When Life Gives You Lemons...

throw them back and yell: "I WANTED CHOCOLATE!"

Despite our wonderful vacation in TX, it was not without heartache.  Just a few days prior to leaving CT, our poor pup Jake was very sick.

I just L.O.V.E. this face!

There was talk of tumors in the throat, internal bleeding, tumors on the spleen, tick-borne illnesses, and, of course, the "C" word.  He was not eating, he was not playing, he was not jumping, he was not begging.  He was not himself.  After many tests, many x-rays, a lot of money, and some strong antibiotics, he started to come around.  Although, there appears to be a mass on his lung region.  Not good...but not what was making him sick...we don't think.  In a word: STRESS for the Mama!

It was an agonizing decision, but we did go ahead with vacation plans and left puppy with Grammy for the week.  And as the week went on, he got better and better.  But this Mama had a hard time relaxing!

Travel home was tense, as it always is.  Rental car return, packing, lay-overs, crappy airport food.  But we got home safe and sound on Friday night.

Saturday was a bit crazy too...unpacking, laundry, food shopping, and getting a Just Scrappin' Happy order packed and ready for NESC.  My tummy was feeling queasy...but by the time I went to bed, I felt ok.

And then...the nail in the coffin:

At 3:30am I woke my husband up with excruciating pain and nausea.  I couldn't walk...I couldn't stand.  A trip to the ER ruled out my gallbladder, but not before TONS of tests, bloodwork, and MAJOR drugs.  Fast-forward to today: I finally feel somewhat better.

I lost some work days with the sick pup.  I lost a week while on vacation.  And I lost 4 days this week.  Boy, am I behind!

I promise to get back on track just as soon as I can.  I'll be emailing and mailing out pkgs tomorrow...and will begin to catch up.  Thanks ever-so-much for your patience.

I leave you with one more photo...from the morning I took a break from the rest of the family and watched the sunrise on the Gulf of Mexico.  As I look at it today, I am reminded to slow down...and take care of myself.  I bid you good evening! 

April Vacation - Part Two

I love to travel, as you know already.  And when I travel, I always look for scrapbook stores in the area.  After our visit to the Space Center in Houston (watch for "Part 3" and some amazing pics of "Mission Control"), we stopped at "By Design Scrapbook Boutique."  What a cute store!

The new owners have wonderful displays.

I love that they carry lines by Teresa Collins!

I met Linda McCormick from Heritage Makers...a direct sales company specializing in digital creations.  They call Linda the "digital fairy godmother."  :) 

Too bad these gals are all the way here in TX...I would love to hang out here!

If YOU are planning a trip to the Houston, TX area, be sure to check this store out!  Tell them I sent you...they promise to take good care of you!  Thanks ladies...I had a scrappin' good time! 

April Vacation - Part One

Before my leap into making "Just Scrappin' Happy" my full-time gig, my family & I booked a vacation to Galveston, TX for the week of Easter.  And so...I'm blogging to you from our condo on Galveston Island.  It is, in a word: BEAUTIFUL. 

This is the view from the front door of our condo.  The Gulf of Mexico. 

My family & I enjoyed our Easter holiday here...I cooked a lovely meal (pork roast, roasted potatoes, corn casserole, sour cream pudding cake) and we had a very relaxing week.  It was a much needed break for the three of us...and being able to reconnect as a family has gotten us back on track.  We even colored Easter eggs!  :)

He made the most beautiful turquoise-colored egg!

Tonight's adventure included swimming in the Gulf, dinner on the back patio, going out for ice cream & mini golf. 

The giant snake nearly ate my head off...thank goodness Andrew was there to save me!  *wink*

I've got a few more stories to tell, including a review on a super-cute local scrapbook store here in the Houston area.  Check back for "Part Two" tomorrow! 

"It's Easter Time...for Peeps Sake!"

HA!  I just LOVE the title to my new page kit...here's a sneak peek:

And butterflies are my new fav.  I've added pearls to accent...super sweet!

This layout is one of a few being released this week.  Stay tuned scrappers!