More September Reveals for Scraplovers!

Just under the wire, I might add!!!! More with the wonderful Hometown collection from October Afternoon. I just love these papers! So much fun! I also used colored cardstock from Die Cuts with a View. I really love its white core! So much fun to distress! :)

We have visitors....

Visitors of the smelly kind! We knew we had skunks... we have smelled it every now and then, but we just assumed the critter responsible for destroying the trash on occasion was a raccoon! But my dh found this little guy in the trash this morning! The critter was scared to death and raised his tail to spray my dh, but didn't! So he called me outside so I could take some pics... this was with camera dangling over the trash can just praying that I had it centered! LOL!!!

Happy Birhday to me! (and some projects!)

First off, I want to thank the Coconut Scrapshop for having me on as a GDT this month! I just received the wonderful kit featuring Mollie and Mac papers created by Tabitha Jones, and created this page last night!



I also created some projects with the Homestown line from October Afternoon for Scraplovers!







I also used a stamp set from Inque Boutique for the mini album! You can see the full album in the Scraplovers gallery!

And, yes, I am 34 today.

7 years.

Can you believe it's been that long since that awful event? I can't. But this is the first year that I have actually felt OK on this day. The pain of those memories is now just a fabric of my being, not something I play out all over again as in years past. Does this mean I'm healing? I hope so. Does this mean I will forget? Never.

I hope you all are doing OK today as well.

I am in so much trouble!

That's right... our Whole Foods Market just opened on September 3rd. It is AMAZING! I went yesterday AND today. I'm such a dork! The reason I went today was to buy a beautiful orchid for $12.99. I told my dh about these, and he asked me why I didn't buy one! I also bought a case of organic lemonade for less than $12!

The reason why I'm in so much trouble? It's literally right on my way home from work. They even have a wine bar inside! LOL!!! So, when my coworkers asked me where they could take me for my birthday next week, this is where I chose! (tee hee!) I can't wait!

It's official...

I am the mother of a first grader! I took this photo over the weekend. I am having the most difficult time with lighting these days. In my old house, I knew where all the sweet spots were and the best times of day to get them, but I'm going to have to figure that out all over again!

I'm so sad.

One of my favorite patients died on Saturday.

In my line of work and working in a nursing home, death often becomes simply another part of life, and at times, a blessed end to pain and suffering. In fact, it is not uncommon for rehab professionals to be among the ones patients choose to tell that they are ready to leave this earth, and for us to advocate for them to let their desires be known and discussed with the rest of the medical team and their family. It's just a part of helping them maintain as much dignity as possible in their final stages of life.

But this particular patient... this one I was not expecting. I saw her on Thursday, and I literally gasped when I entered the room. She looked terrible. And she knew something was gravely wrong. A quick discussion with nursing sparked a call to her doctor, and she was off to the hospital. She passed away on Saturday.

She was one of the first patients I had ever worked with at the home. She had not walked for a while, and I found a way for her to comfortably and confidently do so with assistance, and that was her main exercise for the 5 years I have worked there. She had pain that kept her up at night. I provided the modalities to relieve her neuropathy. I always made a point of speaking to her every time I saw her in passing, and I considered her one of my many friends at the home. I only wish I had the chance to say goodbye.

I will miss her terribly.