a quick check-in...

Everything has been going good! I have gotten stronger and stronger every day and am even going into work tomorrow for a bit. I'm just ready to get back to "normal". I've spent a lot of time in my scraproom - although I have only produced 2 layouts! I had great intentions of getting LOTS done, but it just didn't happen. I love the ones I finished, though. I really feel the urge to go scrappy shopping - haven't bought anything this year I think - except for my Scrapperie kit, which is YUM-O. I hear the LSS calling my name....how nice it is 2 miles from work!

Oh and in other news, AJ CUT. HER. HAIR. Like really really bad. Like 5 inches from one ear to the other. Yes she has a mullet. I am taking her today to get the rest cut off and will take some pics and report back. I was sooooo sick - I really thought I was going to throw up when I saw it. But what can you do? It's hair. It'll grow back - yeah.

Mary tagged me, but I'm going to have to get back to you on that. My middle name has three 'E's" in it, so that will require some thought!

So here is my scrappy goodness this week. I pulled out vacation pics from last February:
snow fun. This was for a scraplift challenge. It was so out of my comfort zone. The circle on the middle right is made of ribbons. Products used: Heidi Grace PP and ribbons; Bazzill CS, MAMBI glitter rubons

sled=fun Products used: Bazzill CS, KI Pop Culture fruit stripe, Love, Elsie Zoe Ink Dot, tickets all from the Carnivale Kit. AC Thickers.


Well I need to get ready to take AJ for her hair chopping. I will post pics (and maybe even a LO) when I get back.

xoxoox,
D

I'm here.

Gee, how nice that is to say....I have had a busy week or so...I ended up spending 10 days in the hospital--10 LONG days. Without going into much detail here, just know that I am much better and am on the road to a great recovery. Thanks be to Jesus and his undying mercy for me. Am I getting all 'religious' because of my experience? No...I know He's there, just sometimes it takes something like this to make you realize, ya know? That everyday is NOT a guarantee, that WE aren't in control at all. Sure makes one do lots of pondering...that's all.

I must say that my hospital stay wasn't all too bad for a hospital stay I guess. Everyone was super nice and helpful - this was my first time in aside from the 24 hours when I had AJ. The food wasn't even THAT bad...lol I must say though, there is no place like home. The comfort of your own bed, your own stuff, just the things that make it HOME.

I've been home for 2 days now just taking it easy. I actually worked in my scraproom today. I was asked to join a Critique Group on another site and the first challenge was to re-do your first layout. I pulled it out and thought, "ya know, it's not THAT bad" Yeah already in denial. The first LO was of our first date. Well it wasn't like our first date EVER, but the first one as a couple and we got all dressed up, etc - not just a trip to WM...lol I had a hard time getting into it, I guess I just saw it as DONE. But I worked it out today and yes, it looks MUCH better.
Yeah, that' s a black CM page (when they were like brand new) Check out that master cutting with the deckle scissors. I really thought I was cutting edge putting those tix on there even the y weren't pictures. (hiding my head...)
I used a MME Bohemia kit I had been holding on to for about a year, Fancy Pants Chipboard, a flocked heart brad from HL, and some cute old Imagination Project rubons. It's amazing what you can find in your stash if you really look..lol I tucked the 2nd pic, the tix and the fortune from dinner up under the mat. BTW, the fortune says STOP SEARCHING FOREVER. HAPPINESS IS JUST NEXT TO YOU. pretty cool, huh?

Welp, it's been nice checking in. I should be around more now and hopefully be kickin the layouts since that is all I have to do this week. ;)

xoxox,
D

Blech...and two LOs...and a TAG!

Soooooo, I spent this weekend in a scrapping funk. I had tons of time to get stuff done, and nothing was. I think that's blamed mainly on the fact that on Saturday, I sent some pics to WM - and they didn't get them. I was confused, but when I got home, I realized I must not have completed the order. Great. And I live 30 miles from the nearest WM, so I wasn't about to go BACK in on Sunday. I have tons of pics here, but I didn't want to work on Christmas. So here I am, scrapless for the weekend.

I did find some old pictures (like 2004) of AJ and her first trip to CEC. I am inspired by them, but don't know if I have papers that will work.

The good thing is that I have to run to the bank later (there is a WM on the way) so I will probably get those pics printed....if not maybe tomorrow.

Here are the two layouts I did last week:
This was for a scraplift challenge over at Scrapperie. I am please with the turn out. I rarely get to scrap pictures of just Web and I. My co-worker took this at our Company Christmas party. Don't I look so happy after THREE Cosmos?! LOL
This layout sat on my desk all week long. It's so different from what I would call my 'style'. But in the end, I do love it. The journaling is the best. it says, "We decorated cookies for the first time this year. Can you tell which ones mommy decorated and which ones AJ decorated?" I wanted to focus on the cookies because she really did try (as you can see). Yes, they were scary looking, but they are also cute! Plus, it was something we did together and we created a memory.

Okay so now for the tag...the wonderful Colleen started this tag over at Scrapperie:

We're going to have a go at starting our own blog tag! I'm going to start and then you're going to add something to it and tag at least 2 other people.

1. Name your 2 favourite scrapbooking topics.
Adrienne and vacation

2. What are the 2 best places you've been to?
Venice, FL and San Francisco

3. Name 2 things you do every day.
go online and clean

4. Tell us 2 things that pretty much everyone knows about you.
I have a brand new house and I love scrapping!

here's my addon:
5. Tell us 2 things that everyone DOESN'T know about you.
I am a native Floridian and I don't know how to swim

OK, so you can see that all of the questions have "2" in them. You're going to answer the 5 questions on your blog and add one more with "2" of something. That way as it spreads, it'll get longer and change depending on who it visits! Make sure to list the 2 people you're tagging on your blog and let them know! Make sense? Ask if it doesn't!

I tag: Melissa and Mary

Welp, I have a ton of Monday madness cleaning to do today. Hopefully I will have something creative to post later....

Have a marvelous Monday!
xoxox, D

It's the third day of 2008 and I have decided on my word for the year. I did some major thinking and a little soul searching over the past few days.

My word for this year is content.

Dictionary.com defines it as satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else. Content to me means happy, but it goes so much deeper than happy. I mean I can be happy anytime---I'm happy my heater worked today in the 21 degree weather; I'm happy that my Ann Taylor cords still fit; I'm happy I don't have to cook tonight. To me happy focuses on the little things---and yes while the little things are important, the big picture is more of my concern. See, I have become very materialistic in these last years--very money driven. It's sad, I know. Web works in an industry that is very lucrative, but it can change in an instant. It also caused him to work 3, 4 and 5 hours from home. We, as a couple, are "live in the moment". This can be good and yes, can be bad at times. But the money has always been a factor. If he is making excellent money, then things were fab. If it was a down time, then it was really a down time. Instead of focusing on what we had at that time, we were always looking for the next great thing. Instead of enjoying the moment, we were forcing ourselves to see what we could have when the next big job rolled in. We....I.....never stopped to relish what we were in at the down time.

Right now we are in what I see as a down time. We made a conscious decision late last year to sacrifice some of our lifestyle so that he could be home full time and we could be a family. At the same time, we decided to buy a new house. It's been a struggle--financially and mentally. We are muddling through. But see, I don't want to 'muddle' through. I want to be able to be content. I want to be able to realize that all I really need in this life is first and foremost my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Then Web, AJ, my family, my health, etc. So what if I can't go shopping for clothes I really don't need this week. So what if things are tight right now. We have a brand new house, food in our bellies, and the love for each other that is undying. THAT is what I need to focus on. If I focus on what is important, then ya know what? All of those menial things will work themselves out. It sounds so easy reading it as I type it, but for me, this seems like a daunting task (have I mentioned I'm a pessimist?) I know my life is good...I just need to realize how good it really is and just stop and reflect on it.

Can I be content in 2008? I sure hope so..........


xoxox, D

So Long, Farewell, Goodbye 2007

I must say that I am glad to see 2007 go. It was a trying year for me--full of tragedy and pain. I lost my dad and my brother within 6 weeks of each other.....my basset hound Sammy died after 10 great years....there was a lot of 'down' time for me this year....my inner pessimist definitely saw more time than I wished. But thru all of the bad, there was some good that peeped through. Like Web getting a job at HOME. For the first time in our marriage, he is home for good. You don't know how this thrills my heart. No more sleepless nights ALONE in our bed; no more having to talk on the phone for hours. He's here, every day---every night. Another wonderful thing is we bought a brand new house....1800 square feet of newness and NO CLUTTER. Yeah that's good for sure.

So while 2007 had some bad times, it also brings the promise of a better 2008.....something I embrace.

Happy New Year Y'all.

xoxox, D

Christmas

.....was wonderful! Santa was waaaaaay too good to me yet again! AJ was more than thrilled with her Santa gifts and Web loved his also!

We went to my mom's for Christmas Dinner and had spiral ham, roast beef, green bean w/tomatoes, hash brown casserole, baked brie (one of my faves), and Creme Brulee cheesecake for dessert. It was all so yummy and the best thig is that my mom and Don made it ALL! We just showed up! ;)

I was supposed to work on Wednesday, but AJ didn't feel that great (and neither did/do I) so it didn't take much for me not to go in. I did go in for a bit today though---and tomorrow will be my normal work Friday.

Now for some scrapstuff:
#1 - Trimming the Tree

These pics were so beautiful that I didn't know if I could do them justice in a LO. I am pleased with the outcome, though. It even was chosen for LOTD today at Scrapperie!

This LO features the Glad Tidings kit from Scrapperie.










#2 - Santa 07
This was the first year that AJ actually WANTED to see Santa. She patiently waited in line and went right up to him and onto his lap. I am so happy to have a GOOD Santa pic this year!














#3 - Everyone Loves a Parade!
This is AJ at the local CHristmas parade - enjoying it, but holding her ears constantly!

This LO features the Glad Tidings kit from Scrapperie.














Well I hope your Christmas was fab and you received everything your heart desired! I am getting ready to turn in early and try to doctor this cold!

xoxox,
D

WISHING YOU AND YOURS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

xoxox,
D