More Birthday fun, and more goodbyes...

I should be sleeping.
But no... I HAD to post! :)

First-it is that time of month-the first Not Your Ordinary Book Club of the month at Scrapaganza!
I am really diggin' colorful floral papers right now (hint)!
This months club, Kit A is very fun, and kit B, well since there are so many designers, and this kit was intended for this cute colorful box, several of us "mix it up"... So I took the die cut parts of the box and made this:
The "hills" are parts of the box. I know I just scrapped this picture, but sometimes I am just not "done" with a picture! I think Cora will like this for her colorful room! :)
Little blurry... takin' pictures at night again! (and the darn thing wouldn't stop swingin'!)

Then I did this layout. Kit A... Very "Simple Scrapbooks" style, but I like the results. :)
It is inspired by the sketch over at Pink Sketches this week (I am on the design team-we have some great new members-go take a look!)
OK-so last night we had 5 little boys in my house...

Ignore the ladder in the background... I still get some "migrating" numbers at times from my clock... until I am SURE they are staying put, the ladder stays! :) They are made of wood. I should have gotten Vinyl!! :)
ANYWAY, here are the clone warriors!
We started off with some play and watching Star Wars-Clone Wars, then I took them to the Bettendorf Y for an hour of swimming... thought it might tire them out... I was wrong.
But they had a good time anyway! (None of these are edited at ALL... NO TIME! :) )
Until we went to leave... then I got this.
For which I replied "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!" (Dr. Suess)
If I don't stop chanting that, they are all going to need (more) therapy. :)

It has been, overall, an enjoyable week!
When our friend Amy came to our door to see if we wanted to join them all for a walk-it lifted me up! This is one of the simple things I so appreciate, and LOVE living close to friends, and in this neighborhood. :) Thanks Amy! Looking forward to many more walks! :)

Cora coming back from the walk. (Sweet girl)
Gabriel when the walk was over.
(See a trend? :) )

He HATES when things are over! But when I DO chant the above quote, he doesn't want to (he FIGHTS it!) but he smiles (well, most of the time!) :)

And Gavin... he knows that my ULTIMATE punishment is to not let me take a picture. LOL! He's got me.Gavin's birthday is Tuesday... Jerry's is the 24th... It is like Christmas around here in March! I can't afford March!

In other happenings this week... Gabriel-he is just SO proud of things he accomplishs (what kid isn't, I guess). I have to give the little guy credit. (I just had to save this story!)

He asked if could make something Friday night. I was on the computer (imagine that.)
I said that was fine, only if he promised not to make a mess. He said he would come get me in a few minutes. Well, a few minutes later (or longer-this should have been my first clue.) he's CRYING like a crazy man. "Your going to be so mad at me" sobbing.
"Why?"
He leads me into the kitchen.

Now keep in mind, I have a tendency to try to maintain a positive attitude, cuz I don't want my kids to hide things they do from me, cuz they are afraid of my reaction... so some things, like this incident, are not worth getting overly excited about...
(And don't get me wrong-I have my irrational blow out moments too-It ALL has to do with the offense!)
I go in the kitchen, and there it is... egg mess 2009! WOW!
He cracked eggs to make scrambled eggs ON A PLATE... added milk, it was too much, so (logically, I have to say) realizing he had too much milk, what do you do? Add more egg!!

By the time he got me, there were 3 eggs on the plate, and 8 eggs total unaccounted for from the dozen. {sigh}. I reinforced the idea that coming to get me was the right things to do, and for whatever reason I was not mad... (get me on the right/wrong day...)

BUT, I ACTUALLY noticed, in ALL the mess-not one MORSEL of egg shell!! The kid cracked 8 eggs, and not a speck was anywhere! All shells emptied and back in the carton! I showed him how and helped him per his request MONTHS ago-ONE time! Seriously.

Somehow we salvaged what was left on the plate which will now be known as "The Best Eggs EVER!". (Cuz me and Cora said so!)

He insisted on making eggs for his friend today. :) There was more supervision.

I hope to NEVER forget his pride when he accomplishes things at this age... how PROUD he is about the eggs!
I scolding him for something much later, and he reminded me, "But I make the best eggs!". LOL!
Sally's memorial service was today.
How do you look at those boys, just like mine, and not be overcome?
The pastor said it so well. If we didn't know love, we wouldn't grieve. They exist together.
Joy is experienced in contrast to suffering.
Sad as it was, it was a day to celebrate the life she had... and to come home and hug my children... each one in turn... just a little bit longer...

Be Blessed!!

Happy Birthday, and goodbye to a friend...

First off-playing a bit of catch-up!
My "baby" turned 6 on Monday.
I am not amused.
:)

He is my baby... and each day I am noticing just how much he (and all my children) are no longer babies.
And I hate it.
Don't get me wrong. These new stages and milestones are great too...
But I miss chubby fingers (and toes). Gabriel, no joke, has a little 6 pack!
All the chub is gone :(
But I still love him like gangbusters! (Showing my age there!)
Happy Birthday Buddy!

Goodbye to a friend...
I can't really wrap my mind around it.
It is just not real.
Sally has been living with cancer for over 5 years...
She was such a wonderful spirit.
I can't believe she is gone... just today.
Please pray for her boys... the same age as mine.
And her husband. Who now will parent alone.

Fly to Jesus sweet friend.

OK... so maybe she had something to do with my creativity today...
I scrapped today.
And I like the results.
I used Making Memories hat pins with the Amy Butler butterflies... and I was just in the mood to mangle some paper! :)
This is the K&Co. Que Sera Sera (Q Sara Sara-LOL! Just kidding!)
I LOVE this paper... but I must have been in the mood for this die cut shape... cuz I made it this shape too!!
I cut the frame and then foam dotted the cut frame (the red). I have a chipboard template of this shape just for when I want to make any paper this way.
I have been wanting to scrap these pictures of Miss Cora...
LOVE this line of colorful papers!! And the butterflies-YUM! :)
I hate to admit it, but I really like K&Co... They have been keeping up, and actually not following, but having some really unique things to offer.
Thanks for looking!!

Be blessed...

The Scrap Reveiw

Something COOL is one the horizon!! (Launching March 1st-7th!)

LOVE this idea!! Just LOVE it!

I work at a store where you can try out most tools before you buy, and now there is a place ONLINE you can get the skinny on products too!

Go check it out, add to your favorites, and add them to your blog list!! :)
LOTS of give-aways this coming week!
(click typewritter!)

Something special...

This needed it's own entry.

My NON-scrappy friend Anne, who does vintage shop with me, heard me months ago when I was complaining (while looking) for a typesetters drawer with EVEN divisions. You see, Ali Edwards teased us with this idea last MAY!
I liked it so much, that idea, that I checked the antique stores often, and on occasion would check ebay. No luck.
All the drawers I saw, the dividers were uneven-not the 2 inches of Ali's drawer.
I even emailed Ali who, God lover her, answered: "When you stop looking, that is when you'll find it".
Wise, but not doing anything for my instant gratification issues! LOL!

So on my birthday, over breakfast at Cracker Barrel, Anne hands me this print out.
It is an auction won.
My drawer! Seriously! I can't believe it!
I made a comment about how I am shocked-I mean she IS my non-scrapbooking friend.
She says "Yeah, but I listen!"
Good point!
It was due to get to her the NEXT day! (That just about killed her! LOL!)

So this: (sellers picture)

Has lovingly become THIS:
(close up's for more detail... despite my efforts, there is still a bit of glare here and there)
As you can see from the sellers picture, there was already a section missing that I put the larger photo and title in-I kinda think it is perfect, actually-that missing section!
I love it Anne!
And I love you!
It is as much the 6 months you spent watching for one for me on ebay as the gift itself.
Friends are the biggest gift ever. I have the best of them!

Am I still 40??

It's about TIME I get to it!!! (Blogging it, that is.)

OK, so I turned 40! :)
Many surprises!
First, Moms 4 moms had a huge cake for me {that my wonderful friend Alicia made!}
CHECK OUT the paper piecing on the top! And the CARD had one too! Cute owl, huh?
That was awesome! (and I just LOVE the monkey ballon too!)

Then the next day, my ACTUAL birthday, I went to lunch with my wonderful friend Anne.
Finally, right before our food came she said "eat quick, we're going to the spa." Oh MAN!
I did NOT see that coming!

So off to 5 star for a hot rock massage (and my make-up done)!!
{Where Megan and Kelly were waiting too, to get manicures, and Anne a pedicure.}

THEN {as if that wasn't enough-I mean, I have ALREADY had 2 cakes!!}
Jerry surprised me with dinner, with some friends!!
That is ONE way to go out with friends you haven't had dinner or a date night with yet!! LOL!
The Brady's, Alicia, The Ellingson's, and of course, Sue and Jerry, Pat and Frosty, Dave, Amber, Amber (though I missed seeing my SIL), and then there was Chris, Ashleigh, Laken and 'Tana!! What a wonderful surprise. I am VERY proud of my husband! Way to go honey!
I love you so very much to make this effort!!
(click on the slide show to see pictures larger, for those new to this bloggin thing! :) )

Come to find out the Scrapaganza girls had no idea about this dinner (despite Jerry's efforts) so they then took me out for dinner at Red Robin on Monday, and dessert at Chili's!
"WOW" {see it?)

Forty isn't too bad I guess!!

I think it looks OK on me too! LOL!
I think my birthday is FINALLY over with dinner last night (INCREDIBLE dinner) at La Figaro's in Rock Island with my Dad and Dinah! Wonderful! (Can you believe I FORGOT my camera! UGH!)


Thanks to EVERYONE that made my birthday special, AND who emailed, sent cards, and hugged me at the store! OH-can't forget, my friend PAT gave me some scrapbooking GOODIES!! OH MY GOSH! I don't know WHAT I did to deserve them, but I am NOT complaining!
Thanks Pat! It really made me feel special!!

I Made The CATWALK!

I uploaded some of my stuff to Scrap In Style TV, and low and behold, I made the catwalk!
YAY!

I haven't been on there much lately, and thought to hang out a bit.
I had previously uploaded frequently, and thought I should update...

ANYWAY, here it is!!
WOOT!

OK, so maybe I could show some layouts here...
I mean I should do SOMETHING while you wait for birthday pictures! :)

GASP!!! A two page layout!! Hard to imagine!
I remember the day when I just DIDN'T get those that did one page layouts... {sigh}
Pink Sketches a week ago... Using the Imaginisce from Scrapaganza!! Yum!
How cute the woodland critters are on these papers and embellishment!
Pink Sketches this week... And a bit more Imaginisce, and some etsy journaling spots (I think) and Fancy Pants felt. Oh and some October Afternoon-the talk bubble. :)
Thanks for lookin'!!

What we SHOULD do:

Alicia gave me this great handout she got from MOPS...
I couldn't help but put it here so I could remember it myself.
Good stuff.

Team is:
1. A collection of individuals.
Each individual is unique to the team. This creates variety. Each person has been gifted in some way.
2. Making each other stronger.
-Teams are collection of gifted people. We challenge each other to be stronger.
-Accountability-we each have a role to play.
-Trust-when we all trust each other-a team can "move mountains."
What we do "together" matters.
3. Working towards a common goal.
What makes a good team is time spent. Teams need to know each other to be strong.
Every part does it's part.

When people operate closely together, there will be conflict-it's natural!
Principles:
1. If someone hurts your feelings-go and talk to her-don't imply motives-give people best case scenario.
2. Pray before you speak to her. You want to say the truth, but in a way she will not be defensive.
3. Don't stew over the issue and read into things. (Satan can use division to hurt.)
4. Forgive others. We all need forgiveness.

For the sake of my health, and my sanity and my faith... I am going to demand a drama free life. Yes me...
I not longer have time for petty and ridiculous.
I have no interest in gossip and knowing the deep workings of peoples bad days.
The answer is no.
Because I absolutely refuse to allow toxic individuals and drama to enter my life. And that makes my life good. (Thanks Emilie-I borrowed that!)

The thing is, I DO need people in my life that I can trust. I, like most of us, say things that could be twisted, misunderstood, and in all honesty, if interpreted by the wrong person, could have a negative affect. Any one of us can say something that could be used against someone else. And again. The answer is no.

If you are someone that would take something I would say and use it to hurt someone else, then I don't need to be associated with you. The answer is no.

I LOVE my friends. God honest love. I would do anything for those I love. But I can only have my trust stomped upon so many times, I have found. I will always forgive, because we do all need forgiveness, but I many not always trust.

I have some of the best friends in the world. People that understand that I rant, but love me enough to rant back (and trust ME) AND keep it to themselves. But I now reserve my ranting to truth, or the process of it. There is no point in what it said above-stewing over issues and reading into them.

OK, that was a lot of babble for no real point. It isn't even related to a specific indecent. But what I am noticing is this. When I keep it real, keep it positive, and be honest with myself who I can trust, I do so much better. {And when I have an opinion, I keep others feelings in mind.}

We are all human. There is not one person on this planet mistake free. Period. But now that I am 40, I can only fill my life with what is good for me. I can only make a conscience effort to be joyful and positive. That my actions resemble the way I live, and that I live well-my best effort to glorify Him.

Forgive me, I am a work in progress. God isn't done with me yet.

Be blessed.

Happy President's Day!!

WOW! It has been a LONG time since I blogged again!

I PROMISE I will blog my birthday stuff SOON!

I think I will wait until after my last Birthday Celebration tonight!
Scrapaganza girls are takin' me to Red Robin {Yum!!}

'What is our excuse"

{Click my music off before you play}
Kelli, the founder of Pink Sketches, sent this to us this morning... she said it wasn't sad, but "feel good".
Yes. It feels good... but also it still made me cry.
I love elephants. And dogs. :)
It's worth the 2:45 minutes. I promise. :)
{Unless your the tin man.}

QOTD

"Patience is the art of hoping." -Luc de Clapier

This was a year ago... CHA was later in the month last year-I had my birthday while I was there, and my birthday is next week... so this was ALMOST a year ago.I hope to see the ocean soon.
I miss the ocean.
Deeply.
I can't think about it too long, or it will make me sad.
I miss the smell, and there is just something about it...
It is almost as beautiful as my children!
It lifts my soul.
To leave it when I do see it is hard.
I wish I could see it more regularly.
Maybe some day.

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.