Here are victims of the %(&^&% Iraq war that doesn't get thought about too much. These sweet little faces are my grandchildren, Dylan and Mason. While they were at Dylan's T-ball practice the other day a soldier that looked very much like Daddy happened to show up to watch his kids in full uniform. Now we know that all soldiers in uniform look somewhat alike but this man obviously held a very close resemblance right down to the sunglasses. Well, Mason took one look at him and yelled out "Daddy" and ran right for him. It wasn't until the soldier took off his sunglasses that Mason realized that he wasn't Daddy and took a quick retreat. Needless to say it broke my daughters heart to see Mason so excited and then dissapointment. A two year old just doesn't understand why Daddy comes home for two weeks to visit and then he's gone for what will probably be over one year. I wonder just how many little ones suffer that dissapointment everyday? Breaks my heart...

Look who we had in theMystic Paper house today!!!


Marilyn Healey and the Krazy Kim Kwan!

And our very own Jennifer Wagner is here teaching tonight. Did all of you know that Jennifer is now designing for Bazzill and she is teaching at Creative Escape! How exciting for her! She's a riseing star

Jennifer is teaching her Star Spangled Banner Book. The ladies are having a good time learning how to make this star shaped book. Sewing signatures, distressing, using Texture Paint...all the things that Jennifer loves. Technique, technique, technique!

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!