Check out my NEW BLOG! ~Design to Shine!

PLEASE Join me over at my NEW improved UPDATED blog. JUST CLICK the TITLE of this post! I wanted the web address to be the new name. So I moved my blog over including the 2 postings. I feel this will also better reflect the direction I would like to take. I am not deleting this one, but will no longer update it. Saks blogging was a fun time in my life more geared to some mini scrapbooks I made and sold back then. And working on a small Scrapbook Store Design Team. This new blog will be more a reflection of my life, my thrifty habits that are not new to me (LOL); tossed in with a bit of other things that inspire me.

Thanks so MUCH and I look forward to sharing this NEW adventure and journey with you!

New Blog Name !

My blog has a new name! ~Design to Shine~

I asked for help coming up with a new blog name from a close-knit group I belong to of women, scrapbookers and long time friends. I chose this one after looking up the definition to ‘design’. Which Webster’s says in part as this:

Design ~
1: to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan
2 a: to conceive and plan out in the mind b: to have as a purpose

I told these remarkable women that I have a new concept in mind for my blog and that I wanted to include the word ~Shine~. The reason for this particular word is that it has been my personal word for over 2 years now. At the beginning of a new year, I tried to choose another word. Yet, in many of the inspirational writings, I read daily this one word kept coming back to me. Therefore, Shine it shall be and still is for 2009.

I am still on a personal journey of growth within; ever evolving into a more authentic me.

Hopefully you will join me …for this adventure called life! Every day there is an opportunity just awaiting each of us. For that junk store find, we can apply a little paint and a lot of love…place it in our homes, our lives and admire our creativity, our handy work and the joys of simple pleasures. Every day there is that opportunity to SHINE our inner light into the world. Maybe it is with a sweet smile to the grumpy co-worker, catching the door for someone or to our children. Possibly, we are presented with a way to ‘pay it forward’ or extend a ‘random act of kindness’. Just like the endless possibilities we see in an old tattered wooden frame to become renewed and beautiful with a coat of paint … our lives we ‘design’ on a daily basis also. We create them and we each have a purpose.
Mine is to polish it a bit and allow it to ‘shine’. Light always illuminates the darkness. A flicker has the power and potential to become a flame, then a roaring fire that spreads it's warmth to others. We each have it within us...that power ... to SHINE!

Hope, Courage, Freedom

A Day in History ~

In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations. ~ President Obama

Thrifty Finds of Home Decor

I hosted Thanksgiving at my house this year with 18 people attending! What was I thinking? I had just downsized my kitchen table to a cool new pub style, because it is just my teen daughter and myself now at home. Plus it gave me more room in the kitchen and opened up the space! My tiny kitchen looks larger, less stuff and I am loving it! I purchased this at the same time we redecorated my son's room into a totally new upstyle room for my teen daughter. That project is another post! I still hate the wallpaper in the kitchen and hope that becomes a project for 2009! The small frame on the wall has now been replaced with a neat find from TJ Maxx.

So I needed more 'seating' table space to host a bunch of people. I went to a local antique mall and found a solid wood coffee table ($30) that matches perfect! There is barely a scratch on it! Just last weekend I found a beautiful small rug (another TJ Maxx find) and love the way it breaks up the wood on wood from the flooring and table. Added a clearance bowl find along with potpourri (found on clearance for 97 cents a bag at Kirklands!). Everything ties in with my blue and burgandy colors currently in the living room. Would love a new sofa, but have decided to wait until my daughter is out of the house. This sofa is still comfy and has a bed for guests. Hoping to come across a few decor pillows to add a little color there!

I have slowly been transforming rooms into 'what I love'. One of the things I've said over and over since my son moved out on his own is I want to get my house 'in shape'. I want to have it functional, more my 'style'...if I even have one! and of course, at a bargin! So this year of 2009, not only do I wish to SHINE .... I want my home to SHINE too. Not as a show palace, but with things I love, reflecting Love lives here! I am newly obsessed with several blogs that are home decorating on a budget. Thrifty finds made over that turn out AMAZING! These ladies and gents have talent and I hope to gleen some inspiration from them.

Wrap it up!

Christmas is 2 days away! So it's time to wrap it up and get it done! Here is a quick gift wrap idea that I came up with this morning. I found a package of 3 cookie tray bags in my gift wrap box. Obviously I had purchased them to make goodies as gifts at some point or bought them on clearance! Ha! (I think I actually picked them u at the Dollar Tree at some point). I decided to wrap up my tile coaster sets for my mom and two sisters with these cute bags. I had 3 wooden boxes I also picked up on clearance at Target, a few years ago. These have been sitting ...waiting in my gift 'closet' (the top shelf of my clothes closet). Perfect to 'protect' the coasters and add a little something something to the 'gift'. I tied raffia around the coasters, lined the boxes with a new kitchen dish 'rag' and put the box down in the huge cookie bag. Tied them with a bit of Christmas ribbon from my scrappin' stash and ta da .... pretty wrapping! I still need to make a tag out of my paper stash to add to each one. Easy and pretty, if I do say so myself!

Christmas Cake

I've posted about this before. Several years ago while working on a company employee newsletter I came upon a cake recipe. I made it that year for Christmas. The actual recipe is called It Won't Last Cake. However, I renamed it the Christmas cake because my dear sister has asked that it be her 'gift' every year since! My brother in law loves it too. So since I hosted Thanksgiving this year, he requested the cake then. I am posting the photo of the cake, which I will be making again this week to take to sis's house for our Christmas get together on Christmas Day. It is easy and is like a spice cake or banana bread. Very moist and even goes great with coffee in the mornings.

A homemade Christmas

Many of the gifts I am giving this year are 'homemade' or put together ideas that are small 'I thought of you' gifts.

I gave the girls at my office ~ Relaxation 'kits'. A set of 4 wine goblets painted with snowmen (they came that way) filled with bath salts, a votive candle, a bath squishy and chocolate. A friend and I came up with the poem, which I used my scrappin stash to make! The girls LOVED them!

For my male boss, a quote frame using my stash and a cute $2.00 frame I had on hand. He puts in tons of hours at the office and is really a great boss too! He thought it was really nice and said it will stay in his office. He even mentioned it matches the office furniture. Well, of course! Ha!
My brother-in-law is a pastor, so he is getting a scripture verse using the same paper and a slightly different wooden frame from Walmart that was only $3.00.

I made tons of tile coasters for family and friends! This was the first try at them and they were EASY and fun to make! I can't wait to give them and see what everyone has to say about it. They are stamped, sealed and have full cork bottoms on them.

I am working on a few other items and will try to post them as they are completed!

Christmas Spirit!

Yes, it has been FOREVER since I have posted to my blog. So here is a bit of Christmas cheer to get the ball rolling again. A photo of our tree this year, just a tad bit different as I changed out the gold ribbon to a wide sheer white (found on clearance at Michaels!).

I did not get out my HUGE collection of Santa's; only those that are tall and sit around the tree and fireplace. This year I did add some new ornaments that are a bit larger than the ones we had...just shatterproof gold from Walmart but it does make the tree sparkle and SHINE!

I also am LOVING my window 'frame' that I found at an Antique Mall for $4.95! on the wall.

Is it good or bad?

Do we often question WHY things happen in our life? I know I do sometimes; it is human nature. I found a motivational 'story' today while surfing the web. I didn't keep the exact address; but found it again almost the same. Seems it is out there on the web and been told several times. I feel it is worth re-reading!!! Here it is:

An old and poor man in a village had a beautiful white horse that was very talented. People came from far and wide to see the horse and marvel at its beauty, ability and intelligence. “You are so lucky to have a horse like this,” the villagers told the old man. “It is not luck that I have the horse,” the old man responded. “It just is.” The villagers looked puzzled but went on with their business. News about the old man’s beautiful and talented white horse traveled far and one day a rich king sent money to buy the horse from the old man. The old man thanked the king’s messenger and turned down the generous offer. “You are a fool!” the villagers cried. “No one would turn down such a handsome offer!” “My decision not to sell the horse is neither a good one nor a bad one,” said the old man. “It just is.”
Then one day the old man’s beautiful white horse ran off into the woods and disappeared. “See what a fool you were?” said the villagers. “You could have been rich but now you have nothing at all! This very bad luck for you.” Quietly the old man replied, “The horse running away is neither bad luck nor good. It just is.” A few days later the horse emerged from the woods bringing with him a herd of horses like himself — beautiful, prancing, white horses. The villagers rushed to the old man’s house crying, “Old Man, you were right! Your horse running away wasn’t bad luck after all because now you have all these beautiful, white horses that he has brought to you!” Once again the old man answered carefully, “These horses coming to my house are neither good nor bad. They just are.”
Weeks later the old man’s only son began riding the horses to tame them only to be bucked off and break his leg so badly that he’d never be able to walk properly again. Again the villagers rushed to the old man saying “What bad luck it is that your son has broken his leg and will never walk right again.” And again the old man replied, “My son breaking his leg is neither good nor bad. It just is.”
Soon a great war broke out in the land and all the young men were called into service — with the exception on the old man’s son. The villagers wailed, “Old Man, you are so lucky that your son broke his leg because now he will still be alive when our sons may not be.” Quietly the old man replied, “It is not good nor bad. It just is.”


How VERY true this rings to me! How many times have I interpreted something as 'bad' that turned out to really be a BLESSING in my life? So this reminds me to take things in life as they come, accept them without trying to place them in a good or bad 'category' and move on! Life is going to keep going; we can either MOVE with it or sit and try to figure out each and every happening as a good thing or a bad thing? Maybe it is a good thing that feels 'bad' at the time? Maybe it is a blessing in disguise? How will we know if we do not keep LIVING LIFE???!!!

Lists

I am a BIG list maker. I ran into a high school chum yesterday at Walmart. She saw my 'list' and said "you were smart, you made a list!". LOL Well, I only purchased ONE item that wasn't on my list! I was in a hurry and wanted to grab and go. All in all, it wasn't too crowded and I completed my task.
My friend, Sophia, challenged us bloggers at 2peas to a list challenge. It is a long list of random items and the things I have completed in my life are in bold with comments. It was FUN taking a look at the list and remembering things accomplished.

1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
2. Swam with wild dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain – several, my favorite was Diamond Head
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone – Yep!
8. Said “I love you’ and meant it – Everyday to my children!
9. Hugged a tree - DONE
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris – It was WONDERFUL! Amazing teen trip!
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea – This September while on a cruise
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise – A few times
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (and survived the crush afterwards) – Atlanta Falcons, ages ago.
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables – Growing up, every year
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars – Yep!
20. Changed a baby’s diaper – TOO many to count
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower – LOVE it! Watch every time I know it will happen
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity – Yes.
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope – Our University opens it’s doors to allow this. Amazing!
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment – Has someone NOT done this?
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight – As a kid
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can – Probably more than I should have!
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse - DONE
34. Ridden a roller coaster – I grew up going to 6-Flags over Georgia! Yep.
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking – Many times! I LOVE to dance.
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment – Yep!
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk – A few times, NOT fun.
42. Had amazing friends – Lucky me! I do!
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip – Many!
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach – One of my favorite things to do.
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland 5
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them – Shared tables several times.
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow – At the county fair!
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero – I have children! So, of course!
58. Sung karaoke – Yes, but don’t care to do it again!
59. Lounged around in bed all day – A few times!
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain – Mmmm Hmmm
63. Played in the mud – Red Georgia clay counts!
64. Played in the rain – Yep, even WITH my kids.
65. Gone to a drive-in theater – Yep, wish we still had one around here! What fun!
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites – Several of different kind
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married – Too young!
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party – I think so!
75. Gotten divorced – Yep, still ‘single’.
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch – Momma taught me how!
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason – Several times!
84. Performed on stage – BEST time ever! Local Community Theater.
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark – yep, not bad.
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house – One of my proudest moments! Live in it now.
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents – Unfortunately my Daddy.
93. Been on a cruise ship – Just this year, first one!
94. Spoken more than one language fluently – Learned Sign Language and took French in HS, but know very little of either now.
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children (or…raising children) – Still at it!
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour – Not really ‘followed’, but I have been to several concerts.
98. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to start over – my parents moved us, once. Still live in the same ‘home town’ for over 30 years!
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking – My teen daughter hates when I do this. LOL
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived – Unfortunately. I know my seat belt saved my life.
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds (cumulatively, if you count pregnancy! lol!) – I would say yes to this: 2 pregnancies and two other times, once to WW.
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray – At Sea World
110. Broken someone’s heart - Several, unfortunately
111. Helped an animal give birth – Several, grew up with cats, dogs
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone – My arm, when I was twelve and my little toes, twice!
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol – I AM a southern gal. Fired all 3!
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse – I own 3!
119. Had major surgery – does my nose surgery count? Reconstructive after my car accident. It FELT ‘major’.
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi - tried it, no likee
128. Had your picture in the newspaper – While in the Jr. Women’s Club and acting in the play.
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes ... yum! - Yep
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - I didn't personally 'kill' it; but my ex-husband and my son are deer hunters and I have eaten deer meat.
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language – In France, WHERE is the subway? They pointed, we would head off in that direction.
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care - yes, my best friend’s mom
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you – I have sold mini scrapbooks.
145. Had a booth at a street fair – I had a booth at a local arts & crafts show.
146. Dyed your hair – Only my hairdresser knows the TRUTH! LOL
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident – dang, it was years ago!
150. Saved someone’s life

Merry Christmas!

Just a short one to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!
A no lights shot of our tree and fireplace tonight. I didn't pull out all the decorations this year. Low 'stress' go on that with a lot of other things going on.

My children and I wish you all a holiday filled with family and most of all love. It's not about how many presents are under the tree...it is about the love in the room.

I won! and other ramblings...

I won the SEI monthly contest over at www.imaginecreatescrap.com in the altered division with my version of an altered mini tin. Cool-i-o! Thanks to the great ladies over at ImagineCreateScrap. It's been fun getting to know the group there.

Rainy, messy, yucky cold day here. Leah came in this morning and said she was going into school late. So I rushed home at lunch to get her to school by 11:30am. After I get back to work, she texted me to tell me that in order to be counted 'present' for the day, she had to be there at 11am!!! What? When did THAT change? It's ALWAYS been 11:30 for as long as I can remember. UGH! Both she and I are trying to cough up a lung. I went on to work, but am about worthless except for being a warm body in a chair. I just want to go home and curl up in bed. Coughing, stuffy head and just don't feel good. Please pass the chicken noodle soup and a blanket.

Scrapping projects. I have a few to work on. I finished up an altered item this weekend. Well, I think I am finished with it. I might have to put a few extra touches on it. I'm not 100% pleased with it yet. It is part of something for a Christmas gift. When I am happy with it and with the photos; I will post one.

Christmas shopping report: Darling daughter and I went shopping Saturday. We pretty much finished her list and I even got a couple of others on my list marked off. My son told me he just wanted Carhart jeans; that is it. Easy enough. Maybe I can finish up my shopping in one more day and a few lunch time errand runs. It will be here before we know it!

Run! Don't Walk ....

Several things make me think of running this morning; we are into November and the holiday 'rush' is bearing down upon us. But none of them are classified as the exercise kind of running.
RUN! It's time for shopping and the crowds will already be thickening. I used to shop early in November and beat the onslaught; however, everyone is thinking shop early now.

RUN! Right over to the CupcakeScrapshop! It's a new kit club, ran by a friend of mine ~ Colleen. She has a sneak peak up of her premier kit and it looks SOOOO YUMMY! Colleen and I work at the same U. We actually 'met' at an online scrapbook site, but we hit it off the first time we met in person. She is just the coolest! So check out the goodies and tell your friends too !!! Here is the link: http://www.cupcakescrapshop.com/currentkit.html


RUN! To get the big coats out. It's dipping into the 20's overnight in Georgia! Brrrrrr! Guess I need to make sure Leah pulls out her longjohns for Friday night's football game. It's gonna get cold people!

RUN! I feel like I am starting the sprint. So much to do and very little time to get it all done. My daughter plays in the band, it has been non-stop practice four days a week since late August. Then the football games started. In October, the band attended three competitions on Saturdays. So it has been a whirl wind. Their highschool football team is undefeated; which means we will be going to some portion of the playoffs. Ugh! Ok, ok I know. Where is my school 'spirit'? Sheesh, that is what being a teenager is about - pep rallys and spirit and YOUTH. Mom's just want a break!!! The busy holiday months, extra practices and thoughts of midnight taxi runs to the dark and cold band parking lot after away games is not my idea of getting into the 'holiday' spirit.

Besides, can I say it? Will I be tar'd and feather'd? I'm NOT a football fan. Yep, it's true. I grew up going to all the local football games with my dad and I enjoyed that father/daughter time. I cherish those memories. However, I'm not a fan. Daddy used to at least talk during the game to the players and coaches - Not that they heard a word of it with us in the stands! But it made it fun. Now I go to watch my daughter do the halftime show and I usually sneak out after talking with her right after their performance. Yep, I'm a 'halftime' parent. Let's face it, I wouldn't be sitting in the cold night air at all if my daughter wasn't in the band. So I don't feel bad about leaving after I go and support her. I sat out for about 8 hours last Saturday watching bands at the competition. Do I get a medal for that? *wink*

Run! One other little run and then I am done. My wonderful teenage daughter has to constantly run her mouth. Yep, we got into one of those mother/daughter 'discussions' last night because I wouldn't let her go out on yet another school night with her friends. She hates me. Said so. I just suck the fun right out of her life. Of course, she fell asleep in my chair and went to bed early. Guess she might actually be TIRED? Sleeping beauty too, cause when I woke her up to send her off to her comfy bed, she kissed me goodnight and said she loved me.
Ahhh... sometimes it is harder to stand my ground than it is to 'run' for everything life tosses at me.

A mom's nightmare....

So it's Halloween. Time for spooky stories and scary movies. Well, I have a real life 'scary' moment. My almost 20 year old son has purchased a motorcycle. A 'chick magnet'. Yes, this is a photo of him riding withOUT a helmet. He was in an empty parking lot; doing a 'test' drive. He rides with a brand new helmet.

I'm not thrilled. I didn't want him to buy it. I am not one of those HUGE worry warts. I gave him lots of 'room' when he turned 16 and could drive. I did ask for check in's in the beginning. I would see or hear an ambulance and call him. As the years passed; he showed his safety and responsibility, I could actually go to sleep if he hadn't yet arrived home for the night.

This is SO different. A motorcycle doesn't have antilock brakes or airbags. He has been careful on it. He is reading up on safety and precautions. He is a smart kid and NOT an aspiring dare devil stunt rider. Still, it scares me more than anything else he has done. I've already awoke from a dead sleep dreaming about it. I calmly went and checked under the carport ~ the bike was there. Then I went to his room and just touched him. Of course, I woke him up at 2:30 in the morning and scared him too. I busted out into tears. My dream was real. Probably because I no longer dream and haven't in years, that I can recall. This one was vivid, in color and I remembered every tiny detail. I went back to my room and just cried. The crying that racks your body and leaves you drained. It took at least another hour before I could go back to sleep.

Friday night we sat and talked for a long time after he came in from work. He told me about reading up on all the cautions and scenarios that 'could' happen on a bike. One of his buddies has given him some lessons. He isn't driving it too fast. He reassured me he watches EVERYthing and for everyone on the road. He told me about how he does this. I felt a bit better.

I told him, there is NO possible way for him to understand the fear of a mom. I told him I didn't even know if he would fully understand it the day he becomes a father ~ because a mom has carried this child within her and feels sole responsibility. I know I feel that more so because I have basically raised them alone for the last 12 years. Yes, their father still has weekend visitation and does spend that time with his children. However, I am the one there, day in and day out. I wouldn't have it any other way. But I told Derek that it would rip my world apart for something to happen to him. I came right out and said that I didn't want to bury him before I die. I know it may sound morbid to some. Yet, I needed him to know how much I care and how CAREFUL I want him to be.

He will be 20 in January. Technically a man, but always my 'little' boy. It's so hard some days to watch them become adults and then some days we wonder just how much longer it will take until they get there! The day he purchased the bike, is one of the days I still wish I could 'control' the boy; instead of watching my son grow into the man.

Cruise Photos

Ok, so it was in September and I turned 42, while IN Mexico! But I said I would share a few of the photos.

The very top photo is my BIRTHDAY picture IN Cozumel. The next photo (in the middle) is the night of my birthday ~ dinner outfit for the dining room.

This last photo is the final night of the cruise at sunset on the back of the ship.

The food was awesome, the crew was friendly, the shows were good and Mexico was HOT. It was a birthday to remember!

Can you teach an old ‘dog’ new tricks???

I’ve heard that old saying all my life: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Well, I’m not sure if that saying was proven or not yesterday.
My mother has been telling me for at least a month that my aunt wanted me to come up and teach her how to scrapbook. (My aunt lives about 40 minutes north of us).
So finally Saturday, after a bit of scrapping myself, I called my mom to see if we could do the deed on Sunday. The page posted was created Saturday. This photo had been lying around on my kitchen table for weeks. Apparently one of my daughter’s friends snapped it and then printed it out. So I whipped up this page just for FUN. It was quick, easy and is simple. I just wanted to enjoy the process and not get so caught up in having to have a ‘perfect’ page.

My mom called back to let me know that my aunt was delighted and would even be taking us to lunch. So I packed up the basics: my paper cutter, scissors, a black Zig pen, a few scrap magazines and some of my recent pages to show my aunt.

I drug myself out of the bed on Sunday morning after 5 hours of sleep (My daughter had a band competition and it was a 3am bedtime – UGH). I picked up my mom and headed to my aunts house. We quickly assessed her scrapping purchases ~ two pair of scissors (wavy and deckle), a plastic oval cutout sheet complete with exacto knife and cutting mat, one black micro journaling pen and a few packs of pastel cardstock along with some kit purchase from QVC.

You also have to be told that my mom is 72 years old and my aunt is 78!

Lunch was at a country cooking diner, actually located in the restaurant my aunt and uncle owned and operated years ago. Good home cooking. Then we headed off to Michaels. I had her pick up some black cardstock and a heritage pack also. Since she wanted to start with very old black and white photos of my mom’s family (her husband’s). I also was thrilled to find a couple of mini album kits on clearance for $4.00! ~ a tin kit and a folder tab mini album. They will be great to whip out quickly.

Back to my aunt’s house. She has this adorable little room with a table in it. It must be intended for a small office, but works great for a mini crafting room. I would LOVE to have one that size in my house.

My aunt had pulled out a lot of the family photos, however, had no idea where to begin. So I questioned her a bit of what she wanted the ‘book’ to tell others and we started from there. Or should I say *I* started from there. With very little supplies to work with I made a title page for the album. I ended up getting about 6 pages completed with photos and journaling over the course of several hours . My mom and aunt sorted other photos; while I grouped them together for ideas for pages. I also told them to TELL the ‘stories’. A few of which, I heard from them yesterday. They have photos of the ‘old’ home place. Tell me MORE than where it was located. How big was it mom? How many of the ‘children’ lived in it when you moved there? Side note: my mom is the baby of eleven children; 9 of which moved into this two bedroom house with their parents and one ailing grandmother in 1936. There was an added lento room on the back with the back porch that the boys slept in; piled high in that room was also my grandmother’s quilts. The outhouse was on the back side of the barn. While my grandmother milked the cow in the evenings; the boys usually rough housed and fought by running around the kitchen table. My grandparents made their own butter, grew their own vegetables, raised and slaughtered their hogs. They only purchased sugar and flour at the store. They also had a cotton crop for income. The family attended the church located directly next door. Three of the boys played various musical instruments and my mom sang.

That is just a bit of what they shared. I WANT that in the book. I said, ‘we’ won’t remember that; only YOU can tell us the story.
After a while, I asked my aunt if she was learning how to scrapbook. Her reply was how often can I come back ???? Yes, I am the one that ‘stuck’ the simple pages down and they are the ones that gave me the memories. Hopefully I will be going back often.

So did I actually teach the elderly to scrapbook or did they teach me? Journaling is not one of my strong points; yet I kept hearing myself tell them over and over that I want to know the ‘stories’. Maybe we all learned something yesterday.

Been a LONG time ....

Yep, it’s been FOREVER since I blogged. So let me see if I can do one massive update.

August – School started back for EVERYONE in our household. I work at a University and the students came back; which means crazy hours the first week of school for my office and busy non-stop days. I was also assigned a ‘new’ job task. I am now the Trademark Licensing Office on campus. Uh, that would be ‘me’; just me. I worked with the Assistant Vice President in order to put together the license agreement and get that out to all of the vendors we do business with here that use our logos. So that has been a huge undertaking. I have enjoyed the process because I love getting the ball rolling on new ideas!

My son, now in his second year of college, also started school back in August. He decided to take all of his classes on Tuesday and Thursday, meaning he can live at home and commute the hour drive two days a week. This saved a little over $2000.00 in fees.
He is working the other three days a week.

My teenage daughter started high school this year. She is also in the marching band. So August was a VERY busy month for her (and me as her ‘taxi’!). Band camp was a week and a half long. Then school started directly after that. The band practices 4 days a week, with football games on Friday nights. Needless to say, we are running the roads constantly!

September - I turned 42 on September 9th. I was fortunate enough to have a friend take me on a cruise for my birthday. This was a long time dream of mine. I ‘rang in’ my birthday in Cozumel, Mexico!!! Our port of call was ON my birthday. Now, the flip side of that was that is was EXTREMELY hot. However, it was two firsts for me. I took a cruise AND was out of the ‘country’ ON my birthday. Yes, I have a photo or two; didn't really MAKE a lot of them; but I will try to post one on this update tonight at home.
September continued with band functions and football games with my daughter. Plus a niece’s birthday tossed in there too.

October - We are ALMOST finished with this month! Where has it gone????
For me, it meant more band and football games PLUS adding in band competitions and festivals on Saturdays. I got in after 2am this past Saturday night from picking up my daughter after a competition. She has been enjoying it as their band has already won two Grand Champions at their festivals. We have another one this weekend fairly close that I plan to attend, weather permitting! It will be exciting as one of my older nieces will also be at this same competition. So it should be a family outing with my sister and mom attending.

So really you, what couple of readers I have (laughing!); really haven’t missed TOO much going on with me.

The 'perfect' purse

If you all knew how hard it is for me to find a purse that I actually LIKE; much less LOVE ~ well, let's just say it has taken hours upon hours of looking, only to leave an entire mall empty handed. I was at my sister's a couple of weekends ago and saw this purse; her 'new' purse and fell in LOVE. Just happens that she got it at a Bass Outlet store while vacationing. Drats! Just happens, my loving sister says ~ that mom is there this weekend! Alright! I called up mommie dearest and asked if they went into town to please look for the purse. They were on sale and there were ONLY 2 left in the store. You are looking at MY very own Bass 'backpack' type leather purse. I LOVE it! My sister brought it over yesterday! Mom says it's an early birthday gift ~ so it's FREE too! Thanks, Mom.

So for it to be a 'perfect' purse for me it has to have certain features.

1. Durable - CHECK
2. Pocket on the outside to hold my keys ~ I HATE fumbling around in the bottom of a purse to find them! - CHECK
3. Small; I don't need to be able to carry the kitchen sink out of the house with me and this helps me avoid that ~ my back thanks me. - CHECK
4. Attractive - I think it passes. *smile*

Ok, so I will admit that it isn't really THE 'perfect' purse; because it really doesn't look to great with some of my business attire. However, if I have a meeting that is with the 'big wigs' then I will just leave my 'perfect' for me purse in my locked desk drawer.

5 months until Christmas !

With the temperature outside climbing close to 90 degrees today (cooler thanks to the cloud cover) and I'm thinking that we only have five months left before Christmas. It will be here before we know it! So for those of us that make our Christmas cards and Christmas gifts, it's time to start at least thinking about it!

How am I actually suppose to plan for five months down the road when my baby is starting high school on August 10th?! My oldest will start his sophomore year of college a few days after that!
Band and football will be in full force for months. My birthday is in September and I am FINALLY getting to take that cruise I wanted to do for my 40th birthday. I need a dress for the captains dinner. YIKES!

Does it ever slow down? You know, life???? I'm working nine hour days four days a week with a half day on Fridays (ten if you count in my lunch hour); which mixed with the heat and stomach problems (Doctors appointment coming up on July 31st) has left me exhausted. I'm a night owl that has been going to bed around 8pm! Or at least coming in and taking a mini nap; then still going to bed at night. I refuse to believe it is 'old' age!!

Scrapping ~ well I did do a page last week. So far, it's been fit time in when I can and the there hasn't been enough hours in the day to do all the ideas in my head. I have two mini projects I want to do and a couple of page ideas too. Plus I have a box of the neatest color cardstock cards that I purchased on clearance at Hobby Lobby. I have really wanted to sit down and just make up a bunch of miscellaneous cards to have on hand and possibly sets for gifts. Hopefully I can make some time for scrapping this weekend.

Easy & fun Scrappin'

I took a challenge over on 2peas based on the new Ali E book! Had to randomly, with your eyes closed, pick 6 patterned papers and punch into squares. Then add 3 punched photos ~ with journaling around the outside. There were many different 'takes' on this challenge and I loved seeing all the different ideas in the 2peas Gallery. This is mine. It was fairly quick (looking for the pictures took the longest!) and it was FUN! Super easy, so I enjoyed the process.

How the years pass! These were pictures that I made in 2000. I actually used them for a calendar that I made that year for my mother and grandmother with different photos throughout the year. This was for the month of April. Just some candid shots on a rainy day. A little bit of 'liquid fun'.