jamswap

Fri 8/29 Dad is gaining weight!!! My sister has been bringing him candy and ice cream and coke and boost (a nutritional supplement)--He loves sweets--I am sure he doesnt know how to eat with a knife and fork anymore--she fut up his food and gave him a spoon and then he ate--this may have been why he wasnt eating--he has gained 3 lbs in a week! Good sign. Thanks for good wishes and prayers--they are working!

Just back from Phoenix--dad not doing well in Alzeheimer's facility--he is down to 109 lbs and out of it most of the time--so very very hard...I have to really give it to the caretakers of loved ones with this disease--It is truly tragic. I know my mom was amazing and that every "good" moment is a blessing and has to be cherished. I had one really good day w/ him and told my sister and she cried because she hasn't had a good day on her visits. i am truly blessed to have that great memory at a time when we know the end is coming soon.

This has certainly been the longest year of my life and the most emotional one for sure. I am looking to 08 08 08 and taking that as the begining of the best part of my life and that is all set to come. Thanks again everyone for all the support. I truly appreciate it.

I have caught up on my ATC's!!--son is better, am in the middle of moving and lost a good friend this week--Hopefully my life will be normal soon-- Thank you to almost EVERYONE for patience, understanding, support, and the love sent through emails, cards etc. I know many of you offered to ANGEL and I appreciate it but I felt I should do them myself since I had committed. Again, warm fuzzies and hearts to you all.

june 16 Home one day and a half after getting robbed in Nashville,and my son calls from Louisville--he's sick and doesnt know what to do==went to er and got admitted and I left for Louisville and they were releasing him the next am, by the time i got there they readmitted him and scheduled him for surgery--all is well and he came home today --i'll leave for home in the next couple of days. been a rough 2008 so far.

june 5 am almost caught up thanks everyone for their patience! I can't believe that this month has flown by--working, flying backandforthto Phoenix and getting her house "undone", mounds of paperwork--thank goodness for my swaps--I can relax and do them--unfortunatly I dont have all my materials, supplies and goodies in phoenix when i do them late at night--i am improvising a lot. It will be good to get home and work at a desk w/ my supplies.

MAY 21 i got 9 swaps out this week and sill have some to go to get caught up--I will get them out. Thanks everyone for their, comments, thoughts and prayers and for their patience. I really appreciate it a lot. Bless you all!

May 14th I just got back from a real heavy month--Mom passed away and had to place Dad in an Alzheimers facility--and am starting right away to finish the things I had started and to get going on the others. Please be patient. I am good for all of my swaps and if you have any questions, please leave a message. Thank you

I am a Libra Ox and mom of three great grown children. I love being busy and thrive on challenges. Therefore, I don't/can't sit still very long. I have a fourteen year old grandson (very much a grand joy in my life) who lives with me. We have a lot of fun and put up with each other most of the time with a smile. Part of my full time job is that I get to run an afterschool program--kids!!!! I love it. I believe in the philosophy of Girl Scouts and am a 3 troop Girl Scout leader (4th grade -6th, junior and high school). I also work with college Girl Scouts who help me with my troops. I couldnt do it all without them. Am a Christian, who loves theology, and the studying of other religions--I like to find out what makes people tick--I live in a very diverse place and try to celebrate something about everyone and celebrate something-everyday--no room for long lasting bummers. Life is a gift and we should really enjoy it while sharing what we can with others.

I have a BFA in art: specialized in painting and drawing, w/ an extra specializtion in papermaking, and a MSed in Higher Education; college student personnel and administration and have worked at a university in mid management/administration for 20 years--am crazy about my job and love working with students and families. Not enough time for art--that's why I am loving Swap-bot and ATC's--They give me a self chosen assignment and to fullfill it I must create! Couldnt get much better than that!

I do love most art; (primarily 2D type-- watercolor, multimedia,impressionism, modern), museums, kids, crafts, all colors--crayolas, rainbows, celtic designs, the tarot and using all of our senses in the great outdoors. I love being outside--anytime! Baseball;(Cubs)-- the new Southern Illinois team: (SI Miners), basketball; (Salukis)and football;(Bears/Salukis) are my favorite sports to watch (don't play anymore--achy bones)) and I really enjoy going to both professional and college games. I love to play an occasional 18 holes of golf, and do play bocce. Just got a fire pit and lately I have been sitting out under the stars until the middle of the night. I am a big fan of most board, table and card games--(scrabble, backgammon, and rummi q, phase 10, lately--goes in spurts). I love solving problems, helping others, recycling and recycled art, chi gong and meditation (not all in that order). I collect metal buttons, bracelets, old costume jewelry, Tarot decks (the art work is great), Crayola items, celtic crosses, Pez dispensers, Girl Scout stuff, games, Disney pins, OX/libra stuff, and now ATC's.

Love to travel; all over; see family and explore cultures, back roads, small galleries, thrift stores, small neighborhoods away-- from big city tourists. I am lucky enough to have a fabulous bunch(7)of younger sibs and wonderful parents and friends living all over the states, so I can visit them, have a blast and celebrate life, family and each other. In the last 2 years; I have been fortunate to go on 3 cruises, spend 3 weeks in Italy, and along with family reunions, weddings, funerals, I managed to take numerous trips to Fla, AZ, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Mexico, CA, and NM. I love southern Illinois (where I live), the weather and the people there, and the terrain and spend a lot of weekends exploring the beautiful countryside and the neighboring states.

I really enjoy studying different cultures and their customs and holidays. I was turned on to this by a high school teacher who made geography so much fun, it didn't seem like school.
I am happy to say that I am a really fine cook--so they say (my mother was so inspirational) who loves to try different things. I spend a lot of time creating and adapting many different recipes using flavors from all over the world. I am in the process of moving and setting up a new kitchen(yellow, green, lemons and pears) It is delightful-even if it is a chore. I just don't get to entertain often enough. I love most teas and of course Girl Scout cookies! I have a thing for cranberry muffins too. Always anxious to try a new recipe with dried cranberries!

I listen to lots of different music- esp easy rock, pop, blues, early r & b (we called it soul music), oldies (60s-70s), jazz, big band, pre 1950 show tunes and musicals,and love to dance; ballroom, freestyle, esp hip hop (much to the chagrin of my grandson--he says I embarrass him). Love to listen to U2, Kenny Loggins, Johnny Mathis, James Taylor, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Nat King Cole, Michael Buble, Barry Manilow ,and many more including Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Carol King, Whitney Huston, The Corrs, Early Beatles, Madona, Cream, Doors, Buffalo Springfield, 5th Dimension,Janis and Stevie. I sit on the boards for the Southern Illinois Irish Festival and the local chapter of USA Dance and besides Girl Scouts, am involved in numerous community service organizations: child, family and environment oriented. Just joined a committee to help single moms--We are putting together resources and helpful hints to help them with going to school, parenting and leisure tim; basically just functioning--would appreciate assistance of things that work and challenges faced..

Favorite reading: Mystery books with women leads (I wanted to be Nancy Drew or at the very least Bess, George and imagine myself in every book I read),--some new age types--and holistic health books, herbs, oils and natural remedies. I really enjoy reading cook books--and when reading them I can just taste and smell the food! I then think about it and change the recipes with signature ingredients! Usually some variation will show up on our dinner table. Just made salsa deviled eggs I had no mayo and already had peeled the eggs and smashed the yolks--they sound strange, but were awesome and gobbled up quickly)

The motto I live by is "try something new every day" and I constantly encourage others to do the same. To not do so would be shrivel the brain! We don't have the time to waste. I have lived long enough to know that life is a gift and we must use our lives wisely and enjoy and cherish every minute.

Enjoying creating ATC cards. They are right up my alley since I don't have a studio for painting anymore and I can work on them anywhere I carry my baggie of current card goodies, glue stick, inks etc and have set up a special place in my work room for creating, along with my area for swapping. I did notice that I am collecting more little stuff than usual because I have so many ideas for cards and themes. Between ATC's and swap-bot, I feel a compulsion coming on!!!! I am loving it! (I am convinced it is here!)

If you have any questions, comments or would like to do an individual swap--let me know. thanks.

I AM A LOYAL SWAP BOT PARTICIPANT AND IF YOU DONT HEAR FROM ME, PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE GIVING ME A BAD RATING--I TRY TO SEND THINGS OUT BEFORE DUE DATES BUT I AM NOT PERFECT AND DID SEND SOMEONE THE WRONG PACKET BY MISTAKE ONCE. I WILL CORRECT ANY ERRORS, SO PLEASE BE COURTEOUS AND LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM--I PROMISE TO DO THE SAME. THANKS AND LET'S ENJOY.

Thank you so much to all of the Swappers who sent well wishes, prayer, cards, emails and messages of support at a time when I really needed some support. I am constantly amazed at the wonderful group of caring individuals in Swap-bot who took/take time to get other swappers (me at the moment) through their crisis'. Swap bot has the best members in the world! I am both humbled and proud to be part of this special group.