Pay It Forward winner!

Alicia P. was the first to post for the Pay It Forward challenge. Thanks for playing! I really love the idea of this, and may try to do it once in a while, so be sure to keep an eye out for it. Alicia's blog can be found here:

akporter.blogspot.com

so be sure to check her blog out later for her Pay It Forward. Alicia, check your email.

I have finally gotten a cut of the file that's up on my blog. Here's a picture of it. The download will be up for a few more days and then I'll submit it to cuttersmarket.com.

I've been fighting a migraine all day. I think I'm going to give up and go lay down. Figures, seems like lately I'm always sick on the weekends.

Til next time!

Pay It Forward

I was thrilled to see that I was the first to post to Chris's blog for her Pay It Forward challenge. You can check it out here:

http://visualdesignsbychris.blogspot.com/2008/03/weekend-and-pay-it-forward.html

So, now it's my turn to Pay It Forward.

I think this is such a cool idea. What a nice way to brighten someone's day! The first person to post to my blog that they will Pay It Forward on their blog will get their choice of two of my GSD files from cuttersmarket.com. Since I only have 17 files there to chose from, I'll include a mystery file I'm working on now. The only stipulation is, of course, that you have to pay it forward on your own blog. Be sure to post your blog addy in your post. I will post the winner and ask you to email me with your choice of files. Then, as soon as you post the Pay It Forward on your blog, I'll send you the files. Easy-Peasy.

Stephen put the shock collar on Annabelle last night. It killed me. I bawled like a baby when it shocked her. It is effective tho - she only barked three times before she realized what was going on. So we left it on her and let her sleep out in the fenced yard since it was 60 degrees over night. I don't think she barked once. And I got 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Heaven help me if she barks again with it on, I don't think I can take it.

At least tomorrow is Friday. What a long week it's been. I get my hair cut Saturday. It's long over due. I'm tempted to go super short this time, but I'll probably chicken out.

Til tomorrow! And don't forget to post if you want to Pay It Forward!

file link corrected and shock collars

First, I think the link to the free file is working now. I'm sorry I didn't check it closer last night. I was so wrapped up in the silly dog that I didn't do a very good job with my post. If you have any problems, please let me know. Also, if you use the file on a card or layout, I'd love to see it.

After another sleepless night, Stephen and I have decided we're going to have to do something about the dog. I lost count with how many times she woke me up last night somewhere around the fifth time I let her out. She wants to play. She didn't need to use the potty but once out of all those times. So, after much discussion, we decided to try a shock collar. I've always been totally against them, but I HAVE to get some sleep. I don't know what else we can do. While it's warm, we could leave her outside, but she barks when she's outside at night at the least little thing. And after her jail break stunts last night, I'm not sure I would trust her to still be there in the morning. So I guess we'll see how a collar goes. Wish us luck.

Still fighting this nasty cold. My head is clearer, but I'm fighting a migraine and I have pain in my back near my left lung. I'm guessing the cold is trying to settle in there. Seems any time I get sick, my left ear and or lung is affected and just won't clear out. At least I did get to the gym this morning. I'm finally to the point that I can run 3 miles, non-stop in just under 38 minutes. According to the trainer at the gym, I should be doing it in 30 mins. I have no idea how I'm going to shave 8 mins off 3 miles. Stephen suggested adding an incline to my run, but I'm terrified I'll trash my foot again. I can walk for a limited time on an incline without pain, but I'm afraid running will be too much stress on it. Any suggestions on how to increase my pace by 20%?

update -file

So here's the file. Sorry for the delay getting it to you. I hope you can find some use for it.

EXPIRED


Do not reduce it too much or it will tear. I'm sorry I don't have a preview, I've tried twice now and keep getting interrupted by the dog who has turned in to a houdini hound - she's gotten out twice just since supper.

Tuesday - still sick

I woke up this morning feel worse. I tried but just couldn't drag myself to the gym. So today has been a complete bust. Fighting a headache, sinuses are killing me, chest hurts - I wish I could just go home and go to bed. And I'm starving. I could eat a large DQ blizzard right now and still be hungry for supper. Unfortunately supper doesn't cook itself, and I know Stephen will be too tired from going to the gym after work to cook. I just hope Belle doesn't get up more than once tonight to be let out.

I have a free file ready to cut and then post for you guys. I'll do my best to cut it tonight and add to today's post. I hope some of you will be able to use it.

I can't wait for spring to get here. This warm one day freezing the next BS is getting on my last good nerve.

two sickies: the dog and me

I am so glad I was able to get Annabelle in to see her regular vet Friday. I'm convinced the other lady doesn't have a frakin' clue (yes, we watch Battlestar at our house) what's going on. Jeanine said her kidneys are fine, great for a dog her age, and she has no idea why she's still getting up two to four times a night. But the bad news is, her liver is getting bad. She wants her to take two months of meds and we'll check the liver again to see if the function is improving. 60 pills, $78. Ouch.

And I was sick all day yesterday. Got up, felt fine, when to the grocery, came home, started lunch, ate lunch, then oh no. What a nightmare. I haven't been that sick in a long, long time. I couldn't hold on to anything. I was so weak I could barely get up and down the stairs yesterday. I'm thinking it was a 24 hr bug. At least I'm hoping that's all it is.

So, consequently, I don't have that a file for you. I'm sorry, I'll try my best to get on something tonight, so please check back tomorrow. I'm always open to suggestions, so feel free to let me know what you think or need.

pup still sick

Annabelle is still sick. The vet found a small amount of blood in her urine this morning and traces of "something" else that leads her to believe it's kidney failure. So I have to take her back to the vet tomorrow for a blood draw to see where we go from here. It's not looking good. She is doing a little better at night at least. I just feel so bad for her. Stephen and I have talked and at least we're on the same page. We won't let her suffer. Unlike my mother, who let my childhood dog go blind, deaf, immobile and incontinent and still wouldn't put her to sleep. That dog died the most horrible death, finally seizing to death. There will be none of that for Belle at least.

I had hoped to have a free file up today to celebrate spring. But I didn't get it test cut. I'll try to post it tomorrow, so please check back. I'm trying to decide how best to promote my files. I'm thinking of a mini sale - maybe email me a copy of your receipt from Cuttersmarket and I'll send you a free file. Not sure yet. Suggestions are welcome.

Til Friday!

Any one want a dog and a card to share

First the card. I made this thank you card with the curly frame file from Chris Durnan. I love how versatile these frames are. Thanks so much for another wonderful file, Chris! Oh, and don't forget, you can see all of Chris's files at www.paperthreads.com.

I'm really starting to get worried about our dog. She's soon going to be 14, and she's been having accidents. Last week it had gotten so bad, I took her to the vet. They're not sure if she's just old or if it's an infection or worse. But they gave us antibiotics to put her on. Last night she was horribly sick, twice. I felt so bad for her. And for me too, because I got sick cleaning it up. I talked to the vet's office and they said give it another try tonight, but if she gets sick again they'll change her antibiotic. I swear it's worse than having a child. She whines all the time, barks to wake me up to take her out, and then barks to be let out so we can play at 4am. Any one want a dog?

Monday and a layout and a cake

Well, it's Monday, again. We survived the winter storm with only about 4" of snow. We were very lucky. The roads were almost entirely clear by 3pm Saturday. It could have been a lot worse. I hope that's the last of winter around here.

Here's a layout I did this weekend using Chris Durnan's file Seashells, borders and corners for the Wishblade/Craftrobo. I used glitter chalks for the shells, unfortunately it doesn't show up very well in the photo. This is the place that we had the awesome fish and seafood. I would have loved to have eaten there again before we left, but there was just too much going on. Next time we're in Green Bay, definitely.



Here are a couple of pictures of the cake I made when the Packers made the playoffs this past seaon. I was pretty happy with how it turned out. Altho my hands were cramping from pressing out all those little stars. You'll notice the white frosting I used for the "snow" at Lambeau Field. Anyway, it tasted pretty good, even if it didn't look as good as I had hoped.

Friday

I survived another week. A long week. Hard to get back in to the groove at the gym. I thought that the week off from the gym had helped my foot. I thought too soon. It's been aching all day today. Wishful thinking on my part I guess. I was able to run my full 3 miles today tho, so that was good.

It's snowing tonight. It started about 1 this afternoon. They're saying from 3 to 6" tonight. At least we don't have to go to work in the morning.

I'm working on a layout that I hope to finish tonight. It's from our Green Bay trip. It's pictures of the wonderful restaurant in front of the Lodge called Marty's Boston Crab. I have no idea how I'm going to get all those pictures scrapped.

Happy Retirement, Favre and a layout

Imagine how sad I was this morning to get the phone call from Stephen. I knew it was coming sooner, rather than later, but I had hoped it wouldn't come this year. Stephen called this morning to tell me Favre was retiring. After 17 yrs in the NFL, 16 with the Packers, he's calling it quits. I was so hoping he would come back for at least one more year, preferably two, since the team is so young and showing so much promise and talent. But I would never begrudge him his retirement. And best of all, we got to see him on opening day of his last season.

Happy retirement, Favre.

I indeed get sick. I missed work last Wednesday and should have probably stayed home at least Thursday, maybe even Friday too. But meetings at work forced me back in. My head has hurt non-stop for over a week now. All last week my left ear hurt so bad I just wanted to cry. But, fingers crossed, other than the headache, I think I'm on the mend.

I have a layout to share. It's using Chris's Workin' Out with Dumbbells file. You can find this file, and all her other awesome files, as well as her steal-of-a-deal membership option at:

http://www.paperthreads.com/store/index.php?manufacturers_id=12&main_page=index

This layout is a congrats to Stephen. He joined the gym two years ago and has since lost over 70 lbs! I am so proud of him. I think Chris's file was perfect for this layout. WTG Stephen!

Nothing else new. Work is work, busy and stressful. It's hard to work when my head has been hurting like this for so long. The weather definitely isn't cooperating. 72 on Sunday, thunderstorms and 65 on Monday, 35 and snow flurries today.

Til next time, happy crafting!