I Am A Half-Marathoner!

Vegas was great......of course:) The half marathon? Well, it was pretty insane. I won't lie, I am so proud of myself (and my friends of course) for taking on the challenge and following through. Despite the horrible physical pain, I felt emotional pain leave my body. My college track years were not the greatest and being able to say that I put it all behind me might have seemed impossible a month ago, but it is. It's all behind me. I really feel like I can make the impossible seem reasonable to attain. I can do what I put my mind to and I wouldn't have been able to think that way had I not finished the half marathon. There are other challenges to overcome in this life and now I can face them when they present themselves. Thank you to my BFF for all of her support. I couldn't have made it without you.

Half Marathon in T-minus 6 Hours!

We (BFF, sisters BFF Barb) arrived in Vegas today for the 1st ever Rock & Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon. I am super excited, totally freaked out and can't wait to get my party started once I cross the finish line. I will post some fun pics we took today at packet pick-up probably on Monday. Wish us luck.

Heather

Happy Thanksgivng

I just wanted to wish everyone a joyful and blessed Thanksgiving.

I am so thankful for my family, friends, being of sound body and mind. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have, yet another, holiday with my dad. What a great gift to be given, the gift of life. He amazes me everyday with his strength despite a bleak future. Thanks be to God most high:-)! Please continue to pray for him.

I leave next friday for my first half-marathon. YIKES! I have been sick so who knows what to expect. I am just hoping to finish the race under 4 hours. I will be walking the entire 13.1 miles up and down the Strip. It could be worse, it could always be worse;-)

Again, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Heather

Hmmm...

I realized a few days ago that I have completely neglected my blog. Summer was fun, other than being board, and finished with my awesome road trip with B.F.F Jaime.

Another birthday has come and gone leaving me to feel a little "lost" about my place in this world and what I (as a child) dreamed of becoming. I can remember people I looked up to telling me to slow down as life drifts away from us all too quickly. I now know what they were talking about. This is something I am going to tell my 11 year old niece with the hope she will take the advice, allow her mistakes to be made and look forward with star filled eyes just a little longer.

Dad has continued to recover from his coma but his hernia has also continued to increase in size. He is going to the University of Washington in a few weeks to being the liver transplant process. What a journey he has been on in just a few short years. Maybe a book will be written. I can't imagine dealing with all that he has. I am still and will always be his "Heathy Bear." I was lucky enough to go on opening hunting day with him and took a few pics. My first hunt ever!

School has started again and I feel as though I am wasting my time. I LOVE what I am learning, but being in school for as long as I have, makes a person a little crazy from time to time. Perhaps it's the lack of funds that are putting me a little under lately? I know I supposed to be working in this field and that is what helps me to push on.

Crafting was put on the back burner for a few months. But the month of October has been full of fun (sometimes frustrating) creations. I have sewn an adult Tinkerbell and Cruella De Ville costumes, 2 purses from scratch, Halloween coasters, a fall candy jar and fall paper tags for pictures. Some of which I will be placing on my Sporadic Crafter blog.

Hope everyone has a fun filled and safe Halloween!

Summer Is Almost Here

The last month of May and the first half of June have literally brought me to my knees a few times. School has been a blast (only one more final to go:) and it has allowed me the opportunity to meet some AMAZING new friends, be more outgoing, utilize my creative abilities so I may one day make a difference in someones life, and led me to find out that I have a really messed up foot! I have several stress fractures! Needless to say, all of the above mentioned hasn't allowed me much time for digi-scrappin'.

Now that my summer will officially start tomorrow, I will be devoting more of my free time to making fun blog backgrounds, digi-kits, some hybrid projects and traditional scrappin' as well. Hmm....maybe I am going to start selling kits?! Thank you for continuing to check up on the Sporadic Scrapper blog and keep coming back for fun downloads in the next few weeks.

And a quick shout out to my fun lovin' mama! Happy 60th Birthday Gloria! Thanks for inspiring me to be my wacky, fun and sometime crazy self. I wonder where I get it from?!

A Lot Changes in A Few Short Weeks

YIKES!! I hadn't realized how far behind I was on my postings until I had some alone time today. A few "major" things have happened these past few weeks that are helping me realize I am exactly where I need and am supposed to be in life. God has amazing timing and control over all we do and it is up to us to allow Him to work in our lives.

I had the opportunity to go to Bellevue for a Orthotics & Prosthetics conference with a few other classmates. It was a great experience and found all the information that was provided to me to be extremely helpful. I even made a job contact who is willing to let me work from home while I am going to school:)! I had a blast in Bellevue and the surrounding area on a day trip.

(I don't like my pic being taken but this is OKAY)

(If you look close....see the "Boat Island")

(Pretty pic)

(I don't like the rain, but I love the location)

On a sad note, the following Monday my dad was rushed to the hospital where he stayed for 8 days (I can't really remember how long because my days are all rushed together). He had a speech problem that showed up out of nowhere and progressively got worse as I stayed and spoke with him. I got the nurse and informed her that I thought my dad was having a stroke. She called for the doc. who confirmed the stroke, asked my dad if he wanted emergency surgery (he said he could live with the speech problem) and 5 hours later while pushing on my dad's stomach he had a seizure (I wasn't sure if it was a seizure or not. All I knew was my dad stopped breathing, went blue and then limp)! We called out for help but no one came. I have NEVER, NEVER been that freaked out in my life. I thought I saw my dad take his last breath in front of me. He is home now, doing well and all seems to be okay for now. I am not sure what changed after that week, but I have been seeing my dad in a different light. I was almost afraid to be around him for fear of another situation where I would be helpless. However, I realize that if it is time for someone to go I will celebrate that they are with their Father and that they are safe.

While all this was going on with dad, I was supposed to be preparing for my Anatomy final. I couldn't study worth a lick. School was the farthest thing on my mind. I am trying to get caught up and feeling a little stressed about it. Finals are not that far off and we are not getting the practice that other students have received. I have been getting GREAT grades on my projects so far and keeping a picture journal of each step. What a blast! I found out this week that I am going to be the recipient of a scholarship next year so I can finish the program. I actually did a little dance to celebrate at 11 p.m. when I opened my Congratulations Letter. Poor people downstairs. My classmates are great. We get along really well and that helps when I am feeling a little like a loser for not understanding something right off the bat.

As far as my digi-scrappin' I have been a little busy to keep up on it. However, I was asked to teach but I wasn't able to because the dates where when my dad was in the hospital:( Total bummer but I was able to spend time with my dad which was more important. My newest project is a gift for my mom's 60th next month. I need to get cracking on that!

If I don't post another blog this week, I hope everyone has a happy and SAFE Memorial Weekend.

Heather

Robotic Arm....Amazing

I am falling in love with the career I have chosen. There is sooooo much to learn and so little time to absorb everything that we are being taught. I am finding myself using my free time to do more research and discover this profession. The robotic arm that DARPA has created has captured my attention. Here a link to an amazing source of info. regarding the robotics side of the O&P industry.

Sorry for such a quick post, but I have to go back to class and learn about plastics.

A Givaway From Embellish Essentials!

Giveaway!! From Embellish Essentials (go to the blog HERE)

Last Sunday Jaime and I were up until 3 am getting ready for our BIG garage sale! Of course, we didn't PLAN to be up that late, but one thing led to another... and another... and so on.The best part about one thing leading to another is that we were up late packaging yards and yards and YARDS of ribbon into cute little bags of color coordinating ribbon. The reason why you should like cute little bags of color coordinating ribbon is because one or more of those bags will be included in our very first giveaway!!! Did you read that?? A GIVEAWAY!! That's right! Because we think we're crazy for having so much scrapbooking stuff for sale, we're just going to give it away. We've put our pretty (tired) heads together to come up with a surprise scrapbook package worth over $50!! Just for you, if you're the lucky winner!

Here's how you can enter this giveaway contest (you can get one entry for each task completed, up to three entries per person):

1. Become a follower of this blog and leave us a message in the comments section introducing yourself.
   
2. Post this giveaway on your own blog and leave a link to your post in the comments section.
   
3. Leave a comment sharing your favorite Spring scrapbook project (it can be a past or present project, or even one you have plans to accomplish someday).

The deadline to enter is Saturday, April 11th at 11:59 p.m. PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced on Sunday, April 12th. Check back to see who the lucky winner is! The winner will have 48 hours to contact us* so we can arrange for delivery of your prize.

*If we are not contacted within 48 hours, a second winner will be selected, thus nullifying the first winner's claim to the prize.

Good luck and have fun! Jaime & Heather

School IS Cool!

Monday was my first day of the Orthotics & Porthetics program out at SFCC. Feeling like a pre-schooler entering the lions den, I took my seat and sat quietly. I observed, getting a feel for the group. WOW! What a group. So many different nationalities, backgrounds and a few locals such as myself. This past week we spent time getting familiar with the way the program operates, taking multiple test, writing a paper and learning all the different types of program specific tools.

As I read the text book, watch videos and observe the other accelerated students and can't help but feel like I have found my calling. I am considering going on to become a practitioner, but that is still a little ways off yet. I can't seem to get enough knowledge about the industry and what the latest technologies are and how to use your creativity to work through a problem. LOVE IT!!!!!

Perhaps the best part about being in school is getting Fridays off! LOL! I love my sleep just as much as I love the program and now that I am older than most traditional students are, I NEED MY SLEEP:) I woke up today feeling a little refreshed and wanting to make something. I decided to make my first QuickPage (or QP as they are known in digi-world) so here is the layout using a pic. from the Twilight moive since prom is coming up.

If you would like to download the QP head on over to my Sporadic Scrapper blog and snag yourself this fun freebie along with the entire BELLA kit.

I really hope that everyone has a great Easter with their friends & family. Make sure to take time for Jesus and yourself.

Happy Good Friday, Heather

Garage Sale For Locals:)

Good morning everyone:) I just wanted to let you know that we are throwing a HUGE garage sale today from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 11525 E. Sunview Circle in the Spokane Valley. TONS of scrapbooking supplies (can't list even if we wanted to), awesome toys, name brand clothes, At Home America decor, PSP and a Cricut cutter (6in. version)!!!! If you're in the area stop on by and say hello.

Calamity Kim

I recently visited the Mermaids of the Lake blog and discovered this amazing giveaway by Calamity Kim! I would love to win this fun, creative prize pack. So I followed the rules and did a little post about her blog. Love the blog, love aprons and love the giveaway! Below is Kim's post from Calamity Kim's typepad blog. Enjoy the read and enter a chance for yourself!

Calamity Kim's Apron Celebration G*I*V*E*A*W*A*Y!!!!!!
To celebrate my apron being published in the new Apronology Magazine and my overall love of aprons, I decided to do a GIVEAWAY! The rules are simple:
Post a link on your Blog if you have one (or Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, or any of your message boards) about my giveaway and then come back here and leave a comment and tell me where your link is.That's it! That's all you have to do to be entered in the drawing for all this cool stuff!

The drawing will be held on April 1st.You have from now until then to sign up.On April 1st I will enter all the numbers in a random number generator and pick the lucky winner! I will then contact you to get your address. You must post a link to my blog in order to be eligible.
It doesn't matter to me if this is your first time visiting my Blog or your hundredth!Anyone who links to this post has a chance!If you don't have a place to post a link then email someone who does- once they post it, you will be entered-(once you come back here and give me the link in a comment of course!)

Here is a list of what you will win:
Signed copy of the first issue of Apronology Magazine featuring one of my apronsAnnalee doll made from felt having tea with tea settiny apron made by me with mushrooms and a raw edge appliqued gnomeBrand new Recipe book for muffins & cupcakesCath Kidston Dream Home JournalGenuwine Calamity Kim Mermaid Paper Doll (made with Enchanted Gallery template)Set of 10 Glaze 3-D ink gel pensSet of tiny colored pencilsChipboard butterfly book and pagesRanunculuses Flower Block by Quilt Nouveau Designs
coffee pot shaped egg timer (see tea doll photo)
tea strainer shaped like a star with face
Celestial Seasonings Chocolate Raspberry Bliss herbal tea
French Lavender body Lotion
Plastic cupcake holder
Dressed Up Tea Towel (made by me- with button chicks!) and magnetic towel bar to hang on fridge!
Because these are some of the things I love...tea, aprons, dolls, quilting, lavender, cupcakes...I have spared you anything cartoon or SpongeBob Squarepantish- aren't you relieved!?! I am also hunting down some glow in the dark stars...and maybe a few other surprises to be found once you open your box full of Apron Love!

OK- that's it! Finally! Get Busy Spreading the word!!! Let's make this a big ol, rootin tootin, jamboree of a shindiggin hoot-n-nanny funn funn silly willy gigglie good time!!!!Yeehaw!!!!Love,Apron Style,
Calamity Kim

Bighorn Outdoor Adventure Show

Ever since my dad has started his recovery, all he talks about is food, hunting & fishing! Luckily, last year after he was released from the hospital his physical therapist provided him awesome exercises that were specifically for muscles he would use while doing the above mentioned 3 favorite things. He was able to get a deer during last years hunting season and couldn't wait until this year. However, this year his repaired hernia has ruptured causing him a great deal of pain and weakness. I have been trying to help him keep positive and focused on the upcoming fishing and hunting season but it's a challenge. Heck! I even got MY hands dirty in 42 pounds of ground up venison so we (dad, brother and I) could make jerky. Oh the things I do to try and lift my dad's spirits?! I was told that if I want to eat jerky I will have to go get my hunting license with my niece Neely. She and I sneak jerky every chance we can get (LOL)!!

So today in an effort to get him excited I will be taking him to the Bighorn Outdoor Adventure Show. Should be interesting. Maybe I will find a girly sized gun.

Mary Lou Raffle Quilt "Park Bench Quilters"

"Park Bench Quilters"

A long time family friend of mine, Mary Lou Weidman, is an amazing artist and quilter. She is so inspirational to me as a person and as an artist. Once you see what this amazing woman can to with fabric, you'll be just as amazed as I am. She is such a giving person and (as I understand it) drew out the design of the quilt pictured above for the Fiber Artist guild of Spokane,WA/and Idaho who then pieced it all together. The proceed of the raffle will go to cover the cost of their quilt show in April.

If you would like to purchase tickets they are $1 each. Please make your checks out to "Sew Uniquely You" and send to the address below:

Nancy Huck2338

West Courtland
Spokane, WA 99205

She is asking for a self-addressed, stamped envelope from those who would like to have the raffle ticket stubs mailed to them. Otherwise she will keep the stubs from all the out-of-town folks and put their tickets in the bin for the drawing. Don't forget, she needs a phone number or email as a contact.

What a beautiful work of art! It has such great details. I personally love how the feet dangle below the ladies. So clever. Please keep in mind that this a Wall sized quilt. You can read more info. about the raffle and about Mary Lou at her blog found here. I would like to ask you, that if you know of ladies who are into quilting or would just love to add a new piece of art to their home, please pass on this info. to them as the money helps support local artisans in the Spokane, WA/Idaho areas. Thank you so much. Good luck to you all!!!!

It's Official!

My new home for the next 2 years!

This past week has been a busy one for me. I have spent the majority of it trying to figure out if I was going to be able to go back to school and start the Prosthetics & Orthotics Tech program at SFCC this spring.

Problem one: I discovered that my FAFSA form was out of order and it needed to be fixed ASAP. I was able to fix it but will have to wait to see if I will receive any assistance until after the quarter starts.

Problem number two: I have no extra money to pay for this right now. I have been out of work and trying to find something. This is one of the driving factors of me even thinking about going back to school. I realized this week that I have never given my parents credit where credit is due. My parents are the absolute best parents that anyone could ask for. I may not have known this growing up as I was too young to realize. Over the past couple of years, especially this past year, I am learning who they are as people and as parents. They decided to help me pay for this quarter so I can be enrolled in the program and not have to wait until the fall quarter. Thank you for supporting me mom & dad...LOVE you guys so much!!!!

Problem three: TODAY was the last day to pay. I drove over 140 miles today to get this situation taken care of! Thank goodness it was a beautifully sunny, crisp day to take a drive around town. I soon discovered what it was like to be a "real student" and have to do everything for yourself. (I say "real student" because I never had to register, pay or put any effort into going to school before. Being on scholarship really spoiled me.) UGH! What a process.

All-in-all, I feel like it is meant to be. I feel so strongly convicted to pursue this degree that I spend a lot of my free time researching different aspects of the industry. Some people may not understand why I would ever want to do this program, but those of you who know me will probably agree this is simply something I was born to do. After a very long day, I am proud to say that I am officially a student at SFCC enrolled in the P&O Tech program!!!! I might be singing a different tune once I actually start classes on the 6th of April, but that's what life is about. Putting yourself out there to be used by God. Which me luck ya'll:)

Pictures are from SFCC O&P program page.

It Will Only Cost Me an Arm and a Leg

(Thanks for the title my bff:) It made me laugh.) I HOPE that I finally figured it out. LOL! Today I met with Clay Wright. He is an amazingly inspirational professor at Spokane Falls Community College. Yes, I said COMMUNITY COLLEGE. Get over it. So this is going to be my 3rd, count um, 3rd degree. Not too bad. I'll have more than my bff. AND that is just the icing on her cupcake (she loves those things). Now the only thing left to figure out is financial aid. YUCK! I have done all the necessary paper work, I am just waiting for the go ahead that I qualified. I'm trying not to get my hopes up only to be let down the day class is supposed to start. So to all of you out there who come by and read my blog post, please say a little prayer for me. It is much appreciated.

Let me tell you about the program that I chose. Or that chose me, rather. I knew the second Mr. Wright said, "Think of this as arts and crafts with a purpose" that I have found what I was designed to do. On April 6th, 2009 I will be starting the Prosthetics & Orthotics Technician program out at SFCC! The best part about the whole thing is that I will be using my creative gift, my compassion for people and my M.B.A. will be put to use once I have completed the Tech program here in Spokane to pursue a Practitioner license in Chicago. WOO WHOOOOOO!!!!! By the time I am done, It would have only taken me about 8 years of college to finally be done with school and have a direction in life that is worth traveling. WOW! And, it will only cost an arm and a leg.....a little P&O humor.

If you're curious about the program here is the link.

Spread Shirt

Well, many of you know that I have been designing and trying to focus seriously on PhotoShop since October. I decided to work on designs for products as another way to make extra income. An example of a product that is in my Spreadshirt store is posted on the right hand side of my page. You can just click on the picture, or you can visit my store here.

Tonight I found myself not sleeping again and decided to tackle St. Patrick's Day ware. As a tradition, in my circle of friends and family, we go out for St. Pat's and do it in style. LOL! Not really in style, but we sure do enjoy ourselves:) If you find that you are going to be head out this year for St. Pat's why not make it a group effort and get all matched up? In my Spreadshirt store you will find a few items listed that could help you enjoy the evening. And, if you would be willing, please tell your other friends and family that I have this fun store and that I can do custom orders as well. Thanks. PLUS, right now you get 17% off $25.00 or more before shipping and tax!!!!!

I hope you all are planning on getting your Designated Drivers lined up this week!? Here are a few pictures of my past St. Pat's escapades. Enjoy:)

No judging. It was WAAAAAY late in the evening. LOL. Below is my brother in his pink V hockey jersey and his friends. That was a good night.

Spring Fever

Yesterday I had a serious case of spring fever. I just HAD to organize. Living in an apartment with a roommate and two cats, there is hardly a time when you can be alone or not feel like your walking on top of each other. Winter is almost over (around this part of the country that can mean another 2 more months of possible snow YIKES!) and I have been feeling a serious need to downsize a lot of my crafting supplies, clothes, games and books. I will be attending school starting April 6th and will have zero time for organization and spring cleaning.

However, my main motivation is the plain and simple fact that I need to find some more cash. For fees, books and gas money. I do not want to take out any more student loans if I can avoid it. I've only been out of school going on 5 months now and realized that I need a very secure recession/depression proof job (I know there really isn't such a thing, I just mean some career that isn't going anywhere for a while). I am looking into two fields both of which I find extremely interesting and that I have an aptitude for. We shall see which path I take in a couple of days.

Wish me luck!

509 Designs

1st item posted in our Etsy.com shop
Well, I have finally posted my first item in our Etsy.com shop (can be found here by visiting: 509Designs). I would love it if you could head on over, visit the store and come back to post a comment about your experience there. ANY kind of feedback is MUCH appreciated as I am totally willing to follow through on this. As many of you know my roommate (B.F.F. Jaime's blog found here: Creative Entertaining) and I have been trying to find ways to sell our products for about a year and a half will little to no success. We fell this a great way for us to get our ideas out there and establish one dimension of our customer base. Please check back with our Esty.com store 509 Designs as more items will be available. OH! I almost forgot....509 Designs has a blog as well that you can join here! Thank you:)

Opps!

Hey everyone! I didn't realize that the link I had put up about my blog wasn't working because of human error, LOL:) I have fixed the problem and hope everyone will take the link on over to my new blog. Enjoy.

My New Scrapbooking Blog Is Up!

I have decided to create a new blog specifically for my scrapbooking projects. I LOVE making unique handmade scraped gifts for people. But, a few months ago I pursued digital scrapbooking and discovered my new obession of creating hybrid and digital projects. This new blog will combine my love of all things "Scrap" in hopes of focusing on the development of my skills. I will also be offering up suggestions on common problems we scrappers may run into. Please, go check it out and leave me a comment. I can't wait to get started on this new journey with you all.