MY NAME IS ELENA

Hey guys!

2012-02-01T21:12:00.002-05:00

Haven't posted for a while. I have actually had to concentrate on work - much to my dismay. I absolutely hate it when life gets in the way!

I have so many things going on! I am going to Cuba on the 15th of February to visit my family. I am very excited. I haven't been there in 7 years and am going to host my god-daughter's 15s. I will be there for 11 days.

And then, of course, their's our Keys 4 Art event in March! Can't wait! The wonderful Lynne Perella will be teaching a two-day workshop and the fabulous Ms. Kathy Orta who will be an attendee at the retreat this year is creating a super special project just for us! It will be fantastic! I can't wait to see my buddies. I love all these ladies and they mean so very much to me.

Art? Some. Not too much.

As you know, Teri and I are collaborating on a 52 week postcard project. Teri sent me a postcard from Brazil

(she DREW this!!! Isn't it lovely!?)

and I in turn sent her this one from China!

They are fun to do and I scored some great stamps on Ebay some of which were from - you guessed it - China! So that was fun.

This week my wonderful friend "Darcy" is traveling through France!

I have also added a few pages to my Moving Ahead Journal:

I have a trial on Friday - can't wait for this case to be over. These two people should NEVER have gotten married and should NEVER have procreated!!! But there you have it. They did. And now both attorneys, the judge, EVERYONE is dying for this trial to be over. Although unfortunately I would bet money it will never really be "over".

So at least until the weekend I probably will not do anything fun. Oh well, can't have it all can we?

Before I forget - I came across this wonderful person and have to share her site with you. She has a free set of videos for her concept of FEARLESS PAINTING (as you know my word for the year is "fearless" so it grabbed my attention). I wasn't sure I would like it and almost skipped right over it (after I joined the 21 Secrets Class) but am so glad I took the time to see the videos. Don't miss out on it!! It's really great!

Have a good one my sweeties!

MOVING AHEAD 0/20/2012

2012-01-21T19:29:00.000-05:00

I did a layout for my Moving Ahead journal today. At this rate, I am going to complete this journal way before the end of the year! Woo HOO!

I can't wait for the Face 2 Face class to start. I am hoping that with some real training I can make better faces. In the meanwhile I will continue to figure it out on my own!

LIFE BOOK 2012

2012-01-21T17:47:00.000-05:00

This is a 9x12 page for my Life Book. I am getting better at the facial proportions but the shape of the face is still a little funky!! LOL!!

Practice, practice, practice!!!

LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?

2012-01-19T16:35:00.002-05:00

Check out this FANTASTIC advice from Ira Glass:

ONE MORE SPREAD 01/18/2012

2012-01-18T18:40:00.000-05:00

The first one I did today was just too easy. I still felt like I wanted to do "something" so I made this second layout. I think that's it for today!

Moving Ahead 01/18/2012

2012-01-18T17:54:00.000-05:00

Todays journal layout:

Don't you just love this quote? You gotta wonder if Picasso was alive and painting today... would he have an iPod in his ear?

Moving Ahead 01/17/2012

2012-01-17T21:36:00.004-05:00

I wasn't going to do anything today because I came home extremely exhausted, but my new journal was screaming my name and I just felt so sorry for it sitting there by itself! This is today's journal layout:

These stamps are one of my favorite. I love faces and have tons of stamps with faces on them but these from BEESWAX STAMPS are two of my all time favorite stamps. (WARNING: I am giving you the link to Beeswax Stamps but enter only at your own risk!!! You will WANT these stamps!).

INSPIRE 01/16/2012

2012-01-16T19:30:00.000-05:00

Instead of working on my Moving Ahead journal today, I made a 9x12 page for my Life Book. The flower is really cool and dimensional. I wish it would show up better in the picture. It's made with gesso (learned it from a Donna Downey class).

The background has at least 20 different layers of paint, gesso, texture.

I love the quote from Aristotle:

"To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing be nothing."

ART AND SOLE POSTCARD CHALLENGE

2012-01-15T18:44:00.001-05:00

I showed you guys a couple of weeks ago a video on a postcard book I am making for a project. The project is the Art & Sole Postcard Challenge.

My friend Teri and I decided to do it together. It involves visiting 52 countries over the year while maintaining a Griffin and Sabine type postcard communication. The first country visited was Austria. Teri started the project by sending me this postcard as Darcy Higgins. This is the front of the postcard which Teri (who draws beautifully) drew for me!

This is the back of the postcard:

My country was Spain. Ms. Melody Riggs is currently visiting Barcelona. This is the front of the card:

And this is the back:

Since I of course am sending Teri the originals, I am making color copies of the ones I do and putting them on really thin chipboard so that i have one continuous story. I will post pictures of the journal as I do it.

ROSES ON MY TABLE

2012-01-15T17:50:00.002-05:00

This is a great group. I am part of the Journal Journey group. This is one of the newest videos from that group.

Two more entries in my MOVING AHEAD journal

2012-01-14T20:49:00.000-05:00

I am still on a huge inspiration high with all the wonderful classes I am taking! These are the last two entries in my Moving Ahead journal (and NO I promise I have not forgotten to take pictures of it!!! Will get done this weekend!)

January 11, 2012

I am reading Joel Osteen's latest book, Everyday a Friday, and feel so inspired by it! This layout came from that inspiration.

CLASSES FOR 2012

2012-01-13T19:42:00.002-05:00

Aside from other smaller classes I am taking, the four that I have posted to your right (two which have already started and two that start on the 15th) have me totally psyched and inspired!!!

If any of you are taking these classes, please share your thoughts with me with a link to your blog so we can share the experience!!!

GREAT VIDEO ON MALE FACIAL PROPORTIONS

2012-01-13T11:55:00.002-05:00

As I have said I am determined to learn to draw faces this year. I have been surfing the internet looking for tutorials and classes and came across this one which is really great.

VIDEO ON HOW TO MAKE EYES

2012-01-13T11:27:00.002-05:00

I have always found very difficult to make realistic eyes. This video is really great and i can't wait to get home and try it out. I think it's really a great tutorial and hope you guys find it useful too.

SILENCE THE INNER CRITIC!!

2012-01-12T22:14:00.001-05:00

I made this 9x12 page today to add to my Life Book 2012.

Look at the difference with just using the Stuart Gill Byzanta paint for the eye color. This paint is just so fabulous.

LIFE BOOK CLASS

2012-01-11T20:20:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I joined the Life Book Class with Willow (Tamara LaPorte) and am loving the first class this month.

The theme for this month is OUR SUPER GODDESS POWERS. That was a little much for me but it translates into acknowledging our good qualities.

This is the first page for our Life Book:

The pages will all be 9x12 and at the end of the year I will bind it into a hard covered LIFE BOOK 2012. I really think I will enjoy this class.

Yesterday I played with trying to make a face and put it into my Moving Ahead journal.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day but on Friday I PROMISE to take photos of my Moving Ahead book and post it here. I have some emails asking that I do so since not everyone can see the videos. I should have done it today but, frankly, wanted to come home and just do this class!

So what do you think?

JOURNAL FRENZY!!

2012-01-09T21:42:00.000-05:00

A wonderful lady by the name of Cheryl left me a message on my blog recommending I go look at The Book of Days for journaling inspiration. I was THRILLED!!! I recommend EVERYONE go look at that for inspiration! Cheryl sent me the email while I was at work and I of course immediately went to look. Can I tell you it was HARD to actually concentrate on work!!??? LOL!!!

Anyway, I got home at 6:00 totally inspired to journal in my Moving Ahead journal!! This is what I've done today:

I have received emails asking that I post pictures of the Moving Ahead journal as some of my online sisters do not have high speed internet and can not view the videos. I promise to post pictures of everything tomorrow. For tonight I am wiped out! LOL!

MOVING AHEAD

2012-01-08T17:55:00.001-05:00

A long time ago I found an old children's book at a bookstore sale titled MOVING AHEAD and the title got my attention so I bought it thinking I'd do something it with it some day.

Well, yesterday I spent the day wanting to do "something" artsy but not quite sure what and I came across the book. I had been watching Mary Ann Moss's videos for her Full Tilt Boogie class (which, by the way, is awesome) and I decided that the Moving Ahead title was actually perfect for a 2012 journal. Those two words encompass so much don't they?

So I started playing with it and made a journal for 2012. It is a perfect size for just random thoughts and writing and that is what I am going to use it for. Here's the video!

POST CARD CHALLENGE

2012-01-03T19:10:00.000-05:00

I saw this wonderful postcard challenge on a blog called ART & SOLE.

This is a 52 week project which I may or may not do with one person but I have asked my posse (an amazing group of artists who have been doing round robins together for years now) to join me in a much simpler version of the project.

The idea is that we each decide on two characters and "define" or describe those characters as we see them. Then we write the first card as one of the characters. Those cards make the rounds among all of us with each one taking a turn with the characters. At the end of the project we end up with about 15 wonderful postcards and a storyline that will be amazing!

But how to store them? Well, I had originally made a book (using Kathy Orta's tutorial) using Teresa Collins Travel line. It is a great little book - a perfect size for postcards - and will hold TONS of them!

Then... well then I decided to go look at one of the Griffin and Sabine books on which this project was originally based. Well, to make a long story short..... this is the video:

HOW CUTE IS SHE?

2012-01-02T19:55:00.000-05:00

I have not had the time to post about New Year's Eve but I wanted to share this one picture with you. How gorgeous is Maddie???? LOL!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

2011-12-27T19:26:00.000-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I had a really great one and wanted to share pictures!

Christmas Eve at my house:

Christmas day at my brother's house:

The little ones waiting to open gifts!

Total chaos!

Can you tell we got new lipstick for Christmas?

Maddie appeared to have run out of batteries!!! But it was only a facade!! She was up two minutes later!

Nothing like a pool party on Christmas day!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

IT JUST DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!

2011-12-22T22:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my birthday and my daughter Kristina's birthday. I turned 51 (UGGGHHH) and she turned 29. We had burgers and dogs at the house with the kids and grand babes. It just does not get any better than this.

My beautiful grand babies helping me blow the candles!

My husband of 16 years who I love very much.

My beautiful daughter who was my 22nd birthday present and who is my best friend.

Tell me I could not die happy right now? I carry these children and I feel INVINCIBLE. They are my life.

My "babies". Charlie, Me, Kristina, Pipo and Leonor. They are all adults now and most of them have been a challenge to say the least, but they are what makes my heart beat.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! May you be surrounded by people you love and who love you.

MY WORD FOR THE YEAR!

2011-12-22T20:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, I have been thinking long and hard about this. My word for 2011 was BREATH. It has worked well for me.

For 2012 my word will be FEARLESS. Yes, Fearless. I know people think I already am but this is my word for 2012 - to face the year FEARLESS - totally and completely fearless.

THE SECRETARY: Kathy's new project!

2011-12-20T20:15:00.001-05:00

You have GOT to see this!! It's absolutely wonderful! I know what I am going to be doing during the holidays!!

Kathy tells me her tutorial for this project will be available either tonight or early tomorrow. She is teaching the class on her UStream channel tomorrow at 2:00 pm. This class will be my birthday gift to myself tomorrow!!!

WHAT MATTERS IS THE DASH

2011-12-18T18:33:00.001-05:00

A reminder for the coming New Year.

You know how we go to the cementery and we always look at the dash? You know what I mean 1925-2006 e.g. We say, oh, he/she led a long life. That's good. 2005-2007... OMG! A baby!!! How sad.

After the death of my uncle from cancer a few years back, I thought about that. He was only 56. So wonderful and SO full of life. He died in few months of being diagnosed. Not much time for anything. Yet he threw HIMSELF a final birthday party that August and invited our entire family to be there. His way of saying goodbye in a "happy" atmosphere. He died way too young and yet he had lived a lifetime within the dash that separated his year of birth from his year of death.

He had come from Cuba in 1980 - had built a very successful business; had a life partner of 25 years who he had a wonderful relationship with; had traveled the entire world (literally) in 20 years!!! He was my love and my hero. So instead of focusing on the year he was born and the year he died which is engraved on his tombstone, I decided to focus on the DASH!!! Those years in between when he lived such a full and wonderful life!!!

We will all have this inscription on our tombstones - mine will read 1960- _____. And no matter what that _____ turns out to be, I want the dash to count. I want those years in between to be remembered by my children, grand children and my family. I want my life to matter.

So this coming year - this 1st day of January - make a commitment to yourself that what matters is the DASH and do something wonderful with it!

She loves to dance !

2011-12-17T18:50:00.001-05:00

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Kaitlynn Ballet RecitL

2011-12-17T17:44:00.001-05:00

Too long and boring at times but she is sooooooo excited!!

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Great Xmas Idea by Kathy!

2011-12-13T12:35:00.000-05:00

YOU MADE ME CRY MY FRIEND

2011-12-11T16:38:00.000-05:00

Received this email today from a sweet friend. It only serves to underscore my message to you about not stressing Christmas. Do you think this family is even THINKING about presents this year?

You know who you are my friend. Know that I love you and my thoughts are with you and yours.

truer words have never been written

Elena-
every once in awhile I try to catch up with people who were part of my
life in some special way- and I turn to a blog or two.
For some reason known only to the heavens, I was thinking about you and
the beautiful work you do- and since I was lazing around with my
laptop (nursing a major case of bronchitis) I googled your blog.
Imagine how much it meant to read your very wise (and I know heartfelt)
words about the stresses of the holidays and how we fall into the trap
time and time again. We've all been there, haven't we? Spend too much
money on gifts, stress too much about food, decorations, nurse headaches,
scream at the family (for no good reason other than not feeling so ho ho
ho...). I know I've been there year in and year out.

As I read your post about how you plan to change all that- and work on
only the important things- the family, I knew I had to write you a
short note, because for me this holiday is to be just that. A time
spent with family- basking in the joys of being together, of sharing
a past, enjoying the moment, hoping for the future.

I'm not baking mountains of cookies, I am not buying tons of gifts,
I am opening my heart and my home to my family and we will celebrate
each other. This year we will enjoy the antics of a two and a half
year old grandson, who grows in leaps and bounds- and fills my
heart with such joy, even in my darkest moments.

I will enjoy what time my 86 year old mother can stay with us
until she becomes completely disorientated and needs to be taken
home. I will take joy in having my "baby girl" home from Scotland
with her new husband (and have the joy of a small church wedding
here on the 17th with family and close friends). I'll enjoy the
time off my eldest daughter has from teaching at the University
of Chicago allowing her to be home for several weeks.

Most of all I will make the most of the holiday and the joy of
a wedding with my husband of 33 years (come March). This is the
most important aspect for us all on this Xmas as Doug was diagnosed
with terminal lung cancer at the end of the summer. Just when things
with my mother were lightening up- thanks to a more safe and
structured living environment that will be a god-send for us
due to her Alzheimer's disease, life turned around and dealt a card
I never saw coming. It has dramatically changed how we are living
our life now.

Home and family, and my husband's treatments are the most important
things in my life, as they need to be. I took a leave from my job
right after his diagnosis and as the treatment options and the reality
of his condition became more evident, I left all together- I can make
do with out the extra income.

My daughter-in-law applied for and was awarded a job at our local
hospital ( my "home away from home") that gave her the ability to
stay home during the week so that Tyler would not have to go to
day care. The weekend hours at the hospital rehab facility gives her
the same amount of income that her per diem placement did- a true
blessing for the little family. I do so miss those three days a week
my little man and I spent together, but now he comes to visit Nana and
Poppa at our house and it is a delightful treat- one he hates to leave
at the end of the visit :-)

As you said in your post, what would you do if you knew this was your last
holiday. I guess we never know until we are faced with that possibility.
I just know I wish I had made these changes in my life before I let the
stress of being a caretaker to both old and young as well as keeping up
with a job that meant dealing with a completely dysfunctional owner,
taking care of our home and all that goes with it take over my every
waking moment- all the while trying to keep my own health issues at bay.

I also know that what occurred in the past is just that- the past and what
we will do is make the most of the future given us as a family, and as a
married couple. I know that I took a good look at myself and what I needed
to do in order to be the best I can be and have taken charge of my health
in new and improved ways - and feel better than I have in years (and with
less medication!).

I know it won't be easy as things go on, but I also know I am blessed in
so many ways, with many good friends, and with family I adore.

I send my best to you. Thank you for making me think, thank you for helping
me see that the path I've chosen to take is a good one....you always did
have a way of looking at the world and making it seem right. You too have
faced battles and losses...and I know it's made you stronger. I hope the
same is in my future.

I hope your son continues to do well, and congratulations on a third
beautiful grand daughter. Simple blessings-- those are the ones that make
our hearts full!

Be well, be happy and I hope the holidays are all they should be for you and yours.

After reading this, if you are STILL stressing on what you can or can't BUY someone for Christmas... well, then, I just don't know what to say to you.

ANOTHER ADDICITION: KATHY ORTA!!!

2011-12-09T15:16:00.000-05:00

Check out http://paperphenomenon.com/ new mini book!!! How GORGEOUS is this???? Tutorial wont be out for a couple of weeks yet! Can't wait!!!

I am going to have to take two months off from work just to do all these books and tags!

CHECK OUT TAG #9!!!!

2011-12-09T15:14:00.000-05:00

OMG!! I am starting to feel SCHIZOPHRENIC!!!!

Every day I say THIS is my favorite... no, no, wait THIS one is my favorite!!! Is it just me or are His Royal Highness's tags just outstanding this year????

UGGHHH!!!! I HAVE to sit down and DO them!!!!

MICHELL WARD

2011-12-08T15:38:00.001-05:00

As I've said many times, I love Michelle Ward! I love her art, her attitude, her challenges!

This is her latest challenge:

I don't know about you but I very rarely come out in any of the pictures I take (and I take TONS). I am going to start changing that!!! What the heck!! I want future generations to know ME too!!! LOL!

SO ARE WE ALL FEELING THE STRESS?

2011-12-08T15:17:00.000-05:00

This is something I remind every one about every single year. DON'T STRESS ABOUT CHRISTMAS!!! It's supposed to be a wonderful, happy time. The world is TOUGH right now. Many do not have jobs and for those of us that are fortunate enough to have one, it's still very VERY hard to make ends meet. This month it's not just the worry about how to make the bills, it's the stress of Christmas presents we can't afford to buy.

I decided several years ago that I was not going to fall into that trap any more. I refuse. I have a wonderful family who, thank God, need nothing. I have 3 beautiful grand children who - again, thank God - need NOTHING. So here are my choices - I can either get totally stressed out wanting to buy everyone something or I can be happy and stress free and show them I love them by being HAPPY!

My grand babies are just that - grand babies. Anything under the Xmas tree will be exciting for them. My children know I love them and I do for them all year long. My brothers and sisters in law understand how life is and so do my nieces and nephews.

So this year I am hosting a "noche buena" party - Xmas eve party - at my house. I will feed everyone, play some wonderful music, dance and laugh and talk with them. We will end the night with a toast to having gotten through another year together and THAT will be my Christmas present to my family.

Enjoy your Christmas! Five years from now nobody will remember what you gave them for Christmas but they WILL remember how much fun they had with you during Christmas!!! They WILL remember some wonderful cookies you baked or the pretty decoration at your home.

Give your mind and soul a rest! If this was your last Christmas... if you KNEW that you would not live to enjoy another one... would presents be what's important? Giving OR receiving?

Bottom line my friends... live this Christmas like it's your last and you wont care about whether or not you can afford presents nobody will remember any way.

TAGS 7 AND 8!!!

2011-12-08T13:49:00.000-05:00

They are both absolutely amazing!!!!! The steampunk one has to be my absolute favorite of all so far!!!

KATHY DOES IT AGAIN!!

2011-12-06T16:12:00.002-05:00

As you guys know I am a major fan of KATHY ORTA and Paper Phenomenon.

This is her latest mini book! How fabulous is this!!!

She has already sold out of her kits but she sells tutorials for all her projects on the paper phenomenon site

I have bought all of Kathy's tutorials and I can tell you that they are wonderful!! They are easy to follow and Kathy is always there to answer questions. She also does the projects on her UStream channel so all you have to do is follow along with your tutorial!

BY THE WAY: My friend Lillian gave me a great idea!! This is not just a great project for Xmas! It would be a wonderful housewarming present or a family album.

PS: bonus tags? Really?

2011-12-05T12:57:00.000-05:00

Since HRH does not understand how we stress doing ONE tag a day, he has decided to add BONUS tags!!! LOL!!!

Here is day 5 bonus tag:

And this is the bonus tag for day 4:

You know I love you Timmy - but REALLY?????

TIM TAGS

2011-12-05T12:48:00.000-05:00

Where are the days GOING!!! How the heck is His Royal Highness on tag FIVE!!! I totally missed 2-4!!! And of course I haven't done ONE of them yet!! LOL!!! But I WILL I WILL I WILL I WILL (yes, it works on a subliminal level).

Here they are.... tags 2-5

Where does he get these extraordinary ideas every year!!!???? I really want to do all 12 this year.....

IT'S HERE!!! TIM'S XMAS TAGS!!

2011-12-01T16:22:00.001-05:00

Like every year since 2008, I have been waiting to see Tim's Xmas tags! Today was day 1... and what a START!!!

This is Tim's Tag for Day 1:

I have no idea when I will be able to sit down and do this but GOD I love them!!!

Here's his YouTube video on making the pine cones. Gotta love this!

THANKSGIVING 2011!!

2011-11-28T16:14:00.000-05:00

As always, we spent Thanksgiving at my brother's Julio's house. I love Thanksgiving for the one reason that we are all together. This year was a little tough emotionally though.

My father, as you all know, left his entire family in Cuba to bring us here in 1966. For the first time we have a ton of my dad's family here (they have all recently come from Cuba) and he is not here to see it. His whole life he wanted so badly to have his family here with him. And now that they are here - he's not. Well, I am sure that God has a reason for why He does what He does.

My brother Julio had this beautiful urn made for my dad's ashes. I am sure my dad was smiling down on us this day. I miss you papi - you have no idea how much.

Walls Project

2011-11-27T23:37:00.000-05:00

As I had told you guys before, we just started a new project using a book called the Walls Notebook. It is exactly that, a soft cover book with nothing but pictures of walls. The idea is to do graffiti art on these "walls" as you would on the street! Fun, easy and quick! These are two pages I made in my own book before sending it off.

This journal will be challenging since none of us are graffiti artists and this is so different from anything we do!!! So we are now a "gang" doing graffiti on walls!!! Woo HOO!!! Gotta love where middle age takes you!

Asian Journal

2011-11-26T19:46:00.001-05:00

We just started our most recent round robin journal called A Little Bit of Asia. I made these pages for Carla and Daisy. They are now on their way to Lee in Australia!

This is the double page spread I made for Daisy. I really love this Asian image and hope she does too!

I had to scan Carla's pages separately: Page 1...

and Page 2

TIM'S QUIRKY TURKEYS!!!

2011-11-22T20:50:00.000-05:00

How adorable is this????

Tim Holtz has a tutorial on his blog on how to make these!! I plan to spend the day tomorrow making some of these cute turkeys to take to my brother's house!

OKAY!!

2011-11-22T20:36:00.001-05:00

So.... I'm pretty much caught up!!! Tomorrow I will post some artwork I've been doing - yes, I have actually been doing some! Some great projects to share with you!

Have a great evening ladies!!

HALLOWEEN

2011-11-22T20:35:00.000-05:00

I know these pictures are totally out of order but so many things have happened the past few weeks that I have not been able to keep up!!!!

As always I went to my brother Julio's house to trick or treat with my nieces and my grand daughters... I can't believe how big everyone is getting!!!

Maddie, Jacquie, Katilynn, Bella and Lauren

Both Kaitlynn and Maddie were "rock stars". Too cute!

Leonor and Maddie had fun with their sexy lips!

Savannah left the hospital that evening and of course Kristina couldn't stand to miss a Halloween with her girls and came to Julio's house from the hospital!!! And she was only two days old!

CRUISE TO NASSAU!

2011-11-22T20:23:00.000-05:00

Bernie and I went on a 4 day cruise this past weekend to Nassau for our 16th wedding anniversary. It amazes me every time we reach another year together!! LOL!

We went to Atlantis for our honeymoon and went back a few years ago. This time we went it was so different. The water park is great and the resoert is just amazing!

Yeah, there are still days I like him.

MY BABY IS NOW 21!!!!

2011-11-22T20:15:00.000-05:00

My daughter Leonor turned 21!!! She was so excited about it!! Little does she know that from 21 to 51 it's a blink of an eye!!!

TIME FOR A NEW LOOK!!!

2011-11-22T20:13:00.001-05:00

Got tired of seeing orange!!! Hello to a whole new world!

I LOVE SURPRISES!

2011-11-14T14:18:00.000-05:00

Friday is my 16th wedding anniversary. My husband just told me we are going on a 4 day cruise on Friday to the Bahamas!! Woo HOO!!! I love cruises and it comes just in time to save my sanity!! (Again!)

Yep, there are some days I actually like him.

HI EVERYONE!!!

2011-11-14T13:04:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't been around but it's been crazy!!!

I have pictures and stories to share but no time right now! I have received a few emails regarding the envelope mini album by Kathy Orta of Paper Phenomenon. I did the little video on it HERE

Here's the link to her YouTube video tutorial. There are several parts to this video. This is part one.

Enjoy!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

2011-10-31T08:59:00.001-04:00

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Just a few more

2011-10-29T18:29:00.001-04:00

Children in Miami get brainwashed to attend the University of Miami since birth.

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SO MUCH HHAIR!!

2011-10-29T18:03:00.001-04:00

She is less swollen now so she looks cuter!! Look at how much hair she has!! Yes, I am thrilled!

Charlie says that having nieces is waaaayyyyy better than having your own!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Another picture!!

2011-10-29T14:25:00.001-04:00

I am on my phone and just figured out how to upload more than one picture at a time!

She is only a half hour old so still looks quite funky!!! She will look much cuter tomorrow!!! LOL!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

WOW!

2011-10-29T14:20:00.001-04:00

This is the third and its still such an amazing miracle to see a baby born!!

Savannah Grace

7.5 pounds
18.5 inches

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

SHE IS HERE!!!

2011-10-29T13:55:00.001-04:00

Savannah Grace! Born at 2:52 pm

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

We are waiting

2011-10-29T08:50:00.001-04:00

For the pitosin to kick in!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I'M ON MY WAY TO MIAMI

2011-10-28T16:21:00.001-04:00

For the arrival (finally) of Baby Savannah - she will be induced tomorrow at 6:00 am. This kid has had more announcement that a new flavor of Coca Cola!!!

I will of course immediately post pictures of my new grand baby!!! Be back in a week or so!!

Charlie is doing great AND I am expecting another grand daughter!! Life could not possibly get any better for me!

AND SAVANNAH WILL MAKE THREE!!

2011-10-28T12:00:00.003-04:00

I spent the day with these two monsters yesterday! I really don't know how Kristina does it! They are waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy too crazy!!!

But seriously... how beautiful are my baby girls?????

KATHY'S NEWEST PROJECT!!!

2011-10-28T10:46:00.001-04:00

You have to go to Kathy's blog and buy this wonderful new project!!!

THIS WILL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE!!!

2011-10-27T21:20:00.000-04:00

A friend sent me this and it made me smile..... thought I'd pass it on! Thanks Teri!

STILL on Standby!!!

2011-10-27T20:21:00.002-04:00

Well, obviously Savannah is in no rush to meet us!! Nothing yet. If Kristina does not go into labor on her own, they are going to induce the labor on Saturday at 6:00 am. So like it or not Ms. Thing will be making an appearance on Saturday!

Thank you for all the emails!

ON STANDBY!!

2011-10-25T20:36:00.000-04:00

Kristina is having contractions so we are all on pins and needles waiting for the birth of my third grand daughter, Savannah Grace. This is Kristina's 3rd child but it always makes me nervous to see her in labor.

Prayers for my baby and HER baby are requested!

LETTERING

2011-10-24T12:54:00.000-04:00

I love the art of lettering. It takes a lot of practice. I have not had the time to really get into it. It is a beautiful art form and, frankly, there is no excuse for not practicing it since you can do it anywhere! Anyway, I was sent this video by a friend and thought you guys would enjoy it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE!!!

2011-10-23T15:37:00.001-04:00

Well, it's really not until tomorrow but I made him his "birthday dinner" (which is a tradition with my children) for lunch today because he had to go to work this afternoon.

I can't believe he is 31. Every time I look at him I am amazed that he is still not that 3 year old that followed me around everywhere with his pillow.

He's a good man and he has been fighting a courageous battle WHICH HE IS WINNING. I can not be prouder of him or love him more.

Happy birthday baby boy.

The cake looks like it's on fire!!! Leonor put those trick candles on the cake - all 31 of them - and we could not get them off fast enough to keep them from melting! It was hilarious.

The pictures are not good because they were taken with my cell phone. My camera was out of batteries!! Oh well, I still have a picture!

JUST A FUN VIDEO!

2011-10-20T19:20:00.001-04:00

Monday September 26: COCO CAY

2011-10-16T19:13:00.000-04:00

Okay, listen, I come from Cuba, I have lived my entire life in places with very hot weather - Puerto Rico, Miami, Key Largo - but Coco Cay???? Jesus!!! I have NEVER felt so much heat in my life!!!

Coco Cay is a private island in the Bahamas allegedly belonging to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. It is really pretty but we were there for less than an hour. The heat was unbearable! You know that phrase "hotter than hell"? Haven't been there and don't expect to ever visit but if it's hotter than Coco Cay I'd be surprised!

Here are some pictures: (any blobs you see on the ground were people that melted)

This was the view of Coco Cay as we arrived - not too impressive from here.

The beach is really pretty and they have hundreds and hundreds of chairs set up for everyone. They fed everyone on the ship which is no small ordeal!

This is my friend Eileen. She and the heat do not get along well at all! I was afraid I would find her melted on this island!

Bye-bye Coco Cay!!!

LET'S CRUISE!!! Sunday, September 25th

2011-10-16T18:28:00.001-04:00

As everyone knows I went on the Tim Holtz Caribbean Cruise (September 25 - October 2nd). I have to tell you I can not BELIEVE how quickly a week can go by!!! It was a great cruise. Hold on and I'll share some picture with you!

When we get into our state room I was really happy with the room. It was huge and pretty and comfortable with a HUGE balcony. My husband had ordered the "romance package" and I had roses and a bottle of champaign waiting for us! Very sweet of him!!!

Beautiful roses. They were still gorgeous when we got back but we were not allowed to bring them with us!

Moet Chandon and cupcakes! Can't beat that combination.

The room was fantastic!

The balcony was huge! Bernie's favorite place!

View from the balcony to the room.

The huge dome is a jacuzzi. Our room is directly under the jacuzzi.

More tomorrow!

NEW YORK CITY

2011-10-16T15:07:00.001-04:00

Metropolis - A New York City Timelapse from Will Boisture on Vimeo.
My friend Pat, who lives in New York, sent me this video. I thought it was so great I wanted to share! I have only been to New York once and only for two days.

I know for a fact I would not want to live there, too fast-paced for me, but I fell in love with the city I am really looking forward to going back and spending at least two weeks there soon.

Enjoy!

KRISTINA'S BABY SHOWER

2011-10-15T21:01:00.001-04:00

I know I still owe everyone a recap of the cruise and I have tons of pictures to share with you of that cruise but I wanted to post pictures of Kristina's baby shower. My daughter is expecting her third daughter any day now.

Her baby shower had been planned for October 9th. It had been planned for a long time. We were doing it at the same park where we have done the other two baby showers and all the birthday parties for the girls.

I went to her house on Friday to help her prepare for the shower at the park on Sunday. The day was HORRIBLE. It was thundering and raining and just.... well awful! Saturday was just as bad and according to the weather channel, Sunday the 9th was going to be no better!

Now, you have to understand Kristina is incredibly anal when it comes to things like this. She plans everything MONTHS in advance - she has to have everything SET way in advance or like she says, her OCD goes into overdrive!

So here it is Saturday afternoon - 4:40 to be exact - and there was a mini hurricane going on! So now what? Her condo is too small to even consider moving the party to; I live in the Keys - too far for everyone to travel to at the last minute. We were stuck! She is sitting in the car having a total melt down when - just like in the cartoons - a bulb goes on over my head!!! I have a client who owns a banquet hall!!! Okay, so it's about 18 hours notice but it never hurts to ask right?

So I call my friend Gloria and tell her I have a problem. Problem? What problem? Come on over and use the upstairs banquet hall - it's empty tomorrow! Can I hear a loud and boisterous HALLELUJAH!!!

Kristina and I immediately get on our phones texting and emailing everyone the address for the banquet hall. I was sure we missed someone who would end up going to a park in the pouring rain but nothing to be done!

So now we face another dilemna! HOW THE HELL do we decorate a fancy-schmanzy banquet hall when all our plans are for a PARK? UGGHH! Thankfully Kristina is extremely creative and between us we actually pulled this off!!

The theme was Dr. Seuss.

Instead of spending tons of money on decorations, and considering we had less than 24 hours to put this together, Kristina came up with this great idea to put a basket on each table (nap time, meal time, bath time, play time...) and putting articles relating to it in the basket. We then put some Dr. Seuss books on the table, some shredded paper, some gold fish crackers and a real gold fish!

We spent the night before making cupcakes. I think the colors came out fantastic and very Dr. Seuss-sih! The cake was made and sad Welcome Savannah.

My "cherubs" and their significant others. From left to right, Pipo and Jornelys, Leonor and Brian, Kristina and Derrick and my perpetually single "no way am I getting married" son, Charlie.

Kristina chose sayings from the Dr. Seuss books, typed them on a computer and laminated them. They were put all over the tables and looked really great.

Me and my mini-me.

I LOVE this picture. It's become tradition. We have one just like this with Kaitlynn's pregnancy, with Maddie's and now with Savannah's! For this that are wondering, Bernie is due in December, we are expecting a green little boy named Heineken.

My nieces and my grand daughter. It's wonderful how the family keeps growing!

Another one of the tables.

Ms. Maddie with her Dr. Seuss bow!

Can't have a Dr. Seuss party without green eggs!

I made these little signs for all the food that was all named Dr. Seuss names!

Kaitlynn is excited about Savannah's arrival and helped her mom with the presents.

Kristina is a school teacher. Her colleagues at her school made this basket filled with blankets and bibs and all kinds of things with Savannah's name on it. They did the same thing with the other two girls and it is just a wonderful gift.

It all came out wonderful and we had a great day!

TAKING A FEW DAYS OFF THE NET!

2011-10-15T20:34:00.002-04:00

I have so many art commitments that I decided to stay off the internet this weekend and focus on what I need to do. I am involved in two tag swaps in two different groups:

In one group, (Lillian's Group which is awesome) we are swapping Paris themed tags. There are approximately 17 in this swap so I made twenty just in case! This is my contribution:

They were fun to make! We are swapping fabric and lace to go with the tags also!

The other swap is in a private group. This swap was inspired by a VIDEO I showed you guys recently. We agreed to make these tags using Tim Holtz products. This is my contribution for this swap:

Again, tons of fun to make! We are swapping lace and fabric to go with the tags.

So between yesterday and this evening I have made 40 tags!! I am quite pleased with the fact that I got these done. I was worried about not being able to meet the deadlines!!

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

CHARLIE UPDATE!!

2011-10-11T17:26:00.001-04:00

So many people have been asking me about Charlie. After a couple of stumbles he is doing FANTASTIC. He is sober, healthy and relatively happy (no new girl right now!). I am so very very proud of him and so grateful that God has taken him into his arms and protected him!!!

Thank you for asking ladies!

TIM'S VIDEO OF CRUISE

2011-10-10T20:59:00.003-04:00

Thought you guys would enjoy seeing a little bit of our cruise through Tim's eyes.

Enjoy!

NO TIME FOR BLOGGING LATELY!!

2011-10-10T19:55:00.002-04:00

Between my daughter's baby shower yesterday (major drama) and work, I have not been able to post in the last week! I will, however, do as promised and write about our wonderful cruise. I will also share the pictures and drama of Kristina's baby shower!

Be back!!!

GO CHECK IT OUT!

2011-10-04T12:56:00.000-04:00

I will post the first day of the cruise tonight but you HAVE to go see Val's blog. She has some fantastic pictures of the Freedom of the Seas. I have to say I did not take pictures of the ship - none!

So.... go check it out!

A LITTLE... OKAY ALOT... OVERWHELMED!

2011-10-03T20:22:00.001-04:00

I know I promised a cruise rundown starting today but I just got home (8:00 pm) after my first day back at work and the crazies were crawling out from under rocks today! All good. I just ignored them !

BUT, I have to admit - albeit grudgingly - that I am a little overwhelmed by all my new toys!!! I have no IDEA on earth where I am going to put all this stuff!!!

Okay, smart ass, I know what you are thinking : "Oh really? Poor you!!! NOT!" Don't get me wrong, I am still quite happy with all my new "stuff" - I just don't handle messes well and right now my studio is a MESS.

Tomorrow I will go shopping for storage solutions but for now I will just do my best to ignore it.

So, let's see... where do we begin? Oh yes, here goes:

Bernie and I (my husband who "sacrifices" and comes with me on these cruises) left Key Largo early on Saturday morning. The cruise wasn't leaving until Sunday but (a) it would be quite silly to travel the same day in case something happens and (b) we were meeting Eileen and Pat in Disney. It was a five hour drive but well worth the destination don't you think?

We stayed at the Saratoga Springs Resort in Disney. Like everything at Disney, it's very pretty but not a resort I would return to. Boring. VERY boring.

I had spoken to Eileen at about 3:00 pm and she had just gotten to her resort (Port Orleans - ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS resort!! Loved it!). Anyway, I digress.... We agreed to meet up a little later for dinner.

Once we got to our hotel and showered and changed (it was, after all, Saturday), I spent a couple of hours calling Eileen's cell phone with no success! Of course I did not have Pat's so there was nothing I could do but leave messages.

Could my sweet Eileen have ditched me?????? Not! Turns out that Eileen and Pat were going through a little drama of their own! Eileen's iPhone had literally DIED. Not as in dead battery - as in dead phone!

She is cool without a phone but there was one significant problem with that.... She had my cell phone number on her phone. So not only could I not contact her... She had no way of contacting me because she didn't know my number by heart. (This is a perfect example of how we are all so damned tied into technology we cease to function when our toys do!)

Eileen and Pat had to go to the Magic Kingdom on a bus, the tram and then the monorails in order to get to a computer. Why you ask? Well, Pat and Eileen and I are on several yahoo groups together so she went into all these groups to see if I had listed my phone number on any of them! Well, they found it and called me from Pat's phone. That only took about 3 hours!

Eventually they made it back to their hotel and we picked them up. Beautiful resort!! You open the doors and you ARE in New Orleans! Only Disney. They have jazz music playing and the "streets" of the resort are exact duplicates of the beautiful streets of New Orleans. Definitely a hotel everyone should visit!

From Port Orleans we went to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack - one of my favorite restaurants and had a wonderful seafood meal and some pretty fantastic margaritas! I am sure Eileen and/or Pat took pictures of the meal and it will be on Eileen's blog. I took some pictures but did it with the Instax so can not share!

After the meal we went back to our hotels to get some sleep before this much anticipated cruise!

I AM BACK!!!!

2011-10-02T19:39:00.000-04:00

As expected it was a wonderful time. I got to see a lot of the ladies I had met during the last cruise, some old friends from Louisiana and of course my peeps that went also!

I have to unpack and rest up for the coming week from hell but it was so worth it!!!

I have tons to tell you about but will do it tomorrow. Between my blog and Eileen's wonderful wonderful blog you wont miss a thing!

But now to the REALLY important stuff!!! The STUFF!!!! And how much stuff did I bring you ask? Well, I had taken an empty duffel bag and ended up buying another and a small tote. Yep!! Lots of very cool Tim Stuff!!!! Lots of it was given to us, (he's like the male Oprah with these give aways!) and lots of stuff I bought! Definitely in a happy place.

During the last day farewell party we had food and drinks and most importantly a raffel! I NEVER win in these things but THIS time was different!!

I won an ENTIRE SET (interpret as every single color) of Archival ink pads; a huge package of letters AND.... ready for it????? A VAGABOND! How cool is that!!! Okay, so I already have all the ink pads AND a Vagabond but it's still totally cool to win!!!

Anyway, here are a couple of pictures of the "stuff" (and NO, I have no idea where I am going to fit all this!). Those of you who have come to my Keys 4 Art Retreat KNOW that my studio is already overflowing!

Tons and tons of deliciousness!!! I have two great totes and a bunch of products from the new District Market line. I have... well, just about everything!!! It's Christmas!

We worked on two great projects, a journal book and a configuration tray but they are still packed. Will give you guys a run down tomorrow.

Oh, most important!!! Here are some pictures of my peeps!!!

My husband is so cool to put up with the craziness!! But of course being on a gorgeous ship with pools and bars makes it much easier to BE cool!

I think my biggest accomplishment was not beating the hell out of some of the ladies on this cruise (and yes, you all know who you are!). Talk about out-of-your-mind crazies!!! What is UP with that!? (Picture those girls you see crying and fainting in the old Beatles footage but on CRACK!). Okay, so maybe they were not crying OR fainting... but they were totally nuts!

I'm only going to tell you that at one point when Tim opened the door to The Market Place which Mario runs (the shopping area) (we were the second group to go in), he actually stepped outside and said PLEASE BE NICE! The first group had gone nuts on each other over STUFF!!!

Yep, fun filled days of arguing and cat fights OVER WHO GOT INTO THE ROOM FIRST FOR CLASSES!!! You would think there would not be enough chairs!! People were in line over an hour early! Of course Eileen sent me in first so I could get seats for the 4 of us to sit together in case someone had to be punched!!! Unbelievable! Wait until you hear the stories!!!

See you all back here tomorrow for day one of our voyage!

PACKED AND READY TO GO!

2011-09-23T11:23:00.000-04:00

I am packed and ready to go on the cruise! I am so looking forward to it. Last year's cruise was a disaster - had to disembark in Canada after my father-in-law had a stroke from which he ultimately died. It was awful.

But this is a new year and a new cruise and I am very excited to be seeing Eileen and Val and Pat and of course my cookie Mario!

Bon Voyage my friends! I will try to update during the cruise but I have to tell you that at $3.75 a minute I may not do it until I get back!!! LOL!!

POKER RUN IN THE FLORIDA KEYS!

2011-09-20T20:11:00.001-04:00

Motorcycles cover the islands of the Florida Keys during the Poker Run. The motorcyclists stop at certain places (bars I think) and pick up a card from each place. When they get down to Key West they will have a hand of cards and they actually play poker! I'm not sure exactly the way it works (I'm not the motorcycle type) but that's the gist of it.

My brother Albert and my sister Lisa (his wife) ARE biker dude and dudette!! They are my heros!

Yep, I wanna grow up and be Lisa!

MY SWEET LUCKI!

2011-09-20T20:08:00.000-04:00

THIS is truly unconditional love!

JUST A FEW MORE DAYS!!!

2011-09-20T19:41:00.000-04:00

Until the cruise!!! Of course I am excited about the fact that I will be taking classes with Tim and visiting with my sweet Mario... but I am even MORE excited at the fact that I am GETTING OUT OF HERE!!!

I so need some down time! It's been a tough month and next month will be worse! So this "in between" time is very much appreciated.

I probably wont be posting anything before I leave but will make sure and give you guys a blow by blow of the cruise! I learned my lesson last time after my cell bill was about $600! I have to post and/or call once I'm off the ship at any of the islands! If you use the internet or the phone on the ship they use their own service which, as you can imagine, is total robbery!

So I will be posting as we dock and sending you pictures of all the goodies!!

Have a great week everyone!!!

BRAVE GIRLS MOTIVATION FOR THE DAY!

2011-09-15T08:11:00.000-04:00

MY FIRST VIDEO!

2011-09-13T19:20:00.001-04:00

Not perfect by a long shot but not too bad for my first video! I really love this book and wanted to share!

I made this mini book using a tutorial by Kathy from Paper Phenomenon. If you are not familiar with this site or with Kathy please go by and say hi! Not only is she incredibly talented, but she's got a fantastic personality that makes her videos really enjoyable.

Anyway, without further adoooooooo..... here you go! It says CLICK HERE TO CHANGE TITLE but I have no idea why!!! Just watch the video!! LOL!!!

The paper I used is by DCWV and it's called Tattered Time.

She is EVIL I tell you!!!

2011-09-07T20:28:00.000-04:00

Miss Maddie! As different from her sister Kaitlynn as night and day! How evil does this child look?????

Maddie is just so much fun! Where Kaitlynn is prissy and girly and afraid of everything... Maddie is rough and tumble and in your face. She is a hoot!

TOILET PAPER TUBE PROJECT

2011-09-07T19:59:00.000-04:00

My friend Lillian is hosting a toilet paper tube project. Yep! Toilet paper tubes!! Talk about recycling! The project requires that we use the colors black, red, tan and cream. These are my contribution to this swap:

THE WEEKEND IS OVER

2011-09-05T21:28:00.000-04:00

Hope you guys had a great Labor Day weekend. I had the grand daughters here all weekend so got nothing else done but hanging with them!

They left early today and my husband and I went jet skiing with my daughter and her boyfriend. We had not done that for a while (jet skiing) and we had a great day. The weather was amazing, the ocean a platter of blue hues...

We were sitting on the pier after we brought the skis in just relaxing before loading them on the trailer when a school of dolphins came up a few feet from us. They were jumping in the air and playing... it was just such an amazing sight!

We see dolphins all the time but not this close up and not in such a splendid display of fun and beauty. It makes me sigh just to remember how gorgeous they are.

You know how everyone tells you to watch out for those "special moments" in your day? Well this was just magical. The sun was setting in the horizon.. the sky was blue and orange and yellow... and here are these wonderful wonderful creations of God just having a fabulous time playing and showing off....

Just doesn't get any better than this. Hope your weekend held some magic for you too.

MINI MISS PHOTO SHOOT!!!

2011-09-03T17:08:00.000-04:00

Kaitlynn and Maddie are spending the weekend with me. Yes... it's okay... you can feel sorry for me....

While Maddie takes a nap (which in and of itself is a miracle!) Leonor put makeup on Kaitlynn and the Mini Miss wanted me to take her picture...

Are we in trouble or what???

BRAVE GIRLS 9/2/11

2011-09-02T09:04:00.002-04:00

Dear Clever Girl,

You know so much more than you give yourself credit for. You have learned so many things that you have forgotten that you have already learned, and you have done so many more things than you let yourself remember.

It's easy to think you haven't made it very far, or that you don't know very much, or that everyone else is miles ahead of you. But beautiful friend, really really really think about all that you have done since you were a little girl. You have done SO MUCH, you have endured SO MUCH, you have learned SO MUCH and you have taught others SO MUCH.

It feels good sometimes to just think about what you know, and how you came to know it, especially the things deep in your heart that you know for absolutely sure -- things that no one can ever take away from you.

Really think today about what you know, what you stand for, what you have learned and what you have taught, what you can share and what holds you together, the knowledge, wisdom and experiences that you have EARNED because you lived through them.

You are a phenomenal woman. Do you remember now?
Try not to forget again, ok?

You are so amazing.
xoxo

GETTING READY FOR MY CRUISE!!!

2011-09-01T20:56:00.001-04:00

I CAN'T' WAIT for this cruise! I so need a break! My friend Eileen Bellomo who is also going on the cruise and is one of the most talented ladies I have ever met, used a Smash Book for her travel journal for this cruise. I will admit I had not thought of using a Smash Book but today I came home and decorated one and love the way it looks! I absolutely love the whole Smash Book concept and I think Eileen is BRILLIANT to have thought of this!!!

This will be my cruise journal:

Brave Girl Birdie 9/1/11

2011-09-01T09:53:00.002-04:00

Dear Courageous Girl,

Please don't for one minute think that you are not courageous just because you are afraid. Please do not minimize your power just because you are feeling a little lost. Please do not believe that you are not on the right track just because you are in a bit of a slump....and most of all, please do not EVER think that you are the only one who has hard days, rotten days, weak days and even days when you feel like you have messed up everything, gone backwards or that all is lost. Even your greatest heroes and role models have days just like you have.

These feelings will pass. If all you can do is HOPE that these feelings will pass, it will be enough. Never lose hope. You made it to now, and you will make it to tomorrow. The clouds will blow over, the sunshine will come again and you will have learned a few new lessons along the way. BEING BRAVE does not mean that you do not sometimes feel scared, weak and lost....it just means you keep going anyway.....and that is what you do best.

You can do this, friend...you really can. Keep going........don't stop now!

You are so loved!

xoxo

Maddie Started Day Care!!!

2011-08-31T18:15:00.000-04:00

I can't believe my baby girl has started "school"!!! On the one hand I am glad because she gets to interact with other children and learn. On the other hand... she is growing up so FAST!!!

How gorgeous is this baby??? She looks just like her grandma!! LOL!!!

BRAVE GIRLS 8/30

2011-08-31T10:29:00.002-04:00

I missed this one yesterday!! I would love to post this one on a BILLBOARD!!!

Dear Understanding Girl,

There are many things that spread and spread and spread...far and wide and deep. There are good things, and there are not so good things. You could be THE ONE who makes a huge difference in not just spreading wonderful things, but in making sure that not so good things don’t spread so much.

One of the best ways you can do this, beautiful soul, is to stop the gossip when it gets to you. One of the fastest moving and most destructive forces around is gossip...and it not only hurts the person(s) who is the subject of the conversation, but it hurts the souls of anyone hearing it or spreading it.

A wonderful way to stop stories from spreading is to simply stand up for the person that the story is about when the story gets to you. If the story has nothing to do with you, if it is not hurting you or your family...then it is really nothing you want to have around to needlessly ruin your day. Think of how you might feel if someone was speaking about you the way that others are speaking about someone else. Kindly tell the messenger that you are certain that there are valuable and wonderful things about this person, and that is what you are choosing to focus on...and let it go. You could either keep the story moving, or you could stop it with kindness and truth....

Because you see, it really is the truth....EVERYONE has wonderful things about them that we can focus on. If nothing else, focus on the fact that they are a fellow human being...that should be enough to compel all of us to speak with only kindness.

It will truly make you feel peace. Spreading gossip never feels peaceful. Stopping it with you will truly make a difference, far and wide and deep. Let it stop in a peaceful place.

So....lovely, loved, amazing friend....go where the peace is.

You are more influential than you know.
You are loved and you can do it.

xoxo

A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME.... BRAVE GIRLS POST FOR TODAY

2011-08-31T10:28:00.002-04:00

I LOVE these postings from the Brave Girls Club - I think it's a great way to start your day. Enjoy and IMPLEMENT!

Dear Extraordinary Girl,

It's ok to want things that don't make sense to others, dear friend. It's ok to be content with a simple life, to pass up on things that others find tempting, to walk a path that is not often traveled...maybe even a path that has never been traveled before.

Please don't get caught up in the confusing, hurtful and destructive belief that you are somehow obligated to live the life that everyone else seems to think you should live. Please listen to YOUR heart. Please shut out the opinions, advice and voices of "reason" that make you feel so uneasy, confused and inadequate. Be with your truth....be with the source of that truth. Get quiet and listen listen listen to your heart.

Your path is your path....the very path that you were created to travel. Your decisions are your decisions...the very decisions that your Creator will help you to make. Go where the peace is....in your life, in your relationships, and especially in all of your decisions. Make choices that bring you the most peace....even when those decisions don't make sense to the outside world.

You have what it takes to hear your truth, beautiful friend...and you do not walk alone.

You are so loved.

xoxo

NEW PROJECT!!!

2011-08-27T19:03:00.002-04:00

We have 3 that haven't even started yet but this one I just can not pass on!!!! Check out this video!

How incredibly beautiful is this??? Well, I have put together a new project with this same idea.

Each one of us does a "Tim" Tag - a tag using only Tim Holtz die cuts and/or stamps and ideology embellishments.

They send each person in the group (I think we are 15 or so) one tag, 6 inches of lace and a piece of fabric that is 12x8.

Once you have received everything (15 tags, fifteen pieces of lace, 15 pieces of fabric), you put it all together to make a book like this !! Gotta love it!

FROM BRAVE GIRLS CLUB

2011-08-27T18:50:00.002-04:00

I read them every day but this one I really really love and wanted to share. READ IT!!! It's worth it!

Dear Nurturing Girl,

It is often said that a good way to treat others that we love is to imagine that it is our last day with them...or our last day alive. But what if we tried instead, to live as though it is our VERY FIRST DAY with them?

Try to live this day as though it is the first time you have ever seen your child, or the love of your life, or your parents...or your beautiful friends. Look at them from head to toe...see them for what they are and who they are...look around at all that they are doing, and who they have become......work hard to make sure they know exactly how you feel about them. Work hard to be someone that they might want to have in their life.

After time has passed...we so often forget to see things that would normally leave us in awe. Things that are beautiful and miraculous and a complete gift in our lives are all but overlooked because we see them day after day. TODAY decide that it is the first day of your life...and walk into your life to see all of the gifts that are there for you. See your first glass of water, your first sunrise, hear your first song, see those freckles on the face of that little boy you love for the first time....notice the way someone shows their love for you...like it’s the first time.

We work so hard to go go go. Let’s stop today and see what is here already...what we don’t have to go anywhere to see. Let’s try to start seeing things that would blow our minds and touch our hearts and bring us to tears if we were paying attention....or if it were the first time it ever happened...or the first time we ever met.

Life is so beautiful, so full, so miraculous.

Welcome to the first day of your life!

xoxo

Thank you my sweet friend

2011-08-23T13:06:00.000-04:00

I received this today from my friend Mario. It is absolutely beautiful. I had never read this before and I have read it 10 times since he sent it. These words make my guilt over my decision with Dixie much easier.

Thank you cookie.

If it should be that I grow weak,
and pain should keep me from my sleep;
Then you must do what must be done,
for this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand;
but don't let grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years;
what is to come can hold no fears.
You don't want me to suffer so...
the time has come, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend,
but please stay with me 'til the end.
To hold me close and speak to me,
until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree,
it was a kindness done for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
from pain and suffering I am saved.

Please do not grieve that it was you
who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
don't let your heart hold any tears.

My prayers are with you in this time of grief, may the Lord ease your pain and surround you with love.

Dixie Farinas 1/3/2008 - 8/22/2011

2011-08-22T13:55:00.000-04:00

She is gone. My beautiful baby girl. I hope she finds the rainbow bridge and can be happy and healthy.

So hard letting go

2011-08-20T20:42:00.002-04:00

The right thing - the humane thing - to do is to let her go. But you can't help telling yourself that maybe a few more days... Another week. We are both heart broken

Bernie had always wanted an afghan and Dixie was everything we ever wanted her to be and more.

-Posted from Elena's iPad

My beautiful baby girl

2011-08-20T19:17:00.000-04:00

This is Dixie. My beautiful baby girl. She has been such a joy. So much fun.

She is 3 1/2 years old and is dying from cancer. It has spread to her spleen, liver, lungs, brain.... She will be put to rest on Monday morning. But for this weekend, she will be loved.

Insomnia is so exhausting

2011-08-19T04:52:00.001-04:00

It is almost 5 am and I have been awake since 2 am after sleeping for only 3 hours. This has become a truly exhausting routine. <<<<>>>>>

-Posted from Elena's iPad

BAMBOO JOURNAL

2011-08-18T20:01:00.001-04:00

I did this bamboo journal a couple of months ago. Someone was commenting about these types of journals today so I said I would post it.

The journal is 6 x 11 1/2.

The spine of the Bamboo Journal.

The front cover of this particular journal.

The following slideshow are the pages inside the journal. Enjoy!