My friend Kirby passed away this week.  You would have liked Kirby.  He was the type of person who never knew a stranger. Within minutes of meeting him, you would have felt like you knew him a lifetime.  He was a practical joker, with a heart of gold.


I first met Kirby when Brady was in 5th grade.  Brady and Kirby’s son, Jordan, were in the same class at school and on the same sports teams.  As happens in many small towns, where the school is still the center of the social life, we parents formed a tight little group of supporters, cheering on our children.  We ate together before games…and celebrated after games, too! We were always welcomed in each other’s homes.  For eight years, we shared the highs and lows of our lives together.


And then it happened…as it often does.  Graduation day came and the boys went their separate ways.  Some were off to college.  Others entered the military.  And still others went directly into the world of work.  Our children matured and developed different interests.  And as we parents slipped into a new role, we slowly went our own separate ways, no longer connected by the bond we once shared.


After the boys graduated, I never saw Kirby again until a few months ago.  It was at the gas station.  We shared a hug, and reminisced about the “old days”.   I promised to get the “gang” back together.  I asked about Jordan, and Kirby asked about Brady.  I asked what his wife, Sharon, was doing these days, and he asked if Kim was still working at the railroad.  He was the same Kirby, ornery as ever.  After exchanging a few more pleasantries, we wished each other a Merry Christmas and drove off in opposite directions.  If I could have foreseen what was going to happen in a few short months, I would have called the old gang up that very evening and planned a potluck dinner.  But I didn’t.  I had Design Team cards to make and Dog Show things to do.  In my new life, I did not make room for the past.  How I regret not making those calls…

My friend Kirby passed away this week.  He is the first parent of the group to leave us, and his passing has had a profound effect upon all of the boys.  It has had a profound effect on all of the parents.  It has had a profound effect on me.  His passing reminded me that it is our friends who enrich our lives…and one should never lose sight of that fact.


My friend Kirby passed away this week…and I am sad…

Muffy and Brody are back home for a well-deserved break from the show circuit.  When I told them I have had several emails asking about them, they wanted to share their latest escapades with all of you.  Muffy insisted that she was going to do the typing…and who am I to argue with a Boxer Diva!

Muffy:  Hi, Mom’s Stamper-Friends.  Mom is letting me use the ‘puter because Brody’s feet are getting way too big to hit the right keys.
Brody:  Muffy, that’s not true.  You have never let me use the ‘puter…even when my feet were smaller.
Muffy:  Oh, yeah! That’s right Brody.  I pick on you all the time.
Brody: It’s because you are jealous because you have never won Best of Breed at an AKC show like I did a few weeks ago! Mom said I am starting to look like a big boy in my picture.
Muffy:  Yeah, big feet! Well I think you look ugly in your picture. You’re not even standing pretty like I do.  And besides, what were there?  Maybe four other Boxers.
Brody:  Well I didn’t see YOU doing anything special in Des Moines this weekend.
Muffy:  It was a HUGE show, Brody, and I got fourth in my class.  I was up against the older ladies for the first time.  Look who got first and second in my class, Brody!
Brody:  Big whoop!  Just because the first place handler was showing at Westminster doesn’t mean anything. It wasn’t even the same Boxer.
Muffy:  Well, what about the second place handler?  Not only did he show at Westminster…he was even on TV!!! These were famous people.
Brody:  Well maybe if you wouldn’t have been so star struck watching the famous handlers, you would have done better.
Muffy:  Whatever, Brody! Whatever!
Mom:  TWINS! You have done nothing but argue all day! Can’t both of you be nice to each other?
Brody:  I think we are grumpy because we got backsinations today.
Muffy:  They are “vaccinations”.  Sometimes you are just so immature.  In fact, you are so immature that you don’t get to go to the big shows like I do!
Brody:  Mom…I don’t think Muffy got enough sleep over the weekend when we stayed at the Motel Sicks.
Muffy:  MOM…see what I mean.  It is Motel 6!
Mom:  Alright Twins…that’s enough! No more ‘puter for you two.  Even though you were zonked out at the motel, obviously you did not get enough sleep! Why don’t you two grab a little snack and take a cat nap.  I will finish the post for you.
Brody:  Cat?  Where’s the cat?  Snacks?  Do we get treats? I want Charlie Bears! Can I eat Muffy’s snack since she is getting too fat?
Muffy:  MOM!!!

Yes, their story is all true! Brody did win Best of Breed at St. Charles, MO…and there were only 5 Boxers total.  But he is always happy when he gets a ribbon.  To him, a ribbon is a ribbon, whether there are 5 Boxers or 55, like Muffy had to face!  Muffy was right…there were Westminster handlers in Muffy’s class, including  Carlos Puig. Carlos was indeed on TV during the Westminster Dog Show telecast, showing the long-haired Daschund in the Hound Group.

The Twins enjoyed the bed at Motel 6…which they had to share with Mom and Dad.  Needless to say, the bed was crowded. Plus, they had tons of fun watching the other show dogs staying at the motel parade past their window.  They played with their toys, which I made sure to pack, and even howled a duet.  Thank goodness the walls were thick!

Muffy was exhausted.  It is hard work being a “Diva Dog”. 

In fact, when we got home from the show, she was so tired that she fell asleep with her squeaky toy in her mouth.  Isn’t this picture just adorable! Bless her heart! 

Of course, the Twins were not the only ones exhausted from the weekend.  It always seems like it takes a couple of days for me to get back into the routine.  That’s what happens when you are “vintage” like me! However,  I will be back tomorrow with a card.  Until next time…

It’s Sunday and time for this week’s The Paper Players challenge.  Anne Marie has selected a challenge that I am sure you will all love…Clean and Simple with a Masculine theme.  As for my card…it may not look clean…but it doesn’t get much simpler than this!   Enjoy today’s Clean And Simple MASculine card…a style which I refer to as “CAS MAS“!

The finished dimensions of this card are 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″.

• Texture! Use Textured Impressions Embossing Folders to add pizzazz to clean and simple cards.  With a strong pattern such as the Houndstooth pattern, the second pattern needs to be “cleaner”.  Stripes, a featured product in the Sale-A-Bration brochure, works perfectly to elongate the lines of the Sailboat image.  Tip:  Make those patterns “pop” by brayering on a light layer of ink.  I used Crumb Cake ink over Naturals Ivory card stock.

• Bows-a-go-go! Bows can go on a masculine card, especially when crafted from Hemp Twine! 

• No boat…no problem! I used the fabulous Sail Away sailboat image, an ala carte stamp from the 2011 Summer Mini catalog.  I inked it with Early Espresso Craft Ink and heat embossed it with Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  What?  You don’t have this stamp?  Don’t despair!  This image is also available for My Digital Studio! How cool is that! 

And there you have it!  Clean, simple and masculine! What do you think?  Won’t you leave me a comment and let me know?  Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one of them.  And remember…if you ever have a question about the cards that I create, or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

Stamp Set:  Sail Away (123013…retired; Sail Away Stamp Brush – Digital Download 126030); Inks:  Early Espresso Craft Ink (119719…Neutrals Collection), Crumb Cake (121030); Card Stock:  Crumb Cake (120953), Naturals Ivory (101849);  Tools:  Heat Tool (100005), Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109130), Brayer (102395), Big Shot (113439), Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (123134), Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (123128), Sponge Daubers (102892); Glitz and Glam:  Hemp Twine (100982)