Trying something new this summer...

Got some bad news this week...seems the company I work for is struggling and so all employees have had to take a pay cut and go to a 4 day work week.  The 4 day work week is not so bad, I have to be honest...but that pay cut...well, that's a bitch!  We have had to rethink our plans for the summer and canceled a few things.  We have also committed to not eating anymore.  Hoping and praying that this will only be temporary.  At least I still have a job, right?

We are going to have to get a little creative when it comes to fun things to do, especially when Daddy works from home and is pretty much glued to his computer until 4pm.  At least with the 4 day work week I can have an entire day to spend with the kids and take advantage of some of the fun passes we, thankfully, already have and we can find some fun things to do together at home.

I just signed us up for a class over at Big Picture Scrapbooking:



We have decided to do this a family and I am rather looking forward to it.  Especially after I emailed the instructor asking if the class would be good for us moms who work full time and when she responded, she referred to me as a "supermom"...as the saying goes, "you had me at hello."  LOL!  I am excited to do this with the kids and do some scrapbooking WITH them rather than just ABOUT them.  Things should be interesting as well ;)

Coming Home

I love The Pioneer Woman and have spent many an hour exploring her blog where she shares amazing recipes, photo tips and I especially enjoyed reading the story of her and her Marlboro Man.  Right now she has a contest going on her blog with the theme of Coming Home.  The main reason for her doing this was as a way to honor our troops.  Please take a minute to go and view the photos that people have submitted.  They will truly touch your heart.  Click HERE to see Coming Home at The Pioneer Woman Blog

I personally, don't think our troops and their families get enough recognition for the sacrifices they make for our country.  Unfortunately, I believe too many people get so wrapped up in their version of politics and the real people of this country get lost on the sidelines.  Take a moment to say a prayer for our troops and their families...and next time you pass one on the street, stop and just tell them Thank You.

God Bless the USA.

Wanna see something cute?

So, last week Steve called me at work to tell me that he was sure he had heard kitten cries outside our office window but when he went outside to look, he couldn't find anything.  Then today he called to tell me he had solved the mystery...it seems the stray cat that we have been feeding and affectionately nicknamed Scraps  had kittens!  They are living right outside the front of our house.  This of course helps to solve another mystery -- the one as to whether or not Scraps was a boy or girl! ;)

Steve stumbled across Mama Scraps and her 4 kittens this morning as she was nursing them on our front porch.  I went looking for them once I got home from work today and, OH, they are just the sweetest little things.  Our best guess is that they are about 8 weeks old...and just so precious.  Mama Scraps is very protective of her little babies, as any good mother should be.  I kept my distance and just watched them play.

Here is Mama Scraps and one her little sweeties.

Two more of her babies...are they not the CUTEST things you have ever seen?

I think this one is my favorite.  Those eyes and the black on the nose...*sigh*...just melts my heart.  Stevie and Alyson are both rather partial to this one as well.

Again, that little black nosed kitty is so precious!

These two are so cute...looks like they are on safari!

Of course Alyson wants to bring one inside but with 2 cats in the house already...well, I don't think it will go over very well.  I do so wish we could bring them all inside though.  For now we will just do our best to take care of them and pray that they will be okay.  They have done pretty well so far which leaves me feeling optimistic.

Little bit of scrapping

Slowly trying to pull myself out of this dark hole I am in...thank goodness for scrapbooking and The House of Paper.  I was on for the Design Team this week and our theme was to scraplift a fellow Design Team member.  There is some amazing talent among the Interior Designers, I count myelf lucky to have been asked to be a part of the team.  All the ladies are so inspiring.  This week I chose Amanda and Chiara as my inspiration.

Amanda loves working with the Sassafrass Lass and I swear she is truly the Queen of Sass.  She brings it all together in such a way that you are just looking at her layouts going, "now why didn't I think of that?!"  So, I used the Sassafrass Nerdy Bird line to do this LO of my favorite little girl...

These pictures are from 2004.  She was wanting so badly to do some arts and crafts so I gave her a bunch of things to play with.  She told me she was going to make a scrapbook page ;)  She was very proud of herself...truly the sweetest little scrapper <3

Chiara is always so great when it comes to scrapping about the relationships in her life, especially the one with her husband and her kids.  I have to come to realize that I don't do that very often.  She had to LOs in particular where she scrapped about being a mom and after I came across a couple of pictures of Stevie and Alyson I decided to do a simple LO just letting them know how happy they make me.

These pictures are also from 2004.  The colors from the chalkboard reminded me immediately of the Lily Bee Hello Sunshine line.  My two little cuties wrote such a sweet little message to me telling me they "luved" me ;)  Even now, 6 years later, Alyson still writes me love notes...and they all mean just as much to me as the one before it.  They really are my everything and the best part of my life.

Can't breathe...

You know that moment when you get the wind knocked out of you and you just can't seem to breathe? 

That's me right now.

And there is a part of me that just doesn't feel like fighting to get it back.

Slacking...again

Do you ever notice that just as you start to get yourself on a new path something happens to knock you right off?!  Or maybe it only happens to me *eyes rolling*

I had made a decision to get myself back on track with my health and fitness as well as my creativity...then I got knocked flat on my butt by illness...ugh!  Talk about a pain in the ass! (hey, that pun was totally unintended...but pretty funny,eh? LOL!) *sigh*

Well, it's a Monday...in fact it is the first Monday in my 37th year...yep, that's right, I just celebrated my 37th birthday this past Wednesday.  Unfortunately I was sick and felt terrible but I knew Alyson would have been disappointed if we did not go out to dinner so I sucked it up and we headed to Outback Steakhouse (really, I need to remember NOT to go there again - bleck!)  My lovely daughter was happy to tell anyone and everyone who would listen that it was my birthday.  And, she also argued with anyone who tried to tell her that I was not turning 30 this year!  LOL!  She decided all on her own that I was 29 turning 30 -- she even argued with my mom about this just last night!  Gotta love that girl -- she certainly is a piece of work!

Despite being sick I had a nice birthday overall that I got to spend with both family and friends.  Got a couple of fun gifts which is always nice but I confess, my most favorite gift is my new scrap space from hubby!  I have been working hard at putting things together and getting everything organized and put away...hope to have some pictures to share soon.

Today I am also going to try and get back on that new path I mentioned...working towards getting back on track with my health and fitness...as well as my creative endeavors...keep your fingers crossed for me! ;)

A banner day?! (hardy-har-har!)

Banners are all the rage in scrapbooking these days it would seem.  So, since I like to be in the "cool crowd" I decided to follow along and make one of my own...and since Amanda made it a challenge over at The House of Paper well, what can I say...everyone else was jumping off the bridge so I did too! ;)  I kept it pretty simple and it was actually pretty easy once I figured out what exactly I wanted to do.  This is hanging on the door of my son's bedroom.  I opted to use brads to hold the flags together rather than ribbon so he would be a little more masculine.  The patterened paper is from the Orbit line by Crate and I cut the circles using my Cricut and the Mini Monograms Cartridge.  The letters are American Crafts Thickers -- although since I didn't have enough "E's" I actually used "3's" and just flipped them around.  My son loves it and now, as expected, my daughter is all over me about when I will have HERS done! ;)  Guess I better get busy on that one!

Five Favorites for Friday

In my recent blog hopping I have stumbled across a few who post a few of their favorite things on Fridays...so I am taking a cue from them and doing the same.  Maybe it will help get me out of this hole I have been in for the last few weeks.

I heard this song (above) on the way to work this morning...actually brought tears to my eyes.  I have always loved it but it touches my heart even more now that my husband and I have been together for so long...almost 16 years if you can believe that...and our 12th wedding anniversary is next month.  I hope that if we ever get a chance to renew our vows someday that we can dance to this song.

Athleta.com

My new favorite place to shop online.  I just purchased a bathing suit from there and while I don't look anything like the model in the picture the bathing suit fits like a dream!  I will definitely be ordering from them again in the future!

House of Paper

I love HOP and all the fantastic ladies who hang there.  We have a lot of laughs, everyone is so supportive of each other and always respectful...throw in the fact that the Gallery is always full of amazing inspiration and the store is chocked full of awesome scrapbooking goodies...really, could there be anything better?!

Jelly Beans....oh how I love this time of year when I can walk into a store and there are jelly beans on the shelf...my absolute favorite.  I keep a stash hidden at home and I confess, I don't share!  The other night my husband came across me digging into my hidden stash so I am thinking I may need to consider finding another spot to hide them.  Although since he tends to forget things I tell him easily perhaps he has already forgotten?

My goofy, crazy kids.  What would I do without them?  I love them more than they will ever know.  The give me purpose and help me strive to be a better person all around every day.

Happy Friday!

Needing a little Disney magic

Walt Disney World truly is my happy place.  These days we just can't swing the expense to go see Mickey and the rest of The Gang so I have to find a way to make my own Disney magic.  I have been feeling so bogged down and bummed out lately so I thought if I did a little scrapping about my happy place it might help.  Plus, Chiara is getting so much awesome new stuff in the store at House of Paper that I need to work harder at clearing things out so I can make room for it all! 

I pulled out some pictures from our January 2004 trip that we took when we were still living in Seattle.  That really was a dream vacation for me *s i g h* 
Anyway, so I put together a few simple LOs for our album that still isn't finished (6 years later!)...

We were lucky enough to come across Snow White and Sleeping Beauty just across the bride before you get to France in the Epcot World Showcase.  Alyson was actually wearing her Sleeping Beauty sweatshirt and Princess sneakers that day so her and Aurora had much to talk about ;)  Stevie was such a sport about visiting with the Princesses - he know how much his sister loves them and how much his mama likes to take pictures! ;)

The DinoRama part of Animal Kingdom is such a fun place for kids...and Daddy loves doing the carnival games with them.  Both Stevie and Alyson were lucky enough to win prizes that day so it was definitely a good time all around.  Disney scrapbooking layouts are absolutely my most favorite!

And speaking of House of Paper...if you are a scrapbooker and a fan of Sassafrass Lass then you definitely need to head over to The Blog and get details on the contest going on...you have a chance to win a CG to The House of Paper store...and like I said, she has all kinds of new things in the store already with lots more on the way!

Happy Scrapping!

Blog Hopping...

I should be working...but instead I have been doing a little blog hopping.  I came across this site and it was just too funny not to share.  I got sucked into it.  There really are some truly hysterical pictures...although they are mixed in with a few bizarre and sometimes disturbing images as well.  Kind of reminds me of a bad accident...you know, the kind where you just can't tear your eyes away.  How long before you are able to peel YOUR eyes away from these Awkward Family Photos?

Total Randomness...

I haven't blogged in awhile.  Honestly, haven't felt like there was much to say...and really, how many people actually read this anyway?!  I have been on such a roller coaster ride of emotions lately that is just seems best to keep to myself.  I know that life is full of ups and downs but for just a little while I would like to just be on the straight away...or better yet, spend a little time on the kiddie rides.

Have you ever been reading someone else's blog and just think to yourself, "man, I want THAT life!" ?  Or maybe it is just me.  There is one blog in particular that just pulls me in every time.  She is so fun and quirky, she seems to have such a carefree and happy life...her pictures are always so spectacular, her husband so supportive and fun and loving...I can't help but wonder if things are always so happy...surely they can't be?!  I can't help but wonder what it would be like to just have a week in a life like that.

I guess I sound like my life is miserable right now, but really it isn't...it is just so uncertain right now and it leaves me with such an uneasy and helpless feeling.  I very much love my husband, and even after almost 16 years together I am still *in* love with him...and my kids...well..they are my everything...if nothing else, they truly are my greatest accomplishment...some days THEY are what keep me putting one foot in front of the other.

Scrapbooking is something else that keeps me sane...sounds silly to someone who doesn't scrapbook but for those who do...well, I know you know what I mean.  When I am feeling lost to everything else around me and finding it hard to focus on the positive, sitting down and just working with a few pictures from a happy time can totally change my mood and my focus.  I am thankful too, to be apart of a such an amazing group of scrappers on the web at The House of Paper.  The focus of the Design Team this week was the song "We Are Family" and so one of the layouts I did I just focused on my little family...kept it simple...

Have I rambled on enough?  Guess I am just tossing some random thoughts out there.  I actually thought the roller coaster was letting me off at the next stop but it seems it is taking me up for another drop...hoping it will turn out better than I think.  I am ready for a relaxing trip along the lazy river...at least for a little bit.

I wasn't kidding when I called this post "Total Randomness".

Cleaned up, Organized and Ready to SCRAP!

I bet my friend Susanne probably has one of the most organized scrap spaces out there...I have never seen it  but she is always the one who inspires me to get my own mess organized with her challenges.  I accepted her challenge once again and am feeling good about having gotten it done...AND by the deadline, too!

If you are a glutton for punishment, or just want a good laugh at my expense, you can see what my space looked like BEFORE I started working on it by click HERE to see the thread that was started over at The House of Paper (you will probably have to scroll down a bit)...my desk was such a mess I would typically end up out on the dining room table to scrap...oops!

Okay, so here is my newly cleaned up space...even my husband commented on how well it looked and how maybe he needed to get his butt in gear and clean up HIS corner of the office -- I could post pics, but I think we've had enough embarrassment with MINE!

This is my space when you initially walk into the room.  I think I have managed to find a space for most everything...just need to actually remember to get it back IN it's space when I am done with it...I think that is my biggest downfall.  For my birthday this year I am hoping to get one of the Expedit 5x5 shelves from IKEA and then get rid of the besk and credenza...the kids have the 4x4's in their rooms and I swear I have been trying to find a way to make at least one of them mine for YEARS now!  LOL!

I have a shelf in the closet where I keep all my stamps, ribbons and a good chunk of my embellies.  The embellishments are organized in the iris cart by theme/subject in gallon sized ziploc bags and each drawer is labeled.  For the most part it works for me.  I think I would like to consolidate things a bit more but will just do that one drawer at a time...or one ziploc bag at a time! ;)  I would love to be able to paint in the office but right now that is all on hold since we are just not sure if we will even still be in this particular house much longer...but I am thinking I may get a curtain rod or something to hang across the top of my desk to display some of my LOs to brighten things up.

Well...I am off to scrap!

It's all about STRENGTH in 2010

For the second year in a row I am picking one little word to inspire me throughout the year.  This year the word I have chosen is STRENGTH.  2010 is going to be a tough one I expect with a lot of uncertainty in the road.  Steve and I are going to have to rely on each other quite a bit I think. 

I actually did a LO about my inspiring word for 2010 that I plan to keep in a prominent place to keep me going through the year...

Journaling reads:

We are just days away from beginning a new year - 2010.
I expect this is going to be a tough year for our family with more than a few changes to come. My inspiring word for 2010 is STRENGTH. When things get tough I know I am going to need all the strength I can muster to keep moving forward with a smile on my face. Thankfully, I will have Steve by my side. He says “get knocked down 8 times, get up 9.” I have always admired his positive outlook no matter what the circumstances. This is something I have struggled with but I know that together we are stronger. As long as we stand together and hold our kids tight to us, we will have the strength to get through whatever this New Year will bring.

So...what's YOUR inspiring word for 2010?

House of Paper Design Team Call!

I am so proud to be a part of The House of Paper commmunity and prouder still to be a part of the Interior Design Team.  Now's your chance to become a part of a wonderful team of ladies as well as a fantastic group of scrappers who are always fun, friendly and encouraging.  You can see all the details on The House of Paper Blog.

Come on over...we love having company!

Brings tears to my eyes...

This little girl singing is Avery. She is Alyson's best friend and they first met when they were 4. We have always known that she could sing - her and Alyson are always singing together and writing songs.

She recently sang in church and we were just like WOW. Every time I watch this I get chill bumps and have to grab for a tissue! Such a beautiful voice on a such a beautiful little girl. So proud of her!

I just had to shar this...and now I need to find a tissue again.

Journaling my Christmas

I have been working on my Christmas Journal and finally got my first 3 entrees scanned in.  I am really enjoying doing the 6x6 size.  My pages are front and back so the left side of the picture is the front and the left is the back where I am doing my journaling.  If you click on the individual pics you can actually read the journaling.

December 1st --

December 2nd --

December 3rd

December 1st -- It's finally here!

Mornings can be pretty hectic around here...the kids never really want to go to school...I never really want to go to work...it is not uncommon to hear Steve have to remind the kids, especially Alyson, about what they need to be doing...get dressed, brush your teeth, shoes and sock, get your backpack...

THIS morning however was a little different -- at least as far as our little Diva goes ;)  She was up and dressed - including her shoes and socks and her teeth brushed...all before Steve could go in and remind her to get up.  Why?  Because it is December 1st...and she FINALLY got to start her Christmas Countdown Calendar -- which means she starts the day with a glorious piece of chocolate!  LOL!  You can still see the sleep in their eyes and Stevie isn't even close to being ready for school, BUT you can bet they both emjoyed their little piece of chocolate this morning!  I think it is safe to say that this is one of their most favorite traditions for this time of year ;)

I was feeling pretty excited about today myself actually...December 1st means I will have my first email from Shimelle and it is time to start my Christmas Journal! 

This will be my third year and I have been looking forward to it for weeks now. I have to admit, I have been like a kid, anxiously awaiting the start of this holiday season. I am not even really sure why -- but who cares?! ;)  Looking forward to getting my first page done in my journal tonight!  I am writing my manifesto.

Crank those Christmas tunes!  Fa La La La La...La La La La!

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

I have not posted anything for over a month.  I have been feeling overwhelmed with everything going on around me...working 40 hours a week, taking time for myself twice a week doing zumba, keeping up with all the kids' activities and school work while still trying to be a good wife...there never seems to be enough time.  Apparently I must say that a lot too.

Just this past week it was Parent Observation Week at the dance studio and so my husband and I got to watch Alyson in her first Acro Class and then watch both her and Stevie in Hip Hop together.  Alyson definitely has a long way to go in Acro class and Steve and I both agreed that I needed to try and work with her and my first response...."when am I going to have time for that?"  HOW do I make time for everything.

Then someone on another board posted this...and while I have heard it before, ironically enough - from my husband, the timing of the post was perfect for me and so I am posting it here.  One - so that I can finally get back into the swing of things on my blog again...and Two - so that I know right where to go next time I am feeling overwhelmed and wondering when I am going to have the time to "do it all"...

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class
and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.


He then asked the students, if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.


He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.


The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.


He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'


The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.


'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.


The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else --The small stuff.


'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.


If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.


So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'


One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.


The professor smiled.
'I'm glad you asked'.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

I will not forget.

Today is NOT just like any other day.

I will remember all those lost 8 years ago today...I am thankful for all those who serve and protect this country every single day...I am praying for all them and their families.

I will NEVER forget.

God Bless America.

ME: the abridged version

I am starting an online class today over at Big Picture Scrapbooking. It is Cathy Z’s – ME: the abridged version. I love Cathy Z – she is witty and funny, very down to earth and her writing and scrapbooking style just speak to me. She keeps it casual and simple and that SO works for me! I know I don’t really scrap much about myself in my layouts so it seemed like this would be a good class for me.

Unfortunately, as I am going into this class, I seem to be surrounded by this “funk fog” – you know the kind…where you just feel sad, nothing seems right…things in my life seem so uncertain these days and I am having a hard time letting go of things I can not change. I struggle with the unknown…wondering where we will be in the next year or two. Chances are good that we will have to move at some point and that weighs heavily on my mind. We were so blessed to move into our dream home a few years back but then, as luck would have it, life took a turn we just really didn't expect. It’s not all bad really, but it makes it tough to find that little bit of security sometimes. Do you know what I mean? Maybe not.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Cathy’s video this morning – thankfully it was a quiet day at the office so I was able to watch at my desk this morning, sipping on my coffee. I love how she has broken things down and made this project seem just a little less overwhelming – I have hope that I may actually complete it! Something I am not very good at. I can start a project like nobody’s business – but then there always seems to come a point that I have a hard time getting past and then the project goes unfinished. Thankfully I know will find support with a couple of my roomies at The House of Paper -- there is a thread started on the message boards just for us who are taking the class…not to mention the message boards in the classroom at BPS. Surely I can do this…and find my way out of this “funk fog” as well…