Life Update

 Not sure how this will go.  Many of my friends and family know I try to eat WFPB, SOS...What that means is Whole Food Plant Based no salt, oil or sugar.  I'm struggling and working on this daily.

I weigh 101.5 and I'm not sure how I got to this weight but I like it!  I wasn't trying to lose weight it just happened. I find myself checking the scales often.

I take medicine for diabetes and I believe it can be controlled with this way of eating.  I just can't stick to it.  My doctor wants me on meds for hypertension and cholesterol but I refuse.  Again I believe if I can stick to a WFPB way of eating my numbers should come down.  All of my research suggests it will help but only if I stick to the plan.

Do you struggle with health issues?  What do you do to be healthier? Trust the meds your doctor prescribes?

Some of my recent cards:

Card Fronts from Not2Shabby

Call me Crafty Al puts out a sheet load every month.  Echo Park papers, some stickers

Brandi's Cards made 10 in 20 minutes.  I chose this fern from a retired SU set

Not2Shabby February paper pad kit and ephemera

I'd love to hear your thoughts on your health or mine..perhaps we can help each other

Life goes On

                                                

Here it is, almost the middle of January,  and once again I am slow to post updates.  Truth is we don't do much of anything!  Our life is quiet as we both pursue our passions.  

I make cards, almost everyday I work on them.  As I wake in the morning I'm thinking about the project I'm working on and possibly the next.  I seem to always have ideas about what card to make next.  I get inspired by other crafters and that starts the process of creating.  Each month my groups on Facebook post challenges and I try to do each one!

Jim reads a lot.  He also is walking more and more each day.  He too gets challenged by his watch.  Or Sonsearae.  The watches record everything from heart beats to steps.  Even standing!

Weekly we see Sonsearae and Chris.  Last Sunday it was snacks and football.  We don't get to see Christy and Rik as often as I'd like.  

Speaking of football, are you into the playoffs?  Which team is your favorite.  We're cheering for the Chiefs!  Saints didn't have a very good year year and I think we need a new head coach.

Our weather has been typical for this time of year.  Sometimes foggy mornings, sometimes temperatures in the upper 30's at night.  During the days the temperature can be anywhere from upper 50's to mid 70's.  So far we have been lucky and not caught a cold!

                                                Handmade cards Because

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2023

8

Texture Chic from Stampin' Up! 

Rejoice in Him is a new stamp from Stampin' Up!  

This slimline card is made with retire DSP and with a template from Crafty Al.  She always posts new one at the beginning of the month.  I opted to make just one

Club Scrap Wild Rose Greeting to Go kit 2016.  I do have some stash that needs to be used! These cards are 5 x 7 and utilizes cut aparts. No stamping required

Hope you're enjoying the season, no matter where you live.  For us, the weather here is cold enough. If you're in the rainy part of California stay dry and safe

                                   All is right in our world

I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Teaching quick and easy card making. Follow me here or on Facebook:  Card making with Linda for more detailed instruction. To place an order, head over to my website to view the digital catalogs

https://lindagoudelock.stampinup.net/

Autumn has Arrived

 Aided by a 'trough' of cold air Hurricane Ian devastated Ft Myers and cut a destructive path across the central section of Florida.  We were very fortunate, not so those south of here.  Many lost everything from lives to possessions.  It's going to take many years to recover, especially since I'm sure new building codes will be put into practice.  Just like after Hurricane Katrina.  Each disaster that Mother Nature throws at us we learn how little we humans know.

This cold air has brought us Autumn!  Daytime temperatures are in the 70's and nighttime dips into the upper 40's lower 50's.  Jim is loathe to let summer summer go.  Still wearing shorts and sandals.  Me?  Socks and long pants.  If needed I do switch to shorts in the afternoon.                                    

                           Handmade Cards because: 

                No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

327

I'm sure this is Sheetload from Crafty Al using Stampin' Up! products

Made this for a challenge Rustic Harvest from Stampin' Up!

Same challenge, Wonderful World and Orchid Oasis (a new in color.  The white panel has been dry embossed with Painted Texture embossing folder.  I used Wink of Stella to make the flower sparkle

I found this scrap of floral paper and decided to cut into three panels...turned out well don't you think?

Though I still have flowers they took a beating from the strong winds we had because of that strong trough of cold air.  Small price to pay.

All is right in our world

Clouds and rain?

                                Just after I got up at 0630 we had a brief rain shower.  I love the sound of a gentle rain on our roof.  Makes me smile.  All morning the rain stayed away but the clouds remained.  And humid?  whew.  This is when Jim decided to head outdoors to work on the edging.  We still need more to finish the project, then mulch.

I did some cleaning in the bedroom.  Got out the vacuum and tried to get all the nooks and crannies.  Small bedroom makes for tight spaces!  Made potato salad, corn on the cob and leftover baked beans for lunch.  Not very exciting but it was tasty!  Spent the afternoon napping or reading.  I napped, Jim read.  Just a typical day around here.  

We had a huge black cloud move over us this afternoon.  Reminded me of Joe in the Lil Abner cartoon...Just sprinkled then moved on.         

                                             Handmade Cards because:

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

151

These are smaller than my regular cards, note cards to be exact.  Stampin' Up! products.  This card design is a SIP, all you need is Stamps, Ink and Paper.

Echo Park and it's a template from Crafty Al

This is a kit from Stampin' Up!  Little notes to hand out as acts of kindness.  Takes no time to put together

The sun is out and the heavy cloud cover has passed

All is right in our world

Improvements to our site

 We are slowly getting better while building up our stamina.  We have some outdoor projects that involve some physical labor and boy, do we feel it!  Especially Jim as he's installing our edging.  There is asphalt along the edge of our site that is unsightly.  Can't remove it without heavy equipment and since there is about a 4-5 inch drop-off we're putting the edging in and we'll cover the ugly stuff with mulch.  I can always put some potted plants on the mulch,  inside the border.

See all that asphalt?  And the drop off?

we're addressing that problem!

We got the edging idea from our neighbor as he covered the area between our rigs.  I'll have to get a picture of it because it looks ever so nice!  We've already made two trips to Costco for the edging...Jim can only do so much at a time and I'm not much help.  My potted plants are doing good except for one tomato plant.  Somehow it was stunted and has stopped growing.  There is one tomato about two and half inches across, so I'm letting it grow to see what becomes of it.  Little tiny cucumbers are appearing.  I've picked three jalapenos.

Spent some time with Sonsearae and Chris Saturday.  She and I went to Costco before my haircut at noon.  Jim picked me up from the salon and we went to their house for pizza.  Chris had a conference, week before last in Ashville, North Carolina and Sonsearae accompanied him. He returned Monday but Sonsearae stayed on and visited with her BFF Holly for a few days.  They've been friends since high school.  Holly and family drove over for the weekend to Ashville then Sonsearae drove home with Holly.  Fun was had by all, I'm sure!

                           Handmade Cards because:

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

118

The first eight cards are mini slimline cards.  The template is from Crafty Al.  Stampin' Up! supplies except the envelopes.  Flowering Fields DSP

More Easter Cards with Stampin' Up! supplies

I hope Spring is in the air for ya'll.  Saw Colorado had some snow.  So winter is still clinging to that area for sure.  We're enjoying the milder temperatures, all to soon it will be hot.

All is right in our world!

We're a week into February, almost two weeks!  We're still here and just trying to stay warm.  I know ya'll up North have it worse than us, but Jim is not a fan of cold weather and it's a favorite topic of conversation...

Sonsearae and Chris brought this little frog home from Puerto Rico for me.  The coqui is the unofficial national symbol of Puerto Rico.  Beautiful!

At the beginning of the month we moved to our permanent spot here at Wildwood Golf and RV Resort.  A lot of other rigs were moving that day also.  Had to wait for our new site to be vacated and almost immediately the folks across the street, from Vermont, moved into our old site….then within a short time a motor home moved into their spot!  Others were coming and going too. It was a beautiful sunny day to make it easier on everyone.

The last two days we've had some decent afternoon temperatures.  So Jim tackled some chores outside.  We both took a walk around the campground. Jim put up a tray feeder and a wren was on it!  Hopefully I'll attract some birds.  Still need to put up the feeding station.  No bushes for birds to flit to...I guess I'll have to plant some.  I do have plans for making our site prettier but it will take time.

Jim got his hearing aids last week.  So far it's going well.  Obviously he hears better but getting used to an object in your ear, even if small, takes some getting used to.  He's also doing better with the cpap machine.  As far as sleep?  He still naps most days and is tired most of the time.  Does the machine work?  who knows.  But he uses it each night and sometimes we both get to sleep all night.

Handmade Cards because:

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

42

Called a Stack and Shuffle these cards were made using 4 sheets of 6x6. All Stampin’ Up! Product. Decorated the envelopes too.

Crafty Al's Sheet Load of Cards Template.  Can't remember which month.  Again using Stampin' |Up! supplies

I'm trying to use up my stash!  I have a craft box full of pre cut, solid cardstock from many sources.  So this is an Out of the Box card.  The Pineapple and Aloha are from Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Up! Hand Penned Memories and More card pack is super for making quick cards.  Also included is the Simply Marbelous DSP from from the Sal a Bration catalog (free with a qualifying purchase)

Some more Hand Penned Cards, pretty Spring colors

 

Another out of the box card using Echo Park and Stampin' Up! papers

All is right in our world

 

4th of July Weekend

 So what did you do to celebrate?  While I like the pretty fireworks I don’t like the smell or pollution they cause or the potential for fires.  And what about all the animals terrified by the noise? We’ll stay home and protect Boo and our property.   We did enjoy some time with Chris and Sonsearae.  They were making food for their evening with friends (we were invited but declined).  Brisket and BBQ chicken.  A vinegar slaw for said brisket.  I arrived with some small Cajun potatoes.  Sonsearae also set out a meat and cheese platter.  We didn't go home hungry!  We watched Capitol on the Fourth on PBS and I must say I was disappointed.  Pre recorded musical segments and I missed the Boston Pops!

It was noisy around here once it got dark.  The folks across the street set off some noisy fireworks.  Some of them quite loud and Boo was nervous....Around ten pm it did get quieter and we went to bed around ten thirty.  Boo was sleeping.  Then round two started.  Loud booms woke me and I could hear Boo pacing.  I brought him up to our bed and he finally settled down.  But once again something loud woke me...mind you Jim was sleeping and wasn't much help.  Boo and I came down to the living room and for about thirty minutes we waited and listened.  He finally fell asleep and I went back to bed...twelve thirty am.  Slept until seven am!

We’ve had rain most every day this week.  This must be the rainy season!  Elsa seems to be headed out way but right now it's a wait and see situation.

                                                 Handmade Cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantle or

Shows off a tweet on the fridge or

Saves a Facebook post in a box of treasures

Total for the year, 301 cards made

These are the cards I made for the 4th of July.  Mailed them out a week ago

Some more cards using the June Echo Park kit

Stampin' Up! has a beautiful You're a Peach suite of paper and stamps with which I made these cards.  Using the July template from Craft Al I present you with 12 mini slimline cards! Six each of Birthday and thank you cards because always need them.

For card makers July signals the Christmas holiday.  It's seems no matter if you send just a few or hundreds, you're never ready when Christmas rolls around.  So we start making cards in July.  This was in my stash and I used these for a challenge.  It's all Stampin' Up! from a couple years ago.  I still have some of the paper...you may see more of it!

After not sleeping well last night we've had a lazy day.  So lazy, Jim took a nap.  Normal chores for me.  I just did them slowly.  Plenty of food in the fridge so I didn't have to cook.  Another rainy afternoon and now the sun is out.  Perhaps we'll have a pretty sunset later.

All is right in our world

Day Trip to St George Island

 

Earlier this month we went to St George Island.  Lovely drive and I can't begin to tell you how nice it was to be near the salt water!  Smelled so good...we both needed some Vitamin Sea.  Now I need a trip to the mountains!  LOL  We both miss traveling but Jim just isn't into driving much anymore (perhaps just locally) and neither of us enjoy the journey much unless it's picturesque.  We had lunch at Paddy's Raw Bar, pretty much our kind of place.  We sat outside and had a tiny view of the bay. 

                                  Handmade cards because:

No one displays an email on the mantle or

Shows off a tweet on the fridge or

Saves a Facebook post in a box of treasures

Total for the year, 226 cards made

Isn't this paper lovely?  Stampin' Up! of course.  The template is from Crafty Al, June 20121.  Every month Alicia shares a new template on her YouTube channel.  Usually I have a set made within a couple days!  I used Vanilla cardstock and the paper is Pattern Party Paper, the sentiment is from Tasteful Touches and ink and card mat is Rococo Rose.  Soft and lovely!

Using up so Old SU Paper I made these using the January 2020 template from Crafty Al

Echo Park February 2021 Card kit featuring Carta Bella paper

Do you have any plans for the weekend?  Today I'm stripping the bed...as soon as Jim get's up.  He decided to sleep in today.  The doctor told him to try going for two weeks without a nap to reset his sleeping pattern.  Not sure if it's working!

This afternoon I have my last therapy visit.  I think we're doing something for Father's Day but I'm not sure about it.

All is right in our world

Feels like Spring

We’ve had some very nice days with upper 60’s to mid 70 temperatures. Of course every few days as a front approaches we get some rain. At night is when it gets chilly, 40’s and 50’s. We’ve taken the comforter off the bed and just use the quilt.  For the past few days the pollen has been causing us problems.  Jim more than me.  For that reason we've been using the AC.  It also helps when the temperatures are reaching the 80's.  We only have one...the fan on the other ac isn't working, still, yet, whatever.  The folks working on this problem leave a lot to be desired in customer relations.  They never call and give updates.

Ate a new restaurant last week, Walk On's.  Pretty decent Cajun food.  It's new here and we tried once before to get in and couldn't even find parking!  This time we showed up before 1100 and met Sonsearae there.  Chris wasn't feeling well so he missed out on some tasty food!

I finally have an appointment at the VA.  First week in April.  It's been over a year since I've seen my personal physician.  And a year since I've been under a doctors care.  I've had no meds for diabetes or cholesterol for a couple months so this visit should be interesting!

Handmade cards because:

No one displays an email on the mantle or

Shows off a tweet on the fridge or

Saves a Facebook post in a box of treasures

Total for the year, 132 cards made

These three cards are from a Paper Pumpkin kit The theme was sympathy type/thinking of you cards 

This Hydrangea Suite from Stampin' Up! is gorgeous!  At least the color pallet on the paper is.  I was able to snag this from Wendy Cranford who has a monthly kit

March template from Crafty Al.  Alicia has some pretty amazing templates that help me make multiples.  Sailing Home from Stampin' Up! stamps and paper

Daylight savings starts in the middle of the night...Spring those clocks ahead...unless you're all digital and it's done automatically.  I think we have just the wall clock that we need to physically change

All is right in our world

 

February Where did it go?

Can you believe February is over?  I know it’s a short month, but it went by quickly for me. Our weather is significantly different from the beginning of the month. While we didn’t have snow or below freezing temperatures, we were cold and wet. That means we didn’t go out much. Jim isn’t a fan of temperatures under 75 degrees.  I think we need better cold weather clothing! 

Handmade cards because:

No one displays an email on the mantle or

Shows off a tweet on the fridge or

Saves a Facebook post in a box of treasures

Total for the year 113 cards made

Using a template from Crafty Al, Some Stampin’ Up! DSP and Stamps these cards came together quickly

 From the February 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit these three cards were also quick to make. It’s so easy to use kits to make cards. Only a few supplies are needed to make handmade cards. I still have more to make as this kit had supplies for nine cards. 

On Sunday with the suggestion by Sonsearae the four (Chris, Jim and myself) of us met up at St Marks Wildlife Refuge.  The weather was perfect for strolling around looking for birds, smelling the salt air and just enjoying.

I believe we all stood looking out at the boats and water listening to the water come ashore

The lighthouse is always a stop and people were stopped and looking up, but not at the lighthouse!

Out front there are several oak trees and the birds were going nuts, several people were staring up, pointing and very excited.

How often to you get to see a Bobcat just chilling out?  I wonder what he was thinking about all the folks below

We saw pelicans, egrets, black and white ibis, fiddler crabs, a softshell turtle, a wee snake and a couple alligators.  More importantly, we were outside with family enjoying the fresh air.  Perfect way to end the month.  

As I'm tying this it's raining!

All is right in our world

 

I’ve Been Busy

These first couple of weeks of February has mostly kept us home. Temperatures might be about the same as Spring Branch Texas at this time of year. But there are a lot more rainy days here. Couple that with chilly temperatures and Jim hunkers down. 

For some reason I’ve been getting up before 0600 most days. And if I try to nap it doesn’t work.   By 1500 I'm low on energy.  It does mean I can work on my cards because Jim doesn't get up until 0800.  I can make a mess and have it cleaned up before he awakens.  I craft on the kitchen counter.

Handmade cards because:

No one displays an email on the mantle or

Shows off a tweet on the fridge or

Saves a Facebook post in a box of treasures

In the month of February

 I've made 25 cards thus far

Sand and Sea from Stampin' Up!  This paper is so pretty! I may have to get more.  The card second from the left is an easel card and the 4th card is a Dutch door

These 9 cards are made with a template from Crafty Al.  It's so relaxing to have the instructions and just assemble the cards.  This paper is from Stampin' Up!

Berry Blessings from Stampin' Up! is beautiful, so far I've only worked with the blue papers so stay tuned for some reds and purples!

 

From an old Paper Pumpkin kit these cards came together quickly as I'd already worked with it before

Sand and Sea again. It's hard to see but the vanilla like paper is shimmery. Perhaps you'll get this from me and you'll see for yourself

Using up old SU paper.  You never have to many birthday cards!

Had some sunshine today...quite nice after two days of rain and fog.  During a storm the other day lightening fried our modem.  Fortunately Jim was quick and reported it and we had a tech out the next day.

Since arriving here last November we've been without our ac's.  I can't begin to tell you about all the delays it getting them repaired.  Parts....it seems getting parts is the problem.  Well they have the parts and hopefully the rain will hold off and repairs will be made Sunday.  The storm the day our modem was fried they were supposed to come out.

All is right in our world