Thats Nancy WITH A Jones

2012-01-20T00:58:00.000-08:00

Today I am HAPPY... WHY NANCY you ask? WHY ARE YOU SO HAPPY TODAY? Well I am glad you did I am going to tell you hehe. Have had a lot going on. Bella is growing like a pasture weed she is getting sooo tall. Dunno what I am gonna do with that kid. Put a brick on her head? This growin' up stuff? I don't like it. Nope not one bit. Doesn't matter she will always be MY BABY even when she is 60. The weather here has been so strange. Kinda freakish here for January to say the least. I mean 70's come on really? I am not complaining. I just won't be shocked when in March it is 20 and we are all sick and saying "Boy, this sure is unusual weather for March, usually it is in the 70's" I will have to refer back to this post then.Hard to even pretend anymore I just gave up today and put on t shirt and my flip flops and said whatever. If you live down here.. you may as well.So we have had some good news in our family. I will post her post so I don't mess it up:Britney::"The doctor finally called me!! And it is good news, not the BEST ever, but still good!! My blood work came back lower than it was in October which is a good thing!! So she wants to look at it again in 6 weeks and see if the growth gets any bigger and if the blood work changes.. So I go back at the end of February! I strongly believe in the power of prayer!! Thank you all so very much!! :)"WONDERFUL NEWS. We STILL NEED to keep praying for her over the next 6 weeks and the dr's PLEASE. Thank you all so very much. For the ones that do not remember or aren't familiar Britney is my cousin Steve and Jan's youngest daughter. Jan is the very talented one that scrapbooked and sews all those amazing things you see on facebook all the time. YAAAA herrr now you remember.Wanted to remind you guys that L.O.A.D. Starts up FEB the 1. so there is still time to sign up! If you are unfamiliar that is LAYOUT A DAY where you make a scrapbook page a day and we are doing it for FEB. Hopefully I will get to do it this time without fail.I will get you the link to sign up for that.My insurance is finally paying for my meds again (YAHOOOO) so I am back on my REBIF interferon for MS so let the good times roll (not) actually it makes you feel pretty crappy but that outweighs not being able to swallow or breathe or walk or stand without balance. The other downfall .. the stinkin shingles. I immediately started breakin out. So on the list tomorrow call about refill of those meds geesh. more meds more meds more medsssss AHHHHHH!!Bella bug has been fighting a battle of sickies this week. she has croupy cough sinus drainage and yucky tummy (upchucks)I know sorry for sharing. She made it through school yesterday when I just knew we would get a call. She is a trooper. She said her throat felt like yuck but she didn't want to miss because they were out Monday. (what logic for an 8 year old?) She said they had a lot of school to cover ha ha.Other good news (least she thought so and I have to agree!) WE HAD THIS FOR SUPPER!!!

(this is not MY PICTURE IT IS THIS PINNERS PICTURE THAT I LOVINGLY BORROWED ALONG WITH THE RECIPE THAT I AM SHARING WITH FULL CREDIT TO THEMMMM WITH YOU) THis recipe is sooooo gooooood. Only thing we did not do is use the fresh basil or the olive oil we just cooked it in our pan without oil. I added 2 more cans of diced red tomatoes and used more chicken stock (it wasn't very soupy) also we used crushed up lasagna noodles instead of these noodles and it was FANTASTIC!!!!HERE IS THE LINK(click on the word link)or just follow this recipe with the alterations above)Lasagna SoupINGREDIENTSfor the soup:2 tsp. olive oil1-1/2 lbs. Italian sausage3 c. chopped onions4 garlic cloves, minced2 tsp. dried oregano1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes2 T. tomato paste1 28-oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes2 bay leaves6 c. chicken stock8 oz. mafalda or fusilli pasta1/2 c. finely chopped fresh basil leavessalt and freshly ground black pepper, to tastefor the cheesy yum:8 oz. ricotta1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese1/4 tsp. saltpinch of freshly ground pepper2 c. shredded mozzarella cheesePREPARATIONHeat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces, and brown for about 5 minutes. Add onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tomato paste turns a rusty brown color.Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add uncooked pasta and cook until al dente. Do not over cook or let soup simmer for a long period of time at this point, as the pasta will get mushy and absorb all the soup broth. You may even want to consider cooking the noodles separately, and then adding some to individual bowls before ladling the soup over them. This would be an especially smart move if you are anticipating any leftovers. Right before serving, stir in the basil and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheesy yum. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.To serve, place a dollop of the cheesy yum in each soup bowl, sprinkle some of the mozzarella on top and ladle the hot soup over the cheese.Servings: 8Source: adapted from 300 Sensational Soups by Carla Snyder and Meredith Deeds, as seen in the February-April 2011 edition of At Home with Kowalski's magazinePrinted from: a farmgirl's dabbles (www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com)It got the SEAL OF APPROVAL from all of the Jones family.So anyway hope you all have had a wonderful week. Talk sooooon....

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T01:02:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a Happy FUN and SAFE New year. We had soooo much fun. I told you in the previous post that we were going to Tammy and Jims with Tara and Greg with the kids. Oh it was such fun. We gathered up all these fun dress up things and took silly pictures.

We ate goood fooood. Had lots of conversation. Lots of laughter fun music it was awful foggy so foggy you couldn't really see the fireworks but we knew they were there.

It felt good to be able to go. I don't get to do that often. Since I am not taking the interferon right now (thanks to the insurance company) I thought ok we will venture out... and I felt better. I am so glad we went. It was so fun. Bella had fun too. Got to meet Veronica.She is a lot of fun.

Tammy and Jims house is so beautiful. They are such fun people also. Even though I have decided they can never come to my house unless she is helping me decorate, then well, ok maybe. Because o m gosh WOW.I fell in LOVE with their back porch patio and yard. OH it is so pretty. Like something out of a magazine.Bella had a good time keeping those boys in line.

They were so cute and so funny. Bella was fussing at us for keeping her out so late. It was so past her bedtime. We told her well Its New years and this is a special occasion you know we don't do this often at all dear. She said I KNOW. I am just tired. SO FUNNY felt kinda role reversal there huh child? John woke her up this morning and made her come get in bed with us and watch cartoons. FUNNY HUH? she is usually the one diving in bed with us waking US UP! Funny the things we treasure. Sunday early morning in pjs watching cartoons. Then today we had to WAKE HER UP and MAKE HER come watch cartoons with us. sigh... our baby is growing up! I see it now...us going and waking up our teenager... "COME GET IN BED WITH US AND WATCH CARTOOONS! NOW!" "awww dad seriously??? IM 17!" "I don't care! Its a tradition." "UGHHHHHH" ::deep sigh with eye roll for drama:: "fineeee! Just quit yelling!" ::stomp stomp stomp::Ya that is our angel.That is sorta how this morning went but she is 8.

We had another reason to celebrate today well besides it being New Years. It was also MY BIRTHDAY! YAY ME! YES I was born on NEW YEARS DAY. oh before you start saying OHHH COOOL. don't its not really. It kinda stunk as a kid. Most of my friends were not home. They were out of town during Christmas Break. It was always cold, Several birthdays I remember having the flu, Cheap people that always say "OH YA, this is your christmas present AND YOUR birthday present" OK well same goes for you I don't care IF your birthday is in June! gonna wrap your present in Christmas paper too :P~~ hehe. Doesn't bother me as much now at 42 as it did when I was 6. yes years of therapy gotten me through, Thank you to the fine staff and support system we contribute cash to.So MY SWEET baby girl. Brings me THIS:

oh my gosh! IS THAT NOT THE CUUUUTEST BROWNIE CUP CAKE EVER???? she and her daddy made those for me. SHE MADE THE LITTLE BANNER ON TOP ALLLL BY HERSELF! my baby! so love that girl.I would like to congratulate (AND THANK) AUBURN FOR WINNING THE CHICK FIL A BOWL! WARRRRRRRRRR EAGLE!!! AWESOME GAME!!!I didn't get to post much on fb or chat yall through it. The battery on my phone was dead. I am sure yall were probably happy about that hahahaha.We played babies today actually we played Miss Melissa beauty shop. WE worked on her babies hair. See they needed some help. Her dolls were a big hot mess. Whoopie would have said whew lawd when she saw jojo. She looked like she had some deeeeep down dreads that needed work. And kitkat needed... Well she just needed somethin.So I was lookin on pinterest and omg you can find anything on there. LITERALLY I think you could find out how to print money. They have literally everything on pinterest. LOVE IT! SO I found the recipe for how to make those American girl dolls and well any baby dolls hair look like new again. (WHO KNEW) instead of sending them back to the doll hospital (pricey and you have to be without your baby for 2 whole weeeks oh the horror) So I figured WHY NOT! I mean what worse could happen. She already looked like she walked straight out of a cave with that hairdo. All she needed was a bone through her nose and she would have looked like captain cavemans wife.

I don't think they have a captain cave man American girl doll. This one was close.So I proceeded. (worse case scenario... have to send it to doll hospital and that was what we were having to do anyway) SOOO I started and what do you know got one section done! BOOO YAH!

pretty soon I had it all brushing through easily. Bella was amazed and thought I was just super mom with magic skillz (and she should! Cuz I am)

So ya we spent a relaxing day at home today. We were all worn out from last night but IT was so much fun and I thank Tammy and Jim for having us over. It was fun to get to go somewhere I don't get out often. I would like to get out more some when I feel like it. Is good for the soul.So did you all eat your black eye peas today? Do you eat any special foods or have any special traditions for New years day? WE ate black eye peas and pork tenderloin for supper tonight with rice. Hope it brings us some good luck this year (since last year pretty much el suck o'd) I pray you have a wonderful 2012 that your family have health happiness, love,lots of laughter, Joy, peace and gratitude also , the ability to recognize each. Happy 2012 Lets make this a WONDERFUL YEAR!!!!!

2011 so thats the end of that...

2011-12-31T11:17:00.000-08:00

This year has flown by. We often say that but this year has. It has been a strange year. Things have felt "off" hard to explain. Like something is freakishly wrong in the universe. Time just seems to be going so fast.My kiddo is growing up so fast. Some days I wish I could just freeze time and live in the moment for ever. I know not possible.We have had some fun times this year, some sad times along with difficult times as everyone has, A lot of changes taken place. So many things different. We lost some family members that were very special to us. I don't deal with death that well at all, I know no one deals with it great but since my dad I really have to prepare for funerals. Ya I'm a mental case. but you knew that. So maybe that is what is so "off" both of them being close with my dad brought back a lot of pain and memories I do not like.It was good to see family that I have not seen in a while. Sad the reasons.Bella started a new school this year. 3rd Grade. UGH! hard to imagine. I KNOW.

She was so excited to be a cheerleader. She carried on the family tradition of the McCrary girls before her (me and Kasi were both cheerleaders GO DRAGONS!!) So it was just fitting that she wanted to. I was surprised since she is so timid when she is first around people. She didn't know anyone at this school but she went in like she knew them all and joined the cheer squad. I was so proud of her. By the time school started she had a few friends already.

She did a great Job. She had to miss one game because she had to have her baby teeth take out and the wires put in. That was tough on her. She missed almost a week of school. The anesthesia was rough on her. BUT she was a trooper and did well. Her 8th Birthday she didn't want a big party this year. She missed her bff Bailey so much. Sooooo she wanted her to come spend the night and them have a party.Soooooooooooo

ya look at the clock they were still goin strong! John and I... not so much.Since she didnt want to have a birthday party. We went to see RIO then to Cheeburger Cheeburger (one of her favorite places to eat) and she got LULU

SHE LOVES LULU. She goes everywhere with her just about if not her then her American Girl doll does. She is all about The matchy outfits and stuff. (it gets crazy sometimes)

How can this not make you smile in the morning?We had a nice Easter She hunted eggs with Eva Caroline and We made cards with Grandma

Had a scary flare in May with Multiple Sclerosis. It messed with my swallowing as well as chest and right side. As soon as the steroids were in I could swallow better but lost my voice. was so strange. THEN I had weird side effects from the steroids got terrible yeast inf even in my eyes. was horrible took loong time to get through. Seems every May I end up in hospital. Am really really scared this year since insurance is being a butt and I am off my meds. VERY scared what will happen.I also discovered I DESPISE GREEN JELLO!

LEAF blower manvacuuming the shrubs... Yall really didn't think I was serious did you? I know hard to see because of screen on window but look close. THAT IS A SHOP VAC! THIS IS MY BEDROOM window. YOU SEEE how close that is. YES its LOUD!WHen your sick and have shingles in and on your ear it makes the nerve make everything hurt and that sound and the leafblower vibrate everything and not in a good way. the sound and the vibration o m g. you cannot escape it. I have wanted to just DIEEEEEE on many occasions. People often wonder why I get so grouchy and irritable. THIS is alot of the problem. TRY waking up to this at 7 am and NOT get a single day off. (IT HAS gotten a lot BETTER I HAVE TO ADMIT) he waits till 8 30 some days now. Fourth of July Johns parents were here. Lala was so cute.

Was a peaceful restful time. ahhhhhh!

We spend alot of time with Tara and Gregg on some holidays. They are good friends of ours.We usually do Halloween and New Years with them. It has kinda become a tradition so to speak... well sometimes New years Depends what is going on. We have added more people as the years have gone by to the crew at the get togethers we have a lot of fun and the kids enjoy it.We get to be silly and not worry about anything since we are right here in our little neighborhood.

Tara with sonny and cher singing I GOT YOU BABE!Bella and Eva Caroline went to the Fall Festival at St.Elmo Baptist Church. We all had a great time.

For Johns Birthday we went to Cheeburger Cheeburger. John ate the BIG ONE and got his picture up on the wall.

For our anniversary we went to our Favorite place The Japanese resteraunt!!

Afterwards we had to stop at Marble Slab for some dessert!Guess who had that idea!!

Bellas Third grade teacher (she is so awesome) Mrs. Overman did the coolest thing. Thehad a Renaissance medieval Feast. It was so coool. The girls talked about saving your love and kisses and being princesses of God. The boys talked about saving their love and kisses and being Knights of God. They worked on self esteem, purity, and are laying the ground work for the future. What an amazing day this was. Im such a sap I teared up during the speech Mrs. Overman gave. I wish I had it recorded so I could put the words down for Bella.

Greg was our court Jester. how cute is this?

Had a few bad weeks the beginning of Dec. Insurance company is messing with my interferon and it ran out so I had to cold turkey just stop taking it. So you can imagine. It did horrid things to my body. A lot of symptoms were messing with me. I still am having a lot of tiredness and mind fog. Am trying to play a few games (words with friends) to try to help with thinking but it is just showing me what I don't know I think. haha.My dr is trying very hard to convince them that I NEED this medication. Not the others. (Due to where my lesions are on my brain stem and the progression of my symptoms) I still have good days and bad days. Winter is better Summer is horrific. Heat melts me. I cant walk when I get hot I cant swallow I cant breathe. still get those horrific Hiccups that then make my chest contract and squeeze that feels like you are having a heart attack but you aren't and you have to take slow deep breaths and push in on your rib cage and take muscle relaxers to get it to stop if you can swallow at all during it. Makes your heart beat weird. no rhyme or reason to it.It just happens. Sometimes for a few seconds sometimes minutes.But mostly things are good and have been doing better since its cooler after I got over the sudden withdraw of the meds. Shingles aren't as bad. Still kinda leary.Christmas Kinda snuck up on us this year.Bella did her traditional pink tree in her room.

Bella got a letter from Santa! She was soooo excited. I loved hearing her read it. Just watching her facial expressions and hearing her little voice pronounce all the words. I wished I had video'd it. Yes I got teary eyed.

Bella and Brayden (her boy)playing the Kinect. SOOOOO CUTE!!!

Those are all the photos pretty much, I have on my laptop and Im sure you are asking "Holy wow Nancy. How many pictures are you going to put on this post?" WEll I haven't updated in some time. So was catching you up.JOhn is working and fighting with the insurance co. on my behalf and is my biggest support and advocate. I am grateful for him. Without him I wouldn't be alive today. That's the honest truth. He pushed and pushed to help find out what was wrong with me to get answers when no one would listen. HE KNOWS what we go through. So it gets frustrating listening to things sometimes.I hope you all had a fabulous 2011 and 2012 is even better for you. If I can get on my desktop there may be better or more photos of 2011 so Check back.

St Elmo Fall Festival

2011-11-05T14:41:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely time at the yearly St Elmo Fall festival. It was A G-GORGEOUS day. PERFECT WEATHER.

These two were so excited to get to go have some fun getting treats, hay ridin', cake walkin and seeing friends!

They were pumped! singing and talking about what they were going to do first.

one of Bella's really sweet friends from her previous school. She has missed. Was really fun seeing her and spending time with her.

HAY RIDEEEE!

My little buddy that helped me hijack the hay ride (so he could driveeeeeeeeee!! the tractor! he was sooo adorable)

A beautiful ending to a wonderful day!

Goin to see Nana Faye...

2011-10-22T16:01:00.001-07:00

Ever since I found out that Nana Faye was going to be this direction for a wedding, all I could think about was getting to where she was going to be. I knew this was a once in a lifetime chance to "get my hands on her" to get hugs and just to be around her even if it was for a few minutes. I know yall may not understand or be able to comprehend the value of the love we have for this woman. No she really isn't related to us. But she is our Nana. Thinking back she has always been around. When I needed someone to talk to. WHen I needed advice or someone to tell me like it is. Or a shoulder to cry on. Heck she helped me go through baby names back and forth when I was trying to think of names for this little bit right here!!

So getting to see her live and in person. not talking to her on the computer or on the telephone. (Im going to start crying again) was the most wonderful gift I could have ever been given in my life. I just kept looking at her. soaking it all in. Every second. Looking at photos. Talking and just being with her.
Her skin is so soft. She smells so good. I want to remember every second.
Time went very fast.

John took alot of pictures (I thought our expressions were funny on this one)

It was really good to see Carol and Norman again.
Nana Faye gave Bella the sweetest lil Doll. Bella has named her after Nana Faye. (how sweet is that?)

Carol looked really good. I know she is about to have surgery on Thursday. Hope that everything goes well and she recovers quickly.

Bella was happy to see them and loved getting extra whip cream with Carol for her Banana pudding (they share that love)

We had a nice lunch. Had a good time. was so good to see Nana, Carol and Norman. Don't worry we Gave her hugs for everyone.
I just Didn't want to leave. I Wanted to put her in my car and take her home with me.
Love that woman! Really hope she enjoys the wedding and we didn't wear her out too much today. I know we enjoyed seeing her and I wouldn't have traded today for anything in this world.

No Frills/mini album class SOLD OUT

2011-10-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

I would like to Thank you ladies so much for coming to the Class today for Making Strides for Breast Cancer. The mini album we made was a lot of fun. I am proud to announce that My class sold out! I have no class kits even left. Thank you so much for your Generosity your encouragement and helping Darlene to make her goal with Making strides. Thank you to everyone that helped. I am exhausted.

Bring em if ya got em

2011-10-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

For those people that are going to be coming to crop and for those that will just be attending our class tomorrow here are some suggested tools and things that you may need that will make it a lot easier for you to put this album together in about an hour.
* I know there are a couple that have not cropped before or scrapped do not panic. You do not have to run out and buy this stuff.

I will have these tools on hand DO NOT GO OUT AND BUY THEM SPECIAL for this class! Now after you take the class if you play with them and love them decide it is something you will use and you love then go for it!

If you already own them.... PLEASE BRING THEM :)

*Cropadile
*scissors
*Distress edger tool (can be by whomever making memories, Tim Holtz, Heidi Swapp, There are many out there I have 1)
*Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher or a stapler
*Bone folder or trimmer that has a scorer
*pop dots
*liquid adhesive such as: Aleenes tacky glue, zip dry something thick the album is cardboard base.
*Tim Holtz vintage photo distress stain or Tea Stain distress stain or Tim Holtz VIntage Photo Distress ink Tea stain will work also (I have a few but I don't have enough for every one I really tried Im so very sorry)

THE GOOD NEWS IS: I will be doing a drawing and the ones that I have I will be giving them away in class to SOME LUCKY PEOPLEEEE.
YOU HAVE TO BE THERE TO GET THEM THOUGH.

NOW REMEMBER I WILL HAVE TOOLS on hand you are welcome to use just I have (example) 1 of the Tiny Attacher we have a lot of people that will be here so this is just to help you. If you have your own tools etc for you to use It makes it easier for you. You are welcome to use mine if you do not have something. I do have either or on the stains and inks and we are going to pass them around

There are a few other surprises we have too but I can't give away all my secrets I mean what fun is that?? I will see yall there. THANK YOU GUYS for signing up for this. Darlene is such an amazing person. I appreciate all of your support.
We are going to have so much fun I am so excited!

SO DO you wanna peek at the next page too for another taste? or will it freak you out? (REMEMBER we already have it PRECUT OUT FORRR YOUUUUUUUUU yall vote and let me know. ya? no? want to wait till in the morning to see it?

If you have any questions Lemme know. SEE YALL IN THE MORNING.

Our Last Game and a Pizza Party

2011-10-12T00:46:00.000-07:00

It has been a GREAT year so far for Bella at her new school. She has enjoyed being a cheer leader. Last night was her last game. They had a lot of fun as we enjoyed watching them. They are just the cutest things.

Our girls have come a LONG way for a lot of them to never have cheered before.
SO PROUD of them.

I know Bella had a blast. She made some really good friends and it really helped her adjust to this new school a lot quicker.
She was really having a hard time.
She missed her school she was at before and her BFF's (still does)

Although she has made some really good friendships here and is doing really well.
I hope she will go out again next year. It has been fun.

After the game, There was a fun Pizza party at Godfathers pizza. eye yi yi!
can you imagine 22 hyped up little girls in a pizza parlor that was NOT very big along with their families. approx. 50 ish people.
(I had migraine all day was an interesting evening believe me)
Pizza was great, the kids were fabulous and I DO BELIEVE everyone had fun. You can tell by the Rave reviews the Blue and Yellow cupcakes received!

We are so grateful to our cheer coaches for their patience their time and dedication to our daughters. We thank them for taking the time with them and also the values and beliefs they help instill in our girls. We are so ever thankful.

No Frills Crop/Class mini album THIS SATURDAY

2011-10-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

I am honored to have been asked to teach a class with my pal Melissa Eschler at the NO FRILLS CROP at Providence Church Of God THIS SATURDAY. All of the proceeds 100% from the crop and from this class (and if we have any kits that we sale) will go to Making Strides for Breast Cancer. Darlene Chavers is the Hostess of this event. She is a 3 year survivor and dear friend. Breast cancer has touched so many of our lives I know it has ours. Everyone in this day and age knows someone or has a family member with Breast Cancer. I hope for the day when we can say like polio. I remember when it existed but it doesn't anymore. That cancer is a thing of the past.

Here is a sneak peak of the cover of the mini that I will be teaching. Melissa Eschler will also be assisting me with this class!

Thank you to Unkit Live and Teach Crafts like a Rockstar

I was going to put a title on this. BUT THENNNNN, I decided why make it so limited, WHY NOT let my students decide what they want their books to be about. These papers are so versatile and the colors are so vibrant and fun, It is pretty much limitless in what you could do with it. I will have an example already premade with title and photos if someone wants to make one and just doesn't know what to do.
BUT, I really want you to put your creative hats on.

THIS is going to be a very fun class. You know with Melissa and I together there is no telling what will happen haha! so Come have fun with us this Saturday.
BRING YOUR CREATIVITY TO THE CROP! WE WILL SEEEE YOU THERE!
(If there are any kits left over from this class we will be selling them after wards we will post it here and on facebook for anyone interested)

Mobile Convention fun fun fun!

2011-09-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

We had a GREAT time at the Mobile Convention. Met new friends. Had fun with friends haven't seen in a while. OH and we scrapped!
I took two classes but we will get to that in a minute.

Darlene was her funny self. I rode with her she was one of my table mates along with Mrs Sherry and Becky. We were right by that new store Gulf Coast Scrapbooking (OH THEY HAVE CUTE STUFF! and ANN ROCKS If she doesn't have it trust me SHE WILL FIND IT!)
She is just so cute. You need to friend her on FACEBOOK HERE

She has a cute little store down on the gulf coast. I hope we get to go down there and crop soon! So I did Get some stuff made. I was so distracted by all the fun going on.
It is hard for me to scrap in such an environment. I am sure you wouldn't imagine this but I like to talk. (I KNOW y'all all are just shocked!) I seem so meek and quiet.
hehe.
I get distracted so easily and all the pretty different scrapbook things everyone is doing wowww!

Scrap happy in Pensacola had their booth there ::waving:: They have amazing mini albums! (swoooon) and altered projects! (oh my)
Well I managed to get some things done. I'm a slow Scrapper. Although I do put a lot of work into my projects. (and I nitpick them to death)
I did the first one Of my lil cheerleader

with this months Paper Posies kit: Ya thats The October Afternoon Boarding Pass paper (the back side haha! SO you DON'T have to use it JUST FOR TRAVEL PEOPLE!!! IT is the PERFECT COLOR FOR Cottage Hill Cheerleaders!

THe next page I did (I finished up the journaling when I got home. These are some Older photos that I had just been waiting on the perfect paper. Well Teresa Collins hit it spot on with her Posh line. But yall know I just love me anything Teresa.
I added a sheet of the Echo Park Victoria Gardens music Theme paper to go along with the theme of the page. A pair of her jeans gathered around the page.

Lots of Tim Holtz stains, tiny staples, and some GLitz bling finish it off.

Scrapping Frenzy did a wonderful Job with this convention. I think everyone had fun.
The classes were fun, Everyone had their own 6 foot table so plenty of room to spread out, the food was good, The classes were great.
Which brings me to this.

This was the second class I took with

YA! Donna Salazar! LOVE HER! she (as Bella says) is so sparkly.

She was the special guest teacher at the convention. She is amazingly talented and taught us all about how to make flowersss and showed us wonderful things. She springled her sparkly knowledge on us all down here in Mobile with her love for grunge (and you know IM all about some grungey scrappin)

I Didn't finish the other class that I took with her. (and I cannot find my instruction sheet it is somewhere in that pile of stuff that is packed that Im not finished unpacking yet) so I am kinda winging it. I know. scared aren't ya?
BUT IT IS SOOOO COOOL and I want y'all to see it. We have open house at Bella's school and we have had to have something moved up to tomorrow that was supposed to be done later. So my hair is standing straight up right now.
Nothing like a little STRESS to make your life interesting.

SO I will get it finished this week I hope along with some other projects I started there.
Bottom line... IT WAS FUN. I made new friends One in particular that I am so happy I made! (Becky) Met some amazinggg people! was so wonderful to finally get to meet Donna in PERSON after talking to her online all this time. Thank you Cheryl and Cyndy and everyone for all your hard work in making this such a success.
I hope we can get more amazing teachers to come down here!

I'm sure I forgot ... something,

2011-09-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

I have been planning this for I cannot remember howww long. But, just know it has been a reeeeally long time. If I had to drag myself down there with an iv in my arm I wouldn't miss this. Donna Salazar is here!! I'm so excited to see her! Gonna be sooo much fun!
I KNOW I forgot something. WHAT? I have no idea. If you asked me where something is in all that stuff I couldn't tell you that either. I really hope this weekend is a HUGE success so maybe we can get more classes down here with more people! who knows maybe even get Teresa Collins? or May Flaum? Or Margie? YA NEVER KNOW we might just can do it!!
Anyway I am out of here going to get my scrap on people Hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend!
Do something creative! hopefully I didn't forget.... much.

Bella explains it all...

2011-09-14T12:14:00.001-07:00

Yall do realise... it is hot out here. I am glowing. Because girls glow. Boys sweat.
I am glowing all over the place. Hmm.. wonder if Daddy will take me to McDonalds after the game. oh look a butterfly.... man it sure is hot out here.

Can't we cheer when its cooler out here. Oh ya.. football game. That's right.
Forgot they were back there.

That's Brayden. Thats my boy. hands off!

This is the poor guy that got the ball and everyone chased after him. I dunno why he wants the ball anyway. Everyone just then runs after him. This game makes no sense to me. Man its hot.
Ok we are going to do another cheer.

This cheerleading stuff is pretty fun. I don't understand why they are all running after that ball out there. I mean, When they get it everyone beats that person up. I wouldn't want Brayden to get that ball and get beat up. Cheerleading is so much more fun. Boys make NO SENSE whatsoever!

Paper Flowers on a Sunday afternooon.

2011-09-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

I made these flowers yesterday (while Bella was learning her books of the Bible for Bible class) my fingers are still stained.
I wanted to put something on there from her 7 year old year I looked down and there were these jeans that I had been cutting up using for another project. just seemed to go perfectly with this. 7 flowers... 7 years old.
She was having a hard time learning those bible books. (some of those names in the old testament are tough!!) I thought hmm.. She is a cheerleader. I am her cheerleader. What better way for us as parents to encourage our little ones than to let them know we are behind them. We love them and that we are proud of them. That WE HAVE FAITH IN THEM. WE KNOW THAT THEY CAN DO IT!
Hope she can look back at this and know that her parents really are on her side. (even when it seems like we are being the mean parents. It is for good reason. (like making her listen to the books of the bible song over and over) Some day you will appreciate it when you can find Ecclesiastes with no problems whatsoever! Love you kiddo!

I made this layout using Core dinations card stock, Donna Salazar patterened paper, a piece of cardboard I stripped and stained with Tim Holtz stains, Glimmer mists, some of Bella's old jeans, Jenni Bowlin Butterflies and bingo Card, I also altered the butterflies to match the layout, Girls Paperie embellies, American Crafts Stickers and chipboard Thickers, My little Yellow Bicycle Doilies, Stick Pins by Making Memories, Crystal Stickers Jewels

Friday night pre game show!

2011-09-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-09-09T12:58:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-01T07:31:00.001-07:00

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

2011-08-30T09:28:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

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..

2011-08-19T01:19:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-08-15T11:42:00.000-07:00

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..

2011-06-28T07:56:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-05T01:21:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-06T18:24:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-05-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-05-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-02T17:16:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-01T15:46:00.001-07:00

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

2011-04-28T21:14:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-26T17:13:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-04-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-11T15:38:00.001-07:00

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....

2011-04-02T03:16:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-03-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

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...

2011-03-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

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....

2011-02-17T16:17:00.001-08:00

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...

2011-02-12T17:23:00.000-08:00

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?

2011-02-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-05T14:44:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-01-15T15:01:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-11T13:42:00.000-08:00

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..

2011-01-08T15:59:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-01-05T17:44:00.000-08:00

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!!

2011-01-04T14:04:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-02T10:57:00.001-08:00

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

2011-01-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

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)

{}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vr95M1rOLkQ/TR9jirqgtQI/AAAAAAAAGpg/A443wYQaeSI/s1600/a%2Bpapa%2Bbella.jpg">

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 ;)

Last post of the YEEARRRRR

2010-12-31T15:04:00.000-08:00

THis last post of the year ya I have gotten really behind on posting. seems I have had some trouble with keeping up. I have not been scrapbooking alot ok well not at all. my shoulder is giving me fits. I know I KNOW its always something. everything seems to relate back to ms. This is related back to that fall I took because of the MS I have always dislocated and been able to pop out of socket easy. SOMETIMES it came in handy when I was younger and more limber ::pause for your imagination to wander all you want but come back soon ok?::
I was a cheerleader, I rode horses, I was a wild and crazy kid I could THEN pop my shoulders out and it was kinda neat NOW.. it hurts and it aint cool no more.
NOW IT REQUIRES SURGERY because they wont stay in socket. The Muscles and tendons around them are not supporting the socket anymore also a possible tear they couldnt see it but he said the way it was moving in there sounded that way. HAPPY NEW YEAR huh?
So we have been dealing with this for a bit now. We did physical therapy, Did other stuff trying to see if that helped no.. so now last resort we didnt want to. Because of the fact I get shingles so easy and I am difficult to anethetize. BELIEVE IT OR NOT (I KNOW THE SHOCK IS GONNA JUST THROW YOU GUYS one) I have a small mouth. I KNOWWWW
I asked for it in writing.
I WANTED to have proof I KKNEW you guys wouldnt believe me.
so anyway I have to have the fibro optic knock out stuff.
fun.
JUST MEANS costs more
everything is outpatient. Well SUPOSED to be but this is ME we are talking about. My Neurologist (MS DR and DR B) by the time its over will probably keep me over night if any little thing happens just to be safe knowing them but we will just wait and see. I love them because of that fact. I would rather be overly cautious because of all the close calls we have had ya know?

SO that is where I have been. I have had a sling on my shoulder for a while fought shingles getting ridiculous Hope new year will bring better days.

Hopefully this will fix it right up though and wont h ave to worry bout this any more though. TOo bad its my right arm though :(

They are going to put some kinda band around the joint to hold it in there hopefully all fibro optically unless he gets in there and its worse than he suspects. The x ray and CT showed one thing and MRI another BUT hopefully all out patient. minimal amount surgery minimal amount everything we are praying.

We have had ALOT of Blessings this year. They keep coming so I hate to keep asking but I just pray we are Blessed with an easy surgery. no MS Flare ups No SHingles.
I know that is alot to ask.

I have so many friends that are REALLY REALLY sick right now.

VERY THANKFUL my Britt Britt came through her surgery well we have been so worried.
we love her so much.
blessings to my cousin Jan and the entire Family.
That they will be Blessed this year also.
We are gonna leave all this bad stuff BEHIND IN 2010 and this year 1 1 11 is gonna be a good one!

We wish you and your family a blessed new year OF HEALTH and love we take our health soooooo much for granted. BE sure to tell the ones you love how much they mean to you. You never know when it just might be the last time you get to say it.
<3

ahhhh

2010-11-30T16:54:00.000-08:00

My wonderful Husband took me to this AMAZING place for our anniversary. The point clear spa and resort in point clear Alabama. Talk about relaxing. It was just what I needed.
what we BOTH needed. we refreshed relaxed in the spa, enjoyed the view. The buffet, Watched the Mississippi State game in the bar they had there called Buckys.
was really nice. I posted some photos from my phone on facebook but they were not that great.
Here are a few photos I took with my camera. (that is what he got me for anniversary/Christmas/birthday an upgraded camera oh and this mini vacation haha)

when we first got there (keep in mind I had no clue where we were going it was a surprise) there were these 2 dudes walking around, one with a drum the other with an american flag. They had on the old timey colonial outfits. Every day they go to this cannon at 4 pm and shoot it. Seems they used this hotel during the civil war and during WWII for a naval training base. SO, in honor of those soldiers they shoot off the cannon every day.

the spaaaaaaa:
John set us up first for a massage. It was heaven. He didnt really care for it. He said next time he will play golf and I can do the spa thing haha. I said works for meeeeeeeee! It was amaazing!

view from our room:
it had windows on 3 sides was so beautiful
(hubby did gooood)

REALLLLLLLL GOOOOOD!

This was parked outside our window...told ya we were wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy out of our element hahahahaha. This was from across the parking lot only way I could get the entire thing in the photo IT WAS HUGEEEEEEEEE! wonder who it belonged to.

my garden NEVER looked like this....

they had the most gorgeous Christmas decorations

The brunch had HUGE gingerbread village with a toy train running through it with ice sculptures all over the place.

It was absolutely wonderful. We had a relaxing enjoyable time. Ate some good food, got to relax enjoy each other and have some quiet.
sooo nice. Im ready to go back everythign was so beautiful.
Amazing the beautiful things we have here down on our Gulf Coast in Alabama.
right here at the bay!

the struggle

2010-11-16T15:09:00.000-08:00

so this challenge is a little harder than expected. I have this condition that goes along with chronic illness that effects your kidneys called ICS (intercystal cystitis) it causes the lining of your bladder to just pretty much disengage and come off and shed and expel so ya it hurts like a mmmmmmm. so you pass through your urine pieces of your bladder. I will let you whince and go owwwwwwwww.
and on top of that I have kidney stones

Side effect from the medications I am on plus I havent exactly been eating really well lately. sugar (halloween) caffeine (root beer floats?) and stress hmmmm I WONDERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR where that came from??
can cause it.
SO hence another reason Im so adament for doing this positivity challenge. I would like to continue it past the 21 days actually.
make it a regular habit.

Our challenge today is to do something to MAKE YOU HAPPY.

SO amongst all of this and I am not gonna lie it hurts. it feels like the kinda cramps you have when your in labor. has dropped down to my lower left side just above the pelvic bone. ya tmi but I can let you imagine the sharp pains it causes.
I am taking muscle relaxers to try to let it pass I dont want the pain meds because they make me itch soooo bad.
so im trying to just do it.

So anyway today im trying to do something that makes me happy.
something good that made me happy did happen. I cant really say what it was just in case Bella sees this but something she really really has wanted I ordered for her for Christmas came in today. and It is soooooo stinkin cutee. SOO beautiful and KNOWING how happy she is going to be Christmas morning when she opens this beautiful package and sees this. well. That brings me the greatest joy.
It made my day that it got her so fast.

so the main thing for her Christmas is done. The rest is just lil stuff. fill in thingys. this is her MAJOR THING.
the rest is the whatnots.
It made me so happy because I usually don't get to do her Christmas shopping. In the past I have been in the hospital or too sick and had to rely on others to do it for me. Well this year I GOT TO DO IT. It brought me GREAT JOY.
I cannot wait to see her face christmas morning.
knowing how much she wanted this.
so ya that made me really happy today.
funny how something parents take for granted and dread sometimes, other parents that are unable to do it brings them such pride and joy.
I will hopefully be able to post my other pages in my mini art journal tomorrow.
Hope you are having a happy day :)

2010-11-12T08:56:00.001-08:00

I made this page for The color rooms latest Challenge.
I used the Pink Paislee Ribbon Pleats to create this flower and a prima Pebbles to adorn the top of it. I know it is hard to see but it says Beautiful on the top of the pebble.

I also added a couple more pages to my 21 day challenge I am working on for RHONNA FARRERS 21 day challenge.

Our challenge for today is: DAY 8 I AM THANKFUL FOR:
I havent done my page in my journal yet but I will post it here on my blog... I can tell you there is so much I am thankful for. I can say the obvious. What is expected.
That God put us here on earth yes I am so grateful.
I am humbled.
Daily, that I get to be here and have this life with my husband and my child. I know yall know the story I know some of you are tired of hearing it. BUT bare with me here.
I wasn't suposed to have this kid. alledgedly. Way too many things happened too many close calls. Too many years not knowing what was wrong. BUT, This is all I have ever wanted. My dream come true. To have this life a wife and mommy. I didn't think I would ever have it, too many scares, miscarriages and illness. The fact I am still here is a miracle better yet, this precious lil' girl. The fact John is too is even a greater miracle some days ha! Ya he does take care of me and loved me through it all and it is a greater miracle. The divorce rate among couples of chronic illness are so high.
some of you may not know this but, He married me knowing I was sick. Ya, I postponed my wedding because I wanted to walk down the isle. I didn't want to go down in a wheel chair. pathetically vain I know but ya we were suposed to be married in September, I changed it to November.
Although we found out it was MS years later. I gave him the option to go. He looked at me like my head was on fire and just laughed.
He said from the get go there was no retreat, no way out. Why would he leave now it was just starting to get good!
He would love me regardless no matter what. "Besides if I couldn't walk it meant I couldn't run from him."
so ya I am eternally thankful. I never thought I would have anything like this.
I never thought I would have someone to love me, care for me, take care of me, cherish me, essentially just be my friend, lift me up and be my other half through everything good or bad.We laugh through the horrible things as well as the good. He has. I think that is the best part. Not only is he my husband he is also my friend.

I think he got a little more than he expected too haha. spitfire that I am. :D

We have fought some hard battles these 12 years and he has never left no matter what.
We have cried, fought, laughed, screamed, cheered, dug deep to make this work Sometimes I never thought we would not be able to do it.
When he loved me he told me it was forever. When we got married he said it was forever. I believe him. and Im thankful.

harder sometimes than it looks...

2010-11-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

Ok so I realize WHY they call them challenges now. Because your trying to make yourself do something difficult. ya. that would be it huh?
See I live around obsessive compulsive neighbors that were in the armed forces. YES MY ARCH NEMESIS (and they are retired) which equals out to.... BORED. They sit and watch leaves fall and race to see who can get to their leaf blowers first. I think they also see who can go buy the LOUDEST ONE on the market also.
I have had my heart jump out of my chest, My hair stand on end, My bladder spring a spontaneous leak all in one exuberant burst on MORE THAN ONE OCCASION might I add THANKS to said neighbors CRANKING THESE hurricane equivalent blowers RIGHT outside my window at the hiney crack of dawn or anytime you LEAST suspect it (like when you are doing some kinda tedious cutwork scrapbooking ughhh) to blow leaves and acorns across their yard. (when the wind is gonna blow the ones from my yard RIGHT BACK INTO THEIRS because I am not OCD, well about that,anyway... and I GOT LEAVESSSSSS all over my yard and GUESSS where they are goin?
They are in their HEAVEN RIGHT now! sigh. I guess Im giving them something positive to do. My work is never done. ::SIGH::

gonna put a BELL around his neck or something. so I will have a warning.
a countdown? something?
anyway
I did finish my cover and it dried for my little art journal I made. I decided to do mine on some old flash cards I had. They are a handy size not too big not too small.
MINI BOOK SIZE. I am going to make a hole with my crop a dile in the top corner and clip it together with something cool depending on how bulky it gets. YOU KNOW I LOVEEE all the bulky stuffs to put on the pages.
So HERE is my first page.
I used a play on words with the rub on. I took the rub on and turned it into a chipboard piece and pop dotted it off the page with a foam pop dot. (it just looked way cooler that way!)
I combined older Basic Grey paper (it had honey combs and Bees on it, get it? see what I did? Beeee Positive? hahaa)With some Echo Park (BECAUSE I LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!) and put challenge above the arrow in the tiny making memories letters. I sanded the Cosmo Cricket letters because the positive is a challenge. It is hard and wears on you. Especially when you have a lot weighing against you.
Then I put stickles (ohhh SPRAKLY ::said with spirit fingers::) pointing to the BEE to remind you that we are always TRYING and getting better and their is hope.
so see there is a lot of symbolism here... as always, yaaaaaa didn't know all that did ya just by lookin' at this little bitty card huh! well now ya do!

I will get the back and the next one up sooooon :)

ITS NOT TOO LATE to join in on RHONNAS 21 day challenge! ITS FUN! Check it out HERE

OH BUT don't go anywhere yet... I have a layout to show you.
This is from the add on of the PAPER POSIES kit from last month.

Bella was so funny at the ST. Elmo fall festival. They had this little booth where you could play in the bubbles. Boy she was going to town. I got some cute cute pictures.

This Bo BUnny kit they put together for the add on was PERFECT for these.

I added the orange stickles and the buttons and popsicle stick.
I turned the sticker into a sign.
Used the vinyl ribbon to make a banner sign for my title.
I pop dotted the photo of her making the face where the bubble popped in her face.
so it would stand out with the title. (but the photos still tell the story) You have the buttons and bling at the bottom with the rick rack bouncing across almost laughing in a whimsical way like bubbles. I added stickles around to sparkle and shine. Was a really fun page to make. LOVE these bright colors of this paper.

Check out the Paperposies kits HERE!

I hope you have a POSITIVELY WONDERFUL Monday... ;)

DONT FORGET TO JOIN US TONIGHT FOR UNKIT LIVE!!! THE CHAT IS WHERE ITS AT! MONDAY NIGHT IS SUDIE TV NIGHT. DON'T MISS IT! come early and knock those commercials out of the way!

WONDERFULLY Full...

2010-11-07T14:44:00.001-08:00

So the first 3 days of my 21 day Challenge have been Blissfully Positively awesome.
HOW IS THAT FOR POSITIVE?

see that is my word... POSITIVE. Im gonna stay POSITIVE for 21 days so be ware thanksgiving I might just blow.
but for now.. IM positively positive. annoying isnt it?
ya thought so.
anyway. We started off the day by John fixed all our screens on the house. (some were already messed up) our kitty cats just loove to hang on them like garfield. Especially Bebee she is the baby runt and so spoiled. she wants in all the time. (Bella would bring her inside and hide her and snuggle her all the tiem so ya she wants inside all the time especially now that its colder. But, Bella and John are allergic so we cant bring them inside. They break out and wheeze and can't breathe.
With Bella being sick we REALLY don't need them inside.
Speaking of which. SHE IS DOING SOOOO MUCH BETTER.
We have been promising we would take her to her favorite resteraunt. (you will see in just a minute)
John needed shoes really really bad. He has ankle issues so he has to wear a certain kind of shoes so we had to go to Foley and get them. SO while we were there...

We spent the day. (Auburn didn't have a televised game since it was their home coming. YOU KNOW I LOVE ME SOME AUBURN FOOTBALL! GOOO CAM! WAR EAGLE!)

We had so much fun!
We went to the huge outlet mall. Found Bella her Christmas outfits for her programs she has, and photos with santa etc. seems like all the little clothes these days for little girls are getting a might risque' so, went to a more specialized childrens store where they look more like little girls instead of well... I don't want to sound UN POSITIVE.. so I will just let you fill in the blanks

She rode the carousel She was so excited and all she talked about soon as she saw it.

and rode the carousel

She posed for photos with some friends you might recognize... they were not very talkative though..

she pet the little dog and talked to it like it was real so funny!

I fell in love 3 times over at the coach store.. smells so good in there omg I could live there..... I have my christmas list filled out and then some... sigh.. Who wouldnt love that store?

We worked up quite the appetite. Sooooooo YOU KNOW where we had to go! Bellas FAVORITE THROWED ROLL RESTERAUNT as she calls it. But the real name is Lamberts.
YOU CAN NOTTTT have a bad time at this place. It is such a fun place to go. They have fun music for everyone to sing with. You know.. the music from our day. The grease music and sing along songs and BOY EVERYONEEEEEEEEE in the resteraunt sings toooo! was so much fun.
I caught a few photos but we were busy eating and laughing.
This one lady got a salad brought to her in a big sun hat.
This other guy ordered ribs they brought it to him in a big skillet.
its just a fun place to go. If you are ever in Gulf Shores GO TO LAMBERTS. IT IS SOOO MUCH FUN! YOU WILL LOVE IT. you may have to wait in line. BUT SOOO WORTH IT! THey play jokes on you. They have the big pots they have the vegetables in and scoop out the vegetables well one waitress will have a lid on it open it and OuT pops a stuffed squirrel or racoon at you... or they will squirt fake mustard (a string inside the bottle) at you thinking you just got covered in mustard lol so funny
The food is good. Great family atmosphere. OH
AND THEY THROW YOUR ROLLS AT YOU!

You order your meal with your sides but they have people that walk around with other side dishes like black eyed peas, and these wonderful fried potatoes with onions, fried okra and of course the thrown rolls they are the big pop over rolls. AMAZING.
they will give you molasses and or apple butter to go on it too.

The rolls are huge and meal in themselves.
we brought home enough to eat again! sooo good.

Here he had just thrown a roll to John. my battery was dyin so I didnt get a good shot.

At this point we were tired tired tired tired but full had a great time. Bella took ten seconds to go to sleep when she hit that pillow.

It was a good day.
Today... feel it but still smiling from the fun we had. love looking at the photos. It was good to get out.

SOOO Thankful my Bella Bug is feeling better! she has had us so worried. She still looks hollow eyed and dark under her eyes but she is alot better than she has been not coughing like she has been and sleeping better which helps all of us! Looking forward to a wonderful week.

Thankful that I was able to go. Thankful even though I detest these medications that they are here and available (and they are finally working) I am able usually this time of year (fall) to do a little bit before it gets too cold. Love making memories with my girl.
SO THANKFUL for my hubby and this little girl!

NOW I have to get busy on the art journal.. 3 days to catch up on huh? not so bad.. (ya thats the positive answer right Rhonna?)

So how are you doing on your challenge?
what are you thankful for today?
Did you do anything fun this weekend?
Tell me what your up to.

21 day challenge

2010-11-05T16:17:00.000-07:00

I added a new thing to my side bar tonight. DO YA SEE IT? Its the 21 day Challenge icon with Rhonna Farrer.

I am still trying to decide on my word.
I think I have decided I am going to do a mini style book with a deck of cards for my art journal. I had fun doing the last style book I did that way. It was small and wasn't too time consuming for me. 30 min tops. I used larger style cards with it so it still had a good bit of room to design. I had alot of fun doing it.

I just need to figure out my word. What I want to change... there is a good bit haha.
21 days. now till Thanksgiving. we have had sooo much going on.
I encourage you to do this if you think you can spare 30 minutes or so to play with me.
I think it would be fun.

I think I will go back and watch the video and read over it good. What do you say. Who is with me?
so tell me what is your word and what are ya gonna do? Who else is doing the challenge?

couple pages

2010-11-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

These are with the Paper Posies kit. I love the fall colors in this. The ribbon is so shiny but its hard to see in these. will try again to photograph it later to see if I can get better angles. I am charging my battery and will attempt to take it outside. These photos do NOT do it justice at all. This kit is sooooo cute.

Farm Etiquette 101: This calf learned real quick if it wanted Bella to feed it, Then it needed to stop all taht sticking its tongue out stuff. She did NOT like that at all! Seward Farms 2010

Nor a follower be Because I am a child of GOD.

This is part of a song we used to sing when I was a child.
I am going to attempt to retake these photos again later when my camera battery is charged better they didn't take real clear (and the fact I am really tired was up last night Bella coughed all night) You cant see the little seed pearls I added to the lace ribbon Or the glimmer mists on the leaves and the inks on the leaves either.. Is a really awesome photo. I will try it again later. These layouts look so much better in person. You can't see any of the shiny.

Silly weather.

welcome to ALabama...
I will try again in a bit.

Her Social studies Project...

2010-10-28T20:50:00.001-07:00

Ok so yall know its been rough. We passed around the stomach bug like back and forth, Bella missed so MUCH school More than she has ever missed since she has been in school. Bellas school had it going around alot of kids were out with it.
I think most of our county actually had it here in the school system.
Then I got better DID get to go to the corn maze ( I posted some photos on face book I will post them here when I can, blogger was bein a booger) THEN all that dust and walking I went in a mini flare/relapsed with that virus again.
we had some bad weather and my left side stopped working. It is hard to explain. MS is a weird disease and comes with so many strange side dishes so to speak. You have to go through the list and try to figure out if it is something else first. THIS NO DOUBT had to be MS because literally my muscles tightened up like I had flexed my arm and was holding a weight and it wouldn't stop. Imagine holding a 5 lb weight for hours. Its not so bad for a few minutes but squeeze it with all your might tighter.. tighter .. TIGHTER EVEN TIGHTER... when you cant control how tight it gets. that is the only way I know to explain it. my leg does it too. Mostly the upper thigh its like a muscle cramp on crack.
It will last for sometimes hours sometimes a day this time it was longer. THAT is Multiple Sclerolsis spacticity it is a huge pain.
I know my daddy used to have these kind of spasms with polio and now I feel so bad for him. I had no idea what he suffered through and that man worked 3 jobs to support us at times... wow. HE DEFINITLY SHOULD BE RESPECTED INSTEAD OF THE ridicule he is getting from SOME right now. I don't see how he did it.

We were up REALLY late tonight working on this social Studies project with Bella.
I have been in bed ALOT lately. (See above) SO it has been pushed to the side. John has been TRYING and working on it with her or shall I say FIGHTING WITH HER On it. it is like war around here trying to get her to do homework and these projects (ESPECIALLY when Mama is not feeling well or in bed illin' she doesnt want to cooperate or do anything. He gets very impatient so does she. DRIVES ME INSANE! and we are ONLY IN SECOND GRADE GEEE!
BUT, Nonetheless WE GOT IT DONE.. Getting her to bring the book home was a chore! She was determined to use THESE Little shells and sand on this cover after she saw me use them ,She wanted to do this like I make my books. she had it in her mind how it was gonna be and that was it.....
I think that is why she and her daddy were having war. She wanted to do it scrappy style he just wanted to GETRDONE.

I found these paper piecings on line and printed them let her color them and cut them out. They are so cute. I let HER DO IT. We have laughed so much at our lil pilgrims. They have some issues. one is missing and ear and has the charlie chapman mustache I think he is so cute. She has two left thumbs but I bet she makes really great pies... ughmm ya.

anyway HERE IT IS... HER PROJECT:
SHE DREW THE PHOTOS HERSELF!

I think she did a good Job. I don't remember having to do stuff like this in second grade. Things are soooooooooo different now!
She was mad at me because I didn't make her any indians but my arm was hurting so bad and I couldn't find any paper piecings like I did the pilgrims that she could color that were indians. I would have to draw them. Tonight was not the night. I thought it was just fine the way it was. We had a time getting this done. You can click on the photos to read her story and see her little pictures (THEY ARE SOOOOOOOOO FUNNY I asked her about I THINK it was number 7 the one at the cross she said they were praying I asked if they were jumping rope.... OOOPS! bad mommy!
I will learn one day to not ask questions...

Hope you all have a happy Friday.

Fall Festival/BCA Crop

2010-10-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

This Saturday We are having our Annual Fall festival at JCCA. LOTS OF FUN for everyone. All kinds of food and different booths with prizes. Hay ride, pony rides, games, A pie baking contest all kinds of good stuff.
There is as always the Live auction that is always alot of fun.
We have the country store that has lots of Home grown and Home made goodies in it.
I am making some fun things to go in there. Here is a little sample of One of the things that I am making.
Auburn and Alabama Magnets.
These are hand painted tiles and the papers have been donated by our Local Scrap book store here in Mobile Scrapping Frenzy(THANK YOU SO MUCH!)

UPDATED PHOTO:::

I have other goodies that will be in the booth as well This is just what I have made so far. Got set back a little the last couple weeks. I had a bad bad Virus Then Bella got it. She was horrible with it. I was on the edge of making John take her to the ER several times with her breathing.

Then I got shingles. ya I know... (I always get shingles whenever I get sick with any little thing , cold or whatnot.. or any type of trauma happens its just one of those things because of the Medication from the M.S. I am on.) I got really upset not long ago because I had so much hope I would be able to get off this medication and go on the "NEW IMPROVED FABULOUS BREAKTHROUGH MIRACLE DRUG" they keep raving about the oral medication... then I started reading about it. The 2 deaths they had in the research study died from ... you guessed it. zoster that went to the brain.
so ughm IM ThINKIN NO! I have enough trouble with shingles they get in my ears really bad that is close enough to my brain THANK YOU!
I will keep doing injections and fighting nausea.
We tried to prevent Them by Upping the Shingle Medication so it wouldn't be a bad outbreak but nonetheless still broke out. ANY shingle outbreak is NOT pleasant. Thank the lord it only has lasted a little over a week. I have had them last for months. and be covered in them!

Bella is doing soooo much better. This is the most school she has missed in forever. I am glad she is doing better so she can go on her field trip and go to fall festival or "festable" as she calls it. This is our favorite time of year. (AND I CANNOT WAITTTTTTTTT TO GET PHOTOS!
I have a crate fullllllllllll of kits to scrap with and I AM READY TO GET SOME scrapppin done. Speaking of getting my scrap on this coming weekend WE HAVE A CROP!!

Also this Saturday my friend Darlene is hosting a Breast Cancer NO FRILLS Crop To help raise money for Breast Cancer awareness. The fee is 20.00. Here is more info about it If you do not have facebook Here is a description From Darlene:
(This is a day of Scrapbooking to help Making Strides for Breast Cancer. The cost is $20.00 and we are offering 3 classes for $5.00 each. Lunch & Dinner will be provided.

I (Darlene) am a Breast Cancer SURVIVOR and am involed with making strides. I have a personal goal of $2500.00 to raise and this will help.

If interested please message me your email address & I will send you send you a form.

We will be teaching a beginners class, all you need to bring is your scrapbook & pictures.)This is going to be SOOOOO much fun and for a GREAT cause! SO yall come on out and enjoy with us some great fellowship and scrapbooking!!
You can click on this link here ~~~~> THIS LINK HERE
to contact Darlene for information to attend the crop or to make a hefty donation :D

~SO what photos are you looking forward to scrapbooking right now?
~What are your favorite fall photos you like to take?
~Do you attend fall "Festables?" as Bella would say, or any other parties this time of year, where you get to take lots of photos?
~Have you recieved or purchased any cool kits or product lately that you just LOVE tell me about it, YOU KNOW I LOVE to enable errrr I mean try new things haha! I just might have to try it out and feature it here on my blog!

DONT FORGET TONIGHT IS UNKIT LIVEEEEE WITH THE HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST SUDIE! ILL SEE YA THERE!

READ TO ME

2010-10-01T13:40:00.001-07:00

Our Dear neighbor Granny D back home in Mississippi, gave Bella this book her very first Christmas. I wanted to do a mini album about how special it is that NOW, Bella has grown up and reading this book to us. How special is it that she as well as we, used to sit and read this book to her all the time. NOW, here she is reading it to us. Ok before I tear up, Here is the mini album. They grow up so fast.
(You may click on the images to make them larger.)

I used the September Paper Posies Kit as well as a few extras to make this mini

(the photo makes the button and the paper look pink but its really red I promise)

(I added the eyelash fibers and the colorbox fluid ink chalks love that sparkly eyelash fiber)

I added the Buttons from american Crafts and the jewels

*all edges have been inked with colorbox fluid ink chalks in dark brown through out this project

* I dyed the thread that is tied through the buttons with BEE POSITIVE Glimmer Glam by Tattered Angels

I added the Jewels They were not included in the kit as well as the Making Memories tiny alpha 7 (her age in the photo There are 7 little pearls to represent she is 7 years old)
The photo is pop dotted off the flower and the flower is HALF popdotted off the patterned Paper.

The Tim Holtz Tissue Tape (LOVE THIS STUFF) Is not included in the kit but I had to use it on this tag. I made the tag out of scrap patterned paper. Reinforced it with the tissue tape. I folded the flower over it (the flower is in the kit) stapled the admit one to the top. Used the back of another scrap piece of Paper to write my journaling. Inked over the tissue tape.
I used my making memories edge distresser to get the edges distressed.
Also used iridessent gold glimmer mist to make it shiny.

More Tim Holtz Tissue Tape, Glimmer mist and colorbox fluid ink chalks.

The little mini album was in the kit as well.
Thanks for looking :)

What have we been up too???

2010-09-27T12:50:00.001-07:00

OH man.. we have been busy people. If you have seen on Facebook we have been doing way too much for my taste lately. Although FINALLY it feels after almost what.. 6 years we LIVE here????

We never REALLY decorated our home much and "made it ours" NOT LIKE I did our home in Mississippi. That house we did OUR WAY. I always kinda felt this house was done by the people that lived here before us. We just kinda stuck our stuff in it and went on. Bella kept all of her play things in the living room where I could see her and lay on the couch when I felt bad.
I am doing alot better now and she is older. Now, I WANT all that stuff OUT haha. INTO HER ROOM! I want our family room back.
We are still "work in progress" on this one. although, NOW finally it feels like we are digging out and able to do more. We FINALLY are able to do some things on this home and "MAKE IT MORE OURS" THE JONES home. It looks more like WE live here. Like it is OURS. You can look at it now and say ahh ya I can see that that would be Yall's house. Not that you couldn't before, but (ok ok I HATEDDDDDDDDD that carpet absolutely detested!!! With everybit of passion in my body and you know I do NOT LIKE that word at all!) I will be so happy when we can RIPPPPPP the rest of it out.
wow. I said it. That felt SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOD! wheww that was great therapy.

So we (again we being John) did the floor now he is painting the trim in the living room. I can't do the fumes. They set me off something fierce.

Here is Before when John pulled up the carpet, and There is OL' Blue...

We had purchased the furniture ON MAJORRRRRRRRR sale Labor day and it came in.
We are still work in progress. (IT TAKES TIME)

Dude did everything but offer us his next grandchild to buy that rug. He kept discounting it and discounting it and discounting it.... (hated to tell him IT WOULDN'T FIT IN OUR CAR)

John did a BEAUTIFUL JOB on the floor. Im so proud. He never ceases to amaze me at what all he can do.

Soooo, We have THIS BIGGGG Garage sale this next weekend. ALOT of families in our neighborhood will be participating. Sooo We have been cleaning out, going through stuff. Digging and sorting.
We have been wanting to do one (we really need to BAD, I still have things from when Bella was a baby.. SERIOUSLY!) SO MUCH I Need to get rid of. AMAZING HOW MUCH stuff You have when you don't have a regular garage sale yearly. (We used to do this all the time)
This is the first year I have felt good enough to do anything. I used to consign alot but The last couple of years I have actually been in the hospital or have not been in good enough shape to fool with it.

So THIS weekend SATURDAY its on. we have been attacking this house. have been so far for the last several days. IT looks like it too hahahahaa.
Bella has her plan also. A cooler with drinks out front!
So if your in the area lookin' for good deals stop by. You can email me for more information.

NOW.... to get rid of the HORRIFIC wall paper in the bathroooms....... hmmmmm.... hahahhaa! Yes I think he has created a monster. HEHEHE!

whole lotta

2010-09-21T16:25:00.000-07:00

so remember last month when I said I HAD to make 2 of THESE? I worked on this pretty much most of the weekend (on and off) finished it up last night. Photographed it today.
This is for my mom for her birthday using this months Unkit you can find it HERE

I love to make Mini albums. I do a lot of scrapbook pages, don't get me wrong, but there is something about creating a little mini book that is just fun for me. I do them a lot of times as gifts. I think they like getting them also. at least I hope so. I have them all over our house. Especially in my scrapbook room.
I had a lot of fun with the BE POSITIVE Glimmer Glam from this months kit and the Glimmer glazes and Claudine Hellmuth paints.

I also have used some products that were not in the kit but I will tell you the additional things I added. That is the good thing about Unkit you can use what you like add to it or take away.

The mini album is 7 gypsys Envelope album. I Love Love LOVE Tim Holtz Tissue tapes. see them in the back ground behind GRANDMA? also at the bottom behind ME and that Basic Grey sticker border. They blend in so well when you use them with the papers then use the colorbox cats eye chalk inks. SEI makes awesome Chalk inks also!Vibrant colors Their Blue one is so gorgeous.
I also added some Teresa Collins papers that I inked so they would match.
Maya Road scrolls were a must have, I inked after I glimmer glamed the sticker letters to match, inked them as well. Cut the little girl card out of the paper folded her over and used a cute little my minds eye brad in the corner. painted those flowers and made them sparkly with that BE Positive (it makes your hands look like they are bleeding if you get it all over it, which I did when I was coloring the lace ribbon)
American crafts button in the bottom corner and some bling bring it on home.

lets open this up and look at the first page

I made the little flappy thing, where it would fold over and accent the photo of each page. Do you see what I see? YES, more Tim Holtz Tissue Tape. Told you I love that stuff. The brad and flower came out of my Cupcards2Go kit. HOW CUTE IS THAT? and It is perfect to spin that little web of thread around to hold the book all together when no one is flipping through the pages looking at it.

*TIP* I used Glimmer glaze to color the thread here to mach my papers I only had white so I ran my Thread across the tip (it comes with a nail polish type applicator) and voila custom matching thread!

Tied it in a cute little bow through that button to go with the lace accent. All edges were distressed with my handy dandy favorite tool the Making Memories Edge Distresser. DON'T leave home without it!

The background on this page was accented with the Claudine Hellmuth paint that is shown for purchase in this months unkit.
I also used SEI chalk inks to go around the edges in seinna. (love it) also the papers.
I used The Be Positive Glimmer glam to dye the lace. THAT WAS FUN! OH IT IS SO SPARKLY!!
The 2 little die cuts are from My Minds Eye (not in the kit) And the Blingy Sunflower Basic Grey.
I journaled on Crate paper from last months kit. That is another thing. So much from last months kit went so well with this months kit. so, You can use your leftovers. HOW COOL IS THAT! BONUS!
(The journaling contains little quotes about Grandparents/Grandmothers)

Pink paislee papers random buttons and more of that scrumptious Tim Holtz Tissue tape I added it to the pink paislee Paper then distressed it inked it and layered it. How fun is that?

This is a journaling page for Grandma's notes. I found some cute little quotes cut them up and placed them here. I left the envelope open for her to put little notes and pictures that Bella mails to her inside if she wants. I added the bling pearl the lace and the sunflower bling at the bottom. Notes is from last months kit, it is off a sheet of Teresa Collins paper that I cut out. The red you see on the flower and around the edges is Be Positive Glimmer Glam. That stuff is so fun! Sparrrrklyy!!! :said with spirit fingers:

This paper is the OTHER SIDE of the Pink Paislee. I distressed the edges and used this cuteeeeeeeeee American Crafts trim I think these are supposed to be flowers but, Bella saw it and said it looked like the cookie dough. She is so right! Way to go BUG! I thought it looked so cute with these photos. Yeah yeah I KNOW it didnt come with the unkit but LOOK HOW CUTE THIS IS!!! Go get it! you can ink it and spray it with your glimmer glam glaze mist stuffs and it will be fineeee.

anyway. at the bottom I used those cute stickers inked em up with SEI Chalk inks
and yes that is more Tim Holtz Tissue tape. What I did is I put it on a piece of paper then I pulled it up. Then put it down on there and it curled. COOL Huh?

My mom loves purple. Her favorite Flower is SunFlowers (so yall get it now why those two things are in here so much) So I combined the two on this page I have had these little bling flowers for a bit and ceased the opportunity. More claudine Hellmuth paints. This is Patterned paper from last months kit. Tim Holtz Tissue Tape My Minds Eye Die cuts, Bo Bunny flowers, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, Basic Grey blingy flowers.
crate paper I used to Journal on quotes about Grandma's from various sources.
Glimmer glam from Tattered Angels.

Again the flap will fold over to compliment the papers from Basic Grey Basics, Flip side of the Crate papers and the edges distressed and inked with SEI and colorbox chalk inks, Claudine Hellmuth paints.

Basic Grey patterned paper, Graphic 45 papers, Fancy pants, My Minds eye die cuts, assorted brads, glimmer glam, glimmer glaze, glimmer mists, American crafts button and doodlebug bling used on this page I used the brad to close the flap that will open and additional photos or cards, notes can be kept inside.

Graphic 45 patterned paper Basic grey stickers, October Afternoon stickers, Teresa Collins stamp, Doodlebug jewels Claudine Hellmuth paints all used to accent this photo on this page Oh and a strip of Basic Grey paper. Colorbox fluid chalk inks. on the edges

Basic Grey papers, Tim Holtz tissue tape, and tiny attacher, American crafts buttons, Bo bunny flower, Doodlebug jewels, Pink Paisley papers, Claudine Hellmuth paints, Be Positive Glimmer Glam, Making Memories edge distresser around the edges of all papers. Edges have been inked with Colorbox fluid chalk inks

and here is the back of the album

I just put a brad through the paper so the string could wind around it and the flower with the brad :) to hold it closed easily.

Hope this all makes sense easily to you. If you have any questions about how I did anything on this album, feel free to ask. As Sudie talked about last night on UNKIT LIVE. We shouldn't be afraid to experiment with our supplies. Its fun to get messy and get in the glitter and paints. I KNOW I LOVEE TOO! hehe.

DO you participate in GET YOUR CRAFT ON TUESDAYS? IM LINKED UP! YOU SHOULD TOO!

and then .....

2010-09-15T11:14:00.001-07:00

Bella has the MOST EXPRESSIVE face. I just love watching her talk. I ask her so many questions about ANYTHING. Her day, the cats, GUIDO. ONCE UPON A TIME... anything. she cracks me up, this kid. I enjoy every second of her.
She is just JOY overwhelming. ALL the JOY IN MY HEART that I could muster and it just EXPLODED. Booom! out came Bella.

least thats what I tell her, she just looks at me like I have two heads that are on fire. "NUGH UGHHHHH! THATSSS NOT WHAT MY TEACHER SAIDDDDDD! BUT YOUR REALLY CLOSE MOM!"
sigh.. whatever.

SO I got my kit from Paper Posies. soo cute! I focused on these expressions Bella makes when she talks.
check it out:

This is from this months sketch challenge. Hope you have a great day. SURVIVOR STARTS TONIGHT! YAY!!

ohhh doorbell! That was my kit from Scarlet Lime so I KNOW tonight, I will be watching Survivor and scrappin, with this!!! WOW! holy wow!
(It is sooo O.M.G. FINEEE! so many yummy embellies in that thing let me tell you!)
We (aka John) are almost finished with the floor. It is lookin' good. He went back over the top last night now it has that leathery look to it. soo cool. put the sealer on it. Just has to do one more section. (and let it sit) Now I need to find the perfect rug.... This will be fun.

My little cardmaker...

2010-09-14T00:33:00.000-07:00

My mom's birthday is tomorrow so Bella and I made her cards....
Here is what Bella made:

That is the front

The inside

She even decorated the back and the envelope.

I think Gramma is REALLY gonna LOVE THIS!
She used KI memories Paper American crafts and Imaginisce stamps with Versamark inks.

I made this one with the September Cupcards2go Kit. (this kit rocks by the way) Love the colors!

I added a little bit of my own glitter to the butterfly as well as additional glimmer mist to the doilie and the butterfly as well as acrylic paint.

Thanks for looking :)
Hopefully my mom will get these in time.

Also I have LINKED UP with kim on Todays Creative Blog.
Go check her out and some of the blogs there she has.
Leave em some lovin!

Letting Go.....

2010-09-11T23:52:00.000-07:00

We all hold on to things, ideas, People... that we want to protect. I know there are so many things that I keep a grasp on that I keep so close to me that I just can't seem to figure a way to loosen my grip on. Maybe it is because of some of the things that have happened to me? losing my father the way I did, Maybe because of illness? growing up with very little, other things that have happened to me over the years who knows? I am not sure, but, I know I hold people, and some things so close, and so tight, it is so hard to loosen my grasp, its like that precious butterfly. You have to be so careful or it will never fly... I know with my child I walk that fine line.
This is what this layout is about I took this photo on her first day of school this year I think maybe you can see some of the many feelings in my heart.

John and I so desperatly wanted to have a child and were so blessed with this little girl.
Not a day goes by we are not thankful for her. I truly am so humbly grateful for her.
Watching her grow every day and enjoying her is such a blessing we cherish and are truly so thankful.
It is just so hard to let her go into this cruel evil world especially thinking of the anniversary of yesterdays evil events. When I look at this sweet beautiful innocent child and releasing her into that...

as always you can click on the images to see them larger.

we stop to remember...

2010-09-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

I hope that you will thank your servicemen and women today for all they do to keep us safe.

On this day 9 years ago I will never forget when those planes crashed into those towers. Our lives will never be the same again.

America changed that day. not only the way it looked but our trusts our thoughts everything for so many people in a matter of minutes changed.
so much we have that we all need to be thankful for on a daily basis.
We take so much for granted!

What are you grateful for today?

We have so many blessings in our lives. Our family, wonderful friends. Im so thankful for them all.

Today my husband is relentlessly working on the living room floor. He finished the sanding and is starting the Acid wash now.
It's looking good though I must tell ya. I have some before photos here.
Well sorta before photos. These are kinda striped down before photos.
There is ol' Blue as we are calling her... The ejector couch sitting in the middle there.
She has been a good one. Has slept many a friend and relative.
It looks to be in good shape just glancing at this photo.
looks can be deceiving. Just sit down on that left side there and it will AUTO-CLINE ya.

The back flips back the bottom extends you will be "clined" as Bella says.
yup you don't get a vote sometimes. other times it might be ok. depends on how you sit. The next time you may end up with your hind end lower than your knees.
Then if you happen to get situated good there and someone plops down on the right side. HANG ON. Your gonna "cline" as Bella says.

can be entertaining at times.
I think I had said it was around 11- 12 years old John corrected me. Its older than that. WE have been married 12 years. I had it 3 years before that so I STAND CORRECTED.
ONE WEEK FROM TODAY....

my living room will go back to looking like a home. My new furniture will be delivered I hope! (I hope it is here by then) They are puting 487 coats of that oh crud I just spilled something stuff on it. whats it called?

MAYBE Our life will return to some sort of normal?
hahahaha! whatever that is.

I loved that couch but My hind end is NOT SAD to see it go BUBYEEE ol blue!

ahhh relax....

2010-09-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind kickin' back, for a bit.
Just let all my cares just wash away in the waves as I set sail on a big cruise ship and sip a big fruity drink. Well that is just what my brother did in this photo on this altered canvas that I did.

(He hasn't seen this yet by the way haha) I am sure he will be happy to hang this somewhere like on the floor or in the dog house maybe in his office to remind him of stress free days of yesterday. (and his loving, beautiful, sweet, funny and smart little sister YES THAT WOULD BE MEEEEE quit acting like you don't know THAT!)

When you look at this photo do you not just want to be swept away to some vacation spot? some Island getaway? Do you not hear the music?
ahhhhh.

(You may click on the image to see it larger)

So, You wanna know the "how I dunnit?"

Directions:
CUPCARDSTOGO AUGUST KIT!
SEEEE you can make more than just cards from these kits! I made this project AND I made a mini album see THIS POST HERE! I still have a box full of stuff left to make cards with! You definitely get your moneys worth from these kits!

I also had the little add on that I won from the blog hop!
THANKS DANI! ::waving::
It was so cute. had the little crushed shells and sand.
I used the embellishment pack that was in the kit the paper also.
I added The Canvas, The wooden word RELAX, Glimmer mists, acrylic paint and inks they didn't come with that kit.

I misted the canvas.
The canvas is 8 x 12 (you can find them at most craft stores) I like the ones with big open backs)

I sprayed it with several different shades of blue. It got kinda crazy and I got a lot of different variances of blue.

The word RELAX is a wooden word my mom had found at some good will or place like that. I have some other words like this in my box of stuff waiting to be altered.
I thought this one was PERFECT for this photo. It went so well with this kit this paper all of it so well. (put it was the WRONG color) had to fix that!
easy!

grab that paint. (I have a wall full of it grab a brush lets get busy!)

after my paint dried I sprayed it with the glimmer mist and oh wow what a cool thing it did. It started to kinda puddle up.It looked so neat.

I loved how it made the kinda shimmery lazy loook at the top kinda dreamy.
I glued HEAVILY with ALEENES TACKY GLUE the crushed rock and shells THEN sprinkled
the sand on top of that.

While all that was drying. Put on some Groovy tunes and start planning what you want to do to the rest of it.

Hope you liked this you can see the newest kit up on her site.
This was actually made with her AUGUST kit. She has another one out now that I am about to dive into. This one has been so much fun.
Thanks for looking Hope you get a chance to RELAX
and have fun creating!
xoxox
me!

Veggie Inspector B

2010-09-08T23:41:00.000-07:00

Veggie Inspector B was a big help when hubby brought home a heap of veggies from the farmers market Tuesday (so now you know what all I have been doing!)
He got us a bushel of peas, butter beans, some Okra, a few tomatoes and him some squash.
(Bella and I don't care for things named after noises and Squash is a sound not a food)
YESSS we have tried it all kinda different ways fried was ok... Thank you and IM SURE your grandmother's recipe handed down 75 generations is LOVELY. GO enjoy.
Thank you so kindly for your generosity and caring. bless you. no thanks. hahaha. no can do. Seriously I have tried. Its a texture thing. we really have tried it cooked a bunch of different ways and I did ALMOSTTTTT sorta almost swallow it one of them.
I just cannot get myself to eat it. anyway before I get sick thinking about it

We cleaned the veggies and Inspector B helped pick the bad ones out, the trash (hulls, dirt, bugs eww, or any thing that isn't supposed to be in there. What? These are FRESH HOME GROWN VEGGIES. Where do you THINK they GROW? IN THE REGRIGERATOR? THE DIRT! so ya theres DIRT on them. so ya THERE IS A PROCESS. SO, I'm passin' it on down like my grandmama did, and my mama did. (minus the shooting water all over the ceiling, the kitchen,.. found out it can reach the living room when you use the vegetable sprayer and also the stove) I was soaked.

Bella was sorta wet,
Kitchen was really wet,
John had gone to the store to get some other things I had needed (more zip locs,towels and probably alcohol. I mean corn ya, corn!) He came home to my face just... well,ughm ya. Bella was singginnnnn' and diggin in the peas. I'm Just staring at him. with that.... face. SO, He knows something is up.
(yet afraid to ask) finally he says "WHAT?!" then he hears "YOUR DAUGHTER" then HE LAUGHS! because he knows whats coming! anyway, We were tired.

We had a big weekend. I am not used to doing a lot at one time. My shoulder has started to feel better. (Thank you lord doing the YAY dance)

Our couch has an ejector seat on it. you sit down on one end and it EJECTS you. It is the same couch I have had FOREVER. like 14 years. (Yes I'm serious) whether you want it to or not.. You will be ejected. so it was time. There were some amaaaazing sales this past weekend so we went "loooking" at furniture.
THEN, we came home and he got the bright idea. HEY! Lets pull up the carpet. well, guess what is under there when you pull up carpet?

omgosh, it's nasty. I couldn't stand it. He is staining it or something? anyway,
I was losing my mind.

We looked at these floors and they are soooo gorgeous.
(they were all done by these professional stainer, art people
that have websites and have done this before for years and years)

pray for me. just sayin'

although, the good news... its floor.. can always cover it up.

stain is expensive though!

He is making me a nervous wreck! He keeps saying things like "so David will be just
next door. IN CASE."

IN case of WHAT? I don't even want to think about that right now.

I do have to say it looks better with that carpet out already.

In other news:

Bella entertained us tonight after supper with her guitar. She is doing quite well with her guitar lessons.
She rocked out to "SPANISH THEME IN G" after our lovely meal of fresh veggies. (what? you think we were gonna eat somethin else after all that work? please!) She did a great job didn't even look at her fingers. (don't judge by the photo that was not a photo from tonight) So proud. She is becoming quite the little guitar player. Here is a PREVIOUS (see the carpet in the background) photo of her playing the guitar NOT tonight. She had a horribly dirty face tonight stained with BBQ sauce from eating ribs (DON'T ASK) couldn't get it all off until bath time. so I will just let you see this photo (PER NANA'S REQUEST HAHA) I have a better photo where she is looking up but, I am saving it for something else :)

so. SORRRY. You will have to wait :) I have been scrappin' like crazy. Staying busy. Doing my physical therapy.

well... I THINK HE THOUGHT THOSE VEGGIES and THE CARPET AND THE FURNITURE THING AND all this other extra stuff he has been having me do, this like domesticated stuff is part of my physical therapy routine. (like I paid attention to the ones I got, so well)hehe! DON'T THAT COUNT??? Anyway, I still got lots of stuff to do hubby stopped at the LSS down in Foley today and got me some cool stuff. HOW MUCH does HE ROCK? I just love him! (even though he does eat squash) YEEEUUUCK!
See ya laters
xoxox
Me

Scrappy lil mini me!

2010-09-02T16:11:00.000-07:00

Bella had a project for school due tomorrow, an "All About Me" poster. I was not really shocked when she said "OH OH MAMA lets SCRAPBOOK IT!" I had to tell her though this was HER project I did help her with the cricut and daddy helped her with the lines. We made sure of course she didn't hurt herself with the scissors and the trimmer. (was a little hard for her to cut the cardstock) But ya she did this herself.
She picked the embellishments (rummaged through my stash) YES that is MY NEW AMERICAN CRAFTS embellie on that poster! All for the good of the grade sigh...
The things we do for our kids haha!

I let her dig through my photos and pick the ones she wanted.
ughh.. Our house looks different... She has grown since then,Amazing looking at these photos how much has changed in such a short time..just since April.

We went through about 4 and half glue sticks on this project. She doesn't hold back on the glue.

We used the trimmer to learn how to measure, along with the ruler. she wanted to layer her papers like I do mine, So I showed her how. I have created a monster!!

*TIP*I laid the letters out for her and then she came back and put glue on them and put them all down. IT was REALLY HARD. The letters were kinda small and the glue stick was kinda sticky on her fingers and the letters would tear.
We learned next time to use the xyron and just run them through.
I was trying to let her do it all with the glue stick though. so THERE IS A LITTLE TIP FOR YOU. They say hind site is 20/20 huh? The Cricut was great to use though on this project.

She wrote her sentence under each one. Even added an extra sentence under Bebe's photo.

She has been working on this project for a while now. We finished it up late last night. (as you can see from the last photo above)
she just kept adding embellishments saying "it just needs something. JUST ONE MORE something mama" (she is her mothers child after all)

I think she did an outstanding job. She is making a great little scrapbooker. Im very proud of her. She did so good working on this and she listened really well.
(shock) 4 and half glue sticks and one day early her project is turned in.
She even challenged herself to those hard hard letters instead of just taking the easy way out. Im proud of her for following through even though they were hard to do. great job lil bit!

Great goin' kiddo! Mommy is VERY proud of you and the hard work you did on this!

Scrappiest scissors in the errrrr..... SOUTH?

2010-09-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

So back during C.H.A. (for my non scrappy friends that stands for CRAFT AND HOBBY ASSOCIATION remember that) I won this prize package from COOL2CRAFT. I thought I had just won this scissor set (holster and scissors) I was pumped about that. (Yall that follow me on facebook KNOW I never can find my scissors because something small cute and blonde is always taking them, or... I set them down and never can find them.
USUALLY its the first one. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

IMAGINE MY SHOCK when I OPEN THE BOX to THIS!

I KNOW! I was doing Bella's YAY DANCE! just shocked! SO MUCH YUMMY STUFF IN THERE! WOW THANKS YALL!

SOOOO I FINALLY took that scissor holster (you see the purple thing in there?)
Had J'Lo'd it out! I saw them do this in the demo but I did mine a lil different. So tell me what you think.

I sprayed it down with some Popsicle glimmer mist (yummy) made it all sparkly.
Then I put a piece of rick rack you can't see it though. I glued the sides right and left then glued the feathers from a piece of a boa BElla had (that had been pretty much destroyed) tucking it behind it twisting them around and under and all whichaways. THEN I took the Pebbles chipboard flower. Popdotted that sucker but added extra glue I wanted it really on there.

Then took a sparkly purple button and
used this is the string from one of those shipping tags...
I used some Heidi Swapp Viva Pink glimmer mist
just put a drop or so (after you have swirled it up good) on waxed paper folded it and ran the string through it ( dyed the thread) then put it through my button)

HOW CUTE IS THAT??
I hang it beside my Desk now AND Hopefully it will STAY THERE! hehe!
I would like to thank Lisa and everyone at COOL2CRAFT.

If you guys have never been to one of these shows YOU MUST COME! They are so fun AND come share your projects. GET A CAM. SHOW YOUR STUFFs.

JOIN THE HIVE This is a cool place for all kinds of crafters (NOT just scrapbookers its crocheters, knitters, quilters, painters, mixed media artists, any type of craft you can think of... they have it or will get a group for it! Tell them Nancy Jones sent ya! (I get points for that!)

Hope you have a wonderful week!

How I Dunnit!

2010-08-30T23:44:00.000-07:00

~

BUT~ First off I want to Thank Sudie for posting my "Back to School Mini" I had done of Bella On Unkit!

WOW! Who knew! I am in just shock! From there... It went: HERE: CraftGossip.com and from there it went to HERE: National Scrapbook Examiner.com

ALL because of Sudie ALexander and Unkit Live. Thank you SUDIE! I just love her so much for letting me have fun on Monday nights and do what I am so happy to do! She just rocks! I am so glad Unkit live is there on Monday nights at 8 30 central.(shameless plug for sudies show) I look so forward to Mondays.
She will not be having one this Monday night due to Labor day. THE NEXT MONDAY THOUGH... GUESS WHAT?? ITS THE BIG SHOW!

WITH THE ONE AND ONLY TERESA COLLINS! (have you seeen that new stamp maker? holy wow!) YA! I KNOW. I am so excited. I'm trying to think of questions. The only one I can think of right now is will she do house calls?

SOOOOOOOO, If you tuned in... You know I had some technical difficulty.
The power had gone out and I guess that is what made my headset where the volume woudln't work. I dunno. MY SOUND GUY... hasn't figured it out yet.
SO I will post all the stuffs I was gonna tell ya with photos hereeee.
PS: You can click on the photos to make them bigger so you can see.
Just FYI :)

So did you guesss what it is ??
Did you figure it was gonna be some sort of mini album?
THEN you know me soo well!
The reason I said two? is because Bella has 2 grandmothers.
I am gonna make one for each.
I am doing them both one and put the things Bella loves to do with them.

Bella LOVES to play "make up" and rummage through her Nanas jewelry.
(I do tooo)
She had the BEST TIME when we were in Mississippi playing in Nanas jewelry box.
(I did tooo!)
I got the MOST adorable photos.
I just had to make this album!
so I'm thinkin' grandparents day is coming up soon?
if not I Know her birthday is, AND My moms birthday is as well so.. anyway.. GIFT.. made! DONE! WHEW!

I just love seeing their faces when they open these kinda gifts! Makes my heart smile!
Bella loves giving them! Win Win..

Ok Im going to go over what I did and How I dun it (hence the name of this post)

so here is a photo with some of the products I used:

(YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY OF THESE PHOTOS TO SEE THEM LARGER .. at your own risk.... but any flaws, crooked lines , mis spelled words in journaling, whopsided embellishments... its for the sake of the sake of the children errr I mean project, hey my kid was playin' in the back ground Im lucky this is made at all don't HATE! all Im sayin YOUR The one that clicked to see it REALLY BIG!)

So what I did..
On the cover. I started with THE BOX. yes THAT postal box. and I sanded it down .. mostly.
Cut it to the dimensions I wanted for a mini album.
first page/cover is 5 x5
second is 6 x 5
third is 7 x 5
last is 8 x 5

I glimmer misted the back ground so that the edges would hold the color when you look at the sides. Websters Pages from the AUGUST UNKIT was the perfect paper for this.
I absolutely love the Tim Holtz Tissue tapes.
I used them on top of that paper. YOU CAN SEE the Websters design THROUGH that tape along with the words on the Tim Holtz tissue tape. SOOOO amazing. I inked the edges of the tape before I put it down that made it even cooler! I did it verticle and across at the top to make it interesting.
I cut out that Teresa Collins Clock from the Paper that is also in the August Unkit I used my Making Memories Edge distresser. that is the Black thing up in the picture that has Making Memories stamped across it. It has a little razor blade on it. I also used that around the edges of my paper. I LOVE THAT TOOL I USE IT ALOT ALOT ALOT!
I also used Coffee shop and Walnut gold glimmer mist on the clock, chestnut roan colorbox chalk inks to accent and go over the edges.
Making Memories stick pin,
7 gypsies arrow metal photo turn points to the number 7 on the clock (Bella is 7 years old)
The always letters are little yellow bicycle)

The wire I painted with ranger gold paint (This wire was silver to start with I didnt have any big enough any other color) THEN after it dried, I sprayed it with iridescent Gold glimmer mist and went over it with Hayride glimmer Glam. It worked perfectly!

October Afternoon Thrift Shop Stickers I inked the edges used pop dots for dimension.

This ribbon for this bow was white, I used Antique pink glimmer mist to make it the right color. After I tied it. I glued in place (the knot) THEN I put some Glimmer Glaze PINK LADY on the ends so it wouldn't fray. (it works like nail polish) I also added a bit over it so it would sparkle and shine. (smells like nail polish too whew)

On this page notice there are 7 jewels across the top. I also used Pink Lady glimmer glaze around the frame. I double framed with doodlebug sugar cardstock. (VERY SPARKLY!)

This next page I saturated it with a couple different colors of purple glimmer mist trying to get the color I wanted on the edges. It turned out kinda cool. I inked the edges of the paper and distressed them with the M.M. edger. (same one as I used on the cover) I used that clock face and this wooden number 7. I got these from a scrapbook store back home that used to be open in Byram Mississippi Im waving to you guys!!!(HI JO! POLLY HI DANA !HI TO ALL THE GANG) I still have some of these can you believe it?
I LOVE LOVE these I HOARD them! I used to get them every time I went home and also would get her to mail them to me Id get bunches of them.

So anyway Since she was looking at a watch in this photo on this page... I had to talk about time...
I mean hello..its in your face there.
so I put for journaling:"Nothing is more precious than time spent with you"

so on this page I glimmer misted with pink and something totally coool happened when it dried.The purple from the previous page.. Bled through it TOLD YOU I SATURATED IT. I used the heat gun to speed it up so I dunno if that made a difference. BUT OH IT LOOKS SOOOOO COOOL up in that top left corner. I dunno if you can really see it in the photo but when you see it in real life. (trust me it looks kewwwwl) The gold in the glimmer mist and the light hits it one way you see purple one way you see pink... sooo neat!

I put an arrow pointing to BOTH of their bare little feet. HOW CUTE IS THAT?
"The journaling: I wish these moments would last forever
they are but a tick on the clock"

Basic grey wisteria paper from August Unkit ( I believe this is also in the Sept. Unkit)
I distressed the edges Used colorbox inks on the edges to give it that antiquish look.

This is the flip side of that same Basic Grey Wisteria Paper. I also cut out the design on the Websters pages paper. I glimmer misted it so it would blend more.
I took some flowers and folded and twisted them around after I finagled some ribbon around and made a design with it. Pop dots give the photo dimension so the flowers can sit behind it just a bit and I let the ribbon run off of the page. I put time over to the side of the flower.
I cut out the side of that border from the other side of the Websters pages paper.
All edges were inked with colorbox chalk inks.

That ribbon was made from a larger piece of ribbon. I didn't have the right size. so had to make my own.

I folded it over and used Aileenes tacky glue to hold it down.
then just curled it around and looped it back put a sticky dot down. repeat.

Journaling:
"Thank goodness we have this time to remember
in our memories time can never stop." ~ NJ

Thats the back

THE END

I enjoyed making this. I spent all weekend making it finished it up today.
Hopefully it will let my Mother in love know JUST HOW VERY MUCH we do love and appreciate her. she is an absolutely amazing woman. Im so glad she is in our life. Bella is a very lucky little girl... So am I!
This project was a great distraction. I love making these kinds of things! NOW gonna make another one for my mom!
hope you have a good day!
~me

Here is a link to this months (septembers) Unkit. It has some awesome products in there!

September Unkit

Again I want to thank Sudie for all she has done for me and for posting that mini on Unkit. Im so Blessed to have such good friends! in my life! xoxox!

ANOTHER sneak peek

2010-08-29T19:07:00.001-07:00

I didn't post yesterday about what I am working on because well, I didn't work on it yesterday. BUT, TODAY... different story. I have been inking and misting and gluing hehe. YES I love this so much! AND NOOOOOOOOO.. I am not anywhere close to through. CLOSER but not through. I WILL as promised show you more hints.

have you figured it out?
maybe?
ya think?
shush melissa.
hahhaa.

I will tell you what I did here... I used this sheet of Websters Pages(is this not gorgeous? this is all from the August unkit except the mists) and cut it out but it needed to be kinda bluish. so anyway....
here is .....
another preview hint.

Theres a big hint in that photo too.

I plan to finish it up if I cant sleep tonight and tomorrow (I am pretty tired.) and show in the aftershow on vokle if we are up to it. so won't you join us? We have a great time at Unkit Live with sudie. Bella loves her some Ms Sudie tv too! Its family friendly and has awesome crafts so come join us on Monday nights!

Sneak Peak

2010-08-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

So I had a creative release last night with my August unkit. It was like an old friend. Was so awesome. I LOVE scrapbooking and just throwing my brain and my energy losing my thoughts into art. It is great therapy both physical and mental.
It comes so easy when you put your heart into it.
So I pulled out my August UNKIT along with some of my other FAVORITE products from various kits I have. Some recent kits I have gotten from Scarlet Lime. (LOVE me some Christy! all those embellies in those kits YUM!) And also some Past kits from my Design Team days at Scrapbook Obsessions. (they still have a few kits left that are $10.00 by the way)
I miss them so much. (((chantele and J.R.)))
One thing you are gonna notice on this lil project I am working on. Something I don't always do. There is a HUGEEEE mixture of manufacturers. I say that.. I mean I DO mix them but I usually keep it to a minimum. But, on this one I just went with what ever... I was going for a certain "feeeeling" with this.
Nope, not gonna tell you exactly what I'm doing yet. I WILL TELL YOU there will be 2 of these made. (that there is a hint yall) Because there are 2 different stories that need to be told. That should help hehe... can you guess what I am doing?

so anyway... Here are some sneak photos.

So have you guessed what I'm doin' yet? have any clue?
think you might know?
lemme know.
comeeee on don't beeee shy.
speak upppp!

IT is TOTALLY NOTTTTT what you think.
don't be fooled.
read my post again there is a big hint in there.

Gonna be working on this alllll weekend. (its all rainy) MIGHT just show yall the finished result at the after show on vokle if lord willing. Cam works, and Sudie is up for it.
Hope you all will Bring some projects and share in on your 2 min. Show us what your workin' on! WE WANT TO SEEE your current creations! So much fun. NOT RECORDED. No one cares if you have make up on, we are not haters. we are crafters and all have inky fingers so come play with us and show us what ya workin on!

As you have guessed. My shoulder is feeling much better. THANK YOU LORD FOR CORTISONE SHOTS. It will still smart sometimes when I get to going and realize maybe I shouldn't have moved that way. BUT NNOOTTHHIINNGG (THANK YOU JESUS) like it was!
but for the most part... MURCH BETTA! THANK YOU THANK YOU!
SO IM GONNA get my craft on this weekend. Great therapy great thing to do with Bella. Got a buncha buncha movies.
SO what you gonna be doing'

have you ever

2010-08-26T16:42:00.000-07:00

have you ever heard that song by Reba Mcentire "If I had only known?"
its a song about if she had only known all these things how she would have done so many things differently. So many times in our lives we look back and think OH MANNN. I shoulda.. I wish I had... I know in my life there are so many. several really HUGE ones. but one major one comes out every year. It is coming up really soon. like, THIS WEEK. It haunts me like something you have no idea. I am sure your thinkin.. gee this chick needs some help. OH YA we have been there.
yes I have been there, Been shrunk, meditated, hallucinated, hesitated and had many a preacher tell me their "O PINION on things" DO NOT get me started I could write many a book on this. and hit my knees before the lord So do NOT START WITH ME it is a personal demon that I fight with. Its the "IF".

IF I HAD ONLY KNOWN..... If I could have kept him on that phone maybe for 10 more minutes maybe it would have been different. 10 more minutes.....

even 5?

could it have made a difference?

would it have been someone else in his place instead that day?

wouldnt want that to happen...but,

what would have happened if?

would they have subdued the idiot, and we all still have my dad.. IF.

big word for two letters.

If I would have known what was about to happen that day. I would have stayed on that phone for an eternity to keep him away from what happened next. these are all questions I still ask. I have alot of things I have to work out with the man upstairs one day... I WILL. I know he has a reason. It will make sense. someday. THAT WAS MY DADDY! I WANNA KNOWWWW! but today. I still ask myself that question.

EVERYONE HAS a story. I know this. Do you scrapbook them? So far I have not scrapbooked this. Not the details. I can't bear to put this idiot/aka person that did this to my daddy in my book. I say idiot because this is a pg/G rated blog. But, I have newspaper clippings and all the 911 pages, court documents from the trial. I have everything. every last little detail. Even letters from idiots family. I was there. ya. for all of it. Daddy was always there for me. My dad.
Some day. Bella will ask more questions. I have boxes. She has already asked. I have told her on her age level appropriate need to know answers. He died a hero. In line of duty.
I think My child needs to know the truth. What drugs do to you. They destroyed our family. And that idiots as well.

Our family is going through this still and will forever because a spoiled idiot kid on drugs took away what he saw as just another uniformed deputy. THAT MAN.. was my daddy.
Our WORLD. NOT just another man in uniform.... when you see a uniformed officer out there. smile. Tell them thank you and to be careful out there.

http://www.odmp.org/officer/976-deputy-bobby-joe-mccrary

Well if that don't make ya heart switch sides....

2010-08-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

it just might heal ya!
So I got into this Krispy Kreme donut discussion, over a photo that Kizer and Bender put up on their facebook feed. It 'bout hurt me. Im tellin' ya. I had dreams about that sucker.
I couldn't get it out of my head. I used to be really skinny. I wore leg warmers under my pants legs to make them look like they had a shape. (don't have much of an issue now THANK YOU TO STEROIDS no I don't play pro ball, just have MS thank you) I have more trouble eating than any person I know. more of a problem keeping food in me. Nothing agrees with an MS patient due to medications it seems. But OH how I LOVE me some KK donuts. THE SMELL of them is just HEAVEN! SUGARY OVERLOAD DELIGHT! The things I can do with them suckas. The recipes are endless. That post went on for days and days. They bring back so many wonderful memeories. ahhhhhhh.
One of the first dates John and I had was to KK donuts. early in the morning. THE LIGHT WAS ON. which means to you that don't know "They were hot." (we had had a few) and omgosh I think we scarfed down a whole dozen in record time. We were the only ones in the place and they were kickin us out. (I was tryin to get them to please let me make the donuts)
was a lot of fun though.

My honey knows how to make me happy. so I had this grand idea. ice cream samiches out of KK donuts. omgosh. THAT WOULD JUST HAVE TO BE GOOD huh? I mean it was 2 of my most favorite things IN THE WORLD.
so here is what we did.

(don't that look just out of the flippin world?????) I have the best ideas ADMIIITTTT IT! that will make you just fall in love right there!)

Ok so first you split the donut like a bagel. Let the grown folks do it for ya if ya can't do it ya self.
Don't go cuttin ya scrappin hands!
(pop it in the nuker (aka. microwave) for about 10 seconds depending on how old yours is) get it just warm.. mmmm smells good don't it?

DON'T EAT IT YET! stop!

Spread on ya some ice cream.. blue belle home made vanilla oh ya baby (if ya down in the south that is THE ONLY KINDA ICE CREAM to get) if you don't live in the south. well. Im sorry for ya. you need to come down here and learn bout some good eatin!
(and how to Reckon!)

Put the top on. Oh man. Its gonna be so good! Then ooozle droozle some of this caramel sauce on top. oh lawd help me.

Then can I get a volunteer? anyone anyone??? someone wanna taste test? anyone.
Sure you cute little girl that I might know.

Now that my friends... is some good stuff right there.

I didn't hear anything out of her for a while so I think she liked it.

Here ya go again with the finished product:

OH and you can also make cute mini albums out of the hats:

HELLOOOO you think I was just gonna do a post and not have anything scrappy in it?
me thinks you do not know me very well!

This is an older mini album (you see how little Bella bug is) so I won't bore you with all of it. BUT JUST had to show you. This love affair has been long going hehehe
so. GO. have some fun. eat some donuts make a mini out of the cute hat they give you. (you don't have to take a kid with you to get a hat by the way just so ya know)
hope you have a good day)