Backstory: I knew it would happen some day. But I never dreamed it would happen on the road, 6-1/2 hours from home, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. My laptop has passed away. I knew it had not been feeling well Friday evening, as I tried to get The Paper Players winners post written. But I thought it would feel better after a good night’s rest. However, it took a turn for the worse during the night. It would turn on…but that was it. I could not connect to a thing. I could not access my pictures. I could not access my blog. I could not even connect to my email. I could not resuscitate it.
“Why? Why? How could you do this to me!” I lamented. “I have a post to write. I have pictures to edit and upload. And it was a good card, too…..” Even Muffy got into the act, stepping on her latex fish and howling in anguish.
Feeling both helpless and hopeless, I went down to the front desk. Why? I don’t know. Did I think the sweet woman at the front desk was the IT Fairy, who would wave a magic wand and make everything alright? Or maybe she would lay her hands over my laptop, and declare, “Computer, heal thyself”. What was I thinking? Maybe I just needed a sympathetic ear.
“My laptop won’t work, and I have to get a post done, and”…and that is when the tears started. At that point, a young man who was waiting to check-in (and probably taken aback a wee bit by my mascara stained face and the fact that I looked like his grandmother) asked if I would like to use his laptop. With trembling lips, I said I couldn’t possibly…and he said he insisted. So we sat in the breakfast area of the motel, and through the tears, I began to write.
The pictures today are not the best. I saved the one I had uploaded to The Paper Players before Muffy and I left Iowa, and attempted to edit it. But you know what, I will never forget this post, and the young man who sat with me and helped me make the best of a bad situation. There are still good people in the world today…and I met one in Manitowoc….
It’s Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players! This week, Anne Marie has a color challenge for us: Blackberry Bliss, Baked Brown Sugar, Always Artichoke and Cajun Craze. What a perfect quartet of colors! I opted to design a rustic holiday card using the Ornamental Pine stamp set. I hope you enjoy today’s rustic creation.
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips
This finished card measures 4-1/4″ by 5-1/2″.
- Blissful in Blackberry! Inked in Blackberry Bliss, the Ornament, from Ornamental Pine looks quite elegant…especially when sporting a single pearl!
- Crazy in Cajun! Cajun Craze makes a lovely ornament nestled within Always Artichoke needles. Don’t you love the little Linen Thread bow?
- A little joy! The Joy sentiment, from Endless Wishes, is the perfect size to fill up the lower left corner of the card. I just LOVE the Endless Wishes stamp set. It is absolutely perfect for the season!
It seems appropriate to end today’s post with this single word, before I start weeping with joy because of the kindness of a stranger. As always, your comments are important to me, and I would love to read what you think about today’s card. And remember, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time…
(Muffy Update: Muffy earned 1 more point Saturday towards her grand!!!)
The Paper Players Design Team
