don't blink

{Project 356} October 3

Late afternoon yesterday, I needed to find something creative to do to keep my mind off of Frazier's condition. While searching the 'projects' section on the Making Memories website, I found a Halloween wreath made with paper curls using their "Spook Alley" Halloween line. I thought it was so cool and knew I just had to make one. So, after hours of cutting thin strips of paper, curling them around a pencil and hot-glueing them to a styrofoam wreath, I finished my project and am soooooo pleased with the outcome! I think I want to do one for each season and holidays. Although there was a lot of cutting, curling and glueing, I could make this project over and over again.

A bucket of paper curls

A Halloween Wreath

Close up 1

 

Close-up 2

FRAZIER UPDATE: When Chris arrived at the Vet's office, he said Frazier was as alert as ever. His ears perked up when he heard cats meowing and was eating treats from the doctor's hand like candy. She gave a pitiful look, Chris said, after doing an examination. She said he had a massive tumor in his abdomen and it could rupture, but really didn't say much about his leg...which is what was really bothering me! If we wanted, she would have put him to sleep right then and there, but Chris just couldn't do it with how alert and happy Frazier seemed. She gave him a perscription for Prednizone to help with the swelling in order to get the blood circulating better in his leg and that was it. Almost two years ago, Frazier had a similar problem in the same leg and the Prednizone took care of the swelling. He was back to normal, runnning and playing like a young pup. I'm not expecting a miracle, but I hope this will make him a bit more comfortable.

{Project 356} October 2

We've had Frazier since he was 8 weeks old. He just turned 11 on September 25. Over the past 2 weeks his health has been in decline and seems to have taken a turn for the worse today. His right back leg is all swollen, he has a problem walking up and down the stairs and, although he does eat, he doesn't devour his food like he normally does. He'll eat about half, go outside and may or may not eat the rest when he comes back inside. I have been a wreck. I had an appointment at the vet for him yesterday but I just couldn't get him into the van-and he loves to go for rides in the car. He put his two front paws up into the van, but just couldn't get enough momentum to hike himself up inside. When I tried to lift him up, I must have hurt his leg because he let out a cry. I was a complete mess all day yesterday. I ended up canceling the appointment and making it for Saturday so Chris take him while I am at work. We both think that the doctor is going to want to put him down. It is going to be a hard day...I'll keep you posted.

Below is a picture of him laying on his "Christ-moose"

{Project 356} September 27-2nd Post

I forgot to post this in my last entry! It has become somewhat of a "tradition" for Chris to bring me back perfume whenever he travels to Europe. He's brought me back perfumes by Escada, Gucci, Lacoste, Yves Saint Laurent in the past and I've loved them all. But this time, I think what he chose is my absolute fave...a new release by Prada called L'Eau Ambree. I LOVE IT! He did good!

{Project 356} September 27

Today we celebrated Chris' 45th birthday. His birthday is really on the 22nd, but he was in Germany over his birthday and wasn't home to celebrate :(. Over the summer, Chris developed somewhat of an interest in the moon and astronomy in general. I think it was because of the 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing! He mentioned that he would like a telescope for his birthday, so of course I obliged! It's a nice telescope by Celestrom and boy can you see the details on the moon! Not only could we see the moon, but we could see Jupiter and 4 of its moons as well (although they are small). Ryley got him a few books on constellations and stars. It's a pretty cool toy!

 

{Project 356} September 18 & 19

It was a Fresh Crops weekend and we had a big reason to celebrate...Fresh Crops turned 1! Patti and I have worked hard all year to bring a quality scrapbooking experience to the Fredericksburg area and we are so pleased that it has been such a great success! We were completely sold out this weekend and many of our kits have sold out as well! We thoroughly enjoy creating Limited Edition Project Kits for our customers and getting together every other month to scrapbook with our friends. Patti is truly the rock behind the biz, constantly searching the web for the latest and greatest in scrapbook products and making sure that we are operating in the black! She is a great friend and I am so proud to be in business with her! We both are looking forward to what our second year brings!

 

One of our attendees, Terri, brought us an Edible Arrangement to share with the group! Thanks Terri!

 

Yummy cake from Wegmans-of course!

Kits for Sale!

Our next crop is the weekend before Thanksgiving. We are going to have some INCREDIBLE holiday kits for sale that you won't want to miss out on! I will be updating the website soon so registration can begin!

{Project 356} September 12

Happy Birthday to me! Today was my 41st birthday and I spent it crafting, dinner with the family and of course cake and ice cream! Chris was a sweetheart and went to Panera to get me bagels and a Hazelnut coffee and we had breakfast in bed. He gave me a Pandora bead with an anchor to as a reminder of our first sail on the Potomac earlier in the week. We went to the Capitol Ale House for dinner and had a yummy German dinner and an Oktoberfest beer. After, we came home where an Ultimate Chocolate Cake from Wegmans was waiting for me. With all the candles, Ryley thought it looked like a porcupine. Talk about a rich cake! It was sooooo good! Chris and Ryley gave me the Weekender Bag in the Carnaby pattern from Vera Bradley and a large cosmetic bag to match. Now all I need is to go on a trip!

 

 

{Project 356} September 11

Tonight, Chris and I had a formal evening out. We attended a reception at the State Department for Naval Attaches from all of the embassies here in DC. Although I think the building that houses the State Department isn't anything special to look at, once we stepped off the elevator at the top floor, to say I was impressed is an understatement. Floor to ceiling windows, crystal chandeliers, ornate molding, beautiful furniture and artwork...I could go on and on. Huge French doors opened to a balcony with a lovely view of the city. Needless to say, it was a spectacular setting. Then, of course, there was the food. Roast beef, shrimp and other treats were beautifully displayed on silver trays and platters. Everything was so good!

After the reception, we met another couple at a bar called Off the Record which is located on the bottom floor of The Hay-Adams Hotel in downtown DC. I read about this bar in a recent issue of Southern Living-a great place known for its atmosphere, bartender and drinks. It was an extremely elegant bar-a place where I'm sure politicians go to be seen, but not heard. There were pretty cool character drawings of DC politicos such as the President and many of his Cabinet Members. While sitting at our table an older gentleman from across the room came over to us and thanked the guys for their service to our country. He was very pleasant and bought us our drinks! It was the perfect way to end the evening.

 

{Project 356} September 7

Last week, Chris finally got to take his sailing lessons! He took them through Bell Haven Marina in Alexandria, Virginia. After the lessons were complete, students were then allowed to reserve a sailboat at no charge for next seven days (if they wanted) in order to practice their sailing skills. He reserved one for Labor Day and he took me out on the Potomac. I absolutely loved it! I preferred working the lines while Chris did the steering, but I did take my turn at the tiller. We were on the water for about two hours, practicing our tacking and jibing. The morning ended with Chris docking the the boat perfectly into it's slip! 

{Project 356} September 6

A friend of mine from work told me about road trip her and her husband took to Soloman's Island, Maryland. She said that it was a really neat sailing community and that we should check it out! So today Chris and I dropped the top on the convertible and took a 3-hour drive over to the island.

We had such a great time! Once we parked the car, we walked around the whole island–stopping at a waterfront bar-The Tiki Hut-for a few Coronas (I never knew Corona came in a can-I thought it only came in a bottle). The crowd seemed to attract a lot of boaters during the daytime, but at night we heard that it draws quite the biker crowd. After we left the bar we walked some more, admiring the quaint cottages and boats out on the water. We had a yummy crab cake lunch at a restaurant right on the water...and then we walked some more...visiting some of the islands' yacht clubs and harbors. Finally, we stopped for soft serve ice cream before we headed home. It was a fun "date"!