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.