It's almost here!!

I can't believe we are just 10 days from Christmas! It's really my favorite time of the year! I got some last minute orders in & they have been keeping me busy, but I have still been able to sit back & enjoy some Christmas movies (My husband & son call them "girlie movies") and drink hot chocolate, watch the fire in the fireplace, (yep, we have had a few so far!) & just look at the Christmas tree all lit up! I love listening to Christmas music in the car & stuff, too! Our Christmas play is this Sunday at Church & I am singing Mary Did you Know in between scenes. Our Church also had a float in our town's Christmas parade this year & that was fun! Well, gotta print up lots more candy bar wrappers...more later! Oh, and I'm posting a pic of our Christmas tree!

It's closing in on us....

OMGosh---22 days till Christmas?? Where is the time going?? I've got to make lots of craft items for a Christmas Festival I'm doing this Sat, the 8th!! Panic is setting in...breathe, breathe...nah, I'll be OK....whatever gets made, gets made & whatever doesn't, doesn't!! :0) Hope all is well in your corner of the world! I know once this festival is over I'll feel better & can enjoy the season a little more. How are you all doing on your shopping?? With our children being adults now, we just give them money & then a couple small things to open, so it's not as stressful...also, not as fun! I miss having little ones at Christmas...so....I have "adopted" my good friend Lori's 3 kids & can't wait to have them over to see the decorations & see what's under the tree for them!! More later....

Back From Florida!

Wow--I am behind on posting! But, hubby & I went to Fl to visit our daughter, Jamie, for Thanksgiving! We had a great time & I did pretty well with my limitations. We drove down & it takes roughly 12 hours, so it got a little uncomfortable, but was worth it! Got to see my brother & Step-Mom, too, as well as meet Jamie's Boyfriend's family, which was great! I also got to meet with an online friend from one of the chat forums I am on...Jo...& that was lots of fun, too! We ate so much the entire time we were there! I need to get serious & cut back some before the Christmas meals arrive! LOL! So... now I have to get ready for 2 upcoming shows & then I will be done crafting for the rest of this year...I will take a break to enjoy all the holiday festivities! Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving & counted all your blessings...more later!

43 Days till Christmas???

Does this make anybody else feel overwhelmed?? This year seems to have just flown by for me! It seems scary, really! I have 2 more shows that I'm doing & will be done by Dec 8th, so I really want to make it a top goal to really enjoy the holiday season....you should, too---let's all do that! I really need to get to work....but, on top of my usual pain I have a sore throat & earache & just want to sleep! :o( More later.....

Dry Embossing on Cards

OK--I am loving my new dry embossing tools from Stampin' Up! What a great, easy, little extra touch that really makes the cards pop! Go here for a tutorial: http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/4288.asp And if you find yourself needing the tools, you can go to my Stampin'Up website http://www.terristringer.stampinup.net/ OR just email me thru http://www.bellabunandco.com/ .

We had another really great day here, weather-wise & I made a point of sitting outside in the sunshine & fresh, cool air! I even took Marbie (my cat) out with me... she has rarely been outdoors, but she loved it. She ate a little grass, sniffed the air & then wanted back in the house!

I'm working on some more of my "souper" cans to sell at an upcoming show & I've also been on some forums to promote my website & blog. Nothing really demanding, but enough to keep me from getting too bored & restless! I'm off now to make some 4" tiles for the show, as well...More later!

Back from Gatlinburg!

Oh wow! We had the BEST time! I was so excited to have made it thru the weekend without any health dramas--I just really paced myself & took breaks/naps...... & they worked! We had such beautiful accomadations & couldn't have asked for better weather. The mountains were just gorgeous with color & we just had a great time catching up & we laughed a lot! It was a perfect weekend & we plan on doing it anually! Now...back to the ole craftin' table!

Cousin's Retreat!!

OK, with my nerve damage condition it's hard for me to physically do much, BUT I am heading off today to Gatlinburg, TN with my sister to meet 8 of our cousins for a fun weekend!! I am so looking forward to it, but feel anxious about it at the same time. I don't want to get down there & then lay around like a slug! I just never know from one day to the next what is going to happen with my pain & sleeping, so it's just a chance I'm taking! We have rented a huge chalet & we are going to a dinner show & just do some relaxing & catching up on each other's lives! Say a little prayer for me if ya would! If I over-do it I will be down for several days for sure, so I just want to try to pace myself at the right balance. Hope all of you have as great weekend & when I get back I will be posting some new stuff! More later...