Addicted to Wall Vinyl!

Seriously! I might be getting out of hand!
Having a friend that cuts vinyl is NOT a good thing for me!
If you haven't discovered already, Candi has started a Vinyl business!


Quotes, images, school or sport logos, stick family for your car, store front signs...
You name it!
Candi even personalizes her front door for the season, and then just takes it down!

Personalize "stuff" too! Bins, doors, piggy banks (gifts)...
And don't forget your laptop... your fridge, or your toilet! I'm serious! Why not make your toilet pretty?? :)

ANYWAY, go check out Candi's website (click on image ablve)!!
And her link, well you can always find it on my list of blogs on the side now!!
GO Candi!!

Too fun!
I'll post pictures as her creations come my way!

Another week??

Are you kidding??
We were busy getting the store ready for opening...
And the last few days have been a blur...
Saturday, the kids went swimming with Jerry, while I was at work.

Monday, I went to a "Red Tent" reunion of sorts.
You blink, and time screams by.
I have not seem many of these women for years.

Us all in a room together-a wonderful energy.
God was smiling on this hour.
Sally...
Sally is going on a journey.
I will see her again some day.

Please pray for her and her children (8 and 6) and her husband.
She is a wonderful women... and deserves our prayers.

It's that time again!!!

CHA!! I am SO sad not to be attending this time around! VERY sad!!
I will miss meeting and see people that I have met previously... miss seeing and
trying out new product... just miss the whole atmosphere!!

But here are some of my favorites that I have seen via Sneak Peeks:
As if ALL the new Sassafrass Lass paper wasn't sweet ENOUGH, then I get a glimpse of THESE!!
OH MY GOODNESS! I AM IN LOVE!!
THIS is why they are my favorite!!

Prima always has something fresh and new!
These flowers are NO exception!!
They look hand made!!

These flowers by Prima make me thing Summer!!

And anyone that knows me would NOT be surprised I LOVE these!!

OK, and burlap sheets?? There were a BUNCH of different prints!
Again-makes me think of summer!

Fiskars ROCKS the border punches again!!

Maya Road has some great new sheers and mini-books!!

My Mind's Eye... LOVED this paper!!

ANYTHING American Crafts!
I LOVE Thickers, and LOVE all the bright colors of this line!!

Crate Paper-Woodland animals. Need I say more!

Prima now has FLOCKED transparencies!! OH MY!! Imagine it in a mini-book OR layout!

Does this bird look familiar?? :)


You can see all the sneak peeks at www.lifetimemoments.com in the message boards!
I have been checking daily for new peeks!!
I may have to do ANOTHER post like this one!!

We are still setting the store up for a Monday opening...
It's keeping me busy!

And TIRED! :)

OK,

That last post was WAY to serious!!
How 'bout this??
I haven't posted about the house for awhile...
and since I have no new things to post that I have scrapped! (YIKES!)

New vinyl!
In my entry hall:


At the kitchen bar: (little fuzzy-they are SO cute in person!)

A freebie with the other birds at the desk in the kitchen:

I LOVE vinyl!
(Obviously I love birds too!)
I can't WAIT until Candi gets up and going!!
I have already sent her my want list!! :)
:)

Today was the day.

It made history.
I'll admit it... I like his charisma, but I am concerned about some of the issues.
And I worry about what will happen now.
I like him well enough.
But I don't have excitement for "change".
I don't have the hope I see so many do with him in office.
I kinda have a feeling of dread. I wish I could shake the feeling.
Or even put my finger on it. It's like I am worried something is going to happen.
All I can do is pray... so that is what I'll do.

No time for me!!

Posted to 365, and Scrapaganza-but no time left for me! :)

Worked this am helping Scrapaganza move.
Stopped by the "junk" store again for a few gifts for the girls, and couple
treasures for me!
I had three children in tow.
I am lucky to have gotten out alive.
Or at least without a "you break it you buy it" bill!

Pictures tomorrow!

Snowed in!!

Everyone snowed in?? Or frozen in??
Did you see a lot of snow the other day??

We did, and I LOVE it! I know. Sick. But why be cold with NO snow. Then it is just "dead" outside!

(Hard to take good pictures though a screen!)
I hope everyone is staying warm! With a high of 10, looks like they COULD have had school... oh well. More hugs and kisses for me!!

Stay warm everyone!!

I have a few scrapbooking things to get done!
I haven't scrapbooked for over a month!! I am REALLY looking forward to getting back into the swing of things!!

See...

Christian bands can be "cool" too! :)
If you want to play this video, just hit the stop button on my music while it plays!
Enjoy!
(Sanctus Real-Whatever You're Doing)

Junk Store/Girls day!

Went to the junk store with Megan, Alisa and Anne!
For those of you that DON'T know where it is-I can't tell ya, or I would have to shot you (accept you Mindy! :) )
We had a fun day! "Noodles" for lunch, then 5 hours of scouring the booths!!
It is SUCH eye candy, and scrapbook possibilities, and FUNNY, some of the things!
And memories. Cuz let's face it... I am old enough that the toys and books of my childhood are there. {sigh}
These guys (Smurfs) always remind me of my childhood, and my brother. :)

For less then $40, I got 5 hours of fun, and some treasures to take home!


The deer, made from clay from the Black Hills! I was thrilled it wasn't "made in China". :)
The fan-I know, I know. Only us crazy girls buy a non-working fan cuz it is cool looking!
I cook in cast-iron. I couldn't resist this "personal" sized pan for $3! Wagner to boot! Only the best!
The basket-my scrap space.
Bingo cards, milk caps and vintage buttons: scrapbooking!

There are some AWESOME buttons in this jar! And $6!!

Thanks Jenni, for the idea! :)

Cards for scrapbooking, the spinner for display. :)

MAN if I was rich! They had a HUGE vintage Coke sign (not one of those fake ones-but a real ad piece) Hey, I have the wall space for that. (Maybe-LOL!)
And there were a couple awesome dressers. I am drawn to art deco pieces. I love the curved lines.
OK, isn't THIS cool! No one bought it-too pricey, but very fun!

Anyway, we were looking for some things for someplace else while we were there... can't tell ya really... but you know who you are (hee, hee!), so here is your slide show. Put your cursor over the picture for notes. :) (sorry for some blur... low light, and my unwillingness to use my flash! :))

It was a fun day!
Anne and I went BACK to Noodles for dinner too!
It is cheap and GREAT food!!
Good food, good friends, and vintage junk! An almost perfect day! :)

Oh, and this... this was the scene I found of my guys this am, being lazy and lovin' each other. :)

And this!
My littlest guy LOVIN' his computer time! :)
(excuse the BVD's! )

Busy couple of days!!

Friday, we had the "after Christmas make up Christmas party day". OK, I kinda made that up. We had a snow day on the day of their Christmas party(s), so we had a reschedule! The Kindergartners and the 2nd graders went to "Bounce Town Adventures". I have to say, I liked Pump it Up better for the fact that I could play. :(
But the (actual) kids had a great time!

Friday night, off to go celebrate Sue's birthday!! (Sorry Colleen, this is why I wasn't at the crop!)
It was nice! George was there too!!
Happy Birthday Sue!!

And Saturday-Annie's birthday party!
All the little princesses dancing and playing! Too cute!
Cora got this dress from Grandma Dinah for Christmas for dress-up! It was PERFECT for the Princess Party!! We even had blue shoes to match! :)

Back to Nature-figuratively.

:)
Did I spell that right?
Someone (not sure WHY you did it anonymously) stated that back to Nature has been owned by Kraft Foods. Since I made the comment about not buying "Kraft" mac-n-cheese, but Back to Nature, that sounds like a conundrum or something. :)

Back to Nature was bought by Kraft back in 2003... I use to buy it in the 90's in CA.
The GOOD news about this, regardless of my opinion of the "big guys" buying all the "little guys" that are making a profit in organic foods, is that Back to Nature is still being produced where is started with Organic Milling, in CA. A "co-manufacturing" agreement.
While I don't necessarily TRUST Kraft, and their ownership, it is better than their products being produced side-by-side with the other junk that Kraft DOES make. Though some varieties may in fact be... I do think there are some restrictions on that.

My #1 reason for buying Back to Nature is the taste of the product as a organic or natural alternative. While I DO have "Ritz-like" Back to Nature crackers, my FIRST choice for "Ritz-like" crackers is another brand, which I do not believe has been bought out by one of the "big guys".

I use to have a chart, put in the local paper 'Radish" (I could burn HOURS reading in their "stories" link on their site!) that showed what organic/natural companies were acquired by large corp. . Kashi, Horizon, Cascadian Farms... all now part of the monsters... And I TRY to avoid Horizon, because they hedge on the care of their cows and the organic standards.

It isn't easy being "green". And sometimes I cave to availability. (Like, I would rather buy the "big guys" organics, than not organic at all.)

I am also part of a co-op of natural and organic foods. THEN I have the option to order brands I can't normally get here, or stock up and save on things I can. If you are interested, let me know. There is availability in our co-op, which orders once a month, and several of us will "share" a case of something! I regularly split cases of ketchup, ground turkey, crackers, cereal, etc. :)

ANYWAY, thank you for your concern annon. I had forgotten that Back to Nature was owned by Kraft! Made me think! :)

Man I am chatty lately! :)

This Project 365 has me "saying" a lot!

I have to say, just going to this page, makes me smile! I LOVE seeing the images of over 100 peoples daily lives! I strikes up creativity in my Brain!

Thanks all!

Be blessed today!

It's HERE!!!

It was waiting for me when I got home last night!
I asked Jerry if I got a box. He said no. :(
Kelly got HERS yesterday, and hers shipped a day after mine!
WHAT! I pull up, and there it was. UPS guy got lazy and leaned it against the garage.
:)
It IS impressive!

I would be lying if I said I wasn't tempted to put it on ebay, with them going for almost $200!!
But I REALLY want to do this, so I won't.
But it's tempting! :)
I have been so GOOD about posting each day!
AND I am about to make my order of all my prints, so I can do my first weeks layout!

Too fun!

Food we love!

A healthier New Year.
That is the goal.
Hard NOT to be healthy when you are eating all veggies, whole grains, fruits...
OK, OK, and some Back to Nature cookies... I'll admit it. :)
Oh how I love organic bread and peanut butter!
Earth Balance (which is on special now at Greatest Grains) is a no stir natural peanut butter
that is sweetened with agave syrup, and tastes JUST like the unhealthy refined sugar stuff!
YUM! :)

That is the thing... I have told people this for years - whatever it is, you can replace it with organic or natural, and it will taste the same, but probably better...
I know there are a lot of icky natural peanut butters, but there is always an option. Demand said "Make a peanut butter that is sweet like the "bad" stuff, without the "bad" things." Done.

I have got to get some more lettuce! I have been craving my usual salad with organic croutons! I will eat salad all day with croutons... and yes, there are organic croutons - they even sell them at Wal-mart!
If you look, there are a LOT of organic things at Wal-mart.

Yes, they usually cost more.
I don't want to hear "I can't afford it".
What I have found is a) I don't waste as much food when I buy organic. I buywhat I NEED, not just a bunch because it is cheap, and b) I plan when I buy this way. My grocery bills are the same, because I plan: meals, snacks...
And you will save THOUSANDS in health care bills over time. Period.
Organic is better...

AND don't trust the mass companies that just got on the organic band wagon for profit!
I buy Back to Nature or Annie's Organic mac -n- cheese, instead of Kraft, cuz I trust the companies that organic is, and has been, their thing-not just a market to cash in on.

OK, your looking at this picture and thinking, "your still going to be fat eating cookies."
True.
This is our stash. I know the kids will want things during the week, AND I found some new ones this week that I bought at Greatest Grains, so we have extra cookies this week. :)
Let me tell you. Those Fudge Mint-JUST like girl scout cookies, but SO much better, AND better for you! (Don't let us fool you-that box is EMPTY!) No artificial preservatives, flavors or colors, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, No Hydrogenated Oils!! Just great taste!!
The crackers, just like Ritz. Bunnies, just like fish... just better! The bunnies are at Wal-mart! Gabriel eats them EVERY day for snack.
And let's be honest. Life isn't the same without toaster pastries... Or at least my kids think so! :)

Take a look... just try it. :)

If you ever have questions about organics, shoot me an email... it is the way I was eating and my thyroid issues that kept me fat. :) I can still advocate for it. :)

100 things..

Why are there so many lists at the beginning of the year?
Lists you start, lists that others start for you...
...it is never ending.
But a new list-it has possibility.
Well THIS list, it made me think.
Thanks Sasha! Had to nab this!!

The things I have done are bolded & blue.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland (World)
8. Held a praying mantis (and been pinched by it!!)
9. Climbed a mountain.
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty. (they don't even let you do this anymore, do they??)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked (WAY back when!!)
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24.Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping (Back when I WAS skinny! Now I would be "chunky dunking) :)
27. Run a marathon
28.Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise ( I don't want to. They thrown their garbage out to sea!)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors. This is hard, since I am adopted!)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (Money has nothing to do with being satisfied. I have HAD "enough" money at one time, and I was miserable! I am broke now. And I am VERY satisfied! :) )
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David (no, but I have seen Monet's "lily pads"... HUGE-in size and impression-that should count for something! And Picasso, and Chagall... I got to see "La Maricee" I love that painting... Notting Hill thing. :) )
41. Sung karaoke
42Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46.Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48.Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Walked in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia (does Ukraine count??)
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (not YET!)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64.Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72.Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published in a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life (If only animals counted!)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97.Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in one day.

I have done a lot. (61)

I have a lot to do. :) (39-and a bunch more on my OWN list!)

Be blessed today!!

And CONGRATS Sasha on Scrapbook Trends!!

New Year, Now Look...

OK, I could NOT do this banner!! I am not that talented!! Admittedly. :)

Want something cool like this??

Just $15, and Ashleigh Dillin can do something cool for you too!! (Isn't she cute?)
Two banners, $25!! (so if you have more than one blog...)
She is still working on my Project 365 banner. :)
Email her at ashleighdillin@hotmail.com

Time for a change for you too??? :)

Cozy Scrapper

So I have worn a "For the Love of Scrapbooking" shirt to work, and always have inquiries-so here it is... the website for Cozy Scrapper, formally Cozy Crop Wear.
I think "Run with Decorative Scissors" should be "Runs"... :) The owner is going to slap me. :)

But very fun, and GIRL cut scrapbooking shirts, fleece and robes!!
Great hint dropping place for gift giving! :)
There are lots of "modern" design choices, not just "country looking" shirts. You know what I am talking about. No teddy bears. (It is fine if you like teddy bears, but some of us don't want them on a shirt. :) )
http://www.cozyscrapper.com/promo.html

365 Blogspot...

Though I don't have my pretty banner up yet, I too am moving my POTD (Photo's of the day) to a separate blogspot. :)
http://www.thesmiths365.blogspot.com/
This way it is ONLY the journaling for the album on that blog, all in one place. :)

Though I am concerned about my abilities to blog more than my usual, I am going to give it a try!

Thanks for the inspiration Candi. :)

Did you see the quote of the day?
Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.
-Marie Curie

4/365...

OK, after 45 minutes on hold this am (thank God for cordless phones!) They said both orders of Project 365 (mine and Kelly's) look like they are fine... not back-orders, but good orders that will go out TOMORROW! YAY!!
I will believe it when I see it! :)

And yesterday's POTD:My children all spoiling my husband with a little back rub! They wanted to play a new game Jerry got, Spore, so I told them a little back rub might help-butter him up a little! LOL!

I joined this Flickr group before it closed on the 1st! It is fun to see the pictures people take each day!!

And a baby that was in to the store yesterday. I guess this is what SHE thinks of scrapbooking! LOL! We told her mom that I would post this for her to grab! :)

OK, off to go take a picture! (Really I'm off to go unpack some more! We couldn't find the backpacks this a.m.! Ugh! :) )

I am trying to decide if I will make another blog for this project... hard to decide, then saw Candi's cutie blog-though I don't do digital, so it wouldn't have a cute header like that!!
I think I will... but I will link you later! Might have to scrap a banner first! :)