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!

Weekend Review

Let me start by rewinding to Thursday. I had an appointment with my Orthopedic surgeon... you see the week before Easter my knee popped (this is the knee that I had reconstructive surgery on in '85 - I was 14 - so know you all know my age) on Thursday and Friday of that week I ran a lot of errands and my knee swelled and hurt like crazy ... to the point that I couldn't shop anymore (can you imagine!!!). Well, Tuesday last week I go up off the couch to walk across the floor and I had a pain in my knee that brought tears to my eye. I couldn't walk for a few seconds it hurt so bad. So I made an appointment Wednesday and go in to see the Physican attendant. I fully expected him to say that I had some cartledge damage ...... well no its worse. Since I had some of my menicus removed in that area it isn't that. The bad news is that I have an alignment problem, which I was probably born with. But because of the severe work I had done at such a young age, my left knee is weaker and the mis-alignment is more pronounced, causing bone on bone on the inner portion of my knee. I have some major arthritis in that area of my knee that will only get worse with the years and age. I do have some options ... none are great or a real fix, they are a temporary fix. 1) therpy ..... doing that now to strength certain muscles to help hold my knee joint in place 2) shots - once a week for 5 weeks - lasts about 6 months. It sorta make a cushion in the knee. 3) brace - big, bulkly, ugly, knee brace to hold my knee in the correct position, wear it at all times that I'm on my feet. 4) sugery - last options ...... 2 surgeries available - knee replacement, but I'm not a candidate because of my age - high tibial ostotomy osteotomy is the other option, but as far as I'm cocerned, its not an option right now. Its a painful surgery- where they cut a wedge of bone out of your "shin" bone, stuff it with more bone and cause your knee to align correctly. It is a long recovery, something that I can't do at this time (with an active kid). So I go back May 18 for an appointment with my actual doctor, I'll post more after I've talked with him.

Now, to the weekend. Since DD is grounded (two "D" on her report card) we hung out together (she was suppose to have a little girl spend the night). DH had to work 2nd shift, so we hung out Friday night, when shopping Saturday after going to the park to watch our nephew play. I hit Memories in Bloom and Hobby Lobby in Clarksville. Sunday we hung out, bought some flowers, planted them and then we (DH included) went fishing - which was DD's idea).

Nice weekend, of course since I spent so much time outside, my allergies are TERRIBLE right now. Itchy nose and eyes, my poor nose is raw from blowing it 5000 times Saturday night/Sunday.

I did finish up two clip boards Saturday night and planned a second one Sunday, but didn't start on it.

Talk more later!

Wednesday's post 4/19/06

Since today is Wednesday. I'll post. I skipped last week on purpose. I didn't lose any weight. I gained 2.4 ......... WOW!!!! I totally blew it last week. But this week, even with Easter, I lost one pound. That doesn't sound like much, but with Easter, I was very pleased. My goal was to maintain, so I got an extra star in our group meeting today.

Yesterday was hubby's birthday. I was a bad wife and didn't get him anything. Mostly because I spent a lot of money over the weekend, with Easter and some spring fever and Emilee needed things for the Kats game Friday night (new black shoes and getting her hair done). She danced at halftime with the "Little Kittens". Very cute and she had fun. I'll post pictures when I get them resized.

Lets talk about scrapbooking:

1) I've got almost all my business projects done - one more waiting for a title page and I can start back on the stuff for the Livery Stables. For that I'm doing some baseball and soccer clipboards since the clipboards sold first when the store opened, so I'm thinking this community is so baseball/soccer crazy that these might go well. I've bought way more stuff than I'll ever use, but I'm so afraid (which this has happended before) that if I don't buy something when I see it, I'll need it later and can't find it. So, spending money like its made on trees, I tend to buy more than I actually need.

2) Disney pictures. I'm committed to finishing our cruise album before moving on to the Disney album, but I can't wait to start on my 500+ pictures!!!! My friend Cheryl said are to going to scrap them all? NO! was my answer. I tend on using my favorite and the ones that tell a story and them put the rest in normal (acid free) books that have the margins I can write in so I can still document everything, but not spend the time scrapbooking all 500 pictures. I anticipate actually scrapping about 250 pictures (half) plus all the 5x7 character pictures I bought. My dilemna is trying to decide what to do with Em's autographs, which are in a book. Do I tear them out or scan them? Probably scan them and leave the book intact.

3) Purging! I need to purge and sale. I need a store to have a garage sale!!!! I wonder if http://www.scrappuccino.net Scrappuccino's would have one soon? I'll have to ask! OR better yet, I wonder if I could just sell it online? I don't want to use Ebay, I've heard their fees are too much. Any suggestions let me know.

4) I'm in the mood! I'm in the mood to shop ..... scrapbook shop that is. I'm really resisting, because the CK Convention is next weekend and I need to make sure I have some money to spend then. I'm excited about the classes I'm taking too.

Here's my schedule:

Double the Fun with a Flip-Flop Album! ($14.00)
(Saturday, April 29) 9:50 am - 10:50 am
Category: Classes
Sponsored by: Simple Scrapbooks

Tinseltown ($14.00)
(Saturday, April 29) 11:10 am - 12:10 pm
Category: Classes
Sponsored by: Li’l Davis Designs

Chip Off the Old Block ($15.00)
(Saturday, April 29) 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Category: Classes
Sponsored by: Scraps In A Box


See between the last two classes I've given myself enough time to SHOP!!! I just hope there's some good stuff!!!

Gotta run!
Christy

I missed a post

I should have posted on 4/5/06, but forgot. Sorry. I've lost 15.6 lbs! YEA!!! I'm not sure how it happened, cause I've really not tried, just controling what I eat and how much. I think I might be stuck at this weight though and without excerising, it probably won't come off. Just 10 more pounds is all I want to lose! Well, that my personal goal. I'm sure I should weight alittle less than my goal, but for me its all about how the clothes fit. Another 10 lbs will put me in the perfect, easy to find size!

The tornadoes that came though Mid-TN Friday afternoon were very frightening. Luckily, all my family was safe. DD was at school, which was on lock down, nobody leaving and being in a school building was safer than the daycare or my car! Everyone else was down town. Some people I work with had some damage, but nobody that I know was hurt. Thank goodness.

Still not in the mood to scrapbook shop. I actually went to Hobby Lobby Saturday and carried something around for a few minutes, but put it back. I really didn't need it, especially at full price!

More later!

I think I'm on a dry spell

Can you believe I don't feel like shopping for scrapbook stuff? Sure, if someone says I've got some money you can spend, I'd spend it. But right now I don't feel like I NEED anything. I didn't think I could ever get like this. What a great feeling! I have to admit though, I'm starting another book for someone else and it's a boy (you know I don't have much boy stuff) and will probably need to pick up a few things once I get started, but I'm really going to try and use the stuff I have.

I trying to work on a pricing structure and really stick to it. Right now, I pretty much charge by how long it takes me and what I have to buy or spend. I was really look at compiling my cost, but I've pretty much got things down to a science now, so I know about how much it cost to make something. I think with this business/job, you'll never make per hour what your time is worth. Maybe I'm wrong, but I doubt I'll ever come across a client that can pay be $15.00 per hour, plus product.


Guess what is coming up next week? My annual performance review! YEA! Can you hear the joy in my voice. I hate this time of the year, especially with this new boss. We virtually never talk, especially about my performance. With my previous boss, he told me daily how things were going, so at performance time it was more about my goals, etc. I'm anxious for this one! Say a little prayer for me!

Its all about the clothes .........

I love new clothes almost as much as I love new scrapbooking embellishments. Right now I've got some serious "I need some new springy clothes" really bad. I got a Chadwicks magazine in the mail the other day and have marked lots of stuff! Very pretty springy things. I especially love some denim gauchos. We can't wear them to work, so actually buying them makes it hard for me, but they are so darn cute. I need to get them before they are all gone. Last night I was looking at my full closet of clothes thinking how little I actually wear. And how there are several skirts I bought last year that I'll probably get rid of this year because, well, my taste has changed as have the color schemes this year. Southern Gymnastics (where DD takes) is having a yard sale to help raise money for new equipment for the new gym, so I'm thinking about donating all those clothes, plus the huge bag downstairs that I can donate. Can I write that off on my taxes next year? I've also got all of DD's baby toys I can donate. Wow, I probably could have a yardsale myself with all my junk ........ might have to think about that!

I've picked out all the papers for the 6x6 album I'm doing. It should be finished by this weekend. Although it'll be a pretty busy weekend for us. I hope I can get enough work time in to finish it. Then a lady at work wants me to help her make one for grandsons other grandma. I haven't figured out how thats gonna work yet.

I've lost another -2.2 lbs. Of course, thats after having two weeks of gaining (a total of 1.4lbs), but still I lost all of that plus some. Only 10 more lbs to go and I'll be happy. If I lose 20 lbs, that'll make me EXTREMELY happy! Right now the goal is 10 more lbs!

Talk more soon!

Whats on my mind today?

My job. I don't like it much. But it draws a pay check. I don't feel fullfilled. I think I'd be much happier working 3 days a week and scrapbooking the other 2. Wouldn't we all? I so enjoyed my Monday and Friday off last week, but I know if I worked PT, I wouldn't be able to shop for scrapbooking stuff like I did those two days because my salary would be less. So, there lays the problem .... less work, less money, same bills and still a child to put through private school. I guess I'll continue to work. 30 more years as my husband put it last night. My answer, I don't think so, no way am I working 30 more years!!!! 30 years ......... UGH!!!!!


On the upside, I finished an 8x8 album for a girlfriend at work Saturday night. I'm giving it to her for a shower gift. I estimate that its worth about $40.00. Probably more than I would have spent on her, but I'm hoping it will be good exposure, as she lives in another part town. It only took me about 8 days to finish it. Thats about 8 to 10 hours of work for me, which means I'm only paying myself between $5 to $4 per hour. WOW! Its a very simple book though, mostly pattern paper, some ribbon, a few rubons and computer generated monthly labels (what she wanted). I'll scan or take pictures of some of the pages tonight. I used mostly Rob & Bob slab papers and some Christina Cole papers (very pretty!!!).

I'm starting a 6x6 album (for pay) today for a co-worker here at work. She's having her first grand-girl! She's very excited. I'm kinda nervous about working with a 6x6, which doesn't leave much room for emblishments or titles. But she picked the size, so what the customer wants, the customer gets.

We saw Shaggy Dog this weekend. VERY cute movie. DD will probably get it on DVD since I liked it so much. Tim Allen did a great job as a the dog!


More later ........

Hobby Lobby and their success

My friend Sarah posted about Hobby Lobby on a recent blog http://lovelettersillustrated.blogspot.com/ which reminded me of a great article that I had read. I'll paraphrase and retype quickly some of the reason Hobby Lobby is successful according to several different vendor. This is can be found on Mike Hartnett, Feb 2004 Creative Leisure New in the Business Wise column.

The article starts out like this:

From opening a 300 sq ft store to 1.1 billion dollars? They are closed on Sundays, don't have the fancy POP technology at checked counters, etc.... So how did David Green achieve such success. They asked some vendors who sell to HL and are HL's competitors.

1) manufacture much themselves and import a much larger proportion of product directly from Asia. (this is the kickers) In many cases they will buy new lines from a vendor, but once they see the sales movement, "knock it off" themselves. They are very open about this strategy and as a manufacturer you have to decide whether this type of business is worthwhile (they manufactur, distribute and retail their own product)
2) keep product on shelves
3) store size and product mix attracts a very broad consumer base
4) lease costs are lower because they tend to operate in "secondary" locations.
5) hire genuinely good people
6) buyers have YEARS of experience
7) Honesty and integrity
8) Very easy to do business with them
9) straight forward business
10) they open new stores regulary, but only if they can use their own trucks to ship goods to them
11) they don't make HUGE margin on everything they sell
12) loyal employees


I've also read somewhere that they own their own construction company, so anytime they remodel an exististing store (which as stated in #4) they use their own people, so they are making money for themselves. Hobby Lobby incorporates a lot more than just the store, they have lots of subsidary.

I think HL is a facsinating company, considering they are closed on Sunday's and still make money hand over fist!

More later!

{New baby}

One of my very best friends had a baby girl yesterday!!! YEA! I've very excited for her. She and her hubby have been married a couple of years, first child together. I can't wait to see her and the baby. I think I'm gonna look for a 11 x 8 1/2 album for her, solid color and do a baby album for her pictures. I'm sure with her 3 sisters she'll have a ton!


I'm feeling the effects of working full-time and trying to have a "home" business also. Lately I've had no energy for scrapbooking and I need to get some stuff done. I've got a paper bag album started, a couple pair of altered jeans and cards started for the Livery Stables. I have 3 baby books to do and I could stand to work on my own stuff a little too! My plan is to work on things this weekend some take off Monday and work and then I'm taking off Friday, so maybe Thursday night I can get most of my laundry done so I can work most of the next weekend too!

DH and I talked about private schools last night again for DD. The plan has always been to send her to Davidson Academy, but they have annouced that they are planning to move to Hendersonville. So Goodpasture is next on the list, which is a little cheaper. But still expensive. We'll never have another new car again! Sending her to Goodpasture is like having a $450 car payment for the next 8 years!!!! And the bad thing is that its likely that they'll hold her back because she's struggling in Math. Poor kid. She got my Math genes, which are almost non-existent.

Today is the first day of the next 10 week session of WeightWatchers. I'll post later my goal.

By the way .....

If anyone knows of Mid-TN craft fairs coming up, please let me know. I'm thinking of setting up in one or two this year and need to start working on stuff. THANKS!

I missed the Wednesday post ........ sorry!

I had a meeting all day yesterday. From 8:00 - 3:00 ......... oh my goodness..... what a boring day. I feel like I missed a whole day at work since I wasn't at my desk much.

Weighed yesterday and signed up for another 10 week session with Weight Watchers. The first session (which I was in for 9 weeks) I lost 13 lbs. No too shabby, especially considering I didn't try that hard the last 3 weeks. I do seem to be more aware of my portions and what I'm eating. I do try to get more healthly food. But I've had pizza a couple of times and even fried chicken tenders and french fries. Although I have to say, with the Chuck E Cheese pizza, I had two pieces and that was it and it was plain cheese. With my work pizza, its a personal pan size and I had two pieces, but they had ham and pineapple. I think just being aware of your serving sizes and trying to eat healthly things really help. PLUS, I don't snack anymore, especially after supper at night. I did have one and half scoops of ice cream last night, but it was the Purity 1/2 the fat ice cream. Pretty good stuff!!!

I thought I had lost my cell phone this morning. I got in my car yesterday and I didn't have it. I figured I had left it on my desk at work. But when I got here this morning, it was around. When I logged into email, I had a message from someone who works a floor below me that found it in our parking garage. It must have fallen out of my purse. I'm SO CELL PHONE addicted! I hated not having it. I think I must have needed to use it about 400 times on the way home yesterday! I'm just glad its back!!!!

My darling daugther got caught cheating on a quiz yesterday. Using her calculator under her desk!!! Can you believe it! In 3rd grade!!!! She was honest and when the teacher asked her what she was doing, she said "cheating"!!! And then she told me before I had to sign the sheet with the teachers note on it. I giver her props for being honest enough to tell the truth .... she was grounded from the TV and playing with her Barbie house. Parenting .... ugh!!!

Okay, let me ask this? At what age does your hairstyle need to reflect your age? KWIM? I'm 35, I started growing out my hair about 4 years ago. I went through a faze where I wanted it pretty short, but all of the sudden I wanted long hair. So I've spent 4 years growing out my bangs and length. Its about 2 inches short of being in the middle of my back. And straight. But lately I'm thinking its time for a change. Either curly and long or shorter and straight. I also started thinking, I'm I too old for long, straight hair? I gotta deceide before the 16th, which is my hair appointment day, cut and color!

CARPET

Here's a picture of the tile installed and the color my wall. See the gross carpet peeking in the picture, its gone! Completely outta there!

Can you believe, I've fallen in love with a cheap carpet? Its a Berber, but it's a stocked carpet at Lowe's, which means not all stores have it and only a few have the 32 feet I need. One of my jobs today (other than my real job) is to call the Gallatin and the Dickson Lowe's to see if they have enough before we drive to either one. I can't wait to get this carpet down. After the carpet is installed (on Tuesday), then we can get the couch (which is at the neighbors) After we get it moved, we'll start getting the trim to paint and have someone help Steve install it. I guess while that is happening, I can buy another big screen TV. I wish I had a picture of the carpet sample, I'd post it. Maybe this weekend I can.

Let me just start by saying.........

I hope my hubby doesn't read this blog!?!?!? I have spent WAY, WAY, WAY too much money on scrapbooking in the past week. I ordered brads and stuff from Paper Wishes, I went to ScrapIt and Hobby Lobby last Thursday, Scrappuccino's on Saturday and Memories In Bloom last night! Let me tell ya, I've got lots of stuff and lots of inspiration!!!! I need about three days off (in addition to the weekend) to work on all the stuff I got rambling around in my brain!

At MIB I bought some cool Scenic Route chipboard letters and the Scenic Route Christmas line (I might be behind on that one, but its really pretty). I also bought some of the new CHATTERBOX paper, which I LOVE. Chatterbox is my favorite line ever!!!!! I know there's a lot more that I bought (considering how much money I spent) but I just can't think right now. I WANTED the Basic Grey Notch tool, all the Creative Imagination paper & embellishments, some of the QK icings and ALL the Chatterbox paper! Maybe soon, after I save up enough money!!!

MY WEDNESDAY POST

Today was weigh-in day. (Remember, I didn't go weigh last week)... down -3.2lbs. I was hoping for a little more, like 5 lbs because I could actually wear a pair of pants today and that I couldn't wear a couple of weeks ago. I lost a total of 11.6lbs! YEA me. I'm signing up for another 10 sessions of Weight Watchers next week. If I can lose another 11.6lbs, I'll be extremely happy!

I've been working on a small scrapbook album that has already been paid for. I need a couple sheet of pink & green, so after work I'm going to Clarksville, Memories In Bloom. It will take me about 45 to 50 min to get there from Downtown, but I think it will be worth it. I don't plan on buying much, but we'll see!!! MIB, Scrap It! and Scrappuccino's are my favorite stores ever! I can't wait to see the new stuff at MIB.

I'll be leaving work soon, hopefully! I'll post tomorrow what I buy!

I HAVE PICTURES TO SHARE!

Everyone loves pictures. Here are pictures of a pair of blue jeans I altered for Emilee similar to Heidi Swap's. You know, they were the rage last year :-). I thought they'd be most cute for a kid, so here's my first attempt. I used acrylic paint and mixed fabric medium with it, but really only was pleased with the black. The white paint turned out okay, but the pink wasn't as pink as I wanted. So since then, I've bought some actual fabric paint in white, pink and sparkle. Emilee's dragonflies and butterflies have alittle sparkle on them. Most of the stamps you'll recongize as Making Memories or Li'l Davis. The butterfly and dragonfly are from Micheals

WEIGHING; CARPET; SCRAPBOOKING

Yesterday was weigh in day, I didn't go. I went to eat with friends at work for February birthdays. It was mine and Sherri's birthday lunch. We went to J Alexanders. It cost me $19.22 for lunch. I got chicken & smashed potatoes and fruit tea. They add $2.22 for tip because there was 11 of us. WOW, expensive lunch. But it was pretty good. Just a lot of food! Back to weighing, I did weigh this morning on our scales at work and according to them, I had actually lost more weight. YEA! Now, I don't weigh again till next Wednesday, but I plan on being very good for the next week, so maybe I'll have a GREAT week. I'd really like to get down another 10 lbs before April... and that would be a total of 18 lbs since I started. That would keep me in a size 12 clothes, which is fine with me.

Carpet: I've found carpet, Berber, light colored with specks. Its nice. Something that isn't expensive, so if needed, it can be easily replaced. Its just making sure we get the right amount. The problem, carpet only comes in 12 ft or 15 ft widths. My room width is 16 ft. The length of the room is 24 ft, that means we can use 2 12ft width of carpet, each being 16 ft long. I would have a seem running through the middle of my room, no problem. Well, I woke up this morning thinking about the support pole in the basement, you know, the pole that holds up your house!?!?!? Well, it doesn't move, so in order to put carpet down, you have to cut a seam from the wall and put the carpet around it, no big deal UNLESS, the pole isn't exactly in the middle of the room. Your thinking, huh? See, if the carpet is only 12 ft wide and the pole is more than like 15 ft from the wall, I'll have two seems only like 2 ft apart in a major walk way. I don't think thats good. So that means I'll have to spend $150 more to get the 15 ft width so I only have ONE seam! Clear as mud? And yes, the difference in the amount of carpet I need between 12 ft wide and 15ft wide is $150!!! Thats a lot when you're trying to stay within a budget and still need trim, TV and couch!

Scrapbooking: I'm ready to scrapbook some. I made a couple of cards last night. It was suppose to be Emilee making a thank you card, but I ended up making hers and using the extras to make another almost exactly like it for a b-day card. So, now that the basement is warm, I want to work on my scrapbooking.... BUT we're to a point in the room that I can help, so I doubt I'll get to do a lot of scrapbooking while DH is painting trim, he'll be expecting me to help. Which I guess is only fair! But I do plan on getting to Scrap It tonight, so I'll post tomorrow what I buy!!!

{I gained!!!}

Not that I'm surprised. I've gotten really lazy on counting and recording the points or just not caring. It doesn't help that we went to a b-day party Saturday night and I had one small piece of b-day cake and another somewhat small piece of coconut cake (homemade with fruit in it - yummy!). Then Sunday we had the Cheesecake thingy at Applebee's. Emilee and I split it, but still it was HEAVEN!!! So, I gain +.2 ! Yup, thats all. Only 2 ounces!!!! I was stoked that I could eat like that and somewhat maintain. Now if I was excersing, those ounces probably would not have crept back on. Next week's weigh in won't be any better. Its a hard week when its your b-day. Around here we celebrate with b-day lunches for 2 or 3 weeks!!! I went out to eat lunch yesterday and today. Yesterday was cracker barrel and I was really good, except the cornbread muffin and then today, not too bad, except the friend cornbread I had at Tex's! Last night I cooked spaghetti, which was not bad, I use venison and wheat noodles, but I have to cook cresent rolls for DH and I couldn't resist one slathered in honey butter!!!! Oh well, you have to enjoy life sometimes! Back on it tomorrow :-)

Thanks girls for the tips about the Christine Cole paper. I thought I had seen it in 12 x 12, but honestly never in the packs. I just assumed.

Anyone have carpet installed lately? Or better yet, know a carpet guy/person? We're putting down carpet in the bonus room and were trying not to spend over $1000 on it. I know that really cheap for a 16 x 24 room, but I want to cut corners wherever I can. We have a quote for Mohawk carpet and padding for $1369 is that bad? That includes everything, removing old, moving furniture, installation. And we got a quote for hardwood that was about $3000 over what we've budgeted for that. We thought it would cost us around $5000. I guess I'm a major cheapsake, I hate to spend money on the house, I don't know why, but I do!!

Anyway, just a little venting.

See ya!

{Time for a change}

As you can see, I've changed my blog a little. I like change. Change is good. Its time to reflect on what's worked and what hasn't. I think that the reason I don't mind the remodeling we're doing. We're making something new. Its nice! But I have to admit, it hurts going through it!

I don't have much to say other than ....... I need a new headshot so I can post it here. Maybe this weekend.

AND the best part ........ I REALLY want to scrapbook. Isn't that great! I think I want to shop first and see new stuff, so I'm going to try and hold off shopping as long as possible, I want to see the CHA stuff.

Anyone in the Nashville area know where I can get a 12 x 12 pack of Christina Cole paper? I really want some of them!!!

{Wednesday}

So, its Wednesday again. Time to update the ol' weight loss story. Down another 1.4lbs. Total lost 8.2 lbs!!! Yea! I THINK I might hit goal! We've got 4 more weeks and I need at least 2 lbs per week for the next four. Thats gonna be hard though cause we're going to eat at Kobe's Steak House Friday night for my b-day and then Sunday with my parents to Applebee's (I can get a WW meal there) where I can get their to die for Apple Cheesecake Chimchinga thingy. Its too die for!!! I told her no b-day cake this year. Its a serious problem for me. I can eat b-day cake till I make myself sick.... honestly!

Monday night I had someone help me with my income tax, cause I had to add the business stuff in there. I've never filled out a schedule c before. But it was pretty easy. We're getting back enough to pay our property tax and use some for the house (either a new couch or recovering my grandmother solid wood couch!) I can't wait to get a new couch and chair. I'm seriously hating the ones I have now!

We've got the downstairs room painted. Lyndhurst Timber is the color. Very masculine. I'll try and post a color if I can find the paint sample. We now have to pick out tile and carpet. Then comes the trim. After that a big screen TV! I vote to move the one upstairs, down, but DH says we need a new one? Whatever!!!

Gotta run to the eye doctor! Post more later!

Today is Wednesday ... Fat Meeting (as a friend puts it!)

My friend that does Weight Watchers with me calls it our "fat meeting". I weighed today. I lost 2.8lbs last week!!!! Total down 6.8lbs! I'm stoked. I know thats not a huge amount, but I'm not starving but I'm not totally full - somewhere in between. I think 2 lbs a week is a good amount. Maybe the slower it comes off, the easier it will be to keep it off. A good thing is my pants are fitting a little baggier! YEA! Maybe I can back into those 12's by mid-Feb and MAYBE 10's by the end of the summer.

I miss all the bloggers that are away at CHA this week. Heather White is about the only person around. We've been having a "conversation" about the remodeling work each of us is doing to our basements. I think I'll take a picture tonight and post if tomorrow. I want ya'll to see the wall color I picked out. A little different for me, but it is encouraging me to paint my bedroom (I have the paint, its a dark sage color). And then maybe my livingroom (it would be perfect if I could paint it before the new floors go in, but that asking way too much! I think my living room would be pretty in a warm yellow color. But I know DH would never go for it!

I'm taking off 1/2 day Friday help DH paint. Fun! Fun!