Saturday, March 1, 2008

I'm Back. Sorta. Kinda. Maybe....

Hello. Anybody out there? Probably not. I only thought I was talking to myself before. Now I know I am. lol I'm slowly coming out of the darkness, so to speak. Too many personal problems, not enough clarity to address them all. That just about describes things for me. Anyway, some things are starting to look up and, at this point, I'll take what I can get! Meanwhile, as I wallered in my cesspool of pity, my father got sick. He was hospitalized for about a week. His lungs and heart are giving him problems. It was way hard to see him down like he was. Your dad is supposed to be Superman, right? Well I guess even Superman has issues with Kryptonite, doesn't he? Still...I would give just about anything for my dad to be happy and whole. He's earned it. When I came back from Oklahoma this past Monday, I decided to work on a little scrapbook about my dad. I guess I'm just looking for ways to express how much he means to me. Sometimes I don't think he knows his importance in all our lives. I remembered a project that Cheryl over at Life with Cheryl had done for one of her daughters using a child's board book. She claimed it was a fast, easy and fun scrapbooking project and she was right! I'm posting the pictures of it for Jodie to see. I went to Goodwill today and found 5 or 6 more board books because I can't wait to make more of these. Like Cheryl, I plan on keeping them in a basket in the living room. They're small enough (this one is about 8"x8") for people to browse thru just for fun. Kaleb and Jacob got a kick out of looking at some of the older pictures of Dad, too. Great project, Cheryl. Thanks for telling about it. The above picture is just showing the side "pages". I added a ribbon so that I can tie it shut since it doesn't lay flat.
This is the front cover. I printed the picture on cardstock instead of photo paper.
See that piece of sheet music I used for the background? I found a old hymn book at the flea market for about a $1. I tore out a sheet and burned the edges. I thought it looked pretty cool with Dad's old high school band pictures.
These are pictures of my dad's brothers and sisters.
Here's dad's military pictures and a picture of our family when my sister and I were young. It's a shame that just about the only picture I could find of the four of us together shows me with my back turned. Typical of me. lol
Here's some random pictures of Dad. The long one on the far left is my favorite. Jake was looking at it and he says, except for the hair, he thinks it looks like Nicholas. That's kind of funny since Dad and Nick both think they're the prettiest things on the planet anyway. ha!
Here's a picture of my sister, me and my dad that was taken at Bricktown in OKC a few years ago and, on the last page, a picture of Dad with his wife, Wendy.
The back cover was done with plain paper and stamps. Then I stamped Dad's name on the spine. So what do you think? Not bad for just a few hours work, huh? It felt great to "celebrate" my dad in this project and going through all the pictures was an experience, too. So many memories that I'd let slip to the background. Finding them again has given me even more ideas for ways to save them via scrapbooks. I've decided that scrapbooking may be even better for me than going to a therapist! ha,ha And probably cheaper, too. Hope to be back to regular blogging soon. As I said, things are starting to look up. It's good to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Just hope it isn't the proverbial train coming down the tracks to plow me over!

35 comments:

  1. So you know, you can't show something like this to me and not know that I am going to bawl my brains out. It is absolutely beautiful. Very touching! Grandpa is a very SPECIAL and ADORED man in our house too! I love the book idea too, how cute is that? I haven't been able to scrap for a while with all the baby shower stuff I've been up to. To make matters worse my printer STILL won't hook up to my computer. I have tried EVERYTHING possible to fix it. Of course I can't indulge in a nice new 12x12 printer (cause that's what kind I want) when there is baby stuff to be bought. I am learning that your childs need comes before your wants and needs. But I know it's all worth it in the end. I guess I can scrap all my stuff without the pics right?? Glad to see things are looking up. I will be hopefully get get some baby shower pics up soon.

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  2. Well...lookee, lookee, lookee! Great book, gtreat post, great to have you back, dear friend.. ;)

    Cassie

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  3. Well HI there stranger lady!! ;)
    I missed you soooooooo much!
    I looooooooooooooooove the scrapbook. I'm totally gonna have to remember this and scraplift it. ;)
    And btw, I like your new background. It's purty!

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  4. I've been missing you!
    So glad to see you posted today!

    My that lily in your header is gorgeous...and your blog is looking so very nice! How can you not post on it? *wink*

    Your tribute book to your Dad is awesome, I just wish I could get into scrap booking but I do good to do what I do...lol!

    Have a great Sunday!

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  5. I am so glad to see you back in blogland. I wanted to tell you this is what will keep you sane and help keep the blahs away, but I knew you wouldn't listen. Sometimes the path that leads us away is the only path that leads us back again. I'm so happy now!!!! Up until day before yesterday I had stopped by to see if you were around, and then you go and surprise me!!!! Welcome home, baby girl! I love you so much
    Aunt Sandi

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  6. Nice to see you back! Glad you are working through things and being creative! I know that helps me alot! I love to get lost in old pictures and I think you have inspired me to make one for my mom!

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  7. Hi Nice to see you back. Love the scrap book. It is mothers day in the UK today so happy mothers day also Tricia

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  8. It is so good to see you back..the new banner is just sp pretty..very springy..I love it...the scrapbook on your father is wonderful!!! Katie

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  9. Wow that is a thing of great beauty and great sentiment - just beautiful

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  10. Hi Kari,

    So glad to see you back. We missed you! First off, I love your new look. Love the banner, love the background.......And the scrapbook, what a whole lotta love you put into it. Dad's are special aren't they? I do like to scrapbooking.

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  11. So glad to see you back. I think your scrapbook about your dad is wonderful!

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  12. I LOVE that book Kari! Now I want to make one. How did you do it??? So cute. Your comments about your dad made me sad. My dad is still superman to me (he is 70). I tell him I'm not going to let him get old. I've missed you by the way! Next time you are in Oklahoma call me and we can meet for a coke or something.

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  13. Kari.. stoppedd by often to see if you were back and you are! im so happy...girl I have missed you.
    Speaking of Jodi wow she is blooming just like a sring flower. I loved her new pictures. Heading over there now to tell her. I have been watching the baby grow on your age.
    I love the book. It looks hard to do. I would love to do this. Maybe I can try.
    See you soon,your friend in Mississippi.

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  14. Well Hi there my friend! I'm thrilled to see you back. Wish you could see the silly grin on my face when I saw you had posted. Yeah! Welcome back to the Land of Blog. I've missed you!

    Great job on the book for your Dad. I'm impressed.

    Hugs!
    Kat

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  15. Hello, I came across your blog from Mable's House. Your scrapbook is beautiful. I also scrapbook and it has helped me deal with issues and life circumstances just by "telling" my story there. Good luck.

    Sandra

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  16. There you are! Gosh, I was starting to get worried that you would never come back to us!?!?!?!
    The new changes to your blog are great and very springy :o) I can't wait until spring finally arrives here!*sigh*
    Love the scrapbook you made in honor of your dad!! I hope he is feeling like his old self again very soon :o)
    Glad to see you again...have a great week :o)
    ~Des

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  17. Hey Kari!!!!!!!!!! I am SO glad that you got inspired my idea. And yours turned out just absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!! It's beautiful!!

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  18. YAH! I'm so happy to see you back. I hope you know that you were missed!

    The scrapbook is amazing, really. What a great job you did. Did you just use an old kid's board book? Did you just glue the papers over each page? I love it, thanks so much for sharing it with us.

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  19. What a beautiful scrap book. I know your Father is going to love seeing it. I imagine it will bring back a lot of good memories.

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  20. I was so excited to see you back that I forgot to say "SMASHING BANNER AND WALLPAPER!!!" I just love it...and your rose, too
    love ya
    Aunt Sandi

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  21. The best therapy in the world is to dive into a project and keep busy - and you certainly have a gift for scrapbooking. What a beautiful album! Keep working at it (and your beautiful cards - which you could easily sell).

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  22. Hello dear Kari:-) Sooo great to see you posting again...you've been missed!! I've been a terribly slow commenter on all the blogs lately so that's why I'm here two days after you posted! lol Oh Kari, seeing all the love that went into making that scrapbook for your dad had me crying...it's so beautiful and just perfect in every way. What a fabulous idea to use board books!! You've got me itching to try my hand at it now. I do hope your dad feels better soon...I can imagine how much you worry about him. Has he seen the scrapbook yet? I've no doubt he will be very touched. I'm glad that you're starting to feel better as well...one day at a time, that's all we can do. xoxo

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  23. Kari, Kari, Kari...
    so glad you are back!! You were missed by many. I checked every day...and finally the 2 days I'm off and about I miss your re-entry into blogland.

    Your scrapbook about your dad is AWESOME!! What a very special tribute to him! I know all about dads and them being our heroes...our first loves. I mean what girl out there didn't want to marry her daddy first! So hoping he is on the mend....let us know...I'll keep you all in my prayers!

    Love the new look, too...can you clue in a sista on how to do the background page thingy! I'm clueless with that!!

    Check my blog...I'm going to be having a give-a-way...sometime this week! Just keep checking!!


    Blessings...
    Teresa

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  24. Hi Kari...I'm catching up after being away for a few days. I can't tell you how happy I am to come here and see this post.

    It's great to see you again!

    I love the book. Wonderful photos, memories and words!

    Pat

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  25. hey you.......
    our lives are so parallel- it shocks me !I guess age and where you live influence a lot. I hope things are better for you and those you love -the book is awesome I am impressed miss Martha:>

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  26. Hi Kari!
    Sorry about your friend who committed suicide. We lost a friend years ago to a gun accident and I can't even imagine losing a friend to suicide. No wonder it rocked your world.
    And this thing you are grappling with ... sending grappling hooks your way and a hug.
    You'll be OK. Things always come out alright in the end.
    I'm going through a lot of crap right now because my two best friends betrayed me and stuck me with our business debt of 63,000 ... really upsetting and heart breaking. So I am also "friendless".
    Just checking in to say hello and I'm glad I did .. . it sounds like you could use a hug and some understanding ... so I am sending that your way as well.
    With chocolate sprinkles.
    And m & m's. They make everything good.

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  27. Its so good to see you back I was worried about you. Love your new look and the book about you dad is fantastic.Hope that life won't grind you down so much in the future I,m off now for coffe I'll raise my cup to the future for us all Mary

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  28. I'm glad you're back Kari, even if it is "sorta"! I do hope your dad will be back to his old self soon. Your book looks fantastic - what a great idea.

    Jayne

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  29. So glad to see you back! Missed ya! your book about your dad is beautiful. Love the details. What a special keepsake! {{HUGS}}

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  30. Welcome back!

    (I have no explanation for why it's taken me this long to find that you were here.)

    This project is amazing and I'd love to do something similar for my dad. I know that he'd get a kick out of it.

    Your dad is a very handsome guy!

    Don't be gone too long now...Blogdom isn't the same without you!

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  31. I am SO glad that you are back! SO SO SO glad. I love your scrapbook and I'm sorry your Dad hasn't been well. That's hard I know.

    You are a gifted scrapbooker. I need to get back at it. I've have been a little preoccupied with this blogging thing. I really didn't expect to hear from you again; it felt so final when you signed off. This has made my day!!!!! Jennifer

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  32. Ok dont ever leave me like that again! :) Just playing with you..
    To tell you the truth, you make my blogging world "comfy" I guess you could call it.. Your blog is one of the very first one's I ever came upon and made me want to open mine...I missed you!! SO happy things are looking brighter for you...
    As you can see from all your replies you have tons of friends that missed ya!

    The scrapbook you made of your dad is priceless... you did a fantastic job... you and your daddy are very lucky to have eachother and I hope he feels 100% very soon!

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  33. Kari!

    I am so glad you are back! I have missed you!

    What a wonderful tribute to your Dad! The album is beautiful! I am sure he will absolutely LOVE it!

    I hope he is feeling better!

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  34. Hurray! You're back! Missed you.
    This scrapbooking looks like a very good thing! The one you have made about you Dad looks great. Sometimes the way forward comes from looking back! Glad to see you in good form. Stephanie

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  35. I love your art, your scrapbooking celebration!
    beautiful talented you!
    Listen Kari:
    I am closing my blog something sad happened in my life.
    I want you to know that I wish to be in touch with you forever so please stay my friend, please???
    Carmen in San Diego

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