Two days ago it was my “Blogiversary.” There was another post scheduled for that day, and I do not get terribly wrapped up in these things, so I did not say anything. But I want to say something now because I will do a giveaway, and I LOVE to do giveaways!
But first, you must endure some of my chatter mostly about our trip. It will be a hodgepodge as this blog has seemed to be over the past year. (Or you can skip to the giveaway stuff at the end!)
We were almost 2 weeks in Missouri. (It WAS two weeks if we count the travel days.) When I make these trips, the purpose for them is for my business, but that only takes a day. The rest of the time I visit family and friends, shop (I hate shopping and rarely do it here, but there are necessities so I do it in Missouri where I have more time, and the stores I like are closer) and maybe spend a day or two in Branson. (My dad loves to take us to Branson.) But this trip was a little different.
Remember Grandma D and on her birthday she was in the hospital after a botched surgery? Well, that has not gone well. She almost died three separate times since that surgery. (Needless to say, they are not paying any of the medical bills.) I realized right away that it was going to be a burden for us to be there so long, so I decided to do the cooking and some cleaning. Prince Charming scanned some of my recipes, e-mailed them to me and that’s what I did most of the time. I did not cook EVERY day, but quite a bit, and made enough that they should have had plenty for at least a week after we left. We did not go shopping the entire time. That was fine, but there were a few things I needed.
The girls and I drove to Missouri not long after school was out, then Prince Charming flew in after two weeks. He was there one full day, but we had lunch with a former professor of his that day and planted two letterboxes. One is in honor of the Scissortail Flycatcher that we always used to see on a road on which we lived. I took my bike on this trip in hopes for some exercise (moderately successful) and found the bird in two other areas I had never seen before. My camera lens is not made to get good bird shots, but these are not bad. I like the still one, and the other one is a bit blurry, but you can at least see the tail action. It is so interesting to watch them fly.
It also must be noted that I have wonderful friends in Missouri. During the two weeks I was there, my children were whisked away from me four times (in addition to the two times I needed babysitting), and three of those times included overnight stays. (It gives a parent pause to think about the advantages of moving back to the land of heat and humidity–and no job for my husband!)
My brother and his wife also live there. His wife is who went to Silver Dollar City with us. We could not have survived the day without her! But since my girls are never in Missouri on their birthdays, they decided to have a birthday party for them. The girls were so excited, and it turned out to be a surprise for yours truly as well, since MY birthday is never when we visit! Wasn’t that thoughtful?
During all the cooking I sliced my finger with a very. sharp. vegetable peeler. I am no wimp, but this was a bad cut. WARNING! GORY PHOTO AHEAD. I’LL LEAVE SOME SPACE SO YOU CAN SKIP IT IF YOU WANT. It was about 3/4″ long, 3/16″ wide and 1/8″ deep. It bled like crazy. I finally managed a bandage and antibiotic cream, and the picture is of it after two days of this. There was barely any healing at this point.
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The reason I am even telling you this is because Grandma D had a liquid bandage which I put applied on the 3rd day. I did not take pictures of the healing progression (I really am not a very good blogger, but I will say that I have other things going on all of the time), but in ONE day the cut had reduced in size by more than half. Three days later, it was all but healed. Now I can just barely see where it was, and I do not even think it is going to leave an ugly scar. (Bump. I really don’t care about scars, but I have a bump on a finger from a childhood cut.) This blog is NOT about product endorsements, but if you have never tried this stuff, it is SO worth it! I made Prince Charming buy some. I think it will also be great in our dry, dry winters when our fingers have big, ugly cracks in them. Oh, it hurts like the dickens to put it on if the wound is as bad as mine was, but if you do a little Lamaze breathing, you can survive, and it will be well in no time. (I know this is not a new item, and I had heard of it but never tried it because I had no idea how well it worked.)
Time for the giveaway information!
First, I do not like to do this to get more traffic or comments, so you are required to E-MAIL ME if you want to be entered! Just e-mail louisestamps at aol dot com and let me know you want to enter. (Please put “giveaway” in the subject line.)Β There will be two winners. Prince Charming will draw names, and the first one has first choice of what s/he wants.Β The other person will get what is left. (But I do not make slouchy things, so I think that is OK, and it is free, OK?)
Here is an idea of the prizes:
1) Handmade cards. There will be these four, but I will probably throw in a couple of others for which I did not immediately have samples.
2) A Banner. But not this one or one even like it, but you get the idea. I have not made it yet, and I decided to wait because the winner can pick the colors (within reason). It will be a “SUMMER” banner (NOT “MERRY”). It is a home decor item–large enough to fit over a double window or in a hallway. Each pennant is about 6″ wide and 9″ long. (I did not measure, but am doing this from a memory. I am too lazy at the moment to get out something to measure.)
You have a week, through Wednesday, July 1, to e-mail me. If these things do not interest you, but you think they might interest someone you know, consider entering to give as a gift.
I am also thinking of adding a third prize, but you can tell me if you would be interested. I am not a great photographer. I take some very good pictures, but I do not edit them (other than occasional cropping when I am not too lazy) and I have still not figured out all the manual settings on my camera. I hesitate to do this one because I am so small in a big photography world. But I know a few have really liked some of my pictures. So I could also make a set of cards from my pictures. If you want to enter and that interests you, let me know. It could be a “Louise’s choice” thing, or the winner could choose from pictures I have posted.
OK, I think that’s it for today. But I forgot to tell you THANK YOU for hanging with me for a year. I went back and read a few of my first posts, and many of my readers are the same. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that you come and read the drivel things I write and look at my photos. If it were not for you, I know I would have quit blogging entirely the couple of times I have had to take extended breaks due to my crazy schedule. YOU keep me coming back! Thank you.
June 24, 2009 at 2:14 pm
My sweetie Louise! What a different and emotional post!
As usually you got my smile, my feelings and tears of joy with pure emotion inside my heart!
You have a blessed talent my dear friend and it is a real gift !
First of all, I don’t know if I told you before but I do love “turtles”and I think you are soooo lucky to find one so cute in your way! See….just when you are going to Church!Magnificent my sweetie!
Another time I will share with you the reasons that I love so much these little friends “turtles”…anyway…it’s fabulous to me!
Thanks God your mother is better and at home .All our prayers for her.
I’m very proud of you because you are a strong human being , a wonderful woman …
You always bring joy , spreading flowers for the hearts around your way!
Thanks a lot for your friendship, for your kind heart and for be positive, inspired example for us!
I need to confess that I’m not sure the meaning of this beautiful “giveaway”, I could not understand what it is about…anyway I would love to receive a picture from you … because I love your pictures and your blog ,I love what you write, your poems and stories, your ideas, blessed creativity give me happiness !Thanks!
Congratulations dear Louise and please, never give up about your blog!
I can assure you that you help me a lot and I think many friends around the world with your posts sharing the same feeling!
God bless you
LΓ©ia π
We fight for the outer freedom.
We cry for the inner freedom.
With the outer freedom, we see and rule the four corners of the globe.
With the inner freedom, we see the Soul and become the Goal of the entire universe.” (Sri Chinmoy)
June 24, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Well happy one year of blogging to you! Your photos are always a treat. I’m sorry that your Grandma D has had such a difficult time and hope that she’s well soon.
I love that photo of the turtle. Your daughter has the most lovely and delicate little girl hands. It’s just a beautiful photograph.
June 24, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Great post and commentary. I will love a slice of that cake.
Thanks for sharing and also thanks for the info of the liquid bandage i’ll see if it is around this side of the globe. Now and Then
June 24, 2009 at 4:13 pm
that is the nastiest cut from a peeler that i have seen. i am still squirming. pardon me for not reading beyond that photo, I just had to scroll up and comment.
happy anniversary.
June 24, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Happy, VERY Happy Blogiversary dear Louise! It has been a joy to peruse your blog with the entertaining stories and incredible pictures! Your photography is wonderful! and quite thought-provoking. Bravo!!!
June 24, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Louise: Congrats on reaching an blogeversery, you have a wonderful blog my friend. I loved that your daughter handled the turtle and that is a neat bird with the strange tail.
The only trouble with new skin is the burn, my grandson didn’t like it at all.
June 24, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I enjoyed the picture of your daughter with the turtle and your bird pictures. The picture of your wound I didn’t appreciate so much — I guess I better stay away from vegetable peelers! I hope you are completely healed by now. Congratulations on your blogiversary.
June 24, 2009 at 9:43 pm
enjoying God’s creating is a good excuse to be late for church. π
June 24, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Beautiful and interesting post, with many nice pictures.
I’ve had a similar accident this week: I’ve bumped with my leg (the part between the knee and the foot) against a wooden edge of a bench. Now my leg hurts and I think it will take a long time to heal.
June 24, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Lovely post…well, except that finger…that looks like all kinds of OWWWW! Your second bird photo is wonderful.
You must tell me about this letter-boxing some time. I’ve read about it but don’t think I “get” it. Is there a good ‘splainin’ link that would tell me more? It sounds so interesting.
Loved Miss Chic in her beautiful dress with the turtle adornment.
June 24, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Β«LouisΒ» joins the chorus wishing you a happy blogeversery!
Great shot of the turtle and of the scissortail! Gray’s Anatomy is calling you, too….
June 24, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Happy Blogiversary, Louise. π I have enjoyed your posts and photos from the beginning.
Loved the photos, and the scissortail was interesting– I have never seen one of those.
OH, that cut photo made me hurt for you!
June 25, 2009 at 6:16 am
Ooooo, owie! I did something like that to myself using a cheese grater; I still have the scar.
June 25, 2009 at 6:40 am
Congrats on the blog milestone! Glad you guys had a good trip-always nice to get away. Such a neat idea to have the b-party while you were there. Hope the finger is all better now.
June 25, 2009 at 6:49 am
Glad that nasty cut has healed so well! I am a klutz, so I have similarly bashed, broiled, bruised and bloodified myself on any number of things. Isn’t it nice when it heals fast?
Love the shot of the turtle, and the delightful contrast with the rosettes on Chic’s dress.
June 25, 2009 at 8:37 am
A year? Your blog is so timeless – it seems like it’s been way longer than that!! (DON’T take that in the wrong way . . . good grief). Reading your ramblings made me want to get back to mine. That’s what friends are for, right? I hope you stopped cooking after your injury!! Looks miserable – and a license to STOP. I’d totally sign up for your give-aways, but . . . I should allow for others to enjoy your amazing creativity. Happy Blogaversary.
June 25, 2009 at 9:09 am
OUCH .. I did something similar with a surgically sharp knife .. sliced a chunk of my middle finger right off the side … its now healed and no scar or bump … but the finger is now a little narrower on the side of the nail where the chunk got offed
Happy Blogversary .. excellent giveaways .. xo
June 25, 2009 at 9:27 am
Glad you enjoyed your working vacation! Wouldn’t it be nice if they could happen more?
That’s a nasty cut. I’ve not used that stuff before. I’ll have to get some to keep on hand, just in case.
June 25, 2009 at 9:32 am
Happy blogaversary, Louise! I love that photo of you daughter and the turtle — it is so sweet! And your cut — OUCH! That looks serious! I’m glad it healed up so well. I had not heard of that new skin stuff, but I will have to get some just in case… π
June 25, 2009 at 10:59 am
Wonderful post and just right for letting us know more about your trip and what you did while you were away.
I LOVE the liquid bandage, did you know it comes in spray form too?
I heart those cards!
June 25, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I thought you’d been blogging much longer than a year, Louise! Happy anniversary to you. I’m sorry I don’t get by more often.
Wonderful tip on the liquid bandage! I don’t get grossed out too easily, so I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw it was (just) a nasty cut. Nasty one, though.
The shot of the turtle is cropped so nicely. I love the dress that the child is wearing! Very nicely done.
June 25, 2009 at 12:58 pm
ready for scattered? You triggered SO many thoughts and I will try to share them randomly: Happy Blogiversary!! Your daughter’s church dress is gorgeous..oh, she was holding something? Sorry– mesmerized by the dress. I’m SO sorry Grandma D’s surgery has turned out so badly. I am really sorry.And YOU are the reason I had a creative surge back about a year ago and it was because you introduced me to letterboxing (no I still haven’t done it, but have really enjoyed learning about it!).
Birthday party was VERY thoughtful, what a great family you have.
Gory photo– why? why? why? even when there’s warning, do I still look? UGH!
I LOVED your handmade cards, and a banner would be wonderful, but since I have won I am going to hang back and watch your winners. You are so sweet for sharing your talents.
whew. I’m glad I came by, thanks for making my brain work π
June 25, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Happy blogversary, Louise! π
June 25, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Happy blogiversary! Sorry to hear Grandma D has had such a rough time. That photo of your finger made my stomach kinda flip! But, loved hearing about the trip.
June 25, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Not maybe the best circumstances, but nice to spend time with family and friends. Plus a birthday celebration.
Love the sissor tail.
Congrats on you blogoversary. Keep coming back.
June 26, 2009 at 7:14 am
Yep, something certainly IS brewing…
That third shot is very mysterious…
June 26, 2009 at 11:52 am
It’s so hard to blog & be honest with your readers and it was for that reason that my blog only lasted a few months. I struggled all the time with what to say or not write about, and I realized that blogging wasn’t for me. With that said, I do enjoy reading your blog & thank you for sharing your life. Happy future blogging!
June 26, 2009 at 11:55 am
Whoooee! What a great post…..turtles, flycatchers, bloody cuts, blog anniversary, and a give-away! What fun chaos, my friend!
Your photos were great. And man that was quite a slice off your finger….did the skin end up in the potato salad? Mmmm! LOL!
I remember when one of my twinlings grabbed a bare light bulb at a neaighbor’s house when he was only 2 yrs old. It was terrible! I used that New Skin stuff for a week and the wound was all healed, without too much pain at all. Good stuff!
Congrats on your blogiversary! Such a beautiful give-away. I’ll send you an e-mail, too! π
~Lisa
June 28, 2009 at 8:10 pm
That turtle is awesome!
I’ve used a liquid bandage before and it works well. But the last time I wanted to use it, it was all dried up. Thanks for reminding me to buy some more.
June 28, 2009 at 10:13 pm
I love finding business reasons to get to MO too. π Great to visit while there. π OUCH! I wondered if the new skin stuff works and now you’ve answered it for me. π And I love your creations so expect and email from me!
July 4, 2009 at 8:03 am
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