RIP Jake - I love you forever

I am writing this through tears --- our sweet Jake became a furry angel on Monday, March 28th, at 15 1/2 years old. He & Elwood came to us, litter mates, at just 7 weeks old back in August of 1995. We had just bought our first house a few weeks prior. I can't bring myself to post the photo I took of him the day before he died --- but if you want to check out our beauty he & Elwood are on my sidebar. Jake is on the left. He was gorgeous. He was SO sweet. He was my baby. I can't believe he's gone. He was diagnosed with diabetes back in March 2003 & he fought hard. He accepted his insulin & blood tests while sitting on my lap purring. There will never be another Jake.

I am really devastated --- in fact the whole family is taking it hard. I keep hearing his meows. I keep finding his fur on my clothes (yes I can tell his fur from Elwood's). I even have his snot marks on my wall, lol. I'm grateful I still have Elwood --- but it is tough coming home to one kitty after work, putting food in one bowl & hearing just one cry. I will be grieving for a very long time.

This poem has always made me cry, even before I lost Jake. Animals are such innocent creatures, always full of love. They are family members. In fact, I haven't cried this hard or this much since my dad died 8 years ago.



Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...


I will be absent for a while longer while my family & I try to work through this loss. Unfortunately my stamp area is right next to the spot Jake spent his last days, curled up in his bed, so it will take me a long time before I can even sit down there. I thank you once again for all the messages & support --- I love you all!! And most of all, I love you Jake. You were the best.

thank you

I have received so many encouraging messages from my wonderful cyber-friends. Thank you so much! It has been a rough few weeks at our house. Jake is still with us, but I have let my friend/vet know that it will be time soon. He is still eating & purring & not in any pain (I would NOT let that happen), but he doesn't really leave the comfort of his bed too often. It's been hard on me ----hard on my kids ---& of course hard on Elwood, who goes to check on him every now & then. We also had some trouble at school this week --- & of course I had probably the crappiest week at work since I started there. It all just snowballs. We went to a school dance Friday night, where I commiserated with a couple of friends & it was like therapy for me. It's nice to know it's not just MY life that is sucking right now!

So again, thank you for your kind words. I promise I will be back making cards soon --- it's just nice to be able to take this time to spend with my babies -- ALL of my babies!!

Break time

Hi everyone!!

Posts are becoming fewer & farther between lately.....& I think I need to just take a small break. I am overwhelmed right now with so many things. I have health issues that seem to be a mystery.....I'm working more hours at work.....we are busier with extracurricular activities.....& my poor sweet kitty is in very poor health & I'm trying to spend as much time with him as I can. Jake has had diabetes for 8 years & I have tried so hard to turn him around. I gave him insulin shots twice a day & checked his blood, even gave him fluids last year when he had liver issues. Now it has taken its toll & it's clear he won't be around much longer. It's so hard ---I love him so much, the kids love him, his furry brother loves him --we have had Jake & Elwood since they were 6 weeks old. They are now 15. Elwood is healthy as a horse --but poor Jake got the short end of the stick.

Please bear with me while I take a short break & get a handle on things. Thank you so much for your friendship -- I will be back soon!!

Goodbye :(

Hello all -- I'm posting as I'm watching Idol so pardon the typos :)

One of my good friends is leaving our workplace --Friday is her last day & I am sooooooo sad :( She was very pregnant when I started last summer & had her baby just a few weeks later. When she came back from maternity leave she was placed on our team & we immediately bonded. Who knew just a few months later she'd leave....sniffle.....I will miss her greatly! I bought her a small gift & made her this card:




This is Tilda in Paris --an oldie but a goodie! I got this as one of my two stamps when I won Jacque's Sunday Sensations candy a few weeks ago. Thank you Jacque & Diana! She's always been a favorite & I'm so happy to finally have her!

I used Prismas & Goo Gone to color the image --cut it out & placed her on a panel I stamped with SU's French Script. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink & the papers are K&Co Julianne. I used lots of SU's Artichoke Ink ---for the background & distressing. I think this is my favoritest color of all the SU colors :) I used the awesome sketch on the Friday Sketchers blog this week ---Rach's first time hosting & of course she had a great sketch! I would expect nothing less from her!




I had to include a close up because I'm also entering this into the Just Magnolia challenge which is anything goes WITH THE OPTION of adding glitter. So I added just a wee bit of glitter to her hair bows & I used Sparkle Fluff on her beret ---which is kind of glittery :)




As I was making this card, I kept saying "Au Revoir, girlfriend" in my head ----so I decided that's what needed to be on the inside. Of course, I don't have any such stamp so I had to print it on my computer. Couldn't get the color quite right --but I'm hoping she won't notice, lol

I'm kind of nervous, because NOBODY knows about my "secret hobby" at work. It's just not something I talk about. So....people will be seeing this that don't understand the passion of paper crafters. I'm ready for the "you do THIS in your spare time? Why?" lol......

Fudge & fur....

Hopefully there is no fur IN my fudge.....lol....



My co-worker gave me some fudge at Christmas, & it was the BEST ever!! I've made fudge for years --but it always seemed to get hard after just a few days. I had hers .....well ok not that long because I ate it all, lol......but it was so SOFT & yummy. She was kind enough to give me the recipe & I decided I wanted to make some with peanut butter chips. Here's the funny part --the recipe she gave me is the same recipe that was on my container of marshmallow fluff!! LOL!! So....I guess the recipe isn't a secret, but I'm going to share it anyway!

BEST FUDGE EVER

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine (1.5 sticks)
2/3 cup evaporated milk
12 oz chocolate chips
7 oz jar marshmallow fluff
1 tsp vanilla
nuts optional (no nuts for me!)

Combine first 3 ingredients in large pot. Bring to full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue over medium heat for 5 minutes or until candy thermometer reaches soft ball. Remove from heat & add chocolate chips, stir until melted. Add marshmallow fluff & vanilla, stir until well blended. Pour into greased 13x9 pan. Cool at room temp & cut into squares.


Trust me, this fudge is soooooo good! I used half chocolate chips & half peanut butter chips for this batch --I think next time I will try the caramel chips!





And here's the furry part -- my 15 yr old cat just recently started sleeping with my 8 year old. Here's the funny part --Michael's bed is pretty high. Not bunk-high, but high enough that there is a 2 drawer dresser underneath. He's had this bed for a few years now & Elwood *never* tried to jump up. He figured there were other beds in the house that were easier to get to, lol. BUT in the last week or so he started going up there -- one day I walked in & there he was. I thought someone lifted him up there --but then I saw him jump up on his own. I've also seen him miss, which is just kind of sad. I mean, he IS 15 -- but he's decided he loves it up there & he loves curling up with Michael & obviously Michael doesn't mind. He's like the little engine that could.....lol....

Just finished watching American Idol for the night --who do you all love?? I absolutely loved James last night -- I was not a fan of Adam, who everyone is comparing him to -- but I think James ROCKS! And I never even saw him until last week --I don't get to watch all the time so he was a surprise. I also like Scotty --what a voice & I think he's just 15?!?! Tonight I really liked Lauren & Pia --I'm of course rooting for Naima since she's from Milwaukee, but the other 2 were spectacular! I just love this show -- wasn't too sure I'd watch after Simon left but Steven is freaking HILARIOUS!!! Tonight he said to Randy "I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong" Hahahahaaaaa......that made me laugh :)

Sorry I'm feeling a bit chatty tonight, lol!! Thanks for visiting & reading all my miscellaneous ramblings!