Back At It~Whatever It Is

I have been MIA for a long time now. So, let's start where I left off...The truck is back and better than ever. The Dodge guys here in AZ did a great job! I still kind of wonder whether it will be there each morning when I go out to get the newspaper, but so far so good.

My son-in-law is still in Iraq as is my step son now. I worry about them both on a daily basis. It's so hot over there. It seems like yesterday that we were sending "Hot Hands" to keep them warm and now they're asking for anything that will cool them down. Which is worse? Who knows.

I don't have any pictures to post, I just thought it was time to get back to this. I have been reading alot of blogs and have been so inspired. Mainly, this blog got me thinking this morning.
http://dawnhouser.blogspot.com. I love the way she just puts it out there. Like it or not this is me! And I can relate to the whole tat thing. Yes, I have one. Yes, I was over 40 when I got it, and yes, I took my daughter and grandson with me! Just like Dawn says it is a daily reminder. Mine is a reminder to think and pray for our soldiers that are fighting this war. Do I agree with this war, NO. Do I support our soldiers, hell yeah! Military has always been in my blood. When I was little I lived for a time with my grandparents on Edwards Airforce Base. When I was 23 I moved just outside of the largest Marine Base in Twentynine Palms, CA. (Don't ask me why, just ended up there). Lots of my friends were married to Marines and I watched them during Desert Storm. The worry and the wait. I was there when our guys came home from Desert Storm and the entire highway from Morongo Valley to Twentynine Palms was lined with people cheering for these guys. It was such an overwhelming feeling. And now, it is so much closer to home having Gale and Jason over there. I hope to welcome them home in the same way!

What else....the grandkids are all good. We missed a couple of birthday parties in CA. Sorry. We are working very hard in Downtown Mesa. This little Downtown is right on the verge of big things, I just know it!

As Expected

So, I went to see the truck this morning. As expected nothing in it except what the people that trashed it left behind. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

O.K. it's one thing to steal my truck to go over the border and get your buddies, but why do you have to trash it inside and out just because.














Needless to say, there was no scrapbook tote left in it. And, a prized Paris altered book that I had been working on is gone. Well, not gone just torn to shreds. They figure it will take a month to fix it. No truck for a month....whaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
They did leave their change of clothes, backpacks, and other various things you need when you're sneaking into our Country. Do I sound bitter...you bet I am. So, I'll get off that soap box and get on to something else. Or, maybe I'll just wait, I'm still bitter.

Night Out Follow Up

The first "Night Out In Mesa" was a huge success! It was so nice to see people, and I mean real people enjoying an evening out downtown. There was live music, art, kareoke, and lots of food. I think every store was open between Robson and Center. So, it's official, Second Friday of every month Downtown Mesa is the place to be!
Do you remember how upset I was when someone tried to steal my statue in front of the store? Well, this one is worse. Someone stole my beloved truck right out of my driveway. To add insult to injury my Scrapbook Bag, which was a gift from Judy Bidwell, was in the truck full of my favorite things like an entire box of vintage paper fasteners. Not just one tin, a box full of individual tins which I will probably never find again. Oh, and my cell phone....)_*(*%&^$^&(*
So, the truck has been found way out in the middle of nowhere. I immediately called the impound yard and talked the "nice" man into going to the truck and looking for my things...no luck, there's nothing in the truck but a mess according to him. I can only hope that his idea of a mess is my scrapbook stuff! Even if I have to pick up every single paper fastener one by one!!
And I will!!!

"A Night Out in Mesa"

On the second Friday of each month many businesses on Main Street between Center and Country Club will stay open until 10:00 p.m.
A Night Out in Mesa will feature live musical entertainment, dining and great shopping after the "normal" business hours, with some businesses offering discounts.

We hope you come by This Friday and check out the 7 Restaurants, 3 Art Galleries and over 20 Specialty Stores that will remain open for your shopping convenience:

Anita Cookie & More

Antique Plaza

S Bistro

Baby Bliss

Vintage Charm

M Troniks

Studio T Gallery

Domestic Bliss

Mystic Paper

Blossoms Boutique

Dickson's Jewelers

Christy's Cakes

Book Gallery

Green B

Closet a la Mode

Lissa's Shop

R J Peddler Antiques & More

History By George

Sweet Cakes Cafe

Muralt:Sarbo Custom Jewelry

Inside the Bungalow

Le Studio Salon de Beaute

M & Co Papery

Mango's Mexican Cafe

Mane Obsession

The Glitter Box

Visage Gallery

Imbeau Gallery

Posh Nosh

Grandma's Kitchen

One Oh One

There are so many new businesses downtown with more opening soon, so if you haven't been to Downtown Mesa lately come on down this Friday to check it all out- there's a lot to see and experience!

My Solace Is Back

I just love these little button shoes and gloves. In one of our many moves my box of "all things beloved" got misplaced. Of course I just knew that Rick had taken them to the GoodWill. Whew, I will admit it, I was wrong. I have been searching for this box since last May! They are now at home in my Scrapbook room. Safe, where I can enjoy them. I just wish they could talk. From the condition they are in I would imagine that they were only worn by one child. I'm just happy that they're back!

Have a great weekend!

My Little Boy Is Back

Back where he belongs that is. Guarding the entrance to the stores. It was quite the engineering fete accomplished by Rick and Mike. If somebody wants him now I think some dynamite might be in order. Don't even think about it!

I can't wait to get home and watch American Idol. O.K. I admit it I am addicted to "certain" reality shows. Rick is constantly reminding me that these are staged, but who really cares! I haven't picked a favorite yet but will after this week. After all, I picked Taylor Hicks right from the start and everyone thought I was crazy!

So that's my post for now. I really am going to try and keep this updated (smile Chia). I have my favorite blogs that I haunt and always hate it when they haven't updated. Such an addiction. One of my all time favs is Carol Wingert's blog. So inspirational and great photography. My new favorite is My Artistic Side. This is Judy Bidwell's blog and she is creating some of the best mixed media art I have seen. And I'm not playing favorites. Judy and I go back along way. Way before the thought of ever being a co-owner of a Paper Arts store ever crossed my mind. Judy just fit right in and we're glad she's here!

Not A Good Way To Start My Blog

This is probably not the best way to start my very first post on my very own Blog but here goes. I just have to get this off my chest...

Some blankity blank tried to steal my statue. This statue to be exact. My little boy sitting in the tree playing his trumpet. My Valentine Day present from Rick a few years ago. Luckily I noticed that the bolts had been loosened. They were probably planning to come back last night to get it. So ha!! You didn't get it!! He's inside for now. What are the chances of them reading this blog? Probably none, but I hope they do.

On a lighter note, 3 days until we leave for CHA. Can't wait. Classes, friends, and scrapbook product galore! Who could ask for anything more plus a break from the store. Can't wait to check out all of the new products, meet new people, and reconnect with people that we met last year. Make-n-Takes, demos, late nights, early mornings, it's all a blast. I'll have to track Tim Holtz down and see what demos he'll be doing. Love his demos. And speaking of demo's I can't to see Carol's demo. Looks so cool. My laptop decided to crash so it's off to the repair shop. Hopefully they will get it up and running in time to go to CHA with us. And that reminds me...if the laptop hadn't of broken I would have never noticed the loose bolts on my statue. I walked the computer down the street to the repair shop and when I was walking back I noticed the bolts sticking up out of the concrete. So, all things happen for a reason. Here's to good things happening for you!