It's the WORD!

I'm so proud of my Baylor Chi-O college friend, Holly "Boz" Boswell Croley!  She's opened and Etsy "store" called "It's the WORD!"

I can't really think of many...perhaps any (except the one YOU sent me)...wedding gifts I received in 1979, but there is a special one that sits on my desk to this day. 

Holly hand-painted this rock for us!

I've also kept (since 1979) another gift from Holly.

My XO rock painted by "The Boz!"

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Holly has made some precious magnets and notepads.  I mean...who doesn't need some cool, uplifting notepads?!  Go to Holly's Etsy store and check out all of her creations!

Holly, here's a big YOU-GO-GIRL from me to you!  Keep on painting those rocks!  They are forever keepsakes!  Kiss-kiss-hoot-hoot!

Er...Uh...My Hobby is...

Not so many days ago, someone asked me if I had any hobbies.  I had to think for a minute before I sheepishly explained that my most favorite thing to do is wrap gifts.  It sounds so strange.  I should have probably lied and carried on about how I construct tiny ships inside tiny bottles or how I knit all my own clothes.  Explaining my relationship with paper is not an easy thing to do.  I just really, really love paper.  (Oh...AND, nicely sharpened pencils...but that's a whole other blog.)

Found these great catalogue pictures for gift wrapping some cosmetics...

Couldn't resist this graphic...  The gift?  

A book:  How They Died and Where They're Buried.

 For my nephew's gift of Big Bang Theory DVDs...

Found these notecards on the $1 aisle at Michael's.  

Trimmed them and made package toppers.

You guessed it!  It was a cookbook!

Tributes to my love of paper medallions.

I found these great butterflies at Michael's on the $1 aisle!

What's not to love?!

And then, there's ribbon.  Beautiful, beautiful ribbon.

I've been scouting all of the after Christmas sales for 90% off ornaments.  I've stockpiled some great toppers for next year's gifts!

Nothing fancy.  Nothing professional.  Nothing particularly "pin-worthy."  I just love the creative process!

When's your birthday!?  I'll wrap up a box for you!  The box may be empty, but it will be fun to open!

Day of "Mourning"

Last Friday morning Bryce walked in and asked, "Are you ready to begin your Day of Mourning?"  

Feigning great sadness, I replied somberly, "Oh, yes.  A long Day of Mourning."  I'd orchestrated the day.  First, lunch and a movie with a friend.  Then, a movie and dinner with Alan.  Finally, a friend from Dallas was coming to spend the night with me after bringing her daughter back to Tech.  Lots of fun!  Lots of laughter!

Bryce was referring to the fact that he was the last son heading out the door at the end of a fun holiday season leaving Alan and me "alone" in this big, quiet house.

After 6 weeks of this...

and this...

and this...

and this...

and this...

and this...

and this...

and this sweet present...

which turned out to be this...

[I am NOT a beer drinker.  Mimi, on the other hand, took one back to Raider Ranch.]

and these goofballs...

who just yesterday were these goofballs...

What on earth could I possibly be mourning?  

Well, that was last Friday.  Today, I feel flat as a fritter.  I miss having all 3 of my sons tucked snuggly in their beds.  I miss having cookies for breakfast.  I miss the baking, the wrapping, the decorating, the

EVERYTHING.

I guess I'll scurry up to the attic in search of Valentine decorations.  I'll start googling pictures of Valentine cookie decorating ideas.  MUST.  HAVE.  A.  CREATIVE.  PROJECT.

[A note to my sons:  Please come home soon.  I miss you fiercely.  Yes, tears are flooding my eyes.  Bryce, you knew that there would be tears.]