Sad Sad Day...

Everyone has a car or truck that they really, really love.

Not because it's fancy or super cool.

But because it has a story. A memory. A legacy.

This truck is my Dad's fishin' truck. Nothing fancy or high tech here.

Windows that required elbow grease.

A radio with AM and FM stations. No power nothing. Just for fishin'.

I have loved driving this funky little truck for almost 10 years.

It embarrassed my kids. Not a very groovy ride.

It only had room for two. No party time here.

But, it was paid for and the insurance was low.

It was great for moving and hauling and taking all my extra stuff to Goodwill.

Sadly, my little truck will be towed away today after a small accident.

Yes, my little truck is a total loss.

It belonged to my Dad and I knew I was lucky to get to drive it.

It wasn't fancy. It didn't go very fast. And it was sweetly goofy looking.

My Dad passed away in May of 2002.

I bought his fishin' truck from my Mom.

Mid-forties and I was buying my very first vehicle all by myself.

No husband. No co-signer. I was a grown up.

I'll never be able to replace the "golden chariot".

It's been the best little truck a girl could have.

I'll miss it so, so much.

Rest in Peace Daddy. And thanks for keeping me and the kids safe.

No pride!

Remember my little alphabet??
Well, here's is the "P" for no Pride!

What a funny/dorky photo.
I love it!

*Q* is for quick! I used to be be quicker than I am now.

*R* is for rest! I need more now than is used to.
Could be related to that quick thing!

*S* is for sunshine! Love it!! Can't live without it.
I'm sure that's why the heat in Arizona is ok.
For me.
I need that Blue Sky and Sunny Yellow brightness
every day to feel alive and energized.

*T* is for 'Truly-Madly-Deeply". When it comes to love, what else is there?

That's it for today but....
Tomorrow I'll shout Hallelujiah! This alphabet will be over over!!

More A B C's

K - Kindness. "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted". Aesop
Be nice is the best advice I ever gave my kids. Still good advice dont'cha think?

L - Laughter. The universal language. I do love to laugh!
Noah in my Mom's old wooden skates! Made me laugh! (and grab my camera!)

M - Monsoon! I adore the smell of the desert and raindrops all mixed together.
It's such an Arizona experience.

N - Networking. In life and business it's good to make new friends.
If you're a "business person" or just enjoy socializing networking
is a wonderful way to meet a lot of new people. You should give it a go!

O - *Oh* *Oh* *Oh* I have so much to accomplish before the
Close To My Heart Convention!! I'm off to cut and glue and create!

Happy Fourth of July!

I love that the Boy Scouts of America post an American Flag at my house for every holiday. My donation every year to those boys is so worth it!
I am the proud mother of an Eagle Scout!
Let me tell you that is a big deal. Scouting is such an American tradition.
I'm grateful to have those memories with my son.

Here's a quick card we made at my "Crazy for Cards" workshop last month.
I think it turned out just fine.
Everyone enjoyed learning how to make a "pinwheel" embellishment.
Cute and Easy.

And adorable Noah keeping cool. A true Arizona boy!

Have a lovely 4th of July and remember those who have fought
and those who are still fighting to keep this nation free to celebrate!
God Bless America!

A B C's cont......

And now to continue.....

E - is for energetic!
Like my friend Terri R. She was in town and we had a wonderful time! If you know me you might think I have a lot of Energy. I do. However Terri does as well. We both talk fast, move fast and laugh way too loud. That's why why we're friends!

F - is for Friends.
Humming that old Bette Midler song.
*Oh ya got to have Friends, the feeling oh so strong*
I always enjoy a good Bette song. Get's you up and moving.

G - is for Grandma!
My new favorite thing in the world.
Noah is rocking my fluffy blue slippers. How funny.
He is the sweetest. I love being a *G*

H - Happy.
(or on some days Hapless) Hhahaha.

I - Ideas. Too many.
The story of a creative life.
I'm off to make "napkin flowers" for my "Crazy for Cards"
gathering on Tuesday!

J- Just in case you need and Idea of your own be sure to
check out a few of my favorite blogs.

Fancy Melissa (love her)

Jeanette Lynton (amazing)

Lisa's Creative Corner ( I heart her too)

Don't forget to order your FREE J-peg of a Studio *J* layout this month.
Click on the studio *J* image in the side bar and get started!!

See you next time!

The A B C's of ME!

It's been another busy month here at the homestead, We come, we go, we sleep, we eat. You know..just like YOU!
So I decided to have some fun and share a little project.

Let's do the ABC's of Denise!

A - is for Art! Well, duh?? I do love Close to my heART.
B - is for Busy. Again I'll bet you understand the "B" word.
C - is for my Cute kitty. She is a Crack up.
(Don't get technical. We're just having fun!)
D - is for Distracted.

Which leads me to share how proud I am of my Tara! She graduated from ASU in May (busy-distracted) and is leaving for Japan to teach English in August.

And that's the quick update! Tune in again in a few days and I'll be adding to the alphabet of my life!

Until then, Happy Stamping!!!

Hey! It's a great month to try out Studio J!!

EVERYONE get's a FREE J peg file.

So get online. Create a layout using Studio J.

Post it on your blog or facebook page.

Send it as an email...whatever makes ya happy!

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There she is....

Congratulations! to my darling friend Shannon Rozas (with her equally darling husband Darryn) on becoming the *Mom-Entrepreneur* of the Year! WooHOO!!
I met Shannon while networking last year and I was happy to be at this event to cheer for her.

Here she is with supportive business partners. I totally can't remember their names, but you can tell they are happy to be friends with Shannon and share this honor!

Here's some fun after the announcement.

Last years Mom Entrepreneur, Karen Nowiki places the giant crown on her head.

Not the best photo, but everyone on the stage are fabulous examples of women who followed their dreams and passions and are great Mom's at the same time.

My friends, Brenda - a former Close To My Heart consultant,
now an organizing guru and Angela - my Taxanista, so glad to have met
and even better to be friends with!
Women who do it all.
Networking has been such a great way to meet many, many new friends.
If you have a business and your looking for a way to "get out there" you should check out the mom-e clubs. Or any number of amazing networking groups that help you make connections.

Who knows? YOU might be the next Mom Entrepreneur.

More than a kitty

My Mother, Eloise has been a widow since 2002. Losing my Dad was awful. They were both retired, healthy, happy and enjoyed traveling.
The time of life we all look forward to.
It was more than sad.

But, my Mom had her kitties. She talked to them.
She loved on them and she had companionship.
Then they kitties got old, really really old and it was even harder to let them go.

My mom is a true animal lover. I grew with dogs, cats, hamsters, birds.
Even a monkey!
(There's a great story of how my Mom taught me a lesson in "be careful what you wish for". That monkey threw poop at me!! It was disgusting!) Nonetheless....

Today I'd like to introduce you to Peek-a-Boo! My mom has a new kitty and she is more than thrilled. So life is a new normal, but normal for my family always includes pets!

We think she's super *Purr-dy* wink wink.

Christmas Fun 2010

Merry Christmas from our kitchen to yours! Jeff is feeling much better (surgery on his shoulder) and he loves his new socks that they gave him for FREE at the hospital! On Christmas Day he was a good helper to me.

We had a holiday filled with food, family and fun.

We wish you a wonderful 2011.