Oh My! Time Flies!

Hi!

Been a while.

I know.

Shame on me.

I have been to hell and back and sadly...visit back often.

My health has been good...kids health has been good...but since my last post I have lost two houses, one contained my scrapbook room, a marriage...and well, I am finally finding my way through life again.

Attorneys fees remain unpaid...so does my car note...thankfully rent remains paid and I do have a good job. I have wonderful man to replace the old one and well I AM BACK. The real me that is.

I have created more in the last few months than I did my entire marriage. I believe I spent most of my marriage collecting various crafting items and not making much with them. I had a lot of great ideas but what had I actually made? Nothing except for a mess of my life.

Thankfully, Big Daddy (my nickname for my sweets) enjoys crafting with me. He has even attended some events with me including CHA. He shares crafting with me. This is something so foreign and new to me...someone who supports what I do.

I recently created a Flat Stanley album for the daughter of a dear friend of mine. She loved it and her teacher said it was the best she has ever seen. *blushes* I must say I was mighty proud of the finished product. It was wonderfully fulfilling to actually COMPLETE something.

I am going to post photos soon. I took lots. They are on my FB page. :)

Parent Job Description

This isn't mine, in many ways it's true, but even if I knew this job description ahead of time I would have signed up for the job. I love my boys. They are my loves and my life. They are my heroes.

POSITION :Mom, Mommy, Mama, MaDad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekend s and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required unfortunately.On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.
Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, letting them know they are appreciatedfor the fabulous job they do...or forward with loveto anyone thinking of applying for the job.

** AND A FOOTNOTE **

THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!! **

If you are fortunate enough you will become grandparents

AND YOU MAY HAVE TO RAISE THEM TOO!!!

New Project - Cigar Boxes

Well, I have carved out some much needed crafting time in my hella crazy schedule. Aside from working 6 days a week, I do have a family to look after and thank heaven for a father that loves his kids...because let me tell you- without that I would be sinking fast.

Anyway- I have realized that cigar boxes have been used in a multitude of different crafts as well as used as craft storage devices. I have decided to try my luck at taking a cigar box and turning it into something wonderful.

I have 3 sisters. All of which have birthdays within 6 weeks of each other. One fortunately has already received her gift this year but the other two...well I thought a more "rom-the-heart"gift would be better.

My only problem is, as often as I say I am going to make something for someone...it never leaves the infancy stage of being a newly formed idea. Go figure. This time I have actually made some headway on some thing.

I have found a local cigar shop (which by the way is very nice inside and the customer service is amazing....considering I bought their boxes and don't smoke cigars!) called Cigars Vera Cruz. The owner sells his boxes for 2 dollars a piece. You get to pick from several boxes....of varying sizes and stains and wow...when I saw the selection I thought I died and went to cigar box heaven!

I picked up a few and am going to make albums. Now, this is beyond the infancy stage and is actually toddling around on my craft desk!! Can you believe it? Stay tuned and I will share with you the completed project.

Hugs,
Michellene

Man oh Man!!

Well, you know- I have had very little time for scrapping. Let alone playing with any new scrap toys. I have however recently visited my Mom's store up in Wrightwood and I had a great time exploring. She has so many new items.

She was having a Cystic Fibrosis FUNraiser in honor of Kai and Troi. Kai has CF and Troi is a carrier.

I spent a few dollars on paper and some new things I KNOW I don't already have.

A few months ago my Mom actually came down to help me get my scrap room together. The work desk for my business is still a collection of crap but the scrap desk has managed to stay clear. It's a constant invitation for me to get crafting.

There's so much stress in my wee life at the moment - I need to just settle down and start making some things so I can feel connected to life again! So, what say you dear reader? What shall my first back to earth project be? A mini album.

I was thinking about doing something crafty with dominoes. Since the game of dominoes has become a new passion of mine- I love playing!! So perhaps a little album from 2 dominoes would be fun!

Best Gifts - Made from the Heart

Hand made...from start to finish.

Those are usually the best and most memorable gifts. I personally don't like to make food...simply because I am a HORRIBLE cook and would hope that those I am giving gifts to would prefer to live than die.

On the flip side. I have my dearest friend Jennifer who is extraordinary in the kitchen...and SHE LOVES IT! I think that makes the biggest difference in the world!

Why am I posting it here? On Scrapbooking Momma? Well, she says she's not a scrapbooker. I have seen her albums and they are so amazing to me. They speak volumes to her passion about life and the love for her family and those close to her. Including me!

I wish everyone could see her work. I took some photos of her gifts this year.

Hand stitching...hand stamping...hand made....she's my inspiration! I love you Jenn! Thank you!

She's a Scrapper....she just doesn't know it yet.

Click on the link above to see the entire collection.

Happy Holidays!

Christmas isn't over until the last gift is opened! So until I see my sister Kristen, it's not over!

I bought myself the Revolution for Christmas! Oh do I love it! I bought it early so I could make a couple of gifts.

I think I am in love!

I am still in the midst of making a few things. I have a couple of birthday's coming up and of course...I am going to get creative.

I am on a spending moratorium for the next few months...since I overspent the last 2!!

So, no extrenuous shopping for the next 3 so I can make up for it. That leaves me open for my birthday in April! By then I should have used up a lot of my stockpile!

All I want for Christmas...

I wish I could say this was all I wanted for Christmas. But this isn't. I don't really "want" for anything.

I am realizing as I get older and as my kids get older...I want only for them to have fond memories of the holidays. Most especially Christmas.

I think my oldest will have the most fond memories...his birthday is Christmas Eve...so we always celebrate it all month long.

He gets gifts galore and is definitelythrilled about it. It's difficult but so worth it!

Anyway, this post isn't about how we celebrate him but I wanted to post about this great tool. I went to Ever After in Carlsbad and tested it out. I fell in love at the first turn of the handle. It's so easy to use...and the letters are just perfectly cut.

I don't know about you but whenever I use my hand tool...I end up only cutting it half way or having to trim it up because I can't push the hand tool tight enough.

This solves the problem. Just turn the handle until it comes out the other side...and voila! It's done...PERFECT. I would love to own one someday...

Dear Santa...

I have been good this year...
Well, mostly...

*grin*

I hope you get a chance to get one! If so, can I come over and share?