Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow – Enough already!

It is snowing again at 1:12 am as I'm writing this! it will definitely be a white Christmas this year. I'm sure glad I don't have anywhere I have to go tomorrow! or the next day...

Crop for a Cure

A friend and I set up the first annual Crop for a Cure in November. The proceeds will go to Lyle Area Cancer at their annual auction in January. It was a great success! We were hoping for 30-40 people. We had 80! We had so much fun too. We played “Let’s Make a Deal”, Pixie Stix races, had wonderful items donated for a silent auction, and a scrapbookers Garage Sale! We also had a few massage therapists donate their time for us to have massages. It was a wonderful day and we look forward to the 2nd annual Crop for a Cure! For more information, visit http://www.lyleareacancer.org.

Fall Retreat

One of my favorite fall activities is the fall retreat! It was held at the Kottage again this year with my scrappin buddies! Here are a few of my favorite layouts I did while there!

Fall Fun

Not working has its benefits! I got to go on three field trips with my boys. I went on a trip to an apple orchard and vineyard, a trip to a zoo, and a trip to the fire station. I also got to help with their holiday parties at school.

The boys both competed in the Iowa State Pedal Pull this year. It is always fun to watch, even if the boys don’t win. They give it their all and have a fun time doing it. After the pull, we went to an apple orchard with some friends, and picked baskets of apples! to many apples!

Life Changes Things

I haven’t written on here for a long time, sorry about that. It is just that things haven’t been that great to write about. Like the title says – Life changes things. I found a sign in a crafty store that said that and I thought, that pretty much sums up this year!

In August, my boss lost his life to brain cancer. I truly admired and respected him, he was a wonderful and smart man. His memorial service was wonderful and so sad. God must of decided he needed him more.

The day that he passed away, my mom went in to the hospital. She never returned home. She was in and out of hospitals and the nursing home for a month. A week before she passed away, I lost my job that I had had for 10-1/2 years. It was both good and bad timing. I got to spend mom’s last week with her. I’d like to think that she knew we were with her. All us kids were with her when she gave in and let go. It was the hardest day of my life. I miss her terribly. It’s the little things, like making Christmas cookies with her, or calling her to tell her something cute the boys had done, that I really miss. There is an emptiness there that will never be replaced.

Life Changes Things. I am now without a mother or a job (or health insurance!) at Christmas time. Yet I am still grateful that we still have our house, our kids are healthy so far, and we have a lot to look forward to in the new year. Please let 2009 be a better year!