ok So I really do not likeGreen jello

yeah yeah yeah I KNOW its been a while since I have posted. BUT, I have very good reason.
Im sure most of you know (well ok some of you I am not vain enough to think you follow my every move on facebook and twitter hhaha seriously I am don't) SO I thought I would give an explanation.
I have been in the hospital and really really down with a bad flare up from Multiple Sclerosis.
I had been doing sooo so good and thought I was like a normal person. (well when the weather is cool I do get away with doing so much more and got so spoiled)
Then it happened. The little signs. I tried to ignore them. I just didn't want to see it. I was enjoying my daughter and my husband and being able to live that life again. I didnt want to go back there. I have missed so much being able to get out of the house and scrap like I wanted to and just feel human. When I got to where the muscle spasms were making my body functions uncontrollable I couldn't deny something ws up.
Then I woke up to a sore throat. Ok maybe it was just allergies things were blooming. Ya I was still in denial. Then It got a little worse, I couldnt really swallow good. Ya allergies it will be ok just keep taking the muscle relaxer its all good. By the weekend. I was unable to swallow liquids without choking and it going down my esophagus and becoming asphyxiated. I was losing weight like crazy and my potassium had bottomed out.
When I finally got to the hospital it was so very much worse than we realized. I was listed as mal nutritioned and lacking of vitamin absorption and intake.
running fever and right side of my throat was completely non functioning.
ya. This is where it gets scary.

I really didnt want to think about it. A friend not much older than myself thats how it started. He couldnt swallow. He had 3 beautiful children and a wife. He is no longer in pain. But there was nothing else they could do.
I think maybe that is why I blocked so much out. I cant think about it.
It got too real. They put me on the HEAVY HEAVY steroids. 1000 mg two times a day. 10 treatments. Also I still am taking the interferon treatments and my blood glucose ran way up.
I would just be sitting there and I would go numb in both arms from my neck to my waist. couldnt lift my arms couldnt swallow. I could breathe ok felt like when you are at the dentist and you are all numb and tingly.
Was the scariest thing.
They had always told me MS was a tricky illness and can do such strange things. Especially when your lesions are on your brain stem.
I dont have new lesions I have plaque heavy build up on the lesions that are already there which is far worse if there were new lesions you could account for new symptoms. this just means Im going to keep having same symptoms in larger quantity and hit harder and could happen any time at any level of severity.

We believe it is heat triggered, over doing and anxiety. mostly heat.
I had been trying to do as much for Bella to give her "normal"
I want her to have so much. I dont want her to miss out on anything. Yet I ended up missing her end of school stuff.
She and John are my entire world and all I wish is to be able to do things with them and be the wife and mother I always wanted.
Hate that something ridiculous like Multiple Sclerosis tries to stand in way of that.
I fight with it all the time and tell it to MOVEEE. It just will not listen.
WE need more research and meds that will cure this illness so my little girl has her mom. Along with the millions of others out there that need their parent or family member also.
So for now Im still healing and resting. Very tired cant sit up for long. The side effects from all the medications are horrendous. I have shingles in my ear and on my face and chest (rebound from the big steroid iv's) Im gaining weight also mostly fluid from the huge steroid iv's
just have to keep the potassium up because of my heart.
also the magnesium. Ensure has become my friend.
I ate so much jello in the hospital and they always bring the green kind oh gosh I think they send all the green jello to the hospitals to get rid of it ughhh gross.
I have been loving smoothies though. Really good and building me back up.

I have kept my l.o.a.d. prompts and will be getting them done just as soon as I can sit up long enough to do them. I get up some but mostly im still in bed. Just weak and overwhelming tired. I had thrush really bad it got in my eyes (that was an experience) couldnt see the tv or closed caption hardly read anything. So im glad that has cleared up. who knew you could get that in your eyes? was coming out of everywhere.

so anyway that is my update probably more than you wanted to know but I have been getting emails and people worried they havent seen me. So this is just easier than trying to respond to so many emails. My ears hurt with the shingles so havnt been on phone so I apologize for not calling anyone or answering. It will be better soon and I will be back to me and bouncing around in no time.
Love to you all and keep scrappin because I cannot wait to see all yall have done. I have alot of catching up to do and commenting to do. XOXOXOXOX miss yall much

Load Day 6

Load Day 6 Is all about alignment. You know me I'm a "this looks good there" kinda girl. I don't measure I usually just eyeball it. I like the shabby chic look with ragged edges and kinda off the page raised up inky grunge. So trying to do straight lines with shaky MS hands is really a challenge.
BUT I DID IT.
Taking the photo was harder than anything.
The more I tried to get it straight the more crooked it became so I finally just said phooey and was done with it for now.
some days are like that.
Some days not so bad.
seems like its when you try harder is when it does it if you don't try so hard it wouldnt be an issue. Kinda Murphys law or somethin.
IM gonna try to rephotograph these last few layouts again tomorrow in the bright sunshine. They look so much better than these photos show.

The photo I used today I have scrapped before. I have alot of duplicate large photos that either I duplicated or they sent me 2 by mistake.
is ok I have grandparent scrapbooks I can put them in and Aunts scrapbooks they can go in Im sure they will not complain one bit.
Load is giving me an opportunity to get these duplicates scrapbooked before my brain turns completely to mush and I can't remember anything about how old she is or the dates. (SINCE SHE went and reorganized my photos I had so well put and the dates with them on sticky notes grrrrr) now they are all over the place in this drawer,

so anyway HERE is my layout for todays challenge
The picture I took of the Page doesnt do it justice I hope to have that remedied soon.


I used Echo Parks Halloween Line (LOVE THOSE COLORS) and Prima flowers
crystal stickers 2 of them since she is 2 in this photo.
The journaling says "You are such a silly girl. You found these vampire teeth and quickly put them in. So her you are in a Sunday dress and vampire teeth running around going RARRRRRGGGH! Yup! That's my little monster alright!"

LOAD emmmm up!

I had a realllly bad day/night yesterday. We had a temp drop and the weather the day/night before messed up my muscles something fierce. SO I didnt get my challenge done. My left leg wouldn't straighten all the way and I was having full body muscle spasms. (you ever had those really bad hiccups that make your body jolt? it feels kinda like that but more startling) You just have to relax yourself through it.
SO needless to say Scrapping wasn't much of an option yesterday. Stayed in bed mostly. I also missed going to Bellas new school. I missed that more than anything. I was really sad.
Is part of it. She is really excited about her school and it does my heart so good. Has been a while since she has been this happy about school. Feeling somewhat better today. Leg still not all the way normal but can sit up HALLELUJAH!
So I caught up on my LOAD pages.
I didnt get to take very good photos of them but will remedy that in the morning I hope.
SO HERE THEY ARE.
LOAD DAY 4 and Day 5



This challenge was to use white space... was sooooooo difficult for me. You know how I like stuff on my page. It looks sooooo naked to me!!! aaaaack!

and then here is todays challenge color triangle I didnt have a problem with this at all since that is one of my rules I follow usually on most all of my pages.




I know the photos of the layouts are not great. They were taken in my kitchen after dark. I will remedy that in the morning and make better photos to replace these.

Im so exhausted so I am going to hit the hay.
Hope you all have had a great day.
I am so excited for Bella being accepted to this school SHE IS NOW A WARRIOR WHEWHEWW! SO many opportunities for her now. SHe is going to get to be a little cheerleader and take tumbling and dance go to math camp continue her Guitar lessons and sooooooo much more she is beaming and actually thanked God in her prayers tonight.
I was very surprised.
Makes me a VERY Happy mama!

whew That was a close one!

ANDDDDDDDDDDDD DONE!

whewww It has been a day and a half. I feel like we have been going going going.
We went to check out the school today for Bella bug. OH MMMMAAANNN. She is going to LOVE THIS PLACE. I met her teacher. Mrs. Overman. SHE IS SOOOOO NICE. She sent a kitty beanie baby home with Bella for her to take care of until she gets to come to the school to meet her.
(how sweet is that?)
I think they are going to be great together.
Bella is excited and I am excited for her. So much opportunity there.
So we did all that this morning IN THE RAIN.. storms actually.
Got home went got her from school. Came back worked on her project for school, did the supper thing. THEN FINALLLY I worked on My L.O.A.D. (layout A Day) for today ITS DAY 3
and I JUST GOT DONE got it photographed and uploaded. WHEWWW.
THis is such a commitment. I'm glad I did it.
Gonna have some fun layouts at the end of this!
SO Check this out.
This one was hard for me because well I dont think I followed the directions so well. I have not been able to focus so well today.
so anyway here is my layout.



used October Afternoon and Bo Bunny Patterned Paper
Graphic 45 trims
I then used crushed shells and sand on top of the trims and a tag from mme (these were in my cupcards to go kit months ago)
Bo Bunny Trims
Thickers from American Crafts
Bo Bunny Jewels
October Afternoon tiny letter stickers
Donna Salazar Fairy Dust Pralines and creme (and I have to tell you if you use that stuff and you decide you want to take the top off and put the plastic back in so you can save it for travel or somethin... just know it wont help you will get that stuff allll over the place when you take the lid off so just don't.. K?)
Tim Holtz Distress Stain Vintage Photo
(love those if you dont know that by now)
The starfish we got in orange beach :) OK WE BOUGHT IT but we did get it there...
There are 7 pearls at the top to represent her age I took the photo tonight so dont be fussin to hard at me. I will do a better job tomorrow in the daylight (if it isnt rainin') anyway So thats what I did for today. was fun playing with the shells and the sand and gettin creative.
Hope you all have a good evening.

L.O.A.D. day 2 THIS CHAIR

Ok Im 2 days in whewhew..

Here is my second layout!

This page has alot of sentimental value. It is some old photos of My Bella bug.
she was 2 almost 3 in these photos.
I did hidden Journaling (wasnt enough room really) I used a kit from scarlet Lime)
Sassafrass papers, Pink Paislee and american Crafts.
American Crafts embellishments. Some For the Record by Echo park and doodlebug letter stickers.
Had to cut them to make some letters so don't fuss at me too much.
I used my awesome Tim Holtz Distress stains around my distressed edges and bo bunny metal flower on my hidden journal tag. I pop dotted and distress stained the edges of the center photo to make it stand out and contrast from the others.as well as used contrasting colors. on the page for the challenge.
I used the dark wood stain all around each photo to make it pop out more.used the small small photo up against the large
and a smaller title
The journaling because its hidden and I know my writing is atrocious is as follows:
"Everything in these pictures have some sort of special meaning behind it. The story behind the chair though is the most sentimental of all time to me. It is made from the wood from my grandmother McCrary's house. I know you don't really understand what that means. But, That was my daddy's mother. I grew up playing in her house. Uncle Windales Kids got one of these chairs made by my father. (made from wood from grandma's house) After Daddy was killed I just put my wants to rest for a chair. I had no children. Then you came along. One day Uncle Windale was up at the shop and he was looking through a pile of wood tucked neatly up under some things and THERE packaged and tucked away was a pattern and just enough wood to make ONE MORE CHAIR. THIS CHAIR. for you. so see. I told you. You were meant to be. My daddy knew you were coming all along. PS: The dress and bracelet you have on your Nana got you, The bunny and the book is from Uncle Windale and Aunt Karen, and Uncle David and Aunt Diane took these photos. I hope you keep this chair forever. So one day your little munchkin can rock in it and you can tell them the story of how special it is and how your papaw saved this wood special just for you.
I love you, Your mama"

NOW I am ready for DAY 3.. This is FUN. SO who else out there is doing this challenge?

L.O.A.D 2011 WHEWWHEWWW

Today is the FIRST DAY of MAY and it is also the FIRST DAY of LOAD. I know alot of you are going what on earth are you talking about. I know scrapbookers most of them know what I am talking about. It is a challenge group that challenges themselves to make a layout a day for a month. YA. I know. Halfway through it we got WHAT WERE WE THINKING.
BUT.. in the end it is sooooooo cool to look at the creativity you get and what you have learned (SO I HEAR) this will be my first time to do it with this group. I have done something similar on my own. I think this is going to be awesome.

So Here is my first page:


I used the awesome Nikki Sivils "we are family" line love the bright colors.
I tore some co-redinations cardstock up to mimic how cats claw up all sorts of stuff (trust me they do) I used some of Tim Holtz wonderfully addictive distress stains (if you do not have any of these run do not walk to where ever the closest place near you that has them and get them... all of them. you need EVERY COLOR!)
WELL... YOU DO! The little clippy do thing is Basic Grey, I used that unidentifiable Green Martha Stewart punch again.. on the side.
Some Thickers and assorted ribbons

FUN HUH?
Didn't take me long just a fun little quick page.
The journaling reads: Fraidy cat, Bebe and Sybil Kitty piled up fast asleep. Don't they look comfy? OH to be able to sleep so good! "2011"
so first day down 30 more to go.... YIPPPPEEEEEE!!!! HERE WE GO!

WE ARE ALL OK

Thank you lord we are all ok. We were spared. This horrific storm that totally devastated our state and ravaged so many lives went north of us. We all are just in a state of shock down here and just cannot believe what we are seeing.
We are so fortunate and counting our blessings and holding our loved ones just a little closer today thanking our God for what we have and what he has saved us from.
We are praying for those who were affected and are doing everything we can to send assistance to those in need. Praying for those who have lost everything and lost loved ones. The loss is phenomenal. It will take years to recount but it will happen.
complete towns are gone communitys.. wipes away. lives destroyed. But the people as Alabamians are known for in the south are coming together and helping one another, lending a hand arm in arm neighbor helping neighbor to clean up and regroup.

Please if you can spare anything whatever it may be redcross is doing a wonderful job they are on the scene helping out. There are many ways that you can help.
You can give blood you can donate through united way, the american red cross. We have so much devastation here at home across the south and NOT just Alabama. This storm went across the south. YES Alabama had majority of deaths but other states were hit as well. They need help also.
So if you can. Give blood, Donate to a shelter, Take food to a local pantry, help with some clean up, whatever can be done. There are many MANY caravans going that direction taking gas, Generators, diapers water EVERYTHING these people have lost LITERALLY EVERYTHING... THINK KATRINA PEOPLE minus all the water. REMEMBER WHAT WE WENT THROUGH? its time to give back.
THey are really hurting and we need to help them.
HERE are ways you can help.

Easter Photos

We had such a beautiful day Easter Sunday. There was so much I had wanted to do but didn't get to do but am so very happy for all of the many blessings that we have received.


Bella had spent the evening before TIE DYEING eggs... ya that wasn't messy at allll! (she says with lots of sarcasm in her voice)



Its all good gramma scrubbed her up real good got that third eyebrow off her head from the egg dye...


She got up bright and early the next morning to a sunny Easter morning to see if that bunny brought her anything.




she loves those squenkies little collectible things. Im sure I butchered the spelling of that.

We had a wonderful lunch. We had a card making session with grandma.



cards Bella made above





Grammaw and Bella making cards


card that grammaw made above.

Card that I made above. THESE ARE ALL WITH THE CUPCARDSTOGO.COM kits

after grammaw left Bella spent the afternoon riding her scooter and we watched Yogi Bear (again and again) Then it was time for our annual egg hunt with Eva Caroline.





It was a good day.
I think we all had a wonderful day and really did enjoy all of what this day meant. We enjoyed our family and friends and were tireddd that evening.

spring break is over.. and what a week it was!

It has been full of well EVERYTHING around here. It has been a full week. (and then some) So get ready for lots of pictures.

WE TURNED 8 for starters.


I cannot believe my baby is now 8 years old. she should be like 4. I KNOW I KNOW all kids have to grow up BUT WHYY? She will always be my baby. I don't care if she is 8 or 20 Oh gosh. I can't even think about that.
So since her birthday was during spring break and most of her friends were off on vacation. She decided she wanted to spend the day doing other things and have a spend the night party with just a few friends. I had been having a hard time with the shingles and the girls she wanted to spend the night (it started out with 4 lord help us) most were not in town so it dwindled down to her bff Bailey.
They were still on vacation themselves to we opted to just spend the day out.

First stop BUILD A BEAR.
She has been asking to do this for years. So why not today.SHe didn't want a bear though. She wanted a LAMB. why am I not surprised. The first stuffed animal she ever had was a lamb from her Uncle Windale.
So Meet LULU the Lamb.



She has a complete wardrobe now.. (even rollerskates)



She used her birthday money she got and picked out a couple outfits. Was alot of fun I have to say myself. She has been with her nonstop since she has gotten her.





After that we went and saw RIO. CUTE CUTE MOVIE.
I think she enjoyed it also.
THEN OFF to her favorite diner. CHEEBURGER CHEEBURGER.
Where they embarrassed her completely by announcing her birthday.
They did give her a free meal and milkshake so she was happy about that.
(minus the embarrassment)

We came home watched American Idol all of us SOOO STUFFED we could barely moveeee. I think we all fell asleep we were soooo tired from our day.

The Next day her friend Bailey came over. John took Bella to get her Birthday present from Nana
A SCOOOTER she also got a hula hoop. OH they had fun with that.





They had a large time.

We (John) went and got her a small cake (it was late) so we didn't want a big cake and we didnt want a lot left over with all that Easter candy.




so what happens when you give them cake and ice cream at dark?


You get two little girls bouncin off the walls (and the furniture) you see the clock dont you? I think at 11 30 they were still goin strong.

8 am they were wideeeeee awake.... ready to go....

speaking of which Bella wants to go scootering and needs me to watch so I will return tomorrow with Easter photos... along with her Beautiful cards she made.
Hope you all had a wonderful time as well.

:)

a page and a mini

So I went to my LSS and got some more Pink Paisley Old school papers. I had some in one of the Kits I have along with some embellies. They had the paper pack there (thats just so much easier) I did a cute page with some photos of Bella that I took one night to show her JUST HOW SHE LOOKED when she was being a peel trying to get her to do her homework. I must say she IS a little better now. (THIS WAS LAST YEAR THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN IN FIRST GRADE) We kept telling her she had a loooooong time to be doing homework so she needed to just get over it and lets make it fun and buckle down and do it. not do all this drama scene. OH it was awful.
EVERY NIGHT. SAME THING. was unbelievable. I am so glad she is a smart child and can do it quickly and get it right but holy geeesh.I felt like Homework was one of those drugs on the commercials with the lawyers: IF YOUU OR YOUR FAMILY MEMBER HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED ONE OF THESE SYMPTOMS... that's where I got the journaling from on this layout. Was watching one of those ridiculous commercials and just started laughing. YES INSPIRATION IS EVERYWHERE PEOPLE!



When Bella has her own kids some day I will drag out this layout and say SEEEEEEE you were awful yourself missy! (and give them all a dollar to pitch a big ol fit)

So Yall know I love to make mini albums. I have them everywhere. I can just do so much with them and I love the process.
SOOOOOOOOOoooooo
Ya I made another one. This one is of THE SECOND GRADE. Just a few random pics. I don't really have that many. SO I just played around with the few I found. SOMEONE (not naming names but she is around 3 ft 2 and has blondish hair greenish/hazel eyes and is really cute most days until she does stuff like this) REORGANIZED my photos for me ::insert expletive of your choice here:: Ya I was not happy. I try to print as I go so I have photos on hand. for my random Scrapping. If I need additional photos then I just reprint or if I need larger photos. BUT I like to at least have them printed out. My mom isn't much for looking online at photos. SO I will keep them in little books until I get them scrapped. Some are in drawers but were very organized and were together by event and date... now. NOT SO MUCH. they are just SHOVED in there and some are bent and wrinkled.

IM NOT SMILING ME... NOT HAPPY. really ticked off. I take my photos very serious.
so anyway.
I should have learned by now to put a lock on my scrap room. It is just too tempting for a little one with all the nifty cool stuff in here. I KNOW.
anyway. We had TRUE SCRAP this past weekend. UNKIT (Sudie Alexander) Had an awesome Make and Take at the event. IF YOU MISSED TRUE SCRAP you missed out. OH GOODNESS IT WAS AMAZING. I AM TOTALLY INSPIRED AND so wanna scrap.

SO the results of it I whipped out this Mini album of Bella in 2nd Grade with the photos I FOUND.


Don't even ask me the name of those chipboard letters. I have no idea they are really old. I found them in a drawer and they were not in a package.
I used some of that scrumptious Tim Holtz Tissue Tape (thank you Tim for making that stuff I am totally addicted to it and YES I have officially gone through an entire roll and working on my second of that one that has memory, imagination, journey an etc all on it. I LOVE IT I use it on everything. just wait till you see the next page!!
That is also some October Afternoon (Love that stuff too) on this page also.
I used sand and Iridescent Gold Glimmer mists along with Colorbox fluid ink chalks. YUM! YES I have an insane addiction to mists also. you do not wanna know how many. Its all my friend Karen.. lady docs fault and Sudies. They can share blame.
That flower I used the glimmer mist on as well I used Pixie Dust Blingz by Shimmerz in the center to just kinda bling it some. the yellow netting on the d is by Glitz and is held there by TIMS Tiny attacher.



Page 1
the background I used pink paisley paper then covered it with Tim Holtz tape THEN I sprayed it with Sand and Iridescent Gold G.M., went over it lightly with the colorbox chalks. I love how it turned out. I added Jenni Bowlin Stickers but I put them on some chipboard first and cut them out inked the edges for dimension.
Added the Back to school rub on.
Sprayed some tags embellished with ribbon
painted that B at the top with some shimmerz blings.


More pink paisley and this is the Old School Doo Dads. I didn't like the center that was on the brown and red one so I interchanged them out and added this "COOL KID" one. Put some red bling at the top and bottom (7 since that's her age


I used some October Afternoon letter stickers on here along with 7 gypsy arrow turns and clippy do thingy at the top with the 2 (that's an offical name NOT) I cant remember what those are called forgive me.
you see how I changed the color of the arrows. THAT'S THE MAGIC of the sassy silver glimmer glaze. (while squalling to army wives and that other coming home show afterwards good heavens WHY WHY WHYYY do I keep watching that stuff!!!)

To distress it just let it get almost dry. Then take a paper towel or cloth and rub it away. Gives it a cool effect.


More October Afternoon letter stickers. Prima Tiny Flower. Tim Holts Tiny attacher staples on that triangle. That triangle is from what was left of the tag from page one cut off the bottom. The tiny banner on the bottom. That's from it also. SEEEE don't throw out those lil scraps. You can use them on all kinds of different things.
The numbers on the side are I BELIEVE that is some (REAAAALLLY OLD) 7 Gypsies Tape. I painted on some Glimmer mist to tone it down it was really bright white against that paper.
Martha Stewart Heart Punch across the top. and one of the center hearts to point to the 7 (their age) A little journaling on the side talking of Bella and Baileys Friendship (are they not the cutest everrrr?)



I just love these little Metal Badges. Are they not the cutest? so adorable for layering embellishments. I cut that star out of some chip board and thought how cute would that be.
The banner across the top is awesome also. They are FABRIC they hold ink really nicely.


The last page I did a lil different. I sprayed the chipboard back ground with TERRA COTTA Walnut Ink by Tsukineko. (did I spell that right?) I also got some on my leg and hubby thought I had a rash hahaha. Anyway. It absorbed really nicely. I went over the edges with my colorbox cats eye dark brown chalk inks.
THEN I cut the middle out of the Die Cut Paper by Pink Paisley in the Old School pack.
Sprayed it with my Iredescent Gold G.M. waded it up then opened it back up then went over it the edges and some of the crinkly parts with the colorbox ink.
glued it down to my sheed. Embellished the flowers with the bling added a piece of the fabric border to the side. The reverse side of the heart border and a journaling rectangle. I really didn't want to take away much from the photos in this book. just a little bit of Embellishments.



~ THAT'S ALL FOLKS

Hope yall liked it.
Lemme know what ya thought.

They have the paper at our LSS SCRAPPING FRENZY. Embellies everything.
Tell her you saw my stuff on my blog. She has Glimmer mists in also. I dont think she has the gold though. I asked her to get some though. (I use the heck out that stuff)

I hope yall will Join us tonight for Unkit Live. Sudie has a great show planned. We are going to be on VOKLE. It starts at 8:30 central time. Would love to see you there. if you click JOIN EVENT it will get you in the room. IS ALOT of fun.

lets see what am I forgetting? I know I havn't updated in a while. had all kinda stuff goin on.
Hope you all have a great week. Hope to see you at Unkit Live!

sure gonna miss them....

Can't sleep... my mind is just way too busy. We are back home which usually that is a good thing. I enjoy coming home seeing family and friends. Seems lately though the only time I get to come home is on sad occasions. This time is no different. Oh how I wish it were otherwise. Ya see. It is the turning point of our family. The McCrary side of our family. My fathers side. How so you ask? My fathers last sibling, My uncle, went to join the rest of the family that proceeded him in our heavenly kingdom.
I am so torn. I know I should be happy because that is what the bible says but my eyes tend to disagree and keep on crying just the same. I KNOW he is better off where he is. He isn't suffering and all that blah blah blah. ya I KNOW. I am broken hearted because,truth be known, since my daddy was...well my daddy got killed..I just haven't been the same.
It's not a big secret. I have had people want me to get over it, I have had people roll their eyes, "that Nancy she is Sooo dramatic" I have had ugly emails. (see that red x up there? that's the one you click when you want me to get over it folks it will help you! trust me! Go through what my family has gone through THENNN tell me to get over it!) My blog serves many purposes.

Regardless this is going to be a hard weekend. For everyone. We are really going to have to pull together.

Uncle Tom lived a long life full wonderful life. Gonna miss THAT man.
The man I remember was full of just that, life. fun. laughter. always cutting a joke.
He took me to Disney World when I was 11. (will never forget that)
I rode horses at his place.
Carla and I chased cows (got in trouble)in his pasture.
Used to sit on his knee and drive "uncle Tom" the blue truck.Before I could see over the steering wheel good.
Swam in their pool.
Ran over those trees that are now beside Carlas house on the go cart... the whole first row. flattened em clean out after he first set them out. whewww he was madddd. (HEY I RAN BACK OVER THEM the other way to put them back up right)

Gave my cousin Paul a bloody nose one 4th july in the back
yard (same go cart).. put on breaks when he was pushin us (thought I forgot about that didnt ya?)
Need to find those photos.
He took me on my first camping trip.
Took us cross country in the pick up to all these camp grounds. carla and I rode in the back of the truck they had a cover thing on it and sliding windows to it and a mattress back there. (prolly couldn't do that now days) We thought we were big stuff!

Rode my first bike with him running behind me screaming at me to pedal he was about to let go.
Wiped out for the first time on my first bike and got patched up on hwy 43 after he let go...

Ya see Carla is 6 months and 16 days younger than me.(she won't let me forget it either) so it was more like she is my sister than say my cousin. we loved each other but sometimes you wouldn't know it growing up.
in the end... you know it though. One of her daughters holds part of my name and well My daughter holds part of hers. We are just cool like that.
So part of me knows that we will always have each other. no matter what. why? Because we just will.

So when my daddy was taken from us... to them it wasn't just an uncle.
and now you see Uncle Tom ya He is my Uncle and a lot of you go ahhh sorry.... your uncle died. He was more than "JUST" Uncle TOM. At one point and time in our lives... we all thought the world revolved around this man.
We still do.

Sure am gonna miss that man...
Hope he hugged my daddy twice when he got to see him again and my grandmama too.

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.