No More Light

You're probably going to think I'm crazy after this post, but ... oh well!!  This week has been a tough one for me.  You see, I am a devoted fan of the soap opera, Guiding Light.  And, today was the final episode of the longest running soap opera (for that matter tv show) ever!!  72 years!!  Guiding Light" debuted on NBC radio in 1937 as a 15-minute serial, then moved to CBS television on June 30, 1952. In 1968, "GL" expanded to 30 minutes and, in 1977, became a full hour. Once there were a dozen or so daytime soaps on the TV networks - now there will be seven.

I remember my Great Aunt Lou watching soap operas - Guiding Light, As the World Turns and Edge of Night.  How many of you watched these shows with grandmothers, moms, aunts, etc?  They were real to them.  Well, today I feel like I lost part of my family.  Guiding Light reminded us every day that family is where the heart is, or where it should be. 

The family at the core of the show was the Bauers, but over the decades the Spaulding, Lewis and Cooper clans also have helped populate the mythical towns where the drama took place.  I have loved with them, laughed with them, celebrated with them and cried with them through their own life events year after year. I have grown up with those characters, so it's very easy for us fans to feel as if we know them and think of them as part of our families. When it's off, we will grieve and miss them.

Along with veteran cast members, the show  played host to many actors who left to find larger stardom elsewhere. These include Kevin Bacon, JoBeth Williams, James Earl Jones, Allison Janney, Brittany Snow, Hayden Panettiere and Melina Kanakaredes.

Considering the years the show had leading up to cancellation ... talk about some low points. From Josh and Cassie to Grady Foley and everything in between, I honestly considered taking a break from the show because I couldn't stand to see it be destroyed any longer. Obviously that didn't happen, and the show eventually made a huge turn around starting with the events surrounding Coop's death and Phillip's return. Things were truly looking up for Guiding Light and then the rug was pulled out from under them.

To the writers credit, they did a good job these past couple of weeks "tying up all the loose ends."  I can't say that I was thrilled with  .... oops can't say what happened.  My daughter is also a big fan of the show - she grew up watching it with me!!  She is visiting her cousin this weekend and hasn't seen the final shows.

Guess I'll have an extra hour in my day now to be creative.  But, I'll sure miss that beacon of light that guided those actors each day.

Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised

I received this today from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper' at a time when I really needed it.  Even though it is one of those internet things that you are supposed to forward to everyone, it really hits home with me because I have someone close to me who does not feel that I am a "keeper" and does not want me in their life.  I wanted to share it with you.

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore".


No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute."

Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."


So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.

This is true for marriage ......And old cars .. And children with bad report cards ... And dogs with bad hips ...And aging parents and grandparents.

We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what..

Life is important, like people we know who are special.. And so, we keep them close!

Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends and family know you love them?

I was thinking..I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends and family know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow.

I LOVE YA!!!

Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

Monday Mailer - Oct. week 2

Here's the Monday Mailer card I made and sent this week.  It's week 2 and so far, I haven't received a card from my Monday Mailer partner!  Hopefully, I will be getting one soon.  

Stamp set:  The More the Merrier (hostess)
Cardstock:  Dusty Durango, Only Orange; Soft Suede
Acces:  Prismacolor Pencils + Gamsol for coloring; Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon; Top Note; Embossing Folder; Distressing tool for edges.

More Swap Cards

Isn't it so sad about Patrick Swayze?  I can't tell you how many times I have watched Dirty Dancing.  One Sunday when we lived in Washington and it was one of those cold, dreary days there, I watched a Dirty Dancing marathon.  I think I watched it 3 times that day!!  Is that crazy?  I just wish I could dance like that!  My sister, Marianne's all time favorite Swazy film is North-South.  I can't remember if I saw that one or not.  I'm watching the Barbara Walter's special now of his last interview.

I received 2 more cards in the mail this week that were sent separately from the swap that I was in.  So, I wanted to share them with you.

This first one came with "how to" instructions.  To create the tiny squares which showcase the hearts, begin by punching with Photo Corner punch.  Finally, trim the piece LEFT ON the punched cardstock to create a tiny little square!

Stamp:  Lots of Bots
CS:  Basic Black, Basic Gray, Real Red
Ink:  Basic Gray
Acces:  Bordering Blue Watercrayon; Markers; Heart to Heart & Photo Corners punch

Stamp:  Razzle Dazzle

CS:  Rich Razzleberry; Crushed Curry; Melon Mambo, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo

Acces:  Summer Sun Corduroy Buttons; Melon Mambo Ribbon; 1 1/4", 1 3/8" & Large Tag punches

I'm published!!

I picked up a copy of  Take Ten magazine, Autum edition yesterday while in town.  Last night, while catching up on my "soaps," I browsed through the magazine.  What to my surprise, there was one of my cards on page 91!!!  I sent a bunch of cards to them many months ago and had given up on seeing them in the magazine.  They used to send you a complimentary copy of the magazine when they printed your card so you would know it was in there.  But, the last two times I have had a card published, I have just stumbled upon it.  It's still a good feeling!!

Here's the card and the "write-up" -

Handmade Clipboard

This is a clipboard that I made last week.  I bought the kit at a scrapbooking store in San Antonio when I was there.  They had made up the kit from the class they taught.  It has a small cork board (that I trimmed with brown velvet ribbon), and a pocket at the bottom for some chipboard tags.  What do you think?

Erma Bombeck weighs in!

Comic Relief - Diet Totals 758-Pound Loss

I have dieted continuously for the last two decades and lost a total of 758 pounds. By all calculations, I should be hanging from a charm bracelet.

I have done a lot of kidding around with Weight Watchers, but it is the only organization in which I ever lost a great deal of weight. But I fought them.

Every Tuesday morning, a group of us had to "weigh in" before the lecture. Our ritual was enough to boggle the imagination. We got together a checklist of precautions before we actually stepped on the scale.

Bathroom? Check. Water pill? Check. Have you removed underwear, wedding rings, nail polish? Check. Set aside shoes and earrings? Check. Are you wearing a summer dress beneath your winter coat? Check.

The first week I stepped on the scale and my instructor said, "You have gained." (Next week, I cut my hair.)

The next week, she said, "You have lost eight ounces, but that is not enough." (I had the fillings in my teeth removed.)

The third week, I had dropped a pound, but my instructor was still not pleased. (I had my tonsils taken out.)

Finally, she really chewed me out. She accused me of not sticking to the diet and not taking it seriously. That hurt.    "I didn't want to tell you," I said, "but I think I am pregnant."

"How far?" she said coldly, clicking her ballpoint pen to make a notation on my card.
"Possibly three days," I said.
She glowered. "Any other excuses?"

"Would you believe I have a cold and my head is swollen?"
"No."

"How about I was celebrating the Buzzard's Return to Hinckley, Ohio, and had butter on my popcorn?"

She tapped her pen impatiently on the card and stared at me silently.

"Lint in the navel?" I offered feebly.

"How about first one at the trough?" she asked dryly.

I learned quickly never to argue with a woman who had the scales on her side.

I saw my old instructor the other day and she eyed me carefully and said, "When are you returning to class?"

"As soon as I have my appendix removed," I said returning her gaze.

I'm not sure, but I think I heard her moan.

~~Erma Bombeck

Monday Mailer - Sept #1

This is the Monday Mailer card that I made and sent this week.  I really like the way it turned out.  I used the stamp set, Autumn Days with the new in-colors, Soft Suede and Dusty Durango.  I cut out the 3 small leaves in Versa-mark and then in Ultra Thick Embossing Powder (3-4 times).  Very fall-like, don't you think?  That's our theme this month.

Oh .... by the way, my Steelers WON last night but it was a nail biter!!  Went to overtime and I didn't get home until after midnight!  Hope this is not a clue to what the whole season will be like.  Unfortunately, we lost one of our best Defensemen, Troy Polamalu.  Hopefully, he'll only be out 2-5 weeks with his sprained knee. 

Remember

Today I hope you took a moment and remembered those who lost their lives when the United States was attacked 8 years ago. I can remember where I was and what I was doing to this day.  Lots of people lost their lives that day, and lots of lives were saved.  Our men and women who serve to protect us ALL THE TIME day in and day out could use your thanks and prayers.

God bless America!!!

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge

This card is for the Mojo Monday card sketch #103.  Since I just came back from traveling, I thought this sentiment was a good one!

The cardstock is some Stampin' Up and some from other sources that I've hoarded away!! 

I'll be pulling on my Steelers tonight!  Hope you will too!  First game of the season .... I'm pumped!!