Card Swappin’

I’ve been doing some card making. Haven’t scrapped a lick… but made these cards.

The cards that I’ve been getting from my fellow swappers have been seriously FABULOUS. Awesome and amazing.

I’m hoping mine get better with time.

Maybe it’ll get me to start scrapping again too. We’ll see.

Not-so-traditional

Today (June 8th) is my Mom’s birthday… or would’ve been my Mom’s birthday. Um, how do you say that after a person has died?

Well, anyway… for Mom’s birthday weekend I decided to go somewhere I’ve never been before.

Marti came with me for some supportive hand-holding and to make sure I didn’t pass out. I left this place with one of these:

Yeah, a tattoo. A white ink tattoo so that it doesn’t scream out at people while at work or other professional gatherings. Plus – it’s truly just for me, so as long as I know it’s there then I’m happy. They tried to talk me out of getting it done in white ink – but it’s exactly what I was looking for.

My Dad gave Mom a gold ankh charm for their wedding day. It’s the one thing I remember her wearing the most while I was growing up. I thought it was fitting for me to have this symbol of “everlasting life” on my wrist reminding me of her…the woman who gave me life. It’s on my left wrist – Mom & I were the only two lefties in the family.

The pink “glow” from the tattoo is my super-sensitive and still healing skin. And yeah, it hurt like a mother-trucker. Mom got a tattoo when she turned 50 – I couldn’t believe it and tried to scrape it off of her shoulder. She said, “It’s not coming off, Jen.”

For the record, I didn’t pass out…. I may have had to put my head between my knees for a second or two, but I did not pass out.

On Sunday, me & my sisters went to the cemetery to bring Mom some flowers and visit for a while. Great plan – my little one even came with me. But there was one little problem… we forgot the flowers.

We thought for sure we’d see a place once we got off the interstate, but we forgot that the cemetery is in the middle of the COUNTRY and there was nary a florist nor a grocery store to be seen.

(Yeah, I said ‘nary’ – what of it?)

Knowing our Mom as well as we do… I mean, this is the woman who would pick flowers and plants from other peoples’ lawns without batting an eyelash.  And somehow when I got my own place, I was given a full set of steak knives from that well-known Australian steakhouse and lots and lots of sweet-n-low packets.

We saw some pretty flowers on the side of the road and brought those to her. I think she would have liked them.

Happy Birthday Mom.

Summer Plans?

The school year is over already. They end early up here… and it sneaks up on a Mom! We’re already on summer break and I still have NO IDEA what the kids are going to be doing while Chris and I are at work each day.

We should probably figure that out soon, huh? We were always shipped off to New York for the summer… now I know why! Summer Camp is expensive & fills up fast!

A few years ago I mentioned to my Mom about the possibility of watching my kids over the summer… like her Mom did for her when we were kids. Her exact response was, “That was a different generation; we’re not going to do that.”

Geez. It’s so hard to find good help these days.

Not cut out for being a tortured artist.

I scrapped this weekend… and geez, had it been a while! Maybe I scrapped because I was less stressed? Well, a teeny-bit less stressed, anyway.. let’s not get crazy and think that I could be completely stress-free.

We found out that the boy does NOT have to go to summer school as feared. He passed the state standardized tests (that I despise but will try to stay off of my soapbox for the moment) and will be heading to Middle School in the fall with no worries that he has to retake the damn thing. Hallelujah!

Maybe that teensy bit of stress off my shoulders let me be a little more creative this weekend?

This was fun. I don’t think that I’m the tortured artist type… how could you possibly be a tortured artist while cutting out little squirrels and owls?

To see my stuff – go here: http://serendipitykitsdtblog.typepad.com/serendipity_kits_dt_blog/

So Inspiring…

On the way home the other day, I noticed a man jogging down the street with his dog.

I thought to myself, ”Look at him running with such ease. He’s hardly breaking a sweat. Gee, he looks so healthy jogging like that. He looks happy, tanned, well-rested.  Wow!  I wonder if that’s all from jogging? He probably eats healthy too. Gosh, he looks good.”  

I’m always thinking about becoming healthier… and maybe throwing some exercise in there too. (even though I hate it)

Hmmm… it made me wonder.

Do you think he could run with my dog?

Green-Eyed Lady

I love the Statue of Liberty.

Like… LOVE her…

..since I was a little girl.

During my summers in New York, this was the one “touristy” spot my grandparents would bring me & my sister upon request. (and lots of begging)

Maybe because our family is made up of a melting pot of nationalities – many who probably saw this amazing sight when they arrived to this country. (or maybe because it kept us quiet for a while… who knows?)

I just adore her. I took SO MANY pictures of her during our trip. I can’t find a favorite! (she knows exactly how to smile with her eyes like Tyra says) She looks fantastic in every one of them.

However… I draw the line at this:

I don’t think the spirit of the statue is about:

The huddled masses yearning to breathe free and take photos for a donation with people standing on stools dressed up as Lady Liberty wearing sunglasses.

Vacation: By the Numbers

near herald square

• 28 hours driven up & back
• three hotels (and only one decent one)
• five boroughs visited (or driven through)
• four bridges crossed
• 441 photos taken by me (not counting the photos the kids took)
• two New York pizzas (okay, one was technically in New Jersey, but we’re counting it anyway)
• 150+ blocks walked & walked & walked
• 45 degrees – the average temperature for the week!
• 2 ferry rides
• three uncles, one aunt, one grandfather, three cousins and their lovely other halves, plus two little ones
• two sisters missed
• 4 teary-eyed moments
• five seven Starbucks visits
• 1,000 times explaining to the boy that the Hudson is a river and not the ocean
• 1 whale in the NY Harbor (which didn’t help the argument above)
• 1 amazing Broadway Show

And countless other memories.

top of the rock

Dear Mom

Today we drove about 20 minutes north to a place where you can see the Blue Ridge Mountains and a lovely river. The sun was shining (finally) and the sky was blue. I don’t remember seeing any clouds.  It was an amazingly beautiful day – so completely opposite of the past few days.

I drove with Dad in the front seat and Jamie and Jillian in back. Dad was pointing his directions to me (even though I live here and he doesn’t – don’t worry, I didn’t argue with him, I took lots of deep breaths).

We found ourselves on a very winding road that went over the river and gave us lovely views. We drove until we saw our last name on a sign that told us we needed to be in  Lane Number Two. As we waited for someone to take us to the assigned place, the cars in Lane Number One kept adding up.

Our lane was empty except for us – but that’s okay, its how we wanted it.  Our host’s name was Caroline and she was very sweet. She drives a long way each day to get to work, but says that she loves her job.

When we got to the pavilion there were flowers everywhere… but they were there by mistake. We waited while some other guy picked them up (clumsily) and brought them to his van. He had to make a few trips.

Dad laid everything out on a stand (covered with indoor/outdoor carpet) which was standing underneath the seals of each of the armed forces. He put your urn on top of the latest issue of People magazine, just like he did a year ago. We put pictures around you – of all of us together – all the kids, a small Statue of Liberty (we both love the same statue, you know), a copy of the poem that was read at your memorial, trinkets you had with you at the hospital, and pennies that Dad has collected for a year – each one a sign from you to him.  It was a lot of stuff! It reminded me of Dad’s computer desk… lots of trinkets and things around, but I guess you’re used to that.

Dad had me take pictures of this little set-up. I wouldn’t have done it if he didn’t ask me to. I felt a little strange, but I guess that’s okay. Jamie took some close-up shots. She started crying and Caroline asked her if she was the middle child. How did she know?

Jillian kept it cool – like she always does – and I stayed pretty detached, more concerned with how Jamie and Jillian were doing. Dad said a few words – which made us feel awkward – okay, it made me feel awkward for sure, I don’t know about them… but, you know how he is.

It was cold in the shade and Jamie was shivering. (she didn’t bring a sweater) We sat for a few minutes and then Caroline came back. She explained what was going to happen next.

We picked up your urn, the pictures, and all the other little things and walked over to the cambriolas (I think that’s what they’re called). We found your spot (on the top) and put the stuff and you in there. I’m not sure there’s going to be enough room for Dad, but we’ll figure that out later.

Dad told me to take another picture – so I did… then two guys put the temporary marble covering over your place. There’s a plastic tag there now with your name on it, but soon it will be engraved.  Caroline said it would take six weeks.

We said good-bye to you again and that sucked. We read a lot of the other peoples’ cambriola plackards – some were very creative – and we decided what yours was going to say. I think you’d be happy with it.

We drove back into town and went to lunch at Moe’s. Jamie, Jillian and I went to Moe’s on the anniversary of the day you died. Weird tradition, huh? Death and burritos. (but we like the burritos & the green chili salsa)

Being together is good, but sad. There’s a huge piece missing each time - more noticeable when Dad is around.

We miss you. 

I miss you.

I’m sorry there weren’t any flowers for you. We didn’t know what to expect. I will bring some daisies for you next time, I promise.

Love,

jen

Oh crap, I missed Earth Hour.

I completely  forgot that we were supposed to be all “green” and everything tonight by turning off the electricity at 8:30 for one whole hour. Maybe it’s because I was not sure how I would spend that hour. No TV? No internet? No lights? How could I possibly make it through sixty minutes without the internet?

It wasn’t only me that forgot… I’m pretty sure all my neighbors forgot too. Although I’m not sure, I couldn’t see them over the glare of all my indoor lights being used.

Instead of conserving energy today - I made some cards from the awesome kit at Serendipity Kits:

I also did some scrap pages – and goodness, it’s been a while!

Here’s my daughter and niece. They’re just too cute.

And here’s The Fly Whisperer. This girl can catch flies in her fingers. It’s amusing, yet creepy…

Well, there you have it… I didn’t conserve much energy, but I have some pretty stuff to show for it.

Here and There

It’s been pretty eventful around here lately…

We had some of this:

… which was awesome, by the way. From what I hear from those people who live above the Mason Dixon, snow that lasts longer than a day can be sorta bad and quite uncomfortable. Our snow was melted (mostly) before we went to bed that night.

I went here:

And discovered my new favorite building (The Library of Congress):

I never knew how incomplete my life was without having a favorite building… but, now I feel much better knowing that it’s there. Man, it’s beautiful.

I also did some scrappy stuff:

These are for the kids to journal in when we go to NY in a few weeks. Or ignore them and toss them under the seats in the car. Whatever.

I know, crappy photo… I’ve been having this problem lately. This was for a J(3) challenge… I did one, Jen did one, and Julie did 753. Guess who won?

Between those things I’ve been reading a lot of books (yeah, still vampires) or networking and reconnecting (taking care of my virtual pet) on Facebook.

Exciting, I know.