lily can read...

My sweet granddaughter Lily Anne who started kindergarten last month has always loved books and being read to.  Suddenly, she is reading and writing simple sentences.  We're a family of avid readers so of course everyone is quite excited for her!  When I saw Tammy's beautiful "free" digi of a child reading and her ADFD challenge " Use your noodle and add some doodles" I thought I'd play even though I'm bad...I mean really BAD at doodling.   I think the sweet image makes up for it though.

Hope you and yours are all happy and productive.   I've been postponing grocery shopping for at least 4 days now and have no choice if we are to eat tonight....so off I go now that the important stuff is done.
Hugs,
Kathy

Basic Grey Little Black Dress dp & brad; Prismacolor, & Copics & piecing, nesties label  and flower dies, EK edge border, Just Rite alpha stamps, ribbon and buttons from stash.

A Day for Daisies - doodling
Anything Goes Challenge - use lettering (in the book)
Make it Monday - Anything goes
Simon Says - Be inspired by a nursery rhyme
Creative Craft Challenges - Fancy edges
Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger (inspired to use autumn colors)
By the Cute and Girly - Anything goes

a little Christmas...

So the postman delivered this pretty Teresa Collins dp ("Christmas Home") which I have now decided is my current favorite Christmas paper so far for 2011.  Of course I'm fickle and may have a new fave tomorrow.  Mo's little sparrow urchin, colored up with my poor Prismacolor efforts,  a pretty silken bow, some bling and a computer generated sentiment.   I thought the kraft base played nicely with the image and paper.  Nothing fancy...nothing popped but it pleases my eye.  Got to use one of the new Spica pens that I recently won to add some sparkle to the snowflakes...subtle but very pretty.

April and the grandbabies visited today and we got a preview of their Halloween costumes.  Lily will be a lovely purple butterfly fairy (adorable) and Rowan a pirate.  He wasn't in the mood to model it for us,  but we did get some lovely kisses and hugs which more than sufficed.  Lifted everyone's spirits considerably.  Hope you are all enjoying your weekends too.   

Hugs,
Kathy

Kraft cs; TC dp; Image Mo Manning; EK border punch; CB corner diecut; Magnolia flourish and snowflake diecuts; SB circle and oval diecuts; sentiment computer generated; bling by BG, Spica glitter pen; silk ribbon from  my stash 

Just Because

My blog has been neglected of late, but there's been a good reason.  For the past 18 months, I've been caring for my mom here in our home.  Her health has not been good since a bad fall about 5 years ago, but it is now rapidly declining to the point she can no longer walk or even sit up by herself.   I'm determined to keep her here and care for her for whatever time she has left.  She is frequently a bit confused (we call it foggy) and it is hard to watch her slowly fading away.  Some of our conversations are just crazy, like when she asked me yesterday how many other patients I'm currently taking care of or  tries to convince me I met my father before she did.  Yet, she still finds joy in simple things (our little dog particularly delights her) and of course visits with family and the hospice angels.  She has her frustrations at not being able to do for herself but I remind her of all she has done her entire life for so many and that it is her turn to allow others to do for her.   It's a blessing to have her here but it is difficult...exhausting...frustrating... and sometimes I doubt my ability and strength to keep going.  I'm taking it one day at a time, and so far we're okay.  Perhaps I'll share a little more about her life in future posts...she really is an amazing lady. 

This is just a quickie card I made for my beautiful daughters (with a Starbucks gift card tucked inside) "just because" I love them so and they like those coffee concoction thingies. Hope you are all having a productive, happy week.

Hugs,
Kathy