Breeder's Cup 2010

We went to the Breeder's Cup this year. The big attraction was Zenyatta. Unbeated in all of her 19 career starts. AMAZING! These are the best pictures I was able to get. She lost for the first time in her career to a horse named Blame, by a nose. Sadly in the next stride she beat him.
In this picture she is the number 8 horse (third from the front). Click on the picture to see it better. She came from dead last to almost win. It was seriously the kind of race you see in the movies, except without the happy ending.

Dog day at the Pool Closing

The city pools let people bring their dogs in to play in the pool when they are ready to close for the winter. This was Rocks' first time swimming with other dogs around. This poor Golden Retriever all she wanted to do was get her tennis balls and Rocks kept trying to jump on her in the water. She was a good sport and so was her owner.

He went out in the deep end to swim after her a couple of times. The first time he realized that he was in really deep water was kinda funny.

Bookmark Agape

In July my friends and I got together to do some crafting. We made a lot of agape (bookmarks) for a recent Emmaus retreat group. Basically you shower the retreaters with "agape" or love, and it can be done in many different ways (food, etc) not just making bookmarks :). I somehow don't have a picture of the end result but we made about 100 bookmarks and laminated them all.



I hope we'll be able to get together again soon to make some more agape! The Emmaus walk is a spiritual retreat that I would highly recommend. They have them all across the country as well.

Craft Room Organizing

I bought these daisies at a craft fair in Omaha a few years back, then I was disappointed I didn't get more. I went back the next year and the booth was there again! I bought a couple more. I haven't decided what to do with the other two because one is smaller so it wouldn't quite make a perfect pair. I used to have these two holding up a curtain in my old craft room in Omaha.
I was considering getting a towel rack for this purpose. But FINALLY got this idea. I could actually use another bar for more punches. I do like having them right there in front of me at my work area.

ICE STORM 2009

On Monday night we got 2-3 inches of snow. It started raining on Tuesday during the day and most of the night there was freezing rain. We could hear tree branches breaking and crashing to the ground before we went to bed, and knew it would be bad by morning. We woke up Wednesday to almost an inch of ice on everything. By 10 am it started snowing again and we got another 1-2 inches of snow.
This tree fell while Rick was walking the dog, he was standing on the back patio when it came down. He's upset about that one- it was a good shade tree.








These trees are not nearly as bad as many that you could see throughout Louisville. Many look like weeping willows. The power is out at my work because of downed trees and power lines. There are 6-12 inch icicles on power lines.

It was sad to hear all the trees crashing all morning long. There has been no thawing. So everything is still in a frozen state. I tried to knock some ice or snow off a cedar tree bent over in the yard today and all it did was snap off the green 'needles'.








It's hard to see but there are actually 2 cedar trees that snapped in this photo. We lost about 4 trees in our yard but driving around you see trees on cars, on houses, and roads.
They said 125,000 people in Louisville are without power and it could take a week to get it all back on.
We were lucky again to not lose power, it flickered a few times but never went out.
The temps won't get above freezing for a few days.

Vintage Aprons on AngryChicken

I have been quietly, secretly obsessing over vintage aprons for some time now. I purchased the new Stampin' Up! Momento Mall apron and was thrilled about it. Then for Christmas my brother and his fiance got me an apron. They also got one for my brother Sylvestre, as well. My brother is making a funny face in this picture, we threw them on quickly for the picture. We were making Christmas dinner. I used the apron alot that weekend too.
Then we made a carrot cake and we decided to make an impromptu apron for my niece. I had some cute fabric and simply cut it out in the shape of an apron. No sewing and tied it on. It worked perfect. I washed it and will finish sewing the edges so she can have her apron. We made the cake with our aprons on but never took a picture of it with our aprons on - oh well - no biggie.
But here's the cake. Those are marzipan carrots and cream cheese frosting. It was delicious!










So I found this website. Angry Chicken, Tie One On- All things aprony.

I have to go now and spend some time on it. The Rhode Island Red chicken caught my eye. I want to live on a farm and have chickens again and farm fresh eggs. Someday...

Biking Colorado's Wine Country

This is not too far from where I grew up (within a couple hours). I love the way its written. It just makes me want to go there and eat and drink wine- and I'm not that big of a wine drinker!


"The cool mountain air warmed as the sun peeked over the massive caramel Book Cliffs, which appeared chocolate brown in the morning shadow. The range seemed to follow us as we pedaled weather-worn gray roads past bushy cottonwood trees, pastel wildflowers and fruit farms. Sweet stone fruit aromas lingered and the clear cobalt sky promised a beautiful day ahead. We zigzagged undulating one-lane country roads, passing an occasional sluggish tractor humming between farms or an unhurried car. (Although infrequent, some hills require rigorous biking, but the view of the sprawling Grand Valley is well worth the effort.)"

Click here to read more!

Way back in June...

...I made a card for Father's Day. It's again very simple without alot of "stuff" or do-da's I don't like to see cards for men with alot of "stuff". I used Vintage Violet, Really Rust and Chocolate Chip card stock and RR, CC and Versamark inks. I rock and rolled my letters on DAD.


This is my Charlie cat. He loves boxes and he kept trying to get in the box but he's about 3-4 pounds overweight (yes, that is ALOT for a cat) and he kept tipping the box. So Rick helped him in, but he couldn't lay down like he wanted. Silly cat. Notice the doggy feet in the corner of the picture.

Oh! my aching back, new catalog and a card - Really!

I made this card for my brother's birthday. He is a gardener so the flowers are appropriate, I just tried to keep it simple. I used Night of Navy, Old Olive and Sahara Sand Inks and Cardstock. I used the Heartfelt Thanks, Canvas and Everyday Flexible Phrases stamp sets.

I have received my Winter 2007-2008 catalog and it's lovely, fantastic, gorgeous, addicting, etc., etc. If you haven't already seen it (gasp!) check it out here. I love the new In Color WILD WASABI! I haven't played with mine yet, I just finished mounting my new stamp sets.

I went to a spine specialist (is that a real title?) today for my back and I have a diagnosis after about 15 years of wondering and guessing: a tear in one of my discs, which is why I haven't felt like posting much lately. The doctor said I keep re-tearing it but never quite rupturing it (whew!). When I tear the disc, my muscles bunch up around it to protect it, which would explain why my pelvis sometimes feels like its almost dislocated! So I get to do physical therapy. Actually, I already was but it wasn't enough.
After my root canal on Wednesday, I should be doing good. July has just GOT to be better than June. Right?! mmmmm I'm going to bed.

Rocks' 3rd birthday

Rocks' 3rd birthday was on Tuesday. He did receive a couple birthday gifts, which he thoroughly enjoyed. These are the pictures of them moments before their destruction.

sick, sick, sick

I have this lovely upper respiratory thing going on. Everyone at work and choir has it. Why not me too!? I am in process of sharing this nifty little bug with my husband. Lucky him.


I saw on Amy Rysavy's website a posting about sending this little boy Shane a birthday card. He wants millions of cards for his birthday. Here's a link to a video on youtube.com
I had previously seen the radio station website that is trying to help get him all those cards.
I could repost ALL the information out there floating about birthday cards for Shane. Amy's website has most of what you need so just check it out there.
When you see what this little boy is going through with his leukemia it makes all your aches and pains seem so trivial, doesn't it?

StampinKub's Website
I've seen guys stamp before and I am always impressed. This one's no different!
I think you'll agree.
He has great tutorials as well.

Bless this chick

http://www.blessthischick.com/btcmachine/index.php
I made my own chick tonight. You can make you're own too. Click on the link. I couldn't think of a name for my chick...TBA I guess. Suggestions?

DCX Concert was GREAT!

My hubby and I had a blast at the concert. The people around us were fun and the Chicks sounded great- as usual. We had AWESOME seats, 9 rows back and slightly to the left of center stage! They played 22 songs! I loved it!