It's the small things...

That excite the daylights out of me.

Today, I worked on a layout for a class at Mara's Memory Lane. This will be my very first class since Mara bought the store and my first class "back"...I left there over a year ago.

Anyway...while I was up there working on the class layout, Jessica and Heather came by to scrap. We were chatting and I mentioned the Marvy scalloped Circle punch that I keep seeing EVERYWHERE in the magazines. Mara let me look in a couple of wholesale catalogs for it but I didn't have much luck. I told the girls that I'd probably be able to figure out how to do this on the wishblade eventually.

I decided to look online to see what I could find tonight. Looks like either Marvy hasn't "released" these babies yet or everyone and their uncle is looking for them since they're all over the magazines, and anyone that's carrying them is sold out. . While searching online tonight to find it, I came across another scrapper/stamper's blog that showed how to do this WITHOUT buying the punch.

Then...while surfing HER blog...I came to another link that shows basically the SAME technique, but for a scalloped border. Here's that link too...scalloped border tutorial.

So, now you see why I'm so excited! So excited that I had to share.

Oh, and I'll be posting that class layout soon too. I printed pictures to put on it tonight. I just need to scan it.

Gotta run...almost time for American Idol! Goooooooooo Jordin!

Here's what I've done this morning. My friend Cheryl, shared a picture of adorable little cookie bouquets like these. I decided to make a couple for some of the folks at Em's school for Teacher Appreciation week. A few of the teachers saw them and have asked me to make them for their parent volunteers. Well, one teacher asked, then another and now a 3rd has asked. I'm up to something like 15 or 16 of these that I'm making now. I really don't mind. They're so simple easy to make and it's actually kind of relaxing. I need to run out and pick up a few containers and cookies a little later though. Don't have enough to finish the orders that I have so far. Hehehehe...a little spending money for me too...I won't/can't complain about that one!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

So far, this has been a fantastic morning!! Brooks called from China at 8am. That was a nice surprise, indeed!! I worry about him over there, so every time he calls, it's so nice to hear from him.

Alex, Josh and Emily woke me with a delicious breakfast. Complete with scrambled eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and GRIDDLE CAKES too!!! I love IHOP's Griddle Cakes and they've recently taken them off their menu. Alex took the time to find the recipe online and attempted to make them for me. They were YUMMY too! I was so full after that breakfast. I might not need to eat anything else all day. LOL

Kyle called me too. He said he was thinking of me and wanted to touch base to say Happy Mother's Day!! This Mom's a happy camper now...having heard from all of her babies! **insert big grin here**

For Mother's Day, Alex and the kids gave me a new Epson Perfection 4490 scanner. My old scanner wasn't working 100% anymore. I took it to Mom's house to scan a bunch of pictures of Richard for his Memorial Service and it started acting up then. This new scanner ROCKS!! It's like 10 times faster than the other and since it's an Epson, it's very easy for me to use. I'm pretty familiar with the Epson scanning software, so that helped to make it an easy transition. I've already scanned a two page spread that I did last month while I was away with the girls. I've included a pic of it for ya too!

Today will be a very relaxing day for me. I'll only do what "I" want to do and when "I" want to do it. I think I want to work on getting the scrap room straightened up a bit. I'll pop Grey's Anatomy, season 1, in the DVD player and get to work. Then maybe later tonight, I'll be able to scrap a page or two.

Oh, and btw, this is our last full week of school for my kiddos. The last day of school is Tuesday, the 22nd. I can't believe Summer Vacation is just around the corner. I'm going to have a JR. in HS and a 2nd grader. How is that possible?

All finished!!!!

Well, for the most part anyway. I still want to add a few pictures. One over the toilet and some on the wall next to the mirror, over the hand towel thing. Kyle took some really awesome black and white pics. I think I'll frame them to hang by the towel thing and get something with some color to hang over the toilet.

I've got a few errands to run today but promised pics...so here ya go!

Almost finished!!!

Today should be the last day that our contractor is here. It has taken him a couple days longer than expected, but the room is coming together so nicely! Here's the photo that I took this morning.
Today he'll put in the lights, hang the mirror, sand the drywall and seal the grout. Tonight, hubby and I plan to put the Kilz on the walls so that we can get it painted in the next few days. I still need to search for the shower curtain and accessories that I'd like to put in there too...hopefully by this weekend, we'll have a brand spankin new, 100% finished bathroom. I still can't wait for that first bath in the new jacuzzi tub!!

Day 5

I didn't get a chance to get a picture yesterday and almost forgot to get one this morning. The bathroom is coming right along now!!!

We're all drywalled in, and the tile has started going up on the shower walls. I am so excited! He plans to work a bit this weekend so by Monday we should be ready to paint!

I worked the concessions for the Orlando Magic playoff game last night. This is one of our biggest fundraisers for Crew...the concessions for the Arena. OMG, we were sooooooooo busy last night. SLAMMED BUSY! They told us not to make too many hotdogs because it was an 8pm game and most people will probably eat before coming to the game. HA...what did THEY know? We made like 60 hot dogs...and ended up having to keep them rolling...we sold over 400 of them darn things!!! It was amazing! I got home after midnight and didn't get to sleep till after 1. I'm exhausted today!

I have to get ready for the big States Regatta in Tampa today. Heading out around 1:30...wish us good weather and great rowing!! It's been a tough season for our boys this year...it'd be nice to have them medal this weekend! They've overcome so much adversity...they deserve to win this weekend!

Off to vacuum and dust...need to leave a clean house for the housesitter.

Day #2 (and a half)

I didn't get a chance to take a picture last night or this morning before the contractor showed up to work again. But during his lunch break today, I did. We now have a tub and insulation again! Today he's putting up all of the drywall and tomorrow he plans on laying the tile! It's coming together nicely now! Can't wait to get my first bath in that new jacuzzi tub!



Oh, and on a scrappy note...I've almost got my XXL tote unpacked of the stuff I took with me on the weekend away! Now, to get it all put away and everything cleaned back up again! I've got a little more than an hour till it's time to get Emily. Maybe I should work on getting it cleaned up?

At the end of day one...

The contractor started yesterday...and by the end of the day, this is what the bathroom looks like!


He took down the rest of the ceiling, disconnected and moved the old tup and has the new fan fixture in the ceiling, a light in the shower (that we didn't have before) and all the electrical stuff moved to where everything needs to go.

Today he's moving the plumbing and not sure what else. He said it's almost time to start putting things back together!! I can't wait to start seeing it all coming together!

Now, I'm off to fold more laundry and try to sneak one more load in before the water gets shut off after lunch.

Dust anyone???

Well, we've decided to remodel our hall bathroom. This is something that we've talked about wanting to do since we bought this house. Something that DESPERATELY needed to be done. I mean, the bathroom was in "usable" condition, but it was rather "dated". The tile that was on the floors and wall was the original from when the house was built in 1973. You know...that really pretty harvest gold color. Ewwww!!!!

Anyway...Alex set out today to bust everything out of there so that our carpenter/do it all handyman guy, Richard, can come in tomorrow and work his magic. He'll be putting up new drywall, new lighting, raising the dropped ceiling...and putting in a new tub, vanity, counter top and tile. He says it'll take him about a week to do this. And man...I can't wait!

Here are a couple of pictures from today...

Josh helped with banging out the tile on the inside wall of the tub/shower. Notice how I caught the spark as the hammer hit the concrete? How cool is that??? See the dust? OMG...it's EVERYWHERE!!! I'll be dusting for a month after this is over with!


Emily insisted on wanting to help. We bought her the safety goggles at Lowes yesterday and gave her the hard hat and "earhumps" (as she calls them). She helped knock down the ceramic soap dish, toothbrush holder and a few other things. And then insisted on collecting some of the floor tiles to take to school tomorrow for her Sharing Day. (show and tell) She helped for a little while and didn't like how loud things were...even with the "earhumps". Oh well...at least I got a few pictures of her helping her daddy.


And this photo...see the pretty harvest gold tile? That was taken just after the vanity came out of there and the floor came up.


There's nothing left in there now but the studs and a concrete floor. Oh, and what's left of the cast iron tub. Alex couldn't get under it to unhook the drain, so he had to leave that for the handman to take care of. Richard will be here at 8am tomorrow morning and we'll be making a run to Lowe's for supplies shortly after I take Em to school.

I can't wait till this is FINISHED!!!

Starting fresh!

With my blog...

It's been over TWO MONTHS since my last post. TWO MONTHS? How is that possible? They say that sometimes life just gets in the way and by golly, that's exactly what happened!

I won't go into long details of the last two months but there was a surgery for me, the death of my Step Dad and all sorts of things in between. As my friend and neighbor said it...I've had "quite a few stresses" in my life lately.

I'm going to try, once again, to maintain this blog and share my love for scrapping, etc. The way that I had intended to do before.

And with that...I've gotta share the fact that I went away this past weekend with my local scrapping buddies. We rented a house in Davenport, Florida...set up specifically for a scrapbook retreat. Its called "Florida's Scrapbook Retreat" and by clicking that link, you can read all about it.

What a great time we had!!! I always have a good time with this group of girls though. These "bitches", as we so lovingly call each other, are some of my best friends. We've been scrapping together for over 6 yrs now. Most of us have high school kids that have been together since Elementary School. We've been through some super great times, as well as some really tough times too. We've lost one of our own to her battle with Breast Cancer and that, I believe, has pulled some of us even closer. I love these women and I know that they're always there...and for that, I am forever grateful!

Our retreat started at 3 pm on Friday and checkout time was at 3 pm on Sunday. We got there, set up our scrapping stuff and went to work. I had a little too much to drink Friday night...oh ok...alot too much to drink...and was in bed by 10:30 that night. I did manage to complete a cute little flip book that an online friend had shared the link for. Shimelle did one on Fiskars TV and the link to the video is on her blog. (click on the link and then go to Sexy Scissors on the right hand side of her blog) I'll share my flip book once I finally get unpacked from the weekend. All of my bags are sitting here, on my scraproom floor, in a pile...just screaming to be unpacked.

On Saturday, although the day started on the slightly hungover side...I did manage to complete a book for my mom. I'm not going to give the details of that, in case she's reading this...but it's beautiful. I can't wait to give it to her! I'll scan it and post it in my gallery at Scrapforums soon.
I made it through Saturday without a nap but went to bed earlier than another else, again on Saturday night.

Sunday morning brought stormy weather outside...heavy rain and wind...even word of a tornado somewhere. We were all oblivious to what was happening outside...the scrapping had once again began. Some of the girls headed home earlier than others. Those of us that stayed behind worked feverishly to get as much done as we could before it was time to go home. I managed to finish a two page Disney spread that I had started AGES ago. I also started on another layout and got about 2/3 of that one finished before packing up.

Now that I'm home again...its time to unpack everything and put it all back where it belongs. I hooked up my scanner again and now need to get busy scanning the stuff that I did. Maybe I'll do that this afternoon. KEYWORD: MAYBE!!!

Oh...and I almost forgot to mention. Today is the day that Memory Lane changes ownership. It was supposed to be done on Monday but it was postponed to today. This LSS has been a favorite of mine since it opened 5 yrs ago. When Liz told me that she was selling the store, I thought long and hard at buying it...the timing just wasn't right. I was saddened to think that the store could possibly close. It used to be such a GREAT scrapbook store and it's suffered a little bit for a while now. I know that the store was Liz's 'baby' and even though she's ready to move on to other things, it'll be hard for her to let go. Here's wish Liz the best in whatever she may do and wishing Mara, the new store owner, the best in everything she does for Memory Lane!! Sometimes change is good...lets hope this is one of those times. I'm excited to see the changes that Mara will bring! (and I've been asked if I'll teach again too...hmmmmmm)

With all of that...I should close. There's a load of laundry waiting for me in the dryer and a few more, on the floor, waiting to be washed. Only 30 minutes till its time for me to get Emily again...so I should get busy!

Thanks for reading! Be sure to leave a comment, if you will...

OK...here we go...

The scraproom is finished, for the most part, and there's a TON of stuff for me to move outta here. As promised, here's a list of what I have to get rid of and I'm pricing it to sell...I want it all gone!!! If you're interested, just drop me an e-mail at DBaker80@cfl.rr.com and put the item name in the subject line. I will accept Paypal payments and will only charge actual shipping costs. I hope to get everything shipped this week. (as soon as payment is made)

Thanks for looking...and be sure to point your friends in this direction too.

Everything is "gently used" unless otherwise noted. And everything that was listed before and hasn't sold yet, has been discounted even more.

SMALL WATCHMAKER'S TIN w/10 smaller containers inside $3

MAKING MEMORIES MAGNETIC STAMP TOOL, date stamp set and two alphas (stored in metal tins) ALL for $12

QUICKUTZ ALPHABETS!!!! (upper and lower sets sold seperately...all have ejection foam on them and are in the blue binder sheets)

KATIE CLASSIC uppercase $60
KATIE CLASSIC lowercase $60
buy both for $100

SONJA (retired) uppercase $60
SONJA (retired) lowercase $60
buy both for $100

KHAKI CLASSIC LOWERCASE
KHAKI CLASSIC LOWERCASE SHADOWS
sold together for $70

STUDIO CLASSIC COMPLETE alphabet set(upper, lower, numbers and punctuation) $110(retails for $169)

ELIZA CLASSIC uppercase $60
ELIZA CLASSIC lowercase $60
buy both for $100

MARISA CLASSIC uppercase $60
MARISA CLASSIC lowercase $60
buy both for $100

EK Success 6x6 Textured Cloth Covered (sage green) postbound scrapbook w/10 page protectors AND an extra pack of (10) 6x6 page protectors (this has a NOW AND FOREVER rubon on the front) $8

(3) Rollabind Crafter's Cover Kit and extra Sheet Protector page inserts (heavy duty pre-punched chipboard cover and binding discs, with a pack of 10 page inserts/protectors)
$8 EACH SET (one cover and one pack of page inserts sold as a set)

Provocraft Rolling alphabet stamp...Circa 18 pts. $7

American Traditional Designs Accordian Book
(2) Black
(2) Tan
$2.50 each or $8 for all 4 together

POCKET TAG BOOK KIT this kit has the book board cover and the tags all ready to be decorated (assembly instructions included). Does not include the paper and fibers as shown on the website. $5

Kraft colored matchbook style album...has 12 tan colored cardstock pages inside. Measures approximately 5x7 $3

5x7 spiral bound "photo journal" by All Night Media $3

Set of 12 Watercolor Pencils by General (gently used and in decent condition) $5

Junkitz License Plates (12 mini license plates w/ "love" type words on them) $3

SOLD!!!
DIE CUTS WITH A VIEW MAT STACKS!!!
3.875 square stack... $2
4.5 x 6.5 Spring Cardstock mat stack $3
5x7 Mat Stack $3
4.5 x 6.5 Fall Mat Stack (solid) $3
4.5 x 6.5 Fall Mat Stack prints $4
4.5 x 6.5 Classic Prints and Cardstock Stack $4
6 x 6 printed paper stack $4
4.5x6.5 Retro Prints mat Stack $4

Classic Glimmer Chalk set (9 colors) $3
9 pack of Decorating Chalks (pale yellow, light mauve, wedgewood and more) $3
9 pack of Decorating Chalks (Coral, Rose, Eggplant, Plum and more...one square broken $2

JUNKITZ Swatchz (3 pcs of 6 x 12 fabric, 1 each, light yellow, blue striped and yellow/blue striped) $2

Robin's Nest 12 in. mesh (2 packs...1 silver and 1 gold) sold together $1

Scrapyard 329 Wire Mesh 12 in. sheets (one silver and one gold) $2

Making great progress!!

The scraproom is coming together nicely. I've been working on it feverishly...working toward the goal of having it complete by this weekend. I've got a ton of stuff to let go of...I need to get a bunch put up here...and will try and do that either tomorrow or the next day. If you want to see some of the progress...here's a picture that I took tonight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/DBaker817/IMG_3887.jpg

My organizer friend is coming over again tomorrow. Even though its so terribly late tonight, Rachel will push me to get lots more done tomorrow!!!

I just finished the 8th of 9 discs of an audio book that I've been listening to. Usually, with just one disc left, I'd stay up and listen. But it's almost 1:30 am and I am going to hate myself in the morning!!!

Keep watching tomorrow and the next day...I'll have idea books, magazines, unmounted alphabet stamps, alphabet stickers and MORE! I might even lower the price of the QK too...just to make it go away. Its such a freeing feeling to get this stuff outta here!

Until tomorrow...or the next day...

GOODNIGHT

Cleaning out the scraproom!!!

I'm over the clutter...can't stand the mess anymore. So, I'm cleaning out the scraproom. I've taken the corner desk out and have put up a 4 ft folding table in the corner and have moved the wire shelves over the folding table. The table will act as my computer table. I'll take pics as soon as Alex gets all of the wires and cables all hooked up again.

I've cleaned out the cabinets over the built in desk...part of them anyway. That's where I housed all the alterable goodies. Well, I gotta tell ya...there is more alterable up there than any THREE people should have. I've sorted everything and put them into baskets and those baskets are up on one of the shelves over the computer desk.

Oh...and while I'm cleaning out the scraproom...I'm going to list things here that I'd like to get rid of. All of it is "gently used" (if ever used at all) If you're interested in anything listed here, just drop me an e-mail and I'll get back with you. Shipping will only cost you what it costs to send it...actual shipping charges.

Be sure to share this with your friends...I'll be adding stuff regularly and will do my best to mark them as they're sold. Oh, and I prefer to be paid through PAYPAL.

First round...(links provided for some items)

PENDING: Z BECKY BROWN PURSE (white handled) never used...$45

SOLD LOT OF ALTERABLE GOODIES (pill tin, rectangle tin *similar to an altoid tin, round metal CD tin, metal pencil tin, spiral bound journal, small hinged box, small magnetic closure *purse*, small children's board book, wooden door hanger) $7

SMALL WATCHMAKER'S TIN w/10 smaller containers inside $5

SOLD PROVOCRAFT METAL TIN $4

SOLD PROVOCRAFT METAL LUNCHBOX $4

MAKING MEMORIES MAGNETIC STAMP TOOL $8

SOLD MAKING MEMORIES MAGNETIC ALPHABET STAMPS (Providence) $8

SOLD...MAKING MEMORIES MAGNETIC ALPHA STAMPS (Express It) $8

MAKING MEMORIES MAGNETIC ALPHABET STAMPS (ornaments) $8

SOLD...MAKING MEMORIES MAGNETIC ALPHA STAMPS (Rummage) $8

MAKING MEMORIES MAGNETIC DATE STAMPS (stamps stored in tin) $5

Two other magnetic stamp alphabets...stored in metal tins. (very small alphas) Both alphas, in the tins, sold together for $6 (sorry no picture of these)

PENDING: CROPPER HOPPER EMBELLISHMENT BOX (with more than 75 empty mini square boxes inside, holds 90 boxes total) Great for storing ribbon click here to see an example. $20

SOLD 2 DIFFERENT SANDWICH SIZE BAGGIES OF FLOWERS...MOSTLY PRIMAS! (hundreds of flowers in all shapes, sizes and colors in each bag) $10 EACH

QUICKUTZ ALPHABETS!!!! (upper and lower sets sold seperately...all have ejection foam on them and are in the blue binder sheets)

KATIE CLASSIC uppercase $70
KATIE CLASSIC lowercase $70
buy both for $120

SONJA (retired) uppercase $70
SONJA (retired) lowercase $70
buy both for $120

KHAKI CLASSIC LOWERCASE
KHAKI CLASSIC LOWERCASE SHADOWS
sold together for $80

STUDIO CLASSIC COMPLETE alphabet set
(upper, lower, numbers and punctuation) $110
(retails for $169)

ELIZA CLASSIC uppercase $70
ELIZA CLASSIC lowercase $70
buy both for $120

MARISA CLASSIC uppercase $70
MARISA CLASSIC lowercase $70
buy both for $120



Check back often...I'll add more as I find it. There'll be PLENTY!!!!!!

e-mail me at dbaker80@cfl.rr.com if you're interested in any of the items above. Please put the name of the item in the subject line. I'll get back to you as soon as I can to get paypal address to you and to get the shipping address from you.

thanks!!!

They're at it again!!

Scrapforums is doing it again!!!! They're starting another FUNK IT UP contest!! You can get all the info here...

FUNK IT UP!!!

Man rules?????

OK...my friend that works for the power company came by this morning to check the plug that I zapped yesterday...come to find out...DH didn't reset all the breakers in the box and that's all it was...a tripped breaker. My friend said that I didn't need him because Alex fixed it himself. And then Alex told me that he couldn't tell me how he fixed it because of the "MAN RULES". In other words...he felt silly and he'd have to give up a MAN CARD if I knew that he hadn't checked everything. I guess I just need to remember that I am NOT married to an electrician...or a plumber. Oh well...it's fixed now. And my shower light, bathroom outlet and all the plugs in my bedroom are all working nicely once again. LOL

The retirement party was very nice last night. I went with my friend, Nancy, who teaches at Em's school. No matter what, I always have a great time when I'm with Nancy cuz she's a hoot and has the best sense of humor EVER...and can crack you up in a heartbeat. But, besided the good company, the party itself wasn't so bad. I got more than 100 pictures for the principal to have as a reminder of this great time. Josh's first grade teacher was there...she teaches at a different school now and she came to celebrate with us. It was so fun to see her and catch up on things. She can't believe that Josh is now in TENTH grade. LOL

I got home by 11...but sat up on the computer chatting with my good friend Michele, and a few of the gals from The Shaker Box. They had me cracking up so badly that I was crying! We were trying out a new chat feature at the Shaker but others were able to pop in and out...so as soon as a stranger would come in, we'd chase them outta there. It was HILARIOUS!! I was afraid I was going to wake Alex and the kids from laughing.

Today, I slept till 10. Gotta love that! I've ran a load of dishes in the d/w, working on the second load of clothes and am getting ready to run Emily to a birthday party. She's all decked out and is so excited to go to this party. Little girls are so funny like that! After that party, we have to go to dinner with my bil, sil and nephew...it's our nephew's birthday celebration tonight too. It'll be fun.

Not too much more to write about today...other than the fact that you should check this out. Another fine class by Shimelle. I'll be doing this one next weekend!!!

Till next time.... :)

Saturday...

Ahhhh...the weekend.

It's so quiet right now...Josh went to help a friend of ours clean out his garage. (for $$) Emily's still sleeping after being up till after midnight last night. And Alex just went back to sleep...after having poker night here till 2am. I'm now sitting in the scraproom, drinking a peanut butter/banana (with a touch of choc) smoothie...enjoying this peacefulness. Even the dogs are quiet right now. Sunny's curled up in the bed with Alex and Koda's looking out the dining room window watching for squirrels and cats. As soon as she sees one, things won't be so quiet anymore. LOL

So, I was in the bedroom this morning, being lazy...and decided to plug in the laptop and check my favorite scrapbook boards. (My usual morning routine) I went to plug in the power cord and the outlet sparked, zapped and popped...only to knock out the power to everything on that plug and the other plug on the same wall. Scared the bejeebers outta me. Luckily there doesn't seem to be any type of damage to the laptop, thank goodness! Just talked to a friend of mine that works for the power company. He's going to come over tomorrow to fix the two outlets. He says there's nothing to worry about them...just not to use them till they're fixed. Okie dokie, no problem. Electrical stuff scares the crap outta me!

Alex had his poker buddies over here last night and it was a success. Well, for some, it was an even bigger success. Alex didn't win a thing...Josh played a couple of games and actually won one. So, he gets to pay me back the $$ that I lent him to play the first one he sat in.

The kids and I had gone out for a few hours at the beginning of the evening. We had dinner at Sweet Tomatoes with Mom, Taylor and Tawny. We met there at 6:30 and they were PACKED. This made it tough to make the 7:30 showing of Charlotte's Web. By the time we got out of the restaurant and to the movie theater, it was 7:40. I was going to buy the tickets at the ATM type ticket thing to save some time but they were both turned off. WTH...it's FRIDAY NIGHT! I go upstairs to the ticket booth and the lines are FOREVER long! I called my mom's cell and told her I didn't think it'd be a good idea. By the time we'd get into the movie, we'd have missed a good portion of the beginning of the movie. No thanks.

I wasn't sure what we'd do then...it was just before 8 and there was really no way that I should take the kids home this early. We went to AC Moore, to the kids dismay...they can't stand going to any type of craft store with me. Although, at AC Moore, Emily found a cute little wooden box that she wants to decorate and Josh got found a canvas and a couple of thing to make for his girlfriend. I picked up some new stipple brushes, blending stubs and the latest Take Ten idea book. By now, it was about 8:45...still a little too early to head home. So we head over to Barnes and Noble. Josh wanted to look for a new James Patterson book and I figured Emily would have fun looking for the latest Junie B. Jones book.

We get to Barnes and Noble and there's a HUGE celebration going on. There's a big book signing going on...Janet Evanovich is there signing her latest novel, Plum Lovin'. Everyone was decked in purple t-shirts, purple balloons were flying everywhere...music was playing loudly and things were rocking! There were literally HUNDREDS of people there waiting to have their books signed. LITERALLY HUNDREDS!!!! There were people there that had been there for HOURS, waiting for their number to be called. Everyone was given a wrist band with a number on it and they called 50 numbers at a time. We talked to one woman that had been there since 6pm...just waiting. Another couple was there, with two little ones...the husband said something the wife and I saw the wife say "I didn't realize it'd be this crazy". I didn't get a wrist band to have the chance to meet the author, but Josh found a couple of books that he wants to read, I picked up a couple of magazines to look at while Emily searched the kid's section. We all enjoyed the music...especially when they played SWEET CAROLINE...we love that song...thanks Kyle! **grin**

By now, it's getting closer to 10...and I've decided to go ahead and start heading home. While heading down Conway Rd., Josh and I notice that the people in the car next to us are gawking at us. A man and a little girl, maybe around 10 or 11. And they were really gawking. Like maybe they know us or something. They wave, we wave back...LOL. So, at the next stoplight, they roll down the window and start chatting with us. Here, we learn that there are two little boys in the back seat. One of them says "who are you???". By this time, Josh is cracking up...getting the biggest kick out of what he thinks is someone hitting on his mom. HEAVEN FORBID! So, I started feeding into that...told him that the guy was probably looking for a mom for his kids...but that's ok...sorry, dude...I've got enough kids of my own. Josh couldn't WAIT to get home and tell Alex (and all of his friends) about the guy that was flirting with Mom on the way home. I kindly reminded Josh that even though I'm FORTY, I'm not old...and that there really are some people that might still find me attactive. BRAT!!

Well, Em's awake, finally! I'm sure she'll be wanting something to eat soon. I need to work on some finance stuff today. Get things in line for the new year...a couple weeks late...but better late than never, right???

Till next time!!

More than a month already???

I am the world's WORST blogger...I'll just say that now and get it over with.

Let's see...I'll try and remember everything that's happened in the past month and five days. And then give a general summary of all of it here. WARNING: This may get long.

First off...So far NOTHING is showing up in the tests that the dr's are running for the anemia/low hemoglobin. I do NOT have Celiac Disease and the biopsies that were sent off from my Gatroscopy have all come back "normal" but "consistent with reflux". I don't have the symptoms of reflux, but apparently, as I get older it could happen. So, I have a standing order for bloodtests every 3-4 weeks to monitor my blood levels. I also had to have a pelvic ultrasound to see if there is anything going on there that could cause my periods to be too heavy. (TMI? sorry) I had that done today and won't know the results for a little while.

On a good note though...my hemoglobin levels have started to rise with the taking of the full strength iron supplements. I've gone from 8.2 to 9.6 and the latest was a 10.4. Woo hoo...I'm almost NORMAL! (if there's any such thing) I'll have my next blood test done in about a week or so.

Oh, and...I'm feeling much better too! I can actually make it pretty much the entire week without needing to take that 3 hour nap that was happening quite regularly. Now...to start using that extra time a little more wisely.

Along with the ultrasound today, I also had my annual Mammogram. OH MY GAWSH!!! The girls are just NOT supposed to be smooshed that way. I'm still sore! Glad THAT'S over with too! I think that was enough poking, prodding and smashing to last me a good while now.

Our Christmas was very good. I had been rather emotional a few days before Christmas. Worrying about the amount of money that was spent...worrying about the kids being ungrateful...all sorts of things. Christmas morning came and both kids were thrilled with everything and just being with Alex and the kids for the entire day, staying in my jammies all day and enjoying being together...took all of those worries away. It ended up being such a great day! Santa brought Alex an electronic dartboard that went out on the pool deck/backporch. I can't even begin to tell you how many games of darts we've played since Christmas Day. (it's slowed down a bit now that everyone's back to work and school)

We had the big Christmas dinner/family get together on the day after Christmas. We did it a bit more casually this year than usual. Instead of a big sit down type dinner, I had everything set out "buffet style" and everyone ate as they wanted. Grabbing from the buffet as they felt the urge. It was much more relaxing this way...and nobody went away hungry. That's for darn sure!

Kyle got here on the 27th. And as always, it was so much fun having him around. Let me tell ya...my son Kyle has an amazing sense of humor. He's so witty and always has something funny to say. He and Alex go round and round about the Cardinals and the Cubs. For Kyle's sake, I sure hope the Cubs can do something next season.

We had a very low key get together for New Year's Eve. I had told quite a few people that our house would be open for the night but only a couple of folks came by and it was rather nice actually. Josh's girlfriend and her family came over. Neighbors from down the road came by too. We played more darts...some folks played Texas Hold 'Em...we toasted at midnight and called it a night shortly there after. We couldn't stay up too late because Kyle and I were headed to Jacksonville the following day with Mr. Bruno and Philip to see the Ga. Tech Yellow Jackets and the W. Va. Mountaineers play in the Gator Bowl.

Tech played a great game but lost 38-35. Those Mountaineers are some rough folk, I tell ya! Well, some of them were. We had quite a few roudy (and drunk) ones in front of us...one girl was quite trashed. She spent the entire second half of the game passed out with her head on the seat in front of her and a popcorn tub between her legs for the "just in case". Kyle and Philip were razzed pretty badly by a few rude Mountaineers, but Mr. Bruno and I actually had fun with a few of the not so rude ones. Kyle was very happy to have been able to go to the game...and that's what mattered most. (for a while there, I wasn't sure if we'd just be watching the game on the big screen)

School started back without a hitch...Kyle got back to Atlanta safely and is happy to be back to school. He really missed playing Ultimate every night. Even though Philip tried to get a group of guys together to play, it just never came to be.

Alex got back to work and has been working his tail end off...he's got the guys coming over here tomorrow night for Poker Night. It'll be a nice diversion from the stressful week he's had. Keep your fingers crossed that he actually WINS this time. They play almost once a month and I don't think he does very well. (I don't think he ever really tells me exactly how much he's lost though)

I have been scrapping a little bit over the last couple of days. I've done a single page and a double page spread. I still need to scan the two pager and put it in the gallery. I actually used a sketch for the Blue Prints call...I'm still trying to decide if I want to submit it. It's actually pretty simple. Not really sure if it's magazine worthy. But, who knows...I could be surprised. So, we'll see. I'm hoping to get some time to scrap this weekend. Key word being HOPING...

Oh, and my time in the Superbowl of Scrapbooking at Memory Creators came to an end this month too. The last round was a member voting round and I didn't make the cut. That was ok though...I had fun while it lasted. That had been my first contest like that and I gave it my all and created layouts that I really like too. So...wasn't too bad at all.

And on that note...I think I'll close once again. I've been ready to go to bed since 7:30...I've made it till 9. I think its late enough for me to call it a night. Tomorrow I'll be getting the house ready for poker night, making lasagna for the guys, and I also need to do some volunteer time at Em's school. It's going to be a big girl day for me tomorrow.

G'Night, my friends!!

And today...is the 6th??

Already??? Damn...nothing like falling behind before the end of the first week!!!

Let's see...

I've done the pages in my Christmas Journal up to the 2nd and haven't even had time to read the prompts for the 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th.

Sunday, the 3rd, I was blessed with having to clean my system in prep for my colonoscopy and gastroscopy scheduled for Monday morning. Needless to say, my mind was nowhere near scrapping, journaling or anything along those lines.

Monday, the 4th, I had my tests and the colonoscopy showed as "normal" and they sent a few samples from my gastroscopy off for biopsies and ordered MORE bloodwork. Looks like they're trying to rule out Celiac Disease right now. (they've not said that out loud, but that's what the tests are for that they've ordered...what would we do without the internet???) I slept the rest of Monday...again, no thinking about scrapping that day either.

Yesterday was the PTA luncheon that took up the morning and part of the afternoon. I really didn't want to miss that and glad that I didn't. But, while going to the Hallmark store to find a cute ornament for the ornament exchange at the luncheon...I hit a curb while parking and somewhere after that, I lost a hubcap on one of my rear tires. Oh boy, oh boy!!! The dealer has one in stock and it'll cost me $80 to replace it. Merry Christmas to me! And of course, Alex is thrilled by this...and doesn't want to be seen near my car without the hubcap. Whatever!

Today, I spent more than an hour and a half at the lab to get the rest of my blood work done. They took FOUR vials of blood this morning. Don't these people understand that I don't have much to spare right now??? I left there feeling just a little on the dizzy side and since I was fasting, I stopped right at Panera and grabbed an OJ and a bagel. I stopped in at the Dollar Tree to pick up some stuff for Em's Christmas party next week. And then had to go to her classroom to help with crafts and have lunch with her. (she ate, I didn't...since I'd just had that bagel)

I ran to Walmart to pick up the order of pics that I uploaded for my Christmas cards...I uploaded them last night and the order was to be done by 11am this morning. I'm greeted with a sign that says "ONE HOUR PROCESS MACHINE IS DOWN"...no problem? Right??? Mine were done BEFORE the machine went down...or so they should have been. WRONG!!! Nothing...no pictures done and no phone call telling me that they weren't done. I wasn't too happy about this at all and told them not to bother...I'd upload them to Costco or Walgreens instead. The mgr. apologized and said they'd be the first ones printed when the machine came up and the order would be free. They just called and said they're ready to be picked up.

Finally got a call back from the dr's office today too...I have an appt on Friday morning at 10:15 for a consult with the hemotologist. We'll discuss the options of a blood transfusion to get my levels back up to normal and then try to maintain them from there. In hopes of giving me back a bit of energy and helping me make it through this time of year. I don't know if a transfusion is the way that I want to go...but, I can't continue to feel the way that I do either. Not right now.

Gotta pick Emily up from her friend's house here in a little while and take her to dance. Tonight is fundraiser night at Cici's pizza for her school. I might just take her there after dance and call it a night. I'm so tired...and the pile of laundry is beginning to look like another Christmas tree.

Tomorrow is supposed to be my volunteer time at school and I missed last week...I just don't want to miss tomorrow. Its my last day in that class before the party day next week. I really would love to see them tomorrow. We'll see how I feel, I guess.

Friday night is the crop with my favorite BI*CHES...my Ya'Ya's!!! Gosh how I need a little Ya Ya time right now! Hopefully I'll feel up to going by then...I'm tired already!

Sunday is Emily's 7th birthday. I still need to order a cake, get her roller blades as her b-day gift and make the goody bags too.

God, please give me the strength to make it through all of this!!! PLEASE!

Photo a day...

Besides the Journal your Christmas class, I'm also doing the Photo a Day in December challenge at Scrapforums. The goal is to take a picture each day and journal a little bit about that photo. I won't have any sort of a theme to my pictures...it'll just be whatever strikes my fancy. Today, getting into the spirit of the holidays, I decided to snap a picture of one of the wreaths that I made.

Last weekend, we put up the Christmas trees on the inside and Alex and Josh decorated the outside of the house with many many many lights. It might just be a record this year actually.

I wanted to put wreaths on each of the front windows and set out to find 6 of the same wreaths that I'd hang outside. I couldn't really find anything that I liked so I decided to buy a few of the pics that Joann's had on sale and some of their plain holiday wreaths too. On Saturday, I sat at the kitchen counter, with my hot glue gun and put together six of these. I'd never done anything like this before so I was pleasantly surprised at how they turned out. Alex even thought they turned out great and was perfectly fine with me hanging them on the windows for all to see.

The hours are winding down on our first day of December. Bring on December 2nd...a new holiday journal prompt and another photo for the day.

My journal cover...

Here it is...my Christmas Journal cover. Everything here is from my stash. I covered chip board with Basic Grey Blitzen paper and added alpha stickers, ribbons and the doodly rub ons. The "believe" epoxy sticker is also from the stash. I *think it's from Creative Imaginations.
The cover measures just a tad smaller than a 4x6 photo. The inside pages are coin envelopes that measure just a little bit smaller than the cover. I've cut off the flaps to each of the envelopes and will tuck some of my journaling into these little envelopes. Leaving the envelopes themselves to be decorated as I go.

Here's a picture of the inside cover and one of the envelopes. My 7 yr. old informed me that the "yellow" pages didn't go very well with this, but I assured her that there would be very little of the yellow showing when we were finished with this one. Each little "page" will be covered and decorated some how.

Oh, and...I took these pictures with the book sitting on the branches of one of our Christmas trees. I think this may go on the tree next year. Free to be pulled off and looked at, at any given time.

I'm so excited about this class. I've never done anything like it. I love to journal, but have never created an "art journal" per se.

I'm off now to work on that dedication page. That will go on that "yellow" side...I'll share it when its done.