I am Back!

Ok, so the last almost month has been kind of a whirlwind for me, so m any emotions, so many ups and downs, that I finally have a moment to stop and reflect on the past few weeks, this is going to be a long post so if you read to the end I thank you ;)

Since my last post I have made a life change, I had weight loss surgery, I chose the lap-band procedure which is a adjustable gastric band that is placed around the top portion of your stomach to control the amount of food you can eat, it also has a port that is accessed as you lose weight to tighten the band and keep you on track, I am not going to sugar coat it, I was a very unhealthy person, deeply depressed and in a lot of physical pain. I attended the seminar regarding the procedure and decided to move forward, my insurance does not cover the procedure so I am "self-paying" I was put on a 450 calorie a day liquid diet on the 13th of feb until the 25th, the purpose of this is to shrink your liver so they can have better access to work on your stomach, during this time period I lost 11 lbs.

on monday the 25th I went to the surgery center (outpatient) at 7:30 did all the necessary pre-surgery stuff and off to the operating room I went, I awoke nauseaus and in pain!
they helped those problems, got me dressed, walked me down the hall sat me in a chair until I was more awake and then sent me home! Drinking enough water has been hard (i spent last saturday night in the er w/dehydration) but I am feeling a little better every day. Sometimes I feel weak, but It will get better and be worth it in the long run, I am up to (3) 1/4 meals per day consisiting of one of the following creamy soups, broth, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, milk, yougurt or juice, I also get 2 protein shakes a day for nutrition. I stay on this eating plan until the 18th when I go back to regular foods.
I have lost 21 lbs now and have discontinued 1 of my blood pressure medications and had my sleep apnea machine pressure lowered..YEAH!!
My hubby has gotten me gatorade to help with the hydration issue..thanks hun!
I am doing better and healing wonderfully.
I have my follow up with the surgeon on Tuesday, and my first band adjustment scheduled for the 31st of march.
Thanks to everyone who has been there listening to my gripes and or problems, I really appreciate you all.

I read something interesting today and thought I would post it here:
I am choosing to be happy and with my health improving, I will be around alot longer :)


LET IT REALLY SINK IN - THEN CHOOSE.

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good
mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask
him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would
be twins!'

He was a natural motivator.

If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the
employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing
this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked
him, 'I don't get it!'

'You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?'

He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two
choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or...you can
choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood.' Each time
something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose
to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone
comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining
or...I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the
positive side of life.

'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested.

'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut
away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you
react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You
choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom
line: It's your choice how you live your life.'

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower
Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often
thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting
to it.

Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious
accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was
released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw him
about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he
replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?'

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through
his mind as the accident took place. 'The first thing that went
through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,'
he replied. 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had
two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I
chose to live.'

'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked.

He continued, '...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I
was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw
the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really
scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'.
I knew I needed to take action.'

'What did you do?' I asked.

'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said
John. 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The
doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply.

I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity''

Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on
me as if I am alive, not dead.' He lived, thanks to the skill of his
doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude...

I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' Matthew 6:34.

After all, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Truly inspiring to me...I will keep you all posted as time goes on..thanks for the long read
Tammy

Not a good day.

No happiness today, except for the fact that this horrid day is just about over.

I am contemplating going on a scrapping hiatus and closing the etsy shop, so if there is something you are eyeing, get it now before it's gone.

QOTD:
Anger is the feeling that makes your mouth work faster than your mind.
-Evan Esar

I need to get it together!

5 days, I know 5 days since I posted happy thoughts, it's not as easy as one might think to continually find happy thoughts to post about (at least not for me)

so here I go with the haps for the last 5 days..

on the 6th I talked to my friend Shermala (see I did remember..LOL) and she told me to make that my happy for the day.. ;)

on the 7th I took Heidi's class and that made me happy to see friends in class. Hi Carol :)

on the 8th I took Carols class, and created 3 magnificent pages, she is truly a marvel and makes it look easy. I also took Jamies class and those 2 things made me happy, although I think I am fighting a cold and NOT happy about that!

on the 9th I took Arianna to the kids class, she was done first as usual (hmmm wonder where she gets that?) and then home to take a nap, and that made me happy!
that night I went to the late niter and sat by Lesli and Ang, and that made me really happy!

and today..not much to make me happy today, fighting this dang cold, hungry but don't want to eat, missing my hubby so I am going to break a trend and say today I AM NOT HAPPY!

QOTD: Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.
-Lou Holtz

I missed a day again :(

Ok I need to give 2 happy thoughts, since I missed yesterday...
1-I am happy to be done with my taxes-all filed and accepted!
2-I am happy (estatic actually) to actually be getting a refund for the first time in 10 years! (not having to pay rocks!)

Well not much else exciting going on finished Heidis kits for totally T and about 70% done with Miss Jamies (cute btw..LOTSA RIBBON!)

Have class on thursday with heidi, fri w/ carol wingert and then with jamie and then saturday is the kids class with Arianna, she LOVES it! then the late nighter Sat.
Busy Busy....

QOTD:
If "ifs" & "buts" were fruit and nuts we'd all be happy squirrels. -unknown

oh man, I missed a couple happys

Dang and I was doing sooo good too, so today I will give you a few happys to make up for it.

1) Happy to have healthy children
2) Happy I have an awesome room to create in (need to do that more)

and the biggie for today:

3) I am so very lucky and happy to be surrounded by people with an amazing amount of talent and kindness i.e,
Jennifer Wagner(LOVE this girl, projects to DIE for, such creative talents, AMAZING)
Angie Dunn (super cute, makes you feel happy to be around her)
Jamie Anderson (nice, funny, talented and her fault I am in this habit :))
Emily Jones (what can I say about Emmers, she is a bright spot in my day, always good for a smile when I need it, and her blog cracks me up too+ she thinks I am amzing!) LOL
The Polka Dot Chicks, talented and fun, what else is there to say?
Jenaye Collins (Perky, cute and always a help in finding that perfect ribbon)
Carol Wingert (the teacher I enjoy challenging most..enuff said!)
Tena Sprenger(mega talent, super nice lady)
Sandee..(I LOVE her, she is so full of energy and that lady has an eye for great pages, she does awesome stuff)
Heidi Lynn (She always suprises me with a cool new "twist" on something..she is good for my creative genius!)
Gaye, Well I want to be her when I grow up, that lady is truly amazing, I like being in the same room as her, hoping her "genius" will rub off on me...
Denise..my favorite little parrot, and greatest purchaser of my artly goods..you rock girl
Deborah...you a sure fun to scrap with and you make some amazing things, you artist you...
Ginger is a warm genuine person, who is a joy to be around, I wish I had her talent and patience!
Susan M..always reminds me to stamp my paper wehn she sees me, and makes awesome mini books!
Let..an ear and a best friend(and talent too) also a BIG enabler of scrapbooking products..LOL
Lesli..my card friend, she inspires me to make rockin cards! She also makes killer treats!

Oh what the heck I know there are alot more ladies I forgot to mention, but you all know you have contributed to my life and creativeness in more ways than you will know, I feel privileged
to call each one of you my friends :) Rock on ladies!

QOTD:
Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends.
- Czech Proverb

The end of another month.....

I can't believe that tomorrow is the start on another month..where does time go seriously...It was just new years yesterday.

Tomorrow I am taking a fab class and sce Bookin it w/ jennifer..this book is absolutely stunning, it is truly amazing to me :)

I will post a pic when I finish it.
Today I am happy to be done kitting it! LOL It was quite the undertaking...

QOTD

To want to be what one can be is purpose in life.
-Cynthia Ozick

Hi Ken ;)

Quick happy thought for the day

Today I'm happy to be done die cutting.
QOTD
If all else fails take a nap.

Told you it was quick.

randomness

Today I am happy for my hubby Ken. This is one of my favorite pictures of him holding arianna when she was little.
He is a great dad, husband, and friend (most of the time) ;)
He is VERY supportive of my scrapbook habit (crapbooking as he calls it), he actually encourages it! It was his idea to use the master bedroom as my scrapbook oasis, he understands that most of the time I don't fell well, but he helps when he can. He gives the greatest gifts..(i.e gift cards to the most amazing store..SCE)
and he lets me sleep in the mornings, cuz he knows I need to sleep or I feel worse..he gets our daughter off to school and makes her breakfast. And this morning I had a Starbucks java chip in the fridge for when I woke up. He is funny, kind, handsome, and tolerant!
i ♥ you!

and the quote for today is:

I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.
-Rita Rudner

Happy for........

Today I am happy about.....the internet

I love to surf around and read things, admire things, and read my fav blogs..yes Angie you are one of my favs..when I need a smile, I go read Angie in Pink..cuz she's fab like that!

and the random quote for the day is-
If you want your life to be more rewarding, you have to change the way you think.
-Oprah Winfrey

I also made a couple of appointments today one for new glasses on wed and one for the surgeon in feb 13....stay tuned

Shocked aren't you?

Yes folks, a new post..I figured nobody read this anyway, so why post? Then Jamie said a new post would be nice, so here goes...

I would like to post something I am grateful/happy for on a daily basis, but sometimes its hard to find those things

Today I am happy for the rain, I love the sound of it, it makes me feel peaceful.

I want to scrapbook, but hate doing it alone :(
Saw this on Jamies blog, so thought I would do it here too.

A attached or single: Attached

B best friend: Let

C cake or pie: Cake

D day of choice: Friday

E essential item: Scrapbooks Etc!

F favorite color: blue

G gummy bears or worms: neither..YUK!

H hometown: The OC Baby!

I indulgence(s): York peppermint patties

J January or July: January

K kids: 2 girls

L life is incomplete without: Family, Friends, Mexican Food, Scrapbooking

M marriage date: november 13, 1997

N number of siblings: 1 sis and 1 brother who passed away

O oranges or apples: apples

P phobias or fears: spiders, snakes, scorpions, heights, being alone

Q quotes: "You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through."

R reason to smile: hmmmmmm gotta think about that

S season: Spring

T tag three friends: emmers, michelle, and ??

U unknown fact about me: I ♥ to play Guitar Hero.

V very favorite store: Scrapbooks Etc

W worst habit: not exercising

X x-ray or ultrasound: Ultrasound

Y your favorite food: Mexican

Z zodiac: Aries

interesting..........

what do you think of this..only 42%? That could explain alot..lol

You Are 42% Creative

You are a quite creative person. You're always involved in at least on interesting project. Keep it up and keep learning. Your creativity may bring you great things someday.

How Creative Are You?

he thinks he is so funny.......

If any of you are scrapbookers who crop at stores or friends houses or retreats, you know that there are neccesities one must bring with them to said event, crop bags, die cut machines, ribbon, etc etc..(need I say more) usually this involves at LEAST 2 trips to load/unload car..my hubby being the sweet guy he is usually loads my car before departure on said nights, he sent me this video yesterday saying that this is what it was going to be before long loading my vehicle, yes I realize it's a commercial, but the overall theme is what he was referring too :)

men, gotta love'em!

you know you missed me....

Well been busy kitting classes for the ever fab teachers at sce ;)

But managed to find time to make a address book for a lady to give as a gift, I think it turned out pretty darn cute, I will DEFINITELY be making more of these to sell, thinking about making up class kits for those interested in doing there own....

fun, fun...I think I better get back to straightening up my disaster of a scrap area so I can make more pretties.....

BAD BAD BLOGGER

I know, I know...21 days and no entry...hey, but who's counting!

I apologize for no entries, but seriously folks not much going on here...

did gift exchange with the scrapbooking ladies, enjoyed that immensely...shopped at SCE, and then got sick! Yup wicked cold here.

Just wanted to post to everyone out there

Merry Christmas from the Grinch!

Now stop playing all that dang Christmas Music!!!!!!!!!!

Tag Day 2 from Tim Holtz..

Ok, as usual he has up another fabulous tag that I attempted to do..mine just don't seem to be coming out as well, the ink resisting the embossing powder didn't work to well for me, so they look dingy like city snowflakes..LOL

and for the life of me, when I stamp with distress it's to light, maybe I need to reink my pad? What to you think Tim could that be it? (Yeah right, like he will answer)

So I present you with..(drumroll please)

Tag #2 Enjoy!!

inspiration by Tim Holtz!

2 projects...one from my brain and 1 from Tim's...
If you are reading his blog(if your not you should) he is doing a 12 days of techniques thing..so this tag with this ever so cute Santa is a kinda sorta attempt at his amazingness...Mine turned out ok, but his was much better...and can I just say how much I am loving this GRUNGEBOARD!!!!!!!! wooya..lovin it.

I just love to play with it, my store has sold through most of what they had already, I can't wait for more.

Stay tuned I will attempt his tags daily, if nothing else my attempts at genius will give you a good giggle..

See ya

2 in 1 day..shocker!

Ok, so I was doing my blog reading run through and came across a link to TIM HOLTZ'S blog...heaven I tell you, that studio he has is FABULOUSNESS...run friends to view his room...and I found it funny that he uses his master bedroom for his room like I do..here's to you Tim!

http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/

Enjoy..and I am reposting my room pics because they make me happy....

and yes that is a real dog on the table!

it's about time......

that I posted..LOL I have been trying to do better but still have been lagging..
Let's see what has been happening since my last post..Denise and I went scrapping at a 12 hour crop, I ALMOST finished all of her cards, but was missing a few papers, which I have since purchased and will finish putting the finishing touches on this friday at se with the amazing hostess Jamie will be working the crop..you go girl..hey and the make and take BETTER be FAB! LOL Put in an application for employment at said store mentioned above, they said no openings now, maybe after the expansion.....Nicole finally got a J-O-B she is at orientation tonight, I should of took a picture of her when she left, this is a first for her..LOL!
Washed my car today for the first time in months...I forgot that it was red..I wanted to put my new sticker on it advertising my shop, but DOH I ordered black writing and you can't see it on my tinted windows...what an idiot, so I have to order another one in white..sometimes I wonder about my brain.
well folks that's it for now....peace out

Yikes!!

Well I was ready over my last post and realized that I forgot the most important thing!!

My 10 year wedding anniversary on the 13th of November! My hubby gave me a gift certificate to my fav store and I attempted to give him a LARGE tool box...but thanks to LOWES (NOT!!)
almost ruining the surprise 3 times telling me when it would be here on our anniversary, the day came and went with NO GIFT!! Holy Moly, what a dissapointment....But I received a phone call today and they said your order is here...BOUT friggin time....we went and picked it up and it truly is monsterous....still in the car as a matter of fact..LOL

I love you Ken...here's to many more years xoxo

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving day..take time to be with people you love and to be grateful..

I plan on a 12 hour crop with Denise on Saturday..have lotsa stuff that needs to get done, I hope I can be productive ;)

Happy Turkey day all..peace and love!

I have been MIA

Well since I have been so ordered to update my blog and that person shall remain nameless (jamie) LOL I will give you the rundown so to speak on my not so exciting life...

In approx order of haps..

remember last post stating I was not feeling well? Good reason for it, I had 2...yes 2 ear infections and a sinus infection, so the dizziness was something else other than me being blonde....
Saw a preview showing of Fred Claus (cute) with the kiddos courtesy of Michelle (thanks again!) Sold 6 of my patchwork pumpkin kits YEAH ME!!

I have decided this one needs a home..if you are local $25.00 and this beauty can be yours!

I will be posting it in my etsy shop soon, so grab it while you can...I don't think I will be making anymore.

I know there is more but my mind is blank..more like just tired...