LEGO (Duplo) Table

Finished product. Total cost was less than $40

One thing people need to know about me, is that I rarely come up with an idea on my own, but I can copy Just about anything. As the quote reads: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery". Be flattered that I copy you and if you don't want me to copy you, don't splatter your awesome creations all over Pinterest, because I am there and ready to pounce! With that said, I always give credit where credit is due.  

Several months ago, I saw a  "pin" of a super cute LEGO table on a blog called Fussy Monkey Business.  A super talented gal makes all sorts of awesome creations. I just knew I had to make one of these. I am sort of obsessed with these vintage  "high - low" tables that pop up every now and again. I have painted two and every time I ran across another one, that LEGO table ran through my mind. I came across the perfect table a few weeks ago and picked it up for a cool $15. 

The weather has finally turned minutely cooler and I was anxious to get back in the garage and paint. The LEGO table was the first thing I tackled. Mountain Man was at the cabin, so I took it to work with me one day and asked one of our kind hearted maintenance guys to cut a hole in the top. My excitement turned out to be a mistake. NOTE: If you ever make one of these, be sure you are wise enough to have a basket picked out BEFORE the hole is cut. duh! Finding the right basket or container was my biggest challenge and am still on the look out for just the right one. I love, love, love painting things red but I didn't want to be too much of a copy cat :o) and make it identical to Fussy Monkey's, so I bought a sample jar of Valspar, Boo Boo Blue and did a homemade chalk paint.  That cost $3 so my total cost was now up to $18 and some change. I went to Toys R Us and bought a 15" x 15" LEGO building plate and almost fell over when I saw the price. $18.99 + tax! I suddenly remembered why my kids didn't have many LEGOS growing up. We simply could not afford them.  As I walked up and down the FOUR isles of Lego merchandise, I felt like a bad mother, that I deprived my kids of something special growing up. So many cool things to build! 

Suddenly, a little voice in my head reminded me that thanks to my sentimental husband, we still had a bucket of LEGO Duplo building blocks in the attic that my son received as a gift over 26 years ago. My daughter played with them as well. My LEGO table quickly turned into a Duplo table and I decided to surprise my daughter and grand baby with it for his first birthday. I swapped the LEGO plate for Duplo (same price) and dug the blocks out of the attic. Due to my eager beaver decision to cut the hole before I had a basket, I bought (and returned) several baskets trying to find one that filled the hole just right but ultimately settled on a plastic bucket from my craft room (I love shopping at home!). It is a blah semi clear plastic so I wrapped the top with some yellow duct tape to give it a little fun color. 

 

Mom and Dominic are both very happy with it. If he becomes a LEGO enthusiast when he is a little older, it will be easy enough switch the plates out and SHE can buy his LEGOS!  Thank you for the great idea, Fussy Monkey!

Happy Birthday, Dominic! Grammy and Grampa love you and your mama a bunch.

Colorado Summer 2010

I miss my blogging friends! Sorry I have been gone so long. I hope to get back in my room soon and make some magic. In the mean time, here are some pictures from our relaxing time in Colorado. I'll be back!


Peace & Pretty Paper,
Robyn

50th Anniversary Card

My photo doesn't do this card justice but I think it came out quite nice. I printed the words on card stock and the top layer is a wedding photo from Bobbie & Cy's wedding 50 years ago printed on vellum.

 

My Blessings:

Mike is home from a great 2 weeks in Colorado.

A fun day celebrating Bobbie & Cy's 50th wedding anniversary. What great role models they are for the rest of us.

Worshiping with my Concordia family at 11:00 today.

A good visit with Hayley today.

Peace & Pretty Paper,
Robyn

Land of the Free Because of the Brave...

I got this from one of the awesome blogs I stalk. Thanks Lorie! It is very moving, take a few minutes to watch it. Remember to pray for those families that have lost loved ones fighting on our behalf. Also, pray for a safe journey for all the men and women who have made the selfless decision to protect us at home and far away.

I am blessed,
Robyn

GoD And DoG by Wendy J Francisco

One of my all time favorites. Pardon me if I have shared this with you before. It's worth watching again!

No More Pain No More Sorrow

My father, Robert Sherdel Orrison Sr., passed peacefully to his heavenly home at 9:05 pm February 17, 2010 at the age of  77 years and 6 months. He battled lung cancer for almost 2 years. 4 of his 5 children and several grandchildren were with him in his last hours. His immediate survivors are, children Robert (Linda)Orrison Jr , Debbie Bodin, Becky (Mark) Plata, Robyn (Mike) Neel, and Jody Orrison. Grandchildren, Robert III, Tina, Brian, Travis, Eric, Nicole, Matthew and Hayley.

My father has won his battle through Jesus Christ. For that I am thankful.


Peace,
Robyn

Moving Day Card

I made this Moving Day card for someone special that God entrusted Mike and I to raise for the last 18 years, 4 months and one day (who's counting?). I am one heart broken mama as I finally quit begging and even bribing our youngest child to stay "just a while longer".  She is so eager to get out there and spread her wings and start a life for herself. "Hard-headed", "determined" or "stubborn"  may have been used to describe my wonderful Hayley once or twice but I trust that she will be fine. Recently however, I am the one I've had concerns about. I am really hurting! I am working very hard at turning my beautiful child over to God and trusting His plan for her life. I truly believe God has great things in store for my Hayley. I know the more productive thing for me to do is to pray for her safety and that this step into indepedence strengthens her relationsip with Jesus.

I put a little care package together for her and made the card to go inside.   Pebbles had to sit on my lap while I made it. Dog fuzz and tears just made it that much better!

Peace,

Robyn

God's Grace ~

Today has been such an uplifting day for me, I just had to share this with you. First of all, a friend from work, Todd Reineck, who bravely battled pancreatic cancer and passed last week had a memorial service today and it was simply beautiful. I couldn’t help but smile as I thought of him in heaven with his big grin feeling none of the pain or distress that he carried here on earth. Todd was all about Jesus! I can only hope I’d be able to handle myself as he did as he waited for God to call him to his new home in heaven. What an inspiration he was in that aspect.

I went to Methodist hospital at lunch time to see Jody. He is still in ICU but I am thrilled to say the little stinker is breathing on his own! As sick as he has been, only God could have made this happen. Jody is such a fighter and his blue eyes have more life in them than I have seen in the last 5 weeks. They may be removing the trache as soon as this weekend depending on his progress. Jody may be mentally impaired but he knows Jesus. I continue to remind myself daily that God’s timing is perfect and He will continue to work on me and my family until it is our time to leave this world. His miracles are very evident to me today and I am very grateful. We serve such a loving, kind and amazing God and He does have a plan for all of us...Thank you Father for loving us and knowing what is best for us even when we do not!!

Thank you for the continued prayers for Jody – God hears everyone of them.

Some Encouraging News

Tuesday morning at 8:30, Dr. Bell performed a tracheostomy on my brother Jody. After having a tube in his throat for almost a full month he was growing weaker as the days went by. Last Sunday, I spent some quality time with Jody and he cried an awful lot. It was so difficult to stay with him as he tried to call out in pain but couldn't. I sang to him a lot and prayed over him. Then Monday evening I went in to see him and he looked so peaceful it was almost scary. Every other visit I have felt very connected with his big blue eyes and felt like I could sort of read his emotions. Not Monday. He was curling more into a fetal position and was all surrounded by white pillows and his eyes just looked off into space. He would make eye contact with me but I couldn't get a "read" from him. I decided it must be peace he was feeling and thought maybe Jesus was finally going to take him to his heavenly home. The nurse was very rude and made me angry more than once. After I was there for more than an hour, another nurse came in and they started talking about "the procedure" he would have in the morning. I was taken by surprise to learn that my father had signed a consent form to have him trached. I cried all the way home and was fearful this would end up being a bad thing for him.

As afraid as I was yesterday, I gathered enough courage and strength to go see him. I remember my mother being on a ventilator before her death and I wasn't loking forward to seeing my sweet little brother the same way. I was very surprised to see how much better he looked. He was a little more awake than before and tired to talk a couple of times. (that made him very agitated). He was attempting to scratch his forhead but I noticed he had no use of his fingers and was only able to use the back of his hand. He was still curling up in the fetal position while I was there. I left him not knowing what to think. I noted he looked more comfortable but I could not say I thought he looked better.

What a difference 24 hours makes. Mike and I went up at lunch time today and he was much straighter in bed and very alert. I handed him a photo and he was able to grasp it pretty well with his fingers and he was able to nod yes and no. He was so happy to see Mike, he hardly noticed I was there. I hope and pray the doctors are able to get him off the ventilator soon.  I don't want him to have to learn how to live with a breathing tube coming out of his throat. Jody loves to talk and it will make him so sad if he can't talk anymore. The doctor said this will be his best shot at getting off the ventilator. So far so good. Thanks be to our Loving God!  I know He is in control and has Jody's future all planned out. This boy just may have some more important work to do for God before He calls him home. He is in charge and we are not.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11

Card Therapy Maybe?

Life has been pretty overwhelming lately. My loveable younger brother, Jody has been hospitalized for the past month in very critical condition. Only God knows what His plans are for Jody but I feel like he is so close to going to heaven and I get excited for him. He has endured so much pain in his 44 years but always manages to smile and he is all about love. He has done some important work for God here on earth and I anxiously wait for God to take him home where he will be free from his broken earthly body and rest peacefully in the arms of Jesus. With that going on (and dealing with being sick myself - I'm all better now!) I have not had the time or the desire to even go into my room and be creative. Yesterday was a very emotional day. I cried for hours and after I was finished I wanted a distraction so I went upstairs for about an hour and whipped up a couple of cards for my special co-worker friends. I think they came out rather nice considering I had no plan. I needed the time up there to clear my head and I believe I may do a little more tomorrow!  

Graduation Album for Carol

I made this album for Carol, our foreign exchange student from Brazil that lived with us in 2000. She is a beautiful girl as you can see by the pictures. She also has a beautiful heart. It was very difficult for her to be away from her home but she wanted to experience our culture and strengthen her ability to speak English. She always had a smile on her face and kept her chin up on the days she was missing home. I wasn't always as kind to her as I wanted to be. It was a very difficult time in my life. My Mother became ill and died while Carol was here and she was a huge help to Mike and I and the kids.  I know it was difficult for her being so far away from home and experiencing my mothers death. I'm sure it made her miss her mother even more. She returned again a couple of years later with both of her parents and a group from church. They were here for the LCMS National Youth gathering and stopped for a few days in SanAntonio. It was neat to have her back for a  visit and to meet her mom and dad.  Carol turned 27 last month and graduated from law school a year ago. She sent us some photos and I had them printed and put an 8x8 album together for her.

I left the journaling spots blank for her to write what she chooses on them.

I also left some blank pages for her to add her own photos or possibly an invitation or program .

Carol, I know you read my blog....I will be putting this in the mail the first week of October. (I have to take it to show it to a friend.) Act real surprised when it arrives!! I am sorry it took so long but I hope it was worth the wait. I love you and hope to see you again one day soon.

Happy 18th Birthday Hayley

Yesterday was my youngest child's 18th birthday. I truly cannot believe it has been 18 years since we brought our little pink bundle of joy home from the hospital. I remember her big brother, Matthew (4 at the time) was not too impressed with her. He told us he was the baby and he didn't want to keep her. Well, luckily we didn't listen to him and we kept Hayley. We have had good times as well as some not so good times. Through it all, my love has continued to grow for this beautiful gift from God. Happy Birthday, Tink. Your mama loves you and is proud of you. 

Make a Smilebox greeting

Tinkerbell Birthday Card

I had the best time making this little card. It is all Cricut inside and out. Not real happy with the inside - I had major issues cutting out the pixie dust piece and had to use the rhinestones to cover up some ugliness. The front makes me smile! Cartridges used: Tinkerbell and Friends, Jasmine.

Mike & Barbie Layout

Mike made the mistake of falling asleep after dinner at his Grandma's house and the kids played a little joke on him. Yes! he is really sleeping... haha! We have loved and laughed over this photo so much, I decided to make a layout with it. The paper reminded me of Grandma's drapes and it was real nice of barbie to wear a bathing suit that coordinated with the drapes and paper.

A long Time Coming

My close friends know of something that has hurt in my heart for a long time. Due to a lot of dysfunctional family behaviors, hurt feeling and somethings I simply can't explain, I haven't seen my father or siblings for a very long time.

We were all thrown together in 2000 when my mother became ill and subsequently passed away. The situation was an awful one for all of us, we had carried so much anger and hurt around for many years and this crisis multiplied those feelings tremendously. Once my mother finally passed on to rest peacefully in her Heavenly Father's arms, we continued with our hurtful words and actions toward each other. We were more divided than ever before. My reaction was to basically walk away from my remaining family as a protection mechanism for myself & my children. I realize there is no perfect family or relationship out there but my biggest fear had always been that my children would experience the same hurt & anger I dealt with as a child. My father, mother, sisters & oldest brother and I all had a part in the mess we were in but from my perspective, I seemed to be the only one that carried so much baggage from our dysfunctional family life. I was a mess to say the least. Turning away was the best answer I had at the time. I took no pleasure in it but I was able to spend some valuable healing time in counseling, prayer and thought. I have forgiven those that have hurt me and asked for forgivness from those that I may have hurt.

There is one innocent bystander in this mess. It is my sweet, little brother, Jody. He was born premature and mentally handicapped. He has dealt with pain and illness his whole life. He loves everyone with a pure heart and is loyal to the bone. I had told Jody I would be there for him but I gave into unrealistic fears and made pointless excuses and stayed away. I thought about him every day and felt a deeper and deeper guilt building up inside. The longer I stayed away, the harder it was to go back.

I woke up sick on Father's Day morning and had one of my frequent urges to call my dad. I immediately picked up the phone and called before I lost my nerve. The call did not go well but I didn't expect it to. I know I deserve some of the anger I got from him and I told him so. I also told him that I loved him and Happy Father's Day. I only heard silence on the other end. After I hung up I cried for a while and then decided to get my act together and go see Jody at the State School where he has lived for 25 years. I made it over there the next morning after getting lost a few times. I was very afraid but once I made it in I found Jody sitting in his wheelchair by the office shredding paper. (that is his official "job") I'm not sure if he recognized me right off but after I told him who I was he seemed to know me. I rolled him down the hall and we had a great visit. My dad came in a little later and we made a little small talk. I was shocked to see how old & frail he was. He told me he just finished up a chemo round for lung cancer and was starting another in the following week. I continued to visit with Jody for about an hour and promised him I would return soon. This time I intend to keep my promise. So much relief has come from my visit with Jody and I am looking forward to our next visit.

Happy Father's Day!

I made this card very quickly today. I saw a photo on a great blog I stumbled on. The name escapes me right now but I will find it so I can give her credit. I used my Cricut Camp Out cartridge and colored the artwork with ink and craft sponges. I am very happy with it and will say that the picture doesn't do it much justice. Trust me, its great! I cut the fish twice and the top one is pop dotted to give it dimension. It doesn't look like they line up well but that is just the angle of my photo. I used twine for the line & he even has a hook in his mouth! I posted it already because we celebrated today and I already gave it to Mike. He really liked it! he kept calling it his 3-D card!

We went to Texas Pride BBQ. He has wanted to go since he saw it on Diners Drive Ins & Dives. It was just ok but we had a good time. Happy Father's Day Honey, the kids and I are blessed to have such a wonderful husband and father. we love you!

Night in Downtown San Antonio

Last Wednesday night Matthew talked Hayley & I into a trip downtown to see the newly opened extension of the riverwalk. I believe it was 102 degrees that day so I wasn't too eager. But since Mike was sleeping and going to work in a few hours I agreed. We started out by having dinner at Josephine St. Cafe. If you haven't ever had a meal there, you should. It is nothing fancy but they have excellent steaks. There is always a coupon in the Entertainment Book so it is a reasonable meal. Then we drove next door to the old Pearl Brewery and parked there. They are renovating that area so nicely and it makes me happy to see some of the buildings I remember from childhood getting new life. We parked there and walked right down the stairs to the riverwalk. Now, for those of you that are from San Antonio, don't think it is anything like our famous stretch of river with restaurants & shops. It is so pure and clean, I love it. People were riding bikes, walking dogs and sitting on benches enjoying the beautiful night. It was amazing how cool & breezy it was! The kids did give me a hard time because they said I had to say "hello" to every person that passed us. I have no idea why they have a problem with that, I have always been that way and see no reason to change at this point in life. It was a fun evening. We got home just in enough time for me to pour Mike some coffee & kiss him goodnight. I want to take him next time.

My cute kids.

Lots of neat artsy type features line the banks. This is the top of a waterfall/cave feature. I took the kid's picture (above) inside it but it was too dark to pick it up well.

These sunfish lights are under the IH35 bridge. You need to see them in person to appreciate the art. They sway in the wind and are like nothing else I have seen in our Fiesta oriented city. This is also the location that the Mexican Free Tail Bats fly out of at 8:45 pm. We missed that but I wasn't sad. If you've seen one bat you've seen them all.

We will be taking this in again soon. From what I understand it will eventually extend further north to the zoo. The Pearl Brewery has recently started having a Farmers Market on Saturdays and several friends have said it is worth a visit. Condos and office space are in the works.

Good job San Antonio. I am happy to see a pet & family friendly environment where people can take a peaceful walk and not worry about the congestion and chaos that has taken place in our city. We do hope you have restrooms planned for the new future down there though!

Happy 90th Auntie Jean

Saturday we met at Tomatillo's to surprise Mike's Auntie Jean for her 9oth birthday. I personally don't think it's a great idea to surprise someone who is 90 years old but Jeannie handled it all just fine. She shed a few tears but quickly joined us for a fun afternoon with family we just don't get to see enough of. She even had 2 margaritas!

These are all the cousin's kids. and one grand kid that snuck in the photo.

Mike's sister, Debbie & her husband Bron.

Matthew & Brent. These two are trouble!

Paula helping her mama in for the big surprise. She cried when she realized it was a party for her.

Mason, giving his Nana (great grandma) a birthday kiss.

The Neels

Jeannie, the only living sibling with her daughter, Paula and her nieces & nephews

Me & my boy, Matthew

Debbie reading Jeannie her cards. She was just over whelmed!

Me & my man!

Jeannie & Paul. They are so sweet!

Auntie Jean, Norman (Mike's cousin) & Debbie

This cake was terrific! One layer for each decade and 90 candles. She managed to blow them all out (really)!

Wearing the Tomatillo's sombrero while we sang happy birthday.

Getting a hand back to her seat after all that work blowing out the candles.