Slow Drain

I was SOO motivated last week.  Key word in that sentence is “was” (in case you missed that).  I’m trying to stay motivated, but it seems to be slowly draining.  On the flip side, my self-control has popped in for a few visits (although it never shows up when I start craving Dr. Pepper), and I’ve crunched off all those brownies from a couple of weeks ago.  Now if I could just get self-control and motivation to stick around permanently, it would be perfect. 

My to-do list last week was 16 items long, and 14 got crossed off (and they weren’t simple items like “take out the trash” either…I’m talking about long jobs like “clean out and re-organize Munchkin’s room”).  This week’s to-do list is 5 items long.  I’m not even motivated enough to write down the things that need to be done.  =) 

Hello?  Motivation?  A kick in the rear, if you please?

While I’m waiting on that kick, here’s one of the to-do list items I checked off last week.  It took days and days of working on this (although it looks like it would be simple enough) but it was fun, and it’s finally finished and a printed book is on order. They’re having a great sale right now on photo books in case you have already made some and have just been waiting on a sale to order.  I don’t recommend trying to start one from scratch to finish by tomorrow because if you do it right, you’ll never finish it by the deadline, but maybe that only applies to people like me.  LOL.  Anyway: the book:

Click here to view this photo book larger

Visit Shutterfly.com to create your own personalized photobook.

Also, I updated the blogs this morning.  Now they’re all nice and fresh and cleaned up.  Because housekeeping and remodeling, it’s not just for the house.  There were quite a few blogs in my link lists over there that have been collecting dust for a few years now and it was just time for a vacuum. =)  And I’ve got a rumble in my head to do new headers, too, but not today.  Today, I must get my bum off this seat and go put some chicken in the crockpot.  =)

PS Kelby, in answer to your comment on last post, yep, I’m sure that energetic kid in #9 was definitely you…you and your sister were the only ones I ever liked to keep around, lol.  I didn’t read all that post when I was linking, so that made me laugh again when I saw your comment and went back and read it closer.  LOL. 

This Day

So I have been trying to get back into being a good creative team member since I was such a slacker in December on the digi-scrap stuff….and this new kit came out today at Funky Playground:

And when I looked at it, it seriously reminded me of my grandma who recently passed away…those were some of her favorite colors and it has a little bit of a retro feel, so I thought I’d do a page about some of my memories of her. 

(Images are linked to the kit.  Fonts: Chopin Script, Myriad Pro.  Page Inspiration: Ali Edwards.  Picture of Grandma’s house was painted by Grandma many years ago, and I took a picture of her painting.)

Scrapbooking stuff like that is healing I think.  Anyway.  I need to scrapbook how annoying ADHD is….maybe that would help me not be so annoyed with people who have it.  LOL.  Because at the moment I can hear upstairs, a child who is supposed to be playing the computer and all she is doing is rolling around in the computer chair…..  I have such a low tolerance for some things.  Stupid things bug me.  Particularly on days when I am…um…needing Midol.  But I am way off topic now.  LOL. 

All the banging and rolling around on the floor above my head is removing all my (already limited) ability to think coherently (although it isn’t hindering me from using large words…hahaha)….however, with that lack of coherent thought, I’m going to leave now….I need a Dr. Pepper.l 

Random….out.

On My List

Image is linked to kit.  Font is HaloHandletter.  =)

Anyway, not that I’m really one for New Year’s Resolutions, but I figure there’s always things we could work on…these are some of mine.  =) 

In case you didn’t notice, “stop drinking Dr. Pepper” didn’t make it on the list.  And now I’m going to go put one in the fridge for later.  *GRIN*

A Review–AND GIVEAWAY!

Okay, so I got this email from My Memories wondering if I wanted to review their program and give away a copy on my blog to one lucky winner.

Well, first, I said, um…is this for real? LOL…because I have never actually gotten anything for free to review on my blog before, so I was pretty sure it was just a gimmick. But then I emailed back and forth and it WAS for real, so WOOT! =)

The essence of the program (quoted from their website):

My Memories Suite version 2 software is a complete digital scrapbooking solution that provides a powerful set of creative tools and multiple sharing options that no other software can offer. Its intuitive workspace and enhanced time-saving features are perfect for a beginner to build an entire album in minutes, or to empower the design pro to build a scrapbook album masterpiece.

So I tried it out. Now I have to be 100% honest, if you are a Photoshop or other mega-graphic-editing genius software user, this is probably not the route for you. But since there are a lot of non-digi-scrappers out there, this would be a great way to jump into it.

Confession: I had to go on their website and read the (very simple) directions to figure out how the program works. I’m not sure what that says about me, perhaps that since I’m a Photoshop user, I am so used to complicated that simple is hard for me. Haha. But it wasn’t hard to figure out after a quick run-through of the online directions.

Since I’m in Christmas card mode right now, I decided to try my hand at a digi-card:

What I liked:

• Ease of use (after quick overview of instructions)
• Capability to mimic shadows and such to make it look less “digital”
• The option to use kits that aren’t already in the program, like this one was one I had from Sweet Tomato (retired designer) and it was extremely easy to grab and drop in. So if you’re one of the kind (like me) who pick up lots of free kits from places or if you’ve already got some purchased kits, you’d be able to use them with ease with this program.
• That My Memories has free digital options in addition to the ones available for purchase (although, I wasn’t a huge fan of the freebies, at least there ARE some)
• Capability to easily “Share” your creations from the program (ie: it doesn’t just save as a specific program file that won’t open in anything else, it exports everything to however you want it: jpeg, web, photo album to print, whatever)

And now that you have my two cents, let me get to the good stuff…are you interested in winning a copy? If you are, here’s how you can get up to two entries to win:

1. Go to MyMemories.com and find a kit that you think is cool, and then come back here and leave me a comment telling me which one you liked.
2. "Like" My Memories on Facebook and then come back here and leave me a SEPARATE comment telling me you’re following them on FB.

Oh, and if you’d rather skip trying to win it and just want to go buy it, I’ve got a special code that provides a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store ($20 value!)

Here’s the code: STMMMS8730

Giveaway ends on Sunday 11/27/11 and I will have my second grader tell me a number between 1 and whatever number the last comment ends up being and that comment will win (can’t get any more random than that…lol). The winner will receive a code to download My Memories Software (a $39.99 value).

A huge thank you to My Memories for giving me the opportunity to review this product and for providing a copy for me to give to one of you. =)

**EDITED TO ADD**
Wanted to note that the facebook "like" doesn't appear to be a freebie, it appears to be a $5.00 coupon off a purchase in the MyMemories store. I "liked" them and I didn't see anywhere that said there was anything for free just for liking them (other than a free extra entry into the giveaway here).

ALSO...all comments are welcome, but if you are commenting as anonymous, please leave me some way to reach you in your comment, otherwise, if your comment number is randomly selected, I will have to draw again because I won't know who you are. =)
**END EDIT**

In the interest of full disclosure: I did receive a free copy of this program to review, but no further compensation was provided and all opinions are completely my own.

Headless Chicken

I’ve never actually witnessed that type of event, but from what I hear, my life these days just might resemble it. 

I would love to have more time to talk, but I’m just going to have to say for today, I’m thankful for teachers. 

It’s a gift I don’t possess, but I’m sure grateful.  Oh yes, and I KNOW I don’t possess it because after two hours of keeping up with a classroom of 23 second graders….well.  Let’s just say it’s not a gift I possess.  *gulp* 

I can say with much feeling after two days of volunteering in two different classrooms, teachers are severely underpaid.  I don’t know what their salary is, but there is no way it could be enough. 

On a completely unrelated topic, I made this page today.  Now the look is immortalized.  Or not. 

I used a kit called Puzzle Bug by Sweet Digi Scraps, in case anyone wonders. 

And in case you can’t read the fine print, it says (and God willing, for many, many more years to come) Because 2001-2011 is just how much it’s been so far.  =) 

And anywho, that’s all I have to say for now…it’s time for me to round up the kid-lin’s and pop them in the shower for their daily decontamination. 

Blessed

I think it’s more than appropriate for this month, although I actually made the layout last month.  But as is always pointed out, we really should be thankful MORE often, than just in the month of November.  And that’s true…we should be thankful more, and complain less… and please excuse the fact that I used a blog entry for the journaling.  Nothing like a little double duty. 

I used this newly released kit by Ocean Wide Scraps called Many Blessings from Funky Playground Designs (although it’s available at Zig Zag Scraps as well). 

(image is linked)

Font is Century Gothic in case anyone wanted to know.  LOL. 

Retirement

No, it’s not me retiring from blogging…although as busy as I’ve been, perhaps I should…lol!  I haven’t even had time all weekend to get on the computer at ALL, so I’m a little late posting about this, but it’s Monday now and I’m trying to get caught up, so here’s what I’ve got to share:

Yep, Sweet Tomato Designs is retiring from designing.  I am so bummed but this is a great sale!!!  And you don’t want to miss it because this is it.  And her designs are awesome!  Digi land is losing a great one.  =(  So grab some of them while you still can!!  (Image is linked to her store!) 

Hurry, her shop will close after 10/9! 

(Oh, and the discount is applied after you put items in your cart, so don’t panic if you don’t see the sale when you are browsing through her store…it’s there)

And now I’m off to try to get caught up on the REST of my stuff that I’m behind on….

Sun & Sand…

What a combination! 

I love the beach. 

So do these guys:

It’s been an interesting day.  Someone set off the smoke alarms while cooking.  Someone stopped up a toilet.  A couple of someone’s fell in love with “surfing” (which was actually just riding the boogie boards on the edge of the waves).  Someone got a little sunburned.  Someone got grouchy.  Someone liked to roll in the sand after they were rinsed off. 

(oh and I am not any of the someone’s up there….ahahaha)

But speaking of sand….

Andddd…someone’s ready for bed.  THAT someone’s ME!

(scrapbook page is linked if you want to see the credits)

I’ll Come Back To This

I can’t think of a title for this post, so I’ll come back to it…but perhaps leaving it would be a much more appropriate title than anything I could come up with…since that seems to be my motto lately.  LOL.  I don’t think I have posted since the pain from those stings finally subsided.  LOL. 

And yes, it DID finally subside.  My poor finger was swollen for around 7 days before it went away completely.  I’m so glad it is gone now.  KC weed-eated yesterday.  I didn’t offer…lol. 

It’s 4:16 on a Wednesday and it will be time for church pretty soon, but since I’ll be gone for most of the evening I figured if a post was going to happen, it better be now. 

We have been a travelling troop the last few weeks.  This last time was a trip to Ohio.  I am so thankful that my parents live nearby now…and not just because they are awesome house and puppy sitters, although I can’t say I’m not loving that part…cause I totally am!  *GRIN*  Anyway, I took a few pictures in Ohio but here’s one that I love:

Credits:
Kit: All My Love by Sweet Digi Scraps
Fonts: Pea Stacy Doodle Script and Pea Sadie from kevinandamanda.com, Stamp Act Jumbled

KC totally cracked me up with the white hair!  And it was a fun trip…mostly.  I won’t even go into the NoT fun part though.  That part only God gets to hear about…lol. 

That makes me think of a quote I saw the other day…

Patience: What parents have when there are witnesses. 

ROFL!

Any-ka-who.

My grandma in NY isn’t doing very well again (although I’m thankful she’s still with us, since they told her over a year ago that she only had a month or two left…she’s 85 and has cancer for the—I think—3rd time).  So I’m going to fly up with dad next week.  KC won’t be going this time, and KC’s mom had already wanted to take the kids that weekend, so he will just have to take care of the doggy-poos.  Hopefully, it will work out well.  Except that he’ll miss the fire out of me, particularly when he has to feed and walk the puppies himself.  He will be all bonded with them when I get back.  hahahaahaha 

K-man just shot me.  With the wordsuckerupinator that he broke and turned into a gun.  That’s what he said. 

In other news, I took two shirts back to the store today and they had a huge clearance sale, so I exchanged the two shirts for six and STILL got three dollars and change back.  I LOVE that!  It’s the little things that make me happy.  =)

Something else that makes me happy??  Pinterest.  It’s like a virtual pinboard where you have an account and you pin stuff on your boards and then when you need to remember that thing you saw online that was really cool and you want to try it…you just go back to your bulletin board.  Isn’t that nifty?  You have to have an invite to join, so if you want to join, holla and I’ll send you an invite…but it’s really neat!  And you can follow friend’s pins and everything…so fun! 

 

 

 

These are just a few of my pins…hahah….some things are just funny, some are things I want to try, some are inspiring…you name it.  Lots of fun! 

And I have an app for my iPod, so muy addicting!  hahaha. 

Well, now I have blathered on for awhile now and it’s time to get ready for church.  Mom, you happy that I’ve posted again now?  =)  This post is dedicated to my mother, who faithfully reads my blog and lovingly nudges me when it gets neglected.   LOVE YOU MOMMA!  LOL!

Adios for now!  =)

Firecrackers

I don’t remember when I last posted.  That is bad.  I am not getting any better at this.  But I’m still posting…even if it’s sporadic, which is more than I can say for…ahem…well…anyway.

I’ll do better in July.  =)  I think I’m going to try this 30 day photo challenge and try to post more frequently that way…

anyway…it’s not like the usual photo hunt style, but just to keep me on my toes…=) 

Like I need anything else to keep me on my toes.  I feel like I’m hopping all the time…I really need to go back and see what I said last because I don’t remember.  And I sure don’t want to repeat myself.  That would be dreadful. 

Oh yes, so Munchkin’s back from her week away.  It ended up being a little over a week but who’s counting?  LOL.  It was so nice to see her scowling face again.  LOL.  Just kidding…she only scowls when I have a camera out. 

(Kit: Love Is by Pixel Perfect Designs
Font: Pea Sadie by kevinandamanda.com)

My sisters (the ones I picked, because God didn’t give me any…lol) and I have been getting together once a week on Thursday afternoons and all our kids play (okay, we moms play, too, but we won’t go there…lol).  ANYWAY.  K-man has been paranoid of the deep end for weeks (even though he’s technically swimming now and can, within reason, stay afloat out there and get from one end to the other) and today the peer pressure got to him.  The older kids just jump in and go, no floaties, nothing…so now that’s what he does. I had to actually get onto him for jumping in the deep end after I’d told him to stay out of the deep end unless he had a floatie on since all the adults were on the other side of the pool.  I mean, he swam across and was fine, but I just worry about him panicking and running out of energy without someone nearby “just in case” since he’s a fairly new swimmer.  But three weeks ago, I could barely convince him to get in the deep end WITH a float.  LOL.  Oh yeah…and that’s without swim lessons…that’s just me working with him every time we get in the pool.  Teehehe.

Well anyway.

Today was lovely…sister therapy is great.  Tomorrow my dad’s coming over and hanging out for a bit and then I’m not sure what we’re going to do tomorrow evening.  I probably need to go grocery shopping…I have lots of food that the Munchkin and I like (you know…yummy stuff like rice and beans…lol) and not so much that the hubby and the K-man will eat.  My life is so exciting.  I should write notes to myself when I think of something I should blog about because the only things I remember when I come back and write later…well, they make my life sound so boring.  Or maybe it is boring and I’m just now realizing it.  ;-)

On that happy note…goodnight.  =)

In Lieu…

Of a post in which I tell about my busy (albeit probably boring to anyone else) life, how bout I just share this really cool sale:

And here’s a layout I made using Cara’s newest kit called Sweet Summertime…go go go…50% off is a GREAT DEAL!

(PS: Oops, I just realized this newest kit is not officially released until tomorrow…but since most of you won’t read this till tomorrow anyway, I’m going to go ahead and leave it up…lol.  =)

Credits:
Template: All About Hope #1 by Lilly Lane Market
Kit: Sweet Summertime by Sweet Tomato Designs
Fonts: Mufferaw, Pea Stacy Doodle Script by kevinandamanda.com
Photo Action: Heartland by Pioneer Woman

And here’s a little tidbit from my busy (albeit boring) life: Swimming lessons for K-man were a dismal failure.  He sat on the side of the pool or stood in the water the whole time and the “teachers” didn’t teach and the kid didn’t swim.  I’m not sure who was more at fault but we’re not going back tomorrow.  GRRRR.  I had to control my temper today.  I will teach the kid to swim myself in our own pool.  FOR FREE.  If I’d had swimming clothes on today, I would have jumped in the pool and started actually working with the group of kids myself so they could leave and actually be a little closer to learning how to swim.  GAHHHH.  Dear heavenly father…perhaps I shouldn’t talk about it…I’m getting het up again.   

On a completely random note, the Munchkin is out of state for a week with Mawmaw and it’s very quiet here.  Another completely random note: the K-man has gotten hooked on ol’ Tom and Jerry.  I LOVE Tom and Jerry.  WHY don’t they make cartoons like THAT anymore? 

Another completely random tidbit: it’s past K-man’s bedtime so I need to go away now and put him to bed.  =)

See ya’ll. =) 

BOO.

I am NAUGHTY.  In so many different ways…lol.  Like how I haven’t blogged in….um…I’ve lost track. 

And we will stop there with my naughty list.  LOL. 

I really want a Dr. Pepper.  I might as well give in…you know…while I’m being so naughty.    Except…I’m not in the mood to climb the stairs to get one. 

Anyway, yes, I’ve been gone.  I’ve been kinda, just a little bit….uh…busy.  The pool guys finally came and installed our pool liner.  We spent a week filling it up.  I cleaned out a bunch of landscaping where the patio is going to eventually be.  We’ve been swimming.  Munchkin has only a week of school left.  I decided to rearrange rooms and of course, it would be too easy to swap rooms on the same level, it is way more fun to climb two flights of stairs with the contents of each room.  I’m a third finished.  The one third being the contents of one room is moved up two flights.  The second third is painting the two rooms, and the third third (lol) is moving the other room down the two flights.  Who needs a gym and stairstepper?  LOL.  My garden grew wayyyyy out of its box and I can’t figure out how to make it stop growing already and just start producing some FRUIT!  We cleaned all the bushes growing through the fence around the pool…that was a job.  Went to Winston for a friend’s high school graduation.  Birthday party and graduation reception today, and installed a roof vent/fan to try to lower the electric cost of this house (well, actually, KC installed it…I just stood on the deck and wrung my hands and prayed he wouldn’t slide off…being that we have a three story house and he was on top of it, it would have been ugly).  I could SO keep going.  Summer is in with a BANG. 

Oh yes, and I joined another creative team…probably shouldn’t have, but it was irresistible…Sweet Digi Scraps has some really funky kits that are just my flavor.   Here’s one I did with her new kit that released today:

Kit: Taste of Summer
Font: frazzled

Sooooo.  Anyway.  Just a little bit of why I haven’t blogged in awhile.  I’ll try to do better, but I make no promises.  That way I won’t be naughty (again) and break them.  ;-) lol

Goodnight. 

Newsy News

WELL.  For starters, I am back before another weekend passes.  HA! 

Secondly, I have more pictures from last weekend.  I didn’t forget!  LOL. 

I did a speed scrap last night and put a few of the pics from last weekend’s trip on it…

Turned out pretty neat, I think…I used Raspberry Limeade by Sweet Tomato Designs and speaking of Sweet Tomato Designs, she’s got some news for you….

Check her blog for more details.  Awesome deal if you catch it tomorrow and Sunday! 

And that’s it.  Yep.  That’ll do it.  Savvy?  LOL

Guess What Day It Is…

Not Wednesday, but in case you didn’t notice, Wednesday is almost here—aGAIN!!  As K-man so stated the other day, “Dear Heavenly FATH-er!”  LOL.  And that’s what I did, too…to which he replied, “I told you to stop laughing at me! Don’t do it a-GAIN!”  (He likes to accent random parts of the words.) 

ANYWAY!  May is over half gone and I’ve blogged twice.  Is that awful or what?! 

I actually have a good reason this week…we went to Ohio last Thursday through Sunday and I didn’t take my computer so no internet access to speak of…and then yesterday was unpacking and laundry a-GAIN!  LOL. 

This morning was errands and running around…needed an oil change, well-check for the K-man, yada yada, so I need to get busy on the house now but wanted to check in before it got to be another hump day and then another downhill slide from there….*grin* 

Here’s a little bit of our trip (with some of my old memories thrown in) and I’ll try to get more of the trip posted before the weekend.  =)   

Layout credits:
Template: Cut It Out by Tree City Studios
Kit: In This Moment by Tree City Studios
Fonts: Times New Yorker, Pea Hart by kevinandamanda.com
Journaling:
Our family of four went to Ohio last weekend and the first night there, we stayed with my childhood best friend and her family of five.  We had a great visit (as always) and then it was time to put our three girls and two boys to bed.  When we tucked the three girls into her girls' bed, I had almost instant flashbacks. 

That was totally us!  Her mom had two girls and a boy, my mom had a girl and a boy.  I was pretty close in age to my best friend and her sister was younger but we all did everything together.  I remember sleeping in the middle of the two of them MANY times.  We stayed up for hours past our bedtime, giggling and talking, long after everyone else was in bed.  And eventually, we'd fall asleep.  And then we'd wake up the next morning to go find more trouble to get into. 

As I walked past their door to get something from the room that KC and I were staying in, I looked in and saw them trying to stay quiet while they were trying not to break the staying in bed rule by doing all kinds of gymnastics and hanging onto each others legs to pick up something off the floor without getting out of bed, I couldn't get mad.  Even though it was midnight and all of them should have been asleep hours before, I just couldn't get mad.  I shushed them just like our moms did to us, and then I smiled, waited for them to finally fall asleep, and then ran to get my camera -- and my ol' pal, who came in and told me to climb up on the bookshelf to get the best shot...  just like old times!

5 / 12 / 2011

Good Night

I just posted…how is it that it’s been like five days already?  And it’s not like I’ve been that busy for the last few days either…for a change.  Haha. 

I have actually had some kinda lazy days for the last couple days…haven’t done much besides hang around the house and do laundry (hello, time to save some gas) and would you believe I’m still tired?  I take vitamins (half the time).  KC says maybe I should start exercising…I probably could go down and walk on the treadmill for awhile…but I’m never ever ever ever ever…did I say EVER? in the mood….lol.  Perhaps that’s my problem.  Anyway. 

I have lots of problems.  Most of them human.  And when it’s not the human in ME, it’s the human in the people around me.  Sometimes both. 

Something that has been on my mind lately is that people get offended way too easily.  Offense can mean several different things but the definition I’m thinking of means the state of being insulted or morally outraged.  And to offend, by definition, to cause to feel vexation or resentment usually by violation of what is proper or fitting. 

I think the issue falls in that people are insulted or morally outraged by their definition of a violation of what is proper or fitting.  In some senses, I get offended easily.  If I know someone is flat out lying to me, with the intent to mislead, that’s rather offensive.  But I think the difference is, in most cases, the things people are getting insulted over are just THEIR OPINION of what is a violation of morals. 

Oooh, person X was in place Y the other day and I’m SO OFFENDED by that…that couldn’t possibly be something a TRUE Christian would do…I’m going to tell them how much their actions offended me.  Or…person Z wore a shirt that was SO low I could see her collarbone….I am SOO offended.  Or…person A said such and such and I think he REALLY meant this and this and we need to have a meeting so we can work this out.  Or even, person B does this activity that I totally disagree with so I’m not going to say anything but I’m not going to be friends with them anymore…. 

I wish I were exaggerating but people really do get their knickers in a knot over their own convictions of moral truth. 

So you don’t do X, Y, or Z…that’s perfectly fine.

I just don’t see the point in taking everyone to task over every little thing that you don’t agree with that you decide offends you.  All that does is make people feel like they have to walk on eggshells around you or face (yet another) meeting or discussion.  Garruhmph.  THAT bothers me.  I hate feeling like I have to walk on eggshells…consequently I have some people that I avoid like the plague.  KC calls them EGRs (extra grace required)…I try not to call them anything at all because I like to stay out of calling range.  That probably offends them, too.  LOL.  It’s kind of funny, but I guess you could say that I get offended by people who get over-offended.  Teeehehe.  LOL.  I love everybody, it’s just that some of those bodies, I have to love from a distance.  For the safety and well-being of everyone involved…lol  =)  Is that bad?  If it is, just pray for me, okay?

Here, let’s change the subject before I offend someone…lol…look at these cute kids….can’t get offended over that, right? 

This is that kit I mentioned in my last post…the one that goes along with my new theme.  Raspberry Limeade…mmmm…makes me thirsty!  Such a yummy kit! 

And cute kids…did I mention they were cute?  Even when they’re being difficult on camera.  LOL!  Munchkin has this thing anymore where she puts on this weird pouty/grouchy face like she’s trying to be a grownup or something…ugh…see what I mean?!

And K-man…well, he likes to smile with his eyes shut.  And then as soon as you snap the picture, his eyes fly open, “lemme see the picture, momma!”  “SURE, buddy, but how bout you keep your eyes open so you can SEE the picture from that side of the lens?!”  LOL! 

ANYWAY….that was how the page got its title: the elusive…Perfect Picture.  LOL! 

And I think I’m going to call it a night now.  PS for anyone who wonders, NO, nothing happened, I’ve not been called into any meetings lately, I haven’t offended anyone lately (that I know of)….just been thinking about it.  LOL. 

You Know

When you get behind in updating, it’s difficult to figure out where to pick up again.  LOL 

I don’t even know where to start.  The beginning doesn’t work in this case because I don’t know where the beginning is.  Haha.  I guess I’ll just pretend I never got behind and keep on going from here.  Teehee….

I don’t remember what all I blogged about last week…I’m pretty sure it wasn’t much, since my hands were full with our visitor.  She was a good kid but my kids just seem to forget all the rules when we have company, therefore they all needed constant supervision all week, which didn’t leave very much time for blogging.  Haha.  My kids are usually pretty good when it’s just them, and while they do occasionally do stupid things (hello, markers are for paper, not your expensive white bunkbed!) while my back is turned, for the most part, I don’t have to watch them every second.  LOL.  And I know…we all do stupid every now and then…it’s called being human.  Anyway, that was last week…

Then my parents found a house and moved, so I’ve been running up there in my spare time to help them unload and unpack….and clean….lol.  Turn-about’s fair play, I think the saying goes…they helped us clean and unload and unpack last year.  Haha. 

Sunday was Easter (image is clickable for credits).  We went up to the in-laws for lunch and left the kids there for a few days.  The Munchkin has spring break this week.  Seems awfully late for spring break but anyway! 

Before we left the kids, I hid their Easter Eggs and let them go on a hunt around Mawmaw’s yard to find them.  Unfortunately, it was a little too warm outside and most of the chocolate in the eggs did not survive.  Oops.  Oh well…that’s one way to ensure that they don’t get too much candy.  HAH!  Oh, and this just goes to show how forgetful I am, I hid them, and five minutes later went around with them to watch them find the eggs and we didn’t find all of them.  LOL!  I hide things from myself all the time.  ROFL! 

Anyways, they were excited about staying for a few days but Monday morning when I got up and started doing my daily chores, I was so lonely.  LOL…the house was wayyyy too quiet.  I’m used to Munchkin being at school, but K-man is always helping me with chores and hanging out around the house so I didn’t know what to do with myself.  Usually when KC’s parents keep the kids, it’s because something is going on, and I’m either not home or too busy to think about it, but this time I was actually ready for them to come home.  Haha! 

Let’s see…my shoulder is crippling me again.  The last two nights, I’ve woke up and not even been able to move my arm until after a super hot shower and Excedrin Back&Body.  LOL.  I’m not complaining, honestly, it makes changing clothes a little challenging, but I’d rather have a bum shoulder than a lot of other ailments. 

Well…I think that’s good enough for now…if I think of anything later, I will probably forget about it before I blog again.  haha. 

Okay…off for now.  =)

One Step At A Time

I’m climbing my mountain….one step at a time. 

Whew.  What a day…week…whatever.  In response to the offline response I got to my last blog post…I’m fine.  I don’t know who reads this anymore plus I’ve already dealt with situation and had to be cryptic to protect the….innocent(?!)…and anyway, I just needed to let off a little steam because I was aggravated (about more than one thing…it just piled up fast…lol) 

Is what it is…love me, hate me, whatever…just get a life and don’t be messing with mine.  With all due respect, I have enough drama of my own…don’t need anymore.

And that’s quite enough of that topic.  LOL. 

Speaking of drama in my own life…we got a kid#3 tonight (just for a week though…it’s a respite for another foster parent who’s out of town) and she’s fine but munchkin is going ballistic with her behavior.  The new kid is a year older than munchkin and munchkin (as I expected) wants to show off how “cool” she can be and is being her snarky, bouncing off the walls, refusing to listen, self.  Despite the fact that she got a talking to before the new kid ever showed up about that very attitude.  *sigh*  Munchkin is just a case…the other foster mom said that this kid can be a little bossy with other kids so hopefully she will adjust fast and give Munchkin a little of her own medicine.  lol.  It’s just for a week though….we can make it for a week.  =)  And neither of them have sisters so it’s nice for them to have someone to play with for a change. 

Today was busy…K-man had the last homeschool co-op day, so we went to that, then we came back and met up with mom and dad for a little bit, and then got a phone call that the new kid was going to be dropped off earlier than expected, so had to work out suitable arrangements for that.  Got home and everybody got situated, then I put my plants into the raised bed that KC and I built outside the basement over the last few days (yayyyyy…love it!  I’ll take pictures at some point…promise….my baby did a good job!)  Then I made the dogs go down to the potty spot and while they were trying to find the perfect spot, I clipped a few briars back with the clippers.  (Please dear God don’t let me have clipped any poison ivy….I can’t take another round of that stuff).  By that time, KC had returned with pizza and then we chilled in the basement for the rest of the evening. 

WHEW.

One step at a time….

Tomorrow shows no top of the mountain in sight…just another day of climbing….

So I’m off to get some rest…but before I go….here’s some of the pages I’ve done lately:

Remember that kit that I used in March that I said got reworked because the other designers quit designing?  Well, here it is in the new kit.  It’s called Front Page and it’s a killer kit! 

Credits:
Kit: Front Page by Sweet Tomato Designs
Font: Pea Sarahloo and Markus the Cow by http://kevinandamanda.com
Scraplift of "Daughter" by Kimberly (gypsyk)

And here’s a layout of our resident Drama Queen…this one was back in the day…but still full of drama…haha. 

Credits:
Kit: City Glam by BeanBunny Designs
Font: Pupcat

And finally, here’s random pictures…the last month or so…iTouch pictures…very random and not so hot on the quality end of things but anyways…..

Credits:
Kit: Beautiful Life by Pixel Perfect Designs
Fonts: Pea Sadie by http://kevinandamanda.com & Conrad Veidt

Day 23-24–March 2011

Kit: Focus Collab by Sweet Tomato Designs, Heather Hess, & Pagefrocks

Font: My own handwriting

Day 20-22–March 2011

Kit: Focus Collab by Sweet Tomato Designs, Heather Hess, & Pagefrocks

Font: My own handwriting

Day 19–March 2011

Kit: Focus Collab by Sweet Tomato Designs, Heather Hess, & Pagefrocks

Font: My own handwriting

Oh and I am loving these two pictures I took today….I’ve been playing with overlays and textures on photos and it’s really fun. 

Credits:
overlays and word art: house of 3
frame in first photo: hmanning

Anyway….I had more journaling than I had room on the layout for today…lol….wow.  =)  And I’m whooped…we’ve been working our tails off in the backyard.  So I’m going to bed now.