Anniversaries

In Loving Memory of Willard 'Bill' Sass 3/5/28-9-30/69
You are in our hearts forver...
Love, Betty, Sherry, Bev, Colleen, and Dean

This handsome devil is my Grandpa Sass. Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of his death. He was young, 42. But, as with all of his brothers, he didn't eat particularly healthy food or lead a healthy lifestyle, and so a heart attack took him at the beginning of my mom's senior year of high school. He was Bill Sass, a radio DJ for WMT in Cedar Rapids, IA, as well as a trumpeter and singer for a polka band. He was fairly well known in the area--especially for his humor and laugh...so I've heard. I wish I'd known him, especially since I've grown up being told that I'm the "spittin' image" of him. No doubt we share some characteristics. I think he'd be described as gregarious. I like that.

My Aunt Bev had the radio station he worked for play his opening number Sunday morning in his honor. Then they played a polka in honor of Grandma, who did a extraordinary job raising four children on her own. It wasn't easy and being alone all these years hasn't been easy for her. But Grandma's a kick and I admire her greatly for all that she has done. I don't think she fully understands how amazingingly well her four children turned out. They are loving, caring, hardworking people with good heads on their shoulders. Life hasn't been easy for any of them, but they all stay positive. Through divorces, job changes, health issues--through it all they've put their faith in Christ and He's carried them through. And they like being with each other and their fun! Our two family weddings this year are proof--we're a kickin' family! The radio broadcast on Sunday had live streaming online, so my mom in Texas, my Aunt Colleen in Minneapolis, my Uncle Dean in San Diego, and my Aunt Bev and Grandma in Cedar Rapids all listened to Grandpa on the radio one more time together as a family.

I'll end here with a picture of Grandma and I dancing a polka at my wedding. Kelly did the same thing at her wedding. It wouldn't have been the same without at least one polka with Grandma.

Fall

Someone has forgotten to tell the South that it's Fall and the temps should be decreasing! Next week looks like it may cool off a bit and we'll get a reprieve from the rain and high humidity. That's a glorious thought!

Meanwhile, I'm getting my Creative Memories business up and running. I presented at a Get Together last night and the ladies were awesome! Just great ladies to begin with and then they were extremely excited about the products and the possibilities for preserving their memories. I've got a special "Digital and Dessert" night scheduled with them for mid-October. I can't wait!

Here's a pic of what I've been working on. My high school album. I have freshman year finished. I have an insane number of pictures, so parring it down and choosing only those that really represent my memories of high school has been fun. I do have a solid group of friends from that time yet today. :)

Lisa Leonard Designs Jewelry GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Lisa Leonard Designs Jewelry GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Oh Jamie, you get me hooked on the coolest blogs!

Finally Finished!

The pain, the hours of reading, the test, the practicum, all finally felt worth it when this arrived today!

Congratulations Shel and James!

My friend's Shel and James had their daughter, Eliza June, on September 12. The story is great and they are extremely happy! I can't wait to meet Eliza someday. A roadtrip to Georgia wouldn't be totally out of the question. :-)

Photo cards were made with Creative Memories SBC+ 3.0 using "Delight Baby Girl Arrival Additions."

Cup Cakes

Do you ever watch Food Network's "Good Eats"? We do and we love it! Alton made cup cakes a week or so ago...not sure when since we DVR it. But anyways, I LOVED the idea of using actual cups to bake cupcakes--plus it was an excuse to keep a set of mugs I adore, but really couldn't justify keeping with all of our Fiestaware mugs. But now I do! They're a great shape and it was delicious.


If I'd been true to Alton, I would have made a cake and frosting from scratch. Maybe later...a mix and tub of frosting created these yummy treats for Mom's last evening in Biloxi. You can use any cup you deem oven-worthy--fill it 2/3 full and bake till done. These are larger cups, so it took about 27 minutes at 350 degrees. Grease the cups a bit so they come out, but you can eat them right out of the cup.

Yum!!!! More on Mom's visit later.

Apartment Revnovations

I have decided that home improvement projects are one of the first true tests of a marriage. Actually, they probably test any relationship at anytime, but nontheless, they remain a first test for newly married couples.

Jason and I are going to be living in an apartment for the next 2+ years. The market isn't great here and with the short amount of time we're here, we decided staying in the apartment is a better financial decision for us. Makes me a little sad that we're not in our own first house, but that will come in time.

To lessen the pain, and to brighten an apartment that doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight, we've been painting. Why paint an apartment? And are you allowed to paint? Yes, we're allowed to paint, we'll just have to paint it back to blah-beige or pay the fee to have it done when we leave. We wanted to make it more inviting than the blah-beige was and a smoker lived here before. Despite having the ducts cleaned once and the whole place being painted over with the blah-beige, it still just smelled stale. So, we've been hard at work. The following pictures are the fruits of our labors. The most recent being the kitchen and dining room just this past Friday and Saturday. The shelving in the 3rd bedroom was handbuilt by Jason. IKEA had what we wanted, but wanted $300 in shipping--not going to happen!

What did we learn about each other during this process? Jason has a gift for construction and a great attention to detail. He lives by the motto, "Measure twice, cut once." A man after my Grandpa Waterman's own heart for sure! I am a "big picture" person, who appreaciates details, but doesn't always see them all at once. Jason does. Jason doesn't particularly care for painting, but his detail-oriented nature makes him great for taping everything off--something I loathe to do. I've painted 98% of everything, and I have to say, I'd do it again! :) Enjoy!

Welcome Amelia Ruth!!!!!!!!!

My friend Nicole, and her husband Nathan, welcomed their beautiful little girl to the world on August 24th. It's a great story, so please go read it.

Nicole, I'm so happy for you! I can't wait to meet Amelia in person!

(I made these little cards on Storybook Creator Plus and used the new Black and White Power Palette. I love the new palette and it fits Nicole's personality! I loved having an excuse to use it right away!)