Hello,
It's been almost a whole year since my last blog..... I have been very busy, to say the least.  I have been working on myself mainly (learning how to not stress and not let it get me down if I do - how to take care of me - eating better - exercising more - joined a food co-op to get fresh fruits and veggies (BountifulBaskets.org - they all over the USA - so you can join too) and I feel great!  Jesus brings joyinmyday!  My husband brings joyinmyday!  My children (and spouses) bring joyinmyday!  My grandchildren REALLY DO bring joyinmyday (they are the best little people in the world).  I'm posting some cards I have been making and I'm gearing up for a big time this summer.  I'm planning a couple of short trips to visit relatives and meet up with 'kids' at a bike race pretty soon.  This past week we were without electricity in the house and we enjoyed candlelight at night and opened the windows during the day - it wasn't the hardship that one might think - a lot of good came from it - it is kind of humbling and brought me to a place of thankfulness for sure.  We had an extension cord from the garage to the refrigerator (very important piece of equipment...hahaha) in the kitchen.  It worked out is all I can say about that.  My crafting came to a screeching halt as it is at the back of the house where the door had to be open and yes, the wind blew and the sand came in so I had everything covered up - it was a temporary 'inconvenience' ... LOL.  Very hard to just look at some of the new stamps and dies I had purchased on ebay.  Boy, am I anxious to get down to business now.  So many ideas going on in my head - just gotta get them into action.  Here's a few of my creations - some were inspired by some very talented folks on youtube and shopping sites.  I appreciate everyone who shares their talents and expertise.  This is a great site I would like to share with you; www.flourishes.org I am in awe at all the beautiful things I see and all the work that goes into it.  I can only hope that my work would inspire another and how blessed I am for the encouragement I receive from my precious family and friends.  I have found such peace and contentment in being able to have a creative outlet.   I always covet your prayers and encouragement and appreciate comments and constructive critiques.  I'm going to TRY to get some of my 2012 and 2013 endeavors posted tonight.....here goes.......  Bear with me - one of my goals is to figure out how to get these into a slide show.  I have another heart shaped box and album to post really soon - as soon as I can do a video.  I had to get a new computer - lost everything that was on it, so it has been 'starting over' on a lot of things around here.  I'm almost there.....whew!  I'm on the 'short rows' as my husband says...lol
Sending love and hugs, peace and grace,

Linda

Heart Attack (shockeroo)

Hello all,
I don't know where to start or what to say - here goes....
On March 30, I had a heart attack and had to be hospitalized.  I had 99% blockage (blood clot) in one of my arteries and had angioplasty and a stent on April 1.  I am still trying to 'digest' just what happened and what this means to my life, my family and especially my husband.  It is a lot to take in all of a sudden and I am having a little trouble with my feelings.  The doctor says I still have another artery 80% blocked and another one 50% blocked - he did say we may not have to do anything about them, at least, not right now.  I'm a little concerned about that, but accept that I need to just focus on getting well for now.  I'm going to cardiac rehab 3x a week and on my first 4 workouts I rode the bike 4+ miles and almost 5 miles today (it's a 20 minute ride); I walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes and it is a little harder and also since it is right after the bike ride, I'm not able to make it a mile yet.  I'm still very short on breath all the time.  I know it will all get better and I need not worry about the numbers.  I grateful for what I can do - I'm able to take care of myself, baths, meals and I can drive.  Lots to be thankful for and I give God all the glory, honor and praise for his healing power and for the strength he gives so generously.  Just keep me in your prayers for now.  I appreciate just being here so much.
Love to all,
Linda

Snowflake Mini with matching box

Here I am again, finally getting to post again.  Since my last post, I have been to Idaho to see youngest daughter, her husband and her precious children.  It was a joy to be with all of them.  Their oldest had her 5th birthday and a ski party with friends while I babysat the littlest angel.  Dave says Syd comes down the ski slope like a little butterfly just floating along waving her arms - I've only seen her on video and she is really good at it (uses no poles yet - has been skiing since she was about 2).  I was busy the whole time and enjoyed every minute.  I was happy to get back to my home, husband and routine, but I sure do miss the babies.   My husband didn't want to go to Idaho this time; partly because he hates the cold.  And, actually we have had more snow here this year than they have had up there...LOL   He also got the shingles a couple of days after I left, so our oldest had to look in on him a little more often than planned.  He has completely recovered now and got the shingles vaccine (as did I) so he shouldn't get the neuralgia that follows after having had the shingles.  We were glad to find out about that.   We also recently celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary.  Our daughter that lives here and her two daughters took us out to dinner and then had a BEAUTIFUL huge (delicious) cake and a huge bouquet of fruit (Edible Arrangement).  We received cards and drawings and phone calls wishing us well.  All was oh so nice.  We really enjoyed it. (I will try to post photos later.) We are grateful we both made it to the 45 year mark - it hasn't been an easy journey, and mostly it has been a true adventure.  The daughter and granddaughters that live here in town are also such a joy and blessing to us.  We see them every week, at least, and get to watch them learning and growing - hard to believe they are 15 and 7-1/2 now.  We get to pick them up from school occasionally and have dinner on Friday ever so often and go to the YMCA and have fun with them.  I go to the same church as they do, so there are many things we can do together.  They keep us young - for sure.  They are both involved in school activities and invite us - they are both very smart and absolutely beautiful (as are all of our granddaughters).  The oldest granddaughter just went to the midnight preview of a newly released movie "The Hunger Games" - I think I've only been to one midnight preview in my entire life....lol   I think her whole English class went.  It seems kids get to do more than when I was 15 for sure.  It's probably a good thing for them in some ways.  We are truly blessed though and we do not take any of it for granted.   I am a "Silver Sneakers" member at the YMCA and started trying to feed my body better (read the book "Women, Food and God" - I think it is a clue as to my obsession with food and hopefully I will be able to put it into action (it may just be the answer to my delimma(sp.?) of my pants and other clothes shrinking).  I'll let you know in about a year if it worked.  Mini Album: I also just finished another mini album and box (snowflake theme).  Video is posted here for you to critique.  I sure did enjoy making this one.  It will be in a charity auction next month in Idaho (oh, my, it is almost next month already - just another week in March).   Notes of special interest:  I wanted to share sad news as of today a long time friend, Betty Isaacs, went home to be with Jesus.  She was a faithful servant teaching and blessing others in her ministry.  God blessed her with a gift and she truly was a blessing to me; helping me many times over the past 20 years through prayer and counsel and wonderful bible studies.   She and her husband were a positive influence to our community.  She will be missed by many.  I love her.  I am blessed beyond measure to call her my friend.  We are coming upon the anniversary of the loss of another beloved friend, Herman.  He is still missed by so many of us.  We pray for strength and courage for his widow and extended family and also for the husband and family of Betty Isaacs.
Much love and blessings to all who take an interest in ready my posts.  I am blessed by you.
Thank you, Linda

Western Theme Mini Album (joyinmyday by Linda)

ANTIQUE WHITE MINI ALBUM and box (joyinmyday by Linda)

FIRST MINI ALBUM MATERIALS USED

(First Mini Album and Box)
Shaped Chipboard Album: Basic Grey
Papers: Pink Paislee (Butterfly Garden); K&Co.,
and DCWV Textured Cardstock
Paint on box and first page of album: acrylic craft
paint and waterbase satin varnish
Embellishments: Prima flowers and rinestones;
Recollections flowers, rinestones, brads &
pearls;Tim Holtz fragments; Crafty Secrets
paper art; craft buttons from Hobby Lobby
Punches: Fiskars, Martha Stewart, EK Success,
K&Co. Grand adhesions stickers and
die cuts
Stamps: Serendipity (feather & poem) & Amy
Butler’s Lotus floral stamp set (leaves
and large butterfly), bird cage by
Stampabilities
Ribbon: Michael’s and Hobby Lobby
Cricuit cutter and Spellbinder’s die cuts
Glue: Modge Podge and Glossy Accents, Beacon’s
3-in-craft glue and a hot glue gun
Shimmery mist (recipe on Youtube)MATERIALS USED

Shell mini 3x3" album

These little things are so much fun to create - made from only one sheet of 12x12" cardstock, they are quick to score and fold and then very easy to embellish - it doesn't take much to making it look like a 'giant' of a gift.  The tags are optional, but they compliment the book and add a convenient place to journal.  It is a bound book and the cover is made from chipboard. I got the photos out of order again too; at least I'm consistent....lol.  Enjoy!
Love and blessings,
Linda (with joyinmyday)