It's Snowing!

And it's beautiful! I really do love snow....with electricity and heat in my house. So here's the rest of our survival story. By Tuesday we were pretty frustrated with the whole situation. We were blessed to have friends to go be with for showers and warm soup and to have a minute to blog.

About a month ago my honey booked a Branson getaway for just the two of us. It is something we do about every other December just to see each other, do some Christmas shopping and sleep in (something that hasn't happened often since adopting the two little early risers that we did).

So by Tuesday we made the decision to call Branson and book an extra day and an extra room and just make it a family time. We also decided to leave Joel with a friend that had heat so he could come home and let the dog in and out. We packed by flashlight in the freezing house on Wednesday morning. We said our goodbyes to Joel and we headed out. We had one stop to make for medicine before leaving town. We were in the drive through at Wal-Greens when Joel called to tell us that our power was back on.

A little side note here...The getaway Jim planned involved listening to a time-share spiel aka the "three hour tour". So as soon as Joel called to tell us we had electricity we called to cancel the extra bookings that we had made. They knew our plight and I have to say they still charged us an extra $75! Ask me if they sold us anything. It's all a big racket anyway.

I used to think it would be fun to live in the Victorian times or even in a log cabin on the prairie but I must say now that I'm very thankful for all the modern conveniences of today. As I write this I am drinking hot coffee warmed in the microwave and I have homemade cinnamon rolls rising on the counter. I made the dough in my bread machine. So...the snow is absolutely beautiful and so is life.

Being without heat or electricity for the 3 1/2 days sure made me appreciate even more all that I have been blessed with and it gave me a bit of an understanding of what some people go through in the world on a daily basis. Thank you to all of you for praying for us and sending help our direction. I know thast there are still people in this area that are without power.

Here are some photos that we shot.

This was actually taken during the day. It was so dark and dreary.

Keeping warm!

Camping out in the living room.

Angie keeps busy by painting by candlelight.

Joel charged up his electronic game at a coffee house so he kept Ryan warm while entertaining him.

My poor butterfly bush that I hadn't gotten trimmed.

Not the "hot seat" for sure!

Joel took this cool photo from underneath the patio table.

Hopefully I'll get some stamping time this next week so I can start posting artwork again! To all my area friends...I pray that your power is back on and that you're warm and toasty again!

You are Close to My Heart,

Yvonne

Ice Storm Update

We are currently at a friend's house for showers and warmth. I have been so touched by your postings especially my downline that is sending her honey to help out! I am so tired of it all that I can't help but cry...thank you. There are trees down everywhere here and they say on the radio that wires are snapping as fast as they get them back up. I am so thankful for the linemen that are on the job because it is extremely yucky out there. It's raining again which only means more ice. It was fun for a little bit, but now I just want heat :0) Keep praying for us. We can feel it.

When we get through this I'll post some pictures. It's incredible.

Warm hugs,

Yvonne

Ice, Ice, Baby

I am currently sitting in our car in the McDonald's parking lot checking e-mail. An ice storm has hit our area and we've been without power for over 24 hours. My honey and I have our computers so he's paying bills and checking football scores and I'm checking e-mail and blogging. How sad are we? We have ventured out to buy food that doesn't need to be cooked necessarily and to buy more candles. We actually had some "scrumptious" fishsticks cooked on our grill in aluminum foil for lunch. It was good to have hot food.

I remembered today that it wasn't too long ago that we were without air conditioning. Hmmm which would I rather? Believe it or not, this. You can always add more layers, but there comes a point when you can't take any more off or you'll scare the kids.

Stamping is kind of out of the question a. because I'm snuggled under a blanket most of the time and b. I can't really see in my stamp supplies to bring stuff to the table. We also have limited daylight with this no power thing. Hey, I'm getting good sleep though because once it's dark there's really not much else to do than to go to bed.

Well, honey is done paying bills so I'll sign off here. Time to go get supplies. They say this could last all week. Crazy, huh?

You are Close to My Heart,
Yvonne

Peek-a Boo Card Tutorial

Well, it's time for another tutorial. It's one I've been meaning to do and just needed to find some time to get it done. This tutorial is to make the inside of this snowman card in my previous post and also the heart card in this this post. For those that attended my workshop this past week I actually simplified this card.

Blogger and I don't always get along so once again you'll need to click on the pictures individually to see the typed out directions. I'd love to see your renditions of it so send me a picture when you get one done. With your permission I'll post it!

Life is never dull around our house. This week has left me very little stamping time. I have a sick kiddo and an extra kiddo (makes 6 all together). Oh and I also have a new CTMH catalog to thumb through. Between those three things, I'm not getting much done!

You are Close to My Heart,
Yvonne

Blog Candy Winner!

Good Morning! I have to tell you that I enjoyed reading every post regarding your most treasured Christmas presents. I showed them to my husband and a couple of you got him choked up as well. If you haven't read them go to the post below and click on "comments".

I really love Christmas and I really love finding just the right gift for someone but I have to tell you that I've actually received a gift far more precious than my bracelet that I mentioned. God sent His son Jesus to the world to save me from myself! I walk in freedom and sister, that is sooo precious. He gave that gift to everyone that will receive it and I know many of my readers have received that gift. If you want to know more about that free gift and how to get it please contact me!


So now to announce the winner of the blog candy...........JO you are the winner. I put all of your names into random.org and your name came out on the top of the list. Please contact me and let me know where to send your new stamp set!


You are Close to My Heart,
Yvonne

p.s. Guess what arrived on my doorstep yesterday? I'll give you a hint...there's 200 of them and they're not all for me.