Quick Post

Hi my friends! Just a quick post. I've got lots to get done today. This lovely card came from a generous demo. Again no name to share, but it is oh so cute. Like I've said before if you sent this too me in a package of goodies, please let me know so I can give you credit.

Oh and a special shout out of thanks to another demo Meg Ashworth who sent me a package of business supplies. They are so greatly appreciated. This fire disaster is very trying and overwhelming at times, but the things that people have done for us is so very much appreciated and is helping.

Have a blessed weekend,

Renee

One Proud Mom

Last night was Senior Awards Night at Laker High School so you know I have to share something about that. Thanks for letting me have my proud moment here. I promise I'll get to some stamping too.

Brooke received a $4800 career scholarship to Baker College where she will be attending and majoring in graphic arts. She also received a $500 scholarship from the American Red Cross for her work in the blood drives held twice a year at Lakers. We are so proud of her and the fine young woman she's become. Yeah high school is over for the Ondrajka family! Now we'll have 2 in college. I just don't seem old enough for that, but that's ok, Frank is. *grin*

Who can tell me what is wrong with this picture? This is what the cleaning company brought me back yesterday with some of our "rush" stuff. Now what in the world am I suppose to do with this? They said the actual cutter is down at another location and they are still trying to clean it and make it look like new. They have cleaned these, but are not able to do anymore because of the rubber part on the handle. Well let me tell you the rubber on this handle still smells like smoke so I really don't care if they can get the other part cleaned. Every time I'd use it, then my hand would smell like smoke because heat (yes even from your body) will intensify the smoke smell. These people just don't get it. Ok, that's all for my little rant. There's lots more, but I want you to still stick around. LOL

This lovely card was sent to me by Nancy Horn along with some other stamping goodies. Thanks so much Nancy. It was so very kind of you and I so very much appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Have a great weekend!

Hugs and Blessings,

Renee

WOW! What a DEAL!!!!

Summer Fun Promo

Dates: June 1-30, 2009
Promotion Details:
The Summer Fun Hostess Bonus Promotion has two parts:



1) Hostesses who hold a $250-$399.99 workshop will receive an additional $20 in hostess free merchandise dollars.



2) Hostesses who hold a $400 or more workshop will receive an additional $40 in hostess free merchandise dollars.

Things to Remember:
Customer, Online, and workshop order types qualify for this promotion.
Hostesses may use their additional hostess free merchandise on any regular catalog or mini catalog merchandise.

Call me soon! I still have lots of good dates for June and remember that the last chance stamp set list will be out on June 1. It would be a great time to host a party, with great sales and extra benefits. What are you waiting for? Call now! (989) 453-3267. I look forward to hearing from you.






Now for a couple of cards. This first card was sent to me by Michelle Langefeld of Clarkston, MI. Isn't it just the cutest? I don't know if you can tell, but there is a lot of detail and dimension to this card. The one honey pot is raised up on dimensionals. Michelle also sent me a generous amount of cardstock to boot. Thanks so much Michelle from the bottom of my heart. Words of thanks just don't seem like enough.



I also received this adorable card from someone. There is no name on the back and I'm afraid it's been hard for me to keep up with who gave me what without the name on the back. Please forgive me and if you sent me this card please, please contact me because I want to give you full credit and thanks for it.


I don't have either one of these stamp sets that these cards were made with so it's great to actually have cards like these.

Thanks so much to all of you for your continued prayer and support.

Blessings,
Renee

Sharing

Good Monday morning stampers. Well we had quite the weekend. Not a lot of relaxing, but that's ok. My very dear great Uncle Jim passed away on Thursday afternoon. Uncle Jim is my grandma's youngest brother and the last one from that generation. It was sad and he will be very much missed, but he was so ready to go and after attending his funeral that he had picked out the songs and in fact even the last song that was played had been recorded and sung by him, it was very evident he was ready and knew where he was going. He and my grandma had been very close so the thought of them being reunited gave me happy thoughts. This pic here is of Uncle Jim and my mom.

On to happier thoughts. I took a few pictures of some of the cards I've been sent by demos all over the country. This is the first one I'll share and then hopefully I can get more posted each day this week. At least that's my goal.

I'm not sure who this was made by. If it was you, please let me know I would love to give credit. I've received so many nice samples and it's been hard to keep some of these things straight what with limited living space we have right now. This card has the statement of the heart statement from SU and it truly is what so many demos have shown me during this difficult time in our lives. Each and everyone of these cards are truly little treasures to me. Thanks so much to everyone who has sent them to me. Thanks just does not seem enough. I know some of you have posted here and asked what you could send me and really I'm set right now for supplies, but if you feel you want to send something then a card is really what I can use. You just don't how much these help when I receive them in the mail. If you so choose you can send to:

Renee Ondrajka

c/o Michael Romain

9865 Weale Rd.

Bay Port, MI 48720

I am in no means asking for such, but I have had emails and posts here asking and this is just easiest for me to post this way right now.

I truly appreciate everyone of you and thank you for your support and continued prayers.

Hugs and Blessings,

Renee

Exciting News!

Stampin'Up! has just announced that they have a NEW YouTube video site. A great way to get cool tips and stamping ideas. Go visit it now and you can learn all about how SU started. You will love listening to Shelli. I know I do and yes she is as sweet as she seems. She truly has a golden heart.

Oh yeah, here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/stampinupvideo

I'm off to a regular doctor check up visit and then maybe I'll have time to upload some more of the awesome cards I've received from some very talented demos.

Have a great day!
Renee

A Few Updates

I know it's been awhile since I've posted, please forgive me. Here's a little update on our fire situation. It will be a month tomorrow since the fire. Our house is completely packed out of it's contents and most of that is in a facility in Fenton, MI where it is being cleaned and stored until we are ready to move back in. All our appliances/electronics are at another location being checked, cleaned and stored. Not sure what is ok and what isn't at this point. They did put a rush on my computer and I finally have that back so I am currently typing on my desktop computer, which means I have my photo editing software that I am use to. That's a good thing. I can receive mail on this computer, but I cannot send mail. Mom and I have different providers, yada, yada. It's just annoying me so I won't go into that. As if you really wanted me to. LOL

They are starting on the destruction part of the restoration process on our house a week from today. Of course that is not soon enough for me, but it is what it is. I know God knows what is best and He is my source of strength. It will all be in the right time I know, but that human part of me wants it now. *wink*

Today is Brooke's last day of high school. Sniff, sniff. It's a happy, but sad day for me and I'm sure for her as well. She's staying with my sis and my sis told me this morning she took a picture for me. She knows how I am about those kinds of things. Thanks Chele. I am so thankful that my girls are able to stay with her during this time. She's so good to them. I know they are actually both able to take care of themselves, but well........you know how us moms are and I know she loves having them. Frank and I continue to stay at my parents.

Thought I'd share a few of Brooke's senior pictures and I say a few because she had lots taken. A friend of ours has taken both of the girls pictures and charges us very little and he likes to go a little overboard. Thanks Jimmy!

This one really is Brooke. I call this one her Brooker T smile. Love her dimples.


I really like this one because it's so different.

I know she's such a beautiful girl and yes I probably am a little bias, but thanks for letting a very proud mom share.

Last, but not least I have this card to share today. This is a card made by the awesomely talented Patty Bennett. Don't know if I shared with you before how I met Patty, but we met on the Western Caribbean cruise I earned through SU a few years ago. I didn't know anyone on the cruise and Patty chatted with me and made me feel so at ease. She is just the sweetest person and she has been so supportive to me over the years. This is just one of the many cards I've received from demos all over the country in support of us during this difficult time. I will try and be better in posting more of them now that I have my computer back. Isn't this card just the prettiest? It's even prettier in person. Thank you so much Patty.

Well I guess that's it for today. Thank you to all my faithful blog readers. I truly appreciate you.

Hugs!

Renee

TGIF

Hi my friends. Another week down. The pack out continues, but hopefully it will be done by Tuesday. A big part has been taken to be cleaned and then stored. Lots of emotional ups and downs, but we are doing ok and have wonderful support of family and friends.

I actually have some fun stuff to share tonight. These are the last 2 make and takes I did at my last party. I haven't stamped in two weeks. Yikes! Can't wait until I get some time to do so.

This is a 6 x 6 scrapbook page and I used the set Friends 24/7. I got the great idea on how to only use one layer, but get a two layer look with the Top Note Die from my friend Patty Bennett.

This is another 6 x 6 page and I used the set Cheep Talk. Those birds look like little love birds and yes those two in the picture are love birds some of you may know. They are much younger than the people I know today. *wink*

This is a gift package I received from Mary over at Primitive Seasons. Mary is one talented lady. Her cards are just gorgeous. Thanks Mary!

This lovely gift is from Lyssa (GTWJunkie) over on SCS. It was so sweet of her to send me this set and adorable card. I wanted this set from the Occasions Mini catalog, but just couldn't justify getting. Now I have it and it has special meaning to boot now. Thanks Lyssa!

Sorry about the pics not being sized the best. Using my mom's laptop and a different program I'm not use to. Hope you enjoyed my post anyway. Until next time............................

Hugs!

Renee

Another day closer

We are another day closer to having the house packed out. The cleaning/restoration crew is hoping to have it packed out by Friday. I'm helping in this just to help it go faster and of course to be sure my "precious" things are handled correctly. Yes, I know I have a few control issues and in this case it may be worse.

I am so thankful for all your posts, emails, offers of help. If I haven't mentioned you personally please know that in my heart I have thanked you all a million times for all your support during this difficult time.

Here is a package and card I received from Evalou over on SCS. Thanks so much Louise. Your kindness mean so much to me.

I will continue to post to show all the awesome gifts I've received so if you've sent me something and I haven't responded please know that I will in time. Things are just so hectic right now until the complete pack out is done and until construction can begin. There is just so much to do.

Hugs,

Renee

More Goodies to Share

These awesome gifts and card came from fellow demo Judy McCombs. The pack of paper she sent was one I owed to a customer which had been in my room. Judy sent it not even knowing I needed it. God certainly works in mysterious ways doesn't He? Judy even sent me my a pack of my favorite paper Bella Rose. Thanks so much Judy. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.

I've got more to show so please stay tuned.

Hugs!

Renee

Can you believe it's been a week?

I'm sorry I haven't updated here since last week, but I'm sure you all understand. Clean up is still going on at our house. The clean up crew is planning on being done by Friday. I only pray we are. Meaning they do a lot of it, but I really need to be there to oversee a lot of it so that we have the things we want to save and the things that are ok to pitch are gotten rid of. It is just too overwhelming to think about for too long. One day at a time and sometimes just hour by hour and sometimes just minute by minute. It's all we can do, but God is giving us the strength we need.

This is the desk top of my work area in my office/stamp room. Those marks will not rub off. It's like the soot is permanently on there.

This is our pool ladder and pool solar cover melted into one artistic piece if you will. Really shows how hot it got in the basement where the fire started.

This is our main floor bathroom. You can see how bad the smoke damage is throughout the house and yes the bathroom was clean before this. *grin*

This is actually where the fire started. The fire Marshall determined it an accident (duh!) He thinks maybe an ember was on Frank's boot or coveralls after he cleaned out our outdoor wood stove that night right before we went to bed. I'm not so sure about that, but we really have no other idea of what could have started it. We were told by one of the firemen that another 10 minutes we wouldn't have gotten out. We are so thankful that we did.

So as to not end this post on a bad note, I just have to share the wonderful reaching out I have received from so many of my fellow demos. Packages of little goodies to help me carry on my SU business and to give me encouragement have been arriving almost every day. I just cannot believe the awesome generous offers of help and supplies. I am so grateful for each and every person who has contacted me in some way.

This is a card that I received from fellow demo Ashley Van Camp and below is the awesome supplies she sent me. I just can't believe how total strangers are so willing to give. SU demos are definitely an extraordinary group of women. Thank you Ashley from the bottom of my heart.

I will be sharing more of these great gifts in the coming days so be sure to stay tuned.

Thank you my stamping friends for all your thoughts, prayers, phone calls, gifts. I truly appreciate it and hope that I will be able to pay this forward some day.

I'm a little exhausted so until next time................................

Big Hugs and Blessings

Renee