We lost our kitty yesterday...

We found her under Joel's car. He'd just refilled his anti-freeze on Saturday, so we think she may have licked the drips. We'll never know for sure. She was a very, very sweet kitty. Great mouser too. I figure she was about 8 years old. She was born in my closet. I gave her a love and a pet when I put her out at 5am, and we found her about 1:30.

I am SICK! Send any good wishes/vibes/prayers my way. I've been getting up to work, and then going back to bed for the rest of the day. I also need a crack seamstress who can make my daughter's dress for her first church youth dance tonight. Any takers? It's an easy pattern!

Anyway, just keep us in your thoughts. The kids were pretty upset about the kitty. Even Joel, who wasn't the cat's biggest fan, will miss her mousing skills.

Ring out Wild Bells~

Christmas all goes by in a blur, doesn't it...

Ah, December! I know it's not quite finished yet, but I've been thinking of a way to sum up the month. In December, we celebrate;

• one birthday (daughter J)
• two anniversaries (mine and my husband's parents)
• one memorial moment--my Grandmother's birthday is also in December, and even though she's no longer with us, I like to take a moment and remember her on her birthday.

We also particpated in:

• 4 Christmas concerts. One band concert for J, two stake Christmas Community Concerts, one special Sunday meeting. Sometimes there are elementary concerts, but the snow the last week of school changed that. J plays in two bands at her school--the Varsity band, and the "by appointment only" Jazz band.

And, of course, there is things to make! I made

• dozens and dozens of Christmas cookies
• several loaves of bread
• cinnamon rolls for Christmas day breakfast
• 4 pairs of pajama pants
• 3 shopper totes
• one new bracelet
• one "Cute Skirt" for J.
  

There was more things to be made, but that was all I was successful at. I also got new glasses this month. Love them! Instead of a wireless, disappearing frame, I went with something a little more trendy.

My and my sweetie. A quickie pic taken today. We don't have many pictures together, and those we do are usually thanks to Joel's long arms. Here's to sixteen years together! Still going strong, and grateful for the good in our marriage. I'll post something schmoopy later.

One of my December Anniversary surprises was a new Flip Camera. This has been a fun tool to play with this month. And because of that, I can leave you with this gem--I call it "Boy with Cookie."

I hope your December is finishing up as delightful as mine is! Here's to another new year!

If you are still doing some last-minute shopping...

May I recommend The Dirty Soap Company?

This is my sister's soap company and it's WONDERFUL! She makes terrific soaps and other body care products. If you have anyone with sensitive skin in your family, you should check out her line of fragrance free/stuff free products. You will love them. It some of the nicest soap I've ever used! And--she is having a free shipping promotion. Just enter SHIP4FREE as your promotional code when you check out.

You'll love it, I promise! I really can't say enough good things about it! And since it's handmade, you can count it as part of your Homemade Christmas goodies!

An Ultimate Handmade Christmas List

Sew, Mama, Sew! has compiled the ultimate Handmade Christmas list. I would have called it that even if they didn't already, because that so perfectly sums up what it is! Follow the link to more links for recipes, tutorials and more!

Hope that helps someone get a handle on their holidays.

Yesterday, she turned fourteen

And I'm not entirely sure I'm ready for this next phase of her life. She's my oldest, and I depend on her a lot. Sometimes more than I should. So far, we are navigating the murky waters of teenhood pretty well. I hope that continues. Something I DO know, is that she is amazing, and I'm proud of her all the time and glad she is mine.

Go-See! Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas

If you've ever wanted a step-by-step tutorial for some great and grungy collage looks, head to Tim Holtz's blog for his repeat of his 12 tags of Christmas. LOTS of great ideas and techniques for his products, plus a daily giveaway!

While you're there, you can check out LAST year's tags, and get other technique ideas as well.

You won't regret it!