Blog Candy WINNER & lots of PHOTOS

(RAK from Stephanie M. (aka Handmade Creations by Stephanie)
(from Stephanie aka Glitterbabe)

TERRI E.
of
...Just What I Do...

You are the
WINNER
of my
Birthday Blog Candy

Make sure to click on Terri's name above to visit her blog and congratulate her. I can't wait to see what she creates with her new products. Thank you so much everyone for all of the wonderful Birthday wishes. I will have to find another reason to do this again.
Thought I would share a couple photos from the Birthday Party that my friends threw for me along with some random acts of kindness that I have received (RAK). I was hoping that David would get a few snap shots of the RAK that he is receiving over in Afghanistan from some of the amazing gals in our Blog World. Unfortunately "work" is keeping him busy, and asked that I convey his thank you's and wanted you gals to know how blessed he feels. I have also read the comments that were written on his birthday post below and he loved hearing your sentiments of support.
Thank You
So what do you think of these psychedelic mushrooms that I created using one of the Unity images that Stephanie (her blog) sent to me. I think they represent the
year of my birth
1969

LOL, what on earth do you think he was telling me? (champagne in hand but looks like I put down the vino glass, was I double fisting it? Chuck was the recipient of the vino gift I created last week)
getting b-day tickles from my friend Gabby (I've known her since she was a baby, being military we aren't often afforded the luxury of being with friends for very long)

yes I got cake and I ate it too. I see more champagne and how many wine glasses was I drinking from?
(btw, click on any of the photos to get a larger view)

Livin the Simple Life & Photos

As I sit here trying to figure out what to post today, I have decided to share a couple of photos a few thoughts. I will warn you upfront that my thoughts can change rather quickly, but rather than labor over what to say, I have decided to just write. Since 1993 my little family and I have lived on one island or another, Oahu or Sicily. We have come to appreciate a slower lifestyle and the simple things that bring us pleasure. FRIENDS: become your family when there isn't one around. On Monday our EOD command lost one of our own. A young man far from home who chose to give his life for the freedom of his fellow American. A young man with a family that loves him, friends that will miss him and a close-knit team of comrades still out in the field trying to recover from their wounds and carry out their mission, while grieving. FAMILY: having your husband home for whatever amount of time is precious. In light of the current events, our time together will be cut short. As an EOD wife, I have never allowed myself to get too into thinking about what my husband "really" does when he is deployed, however, I am stricken with a fear that I have never felt before. FEAR: because he is heading out to replace the team that has suffered this tremendous tragedy. CHILDREN: I miss my daughters more everyday. Thankful that we still have Adam here at home. Remember that they only get one childhood, let's make it happy. VOLCANOES: I always seem to live on one. Having experienced 4 major eruptions, do I fear the next or admire it's majestic beauty? TRAVEL: Although our 20th wedding anniversary was in February and we spent it in separate countries, we will be heading to Tuscany next week. LANGUAGE: Happy that I speak Italian. Dave and I were giddy with excitement as we telephoned an Agritorismo earlier today and made our accommodations without the owners speaking a word of English. BIRDS CHIRPING: the only sound I hear with the occasional hum of a car as it passes along the autostrada. DRAGONFLIES: seemingly dancing around for my personal enjoyment, sitting, gazing at my glass of Vino perhaps wondering whether or not to try a sip? WEATHER: warm Sicilian Sunshine allowing me to sit outside at sunset. FOOD: Sunday gathering of friends to enjoy some of the unique flavors that only Sicily can offer. Non-processed, no preservatives, and never given the check unless specifically asked for one. VIEWS: No billboards, no high rises, nothing to obstruct the amazing views of a city sitting tranquil upon the mountaintop that envelopes our community within it's valley of orchards. ORCHARDS: something is always in season depending on the time of year. HARVESTING: olives, oranges, lemons, melons, apples, nespoli, fig, carrots, artichoke, peppers, eggplant, cherries, wheat, grapes, tomatoes, just to name a few of the things that are growing around me. TRAFFIC: there isn't any. TRAFFIC LIGHTS: there aren't any. DRIVING: fast when there's no place to go. Slow when you're trying to be mindful and cautious. My backyard is my oasis, the place where I enjoy my quiet moments to enjoy the simple things in my life..................

This is a photo of a RAK (random act of kindness) that I received this week. Stephanie a fellow card maker/blogger wanted me to be able to experience Unity Stamps. You can check out Stephanie on her blog or on the ABC Design Blog where she is being featured this week as our "Creative Customer of the Week".

REMINDERS:

TWISTED THURSDAY Sketch Challenge: Complete Details directly below this post. As of right now, we only 3 participants. Don't miss out on this chance to WIN a great PRIZE PACKAGE.
ABC Toys & Crafts: Everything is 15% off until July 18