Camp Uniforms Ready – Check!
Yippee-Skippee!
Bring on the girlfriends (and the wine!)
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Crafting
Hello Friday!
HELLLLOOOO Friday! Always happy to see you! And especially this Friday, because tomorrow is Girlfriend Camp (GFC) with a few of my favorite “girls” coming to the house. I guess thinking of GFC got me in a crafty mood (though I probably should have been cleaning or cooking for the girls this week!) I thought a sunny hello with a yellow and orange SU Blended Blossom and a denim bow was fun, and liked how this card turned out.
Since I was feeling “crafty” – I have a “Three-fer” this week on my usual Friday card posting.
This card was a fun new technique to try for my stamping and crafting friends. I first sponged some pink and blue and brown on whisper white card stock. Then I chose a fun chevron embossing folder, which I spritzed with water (on the side that does not have the print of the name on it), pressed my sponged paper in – ink against water – briefly – then dried to give this fun effect. I then layered it on with complimentary colored card stock, added my favorite “Hello” stamp from my StampinUp “Hi There” set by inking with Versamark and then embossing in gold. Finished it off with a bow of soft twine and a couple sparkly sequins.
This third one was totally just winged out of trying some new stamps. I got the Stampinup What’s Your Line and Just Sayin sets, so just started goofing around here. I stamped some of the random shapes in Crisp Cantaloupe, Pear Pizazz and Crumb Cake inks (are you hungry now?) on SU Watercolor paper (I have to say – I was trying to just use some cheaper stuff I had and can’t believe the difference in quality!). I then spritzed it all with water and put some coarse sea salt on top while it dried. I then embossed the Hey There in Gold on translucent parchment and again embellished with some soft twine – the thinner this time and gold sequins with a dab of crystal effects. Layered it up and even put a strip of the water color paper on the inside. I kind like it. It is a softer style.
Just for fun – which one do you like best? No right answer – just curious…
And just havin’ fun….
at Life in Between.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The Journey Back to Daddy’s Girl – Happy 4th Anniversary Dad!
Today is a very special Anniversary… A day that brings back floods of memories… floods of emotions…. reflections on time missed… but celebration of time and love shared… from here on…
You see – Today is a Father-Daughter Anniversary. Today is the 4 year anniversary of my reunion with my Dad (my “birth father”).
And I thought it deserved a special anniversary card to send to Dad to help us cherish the day.
So you might think that sounds a bit odd…. Father and Daughter Anniversary???
Well – I’m going to share a kinda big chunk and pretty personal part of my heart today. So – if you’re not into that or not interested, you may just want to skip this blog.
So here goes…
On July 17, 2010, I was reunited with my Dad (my “birth father” Dad so as not to be confused with another great man in my life that I also call Dad – I know – a bit confusing – and on top of that both of their names are John!).
It was a day neither of us will ever forget.
The reason(s) for our separation for 39 years is really not the point or purpose of this story, nor do I feel appropriate to share, but the joy in our reunion is the focus here…. And oh what JOY we have shared.
For our second Christmas together again in 2012, I presented Dad with a book I wrote for him.
I called it, “The Journey Back to Daddy’s Girl.” The book is a celebration of our initial exchange of emails leading up to our reunion that covers the course of only a few short weeks, but close to 70 pages of exchanges. It chronicles how we discovered each other again – an adult daughter close to 50 years old – and an even more adult father – close to 70 years old who last saw each other when the little girl was 9 years old and the Daddy was just barely past 30.
We (well mostly I) asked each other questions (sometimes difficult ones) and our exchanges evolved from closings with “John (BF)” to “Love you, Dad”s.
Let me share the “Introduction” with you here.
———-
“Once upon a time, there was a little girl. Jodi had a Mom and a Dad and a little brother.
Life was good, until one day when Daddy left. Then Jodi just got to visit with Daddy on the weekends, until a day came when Mom introduced Jodi and her brother to a new Dad, and told her she would not be seeing her other Daddy any more.
Jodi lived a good life. Her new Dad and Mom took good care of her and her brother and her new baby sister, but Jodi always felt something was missing.
She thought of her first Dad throughout her life.
She dreamed of bumping into him on the street… their eyes would lock, and they would immediately recognize each other. Dad would tell her he loved her and missed her and was so proud of the woman she had become…..
Sometimes dreams do come true…”
———-
Marty (for those new here – the hubster), was instrumental in helping me find my Dad.
It is so much more incredibly easier than imaginable with the internet and people search software these days.
Marty has known for years – probably before I even realized – that there was a part of me missing – that there were unanswered questions – that there was a dad out there that I needed – and who needed me. He has asked me over the years about it – ever since we started dating when I was a mere 16 year old high school girl and he was a “mature” 20-year old “man.” (That story is a whole blog post for another day). When Marty realized my yearning had grown so strong, and my need was so great, he was the one that took the step to reach out for me, and the resulting reply is etched in my mind and on my heart forever:
“Hi Jodi – Yes. I am your “Birth Father.” It was an answer to prayer hearing from you. I hope that you and John are both fine. To this day, I regret the worst decision I have ever made. I was talked into doing something, but I had my own mind. At the time, I thought I was doing the best thing for your two. Can you ever forgive me?”
And so began my Journey back to Daddy’s Girl.
And now we celebrate four wonderful years of being a reunited father and daughter, which began on July 17, 2010 when my Dad showed up to my house with a huge bouquet of flowers, a face that looked exactly like mine (and resembles Tom Jones I think only to me 🙂 ), immediately telling me he loved me, and he missed me, that I was beautiful (only to him I’m sure 🙂 ),and he was so proud of me. You see – he wanted to fulfill my dream… He wanted our reunion to be the wonderful event I had dreamed about over the years…
We both cried – happy and sad tears. And we have talked almost every day since then. We’ve spent birthdays and holidays and Father’s days together. He was with me at our son Jake’s wedding. He loves my family as his own. His family has embraced me as their own. They have always known about me, and they welcomed me with open arms.
I will never forget the first time I met my Dad’s wife, Carole (aka Mom 2). The first thing she said to me was, “Your Dad always promised me a daughter, and now I have one. We’ve been praying for you for a long time.”
The epilogue of my book closes with:
———-
And so it began …….
With a simple email …
A journey back to Daddy’s girl.
And now, two and a half years later …
… we write each other almost every day
… and talk every weekday morning at 7:05
We’ve spent Father’s days together and holidays and birthdays and are part of each other’s lives again.
Our families love each other and we love each other.
‘What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life’
Dreams do come true!
this is not THE END.”
———-
Father & Daughter Reunion Day – July 17, 2010
I hope this message will encourage those adult children who were separated from birth parents – at whatever age (birth, childhood, teenager, young adult) – for whatever reason – to reach out and try if it is something that has yanked on and ached in your heart for years.
Maybe your ending will not turn out as good as mine did (and of course there is much more to our story than I’ve shared here so far) , but can anything hurt more than the emptiness and not-knowing that you feel every day? Could the potential rejection be any worse than what you have imagined or decided or dealt with for years in your heart?
Love is worth the risk. It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. Closure or resolution or answers to decades of unanswered questions can let you sleep at night… can bring you peace… can make you right with yourself! I’m certainly not an educated or trained professional in this area, but I can only speak of my own personal experience.
I wish you joy. I wish you peace. I wish you resolution. I wish you wholeness of heart – no matter the ending. YOU are worth it. YOU are here for a reason. YOU are loved.
Happy 4 year “Anniversary” Dad! I love you, and I cherish you! (And I’ve been listening to “our song” again this week. I’m betting you will too.) ❤ “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life!”
Cheers and Hugs,
Jodi
Happy 1st Anniversary Jake and Colleen!
I can’t believe it is already a year!
A year since our family was so fortunate to add a new McKinney member.
A year since our Jake was lucky enough to “score” one of the greatest girls in the world to be his wife!
A year since Marty and I were given the gift of a wonderful “Daughter” (in law)!
A year since the greatest party of all time at Gable Farm!
A year since “I Do” and “I Do Too!” 🙂
Happy Anniversary Jake and Colleen!
I love you both MORE than you could ever know, and more than words could ever express.
I wish you a lifetime of love and joy and happiness!
Know that it will be tested with trials and challenges, but also know that it is worth it and you are both worth it, and it can last a lifetime.
Cheers and Hugs for the first of many HAPPY ANNIVERSARIES!
Love ALWAYS!
Mom
xo
Oh Happy Day – It’s Friday!
Oh Happy Day – It’s FriDAY!
My hummingbird photo quest got me in the mood to make a card with a hummingbird on it too, so I brought out the SU Bloomin Marvelous stamp set with some pear pizazz and calypso coral inks and created this happy card for today.
Have a wonderful weekend and celebrate EVERY day!
Cheers and Hugs,
Jodi
Happy Friday – Fourth of July!
Woohoo! Not only is it Friday, but it’s a holiday – Independence Day! An extra day off work and a day to celebrate.
I was inspired to make a red, white, and blue celebration card and already gave it to someone special.
I’m having fun with a more abstract look in my card making lately using watercolor paper and spritzing and splotching. I’m loving white embossed on vellum too – and touches of gold string. And lately, most every card uses the “Gorgeous Grunge” stamp in one way or another.
Hope you and yours enjoy the long holiday weekend…
and celebrate today…
at Life in Between.
Cheers and Hugs,
Jodi
Thank You! – and how to make Faux Enamel Dots for Card Embellishments
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Today is my 50th day blogging LifeinBetween.Me – and my 50th post!
What a joy it has been to receive messages and comments from folks I didn’t even know were reading this fun little project of mine…
People I know – and people I don’t – some who I haven’t talked to in a while – and some who are becoming new friends!
If I can make an impact in some small way, then it is a success!
Today’s card is a thank you to all of you. This was a super easy and fun one to make that was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest by a StampinUp Design Artisan! – Becky Cowley.
The fun part about it was making the faux enamel dots. While I only needed a few, I thought it well worth making a bunch in an assortment of colors and sizes. I used a variety of punches (including the good ole’ StampinUp Owl Punch!), which has several different size circles.
After punching out the circles (and even a couple little hearts), I scattered them on wax paper and put a “glob” (such a technical term) of StampinUp’s Crystal Effects on each. Then you just let them dry to a shiny, glossy, bright and fun embellishment for future cards.
Wishing you a shiny, bright and fun day.
at LifeinBetween.
Cheers and Hugs,
Jodi
Hello Friday!
I’ve always loved bright orange poppies.
It’s so sad that they are only around for about two weeks of the whole entire year, but boy they sure do make their statement when they are here.
Though they are done for the year, I was inspired by a great stamper (and friend) who made a beautiful card recently using the SU Pleasant Poppies stamp – Cindy Brumbaugh at CindyLeeBeeDesigns.
For this card, I also used a fun watercolor and sea salt technique I learned from Patty Bennett (and her dad 🙂 ).
I finished it with one of my favorite new sentiment stamp sets – SU Hi There – for a cheery Hello.
Hello Friday!
Glad you are here, because you are bringing with you some of our favorite peeps to spend some time with us.
Your room is ready, Joyce and Rob.
See you soon Gary and Cindy and Jack and Kathleen!
Happy weekend all!
Cheers and Hugs,
Jodi
Friends Found – Ain’t it Good to Know You’ve Got a Friend
As I was contemplating what I would share on my blog today, I was emailing with a dear friend.
Always the multi-tasker, I was doing three or four things at once, but got stuck on a thought she put in my head.
Friends Found
Do you ever think about all the ways people come into your life?
How you decide who will be your “friend?”
Is it a conscious decision?
Does it take consideration?
For some, it takes time…
it takes proof,
it takes evidence,
But for me…… (and as niave as it may sound)
You are my friend…
right away…
unless or until you prove otherwise.
I fall in love quickly.
(and not in an inappropriate way)
But I simply love people.
I love their differences, their uniqueness, their similiarities…
their stories, their history, their traditions…
I love it all –
and consider you my friend
unless you prove otherwise.
No “proving” of friendship with me.
Only proving you’re not… my friend – if that is to be.
Otherwise I’ll love ya.
Because what is life about if not for that?
Call me naïve
Call me gullible
Call me a dreamer…
Whatever
I’d rather love and lose
than never love at all.
and that reminds me…
like just about everything 🙂 …
of a song…
(and here is my favorite version of Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend” from Divas Live – which I had on CD years ago – and now must search for! – but practically wore out listening to – and shamefully sang out VERY loud to from my car many, many a times…)
You’ve Got a Friend:
You know…
I had a bit of a vagabond lifestyle growing up
with lots of change and many different homes and schools and situations…
but I don’t regret a minute of it – because it shaped me into what and who I am today.
And I think I am ok.
Life throws us a lot of curve balls,
but the fun part is figuring out how to hit them!
And though I started out with a bit of a rocky road,
I have found so many friends along the way that have more than made up for it!
Yep –
I’ve got a friend – in fact quite a few friends – and I am so grateful…
for
Friends Found
at Life in Between.
Thank you for being a friend. (teehee – another song!)
Cheers and Hugs,
Jodi
Cheers! (or in our case John’s Bar!) – There ARE good people in this world!
This past Thursday evening, Marty and I went on our regular weekly “date” to John’s Bar.
John’s Bar is our CHEERS.
It’s our “where everybody knows your name.”
It’s an everyone-gets-a-hug-when-you-leave kinda place.
It’s NOT classy.
It’s NOT fancy.
Dare I say it is a bit of a “dive” (in the most flattering way you can call something a dive).
Don’t ask for a Cosmo at John’s Bar.
Brad (the bartender) laughed when I asked for Bombay Gin instead of Tangueray.
No frozen fru fru drinks.
Appetizers are packs of saltine crackers (if you’re lucky!)
The menu never changes – as many times as I ask to look at it – and even when I try writing something different on the menu pad, like Belgium waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream or a chicken quesadilla.
But you can always count on a grilled chicken salad (with French fries),
Or a bowl of cheeseburger mac soup,
Or some pretty darn good wings.
Our bill for the evening rarely exceeds $30 – for dinner and drinks!
And we have made lifetime friends we would have never known if not for our regular Thursday evenings at John’s bar.
We get invited to pig roasts and picnics and parties.
We celebrate birthdays and weddings and anniversaries.
We laugh – and laugh – and laugh.
Sometimes we talk politics… and even though my views are a bit more liberal than most at John’s on Thursday nights – they love me anyway.
Well – When we got home this past Thursday evening from our “date,” I realized I had lost my debit card.
ARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!
(Dang that Marty for having me pay this week!)
Nick said I looked distraught…
I felt like I lost my left arm (I’m a leftie – so right arm does ME NO good!)…
I called our friends that were still there.
They checked the bar, the bathroom, the parking lot….
No luck.
So Friday morning I called the bank, cancelled the debit card, and ordered a new one.
What a long 5-7 days it will be waiting! (seriously Mars Bank!?)
Then about an hour later, the bank called me.
Someone had returned my debit card TO THE BANK!
They told the nice lady on the phone that called me that they found it in a – ahem – bar (or maybe restaurant she said kindly) parking lot.
So see! There are good, kind people in the world!
Everywhere!
Doing kind little random things every day.
If you just pay attention.
Thank you to whoever was so kind to return my debit card to the bank! I appreciate you!
(even though the bank doesn’t – ahem – trust – and said they have to destroy it since “someone else touched it!” and issue me a new one)
YOU tried, and I love ya!
Hello Doily SU Stamp on Distressed Victorian Thank You Note
Cheers and Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 