Art and Family

Making of the Terrariums

2012-01-08T20:33:00.005-05:00

A co-worker had given me a subscription to BH&G. There was a small article on Terrariums. It drew my attention as it brought back some childhood memories of going out into the backyard or woods and putting together a "small world". So my daughter, Rachel, and I made a trip to the dollar-store. There you can find the glass candlesticks, candy dish, stones and large vase.....I had the empty candle jar. We used Gorilla glue to attach the candlesticks to the vases. Apothecary jars can be so expensive. We got some plants on clearance at Lowes, along with some Spanish Moss (not on sale). There was one plant that likes low light opposed to medium light so we will see how they all get along. I do not have a green thumb and do not expect these to live very long. We added a little moss from the side of the road, not sure how that will fair either. Anyway it was fun to make and brought back some memories.

Snowman Treats

2011-12-19T06:42:00.002-05:00

These snowman were super easy to make. Here is the link for the pattern, free from Laurie Furnell. If you would like to draw your own, you may use a fine tip black marker, some copics, chalks, pencils or any of your favorites! The cardstock I used for each snowman measures 5.5x7. The hats and scarves were made out of some fleece I got from my crafty friend, Carol. Each hat measures 6x5 inches and the scarf is 1x12 inches. Just sew or use fabric glue to make the hat, rolling up the brim and clipping the top for the fringe. Have fun making your very own snowman!

A Gift For Christmas

2011-12-19T06:39:00.002-05:00

My Grandson, Nico, made his mom and dad a beautiful piece of artwork for Christmas. If you would like to try this all you need are some simple items. Crayons, hot glue, canvas and a blow dryer. The framing is optional, but adds a little something to the piece! Happy creating!

2011-10-23T07:47:00.005-05:00

This is a card I made for my daughter, Susan, who just graduated from the police academy! She worked super hard to get there and we are extremely proud of her.

2011-10-15T17:37:00.006-05:00

Are you ready for a great Christmas Card Class? Make four cards, using our Wonderland papers, for $10.00, plus you will have the instructions to duplicate more! If you would like to purchase extra supplies please let me know and I will send you a supply list. Class will be held November 12th - 1:00-3:00 pm. R.S.V.P. and pre-pay are required. karen @ myheartscraps.com

These cards were designed by Vicki, one of our great Canadian Consultants.

Cricut Paper Bag Owls

2011-10-08T11:12:00.001-05:00

OK, just some super simple shapes from the Art Philosophy Cartridge and a paper bag could be turned into a cute gift bag. Let's see what you can do!

Cutting Wood

2011-10-08T11:02:00.001-05:00

OK, today was gorgeous outside, but there were a few minor scratches today. Look at the following three pictures and ask yourself, should a grandfather give a five year old grandson 3 saws and a hatchet (supervised of course :0)

Nico clipped Papa's arm with the big, orange, Christmas Tree saw.

When he was done with the second little, brown saw, Nico flung it at my foot.

His other attempt with the Christmas Tree saw got Nico in trouble a bit. We really aren't horrible grandparents....truly.

This was Nico first cut.

He then went on to bigger projects!

See the collection he was trying!

He was working hard.

OK, I have to admit, this is where it got a little scary for me, but Papa said he was fine :0( Well, in Papa's mind it was a perfectly normal boy day. I could barely watch Nico swing that hatchet at the tree!

This just doesn't look right......but he just didn't want to get his photo taken.

Victory!!!!

His little hatchet marks

Nico put this branch on the picnic table and put a blanket over it to make a tent. He brought pine branches inside to decorate his home.

2011-08-29T04:49:00.003-05:00

Well, I don't know what happened to my background......it's been a long time since I posted. I wanted to let you know that there will be a darling digital stamp giveaway over at Whimsy and Stars Studio's Facebook page ....only for 3 days! So head on over and join!

Close To My Heart Convention

2010-06-27T15:36:00.001-05:00

We are a mere 10 days away from our Close To My Heart Convention in D.C.!!! I am so excited to have 5 of my downline attending this year with me. We are going to have a blast. I will try and twit, blog or FB all the details. I hear Jeanette has an awesome time planned for us. CTMH always knows how to party!

Edward

2010-05-24T20:39:00.002-05:00

Just posting for my BBC Girls! This is Rae's Edward. Now wouldn't you just go and get mealy worms for a face like that???

New Product Hop!

2010-04-27T20:23:00.011-05:00

Welcome, welcome to our Close To My Heart New Product Hop! We have close to 50 consultants sharing their creations with you to help get you inspired! Take your time looking and enjoy the ride. We have some very talented ladies here. If you came from Cheryl's Blog you are on the right path :0)

I chose to showcase our new Studio J software program! I used the Hippity Hop paper pack, added ribbons, brads, and My Stickease from the kit. So super duper easy...just ask me how!

If you are looking to purchase Close To My Heart product please contact your consulant. If you don't have one, I would be happy to help you with your orders, product help and ideas. My customers are truly the heart of my business, as well of some of my closest buds! Visit my Studio J

Ready for more? Hope on over to Cindy's Blog, one of my darling downine on my team!

If you missed any of our fabulous consultant's blogs, here's our group list. Happy Hopping, ribbit, ribbit :0)
Erin Herring
Carla Ironside
Dawn Ross
Amy Edwards
Tresa Black
Dawn Heuft
Kimberly Smith
Jessica Moore
Leisa Hubley
Helen Onulak
Brae Montgomery
Wendy Kessler
Adeline Brill
Sherrie Thornton
Sheila Bennett
Terrie Dodd
Lisa Stenz
Jody Gustafson
Kathleen Rensel
Lori Scott
Beth Naumann
Teri Baxter
Wendy Fording
Laurie Newton
Meredith Burgess
Clerissa Lewis
Jennifer Kojder
Georgia Hauglid
Antoinette Herrin
Haley Dyer
Tanya Mae
Priscilla
Cassandra
Jean McNulty
Carrie Haines
Janelle Janish
Maranda Dickerson
Cheryl Even
Karen Johnson
Cindy Leek
Nancy Walters
LaJeania Hicks
Traci
Emma Hubert
Kristine Fowler
Amanda DesJardins
Tamra Meservey
Melinda

Vote Please

2010-03-08T17:16:00.000-05:00

Well, this is the first time I have posted at Penscrappers, well second. If you feel like giving me a vote, click on the Penscrappers Icon to the right! I would appreciate a vote or two! Thanks all!

Another Digi

2010-01-22T19:45:00.003-05:00

I use these photos a lot! I just love them. Our friend, Bridget Thomas, took them. You can view her work at Her Site.

Food Geeks

2009-12-22T16:57:00.002-05:00

Hey, we all have a little geek in us somewhere....unless you are ultra cool! I needed to combine some food ingredients to pull together supper tonight. So with Google at my fingertips I type in "plug in ingredients". I came across this site called Food Geeks and it has this search feature where you can put in the ingredients that you have on hand and come up with a recipe for you. Great in a pinch and when you can't think clearly! Check it out and let me know what you think or if you have any other links to great, quick recipes! Food Geeks!

Thankful

2009-12-17T18:48:00.004-05:00

Came across this video at another competitors site on what they are thankful for! Low and behold our Close To My Heart Catalog is sitting there! Hey, you have to check out the competition I suppose :0) Isn't it great there are so many companies and so many great products??? I am thankful for that! Just thought this was so cute and had to post.

Click on the photo above if you want to view the whole video on what Creative Memories is thankful for.

New Jacket for Cara

2009-12-11T19:09:00.003-05:00

Sarah bought Cara a new jacket. She couldn't "Not" have one while her sisters went out styling. I don't know if she is the "skull" type, but she is outfitted for winter now. Cara went from strictly a kennel dog for the past four years to a pampered pooch. I wonder what she is thinking??? I am sure she is loving her new lifestyle and is totally happy she was adopted.

Another Mini update

2009-12-05T17:24:00.002-05:00

Sarah's new mini is fitting in fabulously. She said she is an awesome dog and Sarah is so glad she took her home and added her to her pack.
This is another "phone photo" so not the best.

New Mini

2009-12-02T14:53:00.001-05:00

Here is a photo of Sarah's new mini Daschund. She was a kennel owner surrender. This will be the first time this little girl has been in a home. She came from a clean, well cared for kennel, but just no people contact :0( She has been great so far. The photo was sent via cell phone, so it is not the best. The new girl has taken a real liking to my grand daughter, Maria, so she just might be "her" dog. Apple is definitely Sarah's! Laci loves Marcus.

Spraground Challenge

2009-11-29T19:37:00.002-05:00

Here is my entry for the current Spraground Challenge. It was a take on the Apple site for their I-Pods. Clean, simple, BRIGHT. Not in my normal color range, but it was fun.

Lots of techniques

2009-11-28T20:58:00.001-05:00

I learned a lot of techniques making this layout. I loved fading the photo in the lower left hand corner.

2009-10-27T18:49:00.003-05:00

This layout was made for my grandson, Nico. This was his first trip to an amusement park. He loved the roller coaster, but the second time around it wouldn't stop and they had to pull the emergency brakes. It really freaked him out. Obviously these joyous, hands in the air, memories were snapped before the run away roller coaster incident!

journaling

2009-09-26T06:40:00.001-05:00

I am taking Jessica's current class on journaling and it is by far a weakness of mine. I don't know what it is trying to get thoughts and feelings onto paper. So people just have a flow and ease about their writing. Just look at all those awesome blogs out there. Practice, practice, practice.

Guy Layout

2009-09-22T15:08:00.003-05:00

Week one layout from Now We're Rockin Course! Guy theme with a little "love" thrown in there!

Last Layout from Up and Running course!

2009-09-21T08:43:00.001-05:00

Oh, I hope you are not getting sick of these digi layouts because there is more to come! Here is my final easey peasey layout from the Up and Running Course. I can't wait till CTMH releases their own Studio J!!!!

2 more super duper easy digi layouts

2009-09-20T18:35:00.001-05:00

I have been doing hybrid scrapbooking for a little while, but I decided to start from square one at Jessica Sprague's place. I am learning tips and techniques that I didn't know by starting straight from the beginning. Her courses are wonderful! Go check them out!

2 super easy digi layouts

2009-09-19T19:43:00.002-05:00

2009-09-13T18:20:00.003-05:00

OK, we were driving home from an afternoon service at church today. Nico had a piece of gum to help keep him occupied in church. He kept taking the gum out and playing with it thus getting his fingers all sticky. So in the car Nico asked for another piece. I told him he could have one if he didn't take it out and play with it with his fingers. OK.....I guess there is a way to outsmart Nana! Nico did not play with it with his fingers, but with his toes! Yes, I know, how gross. He was totally embarrassed when I said he shouldn't do that, but it was too funny not to laugh! I guess there is always a way around something if you want it bad enough!

Everyday Celebrations

2009-09-09T08:57:00.008-05:00

For those of you that know me you know I sell Close To My Heart products. Well this month you can get this awesome card kit called Everyday Celebrations. I used the cutting diagram for Design 2 in the Design Booklet and changed it up with different papers for a totally different look. Check out My Heart Scraps for details on the card kit. Click the photo below to take you there!

Photo a week????

2009-09-08T15:27:00.004-05:00

Well, I started out doing Project 365 and that kind of went south real quick. My girlfriend, Mona, advised me to not give up and do a photo week....doable yes, but I have slagged on that too. Here I am trying to redeem myself with a Monday (in this case Tuesday) post to try and stay on track. This photo is not from this week, but when Emily left for college. This will be my starting point because I love the photo! Thanks for the encouragement Mona!

Fourth Montage

2009-07-19T18:01:00.005-05:00

Here is the same montage I did of some of our 4th of July pics for 2009

2009-07-19T17:40:00.008-05:00

I made the following montage about a pigeon we found. I made it both sepia and color. Not sure which one I like better. I also did the exact same layout for some 4th of July pics. Maybe I will still post that too. Anyway Saturday Dave called us all to the window as he saw this white pigeon walking across the barn roof. I thought it was someone's bird or an albino pigeon. I went upstairs to get the binoculars to see if the bird was banded (yes he was). While I was doing that Dave brought out some bread to the bird. The bird was eating some gravel on the driveway, but would not touch the bread. He did come right up to Dave, but wouldn't let him pick him up. Abigail went to get some seed and he gobbled that right done. We found out later pigeons are seed eaters only, thus not having a liking for the bread! We did find out about a woman in Hop Bottom who had some pigeons. She took the guy, who by the way was starving! Nancy had me feel the breast bone and explained how the droppings showed bile which were both signs the bird was undernourished. She couldn't guarantee he would stay and they only "home" to a place after being there 2 weeks. Hopefully he was hungry enough the following day to decide to hang around and call it home there. She is going to call me in a couple weeks to let me know what the guy decided to do. My son also took down the ID number and got a hold of the breeder who in turn gave him the purchaser's phone number. We were told the bird was sold again and the first owner said it wasn't worth the trouble of finding the present owner if someone was willing to take him. Nancy said he was either someone's pet or hand raised as he was so tame. I sure hope he stays there so I don't have to worry about him.

Love Photoshop

2009-07-08T09:27:00.003-05:00

I am taking a course over at Jessica Sprague's place. We were going over hues and staturations and how to add a soft light to give a photo that vintage feel. Take a look at my before and after. I think Photoshop is amazing!

Before Photo:

After Adjustments:

Winner.....

2009-06-22T07:51:00.001-05:00

Jen B. from NY. Please e-mail me your mailing address and I will get your stamp set out to you. Congratulations!

Random Generator was used.

Freebie!

2009-06-01T09:28:00.005-05:00

I am giving away an exclusive stamp set as my blog candy.

All you have to do is:

1. Post a link to this post on your own blog (you must have a blog to enter)

2. Leave a comment on this post with the address of your own blog

3. Become a follower of my blog.

I hope you will enjoy this stamp set, if you are the lucky winner! It will be great for Father's Day or Fishing layouts!

I will use a random generator to pick the number on Father's Day!

Memorial Day

2009-05-30T10:38:00.011-05:00

Finally had a beautiful day! Warm, bright, and green! Yeah! We didn't do much. We had left over chicken BBQ that we bought the day before from the New Milford Fire Dept. We had to get 10 seeing Davey our son is a volunteer fire fighter and he is getting his dad involved in the "fire police." Well, here are just some photos of us sitting out and enjoying the day. Sarah brought up "The Girls".

Bas (my dad) with some of the grand kid and great grand kids. Look at that face on Nico.....looks just like Bas. He should have been named Giovanni! They are so similar!

Nico was tired, but really wanted to ride the tractor.

Nico is a guy's guy.

Chloe and Nico

Chloe, Lacey, and Nico

Lacey's trick

Sarah and The Girls

Lacey and Apple

Banquet Photos

2009-05-24T05:44:00.008-05:00

I forgot to post some photos. Here are my girls.....Em still can't smile right. Her face was still swollen and sore.

Em and Rach with my Dad...A.K.A. Bas

Two of my Beautys

Steve, Emily, Rachel, David

The Group! Steve, Em, Lauralee, Miranda, Analyn, Rachel, David

Another Hybrid

2009-05-16T19:39:00.005-05:00

I just love doing these hybrid layouts. It is so nice to have your photo block ready to go. This is all because of Jessica Sprague! Love her site...make sure you stop by there!

Wisdom Teeth Woes

2009-05-16T19:33:00.005-05:00

Emily had her 4 wisdom teeth extracted on Wednesday. She ate one broccoli burrito the day before. Today was the first day she actually ate something! She had a small portion of mac n cheese. She lost 4 pounds in 3 days. Emily had a banquet to attend tonight and was convinced if she kept an ice pack on her face 24/7 she wouldn't swell. Well, she did have some slight swelling, but over all she looked pretty good. I will post pictures tomorrow sometime. She looks 100% better then what you see in this photo....my poor Em.

Mother's Day

2009-05-11T07:18:00.004-05:00

The girls brought me home some beautiful roses after church. Along with a bag of Peppermint Patties.....just what I need!!!!

May 9, 2009

2009-05-11T06:41:00.008-05:00

This was Emily and Susie's 3rd 5K race this year. Who would have thought Emily would like running!!! We were teasing her unmercifully before the race about this cute male runner with a Jaguar. Saying we were going to introduce her and fix her up with him (of course we had no intention of doing so), but Emily takes everything anyone say so seriously. She is our analytical child. So after a time we let it go, otherwise I knew she was headed for the car and would not have come out till we left!!! Why do some parents torture their children :0)

Emily, Susie, Shawn, Charlie

That was the guy were were trying to fix Em up with...right behind her in the orange/red jacket. Boy was she mad!!!

The start of the 5K Waverly Waddle. Of course Susie is being the jokester. I so wish I had a digital SLR :0(

Sue wanted to run the 5K under 30 and she did!

Emily had to stop 5 times, she was so dehydrated!

I think they were glad it was over because of all the hills!

Nico loved the sand and trucks. I had to literally pick him up kicking and screaming so I could go see the girls finish. He is a handful!

May 7, 2009

2009-05-11T06:17:00.003-05:00

Nico was staying at our house...well, dad's house Wednesday. The poor kid just came back from his sweat test. He has been on antibiotics 3 times this winter and I believe it is because of daycare. The doctor has put him through these battery of tests! He still has to go to the pulmologist yet.

Anyway, the winds have been horrendous and the house is losing siding right and left. Whoever put it up attached it with tiny nails and it was not even nailed into the wood frame of the house. This is the fourth time Dave has had to fix it. We are running out of siding. I am sure this is going to happen again. Nico was obsessed with the siding down and I mean obsessed! He would say "boo-boo house" over and over. If I was on the phone with him that is all he would talk about! Nico did get to "help" fix the "Boo-Boo" house that day!

Tickled Pink Card

2009-05-02T07:35:00.003-05:00

This card is from my fabulous customer Mary M. from SD. She made a Z fold card which I will give you the score dimensions below.

Be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Directions were in the latest issue.

4 x 12 piece of cardstock. Score at 3 1/4, flip paper and score at 7, fold and there is your card base! Embellish any way you like!

More Candy!

2009-05-01T06:12:00.002-05:00

Pink Angel
Fiona J Cards
Crafts by Kim

The Candy Jar is getting Full! What a month!

Wowza!

2009-04-30T13:53:00.003-05:00

Look at this blog candy!!! You have a chance to win still. Click Here for Debbie's Candy :0)

Blogger Background

2009-04-25T19:23:00.017-05:00

I use Photoshop Elements to design my blogger backgrounds. Open a new file measuring 2000 x 1100 with a white background.

Then bring in another layer that will measure between the 8 inch and 20 inch mark on your ruler. This seems to be about the best, but you can fiddle with the size and see what you like.

The final step is to decorate with graphics to your hearts content. You will need to upload your photo to a place like http://www.photobucket.com/ and copy the direct link code. You will need this code for the final step.

Go to Layout, add a gadget, html/javascript. You will need to put in this code....

I hope this all made sense! Enjoy your new blog background! Don't forget you can also make a Pretty Header for your blog too! 650 x 322 pixels if you want to know the measurements!

Blog Backgrounds

2009-04-23T07:15:00.002-05:00

I know they are all over now, but are you interested in learning how to design your own blogger background? I am thinking of posting a tutorial on making a background in PSE for blogger. E-mail me if you are interested or if I have time I will try and put one up today.

Just Right from Wishes

2009-04-17T17:07:00.004-05:00

Jeanette just posted a pattern from her new book Wishes, which will be available in June (Hopefully before) and will be in the our CTMH Summer Idea Book. I just made this really quickly here using our new papers Tinkerin' and our Robot Power stamp set, both new and both available May 1st!

OK, I made mine Just Left, but that is artistic rights. Here is the link to the pattern.

Support Needed

2009-04-14T07:18:00.003-05:00

My daughter, Rachel, would like to attend a short term missions trip in July/August of this year. She applied late and is behind in support. She has made a blog, background and all, and most of the information is there. If you feel led to support her that would be beyond wonderful! Here is her blog.... http://www.mymissionstrip.blogspot.com/

Easter Sunday

2009-04-14T07:14:00.004-05:00

Well, most came to dinner, except my son, David and our grand daughter Maria. We missed both of them. I don't think the kids realize what it means to have EVERYONE around. They will one day. Abby made some simple boxes to hold the Ghiradelli chocolate! We also made our paper towels into bunny napkins. How classy are we???!!!

Easter Sunday

2009-04-12T07:46:00.002-05:00

Happy Easter Sunday Everyone! This post may not be for everyone, but as you know I don't get out too often as there has to be someone with my dad 24/7. Normally Dave is the one that attends church on Sunday so I was looking for an "Easter Message" today online. It is a little lengthy, but I thought it would be nice to post. I am including the link here as well because you can also download or listen online. Enjoy and Happy Resurection Day!
Karen
But Christ Has Been Raised, You Are Not Still In Your Sins
1 Corinthians 15:17-20

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.
Review
Two weeks ago we asked the question, "What is forgiveness? What does it look like when it happens?" To answer we used a definition from Thomas Watson: forgiving those who have wronged us includes

resisting revenge,
not returning evil for evil,
wishing them well,
grieving at their calamities,
praying for their welfare,
seeking reconciliation so far as it depends on you,
and coming to their aid in distress.
Then last week we asked, "How can we do this? Where do we get the freedom and the power to act in a way that crosses our nature?" Forgiving is to a fallen human heart what flying is to a heavy human body. How can we do this flying? We took our clue from John Bunyan's poem:

Run, John, run, the law commands
But gives us neither feet nor hands,
Far better news the gospel brings:
It bids us fly and gives us wings.

The gospel bids us fly—it commands us to forgive those who have wronged us. But it also gives us wings. Last week we saw two gospel wings with three feathers each in Ephesians 4:32–5:2.

Wing #1: What God did for us before we were born

God loved us with a special saving love before we were born.
Christ died for us with a special covenant purpose of taking us for his bride.
This sacrifice for us was a sweet aroma to God and he was satisfied with it.
Wing #2: What God did for us during our lifetime

God put us into a relationship with Christ so that his death and righteousness count for us.
God adopted us into his eternal family.
God forgave all our sins.
If we really believe these six things, if we rest in them and get our hope and our joy from them, we will be able to do the gospel-flying called forgiveness. If these things are true, we can forgive. If these things are true, we can endure anything. If these things are true, we can go on giving and giving and giving 70 times 7, because the love of God and the sacrifice of Christ and the inheritance we have as God's children are inexhaustible.

The Resurrection: A Reward for Jesus' Sacrifice
Now the question I ask today, on this Easter Sunday morning, is this: "If all this gospel-flying—this power to live in love and forgive those who wrong us—if this is accomplished by the love of God and the death of Jesus, then what does the resurrection of Jesus from the dead add to it?"

To answer this let's look at 1 Corinthians 15:17, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins."

If Christ Was Not Raised, You're Still in Your Sins

To be "in your sins" is the opposite of being "in Christ." When we are "in Christ," we get what Christ can do for us, namely, eternal life. When we are "in [our] sins," we get what sins can do for us, namely, eternal condemnation and death (Romans 6:20–23).

Paul says, "If Christ has not been raised . . . you are still in your sins." We are still bearing our guilt, still under condemnation, still alienated from God, still unforgiven.

Why Is This So?

But why is this if the death of Jesus satisfied the Father (as we saw last week)? If it's true that "every debt that you ever had has been paid up in full by the blood of the Lamb" (not the resurrection of the Lamb, cf. Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7), then why are we still in our sins if the Lamb does not rise from the dead?

The answer—or at least an essential part of the answer—is that the resurrection of Jesus is the reward of his sacrifice. And if the reward is not given, it's because the sacrifice is deficient. And if the sacrifice is deficient, we are still in our sins.

Easter and Being Forgiving People

So you can see that the point of Easter is tremendously relevant to whether we can be a forgiving people or not. If Christ has not been raised, then all the gospel feathers in the wings that support gospel-flying (forgiving) are defective. If God will not let his own Son fly from the tomb and take his seat at the Father's right hand in glory, it's because his sacrifice for our sins was defective. It won't work. We are still in our sins. John Bunyan was wrong. The gospel does not bring us better news: it bids us fly, but it does not give us wings.

So the resurrection of Jesus is tremendously important for our capacity to forgive one another. It is the reward that God gives to his Son precisely because his sacrifice is so totally sufficient for our forgiveness and for our power to forgive.

Hebrews 13:20–21a

Let me try to show some of the evidence that the resurrection of Jesus is the reward of his sacrifice. The book of Hebrews makes this plain in three different places. Start at the end of the book. In Hebrews 13:20–21a it says, "Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will."

This sounds like Jesus died for himself. Look at it again: "[God] brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep [that is, he raised Christ from the dead] through [by means of] the blood of the eternal covenant." Christ was raised from the dead through his own blood!

But we know from this same book—especially from this book (Hebrews 4:15; 5:9; 7:26, 28; 9:14)—that Christ was without sin and did not need anyone to die for him, not even himself! So when it says in 13:20 that God raised him from the dead "through the blood of the eternal covenant," I take it to mean that his sacrifice so perfectly secured his covenant promises for his people that God rewarded him with resurrection to carry those promises into eternal force.

So the resurrection of Jesus validates the infinite value of the blood of Jesus. If he is raised, the sacrifice was sufficient, and you are not still in your sins. There is gospel-flying.

Hebrews 2:9b
Another text that shows this is Hebrews 2:9b, "He has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor." There it is again: "Because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor." The glory and honor that Jesus received in the resurrection and ascension was "because of his suffering and death." His resurrection was the reward of his suffering.

Therefore if he has not been raised, then it is because God does not regard his sacrifice as worth rewarding. It is defective. And we are still in our sins.

Hebrews 10:12–14

We get an even deeper insight into this rewarding of the Son in Hebrews 10:12–14, "He [Christ], having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God [there's the connection between the sacrifice and the resurrection, but he's going to say how they are connected], waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For [crucial word! "because"] by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified."

Now we can see the connection between the offering Jesus made and his resurrection: Verse 12, "Having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, he sat down at the right hand of God [he was raised!] . . . (v. 14) FOR [because] by that one offering he perfected for all time those who are sanctified."

In other words the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins was so complete that he perfected us for all time by that one sacrifice. This is awesome—all sins forgiven, past, present, future on the basis of one sacrifice. All God's people who by faith in Jesus are being progressively sanctified now have in fact been definitively, perfected before God for all time—and that by ONE sacrifice, the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus of his own blood.

Therefore—for this reason—he sat down at the right hand of God. The resurrection was the Father's reward for such an utterly complete and marvelous work on the cross.

If Christ had not been raised from the dead, we would still be in our sins because that would mean his sacrifice was deficient. But he has been raised and the point of all these texts is that this resurrection is the reward for his sacrifice and a validation of its utter perfection and sufficiency to make us perfect before God.

Isaiah 53:10–12

We could go to Philippians 2:6–11 and see the same thing where Paul says that since Christ emptied himself and was obedient unto death, THEREFORE God has highly exalted him and given him a name above every name.

But I think it might strengthen our faith even more if we go to an Old Testament prophecy and see the truth of Christ's resurrection and, even there 700 years before the event, its connection to the sacrifice of Christ. Even Isaiah (53:10–12) saw that the resurrection of the Servant of the Lord would be the reward of his suffering, and the proof that his suffering was sufficient to justify his people. Notice the crucial connections as I read

The Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if [note this "if"] He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days [that's the resurrection!—"if" he gives himself as an offering], and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. 11 As a result of [notice again the connection] the anguish of His soul, He will see it [its fruit] and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore [i.e., because he justified many by bearing their iniquities] I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty with the strong [this is the reward of resurrection], because [here it is one last time, "because"] He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors.

So already 700 years before the death and resurrection of Christ Isaiah saw them and the connection he saw was that the resurrection of Christ was the reward of his sacrifice and the validation of his suffering to cover sin.

If he would render himself as a guilt offering, THEN he will see his offspring, he will prolong his days.
As a result of the anguish of his soul, he will be satisfied (with its fruit in resurrection).
Because he bears the sins of many, THEREFORE God will allot him a portion with the great.
He will divide the booty with the strong BECAUSE he poured out his life to death.
Summary
So we come back from Hebrews and Philippians and Isaiah to our original question from 1 Corinthians 15:17: If it's the blood of Christ, the death of Christ, that covers all our sins and justifies us before God, then why are we still in our sins if the Christ does not rise from the dead?

The answer we have seen is this: the resurrection of Jesus is the reward of his sacrifice. It is the proof of how perfect and all-sufficient his sacrifice was. Therefore if God does not give the reward, it is because the sacrifice is defective and our faith is futile and we are still in our sins. The gospel gives no wings and we are left unforgiven and unforgiving.

But the message of Easter is the shout of 1 Corinthians 15:20, "But Christ has been raised." And Paul gives the evidence for it in 1 Corinthians 15:5–8—the people Christ appeared to: individuals, small groups, a large group, many of whom were still alive as Paul wrote so that the Corinthians could investigate his claim, "But Christ has been raised."

Therefore our faith is not futile and we are not still in our sins and we are not unforgiven and we need not be—indeed, cannot be—unforgiving. The gospel does give wings:

Far better news the Gospel brings,
It bids us fly and gives us wings.

Doubt not his sacrifice can save,
God sealed it with an empty grave.
And by his blood and life we live
And now have freedom to forgive.

The resurrection of Jesus is an exclamation point of God's joy and celebration of all that Christ did for us in his dying. Christ is alive today for this reason: to deliver to us personally and powerfully everything he died to obtain. Including the joy of being forgiven and the doubled joy of being forgivers.

To acknowledge this and embrace it and celebrate it, would you sing with me these words (to the tune of "Be Still My Soul"):

I then shall live as one who's been forgiven;
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father:
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I'll forgive another;
The law of love I gladly will obey.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hybrid Class

2009-04-02T09:04:00.008-05:00

I took my first ever online class over at Jessica Sprauge's place. I loved it, she did a fantastic job! Here is my page, but don't judge my page by what you will get from this class! lol

If you want to take a look at the class the link is Scrapbook Alchemy, Episode 1: Framed Three-Photo Block class

Abby's Card Box

2009-03-20T15:56:00.003-05:00

My thirteen year old, Abigail, made her own card box too. For the top she cut out 4 flowers and decided three looked better. See that "rule of threes" really is effective!

3x3 Card Box

2009-03-17T13:39:00.004-05:00

I loved this 3x3 card box that I saw at Split Coast...totally C.A.S.E.D.!

You can get directions HERE!

Prayer Closet?

2009-02-17T13:22:00.002-05:00

My daughter, Emily, came upstairs to tell me that her sister, Rachel, was sitting outside on the picnic table. I guess that wouldn't be so odd in and of itself, but seeing it was around 22 degrees outside I found that somewhat out of the norm. I went downstairs to peak out the window and she was reading her worn, pink Holly Hobbie Bible that she won't give up. She is 16 going on 17 and I thought it was about time for an upgrade, but she won't give in. Anyway, I decided to quickly snap a picture. Well, we all have a prayer closet that we can go to. It can be our bedroom, the kitchen table, etc. I happen to prefer the bathtub. Outside on a metal picnic table in the 20's is not my idea of an ideal prayer closet, but for some, it is perfect.....coat, blanket, mittens and Holly Hobbie Bible!

The Dash

2009-02-14T09:28:00.002-05:00

My friend sent me this poem yesterday and I have never heard of it before. So I thought you might enjoy it and be helpful as you live your "dash".

HOW TO LIVE YOUR DASH Linda Ellis

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I read of a man who stood up to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth and spoke the following date with tears.
But said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she had spent alive on the earth.
And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash --
What matters most is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about it long and hard . . . are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what is true and real,
And try to understand the way other people feel.
Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives like we've never loved them before.
Treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,
Remembering this special dash might only last a while.
So when your eulogy is being read, with your life's actions to rehash,
Would you be proud of the things they say, about how you spent your dash?

View the Movie

Still sick :0(

2009-02-09T17:17:00.003-05:00

Well, I called my pastor again for some advice and maybe a little bit of sympathy :0) His advice, 2 cups apple cider vinegar in the bath, a glass of water with 1 Tb apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of honey...yum, yum...not! And the great antibiotic, garlic rubbed on the feet! I think I may need the gallon size of the vinegar and a truckload of garlic! Well, I will post on my results. Pastor said I should be better by Wednesday!!! Sure hope so! Want to read the Bragg Blog? Click here!

I bombed

2009-02-07T20:16:00.002-05:00

I started out with a bang on Project 365, but I bombed. I slipped up not taking the photos and time just went by. I think I have about 2 weeks worth. Maybe I can change it to Project 12! What do you think? Oh well, life is not going to come crashing down around me. Today has been a yucky day. I have had a headache and soar throat for two days. I didn't sleep a lot last night. My eyes are watering as I write this, but I can't sleep, but don't have energy for anything else. It makes you really appreciate feeling well and being thankful for your health. Mom's just can't get sick. There isn't much on TV either. I have on The Object of My Affection....maybe I will just fall asleep. My Abby isn't feeling well either and she is already worried she will be up tonight too. She had the shakes last night. Oh, for winter to be over! Till next time!

Project 365

2009-01-04T16:44:00.002-05:00

OK, this isn't new, but it is THE project everyone is buzzing about right now. What is it??? Well, it is a simple way to scrapbook/journal/record a year in your life. The basic gist of it is to take one photo a day and then journal a little something each day about your day. Slip your photo and your journaling into page protectors and you are done. Some of my team members and I am doing this project and keeping each other somewhat accountable. I decided to start this on January 1st and here it is day 4 already! I am going to use our Close To My Heart Pocket Pages and maybe a few 12x12, 6x6, or 9x9's in between to jazz it up. I am just excited to think by the end of the year I will have an album of my daily life to look back on no matter how mundane I may think it is. Hey, if you want accountability partner let me know! I will be there for you, just e-mail me or post here :0) I am looking forward to experiencing this with my CTMH team too...what fun! Look for my layout this coming week! Happy New Year, Happy Beginnings!

Snow, snow and more snow!

2008-12-19T11:28:00.003-05:00

The snow started about an hour ago and already our ground and roads are covered. You can hear the flakes ringing off the windows, so you know it is slick out there. The forcast is calling for an inch an hour! We are expected to get over 14 inches.....geez, I have done zero Christmas shopping! Well, I lied, I did get something for my grandson and 2 of my 5 daughters. Nothing eles though....UGH!!!! I will update you later today with some photos!

Oh my aching back!

2008-11-24T08:30:00.003-05:00

Well, I guess I am due. I never really had compassion for anyone that said my back hurt, especially my husband, though I know he was hurting......guess it is just one of those things you HAVE TO experience, not! Anyway Saturday it started innocently enough. A little achy and then boom, sharp pains, couldn't turn, ugh. By Sunday morning I thought it felt better, but by the afternoon it was continually getting worse. So here it is Monday morning, looking forward to getting to the Chiropractor and...you guessed it, they are closed :0( How disappointing. A nurse and friend that works there said ice it. Gee, justed that just sound like fun when it is below 30 degrees out. Here I was taking hot baths. Hopefully I will get in tomorrow. Well, for all you people out there with oh so aching backs.....I feel for you!

November???

2008-11-08T09:55:00.003-05:00

Can you all believe it is November already? Gee wiz, where does the time go. Do you ever have one of those days ahead where there is not enough of you to be in all the places you have to be? Well, today is the day. Today is also my Emily's 19th birthday. I still have to find how to leave the house and get a gift, stuff for her favorite dinner and her birthday cake. Emily and Rachel attended the Word of Life Superbowl last night. They were gone from 4:00 pm till 7:30 this morning. Rachel has to be up to the dome in NY for indoor soccer by 1:00. How's that for only getting a few hours sleep. You wouldn't catch me running on a field for 6 hours with 4 hours sleep.....actually you wouldn't find me running on a field :0) Then my grandson needs to be pick up at a wedding that starts at 2:00 an hour the other direction, plus my dad needs to be watched. Anyone care to come over and be my double for a few hours? This will be another day that I will get through. Hope all of you are doing well. Enjoy family, friends, and life!

It's only 12:00

2008-09-28T10:58:00.003-05:00

and it feels as if I have been up for hours on end already and not just the mere 6. Only eight more hours to go if all goes well and I will be done for the day. Dad is having a real hard time with his gag reflex today, I think he is forgetting how to swallow correctly. He just keeps making these guteral sounds over and over....it is very disturbing sounding. The hospice nurse is supposed to be here tomorrow and she said she had something that she would try to give him to help with this. This is such a cruel way to leave this earth...not that any way out is easy. Dad supposedly made a profession of faith in 2003 when he moved up here, so I can cling to that he does have a place reserved in heaven for him! Well, off to see what I can do for him. Hope you all have a blessed Sunday.

Dad

2008-09-26T07:50:00.003-05:00

Yeah, we were able to get hospice for dad. I didn't realize he could have had this last December when we took him back home from the assited living facility. I don't know why the doctors don't say anything.....it is always nursing home, nursing home. Well, anyway, now I will have nursing staff coming during the week and it will be a comfort just knowing they are checking dad out. They are going to help with ideas on how to get food and liquids in him better seeing he is choking a lot, but there main goal is comfort which is what we all want for him. Thanks for all those that pray and ask about him!

Update on Dad for Those That Asked

2008-09-19T15:34:00.003-05:00

Well, for those that have e-mailed and asked about dad I figured I might just do an update here. Things are not going that well. Dad is having a difficult time eating. It seems to me it may be more mechanical then the Alzheimer's, but my friend told me it is just he progression of the disease. He is also having a difficult just standing so I can maneuver him to the wheelchair. He is also constantly going in a prostrate position. Again, is it the disease, does he also have Parkinson's like one doctor thought. It is so hard to know how to care for him, what is a normal progression of these things and when do I need to bring something to the attention of the doctor. If he could only talk and tell me! I don't think there is that much time left, but only God knows. He is definitely end stage Alzheimer's. If you are interested in what end stage Alzheimer's entails you can take a look here. I would post a picture, but he doesn't look all that good...maybe I will get one up. He is still my dad and everyone still thinks he is cute :0) Thanks everyone that has asked about him!

Fun Typing Test

2008-08-04T09:54:00.002-05:00

I took this online typing test just for fun! First time 87 WPM. It must have been from that Mavis Beacon software I used for homeschooling eons ago!
87 words

Speedtest

Scrapblog

2008-07-22T18:27:00.002-05:00

This is an EASY way to try some digital scrapbooking. Scrapblog

Scor-it or Scor-pal?

2008-07-16T11:44:00.001-05:00

Here is a great comparision for those of you deciding which scoring board to purchase!
Click Here

CTMH vs SU colors

2008-05-31T08:03:00.001-05:00

I thought you might like this comparison chart!
Spring - Harmony
Amethyst ———Lavender Lace
Baby Pink ——–Pretty in Pink / Blush Blossom
Heavenly Blue —Bliss Blue / Soft Sky
Key Lime ———Gable Green
Sunkiss Yellow —Barely Banana
Taffy ————–Apricot Appeal / So Saffron

Spring - Blossom
Breeze ————-Tempting Turquoise
Kiwi ?
Lilac Mist ———-Almost Amethyst
Orchid Bouquet —Pixie Pink
Pink Carnation —Rose Romance
Spring Iris ——–Lovely Lilac / Bordering Blue

Summer –———Carnival
Clover Meadow —Green Galore
Holiday Red ——-Real Red
Hydrangea ——–Lovely Lilac
Orange ————Only Orange
Star Spangled Blue - Brilliant Blue
Sunny Yellow —–Yo Yo Yellow

Summer – Celebration
Bubblegum ——–Positively Pink
Citrus Leaf ——–Gable Green
Dutch Blue ——–Ballet Blue
Ocean ————-Tempting Turquoise / Taken with Teal
Topiary ————Garden Green
Watermelon ——-Pink Passion

Autumn – Harvest
Autumn Terracotta - Really Rust
Barn Red ————Ruby Red
New England Ivy — Always Artichoke
Outdoor Denim —–Not Quite Navy / Night of Navy
Pansy Purple ——–Eggplant Envy
Sunflower ———–Summer Sun

Autumn – Garden
Garden Green ——Mellow Moss
Goldrush ————More Mustard
Hollyhock ———–Rose Romance
Indian Corn Blue —Ballet Blue
Olive —————-Old Olive
Vineyard Berry —–Purely Pomegranate

Winter – Classic
Buttercup ———–Barely Banana
Cranberry ———-Rose Red
Garnet ————–Baroque Burgundy
Moonstruck ———Brilliant blue
Ponderosa Pine —-Forest Foliage / Handsome Hunter
Smokey Plum ——Perfect plum

Winter – Cozy
Blush —————-Pretty in pink / Regal Rose
Crystal Blue ——–Brocade blue / Bashful Blue
Honey—————-Summer Sun
Sweet Leaf ———-Gable green / Certainly Celery
Twilight—————Blue Bayou
Petal——————Pale Plum

Basic – Antique
Bamboo ————–River Rock
Black —————–Basic black
Desert Sand ———Creamy Caramel
Gray Flannel ———Sahara Sand
Grey Wool ———–Going grey / Basic Gray
White Daisy ———-Whisper White

Basic – Timeless
Brown Bag
Chocolate————-Close to Cocoa
Cocoa —————-Chocolate chip
Colonial White ——-Very Vanilla
Parchment ———–Barely Banana
Vanilla Cream ——-Very Vanilla

Do you post family photos online?

2008-05-10T05:21:00.002-05:00

If so please check out this link....
Click Here

Get yourself some iCandy

2008-05-08T18:32:00.004-05:00

and get a look at a great blog! Just visit Nancy at her blog here....
Click Here

Gotta a little digi scrappin done

2007-12-15T15:04:00.000-05:00

I was able to put this together this morning. I just need to do something creative. We have taken my father back to his home to take care of him in the final stages of Alzheimer’s, so things are crazy, tiring here. So I love having a no mess layout done, though I can't wait to get going on our new CTMH Serendipity papers that are a special right now during our Heart of Winter campaign! Hope to get something posted soon. Hey, if anyone out there is helping an ailing parent e-mail me! We can chat! Hope you like this layout!

Hambly

2007-09-25T10:46:00.001-05:00

Here is the same photo, using a Hambly overlay for the background.

Finally

2007-09-25T10:16:00.000-05:00

Hey, I finally have a new layout up. I haven't posted in like forever. This photo was taken over the summer at a children's VBS. A gal from church took it and I really liked it!

Fun Song Site

2007-07-16T16:47:00.001-05:00

This was a fun site to visit. You can put in the month, date and year of when you were born, married, children's birth dates, etc. The popular song when I was born was Georgia On My Mind by Ray Charles! Long time ago! Music Site A Sis from SIS found this site.

Ladies VBS

2007-07-14T08:57:00.000-05:00

There was a ladies VBS at the church my girls attend youth group at this past week. I was only able to attend 2 out of the 5 evenings. The two I did get to go to were fabulous. Thursday night was on Faith taken from Matthew 14, Friday night was on service taken from John 13. Our teacher really put a lot of prayer and time into these studies. It is amazing that something you read over and over can still come alive with some new twist! The scriptures are truly the Living Word! Here is the craft I presented on Thursday evening. Very simple, but fun. The women's coasters all came out so different, but all beautiful! I wish I had taken photos!!!

Fun test

2007-06-22T05:52:00.000-05:00

This was fun to take...not sure how accurate it is, but I love the artsy look to it!

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

SIS Andy Warhol Challenge

2007-06-05T20:03:00.000-05:00

If you haven't been to Scrap In Style TV yet you must stop by. It is the hottest, coolest site around! Very uplifting, friendly, inspiring place. http://www.scrapinstyletv.com/ Well, here was my completed layout for their challenge. It was loads of fun. The next one is a stretch for me.....journaling!

Digital Muse Challenge

2007-06-05T16:39:00.000-05:00

Here is my layout for the June challenge over at the Digital Muse

http://www.mydigitalmuse.com

Letter from God

2007-05-18T12:48:00.000-05:00

I was at a baby shower last night and the woman who was giving the devotion told us about an assignment a particular Bible study class she was attending was given. The class was to go home and write a letter from God to them personally. The following week only one person completed the assignment; all the other women thought is was too presumptuous to write a letter from God. The woman who completed the assignment read her letter to the class; all were touch by "her" words. The reason they were touched is that she took God's truth from the Bible and used scripture to write her letter. So as the lady who was preparing for the baby shower was stumped on what to speak on she wrote a letter from God to the mommy to be. It was so touching! She did go home after that Bible study and write her very own letter. She says she goes back to it many times to re-read it. When we have a problem it is a wonderful thing to go to God's word to let Him show us what He wants for us. There are so many great promises there to cling to. So my challenge and maybe a challenge to you would to be to write your very own letter from God and see what He would have to say to you!

Who

2007-05-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

If you read about Who back in January you knew she was very sick, well she passed away this weekend. May 5th, 2007 We will miss her. She was missing her pasture mate Misty just too much I think.

Geez, these are quick!

2007-05-01T18:39:00.000-05:00

I love both paper scrapping and digital scrapping, but I feel like I just don't know enough about the digital and my computer is kind of funky...i.e. older than a dinosaur! Anyway, they are coming out with these all in one digi kits where you just plop your photo in and your done! Super, duper easy! Here is one I did in less than 5! Minutes, that is!

Some RC Artwork and Friends

2007-05-01T18:13:00.000-05:00

We made this adorable mini circle album in Rochester, NY at our CTMH Regional Celebration. Lots of Fun!

Here is LoriBeth, Myself, Mona and Priscilla at the end of our Regionals. We had many great business classes, giveaways (I won a magazine rack), and hands on projects! We received so many stamp sets and paper...oh man, it was a paper crafters dream!

Rochester

2007-04-11T17:02:00.000-05:00

Well, tomorrow I am leaving for Rochester for our companies Regional Celebration. Here it is going to be March 12 and we are expecting snow for my 189 mile trip! Ugh! Who said it was spring? Anyway I am looking forward to meeting up with my downline Mona and some of the other team members. It is going to be lots of fun! Close To My Heart always makes their events memorable! I will post some photos when I get back.

Painted Ladies February 26, 2007

2007-04-03T20:11:00.000-05:00

Here are some of our "Painted Ladies"! I love doing digi layouts, but boy, I don't know what I am doing! I guess it is just practice, practice, practice. I use Photoshop Elements 4 and it seems to be pretty straight forward, but I know there is so much to learn. I also would love a new computer so it doesn't take me forever to get one sheet of paper down on the editing screen!!!

Another Novice Digi Layout February 23, 2007

2007-04-03T19:40:00.000-05:00

My girls, Emily and Rachel, had their friends over to make their Awana Derby cars and they got into painting more than their cars. This layout is of Emily and Analyn's artwork! I will post more of the girls, they really did look cute!

Pony February 18, 2007

2007-04-03T19:39:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let you know that our pony, Who, is doing great now. She is eating really well and acting like her normal self!!!! Woohoo! I wonder if it was the big cold snap we had all of a sudden? Her not drinking then? I don't think we will know from the blood work and exam, but she is getting better. I think I have a summer picture of her a couple years ago....let me go look. I know I have one! I will post it later!

Valentine's Day Snowfall February 17, 2007

2007-04-03T19:29:00.000-05:00

We really haven't had a good snowfall all winter, but we got it all at once on Valentine's Day. The kids enjoyed making tunnels and sliding down the hill from the piles of snow that the guys were plowing. Here are a few photos!

Who February 13, 2007

2007-04-03T19:28:00.000-05:00

Well, we have been trying to get our Appy pony, "Who", back on the right track. She stopped eating last Thursday, on Feb. 8th. We called the vet in who drew blood, floated her teeth and told us to get her to drink. She was very dehydrated from her looks. She had a frightfully swollen jaw from the floating and did not eat at all till Saturday. The swelling is still noticable, but much improved! The vet had us pick up some Benamine shots to get her to eat. We also have been feeding her bran 4 x's a day and whatever else we could get in her. A salt lick to get her thirst going is not working that well. She never was a big drinker. Now for her not to colic after all this. Nothing showed from her blood work, so we aren't really sure why she is doing poorly. We were told that she needs to drink! What is that saying..."You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." I just am really praying she improves quickly. She is probably about 23, not terribly old for a pony, but still not a spring chicken. We also have this nasty snow storm coming through. They are calling for 3 feet!

Haute Couture February 8, 2007

2007-04-03T19:26:00.000-05:00

Laci and Apple got some new duds! Sarah received a sewing machine from Steve for Christmas so maybe you will see some real haute couture on this website soon.....al la doggies!

Visiting Minis February 3, 2007

2007-04-03T19:20:00.000-05:00

Today we went to visit the Minis! Heidi, the black and red one is now called Lacey. She is basically Steve's dog as she claimed him. Sarah's dog is most likely going to go from a Greta to an Apple. Maria get's to share them both. Apple is the girly girl and Lacey it the girly boy. They are pretty amusing to watch. They both sure like to wrestle each other, what characters they are. You can click on the photos to view them larger or check out the mini photo album. I will put them in there too! Enjoy looking!!

New Adoptees!

2007-02-01T15:31:00.000-05:00

My daughter, Sarah, hubby Steve, and DGD Mia, adopted these cuties from Schoolhouse Rescue in Binghamton, NY. They were lucky to get these little girls. There was a waiting list and they weren't there but one night! Thanks Diana and Rochelle!!!

I thought I would post some photos taken at my home before they are to leave. Sarah is still at work so we have a chance to play with them here......any longer they probably won't be going anywhere! Well, maybe Dave would have had a say in that. I don't know why he thinks 3 dogs are enough? Silly men!

There are still many innocent victims of Katrina still. Schoolhouse Rescue will be getting 20 or more of these dogs and puppies this weekend. If you are interested in adopting one or help defray some costs through a donation please contact Diana Oliver, doliver@btboces.org. Thanks!

Updated layout

2007-01-22T09:39:00.000-05:00

I knew Nico's black and white layout needed something. All it took was an overlay to finish off that corner!

Digi layout

2007-01-21T22:15:00.000-05:00

I took Abigail's photos of Nico to make a digital layout. It isn't completed yet, but I figured I would post what I had so far!

Young Photographer

2007-01-15T09:46:00.000-05:00

We watch my grandson, Nico, here every Tuesday evening while mom works. My 11 year old, Abigail, took the following pictures. I thought they were rather creative! We did colorize the eyes....obviously!

New Toy!

2007-01-12T12:55:00.000-05:00

I just love this new Crop-O-Dile! It works like a charm for eyelets and punching holes! I was really getting tired of punching, hammering and all the hassle of setting eyelets, but no more! I guess I can use all my great Close To My Heart eyelets now without the hassle! Woohoo! New toy for Mama!

News before the New Year!

2006-12-30T10:17:00.000-05:00

Well, this will probably be my last post before the New Year! Where did 2006 go? I am sure I am not the only one saying that, but boy did it fly by. We had a wonderful Christmas. All my children, except David, came to our church on Sunday which was really nice. We kept Nico overnight as a trade off. Susie picked up my dad at his assistant living home for me. It was a more than a fair trade :0) As a family we exchange names for Christmas. It is fun to see what everyone picks out for each other. Everyone got something that was perfect for them except for Emily!!! Rachel and Susie went to this store ~ Gadzooks. I had never heard of it before, but they came home with this T-Shirt and this mustard, cropped, denim jacket that was "bedazzled" with angel wings on the back. If you know Emily, it is NOT her!!! We just laughed and laughed at that jacket. Sarah picked out a motorized Tarantula for David...perfect fit. He terrorized Rachel with it who has a true phobia about spiders. There was lots of crying and screaming, but it was fun too. It is nice to get together for the holidays and to remember the true reason for the season....Jesus! May he come to live in your heart, if you haven't invited him already, during this coming year!

Oh, we also had a winter wedding to attend on the 28th! Our neice Laura was married to her true love, Mike on Thursday. They saved their first kiss as a couple for the altar! It is truly amazing to see that dedication and commitment these days even between Christians. How exciting for them!!!

Well, we are back to having problems with Dad at his home. The poor guy keeps falling and now the DPW is involved. He is in a fabulous facility with people that really care about him. I understand that reports have to be made, but the state really needs to look at the big picture not just at statistics on a piece of paper. All I did was cry yesterday. Hopefully this can be worked out without him having to be a zombie on meds so he can't walk around. My girlfriend said. "When things are working, change is a good thing." We will see.

Well, I hope you all are looking forward to a fresh start in 2007! I make no new year's resolutions, but am looking to change some habits! May 2007 bring you joy and changes for the better!

Nico and Santa

2006-12-21T12:20:00.000-05:00

OK, we normally don't do the "santa thing", but Susie brought over Nico's photo and I had to share!

Paper Ornament

2006-12-20T14:35:00.000-05:00

Well, the stew has been in the crock pot and Nico has left so I tried to make a paper ornament. I think it needs some tweaking. Those on my art list will get directions....may tweak those as well.

First Hospital Visit

2006-12-19T07:21:00.000-05:00

My poor grand daughter, Mia. She had a continual upset stomach all Sunday night into Monday morning that just seemed to get worse and worse.Mom took her to the hospital in the early morning. Mia had the whole 9 yards preformed on her.She even had an IV drip. She was really brave. The CAT scan showed that her appendix looked suspicious, but by the time the surgeon came to look at her 8 hours later he gave the go ahead she could go home. Yeah!Thank God she didn't have to go through surgery. We are also thankful for new technology that she didn't as well. I guess back in the day they would have done exploratory surgery. What a day. What six year old wants to spend 10 hours in the hospital. It makes you very grateful for what you have and the health you were given!Look at what a trooper she was! At the end, when she was told she could go home, she gave mom the "I Love You" sign!

1st Day Christmas Shopping

2006-12-14T21:07:00.000-05:00

Well, today was the first day hubby and I went Christmas shopping. I guess I am not your typical female who enjoys the hunt. I have had enough already! Fortunately the weather was very nice. We are going to head out tomorrow and hopefully finish up everything. Maybe even get that elusive Crayola Cutter we can't seem to find anywhere!!! How can a Crayola product not be available??? I just got off the phone with Target, they said to check back tomorrow.
We also just got home from training class. We decided to try Rally with our 2 Paps and our Australian Terrier. The younger Pap needs some more obedience training. She is so spoiled too....has a real attitude problem. We will just keep bringing her for the social aspect. She should catch on. Well, maybe I will post a photo of our tree tomorrow!