This And That

Up until Sunday night, my backyard looked like this:

Now it looks like this:

Well it did until I took it all down, and broke it up into moveable pieces. So sad!! Alex helped set it up when we first moved here and it was A LOT of work! It was so heavy and sturdy I didn't think it would happen to us! But we got a heck of a storm Sunday night, HIGH winds, rain, hail - the works. And it came at us from a slightly different angle than is usual, so our side wall and house didn't protect it. And it's so hot, hot, hot outside that you really can't be out there without shade, so I can't enjoy my backyard at the moment.

The storm took out my sunflower plant and roses too!

Nearly all the patio furniture tipped over. At least my glass table survived!

I procrastinated on putting out these gorgeous flowers on my front step. So glad now or I wouldn't have them! I just got them on Saturday!!

Bella has been so good lately! Playing on Monday.

Just playin' away with her toys!


Documenting her "goodness", lol!

Who is this at my back door in the middle of the day???

It's Thomas with my Stampin Up order!!! YAY!!

I had been waiting (impatiently!) since the 1st for these goodies from the new catalog!!! More info and pics later in this post...

Did you see the white package on top of the SU box?? This is the yummy blog candy I won from Pinky's World! You can't tell from the photo, but the ribbons are to-die-for!!! I swear that some of the best card making stuff comes from the U.K.!! Thank you again Pinky!!!

Bella played in her tent with Cassy's kids on Tuesday. Tents are always a big hit with kids! Cassy & I tried to stay cool in scraps of shade, but boy! do I miss our gazebo!!!!

I see you!

Cat's daughter Natalie is in the States right now, and she sent these adorable Hello Kitty clips back for Bella. Aren't they awesome?? She was kind of ticked that I made her take them out for bathtime, lol! They're a big hit with her!!

My little Rock Princess!

Here is Bella on Wednesday! Apparently this was Polly Pocket day and she was playing with them while watching a video at the same time. She has a PP video, but instead was watching Strawberry Shortcake. Oh well! She has such an imagination!

Again with the camera, Mom??

Pretty braid, pretty dress, pretty girl!

I have been meaning to take a photo of this for two months!! The incredibly talented and generous Christina, formerly of Fort Hood but more recently of Fort Lewis, made me this Memorial Day card and this fabulous bracelet and earring set! She had made another one and showed it off on her blog. To which I responded, Where's mine??? Well, here's mine! *grin* Thank you Christina!!!

And Rachel sent me this card! She was my neighbor at Fort Gordon and has since moved herself back home to Utah while her husband is in Korea for a year. Isn't it the cutest??? I so miss having her be right across the street! Lots of good stamping and salsa memories, lol!! (NO ONE but NO ONE appreciates my homemade salsa as much as Rachel!! Love ya!)

Seeing how I had received quite a few orders in, most I sadly don't have pics of, I realized that I wasn't going to be able to get any crafting done until I could see some flat surfaces again! I may make a mess while I create, but I can't start out that way!!! And in clearing off my desk, I found this love note from Bella! I don't know when she put it there, and she never said anything. Isn't that so sweet?? She has got the bestest heart and soul! I love you Bellaboo!!!!! I have it taped up on my desk so I see it everyday now!

My Stampin Up order!! Of course I opened it right up on Monday when it came in....but I didn't take a picture or put it away until yesterday. I got 11 stamp sets (most with free Hostess credit $), designer paper, the new mini clothespins, In Color brads, and RIBBON!!!!! I'm a ribbon whore. There. I said it!! LOL! Thomas said I should be "good" for a while. Bwahahahaha!!!!

This is what put away, organized ribbon looks like!
{{{Bliss!}}}

My favorite is the new polka-dotted scalloped ribbon!!! It's soooo pretty!!! You'll be seeing this a lot in upcoming projects, as my room is all cleaned up again!!! And I better hurry because I have MORE stuff coming in next week, lol! And then I really am going to be "done" for a bit. I have so much stuff to use already and I'm running out of room. I know the new SU Holiday Mini will be coming out momentarily and I don't even want to look! Maybe I won't like anything in it.....yeah, right!!!