Friday night pre game show!

Bella had a GREAT time last night. I have to say we did also. She has had a VERY hectic week and next week isn't looking much better. TWO games next week Ok well on Tuesday the Termite league plays one game and the Pee wee team plays two games in one night. I am praying this is a typo on the news letter because this is a school night. We may have to leave early that night but I hate to not stay and support our boys. They are having to stay and play.

Bella was so ridiculously tired last week. I don't want her grades to start hitting the bottom from all this. We are in 3rd grade for petes sake!

Then they have that same Thursday another 2 games (Termites play one then the Pee Wees play one)
Soooo, last night She got to cheer with the High school (professional cheer leaders she calls them) at the pregame show. They did 2 or maybe it was 3 cheers and a dance.
Was soooo so cute. They had the kindergartner cheerleaders out there as well.


Ya there were a WHOLE bunch of them out there.

Bella was right in the middle, back row, 50 yard line. 2 pony tails, shirt untucked (go figure)




She did really good. I thought she would be so nervous but she did amazing. She has this cheerleader stuff down.








THey all did such a great job. The little ones were so cute.

The warriors WON THE GAME to boot! Bella said it was because we had so many cheerleaders! There may be somethin' to that!

What doesn't kill us makes us.... tired?

ok ok I KNOW that is not how the saying goes, and it isn't very positive. LET ME SPLAIN MYSELF. YESSSSterday. I think was a huge worn out day on my list of worn out days as of late. This kid I tell ya. First off we (being John and I) had a Dr. appt for physicals to get all our blood work done and blah blah etc for ins. purposes. SO he had the "come to Jesus" talk with us about eating right and exercise and yayaya.
I knew I needed to eat 3 times a day. I have had problems with this for a long time.
(a lot of it is that medicine but I always have had eating issues with my freaky stomach) so we got paper work and said ok we will do all this take this do that and come back and see how it goes.
Went to our NEW FAVORITE REST. Mediterranean Sandwich Shop right down from us at Winn Dixie Shopping center. Got my orzo with the Turkey bacon They have good gyros too. Figured that was a way I could plan to eat then and again that night. Maybe tomorrow morning too (The large orzo usually will feed me 3 times) I am trying to plan it so I can eat 3 times a day now. (I have to make it easy or Im not gonna do this.)

So Rest a bit and get ready for Bellas ball game across the Bay. We get there and another game is going on. Our game (sup to start early but no starts late)

The kids had a blast though.
But thought we were going to get to get home early and do more studying (Thank the lord I made her read over it and study before hand! She kept saying she could on way home but I was mean mom)



She is gonna have to get used to the routine. We are not used to all this activity.


Hopefully the weather will go ahead and coool off!
Last night was awesome. It was perfect temp. enjoyable.

The girls were sooo cute. They did cheers and dances and the whole shebang.
All their hard practice is paying off.

I tried to get photos of it but they didnt come out good But every time our boys would make a touch down They had to do pushups. Was soooooo cute!
THey are working on doing them all together... was so funny!

AND YES OUR BOYS are even moreee determined so they have to do push ups (BELLA said her arms and chest were hurting this morning)She appreciated it Warriors!



Another Pep rally tonight for our Varsity guys and get to see my girly all full of spirit cheering them on. Getting them all Psyched up.

So.. LETS GO WARRIORRRS!!!! (I will nap tomorrowwww!)

signed... one worn out mom (and I know her daddy is draggin' also haha!)

HAPPY SEPTEMBER EVERYBODY

Well it is a new month. Did you get your computer backed up? What about your photos? Did you get your pictures printed off? Yaaa me either. Good thing we have a long weekend huh? Unless your one of those fortunate people that gets to actually TRAVEL and have fun on Labor day? We used to be those people before MS.
IS ok Suposed to be raining all weekend. (AND some awesome COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYIN THIS WEEKEND WHEWWHEWW) I just felt Bella's eyes roll from where ever she was. That child will come into where John and I are and scold us for "Being TOO LOUD". We get into our football games. I worry I am going to be "That mom" at her games at school.

My mom embarrassed my brother horribly when he played football in school. I was young so I don't remember it. Just remember the stories. Something involving "THEY BETTER GET OFF OF MY SON!!" good thing I don't have a boy PLAYING foot ball. Glad she is Cheering.
She is so excited!
It will not be long now before her games begin.
She is the perfect one to be a little cheerleader. She brings me alot of cheer.
I mean I woke up to this on my phone the other morning.



Is that not an amazing way to wake up?
Love that girl!
So her Being a next generation "Cheer" leader just seems to fit. ya she is following in the foot steps of her cousin Kasi and me also. A funny but interesting fact. Her cousin Kasi and I both cheered at the same school. Lots of years in between.NO COMMENTS about that please! :P~(Kasi is my cutey niece) My mom still has some of my cheer uniforms. Whats funny. Bella could probably fit in them now.




Notice the matching outfits? She is all about that. Surprised lou lou the lamb didn't have one too. Silly girl. This is another just woke up picture. I tell her this is when she is the sweetest and snuggly. My girl is growing up yall! Hope everyone is doing ok with the storms. BE safe with the next one it looks like a booger as well. Hope yall are getting a break before it hits.

Think I will go work on doing as I say and back up my computers and pictures and.... yeah. :)
have a great day!

so here it is end of August

Seems like this year is flying by. The kids are back in school. Bella is LOVING cheer Leading. They have their first game soon. She is practicing her cheers all over the house. She cheers everything now. you ask her a question and its " Y- E- S- mommy!!! whewwwwww or N- O- Thank you SHOW SPIRITTT!!!" hahaha. I love that youngen she cracks me up! Ya she is really getting into it.

So it being the end of the month a couple things we need to do.

1. REMEMBER TO BACK UP YOUR PHOTOS~ too many people have computer crashes and yes it is hurricane season. I have been trying to uploa2d mine as I go to Walgreens site. Also there are places like photobucket and Flicker.
You can also back them up to disks and put copies in a safe deposit box for storage.
which is a very good idea.

I have been trying to print some off to scrap and frame as I take them. Notice I said TRYING.
As I get different papers and kits I put the photos that I want to use with it in with them so I can just grab them when I have time to scrap them.

2. Back up your computer, hard drive.
I try to do this at the end of the month also. is a good way to remember it.

3. Is your antivirus, malware protection updated? this really needs to be done MORE Than monthly. REALLY with facebook and all the other malicious stuff out there it is a good idea to update it regularly depending on how often you are on the internet facebook, twitter can bring you all kinda lovely infectious things onto your computer.


Just a few reminders for you, Things we do around here at the end of the month to keep the computers running. Thank the lord I have an in house I.T. guy. He is constantly reminding me of these things. So I thought I would share.

Also wanted to share with you some other fun things coming up.

TEACH CRAFTS LIKE A ROCK STAR
This is going to be a really fun experience to get you teaching classes well.. like a rockstar! Taught by some of the BEST in the business. Check it out.


also be sure to check out TEACH CRAFTS LIKE A ROCK STAR on facebook


Hope you have a wonderful day!

Just some scrappy fun stuff

A couple of layouts I did with Backporch memories kits

Tara took this photo Of her son Brayden and their dog Stevie G When Bella was over swimming. How funny huh? I just hadd to scrap this. This kit was perfect for it.
The Journaling reads: " To say it has been hot is not even close, even Stevie G. has been jumping in the pool to cool off. He likes to take a swim with you and Brayden. He is a very cool funny dog. July 2011"
I also put the number 8 amongst my cluster of embellies (to remind me how old they are in this photo haha ya I forget)I just love that little thermometer. How cute is that? IT REALLY WORKS TOO Bella tried it out hahaha!


This layout just had to be done. This is like a rite of passage. I mean we alll have done this. I cringed when I saw her in front of that dirty old box fan but she was just too cute singing away. SO had to take some photos.

Wanted to point out a few things I did on this layout.
I used the layered flowers instead of as flowers as a border at the top behind the photo I cut them in half and inked them also I used my We R Memory Keepers cropadile and punched holes in 2 of the center circles and made it appear like buttons
and used them on the bottom and twisted the ribbon like the fan was blowing it away from the singing bird.

Anyway BACK TO SCRAPPING!
I am working on some mini albums. Working on a class that I am teaching with my friend Melissa at the No Frills crop (crop for a cure) that our friend Darlene is hosting here in Mobile on Oct. 15th. We are teaching a mini album class. It is coming along and is sooooo cute. It is going to be a class you wont want to miss.
Gonna teach some fun techniques and tricks and have some fun product also.



Edited* Wow I cannot believe an Earthquake just hit virginia that was a 5.9 but was felt all the way to Washington D.C. and all the way down to Georgia. My brother was working out in the field in Ohio and said he could feel it there! Wow. I was watching on the weather channel and they showed some footage in New York. Those Biggg bridges that had the cables holding them up. All those cars going over them. My heart just sank. Made me so nauseous just to think WHAT COULD have happened. Also Made me very thankful that nothing severe DID happen.

Watching this hurricane Irene hoping that it will not do any severe damage. The east coast is just catching it right now.
Praying for you all my friends.
Please be safe
Hope you have a great day.

One week down..

So it has been a whole WEEK of school already. So hard to believe. My baby is a 3rd grader. I KNOW. I keep saying that. It is just so hard to let go. watching her grow up into this amazing kid is so awesome. We were so blessed to have her in the first place.
We wanna just put a brick on her head and keep her little.

She is having a good time. Making friends. getting used to her classes. She told me she had music last night. All I got out of her is she got to go "AHHHAAAHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH AHHHH AHHHH" so I took it they did scales.
was pretty funny.


she is loving the variety in uniforms they get to wear.
They get to wear SKORTS. she is such a little priss. She cracks me up with the skorts "look mom its a skirt nooooooo its shorts nooooooooo its a skort".. and giggles.



I think she is really going to enjoy this year of 3rd grade. She has made some friends already. She lovvvees her teacher. She is going to pick back up guitar. She is rockin the cheerleading and she said she has already experienced real mystery meat in the school cafeteria, so what else can you ask for?

I think we are definitely getting our moneys worth. she has the social part down anyway.
Now just have to do something about this heat so mama can help her more. anyone got that little request sheet we send to the good lord? I would love to fill one out that asks for cooler weather. Thank you in advance.
Bella is convinced all I need is Ruby Tuesdays Salad Bar and that I will be healed.
I may have to try it and see just you know to test out her theory will get back to you on my findings. Hope you have a good weekend.

FIrst day of 3rd grade? whaat?

SERIOUSLY? WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN? my baby grew up?
Seems like she is only supposed to be 4 years old like in the header of this blog. All sassy and prissy and running around pointing her finger singing. sigh. So hard to believe she is going into the 3rd grade. I am going to be looking her straight in the eye by the end of this year. She is getting so tall. (not to mention a big ol foot on this kid) She was laughing putting on her uniform this morning. She said "These are bowling shoes. We look goofy. We all are going to look like we are going bowling. This is crazy. WHO was the bright person that THOUGHT UP wearing THESE?" Then keeps making swishing sounds and strike noises like she is bowling. My child the comedian.

BUT HOW CUTE IS THIS???

OK so they look like bowling shoes. THEY are still sooo cute. AND she rocks them!

I took our traditional photo (look how much she has grown omgosh!


she was a tad bit nervous but, WHEN I TOLD HER Mrs. Overman was waiting for her. She got quickly over it and got EXCITED!

She was over me taking pictures of her though... (as if you couldn't tell)


We went to orientation (BELLA SAID BOOOOOOOOORRRRRRIIINNNGGGG) Then on to her class room. She has 12 kids in her class.

She loves her teacher.




They are going to have a great time this year.
She had Cheerleader practice after wards. We didn't stay. They kinda ran the parents out. They had a pizza party at the beginning of it. We didn't want to cramp her coolness!
Tomorrow is her first full day I cannot wait to hear all about it. She has already made some friends.
We signed her up for guitar. This guitar teacher knows her last guitar teacher so I think this is going to be a good thing.

just a minor update..

Ya I know I have not updated a lot BUT, y'all know summer is really NOT my best time. Heat does me in.
I'm diggin' in best we can. Bella and I have been kinda just hangin' out. I have been collecting up my kits. matching them with photos. (she has helped) We have wrapped ribbon (some of it) We have alot to go.. I think ribbon must reproduce.
We keep finding it and also I have found ALOT of American Craft Thickers (I am not complaining at all)

I just did a stock up on adhesives, and glue. One cool thing I have been playing with and I JUST LOVE IT is the SMASH BOOK. I know alot of you have heard of these.
You can make your own or you can purchase the one from K & Co. Sudie had featured one in the UNKIT this past time. I have been playing around with it some. I got some of the accessories they have to go with it. Pretty fun I must say so. I LOVEEE the pen. I want another one. Bella wants one but I don't think this one is really right for her. I am thinking of making one for her that would be more 8 year old appropriate with some scrap papers I have. She really is wanting to do her own.
I have so many Love Elsie papers and other cutesie papers I am thinking would go great for a kid Smash book
Don't you think?
For those that are going what on earth are you talking about woman
check this out: SMASH BOOK There is a video bottom left you can watch shows you what it is all about.

HERE Is the blog smash stories that has lots of examples also. I would love if you have some home made or other examples of smash books to please post them in my comments so we can see them. I have a group of friends that are doing them. So I would much appreciate it.


CHA is coming out and all the new fun stuff my favorite seasons of fun stuff the CHRISTMAS papers and stuff will be coming out.

THey are always so beautiful with shiny glittery sparkly ... can't wait!

I have a lot to get organized and catch up on have had several boxes come in my scrap room looks like priority mail central. You know the shingles and MS had me down when I had boxes of scrap stuff in here and I DIDNT EVEN OPEN THEM. ya I KNOW.
John was very concerned. wondering If he needed to call an intervention.
I have several projects in the works just got to get to where my eyes will let me do them. I am feeling better just colors are still looking funny. light still is kinda painful. I wear out easy still. But MUCH BETTER than this time last week or even yesterday. progress.
Its all about positive and progress.

Bella is growing like a weeeeeed on fertlizer. She is getting so tall. She can almost wear my shoes. UGHH. THis "HERRR growing up" stuff... NOT LIKING IT.
SOOO glad I am a scrapbooker and have all those lil moments scrapped. well most of them anyway. I have majority of them, trust me. SHE HAS a very good portion of her life in scrapbook albums. haha.


CHA is coming, My in laws will be here for the 4th Im excited to see them. Have missed them greatly. We do not get to see them much. I am still recovering from this last big flare and shingles. I dunno how the fireworks are gonna do. May have to let John handle that. I will see how hot it is and how my ears are. I have one nasty one on my ear still that just will not go away. Noise and light are the big annoyances right now. Nerves are still lil edgy. not as bad. (but my gosh hard to be on huge doses of steroids and not be)
I have been reading positively positive phrases books. They do help believe it or not. THink I am going to use alot of them in my smash book. I posted a lot of them on fb and twitter so I will have them all in one place and it really does make it easier when you go to make them to have it all together.




Oh if you get a chance Better Homes and Gardens (july issue) has a cute lil scrap space on the last page or last couple pages of their regular magazine (no its not mine) it is a cute closet make over into a scrap/craft space is a cute idea. Mine would never be that neat and orderly. I need to reorganize my scrapbook room. It looks like a cyclone hit it.

July 1st Be sure and stop by Hobby Lobby though, I have a few things in their magazine you can see. It should be at the check out counter. It is called stamping stationery and scrapbooking.
I will show you the cover of it July 1st :) so be sure and check back. Hope you have a SMASHING day and I hope to see your smash journals if you do one and who knows I may just show yours on here :)

Bella and I made cards

Today Bella and I made cards. With Cupcardstogo.com kits. YA I am still in the bed alot, but up and down. Shingles on my face in my ear but are moving to the left side of my face and are going up and down this time from under my eye beside my nose to over my lip down my chin down my neck. I have some still though across (i have to laugh because this is ridiculous looking like a tiny cross shingle puzzle) my cheek to my ear behind my ear to the back of my neck.
Those big iv steroids, my interferon, insulin, other humpteen bajillion things had to be on just wiped it out and this is the reaction. Praying hard doesnt go into eye.


John went deep sea fishing today. His long time friend Ronnie came down. It was so wonderful to see and spend time with him. has been so long seeing him. he was telling us about the kids I just cannot get over how grown they are. I wish Blake could have come so sorry he broke his ankle I know he is miserable and that boat trip would have been bad (just ask your daddy and Mr John they both are walkin sloooow they got beat up on them waves pretty bad hahaha)
They had a great time though caught their limit. Got sunshine. Came home draggin and tired.
I have some photos John took and will upload them soon.


hate to leave on a sad note but.... our MS group lost one of its members tonight and it does always hit us pretty hard. I do ask for some extra prayers for his family and his friends and fellow MS group supporters. was pretty fast. If you would keep Clays family in your hearts and your prayers esp over the next several days as they deal with all they have to. He no longer has to suffer but his family no longer has their loved one. They are really hurting. I thank you.

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!