We loved him so... 11/30/2003 - 4/29/2009

Our sweet beloved Bear Bear passed away April 29th at 6pm. We discovered just a couple days before that he had a tumor/mass at the back of his throat causing him much difficulty breathing. Despite our efforts, prayers, and vet efforts, he passed away at age 5. He was at home with Jason and I by his side. We loved him with all our hearts, and he loved us more. We will miss him terribly. Our house is so much quieter without his presence. He was so big, we always knew when he was around. He protected us and our home and was a brother to our 7 year old boxer and our 5 year old little boy. Bear loved to have his picture taken and he loved his ball ball. He loved to venture out in the desert, and he loved the dry climate of El Paso. I am happy I got to take the pictures (seen below) of Bear on his favorite perch and I am grateful and blessed to have had him in my life for 5 years. His life was way too short, but he had a great life. We loved him SO much, with all our hearts, and he loved us even more.

Our ever fierce guard dog

Just like his dad before him, Bear Bear's favorite perch is atop the stairs. He looks so fierce I would hate to be the stranger who walked in on this big boy.

Today's sketch challenge SC223

Here is my submission for the sketch challenge over on http://splitcoaststampers.com/ Once again, it took me forever to execute what may seem to some to be a simple task. I kept messing up the sentiment at the bottom. Seriously it must have been 5 or 6 tries befor I finally adhered the sentiment to the card.

I got the idea of the woven square from a sketch challeng over on http://papercraftplanet.com/ sk040409. It is a pretty simple way to add that something extra to the card. I used baja breeze dsp and the riding hood red floral print paper from candy lane dsp. The strips are 1/2 inch long and I just folded over the excess and adhered them to the back.

I stamped the coffee pot on the back side of riding hood red texturd paper and paper pieced it onto the white stamped image to give it just a touch of texture and depth. The black is from stampin up's new taste of textiles collection, black linen texture to be exact... The white brads are 5/16".

Mojo Monday 81

WOW! For the first time I am posting a card! I have just gotten into these new challenges ... This card literally took me hours to complete. I knew which paper I wanted to use, but then I had to decide on which section of the page I wanted, then I messed up the measurments .. finally I finished !

All items stampin up unless otherwise noted:

Urban oasis dsp, fifth avenue floral stamp set, kiwi kiss basic black, baja breeze cardstock, baja breeze ribbon, love rub on from love and happiness rub ons, watercoloring with kiwi kiss and baja breeze inks, button bouquet and corduroy brads in kiwi kiss.

Thanks for checking out this card!

Across the street

Across the street from our house there is a real piece of desert with all the strange cactus, odd palm trees and jackrabbits you could ask for. We like to take the dogs over there to run free off their leashs and have fun. This is a picture of when Jason and Connor took the boys over there a couple days ago. You may be asking why am I posting this on my neglected blog... I am practicing adding pictures to my postings.. When my blog grows up, it longs to be a blog like my best friend's Cassies.. updated most every day, interesting picts and information. For today, I am still, yes still, getting the hang of things. I do plan on posting daily once my husband leaves in a few weeks, (operative word is "plan") then maybe he can check it out once and awhile too. As if he is interested in the cards I may post! Ha Ha