Take that...

Where to start...


First, so Lainey doesn't have to bury herself in this post to find my entry... here is the card I created for my Mom on WCMD last Saturday. Thanks for the great sketch, Mom loved her card!

Secondly, today is this woman's birthday! She is an amazing human being, and I really don't think I would be who I am today if it wasn't for her. She was always there for me growing up. She supports me in all I do without telling me I am crazy (heck, half she does with me... our master's program, scrapping), and best of all, she doesn't gloat when I talk about how hard it is to raise a soon-to-be-teenager and that she made it through it! I love you, Mom! Sorry it is the only photo I have on my computer... but... we ARE wearing graduation caps and scrappy stuff! hehe

Thirdly... check out our little man! He originally wanted to be a storm trooper from Star Wars. However, the ones at the costume shops were a little lame looking OR they were $60 bucks! As we were walking around, he saw a "really cool gun" like the soldiers wear! And the idea was launched that he would be an "army man" Well, I have nothing against army men, but I am the daughter of an Air Force dude, and a sister to a MARINE... so... with a little convincing... same costume, he is now a Marine like his Uncle John. No, John, you don't have to burst his bubble and let him know that you wear flight suits and don't regurly dress like this and wear the gun. Just know that he is telling everyone that he is a big ole Marine like his uncle! Gotta love him!

Can you see him? He is hiding there in his camos...

His sad little attempt of a hard core Marine with his "war face!"

And here he is ready to shoot the bad guys!

Gotta love a "man" in uniform!

It is Friday... What else is there to say?

Lights Out!
me!

I challenge YOU!

OK, I posted a challenge over at Scrappy Arts for a layout about YOU! If you aren't a member, register, and I will accept you. You can leave a comment here to let me know you registered! There will be a prize... but after reading about Ali Edward's "Week in the Life," and Stacy Julian's "Give yourself a Present," ideas... then reading a challenge Cathy Zielske had at "The Simple Studio," I decided this would be the BEST challenge! I did it...

Now you do it!

Lights Out!

me

Cool NEW Stuff

OK, you all know that I am addicted to Go.Be.Creative! Well, Tam is the new Creative Team coordinator over there and is GIVING away a kit! Run over to her blog and sign up! WAIT... don't do that... then I have less of a chance of winning one! I am so missing Lainey's kits since I left the CT! Might have to put my name in the hat for the next round! It is a super fun site, with super creative people, and super AMAZING kits!

And many of you all know how much I love Lain Ehmann, got to meet her at CKC Houston, and then again at CHA! She is just a HOOT! And as many giggles as I get from her blog, I can only imagine her book... YES... I said her book... I can only imagine how funny her book is going to be! She will be taking preorders! You bet my name will be on that list! What a great stocking stuffer as it will be out in time for Christmas!

The Scrap Pink

Not sure I have anything more profound to say at this moment! Yeah, I know, when do I say anything profound? Amy, I know you tagged me, but I still have to answer the questions! And I will be tagging people as well!

Lights Out!

me

Thank you, Ike...

I know some of you all have seen these if you are on either of the boards I frequent, but I am pretty sure there are a handful of you all that DON'T go there, but still read here!



OK, , he came through and left his mark, but I had to make the most of it! I actually did FIVE layouts this past week in six days! That is HUGE for me! And for the most part, I tried something new in each one!



Monday... for the letters, I inked them, but wasn't completely happy with the color... when I did the second color it marbleized... then I tapped a third color! It matches the surfboards perfectly!



Tuesday... nothing new for me, but I did follow a sketch! I am t all that happy with it, but the photo is done, and it needed to be!



Wednesday... I came across this acrylic 12X12 and thought I should give it a go! OMG... I loved it! So much less intimidating than an entire album! This is in the store now! I did add "seventh" handwritten on the 7!



Thursday... OK, told you I loved that acrylic... here is his version. Used the bazzill stitches to sew on this one! I am just giddy about these clear backgrounds.



Friday/Saturday... this one is about ME! a rarity... I hand drew the back ground shape as well! Got the title idea from one of the magazines I was reading last week. Already had the paper! And by far, my fave of the week!



Now to keep up the motivation/mojo/energy/whatever it takes to get some more done!



Lights Out!

me

Gotta love it...

when you go out to take specific shots, and you come across these on accident!
I am the DT coordinator at the store, and I pretty much fill in where she sees the need! We are trying to push some papers that can be used for school. I looked through all my photos from this year, and both kids were in all the photos! So... we are out of school, but I made them put on their uniforms, sat them in the front yard and begged, pleaded, and bribed! I got some goofy ones, but I came across these throughout! woo hoo

T monkey: when did he get so big? I hate that that happens!

Then these popped up of E! I might be biased, but I think she is absolutely beautiful!


Gotta love that... and these kids! Did get some back to school-"ish" ones, and will show those, when the layouts are done! ONE is already, and it is ROCKIN'!

Lights Out
me

Prepared?

Yes, we had the windows boarded, lots of water, batteries, food, patience, and plenty to do if the power goes out!

We WEREN'T prepared for our little house to tumble around us! It did really well considering what some of our neighbors are now fighting. We are lucky, and I guess the way I look at it... I can now get rid of that PINK paint! A mistake in my younger decorating days. A mistake I get to see every day! So... we now will get a new roof, a new ceiling, and some new paint! Guess the cabinets, counter tops, and appliances will have to wait!

Lessons learned... we can live without power, we can live without shingles, we can live without ceiling tiles... we can't live without our little family. And we are lucky, we have everyone! I also learned to get paper plates BEFORE a storm. Washing dishes with the garden hose just isn't fun!

Just killing time... it was cool outside in the rain, watching DVD and Daddy trucking shingles.

And... the neighborhood fashion statement. It is all the rage on our street! Everyone has one...

Piles of shingles...

Pretty blue tarps on the roof...

And, yes, even Pepper experienced some hurricane damage! The plywood fell on her bowl while we were taking it off the windows.

Thanks to everyone that checked in...

Lights Out!

me

No Vacancy...

For anyone named IKE!

It looks like it is heading up our back yard!

Gas: Check (not that there is any around but premium)

Trampoline: Check (it is flat and tied to the tree)

Back yard clear: Check (now lets hope the neighbors did too)

Groceries: Check (we do have a gas stove and peanut butter! I don't eat potted meat)

Laundry: Check (don't want to wear stinky drawers)

Ply Wood: Check (in the back of Chuck's truck. It will cover all those windows tonight!)

And where are WE? School! Work! I have carpool then we are heading home! It will be a busy night, and we are all off tomorrow! We will be home!

Positively thinking... I hope to have lots of family time, scrabble time, scrapping time, and just enjoy being together and safe! DON'T MESS WITH ME, IKE!

Lights Out (a little too ominous)
me!

This is CRAZY!

I know I haven't posted in ages! I haven't READ blogs in ages! In fact, I haven't talked to my mom in what seems like ages! And we usually talk 2-3 times a DAY!

Life just got crazy, not really complicated, but definitely crazy!

School started, my MIL got sick, life continues! I just seem like I am whining!

The kids did start school with a bang! They are both having a blast. T loves his new teacher and is finding new friends! E is enjoying 7th grade (although maybe not having her own mom as her 1st period teacher), and took to cross country again this year! Man that Monkey is fast!

My MIL is doing better, they have her in a rehab hospital and we hope to have her home within the next few weeks. Her spirits are much better than we can hope for. She just wants to come home.

I actually scrapped this past weekend, for no one but ME! It was truly fun! And the layouts are not outstanding, but I scrapped, and I love the monkey face in them!

That is all I can think of for now!

Lights Out!

me

A trip to remember...

Thanks Meredith for a wonderful experience!

Just thought I would share some highlights from our trip...
My lap on the plane...

Beautiful Rosemont (suburb of Chicago)

Lunch... traditional Chicago style pizza!
I can't believe I WENT here this year!
Our entry into the Melissa Frances bra contest!
Some celebrity sightings...
Hey there, Betsy! So good to see you!

One of my favorite scrappers, Stacy Julian
A glimpse of Tim Holtz... saw him almost everytime I turned around... and almost everytime i was on the phone with Mom
My to DIE for dessert! Cannoli Dip
And some sights we saw in Chicago on our girls night out...
The Bean
The "L"

The "L" at night

Like I said... it was a whirlwind few days... and it flew by!

Lights Out!

Me!

100 POSTS?

I didn't realize I wrote THAT much... sorry this one won't be anything exciting... just saying that we are back and I have 537 photos to go through. I promise to NOT share them all with you.

Back soon, I promise!

Lights Out
me

I did THIS...

We went to Schlitterbahn Water Park yesterday... had an absolute blast... And I DID THAT! well, the green one, Chuck did the white one, and I had NO interest in that! E did EVERYTHING but that white one as well, and T did everything that he was tall enough for... I am so proud of them! The weather was great... a little down pour, but nothing a Pina Colada and time for the kids to play in the covered Pirate Ship couldn't handle... Note to self... Make sure change of clothes are locked in locker, or UNDER the picnic table cover! They did NOT handle the rain all that well. Good thing they had time to dry out before it was time to put them on!

I did NOT take a camera, just enjoyed the day Mommy Style! It was awesome! Hey, Cass... they have one of these things in Kansas it says...

Well, four more days of summer school. The girls are GREAT, but I am done with that. Tomorrow is Scrap A Ganza, and it should be a blast, and our booth is looking pretty cool! But we are tired before it started! I don't know how people do this every other weekend. Then the countdown until vacation. ONE WEEK away... I just keep thinking about it! T will be SIX while we are on vacation. I am not sure I am ready to admit to that... it sure looks funny written out like that... I need a vault to put him in... keep him my baby forever!

Lights out!
me!

Day THREE...

No, I won't count down each day of this so called "roll," however, I am pretty proud of myself! I don't have a third layout done, but there is one in the works on the table! It will be done today! Pretty excited about it... found an old CKU layout that I never finished by Jana Wilson... so I am taking some ideas from it! She just rocks!

Count down to Scrap A Ganza is just THREE wake ups! We will head over on Friday to set up the booth... any ideas on WHAT to take, please let us know... we are taking some fun stuff already!

Have you checked out the store's blog... A Scrap Affair is following suit of another talented lady and "Paying it Forward" Join in or start your own! Heck, I am not the best at mailing stuff out... but for this it would be worth it... so leave your email in the comments, and I will email the first three that post a comment for your addy to send out a little RAK! How can you go wrong?

Lights Out!
me

Can it be called a roll?

I got TWO layouts done in TWO days, and TWO posts in TWO days! For me... I am going to claim it as a roll... I have another layout in the works, but I have to get TWELVE recipe cards done... got to get some inspiration!

Maybe Scrap-A-Ganza will bring in some inspiration this weekend. It is going to be a lot of fun. If you are in the area, head on out to Sugar Land and make sure to stop by the booth and say hi!

Speaking of that... here is another layout that might show its face in the booth! I am digging this thing called scrapping... it seems like it has been so long since I have just sat down and scrapped for the fun of it! Whatcha think?

Meanwhile, my dearest friend Cass has taken on another adventure... I am missing you chickie!

Lights Out!

me

Huh?

OK, I just don't know how this happens... I am a teacher... I am ON summer break... why am I busier NOW than I am when I am working? Another two weeks have flown by!


Now that is a good thing at some points... closer to our little family get away... closer to CHA... but the bad thing... closer to another school year!


Chuck went shooting yesterday and I had a little conversation with my trimmer and adhesives... it was a GREAT conversation if I may say so! I am pleased with this little guy! This layout will be on display at Scrap A Ganza down in Sugar Land this weekend! Love this Little Yellow Bicycle paper company! So easy to work with!


More soon... off to get my cars registered and a little bribery with lunch! There IS a Michaels there!

Lights Out!
me

May 27-June 10th?

How the heck did that happen? Well, I will tell you how that happened... end of school, beginning of summer school, working at the lss, Chuck turned 40, pool opened, and NO internet at home! There you have it... 14 days... two weeks... all in ONE sentence! And that is how it goes!

I don't know if you have read this blog for very long, that is if ANYONE reads this, but John, my baby brother has returned to the Grand Ole United States of America! He is HOME! He has been on a ship for the past nine or so months... and now he is home! He will be at my parents this weekend, so we are heading up there to hang out... The kids are so excited to see Uncle John!

Have been having a blast working at the store, but it is HARD work! It is still fun, and I am loving just breathing the same air that all this product breathes and working with people that "get" this craft and ME!

I will be teaching a class at Scrap A Ganza and working at the store's booth in Sugar Land the 28/29 of this month. If you are in the area, stop by and say hi! Then... and this is HUGE... Meredith is letting me tag along to CHA next month! I am just so stoked! So... our tickets are bought, and I dare anyone at American Airlines to cancel THAT flight! Please?!?

So... thanks for stopping by even after not hearing anything new for two weeks? Wait... does anyone even READ this anymore?

Lights Out!
me

How does YOUR garden grow?

We don't have cockle shells (what are those anyway?) or little maids... but we DO have tomatoes AND a gate! I think we were just really surprised at how well our first plants were doing, so Chuck went back for MORE and MORE and MORE! We now have peppers (two kinds, jalepenos, cucumbers, and radishes to add to our summer salads) So... to keep the dog out of the veggies, he built a fence, and since T can't climb OVER the fence, he built a gate! All while cooking yummy BBQ on Memorial day!

And since it WAS Memorial day... I just HAD to "memorialize" something right? Isn't it also a day for scrapping memories? OK, so... this is what I made while he made the garden. I did go out and "help," but probably not as much as I should have... but it was HOT! I don't like it HOT! Used most of the end of my GBC May kit! Looking forward to June's (except that it will be my very last one).
Just a little layout about my daily addiction! Large Vanilla Dr Pepper Easy Ice!


Speaking of hot... we pulled THIS out... what a touching moment, huh? Yeah, that lasted a whopping 2.5 minutes! They were already at their throats first thing this morning! Summer is going to be LONG if I don't find a way for them to get along!

Lights Out!
me

Sweet Nostalgia...

These are the moments... I have utter sadness for the fact that my own children are growing and will be moving on to the next grade level! I have utter sadness that the students that I have grown to know and love are moving on to the next grade level! And I have utter sadness to know I only have TWO MONTHS of free time to get everything I want to get done! However, I have TWO MONTHS of total free time to do whatever I want! Yes... it is THAT time of year... SUMMER! Precious summer! And yes, I completely understand that it doesn't seem fair to you all that do NOT get the next few weeks of precious free time... however, I bet if you were to come in and do what teachers do for a year, you might just think a tad differently. I am not saying we deserve the break MORE than anyone else, hell, what am I saying... Yes, I do!

So... as I prepare myself mentally to have my kids with me on a daily basis (I love having them with me, just can do without the constant bickering and whining about how they have NOTHING to do), I also know I need to thank the teachers that have without hesitation shown my own children the love of a parent away from home. I really do not have a ton of extra funds around the house to truly show them that they are beyond worth, so I generally fall back on home made gifts... personally as a teacher, I think those are the best, most meaningful kind! Here are the clips that the kids are giving their teachers.

And back when E was a mere pre-schooler, I got extremely emotional and wrote a little poem to her teacher. I gave it to all her teachers up to first grade. Now it is T's turn. So, here is what his teacher is getting. It isn't that I like to make people cry, but this does. And that means so much to me! I love these ladies for being the constant in my children's lives! Thank you!

OK, I think that is all my little brain can handle today... you will just have to check back for mindless rambling on another day!

Lights Out!

me

Two in Two...

Now this is one for the record books! But it will be short and non-rambling! Made this with that great May kit over at GBC! Lainey is just rocking out these kits! I am hoping to get some teacher gifts made with this kit! They will love them!

Check back later... I might get some random brain fart and have something truly memorable to say! OK, so probably not! :)

Lights Out!

me

Out of the fog...

The trip went well! Had its ups and downs, but it is over, I slept over forty hours between Friday night and Monday morning! It is over! Aren't we adorable... these are the amazing ladies that helped me through this past week! Love them!

Mother's day was wonderful! Chuck and the kidlets were amazing! Breakfast, fun treats, relaxing day, and a visit to the park just made it so worthwhile! Definitely a happy day for me!

I got TWO projects done for Lainey's amazing May kit over at GBC but didn't have a chance to post them here before I left! I have another project done and two in the works to be done real soon... check back for those! This first one is about my amazing mom... Just loved how easy this kit was to work with...

This is going to be a clock. I just need to get the clock works to get it put together! Will make a perfect addition to my scraproom!

Hope to get on here more often now that the trip is over! And definitely get more scrapping in! Summer just can't be sooner!

And as much as I am looking forward to having summer come, I am not ready to be the mother of a 7th grader and a six year old... just a tad of nostalgia here!

More later...

Lights Out

me