I've Been Tagged . . .

Thanks to Michelle Devine and Amy O'Neil, I have been tagged . . .

IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
In the mountains in the middle of the pine trees.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING?
PJ's.

FAVORITE PHYSICAL FEATURE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
A broad chest and arms that enfold you.

WHAT'S THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?
Tim McGraw: Greatest Hits!

WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
At home or in the bath tub!

WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
Dentist office.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED?
Back and shoulders.

STRONG IN MIND OR STRONG IN BODY?
Both.

WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
As late as possible.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?
Electric juice maker.

WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY?
Being lied to, broken promises, or being taken advantage of.

IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Baby Grand piano.

FAVORITE COLOR?
Purple and sage green.

WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR OR SUV?
Love my SUV, but could be very happy in a 1968 Mustang convertible!

DO YOU BELIEVE IN AN AFTERLIFE?
Yes, absolutely.

FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
"Love you Forever, Love you for Always"

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Fall when the leaves are changing colors and the air is crisp.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE HOUSEHOLD CHORE?
Dusting, do you need to ask?

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
To heal all physical and emotional wounds.

IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO - WHAT IS IT AND WHERE IS IT?
Sorry, don't have one.

CAN YOU JUGGLE?
Nope.

THE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO?
My mom . . . I wish I had known our time together was going to be so short.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
Sunday.

WHAT'S IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR?
Flat tire, laminate floor rejects from the scrapbook store, a Quizno's cup, a tootsie pop, and a sunshade visor.

WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
Hamburger, but really love all other kinds of seafood.

WHO DO YOU TAG NEXT?
Jen and my sister Sue

Smelling the flowers . . .

Just thinking about when the kids were little and it was just the "5" of us. Mike stopped by the store tonight and it was good to see him. He's so busy . . . way busier than I am . . . and it's always good to catch up on what's going on with his life. I always enjoy when the kids call or stop by unexpectedly just to say hi! It doesn't seem that long ago that they were all living at home.

I miss the pitter patter of little feet. I miss having them come in and jump on the bed and wanting to sit and visit . . . or like Kim was saying tonight . . . the "giggle wrestles" we used to have. I miss not reading bedtime stories and singing good night songs and falling asleep on the bedroom floor in the middle of a make-up story. I miss Saturday morning's and waffle breakfasts. I miss not cooking dinner and having one of them hanging around the kitchen to help. I miss dirty baseball and football uniforms. I miss shopping sprees and finding those "I can't live without" bargains. I miss messy rooms and loads of laundry and packing lunches. I miss hugs and kisses and surprise birthday decorations in the bedroom. I miss chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and peanut butter rice cripsy treats. I miss coming home from work and finding the house miraculously cleaned. I miss the dandelion flower bouquets and the homemade cards. The list could go on and on, BUT most of all I miss hearing the traditional "See you in the morning, I love you, good night!"

Everyone will tell you they grow up too fast, but you really don't believe it until it happens to you . . . so take time to sit on the floor and build a tower out of blocks, or take a walk around the park, or attend a dance recital, or sit in the bleachers and watch the game, or stay up late until they come home from a date so they can tell you how much fun they had, or share their tears because things didn't turn out the way they had hoped.

One of my most favorite jobs is being a mom. And even though they grow up and move away, you are still the mom. It's "ok" to get a late night phone call wanting to know how to take care of a sick child, or just calling because they haven't talked to you for awhile. All of the mothering moments are priceless! I have such a wonderful relationship with each of my children . . . I can honestly say they are my best friends and that's one reason why "Life is Great in Mesa Arizona"!

Bits and Pieces

My son, Tom, called me last night about midnight to let me know his father-in-law had passed away. He was only 69, just a few months shy of his 70th birthday. My heart goes out to Tom and Rhonda and all of their family.

Today is my sister's birthday . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUE! I hope you had a wonderful day. She is just 13 months younger than I am.

I found a note, left by my grandaughter Kira, when they went back to Utah a couple of weeks ago. It said, I love you, Grandma! That definitely put a smile on my face and a hug in my heart.

I have finished the sample for the Daisy D's Mini Purse album. Pictures are posted on the Devine Memories website, or you can come into the store and see the real thing. The class is Thursday, September 30th.

The "All Night Pajama Party" on September 1st is completely booked . . . it is going to be a fun night. Michelle and I are excited to be working that crop. For those of you who didn't get a chance to sign up, you can still shop until 11:00 p.m. so stop by and see us!

If you haven't signed up for the CK Phoenix Convention being held September 14-16, remember to check out the classes being sponsored and taught by myself, Michelle, and Kim. Our classes still have some room and will be offered both on Thursday and Friday nights starting at 6:30 p.m. It's not too late to make a change or add on another class or two!

Don't forget to sign up for the Rusty Pickle class on Saturday, September 16th from 3-5 p.m. Lance, the "Pickle Man" himself will be teaching and I know a good time will be had by all. The class sample can be found on the DM website.

The screensaver on this computer has a scene of snow falling on a tranquil village . . . I am ready for some cooler weather! I can't wait to open the windows at night or sit in the house with the front door open. I miss not being outside and enjoying the sights and sound of nature.

Last, but not least, Shelie and I booked out airfare to Hawaii today! Before I know it, February will be here and I'll be headed for the beaches and cruise ship.

All in all, it's been a good day in Mesa, Arizona.

Isn't This Great?

So . . . today is the first Friday I have had off in months and I started to tackle my house which has been very much neglected for the past 10 months! To apppreciate the pictures, I need to go back in time and let you know where I am coming from.

Ten months ago I had BIG ideas to remodel my house. I even had someone come in and draw up plans, etc. I was going to extend my family room out into the back yard an additional 12 feet. The kitchen was going to be completely redone . . . flooring, cabinets, ceiling, sink . . . everything. The popcorn was going to come off the ceiling in the living room and white wooden shutters were going to adorn the big picture window. Carpet was going to magically turn into wood flooring and the front door and french doors in the family room were going to be replaced.

WHAT HAPPENED? We decided to open a SCRAPBOOK STORE!

You can guess what happened next, the dream house was put on hold, in fact my entire life was put on hold as we remodeled the store, turned over inventory, hired employees, and made our REAL DREAM come true! What an adventure this has been, but there is no doubt it my mind that it was the right decision.

Back to the opening comment . . . "Isn't This Great?" I was finally able to dust the shelves, clean off the kitchen counters, and make some order out of chaos. The scrapbook studio is jam packed with storage boxes, remmants of scrapbook supplies from my home business, and rows and rows of empty peg board. The sink in the kitchen is still "green". The flooring is still very old yellow linoleum. The kitchen cupboards still bear samples of the paint swatches. The couches are still the same. And the dust rag is evidence that there are other priorities in my life besides DUST.

But, this IS GREAT! I can live with a green sink, and with yellow floors, and with kitchen cupboards, and with dust bunnies as long as I wake up each day and have another chance to live life to the fullest. BUT, the scrapbook studio will become a reality and the couches have got to go. I am going shopping tomorrow and and won't come back until I find something new. Life is too short to worry about some of the insignificant things. What is important to me are the freedoms we enjoy, family, friends, my faith, and the joy that Devine Memories brings each day.

Now that I am good for another six months with the DUSTING THING, "Life is Definitely Great in Mesa Arizona!

Tribute to "'One L"

A VERY VERY SAD DAY for Devine Memories will happen this weekend! Michele, affectionately "One L", will be moving to Pittsburg with her dear husband and family as he starts his Dental School adventure. We know it is ONLY for the next "4" years. . . BUT, that doesn't make it any easier. We have deliberately put off saying goodbye. Here is how we really feel . . .

We don't want to SAY that you are going away;
We don't want to HEAR that you are going away; and
We don't want to SEE that you are going away!

We will miss you! Love and hugs to you from us,
Michelle, Sandy, Jen and the entire Devine Memories family!

Izak Sleeping

Izak Wearing Headphones

Grandma Sandy, Jenna, and Kira

Jake and Kira

Jaden Tying Balloon

The Utah grandkids went home today which means that summer vacation is officially over . . . BUMMER! We've had a lot of fun these past several days . . . laughed alot . . . played alot . . . swam alot . . . slept (some of us more than others) . . . and even cried alot when it was time to say goodbye! Family is a wonderful thing and brings so much joy and passion to my life. I hope you enjoy these pictures and can feel the love and excitement and FUN that we have experienced together. Even though a special part of me lives so FAR away, I can truly say that "Life is Great in Mesa Arizona".

Kira and Jenna
Jax on Water Slide
Hannah Water Sliding
Luke, Tanner, and McKay
Marlee

It's either "late night" or "early morning"!

Just taking a few minutes to unwind from the late night crop . . . order some product . . . and enjoy the quiet. We had a great time yesterday afternoon at the Rain Forest Cafe. The grandkids love that place and it has become somewhat of a tradition when the Utah cousins come to town. We took some fun pictures, one of which will be posted when I get it downloaded from Jen's camera. It is in honor of our dear friend "One L" and our sorrow with her moving to Pittsburg for the next four years.

When I came home tonight from working the late night Crop, I found little boys bouncing all over the place. It was after midnight but they said they weren't sleepy . . . so, I took a few minutes to catch up on their day, did some cleaning up in the kitchen, and to my surprise they had crashed out on the couches and floor and were dead to the world! There is nothing sweeter than to see them sleeping and looking so innocent. I love them SOOOO much!

I best be off to bed . . . have a busy day tomorrow . . . classes at the store with Gina Lovato, trip to Best Buy for a new computer (my son-in-law is helping me go wireless at home), work on class projects, spend time with the kids, and scrap at the store tomorrow night with Jen and Shell. Before we know it, Jen and family will be going home and we will wonder where the time went. We are planning a water slide party at my house on Monday . . should be fun! I don't like it when they leave and wish they lived just a few short minutes away.

Asta . . . take care, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite!

Grandkids!

There is a lot of activity at my house . . . Jen and Tom and family (the Erekson's) arrived late Monday night from Utah for summer vacation in Arizona. The cousins from Utah and the cousins in Arizona couldn't wait to see each other. In fact, they have all been hanging out at my house and having a great time! There is constant computering, swimming, eating, playing, and laughing . . . what a wonderful sound. We had fun this afternoon taking pictures. Jenna was the best photographer of all and she is only "4"! You can see that life is in constant motion at my house right now. We'll be off to the Rain Forest Cafe tomorrow for lunch and whatever excitement the day brings. I think you will agree that "Life is Again Great in Mesa Arizona"!