Summer vacation is over

It's been months since I entered anything here but it's been summer and that means it's time to get busy with... well everything apparently.

A big highlight of the summer was Aunt P coming to visit. This year her niece was playing in the AYSO soccer tournament so the family came to watch. AP and her sis and brother-in-law were all their to cheer their star on. They only lost on the day E and I went to watch but in such a big tournament once is all it takes to take yo out. Syd was crushed but there's something about a 3 y.o.'s dimples and laugh that brings anyone out of the dumps. We are all looking forward to their return. Syd wants to come back to Chicago and AP thinks it has to do with E.

My friend, Dame Catty, had a Stampin' Up party at the beginning of the summer and it's been a summer of crafting. I am so totally addicted to creating cards (still struggling with the scrapbook thing) that I have forgotten to do simple things like - clean house. Future posts will include samples of my better cards - not all can be winners so not all can be seen by the public.

I made 105 cards for the organization Women in Need Growing Stronger (WINGS) that provides services for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. They tried to sell them in their resale shops but they didn't sell well, at $1.50 each they are too expensive for the second hand market. They will be giving them to the women to give to others and to give them encouragement. So "Welcome to your new home", "Congratulations on your graduation" or "Good luck" cards are more appropriate. I talked to the director of resale operations today and she said she would call when they need more. (Felt like don't call us... we won't call you.)

I've been buying embellishments, stamps and even some paper likes it's going out of style. Well in a way it is. The JoAnn Fabrics near my home/work lost their lease and they are closing the store -- EVERYTHING is on sale. I go frequently so hopefully I will get the stuff I want cheap. Got my eye on the Xyron cartridges and a kit to make your own rubber stamps, not carved but actually rubber stamps.

I've been working on organizing the new craft acquisitions and making space by donation books and other items to charity.
There are books I buy because I have a passing interest in the subject. I've learned to never buy a 630 page book with 70 pages of notes on a passing interest I will NEVER read it. Out it goes.

There are books I own because they supposedly define who I am. I have a book of Irish short stories because I'm part Irish. Of course the Irish part doesn't read and the English and German parts don't care. Out it goes.

I have several books that I have started and never finished some may go but others I am keeping because I refuse to be defeated by a work of fiction.

The only book I am reading with any regularity is the Bible. I'm Catholic and have always taken their word for it as one comedian once said. At 41 it's about time I really read it. I will be reading "A love worth giving - living in the overflow of God's love" by Max Lucado with the Pathways singles group at church. I missed the first session because I got sick in church. I have an iron deficiency and need to take supplements -- I should be better in a few weeks. Mean time I am exhausted.

E has really been coming up with some hilarious stuff lately.
"Mom I'm thirsty. I want some water." I pour him a glass of water. "MMM this is good. It really unthirsts you."

I noticed he has a new freckle on his leg when I was drying him off after his bath yesterday. "Oh you have a new one. You're going to be freckley just like mommy."
"Yeah, and I'm going to be just like Paw Paw too," my father also has freckles on his arms, "I'm going to be bald."