Friday, July 6, 2012

With Love and Caring

Stampin' Up! Products
  • Very Vanilla cardstock
    • Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
    • Layer measures 4 3/4" x 3 1/2"
  • Pacific Point cardstock
    • Layer measures 5" x 3 3/4"
    • Vertical strip measures 1 1/4" x 3 3/4"
    • Horizontal strip measures 5" x 1/4"
  • Kiwi Kiss cardstock
    • Lace - begin with a strip 1 3/4" x 6"
  • Muirfield Designer Series Paper
    • Strip measures 1" x 3 3/4"
  • Pacific Point ink
  • Thanks for Caring stamp set
  • Beautiful Butterflies Sizzix die
  • Beautiful Wings Embosslit
  • Jewels Basic Pears
  • Dimensionals

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Orchid Opulence

Following a card map from Freshly Made, I created this card using Stampin' Up! Products.

Stanpin' Up Products
  • Orchid Opulence cardstock
    • Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
    • Layer measures 3" x 3 1/2"
    • Edgelit - start with 1 1/2" x 4"
  • Whisper White cardstock
    • Stamped layer measures 2 3/4" x 3 1/4"
  • Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper
    • Card base layer measures 4" x 5 1/4"
    • Strip measures 4" x 1"
  • Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
  • Fresh Vintage stamp set
  • Old Olive and Orchid Opulence Stampin' Write markers
  • Hand punches - 1 1/4", 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle
  • Adorning Accents Edgelit die
  • Dimensionals
Other Products
  • Computer generated sentiment*

Step it Up Version

Extra layer of cardstock and Adorning Accents Edgelit Die

Stampin'  Up Products
  • Orchid Opulence cardstock
    • Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
    • Layer measures 3" x 3 1/2
    • Edgelit - start with 1 1/2" x 4"
  • Old Olive cardstock
    • Card base layer measures 4" x 5 1/4"
    • Layer measures 2 3/4" x 3 1/4"
    • Edgelit - start with 1 1/2" x 4"
  • Whisper White cardstock
    • Stamped layer measures 2 1/2" x 3"
  • Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper
    • Card base layer measures 3 3/4" x 5"
    • Strip measures 4" x 1"
  • Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
  • Fresh Vintage stamp set
  • Old Olive and Orchid Opulence Stampin' Write markers
  • Hand punches - 1 1/4", 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle
  • Adorning Accents Edgelit die
  • Dimensionals
Other Products
  • Computer generated sentiment*

*If you would like to purchase my pdf file of generated sentiments, please EMAIL me.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Birthday Card

I created this card using leftover cardstock from Stampin' Up!'s Best Ever Simply Scrappin' kit.  As always, I am including the materials I used along with the measurements so you can easily reproduce this card at home.  If you are interested in purchasing the kit, more information follows my card dimensions.


Stampin' Up! Products
  • Sahara Sand cardstock
    • Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  • Real Red cardstock
    • Card layer measures 4" x 5 1/4"
    • Strip measures 4" x 1 1/4"
  • Best Ever Simply Scrappin' Kit Designer Series Paper
    • Card layer measures 3 3/4" x 5"
  • Whisper White cardstock
    • Strip measures 4" x 1"
  • Real Red ink
  • On Your Birthday stamp set
  • Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlit dies
  • Square Lattice embossing folder
  • Small Heart punch
  • Crimper
  • Dimensionals
Other Products
  • Red and Gold glitter paper
I am making this card kit available for purchase.  You will receive my completed card along with all the supplies you need (except adhesive) to complete three additional cards.  I am prohibited fron selling stamped images in my kits.  This is plenty of room for any size sentiment stamp you may have in your collection.  For more information about this card kit, please EMAIL me.

WOOHOO!  THIS POST BRINGS MY TOTAL NUMBER OF POSTS TO 400!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Three Little Ducks

My baby Kendall is no longer a baby (insert big sigh). 

I can't wait to see her this summer!  Grandpa says he needs to go shopping and get her presents, presents that her GRANDPA bought JUST-FOR-HER!


*Note to self - order airline ticket for child, one way to Birmingham.


Tuesday, June 26, 2012

I'm a Survivor Celebration Workshop


In celebration of the completion of my radiation treatments, I am offering FREE workshops.  My first workshop was last week and I had three wonderful ladies.  They brought ME a gift - woohoo!  The ladies selected their own sentiments and created a card that they were so proud of, in one hour.

Stampin' Up! Products
  • Whisper White cardstock
    • Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4
    • Layer measures 4 3/4" x 3 1/2"
  • Marina Mist cardstock
    • Layer measures 5" x 3 3/4"
  • Blessings from Heaven and Elements of Style stamp sets
  • Marina Mist and Old Olive ink
  • Jewels Basic Pearls
  • Dimensionals

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Tango!



It takes two to Tango!  I liked how this card turned out and I made more than two (five to be exact). 



Stampin' Up! Products
  • Tangerine Tango cardstock
    • Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
    • Layer measures 5" x 3 3/4"
  • So Saffron cardstock
    • Layer measures 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"
    • Strip for Scallop Trim Border; start with 6" x 1", punch, then trim
  • Old Olive cardstock
    • Strip measures 5" x 1/4"
    • Leaves
  • Haiku Designer Series Paper
    • Layer measures 5" x 1 3/4"
  • Trendy Trees stamp set
  • Stazon Jet Black ink
  • Blossom, Blossom Builder and Scallop Trim Border punches
  • Birds & Blooms Sizzlits
  • Dimensionals
Other Products
  • Brad
Frugal tip:  I punched out the large flower using the So Saffron cardstock layer.  Insert punch into cardstock as far as you can.  The Tangerine Tango and DSP layers cover up the punchout.

Do you have any frugal tips you can share?

Friday, June 8, 2012

Masculine Z Fold Card

Father's Day is just around the corner.  This masculine card is perfect for Father's Day, birthday or any other occasion.

Stampin' Up! Products
  • Kiwi Kiss cardstock
  • Pacific Point cardstock
  • Whisper White cardstock
  • Murifield Designer Series Paper
  • Best Ever Dad stamp set
  • Kiwi Kiss and Pacific Point ink
  • Dimensionals
Measurements for the Z-Fold Card can be found in THIS posting.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Where have I been, you ask......

........I am still up to my old crafty self. 

I am making a quilted bag using McCall's Pattern 6094.  (Edited to add - These three bags are NOT what I have made, it is the pattern I purchased.)
McCall's Pattern 6094
I use to sew, haven't sewn anything in years.  In fact, I purged my three totes of fabric a few years ago.

I found some fabric at Tuesday Morning's and it cried out to me.  I couldn't help myself - they are far more expensive at my fabric store and even Walmart.  I purchased two two-yard packages of Creative Cuts (two fabrics, one yard of each packaged together).  Two days later, I found another package (different pattern) at Big Lots.  The two-yard package at Tuesday Morning was $2.99, the two-yard package was $6.00 at Big Lots.

Yellow and black - an awesome combination - wouldn't you agree?

The front and back panels are made the same way.  Either I have forgotten how to sew or the McCall's pattern instructions are wrong.  Being humble and all......I think McCall's made a mistake.  

I made the front and the back panel sections and put them together according to the pattern.  I attached the white bands (14" according to the pattern), but when ironed, the front and back panels puckered.  The diamond patterns are a little tricky and being the perfectionist at crafting, I took my time making the pattern strips.  I thought... maybe if I double stitched over the white bands, they would look better.  BIG MISTAKE! I could have taken the white bands off and used the pieces already completed.  Well, genius here, didn't even think about that.  When you double stitch something, you might as will forget about trying to rip the stitching out.  

I carefully made a new set of front and back pieces and when it came to attaching the white bands, I measured the McCall's pattern piece first and it was 14".  Even the instructions said to attach the panels using 1" x 14" piece of fabric.  I decided to measure my panel pieces and they measures 14 1/2".  I double checked the pattern measurements because it couldn't have been my fault (of course not!).  I decided the white bands should measure 14 1/2".  I decided at that time, I didn't like how narrow the white bands were.  Since the white band width changed, the length of the panels changed (I added 1/2" to each band)..

I completed the front and back and I am pleased with the quilting.  The side panels are the same; however, I decided to make another change.  Four side panels later (you only need two) the sides are completed.  All I can say is - thank goodness I have plenty of fabric. 

I still have to quilt the side and bottoms panels.  I haven't made the lining yet, I am sure I will end up making two.


I am still crafty as ever!  What have you crafted lately?

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Tisha AKA Dewsweeper

My husband and friends golf every weekend and they are the first to start at the golf course.  They are better known as the Dewsweepers.

Meet my other Dewsweeper - Tisha!  Every morning, on her trip outside she has to put her nose into everything.  The hostas are a popular hiding place for lizards.  This morning they must have been playing Hide & Seek.


Saturday, May 5, 2012

Happiest Birthday Wishes Z-Fold Card

Stampin' Up! Products
  • Cameo Coral
    • 11" x 4 1/4", scored at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2"
    • Layer measures 4" x 3"
  • Basic Gray cardstock
    • Left front side of card measures 2 1/2" x 4"
    • Middle card section measures 3 3/4" x 2 3/4"
    • Inside of card measures 4" x 3"
  • Whisper White cardstock
    • Middle card section measures 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"
    • Inside of card measures 3 3/4" x 2 3/4"
  • Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper
    • Left front side of card measures 2 1/4" x 3 3/4"
    • Inside of card measures 5 1/4" x 4"
  • Basic Gray ink
  • Happiest Birthday Wishes stamp set
  • Blossom Punch
  • Birds & Birds Sizzlit die
  • Dimensionals
Other Products
  • White brad

Friday, May 4, 2012

Creating Cards from Scratch

Sometimes I struggle creating a card from scratch.  Most of my inspiration - okay, all of my inspiration comes from the talented cardmakers that share their love of crafting online.  Several crafting websites have weekly contests on creating a card from a card map.  Clean and Simple Stamping (click HERE) is one of those websites.

I am trying to use discontinued cardstock and pattern paper.  With that in mind, I pulled out one of my favorite green - Kiwi Kiss and the coordinating Patterns Designer Series Paper and started looking for a card map.

I choose this card map ---- >
...and grabbed my cardstock, Color Coach, Big Shot and adhesive to come up with.....

Stampin' Up! Products
  • Kiwi Kiss cardstock
    • Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  • Perfect Plum cardstock
    • 3 1/4" x 4 1/2"
    • 5" x 1/2" strip
  • Pale Plum cardstock
    • Scrap
  • Whisper White cardstock
    • 3" x 1 3/4"
  • Patterns Designer Series Paper
    • 3" x 2 1/2"
  • Perfect Plum ink
  • On Your Birthday stamp set
  • Birds & Blooms Sizzlit die
  • Small Oval Punch
  • Crimper
  • Dimensionals
Other Products
  • White brad

Friday, April 27, 2012

The Popular Z Fold Card

The Z Fold Card is a hot design on a few message boards.  The look is very similar to the Joy Fold Card; however, this stands on display much better than the Joy Fold.

Stampin' Up! Products
  • Crushed Curry card base
    • 11" x 4 1/4" (scored at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2")
    • 4" x 3" (cut 2)
  • Melon Mambo cardstock
    • 5 1/4" x 4"
    • 2 1/2" x 4"
    • 3 3/4" x 2 3/4" (outside of card)
  • Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper
    • Left side (outside of card) measures 2 1/4" x 3 3/4"
    • Inside measures 5" x 3 3/4"
  • Whisper White cardstock
    • 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" (outside)
    • 3 3/4" x 2 3/4"
  • Old Olive cardstock
    • Leaves (cut 5)
  • Happiest Birthday Wishes stamp set
  • Melon Mambo, Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry inks
  • Sponges (flower only)
  • Bird Builder Blossom Builder and Blossom hand punches
  • Birds & Bloom Sizzlit dies
Other products
  • Brad

Friday, April 13, 2012

God is Good

I felt a sense of calm and peace the morning of my surgery (lymph nodes).  My family in Ohio and my adopted families in Alabama were all praying for me.  I knew I was in good hands because Dr. Susan Winchester came highly recommended. 

I can't say enough about Dr. Winchester and her staff.  I was quite emotional at my first visit.  Each hand that TOUCHed me was full of love.  My long journey trying to get my life back from my chronic pain, headaches and migraines - and now breast cancer - had taken a toll on me.  I cried so easily mostly because of the unknown road I was about to travel. 

I haven't cried since the morning of my surgery - serenity had finally entered my soul.  God has spoken, it is my turn; my turn to become a better Christian.  My first goal - Patience.  As a dear friend (who will remain anonymous - Barb) said, patience was not one of my virtues.  I hope to prove her wrong.

The GREAT NEWS
  • All the cancer was removed during my lumpectony - the cancer size was very small (0.4 x 0.3 x 03 cm)
  • The four lymph nodes removed were negative
  • No chemotherapy is needed
  • I will be having some type of radiation and possibly some type of oral medication
To my husband, Jim - If it wasn't for him, I would be completely lost - HE IS MY ROCK.  Patience IS one of his many virtues. 

AND - in no particular order.....
  • To our sons, David and Bill, daughter-in-law Kristin and precious grandbaby Kendall - I love you all so much.
  • To my sister Susan - thank you for your unfailing love.  I can't wait to see you - Sister Retreat Time!
  • To all my family back in Ohio - I love you all.  Thank you for the "Casto flowers" (aka sunflowers), telephone calls and cards.
  • To my Jasper sister Barb - my friend, my chauffeur.  Thank you for your love and support.  I can't wait for my Sister Retreat in Michigan this summer.  Easter dinner - my first homemade meal in over two months!
  • To my Trussville sister Gail - Thank you for putting me on your church prayer list.  I was very concerned about the severe migraine that usually followed my surgeries.  I didn't have a migraine following either of my two surgeries.  Your pastor's concerns were heartwarming. 
  • To all my sisters at First United Methodist Church of Jasper - thank you so much for being available 24/7.  Thank you to those who offered to bring dinner or drive me to an appointment.
    • Mary Ann S. - for kneeling, praying and hugging me at the church altar.  The apple pie was half eaten in one day.
    • Candy C. - Thank you for recommending that I should go and see Dr. Winchester
    • Kathryn O. - The potato soup was delicious.  Thank you for checking on me through emails when I was too upset to talk to anyone.
    • Karen B. - Cream Cheese dessert - who doesn't like cream cheese!
    • Gail W. - Banana pudding straight out of the oven with a meringue topping.  Oh, sweet Jesus!
    • Charlene S. - your inspirational scriptures were perfect.
    • Betty L. - A cancer survivor who emailed me and made herself available if I had any questions.
    • Jeannette S. and her Sunday School members - I appreciated your prayers and emails.
  • To my Facebook Peeps - thank you for your support and private messages.
  • To my Blog Peeps - thank you for your words of encouragement you gave by emailing me or posting a comment to this blog.
For those how happen on this blog posting - DO NOT skip any routine mammogram.  My lump was found during a routine mammogran.  Follow your doctor's guidelines and/or National Cancer Institute guidelines.

Friday, March 30, 2012

To all my wonderful blog followers

Your words have brought me comfort.  Thank you for those who left me their phone numbers and email addresses.  Women - God's Angels of Comfort.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Crosswalk

It all makes sense now.  For the past four years I have had many struggles physically with my body.  The pain was so intense and unbearable.  So many times I cried out to the Lord to end the pain.  In December, God answered my call and sent me to a physician who finally addressed my daily pains and migraines that left me in bed for days.   I had my LIFE back!!  But little did I know what I was about to face.  God was preparing me, GOD WAS PREPARING ME for the biggest struggle I have ever faced.  I have breast cancer.











We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall; but God's always ready, to answer your call....

He knows every heartache, sees every tear, a word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, but suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, to give you His grace, and send you His love.

May God fill your day with blessings!!

(author unknown)

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Easter Blossom

Stampin' Up! Products
  • Crushed Curry cardstock
    • Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
  • Melon Mambo cardstock
    • Layer measures 5 1/4" x 4"
    • Square layers measure 1 3/8" x 1 3/8"
    • Strip measures 7/8" x 5 1/4"
  • Old Olive cardstock
    • Scraps for leaves
  • Razzleberry Designers Series Paper
    • Square layers measure 1 1/8" x 1 1/8"
    • Strip measures 5/8" x 5 1/4"
  • Well Scripted stamp set
  • Stazon Jet Black ink
  • Blossom and Build A Blossom hand punches
  • Birds & Blooms Sizzlits dies
Other Products
  • Brad
I wish I would have used Dimensionals behind the squares.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Blossoms Easel Card for a Special Friend

I have a very special friend who is mourning the lost of her husband.  We attend the same church, same United Methodist Women circle and same investment group.  ....And she loves Alabama and Houndstooth.  Roll Tide!

This is an easel card I made for her. Check out the post below for my measurements and link to Splitcoasterstampers for basic easel card instructions.

The inside embellishment says "thinking of you" and it was signed "Jesus Hugs."  




Blossoms Easel Card

For a unique card layout, try the Easel Card. Basic instructions can be found at Splitcoaststampers.com. If you wish to duplicate my card, please refer to the measurements below.


Stampin' Up! Products
  • Certain Celery Cardstock
    • Main section of the Easel Card measures 4 1/4" x 11", scored at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2"
    • Top section of the Easel Card measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  • Old Olive cardstock
    • Card layer measures 4" x 5 1/4" (cut two)
    • Scrap piece
  • Very Vanilla cardstock (inside of card)
    • Card layer measures 3 3/4" x 5"
  • Baja Breeze cardstock - for blossoms
  • Green Tea Designer Series Paper
    • Top card layer measures 3 3/4" x 5"
  • Lace Ribbon Border punch
    • Finished length is 5 1/4"
  • Blossom punch
  • Bird & Blooms Sizzlits dies
  • Inside embellishment
    • Decorative Label, Scallop Oval, Small and Large Oval and Trio Flower punches
    • Jewels Basic Pearls
    • Old Olive ink
    • Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set
  • Dimensionals
Other Products
  • Brads

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Cottage Wall Blossom - Step it Up!

I unintentionally created three cards that fit the description "Step it Up!"  I wasn't happy with the first card, the layout was nothing special.  A few modifications and each Step Up was an improvement.


Blossom Step it Up! Number One
Step it Up! Number One

Stampin' Up! Products
  • Rich Razzleberry cardstock
    • Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
  • Orchid Opulence cardstock
    • Card layer measures 5 1/4" x 4"
  • Whisper White cardstock
    • Card layer measures 2 1/4" x 3 1/2"
  • Old Olive cardstock scraps
  • Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper
    • Card layer measures 5" x 3 3/4"
  • Easter Blossoms and Mixed Bunch stamp sets
  • Orchid Opulence and Rich Razzleberry inks
  • Blossom, Blossom Builder and 3/4" Circle punches
  • Birds & Blooms and Build-A-Beary Beary Girl (small flower center) Sizzlits dies
  • Basic Pearl Jewels
  • Dimensionals

Step it Up! Number Two
  • Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
    Blossom Step it Up! Number Two
Step it Up! Number Three
  • Card layer measurements changed slightly
    • Rich Razzleberry 2 3/4" x 4"
    • Old Olive 2 1/2" x 3 3/4" (dry emboss using Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder)
    • Orchid Opulence cardstock 2 1/2" x 3 3/4"
    • 
    • Whisper White (stamped layer) 2 1/4" x 3 1/2"
  • Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
Blossom Step it Up! Number Three - My Favorite

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Celebrating the day Mom WALKED with Jesus

Today is anniversary of the day my mother stepped out of her wheelchair and walked with Jesus. So often I wish she could hold me tight. Recently, I have needed her so much more.

To my mother - Fourteen years is a long time - I miss you!

THE HAT - Sunflowers mean so much to the sisters.  I am fortunate I have THE HAT!!

A little background about our mom. Shortly after the birth of her first child, she contracted Polio and was confined to her wheelchair until she danced with Jesus. She was and will always be the mother of eight children: Gail, David, Susan, Beth, John, Paul, Jim and Amy.

She cooked dinner every day, she cleaned house, washed clothes and bathed her children when they were little. She even drove a car. She taught me how to drive. There was nothing she couldn't do, but walk. She was an AMAZING woman and I failed as a child and as an adult because I didn't tell her often enough how much I appreciated the things she did for me. The last ten years of her life were filled with pain. The effects of Polio were too much for her to bear. Today, I wish I had her strength. MOM - I KNOW YOU ARE DANCING WITH JESUS, but I still miss you so.

Mom surrounded by her children and grandchildren - Her 70th Surprise Birthday Party.  You can tell by her tears, she felt loved.
This is how my siblings shared their own Memories with Mom on her 70th birthday.  I created a photo album with pictures from every sibling and their family.  I believe the following is what my mom cherished the most.  Included with the pictures were the following MEMORIES OF MOM.

MOM, I REMEMBER....

… Mom loved to lay in the sun. One day, John and Jim put her out in the sun and left. They forgot to come home to get her – well she did get quite a sunburn!

… When mom held my first newborn baby, I could see and feel the pride my Mom felt which in turn, made me feel proud.

… All of her hair colors

… I am creative because of my Mom. I remember the messes I used to make in the kitchen when I was “into” making candles. I remember one time I poured hot wax into a plastic container and the wax melted the container and wax spilled on the counter and down onto the floor. What a mess and this didn’t seem to bother her.

… One Christmas my Mom thought she was definitely going to receive a television for her bedroom – boy was she disappointed when it turned out to be a fish aquarium.

… Her putting Christmas cookies under her bed so no one would eat them. Funny, the cookies still seemed to disappear.

… Every night saying prayers and using her chair top as a diving board, at least three times.

… Our summer vacation in a houseboat – how she was so miserable and ill. But the vacation went on. Niagara Falls, Mammoth Cave, Mystery Trips and Cedar Point. Mom also sent us on short vacation trips with Grandma Lee – Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, Washington DC, Ohio State Fair to name a few.

… One early Saturday morning after fishing at Crystal Lake, I brought the fish home to show mom, she was asleep. I cleaned the fish and then took just the heads in to wake Mom up.

… Mom always seemed to get in the middle of a fight and taking the punches, especially on Easter.

… Her making hot chocolate on cold mornings before school.

… Grocery shopping. Always afraid we would not find out first grocery cart we set back because we needed a second cart. What a nightmare it would have been if we had to shop all over again.

… Shopping for school clothes. If Sue and I liked the same outfit – Sue always got it. I never got over that – she always liked Sue best.

… Avoiding Mom by going up the steps when she came down the elevator and going down the steps when she came back up, it worked for awhile.

… Picking off dead petunia flowers.

… Being at the hospital when Michael was born.

… First of all, I want my brothers and sisters to know that I was Mom’s favorite. She let me get away with so much, like the time I tore the tag off of my mattress and she didn’t turn me into the federal government. But when she did try to punish me, I would just run between the beds so she wouldn’t be able to catch me.

… Now that I have my own daughter, I finally realize that all the sacrifices she made for me and my brothers and sisters. They were all made so she could see a smile on our faces. Thank you Mom!

… Going to the hairdressers with her. We got to go through Sand Run Park and through the water.

… When Maggie and I took Mom to Luigi’s all she kept saying was, “I can’t believe you took me here!”

… Mom hated shoes laying around because her wheelchair couldn’t roll over them very well. She would throw them outside for us to retrieve.

… Seasons passes to Sea World. We knew that place very well that year.

… Mom with all my friends at the first and last party she let us have in high school. There must have been 14 guys around her at all times. They thought she was cool She was, she out lasted one half the boys in the game Pass Out.

… Holding the elevator gate open so she could not go up and down

… The dreaded grocery shopping – 3 hours. You did whatever you could to get out of it. I even would hide in the cabinets.

… Taking me back to the Gorge Park because I lost my favorite knitted scarf. She waited for me to walk the trail so that I could find it – and I did.

… When I was recovering from my tonsils being removed, I remember Mom going shopping and bringing me home Colorforms, my favorite game.

… In Sherwood Acres a trim on the kitchen cupboards would keep coming off because of her wheelchair. We would glue it on and the next week it would be off again. It was a never ending battle.

… Playing store in Mom’s pantry.

… Hearing Neil Diamond constantly and even worse – she cranked the sound up.

… Lumpy Cream of Wheat.

… Mom taught me how to drive. I remember her controlling the steering wheel which I pushed the pedals and visa versa.

… Getting stuck in the church elevator with Mom.

… Every Christmas morning was enchanting. The anticipation of seeing the gifts under the Christmas tree.

… She always made sure when I came home from college on weekends, that I had food and clean clothes to take back.

… Play Trivial Pursuit. She was very tough to beat.

… My mom co-signed (without hesitation) my first car loan.

… And Paul, just to correct you – I am her favorite!

… John mopping the floor and leaving an inch of water to soak. Mom used to hate that.

… The living room nobody was allowed to go in – except for Pluribus to do her “job”

… Mom attended all my school programs, she chauffeured me to Girl Scouts, girlfriend’s houses, church and countless other places. I remember the many orthodontist appointments where she sat patiently in the car for up to an hour every time.

… The houseboat trip where she kept a life preserver and a wrist raft on her at all times. She never got out of her pajamas the whole time.

… Going to the grocery store. Click’s for two hours almost every week. She couldn’t go up the aisle of food, we always went down. She said it was too confusing, so we had to back up and go down each aisle the same way.

… Caleb loves Mom so much he calls my house boring and Mom’s trailer fun. He wants to go and stay there all the time, she must spoil him; of course – she always favored boys.!

… When I was little I loved staying home from school because I was sick and laying in her bed watching TV while I got pampered.

… Contact papering her tray.

… Mom asking me to sleep with her in Sherwood Acres and she would turn and take up the whole bed and make me sleep across the bottom of the bed.

… Mom was always at home when we got home for school. No one was ever left alone in our house.

… The best; getting between the beds where she could not reach me and laughing. The worse getting caught with nowhere to go and having no choice but to hold the hands out for a slap.

… We had to go to as many county fairs as possible every summer.

… Painting baseboards in Sherwood Acres.

… Mom turning the stereos up to 10 in the whole house.

… How she took care of Sabby, Pluribus and Taffy. Always said excuse me to them she needed them to move.

… Mom hiding my clothes when I left them lying on the bedroom floor.

… How fast she could move, when she was after something. She was like a car speeding down the halls. You had to run or get out of the way.

… Mom’s junk drawer was a true junk drawer. You could find everything in it, but it was very messy.

… Shopping at O’Neil’s, the Georgian Restaurant and the special ice cream dessert. I remember driving all the way to the new Summit Mall, it seemed so far away! So was the Hartville Flea Market.

… Making cookies, coloring Easter eggs and how much fun she made it.

… Playing in the elevator.