Early Birthday Surprise!!!

There is only one person who would be sending me a package from Canada - - - Carla!! And by the shape, there was only one thing that it could possibly contain . . .
A beautiful book!!! Hand-made by Carla! I know my birthday is still a week and a half away, but I couldn't resist opening it.

Isn't the pattern absolutely gorgeous?! So elegant and pretty.

The colors and decals created a perfect combination.

I LOVE the font that she used - - - it is consistent throughout the whole book.

Did I mention that Carla surprised me with a POP-UP BOOK?!!! The photos don't do it justice. When I turned to the first pop-up page and saw the image literally come off the page I laughed with joy - it was so perfect.

Notice the star - - - stars are my favorite shape - - - and when the book is opened the top point of the star unfolds and rises off the page.

The construction to create the pop effect was very intricate and very well executed.

I love all of the little tiny details.

All those other pages are my journal (copies of my weekly letter).
I love it!
This is the FOURTH book that Carla has made for me. Isn't she so talented and amazing?? It is always such a lovely surprise to receive something from her.

Thank you Carla!

Survivor Type

Realist

Made by Me

I saw this fun idea for a tag on my sis's blog and thought I'd offer it here.

Lucky you! The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1 - I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2 - What I create will be just for you.
3 - It'll be done this year (might take a little while).
4 - You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5 - I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same.

The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!

Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

Good luck!

Oh, and you may need to find a way to provide me with your mailing address if you live far from me :)

Odd Encounter

On Saturday I was standing on a crowded 4/5 subway platform waiting for a train. As usual, I was minding my own business and ignoring everything going on around me. Suddenly, I heard a voice say "PwC?" directly in front of me, I looked up right into the eyes of a passing man (most likely with a very confused look on my face), who was completely decked out in winter wear from fluffy coat to boots to a cap on his head and a scarf hiding the lower part of his face - - - and didn't recognize him. As the man continued walking away, he kept looking at me and then clearly said the name of my client, in a slightly questioning way. Not sure how to respond, I just nodded to which he smiled and walked out of my sight.

It was an extremely odd moment.

I still have no idea who that man was or how on earth he knew who I am! To be honest, I'm a little creeped-out by it.

Christmastime at Home

I wasn't very excited to arrive at the airport at 4am that December morning and see that my flight had been cancelled . . . but happily they got me on another plane and I made it home!

The fun began immediately, here are a few snapshots with my family. . .

Matt refused to cooperate for the photo with his favorite sister
I love how much my brothers can eat (this is only the first helping!)

Mom used to make these when I was a kid, so I taught Alena how to make the traditional Christmas bears and trees

Another tradition is that we always take a photo lined up on the stairs before opening gifts

Brock preferred Grandpa's hammer to any of his own gifts

Some of the grand kids

Matt, Alena, and Jay

Mom and Dad

I love wrapping presents!

Blane, Kristi, Denise, Jill, and Sheryl

Conner and Caleb admiring Gage's new toy

The newlyweds

Dad giving us a family history lesson

Rishelle brought 4 dolls over and plopped down in my lap, guess she needed some help holding them all

Mark and Brooke also refused to cooperate for a photo

Adelaide, the youngest grand kid (for now)

Gage and Brock at the piano

Brooke decided that she needed to help me sew . . .

There was quite a bit of snow while I was home, more than I have seen since I was a child. It was beautiful.

As always, I loved being home! I sure love my family.

Scenery from Home

On My Way!

I'm so excited to be on my way home for Christmas and I can't wait to get there!!! Regardless of how long it takes (already been traveling for 11.5 hours and not out of Chicago yet) it is so wonderful to be home that it is definitely worth the trip.