Valentines Day and All That Jazz

I have to admit, I am not a really big fan of Valentine's Day.  I think it just adds insult to injury when you're single and makes boyfriends/girlfriends and husbands/wives feel guilty if they don't participate in the over priced chocolate and rose brigade.  I am a firm believer that if you are doing things right there is no need for a holiday to say you gotta do it more.  Every day (or maybe just a couple times a month) is Valentines Day.

I had a really really hard day yesterday.  I was an emotional train wreck and was counting the minutes until I could escape to bed.  Hopefully leaving no victims in my wake.  I just wanted everything to go away.  No, of course I am not suicidal or anything of the sort.  I just couldnt get my big girl panties to fit right and to say they were in a bunch is a total understatement.  I was on the brink of either ugly crying or my head exploding in anger.  Seriously---neon sign over my head that was flashing...TOTAL FEMALE RIGHT HERE!

I was clearly upset.  But why?  I was mad that no one made me feel special on this stupid holiday.  I am NOT single, I shouldnt be left out!   However, that wasn't the main reason.  Do you wanta know the real reason?  I was mad that I was mad.  I mean seriously its a HOLIDAY.  Trust me when I say I am spoiled plenty.  Darling is very very good to me and I have NOTHING to complain about.  But I was mad that he wasnt part of the sheep participating, sending hearts and flowers, chocolates and romantic dinners.  Even though the visual of this makes me giggle, he is NOT a heart and sappy kinda guy.  He's just not.    So with every flower posted on FB and every status update that went on and on all I got was the echoing in my ear of how Darling hates this stupid holiday and refuses to participate and not to expect anything....yeah-- you get the idea.

My Spoiled Brat Syndrome had its full butt showing.  I wanted it.  I wanted all of it.  So if you ever hear me say I hate this holiday again, please call my bluff.  I am lying.

I wont give you details...but lets just say that Darling did more for me than I could have even imagined.  He made certain I didn't go to bed in my pity party and that even though my day sucked I really matter.  He stepped way out of his comfort zone.  He went above and beyond, and the greatest part is that it was a plan he was concocting for weeks. That alone says more than anything.

He still hates the holiday.  Thinks it is a total joke and rolls his eyes at the very mention of it.  Even though I told him I agreed that it was a farse, he knew that it really was important to me.  Yesterday I was contemplating every single choice Id ever made in my life.  Even though I didnt have a single thing to be mad about.  I TOLD him I didnt want to play the game, I was mad cause he listened?!?! 

OMG, I am a total chick.  Say one thing but mean something else.  TOTAL face palm moment.  What can I say...

Today I can't help but giggle to think he totally got me.  He not only surprised me beyond words but he proved that on some levels he knows me more than I even know myself.

The pic is horrible of the Valentine I made for him.  His favorite animal is an otter.  SO adorbs.  The stamp set has 2 otters, and a directions list a mile long with dies on how to make the otters hug on a card.  I made one, tho it ended up looking more like one was giving CPR to the other.  I trashed that idea and went with this.  Maybe soon I will attempt it again.

Anyways, my thought for you today...it is ok to like holidays.  Even the stupid corny ones.  Its also ok if you dont.  But by all means, be clear about it.  Cause taking a chance that your significant other can read your subconscious mind is really stupid.  And being mad if they dont makes you even crazier.

Much love,

Becky Ann

Some People volunteer time...

People choose to give to others in lots of ways.  Some volunteer at soup kitchens.  Some people give to charities.  Many do things that are never acknowledged.  Many do things only for the fame.  I don't volunteer much.  I always say I am going to, but that always lays another brick in the good intentions path.  However I do love sending cards.  My cards are joy.  First I get the joy of  hoarding collecting all of the supplies.  I get the joys of creating works of art, mingling with my other inky friends and experiencing so much that I cannot even articulate it into words.  Making cards makes me happy.  I get to send notes of love to my friends which (I think) makes them happy.  I am a firm believer in telling people how you feel.  My Darling is not so good at this and tends to get weirded out when I express how much I appreciate him in my life and how happy I am that he's here. 

Never in my life do I want anyone to ever question my love for them.  If I am thinking of you, I want you to know.  I cant always help financially (mostly never) but I have lots of smiles and prayers to share.  Does this mean I am just awesome at always sending notes and staying in touch with people?  Oh heck no!  I am not so good at it at all.  Hey, it sounds good though doesn't it?  😁 However I do try.  

So my question for you today is this...have you done SOMETHING to let those you love know you do?  Ya dont even have to love them.  How about your coworkers?  Your neighbors?  Even the trashguy would love to know that they are not just another face on your street.  

Enjoy your life it is precious and short.

Much love,

Becky Ann

WHY?

So many people have asked my WHY DO I BLOG?  Why is it so important that I get back into it.  Do people really even read blogs anymore?  Or better yet, WHO is reading about your life?  Sounds like perfect stalker material at best. 

I guess that does prove to be true in one sense.  Tho I try not to divulge too much information in exact measurements and details.  Most things that I speak of are in past tense or not in tense at all.  But with that being said I have spent a bit of time reading back over my blog posts for the last several years.  I could see the pain and the happiness within the words.  I could see the photos and the passions that engulfed my every being at that given moment.  I could tell when I was trying so hard to be someone I was not while casting a light of perfection.  I could read between those sentences, it sparked memories both good and bad, but all the same it is a journal of sorts.  One that I enjoy looking in on, since I am absolutely HORRIBLE at paper journals.  I cant even begin to tell you how many paper books I have with meticulous details I shared on the first 5-10 pages only to be abandoned just like the one before. 

So my reason...number 1 is of course for my few trusty followers that cherish my updates and like knowing I am not dead.  Number 2 is simply just for me.  For my own enjoyment and my own mark on the world, even though it IS just in Cyberspace.  I enjoy writing.  Some days more than not, but I DO love getting words on the paper. 

So my question to you...why do YOU do what YOU do? 

Much love as always,

Becky Ann

Official first day of winter...well ok--maybe not.

We got the first snow of the season last night.  It was a fun ride to work this morning that is for sure.  CrAzY!   Looks like we get to have fun all over again in the morning.  Oh yeah, did I mention that we have a major RV show this weekend so our guys are transporting units all week.  Yeah, so glad that is not MY job!!!  I have been getting inky a bit lately.  Having so much fun.  As you can see I have not set up my light box yet though.  My pics are horrible, but you get the idea.

Hannah has been binge watching FRIENDS.  I love it!  Yeah they are still great the 12th time around.  Anyone who says they arent...well they are just wrong.  Classic.  Classic. Classic.

Alright, well I love ya all.  But I guess I need to get off here.

XOXO

Becky Ann

Update (again)

So about 2 years ago I walked away from blogging. Newly divorced, a transplant from Tennessee to Oregon and really not knowing my head from tail-end, I needed a break.  A break from crafting, from life, from the outside world.  I was grateful to be with family.  I was grateful to be done with all the court stuff and was ready to take the world by the horns.  I was glad to be near Heather again and of course both Hannah and I were happy to have a place to call home and some stability.

We stayed on the farm for about a year and a half with Leeann.  It was great to spend time with her and of course to gain some sense of well being again.  Hannah graduated high school.  Heather moved up here with us we were making new friends.  Lots of plans have come and gone throughout our time here but I can honestly say I am so in love with my life now.

Heather and Kara have their own place and Hannah and I have a new home here in Salem as well.  We have had a lot of fun personalizing it and making it ours.  Darling has been so awesome with the handyman stuff and I am so grateful for his ability to build just about anything I ask for.  It is SO nice to be out of the RV and in a real house.  I learned quickly that the Tiny House revolution is NOT for me.

Another big change for us...I entered back into the work force.  I work for a local RV dealership and I gotta tell you....I LOVE IT!  I love the people I work with and I love the company.  Heather joined me here last summer.  It has been a lot of fun.  I love signing off at quitting time and not thinking about it after quitting time.  Sure I miss having no set hours and being in control of my schedule, but I like the whole clock in clock out thing.  I know...not for everyone.

My furries have changed a bit.  Our HOA doesn't allow featherds so I have to live vicariously through my flock friends.  I miss having chickens but I sure dont miss those early morning chores.  We have Edgar Allan still.  He is well-known throughout our neighborhood.  He is ALWAYS up to mischief.  You can follow him on FaceBook, as he has his own page.  Seriously...many of my contacts on my phone are neighbors that update me daily on his whereabouts.  I am pretty sure he has more followers than the average movie star.  Just saying.  Unfortunately, my darling Felix Alexander went missing not long after we moved in here.  😒  We have Old Lady Marbles, whom I think is on her last leg at least every other day.  Though she continues to prove me wrong and keeps on ticking.  She has good weeks and then not so great ones.  Seizures seem to keep popping up for her but she comes back ok.  At least she has thus far.  She doesnt venture out of her room too often.  Hannah of course still has Majik.  His poor little feets are still messed up as his autoimmune disease still kicks his butt.  Our newest addition is Bowzer.  75 lbs of pitbull love.  He keeps us laughing that is for sure.  Every house needs a pitbull...and a really long hall....and a flight of stairs....and at least 52 toys....oh and a crazy desire to throw each one 900 times minimum.

Life is really good.  Slowly but surely I am inching my way back in to paper crafts.  I finally have my craftroom set up and even can find things again.  Now just to get in there!!  I have had a lot of fun with home decor so that has taken most of my energy.

Hannah is now into her second term at college.  Hoping to get her drivers license soon and well on her way to growing up, even though I have protested as much as any one mom can.

Anyways.  I guess I need to get back to things here.  Thankfully were not as cold as the Mid-West.  It's just 49° here today.  It is bright blue sky and sunny.  I am sure once that sun goes down it will be a bit more frigid and not so fabulous but I still don't think we be the -50°s  that our friends further East are seeing.  All of our manufacturers are closed cause of the cold.  Kinda weird.

Much love to all!!

Becky Ann

Cakes, more cakes and yeah I like to bake.

One thing that I have really been enjoying since moving into our new home is baking.  I love having the space and all of my tools at my fingertips.  No I don't charge and no I am not real keen on farming my services out but I absolutely love that within our friendship circle there is ALWAYS someone having a Birthday.  This is my last one....a treat for my sweet little girly friend, Elaina.  This kitty of course matches her sweet baby, Snowball.

This was also the first time that I had attempted to mold

fondant.  I think it went pretty good and I was pleased with
how it came out.  I cant say that I think it tasted too awesome as I think the taste of fondant is absolutely disgusting.  Hence the reason my cakes look kind of "handmade" cause I refuse to cover em in that junk.  At any rate.  I have had so much fun!  She of course loved it and had a wonderful Birthday.

I am slowly learning how to be quick and not taking 6+ hours for a cake too. My need for perfection, tho still high, has also relaxed.  Thanks to Darling, who reminds me not to sweat the small stuff.  It is just a cake after all, ten minutes with kids and all that is left is crumbs so why not just do my best and love the creations.  Sometimes, easier said that done.  However I remember my early days of baking 20+ years ago where I cried and cried over crumbling creations.  Thankfully I haven't had any catastrophes like that in my recent experiences.

Anyways, thanks for coming by.  I promise to start posting paper crafts again soon.  I have been creating up there too, but I best run for now.  I guess since I deleted my post about whats been happening with us I will need to redo that too.  So check back and I will see you all soon!

Becky Ann 

Things are good

I had forgotten how challenging this blogging stuff is.  I mean seriously!  I can barely keep up with my own self let alone keep everyone informed.  :)  I wanted you all to know that I truly am doing great.  This past weekend I had the great privilege of taking Bowzer to the ocean for the first time.  I was of course concerned because he despises his feet being dirty.  He also is not a huge fan of water.  Much to my surprise he barreled his way from the car all the way down the steep embankment to the water.  He ran and ran.  He chased waves and dove deep into the water.  Before we left, I was soaked up to my thighs.  He was covered in sand from the tip of his nose all the way to his tail but we were both so happy.  Darling and I were able to enjoy an amazing dinner at a perfect little restaurant there near the water.  It was a perfect day.  Lots of laughs, beautiful sites and a gorgeous sunny day.  I have lots of moments that remind me just how much I am in love with my life.

Yachats, Oregon

I am desperately trying to figure out the new website.  I learned quickly that I HATED the layout of the blog templates so hopefully I have this settled now.  Maybe?

I sure hope I don't lose any of you as I bounce around trying to find my tech niche.  I promise I will get it (sooner or later).

Much love,

Becky Ann