what I wanted to do as soon as I unzipped it.  The reindeer and the journaling stack were PERFECT for a project I have been wanting to try.

Have you ever seen a tag sized notepad?  or an altered notepad?  Well, I saw one at a craft fair and LOVED the idea of it, so I had planned on attempting the project myself.  Here is what I ended up with.  I can’t tell you how much I LOVE how it turned out!!!

This is a hybrid project, so most of the planning happens on the pc.

I mocked up all the bits to fit on a 4 1/4 x 2 1/8 sized tag.  Once I was happy with sizing I printed it out on a heavy white piece of cardstock.

and gathered all my supplies

Notice I printed the reindeer twice. Ha.  This is because I knew I would screw up one of them cutting them out!  hehehe!

Next I cut everything out, and attacked it with my new favorite product – Mod Podge SPARKLE!

look how the Mod Podge makes everything bling!  It also makes it all a little more sturdy and moldable

Some of my photos did not turn out, so I will just have to type it all out for you and try to creatively crop the pics I do have.  Sorry.

First:  For the tag back, I Mod Podged the peice of paper I printed, to the tag.  Once dried and sanded it and grunged it up with a sanding block.  And then inked the edges with Distress Vintage Photo and my Ink Blending tool with a felt pad, not foam, I inked up my label.   The mod podge will help make the base extra sturdy for all the stuff we’re fixing to put on it.

While that ink was drying, I used a swirl stamp and embossed the reindeer with black INKITUP Pigment Ink and black embossing powder from SU!.  Then used my inking tool and did the edges up with the Distress Vintage Photo

Set the deer aside and assembled the notepad.  For assembly, I roughed up the edges with the sanding block and inked it up with Distress Vintage Photo.  Then rimmed it in Encore ink – Gold.  I also cut out several pieces of paper for the pad.  The white white of the papers was too much against my vintage looking pad, so I inked them up lightly with Distress Vintage Photo .  To attach it all I used a hole punch and made 2 holes at the top exactly where Randi had placed them on her element, and threaded them with some craft thread.  Tied in the back so you can not see the knot after assembly.

For assembly I attached the swirl using Tombow Mono Aqua Glue.  Using dimensionals I attached the notepad I had made.  Using dimensionals I attached the JINGLE BELLS label. 

Then using dimensionals again {doubled to make it extra high} I attached the reindeer.  I used some of the crafting thread to attach the 2009 tag to the top.  Then glued the butterfly down with Tombow Mono Aqua. 

To add the flower at the bottom, I drew on the leaves with Spica Clear Glitter Pen, and inked the edges with Distress Vintage Photo.  Then I glued the leaves down to the tagback with Tombow Mono Aqua Glue .  Next I placed 1 dimensional square and place the flower, and with my fingers bent all the petal edges up for a natural curl look.  Then I adhered the tiny red circle to the center to make the flower “pop”.

Randi Oh is so nice!  I asked her if I could give you guys the print out I used for my tag.  She said YES!  So if you would like to attempt this project, just print out this pdf and get to assembling!

Complete Supply List for this project:
Digital Kit – I used Bella Joy Bundle by Randi Oh!

Papers:
White Cardstock
manilla tag

Inks:
Distress Ink: Broken China **
Distress Ink: Vintage Photo **
InkItUP: BLACK pigment ink
Spica Glitter pen
Encore Ink: Gold
Embossing:
SU! Black EP

Adhesives:
Mod Podge Sparkle **
Glue Glider Pro **
Tombow Aqua **
foam dimensionals

Tools:
hole punch – I used Making Memories Toolkit
sanding block
Tim Holtz Inking Tool **
scissors

ok, I have to get SOMETHING accomplished today.  Thanks for reading!

><