Not the best day

Have you ever had your feelings hurt when you were down? Ever asked for help, without revealing all the details, and been euphemistically slapped in the face?

As some of you know, I have been extremely ill recently. I had an "adverse reaction" to some asthma medication, followed by some back muscle trauma. I've spent most of my life being rather unwell, and I hate whiners, so I always just cover up my health problems by laughing and saying, "I'm sure I'll be fine." I try to be a very reliable person. I'm not a flake. I always do what I say I will do.

But today, I left a message with someone asking for a little help, and instead I got a lecture for my trouble. A lecture on personal responsibility, no less. So after spending a few hours with my feelings very hurt, I am trying to be a "Big Girl." An emotionally mature adult--"Be the better person" has always been my style. I'm struggling today to even *want* to be the better person.

So to pull myself out of this hurt, I'm trying to think of ways I can be more sensitive to the needs of others. More aware that they may not be telling me everything, but they still need help.

I remember the first time in my adult life when I realized I could be more sensitive. I had a 1 month old baby (my 3rd) and my youngest brother had just died unexpectedly. My sister-in-law had come to pick up me and my kids to take us to my parents' house. As we were driving, she accidentally stopped at a green light. (Much better, actually, than accidentally NOT stopping at a red light.) Suddenly we both realized it, and she said, "Oh, I better get moving!" She was pregnant at the time, and sick. It was a moment of clarity, in all that grief and shock, that perhaps sometimes when people did "dumb" things, there was a very good--but hidden from me--reason for it. I would like to think that I became more compassionate. More willing to give others the benefit of the doubt.

It's a little early for New Year's resolutions, but I hope I can turn this sad day into a reminder to be a little kinder to others. To give them credit for the good things they do and how hard they try.

I hope you'll join me in taking a moment today to give someone a break. Let someone in front of you in line. Be the one who smiles. Remember our Savior who suffered for us whether we "deserved" it or not. In this crazy, busy time of year, take time to do a little emotional good deed.

Vintage Santa

I found these enormously yummy peppermint candies, and I had to figure out a way to show them off! A Christmas candy jar was just the ticket! I decided I had been petting my wonderful Riding Hood Red and Vanilla striped ribbon enough, so it was time to use it. The tag is from the hostess set Punches Three, stamped in Riding Hood Red on Very Vanilla and punched out with the scalloped square punch.

I am more of a Father Christmas person than a real Santa gal, so I love the retired SU set, Old fashioned Christmas. I stamped it in Black Staz-On in the lid and 3 sides.

Ho ho ho

This adorable Santa is made with the SU Exclusive Pennant Bigz Die! The die cuts both his hat and the scalloped circles. I used a variety of circle punches to complete his face. Add a little Blush Blossom to his cheeks, and you're set to go!

Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approached this week, I have been thinking of all I have to be thankful for. Foremost are my faith and my family. For loving parents and siblings, for an amazing husband, and for the wonderful children who bless my life. It is truly a miracle that we were blessed with 6.

Just a few others:

I am thankful for my old house with all it's beautiful old trees. And for the chickens, ducks, kitties, and dog that roam our little acreage. Just watching those ducks waddle brightens my days.

I am thankful for music, and for the joy that singing brings to me. I am even more thankful that my family finds joy in singing, too!

I am thankful for those who are lost to me now, and for the faith that I will see them again.

I am thankful for my amazing SA stamping sisters. They have become such an important part of my life, and they keep me smiling.

Please share what you are thankful for, if you feel so inclined!

Holiday Extravaganza Sale!

Stampin Up! has a great Black Friday sale going on NOW! Click the image above to order directly from my Stampin Up website, or contact me by email. Call or email me if you need any help. Because you KNOW I can help you spend your money, right? And the beauty of it is, this is Christmas stuff, so it doesn't have to come out of your stamp budget. :-) Don't miss out! Quantities are limited! If you'd like to see the bundle lists, click on the document below!

Lip Balm Holders

Somehow I forgot to take picture of the inside of these! LOL

I didn't do the very-cute-but-difficult cuts to hold the lip balm. Instead, the lip balms are just stuck to the binding with mini-glue dots! Much simpler, and still as cute--at least I think so!

Lots of these are going in Christmas stockings this year!

Stampin' Up is having a BIG sale that starts late tonight (midnight Tuesday night). Holiday gift bundles at 20% to 50% off. Just click over to my Stampin Up website to check out the specials and order!

Here comes Susie Snowflake

I can't post what I'm *really* working on these days, because it's for a Secret Sister 12 days of Christmas surprise! And if she saw it on my blog, well, it wouldn't really be a surprise *or* a secret, now would it? {wink}

This is an ornament sample I made from a round chipboard coaster. I saw the idea on a blog somewhere that the large scalloped circle *just* peeks out from behind those coasters! How fabulous is *that*????

I covered the coaster (4 inch circle, medium weight) with Designer Paper. Tombo Multi Glue 110755 is my favorite glue for this. Glue a ribbon hanger on the back of the coaster NOW. Don't wait till later, 'cause then you'll be cussing and . . . well, anyway. Trust me.

Then I cut the large scalloped circle (113468) from Old Olive cardstock to go behind it. Cut the larger scallop circle from Scallop Circle #2 (113469) in DSP and layer on top. I felt like my Snow Flurry needed some bling, so I dotted it with the Multi glue and gave it a bath in Dazzling Diamonds glitter (102023)! It's a little hard to see in the photo, but trust me. In fact, if you were the stampin' CSI, you would *still* find glitter all over me and my craft room. {smile}

More Christmas Tags!

We made these tags at Stamp Club! The Rudolph tag was designed by Mercedes Weber. The snowflake tag is all me. LOL