FUN STUFF for a Saturday!

Be sure and Check Out Nikki Sivils Blog today :)
I have a layout and a Mini Album on there :)

SOOO I wanted to go to THIS today. BUT, Have had this horrendous headache ever since I had that monster MRI earlier in the week. was kinda a good thing I didnt go. John said there were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many people down there and it was hot. They still had not seen ALton Brown. (he was filming a show) ALOT of people in a small area. I called him one time and the band was REALLY LOUD.
Ya that would have gone over great. HE said Bella was already asking him can we GO NOW? BUT, they havn't SEEN ALTON BROWN YET. so he wanted to stay just a little longer. John lovesss Alton Brown.
He had forgotten Bellas sunscreen so he was "making her shade" rotating in the sun. That is the good thing about having a really tall hubby. well besides he can get things off really tall shelves. Sorry honey. Love ya. mean it.
hopefully she wont come home all sunburny.

So we go back this week for the results and then underway for surgery. hopefully these shingles will not have impacted it.
Im sooooo ready to get this over with.
Everything is blooming around here. The weather is getting warmer. Its a love hate relationship really.
IT is beautiful, But as it gets warmer the less I will be able to get out in it so got to hurry. I want to get some pictures of Bella bug before the rain gets the azaleas though. They are so beautiful.

Hope you all have a great Saturday.

some scrap therapy

So there is alot I need to catch up on. Seems Im always catching up on something these days. I finally had the MRI (YAYYY) Lasted FOREVER but we are one step closer! maybe to getting all this over with.
now the 30th they decide if it is MS causing all this or if they really are gonna fix my shoulder (pleaseeee) In the mean time I am trying to just distract myself as much as possible and get on with life. YEAH, ok. easier said than done but I will take "E for effort for 600 Alex."

So you know what that means. I have been scrapbooking as much as I can without screaming.
I went back and added the feet and the little knobby thing to the beach shadow box that I had made from Our Mardi Gras vacation to the Beach.




I finally photographed (I FORGOT it was under some other layouts I had been working on) HOW COULD I FORGET THIS! This layout I did, of my silly brother. Bella has been bugging me to scrap this picture for EVER. SHE LOVESSSSSSS this picture of Uncle Windale in this goofy Hat at Disney world. ANDDDDDDD since Yesterday was Aunt Karen's Birthday. I figured This was the Perfect time to show this one. WIN WIN. :)
You welcome Karen.
It says... NUFF SAID... because well... the hat is GOOFY... and if you know my brother.
well. YOu get it.
The journaling just says "Uncle Windale trying on hats at Disney. He found the perfect one Don't cha think?"

I had made this for a challenge over at The Color Room. Then forgot to post it. Oh well.

Here is another fun little page. These are some older photos of Bella bug. But I just love them.
I had fun making this little flower.



LOVEEEEE Nikki Sivils rain rain go away papers. SOOOO much fun. They are bright and fun and happy colors. How can you not love them? soooo adorable.
Check out what else I made with this line HERE on Nikki Sivils Blog :) (I KNOWWW!!! WHAT AN HONOR!! YAY YAY YAY!!!)


Bella is working on her book report. She needs to be a colonial girl. ya she told me she wanted to dress up (WEDNESDAY) like we just have colonial girl outfits in her closet. nice.
MOMMY is NOT a seamstress.
I glue paper and scrapbook but.. we are improvising... BIG TIME.
This should be interesting.
Yall pray.

Some Scrappyness...

I hope you are having a HAPPY ST. Paddy's Day. I hope You have lots of Luck coming your way.

We recently took a trip to the Gulfcoast. I got some awesome photos of Bella playing in the sand. It was pretty cool weather but when you were in the sun it wasnt too bad. It wore me slam out but it was nice to get away even if for just a day or two. We are fortunate to live close to Gulfshores and it not be that bad of a ride. We have not been on any type of family vacation so this was a nice trial run for HOPEFULLY many to come. Took me several days to recouperate from just the walking. My legs ached but, the smiles and memories made, were soooo worth it!

I wanted to make something so we could remember our vacation. Bella had such a great time looking for shells. She loved the beach so much. I decided to take the Shadow box from last months UNKIT and decorate it up with our memories.

Here is a look see:



The Shadow Box is a Tim Holtz ideal-Ology Configureations. I decorated it with October Afternoon Seaside, Tim Holtz Tape, Glimmer Mist, Tim Holtz Crackle Paint, Shimmerz Blingz, Ranger Acryllic Paints and stuffies from the beach.

I also have made some layouts recently I will show ya.



This is with The Gabrielle BoBunny Line I got really lucky at the Scrapbook store down in Foley, GiGi's, She had just gotten in all this scrumptious Bo Bunny. So Ya I had to have it. (along with a bunch of other sctuffs) HEY! I DON'T get to go often!
BUT BOY when I do!
I also used some Gold Blingz by Shimmerz to make sand on the photos.. can you see it?

Love that stuff

Ok here is one I love the bright colors...



This is Nikki Sivils It's Raining It's Pouring collection. I also added some Core dinations Cardstock that I sanded in there.
Had Happy words on it. SO CUTE!

This has been a great distraction. STILL WAITING on this blasted shoulder stuff. Roadblocks keep coming up (insurance company issues and just you name it) part of why we had to get out of town. I was just overly agitated figured could hurt there just like here and needed a break, an attitude adjustment. You ever have to do that? Like you come back and maybe you get a fresh start or something?
sometimes maybe?

anyway YES it is alot harder to scrap but I still do it my hand and arm from elbow down are ok. as long as I dont have to lift anything heavy or reach up for anything over on tall shelves Im all good. Thanks for asking and being concerned xoxox

The rest of the story....

Here is the rest of the album that I made for John for Valentines day:

(most of the album is made with this months UNKIT unless specified other wise)



I LOVED Teresa Collins FREESTYLE Album Kit in this months UNKIT. I thought it would be a great book to scrap for my husband for Valentines day.

The card on the second page is made from the CUPCARDS TO GO kit. I adhered the envelope to the album then slid the card into it so you can just lift it up.
Good way to store the valentines cards we give for this year.

Here is the journaling on the previous page:



I had to really sharpen it so you could see it, hope you can... I KNOW my handwriting is awful. I still havnt had shoulder surgery. LONG STORY, but, My Neurologist is BACK NOW. sigh.... if WE CAN GET the MRI done of my neck, brain stem and etc then its a go.. maybe? hurry up.. wait.. hurry up.. wait.

Ok here are the last pages

I added a couple of New AMerican Craft stickers to it that were just tooo perfect.
(they were in my scarlet lime kit)




I made Bella bug a little card also from the CUPCARDS TO GO kit:




IF you would like to see the previous pages and the FRONT of this album you can click on the previous post. or just click on the banner and then you can scroll down to the previous post that way. It has the rest of the mini album. I say mini it is 10 x 7 so it is actually a GOOD SIZED BOOK. ALso some instructions on How I made it.
Hope your having a great week and you had a lovely Valentines day.

You need 2 remember this...

Working on my hubs valentine so this is still a work in progress, but thought I would show you what I had done so far.
This is from this months UNKIT.

It is the Teresa Collins Freestyle Album Kit (and it rocks) YES it is part of this months unkit!! It was alot larger than I had expected. SO it gives you alot of room to work and put photos and embellish. The rings to bind it with come with the kit, but you can bind it however you choose. Since I tend to make my pages so bulky with lots of embellies, I went with the big ring method. It comes with 2 hard chipboard covers back and front already printed with a T.C. design on them (NICE)
LOTS of patterned paper and little tags, index cards and odd and end embellishments you can punch out and cut out to use on your pages. Also some magnificent ribbon. It is a really cute kit!



I decided It would be perfect to use for Valentines Day to make an album for my sweetie. I used the things in Teresa's kit along with other things in this months Unkit, along with all kinda stuff I have in my scrap room to make this thing all fanciful and how I want it. Although.. IM not even CLOSE to finished.
Things seem to take 3 times longer now than they used to and well hate to admit it but had to get hubby and Bella both to help me with a few things like tying those knots haha that was pretty comical. ( and putting the thread through the buttons hard to do that with messed up shoulder. (even on the best of medications they make you kinda shaky)
I never thought I would be sore from Scrapbooking but today... I am my arms are aching. good PT!

Here is what I have done so far with this kit... Lemme know what you think so far.





The cover again You saw that already up at the top... I am trying to decide if I am going tot put ribbon on the rings. I thing it is cute but the only thing I DON'T like about it is when you open it sometimes it catches on the pages. Not sure.. We will see. Like I said I am not finished still working on this.

Here is the beginning..




the little page on the right.. I added. It is from a previous mini album I can't even remember so I won't even try. I used Shimmeringz on the bloomers they were a light peach color and look how cool they turned out!!! That cool orangy color just blended so nice. LOVE that now I want more of that color bloomers!

OH a tip for you if you didn't already know, use your insert in the kit that tells you whats in it (the heavier piece) and trace the chipboard cover to make the pages. some other things you could use? cereal boxes, shoe box lids, backs of notebooks, anything sturdy but thin, if unavailable try using 2 pieces of cardstock put together evenly to reinforce it. )


*If you use cardboard or something that is not acid free, be sure you have scrapbooking paper or some sort of acid free product between IT AND YOUR PHOTOS for archival purposes









So thats what I have so far. Hopefully can work on it some more tonight.
What projects are you making for Valentines this year?
I will show you more as this progresses.

ARE YOUR SHOES on the wrong feet?

I absolutely love this months Unkit. The colors are amazing. So versitile and FUN! I know so many are ready for spring well this kit says SPRING!

I love the punch in this kit so much fun and can be used for Valentines Day and Just think of the times you can use Hearts! SO CUTE.

On this Layout the foam stickers are white. I used the maya road mists in this kit to paint the letters to blend with the photo.

I sprayed the banner that I strung across (the maya road chipboard banner) with the Maya mists also I went over the top with the new shimmeringz Goldie lox by shimmerz *not included in the kit

The journaling sheet on the side is the Jeni Bowlin mini journaling book (that is the cutest thing everr! I used the back side of it since I needed it on the left and it would have made the image on it upside down and it would have looked all flicted)
I sprayed it first with The Black magic Glimmer Mist that was in the kit I went around the edges with the Orange Momento Inkpad HEAVILY I sprayed the top coat with the Shimmeringz Goldie Lox but went over it some more with the orange to bring out the edges. While it was wet with the Shimmeringz Goldie Lox I crinkled it up in my hand (yes its messy but look at the cool effect I got on that Jenni Bowlin mini Die Cut Journaling Pad Sheet? COOL LOOKIN HUH?



It really makes those letters just POP the pink against that goldy orange. WOW!I had to make that e by the way out of an O. I just cut the center of the O and curled the top around then kina trimmed the bottom to curl up. You may not have noticed till I pointed it out. Or you may have it you really paid attention.

I distressed some of the edges of this layout I love my distress tool it is so easy to use. They stay at arms reach at all times! I use this tool I think as much as I ue my paper trimmer! I didn't use it on do all of the layers of thsi layout just on part of it. I inked it with colorbox Fluid Ink Chalks In Dark brown * not included in the kit but available. The ribbon is just some shiney satin ribbon I had that I loved the BRIGHT ORANGE.
SO see this kit is so versitile. You can use so many different things with it out of your own stash. These are some things I just had laying around that just matched perfectly. Nothing I had to go out and purchase! The buttons are from a previous unkit!! HOW COOL IS THAT!




THis photo was taken at OLD NAVY.
I captured Bella when We were checking out. We had been at Point Clear having photos made with Santa. We had Breakfast with him actually. Bella was so tired. She was sitting down talking to this little dog. I caught her asking him if he knew his shoes where on the wrong feet and stopped her before she decided to PUT THEM ON THE RIGHT ONES! I KNEW what was coming next. BUT, had to snap this photo first.
SHe poses with these manequins every time we go there. yes I have other photos!!
This kid cracks me up and brings me so much joy!

I love to scrapbook these pictures so in the years to come she can see her antics and just maybe know an ounce of how much she was loved and enjoyed by us.
Hopefully one day she will experience this herself with at leastt 3 or 4 little girls and boys of her own to let her feel this love of her own hehe.
I will spoil them and make them as rotten if not worse than I have made her :)

Be sure to Join us FOR UNKIT LIVE! Sudie Alexander hosts a magnificent show online demonstrating products, talking about the industry and conversating with scrapbookers about hot topics through the chat! LOG IN TO THE CHAT BECAUSE THE CHAT IS WHERE IT IS AT! IF you do not follow us on face book LOOK ON THE SIDE BAR AND SIGN UP! also you can sign up for her newsletters and twitter feed for announcements and showtimes! It is really fun and interesting. We have a great time! YOU DONT want to miss it.

Sweet Sybil and a peeek

I am going crazy in this house with the flu bug. I had signed up for a camera class to learn how to use my camera that my hubby got me for Christmas. I know how to use it but not use it use it. Like in Manual mode and all the cool stuff. MY OLD CAMERA I KNOW it in and out. I just have to learn this one and all the functions and stuff. what BETTER WAY to learn all this (and get great lessons too!) I JUST have to get where I can hold the blame thing it is heavy as a dadgum stone!) I do keep it around where I can easily access it whenever I need to. When I want to take photos it usually involves Bella and one of the animals. Today was no different.

Yall may remember Sybil?


She was not the sweetest of the kitties when she was a baby. That is why we named her sybil. Well ok THAT is not why we named her that. SHE IS CRAZY. THAT is why we named her sybil. She would look soo soo sweet then turn into a vicious claw dragging monster that would EAT your face off and then just calmly walk off like what? after she had just clawed your face off. YES after you had been holding her for a few minutes she would just go slap sybil 8 personalities CARAAZY! The cat is psycho. she needed somethin. So we gave her a name... sybil. and we got her fixed.
SHE HAS gotten much better.
Although I DO stay my distance and keep it through the door with that one...
politely wave and smile and ask "how goes it syb" She will let John and Bella pick her up and pet her and not Eat their face as much now.
mmhm, Yay for them...

I decided I had had enough of this flu today and even though I still have not had the shoulder surgery and yes I am still coughing my head off (this layout is covered in germs sorry)
I was going to scrap. I have had it. I am tired of it all. SO yes this is a sloppy torn messy inky page BUT LOOK HOW SWEET THIS PHOTO IS?!!
Was a lucky shot I have to admit. This morning walking to the kitchen Bella was sitting there playing and I snapped some photos and just luckily caught this.
I HAD TO SCRAP IT.. is all there is to it.
DO you ever DO THAT??? You get a photo and everything stops and YOU JUST HAVE to scrap it right then and there?
well this was that photo. I just LOVED it.
It stole my heart.

So about this page...
I used my Scarlet Lime Kit.. Don't EVEN ASKK ME which one.. I USED ALL OF THEM!!
YES.. ALL OF THEM. I havent scrapped in a while didnt you READ THAT?? I have a box full of kits and stuff over here that would make a scrapbook store jealous. So I just went through and said I am using this this this and this and OHHHHH THIS and omg I DIDNT KNOW THISSSSSSS was in there! I sat in the floor and just had a party all to myself. Was rather fun! I must say!
I dunno about you but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE all the embellishments you get in those kits! I know Bella does too. She swoooons over MS CHRISTYS KITS. SHE sees her name in the return box and she SQUEALSSS that its gonna be SPARKLY STUFFF!! and just giggles.
I need to video it so you guys can see it is funny and makes me smile big.

So In one of the kits there were these Pink Paislee borderlines That are on the top there where it says "QUEEN" they are clear so you can see the paper behind it and get the pretty writing! SOOOO CUTEEE! I don't know which month that was in but looove thoseee!
Jenni Bowlin Sticker borders, I used those all over this page to accent here and there. (dunno what month that was I think Jan.?) I LOVE Jenni Bowlin ANYTHING!!! Her newest stuff BE STILL MY HEART!

That is Pink Paislee Patterned Paper and American Crafts and October Afternoon as well as Bazzill Cardstock behind it all.

OH I have to show y'all how I sprayed the paper at the top. It tore so I stapled it with the tiny attacher by Tim Holtz.
This is an inexpensive way to use your mists if you dont have a mat and not waste your mists.

I use a box that some of my kits in the past have come in. I tear off waxed paper put in the bottom before I spray, put my project, or whatever I am spraying down in the bottom. Then spray. Then I can take flowers or anything else I want to soak up the over spray off the waxed paper. It doesn't absorp the mist and it isn't wasted.
I also can use different techniques this way as well.

American Crafts Thickers and metal accents. Doodlebug jewels
Assorted ribbons and trim from chatterbox I used the swirlies from the American Crafts thickers to make a heart to go around Sybils crazy little head.
I also took the ribbon and made gathers, I dont sew.. so I used the tiny attacher by Tim Holtz, I love that thing! Can be used for so much.

Here you can look at it again so you dont have to scroll.



The edger by making memories makes it easier to distress.
Colorbox fluid inkchalks accent the edges to make it stand out.

feels good to have scrapped.
now to finish working on my new unkit after I rest a bit. Here is what I have been working On. This book I have been making for a while now from the LAST UNKIT of our Breakfast at Point Clear with a special guest (guess who)
Here is a lil sneaky peaky:
Check out the flowers... ya I made those! From Paper AND FUN SPARKLY STUFFS!


Who knows I may just show you how to do those flowers(Really easy)
I got alot of catching up to do. I KNOW I KNOW... ROME wasn't built in a day... Good thing I'm not building ROME huh? hope you have a great weekend and are able to do something scrappy!

The definition of Happy according to Merriam Webster is: adj ;\ˈha-pē\
enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment

For those of you reading that have M.S. or those that KNOW me and know how HEAT can make it worse or flare up symptoms. With me... YA..I melt or literally become paralysed. My legs go weak I can't walk. WHYYY am I bothering you with this information you ask? well IT'S so this next bit of information will make sense.
We live in Mobile as you know.. which is like THE SUNNNN in the summer. Yes we have nice breezes but it is so flippin Humid down here it is disgusting. Unless you enjoy the beach. I USED TO. OH I adored the beach. Was a sun worshiper. LOVED outside Until all this MS ...crapp happened. anyway
Hurricane Katrina taught us a valuable lesson.. being without electricity here is NOT FUN in the summer. or any other time for that matter. There is NO WAY I would make it now. So we took the means neccessary by getting a generator to hopefully take care of that. IF you live in the south and you have a chronic illness, I suggest you get a generator of some capacity. CHeck your insurance, with different organizations or societies for help because some do offer assistance if you qualify. so there is an FYI FOR YOU.


SO They had a recall and something freaked out on it and dude had to come fix it. Guido, our Austrailian Shepherd was aggravating the snot out of him poor guy, (licking him to death if anything)
he wanted to EAT HIM at first.. Guido is an outside dog because Bella is allergic, but I had to bring him inside.
Guido LOVES BELLA. HE thinks Bella belongs to him she is his personal Girl. You will see in these photos I took with my cell phone The bond they have. It is just unreal. just how much he loves her.
You can see it on his lil face.
He is the funniest dog.
I used to have 2 lil yorkies and I used to say I would call "GUIDO AND THE BOYS..." so here would come Guido with these two lil bitty mini house shoes running behind him.. was soooo hysterical.. anyway
Guido WAS atually my Husbands dog but BELLA is HISSSS. NO DOUBT.

When I first let him in I set my cup of coffee down that I had put whip cream (the spray kind) and some caramel toppin lightly drizzled (got to make it pretty its my happy coffee of the day) and a blonde oreo cookie on the side table. Dude knocks on the door to tell me something. Not thinking how tall Guido is. I come back the whip cream is gone and so is my cookie. ANd I see THIS:


YA that would be him licking his chops.. Not only does he theiveee my snack but sits smackin on it too! little ingrate!
So anyway... He sniffs and explores all over the living room and keeps giving me this look. The look of "OK WHERE IS SHE. YOU KNOW THE ONE.. THE SHORT ONE BLONDE HAIR BIG MOUTH BIG GIGGLE???? MY GIRL??? WHERE YOU HIDING HER??? I have turned over everything in this room and smelled everything I know she has been here." HE just sat STARING AT ME. I TOLD HIM she was at school... HE was NOT HAPPY.
He finally grabbed one of her little socks she had left on the floor and laid on it beside the small chair he resolved to be hers and waited...


And he waited..



STILLL WAITINGGG....

and then.... FINALLY..

What do you think???


and if this doesn't say Happy.. I DUNNO WHAT DOES...

Ok im happy Now

Today is like Christmas and my birthday and all the fun holidays from when your a kid all wrapped up into one little shiny package and delivered with a big cute puppy on top!

I was so happy last night it was like the ultimate. The only thing better would have been if I were in Glendale at the actual game on the side line in the confetti doing one arm confetti angels with Aubby. (and taking photos for my scrapbook)
This had to be THE BEST GAME. IT was so intense. I love lovve LOVE college football.
BUT I love Auburn even more! Thanks you guys for a wonderful year and for entertaining us and playing your heart out.
Oregon played an amazing game last night. IT really was up to the last second and anyones game.

I just knew Michael Dyer had it with that touchdown where his knee went down... I was on the chair in Tom Cruise on Oprah form... then... they had to evaluate the play...
it was still exciting but the rush of that play for Michael a freshman man.. YOU ARE STILL DA MAN in my book!!!!
Dyer and Newton have been it all season.
love em. This girl loves her some Auburn Football.

Here are all the covers of the newspapers How cool is this!!!HERE is Toomers Corner all decked out with its traditional toilet paper rolling hahaha! War Eagle!
and HERE we are on the cover of Sports Illustrated (again)


I don't have a lot to do besides scrapbook in between being sick so I tell you THIS has brought me a lot of pleasure!
I am happy now! Auburn won a national Championship! I know there are a lot of happy AUburn people out there today and I am one of them!!
I can check this off of my Things I had hoped for, well besides getting to actually meet Cam and Dyer and Zach but Maybe next year (maybe some day) Im just so happy for them right now and Proud for them and of them! Only thing left to say I suppose is WAR EAGLEEEE!

Big lights Big city ughm Ya..

SO some one made a comment that I lived in a big city the other night, in midst of the conversation and me choking (pause for laughter) ya I know. I was laughin' so hard I couldn't speak. I kept trying to get out of my mouth "AND YOUR FROM WHERE? Obviously not here?" YOU THINK THIS???? MOBILE ALABAMA IS A BIG CITY?"

Now, I guess you have to keep in mind WHERE I AM FROM. I have seen some really big cities, I have seen some po dunk places.
Lets go back shall we, take a little stroll slip on your boots because it gets rough people.
I was born a poor .... ok not that far I grew up in Goshen Springs Mississippi population 5 in 1970 because well.. I was born. It was in the middle of NO WHERE. We had no wal mart no mall no gas station OH WAIT we did have Tommy's trading post but that wasn't considered in Goshen and ya if you wanted to pay double gas prices and get bait THAT was the place to go. You could get a hamburger in their little diner thing there but I wouldn't recommend it always unless she was in a good mood.)

Otherwise it was about 25 miles to "town" Something we didn't do everyday. You went to "town" to get groceries, to the dr, to the bank, to the parts store for my daddy, and usually all of the above ALL on the same day in one trip
heaven forbid you waste gas!! When we went home at Christmas we were showing Bella how far it was (time wise) from town and that there was NOTHING but trees and road from wal mart to where we had to go to Uncle Windlaes and to Grandma's) She could not believe not one store not one thing! "She said HOW did yall survive?" I also informed her we didn't have tv's in our car or DSI and get this OUR PARENTS chose what we listened to on the radio OH THE HORROR!!! SHe immediately gave me and eyeroll and went back to her DS.
NOW We live 2 minutes from everything just about. or fairly close. We are right by every convenience known to man. we can call and order a pizza, Chinese food, we can even have an ambulance in less than 5 minutes! High livin yall High livin! My dr's office is less than a few miles away everything is in close proximity. AND WE LIKE IT! BElla gets bored if we have to travel more than 10 minutes anywhere (she has my attention span I suppose)
When we first moved to Mobile the FIRST thing I did was order Pizza and I took his picture. I hugged him and told him he would soon be our really good friend. I would show you that photo but our camera got stolen out of the truck that night. WELCOME TO MOBILE! so I have none of those moving photos. I never saw that delivery guy again come to think of it even when we ordered pizza from there come to think of it.

I remember when I was pregnant and John and I lived out in Hooville (back home) as we now refer to it sometimes because it is so far away from everything I offered the pizza delivery guy a 50 to bring me a pizza noway they wouldn't do it.
I was on bed rest and starving. I begged I pleaded even offered to add his name somewhere in the babies name although melvin was a pretty name I wasnt really gonna do it but I was gonna tell him I would if he would bring me that dadgum pizzza! I know Bella is happy he didn't! That wouldn't look so good monogramed on her dresses. OH
AND IT HAD GROWN SINCE 1970 there were at least 20 people living out there then! ;)

I joke about back home but it is charming and beautiful. I love the little communities. Everyone will come running and are so tight knit. They eat for everything. Someone is born, someone dies, someone gets married.and not necessarily in that order!

Although we live in the "big city" now it still isn't much different from that. We have our little community here in our neighborhood. We eat for everything too.
We just celebrate different things.
Like when the mailman gets our mail to us before 5 wheww! WHO HAS the cream cheese with salsa and crackers?
Auburn Football DOUBLE WHEWWW! WAR EAGLE! That is always cause for a celebration here.

I still have to laugh at the big city though. I remember when we moved here I really had HUGEEE expectations. I really thought myself this was a big city. After being here and I guess becoming a naturalized citizen (I really am trying to say this with a straight face its just hard) and when you get the blood flowing through you. (yes blood transfusion makes it easier) You soon realize its not so big. It is actually very small. I thought it was huge because where I was from was so country. So little. so out in the woods. BUT, I can tell you this It is was HOME. NOW, This is Home we love it. I have never lived anywhere so beautiful. Scroll through my posts look where John took me for our anniversary. That is just a hop skip and a jump away. We have beautiful beach right here by us. The bay is right here. Its beautiful. THere is always a breeze. We have the bluest skies you have ever seen in your life. And oh my gosh every early spring when the Azaleas bloom it is the biggest EXPLOSION of color you have ever seen. SOME OF THEM ARE TALLER THAN OUR HOUSE!

I was so reluctant to move here I didnt want to come. I hated it when I first got here.I cried and cried and I have to admit there have been times I have hated it since. But I have met some of the most amazing people and made some really good friends here. Friends that have helped me through horrible diagnosis painful loss and difficult decisions. I still have life long friends back home since childhood that I love and that are my heart.
But I have to tell you it is really nice to have someone right around the corner offer to come help wrap presents when you are snot squalling, because your arm is out of socket and its Christmas and notning is going right!<3<3<3 and have friends that will be there no matter what! That help you pick up your kid from school (I don't drive anymore thanks to M.S.) It is not that I cannot drive. It is kinda like spandex. You have spandex but its probably not a good idea to wear it in public.. that is me and driving. I just figure it is probably for the best I don't. BUT I have an updated license with no restrictions. Couldn't believe they let me have it actually. Im just smart enough thank God to know I shouldn't be on the road. MS causes alot of vision issues and they mess with brain function.... ok no puns.I had 2 minor VERY MINOR accidents when I was not as ill as now bumped into my boss's truck and I bumped into johns van and that was it for me!
SO scared I would injure Bella or someone else people drive like idiots here!

We have made amazing friends here that have become more like family. We are so eternally grateful. Nothing could ever honestly convey the happiness we have or the thankfulness we have, for these people in our lives and I hope we have shown them that!

So whatever misconceptions some may have about (this meaning me) girl. one thing will always remain and thats that you may take this girl (meaning me)out of that country setting and put her anywhere, thats for sure, I WILL adapt. but, deep down I will have my Justins on and wranglers that won't change. You may can take me out of there but you won't take it out of me! I will "Reckon" till the day I die!

and wanna hear something even more funny... I think it must flow in the DNA or something'. My lil girl even sleeps in her boots at times ahhh I love that kid!

Ready for the chapter on patience to be over!

Pain can teach you so much about things. ALot about yourself and about others.
ALso alot about patience. 1. Don't ever ask for it. You will get it (sometimes in the form of an illness or a child or some other strange hard ship that is even worse I have heard many horror stories)
This I do know.
Patience is something that is a mentioned thing a suggested thing. kinda like the Speed limit here. No one really goes by them but man it would work so much better if they did!
Patience can be taught. It is a lesson that is very hard learned. Usually it is learned with force, unwillingness and much argument. SOMETIMES.
This isn't to say it is that way every time.
Saying this goes along with the cancellation/postponement rather, of this shoulder surgery. And having to had wait another day on medication for an intensely painful shoulder (ya dislocate your shoulder a few times then go a night without proper medication see how PATIENT you are it gets testy)
BUT... it also brings you to GRATITUDE hahahahaha
I WILL BE SO DADGUM HAPPY when this is over with. I will do a jig in the middle of the street! (of course when I am fit to!)
I tell you IF the good Lord Is trying to teach me patience...
He has a wonderful sense of humor and I will be sure and let him
know so when I meet him!

WITH DRAW ELS!!

OK SOOOOOO I didn't post yesterday..... I KNOW I KNOWWW i knowwwwwww I already broke my NEW YEARS RESOLUTION that I was gonna do my blog thing every day butttttttttt. BEFORE you throw things at me LEMMESPLAIN. I THINK you will be ok with it. If you aren't well sorry?
YA SEE.. most yall that know me THAT REEEEALLLY know me know I AM 97.3% of the time a chatterbox and smiley and lalallaa all over the place right? right. :this is you going yes Nancy we knowwwwww: The other percent of the time welll? Im asleep. Ok Ok really no the other percent of the time I will leave for other stuff like? OH I KNOW when my neighbor cranks his blower at 7 30 am and scares the golly gee curl out of my hair! YA!

so yesterday was EVEN more of a bummer THAN THAT! I was sad. REALLY sad. how come?
so ya know I have been having this shoulder thing. I leave it no secret I have multiple Sclerosis. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Because of that I am stumbly unsteady and I bump into things and for years have popped out of socket easily.
long story. anyway short version FF to now. Was sup to have surgery TOMORROW. IT has been postponed till... who knows.
Is kinda a good thing. Seems I need to be in an actual hospital instead of at the clinic because of all the other issues.
which I RESPECT FULLY. I want them to be 100% comfy before they start slicin on me.

THAT brings me to the topic of my blog post... its been forever since I have been able to realllly Scrapbook and do stuff because.. ITS MY RIGHT SHOULDER.
DO YOU REALLLLY know how much you USE that muscle (take your pointy finger touch the inside muscle on your shoulder then the one on the outside behind your shoulder) ya those. ALOT.
I did Battle with a box of cereal this morning... left hand... wasnt pretty.
I sat in the floor and cried. lucky charms ... all over the place... but by gosh I HAD A BOWL OF cereal! cheerios!(ya the lucky charms were all over the floor you didnt think I was eatin that did you?)

so I did what any respectable person would do... let the dog in to clean up.
shhhhhh! Don't tell.

SO NOW Im praying soooon they will reschedule my surgery I can get back to scrapping because this is starting to really really REALLLLLLY get to me.
although my dog is following me around going what you wanna open next???
ME:)

Thank you Keury

Meet Keury... Keury made this for me. FOR MY birthday yesterday. well THIS little caramel topped cup of yumminess I got today. YET the whole shebang I got yesterday.. its the gift that keeps on giving. Keury is going to be a good friend of mine I have a feeling.


I bet I have another new friend too called "Wii fit.... I wont like him very much because keury and I got so close. It will be a tough relationship to keep up Keury and mine, but someone has to do it... ahhhhhhh.

Keury was given to me by my sweet hubby. HAS to be ONE OF THE BEST BDAYY GIFTS EVERRRRRR! *edited besides the perfume Bella gave me I LOVEEEE that too! I have never smelled this good in my life :yikes: NOW I SMELL SOOOO GOOOOOOD while I drink my (DECAFFENATED yes they have decaffenated so dont start fussin at me, geeesh people can find anything to try to spoil a girls fun, I will iggy your emails!:P~~ FANCY COFFEE :) LET A GIRL LIVE A LITTLE GEEESH! This thing is ITS SO COOOL you put one of the little thingys in and whammmmo keury gives you a cup of coffee that fast. You dont have to wait!
Yall know me right? dontcha?
Ya I thought so. The excitement was overwhelming. Its the little things I tell ya! Find one of these (ON SALE) you wont be sorry! IT was so cool. So now.. we can have smoothies that I can make like LIGHTNING with my cool thingy my bro got me Christmas (and Margarittas but I cant drink them THAT often but hey a girl gotta live ya know right!)

Technology is just so awesome!
I love being married to one of those fabulous men that has a mind for it so I can just clapp and be excited when they find this stuff haha!

Today is a day of putting up allll the Christmas decorations ::booo::hissss:: We say every year "Whyyyyyyyy oh WHY did we drag all this out?" and we look down at
This lil face staring at us going ::blink blink::







Bella did all our decorating this year (thanks to my shoulder)
BUT she will remember it forever! We decorate To make us feel better to give us that happiness warm fuzzy feeling for 2 weeks a year ok, if your in retail they start in July but normal people... usually after Thanksgiving. We were a little late with it this year. (I held out hope my shoulder would get better and no surgery ugh!)

SO back up in the attic as I hear John.. grimacing saying "WHYYY did I play bowling with you on the kinect before doing this" and Bella telling him "Knock it off daddy you will be fine your just OLD" him threatning to lock her in the attic and her going "OH COOOOOL whats up there?" GIggling the entire time... Knowing it must be January Second at the Jones house... I sit here sipping coffee with my new friend. KNOWING alot more things this year.....

~Bella is getting bigger and older TOOOOO FAST!
~The attic is right over my head, and it sounds like they are about to fall in... but they all I hear is Bella giggling.
~Gonna have to work off that cream and caramel on that coffee.
~We made a great big mess taking down this Christmas stuff.
~I really love those two trying to get that Christmas tree up that ladder.
Oh wait.. it just went back down the ladder. Wonder if I.. haha, nahh IM sure its fine.ha this is good coffee, sigh, anyway,
~Oh they are gong back up the ladder. THere they are right there he goes They are ok. "Hi honey" Look Johns waving to us. oh ohhh honey? you want some coffeee??? no? YOU SURE? Because Kuery can make it reallly fast. ITS NO TROUBLE
YOU WANNA SEEE?
"Oh You saw already. THATS RIGHT. ya you did give it to me I know. I was just thinkin you look real tired goin up and down and up and down that ladder. That you might. Ya. You. YA I SEE you got that GREAT BIG BOX in your hands. IT LOOKS HEAVY. ya. so ughm. QUESTION? WHATS IN THAT BOX? I don't see a label?
WHICH ORNAMENTS? YA? BUT WHICH ONES? WHICH? BUT WHICH? WHAT BLUE? WHAT BLUE? BUT WHAT BLUE? OH Ok? No? NO? THATS FINE. OH Ok Later?
You? SURE YOU DONT WANT SOME COFEEE? really its no trouble?" He went back up the attic I think he shut the door up there he is organizing probably Think he will have some later.
anyway They are so cute!!! (
( HAhaha.just kidding you KNOW that didnt happen, he would have ignored me and kept going Then come back and said HUH???)
~ I have to play with hubby he has been doing the wave of your hand makes the crowd go wild in kinect sports. (now he knows How the players feel but not really lol)
~Bella goes back to school tomorrow, house is gonna be quiet (YIPPEE)
gonna be kinda freaky at first, I think I will adjust quickly but wait...
~ is short lived, Oh ya Im gonna want it quiet but I will be glad to get it over with.
~By the time this heal and get to where I can do the stuff I need to do and really want to do with her again guess what?
SCHOOL WILL BE OUT.....
as Bella says
BOMM BOMMM BOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...........

First things First

First things first of the first on the first of the first day of ya well you get it.. its 1/1/11 so I HAD to make a post.
I wanted to try my best to be a better blogger. FOR BELLA, FOR JOHN, FOR ME for my family back home but also well anyone that wants to read it I guess.
Havnt gotten to scrap much BUT SOON. I have so many Ideas just going crazy in my head and Yes I have been making note of them. I have gotten to take a few photos. My camera my trusty lil panasonic I have had foreverrr is light weight I can still use it. I got a new one for Christmas my love upgraded me. but, It hurts. Its heavy and with this shoulder thing. Who am I Im not complaining its a fancy schmancy camera I like it its pretttty (sitting over there) I am watching videos on how to use it and all kinda stuff and reading etc. I have tried a couple times but the pain ya.
oh well.
it will be ok soooon!

This is the part where: I BORE YOU WITH FAMILY PHOTOS!!!
WE (meaning John drove he gave me something and put me in the car)
took Bella to have Breakfast with Santa at Point Clear. Remember that awesome place he took me for our Anniversary? ya we went back there and took the child!


For those that follow me on facebook. you have seen this photo I made it my avatar.
we had a great time I know Bella did.

Im trying to make this kinda short to catch up some.

Ya know the funny thing is You will do things even when you feel horrible no matter what.... when its for someone you love. I look back at the holidays and think HOW ON EARTH DID I DO THIS? I know exactly HOW I DID. ITs all for this little girl to have some wonderful memories.
THAT she will.
We took her FINALLY after being in MOBILE for now almost 7 years to Bellingrath Gardens! To see the lights!
It was unreal!





We most importantly of all got to go Home the day after Christmas to see family we have not seen in some time. We wished so much to have been able to see every one but it was a go that morning come home same day trip. I was beyond exhausted slept alot the next several days but it was worth it.















and just because I want to put her on my blog ...... and I love this photo...

Gramma Sandi:


(and Im not in driving range for her to come beat my tail hehehe)

We THEN left ( YA IT WAASNT OVER) went to NaNa an PaPa's House (Johns mom and dad)



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HOw cuteee is lala?!?!?

Bella got this for lala she had soooooooo much fun with it. she as all over the house
with it. was soooo sooo cute.




was a wonderful time with Family and friends wished we could have stayed longer and seen everyone.


As I sit here now under the covers eating donuts watching the parade, typing this post. I think back to when I was a little girl on many a New years day, sitting in the living room on my knees in my jammies, hair all a mess not much different than my like my little girl is now, all excited YELLING "LOOK LOOK" as my dad was trying to read the paper and my mom was doing other stuff (probably cooking New years lunch Peas cabbage corn Bread). My dad would go "mmhmm hmmhmm ya ya" IM laughing as Bella is shouting " IS THAT THE GUY FROM DR PHIL???" (that was not dr Phil by the way it was some broadcaster) I think about how my daddy used to tell me when I was little not only because today was and well IT STILL ISSSsssss my birthday. (I kinda always thought maybe it was his way of getting out of a big expensive party) He would tell me "ALLLL THOSE FIREWORKS ALL THOSE PARADES... thats for you baby!" I rememeber my eyes lighting up (a wonder I am such a grounded and humble quiet dossile person now huh? amazing)blame my father THe entire world celebrated my day.. every time zone.. well least in me and my daddy's world. No one can tell us any different either... so as I snuggle here with her eating this donut and she is lickinggg the plate!!??::eyeroll::... (remind me to work on manners in 2011 with child) ya today, I still cry and ya, I miss him so very much. more than ever, I always will. But No one, NOT ANYONE!!
can take Those memories away from me. Those little moments like that. Those are the little things I am trying to make with my little girl. no matter how much pain I am in if I have to take another tylenol to get to Mcdonalds (lord help us please THAT IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT do not slam my blog) Then I will.

SO ya my scrapbook pages in 2011 may be a little less perfect than they used to be. BUT THEY WILL be with more intent and purpose than ever before of getting these memories for Bella in these 4 297 865 million scrapbooks she has.
HAPPY NEW YEAR I wish you all the love light and happiness ever! (and lots of parades and fireworks ;)