READING

This is something I really enjoy. (hope it's rubbing off on my child!). I have many, many favorite authors. But I really like: Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson and John Sanford. There are several "romance" authors I like also: Nora Roberts, Jude Deveraux, Sandra Brown and many others. I just finished Patricia Cornwell's PREDATOR. Very gripping... gotta finish it now kind of book. I read it in about 3 days, all 453 pages of it. Of course, my boss as been out of the office, so I've read a lot at work. I finished it today. I'm not picking up another book till I finish my last 8x8 book (should go pretty fast though). I hope to get most of it done this weekend. I really want to deliver it by Dec 15. I also need to get Em's teacher present done too. An altered clipboard.

My friend, Beth, has had a loss in her family. Her 15 yr old nephew was in a car accident and has died. He was at Vanderbilt in the trauma unit for a couple of days and they declared him clinically dead this morning. The family is donating his organs - or at least what organs they can. They are almost for sure his Liver will be used ...... not sure about heart or kidneys yets. Waiting on testing. Very sad, he would have turned 16 next week. BUT, one good thing is that in his family of 5, he was the only one to go to church. His youth minister had one kid saved last night because of this accident and anticipates more at the funeral. It appears that his nephew made a huge impact on his church youth group and didn't even know it! God always has a plan!

More later!

If you need someplace to go Christmas Eve .....

http://www.thegatheringnashville.com/christmas_eve_ryman.html

This would be cool.

Going to a crop tonight

YEA! I have't been in ages! I really need a night out. I thought about working on a gift album for a friend, but I think I want to work on Em pictures. She's the light of my life, seeing her makes me smile. Sometimes I just need that - don't we all. Honestly, sometime she wears me so much. Our mornings are rough, I fuss at her, even spanked her one morning for talking back. It was a terrible morning. Then yesterday, a perfect angel. This morning was almost as good. NICE ...... love easy mornings!

I read a good Elizabeth Lowell book this week. The Wrong Hostage. Quick read, easy to understand- other than it uses a lot of Spanish. But it's still a quick read. Now I'm reading (at work --- shhhh!) a Judy Deveraux book - High Tide - pretty good so far.

Gotta run! Have a good weekend!

Thanksgiving update

We have such a low key Thanksgiving that I don't even take pictures ...... so in Em's books it'll look like we don't celebrate Thanksgiving. Actually, the past two years, Steve has worked. Last year I think he got off a little early, but this year he didn't get off till 4:15, so he didn't get to eat with us. We couldn't wait .... :-)

I've had 8 clipboard orders and 2 8x8 album orders - I've got one clipboard completely finished and delivering today. I've got 3 about 90% done, two 85% done, one 70% done and one planned. Two of those HAVE to be finished this week!!! And of course one of those is the "planned" one. I really do have a plan and once I get two sheets of specific paper, I'll be good to go. The 8x8 albums will go quickly, I've got one of them almost done and I'll just copy of the other from it, so it'll go fast! Then I might have 3 more orders for clipboards and have Em's teachers clipboard to do. I think I might start on it this week sometime, at least get some of it done.

Business if okay. Could be better, but I could also be putting more effort in it. I didn't realize how unproductive I could be if I HAVE to be productive. I work better when it come naturally. Plus I'm not one for getting things done early - I tend to wait ............. not good when you have a scrapbooking for you business and work full-time. Just like 6 of these clipboards, I've had those orders for at least a month or more and I've only been working on them for the past two weeks. Why do I wait? Cause it's my personality!

Gotta run, more later!

Rose, Cream, Brown......

Thats the colors of the baby album I'm working on for a client. Then another for a boy, sage green, black&white and blue ..... another easy one, huh? I thought the rose, cream and brown would be easy, but not really - at least for babies it's not that easy. I'm going to have to adapt something. Right now I have the vintage hip from Making Memories on my desk trying to decide if thats okay. I think some of it will work. I plan on using very little of the pattern paper and a lot more solids, with just a hint of pattern paper .... what do you think? The boy album - I'm not sure...... not to mention my 5 dance clipboards! Those are wearing me out!!!

OH YEA - I found my gold/purple stripes ...... I couldn't believe it! A store in OH - Scrapbook Superstore. I had to call Scrappin Sports and they told me the paper was discontinued, but hasn't been for long. The last store to make an order was th Scrapbook Superstore and they probably would have some .... oh yea - they do, plus the solid cardstock that goes with it! YEA! I bought 15 sheets of the stripes and 10 each of purple and gold that match! I'm so stoked!

Gotta run, gotta leave for a dr appointment and I'm trying to figure out when I can sneak in a HL run cause they have their rub-ons on sale!

Titans pictures

Em danced 10/29 with the Jr. Titans during the Houston game (which they actually won!). It was the Halloween game, so the girls wore halloween mask. It was a cute dance. Here's some shots!

Em and Shannon, her coach!

Game day - our tired Titan cheerleader. Isn't the hair cute!!! See the white barrett? Thats because she cute her hair back before Easter and its growning out. It's long enough now that it's very noticable that it's not the length as everything else! I needed a brown one, but couldn't find one at the house.

On the field performance! She's the "line leader" standing on the 30 yard line! I was so pround, she did really good and I think she smiled the whole time - which is a challenge for her, she concentrates so hard. But she had the moves and they were GREAT!

Halloween Pictures

What a terrible shot of our pumpkins, but I did get some good shots of them individually using my new mono-pod.

I've been trying for weeks to upload pictures into blogger, what gives! I'll try to post more in this entry and then a few more in other entries.

Here's our Victorian Vampire! Isn't she cute! Check out these shots (doctored in Picasa!)

Cards; Titans; Halloween

I'm on a card kick. I'm really enjoying making cards, not stamped cards, cause those never turn out like I want them too, but paper crafting cards. (Sorry Teresa B if you're reading). I recently made some of the cutest birthday card out of some stuff I bought a while ago, but never had used. REALLY cute! I think thats what I like about making cards, I can use up old stuff, although I always need more stuff! My mom and I have been making Christmas cards. She's making the "base" and I'm embellishing them. Thats really hard though, cause I'm not sure exactly what she had in mind when I get them. AND if I want to put eyelets or brads in, I have to "undo" her gluing - and she uses a UHU glue stick, so it's not always that easy to undo! Anyways, I think I like the card making because its a quick fix. Sometimes when I'm on crunch to get a scrapbooking project done, I feel unmotivated to do any scrapbooking, but making the cards and seeing the results almost immediately helps me get my motivation back. Plus, I really need to get some Christmas and Thanksgiving stuff up at the Livery Stables. My sports clipboard haven't sold yet, but I'm thinking about doing a baby's first Christmas and just a plain Christmas one.

This weekend is the weekend Em cheers/dances with the Titans. Please pray for semi-warm weather. Her uniform is really too small to wear a turtleneck with, but I was too cheap to buy another this year (they are changing next year for sure). So the warmer the better for her sake.

Can you believe that Halloween is Tuesday night. I can't believe this month has gone by so fast. Gosh! I love Halloween, but unfortunely, with our labs, we can't put out much decorations. Basically we have pumpkins on the porch Halloween night, even though we aren't home. But I love carving them and will probably do that this weekend sometime!

Gotta run! More later!

My donations

Em's school has a "Cougar Day" every year for one of their major fundraisers. Of course, this is our first involvement, but I have friends that went there, so I remember it from them talking about it (20 yrs ago). They ask each family to donate at least 2 things for the auction and 1 baked good. I figured putting some scrapbooking items in might boost my business. I'm donating an 8x8 album. (think I talk about this in another blog - sounds familiar - I'm losing my mind!!!) It's orange, pinks, brown, turquoise. Very cute, "friend" themed. If I were selling it, I'd have to sell it for at LEAST $50.00, but probably start out with $65.00 on it. I have at least $30.00 of product in it. Lots of flowers, rubons, bling, etc. I'm also donating a "cougar" themed clipboard - yellow, blue and white. Cute. My mom made two fall themed wreaths to be donated and two small Christmas things. I don't think I'm going to put the two Christmas things in it. You have to tag everything with the resell value, mim and max bid. I'm not sure what to put on everything yet. Have to think about it some. Maybe next year I can have a booth in the craft fair part of it. This year since we were new, I wasn't sure if they were going to have them (for a couple years that didn't have booths - but I think people really like them and it brings in outside people). Maybe next year mom and I can share a space and have scrapbooking items and flower arrangements. And if I start making things now, maybe I can have some school albums done, which I think would sell well!

Gotta run!
Christy

This weekend was nice!

What did I do this weekend you ask? I made about 14 cards. YEA ME!!! It was fun. I made birthday cards Friday night and Thank You cards Saturday night. DH worked night shift, so he was sleeping or gone and DD was with Nana and Grandaddy Friday for a while and then at a friend's house Saturday. I worked Friday night till about 11:00 and probably till 11:00 Saturday night. I didn't scan any yet, but I will and then I'll post some of them. My mom has even gotten the bug. She wants to use stamps on her cards (mine are more papercrafting cards - no stamps). She's going to make Christmas cards. I'll probably make some too ... her's will be more classy. Mine'll be "fun"! cards.

More later ............

Wow; it's been a long time!

So long in fact, that I had to enter my login and password to get into blogger!!! Isn't that funny!

I've really not had much to say, so I've decided to take a small break from blogging. I still don't have much to say, but thought you might like to hear that I'm okay. Cheerleading is full blown; school is crazy. Em did do good on her report card; Three A's; two B's and a C (in reading of all things!). And I'm jonesing to scrapbook again. All is good!!!!

Is she really mine?

I'm thinking lately, is my daughter really mine? I think they might have got her and another baby mixed up in the nursey (honestly, I know she is). She is so not my child. I think I made pretty good grades in school, especially in elementary school to please my parents. Em just doesn't care. How can I motivate her? I tell her that I'm disappointed in her grades, I love her dearly and will forever and ever, but I disappointed that she doesn't make better grades! I see very little evidence of her "trying" to do better. And her grades are sooooooo mixed. She came home with a pile of graded papers and they ranged from 50's to 100's. Quite a few A's, lots of B's, some C's, and 2 F's. What!!!! A 50 on a Reading test, what the heck? Reading, come on, the child can read. Actually before she left public school she was testing at a 5 grade reading level! But now she make a 50! I think its all comprehension. Doesn't that come with age. Seems to me that comprehension was something I struggled with too. I use to read thing several times to "get it". But come one a 50! Of course if you miss 5 questions out of 10, what does that leave you? And all along I thought reading was what she did best!!!!! Such a disappointment! I'm really just sad and have no idea what to say to her to get her to try her best. She says she does, but I'm just not sure. Is there an adjustment period she needs to go through? Going from public to private school? Gosh after getting those grades I was thinking ....... will she make it? Maybe she needs a military school? :-)

Lets face it, I don't have a genius on my hands, unfortunely! She has just enough of me in her to make her an A/B/C student (I even made some D's!) and enough of her Dad in her to not care! What a deadly combination!!!!

This too shall pass...........

In a month our Saturday's get crazy.......

Em cheers on Saturday's. If you read the previous post, you'll see that this past weekend was the first game of the season. But starting in October, she'll be cheering for the Vikings AND practicing for her cheering stunt with the Titans. Last year we signed her up for the Jr. Titan Cheerleading program. She loved it and fell instantly in love with the coach, Ms. Chasity (honestly, who wouldn't - you can check her out at http://www.titansonline.com/team/cheerleaders/bio.php?PRKey=8) She's really pretty! She's excited to do it again this year. But starting Oct 14 we have a game from 12:30 - 2:00 and then Titan practice from 3:00 - 6:00, again Oct 21 and again Oct 28 with the performace being Oct 29. She did soooo good last year. We learned last year that we could bring our video camera, tape the routine and let her practice. That helps a lot. Here's some picture of her last year (incase you missed them in last years post) Oh yea, on top of that Oct 14 cheerleading crazyness, we also have a school fundraiser that I've signed up to volunteer for.


She's the one in front with the big smile and cute red ribbons!

What I did this 3 day weekend!

Not much! YEA! I love weekends were I do have a lot to do. Friday night, Em had gymnastics and then we met her friend Lac at a little carnival at Em's old school. Lac spent the night Friday night. They didn't go to bed till around 1:00. Had football games in White House on Saturday. We had to be there at 12:00. The girls were up by 8:00. I got them ready and we were gone by 11:00. We got to the game and Em's team 9/10 yr old lost and then Steve's team 11/12 team lost also. Lac went home with her mom and we went home. Of course Saturday morning I woke up sneezing my head off, allergy season is kicking in! I was tired and sleepy when we finally got home. Sunday Em and I straightend up the house and waited for Lac to call (she wanted her to come play). We went down my friend Mary Jo's house late Sunday. Lac called and Em went with her to a cook out. She got home around 10:00pm. Monday, Steve went to work. I slept till 8:30, Em slept till 10:00am! I watched CSI: Miami all day on the A&E channel! I mean like 8 hours of it! I did laundry and read during commericals. I love that show! I think finally toward the end of the day I saw one that I had seen before. Lac came over while her mom went shopping for a computer, so she pretty much stayed out of my hair. I finally went to bed around 10:30 and it was hard getting up at 5:00am this morning (which I didn't, I got up around 5:30)

What I didn't do: Scrapbook! I just couldn't get in it. I've got two pages to complete for a gift album and it will be finished. The I need to start on a quickalbum for the same girl to keep her ultrasound picture in. She's had like one a month since she found out she was pg. (She's almost 40 and they thought she couldn't get pg! - miracle baby!) Then I've got to start some project for the either the craft fair or the Livery Stables. I'm not sure yet what I want to do! It's so hard to stayed motivated when you work full-time and then have the extra activities to handle. I think I'm putting too much pressure on myself. I keep thinking what it was like last year trying to get things ready for the craft fair .......... I was pooped by the time it go here and I didn't make that much money at it!!!! Yea, I'm whinning, so I'm signing off!

More later .........

Cars.........

I'm trying real hard not to get new car fever, but mine will be paid for next spring, so it's about time to get the fever. I KNOW I can't get a new car, but I can wish, hope and think about it can't I? I've never paid off a car on my own. DH and I have been married for 15 yrs and have always had a car note. The past 3 yrs we've had TWO. Both cars will be paid off within a few months of each other in the spring. He did inform me that after he gets his paid for, he's buying a four-wheeler. Thats fine. He can save the money for a couple of month, make a large down payment and only finance a little and then pay it off by the next year. His car/truck is older than mine so I think we'll be buying him another car before me. With the tution for Em's school, I just can't have another 4 yrs of two car payments. It's about broke me. Plus I know as she gets older and involved in more school activies, I'll be spending more and more "extra" money.

Christmas is right around the corner. Em wants an i-Pod. Can you believe it? I'd love one too, but I think Steve and I will skip getting Christmas for each other this year (just not in the funds). Em doesn't really need anything or hasn't said much of what she other than that. Steve and I did talk about getting comcast DSL at home yesterday. We'd need it to download music. I would like it, but right now at home I have bellsouth and it only costs me $9.95. Paying $45.00 more a month is going to be a big adjustment in my month bill budget.

Nothing more to really talk about. I'm almost finished with the gift album I've been working on. THANK GOODNESS. I was so NOT in the mood to work on it. I have a pink/orange friends book started that is going to be really cute. I want to finish it!

Em old elementary's Carinval is this week/weekend. She is begging to go. I guess I'll take her and her girlfriend Friday night instead of going to a crop. She really can't go during the week because of homework and Saturday she cheers in an away game. What a great mom I am!

More later ........

Drop at the door or walk in?

For almost 9 years, I've walked Em in the door at daycare and took her to her class. Of course most of that was because she was really too small to do it herself. And then as she got older, the tradition just stuck. Now since she doesn't go to daycare in the morning, I decided we need a new tradition. She goes to the elementary gym in the morning before school. She can go in as long as there are lights on in the entry way. Some mornings we get there too early and some mornings right on time. The first week or so, I walked her in so she could get a feel for it and I would know what was going on during that time. But last Friday I kinda pulled up at the curb and pushed her out. Not really, but I was late and needed to get to work. She needed to get in the gym and re-read her AR book. But this wasn't something new for her. I had fussed and lectured her about it last Thursday and Friday. How she was old enough to walk in the door herself, no body elses' parent brings them in, how I've been doing it for 9 years, blah, blah, blah. This morning she knew better than to say anything when I pulled up to the door and told her I loved her, gave her a kiss and told her to behave. She did it and she looked so big doing it. Getting out, acting like she was embrassed that I was telling her what to do. It didn't bother me till just now. I want her to be independant and walk in by herself, but that means she needs me less and less. That makes me want to cry! She's growing up so fast!

Scheduling conflict; blogs; books; craft fair projects

I'm teaching at the Reminders of Faith - Journey of Faith conference here in Nashville in September. When I got Em's football schedule, I went through my calendar and wrote the game on Saturdays. When I got to homecoming, I realized it was the same weekend as the conference. Now, I know that this is just Jr. Pro football, but for little girls, homecoming is a big deal, our season hasn't even started and Em is trying to decide who she wants to walk with! So, I immediately sent Sandra and Kathy and email and told them the dilema and starting praying. I didn't exactly get what I prayed for. I prayed that Sandra/Kathy would say, we'll just switch your class times later in the day. I ended up telling them that I'd be there for the class, probably miss the end of homecoming (which would be okay) and probably be running like crazy to get to the class on time. We'll, God does answer prayers. Although I know this solution isn't the answer to everyone else's prayer, it was an answer to mine. My prayer was: please let it work out so I can do both! Unfortunely, the enrollment for the conference is not where they need it to be and many of the classes didn't have enough attendee's. So they have decided to cut classes and only have 10 classes that EVERYONE will attend. I teach on THURSDAY! YEA for me. I get to do both. Thank you God for answering prayers. I know Em would have been so disappointed if I hadn't been at homecoming, but I also had a commiment to ROF. Problem solved!

Blogs: How many do you read? I think I have about 80 bookmarked, but don't read them all daily. I usually read the ones I know people update reguarly. Kathrine Brooks, Heather D White, Tracie Claiborne, the Junkitz Blogs, Heather Preckel, Sara D and there are others. I like the glimpse inside their lives and especially the scrapbooking peeks we get. Who's do you read and why?

Books: I've been reading like crazy lately. My friend Renate got me started on the Janet Evanovich Plum series and I've read all 12 of the books in about a month. I read the last one in two days. (shhhh, don't tell, sometimes I don't have a lot to do at work - so I read!) I'm currently reading a Luanne Rice book called Summer of Roses. It's pretty good. It's taken me about 10 chapters to get in it. Of course, when I read this much, scrapbooking usually takes a back burner.

Craft fair: After I finish the baby boy book I'm working on, I need to start my craft fair stuff. I've got a "friends" 8x8 book almost finished. It looks pretty cute. Oranges, pinks, white. Very girly stuff. Then I was thinking about some altered clipboards and I guess a few pencil holders (made from beef stick containers - which my friend said would make cute teacher gifts!) and of course some paper bag albums - but not many --- mostly friends, girls and maybe a sport book or two.

Gotta run to break (our group never misses 9:00am break!)

UGH!

I forgot my blogger password and then couldn't remember my login! How did I get kicked out of the "automatic" password thingy? I just couldn't remember any of it cause I never sign on. Oh well, I'm here now!

Em started Goodpasture last week. Wednesday was 1/2 day, Thursday full day. Em is very a very social person. She's happiest when she is surrounded by her friends. And she's always been more of a leader than a follower ..... till now! We went to the "back to school bash" Friday night at the school and I watched her follow a goup of little girls around that she kinda knew. She was like the 5th wheel. It broke my heart. They didn't appear to be mean to her, it was just they could care less if she was there or not. I honestly made me think to myself, my gosh, what have we done. But then the logical part of my brain took over and said, you've made the best decision you could for your child..... she'll make friends eventually, but she'll get a GREAT education NOW! And I know, she will make friends. I just hope she lets if happen at its own pace and not force it, which has been my advice to her. These little girls have probably always gone to school together, give it time. But still, it's hard to wait, I know that! She did have a lot homework last night. It took us 3 hours to do it because she didn't want to do it and couldn't focus on it! Hopefully it will get better.

Nothing happening other than school and cheerleading. I have an 8x8 book started, but can't get in the mood for it. I really need to, cause I've got our work craft fair in Oct. So that only gives me a month to work on stuff. Honestly, I'm thinking I might give up my spot, I'm just not feeling "it" right now. Scrapbooking is the last thing I want to do!

Gotta run! More later

Anyone have advice on potty training a dog?

Okay, we've had this puppy since she was 4 months old. The previous owners were paper training her. I don't really have a good place for that, so we started outside training her when we got her. We'll, we've had her a year and she's still not completely trained. She stays in a crate during the day when we are all gone and goes out as soon as we get there. It does get a little sketchy while we are home. She goes out a couple times while we are home (sometimes more) depending on what everyone is doing. I try and keep my eye on her and if she seems to be wanting to go out or sniffing around, I'll take her out. Last night she was out of water and when I gave her some, she drank, drank and drank. But I had just taken her out when I discovered the water bowl was dry. I took her out before we went to bed and nothing, she did nothing. I guess sometime during the night (or early morning) she got up and needed to tinkle and did in DH's room (its the extra bedroom that he uses for his clothes and junk!) Of course, I called him on his way in to work and he was livid, tell me I've got to MAKE her go. Tell me, how to I MAKE a dog go potty?!?!?!?!? I pretty much said it wasn't entirely my responsbility. He could have taken her out this morning when he was up at 4:30 with his bug bitten legs putting more medicine on them. I've gotten up at 3:30 before just to let the dog out because she was restless. I'm not sure what else to do other than take her out EVERY 2 hours. But I know she won't go everytime we go out. Who would? What are we doing wrong?


By the way, listen what else happened last night. I woke up sometime during the night with my finger killing me. It felt swollen. I punched DH and told him (which he didn't respond), got up, wet my finger either with water or my own spit and took them off. But, for the life of me I can't remember where I took them off and put them. I'm hoping in my jewerly box because I have a faint memory of reaching over the dresser last night and feeling for the box, but it could have all been a dream! Who knows ...... I just know I don't have my rings on.

AND, DD has pink eye! She woke up yesterday morning with both eyes red and yucky. I took her to the doctor and she said he looked like pink eye. We also taked about the Ritlan (this is a blog in itself, but I hate the fact that I have to give her this medicne, but she can consentrate so much better when she is taking it!) and we talked about her tonsils, which are HUGE! She told me she'd refer me to a ENT if I thought she needed it. DD snores pretty loudly and even shows early signs of sleep apena (spell?).

Gotta run and work!

More pictures from Destin FL

Em playing in the water. It was pretty clean on this day. It did get yucky later in the week. But then cleared up when we left. I do love the white sand in FL ..... beautiful!

Okay, I'll bite!

I love Amy Howe's blog, scrapbook pages and especially her photographer. I stalk her blog daily! She kinda fussed at us stalkers who don't post comments and issued at challenge ..... I've been tagged. If you're reading this, consider yourself tagged also!!!


If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
Right now, I'm pretty content where I am. I've lived on the same street all my life, I don't know anything else. I really like quaint little towns, where things are slow and easy! But don't have any place in mind.
What's your favorite article of clothing? Embrassing as it is, a pair of cut off sweat pants that have a million holes in them, but they are so comfy!
Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex? Muscular arms and chest, toned legs, nice behind!
What's the last CD that you bought? Rascall Flatts
Where's your favorite place to be? Anywhere other than work!
Where's your least favorite place to be? Work!
What's your favorite place to be massaged? Never had one, but have a gift certificate!
Strong in mind or strong in body? mind!
What time do you wake in the morning? With the alarm, 5:15 am; without around 8:00
What's your favorite kitchen appliance? Microwave!
What makes you really angry? People being inconsiderate of others feelings and opinions.
If you could play any instrument, what would it be? Piano
Favorite color? Purple
Which do you prefer, sports car or SUV? Depends on what they are. I drive a truck and love being up higher on the road, but I love the new little 4-door BMW's!
Do you believe in afterlife? Heaven? Yes!
Favorite children's book? Charlottes Web
What is your favorite season? Toss up between spring and fall.
What's your least favorite household chore? cleaning bathrooms
If you could have one super power, what would it be? flying
If you have a tattoo, what is it? nope, don't have one ......... yet :)
Can you juggle? Nope
The one person from your past you wish you could go back and talk to? My great grandmother, I was about 3 months old when she died.
What's your favorite day? Saturday - although they are pretty busy.
What's in the trunk of your car? Don't have a trunk, but in the bed of my truck is a fold-up chair.
Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger? HAMBURGER!

Have fun!

Pictures of the beach .......

I thought these were here yesterday, but I guess the post didn't make it.

Let me try again!!!

The yellow rope behind our heads was to keep people off the dunes. Since we were in Destin FL and Katrina tore up most of the dunes, we had to go to the state park in the area to get dunes in the back ground. Ours at "our" beach were still gone and what was there was yucky red dirt/sand/concrete mixture. Mom can take the rope out in Photoshop. I can too in elements, but she's much better at it and is now retired, so she has more time on her hands than I do!!!

Lovin' this picture of us. Eyes are good, smiles are good, color is pretty good, hair isn't blowing crazy!

The whole clan. Nice picture. Look how all the "khaki's" are different colors. I bought my shorts while I was in FL, got a great deal on them. All three of us (Steve, me and Em) had to have white shirts while we were there .... another good deal!

I'll post more later! Got some funny kissing pictures!

We were at the beach last week ..........

And boy was it nice. Just to get away and not have the same ole schedule. Although Steve and I have come to the conclusion that as long as Em is young, our vacations aren't really a vacation, she just requires a lot of "interaction". But we also deteremined that next year we're either vacationing with another family or taking her a friend. It will leave us with more "us" time. By the way, it was our first time in Destin FL.

We did a mini photo shoot, with the purpose of taking pictures for a Christmas card. I haven't sent out Christmas cards in a while. I figure if I have the picture done already, getting the cards printed will be a snap!

For some reason, I've tried to download a couple of shots for two days now, and can't get them to download to blogger. I'll try it in another post.

There are pictures of all of us (my mom, dad, Steve, Em and me.) Those pictures were taken by a nice lady on the beach that was helping set up for a wedding. She did a pretty good job. We passed a family arriving on the beach when we were leaving to have their pictures made... they had a photographer following them. When we got back to the condo, we downloaded our pictures and everyone agreed that we probably saved ourselves $300, because our pictures were so good! I can't wait to get some of them printed and framed. I have a really good shot of my cute hubby .... it's going in a frame on my desk!

Gotta run and read a book (I'm on a reading kick - just finished a James Patterson book Violets are Blue it was really good!)

I want one of these ...........

On the Making Memories blog they have listed on the new stuff debuted at CHA. I want - no - NEED one of these!

"12” x 12” Precision Paper Trimmer – Professional construction meets sophisticated utility with this trimmer. The long-lasting rotary blade provides accurate, straight cuts, while sharpening itself at the same time. Its one-of-a kind folding design offers crafters a full 12”x12” cutting surface, that folds down to easily fit into a Runway Roller™. A trimmer this specialized, at this affordable price, makes it a cut above the rest. "

Isn't it cool! A full 12x12 trimmer, that folds! I love it!!!! Gotta find one NOW!

Also, here's a couple shots from my most recent photography adventure. This is my best friends 16 (almost) daughter. We took these pictures so she could put them in her b-day invitation (which I'm making, with lots of help!) The pictures with "the boyfriend" was just because we wanted them!!

Aren't they cute!?!?!?!

More later ................................

Sometimes life SUCKS!

One of my friends, Beth, found out yesterday that her job has been deleted. Where we work, we don't get uemployment, but she got a small severence package. We are hoping and working to find her something else within the corporation. She's been her for 21 yrs! Can you imagine. She graduated high school on Thursday and started working on Monday. She's never known anything else. She's very upset, as you can imagine! Please say a small prayer for her!

On to happier things. We watched "In Her Shoes" and "Failure to Launch" this week. Both very cute movies. A recommended see. I get them from Netflix and yesterday morning, DD and I put them in my parents mailbox to watch and with everything that happended with my friend, I forgot to call my parents and tell them they were in there. Well, the mailman took them. They weren't sealed and the arm wasn't up to take the mail, but he did anyways......... guess trying to be helpful. Of course, if I had wanted him to take the mail .... he wouldn't have!

Hopefully, I can get some scrapbooking done this weekend. I've been on a reading kick. I'm reading The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Very good series. I'm book 8. They are a quick, fun read. I started book 8 last night and just wasn't in the mood to do anything but veg on the couch, I assumed just generally bummed because of my friend. I'm sure today, I'll read some.

Here's a picture I took of some unknown kid at my friend's little girls ball game. I think its a pretty good shot! He was sliding (sp?) home. Look at that smile!
















Gotta run, more later .................

I WANT to lose 10 lbs

Okay, so 10lbs isn't such a big deal. I can do this .......... before July 30? I don't know, thats a lot. When I was doing WW faithfully, I think one week I lost 4 lbs, but after that I averaged about 2 lbs a week. I don't have 5 weeks to lose this weight. So I think I'm going back on the South Beach diet. No sweets, no bread .... but I refuse to give up fruit! They are my salvation to the sweet thing! So anyways, send good vibes to me. We leave July 30 for vacation ......... actually I might to try to talk DH into leaving a day early and spend the night someplace on the way down. The reason for this weight loss thing? I bought two bathing suits from JCPenney.

One is this one. I can't believe I actually bought a two piece ....... oh my what was I thinking? Well, let me tell you. After seeing how many people actually wear a two piece that really shouldn't, I started thinking.... hey, I don't look THAT bad in a two piece, so I bought the bullet and did it. Now, I'll probably wear it mostly on vacation and at the house, but still.... I could wear it to Wave Pool or Nashville Shores and MAYBE be comfortable! The one is black with the floral print. Halter top and high waist bottoms. I asked Em what she thought and she said the bottom were too high! HA - my answer was they are keeping stuff hidden!

I can't find a picture of the other one. It's a tankini - orange and pink. It's safe. Cute! Very momish ..... They were kinda expensive, but usually when they cost a little more, you can wear them for several years.

Okay, gotta run .... wish me luck losing the weight so fast ..... I'm gonna do it!!! Salads and meat for the next three weeks!!!!

Guess what we did Saturday night?

Yep, I was one of 47, 699 that was that LP Field for the Kenny Chesney concert in Nashville. VERY COOL. It was a night to remember. First, it was DD's first concert. She adores Kenny. (Informed me this weekend that she's gonna name her first born son Kenny!) Second, $60 worth of tee-shirts got cigarette burn on it. Third, I got beer poured in my seat and down my back. Fourth, Kenny freakn' rocked!!!!

I didn't take my camera (glad I didn't, would probably have ended up with beer all over it!), so I'm going to borrow pictures from the Tennessean.com (our local newspaper)

Okay, Little Big Town was good. Good choice for an opening act. Dierks Bently.... wow! He's a hottie! Great job! Big and Rich ...... oh my gosh, what a great concert! I'd love to see them for a full concert. Gretchen Wilson, we'll I like her songs on the radio (Here for the party, Redneck Woman, etc), but to hear a lot of her songs, well, I'm not that huge of a fan. Kenny rocked the house! Keith Urban..... Em and I screamed our heads off! And we were within a stones throw from the mini stage that Kenny came up on, so we got to see him close ....... we were screaming our looney heads off! It was a blast, even with all the "trouble" around us. Which by the way, the cops came down once to straighten them out and then the girl next to me got sent to the hospital (her friends got a text message from her) don't have a clue what happened, but her friend left their seats. I guess that went to get her! She was really wasted. My question .... why would you pay all that money only to get so drunk you don't remember it? That my friends is stupid!!!! We (Em, hubby and I) had a great time, as did the people beside us and in front of us and we were all stone sober!

Thats it for now. I got the new Stampin' Up catalog. Gonna try and look at it today. But at a quick glance, looks like a really great catalog.

Quick Recap of July 4th Weekend

Saturday - swimming party at friends
Sunday - swimming at Nana's and dinner at Aunt Shelia's house (yummy rib-eye steaks!)
Monday - nothing ----- scrapbooking and reading
Tuesday - family gathering at Nana's house - yummy food! Then to another friends for fireworks
Wednesday - back to work :-(


So, nothing real exciting and nothing to stressful. Tonight I'm going to the crop at Scrappuccino's for a little while. Not staying long. I'm really not in the mood and I'm really tired. Tomorrow is the Kenny Chesney concert! Whoa-Who! Very excited. Em is very excited! She's wearing her pink cowboy hat! I just pray we'll be able to see. We're on the floor....

FAMILY pictures

Here's some pictures that we took Saturday after the wedding. So, scrapbookers, what color/pattern paper would you use for these pictures?

The best thing about a blog ...........

is pictures! Or at least thats one of the best things.

It's funny, cause you either get blogs or you don't. I went to lunch recently with some friends, pretty wide range of ages. From 23ish to 39ish. I was the only one who had a blog. The oldest in the group didn't get it and thought they'd never, ever have one or see why anyone would. One was starting or had just started one (he's a techie kind of guy - waving at him if he's reading) and the other two were just like whatever. I really enjoy reading blogs and thats how this one started. I thought, hey they can do, what can't I do it. Maybe one day when I'm a famous scrapbooker, people will flock to my site like the do Alli's or Heidi's. Just think if Becky H or Lisa B had one! WOW! Not many of my friends know I have one. I try not to advertise it to the general public. Most don't get scrapbooking and most would laugh at my posts. Plus, what if I talk about them?!?!?! He-he-he!

So, one to the pictures. I thought I'd show a few from a couple of Saturdays ago when we were swimming at Nana's! Steve had gotten in with the girls and was playing shark and such. He decied they should try and catch a "splat" ball while they jump in the water. The other little girl is my friends daughter. She's 6. Em is 9. Check out those boo-boos on Em - from a scooter wreck at daycare one day!

Cheer Camp has started

Em is in Cheer Camp for the next three days at Goodpasture. It's a fund raiser for the Varsity team. I was worried about Em because she wouldn't know anyone, but a friend of hers is there also. And we know one of the varsity girls, so I introduced them. She wanted me to stay, but I couldn't cause I'm at work. Thursday there is a "pep" rally. I'll go to that and watch! She seems to really love Cheerleading and pays attention pretty good. She's cheer this year at our park for the Jr Pro Vikings team, but next year she could cheer for the school. I'm torn on this. That means she won't finish her "cheer" career for the Vikings, which saddens me, but cheering at the school will give her a head start for trying out for middle school.

I took pictures at a wedding this weekend. I thought maybe they'd have a "real" photographer, but they didn't. So it was basically me and some point and shoot cameras. Most of my pictures turned out pretty good (some of the staged couple shots are good enough to frame in my opinon) but the inside cermony shots were terrible. The church was kinda dark, so I really needed a tripod, but didn't bring it. I know better next time.

DH was coorporative enough that we went to Nana's afterwards to get some family shots outside while we were dressed nicely. Once I get them resized, I'll post a couple.

Gotta run and do some work. Here's two OLD layouts! But I love them because I love paper piecing. Both the giraffe and the monkey are from coloring books .......

Here's another older layout

I really need to bring some of the newer layouts to the office so I can upload them to the blog. I do have a lot of them on ScrapJazz.com. ChristyScraps is my id on there, if you're interested.

Here's one:




This one is using all Reminders of Faith product, except the rubons, letter stickers, photo croners and the button. I love this picture of DD. She was 6 months old and a dream! This was not long after she started sitting up, so they made for a great pictures. I have this particular one hanging in my bedroom. Sometimes its the last thing I see at night before going to bed. The right side was made mostly for journaling, which I did on a transparency.


Thanks for looking!

More later .................

Wow, it's been a while!

Since I updated. Sorry! Nothing great or exciting happening! Work, work and a little play. Oh yea, was sick this past weekend, stomach bug.... nothing like it! I still don't feel 100%, but I think I'm on the mend. Nobody else in the family has gotten it, so maybe it will stay that way.

I've been on AMY HOWE's blog this morning (http://www.amyhowe.typepad.com/) I love her work! She seriously rocks. I love her layouts, can spot them anywhere and I wish she lived closer so she could take some of those awesome pictures of Em. Anyways, I sent her an email, I know pretty lame, but I wanted to pick her brain! Lets hope she responds! I'll let you know if she does.

I've been a lazy scrapbooker, but with just case. I'm been battling some serious headache almost daily and haven't really felt like concentrating on anything to intently at night. I think its either my sinuses or my eyes. I can't figure out which since both hurt around the same area. I've had two migrane type headaches in the past few weeks - in the bed sick headache and then almost everyday just a bad, bad headache. I can function with them, so I don't complain to the family too much, but I do seem to get motion sick with them more frequently than usual, so I think thats odd. I probably need to go to the doctor, but it'll cost money (copay and such). I did call and he called me in an antibotic and a steriod pack for my sinuses, but I don't think they helped and when I got sick Saturday night I stopped taking everything. The antibotic upset my stomach (usually do when I take a strong antibotic). I've talked with a friend of mine who says sinus headaches and migrane are very similar, so I can't tell what I'm really having. I do know that I've switched saline solution and so far today, my eyes aren't bothering me too bad. We'll see!

Oh yea, I wanted to comment on Days of Our Lives! Can you belive that Patch and Kayla are back! OMG! I've heard many people say that this story line is one of the best in a while. We'll see!

I thought I'd post a layout. Make the blog more exciting. Here's an old one:



This is of my best friends daughter and mine eating pudding. I think the picture was taken in 2002. I probably made the layout last year. It's for Em's special 11 x8.5 book. Mostly all single picture layouts of special days or some of my favorite pictures of her.

More later!

The Wednesday update

Nothing new going on. I finished a the final album for a client who had requested 4 albums. Mini albums, but still it was a lot of work. Now, I've got to work on my class for http://ajourneyoffaith.com. I'm teaching a paper bag scripture class and haven't really designed it yet, other than an idea I have. I really need to get working on that so I can get my sponsors lined up. I hope I can get the ideas out of my head and on the paper!

Tonight is a pretty lazy night. I plan on working on another mini album I've got started. I'll probably sell it at the Livery Stables. Very simple, heavy clipboard front (covered) with thinner chipboard insides. All hole punched and held together with ribbon. Very inexpensive to make (so far - its don't deocrated yet!). My plan would be to sell it pretty resonable. We'll see how it goes.

More later!

Great weekend!

I've tried for several days to get this post out, hopefully it'll make it today!

Weekend recap:

Had a GREAT time scrapbooking Friday night at the crop at Scrappuccino's! I love cropping at a store, so many options. My friend Cheryl had a blast too. I forsee us doing it again!!! Next one, July 7!

I can't decide if I want to continue buying QK or save up for a Cricut? I love my QK, but know that I'd love the Cricut just as much! Decisions, decisions!

Nothing profound to say today. I'm working on a baby album for a client. Hoping to pretty much finish it tonight. We watched 40 Year Old Virgin last night. So stinkin' funny! I laughed my fat butt off!!!!! Seriously it was great. I got it from Netflix and so it was Unrated, which meant we had to watch it when DD was gone. She went to sleep at 5:30 last night and slept all the way to this morning. I think its one of the few I'd actually buy! Watch it!

Guess I need to run. I've been in staff all morning, so I'm a little behind on all my normal stuff!

More later...............

Oh yea, tonight is going to be nice!!!!!

First, my good buddy, Cheryl and I are going to Scrappuccino's to the monthly crop. I haven't been since December! WOW! They think I've forgotten about them. But really it's just been life getting in the way. I actually tried to pre-plan some pages last night of DD. I'm trying to finish up her "everyday" album for 2001. Can you believe, I'm 5 years behind!!! I really need to try and only do the everyday important pictures and get moving. I think with these pictures, I'll start that process. I'm going to choose the best 4 or 5 and do a 2 page spread with them. Oh yea, I do have one heritage layout I want to work on too. It's of my mom when she was about 2 years old. It's a scan of a picture that hung in my grandfathers bedroom for as long as I could remember. Now it hangs in my mom's hallway (the hallway of fame!). I also have one of her when she was about 6 mos old that hung in his room too. I might buy some paper to go with it tonight, although I recently got the Urban Coulture paper in my SO kit, and that might work really well..... My goal tonight is to buy as few things as possible. And I also tried to skim down what I'm taking to the crop. I always come in with a million things. Of course, I've out grown my Generations tote and really need something bigger, but I can't find exactly what I want. So tonight I have my generations tote, a bag with ideas and my letter binder, and a rubbermaid tote with all my emblishements I might need thrown in it. I also have my ribbon tote, but I usually leave it in the car and only get it out if I need it.

Second good part of the night, DD is spending the night with Nana & Grandaddy and DH is working nights, so I'll have the bed to myself tonight. YEA, freedoom to sleep in the middle. Of course, since he's working nights, I'll probalby not sleep good, but just to spread out will be nice!

Third, working on my own pictures tonight will be fun. I've been surfing the net looking at different layouts and I'm very inspired to do some fun, amazing work tonight. When I get them finished, I'll post!

More later!

Our class project at CKC Nashville

This was the page we made in the Li'L Davis "Tinseltown" class at the Creating Keepsakes Convention. I really enjoyed the class. Using some of the new products, kinda stepping out of my "box" to create a large 12x12 layout using a small 4x6 picture (not something I would do on a regular basis - lots of waste if you ask me). But I really liked the products. I've found them at Rocky Mountain Hobbies, but thats about it so far.I hope one our great local stores will carry them. I heard that several people were disappointed in the class, but I guess I didn't have real high expections of it once I learned Jenni Bowlin wasn't going to be there. I figured I could always take a more intimate class with her at ScrapIt!. Michelle Hill was good, but needed a wireless microphone. Hope you like the page, I sure do!

Gotta brag a little .............

DH is a hunter. He hunts deer, turkey, whatever. I try to be supportive and I think for the most part, I am. This spring he got a really nice turkey. Guess you saw the picture huh? I just submitted it for him on the Primos hunting site. This turkey wasn't huge.... on 21lbs, but it had 5 beards. Not unheard of, but very uncommon. We only saw 2, but the other 3 were discovered when he took it to get mounted. Just wanted to brag a little on my sweet, hunting hubby!!!

Have a great weekend! I hope to scrap a little and maybe visit Memories In Bloom today (shhhh, don't tell, but I'm going to leave work a little early!)

Phew ......... 8 little girls can wear a person out!

The birthday party was a success, I guess. Girls are so funny. I wasn't prepared for all the "girl drama" as I called it. I saw more tears and heard more "she hurt my feelings" in 2 days than I've heard ever. It was crazy. I finally told them, get along and took my DD to the bathroom and told her, "it's your job to make sure everyone is happy, regardless if you are or not"! UGH, I don't remember being like that, but mom assures me my friends and I were exactly like that. Em got a basketball goal and basket balls for her "main" present from us, along with clothes, a bratz and a memory board (no I didn't make it!). She got a nice stereo system from Nana & Grandaddy. Its in the floor in the bonus room till I get a table to put down there. She also got a kite and chocolate fountain from Nana & Grandaddy. She got a Bratz BobIt from a friend as well as money, a fold up moon chair, another bratz and a puppci puppy. She had a great birthday - she should have we celebrated for 3 days!!!!

I've bought scrapbooking supplies lately, but not really scrapbooked. I'm making Em's thank you cards, so that's my main project right now. I've also got an 8x8 accordian book to do for a client. I plan on going to a crop next Friday and only working on my stuff. I hope I can get everything preplanned so I don't have to take EVERYTHING I own! I wend to ScrapIt yesterday and couldn't resist some of the cute prima bottle of flowers, the heart shaped bottle. Picked up two bottles, but I'm splitting them with Cheryl!

I'm not doing WW this session, at $100 a pop, thats hard. Plus with DD going to private school this fall, everything I can save is good, including scrapbooking stuff. Although I do want to make a trip to MIB this weekend. Wonder if I can talk Mom into going and making some purchases?

Speaking of mom, she's retiring........ her last work day is June 1. I'm going to miss seeing her at work everyday, but she's going to work some contract stuff, so I'll still see her occasionally. Plus, I'll see her every sunny weekend this summer at the pool!!! But it will be hard not to have her here when I need to hear that friendly mommy voice! Oh yea, dad is also retiring June 1. They're going to kill each other!!!!


More later!
Christy

The birthday sleepover is right around the corner!

Em's b-day party is Friday night/Saturday. I have lots for the girls to do. 8 girls to be exact. At least we think everyone is coming. I haven't heard about 2 of them, but I assume they are coming. Its a luau party, very tropical. We're decorating flip-flops, having a chocolate "fountain" for fruits and fun stuff, decorating a 8x8 scrapbook page and a frame, (with tropical paper - the 8x8 page will stay for Em's book - a lime green book - and the frame will go with a picture of the girl and Em.) painting a sun catcher, limbo (to limbo music!) and if warm enough, playing in the sprinkler?(this is a huge maybe!). I know one little girl has to leave early Saturday morning - so I plan on doing the present thing Friday night, but doing cupcakes on Saturday at lunch - is that okay?

Maintained today in the weight loss area ........ I guess that's better than gaining!

More later!

Mother's Day Pictures

Mother's Day recap

I love getting gifts. I think TIME and GIFTS are my love language. At least with DH they are. I love getting gift from him, especially things I won't buy myself. So for Mother's Day, I asked for the New Rascal Flatts and new Kenny Chesney cd's. We had a conversation Saturday.

DH: I'm sorry I didn't get you anything for Mother's Day.
ME: Thats okay, I don't need anything.
DH: But you wanted those cd's.
ME: Oh well, that can wait. There's this strawberry pot I want too. Probably cheaper!
DH: Hmmmm!

I woke up to a piece of 12x12 pink Bazzill taped to the TV that was stamped, Happy Mother's Day. It was signed by DH for him and DD. There we little flowers stamped all over it in red. It was dated and indicated to turn it over. On the back it said "C.... I scrap too!". I was anixous to see what kind of mess he had made. BUT, DD was done in my scrap area (in the basement) when I got up making a card for me and I was forbid to come down. She finally yelled for me to come down and she wanted to use my MM acrylic paints on the card, what can she put the paint on. I use old CD (from the mail and cd's that DH doesn't want anymore) to hold paint. I got her one down and just instructed her to clean the stamps when she was finished - giving her the baby wipes and Stampin' Up scrubby thing. A little while later, she comes up and gives me a pretty purple Bazzill card with ribbons/fiber tied on it. Inside it had prima flowers and Queen & Co flower sequins ALL over the inside. She also stamped Happy Mother's Day with purple and green paint (our favorite colors). So sweet and thoughtful, but I'm trying to figure out how to get some of the sequins off and back in the container, she used ALMOST all my big flower sequins and we all know they aren't cheap!

So, for Mother's Day, we took my mom and dad to a neat little tea room in Pleasant View called Silver Spoons Tea Room. It was yummy. We took several pictures and then visited the Livery Stables (where I rent space for my scrapbook business adventure - not selling much btw!). Then off the Walmart. We never go as a family, I was actually pumped not to be doing this by myself! DH is gooding about keeping me on task. DD and I get side tracked to much. While I was paying for the grocerys and stuff, we went to the garden center and bought my Strawberry Pot! YEA! I forgot to take a picture, but as soon as I get my strawberries planted, I'll post one! Then I scrapbooked. What a nice day! - Especially after almost dieing with my allergies Saturday - what is blooming in Middle TN?

I've started a "commissioned" clipboard twice now and each time, messed them up. First time, I didn't get it smooth. The last time, DD had used my sponge and didn't clean it good. So when I sealed it with the modge podge, it had green specks of paint all over it (blue and brown paper). So I couldn't stand it and ripped it up! I ended up making me a clipboard to use ... using Artic Frog paper. It's really cute! I can't sale it either, its personalized!!!!

More later!

My stinkin' computer ...........

okay, so I can't really complain, because this is my work computer, but it is soooooo slow. I'm slated to get a new one in November though!!!! YEA!

We're going on a real vacation! We haven't planned on going on a vacation this year, just because of the remodeling we've been doing and plan on doing and with Emilee starting private school this year. But my parents are renting a condo in Destin for a week July 29-Aug 6. So we're going down for 4 or 5 days. YEA ME! I can't wait to just rest by the ocean, get a killer late season tan and maybe scrapbook!!! I need to search out a store ....... any ideas, let me know!

I've pretty much maintained my weight for another week. I weighed 2 ounces less, but to me that's the same.

Today is our screening at Goodpasture. I'm kinda nervous, but I'm sure everything will be good!

More later!!!

Weekend, school and field day!

Today was field day. It was suppose to be Friday, but it was rained out. I'm sorta glad because I couldn't go Friday. Em did good and I think she own two 1st place and maybe one or two 2nd place ribbons. But the excitment was when we were getting ready to go back in the building because her class was finished, the school went into LOCKDOWN!!! Can you believe it? In Joelton! And to top it off, the principal said "This isn't a drill!" WHAT! They have lockdown drills?!?!?!?!? Now, I know the bank in Joelton was robbed a couple of years ago and the suspects fled through the woods behind the school, so they went on lockdown for like 1/2 a day. But they actually have lockdown drills!!! OH MY! But back to today. The kids were great. It wasn't as crazy as I figured it would be. The teacher had to get a student that had gone to get her jacket, so she asked us parents (3 of us) to take the kids to the room. Well you know, once your in ........ your in. I kept thinking, do I really want to do this? What if it lasts all day. But it didn't. Only about 15 min. I heard the deal was the prescription shope was robbed and they were holding hostages .... it is just across the street from the middle school, which is next door to the elementary school. I haven't heard anything confirming any of this yet.

Em goes Thursday for her screening at Goodpasture. Anyone have an insights on that, I'd be happy to hear your experiences.

This weekend Teresa B, Marva B and Mrs. Jean and I went to Kathy Sterry's scrapbook house. They stayed Fri and Sat night. I only stayed Friday night. The house is perfect for weekend get-a-ways. It's small, but nice and clean. 3 bedrooms, so I had a bedroom to myself. I slept on the bunkbed, which was a new experience for me. But the bed was very comfy and I was very tired! I got my consigned baby book finished. And almost got my cruise album finished. I actually got it finished Sunday night. They say they had loads of fun Sat night also. It's a great place to have a mini retreat. Since its in Joelton, you don't spend a ton of time driving, but since you're not at home, you feel like your away.

More later!

No weighing in today ............

I gotta make a run at lunch to Hobby Lobby. I need more "ruler" ribbon for the clipboard I'm working on. I also need to look at their paper to see if they have any other "teacher" paper. Might make a another teacher clipboard.

I sent off Em's Goodpasture application today. Cross your fingers that they have room for her this fall and that she tests well enough to be accepted. I've already come to terms that they might hold her back a year, which will be okay, IF she needs it. She's not the best student, but some of that might be enviroment and some of it might be parents. I was a terrible student, never wanted to do homework or study for test, so I'm afraid my study habits have worn off on her. This is the reason I'd be a terrible home school mom!!!

This weekend I'm going scrapbooking in the house that Kathy at Scrappuccino's owns. Me and some unamed friends (they might want anyone to know!!!) will spend Friday night and all day Saturday working!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT for some serious scrapping time!!! My plan is to bring the 8x8 book that I've got an order for and finish it .... hey its possible I got 6 pages down Sunday night in about 2 hours, I already have all the papers picked out, just gotta assemble them and put down embellishments. Then work and finish my cruise album. After I finish it I can start our Disney album!!! I'm so looking forward to that. My plan is to have Em help me write the journaling for it in her words! Too cute!!! She so loved this trip and talks about it at least once a week! I've made/covered the 12 x 12 album with Mickey fabric. Now, just to load up on page protector from Micheals!

More later!

Whew! Orders, orders, orders AND a DATE!

I've got orders!!!!!! A lady at work wants me to do: one 8x8 album for her mom (first grandbaby) and two paper bag albums for g-grandma and g-aunt all by Mother's Day. I'm not sure I can get them all done by Mom's Day, make no promises, but promising the 8x8 by Mom's Day. THEN she wants another 8x8 something toward the end of May. AND my mom showed off my clipboards and I have two orders for those, one by next Saturday. This is for a teacher and I already have the stuff, so I'm thinking it will be pretty easy. Actually with this one, the back with be more decorated than the front since the object is for her to use it when she starts teaching this coming fall. It's a graduation present. The other clipboard is for a senior that is graduating and going to college. The mom isn't sure if she wants to do it in the old high school colors or the new college colors, either way the theme is football. WOW! I gotta get busy! And this Saturday I'm spending the day taking classes at the CK convention.


I've got a date tonight! I'm really excited! DH and I are actually dressing up (somewhat) and going to eat at PF Changs! Yea, outside of Joelton!!!! We rarely go somewhere to eat unless we are already out, but I've got two gift cards to eat the PF Changs and one of them expires soon. My boss gave me both of them for Adminstrative Assistant day, last year and this year! We'll pretty much eat free and I'll have some left for a couple of lunches!

More later!

Wednesday's Weight Loss post and more!

Just wanted to post that I haven't lost anything this week, but haven't gained either .... Maintained!!! Yeah! Now hear me, I don't have a ton to lose - like 10 more lbs - so all us women know that the last 10 is the worse! But I can lose 10 more lbs, it would bring my total to 25lbs and for me, that would be GREAT!!!

Now, on to more important things!

I've noticed on a couple of blogs ...... why I scrapbook posts. Well this got me thinking. Why do I scrapbook? Not, why are we suppose to scrapbook. Not, how are we suppose to scrapbook, but WHY DO I SCRAPBOOK?

For me, honestly, its a creative release. See, I grew up with my mom, who can tole paint like nobodys business. She also can make awesome flower arrangements. I didn't have a creative bone in my body till I stumbled upon scrapbooking. Here's the LONG story!

When my grandparents died in 1995, DD wasn't around yet. Not even a glimmer in her daddy's eyes. But as recipients of their house, I inherited all their stuff, including pictures. After we got all the clothes boxed and sent off, I had left blankets, furniture, knick-knacks and pictures. A large portion of their pictures were identifiable by my mom, thank goodness, but some weren't. So I started in on the genealogy kick! (See where I'm going?) After researching the family tree, spending a good bit of time at the state archives and sifting through the internet I had done about as much as I could do without trip out of the county. One one of the genealogy sites, I saw an ad for a scrapbook. Plain, 3 ring binder, 8.5 x 11 with page protectors. I think it came with some paper and stickers. I ordered it with the bright idea of putting those pictures on the pages. I didn't have a clue what to do or not to do. We'll I cut a picture, I put a few pictures down and I started research scrapbooking on the internet. By now it was around 1999 or 2000. DD had come along and was a baby. The more I learned about scrapbooking, the more hooked I became. So, I thought hey, I'll make my mom a Mother's Day present ... a scrapbook of her pictures of my DD. So I bought baby stuff, visited my first scrapbook store and started buy decorative scissors. It was soooooo fun. And the start of my addiction. I did take about 8 months off in 2002 (DH and I split up for a while) and then started back full force in 2003. BOY, just in that short time, things had changed a lot. So, you can see, I started off scrapbooking because I wanted to make a heritage album to keep all my heritage photos in. (I've done that, but a little more elaborate than just putting them on dark paper) I've documented by pregnancy, delivery and at least up through DD's 3 birthday (maybe in 4th). I use to scrap every picture, journal just enough to tell the story and use deco scissors. Now I don't scrap every picture, just the ones that tell the story or are special to me, I try to journal more and I only use deco scissors on paper (and not very often). I scrapbook because it's fun to me. I love to creative pictures, I love that DD likes to look through her album, I love making stuff for other people (thus the business) and I love having a hobby that I can do every season of the year. Most of friends don't get it, but they accept it. And most have benefited from it in some way or another (or will soon).

Wow, that was long. I applaud you if you stuck around to read all that. It's just alittle of what I share when I teach my "Scrapbooking your Faith" class. By the way, if you haven't already, please check out the retreat schedule here in Nashville in September:

http://www.remindersoffaith.com/web/pageid/34550/pages.asp


Also, please leave me a comment so I know that you're stopping by ...... if you have a blog that I don't visit, please let me know so I can check out.

See ya later!

What I've done this past week (weekend)

These are the three clipboards I've made over the past week to sale at the Livery Stables. I'm still trying to find the niche market at the store, and I really think this might be it. The first two boards I had up there sold within 4 days of the store opening, before the "grand" opening even! Sports is a huge part of the Pleasant View community, so I'm hoping the folks will like them. I plan on making about 3 more. Need to find some softball paper so I can make a softball board, so the girls won't feel slighted!!!

Post more later!