....could have's, should have's, could not's, should not's....

So many times we are filled with should have's or could not's. I have experienced this so much in the past several years. After being diagnosed with RA in 2006 my life changed (for the good/worst) I really couldn't decide! Still at times I am not so sure which either. But, I do know that life is what you make it and sometimes we realize that some of those things don't really matter and even it takes a few years to finish a task......guess what? Remember this that at least "it got done"!!! Sometimes I really struggle with this philosophy and then at other times it's the very thing I need to help me put things into perspective. My husband is a very busy man and he does so much in a day and often times I don't really give him near enough credit for the things he does. So let me tell you a small story that was once real BIG in my mind and caused me lots of distress. 

     We have a huge yard and my husband is an over the road trucker. He loves his job and he makes decent money....but the drawback is he isn't home much. 
     I have been asked by many people over the past 5-7 (eek...I know!!!) years why we have this box springs and mattress sitting in our back yard. Ok, now this was once a usable one back then, I am not really sure why it got left there or what the reason was, maybe the  kids used it a few times that summer for sleep outs I am not sure and I don't have an answer to this question. 
      I just know that before 2006 I would have moved this myself regardless of the consequences it would have caused me physically. But after the changes took place in my body there was no way I was gonna cause myself more pain and be down in bed for days on end recouping. 

      So there it sat...day after day....season after season....year after year!!! (yes it is still there). Of course as you can imagine it is destroyed and way beyond repair. 
      However, I walked past it the other day and I saw something. Something that made me stop and look at it in a much different perspective. 
      It is finally FINALLY almost perfect.  Because now I can move this thing without help, the batting pieces are scattered and easy to pick up and once I get that part cleaned up the springs are perfectly rusted & distressed and ready for something.....what I am not sure but they are finally perfect!!!

The moral of my story is this! In my life everything has a time and a season and now this is my season for some harvesting. Little did I know this source of madness that consumed me summer after summer for years and years would turn into something beautiful beyond my imagination. 

To be continued............................

Hugs, Katie

Serenity....

I was taking a walk around my yard, my husband had just mowed it that morning and it was looking so pretty and the weather was fantastic. There was no wind and it was the perfect temp right before sundown. As I walked through the orchard towards the back southwest corner of the orchard is a Lilac bush that has been there for well over 50 years and it was just in bloom and lush as could be. I was unable to resist the essence as I got closer. I stood and breathed in the aroma of fresh Lilacs in bloom and a smile began to form as my appreciation for nature and the Lords abundance grew and filled my chest with unconditional love. Love for all the beauty all around, my husband for grooming our lawn and the Lord for allowing me the gift of senses.  What a perfect ending to my day!!

I even took a little piece of that heaven inside with me. I trimmed off some branches and put them in water and was able to enjoy this peaceful aroma all evening.

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Time to 'Renew"!

I really enjoyed making these little file folder albums. It was refreshing to use all those misc photos that really had no purpose or were not really 12x12 scrapbook material. I was able to use them in these little albums to showcase my loved ones. This line by Authentique is so fresh and makes me smile. I love the way this turned out. <3 katie="" p="">

Winter Inspired..............

All the snow has really inspired me and I was feeling a little creative!

So I just wanted to share a few other projects I made for Christmas gifts. I made my sweet Kyra this beautiful album.

and this sweet desktop calendar for my darling daughter Shyann.

Thanks for visiting!! <3 Katie

Catching Up!!

I know I haven't blogged in along time. I have been busy catching up after my long, but fast summer! Then I got sick again from Oct-Nov. That was along 2 months as well. Now it's almost Christmas and I am just catching up........I started on my Christmas gifts finally and I got all my kids stockings finished! It has been so much fun working on them Now "finalement " I am working on a few other final projects for gifts. I will share those later upon completion ;)!!!

<3 Katie

UPDATE!!!

So I have officially closed Keepsake Cottage. However, I have reopened another amazing and even better scrapbooking store called La Vintage Paperie`. This new store is simply amazing and has such a fresh, inspiring and fantastic feel to it. Everyone who has visited so far has just been in awe of the changes we have made not only to the building but to the street we are now located on. I have to say that I am absolutely and positively IN LOVE with this place. It is simply the most inspiring and beautiful place ever. I can't wait for all of you to take a minute and come by and visit me at my new location! 1240 Oakley Ave, Burley! <3 Katie