FINALLY UPDATING!!!

Geez....where has the time gone??!!!? I hadn't realized it's been so very long since I posted anything. Life has been CRAZY and so busy. Most of December I wasn't even online since my husband was home from work for several weeks. I was sick (very sick) for a week of it, so I wasn't very thrilled about that. He worked his tail off though to begin making our home more beautiful than it already is and I am so proud of him. I usually help, but he did this while I was sick, so it wasn't easy lying there watching!

The kids are just amazing! We went to a karate tournament and they both made us so proud!!!! We had Christmas with them early since Daddy was home and then Santa came later! It's our first Christmas (close to it anyhow) with DH since he went to work overseas. It was very different and very exciting all at the same time!

CSS is ROCKIN' as usual!!! We have a new reveal coming a few days into the new year!!! I have to get busy and get my stuff completed!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

COSMO CRICKET - BE GOOD REVEAL

Cosmo Cricket sponsored our December kit at Creative Scrap Shack featuring the "Be Good" line!!! These papers and diecuts are GORGEOUS! I have the entire alpha set waiting for a mini album, but I ran out of PP so I am waiting for the LSS to open!!! Please visit http://www.creativescrapshack.com/ and check out all of the creations from the DT using these beautiful papers!

Layouts

4 Cards

Teacher gift: altered candle jar

Altered Wood Basket

Handmade Tags

I am in a Tag Swap over at Creative Scrap Shack and I had so much fun making these tags!! I made 18 in all and I really love how they turned out. This was a first for me and now I'm thinking of making my own tags for all of my packages this year! I made 6 of the circle ornaments (alternating the rings), 6 scallopped edged circles (alternating colors), and 6 striped tags - each one different!

CSS November Kit Reveals!!

On November 1, Creative Scrap Shack Design Team revealed our creations with the November Kit! This is my second time trying to upload, as Blogger was giving me issues the other day. :(

Please check out my creations below and visit http://www.creativescrapshack.com/ to see all the DT creations! Congratulations on another beautiful kit Tam and Terrie!












BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Tami Floyd.....she is our Guest Designer for November! We are so excited to see what Tami creates!!!

I'M IN THE SISTERHOOD!!!!!

I am so excited!!! I have been waiting for a few days to spill the beans and today I finally can!!!! I entered a challenge at the Sisterhood of Scrap and was chosen as a SISTER for the week of Oct 28-Nov 3!!!! Here is a link to check it out: http://sisterhoodofscrap.blogspot.com/

GOTTA CATCH UP!!!

WOW how time flies these days! It's been over a week since I've posted and I have so much to say! LOL

CSS NEWS: The BOO BASH CROP at Creative Scrap Shack was AMAZING and so FUN! We had a great turnout and we all really enjoyed welcoming some new members! The challenges were so creative and different and the creations made by the members for these challenges are out of this world! Carman is still adding product to the 50% off section and new items are arriving almost daily!!!!

KID NEWS: My kids ROCK!!! They really and truly do. I cannot imagine a day in my life without them, even when some days are tense and a little out of control! All in all, they are happy and they make me so very happy and honored to be called MOM! They both recently had testing again in taekwondo and DS received his purple belt and DD has moved up to camo belt, which means she gets to start sparring! She is so pumped and ready for this! Check out these pics of them proudly displaying their new belts:



THEY MAKE ME SO PROUD!!!!

HALLOWEEN PARTY: Tonight we celebrated Halloween a little early with a party at our karate school! I dressed up with the kids and we had a blast! This is my first "official" Halloween party in my 32 years....but my second if I count DS's bday party one year that was a costume party! We had gumbo, yummy treats, a haunted forest, a pinata and lots and LOTS of great company! Check us out:

I was Athena, DD was a Barbie Cheerleader and DS was Peter of Narnia! They had a costume contest for each age group and BOTH of my kids WON!!!! They were so excited and I was beaming from ear to ear!!!!

R U READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL???

Now that I have that song in your head......travel over to Creative Scrap Shack for some football themed CHALLENGES! The DT has been hard at work preparing for the big "game"!!!! It's going to be totally fun and of course a prize for a lucky participant!!!!

Here is my CONCESSION STAND creation (inspired by Chris Pozzi's October Map--link below):

http://www.creativescrapshack.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=4411&ppuser=10

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TICKETS.....GET YOUR TICKETS!!! My other challenge is to make a ticket....any theme, any style!

SO MUCH NEWS

Gosh where do I start??

CREATIVE SCRAP SHACK......things are just amazing here and if you haven't visited the Shack, you must! It's totally fun and filled with so much inspiration and wonderful ladies it's unreal! We've revealed our October creations and our CHALLENGES will be posted October 15!!! These are based on a theme and so FUN!!!! You must check it out!!

Also at the Shack......our HALLOWEEN BOO BASH CROP!!!! Saturday, October 20 starting at 9 a.m. Central time!!! You don't want to miss this!

MY KIDS......well, they just ROCK!!! Last weekend we went to Ruston, LA for the "Rip through Ruston" karate tournament and they were AWESOME! I am so proud of both of them! DD shined and won her trophy for "Best Black Belt Attitude"!!! She looked adorable with her matching bow I made!

DS ROCKED this tourney! He placed 1st in Weapons; 3rd in Sparring and 3rd in Forms! He was really hard on himself after forms.....he was tied and had to redo his form and he almost fell coming off of a step-reverse side kick. He broke down as soon as he finished, but he collected himself like a CHAMP and hammered his weapons form (which truly does rock!). Sparring has been his most difficult task because of his personality and he totally left that outside the rink. He has a huge bruise on his elbow ( cuz they sparred on a wooden gym floor ) but is so proud of that bruise! LOL

Here they are with their trophies.....aren't they just adorable??!!!?

Zarah TAGGED Me!!!!

Well, what a surprise.....a tag from my dear swedish friend, Zarah!

The rules are as follows:
1) Link to the "tagger" & post the rules.
2) Share 7 facts about yourself- random / weird facts.
3) Tag 7 people & link to them.
4) Leave comments on their blogs, so they know they've been tagged.

So, if I tag you.....follow those rules!!!!!


Ok....here goes....

1) I graduated from high school and started college 2 weeks later....by age 19, I had a degree in Radiologic Technology!!

2) I will only swim in clear waters....muddy waters scare me! ;)

3) I have met 3 online scrapping friends in Illinois!!!

4) I was the tallest girl in my school until the 8th grade.....I was 5'7" and a girl moved to the area who was about 5'10".....YIKES!!!!!!!!

5) If I were rich, I'd travel the world and visit as many countries as possible.

6) I am one of 38 grandchildren!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7) Christmas is my favorite time of the year!

Ok....mine are nothing unusual....I'm quite boring actually.....ROFLMBO......so, let's see who I will tag......hmmm......

Kim, Shelley, Tam, Jenelle, Ellen, Martha, and Jules.............you've been tagged!!!!!!

I made HAIR BOWS!

Well, I have FINALLY done it! I made some hair bows with success....thanks to my buddy Shelley May!!! She told me about "Ribbon Retreat" and I finally have the right instructions! I made 3 and I plan on making a whole lot more!!!!

This bow was made specifically for DD for her karate tournament this weekend! She's a yellow belt...so a girl has to match right??!!!? ;)

This is one she wore to school today! I love the 2 tones and of course she looked totally cute! LOL

And this was my first one...it's 3 bows stacked into one!!! The flash turned the PINK dots white, but it's brown ribbon with pink dots!

So, if I can make bows....ANYONE can!!! LOL

FIRST CSS REVEAL!!!

The October Kit at the CREATIVE SCRAP SHACK was designed by Senior DT members Tam and Terrie! They ROCKED this kit design and I had SO much fun creating with the rich and beautiful papers and elements! I added some Fancy Pants felt, which is available in the CSS Store! Thank you for taking a moment to look at my reveal!!!!!

My Layouts:

My Cards:

I was able to make 3 cards with this kit (and I still have a little for at least 2 more cards!)

My Mini Album:

To view this little Mini Album of my trip with my DH to Phuket, Thailand please click here:

http://www.creativescrapshack.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=770

Now the October kit has been revealed, you MUST run to the CSS Store to get the NOVEMBER KIT!!! It's GORGEOUS and packed with so many yummy items!!!! Run here to get it: http://www.creativescrapshack.com/store/product.php?productid=692&cat=9&page=1

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!

TGIF

TGIF is an understatement! I subbed 4th grade all week and I am soooooo happy it's over! I"ll sub again for a couple days, but OMG a week was insane! LOL

Well, even with all the insanity of my week, I've managed to create some LOs very dear to me for a circle journal group I am in! This is one about being in the kitchen or around a kitchen table. I made this LO about some old bowls that were handed down to me from my grandmother. These yummy papers are Daisy D's and can be found in the store at the Shack!

Creative Scrap Shack has alot in store for all of you, so please check us out and visit often! HAPPY SCRAPPING!

CSS Kits just keep GOING....

....and GOING....and GOING!!!! I am still using my Oct kit from the Shack and I still have enough for a layout and probably several cards! Word has it that the kits also usually have more paper in them....MORE PAPER!!! I have so far made 2- 12x12 LOs, a card and an altered 5x5 mini album...and I still have loot left! It's amazing! Tam and Terrie have also given us sneak peeks into November's kit and OMG....slap yo Momma beautiful!

So, now that you are in suspense, check back here and the Shack on Oct 1 because that is REVEAL DAY!!! My very first reveal....and I so excited!

2 Years later....

Well, today is the day I stayed up 24 hours listening to Hurricane Rita blow through. I was only an hour from home......NOT where I wanted to be, but after DH made a last minute decision to board us up we just didn't make our target area because we were exhausted. So, we ended up elsewhere than where I really wanted to be. 3 Weeks later.....we returned home....but thankfully I only endured 2 days at our stop and the rest was living with....MY MOTHER! LOL It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We finally made a run to our home after 2 weeks to get the fridge out and access the damage....which was minimal compared to some neighbors and our neighboring parish. My children will never forget this...I certainly never will either. I'm thankful we still have a home standing and each other.

Please pray for our friends in neighboring CAMERON PARISH. You haven't seen much coverage because EVERYONE left this parish....friends helping friends, etc. This parish was 90% wiped OFF the face of the earth and 2 years later some are still rebuilding....still struggling to get the help they need. I'm not discounting those affected by Katrina, but everyone around here is quite testy because this little parish (actually it's quite large) hasn't been remembered.

The greatest lesson from Rita/Katrina.....get out any way you can. The government in N.O. should have done more to help their people. The federal/state government and big TV networks should do more to promote what happened in Cameron Parish. We've stomped and pleaded and George Clooney and the President have been, but little national coverage has hit this area.

Ok, off my soap box now. I have many friends who were severely affected by this. If I've offended anyone with my thoughts, it was not my intention. I still remember those who lost life and home in both hurricanes and the world learned a really hard lesson.

CRAZY LIFE!

WOW what a week! Each week seems to be worse than the one before! LOL I've been subbing ALOT and I am booked all this week for my DS's class...but I think I need a few days break to do lots of things around this house. I am used to cleaing and doing laundry on specific days and my schedule has not allowed for this! It's driving me insane....that's my OCD coming out! I have been able to scrap with my CSS kit however, and I am finishing a mini album tonight! The reveal is coming soon and I can't wait to share everything with you all!

CSS is ROCKIN' and if you are visiting my blog but you haven't checked out CSS...PLEASE do! The most wonderful ladies are there and OMG....we have so much fun! There is a HALLOWEEN CROP on October 20 starting at 9 a.m. and I am so excited about this one! We're also having some really cool and unique challenges this month and next month so please come and join the fun!!!!

The kids are doing AWESOME in school and karate! We have another tournament coming soon and they are excited about it. DD is having a few issues with talking in class....but I knew that was coming! LOL DH has no clue when he's coming home and honestly it's taking a toll on me. We've been arguing alot and I hate it, but we'll get through it like we have before....I am just grateful for my kids, my mom and my scrappy friends for all your love and support!

Have a great week everyone! HUGS AND HAPPY SCRAPPING!!!!

PageMaps Toot

I can finally share my card I made for PageMaps Sept newsletter! Becky sent me an awesome sketch to work with and I can finally share it with all of you!



It's also been a week since I posted and I've been CRAZY busy! The kids have karate almost every day of the week and they are doing such an awesome job with their new material! School is going great and I have been substitute teaching ALOT! The next 2 weeks I am booked solid so I tried to get as much done this weekend as I could in the house and outside! The weedeater isn't working right, so I have no idea what to do until I get DH to answer his email. Report cards come soon....can't wait to see what the results are! Everyone have a blessed week!

Finally scrapping again!

WOW it feels good to use my scrappy supplies! I've been so busy with school and the kids, I have not scrapped in a while. I finally finished some circle journal things (that are late) and made a LO of my boy! Please take a moment and take a peek!!! HAPPY SATURDAY!

BACK TO SCHOOL CHALLENGES AT CSS!

WOW...this week is flying by! Monday was a holiday here for us, so we didn't have school! We wanted to hit the beach, but the rain sent us to the movies and we saw the hilarious "Rush Hour 3"!!! LOVE the Rush Hours!!! Other than school and karate, I've been cleaning out cabinets and trashing the trash and everything else is in a huge box for Care Help - a local goodwill type place in our town!

Now the scrappy stuff! CSS IS HAVING A BACK TO SCHOOL CHALLENGE MONTH! The DT at CSS has teamed up and we are now "teachers" giving our "students" assignments to complete! You should really check it out because it is a wealth of inspiration and so many ladies have already jumped on board and are completely those assignments! Here's a link that takes you to the master list of all the challenges: http://www.creativescrapshack.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6417 Please register if you are not yet a member (say hello and I sent ya!), then sign in on the "sign in" thread and let us know you are playing....then....GET SCRAPPING!!!! I'd love to see some of my new friends I've made through this blog of mine to join in the fun! It's a great community with NO DRAMA and totally fun! OH!!! My assignment is the Home Economics class and it's all about hand sewing....NO RUBONS AND NO MACHINES!!! Here is my LO I made for my example:



This LO is near and dear to my heart as it is of my grandpa's swing that he made out of a bus seat that he'd removed when he bought a school bus and converted it to a camper when I was wayyyyy younger! I spent many days swinging with him or alone on here and now that both my grandparents are gone, I had to snap that picture before the house was sold. Now I can look at this LO for the rest of my life and just smile thinking of them! TFL!

The other exciting news: my first DT kit for CSS arrived yesterday and I am so excited! The entire kit was designed by Senior DT members Tam and Terrie, and let me tell you they did a great job!

SO MUCH TO SAY!

WOW...I didn't realize I haven't updated my blog in nearly 2 weeks and so much has gone on in our little lives! School started and I became a substitute teacher. Kindergarten is testing all the children (which will be repeated toward the end of the school year) so I have had a Kindergarten class last week and this week for half a day and as much as I LOVED my little class I had, my house is a WRECK! LOL Last weekend we also went to Allen, TX (near Dallas) for a karate tournament, so I really had no time to catch up!

So, school is going great for the kids. DD is having a talking issue, but she's my DD, so she comes by it naturally!!! ROFLMBO DS is awesome as usual and both of their teachers are very pleased with them! I'll get to sub DS's class at the end of Sept when his teacher is out of town so I am very excited about that!

Karate.....my kids ROCKS! Both kids participated in the Texas Twister in Allen, TX at the Southfork Ranch! DD is a Tiny Tiger and received a medal and she is very VERY proud of this! DS placed 2nd in weapons and 3rd in forms, but a judge told his instructor he scored him wrong and he should have had a point more, so it basically would have at least put him in a tie or 2nd place, if not 2nd place itself. Sparring didn't fare so well, but he gave it his all and knows what he needs to improve! All in all he did GREAT and I am so proud of both of them! Here they are with their medals!!! Our next tournament isn't until early October and the best part is the 2nd one in October, Daddy will be home to watch! They are very excited about this!!!

The kids also had color belt testing this week and DS is now a green belt and DD a yellow belt! DS has joined Leadership so he has a fabulous gold stripe in the middle of his green belt! This will allow him to earn points at tournaments and possible be a state champ in forms, weapons and/or sparring!

After our tournament, we didn't visit the Southfork Ranch because I had a "date" with my best friend from Radiology school! She and her family have lived far away for several years now and it's been at least 8 years since we last saw each other! It was like there was never any time between the visits because the conversation just flowed like it always did and the best part.....our children met each other for the first time and it was AWESOME!!! She has twin girls who are 4 and they and DD became fast friends. But, the BEST NEWS: as soon as their house sells.....THEY ARE MOVING BACK HOME!!!! I am so excited, you have no idea! I miss her so much and thank goodness for email and Xmas cards over the years, but it's going to be wonderful having her close again!

So, this has been my life for the past 2 weeks! LOL I have totally enjoyed it but I am exhausted and I am so happy Monday is a holiday! I have to say that substituting is definitely going to keep me busy this year! I am about to start scrapping and I am very happy to do so....it's been nearly 2 weeks! YIKES!

Beginning of a Busy Week

Happy Monday everyone! This is the first day of a very busy week for us! I have errands to run, supper to cook, and karate classes to get the kids to! I'm also running up to the school to sign up on their substitute teachers list! At the end of this week we're heading out for a karate tournament in Dallas, TX!!!! So excited since both kids are going to compete this time!

BEST EMAIL THIS A.M. -- Basic Grey picked up my "Thinking of You" shaped card I made during the CSS and RSC crops! I am very excited....here's my link: http://www.basicgrey.com/catalog/idea_gallery_info.php?idea_gallery_id=22584

Hope you all have a GREAT week!

SCHOOL IS IN!!!

Friday my kiddos started school again! DS is in 4th grade and DD in Kindergarten! They were so excited to return and see their friends and who the new teachers were! Even though we attend public school, we have to wear uniforms, which has it's advantages!



I was really looking forward to this day and I stayed busy, but boy it was quiet around here.....TOO QUIET!!! I never thought I'd hear myself say that!

Tagged by Terrie!!!!!

My dear friend Terrie tagged me and now I need to finish these statements and then tag someone.....

I'm happiest when....I am surrounded by my kids and my husband and we're snuggled all together watching a movie!

Someday I'm going to... learn to relax and not sweat the small stuff (but it's really hard)!

When I'm really down, what I want to do is... surround myself with happy people and my children. There's nothing like a little one looking at your and saying "I love you Mommy"!!

I feel anxious when...me and my husband argue; or I have dreams of my children hurting.

I like people who... down to earth and REAL!

All it takes to make me happy is... my children, my husband, a beach, Jalepeno chips or an ice cold Corona!

What I really want to do is...raise my children to be respectful of themselves and others and give them the happiest childhood I can; travel to Australia or Africa.

A person really should...think before they speak and MEAN what they say. NEVER LIE.

If I could do whatever I wanted, I would...travel to meet all my scrappy girls and my friends who live far away!

And now my turn to tag someone......hmmmm....Sandy....it's your turn!!!!

SUPER SALE at CREATIVE SCRAP SHACK!!

Don't walk....RUN to Creative Scrap Shack for 35% off the entire store (excluding kits and gift certificates)!!!!!! Carman has graciously given this discount on NEW CHA items as well!!!! Click the link below and check out her inventory! Pop onto the message board too and say hello....and that Tricia sent you! ;)

CSS Link: http://www.creativescrapshack.com
(For some reason the links to CSS from my blog are not cooperating, so please copy and paste the link to your browser.....Thank you!)

Busy Week

WOW...it's already Wednesday! This week has been really busy! School starts Friday, so we spent most of last week completing our shopping list for school. Once we get the backpacks from the monogram shop, we're ready to go!

Keileigh had to get 4 shots for kindergarten and she was AMAZING!! The nurse giving the shots was an angel and Keileigh only said a low "ouch" with the first one! Needless to say, the Barbie she's asked for was her reward for being so brave!

Saturday and Sunday I scrapped a bit! CSS held the "Endless Summer Crop" and although I didn't get much accomplished on Saturday, I did Sunday. Here are a few of my creations:











My 4 Generations: Me, My Grandmother, My Mom, and Keileigh Photo taken when Keileigh was 1 day old!





Last night, I made my card for PageMaps, but I can't share until the September newsletter comes out! Once it's released, I will share with you all!!!

I MADE THE CSS DT!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG....can this week get any better???? First my bday was awesome....and now this!!! They just announced the new Design Team members at Creative Scrap Shack and I am now PART OF THAT TEAM!!!! WAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Congratulations goes out to Martha and Jules as well!!!! You all have no idea how much this means to me! I almost didn't try out, but then decided to do it and then didn't think I had much of a chance....LOTS of talent in this call!

I can't wait to share my creations with you all! Speaking of that, I am at CSS today all day for a CROP!!! Come visit if you need some inspiration!!!!

CSS ROCKS!

Are you a BAD GIRL???!!!?

OMG this site is just YUMMY!!! I saw a post about it on Zarah's blog so my inquiring mind got the best of me! Ok, I am just plain nosy and OMG....the colors alone would keep me visiting this site!!!! It's called BAD GIRLS....and I also see my pal Cari Fennell (who is a major deal in the SB world IMO) there on the DT!!! So, now I have placed my logo here hoping they check me out!!! There is a chance to
win a RAK if the Patrol finds their logo on your site, in your siggie, etc.!!!

If you're BAD...click here! http://www.badgirlskits.com



I swear every DIVA should check this place out! I have registered and now I await my approval, but I think I'll be hanging out a little to see what all these "bad girls" have up their sleeve!!!

Pictures to Share

I have finally downloaded all of my pictures from DD's bday and my day as well! I want to THANK YOU each and every one of you who have sent messages to us and please know I truly cherish each one!!! Being part of such a wonderful crafty community has linked me with some incredible and talented people and I am blessed to have met you all either online or in person!!! Thank you again.....yesterday was one of the best days I have had in a very long time! And finally.....here are some pictures!!!

Check out these BEAUTIFUL flowers my love sent me...stargazer lily and roses are my favorites....he did great didn't he??!!!!?

And finally some pics of my DD's big day at Michael's....I highly recommend a party there!