Goodness Gracious I just figured out I have not updated this since you last visited... You would not believe my anguish at my misdoings. I hope you still love me!.
I am distracted with an awfully big adventure, personal projects, just generally being a pain to my husband, my day is passing in a blur from 4am to midnight. I am totally exhausted. I need some perspective.
I won't promise anything to you but to post at least once a month. Well, I'll try. Just the way life is!.
I am so grateful that not only do I have a Mother that I love and cherish but that I am a Mother to some of the best people here on earth. I am so blessed!!! Love you guys!
Love this...saw on Amy's Blog (she is so funny) I know, you don't have to tell me.....I Am A Freak, Ha....Anyway....
Abject apologies I just remembered I have not updated this since you last visited... You would not believe the fairy dust I have to clean up. Seriously!.
I am totally exhausted with discovering time doesn't stand still, watching the grass grow, just generally being a nuisance to my husband, my day seems to be packed from 3am to 11pm at which point I fall asleep on the couch. I am not complaining though. my kids think I don't make sense any more.
I hope you are having a good life I will write something that makes sense soon. Well, I'll try. Just the way life is!.
Its a B E A U Tiful Day today! I cut a whole bunch of hair off. Makes me feel a little lighter tee hee:) I really need to feel a whole lot lighter. Later . . .
Previous sentence was posted from my phone....just checking to see how that works. It is OK but have to do small sentences.... more like a twitter post.
Oh well...............
lots of life has happen, that I have not put down to words and pictures. Most good some not so good. That is what makes this makes life exciting....
Happy Easter!
This is my latest read...
I am reading The Time Traveler's Wife. It is such a compelling read that will give you much to think about and feel. So I had to write just a little of it here.
It is kinda a love story between Henry and Clare, but so much more. Henry morphs between times with unpredictability. You think it might be chaotic but it actually reads very linear because it is told from both of Characters point of view.
Very hard to put down, A great thought provocing story that may seem like a love story but actually deals with world issues.
Anyway.....
Just a little update from my exhausting week until I get pics to post........... CHA was so much fun, especially because I got to spend time with great friends. We experienced it all.........Rain,Sunshine, Laughter, Crying, Pain, Joy, Introspective talks , CREATIVITY, and of course we got to attend CHA. Way less crowded this year and less new things out, so the trade show was not quite so overwhelming. But, it also showed the sign of times. Things are rough out in the world now. Because individuals are suffering it makes company's suffer which makes individuals suffer which makes....Well you get the picture.
Just a brief list of my favorites:
Love Graphic 45, their booth was over the top cute.
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Always love 7 Gypsies............& Myra Road (their glitter spray has the best coverage)
Donna Downey products put out by Prima (love Prima too)
Tim Holtz products always brings the artsy side of me out and I want to creat.
I have to say I like the new invisible paper from Heidi Swapp. and her products are always so cute!
What can I say about Teresa Collins!!!!! She has me on such a mini book craze.
Ok that is just a very brief but some of my very favs at CHA...I do have lots more but will post when I go though pictures.
Now......I have to say I am so excited.............I actually won a drawing from one of my favorite people that I catch up on her blog every time I get on the computer. Janna Wilson!!!! She is one of the Teachers at Inspiration Unlimited that I had a privileged of taking her class. She is so creative, down home & real. Love her!!! Can not believe I actually won something.........tee, hee ..............I am so giddy!
Tran·scend [ tran sénd ] (past and past participle tran·scend·ed, present participle tran·scend·ing, 3rd person present singular tran·scends)
transitive verb
Definition:
1. go beyond limit: to go beyond a limit or range, e.g. of thought or belief
2. surpass something: to go beyond something in quality or achievement
3. be independent of world: to exist above and apart from the material world
This is a awesome video I watched on Layle Koncar's blog (love her & Scenic Route). Wow ...I like this Kelly Corrigan! Now I must read her book "The Middle Place".
This video sure sums up a lot about women strenghs with ourselves, family and our friendships. Possibly explains a lot about why we Neeeeed friends. Reflect & Enjoy. . . . . .
YouTube - Transcending: Words on Women and Strength by Kelly Corrigan
Court and I have enjoyed going to the movies late at night. Last night we saw 7 pounds. I was intrigued with the preview, wondering what is it about? The preview is vague. But it is Will Smith and why would they name it 7 pounds? That said - - - - -I now know why it is called 7 pounds, makes perfect since now, duhhhhh. I liked the movie, but don't want to say to much because I would not want to ruin the mystery for any one else. One thing - - - - the end I did think of my friend Sandy.
A fun new find that I discovered by actually reading my e-mail from ck ( I usually just delete it) http://www.wordle.net/ Check it out. You put different words in the create mode and it randomly makes a cool collage. Then you click random and it will change the font, color , placement etc. Lots of fun and can really work with scrapin....Try it!! This is just a plan simple example with just a few words that I typed quickly.......
Anyway.........................
So I have to share...................
Brayden & Kylie are getting so big! I love Christmas time when we get great new family pics of Brayden & Kylie (also their Mom & Dad). I have to say it makes me miss them so much..............
This years Family pic from Christines' family is the best yet. I have to say in these pictures I actually see my side of the family in Chris. I know it has always been there. But even more so in these pictures................I see my sisters and me in her face...Wow.
Well you think life would be boring and you would have lots of time for all the things you want to do when you are not working. Not that I worked all that much, but I had to be prepared for dinner, laundry, household stuff ahead of time to be able to work. Now I can do that stuff any time, Right?
Not when you are a procrastinator like I am......I am forever telling myself I wish I had, One more day, One more hour, One more min. So a lot of things have been left not done, Surprise! Surprise!
After Thanksgiving & illness - - - I did have a fun scrappin weekend with friends. I just love the feeling you get with friends when everyone is creating. Thanks to my family for letting me go. I came home to a decorated home, and homemade soup, yummy!
I started a CountDown to Christmas album that turned into a December Activities book of sorts. I am really liking it. It is - - - - Red, Lime Green and Pink. I will post when finished. Also almost finished a Believe banner with a vintage feel about it. Again I did work on this with Kim, Elaine & Mel. We all used Kim pack of yellow bicycle Christmas paper. Everyones is fabulous!!! Different because we all have different words and use various emblishments.
What you may ask is going on with my two favorite grandchildren......It has snowed where they live and Chris posted some cute pics that I will copy here. . .
Anyway.......................Merry Christmas!!!!
Have you read the Twilight series? I have and really enjoyed them. I am going to the movie but................I am not sure about it. Can Edward and family be as goodlooking and come across on screen as they did in book. Hopefully Bella will be her clumsy but beautiful sprited person on screen.
I have to say, I had the best time taking Candice's Class at Scrapbook Oasis friday!
The drive over and back was just as fun with my friend, Felicia. She always makes me smile and ever better, she makes me think of things from a different perspective and a excellent view point (think political, and also the wife of a military husband deployed in Iraq). Thank-you Felicia for your friendship!!!!!
I just discover a really fun Blog that discusses two of my favorite things, yep Scrapbooking and Recipes. This girl has a great way of writing where you just know you love her. Kimberly Kwan.
Have fun blog reading!! I love to find fun new blogs to me, let me know if you know any cool one?
Later,
Anyway.............
I had a great time Scrappin with friends last night. We heard wonderful exciting news. Learned new things about each other. Laughed and created. I must do this more often.
Here is just a fun little thing I got off of Tally Scrappers message board.
What Your Orange Umbrella Says About You |
 When faced with adversity, you are able to come up with a creative solution. Problems don't ever get you down. You see them as an opportunity to think outside the box. You are playful and light hearted. You make the dullest tasks interesting and lively. You are curious about the world around you. You take every moment as an opportunity to learn. On a rainy day: you should get out there and play in the rain |
I have been a bad blogger. Just felt that if I could not say good things, then don't write anything. I mean who wants to be dragged down by me. But I so love reading blogs and I actually like the people who write real feelings and ideas. Even when they are in that "dark" place, they still seem real and can really express those thoughts to where I just know the words were meant for me. But, alas, I have not been blessed with the written word. I am a horrible speller(case in point). My thoughts always come out of my mouth disjo
inted. A lot of people always come back at me with this phrase"What did you say? I don't understand." My ears and brain hear english, but my mouth speaks gibberish and unfortunately my writing also comes out in the same language.
Forgive me........
And Thanks to all that ask me....Whats up, Where have you been?
I am fine....The Family is fine....Life is going on.
During my absence we have had many birthdays, different daily trips....(very short because our gas allowance is still at 20 dollars a week which just lets us go to the park down the street and Wal Mart, which is super close to us. (I still say Target should have opened closer to us.
Here is a few pictures from our recent past.....]
And of Course.....These two always bring a smile to my face and my heart...........
I am ever so blessed and grateful for my family and friends. They keep me grounded and give me a reason to be happy with each day. Happy 4th of July and God Bless all of those that are fighting for our freedom and liberties we enjoy as Americans.
Anyway................
I had a great weekend at It's about Time...., I worked just a little (but, really who can call it work when you get to meet the best people and are surrounded by all the scrap goodness that is there) and PLAYED a lot. I sat with some of my most favorite people in the world. Who, I must say really scraped a whole lot more than I. But, then I did get to visit a lot. Whoops.....but I have been told I do have that GIFT.....of Gab. I have also been told to use your gifts, or you could lose them. I really do not want that to happen!
Kristi played some great games...such as Deal or No Deal. I have to say the prizes were great, but I enjoyed the fun we all had with the gag prizes(that Kristi immediately gave them a nice prize before all the laughter died down)I started laughing and could not quit. I of course bugged her by taking too many pics......but in all fairness, those where the only shots I got of the whole weekend. Thus the reasoning behind me using a few pics from It's About Time.....
I did get some shots of my girls at my table...Love you guys!
Every year, I look so foward to National Scrapbook Day (weekend for me). There are always sales and marathon crops. Usually held though the weekend, so you can crop, create and visit and not have to repack in one day.......you have the whole weekend. I just loooove this weekend. If you are not a scrapbooker, you really don't get it. But, no matter what.............it is the best therapy for me. I love that your whole focus is pictures, paper and preseving your own history in a creative way. So all week end I will be at It's About Time....... If you are not a crop fanactic like me.........they are some great sales and different classes and make & take activities.
I have mentioned many many times how talented my kids are. Chris has really put all of her talents to work by starting her own business. She has made various products and was able to hook up with a childrens/maternity store in her hometown. Lately she has sold quite a few items online just by different friends and word of mouth. Now she is expanding even further. And to really launch her site she is offering a chance to win some free product by just leaving a comment on her blogspot. So go check her out, and leave a comment.....you never know! Here is her link, Imagine That! Hey, I just read if you mention my name she will enter my name......I bet I could talk her into just entering your name twice, tee hee.
Have a Scrapin weekend.............Let me know if you are Scraping and if you get much done!
Anyway.........................
I hate to admit that sometimes I get all caught up with the negative in my life. I like to think of myself as a optimist and I do try find good in every situation. But that negative rears itself in my brain all the time. Really, though there is not a lot of negative in my life...........I am blessed. I have a Husband that works (in not so good conditions most of the time) so hard for us and he is so funny. I have 5 beautiful healthy children. A son-in-law that continually schools and improves himself for his family and is a great husband to my daughter and father to two of the most precious awesome kids in the whole wide world. Brayden & Kylie bring so much love and joy into all of our lives. And...............on top of all that I have the greatest of all friends that put up with my whining (the negative, so sorry) , my silly ideas and listen to me ramble in my way. I am very blessed!
Because of all of this, I have had some very awesome days lately...
Yesterday, with no idea of what I was going to do, I went over to my friend Margie's house. We had a nice lunch with lots of girlfriend talk. After that we played..........
She worked on a really cool shadowbox house. She thinks she is not talented but she has "it". I decided to start with just a blank piece of card stock. I sometimes get so caught up with all of the gorgeous papers that are out there that really just are a work of art all by them selfs that you just end up letting the papers dictate your scrap page. Thus the blank canvas. I ended up with this very simple....bright page
I tell you........no wonder kindergarten people are so happy most of the time, there can not be anything more therapeutic that coloring, cutting and pasting and playing with friends.
On top of all that goodness, as I have mentioned, Courtney made a delicious dinner for us the other night. I love a home cooked meal not made by me. They always taste so much better. I wonder why that is.
She made Turkey Meat Balls with a fresh tomato sauce, it was very yummy. Chris made this dish right before Court left Idaho, so she wanted to see if she could duplicate it.
Like I said I am very blessed!
This is my find for the day. American Craft stickers and mini mark rub ons at Big Lots. The Stickers were a $1 and the rub ons $2. Thats a Deal.
By the Way, the letters I used in the Living Color LO ----I got from Margie. She found a $1 container of foam letters in the dollar bin at Target. I love good bargains.
I hope everyone has a awesome day................and that they find blessings in their life!
Anyway.................................
I do not know about all of you, but sometimes I get so caught up going from blog to blog, hours can pass by. Enough so, that when I am cooking or know I just have a short amount of time, I will set the kitchen timer to remind me-----STOP, and take care of business.
I have been trying to organize my pictures and of course get caught up with the memory factor.
I have noticed that I really do not have very many pictures with all 5 of my children together......note to self: No matter what they say take more pics of them, especially when we are are together...which is hardly ever anymore.
But here is one I look at nearly every day, because years ago I enlarged it to a 5 x 7. Now, granted the pic is grainy and really not technically correct. But, as I catch myself always saying.......It is my picture and my memory and what is left of it. So in my mind.....It is perfect!!!! And this one definitively has the Ahhhhhh factor because they were having fun posing on the ever famous turtle at the Wild Animal Park.
Man, I love all of these babies......well now they are all adults but they are all still pretty darn cute!
Anyway.....................................
Well Amy is almost all the way moved in. The last few days I have been sitting back and watching the interaction between my 3 adult children that are living with me now and can not believe that they were my babies. I know..... kinda weird. But also so cool..............the family dynamic is so complex and really wondrous. My kids and their dad and I have a bond that does not go away, it definitely bends but does not break. I love the friendship that is shared between the kids and even the fighting is so passionate that it is special because they are Family.
The love of family........Thank goodness for it, because it makes putting up with all of the superficial stuff worth it.
Anyway.............
Yep, I got a new look on the blog thanks to Chris. She is so talented and creative!!!! Just in case you have not checked out her site with a lot of her creations I will post a couple of pictures.
As you can see she is very talented.........I am not just a proud Momma, LOL. Checkout our her site .....Imagine That!
Anyway...........
Well, today is my first Official Day as a REAL employee at my very favoritist (not a word, but I like it) scrapbook store ever. Yep, I guess if you stalk three very busy ladies, they say what the heck.....put her to Work. HaHa. I am very excited and intend to have fun, yep fun. I figure if I am having fun, customers will too. And you know what that leads too.....spending more money.
Well, maybe I should not have so much fun, just make sure everyone else is having fun.
And....I happen to know that a lot of new product is being put on the shelves and the store is looking better than ever.
Have a great day....
PS, check this out
My very Southern CA girl lives in flip flops..............and for the last few weeks had worn them but silly weather in Idaho decided to have another snow fall. So she decided to boycott snow and wear them anyway. The kids decided if she did they would rather wear theirs too!
She is such a good Mom teaching them how to think positive thoughts and the power of them.
"If you wear your flip flops.....the sun will follow"
Anyways.......
Ok, the following story just makes me smile! Thank goodness that we have children in our lives!!! How boring would life be without all of our precious kids. Chris posted this on her family blog, so I just had to repost here, because......
well, I am the Grandma and I like all stories with Brayden & Kylie in them. And being the Grandma I feel the urge to share. Man I love these kids, but I do feel the same as Chris....not crazy about the cat, LOL.
Anyway........
Boy, a lot has happened in our family in a few short months. I feel like I have been propelled from a cannon to be speed though life right now. You think that you have everything set, and life can resume at a normal pace and tada.....fooled you.
Al & and I had to take a trip to the airport Tuesday, Feb. 26th. We left really early to check out the coast. It was so refreashing and calming for the brief time we took it in.
As you can tell the waves were a little higher than usual. The day before they were getting 10 footers, this day a little less.
The sky and weather were great! 
We decided to grab some lunch at Fillipi's which is always terrific and since we still had time before the arrival of the plane, we decided to check out IKEA. Boy oh Boy, you can always find things there you just have to have.
Now you may wonder............why did we have to go to airport???????
To pick up a very precious cargo to us Our Baby Daughter!!!!
As, you can tell, she is so excited, LOL. We are way excited because she brings so much love and happiness into our home, but we know to fly back home she made a lot of emotional decisions that were really heartbreaking. She broke off her engagement and decided she was a sunshine (no more snow) kind of girl.
Like I said------A lot of major changes have already happen this year for our family. Makes you wonder......what the rest of the year will be like.
Anyway...............
