Absolutely Beautiful

OMG!!! Kelly is absolutely beautiful! Check out this photo done by Laura of Laura Schroeder Portrait Studio (563-263-1969). I had stopped purchasing the package with the 8x10...just not worth it if the photo is not good. THEN...she takes this one! So, and 8x10 and additional 5x7's have been ordered -- Christmas gifts for the Grandparents. And, Laura was kind enough to let me purchase a low-res. digital image to post on my blog! Thanks Laura!!!

Treat Bags

Ok...I have my friend Colleen to blame for these little treat bag topppers. She posted a treat bag or card, I can't remember which, with a cute spider...And I thought...Oh yeah! I gotta a spider just like that. So...out comes the goo punch, some stamps, googly eyes, and 30 spiders and viola...simple but sweet little treat bags for Kelly's class!

A new DT for me!

I'm soo excited...I made the Design Team at this wonderful challenge forum...Ch{all}enge Masters...You have to check the site out --> http://challengemasters.ning.com/. The community is wonderful and there are going to be over 15 challenges to inspire you every month. I will be posting the "Book of We" challenge. Challenges that will inspire you to document the meaningful moments of your special relationship. It could be a significant other...or just maybe a special relationship you want to document. Make sure you register before November 1st...all the challenges will be posted that day. For every challenge you complete, your name goes into a random draw to win a prize...The prize this month is a kit donated from Scrapbook deals 4U --> http://www.scrapbookdeals4u.com/ Check out this kit they donated:
Oh yeah...I gotta win that one...what a way yummy kit!

Oh Scrappy Day!

Yep...I got some thank you notes done! Yahoo!!! I had been feeling guilty about not getting thank you's out to those that got gifts for Max...we've been home a month now. So, I made one more card than I needed. These were soo cute, I thought having one in the stash would be good. But, we received an unexpected gift this morning...so they are all going out. The patterened paper and transparencies are from Little Yellow Bicycle. Everything else from my stash. I did cut the scalloped ovals with my cricut...Alphalicious font. I started cutting an oval with my cm cutter and then used scalloped scissors...Then I'm like...I have to have one of these on one of the carts I have...and sure enough I did! DOH!

Ok...he is adorable...

Yep...absolutely adorable...when he is happy and smiling at least! LOL!!!

Oh no!

I may be getting the swine flu. I hope I am wrong. But, I happened to talk with my doctor's office today. They want Kelly or I to come in if we get 101 degree fever or more. We are asthmatics and they want to keep a close eye on us. Some of the other symptoms are cough, sore throat, head ache, aches/pains, fatigue, etc... There has been at least one verified case in all the schools here. And of course, I volunteer 2 days a week.

Well...I've had a cough for about a day and now the sore throat is hitting. I'm hoping the fever stays away and this is just a normal fall cold. I don't really need to be sick...not with a stubborn, strong-willed, active, and ornery toddler.

So...I'll keep telling myself..."It's just a cold!"

Nicholas Sparks

Why O' Why do I read his novels? I'll tell you why...because every single one that I have read have touched my heart. UNBELIEVABLE!! I cry during each and every one. And...I'm not easily brought to tears. That is my husband's job. HEHEHE....

Anyway, I just finished "The Last Song". And for some reason when I'm reading one of his books, his plot somehow corresponds or touches something in my life. And this one hit hard. But...it was awesome and I recommend it to everyone!!! WOW!!! What a great story!

My Scrap Space

Lately, scrap spaces seem to be a topic of all the message boards I frequent...so I thought I just make a blog post!

When we were looking for a new home here in Muscatine, a scrap space was a must. Well, this house had a finished basement with a den/hobby room. Perfect for my scrap space! So, all the cabinets and counters and closet with shelving were here when we moved in. I just had to somehow arrange my stash which was a challenge. I don't really like to get up when I scrap...but it was not possible to keep everything withing arms reach any more.

So...I just took these photos after cleaning up last night. But usually, you cannot see the top of the counters and I tend to drift to the bar/kitchen area just outside the space. But...I am sooo blessed to have this space!

Kelly Loves to scrap with me...so she got my old table and has a considerable stash herself (mostly my cast-offs!)

Finding a rythm...

...maybe that was what was missing...a rythm. Today was a pretty good day. Max even sat and played with his toys. Although, that was after he pushed the power button on my pc. Stupid of Dell to put that button on the front with a bright shiny light just asking toddlers to push it! Although...he is changing what he eats. Previously he would eat bananas and ham...not today! Just when I think I've got him figured out...he changes his mind...No wonder I think I'm losing my marbles. But, we are getting into a rythm. Up, changed, breakfast, errands, playtime, lunch, nap, playtime/Kelly activities, dinner, playtime, bedtime. Man...I'm tired just from typing and reading all that!

So...I've got a scrappy to-do list a mile long! But, my scrap room is a disaster area...so tonight I think I will be giving it a deep cleaning. Although, everytime I decide to clean my room this way...I decide I don't like the way things are organized. ARGH! I think it is time to re-org embellies. I just got done with the halloween invitation and treat bags and boy it was sure nice just to pull out the Hocus-Pocus kit I got from the Scrapperie last year. I think that is what my problem is...everything is spread all over by color. I need to pull "themey" stuff together. The problem with re-orging is the usual requirement of different storage stuff! GRR!

Sassy Scrapper's October reveal

The sponsor this month at Sassy Scrappers is The Cutting Cafe. They carry a wide range of reasonably priced digital stamp images as well as some super fun cutting templates for shaped cards! The cutting templates even include files to use with your cutting machines.

I have to admit I'm not much of a digi scrapper or hybrid scrapper...but I have enjoyed the challenge. We got birthday themed digi stamps and a halloween collection which included cut files for shaped cards.

I had fun with the pumpkin card. The shape file was for a tall thin pumpkin...but I thought it needed to be short and chubby. So, I did some stretching in photoshop, added a vine and leaf from the Stretch you Imaination cricut card, and created the greeting with the Cuttin' Up cart and design studio.

I then made a birthday card and the treat bag wrappers (there is supposed to be treats in the pumpkin hole...I didn't have any bags or treats! LOL!!).

Things calming down

Yes, I think things are finally calming down. Mom is doing better...Max is adjusting to his new schedule...and I am scrapping again!

I think part of the stress was due to the fact that I was just not ready for a toddler. All the exploring and boundary testing. I don't know if I conveniently forgot about that phase with Kelly...or she just didn't push the boundarys like Max does. He is adjusting well and so am I. He loves to go bye-bye...you should see his reaction when he thinks we are going somewhere and we don't! LOL!!

Check out this photo of him...hehehe...the kiddos are dressed for Sunday football. Ya just gotta love that!

New scrappy message board

Scrapbook Get-Away...a very cool new scrappy message board. Come chat with me!
http://thescrapbookget-away.forumotion.net/index.htm

Ch{all}enge Masters!

Hey to all my scrappy friends!!! Check out this new challenge blog I found --> Ch{all}enge Masters! Every month there will be tons of challenges. There are tons of categories...Book of Me, Book of We, Sketches, Journalling, Lifts, Green, and way way more. So, there will be something for everyone and lots of inspiration! Here is the link: http://challengemasters.ning.com/. Check it out!

Mom is looking better....

...PHEW!!!! When I saw her on Wednesday, she was soo weak. She couldn't stay awake and was barely coherent. Saturday she was MUCH better. She carried on conversations, stayed awake the whole time and made sense! PHEW!

Now, to get her stronger and find a place for her to live that she can afford. Seeing her looking better has put me in MUCH better spirits. But she has much work to do and it seems as if she may be in the mind set to do it. We will see.

Now...on a snow note...here is a photo of the snow that was falling yesterday. Thank goodness it didn't stick and we drove out of it on the way to visit mom...Snow on Ocotober 10th!!! ARGH!!!

Snowing....

...on October 10th!!!! ARGH!!!!!!

Stress saps mojo!!!

Well....we are home and pretty much finally adjusted to central time. I was ready to get back into the swing of things...schedule at home, volunteering at Kelly's school, and SCRAPPING!

Then I get "The Call". I hate those calls! Well, this one really tripped me up. Basically...to make a very long and sort-of gross story short....my mom is sick. Physically and mentally. She spent a week in the hospital and is now in a nursing home. She cannot go back to her apartment and has crappy insurance. I think we have less than 20 days to find an affordable care facility for her. The problem is what kind. We don't know if she will be strong enough and recovered enough for an assisted living facility.

She continues to refuse pyschiatric help...and if she continues to refuse physical therapy and treatments we may have to have her declared mentally incompetent. I REALLY don't want to go down that route.

So...we go to visit her today. The whole family. Hopefully to remind her that she has grandkids to get strong for.

I'm hoping I can clear my head a little today to make room for some scrappy mojo! I would really like to scrap tomorrow!