!!! HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!

It wouldn't be Halloween without posting some cards.

So let's get after it!

Well, that wraps it up until next year.

Don't blink!

It'll be here before we know it!

SHE MISSED IT BY JUST ONE DAY

Being born on Halloween is what I'm talkin' about!

Happy birthday, Laura.

CATCHUP ... BUT NOT FOR YOUR HAMBURGER

I've been waiting to post some of these cards.

The time has now come to share!

First up is a card sent to a friend

that's going through some rough patches.

She recently told me that her ancestors

used to have one of these photo booths.

Fitting, right?

Hoping this brightens Patty's world.

Another (very late - but not forgotten)

thank you card to very dear friends.

I am still thanking people

for their over-the-top generosity for giving to my son.

People that have never met him.

People that I've never met.

Vicki is the best of the best with a heart of gold (and then some!)

Somebody saw the above card on the kitchen island

and asked me to use the same image on a card for his wife.

Same, but with a completely different look.

He also saw this image on another card

and asked me to create a card for his mom.

You've already seen this image on an anniversary

card for our friends.

Always amazes me just how different an image looks

just by changing up everything that adorns the card.

Never too late (especially in Texas)

for a October birthday picnic.

Happy birthday, Krista!

How about another birthday card?

Bill celebrated a couple of days ago.

Well, if you can't take her to Paris,

then give her a little Paris for your 31st wedding anniversary.

Keep on honeymooning, James and Carey!

That's all for now, folks.

Stay tuned for more cards!

OUR FRIENDS

Paul and Carol are the best!!!!!

Today they celebrate their wedding anniversary.

I remember them telling the story of their engagement.

He mentioned marriage.

She immediately dug in her purse for her calendar.

After a quick look,

she said "Well, I'm available on the 19th!"

So, October 19 was the wedding date.

And today they celebrate.

How's this for an October anniversary card?

Happy anniversary, friends.

Wish we could be there to break bread together.

YES

Yesi!

Today Yesi becomes a teenager.

Wow - 13.

She's finally grown into these boots

and will soon be ready for high heels.

Happy birthday, sweet girl!

I WASN'T SURE

… if her birthday card was going to be

gifted on her birthday or not.

So I am posting the day after.

Happy birthday, Penny!

TIMING

Poor Julie.

Yesterday was a knee replacement.

Like I said … TIMING.

Today she celebrates a birthday.

Probably not the way she wants to spend her day.

At least she'll get some extra attention, right? 

Get back on your feet real soon

and

happy birthday!

DEEPEST SYMPATHY

My friends lost a son and a brother.

All they have left are the memories.

Judging by the words spoken at the

Celebration of Life this morning,

many people have many memories.

Good memories.

Loving memories.

Rest in peace, Ronnie.

POSTING LATE - ON PURPOSE

I wasn't sure if she received this yesterday,

which was her actual birthday,

so I'll post today.

And cross my fingers!

My friend's Aunt Rose celebrated

another birthday.

To honor and recognize her,

here's the card.

Happy birthday, Rose!

A DAY OF CELEBRATIONS

Yesterday was a day of celebrations!

Cass had a birthday!

How about that tote?

And the sunflower?

And the greenery?

And the nail?

Happy birthday, Cass!

Averick turned 50.

Actually, a few days ago,

but his party was yesterday.

The only thing missing from this rustic porch

is a comfy chair.

I know I'd love to sit out there in the early morning

and watch the sun burn off that fog.

And there was a wedding for Chris and Jeff.

Bettcha you can guess where they will be honeymooning.

Congratulations! 

All in all, it was a busy and joyful day.

DRIVING OVER THE STATE LINE

Driving from Ohio to Pennsylvania is easy.

Definitely not like crossing the Texas state line.

While visiting up North in August,

we carved out one afternoon to visit cousins

in Pennsylvania.

Nice drive - only took us about an hour.

Well, if we hadn't stopped a couple of times,

we would have been there in a little over an hour.

But we stopped at Peggy Gray Candies.

And then to my parents' grave.

And then we drove around my old town.

THEN we arrived at our final destination.

My cousin Jimmy and his wife Lois.

Visited at their beautiful home and reminisced.

I love talking about the growing-up years

and all the relatives!!!

They wrote a nice check for my son

(hence this thank you card)

and shared some old photos with us.

Jimmy showed us a chair he was re-caning.

His daughter found it on the side of the road

and brought it to him.

It was a mess!

He tore out the broken cane seat

and threw it in the wastebasket.

Doesn't he know NOTHING gets thrown away?

LOL.

I asked him if I could have it

to possibly use in my art.

Mind you, what was in the trash

was the size of a chair seat.

And we had to get on an airplane to get home.

It was larger than my suitcase!

Didn't think to ask him for scissors to cut it down

but my daughter-in-law helped out.

Stuffed that seat into a gallon-size plastic bag

and put it in my suitcase.

NOW - what to do with it, right?

Once I dug through their trash,

they treated us to lunch.

Nice conversation around the table

before heading back to their place.

So what did I do with the caning?

See for yourself.

See?

One man's trash ...

Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts

for your healthy donation, Jimmy and Lois.

And thank you for the wonderful visit, the chair seat,

lunch and for leaving balloons at the folks' grave.

I love you!

READY FOR ANOTHER THANK YOU CARD?

Tried something a little different on this one.

Two images - one peeking out!

Think I might try this again.

Mike and Glenda,

thank you for your generosity.

My boy needs it!

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY

And that's exactly what Kathy is doing today!

Here's hoping it's a fabulous celebration

with the ones that love you.

May your family and friends

be the flowers in your life.

Happy birthday, Kathy.

(Photo Credit goes to Vicki Boster - thank you for allowing me to use your beautiful photo.

Thank you to The Gardner for tending to the flowers.)

IT'S BEEN 27 YEARS

I will never forget!

My daughter married the man of her dreams.

He is now my son-in-law.

We were in Anchorage, Alaska,

and nearly froze - even though

it was only the 25th of September.

The lovebirds on their day.

Congratulations, Mark and Alescia.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Today Joshua and Kelli celebrate three years

of marital bliss.

That's a total of 1,095 days.

Unless leap year happened!

Here's to many, many more years.

Plus extra days for all the leap years.

SAYING GOOD-BYE IS DIFFICULT

A family recently had to say good-bye

a husband and a father.

These three cards were sent

so they knew they were being thought of.

Rest in peace.