Zachary decided he no longer wanted his loft bed. He designed a bed and asked my dad to help him build it. They've been working on it for the past couple weeks and are close to completion. This means he has to get his room ready for it. Not only does he want a new bed, he wants to pretty much re-do his whole room. I'm good with this, although a little sad that he's growing up and his room is soon going to be a teenagers room.
We live in a small house and I have to "stach" things where I can. This means I have stuff in almost every closet in the house. Including Zachary's closet. So this weekend we tackled that mess! It's a job that is way past due and surprising wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I pictured myself in the closet pulling everything out and sorting it all. What actually happened was Zachary did all the pulling and I got to sit on the floor and do the sorting!
Cleaning is not something I ever want to do. I don't enjoy it. I have to force myself to do it. But cleaning Zachary's closet was actually fun. Autumn was at a friends house and Joshua had a friend over. So I got a couple hours alone with Zachary. In my world one-on-one with my kids doesn't happen very often. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy doing things with all 3 of them, but there's something special about those rare one-on-ones. I'm sure the whole time he was counting down the minutes until it would be done, especially when he found his writing folder from 2nd grade and had to listen to me read about his winter break that year, and the paper that predicted what he would be doing when he was a teenager and an adult. Absolutely PRICELESS! What a find!
I also got one-on-one time with Joshua this weekend. He decided to move down into a regular bed too. Since Zachary had dibs with Grandpa, Joshua decided to use a bed that my parents had at their house. He got his room all ready for it and Friday evening we brought the bed home.
Joshua has a beautfiul armore that my dad built him when he was a baby. I used it as a changing table in the early years. Than later as a closet. Now the top is full of hunting clothes. He asked me if I would make his bed for him and help sort/fold all his hunting things. Woo Hoo! One-on-one with my eldest! I'll take it! Even if it means cleaning, sorting and folding.
I am grateful for these precious moments I got to spend with my boys this weekend. I doubt they even thought twice about it. But to me it was an unexpected treat.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
Creative Juices
I think I'm a pretty creative person. I create at work and at home. I was a Graphic Artist before people even knew what that was. I worked on a MAC computer when they first came out, way before the iphones and all the other technology Apple has since introduced.
I was a crafty kid growing up. With parents like mine it was a given. Before kids I made cards and did a little cross stitching, amongst other crafts. After kids I became obsessed with scrapbooking.
I find myself having creative blocks every now and than. At work I put the job aside and revisit it after I have time to think it over. Usually that does the trick. At home it's because of: lack of time, lack of motivation, and/or messy surroundings. The space where I created at home is normally a disaster. I don't know what it is about papercrafting, but I could have a 12 foot by 12 foot clean area and within minutes I'm working in a 2x2 area surrounded by chaos!
So when I create at home, the first step is usually cleaning up. Not always the most fun thing in the world to do.
This summer I haven't felt very creative. Maybe because I don't want to be in the house when it's so pretty outside. Maybe because my area was such a mess. Or maybe because I didn't have anything I really wanted to work on.
Than I got new product from Close To My Heart. The company I'm an independent consultant for. August 1st is the release date for our new idea book. As a consultant I get mine a month earlier and can order from it a month earlier.
This book contains a new Cricut cartridge called Artbooking. It's a MUST HAVE for scrapbookers and people who like to make mini albums.
The other night I got to cleaning, pulled out my new supplies, including Artbooking, and got to work. The creative juices were in full swing and before I knew it, it was 11:00 at night! I seriously wanted to make everything in the book.
Here is a layout I got done: (My kids were impressed that they contained pictures that were not 4 years old)
I was a crafty kid growing up. With parents like mine it was a given. Before kids I made cards and did a little cross stitching, amongst other crafts. After kids I became obsessed with scrapbooking.
I find myself having creative blocks every now and than. At work I put the job aside and revisit it after I have time to think it over. Usually that does the trick. At home it's because of: lack of time, lack of motivation, and/or messy surroundings. The space where I created at home is normally a disaster. I don't know what it is about papercrafting, but I could have a 12 foot by 12 foot clean area and within minutes I'm working in a 2x2 area surrounded by chaos!
So when I create at home, the first step is usually cleaning up. Not always the most fun thing in the world to do.
This summer I haven't felt very creative. Maybe because I don't want to be in the house when it's so pretty outside. Maybe because my area was such a mess. Or maybe because I didn't have anything I really wanted to work on.
Than I got new product from Close To My Heart. The company I'm an independent consultant for. August 1st is the release date for our new idea book. As a consultant I get mine a month earlier and can order from it a month earlier.
This book contains a new Cricut cartridge called Artbooking. It's a MUST HAVE for scrapbookers and people who like to make mini albums.
The other night I got to cleaning, pulled out my new supplies, including Artbooking, and got to work. The creative juices were in full swing and before I knew it, it was 11:00 at night! I seriously wanted to make everything in the book.
Here is a layout I got done: (My kids were impressed that they contained pictures that were not 4 years old)
And believe me when I say, that I am the LAST person who wants to be thinking about fall, but I just couldn't resist making this layout:
Of course I had to play with the August Stamp Of The Month too! Here is the card I will be doing at gatherings in August: (And did I mention that the Stamp of the Month set is FREE in August with a $50 order???) I used the new cartridge on this too!
If you want to check out the new idea book, contact me or visit my website: www.michelegamble.ctmh.com
But remember...the new book isn't live to customers until August 1st.
Stay tuned for more creativeness! I'm on a roll!
Friday, July 12, 2013
Happy Anniversary...to me!
12 years ago I became a Close To My Heart Consultant!
When I signed up with this amazing company I was a stay-at-home-mom. The boys were 1 and 2 years old. I had worked since I was 16 years old and staying home with 2 little ones was making me a kind of stir crazy. I needed to find something to do. Preferably something that included adult conversation.
My friend, Tina, had gone to a Close To My Heart gathering and bought 2 ink pads, 2 sets of stamps and a paper packet. Her and I used those few little materials on EVERYTHING! I knew I loved this product (even though those were the only things I had seen and used from the line), so I contacted Close To My Heart and they put my in touch with Dana.
Dana was pretty new to the company also and was excited to have me sign up under her. My goal was to get out of the house 1 or 2 times a month, support my own hobby and have something to do for the next 4 years until I could go back to work.
I had no idea it would take off like it did. Before long I was doing gatherings every week, I was making money, and I was having a ball. And I was getting out of the house, I was appreciating those 2 little boys more and I was becoming more confident.
As the years went on, I earned 4 cruises, I started a team, and this "thing" that I thought would be a little something extra do to became a career. I was making money, decent money. I could make my own hours. I made a TON of great friends and I loved it!
And as luck would have it, the day after Zachary started kindergarten, I gave birth to my precious baby girl. Going back to my "real" job was now put on hold for another 5 years. No problem...I still had Close To My Heart.
12 Years later I still love the company. Still love the products. And still enjoy doing the gatherings, workshops and crops. Close To My Heart has become a part of me. A part I love and am proud of. A part of me that has made me into a better person. I am honored to be celebrating 12 years with this company.
Check out my website to see the awesome products for yourself:
www.michelegamble.ctmh.com
When I signed up with this amazing company I was a stay-at-home-mom. The boys were 1 and 2 years old. I had worked since I was 16 years old and staying home with 2 little ones was making me a kind of stir crazy. I needed to find something to do. Preferably something that included adult conversation.
My friend, Tina, had gone to a Close To My Heart gathering and bought 2 ink pads, 2 sets of stamps and a paper packet. Her and I used those few little materials on EVERYTHING! I knew I loved this product (even though those were the only things I had seen and used from the line), so I contacted Close To My Heart and they put my in touch with Dana.
Dana was pretty new to the company also and was excited to have me sign up under her. My goal was to get out of the house 1 or 2 times a month, support my own hobby and have something to do for the next 4 years until I could go back to work.
I had no idea it would take off like it did. Before long I was doing gatherings every week, I was making money, and I was having a ball. And I was getting out of the house, I was appreciating those 2 little boys more and I was becoming more confident.
As the years went on, I earned 4 cruises, I started a team, and this "thing" that I thought would be a little something extra do to became a career. I was making money, decent money. I could make my own hours. I made a TON of great friends and I loved it!
And as luck would have it, the day after Zachary started kindergarten, I gave birth to my precious baby girl. Going back to my "real" job was now put on hold for another 5 years. No problem...I still had Close To My Heart.
12 Years later I still love the company. Still love the products. And still enjoy doing the gatherings, workshops and crops. Close To My Heart has become a part of me. A part I love and am proud of. A part of me that has made me into a better person. I am honored to be celebrating 12 years with this company.
Check out my website to see the awesome products for yourself:
www.michelegamble.ctmh.com
Friday, July 5, 2013
Flashback Friday
April 2010.
This flashback isn't from that long ago, but to me it seems like a lifetime ago.
We were at the hospital with Autumn. She had been there for just under 24 hours and they wanted her to talk with a phychologis/phychiatrist (I'm not sure which one). She was only 4 1/2 years old. I wasn't sure how it was going to go but they didn't give me a choice.
This lovely young women came in, introduced herself and asked to speak with Autumn. I was allowed to stay in the room but it was obvious that it was preferred that the conversation between them wasn't to include me.
The doctor pulled out a doll. We later learned that they are called trama dolls. It was a muslin doll. No face, no clothes. Just a doll. The doctor told Autumn to give her a name. She named her Amanda. She than asked her to draw a face on Amanda with some markers she had. Next she had her select a hospital gown for her new friend to wear.
Than they had a nice little chat through Amanda. Amanda also was just diagnosed with Diabetes and my precious little girl fell in love with her and was excited to take care of her.
Their talk went well. I was amazed how smoothly it went, how much Autumn shared and what a cool idea that doll was.
We left the hospital 2 days later. Amanda was safely tucked in Autumns arms for her car ride to her new home. And not only did we have plenty of supplies for Autumn, we also had a stash of supplies for Amanda.
Amanda was Autumn's best friend in those early days of diagnosis. She didn't go anywhere without her. She took good care of her and loved her with all her heart.
As the days passed Amanda seemed to be needed less and less. I knew exactly when Autumn felt safe and in a routine with her new way of life. I knew because she no longer needed Amanda like she did in the beginning.
3 years later, Amanda is still on her bed but she is rarely played with. We will keep her forever because she was the one thing who got Autumn through the hardest time in her life. I will always be thankful to that doll for what she did for my daughter.
And in the past 3 years my mom, along with Autumn's help, has made well over 100 trama dolls and hospital gowns to donate to Children's Hospital. Our hope is that those dolls helped other kids as much as they helped mine.
This flashback isn't from that long ago, but to me it seems like a lifetime ago.
We were at the hospital with Autumn. She had been there for just under 24 hours and they wanted her to talk with a phychologis/phychiatrist (I'm not sure which one). She was only 4 1/2 years old. I wasn't sure how it was going to go but they didn't give me a choice.
This lovely young women came in, introduced herself and asked to speak with Autumn. I was allowed to stay in the room but it was obvious that it was preferred that the conversation between them wasn't to include me.
The doctor pulled out a doll. We later learned that they are called trama dolls. It was a muslin doll. No face, no clothes. Just a doll. The doctor told Autumn to give her a name. She named her Amanda. She than asked her to draw a face on Amanda with some markers she had. Next she had her select a hospital gown for her new friend to wear.
Than they had a nice little chat through Amanda. Amanda also was just diagnosed with Diabetes and my precious little girl fell in love with her and was excited to take care of her.
Their talk went well. I was amazed how smoothly it went, how much Autumn shared and what a cool idea that doll was.
We left the hospital 2 days later. Amanda was safely tucked in Autumns arms for her car ride to her new home. And not only did we have plenty of supplies for Autumn, we also had a stash of supplies for Amanda.
Amanda was Autumn's best friend in those early days of diagnosis. She didn't go anywhere without her. She took good care of her and loved her with all her heart.
As the days passed Amanda seemed to be needed less and less. I knew exactly when Autumn felt safe and in a routine with her new way of life. I knew because she no longer needed Amanda like she did in the beginning.
3 years later, Amanda is still on her bed but she is rarely played with. We will keep her forever because she was the one thing who got Autumn through the hardest time in her life. I will always be thankful to that doll for what she did for my daughter.
And in the past 3 years my mom, along with Autumn's help, has made well over 100 trama dolls and hospital gowns to donate to Children's Hospital. Our hope is that those dolls helped other kids as much as they helped mine.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Flashback Friday
It was August 1, 1981. My best friend was Heidi. We were in middle school. I think 7th grade. (My math skills are too horrible to try and give you the exact grade.) It was the day that MTV was making it's debut.
We didn't have cable at our house and Heidi was the only person I knew who had it. We were at her house that day and we watched that first video being aired. Video Killed The Radio Star by the Buggles. I remember thinking how cool it was to see a band/performer on TV along with this short movie-like thing going along to their music. I was hooked.
I spent a lot of time at Heidi's house that year. And spent MANY hours watching MTV.
I googled to see exactly what the playlist was for that first day and was surprised to see that the videos I remember most didn't actually air that day.
I remember the Lover Boy videos and those tight red leather pants. (If you are in my generation, you know what I'm talking about).
And I remember the David Bowie videos. These videos made me a big fan of his. The song Fashion is still one of my favorite songs. Ashes to Ashes was another favorite.
I remember thinking that they played the same videos over and over. It seemed like the playlist was maybe 10 videos in the beginning. When I googled I discovered it was much larger than that. But back than there wasn't 30 minutes of videos and 30 minutes of commercials. I'm guessing the average video was 4 minutes long (again...horrible math skills, I'm not even going to figure more out). I guess when you take maybe 40 videos and 24 hours in a day they would repeat a lot. (If anyone cares to figure this out for me, please post a response).
It was years before MTV added their shows and other craziness into the mix of videos. I miss the beginning years. We recently got rid of the channel with our cable provider. I didn't think there was anything appropriate on the channel for anyone under the age of 18. And they didn't even air videos anymore. It was full of stupid reality shows.
I know, we have youtube now, but you have to search out certain performers/songs. You can't just flip on a channel and watch continuous videos not knowing which will be aired next.
Oh....the good old days!
We didn't have cable at our house and Heidi was the only person I knew who had it. We were at her house that day and we watched that first video being aired. Video Killed The Radio Star by the Buggles. I remember thinking how cool it was to see a band/performer on TV along with this short movie-like thing going along to their music. I was hooked.
I spent a lot of time at Heidi's house that year. And spent MANY hours watching MTV.
I googled to see exactly what the playlist was for that first day and was surprised to see that the videos I remember most didn't actually air that day.
I remember the Lover Boy videos and those tight red leather pants. (If you are in my generation, you know what I'm talking about).
And I remember the David Bowie videos. These videos made me a big fan of his. The song Fashion is still one of my favorite songs. Ashes to Ashes was another favorite.
I remember thinking that they played the same videos over and over. It seemed like the playlist was maybe 10 videos in the beginning. When I googled I discovered it was much larger than that. But back than there wasn't 30 minutes of videos and 30 minutes of commercials. I'm guessing the average video was 4 minutes long (again...horrible math skills, I'm not even going to figure more out). I guess when you take maybe 40 videos and 24 hours in a day they would repeat a lot. (If anyone cares to figure this out for me, please post a response).
It was years before MTV added their shows and other craziness into the mix of videos. I miss the beginning years. We recently got rid of the channel with our cable provider. I didn't think there was anything appropriate on the channel for anyone under the age of 18. And they didn't even air videos anymore. It was full of stupid reality shows.
I know, we have youtube now, but you have to search out certain performers/songs. You can't just flip on a channel and watch continuous videos not knowing which will be aired next.
Oh....the good old days!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Male Etiquette
A couple came in to work to find out about ordering wedding invitations. They were an older couple. This would be the 2nd marriage for both of them. When they left I happened to look outside and saw the man walk his fiance to the passengers side of their car, open the door for her, help her in, close her door for her, than went and got himself in on the drivers side.
I looked at my boss, told him what I had just saw and made the comment "How am I going to teach my boys to be like that when so few people are now and days?" I think it definately is a generation thing. My mom has never pumped her own gas, my dad has always done it for her. I pump my own gas and open my own doors.
I googled Male Etiquette and this is what I found:
"Being a modern gentleman doesn't have to be hard, and, in fact, it's easier than ever. It's all about self-awareness and consideration for those around you. Those never go out of style."
So in my mind because I found a list, I feel that Male Etiquette should still be taught to young men. I'm going to print this list out and hang it in both my boys rooms. I want them to be respectful when they start dating and later get married. I want their significant other to feel like she is the most special person in the world. I want her to feel like she is loved and taken care of. If my boys cannot learn by example, they shall learn by me hounding them! And hopefully one day someone will look out the window and see one of MY boys opening a car door for someone and think how wonderful that is.
I looked at my boss, told him what I had just saw and made the comment "How am I going to teach my boys to be like that when so few people are now and days?" I think it definately is a generation thing. My mom has never pumped her own gas, my dad has always done it for her. I pump my own gas and open my own doors.
I googled Male Etiquette and this is what I found:
- Make others feel like they're the center of attention
- Watch your mouth
- Remove your hat indoors
- Wait for others to get their food before eating
- Stand when a women enters/leaves the room
- Help a lady with her chair
- Hold her the door
- Reach for the check
- Open her car door
- Walk on the curb side of the street (This one reminded me of my high school sweetheart. His mom told him the man should always sit by the isle in a movie theatre in case someone came by with a knife and tried to stab you. Horrible thought, but he always sat on the isle. He had a good mom, she taught him well. I wonder if it stuck?)
- Offer her your arm
"Being a modern gentleman doesn't have to be hard, and, in fact, it's easier than ever. It's all about self-awareness and consideration for those around you. Those never go out of style."
So in my mind because I found a list, I feel that Male Etiquette should still be taught to young men. I'm going to print this list out and hang it in both my boys rooms. I want them to be respectful when they start dating and later get married. I want their significant other to feel like she is the most special person in the world. I want her to feel like she is loved and taken care of. If my boys cannot learn by example, they shall learn by me hounding them! And hopefully one day someone will look out the window and see one of MY boys opening a car door for someone and think how wonderful that is.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
The Police
Growing up we saw a lot of the police on our street. Thanks to my brothers (mostly one of them). The neighbors called because of go-carts, mini bikes, fast cars and cars parked in the street too long.
It was a typical day to watch my brother come up the driveway like a bat-out-of-hell on whatever vehicle he was driving (like a maniac). He would drive into the garage and slam the door down real quick. A couple seconds later the police would be driving down our street, real slow, looking for him. He would wait a little while and go out again. My mom took it all in stride. Very seldom did they actually come to the door. (Or at least I don't remember them coming to the door).
The police have paid us a couple visits since the boys have gotten a little older. (Okay, maybe more than a couple visits, LOL!)
Last night Josh was at a friends house and her mom and I were chatting in the yard for a while. Zachary had just left with Josh's 4-wheeler. 5 minutes later a police car came driving down the street, slowly. They turned around and left. Kim (Josh's friends mom) looked at me and said "That's strange, the police never come down here". I had to chuckle, as I figured someone had mostly likely called them about Zachary and the 4-wheeler.
That brought up the go-cart memory. Josh's friend was at our house, years ago and the mail lady called the police on them because she was nervous about them driving the go-cart when she was doing her deliveries. Come to find out, that is one of the friends favorite stories to tell! Her mom is hoping that will be the only time the police will be called on her!
Other times have included calls for large bonfires, bonfires on the ice/lake, the 4-wheelers, the go-cart...I'm sure I'm missing some, but you get the idea. And like my mom, I take it all in stride.
And I will say, the Oakland County Sheriffs whom I've had the pleasure of speaking with have been GREAT! My kids have not been called on for doing anything harmful, illegal (well...not the BAD illegal stuff!) or destructive. We live in a community where it's common to see these vehicals and bonfires on a regular basis. Every now and they we get the nervous-nelly's who just have to make that call. Again...I will take it all in stride.
It was a typical day to watch my brother come up the driveway like a bat-out-of-hell on whatever vehicle he was driving (like a maniac). He would drive into the garage and slam the door down real quick. A couple seconds later the police would be driving down our street, real slow, looking for him. He would wait a little while and go out again. My mom took it all in stride. Very seldom did they actually come to the door. (Or at least I don't remember them coming to the door).
The police have paid us a couple visits since the boys have gotten a little older. (Okay, maybe more than a couple visits, LOL!)
Last night Josh was at a friends house and her mom and I were chatting in the yard for a while. Zachary had just left with Josh's 4-wheeler. 5 minutes later a police car came driving down the street, slowly. They turned around and left. Kim (Josh's friends mom) looked at me and said "That's strange, the police never come down here". I had to chuckle, as I figured someone had mostly likely called them about Zachary and the 4-wheeler.
That brought up the go-cart memory. Josh's friend was at our house, years ago and the mail lady called the police on them because she was nervous about them driving the go-cart when she was doing her deliveries. Come to find out, that is one of the friends favorite stories to tell! Her mom is hoping that will be the only time the police will be called on her!
Other times have included calls for large bonfires, bonfires on the ice/lake, the 4-wheelers, the go-cart...I'm sure I'm missing some, but you get the idea. And like my mom, I take it all in stride.
And I will say, the Oakland County Sheriffs whom I've had the pleasure of speaking with have been GREAT! My kids have not been called on for doing anything harmful, illegal (well...not the BAD illegal stuff!) or destructive. We live in a community where it's common to see these vehicals and bonfires on a regular basis. Every now and they we get the nervous-nelly's who just have to make that call. Again...I will take it all in stride.
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