Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to take this opportunity to tell each one of you Merry Christmas. May the joy of the season envelope you all!

I took part in the CK Ornament drop... that was so much fun! I will post photos of that joy later on...

Lights Out!

me

Lain...

I am not a stalker by any means. I actually met you through a podcast you did on the GBC kit I was designing for, and then met you in person at CKC Houston, and then saw you again at CHA Chicago this past summer. But I am not stalking you! I promise!


What I do want to attempt at this point is to tell you thank you! And I don't know how else to say it, but just out right!

THANK YOU!

Received this little gem in the mail thanks to the great sisters over at BOPELS. I read it every chance I could...

THANK YOU!

Thank you for making me feel normal after reading, giggling, calling out, "I do that!", guffawing, reading outloud to my mom over the phone, screaming, "That's Me!", warding off dirty looks from DH, and giggling some more... I finished it, sighed, and knew that I was OK! I can come out of the closet and announce to the world... I AM A SCRAPPER! I AM NORMAL!

So... Lain... when does Snippets 2 come out? But not stalking!

If you are NOT Lain, and you are reading this... and you ARE or KNOW a scrapper who needs a little boost of confidence... this is THE book for you! I thought about "regifting" it for my mom for Christmas, but... I read most of it to her... and I can't give up my copy! Off to get her one of her own!

Lights Out!

me

7 Random Facts...

Thanks to my teaching buddy Kelly I was tagged... Now this isn't my first time being tagged, and I am afraid as random as I am, there isn't a whole lot more random to post about... seeing an idea from another place, I decided to blog 7 random things about the Monkeys! I will start with Monkey #1...



EBM:



1. The lizard that inhabits my scraproom is hers. She asked for a lizard for her 11th birthday... what eleven year old girl does that? Now if I can get her to take care of it without asking! HA!

2. She is NOT a morning monkey! Her alarm wakes me up, but doesn't seem to pull her out of her snoring slumber.

3. She works her tail off at school and we are so proud of her.

4. She loves to run! She doesn't come by that naturally as we don't run!

5. She is over-the-top about Jonas Brothers right now... I am still trying to figure out what that is about... but then again, I am not 13

6. Her favorite color combination right now is brown and turquoise.

7. She is so precious to us and we are amazed at what an amazing young lady she is turning into! We love you!


Look for T another day!

Now, to make this official... I am supposed to tag 7 other people and link and such... well, I should be putting potatoes in the oven... so consider yourself tagged!


Lights out!
me!

Handmade for the Holidays...

Have you all been to Lainey's blog? If not, and are rushing to get teacher/neighbor/coworker gifts made... GO NOW! You can win as well! The girls over there were busy making our lives easier. How do I know... cuz it really kick started my mojo... Lookie what the kids' teachers, our neighbors, the daycare aides, and my coworkers are getting! I did these along with 29 thank you cards, finished addressing/stamping my Christmas cards, and wrote my annual letter ALL THIS WEEKEND!


Altered Dollar Spot calendars: I always make MINE, but I never thought of making personalized ones for everyone else!

Ornaments: This is an annual tradition of mine. But I was at a loss for what to do this year!


Altered frap bottles: I did this for Halloween once... but Christmas... ingenious! And with so many day care aides, this was PERFECT for them whole group! I will say I was a little... HIGH ON CAFFEINE by the time I was done!



__________________

On the homefront... It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Here are some shots of the tree, and our "little" pooch helping with the lights!



This is probably one of the prettiest trees we have gotten in a long time! I think next I will take photos of things around the house! We have such huge sentimental goodies, and I want to document it!


Lights Out!
me

Really? SNOW?

OK, this is a rarity... Snow in SE Texas just doesn't happen on a normal basis. Well, yesterday we were hit with the white stuff. Now at MY house, we got the "flurries" and were able to catch it on our tongue and it clumped up on the trampoline, but it didn't stick to the ground. I don't care WHAT you Northerners call that, but down here in "Boy Howdy" town, it is called SNOW!

My parents live less than two hours north of us, and it stuck... This is her front yard with the REAL snow on the FAKE snowman! How fun!

And Little Bandit just didn't know what to expect when all that cold white stuff was all over the place! Isn't he adorable?

And I DO have my tree up and decorated! I promised photos for Mom, so that she can actually SEE my tree this year! I will put it up tomorow!

Lights Out!

Me

I actually WON something...

Have any of you met Lain Ehmann or had a chance to read her blog or had a chance to catch Snippets? NO? Well, I have been counting down the days until the release of her book... and then to find the time and a place to get it!

Well, on her blog, she keeps posting fun little blogs to go to try and win your own copy... so I figured I HAVE to have it, lets try winning it and finding new "people that get it" along the way! Well, I did! I found these sisters (and they are a hoot) and now they are sending me my very own copy of Snippets. I can't be any more thrilled! I have already called my mom and she is so very jealous (yes, she will either get her own copy for Christmas, or read mine when I am done).

GREAT weekend behind us... we went to Old Towne Spring and just had a nice relaxing scoot around the town, bought some Christmas gifts, tried some mulled wine, bought some vintage candies, and just people watched! so fun

Sunday we bought our Christmas tree and it is up and it is BEAUTIFUL! I will post photos when I remember to BRING my camera card to school.

Off to the glorious world of work and carpool. Keep your fingers crossed for the great Lady Vikings as they host a home game today! Woot Woot

Yep... an entire post without a single photo... so I added the book! :)

Lights out!

me!

A Week in Review...

1. Twilight... yes, I read the books (all 4 in 9 days), waited in line to see the movie (have my opinions), but love THIS review by Annette over at GBC! She got it all correct in my eyes, so why write it over again! Thanks for letting me borrow your words, Annette!

2. Germs... yep, we all got it and they stayed with us all throughout the week. Now we are all just hacking messes!

3. Thanksgiving... it was nice! Mom and Dad came down and we had a nice quiet lunch. Chuck did all the cooking even though he was sicker than a dog!

4. Black Friday... been there done that, but we did it in moderation this year! I did get a GREAT deal on a pair of pants, and I got Chuck's Christmas present! I am so stoked! I do this though, I think it is a great idea, then I worry the entire time whether or not he will like it, is it goofy, etc! He never asks for anything, so it is hard!

5. Handmade for the Holidays... Lainey has it PEGGED with this. Go read her blog and see what fun she has in store from GBC! A great way to get those gifts taken care of without a lot of $$ in our pockets... Can you say TEACHER gifts! Great job girl!

6. Card Central... yep... my cards are done! I have made 58 of them, and once I get the list done, I will see how many more I need to do! Extremely simple this year!

7. Homemade Studio... OK, I did it again this year... had an idea for that "perfect" Christmas photo... I really like them, but for now you only get to see the extras... I want the "real" family one to show up in Christmas cards. I will post it AFTER they go out in the mail!


Here are the kids... I can't believe I got two of them!


And my 13 year old! I am still working on the color of these... but whatcha think?




Lights Out!
me

What have YOU done?

OK, while stalking Lain Ehmann, I found this! Thought it was fun and not quite a tag! Do it... and let me know if you do...

Put the items you've done in bold. I've italicized things I want to do.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon (ok, maybe a half, or just a 5K)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie (do home movies count)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (I am counting Discovery Toys)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (but I have had a story published)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Lights Out!
me

I am an Esme...

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

We are going to the movies tomorrow night! I can NOT wait! I know I am almost 40 and this is a YA novel, and a "kid" (well PG-13) movie, but I am hooked!

Team Edward all the way!

Lights Out!
me

Can you believe it?

This monkey turned THIRTEEN yesterday... but if you ask me, I do NOT have a teeenager in my house. I am just not ready to admit to that yet! It has nothing to do with being selfish and thinking I am old enough, I know I am old enough! I am just NOT ready to believe that my baby girl can be thirteen! And being typical 13 will probably DIE knowing I posted this photo... she JUST got out of the shower and is in her jammies! Talking about NOT posing! HA!


I love you Bug! Take the world and run with it... it is yours to have! We love you VERY much!


And... yep... still keeping everyone in suspense regarding last post! Don't want to lose anyone... but...


Lights Out!
me

Just one of those days...

You know... I really have a TON to blog about! Some stuff quite exciting... yet... I ponder that thought and decide... yeah, I really can't!

Gotcha thinking don't I!

Lights Out!
me

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!