Hey!!! I'm Still Alive!!! :)

I don't know about you, but I've been MIA (missing in action) for almost TWO WEEKS!

Well, I'm not "missing" per say, but I've been VERY occupied.

I always try to post at least twice a week but lately it's been crazy...with lots of ups and downs.

To let you know how much I've missed you, I'll share these wonderful images with you while I let you in on a few things of what I've been up to.

*My sweet friend, Dawn of The Feathered Nest shared this site with us a while back and if you haven't been...you really need to go if you love vintage sheet music. It's Awesome!

Alrighty then...I've been...

1. Celebrating High School and College Graduations!!!!

I know over SIX high school graduates that are entering into the REAL world this month! Some were relatives and some were friend's children that I've known since they were born.

Does that make me feel old? YES! haha

And, I've had ONE special college graduation last weekend...

My nephew received his Doctorate of Pharmacy! 

Graduated Summa Cum Laude! (Top of the class)

Received EVERY award there was to bring home!

Made his Daddy in Heaven a VERY proud Angel!

Made his whole family VERY honored to celebrate with him!

Can I get a woooooo hooooooo?

Can their smiles get ANY bigger???

:)

2. Summer!!!

There is so much going on here since the start of Summer.

Yard work, house cleaning, de-cluttering, planning and taking vacations, you know...it's almost like a burst of energy. Well, here in Louisiana, it's like a burst of HOT energy as it's already in the 90's with 100% humidity. Where did our Spring go??? ;)

I'm going to Florida in a couple of weeks and I'm going to Texas in about 4 weeks. I'll be on the road often but ya know I'm gonna take you with me...right?  ;)

3. (on a sad note) Watching the BP oil spill continue to wreak havoc on our beautiful Louisiana coast line.

So much of our life, our culture and our prosperity depends on the gulf waters...everything from our seafood to our wildlife to our tourism, and much more. It's been over a month now since we've lost loved ones in the oil rig explosion and to watch the ongoing damage to our coast line is ... well ... it's almost worse than any hurricane or flood that our state has endured previously.

I really think it will take decades for us to rebound from this one, if we ever do at all.

4. I miss you!

I haven't been on the computer at all in the past week and I'm behind in catching up with you. I'll be the first to admit that I've been a "bad blogger" but know that I really DO miss you and I will catch up soon. I DO have a busy schedule and sometimes LIFE just gets in the way...but it doesn't mean that I'm not thinking of you!

:)

Also, I'd like to thank ALL of my new followers and I promise that I will visit you soon and get to know you better too!

Let me not forget all of  the brand NEW bloggers out there! I'm so happy you've joined in for this wonderful world of friendship and sharing...I hope you are having a wonderful time and meeting lots of new friends!    :)))

5. I'm fluffing my space for the Where Bloggers Create II Party hosted by the one and only Karen of My Desert Cottage.

My studio has not really changed since the first party but it has only gotten SO much more...let's say...STOCKED since then! haha

I'm begging Sophie to take you along on the tour this year too. She knows my schedule is really REALLY busy and she well made it clear that I'm going to "owe" her big time. So what else is new? ;)

6. Swaps!

I made and sent this pocket hanger (I guess that's what you call it) to Lisa of Tarnished and Tattered. It was the first one I ever made (I swear) as I was "practicing" for the pocket swap that I'm in hosted by Jessica.

And for those of you who KNOW me, I really don't know how to sew. I've never read a sewing pattern, ever. I just grab my pinking shears and cut everything up within my reach!

However, I still abide by the same old rule, "measure twice and cut once" to keep safe   ;)

I still cannot show you the pocket hanger that I made Leslie (my swap partner) as she hasn't received it yet but the sneak peeks are in my post below.

I am also in a swap with Karen of Some Days are Diamonds and Julia of Vintage with Laces. I'm begging for an extension on these as I'm still working on them "behind the scenes" of all of my other LIFE projects.

7. Getting ready for Paper Cowgirl

Thank goodness I only signed up for ONE swap for this retreat! Whew! It's a cuff swap so I'm soooo excited for the chance to get started on this soon. Well, not too soon...maybe AFTER I finish all of the above, in between all of my travels!

Do you feel sorry for me? Well Don't!

When I tell The Man how busy I am day after day, he's quick to tell me "This is all self inflicted Jodie"  haha

It is, but I just LOVE it!

*****

So please have patience with me...I'll be visiting you soon. I love and appreciate each and every one of your comments...not a one goes unread. I long for the day that I can sit and chat with you...hopefully it will be SOON!

Are you busy too? Please tell me you are so that I don't feel so darn guilty for having SO MUCH FUN!

:)

Enjoy the vintage sheet music. Don't forget to visit the site above as there are literally hundreds to choose from. I'm sure you can create something beautiful with them too!!!