Oops! Frank is Improving!

It is 1:15 am on Monday morning and I just realized I never put a card on my blog.  I can live with that but I didn't want anyone to think it was because of Frank.  He came home Saturday afternoon.  The poor little guy looks like he's been in a knife fight and lost.  His chest is shaved with stitches.

His back half is shaved down his leg and has a bandage on it covering more stitches.  Frank was asleep when my parents cat saw him.  Frank runs at and scares the cat so they aren't best buddies.  However, the cat was genuinely worried about the dog and wondered what on earth had happened to him!  Then when we had to add the cone so Frank wouldn't lick in the night, the cat was even more perplexed.
  Frank doesn't seem to be in much pain.  His neck is doing great from the first surgery.  He can put a tiny bit of pressure on the leg that had surgery but he's very good about letting us carry him wherever he needs to go.  I can't carry him very much because of my back so this is falling on my parents.  Frank is very good about taking his medicine.  The only things he doesn't like are icing his knee so it doesn't swell and wearing the blus, soft cone.
  Since I'm trying to write this on my iPhone I'll close.  See you with a card and pictures of Frank soon!

  Happy Stamping!

 

Phyllis Harris & Unity Stamp Company First Love

Hi, Friends!

I hope you're having a great week!  With poor Frank having to go back to the vet for a second surgery, mine has been a bit more "exciting" than I would prefer.  Hopefully, he'll be back home soon and recovering from both surgeries.  For more details, be sure to read Thursday's post below.

We all have those times when it seems like everything is just crazy!  I hope you all have friends you know you can count on in those times.  One of the reasons I fell in love with Unity Stamp Co. was because of the Phyllis Harris designs with this little girl and her dog.  This one is called "First Love."  You obviously know how much I love Frank and this little girl feels the same way about her dog, even if she is about 80 years younger than I am.  (Not that much, but I didn't want to give you an accurate number where you could figure out how old I actually am!)  I needed a bright happy card, so the pinks, yellows, and oranges in this card did the trick.  I hope it brightens your day like it did mine.  I got the "Here For You Always" sentiments from the "Here For You Map" set of three stamps, including a map of the US, a heart, and this sentiment.  It went along perfect with my card, even though it wasn't one of the sayings included.  

Thanks, again, to all of you who were here for me with your emails of concern for Frank!

Happy Stamping!

I used the following products to make this card:

First Love and Here For You Map by Unity Stamp Company

White Card Stock by Gina K

Rose Red Card Stock, Oval Punch and Scallop Oval Punch by Stampin' Up

Plaid Paper by Colorbok

Copic Markers

Ribbon by Offray

Edge Punch by EK Success

Frankfurter Update

Hello, Friends!

Thank you for all of your emails with prayers of concern and support for Frankfurter.  After a lot of tests and opinions, we have determined that Frank tore his ACL in is back right leg.  This is not related at all to his earlier surgery for the disc pressing on his spinal column.  He is back at the "animal hospital" and will have surgery sometime on Friday morning to repair this torn ligament.  He should be able to come home Saturday morning.  Then, we don't want to have to go back there for a long time unless it's just to stop in and say, "hi!"

Prayers for Frank

Hello, Friends!

Frank is not doing as well as we had hoped.  We took him to his local vet who agreed that something is wrong.  He is not walking correctly or putting pressure on two of his feet now.  He is definitely worse than he was when he came home on Sunday.  My parents are taking him back where he had surgery where they will take him right in as an emergency.  This way they will start treating him immediately.  

It is snowing again here.  The weather isn't the greatest now and some of the roads my patents will be traveling on aren't very good when the weather is perfect!  

Please pray that the doctors will be able to find out and fix what is wrong with my sweet Frankfurter right away.  Please pray for safe travel for my parents as they are concerned for Frank.  I still can't go because of my back so please pray I can hold it together while I wait at home!  Thank you so much, friends.  

Angela and Frank 

Unity C13 and Mojo336 Tulips and Daisies

Hello, Friends!

I am posting this card on Tuesday night.  Doesn't it make you ready for spring?  It seems especially ironic here because we are supposed to get 4-6 inches of snow tonight.  When I lived in Arizona, I missed the snow.  I truly did.  Now that I've been here for the worst winter since the glaciers came through, I'm over it.  :)

My color scheme comes from the Unity Stamp Company blog's color challenge.  I loved it when I first saw it, but I wasn't sure how I was going to get all the colors to work together.  I'm pleased with the results.  My sketch comes from Mojo Monday's blog.  This is one of their more simple sketches and it worked perfectly with my circle of flowers.  

By the way, I'd like to thank you for bearing with my pictures.  I know they are not the best.  When I had my own house, I had my own light box.  I made it myself, but it still worked.  Now, I'm using...well, I don't want to admit to you what I'm using.  Let's just say it's not quite the same as a light box.  I keep looking for a good spot to take photos around our house.  If I find one with better lighting or a nice backdrop, I'll let you know.   Until then, thanks for making do with me.  Hopefully you can get the idea and ignore all the extra shadows around the photo!

Last, but not least,  Frank is recovering from his surgery.  He had a rough first night, but doesn't seem to be in as much pain.  He is walking short distances well and is able to put pressure on all four legs.  He still has a ways to go, but I think he's progressing nicely.  His appetite is great so feel free to send "Get Well Jumbones" or "Feel Better Soon Marrowbones."  :)  

Happy Stamping!

I used the following products to make this card:

Tulips and Daisies Stamp Set by Unity Stamp Company

White Card Stock for card base by Stampin' Up

White Card Stock for image by Gina K

Solid Color Papers by The Paper Studio

Copic Markers

Circle Framelits by Stampin' Up

Daffodil Delight Ribbon by Stampin' Up 

Unity Stamp Company "What Matters Most" and Frank

Hello, Friends!

First, Frank had his surgery on Friday.  He did have another disc pressing on his spine.  Thankfully, we caught it very early this time, since we were already familiar with the symptoms this time.  He didn't bounce back quite as quickly as the doctor wanted, so she kept him until Sunday afternoon.  He is a little squeaky but is resting at home now.  He should be back to his old self in no time.  This makes all of us very happy!  The house was sooo quiet without our sweet Frankfurter!  

My card today comes from two different Unity Stamp Company stamp sets.  The tree comes from "What Matters Most" which is a set of stamps and the sentiment is a single stamp called "Storms make Deeper Roots."  In the part of Arizona where I lived, the people were in denial that they lived in a desert.  This didn't bother me because I missed the greens of the midwest.  So, in Chandler, there were fountains, trees and grass.  The only problem with that illusion was that Arizona has a monsoon season.  It rains like crazy, the streets flood, and the winds blow.  This is when the illusion is destroyed.  Those great trees in the parking lots fall over during the monsoon.  Why?  They have no roots.  There's no rich midwest soil for the roots to dig into so when storms come, they blow over.  

Let's face it.  Life's storms aren't much fun when you're in the middle of them!  I know I wouldn't want to go through the last year and a half if you paid me.  I also know that I have deeper roots.  I know what matters most and who matters most in my life.  That's why I had to pair these two stamps together.  They are a perfect picture of my life here recently.  

Happy Stamping!

I used the following Stampin' Up supplies for this card:

Raspberry Ripple, Pistachio Pudding and Early Espresso Card Stock

Venetian Romance Designer Series Paper

What Matters Most and Storms Make Deeper Roots Stamp Sets by Unity Stamp Company

Tuxedo Black Ink by Memento

Pearls by Martha Stewart

Copic Markers

Unknown Plaid Paper

Update on Frank

Hello, Friends!

I'm sorry I do not have a card for you.  I went to the doctor yesterday (Wednesday) and he had me do all kinds of movements so he could check my back.  What he forgot was that if I could do all those things easily and without pain, I wouldn't be there to see him.  So, I'm suffering for it today!  I'll have a card for you on Monday.

Frank went to the doctor today. (Thursday)  He will have an MRI early tomorrow afternoon.  If it shows his disc is pressing on his spinal cord again, he will have surgery then.  He will rest there Friday and Saturday and hopefully, will get to come home on Sunday.  They might want to keep him until Monday but I don't think my parents and I can wait that long.  :)

By the way, since living with my parents, Frank has totally become a Grandpa's boy.  He follows my dad around and wants to sit by him 95% of the time.  The other 5% is when my Mom or I have food.  Then, he wants us.  He's a character!    

Please keep our sweet wiener dog in your prayers!

Phyllis Harris & Unity Stamp Company Your Wings Exist

Hello, Friends!

Happy Wednesday!  Today, I'm going to share a little bit more of the changes that are happening in my life.  I have been a Stampin' Up demonstrator for the last ten years.  Where did the time go?!  During that time, I have loved their stamps, inks, Designer Series Paper, card stock, embellishments, computer software "My Digital Studio" and anything else Stampin' Up you can think of that has come out in the last ten years!  However, because of moving and my back injury, it looks like I will not be able to continue with them.  At this time, it is not definite, but I am trying to be honest and realistic with all of you.  

Instead of looking at this as sad, which it definitely is, I'm trying to look for the good in it.  One of those things I have found is exploring other stamp companies.  The one I have found that I love the most is Unity Stamp Company.  You can find them at www.unitystampco.com.  Reading through their stamps ministered to me, as I read the inspirational sentiments and scriptures on them.  I have had contact with one of their employees and the owner and both ladies could not have been kinder and sweeter if they had tried!  The stamps I have used today for the image and sentiment both come from the "your wings exist" set of four stamps.  The title comes from one of the stamps that says, "your wings exist, all you need to do is fly."  

I believe that my wings exist and soon, I will be able to fly.  Until then, I will feel God's presence through the wind, stamp companies that bless their customers, and wiener dogs.

Now, if you're a Stampin' Up lover, please don't leave.  If you look closely at this card, all of the card stock, Designer Series Paper, punches, and ink for the words comes from them.  Although I have a stash of non-Stampin' Up products that I will use, I also have a lot of Stampin' Up embellishments and stamps that will still make their way onto my blog.  I hope you can still get ideas that you can transfer to the stamps and products you have and that my blog will still be a blessing to you, no matter what products I am using to make crafts.

Frank is still having back problems that are not getting better.  He will be going to the doctor with my parents on Thursday because I will not be able to ride in the car that far.  Please pray for all of us as he faces a second back surgery!

Happy Stamping!  

I used the following Stampin' Up products to make this card:

Gumball Green Classic Ink

Cameo Coral, Gumball Green, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso Card Stock

This and That Designer Series Paper

Circle and Corner Punches

I also used

Your Wings Exist stamp set created by Phyllis Harris and sold by Unity Stamp Company

White Card Stock by Gina K
Copic Markers

Sometimes life is just a bowl of cherries and ....

sometimes it's just the pits.

 

Hello, Friends!

 

We've all heard this saying before, haven't we?  It's the truth, too.  Part of the time, life is great.  Then, at all at once, it seems like every single thing can fall to pieces.  As I said on Saturday, everything was okay in my life and then all of a sudden it wasn't. 

 

This was going to be my first card on my blog when I got to come back.  Then, I decided it was too negative.  I wanted something that was happier for my first post.  So, I made the card "Oh, Happy Day."  That didn't change the fact that life hasn't been a bowl of cherries lately, but it is up to me to decide how I will view it.  I'm going to view it positively.  I believe God is always preparing us for something better or protecting us from something worse!  So, I wanted my blog comeback to do the same. 

 

I still like this card and will use it for someone who is dealing with the pits in life.  We all have them sooner or later.  See you on Wednesday with more of my life with a wiener dog.

 

Happy Stamping!

 

 

I used the following Stampin' Up products to make this card:

 

Giggle Greetings Stamp Set

Real Red and Pool Party Card Stock

I Am Me Designer Series Paper

3/8" Ruffled Pool Party Ribbon

Decorative Dots Embossing Folder

Big Shot

 

Create with Connie and Mary Former Sketch

 

I also used  

White Card Stock by Gina K

Copic Markers

Oh, Happy Day!

Hello, Friends!

How are all of you?  I've missed you!  I had to take an unplanned break from blogging and stamping.  You may remember I moved from Illinois to Arizona after leaving my job there.  While packing to move, my back hurt, but I thought it was just a pulled muscle.  It continued to hurt, but I continued to pack, so I didn't think much of it.  After returning to Illinois, I gave it time and thought it would get better.  It didn't.  The pain got worse and worse.  First, I couldn't stand on my feet very long.  Then, I couldn't sit very long.  By December, even with going to doctors, trying procedures to make it better, and taking pain medicine, I was getting to the point that I had to stay in bed all the time because laying down was the only way I got any relief.  To make a very long story a little bit shorter, my doctor believes I had damaged some of the joints in my spine while packing and/or lifting boxes.  I have recently had a procedure that basically burns the nerves so they no longer feel pain.  It takes awhile for this to work, so I am also on very strong pain medicine.  Between the two, I have been able to sit up longer and do more around the house.  This includes stamping!  So, my first card had to celebrate the progress that I am slowly making.

As you can imagine, this was a very trying time.  I couldn't look for work because I couldn't have done it even if I had found a job.  It's been very lonely and depressing.  I don't know what God's plan is in all of this, but I do know He has one.  My parents have been great and have taken care of Frank and I during all of this.  Moving back in with them at my age was certainly not in my plans, but I have enjoyed the time I have spent with them.  At least, as much as possible with me being in pain all the time! 

Frankfurter has been doing really well until the last few weeks.  We noticed that he started having trouble with one of his legs like he did when his back was injured and he became paralyzed from a disc pressing down on his spine.  At that time, the vet who did Frank's surgery warned us that another disc looked like it could cause some problems in the future, but there was nothing that could be done for it at the time.  Since we had been through this before, we recognized the symptoms much sooner.  At first, a steroid was helping him.  However, when we tried to work him off of it, the symptoms came back.  Because I still can't stand to ride in the car very long because the bumps cause too much pain, my parents will be taking him to a specialist next week.  We are praying that he won't have to have surgery again, but we know it is very likely.  He is in good spirits, though and is his same happy wiener dog self!  He is supposed to "take it easy" but he doesn't really agree with that part of the plan!  When we try and stop him from doing something he's always done, he looks at us like we're crazy!  Sometimes, he just hurries up and goes faster so we can't stop him.  He's too smart for his own good at times! 

I have a lot more to share with you, but I see this post is already growing very long.  Before I go, I would like to thank all of you that have faithfully looked for new posts even though months have gone by without anything new.  It was encouraging to know you hadn't forgotten me and I definitely had not forgotten you!  I will have another post on Monday. 

Just a warning- we are supposed to get lots of snow and ice this weekend.  If I don't have a post for you on Monday, it's because our power went out.  In that case, know I will be back as soon as I can and pray for all of us because we're probably cold!  When we had the first couple of snows I was excited to see them after spending the winters in Arizona.  I've seen enough now and hopefully, this will be the last one! 

Happy Stamping and talk to you again soon!

Angela and Frank


This card was made using the following Stampin' Up supplies:

Starburst Sayings Stamp Set
Strawberry Slush, Daffodil Delight and Island Indigo Classic Inks
Strawberry Slush, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight and Island Indigo Card Stock
1/8" Pumpkin Pie Taffeta Ribbon
Starburst Framelit Dies
Big Shot
Stampin' Dimensionals