I have a friend I’ve been meaning to write for over a month now. *sigh* I hate when time flies by so quickly and I haven’t done something I so desperately wanted to do. I definitely have priority issues (AKA…spending too much time on the internet).

I made this card last night. I tried a few new techniques, although I don’t think I quite perfected them. I love everything about this card except for the bottom right triangle part. It just doesn’t flow well with the rest. The card also appears to be upside down (which it’s not). Anyway, it’s a creation, something I haven’t done in a while and I wanted to share it with you all.

Isn’t that so true? I don’t think many of us just come up with ideas on our own. We look to other things for inspiration and build off of that (tweaking to make it our own). Loved this saying when I saw it and just wanted to post it.

While out and about this past week, Brody and I were sitting at a stoplight (a VERY LONG stoplight).  I had time to memorize every license plate around me and check out the surrounding stores (yep, I felt like I was sitting there that long).

Here was my view:

I looked to my right to see that Auto Zone was having some construction done…new parking lot perhaps.  I first wondered if they were getting ready to demolish it and build something else, then I read the sign, “OPEN, entrance off of Old Buffaloe Road”.  Hmm, ok.

Then I look to my left to see Advance Auto Parts.  Clear as day was the hood of a pick-up truck open with a large sign that read, “Easy Parking”.   Very clever guys…very clever!

I had to laugh.  Very smart on their part for taking advantage of the not-so-easy-to-get-to competition right across the street.

If you live near me, you HAVE to check out The Meat House off of Falls of Neuse and Millbrook Road. It’s your local butcher (think Sam from “The Brady Bunch”…Alice’s boyfriend).

They have anything you can imagine and then some. And it’s more than just a butcher. They have baked items, condiments, freezer and refrigerator items, appetizers, etc… Fun things you’ve never seen or tried before. Definitely a place to visit if you’re having a cookout or even need a gift for the guy in your life. It’s an incredible place!

To top it off, their customer service is OUTSTANDING! We’ve been there three times now and every single time has been impressive! You are greeted upon entering, offered help right away, your items are carried to the front for you (so you don’t have to carry them around while you’re shopping) and all while never having to wait. I was even given a freezer tote once to put all of my goodies in for my drive home (FREE).

Check it out. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

And, no, I was not given anything to write this post. 

Just wanted to share a new favorite find with you all.

I was flipping through blogs and came across a post titled, “Today I Am” on After Nine to Five‘s blog.  Loved reading through her post and wanted to join in as well, so here we go…

• Ready for life to slow down (big time).  I’m treading water and gasping for breath.
• Wishing that time could stand still for at least one day.
• Excited for upcoming fall activities, especially my first MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers) group starting in September.
• Happy to have the new Steven Curtis Chapman CD (re-creation) in my car.  LOVE his music!
• Proud to have the privilege to be called “Mama” (8 long years in the waiting).
• Realizing that I need to stop making excuses and get myself back into shape.
• Finally adjusting to the fact that we may only have one child.  I’m fine with pouring all of my love into our little miracle.
• Noticing that my clothes are starting to feel tight again. Ugh!
• Wasting Spending too much time on the computer and not enough time in front of my sewing machine or in a chair reading a good book.
• Hungry for water.  Can you be hungry for a liquid?  I’m so parched right now.
• Looking forward to waking my son up in the morning, hearing him ask for “Dada” (he always asks for the parent he’s not with) and then seeing him smile at me.
• Thankful for the family that I have, that they love me unconditionally, for the church that we attend and how it’s such a perfect fit for us, and to know God and have a relationship with Him.

I LOVE making and mailing things in handmade envelopes.  There’s just something about them.  To open up your mailbox and see an envelope that is something other than white, is so much fun.

My niece is a crafting extraordinaire!  She’s been making things left and right this summer and her creativity amazes me.  She received a Cricut for Christmas and has been making several cards.  Right now she’s into making 6″x6″ cards.

She’ll occasionally text me and tell me something to put on her wish list for her birthday or Christmas (so helpful).  Her latest “wish” is an envelope template.  I have two brands of envelope templates in various sizes. If she sticks with making cards this size, there probably is a better choice of a template for her.

I made her one of each size (from the two brands I have) so she could see what better fits her cards. My guess is…it’s going to be the larger envelope, so I decided to make her a handful of them since she doesn’t have an envelope template to use yet.

On four of the envelopes, I experimented with rub-ons to add something extra.  I like how it turned out.  I’m also including (not pictured) labels for each envelope so you can read the address since some of the envelopes are a bit dark  (I use 4 inch oval labels and wrap part of it to the back of the envelope to be a bit more unique).  I use the scrap paper left over to make cards or use in other projects, so I’m mailing the scraps home to her as well in hopes that she’ll find a use for them too.

Look in the mail Abby, you should get them late next week.  Hope you enjoy!

Brody and I went to the grocery store today and two things made me laugh.  We turned the corner to see a Pug balloon in the middle of the aisle. I’ve never seen anything like this (how do you know how much helium to put in them to make sure they stay grounded on the floor…the feet weren’t weighted).  Then we walked out to the car and walked past the cart in the ground.  Both random things, but both made me laugh.