Happy Birthday BRANDY!

Today is my niece Brandy's birthday. She turned Sweet 16. We attended her birthday celebration late this afternoon. There were lots of teens, balloons, music, tons of food and of course a huge cake. My sister through a cookout 'party' at a local state park inside one of their pavilions. Thank goodness it was indoors because the wind was typical March and very cold. You would never guess that seeing this photo!

I was there in the room when Brandy was born. My sister, Sonya went into the hospital on the 24th. It was a very long night and not an easy delivery. Brandy was born on my Dad's birthday. Although Dad is no longer here to celebrate this day with us. I am always reminded of him today. I know he was smiling down seeing everyone together ~ his daughters and all of his grandchildren. I like to think Bran has my dad's eyes, even though her father's eyes are also blue.

Happy Birthday Brandy! Stay safe driving.
Happy Birthday Daddy! I miss you much.

Friends & Neighbors

I noticed Monday leaving to take my daughter to school that our grass had been cut sometime over the weekend. It had to have been cut on Saturday, while I was out shopping, because it was a beautiful day. Sunday it rained all day. I also noticed that my neighbors grass was the same height! My neighbor Mark does this occassionally during 'grass' season. A nice surprise. However, I feel like my immediate next door neighbors are also my friends. Our children run together. You can't say teenagers 'play'; that is such a 'childish' term. We borrow cups of milk, salt, sugar, ice from eachother. We call each other to find out where are children are at times. They are the BEST neighbors I've ever had and honestly I don't know what I would do without them living just next door.

I have been blessed with friends of many sorts in my life.

Jane, I have known since I was a teenager. We grew up in the same church together; taught a church teenage group; laughed and shopped together. She puts up with my terrible singing in the car!

Donna, I've known for about 9 years. I sat with her mother when she was very ill with cancer after my car accident; while she drove my kids to school. She isn't a scrapper, but pulled over Saturday when I squealed about seeing tulips and wanted pictures. She shops with me at scrapbook stores too. Sometimes even bringing me something and telling me I NEED it. We ride horses together. My kids have spent countless hours in her swimming pool during the summer and we also camp together at the lake.

I have a friend from high school that lives in another state now. Felicia. We keep up with emails and Christmas cards.

I have met MANY scrapbook friends through the power of the internet. I have a small group of ladies in the Metro Atlanta Area that I have had the pleasure of cropping together. I've met many others through various scrap communities. I've laughed with them; shared my scrap pages and passion of this hobby with them and my life with them.

I love watching my children develop friendships that hopefully will last them a lifetime. It is a RARE thing to have a true friend. I am a people person. I LOVE meeting new friends, people and getting to know them. My mother says I've never met a stranger. I got 'talks too much' on my report cards in school! So I guess it's true!

I'm honored by all the friends I've made in my life. Some are the "call in the middle of the night if you need to" kinda friends. Others are just those that give a word of encouragement along the way. All play an important role.

So to you my friends, thank you for your friendship. It means SO much to me!

Happy Spring!

Ok, so I'm a day early. The flowers I saw yesterday, think it's already Spring. Beautiful tulips! Which happen to be my 2nd favorite flower.

Went shopping yesterday in Newnan. I like going there for several reasons. There is a good scrapbook store; where I happened to pick up some of the latest Basic Grey papers! There is an Old Navy, Kohls and Ross. Plus there is a Texas Roadhouse - AWESOME food; SUPER service. I hit them all yesterday; plus a couple of extras - Michaels, Target, Shoe Carnival. I rarely shop for myself (with the exception of scrap shopping of course!). I can't seem to find clothes that I like; either it looks TOO old or way TOO young for me. I was thrilled to find several items PLUS a new pair of sandals for summer. Now I just need a new pair of sunglasses, because I am actually wearing a pair that is broken every day.

Can't wait to play with my new scrapping goodies! I have ideas for this and that going on in my head. However, my body today is not cooperating. Along with blooming flowers comes the sneezing, stuffy head and running nose. I have all 3 today. Took my sinus meds last night, but they are not working great today. Plan to take more tonight so hopefully I will be back to me tomorrow. Especially since I took the day off! I don't want to be yucky on an off day.
I did however, get some journaling done in advance of a page that is brewing. I never journal first before the page; so that is a FIRST too. I have the title, journaling, photo and paper picked out. Now just to feel like sitting there to work on it.

10 Things I recommend...

Took Sophia's blog challenge from 2peas on 10 Things I recommend. Here they are:

1. Card Game: Apples to Apples. Sophia was talking away about this one day on a message board. I got it Christmas 3 years ago and it’s a family favorite. GUARANTEED for laughs!

2. If you like Word Searches, if you kids like them OR your kids have to do one for a school project – this is the ‘easy’ button for Word Search puzzles! http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/search/

3. Take at least ONE Dream Vacation in your lifetime. I have been fortunate to be able to do this several times! In 1984, I vacationed in Hawaii. My Mom had always talked about wanting to see Hawaii. I begged her to go along. She didn’t. When I landed on the big island; I felt the tears well up. It was beautiful and I wish Mom would have come along. I made plenty of photos for her and tried to see and experience every inch of it to share with her through my memories. Go on your ‘dream’ vacation!

4. Take a class, ANY class ~ a hobby class, an educational class; what ever floats your boat! Keep your mind active.

5. Santa Fe Quesadilla Maker – the best kitchen ‘gadget’ I own, 2nd to my crockpot. Less than twenty bucks on sale.

6. Chip Chatter Letters – LOVE these new letters. I know they come in tall and a smaller size. You can distress them and they look awesome!

7. Tell those you love, that you love them – your children, your family, and your friends.

8. Books by Nora Roberts. Great romance writer.

9. Take time for yourself. With our busy schedules, sometimes we forget ourselves!

10. Shoot for your DREAMS! You might just reach them.

The Ultimate form of Flattery

To a scrapper is to be “scrap lifted”. I have been flattered twice within two days! Alicia (aka TXscrapper) over at http://www.scrappersgalore.com/ loved and lifted my title from the page I posted on my blog yesterday. Then today I am checking out the gallery at 2peas to see that Poe lifted my ‘Cousins’ layout. You can see Poe's version here: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?gallery=1&cmd=display&layout_id=801984 . This page was actually made for a contest based on a Bazzill Basic Sketch. I had fun with my new Chip Chatter letter! They are super.

I have been applying for Design Teams because of:
-My passion for this hobby
-My desire to see others grow and FEEL successful in their own works of art (will just THRILL me to no end)
-My desire to inspire others through my art and my personality (I really have a deep desire that has been placed within me to hopefully inspire others in this hobby and by being a 'joy' where ever and when ever I can).
-My genuine love for getting to know others (I'm a motor mouth! Plus I love learning about others)

Those are the reasons as they relate to others; there are a few more personal reasons also that relate to my own personal growth. However, when I saw the layout posted and poe’s comments. I got that SAME feeling. That humbleness and that flattered giddy feeling plus a feeling of ‘wow, just wow’. I think right after that there was a moment of a 'fog' that I thought; gee I inspired someone. Gave me the warm fuzzies! Thanks Poe! You made my day!!!!

A bit of scrapping ~ 2 different types!

Look how adorable my daughter was at the age of 5 1/2. I try to remember THOSE moments; when the 'evil' teenager kicks in like she has more than once this weekend. Sometimes teens are worse than 2 year olds. Think temper tantrums! I still LOVE her bunches though, look at those CUTE cheeks!

Participated in a cyber crop over at http://www.scrappersgalore.com/ . I enjoyed playing with this page, stamping/cutting the flowers to add plus using that new white sharpie pen. It was great to use scraps from my stash and work with an older photo. The crop was bunches of fun and I've had a great time getting to know all the wonderful ladies over there! The Design Team announcement is April 1st. I've already emailed off my final submission (which is not this LO). Now the waiting begins. Cross all body parts for me! I would be HONORED to be a part of the great team of talent over there. Plus it would be AWESOME fun!

This past week I've worked hard on my scrapping goals; along with starting a notebook of ideas to help promote a scrapping site. I am taking my design team submissions seriously. I want to be prepared and ready to get started if and when I get 'the call'. Having everything in writing gives me a clearer focus. I can just add to it without having to remember it for the future. Then I can concentrate on designing and creating with those ideas referenced.

I've also jumped in and volunteered to try and organize a 'Pea Pub Meet' at the Scrap Etc. Event next month in Birmingham, Alabama. Working out the details and should have more news on that soon! I can't wait to meet some of the fantastic pub peas from 2Peas. So watch for an 'official' thread over there when the details get worked out I will be posting it.

"Mom, I've been shot"

NOT something you want to hear on the phone driving home from work. However, those were the words my son said to me this evening as I was pulling into my driveway.

First off, I didn't know he was out doing target practice with a couple of buddies. Second, we have ALWAYS preached and taught gun safety in our house. His father was raised hunting and around guns. My father always had guns in the house. My children KNOW the rules about guns. Derek goes deer hunting, duck hunting and has handled guns for several years now. Plus he has had the hunter safety course. Derek said he was already uncomfortable as one of the boys was "acting foolish". Derek wasn't even shooting, he was a by stander.

Apparently, one of the boys laid his shot gun on the ground loaded; reached down to pick it up and accidentally pulled the trigger in the process. THANKFULLY the gun was angled toward the ground. THANKFULLY my son wore his steel toe boots. Derek ended up with ONE bird shot pellet in his leg; several others went through the leg of his jeans. He was standing 2 feet from the blast. There could have been a different outcome. He could have lost his leg completely. THANKFULLY that did not happen. Derek also left immediately. He didn't have his vehicle there. He called a trusted family friend of ours that lives in the area and had them come to pick him up. He was upset, mad and I am sure a range of other emotions.

He also KNEW not to ask his mom to come get him in order to avoid a 'scene'. I don't deal well with nonsense. It's not like I don't know the other boys that were present. I know their families. At least, the father of the boy that accidentally shot Derek did call to check on him a bit later. Then stated that Derek shouldn't have been standing in front of the gun. All I will say to this is excuse me, who puts a LOADED gun on the ground and then proceeds to pick it up at the trigger?????????????? Thank you, enough said.

Off my soap box!

I did get to inspect the 'wound'. It will heal, but I'm sure the 'accident' made a HUGE impression.

Doll Baby

Isn't she a little doll? This is my youngest niece. I visited my sister this weekend and snapped this picture, along with several others outside. She has 8 teeth at 10 months old and is pulling up. She likes to rock back and forth to music. She has the cutest giggle!

I love that I still have a 'baby' in the family. Especially as my children grow older and become more independent each day. My son amazes me with his responsible thinking. He and I were talking this weekend about school, grades, co-op work, a recent job fair at his university. I wonder sometimes WHERE does that knowledge inside him come from? When did he get so 'grown'?

My mother has been blessed with 7 grandchildren. My son is the only boy in the lot and he is the oldest of them all. I have been blessed to be present at the birth of 4 out of 5 of my nieces. Watching a child come into this world is one of the most amazing things and each life such a gift to us.

I love capturing this stage of a child. So innocent and pure. They grow so fast. I will blink and Misty will be a teenager, dating and all that jazz. I am so glad to have the photos and the memories. I am also grateful that I found such a wonderful hobby in scrapbooking; where I have the opportunity to record all of this. Just another of the reasons why it is my passion!

I was squealing GALORE!

After lunch today I was checking out a couple of the scrapbook sites. Went over to www.scrappersgalore.com to see MY NAME on the list of Design Team finalists! I actually SQUEALED in my office. Thankfully there was only a student worker here. There are 11 finalists and they will pick 3 from those to add to their DT! The finalists have a secret assignment to be turned in by March 12th. Ok, I will stress over that part another day. Today is for excitement instead.

I haven't been able to think about much this afternoon, so I have not been productive at work. Just completed the basics! Oops!

I have only begun putting myself out there this year and submitting, so this is HUGE to me. Little ole scrapbooker from GAWga. I am beyond ecstatic, over joyed and VERY honored to be picked out of all the awesome talent.

Thanks for allowing me to share!