You Say It Like It's A Bad Thing...

Thanks, Mom!

Tonight, my post is about women. 

I have met some truly amazing and inspiring ladies while doing this blog.  Unbelievable the stories and history and personal experiences that I've been told or read about.  I really find it so difficult to put into words the respect and admiration that I have for all of them.

Some of them will be reading this and know that I am speaking of them and others may know of someone who this rings true for as well.

Every one of you has such a unique and individual story to tell and many times that comes out in your creations.  

For your imagination, inspiration, words of wisdom, thought for the week, humorous antidotes, instruction and guidance, hilarious rants, sincere sentiments and your realness expressed in your own little personal blogs of the world,....

Thank you!

You have enriched my life even more and it's been a fabulous journey and I truly look forward to the future with you all.

That being said, I would like to share a short story of a very special woman in my life,

my mom.

42 years ago, at a very young age, she gave birth to a happy healthy, bouncing baby girl.  OMG....you should have seen her...she was just ADORABLE!!  The cutest little thing... Haha..okay fine, ...back to mom.

As a reward for being a young mother, the education system thought it would be best if she was expelled from High School. 

So, there she was 16, new mom, newly married and now what.....

The short of it;  she got her GED, she went to college, she got a degree in nursing, worked terribly odd and long hours, got divorced,  became a single parent, counted pennies, bought a beautiful home, remarried, divorced again, single parent, got her master's degree, remarried to a real keeper and now has the most amazing job.  She travels, give speeches, incredibly involved with the community and selflessly gives of her self to the needy, the elderly, animals of all kinds, and to her family.  

(Special note: When I got married I asked her to walk me down the aisle)

My incentive for today's project is because of her and how much she has taught me. Not just by words, but by her actions; even in the worst and hardest of times, she never gave up and I'm so proud of her.

I know that life threw some real curve balls at her and for most of her life, she put her dreams and passions and interests aside just to take care of me and provide a home for us.

Well, just last week she called and for the first time, she is going to do something just for her.

She is getting ready to open up her very own antique store!

This is something that she's wanted to do for years and I just couldn't be happier!

She's going to call it:

Bucket List Antiques!

Now if that isn't perfect, I don't know what is.

So Mom,

here's to you for all the "icky" things you had to do for so many years to make my life wonderful...

 As well as a little retro humor that I know you can appreciate in vintage Dick and Jane style...

Yes, I wrote this sentiment myself.

Can anyone else relate?

Plus 3 fun magnets to go on the fridge!

Me and my wonderful mom, Penny!

Never apologize for feeling like you could have been a better mom.  

You showed me what being a mother is all about.  It's about being human, not being perfect. It's about living life; whatever it brings.  It's about loving; with whatever means you have to show it.  It's about the journey and what an amazing one it's been with you!

I love you, Mom!!

Every time I hear this song, I think of my mom and how incredibly complex and amazing she is.  

Okay, enough sappy stuff now...

SONG TRIBUTE to all the kick ass women out there who completely ROCK and are always an inspiration to me!

Thank you also Pamela for these AMAZING images on all my projects above.

You can find them here at Free Vintage Digital Stamps.