My Heart Is Heavy

Hi everyone,

I've struggled over the last 24 hours as to whether or not I was going to post this.  Ultimately, I feel it's important to share my story with everyone, if it helps even one person.  First, I'd like you to meet my friend Ben.  Always smiling, always laughing, always there for everyone.  A beautiful human being.

Ben turned 29 two weeks ago, and took his last breath on Wednesday, June 15th, thanks to a careless driver who ran a red light because they were texting instead of paying attention to their driving.  It's a terrible tragedy.  He was killed instantly from the impact, and I'm glad that he didn't suffer. 

It's sad that this brilliant, amazing, wonderful young man won't get the opportunity to grace us with his presence ever again.  I tell you, one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life, was call his mother to let her know that her baby had been in an accident that he didn't survive.  I'm blessed to have had him in my life, even if for such a short time, and I will miss him beyond anything that I can describe.

I used to be one who texted while driving, and I never thought that one quick text could be the end of another persons life.  Sadly, that's exactly how the events of his passing went down almost 48 hours ago.  Recently, Texas has come up with a law stating that it will be illegal to text or talk on your phone while driving.  Unfortunately, it will come too late for any kind of real punishment for the driver who ended my friends life so carelessly.  The law does't take into effect until September.

Please, please, please, I beg of you, try to remember what's important when you're driving - everyone's safety.  I wouldn't wish this feeling of grief, and loss on anyone.  It is, however, a huge reminder as to just how short life can be. 

Don't forget to tell your loved ones how much you care about them, every chance you get.

My Hero

Hi ya'll!

How is your weekend going so far?  Mine is going to be fantastic!  I'm just waiting for a few of my co-workers to arrive and then it's time for pool party and bbq in the backyard.  I LOVE having a pool.  So relaxing after a stressful day at work, and always fun when having friends over.  *happy sigh*

So, my stupid internal alarm clock had me up at 6am today, bleh.  I couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to start working on some Father's Day cards for work.  Here is the first one I created.

I love how this turned out.  If you've followed my blog long, you know I struggle with masculine cards. lol  I just got these star dies from MFT and had to play with them already.  I cut them out of old book paper and glimmer misted them.  They're really cool in real life.  I'm surprised at how well my card matches the idea I had in my head.  I'm going to enter this into the following challenges:

Crazy4Challenges #91 - Father's Day

Speedy The Cat's Friends Challenge #59 - Father's Day

Sketchbook Saturday #15 - Sketch (my loose interpretation)

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Father's Day

Stamp Something - Something Punched (I used dies)

Delightful Challenges - Father's Day

Stampin Royalty #75 - Celebrate Dad

Don't forget you still have time to participate in FYI Challenge #7.  There's a cute prize and the photo is amazing.  You can find all of the details HERE.

I hope you have a great day!  I'll be thinking of ya'll while enjoying my margarita, poolside. :D

Hugs!

Thank You

Hi everyone!

How was your weekend?  Did you get lots done?  I was actually able to accomplish everything I set out to do.  I got caught up on laundry, went grocery shopping, and purged/reorganized my craft area in my bedroom.  Oh, and I also went to a crop on Saturday night with the gals.  It was so good to get crafty again.  I'm hoping to be able to do that more often, now that things at work are starting to calm down just a bit. 

So, I have been following Chupa's blog for a while now, and have been wanting to play along with her Sketchbook Saturday sketch challenges, but hadn't had time.  Fortunately, I finally got the chance to use her sketch, #14, on Saturday.  Here is my card.

I combined the sketch with Color Throwdown #144, which is Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie and Certainly Celery.  I didn't have the exact match on the green, but the Nestie on the bottom of the flower is actually a light green.  Have I mentioned how in love I am with the Square Lattice embossing folder from Stampin Up? lol  I adore it and I try to use it every chance I get.  Love how it makes patterned paper almost look like burlap or canvas, sort of.  Anyway, I'm going to add this to my stash that is in severe need of replenishment.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a great week!

Hugs!