Welcome to the Big House!

This is a phrase coined by the University of Michigan to welcome fans to their football stadium in Ann Arbor Michigan. I've always dreamed of going to a U of M game but tickets are hard to come by and expensive to boot. My brother in law is a graduate of the U of M and is a season ticket holder. My son, husband, and many nephews have been to games thanks to uncle Steve :) Alas, no tickets left for football crazy sisters in law :(

Because the tickets are so precious, I'd never had a chance to go to a game until last fall. One of my patients and her husband were U of M fans too and we had some lively conversations about football while she was being induced. Much to my surprise, her husband returned a couple of weeks later and gave me 2 tickets to a game!!! Awww...and they thought of me. I was floored! After I picked myself up and hugged the heck out of him, I ran to make sure that I wasn't scheduled to work! Lol!

My son was rather disgusted by my enthusiasm, in his terrific teenage way, and rolled his eyes a lot (as you can see in the photos) but he had a great time too ;)

This is one of those loaded with photos layouts. I just couldn't choose! Thank goodness for Sketch Support, Allison Davis has the greatest multi photo sketches.

Traditional themed paper was just too predictable, so I spritzed spray ink onto the background cardstock and then stamped the letter "M" randomly, to create my own patterned paper.

A good rummage through my stash turned up some appropriate goodies. Like the tickets from Little Yellow Bicycle and diecuts from SEI.

Basic Grey chipboard covered in paint and then stamped for texture.

 The American flag looked so beautiful against the sea of people :) 

Who'd of thought that Basic Grey "PB&J" would look good with Authentique "Genuine"?! Love those chevrons!

Off to dinner. My husband the chef made T- bone steaks with sauteed mushrooms and onions, oven roasted garlic butter and chive potatoes and...Oops, he forgot the vegetables. Guess I'll have to whip up a tossed salad. A woman can't have everything :)

If I Could Turn Back Time

If I could find a way...

I know this is a "love gone wrong" song but the lyrics were the first thing to pop into my head when mulling over a title for this layout. My husband is what you might call photo phobic. Can't stand to have his picture taken. Hand up, turn the head, non photogenic, don't even try to take my picture...photo phobic. So I was thrilled when I came across this photo. He looks so handsome, a bit redneck in his muscle man shirt I'll admit but handsome all the same. Most of all...he looks happy and not in pain.

He was involved in an accident years ago that has left him with chronic pain. Debilitating, continuous pain. Over the years his condition has worsened to the point that even the mundane things like changing a light bulb cause him pain. These fractured lyrics just seemed appropriate.

If I could reach the stars

 I'd give them all to you

I fell in love with this Authentique paper! So blue jeans and bandanna :) The chevron border is cut from a sheet of patterned paper, stitched and popped with foam squares.

The Graphically Speaking Cricut cartridge is full of awesome icons like this clock face and hands. Cut the hands from Core'dinations paper and sanded to match the distressed feel of the papers.

Punched, inked, sanded, and layered and voila! Coordinating flowers.

Did I say how much I love coordinating products :)

 I just remember my wedding vows...For better or worse, in sickness and in health. He is still here with me, and for that, I am grateful.