A Little TGB

During Thanksgiving week there always seems to be more awareness about the things we are all thankful for.

I have made an effort over the past few years to recognize my blessings. When 'LIFE' is sooo busy, often times the effort to see what is right in front of you, gets lost in the shuffle of busy-ness.  I am overwhelmed in a good way with my position of gratitude.  To save on space here and boredom for you (whoever you may be), today I will recognize 3,  4,  5,    so many things in my life that I am thankful for.

In no particular order, but you may see a pattern .... the ability to create.. . Eventually, this became the reason to keep this blog.... to show 'off' what I created.  I'm not pushing what I do on you, if you want to see what I do, you are welcome to come on in and wonder around to the different areas of PRDesigns.  I amaze my self daily.  On most days I want to get better.  Create = Shine  and so I practice, practice, practice ... and I am so grateful to be able to make things. I am thankful that I get to see the world from different perspectives,  and I can express in so many unique ways and share my talents with others.

I have two fur babies that bring me joy.  Life would not be the same without these two fuzzy characters.  They wake me up and get me out into the world with daily walks.  They greet me unconditionally when I am away for 5 minutes or 9 hours. And they love me for being me.

I also have two 'real' babies who I am so proud to be their mom.  They've left the nest, but have taken the time to come home for Thanksgiving week.  I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to raise two beautiful, caring, kind, intelligent, and wonderful kids.

Last but not least.... but I need to end somewhere.... or this post would go on forever... I am thankful for my husband of 25 years, Jeff.  He has had to put up with a lot!  He signed up for this journey.... he wanted the adventure!!! 

This week of Thanksgiving 2015, I am so thankful, grateful and blessed! (TGB)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Two Thumbs Up

Proud mom moment.

When you don't blog for a while... you truly have a lot of content.

Here is one thing to catch you up.

My first project, my #1 son, my baby.... all grown up and graduated from college.

Oh, what a beautiful (and hot) day!!!

... and, he got a job before graduation day! #lovemyboy

It's All Greek to Me

When your kids get to a point in their lives... when you remember it like yesterday that you were experiencing similar situations, you know you've gotten to the next stage in your own life.... you're getting old.

It's not that I feel like I was 'just' in college, but I remember some of the old days.  I know my college experience was definitely NOT like the days my kids are experiencing in their universities.  I went to a small private Lutheran College, barely 1,000 students.... not some big university that has it's largest student population ever, over 30,000+(that's grad and undergrad)

 

I don't recall ever attending a football game or any other sporting event (I was a commuter student, so I'm sure I had something better to do off campus).... let alone plan an entire day of tailgating, socializing and drinking ... before filing into a stadium filled with over 71,000 current students, alumni, parents and friends. I don't think my parents ever owned a t-shirt, sweatshirt or a banner with my college name on it!!!!

 

But here we are, attending our 2nd college football game of the year.  The Missouri Tigers vs the Georgia Bulldogs.  The opposing team won BIG time.... 0 -37.  I didn't feel a great loss, since I'm not that vested a Mizzou fan.

 

We went to CoMo (short for Columbia Missouri) to visit Sissy for Dad's Weekend.  Her Sorority, Pi Beta Phi  (PiPhi for short) wanted to recognize their dads (the one's who assist in paying the tuition????).  They also celebrate parents weekend, mom's weekend, homecoming and whatever else when there are home football games.

 

It takes the best to raise the best.

 

Learning about Greek Life is an eye opener, at least to me. 

 

Jeff was a Lambda Chi Alpha when he attended Indiana State University. Not every University or College recognizes Greek Sororities and Fraternities as a major part of their campus organizations. At some schools it's a big deal, at other schools they hardly recognize it.

 

To many they say, what's the point?  It's snobby rich kids.  Or they exclude people.  It's a secret organization.  It's just plain weird.  I guess it can be all of the above ... but not every chapter's sole purpose is to have the best parties.  The friendships and camaraderie they establish is second behind what they stand for when it comes to volunteering for a cause or a philanthropy awareness.  Sissy's sorority has strict rules on academics and they need to maintain a high grade point average to participate and continue in the organization.  Alumni are a great support to the sororities often recommending 'sisters' for placement and employment and fundraising!

 

There are a lot of beautiful spots around campus to take pictures.  One place is in front of the 6 Iconic Columns.  These are the only remains left after a major fire in1892. Read about it here .

 

It was a nice fall weekend to drive the 7-1/2 hours to visit with our beautiful, smart and fun daughter.  We are so fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity to experience some of the college LIFE through our children.  Their POSSIBILITIES for their future are endless.

Show Me More Missouri

Ok, quick.... where will you be two years from today?????

Who really knows, right????

Two years ago I would never have thought both of my kids would be living/working in the state of Missouri.  Who would have thunk it!!!

 

Twenty five years ago, this man of mine and I went on a vacation a few months after we became a dating couple and guess where we went???

 

St. Louis, MO.  Can you believe it? 

 

So, now twenty five years later .... both kids are in the state of Missouri for the summer and we decided to be total road trip tourists and the first stop on the visit was the St. Louis Arch.... the gateway to the west!!!!

 

It really is quite beautiful. 

 

I think the day we were there was probably bout 20 degrees cooler than when we first visited in 1988.  I recall it was brutaly hot and un-godly humid.  Don't get me wrong, it was very hot this time too, but that was to be expected.  This time we had to wait for our tour time about 1-1/2 hours... and we were never informed why the wait was soooo long.  But this time, we took our time (because we had plenty) and really looked at the historical pictures and information how this awesome structure was really constructed.  Wow!!!

 

Holly is at the University of Missouri in Columbia.... which is located almost in the middle of the state.  And Kyle is entering his senior year at the University of Iowa, but he got a 12 week summer internship at Cigna Insurance in Kansas City, Missouri.... thus the reason for the road trip to the Show Me State.

 

After we picked Holly up of campus, we drove two hours further west to pick up the boy.  One of our stops was the Kansas City Aquarium..... you are never to old to look at the fishys!

 

 

And of course we had to stop and have some real Kansas City barbeque at Jack Stack Barbeque.  It was very good!  Kyle got some great left overs!!!  It is just so interesting where this summer has lead everybody.

 

Stay tuned for more posts about our road trip!!  All totally un-eventful.... but extremely calm, relaxing and pleasant!!!

Back to School

How can it be? 

 It's that time of year where moms are off enjoying their iced coffee in peace and quiet.  They're whoopin' and hollerin' down the grocery store aisles, they are relaxing in the soft bubbles of a pedicure vibrating chair. 

Around our neck of the woods, it's the first day of school!!!

Today was 'my' last first day of (public) school for my kids.  I told you a few months ago, but my job is slowly being phased out.  Although I will always be these two wonderful kid's mom... my day to day agenda has completely changed from: PTA meetings, team supporter, party planner, driver, snack provider, costume designer, equipment carrier, cheer leader, chauffeur and the list goes on and on.  The calendar looks pretty barren these days.  I say this with a little tear, and a big smile, because this has been the best job I ever could have imagined!!!

Maybe I have to test my own wings and fly the coop as well in a whole other direction, test the waters and see where my next adventure(s) will take me.  These fluffy wings of mine are a little rusty!!!

Who knew that sending them off that very first day would be filled with tears of joy and sadness and then 12+ years later, you are filled with the exact same emotions!!!  Well, at least I am!!

What a day! :)

Go (to school)!

It's that time of year, again!!

 Like I said yesterday, school and fall go together!  And here's a creative greeting card that you will 'fall' for.  Lot's of parents are kicking their little birdies out of the nest... it's time for them to go and spread their wings... even if they have to flap their wings a bit before they can soar!

We are staring to become empty nesters...

It was a real tough few weeks last fall, but it was like we all joined this new club. I made this simple one layer doodled card as 4 families within a few houses on our block were all sending off our first born to college. 

Here with Bubba at his apartment door!

For the inside I found a great quote that I think works: Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!

~ Steel Magnolias

I think a card like this could be some great FuN MaiL!! It truly is the little things that make a big difference in any life.

A few more friends are going through this 'new' stage in their life this fall.  Maybe they are able to handle it better than I did... however, as you know, I probably can make a creative greeting for 'any' event.

Brighten Someone's Day! 

Opportunity Knocks

 Slowly but surely our lives are getting back to some sort of normalcy. 

 I read somewhere recently, "What is normal?" 

But I think we had been living a normal life.  Our 'normal'.  Dad working, kids playing sports and having activities and friends, excelling in school, going on adventures, and mom taking care of the home and family, and 2 dogs.  Things change like people who come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime!  And time marches on.....

It has been a stress filled summer, and the extreme mid-west heat didn't help matters.  We've had rain now, probably more than 3 inches in the past week. I actually got to mow the lawn!! Plants and bushes and grasses are starting to come back to life after being dry and dusty for months.  It's a time for re-birth... even though we are inching toward fall.  Strange, but things happen for a reason!

I'm missing Bubba, he's only gone back to the University of Iowa for his sophomore year for 5 days. 

His room is empty... well, not really... I said to someone... there are still some hockey dust bunnies around the baseboards and there is a funky 'boy' smell in the carpet.  He left stuff on the walls and there is about an inch of dust on the books and hockey pucks still on his shelves that surround some dusty window blinds.  Old t-shirts litter the closet shelves and electrical cords are popping out of the wall.   I  don't so mind the dust... and the room can be cleaned, soon.... I like looking in it to feel his presence!

 Before he left, he handed me back some of the cards I've made for him over the past years.  He liked them, but doesn't want to keep them...he's not sentimental like that,  he's moved on.  Above is his 19th birthday card.... I designed it to represent what his room looked like when I would open the door!  Sadly... he didn't get it!  He's got the future in his hands now!  I think I've raised two pretty wonderful kids!!!!  I think if opportunity knocks on his apartment door, he really has to take hold of it....because this life can take him anywhere.... he just has to take on some passion and take a little risk!!!

Inside the birthday wish pops up..... will he take the opportunities that are present for him in college.  I guess it can be a scary thing... what if you take the wrong ones?  A quote I saw somewhere, and I'm paraphrasing, "I don't regret what I did, I regret what i didn't do when I had the chance ". 

Opportunity knocks, will you answer the door?

So She Did

I like to think I'm pretty crafty.  I lean more toward the Folk Craft World than fine art.  I like to make things and give them away, but if I make a little money on the side, it's just a perk to re-invest in my supplies to create more art!

There has always been a creative studio spot in all of our homes.  Boxes and bins full of popsicle sticks and yarn!!  Baskets with markers and glue. I've been a room mom where I've brought crafts in for the kids to make during class parties.  I've even instructed adults in a few sessions of cardmaking and crafting... so being artsy fartsy is a part of my life. Sadly, the kids weren't much interested in creating their own fun from bits and pieces, scraps and inkings!

Can you believe? Well I do.... but Pinterest sparked Sissy's interest.  And she created the above canvas.  It is a perfect quote and a job well done in painting, stencil lettering and overall completion.  She says she even had fun making this... while sitting on the front porch on a very, very, VERY hot summer afternoon 2012.  She wrapped it up with a bow and gave it to a very special friend.  The smile on her face is priceless. 

I think anyone can do something ... anything... as long as they really WANT to.  Some skills and life challenges are a bit more involved... but you never know until you try.

Maybe too, she'll understand that I'm not just doodling up in my office again... I'm working on creating SMILeS!

Brighten Someone's Day!

So She Did It

What's the buzz? 

Every day I'm trying to be true to my Year of SELF  (both in life and my creative adventures) and I am LEARNING, how to be a free-er and more creative crafter/cardmaker, FINDING ways to take better pictures, SEEKING out help from others who have more experience and are willing to teach, and I'm EXPLORING new things that I have the resources for, just didn't know what to do with it!

This week: challenge to learn more about Photoshop Elements, picture taking, watermarks and whatever else comes my way! :0)

I got a new stamp set from Tim Holz's Stampers Anonymous set and it has these way cool 2" x 4" rubber stamps with grungy honeycombs shapes, distressed dots and funky shapes.  So, I actually started backwards with the card, doing the background first and then finding a bee image that I could doodle for the top layer to frame.  I had gotten a mix of the colored twine and thought the yellow/green was just the right amount!  It would be perfect to stamp a few layers of the honey comb, cut them out and pop dot them up for even more dimension. Bright and fun.... something great to send as FuN MaiL... to Brighten Someone's Day!

Sissy loves Pinterest, we all love Pinterest, don't you??  Although my children have been around an Artsy Fartsy mom their entire life, unless they have to... they don't do crafts... very much.  But she wanted to make a special friend a special gift.  Quotes, signs, canvas, paint... all the rage... so she got everything she needed, found the quote, one day sat on the porch in the sweltering summer heat .. and voila`... She believed she could, so she did!

Graduation.... check

my little boy did it!

Graduation Eve

A little look back and my high school senior who graduates tomorrow, May 28, 2011. Look at my two blondies....

Dancing Queen & Jedi Warrior - I was so thrifty then... made the mask out of a milk jug and painted it... sewed the little costume along with gators for over the boots....

Goaaaaalllllll.....

Hoop Dreams

4th day installment about my son who is part of the class of 2011

Think about the theme to the Harlem Globetrotters.... he's a great forward.

Murfreesboro, TN Y2K

Ice, Ice Baby

In 2003 Bubba got his first set of official ice skates, all the padding, helmet and stick. He started playing in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin.... tryouts here in the dining room!

Time goes by...

Just hanging with my sissy in the happiest place on earth, Disney World!!!

It's been a busy and fun year for this second grader. The school year 2000-01 has brought many changes. Bubba loves to play on the computer and try to do math problems. They write stories and get asked to go to the Writer's Round Table. He made some pretty cool friends like Alex & Jimmy and of course our neighbors Michael & Sam!

This Halloween was cool cuz my teacher Mr. R knew how much I liked hockey, he even wanted to see me skate... so he cleared the hallway of the k, 1st & 2nd wing and let me go.... as fast as I could up and down the hallways. It was so cool.... roller blading in school!!




I love to play baseball. I'm ready! Put me in coach!

This was 10 years ago. Happy Sad!