Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Monday blahs on Wed

Well this is my last day to work this week! That is a good thing right? Me and my boss alternated the four days off. Worked out great! We also have monday off but the kids DON'T I can get some peace on that day! Not much to report here! Just looking forward to a whole day in pjs tomorrow!!







Monday, December 26, 2005

Fantastic Christmas!!

Xm_01_resized_1 What a wonderful day! Of course the kids tried to start it at 2:00 am....not really what I was ready for. They tried to sleep with me but their just wasn't room so I made them sleep on the couch, and they did! I thought maybe they would have sat and whispered the whole time but they dozed off till about 6! Thank goodness! They had a wonderful time opening thier presents and Taylor only opened a few that were not his. LOL...Santa was good to me and brought me lots of new scrapping goodies in my stocking! Can't wait to use them. The boys got me a Rascal Flats cd, a huge black and white photo collage frame, and a huge cd book for all my photo shoots! What sweet kiddos! The boys got TONS of stuff. Had a great meal with the whole family and played Mad Gab till all hours of the night! Came home so bone tired we were asleep within minutes! This morning has consisted of Jammie's and toys and movies...totally relaxed and not caring what the living room looked like! We did just put all the presents away so we could walk though and now I have to run to the shower to be at the mall and then we are on our way to see NARNIA!!! Hope you all are recovering from the Holiday!!!







Friday, December 23, 2005

Music of the DAY!

On eBay
Watch it now on StupidVideos!


Its almost here!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!





Can't wait! Almost everything is done. Going to clean like crazy tomorrow so i wont have to do much this next week. Get the muffins mixed up for Christmas morning. We are having sausage and cheese muffins. Its a new recipe, i will tell you how it goes. Also getting my bacon water chestnuts thingy ready. It has a real name but I can never remember it. If you know what it is please tell me again. LOL



Then we are baking snicker doodles for Santa and maybe hanging out and watching Christmas movies with Grandma and Grandpa.



For those of you that I am not with this Christmas please know I love you all and miss you bunches.....



AUNT BETH YOUR CARD CAME BACK IN THE MAIL! I FORGOT TO PUT STAMPS ON IT! IT WILL BE LATE BUT YOU WILL GET IT!



Thursday, December 22, 2005

Masterpeice!!!!

Love this artwork! Looks good enough to eat!000_1116 000_1118



Cute can...lol

My mother in law made gave me this for Christmas and YES I opened it cuz the tag said too! Nyah!. Any way its a Wrapping kit! 000_1115 000_1110 Got all the stuff I need to wrap presents!! THANK you lois!!!!







Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Make your own snowmen!!

Have some fun! SNOWMEN FUN!



Yo.....4 days left.

Yeah, 4 days till Christmas, 3 till Christmas Eve. Finally done with everything, cept a little project for a friend of mine. She has a million and one holiday decorations and has had a hard time keeping track of them all. So I am making her an "inventory" lunch box! There are dividers for each type of decoration. I will take pics of her decorations and collections and develop them after Christmas so she can just slip the pictures into the correct dividers. Easy for her and that way she knows what she has. This is really a problem for her because she has bought doubles of lot of things. Here is the outside!!000_1109



Monday, December 19, 2005

Monday.

Today I am only thankful for one thing.....





MONDAYS only come once a week!





Ugh what a day! Took Taylor to the dentist this morning (8 o'clock)only to find out that they couldn't work us in, due to circumstances beyond my control. Taylor was not unhappy, but hungry,ran to Fred Meyers to find water chestnuts and grab some gogurt for bug to eat on the way to school. Bug not only ate it but decorated his jeans with it. Ran home right before the bell rang to change pants. Then at lunch I hurried to the bank and ran over the little island. You know the one in the middle of the road to keep idiots like me from hitting the stall thingies. The guys in the huge trucks look at me like "dang women drivers! Even worse she's blond!". Yah its been a day already.



Finding comfort remembering that my favorite day of the year is almost here. I think I may be more excited than my kids. Course they are really gearing up! Only two more projects to go and I am done. Nothing major to work on, but looking forward to them cuz it will be fun. Altering two chalkboards for the boy's teachers.



I ran across this quote in a book yesterday! I think its completely correct.



   "you can not talk peace with someone who is not peaceful"



K I am thankful....



for snow flakes falling as big as my toe...



Children who still giggle when i tickle thier feet...



for mom's who are happy to hear my voice on the phone...



For little brothers who turn in to good big brothers



For the small things at work that make my day go smoother ie: a printer that actually prints, a christmas tree in the window, a computer to play christmas music on and a way to talk to my friends!LOL don't tell my boss....



Monday here I come!!









Saturday, December 17, 2005

Amazing what animals come out at Christmas!

I'm not talking about white, snowy polar bears, or beautiful white tailed deer. I'm talking about the nasty, fighting, pinching, arguing, temper tantrum of the male based children. I can not believe how unbelievably misbehaved these two have been this weekend. It's gotta be the Christmas stress, the waiting, and the wondering, even the SANTA threat isn't helping. Maybe a good bundle of chores will!



Went to fantastic dinner last night with some friends. Fabulous steak and wonderful company. It was nice to get out with out the kids and just be me for awhile.



Up early today to get a head start on the Grocery shopping before every one and their dog gets to Walmart. UGh.......



Have a wonderful day everyone!



Thursday, December 15, 2005

Happy

Happy because.....



i joind dphoto



taylor opted to cuddle with me last night



christmas is only 9 days away



i have sweet christmas plates to use christams eve



i have good friends who care about me



i took some cool shots outside this moring.Icy_fingers_02_1   Nosey01_1



Winter_fence_01_4  



Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Literal translation

Ok a little background. Chris and I have been reading the bible together. We are working through Genisis right now and it really quite facinates him. He is so scientific in the brain. Well we decided to read both Matthew and Lukes version of the birth of Christ seeing how its Christmas. In the book of luke there is a verse that says that the first born son to open the womb is holy to the Lord. Chris very impressed with that verse. "I'm holy to the Lord mom"!! Very excited! LOL



Tuesday, December 13, 2005

What is he thinking?

Ok how ironic is this guy? Lets make sure my hood is up so I dont get cold while I shovel snow in 0 degree weather!! Oh yah......



Wirdo_001 Wirdo_002_1



foola poops and weasils

What can I ask you makes young children the entertainment of the world? If you have kids you will know what I mean. In case anyone was wondering to keep a foofla poop (hula hoop) up you have to shake your bum. That's what Taylor learned in PE yesterday. Never knew that myself.



ALL THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IS DONE!!! Just a few small projects to finish up for teachers and that's it!! I even have all of them pretty much wrapped and under the tree!! WHEWWWWW!!



Here is a pic of one of my new ornaments. I got a set of (fake) blown ornaments that are snowmen of the seasons. This one is the fourth of July!4th_snowman_5



Sunday, December 11, 2005

Christmas photo shoot

Not quite what I was working for but it will work!! Kids kinda cooperated!! LOL.....Here are a few.Black_and_white_01 Chris_and_bug_02 Robin_black_and_white_03





FULL ALBUM HERE!



Friday, December 9, 2005

Wittle baby!!

Isn't he adorable!!! Only 5 lbs and 19 inches long!! Such a sweet baby!!!Baby_teagen_first_day



Thursday, December 8, 2005

I want it NOW!

I want it, I want it and I want it NOW!!! Object of my desire!



A watched pot never boils....right?

Been waiting for my friend Heather to have her baby. She is SUPPOSED to be induced today IF her amniotic fluid was low. How dumb is it that her apt wasn't till this afternoon!! The most excited is my Tater bug though. He can't wait for baby Teagan. Every time he sees her he runs to talk to the baby. Giving her belly hugs and listens to Teagans hiccups. I had promised her a mini baby book and a infant photo shoot. Haven't done the book yet!!! LOL....She may have to wait for that till AFTER the shoot! LOL!!



So cold still today. They had school but there were only eight kids in my youngest sons kindergarten class. Wonder how many in my oldest sons class?



Pretty pumped about Stacy Julienne's new project. Online courses!! Check this out!! Big Picture!!!



Wednesday, December 7, 2005

But baby its coooollllddd outside!!

Negative eleven degrees!! Wow....



All the schools are closed in our district except for my kids. Of course. Chris has the flu so I was planning on keeping him home and then just decided Taylor did not need to stand out side in that cold of weather. So I called them both in sick. I love our school but sometimes I really wonder. The Jr high RIGHT next door is closed!?



Anywho I am working at home today and trying to keep the children separate! Have a wonderful {warm} day!!



Monday, December 5, 2005

RAK!! (random act of kindness)

To the person who emails me the FIRST correct answer will get a FIVE dollar gift card to Target!!! NO hints!!!!



Which movie did the song White Christmas first appear in.



Ready set go!!!!



ribin@cableone.net





DONE!!!!! TAMMY WON!! Fiestyscrapper!! I will get that right out!!



Finally done with the tree!!

I took exactly one week!! LOL. I found even another box of decorations in the shed while looking for the outside lights. Mostly a modge podge of old decorations when the kids were toddlers, but a few important handmade ones. Got those up and a few new ones and Voila!! A modge podge tree!! LOL. Love it!



Spent yesterday putting up lights outside. Spent four hours in the cold but didn't get much done cuz well I didn't check the dang lights BEFORE i strung them. Yes I know I know!! Well half of them don't work so only part of my yard is decorated. I don't think i will worry about finishing it. Too darn cold!

I spoke to a dear friend of mine on the phone this weekend. She told me she had lost a precious member of their family. Mimi. An adorable kitty cat who will be greatly missed. The reason of her passing was eating a Lilly. Lilies are apparently lethal to cats so if you do have feline furbabys please be sure not to bring home lilies. I was completely unaware of this and I would hate to think of anyone else having to go through what she did. So sorry honey......





Thursday, December 1, 2005

Loosing all track of time

Last night I was wrapping presents and while doing that thinking about all I have to be before the holiday sneaks up on me. Thinking I don't have much time to do this. Feeling the pressure of the time constraint on my back. Wondering if I will get it all done and when I can sneak out with out the boys to do their shopping. How am I going to get it all done??? UGH well you know guys it is ONLY the FIRST of December!!! After Thanksgiving comes and goes time speeds way up. Am I right? Its as if all of a sudden the world is spinning faster and so is my pocket change. I am making a lot of my gifts this year and even that was supposed to make it easier. Now I am just trying to get it all done in time. Anyone want to do it for me? LOL



Got a few presents wrapped and under the tree for the boys. Just some stuff I had already picked up. First thing Taylor noticed is that Chris has more gifts and they are bigger. You know its like having twins!!! Everything has to be the same or their is a big fight. I told Taylor that not all the gifts are under the tree yet and that he had better not think about who got what or how big it is or maybe Santa would bring coal. He looked at me and said 'mom, what is coal?' with this {mom has gone crazy} look on  his face. How do you explain coal? So I told him its a big black rock. He actually looked excited at that. Bah Humbug





Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Music of the day!



Busy night last night

Did some more Christmas decorating, trying to make a dent. Finished two pages for a friend. Made 1 1/2 Holiday planners, one is for me and one is for a gift exchange with my card club. Made one Christmas ornament, out of scrap paper of course, and then had some tea and watched my soap! LOL...Kids went to bed easy for me last night and didn't even mind the Christmas music I played all evening. They rearranged the tree again last night so they were busy! Holiday_planner Here is the planner I made for me last night. The one I am doing for the exchange is very similar but cuter! LOL. This is to keep my brain from frying while I try to get everything done this season.



Chris asked me this morning to put an American History book on his Christmas list. Weird kid...LOL.



Still having trouble thinking what to get everyone. O'well guess I will have to figure that out soon!



Hope everyone has a wonderful day!!!



Monday, November 28, 2005

Complete Havoc

Ok, for those of you who have been in my house you will understand. For those of you who have been on a cigar plane you will understand! My house is small....maybe not quite as small as a cigar plane but close. Not a lot of room. I got all my Christmas stuff out. And I am currently at different stages of decorating. Right now I am at the stage of the tree and houses are done but everything else is in boxes. The boxes are all over the living room floor half full and driving me crazy. I will work on it a bit every night and might get done by this weekend but for now looks like the elves threw up in my living room.



Need to go home tonight and work on some projects that need to be finished asap. Got some more Xmas projects to finish up and still need to figure out what to get the boys. I want to get this stuff all done soon!!! ACKKK feeling the pressure already.





Wednesday, November 23, 2005

You cant always get what you waaant!!

That was the last song of the night. After two hours of dancing, singing, gyrating and rocking the Rolling stones walked off the stage and no one moved! The most amazing concert I have ever seen and will probably ever will see. They played an amazing array of their music and did "night and day" as a tribute to Ray Charles. The girl that sang the girls part kicked A__!! Amazing pipes on that girl. They played 5 songs from thier new cd "bigger bang" and about 15 others.The whole concert was amazing from a giant screen to streamers and a MOVING stage, it rocked. I am sooo glad I went. Anyone see me on the American music awards??? He did a live feed!!! And you know what? Even though Mick is 62 he's still pretty sexy!!!!!



Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Falling Rocks

No its the ROLLING STONES!!! Today!!! Going to the concert today!! We are leaving about 1:00 and should get to SLC in time to take a leisurely rest and dinner before the concert!! SOOO excited!!!!!!







Saturday, November 19, 2005

Harry is going strong!!

Went to Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire today!! LOVED IT!!!! Wont post anymore cuz I don't want to spoil it for anyone!!!



Friday, November 18, 2005

A note to Lois...

You said you wanted to know what I was doing for gifts? I would tell you but then i would have to kill you.....









Just kidding just can't tell you!!!! LOVE YA!!!



All I can say is thank goodness!

Its Friday! It's finally here. The kids don't have school today. Something about the end of the trimester. Going to see my sweet cousin in a play tonight and I am totally looking forward to that. THEN the moment I have been waiting for!!!!! HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE tomorrow!!! Yippee!!!



On a sad note our long time office partner and friend is in the hospital again. He was in about 2 weeks ago after having a mini stroke and loosing part of his peripheral (sp?) vision. He is in again and he said the Dr says he may stay till after Thanksgiving. I am so worried. He is 84 years old, has had his lung removed (cancer) a hip replaced, an Achilles (sp) tendon repaired and still teaches five year olds how to ski on the weekends. He just keeps ticking. In fact up till the stroke two weeks ago he worked in the office full time. I have known this man since I was six. If you could say a little prayer i would greatly appreciate it.





Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Robin Needs.....

googled "robin needs" and this is what came up!!



1 Robin needs to find a new crush.



2 robin needs about 40 calories a day



3 Robin needs to pay the ransom



4 Robin needs to fly back to Italy for a few months?



Robin needs help



6 Robin needs to go to school



And best of all!!!!!



Robin needs a spanking!!!



Strange what power google has!! LOL...try it! Type in your name and needs. See what YOU need!! LOL



Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Traffic savvy kitties

Does God really make these? AM I the only one who thinks that the cat I saw using the crosswalk this morning, and had FIVE cars stop for him, is unique? Completely aware of all the cars around him and completely in line with the crosswalk boundaries this adorable striped cat crossed the road to follow some kids to school this morning. We all just sat there at watched him mosey along the asphalt. Amazing! LOL.



Monday, November 14, 2005

Beautiful Snow............

Yep its snowing. Big beautiful flakes. Its DARK and cold and windy and I want sooo badly to be home and warm with my blankey!!! ACK!!!



Friday, November 11, 2005

TGIF!!!

Feeling sooo nice not to have to work today!!! Got up early (not really my idea - gonna have to talk to Bug about that) Started housework early and got ready to go. Big traveling scrapbook sale today!!! Then off to Roberts for some needed items for Christmas presents. Then home to do some outside work and then maybe clean my scrap room!!! Hope you all have a wonderful Friday!!!



Thursday, November 10, 2005

THe Pains of Motherhood....

Taylor got in trouble at daycare yesterday. Not big trouble really...he got into a heck of lot more with mom later. He and another one of his friends decided to torment a little boy that Taylor has been best friends with since he was 2. I am not really sure how bad it was but apparently they made this Little boy cry, and tell his mom he didn't want to come back. Apparently it all started with an innocent game of batman and robin. For punishment Taylor was grounded for the night, had to tell me what he said to this little boy, and then write him an apology letter to him. After all this I asked Taylor how he thought his friend felt? Would he still want to be your friend? Taylor felt horrible for what he did and even asked me if this boy would still want to be his friend. I told him that was up to the little boy, and that if you kept picking on him then no he would not want to be your friend. He also has to apologize to him to the face today at daycare. Do you think I did the right thing?? Just don't know....



Wednesday, November 9, 2005

Litttle bit of fun with midnight sepia!

Like this technique!!

Garret_mdinight_sepia



Thoughts from the shower....

* I think I have enough Christmas cards made. need to count them.



* Are the boys still asleep or is that them banging on the bathroom door.



* forgot to put the dog out first thing, hope he doesn't pee on the floor.



* Yummy blueberry shampoo I got for the kids!



* hmmm...should I shave my legs? Nah the hair isn't going anywhere.



* Maybe i could have grandparents over on Saturday..



* Oh need to throw out the plants I just killed Friday so they can go to the curb Saturday.



* Maybe I should start a to do list for my long weekend, so I don't forget what I need to do.



* I should have bought a large sizzix tag die for "tags" for Janell's swap.



* Need to come up with an idea for 6x6 pages for Janell's swap.



* Hmmm.... wonder how Lois is doing, need to email her today.



* OK time to get out, water has been cold for a few minutes already!







Tuesday, November 8, 2005

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

Well not completely. It did snow flurry here for about an hour bu that's about it. I am completely getting excited for Christmas already have two gifts made and a good list to start on the shopping. I would like to be done at least 2 weeks before Christmas so I can enjoy the suspension leading up to the big day.



I have another photo shoot planned!! A family photo for a friend of mine for her Christmas cards!



Tired of my hair! Glad its long and really don't want to cut it but it NEEDS something. Perm? I just don't know haven't had one of those in YEARS!!! We are talking like 18!! Maybe color to get rid of the Darker roots? Maybe a hint of strawberry?? Check back tomorrow to see if I actually do anything.



OMG!! My Dad's girlfriend just called me!! JACK NICHOLSON was just at one of our local gas stations!!!! Her boss went in right after he left and all the employees were freakin out!!! Can you imagine....??









Monday, November 7, 2005

It IS Monday isn't it! For those of you on my email contact list I have to apologize now. You will be receiving many emails from me changing email addys...very frustrated with quest dsl and am moving to Cable one for Internet service at home. New email to fallow!!





Thursday, November 3, 2005

MY question.....is......

If william Hung can have an album why don't I!!!!!!



Chris and his antics

My oldest son is quite the smart one....or at least he acts that way. I was in my scrap room last night and the boys were in the living room being completely good. Coloring and being quiet. Christopher suggested to Taylor they play a game. "Halloween" was the title. So the game goes like this. Chris pretends to knock on Taylor's pretend front door. Chris says trick or treat. Taylor gives him candy out of his trick or treat bag. Chris says thank you. Chris comes BACK to Taylor's door and starts all over. After the end of the game, Chris has all of Taylor's candy. HMMMMMMM......



Here are the cards I made last night. Card_club_cards_1 They are for a card club I am in. Totally stole the idea from my VERY talented Mother in law. THANKS Lois!!!





Here at work we have been without our company network for THREE days! We have regular Internet but our corporation has been down. We can't do a thing for our clients and its really frustrating!!



Hope you all have a wonderful day!!!!!



Tuesday, November 1, 2005

Busy day...

Feels like a monday!! Our accountant died so its up to me to get it all done! Now I know why we paid him sooo much!! He was a sweet man who will not go unforgotten. Thank you Wayne for all your hard work for us for the last 25 years......



Monday, October 31, 2005

My CUTE trick or treaters!!!

Everyone say AHHHHHHH!!!!Boys_halloween_010



HELLO!!

Not much time to work on the blog today but would like to share a few more shots of the Sr portraits I have been working on. Our last session was yesterday! It have been pretty cloudy all day and then boom the sun came out BRIGHT! Little trouble with that but we worked around it as best we could!!! Thanks for looking!!!27 23



Friday, October 28, 2005

Found this out about my birthday

Sounds pretty dang accurate...just ask my mother!!!





Your Birthdate: June 25
Your birth on the 25th day of the month (7 energy) modifies your life path by giving you some special interest in technical, scientific, or other complex and often hard to understand subjects.
You may become something of a perfectionist and a stickler for details.
Your thinking is logical and intuitive, rational and responsible.

Your feelings may run deep, but you are not very likely to let them show.
This birthday makes you a more private person, more introspective and perhaps more inflexible.
In friendships you are very cautious and reserved.
You are probably inventive, and given to unique approaches and solutions.




Got pumpkin?

LOL we do!! Me and the boys went over to grandparents house last night and carved up some SCARY pumpkins. Mostly scary on the carpet and even one of the seeds that landed on my glasses. They did very well though and did most of the work themselves!! I cut the faces they drew and voila!! Scary pumpkins!!! Pumpin_carving_061_3 We only got to light them just for awhile and then locked them in the garage because of the lovely children in the neighborhood already on a pumpkin smashing rampage.



Reading a new book. Not really what I expected from Dean Koonts. /Life Expectancy is the name. I am really enjoying though. Its about a boy who is born on a special night (the night his grandfather dies). Lots of predictions and clowns in this book. If you are a Dean Koonts fan I would read it!



Not much else to report! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your families company to the fullest!!







Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Mini file folder

Made this for family Christmas portraits!!File_folder



Some Layouts!!!

With my printer scanner copier at home on the fritz (yep have to get a new one) I brought some into work to scan! I am now 30 away from my 50 page goal!! Here are some of my favs!!! Bug_and_crhis





Chris and bug during a camping trip. The look on Chris' face tells how much he loves mom taking his photos!







Holiday_joy_1 Friend Sarah with Taylor right after Christmas. The boys have a very special place for Aunt Sarah!!

















Hot_cocoa Cute one of the boys with some of my favorite letter stickers LAST christmas!! LOLSilly









Silly one of chris!!







What_i_love_about_you LOVE the way the colors look in real life! Not so much on the scan!! That middle green is NOT nearly so yellow!!



Monday, October 24, 2005

Good monday morning all!!

What a wonderful day to be alive.. NOT! Just kidding I am very happy to be alive just not so happy to be at work.Had a WONDERFUL weekend!! Hung out with the boys, played board games, got Halloween costumes and even scrapped! I did 5 more layouts toward my 50 goal and 16 cards, one mini file folder book and a did a bit more on a current project! The boys even scraped with me! We had a blast. Weekend was warm enough that the boys got to play outside in the afternoon. Nice to open the windows and let in the fresh autumn air!



So my boys went off to school today with horrible hair! Tried my hardest to get them to go do it. I rush around so much in the morning doing this and that in the short time before work, that I completely forgot the hair again till I got in the car to get to school. Ugh owell....



Halloween..you know I hate trick or treating...no one in my neighborhood does the treats anymore so we have to travel to get any candy!! Maybe I should just supplement with goodie bags from mom.



Thursday, October 20, 2005

What I look forward to in fall

Of course the gold and red leaves are wonderful. I love them I really do, but THISFall_005  is what I look forward to all year. I love my purple mums! They only blossom in the fall and when I pick them they last a good month in the house! Smell good too!! What do you enjoy about fall? Here are more things I like!



Hot apple cider



reading in a warm cozy home while its dark and scary out.



Crisp leaves.



Dark skies with colorful trees.



Pumpkins



costumes



and of course Winnie pooh molasses cookies (luv u mom!)



Wednesday, October 19, 2005

GOT MY HARRY POTTER TICKETS!

And YES I am excited! Can't you tell? Got them for Saturday the 19th of November!! Can't wait!!



Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Monday, October 17, 2005

Cuffets anyone?

A co-worker cleaned out and non used desk here at work and brought me this Cufets. Cuffets; the vynalete wave to that has YET to sweep the nation! Used to protect your sleeves. Amazing what patents you can get...LOL The add says 1958 and petty dang good shape. Wondering if anyone actually wore these?



Having a good monday

You know when your house is in order when you wake up in the morning everything runs much smoother. I do NOT have toys in my living room!! Yay!! Made a new rule! No more toys in the living room. The boys have been having major trouble picking up after themselves lately and I am sick of it. So any toys that make it to the living room gets boxed up and put away. So far only a leapster has been grounded. They have been very good so far!



Did not do too much this weekend besides housework. Did get a nice visit from a Friend Sunday! You know who you are and THANK YOU!! Worked on a project I am doing for Sarah, and finished some cards for a cards swap! Other than that just did laundry and watched Extreme Home Makeover. Cried the whole show. If any one else saw it they would understand!!



Have had lots of comments and emails on the Sr. Portraits and I want to thank you all! The icing on the cake is that she Really liked them! She has been showing all her friends and giving me good Publicity!! Keep your fingers crossed!



Got my hotel room reserved today for the night of the STONES concert!! sooooo excited for that!!



Not much else to report! Have a good Monday everyone!!



Friday, October 14, 2005

Ponderings from me...

Why is it I look forward to Fridays more than any other day of the week? Is it because its dress down day at work and I can go in jeans? Or maybe its because the BOSS is hardly here on Fridays and i can get away with slacking? No its because Friday nights is my nights to cut loose and relax with the boys. Its the one night I don't rush to get dinner and dished done and two loads of laundry before bed. I don't have to worry about taking out the garbage or scouring sinks. Its our night to kick our shoes off and watch movies and eat pizza! I LOVE that time. Even the kids have it down pat what we do Friday. Tonight we are watching "twitches" on the Disney channel and making the pizza together. Sometimes that's more fun than getting it from Dominoes. They love shredding the cheese and spreading out the dough. I plan on taking pics of them to make a page about this tradition. Do you have a tradition with your family that goes on unnoticed? Something that happens so often that its a way of life now? Have you journaled or scrapped about it? I think you should! If you want to post links to your Traditions pages please do so!



Had a dream last night about a very dear friend that I used to have. He was so close he was my "brother". His name was Josh Jones. Our Sr year he crashed and was ejected from the car. He survived but with serious brain injury, and was NEVER the same since. He became angry and bitter and mean. I wonder now where he is and if he has changed back into my Josh. Sometimes things like this makes me remember that things can change faster than you can imagine. Also, all the what ifs...What if he had put on his seat belt? What if he had died? What if he had a fight with his parents and he had never made up? If you are out there Josh, know I think about you occasionally and wish you well..........



Wednesday, October 12, 2005

More sr Pics....

Did these last night. In "studio" These are my favs!!!3 7 Click here to see more.



Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Feeling of joy

Sometimes I run across a photo I have taken that gives me a complete feeling of joy! This photo is NOT of a  human (which is my favorite thing to shoot) but of the lovely pumpkins lined up waiting for adoption at our local U-pick pumpkin patch. We have been going there for 3 years now and look forward to it every year. Last year the wind blew 60 miles an hour while we were out there so I got NO shots! This year I got a bunch! Pumpkinpatchcrop_037



Wondering today WHY we carve pumpkins. I know its not for the itchy orange colored hands I get after scooping out the goop, or the roasted seeds cuz I cant stand those. I know why I do it, but why do WE do it? Did a little research...

The term Jack of the Lantern first appeared in print in 1750 and referred to a night watchman or a man carrying a lantern. Previous to print, it was used to describe a strange light flickering over the marshes of Ireland. If approached, the light advanced and was always out of reach. The mysterious occurrence is also known as will o' the wisp and ignis fatuus, Gaelic for foolish fire. However, its legendary status reaches far back into Irish folklore with a story of a stingy drunkard named Jack.





Jack, an Irish blacksmith, had the misfortune of running into the Devil in a pub on Halloween. Jack had imbibed a bit too much that evening and was about to fall prey to the Devil, but the quick thinking trickster made a bargain with the Devil, nonetheless. In exchange for one last drink, Jack offered up his soul. The Devil changed his form into a sixpence in which to make payment to the bartender, but Jack pocketed the coin in a bag with a silver cross with the knowledge that the Devil couldn't revert form. Once under Jack's thumb, and in his purse, the Devil agreed not to come for Jack's soul for another ten years.





Ten years later, the Devil came across Jack walking on a country road and explained to him that he was there to collect Jack's soul. Not ready to go, Jack, pretending to comply, asked the Devil if he would climb an apple tree first and give him an apple. The Devil, thinking he had nothing to lose, climbed the tree, but as he was plucking the requested apple, Jack pulled out his knife and carved the sign of the cross in the tree's trunk. The Devil was unable to come back down and Jack procured an agreement from him. The Devil would never take his soul.





Years later, Jack finally died. He went to Heaven, but was dismissed from the gates due to his drinking, tricking, and miserly ways. He then went to Hell, but was denied entrance because the Devil remembered his promise. Jack asked, "But where am I to go?" And the Devil replied, "Back to where you came from".





The way back was dark and windy, so Jack pleaded with the Devil to at least grant him light in which to find his way. The Devil, in a magnanimous un-Devil like manner, tossed Jack an ember from the fires of Hell. Jack shielded the ember in a turnip he'd been eating and left Hell to wander back.





Ever since, Jack has been doomed to wander in the darkness alone, and his name and lantern are synonymous with a damned soul.





The fear of souls like Jack's venturing back to the warmth of their previous homes on Halloween spawned a custom that is carried on today. Originally, Irish villagers, concerned about the possibility of visits from past occupants, would dress in costume to frighten away ghosts. They also left food outside the door to appease the spirits and carved or painted faces on turnips, potatoes, rutabagas, or beets to place in windows or doors in order to chase away ghosts with the symbol of a damned soul.





The Irish Potato Famine of the mid-1800's prompted a massive immigration to the Americas. With the Irish, came their beliefs and traditions, including the use of a jack o' lantern. The Irish discovered that turnips were not readily available in the Americas and substituted the vegetable with pumpkins instead.





The jack o' lantern is easily the most recognized and used symbol of Halloween in modern age. Not only is it used outside front doors in traditional form, but it's become the veritable treat container for trick or treaters. While the face of the jack o' lantern has changed over the years with the advent of pumpkin carving kits, it's still an ongoing tradition.

So there you have it! Have fun with your pumkins this year!!!



Favs

Here are some of my favs from my photoshoot this weekend....539299r10420a 539300r10717a_copy_6



Monday, October 10, 2005

BANNERS!!

If anyone out there has any tricks to making the cool banners I see on all the typepad blogs I would love to find out how to do it!!!





PLEASE!!??



Hello did anyone find my mind?

Oh Gosh!! To wake up from a headache induced sleep is NOT fun! Feeling the pain throbing right behind my eyesockets does not give me the feeling of a restfull nights sleep. Almost gone though....ugh



Friday, October 7, 2005

More Scrappin fun!!

Made this last night at myBoo_book_1  Close to My Heart Card club! Adorable little album/card! Had fun!! I am only working half day today and then the boys and I are going to see Wallace and Grommet and the CURSE of the WERE RABBIT!!  I have a fun Saturday planned! Cropping with my niece at Express the moment, and Sunday I have a photo shoot! Hope you all have wonder weekend!



Thursday, October 6, 2005

Fall fun!

Me and some ladies from our CTMH stamp club went to Roberts saturday night for Ladies Night out! Here are some examples of the make and takes!!File_folder_sizzix_1



Need a place to post your work??

If you are a bit like me I somtimes like to share my work. If you need a space without much hassle try family scrappers!!












   Join Familyscrappers   


 MSN Groups




Circle Journal

Thinking of starting a circle Journal after the first of the year. If anyone is interested please email me and let me know! IF you need more information on a circle journal here is an artical you can read!



Circle journal!!



Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Wednesday!

Amazing isn't it how low you can feel when you get so involved in something you think you are good at then you see someone elses work and you sink because yours is not as good. That is how I feel today. Proof_1 A little let down at my talent wondering if I should even give this business a try. I remembered the other day the bible story of the three talents and how God wants us to use them. Can I use them? Is photography the talent I meant to share? Am I just fooling myself?



Monday, October 3, 2005

Fall is HERE!!

Woke up this morning with a crisp feeling in my brain and the urge to decorate the house for fall!! The feeling of holidays to come invigorates me!



Got a lot done this weekend including vacuuming out the couch. Found a couple missing remotes and some chargeable batteries! SCORE!



Also have 13 pages done toward my goal..did cheat a bit though. Went to ladies night out at Robert's and bought some cropper hopper vertical storage things. I couldn't resist they were offering a 40 and 50 % off coupons. I used both! LOVE the storage. Got most of my patterned paper organized in them already!



Pretty good relaxing weekend all around!!





Friday, September 30, 2005

You can be proud of me MA!!

This is it!!! FInally know what I want to be when I grow up!!





My life long dream!



Did THREE more pages last night!! only 46 pages more to go!!



Tonight is potatoe soup and movie night! Had some wonderful soup at Lois's house this last weekend and I am going to atempt to make it tonight. Not sure what movies to rent though. Anyone have any recomendations?





Happy birthday Cynthia!!



Thursday, September 29, 2005

Cant wait for this!!!



TODAY!

Well first off today is THURSDAY! Why am I so excited? Because tomorrow will be FRIDAY and that is one day closer to SATURDAY! Hurray!!!



Made a goal yesterday! I had the urge to scrapbook shop but I did control it. Told myself I had a ton of stuff at home and should use it up. So my goal is to finish 50 pages before I go shopping again. FIFTY pages. That's a lot!! I don't think I have done fifty pages this whole year! BUT if I do one or two a night it shouldn't take me too long. I did my FIRST of the fifty last night! Just a simple one pager about Chris. I have maybe 4 more pages in his 2004 book so I am excited to get done. Then I will start on finishing Taylor's, then mine then move on to 2005. I have a few pages in each 2005 book already. They are pages where i just couldn't resist.



Today is my friend Darla's birthday! Called and sang happy bday this morning to her and so far I am the only one! I made her something and will drop it off later today!! Love you girl!!







Tuesday, September 27, 2005

For Cloe

My mother got a new puppy and I was so excited for her I had to make her a little brag book for her purse! Its perfect for 4x6 photos and is an acordion style! Hope she likes it!Cloe_mini_book



Anyone there!!!??

Is anyone out there? If you are reading this let me know! Drop me a comment!





me



Monday, September 26, 2005

Fun Weekend!

Traveled this weekend to part take in some good old family fun!! Had a blast scrap booking till all hours of the night both Friday and Saturday. The kids had a craft day and had a blast with all the crafts! I got seven pages done, two mini accordion albums and started on some cards. When I got home I was still motivated so after unpacking and cleaning my scrap room I did 2 more double page layouts and sorted out more pictures! Very excited to do more. Lots of my pages this weekend were done using the new Becky Higgins sketch book. I will try and scan some and put them up!! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!Img_32881



Thursday, September 22, 2005

Conversation with Chris last night!!

This kid really amazes me sometimes! Here is the conversation that evolved while driving home from work last night...





Chris: I can't wait till I am 21.



me: why?



Chris: Then I can get married to Taylor Anne.



me: You are sure you are marrying Taylor Anne?



Chris: of course, we are engaged!



Chris and Taylor Anne have been engaged since he was three, he's eight now.



me: you are not aloud to get married till your 23



Chris: why?



me: you have to finish college and work for year with enough money to buy Taylor Anne a House.



Chris: Oh ok.....



Chris: I can't wait till I am 23!



Oh my..........................................................................................................



Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Lots of little stuff......

Today I wake up with a lot running through my head....



Portrait positions, brides in beautiful flowing dresses with a look of total completeness on their faces. I want to take these photos so badly...the ones I get in my head and cant get out! I want to see them in print!



Wanting a new camera needing a new digital. My little digital works great but not for shoots...got a few of those coming up!



Kids were ornery today. I think its the weather. Have had rain all night and this morning. I woke up with a headache and they woke up in a funk...made for a great morning...







Thursday, September 15, 2005

"Above all else, it is about leaving a mark that I existed: I was here. I was hungry. I was defeated. I was happy. I was sad. I was in love. I was afraid. I was hopeful. I had an idea and I had a good purpose and that's why I made works of art." --Felix Gonzalez-Torres (fr. Adbusters Vol 13)



Library

Last night before heading home after work I took the boys to the public library...I wanted photography books. I am amazed at how well they behaved! For the first time Taylor sat at the tables and read books while I helped Chris get books off his elevated reader list. So quiet and good they were! I thought perhaps they had changed bodies with someone else kids while they were in the bathroom. Chris started reading one of his books as soon as he got in the car. Didn't stop but for dinner. Even took it to bed! Finished the chapter book in one night! 114 pages. He is starting to take after me! Taylor got a book about an old man who lived across from a field. He loved the field so when it went up for sale he sold everything he owned to buy this field. Good book wonderful illustrations. MOM - your going to love this! Guess what other book Taylor picked out? STEAM SHOVELS!! Remember?? The book that "Romona Quimby" could not live without! The one they checked out at the library EVERY time till she colored in it and Bezzus had to buy it? yah THAT one!







Tuesday, September 13, 2005

No Divas in my house

During our 45 minute lunch at home Taylor stated he wanted to watch a "diva-d". Funny how for the last year I never really corrected him. Today I decided to. He struggled and refused to say it right. I wish I had a Cristina Aguilara doll to give him every time he said he wanted a "diva-d"!



Amazingly cold morning today. I had to turn on the heater vent! Making Taylor Bug VERY happy. His favorite thing to do in the mornings is to sit on top a heater vent completely covered by his blanket to keep warm. During the winter its an everyday thing. Lately with the colder mornings he begs me to turn them on. Until today I did not concede. What a happy boy I sent off to school!



Picture day is today. I didn't buy a huge package. Just enough to get some pics for the scrapbook. I feel like I am cheating myself. I can take better pictures of them than "the school photographers"! HATED writing out that check! Absolutely hated it!



Trying to find a way to come up with 5000.00 bucks for the digi camera I am dying to have. I might be able to get a Small Business Loan, but a bit afraid to take that on if I don't get enough clients. The major advantage to this digital is all the wonderful effects and lenses. It works with the SLR lenses I already have. PLUS clients can get larger prints! Large family photos WANTED! Large family photos GIVEN here!! LOL.....



I want this photography business more than anything! I love photography! It fills my mind almost constantly! I have tried to find courses locally but they do not offer it! There are courses on line but at 275 bucks a pop I need more clients to pay! My photography is good now but I want to learn everything there is to know! Not just to make money but to make myself happy and satisfied! Its a yearning.......Shoot_sept_12_2005_029_3