just jo

My Header

2010-01-02T06:20:00.003-06:00

I'm thinking that today I am going to make a new header for my blog. I think I like this background...might change that up too......not sure....I reserve the option to change my mind. I will say that now that ASF is gone....I miss our smilies...they were so cute and too much fun.

It's been a while!!!!!!

2010-01-01T12:46:00.002-06:00

So....I'm thinking it's time I started back blogging...so being the first day of 2010 is a good place to start. I'm praying this is a good year for our family. Looking back over last year just seems rather dark. I can't say that anything bad happened...just a year of many changes and lots of stress.

I am really hoping to get back into digi scrapping. I have missed it...and my friends.

Monday, Monday!

2008-10-06T15:13:00.004-05:00

Well, it's just another Monday again, but that is a good thing. It means another chance at having a great week, another day to love my family, another chance to do things that please the Lord (or at least TRY to do things that please Him!). This past week I have really been scrapping a lot for me. I have done several paper pages and finished up a digital page. I have a few more in the works (digital) but they are no where near being done...mostly just in my head right now. But don't you find that you do most of your work there first? At least I do. I like to let things simmer a bit at times. So, I thought I would share the layouts that I have done recently...several of them are for challenges on Lifetime Moments. I thought I would give their Scraptoberfest a go this time around, especially since they said digital pages could count for any challenge that could be done digitally. Figured that would help me get my pages for my album done ;)

This picture is one that Aundy Flynn took several years ago and I have finally scrapped it, and the card that I made from its scraps.

Pictures taken at Strawberry Park, of course, using Cosmo Cricket and lots of stuff from my stash.

And my digi page...I like how it turned out. I used the sketch assigned for Day 3 at LM.

All my layouts are linked to my gallery at ASF where I posted any necessary credits.

I have also been doing Jules' Life Deck Challenges...here are my first set of ATC's for that. They were cards for today, tomorrow and yesterday.

The next assignment (Life Deck) is style...I am pretty sure I am lacking in that area...not sure what I am going to do there...still letting that one simmer.

Digi Page for today

2008-09-23T15:58:00.004-05:00

Well I am back to doing some digi pages and I guess with a vengeance. Hannah thinks I should go ahead and try to get a book together for the grandparents - good thing they don't read my blog, huh? So I sat down and figured out pages that should be done according to my pictures stored by the month...working from October 2007 until the end of this month (Sept. 08). So here is the first page...it is a picture I did recently in paper also for one of the previous newsletters from ASF.

Here is the paper version:

And here is the digital version:

Both layouts are clickable and are in my ASF gallery with credits.

Happy Birthday to my Hannah!!!!

2008-09-20T17:53:00.005-05:00

I cannot believe she is 18 years old today!!!

Here are a few pictures that were taken today with her friends....thought they were cute and had to share!

Tonight we are grilling ribeye steaks - yum! We also made Chocolate PB Squares and Lemon Bars instead of cake and ice cream.

September Club 52

2008-09-20T17:41:00.002-05:00

Club 52 met last night...and I thought it would be a perfect way to start trying to blog again. My blogging attempts are like my journal and diary attempts - sporadic at best. One day I do hope to be better.

Anyways, here are the layouts that I did with September's kit...love how they all came together.

Here is a link to the thread where all the product and sketches are posted...September Sneaks and Peaks....and below are my layouts that I created with it. I am absolutely LOVING those Making Memories Tiny Alphas...I think I need more

We have 2 kits left from this month - so let us know if you would like to join!

My DVD Cabinet!

2008-07-24T09:33:00.006-05:00

Finally I have taken some pictures of this wonderful cabinet! I am so thrilled with it! We looked for years and years to find something like this and finally had Danny custom build this and I painted it black and added the square pewter knobs. As you can see we may have to have him build us another one for a different wall - eegads, we do have a few DVD's huh?

Front view

Side view (It's not wide and we had to anchor it to the wall like a cabinet.)

All 3 doors 0pen - and yes, it is pretty full and notice none of the old VHS tapes that we are still hanging onto (mostly older children's videos for Christin) are in here, nor are any of the XBox or Wii games, nor any of my workout videos or the DVD's that do not work with the TV Guardian.

This summer we have been going swimming with Kim C and her wonderful children! My children have been having the time of their lives and love playing with them! Yesterday we went to the Rez pool and I actually REMEMBERED to bring my camera and TOOK pictures!!! Here are a few to share with y'all (and yes, Kim I will email the big versions of them to you soon!). I am going to have to remember to take more the next time we go swimming - Christin kept making funny faces and the close ups didn't turn out very well....but I really like the bottom one - good thing he didn't get my camera, huh???

July Club 52

2008-07-16T09:08:00.006-05:00

This Friday night Club 52 will meet! It is always a highlight of my month - especially AFTER I have completed my layouts! You can check out the previews and sketches to this months kit here at ASF's Club 52 forum. And here are my layouts for this month's kit. I did try to post this yesterday and Blogger wouldn't let me finish uploading my layouts. Grrrr. I did link my pictures to my ASF gallery if you would like to see a larger image.

On to other things. We have been swimming a lot more this summer. I need to take my camera with me next time we go to the outdoor pool so I can get some good shots to scrap! I have taken some at the indoor pool during swim lessons, so at least I have those.

I am also thinking we need to plan a picnic next week. Not sure where though. We may drive up the Trace a bit or maybe just go to the park over by the Rez. Caleb loves to play in the water there a bit. They are not into playground equipment a whole lot but would rather run around and explore and use their imaginations. Works for me.

I have also been getting my act together with working out again. I find that I absolutely cannot allow myself to walk upstairs and check anything out on the computer before I work out. One thing leads to another and before you know it 30 minutes have passed and it is then already getting too late to workout in a timely manner. So...at 6:30 I am pulling on my workout clothes and popping in the DVD. I bought a new one by Leslie Sansone. I need to check it out to see if I am going to keep it. Collage video is really good for that so I am going to see if they have a write up on it. So far I have been sticking with my Firm workouts, but I do like to vary things up a bit so I don't get bored. The one I purchased at WalMart ($11) is 4 Really Big Miles. It looks like an ok addition (checked it out while I added the links) so I think I will keep it. It will most likely be a good one to do between heavy weight workouts with the Firm.

My Closet

2008-07-15T10:07:00.003-05:00

My birthday present this year was to redo our walk in closet in our master bedroom. It is not a large closet, but I knew we could definitely do a better job of storage in this area! All we had was a wrap around shelf at the top with two bars running along the sides for hanging. We found the Closet Maid site and were able to put in the actual dimensions for our closet and design it the best way possible for the least amount of $$.

Before we had about 11 feet of hanging space and about 13 feet of shelving. Now we have 17 feet of hanging space and 33+ feet of shelf space!!! I actually have bare areas in my closet!!! AND we really didn't get rid of a whole lot when we cleaned it out!

Here are a few photos! This first one is the left side of the closet.

This one is looking straight in. (see I told you it wasn't a big one!)

The right side of the closet.

My shoe storage!!!

One thing I did notice while we were doing this is that almost all of my dress clothes are BLACK! I really do like the elegance of black I guess, but I am trying to now make a conscious effort not to purchase too many more black dressy items. The red bracket shows you my dressy clothes (I do have a purple skirt in there :) )

Very BAD Blogger!

2008-07-11T08:51:00.005-05:00

So the other day Wanda was talking about being a bad blogger - I think I have taken it to a whole new level. I haven't posted since February! No excuses, except I just haven't had the desire I guess. BUT, I am going to try to do better. I seem to think that if I can't post every day then what is the point? But really, is that reasonable??

So, just a little about what is going on in our lives right now. We are on summer vacation from school, although Hannah will be starting back around the 28th of July in order to be done with 12th grade in time for the official graduation in early May. I will most likely start the others just a bit after that because I do want to have them done with their year around the same time.

This summer I have been working on a lot of home projects. Hannah and I painted the living room, hall, foyer and hall bathroom. We cleaned the carpets downstairs and have also done a lot of decluttering and organizing. I still have a long way to go on the organizing part though.

I have gotten my scrap area in better shape and here are a few photos of the ribbon storage that I took. So far I really like it and if a holder gets a little worn I can just cut another one from my scraps - which is what I used. The size I cut the paper was 2.5" x 6", folded in half with a circle punch for the hole. I am thinking of cutting that down to 2" x 6" though for any replacements.

This one is of my ribbons. They are all sorted in the colors of the rainbow.

This one is of my trims and wide ribbon. They are attached with a large safety pin to a binder ring. I also sorted them in rainbow color order. And yes, I did iron all my ribbon as I sorted and placed them in the holders - they just hung neater and I also cannot STAND crinkles in my ribbon when I use it on a layout!

Also this past week I celebrated another birthday. Chuck installed a closet organizer system into our master closet for me. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I so wish I had taken before and after pictures. But since I didn't think about that before we started on it I will just have to share some after ones. First I have to take them - so that is on the agenda today - because I want to scrap my new closet! It is something I have waited for for 6 years!

Wedding Photos!

2008-02-19T07:56:00.001-06:00

Well I finally have some pictures to share from the wedding that I did for Brandi...I think everything turned out really nice. Anyways....here they are.

Snowy Day!

2008-01-19T14:46:00.000-06:00

We woke up to snow this morning...what a nice surprise! It has been years since we have seen snow here in the south....in fact it's been since New Years 2001! Micaela was just a wee little girl then and doesn't remember it. She told me this morning that her prayers were answered because it snowed this winter. Too sweet!

Here are a few photos I took today....we really didn't get much at all and at the time I am writing this it has all melted and gone away...but it was great while it lasted.

I am "not" Challenge

2008-01-16T07:07:00.001-06:00

One of my online scrapping buddies Amy has a challenge going on the ASF Cybercrops and Challenges forum. I thought I would at least try to do this one....although it may end being a digital page since I am trying so very hard to get 5 paper pages done for Club 52 this Friday night (the release date!).

So as a start here the list that I posted in her comments section of her blog. We'll see how many of these I actually USE for my layout!!!

1. I am not a blonde anymore, much to my dh's dismay. Although I am getting more blonde highlights put into my hair tomorrow than I normally do.

2. I am not at my goal weight, but I am actually back to working on it!

3. I am not a "coke" drinker unless it is diet and I prefer caffeine free.

4. I am not a high maintenance girl nor am I low maintenance but rather somewhere in the middle.

5. I am not lazy. I always have some project going on above and beyond my normal everyday chores.

6. I'm not an animal person, but when our dog passes I know I will be so very sad and will miss her. I tear up just thinking about it. She is really getting old!

7. I'm not a loner. I like to have other people in my life. But there are times that I do enjoy quiet solitude.

8. I'm not shy. There was a time in my life when I was painfully shy. I still have moments though that I have to push myself.

9. I am not a writer and do not enjoy writing unless its on a message board to my friends. Or I guess my blog works too. Nothing formal for sure!

10. I am not what I would consider smart or above average intelligence. I do however like to learn and do new things. I never want to be too old to learn!

Long DAY!

2008-01-14T20:17:00.000-06:00

So, nothing terrible went wrong today...just a long day with a few twists and turns.

The insurance adjuster did come out and get up on our roof to survey the damage done by the hail stones the other day....and we are getting a new roof. Chuck came home for lunch today - for about all of 15 minutes. His phone never stopped ringing and he had to glup his lunch down and run out the door. They had two cut cables and some fiber mess happen.

School today could definitely have been better. No one stayed on task today - talk about distracted. And Christin, oh my goodness was she a mess today. She was a happy little camper singing most of the day - however one singing made up songs while others are doing school work does not go well - at least not here today. I sure did hate to tell her to be quiet because she is just so happy and cute and doesn't mean any harm with it...just overflowing from her little heart.

Then what I thought would be a simple thing to do in Word Press for the site blog is turning out to be a nightmare. There is supposed to be a htaccess file in the Word Press files - ours is not there. I have made it so I can see hidden files on my FTP and it is still not there...I see the main one on our site, but not the one they are talking about. Anyways....I know next to nothing about htaccess files so I guess I am going to have to do some reading about this and see what I can do. I want the blog to be the main page of our site....anyways, not going to take up this post talking about it...will just have to do some more reading on the subject.

So, back on the wagon!

2008-01-13T22:00:00.000-06:00

I have 14 pounds to lose to make my goal weight...and what have I been doing...well it used to be 10 pounds, so I guess I have been gaining weight! This has to stop. So...I created myself one of my old accountability threads in the weight loss forums that I frequent and I plan to keep myself accountable for everything I do and eat. It's not hard, you just have to be consistent - therein lies my problem!

So here is my new ticker!

I am planning on working out each weekday...nothing radical, just doing something each day to get me back in the swing of things. I will most likely do Walk Away the Pounds dvds...just hate the music and talking....so usually I turn the volume down on the tv and play the radio or something...you can still follow along fine just paying attention to the screen!

Ok...anyone notice that I have two music players? Well I can't find all the songs on the bottom player for the top player - but the bottom player won't keep playing (times out) and it won't let you skip around songs...in fact it is downright controlling. I love to open my blog page and have music play while I am upstairs or online...so therefore I have two. Anyways....that is my reasoning in case anyone actually reads this and wanted to know why, LOL!

Such a FUN Day!!!

2008-01-12T20:08:00.001-06:00

So today we went over to Tony and Sheila's! We had lots of fun as usual....love to hang out with them! I even snapped a few pictures (see previous post as to reasons WHY I really needed to snap some) but even so, many times we get together and I never pull the camera out.

We brought the Wii over and everyone had a blast playing different games...got this great shot of Lauran hitting the ball in the tennis game!

And Tony and Hannah actually posed for a picture (Tony's idea - definitely NOT Hannah's but she sure does look pretty! (Of course I am totally biased in my opinion - but then aren't mothers supposed to be???

The Chuck and Lauran traded glasses and I had to get a shot of that!!! It was hilarious!!!

So, not sure if all of these shots will make it into a scrapbook page or not - but I am pretty sure they will be appearing in some form or fashion soon ;)

Yesterday Jules and I met and got a lot discussed as far as some changes coming up with Club 52 and that is under the way. I do have a bit of work to do on that besides my layouts that need to be done.

And I really need to get back on the weight loss wagon. I have fallen off and need to get a hold of this before I gain a lot of weight back. So far it's only about 5-7 pounds (depending on the day) BUT I feel frumpy and old and haggard and I know the reason why is because I am not exercising and taking care of myself like I should. So bottoms up - of my water glass that is and I am seriously going to get some sort of exercise back into my routine every day! I used to work out with dvd's in my bedroom every morning, but the TV in there is on the blink, so that is not an option right now and working out in the living room isn't my first choice...so I need to come up with something else ASAP!

Long time - no post!

2008-01-10T15:40:00.000-06:00

So, I guess when you take a break that long from posting, just exactly what do you say? Hi? I'm back? That sounds so.....lame.

Anyways, Hi, I'm back, LOL

Life has been busy as usual. The December wedding is over (of course since it's now January) and that went fairly well. Learned some lessons along the way as always.

I have noticed as I have been looking for pictures to scrap that I haven't taken hardly any pictures these past few months....and I am in trouble I tell you....I need some pictures to scrap for my Club 52 pages that are due right around the corner. So I guess I had better get the camera out and start snapping some to go on these layouts. I do have a few ideas in mind.

We had terrible weather today. In fact we had hail stones hit the house. Thankfully they only hit on one side and it was the side furthest away from my truck. Every time one of those babies whacked the roof I just cringed inside since I knew I had left my truck in the driveway. I sure didn't expect the weather to be as terrible as that. Of course, after the fact, we found out that the hail was only right around our area!

We did save some hail stones...so I may snap a picture or two to share later on.

New Digi Goodies!

2007-11-23T11:09:00.000-06:00

So, I have been working hard at getting some pages done for the albums I am making for Christmas presents. I placed my first order for a printed page at Sam's today and will pick that up later. Figured I may would like to test print 1 page first before I placed an order for, oh say 30 pages x 3...so, looking forward to getting that later on today to see how it turned out.

Now onto the New Digi Goodies. I am not one to follow trends or hype...BUT, I saw a post about a new digi designer and of course I had to see what all the fuss was about...oh, my, goodness!!! I am in LOVE with her stuff. So, of course I had to pick up most everything she has available, especially since The Digi Chick (where she is selling) has it discounted 40% right now! Here is a link to her store.... Jofia Designs. And here is my first page I did using her Christmas Warm kit! The only other thing I added to this layout is the frame by Jessica Bolton. And this page is a blatant scraplift of Debbie's (debsterchen at DST) page Joy.

Wednesday....hm

2007-11-14T06:54:00.000-06:00

So, no specific reason for a post, which is basically the reason for blogging, right? You don't need a reason, just thoughts...well I have a million random thoughts....it's keeping them altogether that's the problem. Chuck says that I am scatter brained. I asked him why and he said because I always have 100 different things going through my brain at one time. I told him I wasn't scattered brained, that was when you lost all those thoughts and don't remember them. I remember - I just don't have time to get to it all!!! I have to prioritize them!!! So, what is your definition of scatter brained?

Today appears to be a normal Wednesday for us and for that I am thankful! I like normal days because that means I can plan what I need to do during the day and not worry about anyone but our family - that can be nice. I do have a meeting with Rebecca, the mother of our December bride, but that will be a nice chat and we shall get our ducks lining up in a row concerning the wedding. That will be a nice break in the day!

I did do a re-do on a layout the other day. I really like how this one turned out compared to the first one. The pink one is the original...blue one is the re-do. They are both in my gallery at ASF.

Also, there is a great deal going on with Jen Wilson Designs...I need to go get my free Christmas kits :) Here is the information in case you are interested in getting one for yourself. The coupon is good until the end of this month. (Shutterfly Blog)

I'll let you know what I get tomorrow - there are 12 different ones to chose from and I already have 2 of them! First I need to figure out which two I have!

I scrapped today!!!

2007-11-05T17:41:00.000-06:00

I just had to scrap today. Well actually I started this layout yesterday, but I finished it up today. It was lots of fun to play with some of my new goodies that I acquired this weekend from DSD (Digital Scrapbook Day) Sales. It was just the thing to get my creative side going again! You can click the image for the credits...but don't you just LOVE those big sloppy bows by Natalie Braxton??? I fell in LOVE with them!

Oh, and the wedding went very well. We even got offered a few jobs from it, but we promptly turned them down. I really don't think it is something I would want to do very often. We have another wedding coming up the end of December. Actually it is on Caleb's birthday, poor fellow. He is used to his birthday being moved around since it falls so close to Christmas anyways, so this won't be any different I suppose. I vote we celebrate after the wedding!

Tuesday and counting down!

2007-10-23T07:16:00.000-05:00

Well here it is just days before this wedding...5 working days to be exact!

I have been busy, busy, busy...and it will only increase from here on out. Today I have lots to keep me busy during the morning...then this afternoon a few errands, get my hair done (a priority!!) and then a meeting at the church where the wedding will be.

This morning I would like to accomplish the rest of the ironing (tulle - have about 2 bolts worth!) and the candle centerpieces that I have decorated and the stuff cut and ready to go for the ones that Sheila has. Then I also need to make the fruit ring for the punch bowl and get that in the freezer. I would really like to make that one of my things to deliver when I go to the cabin where the reception is Wednesday.

Well there goes my cell phone....the day has begun!

Thursday is here!!!

2007-10-18T06:36:00.001-05:00

So glad this week is almost over...I actually AM looking forward to next week, although it will be fast and hectic!

I have been checking the weather at weather.com for their 10 day forecast and so far it is NOT looking good that day for an outside reception. I am praying it changes! Right now we are at a 40% chance of rain!

Today I have the rehearsal for the small wedding I am helping with. I am looking forward to this one too since it won't take too much and should be fairly simple to do. That is tonight, but this afternoon I have to grocery shop...I hate grocery shopping! I don't have the menu planned nor do I have any ideas for the menu...so I guess that is something I will be working on between "classes" with my children this morning.

Speaking of the children, they are already up, well except for Christin. And they sure are noisy this morning. I am about to send them out the garage to play if they don't quiet down soon, or I may find a chore or two for them to do.

Back at it!

2007-10-17T07:02:00.000-05:00

Well I have determined that even if I don't have anything particular to share I am going to write in my blog a few times a week...not daily right now, but at least a couple times a week just to keep up with it.

Let's see, what HAS been going on? It's been this blasted wedding...and it's in 10 days now! I will be so glad when it's over...not that I hate doing this one in particular, just that there have been so many difficulties, one being communication.

The latest digital layout that I have done is this one...image is clickable for credits. I love how it turned out! I really would like a bit of time to scrap, but don't see that happening anytime in the near future.

On a good note...school is still going well with my children...we have finished the first 9 weeks and are into the 2nd...time is flying by!

I am hoping that today won't be a full blown busy day as the next few surely shall be. It will be the usual stuff and then church tonight. I may have to squeeze in grocery shopping too. Thursday is also not so bad (do have the rehearsal for Bridget's wedding that night though)...but then Friday I have to find flowers for a small wedding I am doing Saturday and make the bouquets/boutonnières (for Bridget) and then I have Club 52 (and I still have 1 layout that needs to be done for that!!!) then back home and up Saturday morning to decorate the church (that shouldn't take but a few hours) then back home and do normal Saturday stuff and then back to the church for the wedding...Sunday at this point looks very nice. THEN Monday starts the big major countdown for the wedding on the 27th. Needless to say we are taking that week off from school...but it was planned into our schedule anyways, so that is nice!

I did my hair for this????

2007-08-29T16:26:00.000-05:00

So, it's Wednesday, just a normal Wednesday I think....WRONG!

It started off fine, draggin' out of bed, making muffins for my honey, fixin' myself a cup of coffee and head to the shower while they bake. Put my contacts in so I can see while I am in the shower and as open the very last package of contacts that I have, one of them is mangled!!! So, have to wear the older one (man am I glad I didn't chunk the old ones first!) Get my shower done, wake up Hannah so she can give the dog a bath and check the muffins. They need about another 2 minutes so I head back to the bathroom and put the leave-in conditioner in my hair and then had a "news flash moment" --Chuck's work pants are in the WASHER, not the dryer!!! So run quickly to the laundry room and throw a pair in the dryer and head back to the bathroom. In between that I miss the timer beeping...burn the muffins. Pants don't dry in time and look badly wrinkled so he has to wear a navy pair (he doesn't like to wear navy in the summer). Finally he is out the door and I am praying that my day doesn't continue in the way it started!

I grab my cup of coffee and head upstairs to the computer....everything is fine in cyberland (thankfully!) Read the two forums I frequent in the mornings, do a couple things for the ASF Newsletter and then head downstairs because by this time the other children are up and they do not sound very cheerful.

After getting everyone calmed down we start school...and devotion time did go pretty good if I do say so myself....the devotional was good, the children really are remembering a lot of people in their prayers and I really enjoy spending this special time with them.

However, school does have to start and Caleb has a math test first thing. He actually has a great attitude about it all and he only missed two questions. You would think that would make him happy - no, he is upset that he missed those two and flings his paper across the room. Of course that can't be tolerated and the first disciplinary action needs to be taken. Then he has a language test - and he has been doing very good with language exercises, however it would appear that that knowledge has seeped out of his brain while he slept and he missed quite a few that I know he knows...but to make a VERY long story short the language test is taken and he is off to do some individual work.

Micaela does very well with her school work today - a bright spot in my day for sure! Although we face several interruptions we still complete her school work almost on time. Then I meet back with Caleb to wrap up a few things he does on his own....I wait, and I wait..and while I am waiting I do my hair since I am going to go shopping and tonight it church.....finally he is ready. Then the last biggie...the spelling test...of which he has assured me he has studied for...I really don't think he did too badly, but he about lost it when he couldn't remember a few vocabulary word definitions.

So, by now I am running late. I grab my keys and run out the door, only to crank my truck and it won't!!! AGGGHHH! So I call Sheila and tell her that I won't be meeting her today. Call Chuck and tell him what has happened.

He wants me to take the battery out, take it down to Advanced Auto and have them test it. Sure, vertically challenged me do this. Have I mentioned I am not a mechanic? That I drive a Suburban? These are not short little vehicles?? The first problem is my truck is parked in front of his truck...so Hannah has to push the Suburban while I steer it out of the way. It was easy going backwards...not so easy going forwards...I have to help, jump in in time to steer it out of the way of my dead flowers! By this time I have pulled my hair up into a pony tail as it is hot and sticky...and figure I straighten my hair to wear it in a pony tail!

So I get the cables off the battery - no problem...but the thing is also attached with a bolt down at the bottom of the battery...it takes me about 30 minutes to get this dumb bolt off...while I am perched on the bumper (did I mention I am vertically challenged?) Did I mention that it's hot outside? I am covered with sweat, I have grease up to my elbows and now on my shirt and jeans (yes, I should have changed my jeans...just didn't cross my mind I would be perching on a bumper and getting them dirty!) I'm not worried about the shirt...it's too big and really old. So anyways...take the battery to Advanced Auto and ask them to check it out.

It turns out it was the battery....so I buy a new one, come home and put it in my truck and it works!

So...I think...this must be blogged....what a day, what a day! I finally have taken another shower, guzzled a couple glasses of water and sat quietly without being interrupted by a phone or child!

Now I guess I will have to head back downstairs to face what the rest of my day holds...I only pray it improves from here!

So just as I am proof reading this my wonderful dh calls...he of course doesn't think I have had a bad day at all...to him a bad day is being kidnapped and your head being cut off...well in light of that, no I haven't had a bad day....sheesh...why I even mentioned it to him is beyond me.

Good News!

2007-08-23T07:40:00.000-05:00

Well the good news is that we can get the part for the machine and it's just a tad over $100 - much better than replacing the machine because I want to replace the washer and dryer at the same time. So that should get us along for a while and we can start searching for a new washer and dryer more at our leisure instead of NOW!

So today is another ordinary day...except we have piano lessons and grocery shopping thrown in there for good measure. Just means that this afternoon will be busy and since piano lessons fall at supper time we have to have something easy for supper...since we did pizza last night I need a different idea tonight. Since I am going to the grocery store that shouldn't be a difficult thing to accomplish...but it is.

I am also going shopping alone AND looking forward to it. Many times one or more of my children like to go with me, which I don't really mind. They are well behaved for the most part. But today I need to go alone because Christin's birthday is right around the corner! I need to find some gifts for this child SOON! We don't do a big birthday party, it's mainly a family meal thing with some party favors thrown in there to make it special. So at least that won't be difficult, but I do need to be prepared. I am just so not ready for my baby to be 4!

Coming up for air!

2007-08-22T14:07:00.000-05:00

Wow! We have been BUSY with a capital B!

I guess it started that last Saturday afternoon right after I made that last post - our AC went out, the motor burned out on the blower. So we called the AC company that we deal with and yes, the motor burnt out on the fan he says...um, yes, we did tell you that it wasn't working. Anyway to make a VERY long story as short as possible...turns out that maybe in fact the motor was ok (but we replaced it anyway) but more than likely it was some relay or something like that. Finally Chuck takes off work TUESDAY to fix our AC because the AC company NEVER called us back. Chuck did talk with them after the fact and did get things straighten out.

So in the middle of all this we are starting school. We actually had a WONDERFUL week. The children did absolutely wonderful with their school work and stayed on schedule. I am really enjoying this year with them so far. It is amazing how great attitudes make all the difference in the world! We have now completed a week and a half...a few more under our belt and I am sure we will really be in the swing of things! Here are a few pictures from our first day.

So, then let's see...last weekend...very busy again. First was Friday night and my Club 52 meeting/crop. I always enjoy that and we have done some planning ahead. I am really looking forward to working with September's papers. Then on Saturday we had a big party for the young folks at our church. Hannah, my oldest, and two of her friend's did the planning. We had a blast! Then Sunday was church like normal and a baby shower that afternoon...so busy again.

So this week has started off really slow and I am not complaining at all. In fact I haven't left the house since I got home Sunday! The only problem this week is that my washing machine broke. So...first it was the hot water heater, then the AC, now the washing machine. Looking on the bright side I did get all the laundry washed Monday...had to baby it along, but I got it washed. Chuck is trying to see if we can replace a part it needs...don't even want to think about it otherwise...I am not wanting to shop for a new washer!

Our Last Day of Summer :(

2007-08-10T08:47:00.000-05:00

Well I had every intention of blogging yesterday...but the day got away from me and I ended up not having time.

I do have two layouts to share today....one I just did in digi...the other is the same photo that I did a while back in paper. Thought it would be neat to see them side by side.

The credits are in the galleries where they are posted...you can click on them and go there.

So...what is going on in our little world. Yesterday Hannah finished up painting the shed and Caleb and Micaela's school books arrived. Micaela was thrilled and to say that Caleb was a bit disappointed would be putting it mildly! So I have been busy sorting books and planning the year schedule. That is done, now I need to figure out what will work as a daily schedule...I am sure that will take some tweaking as we go. Also added to the mix this year will be Christin. I will be starting her with some preschool stuff as she is wanting to do "school" and I need her to be occupied with something besides "Dora," "Larry and Bob," and "Donut Man."

Today is also our last official day of summer vacation and everyone, including Mom is in mourning! Although we really didn't go anywhere or do a lot of extras this summer we have enjoyed being home and spending time with each other. And although I personally am not looking forward to getting everyone into a routine again I AM looking forward to when that routine is working and brings more order to our days and things get done without me "nagging" about it.

I am looking forward to the weekend. No big plans as of yet except Chuck plans to pressure wash the house. I am hoping that I will get some time to scrap....need to get a few paper pages done for Club 52!

2007-08-06T21:10:00.000-05:00

Another designer from Treasures to Scrap that I am getting to work with this month is Kim Johnson. These layouts are from the Beach Days Kit. Well those of you that really know me, know how much I loove the beach and sand and heat...not so much, huh? So, not a lot of beach pictures for scrapping, but this kit is wonderful, lots of great colors and elements even if you are not scrapping beach pictures. The first layout has pictures taken of my wonderful girls at the Cypress Swamp (not much better than a beach in my opinion, but I got out voted in the matter and I did get some great photos!)

This next layout is with some of the pictures I took of the children swimming in the pool the other day....lots of wonderful colors in these pictures and they work so well with this kit.

So on to thinking about today....this morning we are supposed to have a new hot water heater installed. Our old one has sprung a leak, so before it really leaks and makes a mess of our ceiling we are getting it replaced. Sears is installing it for us. Tried to get information from Home Depot and the girl on the phone was impatient and rude...which is fine....I just took my business elsewhere. So I am patiently waiting to hear when they will be here today. With a high of 97 I am thinking they will want to do that as early as possible.

Then this afternoon I am getting my hair done so I don't look like my children's grandmother instead of their mother. I also need to squeeze some time in there to do some paper scrapping and I am hoping that Caleb and Micaela's school books will ship soon so I can get to work on their school work.

Monday.....UGH

2007-08-06T08:56:00.000-05:00

And my To Do list keeps getting longer and longer. So I thought before it totally got out of control today I would update my blog and get that out of the way!

Today is the Grand Opening of Treasures To Scrap Digital Store! I am so proud to be a part of it!

Here is a layout that I did using Rina Kroes Mi Familia Kit! You can click the layout for the credits!

So...like I said, my To Do list is growing a life of its own and before it gets out of control I am off "to do the next thing!"

Poof.....it's almost gone!

2007-08-05T13:39:00.000-05:00

I started a post Friday and although I had time Saturday to actually come and add to it and publish it, well, I didn't. I guess it didn't really cross my mind.

I did two digital layouts yesterday - will share them with you soon!

Thursday I took the youngest two swimming....here are a couple photos to share.

So then today, not much happening here besides the usual. This morning was church, then we picked up pizza on the way home. Now a lazy Sunday afternoon - the family is watching a movie and I am on the computer. Then I got asked out on a date this evening by my honey! So we are going out tonight!

Now I think I am going to actually publish this post...play with some digi stuff and veg! Monday will be here before we know it and this week is already starting to look a bit busy!

It's Official!!!

2007-07-31T19:09:00.001-05:00

I am so excited! I have been chosen to be on a Digital Creative Team! I love doing digi pages and am always looking to improve my skills so this is a dream come true! So, the digital team that I am joining is Treasures to Scrap AND they are opening a brand new digi store! How cool is that???

And here is my official digi CT Blinkie - my very own to proudly wear!

Here is another quote to ponder.

"It takes a lot of imagination to be a good photographer. You need less imiaginatio to be an painter, because you can invent things. But in photography everything is so ordinary; it takes a lot of looking before you learn to see the extraordinary." ~David Bailey

I love good photographs and wish I took better ones. I need to remember to grab the camera even more than I do. I love the shots where you feel like you are peering into another world and it's not a posed picture.

So, now onto thoughts about today. I think I may have mentioned that I am coordinating two weddings this year. One is at the end of October, the other the end of December. Today I have to make sure some things are on schedule for the October one. I also need to grocery shop. I HATE grocery shopping and it happens once a week now. I used to be able to shop every two weeks and I liked that better. However, now with a family of 6 I fill one cart each time I go. If I went for two weeks I would need 2 carts I would think...not happening. This vertically challenged person has a hard enough time pushing 1 full cart around, so once a week shopping it is. I also do not think I would have enough freezer space for a two week shopping trip-but that is another topic for another time...sigh...I miss my deep freeze!

Tuesday, and it's newsletter day....

2007-07-31T09:35:00.000-05:00

So I have been working on that most of the day and you can read it here. As usual the ASF DT did a wonderful job putting it together! I actually have 2 layouts in this newsletter and they are my final assignments for the rest of the year. Glad and Sad at the same time, KWIM? Here they are.

I love quotes, do you? Sometimes they say just the right thing without me having to think it up on my own. Here is one that I just love!

"Keeping house is like stringing beads with no knot in the end of the thread." ~unknown

Isn't that so true? There is always something to be done around the house. The laundry is never ending, dishes are always being used, dust collects quickly and the floor gets dirty faster than I can blink.

I have so much to do on my list today. I need to remember "to just do the next thing!"

Well with that thought in mind I shall waste no more time on this today....Off to do the next thing! (which very well is probably laundry!)

It's OVER!

2007-07-29T22:12:00.000-05:00

The weekend that is, officially I have 1 hour and 45 minutes left as I type this sentence. It has been a good one though for me personally. Nice family time, scrapping time thrown in there too and the house was cleaned and stayed that way and the laundry is caught up (or it was.)

Friday I ordered Caleb's and Micaela's books for school, so they should be here soon. Hannah's already are and we have gone through them and sorted for the first two 9 weeks (all her tests and quizzes). So she is ready to start any time, although I think mentally she still wants a break.

I did do a layout today...struggled with it for quite a while, still not 100% pleased, but it is finished and I am going to move onto something else tomorrow. Clicking it will take you to the credits.

So now that my weekend is officially over I guess I should start planning my week. I do have two weddings to be thinking about coming up here soon. The first one is in October, the ceremony is at a church, but the reception is outside. So I need to start calling around and finding out rentals on outside equipment. We will at least be able to use the kitchen at the church, but that is 10 minutes away, so it will still be a bit to organize. At least I will have wonderful help - Sheila and Gloria. The other wedding is not until December, but that one is in full force with the planning also and it is coming together. Anyways...I am sure I will be doing things with that this week.

Hannah's piano lessons got changed to Thursday nights and that will work better for us as a family. So I am looking forward to not having to go anywhere tomorrow.

I took a nap this afternoon, so even though I am not tired I guess I had better make myself go to bed...or I WILL be tired in the morning...guaranteed!

Saturday - half the weekend GONE!

2007-07-28T16:14:00.000-05:00

Why is it that the weekend goes by much faster than the week?

To be fair though I have gotten quite a bit accomplished today. I have done 2 paper layouts for the ASF Newsletter. A bit happy and sad there. I am stepping down from the DT as far as doing assignments for the newsletter. I will still be there as a coordinator and behind the scenes gal. So these will be my last official assignments to do for the rest of this year. Kendria will be taking my place and she does AWESOME work!

I did manage to snap a few everyday photos so far this weekend too! Caleb and Micaela BOTH lost a tooth yesterday, how funny is that?? Here are the pictures!

Of course Christin couldn't be left out and had to have her picture taken. She was too funny last night too when Micaela's tooth came out. Her mouth was bleeding too and hurt and her tooth was gone...Mommy see!!! She is a character, that one!

Well not much more exciting has happened here today. Chuck did get a chance to come home for lunch today since he was working our area today! That was a nice treat! And he is not working too late either, he just called to say he would be home in a few minutes.

So I guess I am off to finish up some more laundry and look for more photo opportunities, much to my children's dismay - but one day when they have so many memories to look back on and cherish they will thank me - of that I am sure!

Well back again...I actually did a quick digi layout and wanted to share it with y'all! Clicking it will take you to the credits.

TGIF!!!! I am looking forward to the weekend!

2007-07-27T16:22:00.000-05:00

So yesterday was a crazy, busy day and today was much better! I got to spend several hours with one of my bestest friends and on her birthday. We had lunch at McAllister's...nothing fancy, but it beat Wendy's, McD's and Taco *ell, which were our other options.

We also got a chance to get to the LSS - that is always a treat, even if I have work to do. This time it was just to finish picking DT assignment stuff for one of the DT members.

I found a new to me digi place - Treasures to Scrap and it looks really neat. I liked their template challenge and actually downloaded it last night and completed it this morning before I left.

Here is the layout I did! Clicking it will take you to the credits.

Well my wonderful honey should be home any minute...sure did miss him today! I actually did see him at lunch. He ate at the restaurant right across the street from the LSS and I saw him when he was leaving.

So, one of my goals this weekend is to take some random pictures of my children just being themselves. I don't do that enough.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Finally I have joined the Blog craze!

2007-07-26T13:51:00.000-05:00

So....here it is...my very own blog. Now what to do with it?

Well I guess I could share my latest digital LO....I love how it turned out!

Clicking on the layout will take you to the credits.