OOOPS, I goofed on the date, LOL

My tea Party post will not be until the 25th. To think how I rushed around today in the heat and humidity.

 JEEZ...what a dummy...anyway. I may be back later with some other stuff.

BUT I still will be giving away a banner from the Tea Party.  and I am still planning something extra in order to celebrate my birthday.  My followers as of yesterday, by commenting on the TEA PARTY post will be eligible for something else being given away. NOTHING OUTRAGEOUS, just a little something, as a way of saying thanks for being a loyal follower. (1 giveaway to 5 followers)

I will give you some info on my TEA PARTY post, so you know what to expect. I'll be posting a short story called the  Tea-Kettle, so have a beverage and be prepared for a bit of reading, but it is an awesome tale.

Peppered throughout the post will be images (not great ones) of my little make shift TEA PARTY on my birthday afternoon, yesterday in between thunder storms. just me, the hubs and the animals...we didn't even have tea it was too hot we were drinking crystal light, and had cake, I did have a small tea set set up. we did a photo shoot and hurried back inside.  I do not look great, I'll give you fair warning...the humidity has my hair waving and frizzing, and I am sans bra, and hubs hair is a bit messy also. not to mention my "hormonal acne" is acting up.  HOW MUCH I LOVE being a woman at times...NOT!

But it is who we are simple country folks.  I hope you'll honor me with your presence on the 25th for the TEA PARTY post.  Tomorrow is fairy day, so I'll have something up for that also.

so see ya later and sorry about my date mess-up.

a quick card, and Happy Birthday to me...

Hello, I am a "Longest Night Baby" for more than one reason...1.) the date of my birth, and  2.) when my mom went into labor, and 3.) the fact that it was 1960, and I was breech, so MOM had a really long night!
Today I am 25 with 25 years experience, and 1 extra year for good luck! LMAO!!

I am not going to put any hoop-di-do on my blog today, as tomorrow is the Mad Tea Party blog hop, and I will have a minor table setting for Tea and cake with hubby and I outside. I hope to have us both in some kind of hat. It is not really called a MAD-HATTER tea party, but I think it would add to the MADness.

I am in the middle of making a pennant banner for this little soiree, that will be given away to one of the tea party commentors. HOWEVER, I am giving away 1 extra secret prize to 5 of my true and long time followers. That means anyone that is a PUBLIC follower of my blog as of TODAY, will be eligible.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's post, it will have the info of the tea party, and a link to the list if you feel like hopping it is be hosting by "A FANCIFUL TWIST". Plus it will contain what is needed from you my true and long time followers to be in the running for one of the 5 secret prizes.

OK, now for some small art, a card. This card fulfills 2 challenges.

DezinaWorld  to celebrate our town state or country
and Do You Stack Up Challenge Blog to use a star

 Real Red card stock by STAMPIN' UP, striped paper-old MAKING MEMORIES, star paper by Kim Anderson for PROVOCRAFT, border punch and embosser by MARTHA STEWART, Free Blackfoot Native American image, Free "America" Subway ad, I cut up, and digi sentiment by RAINDROP ECHO DESIGNS-"Have a beautiful Summer"(also cut, but used the whole thing)

Misc.: ribbon, red bling, Bakers, twine, Large Metal Star charm, Foam tape.

The Star, Native American, and ALL words EXCEPT "Have a Beautiful Summer" are floated on the foam tape

Picture issues, anyone?

Is anyone else having issues uploading pictures to their Blogger blogs today? Just curious to see if it is just me.

Father's day and so much more!

Happy Father's day to everyone out there who is a dad, acts like a dad, wants to be a dad, is just like a dad or a dad-to-be!!


Today is Father's day for my husband as well as everyone else's husband. Yet it is sooo much more.
Ten years ago today; Father's day 2001, Ron had a massive Heart Attack, it took over 18 hours for his cardiac enzymes to get more normal. After a stress test on Thursday afternoon, they send him home on Thursday evening. Everyone was notably happy and a bit surprised that he had borderline damage, as well as lived through it. (NOTE: his symptoms started somewhere around 3am, he did not say anything to me until 9am....%$#@^& MEN!!)

Friday was a day that was uneventful. 

Saturday we got up, and I was making breakfast, while he was playing on the computer, and he said to me my arm is bothering me, I am going to go lay on the couch. (his left arm) I was concerned(being an educated health care worker). I told him I thought perhaps we should go back to the hospital. He waved me off. Twenty minutes later, he said "Ok, I'll go back."
Sure enough he had a 2nd heart attack in the same area of the heart. He was kept in the ICU for 3 days and then was sent to Deborah Heart and Lung Hospital where he would undergo Angiography, and possible stenting or whatever.  the whatever turned out to be a double bypass.

That started our summer from Hell, as I ended up having a kidney stone that wouldn't pass, my Mom ended up in the hospital down in FL with chest pains...no heart attack, but she needed 5 bypasses, which were followed by infections in one of her leg incisions. Then they had her on too many BP medications, and he kept passing out, they had lowered it so low., and In August we had to put my beautiful White GS "Honey" down (tumor enveloping her bladder and ureters)...then of course we all know what happened on Sept. 11.

anyway...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY RONNIE!! and CONGRATULATIONS on this your TENTH ANNIVERSARY of SURVIVING a MASSIVE HEART ATTACK!!! I love you and am OH SOOO GRATEFUL that you are STILL HERE WITH US!!

Here is the card I made for him, I'm keeping the inside to myself :)

Card stock by STAMPIN' UP, Printed paper-BASIC GREY-Olivia, German scrap by COLLAGE STUFF, roses rec'd as a RAK, Top sentiment computer generated, bottom sentiment by RAINDROP ECHO DESIGNS, Prisma color pencils and blending pencil, Digi Image--Unknown, can anyone help with that?

another page for my dark journal

I have tried at least 4 times to get good photos of this, and it is just not happening, my apologies, what you see is the best I was able to get.

 It is hard to tell but on the Mummy, and on the title (My Family Sucked the Life out of Me) I have RANGER's rock candy crackle distress paint. On the Sub-title (I Was a Good Mummy. Really I Was) there is diamond glaze. It is also floated above the page on roam tape. Both titles, computer generated by me with Transylvania font from SCRAPPINFONTS.

 Background paper is the graveyard paper from MARTHA STEWART, which has some of the tombstones shiny enamel, misc black card stock, white card stock by GEORGIA-PACIFIC, Stamps- CLOSE TO MY HEART--Halloween Dingbats. Edged with MOMENTO Tuxedo black ink.Misc.- safety pins, that smudged a bit of black STAZ-ON ink on, Black string beads. White grosgrain ribbon by STAMPIN' UP.

 The back, which has more space for writing, misc. gray card stock. Printed paper by PRIMA MARKETING. Again, edged with MOMENTO Tuxedo Black ink. The end of the black bead string tied in a knot, and glued in place

 close-ups shot on  the macro setting

This journal page fills 3 challenges at Smeared and Smudged:
June's "oh the Horror"...kids and dead things
June's Guest designer challenge...mono-Black,white and shades of gray
June's funk junk funk...use safety pins

some new cards and other good stuff

I have been very busy with doctor appts and tests, and some bigger art projects that I haven't made any cards lately. I also have not joined any challenges in  a dog's age, I have to remedy that!


Recently I was lucky enjoy to be one of 7 recipients of a bunch of free craft and art supplies from a friend of a friend, who was De-Stashing her craft studio.  She does a lot of sewing and fabric arts so for her Thank you card, I used that theme.

 Head on pic a bit blurry sorry. This is a Gate-Fold card.

 The Card stock is a deep red-orange, not sure of the Brand. the printed papers are from

OCTOBER AFTERNOON- Modern homemaker, The Thrift Shop, and 5 & Dime paper pads, I used embroidery floss and 3 buttons for trim, and a fine tip sharpie for "stitches" on the Hexagons (CREATIVE MEMORIES punches) sentiment by STAMPIN' UP

 The Inside :)

I think she'll like it :)

Here is my first ever "ruffle" card, called such due to the layers of fancy border cuts.

 Card base is pre-made, printed papers are  by PROVO CRAFT and the pink diamond, I do not know the brand. Digi-Stamp by SLEIKJE. Colored with STAMPIN' UP markers. Misc. green ribbon, Half of a border Punch by MARTHA STEWART-Diamond Trim Fence

Then I tried my hand at my first ever "Z" fold card

 All older Card stock, and the matching printed paper is also old by PROVO CRAFT, and the little Bebe critters paper is by PRIMA MARKETING, 3 stamps all by AUTUMN LEAVES. Mini flowers by PRIMA MARKETING, 2 dew drops, and RANGER liquid pearls

Now I want to share with you some pics of the goodies I rec'd in the mail from the above mentioned friend's friend:

 There is SOOO much here, I didn't empty out the bags, which are jam-packed, A wonderful package of mulberry papers (good ones), a container of letters to go (something like over 1500 letters printed on both sides)  a little rabbit doll to dress, a large stamp, ink pad, some EP, lots of little embellishments and doo-dads, even a little mini treasure chest, filled with mini dice and mini sequence and large silver snowflake sequence. A punch, a BN glue runner, a bird chipboard book, fancy tape, mini card decks, lots of sticker sheets etc, etc.   close-up images below

Additionally I recently won blog candy of a Water color Art Journal, and a box of markers to use in it. But Tami (Raeven's Nest) was generous and added in some other goodies. Here is her blog post:

http://raeven528.blogspot.com/2011/05/dream-blog-give-away.html

and here is my pic:

Dear So and So

 It is Friday, and time for a dear so and so.




Dear Daughter Amanda,

It was lovely to spend time with you and Adam the other night watching "How to Train your Dragon" and having that delish, gooey chili cheese dip! not to mention the laughs.  Tell Adam to learn how to cook on other than "high" flames, LOL.
Love,
Mom

Dear Daughter April,
I didn't appreciate the "drunk dial" nasty, grude, rude and disrespectful phone call at 3 in the am the other night.
Love,
Mom

Dear Dr Abidi and Staff,

Thanks so much for treating me like you really care, the time you spent with me compared to other docs was quite surprising and delightful! I hope this continues.
Sincerely,
Susan

Dear Son Thomas,
Thanks for letting a lot of good weather go to waste by you NOT being here to do ANYTHING to be of help to your father.
Love,
Mom

Dear Step-son Ron,
It was nice speaking with you the other evening, and I "like" the questions you answered about me on FB.
Love,
Susan

Dear bloggy friends (That I have won candy from recently-- a couple of you)
Thanks for drawing my name, I know it is random, but thank you anyway, as receiving free goodies is always a wonderful pick-me-up!
Susan

Dear Electric company,
I AM calling the state Board of Utilities about you. I have spoken to 3 of you, and none of you would honor a realistic, rational, and perfectly legitimate request. (check our meter for faultyness)  When a family of 4 drops down to a family of 2, plus the dryer is broken, there is NO WAY the BILL should be DOUBLING.
Sincerely,
Susan

Dear Stink Bugs,
ENOUGH ALREADY, the MIdAtlantic states have really had enough of you already for the past few years!
Susan

Dear Dr. Kratchman and staff,
Thanks for NOT getting back to me in a timely manner about the new medication the Rheumatologist RXed for me, now I have lost an entire week of taking it, and have to move my appt. with him.
HOWEVER, THANK YOU for a much easier endoscopy this go round, and I am grateful that the small erosion found in 2004 is no worse, and the biopsy of the irritated and inflamed stomach tissue and lining was negative. I am not grateful for it being inflamed and irritated, but am not surprised with all the medication I take. Thanks for RXing a new med that is strictly for the lining, and protection.
Sincerely,
Susan

Dear Dr. Eckert,
Thanks for being a fun, cheerful Anesthesiologist, and helping make sure they did not have to "bag me" this time! You are now on my list of Anes. I will request for procedures :)
Sincerely,
Susan

Dear Pollen,
Thanks for not being as bad for this time of year as you were last time for this time of year!
Susan

Dear humidity and dampness,
NO THANK YOU, you've been here a bit too much already and it is only June!

Susan

I was VERY pleased with my Tuesday!

I went and saw a Rheumatologist today. A different one  from the one I saw over a year ago.

WHAT a HUGE difference. The nurse spent over 30 minutes with me, asking all kinds of questions, and checking stuff. (BP etc)

The DOCTOR had a VERY caring manner about him, and also did a thorough interview with me, I would say 30 minutes or longer again.

he has ordered new rt knee and neck xrays, new blood work (repeats of sed rate and ANAs) and another inflammation marker as well as a specific test for lupus (he said he doubts I have it, though it is different in every person, so he is checking just in case), and he also added on a lymes test as it has been a few years since I've been tested. (of course living in the woods, we get ticks, and tick bites a lot)

He was concerned about my stomach due to medication and was pleased that I have a gastro guy who stays on top of things. he gave me a new medication to take that is a combination of 2 types of Nsaids(Naproxan and another PLUS nexium to help with my stomach). He gave me a sample box of the pills with a card to take to the pharmacy that will give me 12 months worth of the medication at a 10$ co-pay. (of course it is NOT a generic, so after the 12 months, if I am still on it will be 70$ a pop...but I can get it for 3months thru my mail order) he also gave me an RX for Lidoderm patches. (which i was using on my wrist, and have to get more anyway...those are to be paid for by WC. but it is nice to know I will be supplied with them for the neck, back,knee and wrist!!

I go back and see him on the 28th. At that point he said he will most likely send me to a pain specialist NOT a pain management doctor but a doctor that will do PT with me, as well as injections...both my spine and neck. (of course this is a guy a bit further north, and it will be an extra expense at least in the beginning as the visits will be closer together, but then they will get spread out.

He himself, is planning on giving me synvisc into the rt knee, if it is not too far gone.
I also asked him, if he believed Fibromyalgia is real, he said yes. I asked him if he thought I had it, he said it is possible, but right now, I have much more severe issues to deal with, and one step at a time.

He told me at the VERY least, he will make sure, that my comfort level improves!!! (of course if that happens, my activity level can increase, and therefore maybe I'll loose some weight, and then I can get the rt knee replaced...I am filled with Hope, right at this moment...we'll see what 6/28 brings)

LET'S HEAR IT FOR HOPE!!!!

The rheumatologist that I saw over a year ago...I spent almost 2 hours in the waiting room, and a lousy 20 minutes in the exam room, she asked me a handful of questions, while an intern kept pressing on my shoulder blade areas, and asking me if it hurt. after a while I told her quite loudly NO, but is is getting ANNOYING! That doc said I most likely had Fibromyalgia on top of everything else, she saw no reason to repeat any of the blood work --EVER. Recommended a sleep study, and explained how Long term insomnia is thought to be a key cause of FM. (Which I do have) that was it!  Get this...supposedly this Doctor is "world renowned" and the best in South Jersey... BULLSHIT!

However I also have some bad news, after finally bonding a bit with my "newish" primary care doc (about 2 years now) I found out she is leaving, and for July and Part of Aug. only has hours on Tues. and Thurs. and then she is gone, so I have to break in a new doc all over again. Of course this is a concern on the VICODIN front. not all doctors like to prescribe narcotics.

But for now, I am VERY HOPEFUL!!

Smeared and Smudged 1rst annual SKULL APPRECIATION DAY blog hop

Hi everyone, I am glad you are here to visit my tiny speck in the blogosphere to see my project  showcasing skulls on  THIS 
SKULL APPRECIATION DAY, it is always 
June 4th, you can see the skull-a-day button on my side bar to see all there is to see about promoting this day.  You can also see the button for Smeared and Smudged blog hop.

You should have arrived here from Kapree's Place if not the entire list of participants is listed at the bottom of this post.  OH, BTW--there are prizes, you need to visit every blog along the hop, and then return to stop one on the hop, and make a comment on projects you liked etc. All the details are listed there, so you'll know before you start hopping.

My project is not a completed one, as it is a journal I have started called "Dead Inside", this journal is an observance of,  and hopefully it will turn out to be a therapeutic coping mechanism for my "dark" times. In recent years I have become 100% disabled and dealing with chronic pain, of course as others with this kind of life know, you end up also suffering with depression, guilt and anxiety. I am also working simultaneously on another journal in observance of my "Bright" times called "Glad all Over". (Yes I do know that this is a song title of the former group "The Dave Clark Five")

Anyway, today I have for your viewing pleasure, the cover (complete), and page 1 (almost complete) If I complete more during the day, I may add more to this post.

 The above is the better of the 2 views of the cover. This is going to be a small journal; 4" X 6" in the landscape orientation with a front cover, back cover and 8 pages in between. The pages and covers are made on nice heavy chipboard saved from "Radiography film boxes", over the years. HA! I will use my Bind-it-All to bind it. The flying skulls are "Over-the-edge".

 The backs of the pages are also covered and decorated just not as much, leaving more room to journal or for quotes and poetry.

 The above COVER image shows the shimmer of the silver sharpie better but overall the top picture, I believe is better.

Items used: Bkgd. paper-PinkPaislee-Twilight(eclipse), computer generated phrase "death is fleeting". Stamps: "Elizabeth" by STAMPIN' UP, and digi stamp "Flying Skull" by SMEARED INK. ink: Momento tuxedo Black

Smooch spray-Cosmic pink. Markers: Lovely Lilac, Ruby Red, Real Red by STAMPIN' UP and black and silver by SHARPIE

  Page 1 items: Bkgd. paper-PINK PAISLEE-Twilight (eclipse-other side). Torn piece of White card stock that has 3 shades of TATTERED ANGELS glimmer mists sprayed on it, a gold, a green and a blue. Stamp: Skull from the set "From the Crypt" by STAMPIN' UP. ink: Momento Tuxedo black. Black glitter self-adhesive bats by MARTHA STEWART.

I hope you like my Journal-in-the-making!!  Have fun hopping, and Good luck in prize-winning!
Now have your cranium follow the rest of your bones over to Dianne's Place!

Here is the List for the entire hop:

Terra

Tori

Alison

Kelli

Jane

Alex

Judi

Kathi

Steph

Lisa

Feddie

Heather

Kapree

Susan

Dianne

Barb Foster

JenniLynne

Teri

Cyndi

Pamela

Prissy

Trisha

Dawn

Lady Brayton

Donna

Black Dragon

Paulette

Creepy Glowbugg

Susan’s Crafty Chaos

Andrea

Helen

Kate

Fiona

Sugar

Linda

Dragonfly Jane

Debbie

BLOGGER...do NOT bail good citazens!!

I know there have been isues for the past several days with "following" and leaving comments.

here is the deal. You do NOT need to leave and head off to wordpress or one of the other blogging companies.

The issue with Blogger is their servers, They need more, why?  Because everyone ALWAYS checks the box that says keep me signed in.  That is not the main reason but, it is a way to fix the issue...log out, and log back in UNCHECK the box that says keep me logged in.  It is also important to clean out your cache once in a while, and your register cookies etc. FOR ANY heavy internet use.  

Blogger is the MOST generous  with storage as far as Images, animation and music goes. Keeping BOTH of these in Mind...remember this past weekend was a holiday weekend. There were BLOG HOPS all over the place, and BLOGGER is the most popular blogging service, so you have millions of people, with hundreds of pictures, and some had playlists going, and also word verification (which in a blog hop both the music, and word verification should be turned off)  Everyone is just expecting too much from the servers without realizing what is going on.  When there are blog hops, generally there is blog candy, with blog candy, you are generally Mandated to post a comment. That is more work for the servers. THEN on top of that many people make it mandatory to become a follower in order to be eligible for the candy, or to give you a second entry. So clicking Follow, in mass amounts at the same time, also slows down the servers.

If you are a computer/internet person, you need to realize this, it is called TRAFFIC. Just like all the TRAFFIC we had here at the NJ shore because of it being Memorial day weekend. a Normal 10 minute drive to the grocery store becomes a 30 or more minute ride. Then when you get there, they are probably sold out of at least one item, you wanted to purchase.
Just like rush hour traffic. when there are more people moving at the same time, things slow down and do not work as they should, and sometimes there are accidents, fender benders.

Additionally, if any of you play a MMORPGs, such as Everquest or World of Warcraft, do you not get lag during peak hours? or in peak player areas(ex: Origimar)?

I am NOT dissing Wordpress, BUT if as many people that use Blogger used wordpress, you'd get the same issues.