My new Brace...

Well, I showed you all my new lovely tennis shoes a bit back, now I have my new brace to wear in it... it will take a lot of getting used to!!!

Back in Time...

So I have decided that since I am almost done scrapping 2007 photos (only 6 pages to go!!!) I need to start working on my back log of Katie photos! I am totally missing any pages of her from the time she was 3 until she turned oh 10. So, as I dug through these photos, I was filled with mixed emotions. One of nostalgia, remembering the past events, one of fear of how in the world am I gonna get all this done, one of elation thinking once these are done I am truly caught up... and then again fear of actually being completely caught up with nothing to scrap. And then there was the disappointment... I hate that I do not have a lot of great pictures from back in those days. No close ups, no really cute posed photos, etc. Scrapping older photos is hard! Think about putting old photos on brand new papers? Does it work? hmm... anyway, today, I managed to do what I think are 2 cute pages. Simple, but cute of Katie's 3rd birthday, again, saddened that the photos aren't the greatest, but elated that I remembered all the kids names from the party! LOL Here they are...stay tunes for more!

My Redneck Clip It Up!!!

OK, so I had really been wanting a Clip it Up, but just could not justify the expense. I saw a couple different people on the net who had made one, and thought, I can do that! One day I went to the thrift store... and Timothy thought I was nuts when I bought an old ugly lampshade and a paper towel holder. Took it all home, ripped apart the lampshade, and painted the paper towel holder white. Then we took all the parts to dad, who helped me put it all together. A few washers and bolt later, I have a very sturdy spinning rack!!! I decided I wanted to get my flowers out where I could see them all, so I spent time today getting it all together! Here is what I ended up with....

Fatty Catty vs. Skinny Kitty

Ok, so I am always talking about how I have one fat cat and one skinny cat! I took pictures this morning to show the difference, and while the photos do not do the differences justice, the actual scale does... so here they are...

Skinny Kitty (aka Garfield) is 8 pounds.

And Mr. Fatty Catty (aka Oliver) is.....

A whopping TWELVE POUNDS! And he isn't even 1 year old yet! YIKES!

My New Shoes...

OK, so most folks (ok, women) get excited about the prospect of a new pair of shoes, right? Not Me!!! I had to get a new pair of tennis shoes this week, to fit my new brace that is being made for my bad ankle. I was sent to the New Balance store to be sized and fitted for a pair of shoes that helped correct some of my ankle issues. I walked out of the store $130 poorer... that was after the 10% discount! OUCH! That I think hurt worse than my ankle! Now don't get me wrong, they feel nice, and don't make my feet hurt, but to have to pay that kind of money for a pair of shoes? I am just so not a shoe person... maybe that is why my feet hurt a lot, you think??? Here they are:

A Few Days Work!

So this past Thursday thru Monday, I participated in an online crop, and managed to get 31 pages done... and one altered canvas, and 5 cards. Thought I would share them with you in a slide show!!! Enjoy!

Faces of a Kitty Cat...

Being Productive!

OK, I guess being without the internet is not ALL bad, right? I did manage to alter the letters I want to hang in the den over my scrap space, and I did two pages... have a look!!

MIA

Wanted to tell everyone to stay tuned... I am away from the internet for a few days due to a dead modem. I have pics taken today I LOVE, and will share when I can get back to my computer! I will be sure to get tomorrow's picture and any other day I am away as well, and update as soon as possible..... come back later!

The Big Freeze...

Yep, I am ready to admit it out loud. I am on a spending freeze. What does that mean you say? It means I cannot buy any scrap goodies for awhile. How long is awhile? Well, I haven't really thought about it. But here and now I am going to make a goal. No scrapbook shopping until I have completed 50 pages this year. Think I can do it? Well, I do have my accountability partner Carla... who is also on a spending freeze. She sits in my head and says "don't do it Linda!" Kinda scary huh, but I think with her support I can do it! (and so can you Carla! So, this post is dedicated to YOU Carla!! Love ya girl!

Now, on to my picture for today.... Lookit the $$$! Ain't it pretty? Well, this is only a couple of dollars, but I got this jar at a Christmas party and decided to save up a dollar or 2 a week to spend on goodies when I meet my goal of 50 pages! (by the way, I have already done 9 pages this month, 41 to go!!!!)

Mmmmmmm....

This is my all time favorite scent from Bath and Body Works! Unfortunately they do not have it in the store anymore, but I was able to get some online! I ordered 2 sets! Hope it lasts awhile!

Firsts...

I am doigna Blog Challenge For Scrapfreak to tell about these firsts! Here we go, let's see how good my memory is!

What was your first...
1. concert? Richard Marx
2. car? 1966 Red Mustang
3. job? K-mart Cashier
4. scrapbook layout about? My very first was Timothy's 1st birthday done at a CM class
5. grade teacher's name? I cannot for the life of me remember!
6. pet? A cat named Boots
7. vacation as an adult? Myrtle Beach trip
8. boyfriend's name? Scott
9. living arrangement after moving out of your parents' home? In an apartment when I got married
10. scrapbook message board to be a member on? A yahoo group with CM people, don't remember the name.

Remembering...

I scrapped this page today of the girls I was at the Cozy Crop House with in October. I went with Lisa and Jo, but met the rest of these wonderful ladies there! I can't wait till October to go back again!

Just playing around...

with my camera today, and I took some pictures of the kitties. Here are my favorite ones!

Sewing...

I finally got the sewing machine all out and working! (THANKS MOM!!!) And now I will present you with the 2 pages I did with the sewing machine! I am so loving it!!!

This first page is of my dearest friend Lisa!!! I just love that girl to death! We are like twins separated at birth! I thank God every day for bringing her into my life!


And this next one is my great friend Jo! We were all 3 (Jo, Lisa, and myself) at a crop in October. The photos from both of these pages were taken there!! We all had a blast and cannot wait till October to do it again!

My Downfall....

Yep, it's a cookie, but not just any cookie. It is a Blueberry Sugar Cookie, and it is to DIE for! (or in my case to gain weight for....) I have got to try to eat better and lose a little weight... or a lot, but these darned cookies are staring at me in the face saying eat me eat me... so of course I do! So my picture of today is of this luscious yummy weakness of mine!!! Now I must go eat it....

January 2

Wow, so I actually made it to day 2 of the picture taking! YAY me! LOL Today I decided to take a picture of my new shelf! Dad got it hung on the wall this afternoon, and I have been putting my things in it! Notice the stickles Freaks? LOL I think I am really gonna like this set up!

A Picture A Day

OK, So I am going to TRY this picture a day challenge we are doing over at Scrapfreak. It is to take one photgraph a day for the entire year. We will see how far I get! Today's photo... it was a great shot of the "babies." Rarely if ever do I see them side by side like this, so I love it! I took 2 photos... front and back view! Enjoy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I want to wish all my friends and family a HAPPY and healthy and prosperous 2008!!!

What did you do to bring in 2008? Timothy and I sat here and decided to move my scrapbook area to a more "family friendly" area. One of my goals this year is to spend more time with them, and less time in my office, so I moved the scrapping stuff so I can scrap in the comfort of the den and be nearer the kiddos... that is IF they want to be nearer to me! Timothy is all for it... he said he can watch me scrapbook this way! Here's a preliminary photo...



Today, I am working on cooking out traditional New Year's Day foods! Black eyed peas are in the crock as we speak, and the collards are in the fridge waiting for me to cook them. Mom is cooking a corned beef brisket. Yummo!!!
What are you eating today? Leave me a message and tell me what your traditional NEw Year's Day food is...

What did YOU get?

Was Santa good to you? What did he bring you? Here's a peek at my great gifties!!

Please keep in mind I do not photo well especially in the AM! LOL

From my mom and dad...

A Scumbuster Extreme...

A Michael's GC... AND a 50% off coupon!!! LOL


And... saving the best for last... the kiddos bought me a Sewing Machine!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We Wish You a Very Merry Christmas!!!

Freak of the Week!

What's that you say?? Well, come on over to Scrapfreak and you can be Freak of the week sometime as well!!! It was a great honor to be chosen this week at Scrapfreak. I haven't been there that long, but I feel as if I have FINALLY come home!!! I love it there and if you aren't part of this great community, you should definitely check it out!

25 Days of Christmas

. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He just sits them under the tree.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope
5. When do you put your decorations up? As early as possible, usually right before or after Thanksiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Mom's Cheesy Potatoes!!
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Being together as a family
8. Do you collect anything for your Christmas decor? Snowmen
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Not usually
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Snowmen, of course!
11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love to look at it, hate it being here!
12. Can you ice skate? On my butt maybe! LOL
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? All of them! but I have to say the ones the kids pick out for me all by themselves are the most special!
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Spending time with family, and remembering what this season is all about, the birth of baby Jesus.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? I am again going with Leigh's Peanut butter fudge! (get it made girlie!!!)
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Going to look at Christmas lights
17. What tops your tree? A star shaped Snowman
18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving!
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Mary Did you Know?
20. Do you send Christmas cards? If so, handmade, store bought, or photo cards? handmade and store bought
21. Favorite Christmas movie? The Grinch
22. What do you leave for Santa? Milk and cookies of course!
23. Have you ever shopped on Christmas Eve? Yep
24. Red or green? Red
25. Do you get ready before opening presents on Christmas morning or do you go straight to the tree PJs, bedhead, and all? Pj's and bed head! Can't you tell by my pictures??

Our Gingerbread House

So, last night, Timothy and I decided to put togther our Gingerbread House Kit. An easy task right? Well, let me show you just how easy it was!!!

First of all, you put the sides togther and add the roof...



Then you work on the decorating. Look at Timothy working so hard!!!



And Voila... you have a nice beautiful Gingerbread House!!!



After all the work, you clean up... turn around to take one final look, and there you have it....



The roof slid right off!!! Now you want the real story?
OK, so we followed the directions on the box, letting the house sit for the required amount of time between putting the parts together. We started to decorate... the roof slid off. We put it back on, more icing, etc... let it sit for TWICE as long.. we start to decorate... the roof starts sliding. We put it back on, let it sit for another length of time. Finally Timothy starts to decorate, and the roof stays in place, but we find one of the sides has fallen in. We can't pull it all the way back up because of the roof FINALLY staying put, so we get it part of the way, and you can't tell it is down any because the roof covers it well. Timothy finishes decorating, and is so proud of his work. He leaves the room, I turn around, and the freaking roof has slid off AGAIN!!! Fine, Katie and I get it back on, without Timothy ever knowing. We have some cups propped under it to hold it so it won't slide, and lo and behold, Timothy comes in and we both notice... the danged side has fallen ALL the way in! Timothy says, "Can I just eat it?" So he grabs that side and begins to munch away! At the same time he says... Mom, we are never doing that again, Right? LOL

In Case You Needed to Know...

Well, I am posting my "wish List" this year in case anyone is looking! LOL I do NOT need any more snowmen. I have figured out I have run out of room to put them, and the tree is FULL!!!

Here is one thing I REALLY want...
The Black and Decker Scum Buster Extreme
Check it out... doesn't it look cool?

I would also like various and sundry Gift Cards... anywhere will do... Walmart, AC Moore, Archivers!!!, Scrapfreak, Rocky Mountain Hobbies

I cannot think of another thing I could possibly need or want! But I know I will be happy with anything!

Happy Birthday To ME!!!

So, today I turned 29... again... LOL It has been a great day for me! I get to work, and my coworkers remembered today was my birthday, and those that didn't or didn't know were all reminded or told by Nancy W. one of my dearest co-workers!!! About 1:30, I was called in the lounge... Anne had bought a birthday cake, and had it lit up with candles. Chocolate.. it was delicious!!! When I got home I was greeted with lots of hugs and kisses from Katie and Timothy. And then there was this....

Now most people would wonder what in the world, but my kids are very imaginative. They came up with this way to "wrap" my presents. I lifted the sheet and found this:



Yep, that is a trash bag covering my gifts!!! LOL Under the trash bag I found lots of great goodies... a snowman that sings and actually "grows," a package of lavendar body wash, lotion, etc, some more snowman ornaments, some lotion, a Moravian sugar cake, and a card with gift cards for Ruby Tuesday and Applebees! My kiddos picked this all out on their own! What great kids I have!



And of course last but certainly not least... my mom and dad got me some wonderful gifts as well! A Wally World Gift card, a cute snowman plate, a snowman hand soap pump (see a theme here???) and my FAVE gift... check it out!!



All in all it has been a great day and I feel loved and spoiled by friends and family!!!

Christmas TAG!!!

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.
Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!!
Just copy this entire post and paste into a new post on your blog once you are TAGGED. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then TAG 2 people to do the same that have not already been TAGGED!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Mostly wrapping paper and a few gift bags.
2. REAL OR FAKE TREE? I have a fake one, but prefer a real one. I haven't had a real one in a few years since it toppled over!
3. When do you put up the tree? It's UP!! Either right before or right after Thanksgiving!
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually no later than 2nd week of january.
5. Do you like eggnog? Nope
6. Favorite gift received as a child? There are several gifts I remember... but the one I remember most was the Farrah Fawcette doll head that you could style the hair and apply makeup to!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope.. need one.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My dad, hands down!
9. Easiest person to buy for? Me? Ha Ha... actually my sister, cause I know I can always get her a Kohl's gift card. (if you're reading this Leigh, you ain't getting one this year!!! LOL)
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I have no clue...
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Definitely mail them... and for the past few years MAKE them as well!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Grinch... Cartoon and the non animated one!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Sometimes as early as the day after Christmas! But mostly in December!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?Anything good! I am not picky! Oh and Leigh's Peanut butter fudge!!!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I have blue lights on my tree to go with the snowmen!
17. Favorite Christmas song? I love all Christmas music and have been playing the all Christmas music channel for over a week now!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Christmas Day usually home... this year we are heading to SC on Christmas day.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Umm... SNOWMAN!!! LOL But he is a star shape I think...
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning... but this year it will be Christmas Eve Morning!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?Crowds... I hate crowded places!
23. What I love most about Christmas? Everything. Definitely EVERYTHING>.. the music, the decorations, the way I feel... it is all so special. But the most important thing, and the most special to me is the celebration of Jesus' Birth! What a glorious day!

OK, now for my tags... I am tagging CARLA and CATHY! You know who you are!! Get to it, and don't forget to TAG 2 other special folks!!!

Fall

Fall is my favorite season of all! I love the change from Hot to cooler temps. I love it when the kids go back to school... for me that is the signal to bring on fall. I was so afraid this year that we would not have many beautiful leaves because of the serious drought conditions we are in, but I was wrong. I think the leaves are the most gorgeous I have seen them! I snapped a few photos to preserve this memory... The change of the leaves, the change in my life now... it is all wonderful!!! I am so thankful to be able to look out my windows and see this gorgeous site every day. To me this beautiful display of color is every bit if not more gorgeous than the newness of Spring!