Where does the time go....

I can't believe I haven't posted since August.  I had such good intentions to keep up with my blog and time just seems to pass me by before I know it.  In some cases, as with my dear husband Ronnie being in Afghanistan, I want the time to fly by so he can come home to us again.  But in other cases, I look back and realize that time ran out on the things I had hoped to do.  Visiting my Aunts & Uncles, cousins and friends is one of those things.

My Uncle Francis passed away today.  I hadn't seen him in years and I regret the time lost.  Even though I know I am much older, I still feel like that young girl that couldn't wait to visit my Aunt Dalene and Uncle Francis in Cedar Rapids for a week during the summer!  I always had so much fun and truth be told - usually got whatever I asked for.  :)  (Like wanting to go rollerskating even though my cousin Lorie was grounded - we got to go, of course!)   Unfortunately, when we were home for Christmas we didn't get a chance to see much of the extended family.  I had hoped a visit this summer would correct that.

In my mind, as crazy as it sounds, I still see my Aunts and Uncles as they age they were then.  I don't think of them as being older now, more fragile, less resilient.  Truth be told, I see my parents that way as well.  It's easier that way.  My parents are so full of life and hopefully I have many, MANY years before I have to feel the sorrow that a few of my cousins have had to feel.  I cannot imagine and I am in no way prepared to start.

If there is a silver lining, today's news got me back into my stamp studio.  I felt a great need to get inky fingers and create mindlessly, with no idea of where my journey would take me.  Earlier today I had visited an enormous flea market in Nashville and found a huge bundle of shipping tags that were calling my name.  I grabbed those, my Tim Holtz distress inks and started to play.  The tag below is the result of a couple hours of soul comforting creativity.

Before, a blank shipping tag...                                      and now......with a bit more soul.

My apologies for the poor pictures, but at least you can get an idea.  I will try to post a few close up pics tomorrow with some of the details of what supplies I used.  As many of you know I love my Ranger products and am very happy when I am smack dab in the middle of them and COVERED in all the colors!  :)

So with very stained finger and chamomile tea consumed, I bid you all good night....

May the wings of angels wrap around all tonight who have lost a loved one.....