The Ralph

Yesterday, was my first adventure to the Ralph Engelstad Arena. Oh, my! This place looks like a palace. I was not sure what to expect as we drove to Grand Forks in chilly 13 below zero weather. Thirteen below zero I shouted to myself inside my head. Just about the time my fingers finally defrosted we had completed our two-and-half hour drive from Park Rapids to Grand Forks. This warm hearted girl turned more into a popsicle than a sports fan from walking across the parking lot towards the arena. Then that's when it happened, I saw what looked like a palace. A brick palace at that, with white domes and a sign out front that read: Ralph Engelstad Arena. The 400,000 square-foot complex is home to the University of North Dakota men and women's hockey programs. Probably just like everyone else who has walked in here, I was very impressed with the facility. I have no doubt that it is the finest hockey venue in the country. Immediately as I opened the door I noticed that I was walking on a glowing brown granite floor. I also took note of the several Fighting Sioux logo's engraved on the floor.

The fans were buzzing with excitement as they began to fill the 11,640 seat arena. As I watched the fans begin to file in, they were all wearing the team color of green. When I say they all are, I am not lying. In fact, I think I was the only one not wearing green or Fighting Sioux paraphernalia of some kind. It was just amazing!

When I walked around the concourse I quickly smelled kettle corn, churros, pizza and other goodies that filled my nose. As I kept walking I looked to one side of the wall to see plaques, jerseys and pictures commemorating UND history.

The palace contains 2,200 Sioux logos and over 300 televisions including a state-of-the-art big screen hanging over center ice. Each seat is constructed of black leather and cherry wood. Very comfy, I'm sure if I could have only been patient enough to sit in them long enough. The game was very good. I was at the edge of my seat or out of it, more than I was in it. The Sioux battled it out against Denver. It was a fast pace game and a quick scoring game. The Sioux won eight to three.

The picture above was of them getting into a huge scuffle. It was awesome! Is that bad of me? I love it when the boys' get into big old fights. Don't be a hater! I know that I'm not the only one. LOL So, if you ever want to do something sportsy; I defiinitely recommend going to the Ralph. You won't be disappointed, I promise.

Have a good weekend everyone. Stay warm.

Paris Hilton....

When I first saw this I started to laugh, because I thought it was a joke. However, I guess Paris is really going to come out with crafting kits. Apparently scrap booking is in! I feel so cool and fashionable. How about you? LOL

Thoughts and a Prayer Request...

In the wonderful world of blog land, we get to meet so many wonderful people. So many people in fact, that I can't even begin to count. Some month ago I ran across Kelly's blog and instantly feel in love. Her blog talked about food, family, friends, home decorating and children. All the things a girl dreams about or at least I do. So, when she announced that she was pregnant I of course was elated and have ever since been following along with her and her adventures. Well, this past weekend I was dog sitting for a friend and did not have my computer and low and behold she had her sweet baby girl Harper. Well, things did not go as planned and now Harper has been airlifted to Tulsa. Sweet Harper is making improvements day by day, and that just moves me deeply within my soul. The faith of Scott & Kelly and their family has also touched me deeper than I could probably express, and I am just so amazed by the incredible miracle God is working in their lives.

I believe the signs of improvement which is NO DOUBT a result of the thousands of people on their knees for her. So, I would like to ask you to pray for this sweet girl, her mommy and daddy. Her grandparents (as they travel to and from the hospital). The world is showing up to cover this family with prayer, and I am so thankful and amazed.

"Savior...He can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save,

He is mighty to save..."

January Techniques Class

Yesterday I went to JaNell's SU workshop. The new technique we learned was "faux silk" super easy. Have you tried this? All you need to do is take a piece of tissue paper, stamp your image and crinkle the tissue paper up into a ball. Next, take your tissue paper and open it up and smooth it out. You are now ready to glue it to your paper. I was very excited because JaNell had found my new favorite glue stick. Scotch has made a glue stick called "Wrinkle-free" and it is awesome. It comes in a pack of two. I bought mine at Wal-mart for under $2.50. Look for it next time you go shopping, you won't be disappointed, I promise.

On this card we got to use SU "Valentine's Bundle" which I really like. The paper is from the pack called "Candy Lane" the colors and patterns all coordinate so nicely.

I liked all the things I made, but this little guy is just to cute. It looks like a 3x3 card, but really it is a treat holder. Yum! Chocolate! Okay, so if you would like to make one all you have to do is cut your paper 3" by 9" and then score at 3" and 6". Use a 1 3/8" circle punch to make your hole, so your treat can show through. We used yummy Dove caramel milk chocolate candies. We punched (scallop) out a piece of designer paper from the "Candy Lane" to put behind the candy. We did something different on the outside. We used two dimensionals at the very top of the Love stamped piece of paper, so that the ribbon can slide underneath it. I can't wait to make more of these. So cute and easy peasy. Love it!

Our free gift was this adorable Kit Kat bar. It was all wrapped up in "Bella Rose" designer series paper. Finished off with ribbon and "Love you Much" stamp, punched out. Super cute! Thanks JaNelle for another fun evening with friends and new SU products.

I have to admit...

That I really enjoy blogging, but I have been having an obsession with other peoples blogs. If you think about it, blogging is like peeking into someone else's life. Looking in their windows, so to speak. I consider myself to be a curious person and find myself captivated by what some of you do, how you do things and what you're like.

Certain blogs really hold my interest and keep me coming back for seconds. I especially love it when I find a blog that tells a good story - some people are really able to make life sound so fun and interesting, and make me wonder what they'll do next. Oh, and the pictures. Well, lets just say I can't get enough some days. Especially house pictures. I love to look in the background of your pictures and see if I can spot something good. Like maybe a beverage can or some pile of dirty dishes hidden in your immaculate kitchen. It is so much fun to look into other people's homes and envision their lives there. This is just one of the pieces that make this blog sphere so much and an addiction, I think it is all part of the curiosity of human nature...and is an easy way to eaves drop without feeling sneaky.

So what else have I been up to? Well, I have fallen in love making these cute little candles. Super easy. Oh, and the candles were on clearance at Wally World for only a quarter. So I stocked up and need to make some more. I just added some crushed glass to a wooden snowflake and then glued some branches (Martha Stewart Punch) and a felt snowflake. Topped it off with a button. Picked out some paper to go around the candle and there you go. Easy peasy. I think they have turned out cute.

This weekend I also went and seen Bride Wars. I thought it was really good. So if you are needing a laugh anytime soon, go and check it out.
Hope you had a love-filled Sunday.

Things I've Done

A couple of days ago I received an email, that made me think about some of the things that I have done in my life. It also made me think about some of the things that I have not yet done. With the ending of one year and another just beginning, I thought it would be fun to ponder over some ideas of what to possibly look forward to in the new year. I have to stay that if some of these things do not happen that would be just fine (like #77 or #97). The things that I have done are in green.

Things I have done in my life:

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disney World

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted (does a pencil drawing count?)

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie (in college, but not a famous one)

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check (oops)

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt (a very small one)

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job (let go, is this the same?)

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chicken pox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person

101. Learned to play an instrument (learned, but did not retain) =)

Wow! What a long list. I like the idea that I have done at least half and I hope for many healthy years to accomplish the other half. Of course I hope that I have my camera in hand and capture the beautiful moments to come. And now that the year is gone, I look to a new year, and know that it will be full of much possibility and promise. What do you think the new year will hold for you? I also wonder what is hiding...waiting...for me(us) to discover?

Goody bye 2008 and hello 2009. I'm ready to see what God has in store for me in the next 365 days. I wish you all a very Happy New Year!!!