Wishing all things good

Sharon asked me to make a card.

For a mutual friend.

Stipulation?

Must have a "fire" theme.

You see, our friend works

for the Euless Fire Department.

The friend's name is Ken.

Ken has been battling some major health issues.

After three surgeries in just 24 hours,

he's back home

after being hospitalized for something

like 16 days

and working on some rehabilitation.

I'm sure he'll be up and "running"

in no time at all.

He's determined, has a great attitude

and will do it!

Back to the card.

With a "fire" theme.

Ken is looking forward to drumming with his son,
hence the music sheet under the fire.
Hopefully, he'll still be able to recognize the notes
and drum out the tune.

The background was created

using some inks.

The red is 'fired brick'

and the black is 'black soot'

and the yellow is 'fossilized amber.'

How much more "fire" can you get?

The white specks?

Why it's the foam, of course.

The paper under the image

is probably something like the paperwork

Ken, the fire investigator,

uses on the job.

This bicycle probably isn't used much any more

in today's fire services.

But since Ken doesn't actually put out the fires

and since riding a bike will probably

be part of his rehab, I thought it to be perfect.

Of course, efd is in the corner of the image,

surrounded by all the black soot.

The stitches?

Not sure if he's got any yet,

but something tells me he'll be needing some

before this whole ordeal is put to bed.

The stars?

Ken's the shining star over at Fire Admin

and his presence is missed.

Heal quickly, Ken!

Sixth Annual Spaghetti Dinner

The Euless Citizen Fire Academy Alumni Association

thought it would be great to give back to our guys (and girl)

that give so much of themselves on a daily basis.

 

We've been cooking dinner for them for six years

(with plans for next year already) and last night was the night!

 

My friend and fellow-alumni, Betty Priddy,

arrived at the station at 11:30.

Shortly thereafter, Lori Johnston arrived.

 

Once the sauce was simmering,

the meatball rolling and frying process began.

We lost count, but I do know that 20 POUNDS of meat was used.

I'm suspecting 300+ meatballs.

 

As we cooked, it was nice having our firefighters

in the kitchen keeping us company and entertaining us.

Especially the entertaining part.

I'm not sure who's the funniest: Kenny? or Adam? or Jeff?

Together they are crazy.

Shawn may be quiet, but he can cut up like the rest of them.

 

The guys also helped!

They set up the tables and chairs.

They lifted big heavy pots.

They made the iced tea.

And they Kenny sampled.

 

Hydrating.

By the way - who wouldn't love to have a pantry like that!?!

 

Once all the on-shift station guys arrived from all three stations,

and once the alumni got there with all of their food contributions,

we sat down and broke bread together as one happy family.

Scott, Chance and Jerri ... you are really serious, aren't you?

No time for talking when it's time to eat.

Thanks, Jerri Keller, for the garlic knots - sure glad I snagged one for myself.



Barney Snitz, Ann Marie's cookies were the best - as always.

Please thank her for us.

Awwwww, come on Betty.

No scowling ... the hard part is finished.

Our treasurer, Dave Shanahan, digs in.

Jean Nuber and Peggy Vandiver enjoying the food and the conversation.

Thank you for joining us, Division Chief Paul Smith!

 

Alumni, Barb Niziolek. 

Mother, Shirley Daily and daughter, Sherri Browning.

Great desserts, ladies.

Adam - "eating healthy" ...

Now what'd I say about entertainment?

Jeremy, George and Adam.

Chris and Saul.

It's okay that you took my seat, Brandon.

Honestly.

Jeremy and Lori Tompkins.

 

Kristy Wynne and Joyce Maxwell.

Kathy Ames, Linda Eilenfeldtand Shawna DePuente.

Anniece McKanna, Scott and Barney.

This was one of my highlights of the night.

We cooked and the firefighters cleaned up.

I'm sure we made a mess of the stove,

but those guys took it all apart and got after it.

Thanks Brandon and Kenny!

Rookies always get the grunt work.

Andrew scrubbed those pots and pans.

And scrubbed.

And scrubbed.

What a guy!

See that mop leaning against the wall?

Once the guys danced with it,

the wet mop came out.

Rob has a happy face.

Not just from having a full belly, but from successfully completing

the Firefighter II promotional process today

along with Toby and Michael.

Congratulations, guys!



See?

All of the tables and chairs in the day room have been taken down

and loaded in the vehicles to return.

 

Yep - I ate, too!!!

 

Kudos ...

 

To Joe Forgione for handing down his recipe and the large sauce pot.

We missed you!

 

To The Runner for shopping and delivering all of the ingredients.

 

To Betty Priddy and Lori Johnston for helping me cook.

 

To Chief Morris for arranging for the tables and chairs to magically appear.

 

To all of the firefighters that helped in their many ways.

 

To the alumni that brought salads, bread and desserts.

 

We couldn't have done it without you!!!!!

 

See you next year, God willing.

Whoa ... I have so much to tell you so let's get started!

Yikkes ... it feels like it's been ages since I've been here

other than to post a card here and there.

 

I've been busy, busy, busy.

First of all, I'm so happy to announce

that our e-mail account has been restored.

Not sure if you all know this or not but ...

I somehow deleted the entire e-mail account.
 

Poof.  Gone.

And with it, all of my folders.

The account is back but the folders and contents are not.

I can't even tell you how much stuff is gone.

 

In keeping with my 15 for 2015

here is a thank you card sent to a blog friend.

Sandi lives in Michigan

but one day I swore I saw her walk through the door

at Joann's here in Texas.

Girl, you have a look alike!

This image reminded me of her decorating style so much.

Go ahead and check it out - I think you'll like what you see.

The reason for a thank you card?

She sent me some sweet felt hand warmers

(photo from her blog.)

 

You know when you say to somebody "let's get together?"
The intentions are there and you really do want to get together.
But you know - life gets in the way.
When I met Donna for the first time in February at the retreat,
she told me that her son lives not far from me.
(Donna lives in Stephenville, which is about a 90 minute drive from here.)
I immediately told her to call me when she next visits him.

Well, what a pleasant surprise when she called me!!!
She's in town and did I want to go to lunch?
Well, yeaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.
What a nice day I had yesterday.
Thank you, Donna for calling me.
Now, are you sure you don't want to move here?

Thursday evenings have me at the fire stations.

I just love love love being a part of each new class

that's going through the academy.

It doesn't matter how many times I sit through each session.

I. keep. learning.

Thank you, Euless Fire Department
for allowing and encouraging alumni to sit in on the classes.

Tomorrow I'll be at the local wrecker company

watching the new students demolish a car.

THAT was my favorite class.

 

My daughter's friend recently married

and this card went to the happy couple.

 

A friend asked me to make a card for her friend that's battling breast cancer.

She wanted something pink and cheery.

The outside of the card isn't pink, but those pink flowers should cheer her up.

 

One more card for that same friend.

I think it would be perfect to send as a thank you note

to somebody that invited her to dinner!

My sweet friend, Marie, lost her father a couple of weeks ago.

This card went to her.

 

Yesterday, my 'little' Pen Pal turned sweet 16.
(She's been taller than me for about the past six years!)

I suppose now she wants to trade the bicycle in for a car.

 

This card was created for a friend
and she will send it to her aunt that's battling cancer.

 

See?

I haven't been loafing.  I'm cranking out cards left and right.

I've done wedding anniversary cards.

And baby shower cards.

And thank you cards.

And birthday cards.

And high school graduation cards.

And Mother's Day cards.

 

The Mother's Day cards have really been keeping me busy.

I still have many to share, but won't be able to until May 10.

One of the recipients won't be visiting this blog,

so it's safe to post this one now.

 

The image on this card is perfect.

It's going to be given to Lucy Scott!

I can't forget the tags.
The birds will be tied around the tissue paper
that'll be wrapped around the Beachcomber Nests.
The square tags will be tied directly onto the nests.
If you haven't done so already,
you might want to pop on over to Vicki's blog
and take a peek at all the beautiful nests
and vacation pictures.

Oh - and I've been checking with the freight company every few days.
Everything is still on schedule
and is expected to arrive in Mombasa on April 29.
Of course, more time for ground delivery has to be factored in
before they are delivered.

I keep in touch with Josephine on a regular basis
and she tells me the children are giddy with excitement.

You know those smiling faces will greet you right here
as soon as the boxes arrive.

That about wraps it up for now.
Thanks so much for your patience
and for following along with all of my creative endeavors.

The last day of the year

How are you going to spend your day today?  How about tonight?  Will you be celebrating the old and ringing in the new?  Yeah - the latter isn't gonna happen in our home.  Don't get me wrong.  We'll ring in the new but it'll be about 8:00, if we're lucky.

As I reflect back on this year, we were so blessed.

The Runner competed in four off-road marathons (three first places and one third place in his age division) and four off-road 50Ks (two first places, one second place and one third place in his age division) and one 55K (third place in his age division.)  He is a MACHINE!

We went to three parties, several city-sponsored concerts and celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary.  The daughter visited from Chicago to celebrate Mother's Day with me.

I went on seven retreats and one all-day crop at a friend's home, five scrapbook conventions and helped two friends organize their craft rooms.  I work in my playground almost every day and I cannot even begin to tally up all the cards and craft projects I worked on or all the flowers I made.  Just know there were oodles!

I continued to enjoy volunteering with the fire department: Super Bowl Sundae, badge pinnings, retirements, monthly meetings, station tours, scholarship committee, bake sale, spaghetti dinner, TLC cards to honor firefighter's birthdays and anniversaries.  And I can't forget all the deviled eggs (in excess of 200) I made to take to different events.

I joined forces with Vicki to help the beautiful children in Uganda.  Can I just say I am in awe!?!  The generosity of so many will help these children tremendously.  We have collected over $2,000 in cash as well as over $200 in Walmart gift cards.  Neither Vicki nor I ever - in our wildest imaginations (and hopes) - expected to receive donations of this magnitude.  And the craft supplies - oh my goodness.  I have boxes and boxes and boxes stacked in two different closets.  Just after the first of the year, I will go on a shopping spree that will beat all others.  My cart(s) will be filled with clothing and shoes for each of these children as well as hygiene supplies, toiletries, book bags, school supplies and toys.  In about one month, everything will be shipped to them.  Josephine promised to take pictures - and you know I'll be posting them.

You know you gotta take the good with the bad, right?  Well, here's the not-so-good stuff:  Tendinitis in my ankle which meant wearing a boot for two weeks and three bouts of sinusitis.  But if that's all the health issues we have, I'll take it.  We are so fortunate!

As you look to the new year, hold onto what is GOOD.  Let go of what is BAD.  It is really just that simple.