Unity Challenge

"Let it Snow"

November's Unity Challenge is "Let it Snow". Oh my, how I love snow!!!!

Now that Thanksgiving is over I am looking forward to colder weather, (for more than one reason...you know my thermostat is all out of whack). With the cold weather comes snow and more snow and then some more snow!!!! When it snows, it is like little sparkling diamonds falling from the sky. There is nothing better than sitting in front of a warm fire on a cold winters night watching snow trickling out of the sky.

The card I designed best describes my love of snow!!

Join in the fun. Click on the link below:

http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/

Enjoy.......

Love, Hugs & Kisses,

ML Brown

A Day of Thanks and Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I want to take a moment this morning and ponder on what I am grateful for. Pondering, pondering, pondering ..... !!!! Really, that is a funny kind of word. In my mind that is pondering I can take that word "ponder" to a whole new level. OK, back to what I am grateful for and it really isn't the word pondering, teeheehee.

I am extremely, thankful/grateful for my grandchildren. I have been blessed with 4 of the most beautiful, healthy, happy, ornery, funny and crazy little grandchildren EVER!!! They are "one" of my lifelines. Nothing puts a smile on my face quicker than seeing, being, thinking of those little ones.

Wade Alyn Pine
He is the youngest of my little troop. He is a crazy little snake!
He makes my heart melt every time I am near him!

Paige  & Regan Strawser
They are second and third in line of the troop.
Paige is the most snugly, sweet & funny little love bug ever.
Regan is the beauty queen. Her laugh is like a twinkling star and makes my heart explode! 

Ryan Otterbacher
Ryan has been with me the longest. What a creative little sole.
He has a heart of gold and when I am with him I get some major snuggle time.
He is with his best friend "Schotz" in this picture.
He is the owner of the bestest love handles ever. He makes my heart glitter!!!

What more can I say but, Thank you God for blessing me with those little creatures!!

I am grateful/thankful for the "man in the uniform". He has brought so much happiness, adventure and at times chaos into my life. There is never a dull moment. For that I love him more than you can imagine!!

J. Phillip Brown
"The Man in the Uniform"
Always did like a man with a big gun!!!
Teeheehee

I cannot leave out all my children. My children keep the excitement in my life. They are all healthy and happy. Without them I would not have my wonderful grandchildren. For that I am thankful!!

I cannot leave out my Mafia. Words cannot describe what this group means to me. They know!!

I am also thankful for having a job that I dearly love Rose, Kay & Jim too, my "ENTIRE" family and my stamping buddies. The list goes on and on and on.

Thank you God .... I truly am blessed and for that I am most thankful!!!

Everyone enjoy your day and be grateful!!!

Loves, Hugs & Kisses

ML Brown  

Autumn Harvest Continued

Here in central Ohio autumn harvest is in full swing. Unfortunately, autumn harvest will go well into December and in some cases January. Because of all the rain that this region got at the end of summer, harvest did not start until late. My heart goes out to all the farmers who are working around the clock harvesting for the foods for our basic needs of survival. For them I am grateful!!!

To Unity Stamp Company for continuing to inspire me, I am grateful

Loves, Hugs & Kisses,

ML Brown

Autumn Harvest

This months Unity Challenge is "Autumn Harvest".

Again, fall is one of my four favorite seasons of the year. FYI, the other three are winter, spring and then summer, just sayin'. Fall brings in crisp air, smells of apples, cinnamon and burning wood . The leaves on the trees turn beautiful vibrant colors. It is the time of year that lets me slow down, look around and take stock in what I am grateful for.

It just totally makes me feel all pumpkiny and warm all over!!!

The following is my "Autumn Harvest" card. Enjoy and please join in the fun by clicking the link below.

http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/

Love, Hugs & Kisses,

ML Brown

Second submission For Unity's Challenge "Falling Leaves"

Falling Leaves

The following is my second card that I have submitted to this months challenge. As I said before, I love fall. I love the smells, colors, food, the crisp air......everything about it!!!

Loves, Hugs & Kisses,

ML Brown

Unity Stamp Company's September Challenge

"Falling Leaves"

Fall is one of my four favorite seasons of the year. Unity Stamp Company has again chosen an awesome subject matter for which to create.

To join in the fun click on the following link:

http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/

As always, enjoy.

Loves, Hugs & Kisses,

MLBrown



Back to School

Unity Stamp Company's Challenge for August is "Back to School". The following
card is my submission for this challenge.

Oh how exciting it was to anticipate the first day of school...though the excitement did not last long. The anticipation of meeting up with friends that I had not seen all summer. Getting new school supplies and new clothes to start the year off. The smell of fall in the air. Football games and cheer leading. Yes, I was a rah, rah and loved it. It held some kind of power, or so I thought. Teeheehee. You know....way back in the day...I would walk five miles to school in two feet of snow and work and study and get straight "As". I helped slop the hogs and feed the cattle. Then I cleaned the house and cooked dinner. After all that I went to bed to get up and start all over again. Teeeheeehee...only a memory of a story my dad would tell. Seriously, I rode the bus to school then when I was of "age" I rode in a car with my best friend Danette who took at least "5" tries before she passed her drivers test and I still thought it was cool to get in the car with her. P.S. I love you Danette.....oh the memories. Danette & I did cheer in the snow though. We would be freezing out there!!! We never, never, never had a drink that would burn all the way down our throats into our bellies either. That is a true story.

I could go on for hours about school memories. We will save it get them for another post. I have to get off here and get ready for my latest grandson's first birthday party. My little pirate. I will also post about that.

Loves, Hugs & Kisses

ML Brown

  

Circles

This months Unity Challenge is "Circles". Oh what fun circles are!!! I am going to post my card I made for this challenge then I am going to blog about circles and what they mean to me. Hang in here with me.

"Circles"

Now what do circles mean to you? Need I ask. The first thing that comes to mind is they represent eternity. There is no beginning and no end. They just keep going around and around and around they go. FYI: I was going to try and be serious about that one but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. They represent happiness. Kind of like a big ol' smiley face!!! ☺Balloons are like happiness and they are shaped like big round circles. You want to know one thing that really, really, really makes me happy? Well I'm telling you whether you want to hear it or not.....my "Troll Beads" make me happy and guess what? They are circles!!!! OMG!! There are so many things that are circles and so many things that make me happy. One of those things that is a circle and is last but not least is my wedding set. HaHaHa. Yes....given to me by "the man in the uniform"!!! That circle represents our love, a love that is wrapped around that ring....our little circle of love!!!! OK....now I might make myself tear up here. I love you "man in the uniform!!!

One more thing....if you want to join in this "Circle" challenge click on this link:
http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/

Loves, hugs and kisses.

ML Brown

Sum, Sum, Summer Time

It is that time of the month for Unity's new challenge. This months challenge is "Sun and Fun". Join in the fun!! Click on the following link and come play with us!!!!

http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/

2011-2012 Stampin' Up
Idea Book & Catalog

Click on the following link which will direct you to my Stampin' Up website to view all the new and awesome products!!!

Independent Stampin'Up Demonstrator

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/marybrown/

Happy Easter!!!!

Hippity Hoppity Easter's On It's Way

I want to share with you these awesome little Easter Baskets I made.

A great big thank you to Becky Roberts for sharing this project
on her blog. She is an awesome talent. The following is a link
to her blog:    http://inkingidaho.blogspot.com/

I would like to wish everyone a very happy, glorious Easter!!!

Loves, hugs & kisses,

ML Brown

"Tweet Tweet" ~ Unity Stamp Co. Challenge

All About The Birds....

This months challenge is all about the birds. The following is my submission for this months challenge. Please join in the fun. BTW...I won last month and picked out an awesome stamp set!!! I love Unity!!

 http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/

Loves, hugs & kisses,

ML Brown

My Friday.....

TGIF....Friday fun days:



I cannot resist posting about two events that took place this Friday. Hey, BTW, has anyone missed me? I will admit I have been derelict in my duties. Anyways, first thing Friday morning I get a text from rugrat number "4". Wait a minute. I need to give you a little background info on her. She is on a "diet" and is doing very good with it. I am proud of her. She is a walking anomaly. Her dog "Schotzie" is not real happy with her right now because she makes her walk with her. So back to the text...At 7:30 a.m. my cell phone goes bzzz bzzzz. I pick it up to see who is texting me this early in the morning and it is number "4" and she says, "Thanks ever so much Mom. Your grandson just came in the bathroom, squeezed my side and said, "I just squeezing your love handles". Just when I thought I could tell I was sheddin a few pounds". I, at this moment lost it. See, my oldest grand-rugrat has the most awesome, lovable, squeezable love handles in the world that I claim ownership of and he knows it and is proud of it. For those of you who don't know where love handles are located they are the part of your body that is towards the backside above your hips and are really, really squishy!!! Kind of like, or part of a muffin top. Just sayin!!!!

The one with the most AWESOME love handles
EVER!!!!!!

So after I get myself under control from my outburst of uncontrolled laughter I finish getting ready for work at the "Law Office". I am now at work and working with the "main man" and my cell phone starts ringing, dingle dingle ding. I look at it and say s$%t, only because I cannot answer it and I see it is my middle rugrat. You see my middle rugrat usually doesn't call me at work unless it is an emergency. But you have to understand what the meaning of an "emergency" is in her mind. It is usually not the type of "emergency" that means someone is injured or there was an accident or someone is sick....blahblahblah...her emergencies are like the one I blogged about this winter when we were in the greatest snow and ice storm of the century and she made the one that she loves go out and knock the ice off of the satellite dish. Are you following me. But back to the call. I am a bit concerned that she did call. I was not able to get back with her until early afternoon. Our conversation goes something like this:

Me: Hey you called earlier. Is everything OK?

Middle Rugrat: Well it is right now but I neeeeeeeded youuuuuu.

Me: What happened?

Middle Rugrat: There was a lady pounding on my front door.

Me: Well, what did she want? (Now remember my middle rugrat lives way out in the country on a long desolate country road and she doesn't get too many callers).

Middle Rugrat: She was crying and she told me she just ran over one of our chickens. WahWah Wah!!!

Me: OK. HeeeHeeeHeee. And.....HeeeHeeeHeeee!!!!!!!!!!

Middle Rugrat: Mooooooooooom  its not funny. We didn't think she killed it and the man that she loves could not come home at that time and kill it and I neeeeeeeded you to come up here and shoot it!!!!!!!!

Me: HeeeHeeeHeeeHeeeeHeee!!! So what happened to the chicken? HeeeeeHeeeeHeeee!!!

Middle Rugrat: It ended up being dead. And mom, did you know that she defeathered it and skinned it when she ran over it and it looked just like a chicken you would buy in the store.

Me: HeeeeHeeeeHeeee ....

I have completely lost my composure!!!!!

Me: Hey middle one....I would have put the chicken out of her misery the good ol' fashioned way. I would have taken an ax to her poor little neck!!!!!

I do believe that the "main man" at the "Law Office" didn't get too much more work out of me the rest of the day. The innocence of my children.

And this is the grand-rugrat that in a few more
months will be walking and will have to take
care of his momma!!!! (HeeHeeHee)

Just another day in the life and times of "ME"!!!

Loves, hugs & kisses,

ML Brown

Fashion Forward...Spring into fashion with Unity Company Challenge

The following card is for the Unity Company Challenge. "Fashion Forward" is the theme. I designed this card with only fashion in mind. Enjoy!!!!



Spring into Fashion

 This card does make me smile and think of spring fashion and flowers that are yet to bloom!!! I love the smell of spring.

Click on THE UNITY STAMP COMPANY'S link below to join in the fun!!!!

http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/

Spring has Sprung!!!!

And what a beautiful day it is!!!

As I sit here on my front porch and ponder about the seasons, spring, at this time, is my most favorite time of the year. Now mind you, if it was summer, it would be summer, if it was fall, it would be fall and if it was winter it would be winter. Each for their own all empowering charm. But right now it is spring so I am going to tell you why spring time is my most favorite time of the year. It is a  time of cleansing, renewal, freshness and rebirth. BTW, which by now I'm sure you know means, "by the way", three of my children were spring babies!!!! That in itself should be reason enough that spring is my most favorite time of the year. I really don't want to discuss them here today. We will save them for their very own special little spot on a date in the future.

Spring is the season that literally takes my breath away with its loveliness.The air is fresh from the spring rains that have been falling by bucket loads. It can stop raining for this season anytime now. Come on mother nature help me out here, please!!!! But with those rains, and the sun peaking through the clouds on occasion, comes the re-birth of these beautiful little creatures. Better know as crocusses.

Are they not beautiful? I'm sure there will be another snow drift upon their delicate little heads before they disappear until next year. Ha, I'm a poet and didn't know it!!! Spring is a time of renewal and a time I like to cleanse my soul. Get rid of the old and bring in the new!!! I like to clear the cobwebs out of my little brain and bring in an all consuming positive attitude which I really try to carry with me throughout the year. The operative word here is "try". After the crocuses have bloomed I watch for the daffodils to burst wide open. Hey, did you know the genus/horticultural name for daffodils is Narcissus, which leads to the term narcissistic, which means excessive self love!! Yay, for being in love with yourself, but, keep it healthy.

Following is a picture of a Narcissus ready to burst into full bloom:

See their little heads...they are just about ready to burst wide open!!!!

With all that is going on in the world today from war, terrorism and disasters I thank God and the men and women who serve our country everyday that I am given the freedom to enjoy this time of the year without a worry in the world.

Love, hugs and kisses,

ML Brown

Times I LOVE!!!!

So, this afternoon I get  a phone call from my middle rugrat & she says "Hey, we are headed your way"! I say, "GREAT, come on over!!" As I am talking to the middle rugrat I get a text from my oldest rugrat and he says, "Hey, we are running up to the farm to put pj's on the girls and we are headed your way!". At this very moment my heart begins to swell and I get palpitations because I am so elated that I get to see at least three of my four grand-rugrats!!!

The first to arrive is the middle one and the man that she loves with the latest of my grand-rugrats. I am, at this moment, in heaven!!

Does this picture not make your heart swell to a point of almost bursting. He is, at this point, the most innocent of all. Anything he does is OK because he does not know any better. He will learn one day. 

Then my door bursts open and the next of my grand-rugrats come running in with the most precious of smiles and the warmest of hugs that now put me into coronary bliss. Each one of these most wonderful, beautiful, without a doubt, most awesome, perfect grand-rugrats ever (and this totally includes the oldest of my grand-rugrats, though he is not present at this time), are the loves of my life!!! 

The fun now begins. Grandma, I need something to drink. Grandma, I need my markers and paper so I can make you the most beautiful picture ever. Grandma, I neeeeeed a snack. Grandma will you get me something in my sippy cup? Grandma, will you build me a tent. Grandma, I want to watch "Mary Poppins". Grandma, I am reeeeeaaaaly hungry. Grandma, you didn't pause "Mary Poppins" so I can eat my dinner. Grandma, I don't want to watch "Mary Poppins" anymore. Will you put in "Snow White"? Grandma, I want to watch "Shreck 2" on the other TV because I don't want to watch "Snow White".  Guess what? I hit all the Grandmas and did everything that was expected of me and then some. I love each and everyone of this little grand-rugrats with all my heart!!!

So, as you can see, we have just a few things going on here. The following is the one that is watching "Snow White":

She is special in a way that is not necessarily good. See those sweet little feet and chubby toes. They are just like her grandmas. The following is a side-by-side comparison.

Just take a look at these toes. Absolutely awesome!!

This next picture is the one watching "Shreck 2". She at this point is in heaven because she thinks it is, absolutely hilarious, that Shreck is expelling gaseous fumes from places I will refrain from discussing at this moment. God love her!!!

Just look at the innocence of her!!!

I have had an absolute enjoyable evening. I love each and every one of this little ones.

There is no love greater than the love I feel for these guys and the one who was not with us tonight!!!

Loves, hugs & kisses,

ML Brown

Suzi Blu & Unity ~ ...and then there was a Boy

I was so excited to get home from a weekend away with "the man in the uniform" and play with some stamps that I have not gotten a chance to play with. I went directly to a "Suzi Blu" stamp that I purchased through "Unity Stamp Co.".

I designed this card with the stamp called ....and then there was a Boy. I love this little guy. So many possibilities. He is a fun loving little guy.

Is this not precious or what? Love him!!!



Time to meet my snuggly, warm pillow and snuggle up with my luscious canine, who absoulutly missed us this weekend, who I am sure at this point is snuggling up on "MY" bed right now and in "MY" spot and smiling like no other. She is in bliss. I missed her this weekend and love her. Muuuaaawwwww!!!

Just look at her. Like she thinks she is important or something. Being all humble and that. What's up with that? I love her!!! BTW, the little guy in the background hiding his little face is one of my grand-rugrats. Love him too!!!

Loves, hugs & kisses,

ML Brown

A picture - Day 30 of the 30 day challenge

A picture

This last day of the 30 day challenge I am to post a picture. As we all know, I have made up my own rules to this blogging thingy. I am going to post a collage of pictures. These pictures have occurred at different times from the last few days. The man in the uniform and I took a long weekend trip to our friends home. These weekends away, we have come to treasure. They are fun loving, relaxing and at times down right hilarious.



Take a look at this turn table. Most kids do not even know what this is!!!
You should hear the crackle of the music drifting off this piece of electronic genius!!



Other than spending an AWESOME, relaxing weekend with the best friends ever, what is better than listening to some good ol' vinyl albums? How about some Eagles, Joe Walsh, Guess Who, some Stones, Fleet Wood Mac and the list goes on and on and on.

 My love muffin, "the man in the uniform". Just a chillen' in front of a wood burning fire!!! Absolute bliss.

While the music is drifting into the evening aura...the pool balls are banging together as "the man in the uniform" and I get our hiney's whooped in one of many games played throughout the evening. That's OK though, as the old saying goes, "pay backs are hell to pay". And believe me they are scareded!!!

See this white little furry creature? He is the happiest, yappiest, tiniest, little, itty bitty, brute of a canine that I have ever seen. He thinks he is a 180 pound mastiff and he is scary!!!

I love these people here, period. Here is what our friendship is and my thoughts on it:

Loving without conditions, trusting without hesitation, Friendship.
Forever loyal, kindred Spirits, sharing intimate moments, laughter and tears, Friendship.
More precious than gold, as luminous as the moon, everlasting, beyond description, Friendship.
A gift from God, giving and receiving, compassion and love, Friendship.
Heart to heart, soul connection, Friendship.

Good night all, until we meet again.

Loves, hugs & kisses,

ML Brown

Day 29 of the 30 day challenge

Three wishes

The first of my three wishes are health, happiness and prosperity for my children and grandchildren. I love each and every one of them.

My second wish is wealth for myself. Just sayin'. I don't mean like an Oprah type of wealth. I think a mere one-half of her wealth would do. That really isn't asking for too much, I don't believe. With that wealth the peace and happiness I feel in my life has to remain with me. Well, the wish people can throw in a little more of that too. That is, if I'm not asking for too much!!!

My third wish is world peace. Seriously, it is so easy to smile and be nice!!!! It is ok to have different opinions, beliefs, thoughts and Gods. It is ok to disagree. But in the end wouldn't it be nice if we all just agreed to disagree and/or be different. What a peaceful place this world would be!!!!

Loves, hugs & kisses,

ML Brown

Day 28 of the 30 day challenge

Something that stresses me out

There probably is a lot of things that could stress me out. I have learned in my 'old' age that it is all in the way that I deal with the stress that helps me through it. It is a choice. You can choose to be peaceful at any given time. The choice is yours. You can choose stress or you can choose peace. I work very hard to choose peace and envelope myself in a silken wrap of whiteness. My greatest weapon against stress is my ability to choose one thought over another. Do I have to work on this? ABSOLUTELY. But I do know it does work. Again, the choice is yours. And I choose peace over stress. Do you want to join me?

Loves, hugs & kisses,

ML Brown

  

Day 27 of the 30 day challenge

My pet


Abby

Today I get to share with you my luscious human canine. She is a black lab. Her name is Abby. She is actually a human in disguise or so she thinks. If you are ever lonely, have no fear, Abby will converse with you for hours. All you have to do is talk to her and she talks back. Speaking of talking back, she is a smarty britches too. If you raise your voice at her or tell her no she actually talks back. It is not a bark either. She talks back. I don't know who she thinks she is. She is a freak too. She is the most excitable canine ever!!! She gets so excited around my youngest rugrat that all he has to do is look at her and she wiggles her hind end and piddles everywhere. What's up with that? Now, when she gets around the middle rugrat she freaks because my middle one freaks. They are two dancing freaks!!!! Now my oldest rugrat just ignores her and she ignores him. He's allergic, you know.

Abby's best friend in the whole big world is in dispute. I say it is me. The man in the uniform 'thinks' it's him. We all know, deep down in those milk chocolate doggy eyes that she loves me the most.



She, along with me, is the biggest Brown's fan ever. She, loyally, every Sunday when a game is on,  obediently sits by my side and watches the game, until I start screaming, yelling and acting hysterical, which we all know doesn't happen too often since the Brown's are such a dominate team, at which time she reverts to the bedroom. Speaking of the bedroom. This 75 pound hunk of love actually believes that our bed is her bed. She spreads herself out like she owns it. If you think I can get in bed at night and stretch out in my own soft, dreamy puff of blankeys, think again. It is a tug-of-war like no other. What is sad, Abby usually wins. So I just lay there and try to relax by rubbing her oh so soft, silky, luscious ears and my lights are out. 

 Just look at her all snuggled in. She even has her own fan blowing directly on her for the best of comforts.

 



Now take a look at this. The man in the uniform and blacky here are dancing. That is why he thinks she loves him the most. How special is that. I love them both!!!

As you can see, blacky absolutely loves, loves, loves the snow!!! She is so precious!!!

And as you can see here, she loves to stop and smell the roses. Whoops, I mean the pansies. Love her!!!

Loves, hugs & kisses,

ML Brown

Day 26 of the 30 day challenge

A picture of my family

“FAMILY” is the most eternal part of every human’s life. It is a social unit who my or may not be living together, which comprises of parents and children, sharing common traits and features. It is an association of people who share common beliefs or activities, usually. A family is a group of very different people that have been meshed together from birth, marriage and/or friendship. Family is about love, dispute, anger and respect. In every dispute between a family member, both cannot be right, but they may be, and usually are, both wrong. It is in this situation which gives family life its peculiar hysterical charm.

My "FAMILY" is my life. My "FAMILY" is: 



Loves, hugs & kisses,

ML Brown