Mel Jen's Inspiration Post and Challenge

This week's challenge at MelJens is to use no more than two layers.

For my inspiration post, I used one of MelJens new images, called "Steady Tortoise" and colored it with Copic Markers. I used DP from Cosmo Cricket and cardstock from PTI. I added ribbon, die cuts, and rhinestone stars.

I participated in the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge. This sketch challenge site always inspires me and is one of my favorites:)

Make sure you check out all the wonderful creations by the DT using these images! You can purchase these fabulous images and others from MelJen's Designs at the Whimsy Site.

I'm Back:)

I have been absent for awhile. I had some health problems that kept me from doing all the activities that I love. About three months ago I noticed a burning in my leg. It happened every once in a while. I also had some back pain. For me this is a common occurance. I started having more burning and pain and soon I could not walk for more that a few feet before the pain was so intense and I was sweating. My usual brisk gait was reduced to a snail's crawl. I went to PT and was told I had sciatica. I started going to a chiropractor and soon was at the Dr.'s office most everyday of the week. I could no longer sit or stand. Soon I could not even take a shower without being in such extreme pain. Childbirth pales in comparison. I was given injections, epidurals and still my once full, busy world was clouded by the constant chronic pain that limited my activities. I was bedridden. I met with a surgeon and told I needed a discectomy. By this time I had lost all reflex in my right leg and had severe nubness and muscle cramping. On May 16th I had the surgery. I was told that 90% of my disc had herniated and was pressing on my sciatic nerve. The intense pain is better. I have been able to slowly resume a life approaching normal. I am having some hope again for the future. Some of the nerve damage I suffered maybe permanent. I am wearing a back brace and going to PT. I am going to resume my DT duties. I am so grateful for MelJen's and The DigiBells for being so understanding during the time I could not post and create. I have learned to be grateful for all I can do. I am hopeful that I can return to dog agility and all my exercising that I engaged in prior to my injury. I am learning to let the little things go and to be grateful for small things, like walking and going outside, sitting, creating, small chores around the house. I am eternally grateful to my family for all their love and support. I could not have made it throught the three months of intense pain and limitations without them. Their love gave me hope when things looked most bleak. Today, I pick up my Copics again and start. My goal is to be more appriciative of what I have and let all the little aggravations go. In the long run they don't mean a thing.