TERESA COLLINS

Australia... it's time

I'm leaving in a mere 15 minutes for the SLC airport. I am actually READY to go! I have learned to try to pack up supplies and such a week or before I need to go somewhere. Then I can focus just on my clothes and stuff!!!! 

However, Ty is just NOW (yes, 15 minutes prior to leaving) starting to pack. REALLY????  Are all men like my husband? He is the type of guy that that just goes with the flow and is not easily stressed.

Excited...Zach's team has played 3 games and won- They are now in the Championship game. We are doing phone calls to keep updated. It's killing us NOT to be there with him. 

I am already missing my kids.

It's MAXSON'S FIRST birthday today... HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet boy- WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

I have my travel journal in hand...time to go!

Excited. Nervous... Blessed... Brisbane, here we come!!!!! 

CHECK LIST...

Today was one of those days where I had a list of so many things to get done. This time tomorrow I will be on an airplane with my husband headed for Australia. I am so looking forward to my first trip to this beautiful country. I had so much to get done but I decided to take it ONE thing at a time. I had a check list and amazingly I got ALMOST everything done. 

*workout- amazingly hard day today!

*visit to my office and  mailed projects overnight- deadline met!

*decorated Ty's teachers room door for Teacher appreciation week. (Gentry and Ty helped me!)

*Bank 

*Jamba Juice ( treat for the kids)

*Wal-mart (looking for camera battery recharger for smaller Sony- oops they don't carry! so this camera will not be going on the trip for me!)

*Seagull Book Store (books for trip needed)

*My friend came over to visit me... I love and miss her. Enjoyed her visit....

We made homemade pizza tonight and I'm doing laundry. We are also watching Funniest Home Video together. It's something we enjoy together as a family! I am missing Ty and Zach who are about an hour from home at a baseball tournament. I so wish I could have went, but I had to take care of the rest of the family and start preparing for our trip tomorrow. 

I want to share something really cool- MONDAY on Good Things Utah Channel 4 at 10:00 am- WATCH my beautiful Taylor Taylor on TV. She is stepping in for me, since I will be out of the country. She is going on air and showing how to make your own Mother's Day gifts  with crafting and TC products. She is such a doll to do this. This will be her FIRST time ever on TV. I can't wait to see my baby (okay she is 20!) doing something crafty. I'm a very excited mother! So watch and send her positive vibes of good thoughts that she will do well. 

Back to my CHECK LIST! 

WINNER & It's been ONE MONTH!!!!!!

I am so in love with the *NEW Notations Layout by Maridette Cochola. I mean it just is so beautiful. Everything you see on this layout is TC products. I love the TIMELESS trim that was painted pink, timeless chipboard accents and the NEW Notations die-cut 12x12 papers. *loving the blingage along the top right too. 

So I am celebrating TODAY. I finished ONE MONTH as of yesterday of "boot camp." I want to share with you that I started into this with one GOAL. I made a commitment that I would go DAILY- 5 days a week NO MATTER what! Not going was not an option. On the first three days, it was so difficult with the extreme soreness, but I knew if I stopped it would be hard to start again. 

I have gone to workout several days and then raced to get home shower. Then I would go straight to do Good Things Utah, or go to meetings at my office, help at my kids school, etc. I am sharing this so that you will know that I learned something that I WAS not doing in my life. I had not MADE TIME for what mattered most. I still did everything that I needed to do in the last month, but I made my workout Monday- Friday the priority. I did not miss one day!

I gave up diet soda & caffeine. It was a rough few days but I cut it out cold turkey. I knew that was the path that I needed to go. I was majorly addicted and I knew it was a horrible thing for my body. I am not kidding in that I would drink diet soda non-stop ALL day long. Of course, I would stay up until 2am most nights too. I now am going to bed every night by 11pm. I try to get 8 hours of sleep each night. 

So here is something that I did not expect- it changed me to the CORE of who I am. I never knew how good I could feel again physically. I never knew how much I needed to feel strong and healthy again. I am lifting weights, running, learning to build my core and have better muscle control. I think mentally I am a brand new me. I feel whole again on a new level. As I workout each day, I leave the gym with so much happiness and a feeling of accomplishment every single day. 

I love it so much that I am going to come home from Australia and sign up again. I hope that if any of YOU want to do something like this- PLEASE know that YOU can. I went from ZERO to 50% in one month. I have MORE that I have and need to do. I now know that I can do this. I have made amazing new girlfriends at the gym that have inspired and encouraged & supported me in this new journey. 

Now for the prize winner of the TC pink storage album:

 

Tona said...

Happy Tuesday!
This has to be the most gorgeous stamp binder I have ever seen!! Thanks for the chance to win one.
WTG on your workouts. It wears me out just reading about them lol.

ReplyApril 26, 2011 at 05:54 PM

Have you seen this PINK goodness?- BLOG GIVEAWAY

These beautiful PINK TC Stamp Storage photocentric albums are now available and are shipping now!!!!

 This is the NEW TC Stamp Storage holder that was debuted a couple of months ago. They are now AVAILABLE and SHIPPING!!!!!! I love the blingage on the book!!!!!

Yes, the FRAME comes with the stamp binder. This way you can label the outside of your binder as you wish. It can hold all the stamps you make with the TC Stampmaker like mine below. 

You can jazz it up to display BLINGAGE on the spine if you like. I love that this can hold your stamps or can be used to create your own mini album.

TODAY we are giving ONE away! Post any comment and I will pick a winner later today!

I just got home from a long day. I went to the gym this morning and it was a I DOUBLE DARE you workout! That meant we had six really intense station to work at. If we did it correct form and did not stop we only had to do say 100 reps of lunges squats with the weights (mine is 25lbs) held above my head. If you did not do it correctly, you had to do the DOUBLE which meant 200 reps. Yes, that was me... I worked it and did not quit. However, it was intense and I was sweating so hard that the salt got in my eyes and then I could barely see. HA! I am thankful for a program that pushes me beyond what I "think" I can do. 

Then I helped in my son's classroom. I about fainted when I left and Ty let me actually give him a hug!!!! I don't know if it is really cool to hug your mom in 6th grade (surrounded by your friends!). LOVE it!

I learned a big lesson today. I went to visit teach a friend today in my church. I visit her every month with another one of my friends. We actually visit four woman each month. In our church, it is considered compassionate service and making sure we are helping each other. Today as we visited Sharon, she was in bad shape. She went on a 3 week trip/cruise to Greece. What a dream trip!

Her dream trip ended up being a COMPLETE nightmare. She fell and hurt herself, got a major infection, and bronchitis. She had to leave the cruise in Athens and stay in the hospital for a week. NO visitors, no family... NOTHING. She was all alone. Can you even imagine? 

As we visited today, she was a little groggy and had lost 14 lbs. She was weak and needed help. We noticed her trash bins were overflowing and so we asked if we could help her in any way. She paused. She did not want to ask for help. In fact, she had refused help earlier. Then she said, can you help in my kitchen? We were so blessed to serve her today. We cleaned her kitchen, her trash and then we could smell the kitty litter box. My friend and I both have never had cats. We had no idea what to do! 

The reason why I share this is a little "self confession." I was feeling a little grumpy about the snow and rain. I even complained to Ty about how I "need" sunshine and wanted a real SPRING. I went to Sharon's today and FORGOT about my silly grumpy self and served her in such a small way. It felt so good to help her, someone in need. I realized I was being a big baby. I just need to be thankful for my health, for EVERYTHING. I needed that reminder today. 

Gentry just called as I was typing this post. She got some exciting news- Gentry got into BOTH the programs she applied to at BYU- 2D Studio Arts and Art Education at BYU. We are so excited!!! She was accepted and now she has to choose which one to pursue. PLEASE if you have any thoughts or knowledge, input please feel free to email me. This past year as a Freshman, she took some art classes and the professors would choose her work to display. I knew she had a great talent, but GENTRY did not. She often felt that she was just okay. I had a long talk with her and told her that she needed to believe in herself and her talents that God has given her. I think today she REALIZED that she does indeed have a gift to nurture and develop. I LOVE YOU GENTRY... congrats!!!!!

NOW... POST any comment if you would like to win the PINK TC STAMP STORAGE binder. *retailers you can order these directly from Photocentric along with the TC Stampmakers. 

HAPPY HAPPY TUESDAY!!!!!

Monday... Countdown to Australia

Today is the start of a crazy busy week. I am headed to Australia on Saturday.

I am mentally going over and over if I will remember everything. I shipped 16 big boxes from my office a few weeks ago. THIS always stresses me. I am always asked...Who watches your kids? I am lucky to have Gentry home (although she is a little disadvantaged with her broken foot), McKay who drives now and Grandma Collins is coming to help. It takes a village- ha! My boys are playing lots of baseball and often we have two games at the same time, but at completely opposite ends of town. Like tonight, TWO games at the same time! However, Spring time here in Utah is almost like Winter time. We are constantly having snow or rain. I am so ready for SPRING!!!!! So anyway, I have a team of family who helps me when I'm away. Ty is going with me on this trip to Brisbane. I am looking forward to this event and for the chance to meet so many of the retailers that carry my product line. 

I try not to think about TWO things-

How much I will MISS my family...

and how much I will miss my WORKOUTS! I am almost done with week 4. It has flown by! This morning was a intense workout (as usual). We worked on CORE exercises the entire workout. I have so much more to achieve that I want to continue to stay at the gym that I am at. I am inspired by the trainers (Aaron and Judah) and the people who go there. Many of you have emailed and wanted to know where I go.  I promise you this place is not for the faint of heart or for quitters. That is exactly what I needed. I started at ZERO and am slowly getting stronger. I want this so bad! It is not really what you would call a "traditional" boot camp. There is no army fatigues and none of the chanting or name calling,etc. that I saw on some sites.

It is simply a workout that will PUSH your limits EVERY single day. They change up what we do EVERY single day. I love that you are never bored. You work hard and YOU see results. It's ONE HOUR of my day and then the other 23 hours, I have to choose to make better decisions. I am so appreciative that I found this place. The trainers don't mess around, but they are not mean in any way. I have NEVER used so many weights, but I now see how important it is to really changing and strengthening your body. 

I am planning on taking what I have learned and keep moving during my trip! It's my FOCUS  and I feel too good to go back to where I was four weeks ago. THIS experience has changed me more INTERNALLY than externally. Why did I wait so long? I know FEAR... but not anymore. I'm so happy that I did this!

 

Also- If you are interested: TC STAMPMAKER TRAINING 

TC Stampmaker Training, Phoenix, AZ

Here is the details:

Country Inns & Suites, 20221 N. 29th Ave, Phoenix 85027.

Friday 17th June 9.15 am – 5pm $25 payable by check to Photocentric Inc by May 17th 2011 .

To educate and inspire on the use of the Teresa Collins Stampmaker to enable you to maximize use of Stampmaker and to be able to educate and inspire others in turn

Stampmaker Program

1) Introduction to Stampmaker and ideas for using it.

2) Artwork Creation and Printing using Windows: Create stamps from text, photos, drawings Using Microsoft Word, imagepac software program, Photoscape, Photofiltre, Gimp, different

printers. Followed by tips for using a Mac including artwork Creation in and printing from Photoshop

During this session you will be invited to use your own laptop and create artwork which you will later use to make a stamp, stencil or embossing die or all 3!

3) Tips + Tricks for Making Stamps, embossing dies, stencils

4) Teresa Collins die cut and stamping class

5) Using other materials and tools with Stampmaker, including die cut machines, embossing Machines (Grand Calibur and Cuttlebug), letterpress, polymer clay, leather and much more.

6) Certification: Satisfy us that you can create and print your own artwork, including making a photo stamp and you will become a Certified Stampmaker Teacher with access to teacher benefits.

Places will be limited so please email Sally to reserve your place ASAP and in any case before end April –sally.butcher@photocentricusa.com

Hope you can join us!

Teresa Collins Cricut Cartridges- Did you see?

I loved that we did the PINK for the cartridge packaging. I don't have a baby myself anymore and I have been using my cartridge all the time!!!!

This is one that I did for the Imagine machine. I love the possibilites!!!! 

Here is a book that I created. I cut and printed the frame out as large as I could for this Your Story book cover.

Here is some of the papers, frames and images from the cartridge. I created a book with Gentry. Loving all of the possibilities!!!! 

 

I also have a SECOND cartridge coming out too-

All my favorite black and white papers are now available in my Black & White Cartridge-

I am a huge lover of black and white. However, on this cartridge you have 20 other colors that the papers will print out. I am really in love with the classic and timeless feel of the patterns. I know I will be using these over and over again. 

I am so thrilled that these two cartridges are coming out. I have loved doing these! It helped me to stretch my creative wings and I have learned so much in the process. Thank you Provo Craft for the opportunity! 

You can go to THIS BLOG and these:

www.tammyskinner.com
http://mixologycrafts.wordpress.com/
http://courtney-lane.blogspot.com/
http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/

to see the images better! Also, EACH of these talented girls are GIVING away the NEW

CRICUT EXPRESSION 2 GIVEAWAY

 

This machine is SO WONDERFUL! It uses both the Expression and Imagine Cartridges in the same machine. You can enter to win the machine. Click on the link above to enter on her blog by MONDAY! Good luck-

Today I was CRAZY and decided to go to day 6 (straight) of boot camp this week. I am now almost unable to walk. It was a brutal day today. I think my body is just tired from a hard week. I am so thankful for a day off tomorrow. I am preparing today for Easter. I am teaching the lesson tomorrow at church and wanting to prepare a message for the family for our family dinner. I am not a huge candy fan...so I am stocking the Easter baskets with healthy treats (with a few indulgences!!!) 

Hope you are having a very special Easter weekend!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENTRY & update

Yesterday we went dress shopping for McKay. I asked Gentry if we could take a quick photo together. I love the camera phones!!!! This is Dani her best friend and roommate at college. She is headed home to AZ on Saturday. We spent today together having a great time. I'm so EXCITED to have Gent home for the summer. 

TODAY is her birthday. She is 19 years old today! 

We went to the mall. She asked for a new watch. She like the white watch bands like I wear, so we went and got her one. Then we went to lunch at Cafe Rio. It's been a great day together-

 PHOTO: We are headed to go try to find her a watch....

She found one that she loved. We enjoyed a birthday lunch... SHE is now NINETEEN. (Dani, Gentry, and McKay)

I love you sweet Gent... I am so thankful that God blessed me to be your mother!

I want to thank you. I was overwhelmed with support, advice, kindness and more with my stalker situation. I had so many emails and phone calls and facebook messages. I have heard from so many women who are or have suffered from similar situations.

So many girls are facing bullying in their own life.  It only made me realize that "standing up" and pushing for tougher laws and making sure that our voice is heard is vital. I am a firm believer that we all have freedom of speech. If you don't like something or someone, then stay away from them. What does it matter what someone looks like? how much they weigh? or if you happen to like or not like my designs. It is really nonsense.

I have never understood why my "ex-friend" would even come to my blog and feel such a need to keep contacting me if she really hates me the way she claims. Her focus needs to be on her own family and herself. If we FOCUS on what really matters most in our life, we will be happier. I am choosing that path. That does not mean that I will fight back against her attacks. This matter was so serious that law enforcement has and is involved. I wish I could share more, but legally I can't. In fact, I spent this morning at the police station. I feel like if I can do anything to change the laws and help others to know that THIS kind of harassment/ stalking and bullying is serious and you will be held accountable for your actions. Again, I do not want sympathy. I am standing up to the big bully here. I have learned so much about myself from this experience. I am so much stronger. 

One of the things that I am hearing over and over is that MANY of you have had someone in your life that is TOXIC. You were like me and did not listen to that "inner warning" about this person. You thought you could change someone. You may even blamed yourself. This person wanted to work for me and I knew it was not the right thing. When I turned her down...she started this WHOLE mess of constant harassment. How thankful that I did listen and knew she was not the one to work for me. She had done some design work for me in the past and it did not work out. I learned from that experience. If you have any doubts if you cannot trust someone- LISTEN to your heart. I know that I didn't and now for 15 months, I have had to face her rage/wrath towards me and my family. 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU... I hated to talk about this horrible problem in my life. However, I will not live my days in fear of her. LIFE is so precious and wonderful to allow anyone that type of CONTROL. Here is to HAPPY times and HAPPY posts!!!!!

Today is amazing- wonderful and I am so thankful for SUNSHINE here in Utah. I had the BEST day at bootcamp this morning. I am surrounded by amazing workout friends now. We are like a little gym family. I feel so happy and I am officially a "boot camp" lover!!!!!

I love you Gentry...HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my princess!!!!!

STALKING... (long post)

I have no idea IF I will actually POST this blog post. Maybe I will write it and then delete it. I have debated for over a year now on how much to share on my blog. How much is too much? How do I share such a CRAZY & weird part of my life. I mean, really I am just like YOU. I am a mother, wife, sister, friend, who happens to own a scrapbook company. I am so busy doing what I love so much that I have really been baffled by the HATE that I constantly get from my "ex-friend." 

I have NO IDEA why someone would take so much of their time and life to hate me. I mean really, she is a wife and mother. I can't imagine WHAT is going on in her head. You should see the countless emails that I have from her. Of course, they are all similar to the one that I got last night:

Her alias for now is MARY ARTEST:

mary artest has left you a comment:

Wow... I can't believe it!! You are happy that your daughter broke her foot??? You are happy about it?? You need to proofread your posts. Or perhaps you did and you are too stupid to know what you just said! Perhaps you went to BYU also. Do they teach English there??? You are one ugly person....And why didn't you call me today??

I guess you would say block her from commenting and emailing you. Well, it's not that easy. She changes her IP address more than she changes her underpants. She is constantly emailing me, and trying to add me on facebook as a FAKE person.  I did enjoy seeing that she was Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt trying to add me. She is one of my friends on FACEBOOK. Really, I don't care! 

 

mary artest said:

Wow. Saw you on Good Things Utah! Good job! I have heard that the camera adds ten pounds. My question is... HOW MANY CAMERAS DO THEY HAVE THERE? Your arms are huge, and the rest of you is constantly hidden behind the display. WHY are you hiding???? Your necklace is hideous! What are you thinking??? P.S. are you still being threatened? Are you still wearing the pink sweats? Have you NO fashion sense? OH YEAH, you are from Utah! NO talent...NO taste...NO class!! Oh, no thanks on the giveaway. I have been given enough crap by losers such as you!!!! Good day!!!!!

 

The reason I tell you this is because I have GROWN and learned so much from the past 15 months of constant hatred and harassment/stalking from this "ex-friend." I should have listened to my gut and heart when I met her. I knew she was struggling. I knew she desperately wanted to be a "name" in the scrapbook industry. I had a conversation with her brother and he told me things about her that I never knew. I caught her in many lies about her "life", her "marriage" and all that stuff. I never told her, because I knew that she must be in a lot of pain. I didn't care. I wanted to "help" her. I now realize that TRUE friends are rare. I could not fix anyone. 

When I found out 1,000% who this GIRL was who was threatening me- I deleted her from facebook and told the police that I NEVER wanted anything EVER to do with her. I simply wanted her to leave me alone. I grieved the loss of WHO  I thought was a friend and I moved on. 

mary artest said:

You are ?????? years old.. You have never used the rubber bands, yet somehow you 'LOVE' them now. You are so shallow and inexperienced. I have a suggestion for you. Instead of (posers boot camp), maybe you should take a class in English grammer and composition. Your writing is quite embarasing. Your experience level is obviously quite limited. Why do you think anybody would want to read your whinning and complaining about your pretend 'boot camp'. You are such a tool. It's funny how you pay people to train you, and you think they respect you. A clue for the 'clueless', they don't care about you and they even make fun of you after you leave. You are so pathetic. How come you are constantly losing weight, (6 pounds here and 2 pounds there), yet you are still a COW. I saw you walking today (on 1300 east) (not running)(in the ugliest pink sweat pants I have ever seen), you are bigger than ever. You are such a joke!

  I have thought, prayed and thought about her. I have prayed for her to realize that she needs to go to a happier place in her life and heart and LEAVE me alone. Honestly, why she focuses so much on me and has sent me so many emails- some days she will send three messages. I have no idea what is going on in her mind,but I have to worry that she lives so close to me. I have to worry that some day her verbal threats would turn physical. 

Yes, so today let's talk about WHY I am sharing this...because I never thought in a MILLION years I would have someone this negative come into in my life and family. I am fighting this 100%. I will not let anyone threaten my family. NEVER! Anyway, I am 1,000% stronger because of her. I have something HUGE that is happening because of this experience. Yes, I will be telling my story. I want others to know that cyber bullying is WRONG and that YOU will get caught. The laws are getting tougher and I'm happy to say that I am standing up to this "ex-friend."  I will not stop until laws are changed. At first,  I just wanted HER to go away and then I realized that I needed to share my story. 

Now to the GOOD GOOD NEWS... I am 3 weeks into BOOT CAMP! I am so happy. I ran today and did not stop. I think we ran 36-40 laps. I was amazed and really thrilled to go from a NON- RUNNER to running. I did it! I feel so happy. I have worked so hard and I feel so much better. Boot Camp scared me... but not anymore. I know that ALL OF US have it within us to do GREAT things!!!! We are only limited by our own mind. I promise you that if I can do this, YOU can to! I am reading this amazing book-

Through HIS eyes by Virginia H. Pearce:

What do you believe about yourself? ARe there things that keep you from recognizing your talents and potential? Chances are, it's time to do some spring cleaning-- a little sorting, sifting, and discarding--in your personal belief box. In the book, it helps YOU to discover self-defeating thoughts to toss out of our belief box, examine negative beliefs that wreak havoc with our emotions and behavior and learn to identify and STRENGTHEN truths that encourage, uplift and allow us to embrace the LIFE that God intended for us. 

I am so excited, Gentry comes home from college in the morning. I am one HAPPY mother!!!!!!

Okay, I am going to post this blog. I hope you know that I am 1,000% okay and in such a good place. I don't want sympathy or anything like this. I want laws changed. Have a great day!

INSPIRATION

I am headed to Provo this morning to help my daughter clean her dorm. Since she broke her foot, I knew it would be really hard for her to clean and do her final exams. I am so thankful for the opportunity to go and help her. I think it helped me push through a crazy hard boot camp session this morning. 

I am so tired that I am trying to take 1 hour naps each day. Crazy huh? Today that is not an option. I will be cleaning, stopping by the Creating Keepsakes office to drop off "something" and talk to my friends, and then we have a baseball game and guitar lessons. I love being busy and know to appreciate each day. Our kids grow up so fast! 

We have so many BLESSINGS happening in our family. Matt and Kayla are expecting a baby in December. Matt is finishing his first year in the business program at BYU. Also, Taylor and Spencer are signing papers this week to own their own home. (well, it's a condo) I am so happy for them! I had a phone conversation with Taylor last night. My baby is now buying her own place. I can't believe how driven and how hard they have worked to accomplish this goal. As a young married couple, they saved and saved to be able to purchase a home without any help from their parents. Spencer goes to college and works part time. I am proud of them! 

 Now... for some inspiration- I love TIMELESS. That is what I wanted to name this line because it truly is a line that is about LOVE...and it never ending..hence, I named it TIMELESS-

Cute mini book album made by Cheri Piles using the Timeless Collection.

Cheri loves mini albums and was very excited to pair up the "TIMELESS" & "BLINGAGE" collections with the 8x8 YOUR STORY book. She created each page using her ELEGANT EDGES Cricut Expression Cartridge. She was also able to create matching borders, frames and Silhouettes using the same cartridge. The Elegant Edges cartridge features a "Book Template" which is what drew her to create this mini album.  To see more of her work visit her blog at http://Cherinspirations.blogspot.com

Items Used:

Timeless Collection: Labels Paper, Pink Stripes, Clocks, Black Damask, Gray Damask, Pink Frames Flocked, Swirls, Clear Stamp Set, Decorative Brads, Die cut Card, Ellements.  Blingage: Alphabet stamp set,  Amy's Gems, Taylors Clips, Zach's Bookplate, Gentry's Glitter, Miranda's Jewels, Gentry's Glitter. Donna's Gems. Misc: Black Cardstock, Gray Ribbon. Thermoweb 3D foam squares.

Tip: On the Cover Cheri used the clear stamp border stamped her boarder then flipped it over matching the edges to create a bigger boarder strip then added a circle of Gentry's glitter.

Cheri is so talented and I love EVERYTHING that she designs!!!!!!!!

Off to go clean... I can't wait! (just kidding)

CRAZY weekend-

Watched Ty get an award by the Murray Liberty League for this hit over the fence- Grand Slam Homerun. They gave him $5.00. This was such a special moment for him!

Ty is in the RED SOX uniform. 

Then he pitched in the game-

Then the weekend was being a nurse and mom to my sweet Gentry. I stayed by her side to care for her. It was a very special weekend for me. I think God gives us ways to serve others to express our love. I am headed to Provo tomorrow to help my girl clean her dorm room and pack. She is coming home after her last final exam on Wednesday. She is doing "okay" now with the help of her AMAZING & sweet roommates and friends. 

I went to boot camp this morning. I was in full mode "DREAD" mood. I went and it really was hard. I had to dig really deep. As I drove there this morning, I kept saying to myself OUT LOUD... YOU CAN DO THIS... YOU are SO much STRONGER then you think you are... YOU are not a quitter. You get the picture- I was talking myself into being in the moment and enjoying it. It worked I worked HARD and when I thought I could go no more... I dug deep and thought of how much healthier I am becoming. I did 105 burpees today along with all the other exercises. I came home so tired but felt  like I am changing. I am not letting the negative talk STOP me anymore. I am almost into this 3 weeks. I am not sure what I am going to do when the six weeks is up. I am committed to exercise and am slightly addicted to those endorphins that I am feeling daily. So I will keep you posted...

I think I am motivated by so many of my family and friends- so many of you. My friend Brie made this for me:

She had made this girl- ME- to remind me that SHE is STRENGTH and LOVE. Brie made this to help remind how strong I am. I love it! I have it displayed so I can remind myself of this message. I love that she used my POSH papers to create this-

NOW... I wanted to show a project with my ON THE EDGE collection.

This On the Edge book is made by Maridette Cachola.

1/2 of On the Edge Chipboard book and cut it in half

Blingage Wings

distressed dots

On the Edge die cuts

I use this line over and over... thanks Maridette!