In the Land of the Stupid Drivers

I worked the weekend up to Christmas Eve.  I was off Christmas day to spend with my family.  Then it hit.  Little white flakes of instant stupid dropping from the sky!  First is was stupid in the form of ice then came the snow-at least 10 inches of it!  And when I say instant stupid falling from the sky, just add an idiot in a four wheel drive vehicle and there you go!!!  I am on the medical field.  We have no incliment weather policy.  We are expected to be at work no matter what even if it means packing a bag for a few days to stay away from home.  It's just what we have to do.  This picture shows a sign coming into the Little Rock area on my way home from work today.  It says "CAUTION WATCH FOR ICE".  REALLY?!?!?!? You have to have a sign telling people to watch for ice???  Wow!!!  That's how it is here in the south.  Gotta love it!!!  Makes fir a horrible time at work and horrible commute.  Yes it may be pretty, but this storm has been very destructive and many are still without power.  Please pray for them and that the power will be restored sooner than the estimated 7 days.  There is at least one transformer and one substation that are needing to repaired or replaced.  And, check back later for other news and happening from the Land of the Stupid Drivers!!!

~hugs, mel

Random Stuff

I guess after living here for the last 5 years, we are going to finally light out fireplace.  Of course they guys had to choose a day when it is way too cold to be running in and out of the doors and leaving them open.  I was happy in my little tropical-feeling house.  Then they had to go and open the doors and bring me back down to reality with how cold it actually is outside!!

 

I have a few new pictures of the twins.  They were part of a wedding on the 1st.  Ashley was the flower girl and Justin was the ring bearer.  They were so very beautiful!!  I was scared that I didn't get the dress of Ashley's fitted before the wedding.  We finally tried it on the night before and it couldn't have fit any better.  Whew!!  This momma is definitely last minute!!!  Anyway, here they are.  I was one proud momma this day!!  Also, congrats to Mr. Chris and Ms. Robbie.  It was a beautiful wedding!

I was also able to get the following pictures of them before the wedding.  they make such a cute little pair of twins.  Did I mention that they are just 7 years old???  They look so grown up here!!

 

 

Now, on to some things I have been working on.  As I mentioned in my last post, I found Swap-Bot.  It is a wonderful site for people all over the world to get together and swap or exchange things.  I have already received some really cute cards.  I am signed up for several swaps through the end of the year.  I am even hosting a paper sack book swap.  One that I recently sent off was for a friendship book.  I had never heard of this idea before now.  It is really a neat idea and you can "meet" many new people when you do!!  Here are the two books that I made.  It was a little odd because I made the book for one person, but I sent it to the other.  I managed to send them to the right person!!!

 

 

I used patterned paper on all of the pages, but I used some that would be easy to write on and could actually be seen.  I used a heavy cardstock paper for the front.  I used patterned Duck tape to "bind" the book.  I used it on all the pages inside, too in order to hold the pages in.  Then, on the front, I put each person's name and decorated it up a little.  Each one is about 4inches by 6 inches.

 

So, for now.  I will post a few other things when I get them or make them.  Like I mentioned, I have a paper sack book coming up and I will share pictures of that when I finish them.  I have two in the works but just not quite finished at this time.  Thank you for stopping by to visit.

 

~hugs, mel

 

Word(less) Wednesday

A couple of days off work and I decided to get a little crafty!  I finally took a look at swap bot.  I have read about it on many other blogs.  All I can say is that it may just be as addicting as Pinterest and Facebook!  There are many different swaps.  It is a wonderful way to meet many new and different people from around the world. 

I am also sharing my postcards I made for iHanna's postcard swap.  She did one earlier this year, which was my first one.  So, I decided to join this one.  I only had to make five postcards.  It was so much fun!!!!  I would just like to apologize for the orientation of the pictures.  Mobile Blogger is not friendly at times and I am too danger lazy to fire up the old computer.  I am listing these and where they will be going.

1.  "I am beautiful on the inside" is going to Doreen in Germany.

2.  "How old you would be if you didn't know how old you are" is going to Tammy in Irving, TX.

3.  "If you're going to make a statement" is going to Tina in Rockford, IL.

4.  "I will let go........" is going to Rachel in Tallahassee, FL.

5.  "Stay up past your bedtime" is going to Laurie in Lehigh Acres, FL.

Thank you ladies for playing.  I will also be sending out some Swap-Bot items over the next few days, too.  Thank you for stopping by!!!

~hugs, mel

Black Friday and a Trip to the Old Mill

I hope everyone is preparing for a wonderful Thanksgiving.  No "Black Friday" for me.  I am not against the day after Thanksgiving shopping frenzy that takes place, but I really see no logic in it at all.  People get up (or never go to sleep) and go to their local store for some cheap items that the store may have only one or two of.  What happens from there looks very similar to a bad nursery school scene where someone tossed a couple of toys to twenty or so children waiting to play with them. 

As a society, we have become so materialistic that the real reason we are buying Christmas gifts has escaped our minds.  I absolutely refuse to participate in the madness.  Adults should always be setting an example for the younger generations.  The stores have become so greedy (for lack of better words) that they will not allow their employees to spend the whole day with their families.  I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing that I need bad enough to stand in a line waiting to possibly get trampled by some crazy and senseless person trying to run and grab the one or two large electronic items that a store has to lure them in to shop.  I value being with my family and teaching them the true meaning of the season.

OK, enough of the crazy Black Friday rant!  I was spending time with my children while they were out of school today for the Thanksgiving holiday.  If any of you have ever watched "Gone With the Wind" and have noticed the old mill in the opening scenes of the movie, then you may recognize some of the following pictures.  Although it shows a year of 1832 on the sign on the mill, it was actually built prior to the movie being filmed.  There are parts of it that date before the building of the mill, but it really isn't as old as one would think.  If you want to read more on it, you can click here.  My children really love going there, especially to take pictures.  I love taking pictures there in the spring when everything is blooming.  They really keep the grounds beautiful and the flowers planted there are wonderful!!  We took a lot of pictures today and the fall colors are actually very pretty against the mill.  So, enough of the talk, here are the pictures we took today.

 

 

 

This is one of the lakes known as the Lakewood Lakes.  The part here is actually private.  I thought the way the trees lined the lake was really pretty, especially with the full range of fall colors!!

 

Side view of the old mill.  You can go inside the house.  During the spring and summer, there are all kinds of beautiful and colorful flowers in bloom.

 

Some berries on a bush at the old mill.

 

A beautiful Japanese Maple tree.  The red color of the leaves is really pretty.  Behind the tree is the wheel of the mill.  It is in working condition.

 

Front view of the mill.  The sound of the water and the wheel turning is so relaxing! 

 

 

One of the pools around the house. The reflection of the mill on the water along with the leaves on top of the water make for a great fall picture.

 

And, a picture of my twins.  The bridge they are on goes from one side of the park to the other across the lake.  All of it is made from stone and a mixture that is made to look like wood.  None of the "wood" you see in the pictures is actually wood, except for the living plants and trees.

 

Thank you for stopping by and listening to my soapbox speech about why I do not like Black Friday.  Also, thank you for looking at the pictures I have shared with you.  Hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving (or had if you are visiting after Thanksgiving).

 

~hugs, mel

Gratitude

What are some of the things that I am thankful for??  When I sit and think about it, there are too many to list in one post.  So, I will name just a few.  They may not be the most important ones, but here are just a few of the things that I am thankful for:

 

1.  My children

     My children teach me many things every day.  From the simple things in life to patience, they 

     really teach me many things.  I have three children.  I have a son who just turned 15 today.  Then,

     I have 7 year old boy/girl twins.  I guess God really doesn't give you more than you can handle!!

 

 

2.  My job

In this time when so many people seem to be out of work, I am very thankful that I have my job.  Even though I do work nights, drive 40 miles one-way, and work long hours, I am so very thankful that I have a good job.

 

 

The flags outside of where I work.  Yes, it was snowing that night.

 

3.  My little pet frogs

Yes, we have two pet frogs, Elroy and Smokey.  Don't laugh!!  They are really cool little frogs.  They really aren't too little, either.  Since we cannot have a cat or a dog where we live, we have frogs.  Sometimes just watching them is funny.  They are the kind that you can hold and even sit on your desk.  I am a little more partial to Elroy.  She is a little more laid back than Smokey is.  I can sit her on my desk, she will find her a little spot, and then go to sleep.  Elroy is the one out of the water and Smokey is in the water.

 

 

So, those are just a few things that I am thankful for.  These are actually some that I had pictures to go with!!  Happy Friendship Friday to everyone.  Remember to leave a little love if you visit!!!

 

~hugs, melanie

 

A New Project

I have been so busy since the kids started school.  I haven't had a lot of time for much.  I really have had good intentions on getting more things done, including the housework.  But, it just never happened.  I guess now since it is getting cold and there isn't much for this warm-weather loving girl to do outside, I will now start doing things I have been meaning to do for the last few months!!  Pinterest is such a great website.  I have many things pinned for a rainy day.  I did, however, find some ideas from there for my twins' 7th birthday.  We had a Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat theme.  Turned out great.  I also tried a recipe for some bread.  As far as eating it just plain, I don't think it turned out that great.  So, my husband decided that we use it for some garlic bread with our spaghetti.  I have to admit that it was some awesome garlic bread. 

I finally got around to doing some scrapping.  I haven't made any regular pages in quite a long time.  One thing I have been wanting to do is to make some more paper bag books.  I received one from a friend a few years ago.  It was made out of 2-3 kraft paper gift bags with handles.  It was decorated up so very cute.  I made a couple at that time.  I used the metal rings to hold it together.  This time, I picked up a package of Dollar Tree lunch sacks.  I folded five of them in half, put a rubber band around the spine of them, and then taped the spine with some clear tape on the outside and inside where the rubber ban is.  The size is quite nice at about 5x5.  The open ends of the sack allow for a place to stash pictures, journaling, or just some other little surprises.  So, I am going to leave you with some pictures of the book.  If anyone is interested in one for a gift, let me know.  I would consider making one for you for a small fee (probably around $10).  For this particular one, I used some paper by Pink Paislee called the Daily Junk.  I really love it and it is a very cute, elegant, and fun line!!  And as always, if you stop by, leave a little love!!!

 

This is the front cover.

 

Inside cover

 

Third page

 

fourth page-I decorated the flap on the bottom and the little bit under the flap on the bottom.  This leaves just enough room to hide a little picture or some journaling.

 

fifth page

 

 sixth page

 

seventh page

 

eighth page-also the bottom flap of the bag

 

ninth page-the brown loop is one of the hidden pieces inside the bag

 

tenth page

 

eleventh page

 

twelfth page

 

thirteenth page

 

fourteenth page

 fifteenth page

 

sixteenth page

 

seventeenth page

 

eighteenth page

 

inside back cover-also the bottom flap of the bag

 

back cover

 

These are the pieces that I placed inside the open part of the bags.  They can all be journaled or have photos placed on both sides.  Perfect for those hidden pictures or that hidden journaling you want to keep private.

 

And just for fun, I organized my little alpha stamp sets by letter.  I also decided to write the name of the color of ink on the bottom so that I can see what color they are without storing them right side up.  I used two different plastic storage containers.  These work great!!!  Now I can find those little stamps!!

 

As always, leave a little love to let me know you were here!!!

Been a While Since I Have Posted and an Announcement!!!!!

It has been a very busy last couple of months.  We had our VBS back in June.  We had two adults who joined the church by baptism.  I am already looking forward to next year!!  The kids have been out of school so I have had to entertain them when I am not working.  Tough job sometimes, but worth it!! 

Well, here it is, the big announcement!  I FINALLY OPENED MY OWN ETSY SHOP!  I finally broke down and opened my own Etsy shop.  So far I only have four sets of my cards listed there.  I am going to add more over the next few weeks.  I am hoping to make some extra money for Christmas.  If you see something you like, please head on over and pick it up!

I know Wordless Wednesday is where you post a really nice picture of something, which I will be doing, but I am just so darned excited I have to make some noise!!!  To visit the host of Wordless Wednesday and to visit some other great blogs, you can visit Create With Joy.  I love taking pictures. I really wish I had one of the nice DSLR cameras. Maybe one of these days. Anyway, I am left with my phone camera and my regular point and shoot camera. I am fairly happy with them right now. Recently the children and I took a trip down to Hot Springs, Arkansas. If you have never heard of it, you can search it. Hot Springs is known for its naturally occurring underground hot water springs. The water is naturally around 120F. You can even buy the gallon jugs to take it home with you. It was once thought to have healing powers and many people flocked there in the early part of the 1900's to take baths in the hot water at one of the many bath houses they have there. I am leaving you with some of the pictures we took while we were there.

A fountain in one of the little park areas in downtown Hot Springs

One of the areas where the hot spring water can be felt.  It ran down the side of the mountain into the pools in the park area.  Even thought it was above 90F, you could still see the steam coming off the water.

One of the vintage advertisements on the side of one of the buildings in the downtown area.  I love just walking down the sidewalks through the downtown area.  So much history in this part of the state.

The view of the downtown are of Hot Springs from one of the two mountains in the city.  It was somewhat overcast that day, but there were still good pictures to be had!!

And last, a picture of the National Park sign with my kids in front of it.  They were getting tired and thirsty.  I still had a few things I wanted to see first!!

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  I hope you will visit my Etsy shop-Handcrafted By Melanie.  If you have an idea for a special order, please let me know.

hugs, mel

Inspire Me Monday--And For A Good Reason

Happy Memorial Day everyone.  I just want to share with you what Memorial Day means to me.  Being a veteran myself, I feel a special connection to the veterans buried at our national cemeteries.  Here in Little Rock, Arkansas, we have two large national veteran cemeteries here.  I visit one of them regularly because I live about 2 miles from that one.  I also have some family buried there.  Anyway, just take a moment to pray for our soldiers serving currently, those who have served, and those who have passed on either while serving or after serving their time.  Also remember those who work at the cemeteries that keep them looking nice and the ones who spend their time on special days placing the flags on each and every grave in the morning and take the flags off of each and every grave in the evening.

There is a sense of pride that comes over oneself when entering a veteran cemetery on a special holiday.  Seeing the flags lining the drive ways and standing proud on each and every grave is something one cannot put into words.  For a veteran who enters one of these sacred places to remember their fellow soldiers, words cannot describe the honor they feel for the people already buried there.  It is such a serene place to walk around and reflect on the liberties that we have because of the people who are already there.  Walking down by the small pond at the cemetery we have here, you will see all the flags positioned at half-staff at all times remembering the heroes who are gathered inside the gates of the cemetery.  Many of them served not by choice, but out of necessity for the protection of our liberties and simple freedoms we enjoy today.  So, if you ever get the chance to visit one of these great cemeteries, please do.  Say thank you to some of the fallen heroes that are already "home".  I am going to leave you with these beautiful pictures I took of the cemetery today.  I have a lot of them and take some every time I make a visit to the cemetery.   I would also like to list the family members of mine who have served in the military over the years.

 

Alfred Kelly Inmon.  This is my father.  He is still living.  He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War.

Harry A. Black.  This is my uncle.  He served in the Korean War in the US Army.  He passed away in 2006.  He is buried in the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery.

Robert Eugene Conrad, US Merchant Marines, World War II, he is also buried in the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery.  The Merchant Marines were a part of the US Coast Guard and those who served in the Merchant Marines were granted full veteran status sometime in the 1980's.  I found out that being a Merchant Marine during WWII was a very dangerous job and many of them were killed.

Entrance to Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery.  This one is located about 2 miles from where I live.

This is the same section where my uncle is buried.  I knelt down to get this picture.  It is very humbling to be able to kneel among these great people who served our country.  The flags on the graves tell a story no one can put into words!!

My great-great-uncle, Howard Crutchfield.  He made a career in the US Navy.  He is still living today.

Robert Eugene, my grandfather, and Richard Leslie Conrad, my great uncle.  Both served in the Merchant Marines during World War II.  They were twins.  Both of them were laid to rest in 2009.

One of my cousins.  Buried in Lone Tree Cemetery in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

Another cousin, buried in Bayou Meto Cemetery near Stuttgart, Arkansas.

Another cousin buried in Almyra Cemetery, Almyra, Arkansas.

Another cousin also buried in Almyra Cemetery.

Another cousin buried in Lone Tree Cemetery.

My great uncle, brother to my grandfather. He is also buried in Almyra Cemetery.

George and John Inmon, brothers,US Army, World War II, both deceased, George is my grandfather

This is my grandfather, George Washington Inmon. He served in World War II in a unit in Germany. I never knew this, but he suffered from PTSD. Although no one knew what it was at the time. He is buried in Almyra Cemetery.

This is my 4th great grandfather.  He is buried in a veterans cemetery near Johnson City, Tennessee.  He was in the Tennessee infantry.  Not sure of the war he may have been in or if he just served in the military.  He died in 1838.  I am very honored to have had someone take this picture for me.  Thank you to that special volunteer!

Yet, another cousin who served this great country.

Charley Thomas Inmon.  This was one of my uncles, father's brother.  I never got a chance to meet him in person, but I did get a 14-page letter written to me by one of his shipmates from the 1950's.  Charley was such a wonderful person and I sure wish I could have had the chance to meet him.  He was killed in a car accident in 1956.  He proudly served in the US Navy in the 1950's during the Korean War.  He served on the USS Coral Sea and the USS Franklin D Roosevelt.

This is my uncle Melvin George Inmon.  He served in the US Naval Reserves for several years.  He is buried in Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Greenville, Mississippi.

This is my husband and I.  Both of us served in the US Army.  I spent 9 years in the Army between active duty and reserves.  My husband spent several years in the Army National Guard as an air traffic controller.  I sure wish he would go back to work doing that!!!  The handsome young man in the middle is our oldest son at his 5th grade graduation.  He is now 14!!

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the world.  If you remember, please thank a service member or a veteran.  Without us, you would not have the freedoms you have today!!!

~hugs, mel